Category Archives: Agents

Etihad Airways has partnered with World Energy, a carbon-net-zero solutions provider, to operate the first NetZero flight powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Book & Claim, delivering delegates to COP27 with zero net emissions. The airline will operate its Washington Dulles to Abu Dhabi service, routed via COP27 venue Sharm-El-Sheik to demonstrate the only feasible path to net-zero commercial aviation using current technology, while showcasing the challenges and opportunities of SAF. Mariam Alqubaisi, Head of Sustainability & Business Excellence, Etihad Airways, said: “This initiative is about proving NetZero commercial aviation is possible, but equally facing up to the significant logistical challenges the industry faces to turn the possible into the routine. Etihad endeavors to make good on its rigorous commitment towards sustainable aviation through the Greenliner programme in partnership with Boeing, GE and other aviation leaders in 2020, followed by the addition of the Sustainabile50 programme in partnership with Airbus and Rolls Royce, coupled with our commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and halving our net emission levels by 2035. “Through these programmes, we have run a series of ecoFlights over the past two years to test and validate several concepts, and we have made refining and implementing sustainability initiatives an intrinsic part of our day-to-day operation. The NetZero flight is the next logical step after our EY20 operation from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi in October last year, where we reduced emissions by 72% compared to the same flight in 2019. “This isn’t about solving only Etihad’s emissions, but about supporting the entire industry to address the biggest challenge we face over the next three decades.” Gene Gebolys, CEO, World Energy, said: “Aviation is how the …

Emirates has recently activated its codeshare partnership with Batik Air, expanding choice and connectivity options for its customers with access to 25 Indonesian points on a single ticket and one baggage policy. Under the newly activated agreement, Emirates has placed its code on 8 routes operated by Batik Air via Jakarta to – Balikpapan (BPN), Denpasar (DPS), Medan (KNO), Manado (MDC), Padang (PDG), Surakarta (SOC), Surabaya (SUB) and Makassar (UPG). In addition, via an interline agreement, Emirates customers can also easily access  17 more domestic Indonesian points via Jakarta and Denpasar, to cities such as Praya (LOP), Semarang (SRG), Sorong (SOQ), and more. Tickets can be booked on www.emirates.com, Online Travel Agencies (OTA’s) and via travel agents, for travel immediately. Emirates has been serving Indonesia for over 30 years, since the commencement of its first flight to Jakarta back in 1992. The airline continues to contribute to the recovery and growth of Indonesia’s travel and trade sectors, carrying international tourists and business travellers, as well as transporting essential air cargo to and from global markets. Earlier this year, Emirates had launched its codeshare agreement with Indonesia’s national carrier, Garuda, allowing its customers to access eight domestic points in Indonesia, beyond Jakarta and Bali. Emirates currently has codeshare cooperation agreements in place with 26 airline partners and two rail companies around the world, as well as 110 interline partners worldwide. The airline offers its customers truly global connectivity to over 130 destinations across 6 continents.

flydubai launched its revamped portal that has been redesigned to better serve its travel trade partners. flydubai’s new Travel Agency Portal has been redesigned with a fresher visual look and provides a more personalised online experience with a range of advanced features and self-service tools, catering to the needs of its travel trade partners. The revamped portal includes improved functionalities for travel agents when creating or amending passengers’ bookings and introduces new features within the agency management section that offers greater efficiency and ease of use. The dynamic new portal has been upgraded using the latest technologies and adheres to IATA’s Billing and Settlements Plan (BSP) to facilitate payments. Commenting on the new Travel Agency Portal, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “We are delighted to have launched our newly enhanced Travel Agency Portal to further support and engage with our travel trade partners. At flydubai, investing in the feedback of travel trade partners and using that to innovate our digital platforms has always been important to ensure the best possible user experience. We are grateful for the continued support of our travel trade partners.”

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 …