Sabre Corporation announced the availability of Etihad Airways’ New Distribution Capability (NDC) content through Sabre’s global travel marketplace. The addition of Etihad Airways expands Sabre’s footprint of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region based NDC airlines and broadens travel agencies’ access to real-time content based on offers and orders. Initially, the launch will be rolled out to agencies in Oman and Bahrain, allowing them to shop, book, and service the airline’s NDC offers, with a broader rollout to follow. By integrating and normalizing NDC offers, Sabre gives travel agencies and corporate buyers an efficient way to shop, compare, book and service Etihad’s NDC offers alongside the airline’s traditional options by using application programming interfaces (APIs), Sabre’s travel agency booking application, Sabre Red 360, and Sabre’s online booking tool, GetThere. The airline’s NDC content may include more personalized and diverse travel options, richer content, dynamic pricing, and more customized travel solutions that cater to an increasing demand for tailored travel experiences. “We are excited about the addition of Etihad Airways’ NDC content to our travel marketplace, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing the content our customers want and the scalable capabilities they need,” said Jean-Vincent Teuler, Vice President, Airline Sales for EMEA region at Sabre. “This initiative highlights our dedication to innovation and to operating a compelling travel marketplace that provides efficient access to multiple sources of content, including NDC.” Sabre is one of only a few companies that provide NDC capabilities to address both distribution and airline IT needs. Recently, the company announced SabreMosaicTM, a new passenger service system (PSS)-agnostic offer and order-based airline retailing platform that will help accelerate carriers’ ability to create and retail dynamic, …

Saudi Arabia announced granting the official Approved Destination Status (ADS) to China effective from July 1, 2024.  The ADS designation marks a significant milestone for group travel to Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom aims to make China its third largest source market for international arrivals by 2030, Saudi Arabia has proactively prepared to be China-ready. This includes significantly increasing direct flights since 2023, introducing tailored products, and forming strategic partnerships to enhance group and Flexible Independent Travel (FIT) experiences. This follows the Kingdom’s participation in the second China roadshow and ITB China in Shanghai. This move underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a strategic economic partner with China, unlocking new opportunities across the tourism sector and fostering mutual understanding, friendship, and economic development for both nations. Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that the official ADS status demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s readiness for Chinese visitors and the Saudi progress toward making China its third largest tourism market by 2030. “The Saudi Tourism Authority has played a crucial role in visa facilitation, reduced fees, improving air connectivity, and ensuring destination readiness with Mandarin-language information available on www.visitsaudi.cn, Mandarin signage at airports, and Mandarin-speaking tour guides and hotel staff,” he said. Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, Saudi ambassador to China, emphasized: “By strengthening bilateral ties with China, the ADS agreement opens doors for economic development across sectors, benefiting both nations.” CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin said: “Saudi’s approval as a tourist destination for Chinese visitors reflects our continuous efforts and participation in trade shows and conferences, leading to agreements with Chinese organizations. We strive to provide a seamless, enjoyable, and safe experience for Chinese tourists, including streamlined visa procedures, increased flight capacity, …

Fairmont Hotel Riyadh boasts an impressive representation of women in its leadership team, highlighting the hotel’s commitment to diversity, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh perspective. The hotel’s female leaders play crucial roles in driving strategic initiatives, enhancing the guest experience, and fostering a culture of excellence, with their backgrounds and extensive expertise contributing to the property’s continued success and innovation. Stéphanie Timsit, Director of Operations, Stephanie brings over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality, specializing in pre-opening operations and project management, having successfully led projects at some of the world’s most luxurious properties. Stephanie’s journey embodies a relentless pursuit of excellence alongside a dedication to innovation within the hospitality realm, having devised seamless collaborations, drawing upon her extensive experience in project management and finance. From overseeing refurbishment project to navigating complex financial landscapes amidst challenging operational environments, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to lead cross-functional teams towards extraordinary outcomes. At Fairmont Hotel Riyadh, Stephanie spearheads daily operations, integrating all efforts across departments to elevate guests’ experiences to unprecedented levels of excellence. Joining her in steering the property towards success is Maya Hoteit, the Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than 18 years of experience, Maya has played a pivotal role in the success of various prestigious properties across the Middle East. Throughout her career, Maya has been responsible for developing hotel business plans and strategies, managing strategic account plans, and providing valuable customer insights to adapt to dynamic markets. She has demonstrated a strong ability to foster community and public relations, deliver exceptional customer service, and establish key practices for sales and marketing. Adding to her repertoire of achievements, Maya has coached and developed team …

Dubai Summer Surprises this year unveiled that they have partnered with over 100 plus hotels and attractions for their latest campaign aimed at special activities to residents and visitors curated for every family member.  Opening this weekend it will last until 1st September 2024. Curating an exceptional line-up of thousands of exceptional offers and sensational things to do, see, and explore, Dubai is gearing up to transform this summer into a season of endless possibilities at pocket-friendly prices and great value for anyone and everyone. The iconic Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) returns for its biggest and most exciting edition from 28 June to 1 September, promising residents and visitors a summer well spent with reduced prices, unbeatable promotions, and big savings. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the city will come alive for 65 days of non-stop fun with a jam-packed calendar of electrifying events, incredible shopping experiences, brilliant bargains, thousands of offers and things to do, alongside astounding prizes, diverse gastronomy, and never-seen-before hotel and attraction offers. Commenting on the launch of DSS 2024, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festival & Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “This year’s Dubai Summer Surprises features the biggest summer line-up launched to date. Promising a memorable summer for everyone, we’ve designed an exceptional DSS programme that features thousands of offers and things to do for everyone, from families to friends and couples, and from value seekers and luxury explorers to adventure hunters. Catering to every preference and price point, Dubai has set out to outdo itself yet again as it offers a compelling alternative to traditional summer destinations, with world-class entertainment, endless offers, exciting adventures, and a vibrant culinary scene. We …

Emirates has unveiled its highly-anticipated premium lounge in Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. The airline’s exclusive 925 square meter lounge opened its doors earlier this week to welcome First and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards members. The world’s largest international airline has invested close to AED 3.5 million to design an extraordinary lounge experience in Paris that takes premium travel to new heights, with a special focus on comfort and convenience. Located in Terminal 2C at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport – the Emirates lounge can accommodate up to 165 guests. Customers can look forward to a refreshed and modern design with new furnishings, cosy chairs and sofas, enhanced shower facilities with VOYA products, complimentary Wi-Fi, and striking views of the airport runway. The lounge will also showcase an exquisite food and beverage selection. Customers will be spoilt for choice with local dishes and delicacies, including pan-fried fillet of beef drizzled with béarnaise sauce, poached fillet of cod with vierge sauce, delicious cheese board spreads, and rich desserts. The airline will also offer its premium customers premium spirits and liqueurs; a variety of French wines from renowned regions including Bordeaux; and a range of the finest Moet & Chandon champagnes. The lounge will also feature unique seating arrangements for dining, lounging and quiet spaces for relaxation. Emirates’ new lounge demonstrates the airline’s commitment to serving French customers with high-quality travel experiences. The airline currently operates 39 of its own airport lounges worldwide, including seven in Dubai and 32 at major airports worldwide. Committed to the French capital Emirates’ long-standing partnership with Paris Charles de Gaulle dates back to 1992. Last year, the airline partnered with Extime in Paris …

Travelport and Emirates announced that New Distribution Capability (NDC) content from Emirates and enhanced NDC servicing capabilities are now available in the Travelport+ platform. With this launch, Travelport’s agency customers will be able to easily view and compare more dynamic NDC offers and ancillaries from Emirates and create a more streamlined, personalized experience for travelers. Travelport’s complete NDC solution for Emirates also provides agents the ability to service NDC bookings, which includes modifications and cancellations. “Agencies using Travelport+ will now have access to better, more enriched content that is only available via the Emirates NDC channel,” said Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates. “The integration of our systems will strengthen the expansion of our reach across the global travel retail community and allow them to offer travelers more choice among our best-in-class products and services.” “We are leading the way in delivering Emirates’ NDC content to travel retailers and giving agents the ability to compare and book the best offers and ancillaries available from Emirates on Travelport+,” said Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Partners at Travelport. “This pivotal NDC milestone with Emirates proves Travelport is at the forefront of modern retailing with our ability to provide the best content and cutting-edge tools that agents require to create superior booking and servicing experiences for their customers.” Travelport’s NDC content and servicing solution for Emirates has first become available to all agency customers located in Australia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Access to Emirates NDC solution in Travelport+ will expand to agency customers located in additional countries in the coming weeks.

Sindhorn Wellness by Resense, the renowned spa facility at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, continued to be recognised the second consecutive year as the 1st Thailand’s Best Hotel Spa at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 held recently. This prestigious accolade further solidifies the hotel’s commitment to providing exceptional wellness experiences for its guests. Travel + Leisure’s reader-voted awards celebrate the finest in hospitality across Asia-Pacific. The winners span a variety of categories, from urban luxury to beach resorts, unique spas, picturesque pools, top airlines to cruises, travel agencies, and immersive experiences. Nestled in the heart of the multi-award-winning Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, this urban temple of self-discovery and well-being is the Kingdom’s most extensive wellness offering. Spread over two floors with over 4,000 sqm of facilities, it is the perfect combination of spa, fitness, and wellness experiences – a retreat from the everyday with its wide variety of effective treatments and health modalities designed to help one live and feel better. A unique highlight is a thermal facility featuring saunas, a cold chamber, a tepidarium lounge, a Moroccan hammam, a Vichy shower, a flotation tank, Rasul mud room, allowing one to benefit from the earth, water, heat, and cold. The members’ club includes high-performance gym equipment, individualised coaching by personal trainers, group classes that include HIIT, virtual spinning, body combat, bungee fly, Pilates reformer and Presso recovery, and access to the stunning 25-metre saltwater pool overlooking the city. Christian Ruge, General Manager of Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, expressed his delight at receiving the award, saying, “It is a pleasure that Sindhorn Wellness by Resense has received this prestigious award for the second year. This achievement was made possible …

Etihad Airways celebrated the start of its flights to Al Qassim, marking the first flight ever connecting the UAE’s capital with Al Qassim in the central region of KSA. The new route becomes Etihad’s fourth destination to Saudi Arabia and offers guests four non-stop flights per week. This service will enhance connectivity between KSA and the rest of the world through Abu Dhabi. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “As we celebrate the newest addition to our growing global network, we also reaffirm our commitment to the Saudi market as we mark 20 years of connecting Abu Dhabi with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With the increasing demand for air travel to the promising business and tourism market in KSA, we are excited to launch flights to Al Qassim, a significant cultural and commercial centre. “By establishing this air link, we aim to meet the increasing demand and provide our guests with convenient access to Abu Dhabi and seamless connectivity to our extensive global network, while delivering a remarkable flying experience.” The flights will be operated with aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, offering Etihad’s award-winning service to guests in both Business and Economy cabins. Flights to and from Al Qassim can be booked on etihad.com, the mobile app, Etihad Airways Contact Centres, or through travel agents. Flight schedule for Abu Dhabi – Al Qassim service, effective 24 June 2024, all times local:

Accor signed a partnership agreement with Egypt’s Q Real Estate Development Company to develop a new Novotel property; Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman to debut in Egypt slated to open in 2027, featuring 240 spacious and modern rooms as well as a host of thoughtful wellbeing and entertainment offerings. Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman is the latest announcement for Egypt’s northern coastline, which has seen a rise in development in recent years, transforming the destination from a domestic hotspot to a global travel destination. Accor’s partnership with Q Developments marks the Egyptian real estate company’s first hotel project in Q North, a well-established, mixed-use development, located just minutes away from luxury coastal development Marassi. The hotel is accessible by a one-hour 30-minute drive from Alexandria Borg el Arab International Airport and a three-hour drive from Cairo. Boasting a low-rise build and seafront location, Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman will offer guests well-appointed, comfortable and modern accommodations, ensuring guests can take time to rest and reenergise. The hotel will feature one restaurant, a trendy café, a pool bar and a rooftop bar – offering panoramic vistas across the Mediterranean Sea. Energizing wellness and entertainment offerings will include a cutting-edge fitness centre, spa, outdoor swimming pool and padel courts – capitalising on the sport’s rising popularity in the region. Water sports activities will also be available to guests from the beachfront. While primarily aimed at leisure travellers, Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman will also cater to the MICE market with a 600 square metre ballroom – perfect for weddings and celebrations – and four 50 square metre meeting rooms primed for conferences and team-building activities. Present at the signing, Duncan O’Rourke, Chief …

The Arab Tourism Organization announced the selection of Sur in the Sultanate of Oman as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2024. This decision reflects the cultural, historical, and geographical significance of this ancient province. Sur is located on the northern side of Oman’s Eastern Coast, specifically in the South Sharqiya Governorate, about 337 km from the capital, Muscat. Sur boasts a diverse nature that includes stunning beaches and ports that have made it an important maritime center since ancient times, as well as towering mountains and beautiful valleys that offer exceptional tourist experiences. Sur is considered the cradle of many ancient civilizations and was once a center for maritime trade and shipbuilding. It still houses one of the oldest traditional shipyards, where building a single ship takes two full years. Visitors can see models of traditional Omani ships. The city is rich in archaeological sites dating back to between the third millennium BC and the first millennium BC, reflecting the rich heritage of Oman. Sur also includes prominent historical landmarks such as Al-Rasfa Castle, Al-Ayjah Fort, and Ras Al-Hadd Fort. Sur has got many tourist attractions to suit different visitors, including the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, which was declared a turtle sanctuary in 1996, protecting the turtles that come to the shore to nest and lay their eggs. The reserve attracts many tourists interested in seeing the turtles and their nesting sites. The area is also characterized by moderate temperatures during the summer season. Sur provides various accommodation options, ranging from hotels and tourist resorts to guesthouses, offering an exceptional experience for visitors. Sur was chosen as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2024 due to its tourist potential, which …