flyadeal celebrates carrying 25 million passengers aboard its modern fleet of 32 aircraft in a remarkable accomplishment affirming its ongoing excellence in the low cost aviation sector. In its relatively short history, flyadeal has embarked on an exceptional journey of evolution, making this significant milestone a symbol of its steadfast commitment to providing exceptional service and meeting the needs of all flyadeal travellers. Mr. Abdulrahman Ajabnoor, Chief Financial Officer flyadeal, commented on this achievement saying, “We are proud of our journey so far, and we are proud to have achieved this historic accomplishment. This is a turning point for us, and it was made possible by our dedication to our customers and travellers who have chosen flyadeal to be their carrier and partner. We promise to continue to deliver safe and exceptional travel experiences.” He added, “In celebrating this achievement, we express our gratitude to our loyal customers who have been the foundation and driving force behind our accomplishments. Furthermore, we are extremely thankful to our dedicated team, who have worked diligently to achieve this success. Their unwavering commitment will undoubtedly lead to many more success’s for flyadeal.” Travellers can always rely on flyadeal to fly for less with seamless flight experiences to their favorite destinations within the Kingdom and around the world.

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments won the title of ‘Best Family Friendly Hotel Apartments’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. “Golden Sands is the pioneering hotel apartments brand in the region. With a comprehensive range of room types to cater to individuals and families visiting Dubai for leisure or business, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments offer the perfect home away from home.” The award was received by Pavel Berezin, Front Office Manager, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, Fazal Muhammed, Cluster Reservation Manager, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments and Maheshan Premanathan, Cluster Senior Revenue Manager, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments Millennium Place Hotel Mirdif.

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism proudly announced that Saudi tourism has reached a historic milestone in inbound visitor spending, as indicated by the Travel Account Data in SAMA’s Balance of Payments. Exceeding SAR 100 billion during the first quarters of 2023, this achievement resulted in a surplus in the Travel Account Data in the Balance of Payments, estimated at SAR 37.8 billion, reflecting a remarkable growth rate of 72% compared to the same period in 2022. These accomplishments coincide with the complete recovery of Saudi tourism, with the tourism sector’s rebound reaching an impressive recovery rate of 150% compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Numerous Saudi tourist destinations have experienced a surge in both inbound and domestic visitors. This historic achievement is in line with reports from the UNWTO, confirming that Saudi Arabia led the G20 countries in the growth rate of inbound tourists during the first three quarters of 2023. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia secured the second position among the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations

Pulse Hotels & Resorts has observed growing trends with GCC travellers in 2023, opting for extended stays at their Maldives resorts – Kandima Maldives, Nova Maldives and The Nautilus Maldives. This trend aligns with the principles of ‘slow travel’, allowing guests to indulge in a longer trip while experiencing a profound connection with the destination. It is anticipated to continue growing in 2024. A global surge in solo travel has also found a particularly strong footing with GCC-based travellers, with the Pulse Hotels & Resorts team witnessing a surge in popularity in 2023. Industry experts predict this trend will continue to dominate the travel landscape, with solo travellers seeking more immersive and authentic experiences in 2024. With an aim to align its latest resort developments to global travel trends, Pulse Hotels & Resorts launched Nova Maldives in 2022 with a modern take on all-inclusive with a vibrant ‘community’ concept, tailored to Millennials and solo travellers. Meanwhile it’s ‘time stands still – anytime, anywhere’ approach to experiences and unscripted dining at ultra-luxury private island resort The Nautilus, and the massive range of activities on offer at mega-resort Kandima, lend themselves to slow travel – with more to explore, at a traveller’s pace. Althaf Mohamed Ali, COO, Pulse Hotels & Resorts, commented: “One of the best things about slow travel is that it allows a guest to have time for all sorts of experiences, that make them feel a part of a destination. As an example of how we are adapting to this trend, we make sure that when a guest arrives at Nova, the new star among resorts in the Maldives, they are introduced to Holhuashi, a local tradition, and get …

Skyscanner data reveals the driving forces behind UAE travellers’ choices in 2023 with Manila claiming its spot as the most popular destination in 2023. Cairo was the second most popular destination for UAE travellers this year. Renowned for the Giza Pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Sphinx, the city seamlessly blends ancient wonders with a vibrant modern atmosphere. The Capital city of Philippines, Manila, offers a blend of rich history, cultural attractions, and modern amenities. From its historical landmarks like the walled city of Intramuros, to it delicious street food options and lively nightlife and shopping scenes, UAE travellers cherished exploring the vibrant city that never rests. This year, more and more UAE travellers opted for alternative, budget-friendly destinations that still deliver on culture and cuisine. According to Skyscanner’s data, the capital city of Türkiye, Ankara, was one of the cheapest flight destinations with return flights costing just AED 491 on average in 2023. Showcasing historical and cultural treasures with panoramic views of the city, Ankara is renowned for its bustling markets, scrumptious Turkish cuisine, and nightlife. As revealed in the infographic, Skyscanner has also identified the cheapest destination to book per month for UAE travellers throughout 2023***, as well as the cheapest three-star hotel stay and city to hire a car in 2023:**** • After analysing prices across thousands of destinations globally, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India is revealed as the cheapest city for a three-star hotel stay, for those travelling from the UAE, costing approximately AED 92. • Bucharest comes out on top as the city with the cheapest car hire offering, with UAE travellers paying only AED 69 …

Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments won ‘Best Luxury Suite Hotel’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. The award was received by Dariya Bushmakina, Director, Market Strategy & E-commerce, Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights – Hotel Suites and Apartments and Levents Tasbas, General Manager, Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights – Hotel Suites and Apartments. “Mirroring the privacy of a home and offering the conveniences of a hotel, Mercure Dubai Hotel offers a unique hospitality experience for short and long stays. Enjoy diverse dining options, including the Day & Night Restaurant and The Exit Sports Bar.”  

Etihad Airways has kicked off 2024 by introducing two new services. Daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Kozhikode (CCJ) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) in the Kerala region of India commenced on New Year’s Day. These non-stop services to each destination bring the total number of Indian gateways served by Etihad to 10, underscoring the airline’s commitment to providing easy access to its expanding global network for guests travelling to and from the Subcontinent. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad, said: “We have established a fantastic group of non-stop routes between India and Abu Dhabi, providing customers with easier access to our growing network without transiting through one of the main Indian hub airports. “Seamless and practical connections at Abu Dhabi ensure that our guests can easily access destinations across the GCC, Europe – including our four daily services to London – and North America. Moreover, they have the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic stopover in Abu Dhabi as an integral part of their journey.” The introduction of this service enhances accessibility to the picturesque countryside and beaches that Kerala is renowned for, creating increased inbound tourism to the region. Additionally, it streamlines travel for professionals visiting the burgeoning business hubs in the area. In 2023, the airline reintroduced services to Kolkata, a vital Indian gateway connecting Eastern India to global destinations. Furthermore, the airline has increased the frequencies of flights to Mumbai and Delhi, two of its most popular routes, from two per day to an impressive four flights per day. For 2024 Etihad has already announced new flights to Boston, USA starting on 31 March, to Nairobi, Kenya on 01 May, and its exciting summer schedule includes an inaugural non-stop service to Nice, …

Qatar has recorded four million visitors, surpassing the annual number of visitors over the past five years. Qatar Tourism has revealed a significant increase in visitor numbers to Qatar, reflecting the positive momentum of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ™, in conjunction with the country’s ongoing efforts and initiatives to advance the tourism sector. Earlier, Qatar announced the continuity of the work of the “Hayya” platform to standardize and tse visa procedures for visitors coming to Qatar. These efforts are complemented by easy travel policies that allow citizens of 95 countries around the world to obtain an instant visa upon arrival in Qatar.Qatar’s events and roadshows throughout the year have contributed significantly to a steady increase in the number of tourists. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar continues to establish itself as a global tourism destination with extended and safe tourism infrastructure in an atmosphere of authentic Arabian hospitality. Qatar’s diverse tourism offerings, with its pristine 500 kilometres of coastline, world-class museums, and cultural and contemporary facilities, complement Qatar’s diverse tourism offerings to provide a unique and distinctive holiday for visitors to Qatar locally, regionally and specifically GCC nationals, as well as internationally. Qatar Tourism is keen to promote family tourism in the State of Qatar and provide something suitable for all family members for an exceptional experience. We continue to work at Qatar Tourism to promote opportunities and further growth in the tourism sector.” Since the beginning of 2023, Saudi Arabia has acquiredAt the top of the ranking in the number of visitors coming to Qatar, where the number of visitors coming from the Kingdom (25. 3% of total international visitors), followed …

It was announced that Marriott International took over operations of Vida Downtown Dubai, Manzil Downtown Dubai and Address Dubai Marina previously operated by Emaar from 1st January 2024. The three properties are owned by Abu Dhabi National Hotels  (ADNH) and this partnership will entail renaming the properties as JW Marriott Hotel Marina (formerly known as The Address Dubai Marina) Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection (formerly known as Vida Downtown Dubai Hotel) and The Heritage Hotel, Autograph Collection (formerly known as Manzil Downtown Dubai Hotel). Khalid Anib, CEO of ADNH, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Marriott International through this deal, which is in line with our overall strategy and the evolving dynamics of our business model. The JW Marriott and Autograph Collection brands are exciting additions to our diverse and prestigious portfolio.” Jerome Briet, chief development officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, added: “The UAE is our largest market in the Middle East and our success in this market stems from our collaborations with world-class owners and developers such as Abu Dhabi National Hotels. “These deals reflect our conversion-friendly strategy, and our teams are committed to efficiently transitioning the three properties. With the addition of these hotels, we are excited to further expand our footprint in Dubai where we currently have a portfolio of more than 50 properties.” As part of the rebranding process, each property will undergo enhancements to ensure that they keep up with the brand guidelines.

Kempinski Hotels is consolidating its presence in Dubai, following a partnership with Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company (ADNH) to rebrand two iconic hotels. On January 1, 2024, the Kempinski flag is hoisted on top of Kempinski Boulevard Dubai and Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai, formerly known as Address Boulevard and Address Dubai Mall, respectively. With the addition of these two iconic hotels to Kempinski’s portfolio, the brand’s presence is significantly strengthened in Dubai, which was one of the top performing destinations worldwide for the luxury hotel group in 2023. René Nejhoff, Chairman of Kempinski SA, said: “This significant milestone represents a huge step forward for Kempinski and reinforces our role as one of the most renowned luxury hotel brands in the Middle East. Kempinski is one of the first luxury hotel companies to take its place in the UAE in the late nineties, earning a reputation for quality and service at unprecedented levels. After a year of great performance, we will continue to grow our investments across the region in 2024 and beyond.” Spread over 72 floors, Kempinski Boulevard Dubai is a beacon of well-being in the middle of Dubai, just steps away from its most famous attractions, including The Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Located in the heart of the city, the resort features 198 highly equipped rooms and suites, and a range of elegant residences with neutral-coloured furnishings and contemporary décor that reflects the rich vibe of modern Dubai. Every detail comes together to give guests a sophisticated accommodation space that radiates warmth, enhanced by refined furnishings, original paintings and technological innovations that complement the stunning views. The hotel’s restaurant offers an unprecedented …