Marriott International announces signing a landmark agreement with Nahdet Al-Mashaer to open a 2,600-room Fairfield by Marriott property in Makkah. The agreement is expected to deliver the first Fairfield by Marriott property to the Middle East and Africa region, create the largest Fairfield hotel in the world and bring one of the largest hotels to the growing religious destination of Makkah. Construction for the Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem has already commenced and the hotel is slated to open in 2023. “We are thrilled to be working with Nahdet Al-Mashaer to create a distinctive Fairfield by Marriott that will serve Makkah, the sought-out destination for rising numbers of religious pilgrims. We expect this hotel to become a popular destination, especially given the strong demand for high-quality lodging in the Holy City.” said Jerome Briet, Marriott International, Chief Development Officer, Middle East and Africa. “As a company, we remain focused on developing projects that further enhance Makkah as one of the most important destinations in Saudi Arabia while supporting the overall growth and development of the Kingdom. We are excited to collaborate with Marriott International to open the Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem, which will be one of the largest hotels in the Holy City. The reliability of the Fairfield by Marriott brand, Marriott’s world-class service standards and the central location of the property, will make it an ideal hotel destination for those visiting for Umrah and Haj when the property opens in 2023,” said Emad Hejazi, Chairman of Nahdet Al-Mashaer.

Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai opens in DXB to serve individual, business and family travellers. The Plaza reception features the image of Dubai city skyline Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai – Family Suite for a maximum of six guests with butler service. Highlights of Plaza Premium Lounge Dubai includes 1,260-square-metre with a maximum capacity of 300 guests, the largest independent pay-per-use airport lounge at Terminal 3 in the busiest transit hub in the Middle East; Special features- Four Family Suites, dedicated Playroom, ‘first-class’ enclosed private napping space, cigar lounge, male and female prayer rooms; Local cuisine freshly prepared at live kitchen includes Arabic, Asian and International flavours in addition to specially created kid’s and infant’s menus “Dubai is a city known for its ancient and modern attractions as well as a world-class destination for leisure, business and events, attracting nearly 16 million tourists in 2018. With concourse A expecting annual capacity of 19 million and Expo 2020 coming in October, expanding our award-winning Plaza Premium Lounge into Dubai is our promise to make travel better for millions of travellers departing Dubai International. The airport is also a popular transit hub connecting Asia and Europe, our lounge at Terminal 3 will become popular for transit travellers to enjoy a relaxing moment,”  shares Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group. 

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to open an office in Riyadh in March 2020. The news comes as IHG continues to expand its portfolio in the Kingdom in response to Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presents to the tourism and hospitality sector. The new office will also drive the performance of IHG’s existing estate further in the country and simultaneously support the expanding portfolio, as well as the company’s ambition towards leading ‘Saudization’ efforts in the industry. To lead IHG’s business in Saudi Arabia, Bastien Blanc has been appointed as Managing Director, KSA and Bahrain effective March 1, 2020. In his current role with IHG, Bastien is responsible for leading the operations across IHG’s portfolio of hotels in the Middle East and Africa, including KSA. In his new role, Bastien will be responsible for driving both growth and performance for IHG in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. With extensive experience of working in KSA, Bastien has been deeply ingrained into the market. He has also been leading IHG’s ‘Saudization’ efforts which he will continue to drive further in his new role. Bastien will continue to report to Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG. Commenting on the recent developments, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG said, “Saudi Arabia is a key market for IHG in the Middle East. With Saudi Vision 2030 and the rapid socio-economic transformation in the country, we believe, the tourism and hospitality industry will continue to be presented with unparalleled opportunities. We are therefore, pleased to solidify our presence in the country with the opening of a new office in the capital city, and appoint a talented team led by Bastien, to drive our growth and performance in …

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) is set to host the second edition of its ‘Saturday Market’, which will be held every Saturday from 9 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm starting from January 25 until March 22, 2020, in Bab Al Bahrain at the heart of the Manama Souq. During the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2020, the Saturday Market will be open to visitors for four consecutive days. With its main focus centered on hosting a market where craftsmen can showcase and sell their handicrafts products, the ‘Saturday Market’ is held at Bab Al Bahrain every winter with an aim of developing the handicrafts sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This year, the event will feature 40 craftsmen specialised in 25 crafts including basket weaving, traditional chests, wooden works, pottery, hand embroidery, henna design, dolls, carpets, cage-making, and crochet among others. In addition, the event will feature live traditional performances, traditional Bahraini food vendors, and activities and play areas for children. “With Manama being named the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2020, it is with great pride that we continue our efforts at BTEA to preserve these traditional professions for the future generations while developing the local tourism sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy,” said the Nader Al Moayyed, Chief Executive Officer of BTEA.

EDGE has joined Mubadala Investment Company as the host partner of the Global Aerospace Summit 2020, is set to be held in Abu Dhabi for the fifth time from March 17-19, 2020. The Summit is one of the world’s leading thought leadership platforms for the aviation, aerospace, defence and space industries. As part of its role in the event, EDGE will showcase its extensive expertise, technology leadership and R&D capabilities within the defence sector. The Summit will offer a platform for the UAE to highlight its strategy of building national technological capabilities and leveraging cutting-edge solutions to achieve its ambitious vision for the future. His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE, said, “Working towards a secure future, EDGE is a catalyst for change, developing agile, bold and disruptive solutions for the defence, aviation and aerospace sectors. The Global Aerospace Summit will allow us to engage in dialogue with industry-leading partners and explore the ever-changing dynamics shaping future trends.” Nicholas Webb, Managing Director of Streamline Marketing Group (SMG), the organiser of the event, said, “The 2020 edition of the Summit will particularly focus on digitalisation and data analytics, and the role of these technologies is a central theme of the event. Therefore, the expertise of entities such as EDGE and Mubadala will be crucial to communicating the advances in the industry, both regionally and globally.”

Requests for assistance for airline passengers with intellectual disabilities have seen an increase of 342 per cent in Middle East and Africa, following a 10-month long campaign to raise awareness of a dedicated Special Service Request (SSR) booking code by travel technology company, Travelport. SSR codes are used in the airline industry to communicate traveller preferences or needs to airlines. They are delivered through standardised four-letter codes defined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The DPNA SSR code can be used by travel agents, among others, to alert airlines when a passenger has intellectual or developmental disability and needs assistance.   As part of its campaign to raise awareness of the DPNA SSR code, Travelport has shared educational ‘sign-on alerts’ and graphical ‘prompts’ more than 10 million times with hundreds of thousands of travel agents across the world through Travelport Smartpoint, its flagship Point of Sale solution that is used by travel agents, among others, to search and book airline seats, hotel rooms and more. The digital media used to reach travel agents is typically sold by Travelport to travel providers, like airlines and hotels, as advertising space.   Mark Meehan, Travelport’s Global Vice President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Operators, said, “SSR codes play an important role in helping travel agents effectively and officially communicate the needs of travellers to IATA airlines, so it’s important agents are aware of the codes at their disposal and the kind of support that can be requested.”

Radisson Hotel Group announces the signing of Radisson Hotel Apartments Muscat Ghala Heights in the Sultanate of Oman. The newest addition brings the group’s portfolio up to eight hotels across five brands – including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson – and will strengthen the group’s leading position within the Sultanate. Due to open in Q4 2022, the Radisson Hotel Apartments Muscat Ghala Heights will perfectly complement Radisson Hotel Group’s array of city and leisure hotels across Oman. Guests requiring even more space or a longer stay will find exceptional accommodation in the hotel’s 280 serviced apartments. The newly-build hotel will have a lobby bar, an all-day dining restaurant and one specialty restaurant. Guests will be able to enjoy an outdoor swimming pool as well as leisure facilities such as a ladies’ and men’s fitness studio. The hotel’s conference venue will offer 850sqm, including two conference rooms and one large ballroom of fully equipped, state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities for the local and international business communities.  Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “The Radisson Hotel Apartments Muscat Ghala Heights marks the arrival of the city’s second Radisson and will be our 5th hotel in Muscat. We thank our partners for their trust and look forward to an exciting and rewarding journey, creating opportunities for our guests, owners and employees.” Saud Bin Hamed Bin Issa Al Tae (owning company) said, “We are delighted to partner with Radisson Hotel Group on this project and to be able to contribute to the tourism sector in Muscat. Radisson Hotel Apartments Muscat Ghala Heights will be a great addition to Muscat and we’re looking forward to working …

Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina officially announced its highly-anticipated reopening, bringing in an exciting new chapter in the Dusit Hotels and Resorts’ property. The hotel will be opening its doors on the February 1, 2020 after undergoing a complete renovation designed to facilitate business and leisure. Discerning travellers can expect new levels of unparalleled, tastefully-designed living spaces and extraordinary service following the hotel’s renovation. The 35-story building has been revamped with fully-furnished luxury apartments, holiday homes, and residential units designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving a spectacular view of the Marina. Each unit will come with a choice of either one, two, or three-bedroom configurations and are all fully integrated with comprehensive facilities and services to make guests feel right at home. Additionally, the property will offer a variety of large, glamorous penthouse options, perfect for any in-city get away. “It is our wish and utmost desire that our guests will continue to create memories and new experiences at the hotel, we want our guests to feel the comforts of home no matter where their travels might lead them,” says Bassam Zakaria, General Manager of Dusit Princess Residences Dubai Marina. The hotel will also be a health-frantics dream hub, set to adopt a more health conscious property, introducing a brand new fitness outlet, KO8 Fitness Center, as well as a wholesome eatery, Baker’s Kitchen. Dusit Princess Residences is within easy proximity to Bluewaters Island, The Beach, neighbourhood eateries, shopping malls, and just minutes away from the bustling The Walk JBR, a strip packed with Dubai’s top restaurants and shops.

Travel, tourism and hospitality professionals from around the world will have an opportunity to explore the next generation of in-destination trends and innovations at the Middle East’s first ever edition of Arival Dubai @ ATM, which will take place alongside Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020 at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 19 – 22, 2020. The dedicated forum, which will take place on April 19, will enable vendors, agents and operators of tours, activities and attractions to gain invaluable insights into the latest trends and challenges impacting the in-destination industry, as well as improving customer experience and business development throughout the Middle East market.  Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “According to the latest data from research firm Phocuswright, tours, activities and attractions are currently the third largest and fastest growing sector within the travel and tourism industry, representing approximately US$180 billion in global travel spend annually. One third of tours, activities and attractions are booked online at present with the Middle East representing one of the world’s fastest growing online travel experience markets.” Delegates at the inaugural Arival Dubai @ ATM forum will have access to a packed conference agenda featuring high-profile keynote speakers, with Arival Co-Founder and CEO Douglas Quinby, kicking-off proceedings with a session on the current and future in-destination trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the Middle East sector. The forum will also feature ‘Ask Me Anything Interviews’ with a range of senior executives from leading attractions and online agencies within the region. There will also be several round-table discussions on innovations and distributions impacting the in-destination industry and changing consumer behaviour.

The much-awaited Dubai Food Festival (DFF) returns for its seventh edition on February 26, 2020, with a citywide culinary extravaganza that will cement Dubai’s position as the gastronomy capital of the region. Running until March 14, the upcoming edition of DFF will celebrate the city’s culinary diversity drawn from the UAE and the cultures of over 200 nationalities in Dubai, and also give residents, visitors, families and foodies an insight into the latest tastes and trends from the global gastronomy scene. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the 18-day DFF 2020 will offer an appealing range of mouth-watering events including annual favourites including Dubai Restaurant Week, Beach Canteen, Hidden Gems and Foodie Experiences featuring masterclasses, chef tables and unique dining fare as well as exciting new activations, appearances by celebrity chefs, food-related events and promotions at malls, restaurants, hypermarkets, and much more.