Emirates will bring back its daily Phnom Penh service starting from 1 May via Singapore, boosting the airline’s Southeast Asian connectivity to/from Dubai, and linking two trade and leisure centres in the region. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President, and Chief Commercial Officer commented: “The resumption of our Phnom Penh services demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our Southeast Asian network, as we continue to create more opportunities for travellers to explore diverse and culturally rich destinations, and help businesses and exporters of all sizes establish stronger trade connections. We thank the Cambodian and Singaporean authorities for their support in establishing this new route. We look forward to re-introducing our customers to yet another vibrant destination on our network as they explore the world.” The service will be operated with a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Emirates’ flight EK348 will depart Dubai at 0230hrs and arrives in Singapore at 1405hrs. The flight will then depart Singapore at 1535hrs arriving in Phnom Penh at 1635hrs. Emirates’ return flight EK349 will leave Phnom Penh at 2050hrs and arrives in Singapore at 2350hrs. The flight will then depart Singapore at 0140hrs the next day arriving in Dubai at 0455hrs. All times are local. Phnom Penh’s linked schedule with Singapore is conveniently timed, providing optimal connecting opportunities to and from multiple cities in France, UK, Germany, Switzerland and the United States. Through this additional connection, Emirates will serve Singapore with four daily flights starting from 1 May. Emirates SkyCargo will also offer cargo bellyhold capacity on the Boeing 777-300ER of more than 300 tonnes per week in and out of Phnom Penh. Main commodities exported from Phnom Penh includes textiles, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value commodities. The new Emirates …

At a recent exclusive interview with TravelTV, Dinkar Dasaur, General Manager Satguru Travel UAE shared that this year is one of expansion not only to them but in the travel and tourism industry itself. He reiterated, “last year was the year of correction and this year is the year of expansion. I don’t think covid is existing anymore in our business. We can see the growth of corporate business and corporates getting more opportunities in respect to their businesses. We see a lot of B2C movements, we see a lot of B2B movements. In fact the industry has grown versus last year and this year looks more promising as there are more expansion plans not only with us but also with our partners like airlines, where their frequencies are increasing, the destinations are increasing, value spent for money is increasing, hence we look at 2024 as an opportunity to make great gains.”  

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Culture and Tourism. DCT Abu Dhabi to foster the development of the UAE’s space exploration capabilities through collaborative efforts in education, awareness programmes, and knowledge exchange. H.E. Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “Honouring the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, this MoU is a vital boost to the UAE’s space sector ambitions, through strategic community outreach rooted in education and collaboration. With a mandate to promote, protect and progress Abu Dhabi, we are fostering a shared appreciation for astronomy and highlighting its integral part within our vast cultural heritage.” H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC, said, “This MoU is a testament to our shared vision of harnessing space exploration as a catalyst for educational, technological, and cultural advancement. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire a new generation of explorers and scientists by highlighting the rich legacy and future possibilities of space exploration. It is a strategic step towards nurturing talent and promoting sustainable growth in the UAE’s space sector.” Reinforcing the UAE’s space sector, the MoU was signed by H.E. Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi and H.E. Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, in the presence of astronaut H.E. Dr. Sultan Saif AlNeyadi at Louvre Abu Dhabi, and H.E. Saeed Ali Obaid Al Fazari, Executive Director, Strategic Affairs, DCT Abu Dhabi. A key focus of the MoU is on outreach and educational programmes designed to raise public awareness about the importance of space exploration. This will include seminars, workshops, and other events that will not …

TravTalk ME’s recent International Women’s Day forum consisted leading ladies from travel, tourism, hospitality and technology. “Female entrepreneurs do not get the same investment as male entrepreneurs, in the travel and tourism sector and I feel that is one area where change is required. There are female entrepreneurs and if they get funded and supported they will create business and employment opportunities which will give rise to the industry,” shared Nina Kubik-Cheng, VP  Media Solutions & Partner Marketing – Wego. She shared the importance of investing in women entrepreneurs as one of the guests who is an entrepreneur herself with her own agency posed a question. Mariyam Kapasi Founder of Amore Travel and Tourism shared about her journey as a female entrepreneur.  

Emirates and ITA Airways  inked an MoU for the expansion of their existing interline into a full codeshare partnership. Once activated, the codeshare will boost travel options and connection choices for customers travelling between Dubai, Italy and beyond. The MoU signed will establish the foundations to strengthen the partnership between both airlines, creating one-stop connections to popular cities across Italy and wider Europe with ITA Airways, and opening up simpler and faster journeys to the Emirates network from Dubai with the best routes, schedules and connections. Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: “Enhancing our partnerships and boosting our presence in key regions such as Europe is an integral part of our commercial strategy, and underscores our commitment to providing customers flexibility through our partners’ complementary networks. Working closely with ITA Airways will strengthen our footprint across exciting cities in Italy, and key points in Europe. We look forward to fully activate our partnership with ITA Airways in the coming months and providing unrivalled access to both of our growing networks.” Antonino Turicchi, Chairman of ITA Airways said: “We are pleased to sign this codeshare partnership with Emirates today. This MoU further enhances ITA Airways’ commercial strategy of growth and opens up a privileged access route to all passengers who will benefit the connectivity via Rome Fiumicino and Dubai. This agreement marks the Company’s 35th codeshare partnership, an excellent result we have achieved in just over two years.” Under the planned codeshare, Emirates’ customers will be able to smoothly travel to a number of domestic cities in Italy from the airline’s gateway in Rome, including popular tourist destinations like Florence, Genoa, Palermo, Trieste, among others. Customers will …

Expo City Dubai is expanding its hospitality offering to include upscale long- and short-stay serviced apartments with Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai slated to open in 2025. The agreement with Cheval Collection marks an important milestone in Expo City’s continued evolution into a thriving city of the future, further enhancing its attraction as a premier destination for both short-term and long-term visitors and residents. An all-apartment boutique property, Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai will repurpose the former Leadership Pavilion, adjacent to Al Wasl Plaza in the heart of the city. The Leadership Pavilion, originally built for Expo 2020, hosted numerous heads of states and dignitaries during the event and again, more recently, during the COP28 climate conference. The new residences will consist of 150 contemporary one- and two- bedroom apartments with balconies and fully equipped kitchens, as well as access to a 24-hour gym, rooftop pool, an all-day dining restaurant, brasserie, coffee shop and 1,500sqm of event and conference space. A key highlight, the property’s two existing iconic royal suites will also remain and be available for residents. Building on the city’s existing residential offerings, including apartments and villas for sale within Expo Central and Expo Valley, its commercial office space offering and as well as existing hotel accommodation for visitors, Cheval Maison – Expo City Dubai cements the city’s status as a cornerstone of Dubai’s 2040 Dubai Urban Master Plan, boosting the emirate’s continued development as a leading hub for people and businesses from around the world. Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development & Delivery Officer, Expo City Dubai, said: “This exciting development with Cheval Collection marks an important step as our city evolves into a thriving destination …

Dubai-based Lokalee, an AI-powered content platform for hotels and holiday homes, has partnered with UXE Security Solutions for the integration of Lokalee into the smart property access app Keyless. Keyless is a premier solution for seamless access management for property owners, managers, and guests, eliminating the need for physical keys altogether by transforming a smartphone into a key. It is a unique ecosystem that offers convenience, sustainability, and security for both hosts and their guests, creating a safe and secure environment. The app is launched in association with the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. With the embedment of Lokalee’s innovative content platform, the Keyless app takes a significant step forward in improving the overall guest experience for the short-term rental industry in Dubai. Lokalee’s AI-powered content enables guests to browse and book everything the property and Dubai as a destination has to offer, sourced by Lokal Curators and supported by global partners. Designed to make life simpler and more convenient for guests, Lokalee’s user-friendly platform include features such as digital concierge, tailored itineraries for guest activities, easy access to useful local services, AI trip planner, and a live chat for support. “The partnership with UXE Security Solutions is of significant importance to us, as it validates Lokalee’s standing as a trusted player in the growing holiday home industry. Being approved as a partner in the Keyless app aligns with our mission to innovate the guest experience while also meeting Dubai’s strict regulatory guidelines,” said Samir Abi Frem, CEO of Advanced Digital Technology and Lokalee.

Diriyah Company unveiled the unique and innovative concept design for The Arena in Diriyah, located on the outskirts of Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh. The iconic 20,000-seat multipurpose sports, entertainment, and cultural venue marks a crucial milestone in Diriyah’s transformation as a key driver in Saudi Arabia’s vision for cultural and economic growth. This announcement is part of the USD 63.2 billion masterplan that underpins Diriyah’s development, redefining cultural and lifestyle offerings within Riyadh. It has been crafted by London-based HKS Architects to create a technologically advanced, globally significant arena that embodies the essence of its surroundings, geology, and culture. The announcement was made by the Diriyah Company at MIPIM in Cannes in the presence of the UK Minister of State for Business and Trade, Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston. Located in the heart of The City of Earth, the 76,000 square meter Arena aims to establish itself as the premier venue in the Middle East, serving as a tourism hallmark, drawing visitors from across the globe and completely transforming the region’s events landscape. Commenting on the announcement, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company said: “The Arena in Diriyah is a cornerstone element of our mission to blend tradition with innovation. It exemplifies Diriyah’s unique lifestyle offering that harmonizes community, culture, and natural connection, setting a new standard for world-class destinations rooted in Saudi heritage.” Inspired by the natural geology surrounding Diriyah and capturing the traditional Najdi architecture motif spanning centuries of heritage, the venue will possess the ability to seamlessly transition between different configurations within hours, offering the flexibility to host various events in quick succession. Its state-of-the-art design will ensure exceptional acoustics and optimal viewing angles from every …

A groundbreaking statistical framework, developed under the leadership of UN Tourism, has been adopted by all 193 UN member states. The Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) thus becomes the internationally agreed reference framework for measuring the economic, social and environmental aspects of tourism. The adoption by the UN Statistical Commission at its 55th session marked a historical milestone towards harnessing the full potential of the sector, providing a solution to the pressing need for a harmonized methodology to effectively assess the sustainability of tourism. “Tourism is a powerful force for positive change when managed responsibly and sustainably,” says Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary General. “The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet.” The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet Collaborative effort This achievement is the fruit of a seven-year UN process led by Austria and Spain as co-chairs of the UN Tourism Committee on Statistics, with Saudi Arabia and Seychelles as co-vice chairs. Under auspices of the Committee, the Framework was developed thanks to the extraordinary work of the multistakeholder Expert Group on Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism composed of 40+ countries and 30+ international and regional organizations including the UN Statistics Division, the International Labour Organization (ILO), subnational authorities and observatories, academia and others. The work involved technical guidance from an Editorial Board chaired first by the Philippines and then by Canada, as well as extensive engagement and consultation with …

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) successfully showcased Dubai’s diverse destination proposition alongside 56 key partners and stakeholders at the recent Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB Berlin) trade show, 5-7 March 2024. This was the 32nd time that Dubai had exhibited at one of the world’s leading travel trade shows, which this year attracted almost 100,000 attendees. Demonstrating the breadth of the city’s tourism offering to global travel industry leaders and professionals, DET was joined in Berlin by co-exhibitors from across the tourism ecosystem including government entities, hotels, tour operators and destination management companies (DMCs), and among them were Address Hotels + Resorts, Atlantis Dubai, Banyan Tree Dubai, Museum of The Future, and, for the first time, flydubai. Participating at major international trade shows such as ITB Berlin is a key element of DET’s marketing strategy to promote Dubai to a global audience and grow inbound visitation from both traditional and emerging overseas markets. In 2023, Dubai welcomed a record 17.15 million international overnight visitors, representing a 19.4% YoY growth compared to the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022. The German market played a crucial role, contributing significantly to Dubai’s tourism success, with a remarkable 36% YoY growth and 574,979 overnight guests in 2023. At its stand in Berlin, the Dubai delegation engaged with travel trade professionals from around the world and welcomed top politicians and industry leaders including Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin; Franziska Giffey, Berlin Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises; and Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “As Dubai continues its growth …