Gulf and Indian Ocean Hotel Investors’ Summit 2021 (GIOHIS) will be held on 15-16 November in Ras Al Khaimah. The event aims to bring around 300 of the top hotel owners, developers and operators from the Gulf, East Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, ASEAN, and Australia together to discuss topical issues affecting the industry, ideally in person, but if necessary, also via remote links. Being run by hotel owners’ alliance HOFTEL, rather than a commercial media or conferencing company, means that GIOHIS can be upfront about addressing the sector’s key issues in a transparent and compact forum full of decision-makers. The hotel investment community has had a torrid time during the pandemic, with some hotel owners “clinging on in order to ride out the storm”, according to Simon Allison, CEO of hotel owners’ alliance, HOFTEL, and organiser of GIOHIS. He believes, however, that the bottom of the market is close to being reached, and this will provide the stimulus for fresh investment from those looking to take advantage of a post-Covid tourism boom. “There are a number of factors coming together at the same time which bode well for the recovery of the Gulf’s hospitality sector,” says Allison. “They offer an interesting, but complex environment for members of the hotel investment community to consider their strategies, with the potential for strong returns.” Allison adds, “The consequences of Covid-19 have been terrible for the hospitality sector, and above all, we cannot lose sight of the fatalities among hospitality sector workers, the enormous job losses and the number of hotel owners left teetering on the brink of financial ruin”. “We can now see light at the end of the tunnel, and I …

Accor announced the expansion of the international SLS Hotels & Residences brand to the Middle East with the opening of SLS Dubai.  Developed in partnership with World of Wonders Real Estate – the new property is one of Dubai’s tallest buildings officially welcomed guests and residents. The highly anticipated opening is a testament to the SLS brand’s longstanding reputation and experience in creating and delivering extraordinary, unforgettable and timeless experiences. This news comes on the heels of Accor’s latest phase of expansion following its acquisition of sbe’s hotel brands and its planned joint venture with Ennismore, which will see the creation of one of the world’s largest and fastest growing lifestyle operators. Using the SLS Hotels & Residences’ global perspective gained from its expanding network of hospitality properties, SLS Dubai presents a host of truly enriching and elevated experiences via its portfolio of diversely distinct luxury brands. From Fi’lia, the entirely female-run restaurant that celebrates food & identity, to Carna by the award-winning Italian butcher Dario Cecchini’s contemporary steakhouse, SLS Dubai’s culinary venues are a testament to the hospitality hallmarks of the SLS brand. Chadi Farhat, Chief Operating Officer, sbe states, “We are happy to announce the official opening of SLS Dubai. We are excited to deliver culinary concepts like Fi’lia, our Italian concept, which will at this specific location focus on empowering the incredible leadership team of women, from our chefs to mixologists to managers. We truly believe that the property will be a highly sought-after destination for global travelers and locals alike”.

ATS Travel and Luxury Connoisseurs have come together to offer unique products and services to be launched in UAE and KSA to begin with. Within the next two quarters, these will be extended to other GCC countries as well, informed Saleem Sharif, the Deputy Managing Director of ATS Travel. ATS Travel is a leading Travel Management Company with offices in UAE and Saudi Arabia, offering comprehensive travel solutions both to corporate and leisure travellers for more than 44 years. Saleem stated that “ATS Travel has been supporting high-end clients with bespoke luxury travels in GCC Region and worldwide destinations with hotel bookings, air ticketing, meetings & events, educational trips and 24hours concierge services in the past. This partnership with Luxury Connoisseurs will further enhance our product portfolio by offering a wide range of ultraluxury properties for our discerning customers to choose from”, added Saleem During these days of the pandemic, we are able to offer Private Charters and accommodation in high-end properties in places like Maldives, Seychelles, Tanzania, Greece, Turkey and Kenya. This portfolio will be expanded to cover exotic locations worldwide once the situation improves, added Saleem. Luxury Connoisseurs is a Concierge & Lifestyle Platform with a mission to deliver the highest level of service to an exclusive network of leisure and corporate clients worldwide. Mrs. Loredana Pettinati, Founder & CEO declared: “With over fifteen years’ experience in the luxury travel sector we have built and we continue to build an extensive global network of partners, which allows us to offer to our clients completely customized luxury journeys to inspiring destinations worldwide both for leisure and corporate purposes.” “We are sure that through this partnership both the two companies …

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK Airport) has opened up a new service to Russia through a partnership with Rossiya Airlines, with the inaugural flight from the carrier arriving from the Russian city of Yekaterinburg – Russia’s fourth-largest city and the second-largest in Siberia. The airport’s commencement of operations with the airline directly connects the UAE’s northernmost emirate to nine destinations in the world’s largest country. “Ras Al Khaimah International Airport forms a major plank in Ras Al Khaimah’s growth plans by increasing its numbers of destinations and schedules through forging partnerships with new carriers and extending services with existing ones. Its new partnership with Rossiya Airlines represents a significant step forward in the airport’s phased expansion strategy, opening up as it does nine direct flights into and out of Russia,” said H.E. Engr. Salem Bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, Chairman of Department of Civil Aviation and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, and Board member of General Civil Aviation Authority and Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council. “This new service will be instrumental in bringing in a greater number of Russian visitors to experience the unique attractions of Ras Al Khaimah, with an increase in guests – an important part of the emirate’s diversification strategy. Russia is one of the UAE’s top source countries for tourism, where business between the two countries is also important for bi-lateral growth and development. The new direct connections between Ras Al Khaimah and nine industrial and cultural conurbations in Russia will help meet current tourist and business requirements in both the countries, as well as fuel up the new demand for capacity building,” His Excellency added. “With the start of Rossiya Airlines’ commercial operations from Ras Al …

airBaltic announces its plans to launch new scheduled flights between Riga and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from September 1. airBaltic has scheduled to connect both cities with four weekly flights. Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “Dubai for years has been one of the most significant unserved destinations from Riga. Now, with Expo 2020 starting in October, we will offer a direct connection from Riga, which will be appreciated by many passengers across the Baltic region and Scandinavia. Additionally, the new route will provide excellent connectivity further from Dubai International (DXB) to the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa.” H.E. Hanan Al Aleeli, Ambassador of the UAE to Latvia, “Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first in-person global mega-event since the pandemic began, which will be welcoming millions of visitors from all over the world. Therefore, the timing of these convenient and fast flights between Riga and Dubai before the event is exceptional and will contribute not only to economic development, but also in creating further opportunities for political, cultural, and people-to-people ties between the UAE and Latvia. Emiratis and Latvians themselves are what has created the demand for these flights, a direct result of the close relationship between our two nations.​” Flights between Riga and Dubai will be operated by the Airbus A220-300 aircraft. A complete schedule of airBaltic flights and tickets for the new destinations are already available on the company’s homepage at www.airbaltic.com. The safety and health of our passengers is airBaltic’s top priority. airBaltic has introduced strong health measures and the flight operations follow the recommendations issued by authorities.

The final in the tri-series of Rediscover Spain webinar will be conducted on April 7, on Wednesday 12pm – 1pm UAE Time. Daniel Rosado Bayon – Director-Spain Tourism GCC & Iran – “We are here in the region to foster Spain as the ideal tourism destination. There is much more to know about Spain as Spain is a year-round destination, the possibilities in the country are endless. From stunning landscapes to vibrant cities and towns to Arab heritage and great shopping- Spain has it all. With these webinars, we will have an interesting journey through different regions of Spain and get a better understanding of its offering.” Laura Marichal Báez​-Tourist Promotion Coordinator – Tenerife Select – “Tenerife, a  Spanish island located in the Canary Islands, is a renowned luxury destination in Europe known as Atlantic Hawaii, as it has a year-round spring climate, Spanish atmosphere, family-friendly lifestyle, as well as being a safe and secure destination. Unknown but still well-recognized destination in the luxury concept, Tenerife can offer the GCC market a wide range of services and facilities designed to meet the needs of the most demanding clients, with a renovated and extensive hotel infrastructure and with an excellent selection of modern and luxurious complimentary leisure offer, which positions us as the leading choice in the Canary Islands and the second-best luxury destination in Spain.”

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) unveils a host of exciting and safe spring break activities for children and families, already underway at across four family-friendly destinations in Sharjah. Keeping the health and safety of the children paramount, and in adherence to all precautionary COVID-19 protocols enforced in the UAE, Shurooq has designed a range of creative activities, both paid and free-to-attend sessions, to keep kids engaged throughout the annual spring break. Until April 10, four of Shurooq’s leisure and entertainment destinations including Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront, Khorfakkan Beach and Al Montazah Parks, will welcome children and families with an exciting range of workshops and fun activities that stimulate the imagination and nurture creativity. Announcing the launch of the spring campaign across four destinations, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, COO of Shurooq, said: “In line with its commitment to delivering quality experiences for all visitors, tourists, and residents in Sharjah and across the UAE, Shurooq is launching a series of spring break activities for children and families in strictly safe and secure environments. We are keenly monitoring the pandemic situation, and to ensure the health and safety of everyone on our premises, all activities will be held in full adherence to the health and safety protocols followed in the UAE.” He added, “To maintain healthy environments to reduce risk of COVID-19, sanitisation measures implemented at each of the venues will be of the highest hygiene standards. A dedicated team will work round-the-clock to ensure that safety measures are implemented across the venues efficiently. In addition, all children’s facilities and play areas will be sanitised on an hourly and daily basis.”

IATA called on governments in the Middle East to develop re-start plans to safely re-link their citizens, businesses, and economies to global markets when the COVID-19 epidemiological situation permits. IATA also called for regional coordination to ensure that the plans can be efficiently implemented and urged governments to remain vigilant about the industry’s financial situation. “Re-establishing air connectivity will energize the economic recovery from COVID-19. With millions of jobs at risk from the prolonged shutdown, not a day should be lost once the epidemiological situation enables a re-opening. Restarting safely after a year or more in lockdown will need careful preparations. At the national level it is important that governments work with industry, so everyone understands the benchmarks that need to be achieved to facilitate the lifting of travel restrictions. And at the regional level, where traffic is expected to ramp-up first, it is critical that governments are talking to each other so that all parties are aligned and ready for a restart,” said Kamil Al Awadhi, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. “This is a unique situation. But we have good practices to rely on. Safety is the top priority for anything associated with aviation. That is because governments have long-established global best practices for working together with industry and with each other. This same approach will help the re-start. There are two ends to every route. Both must be prepared or the restart cannot happen,” said Al Awadhi. “A financially viable air transport sector will be needed to energize the recovery. Government relief for airlines has avoided massive failures that would jeopardize a restart. This has not been uniform across the region. With no …

It was two days of great success as the first-ever virtual event in the region, the Gulf Travel Show 2021 with Tourism Malaysia as diamond partner in the second edition ended its final day with 40 plus exhibitors, over 2100  one to one meetings, 1500 visitors from  43 countries which included travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media. Nasir Jamal Khan – CEO, Al Naboodah Travel, said, “Gulf Travel Show is the best platform to receive and share the latest industry updates. At present, there is no other platform that gives us this opportunity to convey messages and listen to each other. I saw the first edition, it was good, this edition is very good and I believe and I’m sure that the next edition will be either excellent or even better and continue to get better and better. Both yesterday and today, it was very constructive, I see more and more people willing and wishing to participate and connect with each other. UAE is a great example of how to tackle issues and how to bring business back to action. People should hear what we are doing in the UAE and how we have become one of the best or one of the top three countries in the world to open for tourism with strict precautions and policies in place.” Local and international industry leaders shared interesting views and opinions with their insightful and engaging panel discussions. A regular analysis is of utmost importance at this point in time and ForwardKeys brought this to the forefront with exclusive insights on the Gulf Travel Show. Tourism Malaysia, diamond partner for GTS 2021, …

Sabre announced the introduction of its new airline storefront, an industry-first capability that makes it easier to comparison-shop increasingly complex airline offers in the indirect channel.  Beginning today, the new airline storefront capabilities are available via Sabre’s shopping APIs, which travel retailers can leverage to build a bespoke storefront and enhance their customers’ experience. Sabre expects to launch the new capability for travel agencies via Sabre Red 360 in the coming weeks. Powered by Sabre’s shopping APIs, new airline storefront provides digital “shelves” that organize the breadth and depth of an airline’s offering in a side-by-side display to help travelers shop with confidence and make better buying decisions to meet their personal needs. For airlines, the new airline storefront supports differentiation and more merchandising opportunities in the indirect channel, with flight search results displaying several product offerings for an individual flight. For travel buyers, it allows for efficient comparison shopping across several flight options and helps travelers choose the offer that is right for them. “Airlines have invested in differentiating their brand in a number of ways. While this creates greater choice for travelers, it also presents a challenge – it’s easy to understand the cost, but harder to understand what the experience will be,” said Wade Jones, chief product officer for Sabre Travel Solutions. “Sabre’s new airline storefront not only empowers airlines to effectively market their unique product in the indirect channel, but it also helps travel buyers communicate the total offer value.” “Our customers demand choice paired with convenience and simplicity – this is not always the case with today’s airline shopping experience. Consumers want to compare products and offers quickly and efficiently, just as they do in …