VFS Global announced the launch of its flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai’s Wafi City, marking the opening of the largest visa application facility in the world. The centre was inaugurated by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai; and Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism said, “This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority. Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world’s most connected and future-ready city.” His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai said, “Today, we witnessed the inauguration of a new milestone in the journey of excellence pursued by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the world’s largest Visa Application Centre, located in the heart of Dubai, a city that continuously redefines innovation. This achievement embodies a true reflection of the directives of our wise leadership towards strengthening the nation’s position as a global hub for smart services and establishing a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality. We believe that …

The Emirates A350 has touched down at Queen Alia International Airport, marking the start of its regular service on the second daily flight between Dubai and Amman. Originally scheduled to operate on 1 June, the deployment of the brand-new aircraft has been advanced by 2 weeks. The three-class Emirates A350 features 312 seats, including 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 259 spacious Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout. Designed for comfort, the aircraft offers higher ceilings, wider aisles, and a quieter cabin environment. Passengers across all classes enjoy Emirates’ latest generation of in-flight entertainment with a cinematic viewing experience, enhanced cabin lighting, faster Wi-Fi, and improved seat ergonomics. The A350’s arrival in Amman marks a significant milestone in Emirates’ longstanding commitment to Jordan dating back to 1986. It also reflects the airline’s ongoing investment in the Jordanian market, strengthening connectivity, tourism, and trade links between Dubai, Amman and beyond. In addition to the A350, Emirates also operates the iconic A380 to Amman on EK903/904. The Emirates A350 currently serves six other short and medium haul destinations including Edinburgh, Kuwait, and Mumbai, and will soon start serving more destinations like Oslo, Istanbul, and Ho Chi Minh City, to name a few. By the end of this year, the airline will serve 17 global cities with the A350. For more information or to book tickets, visit emirates.com. Tickets can also be booked on Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents. EK 905 departed Dubai at 2210 hrs on 19 May and landed in Amman at 0015 hrs early morning on 20th May. EK 906, took …

RateHawk announced a strategic partnership with GlobalStar Travel Management . This new partnership gives GlobalStar’s partners around the world access to RateHawk’s extensive inventory. RateHawk’s all-in-one system will provide Global Star’s partners over 2.7 million accommodation options, alongside a number of supplementary supplier sources for car rentals, transfers and train tickets. To assist travel managers in efficiently navigating the wide array of options, the company’s AI-powered tools prioritise recommendations based on the most competitive rates available. “Our collaboration is designed to further empower GlobalStar partners, increasing their confidence in the daily booking routine. We source our diverse range of accommodations from not only 320+ suppliers but also 130,000+ directly contracted properties. This enables us to provide real-time availability status and facilitate faster amendments. Also, our ML-driven pre-book check procedure helps minimise the risk of possible issues, ensuring a smoother experience. Additionally, our dedicated support team is available in 32 languages to assist with any inquiries,” shares Ilya Kravtsov, Chief Commercial Officer at Emerging Travel Group, RateHawk’s parent company. “We are delighted to be partnering with a respected global booking system like RateHawk to complement our existing GDS-based hotel programme. In particular, RateHawk’s ability to provide ‘pre-pay’ and ‘credit’ facilities closes a gap for GlobalStar in supporting our Partners in regions where this feature is a ‘must-have’ to manage hotel bookings. Alongside this, the additional flexibility of API integration provides our Partners with an opportunity for deeper integration where required. Initial feedback from our Partners has been extremely positive, and I look forward to engaging closely with the Network in the coming months to share more information, ” stated Julian Russell, Executive Director, IT and Supplier Relations, at GlobalStar.

Rayna Tours announced the grand opening of its brand-new office in Ras Al Khaimah marking its third branch in the UAE and a significant expansion into the northern emirates. Following the success of its Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices, Rayna’s new Ras Al Khaimah branch is set to be a one-stop shop for all things travel—including holiday packages, cruises, visa services, UAE activities, flight bookings, and hotel reservations. Strategically located on Oman Street, near Al Sindabad Restaurant, Al Araibi – Ras Al Khaimah, the office offers convenience and top-tier service to residents and tourists alike. “Our mission is to make travel more accessible, rewarding, and personal,” said Senthil Velan, CEO of Rayna Tours. “With this new office, we’re bringing the full Rayna experience to RAK and introducing unmatched travel deals with exciting prizes,” added Deepak Hiranandani, CCO of Rayna Tours. Rayna Tours RAK will have some exciting launch week offers during this week. Location: Oman Street, Near Al Sindabad Restaurant, Al Araibi – Ras Al Khaimah Phone: 054 584 8112  

Almosafer announced a partnership with Miral Destinations to promote their leading leisure and entertainment destination Yas Island, among travellers from KSA & Kuwait. The partnership aims to enhance tourist footfall in the UAE capital through Almosafer’s consumer travel platforms. As part of the agreement, Almosafer will leverage its expertise and reach within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the region to promote Yas Island’s immersive experiences. This includes its award-winning theme parks – Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Yas Island – along with world-class hotels and other attractions. These will be marketed to travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond, in addition to Yas Island’s calendar of world-class events, sporting spectacles, family entertainment, and other leisure activities. Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer (part of Seera Group), said: “Our collaboration with Miral Destinations is reflective of our growing clout to drive tourism within the dynamic regional travel ecosystem. Saudi Arabia’s robust presence in the global tourism sector has made it a magnet for both inbound and outbound tourism today. We look forward to further enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global tourism hub by driving more tourists to Yas Island and helping create memorable moments for all who choose to embark on a summer adventure with us and we are confident our digital travel platforms and omnichannel offerings will provide a seamless booking experience.” Liam Findlay, CEO, Miral Destinations said: “We’re pleased to collaborate with Almosafer to welcome more Saudi travellers to Yas Island. Collaborations are key to our success across the global tourism stage, and we look forward to providing all our guests with a truly unforgettable experience. This partnership allows us to further …

marhaba has integrated services from DUBZ, the baggage technology and logistics company, into its expanding service portfolio. The move creates one of the most comprehensive airport service offerings in the world – enabling passengers flying from Dubai to check in and hand off their luggage remotely, fast-track through immigration, and relax in a lounge, all while experiencing marhaba’s signature hospitality in one seamless booking. As part of the integration, marhaba now offers three signature DUBZ services under its own umbrella: • Check-In Anywhere allows passengers to check in from the comforts of their home, hotel or office – where certified check-in agents will issue boarding passes and collect luggage, which is securely delivered to the airport • Land and Leave enables arriving passengers to skip baggage claim entirely, with their luggage delivered to their doorstep within hours of landing • Baggage Storage and Delivery offers travellers flexible short-term or extended baggage storage options, as well as secure same-day delivery across the UAE – ideal for transit passengers, early checkouts or those looking to experience the city baggage-free Check-In Anywhere and Land and Leave are now bookable directly via marhabaservices.com, with Baggage Storage and Delivery offered at designated service points in Dubai. Combined with its core offerings – including Meet & Greet and lounge access – these services position marhaba as one of the few global providers delivering a fully integrated hospitality journey that extends well beyond the airport terminal. The announcement follows a significant uptick in demand for smarter airport experiences. According to IATA’s most recent Global Passenger Survey, speed and convenience at airports remain a top priority among travellers around the world – some 70% of respondents said they …

In a bid to attract more visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has said plans are in progress to review visa facilitation. Speaking at a recent press conference at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, the Minister emphasized the untapped potential of GCC visitors, citing their increasing interest in Caribbean experiences, higher-than-average spending patterns, and tendency toward longer stays. The review will focus on simplifying visa application processes for visitors from the region. “I have been in discussion with our Ministers of National Security and Foreign Affairs to look at more seamless ways for visa facilitation as we recognize the significant economic potential of visitors from the GCC region,” said the Minister during the announcement at a press conference at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. “By removing unnecessary barriers to travel, we are sending a clear message that our country welcomes GCC visitors with open arms.” Currently, United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport holders can get a visa on arrival.  However, ongoing efforts to ease entry requirements for GCC nationals are underway – changes that could further boost arrivals and drive significant revenue growth for Jamaica’s tourism sector. “The GCC is the new frontier for Jamaica as we seek to diversify our source markets. Simplifying this visa arrangement will make it easier for their visitors to seriously consider Jamaica as a vacation option and allow us to tap into this lucrative market,” added Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. Jamaica saw a 29% increase in visitor arrivals from the GCC in 2024. The UAE led with a 37.3% year-on-year growth, followed by strong performances from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. “We are already …

In 2024, it was shared that 52,400 Saudi nationals visited Moscow, a substantial increase from 9,300 in 2023, a rise of 5.7 times. The introduction of an e-visa regime and increased promotional activities have played a role in raising awareness and facilitating travel. The Moscow City Tourism Committee is continuing its Middle East tour with the latest stop in Saudi Arabia designed to reinforce its commitment to long-term partnerships in the region and deepen engagement with Saudi travelers. Saudi travelers are showing growing interest in international destinations, making the Kingdom an increasingly important outbound tourism market. Recognizing that, and keen to build on long-standing ties with the Kingdom, the Moscow City Tourism Committee delegation came to Riyadh and Jeddah to promote cultural exchange and position Moscow as a leading destination for Saudis. Tourism between Saudi Arabia and Moscow has seen remarkable growth. Meetings held in the capital brought together Saudi Arabian tourism stakeholders and Moscow tourism officials to explore collaboration opportunities. These efforts align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with efforts to build international cultural partnerships and knowledge exchange. Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, commented: “Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in Moscow reflects the city’s rising profile as a destination that blends rich history, vibrant culture, and modern attractions. In the first quarter of 2025, Moscow welcomed 9.9 thousand visitors from Saudi Arabia – it’s a 1.5-fold increase compared to the same period last year. Since e-visa launch in August 2023, more than 80,000 visas have been issued to date, establishing Saudi Arabia as the second-largest e-visa recepient. We are committed to strengthening tourism ties, expanding cultural exchange, and improving accessibility through initiatives such as the e-visa. …

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 …

Turkish Airlines offers travellers in the United Arab Emirates seamless access to its exclusive holiday platform, Turkish Airlines Holidays. Customers can effortlessly plan their entire holiday, including flights, hotels, curated tours and activities, car rentals, airport transfers, travel insurance, and more as an all-in-one holiday solution. Initially introduced in 2021 to serve outbound travelers from Türkiye, Turkish Airlines Holidays expanded in 2025 to include over 60 departure countries, with the United Arab Emirates emerging as a key market alongside the United Kingdom, Europe, South Korea, Mexico, and Australia. Travelers from Dubai and Abu Dhabi can now enjoy an integrated booking platform offering departure options to more than 300 destinations. The platform provides exclusive bundled benefits, including special pricing on flights and hotels, access to over 550,000 hotels worldwide, complimentary checked baggage with every package, and the opportunity to earn extra Miles&Smiles points across complete holiday bookings. Turkish Airlines Holidays positions itself as the airline holiday brand offering travel experiences across the most countries worldwide, delivering a streamlined and comprehensive holiday booking experience curated for maximum comfort and convenience. This expansion into another key international market strengthens Turkish Airlines’ ambition to deliver an integrated, world-class travel experience, thus uniting air travel and holiday planning under one platform. Travelers in the UAE are invited to start planning their next adventure with Turkish Airlines Holidays through platform’s website.