Category Archives: Agents

Jyoti Panchmatia, Regional General Manager, Travco, in a special interview with TravelTV shared that 2025 will see a growth in term sof cruise business in the Arabian Peninsula. “Cruise lines are planning itineraries for 2025 and 2026, reflecting a strong advance booking trend. There are two key aspects to this. The resort world’s positioning as a home port is primarily aimed at attracting both the local market and the GCC market. This includes two- and three-day cruises, offering a convenient staycation option that has become increasingly popular since COVID, with the term ‘workation’ gaining prominence. Additionally, we are introducing Celestial Cruises, which Travco represents in the local market. These cruises offer short, immersive experiences—ranging from two nights to three days—allowing guests to enjoy multiple destinations in a single trip, such as a breakfast in one location, lunch in another, and dinner in yet another. This new offering will provide exciting opportunities for outbound travel, with options to visit Mediterranean and Greek islands, fostering a fresh dimension to the cruise market from this region.” Overall, the cruise sector remains optimistic about long-term growth, particularly with expanded seasons and increased tourist activity expected from 2025 onward.

‘Discover Aseer’ one of the distinctive new destinations in Saudi Arabia’s tourism scene focusing on the cultural heritage and natural diversity of the region showcased its unique offerings for the first time at the third edition of Saudi Tourism Forum. Hatem Al-Harbi, Chief of Tourism at ASDA, said: “We are happy to announce the participation of ASDA through its tourist identity, “Discover Aseer”, for the first time at the STF to highlight Aseer’s unique offering as a tourist destination. We aim to create authentic and sustainable tourism experiences that strengthen our past and shape our future. Our participation today also sheds light on Aseer as an all-year-round tourist destination where the region aims to activate three seasons throughout the year, namely Spring, Summer and Winter seasons, in addition to its natural and cultural elements, various activities and activations, and ambitious future projects. We are also supporting and empowering destination companies, hospitality companies and owners of heritage villages, by enhancing their presence within the “Discover Aseer” pavilion to enhance tourism development opportunities of various kinds in the region.” By 2030, the region’s annual number of visitors is expected to reach 9.1 million, with 26 billion riyals contributing to tourism GDP. It also aims to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, both locally and internationally in the tourism sector, and will support opportunities that are aligned with the region’s economic and sustainable growth strategy.  

The Madinah Region Development Authority announced a strategic partnership with Almosafer to enhance tourism in Madinah. Unveiled during the Saudi Tourism Forum 2025, this collaboration aims to position Madinah as a premier destination for visitors from within the Kingdom and beyond. The partnership leverages Almosafer’s extensive travel services and diverse marketing capabilities to accelerate tourism growth in Madinah while delivering enriching and varied experiences for visitors. Almosafer’s market expertise and digital solutions will provide a seamless cultural and entertainment experience at competitive prices through its comprehensive portfolio for corporate, governmental, and individual clients. This initiative aligns with efforts to elevate Madinah’s tourism offerings and attract a broader audience locally and internationally. Commenting on the partnership, Mr Bandar Naqro, General Manager of Strategic and Corporate Communications at the Madinah Region Development Authority, said: “The unique historical and cultural heritage of Madinah makes it one of the most visited cities in the Kingdom, especially with the development of numerous archaeological sites and the activation of diverse tourism destinations. Our partnership with Almosafer will strengthen the city’s offerings and marketing initiatives, contributing to increased visitor numbers and enriched experiences, thereby achieving the objectives of Vision 2030.” Muzzammil Ahussein, CEO of Almosafer, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with Al Madinah Region Development Authority to help evolve and further promote one of the Kingdom’s most culturally rich heritage sites. Almosafer’s on-ground expertise, innovative technological solutions, and extensive reach enable us to offer a bespoke holistic experience for travellers from across the world. We look forward to further positioning Madinah as a wholesome tourist destination that provides an immersive cultural experience that is bound to be an unforgettable core memory for visitors. Saudi Arabia’s rich …

Travelport announced it has signed a new long-term multi-source content agreement, including New Distribution Capability (NDC) content, with China Eastern Airlines, one of China’s three major airlines and member of the SkyTeam Alliance. Travelport’s comprehensive NDC solution will enable travel agency customers to seamlessly shop, book, and manage NDC reservations with China Eastern Airlines including servicing adjustments such as cancellations and exchanges. “This agreement marks an important step in our journey toward NDC adoption, allowing us to scale and encourage its use across agencies and travel retailers,” said Fu Jian, Vice President, Digital Transformation and Business Management Department of Marketing and Sales at China Eastern Airlines. “Our commitment is to provide top-tier content and customized experiences for our customers, and Travelport’s advanced retailing technology is key to making our offerings more accessible to agencies and their clients.” Travelport’s comprehensive NDC solutions are built to support modern retailers, helping agents and travelers easily explore and compare offers, select the best choices, and manage NDC bookings with partners like China Eastern Airlines. Moreover, Travelport’s AI-driven Content Curation Layer (CCL) and Content Optimizer in Travelport+ streamline the search process, delivering intelligent, relevant, personalized, and enriched NDC and traditional content quickly and efficiently. “Our goal is to be the industry’s top multi-source content aggregator, which means NDC content in Travelport+ should be simple to access, compare, and manage,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport. “Through our partnership with China Eastern Airlines, together, we’re focused on delivering NDC content that is simple to access and ready for our agency customers to shop and compare more personalized offers to present travelers with the best options.”

Almosafer’s latest travel trend report reveals a robust 44% growth in domestic bookings in 2024, marking a significant contribution (over 40%) to the overall travel landscape in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s rapidly growing and evolving tourism offerings continue to shape domestic travel behavior, and with an expanding range of destinations, unique accommodations, and diverse experiences, travellers are motivated to explore their country for leisure. Family and group bookings have emerged as a key growth driver of domestic tourism, with over 70% growth across these traveller segments. Travel groups are increasingly choosing destinations that offer event-based and experience-rich travel opportunities. While iconic cities such as Makkah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Madinah remain central to travel plans, emerging destinations are becoming increasingly popular. Abha’s cool climate and mountain views, Al Jubail’s pristine beaches, Jizan’s coastal charm, Tabuk’s dramatic natural landscapes, and Hail’s adventurous desert terrain are rapidly gaining traction. These rising hotspots reflect the Kingdom’s ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure, opening up exciting opportunities for leisure travellers. The report further highlights a significant shift in traveller preferences regarding accommodation. While luxury stays dominate, with 36% of room nights booked in 5-star accommodations. Simultaneously, budget-friendly stays in 3-star and below properties have significantly increased, representing 35% of all booked room nights. Notably, this segment has witnessed a remarkable 100% growth in volume for families and groups, reflecting a rising trend of value-conscious group travel. Alternative accommodations such as vacation rentals and hotel apartments have also gained popularity, offering flexibility and affordability. Family bookings in these accommodations surged by 90% and group bookings grew by 60%, as alternative accommodations have become more widely available throughout the Kingdom and travellers opt for convenient stays, …

Satguru Travel and Tourism was awarded as the ‘Best Corporate Travel Management Company’ at the 7th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Best Corporate Travel Management Company 2024 at the Arabian Travel Awards is a milestone that reinforces our leadership in corporate travel. It validates our commitment to excellence, strengthens trust among stakeholders, and motivates us to set higher benchmarks. This award is both an achievement and a responsibility to continue redefining industry standards. This award has enhanced our credibility, increased visibility, and inspired our team to push service excellence further. It highlights the importance of innovation in corporate travel and raises industry standards, benefiting clients through improved services. It also serves as a benchmark for excellence, shaping the future of corporate travel management.” Dinkar Dasaur – General Manager, Satguru Travel and Tourism LLC

145 players from 27 countries will participate in ‘Sharjah Week of the Stars’  organized by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. Commenting on the launch of “Sharjah Week of the Stars,” H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, emphasized the emirate’s readiness to host this major international event. He highlighted the synergy between sports and tourism in driving development and attracting visitors, while showcasing Sharjah’s unique offerings. This unique event aims to enhance Sharjah’s sports tourism profile and showcase the emirate’s attractions and landmarks. The week features an exciting lineup of activities, including a football match between retired international legends titled “Night of the Stars,” the “Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament,” the “Legends Padel Tour,” and for the first time, an E-Sports Tournament open to the public, with special participation from football legends. The events will take place from January 10 to 13, 2025. Taking place at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, this tournament will see over 145 players from 27 countries competing from January 11 to 12. The final day will feature football legends joining footgolf champions, vying for the $30,000 prize. With participation from top global players and eight UAE-based players, this championship is one of the most prestigious events in the sport. On January 11, Aljada mini-football stadium, accommodating up to 2,000 spectators, will host a friendly football match featuring 22 international football legends. Participants include Francesco Totti, Fabio Cannavaro, Rivaldo, Michael Owen, Papu Gómez, David Trezeguet, Essam El Hadary, and a legendary Italian football star whose name will be revealed soon. On January 12, 16 international football legends will compete in the “Legends Padel Tour ” at Aljada Padel Courts. This event …

Qashio has announced its strategic partnership with Visa to launch Visa Commercial Choice Travel program for the first time in the region. With this innovative B2B Travel payments solution launch, Visa and Qashio will support the travel industry in the UAE, MENA, Europe & the UK, with global issuance capabilities by allocating over AED 100 million in the program in the coming years. The travel solution will allow travel companies to obtain Qashio cards and transact in different currencies including AED, SAR, USD, EUR and GBP issued from UAE enabling payments & settlements in multiple currencies. Qashio and Visa’s specialised solution will enable travel companies to digitize and automate their payments within the travel sector, optimizing their reconciliation and enhancing liquidity. The solution is seamlessly integrated with global travel management companies and their booking tools including Global Distribution Systems (GDS), making travel booking and payments seamless and secure. Leveraging Visa’s secure payment infrastructure, this partnership ensures high standards of protection for all B2B travel-related transactions. “We are committed to continue our joint growth with Visa, a global leader in payments innovation, to management,” said Armin Moradi, CEO and Co-Founder of Qashio. “We recognise that the Travel & Tourism industry is key in the region however the travel companies are underserved with strong technical payment solutions that work in their favour, we are creating a one-stop platform that simplifies the corporate travel experience for our clients, allowing them to focus on what truly matters – growing their businesses.” Salima Gutieva, Visa’s VP and Country Manager for UAE, “Travel and tourism are key sectors driving growth and diversification of UAE and the region’s economies. Visa is delighted to partner with Qashio in bringing this …

Etihad Airways opened its new Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to the United States. Located steps away from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, the new lounge provides eligible guests with a serene space to unwind after completing their U.S. entry formalities and before boarding their flight. The thoughtfully designed facility features a refined selection of beverages and light dining options, complementing Etihad’s premium travel experience. Select flights offer the convenience of direct boarding from the lounge, enhancing the seamless journey. “This new lounge marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests,” said John Wright, Chief Operations & Guest Officer at Etihad Airways. “By combining our premium lounge service with the convenience of U.S. Preclearance, we’re offering our guests an elevated journey through Abu Dhabi before they even board their flight. Zayed International is the only Middle East hub to offer this time-saving service.” The U.S. Preclearance Lounge welcomes eligible guests travelling in The Residence, First or Business, as well as Platinum and Emerald Etihad Guest members. Access is also available for purchase, subject to availability. For a comprehensive premium experience, eligible guests are invited to begin their journey at Etihad’s acclaimed First or Business Class Lounge in the main terminal before proceeding to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility approximately 90 minutes before their flight. Flying with Etihad Airways to the U.S. offers the unique advantage of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, one of only a few such facilities worldwide. By completing all U.S. customs and immigration formalities before boarding in Abu Dhabi, guests …

ATS Travel was awarded, ‘Pioneer in the Middle East for sustainable business travel management at the 7th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director, ATS Travel shared, “Winning the Arabian Travel and Cargo Awards is incredibly significant as it has become a prestigious benchmark within the industry. The recognition is not only a testament to the excellence of the winners in their respective categories but also serves as a validation of their consistent efforts and contributions to the travel and cargo sectors. As the awards have evolved into an industry standard, they are eagerly anticipated each year. For all of us, this recognition is a tremendous morale booster and a powerful source of motivation to continue raising the bar. It also serves as an inspiration to others striving for similar recognition, fostering a sense of healthy competition and progress throughout the industry.”