Air Canada and Emirates announced a customer service milestone in the two airlines’ strategic partnership with the move of Air Canada’s operations to Dubai International’s (DXB) flagship Terminal 3. The co-location of operations in one of the world’s premier terminals will significantly improve the connecting experience for customers and underscores the benefits of the partnership between the two airlines launched in November 2022. Customers transiting in Dubai between the Americas on Air Canada and the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Africa on Emirates will enjoy a seamless and expedited experience with the convenience of remaining in the same terminal. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Air Canada to Emirates Terminal 3 in Dubai, which marks another step forward in our strategic partnership to deliver even more value to travellers. Co-locating at T3 means Air Canada customers can enjoy a smooth connection experience when transiting in Dubai onto Emirates’ global network, and those eligible can enjoy access to Emirates’ signature Business Class Lounges and other hub facilities in Dubai prior to their flight. Working closely with Air Canada, we hope to further enhance travel experiences and offer even more convenient connectivity for travellers.” “Air Canada’s new home at Dubai International Terminal 3 is an important milestone which underscores the significance of our strategic partnership with Emirates and the importance of our flights between the UAE and Canada. We extend our sincere appreciation to both Emirates and Dubai Airports for their partnership in facilitating this move, which will greatly benefit our mutual customers,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President Network & Revenue Planning at Air Canada. “In addition to Air Canada’s customers benefiting from …

Kerten Hospitality will enter its House Residence brand in Oxagon, home to advanced and clean industries in NEOM. This move will further Kerten Hospitality’s ambitious expansion across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The upscale 200-unit serviced apartments, at the heart of Oxagon’s first residential community, is set to open its doors in 2025. Reimagining the traditional industrial city, Oxagon is creating a new paradigm for urban living. Offices, world-class recreational and sports facilities, next-generation mobility solutions, and unique hospitality and retail concepts are all seamlessly integrated within communities, in harmony with nature. Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, said, “We are envisioning a transformation in the concept of living. The House Residence in NEOM’s Oxagon is more than just a project – it’s a statement of intent to catalyze the evolution of our habitats, foster thriving communities, and redefine the human experience. Our alliance with NEOM at Oxagon marks a crucial step as we contribute to the extraordinary transformation of Saudi Arabia. As the nation unfolds its tourism potential, we stand on the brink of a new era of global exposure. NEOM is set to be the beacon guiding this transformative tide, and our aim is to anchor the vibrant communities being built in Oxagon.” Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon added, “One of the many reasons we’re excited about working with Kerten Hospitality is the way they interact and work with local talent and entrepreneurs to curate experiences and innovations tailored to our future residents. We feel that The House Residence concept embodies the neighbourhood atmosphere and lifestyle from the integration of F&B to advanced technologies, that’s core to the mixed-use residential communities we’re building here at Oxagon.” Chris Newman, …

Wego inked a global partnership with IHG Hotel & Resorts to provide its users with a wider array of hotel offerings across the globe. Through this collaboration, Wego users will be able to search and book 15 of IHG’s 18 brands – worldwide – Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. Travellers will get access to over 4,000 open hotels across global destinations and ultimately find the perfect hotel stay that matches their requirements anywhere in the world. IHG’s latest offering will be promoted across all Wego’s channels, providing travellers with information on the latest properties and trendy destinations. Commenting on this strategic partnership, Craig Hewett, Chief Hotels Officer and Co-Founder, Wego, said: “Partnering with one of the world’s leading hotel companies, IHG Hotels & Resorts, reflects our commitment to provide our users with global hotel offerings and deals. Through this partnership, we will promote IHG Hotels & Resorts to our large user base in the MENA region and aim to convert more bookings to IHG’s global network of hotels.” James Britchford, Vice President Commercial, India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to partner with Wego, the number one travel app in MENA for flight search and booking. Through this partnership, travellers will enjoy more convenience and access to 15 of our brands across our luxury & lifestyle, premium, essentials and suites portfolio in global destinations when booking their trip on Wego.” Wego compares …

Red Sea Global (RSG) successfully opened its first mangrove nursery. The project will support the delivery of RSG’s aim to plant 50 million mangrove trees by 2030. The initiative closely aligns with the national objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and RSG’s commitment to conserving and revitalizing the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast, underpinned by an overarching ambition to deliver a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040. “We hold the utmost respect for the environment in which we operate and recognize it as our most valuable asset. It is our shared obligation to not only safeguard it, but also proactively enhance it wherever possible. The successful opening of our Mangrove Nursery is a testament to that unyielding dedication to the preservation and rejuvenation of the Red Sea coastline,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. “While we will continue to explore novel approaches, embrace cutting-edge methodologies, and utilize innovate technology, often nature already provides the greatest solutions. The power of mangrove forests to store carbon, to manage flooding and stabilize coastlines, and to provide shelter for fish and other organisms, makes them one of nature’s super ecosystems. Our Mangrove Nursery will increase numbers of mangroves and boost biodiversity, ensuring we reach the environmental ambitions we have set ourselves.” The seedlings will be cared for in the nursery for approximately eight months until they grow to 80cm, at which point they will be carefully transplanted in designated mangrove parks within the destination. RSG’s experts chose to cultivate native mangrove species to increase the chances of survival, such as the Rhizophora Mucronate (red mangrove) and the Avicenna Marina (gray mangrove). Raed Albasseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at RSG, …

Deep Dive Dubai celebrated International Chess Day underwater. The world’s deepest pool collaborated with the UAE Chess Federation to honor the day that is dedicated to the chequerboard strategy game. Deep Dive Dubai provided the magical, unique setting, and the UAE Chess Federation nominated four of its players to battle it out for the top prize. Emiratis Mohammed Saeed, Khalifa Alhafti, Mana Saeed, and Omran Alhosani, who have proudly represented the UAE at local, regional, and international tournaments, were set a new challenge around their beloved game. The quartet was trained by Deep Dive Dubai’s expert instructors before being kitted with wetsuits and shallow dive gear. Deep Dive Dubai’s experienced staff and safety teams were on hand during each round to ensure the player’s comfort and safety. Jarrod Jablonski, Director Deep Dive Dubai, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with the UAE Chess Federation and bring together these two passions in an innovative manner. Deep Dive Dubai is deeply invested in sharing a deep passion for the underwater realm, and hosting this underwater chess tournament perfectly aligns with our vision.” Deep Dive Dubai welcomes divers of all skill levels to embark on a unique underwater chess adventure. The specialized set is a regular feature at Deep Dive Dubai. The 32 chess pieces are made of stone, allowing them to remain sturdy while submerged. The facility offers novices and experts an unforgettable experience tailored to each person’s ability. Come and explore the wonders of the world’s most exceptional deep-water facility, where everyone can discover the joy of diving.  

Royal Jordanian (RJ) announced the launch of its new Voice of the Customer programme, powered by technology from Medallia, the global leader in customer and employee experience, and delivered by Kantar. The new initiative has been designed to further enhance the end-to-end journey of passengers across RJ’s flight network covering 141 destinations. Royal Jordanian’s Vice Chairman and CEO Samer Majali commented: “Improving the customer experience is at the heart of RJ’s mission, as we strive to better our business performance and deliver class-leading quality product at all journey touchpoints. Our new Voice of the Customer programme has been engaging different customer segments, and we have already received 17,000 pieces of valuable feedback, which we will use to drive the RJ brand towards greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.” RJ’s new Voice of the Customer programme will capture feedback from its flyers from the moment of booking right the way through to their final destination, gathering insight at eight key touchpoints across the end-to-end journey. Using the Medallia Experience Cloud and its AI-powered text analytics capability, RJ will be able to easily identify key trends in passenger feedback and use these insights to drive meaningful change to enhance customer journeys for its growing base of flyers. “Gathering feedback and acting on that insight is the cornerstone of every successful CX strategy. Royal Jordanian has recognised the value of a comprehensive CX programme, and we are delighted to be working alongside Kantar to help RJ realise their vision of customer centricity,” said Eduardo Crespo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East at Medallia. “Kantar is very excited to partner with Medallia to deliver a best-in-class NPS …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a partnership with Equinox to create Equinox Resort Amaala in one of the world’s most well-preserved natural environments, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea. Equinox Resort Amaala is the latest hotel brand to be announced for Red Sea Global’s Amaala, an integrated wellness haven featuring some of the world’s most renowned luxury brands. The hotel, with a focus on sports, fitness and lifestyle, will comprise of 128 keys, including two luxury penthouses as well as a suite of amenities such as several world-class culinary concepts, a magnesium salt rooftop pool, spa, Beach Club, and a signature Equinox Fitness Club. “Amaala brings the best in health and wellness together in an area of extraordinary natural beauty to offer exceptional and transformative experiences for guests. Equinox’s unique brand of luxury and fitness is a fantastic fit, allowing visitors to choose seekin self-improvement during their stay, getting back to nature on land or at sea, or simply enjoying quiet moments with loved ones in comfort and privacy,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. Equinox Resort Amaala is a key part of the Amaala Marina Village, designed by renowned architects, Foster + Partners, which will feature a collection of luxury hotels, villas and condominiums all set in a lively retail precinct with stunning marina views. The Village, part of the wider Triple Bay development, has been designed to adopt the best elements of local architecture featuring narrow winding streets perfect for exploration and discovery. The irregular street facades have been orientated to capture and channel breezes, offer shade and protection and filter light, delivering natural climate control to enhance the comfort of guests. The very best in international …

Juan Gomez, Head of Market Intelligence at ForwardKeys says: ” Overall, confirmed tickets for international arrivals in the Middle East during the second half of 2023 are up by 12% vs the same moment last year.  Oman (+31%), the UAE (+29%) and Saudi Arabia (+15%) are leading the way with double-digit growths. In 2023, the Middle East’s impressive tourism performance continues, with a projected increase in international arrivals compared to the previous year in the remaining six months. Most destinations are on track to match or exceed their 2022 numbers, a testament to the relentless efforts of local authorities in transforming the region into a global tourism powerhouse.” He adds: “While destinations like Qatar may not reach the exceptional volumes of 2022 due to the FIFA World Cup’s influence, neighbouring countries continue to bask in the afterglow of last year’s sporting spectacle. Countries such as Jordan and Egypt show forward booking levels lower than the previous year, but this situation remains dynamic, and an upward trend could materialize as the year progresses.” However, destinations like Qatar (-30%) may not reach the exceptional volumes of 2022 due to the FIFA World Cup’s influence. Countries such as Jordan (+7%) and Egypt (-4%) show forward booking levels around 2022 levels, but this situation remains dynamic, and an upward trend could materialize as the year progresses.

Abu Dhabi Airports announced that daily non-stop flights operated by Air France-KLM connecting Abu Dhabi and Paris will be resumed starting October 2023. The return of this route will create additional avenues for business, trade and tourism between Abu Dhabi and France. Abu Dhabi International Airport’s expanding network currently encompasses 114 passenger destinations in 61 countries with 23 airlines operating flights. Elena Sorlini, Abu Dhabi Airports’ Acting Chief Executive Officer, commented: “This renewed partnership between Abu Dhabi Airports and Air France contributes to bolstering the existing business relations between Paris and Abu Dhabi, while affirming our commitment to enhancing connectivity from and to the UAE’s capital. The highly anticipated resumption of flights reinforces Abu Dhabi International Airport’s standing as a gateway to the United Arab Emirates and the region. We look forward to catering to the diverse needs of travellers from France and facilitating commerce and cultural exchange between the two countries.” Angus Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Air France-KLM, added: “Air France is poised to reinstate daily non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Paris, further connecting the United Arab Emirates to Europe and beyond. Abu Dhabi has emerged as a major and rapidly growing destination in the Middle East, and we are proud to join hands with such a reputable airport owner and operator to elevate the city’s global presence and attract travelers seeking unique and enriching experiences.”  

Etihad Airways celebrated the return to service of its Airbus A380 on a special inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. The first of Etihad’s four Airbus A380s returns to the sky on the popular Abu Dhabi-London Heathrow route. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, says: “We’re excited to once again welcome guests onboard Etihad’s A380s and step into a truly remarkable experience. Whether our guests are choosing to fly in Economy, Business, First or our three-room suite in the sky The Residence, this aircraft provides an elevated flying experience which we take extreme pride in. The aircraft adds much needed capacity connecting Abu Dhabi with London Heathrow and allows us to build our network and increase frequencies across the network. With a surge in demand for travel over the summer, the return of our much-loved A380 comes at the perfect time.” Guests flying with in Economy are greeted on board in a dedicated welcome area. The Economy cabin features 68 Economy Space seats offering an additional 4 inches in leg room, and 337 Economy Smart seats that come with Etihad’s signature fixed-wing headrest and large pillows for added comfort. 70 Business Studios® are available on Etihad’s A380 upper deck, granting privacy to customers and creating a serene atmosphere. On the upper deck, guests can enjoy access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge and bar area located between the First and Business cabins. In addition, guests will benefit from Etihad’s unique partnership with Armani/Casa, delivering an elevated Business experience. The dining service features ceramics, glassware, cutlery and serving ware, as well as premium textiles and a memory foam mattress for a completely luxurious inflight experience. Guests can …