Asia’s Resorts World Cruises announced its sailing within key GCC destinations from 1st November 2024. Resorts World One will homeport in Dubai via DP World’s Mina Port Rashid to offer three weekly departures. These include 2 night Sir baniyas weekend cruise (Friday departures), 3 night Oman (Khasab-Muscat) cruise (Sunday departures) and the 2 night Doha cruise (Wednesday departures). For longer cruise vacation, passengers can combine any of the itineraries to make a 4,5 and 7 night cruise. Speaking at the first press conference Michael Goh, President Resorts World Cruises shared, “it is an exciting time for Resorts World Cruises as we inch closer to the start of our first sailing from Dubai to the Gulf with the Resorts World One on 1st November. The response form the Gulf and from various markets in Asia, including from our travel partners have been very encouraging and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard soon.”

Radisson Hotel Group announced further expansion of its footprint in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan with the signing of two new properties: Radisson Collection Residence, Amman Abdoun, and Radisson RED Amman Downtown. This significant development underscores the Group’s commitment to growth in key markets and the expansion of its core brands. Radisson Collection Residence, Amman Abdoun, is scheduled to open in 2028. The newly-built property will feature 128 keys, including 18 two-bedroom apartments. Radisson Collection is known for its luxury lifestyle collection of iconic properties, each offering bespoke design and exceptional experiences. The property will offer two dining outlets, including a pool lounge and versatile meeting spaces, making it an ideal choice for leisure and business travelers. Located next to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the high-end residential and diplomatic district of Abdoun and close to Taj Lifestyle Mall, the property will offer convenient access to the city center via Pr. Hashim Street just a 15-minute drive away. Radisson RED Amman Downtown, also set to open in 2028, will bring a vibrant, unconventional twist to the heart of Amman. The hotel will boast 197 keys, including seven suites and six two-bedroom apartments, offering a variety of accommodation options. Guests can look forward to a lobby lounge and bar, an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant and a large co-working space with meeting facilities. Additional amenities include a fitness center and pool, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Radisson RED hotels are designed to fit the guests’ needs by giving them endless opportunities to tune in and out, effortlessly switching between business and pleasure. Strategically located next to Al-Hashemi Street, it is surrounded by popular tourist sites such as …

Gulf Air to train 70 Bahrainis in the aviation sector with Tamkeen. Gulf Air signed two agreements with Labour Fund (Tamkeen) aimed at supporting the training of Bahrainis as pilots and aviation engineers. This comes as a continuation of the ongoing collaboration between the two organizations over the past years, with the goal of strengthening national capabilities in aviation by providing specialized training and creating promising and sustainable job opportunities. The support includes training 50 Bahrainis as second officers and 24 Bahrainis in aviation engineering, both specialized fields requiring a high level of technical expertise and creating high-quality jobs in the aviation sector. This comes as a continuation of Tamkeen’s training support to 110 pilots at the company. Commenting on this initiative, Her Excellency Ms. Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, emphasized Tamkeen’s commitment to supporting Bahraini talent to excel in various sectors and specialties, with the goal of making Bahrainis the preferred choice for employment. She stated: “We take pride in this partnership with Gulf Air Group and the promising opportunities it provides for Bahrainis in the aviation sector, which offers high-income jobs and diverse growth and development opportunities both locally and internationally. This partnership aligns with our ongoing efforts on providing training opportunities that refine national talent according to the highest global standards, preparing Bahrainis to enter and succeed in the aviation sector, which is a vital and important industry in the Kingdom.” Tamkeen’s support for the private sector in Bahrain is aligned with its 2024 strategic priorities focused on economic impact and the private sector under three pillars: increasing economic participation through employment opportunities for new market entrants, expanding career development opportunities available to the Bahraini workforce, and …

beOnd announced that its second aircraft is now ready to serve customers as well as they have received authorization to fly passengers from Zurich to the UAE. The Airbus A321 aircraft seats 68 customers in premium, all-lie-flat seating and features beOnd’s stunning signature dark grey and copper livery, and will join in its expanding network. “We are pleased our second aircraft is now entering service,” said Tero Taskila, beOnd’s Chairman and CEO. Our new and returning customers will be impressed to see this stunning aircraft at their home airports, and they’ll be thrilled at the service from the start to finish of their journey. This aircraft provides beOnd with new capacity — and coupled with the airline’s free flight guarantee — reinforces trust and operational readiness with customers and our agency partners.” Today’s news follows beOnd’s continued service between Milan, Zurich, Munich, Riyadh, Dubai, and the Maldives, as well as authorization to fly passengers from Zurich to the UAE. The addition of the new aircraft, along with these business developments, underscores the confidence and belief in beOnd’s vision, potential, and successes to date. In November 2023, beOnd successfully launched commercial passenger service with the airline’s first aircraft, an Airbus A319 that seats 44 in an all-lay flat configuration. This second aircraft will support beOnd’s expansion from Europe, Dubai, and Bangkok to the Maldives.

Qatar Airways is elevating travel experiences to the Maldives through its new interline partnership with Maldivian providing passengers the option to book both Qatar Airways and Maldivian flights on qatarairways.com. Travellers planning their holidays at one of the Maldives’ beautiful islands can now incorporate both their Qatar Airways and Maldivian flights in one booking. Once Qatar Airways passengers arrive to Velana International Airport, they will be guided to the domestic terminal for their Maldivian flight. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “We, at Qatar Airways, continue to expand our services to provide our passengers with innovative and inviting travel experiences. With our latest Maldivian interline partnership, we look forward to seeing our passengers enjoy a smooth start to their holidays, as well as benefit from the plethora of new travel benefits. We are proud to offer the option of a seamless process, allowing passengers to book one ticket that includes both their Qatar Airways flight to Male, and the connecting Maldivian flight to their beachside getaway.” Maldivian Chief Commercial Officer, Ismail Amrah Umar, said: “We are thrilled to announce our interline partnership with Qatar airways, through which our customers will experience smooth connectivity with international baggage allowance while traveling within our network of 17 destinations across Maldives. By offering more choice and enhanced access to our strong and growing route network, we aim to boost tourism to the Maldives, showcasing our pristine islands to travellers from around the world.” The Qatar Airways and Maldivian partnership allows for more choice than ever, as well as providing competitive flight fares and co-ordinated flight schedules. With the new system boosting international connectivity, travellers will now have access to 17 domestic destinations …

Kuwait Airways has signed a cooperation protocol with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training to create a diploma program specializing in ‘Aviation Sciences and Air Transport’ at the Communications and Navigation Institute at the Authority. The protocol will enable the qualification and training of graduates from the (Applied) program within the company’s operational sectors. The cooperation will also include providing students with the opportunity to work at Kuwait Airways in the future, according to the requirements and specific training conditions based on the agreement concluded between them. The protocol was signed by the Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan on behalf of Kuwait Airways, and the Director General, Dr. Hassan Mohammad Al-Fajjam, on behalf of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, in the presence of various officials representing both parties. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan emphasized on the importance of the protocol in equipping the upcoming generations in the service of their country and their national carrier, Kuwait Airways. He pointed out that the Blue Bird bestows special emphasis on the youth and national competencies that effectively contribute to the development and progress of the company, as well as in the pursuit of including new talents and expertise for the advancement of the national carrier. Al-Fagaan added that the protocol includes implementing field training for the students at the company’s operational facilities, indicating that Kuwait Airways will provide them with all the latest technological features and technical developments in the field of aviation sciences and air transport. This is in addition to organizing and conducting programs, visits, and workshops to exchange technical expertise and implementing joint scientific and applied research …

Zannier Hotels, has announced a partnership with NEOM to develop a new luxury eco-resort in Zardun, one of Magna’s destinations located in the Northwest of Saudi Arabia on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Overlooking crystalline waters, Zannier Zardun nestles into the exquisite landscape stretching from the mountains to the low hills, across the coastal plain to the sea. Known for its distinct hotels and resorts that harmonize with their environments, Zannier Hotels is partnering with NEOM to develop Zannier Zardun, a tranquil retreat for discerning guests seeking authentic experiences amidst a breathtaking natural setting. The resort, situated within the four-square kilometers of Zardun in a carefully restored semi-desertic landscape thriving with native fauna and flora, will feature a total of 100 rooms and suites, spread over three striking signature buildings, each themed to offer diverse and breathtaking experiences. A distinctively unique experience centre welcomes guests through an underground entrance, leading to a 360-degree observation deck that reveals the splendor of Zardun, providing a setting for the most intimate connection between humans and nature. Guests will enjoy transformative experiences, educational programs on nature conservation and rewilding, and various sports and leisure activities including trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, stargazing, meditation, and yoga. “We are thrilled to officialize our collaboration with NEOM” commented Arnaud Zannier, Founder and CEO of Zannier Hotels, highlighting that “this partnership marks a significant milestone, solidifying our position among top-tier hospitality brands. It highlights our ambitious vision and commitment to excellence, serving as both a cornerstone for our brand’s evolution and a testament to our emergence as a formidable contender in the luxury hospitality market.” As part of NEOM and Zannier Hotels’ dedication to preserving and …

The highly anticipated 3rd edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM), organized by NeXTfairs, is set to take place from 25 -27 November 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). As the premier event showcasing global travel and tourism offerings, QTM is dedicated to highlighting Qatar as a leading hub in the industry with TravTalk ME as the media partner. This year, the event will welcome a diverse range of participants including senior executives, decision-makers, tourism experts, academics, researchers, government officials, representatives from related sectors and travel enthusiasts. This year’s edition is set to make a significant impact, with the exhibition space doubling to accommodate more international participants and enhance attendee experience. Featuring 300 hosted buyers and focusing on seven key tourism sectors—Business, Leisure, Luxury, Medical, Cultural, Sports, and Halal Tourism—QTM 2024 will unveil top travel destinations and the latest industry trends. Reflecting on QTM 2023’s success, which saw participation from 60 countries, 250 exhibitors, and nearly 10,000 visitors, “Qatar Travel Mart has been a remarkable journey that underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and connecting industry leaders in the travel and tourism sectors. QTM 2024 is set to be our most impactful event yet, driving progress and shaping the future of the industry,” said Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder & General Manager of NeXTfairs. Feedback from previous participants highlights the event’s exceptional organization and networking opportunities; “The meticulous planning has been evident, and we are pleased with our participation. We are eager to return next year, having achieved about 30 B2B meetings,” noted Suran Rabaev, Head of Department, Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic. QTM 2024 will also offer valuable investment opportunities in tourism development and feature a …

As part of their shared commitment to highlight Oman as a preferred tourist destination, Oman Air and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have joined forces for a special stopover promotion for passengers transiting through Muscat. Available until 30 November 2024, the offer provides a free one-night hotel stay for premium class passengers when booking a stopover in Muscat, while those traveling in Economy Class can enjoy two nights for the price of one. In addition, guests have access to exclusive discounts on tours, car hire, and other services, making it the perfect opportunity to explore Oman’s charming capital and beyond. Launched just in time for the winter season, visitors can experience Muscat at its very best, with warm weather, stunning landscapes and cultural activities promising an unforgettable retreat. Committed to promoting the natural beauty, rich heritage and friendly, genuine hospitality of its home-base, Oman Air remains dedicated to serving as a gateway for tourists to Oman, providing them with seamless connectivity, convenient flight schedules, and award-winning onboard products and services. Passengers who hold a return ticket to any destination on Oman Air’s network with a transit through Muscat can take advantage of the limited-time offer. Guests can simply fill out the online request form and make their stopover booking by 30 November 2024. It is important to note that the complimentary hotel stay includes the room only and is subject to availability. A maximum of one stopover per return ticket applies. For full terms and conditions, please contact Oman Air Holidays at holidays@omanair.com.

Rotana announced the opening of Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh, an Edge by Rotana hotel, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The hotel features 104 meticulously designed rooms and suites that blend contemporary aesthetics with modern amenities, providing a comfortable stay for both business and leisure travellers. Launched in May 2022, Edge by Rotana is a collection of independent properties that maintain their individuality while benefiting from Rotana’s extensive network and systems. Located on Riyadh’s renowned Al Olaya Street, Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh is the first Edge by Rotana property to open its doors in the Kingdom, with another four Edge by Rotana properties in the pipeline – three in Riyadh and one in Al Baha. This forms part of Rotana’s larger expansion plan, which will see nine new properties launched in the Kingdom by 2028, doubling Rotana’s key count in the country to over 4,236. Commenting on the announcement, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: “Opening our first Edge by Rotana branded property in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone for Rotana as we continue to expand our footprint in the region. Saudi Arabia is one of the region’s fastest-growing markets, and we are on track to meet our goal of doubling the number of rooms we currently manage in the Kingdom in the next few years. With each new property, we remain committed to fulfilling our brand promise of ‘Treasured Time’ by providing guests with convenience, modern amenities, and exceptional hospitality.” Guests will also delight in the hotel’s leisure facilities, which include a Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, featuring a fully equipped gym, sauna, steam rooms, and massage room, as well as a refreshing rooftop pool. Nova …