Category: Middle East

Qatar Airways, one of the world’s most premium airlines, has said that there will be a temporary staff reduction of 40% at Hamad International Airport due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reductions occurred across various areas including food and beverage, retail and ground staff, Bloomberg said in a report, quoting a spokesman. The move is being made as a short-term response in light of the reduction in passenger numbers through the airport. Affected staff will either be working at home, on leave or taking unpaid leave, just not physically in the airport, the spokesman said. Airlines are among the hardest hit ... Read more

The Oman Ministry of Tourism has said that significant investments will be made to transform ancient houses into heritage inns and guest houses to boost tourism efforts promoting the Sultanate’s vibrant local heritage. As one of the Ministry’s top priorities, the preservation of ancient houses – which are considered architectural treasures that show Oman’s archaeological character – are central to national initiatives showcasing the unique heritage and rich history and civilization of the Sultanate. Ancient local neighborhoods have already been restored using innovative engineering and architectural techniques to turn them into an attractive tourist destination. The Ministry said that tourists ... Read more

All public travel in the UAE, including the Dubai Metro, will be suspended from 8 pm on March 26 until 6 am on March 29. The stoppage is part of a National Sterilisation Programme, which will include all utilities, public transportation and metro services, according to a statement. During this period, traffic will be restricted countrywide and public transportation and metro services will be suspended. The Ministries of Health and the Interior called upon the public to stay at home throughout the sterilisation period, and not to go out except to buy food and medicines or to work in vital ... Read more

All bars, pubs and lounges including bars within restaurants in Dubai have been closed from yesterday, until the end of the month to prevent the spread of corona virus. A statement from the Department of Tourism said, “In line with Dubai government’s precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of its residents and visitors, Dubai tourism notifies all bards, pubs and lounges to close with immediate effect from March 16 till the end of the month.” However, restaurants can remain open. Restrictions are only in place for bars. “Dubai Tourism will continuously evaluate the situation in coordination with the ... Read more

India has prohibited all airlines from carrying passengers from the European Union and the European Free Trade Association member states. The blanket ban will come into effect from March 18 from 5.30 pm onwards. “Travel advisories have been tightened as a preventive measure,” said health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal. An order by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, “No airline shall board a passenger from these nations from March 18. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure.” The European Free Trade Association states include Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. United Kingdom and Turkey ... Read more

Qatar Airways has launched a new commercial policy to provide customers with maximum flexibility to suit their travel plans. Passengers who have booked or will book flights for travel up to June 30 this year, will be offered the flexibility to change their travel plans. They can alter their dates of booking or exchange their ticket for a travel voucher valid for one year. Both changes apply up to three days prior to departure. This commercial policy has been designed to provide Qatar Airways’ passengers with peace of mind when booking flights in light of COVID-19 and its impact on ... Read more

Al Qana, the new social culinary and entertainment destination developed by Al Barakah International Investment (BII) in Abu Dhabi, today revealed “The Bridge Wellness Hub”, one of its seven destinations. “The Bridge” is an integrated lifestyle wellness hub that has been carefully designed to be a disruptive space within its industry. The construction of the concept has commenced already and will open its doors for the first time in Q4 2020 to coincide with the grand opening of Al Qana. The uniqueness of “The Bridge” concept comes from a combination of two ideas. One space that bridges all aspects of ... Read more

If you have a Schengen visa, you can now apply for Saudi Arabia’s new Tourist e-Visa. Last month, Saudi Arabia launched a Tourist e-Visa, a first for the Kingdom which so far did not allow foreigners to enter simply for tourism purposes. Those eligible for Saudi Arabia’s new Tourist e-Visa included all Schengen Area nationals as well as the USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. However, according to new regulations that were announced last week, the list of who can apply for the new Tourist e-Visa has been extended to include all visa holders of the ... Read more

Backed by significant amount of research, innovation and development, the UAE is slowly, but surely undergoing a green transformation. Today, it stands on the threshold of establishing itself as a global leader in the green arena. Having already secured internationally recognised honours for sustainability within its modern transport infrastructure, the emirate is now powering ahead with solar expansion and thereby raising the standard on lifestyles of the future. Ski Dubai is designed for efficiency, like a giant refrigerator, so it only consumes as little energy as an average-sized hotel. The Facility’s snow and its penguin water filtration systems are completely free ... Read more

Nature lovers and adventure seekers looking for a true taste of the Emirati lifestyle don’t have to look any further. Al Badayer Oasis by Mysk, the third gem in Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)’s ‘Sharjah Collection’, nestled in central Sharjah’s lively Al Badayer Desert, is now welcoming guests. This picturesque oasis is first of its kind in the UAE with a unique design inspired by traditional Emirati heritage. It is the ultimate desert experience nestled in Al Badayer Desert’s burnt orange dunes, which are famously known to be ‘made for adventure’. Al Badayer is one of the most popular ... Read more

Sharjah is a perfect destination for tourists who are into art & culture, adventure and food. Known for its rich cultural heritage and its picturesque landscape, the vibrant destination is also pocket-friendly and an ideal weekend getaway as it’s only a few hours’ flight time from India. Art & Culture Sharjah Art Foundation – Located in Sharjah’s historic Art and Heritage Areas, Sharjah Art Foundation activities and events take place throughout the year and include exhibitions featuring the work of Arab and international artists, performances, music, film screenings and artist talks as well as extensive art education programmes for children, ... Read more

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Dubai, then join Ski Dubai for one of the best ski lessons Dubai has to offer! Whether you’re fresh to the slopes or a seasoned pro, you’ll find a ski or snowboarding class ideally suited to your abilities at our Ski School inside Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates. Children as young as three can join us today and experience the magic of winter sports at the world-class Dubai attraction, Ski Dubai. With professional ski and snowboard lessons from some of the world’s top Ski professionals, you could master ... Read more

A trip to Mleiha is like stepping back in time. The past few decades of excavations have turned up more and more evidence, dating back as far as the Palaeolithic age, that establishes how important the region is archaeologically. Many of these discoveries can be experienced by visitors as part of the Archaeological Tours conducted by the Mleiha Archaeological Centre. However, Mleiha is a lot more than just archaeology digs. It holds a vast field of exciting discovery for the nature lover as well. The region has a plethora of flora and fauna including some rare plants and animals that ... Read more

Sharjah’s unique appeal lies in its celebration of heritage and traditional Emirati culture. Today, the emirate has made clever use of its landscapes and history to offer a wide variety of activities and attractions that meld together the historical and the contemporary. Below are our top 8 picks, which you should not miss when in Sharjah: Rain Room: After being launched in London then visiting New York, Los Angeles and Shanghai, the Rain Room, an immersive art installation created by Random International is now permanently housed at the Sharjah Art Foundation. When visitors enter the Rain Room, they are directed to ... Read more

Oman recently won the prestigious title of ‘Emerging International Destination’ at the 13th Annual Today’s Traveller Awards that took place on 29th July 2019 at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. On the occasion of its 22nd anniversary, Today’s Traveller hosted an awards night where dignitaries and celebrities came together in a common spirit of fellowship and camaraderie. The publication put together a grand show celebrating the spirit of achievement in various realms. “We are absolutely delighted to be recognized as an emerging international destination as Indian travellers are constantly looking at newer and unique locations to visit. Oman being an ... Read more