The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism launched a new report revealing the stark impact of the pandemic on women and youth employment within the global Travel & Tourism sector. Almost 70 million people working in Travel & Tourism lost their jobs during the pandemic, but women and young people were disproportionately impacted because their roles were more likely to be in the worst affected areas such as hospitality and food services. While the sector has broadly seen a strong recovery, the ‘Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment’ report found it employed 42 million women and just over 16 million young people in 2022, notably lower than the 48.4 million women (-13%) and nearly 19 million young workers (15%) supported by the sector in 2019. While the sector remains a vital source of jobs for underrepresented groups, the report makes clear that more must be done to ensure an inclusive and equitable recovery. The report, which examines employment trends across 185 economies from 2019 to 2022, underscores the sector’s potential as a key driver of inclusive economic growth and social progress. It is critical that we learn from these hardships and implement measures to protect these groups from being disproportionately affected in future crises. According to the latest EIR data, in 2023, the Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution rose by 29.1% above pre-pandemic levels, outpacing the global average, which remained 4.1% below. Yet despite this economic rebound, the social recovery continued to lag, particularly for women and young people who remain more likely to be stuck in informal, part-time, or low-wage roles without security or growth potential. Julia …

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved an increase of 73% in the number of international tourist growth, while international tourism revenues recorded an increase of 207%, according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer report issued this week at the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Belem, Brazil. It was also shared that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tops the list of G20 countries in the indicators of the growth rate of the number of international tourists and the growth rate of international tourism revenues according to the latest data for the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2019. Several tourist destinations in the Kingdom witnessed a significant increase in the number of international tourists this year, with 17.5 million tourists during the first seven months of 2024. The Kingdom achieved a growth of 56% in the number of international tourists during 2023 compared to 2019, with 27.4 million tourists, and travel receipts recorded a historical surplus of 48 billion SAR during 2023, an annual increase of 38%. In its September report after the conclusion of the “Article IV Consultation 2024”, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the unprecedented achievements made by the Kingdom’s tourism sector under Saudi Vision 2030. Diversifying the economic sectors, in which travel and tourism emerged as the most important – recording the highest level in the number of visitors, spending, job creation and contribution to GDP. These achievements reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination, and the continuous growth in the number of inbound tourists reflects in the Kingdom’s attractive options and diversity for visitors.

Starting 27 October, ITA Airways will be operating direct flights from Dubai to Italy with the state of the art A321neo, the new-generation aircraft that combines efficiency and style to make your travel experience truly unforgettable advised Mr. Mohamed Jassim Al Rais, Executive Director, APG Gulf, the General Sales Agent of ITA Airways in the UAE. He added that ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, is committed to providing exceptional service and connectivity as with a modern fleet and a focus on sustainability, ITA is well-equipped to offer travelers a comfortable and memorable journey between Dubai and Rome and on its vast network beyond. ITA will operate a daily service on DXB-FCO-DXB routes offering highly attractive fares (both in business and economy class) to Rome and beyond sectors, including points in UK/Europe and USA. ITA would operate to Dubai with A321 Neo with a 3 class figuration offering Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy, thereby offering full service product with aggressive fares. Schedule: Rome Fiumicino to Dubai: Starting October 27th, departing at 10:40 a.m. (local time) and arriving in Dubai at 7:50 p.m. (local time). Dubai to Rome Fiumicino: Starting October 28th, departing at 1:50 a.m. (local time) and arriving in Rome at 6:00 a.m. (local time). Mr. Mohamed Al Rais, expressed his enthusiasm about this new venture, “We are proud to partner with ITA Airways to bring this exciting route to Dubai. This collaboration not only enhances our portfolio but also enriches travel options for our customers. We look forward to providing outstanding service and showcasing the best of Italy to travellers in the UAE. We invite everyone to explore the beauty of Italy with ITA Airways. Stay tuned for …

As part of SAUDIA’s investments to make King Abdulaziz International Airport into a true hub and enhance the guest’s travel experience, they officially inaugurated its new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge at Terminal 1 of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. H.E. Eng. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar, the Director General of SAUDIA Group inaugurated this luxurious, exclusive space which is designed to elevate the travel experience for SAUDIA’s First and Business Class guests, as well as AlFursan Gold members. The lounge offers personalized services tailored to meet the needs of discerning travelers. The new lounge features 10 dedicated check-in counters, each complemented by a comfortable seating area to ensure a seamless and relaxed start to the journey. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by specialized staff and treated to traditional Saudi coffee and dates. The lounge also includes a dedicated café counter, offering a selection of hot and cold beverages. The opening of the new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge marks a significant milestone in SAUDIA’s strategy to strengthen its Jeddah hub. This strategy involves centralizing operations in state-of-the-art facilities and services, optimizing connectivity and transit traffic, and maintaining a distinctive on-time performance through integrated operations. By creating a true hub, Saudia is also contributing to the broader Saudi Vision 2030 goal of attracting 330 million visits and welcoming the world to the Kingdom. Additionally, the lounge’s design reflects the rich Saudi culture and landmarks, highlighting SAUDIA’s new era and its dedication to presenting the nation’s rich identity and culture to its guests. Riyadh M. Alhudhaif, General Manager of the Jeddah HUB stated: “Unveiling SAUDIA’s new First and Business Class Check-In Lounge marks a landmark milestone in luxury travel, redefining …

 Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways are taking a significant step towards creating a more supportive travel experience with the launch of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme at Zayed International Airport (AUH) and onboard Etihad Airways flights. This initiative underscores both organisations’ commitment to supporting all passengers, particularly those with non-visible disabilities. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, a globally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities, is now available at Zayed International Airport (AUH). This programme provides a discreet way for passengers with conditions like autism, chronic pain, or anxiety to signal to staff that they may require additional assistance or compassion. Passengers can pick up their complimentary Sunflower lanyards at the two dedicated Special Assistance desks located in the pre-check-in area of AUH, allowing them to discreetly communicate their needs and fostering a more supportive environment for all. “At Abu Dhabi Airports, we are dedicated to providing a seamless and inclusive travel experience for every passenger,” said Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports. “The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme is a natural extension of this commitment, empowering passengers with non-visible disabilities to discreetly communicate their needs and receive the support they deserve throughout their journey at Zayed International Airport. It’s about recognising that the kindest gestures are the ones that acknowledge unseen challenges. This means our staff are now even better equipped to assist passengers who may require a little extra time, understanding, or assistance, ensuring a smoother and more positive experience for everyone.” To ensure the programme’s success, both AUH and Etihad Airways have implemented comprehensive staff training. Frontline teams from the airport, its stakeholders and business partners have undergone specialised training to better understand the …

According to Mabrian, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt are becoming the most popular destinations for autumn travel by German travellers. In the findings it is shared that German travellers are increasingly looking beyond traditional European destinations for their autumn getaways, with a noticeable shift toward long-haul destinations, including alternatives in the Middle East. According to Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform part of The Data Appeal Company, demand for autumn travel to the region has surged, with countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt seeing significant increases in flight searches and inspirational demand. These findings combine cyclical data about Germans’ autumn travel interests and motivations, along with inspirational travel demand data based on Mabrian’s Share of Searches Index, that reflects the strength of travel demand based on flight searches behaviour. Given a source market and a period of time, the Share of Searches Index is a percentage that correlates the total flight searches globally with spontaneous searches for specific destinations. For this analysis, Share of Searches Index tracked flight searches in Germany, made at least three months in advance, for trips between September and November 2024, focusing on top performing destinations for the German travel market. “Unlike confirmed bookings, this ratio shows the degree of market interest in certain destinations,” says Carlos Cendra, partner and director of Marketing and Communication at Mabrian. “Whether reservations are confirmed depends on many factors, from available connectivity, flight and accommodation prices, or other phenomena that may influence travellers’ willingness to purchase or spend.” Data also indicates that 2024 fall travel plans from Germans reflect a shifting trend, a slight readjustment of the yet strong demand to Mediterranean destinations, and …

Emirates opened the doors to its new lounge at London Stansted Airport. The airline has invested more than GBP 4 million to design a spacious 900-square-metre lounge that can accommodate up to 125 guests, including First and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards members. The new lounge is Emirates’ sixth dedicated lounge in the UK, complementing the airline’s world-class facilities available in London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester. All London airports served by Emirates now provide access to premium on-ground experiences for customers to unwind and enjoy elevated dining experiences ahead of their journeys. Emirates is one of few airlines who have invested in its on-ground experiences including its own network of 40 dedicated lounges around the world and complimentary chauffeur drive services for premium customers. Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services at Emirates said: “Emirates has been serving London Stansted since 2018, and the airport remains a very important gateway for our customers across the southern region of the UK. The new lounge is a testament to our brand promise of always flying customers better – in the air and on-ground. And it also marks a major milestone for us as we now proudly offer dedicated lounge facilities across six airports in the UK – underscoring our ongoing commitment to one of the most important markets in our network. We look forward to taking the premium travel experience to new heights and to offering customers a chance to unwind and dine with Emirates’ renowned signature hospitality.” Gareth Powell, Managing Director at Stansted Airport, said: “The opening of Emirates’ new world-class lounge is fantastic news for London Stansted and passengers using Emirates services to Dubai …

Oravel Stays has launched its premium hotel brand SUNDAY in Dubai with the opening of SUNDAY Holiday International Hotel Dubai. Spread over 44000 square feet, it is at Bur Dubai next to Burjuman Mall and Metro Station on the western side of Dubai creek. There are over 200 rooms in different categories and multiple food and beverages outlets in the hotel to cater to different requirements of the guests. There are many popular tourist hotspots in proximity such as Dubai Creek, Dubai Dolphinarium and Dubai Frame. The initiative is a part of Oravel’s ongoing program to spread premium hotel footprint across the globe. It has identified popular tourist regions as Deira, Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residences, Business Bay, and Al Barsha for the expansion of SUNDAY brand of hotels in Dubai. The brand SUNDAY has been conceptualised to cater to the ever-evolving needs of the new-age travelers and provide them a perfect getaway for a reset. SUNDAY will cater to the growing demand for premium stays, combining sophisticated design, top-notch amenities and services. It breaks away from the mold of traditional hotels and offers a unique proposition of modern-day luxury coupled with mindfully curated experiences that enable guests to unwind at their own pace. SUNDAY Hotels offer an immersive experience, designed to engage the local community, and showcase creativity. Each property has a dedicated team of highly trained hospitality professionals that ensure personalised services for every guest. From the moment of arrival, guests are treated to a seamless check-in process, with staff available around the clock to cater to their needs. One of the hallmarks of the SUNDAY brand is its luxurious amenities, designed …

Hyatt has chosen the Oracle OPERA Cloud hospitality platform as the property management system (PMS) for its global hotel portfolio. With OPERA Cloud, Hyatt properties will be able to standardize its operations and data management across more than 1,000 hotels and all-inclusive properties. With a modern data platform delivering a common user interface and processes across its properties, Hyatt colleagues will have the insights to operate more efficiently and provide an improved, more consistent experience for its guests, members and customers. “As one of the world’s top hospitality companies, Hyatt is committed to caring for people so they can be their best,” said Cameron Hammond, Senior Vice President of Global Field Technology Services at Hyatt. “In today’s evolving environment, technology plays a critical role in empowering our colleagues so they can continue to deliver unforgettable experiences to our guests. By moving to OPERA Cloud and extending our long-standing collaboration with Oracle, we will be able to provide our operators and colleagues with a modern, secure platform to deliver better data insights and elevate their roles with more ease and efficiency.” Built on the high performance and security of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), OPERA Cloud PMS will help centralize data at Hyatt’s global properties for better insights and operational planning, from a holistic perspective down to the individual property level. Hyatt will also benefit from having a better view into the unique preferences of its guests across properties they stay at to deliver more personalized touchpoints over time. With the ability to use OPERA Cloud on mobile devices, colleagues will also have the flexibility to help guests from anywhere and at any time. “With OPERA Cloud as the secure data and …

Rotana announces the opening of Beach Bay Hotel – Mirfa, the first Edge by Rotana property in Abu Dhabi. Edge by Rotana is a collection of independent properties that maintain their individuality, while benefiting from Rotana’s extensive network and systems. The new property marks the seventh Edge by Rotana opening since the brand launch, with another six hotels in the pipeline across the MENAT region. The opening of Beach Bay Hotel – Mirfa expands Rotana’s presence in Abu Dhabi to 4,768 keys across 17 properties. Located approximately 150 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city, Mirfa is a serene coastal town nestled on the picturesque western coast of the Emirate. Complete with a private beach overlooking the pristine waters of the Arabian Gulf, the serviced apartment hotel offers a perfect blend of convenience and comfort for business travel, a long-term stay, or a family vacation. The hotel features 76 serviced apartments, including studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom options. Each unit is seamlessly designed for modern living, providing stunning sea views and a tranquil escape from city life. Apartments are also fitted with a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Commenting on the announcement, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: “We are proud to open the doors to Beach Bay Hotel – Mirfa, delivering ‘Treasured Time’ to a fantastic new location in the UAE. This hotel marks a key addition to our growing portfolio and a reflection of our strategic expansion of Edge by Rotana brand in key markets across the region.” Beach Bay Hotel – Mirfa offers guests two attractive dining options to suit any mood, taste, and occasion. The property features two restaurants of …