Category Archives: Agents

Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development and City Tourist Information Bureau will hold events in the framework of the roadshow: presentation of tourist programs and hospitality industry services of Saint Petersburg in the cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 1-2 November 2022: The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah – 1 November Fairmont Riyadh, Riyadh – 2 November Being the city of white nights and drawbridges, St. Petersburg is quite unique in Russian history. It has remained the magnificent capital of the Russian Empire for more than two centuries and now retains its status as the cultural centre. The historical part of St. Petersburg with its world-known museums, theatres, art galleries, architectural monuments is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the National Library of Russia and the State Russian Museum are some of them. According to statistics, the number of tourists in St. Petersburg has reached 10 million in the pre-pandemic period. And even more than 10 million! The event is aimed at developing partnership between enterprises of tourist industry of St. Petersburg and travel industry’s representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Presentation will feature new sightseeing programs, classical and new tourist attractions, museums, historical and cultural monuments, events. Participants from St. Petersburg: Petersburg tour operators, DMC; representatives of St. Petersburg hotels; representatives of cultural institutions and other tourist infrastructure of St. Petersburg. The program includes: B2B workshop; presentation of St. Petersburg’s tourism potential; dinner with cultural program and raffle of prizes from St. Petersburg participants. To attend the “Visit Saint Petersburg!” roadshow, please follow this link: https://petersburg-roadshow.com or https://petersburg-roadshow.com/sa/   Contact us: info@petersburg-roadshow.com +7 929 519-08-82 – Karina Rink +7 903 665-12-52 …

A tourism promotion campaign organized by the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) has kicked off in Europe in a bid to boost tourist numbers and educate Europeans on the Kingdom’s touristic features, Minister of Tourism and JTB Chairman Nayef Al Fayez announced. In a JTB statement, Fayez underlined the significance of the campaign, which will run through October and next November, especially during this time of year when the tourism season begins in areas of mild temperature in the Kingdom, and its effect on the expected number of tourists. The JTB launched the campaign in Britain, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and Holland to promote Jordan’s new tourism identity: The Kingdom of Time, which showcases Jordan as a tourist destination and expresses its tourism character, aspirations, achievements, and vision, said Managing Director of JTB Dr. Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat. The promotion campaign in these countries also highlights Royal Jordanian as the national carrier, he added, noting that it also included advertisements on public transportation vehicles and in shopping centers, bus stops, and metro stations, in addition to billboards in bustling areas such as the Duomo in Milan, Italy, and Manchester Piccadilly station in the United Kingdom.        

VOX Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, is excited to announce that its open-air movie experience OUTDOOR will return on Wednesday, 19 October. Located on the rooftop of Galleria Mall in Jumeirah 1, OUTDOOR is a wintertime favourite among Dubai cinemagoers to kick back, relax and enjoy the latest blockbusters under a canopy of stars. Guests can choose from single seats and bean bags to two-person VIP cabanas for the ultimate al fresco movie experience. OUTDOOR also offers an exclusive waiter service, so guests are treated to VOX Cinemas’ signature food and beverages from the comfort of their seats. Throughout the winter season from October 2022 till April 2023, OUTDOOR will be screening a must-see line-up of the most anticipated Hollywood titles including Black Adam and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as well as a slate of Halloween and Christmas titles and romantic movies. Each weekend (Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m.), there will be dedicated kids’ screenings, so the littlest movie fans can enjoy family-friendly films. OUTDOOR is equipped with the best visual technology and surround sound for a fully immersive and exhilarating big-screen experience. OUTDOOR at Galleria Mall Standard Package for 1 AED137 (Monday-Friday) / AED 157 (Saturday & Sunday) Includes one seat and F&B package with the choice of either nachos or a hotdog, salt or caramel popcorn, chocolate bar, a soft drink and bottled water   Premium View Cabana Package for 2 AED 315 (Monday-Friday) / AED 368 (Saturday & Sunday) Includes a two-person VIP cabana and F&B package with the choice of either nachos or a hotdog, salt or caramel popcorn, chocolate bar, a soft drink and bottled water   Kids Package AED 95 …

Satguru Group announced the acquisition of Orient Tours, an esteemed DMC (Destination Management Company) in Dubai. The acquisition of the Arabian Gulf’s oldest premier DMC (Destination Management Company) will accelerate Satguru’s plan to strengthen its DMC presence in UAE. Established in 1989 in Kigali (East Africa) with the aim to offer unique services to their global travelers with a sole purpose of transforming the travel world. Their customers have access to the best-in-class booking technology, smart analytics, worldwide partnerships and impeccable client servicing. They pride themselves in providing end-to-end services to allow stress-free travel to all of their customers. Their services range from organized planning, hotels and accommodation, corporate travel, car rentals, visa and insurance among others. Headquartered in Dubai, Satguru Travel under Satguru Group is one of the largest TMCs (Travel Management Companies) covering over 80 locations in every continent over the past decade. Mr. Anil Chandirani, Chairman of Satguru Group said, “Leveraging Orient Tour’s international footprint, the Satguru Group aims to expand its DMC operations in the UAE. We are confident that in the years to come, we will all reap the benefits of this cooperation.” The acquisition of Orient Tours fits seamlessly into Satguru’s business strategy to augment its growth and establish its presence both nationally and internationally. Orient Tours brings 40 years of experience to the table, offering an unconventional DMC perspective. The brand is synonymous with exceptional customer service and unique product offerings. With this acquisition, Satguru Group intends to leverage Orient Tours’ decades of expertise to further strengthen inbound tourism to the UAE and expand its footprint across 70+ countries. According to Orient Tours, the decision to hand over the reins was made keeping …

marhaba, part of dnata, continues to expand its lounge offering as passengers increasingly look for quality airport hospitality services to boost their travel experience. Most recently, marhaba has re-opened a newly-refurbished lounge at Dubai International’s (DXB) Terminal 3. Located at Concourse ‘C’, the newest marhaba lounge features contemporary Arabic influences, enhanced buffet area and a unique bar concept. It offers comfortable seating for 140 guests across multiple, separate areas and plenty of charging points as part of a revamped experience for travellers. Including its upgraded facility, marhaba now operates five lounges at DXB, each offering superfast Wi-Fi and international cuisine catering to a wide range of dietary and ethnic requirements. Several lounges also feature a quiet zone for relaxation, shower facilities and dedicated kids areas. After a busy period for travel to and from Dubai, marhaba recorded a 140% increase in visitor numbers between June – September 2022 at its lounges compared to the same period in 2021. It also witnessed a significant growth in demand for its signature Meet & Greet services, including its innovative Home Check-in services, that ensure a swift, smooth and safe experience for passengers and their families throughout their journey. Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, commented: “marhaba’s airport services have been soaring in popularity, with more people travelling and more passengers seeking to complement their journey with access to our comfortable and convenient lounges, and our range of travel add-ons. “From Meet & Greet to chauffeur drive services and beyond, marhaba is with travellers every step of the way at DXB and around the world. As ever, passenger comfort and travel assurance remain at the heart of the experience. Our teams look forward to …

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the not-for-profit travel trade association serving government, tourism offices, hotels, airlines and other travel-related companies within the Asia Pacific region, has announced the programme for its 2022 Annual Summit set to take place from 25-27 October 2022 in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Exploring the theme ‘Reconnecting the World Sustainably’, the programme covers critical industry topics such as destination resilience, sustainable travel recovery strategies, supporting women in micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), global hotel industry trends, sustainable gastronomic tourism, the voice of the next generation, and the decarbonization of transport. This is the first time PATA’s Annual Summit takes places in the Middle East. Hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) at the Al Hamra International Conference Center, the three-day event brings together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers who are invested in driving tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific.  The PATA association network consists of both public and private entities representing every facet of the travel ecosystem – government, tourism offices, hotels, airlines, MNCs, SMEs, universities, and other travel-related companies with interests in the Asia Pacific region. Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) commented: “We are delighted to host the Pacific Asia Travel Association for the first time in the Middle East. As a dynamic and forward-looking Emirate, we are placing all aspects of sustainability (environment, culture, conservation and livability) at the centre of our investment and development strategy. We look forward to driving the sustainability agenda with key opinion leaders from around the world to build a stronger and resilient tourism economy for the future.” Among the distinguished …

Qatar Tourism has won the bid to host the biggest B2B destination in the land of pearling banks and is the official Host Partner for the 9th annual DWP Congress taking place from 14 – 16 March 2023. The official signing ceremony was held on the 17th October 2022 in Doha, Qatar. The Congress is set to attract over 500 destination wedding planners and suppliers from all over the world to discover Qatar’s potential as a luxury wedding destination. Destination weddings continue to be the fastest growing segment of the US $300 billion worth global wedding market. Doha is a city that dreams big. From jaw dropping opulence and unparallel luxury experiences fit for a royalty, celebrity or High Net Worth Individual wedding to glittering skylines offering the perfect backdrop for a romantic setting, Doha has so much to offer for a destination wedding. Be it an intimate beach ceremony or a lavish four-day wedding affair, Doha offers the perfect landscape and infrastructure. The warm Arabian hospitality, the immersive culturally rich experience, the multicultural society, the luxurious wedding venues that can cater the needs of any wedding. The region also boasts of talented and extravagant destination wedding planners, designers and creative partners who have curated the most luxurious, extravagant weddings and events worldwide. Shedding light on why Qatar was chosen to host the prestigious Congress, Mr. Ackash Jain, Director of QnA International – the organizers of the DWP Congress said: “Qatar is one of the most fascinating countries in the world to tie the knot with its majestic palatial resorts and striking oceanic backdrops. Combining old-world hospitality with cosmopolitan sophistication seamlessly opens the door to planning some of the most …

Travelport announced several new supplier connections are delivering more content to travel retailers on Travelport+. Travelport’s new and expanded agreements with Booking.com and Hertz will now bring more options for accommodation rates and car rentals to retailers using Travelport+, and Travelport-connected agencies will also gain access to more options from Air France-KLM and Lufthansa Group NDC content at the end of 2022. “This is the fourth chapter in our delivery of Travelport+, where we’re giving agents access to more supplier options and fueling their ability to sell more air, hotel, and car offers as we broaden and expand our content catalog,” said Jen Catto, Chief Marketing Officer at Travelport. “This update also helps our supplier partners reach even more of the right customers, with the ability to tailor products to drive sales through the indirect retail channel. As with everything we build, with the end traveler in mind, more options mean a more relevant customer experience.” More Air Content As the demand for travel surges, Travelport is ensuring that travel retailers have more options readily available for their customers by providing even more content to help ensure everyone gets the best possible retailing experience. Air France-KLM NDC content is being introduced on Travelport+, and Travelport will also be starting the rollout of Lufthansa Group NDC content in 2022. Travelport is also adding three new airlines to the platform – Congo Airways, FlyGTA and US-Bangla Airlines, along with 11 new ancillaries, and four more airlines now offer Branded Fares. More Hotel Choices Travelport’s new partnership with Booking.com unlocks a new range of rates across 140,000 hotel properties accessible through the Travelport+ platform, and will grow to over one million properties in …

German National Tourist Office GCC will be hosting a webinar focusing on medical tourism in Berlin on Wednesday 7th December 2022 at 12 noon, UAE time. Berlin, the capital of Germany has been in the forefront of medical tourism with state of the art hospitals for over 300 years. This webinar will bring to light the many new offerings for the visitors who need expert medical care and attention. Speaking to TTME Yamina Sofo, Director, German National Tourist Office GCC shared that she will start off the webinar with the importance of the GCC market and its impact especially the last summer, then move on to share insights on the current campaigns that focus on sustainable tourism. Sofo stated, “the webinar is two fold, first our focus is on the Feel Good campaign which is to demonstrate our commitment to promote sustainable tourism ensuring that all players and stakeholders are involved and benefitted long term. Sustainable tourism is not a mere PR exercise, but a campaign that will add value to the traveller whilst granting them an opportunity to explore a truly authentic experience. Travellers can explore wide open spaces, natural forests, springs, lakes and rivers across Germany. Secondly, we will be promoting medical tourism with our capital Berlin, Michaela Kehrer, Medical Tourism Manager visitBerlin, will be sharing her expertise on what can be expected when on medical travel.”

Global Village has revealed further details of some of the additional new experiences and attractions guests can look forward to throughout Season 27. Arriving at the perfect time for Halloween, the newly built House of Fear will be the scariest haunted house experience in the region featuring a team of actors across nine different experiences with everything from a haunted cemetery, hospital psych ward and even a screaming tree. Spanning 660 square metres, the exclusive House of Fear concept features the latest animatronic technology from the United States and has been curated for Global Village by Cave Entertainment to create an immersive haunted house experience unlike any other. Another brand new attraction for Season 27 is Diggers Lab, where children, young and old, can put on a construction hat to enjoy this fun edutainment activity. The hydraulic digger experience, located at the entrance of Carnaval, invites little builders to take the controls by operating diggers, dumpers and other construction machinery, offering excitement for the whole family. In a world where strange rules, the highly popular Ripley’s Believe It or Not!™ Odditorium, which is bursting with vibrant and eye-catching oddities, returns to Global Village for its 4th year. With more than 200 unbelievable and incredible displays from all over the world, the first Ripley’s Believe It or Not!™ Odditorium in the MENA region welcomes a number of new exhibits, as well as an upgraded lobby and new retail offerings. There will be over 50 new Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Exhibits, including a 14-foot-long killer crocodile, a matchstick model containing over one million matchsticks, and even the Cristiano Ronaldo ‘money legs’ display. The popular “Torture chamber” gallery now includes a brand …