The second edition of Outbound Travel Events (OTE) organised by Luxury Connections with exclusive media partnership with Travtalk Middle East, tourismbreakingnews.ae and Travel TV.News will take place at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort on September 6, 2018. The inaugural sessions last year saw a great turn out of agents from all emirates making it a sounding success. This year for the second edition new partners will be joining aboard and will be announced very soon. Come summer every year, every agent in all emirates and Middle East in general seek new destinations to explore so that their clientele will not only be able to witness varied locations but also ensure that some of the most important “bucket list” sites are covered in the long run. This event is soon becoming an important networking platform for agents from all emirates as they are given the opportunity to connect on, one on one basis with destinations, properties, attractions etc from Europe, Asia, Americas etc. This preparation for summer next year is an absolute necessity especially given the fact that next year the Eid holidays will be very much towards the end of spring paving way for the travellers to have a much longer vacation. The person behind the event Mario Anthony and the luxury connections team stated that they have already received a very good response for the event and expect a very good participation. Anthony said, “We are very excited about the second edition of the outbound travel bazaar in Abu Dhabi. After the successful event last year in Abu Dhabi, we expect this year to have more participants and partners from all seven emirates during this day.”

Emirates has recently announced adding two more flights to Lyon, France, raising the frequency between the two cities to seven per week.  Linking the two cities with daily flights is a big move and a powerful boost to the bilateral exchanges between the two nations.  The attractiveness of Lyon as a metropole is thus stronger than ever and the partner cities are boosting their close relationship. “Daily air links towards Dubai is an excellent news for both Lyon Airports and the Metropole of Lyon. Now, more than ever, travel is becoming more flexible with optimum transit between Lyon, the Middle East and Asia. Thanks to those daily flights, Lyon is becoming a valuable international hub.” says David Kimelfeld, President, Metropole of Lyon. Flights from Lyon to Dubai will increase to seven flights per week, from August 2nd 2018, boosting the ever-strengthening ties with Dubai, initiated over the past years. The increasing frequency of flights also helps raise awareness towards economic players and partners of OnlyLyon who have invested in the promotion of Lyon as a destination. The cooperation agreement with the City of Dubai, signed in 2006, aimed to boost exchanges between the two communities in diverse fields, ranging from urban transit, public lighting, services to individuals, smart cities and mobility.  In 2017, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Metropole of Lyon and the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA).  .

Royal Jordanian and Jordan Hotel Association (JHA) have reached a partnership agreement whereby RJ provides the association members travelling on Business and Economy classes anywhere on its route network discounted tickets aboard its planes. RJ President/CEO Stefan Pichler and JHA Chairman Abdul Hakeem Al-Hindi signed the agreement at the airline’s headquarters. Beneficiaries of the one-year, renewable, agreement include employees of the hotels that are members in JHA and the association staff, whether they travel for duty or personal trips, and their guests attending corporate official events. Found in 1969, JHA is a non-profit association representing more than 500 hotels throughout Jordan. The association seeks to promote cooperation among proprietors in the hospitality industry and plays a key role in coordinating with tourism authorities to develop the tourism business in Jordan. Pichler said: “RJ and JHA are long-standing business partners; we both work in the hospitality industry and our guests are theirs, so we both wish to offer top-notch services. We are glad to offer the association management, hotel employees and guests discounts on tickets all year round, to facilitate their transportation globally.” Al-Hindi said that JHA is proud of the services offered by the national carrier and “that is why our association is keen on choosing RJ for our travels. Thousands of hoteliers and employees are working at the hotels members in the JHA, and we hope that they can make use of the RJ offer to reach their desired destinations.”

Propelled by a double-digit surge in traffic in June, passenger numbers at Dubai International (DXB) topped 43.7 million in the first half of 2018, according to the traffic report issued by operator Dubai Airports. DXB handled a total of 43,739,105 passengers during the first half, up 1.6% compared to 43,054,268 passengers recorded during the corresponding period in 2017. Monthly traffic in June surged 11.7% to 6,795,492 passengers compared to 6,084,674 recorded in June 2017 – thanks largely to the impact of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on traffic last year. All the major markets registered robust growth during June with routes to CIS topping the list with traffic growing 50.6% followed by Eastern Europe (33.6%), Africa (20%) and North America (16.9%). In terms of passenger volume, India was the top destination country during the month with 968,931 passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia (504,968), the UK (454477), Pakistan (349,633) and the US (291,391). London topped the list top city destinations during the month with 280,941 passengers, followed by Mumbai (195,213 passengers) and New Delhi (173,820). Flight movements in June totalled 32,805 up 6.4% compared to 30,841 recorded during June 2017. The year to date flight movements were down 2% to 201,784 compared to 205,998 recorded during the first six months of 2017. The average number of passengers per flight during the month stood at 213 compared to 203 during the same month in 2017, a growth of 4.9%. Dubai International handled a total of 214,612 tonnes of cargo during June, a marginal contraction of 0.5% compared to 215,668 recorded during the month last year. The year to date cargo totalled 1,268,161 tonnes, compared to 1,302,911 tonnes, down 2.7%.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) recently hosted an immersive workshop to provide hotels with a refreshing outlook of its innovative Sustainability Board Game and encourage hospitality stakeholders to enrol their properties in the Carbon Calculator, to further enhance Dubai’s position as the world’s leading sustainable tourism destination. The Board Game and Carbon Calculator have been created specifically for the hotel industry and serve as integral awareness tools used by the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative, launched by Dubai Tourism to support and encourage hotels to actively drive sustainable tourism practices, efficiently manage their resources and reduce the collective carbon footprint of Dubai’s tourism industry. 74 hospitality professionals from 51 hotels attended the workshop in addition to representatives from Dubai Municipality who presented the Dubai Lamp, the world’s most energy efficient lamp designed by Philips Lighting and Dubai Municipality. The industry event held at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef was hosted by Tourism Development & Investments at Dubai Tourism. Yousuf Lootah, Executive Director – Tourism Development & Investments, Dubai Tourism, explained the mechanics of the Board Game and highlighted DST’s Carbon Calculator programme, emphasising the ways in which private sector collaborations can be key to achieving the wider objectives of DST and further raise awareness of adopting eco-friendly practices in hotels across Dubai.” Ahmad Saeed Al Badwawi, Director of Applied Sustainability and Renewable Energy Department, Dubai Municipality, said, “The applied sustainability and renewable energy department at Dubai Municipality participated with Dubai Sustainable Tourism by presenting “Dubai Lamp” the most efficient lamp in the world.”

Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first-ever Warner Bros branded indoor theme park was inaugurated by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The park was developed by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, in partnership with Warner Bros Entertainment, with an investment of US $1 billion. Their Highnesses attended the official inauguration ceremony, which took place in the Warner Bros Plaza at Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. The ceremony included the first screening of the Warner Bros Cinema Spectacular, a captivating show that brings Warner Bros.’ unparalleled film library to life. Guests were also treated to a series of festive celebrations incorporating the park’s beloved characters. HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said, “The choice of Yas Island as the home for the world’s first indoor Warner Bros theme park, celebrating such an iconic and beloved brand, reflects so positively on Abu Dhabi’s global status and its ability to attract international tourism investments. This step is further evidence of the plans we are enacting to attract more visitors to the emirate as it moves further towards a diversified economy; indoor theme parks are a proven summer attraction for families”.

Ctrip has launched its first Ctrip travel concept store, located at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 which aims to provide customers, particularly Chinese, with 24/7 high quality customer service and in-destination products. As an important global hub, Dubai International Airport welcomes tourists from all over the world. The concept store is able to provide one-stop online and offline services, including travel guidance, consultation, transportation, catering, shopping and more. The opening of Ctrip’s concept travel store marks the 2018 UAE-China Week and a fruitful cooperation with Dubai International Airport and Dubai Tourism. Ctrip’s first travel concept store allows tourists to enjoy greater value-added services upon their arrival. Travellers are able to experience Ctrip’s one-stop in-destinations services from the selection and booking of local tour activities to enjoying services from local tour guides and more. On-site staff are on hand to provide 24-hour service in languages such as Chinese, English, Arabic and many more. The concept store is complete with 3 TV sets along with 5 iPad Pros, allowing travelers to conveniently find their desired travel information. Ctrip has worked together with Dubai Tourism to design a variety of stopover itineraries and local entertainment options for travelers in transit or only in Dubai. Whether customers are seeking niche travel products or a more in-depth experience, Ctrip’s one-stop travel concept store aims to make sure that travelers get all they can out of Dubai regardless of the amount of time they are able to spend in the destination.

Etihad Airways will introduce the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services from Abu Dhabi to Rabat, capital of the Kingdom of Morocco from October 3, 2018, replacing the Airbus A330-300 currently serving the route. The introduction of the technologically advanced aircraft on Rabat services is a further boost to its presence in the Moroccan market. On May 1 this year, the airline placed the 787 Dreamliner on its daily flights to the kingdom’s commercial hub, Casablanca. The move to place the aircraft on Rabat flights will provide customers travelling on Etihad Airways’ Moroccan routes with full product consistency, the latest inflight technology, and increased cargo capacity to further boost trade. Etihad Airways’ three-class version of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features 8 private First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats. To meet summer peak travel demand, Etihad Airways recently added a third weekly service to Rabat, operating every Saturday until 29 September. The extra flight provides more choice to the increasing number of point-to-point business and leisure travellers between both cities. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Morocco is a very important destination on the Etihad network, underscoring the close cultural and commercial ties between the kingdom and the UAE. Our flights to Rabat and Casablanca have proved tremendously popular with UAE and Moroccan nationals, and residents. Adding the 787 Dreamliner on all our Moroccan services will now provide our customers flying to both capitals with the same award-winning cabins, innovative seating and products.”

Dubai Parks and Resorts has signed an greement with Dubai Taxi Corporation to promote the destination to visitors arriving at Dubai International Airport terminals 1,2 and 3. The joint campaign will commence on August 1, 2018 offering visitors an exclusive limited-time offer to enjoy two of their preferred theme parks for the price of AED 235. As part of the agreement, Dubai Taxi Corporation will dedicate 100 branded family taxis to be assigned to arrival terminals 1, 2 and 3 at Dubai International Airport. The designated family taxis will be branded with Dubai Parks and Resorts imagery, including danglers and flyers inside the vehicles. The Taxi drivers will take on the role of Dubai Parks and Resorts ambassadors, welcoming passengers, briefing them about the entertainment destination, and handing them the exclusive offer flyers. Passengers can book the offer using the QR codes available on the flyers through the ticketing windows at any of the theme parks. The exclusive limited-time offer gives Dubai Taxi passengers the opportunity to enjoy a full day of fun at two of the four theme parks within Dubai Parks and Resorts, for the price of AED 235. Bollywood Parks Dubai, the first of its kind in the world, offers guests an authentic Bollywood experience through its themed rides and attractions, MotiongateDubai brings some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters to life through 27 action-packed rides and attractions including five roller coasters, while Legoland Dubai offers families an interactive experience in a playful learning environment and Legoland Water Park – perfect for beating the summer heat.

Etihad Airways has signed a commercial agreement with Warner Bros, announcing a three-year partnership encompassing several collaborations aimed at increasing tourism to Abu Dhabi. Opening on July 25, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi will complement the wide range of award-winning leisure and entertainment attractions already on offer on Yas Island, reinforcing the island as a destination globally. Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi will feature a total of 29 state-of-the-art rides, interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment across six fully immersive lands. From the action and adrenaline-fuelled adventures of DC to the wacky and wonderful world of Warner Bros Animation – the 1.65 million sq. ft. park will offer captivating and interactive experiences, bringing together some of the world’s most iconic characters and stories under one roof for the first time in the region. As airline partner, Etihad Airways will work closely with Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on areas of brand partnership, marketing, inflight programming, and travel trade support. Robin Kamark, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are delighted to be the official airline partner of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. We continually look for ways to showcase the very best of Abu Dhabi as we bring international tourists from around the world to our home. This relationship will solidify our commitment in ensuring our guests have a memorable travel experience in the air and on the ground.”