Dubai International (DXB) added more choice and connectivity for travellers flying to and from Pakistan with the launch of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA’s) twice-weekly services to Faisalabad and Multan on Monday. The launch of the new flights was celebrated at an inaugural ceremony at DXB’s Terminal 1, where H. E. Jamal Al Hai, the Deputy CEO of Dubai Airports, welcomed Ghulam Dastagir, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE and Ahmed Amjad Ali, the Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, and senior representatives of PIA. Pakistan is the fourth largest country market for DXB in terms of passenger volume, with four airlines operating 268 weekly flights to eight destinations. Passenger numbers between DXB and Pakistan reached 2 million in the first half of 2019.

Global Village opens its doors for the launch of Season 24 in Dubai on October 29. As the world’s leading multicultural festival park and the region’s first family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment, Global Village has gathered talent from across the globe to create a variety of memorable and entertaining experiences for guests of all ages. Millions of guests will be invited to “Create a World of Everlasting Memories” during the 159-day extravaganza, which runs until 4th April 2020. Global Village will present over 40,000 live shows, unique shopping experiences across 3500 outlets, over 100 rides, skill games, arcade games and attractions at Carnival as well as mouth-watering cuisine from all four corners of the globe. Bader Anwahi, CEO, Global Village said, “At Global Village, we’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Season 24 offers our millions of guests an entertaining ride with breathtaking shows and stunning new features. Many seasonal firsts, coupled with the adventures and thrills for our guests will truly make Season 24 one to remember for international and domestic visitors both.” Global Village will come to life in Season 24 with an unforgettable variety of authentic international offerings alongside new facades and attractions that represent culture, art, heritage, crafts, food, and family-centric entertainment from across the world. Global Village guests will also be able to experience unique cultures from 78 countries through themed pavilions from destinations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and many more.

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) has expanded its route network and partnered with SpiceJet to connect its new services from New Delhi to Ras Al Khaimah effective December 2019. SpiceJet, India’s second-biggest airline will operate regular direct flights between Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah. The route will be operated five times a week, targetted to gradually increase the frequency. H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman, Board of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and Department of Civil Aviation Ras Al Khaimah, said, “We are pleased to welcome SpiceJet to our expanding network of international carriers at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and look forward to this long-term partnership with them. We are constantly working towards upgrading travellers experience and adding more routes to and from Ras Al Khaimah. Apart from the addition of a very vital route, this relationship will serve to be a very strategic one serving the wide Indian diaspora of residents and businesses in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah given the advantage of the extensive flight network of SpiceJet. We look forward to welcoming SpiceJet’s guests and hope they enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable experience at our airport.” Mr. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, said, “We are delighted to add Ras Al Khaimah as our 11th international destination. With more than 3400 Indian companies headquartered in Ras Al Khaimah, we see great potential in this route. Partnering with Ras Al Khaimah International Airport will help expand our operations and we see it as the way for SpiceJet to grow within the UAE, Europe and beyond.” Mr. Sanjay Khanna, CEO, Ras Al …

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has announced the dates of the fourth edition of the annual Sea Festival, which will be held at Marassi Beach for a period of 10 days from November 7-16. First launched in 2016, the Sea Festival celebrates the Kingdom’s historical ties to the sea, seeking to educate modern-day visitors and tourists on the Kingdom’s deeply-rooted past and revive the Kingdom’s sea legacy by showcasing several sea-related traditions and activities. BTEA continues its efforts to showcase the Kingdom of Bahrain as the ideal tourism destination for families which offers a unique experience to visitors of all ages. This year’s edition of the Sea Festival will include a number of attractions such as water sports activities, boat rides, traditional music performances, handicrafts, and pearl merchants. There will also be plenty of entertainment during the Festival with an amazing on-stage Sea World Performance (Cirque De La Mer) alongside a museum, outdoor cinema and an interactive play area for kids. The Sea Festival aligns with the BTEA’s overall strategy which aims at developing and strengthening the tourism sector under the slogan ‘Ours. Yours’, which contribute towards the Kingdom’s economy and 2030 Economic Vision.

Aloft Dubai South, UAE is keen on widening its market reach for the much-anticipated Expo 2020 Dubai. Aloft Dubai South enjoys a prominent location within the Dubai South project, identified as the Emirate’s largest and leading global trade, business, and aviation hub. Aditya Rajaram, Managing Director, Radar Holding, the owning company of Aloft Dubai South says, “We are located in a destination that will soon become the hub for huge businesses and we are confident that the year 2020 will be another rewarding year for Aloft Dubai South. We will soon implement strategies that will further increase awareness with business clients whilst strengthening our local community engagement. The aim is to offer ease and convenience to thousands of residents and guests visiting the Expo.” “We will create packages that will offer unique experiences while promoting the theme of Expo 2020 which is sustainability, opportunity, and mobility. Given our ties to the exemplary Marriott brand, we will continue to connect our guests with unrivalled, authentic hospitality experience present in all Aloft hotels worldwide,” adds Rajaram. “Since opening a year ago, Aloft Dubai South has enjoyed a reputation as the preferred place for business meetings and casual gatherings within the immediate neighbourhood and business districts. We have welcomed VIPs and dignitaries and have achieved fantastic guest reviews. With our location, we will see our hotel bustling with activity as the city prepares for the opening of Expo 2020” commented Elaine Watson, Cluster General Manager, Aloft Dubai South.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the official opening of Hyatt Place Dubai Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The new hotel joins Hyatt Place Dubai Al Rigga, Hyatt Place Dubai Baniyas Square and Hyatt Place Dubai Wasl District, all of which are intended to cater to the UAE’s increasing mid-market hotel segment. The new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and shared computers with high-speed internet, accommodating guests’ needs through purposeful service and an overall uncomplicated stay. The hotel is located on Al Mina Road near the exclusive Jumeirah neighborhood, the new Hyatt Place hotel provides easy access to the city’s points of interest, such as the Dubai Mall, the Gold and Spice Souk, Burj Khalifa, and popular beach destinations, including La Mer and Jumeirah Beach. The property is a short distance from the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai International Financial Center and Dubai International Airport. “The opening of Hyatt Place Dubai Jumeirah complements the UAE government’s endeavor to diversify the tourism sector. The government’s goal is to offer a memorable stay experience to every single traveller, regardless of budget,” said Kurt Straub, Vice President of Operations, Middle East, Africa & South West Asia. Fathi Khogaly, Cluster General Manager said, “We look forward to welcoming guests to the hotel and believe its location in vibrant Jumeirah, will be the perfect setting for both leisure and business travellers looking for a comfortable and memorable stay.”

Millennium Resort Salalah, a four-star resort in Northern Salalah won the ‘Best Family Resort’ award at Arabian Travel Awards 2019. The award reflects upon the resort’s tremendous hospitality and efforts in making it a perfect choice for families to unwind. Arabian Travel Awards awarded the best of the best from the Travel & Hospitality industry in the Middle East. The winners were selected by a set of jury panels through a fair voting process. The awards ceremony was held in a glitz and glam ceremony, a black-tie evening attended by peers from the travel and hospitality industry. Upon receiving this highly esteemed award, Amr Hussein, General Manager of Millennium Resort Salalah said, “We are extremely delighted to have won this award. Our efforts in making the property the best family resort have paid off, and by winning this award, we have validated this fact. Since the opening, we have committed to driving excellence in every sphere, ensuring our guests have nothing but the best stay experience. This award is a testimony to Millennium Resort Salalah’s distinctive hospitality and impeccable service offerings.”

Seera Group has joined hands with Disneyland Paris to strengthen travel demand from Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC and North Africa to Paris. With this new alliance, Seera is now a General Sales Agent for Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC as well as North Africa, Lebanon and Jordan. Seera will sell Disney packages that include hotel accommodation and park entry across all its platforms, including corporate and government travel platforms – both driven through Elaa, the group’s specialised travel management business, as well as directly to send consumers through Almosafer, Seera’s flagship brand, and Tajawal, the UAE-focused online travel booking platform. Seera will also create customised packages covering flight and ancillary products to create added value for its customers. Seera’s customised packages for Disneyland Paris will also be made available to third-party travel agencies in all these markets. Abdullah Bin Nasser Aldawood, Chief Executive Officer, Seera Group, said, “At Seera, our customers are at the heart of our business and we are committed to offering them the widest range of services to enhance their holiday experiences. Our partnership with Disneyland Paris is designed to make unforgettable memories for family visitors from the region.” Brigid McDonnell, Head of Sales at Disney Destinations International, said, “Every year, we create Disney Memories that will last a lifetime for guests coming from different horizons, and we are so pleased to develop our new partnership with Seera to give this opportunity to Saudi families eager to visit us.” With this partnership, Seera aims to broaden the range of properties and holiday packages that are available in Paris considered as one of the top 10 destinations of Saudi travellers.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA in the Middle East & Africa has won the ‘Best Business Hotel Brand’ award and a total of 11 awards at the Gala ceremony of the Arabian Travel Awards held on October 22, 2019. Situated in prime locations around the world, Millennium Hotels and resorts have been recognised by the most respected awarding bodies of the region. Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA operates 44 hotels with more than 15,000 keys in addition to 32 hotels in the pipeline across the region within the upcoming five years. The company has won prestigious awards across every brand of its opulent portfolio – Bab Al Qasr, Abu Dhabi named as “Best Luxury and MiCe Hotel, UAE”; Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai named as “Best Airport Hotel, UAE”; Copthorne Hotel Riyadh named as “Best 4 Star Business Hotel, KSA”; M Hotel Makkah by Millennium named as “Best 5 Star Hotel, Makkah”; Millennium Resort Salalah named as “Best Family Resort, Salalah”; Studio M Arabian Plaza named as “Best 3 Star Leisure Hotel”; Millennium Hail Hotel named as “Best Luxury Business Hotel, KSA”; Copthorne Kuwait City named as “Best 4 Star Business Hotel, Kuwait”; Millennium Atria Business Bay named as “Leading Hotel Residences, UAE”; Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA named “Best Business Hotel Brand”; and Millennium Resort Mussanah named “Best Family-Friendly Resort, Mussanah.” Kevork Deldelian, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, stated, “We are proud of these achievements as it reflects the unique experience that Millennium Hotels and Resorts provides to its guests. Modern hospitality revolves around chic concepts and technology adaptations; the two pillars of our strategic development plan every year. I would like to …

Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates, and Saudia have marked the first anniversary of their commercial partnership by announcing 12 new codeshare routes to key destinations in Asia and Europe. Since signing their agreement in October 2018, the two airlines have placed their flight codes on each other’s services between Abu Dhabi and the Saudi Arabian cities of Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina. Saudia has also added its ‘SV’ code to Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and 12 more destinations – Ahmedabad, Belgrade, Brisbane, Chengdu, Chicago, Dusseldorf, Lagos, Melbourne, Moscow-Domodedovo, Rabat, Seychelles and Sydney. Etihad has placed its ‘EY’ code on Saudia flights to Peshawar, Multan, Port Sudan and Vienna. Under the deal announced today, Saudia will progressively add its code to Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and 11 more destinations in nine countries- Amsterdam, Baku, Brussels, Dublin, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Phuket, Nagoya, Tokyo and Seoul, significantly extending Saudia’s reach. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said, “The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoy strong economic, diplomatic and cultural links, and the partnership between our two national carriers is a natural and productive extension of these ties. The increased collaboration we have announced today will deliver even more growth to both airlines, provide greater choice for our passengers and freight customers, and further strengthen the ties between our nations.” Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Director General, Saudi Arabian Airlines, commented, “Network growth and increased access to destinations provides our guests with greater flexibility and convenience. We are pleased to further enhance our collaboration with Etihad Airways and continue to support the growth in services and routes.”