Category Archives: Agents

Amadeus with its recent strategic tie-up with Microsoft will be looking at more flexibility and committing itself to adaptability in track with changing market dynamics. Ernesto Sanchez, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf shares with TravTalk Middle East, their plans and focus for this year at the 29th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Renew Travel enables us to communicate to a coherent story that is adaptable to shifting market environment, and reflects the challenges that everyone who works in travel has experienced over the last few years. What is the focus of Amadeus this year? This year Amadeus’s focus is on Renew Travel following last year’s Rebuild Travel initiative.  Renew Travel is a platform that provides Amadeus with the flexibility to adapt to changing market dynamics. It enables us to communicate to a coherent story that is adaptable to shifting market environment, and reflects the challenges that everyone who works in travel has experienced over the last few years. As global travel returns in the wake of the ongoing pandemic, it is clear that uncertainty remains. However by focusing on ways to support the industry to become more resilient, agile, and traveller-centric, Amadeus is committed to driving the industry renewal. We collaborated with the key industry player Microsoft to enhance the traveler experience and help facilitate the travel in a new dimension through breakthrough technologies. Source:  https://amadeus.com/en/topic/safe-travel-ecosystem   Could you share about the technologies currently developed by Amadeus and Microsoft? Amadeus’ tie-up with Microsoft last year has unlocked a plethora of opportunities that translate into value for the travel industry. The partnership includes joint innovation and product development to envision, design, and deliver cutting-edge travel solutions. We call this new dimension …

Spain Tourism Office in UAE signed an agreement with Wego, at the Arabian Travel Market. Through this collaboration, Spain Tourism & Wego to promote the ‘You deserve Spain’ campaign providing reassurance for travelers to visit the country again in the new norm. Spain is one of the top searched destinations for MENA travelers. The country is a year-round destination, packed with unique experiences, passionate people, and rich cultural traditions, not to mention its excellent dining scene, wine-making traditions and chic cities and multiple shopping avenues  across the country that is perfect for all types of travelers. Daniel Rosado, Spain Tourism, said: “We are very optimistic and with Wego as our partner, we are aiming to have a great summer and are eagerly waiting to welcome all travelers from GCC.” Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India of Wego, said: “We are thrilled to offer another stunning destination for our users to visit. Spain is on the MENA’s top travelers’ list with over 316,000 searches in Q1 2022. This partnership is in line with our efforts to provide more choice to our users and boost tourism recovery.” Travelers are invited to experience the heritage and arts and culture of the city, the stunning beaches, the coasts, and authentic food, among many sports adventures that await all the types of travelers.    

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) launched the all-new rebranded business division for the airline; SAUDIA Business, specialising in B2B travel solutions for Corporate, Agency & MICE clients recently. SAUDIA Business provides unique solutions for each travel requirement for a diverse range of beneficiaries, including corporations, travel agencies, and event organisers. The new account management department will streamline the booking process and support corporate travel through a seamless online platform with multiple functions and tools to serve SAUDIA’s business clients from A to Z. SAUDIA Business will have a dedicated meetings and events team that assists with specific corporate travel needs and event organisation worldwide. The new division will serve and support clients with busy schedules who frequently go on business trips, whether for meetings, incentive travel, conventions, or exhibitions (MICE). Hazem Sonbol, Vice President of sales at SAUDIA, said, “This is not just a new service department; it is an extension to the SAUDIA brand, a show of dedication to pursuing excellence. SAUDIA Business respects our guests’ time and understands the corporate standard with a service that will live up to it. We are looking forward to serving our business partners and taking care of their travel needs through SAUDIA Business.” Catering to corporate clients with custom solutions, SAUDIA Business will be offering new incentives exclusively for corporate clients through SAUDIA Business Loyalty. This unique rewards programme that allows for the redemption of points with every booking and spend. SAUDIA Business retains a stellar repertoire of regional and international clients from various industries, including Saudi ARAMCO, SABIC, SNB, BAE Systems, Amazon, and many more, that have put their trust in the new business department.  

As part of its participation at the Arabian Travel Market 2022, the Royal Commission for AlUla announced today the launch of its first Travel Agent Training Programme & Trade Information Hub – AlUla Specialist. The bespoke online hub will drive awareness of AlUla as a new and unexplored heritage and culture destination of global significance. The training platform will facilitate global travel agents to learn, market and sell trips to the vast desert region in North West Saudi Arabia. The course will lay-out five training modules in English and Arabic languages: Introduction to the destination of AlUla; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra; Dadan and Jabal Ikmah; AlUla Old Town and Oasis; and Nature and Adventure attractions. The content will educate and support the trade highlighting key messaging, positioning and unique AlUla experiences to travel partners. As well as the dynamic five-module trade training programme, features include a trade toolkit including downloadable factsheets, brochures and visitor guide, video and training webinars, trade rewards and incentives, regular news and product updates as well as the opportunity to attend upcoming events. Participants who pass the final exam of the training programme will become an AlUla Travel Specialist and be profiled as a premium AlUla operator that can provide world-class service and up to the minute information on AlUla, to increasing travel bookings to a unique destination of a 200,000-year of unexplored human history. “With AlUla Specialist we have developed what we hope is best in class programming to support our global network of valued trade partners. AlUla is an incredibly rich and inspiring destination and we look forward to introducing AlUla to our trade partners, first digitally and then in person,” …

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, to be held in November this year, Tawfeeq Travel will be focusing on bespoke travel experience in Qatar. Rehan Ali, CEO, Tawfeeq Travel, said, “Our key focus this year is to establish and position our DMC Tawfeeq Travel across the globe due to FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Qatar Tourism is investing heavily on organising various events throughout the year so that tourists and visitors can experience the hospitality in Qatar before the big event happens in November. The focus of Qatar government is to position Qatar as a key destination for MICE, Leisure and as a destination for big weddings. Tawfeeq Travel will bring in bespoke travel experience in Qatar.” Ali further reiterated the importance of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and their presence at the event after a long time. “ATM is a key travel show in the region that helps to connect with different service providers, suppliers from different segment of the markets across the globe, as well as gives access to new technologies that has been introduced by the tech providers. After a gap of almost three years, I am excited to participate physically and be part of this event. We have our own desk as Tawfeeq Travel with Qatar Tourism stand.” As Qatar is one of the largest gas producers, corporate travel has seen an increase of almost 80 per cent of the pre-COVID era. Ali elaborates, “Corporate travel has been gradually picking up since last year, Qatar being one of the largest gas producers have long term bilateral relationship with all the major countries and due to year around rig operations the marine business has kept them moving. As …

Discover Europe travel summit this year was organised by tourism boards of  Austria, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. Over 95 partners were present from all 4 destinations and key travel agents from the GCC attended the summit over the last two days. It was the first time after the pandemic that all GCC countries got the opportunity to be present physically to meet and network with partners from Europe. The two day event kicked off with new campaign presentations by each tourism board director, followed by B2B meetings between the trade partners. Travel trade partners from Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attended the event with of course the host country participants from across the UAE as well. Robert Groeblacher Director Austria tourism shared that it was very refreshing to meet everyone in person this year as last year most GCC countries were still closed hence participation was limited but this year saw a rise in the number of entrants. He further reiterated that the past year Austria had a good number of visitors from the GCC as they opened fairly early in the region for travellers to visit the destination. Yamina Sofo Director Marketing German National Tourist Office for GCC countries in her presentation provided a sneak preview of one of the main campaigns to be launched this year which is based on nature. Embrace nature as the campaign started showed places and experiences that must be tried and should include in the bucket list. Sofo also shared that Germany had also achieved a high number of visitors from the region, hence they have more campaigns for the market this year. Aisling McDermott Manager tourism Ireland for Middle …

Tourism professionals from around the world will return to Dubai today when Arabian Travel Market, the leading event for the travel industry in the Middle East, returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre today in a few hours. The event will welcome more than 20,000 visitors and over 1,500 exhibiting companies during the four-day tourism showcase, which concludes on Thursday, 12 May. 112 countries will be featured on the show floor ranging from Japan to Jamaica and South Africa to Italy. Industry professionals will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the latest trends from a cross-section of travel, including technology, transport, sustainability, events and business. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “Arabian Travel Market 2022 will reiterate the importance of the travel industry as we continue to address the challenges of COVID-19 while also outlining how we drive the industry forward. “The tourism industry has rebounded incredibly well. As a result, we have seen a clear uptick in participation, with floor space increasing by over 85% compared to the previous year and Middle East exhibitor space eclipsing 2019 levels. We now have the perfect opportunity to hear from industry professionals on the latest trends helping the industry recover and flourish in many instances.” In line with this year’s theme of ‘The future of international travel and tourism’, ATM 2022 will unveil new technology that will eliminate the need for business cards and allow exhibitors and visitors to share details, brochures and marketing material via innovative scanners and badges. Further underscoring the technology focus is the revamped and rebranded ATM Travel Tech event, previously called Travel Forward. A host of exciting sessions will take place, including …

Nirvana Holding the leading UAE travel and tourism management company, announced its participation in ATM – Arabian Travel Market 2022 that will take place on May 9th – 12th. The announcement came as part of Nirvana Holding’s plan and vision to increase its operations from UAE to the world. According to Mr. Omar Al Ali, CEO of Nirvana Tours & Logistics, Nirvana Holding Spokesperson,“Each year Nirvana Holding takes part in the ATM, being a global prestigious event. The ATM 2022 will witness a huge response from the travel and tourism industry after the long pandemic. Nirvana Holding is one of the key players in the industry worldwide, this is a vital reason to always be available in the ATM, and to keep track of the changes happening in the industry.” Nirvana Holding supports the development in the travel and tourism industry and provides all related services from travel and tourism until Events and project management, nationally and internationally. The company was evolved to a world-wide travel and tourism management company since its inception. The company has followed an expansion plan and enhanced its operations in UAE, K.S.A, Egypt, India, Jordan and Palestine, the Middle Eastern countries and North Africa.

dnata Travel has opened a new travel store in Dubai Hills Mall, providing the growing community with easy access to its range of services and expert team for travel bookings, advice, and inspiration. Located at newly-opened Dubai Hills Mall, the modern travel outlet is now welcoming customers to meet its multi-lingual team of travel experts at their local one-stop travel shop. Here, shoppers can book all they need for travel, including staycations or more complex itineraries, including flights, hotels, holiday packages, insurance, tours, attractions, transfers, express PCR testing, and more. The UAE-based travel brand is revealing a focus on expanding its retail footprint in the wake of increased demand from travellers for face-to-face bookings. The dnata Travel Dubai Hills Mall outlet is the first to open in a pipeline of new travel stores gearing up to serve a comprehensive range of travel solutions to a range of emerging and established UAE communities. Emily Jenkins, General Manager, dnata Travel Leisure, commented: “Demand for travel is at an all-time high, as restrictions ease across the globe. In tandem, with UAE travellers we are witnessing an increased demand for bookings within our travel stores, as travellers seek to ease their experience with the support of our experts. At dnata Travel outlets across the UAE, we can book all aspects of a customer’s journey in one, convenient place. We look forward to welcoming travellers to our new Dubai Hills Mall travel store, to tailor-make their next journey.” To celebrate the spirit of Ramadan and the opening of its new travel outlet, the first for the prospering Dubai Hills Estate community, dnata Travel is offering its customers the chance to secure a limited-time, complimentary staycation. …

marhaba and Plaza Premium Group (PPG) have entered into a joint venture agreement to expand their international offering. The partnership brings together two leading brands to combine knowledge and resources, and bring airport hospitality to the next level through excellent and innovative airport concierge and lounge services as travel demand increases globally. The first project under the agreement will see the development of the new marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. With the lounge development already in progress, the new marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport is expected to open in July 2022. The lounge will have a capacity of 140 guests and is inspired by the beautiful landscape of Amman, with subtle inclusion of the local culture and heritage in its design. Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with PPG to bring our globally renowned airport hospitality services to more travellers across the world. Our joint commitment to quality and service excellence will ensure first-rate customer experience for travellers throughout their journey. We look forward to opening the first, best-in-class marhaba Plaza Premium lounge in Amman and further enhancing our joint offering in the coming years.” Mr. Bora Isbulan, Deputy CEO of Plaza Premium Group said, “This is truly an exciting opportunity for PPG. Our global agreement with marhaba is a testament to our shared commitment to providing the best-in-class airport hospitality for travellers to enjoy. We expect to yield more opportunities in the future through this collaboration. Meanwhile, we are also excited to announce our first venture through the PPG and marhaba’s global agreement, the launch of the new marhaba Plaza Premium …