Category Archives: Agents

In January 2025, Qatar Stopover programme recorded more than 10,500 visitors, compared to 6,651 in January 2024. The number of visitors in the stopover programme increased an impressive 165% from April 2024 to January 2025 – as compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. Discover Qatar, the destination management arm of Qatar Airways Group, has achieved a significant milestone, welcoming over 10,000 stopover visitors in a single month for the first time since the Qatar Stopover Programme’s relaunch in August 2021. This achievement reflects Qatar’s growing appeal as a world-class destination and the programme’s growing popularity. The programme has also driven exceptional growth in hotel bookings, with over 100,000 room nights sold so far this year – doubling the figures from the previous year. Qatar Airways Holidays is driving this success as the largest contributor to the programme’s sales, delivering over a third of all bookings, leveraging the marketing strength of Qatar Airways around the globe. Stopover is proving incredibly popular with Qatar Airways frequent flyers too, with 20% of customers using the popular loyalty currency Avios to pay for their bookings, with logged in Privilege Club members earning Avios and Qpoints with every transaction. Discover Qatar Senior Vice President, Mr. Steven Reynolds, said: “Qatar Stopover Programme is central to positioning Qatar as a leading global destination, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. By leveraging Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 destinations and the outstanding travel experiences we offer, we have firmly established Qatar as a must-visit destination. At Discover Qatar, we are committed to delivering tailored packages that combine cultural discovery, world-class hospitality, and unforgettable experiences for travellers from around the world.” The growth of the …

Akbar Travels, through its medical tourism division, TravoCure, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thumbay Medical Tourism (TMT), a unit of the renowned Thumbay Healthcare Division. This collaboration aims to strengthen medical tourism services and provide seamless healthcare solutions for international patients. Thumbay Medical Tourism has been a leading provider of affordable and high-quality healthcare to patients from over 175 nationalities, offering top-tier medical services through its network of hospitals and specialized healthcare facilities in the UAE. TravoCure, owned by Akbar Travels, is dedicated to facilitating medical travel for patients seeking advanced treatments and wellness solutions globally. Under this partnership, Thumbay Healthcare will extend exclusive benefits to TravoCure-referred patients, including an exclusive discount on medical treatments. Additionally, the agreement covers the promotion of Thumbay University Hospitals’ services, organization of medical check-up camps, and collaboration on academic and clinical research initiatives. “This partnership marks a significant step in enhancing medical travel services for international patients,” said Ms. Ashiya Nazar, Chief Executive Officer of Akbar Travels. “Through this collaboration, we aim to provide world-class healthcare solutions with seamless travel arrangements for patients worldwide.” Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President of Thumbay Medical Tourism, emphasized, “Thumbay Healthcare has always been at the forefront of medical tourism in the region. Partnering with Akbar Travels will further expand our reach and enable patients to access high-quality and affordable healthcare with greater convenience.” A dedicated collaboration committee will oversee the implementation of this agreement, ensuring the smooth activation of joint projects and services. The MOU is reinforcing the long-term commitment of both organizations to developing the medical tourism sector.

With the global events industry projected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% during the period 2024-35. According to Allied Market Research, the global events industry looks set to register impressive growth over the coming decade, with the total market value on course to pass $2.5 trillion by 2035. Conferences, trade shows and exhibitions are indispensable for many businesses, offering a vital opportunity to increase their visibility and meet clients and partners face-to-face. Research shows that corporate events, in particular, continue to support millions of jobs worldwide, delivering a staggering $1.6 trillion in global GDP annually. In Dubai alone, the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment grew by 25% in 2023, making ATM 2025 the ideal launchpad for IBTM@ATM. IBTM@ATM will provide a gateway to the lucrative business events sector throughout the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 28 April to 1 May 2025. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “This year’s theme of enhanced connectivity is particularly relevant to the evolving business events sector, which thrives on strategic partnerships, knowledge exchange, and innovation. Through IBTM@ATM, we are strengthening our commitment to adding value to our exhibitors and attendees by creating a dynamic community where suppliers and buyers can engage in meaningful networking, business exchange sessions, and a high-impact content programme. By leveraging our unique insights, we aim to facilitate connections and unlock new opportunities that drive long-term growth within this thriving market segment.” IBTM@ATM will bring together suppliers and buyers from across the business events sector, connecting meeting planners, association buyers, professional conference organisers, incentive buyers, destination management companies (DMCs), …

Visit Qatar successfully concluded its first roadshow in Kuwait, held in partnership with Go Beyond, the leading representative agency supported by Gulf Travel. The tour provided an exclusive platform to promote Qatar as an exceptional destination for leisure and business tourism, highlighting its distinctive offerings, including short breaks, winter vacations and stopover experiences. The tour brought together several key partners in Qatar’s tourism sector, including Qatar Airways and some of Qatar’s finest hotels. along with 150 industry leaders from prominent tour operators and travel agents in Kuwait. Attendees participated in productive networking sessions that contributed to building strategic working relationships. Attendees also witnessed a personalized presentation that showcased Qatar’s diverse tourism landscape, world-class attractions, and its growing role as a major travel hub in the region. To add to the excitement, the tour also included a special draw, where the winners received two nights at the participating hotels. Kuwait is one of the main markets for Visit Qatar, with Doha welcoming more than 170,000 visitors from Kuwait in 2024, looking for a world-class tourism experience with a family-friendly atmosphere. Qatar welcomes visitors arriving by land, air or sea, where citizens of 102 countries can enter without a visa. Just a short trip can allow visitors to enjoy Qatar’s winter season, spend time in luxury resorts and keep up with vibrant cultural offerings and experiences, all in close proximity to the heart of Doha. GCC travellers can also take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts on a variety of services and offers through the ‘Visit Qatar Pass’, available on the Visit Qatar app. Visit Qatar Pass offers its users discounts ranging from 30-50% across a wide range of categories, including food …

SNTTA announced the renewal of its General Sales Agency (GSA) Agreement with Emirates Airline. The renewal marks a significant milestone in SNTTA and Emirates’ longstanding collaboration, aimed at delivering innovative and customer-centric travel solutions across Sharjah. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani, Chairman of SNTTA and musafir.com, commented: “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Emirates, reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence in travel services. Together with Emirates, we look forward to delivering superior travel experiences that meet the evolving needs of our customers.” This partnership renewal reaffirms SNTTA’s exclusive role as Emirates’ General Sales Agent in Sharjah, building on a relationship that has consistently delivered exceptional service and connectivity. Both organizations are committed to leveraging their combined expertise to offer innovative solutions that cater to the diverse needs of travelers in the region.

Akbar Travels now becomes the first and only travel portal to go live with NDC Direct with SAUDIA as they successfully launched with its NDC integration. The partnership, which began as a pilot project, has now established a significant milestone for both organizations, marking a new era of technological advancements in airline distribution. From the inception of the project, SAUDIA and Akbar Travels worked closely to build a strong foundation, developing the NDC integration from scratch. The journey highlighted their commitment to enhancing travel booking experiences for travel agents and customers while fostering a collaborative spirit. The collaboration was further strengthened by the technological expertise of Benzy Infotech, the technology arm of Akbar Travels. With its state-of-the-art solutions and an unwavering focus on efficiency, Benzy Infotech played a crucial role in ensuring the seamless execution of the NDC integration. From Akbar Travels, the collaboration was met with enthusiasm and determination. The project aligns with their mission to leverage technology to enhance their services and strengthen their position as a leader in the travel industry. Ashiya Nazar, International Division Lead at Akbar Travels, said: “The launch of the NDC platform with SAUDIA represents a significant step forward for Akbar Travels. SAUDIA’s support and our team’s dedication made this initiative a reality. Together, we are reshaping the way travel services are delivered, making them more dynamic and customer-centric.” Ahmed Kasim, General Manager of Akbar Travels Middle East, shared his thoughts: “This partnership with SAUDIA has been a transformative experience for Akbar Travels. This success not only enhances our offerings but also strengthens our bond with one of the region’s most prestigious airlines.” The SAUDIA-Akbar Travels NDC integration enables agents to access a …

Khimji’s house of travel bagged ‘best group travel promotion for Malaysia in Oman’ at the seventh edition of Arabian Travel Awards 2024. Khimji’s House of Travel is a part of the diversified Khimji Ramdas (KR) Group in the Sultanate of Oman, with lineage dating back to well over a century. We offer Destination Management Services for inbound travel to Oman and UAE with in-house facilities backed by a team of multilingual professionals, who have extensive knowledge of the Country and the expertise to handle different segments of Destination Management like Leisure and MICE groups, Niche FIT clients, Special Interest Holidays and Destination Weddings.

Al Rais Travel clenched the title of ‘Top Performing Travel Agent for Malaysia in UAE’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “It is a great feeling. You try to do all your best to support the industry and work hard for the industry. And then you get recognised by people, which is a very good feeling, and it is very encouraging to give more. We are trying to adapt to the market, the changes with technology, with AI, not only in B2C or only on selling, but also in adapting in operation and other aspects of the organisation. We would like to adapt to these changes.” -Mohamed Jassim Al Rais, Executive Director, Al Rais Travel and Shipping Agencies

Dubai Holding Entertainment has entered a strategic partnership with Trip.com Group. This collaboration aims to enhance the accessibility and distribution of Dubai Holding Entertainment’s attractions to the Chinese market, ensuring travellers have seamless access to the best of Dubai’s entertainment experiences. Under the partnership, Trip.com Group becomes the General Agency and Preferred Partner for Dubai Holding Entertainment’s attractions in China. By integrating Dubai Holding Entertainment’s offerings into its platforms, Trip.com Group will provide users with easy access to renowned destinations such as Dubai Parks™ and Resorts—the Middle East’s largest theme park destination featuring MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, Real Madrid World, the first-ever football-themed park ,LEGOLAND® Dubai Theme Park and LEGOLAND® Water Park. Other highlights include, The Green Planet Dubai, Wild Wadi Waterpark™, Inside Burj Al Arab Tour, Global Village, The View Palm Jumeirah and more. Through this partnership, Trip.com Group’s users will enjoy access to exclusive deals and packages for DHE’s attractions, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience when visiting Dubai. This collaboration is expected to provide Chinese travelers with enhanced convenience and valuable options for exploring the best entertainment and leisure experiences Dubai has to offer. This partnership is part of a broader effort to expand Dubai Holding Entertainment’s reach and attract travellers from key international markets, with a particular focus on the growing demand for travel experiences in Dubai. By offering Dubai Holding Entertainment’s diverse portfolio of attractions to Trip.com Group’s vast global user base, both organizations aim to drive increased tourism to the UAE, contributing to the region’s continued growth as a leading global destination.

Wego partnered with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) to spotlight the Kingdom of Bahrain as a premier travel destination. This collaboration aims to promote Bahrain’s unique cultural heritage, top attractions, and cutting-edge tourism innovations to global travelers. Bahrain, known as the “Pearl of the Gulf,” is an archipelago offering a rich blend of history, luxury, and modernity. Through this partnership, Wego will leverage its platform to highlight Bahrain’s iconic destinations, including the UNESCO-listed Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), the vibrant Bab Al Bahrain Souq, the stunning Al Dar Islands, and the world-famous Bahrain International Circuit, home of Formula 1 racing. Commenting on the partnership, Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to showcase the Kingdom’s unique offerings to our global audience. Bahrain is a treasure trove of cultural, natural, and modern attractions, and through this partnership, we aim to inspire travelers to explore this dynamic destination.” Travelers will also be introduced to Bahrain’s innovative tourism initiatives. The Kingdom is embracing cutting-edge technology, offering seamless digital travel experiences and sustainable tourism practices. From immersive virtual tours to smart city solutions enhancing visitor convenience, Bahrain is setting a benchmark in modern travel. Additionally, Bahrain’s commitment to eco-tourism is evident in its focus on preserving natural habitats like the unique Hawar Islands and offering experiences such as pearl diving and marine conservation tours. Maryam Toorani Director, Marketing and Promotion at Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority added: “This partnership with Wego allows us to reach thousands of travelers and highlight Bahrain as a must-visit destination. From its historical landmarks to its forward-thinking tourism innovations, Bahrain has something to …