flynas announced the launch of direct flights connecting Bishkek and Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Almaty in Kazakhstan to Jeddah in addition to increasing the frequency of flights between Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and Jeddah, in line with the partnership agreement with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP).  This strategic collaboration between flynas and ACP, established in April this year, is a significant milestone in increasing the Kingdom’s tourism growth and strengthening the ties between Central Asia and Saudi Arabia. Starting on August 20th, flynas will commence direct flights from Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Subsequently, on September 2nd, the leading LCC will launch flights from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. These routes will operate with three weekly direct flights, resulting in a total of six weekly flights between the two cities. Additionally, flynas will further strengthen connectivity between Almaty and Jeddah, with the introduction of two weekly direct flights commencing from the 2nd of September. This expansion aligns with the Saudi ecosystem’s broader efforts to attract 100 million annual tourists to the Kingdom by 2030. Starting from August 20th, visitors from Tashkent can benefit from increased options as flynas enhances its offering with an upgrade to three weekly direct flights to Jeddah, building on the success of the route’s initial launch on September 14th, 2022. This milestone was made possible through the collaboration of a thriving domestic ecosystem and ACP’s expertise in developing robust air routes and ensuring their resilience. Currently, flynas operates an extensive network that spans over 70 domestic and international destinations, with a frequency of 1,500 weekly flights. Since its inception in 2007, flynas has flown over 60 million …

The Dubai College of Tourism, under the Department of Economy and Tourism, in partnership with Al-Futtaim Group’s Emiratisation hosted a graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Sinyar ‘Explorer’ Programme, an initiative that seeks to develop the capabilities of Emirati nationals and enhance their readiness to embark on successful careers in the private sector. The programme provided vocational qualifications to 39 high-school graduates, enabling them to pursue promising careers in the retail and automotive sectors. The graduation ceremony, held at InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel, was attended by senior representatives from Al-Futtaim Group, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the ‘NAFIS’ Council and the Dubai College of Tourism. The programme’s successful conclusion is a testament to the fruitful collaboration between Al-Futtaim Group and the Dubai College of Tourism. This partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2021, was further strengthened in 2022 with the launch of the ‘NAFIS’ programme, which is dedicated to providing specialised training and supporting Emiratisation in the private sector. During a comprehensive three-week period, participants engaged in vocational training encompassing a range of programmes and courses meticulously designed to sharpen their skills and cognitive abilities. Led by a highly qualified academic team, the programme offered valuable insights into the retail and automotive sectors, equipping participants with a comprehensive understanding of products and services. Successful candidates were later offered job opportunities in various roles and brands within Al-Futtaim Group’s retail and automotive sectors. The ‘Explorer’ programme, initiated by Al-Futtaim Group’s Emiratisation platform Sinyar, highlights the Group’s ongoing commitment to providing world-class professional training and employment prospects for Emirati talent across its diverse operational departments. This commitment not only nurtures a skilled workforce but …

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the #DubaiDestinations campaign has rolled out its latest phase inviting residents and tourists to embark on a new journey to discover Dubai’s offerings in the warmer months of the year. The collaborative campaign, implemented by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), seeks to showcase the city’s unique charm as a summer destination to audiences across the world through engaging stories. The current season of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, running until the end of August, will showcase the city’s top-rated experiences in the summer and its distinctive attractions ranging from serene beach destinations and exciting indoor activities to thrilling waterparks and picturesque hotels. Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), said: “Aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into the world’s best city to live and visit, the campaign continues to open new windows into the unrivalled diversity, memorable experiences and creative urban vibe that define Dubai’s character as one of the globe’s greatest destinations. By harnessing the power of storytelling, the campaign seeks to highlight the city’s offerings during the warmer months, with an emphasis on the unique experiences that set Dubai apart as one of the world’s most captivating destinations. This season of the campaign extends a fresh invitation to both the local and global community …

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We have a long-standing history of partnerships that have reshaped the way people travel around the world. It’s a reflection of our commitment to providing our customers greater flexibility and confidence when planning their travel itineraries through leveraging the strength of our partners’ complementary route networks. It’s also helped to enhance Dubai’s connectivity to the world, providing direct and indirect links to over 800 cities, generating more tourism to our hub and boosting business and trade opportunities. These partnerships have also supported inbound tourism to over 100 countries through opening up connection opportunities and smoother journeys via the exclusively served points of our partners.  As we enter the next phase of growth for Emirates, codeshare and interline partnerships will be a critical component of our future success and a core part of our commercial strategy, and we’re working hard to develop them even further to offer a huge choice of onwards destinations for our customers.” On an average week, over 50,000 travellers connect to their destination of choice on codeshare or interline flights operated by Emirates’ many partners. The airline’s numerous partnerships developed over the years have helped fuel its growth, enabled frictionless connectivity for customers, bolstered loyalty reciprocity and tapped into unique markets that have generated new traffic flows. While Emirates’ business strategy has always been to grow organically, its strategic partnerships like interline agreements and codeshares help to expand its global footprint, enabling the airline’s customers to reach places far beyond its own network. Emirates will continue evolve its partnership strategy by broadening many of its interline partnerships to full-fledged codeshare agreements, and strengthening its existing codeshares to build on its …

Shangri-La Dubai, the iconic luxury hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, is proud to celebrate 20 years of world-class hospitality, exceptional service, and timeless elegance. Since opening its doors in 2003, Shangri-La Dubai has been a home away from home for travellers from around the world, offering unparalleled comfort, style, and unforgettable memories. To celebrate the occasion, Shangri-La Dubai invites guests to indulge in a range of exclusive experiences, including bespoke room packages, themed culinary delights, and an exciting social media giveaway. 20th Anniversary Room Offer For those seeking a luxurious staycation in the city, their room promotion includes 20% savings on rooms and suites, along with an upgrade to the next room category. Guests can also enjoy a 20% discount on food and beverage offerings, allowing them to savour a wide array of culinary delights throughout their stay. As a special treat, guests will receive a 20th-anniversary welcome amenity and a Polaroid photograph capturing breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline from the 42nd floor. Social Media Giveaway To further engage with guests and honour their loyalty, Shangri-La Dubai launched a social media giveaway and is encouraging guests to share their favourite memories at the hotel on Instagram, using a designated hashtag. By participating, they stand a chance to win a complimentary stay, courtesy of Shangri-La Dubai. Visit the official Shangri-La Instagram account to learn more about the contest and be a part of this exciting campaign. Gala Anniversary Cocktail Event The hotel also hosted a gala cocktail to commemorate the occasion, comprising dignitaries, loyal patrons, influential figures from the hospitality industry, and members of the media.  The evening unfolded amidst an ambience of sophistication and grace, as guests were transported into …

SalamAir commenced weekly flights to and from Fujairah starting yesterday. This expansion not only broadens travel possibilities, but also links customers from Fujairah through Muscat International Airport to a number of global destinations on SalamAir’s network. This marks a significant milestone for the Oman-based low-cost carrier as it expands its network and continues to offer affordable fares while adding tourist and regional-friendly destinations to its network. Passengers from Muscat can look forward to four weekly flights on Mondays and Wednesdays, providing easy access to Fujairah’s stunning scenery and rich culture, making it perfect for a quick getaway. Passengers from Fujairah now have options of non-stop flights to Muscat and onwards to over 39 destinations to choose from. SalamAir is committed to offering passengers a comfortable and enjoyable experience. “We are thrilled to offer our passengers more travel options as SalamAir continues to grow and expand our network,” said SalamAir CEO Captain Mohamed Ahmed. “We see Fujairah as an important destination for us with much potential for passenger movement, and we are proud to add it to our network giving customers from Muscat and Fujairah more choice, convenience, and value for money travel.” The event held at Muscat International Airport ushered passengers to Fujairah with a cake-cutting ceremony followed by welcoming them onboard the flight with the distribution of traditional Omani Halwa and Coffee. Media and Airport officials were delighted to be part of these connecting routes between Muscat to Fujairah. The inaugural flight to Fujairah was met with excitement and celebration as passengers from Muscat were welcomed with traditional Emirati hospitality upon arrival. The event was attended by senior officials from both SalamAir and Fujairah International Airport, who expressed their excitement …

In time for a busy summer period of travel, Emirates has partnered with Extime in Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, to offer premium travellers a new exclusively dedicated lounge space in Terminal 1, while the renovation of Terminal 2 continues. As one of the only carriers to have an exclusive space in Terminal 1 for customers, Emirates will be offering passengers an elegant private lounge with a total of 155 seats, indoor and outdoor space and an outstanding food and beverage selection. Serving an average of 190 customers a day, the dedicated lounge will facilitate Emirates customer comfort and refreshment until flight operations move to Terminal 2 in July 2024, and a newly constructed Emirates Lounge opens. Emirates’ customers will be able to sample a wide array of culinary indulgences across breakfast, lunch and dinner, including French favourites from the menu such as Croque-monsieur, crêpes and French financier, and international dishes of salmon tikka, fish tajin, butter chicken and beef stroganoff. The lounge is staffed by experienced professionals from Haute Hospitalite. With a bright and airy bistro feel, the chic lounge features wood and leather accents, against a backdrop of warm white tones, green topiary and contemporary light fixtures. Customers can refresh in showers and washrooms, connect to complimentary Wi-Fi, read up on the news, and enjoy a plentiful buffet and alcoholic beverages from 6am to 9:30pm daily. The dedicated lounge for Emirates customers will also be fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Securing an exclusive lounge within the limited space of Terminal 1 demonstrates Emirates commitment and investment in providing high quality experiences for premium travellers and frequent flyers, in addition to highlighting the strong partnership between Emirates …

SX Global announced that Yas Island, Abu Dhabi will host the penultimate round of the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) in 2023. Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, said: “FIM World Supercross is a fantastic new event for Yas Island, bringing together 40 of the best riders in the world to battle it out for four world championship titles for the first time in the region, whilst being broadcast to 400 million homes across 180 countries. It underpins our pioneering approach in the major event industry, and with this exciting announcement, it is testament to our commitment to delivering unique experiences as well as further building our reputation for best-in-class sport and entertainment events. We are looking forward to welcoming WSX fans to the Etihad Arena in November and delivering unforgettable moments.” The WSX Abu Dhabi GP will be held over two days at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on 4-5 November 2023. The historic event will be the first time a World Supercross event has been held in the region. “We’re extremely proud to announce the WSX Abu Dhabi GP. Yas Island is known for the standard of excellence in hosting some of the biggest events in the region including other major events like Formula 1, UFC and NBA,” said SX Global’s CEO, Adam Bailey. “This event will mark the first-ever Supercross event held in the region and is a significant milestone for both WSX and the sport of supercross. The fact that Abu Dhabi is the home of our strategic investment partner in Mubadala Capital, makes it even more special.” Ethara is one of the region’s biggest event, entertainment, and venue management companies. In partnership with …

Address Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of its latest architectural and hospitality masterpiece, Address Jabal Omar Makkah, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The largest hotel within the Address Hotels + Resorts portfolio, Address Jabal Omar Makkah boasts an impressive 1,484 rooms and suites, providing guests with unparalleled comfort and luxury. With its striking architectural design, a seamless fusion of ancient Arabian charm and contemporary opulence, the hotel stands tall as the tallest building in Jabal Omar and is a breathtaking sight that exquisitely blends tradition and modernity. Nestled in the iconic Jabal Omar development, this landmark property offers a truly unforgettable experience for pilgrims and travellers alike. With its range of unbeatable facility, superb accommodations, tempting dining outlets, and so much more, this superb hotel is set to become a mainstay on the city’s luxury hospitality scene. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a rich historical and cultural heritage, and Makkah province holds a significant place in Islamic history. One of the standout features of Address Jabal Omar Makkah is its proximity to the sacred Holy Kaaba and Al Masjid Al Haram, along with various attractions such as the Makkah Museum, Masjid Al Jinn, Jannat al-Mu’alla Cemetery, and the iconic Abraj Al Bait Towers. Just a few minutes’ walk away, guests can revel in the awe-inspiring views of these revered landmarks, immersing themselves in the spiritual ambience of Islam’s holiest city. Designed by the world-renowned architects Foster & Partners, the towers of Address Jabal Omar Makkah span over 5,000 sqm of prime space and can be seen for miles. The development includes a commercial area featuring a diverse range of shops, showcasing local, regional, and international …

Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has partnered with Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale” (CCR), an Italian conservation institute, has partnered with the, the authority driving the comprehensive regeneration of AlUla, to further develop expertise in the restoration and conservation of northwest Saudi Arabia’s incredible cultural heritage. As part of the partnership, a group of 12 young Saudi professionals and new university graduates selected by RCU have travelled from AlUla to Italy for a knowledge exchange programme. The group of 6 women and 6 men will participate in workshops in both Venaria near Turin in northern Italy and AlUla. The multi-modal course will see CCR share best practices for the application of an interdisciplinary approach to heritage conservation science. Between July 2023 and February 2024, the group – 6 chemistry and biology graduates and 6 conservation officers from different parts of KSA – will take part in integrated and highly interactive modules designed to provide insights into the most relevant technical, scientific, historical, and conservation management issues, including tutoring on functional themes such as the planning, management, and conservation of archaeological sites. Sara Abram, Secretary General at CCR, said: “Partnering with RCU is a unique opportunity to explore the characteristics of our different cultural, social, and organisational contexts. In this programme, the CCR provides its technical, scientific, and humanistic expertise, through its professionals and with the involvement of lecturers from some of the most important Italian universities and conservation institutes.” Aimed at deepening knowledge of artefacts and their historical context, the programme reflects CCR’s methodological approach to conservation. Starting with preliminary observations, the course focuses on data collection and processing, and proceeds toward analysis of techniques and assessment, ending …