Emirates has deployed its retrofitted Boeing 777 on flights EK656/657 and EK660/661 between Dubai and Malé. Services on the enhanced aircraft, featuring newly configured and refreshed cabins throughout, include the highly-acclaimed Premium Economy offering for an elevated travel experience. Emirates will also deploy its retrofitted four-class Boeing 777 on flights EK650/651 operating between Dubai and Colombo from 18 July, becoming the airline’s second daily flight in Sri Lanka to feature Premium Economy seats. Currently, over 40 destinations in Emirates’ expansive network offer Premium Economy. Travellers from select points offering Premium Economy and planning trips to the Maldives or Sri Lanka can book their entire journey and enjoy the comfort and elevated experience along the way. Emirates’ flight EK656 departs from Dubai at 02:30 hrs and arrives in Malé at 07:40 hrs. The return flight EK657 departs from Malé at 09:15 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 12:15hrs. Emirates’ other daily service to the Maldives with four cabin classes, flight EK660, departs from Dubai at 10:10 hrs and arrives in Malé at 15:30 hrs. The return flight EK661 departs from Malé at 18:25 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 21:25 hrs. Emirates’ flight EK650 to Colombo departs from Dubai at 02:40 hrs and arrives at the destination at 08:35 hrs. The return flight EK651 departs from Colombo at 10:05 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 12:55 hrs. All times are local. Tickets to both destinations can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents as well as at Emirates retail stores. Emirates operates four daily flights to Malé, three of which are served with the retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft. The airline will also now serve customers traveling to Sri Lanka with …

Hilton announced the signing of Diyar Ajwa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in partnership with Al Musbah Group – marking the debut of the lifestyle Tapestry Collection brand in Saudi Arabia. Expected to open later in 2025, the new signing reinforces Hilton’s continued expansion in the Kingdom and adds to its growing presence in one of the world’s most significant religious tourism destinations. With this addition, Hilton remains on track to reach its milestone of 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia. Strategically located north of the central Haram area in Madinah, Diyar Ajwa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, will offer direct pedestrian access and views of Al Masjid Al Nabawi, providing guests with a convenient and comfortable stay. The property will benefit from strong transport links, including proximity to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and connectivity via the Haramain High-Speed Rail, which links Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. Mohammed Almusbahi, Director, Al Musbah Group, commented: “We are proud to partner once again with Hilton to introduce the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in the Kingdom. With its unique identity rooted in local heritage, this hotel will offer visitors and pilgrims an authentic and memorable stay in the heart of Madinah. Our continued collaboration with Hilton reflects our shared vision to support the Kingdom’s hospitality goals and deliver world-class offerings across key cities.” The hotel will offer 221 guest rooms and suites, along with an all-day dining restaurant, a café, and a fitness centre. The property’s design narrative will be inspired by the revered Ajwa date, grown exclusively in Madinah, adding a rich cultural touch to the guest experience. Carlos Khneisser, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is partnering for the first time with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, to launch the 2025 edition of its Tourism Youth Summer Camp. The Academy is managed under the stewardship of Les Roches, a globally acclaimed hospitality and leisure higher education institution, with the objective of providing hospitality skills and academic knowledge to nurture homegrown talent in the UAE and the region. The two-week immersive programme for Emirati students aged 17 to 21 will run from 14-24 July 2025, nurturing the next generation of Emirati leaders in tourism and hospitality through hands-on training and cultural engagement. The partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches brings an elevated level of academic and practical expertise to the programme while integrating elements that celebrate Emirati culture and heritage. The camp combines global hospitality standards with local traditions to foster a new cohort of Abu Dhabi-grounded, globally minded professionals. H.E. Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our Tourism Youth Summer Camp continues to grow in impact as we partner with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches to empower the next generation of Emirati tourism and hospitality leaders. By combining world-class expertise with a foundation of Emirati hospitality, rooted in a spirit of welcoming and warmth, we are preparing young talent to lead confidently in the global tourism landscape. Strengthening the tourism and hospitality sectors is key to Abu Dhabi’s future growth, and as we support and inspire our Emirati youth to enter into this industry, they will be a key part of our mission to both progress the emirate and share …

Dubai Airports has launched DXB Greet & Go, a new smart pickup service at Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3. Designed for guests arriving in Dubai with pre-booked hotel, limousine, or tour operator services, this new solution replaces traditional guest paging with a seamless, technology-enabled experience. With DXB Greet & Go, guests arriving at Terminal 3 can simply scan a unique QR code at the designated kiosk to view details of their assigned driver and vehicle, including parking location and car registration number. They are then guided by multilingual employees directly to their assigned driver and vehicle, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pickup. Located in the Arrivals area of Terminal 3, DXB Greet & Go offers a secure, organised meeting point aligned with DXB’s service and security standards. The new process reduces congestion, improves the flow of guests, and creates a more professional welcome experience. Essa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports, said, “DXB Greet & Go is part of our continued efforts to make every step of the journey at DXB more efficient and enjoyable. By modernising the way guests are received in the Arrivals area, we are helping our partners deliver a smarter and more personalised welcome, while easing footfall and improving operational flow within the terminal.” The service is available to licensed hotels, limousine service providers, and tour operators in Dubai. Businesses can register their drivers and vehicles on the DXB Greet & Go portal and send guests a personalised QR code before their arrival. Upon scanning the code at DXB, guests are verified and assisted by on-ground staff to reach their designated pickup with ease. Licensed hotels and tour operators can email contact@dxbgreetandgo.ae …

The Experience Store (TES) one of the UAE’s first digital lifestyle marketplaces for curated luxury experiences and wellness services, has officially launched, ushering in a new era of premium, wellness-driven offerings. TES stands as Dubai’s premier platform for transformative journeys, seamlessly blending holistic wellness, personalised indulgence, and curated adventures – setting a new benchmark for luxury, active, meaningful living. From private yacht escapes, sound healing, and IV therapy to Michelin-starred dining, desert retreats, and adventure sports, TES brings together a handpicked selection of services under one seamless digital interface. The platform enables users to browse, book, and personalise premium experiences at their fingertips. It is particularly designed to serve individuals and businesses looking to elevate how they live, celebrate, and connect. Anand Nair, CEO of The Experience Store, shared the inspiration behind TES “Dubai inspires us to think bigger and live bolder. TES is our answer to that spirit—built not just for luxury, but for intentional living. We’re designing experiences that inspire people to move, reflect, and reconnect—with themselves and the world around them with immersive wellness community programs. It’s about making every moment count.” TES launches at a pivotal time: the UAE’s travel and tourism sector contributed Dh220 billion to GDP in 2024, with the luxury travel market projected to surpass Dh617 billion by 2030. At the same time, the global wellness economy is expected to reach Dh33 trillion by 2028. Against this backdrop, TES delivers exactly what today’s audiences seek – active, emotionally resonant, tech-powered experiences that blend luxury with intention. Whether it’s a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, a mindfulness session in the desert, or a last-minute adrenaline escape, TES curates moments that are both memorable and …

Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to explore ways to integrate Crypto.com Pay within its payments systems, while maintaining the highest security and compliance standards. Integration is expected to take effect next year.  The MoU was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group and Michael Doersam, Emirates’ Chief Financial & Group Services Officer, by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations. Adnan Kazim said: “Partnering with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency into our digital payments system reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences, in addition to tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies. This strategic move is in line with Dubai’s vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation while at the same time providing our customers with greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates.” “We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Emirates Airline. As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers. We look forward to working together as we continue to build our crypto offering in the GCC”, said Eric Anziani, President and COO, Crypto.com. In addition to exploring Crypto.com Pay integration, Emirates and Crypto.com will explore leveraging promotional marketing campaigns to create awareness and encourage adoption of this new payment solution. The airline’s latest partnership comes as Dubai positions itself as a global cryptocurrency hub, supported by …

Seychelles Tourism, in partnership with TravTalk Middle East, hosted an exclusive power breakfast in Dubai, bringing together leading figures from the UAE’s travel trade sector. The event served as a strategic platform to strengthen ties with the region’s key industry stakeholders. Ahmed Fathallah, Regional Manager for Tourism Seychelles, revealed strong performance figures, stating that “the GCC region has recorded an increase of 16% in visitor numbers during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.”  The informal gathering allowed for open dialogue, networking, and alignment on future collaboration between Seychelles and GCC travel partners.

Jordan rolls out the red carpet this year to an eclectic lineup of activities that will delight visitors and residents alike. Revel in the rhythm of memserising concerts by world-renowned artists. Celebrate the richness of culture and have unlimited fun with family. Transcending the realm of music, poetry and art, Jordan is bringing a never-before-seen lineup of artists and cultural programmes that are not just designed to inspire hearts and minds. There is an extraordinary breadth of events, including the Jordan International Food Festival and the Amman International Film Festival, which will bring a horde of celebrities to the city. No celebration of Jordanian culture would be complete without honoring the kingdom’s extraordinary culinary heritage. The Jordan International Food Festival, from 6 to 11 August brings together the finest flavors of the Levant and beyond. And with such a delectable range of food comes soulful melodies by Ahmed Saad (on 7 Aug ), who blends modern pop with traditional Arabic music and evokes the pangs of love, heartbreaks and separations through his renditions. “The extraordinary lineup is an open invitation to experience Jordan’s soul. In venues where our rich history lives and breathes, under skies that have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, contemporary artists will find their perfect stage. This underlines our commitment to providing seamless and rich cultural experiences for all visitors in 2025,” said Dr. Abdelrazzak Arabiyat, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board. “The country’s diverse attractions and easy access ensure that whether visitors come for leisure, business or cultural exploration, they will discover our kingdom’s extraordinary hospitality and vibrant cutlural experiences.” Headline acts include musical performances by Sami Yusuf – performing for the first …

Sojern is joining forces with PubMatic to enable agencies and advertisers to access and activate Sojern’s extensive real-time travel data insights, with PubMatic’s premium inventory, to target travellers more accurately and in a privacy-compliant way. Creating personalized, targeted campaigns requires finding the right mix of audiences and inventory supply. Curation is a preferred option, enabling real-time optimization and measurement so brands can create relevant ads that drive results. By using a multi-ID approach, curation enables advertisers to work directly with supply-side platforms (SSPs) to strategically combine first-party data, Sojern travel segments, and premium inventory. “It’s clear that curation offers an exciting future for programmatic advertising, and while we’ve worked with PubMatic for many years, this partnership shows that we’re committed to delivering vertical-specific curated advertising to our clients,” said Josh Beckwith, Vice President, Global Corporate Sales at Sojern. “This relationship will fuse Sojern’s best-in-class travel data and multi-ID audiences with PubMatic’s best-in-class inventory, and allow us to optimize both in real time, creating curated campaigns using our clients’ preferred supply path.” The partnership unlocks new opportunities for advertisers to activate Sojern’s real-time vertical-specific traveler insights directly within PubMatic’s curation and data solution, Connect. This integration enables more precise targeting and transforms audience curation into a powerful tool for programmatic advertising and performance. “Today’s advertising needs to work for everyone. Consumers want privacy and relevant ads, while brands need quality advertising space and brand safety,” said Amélie Grenier-Bolay, Country Manager, Italy & MENA, PubMatic. “Strategic curation brings together advertisers, publishers, and audiences by filtering content for quality and relevance. This partnership with Sojern is a perfect example, providing marketers with access to travel data for more effective targeting while ensuring privacy …

Flight searches for summer travel have climbed 7% compared to last year, with France leading the charge, experiencing a remarkable 35% increase in outbound travel searches, followed by Ireland, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also seeing strong momentum, highlighting robust travel intent across key markets. As international travel reaches a fever pitch this summer, Emirates’ latest analysis of global booking data* and search patterns reveals where travellers are dreaming of and escaping to in July and August, with a shift towards new cultural experiences and off-the-beaten-track locales. In 2025, a few breakout stars have emerged as the top summer destinations for Emirates, and they’re largely concentrated in the Far East, Indian Ocean and Europe. Vietnam has emerged as this summer’s ‘it’ destination, stealing the spotlight with a robust 61% leap in interest, and an uplift in booking demand. Emirates flies to three points in Vietnam with 25 weekly flights: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and in June this year, the airline launched services to Da Nang via Bangkok, with flight times that offer seamless connections to/from major European cities and key American hubs. Vietnam’s vibrant third metropolis is a gateway to a trio of UNESCO World Heritage treasures and over 3,000km of untouched coastline. For culinary adventurers, Vietnamese cuisine is a story in every bite. From bustling street food markets to hidden local gems, the country’s dining scene promises an unforgettable experience. Close behind, the island nation of Mauritius continues to charm travellers, with searches for flights rising 41% as the second most in-demand destination on the Emirates network this summer. The airline offers two convenient daily flights on its iconic A380s; while …