With the aim of promoting Sharjah’s unique tourism and hospitality offerings before discerning travellers and travel companies from the region and around the world, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced its participation for the 22nd consecutive year, at the upcoming edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to be held from April 28 to May 1, 2019, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. A total of 34 government and private sector entities from the emirate of Sharjah will participate at ATM 2019, including Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah Airport Authority, Sharjah Museums Authority, Directorate of Awqaf in Sharjah, Air Arabia, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency: SATA, Hilton Sharjah Hotel, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa, the Act Hotel Sharjah, Citymax Hotel Sharjah, Aryana Hotel Sharjah, Copthorne Hotel Sharjah, Hotel Holiday International Sharjah, Swiss-Belhotel Sharjah, Novotel Hotels and Resorts, Orient Tours and Travels LLC, Baithans Hotels Management LLC, Beach Hotel Sharjah, Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah, Al Majaz Première Deluxe Hotel Apartments, Sharjah Palace Hotel, Golden Tulip Hotel Sharjah, Ibis Styles Sharjah Hotel, Ramada Hotel and Suites Sharjah, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, Tulip Inn Al Khan Hotel, Breeze Hotel, Al Khalidiah Tourism LLC, Cozmo Travel LLC Trav trolley, Sayara Limousine and Car Rental, Sharjah National Travel and Tourist Agency and TravTalk. The SCTDA will take advantage of the opportunity to highlight Sharjah’s key tourism elements and potentials including the latest developments in tourism, such as adventures and sports sectors in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to attract international and regional tourists to the Emirate. Commenting on the participation, H.E Khalid Jasim …

dnata, one of the world’s largest air services providers, continues to invest in its catering operations in the United States.  The company has opened a new, 4,700 m² (51,000 ft2) facility at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and now offers quality catering services in Houston with a capacity of more than 10,000 meals a day.  dnata’s latest expansion will create more than 150 new jobs with the company. The launch customer is British Airways, which operates two daily flights from Houston. Robin Padgett, Divisional Senior Vice President for dnata’s catering division, said, “We are delighted to open another best-in-class catering facility at a major US airport. Our expansion into Houston once again underlines our commitment to the United States, where we see excellent business opportunities for dnata. In 2019 we will continue to enhance our operations in the country by investing in new facilities and growing our team with highly-skilled, local catering professionals. We look forward to providing quality services and products to an increasing number of airlines in the US ensuring an exceptional dining experience for their passengers on each flight.” dnata expanded in the US catering market in 2018 through the acquisition of 121 Inflight Catering. Besides Houston, dnata currently operates catering facilities at three US airports, in New York (JFK), Nashville (BNA) and Orlando (SFB), serving commercial, VIP and private aviation companies, fixed base operators and charter aircraft operators. In 2019, dnata will further enhance its operations in the country opening four additional catering facilities at the airports of Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO). By year-end, dnata will provide quality catering services at eight US airports. Over the past two years …

Dubai-based hospitality and travel group company First and Foremost Travel Connections, is launching a dynamic B2B hotel booking system at Arabian Travel Market 2019, having recently signed a partnership agreement with UK hotel and travel distribution company Centrium Systems. “We will market Centrium’s cloud-based software, throughout the Middle East, Indian Ocean, SE Asia and Africa. Through its XML gateway, we can provide direct connectivity between hotels and resorts and contracted blue chip tour operators, many of which feature international brands. In addition, we can offer real time availability, instant, dynamic rate adjustment, up-to-date inventory control, along with instant reservation and confirmation,” commented Michael Scully, Managing Director, First and Foremost Hospitality Group. “The travel industry is a highly fragmented market with an overwhelming number of wholesalers and tour operators, each with their own specifications, policies and procedures. As such it is Centrium’s simplicity and effectiveness that are the keys to its success,” added Scully. Centrium accommodates a much simpler and most importantly, a cost-effective and time sensitive shortcut to integrate disparate channels, by acting as a single hub or gateway for multiple hotel wholesalers. The gateway requires minimal installation and can also be connected to any existing booking engine or GDS.  “Centrium’s distribution model reaches over 100 tour operators, 6,000 travel agents and through more than 100 direct connections interfaces with major tour operators such as British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays and dnata, to name but a few,” said Scully. With increased visibility and direct connectivity between hotels and tour operators, hotels can offer tour operators an open inventory, giving them access to the hotel’s inventory through their property management system (PMS) to make direct bookings from their allocation or to free-sell …

Reed Travel Exhibitions will launch Arabian Travel Week – an umbrella brand comprising four co-located shows – during the 2019 edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which opens its doors on April 28 for four days of business networking opportunities and insightful seminar sessions at Dubai World Trade Centre.  Arabian Travel Week comprises ATM 2019 and ILTM Arabia as well as CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa 2019 – a new route development forum launching this year and a new consumer-led event ATM Holiday Shopper which take place on April 27. Claude Blanc, WTM Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions said, “The success of both ATM and ILTM Arabia has provided us with the platform to not only introduce two new events for 2019 – but to create a travel week which encompasses the Middle East’s inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism and luxury travel as well as introducing an exclusive consumer event and providing a dedicated networking forum for the region’s top airline specialists, aviation authorities, tourism boards, airports and tour operators.” According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the UAE’s economy is predicted to rise 4.1 percent per annum to AED 108.4bn by 2028. “Building on these figures, we are confident Arabian Travel Week will be a key driver attracting top international destinations to the attention of the Middle East’s travel trade and consumers and equally, marketing the Middle East to strategic overseas tour operators and travel professionals,” Blanc said Now in its 26th year, ATM 2019 will welcome over 2,500 exhibiting companies and an expected 40,000 industry professionals, with over 150 countries represented, 65 national pavilions, and …

Emirates announced the deployment of its latest Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First Class suites on its Dubai-Malé route from June 1, 2019. The Maldivian capital will become the first destination in the South Asian region to be served on a regular basis by the new aircraft. Passengers travelling to and from the idyllic archipelago on Emirates flights EK658 and EK659, one of three daily non-stop services connecting Malé, with Emirates’ hub in Dubai, will be able to experience the fully-enclosed First Class private suites inspired by luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz. “The Maldives has become an increasingly popular destination for Emirates, attracting premium travellers, honeymooners and families from around the world. Introducing the new Boeing 777 with the state-of-the-art First Class suites on this route reaffirms our longstanding commitment to Malé,” said Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President, West Asia & Indian Ocean, Emirates. Travellers to and from the Maldives can experience the new Emirates Boeing 777 product on flight EK658 departing Dubai daily at 04:20hrs and arriving in Malé at 09:30hrs. The return flight EK659 leaves Malé at 11:00hrs, arriving in Dubai at 14:00hrs. From First Class through to the Business and Economy Class cabins, the latest Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft features ergonomically designed seats, multi-million dollar upgrades and the latest version of the ice inflight entertainment system across all cabins. Designed with an emphasis on exceptional customer comfort and ultimate privacy, Emirates ‘Game-Changing’ Boeing 777 private suites feature floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and ultra-modern design features against cool grey colourscapes. Offering up to 40 square feet of personal space each, the spacious, fully-enclosed private suites are laid out in a 1-1-1 configuration, for a total of six …

Event management software (EMS) leader Aventri unveiled the Aventri Marketplace, a one-stop shop for events. The new portal on the Aventri platform gives customers quick access to premium service and technology providers for event success. Marketplace partners cover everything from event promotion and budget management to staffing, ground transportation, payment processing and more. In conjunction with the Marketplace debut, Aventri announced a partnership with Uber for Business. Aventri is the first event management software provider to launch a partnership with Uber for Business, offering customers the opportunity to use Uber Vouchers. This web-based tool allows organizers to give attendees VIP treatment with stress-free, reliable transportation to and from events. Using Uber Vouchers, organizers spend less time arranging logistics for moving groups, and their guests can come and go at a time that’s convenient for them. “Aventri technology assists planners throughout the event lifecycle,” says Michael Burns, Global Head of Sales and Marketing, Aventri. “Marketplace builds on our promise to customers. The aim is to present top-notch providers that enhance every corner of event planning and management. Using Aventri Marketplace, planners will save time and money, while optimising their events.” Aventri has a robust pipeline of future providers. The company will evaluate companies and roll out new partners on an ongoing basis. “Planners today are expected to be event strategists, plugged into all the best resources,” explains Brad Langley, Vice President, Channel and Partner Management, Aventri. “At the same time, they’re stretched thin. Bombarded with requests for new and different services, they no longer have time to carefully evaluate every option. Aventri Marketplace answers the call, offering easy access to the top providers planners need as they build out their events.”

Emirates will be providing more options for its customers in Riyadh with the introduction of the first scheduled Airbus A380 service to the capital city, effective from April 21, 2019. Riyadh will be the 51st destination to join the Emirates A380 network. Flight EK 817/818, currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, will now be operated by the iconic and highly popular Emirates A380. The Emirates A380 aircraft will be operating on the route five times a week. Emirates flight EK 817 will depart Dubai at 18:50hrs, arriving in Riyadh at 19:35hrs. The return flight EK 818 leaves Riyadh at 21:25hrs, arriving in Dubai at 00:35hrs the next day. The deployment of the iconic double-decker aircraft will offer business and leisure travellers from Riyadh even more connection opportunities for a seamless ‘all A380’ journey to business hubs such as New York, London and Hong Kong as well a leisure centres like Mauritius and Barcelona. Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East & Iran, said, “With the introduction of a regularly scheduled A380 service to Riyadh, Emirates is once again reaffirming its ongoing commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by catering to growing passenger demand.  This A380 service complements the newly introduced Game Changer Boeing 777-300ER on the route, which means that customers travelling to and from Riyadh can enjoy our latest flagship products. The introduction of the A380 to Riyadh also supports Saudi Vision 2030 by helping to grow the Kingdom’s aviation sector through stimulating robust traffic growth, increasing connectivity and deepening its global footprint.” The Emirates A380 aircraft that will serve the Dubai-Riyadh route will be set  in a three-class configuration, with 429 spacious seats …

Airlines that are adding tracking at more points of the baggage journey are enjoying a huge improvement in bag delivery globally. The SITA 2019 Baggage IT Insights – officially launched at an event in Abu Dhabi International Airport – shows that where tracking is done at check-in and loading onto the aircraft, the rate of improvement is as high as 66%. These results come as the record drop in the baggage mishandling rate achieved globally over the past decade plateaus, with the rate steady at around 5.7 bags per thousand passengers over the past three years. In 2018, the rate was 5.69 per thousand passengers. Over the past year, an increasing number of airlines and airports have started to introduce tracking at key points in the journey – check-in, loading onto the aircraft, transfers and arrival – to improve baggage management and further reduce the chances of a bag being mishandled. SITA’s research provides the first glimpse of the success of this tracking. It reveals that where bags were being tracked when loaded onto the aircraft, the rate of improvement ranged between 38% and 66% depending on the level of tracking introduced. Peter Drummond, Director of Baggage at SITA, said, “While the mishandling rate has started to plateau over the past few years, this comes against a continued growth in passenger numbers and their bags. In 2018, 4.36 billion travellers checked in more than 4.27 billion bags. More bags makes things more challenging. Everyone across the industry needs to look beyond the process and technology improvements made in the past decade and adopt the latest technology such as tracking to make the next big cut in the rate of mishandled …

Emaar Hospitality Group announced that it will open four new hotels in Dubai under its premium luxury Address Hotels + Resorts and upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts, this year. Further, Rove Hotels, the joint venture of Emaar Properties and Meraas, will open a new hotel, further adding to the contemporary midscale hotel choices in the city. Two hotels will open under Address Hotels + Resorts – both in Downtown Dubai: Address Fountain Views and Address Sky View. The new hotels to open under Vida Hotels and Resorts are Vida The Hills and Vida Harbour Point. The new Rove Hotels property to welcome guests this year is Rove At The Park. All the hotels have commenced online booking and the response from guests is strong. Chris Newman, Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said, “The five new hotel openings this year further cement our credentials and competencies as the leading homegrown hospitality provider, welcoming visitors from around the world with a diverse portfolio of hotels that meet their lifestyle aspirations. The new hotels also strengthen our role as the Official Hospitality & Hotel Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, with the city gearing up to welcome over 25 million visits during the six-month period of the much-anticipated event. We are committed to supporting the Dubai Tourism Strategy to welcome 25 million annual visitors by 2025 through our robust portfolio of upcoming hotel projects and will also focus on expanding our geographic footprint through new hotel management agreements.” The hotels to open this year are located in central locations and will appeal to both business and leisure guests, who seek refreshing hospitality experiences in Dubai, one of the world’s top 10 tourist …

Leading UAE-based technology and sustainability-driven facilities management (FM) company Farnek is celebrating a decade of achievement with international sustainability certification body Green Globe. “With Farnek’s support, the process of Green Globe certification, has enabled members to save over 180 million kWh of energy, worth over $20 million and nearly two million cubic metres of water which would have cost almost $5 million dollars over the last 10 years,” said Sandrine Le Biavant, Director – Consultancy, at Farnek. “A facility can save energy and water consumption by between 5 per cent and 20 per cent and subsequently make significant savings on utility costs, according to Farnek’s Hotel Optimizer benchmarking data — thanks to the guidelines and precise no cost, or low-cost recommendations provided. Potentially an average sized, five-star city hotel can save as much as $100,000 per year and in addition, waste recycling can also achieve up to 51% diversion, generating additional income from waste rebates,” added Le Biavant. Having signed their original partnership agreement in 2009, over the past decade Farnek, working together with Green Globe, has audited and certified 100 hotels and leisure facilities from 24 different hotel chains throughout the MENA region in 38 cities across 14 countries. Farnek has also coached over 2,900 hotel heads of departments about the process of certification, the wider environment and cost benefits of sustainability. As such 85,000 members of hotel staff, responsible for servicing approximately 28,000 rooms, will have received direct training. “To motivate compliance to the highest international standards, Farnek’s role as an independent consultant and auditor over the past decade has been of paramount importance,” commented Guido Bauer, CEO, Green Globe.