Category Archives: Agents

Almosafer announced a strategic partnership with Jisr to integrate the Almosafer Business travel management portal on its platform to enable clients and partners to book their business travel, with flights, hotels, and other services available through Almosafer’s proprietary channel. The strategic integration underscores Almosafer’s commitment to supporting local startups and expanding their digital offerings across a wider platform. By joining forces with Jisr as a leading HR software platform in the Kingdom, Almosafer reinforces its position as a trusted partner for Saudi companies seeking seamless digital-first travel and booking services. Khalid Alyahia, VP of Almosafer, said: “At Almosafer, collaborations and partnerships are key to driving our strategic agenda to reinforce our leadership in the digital travel sphere. By aligning Almosafer Business with Jisr, a company focussed on leading the digital transformation of HR across Saudi Arabia, we are reaffirming our commitment to be at the forefront of driving Saudi Arabia’s digital-first agenda, while providing state-of-the-art travel management services to Jisr’s wide portfolio of clients in the Kingdom.” Mohammed Akkar, CEO of Jisr, said: “In our ongoing commitment to delivering a 360-degree comprehensive platform that empowers HR benefits and finance departments to manage all their needs in one place, we have elevated our enablement efforts and expanded our services from just handling travel requests for business trips and expats home visits to enabling HR teams and employees to directly book their preferred tickets on the same platform, through our partnership with Almosafer, the leading travel partner in the region. Our collaboration with Almosafer marks a significant step toward satisfying a critical business need across all sectors in Saudi Arabia, and offers a user-friendly solution, marking this service’s first time in the …

Organised by Visit Qatar for the first time, the Sealine Season has been an exceptional success to date, attracting more than 48,000 visitors since its launch on 3rd January 2025. The Samaritan Night, held on Friday 24 January, was one of the highlights of the season, attracting a large audience who experienced the rich cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. The Samaritan Band, which has more than 400 members, dazzled more than 23,000 visitors with its traditional musical and poetic performance. The site was fully prepared in just 72 hours, reflecting outstanding planning and execution. During the final weekend of Celine Season, visitors also witnessed drone displays, a spectacular fireworks display, and the thrill of the Celine Season digital draw. Celine Season continues to offer visitors a variety of experiences until 27 January, including desert safari adventures, family fun activities such as football and volleyball, children’s activities and creative workshops. The high turnout underscores Celine’s position as a seasonal destination that celebrates Qatari culture and adventure experiences.

Deluxe Mirage travel and tourism company won ‘fastest growing travel management company – KSA’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in 2024. “Winning the Fastest Growing Agency in KSA in Arabian Travel Awards has provided us with enhanced visibility in the KSA market, strengthened our credibility, reinforced our position as a trusted partner for prospective clients, and, last but not least, inspired our employees to go the extra mile with renewed morale. This award marks a key milestone for Satguru Travel, enhancing our industry reputation and inspiring continued innovation. As competition in the travel industry grows, this recognition sets us apart, showcasing our commitment to sustainable and innovative growth. It also signals the rise of new players, driving higher standards of quality and service.”- Sajid Hussain, Branch Head, Eastern Province Dammam, Deluxe Mirage Travel & Tourism Company (Part of Satguru Group) (The award was received by Shashi Menon, General Manager, KSA & Bahrain, Deluxe Mirage Travel & Tourism)

Travelport unveiled its 2025 State of Modern Retailing Report and one of the key findings was transparency where modern retailing requires honesty at every stage of the customer journey.  This report, combining new proprietary research and cross-industry insights, outlines critical trends reshaping the travel industry in 2025, including heightened demand for transparency, the emergence of new subscription models, and AI-driven advancements in the travel retail experience. “Consumers are clear about what they want from the travel industry: simplicity, transparency, and trust,” said Jen Catto, Chief Marketing Officer at Travelport. “Our latest research shows that travel has reached a tipping point. Modern retailers who embrace radical transparency, adopt AI responsibly, and deliver streamlined experiences will thrive in this evolving landscape.” Five Key Trends to Watch in 2025: 1. Consumer-washing ends; Radical transparency begins Travel companies face growing criticism for “consumer washing,” a practice where businesses advertise deceptively low prices, hiding fees or conditions until checkout. Nearly half (44%) of surveyed consumers ranked airlines, hotels, and travel companies as major offenders, second only to credit card companies (45%). Modern retailing requires honesty at every stage of the customer journey. Brands that eliminate hidden fees and agencies that present clear, comparable options across suppliers will earn customer loyalty. Radical transparency is not just a necessity—it’s a competitive advantage. 2. Disruptors Delivering Simplicity Will Outpace the Laggards Fintech disruptors have reshaped banking, with 47% of consumers agreeing they’ve made personal finances easier to manage. However, the travel industry lags behind. Over half of consumers (56%) report that airline offers have become more confusing over the past decade. To match fintech’s success, travel brands must embrace agile, API-led technology that enables seamless integration of new …

Speaking at the special press conference at ASEAN Tourism Forum, Mohd Amirul Rizal Bin Abdul Rahim, Head of Visit Malaysia 2026 Secretariat shared that Middle East is a very important source market and they will be focusing on two key aspects family and GenZ or millennials. He further stated that the new campaign will be announced in a number of road shows in the Middle East over the next few months to share more details on the extensive programme that they have prepared to welcome visitors to Malaysia. He reiterated that Visit Malaysia 2026 will be unique as they target high yield tourists as well as tourists who seek sustainability when they travel. However, the theme for the year will be ‘Malaysia: a sustainable destination and rich in culture”.

Fly Khiva Group announced Almosafer as its exclusive general sales agent (GSA) in the country. The partnership highlights the growing significance of Saudi Arabia as a primary market for Fly Khiva, as both parties align to meet the needs of travellers to the Kingdom. With Fly Khiva set to operate its maiden flight to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, in January 2025, the Kingdom is all set to welcome more Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from the Central Asian country. The strategic partnership showcases Uzbekistan’s prominence as a source market for religious tourism, and the newly launched flight service facilitates easy and direct access to the Holy Land. Almosafer’s robust market presence and reach in Saudi Arabia will help Fly Khiva expand its operations in the region and ensure seamless service for passengers. Almosafer will leverage its Destination Management Company, Discover Saudi, and its Hajj & Umrah tour operator, Mawasim, to boost Fly Khiva’s sales across the Kingdom. Dilshod Hodjaev, CEO of Fly Khiva, said about the partnership, “We look forward to offering our passengers exceptional travel experiences through this exciting new collaboration. Almosafer’s market expertise and technological prowess will enable us to reach newer markets and offer a seamless experience for all.” Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “We believe strategic alliances are key to the success of our travel journey and are excited to welcome Fly Khiva to our portfolio of esteemed partners to enable an increase in air connectivity for Uzbek pilgrims seeking to visit the Kingdom for Hajj and Umrah.” The airline is set to deploy a Boeing 757-300, equipped with spacious seats and an advanced entertainment …

In a special interview with Eddy K Soemawilaga – President – ASEANTA – ASEAN Tourism Association shared that the Middle East market is an important market for them and that they have restarted the ASEAN pass which enables easier accessibility to hitherto explored destinations across the region. This is also a platform where OTAs, and travel agents could provide a more seamless service to their customers. “To attract Middle Eastern tourists, ASEANTA collaborates with airlines and promotes initiatives like the ASEAN Pass, which offers affordable inter-ASEAN travel options. The pass, implemented via AirAsia’s platform, encourages multi-destination travel and invites participation from other airlines and travel agents. Partnerships with NGOs, governments, and organizations like PATA are in discussion to broaden ASEANTA’s scope. Future plans include engaging more stakeholders to foster regional and global cooperation.” As sustainability is an important aspect for travellers today, Soemawilaga added, “ASEANTA recognizes sustainability as a priority. Efforts include awarding businesses that implement sustainable practices and advocating for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and efficient navigation systems to reduce carbon emissions. In Indonesia, airlines are advocating for a 1% SAF adoption while promoting efficient navigation systems as a cost-effective alternative to reduce emissions post-COVID financial constraints.”

Almosafer (part of Seera Group) announced its partnership with Tasheer at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Jeddah. The two companies will collaborate on various initiatives to enhance the travel booking experience for travellers visiting the Kingdom. As the official travel partner, Almosafer will provide comprehensive travel solutions to Tasheer’s customers, ensuring a seamless and convenient booking experience. The agreement, signed at the Hajj Conference & Exhibition in Jeddah, expands on both parties’ ongoing collaborations, which currently serve pilgrims, to offer a seamless travel experience for all visitors utilizing Almosafer’s diverse offerings. The partnership will focus on three key verticals, with the streamlining of flight bookings through digital platforms at the forefront. Hajj & Umrah packages and leisure travel bookings will also play an important role, whilst Almosafer and Tasheer will further collaborate on travel management solutions. Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, said; “We are proud to partner with Tasheer to expand our collaboration by leveraging Almosafer’s strengths as a holistic travel platform. With our market leadership, advanced technological innovations, and seamless travel solutions across booking channels, we aim to deliver exceptional experiences to travelers visiting the Kingdom. This partnership aligns with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, supporting the national agenda to welcome more visitors and enhance their journeys to Saudi Arabia.” Eng. Fahad Al-Amoud, CEO of Tasheer, commented on the partnership, saying: We at Tasheer take pride in providing innovative and reliable services to visitors coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across various segments. Our partnership with Almosafer will support the delivery of value-added services, enabling visitors to benefit from Almosafer’s extensive expertise in the travel sector, innovative booking solutions, and comprehensive services. Together, we aim to …

Visit Qatar hosted the Arabian Luxury Travel Show 2025, which was held for the first time in Doha from 12 to 15 January 2025. The event was designed to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading luxury tourism destination in the Middle East, with more than 160 luxury tour operators and MICE agents from key markets, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic States. More than 50 prestigious hotels, destination management companies and tourism authorities from across the region also participated in the event, including Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and the Indian Ocean. Participants showcased world-class luxury offerings and highlighted the Middle East’s world-class luxury offerings, reinforcing the region’s position as a hub for luxury tourism. The event included an intensive four-day schedule at The Ritz-Carlton Doha, which included two days of bilateral meetings aimed at facilitating important business deals. The last two days were also dedicated to networking events between buyers and exhibitors. Commenting on the event, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: “Hosting the Arabian Luxury Travel Show 2025 in Doha is the perfect platform for Visit Qatar to present the unique luxury offerings that characterize Qatar, and through direct communication with influential buyers and travel professionals, we seek to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading tourist destination for discerning travelers seeking luxury, as this event is in line with our strategic vision to establish Qatar’s presence in the global luxury tourism sector and strengthen our presence in key markets.” The successful hosting of the event underscores Visit Qatar’s commitment to strengthening Qatar’s position as a global luxury destination, in line with the objectives of …

Servantrip has announced an impressive 82% year-on-year increase in B2B bookings for 2024, marking a 1.5x acceleration compared to the growth recorded in 2023. Servantrip grew across the Middle East, Europe, LATAM and the USA connecting over 12,500 points of sale by Q1 2025, highlighting the growth in channel distribution across retail, OTAs, and wholesalers. The company plans to focus on activating over 10,000 additional points of sale between 2025 and 2026, either already connected or nearing connectivity, from the 2,850 active points of sale in 2024. This milestone reflects the company’s ambitious trajectory toward global leadership in the travel sector, underpinned by three transformative achievements in 2024: 1. Advancing technology: Enhancing the industry’s most sophisticated and seamless API for tours, activities, and transfers. 2. Expanding the ecosystem: Establishing the largest network in the transfers and activities sector, with over 60 API integrations and agreements to onboard 5,000 additional points of sale. 3. Strategic expansion: Launching an operational hub in Buenos Aires and initiating U.S. operations through a subsidiary in Miami. In 2024, the transfer services business was a standout success, recording a 109% increase in bookings. Supplier connections to Servantrip grew by 78%, while the number of buyer nationalities expanded by 20% to include travellers from 132 countries. Destinations offering booked services also grew by 10%. Manuel Núñez, Founder and CEO of Servantrip, highlighted the pillars driving the company’s success: “Our growth in 2024 was built on three key strengths: highly scalable, advanced technology; the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of qualified suppliers; and the dedication of the Servantrip team to providing an outstanding customer experience. Many of our clients were introduced to us through recommendations, a testament to our impact in …