Category Archives: Agents

dnata Travel reported a 35% increase in bookings for international travel across July and August 2024, compared to the same timings last year. As one of the busiest weekends forecasted for travel fast approaches, the travel agency is supporting thousands of travellers with pre-booked itineraries and last-minute requests across its multiple channels, including 14 retail outlets across the country. For July and August, dnata Travel’s most popular destinations for international travel from the UAE are Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, Turkey, and the UK, respectively. Compared to trends released earlier this summer, Mauritius has emerged to enter the ‘top three’ most-booked holiday destinations. Across summer 2024, the island country is one of the fastest-growing holiday locations for dnata’s travellers, alongside Germany and Malaysia. International trips are on the agenda for this popular time for summer travel, dominating a 90% majority of overall bookings this year, compared to 10% for UAE staycations. In comparison, the split was reported by dnata Travel experts as 65% international and 35% staycations over the Eid al-Adha break for 2024, with demand for outbound travel witnessing a significant increase. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “International travel is in high demand this summer, with destinations including Mauritius, Malaysia, and Germany witnessing some of the strongest growth we’ve seen this year. Mauritius and Malaysia offer the chance to stay on world-class beaches and in exceptional resorts at affordable prices. Kuala Lumpur is also a popular destination in Asia for a city break for its impressive skyline, and opportunities for shopping and dining. Meanwhile, Germany’s vibrant cities are popular this month, as travellers seek to soak up the action of the UEFA European Football …

Al Rostamani Travels announced a partnership with BluSmart, UAE’s first 100% electric full-stack premium limousine service to launch eco-friendly travel solutions in the region. Driven by Al Rostamani Group’s values of Commitment, Care, and Vision, this unique collaboration sets a new standard for sustainable travel. BluSmart’s chauffeur driven luxury service with Audi e-tron fleet delivers a premium experience while significantly reducing CO2 emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment. This partnership will offer sustainable travel services, including airport transfers, city tours, and intracity travel, supporting the UAE’s Green Mobility Strategy 2030 to decrease fossil fuel reliance and enhance energy security. BluSmart’s premium fleet service will help Al Rostamani Travels achieve its environmental goals, showcasing its commitment and dedication to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in the travel industry. Bimal Jain, General Manager of Al Rostamani Travels, commented, “Being the first travel company in the UAE and the region to partner with BluSmart is a significant step towards our goal of providing sustainable travel solutions. We are excited to offer our clients an eco-friendly alternative that aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship.” “As the benefits of electric vehicles become more widely recognized, this partnership sets a new benchmark for sustainable travel combined with premium services in the region” he added. Sreejith Hrishikesh, VP – Business and Country Head – UAE, BluSmart added, “This partnership with Al Rostamani Travels is the first of many such travel collaborations in the region. We provide our riders convenient, reliable, and environmentally conscious transportation options, while also contributing to the UAE’s vision of building smart, sustainable cities.” Al Rostamani Travels and BluSmart are leading the charge in promoting green mobility, supporting the UAE’s vision. For more …

Geof Travel has been named the overall winner among Dubai and Northern Emirates travel agencies of the recently-concluded Philippine Airlines and Sabre Emquest’s Top Seller Campaign. Geof Travel will receive a trip for two to Palawan, Philippines, which includes two round-trip tickets and two nights of hotel accommodation.The contest ran from March 20 to May 31, 2024. “EmQuest was delighted to award Geof Travel with a voucher for a 2 night stay in Palawan. Geoffrey Salatan, CEO of Geof Travel, is a loyal EmQuest customer and Sabre user. We couldn’t be happier that the winner of Season 2 – EmQuest/Sabre & Philippines Airlines Top Seller Campaign – was won by such a good partner. Congratulations!”, Andrew Dowling, Emquest General Manager said. “Philippine Airlines is pleased to award Geof Travel with the top recognition in this year’s sales campaign. Geof has been a consistent Philippine Airlines supporter and this is yet another testament of the agency’s trust and confidence in booking their passengers to Philippine Airlines, the Heart of the Filipino”, Josh Vasquez, PAL Regional Head-EMEA quoted.

SalamAir announced its network-wide social media engagement campaign to celebrate the enchanting Khareef season in Salalah, Oman. This campaign aims to gather travelers from around the world in a collective celebration and promotion of Salalah as a must-visit destination during the summer months, renowned for its refreshing cooler weather and stunning natural beauty. We invite all our passengers to capture and share their favorite moments from Salalah during Khareef for a chance to win a free return ticket to any of our destinations! “We are thrilled to reveal this interesting social media campaign, designed to harness the power of our vibrant community of travelers and showcase the enchanting Khareef season in Salalah. By encouraging our passengers to share their personal experiences, we highlight Salalah’s unique beauty and create a deeper connection with our audience and community. This strategic initiative aims to magnify Salalah’s appeal as a premier summer destination, leveraging user-generated content to inspire and attract more visitors to experience its refreshing cooler weather and captivating landscapes.” said Sherif Hosny, Director of Marketing and Digital Sales at SalamAir. This campaign is more than just a contest; it’s an opportunity to join a community of travelers who appreciate the unique charm of Salalah during Khareef. Salalah transforms into a verdant city with cooler temperatures, offering a refreshing escape from the summer heat. By sharing your experiences, you stand a chance to win exciting prizes and contribute to showcasing Salalah as a premier summer destination. Your photos and stories will inspire others to discover the hidden gems of this beautiful city, and promoting it as a must-visit location will aid local businesses, events, and communities to prosper. Now, SalamAir connects Salalah with …

Amadeus and Vistara Airlines successfully collaborated on a joint promotion to support the travel industry during the typically slow period last Ramadan which boosted travel bookings, saw an overwhelming positive response from travel partners and resulted in healthy flight loads and increased incremental segments. As part of the highest seller incentive, six top-performing travel partners were rewarded with attractive prizes including Apple Watches, Lenovo Tablets, Vistara Premium Economy and Economy tickets, and shopping vouchers. The incentive was designed to motivate and appreciate the hard work of the travel agencies during this period. Both Vistara and Amadeus expressed their deep gratitude to their travel partners for their unwavering support. This gesture was met with enthusiasm and appreciation from the travel partners, who reaffirmed their commitment to a long-term partnership with both companies. The collaboration with travel partners has not only bolstered travel bookings has also strengthened relationships with key industry players. The positive feedback from travel partners underscores the success of the promotion. Among the top-performing travel agencies were Akbar Travels Middle East, Alhashar Travels, Bahwan Tourism LLC, Khimji’s House of Travel, Satguru Travel and Tourism Services and Zahara Travel & Service Bureau LLC. These agencies demonstrated exceptional sales performance, contributing significantly to the promotion’s success.

HBX Group announced a strategic partnership with PerfectStay. This collaboration aims to create a new global leader in B2B2C package travel solutions. This partnership marks a significant milestone in HBX Group’s journey towards innovation. Some of the brands currently working with HBX Group and PerfectStay include Air France, Emirates, Transavia, and American Express. Kenya Airways is the latest addition to this client portfolio, highlighting the growing influence and reach of both companies. Since 2023, HBX Group has been collaborating with PerfectStay to offer innovative packaging solutions for airlines, hotels, and banks in EMEA. With the successful commercialisation phase, HBX Group is now accelerating the global rollout of HBX Group & PerfectStay curated travel experiences to a wider selection of clients, enabling them to offer unique and monetisable travel experiences directly to their customers. PerfectStay is recognised for its exceptional ability in curating unique travel experiences, providing comprehensive travel inventories that include hotels, transfers, car rentals, excursions, flights and activities. With great technological capabilities and advanced dynamic packaging, PerfectStay offers clients bespoke travel solutions. The partnership will also enhance customer loyalty programmes and consumer platforms. Leveraging advanced technology and data, HBX Group and PerfectStay will boost revenue and improve user experience. Both companies’ digital marketing expertise will drive traffic and increase conversion rates, ensuring a seamless and rewarding travel experience for customers. PerfectStay’s technology, combined with HBX Group’s global presence and local touch, will ensure the best deals negotiated by destination experts. Nicolas Huss, CEO of HBX Group, says: “According to sector research, there is growing demand for both personalised and organised travel experiences, which is why HBX Group saw in PerfectStay the best partner possible. We are excited to bring …

Safarak Travel and Tourism, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) has recorded remarkable growth in its MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) division, contributing significantly to the emirate’s economic development. Safarak has experienced a 76% increase in MICE enquiries year-on-year, with a conversion rate of 28% in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the industry average of 20%. This surge in activity has resulted in AED 25.5 million being injected into the emirate’s economy, aligning Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) vision to establish the emirate as a premier MICE destination. Ras Al Khaimah has established itself as an easily accessible destination in the Middle East, serving as an ideal hub between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In addition, new direct flights from Qatar Airways and IndiGo have been pivotal in increased international air connectivity, making Ras Al Khaimah even more accessible, further adding to the emirate’s MICE appeal. Its draw as a MICE destination is enhanced by unique venues and stunning natural landscapes, from the UAE’s highest mountain range to its vast desert and 5-star beachside hotels on the Persian Gulf. Safarak has been continuously exploring new venues to expand its portfolio, guaranteeing a robust and diverse selection for event planners. Recent additions include the highest boardroom in the UAE, Jais Sky Room, offering breathtaking views of the Hajjar mountain range, and the historic Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, providing an authentic local cultural setting for events. The Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre continues offers a space for large groups, whilst the Design Gallery has increased in popularity for intimate bookings. The first quarter of 2024 has seen Safarak handling a diverse range of events across various …

Summer is here, and so is the much-awaited sale season at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, where luxury meets affordability. Spanning across 23 designer outlets in Europe, the centers Summer Sale is set to kick off in mid-June in Northern Europe and conclude at the end of August in Southern Europe. Shoppers are in for an exciting treat with discounts soaring up to 70% off European retail prices. For the valued customers from the Middle East , this is a golden opportunity to capitalize on Tax Free Shopping for even greater savings. This sale period coincides with the peak travel season for Middle Eastern residents heading to Europe. It’s the perfect moment to pack light and return with suitcases filled with treasures from the favorite brands, including Gucci, Fendi, Saint Laurent, Brioni, Tumi, Bally and Polo Ralph Lauren. Sale Periods by Country To help planning the shopping adventure, here are the sale periods by country: Italy: Designer Outlet Serravalle (Milan), Designer Outlet Noventa di Piave (Venice), Designer Outlet Castel Romano (Rome): From 6th July to the end of August* Austria: Designer Outlet Parndorf (Vienna), Designer Outlet Salzburg. June and July*. France: Designer Outlet Paris-Giverny; from 26th June to 23rd July* Spain: Designer Outlet Malaga: July and August* Netherlands: Designer Outlet Roermond (near city is Dusseldorf/Cologne) from 13th June to end of July*. UK: Designer Outlet Ashford (London), Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks (Manchester) from 17 June to 14 July*. Germany: Designer Outlet Berlin, Designer Outlet Neumunster (Hannover) from 6th June to 10th August*. *Sale periods mentioned are indicative; periods may vary according to local / regional laws. The McArthurGlen Designer Outlets boast an impressive lineup of world-renowned brands, making it the perfect …

Sabre Corporation and Spotnana announced a significant expansion of their existing partnership with the integration of Sabre’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) content. This extended collaboration empowers travel management companies (TMCs) and corporate travelers with a wider range of travel options, including personalized offers and bundled services. This not only simplifies the booking experience but also provides TMCs and corporate buyers with increased flexibility in choosing how to source and manage NDC content. The integration seamlessly blends NDC content with existing booking functionalities within Spotnana’s Travel-as-a-Service platform. TMCs can effortlessly compare and book NDC offers alongside traditional options, streamlining the entire booking process. Spotnana’s platform also supports comprehensive NDC servicing capabilities, ensuring a smooth post-booking experience. “Spotnana is committed to delivering a frictionless travel experience for corporate travelers, and this expanded partnership with Sabre is a significant step forward,” said Bill Brindle, Vice President, Content and Commercials at Spotnana “By integrating Sabre’s NDC content, we’re empowering travel management companies to offer their clients a wider variety of flight options, including more choices for amenities and preferred seating, while streamlining the shopping booking process..” This partnership reinforces both companies’ commitment to an open platform approach. Spotnana’s travel platform works with any source of content, including NDC content from multiple providers, allowing TMCs to thrive in a dynamic landscape. Sabre’s API-first approach allows travel agencies, corporations and online booking tools to flexibly access the content from leading airlines, striking the right balance between personalization, policy and price. “Sabre is a leader in NDC adoption, and we are constantly seeking new ways to bring the benefits of this technology to the corporate travel sector,” said Kathy Morgan, Vice President, Product Management at Sabre Travel Solutions. …

Travelport announced a new partnership with AJet (formerly AnadoluJet), the low-cost carrier (LCC) brand from Turkish Airlines, that brings more enriched multi-source content to agency customers. As part of the new agreement, Travelport delivered simplified access to AJet’s wide range of content in the Travelport+ platform so that agents can easily shop, compare and book domestic and international fares from AJet. In March 2024, Turkish Airlines re-launched AnadoluJet ticket sales under the new brand AJet, which aims to make the airline experience more modern, comfortable, and accessible for travelers. “Travelport+ will propel our growth in the market as we introduce new routes and cater to more passengers with our fleet of modern eco-friendly aircrafts,” said Kerem Sarp, Chief Executive Officer at AJet. “We value our new partnership because Travelport shares our vision of creating modern experiences for travelers, aligning closely with our priorities as we expand our offerings for agencies and travelers. We currently operate 173 routes, covering 89 destinations across 32 countries with our Istanbul SAW and Ankara ESB airport hubs. Additionally, we are considering increasing our aircraft fleet to 100 by the end of the year.” “Adding LCC content from AJet to Travelport+ provides our agency customers with greater selling opportunities and more choice for travelers flying within Türkiye and to destinations across Europe and Middle East,” said Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Partners at Travelport. “Travelport will help AJet reach new markets and more customers with our ability to deliver multi-source content and modern merchandizing tools that agencies need to sell the right offers to the right customers at the right time.” AJet’s LCC content and agent servicing capabilities are now available to Travelport agency customers …