Emaar Hospitality Group partnered with Claviger, the region’s leading sales representation group, to promote the sales of hotel rooms across the GCC region. The sales representation agreement between Emaar Hospitality Group and Claviger covers the promotion of hotels under the premium luxury brand Address Hotels + Resorts and the upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts as well as Armani Hotel Dubai. Claviger will leverage its in-market presence across the GCC region to promote the hotels, with a particular focus on families and corporate guests. Led by its dedicated sales associates, the company will highlight the exceptional features and amenities offered by Emaar Hospitality Group’s hotels in Dubai to high net worth individuals and corporate houses as well as conduct roadshows and customer events. Claviger will also highlight Emaar Hospitality Group’s hotels at specialised trade shows. Chris Newman, Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said, “Our hotels, all located in central locations in Dubai in close proximity to the most popular tourist attractions, are already popular among guests from across the GCC region. Through our new sales representation agreement, we are further highlighting the value-add that our hotels offer to newer audiences through Claviger’s dedicated network.” Ahmed Baki, Founder & CEO of Claviger, said, “At Claviger, we believe in the exceptional value addition that we can provide to our partners through our expertise, in-market presence and wide network. Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Armani Hotel Dubai are three popular brands with clear industry niches that we will highlight to prospective guests.” With more than 33 per cent of tourists in the region travelling for leisure, 24 per cent for business and over 36 per cent visiting …

After completing its rehabilitation programme, Dubai Airports Southern Runway is now ready again after 45 days. The Emirates Boeing 777 travelling from Seattle was the first aircraft to touch down on the newly refurbished tarmac reopening DXB to return to full capacity. Scheduling experts optimised DXB’s one runway operation so there was only a 32% reduction in flights for the period at DXB. Traffic at Dubai’s second airport, DWC, increased by nearly 700% during the period and was applauded by customers and airlines for its speed, efficiency and convenience.

The first flight took off from Dubai to Beirut 10 years ago in 2009, marking a new chapter in aviation in the history of the United Arab Emirates; today 10 years later flydubai celebrates a milestone carrying over 70 million passengers in its short span of operations. Commenting on the 10th year anniversary of the start of flydubai’s operations, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, said, “For many years the Government of Dubai recognised the need for another carrier to serve our country. In 2009, we were able to achieve this thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. flydubai was launched with a mandate to open new markets and make travel more accessible to more people. I am happy to see flydubai deliver on that commitment which has seen the airline connect 71 previously underserved cities to Dubai allowing a population of 1.5 billion easier access to one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.” HE Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, said, “The UAE is leading on the global air transport front and the aviation sector has been a major contributor to the overall national economy. The sector has successfully enabled the creation of an attractive environment for trade, investment and tourism to flourish.” Reflecting on the last 10 years and looking to the years ahead, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said, “flydubai’s commitment to making travel more convenient and more affordable has only grown stronger over the past 10 years. We are pleased to see that more than 70 million passengers …

Extending its events season throughout 2019, Dubai is set to welcome a remarkable line-up of artists from across the world to entertain the city this summer. From large scale stadium productions to intimate live shows, don’t miss the chance to secure your tickets to the city’s trending events which are now available to purchase through Dubai Calendar. Eid in Dubai celebrations will kick off the entertainment season across the city, including a variety of concerts featuring artists such as Tamer Hosny performing at Dubai Opera on June 6; and Wael Kfoury and Ragheb Alama performing at the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre on June 7. Meanwhile, with its official launch on June 6, the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai’s first and largest air-conditioned multipurpose indoor venue, offering exceptional state-of-the- art sound system and almost 400 square metres of LED screens, will host the return of global stand-up comedy superstar Russell Peters. The Arena will also be hosting the already sold-out performance of world-famous pop-rock band Maroon 5 on June 14, celebrating the group’s return to Dubai for the first time in eight years. Continuing the festivities this summer time, Dubai is set to host a range of comedy nights starting with English stand-up comedian Alan Davies on June 14 at the Dubai Opera. Headliner comedian Alfie Brown will be performing at the city’s oldest comedy hub, The Laughter Factory, in celebration of its 23rd anniversary between June 13-21 at a variety of venues across the Emirate including Mövenpick Dubai Jumeirah Beach, Grand Millennium Dubai, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach and TRYP by Wyndham. And lastly, presenting Indian high-energy comic Varun Thakur, Front Row laughter nights will be hosting the famous comedian …

Great value ticketing at Expo 2020 Dubai will open doors to a world of fun, culture, entertainment and innovation, and ensure the six-month spectacular is a global celebration for all. A single-day adult (18 and above) ticket will cost AED 120 (USD 33), while a three-day pass, which can be used on any three days during the 173 days of the Expo, will be priced at AED 260 (USD 71), organisers announced. A ticket will give its holder access to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including 60 live shows a day, future-shaping technologies, performances from world-famous artists, daily parades, cutting-edge architecture, special celebrations and more than 200 F&B outlets serving a world of cuisines. Expo 2020 will offer a range of concessions, including free access for children aged five and under and seniors aged 65 and above. Youth aged six to 17 and students of any age will receive 50 per cent discount, while people of determination will be granted complimentary access, with their carers entering for half price. The Expo School Programme also will offer specially-curated journeys for school students of all ages to excite and educate them on the Expo sub-themes. Sanjive Khosla, Deputy Chief – Sales and Marketing, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “We aim to be a World Expo that is accessible to all and believe the ticket prices and concessions will help us achieve that ambition. We can’t wait to welcome millions of visitors from around the globe, as we make every effort to ensure that our welcome is warm and reflective of the rich Arabic tradition of hospitality.” Single-day and three-day tickets will be offered to international travellers in bundled packages to be sold by Authorised Ticket …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) entered into an agreement with Bear Grylls Survival Academy (BGSA) to establish and operate Ras Al Khaimah’s own Bear Grylls Survival Academy on Jebel Jais, as part of its ongoing drive to attract more adventure seekers from around the world. Haitham Mattar, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority announced the latest addition to the Emirate’s varied portfolio of adventure tourism products recently. A brainchild of Bear Grylls, the most recognised face of survival and outdoor adventure, the Bear Grylls Survival Academy offers thrill seekers an opportunity to learn extreme survival techniques at 20 locations around the world. The Bear Grylls Survival Academy on Jebel Jais, which is scheduled to open in Q1 2020, will offer participants a wide selection of courses suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. The courses include half-day (5 to 6 hours), 24 and 48-hour courses designed for families and adults; team building activities for corporates; and instructor courses for outdoor enthusiasts, where participants will be exposed to practical and extreme survival techniques necessary to survive some of the toughest terrain in the wilderness. The courses will comprise of a combination of survival and adventure tasks that will conclude in a wilderness expedition designed to put the participants’ new-found skills to the ultimate test. Haitham Mattar, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said, “This partnership to establish our upcoming adventure product recognises a sector of our tourism proposition that is fundamental to the growth of Ras Al Khaimah as a global destination.” Paul Gardiner, Managing Director of Bear Grylls Survival Academy, said, “As the UAE’s highest mountain with its …

Emirates is gearing up for a big summer in Muscat with the deployment of double daily A380 flights from July 1. The airline will operate the A380 on EK 862/863 and EK864/865 to and from Muscat International Airport (MCT). Muscat will become Emirates’ shortest scheduled A380 flight, flying a distance of 340 kilometres each way. The new A380 services to Muscat demonstrate the airline’s agile approach to fleet deployment and its commitment to providing an enhanced onboard experience for its passengers. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre, said, “The introduction of the A380 services to Muscat means more of our customers will have the opportunity to experience our industry-leading products onboard, and will also enhance choice and travel preferences as they plan their journeys. Oman is an important destination for Emirates, and we will continue to look at ways to grow our operations in the market to best serve our customers. We thank Muscat International Airport and the government authorities for their support in making the A380 double daily operations happen.” Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni, CEO, Oman Airports, said, “From its side, Muscat International Airport has demonstrated its readiness for this extraordinary event, and the arrival of these scheduled flights for this giant aircraft is a gain to prove the large airport capacity to accommodate an aircraft of this size.” The launch of the A380 flights will come exactly one year after the first deployment of a scheduled one-off A380 service that marked 25 years of operations to Oman, and reaffirmed the airport’s infrastructure readiness to handle double-decker operations. The twice daily A380 services will replace EK 862/863 and EK 864/865.

Emirates anticipates a busy weekend ahead of the Eid holiday with heavy traveller volumes to and from Dubai. The busiest time for departures in Terminal 3 will be on May 31 with over 80,000 passengers travelling abroad. Customers are reminded to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departure to avoid any delays. Peak travel is expected to continue until June 3, 2019 with over 309,000 Emirates passengers travelling from Dubai during this period of time. With expected traffic congestion around Terminal 3, and road works continuing to cause traffic delays around main airport highways and roads during this time – Emirates urges customers to build in extra time for their journeys to avoid potential delays. Passengers can physically check in at the airport as early as 24 hours before flight departure, and are requested to check in no later than two hours prior to departure, regardless of class of travel. Customers who check in less than 60 minutes prior to their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted for travel. Customers can also check in online on both their desktops and mobile devices from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure. In addition to online check-in services, Emirates also offers convenient car park check-in facilities. Customers can use these to check in and drop off their luggage. Alternatively, customers heading to Emirates Terminal 3 can choose to drop their luggage at one of the 46 dedicated bag drop counters in Economy Class or separate counters in First Class and Business Class from six hours to 90 minutes prior to departure. Families travelling with small children can use dedicated Family counters in Check in Zone …

Leading five-star hotel, Concorde El Salam Hotel Cairo which recently participated at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, added a new, classic ballroom to its portfolio in May 2019 for corporate events, weddings and social soirées. The ballroom features the main grand hall, Daleela board room, business centre with high speed internet and two Royal suites, Lina and Eden complete with butler service and reception area. The new Adam Ballroom, which combines traditional Georgian architectural styles with a modern elegance designed by international designer, Tony Dalton, will feature an 11-metre dome complete with an impressive crystal chandelier. Opened this month, the ballroom includes a 620 sq. m. main function room, Daleela board room for executive meetings, a business centre and two landscaped designed outside terraces perfect to unwind and enjoy the lavish coffee breaks on offer. Additionally, Adam Ballroom complex has two luxurious private guest suites and reception area on the first floor. Moteia Ismail, Chairman of Concorde Hotels and Resorts in Egypt, said, “With the capacity to accommodate up to 620 people in a theatre-style layout and 520 people for banquets and receptions, the Adam Ballroom is the perfect venue for everything from executive board meetings to lavish conventions and luxurious weddings.” Boasting 325 guest rooms including suites with free Wi-Fi internet in all rooms and outlets, the hotel features an ‘Executive Floor’ with executive rooms and a private executive lounge which has been specially designed to meet the demands of business travellers, while leisure guests can take advantage of the hotel’s cabana pool side rooms. The hotel offers guests a well-equipped fitness centre offering massage with Thai masseuse, an outdoor heated swimming pool, glass squash court, an equestrian training …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) inaugurated the first edition of the Belgian Travel Summit (BTS) taking place until June 1 in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The four-day summit is the first joint Congress of the Belgian trade unions of travel agencies at a national Belgium level and witnessed the attendance of the Association of Flemish Travel Agencies (VVR) and the French speaking Union Professionnelle des Agences de Voyages (UPAV). The summit is hosting a series of plenary sessions led by industry experts and visionaries focused on four key themes: Sustainability, Education, Digitalisation, and Business Development. Key speakers include Haitham Mattar, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; Murielle Machiels, Academic Director at Solvay Brussels School; Thierry Geerts, Country Director of Google Belgium and Luxembourg; and Pieter Van Leugenhagen, co-founder of a successful Belgian start-up and International Business Development Lead at Yondr. As part of his keynote speech, Mattar said, “We are delighted to host the first edition of the Belgian Travel Summit as we get to showcase Ras Al Khaimah’s mesmerising coastline, scenic mountains, terracotta deserts, historic forts, and some of the most diverse and enchanting landscapes in the region to key members of the Belgian travel trade industry. Our incredible experiences such as Jebel Jais Flight: The World’s Longest Zipline have already helped put Ras Al Khaimah on the world map. As we look towards our goal of 1.5 million visitors by 2021 and 3 million by 2025, it is essential to personally connect with travel professionals from our source markets to further develop our partnerships with generalist and specialised tour operators and to give travel advisors at travel agencies a real …