Category Archives: Agents

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 …

Mozio and GoNexus Group announced a strategic partnership to deliver a unified, scalable solution that expands and simplifies B2B access to ground transport worldwide. This collaboration marks a major milestone for NexusCube, the B2B marketplace of GoNexus Group, as it expands its offering through Mozio’s extensive supplier network spanning 3,500+ airports in 180 countries. Simultaneously, Mozio gains access to NexusCube’s diverse portfolio of mobility inventory —powered by Juniper Travel Technology’s robust, scalable infrastructure—ensuring seamless API integration across both systems. With over 17,000 B2B travel buyers—including OTAs, tour operators, and retail agencies—already connected to NexusCube, the partnership delivers instant access to a broader array of airport transfers, private vehicles, shuttles, and door-to-door transport services, now bookable across both systems. This partnership represents a deep commercial and technological alignment between Mozio and NexusCube. By merging inventories via seamless API connectivity, they create a unified, data-driven solution that simplifies access to ground transportation and empowers B2B partners to scale efficiently. “We’re thrilled to partner with GoNexus Group and its B2B marketplace, NexusCube, to expand our global reach through their dynamic distribution network of 17,000 B2B travel buyers worldwide,” said Nicole Kerr, CEO of Mozio. “Together, we’re making it easier for travelers to access reliable, door-to-door transportation wherever their journey takes them.” “This agreement positions us as one of the largest providers of experience and mobility services in the B2B world,” commented Roberto Bermúdez, Managing Director of NexusCube. “The connection with Mozio has been seamlessly developed thanks to Juniper Travel Technology’s scalable and robust infrastructure, which enables us to quickly integrate high-value partners and expand our product offering without limitations. Mozio’s innovative technology and global reach bring significant value to our marketplace, and we …

Arabian Adventures is upgrading its core reservation system as part of a strategic move to streamline operations and improve the booking journey for its global partners. The Dubai-based tour and safari operator is transitioning to Travel Studio by Open Destinations – a cloud-based platform designed specifically for DMCs. The system upgrade will enhance internal efficiency while introducing a more powerful B2B portal, which enables partners to create and confirm tailor-made itineraries in real time – including accommodation and all land arrangements. This significantly reduces manual processes and response times, empowering partners with greater flexibility and autonomy. Alaa AlKhatib, Vice President – Destination Management at dnata Travel Group, said: “This change is about removing friction – for our team, for our partners, and ultimately for the travellers we serve. Travel Studio will give us the tools to respond faster, automate more of our workflows, and provide our network with the freedom to build complex itineraries with ease and confidence. At Arabian Adventures, we are always committed to investing in the technology and infrastructure needed to scale efficiently – and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving travel landscape.” John Davies, CEO at Open Destinations, said: “We’re delighted that Arabian Adventures has chosen Travel Studio after an extensive selection process. Our market-leading reservations platform for large complex DMCs will provide the Arabian Adventures team a single, powerful platform that grows with them, helping to simplify operations, accelerate bookings, and deliver the very best customer experience.” The upgrade reflects broader shifts across travel trade, where technology has become a key differentiator – especially for DMCs responding to growing demand for faster turnaround times, seamless integrations, and more customised itinerary planning. As global travel rebounds …

As the UAE continues to cement its reputation as a global epicenter for both corporate and luxury leisure travel, UTRAVEL is highlighting a significant recognition received at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. At the record-breaking event, which drew over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries, UTRAVEL’s Operations Manager Duleepa Naveen and Holidays Manager Fadi Abu Rashid were honored with the “Excellent Performance in Sales for 2024” award. This accolade celebrates their pivotal leadership and the company’s vital role in the sector’s transformation. This recognition comes as the GCC travel industry experiences unprecedented momentum, driven by surging demand for bespoke luxury holidays and the growing “bleisure” trend, where business and leisure travel seamlessly intersect. UTRAVEL’s standout sales performance in 2024, now validated on ATM’s global stage, directly reflects its ability to anticipate and meet the sophisticated needs of today’s travelers across both its B2B corporate travel solutions and through its dedicated luxury leisure arm, Jovial Travels. “Our recognition at ATM 2025 for ‘Excellent Performance in Sales for 2024’ is a powerful affirmation of our strategic direction and the collective effort behind it,” said Duleepa Naveen, Operations Manager at UTRAVEL. “UTRAVEL’s legacy in B2B travel has always been built on precision and collaboration. This very spirit, encapsulated by our philosophy ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,’ has been seamlessly extended to Jovial Travels, allowing us to connect with discerning leisure travelers seeking truly unique experiences.” Fadi Abu Rashid, Corporate Travel Manager, added: “This award is a shared triumph. It validates our team’s commitment to crafting tailor-made journeys that resonate with the evolving preferences of modern travelers in the UAE and beyond. …

Speaking with TTME Elmira Heshmati – CEO – Elaxiom Travel and Tours UAE shared that this year there has been a slight shift in the summer travel plans as travellers are opting for staycations and outbound trips to southeast Asian destinations. “Travellers are splitting their summer plans between staycations and outbound trips. Demands for wellness retreats within the UAE and across GCC drives a booming domestic market, however, outbound travel remains robust.  It’s hard to ignore the rapid growth of staycations with the influences of the social media connection between local travels and social media which has made people’s strong reliance on their unique features; storytelling, sharing experiences, going live from different locations, receiving feedback through comments, and real-time interactions.

This year’s 28th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises will have over 200 hotels participating with 4000 plus retail outlets. The countdown is on: Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 is set to take over the city for its epic edition from 27 June to 31 August, transforming the emirate into the ultimate summer destination with exceptional savings, endless excitement, and amazing new adventures. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the most value-packed edition of DSS promises a summer well spent for everyone with thousands of offers and things to do, see, shop, and savour for 66 non-stop days. From life-changing raffles and incredible discounts to world-class gastronomy, hospitality, indoor family fun, and headline concerts, DSS delivers unforgettable moments for everyone, whether a resident, a visitor, or travelling in from across the UAE. The jam-packed DSS calendar of events was unveiled at a special press preview event held today at the iconic Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the founding property of Jumeirah, characterised by its iconic wave-like architecture and renowned façade. The preview event showcased a mix of not-to-be-missed, brand-new DSS experiences and returning festival favourites, showcasing summer as the best-value time of year to experience Dubai across every preference and price point, with endless reasons to stay, play, shop and celebrate together. For the first-time ever, DSS brings a brand-new shopping experience with three specially curated retail seasons designed to keep the city buzzing. Summer Holiday Offers kicks off the celebrations from 27 June to 17 July, brimming with exclusive promotions, family-friendly deals, and the first round of spectacular raffles across Dubai’s top malls. Then comes the most thrilling shopping moment of the season: the Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 …

The Luxurist, the world’s first all-in-one B2B luxury travel ecosystem, is expanding into key global markets, including Gulf Cooperation Council, Spain, Mexico, Australia and South Africa. The company is also now officially integrated into Bedsonline, the retail arm of HBX Group (HBX.MC), granting access to travel agents worldwide to its portfolio of luxury and premium travel products. Launched in early 2025 and already live in the US, Canada, UK, France, Belgium and Luxembourg, The Luxurist leverages innovative travel technology to connect best-in-class travel advisors with extraordinary properties via a seamless interface designed exclusively for the luxury segment. Aiming to establish a new reference point in the B2B luxury &premium travel market by offering: ● Dedicated concierge team available 24/7 ● Real-time inventory management and booking confirmation ● Privileged rates and exclusive amenities for discerning clients Now part of HBX Group’s retail distribution, The Luxurist will be accessible to a wider network of luxury travel advisors with an impressive portfolio of over 5,000 handpicked luxury properties across +200 countries. “Integrating The Luxurist into HBX Group’s retail platform is a major milestone. Our unique value proposition – exceptional concierge service and exclusive privileges – is now accessible to all HBX Group partners worldwide via web and API.” said David Amsellem, CEO of The Luxurist. “We are expanding into Spain, Mexico, Australia, South Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council with a platform that reflects the elevated standards expected in luxury travel. We are not just providing access, we are providing an ecosystem of excellence.” “Luxury travel is the fastest-growing segment in our industry” said Nicolas Huss, CEO of HBX Group. “With The Luxurist, we are investing in the future of high-end travel services. By …

Almosafer announced a strategic partnership with Landmark Group to deliver greater value and flexibility to travellers across the GCC through Shukran, Landmark’s award-winning loyalty programme. Through this collaboration, Almosafer customers across the GCC can earn Shukran Points on travel bookings made through Almosafer’s online travel platforms. Additionally, customers can transfer their Almosafer Points to Shukran Points, providing them with even more options for utilising their travel rewards. Shukran Points can be redeemed across Landmark Group’s extensive retail network, including Centrepoint, Max Fashion, Home Centre, Splash, Lifestyle, Shoemart, and Emax – creating a seamless connection between travel and everyday lifestyle benefits. Pallav Singhvi, VP of Consumer Travel at Almosafer, said: “Our goal has always been to deliver a seamless and enriching experience for our travellers. This partnership with Shukran allows us to add even more value to each journey booked through Almosafer, while also expanding our benefits ecosystem to include one of the region’s most trusted loyalty programmes.” James Dickson, Chief Product Officer at Landmark Group said; “We’re thrilled to extend Shukran’s reach through our partnership with Almosafer. Shukran is built to reward customers for the lifestyle choices they make every day, and this collaboration is a significant step forward in offering even greater flexibility and value to our members.” The partnership reflects Almosafer’s continued commitment to delivering smarter, more rewarding travel experiences across the region. -ENDS- About Almosafer Almosafer is the Middle East’s leading travel brand offering consumers seamless user experiences for domestic and international travel bookings through its omni-channel offerings across state-of-the-art online platforms, call centre, WhatsApp and retail locations. Providing hotel booking options for over 1.5 million properties around the globe, flight bookings on over 450 airlines, domestic …