RwandAir’s new Flight Pass takes off with Optiontown enabling savvy travellers to enjoy savings offered by Flight Pass. RwandAir customers could now save from their ticket purchases thanks to a new partnership with Optiontown. The new offering enables customers to conveniently pre-purchase RwandAir flights at the best available price and decide when they want to travel at a later date. To find out more or to book the RwandAir Flight Pass, visit rwandair.optiontown.com Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir said, “The linkup with Optiontown could offer substantial savings for our clients following the launch of our RwandAir Flight Pass. Our customers will be able to enjoy a new world of flexible flights and cheaper tickets thanks to the launch of this new product in partnership with Optiontown.” Sachin Goel, Founder & CEO, Optiontown said, “Optiontown which is a pioneer in developing innovative travel options is excited to partner with RwandAir to launch our flagship product Flight Pass, which enables passengers to save on travel costs and makes flight planning and booking extremely easy and convenient. We’re confident the launch will increase customer loyalty for RwandAir and enhance the booking experience with the leading African airline.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT – Abu Dhabi) welcomed the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau to the UAE capital, where the Bureau was hosting the ‘Abu Dhabi Overseas Promotion Conference of Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau’. During their visit, members of the Bureau were given the opportunity to tour DCT Abu Dhabi’s offices to learn more about the city’s tourism strategies and upcoming plans for 2020. “Both Beijing and Abu Dhabi boast a rich and unique history and culture – a key factor for attracting tourists,” said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Acting Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing Sector, DCT – Abu Dhabi “Our countries share common values and a shared drive to be at the forefront of success, which has been founded on a solid and long-lasting relationship between the UAE and China, something we are immensely proud of. This enlightening visit provided both parties with key knowledge and an exchange of industry experience, which will undoubtedly help both DCT Abu Dhabi and Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau to achieve our goals and enhance the tourism sector in both cities.” “We are pleased to strengthen the cooperation with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, which promotes the overseas partnership programme and continues to play the role of a bridge between our two cities in the culture and tourism areas,” said Wang Qing, Director at Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA will be taking over operations of Mafraq Hotel Abu Dhabi and reflagging it as Millennium Central Mafraq as of January 1, 2020. Comprised of 242 rooms and apartments featuring modern Arabic décor and unmatched essence of traditional Arabian hospitality, the hotel is the second property to join the newest brand addition to Millennium Hotels & Resorts portfolio ‘Millennium Central’. ‘Millennium Central’ is created with a focus on the details that makes a difference to its guests’ stay – what makes it convenient, efficient and enjoyable. The brand pillars focus on location, quality, convenience and urban living with an emphasis on centrally located properties that embody all the standards of excellence and consistency from an international hotel brand and yet retain an independent spirit. Kevork Deldelian, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, said, “We are delighted to announce the second hotel that will operate under Millennium Central brand after Millennium Central Downtown in Dubai. Millennium Central Mafraq is perfectly set to attract both leisure and business travellers and comes in line with our strategic expansion plan to double our portfolio within the upcoming five years.” Abdulla Mohamed Almazrouei, Chairman of The National Investor, said, “Our company aims to develop leading luxurious and cosmopolitan projects that are environmentally and culturally friendly, and we look forward to a great relationship with Millennium Hotels and Resorts to bring to light innovative concepts that provide an exceptional experience to our guests.”

Etihad Airways will operate its popular seasonal routes from Abu Dhabi to Alexandria, Egypt, and Salalah, Oman, between June 25 to September 15, 2020. Due to the success of the routes in 2019, the period of operation has been extended by three weeks and a new fifth weekly service introduced on both routes on Fridays, complementing existing departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Both flights will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft. With the addition of these seasonal destinations, the airline will operate a total of 33 flights per week to Egypt, 28 flights to Cairo and five to Alexandria. The airline will operate a total of 26 flights per week to Oman with 21 weekly flights to Muscat and five to Salalah. The historical city of Alexandria, the second-largest in Egypt, is known for its rich history and beautiful Mediterranean coastline. Salalah, known for its natural beauty and culture, is popular during summer months for its unique khareef, or green season. Flight EY 660 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 13:55 pm and arrive in Alexandria at 15:40 pm, the flight will operate five days a week (Tuesday, Thurday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Flights EY 661 will depart Alexandria at 16:35 pm Abu Dhabi at 22:25 pm, the flight will operate five days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).

Copthorne Kuwait City Hotel is to be rebranded to Millennium Central Downtown Kuwait starting from January 2019. Focusing on essential hospitality pillars such as location, quality, convenience and urban living, the launch of Millennium Central in Kuwait comes in line with Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA plans that aim to redefine the guest’s experience positively and thus increase brand loyalty. ‘Millennium Central’ is a new brand introduced to Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA portfolio this year to emphasis the distinctive features of centrally located properties that embody all the standards of excellence and consistency from an international hotel brand and yet retain an independent spirit. The new brand is set to highlight features such as a unique location; a hassle-free and prime quality service, convenience to work and unwind at the same time; unique spaces for business meetings, creative brainstorming or social gatherings; and convenient meal options like food on the go. Millennium Central’s tailor-made services will cater to the needs of frequent business travellers looking for a short stay that is approximate of major commercial, business and trade hubs. Alaa Selim, General Manager at Millennium Central Downtown Kuwait, said, “We look forward to providing excellent services and to go beyond our guests’ expectations in term of quality as we have always done. We will strive further to position Millennium Central Downtown Kuwait as a destination of choice for business and leisure travellers alike.”

SriLankan Airlines and Gulf Air have entered into a codeshare partnership with effect from December 18, 2019, significantly enhancing the travel options of their respective valued customers. Under this agreement, SriLankan Airlines will place its ‘UL’ code on Gulf Air’s flights from Bahrain to Colombo, the Greek capital Athens and Larnaca in Cyprus. Gulf Air will in turn place its ‘GF’ code on SriLankan Airlines’ flights from Colombo to Bahrain. Vipula Gunatilleka, Chief Executive Officer, SriLankan Airlines Group added, “We are pleased to enter into this codeshare agreement with Gulf Air. It is part of our strategy to create and strengthen partnerships with airlines of global reputation in terms of quality, service and reliability and we have no doubt that our valued passengers will enjoy their travel with Gulf Air.” Krešimir Kučko, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air, said, “We are happy to sign with SriLankan Airlines and increase number of direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Sri Lanka. With our strong network in the Europe and North Africa, SriLankan Airlines can now offer more destinations to their passengers through our flights with one stop in our fast and efficient hub, Bahrain International Airport.” The codeshare agreement followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two airlines and is also intended to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two nations of Sri Lanka and Bahrain.

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched its second voco hotel voco Al Khobar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in partnership with KSA-based developer Wasata Al Wosta Real Estate Co. offering a spacious, modern, stylish and unstuffy hotel experience for guests, voco Al Khobar boasts 130 rooms, embodies the characteristics of voco with exclusive features and distinctive hallmarks, setting it apart for a memorable stay. Every guest will experience the voco signature ‘come on in’ warm welcome, promising a swift and simple check in, with every room equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs, executive desks and in-room refreshments. So guests can relax and indulge in some ‘me time’ when they stay at voco. For those looking for an alternative space for meetings, the hotel offers all the facilities to cater to a wide range of events with 11 meeting spaces from  small and smart meetings, workshops, weddings and banquets, while also fitting up to 410 guests at Al Sultana ballroom. The hotel is an ideal destination for those wanting to escape the hectic city life and unwind in a haven of ultimate relaxation. The impressive health club also features a spa, with five lush treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and two fully equipped fitness centres, assigned separately for men and women. M. Allaf, Area General Manager – IHG, said, “Whether guests are staying or dining, we look forward to giving everyone a warm welcome when they arrive at voco Al Khobar. We want all of our guests to take a moment for themselves to recharge and unwind and enjoy the personal service the voco brand is renowned for.”

Cebu Pacific (CEB) joins the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), the trade association for the global airline industry. CEB is IATA’s largest member among Philippine carriers, comprising 44 per cent of total domestic passenger volume and 46 per cent of total domestic cargo, based on data from the Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board. IATA leads and serves the airline industry representing over 290 member-airlines from 117 countries, representing 82 per cent of global air traffic. Cebu Pacific achieved full compliance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), joining a registry of 437 carriers worldwide that have strictly complied with an internationally-recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. Cebu Pacific was named the ‘Most Improved Airline’ for 2020 by airline safety and product review website airlineratings.com, citing the carrier’s commitment to ‘expand its global footprint using new generation fuel-efficient aircraft.’

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of new seasonal flights to Malaga in Spain, to meet strong customer demand from across the UAE and GCC for flights to the province of Andalucía. Three weekly flights will operate via the Moroccan capital, Rabat, from June 26 to September 13, 2020. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Malaga has been on our wish-list for some time and we are tremendously pleased to announce summer season services to the Costa del Sol, a region which for decades has been popular with travellers from across the United Arab Emirates. This will be the only service between the UAE and the main gateway to Andalucía. Together with Madrid and Barcelona, Malaga will be Etihad’s third destination in Spain, further boosting our successful operations to the Iberian Peninsula.” Etihad Airways’ three-class version of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features 8 private first suites, 28 business studios and 190 economy smart seats. The introduction of the aircraft will also provide new belly-hold cargo capacity between southern Spain and Abu Dhabi, and beyond to destinations on Etihad’s global route network. The number of visitors from the UAE to Spain has been rising rapidly, thanks in part to a successful Schengen visa waiver programme introduced for UAE nationals in 2015.

The 25th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will launch an event at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai on December 26 and 27, 2019. The eagerly-anticipated shopping festival will run for 38 days until February 1, 2020; bringing the city together for a non-stop calendar of thrilling entertainment, promotions and chance to win big. Dubai Shopping Festival will commence with a 12 hour sale; which offers 25 to 90 per cent off at six of Majid Al Futtaim’s (MAF) malls on December 26, until midnight. In addition, mall-goers spending over AED 300 at any of the participating stores will be eligible to become one of the 25 winners of MAF gift cards worth AED 10,000. Participating outlets include Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira, City Centre Me’aisem, My City Centre Al Barsha and City Centre Al Shindagha. Stay tuned for a world-class fireworks display, brought to you by DSF and Al Zarooni Group, that will take to the skies specifically for the opening celebrations on December 26 at The Beach, La Mer, Al Seef, Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Creek. And that’s not all – the fireworks displays will continue at specific locations across Dubai throughout the festival in true DSF fashion. Cheb Khaled, Sherine Abdel Wahab and emirati singing sensation Hussain Al Jassmi will perform on DSF launch day at Burj Park, while British pop star and former One Direction member Liam Payne, and singer-songwriter Jorja Smith will wow audiences on December 27.