Category Archives: Agents

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Sabre’s EmQuest have officially launched Season 3 of their Exclusive Promotion to reward outstanding travel agents across the UAE. Running from 01–30 September 2025, this exciting campaign offers travel professionals the chance to win a trip for two to either the Philippines or Bali, Indonesia, complete with tickets and accommodation. The promotion is designed to recognize the hard work of travel agents and encourage them to showcase PAL’s world-class service and connectivity to their customers. “Travel agents are an integral part of our success story in the Middle East and across the EMEA region,” said Josh Vasquez, Regional Head–EMEA, Philippine Airlines. “Through this partnership with EmQuest, we are not only rewarding excellence but also inspiring agents to continue promoting the beauty of the Philippines and beyond. This campaign reflects PAL’s commitment to building stronger relationships with our valued trade partners.” Andrew Dowling, General Manager of Sabre’s EmQuest, added: “EmQuest and our good partners at Philippine Airlines are pleased to launch the 3rd Season of our popular promotion to give our valued travel agency customers the opportunity to experience the excellent in-flight service onboard PAL to a destination in the Philippines and Bali by simply booking and issuing PAL tickets through Sabre.” Campaign Highlights: • Sales Period: 01–30 September 2025 • Travel Period: No restrictions apply • Prizes: • Top seller to the Philippines: Trip for two with tickets and accommodation in Manila • Top seller to beyond Philippines: Trip for two with tickets and accommodation in Bali • Eligibility: Applicable for all new tickets issued via Sabre under UAE PCC during the sales period, including deal fares. Winners will be announced by 10 November 2025, with prizes …

Returning to London’s iconic Excel from 4-6 November 2025, WTM London is now open for registration. Building on last year’s hugely successful turnout, which saw an 11% rise in qualified buyers and 34,000+ meeting taking place, the 2025 edition of WTM London is on track to be the largest in its history. In line with the continued expansion of Excel London, the show is poised to grow by 25,000 m², offering increased space, enhanced content, higher level engagement and the introduction of WTM Trend Fest, a brand-new cultural programme spotlighting immersive global experiences spanning live performances, themed activations and daily presentations. Early indicators suggest record-breaking growth for exhibitor numbers, with destinations, experiences, transport, accommodation and tech solutions number continuing to rise. To elevate the exhibitor experience even further, WTM London will debut its very own TV channel this year, WTM TV, designed to educate, engage and connect audiences. Levelling up its already unparalleled conference programme, WTM London recently revealed a unified theme across all six conference tracks – ‘reimagining travel in a changing world’ – to maintain focus and clarity throughout the entire event. With the show’s expansion of stage and floor capacity, as well as a continued rise in conference session attendance (up by 29% last year), comes the opportunity to introduce new educational and entertainment experiences, including a series of bookable, fee-based masterclasses hosted by experts and exhibitors which will debut this year. With the programme already taking shape, renowned sessions such as the Ministers Summit at WTM, Sustainability Summit, Geo-economics Summit, Marketing Summit, WTM Global Travel Report and ITT Future You Forum, have all been confirmed to return to the stages of WTM London this year. Please book your free …

Almosafer announced a strategic partnership with Marka, a prominent local event management company specialising in high-impact corporate, cultural, and business events. This collaboration reflects Almosafer’s ongoing commitment to enriching the Kingdom’s growing event and tourism landscape and delivering world-class experiences that resonate with both domestic and international audiences.  

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has officially announced the theme for the 2026 edition: “Travel 2040: driving new frontiers through innovation and technology.” Taking place from 4–7 May 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), ATM 2026 will explore the forces reshaping the global tourism landscape and highlight how innovation is transforming every stage of the traveller’s journey. The period leading up to 2040 is expected to be one of the most transformative eras in the history of global tourism, with research from the World Economic Forum highlighting that the travel and tourism sector is projected to serve 30 billion tourist visits and contribute $16 trillion to global GDP by 2034. In parallel, technological advancements, including AI-driven personalisation and immersive digital experiences, alongside green aviation and smart mobility, are set to redefine how, where, and why people travel. Against this backdrop, ATM 2026 will provide a vital platform for the global travel community to explore new opportunities, accelerate technological adoption, and build a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive industry for the future. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The next ten years and beyond are going to be crucial for the travel and tourism industry. We are at a significant turning point where factors such as climate change, digital advancements, and evolving consumer expectations are all coming together to create both challenges and opportunities. By showcasing how innovation can enhance the travel experience, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainability, ATM 2026 will provide an important platform for the global industry to prepare for what lies ahead, while ensuring the Middle East remains at the forefront of this evolution.”

As part of its growing economic and industry partnerships with India, one of the organisation’s priority growth markets, Visit Qatar held two high-level dialogue sessions in Mumbai, engaging the country’s leading tour operators and wedding planners as the two nations look to deepen tourism and industry ties. During the interactive sessions, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Qatar, spoke alongside a number of representatives who highlighted key upcoming initiatives and potential opportunities for further collaboration between the two countries and attract more travellers and event organisers to Qatar. Through presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, recognition ceremonies, and networking, the events showcased Qatar’s world-class hospitality, seamless connectivity, and diverse offerings, reinforcing its position as the luxury destination of choice for Indian travellers and wedding celebrations.

MSC Cruises will be repositioning MSC Euribia for Winter 2025/2026 season and MSC World Europa for Winter 2026/2027, to homeport in Dubai. MSC Cruises seven-night Gulf itinerary offers a rich tapestry of experiences across iconic ports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island and Doha, Qatar.  A highlight of the Gulf itinerary is access to Sir Bani Yas Island. Guests can relax on MSC Cruises’ private beach with full-service catering, or explore the island’s Arabian Wildlife Park on a guided safari, a one-of-a-kind experience managed in partnership with local organisations.

The coveted Arabian Travel Awards will kick off on 25th November 2025 as an invitation only event recognising the visionaries transforming travel, tourism and hospitality across the Middle East. Now, in its 8th edition promises a powerful gathering of leaders, disruptors, and unsung heroes from across the region. At its core, the Arabian Travel Awards has always been about people. The dreamers, doers, and disruptors who’ve reimagined what travel can be. This year, as the Middle East cements its place as a global tourism powerhouse, the awards return with deeper purpose and stronger emotion. It’s not just another event, it’s a tribute to resilience, innovation, and the sheer will to keep going in an industry that never sits still. Each year, the awards recognise those who shape the way we experience the world, whether it’s a travel advisor who’s earned the trust of thousands, a portal that makes booking easier, or a hotel that redefines hospitality. San Jeet, Mentor, Arabian Travel Awards, shares, “These awards are not about fame. They’re about impact. They honour those who show up, step up, and bring change, no matter the odds. And that’s what makes them special.” Winners are chosen through a transparent, digital voting process. The 2025 edition will present honours across Personal, Business, Trending, and Partner categories, each spotlighting a different kind of contribution, but all equally powerful. And while the voting has begun, the call for nominations is still open. From Best City Hotel to Best B2B Travel Portal, this is the moment to put forward the names that deserve to be celebrated.

Commissioned by the Al Ain Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the China Visitors Summit (CVS) connects the Chinese travel trade with leading tourism suppliers from across Abu Dhabi and the UAE on 28 – 29 August with TravTalkME as media partners. With over 300 delegates expected, CVS is more than an event — it’s a an important network opportunity. To date, 156 top-tier travel industry buyers from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have been confirmed. This makes the CVS the largest China inbound travel industry workshop ever produced outside of China. “The China Visitors Summit is more than a business event — it’s where relationships are built, partnerships are formed, and destinations open their doors to one of the world’s most important travel markets. Abu Dhabi and Al Ain provide the perfect stage for connecting Chinese travel buyers with the region’s best hospitality and tourism offerings.” Alexander Glos, CEO, China i2i Group. Since 2017, we have been building lasting partnerships through 39th editions of the CVS in destinations worldwide. In addition to Abu Dhabi, the CVS will also take place in Baku, Azerbaijan and Barcelona, Spain later this year. Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2026 global schedule.

The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will host the 68th Annual Convention & Exhibition of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) from 17 to 19 September 2025, further deepening its strategic partnership with one of the emirate’s most important source markets. Held under the theme “Business with Goodness,” the convention will bring together a wide cross-section of India’s travel trade industry, including travel agents, tour operators, airlines, hospitality leaders, and tourism boards, to explore new growth avenues and reinforce bilateral ties. As one of the year’s most significant industry events, the convention highlights Abu Dhabi’s rising profile as a global hub for tourism, trade, and business events. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “India continues to be a key priority market for us, not only in terms of visitor volume but also in long-term strategic collaboration. We are honoured to welcome TAAI’s esteemed members to Abu Dhabi and look forward to showcasing our destination’s remarkable evolution across world-class cultural icons, family attractions, luxury, adventure, and business travel offerings. This convention is an opportunity to build shared value and lasting partnerships across both our markets.” Sunil Kumar, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), said: “It is a proud moment for TAAI to bring the 68th Annual Convention to the dynamic city of Abu Dhabi in collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi. Our theme, “Business with Goodness,” reflects our shared vision of building meaningful partnerships rooted in trust, purpose, and progress. This convention will not only provide an enriching platform for knowledge-sharing and networking but also offer our members an immersive experience into Abu Dhabi’s diverse cultural, leisure, and business landscape. We …

One of the travel industry’s most highly-regarded events, The Phocuswright Conference, returns this November unveiling a fresh and ambitious theme: “Game On.” This marks a bold new direction for the event, inviting C-suite leaders, innovators, and investors to tackle the most pressing challenges transforming global travel. The “Game On” theme signals a defining moment; a fast-moving, competitive landscape fueled by breakthrough technologies, seismic shifts in consumer behavior, and a renewed demand for strategic clarity. The 2025 event – taking place from 18-20 November  confronts these forces head-on, offering curated insights, unscripted exchanges, and data-backed perspectives to propel the industry forward. “This is not business as usual,” said Eugene Ko, Marketing and Communications Director at Phocuswright. “‘Game On’ is a defining statement; it’s an invitation to push limits and boundaries, rethink strategies, and challenge every assumption. We’re gathering the minds who won’t settle for predictable – they’re the ones with the power to transform travel. This is where the next era of travel gets written.” This year’s agenda features a dynamic mix of research-driven strategic sessions, startup and investor networking, and off-the-record discussions designed to provoke fresh thinking and build actionable strategies. Phocuswright has already secured some of the leading names in travel as speakers, with many more to be confirmed: