Tag Archives: 2025

As part of its ongoing efforts to expand its network of routes around the world and meet the growing demand from customers, Kuwait Airways has announced the launch of its summer flight schedule for the 2025 season. The new schedule introduces a variety of varied destinations in the emerging markets, offering customers with new and diverse options. Kuwait Airways is focusing on destinations that witness high demand from valued customers from within the State of Kuwait, particularly during the summer season from June 2025 to September 2025. The company will launch several summer destinations, including to Moscow with four flights per week commencing from 6th June, Alexandria with three flights per week starting from 1st July, Luxor with three flights per week from 2nd July, Antalya with four flights per week starting from 2nd June, Bodrum with four flights per week starting from 2nd June, Trabzon with four flights per week starting from 1st June, Sharm El Sheikh with two flights per week starting from 4th June, Malaga with three flights per week starting from 5th June, Nice with two flights per week starting from 17th June, Salalah with four flights per week starting from 2nd June, Vienna with four flights per week starting from 1st June, and Kuala Lumpur with three flights per week starting from 1st June, bringing the number of destinations to 58 including the permanent destinations during the summer season for 2025. Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to announce the launch of its summer 2025 destinations in response to the preferences of our valued passengers. The company, in cooperation with the relevant authorities and coordination with the operational departments, …

After another record event in 2024, Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, will return to Dubai from 27-29 October 2025 for what will be a milestone event for organisers The Bench, marking 20 years in the UAE for the region’s leading hospitality and tourism investment event, previously known as AHIC. FHS World 2024 saw a record 1,596 attendees representing 735 companies from 60 countries, of which over 550 were women faciliated by the organiser’s #FHSWomenPower initiative. The FHS World Advisory Board convened in Dubai last week to discuss and shape the vision and agenda for this year’s event. The Advisory Board comprises some of the hospitality industry’s most prominent leaders, including Anthony Costa, Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle, Candy Capital; Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Modon Hospitality; Amit Arora, Chief Executive Officer, Arada; Dinky Puri, Founding Partner, Eagle Wing; Othmane Jabri, Principal, Real Estate and Hospitality (Investment), Investment Corporation of Dubai; Nicolas Mayer, Partner, Global Industry Leader Tourism, PwC; Philipp J. Klohr, Senior Vice President, Mubadala Investment Company; Jeff Tisdall, Chief Business Officer Accor One Living, Global Head of Mixed-Use, Ahmed Nazim, Managing Director, Maldives Fund Management Corporation; Aboudi Asali, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality MENA, JLL, and Saahil Lalit, Vice President | Lodging Development EMEA, Marriott International. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, said: “This will be a very exciting year for us as we celebrate our 20th anniversary in the UAE, and at Madinat Jumeirah where it all began in 2005, and we’re thrilled to have Jumeirah as our Host Sponsor again to mark this milestone moment.” Thomas B. Meier, CEO of Jumeirah, said: “It’s a pleasure to once again sponsor and host FHS World at Madinat …

Hyatt announced a management agreement with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in AlUla, Hyatt Place AlUla. Expected to open by end of 2025, the hotel will add a total of 215 keys to the Hyatt room portfolio in Saudi Arabia and provide a new destination of choice for World of Hyatt members and guests visiting the region. The planned introduction of Hyatt Place AlUla is part of broader efforts by Hyatt to showcase rich heritage and unique landscapes to international visitors. “We look forward to adding Hyatt Place AlUla to our growing portfolio of properties in the region,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, Regional Vice President, Development, Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “This significant project underscores our commitment to expanding our brand presence in key leisure and business markets. We are thrilled that this upcoming hotel will provide more choice to our World of Hyatt members looking to explore the culture and beauty of AlUla.” Hyatt Place AlUla will include 215 modern styled guestrooms, two food and beverage outlets, meeting space, a pool, and a fitness center, ensuring comfortable stays regardless of the travel occasion. Whether traveling for work or to explore AlUla, a rising cultural destination, the new hotel will seamlessly blend functionality with its renowned charm, providing a local home-base for guests and members. Once operational, the property will participate in World of Hyatt, the industry’s fastest growing loyalty program, that offers approximately 51 million members a variety of valuable benefits around the globe, such as member-only offers, room upgrades, free nights, late checkout, and more. Abeer AlAkel, CEO of Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU), said, “The agreement with Hyatt advances RCU’s regeneration of AlUla …

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.

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 …

flydubai announced new seasonal summer flights to Al Alamein International Airport (DBB). The new daily operation will offer flydubai customers more options for travel next summer to one of the most exciting, up-and-coming holiday destinations in the region. Flights to the Mediterranean leisure destination will operate daily from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) between 21 June and 07 September 2025. The direct flights will offer customers from Dubai, and across the network, easier access to Egypt’s popular Al Sahel North Coast. Commenting on the start of operations, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are excited to add Al Alamein to our seasonal summer schedule. The daily operation will enable more visitors to enjoy the stunning Mediterranean coastlines, beautiful beaches and vibrant atmosphere of Egypt’s North Coast region. flydubai remains committed to stimulating free flows of trade and tourism in underserved markets and supporting Dubai’s aviation hub.” With the addition of its summer operations to Al Alamein, flydubai grows its network in Egypt to three destination including Alexandria and Cairo (Sphinx), served by 21 weekly flights. The carrier has seen growing demand for its operations to the new airport in Cairo since the launch of its flights last year, giving passengers more options for travel via a new gateway to the capital. Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “we continue to look for new opportunities to grow our network and offer our customers more options for travel, especially during busy travel periods. Al Alamein is a fantastic new edition to our summer offering which includes popular destinations such as Batumi, Bodrum, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Santorini and …

The Grand Hyatt brand continues its expansion in the Middle East with Grand Hyatt The Red Sea (expected to open in Q4 2025). It will be the first Grand Hyatt property on Shaura Island, serving as the hub of the ambitious Red Sea Project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast and offering 430 guestrooms, along with state-of-the-art meeting and event venues in a stunning seaside setting. Welcoming guests with dramatic architecture, bold design, expansive lobbies, well-appointed guestrooms and luxurious event spaces, the Grand Hyatt brand will reach more travelers with new hotels in exciting destinations across the globe. The new openings will continue the growth momentum following the April 2024 opening of Grand Hyatt Barcelona, which marked the brand’s first hotel in Spain, offering 465 meticulously curated guestrooms and world-class wellbeing and meeting facilities, as well as the December 2023 opening of Grand Hyatt Kuwait Residences, which extends luxurious touches throughout the 33-floor residential offering, minutes away from all that the vibrant Sabah Al Salem area offers.

Key industry trends – including innovation, connectivity and customisation – will be front and centre at the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 28 April to 1 May 2025. Each year, ATM addresses issues reshaping the international travel landscape, and 2025 will be no exception. In line with its theme, ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’, ATM 2025’s extensive conference programme and exhibition will explore how contemporary shifts in technology and traveller behaviour can both contribute to and benefit from enhanced connectivity. Commenting on the changing face of global travel, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Connectivity through technology is obviously a key growth area in travel and tourism, but it is also about the seamless flow and interaction of people, goods and ideas, which support businesses worldwide. So, if you are looking to engage with the global trends, cultural shifts and traveller behaviours shaping the future of the tourism sector, there is no better place than ATM.” One of the trends expected to shape the market in 2025 and beyond is so-called nostalgia travel. From remakes of 1990s films to early 2000s music acts on tour, the pull of the past is strong for the Millennial generation. Many of today’s travellers, including those from the UAE, are seeking to reconnect with their youth by recreating special trips or childhood dreams. Some are also looking to connect with their own children by sharing nostalgic experiences in familiar places, providing myriad opportunities for enterprising travel companies. Sports and music tourism is also experiencing significant growth, with the former expected to be worth $1.33 trillion …

Etihad Airways announced the launch of ten new destinations starting in 2025. This announcement, part of the air-line’s rapid expansion programme, fulfills its promise to provide guests with a route map featuring destinations they want to fly to, with connections and frequencies that suit their needs. It also al-lows Abu Dhabi to extend its renowned hospitality to more visitors from around the globe as a world-class tourism and business hub. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This expansion reflects our com-mitment to listening to our valued guests. We’ve carefully chosen cities that embody the experi-ences, adventures, and opportunities that matter to them. Whether seeking inspiring landscapes, vibrant cultural experiences, reuniting with family and friends, pursuing business growth, or edu-cational journeys, our new routes will help make their travel dreams a reality. “This moment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world. With its endless sunshine, diverse cuisine, rich culture, exhilarating family theme parks, and safe, beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi offers something for everyone. Our expanded network will make it easier than ever for guests to experience everything our home city has to offer. “Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service. This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our team and the ongoing support of our guests.” The ten routes announced today will complement Etihad’s previously revealed new destinations for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein. Etihad’s expansion is set to bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination …

Skyscanner revealed that 2025 will be the year of collective exploration and discovery.  They shared the latest trends shaping industry and traveller behaviour in its Travel Trends 2025 report. Built using Skyscanner’s proprietary search data, a specially commissioned traveller survey and trusted industry insights, Skyscanner revealed its top 10 trending destinations, 10 best-value destinations as well as the future of travel. While last year was all about cultural exploration, 2025 will build on this as the year of truly shared travel experiences, highlighting the power of collective exploration and discovery. When choosing where to go, cost still plays the most important part. Traveling from the UAE to exciting destinations has become more affordable due to recent airfare reductions. Bucharest, Romania, now offers a 35% price drop, making its historic charm and modern flair more accessible. Trabzon, Turkey, with a 31% fare reduction, is attractive for its natural landscapes and rich history. Beijing, China, has seen a 23% decrease, making ancient wonders like the Great Wall more budget-friendly. Tokyo, Japan, with a 22% drop, offers a blend of traditional culture and modern innovation. Lastly, Baku, Azerbaijan, with a 20% reduction, combines futuristic architecture with rich heritage. These reductions are due to expanded flight routes and increased airline competition, providing travellers with great opportunities to explore these destinations at lower costs. Collective exploration and discovery top the agenda in 2025 According to the report, travellers are increasingly seeking travel experiences that foster community and collective discovery, aiming for deeper connections and shared adventures.