Tag Archives: Middle East

The seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards takes place tonight at Conrad Dubai, honouring those who have significantly shaped Middle East’s travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. This invitation-only event offers a dedicated platform to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of industry leaders, encouraging their continued contributions to this rapidly evolving region. The Arabian Travel Awards distinguishes itself as a fair and impartial event, with winners selected through a systematic, internet-based voting process. Supported by TravTalkbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVMiddleEast.news, and TravTalkMiddleEast, the awards will showcase and reward excellence across four main categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards, and Partner Awards. Categories will spotlight Best Business Hotel, Best Family-Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, Best Luxury Hotel, among others. San Jeet, Director of Arabian Travel Awards, shared, “Our awards continue to evolve, celebrating the dedication and resilience of industry experts. This year is particularly special as we witness record-breaking growth, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in the region. Throughout the region, responsible tourism and hospitality have become more essential than ever. Hence, this is an opportunity to recognize those at the forefront of making the region, globally admired, sustainable destination.” He added, “The resilience of the Middle East sets a global standard in recovery and growth. The public-private partnerships across the GCC have catalysed the region’s strong rebound, ensuring a forward-thinking, collaborative approach. Tonight’s awards will honour those individuals and organizations who, despite challenges, continue to drive the industry forward, marking the start of an exciting new era in the region.”    

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has reported serving 13.7 million passengers in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, reflecting a robust 7.9 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. Point-to-point traffic also experienced growth by 11.7 per cent, contributing to the airport’s overall performance. The passenger traffic growth was driven by strong demand for air travel, with July marking the airport’s busiest month ever, handling 4,742,068 passengers followed by 4,717,885 passengers in August and 4,246,742 in September. In the Middle East, the key growth countries were Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain while in Europe, the growth was led by Spain, United Kingdom and Germany. China market grew by over 43 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of aircraft movements at Hamad International Airport reached 71,425 during Q3 2024, which is 6.2 per cent more that the same period in the previous year. This included 24,179 take-offs and landings in July, 24,329 in August, and 22,917 in September. This strong performance highlights the airport’s growing role as a major global aviation hub, handling increased volumes of air traffic with efficiency and precision.

Speaking with TravTalkME Middle East,  Joyce Wang – Executive Director of Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, Organiser of ITB Asia, MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia shared that this year ITB Asia concluded with immense growth from the Middle East and Europe. Wang shared, “So we not only had exhibitors from the Middle East, but we also had buyers from the Middle East coming down to Asia. It’s a big market for us. For the Middle East, we are looking at two important sectors, wellness travel as well as luxury travel. They are coming in quite well and a big trend this year. Lots of regional and local NTOs are actually looking into tapping into these two themes to attract the Middle East buyers.” She further reiterated that this year’s 3 day show concluded on a positive note with 45,000 business appointments, 18,500 visitors from 85 countries featuring 1950 exhibitors and over 1400 buyers across the globe.

According to a new report released by Kearney titled: “In the mind of global travelers: how travelers’ evolving expectations are reshaping tourism” which explores preferences and priorities as international tourism traffic is poised to outpace pre-pandemic levels this year. The Middle East, for example, is well poised to capitalize on this given the visionary projects and substantial investments in tourism infrastructure being made. “Tourism in the Middle East is still in its early stages and it takes time to build a strong reputation, so it’s encouraging to see emerging destinations like the Red Sea coastline, the Albanian Riviera, Patagonia, and Lijiang making tourists’ shortlists. This suggests that with continuous asset development and strategic marketing, countries in the region can position themselves as increasingly desirable global destinations,” commented Pascal Armoudom, Partner at Kearney Middle East & Africa. It was stated that emerging destinations are gaining ground on travelers’ preferred lists, signaling a significant shift in global tourism trends. The report released at the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai highlights that while travelers still prefer iconic destinations, over-tourism remains a growing concern, presenting promising opportunities for emerging markets. When looking into evolving preferences, travelers are favoring destinations that offer both leisure and urban experiences. Sun, sea and lifestyle remain the top choice, with Dubai coming in fourth globally after Miami, Bahamas, and the Maldives. There is a notable shift towards ecotourism as more globetrotters – particularly millennials – seek sustainable experiences that connect them with nature while minimizing environmental impact. A significant 86% of respondents aged 25-34 expressed a strong preference for tourism destinations minimizing environmental impact, looking for green mobility at their destination, and supporting eco-friendly accommodations. This trend presents an enormous opportunity …

According to Mabrian, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt are becoming the most popular destinations for autumn travel by German travellers. In the findings it is shared that German travellers are increasingly looking beyond traditional European destinations for their autumn getaways, with a noticeable shift toward long-haul destinations, including alternatives in the Middle East. According to Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform part of The Data Appeal Company, demand for autumn travel to the region has surged, with countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt seeing significant increases in flight searches and inspirational demand. These findings combine cyclical data about Germans’ autumn travel interests and motivations, along with inspirational travel demand data based on Mabrian’s Share of Searches Index, that reflects the strength of travel demand based on flight searches behaviour. Given a source market and a period of time, the Share of Searches Index is a percentage that correlates the total flight searches globally with spontaneous searches for specific destinations. For this analysis, Share of Searches Index tracked flight searches in Germany, made at least three months in advance, for trips between September and November 2024, focusing on top performing destinations for the German travel market. “Unlike confirmed bookings, this ratio shows the degree of market interest in certain destinations,” says Carlos Cendra, partner and director of Marketing and Communication at Mabrian. “Whether reservations are confirmed depends on many factors, from available connectivity, flight and accommodation prices, or other phenomena that may influence travellers’ willingness to purchase or spend.” Data also indicates that 2024 fall travel plans from Germans reflect a shifting trend, a slight readjustment of the yet strong demand to Mediterranean destinations, and …

China Visitors Summit kicked off in Dubai with TravTalk Middle East as media sponsor. The first day saw 100 plus buyers with 80 suppliers attend and network with each other. Alexander Glos, CEO of China i2i Group – Shanghai, Creators of the China Visitors Summit 2024 in Dubai opening the session shared, “The China Visitors Summit (CVS) is the premier global workshop where Chinese travel buyers come to learn about destinations, experience travel products firsthand, and network with potential partners. Since its inception in China in 2008 and its expansion to the Middle East in 2013, CVS has become the essential meeting point for travel suppliers—hotels, destinations, attractions, shopping centers, airlines, destination management companies, and more—to connect with Chinese travel industry buyers.”  

The Jamaica Tourist Board has appointed Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East as its new Trade Representative office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This partnership marks an exciting milestone in Jamaica’s efforts to expand its presence and strengthen relationships within the GCC travel market. Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the GCC travel landscape, make them an ideal partner to achieve Jamaica’s overarching tourism goals and communicate its diverse tourism offerings. The appointment reflects the Jamaica Tourist Board’s investment in its strategic focus on enhancing visibility and engagement with travelers from the GCC countries. “Selecting Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East to represent Jamaica in the GCC region is a commitment to our strategic ambitions to attract more visitors from this lucrative market said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “The GCC region holds great potential for Jamaica’s tourism industry, and we are confident that having a team on the ground with such expertise will help us reach and resonate with travelers seeking unique experiences in our beautiful island destination.” In 2023, Jamaica achieved a 17% increase in tourist arrivals from the previous year recording more than US4.2 billion in revenue, proving its resilience amidst global challenges. Building on this momentum, Jamaica continues to push the boundaries by receiving investments valued at US4 to US5 billion in tourism development which is projected to bring 20,000 new rooms in the next 10 to 15 years, including the much-anticipated debut of 2,000 new rooms in 2024 and a total of 8,500 rooms by 2025. “Jamaica is ready to welcome more visitors from the GCC region which will build a stronger relationship through our diverse culture and tourism offerings. …

In keeping with its target to attract more visitors from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, Sri Lanka announced the launch of its newest carrier Air Ceilao. The airline is currently working with Sri Lanka’s civil aviation authority to secure the necessary regulatory approvals. They plan to operate a mixed fleet of narrow and wide-bodied aircraft to serve the initial routes and wish to expand to long haul routes across Europe and Australia. This will be the second privately owned international airline in Sri Lanka. They stated that their aim is to revolutionize air travel by blending full-service luxury with low-cost affordability. The carrier aims to target both discerning and budget-conscious travelers. Subsequently offering them a unique experience that combines luxury and value.

SEVEN  announced its plans for global franchise expansion. Since its inception in 2019, SEVEN has become synonymous with redefining the wellness experience through its integrated approach. Nestled in the heart of Dubai, SEVEN Wellness Club distinguishes itself by seamlessly blending physical fitness, mindfulness, relaxation, lifestyle, beauty, nutrition and recovery into a unified experience. SEVEN transcends traditional gym and spa concepts, offering a comprehensive and personalised approach that fits effortlessly into everyday life. Global Franchise Expansion: In a strategic move to share its unique wellness concept with the world, SEVEN has partnered with Francorp Middle East, a leading franchise development firm renowned for its expertise in expanding brands globally. Established in 1976 in Chicago, Francorp has been instrumental in the success of over 6,000 brands worldwide through its robust franchise development programme. Imad Charaf Eddine, Chairman and CEO of Francorp Middle East, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, saying, “SEVEN Wellness Club presents a distinctive concept in the wellness industry. Their comprehensive and innovative approach to wellness, coupled with their exceptional business model, makes them a standout. We are excited to support SEVEN in their journey to bring their unparalleled wellness experience to a global audience.” Invitation to Prospective Franchisees SEVEN is extending an invitation to potential investors, wellness enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs to join their growing family through this exciting franchise opportunity. With a proven track record and a reputation for excellence, SEVEN offers franchisees the chance to lead a thriving business while making a significant impact on the wellness industry. Prospective franchisees will have the opportunity to be part of an innovative and proven franchise model, enjoying substantial returns on investment while championing a transformative approach to wellness. The …

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (SZGM) has secured top positions globally among the most revered cultural and historical landmarks, according to the 2024 report of leading travel and tourism platform TripAdvisor. Recognition in the report, derived from the analysis of more than eight million data points provided by travellers of diverse nationalities, is a testament to the mosque’s universal appeal and the rich experiences it offers. SZGM’s unique cultural and historical experiences have earned it 10th place globally and the first position in the Middle East in the Top Attractions category among 25 world-class attractions. In the Top Experiences category, SZGM secured 17th place globally and second in the Middle East for the travel experience from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which includes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, and Etihad Towers. Furthermore, in the Cultural and Historical Experiences category, it ranked third globally, showing significant progress compared to 2023, with improvements of five ranks in the Attractions category, three in Experiences, and four in Cultural and Historical Experiences. His Excellency Dr Yousif Alobaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC), said: “The mosque’s realisation of this global milestone reflects the vision of our leadership. This accomplishment is the fruit of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s five-year strategic plan to enhance its services and offer visitors new experiences. These results also underscore the centre’s success in training over 250 young UAE Nationals in the field of cultural tour guidance and visitor services. These individuals are staff of the centre and graduates of the Ibn Al Dar programme, which is part of the AL Shabab AL Banie initiative. They are responsible for delivering more than 5,000 cultural tours annually within …