The new rotana.com is built for today’s mobile-first travellers. The platform adapts seamlessly to any device and streamlines the booking journey from start to finish. Enhanced AI-powered search and filtering make it easier  for guests to discover and book the options that best match their needs. “This launch marks a pivotal step in Rotana’s new strategic roadmap,” said Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana. “We are reimagining every touchpoint of the guest journey, both online and on property, to ensure we remain at the forefront of hospitality in the region. The new rotana.com blends personalisation, speed, and inspiration to reflect the exceptional experiences our guests enjoy in our hotels. As we execute our growth strategy, technology will be central in deepening guest relationships, driving direct bookings, and reinforcing Rotana’s leadership in the evolving travel landscape.” This transformation is part of Rotana’s broader digital strategy aimed at strengthening direct booking channels and deepening guest engagement through data-driven insight. The relaunch comes amid a major shift in traveller behaviour, with mobile now accounting for more than half of hotel reservations. Yet many guests still abandon their bookings due to slow load times, poor navigation, and complex checkouts (GuestCentric, 2024). In the Middle East and Africa, where the mobile travel booking market was valued at USD 4.6 billion in 2024 and is set to more than double by 2031 (Cognitiv Market Research, 2025), the demand for seamless mobile booking experiences has never been greater.

ATARA Development announced a landmark agreement with Marriott International to open The Residences at the Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort, set to be the GCC’s first Sheraton-branded residences. Located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, this marks ATARA’s expansion into premium property development. Co-located with the Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort, the beachfront residences feature 141 units. The agreement was signed in the presence of dignitaries of Marjan and Marriott, including Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan, who joined ATARA leadership to commemorate the milestone. This flagship project is the cornerstone of ATARA Development’s expanding portfolio, underscoring the company’s strategic shift towards primary development. With a robust pipeline of over 1 million square feet planned in the next two years, it represents a major step in ATARA’s growth. Building on a strong track record of sold-out projects in Dubai’s most prestigious locations such as Pearl Jumeirah Island, La Mer South Island, and Dubai Islands, this collaboration with Marriott International sets a new benchmark in luxury living and reinforces ATARA´s position as a lead developer. “We are delighted to welcome ATARA Development and The Residences at Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort to our vibrant community,” said Arch. Abdullah Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan. “Located on the prime shores of Al Marjan Island, this project reflects the caliber of world-class developments we envision for our destination. By combining ATARA’s expertise in luxury residences with Sheraton’s legacy of hospitality excellence, it offers a distinctive proposition for both residents and investors — further strengthening Al Marjan Island’s position as the region’s premier coastal lifestyle hub. We look forward to seeing this landmark project come to life.” The projected growth of Al …

Air India Express is celebrating Onam with a festive touch in the skies, introducing a specially curated ‘Gourmair’ Onam Sadya for guests travelling on international flights from the UAE to Kerala and Mangaluru between 24 August and 6 September. The traditional feast, presented in a custom Kasavu-inspired box, can be pre-booked via the airline’s website or app for AED 25. With over 525 weekly flights from the UAE to Kerala, the airline enhances the festive travel experience while strengthening its cultural connection with guests. The Onam special meal features a traditional festive spread served on a banana leaf in custom packaging, recreating the essence of the festive feast in the sky. The ‘Gourmair’ sadya is presented in a custom-designed box inspired by Kasavu, Kerala’s timeless golden-bordered textile, a symbol of purity and tradition. The design concept extends the airline’s unique ‘Tales Of India’ initiative, featuring over 50 unique regional patterns and textiles celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of India. Guests can savour Steamed Matta Rice, Nei Parippu, Mixed Vegetable Thoran, Erissery, Avial, Kootu Curry, Sambhar, Injipuli, Mango Pickle, Banana Chips, Shakara Varatti, and the much-loved Payasam for dessert at an all-inclusive price of AED 25. As the largest airline operating between Kerala and the Middle East, Air India Express connects guests to key cities including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah with about 525 weekly flights. The airline also offers extensive connectivity between Mangaluru and the Middle East, enabling thousands of guests to fly home for the festivities. In a tribute to Kerala’s timeless elegance, Air India Express as part of its Tales of India initiative has adorned one of its new Boeing aircraft, VT – …

According to Wego Egypt, Georgia and UAE are the top getaways for Kuwaiti travellers this summer. Thanks to Kuwait’s strategic location, travellers can easily access a range of exciting destinations. One of the key reasons for these destinations to be popular are because they are visa free for a summer escape from Kuwait. Hurghada, Egypt – Golden shores, turquoise waters, and coral reefs teeming with life, Hurghada is a Red Sea gem made for vacationers. Whether you’re diving among colorful marine life or lounging beachside, this coastal escape is all about easy relaxation. Kuwaiti citizens can easily apply for an e-visa to enter Egypt. Direct flights with Jazeera Airways are available starting from KWD 47. Alternatively, flights are available with a short layover through Nesma, Flynas, and EgyptAir, with fares starting from KWD 51 on Wego. Tbilisi, Georgia – A city of captivating contrasts and charm, Tbilisi blends old-world streets with contemporary art, cozy cafés, and scenic hilltop views. Here, every corner reveals a story, best discovered at a relaxed pace with frequent stops for khinkali (traditional Georgian dumpling) along the way. Direct flight fares start from KWD 29 on Wego with airlines such as Jazeera Airways. Travelers can also opt for flights with a short layover with airlines such as Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, and Kuwait Airways, with fares starting from KWD 36 on Wego. Dubai,UAE – From iconic skyscrapers to hidden souks, Dubai offers a vibrant mix of modern glamour and cultural charm. Spend your days exploring world-class shopping and attractions, then unwind at pristine beaches or discover the city’s historic districts along Dubai Creek. Direct flight fares start from KWD 25 on Wego with airlines such as flydubai. …

Adyen published its 2025 Hospitality and Travel Report, showing a significant shift in how travellers plan and book their trips. Based on a global poll of 40,000 consumers across 27 countries, the report reveals that 68% of UAE travellers now use AI to book holidays – both domestic and international – increasing by 57% on last year’s figures. A key trend highlighted is the growing consumer demand for hospitality businesses to integrate product search and streamlined, frictionless payment solutions directly into their booking platforms. Yet while travellers rapidly adopt these new technologies, the hospitality industry faces significant infrastructure challenges. The report found that 67% of hospitality businesses in the UAE struggle with fragmented payment systems, where disconnected online and on-site processes create operational bottlenecks and complicate financial reconciliation. This gap between what consumers now expect and what businesses can currently deliver highlights a clear disconnect the industry needs to address. The generational breakdown reveals distinct patterns in how UAE travelers are embracing AI. Gen Z (77%) and Millennials (74%) remain the most frequent users of AI for vacation planning, but Gen X is quickly catching up, with 44% now using AI and a 60% year-on-year growth rate. Gen Z usage also saw a strong 58% increase. Even Boomers are getting on board – 18% of those surveyed said AI helped them plan trips more easily. One of the main reasons people are using AI for travel planning is that it gives quicker, more relevant suggestions. Many find social media too cluttered to be helpful – 81% of travelers say it’s filled with ads, sponsorships and influencer content. In comparison, 85% said AI helped them find travel ideas faster and made …

Emirates has added the latest Premium Economy and Business Class seats on more scheduled services to/from Amman, Mumbai, Muscat and Bahrain. This will provide customers further opportunities to experience the airline’s highly acclaimed onboard products, and a more consistent experience when connecting through Dubai to destinations also served by the airline’s Airbus A350 and retrofitted Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft. Emirates will be layering on more of its next-generation Airbus A350 as well as retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s – all featuring Premium Economy – in four cities across the Middle East and West Asia. Emirates’ enhanced A380s, Boeing 777s and latest A350 aircraft will operate on the following schedules: • EK903/904 to/from Amman will operate with a four-class A380 with refreshed interiors, including Premium Economy, from 26 October 2025*. The upcoming retrofitted aircraft upgrade means customers will experience the latest signature products on both daily services. • Mumbai will receive a retrofitted Boeing 777 on EK504/505 starting 26 October* and customers will have the opportunity to experience the latest cabins on 22 weekly flights. • Starting 30 October*, Emirates will offer its signature A350 experience on all 9 weekly flights to Muscat with the deployment of the Airbus A350 on its EK862/863 services on Thursday and Saturday. • Emirates will also introduce an additional retrofitted Boeing 777 to Bahrain on its EK833/834 services every Thursday from 4 December*. Once deployed, Bahrain will be exclusively served with aircraft kitted with signature cabins, including Premium Economy and refreshed Business Class. These deployments boost the airline’s Premium Economy cabin offering on more than 635-weekly flights across its network. By winter, the airline will serve 68 cities with aircraft fitted with its …

flynas will be resuming direct flights between Jeddah and Kuwait as of the first of November, to further expand its network in line with its growth and expansion plan and in alignment with national objectives in the aviation and tourism sectors. Effective November 1st, flynas will start operating three weekly flights between Kuwait International Airport and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. This new route will increase flynas’ flights between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to 10 flights per week, as the company operates one flight daily between Riyadh and Kuwait, in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom”, in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030, and with the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. Resuming flynas flights is set to boost business and tourism travel between the two sister countries and support the national objectives in the tourism and aviation sectors in line with Vision 2030. flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, and the first airline listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 2000 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives …

Sarah Ahmed Buhiji, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), held a dialogue session with a group of young participants in the third edition of the “Future Bet” programme, organised by the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD). The BTEA CEO underscored that investing in human capital is among the Authority’s top priorities, noting that capacity-building and skills development form the foundation of any sustainable growth and qualitative transformation in the tourism sector. This, she said, is in line with the aspirations of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the goals of its comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. As reported by Bahrain News Agency, during the discussion, Buhiji highlighted the role of BTEA in promoting both domestic and international tourism and in contributing to the growth of the national economy. She highlighted the Authority’s strategies to develop tourism infrastructure and organise major events and exhibitions, in addition to the sector’s active contribution in creating promising job and investment opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship. She emphasised the importance of involving youth in advancing the tourism sector and raising their awareness of the fruitful opportunities it offers for the future, noting that the Authority’s vision and future plans are aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. Buhiji noted that tourism is a key driver of comprehensive development, as it creates quality opportunities for citizens across various sectors, attracts local and foreign investments, and supports an integrated ecosystem encompassing hospitality, transport, retail, food and beverage, creative industries, and related services. She also discussed the objectives …

Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) will be hosting the ICCA Middle East Summit 2025 from 1-2 September bringing together key regional and international stakeholders from meetings and industry events. Organised in partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the summit will be held in Bahrain for the first time, reinforcing the Kingdom’s strategic position as a growing centre for business events in the area, reported Bahrain News Agency. The forum will feature a focused agenda of panel discussions, case studies, workshops, and structured networking, targeting critical topics shaping the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) landscape. The summit will also introduce the ICCA Middle East Recognition Awards, aimed at acknowledging institutional excellence and innovation within the region’s business events sector. Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and Chairperson of EWB, highlighted that hosting the regional summit supports EWB’s mission to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a hub for global business and knowledge exchange, and she expressed anticipation in welcoming key stakeholders shaping the MICE sector in the region. Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said the organisation is eager to bring the next Middle East Summit to Bahrain, highlighting the Kingdom’s strong infrastructure, government support, and strategic appeal for the global meetings industry. He added that the summit will offer insights into innovation and high-tech developments, including the impact of artificial intelligence on destination marketing, while providing unmatched networking opportunities.

Kuwait Airways and Kuwait Telecommunications Company ‘stc’ have signed a joint cooperation protocol which aims to strengthen cooperation between the two entities in developing both the telecommunication and aviation sectors, providing integrated, and innovative services that serve mutual interests and enhance the customer experience. Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to host the signing ceremony of a joint cooperation protocol with Kuwait Telecommunications Company- stc, one of the largest mobile network operators in the State of Kuwait. This cooperation reflects our ongoing commitment to reinforcing Kuwait Airways’ pivotal role in fostering strong relations with the public and private sectors, in the service of our beloved country, Kuwait.” Al-Fagaan added, “This protocol between Kuwait Airways and stc comes within the framework of expanding our cooperation to new horizons and levels, enhancing the achievement of shared goals, and fostering the exchange of expertise across various fields, such as technology, air transport, communications and others. This collaboration serves the mutual interests of both parties and contributes to the development of our national economy.” Captain Al-Fagaan expressed his deep appreciation for the prominent role played by Kuwait Telecommunications Company- stc in providing telecommunications, internet services, and technology solutions to both individuals and companies. He also highlighted stc’s contribution to the development of the country’s digital infrastructure and its commitment to providing innovative services to customers. Al-Fagaan concluded his statement by emphasizing that this protocol represents a fruitful and important agreement that contributes significantly to achieving the desired objectives through successful partnerships. He also commended stc’s notable efforts in fostering distinguished and productive relationships across both public and private sectors, and its vital role as a key driver and …