Tag Archives: 2023

Musafir.com predicts that the “International Travel” segment will enjoy a faster growth path in 2023 versus the previous year. “Travel sector constitutes nearly 10%1 of global GDP and authorities across countries have been collaborating synergistically to put in place the levels of safety, hygiene, and comfort required for the sector to regain its lost ground. Consequently, FY’ 2022 witnessed a steady recovery for leisure as well as business travel, on the back of a significant reduction in pandemic-related risk, eased travel regulations worldwide, enhanced travelers’ confidence and the desire at corporate levels to resume productive in-person engagements. The trend would only strengthen in 2023”, said Sachin Gadoya, Co-founder & CEO of Musafir.com & Musafir Business. The data and trends, gathered through queries and bookings on Musafir Business platform, forecast business travelers to continue choosing First & Business class, despite a rise of ~10-15% in airfare. Premium Economy mode of travel augments further the choice repertoire of such travelers. All put together, the average corporate travel budget in 2023 would rise by 15-20%, bringing it to a level comparable to pre-pandemic days. Explaining further on the same, Mr. Gadoya added, “Insights obtained from Musafir Business platform establish very clearly that the organizations in the UAE prefer face-to-face interaction for building trust & longevity in their business relationship. With considerably eased travel regulations these days, the average annual business travel spend of SMEs in the UAE is expected to grow by 15-20% in 2023 – from AED 185K (2022) to AED 220K(2023), which is indeed very close to the pre-pandemic figure of 2019 i.e. AED 250K.” The GCC, India, UK, EU countries, and USA will continue to remain the key inbound and outbound …

Continuing to drive transformation in the aviation sector, Oman Air’s Digital department recently held its annual workshop. Attended by members of senior leadership and key stakeholders, the workshop reviewed the progress of the company’s ongoing digital transformation strategy and its IT Roadmap for 2023. During 2022, the company accomplished a number of digital initiatives to support its strategic goals. Among them was the restructuring of its Passenger Service System (PSS) to advance its digital retailing capabilities, facilitating the initiation of a new internet booking engine and mobile app. A New Distribution Capability (NDC) solution was also developed to allow travel agents to deliver rich content and ancillary to customers, while, in order to promote crew and operational efficiency, an elegant Crew Pairing and Fleet Management system with AIMS was established. Further safeguarding data and cybersecurity, the airline introduced a Privileged Access Management Solution, an enhanced IT Service Continuity initiative and Disaster Recovery Plan. Recently, the company also announced it has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a founding member of the pioneering Modern Airline Retailing programme alongside a global consortium of airlines. Leveraging the ‘Offers and Orders’ system, the group intends to spur technological advancement in the industry and create value for customers by reducing the hassles of increasingly complex passenger document checking requirements. Dr. Khalid Al Zadjali, Senior Vice President – Digital at Oman Air, said, “In this digital age and in the face of increasing competition, its vital that we capitalise early on advanced technologies in order to stay ahead of the curve. As such, we continue to invest in long-term, sustainable efficiencies, whilst improving IT service delivery right across the organisation, and to our guests. …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues its growth trajectory across Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA), reaching over 550 hotels across the region through a number of important openings in the year, and a strong line-up of property launches expected in the coming months. In the Middle East, Wyndham continued to bring more accommodation options to Dubai, with the launch of Wyndham Residences on Palm Jumeirah, one of the most popular landmarks in the emirate. In the first half of 2022, the total number of guests within the overall UAE hotel industry increased 42% year-on-year to reach 12 million, driven by The Expo 2020 Dubai and sustained by football’s biggest sporting event in Qatar, where Wyndham opened the 278-key beachfront Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach, as well as Ramada by Wyndham Doha Old Town. Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said: “Travel continues to bounce back and our continued expansion across EMEA is testament to the strength and the resilience of our industry. Our latest expansion marks a key step in our quest to make hotel travel possible for all, which is particularly relevant in a diverse region like the EMEA, where we see strong potential to expand our foothold in both new and existing destinations.” In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Wyndham further cemented its presence with the opening of the 189-key Ramada by Wyndham Riyadh King Fahd Road, offering easy access to the capital’s businesses and commercial districts, an array of F&B outlets, a pool, an indoor sauna, a banquet facility, as well as a business centre with versatile meeting rooms. The latest opening represents the Company’s 13th hotel in KSA. In Turkey, Wyndham …

During the closing session of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit in Riyadh, the Rwandan capital of Kigali, was announced as the host city for 2023, marking the first time the event will visit Africa. Rwanda, the home of the International Gorilla Conservation Programme, will showcase the power of sustainable tourism to protect biodiversity and create thriving communities. WTTC closed its largest ever Global Summit today with more than 3,000 delegates attending the event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The global tourism body’s Global Summit saw speakers such as former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, and actor, filmmaker, and Golden Globe winner, Edward Norton. The most influential Travel & Tourism event in the calendar, WTTC’s record breaking Global Summit, was attended by more than 85 countries and over 50 ministers. More than 250 media delegates from around the world attended the event, with many thousands of people around the world watching remotely. During the event, WTTC and the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom Saudi Arabia launched the Environmental & Social Research (ESR). This groundbreaking new data details the climate footprint of the global Travel & Tourism sector, and in a world-first, this the research covers 185 countries across all regions, and will be updated each year with the latest figures. WTTC also launched its Cities Economic Impact Report (EIR). Sponsored by Visa, the report shows cities remain the powerhouses of global tourism and will drive the recovery of the sector and economies around the word. Addressing delegates during her closing speech, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “Saudi Arabia will be the next major destination for visitors as it invests $800 billion in …

NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel announces its opening early in 2023 as the first NH Collection property to open in Qatar. The new hotel comprises 299 guest rooms and suites and is situated in a prominent beachside destination along the Qatari capital’s eastern coast, with spectacular views of the Arabian Sea and city skyline. With versatile amenities and several signature dining venues, the hotel is set to become a truly distinctive destination in Doha. The property is ideally located along Doha’s eastern coast in the Ras Abu Abboud area, midway between the city centre and Hamad International Airport, well connected to Lusail in the north and to Saudi Arabia in the west. NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel offers easy access to city centre attractions such as Souq Waqif, local museums, Westbay and Doha Corniche. The hotel is located close to business hubs and Governmental offices such as Qatar Free Zone, the Prime Minister’s office, the Council of Ministers, Qatar Central Bank and other banking institutions. Daniel Méndez, the hotel’s General Manager commented, “NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel is a perfect starting point to discover and explore the city. The uniqueness of the property will be brought by carefully selected team members passionate about curating extraordinary experiences for all our guests.” “The uniqueness of the property will be brought by carefully selected team members passionate about curating extraordinary experiences for all our guests” “NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel is steeped in history and has retained its local character. With its captivating atmosphere and versatile dining and entertainment options, the new hotel will elevate the destination and add to the ever-evolving hospitality scene of Qatar,” said Mr. Darwish, Chairman of Oasis Hotels. …

The much-anticipated Dubai’s newest icon Atlantis the Royal bookings opened for guests who want to enjoy their own slice of ultra-luxury. The images capture, for the very first time, the scale, grandeur and ambition of this ultra-luxurious Dubai resort, which includes 44 suites with their own private infinity pools, a stylish infinity pool on the 22nd floor with spectacular views out over the Palm Island, the largest jellyfish aquarium in the world, a water fountain show that breathes fire, and an unrivalled collection of celebrity chef restaurants and bars. As these new images show, Atlantis The Royal is the pinnacle of luxury, offering guests an experience like no other, uniquely tailored to their every desire. Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, guests are taken on a journey of discovery and adventure, with artful masterpieces, iconic entertainment, and beautiful craftsmanship at every turn, where the highest level of service will set a new standard in excellence. The 795-room resort surges 43 storeys high with unparalleled views over the Arabian Sea and Palm Island. 44 of the resort’s luxury Suites and Signature Penthouses offer private infinity pools, inviting guests to swim amongst the clouds. All Rooms, Suites and Signature Penthouses deliver show-stopping ultra-luxury touches, including a bespoke selection of amenities from luxury brands, including Hermès, Frette and Graff. All guests staying in a Suites or Signature Penthouses can enjoy an elite butler service, offering a supreme standard of service and luxury, where every need is anticipated. Services include unpacking luggage, pillow selection, clothes pressing, a private resort orientation and setting up exclusive experiences. Guests staying in a Suite or Signature Penthouse will be offered a mini pillow sample menu by their butler, enabling them to curate their …

In a recent interview with Tracy Lanza Group Head of Global Brand Development at The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), shared that the development of The Red Sea Project will be in two phases, one to be completed by end of 2023 and second to be completed by 2030. She reiterated, “we’re looking forward to welcoming our first guests early next year. Following that, the first phase will be fully completed and operational by the end of 2023. It will include 16 resorts for a total of 3,000 keys, 18-hole championship golf course, luxury marina, and retail and entertainment facilities. Phase two is scheduled for completion in 2030, and will include 50 resorts with 8,000 keys, and 1,000+ residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.” Commenting further that the work is on track in order to welcome guests, “We’re fortunate to be able to partner with some of the world’s most iconic hotel brands, including EDITION, St Regis, Fairmont, Raffles, SLS, Grand Hyatt, Intercontinental, Six Senses, Jumeirah, Miraval, Rosewood and Ritz Carlton Reserve. Some of these will be able to host their first guests by early next year, while others will open their doors in the months following.” In keeping with the Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lanza shared, “The project supports the Saudi vision through the development of a brand-new tourism industry that has not existed in the Kingdom before. It will open the door for thousands of young Saudis to pursue new careers and opportunities. We expect to create up to 70,000 new jobs and contribute as a much as 22 billion Saudi riyals (USD 5.3 billion) to the nation’s GDP.”

With the aim of promoting tourism within the country, Kuwait tourism is on its way to develop a mega project in Messilah Beach by 2023. The project aims to develop Messilah Beach into an integrated and contemporary facility covering an area of 70,000 square meters, containing recreational and sports activities to meet the needs of visitors of all age groups throughout the year. As a center of attraction for families, the development of the project includes the provision of water games for all ages, in addition to swimming pools, sports and marine games, restaurants, cafes, shops and much more.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), has revealed details of the authority’s exciting adventure project coming up in the Eastern area of Khorfakkan, overlooking the serene Luluyah Beach. Featuring a host of adventure activities and sports, the upcoming project comprises a zipline, giant swing, a dry-slide track, hiking tracks, mountain bike tracks, and varied amenities for visitors and tourists from the eastern region and across the UAE. The project also includes an observation deck and a restaurant on the mountain top that offers breathtaking views of the landscape and the adventure track routes. The project is set for completion in fourth quarter of 2023, said Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, adding that it aligns with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to redefine the leisure and travel landscape of Khorfakkan and bolster the emirate’s position as one of the most appealing tourist destinations in the region. Al Qaseer remarked that the project enriches the expansive portfolio of integrated projects developed by (Shurooq) and offers comprehensive solutions to the ever-growing demand for tourism and leisure experiences in the East Coast. He pointed out that the project’s unique location, overlooking the serene Luluyah Beach, brings together entertainment, sports, leisure, and adventure at one destination.  

At a recent interview with Tracy Lanza Group Head of Global Brand Development at The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) shared, “The Red Sea International Airport (RSI) will be operational in 2023, providing a luxury transportation experience where sustainability is considered in every detail. The eco-friendly airport design focuses on using shaded areas and natural ventilation to minimize the reliance on air conditioning. The entire infrastructure of the destination, including the airport and wider transport network, will be powered by 100% renewable energy. This includes our boats and seaplanes.” The Red Sea Project is a luxury regenerative tourism destination situated on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. It spans over 28,000km2 of pristine lands and waters and includes a vast archipelago of more than 90 pristine islands. The project is being developed by The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. It is located 500km north of Jeddah, between the Saudi towns of Al Wajh and Umluj. At the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, 250 million people will be within three hours flying time, and an estimated eight hours flying time for 80% of the world’s population.