Amadeus recently welcomed travel industry leaders to an exclusive gathering in the Amadeus Majlis at Arabian Nights Village, located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s desert. Hosted by Antoine Medawar, Senior Vice President Retail MEA at Amadeus, and Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, the industry leaders discussed the future of the travel industry, the role of new distribution capability (NDC) in travel, and the impact of digital technologies in the industry. They were joined by members of the Amadeus Gulf team. Antoine Medawar, Senior Vice President Retail MEA at Amadeus, said, “As the travel industry continues to evolve and become increasingly complex, we are further committed to connecting with our customers to determine how we can best address the challenges they face with their business. With the increased investment in digital technologies to drive innovation, our customers are becoming more specialised to better serve travelers, underlining the need for the industry to be digital-first and customer-centric.” Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, said, “With all the changes taking place in the industry landscape, the most important factor in building a competitive edge is the ability of travel companies to embrace new sales and travel distribution models. By providing our customers with access to more content and advanced technology, we are helping them to remain competitive and to sell travel in an efficient, and personalised way. By working closely together, the industry can unlock new value for travelers, and generate more business for all.”

Salih Gozcu, Chairman, BTB Tours, has been declared as the Face of the Future. He started his career in the Antalya region of Turkey in 2003 as a hotelier. In 2008, he moved to the emirate.  Between 2012-2013, he worked as a Summer Tour Country Manager. In 2016, he started his own company which by this year has reached out to 50,000 tourists from 15 different source markets. BTB Tours now aims to be the biggest DMC in UAE by 2023 as far as pax, revenue and quality are concerned.

It was an evening of celebration at the Westin Mina Seyahi Hotel and Marina when the third edition of the Arabian Travel Awards concluded last night with over 60 awards of recognition for stalwarts in the industry of travel, tourism, hospitality, visa services etc. Mr. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Operating Officer, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), graced the occasion as Chief Guest, with Gladrags Mrs. India Anita Mishra as a special Guest of Honour. In the opening speech, Managing Director and Convener for Arabian Travel Awards, SanJeet, stated that this year there were nearly 200,000 entries submitted which were then shortlisted. He continued, “I would just like to thank all your efforts, it is thanks to you that tourism is responsible for 10 per cent of the world’s GDP, responsible for one in five jobs in the future and within the region, again thanks to your efforts, tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors responsible for nearly 25 per cent of jobs. The MENA region welcomed 87 million international tourists last year which marked a 10 per cent growth from 2017. Congratulations to all of you for being part of such a growing, innovative and successful industry. The Arabian Travel Awards have been convened to recognise this excellence, hard-work and success. Today tourism is synonymous with progress, development and opportunity.” Mr. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer stated the many efforts taken by Shurooq with an investment of AED 130 mn towards developing the emirate into a luxurious eco-tourism destination. He further reiterated the many projects in line to ensure that the rich heritage, culture and archaeological tourism is further enhanced in the emirate.    

Iftikhar Hamdani, Cluster General Manager for Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche, has been chosen for the DDP Game Changer award. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he moved to the UAE in 2000. He joined R Hotels in 2009, where he was named Brand Ambassador of Wyndham Hotel Group for his various charitable and sustainable initiatives. A true champion of green hospitality, he has won accolades from all corners for projects like the Zero Landfill Project and Urban Farm.

Asim Arshad, Group CEO, Orient Travel and Tourism, has been chosen for the award category, Gallery of Legends. An industry veteran with over four decades of experience in the UAE, Oman, Canada and India, he has been lauded for his work in the world of Travel and Tourism. Also, as an active member of the travel industry, he has held executive roles in the National Travel and Tourism associations and has just finished his term as the Vice Chairman of IATA, APJC Gulf region.

The Middle East’s largest online travel agency Cleartrip has launched Cleartrip Holidays, offering affordable holiday packages to the region and beyond with some of the world’s leading hotels and airlines. The customers can join the Cleartrip Holiday Club, a limited membership loyalty club that allows you to buy a holiday and get your next holiday free. The membership gives you a free holiday next summer to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan or Turkey. The holiday will include economy return airfares, a stay in a 4-star hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and a sightseeing tour. Cleartrip has also launched an Unlimited Option for holidays in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia which allows customers the freedom to select their own itinerary. Travellers will have a dedicated driver and guide and can customise their daily itinerary from a selection of over 20 sightseeing tours at their own pace. The Cleartrip guide offers expert local insights and recommendations on the widest range of experiences. “Cleartrip Holidays are a perfect mix that offers convenience, comfort, and flexibility. With our bespoke offerings and on-the-ground concierge service, we are meeting a growing need for customers to have the freedom and control while travelling” said Anand Kandadai, Executive Vice President – Holidays, Accommodation & Experiences.

Palladium Hotel Group continues its international expansion with the announcement of three new hotels for 2020. Representing an investment of more than 57 million euros, the Spanish hotel group is opening new properties in Spain and Italy next year with the aim of continuing to grow and strengthen two of its most important brands: Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts and Palladium Hotels. They are also set to launch the three all-inclusive hotels next summer. Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Garden Beach Resort & Spa are located on the Italian island of Sicily, and Palladium Hotel Menorca is situated on the Balearic Island of Menorca. Located on the beachfront of the traditional town, Campofelice di Roccella and close to Palermo and its airport, this ten-hectare resort will consist of two hotels namely Grand Palladium Garden Beach Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa. Palladium Hotel Group has partnered with investment and asset management firm Azora in a joint venture to invest in the European holiday hotel sector. As part of this strategic partnership, a 31 million euros investment is funding the renovation and development of this new Sicilian resort. Inspired by the true essence of Menorca and the Mediterranean Sea, Palladium Hotel Menorca will open in summer 2020 following a 26-million-euro investment. It will be the second property under the Palladium Hotels brand to open outside of Ibiza, following the opening Palladium Hotel Costa del Sol in July 2019. Abel Matutes Prats, CEO, Palladium Hotel Group states, ” These openings represent a very important investment for the company with which we seek to continue growing and improving our products and services, but they also …

The third edition of Arabian Travel Awards takes place at Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina tonight with Mr. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Operating Officer Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) gracing the occasion as Chief Guest. The prestigious award ceremony includes a silver service dinner and an opportunity for the hotels to showcase their best to the travel fraternity. Tolga Lacin, General Manager, Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina states, “We are very excited with this new partnership and believe that we will go long way in creating an impact in the industry. Arabian Travel Awards are extremely important as they appreciate and showcase those behind the success of the travel and hospitality industry sector and reward their continued hard work.“ “We are looking forward to an exciting evening at Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Travelport, our hospitality partner, and our technology partner for the third consecutive year for coming onboard.” stated Nikhil Jeet, Director, Arabian Travel Awards. Kathryn Wallington, Travelport’s Country Manager for the UAE, commented, “We are delighted to partner with Arabian Travel Awards 2019 for the third consecutive year as the technology partner. We will continue to innovate and build technologies that power the regional and global travel industry.” The awards will be divided into four categories- Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards, and Partner Awards. They will include awards for the Best Business Hotel, Best Family-Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal and Best Luxury Hotel.

The iconic Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai, distinctly recognized as one of the Top 50 Hotels in the Middle East, announces its participation in this year’s edition of World Travel Market in London from November 4–6 at stand ME300 under Dubai Tourism. The 5-star hotel aims to share travel insights, strengthen existing partnerships, and grow its connection within the industry. “World Travel Market London is celebrating four decades of success. Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai will showcase our enhanced product line-up perfect for leisure and business travellers alike. The city of Dubai has seamlessly perfected a year-round of activities from Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, Ramadan/Eid Activities, GITEX and much-awaited Dubai Expo 2020 and beyond. This amazing city offers a multitude of experiences and activities that should be in a traveller’s destination list,” said Ian Rydin, General Manager. Representing the hotel during the event, Hazem Aouad, Director of Sales and Marketing said, “We are excited to attend the WTM London 2019 edition and showcase the superb products, services, and facilities that Movenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate can offer to our partners and guests.“

Emirates airline has announced key appointments and rotations in its global commercial operations, positioning it to better serve customers across its global network, and respond with agility to dynamic market opportunities. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said “The commercial organisation is responsible for delivering on our top-line results, which last year was close to AED 100 billion. It’s a testimony to the bench strength within the organisation. I am confident that the team is well placed to deliver the best possible support to our customers, and to deliver on our business strategy, targets, and future growth.” All the appointments are effective from 1 October 2019 and appointees will be reporting to Adnan Kazim. Salem Obaidalla, currently Senior VP Aeropolitical & Industry Affairs, will take over as Senior VP Commercial Operations Americas; Adil Al Ghaith, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East & Iran, will take on additional responsibility for UAE and Oman; Orhan Abbas, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Africa, will take over as Senior VP Commercial Operations Far East; Badr Abbas, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Far East, will take over as Senior VP Commercial Operations Africa; Thierry Aucoc, currently Senior VP Commercial Operations Europe & Russian Federation, will take on additional responsibility for Germany and UK; Ahmed Khoory, Senior VP Commercial Operations West Asia & Indian Ocean, retains his current portfolio. With this latest announcement, Emirates’ Commercial team now has 42 UAE nationals in key leadership roles. More than 75 per cent of them have been with the company for over 10 years, and most have gone through the Emirates Commercial Trainee programme for graduates and progressed their careers through various roles in the company.