Tag Archives: mice

Oman Air announces new direct flights to Rwanda, strengthening connectivity between Oman and Africa

Oman Air announced the launch of direct flights to Kigali, Rwanda, marking a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between Oman and the African continent. The new route was announced during a formal signing ceremony hosted by His Excellency Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in Muscat, during the official visit of Hon. Amb. Uwihanganye Jean de Dieu, Rwanda Minister of State for Infrastructure; Hon. Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda and Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance & Economic Planning. The Muscat-Kigali service will act as an important facilitator of the growing relationship between Oman and Rwanda, one of East Africa’s leading emerging destinations for both tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions). It will also provide travellers with greater choice and connectivity between the Middle East and Africa, and onwards across Oman Air’s vast network throughout India, Asia Pacific, and Europe. His Excellency Saeed Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of the Sultanate of Oman, said, “The launch of direct flights between Muscat and Kigali reflects Oman’s commitment to strengthening international connectivity in support of trade, investment and economic cooperation. Air transport plays a vital role in enabling closer ties between nations, and this new route will support the continued development of relations between Oman and Rwanda, while enhancing Oman’s position as a key regional aviation hub.” Hon. Amb. Uwihanganye Jean de Dieu, Rwanda Minister of State for Infrastructure, added, “Rwanda’s vision is to foster direct connectivity to enable growing cooperation between States which is the objective for establishing Kigali as an international hub for aviation, economic and social activities. The Government of …

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Moscow hosts Global MICE Congress 2025 to attract the Gulf region

Over 60 speakers from Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, China, Malaysia, South Africa and other partner markets will discuss global trends, destination marketing, and the role of innovation in shaping future growth. In a special interview with TravTalkME, Anastasia Popova, Head of the Business Tourism Development Department, Moscow City Tourism Committee shared that they are looking at one of the largest MICE events in Moscow over the next two days bringing over 2000 delegates across the globe with Middle East as a key partner. The programme includes 15 sessions in various formats: strategic panels, expert lectures, case presentations, and practical masterclasses.  The first day focuses on strategy: organising large-scale international exhibitions, personalisation and gamification in event design, and how major events can become catalysts for destination development. The second day is dedicated to applied solutions — working with VIP clients, engaging Asian markets, scaling corporate projects, and exploring the future of MICE 5.0, including AI and neurotechnology. MGMC 2025 also offers strong networking opportunities. More than 3,200 B2B meetings are planned, while the exhibition zone will feature over 100 exhibitors from Russia, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, presenting venues, service providers, and destination capabilities. https://business.russpass.ru/en/projects-events/meet-global-mice-congress/mgmc-2025 Business tourism is a core pillar of Moscow’s Tourism Strategy 2030. The city is investing in the renewal of cultural and historical sites, expanding its portfolio of high-quality visitor attractions and launching large-scale, seasonally driven event programmes. These initiatives are designed to reinforce Moscow’s position as a leading global hub for international meetings and professional dialogue. As the city upgrades its MICE infrastructure, deepens international partnerships and introduces more innovative event formats, demand for major congresses in the Russian capital continues to …

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Georgia forges strategic GCC partnerships to drive tourism and MICE growth

The Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) announced a focused strategy to deepen its engagement with the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) B2B tourism sector. This initiative is aimed at positioning Georgia as a premier, high-value partner for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) operators, travel agencies, and investors, capitalizing on the nation’s rapid tourism growth and strategic development plans to create significant new partnership opportunities. “We are building a foundation for long-term growth by forging strategic alliances with the GCC travel trade and investors to jointly develop high-quality, innovative tourism products that cater to the evolving demand for authentic and immersive experiences. Georgia’s dynamic tourism landscape offers unprecedented opportunities for partnerships and collaborations as we continue to nurture the country’s growing reputation as a preferred international travel destination,” said Mrs. Maia Omiadze, Head of Administration at the GNTA. The GCC outbound travel market, projected to more than double to USD 158.8 billion by 2034, represents a pivotal growth segment. Georgia has successfully captured this demand, with arrivals from key GCC markets experiencing triple-digit growth in recent years. This aligns with the country’s broader tourism success, which saw over 2.9 million international visitors in H1 2025 and a record USD 826 million in Q1 revenue, contributing 7.2% to the national GDP. This proven demand presents lucrative opportunities for B2B collaboration in high-yield sectors. As a core component of this strategy, GNTA is launching a targeted promotional and educational campaign across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait throughout Q4 2025. The program includes destination webinars and in-person events, offering GCC tour operators, OTAs, and MICE agencies exclusive access to Georgian suppliers, in-depth market knowledge, and co-marketing frameworks.

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Cvent Accelerate Dubai 2025 sets new benchmark for innovation in events, hospitality

Cvent Accelerate Dubai 2025 concluded with record-breaking success at Atlantis – The Palm, drawing nearly 500 event planners, marketers, and hospitality professionals. The event marked its third edition with a powerful showcase of innovation, strategy, and sustainability shaping the future of the MICE industry. Industry leaders highlighted the transformative power of AI and event technology in delivering immersive, data-driven, and sustainable experiences. Gokul Bajaj, Country Head, UAE at Cvent, emphasised the shift from logistics to experience-driven events, with the UAE emerging as a pioneer in adopting cutting-edge solutions. Sessions explored Event-Led Growth (ELG), multi-sensory event design, and strategic alignment with business goals, equipping attendees with actionable insights to drive growth and engagement. Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Cvent partnered with ZEERO Events to plant 287 mangrove trees in Mozambique and offset over 64 tons of CO2e, replacing traditional giveaways with eco-friendly tree swag. The growing turnout reflects the event’s impact as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and future-forward thinking in the events and hospitality landscape.

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