As part of Kuwait Airways’ strategic objectives and in an effort to provide various options to its valued customers, the company announced the commencement of its scheduled flights to the cities of Kathmandu and Maldives. Operations to these destinations includes four flights a week to Kathmandu on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 30 October 2022, and two flights a week to Maldives on Monday and Thursday, commencing from 31 October 2022.​ Speaking on this occasion, the Director of KAC’s Network Planning and Distribution department, Mrs Shorouk Al-Awadhi stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to announce the launch of its operations to Kathmandu and Maldives, which are among the latest destinations to be introduced and is within the company’s strategic objectives to expand its network to new and diverse destinations, thereby linking Kuwait to the world. The selection of these destinations is a result of systematic and detailed research of the feasibility of these two routes and the extent of the demand for them from passengers. In addition, both these destinations are popular among tourists due to their historical and touristic attractions, as well as their rich and diverse cultures.” Al-Awadhi added, “The launch of these two destinations comes within the framework of Kuwait Airways’ plans to expand its network and operate to new destinations as part of its winter schedule. Moreover, the company had recently launched various new destinations such as Medina, Taif, Hyderabad and Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, Kuwait Airways continues to operate to Madrid and Izmir throughout the year as permanent destinations, which had been previously launched as part of its summer schedule of 2022, due to the increasing requirements for these two destinations and their significance to our …

Emirates has announced an exclusive partnership with Uplift, the leading enterprise Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solution serving the world’s top travel and retail brands, to benefit its U.S. and Canadian customers. Passengers booking flights on Emirates can now spread the cost of their travel over time with simple, affordable monthly installments through Uplift. The Emirates story started in 1985 offering customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies. Emirates inspires travelers around the world with its growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service. Connecting the world to its global hub in Dubai, Emirates offers award-winning service to customers across six continents every day. Available now, Emirates passengers can make their getaway dreams a reality by utilizing Uplift’s pay over time monthly installments, rather than paying in full at booking.  Customers will see the total cost of their trip upfront allowing customers to see how an upgraded travel experience in Emirates’ Business class, for example, can be accessible for only a slight increase to the monthly payment. With Uplift there are no fees including no late fees or prepayment penalties and travel can happen before customers complete their payments. “As the world’s largest international airline, we are thrilled to offer flexible payment solutions, making worldwide travel available to more customers. Providing convenient payment options is one of the ways we are delivering on our customer-centric approach in everything we do,” said Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President for USA and Canada. “Through our research and discovery, we selected Uplift as our BNPL solution provider in North America due to their deep knowledge of travel and …

Elaf Travel and Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Sabre Corporation cemented a long-standing relationship,  signing an exclusive agreement to drive the agency’s growth through advanced technology.  The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by management and executives from both companies to celebrate a decade of successful collaboration. The agreement provides Elaf Travel and Tourism continued access to Sabre’s portfolio of innovative technology across the region, including its industry-leading workflow Sabre Red 360 and the latest mobile, data analytics, personalization and automation capabilities. “We are excited to confirm our relationship with Sabre, which will continue support our growth and technology plans,” said Dr. Adel Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elaf Group. “We are working together to deploy the latest solutions and capabilities, transform our business, and advance our offerings to enrich our customers’ experiences – particularly online.” Using SR360, the agency will have access to Sabre’s marketplace of more than 420 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers, enabling it to sell personalized travel packages from suppliers all around the world. “We are happy the Elaf Travel and Tourism recognizes the value of our technology and trusts the dedication and expertise of our local team,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, vice president, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “Elaf Travel and Tourism has a wide range of services catering to the online, offline, and corporate travel sectors and we are committed to deliver products and solutions that meet their diverse customer needs and help the company to scale and expand its business to meet the high expectations of the tech-savvy Saudi travelers.”  

Winter in the UAE begins with the Hatta season, this area is the latest developed tourist area with expectations of greater visitor numbers this year. Last year Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved six new tourism projects in Hatta as part of the Hatta development plan. The projects announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum include the establishment of 504km-long chairlifts, Dubai mountain peak at an altitude of 1,300 metres, Hatta sustainable waterfalls, a world-class hotel, in addition to Hiking trails to the highest peak in Dubai (Jebel Umm Al Nisour, at 1,300 metres). Hatta residents will also be allowed to build 200 holiday homes to support domestic tourism in district. “In 2016, we started our development project in Hatta. Tourists doubled from 60,000 to one million in 2020, and the new projects by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will provide 500 jobs for young people of Hatta. The new holiday homes will provide an annual income of more than Dh100 million for the people of the region. A decent life for our citizens will remain our goal in all our projects,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Hatta is a model for small cities in the region. It has turned within a short period of time into one of the most important tourist destinations in the emirate, thanks to its different lifestyle. The development and tourism projects in Hatta will have a significant impact on promoting national tourism and providing a distinctive tourism and cultural experience for visitors and the community,” Sheikh Mohammed added. The ‘Dubai Mountain Peak’ and ‘Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls’ project, which will …

Dubai Harbour, the city’s extraordinary seafront district, has welcomed its first cruise ship – the AIDAcosma, officially starting its 2022/23 cruise season. Setting sail from Germany on its maiden voyage, AIDAcosma is a first-of-its-kind liquid natural gas (LNG) powered ship with a capacity of over 5,500 passengers. To mark the arrival, DHCT Management along with public and private sector stakeholders will exchange plaques with the Ship Captain, a maritime tradition, to commemorate its maiden call. Throughout the season, more than 300,000 passengers are expected to arrive at the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, marking extraordinary growth for the cruise industry. Operated by AIDA Cruises, with 20 passenger decks and 2,600 staterooms, the AIDAcosma is one of the largest cruise ships within the AIDA fleet. The ship hosts a range of exciting experiences and features including a Fun Park, children’s pool, water slide, an outdoor sports deck, as well as 17 restaurants and 23 lounges, serving a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. As the homeport for AIDAcosma, Dubai Harbour will pave the way for green cruising by becoming the first to host a brand-new LNG powered cruise ship. LNG is one of the cleanest-burning, non-electric marine fuels in the industry and can reduce emissions by up to 30 per cent. Alexander Ewig, Senior Vice President Marketing & Sales at AIDA Cruises commented: “We are excited to return to Dubai Harbour – this time round with the maiden call of our youngest fleet member AIDAcosma. Through AIDAcosma, we are continuing on our path to green cruising and are elated to be collaborating with Dubai Harbour to do so. We are sure our guests will have a great time, as they …

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announced the opening of The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar. Perched in the heart of Porto Arabia and exclusively accessed by a private bridge, this new Mediterranean-style island seamlessly blends exquisite design, exceptional amenities, and the brand’s legendary Butler Service to create a majestic escape for local luminaries and global tastemakers. “We are thrilled to welcome The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar to our highly curated global portfolio of hotels and resorts. The opening ushers in a new benchmark for luxury hospitality and as our second St. Regis property in Doha, underlines the brand’s expansion and interest in this dynamic region,” said Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “A new luxury landmark, guests can expect the modern glamour, cherished traditions and timeless legacy that St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is famed for globally. With this milestone opening, we are also delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Alfardan Group and thank them for their ongoing support and collaboration.” “The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island offers a distinct point of view in one of the most coveted cities in the region. We look forward to offering guests impeccable service, outstanding culinary venues and the exquisite experiences synonymous with the iconic St. Regis brand.” said Wissam Suleiman, Multi-Property General Manager for St. Regis Hotels Doha. The 193 all-suite hotel features a range of lavishly appointed accommodations in one-, two- and three-bedroom formats and private townhouses, each featuring large balconies boasting glorious views overlooking the glistening Arabian Gulf. The spacious suites offer large open bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes, living …

Amadeus signed technology partnership agreement with Safe Travel & Services, one of leading travel agencies in UAE. The travel company provides comprehensive range of services for individual travelers, corporate clients, and groups from and to the UAE, including customized packages and visa services. Under the agreement, Safe Travel & Services and its customers will benefit from various Amadeus products and solutions. These include Amadeus Online Suite, an omni -channel e-commerce solution to expand online presence and deliver a wealth of quality tailored content; Business Management Platform, incorporating various solutions such as robotic ticketing tools and sales data management systems to support pricing, analysis, and ticketing automation through a single platform. Also included in portfolio is Amadeus All Fares Plus, which helps agents find best air deals by comparing multiple content sources, including NDC-enabled content, and Amadeus B2B Wallet to offer payment options. Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf, said: “With travel gaining momentum as more countries open their doors to travelers, we are committed to supporting Safe Travel & Services in rapidly finding the best air deals for its customers and providing a seamless end-to-end travel payments solution offering greater choice, reach, and orchestration.” Raed Baidas, General Manager of Safe Travel & Services, said: “To address challenges of the modern tourism industry, we know that planning, developing, and adapting to evolving needs of the market is key to our success. Adopting Amadeus’ latest technology solutions will help us realise our ambitions and position us strategically as we strengthen our customer relationships and take our value-offering to the next level.” As the travel ecosystem evolves, the industry is ready to upgrade and enhance systems and processes and have in place …

Hilton celebrates the opening of Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort & Spa, a beautiful beachfront resort with breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Located in Taghazout Bay, 14 kilometres from the centre of Agadir, the resort offers the perfect escape for guests wanting to enjoy a stay in paradise filled with sun, sea, and sand. Named after the legendary Amazigh village of Taghazout, the resort is a fusion of contemporary style and Moroccan inspired design, with each of the 170-guest rooms featuring private balconies and ocean views. Families can book and confirm reservations with  Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton and the resort’s prime location provides access to local tourist attractions, including CrocoParc, the Argan Tree Museum – as well as the Paradise Valley Tazegzout Golf Course. Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort & Spa is part of Morocco’s new sustainable Taghazout Bay Resort complex. The spectacular resort contributes to the Moroccan government’s ambitions to establish the country as one of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world, through the ‘Plan Azur Initiative’ and the Taghazout Resort Development & Promotion Strategy. The new Hilton property implements various initiatives to improve its environmental footprint including water efficiency and energy saving, tracked via Hilton’s LightStay technology. Hilton has a strong heritage of hospitality in Morocco and has operated across the African continent for more than six decades,” said Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, Hilton. “We are excited to open Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort & Spa as we enter new destinations across Morocco – providing world-class hospitality and incredible guest experiences whilst supporting local communities with our Travel with Purpose programme.” Accompanying the resort’s unique architecture is a broad range …

As visitors begin flying for the winter break and the many spectacular events taking place in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways looks forward to welcoming over 1.5 million travellers at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Shaeb Al Najjar, General Manager Hub Operations, Etihad Airways, said “There has never been a better time to experience Abu Dhabi, with the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place this weekend and many more attractions to be enjoyed over the winter season. Football fans from around the world will also be flocking to the region ahead of the most exciting football event of the year. As a result, Etihad with its partners, is geared up and ready to host 1.5 million expected guests over the next six weeks. Visitors flying via Abu Dhabi will enjoy the experience from the moment they take off with Etihad’s award-winning Cabin Crew and hospitality.” Guests flying with Etihad Airways can expect to fly with total peace of mind with services like its quick self-service bag drop facility. The service provides a faster check-in experience and can accommodate a greater number of guests who will then be able to skip the queues. Once checked-in online, the self-service facilities allow travellers to seamlessly retrieve their booking, print the bag-tag and process their bags in less than two minutes. Etihad Airways, has been awarded Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. The accolade recognises the care and attention to detail the airline’s teams give to customers’ needs throughout their journeys. The airline is preparing to welcome over 1.5 million passengers at Abu Dhabi International Airport between 21 November and 08 January …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the launch of its new route from Abu Dhabi to Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital. The new direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport with a frequency of two flights weekly, starting from December 7, 2022. Schedule to Tashkent, effective December 7, 2022 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency 3L 763 Abu Dhabi 08:15 Tashkent 12:45 Airbus 320 Wednesday/Saturday 3L 764 Tashkent 14:05 Abu Dhabi 17:00 Airbus 320 Wednesday/Saturday Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “We are glad to add Tashkent to our growing network with direct flights from Abu Dhabi. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues its expansion strategy to further strengthen the connectivity of UAE’s capital with many destinations while contributing to the growth of both travel and tourism of the UAE. The new route allows our customers the opportunity to discover the historic city and reflects our commitment to continuously offer our customers affordable and value driven air travel from our different hubs.” As part of its ongoing expansion plan, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues to add more connectivity to and from the capital city. The new route to Tashkent is considered the 26th destination after Alexandria, Sohag, Cairo, Dhaka, Khartoum, Chittagong, Kathmandu, Muscat, Salalah, Sarajevo, Trabzon, Tbilisi, Faisalabad, Multan, Cochin, Calicut, Trivandrum, Sabiha, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Beirut, Kuwait, and Moscow. Air Arabia operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across Air Arabia’s fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. The aircraft is also …