Category Archives: Agents

GACA announces 150% to 200% ticket value as compensation for delays

The General Authority of Civil Aviation KSA announced the adoption of a new regulation to protect the rights of travelers, to replace the executive regulation to protect the rights of customers, and the new regulation will be effective from November 20, 2023 with some compensation amounts to 150% and 200% of the ticket value.. The regulation guarantees passengers, upon loss of baggage, a financial compensation equivalent to approximately 6568 Saudi riyals, and in the event of damage, defect or delay, a financial compensation not exceeding approximately 6568 Saudi riyals. The new regulation aims to contribute to upgrading air transport services, enhancing its efficiency, and improving the traveler’s experience to, from and within the Kingdom, by providing the necessary care and support tools. The regulations included (30) articles that guarantee the traveler access to care, support and compensation in the event of advance, delay or cancellation of flights, as well as in the event of refusal to board due to overbooking or downgrade. The regulation also guaranteed compensation to travelers in the event of adding a stopping point that was not announced when creating the reservation. The regulation also clarified the obligations of both the passenger and the air carrier. The regulation dealt with the rights of travelers with disabilities and special requirements, and the regulation also guaranteed the rights of travelers in cases of accidental transportation, including, for example, the seasonal Umrah and Hajj trips. The Vice President of the General Authority for Civil Aviation for Quality and Traveler Experience, Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Dahmash, confirmed that the new regulation reflects the authority’s interest in the satisfaction of travelers, and its keenness to improve the travel experience in the Kingdom’s …

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Nile Air signs a new distribution agreement with Sabre to elevate its retailing vision

Sabre Corporation announced a new distribution agreement with Nile Air under this multi-year distribution agreement, Nile Air will be promoting its content to hundreds of thousands of travel agents on Sabre’s marketplace starting this month. “We’re excited to reintroduce Nile Air to Sabre’s system, providing technological solutions that enhance their operations and passenger experience,” said Alessandro Ciancimino, Vice President Airline Distribution for Sabre in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “This collaboration reflects Sabre’s commitment to supporting airlines in innovative ways to achieve their retailing goals. We strive for a sustainable distribution model benefiting all stakeholders in the travel chain, offering extensive content and seamless integration.” Sabre’s technology will help enable Nile Air to optimize its distribution strategy, offering passengers more choice and convenience when booking flights. This agreement will further streamline Nile Air’s operations, helping to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow. “Partnering with Sabre aligns perfectly with our retailing vision, enabling customers to access our content from anywhere and offering Sabre’s global agencies continued access to Nile Air content,” stated Mohamed El Sherif, Chief Commercial Officer of Nile Air. “Through this collaboration, we aim to provide our passengers with a seamless and personalized journey, from booking to post-travel feedback, enhancing passenger satisfaction and elevating our operational efficiency.” As part of the agreement, Nile Air will utilize Sabre’s expertise to help ensure that their passengers receive the highest standard of service and experience. This collaboration marks an important step for both Sabre and Nile Air in enhancing the travel industry’s overall quality and efficiency.

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Vacation booking platform Holiday Swap joins Ministry of Economy’s NextGen FDI Program to create 500 jobs within 2 years

The company, which has developed its own proprietary software, has joined the NextGen FDI program to consolidate its global operations in the UAE. The company will establish its headquarters in Dubai Internet City, supporting 500 jobs in the country within two years, 250 of which will be highly skilled, as it seeks to enhance its platform through advanced technology capabilities such as AI and blockchain. The Ministry of Economy has announced that Holiday Swap, a vacation exchange and booking platform with more than 1 million monthly users worldwide, is the latest company to join its NextGenFDI program, the multistakeholder initiative that provides pioneering businesses from around the world with the market-entry fundamentals required to establish and scale their operations in the UAE. Launched in 2018, Holiday Swap is a community-based platform that connects holidaymakers online, enabling them to swap homes or rent directly from one another at minimal or zero cost. Today, the platform has more than 120,000 listed properties across 185 countries, including the UAE, where it has approximately 1,200 listings. It aims to expand its listings to 400,000 properties by the close of 2023. His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said: “The onboarding of Holiday Swap reflects the continuing success of the NextGen FDI program in attracting pioneering companies to the UAE and fostering the development of cutting-edge solutions across a diverse range of economic sectors. The partnership is not only testament to the UAE’s position as a world-class hub for innovation but also the scale and sophistication of its travel and tourism industry, which contributed AED167 billion to the country’s GDP in 2022, a growth of more than 60 …

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Sabre launches Lodging AI, expanding its suite of intelligent solutions powered by Sabre Travel AI

Sabre Corporation announced the availability of Lodging AI, marking the introduction of its Sabre Travel AI™ capabilities in the lodging sector and enhancing the power of Content Services for Lodging. Lodging AI can help travel agencies improve hotel attachment rates, creating additional revenue opportunities and providing travelers with more personalized lodging options. Using Sabre Travel AI™ machine learning models, the new lodging capability analyzes property attributes, customer trip segmentation, and traveler and agency preferences to generate custom lodging options and serve up properties that are most likely to be booked. “Artificial intelligence combined with data and insights, such as profiles and preferences, is a very powerful tool in removing friction from the travel booking process,” said Sabre Chief Product Officer Garry Wiseman. “As the next evolution of intelligent retailing capabilities supported through our strategic partnership with Google, Lodging AI brings more personalized results to enable agents to be more efficient in their workflows and to ensure travelers obtain the most relevant options available.”

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dnata travel opens second Sharjah store amidst growing local demand

dnata travel has opened a second travel store in Sharjah, providing its growing community with easy access to its services and expert team amidst a time of high demand. Located at City Centre Al Zahia, the largest mall in the Northern Emirates, dnata Travel’s newest one-stop travel shop is now welcoming customers to meet its experienced, multi-lingual team. Here, shoppers can book all they need for travel, including staycations or more complex itineraries, flights, hotels, holiday packages, insurance, tours, attractions, transfers, and more. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “We are witnessing an increased demand for bookings within our travel stores, as UAE travellers seek to enhance the booking process with the insider knowledge and inspiration from our travel experts. At our outlets across the UAE, we can book all aspects of a customer’s journey in one, convenient place. We can tailor-make a journey to their needs and ensure they are up to date with our latest, exclusive offers and value adds across a range of incredible resorts, worldwide.” dnata Travel Sharjah Al Zahia marks the next step for the UAE’s original travel agency in expanding its retail footprint, following the launch of its travel store in Dubai Hills Mall. A pipeline of new retail stores is gearing up to serve a comprehensive range of travel solutions to a range of emerging and established UAE communities. Meerah Ketait added: “We are enhancing dnata Travel’s long-standing presence in Sharjah, where many of our longest serving staff and most loyal customers are located. It has been a regular request throughout the years for our team to further expand our presence in the Northern Emirates, and this …

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dnata travel partners with TURESPAÑA

dnata travel has partnered with TURESPAÑA to deliver unparalleled opportunities for travellers across the GCC countries. The collaboration will provide customers with access to an extensive portfolio of travel products and services across Spain at a time of high demand. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “We have seen a significant increase in bookings to Spain by GCC travellers across and beyond the UAE. The Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza are trending, offering travellers world-class resorts alongside beautiful beaches. The Canary Islands have also become increasingly popular, providing ideal destinations for nature lovers with hiking trails that wind through ancient forests and volcanic landscapes. The north of Spain, also known as ‘Green Spain’ where incredible nature meets unforgettable gastronomy, is also gaining traction and curiosity from this region.” Daniel Rosado, Director at TURESPAÑA, added: “The UAE has always been one of the top tourism markets for Spain, and we expect 2023 to be the best year ever for tourism from across the GCC. There has been a significant increase in air connectivity in recent years, while our countries have been fostering cultural exchanges and collaborations. These initiatives include art exhibitions, music festivals, and educational programs, which help promote tourism and mutual understanding.”

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Safarak travel & tourism broadens global footprint

Destination Management Company (DMC), Safarak Travel & Tourism, which means ‘your travel’ in Arabic, is proud to announce its global expansion with on-the-ground presence in both India and Poland. With dedicated teams of experienced MICE and travel and tourism industry experts in both countries, the DMC will actively promote the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as one of the most sought-after destinations in the Middle East. As a proud member of RAK Hospitality Holding, a Ras Al Khaimah Government company that manages a diverse portfolio of hotels, hospitality, and leisure assets in the Emirate, Safarak has set an ambitious goal of making Ras Al Khaimah the preferred destination for MICE and holidaymakers from both countries. With an increase in the number of arrivals from Indian and Poland, Safarak looks to support the growth from both these markets, both of which sit within RAK’s top 10 destinations for inbound travel. Indian and Polish travellers will be spoilt for choice when visiting the Emirate considering that Safarak offers exclusive experiences that can elevate an ordinary trip into an extraordinary journey. From exhilarating desert safaris and thrilling mountain experiences on Jebel Jais including the World’s Longest Zipline, Jais Flight, to a wide range of luxury hotels and beach resorts, captivating city tours, cultural explorations, visits to the renowned RAK Pearl Farm, and a diverse range of delightful dining experiences to suit every palate. Commenting on the international expansion, Cathy Mead, General Manager of Safarak Travel & Tourism said: “We are thrilled to officially announce that Safarak now has offices in India and Poland – two extremely important markets for us for inbound travel. We are committed to providing our clients with best-in-class hospitality …

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Hyatt selects Sabre to enhance connectivity and distribution

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced a new technology agreement between affiliates of Hyatt and Sabre Corporation. Under this agreement, Sabre’s SynXis Central Reservation System will become the main Central Reservation System (CRS) for Hyatt hotels beginning in 2024. This integration will enhance Hyatt’s reservation capabilities, streamline its operations, and deliver a seamless and efficient experience for guests, including a faster search and booking process. The agreement comes on the heels of Hyatt’s announcement of Hyatt PrO to optimize its revenue management system. These innovations are done with the aim of enhancing Hyatt’s commercial technology stack, informed by listening to owners and operators. “All of our business decisions are driven by our purpose – we care for people so they can be their best – and that begins with empathy and listening,” said Eben Hewitt, chief information officer, Hyatt. “As part of our transformative growth journey, we heard directly from owners and franchise management companies that we had an opportunity to create a more efficient and streamlined Central Reservation System, and after a very thorough evaluation, we decided that Sabre would be the perfect provider for Hyatt’s global portfolio to make the search and booking process even better for guests.” By leveraging the SynXis Central Reservation System, Hyatt’s new system will be designed to make the guest search and booking process even smoother and increase visibility for property availability through: Flexible calendar search – Guests searching for availability will have a more intuitive and efficient calendar view, including key dates when special promotions are available, as well as when World of Hyatt members can redeem their points for the highest value. Enhanced rooms and rates view – Hotels will be able to …

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dnata partners with Pulse Hotels & Resorts to represent its growing Maldives portfolio in the GCC

dnata is partnering with the Maldives’ Pulse Hotels & Resorts to bring its unique and expanding portfolio of properties across the Indian Ocean archipelago closer to the region’s traveller base. dnata Representation Services will become Pulse Hotels & Resorts’ exclusive sales and marketing representative in the GCC, showcasing its latest news, exclusive rates, and more to travellers across the region, as travel demand for the Maldives continues. According to statistics from the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, the UAE was placed in the top ten number of arrivals by country of residence in its latest reports, between January and May 2023, whilst tourist arrivals from other GCC destinations remain strong. Pulse Hotels & Resorts owns and manages three properties across the Maldives, each offering a unique experience. The Nautilus is an ultra-luxury private island and winner of multiple awards, known as one of the world’s most exclusive bohemian island hideaways. One of the newest resorts in the Maldives, Nova launched in 2022 with a modern take on all-inclusive with a vibrant ‘community’ concept. The largest of the offering, Kandima, is a stylish and game-changing island destination boasting 264 studios and villas, 10 dining venues, and a plethora of activities for leisure, corporate or MICE travel. The Maldives-based company, which launched in 2015 with an entrepreneurial mindset to re-imagine the hospitality offering of the destination, continues to enhance the current portfolio and further expand its resort portfolio with product launches scheduled for the coming years. Althaf Mohamed Ali, Chief Operating Officer at Pulse Hotels & Resorts, commented: “There has been an increase in interest and travel to our resorts from the GCC region in recent years. Our resorts cater to luxury travel …

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Yas island to host FIM World Supercross in November to attract 400 million homes in 180 plus countries

SX Global announced that Yas Island, Abu Dhabi will host the penultimate round of the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) in 2023. Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, said: “FIM World Supercross is a fantastic new event for Yas Island, bringing together 40 of the best riders in the world to battle it out for four world championship titles for the first time in the region, whilst being broadcast to 400 million homes across 180 countries. It underpins our pioneering approach in the major event industry, and with this exciting announcement, it is testament to our commitment to delivering unique experiences as well as further building our reputation for best-in-class sport and entertainment events. We are looking forward to welcoming WSX fans to the Etihad Arena in November and delivering unforgettable moments.” The WSX Abu Dhabi GP will be held over two days at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island on 4-5 November 2023. The historic event will be the first time a World Supercross event has been held in the region. “We’re extremely proud to announce the WSX Abu Dhabi GP. Yas Island is known for the standard of excellence in hosting some of the biggest events in the region including other major events like Formula 1, UFC and NBA,” said SX Global’s CEO, Adam Bailey. “This event will mark the first-ever Supercross event held in the region and is a significant milestone for both WSX and the sport of supercross. The fact that Abu Dhabi is the home of our strategic investment partner in Mubadala Capital, makes it even more special.” Ethara is one of the region’s biggest event, entertainment, and venue management companies. In partnership with …

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