Etihad Airways will enhance its Sydney to Abu Dhabi route with the introduction of the Airbus A350-1000 starting 1 October 2025. Initially operating on select flights alongside the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the A350 will take over all 10 weekly services by 31 January 2026, offering passengers upgraded comfort and premium Business Suites. Meanwhile, Etihad’s Melbourne route will continue daily with the airline’s latest 787-9 aircraft, also featuring the new Business Suites and expanded premium seating. Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted to bring morepremium travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this important route. When theschedule is fully deployed early next year, we will have grown overall seat availability by ten per cent,and premium seat count by over 20 per cent.“We have increased our flight frequencies to Sydney this year, offering guests greater flexibility andenhanced connectivity across our expanding global network. This growth provides more seamless traveloptions to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and also welcomes more visitors to ourhome in Abu Dhabi, where they can enjoy our exclusive stopover programme, featuring one or two-night complimentary stays at a premium hotel.”

Based on Wego’s real-time search data, the findings reveal a strong demand for early travel planning and emerging preferences across both short-haul and long-haul escapes. The destinations include Baku- Azerbaijan, Bangkok-Thailand, Tbilisi in Georgia, Kathmandu- Nepal, Bali- Indonesia , Phuket in Thailand, London- United Kingdon and Yervan in Armenia. Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “Eid holidays continue to be a key travel period for UAE residents, and we’re seeing a clear shift towards destinations that offer more than just relaxation. Travelers are seeking immersive experiences, cultural depth, and visa-friendly convenience. Cities like Baku, Tbilisi, and Yerevan are rising in popularity as they offer the perfect blend of affordability, accessibility, and charm, making them ideal for both spontaneous getaways and meaningful escapes.”

In an exclusive interview with TravTalkME, Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Head of Secretariat, Visit Malaysia 2026, highlighted that Middle East is their key target market to increase their revenue and global initiatives to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 are underway. He said, “The Middle East is our key target market to increase revenue in terms of tourism to the country. Visitors from the region are among the highest-spending and longest-staying tourists—on average, they spend 11 days in Malaysia. We see them as a key source for driving tourism revenue.We’re preparing for a major global campaign to promote Visit Malaysia through various campaigns. Creating demand is our priority across different countries and market segments. We want to ensure that people know more about Malaysia through promotions across Middle East, Asia and beyond. Our strategy includes strong partnerships with airlines, OTAs, travel agents, industry players, and MICE groups. We’re also segmenting our markets, particularly targeting luxury travellers, who are a key focus for us. A major announcement is scheduled for World Tourism Day on 27 September 2025, in Malacca, Malaysia. More than 150 countries will participate in both the World Tourism Conference and the World Tourism Day celebrations. We take this opportunity to launch a bigger scale of Visit Malaysia 2026.”

TravTalkME is proud to celebrate a landmark achievement for the region and the global tourism sector: Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President of Owner Relationship Management at Rotana, has been elected as the Secretary-General of UN Tourism. This historic appointment marks her as the first female Emirati to hold this prestigious international position. A trailblazer in the hospitality industry, Shaikha Al Nowais has long championed gender diversity and the empowerment of women in the workplace. Under her leadership, Rotana has implemented progressive policies focused on equal pay, access to education and training, and supportive workplace environments for all employees—regardless of gender. Her election not only reflects her outstanding contributions to tourism and hospitality but also signifies a bold step forward for female representation in global leadership. As Secretary-General, she is expected to bring fresh vision and inclusive leadership to the future of international tourism.

In a special interview with TravTalkME, Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director International Promotion Division, North and East Asia, Tourism Malaysia shared that efforts are being made to intensify priority markets such as the GCC to drive more opportunities and that they are planning a special event to connect Malaysian sellers with international buyers and media in September this year on world tourism day to further promote about ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’. She added that Malaysia is ramping up its preparations for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, with major initiatives already underway this year. A national priority, the campaign brings together strategic partners from across the hospitality and tourism industry—including hotels, airlines, and media platforms—to amplify Malaysia’s brand on the global stage. “Among the key highlights is Global Meet, a business-to-business (B2B) platform taking place later this year. The event will connect Malaysian tourism sellers with international buyers and media, aiming to boost global awareness and drive business opportunities ahead of 2026. Additionally, Malaysia will host World Tourism Day in Melaka this September, further showcasing its readiness and commitment. Efforts are being intensified in priority markets. While neighboring countries remain strong contributors to tourist arrivals, Malaysia is expanding its focus to China, India, and notably the Middle East—aligning with the Prime Minister’s regional engagement efforts. Long-haul markets like Europe are also a renewed priority.” To drive this agenda, Malaysia has launched a series of sales missions and workshops. These include recent promotional tours in India, China, and the Middle East, such as the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and missions to Jeddah and Riyadh. Post-COVID, the push is clear: re-establish Malaysia’s presence in under-engaged regions and aggressively market the country as a top tourism destination. …

Majid Al Futtaim announced a new strategic partnership with Ennismore to launch Egypt’s first 25hours Hotel at Junction, Majid Al Futtaim’s upcoming business and lifestyle destination in West Cairo. The new addition marks the debut of the 25hours brand in the Egyptian market, reinforcing Junction’s position as a dynamic hub for hospitality, business, and culture. Bringing a playful, design-led approach to hospitality, 25hours will inject fresh creative energy into West Cairo. Known for its eclectic interiors, strong sense of place, and immersive storytelling, the brand’s arrival signals a bold reimagining of how hotels contribute to urban culture. Gaurav Bhushan, Chief Executive Officer for Ennismore, said, “Ennismore is honoured to be partnering with Majid Al Futtaim to bring 25hours to Egypt for the first time, especially within a lifestyle destination like Junction. Each 25hours Hotel is inspired by the rich culture and history of its location, and we look forward to creating a strong sense of storytelling through design and community spaces through our restaurants and bars for our guests.” “At Majid Al Futtaim, we believe in creating destinations that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of today’s customers. The arrival of 25hours at Junction marks an exciting moment in our refounding journey and continues our longstanding legacy of introducing bold, innovative concepts to the communities we serve.” said Ahmed El Shamy, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Properties. “This partnership also marks a significant step in our vision to create destinations that are both commercially vibrant and culturally meaningful, while further reinforcing our long-term commitment to building integrated, future-ready environments that drive economic growth and foster innovation.” Situated in the heart of Junction, the hotel will feature approximately 250 keys, …

Dragonpass International (Dragonpass) is redefining the travel experience in the GCC. Andrew Harrison-Chinn CMO at Dragonpass shared, “With over 2.7 million customers in the region, we’ve seen a 100% year-on-year increase in customers transitioning from analog to digital. This growth aligns with the broader development visions shaping the future of the GCC. Regional strategies, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Urban Plan 2040, emphasize smart infrastructure, elevated quality of life, and seamless urban mobility—all priorities that mirror Dragonpass’s commitment to frictionless, tech-enabled travel. Across the GCC, international tourism is surging, with Saudi Arabia welcoming 30 million visitors and the UAE’s major airports seeing over 48 million international arrivals in the past year. The demand for seamless, value-rich travel experiences has never been higher.” Dragonpass’s growth has been powered by its flexible and collaborative approach to market entry and expansion. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model, the company partners closely with local organizations to co-create solutions that reflect the unique cultural and consumer dynamics of each GCC market. This localized agility has enabled Dragonpass to rapidly scale its operations and emerge as a preferred platform for both travelers and regional businesses seeking to enhance the travel experience. A key differentiator is Dragonpass’s advanced technology platform, which aggregates travel services and loyalty benefits into one unified and personalized user experience. Strategic partnerships with leading blue-chip organizations based in the Middle East allow the company to deliver high-value offerings that combine exclusivity, convenience, and relevance. Dragonpass has also expanded well beyond traditional airport benefits. The platform now offers access to over 2,150 curated travel experiences, including Fast Track and a wide array of dining options. Dragonpass has recently launched a …

Emirates Skywards has enhanced its partnership with Marriott Bonvoy to offer members the opportunity to convert Miles to Points, and Points to Miles. The strategic partnership will unlock even more rewards for 35 million members worldwide, who can now enjoy seamless conversions. The new benefit further enhances the already strong collaboration between both loyalty programmes, which currently offers Members the chance to earn twice the rewards on both flights and hotel stays. Members can earn Skywards Miles in addition to Marriott Bonvoy points for stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and Marriott Bonvoy points in addition to Skywards Miles when flying with Emirates. Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said: “Marriott Bonvoy offers one of the most fantastic hotel portfolios in the industry, and as one of the most valued and recognised loyalty programmes in the world – we’re thrilled to take our partnership to the next level. Our 35 million members have benefitted from this strategic partnership for more than 10 years – earning twice the rewards on flights and hotel stays. And we’ve now opened a world of new rewards with the option to convert Miles to Points. This means members can redeem Points towards stays at more than 30 hotel brands and over 10,000 destinations across 144 countries and territories. At the same time, Marriott Bonvoy members can still enjoy converting Points to Miles to ‘fly better’ with Emirates to more than 140 destinations across the airline’s extensive network. We’re proud of our long-standing partnership and as two global brand leaders – we look forward to delivering more benefits, value, and the very best travel experiences for our members worldwide.” Philip Andreopoulos, Chief Commercial …

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel solidified a strategic partnership with Alleem Group designating Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel as the official hospitality partner for Alleem Group’s upcoming initiatives, marking a milestone in cross-sector collaboration. The strategic alliance aims to enhance brand visibility, unlock mutual growth and create synergies through joint promotional efforts and high-profile event hosting. As part of the agreement, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel will be the preferred venue for Alleem Group’s corporate events, conferences, product launches, and CSR-driven gatherings including their Annual Sustainability Summit, while the company will promote the hotel’s services and offers across its network. The collaboration amplifies joint marketing efforts across digital platforms, print media, and social channels, highlighting curated hospitality packages for Alleem Group’s clients and Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s guests. The collaboration aligned with UAE’s Vision 2030, such as heritage preservation workshops and eco-friendly event practices, reinforcing both entities’ commitment to sustainability. Leveraging Alleem Group’s regional and international showcase Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s premium offerings to a global audience. Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, emphasized the partnership’s strategic value – “This collaboration is a catalyst for elevating Ajman’s hospitality sector. By hosting Alleem Group’s events, we anticipate a 10% increase in corporate bookings while delivering immersive experiences that reflect our Emirati heritage. Partnerships like this are pivotal to positioning Ajman as a hub for cultural and business tourism.” Dr. Rashid Alleem, Founder & Chairman at Alleem Group, added: “Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s iconic waterfront location and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our ethos. This partnership enables us to offer stakeholders a unique blend of innovation and tradition, whether through international conferences or community initiatives we will launching later this …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has officially selected the China Visitors Summit (CVS) to be held in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on 28–29 August 2025. This landmark event will bring together 150 elite Chinese travel industry buyers, making it the largest B2B gathering of Chinese outbound travel professionals ever hosted outside of China. The CVS Abu Dhabi is a highly curated, by-invitation-only event. The attending Chinese buyers are carefully vetted and confirmed to be actively doing business with the UAE—specifically with travel products and services in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Delegates include senior executives from: • Travel agencies and tour operators • Luxury agents, wholesalers and bespoke travel designers • MICE managers and corporate travel planners • OTAs and niche specialists in adventure, culture, culinary, wellness, and more Over the course of the two-day, face-to-face workshop, participating Abu Dhabi travel suppliers—including hotels, DMCs, attractions, museums, shopping malls, and transportation companies—will engage in pre-scheduled B2B appointments. Each supplier will have the ability to personally select the Chinese buyers most relevant to their product, whether focused on leisure groups, luxury FITs, or MICE and corporate segments. In addition to the business meetings, the CVS program includes local experience days in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, designed to give the Chinese delegates firsthand exposure to the products they may sell. These include hotel site inspections, cultural experiences, F&B showcases, and interactive destination briefings, allowing buyers to become more effective ambassadors for Abu Dhabi upon returning to China. This 2025 edition of CVS Abu Dhabi marks a return to the summit’s roots. Originally launched in Abu Dhabi in 2013, CVS has since expanded globally. With its initial …