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Mohamed Awadalla honoured as DDP Trailblazer

An international award-winning hotelier with over 38 years’ experience, Mohamed Awadalla CEO & Co-Founder of TIME Hotels has been one of the key leaders in the industry across the Middle East. An entrepreneur with a vision who took the lead to drive overall success of TIME management, increasing future development, drive commercial success and the effectiveness of positioning TIME brand to be a Middle East success story. Working with some of the leading global hospitality companies including Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Rotana Hotels and now he is leading TIME Hotels Management L.L.C where he was one of the founding members. Being part of the initial management team of TIME Hotels, Awadalla started as the Area Vice President. In 2012, he moved to the position of CEO with overall responsibility for the company’s 17 hotels, apartments and residence with a remit to spearhead the future development, drive the commercial success of TIME’s rapidly expanding portfolio of Middle East, and Northern Africa based properties.  

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Fahad Kanoo enters Gallery of Legends

Fahad Kanoo is a highly accomplished and dynamic individual who is the 5th generation member of the renowned Kanoo family. After completing his studies, he honed his skills in a competitive environment away from the family business. He later joined the senior management team of The Kanoo Group in Dubai, where he quickly established himself as a key player and served on several boards within the company. Fahad holds several executive positions within The Kanoo Group, including the President of Kanoo Shipping & Logistics, the Vice President for Kanoo Travel, and the CEO of The Kanoo Group – UAE & Oman. He is responsible for overseeing the UAE & Oman regions and has played a crucial role in the company’s growth and success. In addition to his professional achievements, Fahad is a graduate of the prestigious INSEAD Business School, where he received an Executive EMBA in December 2017. He is known for his active personality and has a keen interest in football, paddle-tennis, cars, and travel.

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Industry stalwarts felicitated at the Arabian travel awards

The sixth edition of the most coveted awards, Arabian Travel Awards once again recognised the leaders in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors at Sofitel downtown Dubai amidst an amazing night of glitter, grandeur and glamour. Today, travel, tourism and hospitality have become the key contributors to the GDP from the non-oil sector in the Middle East. HE Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil bin Shamsuddin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE graced the occasion of Chief Guest presenting the awards to the stars of the night amidst the legends and stalwarts of the industry.     Category Client Name Gallery of the Legends Fahad Kanoo DDP Trailblazer Mohamed Awadalla DDP Gamechanger Saleem Sharif Face of the Future Ashiya Nazar Best Hospitality Leader Samer Homsi Best Hospitality Professional Issam Slaimi Most Promising General Manager Amro Nagah Best Travel Technology Provider Travelport Best NTO – South East Asia Tourism Malaysia – Dubai Office Best Wedding & MICE Hotel Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl Best Travel Booking Platform RezLive.com Best Business Hotel dusitD2 kenz hotel Best Travel Management Company – Middle East Kanoo Travel Best Leisure & Business Hotel The Tower Plaza Hotel Dubai Fastest Growing DMC – Qatar Tawfeeq Holidays Best Family Friendly Hotel Swissôtel Al Ghurair Dubai Best New Travel Booking Platform Al Rostamani Travel & Holidays Best GSA Al Naboodah Travel Best Luxury Halal Hotel Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel Best B2B Travel Portal akbartravels.com Best Corporate TMC Satguru Travel and Tourism Best Luxury Hotel Sofitel Dubai Downtown Most Dynamic International Tourism Board in UAE Spain Tourism Best Airline – South East Asia Philippine Airlines Best 4 Star Hotel Copthorne Hotel Dubai Fastest Growing B2B Travel Portal …

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Dazzling stars return with Arabian Travel Awards tonight

The sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards will return tonight recognizing the key players who contributed immensely to the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors in the UAE. It is an invitation only event to be held at the Sofitel Downtown Dubai. Arabian Travel Awards is a platform for the Middle East market to appreciate the efforts of the travel, tourism and hospitality specialists who have contributed to the booming travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The aim is to encourage them to continue promoting travel, tourism and hospitality in the region. The Arabian Travel Awards are fair and unbiased, following a systematic method of internet-based voting. These awards are supported by Tourismbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVmiddleeast.news and TravTalk Middle East who are premier media partners for the coverage of the event. The awards will be divided into four categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards and Partner Awards. They will include awards for Best Business Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel to name a few. San Jeet Director Arabian Travel Awards shares, “Our awards have been evolving over the years to recognize the untiring efforts of the industry experts. This year will be the first time that we can finally say that we are back on track, especially with the UAE recording numbers higher than the pre-pandemic era. In today’s travel, tourism and hospitality landscape there are many changes and new trends that have emerged. As UAE declared this year as the year of sustainability and carrying forward their legacy to become the host nation for COP28, this is indeed …

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Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer announced as Group Chief Executive for Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Group confirmed that Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer has been appointed as the new Group Chief Executive for Qatar Airways. After 27 years of remarkable service, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive – His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, will be stepping down from his current position as Group Chief Executive effective 5 November 2023. Under H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker’s leadership, Qatar Airways has grown to become one of the most recognisable and trusted brands globally, synonymous with customer service quality and the highest of standards. The national carrier of the State of Qatar has achieved an unprecedented seven-times win of the “World’s Best Airline” award, and its state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport, which is under its management and operation, has also been recognised as the “World’s Best Airport”. The Qatar Airways Group’s contribution to helping deliver the best ever FIFA World Cup showcased to the world its capability, commitment to excellence, and its passion for bringing the world together.  

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Top players of the global travel sector to convene at ITB Asia 2023

TravTalk ME as media partner at ITB Asia will be looking forward to a great event with its top exhibitors for the highly anticipated 16th edition, set to take place from today, 25 – 27 October 2023 in Singapore. Co-located with MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia, this year’s event promises three full days of networking opportunities with international exhibitors, complemented by insightful conference sessions at the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. ITB Asia Sponsors and Key Exhibitors The exhibitors’ list offers a strong mix of all stakeholder groups. This includes top business players such as Aircalin, Air India, Banyan Tree Group, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, BWH Hotel Group, Club Med, EVA Airways Corporation, Finnair, Icelandair, NEOM, Philippine Airlines, Inc., Worldwide Hotels, Vietnam Airlines and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) including Visit Brussels, Croatian National Tourist Board, Czech Tourism Authority, Visit Finland, Visit Norway, Palestine Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, PROMPERU, Tourism Seychelles and more; as well as Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) such as Visit Berlin, Department of Tourism and Creative Economy of Jakarta, Taipei City Government, Zagreb Tourist Board and more. “ITB Asia is putting together a strong representation from all travel segments. As the industry revives, we are enthusiastic to serve as a tried and tested platform for building new partnerships. The level of expertise provided by global tourism leaders will ensure Singapore is the place where we can shape the future of tourism,”, says Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), Organiser of MICE Show Asia, Travel Tech Asia and ITB Asia. Among this year’s exhibiting NTOs are Brand USA, Croatian National Tourist Board, Czech Tourism Authority, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Korea …

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OMRAN Group joins the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as an Affiliate Member

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) announced its induction as an affiliate member of the esteemed World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) during its 25th General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This affiliation underscores OMRAN Group’s commitment to fortifying efforts that champion sustainable and responsible tourism via its diverse development portfolio. Beyond fostering expertise and knowledge exchange, the membership aligns seamlessly with the Group’s strategic objectives, unlocking unique business opportunities within the global community. The affiliation further grants the Group a platform at prominent international events and initiatives, bolstering its value and global visibility. Ambassador Vilcu Lon, Director of the Affiliate Members Department at UNWTO, had the honor of presenting the membership certificate to Dr. Hashil Al-Mahrouqi, the CEO of OMRAN Group. OMRAN Group now gains access to a treasure trove of industry data and insights through UNWTO’s advanced digital platforms. Moreover, this membership avails a collaborative platform, allowing members to engage in meaningful dialogues, share knowledge, and forge synergies that strengthen the tourism sector, all while resonating with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNWTO Affiliate Members Department (AMD) fosters public-private cooperation in tourism and the synergies among Affiliate Members and Member States. Bringing together around 500 private companies, associations, educational institutions, and DMOs. With its newfound membership, OMRAN Group is poised to amplify the outreach of its pioneering projects and initiatives. Moreover, it will mark its presence at several global events and conferences organized by the UNWTO. With unwavering commitment, the Group is geared to leverage this membership to its fullest, spotlighting its projects and investment opportunities.

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Emirates and Batik Air enhance cooperation, offering more travel options to Southeast Asia

Emirates and Batik Air Malaysia announced a codeshare agreement, allowing Emirates’ customers to access 5 domestic Malaysian cities and 3 regional South East Asia points operated by Batik Air via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The Minister of Transport Malaysia, YB Tuan Anthony Loke, graced the launch and lauded the strategic partnership between Emirates and Batik Air, emphasising the numerous opportunities it offers to travellers worldwide. “We are pleased with the partnership, which has the potential to strengthen Malaysia’s role as a prime gateway to the region. We hope to see an increase in KLIA traffic, especially to facilitate connectivity to regional destinations.” The enhanced cooperation was introduced by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (Far East) and Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Group Strategic Director of Batik Air. Also present at the launch event were Anand Lakshminarayanan Emirates’ Senior Vice President Revenue Optimisation and Airline Partnerships and Saeed Mubarak, Emirates’ Country Manager in Malaysia. In line with the agreement, Emirates will place its code on Batik Air-operated flights to Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Denpasar, Jakarta and Singapore, offering customers a seamless travel experience as they connect to new destinations using a single ticket, and convenient baggage policy. Emirates’ customers will also have the option to stopover in Kuala Lumpur before proceeding to their final destinations. The airline will further gain access to eight additional destinations operated by Batik Air via Kuala Lumpur for interline transfers. Orhan Abbas commented on this partnership: “Malaysia is an important market in our Far East network and we’re pleased to offer increased connectivity and more options for our customers to new and exciting destinations. Through this partnership, we’ll further expand …

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Saudi Arabia to host United Nations World Tourism Organization’s 26th General Assembly in 2025

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is to host its 26th General Assembly, taking place in 2025. The news follows the recent hosting of the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP’s) MENA Climate Week, held in Riyadh in October 2023. The UNWTO announcement was made during the participation of HE Ahmed Al-Khatib, Minister of Tourism, at the 25th General Assembly, held in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 16-20, 2023. As a distinguished member of the General Assembly, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays a significant role on the international stage, and will now prepare for its next meeting in 2025. The General Assembly is the governing body of the UNWTO, established in 1975, and featuring representatives from 159 Member States, alongside private sector representatives and non-governmental organizations. HE Ahmed Al-Khatib, Minister of Tourism, said: “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince, may God protect them, for their unwavering support of the Kingdom’s tourism sector. Our hosting of the 26th General Assembly underscores our commitment to lead global tourism towards a brighter and more collaborative future. It also highlights our significant achievements in the Executive Council, which the Kingdom assumed leadership of in 2023.” The hosting of the 26th General Assembly in 2025 will be a momentous celebration, supported by various activities aimed at raising awareness of tourism’s role in promoting sustainable development and global peace. The event will provide an opportunity for the Kingdom to showcase its unparalleled tourism and cultural developments, and bolster international cooperation in this vital sector. The Kingdom’s selection as host is a testament …

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ATA returns to mesmerize UAE

The sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards will return tomorrow recognizing the key players who contributed immensely to the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors in the UAE. It is an invitation only event to be held at the Sofitel Downtown Dubai on 25th October 2023. Arabian Travel Awards is a platform for the Middle East market to appreciate the efforts of the travel, tourism and hospitality specialists who have contributed to the booming travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The aim is to encourage them to continue promoting travel, tourism and hospitality in the region. The Arabian Travel Awards are fair and unbiased, following a systematic method of internet-based voting. These awards are supported by Tourismbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVmiddleeast.news and TravTalk Middle East who are premier media partners for the coverage of the event. The awards will be divided into four categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards and Partner Awards. They will include awards for Best Business Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel to name a few. San Jeet Director Arabian Travel Awards shares, “Our awards have been evolving over the years to recognize the untiring efforts of the industry experts. This year will be the first time that we can finally say that we are back on track, especially with the UAE recording numbers higher than the pre-pandemic era. In today’s travel, tourism and hospitality landscape there are many changes and new trends that have emerged. As UAE declared this year as the year of sustainability and carrying forward their legacy to become the host nation for COP28, …

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