Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall unveiled a brand-new extension, making it the largest Premier Inn hotel in the Middle East, recently. The new facilities were officially unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Omar Khoory, Nakheel Chief Assets and Hospitality Officer and Mark Whitlock, Regional Operations Director, Premier Inn Middle East, reinforcing the world leading property developer’s growing partnership with Premier Inn Middle East. The new development at Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall has seen the extension of the hotel’s family-friendly all-day dining restaurant, Nuevo, and an enhanced room offering, increasing the number of guest rooms to 594. Rooms have been refurbished in a contemporary, refreshed style, while ensuring the brand’s signature comfy Hypnos bed is included to guarantee the same great night’s sleep the global Premier Inn brand is famed for. As one of the closest hotels to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai, guests have the option to be part of the magic and visit the biggest showcase the world has ever seen with direct access from the Dubai Metro, connected to the property, or jump in a taxi straight to the venue within just 20 minutes. Omar Khoory, Nakheel Chief Assets and Hospitality Officer, said: “The award-winning Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall has gone from strength to strength since it opened in 2016, and the new extension highlights just how popular this hotel is – with holiday makers, business travellers and the long-term guests who call it home. With its convenient location and modern facilities, the hotel is a firm favourite for mid-scale accommodation in Dubai. We are proud that Ibn Battuta Mall is the home of what is now the largest Premier Inn in the …

Experience Emirates’ fully-enclosed Gamechanger First Class Suites, explore the airline’s signature A380 Onboard Lounge, or check out the cabin around your own seat in row 77 from the comfort of your home, with the airline’s award-winning and industry-leading virtual reality (VR) experiences. Available on emirates.com to anyone with an internet connection, via the Emirates app, and now on the Oculus Store for Oculus Rift users, Emirates has taken the next step in its ambition to reach and engage audiences around the world with cutting-edge VR technology. Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, said: “Emirates aims to provide innovative and outstanding customer experiences whether onboard, on the ground, or in the digital space. In 2018, we were the world’s first airline to introduce advanced web VR technology on our digital platforms, offering our customers an immersive opportunity to learn about the fantastic Emirates experience that awaited them before they stepped on board. We’ve continued to invest and develop that experience, and today we are delighted to be the first airline to launch a fully-fledged Oculus VR app. “This initiative expands our global reach and ability to engage with our audiences across digital platforms. It is also particularly relevant right now, as many people have not travelled for a while due to the pandemic, and are seeking inspiration and researching and rediscovering their flight options.” Created in partnership with technology company Renacen, Emirates’ customers can navigate through Economy, Business and First Class cabins, explore their seats, as well as the iconic Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa on the Emirates A380 using navigational hotspots. Emirates is working on an updated version featuring its Premium Economy cabin and …

Kanoo Travel has marked a new milestone by rolling out the new Sabre Red 360 (SR 360) across its offices in the Middle East in attempt to fuel its ambitious growth plans by enabling intelligent retailing to improve efficiency and boost recovery. With access to a full spectrum of travel booking and merchandising through an intuitive and customizable user interface, the next generation travel agency desktop SR 360, will help Kanoo Travel address industry challenges and respond to ever changing traveller demands. It will further enhance Kanoo Travel’s consultative service delivery by equipping travel consultants with insightful data and search tools to keep up with the savvy traveller and will give clients worldwide an even greater choice of airfares, hotel rates and booking options including NDC content. The new integration will take Kanoo Travel’s shopping experience to the next level and empower travel consultants to close the deal. “Kanoo Travel has been always at the forefront of offering the best travel services by adopting the latest technology and solutions,” said Ramzi Al Qassab, senior director global partners, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “Kanoo’s unique product offering, and innovative approach has established its position as a key industry player, as is evident by its performance over the past year. Migrating to SR 360 and recruiting some of Sabre’s intelligent solutions will enable Kanoo Travel to deliver its ambitious growth plans and continue to deliver a highly consultative service to its travellers. We are looking forward to supporting Kanoo Travel through the recovery and beyond.” Kanoo Travel has positioned itself as the corporate travel leader across the Middle by deploying superior products and solutions. “Kanoo’s leadership and team’s achievements combined with Sabre’s …

Antigua and Barbuda marks a milestone in its history as it participates for the first time in Expo 2020 Dubai. Positioning itself as the emerging economic powerhouse of the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda hopes its first ever pavilion at a World Expo will showcase its booming investment and tourism industries as well as its rich history and culture to the world, as more than 20 million people are expected to visit Dubai for the six-month duration of the event. Equally significant, the country’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with its 40th year of independence and will also include a trade office to be located a floor just above its pavilion, to facilitate trade missions and leverage opportunities over the course of the Expo. “The essence of Antigua and Barbuda lies in its culture and people. Steeped in history and wrapped in a culture of warmth and vibrancy, we are excited to welcome guests from across the globe to experience our traditions, taste our delicacies and witness how a rapidly progressing nation is becoming a key business and tourism destination,” said His Excellency Gilbert Antione Boustany, non-resident Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda in the UAE. The 2500 sq ft Antigua and Barbuda pavilion will showcase the nation’s vibrant, high-end tourism sector, which supports 80% of its GDP. “While that will be a highlight in our pavilion, our focus right now is to showcase the country’s logistical geographical location, and its potential as a trading hub between the Middle East and the Caribbean along with Central and Southern America, connecting the Eastern region with 700 million people,” His Excellency added. Antigua and Barbuda welcomes over a million visitors annually to its …

The Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC) returns to Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai live in person from 20-22 September 2021, bringing together four powerful, active investment communities from across the region. For the first time, AHIC 2021, organised by Bench and MEED, will house the four close-knit investment communities of the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) under one roof. United by the theme Rise Together, investors, owners, private equity firms, financiers, franchise owners, innovators, developers, and government entities will meet to network, share insights and do business, with the potential for partnerships greater than ever. Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench and founder of AHIC, says: “To be able to bring together these four major hospitality investment communities for the first time, at our first live, in person event for this sector in the Middle East and Africa post-pandemic, is truly special. We have created a robust buyer and seller platform teaming with opportunity and developed a unique programme inspired by the key themes of ‘innovation, sustainability and the future’. With less than a month until we kick-off AHIC 2021, we are now working closely with our moderators, speakers and sponsors to ensure we spark conversations that will help this resilient and innovative industry rise from this pandemic towards a bright, successful future,” says Worsley. The AHIC 2021 programme combines on-stage one-to-one interviews, roundtables, discussions and workshops with innovation pitches, off-stage individual meetings and networking experiences. AHIC Intelligence Many of these sessions will be underpinned by AHIC Intelligence, with industry data, insights and predictions for the region’s pipeline, performance and profitability expected …

Following the overwhelming positive response from consumers and stakeholders to the Emirati Cuisine Programme, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is launching its second phase. The programme was launched in 2020 with the aim of making Emirati food more accessible to visitors and residents by training hotel chefs to prepare and serve authentic dishes. In the initial phase of the cultural campaign, 30 hotels in Abu Dhabi gained certification in Emirati cuisine. Now, more than 20 other hotels will participate in the second phase, with their chefs being virtually trained by Emirati culinary talent Chef Khulood Atiq. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas will host the filming of the classes, in which Chef Khulood will teach authentic Emirati recipes including favourites such as the luqaimat dessert and machboos. “The success of the Emirati Cuisine Programme demonstrates the appetite for more authentic Emirati experiences across the capital,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “We are delighted to see such immense interest from the public to explore this exceptional culinary journey, as well as the industry’s support in making this the success that it is. We hope that more and more people taste delicious Emirati dishes for the first time to learn about the ingredients and experience the flavours and beauty of the country, where they are always warmly welcomed.” Inspired by the UAE’s diverse population, the second phase of the programme will feature new fusion recipes that intertwine Emirati cuisine with classic dishes from other cultures. The culinary experiences will be created by chefs from some of the emirate’s favourite restaurants, such as Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi at Louvre Abu …

Curated and developed by Parris Goebel, one of New Zealand’s most internationally successful entertainers, the country’s Entertainment and Cultural Programme at Expo 2020 Dubai will showcase its talent, creativity and diversity. Parris Goebel is a New Zealand Samoan shaping pop music around the world, having worked with the likes of Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Janet Jackson, and Nicki Minaj. She brings together a vibrant line-up of performances that will be modern, contemporary, urban and youth focused. Guided by the nation’s theme of Care for People and Place, the programme includes a diverse range of New Zealand talent from dancers and singers to artists and cultural performers with a particular emphasis on those with Māori and Pasifika roots. “I want to show the breadth and variety of our creative talent to the world. I’ve picked a selection of established artists alongside up and coming youth, singers, dancers and street artists – it’s a very intentional mix to showcase a modern and diverse Aotearoa New Zealand. Of course, there will be some of our amazing kapa haka performers coming to Dubai to wow visitors, which I’m sure people are looking forward to,” said Parris Goebel, New Zealand choreographer and creative director. Visitors can expect a line-up of performances that showcase sounds of Aotearoa New Zealand, which are not often heard across the globe. “I also wanted to focus on talents that people might not be so familiar with, such as Māori and Pacific Island performers. Some of these artists I grew up listening to, and I’m grateful to them for paving the way for my own success.  We are very lucky that New Zealand has many artists who are internationally recognised, and I wanted to use the …

To cater to its ever-expanding network, SalamAir, Sultanate’s fastest-growing value-for-money airline, has taken delivery of its first A321neo aircraft. The efficient A321neo delivers high levels of passenger comfort while expanding seating capacity through optimised use of cabin space. The A321neo will complement SalamAir’s fleet of six A320neo. With the induction of the A321neo, SalamAir has become the first airline in the country to introduce the aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft’s extra range capability of eight hours meets the ambitious plans of the airline. SalamAir can now connect Muscat and Salalah further to Europe, Far East, and African new destinations. The new fleet mix will enable SalamAir to diversify its portfolio and support the Sultanate of Oman’s tourism industry vision. Masirah, the name of the new aircraft, offers a new “all inclusive” fare class. The premium class cabin is a response to the passengers’ desire of having bundled inclusive services that cater to their travel needs.  The seating capacity of the new aircraft will be 212 seats equipped with USB ports, HEPA air filtration system and leather seats. The next generation A321 aircraft developed by Airbus has a new engine option (NEO). To elevate the passenger experience, it offers additional seating capacity while allowing augmented use of cabin space. A redesigned cabin door configuration and supplementary exit limits lifts the comfort quotient of the aircraft. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, said: “We are pleased to introduce the newest A321neo aircraft into our fleet as we continue to expand our network. The induction of the A321neo aircraft marks another step towards meeting the needs of international, regional, and domestic passengers in the perpetually growing aviation market. The employment of this aircraft to …

Sabre Corporation announced a new strategic partnership with Bangladesh’s national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Biman). Under the new agreement, Biman will adopt the SabreSonic Passenger Service System (PSS) to power digital transformation, drive revenue growth and improve the passenger experience. Biman has also selected a further set of Sabre solutions as well as renewing its global distribution agreement with Sabre to help meet the demands of modern-day travellers, ensure availability across all points of sale, maximize customer acquisition, leverage its loyalty program and stimulate demand as industry recovery gains momentum. “We’re thrilled to embark on a new relationship with Sabre during this critical time for the travel industry,” said Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal, Managing Director and CEO, Biman. “It is more important now than ever that we have agile and advanced solutions to empower us to improve operational efficiencies, boost revenue as we move into recovery, and to create a differentiated brand experience in the competitive Bangladeshi market and beyond. We look forward to flying our nation’s bi-coloured flag domestically, regionally and internationally as borders re-open, with support from Sabre’s robust technology.” The Sabre Commercial Platform, the platform within which SabreSonic PSS is housed, is positioned to help empower airlines to drive revenue maximization and a differentiated brand experience. It meets airlines where they are and takes them where they want to go through flexible, open, and intelligent technology, delivering end-to-end personalized retailing from commercial optimization through order fulfilment; enabling enhanced travel experiences for the airline’s customers and helping the airline to increase revenue opportunities. SabreSonic PSS is designed to automate and streamline sales and reservations processes, helping airlines maximize revenue opportunities, save costs, enhance inventory revenue optimization, …

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the deployment of 126 public buses “Expo Rider” to serve Expo 2020 Dubai visitors for free from 9 locations across Dubai. Additionally, two routes will be launched to lift Expo visitors from hotels directly to the site of Expo. RTA will also deploy buses to lift visitors within Expo from the parking area to the Gates in addition to another bus service to lift riders between Expo Gates. Buses will run 1956 direct daily trips from Saturday to Wednesday and the number of trips will rise to 2203 direct trips on Thursday and Friday. The service frequency varies from 3 to 60 minutes. His Excellency Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, confirmed RTA’s readiness to provide a unique, smooth and express transit service for Expo 2020 visitors from various locations in Dubai and across the UAE through the deployment of 203 buses. These buses feature high safety and luxury standards, and comfortable seats. They are compatible with Euro 6 low-carbon emission standards, making them the first of their kind in the MENA region. Through deploying these high-quality buses in a wide geographical coverage, RTA seeks to make mass transit means the ideal choice of mobility for Expo visitors. His Excellency Al Tayer explained that the RTA had allocated 57 buses to commute Expo 2020 visitors from various locations in Dubai through operating 455 to 476 trips per day. RTA identified 9 stations to serve passengers heading to and from Expo. The first station is Palm Jumeirah, where 6 buses are allocated to run 54 trips per day in both directions from …