The Czech Tourist Authority- CzechTourism – along with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Abu Dhabi, said that the second highest number of travellers from the GCC after Saudi Arabia to the Central European country was from the UAE. A statement from the CzechTourism and the Embassy said travel from the UAE to the Czech Republic grew by over 18% in the first half of the year, faster than the previous corresponding period, and it is expected that 2018 will end with significant rise in the number of outbound travellers. Commenting on the increasing travel from the UAE, HE Alexandr Sporýš, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the UAE, said:,“For both expatriates and the citizens, the Czech Republic is an exquisite geographically close destination. The country offers a diversity of experience within a five-hour flight distance making it possible for even weekend sojourners to visit the Czech Republic.” The overall number of travellers from the UAE to the Czech Republic in the last three year stood at close to 100,000 with an average growth rate of over 28 per cent during the period. The average length of stay of the UAE travellers to the Czech Republic was in the range of 3.4 to 4.3 days. Monika Palatková, Managing director, Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism, said, “The Czech Republic is one of the closest European destinations to the UAE which is being increasingly favoured by family tourists as well. Our aim is to reach out to the potential UAE travellers and to present them the eclectic experiences the Czech Republic can offer across the spectrum of heritage to modernity complemented by the country’s diversity of natural landscape and culture.” She …

Members of Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, can now achieve their next Emirates Skywards tier faster, with an exciting new offer to earn up to double Tier Miles on flights. The offer is valid for eligible tickets booked between November 26 and December 03, 2018 (both days inclusive) for travel on Emirates or flydubai flights between November 26, 2018 and March 31, 2019. To be eligible for the promotion, customers must be existing or new members of Emirates Skywards can register for the offer via the Emirates app or by logging into their account online at emirates.com or flydubai.com. Customers must also choose ‘Flex’ or ‘Flex Plus’ fares when flying on Emirates and ‘Free to Change’ or ‘Business Basic’ fares when travelling on flydubai to be eligible to earn bonus Tier Miles. Emirates Skywards offers four tiers of membership – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum – each with unique incremental benefits for members including dedicated check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, complimentary advanced seat selection and special Wi-Fi privileges. Members build up their tier status by earning Tier Miles on flights flown with Emirates or flydubai. Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Senior Vice President, Emirates Skywards, said, “We always strive to provide greater value to our customers and offer them access to a much wider range of benefits and rewards. Through our latest offer, a first of this scale and reach, Emirates Skywards members will be able to accrue bonus Tier Miles from flights and this means that they can reach their next Emirates Skywards tier faster.”

Ras Al Khaimah’s staycations are maintaining their popularity as the best way to celebrate the UAE National Day on December 2 – the nation’s 47th anniversary. According to Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority, focus on heritage and cultural activities is having strong appeal with visitors, saying they are expected to push occupancy rates at the emirate’s hotels and resorts for the long weekend to reach more than 90 per cent. He said, “We expect to continue seeing a rise in the occupancy rates of the emirate’s hotels during this long weekend, especially for those looking for exceptional value for money hotel stays and adrenaline-packed adventure activities. I encourage visitors to explore the unique tourist attractions in Ras Al Khaimah, its distinct hotels and get out and get closer to nature.” On December 1, the UAE’s top singers Hussein Al Jasmi and Aida Al Manhali will take to a giant stage in front of the signature Julphar Towers for a free-to-attend cultural musical performance, singing and enacting the history, heritage and culture of Emiratis. Attended by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler, Ras Al Khaimah, the celebrations will start at 8pm and will be followed by a fireworks spectacular. Residents and visitors will also get the chance to witness a spectacular air show performed by Fursan Al Emarat, the aerobatics team of the UAE Air Force, on November 27, 2018 at the Old Corniche, Ras Al Khaimah.

Radisson Collection has announced opening of Nofa Resort with 57 luxurious bungalows and villas overlooking Nofa Wildlife Park. Located 1.5 hours’ drive away from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, the Nofa Resort Riyadh is nestled in golden sand dunes and majestic mountains. The leisure activities include an equestrian resort that features a show-jumping arena, a specialised race track, a polo field, am 18-hole course and an extensive stable complex. The hotel features three on-site restaurants- the Tswalu restaurant with its African-style interiors, serving international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner; the Butcher’s Den provides an upscale culinary experience – featuring grilled specialties, outdoor terrace seating and stunning lake views and the Al Fresco restaurant serving Italian classics (including stone-fired pizzas) for a more relaxed and informal dining experience. Guests can also enjoy exotic vibes in the Hookah Lounge, a charming tea experience in the African Tea Room, or relax by the pool with fresh juice at Al Fresco Café.

Oman Air has taken delivery of its second three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and expects to receive it next month. Besides, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman is anticipated to receive a total of nine more 737 MAX 8s within the next year. The three-class Dreamliner features eight First Class Private Suites, 24 Business Class seats and 232 Economy seats. Guests travelling aboard this aircraft in First Class can enjoy unparalleled levels of comfort with one of the longest 180 degrees flat-bed seats available on any commercial airliner. Fully enclosed, the suite has 55-inch extra tall doors to ensure complete privacy. The aircraft will be equipped with leading technology and the latest-in-comfort amenities, including cutting-edge entertainment to enhance the travel experience of their guests. All classes feature ‘Aria’, a new state-of-the-art Thales Integrated In-Flight Entertainment System designed exclusively for Oman Air featuring an immersive cinematic interface design, showcasing the latest in on-demand blockbuster movies, TV programmes and audio selections. Exclusively curated content is available for visitors to Oman, who look to experience the very best of Oman culture from the moment they step onboard. Following the launch of new routes to Istanbul and Casablanca in June and July this year respectively, Oman Air recently celebrated the launch of its new service to Moscow on October 30, and the resumption of the Maldives route on October 28. With the addition of new Dreamliner, Oman Air’s fleet consists of three Boeing 787-8, five 787-9 Dreamliners, six Airbus 330-300s, four Airbus 330-200s, five Boeing 737-900s, 21 Boeing 737-800s, four Embraer 175s and five 737 MAX.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler, Sharjah has inaugurated the third edition of ‘Xposure’ International Photography Festival 2018 in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, Sharjah. Based on the theme ‘Inspiring Moments’, the region’s premier photo festival runs until November 24, and is organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB). Over ninety celebrated snappers from all seven continents have brought the cream of their works, and hundreds of them are on display at the exhibition space created by SGMB at Expo Centre Sharjah. His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah toured the indoor exhibitions, stopping at some to enjoy a closer look at the evocative photography brought in from around the world by emerging and internationally-recognised artists. He met several participating photographers and congratulated them for their brilliant contributions to the field. The Ruler also visited the photographic trade shows by leading brands and exhibitions by acclaimed professional institutions. At the opening ceremony, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed al Qasimi, Chairman, Sharjah Media Council (SMC), reiterated the importance of images in communicating messages in a language that the world understands, and their capacity to show us the truth, disseminate knowledge, give birth to new friendships and bring peace. Pointing to the theme of the festival, ‘Inspiring Moments’, he said that ‘Xposure’ 2018 has been dedicated to presenting moments of truth and inspiration undergone by some of the world’s most celebrated photographers. He emphasised the need for responsible and honest photography, simply due to the far-reaching impact of an image. “Photographs communicate critical messages and stimulate human conscience. They have a way …

Abu Dhabi Airports has inaugurated a multi-faith prayer room in Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). This new facility reflects on Abu Dhabi Airports’ commitment to embed the UAE’s values of respect, acceptance and diversity. The prayer room is located adjacent to the bus gates at Terminal 3, which has an annual capacity of 12 million passengers. The launch of the multi-faith prayer room comes as the result of Abu Dhabi Airports’ primary focus on customers and commitment to providing excellent services. It also reflects the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder, the UAE, who conveyed the importance of religious tolerance. Bryan Thompson, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “At Abu Dhabi Airports, our priority is serving the needs of our passengers, and ensuring that our customers have access to all the services that they require. As a global hub, we welcome passengers and travellers from all parts of the world and all walks of life. Our new multi-faith prayer room seeks to accommodate our millions of travellers from a range of different religious backgrounds and faiths.” He added, “Abu Dhabi Airports’ new corporate values, which were launched earlier this year as part of our Year of Zayed programme, emphasise and reflect the core principles of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE. As a leader who was known globally for his acceptance of others and multi-cultural outlook, this multi-faith prayer room is a representation of those values being implemented throughout our activities and operations.”

dnata has launched operations at Los Angeles International Airport and now provides quality and reliable ground handling and cargo services at 20 airports in the country. To establish operations in Los Angeles, dnata has invested $8 million in infrastructure and resources, creating more than 350 local jobs. Serving six airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and Qantas, dnata will initially handle 4,600 flights a year. The company commenced ground handling and cargo operations in the United States by the acquisition of industry players in 2016. Since then, it has invested more than $35 million in facilities, equipment, training and technology. Having won over 45 new contracts in the past 12 months, dnata now serves over 60 airlines in the United States. David Barker, Chief Executive Officer, dnata USA, said, “We are thrilled to be launching operations at one of the world’s leading international airports. Adding Los Angeles International Airport to our growing network underlines our strong commitment to the US market, where we have significantly expanded our operations through massive investments in our facilities and resources in the past two years. We see an opportunity to create a step change in service excellence for our customer airlines at this important gateway.” Joerg Mnich, Vice President, Commercial Airport Infrastructure, Lufthansa Group, said, “As a premium airline, the Lufthansa Group is excited to grow the North American relationship with dnata into other major hubs like Los Angeles. With our positive service experience from destinations like Boston, New York-JFK, San Diego and Tampa, we are looking forward to providing first-class service to our customers with our handling partner at Los Angeles International Airport.”

The three-day Super Sale is back, offering everyone the chance to take advantage of super savings on top brands from the world of beauty, fashion, electronics and much more. Running from November 22-24, shoppers can grab discounts of up to 90 per cent on a wide range of items at over 1,500 participating outlets. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), in conjunction with strategic partners across the city, key retailers reveal the importance of the sale for Dubai’s retail economy. Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman), said, “Previous three-day Super Sales, in line with the Dubai Retail Calendar, have attracted thousands of people to Majid Al Futtaim’s shopping malls, and have proved to be successful as a key driver for Dubai’s tourism proposition. As a strategic partner of DFRE, we will deliver an unbeatable shopping experience at all our malls in Dubai this November and will continue to support anchor retail activities and exclusive experiences.” Steven Cleaver, Director, Shopping Centers Dubai, Al-Futtaim Malls, commented, “This year’s three-day Super Sale at Dubai Festival City Mall is going to be bigger than ever before. We are giving away instant cash rewards to all shoppers who buy our newly-launched Festival City Gift Card over the weekend. In collaboration with our valued retail partners, we are excited for a weekend filled with promotions and good value for our shoppers.” Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, CEO, Emaar Malls, said: “The three-day Super Sale is a great opportunity to explore the best in store by our retailers, more so as it coincides with the 10-year …

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai Tourism, has announced that this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is running from December 26, 2018 to February 2, 2019. Back for the 24th edition, this year’s shopping extravaganza will be the longest, bringing shoppers more exciting events, promotions and opportunities to enjoy rewarding shopping experiences across the city. There will be additional retail sales, deals and discounts from a diverse range of top global brands, along with mega raffles and more chances to win life-changing prizes from luxury cars, gold and cash. In addition to the series of exciting sales and promotions, DSF will also offer an extensive line-up of exciting events and activities for visitors to choose from, including concerts by music icons, spectacular fireworks shows and free-to-attend family-oriented activities in malls and activations by leading brands. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the most popular festivals in the retail calendar and is enjoyed by thousands of residents and tourists alike each year. Such was the success of last year’s festival, and we’re bringing it back bigger and better than ever before with an elongated, five-week programme of events, promotions and family entertainment. From deep discounts on a host of top-name brands to life-changing opportunities to win, and a packed calendar of world-class entertainment, Dubai will be a truly special place to be during this festival.”