Royal Air Maroc announces the launch of a new direct flight connecting Zurich, Switzerland, to Casablanca, Morocco. This new route offers travelers a seamless and convenient way to explore opportunities for business, leisure, and cultural exchange between the two vibrant cities. Passengers can now enjoy Royal Air Maroc’s renowned comfort and service on this direct connection, enhancing travel options for Swiss and Moroccan travelers alike. The route is set to strengthen ties between Switzerland and Morocco, boosting tourism and trade while providing an efficient gateway for international connections via Casablanca’s major hub. This strategic launch reflects Royal Air Maroc’s commitment to expanding its global network and improving accessibility for its passengers. Travelers are encouraged to book early to take advantage of this exciting new link bridging Europe and North Africa.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced a new strategic partnership with Freetour.com, aimed at promoting Abu Dhabi as a top cultural destination through accessible, engaging guided tours. As part of the collaboration, licensed tour guides in Abu Dhabi will gain special benefits and support from Freetour.com to list and promote their tours online, reaching a global audience. The move supports Abu Dhabi’s goal of offering more immersive cultural experiences while empowering local guides. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “This partnership supports our tour guides and helps visitors experience Emirati culture in a meaningful way.” Freetour.com operates in over 1,100 destinations across 140 countries, offering free and affordable tours, and giving local guides cost-effective tools to grow their business. Ignacio Merino, Head of Business Development at Freetour.com, added: “We’re excited to highlight Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage and support local storytellers.” The partnership supports Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39.3 million visitors by 2030, and enhances the emirate’s status as the world’s safest city and a hub for cultural exploration.

Jamaica is planning to build 11,500 new hotel rooms by 2030 as it looks to grow its tourism sector and welcome more visitors from the Middle East, says Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). “We want to attract more travellers from the GCC, so we’re building high-quality hotels with brands they already know and trust,” White said. He explained that many visitors from the Middle East prefer luxury international hotel brands, and Jamaica is working to bring those brands into the country. Jamaica has also been building strong connections with the region through events like the Arabian Travel Market and is exploring new flight options to improve access. To support this growth, the government is upgrading airports, improving road networks, and planning a third international airport, making it easier and faster for tourists to travel across the island.

flydubai has inaugurated its twice-weekly service to Chisinau, becoming the only UAE airline to offer direct flights to Moldova. The new route reinforces flydubai’s strategy of connecting underserved markets and expanding its European footprint. “We are pleased to strengthen our connectivity to Europe with the launch of our service to Chisinau,” said Jeyhun Efendi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai. “Moldova offers our customers more options to explore previously underserved destinations while supporting trade and tourism flows.” Sergiu Spoiala highlighted the significance of the route: “This direct connection to Dubai is a milestone for our airport and Moldova, opening opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange, while fostering closer economic ties with the UAE.” Chisinau, Moldova’s capital, offers historic architecture and parks such as Cathedral Park and Rose Valley Park. The launch is part of flydubai’s wider European expansion, with flights to Iasi starting on 19 September, followed by Vilnius and Riga in December. The carrier now serves more than 135 destinations across 57 countries with a fleet of 94 Boeing 737 aircraft.

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.

Wego reported a 15% year-on-year (YoY) surge in flight searches from the UAE, signalling strong outbound travel demand as residents adjust to the new school term. The data reveals a dual-track travel pattern: essential diaspora trips and short-haul, school-friendly getaways. Core diaspora destinations such as Cairo, Kathmandu, and Damascus dominate the search charts. Cairo leads with a 24.9% YoY increase, while Kathmandu shows impressive 50.8% growth, despite a 31% rise in fares. Searches to Damascus have surged 194.6% YoY, fuelled by the resumption of direct flights and easing of travel restrictions. In Europe, short-haul escapes remain popular. Yerevan leads growth with a 137.9% YoY jump in searches, driven by Armenia’s recent visa-free access for UAE residents. Tbilisi and Baku also posted gains of 11.4% and 3.8% YoY, respectively. Wego also noted a 9% YoY rise in average airfare, suggesting continued travel appetite despite increased costs. With both reunions and quick escapes shaping travel plans, Wego’s insights reflect the evolving preferences of UAE residents balancing family, school schedules, and rising travel demand.

Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, the design-led boutique property on the prime shores of Palm Jumeirah, unveils a new identity this season as Dubai’s first and only luxury lifestyle boutique resort. Inspired by art, fashion, and music, the resort has evolved from a stylish beachfront escape into a destination where contemporary luxury is lived through bold design, personalized service, and thoughtfully curated experiences. The name, Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, carries a significance beyond a numeral. The number eight symbolizes infinity, a seamless loop representing infinite experiences curated for the guests. At Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, this philosophy ensures every stay is not just memorable, but singular, guiding every detail from design and dining to elevated but highly personalized services. At the heart of the resort’s reimagined vision is the Infinity Floor — ten exclusive infinity suites with private access to the Infinity Rooftop and personal butler service. Seven of these suites feature modern, minimalist luxury with uninterrupted Arabian Gulf views. Three themed suites offer immersive experiences designed for distinctive lifestyles: ● The Pulse Suite – a private boutique fitness retreat with state-of-the-art equipment and wellbeing-focused design, ideal for guests seeking energy and movement. ● The Creator Suite – a space tailored for inspiration, creativity, and photography, providing the perfect backdrop for artistic pursuits. ● The Gaming Suite – a playground for digital entertainment, E-gaming, while combining comfort and technology for endless hours of elevated play. Together, these infinity suites embody Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort’s philosophy of luxury as an experience, not just a stay. Already a hub for lifestyle and culinary experiences, the resort is home to ENVY, its vibrant all-day dining venue, Sparkles by Envy, an …

Jamaica has officially launched a new era in tourism, welcoming 160 global buyers from regions including the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe to JAPEX 2025. The event signals a fresh path forward for the island’s tourism sector, centered on innovation, inclusivity, and a powerful new “local first” approach.  Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett praised Nicola Madden-Greig, Chair of JAPEX Planning Committee for her leadership in helping the Caribbean achieve the fastest tourism recovery post-COVID. He also emphasised the role of tourism as a key driver of the economy, powering growth and opportunity across Jamaica.  “This is the year of new thinking in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett. “We want to make the next five years a time of serious growth, development, and inclusive tourism. We aim to deepen local involvement in the rich and lucrative tourism value chain, so that tourism works even more for the people of Jamaica.”  He added that new policies and legislation will support this “local first” approach, with global partners playing a key role in making tourism more beneficial for Jamaicans than ever before. With global tourism expected to reach 3 billion travellers by 2035, Jamaica is preparing to redefine its role on the world tourism stage.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced the launch of its first dedicated golf resort in Dubai — Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Golf Estates, set to open in 2030. This will be the Group’s third property in Dubai and its first to combine luxury hospitality with world-class golf and wellness living. Located in the prestigious Jumeirah Golf Estates – The Next Chapter, the resort will feature 121 elegant rooms and suites and 97 branded residences, including three- to six-bedroom villas. Each residence will offer private access to exclusive amenities, including pools, a fitness centre, and lounges. The resort will focus on wellness and nature, with nearly 5,000 sqm dedicated to holistic wellbeing, featuring signature spa treatments, gender-specific pools, meditation zones, and a salon. Guests will also have access to a championship 18-hole golf course, a full equestrian centre, and six dining venues. This strategic partnership with Wasl Group underscores both organisations’ commitment to redefining integrated luxury living in Dubai. It also reflects Dubai’s vision to shape future-forward, wellness-led communities through world-class development and global collaboration.

Marriott Bonvoy and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More announced a new global partnership, uniting two of the world’s most trusted travel loyalty programmes. This collaboration aims to enhance the travel experience for millions of members by offering expanded benefits, streamlined connectivity, and more rewarding journeys. Under the new agreement, members of both programs will enjoy increased opportunities to earn and redeem points and miles across a broad portfolio of hotels and airlines, reflecting a joint commitment to quality, consistency, and global reach. This strategic alliance highlights both brands’ focus on creating meaningful travel experiences and delivering added value to their loyal customers. The partnership is set to roll out new integrated features in the coming months, making it easier for travelers to enjoy seamless perks across both hospitality and aviation sectors. The announcement comes as travel rebounds globally and loyalty programs play a growing role in consumer decision-making. Both companies have emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of travel.