Dubai International (DXB) has raised the bar on its contribution to Dubai’s economy by welcoming a record 44.9 million guests during the first six months of this year. Marking an 8% year-on-year increase in guests, DXB has established its position as a globally preferred gateway, boosted by strong connectivity with key international markets, while reaffirming its central role in supporting Dubai’s economic growth. Dubai attracted 9.31 million international visitors in H1 2024, reflecting its burgeoning appeal as a global hub for talent, enterprises, and investors. These figures, recently released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, tie in closely with the growth of Dubai’s GDP, which reached AED 115 billion in Q1 2024, up 3.2% from the previous year. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, commented, “The record-breaking performance in the first half of this year highlights our strategic importance as a global aviation hub. Dubai is at the forefront of global cities when it comes to attracting talent, businesses, and tourists from around the world, and we are proud to be the gateway to the city, driving growth and enhancing the airport experience for every guest. Strong demand from key source markets such as India and the gradual but certain resurgence of markets such as China, have been instrumental in our success. We have a very optimistic outlook for the remainder of the year, and we are on track to break records with 91.8 million annual guests forecasted for 2024.” The size and significance of DXB’s established and growing markets including South Asia, Western Europe, the GCC, and East Asia has played a crucial role in the airport’s continued success. In the first half of 2024, India remains DXB’s top …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral are bringing the prestigious luxury travel fair LOOP CEE to the Middle East for the first time. Titled LOOP BEYOND BORDERS, the landmark event will be held from 15 to 19 September at Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas in Abu Dhabi and Anantara Qasr Al Sarab in Al Dhafra. The high-end platform aims to gather distinguished local hospitality brands, offering them an exclusive opportunity to showcase their products and engage with ultra-luxury buyers, travel partners, and agents from Central and Eastern Europe. Over the course of five days, each exhibitor will have the opportunity to conduct 62 appointments, each lasting for 15 minutes, alongside numerous other opportunities to connect with over 100 top tour operators and agents from 16 central and eastern European countries – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia. Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We look forward to hosting the Middle East’s first ever LOOP CEE event in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a premier destination for luxury travellers seeking the most refined of experiences. LOOP BEYOND BORDERS not only supports Abu Dhabi’s journey to becoming one of the most prominent, must-visit locations in the world, but provides unparalleled networking opportunities and knowledge exchange, strengthening our ties across central and eastern European markets, and fostering long-term collaboration.” Taghrid AlSaeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral said: “We are happy to host the Middle East’s first-ever LOOP CEE event in Abu Dhabi, particularly on Saadiyat Island, …

Wio Bank and Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, have announced a new partnership introducing a first-of-its-kind offering that allows Wio Personal customers to earn Etihad Guest Miles for every AED deposited into their Saving Spaces. This innovative programme refines traditional banking rewards, as it is the first time a bank has offered miles without linking them to a payment card. The partnership underlines Wio’s commitment to enhancing customer banking experience through innovative offerings and solutions, including rewards that combine saving money with real-life benefits. Under the programme, for every 1 AED deposited in a 12-month fixed Saving Space, customers earn 1 Etihad Guest Mile. This one-to-one ratio offers unprecedented value in the banking and travel sectors. Moreover, customers can stay miles ahead on their savings, as the miles are credited to their Etihad Guest account within days of opening the fixed deposit. This benefit allows for immediate travel planning, a feature unmatched in the current market. Commenting on the partnership, Jayesh Patel, Chief Executive Officer of Wio Bank PJSC, said: “Our partnership with Etihad Airways is a pivotal step in our mission to redefine banking in ways that are new to the market and deliver immediate extra value to our customers when looking at savings and rewards. By allowing customers to earn miles directly through their deposits, we’re not just encouraging savings – we’re enabling financial independence and turning dreams of travel into tangible realities. At Wio, we continue to seek out the best partnerships, offerings and rewards that benefit our customers.” Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “Innovative new partnerships have always been at the heart of the Etihad Guest programme, and we’re proud …

The new Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr has confirmed its grand opening on 1 October 2024. This glamorously restored “Palace by the Sea” features lush gardens framing a majestic 18th century royal residence, creating a true oceanfront oasis in the heart of Morocco’s “City of Lights.” “Rabat is a city whose moment has arrived,” says General Manager Gregory Viaud. “Four Seasons is unveiling a new era of luxury and glamour, building on our reputation for personalised service with genuine heart. Our team cannot wait to introduce the property to our guests, and welcome local residents to a familiar landmark that has been totally transformed.” The hotel’s oceanfront location is exceptionally convenient. Guests are just minutes from the historic Kasbah, the Medina and the city’s most important business addresses. For arrivals by air, Four Seasons is 30 minutes from Rabat-Salé Airport and 90 minutes from Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport. Morocco’s high-speed train network connects to Casablanca in just 45 minutes and Tangier in 1 hour 20 minutes. The launch of Four Seasons is the start of a new chapter for the historic Kasr Al Bahr – the “Palace by the Sea” – a magnificent complex of buildings on Rabat’s Atlantic coastline. Built in the 18th century as the summer palace of Morocco’s Sultan Moulay Slimane, the property was later turned into a military hospital. Now the landmark is evolving again as a Four Seasons hotel, thanks to the dedication of UAE-based owner partners, The five-hectare (twelve-acre) oceanfront site features eleven buildings in total – five brand new and six historical – balancing authentic historical detail with chic modern design. Families who are attached to this site and …

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced the successful conclusion of the first edition of the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival 2024 at the Exhibitions World Bahrain, where it attracted more than 97,000 visitors from the Kingdom and abroad. Visitors, particularly citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and residents expressed their positive reception of the festival. In its inaugural edition, the festival demonstrated a strong commitment to social responsibility by welcoming children from various charitable organisations and national initiatives. These included the Royal Fund for Fallen Servicemen, the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled, Al Sanabel Orphan Care Society, and the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. Dana Osama Al Saad, Deputy CEO for Resources and Projects at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), announced the successful conclusion of the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival in its first edition. She commended the cooperative efforts of the relevant government authorities and private sector institutions, emphasising the positive impact of these collaborations on the event. Al Saad expressed her appreciation to Al Dana Amphitheatre, Spacetoon, Exhibition World Bahrain, and the National Bank of Bahrain for their joint and constructive efforts, which resulted in an exceptional summer entertainment festival. She emphasised that the event has significantly bolstered tourism across the Kingdom and strengthened the hospitality sector. She also expressed her aspiration to make the festival an annual event in cooperation with all partners, in line with the plans to develop the tourism sector and achieve the goals of the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026. The Bahrain Summer Toy Festival contributed to boosting the tourism movement in the 2024 summer season, resulting in a significant increase in the occupancy rates of hotels and hospitality establishments. It also increased …

THE RIG. project has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Helicopter Company (THC), the Kingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator. This collaboration aims to provide a premium helicopter transport service for visitors traveling to and from THE RIG., the world’s first offshore adventure tourism destination situated in the Arabian Gulf. The agreement signifies a joint commitment to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s tourism and entertainment offerings in line with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly focusing on improving transportation infrastructure and elevating the hospitality sector in the country. Raed Bakhrji, CEO of OPDC, and Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, officially signed the MoU, marking the commencement of a strategic partnership centered on operational excellence and innovative visitor transportation. Under this partnership, THC will leverage its expertise to provide specialized helicopter services characterized by high standards of safety, comfort, and efficiency, thereby significantly enhancing the overall visitor experience. Raed Bakhrji highlighted the importance of the agreement, expressing, “Our strategic partnership with THC underscores our dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience. Through the seamless incorporation of premium helicopter transport into THE RIG.’s services, we are not only improving accessibility but also enriching the Kingdom’s vibrant tourism sector in alignment with Vision 2030.” Captain Arnaud Martinez added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with OPDC on this groundbreaking project. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to delivering top-tier helicopter services that meet the highest standards of safety and quality. By integrating our helicopter services with THE RIG, we aim to contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious vision for the future. THC is determined to prove that everything is possible in aviation with the right partner.”

Sabre Hospitality announced the renewal of its long-term agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchisor with more hotels than any other company in the world. Under this renewed agreement, Wyndham will continue to utilize Sabre’s cloud-based SynXis Central Reservation System (CRS) to manage its operations, reaffirming Sabre Hospitality as their exclusive global central reservation system provider for nearly two decades. SynXis CRS is the leading global hospitality commerce and distribution platform, enabling hoteliers to achieve their strategic goals with streamlined distribution, centralized control, and greater flexibility. With this renewal, Wyndham will continue to benefit from efficient pricing and inventory management, extensive global distribution connectivity, robust bulk upload tools, and a fully integrated guest profile linked to its Wyndham Rewards® program. The platform will also help Wyndham to maintain its competitive advantage while continuing to deliver memorable experiences to guests. “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts,” said Gene Guhne, senior vice president, global managing director, enterprise sales for Sabre Hospitality. “This agreement is a testament to the strength and reliability of the SynXis platform. We are dedicated to supporting Wyndham’s strategy by delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of their global portfolio.” Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its extensive global footprint, operates 25 brands comprising over 9,100 hotels across 95 countries. With nearly 70 million transactions annually, Wyndham remains committed to providing industry-leading technology to its global portfolio of franchisees and hotel operators. This extended partnership underscores the enduring power of the SynXis platform, known for its stability, security, and scalability. “Our collaboration with Sabre Hospitality has been instrumental in our ability to offer superior technology solutions …

ITA Airways is expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia launching its second destination in the country with the direct Rome- Jeddah roundtrip flight, operating with three weekly frequencies. “We are delighted to inaugurate our first nonstop flight between Jeddah and Rome, strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing market”, said Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways and CEO of Volare. “This new opening follows the launch of the nonstop connection to Riyadh in June and is part of our ongoing summer network expansion, which boasts excellent booking results. Operated with the state-of-the-art A321neo, this new flight will expand the medium-haul network and enhance commercial and cultural exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and Italy, while also providing connections with our array of destinations accessible via our Rome Fiumicino hub”. “We are delighted to see ITA Airways commencing the route between Rome and our coastal and historical city of Jeddah, which will further enhance our air connectivity to KSA. Travelers from ITA Airways’ network in Italy, Europe, and the Americas will enjoy a more seamless journey to explore the untapped potential of Jeddah. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with a great partner, ITA Airways”, said Mazin Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports (JEDCO) and Majid Khan, CEO of Air Connectivity Program (ACP). “As a representative of the Italian Consulate, I am thrilled to be part of the strengthening partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia through the launch of the new roundtrip Rome-Jeddah flight. It truly is a testimony of the friendship between the two countries, which not only is rooted in a deep historic relationship, but is further developing the commercial friendship with expanding opportunities”, said …

According to the Ministry of Tourism 2023 annual tourism statistics report, over 8.6 million tourists from GCC countries visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2023, spending over SAR 15 billion. Bahrain ranked first among GCC countries with 3.4 million tourists, followed by Kuwait with over 2.3 million, UAE with nearly 1.4 million, Qatar with around 1.1 million, and Oman with 455,000. Saudi Arabia welcomed over 27 million international tourists in 2023, with spending surpassing SAR 141 billion. Additionally, the total number of both domestic and international tourists in the same year exceeded 109 million.

Crystal cruise experiences launched its state-of-the-art booking engine, designed to streamline and enhance the booking experience for travel advisors. This groundbreaking platform went live on 1st August 2024, offering unparalleled ease of use, advanced features and robust support tailored to meet the needs of today’s travel professionals. With the launch of this sophisticated tool, Crystal aims to set a new standard in the cruise industry, making it simpler and more efficient for travel advisors to manage cruise bookings. The booking engine, seamlessly integrated into crystalcruises.com, offers a suite of resources designed to provide travel advisors with the flexibility, speed and reliability they need to serve their clients effectively. Key Features: • Intuitive User Interface: The new booking engine boasts a clean, easy-to-navigate design that simplifies the search and booking process. • Real-Time Availability: Advisors can access up-to-date information on cruise availability, suite categories and pricing. • Personalized Recommendations: The platform leverages advanced algorithms to provide cruise recommendations based on clients’ preferences and optional back-to-back voyage combinations. • Enhanced Support: A dedicated support team and comprehensive training resources ensure travel advisors can make the most of the new system. • Exclusive Promotions: Travel advisors can access special deals and promotions through the new booking engine. “Travel advisors are at the heart of our business, and we are committed to providing them with the best tools and resources available,” said Marett Taylor, Chief Sales Officer of A&K Travel Group. “Our new booking engine is a testament to our dedication to innovation and excellence. We believe it will significantly enhance the efficiency of our valued travel partners, enabling them to deliver exceptional service to their clients.” Training and Support To ensure a smooth transition, …