Expo 2020 and its legacy, District 2020, are expected to have a long-term influence on the growth of inbound arrivals to the UAE from the country’s top five source markets between 2018 and 2023, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market, set to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28-May 1, 2019. Looking at the country’s top three source markets, the number of Indian visitors travelling to the UAE will increase at a CAGR of 7 per cent to 3.01 million in 2023, while arrivals from Saudi Arabia and the UK will witness an increase of 2 per cent and 1 per cent to 1.76 million and 1.28 million respectively over the same period. While the UAE’s top source market rankings are expected to remain mostly unchanged post-Expo 2020 – the latest research from Colliers International, in partnership with ATM, reveals the Russian and Chinese source markets will show above average annual growth rates for inbound passenger arrivals. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director—ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12 per cent to 1.6 million in 2023, while the number of Chinese tourists visiting the UAE will increase at a CAGR of 8 per cent to 1.27 million over the same period, according to the data. Taking a look at the other key drivers, besides Expo 2020, Russian visitors to the UAE have grown in recent years, due to the introduction of additional and direct airline routes. According to some analysts, China’s middle-class will swell to 338 million households by 2020, a 13 per cent increase in just five years. Therefore, the growth …

United Airlines will continue its long-standing relationship with Travelport as part of a multi-year agreement that demonstrates a joint commitment to deliver customer support and solutions for the benefit of travellers and travel agents alike. United has already benefited from Travelport’s rich content and branding merchandising solution by differentiating its offerings and dynamically distributing content across the globe. This tool allows customers to easily compare airline offerings and take advantage of United’s comprehensive route network and improved customer experience. Both companies will continue to work together to enhance the delivery of United’s product offering, including ancillaries and fare families, to agencies and corporations through Travelport’s traditional ATPCO and API platforms, including deployment of United content made available consistent with IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard. “I’m delighted to announce that our relationship with United has been extended for a multi-year term. United has seen great success with our rich content and branding solution and extended global reach, We look forward to supporting United’s growth, its dedication to providing better experiences for agencies and travelers worldwide and pioneering NDC solutions,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Air Travel Partners, Travelport. “While direct volumes through our award-winning website and mobile app continue to grow, we want to be available across a variety of booking channels, and collaborating with Travelport helps us do that,” said Dave Bartels, Vice President of Pricing and Revenue Management, United Airlines. “United is excited to be working together with Travelport on our NDC initiative to provide tailored content to our customers through the Travelport subscriber network, which will allow customers to better customise their travel with different amenities and experiences.”

With the average locally-owned private vessel measuring 63 metres in length – just ten metres shorter than an Airbus A380, it is believed that the Middle East is now officially home to buyers of the world’s biggest superyachts. Global analysis compiled by the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) with data from SuperYacht Times, found that the region tops other major yachting hubs across the USA, Europe and Asia in being home to the fleet of most sizeable personal pleasure vessels. The superyachts – found docked across the UAE’s 5,000+ berths, a number which is set to grow by 1,400 with the 2020 opening of the new Dubai Harbour, and sailing internationally – tend to not only be longer in length but greater in volume too, averaging 1,618 in gross tonnage. As the region continues to grow as a yachting hub, the research by the independent bodies found that the percentage of superyachts owned by local buyers has also climbed. The Middle East is now home to 12.6% of all 40m+ superyachts – a total of 216 mega-vessels. Supplemented by an estimated 10,000 registered small-to-midsize pleasure-craft, the growth is further proof that the UAE in particular – recently ranked as the world’s fourth best performing and logistically advanced port – is continuing to make significant waves as it blossoms into a truly world-class maritime hub. The figures have been brought to the fore in partnership with the Dubai International Boat Show, the 27th edition of which gets underway this month. As the leading maritime event in the Middle East, the Dubai International Boat Show – to be held Feb 26th through March 2nd at Dubai Canal Jumeirah – the event plays a …

Pakistan International Airlines commences its bi-weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays connecting Al Ain with Peshawar, Pakistan. Maarten De Groof, Chief Commercial Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Pakistan has always been one of our largest and most significant areas of operations, and we are pleased to welcome these new bi-weekly flights carrying passengers to and from Al Ain and Peshawar. This new addition further expands the network of Al Ain International Airport, providing our passengers with enhanced services and connectivity. We look forward to continuing to build new partnerships to meet the market’s growing demand.” Pakistan International Airlines will operate the route using its Airbus 320-200 aircraft, which includes 8 Premium Economy seats and 150 Economy Class seats in its current configuration. On Fridays and Sundays, flights are scheduled to depart from Peshawar International Airport at 08:10 LT, arriving at Al Ain International Airport at 10:10 LT. Returning flights to Peshawar are scheduled to depart from Al Ain International Airport at 11:10 LT and arrive at Peshawar International Airport at 15:10 LT. Speaking on the occasion, PIA’s President & Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik said: “PIA is in process of transformation and is striving to provide best in class services to its patron customers. The service elements also include providing convenient connectivity to its passengers and direct flights to cities in Gulf and KSA to all major destinations in Pakistan. Al-Ain is a strong market and there was a persistent demand by the local Pakistani diaspora to start direct flights between Al-Ain and Peshawar. PIA is expanding its network and very soon new exciting destinations and additional frequencies on existing routes would be introduced further consolidating our …

Dubai welcomed 15.92 million international overnight visitors in 2018, marking a new high according to the latest data released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). Dubai’s top source markets delivered bankable performances with several strategic feeders witnessing standout double-digit growth yet again to continue momentum towards growing the number of international visitors annually in line with Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2022-2025, in addition to driving even greater economic impact on the emirate’s GDP. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism commented: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Department remains focused on ensuring that Dubai becomes the number one most visited city in the world in line with Dubai’s Tourism Strategy 2022-25. As such, throughout 2018, we developed and deployed a custom-market specific approach to our global outreach programmes to deeper penetrate our target markets and widen the sphere of influence and engagement with the Dubai proposition. Exposing our industry to new potential in order to convert a higher share of the dynamically evolving global outbound travel market has helped steady Dubai’s base tourism volumes throughout last year. Our strategic investments, innovative destination promotion programmes, responsive federal policy reforms, and long-term global partnerships – all backed by the tremendous support of our stakeholders across the government and private sector – continue to yield strong results as we ramp up efforts to increase Dubai’s accessibility, visibility and overall appeal, minimise barriers to travel, deliver new standards in global travel experiences, and ultimately drive both first-time and repeat visitation.”

STR data shows that the Gulf Cooperation Council is expecting an additional 58,761 hotel rooms to enter the market in 2019. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, says, “It is important to highlight that the GCC is one of the fastest growing regional hospitality markets on a global scale, with the UAE leading the way as it gears up for Expo 2020 which is now less than two years away. Dubai’s hotel supply alone is expected to reach 132,000 in 2019, with the emirate aiming to complete 160,000 hotel rooms by October 2020 – in time to welcome 25 million visitors for Expo 2020.” The leading contributors are the UAE with 31,517 rooms (53%) in the pipeline; Saudi Arabia with 24,170 (41%); and Oman with 2,984 (5%). Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) showcase in Dubai, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 – May 1, 2019, has announced that it will host the first ATM Hotel Industry Summit as part of its line-up of special events. The inaugural summit, scheduled to take place on Tuesday April 30, on the Global Stage, will see various panels of experts discuss the latest hotel infrastructure developments, investment opportunities and digital innovations which are shaping the region’s ever-changing industry. The UAE hospitality market is expected to be worth $7.6 billion annually by 2022, growing at a five-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.5% between 2017 and 2022, driven by Dubai’s Expo 2020, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and various other government initiatives to boost travel and tourism across the region. Over the same period, hotel supply is expected to grow …

Shaza Hotels, a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, has announced the opening of Shaza Hotel Residences, Riyadh. The property is the first for the brand in Riyadh and its third in KSA. It is also the first extended stay property to open for Shaza Hotels. 205 residences at the property have been designed for the needs of long-stay guests, complete with walk-in wardrobes and kitchenettes. Adding a new dimension to the experience are the hotel’s bespoke services, restaurants and meeting spaces. Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer of Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al Rajhi Real Estate Investments Company said, “After the successful launch of Shaza Makkah last year, it is with great pleasure that we bring Shaza Hotel Residences, Riyadh to the market. The unique hotel residences, by its design and excellent quality of services, will meet the ever-increasing expectations of local and international guests. We are looking forward to becoming the new preferred destination for families and business travellers during their stay in Riyadh.” Simon Coombs, President and CEO of Shaza Hotels, commented: “Opening of Shaza Hotel Residences, Riyadh marks a key milestone for Shaza Hotels. We are honoured to partner with Al Rajhi Investments for a second property, in opening their flagship hotel residences in the Riyadh. It is our endeavor to create a new approach, one of handcrafted guest experiences in an urban retreat in the capital. In tune with the potential of vision 2030, Shaza Hotels will strive to create distinctive hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, from three to four daily services, to meet peak demand during the month of April. Starting from April 5, 2019, the flights will be operated by a two-class Boeing 787-9, featuring Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats – 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. James Harrison, General Manager for Etihad Airways in the United Kingdom and Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to announce more flights to London during April, in response to increased demand in the lead up to and post the Easter holidays. This is a busy travel time for families looking to enjoy the extended school holiday. This extra service will allow our guests more choice and flexibility with their travel plans.” These services will operate in addition to Etihad Airways’ regularly scheduled 3 daily Abu Dhabi to London services, which will continue to operate with Airbus A380 aircraft, offering Economy, Business, First and The Residence. The additional services will provide more flexibility for guests traveling between both capitals and those connecting onwards to key destinations on Etihad’s global network.

Emirates will launch a four times weekly service between Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, and Dubai, from 2 July 2019. Porto will become Emirates’ second destination in Portugal after its capital, Lisbon, which the airline currently serves with two flights a day. The flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three class cabin configuration, offering eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class. Emirates’ new service will provide travellers in northern Portugal, a major urban area, as well as those in the north-west of Spain in cities such as Vigo and Santiago de Compostela, due to its close proximity to Porto, with a direct option to travel to Dubai, and onward to destinations across the airline’s global network, particularly in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

The S Hotel Al Barsha, centrally located at the heart of the new lifestyle hub of the city – the Dubai Science Park in Al Barsha has opened its door for the guests. “We are pleased to launch The S Hotel Al Barsha, a new gem in Dubai’s growing travel and tourism scene,” says Shailesh Grover, General Manager of The S Hotel Al Barsha. “We offer local residents, hotel guests and tourists a premium accommodation combining connectivity and convenience. We want them to treat our hotel as their own home during their stay. Our target market would be travelers and tourists from GCC & Middle East, Southeast Asia, Far East Asia, Europe and Latin America. We also plan to target other evolving markets who visit the UAE often for business or pleasure,” Grover adds. The 4-star property offers its guests a calming and relaxing ambience through its personalized service where Middle Eastern charm meets with superb hospitality. Featuring 246 spacious and well-equipped rooms, 12 stunning suites, three distinctly themed restaurants and a world-class spa where guests can bid their stress goodbye, The S Hotel Al Barsha ups the ante in the hospitality industry in Dubai. Mr. Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi – Managing Director of Dubai Science Park (DSP) said: “As Dubai Science Park continues to expand, we are pleased to welcome the first S Hotel to the region. The launch of The S Hotel Al Barsha assists in diversifying our offerings within our community as professionals continue to work and live on the premises. Our Science community supports the introduction of this hotel, which will be crucial in supporting our residents with options provided for events, dining and community initiatives. We …