Category: Middle East

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, bagged four awards at the World Travel Awards Middle East 2018 winning – Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand, Middle East’s Leading Business Class Airport Lounge and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew titles. The red carpet ceremony was attended by more than 500 industry leading figures and professionals from across the Middle East. Khalid Al Serkal, Emirates’ District Manager Sharjah received the awards on behalf of the airline. “It is an honour to be recognised by the World Travel Awards Middle East 2018 for our ongoing efforts to continually enhance the ... Read more

The Etihad Airways stand at the Arabian Travel Market 2018 in Dubai hosts humanoid robot Sophia, the AI-powered robot who is famous for its speech at the UN and interviewing celebrities and world leaders alike. Sophia was named the United Nations Development Programme’s first ever Innovation Champion for Asia and the Pacific, and is also the first robot in the world to have a nationality, after being granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia. Sophia will take part in a one-on-one interview with host Damian Watson, head of station at Abu Dhabi Media Company, to discuss the future of innovation and technology in ... Read more

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has launched Tourism 2.0, a blockchain-enabled marketplace that connects potential buyers directly to hotels and tour operators. The initiative, which is DTCM’s contribution to Dubai 10X, will further the department’s mission to establish Dubai as the leading destination for global travel, business and events by 2020. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of Dubai Future Foundation’s Board of Trustees, launched the bold plan, among a host of innovative proposals for Dubai 10X at the 6th World ... Read more

Oman is attending the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018 with Responsible Tourism, including current sustainable travel trends as its theme for this year. ATM 2018 will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22 to 25. The Sultanate’s delegation will be led by Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Tourism. “As part of the Sultanate’s National Tourism Strategy 2040, the Ministry of Tourism seeks to introduce the most recently launched services, projects and facilities, such as the opening of the new passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport and the launching of the electronic visa. It also aims ... Read more

Photo Courtesy: arabnews After 35 long years of prohibition citing religious reasons, Saudi Arabia has opened the first movie theatre in Riyadh. The first screening was by invitation only with both men and women in attendance. The cinema will be open to public on Friday and will be screening Marvel superhero film Black Panther. Saudi Culture and Information Minister Awwad Alawwad, celebrities and guest filmmakers are also planning to attend the first screening for public tomorrow. Photo Courtesy: SkyNews It was in December 2017 that the Ministry of Culture and Information announced a landmark decision to allow commercial cinemas to operate ... Read more

Dubai’s La Mer is going to have a brand new waterpark opening in May 2018. Laguna Waterpark is split into four zones – Surf, Relax, Slide and Splash – as well as a pool lounge, a lazy river, food kiosks and a merchandise store. The waterpark will have five daring slides –  The Mantra, Constrictor, The Loop, Freefall and Mad Racer. It also features a children’s zone with a splash pad for children up to four years and AquaPlay Rainfortress for children aged four to 12 years. The WaveOz 180 offers an invigorating surf experience suited to beginners, the daring and the pro’s. The ... Read more

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) that runs the Taj brand of luxury hotels, entered into Saudi Arabia with a 340-keys property in Makkah. IHCL, in partnership with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction Company, will open the hotel in January 2023 in the tony King Abdul Aziz Road (KAAR) project, one of the largest urban rejuvenation projects in Makkah. The property, fourth in the Middle East region for IHCL, is situated within walking distance of the Grand Mosque of Masjid Al-Haram, the main attraction for over 6 million pilgrims who visit the city each year. “We are happy to bring the first Taj hotel ... Read more

Iconic cruise ship Queen Elizabeth II (QE2) is undergoing a major transformation into an epic floating hotel – and will be opening its doors to the Emiratis tomorrow. It spent more than 40 years at sea and arrived in Dubai’s Port Rashid 10 years ago. Rooms of this 13-deck hotel ship starts at around Dhs600, with deluxe rooms from Dhs900. The hotel houses 224 rooms altogether. There will also be 13 dining options on board, and the guests will be able enjoy the Chartroom Bar for a time-capsule experience, or try the original menu at the Queens Grill. The hotel also ... Read more

Emirates is offering special early bird fares for UAE travellers to destinations within its global network. Travellers who book in advance can enjoy special fares starting today until 30 April 2018 and applies to select travel periods. Economy Class passengers can enjoy fares to the Middle East starting from AED 795, to Europe starting at AED 2,135, to West Asia & Indian Ocean starting at AED 945, and to the Far East and Australasia starting at AED 2,035. Business Class passengers can enjoy fares to the Middle East starting from AED 3,155, to Europe starting at AED 9,395, to West ... Read more

You don’t need to be a royalty to enter the Palace hotel opening in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. The Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai will resemble the European palaces of the past with its marvelous atrium, towering marble columns and crystal chandeliers. Located on the Palm’s West Crescent, the 100,000 sq m beach resort has 389 rooms and suites, eight top restaurants and bars, a 3,000 sq m spa, a state-of the-art gym and yoga studio, a 500m private beach and an 80-seat private cinema. The hotel will also have eight world-class restaurants and bars. The Mix, the first UAE restaurant by three Michelin-starred ... Read more

According to the recent statistics, it is reported that some 5.2 million foreign travellers visited Iran in the Iranian calendar year 1396, which ended on March 20. “A survey of the inbound tourists indicates their satisfaction of cultural scene (atmosphere) in the country. The number of international travellers can surge in the event of reinforcing tourism infrastructure and its associated facilities along with offering fresh packages and routes,” said Mohammad Moheb-Khodai, the deputy director of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism. Iran’s outbound passengers at 9 million, of which nearly half were pilgrims. Around 5.5 million travellers visited Iran in 1395, fetching ... Read more

UAE announces new transit visa policy which is aimed at enhancing transit visa procedures to enable stopover passengers to enjoy a day out in the country, thus boosting the tourism industry. The cabinet has given a thumbs up for the preparations to begin on a general policy to grant entry visas to transit passengers – across all UAE airports – who wish to visit the country’s landmarks and tourist attractions. The cabinet has formed a working group, led by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, to prepare the new policy considering the possible positive effects it will have on the ... Read more

The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism – (DCT Abu Dhabi) said it has successfully concluded a roadshow taking in three major cities in China. The roadshow, which took in Beijing, Nanjing and Guangzhou, aims to help raise awareness about the emirate as a holiday destination for Chinese travellers. Statistics show that in the first two months of 2018, 86,400 Chinese visited the Emirate, with February alone accounting for a 83.6 per cent increase. The Department is targeting 600,000 Chinese hotel guests a year by 2021. Several tourist attractions and hotels across the emirate have already received the China Tourism Academy’s Welcome Chinese ... Read more

UAE’s two leading international airlines, Emirates and Etihad, have confirmed the temporary reduction and suspension of services to a number of its global destinations during the summer and autumn periods. Emirates is set to reduce its Dubai to Fort Lauderdale and Dubai to Orlando services from daily to five times a week from early July. Emirates is also set to slightly reduce its services to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpar, Phuket, Munich and London Heathrow in the coming months. Etihad Airways confirmed that it will suspend services to Edinburgh, Scotland and Perth, Australia as part of an ongoing review of network performance.  The Au ... Read more

Dnata has introduced new airport fee, which provides ground-handling service for airlines operating at Dubai International Airport. Passengers flying out of Dubai International Airport may have to pay extra charges for baggage which require manual handling, reports Gulf News. A new fee has been introduced for manual handling of baggage that do not conform to standard size and weight at Dubai International Airport. The new fee is introduced by Dnata, which provides ground-handling service for airlines operating at Dubai International Airport. For example, Air India charges Dh45 per piece for such baggage, but the fee may vary for other carriers depending ... Read more