The improvement of the epidemiological situation and the developing progress in the vaccination roll-out, both in Spain and the Middle East has made it possible to ease the measures for entry into Spain for touristic purposes. The United Arab Emirates now joins the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait & Bahrain in the list of countries with low incidence. All passengers from these countries will be able to travel to Spain for touristic purposes without the need for a diagnostic test or a certificate of vaccination or immunity. i.e. tourists can travel regardless having any vaccination, diagnostic or recovery certificate. However, before travelling to Spain (even in transit) all passengers must have the QR code which is obtained from filling in the Health Control Form (FCS in Spanish), available in Spain Travel Health (www.spth.gob.es). “This is indeed a  great news especially for the GCC region as we have seen a significant  increase in numbers to Spain  in the past months and the trend continues . It shows that Spain is up to speed and the covid 19 situation is well contained .This update of reduced restrictions will definitely increase tourism numbers to Spain.We are happy to welcome GCC travellers to our beautiful country with open arms as always.Being a year yound destination , Spain has the added advantage to attract travellers for autumn and winter  & now the European Centre for Disease  and Control (ECDC) has listed Spain as one of the safest countries to travel which is even more assuring to travelers.  ” Daniel Rosado , Director – Spain tourism – GCC The FCS QR Code can be downloaded on the Spain’s Travel Health website or through the …

Continuing its success story in the GCC, Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the opening of Swiss-Belinn Sharq Kuwait. This modern and chic property, featuring 51 keys, is conveniently located in the heart of the Kuwait City overlooking the Kuwait Bay – merely 17 Km from Kuwait International Airport. Dr. Abdullah Abdulsamad Marafi, Owner and General Manager, Omniyat Real Estate, said, “We are pleased to partner once again with the Swiss-Belhotel International to bring our vision to life. Swiss-Belinn Sharq Kuwait enjoys a prime location in the city and will be the best in its category of accommodation choices. The renowned international brand like Swiss-Belinn, is a perfect fit and to offer a memorable experience to both short and extended stay guests.” Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, said, “We are delighted to boost our presence in the GCC with the opening of the stunning Swiss-Belinn Sharq Kuwait. This is our second property in Kuwait joining the Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar Kuwait and a beautiful addition to our portfolio of hotels in the region. Swiss-Belinn is a fast-growing mid-market brand we are truly grateful to Omniyat Real Estate for this wonderful opportunity. With its strategic location, Swiss-Belinn Sharq Kuwait provides a convenient address to both residents and travellers offering direct access to the city’s prime leisure and business attractions.” Mr. Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President – Operations & Development, EMEA & India; Senior Vice President – Group Human Resources & Talent Development, Swiss-Belhotel International, stated, “We are glad to start welcoming guests to the Swiss-Belinn Sharq Kuwait. Despite the ongoing market challenges in the wake of the pandemic, we have been steadily growing our presence in the …

flydubai announced the start of flights to Sohar in Oman becoming the first airline to operate this route from Dubai. This is the carrier’s third destination in the Sultanate, alongside Muscat and Salalah. Flights to Sohar International Airport (OHS) will start on 04 November and will operate twice a week from Terminal 2 at Dubai International (DXB). Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “with demand for travel returning and as more countries continue to lift restrictions on international travel, we are pleased to announce the start of flights to Sohar in Oman. We are excited to further grow our network and give passengers more options to travel in the region, while welcoming passengers from Oman, especially those looking to visit Expo 2020 in Dubai.” Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) at flydubai, added: “we are pleased to expand our network in Oman by adding a third point to our network alongside our popular destinations Muscat and Salalah. This new direct route will enable free flows of trade and tourism and strengthen direct airlinks between Oman and the UAE.” Located on the Sultanate’s northern coast, Sohar is a port city known for its cultural heritage and trading. Visitors can explore the city’s tradition in Sohar’s century-old Fort and museum or stroll along the corniche along the waterfront and relax in one of the many restaurants. Sohar’s proximity to some of Oman’s most popular ravines, including Wadi Al Jizi and Wadi Salahi, attracts adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts from the region and beyond. flydubai’s passenger experience has been redesigned to enable travel in a safe environment that minimises crew and passenger contact and …

Dubai Investments has signed an agreement with Marjan – the master-developer of freehold properties in Ras Al Khaimah, to acquire land to develop a dynamic mixed-use beachfront residential, beach resort and lifestyle destination on Al Marjan Island with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, providing a new paradigm for Ras Al Khaimah and the region worth of AED 1 billion. The agreement was signed by Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman & CEO, Dubai Investments and Eng. Abdulla Al Abdooli, CEO of Marjan. Epitomizing a masterful orchestration of contemporary elegance with simple and subtle sophistication, the project is designed to provide a perfect amalgamation of hospitality, and residential elements inclusive of a beachfront resort, beachfront serviced apartments and beachfront villas plus, waterfront residential buildings, retail & F&B components along with other recreational facilities. “Dubai Investments is excited about this new venture as we believe Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is fast gaining traction as a hub for tourism in the region with the emirate’s government channelizing resources and investing in a range of wellness initiatives to leverage its natural assets. Catering to the growing demand for such projects in Ras Al Khaimah and in line with strengthening Dubai Investment’s real estate portfolio with the addition of more high-end hospitality projects, the Company is optimistic this new project will further accentuate the well-being appeal, providing a comfortable lifestyle seamlessly integrated with nature”, said Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Investments PJSC. “Al Marjan Island has become a preferred hub for visitors and investors from around the globe and we are looking forward to expanding our offering through world-class projects such as the one being developed by Dubai Investments. This will further …

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to be the world’s first hotel group to make all meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative. For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment. For meetings booked between 18 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and taking place before 31st March 2022, Carbon Negative. Planet Positive will set a new sustainability standard in the global hospitality industry. The program allows clients to host meetings in a sustainable way by offsetting double the CO2 emissions from meetings and events free of charge to the client, making meetings that take place during this period at participating hotels carbon negative. Carbon Negative. Planet Positive reinforces the Group’s 100% Carbon Neutral meetings offering, in place across the Group’s 1,600 hotels worldwide since 2019. The initiative forms part of the Group’s wider Responsible Business program which targets reducing the Group’s carbon footprint by 30%, and which aims to set science-based targets. Since the launch of the 100% Carbon Neutral Meetings program, the Group has offset over 30,300 tons of CO2 at no cost to its clients, which is the equivalent to removing more than 6,500 fuel driven cars  off the road. Carbon Negative, Planet Positive meetings complement the Group’s Hybrid Meetings solutions which launched in 2020 and offer owners and guests the flexibility and space optimization they require to better meet the rapid lifestyle changes of today’s travelers. Hybrid Meetings are available across more than 100 hotels in EMEA and contribute to a lighter scope 3 footprint for the client. “The upcoming …

VFS Global and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have signed an agreement to incorporate accredited and approved COVID-19 testing laboratories into the IATA Travel Pass. Through the agreement, COVID-19 test credentials issued by partici-pating labs will be securely transmitted to the IATA Travel Pass. The addition of VFS Global’s network of government-approved labs into the IATA Travel Pass will make travel even more hassle-free for travellers in Canada, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, UAE, and the USA, requiring a mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 swab test. As governments, airlines and local authorities require support with implementing COVID-19 testing, the addition of VFS Global’s network into the IATA Travel Pass offers a seamless service by providing trav-ellers, airlines and governments with accurate information on passengers’ COVID-19 health status. By leveraging VFS Global’s extensive network of strategic medical partners and authorised laboratories accredited by Governments, travellers can book their mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 test. Once the test results are ready, using IATA’s Travel Pass solution, travellers can immediately access their test results uploaded on the platform and validate them against travel requirements. The IATA Travel Pass is a mobile app that helps travellers to store and manage their verified certifications for COVID-19 tests or vaccines. Travellers can show this for verification at the airline check-in counters before board-ing. The solution enables airlines and immigration authorities to digitally validate and verify the authenticity of the COVID-19 test results using a simple QR code scan and matching the health credentials against the destination country’s entry requirements. It is more secure and efficient in verifying an individual’s health status than the current paper processes used to manage health requirements. It is also important given the potentially enormous scale of …

Circuit X, Abu Dhabi’s newest adventure hub is all prepared to welcome the winter season in the UAE, with its four parks offering variety of challenges for and a handful of adventures like no other that awaits adventure enthusiast, of all ages and all abilities. Located in Hudaireyat Marvista only 20 minutes away from the heart of the city and commissioned by Modon Properties, Circuit X offers a thrilling experience where the mental and physical skills of visitors will be put to test. First stop, the Ropes Park, where family and friends can fly down ziplines, climb the 50-foot wall and free fall into an adventure that you will not forget. The dirt rails at the BMX Park in addition to a range of tricky hills will test visitors riding skills to the max. At Circuit X’s Skate Park, kids can receive private lessons and controlled guidance from pro-level coaches, allowing them to learn new skateboarding skills that they never thought possible. Before you know it, your kids will be skating safely down ledges, handrails and all the quarter pipes too. Kids are also taken care of at Circuit X Parks, where they will experience all the fun that comes with the Splash & Climb Park, where the little daredevils will be entertained and kept safe under the watchful eye of coaches and leaders, while parents chill out by the beach. Additionally, ignite the inner child by splashing about with your kids in the fountains. Furthermore, Circuit X has become the latest must-visit birthday party destination in Abu Dhabi, with the Skate Park and Splash Park guaranteed to give your kids and their friends the most fun and memorable experience on their special …

For the first time after the pandemic, Uganda tourism board along with their partners organized a roadshow in Dubai in collaboration with Aviareps as its Middle East representative with over 70 agents from Dubai attending the event with onsite business to business meetings. It is one of the untapped destinations in Africa and the agents present at the event were quite interested to know more about the destination, the current protocols etc. Known as the pearl of Africa, it is one of the most secure and safe countries in the Great Lakes region. It is a destination which you can travel at any time of the year due to the good weather and visas are open to most nationalities.  Lily Ajarova – Chief Executive Officer – Uganda Tourism Board shared, “We are here as Uganda, the pearl of Africa. Uganda is known as the pearl of Africa because of the diversity that we have in this one small country in Africa which is well linked with the rest of Africa is right at the heart of Africa. The distance from Uganda to Cape Town is the same as Uganda to the northern points of Africa and every iconic attractions, features that you would get in any part of Africa, you will be able to experience it in Uganda. The culture, diversity of culture that almost represent the whole of Africa as well so its about having Africa in this one little country that is what we are showcasing in Dubai, in UAE and the whole region is a very important market for us. This region has been an emerging market for us in the last few years and we are …

Wego is boosting tourism by attracting all Middle East travelers to visit this picturesque beach destination. Thailand has now opened up its borders for international tourists by easing some travel restrictions. On July 1st, 2021 the island of Phuket was reopened to all vaccinated foreign visitors without quarantine requirements. The unvaccinated travelers and those entering Thailand via Bangkok are still required to undergo 14-day mandatory quarantine at designated ASQ (Alternative State Quarantine). Through this partnership, Wego and Tourism Authority of Thailand will entice travelers to visit this country once again after the pandemic through targeted marketing campaigns and content featuring the finest things to do and the escapes that travelers have been longing for. “The Land of Smiles” has officially launched a nationwide vaccine program. Almost 46 million doses have been administered, and its aim is to vaccinate 70% of the population by the end of the year. Chaiwat Tamthai, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Middle East office, said: “We more than welcome vaccinated travelers especially from the Middle East Region. All travelers are requested to take adequate precautions while traveling to Thailand. This includes a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Those who wish to visit Thailand need to register and handover the Certificate of Entry (COE) at least 5 to 15 days before their scheduled departure as advised by the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General application. Additionally, the hotels which to be booked should be certified by SHA+ (Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration) which is a certificate that represents tourism industry entrepreneurs’ readiness in improving their products, services and sanitation measures which is the crucial factor in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by complying with …

In a move aimed at projecting Jordan to the world as an attractive tourist destination, Royal Jordanian, the Kingdom’s national carrier, has placed Petra-inspired livery on one of its wide-bodied 787 aircraft, an event that brought together HRH Dana Firas the President of Petra National Trust and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage, RJ Chairman of the Board Said Darwazeh, RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali, Jordan Tourism Board members, all concerned authorities operating at QAIA, a number of social media influencers and RJ officials. Majali said: “Since its establishment, 58 years ago, RJ has assumed the responsibility of promoting Jordan’s tourism at home and abroad. RJ feels it is its duty, as a national carrier, to act as a bridge that connects Jordan to the world, and thus it has become the roving ambassador of Jordan.” The project was implemented in cooperation with Jordan Tourism Board to promote the red-rose city of Petra, which is a unique landmark in Jordan and became an attractive destination for tourists of different nationalities and cultures. Majali also urged the public and private sectors to exert more effort to help this fundamental sector thrive, mitigate the losses it sustained as a result of the COVID pandemic and help it recover. On the occasion, Royal Jordanian also presented to the invitees the improvements on meals added to its economy class menu. These include international, Oriental, Mexican and Italian food presented to economy class passengers. The meals change every two weeks and according to the destination. Majali said that the improved menu came in response to passengers’ demands and recommendations sent to Royal Jordanian through different channels. The airline, in cooperation with Dnata catering services, was …