Category Archives: Agents

For the first time Philippines Department of Tourism conducted a special event to showcase their key health and wellness tourism partners to the GCC region. The first leg was kicked off in Abu Dhabi, second in Dubai and third in Riyadh. Dr. Paulo Benito S Tugbang, Director, Office of Product and Market Development, Department of Tourism Philippines shared that this has been an untapped tourism product which they want to present to the GCC travel trade to attract more visitors to indulge in the various healthcare facilities the nation is famous for. He reiterated, Filipino health workers are world renown when it comes to their care and dedication in the industry hence they want to further enhance travellers to first hand experience their services in their own country.

Riyadh is set to host, from April 28 to 30, the Health Tourism Future Forum which is organized by the Health Tourism Club and the Health Tourism Association in partnership with the Global Health Tourism Council (GHTC) according to SPA. Talking about the event, Health Tourism Association Chairman of the Board of Directors and Health Tourism Club President Ahmed Al-Arej said it will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, and will highlight the Kingdom’s tremendous development in the medical field. He said that the event will attract local and international medical bodies and specialists, providers of health-care services and accreditation centers in the public and private sectors, which will showcase their products at an exhibition to be held on the sidelines of the forum. The event will feature specialized discussion panels, workshops, and business sessions that focus on promoting major projects in the tourism, hospitalization, and health-care sectors, and providing options and destinations for those seeking treatment and hospitalization from various countries of the world.

Dadabhai Travel in the Middle East, announces the renewal of its primary strategic GDS technology partnership with Sabre Corporation reaffirming their position as strategic contributors in shaping the future of the travel industry. This renewed commitment underscores Dadabhai Travel’s dedication to providing enriched customer experiences across multiple verticals, including Leisure, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), business to business (B2B), and business to consumer (B2C). Sabre’s suite of products, including Sabre Red 360 (SR360), Content Services for Lodging (CSL), Sabre APIs, Sabre Virtual Payments (SVP), and Automation Hub, has played a pivotal role in empowering Dadabhai Travel to provide consistent and seamless services to its clients across its expansive network. The renowned SR360 platform, a cornerstone of this partnership, offers a customizable user experience that enables Dadabhai Travel to achieve product differentiation, selling branded content, add-ons, dynamic upsell options, and personalized offers. “Sabre’s continuous commitment to future investments and technology roadmaps aligns seamlessly with our vision of being the technology partner of choice,” said Aziz Gilitwala, Managing Director, Dadabhai Travel. “As a prominent TMC brand with diverse offerings, Dadabhai Travel relies on Sabre’s technology as our trusted partner. Sabre’s products and solutions have been instrumental in enhancing our capabilities and delivering on our commitment to offering unrivaled service levels, state-of-the-art technology, and providing competitive global travel options.” Sabre’s role extends beyond technology, with a critical contribution to enabling Dadabhai Travel to increase productivity and achieve ambitious growth objectives. This renewed collaboration marks a significant milestone setting the stage for continued innovation and excellence in the travel industry. “Our partnership with Dadabhai Travel goes beyond technology—it’s about collaboration, shared knowledge, and a joint commitment to driving innovation in the travel industry,” …

NEOM kicked off the China leg of its global ‘Discover NEOM’ tour with its showcase in Beijing and Shanghai, with over 500 senior business and industry leaders in attendance. The tour began in Beijing on April 15, followed by Shanghai on April 17. Organized in partnership with CCPIT Beijing and CCPIT Shanghai, the events included a series of presentations by NEOM’s leadership team, showcasing on-the-ground progress and milestones to date, as well as details of NEOM’s various economic sectors. The events highlighted opportunities for Chinese companies to engage and invest in NEOM, with a number of companies expressing significant interest and discussing tangible next steps with NEOM leadership. The agenda also included a construction-focused forum that explored the vast number of opportunities available for Chinese construction companies. Over 100 companies participated in the forum and heard about the current onsite construction progress across NEOM and its regions. A private showcase, entitled ‘Discover NEOM: A New Future by Design’, was a highlight of the events, providing guests with an immersive experience that explored THE LINE, the 170-kilometer-long city that will be the future of urban living; Oxagon, which is redefining the traditional industrial model; Trojena, the mountain resort of NEOM, and finally, Sindalah, a luxury island destination in the Red Sea that will be open to the public later this year. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO, NEOM, said: “We are grateful to CCPIT Beijing and CCPIT Shanghai for supporting our visit to China and for the opportunity to present NEOM’s vision. To date, NEOM has already engaged with over 15 major Chinese businesses and invested in a number of Chinese startups to support the growth and diversification of NEOM. Collaboration with China will continue …

dnata has partnered with Mauritius Tourism as it aims to attract more travellers from the UAE in 2024. Mauritius Tourism has appointed dnata Representation Services as its sales, marketing, and PR representative in the UAE, to provide localised booking support and share top rates, latest news, itineraries and more from the destination with travellers across the country. The collaboration will focus on showcasing trending experiences for 2024, including the island’s diverse proposition beyond its famous shorelines. In recent years, Mauritius has become an increasingly popular destination among UAE-based travellers. With an impressive 62% increase in travellers from the UAE to the country recorded by Mauritius Tourism between 2015 and 2023, passenger arrivals continue to show steady growth in 2024. Rakhi Purohit, Head of Representation Services at dnata, commented: “Mauritius is a location known for its world-class beaches, but it offers much more for travellers seeking extraordinary adventures. From hiking in National Parks to enjoying diverse culinary experiences, some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and picture-perfect golf courses – there’s something for everyone. We look forward to bringing the island’s host of authentic and meaningful experiences closer to the UAE’s avid traveller base in 2024.” Popular locations across the island for UAE travellers include the beaches of Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne on its West and South West Coast, where the country witnesses its most sunshine, and offers some of its most impressive natural landscapes, luxury resorts, dining and entertainment options. Donald Payen, Chairman of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, added: “Mauritius may be best known for its stunning, tropical landscapes including its exceptional beaches and azure waters, but a key element we want to showcase to …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) made its inaugural appearance at the 30th International Travel & Hospitality Show (MITT) in Moscow. Marking the destination’s inaugural participation at the annual travel and hospitality event, the Abu Dhabi stand aimed to cultivate and strengthen ties within the Russian and CIS markets, while enhancing awareness and appreciation for its offerings across culture, heritage, entertainment, nature, hospitality and beyond. Winning the ‘Outstanding Debut Award’, the Abu Dhabi stand took centre stage in the main hall, with the DCT Abu Dhabi International Operations Department and a delegation of 10 stakeholders spotlighting the emirate’s wide array of attractions and offerings. Further to promoting, protecting and progressing the emirate’s rich cultural and historic heritage, DCT Abu Dhabi’s presence also catered to sun and beach enthusiasts through sophisticated relaxation and rejuvenating escapes. Abu Dhabi’s participation bolstered connections, fostered new business collaborations and explored avenues for joint marketing endeavours. The 10 participating stakeholders included Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, Saadiyat Rotana, Beach Rotana, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Rixos Hotels, Saadiyat Island & Yas Island, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Yas Plaza Hotels and Bab Al Qasr Abu Dhabi. Representatives from these stakeholders actively engaged with guests, supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision to share its immersive cultural and heritage experiences, relaxing beach retreats, gastronomic delights, premier shopping outlets, and unparalleled hospitality offerings.

Saudi Arabia has made unprecedented strides in its tourism sector, setting a remarkable milestone with total spending by inbound visitors reaching 135 billion riyals in 2023. Inbound visitors spending in 2023 reached 135 billion SAR, marking the Kingdom’s highest ever spending by inbound visitors with a growth of 42.8% compared to inbound visitors spending in 2022. Furthermore, data from SAMA showed that in 2023, the Kingdom achieved a surplus of 48 billion riyals in travel account, reflecting a growth rate of nearly 38% compared to the surplus recorded in 2022. The notable surge in spending by inbound visitors is part of the successive achievements in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. Particularly noteworthy is Saudi Arabia’s leadership position on the UN Tourism’s list of large tourist destinations, showcasing significant growth in the number of international visitors in 2023 compared to 2019. As highlighted in the UN Tourism Barometer report released in January 2024, the Kingdom witnessed a remarkable 56% increase in inbound visitors in 2023 compared to 2019. Furthermore, there was a noteworthy recovery of 156% in the number of inbound visitors in 2023 compared to 2019, indicating a robust resurgence in the Kingdom’s tourism industry. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has garnered widespread international recognition from the UN Tourism and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) for surpassing 100 million inbound and domestic tourists in 2023. Both organizations have praised the significant efforts undertaken in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

Sav announced a groundbreaking partnership with Desert Adventures. This alliance is set to redefine destination experiences, offering Sav users unparalleled access to a diverse array of leisure and adventure services. With over 75% of residents prioritizing spending on new and memorable experiences, Sav and Desert Adventures are well-positioned to capitalize on this expanding market. Through this partnership, Sav users can now explore the range of Desert Adventures’ offerings directly from the Sav app. This includes guided city tours in multiple languages, desert safaris, attraction and theme park tickets, sea cruises, aerial tours, dining experiences, and exciting sports and adventure activities. Additionally, users will benefit from exclusive discounts and offers when booking Desert Adventures experiences through the Sav app. “We are thrilled to join forces with Desert Adventures to redefine destination experiences for our users”, said Purvi Munot, Co-founder and CEO at Sav. “At Sav, we believe in empowering our users not just financially but also in every aspect of their lives. This collaboration is a significant stride towards enhancing our users’ leisure experiences, offering them unique opportunities to explore the destinations and save.” “As one of the most reputable Destination Management Companies in the region, we are very excited to combine our services with Sav’s innovative platform. ” said Samir Mehta, COO at Desert Adventures. ” This collaboration allows us to effectively distribute our wide range of destination services to the local UAE market, offering unique value propositions for ‘must-do’ experiences.” The integration of Desert Adventures’ offerings into the Sav app is now live, allowing users to explore a diverse range of experiences with ease. Both companies are committed to deepening their collaboration, promising users even more innovative features, broader …

Pulse Hotels & Resorts recently hosted an exhilarating late night Suhoor football tournament for its esteemed GCC travel trade partners. This unique event, held at the Al Rowad playground in Riyadh, sponsored by The Nautilus Maldives, Nova Maldives, Kandima Maldives and Manta Air – the domestic airline of Maldives, served as a platform for fostering camaraderie and strengthening relationships within the travel industry during the holy month of Ramadan. The matches, held amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Riyadh, showcased the spirit of sportsmanship and unity as participants from various GCC travel agencies competed in an action-packed tournament. Divided into two groups of four teams each, the tournament kicked off earlier this week with qualifiers, leading up to the semi-finals and finals. The event provided an opportunity for networking, friendly competition, and sharing moments of goodwill, reflecting the ethos of the 3 resorts under the Pulse Hotels & Resorts umbrella in creating memorable experiences for its partners and guests. The Nautilus Team 2 which included members from Al Sarh Travel and Tourism, Booking Express, TBO.com, Almatar, RezLive.com, Golden Vacation, Wosol Concierge and Lamar Travel emerged as winners and were awarded with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the game-changing active lifestyle resort, Kandima Maldives, known for its genuine hospitality with a human touch and innovative solutions that make use of the latest technology. Sharing his thoughts on organising the event, Mr Althaf Mohamed Ali, COO, Pulse Hotels & Resorts, said,” We are thrilled to have organised this special Suhoor football tournament for our esteemed GCC Travel Trade Partners. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each partner for their participation and offer heartfelt congratulations to The Nautilus Team 2 for clinching …

At the TravTalk ME International Women’s Day celebration, CEO Dar Alhai tourism Maitha Gobash delivered an insightful message to the audience of striving to achieve what you set your sights on.  She reiterated, ”as an avid traveller, I started my own business five years ago as I loved to travel around the world, although it was covid time, I managed to take many groups and travel to explore different destinations and provide unique experiences. There are different experiences by various ladies and families who have been travelling with me and its always a pleasure to create new and unique experiences according to the clientele.”  From her experience she shared that today travel has changed so much that the customers know what they want but yet they expect the agent to recommend unique experiences which will be memorable to them.