The Middle East reported the best results in January-July 2023, with arrivals 20% above pre-pandemic levels. The region continues to be the only to exceed 2019 levels so far. According to the latest data from UNWTO, arrival numbers reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2023with the Middle East, Europe and Africa lead the global sector’s rebound. Tourism demand continues to show remarkable resilience and sustained recovery, even in the face of economic and geopolitical challenges. The new issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer tracks the sector’s recovery over the course of 2023 up to the end of July. The UNWTO Barometer shows: By the end of July, international tourist arrivals reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels. 700 million tourists travelled internationally between January and July 2023, 43% more than in the same months of 2022. July was the busiest month with 145 million international travellers recorded, about 20% of the seven-month total. UNWTO data once again shows how tourism is recovering strongly in every part of the world. But as our sector recovers, it also needs to adapt UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO data once again shows how tourism is recovering strongly in every part of the world. But as our sector recovers, it also needs to adapt. The extreme weather events we have witnessed over recent months as well as the critical challenges of managing increasing tourism flows underline the need to build a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient sector and ensure recovery goes hand-in-hand with rethinking of our sector.” Results by Region All world regions enjoyed strong rates of tourism recovery over the first seven months of 2023, driven by demand for international travel from …

Wizz Air announced an exciting promotion with 20 percent off selected flights to and from Saudi Arabia. The promotion applies for bookings made from 18 September 00:01 to 19 September 23:59 GST and for travel dates until on or before 14 December 2023*, providing customers affordable, hassle-free travel opportunities. The promotion has been launched as part of Wizz Air’s celebrations for Saudi National Day as well as marking one year of operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The reduced fares are on sale on wizzair.com and the WIZZ mobile app, available in the Arabic language. Robert Carey, President of Wizz Air, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the Saudi National Day and one year of operations in the Kingdom by launching a special promotion for 80,000 tickets at 20% off.

GCC travellers can venture into a whole range of sustainable, wondrous places with eco-rich experiences available from Berlin to the Black Forest, Recknitz Valley to Lake Constance with the latest rebranding campaign by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). They relaunched its highly successful ‘Feel Good’ initiative – but this time with a tweak aimed at underscoring Germany’s commitment to sustainable tourism. Now known as ‘Simply Feel Good’, the revamped campaign hopes to inspire a new era of conscious travel, invites travellers to explore a wealth of eco-friendly vacation experiences, and aims to focus on creativity, passion, and the environment. Sustainability is at the heart of Germany’s tourism offerings, and ‘Simply Feel Good’ is designed to empower travellers to make environmentally responsible choices throughout their journeys.

ForwardKeys in their latest report shared that the UAE, Hong Kong and Macao have already surpassed the travel levels seen in 2019. It further states that the current outlook for travel on this year’s peak travel time, which is 29th September, has already reached 84% of the pre-pandemic level. Another key trend and observation ForwardKeys shared is that 37% of travellers plan to stay in their destinations for 6-8 nights, representing a 3-percentage-point increase compared to 2019. According to Nancy Dai, the China Market Analyst at ForwardKeys, “Chinese travellers tend to book more last minute. The air ticketing data also show that there has been an increase in bookings made by solo travellers and couples, something for tour operators, hoteliers, and retailers to keep in mind this Golden Week. For young travellers, personalized options that meet their needs are becoming even more popular.”

Hilton announced the signing of a management agreement with Samrya Hospitality to welcome The Plaza Doha to LXR Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Located in the heart of Doha and offering the highest standards of luxury, the hotel is set to redefine the hospitality experience in the city. Whether guests are seeking a luxurious getaway, a cultural exploration of the areas surrounding the hotel, or on business travel, the Plaza Doha will offer a memorable stay experience and the unparalleled bespoke services that LXR Hotels & Resorts is known for. The Plaza Doha brings a classic Parisian concept to the city, with its magnificent design, sophisticated interiors and attention to detail. The hotel offers 290 elegantly designed rooms and suites, each adorned with Parisian flourishes, inviting guests into a world of refined indulgence. Guests can enjoy a wide range of culinary options, including an American bakery, a juice bar and The Courtyard restaurant.  Several additional outlets are set to open, as well as a bespoke spa and wellness concept. In addition to offering an array of experiences for discerning travelers, The Plaza Doha takes immense pride in being one of Doha’s most magnificent wedding venues. It boasts an entire floor dedicated solely to a ballroom, meeting rooms and two board rooms luxuriously furnished for all business needs. The main highlight is The Grand Ballroom which features a high ceiling, extravagant chandeliers, wall designs and a private connection to a Bridal Suite. The elegant hotel is ideally positioned in the heart of Doha on C-ring road, adjacent to popular museums, Souk Waqif and a ten-minute drive from Hamad International Airport. Its unique location further enhances the allure of this luxury city hotel, …

Emirates and SriLankan Airlines signed a reciprocal interline agreement to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. The partnership will enable access to new points on each other’s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers. Tickets are now on sale for travel effective immediately as the interline partnership unlocks 15 regional destinations operated by SriLankan Airlines via Colombo, for Emirates’ passengers to choose from. The interline network includes two new Indian destinations, Madurai and Tiruchirapally, in addition to Gan Island in the Maldives, for customers to travel seamlessly on a single ticket while enjoying the convenience of a generous baggage policy and hassle-free baggage check-through to the final destination. Far East and South Asian destinations also include Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Malé, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Guangzhou, Seoul and Tokyo. SriLankan Airlines’ passengers are also set to benefit from access to Emirates’ global network and connect to 15 cities operated by Emirates beyond Dubai. The interline network includes points across the Middle East, Africa, Russia and the US. SriLankan’s customers will enjoy a premium travel experience and partnership benefits while flying on Emirates to Bahrain, Amman, Dammam, Medina, Cairo, Muscat, Nairobi, Moscow, Tel Aviv, and a host of US cities including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Franciso, Chicago, Boston and Houston.* Travel itineraries can be booked immediately on emirates.com, srilankan.com and preferred online and offline travel agencies. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are pleased to activate an interline partnership with SriLankan and provide our customers with more choice and access to additional destinations to suit their travel plans. This partnership enables customers to seamlessly fly to …

In terms of passenger traffic during this year’s fall season, the airport recorded an increase in the number of passengers by more than 34 percent over the number of passengers for the same period in last year’s fall season. In July 2023 AD, the number of passengers exceeded 186 thousand passengers, compared to 138 thousand passengers in July of last year 2022 AD, and the number of passengers in August 2023 AD this year exceeded the barrier of 285 thousand passengers, while the number of passengers in August 2022 AD reached 212 thousand passengers. While not… The number of passengers before the pandemic exceeded 154,000 in July 2019, and the number also did not exceed 200,000 in August of the same year. Salalah Airport succeeded in restoring its growth numbers to before the “Covid-19” pandemic, exceeding the numbers it achieved in 2019 and thus recording a full recovery from the repercussions of the pandemic that affected air traffic internationally. The airport also recorded an increase in air traffic during the fall season of this year, amounting to 29 percent in air traffic numbers and 434.% in the number of passengers during the fall season of this year 2023 until August 15, 2023 AD, compared to the same period in 2022 AD. Air traffic at Salalah Airport witnessed an increase during the months of July and August of the current year 2023 AD, exceeding the numbers achieved last year and 2019 AD. Air traffic grew during last July 2023 AD to reach 1,424 flights, compared to 1,125 flights in July 2022 AD. In August this year, 1,744 flights were recorded, compared to 1,330 flights in August 2022, while air traffic before …

Hatta Resorts and its Wadi Hub by Dubai Holding are set to elevate the thrill factor during this season with the introduction of Aerial Adventure Park, a multiverse exhilarating attraction designed to be accessible to visitors of all ages and physical abilities. Opening its doors today, Season 6 promises a plethora of enticing stay options and an action-packed events calendar that will keep the excitement soaring all-season long. In addition to the impressive line-up of activities that Hatta Resorts and its Wadi Hub are known for, such as kayaking, hiking, ziplining, mountain biking and the iconic Hatta Drop-in water slide, the new Aerial Adventure Park boasts a High Ropes Course, Free Fall, Giant Swing, 45 Degree Zip, Bag Drop, Zip Line Belay and the heart-pounding Leap of Faith. Each of the park experiences lasts between 90 to 120 minutes, with the capacity to accommodate up to 75 visitors simultaneously. For the younger adventurers, the Aerial Adventure Park also features a specially designed ground-level park tailored for children aged three to six. This children’s version offers an experience lasting between 30 to 45 minutes and can host up to 10 children at a time. To ensure a seamless and safe experience for all, comprehensive training, practical demonstrations and ample practice opportunities are provided for every attraction. “As Hatta Resorts and its Wadi Hub by Dubai Holding cement its place as an exceptional gem in the vibrant tapestry of the emirate’s tourism offerings, our unwavering commitment to establishing Hatta as a multifaceted and sustainable tourism destination remains at the forefront,” said Roudi Soubra, Vice President – Asset Management at Dubai Holding Hospitality Assets. “With the exciting launch of Season Six, Hatta Resorts …

Red Sea Global (RSG), The Red Sea and Amaala, has become the first company in Saudi Arabia to receive the prestigious Mostadam Diamond Certification for its flagship Turtle Bay Hotel. Mostadam’s expertise and guidance is playing a pivotal role in creating vibrant and sustainable communities in the Kingdom. Red Sea Global has worked closely with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing to help define the innovative Mostadam criteria. Together, they are creating vibrant and sustainable communities in the Kingdom, paving the way for a more sustainable and ecologically responsible housing sector for current and future generations. This esteemed accolade, received under the patronage of HE Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Majid bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Hoqail, recognizes RSG’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and green building practices, including energy efficiency, renewable energy uptake, water use efficiency, improved connectivity, enhanced health and comfort, as well as integrated construction waste management. The hotel comprises 144 keys arranged in multiple blocks overlooking the Red Sea. “We consistently embrace sustainable practices in our developments, from design through to operations. We have chosen to power our destinations using 100% renewable energy sources and are incorporating state-of-the-art waste management systems into our infrastructure. This certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability, regenerative tourism development and environmental stewardship.” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. Red Sea Global has constructed 5 solar farms to enable the first phase of The Red Sea to be off grid powered solely by sunlight, with more than 760,000 solar panels, in place. The group also announced a multi-utilities concessions agreement for Amaala this week, and across the two destinations, expects to save one million tons …

The luxury five-star hotel in Fujairah, Rotana Resort and Spa opened a mini golf course amidst the magnificent Hajar mountains and the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean in time for the upcoming season. Located near the kids’ club, kids and parents can play at the 300 sqm course every day from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. The child can learn self-control and perseverance to achieve great results and can burn around 300 calories per hour at the 6-hole course in a fun environment and friendly atmosphere. All ages are welcome to the new mini golf course where the cost of one hour is AED 50 including two putters and two balls, the cost of 30 minutes is AED 35 including two putters and two balls, and the cost of any additional hour is AED 15 including one putter and one ball. Guests can also enjoy their time at the large swimming pool that is now open until midnight till the end of September 2023 along with Sharkeys and pool bars serving tropical cocktails and fresh juices to the guests. The 1073 m2 swimming pool is 1.3m deep and features kids, babies, and adults parts with a slider for kids for a day full of fun and excitement. Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa includes impressive collection of diverse dining options comprising Waves Beach Restaurant, a trendy venue offering a dining experience to suit every occasion with a delicious à la carte dinner menu, and Mozaique which offers an expansive buffet with a vast range of international dishes. Bar Muda lounge bar and terrace is one of Fujairah’s most popular lounge bars where guests can have a good time with friends …