Category Archives: Agents

Satguru Travel and Tourism won the title of ‘Fastest Growing Travel Management Company – Bahrain’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Fastest Growing Travel Management Company 2024 award is a proud milestone for Satguru Travel. It boosts our credibility, showcases our dedication to excellence, and enhances marketing efforts to attract new clients. The award also opens doors to networking opportunities, fostering collaborations for further growth. As this is our first time receiving this prestigious award, it has greatly enhanced our credibility and visibility in the market. This recognition validates our commitment to excellence and inspires our team to continue setting benchmarks for innovation and customer satisfaction in the travel industry.” – Jacob Mathew, Head of Bahrain Branch, Satguru Travel & Tourism WLL – Bahrain

Sabre Corporation announced that SalamAir has extended its multi-year partnership with Sabre’s Radixx solutions to support its continued growth and operational efficiency. This renewal will see SalamAir continue using Radixx Res for its reservation system and Radixx Insight for reporting, further reflecting the airline’s confidence in Sabre’s Radixx solutions. This long-term agreement provides stability and positions SalamAir for continued growth and success in an increasingly competitive airline industry. “This renewal is an important step in our partnership with SalamAir,” said Darren Rickey, Senior Vice President of Airline Sales at Sabre. “As SalamAir continues to grow in the region, we look forward to supporting their journey with the tailored solutions Radixx offers. This extended collaboration reflects SalamAir’s trust in our ability to provide reliable, scalable technology that aligns with their operational needs and strategic goals, including the transition to Offers and Orders. We are proud to be part of their growth and success.” SalamAir, known for offering affordable fares without compromising on service quality, has quickly become an important player in the aviation industry. With both domestic and international flights, the airline makes air travel more accessible to a wide range of customers. SalamAir’s focus on efficiency, customer satisfaction, and network expansion has fueled its rapid growth and positioned it as a preferred choice for budget-conscious travelers across Oman and beyond. “We are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Sabre and their Radixx solutions,” said Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir. “The Radixx reservation system (Radixx Res) and data and insights platform (Radixx Insight) have been instrumental in supporting our growth, helping us innovate and deliver a seamless travel experience to our customers. This renewal reaffirms our confidence in Sabre’s …

Book your Voyage wins ‘Fastest growing B2B Travel Portal’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Receiving this award is a tremendous source of motivation and appreciation for all BYV team members. It will boost our confidence to work even better together. The impact has been very positive for me personally, as it has strengthened my capabilities to take the company to the next level. For the company, it has brought significant recognition in the market. As an industry, we proudly express our gratitude to our suppliers and partners for their mutual support and collaboration.”- Ajay Sinh Atalia, CCO, Book Your Voyage

Wego released exclusive insights into Kuwaiti travelers’ destination preferences for Ramadan 2025.  Top Ramadan Destinations for Kuwaiti travellers are Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan retain their positions as the most-searched international destinations, reflecting cultural ties and family-centric travel. Bangladesh, Jordan, the Philippines, Nepal, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates, round out the top 10 with Nepal emerging as this year’s standout growth market. Wego’s Ramadan data reveals a blend of steadfast loyalty and surging interest in different destinations, alongside notable airfare fluctuations shaping travel decisions. Flight searches to Nepal for travels during Ramadan have seen more than a fivefold increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, searches to Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Jordan have more than doubled this year. Even the destination with the most modest growth of the lineup, Türkiye, saw YoY 54.51% increase in searches on Wego. Wego data showed that airfares for top Ramadan destinations from Kuwait have risen by an average of 17.51% YoY, attributed to high seasonal demand. Ramadan airfare spikes for the United Arab Emirates (+64.63%) Nepal (+43.65%), and Pakistan (+36.70%) have been observed to be among the highest compared to last year.

Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group signed a strategic partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to provide industry-led and reliable data-driven insights that support the sustainable growth of the travel industry as Knowledge Partner. As part of this collaboration agreement, in which The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group also takes part, both companies will give WTTC access to their comprehensive travel intelligence databases, offering in-depth data analysis and insights on key industry trends: air connectivity, traveller’s sentiment and interests, demand profiling, accommodation supply, and event impact analysis, among others. Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Communications at WTTC, commented on the partnership, highlighting “Data-driven insights are critical to the sustainable growth of the Travel and Tourism sector. We are delighted to welcome Mabrian as a Knowledge Partner and look forward to leveraging their expertise, as well as The Data Appeal Company’s, to enhance our research and advocacy efforts.” “Joining this partnership with WTTC is a significant step in our mission to empower the travel and tourism sector with data-driven insights,” says Mirko Lalli, CEO at The Data Appeal Company. “It is also an opportunity to help industry leaders anticipate trends, optimise strategies, and drive more sustainable tourism development worldwide.” Under the agreement, signed by Mabrian with WTTC representatives in the most recent edition of ITB Berlin, WTTC’s research team will have access to the travel intelligence databases from both Mabrian and The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group and Mabrian, and their experienced pool of in-house analysts and consultants. These insights will support WTTC’s industry research initiatives, policy development, and thought leadership efforts, contributing to WTTC’s mission of fostering informed decision-making …

Al Naboodah Travel was honoured with the title ‘Fastest Growing Travel Agency, KSA’at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “It is a wonderful experience. It is a moment of pride and recognition for all those who have worked hard, who have worked smartly, who have performed well. And I think this recognition will add a lot of value, confidence, and inspiration for all of us to do even better and better for the coming years. I am overexcited, and I am looking forward to winning more than three awards next year.”- Nasir Jamal Khan, CEO, Al Naboodah Travel & Tourism Agencies

ATS Travel and Payhound announced a groundbreaking understanding to enable ATS Travel to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment for all its services. This new development marks a significant milestone in the Middle East’s travel industry, making ATS Travel the first large-scale travel management company in the region to adopt cryptocurrency for both corporate and leisure travel transactions, informed Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director of ATS travel on the sidelines of the travel industry leading event Private Luxury Barcelona, from Private Luxury Events. Under this historic arrangement, ATS Travel’s clients – many of whom are high-net-worth individuals from across the Middle East – will now have the flexibility to pay for a wide range of travel services, including airline tickets, luxury travel, holiday packages, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Exhibitions, and Events) services, and more, using leading cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others, informed Sharif. This initiative is poised to be a game changer in the travel industry and reflects the region’s growing interest in digital currencies and blockchain technology, added Sharif. This collaboration is the first of its kind for a company of ATS Travel’s scale and prestige in the Middle East, setting a new benchmark for the industry. With a focus on innovation and forward-thinking business solutions, the understanding with Payhound enables ATS Travel to meet the demands of a tech-savvy, digital-first clientele, particularly those accustomed to high-end services. The implementation of crypto payments is expected to significantly enhance the customer experience by providing seamless, instant, and secure payment options while eliminating the delays and costs typically associated with traditional banking methods, informed Sharif. Payhound, headquartered in Malta, is a fully regulated crypto payment provider with a proven …

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) announced that its 19th annual conference will take place in Abu Dhabi  18-21 November 2025, at the iconic Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. This milestone event is being held through a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Investment Gate (ADIG) and Shura Global Consultancy (SGC) and with support from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. Bringing together government leaders and industry visionaries, the 2025 Global Wellness Summit will solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a prominent global wellness hub, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. This year’s Summit will introduce new platforms for collaboration and investment, and transformative ideas that will shape the future of the wellness economy worldwide. The Middle East’s wellness economy has been one of the recent global growth leaders, with the UAE playing a pivotal role as the largest market in the region. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the UAE’s wellness economy reached $34 billion in 2023, contributing approximately 5.5% to the national GDP and affirming its leading and collaborative role in the global wellness industry. “We’re thrilled to partner with Abu Dhabi Investment Gate and Shura Global Consultancy to bring this prestigious event to the UAE,” said Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of GWS. “Abu Dhabi is a natural choice to host our most ambitious Summit to date, and we look forward to giving delegates the opportunity to experience the rich landscape of the UAE, a country that has so much to offer in terms of natural beauty, pioneering preventative health and wellness solutions, and new luxury destinations.” The region’s momentum in wellness is so eye-opening that the GWS named “The Middle East’s Wellness Ambitions” as one …

TravTips Travel and Tourism bagged ‘Best Leisure Tour Operator’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “It reassures our company as a trusted, safe and reliable leisure travel brand in the region. It also validates the hard work and commitment of our team, boosting morale and encourage to achieve excellence in service delivery. Winning the award for second consecutive year shows our commitment to deliver exceptional services and build customer loyalty. We would like to enhance customer experience through product innovation, technology and value-added offerings.” Suraj Mainat, Founder & CEO, TravTips

SPARK in partnership with EYouth and with support from Google.org, has launched the Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub in Egypt – a pioneering platform designed to equip 25,000 individuals across the MENA region with essential skills for the tourism industry. The launch event, held at the Triumph Plaza Hotel in Cairo, welcomed over 100 stakeholders, including representatives from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism, industry leaders, and digital learning experts. The initiative aligns with Egypt’s national priorities to enhance workforce competitiveness and drive tourism sector growth. With the tourism sector rapidly evolving, Maharat for Tourism offers free, high-quality training tailored for both aspiring and experienced professionals. The platform provides interactive courses on digital skills, business management, and customer service, ensuring users stay competitive in a dynamic job market. By bridging the skills gap and building a digitally empowered workforce, this initiative directly contributes to Egypt’s economic resilience and job creation in one of its most vital industries. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism is an active supporter of the platform, recognising its role in modernising workforce training and driving long-term industry sustainability. “We are proud to launch the Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub, which will provide thousands of individuals with the opportunity to develop essential skills for success in the tourism sector,” said Dina Almasaeid, SPARK’s Regional Programme Director “The support from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism further emphasises the industry-wide commitment to fostering talent and innovation.” Join the Movement The Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub is now live and available in both English and Arabic, offering tourism professionals and job seekers the opportunity to advance their careers in the industry. To learn more and enroll in courses, visit: https://maharat.spark.ngo/.