Category Archives: Agents

SAUDIA has taken a step forward in its digital transformation journey by moving to more guest-centric operations by translating traditional booking records (PNRs) and electronic tickets into Orders. This paves the way for a more personalized and smooth travel experience. An Order is a single, dynamic record of everything the traveler has purchased for their journey. It provides a real-time, consolidated view of all services, enabling the airline to better serve the traveler at every touchpoint – from booking and payment to fulfillment and servicing. By adopting Order capabilities, SAUDIA is fast-tracking its ability to deliver more flexible offers, tailor-made pricing, and fully digital servicing. This transformation marks a foundational step in the airline’s broader ambition to redefine guest experience and operational agility through data-driven retailing. The milestone was achieved using Amadeus’ smart bridging capabilities, which translate traditional records from SAUDIA’s existing Amadeus Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS) into single order records in its new Amadeus Nevio environment. Performing Smart bridging means SAUDIA can begin to operate with orders, accelerating the benefits of the airline retailing transformation in the new Amadeus Nevio environment for its guests while ensuring business continuity with existing traditional infrastructure. “SAUDIA is committed to delivering the highest standard of guest experience and technology innovation is crucial to this objective. Moving to single Orders means we can gain a better understanding of our guests, what they’ve purchased from us, and our partners across the entire journey. Orders are the foundation for a more connected travel experience.” Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer, SAUDIA, “SAUDIA is one of the airlines leading the industry with its ambitious transformation program. Moving to Orders with smart bridging is an important milestone that …

Seychelles Tourism, in partnership with TravTalk Middle East, hosted an exclusive power breakfast in Dubai, bringing together leading figures from the UAE’s travel trade sector. The event served as a strategic platform to strengthen ties with the region’s key industry stakeholders. Ahmed Fathallah, Regional Manager for Tourism Seychelles, revealed strong performance figures, stating that “the GCC region has recorded an increase of 16% in visitor numbers during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.”  The informal gathering allowed for open dialogue, networking, and alignment on future collaboration between Seychelles and GCC travel partners.

Jordan rolls out the red carpet this year to an eclectic lineup of activities that will delight visitors and residents alike. Revel in the rhythm of memserising concerts by world-renowned artists. Celebrate the richness of culture and have unlimited fun with family. Transcending the realm of music, poetry and art, Jordan is bringing a never-before-seen lineup of artists and cultural programmes that are not just designed to inspire hearts and minds. There is an extraordinary breadth of events, including the Jordan International Food Festival and the Amman International Film Festival, which will bring a horde of celebrities to the city. No celebration of Jordanian culture would be complete without honoring the kingdom’s extraordinary culinary heritage. The Jordan International Food Festival, from 6 to 11 August brings together the finest flavors of the Levant and beyond. And with such a delectable range of food comes soulful melodies by Ahmed Saad (on 7 Aug ), who blends modern pop with traditional Arabic music and evokes the pangs of love, heartbreaks and separations through his renditions. “The extraordinary lineup is an open invitation to experience Jordan’s soul. In venues where our rich history lives and breathes, under skies that have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, contemporary artists will find their perfect stage. This underlines our commitment to providing seamless and rich cultural experiences for all visitors in 2025,” said Dr. Abdelrazzak Arabiyat, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board. “The country’s diverse attractions and easy access ensure that whether visitors come for leisure, business or cultural exploration, they will discover our kingdom’s extraordinary hospitality and vibrant cutlural experiences.” Headline acts include musical performances by Sami Yusuf – performing for the first …

Sojern is joining forces with PubMatic to enable agencies and advertisers to access and activate Sojern’s extensive real-time travel data insights, with PubMatic’s premium inventory, to target travellers more accurately and in a privacy-compliant way. Creating personalized, targeted campaigns requires finding the right mix of audiences and inventory supply. Curation is a preferred option, enabling real-time optimization and measurement so brands can create relevant ads that drive results. By using a multi-ID approach, curation enables advertisers to work directly with supply-side platforms (SSPs) to strategically combine first-party data, Sojern travel segments, and premium inventory. “It’s clear that curation offers an exciting future for programmatic advertising, and while we’ve worked with PubMatic for many years, this partnership shows that we’re committed to delivering vertical-specific curated advertising to our clients,” said Josh Beckwith, Vice President, Global Corporate Sales at Sojern. “This relationship will fuse Sojern’s best-in-class travel data and multi-ID audiences with PubMatic’s best-in-class inventory, and allow us to optimize both in real time, creating curated campaigns using our clients’ preferred supply path.” The partnership unlocks new opportunities for advertisers to activate Sojern’s real-time vertical-specific traveler insights directly within PubMatic’s curation and data solution, Connect. This integration enables more precise targeting and transforms audience curation into a powerful tool for programmatic advertising and performance. “Today’s advertising needs to work for everyone. Consumers want privacy and relevant ads, while brands need quality advertising space and brand safety,” said Amélie Grenier-Bolay, Country Manager, Italy & MENA, PubMatic. “Strategic curation brings together advertisers, publishers, and audiences by filtering content for quality and relevance. This partnership with Sojern is a perfect example, providing marketers with access to travel data for more effective targeting while ensuring privacy …

Wego’s latest search trends reveal that Cairo continues to lead as the most sought-after global destination for Kuwaiti travellers. The Egyptian capital combines cultural richness and accessibility, remaining a consistent favorite for short stays. Other popular nearby destinations this summer include Amman, Istanbul, Baku, and Tbilisi. Amman offers easy access to Petra and the Dead Sea, while Istanbul captivates with its bazaars and Bosphorus charm. Baku blends futuristic flair with Old City allure, and Tbilisi enchants with thermal baths, rich cuisine, and great value for money. Among these cities, airfares remained stable or declined in several destinations. Baku and Tbilisi recorded double-digit drops in average fares compared to last year’s summer, while Istanbul saw a decline of 8.28% year-on-year. Amman fares also edged down slightly, reflecting more accessible pricing for summer travellers. Wego unveils the most popular and budget-friendly short-haul destinations for Kuwait travellers seeking a quick summer escape. All featured cities offer visa-free entry or seamless e-visa applications, making them especially convenient for last-minute getaways.

The growth of integrated resorts in the Middle East and Asia Pacific (APAC) is redefining the hospitality industry by blending luxury, entertainment, and culture into immersive destination experiences, as reported by experts at Arabian Travel Market. Experts predict that annual gross gaming revenues (GGR) in the UAE could reach between US$3 billion and US$5 billion, driven by the introduction of integrated resort developments. The upcoming launch in Ras Al Khaimah is expected to significantly boost tourism, with the emirate aiming to attract 3.5 million overnight tourists by 2030, generating thousands of employment opportunities. The highly anticipated opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah in 2027 marks a significant milestone for the region, reflecting a broader shift towards diversified tourism offerings. Similarly, the upcoming opening of a casino at Cinnamon Life’s City of Dreams development in Sri Lanka signals a shift toward regulated gaming as part of a holistic resort offering. At ATM 2025, panellists from across the hospitality, research and technology sectors, including Judith Cartwright, Founding & Managing Director, Black Coral Consulting; Darren Bishop, SVP, Market Research and Strategy Consultant, Heart+Mind Strategies; and Edward Batrouni, Founder and Executive Director, Zenitech discussed how these resorts are shifting perceptions and driving demand from key source markets, including India, China, the GCC and Europe. Sanjiv Hulugalle, CEO, Cinnamon Life Hotel & Mall at City of Dreams, Sri Lanka, also part of the expert panel, commented: “A sense of place is critical to making a successful integrated project and not making the casino the centre. You’ve got to really tap into the surrounding destination and not just centre yourself in the place you are. It makes the fabric, the texture, and …

Dubai Travel & Tour Agents Group (DTTAG) has partnered with WingsWay Training Institute (IATA Authorized Training Center) to introduce a dynamic series of monthly Skill Enhancement Programs tailored exclusively for DTTAG members. This initiative aims to enable travel professionals in Dubai with skills and insights to be at the forefront of the competitive travel and tourism industry in the region. These monthly sessions are free for all DTTAG members. The inaugural session, “Top 5 Keys to Delight Your Customers,” is being followed by a program on “Strategic Negotiation Skills”. Both have received an enthusiastic response from attendees. The interactive workshops provide actionable strategies to the participants to elevate customer service and foster client loyalty. Every registered participant eagerly shows up and we saw a full house of excited learners. “DTTAG continues with its effort to bring value for its members and hence have collaborated with the award-winning team of WingsWay Training Institute” said Asim Arshad, President, at Dubai Travel & Tour agents Group. “This collaboration with DTTAG is a significant step towards our shared vision of continuous professional development,” said Shakir Kantawala, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, at WingsWay Training Institute. “By combining our expertise in skill-based training with DTTAG’s commitment to excellence in the travel sector, we are creating valuable opportunities for professionals to upskill, adapt, and lead in this competitive market.” This annual calendar of complimentary sessions, exclusively for DTTAG members, will be conducted monthly and will cover a diverse range of topics, including customer experience, digital transformation, sales strategies, negotiation skills, contract management and operational excellence. Each program is designed to provide immediate, real-world application to help participants drive performance and innovation within their organisations.

According to Visa’s Travel Pulse Eid Al Adha Edition, international travel by KSA residents rose by 25% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by a strong preference for shorter trips, with 69% of travelers from KSA opting for brief weekend getaways. They also made 21% more purchases abroad and spent 13% more overall this Eid, reflecting a preference to maximize the holidays with quick trips abroad. Travelers from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) took full advantage of this year’s extended Eid Al Adha break, turning the six-day (June 5-10) holiday into an opportunity for cultural exploration, both at home and abroad. While many residents jetted off for short international getaways, the Kingdom also welcomed millions of foreign pilgrims during the Hajj season, driving a steady increase in travel to Saudi Arabia and spending. This Eid, international getaways became an opportunity for many KSA travelers to indulge in retail experiences. Shopping led the way across all major destinations, influencing not just how people spent, but also where they chose to go. • UAE led as the top international destination, welcoming 14% of KSA travelers and accounting for 23% of total international spend. With an average spend of $635 per card, fashion took center stage — seven of the top ten merchants were in the shopping and apparel category. Among the top brands were Dubai Duty Free Stores, Hermes, and Cartier, reflecting both a preference for convenient airport shopping and a strong appetite for luxury. Dining and entertainment were also high on the agenda. • Nine percent (9%) of travelers went to Turkey, making it the second most popular destination. It captured 15% of overall holiday spend …

DCT Abu Dhabi welcomed over 100 agents and executives from Designer Travel for a curated itinerary as the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted the Designer Travel UK Annual Conference  at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel. The event brought together travel agents and trade partners from the UK to experience the diversity of Abu Dhabi as a premier tourism destination. As part of the conference programme, DCT Abu Dhabi welcomed over 100 agents and executives from Designer Travel for a curated itinerary, including a gala dinner and immersive experiences across the emirate, introducing them to Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage, world-class attractions and renowned hospitality. Established in 2008, Designer Travel is one of the UK’s leading bespoke travel specialists, with a network of 170 expert travel advisors across the country. The renowned travel agency has gained recognition for crafting highly personalised, tailor-made holiday experiences for discerning clients. Hosting the annual conference in the emirate aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic focus on the UK as a key source market. As of year-to-date 2025, the emirate has welcomed over 219,000 UK hotel guests, marking a 46% year-on-year increase. UK visitors are also staying longer, with an average stay of 4.2 days, and are showing increased engagement with Abu Dhabi’s growing portfolio of cultural and leisure experiences. DCT Abu Dhabi remains committed to building strong industry partnerships through continuous engagement with the UK travel trade. The Designer Travel UK Annual Conference, alongside initiatives such as the Experience Abu Dhabi Roadshow and the Experience Abu Dhabi Experts digital training platform, reflects this commitment. These efforts support the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030, fostering long-term tourism growth by introducing new …

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and ITB China have announced a new strategic partnership to advance international cooperation in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. As part of this collaboration, Beijing will serve as the Official Host City of the upcoming MICE Meeting Point 2025, to be held on 11–12 September in China’s capital. The MICE Meeting Point is a curated two-day ConfEx event that brings together MICE decision-makers from across China and the world, including event organizers, industry associations, corporate buyers, and conference planners to connect face-to-face with global destinations, venues, service providers, and tech solution partners. The agenda features keynote speeches, panel forums, executive dialogues, product showcases, dedicated business booths, and curated networking sessions — all designed to provide participants with comprehensive insights into the latest trends across both China’s and the global MICE markets, foster cross-border collaboration, and seize emerging opportunities. “As the capital of China, Beijing plays a leading role in advancing the country’s opening-up and driving integration between culture and tourism,” said Mr. Guo Huaigang, Director General of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. “We recognize the MICE sector’s powerful contribution to city branding, international engagement, and economic growth. The MICE Meeting Point offers a vital platform for global dialogue and cooperation. It will serve as a bridge to expand inbound tourism and inject fresh momentum into the further internationalization of China’s MICE industry. We are committed to deepening our partnerships with world-class professional platforms, telling Beijing’s story, and building a truly global business travel destination.” To highlight its prominent position as the Hosting City and enhance its global visibility, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism …