The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted the inaugural Retrofit Summit, bringing together key stakeholders from the hospitality industry, financial institutions and government agencies, alongside industry experts. The Summit addressed the need for retrofitting existing hotels and venues in the emirate to enhance their energy efficiency. The event also served as a platform for industry leaders to exchange best practices, explore innovative retrofitting technologies, and discuss the growing role of sustainability in hotel operations. HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Retrofit Summit is an important milestone in supporting the emirate’s journey towards a more energy efficient future, in line with the ambitions of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy. As Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector continues to evolve, this Summit accelerates the adoption of solutions that reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. By fostering industry-wide collaboration and drawing from data-driven insights, we are paving the way for the transition to energy-efficient hotels and venues, while advancing our mission to protect and preserve Abu Dhabi for future generations.” The hosting of the Retrofit Summit stemmed from an extensive Energy Audit Assessment project launched by DCT Abu Dhabi last year, which assessed energy consumption across all hotels and five venues in the emirate, offering tailored recommendations for energy efficiency improvements. Each establishment received a detailed report outlining actionable steps to enhance their sustainability, underscoring DCT Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to support the green evolution of its hospitality sector. Representatives from over 20 organisations and six exhibitors participated in the event, sharing success stories from initiatives that have already delivered notable sustainability gains in Abu Dhabi. The Summit featured speeches …

RAK Properties Ras Al Khaimah announced that is has completed the design phase for its upcoming Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Ras Al Khaimah, located in Hayat Island on Mina, the company’s premium waterfront lifestyle destination. The resort will feature 156 elegantly appointed rooms, junior and executive suites, and luxurious sky villas, each offering unparalleled views of the Arabian Gulf and Ras Al Khaimah’s majestic mountain range. The sky villas, with their expansive terraces and private plunge pools, will provide guests with an elevated experience of privacy and exclusivity, offering a 270-degree view of the surrounding bay and sea. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Ras Al Khaimah marks a key milestone in RAK Properties’ ongoing mission to attract globally recognised luxury brands to the emirate. The collaboration with Nikki Beach, renowned for its signature blend of music, dining, entertainment, fashion, film and art, will bring the brand’s barefoot luxury experience to the heart of Mina, further positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a premier destination for both relaxation and recreation. The design, developed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed architecture and design firm Gensler, captures the essence of Ras Al Khaimah’s natural beauty while echoing the distinctive character of the Nikki Beach brand. Spanning 33,580 square meters, the resort’s architecture is characterised by organic forms and soft textures that reflect the fluidity of the surrounding landscape, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments. Inspired by the emirate’s coastal and maritime heritage, the design blends natural materials like sand-hued walls with organic, earthy textures. Local cultural touches, including nautical elements, are thoughtfully woven in to create an authentic connection to Ras Al Khaimah’s rich traditions. Sameh Muhtadi, CEO of RAK Properties, …

Hilton is accelerating its plans to more than double its portfolio in Morocco with the signing of nine hotels across seven of its global brands, including the debut of its iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand in the capital city of Rabat, as well as the introduction of its luxury LXR Hotels & Resorts, lifestyle Curio Collection by Hilton, and value-driven Hampton by Hilton brands to the country. Carlos Khneisser, vice president, Development, Middle East and Africa, Hilton, said: “With 13.1 million tourists visiting Morocco in the first nine months of this year, an increase of around two million compared to the same period last year, the country is experiencing significant momentum as a sought-after tourist destination. These nine new signings will add more than 1,300 rooms and around 1,500 Team Members to Hilton’s growing portfolio in Morocco, where we plan to expand our footprint to over 20 hotels in the coming years. The introduction of new brands – and expansion of existing ones – demonstrates our commitment to catering to the different needs of guests visiting the country where we’ve enjoyed a strong legacy dating back almost six decades. We look forward to working closely with our valued owners to deliver Hilton’s globally recognised hospitality to guests at these outstanding hotels.”

Palladium Hotel Group is set to charter new territories following its agreement with Hard Rock International to operate hotels under Hard Rock Hotels and Reverb Hotels in Saudi Arabia. Palladium Hotel Group will be infusing the region’s hospitality market with over 50 years of expertise, following a record-breaking 2023 with an annual revenue of 1.069 billion euros. The group is actively seeking investors and real estate partners with properties that align with the Hard Rock International brand’s bold, lifestyle-focused appeal. Palladium Hotel Group’s impressive portfolio spans over 40 hotels and 13,000 rooms across seven countries, managed under ten distinctive brands, including TRS Hotels, Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels, and BLESS Collection Hotels. Renowned for delivering exceptional guest experiences and prioritising team wellbeing, the group consistently upholds the highest standards in every venture. This global expertise positions the group as a key player in introducing innovative hospitality solutions to Saudi Arabia’s evolving market. The collaboration builds on a decade-long relationship, with Palladium Hotel Group already managing three standout Hard Rock Hotels in Spain, – Ibiza, Tenerife, and Marbella. The expansion into Saudi Arabia aims to merge Hard Rock International’s signature world-class entertainment and cutting-edge designs with Palladium Hotel Group’s hospitality managing expertise. Together, they aspire to redefine travel experiences for modern guests seeking something fresh and exciting. Jesús Sobrino, CEO of Palladium Hotel Group said, “At Palladium Hotel Group, our vision revolves around creating exceptional guest experiences while fostering sustainable growth and meaningful local partnerships. Aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we see great potential in bringing our expertise in hospitality management to this dynamic market, adding value through innovation and authenticity.” Carlos Ortega, Corporate Global Development Sr. Director of Palladium Hotel Group added, …

Royal Commission of AlUla has partnered with Ferrandi Paris, French School of Culinary and Hospitality to open tourism, arts and hospitality campus. A pioneering new educational and vocational training college will provide members of the AlUla community and students from further afield with the skills, knowledge, and know-how they need to forge exciting new careers in AlUla and across the Kingdom’s rapidly developing jobs ecosystem. Announced during the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, the upcoming FERRANDI Paris Campus AlUla is the result of an expansive, multi-year partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the historic French School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management , FERRANDI Paris. The college will provide extensive training in exciting fields to serve AlUla and Saudi Arabia’s growth as a global destination for tourism, investment, and discovery. The college is set to welcome its first intake of 100 students in 2025. The FERRANDI Paris Campus AlUla will offer diploma degree in culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism – specialist subjects that will cater to RCU’s comprehensive regeneration goals and equip residents with key skills. Programs include a preparatory year, followed by two years focused on specialization. This initiative reflects RCU’s broader commitment to investing in education at all levels, upskilling Saudi men and women in sectors including tourism, film, archaeology, and hospitality. Culinary arts students can expect to learn the traditions, processes, and techniques of preparing and serving classic French cuisine and pastry. Hospitality and Tourism classes will cover the full range of roles and services required to meet the needs of growing numbers of visitors to AlUla and destinations around Saudi Arabia. FERRANDI Paris Campus AlUla is aligned with …

Marriott International, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with Al Ali Property Investments (API) to bring Moxy Hotel to Dubai’s Al Barsha neighbourhood. A conversion of an existing property, the hotel will undergo a brand positioning process and refurbishment before opening as Moxy Hotel in the summer of 2025. Moxy Al Barsha Dubai is anticipated to mark the debut of Moxy in the UAE and will feature the brand’s industrial design, buzzing social spaces and bold programming. “The Moxy Al Barsha Dubai will serve as a playful lifestyle hotel bringing a spirited experience to the Dubai’s vibrant hospitality landscape”, said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “Dubai remains an important growth market for the company and we continue to see a strong demand for hospitality experiences in the market that are as stylish as they are affordable. This milestone signing also highlights the increased opportunities for conversions across the region, and we are excited to strengthen our relationship with the API with this project.” Moxy Hotels has been boldly breaking the rules of a conventional hotel stay since its inception a decade ago. Today the brand has established itself as a leader in the upper midscale lifestyle segment across the globe with over 135 properties in operation across more than 25 countries. The Moxy Al Barsha Dubai is expected to offer stylish and smart guestrooms that have been designed for today’s young-at-heart travellers. The hotel is anticipated to feature buzzing public spaces, bold programming with local flavor, and communal tables offering plenty of opportunities to plug and play. “Moxy Hotels is an ideal fit for one of Dubai’s most dynamic areas with its energetic and …

Cruise Saudi welcomed AROYA Cruises’ inaugural ship, AROYA, to Jeddah after a comprehensive transformation, AROYA is now ready to call Jeddah its homeport. Following months of dry-docking and design innovation in Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, AROYA now offers an exceptional cruising experience featuring a fully reimagined interior, with 95% of the ship’s spaces completely redesigned to reflect Arabian heritage and preferences. The ship is equipped with an array of world-class facilities, such as a souq-inspired shopping district – the largest retail area ever built on a cruise ship – luxury spa facilities, a wellness centre, 29 restaurants, lounges and cafes, 20 entertainment venues, and one of the largest children’s play areas at sea. The occasion was celebrated with a traditional plaque and key ceremony, attended by AROYA’s captain, Jan Gelinder, and Cruise Saudi’s CEO, Lars Clasen, and the President of AROYA Cruises, Dr Jorg Rudolph, and the Chief Destination Experiences Offices, Barbara Buczek. Jeddah Islamic Port offers all services to handle international and local guests, as well as logistics services to cruise vessels. The port has long had great historical significance, with Jeddah being the principal gateway to the Two Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah. Cruise terminal facilities have been upgraded to accommodate the largest cruise ships, and new bollards and fenders have been installed to serve cruise ships Clasen commented: “The arrival of AROYA marks the beginning of a new chapter for Cruise Saudi, and tourism in Saudi overall, in line with Saudi’s Vision 2030. Cruise Saudi was only launched in 2021 and witnessing the arrival of our first owned ship just three years later is a huge milestone. We are so grateful to the whole Cruise Saudi team for their …

Emirates will be introducing a third non-stop service between Dubai and Melbourne, starting from 30 March 2025. The third service will be operated with a newly retrofitted four-class Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, equipped with the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy product and latest generation Business class seats. The airline currently operates two non-stop daily flights between Dubai and Melbourne using four-class Airbus A380s, and a daily flight that connects Dubai to Melbourne via Singapore with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Emirates’ operations between Singapore and Melbourne will cease on 30 March 2025, and the airline plans to operate the third direct Dubai-Melbourne flight and fourth Dubai-Singapore service with new flight numbers.* Starting from 30 March 2025, the four-class Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft will be deployed on flights EK404/405 between Dubai and Melbourne. Emirates’ flight EK404 will depart from Dubai at 21:15hrs, arriving in Melbourne at 17:40hrs the following day**. The return flight EK405 will depart Melbourne at 23:55hrs and arrives in Dubai at 07:00hrs the next day**. The third daily non-stop flight also means customers have more convenient schedules and choice, with unrivalled connectivity and travel options via Dubai to 27 European cities served with multiple daily flights including London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Emirates’ latest refurbished Boeing 777 includes 8 First Class Suites, 40 Business Class seats, 24 seats in Premium Economy, and 256 Economy Class seats. The latest introduction means Emirates’ Victoria operations will be supported with the airline’s next generation products. Emirates’ Premium Economy cabins were named ‘Best in Class’s class at the 2024 Business Traveller, Asia-Pacific awards. The cream leather seats with 6-way adjustable headrests boast a 38-inch pitch and are 19.5-inches wide, reclining 8 inches for more space, stretching and relaxing. …

The 36th World Tourism Film Awards gathered leaders from the tourism and creative industries to celebrate the year’s most inspiring and innovative tourism campaigns. Held in Valencia, Spain, the event showcased the power of storytelling, honoring productions that set new standards in tourism promotion and elevated the global industry. This year’s awards recognized 27 outstanding productions from 16 countries as the World’s Best Tourism Films in the five competitive categories of City, Region, and Country Promotion, Tourism Products, and Tourism Services. These winners emerged at the top of the CIFFT Rankings, which gather the world’s most awarded tourism videos and campaigns and highlight industry trends. Switzerland Tourism led the accolades with “The Ride of a Lifetime”, featuring the charismatic duo Roger Federer and Trevor Noah. This standout campaign achieved dual recognition, winning World’s Best Tourism Film as first place in the Tourism Products category and the newest CIFFT Tourism Press Award, a special accolade defined by an international panel of travel journalists. Switzerland Tourism also claimed the first and fifth places in the Country Promotion category with two other promotional videos. Other notable winners included Visit Sweden’s viral campaign, “Sweden (not Switzerland),” which claimed second place in the Country Promotion category, and Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s “Tourism in South Africa with Trevor Noah,” which took third place. These campaigns exemplify how the use of humor can drive tourism interest and engagement on a global scale. Representing Canada, Travel Alberta took first place in Region Promotion and secured second in Tourism Products, showcasing the diversity and beauty of Alberta’s landscapes. Portugal emerged as the most awarded country for the second year in a row, with eight productions among the World’s …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has opened an expanded office in Abu Dhabi featuring a new training center. This demonstrates IATA’s commitment to supporting the Middle East’s growing aviation sector and fostering the next generation of industry professionals. Taking advantage of the UAE’s strategic location and excellent connectivity, IATA’s Abu Dhabi office will provide services to airlines, trainees, strategic partners and governments in the Middle East and beyond. His Excellency (H.E.) Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority, officially opened the facility, joined by the first cohort of trainees and IATA representatives. “The expansion of IATA’s presence in the UAE with a new training center reinforces the country’s position as a global aviation hub. Having a key international organization like IATA expand its footprint here also demonstrates the attractiveness of Abu Dhabi and its value proposition as a preferred destination for global organizations,” said H.E. Al Suwaidi. “We are proud to expand our presence in the UAE, with our office in Abu Dhabi. Over the past 18 Months our team in Abu Dhabi has grown by 140%. By expanding our physical presence in this global aviation hub, we will be able to support our airline members, trainees from across the aviation value chain and the industry’s many stakeholders more efficiently. Our aim is to facilitate the further successful growth of the region’s aviation sector, which is a strategic contributor to the region’s social and economic development,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East. As the global aviation sector expands, there is a growing need for highly skilled aviation professionals. IATA’s new training center in Abu …