Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) has added three new indoor experiential venues to its rich variety of offerings. TEPfactor Dubai, 3D Blacklight Minigolf and Countdown Challenge–each providing a uniquely themed experience–have opened their doors at the JBR Bahar plaza level. TEPfactor Dubai is a brand-new adventure experience housing 21 challenges that test the players’ diverse skills. Racing against the clock, the contenders tackle mind-bending puzzles, balancing acts and team challenges to complete each of the four categories. Teams of two to six participants work together, utilising one another’s strengths to take on the arena across three degrees of difficulty – bronze, silver and gold, with the goal of reaching the final chest. Set in the nooks and crannies of a hidden cave, the adrenaline-packed adventure offers the ultimate bonding experience for families, friends and corporate teams. 3D Blacklight Minigolf, the world’s biggest 3D black light panorama, features a brightly coloured glow-in-the-dark 18-hole course. Hand-painted by some of the world’s best 3D artists, the themed venue transports players of all ages to three different worlds. The innovative indoor location is the perfect spot for adults, families and sports fans. Puzzle lovers and escape room enthusiasts will love the Countdown Challenge that offers a variety of escape gaming experiences for teams of two to 10 people with a time limit of one hour. Each escape room presents its own intriguing storyline, challenging the players’ intelligence, wit, creativity and, at times, patience.

Cutting-edge technology and innovation will be adopted as the theme for Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, to be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, 2019. According to a latest research conducted by Colliers International, personalisation Artificial Intelligence (AI) could increase hotel revenues by over 10 per cent and reduce costs by more than 15 per cent – with hotel operators expecting technology such as voice and facial recognition, virtual reality and biometrics to be mainstream by 2025. The research also estimates that 73 per cent of manual activities in the hospitality industry have the technical potential for automation, with many global hotel operators including Marriott, Hilton, and Accor already investing in automating elements of their human resources. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “It is important to highlight that the GCC is one of the fastest-growing regional hospitality markets on a global scale and an innovative technology-reliant industry. Its impact on hotels and travel and tourism is multi-dimensional, ranging from voice and facial recognition, chatbots and beacon technology to virtual reality, blockchain and robot concierge. Throughout ATM 2019, the spotlight theme will be launched as a platform to create awareness and inspire the travel and hospitality industry about the next generation of technology, while bringing together senior travel executives to meet and conduct business with innovative tech providers. With technologies like AI and automation quickly maturing, the hospitality and travel and tourism industry must prepare for a wave of disruption in order to reap the overall benefits of these technologies.”

Al Qasba is set to host the debut edition of Sharjah’s first art Festival ‘Reflection’. Aimed at offering artists, sculptors, photographers and musicians a platform for expression, as well as the local community a place to explore the world of art, this popular destination will be turning into a hub of vibrant activity from December 20 to 31. Al Qasba management has opened registrations for established artists as well as aspiring professionals in the fields of photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, work on paper (paper art e.g. Origami and other), performing arts, instillations, sound art, videography, visual arts, and others, to submit their participation requests to: reflection@AlQasba.ae before October 27, 2018. Talking about the event, Khuloud Salim Al Junaibi, Manager, Al Qasba informed, “Aimed at being an annual cultural festival of music, art and learning to celebrate latest local and international trends in art, and food, ‘Reflection’ will be the first-of-its-kind cultural extravaganza in the emirate of Sharjah. Building on the emirate’s reputation of being the cultural capital of the UAE and the region, this art fest will see participation of prestigious galleries, leading restaurants and cafés, talented artists, and government entities. Through this 12-days event, Al Qasba aims to foster a community culture where creative people have an avenue to express themselves, network and showcase their works to potential buyers and the general public in a vibrant and engaging environment.” The fest will comprise artists live in action alongside Al Qasba’s picturesque walkways. Live music concerts, talent shows and delicious cuisines will be in the offering at this 12-days cultural celebration.

Dubai World Trade Centre welcomes The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) after it relocates its Dubai office to One Central. The consulting firm will continue to serve its clients from the public as well as private sector. BCG’s newly-designed 66,000 square foot offices will occupy the 6th and 7th floor of One Central’s Offices 3, with exclusive access to a large terrace with views of Burj Khalifa, DIFC and The Museum of the Future. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said, “The DWTC Authority is delighted to welcome BCG to the One Central development. By attracting one of the world’s leading advisers on business strategy to establish their Dubai office in One Central, we are reiterating both, the development and Dubai’s attractiveness to international corporates and businesses as an unrivalled platform. Through our business-conducive free-zone ecosystem, uniquely complemented by One Central, DWTCA delivers a distinctive destination proposition that emphasises Dubai’s global status as a progressive, hyperconnected, competitive hub for international business.” Joerg Hildebrandt, Managing Partner, The Boston Consulting Group Middle East said, “With this new home, we are at the epicenter of business districts. The move is of strategic importance and will provide our dynamic organisation with a more centralised position for future growth and development within world-class facilities.”

Vatel Bahrain Hospitality School was officially inaugurated on World Tourism Day by HE Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. The opening ceremony was attended by HE Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), and other key officials, including the Ambassador of France to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Cécile Longé, GCC Ambassadors. Vatel currently has 29 schools, 7,000 students and over 29,000 alumni who are a living proof of the success of its unique teaching concept further positioning the school as the first worldwide business school group in hospitality and tourism management. “The launch of Vatel Bahrain represents a cornerstone in the development of the Kingdom’s hospitality sector. The BTEA, in collaboration with Vatel Group, aims to train the national workforce in accordance to international standards, as well as provide students with the qualifications required in order to obtain job opportunities,” said the HE Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani. HE Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of Vatel School which will provide students with comprehensive learning experiences through its 4-year academic programme. Students will be matched with jobs that meet their academic qualifications to utilise their expertise and knowledge.”  

Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS) 2018 is all set to be held from October 17-20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The show will take place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Designed to be a ‘Uniquely Abu Dhabi’ experience, The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is organising and hosting the event, showcasing the emirate’s rich maritime legacy and state-of-the-art range of luxury yachts and boats and fishing products from the world’s leading companies. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO, ADNEC, said, “We welcome the international companies and players in the luxury yachts and boats and fishing tools industry to participate in the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show and showcase their latest products. Visitors from the global leisure marine community will witness regional and global launches of the latest yachts and boats and the latest fishing tools, products, and services.” Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Chairman, Al Suwaidi Marine, said, “The inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show will open doors to a new world of boating and fishing tools within the UAE, accompanied by a rush of potential opportunities that will benefit the players in the maritime industry. We are excitedly looking forward to this event, which we believe will be a strategic platform to showcase and highlight the best that the boating industry has to offer.”

Oman Air has lent its support to the Ministry of Tourism, Oman, by hosting a Omani-themed workshop aimed at promoting the Sultanate’s tourism stakeholders, to celebrate the upcoming Moscow service in October. The event, which was held last week in Moscow, provided an opportunity to introduce Oman Air to the Russian market as well as showcased the unique hospitality and culture of Oman. Over 200 tour operators attended the event, with delegates from Oman Air. In addition to Oman Air, Ministry of Tourism, Oman, was joined by key hotel partners, including Anantara, Kempinski, Shangri-La and Crowne Plaza Muscat. With the launch of the new Moscow service, Oman Air is pleased that travellers from Russia will now be able to take advantage of convenient and seamless global travel to destinations within the extensive network. The new daily service to Moscow Domodedovo Airport will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with an estimated flight time of 5 hours and 55 minutes, offering 12 seats in business class and 150 in economy class. Flight WY181 will depart Muscat daily at 14.55 hours, arriving to Moscow at 19.55 hours (local time). The return flight WY182 will depart Moscow at 00.20 hours, arriving at new passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport, at 06.55 hours.

All over the United Arab Emirates, various programmes are being held to celebrate United nations world tourism day that falls on September 27, 2018. In light of the celebration, His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said, “The Authority highlights the positive impact of modern digital technologies in creating a meaningful tourism experience for our visitors. Mobile applications have facilitated and enhanced tourism activities within the emirate, allowing tourists to have easy access to services. We are continuously working with stakeholders to tap the vast potentials of the digital transformation within our various initiatives and programmes to further drive growth in the tourism sector.” Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Director, Health Tourism Department, Dubai Health Authority, said, “The recent issuance of the Law No. (8) of 2018, ahead of the World Tourism Day on September 27, strengthens the Dubai Health Authority’s role in enabling healthcare to significantly contribute towards achieving Dubai’s tourism goals. Resonating with this year’s theme ‘Tourism and the Digital Transformation,’ the new law will enable us to accelerate the integration of latest innovations and technologies into Dubai’s healthcare sector to further enhance its competitiveness and transparency.” Keeping his focus on attracting more tourists to the emirate, Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Director and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Middlesex University Dubai, said, “Tourism plays a huge role in the UAE’s development and growth. The latest government initiatives such as VAT refund and transit visa provisions aim to attract even more travellers to the region. We are excited about welcoming our esteemed panel for a discussion on the future of digital transformation in tourism.”

Turkish Airlines has implemented two new projects enabling business class passengers to choose their meals before the flight via “Meal selection before flight” service. With this service, applicable to the several intercontinental destinations departing from Istanbul, business-class passengers can view the meal details and visuals of the main dishes and make their choices on the webpage or mobile application. They can make their choices within the period starting from 1 week before their flight date until the last 48 hours. Turkish Airlines passengers who fly from Istanbul to Atlanta, Bangkok, Beijing, Bogotá, Boston, Cape Town, Chicago, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Havana, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Manila,  Miami, Montreal, New York, Phuket, Port Louis, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington DC, Caracas, Panama City, Madagascar, Durban, Maputo, and Buenos Aires can take advantage of this service. Besides, the airlines’ “Dine on demand service” will be available in all intercontinental night flights departing from and landing on Istanbul.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) officially opened the Travel Agents Federation of India’s (TAFI) annual convention at Emirates Palace on September 25. The 12th edition of the event, which will run until September 27, has gathered together key decision-makers from the Indian tourism industry to exchange knowledge and help members navigate the ever-evolving business environment. The event will lead the discussion on impact of the digital world on the travel and tourism sectors. The convention is themed “Innovation – Transform – Disrupt – Redefining the Offline Travel World”, with DCT Abu Dhabi planning to follow the opening evening event with sightseeing tours around Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions. All the top tourism offerings and iconic landmarks such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, among others, will be included in the itinerary. The conference opened with a welcome address by HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, DCT Abu Dhabi followed by an inaugural address by HE Navdeep Singh Suri, Ambassador of India to the UAE. The following two days will feature business sessions to discuss pertinent issues related to the tourism industry and media tours.