Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) recently celebrated the 55th anniversary of its first flights between the Kingdom and Geneva, Switzerland; Frankfurt, Germany; and London, the United Kingdom. To mark the occasion, SAUDIA designated a special flight from each of the three destinations, where guests were invited to celebrate at the airport terminals and onboard the flights. Guests across different cabin classes onboard the three flights were presented with commemorative souvenirs and access to the national carrier’s BISTRO service, providing them with a unique dining experience. Meanwhile, guests traveling on the Business Class enjoyed its Inflight Chef Service, with dishes cooked to their liking and expectations. As of the beginning of 2022, SAUDIA moved 348,800 guests aboard more than 3,500 flights to and from Geneva, Frankfurt and London, collectively covering 16.2 million air miles in 22.3 flight hours. The three destinations are served with SAUDIA’s latest, most efficient aircraft with comfortable seating and 5,000 hours of entertainment content to suit the tastes of every guest. The 55-year milestone solidifies SAUDIA’s standing as one of the world’s best airlines with extensive destination coverage. Through the celebration, SAUDIA sought to reward its distinguished guests for their trust and confidence in its services as well as their brand loyalty. On the occasion, SAUDIA also reiterates its commitment to providing ever-better services and launching new routes to more destinations to bring the world to Saudi Arabia in its capacity as the ‘Wings of Vision 2030.’

The fifth edition of Gulf Travel Show (GTS) will kick off on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th September 2022 under the theme of sustainable tourism. One of the most important factors post covid is sustainability in every single way. Participation in GTS assures you of the great responsibility held by the travel and tourism fraternity about their intent to reduce its carbon footprint. Gulf Travel Show (GTS) is the only event which was built in with a purpose. When it first started out just after the pandemic whilst most borders were still closed, it gave the travel, tourism and hospitality fraternity an opportunity to ensure that confidence is restored in the minds of the people passionate about the industry. It was also a tool which connected online GCC buyers with exhibitors from across the globe. The fifth edition or GTS 5.0 demonstrates its commitment to uphold its social responsibility to ensure less carbon emissions, yet bring all players to the table and learn and study the stakes, the many opportunities to make things right after a bout of almost two and a half years of pandemic era. Sustainability has many layers to be addressed, it is no longer a word to be utilized and passed on as a mere CSR activity, hence it is a commitment to ensure that everyone has a part to play on mother earth. Starting off with airlines and their biofuel capabilities, hotels and their sustainable strategies, tourism boards which provide and maintain sustainable goals to ensure that the country or destination promoted will not be perturbed, undisturbed, instead leave in its natural state. When UNWTO announced its commitment on declaration of sustainability in the industry, …

Qatar Airways announces the availability of travel packages for fans travelling to attend the Lusail Super Cup. The all-inclusive packages include match tickets, flights, and accommodation, allowing passionate football fans to book their seats and cheer on their favourite team as the Saudi Professional League champion, Al Hilal SC, matches up against the Egyptian Premier League champion, Al Zamalek SC, on Friday, 9 September 2022 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. With a few easy steps to follow, fans can book their preferred travel package and cheer on their favourite team by visiting qatarairwaysholidays.com/lusail-super-cup, with prices starting from USD $335 per person. Guests based in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Egypt are able to secure their packages, inclusive of return flights, hotel accommodation and the match ticket.Qatar Airways’ Destination Management Company – Discover Qatar is also offering local and international fans the option to book match and concert tickets by heading to discoverqatar.qa/lusail-super-cup-2022. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We look forward to welcoming football fans to Qatar to attend the Lusail Super Cup™. With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ quickly approaching, we are building a steady drum beat of excitement around the tournament – especially at the Lusail Stadium, which will host the final match, along with matches in every stage of the tournament.” The evening will also feature several entertainment acts lined up on the side-lines of the showdown, including a concert from Arabic superstar performer Amr Diab, prior to the match kick-off. Situated in the heart of Qatar’s futuristic Lusail City and 20 kilometres from Doha city centre, the iconic Lusail Stadium is the country’s largest football venue and the …

Atlantis, The Palm announced a selection of nine local conservation and sustainability projects set to receive funding from the 1 USD contribution initiative the resort launched in June 2021. Over the past 12 months, for every marine animal experience participated in by a guest, Atlantis, The Palm has collected $1 (USD), which has resulted in a $120,000 (USD) investment fund for the project, which aims to support UAE-based conservation and sustainability projects to help protect the ocean and our environment. Over the past two months, UAE-based organisations were invited to apply for funding, after which proposals were solicited and assessed against their contributions to scientific advancement, conservation and sustainability. Atlantis Atlas Project currently focuses on four key groups of wildlife; sharks, rays, dolphins, and corals, and two key threats to the ocean; unsustainable seafood and plastic pollution. With this in mind, projects were selected based on their support of these conservation goals. The first project the funding will support is UAE’s leading social enterprise Goumbook on their ‘Save The Butts’ campaign. This initiative sees the collection of cigarette butts littering beaches and public areas and uses circular economy principles to recycle the waste to create valuable material from it. This campaign will also actively involve Atlantis Dubai’s colleague base through volunteer litter picking and collecting waste within the destination that Goumbook and their partners can recycle. The initiative will also provide a year of funding for UAE-based Seafood Souq, which will support the development of a digital platform to make seafood trade more efficient, sustainable, transparent and traceable. This will involve developing a QR code for diners – to be piloted on Michelin-starred Ossiano’s menu – enabling diners to find …

Registration is now open for the foremost global event of the international travel industry – World Travel Market London – taking place at London’s ExCeL on 7-9 November 2022. This year’s show is back to its fully live, pre-pandemic format, with hundreds of destinations exhibiting and brands from across the globe showcasing their new products to buyers. Organisers are pulling out all the stops to make WTM London 2022 the most memorable so far, with a packed conference programme across four themed stages: the Future Stage, Sustainability Stage, Technology Stage and the Insights Stage.  Over 70 live sessions have already been confirmed, with more content being added every week. Visitors will hear from top motivational speakers, celebrities and industry leaders from a variety of sectors during a tailored programme to help inspire, educate and guide – bringing key insights and takeaways that are hard to find anywhere else. Once again, WTM London will serve as the meeting point for the prestigious WTM, UNWTO & WTTC Ministers Summit.  Responsible Tourism will also be on the agenda, while Travel Tech – the event for cutting-edge technology for travel and hospitality, will attract decision-makers from across the globe. Networking is back in full force and WTM London is offering plenty of opportunities for meetings, whether that’s specific buyer networking sessions, drinks parties or other opportunities where delegates can enhance their presence, make maximum connections and increase their business network. Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director at World Travel Market London, said: “Buyers are telling us how excited they are about walking through the doors of ExCeL once again, where they can discover what’s new in the world of travel and what’s in store for the …

Rotana announced the opening date of Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana in October 2022 and Riviera Rayhaan by Rotana in November 2022. As the group further cements its footprint in the region, Qatar remains a key market as the country gets ready to welcome millions of visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO of Rotana said: “The region is buoyant as countries gear up to host one of the world’s largest events. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will bring an incredible influx of travellers to Qatar and a knock-on effect will also be felt in neighbouring countries like the UAE. As we continue expanding, we look forward to diversifying our offerings in the country and across the region to answer to higher demand.” Located in the heart of Doha, Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana is an easily recognizable new landmark, featuring luxury interior design and spacious apartments with spectacular views of the city. Set to open in October 2022, Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana is the perfect home away from home for residents looking for the ultimate comfort matched with refined living. Offering fully-furnished residences, Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana boasts 158 studios, 278 one-bedroom, 62 two-bedroom apartments, and five three-bedroom penthouses. All apartments ensure the highest level of comfort with a fully-equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and a dishwasher in every one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment. Guests are invited to experience the authentic part of the city while enjoying an array of top-class services and amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, sports and wellness facilities, kids’ play area, an international outlet of retail brands and ample parking space. Set to …

IntercityHotel Muscat, the hotel brand’s third property in the Sultanate of Oman, has opened its doors on 1st September 2022. The new hotel building is located within the Ministry and Embassy district of Al Khuwair and is part of the prestigious A’Raya development Complex.  IntercityHotel Muscat boasts 273 guest rooms ranging from Standard Rooms to Deluxe Suites. The property includes a special Business Floor offering Business rooms and suites with added benefits of early check-ins, late check-outs, complimentary welcome drinks, and VIP in-room amenities, to name a few. Furthermore, the hotel features the all-day-dining restaurant Citrine as well as a lobby cafe, a pool and gym, a spa with six treatment rooms, four multi-function meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 135 guests and A’Raya Ballroom which can accommodate up to 1,200 guests. According to Siegfried Nierhaus, Vice President Middle East, Deutsche Hospitality: “The Middle East is an important destination for both classical tourism and business travel. IntercityHotel fits nicely into the region, as the concept accommodates the needs of any and all travelers. We look forward to our continued successful trajectory in positioning the brand in Oman alongside the hotels in Salalah and Nizwa while successively expanding our portfolio in this region.” General Manager Renjith Chandran adds: “We are delighted to open the IntercityHotel Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. The hotel will cater to all markets from business and leisure to major MICE events. Also working with the National Hotel Management (NHI) and Ministry of Manpower, I look forward to welcoming Omani talents to the team.” IntercityHotel Muscat is perfectly positioned within easy reach of Muscat International Airport and the cultural sights of Al Alam Palace and …

Dubai-based INK Hotel has signed an agreement with HITEK, part of leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) group Farnek, to use its ground-breaking hospitality app, Flexi-Guest, which will digitalise the hotel’s guest journey from the initial reservation through to check out.The app, which was developed in-house by HITEK, will interface with the hotel’s property management system (PMS) affording guests a whole suite of services from uploading travel documents, such as vaccination certificates, ordering a car on arrival, room service and laundry. The hotel app can also send automated electronic updates and alerts to the guest, as well as e-registration documents, e-invoices and e-receipts, all in one convenient space. “One major factor for adopting Flexi-Guest, is that it can interface with our property management system and our point-of-sale terminals, affording a seamless process, from order to delivery and ultimately guest folio,” said Judit Toth, General Manager of the INK Hotel. “Flexi-Guest supports our key strategic operational objectives. First and foremost, it offers an enhanced customer experience, providing a seamless pre-arrival and check-in procedure, which will appeal to our guests.  “During their stay, they can order room service, laundry, request late check outs, invoices or even order a car to go to the airport. And because the app manages secure online payments, guest can settle bills without visiting reception to check out. “The hotel benefits are clear. We operate more cost-efficiently, with the added advantage of driving incremental revenue through room service and e-concierge services,” added Toth. INK is a dynamic, tech-led, brand developed by Vivere Hospitality, a Dubai-based hospitality management company and is aimed at the tech-savvy Millennials and Zoomers. Opened earlier this year and located in the Al …

Saudi Tourism Authority welcomes the Ministry of Tourism’s decision to allow residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to apply for an electronic tourist visa (eVisa) to enter Saudi. Further extension of the new regulations will additionally enable residents of the UK, US, and EU to apply for a Visa on Arrival. Visitors will be able to enjoy and explore Saudi’s many unique tourist destinations, its stunning diversity of landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and the unparalleled hospitality of the Saudi people. The new eVisa announcement, and the extension of the visa on arrival is a solid step forward in making it even easier for tourists from all over the world to visit Saudi. With an extensive variety of packages and full calendar of events taking place throughout the year, Saudi is creating exciting opportunities for travelers to experience the authentic home of Arabia. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority, commented: “The facilitation of a tourist visa for millions of GCC residents and the visa on arrival extension supports our ambition to welcome 100 million visitors a year by 2030, to the world’s biggest new leisure tourism destination. This is not just an announcement; it is an invitation and we are making it easier than ever for visitors to explore thousands of years of history and culture, unmatched natural landscapes, and a thriving entertainment sector. We welcome our neighbors, and the world, to experience the authentic home of Arabia.” UK, US and EU residents who hold an eligible passport can now get their visa on arrival, while GCC residents are required to apply for an eVisa on the official website ‘Visit Saudi’ and view …

With a target to attract over six million international visitors a year by 2030, Qatar Tourism (QT) has opened its first representative office in Tehran, Iran earlier this month, adding to QT’s vast and growing network of offices around the world. Marked as QT’s13th global opening, the office will lead various promotional activities, including tour operator partnerships, travel agent destination training, media visits and campaigns, all of which will serve to highlight Qatar as a cosmopolitan and culturally rich destination for travellers from Iran. Qatar makes for an attractive and convenient destination for tourists from Iran, owing to weekly direct flights from the Iranian cities of Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, and Isfahan to Doha in less than three hours and visa-free entry for Iranian citizens. In addition, both countries follow Islamic calendars and can see synced holiday seasons, allowing visitors from Iran to travel to Doha for a last-minute getaway or luxurious city break. Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “Qatar Tourism’s choice in the location of its latest office opening is a testament to the decades-long cultural and trade ties between the two countries. Iran is one of 15 target markets identified by Qatar Tourism as a primary source for tourists looking to relax, rejuvenate and soak in some culture. Opening a representative office in Iran will help support Qatar Tourism’s strategic goals to increase the number of visitors to Qatar by threefold, increase spending by 3 to 4 times, and grow the GDP contribution of the tourism sector to 12% by 2030.” In addition to holidays in which Qatar is the end destination, the country makes for an excellent stopover retreat for Iranian travellers set to …