Visit Qatar, the main marketing and promotional arm of Qatar Tourism, has announced a new organisational structure in line with the National Development Strategy 2024-2030 and the National Tourism Strategy 2030. This new strategic structure aims to support Visit Qatar’s mission to enhance Qatar’s attractiveness to international visitors by developing diverse tourism offerings that attract these visitors. The new organisational structure includes several key job roles aimed at enhancing Visit Qatar’s capabilities in developing new tourist attractions and diversifying the country’s calendar of events. The new hires included specialists in digital product development, festivals and events, financial management and strategic project planning. Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: “Visit Qatar is pleased to unveil a new organisational structure that is empowered and capable of furthering our mission of promoting Qatar’s rich tourism offerings and enhancing our global presence, as we continuously attract outstanding talent in line with the National Tourism Strategy 2030. With the addition of our new team of Qatari talent and global expertise, we are better able to move towards innovation, managing major events and delivering exceptional experiences that will attract visitors from around the world.” With its extensive network of international offices, state-of-the-art digital platforms and strategic marketing campaigns, Visit Qatar is expanding its reach globally. As part of its strategic vision, Visit Qatar is committed to diversifying the country’s offerings by organizing an event calendar that includes a wide range of experiences, festivals and tournaments designed to attract visitors from all over the world to an exceptional, enjoyable and enjoyable experience in Qatar.

SAUDIA announced the launch of its first direct flight to Medan, Indonesia, marking its second destination to the country following Jakarta. With four weekly flights scheduled from Jeddah and Madinah, this move aligns with SAUDIA’s commitment to bring the world to the Kingdom and contribute to the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030, particularly those related to serving pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. SAUDIA celebrated the inaugural flight to Medan with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. The event was attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom, Dr. Abdulaziz Ahmed, and the Assistant Vice President of KSA Sales at SAUDIA, Mr. Wail Basaffar, as well as relevant stakeholders. SAUDIA offers a range of services designed to elevate the guest experience, including digital platforms that allow guests to plan their journeys, complete necessary procedures, and access after-sales support. Additionally, SAUDIA provides on-site services at airports to expedite processes and ensure a seamless travel experience. SAUDIA’s international operations are continuously evolving to expand its market share and set new benchmarks in guest transportation, catering to tourists, visitors, and pilgrims. SAUDIA’s fleet of 144 aircraft plays a crucial role in supporting these efforts. Furthermore, SAUDIA is committed to increasing the volume of transit traffic between continents via the Kingdom, which is a key pillar of its strategic vision and new era.

The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) second World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) will focus on actions needed to achieve the airline industry’s commitment to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The event will take place in Miami, USA on 24-25 September 2024, hosted by American Airlines. “Sustainability is an existential challenge for humanity as it is for our airline industry. Achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 is a big and complex task. But working together with the broader aviation industry, and with the support of governments, we will get there. WSS is a unique opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to learn, align and take the critical actions needed to galvanize our determination and accelerate progress,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Key elements to help achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 being addressed at the WSS include: Decarbonization: Focusing on aviation’s transition to net-zero CO2 emissions, including how to develop, scale, and deliver the solutions necessary to decarbonize aviation over the 25 years to 2050. Discussions will address how to build the markets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), carbon removals, and other nascent technologies, and the challenges involved in financing such projects. Innovation and Technology: Exploring new aircraft technologies and operational innovations with a focus on the practical aspects of implementing new technologies rapidly to advance the industry’s net-zero CO2 emissions goal. Policy and Regulation: Examining the global policy landscape aimed at achieving net-zero CO2 emissions, particularly related to SAF, and the complexities of aligning global regulations and harmonizing SAF policies to scale up production and deployment. Finance and Transparency: Looking at investment challenges; what are the difficulties and opportunities in financing renewable energy projects and SAF production, and how to …

McArthurGlen Group, Europe’s leading developer and manager of Designer Outlets with presence in eight countries across Europe and Canada, proudly sponsored the recent “Empowering Generations, Strengthening the Nation” event. Held on August 28th in SLS Dubai Hotel, this inspiring event brought together pioneering Emirati women from various fields to celebrate their remarkable achievements, exchange valuable insights, and discuss the bright future of women in the UAE. Inspiring keynote speeches and dynamic panel discussions took center stage with accomplished Emirati women sharing their remarkable journeys, challenges, and successes. Established in 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, this prestigious annual celebration highlights the UAE’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and the vital contributions of women in shaping the nation’s future. “Emirati Women’s Day is a celebration of the strength and resilience of women driving change and progress in the UAE,” said Sabina Piacenti, International Markets Manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlets. “We are honoured to have been a key sponsor of this significant event, which resonates with our commitment to empowering individuals at every level. The celebration perfectly embodied McArthurGlen’s values by honoring the contributions and leadership of Emirati women across diverse sectors, from business and government to arts, education, and beyond.” Sumeera Bahl, Director, DDP Group, shared, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to McArthurGlen Designer outlets for joining us in celebrating Emirati Women’s Day and recognizing the remarkable women who have shaped this great nation. This event honoured the resilience, strength, and achievements of Emirati women, who inspire us daily. Our Chief Guest, the world’s first Emirati female wildlife photographer, along with the leading women in fields such as business, travel, tourism, and hospitality, who …

SAUDIA has partnered with Mastercard to empower women entrepreneurs in the kingdom with Saudi Arabia’s first tech-inclusion and female-focused accelerator. Together, they will host three workshops in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Khobar, offering budding female entrepreneurs, aspiring leaders, and small business owners invaluable learning and networking opportunities. This season, SAUDIA and Mastercard are joining forces with Blossom Accelerator, The podcast adds to the 5,000 hours of content available on SAUDIA’s Beyond inflight entertainment system, offering a high-quality interactive experience with a diverse range of content suitable for various guest preferences and age groups in more than 16 languages. Additionally, a competition will be launched, inviting startups to present their business concepts at priceless.com/hervoiceS3 for a chance to win a one-year mentorship program by Blossom Accelerator. Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of Marketing at SAUDIA, said: “SAUDIA has been a pioneer in supporting women’s professional growth. By including ‘Her Voice’ on our in-flight entertainment system, we continue to champion women’s stories while enhancing our guests’ experience. Our Beyond entertainment system, with its extensive and interactive content, perfectly complements this initiative.” Maria Medvedeva, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Mastercard, stated: “Amplifying the incredibly moving stories of Saudi women from all over the Kingdom, Her Voice has serves as the clarion call for the recognition of excellence. With women being at the heart of the Kingdom’s transformation into a global hub of innovation and nerve center of regional entrepreneurship, it is vital that we share their inspiring narratives with the rest of the world. We aim to continue doing exactly that with the third season of the podcast series, working closely with Saudia to action lasting and meaningful change.” True to the spirit of the podcast, …

Future Hospitality Summit World unveiled its stellar line up of speakers, an action-packed agenda and a wealth of new features at its biggest event to date, which will see more than 1,500 hospitality and tourism leaders descend on Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah, 30 September to 2 October with TravTalk Middle East. Under the theme ‘Invest in our Future’, the FHS World programme will present three days of strong debate, insight and groundbreaking news, covering everything from investment opportunities to innovation and ESG to exclusive announcements. Among more than 110 confirmed top-flight speakers and presenters at FHS World is His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy for the UAE who, having played a crucial role in developing some of country’s most important hospitality and tourism policies, will share his insights on the world of hospitality investment in a welcome address moderated by Stephen Sackur, Presenter of HARDTalk, on 1 October. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS World organiser, The Bench, said: “FHS World is all about bringing together the best in the industry and connecting decision-makers, investors, hotel owners, operators and innovators across the global hospitality investment sector. As the hospitality and tourism industry reaches new heights in terms of investment, innovation and sustainability, our bursting agenda will push boundaries and challenge the norms to set the tone for the immediate, short-term and long-term future and success of the ever-growing and evolving sector. We look forward to three days of strong discussion, hot debate and industry-changing decision making it our biggest, boldest event yet.” Who is speaking at FHS World? The growing list of speakers at FHS World features renowned names in hospitality, investment and tourism. Among them: His Excellency …

Over the past year Emirates doubled the number of cities it offers beyond its own network, unlocking travel opportunities to nearly 1,700 additional cities. This has enabled an average of over 61,000 passengers to seamlessly connect on the shared networks of Emirates and its partners every week. By forging new partnerships and deepening existing ones across the transport ecosystem, the airline is delivering an array of additional travel choices alongside 31 codeshare, 118 interline and 13 rail and helicopter services partners. Having 162 partners in over 100 countries means an expanded network reach with more and better connections for travellers, seamless single ticket itineraries, enhanced baggage transfers, frequent flyer benefits, lounge access, and other advantages to ensure a smooth travel experience at every touchpoint. For customers of partner airlines flying on Emirates, popular destinations are even closer through Emirates’ robust network over 140 destinations and frictionless connectivity offered at DXB, complemented by industry leading experiences on the ground and in the skies, all easily within reach. In the last year, Emirates launched 16 new partnerships which include codeshares with Avianca and Batik Air Malaysia and the airline also finalised and implemented interline arrangements with KAM Air, Sri Lankan Airlines, Condor, Flynas, Viva Aerobus, Sun Express, Maldivian, Siberia Airlines and Kenya Airways. From plane to train, Emirates customers are now one ticket away from fast connections to cities across Europe through codeshare partnerships with Trenitalia, Spanish Rail Renfe, Austrian Rail OBB and Swedish Rail SJ. The airline was also the first full-service carrier to enter into an innovative interline partnership with BLADE, an urban air-mobility company to provide Emirates customers with helicopter flights between Nice and Monaco on a single ticket. Adnan …

Her Highness Princess Haifa Mohammed Al Saud, Vice Minister of Tourism, has initiated the largest programmatic and institutional accreditation initiative. This effort is designed to enhance the quality of tourism education and training, aiming to improve the efficiency of education and training outcomes in the Kingdom’s tourism sector and better connect them to the labor market. HH emphasized that since its inception, the Ministry has been dedicated to enhancing the educational and training programs and aligning their outcomes with the needs of the current and future labor market. She noted that the launch of this substantial initiative marks a critical step towards ensuring the success of these efforts. HH also detailed that this initiative, the largest worldwide, involves assessing the quality of 102 national tourism education and training programs throughout 2024. This assessment will be conducted in partnership with 3 organizations to measure the quality of tourism programs: UN Tourism, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. The goal of the initiative is to enable tourism education and training institutions supported by the Ministry of Tourism to earn both international and local accreditations and professional certificates. The initiative aims to accomplish various short- and long-term objectives. These include 31 tourism education and training programs and institutions receiving national and international accreditation by 2024, 200 trainers and educational and administrative staff earning professional certificates to deliver new tourism programs developed by the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the year 2024, and 37 Ministry of Tourism employees obtaining professional certification to manage tourism programs. Additionally, by 2025, the initiative targets 27 tourism education and training programs and institutions to achieve …

The Jamaica Tourist Board has appointed Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East as its new Trade Representative office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This partnership marks an exciting milestone in Jamaica’s efforts to expand its presence and strengthen relationships within the GCC travel market. Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the GCC travel landscape, make them an ideal partner to achieve Jamaica’s overarching tourism goals and communicate its diverse tourism offerings. The appointment reflects the Jamaica Tourist Board’s investment in its strategic focus on enhancing visibility and engagement with travelers from the GCC countries. “Selecting Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East to represent Jamaica in the GCC region is a commitment to our strategic ambitions to attract more visitors from this lucrative market said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “The GCC region holds great potential for Jamaica’s tourism industry, and we are confident that having a team on the ground with such expertise will help us reach and resonate with travelers seeking unique experiences in our beautiful island destination.” In 2023, Jamaica achieved a 17% increase in tourist arrivals from the previous year recording more than US4.2 billion in revenue, proving its resilience amidst global challenges. Building on this momentum, Jamaica continues to push the boundaries by receiving investments valued at US4 to US5 billion in tourism development which is projected to bring 20,000 new rooms in the next 10 to 15 years, including the much-anticipated debut of 2,000 new rooms in 2024 and a total of 8,500 rooms by 2025. “Jamaica is ready to welcome more visitors from the GCC region which will build a stronger relationship through our diverse culture and tourism offerings. …

Courtyard by Marriott announced the opening of its first hotel in the Holy City of Makkah. Courtyard by Marriott Makkah promises modern comfort and unparalleled convenience for discerning travelers, and aims to set new benchmarks for hospitality in the market with its fresh perspective and exceptional service. Nestled in the prestigious Ajyad Street, the hotel is a mere five-minute journey from the Al Haram area and the Masjid Al Harram. The Courtyard by Marriott Makkah caters to a diverse range of travelers, from spiritual pilgrims to business visitors. The Courtyard by Marriott brand has the largest global footprint among Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 brands, focusing on thoughtful, sophisticated design elements and amenities, providing guests with an elevated experience to relax and recharge. Fueled by passion, the brand continues to evolve to meet guests’ needs, providing opportunities for guests to pursue their passions. “Introducing the first Courtyard by Marriott in the Holy City of Makkah is a significant milestone for the brand,” says Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President, Premium & Select Brands, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “This growth reflects our dedication to exceptional design and heartfelt service, ensuring guests enjoy unique experiences that honor the essence of Makkah.” Courtyard by Marriott Makkah features 438 carefully designed rooms, including 20 expansive suites. All rooms and suites are designed to offer a peaceful stay, blending modern style with maximum comfort. Additionally, the hotel’s modern lobby provides guests with versatile spaces for both socializing and relaxation. Culinary delights await guests at the K&B restaurant, an all-day dining venue spanning two expansive floors with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. In addition to this premier dining experience, guests can enjoy the …