Category Archives: Agents

Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) kicked off a promotional tour covering Denmark, Sweden and Norway, under the leadership of His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Department. The tour, which will run until December 7, 2025, is part of the ongoing efforts to promote Ajman internationally and showcase its numerous tourism sites, events and offerings, while highlighting key factors that make the emirate a unique travel destination. The promotional tour, which also includes visits to the cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, aims to explore various possibilities for future collaborations with representatives of their tourism sector. Through these visits, ATDD seeks to forge constructive agreements and partnerships that will improve cooperation with Scandinavian nations and encourage their citizens to travel to Ajman and explore its tourist destinations and new tourism initiatives, as well as experience the richness of its natural attractions and cultural and historical sites. H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi said: “The promotional tour aligns with our objective to boost Ajman’s tourism sector by highlighting the emirate’s resources and unique experiences it provides to visitors from all over the world. Through this visit, we aim to strengthen our partnership with Scandinavian tourism companies, improve the flow of tourists from European markets to the emirate and solidify Ajman’s position on the regional and global tourism map”. Furthermore, the tour supports ATDD’s efforts to improve Ajman’s appeal in the tourism sector. It provides vast possibilities for developing tourism services, enhancing tourist experiences and hosting collaborative promotional events with target countries. Raising the number of tourists and visitors from Scandinavia is crucial for Ajman, as it can boost the tourism industry’s revenue and visitor numbers, both of which contribute to the …

Qatar Tourism and Mwani Qatar participated in the reception of the Celestial Journey as the ship docked on Qatari shores as part of its first tour of the Arabian Gulf region. The arrival of Celestial Journey is one of the highlights of Qatar’s 2024/2025 cruise season, which is set to see 95 cruises, including 33 return flights, 11 flights from Doha and 5 vessels visiting Doha Port for the first time. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, Mr. Abdulrahman Saad Al Baker, Director of Doha Port, along with representatives of local and international media. The ceremony included a review of the ship’s current and future flight schedule, in addition to a review of joint cooperation between strategic partners in Qatar to start the ship’s trips so that Doha Port will be the main station for its trips during the next three seasons. Speaking at the launch of the first cruise ship, Omar Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, said: “The arrival of the Celestal Journey to Doha Port marks a significant milestone in our partnership with Celesteal, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading tourism destination in the Arabian Gulf region. This collaboration also highlights Qatar’s growing appeal as a destination offering unique cultural and travel experiences, and we are proud to collaborate with Mwani Qatar to deliver seamless operations and an enriching guest experience that reflects the hospitality and diverse tourism offerings Qatar has to offer.” Mr. Abdulrahman Saad Al Baker, Director of Doha Port, expressed his delight at the launch of the inaugural voyage of the Celestial Journey, where Doha Port will be the main port …

Bedsonline has unveiled its new loyalty programme, Bedsonline Rewards, designed to reward and recognise the hard work of travel agents around the world. This new reward programme, which will substitute the prior Star Rewards programme in some markets, will integrate seamlessly with Bedsonline’s existing booking engine and will allow agents to earn points for any of their purchases, whether it be accommodation, experiences or other products. Designed with travel agents in mind, Bedsonline Rewards is built on a tier-based structure. Starting at Bronze level, agents new to the programme will be awarded a 2,000-point welcome bonus. As agents earn more points through each booking, they can move up to higher tiers, each offering more valuable rewards. The higher the tier, the greater the benefits agents receive. Bedsonline has designed the programme to be easy for agents to join and use. They can quickly sign up through the booking engine and, once enrolled, can access their personal dashboard to track their points, view their current tier and explore the rewards available to them. The platform also provides regular updates to keep agents informed of their progress and new opportunities to earn more points. The programme offers a wide range of rewards designed to appeal to different preferences and needs. Agents can redeem Amazon vouchers or other gift vouchers depending on the market. They can also opt for Bedsonline vouchers for future bookings, allowing them to reinvest their rewards directly back into their business. Bertrand Sava, Managing Director of Bedsonline, said: ‘We are delighted to launch Bedsonline Rewards as a way of thanking our agents for their dedication and support. This pro- gramme has been created to be flexible and accessible, providing …

In a vibrant tribute to the UAE’s Eid Al Etihad, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel – managed by Hospitality Management Holding (HMH) will present the “TESLAM – UAE” art exhibition, a captivating showcase of artistry in collaboration with The Paintbrush Art Community and Ajman Department of Tourism Development. The exhibition celebrated the UAE’s rich cultural heritage and modern achievements through breathtaking artworks by 26 talented artists, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation. “Our aim is to celebrate the spirit of UAE and provide a platform for artists to showcase their creative expressions,” said Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel. “Hosting this exhibition until December 7 allows our community and guests to engage with the UAE’s radiant art scene at their own pace.” The initiative reflects Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s commitment to cultural enrichment and supporting local communities, aligning with its broader vision for responsible hospitality.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) concluded its Annual Overseas Conference, a significant event bringing together representatives from DCT Abu Dhabi’s international offices and key global tourism partners from Abu Dhabi. The conference served as a platform for collaboration, strategy alignment, and information-sharing aimed at driving Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth across various international markets. The Annual Overseas Conference provided a dynamic platform for key tourism stakeholders in the emirate to engage with DCT Abu Dhabi’s overseas representatives from key international markets, including the UK, India, Germany, and the GCC, with a focus on optimising Abu Dhabi’s global presence. DCT Abu Dhabi shared strategic insights into the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030 and presenting new initiatives and offerings which will support long-term tourism growth. Attendees participated in market-specific networking sessions, fostering tailored collaborations that address the unique needs of each target region. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Annual Overseas Conference enables DCT Abu Dhabi to strengthen relationships with our valued partners, align on strategic objectives, and explore new avenues for enhancing Abu Dhabi’s appeal globally. Through these interactions, we are committed to delivering compelling experiences and ensuring Abu Dhabi remains a top destination for travellers worldwide.” This event underscores DCT Abu Dhabi’s dedication to meaningful partnerships and accelerating tourism industry growth, aligning with the emirate’s goals to position Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for culture and leisure.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) recently hosted its first-ever Discover Jamaica Webinar for travel trade professionals in the GCC region, marking a significant step in promoting Jamaica as a premier destination to this key market. The event, held in collaboration with JTB’s GCC trade representative office, Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East, attracted an impressive registration of over 400 travel trade professionals from across the region. The webinar featured insights from Torrance Lewis, Jamaica Tourist Board’s District Sales Manager, alongside expert presenters from Buzz Travel Marketing. Participants were introduced to Jamaica’s world-class tourism offerings, highlighting the island’s luxurious resorts, vibrant culture, adventure experiences, and authentic culinary delights. “Together with our team on the ground, engaging with the GCC travel trade through this webinar highlights our commitment to building meaningful connections in the region. By showcasing Jamaica’s luxurious accommodations, rich cultural heritage, and thrilling adventures, we aim to position our island as a top-tier destination for GCC travelers seeking unforgettable experiences,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism of Jamaica Tourist Board. “The Discover Jamaica Webinar demonstrates our dedicated efforts to establish Jamaica’s presence in the GCC travel market. It provided an ideal platform to present the diverse tourism offerings of the island, that is tailored to the GCC audience with its appreciation of extraordinary travel experiences, exclusivity, and rich culture,” said Torrance Lewis, District Sales Manager of the Jamaica Tourist Board. To close the event, a raffle was drawn among attendees, with the grand prize valued at AED 19,000. The package for two included stays at the prestigious Round Hill Hotel and Villas and Half Moon Resort, access to VIP Attractions Lounge in Montego Bay Airport, meet-and-greet services, a catamaran cruise, and …

In a special interview with TravelTVMiddlee East, HE Khaled Jassim Al Midfa –  Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared that the United Arab Emirates 2031 vision is doubling the number of hotel guests by the year 2031 from 20 million to 40 million. And relatively the contribution to the economy from 200 billion dirhams to 450 billion dirhams by 2031. HE Midfa reiterated, “today we launched the 11th edition of the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum. And this forum every year as we see, we have a big group of international speakers as well as local entities from both the government and the private sector. We discuss the main topics that are very important to the sustainability of the tourism sector. This is a vital sector that contributes to more than 10% of the international GDP. And it’s really important that we see how our country, the United Arab Emirates, is focusing on developing the infrastructure and developing all the other aspects that are within the ecosystem of tourism such as hospitality, adventure tourism, attractions, infrastructure, airport development, airline expansion programs and plans. This is really important for us and we launched also the United Arab Emirates 2031 vision which is doubling the number of hotel guests by the year 2031 from 20 million to 40 million. And relatively we have the contribution to the economy from 200 billion dirhams to 450 billion dirhams by 2031. So we see how this is a main and vital sector and how the government of the United Arab Emirates has given it a lot of importance and has a lot of scope for development. In Sharjah as well, under the …

At the recent Arabian Travel Awards, Pluto Travels secured the title of most promising travel company in 2024. Celebrating its 7th year, the Arabian Travel Awards acknowledge significant contributors to the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors in the UAE. This prestigious event lauds the tireless efforts of specialists that have bolstered the UAE’s flourishing travel and tourism industry. As a testament to its dedication to service, Pluto Travels has been operating for the last 17 years and has been serving a number of clients, including some very prominent names. Pluto Travel specialises in corporate and HNI travel. Further enhancing the travel experience for its patrons, Pluto Travels places an emphasis on 24 X 7 services to their customers. Bharat & Sapna Aidasani, founder and marketing director at Pluto Travels, expressed their joy at receiving the prestigious award and said,”This award is a testament to our collective effort. It’s your dedication and hard work that made this achievement possible. Together, we shine and succeed!”

Under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced the 11th edition of the Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum (SITTF) scheduled to take place on 25th November at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Held under the theme “The Future of Tourism: Digitisation, Health, and Safety”, the forum will gather experts from the travel and tourism industry, sharing insights on how digital technologies are fundamentally reshaping the tourism industry, through a series of panel discussions and engaging workshops to further delve into the challenges and opportunities that exist within the travel and tourism sector. The anticipated forum is set to feature notable keynote speakers, welcoming the likes of Abdalla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, SCTDA Chairman, Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), HE Basmah Al Mayman, Regional Director for the Middle East, United Nations Tourism, and other industry representatives. The forum will address the transformation of consumer behaviour driven by digital platforms and the importance of data-driven decision-making for understanding market trends and elevating travel health and safety protocols and governance. Additionally, the event will cover trends and innovations in the use of artificial intelligence machine learning to personalise travel experiences while ensuring compliance with health measures. It will emphasise collaboration among various stakeholders to integrate new travel protocols goals and share success stories from the sector, including how travel and tourism entities can be better prepared to mitigate health and safety challenges in a sustainable way. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)  launched the second edition of its groundbreaking Net Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism, revealing the number of global Travel & Tourism businesses setting climate targets has surged by 27% in the past three years, with more than half now actively committed to emissions reduction. Launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report reveals, 53% of the 250 leading Travel & Tourism businesses analysed have now set climate targets, a significant increase from 42% in 2021, when the first Net Zero Roadmap was created. Among these businesses, one third have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals, underscoring their dedication to meeting rigorous emissions reduction benchmarks. Notably, the number of companies adopting SBTi targets has more than doubled since 2021, signalling an accelerated effort by the sector to align with global climate standards. Developed in collaboration with Accenture, endorsed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and supported by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this second edition of the roadmap underscores the urgency of climate action as the sector works towards net zero by 2050. Building on the foundation of the original roadmap launched in 2021 at COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, the latest edition addresses the escalating environmental impacts on tourism. It introduces an enhanced decarbonisation framework, including new target corridors to guide Travel & Tourism businesses in setting ambitious, actionable climate targets. The roadmap highlights that there is no ‘one size that fits all’ solution, as each industry faces its own challenges, with some able to meet their net zero targets earlier than others. A major focus of the updated roadmap is improving sector alignment and transparency, particularly as demand …