Tag Archives: GCC

Rixos Tersane Istanbul is enhancing its offerings to cater to the needs of discerning travellers from the GCC region. In an exclusive interview Managing Director of Rixos Tersane Istanbul, Cetin Pehlivan shared insights on how the property is positioning itself as a premier destination for GCC families and holidaymakers seeking cultural richness, modern comfort, and exceptional service in the heart of Istanbul. “GCC countries represent a key market for us,” the Managing Director emphasized. “Guests from the Gulf value authenticity, comfort, privacy, and exceptional service — all of which align perfectly with the Rixos brand and the unique positioning of Rixos Tersane Istanbul,” he added. Set against the backdrop of a 600-year-old Ottoman shipyard, the hotel blends historical charm with world-class hospitality. With panoramic views of the Golden Horn and a family-friendly atmosphere, it offers a seamless fusion of heritage and luxury — an ideal match for travelers from the GCC. In preparation for the high season, the hotel has rolled out a range of enhancements tailored to Gulf travelers. These include Arabic-speaking staff, halal-certified dining options, family-oriented suites, and culturally sensitive concierge services. Additionally, guests can look forward to exclusive experiences such as private boat tours, access to top cultural events, and bespoke itineraries highlighting Istanbul’s art, gastronomy, and wellness scenes. “Our goal is to make every guest from the Gulf feel not just welcomed, but understood and appreciated,” said the Managing Director A standout feature at Rixos Tersane Istanbul is its “Discovery Routes” — a complimentary series of curated excursions that invite guests to explore Istanbul’s vibrant history and culture. Highlights include private cruises along the Golden Horn, visits to the Istanbul Modern and the Rahmi M. Koç …

The evolution of global travel trends has made shopping an essential part of tourism for travellers coming from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. McArthurGlen Designer Outlets operates 22 strategically located centres across Europe, serving as the top shopping destination for customers seeking luxury brands, and great value. In 2024, visitors from the GCC represented the largest share of McArthurGlen’s tax-free sales, demonstrating the importance of the region in luxury retail spending. Shoppers from the GCC have developed a sensitivity to fashion, an understanding of brand legacy, and an appetite for experiences enfolded in style, attention to detail, and smart spending. With the continued momentum of global travel, the world has developed various new methods to personalise travel experiences, thrusting forward new travel trends. One major shift is towards multigenerational travel. Families are making up for lost time by vacationing together, and shopping is a cross-generational activity everyone can enjoy. 47% of travellers are now opting for multigenerational trips, up 17% from last year . McArthurGlen Designer Outlets’ brand proposition and services are thoughtfully designed to meet both current and emerging travel trends. The brand’s excellence was recently recognized in the Outlet Centre Performance Report Europe (OCPRE) by Ecostra and Magdus, naming its centres among the best in Europe. Designer Outlet Serravalle ranked 1st, while Noventa di Piave (Venice) and Castel Romano (Rome) both secured 8th place. These destinations are perfect for extended families: grandparents relax in cafes or VIP lounges while parents and kids explore over 230 brands. Convenient facilities complete with children’s play areas and even a water park – a unique feature in Designer Outlet Serravalle – make it a secure and inviting space, worthwhile for families taking …

The German National Tourist Office GCC (GNTO GCC) announced that GCC visitors to Germany have grown steadily to over 489,689 in 2024, a steady year-on-year increase of 1.2% and an impressive 21% increase when compared with the total visitor numbers in 2022. The announcement was made during a press conference, which was held on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. Yamina Sofo, Director at the German National Tourist Office GCC (GNTO GCC), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), commented, “We have now witnessed considerable growth in visitor numbers from the GCC countries since the end of the pandemic. “These figures underscore Germany’s increasing post pandemic popularity with GCC visitors and bodes well for 2025. With direct flights from the GCC countries to Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hannover, Stuttgart, Cologne and Hamburg, this year we want to encourage GCC residents to visit Germany and experience our diverse year-round tourism offering.” Luis Monreal, Senior Director Sales Middle East Lufthansa Group Airlines, commented: “Lufthansa Group is proud to team up this year with the DZT as their official carrier. We connect the GCC with Germany nonstop since 1960 with its flights to Saudi Arabia. Lufthansa and Eurowings offer both to our passengers German hospitality already on board. Lufthansa, as a premium carrier, offers stable and year-round connections to Frankfurt and Munich from Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam. Our value-airline Eurowings is expanding substantially since 2023 in the GCC by offering more direct connections to other German such as Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne and Hanover. They meet their GCC customers much closer to their homes as they offer departures also from Dubai World, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah. The strong increase in …

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) participating at the Arabian Travel Market 2025 will be focusing on promoting sustainable tourism to the GCC travellers. Sustainable tourism growth is a key component of Jamaica’s Vision 2023 development plan.  Recognizing the GCC as having one of the most well-travelled globetrotters, fueled by its spending power and interest in unique destinations, keeps JTBs committed to its goal of positioning the country as a major consideration for travel amongst the nationals and residents of the GCC countries. Reaching out to new regions aims to enhance its global tourism footprint and economic resilience. Its continued presence in the region’s premier travel and trade event demonstrates the recognition of GCCs role in Jamaica’s international tourism growth strategy. In a collaborative push to promote the island, Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett will be joined by Director of Tourism Donovan White, together with Jamaica’s top suppliers in the hospitality and leisure sectors at the JTB stand, ready to network with travel and media professionals from across the GCC. Diversifying tourism markets and promoting sustainable growth is a key component of Jamaica’s Vision 2023 development plan. Reaching out to new regions aims to enhance its global tourism footprint and economic resilience. Recognizing the GCC as having one of the most well-travelled globetrotters, fueled by its spending power and interest in unique destinations, keeps JTBs committed to its goal of positioning the country as a major consideration for travel amongst the nationals and residents of the GCC countries. “Our ongoing participation in ATM reflects our dedication to fostering relationships within the GCC market,” stated Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism. “We are confident that Jamaica’s unique blend of natural beauty …

flydubai and Boeing announced an agreement to retrofit 21 of flydubai’s 737 MAX aircraft with larger Boeing Space Bins. Each Space Bin can accommodate up to six standard-sized bags per bin by turning a bag on its edge, an increase from four bags per bin compared to a standard bin. “Since commencing operations in 2009, we have remained dedicated to investing in product innovation and elevating our passengers’ inflight experience. By having Boeing’s larger Space Bins on our 737 MAX aircraft, this will provide our passengers with added convenience and increased storage space that rivals the experience offered on a wide-body aircraft,” said Daniel Kerrison, Senior Vice President of Inflight Operations at flydubai. “Passengers are making the connection between bin capacity and the extra room they need and expect for their carry-on bags,” said Doug Backhus, Vice President of Cabin, Modifications and Maintenance at Boeing. “We are proud to partner with flydubai to bring Space Bins capability to their existing 737 MAX fleet.” The carrier is served by a young and efficient fleet of 88 Boeing 737 aircraft, 59 of which are 737 MAX aircraft. flydubai has built a growing network of more than 130 destinations in 55 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia.

Tourism from the GCC is expected to significantly boost the UK economy in the coming years. Forecasts estimate visitor spending from the GCC will reach £4.5 billion by 2030, while India is projected to contribute £1.4 billion over the same period. Gary Robson will now oversee VisitBritain’s operations in India and the Middle East, calling them “exciting markets with massive growth poten2030tial.”

Utravel announced the launch of Jovial Travels, a dedicated B2C subsidiary focused on crafting bespoke luxury holidays. This strategic expansion into the leisure travel market addresses the growing demand for personalized, high-end experiences among discerning travelers in the GCC. Built on the foundation of Utravel’s 20+ years of GCC expertise, Jovial Travels offers a seamless blend of innovation, exclusivity, and cultural insight. The brand’s user-friendly platform simplifies the planning of luxury vacations, providing access to exclusive resort stays, private villa retreats, and meticulously curated itineraries. With an initial focus on destinations like the Maldives, Jovial Travels aims to transform ordinary holidays into extraordinary experiences tailored to the unique preferences of each traveler. Vinoli Obeysekara, Head of Sales, commented: “The modern traveler is increasingly seeking experiences that reflect their individuality. Jovial Travels is our response to this shift, blending Utravel’s decades of GCC expertise with a fresh, client-focused approach. We are excited to bring this vision to life and set a new benchmark for luxury travel in the GCC and beyond.” To ensure every journey is as unique as the traveler, Jovial Travels has established exclusive partnerships with world-class resorts and hotels, granting clients access to unique packages and unparalleled luxury. Additionally, the brand offers 24/7 personalized support, with a dedicated team of travel designers ensuring seamless experiences from the first inquiry to the final farewell. Whether it’s a private island escape or a culturally immersive retreat, Jovial Travels goes above and beyond to deliver unforgettable moments. The launch of Jovial Travels underscores Utravel’s commitment to innovation and excellence, marking a significant milestone in its journey to redefine high-end travel. By combining personalized luxury with regional insights, Jovial Travels is poised to …

Emirates is gearing up for a busy travel period for Eid Al Fitr by deploying an additional 17 flights to destinations in the Middle East/GCC from 26 March to 6 April. This year, over 371,000 customers are expected to fly with the airline during the Eid Al Fitr break from around the region, with additional flights planned for Jeddah, Kuwait, Dammam and Amman. The expanded flight schedule offers customers travelling home or interested in exploring new destinations more opportunities to reunite, celebrate with their family and loved ones, or enjoy leisure getaways. Emirates will add six flights to/from Amman and another five flights between Dammam and Dubai. The airline will be layering on an extra four flights from Jeddah and the airline’s flight schedule from Kuwait will extend to another two services. The additional services provide more flexibility to venture to Dubai – a popular Eid destination – and beyond to popular destinations and leisure gateways in Thailand like Bangkok and Phuket, the UK, gateways across the US, South Africa and to visit family and friends in Mumbai, Karachi, and Cairo, among many other cities. Keeping with its heritage and Eid traditions, Emirates will be serving a special Eid menu across all travel classes on select flights to and from Dubai. The menu will be filled with delicacies including favourites like chicken madhbi, prawn matfi, chicken makloubeh, mixed grills like chicken shish taouk and lamb kofta, halwa brownie, and pistachio cake, among an array of other sweet and savoury dishes. Passengers traveling during Eid will also have access to a wide variety of entertainment options on ice, featuring more than 6,500 channels of on-demand content and over 2,000 international movies, including …

VFS Global launched a new Generative AI-powered chatbot to enhance customer support for travellers to the UK in 141 countries including the GCC. The AI-Powered Chatbot not only utilises advanced Generative AI technology to offer human-like, conversational support, but does so through both voice and text commands, providing instant, accurate, and accessible information for customers travelling to the UK. Developed by VFS Global’s AI team, headquartered in Dubai, the AI-Powered Chatbot addresses the increasing demand for efficient customer support, allowing users to easily access the information needed to navigate the application process. Jen Vidler, Deputy Director, Cross Cutting Service Operations, Visa, Status and Information Services, Customer Services Group, UK Visas and Immigration, said, “The rollout of VFS Global’s AI-powered chatbot demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all customers. Providing instant access to accurate information about the visa application process will ensure we continue to offer the best service to our customers.” Zubin Karkaria, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global, added, “Technology and innovation have always been the cornerstones of our operations at VFS Global, and we are pleased to launch this AI-powered information solution which will significantly enhance the visa application experience for our customers travelling to the UK from across the globe. We are developing a range of AI and digital technology driven products to drive the next transformation in visa and consular services for our Client Governments and customers. We remain deeply committed to the responsible development of AI in accordance with the policies and requirements of our client governments.” The AI-Powered chatbot was developed using advanced Generative AI technologies, each trained exclusively on publicly available data …

According to the STR report, aggregated Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE last year rose by 5.4% compared to 2023, fuelled primarily by an increase in occupancy rates. In 2024, occupancy rates across the GCC reached 69.5%, surpassing the levels observed prior to the pandemic, underscoring the region’s successful efforts to establish itself as a world-class tourism and investment hub. The hospitality sector in the GCC is experiencing a strong resurgence, with new data compiled by STR on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) revealing significant growth across the region in 2024. Key government initiatives, notably Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ campaign have played a pivotal role in this transformation by promoting economic diversification, enhancing infrastructure, and elevating the overall tourism experience. These efforts aim to boost occupancy and establish the GCC as a competitive player in the global tourism landscape. The research also found that Average Daily Rate (ADR) grew by 2.4% in the GCC last year, with the luxury hotel rooms segment significantly contributing to ADR growth. The region has added more than 35,000 hotel rooms over the last 10 years, with 19% of rooms now belonging to the luxury category, growing from 16% a decade ago. STR’s report suggests that hotel rooms under all phases of development will continue to be dominated by the luxury segment, stating that with more than 33,000 rooms under development, Saudi Arabia alone has more luxury rooms in the pipeline than currently exist in the country. Commenting on STR’S latest research, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Luxury hospitality continues to be a driving force …