Tag Archives: Middle East

Dubai Parks and Resorts, Middle East’s largest theme park destination, has announced its new season line up, featuring the premiere of the Lionsgate zone at MOTIONGATE™ Dubai and a series of exciting events on the river at Riverland™ Dubai. The Lionsgate zone at MOTIONGATE™ Dubai features the world’s first rides and attractions inspired by the international blockbuster movie series ‘The Hunger Games’.Riverland™ Dubai, the themed dining, retail and entertainment district at the centre of Dubai Parks and Resorts has also announced its season line up of free events including Circus on the River in November and Pets on the River in December and a host of new events during public holidays. Effective from September 1, 2017, international visitors ticket prices have also been announced for the winter season, with day tickets ranging from AED 235 /Rs 4,100 per park or AED 285/ Rs 4,980 for two parks. The seasonal tickets will give the guests the opportunity to experience over 100 rides and attractions at the destination. Ticket prices are the same for adults and children, with kids below the age of 3 entering free. David Loiseau, Vice President of Sales & Distribution, said: “This is Dubai Parks and Resorts first full winter season and our focus is on delivering new experiences and competitive prices to bring visitors back time and again. This season, The Hunger Games fans from across the globe will be able to experience rides inspired by the blockbuster movie franchise that have never been seen anywhere in the world before. We are joining communities across the UAE to celebrate national holidays with free events along the river at Riverland™ Dubai. We have also created our very own …

Traveltek Group has launched its Middle East operation. The UK-based firm, which counts global travel brands such as Virgin Holidays, Flight Centre and dnata, as well as its sister companies, Imagine Cruises and Global Travel Group, amongst its roster of big-name clients, has established an office in Dubai and appointed two highly-experienced travel technology professionals to lead its Gulf expansion strategy. Vinod Singh comes on board as Regional Manager, Middle East and India and Vivek Katheriya joins the team as Regional Sales Manager, India and MENA. Both recruits bring vast Middle East travel technology experience to their roles, having worked for reputable industry players. Between them, Singh and Katheriya are targeting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, all markets where travel agents, tour operators and wholesalers in are in urgent need of sophisticated travel technology to help drive efficiencies, boost sales and meet the complex demands of their customers. “Given our proven track record delivering a powerful and successful selling platform to the international travel trade, we are well positioned to harness the healthy growth of the GCC travel and tourism industry, ” said Peter Whittle, Global Sales Director, Traveltek. “Our global expertise, combined with the market and technology experience demonstrated by Vinod and Vivek, will ensure we can cater to the needs of the region’s travel trade now and in the future, particularly as demand for dynamic packaging and cruise booking solutions grows at a rapid rate. The web-based technology enables agencies and tour operators to package and sell complex itineraries that include flights, hotels, tours, transfers, car rental, cruises, attractions tickets and more. Companies can also package their own stock, third-party stock, or a mixture of …

Leading supplier of hygiene products in the Middle East, Dhofar Global has recently announced that it has signed an agreement with AccorHotels, to supply world-class cleaning and hygiene products for its hotels. The deal supports Dhofar Global’s ongoing expansion into new markets, while adding to its increasing list of clients in the hospitality field. The Group operates in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and the Seychelles. Chandan Singh, CEO, Dhofar Global, said, “The new agreement signed with AccorHotels reflects Dhofar Global’s efforts to continuously broaden its horizons and infiltrate new markets all over the world. This is an opportunity for us to expand our dynamic international portfolio of hospitality clients, while reiterating our commitment to supplying our customers with only the highest quality cleaning and hygiene products. We are pleased to be working alongside AccorHotels to ensure the highest level of hygiene in its hotels across the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and the Seychelles.”

The fourth annual Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) concluded recently with 174 sellers from around Indonesia representing the tourism and hospitality industry, from tour operators to chain hotels and resorts as well as provincial tourism offices, along with 264 buyers from 54 countries. Co-hosted by South Sumatra Province, the fourth annual travel fair also organised several pre-tour programmes, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, to several destinations, including Mount Bromo and Labuan Bajo. MichiDe International, the Dubai-based luxury travel expert, gave an opportunity to the media from the Middle East to be a part of this event. For the fourth Bali & Beyond Travel Fair, the committee collaborated with MichiDe International. By collaborating with MichiDe, the committee aimed to bring in key international buyers and high-profile media from the Middle East region to Bali and expand the success of the travel fair beyond the boundaries of Indonesia. MichiDe’s Chief Executive Officer Gessy Gitapuri remains dedicated to position Bali as the leading destination in South East Asia for the elite travellers from the Middle East.

The largest property of Sofitel in the Middle East, Sofitel Dubai Wafi, is expected to open in early 2019. Being developed in collaboration with development partner MKM Commercial Holdings LLC, it will feature 501 luxury guestrooms, inclusive of 86 suites — ranging in size from 55 sq. m. to 625 sq. m. — in addition to 97 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced residences, which would be operated on an extended-stay basis. Also, there will be a number of dining venues, including an Asian speciality restaurant, gastro pub, a unique destination restaurant, bar and lounge on the 43rd and 44th floors, a French lobby café, an all-day restaurant and a pool bar. Guests will also have the option to relax and unwind at the SoSpa or work out at the comprehensive gymnasium. Also a part of the property will be few outdoor pools, private cabanas and a kids club. Business travellers will have access to 10 meeting rooms, in addition to an 1115 sq. m. ballroom. Sami Nasser, Chief Operating Officer, Luxury Brands, AccorHotels Middle East, commented, “We are delighted to work with MKM Commercial Holdings, one of our long standing partners, to develop this impressive project that will undoubtedly become a future flagship for Sofitel in the region. The development of this property is aligned with our strategy to operate one of our leading luxury brands across strategic locations in the Middle East.”

International serviced-residence owner-operator The Ascott Limited has launched a dedicated Arabic website to meet the demand of its Arabic guests. The new website, www.ascottmea.com, designed in both Arabic and English, offers in-depth information on properties as well as other areas such as “Ascott Social”, and also promotional ads, guest blogs, stories on the events happening at various properties, social media feeds and a local’s perspective of “City Life”. To complement the launch, Ascott is running a competition to win weekend getaways to Paris or other destinations across the GCC. “A large percentage of our guests within the GCC are Arabic and we are excited to be able to offer them the convenience of booking online in their preferred language,” said Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Country General Manager, Middle East & Turkey.

In keeping with the recent instructions from the governments of UAE, Saudi and Bahrain, seven carriers from the various Middle East countries have suspended their services to Doha with effect from June 6, 2017 until further notice. Among these airlines are Royal Jets, Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia from UAE; Saudia from Saudi and Gulf Air from Bahrain. While Etihad, Emirates and flydubai suspended all flights between Dubai and Doha, Royal Jets suspended their services between Abu Dhabi and Doha and Air Arabia suspended their flights between Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah and Doha. Saudia has suspended its flights between Saudi and Doha and Gulf Air between Bahrain and Doha. So all customers who have booked tickets on any of these airlines for flying to Doha will have to contact the airlines for alternative options, which will include full refunds on unused tickets or free re-booking to the nearest alternate destinations. For detailed information, the relevant airlines can be called or their websites can be looked up.

The State Government of Victoria is celebrating 20 years of trade and tourism ties with the Middle East region. The Australian state set up its Victorian Government Business Office (VGBO) in 1997 to forge and strengthen trade and investment ties with the region, which two decades later has seen Victoria’s annual exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region grow to AUD$ 2.49 billion (US$ 1.85 billion). Tourism and aviation links between Victoria and the region have also multiplied over the years, with Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways all flying daily to Melbourne. Emirates Airline has had a long-term relationship with Melbourne, having sponsored the famous Collingwood Football Club and the Emirates Melbourne Cup, the flagships among a portfolio of key partnerships in the state. Etihad Airways also has a strong connection with Melbourne, which is home to Australia’s Etihad Stadium, and has seen the UAE’s national carrier become the lead sponsor of Melbourne City Football Club.

Turkish Airlines has launched new flights from various cities in the Middle East and Germany to key tourist destinations in Turkey. The national carrier will launch direct flights between Turkish cities such as Bodrum, Antalya and Trabzon and the Middle East, beginning from this month. The airlines will be providing a total of 16 weekly flights between Jeddah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Al Qassim, Yanbu, Medina and Trabzon. Furthermore, they will also be providing 13 weekly flights between Jeddah, Baghdad, Erbil, Riyadh, Amman, Kuwait, Sulaymaniyah and Antalya during this summer. Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart are other cities benefitting from the new direct flights, connecting travellers from Germany to Izmir. Additionally, passengers from Kuwait will also be able to travel directly to Izmir. Commenting on these direct flights, Turkish Airlines’ Deputy Chairman and CEO, Bilal Ekşi, said, “We are always looking to provide our passengers with the most convenient and time-efficient way of travel. Tourists worldwide have been continously increasing due to the fantastic attractions and features provided by all our Turkish cities. As we move forward, our goal will be to create these direct flights from all the markets, we operate globally so that travellers can now fly directly to their destination of choice.”  

Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand-based hotel operator continues to expand internationally with the opening of a four-star, 152-room hotel in Muscat, its fifth hotel outside Thailand and first of three planned for the Middle East. The Centara Muscat Hotel is ideally located in the Omani capital’s bustling Ghala Heights business district, close to the convention centre, Royal Opera House, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. It is conveniently midway between the airport and historical district, about 15 minutes from each. The hotel is a modern new building featuring three restaurants, a spa, and a rooftop pool and terrace with views out over the Gulf of Oman. Its premium lounge, banquet and meeting facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, plus proximity to Muscat’s shopping and historical sites, are designed to serve both business and leisure travellers. Centara is known for combining appealing Thai qualities, such as graceful service and pampering spa treatments, with expertly-prepared Thai and international cuisine. The new Muscat hotel follows this blueprint. Akdeniz, an authentic Turkish restaurant, features fine coffees, Middle Eastern snacks and mezzes, plus meats and fresh fish seared on a traditional Ocakbasi grill. Tip-tara restaurant serves Thai dishes and international choices, while The Roof offers a relaxed venue for barbeques and private events. Centara’s signature SPA Cenvaree offers a variety of therapies and treatments, plus Thai herbal spa products.  The rooftop pool is complemented by a children’s pool and fitness centre.  The hotel’s 237-square-metre banquet hall is large enough to accommodate cocktail receptions of 280 people. Three smaller venues include a boardroom which can be adjusted to fit a range of  uses. Another conference room, along with the pleasant rooftop terrace, can accommodate up to 80 people – …