It has been announced that Oman is gearing up to open the country’s largest zoo, located in Ibra, north Sharqiyah on the second day of Eid Al Fitr. Safari World will showcase a diverse collection of over 300 animals across 120,000 square meters of the zoo’s total 286,000 square meter area. Apart from the animal exhibits, Safari World will also offer entertainment with its water park and family activity areas. It will also aim to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, especially among school children. In the second phase within the next few years, Safari World is set to expand its offerings to introduce more exotic species and enhance attractions with a key goal to solidify Oman’s position as a top tourism destination.

Sav announced a groundbreaking partnership with Desert Adventures. This alliance is set to redefine destination experiences, offering Sav users unparalleled access to a diverse array of leisure and adventure services. With over 75% of residents prioritizing spending on new and memorable experiences, Sav and Desert Adventures are well-positioned to capitalize on this expanding market. Through this partnership, Sav users can now explore the range of Desert Adventures’ offerings directly from the Sav app. This includes guided city tours in multiple languages, desert safaris, attraction and theme park tickets, sea cruises, aerial tours, dining experiences, and exciting sports and adventure activities. Additionally, users will benefit from exclusive discounts and offers when booking Desert Adventures experiences through the Sav app. “We are thrilled to join forces with Desert Adventures to redefine destination experiences for our users”, said Purvi Munot, Co-founder and CEO at Sav. “At Sav, we believe in empowering our users not just financially but also in every aspect of their lives. This collaboration is a significant stride towards enhancing our users’ leisure experiences, offering them unique opportunities to explore the destinations and save.” “As one of the most reputable Destination Management Companies in the region, we are very excited to combine our services with Sav’s innovative platform. ” said Samir Mehta, COO at Desert Adventures. ” This collaboration allows us to effectively distribute our wide range of destination services to the local UAE market, offering unique value propositions for ‘must-do’ experiences.” The integration of Desert Adventures’ offerings into the Sav app is now live, allowing users to explore a diverse range of experiences with ease. Both companies are committed to deepening their collaboration, promising users even more innovative features, broader …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced it is preparing to welcome its first international flight to Red Sea International Airport (RSI). Operated by flydubai, the flight will arrive from Dubai International (DXB) on Thursday, 18 April, marking the start of a new twice-weekly route to The Red Sea destination. A regular schedule of domestic flights operated by Saudia have been servicing RSI since September 2023. With the launch of flydubai, there will now be eight flights per week to RSI. “Situated within three hours flying time of 250 million people, RSI will serve one million guests a year at full capacity. Our inaugural flight just six months ago was the start of our journey towards reaching that goal, and this first international flight is a further step in making Saudi Arabia one of the top tourism destinations globally. We are looking forward to truly opening up to the world and welcoming visitors from the UAE, wider Middle East region and beyond,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. “RSI is also essential for providing connectivity for our employees, partners, and the wider local community,” added Pagano. RSI was built to provide an easy route for guests travelling to The Red Sea. Today, two luxury resorts are open at the destination: Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, and St. Regis Red Sea Resort, which recently welcomed legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his family. Three more resorts are on track to open this year, including Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – one of only seven worldwide – in the coming weeks. This will be followed by Shebara, featuring a remarkable array of overwater, stainless steel villas, and Desert Rock, a spectacular resort …

According to Saudi Gazette, at the recent Manafea Forum in Madinah reported that Minister of Tourism of Kingdom of Saudi Arabi, Ahmed Al-Khateeb stated that Saudi Arabia pumps SR375 million annually to support enhancing the skills of Saudis in the tourism sector. He shared, “This contributed to raising their rates to 40 percent and we are targeting 50 percent. We are also working to facilitate the issuance of licenses instantly instead of the current duration of five days.” Al-Khatteeb said that the tourism sector is on its way to enter the club of the top ten globally and contribute to about 10 percent of the economy by 2030 after reaching its contribution five percent last year. Speaking at the forum, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that the year 2023 witnessed the greatest increase in history in the number of Umrah pilgrims, reaching five million pilgrims, an increase of 60 percent over the previous year. “We began preparing for the Hajj season, with the end of the last day of the last season, and we launched a center for managing Hajj projects and following up with all the relevant parties,” he said. The Madinah Chamber, in cooperation with the Makkah Chamber and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, organized the second edition of the Manafea Forum under the slogan “An ambitious investment for a promising future vision.” The forum aims to contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the goals of the Doyof Al Rahman Program, which target to enrich the visitor experience, and reach 30 million Umrah pilgrims and five million Hajj pilgrims by 2030, in addition to empower the private …

Madinat Jumeirah is welcoming THE ICON, An invite-only experience, the yacht can be experienced with a luxury cruise from the D-Marin Marsa Al Arab Marina, exclusively for residents staying in the Malakiya Villas at Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, the Presidential or Royal suites at the resort’s four hotels, or Jumeirah One members. a spectacular 13.5 metre, 100 percent sustainable watercraft that has been brought to life by Design by Designworks, a subsidiary of the BMW Group, and German tech start-up, TYDE. The arrival of THE ICON is the latest in Madinat Jumeirah’s environmental initiatives, which also include the cherished Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, an educational and environmental initiative in which turtles are nurtured back to good health and reintroduced to the wild. The world’s first inaugural battery-powered, emissions-free yacht, THE ICON emits zero noise or pollution. Its chic, cutting-edge design offers an immersive experience with 360-views of the ocean from a twenty-one square meter lounge-like interior, adorned with blue and gold, reinforcing Jumeirah’s reputation for creating ultra-luxurious, one-of-a-kind experiences. Using leading technology to combine climate-friendly mobility, the vessel operates with up to 80 percent energy savings compared to conventional yachts, while maintaining a luxurious ride experience. A true display of innovation and craftsmanship, despite reaching a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h), 50 nautical miles range (>90 km) at 24 knots (46 km/h), the yacht glides silently over the water. THE ICON’s only output is an orchestrated suite of ambient sounds and music, composed by Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer, Hanz Zimmer. THE ICON arrives at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the state-of-the-art luxury marina operated by D-Marin, which is home to 82 yacht berths and offers spectacular views of …

Red Sea Global (RSG) and Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) have agreed to collaborate on deploying eco-friendly mobility solutions in RSG’s luxury resorts in Saudi Arabia while exploring opportunities to implement innovative future mobility solutions. Under the MoU, RSG and the Group will jointly explore potential opportunities in various fields. In the short term, both parties will focus on validating and deploying the Group’s eco-friendly mobility solutions, such as battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In the mid to long term, they will explore future mobility solutions, such as autonomous vehicles, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and maritime vessels. “Hyundai Motor Company is a world leader in sustainable and luxury mobility. By working together and integrating its cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly mobility solutions into our destinations, we have the opportunity to set new benchmarks in carbon-neutral operations while exceeding our guests’ expectations for style, comfort, and environmental responsibility,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. RSG and The Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, and Dongkun Lee, Head of the Future Growth Strategy Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group, attending the ceremony at Red Sea Global Headquarters in Riyadh. Dongkun Lee, Head of the Future Growth Strategy Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group, said: “This partnership signifies our shared commitment to a sustainable and innovative mobility future for humanity. We will accelerate the validations and explore more long-term goals to build a greener and smarter ecosystem in the region.” The Group’s comprehensive eco-friendly business portfolio, ranging from individual mobility solutions to extensive charging infrastructure, provides a wide range of opportunities. Based on this, the partnership is expected to boost the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 …

Pulse Hotels & Resorts recently hosted an exhilarating late night Suhoor football tournament for its esteemed GCC travel trade partners. This unique event, held at the Al Rowad playground in Riyadh, sponsored by The Nautilus Maldives, Nova Maldives, Kandima Maldives and Manta Air – the domestic airline of Maldives, served as a platform for fostering camaraderie and strengthening relationships within the travel industry during the holy month of Ramadan. The matches, held amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Riyadh, showcased the spirit of sportsmanship and unity as participants from various GCC travel agencies competed in an action-packed tournament. Divided into two groups of four teams each, the tournament kicked off earlier this week with qualifiers, leading up to the semi-finals and finals. The event provided an opportunity for networking, friendly competition, and sharing moments of goodwill, reflecting the ethos of the 3 resorts under the Pulse Hotels & Resorts umbrella in creating memorable experiences for its partners and guests. The Nautilus Team 2 which included members from Al Sarh Travel and Tourism, Booking Express, TBO.com, Almatar, RezLive.com, Golden Vacation, Wosol Concierge and Lamar Travel emerged as winners and were awarded with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the game-changing active lifestyle resort, Kandima Maldives, known for its genuine hospitality with a human touch and innovative solutions that make use of the latest technology. Sharing his thoughts on organising the event, Mr Althaf Mohamed Ali, COO, Pulse Hotels & Resorts, said,” We are thrilled to have organised this special Suhoor football tournament for our esteemed GCC Travel Trade Partners. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each partner for their participation and offer heartfelt congratulations to The Nautilus Team 2 for clinching …

Atlantis Dubai announces that Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal have earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification marks the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to achieve this status. It reflects the team’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional experiences to guests with diverse needs and ensuring an inclusive environment. IBCCES awards the CAC™ designation to organisations that complete a training and review process to understand better and assist autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and other persons of determination. This designation ensures that at least 80% (an IBCCES minimum requirement) of colleagues are trained in autism and sensory awareness and are fully equipped to provide service to people on the autism spectrum. In collaboration with IBCCES, Atlantis Dubai staff underwent extensive training to understand the range of potential guest needs. More than 90% of guest-facing colleagues across both resorts took training in Autism & Sensory Awareness (ASA). In addition, the Learning & Development team developed a Weekly Briefing Topic on Autism and Sensory Awareness, which an additional 1,500 colleagues completed across Atlantis Dubai. In addition to training, further achievements include: ● The Atlantis Dubai website hosts an accessibility tab that provides guests with downloadable sensory guides. Outlined for rooms and restaurants at Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, as well as experiences across Atlantis Aquaventure, these guides provide a sensory rating, allowing people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to pre-plan their visit to the destination. ● Allocated quiet zones are available across both resorts in case people need a moment of respite from sensory stimulation. Locations include the concierge lounge, outdoor cabanas, Imperial Club lounge, and the Explorers Club …

Manchester City and global partner Etihad Airways are flying towards a better future for young people in India, with the announcement of a brand-new community football initiative in cities across the country. The joint initiative will see Manchester City work in collaboration with Etihad Airways, Club charity City in the Community and non-governmental partner organisation (NGO) Magic Bus India Foundation, to deliver health and life skills training for local young people through football. The project will launch this April in three cities from the airline’s network: New Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore, with more locations to follow. This marks the latest in a series of impactful community collaborations between Manchester City and Etihad since the launch of the Official Partnership between the two organisations in 2009, including global and regional summits in Manchester and Abu Dhabi, which upskill young leaders in community football coaching and leadership. The initiative will be delivered by local NGO Magic Bus India Foundation who have partnered with the club on various initiatives since 2016, including an Etihad supported programme in Kolkata, engaging 2,000 young people with health and hygiene education through football. To kick-start the impact, Etihad will fly coaches from City in the Community, the Club’s official charity, to India to deliver world-class football and leadership training to Young Leaders championing the projects. The trainees will then put their skills into practice, as part of their commitment to using football to uplift the health of young people in their cities. Tom Pitchon, Director of City Football Group’s global foundation, said: “We are proud to work with Etihad Airways to uplift the health and life skills of young people across India through the power of football. …

Emirates has commenced the activation of its fuel agreement with Neste this month at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Over 2 million gallons of blended SAF will be supplied into the fuelling system at Schiphol Airport over the course of 2024. The airline will track the delivery of SAF into the fuelling systems and environmental benefits using standard industry accounting methodologies. Emirates’ partnership with Neste, announced late last year, represents one of the largest volumes of SAF that the airline has purchased to date. Once fully supplied into Amsterdam Schiphol’s fuelling system, the blended SAF will have been comprised of over 700,000 gallons of neat SAF. The airline is also working with Neste to supply SAF into the fuelling systems at Singapore Changi Airport in the next few months. Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates said: “Collaborating with committed partners like Neste is one of the practical steps we are taking to reduce our emissions, and it’s an all-important milestone in our own sustainability journey as an airline. Strong partnerships like this, especially at major air transport hubs such as Amsterdam, lay the foundation for how we can work with partners and airports to increase access to and availability of SAF across our network.” Alexander Kueper, Vice President Renewable Aviation, Neste said: “We are proud to support Emirates in their sustainability journey. SAF is an available solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from air travel and it is exciting that Emirates have started using our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. It is also a great example of how we are working together with partners to accelerate SAF usage and are looking forward to the next …