The Tourism Development Fund has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dan Company, one of the Public Investment Fund companies specializing in agri, eco, and adventure tourism that offers a mix of daytime hospitality experiences and overnight stays, with the aim of supporting investments in the agritourism sector in the Kingdom, in line with the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy. The agreement was signed by the CEO of the Tourism Development Fund, Qusai bin Abdullah Al-Fakhri, and the CEO of Dan Company, Abdulrahman Abaalkhail. This agreement comes within the framework of the Fund’s goal to support and encourage the private sector by providing financing programs for farm owners and developing the business of the agritourism sector, supporting the future of tourism and enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a promising global tourist destination. Commenting on the signing, Qusai bin Abdullah Al-Fakhri, CEO of the Tourism Development Fund, said: “This memorandum reflects our firm commitment to developing and enabling all investments in the tourism sector and creating qualitative investment opportunities for the private sector to support the future of the tourism industry in the Kingdom and enhance its competitiveness, providing unique experiences for our visitors. It also contributes to the sustainability and growth of the tourism sector, which is considered one of the pillars of economic development.” Al-Fakhri added: “Integrating rural agricultural elements into tourism programs will enrich visitors’ experiences and provide them with a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of nature and its competitive potential and to connect with the local agricultural culture.” Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, CEO of Dan Company, welcomed the signing of the memorandum with the Tourism Development Fund, stressing that it will support the development of agritourism …

In a special interview with TTME Amsa Hospitality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it was shared that they will be looking at developing new properties across tier 2 cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to serve the mid scale market which will bring in a good number of visitors to the Kingdom. They already signed 18 properties with Accor last year at ATM and this year they plan on bringing a new Saudi brand as an international brand by Q4, more details will be revealed later this year. The management team of Amsa Hospitality shared that their main focus would also be in keeping with Vision 2030 and sustainability to be incorporated in the properties that will be opened. The team consisted, Aamir Riaz – Chief Operating Officer, Malik Ali – Chief Financial Officer, Mohamad Mandili – Chief People Officer, Laurent Cartier – Chief Research and Development Officer and Bandar Abdulmajeed – Chief Brand and Marketing Officer.

The inaugural Saudi Travel Mart successfully concluded with TravTalk ME as media partner with 14k plus visitors. The fruitful three days witnessed the travel trade flocking from around the globe to connect with 135 exhibitors from 20 countries. Speaking with TTME, Mohamed Al Harbi CEO of Saudi Travel Mart shared, “my intention is to position Saudi Arabia as one of the most visited countries in the world and promote inbound travel to the Kingdom. We lacked a B2B platform for our travel trade partners to connect with the new companies that have risen in the kingdom over the past few years. Hence we planned this three day exhibition with some of the big names in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors so that they will have an opportunity to connect, network and talk business with new partners. We are thankful to all our partners who joined us and had faith in us as we started a journey together to position Saudi Arabia as one of the most sought after destinations and for the next edition, we hope to bring in more players together.”

WegoPro announced its collaboration with Circles. This partnership aims to enhance the booking experience for business travelers by integrating data roaming services seamlessly within their booking journey on WegoPro. With this collaboration, businesses can now streamline their business travelers’ experience across both pre and post-booking stages on the same platform, ensuring better control and efficiency while meeting the needs of the travelers. By adding connectivity services, WegoPro not only elevates the convenience for the business traveler but also enables businesses to manage all expenses within the same platform, simplifying the entire travel process. “We are thrilled to partner with Circles to enhance the business travel experience for our users,” said Prashant Kirtane, CEO of WegoPro. “By integrating Jetpac’s eSIM into our platform, we are empowering business travelers with seamless connectivity and exclusive perks, further solidifying WegoPro as the ultimate solution for modern business travel.” One of the key highlights of this collaboration is the introduction of Jetpac’s eSIM, offering users the ultimate convenience of travel roaming services. With a one-time installation of the eSIM, travelers can enjoy connectivity across all destinations covered by Jetpac, eliminating the hassle of SIM swapping forever. This eSIM can be used in over 100 countries and across multiple destinations within 30 days, enabling travelers to connect instantly upon landing without worrying about data roaming charges. Aditya Goyal, Business Head of New Business Build in Circles, said: “We are very excited to partner with WegoPro to bring our award-winning Jetpac Travel eSIM product to Business Travelers. With Jetpac Travel eSim, WegoPro customers will get seamless connectivity around the world. This is a new milestone in revolutionizing the Business Travel across the globe”. Jetpac’s eSIM also comes …

Miral, in collaboration with The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Airports and OACIS ME LLC, an off-airport baggage processing solutions provider, has launched airport check-in services at The Fountains at Yas Mall. The collaboration allows guests and their families the opportunity to explore dining experiences, shopping and entertainment at Yas Mall, as well as theme parks Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and CLYMB™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi prior to departure, supporting guests to optimise their time before take-off. Available exclusively for Etihad Airways and Air Arabia flights, the initiative aims to elevate the overall travel experience for guests and their families. The user-friendly process simplifies and saves time for UAE residents and international visitors before embarking on travel plans. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said: “As we unveil the revolutionary airport check-in at The Fountains at Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, it is a testament to our relentless efforts to position Yas Island as a global destination for leisure and entertainment, while contributing to making Abu Dhabi a top tourism hub. We believe in creating memorable moments that matter for our guests, and this transformative service is poised to redefine the way our guests embark on their journeys, seamlessly, efficiently and distinctly.” Titten Yohannan, Chairman and CEO at OACIS Middle East, said: “We are thrilled to announce the strategic partnership between OACIS and Miral, which brings forth the YAS Mall City check-in activation. This collaboration, in conjunction with the launch of futuristic Abu Dhabi Terminal A, is a testament to our joint commitment to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a top tourist destination. The YAS Mall City Check-in reflects the …

SAUDIA, signed a contract with Collins Aerospace, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to elevate guest experience and advance operational capabilities. This collaboration signifies a significant upgrade to Saudia’s fleet interiors and paves the way for further synergies for Saudia Group’s subsidiary, Saudia Technic. Under this agreement, Collins Aerospace, a globally recognized leader in aviation solutions, will install newly designed seats in Saudia’s upcoming Boeing 787 fleet, scheduled for delivery from early 2026 onwards. Additionally, a comprehensive seat retrofit program with an aim to enhance both functionality and aesthetics, is planned for Saudia’s current Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 fleet, starting in late 2025 and concluding by late 2027. It’s worth mentioning that the Business Class cabin across Saudia’s wide-body fleet will all consist of private suites, ensuring an elevated and comfortable travel experience for Saudia guests. A key feature of the plan involves the establishment of localized repair capabilities as well as select spares manufacturing capabilities with Saudia Technic, reinforcing Group’s commitment to the localization of content in the region. This will improve Saudia’s in-house repair capability, streamline spares support, deploy localized product support, and implement comprehensive solutions to optimize fleet performance and operational efficiency. “We are thrilled to join forces with Collins Aerospace to introduce state-of-the-art Business and Economy Class seats into our new fleet, as well as retrofit our existing fleet’s interiors,” commented Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Saudia. “This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering exceptional comfort and convenience to our guests. Additionally, the establishment of additional capabilities in Jeddah underscore our dedication to fostering local expertise and driving economic growth.” He added, “This synergy reflects the Group’s …

Emirates will return to ITB Berlin from 5 until 7 March in a major way, showcasing its latest signature products and reaffirming the airline’s longstanding commitment to Europe’s leading travel and trade show. Emirates is gearing up for three action-packed days at ITB Berlin with plans to launch new partnerships and expand existing collaborations with local and regional travel partners – including air carriers to enhance connectivity for travellers headed to/from major European travel hubs; and strategic partnerships with travel and tourism entities to promote travel to and from Europe via joint marketing and other trade initiatives. Visitors to the Emirates stand will have the opportunity to experience Emirates’ latest roster of innovative products and fan-favourites including the highly popular Emirates Premium Economy seat which will be showcased in Germany for the first time. Unveiled at the 2022 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Emirates’ Premium Economy product has so far won multiple awards and is available on 27 A380 aircraft flying to 15 destinations including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, London Heathrow, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo, Mumbai, Bangalore, Sao Paulo and Dubai. Also debuting for the first time at ITB Berlin is Emirates’ iconic Boeing 777-300ER game-changer First Class fully enclosed private suite. With the full range of onboard products on display, visitors can experience Emirates’ Boeing 777 Business Class seat, the newest generation of the A380 Onboard Lounge and First Class Shower Spa, as well as its generously pitched Economy Class seats. Emirates will also dedicate an area to showcase its latest sustainability initiatives, including onboard items that incorporate responsibly-sourced materials, and items from ‘Air-crafted by Emirates’ – a unique collection of luggage, bags and …

Yachting has topped UAE resident’s bucket list, according to the inaugural UAE Experience Survey by Shamal Holding. The study conducted by YouGov, which surveyed 1014 people across the emirates, saw Yacht Trips (52%) beat traditional bucket list experiences as the nation’s most sought-after activity, surpassing skydiving (44%) and hot air ballooning or helicopter rides (44%). The growing appetite for yacht experiences correlates with the development of the UAE as a premier yachting destination, reinforced by year-round sunshine, unique coastline and luxury marinas. Whilst adrenaline-inducing pursuits have traditionally driven bucket list preferences for many years, recent interest in maritime activities show a growing demand for experiences that can be enjoyed as a group and provide collective memories. This is supported by the insights from the UAE Experience Survey, which highlighted that 1 in 2 residents are seeking diverse experiences that are memorable. The research also shows that residents are keen to explore the natural landscape of the UAE, with 53% of them choosing to spend weekends at the beach and 44% preferring to spend time in nature. Within the sample surveyed, 87% of people also agreed that the nation offers a wide range of experiences. “Experiences have been fundamental to the growth of the UAE as the chosen home for more than 200 nationalities who look to our multidimensional landscape to maximise their leisure time. As a diversified investment firm with a wide range of leisure, entertainment and hospitality experiences within our extraordinary portfolio, we have seen consumer preferences evolve in recent years as a response to major global events. Consumers are still looking for enriching and transformative experiences since the pandemic, but now, they are looking for ones that are …

Qatar Airways Group in partnership with Our Habitas has officially launched a luxury resort nestled on the West Coast of Qatar next to the Al Reem UNESCO-Designated Biosphere Reserve. Located about one hour’s drive from Hamad International Airport in Doha, the resort features unspoiled views of the Arabian Gulf, spectacular golden sunsets along with an exciting blend of art, culture, music, wellness, and adventure programmes. Her Excellency Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani along with VIP guests, media, designers and artists were present at an opening ceremony to showcase the distinctive hospitality venture that promises a unique experience. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our Habitas Ras Abrouq is a breathtakingly beautiful Qatari desert destination and now travellers across the Qatar Airways global network can experience this landscape in a unique way when they fly to Doha. We are working with Our Habitas to unlock the future of travel by curating one-of-a kind, innovative, travel experiences.” Our Habitas co-founder and chief executive, Oliver Ripley said: “We believe that people are changing the way in which they choose to travel, seeking meaningful connection with places, culture, nature and each other, this resort welcomes global traveler’s to discover Qatar, its culture, and immerse themselves where the desert meets the sea inside a UNESCO biosphere.” The area stands out due to its unusual landscape of white cliffs and beautiful geological forms yielding a captivating view of the Qatari desert. The resort’s one-to-four-bedroom villas, each with private pools and large outdoor decks, overlook the Arabian Gulf. Internationally acclaimed artist Richard Serra’s public art installation, the East-West/West-East sculpture commissioned by Qatar Museums Authority, is 1.6km from the resort. Qatar …

Ricky Pacquing – Country Manager Philippine Airlines at a special interview with TTME shared that 80 per cent of their sales come from the travel agents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “we owe a lot to the travel trade so we incentivise them as much as we can providing them back end and front end support.” Participating at the first ever B2B exhibition Saudi Travel Mart in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Philippine Airlines showcased their many connectivity options to attract the Saudi market which consist both locals and expats. Pacquing reiterated that they will be celebrating their 83rd anniversary this year and they will be hosting the top performing agents across the globe to a special award ceremony in Manila next month to recognise their efforts and commitment to bring in the numbers.