Category Archives: Agents

Holiday Factory announced the launch of its new brand, “Holiday Factory Premium”, at the highly anticipated event, Arabian Travel Market 2023 last week. “The UAE market has a unique demographic landscape with an exponentially growing expat population. The region has experienced rapid economic growth, which has resulted in an increase in the disposable income of its residents. Which in turn has created a surge in demand for Premium holidays,” – says Namrata Bhatia, Director of Marketing at Holiday Factory. “Research of the UAE market suggests that 1/3rd of the population is seeking premium holidays and is underserved with all-inclusive packages at the right price”, – says Sandra Daemmrich, General Manager. After successfully serving the UAE middle-class segment with unbeatably priced holiday packages, Holiday Factory is now set to reshape the “Premium” outbound travel industry with its exciting selection of popular & unexplored destinations such as Switzerland, Italy, Maldives, Northern lights of Scandinavia with an Ice Igloo experience and many others. Holiday packages include direct flights with all local airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai and others, as well as reputed international airlines, and premium hotels, transfers, insurance, and curated daily expert-guided tours – to allow UAE residents truly experience the destination the Premium Way! Customers can choose to travel in a small group of like-minded travellers for a more affordable option or travel privately for the ultimate exclusive experience. “73% of Premium holiday seekers residing in the emirates are looking for all-inclusive holiday packages, and 95% of those end up booking by themselves. It’s a long, tedious process of endlessly researching and creating a self-itinerary which ends up being expensive,” said Ekaterina Malikova, Product Manager at Holiday Factory Premium. “As …

Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) announced the redevelopment of SITE’s Arabia Chapter in Abu Dhabi. Working in partnership with the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), DCT Abu Dhabi will oversee the growth of the Incentive Travel segment in Abu Dhabi and the wider MENA region, allowing ADCEB to raise visibility of Abu Dhabi among key audiences as a premier business events destination, tap into further networking and business opportunities and provide the regional MICE professional network with education and professional development programmes. SITE is one of the most significant MICE associations, catering to industry professionals worldwide. With a mission to drive the growth of the Incentive Travel segment, SITE’s move will benefit local and regional industry stakeholders such as tourist attractions, airlines, Destination and Event Management Companies (DMCs and EMCs), hoteliers and incentive planners. It will do this by allowing members to build their business connections on a global scale through its extensive Membership Directory, gaining access to incentive travel research, trends, and data, expanding a range of skills and experience through education and certification opportunities and enhance careers through online and in-person events. Speaking last week at the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM) 2023, Mubarak AlShamsi , Director of Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, said: “With SITE’s decision to locate and redevelop their Arabia Chapter in Abu Dhabi, our local and regional incentive travel partners and professionals will benefit from having such a valuable resource at their doorstep. The Arabia Chapter relaunch in our city is a testament that Abu Dhabi is a desirable destination for this segment. We encourage our MENA stakeholders to join the SITE Arabia Chapter, become active members of the Chapter and …

Rather than cost, the Middle East’s luxury travel sector should focus on the long-term gains offered by decarbonisation, waste reduction and community initiatives. That was the assessment of experts speaking on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 4 May today. ‘Sustainable Luxury: At What Cost?’ included a range of insights into how luxury travel is leading the tourism industry’s sustainable charge in the Middle East. Moderated by Joe Mortimer, Editor-at-Large at Destinations of the World News, panellists included Nadia Ibrahim, Member of the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact; Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President Operations – Middle East & Africa at Minor Hotels; Candice D’Cruz, VP Luxury Brands at Marriott International; and William Harley-Fleming, Vice President of Operations for JA The Resort and Indian Ocean. Commenting on growing demand for sustainable offerings among consumers, the UN Global Compact’s Ibrahim said: “Luxury and sustainability have not always gone hand in hand, but this is changing. We are encountering a new generation of travellers that wants high-end experiences that do not compromise sustainability. This is why airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourist destinations are thinking about how sustainability can be integrated into their existing services, and how it can be used to attract more customers.” Referencing the approach Minor Hotels’ Anantara brand has taken to sustainable luxury, Golbarg said: “Globalisation opened the doors to the world, but I think localisation is now equally important. We took the decision to go indigenous as a lot of the costs associated with sustainability relate to the importation of goods. It’s all about how you are benefitting the communities in …

Al Rais Travel, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023’s Official Destination Management Company (DMC) Partner, is using the 30th edition of the exhibition to promote the UAE as a sustainable tourism destination. Mohamed Al Rais, Deputy Managing Director of Al Rais Travel, said he and his team would leverage his company’s 42 years of industry experience to increase awareness of responsible tourism offerings in Dubai and across the wider Emirates. The company is also using ATM 2023, which will continue to run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Thursday, 4 May, to showcase three of its digital platforms, which are designed to cater to business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C) and corporate booking requirements. Speaking on the sidelines of the show, Al Rais said: “We are trying to increase awareness of sustainable tourism, with a focus on sustainable travel, accommodation and other related segments within the market. “Our group is also demonstrating three digital platforms, which are B2B, B2C and our corporate booking tool,” he continued. “We are always trying to enhance our technology to keep pace with the market. As you know, technology is growing so fast – especially with [the advent of] AI. “We are now working to see how we can integrate AI into our platforms,” Al Rais added, explaining that sustained investment in advanced technology would enable his organisation to maintain its competitive edge in the market. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “We are immensely grateful to Al Rais Travel for supporting the 30th edition of ATM as Official DMC Partner. The organisation’s focus on the UAE as a responsible tourism destination perfectly matches ATM 2023’s theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, so I …

GCC-based travel conglomerate Kanoo Travel and premium destination management company Desert Adventures Tourism have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture in Saudi Arabia at Arabian Travel Market 2023. The collaboration brings together two of the largest and most reputable travel trade organisations in the Middle East, aiming to create the most comprehensive destination services company in the region. The joint venture marks a significant milestone in both companies’ history as they combine their expertise, resources, and capabilities to provide travellers with unparalleled travel experiences in Saudi Arabia. Desert Adventures Tourism, managed by Thomas Cook India Group and wholly owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Canada, has been a leading company and partner of choice for many worldwide tour operators with 25 years of experience in destination management in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Oman. The company has developed a reputation for providing stability, consistency, and quality of service that its partners have come to trust. Kanoo Travel, an esteemed travel company with a legacy spanning over eight decades, offers the most comprehensive and reliable travel solutions. With a focus on corporate travel, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE), leisure and holiday travel, airline representation, and marine travel, Kanoo Travel has established itself as a leader in the travel industry. The company’s commitment to delivering exceptional solutions and services has been consistently acknowledged, resulting in numerous regional industry awards. Peter Payet, CEO of Desert Adventures, expressed excitement about the new venture, saying, “We are delighted to partner with Kanoo Travel to provide the most comprehensive destination services in Saudi Arabia. With their extensive local knowledge and resources and our international expertise, we are confident that this …

Rayna Tours announced its plans for expansion into new destinations, along with the appointment of a CEO to lead the company’s tourism businesses sector. The company’s expansion plans include establishing new destinations in the main European, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries, to create a comprehensive fully fledge products for the travel and tourism industry and communities. Since its inception in 2009, Rayna Tours has established itself as a leading player in the tourism and hospitality industry in UAE. With a major focus on adopting technology across all facets of its businesses and a commitment to excellence, Rayna Tours has been at the forefront of creating innovative travel solutions for its partners across the globe. To accelerate its growth strategy, Rayna Tours is pleased to welcome Mr. Senthil Velan, an accomplished leader in the tourism industry, as its new CEO. With over two decades of a proven track record of success in driving business growth in some of the leading DMCs in the region. Velan is ideally positioned to lead the company’s expansion into new markets and to build upon the company’s strong reputation. Mr. Velan will take over the CEO duties from the company owner and founder Mr. Manoj Tulsani who will continue to oversee the whole group of companies with a major focus on initiatives such as driving overseas expansions in addition to leading the innovation and technology developments across the group. In his new role, Mr. Velan will be responsible for accelerating the growth of Rayna Tours and its various tourism ventures, assets, and brands across the Middle East. He will oversee the company’s operations, strategic planning, and business development initiatives. “We are thrilled to welcome Senthil to …

Sharing insights to their travel plans and preferences, the majority 43% of respondents expressed the desire to travel to Europe for their next holiday, followed by the Indian Ocean islands (20%). The most popular countries on travellers’ bucket lists include Switzerland, the Maldives and Turkey. A majority 28% of respondents plan to book leisure travel two to six months in advance, compared to a matter of days or weeks in previous years. Travellers are also booking more extensive holiday packages, with 37% of travellers adding ‘all-inclusive’ as part of an ideal travel package in 2023. A majority of respondents plan to travel in July 2023, while other travel peaks expected this year include April, June, August and December. The results of a widescale survey conducted by dnata Travel, the UAE’s longest serving travel provider, revealed Europe as the most desired destination for UAE travellers in 2023. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure at dnata Travel, commented: “We conducted our latest survey at a time of high demand, with every expectation that this will continue to grow. Locations such as Europe are popular for the diverse landscapes on offer, from a modern or historic city break to a beach escape, or an island retreat. Experiences focused on wellness and nature are also trending for travellers in 2023. “Our experts constantly monitor trends to offer the best possible, tailor-made holiday packages to UAE travellers.” Based on the results of the survey and overall booking trends, dnata Travel experts are sourcing a wider range of extensive holiday packages for 2023 working with its partners, worldwide. As an example, Club Med’s premium all-inclusive ‘summer mountain’ offering in Europe will form a focus for the …

The world’s leading aerospace event, Dubai Airshow has grown immensely in significance and influence over the years, highlighted by the success of the November 2021 edition, which saw more than USD 74 billion worth of deals announced during the mega event. It welcomed more than 104,000 attendees and witnessed a 50% increase in trade visitors, which included global senior executives from 148 countries. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, the 18th edition of Dubai Airshow is set to take place from 13-17 November 2023 at Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai Airshow Site. The event is supported by key aviation industry stakeholders including Dubai Airports, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), the UAE Ministry of Defence, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) and the UAE Space Agency. With 2023 announced by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the ‘Year of Sustainability’, the latest edition will focus on showcasing the sustainability initiatives and technologies from government entities and the wider aerospace industry, further reinforcing the UAE’s unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable circularity ahead of COP28 summit in Dubai. Across the country, industry players continue to invest in new projects and initiatives such as Emirates operating its first demo flight powered with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Dubai Airports implementing efficiencies and innovative solutions to limit its environmental impact. Significant growth is also expected within aerial mobility, with Dubai pledging to launch flying taxis in 2026, advancements in electric and hybrid eVTOL’s and the DCAA publishing the world’s first national regulations related to vertiports. His Highness Sheikh …

Seabourn Encore, the ultra-luxury cruise ship, visited  Dubai Harbour, the city’s extraordinary seafront district designed for a maritime lifestyle. Discover the World, the Middle East representative for Seabourn, hosted guests for a ship tour event onboard Seabourn Encore. The stunning Seabourn Encore entered service in January 2017, once again re-defining the industry’s expectations for an ultra-luxury experience. Designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany who intended Seabourn Encore “to feel more like a luxury yacht,” the vessel, together with her sister ship Seabourn Ovation (2018) features modern design elements and innovations in keeping with Seabourn’s reputation for understated elegance, as well as one additional deck and expanded public areas. Seabourn Encore offers 300 spacious and luxuriously-appointed all-veranda suites and maintains the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalized service. Features include seven lounges and bars, The Spa at Seabourn featuring a variety of wellness and spa treatments, and The Retreat, a sanctuary designed for guests to relax in private cabanas, with a Spa Treatment Cabana for personalised spa services. In addition, guests may enjoy superb cuisine at seven dining venues, including The Grill by Thomas Keller, Earth & Ocean on The Patio, and Sushi. Seabourn Encore will spend summer 2023 in the Mediterranean, with a series of voyages to Greece & Turkey itineraries. The itineraries explore the wonders of the classical world, and select voyages include Seabourn’s iconic ‘Evening at Ephesus,’ a complimentary private event with a classical concert at the ancient site of Ephesus. In November 2023, Seabourn Encore ends its Europe season with an 18-night Holy Land, Egypt & Arabia voyage travelling from Athens to Dubai. From there, the ship heads to Asia, where …

Sabre Corporation and Al Manal Travel, Tours and Cargo, Salalah, the Sultanate of Oman, have announced an exclusive multiyear technology agreement to help the agency advance its operations and provide travellers with personalized travel experiences. Al Manal Travel has been working with Sabre for more than two decades, delivering comprehensive travel solutions and offerings – including travel packages, cruises and adventurous holidays. Al Manal Travel will be exclusively using Sabre Red 360 to deliver highly personalised offers for its customers, by deploying intelligent and consultative services and features. Furthermore, it will benefit from Sabre’s Automated Exchanges and refunds to drive operational efficiency. “For more than 20 years, Sabre has been the trusted and innovative technology partner that helped us deliver comprehensive travel services and customized products in the Omani market,” said Ahmad Mustafa, General Manager, Al Manal Travel, Tours and Cargo. “We choose Sabre for its expertise, dedicated team, and innovative technology, which will help us to keep our business agile and advance the services that we offer our travellers.” Al Manal Travel will continue to have access to Sabre’s marketplace of more than 400 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers, to sell customized travel packages from suppliers around the world. “We are thrilled to extend our longstanding relationship with Al Manal Travel as its preferred GDS partner,” said John Matthew, Oman Country Manager, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “We are constantly evolving our technology, enabling us to offer agencies faster innovation and more flexible solutions infused with data-driven insights. This helps agencies to differentiate their offerings and create compelling travel shopping experiences.”