After its successful first edition in Oman last year, Marhaba France Spain’s second edition took place in the capital of the UAE – Abu Dhabi last weekend with 80 exhibitors from both destinations and over 130 buyers from across GCC. The two destinations are most popular among the GCC market as they have diverse offerings catering to the requirements of the GCC market. Speaking with Tourismbreakingnews.ae Daniel Rosado Director Spain Tourism shared, “from the Spain tourism office we believe that the best way to promote the destination is by mixing both private and public companies so we have many destinations and we club it with hotels, DMCs and shopping centers we get the perfect combination to sell the destination as a whole. This B2B event brings together buyers and suppliers and they connect to learn from each other about the way to go forward. We have 9 destinations coming together at Marhaba as well as ATM.” Karim Mekachera – Director – Atout France ME reiterated, “this is the second edition of Marhaba France Spain, first was held in Oman last year and it was a success, as you know both France and Spain complement each other as they both have luxury experiences to showcase to be added to the itineraries for agents. Our event is one of the best targeted events for the travel trade in the region.” Marhaba France Spain brought about networking opportunities with over 80 partners from both countries meeting with 130 plus agents across the Middle East – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt fostering great connections within two days of discovering the various offerings and opportunities to diversify their business.  

Dusit Hotels and Resorts will showcase the much-anticipated first hotel in Saudi Arabia – Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah, Riyadh and September reopening of its iconic flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024. Led by Mr Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International, Dusit’s team of corporate executives will present a comprehensive overview of Dusit Hotels and Resorts’ global portfolio and its commitment to uniquely delivering Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world. This legacy, pioneered 75 years ago this May by the company’s founder Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui with the opening of her first Bangkok hotel, continues to define the Dusit experience today. Beyond the company’s rich history, attendees can expect to learn more about a diverse range of participating properties, including established favourites such as Dusit Thani Dubai, Dusit Doha Hotel, Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo, and Dusit Thani Maldives, alongside a curated selection of luxury villas from Elite Havens. The spotlight will shine on last year’s international openings, including the boutique Dusit Suites Athens, Greece, Dusit’s first hotel in Europe; the lifestyle-oriented ASAI Kyoto Shijo and luxurious Dusit Thani Kyoto, Dusit’s first properties in Japan; and the breathtaking Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel and contemporary Dusit Princess Kathmandu, Dusit’s first entries into Nepal. Last year’s openings in Dusit’s home base of Thailand will also be showcased, including ASAI Bangkok Sathorn, the second property in the capital under Dusit’s affordable lifestyle brand; the upscale dusitD2 Samyan Bangkok, the first dusitD2-branded hotel in the city; and Dusit Princess Phatthalung, a beautiful resort in southern Thailand, bringing Dusit’s domestic property count to 18. Alongside these recent additions, Dusit will also reveal more about its expected 2024 openings, including up to …

Club Med will debut for the first time in the Middle East in Musandam, Oman. The 300 rooms’ resort will be an Exclusive Collection, the most exclusive and premium line of product of the Club Med portfolio. It offers a refined and authentically luxurious way of living, free from pretension and ostentatiousness while still catering to the standards and needs of an elevated clientele. Club Med Musandam will be carrying a strong flair of the Oman culture, the resort interiors, entertainment and even food and beverages will be inspired by the location, climate, and cultures of the region. The Club Med Exclusive Collection currently consists of 20 properties including: 5 Exclusive Collection Resorts, 10 Exclusive Collection Spaces, 4 Villas and Chalets, and 1 Sailing Yacht, the Club Med 2. Fun family activities creating a warm and inclusive environment together with quiet private spaces will co-exist in a complete vacation offer. For families, this will translate into world-class kids’ clubs with tailored facilities and certified staff for children of all ages, from 4 months old, inspiring curiosity, fun, and friendship. Activities and sports are an integral part of the Club Med DNA and expertise, and active guests can expect a diverse array of land and water activities. One will find sporting sites and professional staff (called G.Os “Gracious Organizers”) who aim to have you discover new sports or improve your skills. With an all-inclusive holiday at Club Med Musandam, holidaymakers can enjoy tennis, paddle tennis, beach tennis, archery, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking and paddling over the water. For those looking for a wellness retreat, the Resort will offer a full holistic well-being experience with a real sanctuary to reconnect yourself with …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) has achieved a significant milestone, with 3,400 properties now verified across almost 80 countries. Designed to help hoteliers on their first steps to improve their sustainability ratings and raise the bar of sustainability across the global hospitality industry, this independent global sustainability verification programme is overseen by internationally recognised verifiers Green Key and SGS. It empowers hotels of all sizes to follow a 12-step programme aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting nature conservation, and ensuring local communities benefit from a hotel’s operations. This latest achievement marks a pivotal step forward in Travel & Tourism towards a more resilient and sustainable future. Hotels groups from major Travel & Tourism destinations such as Germany, China, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Spain, India, Madagascar, and Turkiye, amongst many others, have joined the groundbreaking initiative. ‘Basics’ has now been adopted by hotels across all continents, signifying the eagerness from major hospitality players across the globe to move forward in their sustainability journey. In addition to its geographical expansion, Basics is strengthening the sector’s alignment on sustainability through new strategic partnerships. A key collaboration with BeCause is set to enhance relationships and visibility with Online Travel Agents (OTAs), providing an invaluable platform for hotels committed to sustainable operations. This initiative reflects WTTC’s dedication to facilitating meaningful connections within the industry, promoting a unified approach to sustainability. Basics has achieved full alignment with Green Key, a leading international eco-label for tourism facilities, meaning all Green Key certified hotels are now in full compliance with Basics and can obtain Basics verification with no extra effort. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said; “WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics is …

Traveazy Group is set to revolutionize the landscape of business-to-business (B2B) travel solutions with an exclusive unveiling at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, held from May 6th to 9th in Dubai. Attendees of this prestigious event are cordially invited to visit Traveazy Group’s stand to witness firsthand the future of B2B travel technology. As a leading online travel company, Traveazy Group is proud to announce the strategic relaunch of its subsidiary, Holidayme, as a premier provider of comprehensive travel solutions for travel providers globally. This transformative pivot marks a significant milestone in Holidayme’s journey, positioning the brand as a game-changer in the B2B travel sphere. Through cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Holidayme is set to redefine industry standards, empowering travel agents and service providers to unlock new opportunities and drive growth in the competitive travel market. At ATM 2024, Traveazy Group will unveil a suite of innovative products designed to elevate the capabilities of travel businesses. Geet Bhalla, Founder & CEO of Traveazy Group, expresses his excitement about the upcoming unveiling, stating, “We are thrilled to showcase the future of B2B travel solutions at ATM 2024. This event represents a unique opportunity for travel businesses to discover how our innovative products can drive their success in the global marketplace. We look forward to welcoming attendees to our stand and demonstrating the transformative power of Holidayme’s B2B offering.” Traveazy Group invites all attendees of ATM 2024 to visit their stand and explore the possibilities of partnering with a visionary leader in the travel industry. Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to be a part of the future of travel solutions. For more information, visit www.holidayme.com or …

Air India commenced flights on the busy Delhi-Dubai route using its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft in the airline’s bold new livery on 1st May 2024. With this, Air India’s flagship aircraft marked its international debut and Air India becomes the only carrier to operate the A350 between India and Dubai. Air India celebrated the occasion with pre-departure ceremonies, with guests at both airports presented with A350 memorabilia. At Dubai airport, Mr Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India, Dubai, Mr Jamal Al Hai, Deputy CEO, Dubai Airport and Mr Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority lit the ceremonial lamp the inaugurate the aircraft’s first departure from Dubai. Air India’s A350-900 aircraft features a three-class cabin configuration with 316 seats: 28 private Business suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and other amenities, and 264 spacious Economy seats. All seats on the aircraft feature the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens that offer more than 2,200 hours of entertainment content from around the world. Air India started inducting the A350s earlier this year as part of the 470 new aircraft order that Air India placed a year ago. Air India currently operates a total of 72 flights a week to Dubai from five Indian cities, of which 32 flights are from Delhi.

The China Visitors Summit (CVS) is thrilled to announce TRAVTALK as a valued media partner for our upcoming CVS Middle East event in Dubai, September 5-6 and Doha September 9-10, 2024. Alexander Glos, CEO of China i2i Group and producer of CVS, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Since CVS’s inception in 2008, we’ve collaborated with various media partners to enhance the summit’s reach and value for travel suppliers. By partnering with a diverse array of media outlets, CVS provides a unique platform for travel suppliers to amplify their messaging and connect with a broader audience, fostering new business development opportunities.” TRAVTALK, a pioneering English B2B travel trade media company in the UAE for over two decades, offers a comprehensive suite of services, including the monthly printed magazine TravTalkME, the daily news website www.tourismbreakingnews.ae, and the innovative online news capsule www.traveltvmiddleeast.news. Audience and Coverage: TRAVTALK’s audience comprises industry decision-makers such as company owners, CEOs, directors, and senior management across the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Their B2B print and electronic formats reach audiences throughout the UAE, GCC, and the wider Middle East region, including travel agents, tour operators, hospitality establishments, airlines, and more. Daily Updates and Partnerships: In addition to their comprehensive coverage, TRAVTALK provides daily updates via WhatsApp, delivering four key breaking news items from Monday to Friday. They have established media partnerships with prestigious industry events such as ATM, WTM, Riyadh Travel Fair, and ITB Berlin, among others.

Sabre Hospitality announced a multi-year renewal with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, following the hotel franchisor’s highly successful adoption of SynXis Property Hub, Sabre Hospitality’s property management system (PMS). With seamless integration to SynXis Central Reservation System as a single source of truth, SynXis Property Hub increases operational efficiency by reducing the time to execute routine tasks and allows hoteliers to access their property from anywhere through cloud-native technology. In a landmark achievement that showcases the decade-long partnership between the two companies, Sabre and Wyndham teams successfully migrated more than 5,000 Wyndham hotels to SynXis Property Hub, including the transition of 550 in a single record-breaking month, nearly one year ahead of schedule. This early completion is complemented by the migration’s efficiency, which reduced the expected transition downtime for the Wyndham properties by 34%, ensuring successful management of day-to-day operations. This milestone not only highlights an innovative leap, but also sets a new industry standard for large-scale technology migrations. “Completing this migration nearly a year ahead of schedule is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration,” said Scott Strickland, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Through our work with Sabre, thousands of Wyndham hotels now benefit from groundbreaking efficiencies, further enhancing their ability to serve guests and deliver great experiences day-in and day-out.” Strickland highlighted some of the immediate benefits of this migration for Wyndham properties and their daily operations. “For instance, service desk interactions have decreased by 50% compared to the legacy system after just 30 days of adoption. Additionally, by equipping our housekeeping with mobile solutions, we’ve increased clean room availability for guests by up to 15%. We’ve also streamlined the reservation delivery and …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sharply criticized the increase in German aviation taxes, which will weaken the German economy and damage aviation’s ability to decarbonize. On 1 May, German taxes on flying increased by 19% to between EUR 15.53 and EUR 70.83 per passenger, depending on the route. The tax will make Germany less competitive in key economic areas such as exports, tourism, and jobs. It will further affect Germany’s air transport recovery from the pandemic, which is one of the slowest in the EU. Germany’s international passenger numbers, for example, are still 20% below pre-pandemic levels. “When Germany’s economic performance is anemic at best, denting its competitiveness with more taxes on aviation is policy madness. The government should be prioritizing measures to improve Germany’s competitive position and encouraging trade and travel. Instead, they have gone for a short-term cash-grab which can only damage the economy’s long-term growth,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. IATA also warned that the tax increase will hamper the industry’s efforts to decarbonize. Aviation has a goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are vital to this effort. The German government coalition agreement originally stated that revenues from aviation taxes would directly fund production of SAF, but this commitment has been broken. In addition, weakening the German air transport industry with this tax makes it harder for airlines to invest in SAF, in a more fuel-efficient fleet and other decarbonization efforts. Furthermore, the German government appears sympathetic to the European Taxation Directive which would add a tax on jet fuel. “The German government appears to have an unhealthy obsession with aviation taxes. On top of increasing the passenger tax, …

The annual Discover Europe Travel Summit returns to Dubai, offering an immersive experience into the enchanting landscapes and diverse cultures of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. More than 100 partners from the three countries – representing states, cities, hotels, and tourist attractions – will be present, fostering connections and collaboration on 4th and 5th May in Dubai. This two-day event represents a pivotal opportunity for the European nations to showcase their unique attractions, forge strategic partnerships, and strengthen ties with GCC travel professionals. The Discover Europe Travel Summit serves as a vital prelude to Arabian Travel Market, the region’s largest travel exhibition, offering a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange on key industry trends and emerging technologies. With an impressive agenda comprising more than 4,000 curated meetings and an attendance of at least 120 buyers in the culture and luxury travel sectors of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the summit is poised to facilitate fruitful discussions and unveil exciting opportunities for growth and collaboration within the tourism sector. Reflecting on the significance of the event, Yamina Sofo, Director of the Marketing & Sales Office at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) GCC, commented, “We’re excited to showcase the innovative experiences Germany offers travellers from the GCC. From breathtaking mountain adventures to cutting-edge wellness retreats, Germany caters to the most discerning traveller.” “Germany is committed to sustainable travel practices, offering travellers from the GCC eco-friendly experiences while minimizing environmental impact. The Discover Europe Travel Summit allows us to showcase these initiatives and collaborate with partners to create extended itineraries that encourage travellers to stay longer and explore the rich diversity of our regions,” she added. Michael …