Tag Archives: summer travel

In line with the summer season, Visit Qatar has launched its Qatar calendar of events and ‘Your Summer Starts Here’ campaign, including a host of offers, events and fun activations targetting the GCC visitors. Curated for people of all ages, the ‘Your Summer Starts Here’ campaign showcases what the country has to offer from outdoor acitivities to exclusive offers in iconic locations. The campaign video shows Bahraini influencer and film-maker Omar Farooq head to Doha for a 24-hour visit where his friend, renowned Qatari athlete, Mutaz Barshim meets him. Together, both Barshim and Farooq experience Qatar’s curated summer offerings. Following its success last year, the Qatar Toy Festival returns to Qatar this summer in its second edition from July 15 to August 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The Qatar Toy Festival will be an unforgettable experience for families of all ages. Qatar is also home to several indoor parks including Doha Quest, Virtuocity, Angry Birds World and Trocadero. With world-class private beaches, Qatar is set to welcome GCC visitors to its shores. West Bay Beach, 974 Beach, Doha Sands Beach, Banana Island Resort, Doha Beach Club, Katara Beach and many others will be operating throughout the summer with special events and offers. GCC visitors can benefit from Visit Qatar’s promotions, including up to 40% in multiple locations by Katara Hospitality. Some of these promotions include a festive brunch, lunch or dinner, hotel stays among other exciting offers. Additionally, families with children can visit Inflata City at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) until July 13 for fun activities on inflatables. Msheireb Downtown Doha is hosting ‘Summer Nights’ until August 31 with immersive festivities catered to all …

According to Skyscanner Egypt, United Kingdom, Thailand, Turkey and Everywhere are the most popular searches by UAE travellers this summer. As residents begin planning their summer holidays, global travel marketplace, Skyscanner reveals the top destinations offering great price deals for UAE travellers. Findings also revealed that June is the most popular month for travel searches during the summer, in comparison to July and August. This summer, UAE residents are exploring a variety of captivating destinations that offer a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural enrichment. Whether you’re seeking a quick getaway or a longer vacation, these trending spots* promise unforgettable experiences. 1. Egypt Discover the magic of Egypt, a destination offering rich history, ancient treasures and a vibrant culture. This summer, explore the majestic pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the world’s longest river, Nile. Whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover or a foodie, Egypt promises an experience like no other. Prices starting from AED 329 2. United Kingdom Explore the allure of the United Kingdom, a trending destination for summer 2024. From the iconic landmarks of London, such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the vibrant West End, to the historic charm of Edinburgh with its majestic castle and the enchanting Royal Mile, the UK offers a blend of history, culture, and modern attractions. Enjoy world-class museums, quaint villages, and lively festivals that bring the streets to life. Prices starting from AED 376 3. Thailand Embark on an unforgettable journey to Thailand, and discover the country’s pristine beaches, lush forests, and vibrant cities. Thailand offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural discovery. Dive into the azure waters of the Andaman Sea or the …

Hilton London Metropole has announced a new two-bedroom family-friendly room category and amenities following a surge in summer bookings from the GCC region. In 2023, over 65% of all summer bookings at the hotel were made by guests from the GCC, reflecting the property’s increasing popularity among regional travellers. The new two-bedroom family suites can sleep up to six and provide an elevated and luxurious space with contemporary aesthetics, his and her sinks and a stunning main living room space to go alongside the main king size bedroom. The spacious suites also have a separate king size bedroom with an ensuite, spacious contemporary room with adjoining living space, both fitted with an impressive 55-inch TV, WiFi and air conditioning. The living spaces have a kitchenette for added convenience and, as with all suites, come with exclusive access to the executive lounge. Voted Best Family Hotel in the UK at the International Travel Awards 2023, the hotel’s latest announcement follows an impressive multi-million-pound revamp completed last year with enhanced facilities to suit the needs of GCC travellers. The extensive refurbishment, which includes the new room category, also included the three King One Bedroom Deluxe Suites, 13 King One Bedroom Executive Suites and a stunning three-bedroom penthouse with breathtaking views of the London skyline. “We are thrilled to expand our family-focused offering to better cater to our new and loyal guests from the GCC who made up more than half of our summer bookings last year. Our two-bedroom family suites, along with our other carefully curated amenities, including a prayer room and curated halal menus featuring authentic Middle Eastern inspired dishes, affirm our commitment to providing a comfortable home-away-from-home experience for our …

Kuwait Airways launched its first scheduled summer flights to the city of Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman with three flights per week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. They shared that the company said that the selection of Salalah as a destination came after comprehensive research of the feasibility of this destination in general, and the extent of its demand, which is becoming increasingly popular among valued customers, especially during the summer season, due to the various attributes of Salalah, such as its moderate climate, touristic attractions, historical and cultural landmarks, as well as its greenery and picturesque nature. Kuwait Airways had previously announced its flight schedule for the 2024 summer travel season which includes the launch of new destinations such as Antalya with two flights per week, Bodrum with three flights per week, Trabzon with three flights per week, Sharm El Sheikh with two flights per week, Malaga with three flights per week, Nice with two flights per week and Sarajevo with three flights per week, bringing the operation of flights to 55 destinations and the average number of flights per day to 52 flights during the summer season. Kuwait Airways has perceived the necessity to increase the frequency of its flights, to operate additional flights to certain destinations, such as London, Amsterdam, Munich, Vienna, and Geneva, and to cater to the increasing demand for these European destinations and to other destinations witnessing extensive demand during the summer, such as Dubai, Riyadh, and Manchester. Furthermore, Kuwait Airways will operate its wide-body aircraft, consisting of the Boeing B777-300, to most of the European destinations, to enable its valued customers to benefit from the amenities of the Royal and Business class …

DXB will welcome over 3.7 million guests in the period from 12 to 25 June, with an average daily traffic of 264,000. June 22 is expected to be the busiest day with guest numbers likely to exceed 287,000. With the summer break in full swing and schools letting out for vacation, Dubai International (DXB) gears up to accommodate the surge in travel during this peak season. As families embark on their summer adventures, DXB is prepared to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. The priority is to expedite guest formalities, allowing ample time to enjoy the diverse offerings at DXB. From international cuisine to world-class retail, lounges, spas and hospitality services, guests can commence their journey in style and comfort. DXB has curated a range of exciting offers to enhance the travel experience from the get-go. To ensure a hassle-free journey, Dubai Airports offers tips for guests who are travelling in the coming weeks: Emirates passengers can take advantage of the airline’s convenient home, early and self-check-in facilities, including city check-in options. flydubai passengers are advised to arrive at least four hours prior to departure. Guests flying with other airlines should aim to arrive at DXB no earlier than three hours before their scheduled departure time, utilising online check-in where available to save time. Familiarise yourself with your airline’s baggage allowance and packing regulations. Avoid last-minute surprises by checking in advance. Save time at security screening by being prepared. Place metal items— watch, jewellery, mobile phone, coins, belt— in your hand luggage and follow the directed guidelines for carrying liquids, aerosols, and gels. Families with children over 12 can expedite the passport control process by using Smart Gates. Keep …

Kuwait Airways announced the launch of its summer schedule for the 2024 season. They will launch numerous destinations during the summer, namely Antalya with two flights per week, Bodrum with three flights per week, Trabzon with three flights per week, Sharm El-Sheikh, with two flights per week, Malaga with three flights per week, and Nice with two flights per week, thus expanding its operations to 54 destinations during the summer season, in addition to its scheduled flights to permanent destinations. As part of its 2024 summer schedule, Kuwait Airways will focus on destinations that are witnessing a huge demand from customers travelling from within the State of Kuwait and will experience an extensive demand to travel, especially during the summer season, from June to September 2024. They had launched numerous diverse destinations and operated to new markets last year, to meet the requirements and preferences of its valued customers and to provide them with different options, in accordance with its efforts to expand its network of routes around the world. Moreover, the company has, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, and in close coordination with the operational departments are finalizing preparations for the summer operations, for providing its services and assisting the Blue Bird guests at Terminal 4 with distinguished, and exceptional facilities. This is in addition to the Kuwait Airways fleet being fully prepared to carry the esteemed passengers of the national carrier to various destinations around the world. Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Al-Fagaan stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to announce the new 2024 summer destinations to its valued customers, in view of the growth of passenger traffic during the summer period. Kuwait Airways has perceived the necessity to …

Wego and Azerbaijan tourism board invites travelers to discover Azerbaijan in all seasons.  The two companies will join forces for a new campaign aiming to showcase Azerbaijan’s incredible attractions to MENA travelers. Building on the successful previous partnership, this collaboration will leverage Wego’s extensive reach and innovative marketing strategies to showcase Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality. In Azerbaijan, both summer and winter offer a wide range of exciting activities for each type of traveler. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “As we renew our partnership with Azerbaijan Tourism Board, we aim to inspire and guide travelers to explore the wonders of Azerbaijan and create a seamless and inspiring travel experience. We recorded over 830,000 searches globally to Azerbaijan this year and we are expecting to see an increase in the searches towards the summer.” During the summer months, the country’s beautiful coastal areas become a haven for beach lovers. Travelers can indulge in water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. Additionally, the picturesque mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, such as the Greater Caucasus range, provide fantastic opportunities for hiking, trekking, and exploring scenic trails that lead to breathtaking vistas and hidden waterfalls. Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board, said: “In winter, Azerbaijan transforms into a winter wonderland, providing excellent opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts. The country has premier ski resorts and offer world-class skiing and snowboarding facilities with a range of slopes suitable for beginners to advanced skiers. Additionally, the picturesque village of Gabala, located in the Tufandag Mountains, offers a charming winter retreat with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and even enjoying horse-drawn sleigh rides through snowy landscapes.”

According to Skyscanner’s latest research, in association with OnePoll, a huge 98% of UAE travellers are open to travelling to more alternative or lesser-known destinations with more than three quarters (77%) saying they would be likely to swap their holiday favourites for an alternative option if it meant they were likely to save money.  Ayoub El Mamoun, Skyscanner Travel Expert, says,  “The desire for new and alternative destinations appears to be increasing this year, as in 2022, only 41% of global travellers surveyed said that they wanted to explore new places versus returning to an old favourite. We’re seeing a big uplift in the number of searches for underrated destinations from the UAE, including Hanoi (+373%) and Osaka (+332%) to name a few.  With almost half (48%) of UAE travellers yet to book their summer holiday this year, according to our latest research, and 41% of those admitting that they’re still deciding on where to go, Skyscanner is on hand to help find them find a lesser known and cheaper alternative to their usual holiday hot spot.” Over three quarters (76%) of UAE travellers already prefer alternative holiday destinations versus the more tried and true classic hotspots (20%), citing cost savings (24%) and the ability to escape the crowds (27%) as their top reasons why. Skyscanner data reveals it pays to swap. For example, UAE travellers when looking for a European city break could swap popular Paris (with return flights from Abu Dhabi AED 308 this August) for the lesser-known city of Bucharest (with return flights from AED 171 this August) and save 44% on the cost of their flights alone. Head to the old town in Bucharest to discover …

With the Eid al-Adha break fast approaching, dnata Travel has revealed the most popular holiday hotspots over summer in 2023. In order of popularity, the ten most booked destinations are: Thailand, Turkey, Italy, UK, Greece, Maldives, Bali, Mauritius, Switzerland and Oman. dnata Travel’s experts have also revealed an 18% increase in international holiday bookings from June to September 2023 so far, compared to the same timings in 2022. As the most popular destination, Thailand is taking 23% of dnata Travel bookings across the summer. Within the country, the capital city Bangkok, alongside the islands of Phuket and Krabi are the top three locations for UAE travellers. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “A pent-up demand is driving travellers to explore more of the world, including lesser-known places and varied locations across popular hotspots. In addition to the ever-popular destinations of Thailand, Turkey, Italy and UK, we have seen a notable increase in travel to Greece in particular, compared to the same period last year. “Thailand is our top growth destination, with demand driven by a rise in availability of flights, the country’s incredible value-for-money proposition, world-class accommodation, and varied experiences.” A majority of summer bookings are for Eid al-Adha, where dnata Travel’s top ten international destinations remain consistent. Across the summer, 80% of bookings are for international travel, while the remaining 20% cover UAE staycations. Bookings to Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, and Denmark are trending compared to 2022, with Austria, Spain, Singapore and Sri Lanka also growing in popularity. dnata Travel experts continuously monitor trends and work with long-standing international partners to offer exclusive rates and added extras for the local market, alongside …

As travellers begin flying for the summer holidays, Etihad Airways is prepared to welcome more than 4 million passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport between 20 June and 30 September 2023 and advises guests to follow below tips. A high volume of travellers will be joining locally in Abu Dhabi, with the remainder connecting from across Etihad’s extensive network of 66 destinations, including new summer routes to Lisbon, Malaga and Mykonos which launched over the weekend. Etihad’s upgraded online check-in allows guests to complete passport and visa checks prior to reaching the airport. The Auto Doc Check feature ensures guests have met all relevant travel and visa requirements for a hassle-free airport experience. In addition, the airline’s self-service bag drop facility provides a quicker and more efficient check-in process, accommodating a greater number of guests and minimising queue times. Once checked-in online, the self-service facilities allow travellers to seamlessly retrieve their booking, print the bag-tag and process their bags in less than two minutes. Shaeb Al Najjar, General Manager Hub Operations, Etihad Airways, said “In addition to hosting guests as they fly into their summer holidays, we are also looking to welcome pilgrims, whether they are starting their journey from the UAE or connecting from other destinations across our extensive network. Thanks to Etihad’s award-winning cabin crew, family-friendly offerings, and cabin propositions, guests can expect the best possible travel experiences. By also embracing cutting-edge technologies, we can deliver a more seamless and personalised experience for our guests.” During peak times, Economy check-in for non-US flights opens four hours before departure and closes one hour before departure. Business and First check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. For US flights check-in closes …