Air India and Air India Express have announced the appointment of dnata Representation Services as their General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA), respectively, in the UAE. The agreement, formally signed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, reflects the Air India group’s continued focus on enhancing reach and customer engagement in the strategically important UAE market. Under this partnership, dnata Representation Services will provide comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution support to both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India. This localised approach will improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners while supporting the Air India group’s broader growth plans in the region. Air India operates 82x weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities—Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah—with over 240x weekly flights from the UAE. The UAE represents the single-largest international market for Air India Express and remains one of the most significant global markets, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travellers. Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales – GMEA & North America, Air India, said, “The UAE is a key market in our international network. We are pleased to partner with dnata Travel Group, whose deep understanding of the region and proven track record in travel services will help us better connect with customers, drive demand, and enhance service delivery in the market.” Dr. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, added, “Our collaboration with dnata Travel Group marks another step in expanding our commercial presence in the region. As our network and fleet grow, this partnership will help us stay closer to our customers and …

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Accor announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) marking a strategic partnership that will build on Saudi’s emergence as a global tourism powerhouse. This collaboration aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals, aiming to enhance international demand, grow brand visibility, and drive hotel bookings and loyalty across the country’s expanding hospitality landscape. The agreement strengthens Accor’s commitment to Saudi, creating significant commercial opportunities, expanding its reach, and elevating guest experiences across its portfolio. With a network of over 45 operating hotels — representing more than 17,000 rooms across 15 brands — and 44 properties in the pipeline set to add a further 11,000 rooms, Accor is strongly positioned to contribute to Saudi’s bold tourism ambitions and rising global appeal. Under the MOU, Accor and STA will co-create targeted marketing campaigns across key international markets, promote Saudi through digital platforms — including the dedicated Makkah Madinah Portal — and deliver curated guest experiences that inspire loyalty and drive visitation. The partnership will also drive traffic to ALL.com, strengthen engagement with the ALL – Accor Live Limitless loyalty programme, and roll out exclusive new experiences tailored to Saudi‘s diverse destinations. Duncan O’Rourke, Accor’s Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy brands for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific said, “Accor’s strategic partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority reinforces our long-standing presence in the country and our shared commitment to driving tourism growth. Together, we will co-create impactful guest experiences, elevate service offerings, and bring the beauty and diversity of Saudi to a global audience. The opportunity to help shape the Saudi’s tourism landscape from the ground up makes this the ideal time for strategic alignment …

Visit Qatar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with flynas Airways to boost travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, the two parties will cooperate to explore opportunities to operate additional flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with hosting major events and tournaments, including the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™. The partnership will also focus on launching joint marketing campaigns aimed at promoting Qatar as a destination for visitors from the Saudi Arabian market. This agreement reinforces the solid foundation of cooperation between Visit Qatar and flynas, especially in the areas of enhancing air connectivity and implementing joint promotional campaigns during peak travel seasons. Through this partnership, both parties will continue to provide seamless travel experiences and enhance tourism between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The signing ceremony was attended by Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, along with senior Visit Qatar officials, while flynas was represented by Mr. Stéphane Majer, Chief Commercial Officer, and Mr. Abdulelah Al Eidi, Vice President of Sales.

Minor Hotels  announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Soma Bay Hotel Company SAE to develop a hotel under its luxury Anantara brand in Egypt. The first project under this partnership is expected to be announced later this year. Located in Soma Bay, a coastal resort destination on the Red Sea in Egypt, this self-contained, 2,500-acre community is just 45 km south of Hurghada International Airport. Set on a picturesque peninsula, Soma Bay offers a wide range of leisure activities, including diving, windsurfing, and sailing, making it a premier destination. The emerging resort destination also features one of the largest naturally occurring spas and thalassotherapy offerings in the region, where guests can experience a range of seawater-based treatments designed to promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and wellness using the healing properties of the Red Sea’s mineral-rich waters. Anantara is set to bring its signature luxury experience to Soma Bay with a new resort and branded residence complex, details of which will be announced soon. Since 2001, Anantara has offered immersive, authentic travel experiences that connect guests to the unique culture, people, and stories of each destination. With over 50 properties across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean, Anantara’s hotels and resorts are in vibrant cities, tranquil beaches, deserts, and jungles, providing warm, Thai-rooted hospitality and creating unforgettable memories for every traveller. Soma Bay Hotel Company, based in Egypt, operates in the hospitality sector and owns several luxury properties along the Red Sea. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of parent company Minor International, commented, “We are thrilled to expand the global reach of Minor Hotels with our entry into the Egyptian market. …

SanJeet Director DDP Group moderated an insightful session titled, ‘Wellness and celebratory tourism’ with three industry experts at the Arabian Travel Market. Paul Stevens, COO, MEA and Turkiye for Accor Hotels and Resorts Management, Eddy Tannous – COO – Rotana Hotels and Kathryn Moore – Managing Director Spa Connectors joined in the panel discussion where it was shared the growth of the industry, the many revenue aspects surrounding this multi-billion dollar business which happens to still need a new interface in the age of discovery and to be relevant to the customers.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, through its agency Tourism Malaysia announced that Malaysia welcomed 194,440 tourists from Middle East region in 2024. Tourism Malaysia also launched “Visit Malaysia”  (VM2026) latest video which highlights surreal experiences in Malaysia. The Malaysian delegation is led by The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, who is accompanied by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. The delegation consists of 82 different organizations, which include five (5) state tourism boards, 34 tour operators, 35 hotels and resorts, five Tourism Products, two tourism associations alongside one airline. The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said: “Our multipronged VM2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings.” The VM2026 logo, a symbol of Malaysia’s vibrant culture, natural beauty, and global appeal, serves as a visual representation of the country’s readiness to welcome tourists from around the world. Adopted as the campaign’s official icon, the Malayan Sun Bear, a proud and endangered species, reflects Malaysia’s deep commitment to wildlife conservation. Designed in a lovable, animated style, the mascot is intended to resonate with audiences of all ages, evoking a sense of warmth and joy while enhancing Malaysia’s image as a welcoming and family-friendly destination. Official VM2026 theme song, titled “Surreal Experiences” captures the essence of Malaysia’s unique offerings. This song will be a key component of the campaign to attract global attention and engage visitors with the enchanting experiences Malaysia has to offer. Malaysia is eager to welcome 45 million international visitors and to achieve RM270 billion (USD60.8 billion) in tourism receipts by 2025. …

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Visa to facilitate further increases in international tourism inflows and elevate the visitor experience across the city. The MoU will harness Visa’s data-driven insights to optimise marketing campaigns, streamline tourism services, and deliver tailored promotions for visitors. The collaboration aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and tourism, and highlights the robust public-private partnerships that continue to drive the tourism sector’s exceptional growth, evidenced by a robust Q1 performance in 2025. Dubai welcomed 5.31 million international overnight visitors in the first three months of this year, up 3% on the same period last year. The MoU was signed at the Dubai stand at ATM by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for GCC – Visa. Under the agreement, Visa will support DET’s strategic objectives by leveraging VisaNet – the world’s largest global payments network – to provide in-depth data-driven insights into visitor journeys, spending behaviours, customer preferences, seasonal trends and digital adoption. These analytics will empower DET to craft targeted marketing campaigns and customer-centric initiatives, ensuring seamless and enriching experiences for tourists. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Visa has been a driving force behind Dubai’s vibrant tourism ecosystem, empowering travellers with seamless, secure, and innovative payment solutions at every step of their journey. This collaboration brings …

Visit Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Satguru Travel to position Qatar as a preferred destination for African travellers and expand its presence across the continent. The MoU was signed by  Saleh Al Nisf, Middle East and Africa Senior Manager- International Markets, Visit Qatar, and Prakash Lalchandani, Vice President of Satguru Travel Group. Under the agreement, Visit Qatar and Satguru Travel will collaborate on the development of integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns, leveraging Satguru’s extensive regional network, whilst also sharing market insights to better target and attract African visitors.

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, has highlighted the importance of innovative global collaboration in strengthening tourism resilience during a high-level roundtable discussion put on by the Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai. “Tourism resilience remains a cornerstone of Jamaica’s international engagement and development strategy,” said Minister Bartlett. “The alignment we are witnessing between diverse stakeholders at forums like the Arabian Travel Market represents exactly the kind of global knowledge-sharing that will future-proof our industry against emerging challenges.” The exclusive high-level roundtable on destination development held on April 28th brought together 20 senior leaders from across the tourism sector, including representatives from UN Tourism, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Sabre, Intrepid, Horwath HTL and Roland Berger. Under the theme ‘Destination Development: Building for the Future,’ participants exchanged insights on sustainable growth, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure investment, destination branding, and regional cooperation. Minister Bartlett added, “Jamaica continues to lead the charge in tourism resilience through our Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, and we are encouraged to see these principles being embraced worldwide. The insights shared at this roundtable align perfectly with our vision of building tourism ecosystems that can withstand disruptions while delivering authentic experiences and empowering local communities.” The Minister reiterated Jamaica’s commitment to fostering similar collaborative platforms across the Caribbean region and beyond, ensuring that tourism development remains inclusive, sustainable, and resistant to global challenges. “As we navigate the complexities of modern tourism, Jamaica stands ready to share our experiences and learn from global partners like OMRAN Group and Visit Oman. Together, we are building a more resilient future for tourism that benefits all stakeholders,” concluded Minister …

The Arabian Travel Awards, one of the Middle East’s most prestigious platforms celebrating excellence in travel, tourism, and hospitality, is set to return for its landmark eighth edition on 25th November 2025. This invite-only event will bring together the region’s top leaders and innovators to honour outstanding contributions that continue to define the Middle East’s global travel identity. A symbol of credibility and industry recognition, the Arabian Travel Awards has become a trusted benchmark for excellence across the GCC. Backed by TravTalk Middle East and TravelTV News, the 2025 edition will feature awards across four dynamic segments: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards, and Partner Awards—each designed to spotlight individuals and organisations leading change and driving growth. This year’s award categories include industry benchmarks such as Best Business Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel, reflecting the diversity and depth of the region’s tourism ecosystem. Winners are selected through a transparent, online voting system, ensuring credibility and inclusiveness. Speaking on the occasion, San Jeet, Mentor, Arabian Travel Awards, noted: “The awards this year come at a pivotal time. With the region witnessing historic growth and tourism becoming a strategic economic pillar, it’s more important than ever to recognise those leading the way. From sustainability champions to digital disruptors, the Arabian Travel Awards is a tribute to those redefining the future of travel in the GCC.” In a testament to its growing influence, the 2025 edition welcomes Embassy Suites by Hilton as its Hospitality Partner, marking the brand’s debut in the UAE. Ziad Tantawi, Cluster General Manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton, said: “As Embassy Suites by Hilton makes its debut in the …