It was revealed by the latest research from Huawei’s Petal Ads platform that the number of outbound Chinese tourists visiting the Middle East increased by 54% with Egypt, UAE and Saudi Arabia as the top destinations. Sukhpreet Singh Ghataura, Director of Ecosystem Development at MEAI Huawei shared, “Between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024 the number of outbound Chinese tourists visiting the Middle East increased by 54%, with the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia being the top destinations in the region for Chinese travellers. In 2023, China accounted for 10% of global travel, with a collective spending of approximately US $265 billion. The primary driver for China’s outbound tourists is the cultural experiences they can enjoy in foreign destinations.” He added: “In terms of when they travel, notable seasons are the May Day holiday, China National Day and the Spring Festival.” According to Huawei’s research, 66% of people travelling to the Middle East are looking to engage in cultural experiences, and the majority of outbound Chinese tourists are motivated by factors such as luxury offerings and sporting attractions. The research also identified a significant spike in the senior middle-class segment who prefer quality travel and have access to a higher disposable income. Parulis Cook commented: “In terms of the consumer research that Dragon Trail International has conducted, we can see major growth this year in terms of consumer confidence and intention to travel. In 2023, 30% of Chinese travellers said they would not leave China to travel, this figure is now down to 10%. Of the travellers that we surveyed this year, 5% had already travelled, and 18% had booked travel – of this, 94% had booked travel to more than …

Emirates and Expedia Group have strengthened their decade-long partnership to provide travelers with an even greater value proposition through a wider selection of products and services. The partnership will see Emirates collaborating with Expedia Group to promote select strategic destinations on its platform, making it easier for travelers to seamlessly book their Emirates journeys. Additionally, more joint marketing campaigns will be implemented, leveraging data insights to optimize user experiences and drive engagement for Emirates on Expedia Group sites. As part of Emirates’ efforts to deliver an enriched customer experience across diverse platforms, engage with new consumer segments, and tap into premium traveler preferences, the airline has reaffirmed its partnership with Expedia Group and has signed agreements with tech solutions providers Huawei and Tap Payments on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market. These partnerships align closely with the airline’s objective of continuously engaging with diverse consumer segments and audiences to provide exclusive benefits and value across a spectrum of travel touchpoints. Tap Payments Emirates is set to expand its Business Rewards partnerships by joining forces with Tap Payments, one of the largest fintech companies in the region. Tap Payments facilitates online payments across the region by connecting businesses with simple, secure, and unified payment experiences. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Tap Payments on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Together, Emirates and Tap Payments aim to reach, engage with, and attract Tap’s extensive small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) customer base across the region, ultimately enrolling them in the Emirates Business Rewards Program. Additionally, Emirates will offer Tap Payments Rewards members the option of a seamless conversion and transfer of points from the Tap Payments Rewards program to Emirates …

Amsa Hospitality and Radisson Hotel Group announced the signing of Radisson Hotel Madinah, marking Amsa Hospitality’s and Radisson Hotel Group’s first property in the Holy City of Madinah. Set to be operational by the end of 2024, this newly built hotel demonstrates both companies’ commitment to growing their presence in key Saudi cities. Radisson Hotel Madinah will offer 165 keys, including 53 business suites, tailored to meet the needs of travelers seeking both comfort and style. Guests can look forward to a variety of dining options, such as a contemporary lobby café, a restaurant, and a poolside juice bar. Radisson is an upscale hotel brand that offers Scandinavian-inspired hospitality and is part of the Radisson family of brands portfolio. With natural surroundings and unexpected delights, the Radisson brand inspires the art of being in the moment. Radisson Hotel Group’s current portfolio in Saudi Arabia consists of 44 hotels in operation and under development, including Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, and the soon-to-open Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya. The Group aims to reach 100 hotels in operation and under development by 2030. Amsa Hospitality is a pioneering Saudi hospitality startup committed to the success of Saudi Vision 2030 and the mission to smoothly integrate the rich, ancestral Arabian traditions of generosity and welcoming into the contemporary world. Strategically positioned outside the Haram area, Radisson Hotel Madinah will enjoy close proximity to significant landmarks, being just 3 km away from the Prophet’s Mosque and 750 m from the Quba Mosque, the oldest mosque in Islamic history. Moreover, it will be conveniently located 16 km away from Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport and 10 km from Madinah train station, which …

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and dnata Travel Group signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the aim of enhancing tourism to Thailand. The partnership seeks to leverage dnata’s extensive global network, particularly in the GCC region, to drive increased tourist arrivals from the Middle East to Thailand. By focusing on key niche markets and promoting quality leisure destinations within the kingdom, both TAT and dnata aim to enhance Thailand’s appeal and attract discerning travelers. Under the Strategic Partnership Agreement, TAT and dnata will collaborate on a series of joint promotions tailored to elevate Thailand’s tourism profile across the GCC countries, including the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. These promotions will target niche tourism segments such as sports, luxury, honeymoon, and wellness, offering tailored experiences to travelers seeking unique and memorable vacations. The agreement was signed by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Mr. John Bevan, CEO of the dnata Travel Group, at a ceremony held at the Thailand Pavilion, ATM 2024. Also present were Mr. Rashid Al Awadhi, Senior Vice President – Middle East and India at the dnata Travel Group, Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, and Mr. Nithee Seeprae, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, along with other officials from both organizations. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, stated, “The Tourism Authority of Thailand is pleased to collaborate with the dnata Travel Group. Through this agreement, our goal is to collectively implement the most effective strategies and practices to expand Thailand’s marketing presence and establish it as a ‘Quality Leisure Destination.’ This initiative emphasizes enhancing Thailand’s reputation as a unique leisure destination that offers unparalleled quality and value. We …

The Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), pioneer in the hotel management in the Middle East and North Africa, has taken the centre stage in the mega event of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 ongoing at the Dubai International and Convention Centre. The four-day show, kicked off on May 6 with over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 160 countries, is expected to see a huge footfall of not less than 50,000 global visitors. Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), a renowned name in the hospitality industry, has made a participated at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, taking place from May 6 to May 9. With a staggering lineup of over 2,000 exhibitors representing more than 160 countries, this year’s ATM promises to be an unparalleled showcase of global hospitality excellence, drawing an estimated 50,000 visitors from around the world. HMH is proud to take center stage at this prestigious event, showcasing its remarkable growth and expansion, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). With a commitment to excellence and a vision for unparalleled guest experiences, HMH has seen a remarkable surge in its portfolio, solidifying its position in the industry. In 2023, HMH boasted a total of 1,162 keys across its properties. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has more than doubled, reaching an impressive 2,476 keys. This extraordinary growth is a testament to HMH’s dedication to providing exceptional hospitality and exceeding guest expectations. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. HMH is gearing up for a series of grand openings, each promising to elevate the hospitality landscape in their respective regions. Among these highly anticipated openings is the Corp Yanbu Hotel & Residence, slated to welcome guests by June 2024, offering 104 …

Minor Hotels announced the appointment of Lokesh Kumar as Vice President of Development for the Middle East. Kumar brings over 23 years of strategic business leadership experience and a proven track record in managing owner and key government relationships whilst executing strategic public-private partnerships to maximise revenues and optimise costs. Kumar joins Minor Hotels from his most recent management consulting role, where he demonstrated his prowess in developing tourism offerings along the 1,600 km Coral Highway from Jezan to NEOM, whilst creating futuristic hotel concepts for the tourism authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also offered feasibility and development strategy for mixed-use city development projects across multiple asset classes including hospitality, commercial, residential and education. Additionally, Lokesh provided advisory services for operator selection and joint venture evaluation for a sovereign fund entity in KSA that aimed to develop 4,000 hotel rooms in key cities. His exceptional track record in managing key responsibilities of development, asset management and commercial with hospitality companies including Movenpick, Unison Hotels and The Oberoi Group, puts him in an ideal position to drive Minor Hotels’ future growth initiatives and expansion in the Middle East. In his new role, Kumar will oversee development strategies and management of assets across Minor Hotels’ portfolio of hotels, including the Anantara, Avani, NH Hotels, NH Collection, Oaks and Tivoli brands. His expertise in business process enhancement will also contribute to commercial effectiveness across all the brands’ projects. Lokesh holds an MBA from the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in India after completing hotel school at the Institute of Hotel Management, Goa.

Riyadh Air and Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), have signed a significant memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market, that will enhance the travel experience for passengers to and from Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Air aims to fly to over 100 countries by 2030, and through this partnership, both entities will collaborate on various initiatives to enhance the level of service for tourists. STA CEO Fhad Hamidaddin said: “Increasing Saudi’s connectivity with the world is a key pillar of our tourism strategy and will ensure we sustain our rapid growth and meet our new ambitious target of 150 million visits by 2030. This exciting new partnership with Riyadh Air will support our goals and ensure more visitors can travel to experience the cool mountains, pristine waters and dynamic cities that make Saudi a great year-round destination.” “We are currently connected to over 180 destinations and are aiming to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million by 2030 and this new agreement will help turbocharge these efforts.” Commenting on the partnership, Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas added: “This is another momentous day in the history of Riyadh Air. Working alongside the STA to elevate the travel experience for our guests and those coming to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signifies what we’re all about. We are elevating standards across the board in aviation to previously unseen levels. We have a shared commitment to travel and tourism in the Kingdom along with our forward-thinking approach to innovation, sustainability, and the satisfaction of our guests.”

Hilton London Metropole announced the appointment of Nancy Daccache as their new commercial director. With an impressive background in hospitality spanning over 15 years, including nine years of dedicated service within the Hilton family in the United Arab Emirates, Daccache brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Daccache will bring her experience of the GCC domestic travel market from her previous positions as the cluster commercial director at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, and DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences, along with her recent role as senior regional revenue manager for several hotels in the Arabian Peninsula and Türkiye, showcasing her exceptional skills and deep understanding of the industry. With the vast majority of GCC travellers continuing to stay primarily in London according to 2023 data from Visit Britain*, Hilton London Metropole recently made extensive property changes to cater for GCC travellers, and in hiring Nancy, the property will also gain valuable MENA market insights and will continue to support the needs of GCC guests and extended travelling groups from the region. With an extensive multi-million-pound renovation completed in June 2023, the property offers multiple, flexible suite and room configurations offering larger than London average spaces which cater for larger families and multi-generational groups, extensive halal food and beverage options and a prayer room. Hilton London Metropole is also close to well-known attractions, including the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Madame Tussauds London, Portobello Road Market, Marble Arch, and Hyde Park, as well as luxury retail stores and restaurants. Hilton London Metropole blends all the elements of a boutique set up with the benefits of a large-scale property …

South African tourism board conducted a specialised training for 50 top agents in the UAE by Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism. She reiterated that Middle East is an important market for South African tourism as it has many offerings which can be enjoyed by the clientele in the Middle East. This training enabled the agents to find out some of the hidden gems in the nation and the fact that connectivity play a pivotal role with all the major Middle East carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways bringing in the numbers from the region. She reiterated that there are many DMCs in South Africa which offer unique experiences which caters to this market and requested the agents to connect with them so that it is possible to further grow numbers from the region. She further reiterated that there is MICE and incentive travel which is also a new trend coming up in the nation. Agents asked about the various challengers which can be addressed by the tourism board.

In a bid to establish Abu Dhabi as a premier wedding destination, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) announced an initiative to extend visa support to Indian nationals hosting destination weddings across the Emirate. Unveiled during the ongoing Arabian Travel Market 2024 and taking place from May 2024 onwards, the new visa initiative contributes to Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million by 2030. The Destination Wedding segment is among the newest verticals to join ADCEB as part of an overarching objective to attract domestic and international visitors and increase the sector’s contribution to the GDP to AED 90 billion as per the 2030 strategy. India is recognised as one of the largest markets for destination weddings globally, making it a key target market for Abu Dhabi. By extending visa support to Indian weddings, in the form of absorbing costs, ADCEB’s Destination Wedding segment aims to position Abu Dhabi as a world-leading destination for weddings and celebrations of all kind. It provides an avenue to amplify the Emirate’s unique cultural and entertainment offerings, cultural attractions and natural landscapes for international audiences. Weddings are also a key revenue stream for the hospitality sector, driving venue and hotel room occupancy, and the service industry sectors such as wedding planning, photography, catering, personal services and more. The Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau plays a crucial role in organising business events, destination weddings & celebrations in the Emirate. It brings together experts and stakeholders to secure convention business and coordinate strategies for bid development to promote Abu Dhabi as a leading business tourism & celebrations hub.