Category Archives: Agents

At a special interview with TTME, Josh Vasquez – Regional Head – EMEA Region Philippine Airlines disclosed that 2023 had posted  53.8million dollar revenue in terms of passenger sales in the UAE and 70% of which came from the travel agents their most important channel. Vasquez reiterated, “we are celebrating Philippine Airlines UAE Mabuhay Night, this is the second installment of this event, we will be recognizing our top travel agents who have contributed to Philippine Airlines UAE passenger sales for 2023, we have also invited our Filipino community partners and our media friends who have been instrumental in the Philippine Airlines success in the UAE for 2023. In 2023 Philippine Airlines UAE passenger sales posted a revenue of 53.8 billion dollars and  70% of that came from the most important channel which is the travel agents and this event is to recognize them for their major contribution to that bottom line. ”    

Safarak Travel and Tourism, the premier destination management company based in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), is thrilled to announce its recent membership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the renowned global community and knowledge hub dedicated to the international association and governmental meetings industry. As RAK emerges as a growing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, Safarak Travel and Tourism’s collaboration with ICCA is a strategic move to bring world-class association events to the region. This aligns seamlessly with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority’s (RAKTDA) long-term vision to position Ras Al Khaimah as a preferred destination for international meetings. “The affiliation with ICCA is a significant milestone for Safarak Travel and Tourism. It opens doors to a global MICE community and allows us to showcase Ras Al Khaimah as a strong contender for hosting international events.” said Cathy Mead, General Manager of Safarak Travel and Tourism With RAK gaining prominence in the MICE sector, this partnership with ICCA enables Safarak Travel and Tourism to play an active role in a global business networking platform. The collaboration provides opportunities to educate the international community about Ras Al Khaimah while fostering connections with planners who might be already familiar with other Emirates such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, commented: “ICCA is thrilled to witness Safarak Travel and Tourism’s continued commitment to excellence in the industry. Their recent endeavors, especially the strategic collaboration with ICCA, exemplify their dedication to shaping Ras Al Khaimah as a premier destination for international meetings. This alliance not only showcases Safarak Travel and Tourism’s prowess but also underlines the growing significance of Ras Al Khaimah in the global Business …

The inaugural Saudi Travel Mart successfully concluded with TravTalk ME as media partner with 14k plus visitors. The fruitful three days witnessed the travel trade flocking from around the globe to connect with 135 exhibitors from 20 countries. Speaking with TTME, Mohamed Al Harbi CEO of Saudi Travel Mart shared, “my intention is to position Saudi Arabia as one of the most visited countries in the world and promote inbound travel to the Kingdom. We lacked a B2B platform for our travel trade partners to connect with the new companies that have risen in the kingdom over the past few years. Hence we planned this three day exhibition with some of the big names in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors so that they will have an opportunity to connect, network and talk business with new partners. We are thankful to all our partners who joined us and had faith in us as we started a journey together to position Saudi Arabia as one of the most sought after destinations and for the next edition, we hope to bring in more players together.”

Ricky Pacquing – Country Manager Philippine Airlines at a special interview with TTME shared that 80 per cent of their sales come from the travel agents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “we owe a lot to the travel trade so we incentivise them as much as we can providing them back end and front end support.” Participating at the first ever B2B exhibition Saudi Travel Mart in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Philippine Airlines showcased their many connectivity options to attract the Saudi market which consist both locals and expats. Pacquing reiterated that they will be celebrating their 83rd anniversary this year and they will be hosting the top performing agents across the globe to a special award ceremony in Manila next month to recognise their efforts and commitment to bring in the numbers.

AVIAREPS together with the Shanghai Municipal Government announced the launch of Shanghai’s official online B2B travel platform, SmoothTravel. SmoothTravel serves as the official gateway for the global travel industry to connect with both inbound and outbound Chinese travel agencies, tour wholesalers, online travel agencies (OTAs), and MICE agents in the East China market. SmoothTravel aims to seamlessly link international travel businesses with the thriving Chinese travel market. The platform is designed for all segments of the travel industry around the world, including major destinations, receptive tour operators, hotel groups, retailers, attractions, rental car agencies, cruise lines, and more, all eager to broaden their business outreach to the Chinese market. Key Features of SmoothTravel: • China Partner Search: SmoothTravel empowers overseas members to identify new inbound or outbound China travel trade partners. Members can easily connect with Smooth Travel’s Member Matching Manager, facilitating introductions to highly-qualified Chinese travel trade partners based on their specific requirements. • Risk Mitigation: Addressing differences in payment practices, SmoothTravel provides a unique payment guarantee system to minimize risks associated with new China travel industry partners. A comprehensive travel insurance program is also offered for Chinese members to ensure risk reduction for both outbound and inbound sectors. In addition, a bilingual mediation system to resolve any disputes is provided at no cost to members. • China Outbound Market and Consumer Insights: Leveraging extensive China government and industry resources, SmoothTravel delivers the latest research on China’s outbound travel market, industry trends, and consumer preferences. This includes surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, and on-site visits. • Training and Support: SmoothTravel offers a comprehensive two-way training platform with specialized courses for both overseas and Chinese members. All members can …

Ministry of Heritage and Tourism Oman hosted the third edition of the “Global Travel Week – Middle East” with 94 tourism specialists from various countries and 31 Omani tourism establishments in addition to hotels. This B2B event is aimed at promoting luxury tourism in Oman. Haitham bin Muhammad al Ghassan, Director General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said: “This event is a valuable addition to the list of luxury tourism companies and has proven through its previous editions that it adds high value to businesses and companies.” The Director General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism added that the hosting of this event will strengthen international cooperation in the field of luxury tourism, exchanging experiences and knowledge, and strengthening the position of the Sultanate of Oman as a luxury tourist destination on the global stage. This event enjoys wide participation from experts and specialists in the field of luxury tourism from various countries of the world. (Oman News Agency)

Gold partners for the first B2B event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Saudi Travel Mart Rezlive.com is on a journey to enhance business potential from the Saudi Arabian market. Speaking with TTME; media partner for Saudi Travel Mart, Rezlive.com’s Vice President Sales Zaheer Jeddy reiterated, “RezLive.com’s participation in the Saudi travel market marks a strategic move to expand its presence in the region. By engaging in this B2B event, Rezlive.com gains invaluable opportunities to network with key industry players, showcase its services, and establish lucrative partnerships. This participation promises fruitful business prospects and enhanced market penetration.” The event opened doors with 135 exhibitors from 20 countries seeking Saudi Arabia as a key source market due to its volume of business which has great potential in leisure, business, MICE catering to luxury and high spender travellers from the Kingdom. On the second day of the show, many visitors were seen from across the globe checking the various facilities and opportunities of business in the Kingdom.

The inaugural B2B edition of Saudi Travel Mart with TravTalkME as media partner kicked off in Riyadh yesterday with over 135 companies from 20 countries. It will provide a platform for key exhibitors from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world to showcase their many offerings within a period of three days from 25th to 27th February 2024. Opening the event Naif A. Alrajhi – Vice Chairman of Board of Directors Riyadh Chamber of Commerce shared, “Today is an important event to have this first ever B2B event in Saudi Arabia, having 135 companies from 20 countries which shows the importance of being in Saudi  Arabia and this is very good for later stages as Saudi Arabia aims to achieve a high number of tourists from across the globe. Saudi Arabia has a lot of opportunities with thew commitment of the government as they have set a target with the vision 2030 aimed at attracting the highest number of  tourists by 2030 and with all the foreign investments happening in the Kingdom this will give rise to the tourism sector in the Kingdom.” Mohammed Al Harbi, Chief Executive Officer Saudi Travel Mart in his opening remarks shared, “we consider the Saudi Travel Market to be one of the important exhibitions through which we intend to place the Kingdom on the list of major tourist destinations in the coming years. As the first B2B exhibition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we aim to attract the largest international companies to the Kingdom and make it the first and best choice for everyone.”  

Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, the Philippines boasts a tapestry of sun-kissed shores and pristine beaches that have earned global acclaim. From the renowned white sands of Boracay to the secluded coves of Palawan and the surfing haven of Siargao, the Philippines invites travelers on a journey of sun-soaked paradise. Let’s unveil these spectacular destinations, including a hidden gem, and discover the best times to bask in their coastal splendor. Tropical Bliss in Boracay Boracay, often hailed as one of the world’s best islands, sets the standard for tropical paradise. Renowned for its pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters, and lively nightlife, Boracay has firmly established itself as a must-visit destination. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding, honeymoon, summer vacation, or a quick getaway, Boracay offers something for everyone. While White Beach in the province of Aklan is undoubtedly famous, Boracay boasts 8 additional beaches for exploration, diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, dining, or simply lounging around – including Puka Beach, Bulabog Beach, Ilig Iligan Beach, Lapuz Lapuz Beach, Puntabunga Beach, Balinghai Beach, Tambisaan Beach, and Diniwid Beach. Activities are aplenty too. Go on an island-hopping adventure to witness the renowned Magic Island, a cliff diving hotspot, or explore Crocodile Island for scuba diving and Crystal Cove for its distinctive crystal formations. On-island activities feature popular options like banana boat rides, flying fish, jet ski rentals, and paddleboarding. For truly Instagrammable moments, consider booking a crystal kayak or indulging in a paraw sailing adventure. Getting to Boracay and Best Times to Visit Before your trip, be sure to consult Boracay’s Information Guide for essential details on travel requirements, recommended activities, and upcoming events. Boracay is accessible from major cities of the …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the Department of Economic Development Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi held a conference to discuss various themes contributing to tourism excellence to further build capacity in the emirate’s tourism sector,  in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization’s Academy (UNWTO Academy). Aiming to further build capacity in the emirate’s tourism sector, DCT Abu Dhabi and UNWTO Academy also recently introduced the UNWTO.QUEST Certification for quality assurance in the industry, and the UNWTO. TedQual Certification, a programme which aims to enhance the quality of tourism education, training and research programmes in UAE universities. Titled ‘Sustainability and Competitiveness: Tourism Potentials and Challenges’, the conference brought together experts in sustainability and tourism, and helped attendees develop an understanding of the role of diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, and strategic leadership in enhancing destination competitiveness. The conference agenda discussed practices and strategies that could be adopted by tourism stakeholders to contribute to the development of more a competitive and responsible tourism destination. Among the attendees were H.E. Hala Khaled Al Ameri, Executive Director of the Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi (COAD) at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; H.E. Hanan Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre; and Mr. Ammar Anwar Sajwani, Director of Tourism Development Department, UAE Ministry of Economy. H.E. Saeed Ali Obaid Al Fazari, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Through various initiatives, we are enabling industry-wide discussions that contribute to a sustainable tourism future. With a focus on education, we are keen to deliver continued tourism excellence, channelling innovation through a fresh lens. Encouraging these vital discussions is key to creating enduring, …