Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White, recently concluded a successful visit to Bahrain, where he attended the prestigious Routes Conference, engaged with key travel agents and industry leaders, and held meetings with major regional airlines to explore enhanced connectivity and push for bilateral agreements. This visit is part of the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) ongoing strategy to strengthen its presence in the GCC market, positioning Jamaica as a premier travel destination while also boosting its attractiveness for foreign direct investments (FDIs). During his visit, White focused on promoting Jamaica as a premier travel destination to key representatives from travel agencies such as Orient Travel, Vacanza Bahrain, Dadabhai Travel, Bahrain International Travel, Akbar Travels, 24×7 Rooms.com, Farhat Tours & Transfers, and Travel Knits. These agencies were specifically selected for their expertise in catering to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and high-spending travelers. In a refined high-tea gathering at Café Segu, the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the travel patterns and preferences of Bahrain’s elite, particularly for destinations in the United States and the Caribbean. It also served as a platform to introduce Jamaica’s luxurious tourism offerings, including world-class resorts, exclusive villas, and unique cultural experiences, positioning the island as a top destination for the region’s discerning travelers. “Our goal is to establish long-lasting partnerships with key travel agents in Bahrain and we are committed to working closely with our partners,” said Donovan White. “By understanding the specific needs and travel preferences of its residents and citizens, we can tailor Jamaica’s tourism offerings to meet the growing demand for exclusive and luxurious experiences.” “The Middle Eastern market is increasingly looking beyond Europe for new travel experiences, and Jamaica offers exactly that—a blend …

Travelport and Transportes Aéreos Portugueses (TAP Air Portugal)  announced that they have signed a multi-source content distribution agreement that includes both NDC content and traditional content for Travelport’s agency customers. “This upcoming launch of our NDC content in Travelport+ will be a pivotal moment in our decades-long relationship,” said Mario Cruz, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer at TAP Air Portugal. “Together, we are looking to deliver a solution that makes it easy for agents to access, sell, and service tailored NDC content and offers from TAP Air Portugal through the Travelport+ marketplace.” TAP Air Portugal and Travelport are actively collaborating to deliver TAP Air Portugal’s NDC content so that agents can easily access its wide range of fares and offers in the Travelport+ platform. Agents using Travelport’s API, Smartpoint Cloud and Smartpoint Desktop solutions will be able to seamlessly view and compare the airline’s NDC offers alongside traditional content and book the best offers for their travelers. Travelport’s comprehensive solutions also enable agents to service NDC bookings for their travelers. “Our updated agreement with TAP Air Portugal highlights our mutual dedication to creating a modern, personalized shopping and service experience for agents and travelers with NDC,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport. “With the future delivery of TAP Air Portugal’s NDC content and servicing in Travelport+, we’re continuing our mission to ensure that agencies can easily shop, compare, book and service the best offerings from leading airlines, all in one place.” Travelport’s AI-powered Content Curation Layer (CCL) helps retailers minimize challenges with viewing and comparing multi-source content offers, enabling agents to easily compare both NDC and traditional content side-by-side in one place. Built into Travelport+, CCL …

If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, look no further than Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi, which are the only places in the Emirates where you can experience the magic of real snow this festive season. From 01-25 December, families across the UAE can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with a bumper line-up of family-friendly activities and create shared experiences and lifelong memories – with subzero temperatures as low as -2°C! Santa Claus is coming to town and guests will have the chance to meet the man himself and his merry elves. Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi have a range of packages, catering to all members of the family. Ski Dubai’s Winter Wonderland Packages Meet Santa (AED 160) includes a special meet-and-greet and photo with Santa, a surprise gift made by Santa’s elves, signature hot chocolate, and fleece gloves. Exclusively from 11-30 November, save up to AED 30* with the Meet Santa Early Bird Discount (AED 130 instead of AED 160) and visit Santa anytime from 04-08 December. Snow Fun & Meet Santa (AED 325) includes a special meet-and-greet and printed photo with Santa Claus, a surprise gift made by Santa’s elves, signature hot chocolate, fleece gloves, one ride of the chairlift, and one-time access to the Snow Park. Enjoy unlimited Snow Park rides including Zorb Ball, Bobsled, Tubing Run, Bumper Cars, and Climbing Wall.   Family Meets Santa (AED 600) includes four tickets to a special meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, four surprise gifts made by Santa’s elves, and a printed family photo to capture the special moment. Plus, warm up with our signature hot chocolate and fleece gloves.   Breakfast with Santa (AED 160 for …

Esterad Amwaj Co. the developer and owner of the iconic Amwaj Beachfront project in Amwaj Islands Esterad Amwaj, held a signing ceremony partnering with leading hospitality company Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), in bringing METT Hotel & Residences, ISOLA Beach, and RAISE Fitness to Amwaj Beachfront. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of Gateway Gulf Forum 2024, and this collaboration represents a milestone development for the region, featuring 220 keys, branded villas, and residences that promise to elevate luxury and wellness on the Amwaj Beachfront. The project aims to draw international interest and further solidify the area’s reputation as a premier destination for lifestyle and luxury. With the combined expertise and visionary approach of both Esterad Amwaj and SHG, the development is set to redefine hospitality standards within the region. Commenting, Ahmed Abdulrahman, CEO of Esterad Investment Company, and the chairman of Esterad Amwaj Company, said, “Esterad Amwaj is thrilled to partner with SHG to bring a number of world-class hospitality concepts to Amwaj Beachfront. This collaboration is a pivotal step toward realizing our vision of establishing a vibrant, luxurious destination that enhances the lifestyle and leisure offerings in Bahrain. We look forward to setting a new benchmark in hospitality and providing unparalleled experiences for both residents and visitors to Amwaj Islands.” Antonio Gonzalez, CEO and Group Chairman of SHG, added, “Partnering with Esterad Amwaj represents an exciting milestone for us as we expand our footprint in Bahrain. Our aim is to bring a new level of luxury and lifestyle experiences to Amwaj Beachfront, tailored to the tastes of today’s discerning traveler and resident. We’re committed to creating memorable and immersive spaces that resonate with the local community while …

Smart hospitality solutions provider, Hudini, has entered into an agreement with Orascom Hotels Management for the rollout of their new digital platform, Staff Connect, across Orascom’s portfolio of hotels globally. These properties include Casa Cook, Steigenberger, Club Paradisio, The Chedi and Cooks Club, Mosaique, all of which are located in El Gouna, Egypt. Orascom Hotels Management has chosen the Staff Connect platform by Hudini to create exceptional guest arrival experiences with tailored personal interaction. Orascom’s vision is to transform the arrival experience by completely removing the front desk. Upon arrival, the guests are welcomed and escorted to their rooms by an Experience Ambassador who is assigned to the guests for the entire stay. With the Staff Connect platform, check-in formalities are completed seamlessly in less than a minute in the comfort of the guests’ room. Staff Connect has already been successfully implemented across 15 properties within the Orascom portfolio.  Staff Connect is a seamless digital platform designed to streamline operations and staff communication, instantly making information accessible to all hotel departments from front desk to housekeeping. Seamlessly integrated with a hotel’s backend systems, the platform can be accessed on various portable devices, ensuring staff have real-time information at their fingertips. With Staff Connect, hotel staff can easily access guest profiles and preferences, leveraging AI-powered insights to deliver personalised promotions, experience recommendations, and curated amenities. Not only does this boost upsell opportunities, but it also creates truly bespoke stays for every guest. Sanjay Sharma, Chief Technology Officer of Orascom Hotels Management, commented [with Hudini] “the switch to personalised arrival experiences has turned out to be immensely successful with guest feedback such as “stunning” and “out of this world”. In addition, we …

Oman Air and Qantas have taken their partnership to new heights with the launch of a new and exciting loyalty programme offering. Sindbad members will soon be able to redeem their Miles on flights with Qantas, which operates an extensive network including Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, with Qantas members able to access the same benefits on Oman Air’s network. The airlines, who have an existing interline partnership, will add more attractive benefits, such as Mile-earning opportunities, as Oman Air prepares to join the oneworld alliance in 2025. Oman Air CEO, Con Korfiatis said, “Our partnership with Qantas reinforces our commitment to bring even greater value and rewarding experiences to our loyalty members. This collaboration not only enhances the travel journey by offering more ways for members to redeem their hard-earned Miles, but also plays a key role in attracting Qantas’ huge membership-base to come and experience Oman. As we look towards our highly anticipated oneworld membership next year, we look forward to providing more rewards and seamless travel across all member airlines.” Qantas Loyalty CEO Andrew Glance, added, “We know how much our members love to use their points to book international reward seats, with record numbers redeemed in the last twelve months. Frequent Flyers also tell us that exploring new destinations is high on their priority list, so this partnership will be welcome news for members eyeing their next overseas adventure. Oman Air is an impressive airline with an expansive network, a modern fleet, and a premium offering that rivals any international carrier.” With an ever-growing range of partners, Sindbad, Oman Air’s award-winning frequent flyer programme, allows members to spend Miles both in the air and on …

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach is delighted to announce the promotion of Chef Mohamad Albalkhi to the position of Director of Culinary. In this pivotal role, he will oversee all food and beverage operations and lead the culinary team across the hotel’s six dining outlets, continuing to elevate the hotel’s reputation for exceptional culinary experiences. With over two decades of culinary expertise, Chef Albalkhi is renowned for his innovative approach and dedication to sustainability in the kitchen. His commitment to sourcing fresh, local ingredients and creating sustainable menus perfectly aligns with our vision of providing guests with memorable dining experiences that are also environmentally responsible. Chef Albalkhi’s culinary philosophy emphasizes creativity and authenticity, ensuring that every dish tells a story while minimizing the ecological footprint. In his new role, Chef Albalkhi will be responsible for curating seasonal menus, training and mentoring his talented culinary team, and enhancing the overall guest experience across all dining outlets. His focus on sustainability will play a crucial role in shaping the hotel’s culinary offerings, as he has integrated eco-friendly practices into the kitchen. “I am truly honored to step into the role of Director of Culinary at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach,” said Chef Alblakhi. “This position allows me to further our commitment to sustainability while creating innovative dishes that celebrate local flavors and ingredients. I am excited to work alongside our talented team to deliver exceptional dining experiences that resonate with our guests and reflect our shared values.” General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, Michael Goetz, commented on the promotion: “Chef Albalkhi’s elevation to Director of Culinary is a well-deserved recognition of his remarkable talent and unwavering dedication to excellence. His innovative approach to …

As the world convenes once again in London from today with Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority promoting the emirate as a premier global destination. It is taken one step further by adding its offerings for winter where visitors can relax, indulge and explore an unforgettable experience. World Travel Market (WTM) London is a premier global event for the travel and tourism industry, attracting professionals worldwide. It offers networking, partnership opportunities, and insights into industry trends. The event plays a crucial role in shaping future travel strategies and showcasing innovations, influencing global tourism developments. Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is promoting its special winter campaign where every traveller would find a destination tailored to their sense of adventure, relaxation, and culture. As the emirate proudly showcases its diverse tourism offerings at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2024, visitors are invited to explore Sharjah’s hidden gems during the cooler months, from tranquil eco-retreats to exhilarating outdoor adventures. Whether you’re captivated by breathtaking natural landscapes, seeking adrenaline-packed activities, or eager to immerse yourself in rich cultural experiences, Sharjah promises an unforgettable winter getaway for all visitors and residents alike. HE Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), expressed excitement about the emirate’s participation in WTM 2024, saying: “Sharjah’s participation in the World Travel Market this year underscores our dedication to positioning the emirate as a premier global destination, particularly during the winter season. Our unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and eco-tourism initiatives truly shine during this time and we are proud to highlight how Sharjah continues to evolve with sustainability at the core of its tourism offerings. From our meticulously preserved heritage sites …

The Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) will promote Ajman as a premier tourist destination on both regional and global scale during its participation at the World Travel Market (WTM) London, which begins today 5 to 7 November, 2024. During the event, the Department will exhibit its innovative and comprehensive projects and initiatives as part of its goal to highlight its excellent growth within the tourism sector and the efforts being made to elevate and strengthen it. Through its participation, the Department seeks to forge and reinforce partnerships with global travel and tourism firms and leverage them to draw in tourists from Europe and beyond. In addition, ATDD aims to shed light on some of Ajman’s most significant facilities and attractions, such as its natural reserves, pristine beaches and sites of cultural and historical significance, including the Ajman Museum. H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of Ajman Tourism Development Department, said: “The World Travel Market exhibition serves as a vital forum that convenes travel and tourism industry experts and leaders around the world. It paves the way to reinforce our key partnerships in the sector, exchange expertise and insights, and explore recent developments and innovations that are steering the global tourism industry.” H.E. Alhashmi added, “Our participation in the event comes in line with our effort to highlight the emirate’s tourist attractions and strengthen its position on the global tourism landscape. We aim to showcase our major efforts to advance the sector by implementing projects and initiatives that support the development of tourism infrastructure, further opening avenues for new and sustainable growth. These efforts are in line with the goals of Ajman Vision 2030 to boost the emirate’s status as an …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has renewed its strategic partnership with WebBeds expanding its scope to over 30 markets and aiming for a 25% year-over-year increase in the number of hotel guests. This expansion will not only focus on Abu Dhabi City but will also extend its reach to Al Ain, highlighting the emirate’s wide spectrum of tourism experiences. In 2023, the partnership with WebBeds targeted 21 source markets and achieved remarkable success, surpassing targets by reaching 149% of its goal for hotel guests. This success was driven by the collaboration’s joint marketing campaign, which significantly contributed to the increased visibility of Abu Dhabi’s diverse tourism offerings. Continuing the collaborative effort to enhance Abu Dhabi’s global tourism appeal, for the upcoming year the refreshed partnership will focus on key source markets for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. For Abu Dhabi, the targeted markets include the UAE, India, China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, the UK, Germany, Russia, the USA, Brazil, Canada, Bahrain, Jordan, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Italy, and Australia. Al Ain’s source markets will include Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, and several others. Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our ongoing collaboration with WebBeds reinforces the importance and effectiveness of showcasing our wide variety of hotels, resorts and other hospitality offerings through a global platform. We are leveraging our combined expertise and driving innovation in the industry and among our stakeholders, while creating memorable experiences for our travellers.” The expanded partnership will introduce key initiatives such as joint sales engagement, targeted campaigns, and trade initiatives designed …