As Resorts World will deploy its cruise ships from 1st November 2024, Resorts World Cruises announced its new partnership with DP World, a leading maritime gateway and hub for the region. This collaboration will focus on homeporting Resorts World Cruises fleet at Port Rashid. The official signing took place in Dubai alongside the official launch announcement of the cruise.
Read More »Resorts World One to begin sailing from 1st November between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar
Asia’s Resorts World Cruises announced its sailing within key GCC destinations from 1st November 2024. Resorts World One will homeport in Dubai via DP World’s Mina Port Rashid to offer three weekly departures. These include 2 night Sir baniyas weekend cruise (Friday departures), 3 night Oman (Khasab-Muscat) cruise (Sunday departures) and the 2 night Doha cruise (Wednesday departures). For longer cruise vacation, passengers can combine any of the itineraries to make a 4,5 and 7 night cruise. Speaking at the first press conference Michael Goh, President Resorts World Cruises shared, “it is an exciting time for Resorts World Cruises as we inch closer to the start of our first sailing from Dubai to the Gulf with the Resorts World One on 1st November. The response form the Gulf and from various markets in Asia, including from our travel partners have been very encouraging and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard soon.”
Read More »HealthStay.io launches world-first AI-powered medical tourism solution alongside partnership with Dubai Health Experience
HealthStay.io, a member of Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) Cohort 7 Accelerator, has launched its world-first artificial intelligence (AI) powered sales and booking management solution to revolutionise medical tourism in the UAE and beyond. The white label solution – hosting a strategic partnership with Dubai Health Experience (DXH), part of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) – will act as the link between medical tourists and healthcare in Dubai, automating the entire process, enabling medical tourists to select their procedure and make all necessary bookings to facilitate their visit via the international patients section of a hospitals website. Commenting on the launch, Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services Sector, Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Finance, and MBRIF representative, said: “We are pleased to support innovative initiatives that contribute to strengthening the UAE’s position as a global centre of excellence. It always gives us great pride to see an innovation supported under our Innovation Accelerator programme succeed. The launch of HealthStay.io, which offers solutions to enhance the medical tourism experience in our country, highlights the importance of such programmes and underscores the invaluable contribution a customised accelerator can have on our innovation ecosystem, creating positive impact on our economy.” HealthStay.io’s solution streamlines the many processes involved in medical tourism into a single automated system for patients, from selecting a practitioner to finalising flights, visas and accommodation bookings. For hospitals, with the use of HealthStay.io’s interconnected custom built CRM tool they now have a new automated system to acquire new customers, qualify leads and maximise efficiency throughout. Sean Conaty, Co-founder & CEO, HealthStay.io said: “HealthStay is an exciting example of how AI can play a key role in …
Read More »Dubai to host MEBAA show in December
Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai (DWC) will host the 10th edition of the MEBAA Show, the leading business aviation event, from 10th-12th December 2024. The show will offer unparalleled opportunities to drive change across the industry. Renowned as a place to build new connections, highlight key launches and explore business opportunities, this edition will cater to the growing demand for business travel in the region. Ali Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), said, “As the business aviation industry continues to evolve, the MEBAA Show remains a pivotal platform for fostering crucial connections and driving innovation. This year’s event will host global leaders, offering unique opportunities to share and gain knowledge, explore new business deals and forge paths that align with our shared vision of advancing the future of business aviation.” A number of key regional and international operators have already confirmed attendance, including Saudia Private, Qatar Executive, Mukamalah Aviation Company, and Jet Aviation.
Read More »Branded Residences Forum launched alongside Future Hospitality Summit 2024 to address rapidly growing sector
Branded residences, one of the fastest-growing sectors in hospitality, will take center stage at FHS World (30 September to 2 October), with a dedicated, full-day conference led by one of the sector’s leading innovators Accor One Living. Debuting at FHS World on 2 October, The Branded Residences Forum will feature workshops and conference sessions exploring the sector’s rapid growth in the Middle East and across the world. The event will examine key topics related to the development and operation of branded residences, including value creation opportunities, the growing array of branding options available to developers, the emerging trend towards standalone branded communities, and the arrival of non-traditional players such as luxury automotive and fashion brands in the sector. Sustainability strategies, legal structuring, design and sales & marketing case studies are also on the robust agenda, along with the exploration of sector-related topics including co-working concepts, the evolution of shared living and the rapid growth of private clubs as places to work. According to Savills Residential Development Consultancy, the branded residences sector has grown by 160 per cent globally over the last decade. By the end of 2023, there were approximately 1,300 projects around the world, with hotel branded residences accounting for 82 per cent of them. Savills data also shows that the Middle East – which is rapidly emerging as a global hub for the sector – currently has 45,000 residential units in 200 branded developments across 80 brands. With a staggering 500 per cent increase in branded residences in the last decade – from 10 in 2014 to 50 in 2023 with another 50 in the pipeline – Dubai is the most active market worldwide and now rivals Miami, New York …
Read More »flydubai touches down in Basel, first to operate direct flights from Dubai
flydubai touched down in Basel becoming the first national carrier from the UAE to operate direct flights from Dubai. This marks the start of the carrier’s four-times weekly service to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) from Dubai International (DXB). The inaugural flight touched down at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) and was met with a traditional water cannon salute. Senior airport officials welcomed the delegation led by Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai. With the start of flights to Basel, flydubai has grown its network in Europe to 29 destinations including Budapest, Catania, Krakow, Milan-Bergamo, Prague, Salzburg and Zagreb. Speaking at the press conference, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “at flydubai, we are committed to opening up underserved destinations and creating free flows of trade and tourism and we are pleased to add Basel to our network in Europe. EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves Switzerland, France and Germany, making it an important hub for travel, trade and tourism in the tri-border region that will benefit our customers from the UAE and beyond.” “We also look forward to welcoming more travellers from Europe to Dubai and beyond on the flydubai network. Through Dubai’s aviation hub, passengers travelling from Basel can enjoy convenient connections to holiday destinations including Kenya, the Maldives, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand,” added Efendi. Located on the banks of the river Rhine, Basel is renowned as Switzerland’s cultural capital and features interesting museums and historic and modern architecture and serves as a gateway to the verdant landscapes of the Swiss countryside. Situated on the borders of northwest Switzerland, the Alsace historical region in France and Baden-Württemberg in Germany, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves as a unique …
Read More »Emirates transported 35000 Koreans to popular summer hotspots
Emirates has become the airline of choice for thousands of Korean passengers seeking to explore new and exciting destinations. Last summer season Emirates carried over 35,000 passengers between Incheon and Dubai, as well as beyond. The airline provides a seamless travel experience for Koreans between Incheon and top travel destinations in its worldwide network via Dubai. Emirates unveiled the top five summer travel destinations that have been gaining popularity among Korean travellers – Zurich, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Prague. With its extensive global network and world-class products and services, Emirates continues to be the airline of choice for thousands of Korean passengers seeking to explore new and exciting destinations, having carried over 35,000 passengers last summer season alone between Incheon and Dubai, as well as beyond. 1. Zurich, Switzerland Zurich is known for its unique mixture of metropolitan charm with the vibrant beauty of nature. Visitors can soak up the sunshine while exploring the scenic Old Town, take a refreshing Lake Zurich cruise, or indulge in shopping along the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. For those seeking summer adventures, the city provides easy access to thrilling alpine activities like Mt. Titlis and Jungfraujoch, providing a perfect escape from the heat. Emirates operates double daily flights between Dubai and Zurich, using a mix of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. 2. Barcelona, Spain Barcelona bursts with energy and charm during the summer. While in the city, people can enjoy the lively Barceloneta Beach with its surf-friendly waves and beachfront restaurants. Visitors can also dive into the city’s buzzing nightlife at Chiringuitos, which is always full of live music and festive atmosphere. Don’t forget to explore Central Barcelona at …
Read More »Philippine Airlines holds first-ever regional sales conference in Middle East
Philippine Airlines announced the successful conclusion of its inaugural regional sales conference in the Middle East, held in Dubai. This landmark event brought together dynamic sales teams from Riyadh, Dammam, and Doha for a productive session of idea-sharing and brainstorming. Under the theme “Unite to Soar: Driving Success Through Teamwork and Collaboration,” the conference focused on strategies to achieve sales objectives and foster greater collaboration among the teams. The event underscored Philippine Airlines’ commitment to excellence and growth in the Middle East market. By uniting their strengths and insights, the sales teams are poised to drive remarkable success and elevate the airline’s presence in the region.
Read More »832 employees from 26 hotels trained on safe tourism
During H1 2024, 832 employees across 26 prominent Dubai’s hotels and touristic destinations participated in special workshops on safe tourism, with more scheduled for the remainder of the year. Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), a part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has organised a series of awareness workshops as part of the Safe Tourism Awareness Programme. The workshops aim to familiarise hospitality staff with DET’s services, teach optimal utilisation of these services, and inform them about communication channels dedicated for various tourism services in Dubai. They also educate employees about consumer rights and duties, ensuring guests and visitors understand how to contact the Consumer Protection Department. This includes displaying the consumer protection number in a visible location, as well as the contact details for submitting complaints. These efforts enhance guest confidence in the transparency of these establishments, further solidifying Dubai’s position as the best city to visit, live and work in. Additionally, the workshops present case studies highlighting services provided by relevant entities, such as Dubai Police smart services, the Lost and Found service, and key hotlines for consumers (999 for emergencies and 901 for non-emergencies and general inquiries). These efforts underscore the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors to create a safe tourism environment. Organised in collaboration with Dubai Tourist Police Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation (CID) , Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Municipality and the Directorate General Of Civil Defense Dubai, these workshops are designed to enhance Dubai’s status as one the world’s safest cities. Ahmad Ali Moussa, Director of the Consumer Protection Department at DCCPFT, said: “Recognising Dubai’s position as a leading global destination, …
Read More »Resorts World Cruises introduces premium cruise vacations in the Arabian Gulf for region’s holidaymakers
Cruise-seeking travellers in the region will have a brand new experience at sea with Resorts World Cruises, as it expands its global footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the premium boutique lifestyle cruise ship, Resorts World One. Starting from October 18, 2024 until April 13, 2025, the Resorts World One will homeport and depart from Dubai, providing travellers from the region the option to embark from the emirate on a roundtrip cruise adventure to popular destinations within the Gulf waters. Discover the convenience and comfort of cruising to multiple destinations, without the hassle of packing and unpacking or searching for accommodations at each destination. Resorts World One combines premium amenities with diverse culinary options, offering the best of lifestyle and entertainment at sea, halal-certified cuisine options and a luxurious experience at The Palace, a ‘luxury ship-within-a ship’ private all-suite enclave with exclusive restaurant, sundeck, gym and other facilities, including its own 24-hour European style butler service. Resorts World One will offer roundtrip cruise itineraries from Dubai, including the 2 Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a 3 Night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a 2 Night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays. Guests will have the flexible option to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a four, five or a seven night cruise. Shore excursions and onboard activities will allow passengers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Dubai and the surrounding region especially Muscat, Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island. Visits to iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and shopping destinations will be part of the itinerary for tourists …
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