Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has unveiled an exceptional H1 calendar featuring an impressive line-up of over 70 Exhibitions, Conventions and Conferences to be held across the two venues, DWTC and Dubai Exhibitions Centre (DEC) located at Expo City Dubai. The events spanning sectors like Healthcare, Food, Energy, Tourism, Transport and Technology are to set to further boost DWTC’s contribution to Dubai’s economy and reinforce its status as a global hub for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President at DWTC, said: “As a global MICE industry leader, DWTC stands as a testament to Dubai’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. In 2024, our focus is on growth and expansion – with both our venues, the DWTC and DEC, gearing up to host a series of high profile and transformative events. We look forward to the introduction of new exhibitions such as FESPA Middle East, as well as welcoming back prestigious legacy events including Arab Health, Gulfood, Arabian Travel Market and many more. These major exhibitions and ground-breaking conferences and conventions are poised to propel Dubai’s reputation as a leading global business and tourism destination.” In addition to showcasing an impressive roster of business events, DWTC continues to serve as a versatile world-class venue, hosting corporate meetings, sports and entertainment events. These diverse events contribute significantly to Dubai’s vibrant citywide calendar. DWTC’s content-rich calendar featured some of the world’s leading events such as: Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT) (9 – 11 January), Intersec (16 – 18 January), World of Coffee Dubai (21 – 23 January), Arab Health Exhibition and Congress (21 January – 1 February), UAE International Dental Conference …

Emirates achieved a remarkable milestone in its operations in the Czech Republic, having carried three million passengers between Prague and Dubai from 2010 and to date. The airline’s three millionth passenger is a loyal customer who had flown with Emirates regularly over the years. The milestone traveller had booked Economy class tickets for his trip with his partner from Prague to Sydney via Emirates’ Dubai hub for Valentine’s Day, and were both surprised at the Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) on the departure day with a complimentary upgrade to Business Class for their entire journey, in addition to iconic gifts from Emirates’ official store and exclusive vouchers for various products and services. “As an internationally renowned airline with a global network of over 140 destinations, Emirates has played a crucial role in facilitating air connectivity for Czech travellers with young and modern fleet, and by offering award-winning products and industry-leading services. We’re very proud to reach a new milestone in our operations in the Czech Republic by carrying three million passengers in the 14 years we’ve been operating to Prague, demonstrating the popularity of the Emirates brand and our customers’ loyalty. In a true Emirates hospitality and keeping our fly better promise, we wanted to make the flying experience for our three millionth passenger even more special, explains Bořivoj Trejbal, Czech Republic Country Manager at Emirates. “Congratulations to Emirates for carrying milestone three million passengers on the Prague-Dubai route. For nearly 14 years, Czech travellers have enjoyed Emirates’ excellent service, not only on journeys to Dubai, but also on connecting flights to other destinations across its extensive global network. We wish Emirates many satisfied customers on its flights to Dubai and …

Miral champions sustainability as Miral inaugurates Abu Dhabi’s largest solar rooftop project at Warner Bros. World  Abu Dhabi, incorporating approximately 16,000 solar modules, producing nearly 40 percent of its annual energy demand with a 7-megawatt peak (MWp) capacity. This will benefit Miral’s three hotels, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton. The frameworks follow a similar agreement between Miral and Emerge to deploy on-site solar energy systems at SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with a capacity of 8.4 megawatts (MW). In parallel, nearly 150 rooftop solar panels significantly reduce energy consumption across Miral’s three hotels, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton. Miral’s sustainability drive extends to its three hotels on Yas Island. In addition to more than 45 electric car chargers for guests, the hotels are committed to minimising single-use plastic bottles, reducing food waste, and implementing energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning systems. Innovative technologies, such as air-to-water generators, produce more than 148,200 litres of pure, drinkable water for guests per day across all three hotels – equivalent to almost 302,400 plastic water bottles. Additional water conservation and harvesting measures contribute to substantial annual savings in water consumption, exceeding 1,200,000 litres between all properties. In addition, nearly 150 solar collectors for hot water systems ensure collective monthly savings of 72,000 kWh in energy consumption. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral, commented: “Sustainability remains an integral part of Miral’s vision to transform the leisure, entertainment, and tourism sector. Guided by the UAE’s vision to transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy, our continued commitment to combat climate change is testament to our efforts in creating a sustainable …

URB, a Net Zero developer of sustainable cities, has unveiled a gigantic and diverse ocean restoration project along the coast of Dubai, spanning over 200 square kilometres. A huge step towards creating a green economy, Dubai Reefs will be home to around one billion corals and 100 million mangroves. Dubai Reefs will provide various services and amenities for visitors, local residents as well as a new workforce living on the ocean. It will create green jobs & empower a greener economy from the oceans to the city. It will be the first floating sustainable city of its kind offering a mix-use facility of educational, research, residential, retail, hospitality, entertainment & community facilities. As a floating self-sufficient hub, Dubai Reefs also aims to reconnect the ocean with the city. It will provide a healthy blue infrastructure that promotes social, environmental and economic benefits. Local residents will benefit from a reward scheme for the use of services or products connected to Dubai Reef. The project will also offer a carbon offsetting scheme called ‘blue carbon’, whereby organizations are able to offset their carbon by planting mangrove trees along the coast. Dubai Reefs aims to reinvent the way we plan our cities to consider the opportunities of living in harmony with the ocean and how to nurture a sustainable relationship between land & water. This sustainable floating city is said to house residential, hospitality, retail, educational and research facilities, and create over 30,000 job opportunities. Given that floating cities could be the future of urban living as sea levels continue to rise rapidly in the next few decades; Dubai Reefs will become more than a model for blue urbanism; it will become an eco-destination for human & …

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili joined Iran’s President, His Excellency Ebrahim Raisi, in opening the 17th edition of the Exhibition. At the leading event, UN Tourism reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Iran grow its tourism sector through promotion and investments, while also supporting the country in educating a new generation of tourism workers. Mr Pololikashvili also met with the Mayor of Tehran, Ali Reza Zakani, with bilateral talks focusing on working together to make the city a more attractive destination both for tourists and for investors. The Secretary-General of UN Tourism has concluded an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Zurab Pololikashvili led a high-level delegation to the country to join the official inauguration of the Tehran International Tourism Exhibition and for a series of bilateral meetings to advance common goals around tourism resilience, diversity and rural development. The Secretary-General explored the Tehran International Tourism Exhibition alongside Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Ezzatollah Zarghami and Deputy Minister Dr. Ali Asghar Shalbafian. The UN Tourism leadership commended their hard work building the sector, with particular recognition of how tourism is celebrating Iran’s diverse ethnic groups and traditions while also providing a common vision for the future of the country. Representing UN Tourism’s growing Affiliate Members network, the CEO of Abbas Abad Cultural and Tourism Area, Seyed Hossein Hejazi, also met with Secretary-General Pololikashvili to make clear the role the private sector is playing in advancing shared goals. In line with the Organization’s emphasis on rural development, Governor Malek Rahmati was presented with a plaque to commemorate Kandovan being included in the list of Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism. The significant potential for growing tourism as a pillar …

flydubai announced the launch of four new services, growing its network in Europe to 43 destinations in 21 countries. flydubai becomes the first UAE national carrier to operate direct flights to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) from 02 August 2024. The announcement also marks the carrier’s first entry into the Baltic region with direct flights to Riga International Airport (RIX) in Latvia commencing on 11 October as well as Tallinn Airport (TLL) in Estonia and Vilnius International Airport (VNO) in Lithuania from 12 October 2024. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are proud to see our network grow bigger than ever with the new route launches. We have created a diverse network of 126 destinations, 60% of which previously had very limited or no connections to Dubai. Our new services to the Baltic region and Basel will enable more people to travel conveniently through Dubai’s aviation hub, whether they are visiting Dubai or connecting conveniently onto the flydubai network or further afield with our codeshare partner Emirates.” Commenting on the launch of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “Europe is an important market for flydubai and we remain committed to offering more passengers a convenient, reliable service with a great onboard product and experience. With the addition of Basel, Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, we look forward to welcoming more travellers from Europe to Dubai and onwards to other points on our network including Malaysia, the Maldives, Mombasa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zanzibar.” Situated on the borders of northwest Switzerland, the Alsace historical region in France and Baden-Württemberg in Germany, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is a unique gateway to a wide variety of tourist attractions …

Dubai Reefs consists of a sustainable floating community for marine research, regeneration & ecotourism. The project includes residential, hospitality, retail, educational & research facilities. The project aims to generate more than 30,000 jobs in a green economy. Dubai Reefs is a floating living lab for marine restoration & ecotourism.  The marine institute will be the heart of the project, working towards greater protection of the marine and coastal environment of Dubai. It aims to accelerate the marine science and conservation capacity of Dubai, whilst building the most diverse artificial reef, covering 200 square kilometres. It also aims to create a home to more than 1 billion corals & to more than 100 million mangrove trees. The project will also offer unique experiences in marine ecotourism with various floating eco lodges, all of which are powered by 100% renewable energy with various types of solar & hydropower. These include wave farms that will also produce additional clean energy for Dubai’s growing population Regenerative Ocean Farming is another key feature of the project, which is a climate friendly food production technique. CEO of URB, Baharash Bagherian, highlights the significance of the project for Dubai as well as coastal cities at risk of sea level rise. “The health of our cities is intrinsically tied to the health of our oceans. The ocean is the source of life controlling everything. Given that everything on our planet is connected, a healthy ocean is a healthy city. Our ocean will be entirely different by the end of the century if we don’t take action today. We need an entrepreneurial spirit in the planning of coastal cities & the types of infrastructure as well as developments that are linked …

It was revealed that there is an increase of 30% in terms of travellers using the Swiss Travel System from the UAE. With sustainable travel practices taking a leap, UAE travellers are opting for more sustainable travel options in Switzerland according to the recent interview with Andreas Nef, Market Manager GCC for Swiss Travel System on his recent visit to the UAE. “We have seen an exponential growth of 30% in terms of expats in the UAE mainly from the Asian subcontinent using the Swiss Travel System and a steady growth of local Emirati travellers too pledging for sustainable travel. The UAE is a key market for us and we work very closely with travel trade always updating them on the latest offerings so that they can convey to their clients.”

Azizi plans to invest up to AED 60 billion over the next five years, adding close to 20,000 new keys to Dubai’s hotel stock through the launch of 50 upmarket luxury hotels and resorts and an ultra-luxury, seven-star hotel in Dubai, operated by Azizi Hospitality. Azizi Developments recently announced the start of construction of its tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, soon to be the second tallest skyscraper, which will feature a vertical mall, luxury residences and opulent penthouses, a seven-star hotel, a one-of-its-kind observation deck, and numerous high-end F&B options, among other unique and exciting features and amenities. Azizi Developments’ Sales Gallery can be visited on the 13th floor of the Conrad Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road.

NEOM announced a partnership with the Saudi music entertainment company, MDLBEAST, to open an ultra-modern beach club on NEOM’s luxury island, Sindalah. The Sindalah Beach Club will offer year-round premium experiences to a diverse range of audiences brought together by their love of music and culture. MDLBEAST will handle the end-to-end operations, starting from the preparations during the venue pre-launch to the management of the destination. A vibrant and glamorous global hub for celebrating cultural diversity and creativity, Sindalah Beach Club will become an ultimate destination for cutting-edge events and immersive experiences. With its expertise in hosting innovative world-class events, MDLBEAST will create a dynamic music scene pulsating with life at Sindalah. World-famous musicians, artists, and DJs will be featured alongside modern audio and visual installations to transform the space into a mesmerizing entertainment hub. Chief Urban Planning and Islands Officer at NEOM, Antoni Vives, said: “Sindalah is bringing a new model for luxury travel and living powered by innovation and sustainability. MDLBEAST will reimagine the typical beach club experience into a tech-enhanced journey, leveraging the value of Sindalah as an iconic luxury island destination.” Echoing Sindalah’s commitment to responsible luxury and aligning with NEOM’s broader vision for the future of sustainable tourism, the club will balance exceptional experiences with environmental preservation. Its architecture will seamlessly blend with the natural environment, creating a minimal ecological footprint while enhancing the aesthetics of the pristine location. Ramadan Alharatani, CEO of MDLBEAST, commented: “Joining forces with NEOM and Sindalah Island marks a pivotal moment in redefining the beach club experience. At Sindalah Beach Club, MDLBEAST ignites an unparalleled energy, infusing vibrancy through our curated music programming while meticulously shaping every facet of the club—be …