NEOM, the global development taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia, has successfully wrapped up the NEOM Beach Games 2022 after hosting over 500 athletes from 25 countries. Between October 19 and December 9, NEOM witnessed thrilling competitions that received wide international media coverage. The series of dynamic sport events commenced with freestyle kitesurfing on October 19, followed by an Olympic-level competition of short-course triathlon. Other events included 3×3 basketball and 5×5 beach soccer, the latter of which saw world champions Brazil secure both the men’s and women’s trophies. NEOM Beach Games concluded on December 9 with a desert mountain bike race that saw 220 male and females from around the world take part in the four-stage event, each athlete cycling 80-120 kilometers per day. To ensure maximum global exposure, each sport federation participating at NEOM Beach Games had its own global live feed to broadcast the action. BBC screened the Super League Triathlon NEOM event, while Sport TV ­– the biggest sports channel in Brazil – broadcast the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup to a potential audience of over 200 million. Jan Paterson, Managing Director of Sport at NEOM, said: “NEOM Beach Games has been a milestone for NEOM and its success will help to further position the region as a natural hub for sport. Additionally, the Games saw Saudi athletes compete alongside fellow participants from 25 countries in triathlon, 3×3 basketball, beach soccer and mountain biking , reflecting NEOM’s role in providing opportunity for local talent to compete on the global stage.” “We believe the ongoing collaboration between NEOM, the national federations and the rights holders of each sport will positively impact the national sporting ecosystem and we look forward …

On the sidelines of the recently concluded WTTC summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of their participation in this prestigious international forum. This agreement aims to develop the tourism sector of both countries through the exchange of experience, active participation in various tourism-related events, and mutual cooperation in several areas and initiatives related to the tourism sector. As part of the MoU, the OMRAN Group and the Godoba platform, and the Saudi Arabia-based Al Matar Group for Travel and Tourism, signed a strategic partnership agreement as one of the first initiatives under the new MoU, further strengthening the role of the private sector in supporting the tourism development efforts of the two brotherly nations. The agreement aims to drive digital transformation in the tourism sector through the partnership between the Al Matar App, known to be one of the fastest-growing apps in the region over the last three years, and the Godoba platform, which received the Best Arab OTA Award in 2019. The agreement is expected to pave the way for both parties to expand regionally and internationally. The signing of the agreement was overseen by His Excellency Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Heritage and Culture for the Sultanate of Oman, and His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia. For over 30 years, WTTC has conducted research on the economic impact of Travel & Tourism in 185 countries and issues such as overcrowding, taxation, policy-making, and many others to raise awareness of the importance of the Travel & Tourism sector as one of the world’s largest economic sectors. The …

NEXT50, an Abu Dhabi based technology company, is well underway to delivering the first phase of the biometric initiative at Abu Dhabi international Airport. The project, which sees NEXT50 introduce its cutting-edge AI solutions alongside global artificial intelligence and technology solutions partners IDEMIA and SITA, will initially see the deployment of next generation biometric solutions at select self-service baggage touchpoints, immigration e-gates, and boarding gates before implementing the technology across all passenger touchpoints in the airport. “We are excited to be leading the biometrics project at the UAE capital’s state-of-the-art International Airport as part of the Emirate’s digital transformation vision,” said Ibrahim Al Mannaee, NEXT50’S Chief Executive Officer. “Once the project is fully realized, the airport will be the only airport in the region with biometric solutions implemented across all customer touchpoints, contributing to Abu Dhabi Airport’s vision to become the operator of the most technology-driven airport in the world, providing a seamless journey to all its passengers. We are proud to be joining forces with IDEMIA and SITA and offering our expertise in artificial intelligence and data sciences to make this initiative a reality.” H.E. Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, MD and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports said: “The phase one deployment of advanced biometrics at Abu Dhabi International Airport further cements our commitment to shape the future of airport experiences by delivering innovation and technology that drives efficiency, convenience and service excellence. Upon final completion of the project, Abu Dhabi will be home to the world’s first airport to include every touch point in the biometric journey, providing travelers with a seamless, safe and secure passenger experience.” Once the project is delivered, it will offer passengers a convenient, …

Continuing to drive transformation in the aviation sector, Oman Air’s Digital department recently held its annual workshop. Attended by members of senior leadership and key stakeholders, the workshop reviewed the progress of the company’s ongoing digital transformation strategy and its IT Roadmap for 2023. During 2022, the company accomplished a number of digital initiatives to support its strategic goals. Among them was the restructuring of its Passenger Service System (PSS) to advance its digital retailing capabilities, facilitating the initiation of a new internet booking engine and mobile app. A New Distribution Capability (NDC) solution was also developed to allow travel agents to deliver rich content and ancillary to customers, while, in order to promote crew and operational efficiency, an elegant Crew Pairing and Fleet Management system with AIMS was established. Further safeguarding data and cybersecurity, the airline introduced a Privileged Access Management Solution, an enhanced IT Service Continuity initiative and Disaster Recovery Plan. Recently, the company also announced it has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a founding member of the pioneering Modern Airline Retailing programme alongside a global consortium of airlines. Leveraging the ‘Offers and Orders’ system, the group intends to spur technological advancement in the industry and create value for customers by reducing the hassles of increasingly complex passenger document checking requirements. Dr. Khalid Al Zadjali, Senior Vice President – Digital at Oman Air, said, “In this digital age and in the face of increasing competition, its vital that we capitalise early on advanced technologies in order to stay ahead of the curve. As such, we continue to invest in long-term, sustainable efficiencies, whilst improving IT service delivery right across the organisation, and to our guests. …

​Kuwait Airways announced the launch of the “Wathiq” program to provide career opportunities for national talents in the Blue Bird, during the period from December 2022 to mid-January 2023. This comes within the framework of the company’s objectives to encourage fresh graduates to engage in the field of aviation and the air transport sector, as well as to enhance the spirit of patriotism of being a part of the national carrier of the State of Kuwait. In this regard, the Director of Human Resources department at Kuwait Airways, Ahmed Al-Bannai stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to launch its latest program and campaign, “Wathiq” to provide job opportunities for national talents. Through this program, the company is keen to attract national talents who have the determination, ambition, and passion to become an added value to the Blue Bird in its development and progress, as well as in providing the best levels of service to its valued passengers.” Al-Bannai added, “These successive campaigns which have been launched recently by the company are in line with its strategic objectives in the short and medium term to increase the levels of nationalization and are based on the directives of KAC’s Board of Directors and the Executive Management to attract national talents with technical and administrative specializations in the company’s various departments. Kuwait Airways is taking steady steps in moving forward and to reach its desired goals in the localization of vacant positions and places immense importance to the national element in joining the Blue Bird.” On her part, the Manager of Talent Acquisition at Kuwait Airways, Alaa Al-Yaqout stated, “Kuwait Airways is determined to attract new national talents and those with a spirt of …

Marriott International continues to reinforce its commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality leaders in Saudi Arabia with a dedicated workshop for women participants and alumni from the company’s Tahseen programme. The event took place in Riyadh in the presence of H.H. Princess Nouf Bint Faisal Bin Turki Al Saud and Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International.   The workshop was attended by more than 40 women who are currently enrolled in or graduated from Tahseen, Marriott’s leadership programme in the Kingdom.  During the event, H.H. Princess Nouf Bint Faisal Bin Turki Al Saud inspired the group by speaking about her journey and experiences. H.H. Princess Nouf Bint Faisal Bin Turki Al Saud said, “I value this pioneering initiative by Marriott International for Young Saudi Women to learn and support the country’s Vision for 2030.  The vision of the country promises Saudi women senior, executive and other management positions in various institutions, with their knowledge, awareness and experience.” The group also heard from Marriott International’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Capuano, President for EMEA, Satya Anand and Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Sandeep Walia.  Marriott’s leadership reinforced the company’s commitment to the advancement of women and increasing the presence of women leaders at all levels of the organisation.  During the workshop, all participants also went through an exercise on their personal branding which included identifying and establishing their key strengths and building leadership presence. Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International commented, “As part of our leadership development efforts in Saudi Arabia, we look forward to advancing the next generation of women hospitality leaders in the country.  We remain committed to investing in local talent to ensure the …

Emirates starts an exciting new year in Thailand as the airline announces adding a fourth flight between Bangkok and Dubai from 1 January 2023, boosting connectivity between the two gateways and providing more options for travellers. The additional frequency will help serve the increased demand for international travel to and from Bangkok, as Thailand’s travel and tourism sector experience a steep revival. The additional Emirates flight will be operated by the airline’s flagship Airbus A380. Emirates’ flight EK374 – operated by a 3-class configuration – will depart Dubai at 22.35hrs, arriving in Bangkok at 07.35hrs, the following day. Emirates’ return flight EK377 – operated by a 2-class configuration – will leave Bangkok at 02.00hrs, arriving in Dubai at 06.00hrs. All times are local. With 28 weekly flights to Bangkok and 14 weekly flights to Phuket, Emirates offers travelers flexible and enhanced connections between Thailand and Dubai, as well as onwards to 130 destinations across 6 continents. Emirates also operates a daily direct flight to Hong Kong from Bangkok. Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, Emirates Sales Office, via travel agents or through online travel agents. The Emirates A380 experience remains highly sought after by travellers for its spacious and comfortable cabins, and signature products that offer travellers the best experiences in the sky like the Onboard Lounge, First Class suites and Shower Spa. The A380 experience is always rounded off by award-winning hospitality, regional culinary creations and authentic tastes, and the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, with more than 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment at every customer’s fingertips. Customers connecting through Dubai are encouraged to check the latest travel guidelines and ensure they meet the travel requirements of their …

The Retail Summit, an annual event for leaders providing unprecedented access to hear from global retail giants on the future and movement of the retail industry, announces its notable speaker lineup and agenda for 2023. The highly-anticipated two-day Summit remains the ultimate face-to-face, industry networking event, hosted at two iconic locations including Atlantis, The Palm and the soon-to-open Atlantis, The Royal on the 14 and 15 of March. Over the course of two days, the top echelon of both locally and internationally-renowned retailers will disperse into a two-stream agenda focusing on the critical issues within the global retailer’s boardrooms. The retail visionary speakers will include icon Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Ward, CEO of Harrods, Kristina Blahnik, CEO of Manolo Blahnik, Jo Malone, Founder of Jo Loves, Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum & Mason, and Seth Ellison, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer of Levi Strauss & Co., to name a few. The third edition of the event will see these retail trailblazers on stage sharing their pioneering stories, paired with insight and innovative concepts through panel discussions dedicated to creating engaging, high-level learning experiences. Dishing details and debating matters of the retail industry, the speakers will focus on three agenda pillars of the event; sustainability, customer engagement and new technologies. Session spotlight topics include keynote presentations on “Cultivating Communities” led by Katrine Lee Larson, CEO of Copenhagen Cartel, “Company Culture” led by Rodney Lam, CEO of Daily Paper, and “Customer Centricity” led by Michael Kliger, CEO of Mytheresa. Panel discussions will open up the floor to conversations on “Customer Centricity” led by Marcella Wartenbergh, CEO of AWWG, “Sustainability” led by Livia Lee, CEO of lala Berlin; and also Victoria Prew, Founder & …

Dubai International (DXB) added a new African destination to its network of 200 plus international destinations on Friday with the launch of Kenya Airways’ inaugural service from the coastal city of Mombasa. Kenya Airways will be operating four weekly flights between Mombasa and DXB’s Terminal 1 on a B737-800 aircraft, increasing the carrier’s frequency to Dubai to 14 round trips a week. The airline already operates 10 weekly flights to Nairobi and will be adding 4 weekly flights to Mombasa, which was an unserved destination at DXB. The new service is expected to enhance tourism and trade on both sides and offer additional options for the thousands of travellers who fly between Dubai and Kenya each month. Nearly 650,000 passengers flew between DXB and Kenyan destinations in 2019.

At the annual ‘city briefing’ His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Inspired by our visionary leadership, 2022 has been a transformative year for developing and broadening Dubai’s global appeal, designed to keep the destination top-of-mind and to cater to the varied needs and tastes of international travellers. With the world on the move again, our ability to quickly react, adapt, evolve and tap into existing and new segments of travellers is key to Dubai’s efforts to leverage and benefit from a rapidly and radically evolving global tourism landscape. We have ensured a steady influx of international visitors by offering more value than any comparable destination. We will maintain our competitive edge through our strong public-private partnerships, expansion of the diverse destination offering and constant launching of innovative initiatives and international campaigns to showcase Dubai as a ‘must-visit’ destination, as well as cement its position as one of the most accessible and liveable cities in the world.” Data showed that Dubai welcomed 11.4 million international overnight visitors between January and October, an impressive year-on-year increase of 134%, taking the city further on its journey to becoming the world’s most visited destination. 11.4 million international overnight visitors who arrived in Dubai between January and October 2022 represented a quantum leap over the 4.88 million visitors that the city welcomed for the same period in 2021. The numbers are close to the pre-pandemic record of 13.50 million international visitors in the first ten months of 2019. Dubai’s international tourism arrivals significantly outperformed other major global destinations, giving Dubai a head start on post-pandemic recovery. Average hotel occupancy in Dubai between January-October 2022 stood at …