In a vibrant tribute to the UAE’s Eid Al Etihad, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel – managed by Hospitality Management Holding (HMH) will present the “TESLAM – UAE” art exhibition, a captivating showcase of artistry in collaboration with The Paintbrush Art Community and Ajman Department of Tourism Development. The exhibition celebrated the UAE’s rich cultural heritage and modern achievements through breathtaking artworks by 26 talented artists, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation. “Our aim is to celebrate the spirit of UAE and provide a platform for artists to showcase their creative expressions,” said Mr. Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel. “Hosting this exhibition until December 7 allows our community and guests to engage with the UAE’s radiant art scene at their own pace.” The initiative reflects Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s commitment to cultural enrichment and supporting local communities, aligning with its broader vision for responsible hospitality.

This UAE National Day, leave the city behind and escape to the turquoise waters and pristine white sandy beaches of Siyam World, a one-of-a-kind island destination in the Maldives and part of the prestigious Sun Siyam Resorts portfolio. Located in the tranquil Noonu Atoll, just a 45-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, Siyam World combines luxury, charm, and adventure, offering an unparalleled getaway where every moment is filled with indulgence and discovery. Take advantage of Siyam World’s exclusive last-minute offers to make this holiday extra special. Guests staying a minimum of four nights can enjoy complimentary seaplane transfers for one person, a one-time floating breakfast in their private villa, and up to 20% off diving and water sports. For stays of seven nights or more, enjoy transfers for two, as well as a watersports bundle package, making it the perfect choice for adventurers. These offers are further enhanced by Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, ensuring your dream Maldivian escape is as accessible as it is luxurious. This exclusive offer is valid for bookings made from November 1 to December 2, 2024, for stays until October 31, 2025. Whether you’re diving into adventure, indulging in a spa day, or enjoying the serenity of your private pool, Siyam World is the ultimate destination to celebrate UAE National Day in style. Imagine waking up to the gentle sound of waves and stepping out onto your private villa deck, where a shimmering pool meets the endless turquoise ocean. At Siyam World, the choices are endless. Slide straight from your overwater villa into crystal-clear waters or explore a vibrant house reef teeming with marine life. For thrill-seekers, the Maldives’ largest floating water park …

Emirates officially unveiled the very first Airbus A350-900 to join its fleet at an exclusive event showcase in Dubai. The event, led by Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy,  was attended by VIP guests, aerospace partners, government officials and dignitaries, members of the media, as well as aviation enthusiasts. Guests were able to experience the aircraft’s interiors, equipped with its next generation products and latest technologies.  The Emirates A350 features three spacious cabin classes, accommodating 312 passengers in 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy seats and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats. The latest onboard products reflect the airline’s commitment to delivering a premium passenger experience while optimising operational efficiency. The Emirates A350 is the first new aircraft type to join Emirates’ fleet since 2008. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we showcase our first A350 and usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth. This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve. Onboard, our updated interiors and seating configurations will help us deliver a more elevated and comfortable experience to travellers across every cabin class. The 65 Emirates A350s joining our fleet in the coming years fit into the airline’s broader plans to support our visionary leadership’s Dubai’s D33 Strategy, which will transform the city into a pivotal …

Kuwait Airways signed an agreement with the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) that enables the national carrier of the State of Kuwait to sell tickets for the Haramain High Speed Railway trips to its valued customers. The service will be activated in the coming period, commencing with Hajj and Umrah campaigns and later for individuals. The agreement also aims to enhance joint cooperation between the two sides and to improve passenger services to facilitate their trips between the cities of Mecca and Medina. The agreement was signed on behalf of Kuwait Airways, by the Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan, and Saudi Railways by the CEO, Dr. Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik. The signing ceremony was attended by several officials representing both companies. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan said, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to sign an agreement with one of the most prominent companies in the region, the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). This joint cooperation will enhance the services provided by Kuwait Airways to its valued customers. This cooperation will also support the national carrier’s objectives to provide increased options to customers to facilitate their travel, offering them new additions in services, especially for visitors to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.” Al-Fagaan added, “This agreement will contribute to commercial marketing and promotion of Kuwait Airways services, as well as providing locations for Kuwait Airways to offer its services at the Haramain High Speed Train stations, thus enabling the sale of tickets for Haramain High Speed Train trips through Kuwait Airways. This is in addition to integrating booking platforms between the Haramain High Speed Train and Kuwait Airways reservation systems, which will facilitate the completion of …

Air Astana signed a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, effective from 26 November 2024, marking an important step in strengthening the strategic partnership and expanding travel opportunities for passengers of both airlines. As part of this agreement, Air Astana passengers will have access to Etihad Airways’ flights to Mumbai, Riyadh, Dammam, Bahrain, Cairo, Doha, Kuwait City, and Muscat, unlocking new travel experiences to India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Etihad’s global network will be accessible to Air Astana passengers via seamless connections in Abu Dhabi, utilizing Air Astana’s direct flights from Astana, which were launched in late October, and from Almaty starting from 5th December 2024. “We are excited to partner with Etihad Airways, offering our passengers enhanced travel options and convenient access to a broader network. This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing passengers with an exceptional and comfortable travel options, whilst maintaining the highest standards of service and safety. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board following this partnership,” said Zhanna Shayakhmetova, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Air Astana. Codeshare agreements allow for single bookings, simplified check-in processes, and seamless baggage transfer between airlines. To date, Air Astana has signed codeshare agreements with eight airlines worldwide.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) concluded its Annual Overseas Conference, a significant event bringing together representatives from DCT Abu Dhabi’s international offices and key global tourism partners from Abu Dhabi. The conference served as a platform for collaboration, strategy alignment, and information-sharing aimed at driving Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth across various international markets. The Annual Overseas Conference provided a dynamic platform for key tourism stakeholders in the emirate to engage with DCT Abu Dhabi’s overseas representatives from key international markets, including the UK, India, Germany, and the GCC, with a focus on optimising Abu Dhabi’s global presence. DCT Abu Dhabi shared strategic insights into the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030 and presenting new initiatives and offerings which will support long-term tourism growth. Attendees participated in market-specific networking sessions, fostering tailored collaborations that address the unique needs of each target region. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Annual Overseas Conference enables DCT Abu Dhabi to strengthen relationships with our valued partners, align on strategic objectives, and explore new avenues for enhancing Abu Dhabi’s appeal globally. Through these interactions, we are committed to delivering compelling experiences and ensuring Abu Dhabi remains a top destination for travellers worldwide.” This event underscores DCT Abu Dhabi’s dedication to meaningful partnerships and accelerating tourism industry growth, aligning with the emirate’s goals to position Abu Dhabi as a premier destination for culture and leisure.

QTM 2024 brought together over 300 exhibitors from 60 countries, offering an unparalleled platform for industry professionals to network, collaborate, and explore the latest trends in travel and tourism. Their focus was on fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and exploring emerging trends such as sustainable tourism and experiential travel. There were many Eastern European tourism boards, which is the emerging market for Qatar as a destination who attended and exhibited their offerings. The main travel agents in Qatar shared a wide space together providing the visitors an opportunity to connect and network with them. Asian tourism boards such as Korea tourism had brought in many partners with them this year. QTM 2024 aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and sustainable development. Tourism is central to this vision, and Qatar is already seeing results, with 2.956 million visitors in the first seven months of 2024, representing a 26.2% growth compared to last year. The event has established itself as a premier platform for innovation and business development within the travel and tourism sector. We are fostering strategic partnerships, offering a robust hosted buyers program, facilitating B2B meetings, and hosting engaging conferences that encourage collaboration and drive industry growth. Speaking about Qatar Travel Mart 2024, Rawad Sleem, Co-founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs, the organizers of QTM, stated: “We are thrilled to open QTM 2024, which represents a milestone in Qatar’s journey to become a global tourism hub. This year’s expanded event, covering 15,000 square meters, reflects the rapid growth of Qatar’s tourism sector and its increasing importance on the world stage. QTM 2024 is not just an exhibition; it’s a catalyst for innovation, partnerships, and sustainable growth in …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in collaboration with Sea Going Green, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Manbat, a platform founded by Arada to facilitate stronger ties between Emirati farmers and consumers. The signing took place during Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2024 (SITTF) to consolidate support and efforts for the Carbon Reduction Initiative, and to highlight the importance and impact of sustainable development on UAE and global sustainability goals. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA; Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer of Arada; Aleksandra (Ally) Dragozet, Founder & CEO of Sea Going Green, and Dr Steven Griffiths, Vice Chancellor for Research in AUS signed the MoU during SITTF that took place in Sharjah Expo Centre. The Carbon Reduction Initiative aims to pilot innovative food waste recovery and composting solutions within the tourism and hospitality sector, integrating cutting-edge technologies like blockchain-based carbon credit tracking to achieve measurable carbon reductions and support Sharjah’s sustainability goals. These announcements mark a pivotal advancement in SCTDA’s sustainability strategy, underscoring Sharjah’s leadership in sustainable tourism. The collaboration with esteemed partners enhances the credibility and scalability of these initiatives, ensuring that key messages emphasize SCTDA’s innovation, partnerships, and alignment with UAE and global sustainability goals.

Etihad Airways announced the launch of ten new destinations starting in 2025. This announcement, part of the air-line’s rapid expansion programme, fulfills its promise to provide guests with a route map featuring destinations they want to fly to, with connections and frequencies that suit their needs. It also al-lows Abu Dhabi to extend its renowned hospitality to more visitors from around the globe as a world-class tourism and business hub. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This expansion reflects our com-mitment to listening to our valued guests. We’ve carefully chosen cities that embody the experi-ences, adventures, and opportunities that matter to them. Whether seeking inspiring landscapes, vibrant cultural experiences, reuniting with family and friends, pursuing business growth, or edu-cational journeys, our new routes will help make their travel dreams a reality. “This moment is not just about expanding our network; it’s about sharing Abu Dhabi with the world. With its endless sunshine, diverse cuisine, rich culture, exhilarating family theme parks, and safe, beautiful beaches, Abu Dhabi offers something for everyone. Our expanded network will make it easier than ever for guests to experience everything our home city has to offer. “Launching ten new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service. This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our team and the ongoing support of our guests.” The ten routes announced today will complement Etihad’s previously revealed new destinations for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein. Etihad’s expansion is set to bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination …

Qatar has been emerging as a premier cruise tourism destination, where residents and citizens of the GCC are invited to explore the rich tapestry of the Arabian Peninsula through luxurious cruises departing from Doha. Qatar’s 2024/25 cruise season presents a unique opportunity to experience the region’s most dynamic cities, including Doha, Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, all from the comfort of world-class vessels such as Costa Smeralda and Norwegian Dawn, as well as Celestyal’s maiden voyage which homeports in Doha. These cruises are designed to offer a blend of adventure and relaxation, allowing passengers to experience the unique cultures and landscapes of multiple Arabian cities. Costa Smeralda, with its 20 decks and extensive array of amenities—including 11 restaurants and a family-friendly water park—promises a luxurious journey for all ages. Celestyal Journey provides an intimate setting with wellness facilities and diverse entertainment options, ensuring that every guest feels catered to. Norwegian Dawn returns to the Gulf with an impressive selection of dining venues and activities, perfect for families seeking both comfort and engagement. By booking an Arabian cruise departing from Doha, visitors can elevate their experience by arriving early to explore Qatar’s vibrant tourism landscape, which includes renowned retail, dining, and entertainment options that cater to all ages and interests. The Mina District, where the cruise terminal is located, boasts charming streets, delightful dining options, and various entertainment venues. Its prime location near Doha’s key attractions, including the National Museum of Qatar and Museum of Islamic Art, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Qatar. Convenient transportation, such as the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ Doha Bus, facilitates easy exploration of iconic landmarks, including Souq Waqif …