Raffles plans to double its footprint of resorts over the next three to five years. The brand’s resort development pipeline includes sought-after destinations such as Macau (China), Sentosa (Singapore), Manama (Bahrain) and Jaipur (India). With many markets seeing a robust return to leisure travel following more than a year of disruptions and pent-up demand, Raffles Hotels & Resorts enters an exciting phase of growth which will see the revered brand add several new resort destinations to its worldwide portfolio of hotels, resorts and residences. A heritage luxury brand known for creating landmark properties in key destinations around the world. “Resort travel is rapidly increasing in demand and we are seeing an uptick in resort developments in several markets around the world,” said Agnès Roquefort, Chief Development Officer of Accor, the global hospitality group that owns the Raffles brand. “The pandemic has awakened people’s desire to travel further, visit dream destinations and experience the world together – in small groups or with the whole family.” Adds Stephen Alden, CEO Raffles & Orient Express, “At Raffles, we are fusing our illustrious heritage with modern hotelcraft to create places of comfortable wonderment and enrichment for our well-travelled guests. As we look forward to the next chapter in the brand’s storied history, diversifying our portfolio with a broader array of resorts and experiences will play an important role in enabling us to achieve this goal. Several of our extraordinary resort projects are making headlines with the opening of Raffles Udaipur and more recently with the opening of Raffles The Palm, Dubai – places filled with the legendary spirit of Raffles, with its peerless service, sense of calm in a hurried world, and the promise …

The third edition of the most popular virtual trade show the Gulf Travel Show kicks off tomorrow 12th October at 10am UAE time until 4pm until 14th October 2021. It will be an opportunity once again to network for three whole days where partners from the Middle East will meet those from across the world. One of the key events amidst the networking will be the interesting panel discussions with experts from the industry. Finding out the countries or borders that are open, what new initiatives are taken to welcome tourists, for the first time cruise tourism and where it is headed after the pandemic as there has been an increase of bookings for the cruise industry which has always been a niche market, now more than ever they have seen the rise of bookings and the new trends in the industry. Space tourism is another subject which seem to grow very close to the heart of the Middle East, as the first astronaut mission from UAE was a success, more interest is gained in the space tourism initiatives and these findings will be shared. Networking with the trade One on one business meetings is the strength in the one of kind event in its third succession, this time too it promises to host buyers with their personalized timings. They will engage and network with partners from travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media, the event has kept the momentum of the industry on a proactive level. The success of the first two editions in November 2020 and March 2021 subsequently, led to its third edition of the region’s most popular virtual …

Wego revealed the top European destinations the UAE travelers are searching for. With several European countries slowly opening up their borders for leisure travel following the resumption of flights, travel-sick residents in the UAE have been on the lookout for notable European cities to visit. Wego dives into its travel search data and reveals which European cities residents are looking for as travel reopens in Europe. Zürich Switzerland’s largest and most dynamic city Zurich tops the list of most searched European cities, accounting for 5.52% of searches in the 3rd quarter of 2021.   Despite being a fairly underrated travel destination compared to the likes of other prominent cities in Europe, Zurich has its own fair share of attractions. With over 50 museums and 100 galleries, Zurich is a haven for history buffs and art connoisseurs, which may explain the reason for the notable level of search interest.   The artsy and picturesque city, located in the heart of Switzerland and the centre of Europe, offers a distinct combination of modernity infused with the traditional Swiss landscape.   Vienna Closely following Zurich is Vienna standing at number 2 with over 5.38% of searches on Wego.   The glitz and glamour of Vienna resonate with the luxurious lifestyle in the Emirates. It is a city that represents its imperial past and embraces modernity in the most creative way. Austria’s gorgeous little capital of Vienna is also known as the City of Music for its marvellous musical legacy.   The cosiness of the Viennese lifestyle provides much-needed relief to the UAE residents, used to the fast-paced lifestyle in the country.   London Up next is London, which accounts for 4.44% of European …

Nirvana Travel and Tourism has acquired a fleet of ten Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars from Emirates Motor Company. The exclusive sedans will add to Nirvana’s growing fleet of luxury vehicles to cater to the needs of high-profile travelers. The Mercedes-Benz S500 offers the highest levels of safety and comfort, and comes fully decked out with high-tech features to enhance every ride. The two companies formally announced and celebrated the deal during an official unveiling ceremony held at Nirvana’s Head Offices at Marina Breakwater in Abu Dhabi. Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Alaa Al-Ali, group CEO of Nirvana Holding , said, “Today, the Nirvana fleet is growing with 10 new S-Class 500 cars in our pursuit to secure the highest levels of luxury and comfort. This is part of Nirvana Holding’s vision to expand in the region by increasing operations and taking clear and specific steps with deliberate strategies for expansion.” Mohammad Ghazi Al Momani, General Manager at Emirates Motor Company commented, “We are extremely thrilled to team up with Nirvana Tours & Logistics, one of the leading travels agencies in the UAE, on this fruitful partnership. The Mercedes-Benz S500 is one of the most sophisticated cars in the market thanks to its stunning design, best-in-class technology and luxurious interior. We are positive that with this model, Nirvana Tours & Logistics will have a highly impressionable car to present its customers with and we look forward to further collaborations in the future.” Nirvana Travel and Tourism previously received ten state-of-the-art first class Mercedes-Benz buses from Emirates Motor Company this year. The addition of the ten S-Classes further solidifies their luxury offering for the UAE market.  

Mark your dates from 12th to 14th October 2021, 10am to 4pm to attend the third edition of the Gulf Travel Show, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority pledgedpartnership as the gold sponsor for the event. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority will include seven partners Air Arabia, SATA – Sharjah Airport Travel Agency, Sharjah Collection by Mysk, The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, Pullman Hotel & Resorts Sharjah, DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences and Centro Sharjah by Rotana Hotel. GTS 3.0 is known as the region’s most popular virtual event where real time networking with one on one business meetings, a fantastic line up of thought leadership discussions with key trade professionals and an opportunity to personalize and promote businesses within a three day period with partners from travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media, the event has kept the momentum of the industry on a proactive level. The success of the first two editions in November 2020 and March 2021 subsequently, led to its third edition of the region’s most popular virtual event, the coveted Gulf Travel Show 2021. Specialized thought leadership discussions with industry experts  Industry experts share insights on the regional travel trends the latest most interested subjects such as Space tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its vision 2030, women in hospitality leadership in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the latest insights from Malaysia heath travel, regional booking trends etc, just to name a few of the sessions. The exciting line up of experts from the fields of travel, aviation, and hospitality as they share their insightful views with engaging panel discussions. Buyer programme   The programme for hosted buyers is one of enthusiasm as each buyer has the opportunity to take one step further and secure their position to derive all pertinent information. Motivating engagement between the buyers …

Russia’s two largest cities will have the opportunity to learn more about the delights of Sharjah when Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) takes its roadshow to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Visiting Moscow, the Russia capital on October 5 and St. Petersburg, the ‘Cultural Capital’ on October 7, the SCTDA roadshow will highlight Sharjah’s array of attractions, with the aim of increasing Russian visitors to the UAE’s third most populous emirate now that travel restrictions are being progressively relaxed.  His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, says that the roadshow aims to reinvigorate Russian tourism interest in Sharjah and the UAE, with the country having been in the top three of Sharjah’s leisure holidays and tourism markets for many years, and with numerous Russian ‘repeat visitors.’ “Russia was one of the first tourism markets the UAE reconnected with as the travel restrictions started to ease, with our emirate remaining a hugely popular destination for Russians. In August, the United Arab Emirates entered the list of the most popular foreign beach holiday destinations open to Russians, subject to a PCR test or vaccination certificate,” said His Excellency. Since autumn 2020, Sharjah has witnessed an upswing in airline passenger traffic, with more than 400 flights between Sharjah Airport and 10 cities in Russia. Carriers making regular weekly trips include Rossiya, Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, Nordwind, Royal flight and Arabia. June, to the end of August this year saw Sharjah Airport receive no less than 70 flights from Russian cities. Among the benefits and attractions of Sharjah that the SCTDA roadshow will be highlighting for the citizens of Moscow and St. Petersburg include its blend of sun, sand and sea, which …

Lumi, Seera Group’s vehicle rental business, has set an industry-first in the Kingdom to provide Harley-Davidson bikes on rent exclusively. Through its partnership with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Lumi has launched the first fleet of touring and cruiser motorcycles that enable bike aficionados to explore the Kingdom in inimitable style. A disruptive new business model that will transform the vehicle rental sector, the new service will benefit not only bike enthusiasts in the Kingdom but also visitors as Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome global travellers both on business and leisure. The partnership is highlighted by two significant strengths: One, the premium features and outstanding performance of the Harley-Davidson bikes backed by the seamless service of trained technicians; and two, Lumi’s advanced booking experience, proven customer service and extensive rental industry expertise that allows easy bike rentals. In the first phase, the bikes are rented out at Lumi’s counter at the Harley-Davidson outlet in Riyadh, and will be later followed by dedicated Lumi branch outlets and online booking service too. Azfar Shakeel, Vice President of Lumi, said: “At the heart of this new partnership is Lumi’s focus on bringing innovative services that not only transform the vehicle rental business but also create exceptional lifestyle experiences for our customers. With domestic tourism gaining momentum and international travel set to rebound, we are preparing to welcome visitors as well as treat Saudi residents to new thrills, such as an exhilarating ride to discover the Kingdom on a Harley-Davidson. Our fleet of cruisers and touring bikes are ideal to criss-cross Saudi Arabia and discover the varied tourism offering of the Kingdom.” Monther Almutlaq, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson Saudi Arabia, said: “It is with pleasure that Harley …

Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay has enjoyed prime occupancy rates since opening its doors to guests back in July 2021. Nestled in the heart of Bahrain Bay and directly connected to the newest retail and leisure destination in the Kingdom, The Avenues – Bahrain, the 192-room hotel includes 35 suites, all with breath-taking bay and sea-facing views. The newly opened Hotel truly provides an ideal experience for business travellers and families alike, be it for a short weekend stay, for longer periods, or looking to enjoy staycations; wherein 70% of the guest rooms offer connecting rooms, most of the suites offer a convenient kitchenette complete with a microwave and sink. Throughout the hotel, the beautifully designed spaces and waterfront views result in a sanctuary of wellness, where carefully curated dessert earthbound tones and Kingdom’s sea-inspired and neutral colour palettes create an oasis of calmness and relaxation. “We truly deliver a unique and serene experience at the Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay, providing our guests with the exceptional service the Hilton is known for. Besides the stunning views offered throughout the hotel, of either Bahrain Bay or the sea, the design of each and every room echoes a sense of relaxation and well-being. We have enjoyed unparalleled occupancy rates since opening, despite the ongoing situation which has affected the hotel industry across the world, and look forward to continuing to welcoming guests be it from neighbouring regions or from around the world” commented Manuela Brode, General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay. The upscale hotel also benefits from flexible meeting spaces with state-of-the-art facilities, a fully equipped fitness center, and an infinity pool overlooking the sparkling Bahrain Bay. In addition …

Since 01 October 2021, the Czech Republic pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has attracted visitors with its futuristic and trailblazing initiatives at the sustainability district. Furthermore, the pavilion celebrated Czech Tourism Day on 05 October 2021 by hosting an informative workshop for travel partners in the Middle East. Organised in cooperation with the Czech Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), the workshop focused on the flourishing “Wellness Tourism” industry in the country. The workshop attracted over 40 agents from the travel industry, followed by a pavilion tour to the media and it and concluded with a networking gala serving Czech delicacies that welcomed over 60 top travel stakeholders in the market.   Opening the workshop, H.E Mr. Jiri Slavik, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the UAE, said: “We are very excited to be a part of this global event as Czech Republic is a popular destination amongst the citizens of the UAE, offering unique experiences. We have eased travel restrictions for vaccinated travellers between the two countries keeping in mind safety as the major factor to welcome tourists in post COVID-19 period. In 2019, Czech Republic welcomed 30,000 tourists from the UAE for an average length of stay of around 3-4 days and over 27,000 travellers from Saudi Arabia for a maximum length of stay of around 5-6 days. Commenting on the plan for tourism ahead, Mr. David Koppitz, Deputy Minister of the Minister of regional development commented, “Our post-pandemic strategy is to be more sustainable, more innovative, digital and resilient. We are hoping that we gradually reach the numbers of 2019 in the coming year as the tourism industry regroups from the pandemic keeping in mind the …

PLM Global, the international retail and design specialists, celebrated the grand opening of The Portuguese Pavilion at Expo 2020, Dubai as the experts who manage the Pavilion, PLM also is responsible for the manager of the First Portuguese Concept Store, in addition to all brands activations and events at the Pavilion’s Traditional Portuguese Restaurant; Al-Lusitano and its exhilarating terrace. Earlier last month, The Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal (AICEP) and PLM held an event at the Pavilion of Portugal on the 19th September, to celebrate the completion of the construction work with the presence of Joaquim Moreira de Lemos, Portugal’s Ambassador to the UAE, Eurico Brilhante Dias, Secretary of State for Internationalization; Francisca Guedes de Oliveira, Portugal’s Deputy Commissioner for Expo 2020 Dubai, Manuel Couto Miranda, Director of the Pavilion of Portugal and Daniel Pereira Pontes, Economic Advisor AICEP. Pedro Rodrigues, PLM Global Chairman said: “The UAE has become an epitome of progress and achievement in the past 50 years. Today the blessed country is hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, the first mega event in the region. The whole nation is proud, jubilant and ecstatic. This indeed is a great achievement. It is a result of tremendous efforts and visionary leadership of the country. On this momentous day I congratulate leadership and people of UAE and we trust in the success of the event, continued progress and prosperity of the UAE and for further strengthening and deepening of the ties and economic relations between the UAE & Portugal”. Rodrigues continues: “This first event was a symbolic night for PLM in the Middle East. We came to raise the flag of Portugal and held the first reception at the …