Saudia signed an agreement with Kenya Airways to expand the connectivity of both airlines and maximize benefits for their guests. The agreement incorporates a wide-range of benefits, including booking and ticket issuance, as well as seamless transfers between flights with a single ticket. Guests will also be able to check-in their luggage to their destination and benefit from a reciprocal rewards program that enhances and rewards guests. Guests can also benefit from transit visas that can be issued through Saudia’s digital channels in cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs allowing them to stopover for up to 96 hours. The agreement will allow guests to easily reach different regions of the Kingdom to enjoy the climatic diversity, as well as the variety of activities and events that highlight the Kingdom’s historical heritage and legacy, as well as to perform the Umrah and Hajj, and visit the Holy sites. Additionally, guests will be able to reach new destinations such as Accra in Ghana, Bamako in Mali, Bujumbura in Burundi, Lusaka in Zambia and Mombasa in Kenya, among others. The agreement was signed by Saudia’s Chief Commercial Officer Arved Von Zur Muehlen and Kenya Airways’ Regional General Manager- India & Middle East, Albert Abwoga. Saudia is committed activate codeshare agreements as one way to achieving its objective to connect the world to the Kingdom, coupled with qualitative initiatives to enhance the travel experience through both ground and air services and products, in addition to aligning with the initiatives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy by increasing air connectivity to more than 250 destinations by 2030, and keeping pace with the targets of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism of reaching 150 million visits …

La Quinta by Wyndham Abu Dhabi Al Wahda is expected to open this month in Abu Dhabi, with 107 thoughtfully designed modern comforts, colourful interiors and prime location in the heart of the city. Nestled adjacent to Al Wahda shopping center, this landmark hotel marks Wyndham’s first La Quinta by Wyndham and sixth hotel in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. La Quinta by Wyndham Abu Dhabi Al Wahda boasts 107 thoughtfully designed rooms, ranging from stylish standard twins to spacious executive suites, suiting the needs of an array of travellers, whether business or leisure. Guests can indulge in culinary delights at the lobby café and the expansive all-day dining area, offering an open buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside an international style a-la-carte menu. The hotel’s unique entertainment spaces include the Mirchi Club Restaurant and Colosseum Restaurant, providing diverse and vibrant nightlife experiences for both patrons and visitors alike. La Quinta by Wyndham Abu Dhabi Al Wahda also offers an indoor pool, gym, and spa on the 15th floor, providing a sanctuary for relaxation. With room service available 24/7 and free indoor parking for guests, the hotel seamlessly combines quality with convenience. Situated in the United Arab Emirates capital city, Al Wahda is a popular residential and commercial area best known for Al Wahda Sports Club and Al Wahda Mall. Guests can explore the bustling shops, cafes and restaurants of downtown Abu Dhabi or visit notable landmarks including the presidential palace, Qaṣr Al-Waṭan, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the country’s largest mosque. “We’re thrilled to open the La Quinta by Wyndham Al Wahda which will offer a comfortable, central base for guests to explore Abu Dhabi. …

Resorts World Cruises announced that it will be expanding its footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the Resorts World One for a 6-month homeport deployment in Dubai, UAE. Starting from 18 October 2024, the Resorts World One will homeport and depart from Dubai to offer a 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a 3 Night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a 2 Night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays. Guests will have the flexible option to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a 4, 5 or 7 Night Cruise. Resorts World One will also add Doha as a homeport during the Qatar school holidays from 24 October to 2 November 2024. During this period, vacationers will have the additional convenience to embark from Doha to enjoy two 2 Night Dubai Cruises (24 and 31 October departures) and two 5 Night Dubai–Khasab-Muscat Cruises (26 October & 2 November departures). “We are excited to introduce the Resorts World Cruises brand to the Arabian Gulf with the Resorts World One cruise ship. As an international cruise line that is homegrown in Asia, we have decades of valuable experience in the cruise and hospitality sector, especially in catering to the needs of different ethnic and religious markets,” said Mr. Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. “Both cities Dubai and Doha are key international gateways to the Middle East and with the support of the respective local governments, authorities and travel partners, we look forward to further developing cruises to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” he added. Resorts World Cruises operates …

Cheval Collection’s new, luxury serviced apartments in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will break ground this year, with construction due for completion in 2027. CHEVAL LADUN LIVING – a partnership with KSA-based Ladun Investment Company – is Cheval Collection’s first property in KSA and the third in the Middle East. The UK-based, award-winning hospitality brand currently operates Cheval Maison – The Palm Dubai and will open Cheval Maison – Dubai Expo City in 2025. Speaking at Arabian Travel Market, Cheval Collection’s Chief Operating Officer John Philipson, said: “Saudi Arabia is key to Cheval Collection’s continued expansion in the Middle East, and we are proud to add CHEVAL LADUN LIVING to our international property portfolio – and to KSA’s ever-growing hospitality offering. We look forward to breaking ground this year, and opening for business in 2027.” Located on King Fahd Road, close to Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial Centre, CHEVAL LADUN LIVING will contain 130 one to three bedroom luxury apartments. The property will also feature a range of fitness and leisure amenities, including a gym, swimming pool and sauna. Construction of the tower will cost up to US$80 million. Cheval Collection’s first Middle East property – Cheval Maison – The Palm– celebrated its first successful year of operation last month. Meanwhile, the company’s 150 luxury apartment complex at Dubai’s Expo City, a repurpose of the prestigious Leadership Pavilion at EXPO 2020, is undergoing refurbishment ahead of its opening next year. Cheval Collection currently operates 800 luxury apartments across 13 properties in London, Edinburgh and Dubai.

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.