Tag Archives: travellers

Servantrip has announced an impressive 82% year-on-year increase in B2B bookings for 2024, marking a 1.5x acceleration compared to the growth recorded in 2023. Servantrip grew across the Middle East, Europe, LATAM and the USA connecting over 12,500 points of sale by Q1 2025, highlighting the growth in channel distribution across retail, OTAs, and wholesalers. The company plans to focus on activating over 10,000 additional points of sale between 2025 and 2026, either already connected or nearing connectivity, from the 2,850 active points of sale in 2024. This milestone reflects the company’s ambitious trajectory toward global leadership in the travel sector, underpinned by three transformative achievements in 2024: 1. Advancing technology: Enhancing the industry’s most sophisticated and seamless API for tours, activities, and transfers. 2. Expanding the ecosystem: Establishing the largest network in the transfers and activities sector, with over 60 API integrations and agreements to onboard 5,000 additional points of sale. 3. Strategic expansion: Launching an operational hub in Buenos Aires and initiating U.S. operations through a subsidiary in Miami. In 2024, the transfer services business was a standout success, recording a 109% increase in bookings. Supplier connections to Servantrip grew by 78%, while the number of buyer nationalities expanded by 20% to include travellers from 132 countries. Destinations offering booked services also grew by 10%. Manuel Núñez, Founder and CEO of Servantrip, highlighted the pillars driving the company’s success: “Our growth in 2024 was built on three key strengths: highly scalable, advanced technology; the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of qualified suppliers; and the dedication of the Servantrip team to providing an outstanding customer experience. Many of our clients were introduced to us through recommendations, a testament to our impact in …

According to Flight Centre Corporate, business travel is set to increase in 2025, with 40% of businesses planning to increase travel from July to June, and 42% of corporates are forecast to spend more than in 2024. Business travel will feature high on the agenda, particularly as part of ATM’s new feature, IBTM@ATM. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “At ATM, we recognise the critical importance of addressing the latest trends and innovations shaping the aviation industry. New technology and the increased use of sustainable fuels will be a game-changer for the sector, with far-reaching benefits for years to come.” The sector’s growth is a topic anticipated to create substantial discussion on the show floor. In 2025, industry revenues will surpass US$1 trillion for the first time, according to IATA. In addition, traveller numbers are expected to hit 5.2 billion, up 6.7% compared to 2024, exceeding the five-billion mark for the first time, with the number of flights expected to reach 40 million.  

Almosafer’s latest travel trend report reveals a robust 44% growth in domestic bookings in 2024, marking a significant contribution (over 40%) to the overall travel landscape in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s rapidly growing and evolving tourism offerings continue to shape domestic travel behavior, and with an expanding range of destinations, unique accommodations, and diverse experiences, travellers are motivated to explore their country for leisure. Family and group bookings have emerged as a key growth driver of domestic tourism, with over 70% growth across these traveller segments. Travel groups are increasingly choosing destinations that offer event-based and experience-rich travel opportunities. While iconic cities such as Makkah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Madinah remain central to travel plans, emerging destinations are becoming increasingly popular. Abha’s cool climate and mountain views, Al Jubail’s pristine beaches, Jizan’s coastal charm, Tabuk’s dramatic natural landscapes, and Hail’s adventurous desert terrain are rapidly gaining traction. These rising hotspots reflect the Kingdom’s ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure, opening up exciting opportunities for leisure travellers. The report further highlights a significant shift in traveller preferences regarding accommodation. While luxury stays dominate, with 36% of room nights booked in 5-star accommodations. Simultaneously, budget-friendly stays in 3-star and below properties have significantly increased, representing 35% of all booked room nights. Notably, this segment has witnessed a remarkable 100% growth in volume for families and groups, reflecting a rising trend of value-conscious group travel. Alternative accommodations such as vacation rentals and hotel apartments have also gained popularity, offering flexibility and affordability. Family bookings in these accommodations surged by 90% and group bookings grew by 60%, as alternative accommodations have become more widely available throughout the Kingdom and travellers opt for convenient stays, …

FITUR Cruises, the space dedicated to the world of cruises at the International Tourism Trade Fair organised by IFEMA MADRID, promises a packed programme of activities and presentations aimed at both professionals and the general public with which to discover the latest news and future trends of the industry. Over the five days of the Fair (22 to 26 January), FITUR Cruises, organised by FITUR in collaboration with Cruceroadicto.com, announces different initiatives aimed at showcasing the essence of cruise tourism. Cruise Campus is an innovative system of mini-courses that, in a practical way and with the help of experts in different areas of marketing, communication and even professional travellers, will be dealing with aspects related to the cruise experience from all perspectives. At the weekend, in addition to the Cruise Campus talks, the popular Cruise Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Intermundial will be taking place, in which teams must solve clues and visit a series of cruise ship stopover destinations throughout the FITUR halls to enter a final draw to win cruises for two, excursion vouchers or travel insurance. Along with this, on Thursday 23 January, FITUR Cruises will hold the third edition of the Cruceroadicto Awards in an event attended by the finalists in each category. These international awards are the only cruise awards voted 100% by the Spanish-speaking travel community. In this regard, to guarantee that it is the traveller who has the last word, these are the first awards in Spain to be certified by the AENOR quality mark ‘commitment to transparency and impartiality’. The awards will be presented in the categories of best ship, cruise line and port of the year 2024. Likewise, this edition has an …

FITUR 2025, taking place from 22 to 26 January, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be highlighting the strong tourism potential between Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where around ten companies will be exhibiting their tourism offers at the trade fair, mainly tour operators and Dubai’s iconic Atlantis Hotel, among others. The recovery of the Persian Gulf has been faster and stronger than that of other markets, with an economy that is growing above the OECD average and with higher spending and disposable income per consumer. Thus, the tourism sector in both territories has significant potential for developing specialised products. Spain experienced a record year for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in 2023 with unprecedented growth in both the number of travellers and tourism expenditure. The total number of GCC residents visiting Spain in 2023 reached 434,000, 33% more than in 2022, with an average stay of 8.6 days. Specifically, visitors from the UAE totalled more than 140,000 and spending grew by 37.8%, with an average spend of 2,668 euros, 26% more than in 2022. According to industry sources, around 200,000 Spanish tourists visit Dubai every year. In 2023, tourists from the Gulf region spent more than 1.138 billion euros in Spain, 64.7% more than in 2022, according to Turespaña estimates based on INE data (Frontur and Egatur). These travellers are considered as “large consumers”, with spending well above their European counterparts. Connectivity with Spain is very good and airlines have increased in all the countries of the Persian Gulf, both in terms of frequency and new routes. In the forecasts for flights from the UAE between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, capacity to Spain has …

Emirates will be introducing a third non-stop service between Dubai and Melbourne, starting from 30 March 2025. The third service will be operated with a newly retrofitted four-class Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, equipped with the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy product and latest generation Business class seats. The airline currently operates two non-stop daily flights between Dubai and Melbourne using four-class Airbus A380s, and a daily flight that connects Dubai to Melbourne via Singapore with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Emirates’ operations between Singapore and Melbourne will cease on 30 March 2025, and the airline plans to operate the third direct Dubai-Melbourne flight and fourth Dubai-Singapore service with new flight numbers.* Starting from 30 March 2025, the four-class Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft will be deployed on flights EK404/405 between Dubai and Melbourne. Emirates’ flight EK404 will depart from Dubai at 21:15hrs, arriving in Melbourne at 17:40hrs the following day**. The return flight EK405 will depart Melbourne at 23:55hrs and arrives in Dubai at 07:00hrs the next day**. The third daily non-stop flight also means customers have more convenient schedules and choice, with unrivalled connectivity and travel options via Dubai to 27 European cities served with multiple daily flights including London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Emirates’ latest refurbished Boeing 777 includes 8 First Class Suites, 40 Business Class seats, 24 seats in Premium Economy, and 256 Economy Class seats. The latest introduction means Emirates’ Victoria operations will be supported with the airline’s next generation products. Emirates’ Premium Economy cabins were named ‘Best in Class’s class at the 2024 Business Traveller, Asia-Pacific awards. The cream leather seats with 6-way adjustable headrests boast a 38-inch pitch and are 19.5-inches wide, reclining 8 inches for more space, stretching and relaxing. …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) welcomes Tajikistan carrier Somon Air, as it begins operations between Dushanbe and Doha. This inaugural charter service reflects the growing demand for tourism and business travel from Central Asia, including Tajikistan, to Qatar. The inaugural flight from Dushanbe to Doha took place recently, marking a significant milestone for both Hamad International Airport and Somon Air. The first touchdown was commemorated in the presence of executive members of Hamad International Airport, representatives from Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Somon Air and officials from the Embassy of Tajikistan in Qatar, with a cake-cutting and welcome celebrations. The route is being served by a Boeing 737-800, configured with 189 seats, ensuring comfortable travel for passengers. Dushanbe is an exciting addition to Hamad International Airport’s expanding network, marking the airport’s eighth Central Asian destination, both scheduled and chartered. With a flight duration of approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes from Dushanbe to Doha, this new connection underscores the importance of enhanced bilateral relations between Qatar and Tajikistan. The route is expected to strengthen cooperation in cultural, humanitarian, economic, trade, and tourism sectors, further solidifying the ties between the two nations. Hamad International Airport remains dedicated to expanding its global reach, offering travellers new opportunities to experience the best of Qatar and beyond.

Almosafer entered into a global strategic partnership with Mandarin Oriental. The significant partnership, announced at World Travel Market London 2024, provides Almosafer exclusive access to Mandarin’s highly rated global property portfolio of 41 hotels and resorts, elevating Almosafer’s luxury hospitality segment. The global direct connectivity agreement with a special focus on Saudi Arabia follows the growing demand for ultra-luxury travel among Almosafer’s clients. It will enable Almosafer’s B2B and B2C customers to gain access to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s global portfolio of 41 properties across 26 countries. Travellers will enjoy direct access to real-time inventory and competitive pricing through Almosafer’s consumer platforms as Almosafer elevates its luxury offerings and enhances its services to high-end customers. The partnership will further enable Almosafer to promote Mandarin Oriental to travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond. The partnership will also provide the luxury Group access to Almosafer’s extensive network of agents through their Destination Management Company, Discover Saudi, resulting in greater brand visibility and reach for Mandarin Oriental’s KSA properties. Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer, said: “We are delighted to elevate our luxury offerings through our newly inked agreement with the prestigious and iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. While enabling the award-winning hotel group greater brand visibility through our omnichannel portfolio, we look forward to enhancing our unique offerings to our discerning clients through this significant partnership. At Almosafer, we’ve always strived to set industry benchmarks, and I’m confident the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will add to the allure of our attractive hospitality portfolio.” Geoffrey Webb, Vice President, Global Sales at Mandarin Oriental adds: “We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with Almosafer, which allows us to expand our …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has renewed its strategic partnership with WebBeds expanding its scope to over 30 markets and aiming for a 25% year-over-year increase in the number of hotel guests. This expansion will not only focus on Abu Dhabi City but will also extend its reach to Al Ain, highlighting the emirate’s wide spectrum of tourism experiences. In 2023, the partnership with WebBeds targeted 21 source markets and achieved remarkable success, surpassing targets by reaching 149% of its goal for hotel guests. This success was driven by the collaboration’s joint marketing campaign, which significantly contributed to the increased visibility of Abu Dhabi’s diverse tourism offerings. Continuing the collaborative effort to enhance Abu Dhabi’s global tourism appeal, for the upcoming year the refreshed partnership will focus on key source markets for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. For Abu Dhabi, the targeted markets include the UAE, India, China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, the UK, Germany, Russia, the USA, Brazil, Canada, Bahrain, Jordan, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Italy, and Australia. Al Ain’s source markets will include Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, and several others. Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our ongoing collaboration with WebBeds reinforces the importance and effectiveness of showcasing our wide variety of hotels, resorts and other hospitality offerings through a global platform. We are leveraging our combined expertise and driving innovation in the industry and among our stakeholders, while creating memorable experiences for our travellers.” The expanded partnership will introduce key initiatives such as joint sales engagement, targeted campaigns, and trade initiatives designed …

Etihad Airways welcomed the return of its iconic A380 aircraft to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, enhancing the travel experience between the two capitals. The world’s largest passenger aircraft, measuring 73 metres in length and 24 metres in height, the Airbus A380 marks its return to the Paris route with Etihad’s most celebrated inflight features, including The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. The upper deck features The Lobby, an exclusive lounge area for First and Business class guests. Designed and manufactured in Europe, with final assembly in Toulouse, the A380 represents a proud achievement of French aerospace engineering and innovation. The aircraft’s return to Paris celebrates this French aviation legacy. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “As a city celebrated for its style and ambiance, Paris continues to be a key destination in our global network. The return of our A380 strengthens the travel offering between Abu Dhabi and Paris, reflecting our commitment to this important route.” “The return of the A380 to Paris and our broader network expansion plans, including increasing to year-round, double-daily frequencies to Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid, demonstrate our strong growth momentum in Europe. This enhanced capacity reflects the rising demand we’re seeing in France, with more exciting announcements to come before the end of 2024.” The UAE and France share strong bilateral ties across culture, education, and business sectors. A unique cultural bridge connects the two capitals as the only cities in the world to house a Louvre Museum. The route caters to growing demand from leisure travellers and the strong business ties between the two countries, particularly in the …