Breaking Travel News Arabian Travel Market 2023 - Preview Issue

All the latest news and insights from the upcoming ATM 2023, the largest travel exhibition in the Middle East, taking place 1-4 May, Dubai, UAE.

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Exhibitor participation in ATM 2023 has risen by 27% compared to last year’s event, with growth registered across all show sectors

ATM welcomes travel world to Dubai

Arabian Travel Market 2023 is welcoming the global travel, tourism and hospitality community to the UAE.

The 30th edition of the show is hosting over 2,000 exhibitors, representatives from more than 150 countries and an anticipated 34,000 attendees.

Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in collaboration with the emirate’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), this year’s conference once again forms a central component of the UAE’s annual Arabian Travel Week.

In line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, ATM 2023 will provide a forum in which participants can forge new connections, share knowledge and showcase innovations with the potential to expedite the global travel sector’s journey towards decarbonisation.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, says: “ATM 2023 will provide a platform for a diverse array of public and private-sector speakers, all of whom will offer expert insights into sustainable travel trends, responsible tourism and a host of other industry-critical issues.

Exhibitor participation in ATM 2023 has risen by 27% compared to last year’s event, with growth registered across all show sectors. These include regional upticks for the Middle East, representation for which will be 24% larger than in 2022, Europe (17% larger), Asia (15% larger) and Africa (8.5% larger). The event’s Travel Tech and hotels sectors have also witnessed sizeable year-on-year growth, expanding by 62% and 37.5%, respectively.

Chinese exhibitors and travel professionals are making a welcome return to ATM 2023, after the country lifted its Covid-related travel restrictions earlier this year. Southeast Asia and India will feature prominently at this year’s event too.

Saudi Arabia will have a considerable presence at ATM 2023. The Kingdom registered more international arrivals than any other Arab nation during the first nine months of last year, welcoming more than 18 million visitors during this period, according to government data. The ATM Global Stage will host a variety of sessions focused on pivotal industry issues. The upcoming edition will also see the return of the ATM Travel Tech Stage.

This year’s show will see the return of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Arabia, which will explore trends and opportunities within the burgeoning field of high-end tourism.

The 30th edition of ATM will take place as part of Arabian Travel Week, a festival of events dedicated to enabling industry professionals from all over the world to collaborate and capitalise on market opportunities through exhibitions, conferences, breakfast briefings, awards, product launches and networking events.

Batumi to host World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2023

World Travel Awards has announced that its 30th anniversary Europe Gala Ceremony 2023 will be staged in the exciting emerging tourism destination of Batumi, Georgia.

The magnificent city has made the headlines in recent years as Europe’s new travel hotspot and tourism investment capital. The leading travel industry figureheads from across the continent will be invited to this must-attend VIP event on 30 September 2023.

Capital of the autonomous Ajara region, Batumi is rapidly establishing itself as one of the world’s most exciting destinations, and enjoys an enviable all-season climate on the shores of the Black Sea, with a backdrop of the magnificent snow-capped Ajara Mountains.

The gala ceremony will take place at Georgia’s most important historical monument, the 2,000-year old Gonio Fortress, one of the world's best-preserved

examples of Roman architecture and a site steeped in myths and legends.

Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “I am honoured to unveil Batumi as the host of our Europe Gala Ceremony 2023. This fascinating destination is one of the rising stars of tourism, and as one of the most talked about locations in the world, is a place that everyone should visit. I am delighted it will form a crucial part of our landmark 30th anniversary Grand Tour.”

He adds: “World Travel Awards has maintained its position as the industry leader for the past 30 years, consistently proving its value as the global benchmark for recognising and rewarding excellence in travel and tourism. I look forward to joining

the most senior travel industry figureheads from across Europe for what promises to be a fabulous, historic event that will last long in everyone’s memory.”

Tornike Rijvadze, Chairman, Government of Ajara Autonomous Republic, says: “We are honoured to host the 30th anniversary of World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2023, in Batumi, Georgia. It is a privilege to welcome tourism leaders from around the world. We are proud to have you here with us, grateful for the opportunity of building together a greater future for our tourism industry and delighted to share with you the very best of Georgian hospitality.”

Key Dates

•World Travel Awards 2023 nominees announced and voting opens: 9 May

•Close of voting window: 20 August

•World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2023: 30 September

More information

For more information about Batumi visit visitbatumi.com and also head over stand EU1650 at ATM.

For more information about World Travel Awards visit worldtravelawards.com.

It is a privilege to welcome tourism leaders from around the world.

Tornike Rijvadze, Chairman, Government of Ajara Autonomous Republic

Arabian Travel Market prepares for annual Middle East showcase

As the industry-leading event returns to Dubai, Breaking Travel News speaks to exhibition director, Danielle Curtis, to find out what delegates can expect this year

As it enters its fourth decade, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will this year welcome thousands of delegates to the dazzling emirate of Dubai. Speaking to Breaking Travel News, Danielle Curtis, ATM exhibition director, reveals there is a feeling of confidence in the Middle East tourism market as the event returns.

“This is our thirtieth anniversary - when we launched in 1994, we had 7,000 attendees from 52 nations, this year, we will welcome 2,000 exhibitors, with over 34,000 attendees from 150 nations. This is an excellent achievement –and one we are really pleased to share. These figures are up 27 per cent year-on-year in terms of exhibitor participation, though we are still slightly below the levels reached in 2019, pre-pandemic,” Curtis explains.

“Our goal is to be back to pre-pandemic levels next year.”

Curtis continues: “A lot of growth has come from

the Middle East, with the expansion in ambition in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and elsewhere, while we are also seeing growth from Asia and Africa. This has been led by the private sector, which has seen confidence return after a couple of tough years. Travel technology attendance is up 62 per cent, while key international hotel chains have increased their presence by 37 per cent –so this is a positive step.”

As part of milestone celebrations, ATM will be presenting a special award to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the travel and tourism industry in the Middle East over the past three decades. The winner will be revealed during the coming days.

Arabian Travel Week

ATM is this year part of Arabian Travel Week –which runs 1-10 May.

Curtis outlines her ambitions for the larger event: “There are many

events in Dubai around the main show, and we embrace these and place them all under one umbrella. This is a celebration, a festival – so whether it is an awards ceremony, networking event or party, we are happy to welcome that to the schedule.

“We have ILTM Arabia, which brings the luxury market to the event, running for two days, as well as the start-up competition alongside Plug & Play. The latter will see innovative companies pitch sustainable ideas to impact on the travel industry.

“We also partner with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) for a series of business travel forums, and the ITIC Tourism Investment Session. Travel Tech is also growing at a rapid pace, a brand within ATM, always evolving, which will explore travel technology.”

Net Zero

The theme of the 2023 show is ‘Working Towards

Net Zero,’ with sustainability set to be ingrained in every element of ATM. “We have come a long way in the last couple of years – but we are also keen to look toward the future,” says Curtis.

“ATM has always been that key platform for the sector here in the Middle East – we bring together the region, while our international audience has also grown more over the last few years, outside of the pandemic. Covid-19 allowed us to stop, rethink and look at really what we are trying to achieve with ATM – and that has led us toward our theme this year, which is ‘Working Towards Net Zero’.

“This is very much in line with Dubai and the wider goals we have seen shared across the region when it comes to sustainability. There are ambitions within the region to tackle carbon output and to tackle the subject.”

RX – the organisers of ATM and nearly 400 other global events – are also

playing their part, having made a sustainability pledge - taking in 30 different short- and longterm goals.

“As a company, we are looking to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2040,” adds Curtis.

The theme will be carried across all ATM communications, content, stages and platforms. The event will work to share best practice, knowledge and insights, along with the latest innovations, all of which are designed to accelerate the journey of tourism toward decarbonisation.

Custis adds: “There will the usual line-up of networking, speednetworking and social activities – but this year there will be a renewed focus on sustainability. We have launched a

sustainability hub, which offered bite-sized learnings on the show floor, where we will welcome key industry professionals to come and speak about bestpractice or best-in-class initiative from the sector. We have also introduced a ‘best sustainable stand’ award, which will recognise the ‘best stand build incorporating sustainability initiatives’. This has seen a lot of interest already, from delegates and the wider industry, and we have seen eager exhibitors submitting their applications.”

In terms of delegates, the reopening of China and growth of India have both been well received.

“China has been closed for three years, so the reopening is really positive,” says Curtis. “This

was a top source market, with 155 million tourists, spending US$250 billion overseas in 2019 – and it is great to see it begin to recover. Dubai itself welcomed one million Chinese guests in 2019, which was a 15 per cent increase over 2018 – a strong growth trajectory. These numbers suggest the United Arab Emirates, which has relaxed its visa regulations, is well-placed to benefit from the reopening, as is Saudi Arabia, which is making a big push into the tourism space. Egypt and Jordan are also following suit. We have seen an increase in flight schedules for the coming months, putting the region in a strong position.”

She adds: “India, too, has always been a top source market for guests in the Middle East, and for attendees coming to ATM. A lot of buyers come from the region, which has been a lucrative one for ATM.”

Tourism in the Middle East is also going from strength-to-strength after a difficult couple of years.

“The United Arab Emirates was exemplary in the way it reopened, post-Covid-19, the speed with which it opened, post-pandemic,” explains Curtis. “We saw confidence return in 2022, both from travelers arriving and businesses investing. The region has set ambitious goals for what it wants to achieve in terms of tourism and is quickly getting back to pre-pandemic levels. Dubai welcome 14.36 million international guests last year, and there is a lot of confidence

around that. The emirate saw an occupancy rate in its hotels of 73 per cent last year, one of the highest in the world. There are expectations this recovery will continue, not just this year, but in the future, in Dubai and across the Middle East.”

She adds: “That said, this is not just a return to ‘business-as-usual,’ we are really focused on sustainable travel – not least through the arrival of COP 28 in the region this year. The Middle East will drive sustainability in this industry forward at a rapid pace. The GCC alone has 150,000 rooms in the development pipeline and under contract, so there is a lot of confidence here. There has been collaboration across the GCC region –and we have seen some great examples. Qatar welcomed the FIFA 2022 World Cup, which benefitted the whole region, while Expo 2020 here in Dubai was also a success. These types of events have a positive knock-on effect to the surrounding countries, and I see this combined approach being repeated in the future. This is a hub, and the connectivity is there, through and beyond Dubai, for everybody to benefit.”

More Information

Arabian Travel Market takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from May 1st-4th this year. Find out more on the official website at www.wtm.com/atm.

DANIELLE CURTIS

ITIC session to shine spotlight on industry financing at ATM 2023

Industry experts are gathering at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to discuss sustainable decision-making and financing during the International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC) Middle East Tourism Investment Session, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Saudi Arabia is leading the GCC’s tourism development activities with a pipeline of 100,071 hotel rooms, according to data released by STR. Dubai is the region’s second most active market with 27,095 rooms under contract, followed by Qatar (17,145), Oman (10,292), Bahrain (3,452) and Kuwait (1,369). In total, there are 159,424 pipeline rooms under contract in the Gulf at present.

Related opportunities and challenges will be placed under the microscope throughout ATM 2023, thanks to a range of panel discussions and events related to industry financing. In addition to the ITIC panels, this year’s show will feature sessions highlighting industry-critical issues such as travel tech investment, the contemporary geopolitical landscape, urban regeneration, future markets, space tourism and more.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “With nearly

160,000 hotel rooms under development across the GCC, this region is undoubtedly a global hotspot for industry investment right now. Thanks to the participation of ITIC and a host of other finance-related sessions, ATM 2023 represents the ideal forum for travel, tourism and hospitality professionals from around the world to explore the latest investment opportunities and novel financing models with some of the biggest names in our sector.”

Taking place on day three of ATM 2023, the ‘ITIC Tourism Investment Session: Making Sustainable Decisions’ will feature insights from an array of industry experts. The sessions will begin with a tourism economic outlook for 2023 from Gerald Lawless, Director of ITIC Ltd, Invest Tourism Ltd and Ambassador for the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

ITIC’s opening session will be followed by a panel discussion on the increasing correlation between sustainability and investments in travel and tourism projects, moderated by Sameer Hashmi, Middle East Business Correspondent at BBC News. Speakers will include HE Ahmed Issa, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority;

and Maher Abou Nasr, Vice President, Operations – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

ATM 2023’s ITIC sessions will conclude with an interview between Elizabeth Maclean, Co-Managing Director of Herdwick Communications, and Dr Lubna Bader Salim Al Mazroei, Manager –Economic Diversification Investments at Oman Investment Authority, during which the two will discuss growing opportunities for women across the Middle East’s tourism industry.

The 30th edition of the show will also feature ‘Plug and Play: Sustainable Tech –Startups Pitch Battle’, which will see seven entrepreneurs pitch their innovative solutions in front of a panel of independent industry experts at ATM 2023’s brand-new Sustainability Hub. The winning startup will receive a range of industry support, including access to Plug and Play’s Startup Accelerator cohort and exhibition space at ATM 2024.

Other investment-related highlights at ATM 2023 will include sessions on financing sustainable travel, backing green technologies, strengthening the supply chain, future-proofing the travel sector against geopolitical turmoil, the power of

urban regeneration, future markets and space tourism.

The 30th edition of ATM will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai

World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.

With nearly 160,000 hotel rooms under development across the GCC, this region is undoubtedly a global hotspot for industry investment right now.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market

Abu Dhabi launches $100 Million culinary investment fund

Authorities hope to bring iconic restaurants to UAE capital in the coming years

The newly-launched Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund (ADCIF) is an incentive for world-class culinary brands to enter the emirate and will further elevate the culinary scene by co-investing with local asset partners and incentivising top chefs, top restaurants and culinary educational institutions, to enter the market and make Abu Dhabi their new home.

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for Department of Culture & Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said: “The Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund is part of our ongoing commitment to elevate the culinary scene across the emirate and create new dining experiences. There is no better time or place to bring best-in-class chefs, restaurants, and hotel brands to the capital. This fund, in combination with the Culinary School will ensure that Abu Dhabi appeals to even more visitors around the world, who can experience increasingly diverse and high-quality dining in the emirate, centred on our tradition of Emirati hospitality.”

The main requisites for successful fund applicants are brands or chefs recognised by leading awards committees and global culinary guides, with a multi-regional presence – operating in more than one country. Applicants should offer a premium casual, lifestyle, or fine dining experience, without yet having an existing presence in the region and would be making their debut in Abu Dhabi – with a one-year period of exclusivity to the emirate.

Abu Dhabi’s dining scene has recently been making headlines around the world, welcoming the Michelin team to launch the first-ever Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi. The guide details 42 restaurants across Abu Dhabi, awarded three establishments with one Michelin Star for their high-quality cooking and four with a Bib Gourmand, acknowledging culinary excellence and value.

DCT Abu Dhabi is set to announce the first two recipients of the new Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund in the coming months.

Public Art Abu Dhabi

At the same time, Public Art Abu Dhabi has launched with the unveiling of the WAVE Media Art Installation. Using an anamorphic illusion technique, the 2D installation recreates perpetually surging three-dimensional waves and was first showcased at COEX K-Pop Square, Seoul, South Korea.

The wider programmes will reflect the emirate’s intrinsic cultural identity, anchoring a sense of belonging and fostering creativity. Integral to this initiative is its community engagement efforts. Acting as a catalyst for creativity and artistic expression in the public domain, Public Art Abu Dhabi will offer opportunities for everyone to engage with new cultural programming.

An investment of over US$35 million will be dedicated to the initiative annually, to support the emirate’s wider creative industries through public art.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi’s public art enriches lives by bringing art to every member of the community, inspiring a sense of civic pride, and advancing the capital’s creative legacy. The emirate has a proud tradition of public art, which we are now elevating with our ambitious Public Art

Abu Dhabi initiatives. These will foster creativity, placemaking and cultural infrastructure and ensure that public art is integral to our emirate’s cultural identity, liveability, and attractiveness to visitors. DCT Abu Dhabi’s promise is to promote, protect and progress the emirate and transform Abu Dhabi into a global centre for culture.”

Public Art Abu Dhabi will contribute toward the conservation of significant architectural and urban spaces, enhancing their historical, aesthetic, social, scientific, and technological value to the community. It will extend the ambitions of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Modern Heritage Conservation Initiative (MHCI), which identifies, safeguards, and maintains sites that narrate the country’s more recent past.

Abu Dhabi will be vying for top honours at this year’s World Culinary Awards. At last year’s event Tori No Su @ Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers was voted ‘Abu Dhabi’s Best Hotel Restaurant 2022’ and LPM Abu Dhabi was voted ‘Abu Dhabi’s Best Restaurant 2022’.

More Information

Visit the Department of Culture & Tourism – Abu Dhabi at Arabian Travel Market 2023 on stand ME2450/ME2410.

Abu Dhabi’s public art enriches lives by bringing art to every member of the community

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi

World leaders to shape the future of sustainable tourism at ATM 2023

The milestone 30th edition of ATM will focus on ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ with policymakers and industry figures from around the world outline how they are working to drive decarbonisation within the sector.

Travel professionals and policymakers from across the globe will explore how the tourism sector is ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ at the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday 1 to Thursday 4 May 2023.

The four-day event will feature over 150 speakers across 63 sessions, as policymakers and industry figures from around the world outline how they are working to drive decarbonisation within the sector. Ministers from the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Jamaica and Spain will join a host of senior figures from the private sector to showcase sustainable innovations, share knowledge and best practice, and explore opportunities and challenges along the road to net zero.

Exhibitor participation in ATM 2023 will be 27% higher than last year, with growth across all show sectors. These include regional upticks for the Middle East (15.1% larger), Europe (30.9% larger), Asia (18.6% larger) and Africa (44.7% larger), as

well as representation from Travel Tech and hotels, which has expanded by 57.9% and 23.5%, respectively.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “We intend to use the 30th edition of ATM to address one of the most significant challenges facing our sector, in line with our theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Increased participation in this year’s show not only reflects the seriousness with which global tourism professionals and policymakers are taking sustainability, but also rising demand for leisure and business travel across the Middle East and beyond.”

ATM 2023 will host an array of regional policymakers, including HE Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Hoor Al Khaja, Associate Vice President of International Operations at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET); Mahmood Khaleel Ahmed Al Sayed Alhashmi, Director General of Ajman Department of Tourism Development; Sujit

Mohanty, Chief of UNDRR for Arab States; HE Fatima Al Sairafi, Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism; HE Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrooqi, Oman’s Minister of Heritage and Tourism; and Makram Mustafa Abdul Karim Al-Qaisi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan.

This year’s show will also feature a raft of private-sector leaders, including Sir Tim Clark KBE, President of Emirates; Kim Hardaker, VP Loyalty & Partnerships at Etihad; Brian Moran, Vice President – Global Sustainability Policy & Partnerships at Boeing; Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral; Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate; Robert Willock, Director MENA & Regional General Manager at The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network; Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, Middle East, Africa & Türkiye at Hilton; Haitham Mattar, Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts; Sandeep Walia, Chief Operations Officer – Middle East at Marriott; Timothy James Cordon, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East & Africa at Radisson Hotel Group; Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO at

Rotana Hotel Management Corporation; and others.

Speakers will address a broad range of sector-critical issues throughout the four days of the event, exploring a variety of approaches, policies and technologies with the potential to shape an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable travel sector for future generations.

“We are delighted that such a diverse selection of ministerial and industry speakers will be joining us for the 30th edition of ATM 2023,” said Curtis. “We look forward to learning how they are working to achieve net zero within their respective tourism markets, as our industry comes together to showcase the cutting-edge innovations and solutions that are driving the next generation of sustainable travel in the Middle East and beyond.”

In total, ATM 2023 will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors and in excess of 34,000 attendees from over 150 countries. To mark the 30th edition, Curtis and her team will unveil a dedicated sustainability pledge that has been designed to reinforce RX’s commitment to the delivery of sustainable events. In addition to setting out the ATM’s journey towards net zero, this pledge will be supplemented by a new playbook that will offer participants a framework within which to mitigate their environmental impact before,

during and after the show, while offering an operational guide for ATM as it works towards net zero by 2030.

The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

To supplement ATM 2023’s sustainable theme, the Global Stage will host a range of sessions focused on pivotal industry issues such as hotels and hospitality, aviation and transport, MICE and business travel, investment, responsible tourism, workforce diversification, and emerging sectors such as attractions, cruises, wellness and cultural tourism. This year’s show will also see the return of the ATM Travel Tech Stage, which will showcasing how cutting-edge innovations including artificial intelligence, the metaverse, cryptocurrency and big data are driving environmentally responsible tourism.

ATM’s brand-new Sustainability Hub, meanwhile, will feature sessions dedicated to the latest sustainable travel trends and innovations. It will also offer the backdrop for the ATM 2023 Startup Competition, an event hosted by

conference partner Plug and Play that will see entrepreneurs go headto-head in a ‘Sustainable Tech Pitch Battle’.

Additional highlights will include the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Arabia, as well as sessions from the International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Other highlights include sessions focused on the key markets of India, China and the GCC, as well as informal speed networking.

The 30th edition of the show aims to explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.

Breaking

Travel News interview:

Omar Khoory, chief assets officer at Nakheel

Nakheel has been instrumental to the development of Dubai as one of the leading tourism destinations in the world. Here we discover more about the past three decades – and plans for the future.

Breaking Travel News: How would you describe the mood in Dubai tourism as we approach the key summer season?

Omar Khoory: We have had an excellent start to the year and are optimistic about the opportunities in Dubai’s tourism sector during the summer season. One of the major events that residents and visitors can look forward to this summer is The View at the Palm's participation in the city’s "Kids Go Free" summer campaign from May to August. This initiative is expected to attract family travellers and stopovers from around the world, adding to the buzz of Dubai’s exciting summer period. Moreover, the reopening of China has brought a steady growth of travellers passing through Dubai and we expect this to continue over the summer season. Along with China, markets such as Australia, South Africa, Israel, Japan and India are

also projected to experience a good travel period, which will result in more visitor stopovers in Dubai.

Overall, the positive trends in the tourism industry, coupled with the exciting initiatives planned for the summer season, indicate a buoyant and optimistic mood for Dubai's tourism sector.

BTN: This is the thirtieth anniversary of Arabian Travel Market – how will the Dubai-based Nakheel delegation be contributing to the celebrations?

OK: Nakheel is excited to be part of the thirtieth edition of Arabian Travel Market, one of the largest travel and tourism events in the Middle East. As a Dubai-based master developer, we are proud to contribute to the celebrations by highlighting our destinations at the Dubai Economy and Tourism

Stand alongside other key stakeholders.

During the four-day event, Nakheel will showcase The View at the Palm, a stunning 360-degree observation deck overlooking Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline, as well as our other destinations, including the Palm Monorail, Palm West Beach, The Club and Club Vista Mare. We look forward to meeting visitors and potential partners to promote these destinations and share our vision for Dubai's future as a premium travel destination.

This year, we are particularly excited to invite over 350 Hosted Buyers to experience The View at the Palm and promote our destinations in their respective markets. We believe that their first-hand experience will showcase the unique features and attractions of our

destinations and further boost the interest of international travellers to Dubai.

BTN: Nakheel itself has been instrumental in the success of Dubai –leading construction on the Palm Jumeirah and a number of other landmarks. What is next on the agenda for the industry leader?

OK: Nakheel's portfolio boasts an extensive array of ground-breaking projects and facilities. While we are most recognised for our masterplan constructions which include multiple tourist destinations such as Palm Jumeirah and the numerous residential offerings we have in Dubai, we also take great pride in our hotel and hospitality offerings. Just recently, we officially opened Cheval MaisonThe Palm, located adjacent to Nakheel Mall, making it the first Cheval Maison outside of the UK and the first in the UAE.

Nakheel also unveiled the masterplan for Dubai Islands, comprising five islands in a prime waterfront location in Dubai, that offers a mix of residential, retail leisure and hospitality services. The islands will be home to more than 80 hotels, including luxury and wellness resorts, as well as boutique, family, and eco-conscious hotels.

We are constantly exploring new opportunities and partnerships to expand our offerings, and we remain committed to delivering innovative developments that will continue to shape the future of Dubai's tourism industry. We also have many projects in the

pipeline within our residential portfolio such as the redevelopment of Jebel Ali Village, the launch of the Canal Front Residences, a new residential community at the Dubai Water Canal and Palm Beach Towers, which will offer elevated beach living with the highest standards of urban infrastructure and facilities.

BTN: How has tourism in Dubai tourism developed over the past three decades – and how important is the sector today?

OK: Over the past three decades, tourism in Dubai has grown exponentially. In the 1990s, Dubai's tourism industry was

primarily focused on business travellers however, over the years, the city has transformed into one of the most desirable destinations for tourists from all over the world.

Research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has shown that Dubai’s tourism sector contributed $29.4 billion to the UAE’s economy in 2022, with visitors to the Emirate steadily increasing.

The sector is one of the largest employers in Dubai, with growth expected to increase significantly in the future, driven by factors such as the construction of new hotels and resorts, and the development of highend tourist attractions and destinations. The Dubai government has set ambitious targets, aiming to attract 25 million visitors annually by 2025.

BTN: Palm Jumeirah has previously been recognised as the World’s Leading Tourism Development Project at the World Travel Awards last year – how important are accolades such as those?

OK: Accolades such as the World Travel Awards serve as recognition of our hard work, dedication and innovation in the development of worldclass tourism projects. Furthermore, the recognition not only supports Nakheel as a real estate developer but is also a testament to the growth of Dubai as a leading tourism destination that welcomes millions of

visitors from all over the world.

These awards continue to motivate us to push the boundaries of innovation in our developments and strive for excellence in all aspects of the business. We are also able to use these accolades as a benchmark for future projects and strive to achieve even greater success.

BTN: What caught the eyes of World Travel Awards voters – what is the secret of your success?

OK: The secret to Nakheel's success can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, the company's focus on developing unique and innovative projects that offer worldclass amenities and facilities has been a key factor in attracting visitors and tourists from around the world.

Furthermore, our investment in technology and digital solutions has enabled us to provide seamless and efficient services to our customers. Finally, our strong relationships with our partners and stakeholders have helped to create a supportive environment for the company's growth and expansion.

More Information

Visit Nakheel at Arabian Travel Market on stand ME3010 – alongside Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism. Head over to the website at www.nakheel.com.

Sustainability takes centre stage as Arabian Travel Market returns to Dubai

The tool measures the carbon footprint within the hospitality sector. It has now been revamped to track real-time data for carbon emission sources, allowing hotels to identify and effectively manage their energy consumption.

The improvements are part of the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative that seeks to contribute to the broader clean energy targets and support the

UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030. The initiative also supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the top three global cities and enhance its position as one of the leading sustainable tourism destinations in the world.

Since its inception in January 2017, Dubai Sustainable Tourism’s Carbon Calculator, part of the Tourism Dirham Platform, has been measuring the carbon footprint of hotels across Dubai. On a monthly basis, hotels are mandated to submit their consumption of nine carbon emission sources, including: electricity, water, district cooling, liquefied petroleum gas, landfill waste, recycled waste, petrol, diesel

The Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism has announced the relaunch of its pioneering Carbon Calculator.

and refrigerants. This information is aggregated and analysed to provide valuable industry insights on the sector’s collective carbon footprint. In addition, by formulating a baseline along with consistent tracking, this information enables hotels to understand their energy, water and waste consumption and further identify successful costsaving opportunities.

The data provided helps hotels and resorts implement initiatives to efficiently manage their carbon footprint in line with the 19 Sustainability Requirements put in place to establish a baseline across hotels in Dubai and unify hotels’ environmental practices. The 19 Sustainability Requirements include sustainable management approaches, performance metrics, energy, food and water management plans, guest education, employee training initiatives, the presence of sustainability committees within hotel establishments and corporate social responsibility programmes for local communities. Through improving internal sustainability operations, hotel establishments in

turn, will enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s tourismlinked economy.

Yousuf Lootah, acting chief executive of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “We are pleased to relaunch the Carbon Calculator as part of our ongoing commitment to support the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, and align with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The upgraded platform also further aligns with the UAE’s commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly as the city ramps up preparations to host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) this year.”

Lootah added: “As DET continually strives to further enhance its services to stakeholders and partners, the revamped carbon calculator will provide hotels with a user-friendly experience and enable hotels to make informed decisions. By keeping track of their energy consumption, the data provides a baseline for DET to develop strategies for the sector so that

hotels and resorts can effectively manage impact, improve the efficiency of managing carbon resources and identify potential saving opportunities. In addition to supporting hotels and resorts within the city’s tourism ecosystem, this initiative has a larger goal: creating a city that is the world’s most visited and the best place to live and work in, as envisaged by the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.”

‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism’ course

In addition to relaunching the Carbon Calculator, the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) and Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) have upgraded the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism’ course available on DCT’s innovative learning platform - Dubai Way. The course offers a broad range of educational and awareness programmes for people employed in tourist-facing roles across the tourism ecosystem.

The newly relaunched module includes educational segments focused on the Carbon Calculator, water and energy saving, how to establish a ‘Green Team’ and implement green procurement strategies. The course reflects the power of education in driving sustainable tourism and encouraging the implementation of environmental practices, while empowering participants with the knowledge to successfully implement ESG principles across the travel and hospitality sectors, thus creating a network of sustainability champions.

More Information

Dubai is considered the ‘World's Leading Business Travel Destination’ by voters of World Travel Awards.

Visit the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 on stands ME3100, ME3000, ME2610, ME3050 and ME3010.

Find out more on the official website at visitdubai.com.

AlUla partners with GHM to develop the Chedi Hegra

Surrounded by awe-inspiring human and natural heritage, the Chedi Hegra will be the first hotel to welcome guests to a uniquely authentic luxury experience deep in the ancient Nabataean site in northwest Saudi Arabia. Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has selected luxury hotel management company GHM to operate the hotel as the Chedi Hegra.

Situated within Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and opening by late 2023, the Chedi Hegra will offer 35 bespoke guest rooms, each with its own distinct connection to the Hegra landscape, a breath-taking testimony of human expression within the natural environment.

RCU is building the hotel directly into several existing structures, including an old railway station and surrounding buildings, Hegra Fort, and others.

Structural and exterior walls, some with historical mud-brick construction, are being preserved and integrated with modern architecture. The vast majority of the UNESCO World Heritage Site will remain untouched by construction and carefully preserved by RCU to maintain the integrity of Hegra’s human and natural heritage.

RCU has also ensured all design and construction efforts align with the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, including a light-touch tourism approach, imaginative infrastructure, planting of native flora, and an all-electric mobility system. Where possible, the project will use local construction materials and work with local businesses and labour, and the hotel is expected to create at least 120 jobs once fully operational.

The property will feature three finedining restaurants, a café, and a fullservice spa and pool, with many of the buildings connected by an overhead art canopy focused on wind movement and natural light.

Tommy Lai, chief executive officer of General Hotel Management (GHM), said: “GHM is thrilled to introduce this luxurious heritage boutique hotel that will offer authentic, unrivalled lifestyle experience deep within the ancient Nabataean site of Hegra. As the first hotel within Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, we are committed to preserve the site’s integrity while seamlessly integrating modern architecture and comforts. I am certain that guests will recognise and appreciate the value we place in minimising our environmental impact, through the sustainable efforts of the hotel, in addition to our dedication in conserving the

legacy of Hegra – a true GHM hallmark of creating inspired spaces.”

The on-site restaurants will each offer unique experiences for hotel guests and others visiting Hegra. One of the restaurants inside the old railway station will feature an exhibition of carefully preserved artefacts, including a fully-restored train, while another will sit within the Hegra Fort, and a third will feature unobstructed views from a sunken water basin seating area.

John Northen, RCU vice president of hotels and resorts, said: “Sitting at the nexus of AlUla’s living museum, the Chedi Hegra embodies the fulfilment of our Journey Through Time master plan with its deep respect for heritage, sustainable design features, and an authentic luxury experience that celebrates what makes AlUla a special destination for travellers seeking both comfort and adventure.”

More Information

Find out more about all things

Saudi Arabia with a visit to the Saudi Tourism Authority on Stand ME4410/ME4350 at ATM 2023.

The Saudi Arabia royal commission has signed with the luxury hotel operator to build a property within the Hegra UNESCO World Heritage Site

Oman opens largest snow park in MENA

The Sultanate of Oman has become home to another tourist attraction with the opening of Snow Oman, the largest snow park in MENA. Strategically located in Mall of Oman and covering 14,830 square metres, Snow Oman is also the first and only indoor snow destination in the Sultanate.

Developed by Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, the must-visit destination features more than 20 family-friendly rides and attractions including a 430-metre ice rink as well as a penguinarium, which is home to a colony of king and gentoo penguins. Storytelling is integrated into the experience, which has a ‘Desert Blizzard’ theme

and resembles an imaginary world where Oman’s cityscapes and sand dunes are covered in real snow, whilst still reflecting the local culture and heritage.

Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, said: “We are proud to welcome the newest addition to

our ever-expanding portfolio, Snow Oman. Entertainment plays an important role in the growth of the local economies, and the opening of Snow Oman marks another major milestone in our investment strategy in the Sultanate, as well as demonstrating our ongoing commitment to deliver innovative experiences for guests across the region.”

He added, “Entertainment not only impacts the local economy but provides us with a much-needed sense of community, and Snow Oman delivers a unique and immersive way for families to spend quality time together.”

In 2005, Majid Al Futtaim made the impossible possible by bringing real snow to the desert and launching the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort, Ski Dubai. Just over 10 years later, it expanded its footprint with the opening of Ski Egypt, which was a first-of-its-kind attraction in the African continent.

At the end of last year, Ski Dubai and Ski Egypt placed first and third respectively in the ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’ category at the prestigious World Ski Awards, a global initiative that recognises excellence in ski tourism.

In 2017, Majid Al Futtaim established

Global Snow, which is the number one international brand for designing, consulting, managing and opening indoor snow entertainment facilities. Later this year, it will continue to expand its portfolio with the launch of Snow Abu Dhabi in Reem Mall.

More Information

Visit www.skidxb.com/enom/snowoman, and to find out more about Majid Al Futtaim visit stand ME3010 at ATM 2023 or go to majidalfuttaim.com.

Countdown to Snow Abu Dhabi grand opening

Snow Abu Dhabi is poised for its grand opening this May, when it will become one of the world’s largest indoor snow parks. It will be located in the $1.2 billion state-ofthe-art Reem Mall on Reem Island, right in the heart of new Abu Dhabi.

The Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment development will feature 12 exhilarating rides and 17 exciting attractions spread over 10,000 square feet.

It maintains a temperature of minus 2°C and a snow depth of 500 mm in external temperatures above 40°C to ensure that visitors of all ages can enjoy its attractions. Guaranteed to be a firm family favourite with rides including two giant slides, The Entry Plaza, Flight of the Snowy Owl, Magic Carpet, Polar Express Train, Crystal Carousel and Ice and Floes Bumper Tubes, The Trolls Bowl, Drifts Downhill Run, and Snow Hares Bunny Hill and The Enchanted Tree. Dining options include The Lodge Restaurant, Grotto Amphitheatre, Ice Café, the Party Room and VIP Room.

More Information

Visit reemmall.ae, and to find out more about Majid Al Futtaim visit stand ME3010 at ATM 2023 or go to majidalfuttaim.com.

Saint Lucia to host World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas

Gala Ceremony 2023

World Travel Awards has revealed that the paradise island of Saint Lucia will host its Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023. The leading travel industry figureheads from across the region will attend the red-carpet reception on 26 August 2023.

The VIP evening will take place at Sandals Grande St. Lucian and form the climax of World Travel Week 2023, a week-long celebration of the global travel and tourism sector, featuring a series of events to unite the industry’s thought-leaders and spark debate on key issues. The week will also feature a President’s Reception on the eve of the World Travel Awards winners’ ceremony.

Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “I am honoured to unveil Saint Lucia as the host of our Caribbean & Americas Gala Ceremony 2023, in this our landmark 30th anniversary. Saint Lucia is helping to spearhead the recovery of travel and tourism in the Caribbean, and I am delighted this captivating island will form a crucial part of our anniversary tour.”

He adds: “World Travel Awards has maintained its position as the industry leader for the past 30 years, consistently proving its value as the global benchmark for recognising excellence in travel and tourism. I look forward to joining the most senior travel industry figureheads from across the Caribbean and The Americas for

I AM DELIGHTED THIS CAPTIVATING ISLAND WILL FORM A CRUCIAL PART OF OUR ANNIVERSARY TOUR.

GRAHAM COOKE, FOUNDER, WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

what promises to be a fabulous event, acknowledging those organisations spearheading the growth of the region’s travel and tourism sector.”

Blessed by nature, Saint Lucia is a destination of breathtaking beauty, with volcanic mountains magically rising from the clear blue sea, paradise beaches, lush forests and rich cultural heritage.

Honorable Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture & Information, Saint Lucia, says: “We are excited to host the prestigious World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023 and join forces with the global travel and tourism industry to

celebrate the 30th anniversary of World Travel Awards. The impact travel and tourism have on our island's economy cannot be overstated.”

Lorine Charles-St Jules, CEO, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, expressed her excitement about the Authority's association with the World Travel Awards brand. She remarked: “This will be an incredible boost to our tourism sector as we continue to aim for excellence in the hospitality industry. We are delighted to welcome leaders from across the world and to immerse them in the hospitality and culture of our stunningly beautiful island.”

Saint Lucia 2023 Highlights

In addition to World Travel Awards, Saint Lucia has a number of key events and activities in 2023:

Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival (5-14 May)

The biggest music event in the Caribbean makes a highlyanticipated return after a three-year hiatus. Headline artists include 17-time Grammy winner Sting and reggae icon Shaggy, plus many globallyrecognised performers. Tickets now on sale.

Saint Lucia Carnival (12-19 July)

Heralded as one of the best Carnivals in the Caribbean, the Saint Lucia Carnival takes place in July, with more than 10,000 visitors expected.

Three Peaks Challenge

New for 2023, the Saint Lucia

Three Peaks Challenge enables visitors to tackle three iconic mountains during their stay: Gros Piton, Petit Piton and Mount Gimie.

C ARIBBEAN & THE AMERIC AS SAINT LUCIA 26 AUGUST

Kabawe Krawl

This new trail of bars (Kabawe is Creole for rum shack) gives you an opportunity to meet the locals, swap stories and enjoy some Saint Lucian hospitality. Book a guided tour or if you’re out and about look for the Kabawe Krawl sign at a participating venue.

Romance Summit

‘Say Yes to Saint Lucia’ is a Global Romance Summit later this year, enabling agents to meet key partners, including villas, hotels and wedding planners. There will also be keynote speakers, a bridalwear fashion show and a digital media strategy workshop.

Further information

Atlantic Rally Cruise

The Atlantic Rally Cruise (ARC) takes place annually and sees a fleet of more than 100 boats set sail from Las Palmas in Gran Canarias to cross the Atlantic Ocean to Saint Lucia.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority is the official destination marketing and promotion organization for Saint Lucia. Learn more at www.stlucia.org and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

The ultimate beach side and lush nature destination in Nosy Be

Located on the north-western coast of Madagascar, the island of Nosy Be with 340 days of sun per year and a constant temperature of between 20 and 34°C, most certainly deserves its reputation as a corner of paradise. The north-western tip of the island hosts the famous Andilana bay, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and exclusive beaches of Nosy Be.

In the heart of a tropical garden, delineated by two 1km-long beaches of white sand, lies Madagascar’s largest 4-star hotel and tourist complex: Andilana Beach Resort.

Voted ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Resort 2022’ by voters of World Travel Awards, Andilana Beach Resort offers its guests an exceptional setting for a dream holiday, that successfully gives both privacy and opportunities for social interaction. The resort offers six suites and 204 rooms that give this resort the right size to make the most of a holiday, to enjoy the three restaurants, the two bars and all the high-quality services that over 500 staffs will be happy to deliver with a welcoming smile.

Andilana Beach Resort is undoubtedly the destination of choice. The colours of the sea

that surrounds it, the peaceful atmosphere of its beaches and its stunning sunsets combine to make it the ideal place for all types of holidays. It is the perfect place for those who want to enjoy a break that’s all about sun, sea and relaxation and it is an excellent starting and ending point for your excursions.

More Information

For further info visit andilanaresort.com.

Zurich Airport: Connecting people and places

Since the first flight on 14th of June 1948, Zurich Airport has developed into Switzerland’s most important traffic hub, with numerous direct connections to the world’s major cities. The airport is known for his high-quality service, short transfer distances and the cleanliness of the infrastructure. Thank you for your trust in Zurich Airport year after year.

75 years Zurich Airport

Etihad keeps passengers connected with new data offer

The award-winning national airline of the United Arab Emirates has launched new ‘Chat’ and ‘Surf’ packages

Etihad is making it easier than ever to stay connected, chat with family and friends, and browse the web while flying on its wide-body fleet.

Everyone flying on Etihad will benefit from complimentary ‘Chat’ messaging throughout their entire flight by signing in with Etihad Guest membership or simply enrolling online before flying to benefit immediately. The free chat feature includes access to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger and WeChat to name a few.

Guests wishing to surf, catch up on social media and work while they fly, can also choose to purchase ‘Surf’ Wi-Fly plans available for a flat fee with unlimited data for the duration of the flight. For flights under seven hours, the package is $2.99 or free for Etihad Guest members, and the Surf package is $9.99.

For flights over seven hours, the Chat package is $4.99 or also free for Etihad Guest members, and the Surf package is $19.99.

Etihad Guest Platinum and Exclusive tier members as well as guests travelling in Etihad’s FirstClass cabins will benefit from complimentary Surf Wi-Fly access throughout their flight. Etihad Guest

Gold members will receive a 25 per cent discount on the Surf package.

Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We know how important it is for our guests to stay connected, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce an added complimentary benefit for Etihad Guest members and welcome everyone to sign up before they fly to take advantage of this benefit immediately. Wi-Fly plans will offer unlimited data and will last the duration of the flight, which means our guests can easily catch up on social media, work or browse as they wish.”

“Our fleet of modern wide-body aircraft is fitted with the right technology to enable this service and offer our guests an enjoyable connected experience throughout their journey,” he continued.

Etihad’s narrow-body fleet continues to offer the current mobile connectivity service allowing guests to make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages and use their data roaming packages as they would on the ground.

Entertained while you fly

As well as connecting to the world through mobile and internet connectivity, guests flying on Etihad can enjoy its award-winning inflight entertainment service, E-BOX, which caters to a broad range of travellers from the youngest ‘Little VIPs’ to the young at heart. E-BOX is available on-demand through the seat-back screens on the widebody fleet or by streaming E-BOX wirelessly to guests’ own devices on the narrow-body fleet.

In addition to hundreds of blockbuster movies from Hollywood to Bollywood, as well as Arabic, Asian and European content, guests can enjoy TV shows, music, podcasts and games. There are also seven live broadcast sports and news TV channels to keep up to date with current affairs or catch a live match while on board.

On any aircraft, guests wishing to switch off and relax will be treated to Etihad’s award-winning comfortable cabins, delicious food and renowned Arabian hospitality from the Cabin Crew.

More Information

Find out more with a visit to the Etihad Airways stand at ME2315/ME2310 at Arabian Travel Market 2023.

World-class hospitality on Yas Island with Yas Plaza Hotels

With six world-class hotels located in the heart of Abu Dhabi's exciting Yas Island leisure and entertainment destination, Yas Plaza Hotels will enjoy a strong presence at this year’s Arabian Travel Market. The group represents Radisson Blu, Park Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridges, Yas Rotana and Centro Rotana located at the heart of Yas Island

All are just minutes away from Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Beach, Yas Links Golf Club, Etihad Arena, and the UAE's biggest global attractions & theme parks: Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Water World theme parks as well as CLYMB Abu Dhabi, the region’s leading adventure hub.

Radisson Blu Hotel Yas Island

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island features 397 rooms for business or leisure travelers, complete with free Wi-Fi and inroom coffee and tea facilities.

The hotel is a host of awardwinning dining and nightlife venues offering diverse culinary options and entertainment, you won't have to look far for a delicious meal or a great time. Feast on delicious Italian food and stylish cocktails over views of the Abu Dhabi sunset at Filini Garden. Enjoy authentic Belgian cuisine and craft beverages at the Belgian Beer Cafe. For a broader selection of dishes from around the globe, visit Assymetri, which also serves our Super Breakfast buffet each morning. Cool off from the Arabian sun with a cold beverage by the pool and some light snacks at Shams Pool Bar.

Other on-site amenities such as the spa, fitness center, and kids' play area offer relaxing diversions when guests are not at the beach or exploring Yas Island.

Crowne Plaza Yas Island

At the Crowne Plaza Yas Island, you can drop your worries at the entrance to our inviting lobby lounge, and relax away your cares at the nearby Yas Beach, which is just a short walk away. Leisure travelers and families have Yas Island's attractions at their feet, from Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, CLYMB to the shoppers' paradise, Yas Mall, as well as Etihad Arena. However, with the 25-meter outdoor pool, fitness center, Kids Club, and our five popular dining outlets with its brunches, buffets, live music, and shisha garden you'll likely not want to leave.

Successful meetings – directed by our Crowne Meetings Directors in one of 9 state-of-the-art rooms –can be followed by 18 holes of golf, team building and a spectacular reception on our terrace overlooking Abu Dhabi. Wi-Fi is complimentary and the business center is open 24hours.

Yas Island

Rotana

Yas Island Rotana is conveniently located on spectacular Yas Island, a breathtaking sports and entertainment destination that will exceed your expectations. Our 308 spacious rooms and suites exude cosmopolitan flair and are meticulously designed to suit guests seeking privacy, a personalized service and unparalleled quality. Enjoy added benefits and privileges at our hotel-within-a-hotel concept, Club Rotana, with exclusive lounge access part of the service.

For an unforgettable dining experience, our award-winning restaurant Choices, fine-dining steakhouse Blue Grill and Indian venue Rangoli will not disappoint, while casual dining options include the Aquarius pool bar, Island Café, and Y bar. Our 9 fully equipped and flexible meeting rooms, as well as our spacious ballroom with sophisticated décor. From spa and gym facilities to a kids’ club, outdoor pool and kids pool, guests of all ages can enjoy this modern facility designed to promote your wellbeing.

Park Inn

Yas Island

Our modern hotel in Abu Dhabi offers 204 newly renovated rooms and suites with beautiful panoramic views of the lush Yas Links Golf Course and the pristine blue waters of the Arabian Gulf. The rooms feature sleek and modern décor, plush mattresses, Chromecast, 43inch smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, and state-of-the-art headboards with color-changing LED mood lights.

A host of culinary options await you, including Mexican, Italian, and Belgian cuisine. Keep up your fitness routine during your trip to Abu Dhabi at our outdoor swimming pools and health club, which includes a fully equipped gym, spa, and a children's play area. Planning an event in Abu Dhabi? Our hotel features two naturally lit conference rooms with free Wi-Fi and modern audiovisual equipment, with space for 30 conference attendees.

More Information

For further info visit www.yasplazahotels.com or head over to ME2450, ME2410 at ATM 2023

Staybridge Suites

Yas Island

Comfort and convenience for extended stays in the Emirates' playground. More home than hotel, Staybridge Suites® Abu Dhabi Yas Island has all you need for independent living, Yas Island-style.

Business travelers on long stays in Abu Dhabi appreciate the home comforts of our spacious, apartment-style suites. It has complete kitchen amenities and fully furnished living area where you can cook, work, and entertain friends in style. A tasty complimentary breakfast sets you up for the day and free buffet dinners four nights a week help you unwind. Free Wi-Fi throughout means you can browse the web in the Library and check emails wherever you are. When work is over, you can soak up the Yas Island lifestyle in our 25 meter outdoor pool and socialize over coffee in the Hub Kitchen. Fancy a taste of Yas nightlife? Pop next door to Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island hotel for award-winning restaurants and bars, a state-of-the-art Fitness Center and a Kids Club.

Centro

Yas

Island

Centro Yas Island enjoys an idyllic location that is beautiful and fun in equal measures. Defined by a youthful and fresh vibe, Centro Yas Island, is a contemporary hotel with an innovative presentation and an exceptional range of services. This 259-room hotel is designed to meet the requirements of a new generation of traveler, seeking finesse and functionality at reasonable rates. Advanced business facilities and high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access come as standard in every room. Providing unique living spaces in a modern setting, Centro Yas Island offers amenities specifically tailored to the needs of the travelling executive.

These include a restaurant serving three-course meals, bar, 24-hour shop, business center, a meeting room, in addition to a shuttle bus with multiple trips per day to the main attractions on Yas Island and free valet parking.

The outdoor pool, as well as the fully equipped 24-hour gym, offer guests the best of recreation during their stay.

A minimalist Masterpiece: Armani Hotel Dubai

designed vases by Giorgio Armani.

Based on the philosophy that travel is as much an emotional journey as a physical one, Armani Hotel Dubai assigns each hotel guest a personal Lifestyle Manager who will serve as a personal contact and host from the moment they make a reservation to the time they check out and even beyond.

Giorgio Armani’s masterful approach to fashion and lifestyle is perfectly reflected in this minimalism masterpiece. Open your eyes to a different style of hospitality where innovation and refined excellence come together in one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Located in Burj Khalifa, occupying the floors concourse to 8 and levels 38 and 39, the hotel features 160 luxurious guest rooms and suites, seven innovative restaurants, exclusive retail outlets and a spa.

Every aspect of the hotel’s design and service offerings has been designed and planned by Giorgio Armani himself, from the bespoke furnishings to restaurant menus and inroom amenities.

Practicality and elegance, the cornerstones of Armani’s signature style, combine with precious materials and sophisticated finishes to create a highly personalized space.

The choice of restaurants, all hugely popular with guests and walk-in diners, includes a selection of world cuisines ranging from Japanese and Indian to Mediterranean and authentic Italian fine dining. Also popular among guests are the three exclusive retail outlets: Armani/Galleria, the first and only place in Dubai where the Giorgio Armani/Privé collection is showcased; Armani/Dolci, a luxurious confectionary store offering a selection of chocolates, and more; and Armani/Fiori, a floral boutique offering exquisite fresh flower arrangements and exclusively

As part of Armani Hotel Dubai’s continuous commitment to originate value-added features, the hotel introduced Armani/SPA, offering fully tailored sensory experiences that suit individual needs. Each unique space in the Armani/SPA provides a context for personalized treatments, personal fitness and sequential thermal bathing, as well as for private and social relaxation.

Armani Hotel Dubai is located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, described as “The Centre of Now”, and is within walking distance of The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and some of Dubai’s most compelling tourist attractions, including The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.

More Information

Find out more about Armani Hotel Dubai and Emaar Hospitality at Arabian Travel Market 2023 by visiting stand HC0220 and also head over to armanihotels.com.

Superbly connected to Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4 via a covered walkway, Hilton London Heathrow Airport offers excellent links to the capital and convenient air connections to the UK, Europe and beyond.

NEW FRESH LOOK

Following its recent refurbishment in 2021, the hotel launched a new restaurant concept, OXBO, which will have three different outlets at the hotel: OXBO Café, OXBO Bar and OXBO Kitchen, each with different food and drink menus available day and night. The new food outlets have been designed to cater for a wide variety of needs, from food on the go, to informal sharing plates, to hearty, traditional favourites, with the emphasis on responsibly sourced ingredients.

The hotel has also extended its options for conference and events. In addition to its existing 15 meeting rooms – which can cater for up to 300 people – the hotel has also created the new Concorde Exhibition space, which has floor to ceiling windows and can comfortably accommodate up 170 people.

Whether staying for business or leisure, Hilton Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 is the perfect location for a great stay.

KEY FEAUTURES

Located just a six-minute walk via covered walkway to Terminal 4.

Award-winning hotel with personalised service and great recognition of regular guests.

Park & fly packages available with fully flexible rates.

Leaders of sustainability initiatives

The new restaurant concept, OXBO has been created under the ethos “bound by nature”, with the emphasis on responsibly sourced ingredients

Cruise Saudi to join industry leaders at ATM 2023

The fast emerging tourism destination seeks to accelerate growth in its cruise sector.

Cruise Saudi will join global travel professionals to consider the future of the travel and tourism industry and create business opportunities during the four-day showcase at Arabian Travel Market 2023.

The exhibition, held at Dubai’s World Trade Centre, has seen a 27% YOY rise from 2022 in exhibitor participation making it the largest professional tourism event in the region.

Speaking ahead of ATM, Cruise Saudi’s CEO, Lars Clasen said: “Arabian Travel Market is the leading international travel and tourism trade event in the GCC. Cruise Saudi is confident in unlocking further business potential throughout our participation and we look forward to being present alongside leading industry stakeholders and peers.”

Cruise Saudi’s objective is to contribute to Saudi’s tourism industry growth through attracting 1.3 million cruise passenger visits by 2035, in line with Vision 2030’s plan to increase total GDP from the tourism sector to 10%.

Mr. Clasen confirmed that he was excited to showcase Cruise Saudi’s rapid growth and how it supports Saudi’s position as a

prominent new tourism destination.

“Saudi offers superior connectivity to the rest of the world – approximately 250 million people in Europe, Asia and Africa, live within a three-hour flight from the Red Sea or Arabian Gulf.”

“Cruise Saudi has been spearheading the development of a fully integrated, worldclass cruise industry in the country,” Mr. Clasen continued.

Since the company’s launch in 2021, Cruise Saudi has completed two successful cruising seasons and is more than halfway through its third season, opening up areas of Saudi previously untouched by international tourism.

Mr. Clasen outlined Cruise Saudi’s expansion plans adding: “With the support of the government and our partners, we have been able to develop three ports –Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port on the Red Sea, and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam – with the necessary cruising infrastructure to welcome international cruise ships and passengers to experience the stunning Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastlines.”

“Moving forward, our goal is to welcome more cruise lines to visit and homeport in Saudi, along with increasing the number of international and local tourists. We will also be focusing on developing more ports and working with our destination partners to curate a range of exciting and immersive shore excursions.”

Cruise Saudi was officially launched in 2021 to develop the infrastructure and services required to scale a full-suite cruise market in Saudi Arabia.

The company is responsible for the port development and operation at key Saudi destinations as well as scaling cruise services, from marketing to Shorex coordination and vessel operations. Cruise Saudi is a 100% Public Investment Fundowned business based in Jeddah and works hand in hand with ministries and regulatory authorities to build the offshore and onshore cruise ecosystem with the aim of positioning Saudi as a premier global cruise destination.

Cruise Saudi has completed two successful seasons thus far, welcoming 50,000+ passengers and five major international cruise lines. Cruise Saudi aims to develop further ports around the country, opening more destinations in Saudi to cruise tourism, with plans to welcome 1.3 million cruise passenger visits by 2035. Cruise Saudi is operating within the wider context of Saudi’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy and develop new revenuegenerating industries such as tourism to

provide opportunities for generations to come.

Cruise Saudi welcomes cruise lines from around the globe to include Saudi as a port of call on their itineraries and add exciting new destinations across Saudi that boast rich cultural heritage, history, and natural wonders. Saudi is home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites which have rarely or never been seen by international tourists and none of which have ever been featured on cruise itineraries before – and three of these are now accessible by sea: AlAhsa Oasis, Hegra Archaeological site in AlUla, and Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah.

More information

For further details about Cruise Saudi visit the Saudi stand ME4410, Hall 4 at ATM.

our goal is to welcome more cruise lines to visit and homeport in Saudi, along with increasing the number of international and local tourists

Lars Clasen, CEO, Cruise Saudi

Red Sea Global achieves sought after Green Key certification

Red Sea Global has become the first Saudi hospitality entity to achieve the prestigious Green Key certification for its Turtle Bay Hotel at the Red Sea

Turtle Bay Hotel is a self-operated property with 90 employees – 50 per cent of whom are Saudi nationals from the local community, and 30 per cent are Saudi females. The hotel was officially opened in September 2021 and is an advocate for training young Saudi talent entering the hospitality sector.

“As we shape the blueprints for regenerative, responsible tourism, we continue to root our efforts in transparency and accountability. The Green Key certification demonstrates we are being true to our word and living up to the expectations we set ourselves for sustainable growth. Such critical evaluations are key to holding us to account, while galvanizing the sector towards a collective journey into a new era of regeneration,” said John Pagano, group chief executive of RSG.

The leading independent certification for excellence in sustainable tourism was awarded to the hotel in recognition of exceptional efforts towards environmental protection, conservation and regeneration, as driven by a pioneering approach to responsible development.

The hotel was independently assessed by the Green Key Global, a leading international environmental certification body, which conducted a rigorous audit that tracked against 77 criteria across 13 applicable categories.

The hotel is powered by a wider vision to run all operations via 100 per cent renewable energy and deliver a 30 per cent net conservation benefit by 2040 through the protection and enhancement of key habitats crucial to biodiversity.

Turtle Bay Hotel makes optimal use of all natural resources. For instance, strategies are in place to ensure zero waste in sent to landfill and we eliminated single-use plastics, replacing non-recyclable packaging work in parallel with circular processes to prioritize recycling and reuse. The hotel also minimises water consumption in every aspect.

These commitments extend to the network of suppliers, who commit to lessening the negative environmental and social impact of their products, including transport to the destination.

Rigorous measures have been implemented towards a procurement structure for goods and services that prioritize ecolabelled and fairtrade sources, where high standards for the protection of workers and the environment are followed. For example, all seafood served at Turtle Bay Hotel is locally sourced and independently certified as responsibly farmed without negative impacts on the environment.

Similarly, the use of toxic chemicals is prevented to protect the health and safety of employees and guests alike, particularly with housekeeping products. All housekeeping chemicals products are locally produced, and 100 per cent ecofriendly.

Three resorts at the Red Sea will open this year along with the first phase of the Red Sea International airport to offer domestic flights. A further 13 hotels will open in 2024, and upon full completion in 2030, the destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.

More Information

RSG is a global multi-project developer, seeking to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible and regenerative development can uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment. The protection of natural capital is central to all development decisions, as the organization seeks to create a better future for all.

Find out more at Stand ME5150 here at Arabian Travel Market 2023, or head over to www.redseaglobal.com.

Four Seasons Hotel Doha announces new GM

SHADI SULEMAN

Four Seasons Hotel Doha announces the promotion of Shadi Suleman to Senior General Manager. In his new role, he will continue to oversee Four Seasons Hotel Doha and have additional oversight of the upcoming Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar.

“It is with great pride that we share the news of Shadi’s promotion to Senior General Manager” says Simon Casson, President, Hotel OperationsEurope, Middle East and Africa for Four Seasons. “Beyond striving for perfection, Shadi’s exposure to numerous operations in the GCC and the Middle East, along with his pre-opening experience, will undoubtedly contribute to the further success of Four Seasons Hotel Doha and the highly anticipated debut of Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl–Qatar.”

A veteran of more than 20 years with Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Shadi has worked his way up in the company. He started his career in August 2002 at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre as Front Office Manager. In the years since, he has risen through the ranks with increasing responsibilities and challenging new assignments. In 2005, he joined the preopening team at Four Seasons Hotel Damascus. In 2007, he joined another pre-opening mission for Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus. In 2008, he made the move to Four Seasons Hotel Doha as Director of Rooms where he advanced to Hotel Manager in 2013. His first General Manager position was at Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria, where he honed his leadership skills and oversaw the expansion and the renovation projects of the property.

After achieving tremendous success on the Mediterranean, a move to Doha followed in 2021, where he was appointed to General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Doha. Since his return, Shadi has led many successful projects, including FIFA World Cup 2022 activations, the refurbishment of Library Lounge, as well as the opening of Curiosa by Jean-Georges, Makani Beach Club and Le Deli Robuchon coming soon. Moreover, his commitment to exceptional service and quality in employee and guest experience, reflected in the Hotel’s #1 Best Hotel in the Middle East and #5 in the World accolade by Conde Nast Traveler award in 2022.

Moving forward, Shadi is dedicated to use his experience to overseeing the debut of Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl–Qatar and flourishing the identities of both Doha properties. “Four Seasons has been at the forefront of luxury hotel brands in Qatar and a market leader in the capital,” says Shadi. “With our growing portfolio in Doha, I look forward to working alongside General Manager Mehdi Zaanoun and our large family of professionals at The Pearl to position ourselves as the leader for resort guests and private residence owners.”

More Information

To find out more visit www.fourseasons.com or head over to stand ME1310, AZ3C at Arabian Travel Market.

DISCOVER AN URBAN SANCTUARY IN KUWAIT

Where modern Middle Eastern design sparks a genuine sense of wonder. Efficient for business and exciting for weekend getaways.

BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS TRAVEL CALENDAR

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May 2023

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F&B @ Sea 2023

2-3 May 2023

Miami Beach Convention Center

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ILTM Arabia 2023

2-3 May 2023

United Arab Emirates iltm.com/Arabia

ASTA Global Convention 2023

2-4 May 2023

Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino Puerto Rico astaglobalconvention.org

HD Expo + Conference 2023

2-4 May 2023

Mandalay Bay United States hdexpo.com

Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE) 2023

3-4 May 2023

William Magarey Room, Adelaide Oval Australia ahice.com.au

DigiMarCon Chicago 2023

3-4 May 2023

Solider Field Stadium United States digimarconchicago.com

Seoul International Tourism Industry Fair (SITIF) 2023

4-7 May 2023

COEX Convention Center, Korea Korea, South en.kotfa.net

Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2023

5-7 May 2023

Miami International Autodrome United States formula1.com

Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) - Saudi Arabia 2023

7-9 May 2023

Al Faisaliah Hotel Saudi Arabia futurehospitalitysummit.c om

TFest 2023

7-11 May 2023

Mexico travel-fest.com

Business Travel Tech Talk - Chicago 2023

8 May 2023

The Loews Chicago Hotel United States btngroup conferences.com

Business Travel Trends and Forecasts - Atlanta 2023

8 May 2023

Renaissance Atlanta Waverly United States businesstraveltrends.com

Business Aviation Safety Summit (BASS) 2023

8-9 May 2023

Sheraton New Orleans United States flightsafety.org

Australian Tourism Exchange 2023

8-11 May 2023

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Australia tourism.australia.com

INDABA 2023

8-11 May 2023

Durban ICC South Africa indaba-southafrica.co.za

AdventureELEVATE 2023

9-11 May 2023

Portland United States adventuretravel.biz/ events/adventureelevate

Airport Show, Dubai 2023

9-11 May 2023

DWTC, Dubai United Arab Emirates theairportshow.com

Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2023

9-11 May 2023

Barbados chtamarketplace.com

FT Future of the Car summit 2023

9-11 May 2023

United Kingdom car.live.ft.com

Routes Europe 2023

9-11 May 2023

Poland routesonline.com/events/ 241/routes-europe-2023

ILTM Latin America 2023

9-12 May 2023

Brazil iltm.com/latinamerica/en-gb

ABTA: Travel Law Seminar 2023

10-11 May 2023

Deloitte, 2 New St Square United Kingdom abta.com/events/travellaw-seminar

Customer Service & Experience 2023

10-11 May 2023

San Diego Mission Bay Resort United States events.incite-group.com/ customerservice

Int'l Wellness Tourism Expo 2023

10-12 May 2023

Tokyo Big Sight Japan wellnesstourismexpo.jp/en-gb.html

HSMAI ROC Asia Pacific 2023

11-12 May 2023

Sands Expo & Exhibition Center Singapore Singapore hsmaiasia.org/event/reve nue-optimizationconference-asia-pacific

CLIA Conference 2023

12 May 2023

United Kingdom cruiseexperts.org

International Conference on Cultural and Tourism Innovation (ICCTI) 2023

15-16 May 2023

United Kingdom waset.org

International Conference on Food in Tourism 2023

15-16 May 2023

United Kingdom waset.org/food-intourism-conference-inmay-2023-in-london

International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality - Montreal 2023

15-16 May 2023

Canada waset.org/tourism-andhospitality-conferencein-may-2023-in-montreal

IHIF - International Hotel Investment Forum 2023

15-17 May 2023

Germany ihif.com

We Are Africa 2023

15-18 May 2023

Cape Town Stadium South Africa weareafricatravel.com

Adjacent Spaces 2023

16 May 2023

The Pullman Hotel Germany adjacentspaces.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Wuhan 2023

16 May 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

Advertising Week Europe 2023

16-18 May 2023

Picturehouse Central United Kingdom advertisingweek.com

IATA Aviation Energy Forum 2023

16-18 May 2023

Hyatt Regency Bellevue United States iata.org

IGHC Ground Handling Conference 2023

16-18 May 2023

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center United Arab Emirates iata.org

UNWTO Executive Council 2023

16-18 May 2023

Dominican Republic unwto.org/events/118executive-council

ABTA: Travel Marketing Conference 2023

17-18 May 2023

United Kingdom abta.com/events/travelmarketing-conference

Social Media Strategies Summit - Public Agencies & Government 2023

17-18 May 2023

Online socialmediastrategiessu mmit.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Changsha 2023

18 May 2023

China chinaute.com/en/index.aspx

The Hotel & Hospitality Show 2023

18-20 May 2023

Gallagher Convention Centre

South Africa thehotelshowafrica.com

Formula 1 Italy Grand Prix 2023

19-21 May 2023

Italy formula1.com

WITS Travel Creator Summit 2023

19-21 May 2023

Caribe Hilton, 1 San Geronimo Street Puerto Rico witsummit.com

Women in Travel Summit (WITS) - Puerto Rico 2023

19-21 May 2023

Puerto Rico witsummit.com

National Restaurant Association Show 2023

20-23 May 2023

McCormick Place United States show.restaurant.org

The Advantage Conference 2023

20-23 May 2023

Melia Villaitana Spain advantage conference.co.uk

International Pow Wow 2023

20-24 May 2023

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center United States ipw.com

Snow Travel ExpoMelbourne 2023

21 May 2023

Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre Australia snowtravelexpo.com.au

SITE Nite Europe 2023

22 May 2023

Hilton Frankfurt City Centre Germany siteglobal.com/event/site -nite-europe

Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) 2023

22-23 May 2023

Loews Coral Gables Hotel United States chrisconference.com

CTC Hong Kong

Corporate Travel Summit 2023

23 May 2023

Hong Kong hk23.corporatetravelcom munity.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Chongqing 2023

23 May 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

DMIEXPO 2023

23-24 May 2023

Israel dmiexpo.com

FTE Ancillary & Retailing 2023

23-25 May 2023

Dublin RDS Ireland

futuretravelexperience.co m/fte-ancillary

FTE EMEA 2023

23-25 May 2023

Dublin RDS Ireland

futuretravelexperience.co m/fte-emea

IMEX 2023

23-25 May 2023

Messe Frankfurt Germany www.imex-frankfurt.com

The Hotel Show Dubai 2023

23-25 May 2023

Dubai World Trade Centre | DWTC

United Arab Emirates thehotelshow.com

The Leisure Show 2023

23-25 May 2023

Dubai World Trade Centre United Arab Emirates theleisureshow.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Ji'nan 2023

25 May 2023

China

china-ute.com/en/

DigiMarCon Houston 2023

25-26 May 2023

JW Marriott Houston by The Galleria Hotel United States digimarconhouston.com

Formula 1 Grand Prix De Monaco 2023

26-28 May 2023

Monaco formula1.com

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Snow Travel ExpoSydney 2023

28 May 2023

International Convention Centre (ICC), Darling Harbour Australia snowtravelexpo.com.au

HOTELEX Shanghai 2023

29 May - 1 June 2023

National Exhibition and Convention Center China www.hotelex.cn

June 2023

Global Travel Marketplace 2023

1-3 June 2023

The Diplomat Beach Resort United States gtmflagship.com

Formula 1 Spainsh Grand Prix 2023

2-4 June 2023

Circuit de BarcelonaCatalunya Spain formula1.com

KILIFAIR 2023

2-4 June 2023

Magereza Ground Tanzania kilifair-tanzania.com

AAAE Conference & Exposition 2023

3-5 June 2023

United States aaae.org/aaaeden

CNS Partnership Conference 2023

4-6 June 2023

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa United States iata.org/en/events/cnspartnership-conference

IATA: Annual General Meeting 2023

4-6 June 2023

Turkey iata.org/en/events/agm

NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference 2023

4-6 June 2023

New York Marriott Marquis United States sps.nyu.edu

Connections Luxury Europe 2023

4-7 June 2023

Spain weareconnections.com

PROUD Experiences 2023

5-7 June 2023

Fairmont Century Plaza United States proudexperiences.com

Africa Showcase - East Africa 2023

5-9 June 2023

Kenya africashowcase.travel

FUTR Summit - Europe 2023

6 June 2023

QEll Centre Westminster United Kingdom futr.today

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Nanjing 2023

6 June 2023

China chinaute.com/en/index.aspx

Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023

6-8 June 2023

Hamburg Messe Germany aircraftinteriorsexpo.com

m&i Healthcare Europe 2023

6-8 June 2023

Netherlands mi-forums.com

Skift Short-Term Rental Summit 2023

7 June 2023

United States live.skift.com/short-termrental-summit

Boutique Hotel Investment Conference 2023

7-8 June 2023

United States bllanewyork.com

Safety Forum 2023

7-8 June 2023

EUROCONTROL Belgium flightsafety.org

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Zhengzhou 2023

8 June 2023

China china-ute.com/en/ Ascend 2023

11-14 June 2023

Caribe Royale Resort United States ascendusers conference.com

Business Travel Tech

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12 June 2023

Germany btngroup conferences.com

Strategic Meetings Summit - New York 2023

12 June 2023

United States businesstravelnews.com/ business-travel-events

Arival Activate - Bangkok 2023

12-14 June 2023

Thailand arivalevent.com

BITAC® Casino Resorts 2023

12-14 June 2023

Red Rock Resort

United States bitac.net

PhoCusWright Europe 2023

12-14 June 2023

Spain

phocuswrighteurope.com

IATA Slot Conference 2023

13-15 June 2023

The Convention Centre Dublin Ireland

www.iata.org

TTRA Annual International Conference 2023

13-15 June 2023

United States ttra.com/conference

World Travel Awards

Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2023

14 June 2023

Kenya worldtravelawards.com

Social Media Strategies Summit - Virtual Conference 2023

14-15 June 2023

Online socialmediastrategiessu mmit.com

AviaDev Africa 2023

14-16 June 2023

Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill Kenya aviationdevelop.com

DRT Show Shanghai 2023

14-16 June 2023

SWEECC China drtexpo.com/shanghai

Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2023

14-17 June 2023

Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center Indonesia bbtf.or.id

ICVTOTTA - Montreal 2023

15-16 June 2023

Canada waset.org/virtualtourism-tourismtechnology-and-applicati ons-conference-in-june2023-in-montreal

International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality - Venice 2023

15-16 June 2023

Italy waset.org/tourism-andhospitality-conferencein-june-2023-in-venice

ITE Hong Kong 2023

15-18 June 2023

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Hong Kong www.itehk.com

Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2023

16-18 June 2023

Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Canada formula1.com

Destination WorkshopLake Geneva 2023

18-19 June 2023

The Abbey Resort United States siteglobal.com/event/des tination-workshop-lakegeneva-wi

LATA Expo 2023

19-21 June 2023

Battersea Evolution United Kingdom lataexpo.travel

FIEXPO Latin America

2023

19-22 June 2023

Panama fiexpolatinamerica.com

ILTM Asia Pacific 2023

19-22 June 2023

Marina Bay Sands

Singapore iltm.com/asia-pacific/ en-gb

Paris Air Show 2023

19-25 June 2023

Le Bourget France siae.fr/en

IATA Focus Africa 2023

20-21 June 2023

Skylight Hotel Ethiopia iata.org

ASTA Legislative Day 2023

20-22 June 2023

United States web.asta.org/imis/LegDa y/Home/LegDay/Home.a spx

Luxury Travel Advisor's ULTRA Summit 2023

20-22 June 2023

Fairmont Scottsdale

Princess United States ltaultrasummit.com

Business Travel Summit 2023

20-23 June 2023

Pebble Beach United States btngroupconferences .com/btsummit

ABTA: Travel Matters 2023

21 June 2023

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square United Kingdom abta.com/events/travelmatters

Digital Marketing World Forum - Global 2023

21-22 June 2023

Business Design Centre United Kingdom digitalmarketingconference.com/global

PATA Destination

Experience Forum and Mart 2023

21-23 June 2023

Kuching Malaysia pata.org/patadestination-experienceforum-and-mart-2023

m&i Europe Summer 2023

25-28 June 2023

Norway mi-forums.com

Romance Travel Forum 2023

25-29 June 2023

Secrets Moxche Mexico romancetravelforum.com

Experience Africa 2023

26-28 June 2023

Chelsea Football Club United Kingdom experienceafrica.travel

HITEC North America 2023

26-29 June 2023

Metro Totonto Convention Centre Canada hftp.org/hitec

HSMAI ROC Americas

Commercial Strategy Week 2023

26-29 June 2023

Canada www.hsmai.org

CTC Singapore

Corporate Travel Summit

2023

27 June 2023

Singapore hk23.corporatetravel community.com

IATA Wings of Change

Americas 2023

27-28 June 2023

Mexico iata.org

Business Travel Show Europe 2023

28-29 June 2023

ExCeL London United Kingdom businesstravelshow.com

The Meetings ShowLondon 2023

28-29 June 2023

ExCeL London United Kingdom themeetingsshow.com

TravelTech Show 2023

28-29 June 2023

ExCeL London United Kingdom traveltech-show.com

Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix 2023

30 June - 2 July 2023

Red Bull Ring

Austria formula1.com

July 2023

ICVTOTTA - Prague 2023

3-4 July 2023

Czech Republic waset.org/virtualtourism-tourismtechnology-and-applicati ons-conference-in-july2023-in-prague

International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality - Ottawa 2023

3-4 July 2023

Canada waset.org/tourism-andhospitality-conferencein-july-2023-in-ottawa

International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality - Singapore 2023

3-4 July 2023

Singapore waset.org/tourism-andhospitality-conferencein-july-2023-in-singapore

Outlook Forum 2023

3 July - 3 August 2023

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center United States industry.visitcalifornia. com/events

Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo - Illawarra 2023

7-9 July 2023

Kembla Grange Racecourse, Australia caravanexpo.com

Formula 1 Aramco British Grand Prix 2023

7-9 July 2023

United Kingdom formula1.com

BITAC® Purchasing & Design East 2023

9-11 July 2023

Omni

Amelia Island United States bitac.net

BTN CALENDAR

Arizona Governor's Conference on Tourism 2023

10-12 July 2023

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

United States azgcot.com

Congressional Summit on Travel & Tourism 2023

10-13 July 2023

United States southeasttourism.org/ congressional-summit

Asia America Trade Show 2023

11-13 July 2023

Miami Airport & Convention Center (MACC) United States asiaamericashow.com

Global Travel Marketplace West 2023

11-13 July 2023

Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa United States gtmwest.com

Miami Airport Convention Center 2023

11-13 July 2023

Miami Beach Convention Center Hall A United States asiaamericashow.com

SITE Incentive Summit Europe 2023

12-15 July 2023

Slovenia siteglobal.com/event /incentive-summiteurope-ise

The Americas Lodging Investment SummitSummer Update 2023

13 July 2023

The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta United States burba.com/ alissummerupdate

TTF Kolkata 2023

14-16 July 2023

Netaji Indoor Stadium & Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, India ttfotm.com

International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality - Tokyo 2023

17-18 July 2023

Japan

waset.org/tourism-andhospitality-conferencein-july-2023-in-tokyo

The Americas Lodging Investment SummitSummer Update 2023

18 July 2023

Hilton Boston Back Bay United States burba.com/ alissummerupdate

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

20 July - 20 August 2023

Australia fifa.com/ womensworldcup

Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2023

21-23 July 2023

Hungaroring, Hungary formula1.com

Africa ShowcaseAustralia & New Zealand 2023

23-28 July 2023

Australia africashowcase.travel

International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality - Vienna

2023

24-25 July 2023

Austria

waset.org/tourism-andhospitality-conferencein-july-2023-in-vienna

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023

24-30 July 2023

Wittman Regional Airport United States eaa.org/en/airventure/ eaa-airventure-tickets

Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2023

28-30 July 2023

Circuit de SpaFrancorchamps

Belgium formula1.com

August 2023

TTF Hyderabad 2023

2-3 August 2023

India

ttfotm.com

HSMAI ROC Brazil 2023

8 August 2023

Brazil

www.hsmai.org

Hotel Data Conference 2023

9-11 August 2023

Omni Nashville Hotel United States www.hoteldataconferenc e.com

Adventure Travel Film Festival - Cotswolds 2023

11-13 August 2023

Hathrope Castle

United Kingdom adventuretravel filmfestival.com/ cotswolds-festival

Virtuoso Travel Week 2023

12-18 August 2023

United States virtuosomeetings. virtuoso.com

GBTA Convention 2023

13-15 August 2023

United States convention.gbta.org

TakeOff North America 2023

13-15 August 2023

Atlantic City

United States routesonline.com/events/ 245/takeoff-northamerica-2023

Digital Travel Summit APAC 2023

14-16 August 2023

Equarius Hotel Singapore digitaltravelapac. wbresearch.com

International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality - Tokyo 2023

16-17 August 2023

Japan waset.org/tourism-andhospitality-conferencein-august-2023-in-tokyo

HOTELEX Chengdu 2023

16-18 August 2023

Chengdu Century City

International Covention & Exhibition Centre

China

en.hotelex.cn/ chengdu-exhibition

International Ski Travel Market (ISTM) 2023

16-18 August 2023

Gurgl Carat Austria istm.co.uk

Site Classic 2023

16-19 August 2023

United States siteglobal.com

Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE) 2023

21-24 August 2023

Secrets Wild Orchid & St. James Montego Bay Jamaica caribbean.incentivetravel exchange.com

TTF

Ahmedabad/Gandhinaga r 2023

23-25 August 2023

India

ttfotm.com

Formula 1 Heineken

Dutch Grand Prix 2023

25-27 August 2023

Netherlands formula1.com

International Conference on Sustainable Tourism Management (ICSTM) 2023

25-27 August 2023

Denmark icstm.org

World Travel Awards

Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2023

26 August 2023

Saint Lucia worldtravelawards.com

ASTA Caribbean Showcase 2023

28-31 August 2023

Turks and Caicos Islands asta.org

HICAP Australia New Zealand 2023

30 August - 1 September 2023

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and the Offices of Ashurst Australia anz.hicapconference.com

m&i Europe Summer 2023

30 August - 2 September 2023 Cyprus mi-forums.com

CAPA Latin America Aviation & LCCs Summit 2023

31 August - 1 September 2023

Mexico centreforaviation.com/ events

September 2023

Formula 1 Gran Premio D'Italia 2023

1-3 September 2023

Autodromo Nazionale Monza

Italy formula1.com

Business Travel Tech Talk - San Francisco 2023

4 September 2023 United States btngroup conferences.com

Business Travel Trends and Forecasts - Chicago 2023

4 September 2023 United States btngroup conferences.com

World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2023

6 September 2023

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam worldtravelawards.com

Hospitality Philippines Conference (HPC) 2023

6-7 September 2023

Marriott Manila Philippines hospitalityasia.com/hpc2023

Seatrade Europe 2023

6-8 September 2023

Hamburg Messe Germany seatrade-europe.com

Cruise360 Australasia 2023

7 September 2023

Royal International Convention Centre Australia cruising.org.au/CLIAEvents/Cruise360Australasia

ITE HCMC 2023

7-9 September 2023

Saigon Exhibition & Conference Centre (SECC)

Vietnam itehcmc.travel

Rugby World Cup 2023

8 September -

21 October 2023

France

rugbyworldcup.com/ france2023

Retirement Lifestyle & Travel Expo 2023

9-10 September 2023

Ellerslie Events Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse New Zealand retirementlifestyle expo.co.nz

Business Travel Trends and ForecastsPhiladelphia 2023

11 September 2023

United States businesstravelnews.com/ Business-Travel-Events

The Annual Hotel Conference (AHC) 2023

11-12 September 2023

Manchester Central Convention Complex United Kingdom theahc.co.uk

International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Convention 2023

11-13 September 2023

Global Convention Puerto Rico iglta.org

Adventure Travel World Summit 2023

11-14 September 2023

Japan adventuretravel.biz/event s/summit

Africa Showcase - North America 2023

11-20 September 2023

United States africashowcase.travel

IBTM Americas 2023

13-14 September 2023

Centro Citibanamex, CDMX Mexico ibtmamericas.com

CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit 2023

14-15 September 2023

Australia centreforaviation.com/ events

DigiMarCon Europe 2023

14-15 September 2023

Johan Cruyff Arena Netherlands digimarconeurope.com

ITIC Botswana Tourism Investment Summit 2023

14-15 September 2023

Botswana

investbotswana.itic.uk/ itic-bostwana-tourisminvestment-summit-2023

Formula 1 Singapore

Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023

15-17 September 2023

Marina Bay Street Circuit Singapore formula1.com

Business Travel Trends and Forecasts - Toronto 2023

18 September 2023

United States btngroup conferences.com

ILTM North America 2023

18-21 September 2023

Baha Mar, The Bahamas Bahamas, The iltm.com/en/ northamerica/home

IDEEA Hospitality Investment Forum 2023

19-20 September 2023

Prague Marriott Hotel Czech Republic ideea-forum.com

FTE Global 2023

19-21 September 2023

Long Beach Convention Center, United States futuretravelexperience.co m/fte-global

Global Safety & Operations Conference (GSOC) 2023

19-21

September

2023

Vietnam iata.org

BTN CALENDAR

Skift Global Forum New York 2023

19-21 September 2023

United States forum.skift.com

Formula 1 Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix 2023

22-24 September 2023

Suzuka International Racing Course Japan formula1.com

GS23 2023

24-25 September 2023

Spain us10.campaignarchive.com/?u=0c873b 07b6f9e16ea297cd3c9&i d=4562532669

Future Hospitality Summit 2023

25-27 September 2023

Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

United Arab Emirates futurehospitality summit.com

ASTA Travel Masters 2023

26-28 September 2023

St. Andrews Golf Club United Kingdom asta.org

IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023

26-28 September 2023

Thailand corporatetravel world.com/apac

IT&CMA and CTW 2023

26-28 September 2023

Bangkok Convention Centre Thailand itcmchina.com

SPATEC Fall 2023

26-29 September 2023

Eau Palm Beach United States spatecevents.com/ northamerica-fall

Private Luxury - Middle East 2023

26-30 September 2023

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel And Villas

United Arab Emirates privateluxuryforums.com

World Tourism Day 2023

27 September 2023

Global unwto.org

BLTM Delhi 2023

29-30 September 2023

India ttfotm.com

TIME 2023

29 September -

1 October 2023

Rennaissance Uluwatu Resort & Spa Indonesia time2023.com

World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2023

30 September 2023

Batumi, Georgia worldtravelawards.com

October 2023

M&I Americas 2023

1-4 October 2023 United States mi-forums.com

innovate 2023

2 October 2023

Convene 225 Liberty St United States btninnovate.com

Outbound Travel Roadshow Southeast Asia 2023

2-6 October 2023

Global otrsea.com

Horticultural Expo 2023

2 October 2023 - 28

March 2024

Qatar dohaexpo2023.gov.qa

World Spa Awards Gala Ceremony 2023

3 October 2023

Dubai worldspaawards.com

DigiMarCon India 2023

4-5 October 2023

Hyatt Regency Gurgaon India digimarconeurope.com

Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix 2023

6-8 October 2023

Losail International Circuit Qatar formula1.com

Resort & Residential Hospitality Forum 2023

9-11 October 2023

EPIC SANA LISBOA Portugal randrforum.com

Arival - Orlando 2023

9-12 October 2023

Gaylord Palms United States arivalevent.com

Africa ShowcaseSoutheast Asia 2023

9-13 October 2023

Singapore africashowcase.travel/ markets/southeast-asia

ICC Cricket World Cup

9 October -

26 November 2023

India cricketworldcup.com

m&i Luxe 2023

11-14 October 2023

Montenegro mi-forums.com

World Travel Tech Awards 2023

15 October 2023

Atlantis The Royal United Arab Emirates worldtraveltech awards.com

SITE Young Leaders Conference 2023

15-16 October 2023

United States siteglobal.com/event/site -young-leadersconference

World Routes 2023

15-17 October 2023

Turkey routesonline.com/events/ 244/routes-world-2023

World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony 2023

16 October 2023

Atlantis The Royal Dubai worldtravelawards.com

Business Travel Trends and ForecastsMinneapolis 2023

16 October 2023

United States businesstravelnews.com/ Business-Travel-Events

Site Nite North America 2023

16 October 2023

United States siteglobal.com

GITEX GLOBAL 2023

16-20 October 2023

Dubai World Trade Centre United Arab Emirates gitex.com

Africa Showcase - Latin America 2023

16-24 October 2023

Argentina africashowcase.travel

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Beijing 2023

17 October 2023

China china-ute.com/en

IMEX America 2023

17-19 October 2023

Mandalay Bay United States

imexamerica.com

Advertising Week New York 2023

17-20 October 2023

The Market Line United States advertisingweek.com

FUTR Summit - Asia 2023

18-19 October 2023

Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore futr.today

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Shanghai 2023

19 October 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

Caravan Camping Lifestyle Expo - Canberra 2023

20-22 October 2023

Exhibition Park Australia caravanexpo.com/ canberra

Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix 2023

20-22 October 2023

Circuit of The Americas United Kingdom formula1.com

BITAC® Purchasing & Design West 2023

22-24 October 2023

Arizona Biltmore United States bitac.net

MCE South Europe 2023

22-24 October 2023

Spain europecongress.com

m&i Europe Autumn 2023

22-25 October 2023

Lake Como, Italy mi-forums.com

World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony 2023

23 October 2023

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi worldgolfawards.com

HICAP Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific 2023

23-25 October 2023

Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford Singapore www.HICAP conference.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Chengdu 2023

24 October 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

ITB Asia 2023

25-27 October 2023

Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands Singapore www.itb-asia.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Guangzhou 2023

26 October 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

Formula 1 Gran Premio De La Ciudad de México 2023

27-29 October 2023

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Mexico formula1.com

CTC Shanghai Corporate Travel Summit 2023

30 October 2023

China hk23.corporatetravelcom munity.com

November 2023

WTTC Global Summit 2023

1-3 November 2023

Rwanda www.wttc.org

CAPA Asia Aviation Summit & Sustainability Awards 2023

2-3 November 2023

Malaysia centreforaviation.com

Global European Marketplace (GEM) 2023

2-3 November 2023

United Kingdom etoa.org/events/gem

Formula 1 Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023

3-5 November 2023

Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Brazil formula1.com

Strategic Meetings Summit - Chicago 2023

6 November 2023

United States businesstravelnews.com/ business-travel-events

World Travel Market 2023

6-8 November 2023

ExCeL London United Kingdom wtm.com/london

Business Travel Tech Talk - London 2023

7 November 2023

United Kingdom btngroup conferences.com

ASTA Premium Business Summit 2023

7-9 November 2023

United States asta.org

CLIA Expedition Showcase 2023

7-10 November 2023 Online cruising.org.au

Advertising Week LATAM 2023

8-10 November 2023

Online advertisingweek.com

Skift Aviation Forum 2023

9 November 2023

United States live.skift.com/skiftaviation-forum

Adventure Travel Show 2023

11-12 November 2023

Excel London United Kingdom adventureshow.com

ICCA Congress 2023

12-15 November 2023

Thailand iccaworld.com

Africa ShowcaseMitteleuropa 2023

13-17 November 2023

Global africashowcase.travel

DigiMarCon Las Vegas 2023

16-17 November 2023

Wynn Las Vegas United States digimarconlasvegas.com

FUTR Summit - North America 2023

16-17 November 2023

United States futr.today

Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023

17-19 November 2023

United States formula1.com

Business Travel Trends and Forecasts - New York 2023

20 November 2023

United States btngroup conferences.com

ETOA European Travel Marketplace - Asia

Pacific 2023

21 November 2023

Online etoa.org

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Taiyuan 2023

21 November 2023

China china-ute.com/en

BTN CALENDAR

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Xi'an 2023

23 November 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

CTC Sydney Corporate Travel Summit 2023

23-24 November 2023

Australia hk23.corporatetravel community.com

Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi 2023

24-26 November 2023

Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island

United Arab Emirates formula1.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Fuzhou 2023

28 November 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

CAPA World Aviation Summit & Awards for Excellence 2023

28-29 November 2023

United Arab Emirates was19.capaevents.com

IBTM World 2023

28-30 November 2023

Spain ibtmworld.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Kunming 2023

30 November 2023

China

china-ute.com/en/

COP 28 - 2023

30 November - 12

December 2023

United Arab Emirates unfccc.int

December 2023

ILTM Cannes 2023

4-7 December 2023

Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

France iltm.com/cannes/home

THE BEAT LIVE 2023

5 December 2023

United States thebeatliveevent.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Hangzhou 2023

5 December 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

Business Travel Trends and Forecasts - Dallas 2023

6 December 2023 United States btngroup conferences.com

m&i Luxe 2023

6-9 December 2023

Mexico mi-forums.com

Universal Tourism Exhibition - Shenzhen 2023

7 December 2023

China china-ute.com/en/

World Cruise Awards Gala Ceremony 2023

8 December 2023 worldcruiseawards.com

World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony 2023

9 December 2023

worldculinaryawards.com

Business Travel Trends and Forecasts - San Francisco 2023

11 December 2023

United States btngroup conferences.com

Skift Global Forum East 2023

12-14 December 2023

United Arab Emirates live.skift.com/ skift-global-forum-east2023

HOTELEX Shenzhen 2023

14-16 December 2023

Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center China www.hotelex.cn

January 2024

CES 2024

9-12 January 2024 United States ces.tech

ALIS Law 2024

21-22 January 2024

Courtyard/Residence Inn United States burba.com/ALISlaw

The Americas Lodging Investment Summit 2024

22-24 January 2024

JW Marriott/Ritz-Carlton United States alisconference.com

February 2024

NBAA Leadership Conference 2024

6-8 February 2024

United States nbaa.org

OTM Mumbai 2024

8-10 February 2024

Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai India otm.co.in

Conventa 2024

21-22 February 2024

Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre

Slovenia www.conventa.si

Hungexpo 2024

22-25 February 2024

Hungexpo Budapest Fair Center

Hungary

utazas.hungexpo.hu/en

March 2024

HOSTEX 2024

3-5 March 2024

Sandton Convention Centre South Africa hostex.co.za

ITB Berlin 2024

5-7 March 2024

Messe Berlin Germany itb-berlin.com

HOSTELCO 2024

12-14 March 2024

Recinto Gran Via Spain hostelco.com

April 2024

Azerbaijan International Travel & Tourism Fair 2024

3-5 April 2024

Baku Expo Centre Azerbaijan aitf.az

ILTM AfricaInternational Luxury Travel Market Africa

2024

7-9 April 2024

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens Cape Town, South Africa iltm.com/Africa

AERO Friedrichshafen

17-20 April 2024

Friedrichshafen Germany aero-expo.com

Kazakhstan International Tourism Fair (KITF) 2024

24-26 April 2024

Atakent International Exhibition Centre

Almaty, Kazakhstan kitf.kz

DXB Snow Run was launched in 2020 and was one of the first snow sports competition s in the world to take place postlockdown.

Ski Dubai and Dubai Sports Council to host DXB Snow Run

Ski Dubai in partnership with Dubai Sports Council have announced that the fourth edition of the DXB Snow Run will take place on 21 May. The unique running experience is open to anyone between the ages of 15 and 70 and will see participants navigate the slopes of Ski Dubai in -40C.

DXB Snow Run was launched in 2020 and was one of the first snow sports competitions in the world to take place post-lockdown. Due to popular demand, it has become an annual event and last year a record 500 athletes from various nationalities took part.

Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas, said, “Ski Dubai is delighted to partner with Dubai Sports Council once again to host this unique event, which enables members of the community to stay fit and active as the weather heats up. We’re also excited to introduce a team’s category this year for added camaraderie. DXB Snow Run is just one of many events we host throughout the year as part of our commitment to improve community wellbeing by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Ali Omar Al Balooshi, Director of Sports Events, Dubai Sports Council, said, “We are always delighted to partner with Ski Dubai on initiatives such as the DXB Snow Run. Our partnership is built on our shared commitment to bring the community together through sport. We are confident that by hosting regular community events and sport initiatives, we can improve the overall health and wellbeing of Dubai residents.”

The first race starts at 6.30am and runners can choose from two distances – 3km (3 loops) or 5km (5 loops). A new teams category has been added this year which allows groups of five people to take part in the race where they will be competing against other teams. Each person that crosses the finish line will receive a commemorative medal. Registration is now open (until 18 May) and participants can secure their spot on PremierOnline.

Ski Dubai was awarded ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort 2022’ at World Ski Awards.

More information

To find out more about Majid Al Fattaim visit stand ME3010 at ATM

Mandarin Oriental’s Greece debut with Costa Navarino resort

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino will bring the Group’s unparalleled legendary hospitality to Greece for the first time when it opens in this summer. The luxury retreat is located in the southwest Peloponnese and is part of Costa Navarino, a sustainably driven destination.

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is infused with the long-held traditions and cultural heritage of this exceptional region. The resort, which cascades down a landscaped hillside nestled on a beachfront overlooking one of the most unspoiled landscapes in the Mediterranean, offers a back-to-nature experience with mesmerising views of the surrounding countryside, the azure sea, and dramatic sunsets.

Design and interiors

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino features 99 elegant, light-filled suites and earthsheltered villas with private pools and spacious terraces. Blending luxurious serenity with the traditional Messenian style of the region, the resort is the perfect backdrop for guests seeking to create memorable moments with family and loved ones.

The resort's essence embraces the natural beauty of Messenia and the relaxed ambience of Costa Navarino with accents featuring local Mediterranean plants, earthy undertones, and gentle splashes of colour. The decor celebrates aspects of 19thcentury Greek design and reflects the surrounding historical sites.

The resort and its environs feature more than 2,700 replanted olive trees and over 500,000 planted native shrubs, while the overall project has been built to the developer’s rigorous sustainable specifications in keeping with Mandarin Oriental’s deeply ingrained corporate responsibility ethos.

Dining Concepts

Creative, exciting, and delicious dining is a key feature of the resort experience. The five restaurants and bars redefine authentic Greek traditions, honouring local culture while also providing a wide variety of original flavours from international cuisines.

Wellness, relaxation, and sport experiences

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is a rejuvenating sanctuary offering wellbeing and beauty treatments inspired by the Group’s traditional rituals from the Far East and the abundant flora of Greece. In addition to a variety of private treatment rooms, heat and water experiences, the Spa features a 25-metre swimming pool that flows indoors to outdoors.

Wellness experts are on hand for tailormade fitness experiences, with yoga, nutrition advice, tennis coaching and intelligent movement programmes included.

A wide variety of water experiences, from paddle boards to water skiing, are available from the beach club, which also features an expansive swimming pool with relaxation decks, just steps from the beach.

Golf aficionados will also appreciate the 18-hole designer golf course that surrounds the resort, as well as three further designer golf courses across Costa Navarino, with access to elegant golf clubs, affording exceptional views of the surrounding coastline.

Costa Navarino was voted ‘World's Best Emerging Golf Destination’ at World Golf Awards 2022.

Mandarin Oriental’s guests will also have access to a wide array of activities offered across Costa Navarino’s extensive sites, such as tennis, biking, hiking, yachting, a watersports hub and a variety of dining venues.

For more information and reservations, visit www.mandarinoriental.com and for Costa Navarino vist www.costanavarino.com

Costa Navarino was voted ‘World's Best Emerging Golf Destination’ at World Golf Awards 2022.

Aman Resorts expands luxury portfolio

Aman Resorts is increasing is global portfolio with a series of new openings in the luxury pipeline

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok (opening 2024)

Amid the skyscrapers of central Bangkok, Thailand’s first urban Aman hotel and residences will rise from the verdant sanctuary that is Nai Lert Park. Here, history and nature will come together to tell a new Aman story, one entwined with the exceptional legacy of Thailand’s revered Nai Lert family.

The legacy

Known as Thailand’s first and foremost developer, Nai Lert founded his eponymous company in 1894. From revolutionising Thai daily life with the introduction of ice, to establishing the first five-star hotel in Bangkok, Nai Lert was a visionary in every way.

Your sanctuary in Bangkok

An emerald jewel amid the embassies of central Bangkok, Nai Lert Park rests in green seclusion on Wireless Road. Here it has flourished since 1915, when the founder of Thailand’s pioneering Nai Lert Group acquired the land to preserve its natural beauty in perpetuity. Nai Lert, as Lert Sreshthaputra was known, built a home, now a museum, and a legacy still growing today.

Amid the leafy embrace of Nai Lert Park, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will offer guests and residents a peerless experience of the Thai capital. Designed with wraparound views, open-air terraces and an innovative central atrium by Jean Michel Gathy of Denniston, the 36-storey building will house the 52-suite hotel, no more than 50 residences and unparalleled leisure and entertainment facilities.

Amanvari (opening 2025)

Tucked away where the sea, the wild desert and farmland meet, Aman’s new destination in Mexico will offer a peaceful escape and private oasis at the edge of the Sea of Cortés.

Located in Baja's East Cape, Amanvari, which takes its name from the Sanskrit-derived words for “peace” and “water,” features a resort, private Aman Residences, multiple dining venues, Aman Spa, and its own stretch of white sand beach.

A home away from the everyday

A naturally inspiring setting in harmony with the landscape. An unparalleled standard of design and architecture. Aman Residences represent a complete immersion in the Aman lifestyle – an opportunity to discover the world, and your own sanctuary to retreat to whenever you need it.

Where art and nature meet

An organic, contemporary design aesthetic permeates Amanvari, with spaces that flow seamlessly from indoors to out. Pavilions and homes rise from the surrounding landscapes, commanding enviable views over the Sea of Cortés.

Under the Baja sky

Internal courtyards and lounge areas, expansive floorto-ceiling glass walls and playful screening allow homeowners to enjoy Baja's blue skies and aweinspiring views.

Aman Niseko (opening 2026)

Hokkaido is Japan’s untamed northern wilderness, as famous for its summer flower fields as for its legendary ski resorts. On the slopes of Mount Moiwa, Niseko’s finest gem, lies Aman’s fourth Japanese property.

Hokkaido is Japan’s untamed northern wilderness, as famous for its summer flower fields as for its legendary ski resorts. On the slopes of Mount Moiwa, Niseko’s finest gem, lies Aman’s fourth Japanese property. The only development on the mountain, it encompasses the country’s first destination wellness retreat and 31 exclusive Aman branded Residences, all set within a nature reserve.

Harmonious design

On nature’s doorstep, this new Aman destination will provide unrivalled access to seasonal outdoor pursuits, from skiing and snowboarding in winter, to hiking, mountain biking and river rafting the rest of the year. Befitting the onsen capital of the world, both indoor and outdoor onsen – Japanese hot spring bathing pools –will be a feature of the Aman Spa and every Residence.

Designed by the late Kerry Hill to complement its pristine natural setting, the property epitomises Aman’s devotion to detail while embodying the renowned thoughtfulness of Japanese hospitality. The architectural concept was deliberately contemporary, with subtle references to traditional design motifs of Hokkaido’s indigenous people, the Ainu.

A personal playground

The gracious main pavilion houses a living room, two restaurants and a private dining room, a bar, whiskey and cigar lounge, library, ski retail area, ski lockers, a boutique and a gallery. The resort’s 30 suites are housed in a separate pavilion, all with mountain views.

Unparalleled service

While Aman hotels and resorts promise guests unparalleled opportunities to unwind, explore and discover, Aman Residences offer their owners complete immersion in the Aman way of life. The free-standing, two-storey Residences will all have a calming linear aesthetic yet will be customised to suit individual preferences. Extensive entertaining areas, terraces and dedicated ski rooms will complement one to three bedrooms and a loft-like mezzanine level.

Aman Miami Beach (opening 2025)

A catalyst for culture and connection, Miami Beach’s vibrant Faena District will soon be home to Aman’s fourth destination in North America.

In a prime oceanfront site on Collins Avenue, Aman Miami Beach will follow in the footsteps of Aman New York as a torchbearer for Aman’s urban evolution, encapsulating the inimitable energy of its dynamic setting.

Sanctuary restored

Occupying an iconic Art Deco tower on the mid-beach skyline – the former home of the Versailles Hotel –Aman Miami Beach's hotel will be the product of a meticulous restoration by John Michel Gathy of Denniston, re-establishing the site as a visual landmark while embracing Aman’s ethos of uncomplicated serenity.

Between ocean and city

Wraparound terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows will frame Atlantic Ocean views from Aman Miami Beach’s 56-guest suites, where the Aman way of life is to be fully realised in urban form. Where the tropical island environment, juxtaposed with the buzz of the hotel’s revolutionary neighborhood, will create a truly unique guest experience.

For a select few, Aman Miami Beach will also become home, with a new standalone residence-only building resting alongside the hotel as a new addition to the landscape, designed by Kengo Kuma and offering no more than 22 branded residences.

As part of this new community, guests and residence owners alike will enjoy direct beach access, the services of a comprehensive Aman Spa and nightly dining and entertainment in several new venues. The hotel will also house an exclusive Aman Club, providing members with the opportunity to reconnect in this culturally stimulating setting.

Savour Vietnam with SAIGONTOURIST GROUP

With a long history of 48 years of establishment and development, Saigontourist Group is proud to be the leading hospitality group in Vietnam. The Group currently manages more than 100 hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, amusement parks, hospitality college, exhibition and convention center, golf course, cable television…

SAIGONTOURIST GROUP

Culinary Culture

Cuisine is one of Saigontourist Group's strong service areas and the Group manages more than 70 restaurants belonging to hotels, resorts, tourist areas and a number of independent restaurants and F&B centers. The restaurant specializes in introducing a wide range of cuisines, events, weddings, conferences... with a variety of Asian, European and Vietnamese culinary styles. In particular, Saigontourist Group has experience in organizing large-scale culinary and cultural events such as the "Saigontourist Group Culinary Culture, Delicacies Festival 2022". The event was voted by the World Culinary Awards as "Asia's Best Culinary Festival 2022".

Visit

COP28 UAE at Expo City Dubai to unite world leaders in addressing climate change

As the host of COP28 from 30 November to 12 December 2023, Expo City Dubai is a state-of-the-art destination built to promote sustainability and circularity principles, aligned with the UAE’s commitment to raising ambition in this critical decade for climate action.

As the first country in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, the UAE is the first to commit to an economywide reduction in emissions, and the first to announce a Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, which sets the timeframe and identifies the mechanisms to implement the UAE Net Zero initiative.

COP28 UAE will be a milestone moment when the world will take stock of its progress on the Paris Agreement.

Thought-provoking youth discussions, performances, exhibitions and more will feature as part of Expo City Dubai’s sustainability-themed calendar, culminating in an unrivalled, impactful ‘Green Zone’ public area during COP28.

The first Global Stocktake (GST), will provide a comprehensive assessment of progress since adopting the Paris Agreement. This will help align efforts on climate action, including measures that need

to be put in place to bridge the gaps in progress.

The COP28 UAE Presidency will work to ensure that the world responds to the Global Stocktake with a clear plan of action.

The UAE was one of only 29 countries to submit a revised second NDC ahead of COP27. The enhanced target is expected to translate into an absolute emissions reduction of about 93.2 million metric tons of CO2e.

Breaking

Travel News interview:

Slim Zaiane, General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates

BTN: How would you describe the mood in Dubai tourism as we approach the key summer season?

Slim Zaiane: Our outlook for the upcoming summer season is positive, and we eagerly anticipate hosting our guests at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. Dubai's standing as a cosmopolitan city with world-class amenities and attractions further enhances its appeal to travelers. Moreover, the government has introduced various initiatives to promote tourism, including many indoor attractions and Dubai Summer Surprises festival, which offers attractive retail offers. In addition to our renowned dining venues, luxury spa, private cinema and luxury rooms, suites and chalets, we are in the heart of Dubai. Directly connected to Mall of the Emirates boasting over 600 retail outlets, including highend luxury brands, and

the city’s main attraction

Ski Dubai, we are a popular destination for both tourists and residents of Dubai, all year. We have already observed a surge in bookings, particularly from the GCC markets, and we anticipate this trend to continue throughout the summer season.

BTN: This is the thirtieth anniversary of Arabian Travel Market – how will the Kempinski delegation be contributing to the celebrations?

SZ: As a leading luxury hotel brand in the region, Kempinski is proud to be part of the Arabian Travel Market's thirtieth anniversary celebrations. We will be showcasing our portfolio of hotels and resorts, highlighting our commitment to delivering personalized experiences that reflect the culture and heritage of the destinations we operate in. Our team of experts will be available to

provide information about our properties and answer any questions from ATM attendees. We are looking forward to connecting with industry professionals and promoting Kempinski as the leading luxury hospitality brand.

BTN: How has tourism in Dubai tourism developed over the past three decades – and how important is the sector today?

SZ: Dubai's tourism industry has come a long way over the past three decades. The government's visionary leadership and proactive approach to developing tourism infrastructure have made Dubai a world-renowned destination attracting millions of visitors every year. The sector is a key contributor to the economy and supports a diverse range of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and retail. Today, Dubai is

known for its world-class events, business tourism, medical tourism, and cultural tourism offerings. This is an important year for Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates as we celebrate our 17th anniversary and mark our continued dedication to service excellence and creating memorable experiences that keep our guests coming back. We are committed to continuous improvement, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of guests' needs and preferences, and our ongoing efforts to remain a leading player in Dubai's luxury hospitality industry.

BTN: Can you tell me about the property you lead - Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates –this is one of the few places in the world where the sand meets the snow?

SZ: The Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is a luxurious property located in Dubai's popular

shopping and entertainment district. Its unique feature is Ski Dubai, which is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy winter sports in the desert. This makes it a truly distinctive property and one of the few places in the world where sand

meets the snow. The hotel's location and amenities make it a popular choice among both leisure and business travelers looking for an exceptional and unforgettable experience in Dubai.

BTN: The property took the title of World's

Leading Shopping Mall Hotel at the World Travel Awards – how important are accolades such as those to the success of the property?

SZ: Accolades such as World's Leading Shopping Mall Hotel at the World Travel Awards are extremely important to

the success of the property. Winning such recognition demonstrates the quality of services and facilities that we offer and make us stand out in a vibrant city. Such recognition attracts our discerning travellers who seek exceptional experiences and motivates us to continue to raise the bar and provide the best possible service to our guests.

BTN: Finally, what can we expect to see at the hotel in 2023 to ensure it defends its industry leading place this year?

SZ: To maintain our position as an industry leader, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is constantly striving for innovation in its services. In 2023, the hotel plans to enhance its offerings by adding two state-of-theart F&B concepts, expand its wellness offerings and upgrade its digital capabilities to provide guests with a seamless and personalized experience. We aim to provide more sustainable options to support our commitment to environmental responsibility and continue to attract discerning travellers from around the world.

More information

To find out more about Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates visit stand HC0663 at ATM 2023.

Breaking

Travel News interview:

Abdulla Mausoom, minister of tourism, Maldives

Breaking Travel News: How would you describe the mood in Maldives tourism as we approach the key summer season?

Abdulla Mausoom: Maldives welcomed 2023 with more optimism for jubilance, continuing from the celebrations of Tourism Golden Year 2022, the Golden Jubilee of tourism. Having witnessed a growth of over 20 per cent in tourist arrivals and its economic benefits, the Maldives expects to have a better than average season from the month of May until September. With strong product diversity and loyal global market segments to Maldives, the traditional ‘low-season’ ought to be considered a mid-season.

BTN: This is the thirtieth anniversary of Arabian Travel Market – how will the Maldives delegation be contributing to the celebrations?

AM: Arabian Travel

Market has gained popularity year-on-year. Maldives recognises the importance of matching and capturing other market segments for the rich product diversity that the Maldives tourism portfolio has to offer. ATM is the right marketespecially for businessto-business networking. We wish to congratulate team ATM for their innovative approaches to make ATM a platform for success.

BTN: How has tourism in the Maldives developed over the past three decades – and how has it changed during your time as minister?

AM: The Maldives has become, from an almost unknown archipelago, the leading destination in the world during its 50-years of tourism development. The first two decades were rather slow going compared to the revolutionary transformations during the last three decades.

First, Maldives had snorkellers and divers, soon to be followed by the ideal tropical vacationers.

With its one-island oneresort concept of development, giving unmatchable privacy, the 1990s showed the Maldives become the honeymoon destination of the world, followed by the wellness tourism euphoria of early 2000s. The last decade show the next natural market segment - families.

The last three years were challenging due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The prime focus was on reviving Maldives tourism, under the leadership of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, president of the Maldives, in very close cooperation with tourism industry stakeholders, related authorities and agencies and the general public.

The sound policies and strategies were well received, and the

Maldives has been branded as one of the few countries who managed a rapid recovery. The government’s sound foreign policy and international relations, engagement of Maldives’ missions abroad and the strong partnership with international organizations, especially UNWTO, PATA and WTTC played a very important role in the remarkable recovery of Maldives’ tourism.

The government acknowledges the importance of international tourism brands to a destination’s success. Hence creating and improving on an investor friendly environment for both local and international investors is given a strong emphasis, as can be seen form the positive changes brought to tourism legislations in the last two years.

BTN: Maldives took the title of World’s Leading

Having been recognised as the best-in-the-business by the World Travel Awards, Breaking Travel News here finds out the secrets of Maldives’ success

Destination at the World Travel Awards in 2022 –how important are accolades such as these to the success of the destination?

AM: World Travel Awards has been accepted by the travel and tourism community as the equivalent, if not more, of the Film Industry’s Oscar. Winning the title of ‘World’s Leading Destination’ at the World Travel Awards in 2022, for the third year consecutively is indeed a great achievement we treasure. That is a clear indication of the quality of

the Maldives’ tourism product - especially the hospitality, and the love and passion the tourists have for holidaying in the Maldives.

BTN: What developments can expect this year to ensure you defend the title in 2023?

AM: When one reaches the top, defending the position is a challenge. But given the determination and enthusiasm of travel and tourism industry stakeholders for continuous improvement

in related infrastructure, superstructure, facilities and services, with ever increasing tourist base, Maldives is expected to be among the hot picks as the World’s Leading Destination 2023 too.

BTN: Finally, community tourism has been frontof-mind in Maldivian tourism this year – what can you tell us about that?

AM: President Solih’s tourism policy aims to take tourism and benefits to the people through Community-based tourism with small hotels

and guesthouses in the local islands. Community based inclusive tourism, accessibility – especially to those who are differently abled, empowerment of youth and women, and linkage of tourism to island economies are the new focus areas of Maldives tourism development policy.

Maldives’ tourism, like many other destinations are intertwined to nature, environment and the natural resources. Community based tourism will help protect and preserve eco systems by integrating them into tourism products; revive culture and heritage, and give the opportunity for many Maldivians to earn a decent income whilst living with their families.

This also creates a very strong product for the new tourists, especially the youth, digitalnomads, and pensioneers who are more environmentally and community conscious and stay for longer durations.

More Information

Find out more about the Maldives at www.visitmaldives.com or head over to Visit Maldives here at Arabian Travel Market on stand AS6110.

Doha recognised as Arab Tou Arab Tourism Organization f

Ministers, ambassadors and leaders from Arab nations attended the commemoration event today in Katara Cultural Village which honoured Doha with the prestigious title

Doha has been officially recognised as the Arab Tourism Capital 2023 by the Arab Tourism Organization for Tourism at a commemoration ceremony. Held under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani at the Katara

Cultural Village. The event was attended by tourism ministers, ambassadors and prominent leaders from the nations that are represented by the Arab Tourism Organization, as well as Visit Qatar’s brand ambassadors Nasser AlAttiyah and Mutaz Barsham.

In addition to an official key handover ceremony which saw Doha being crowned the title Arab Tourism Capital for 2023, the event also featured spectacular performances by Dana Alfardan, as well as a Arda and fireworks show.

Commenting on the occasion, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “It is an honour to see Doha being named as the Arab Tourism Capital 2023 by the Arab Tourism Organization. One of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, the Arab Tourism Capital award is a testament of our exceptional achievements in leisure and hospitality. I am proud of our city’s tireless efforts that have culminated in this honourable recognition and look forward to

urism Capital 2023 by the for Tourism

further cementing Doha’s position as one of the world’s most soughtafter leisure destinations.”

The Arab Tourism Organization declared Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023, in its 25th session at the Arab League General Secretariat Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The session was chaired by Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Nayef Fayez, amongst other prominent Arab leaders. Cities were evaluated based on a selection of criteria including tourism management,

infrastructure and resources, safety and security, diversity of tourism activations, and preservation and protection of the environment.

By continuing to host internationally renowned events, investing in hospitality offerings and expanding into more specialised areas of tourism, Qatar is in a perfect position to meet its goal of welcoming six million visitors a year by 2030.

More Information

Visit Qatar Tourism at Arabian Travel Market 2023 on stand ME1310, AZ3C and also head over to visitqatar.com.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS ™ WINNER WALL PLAQUE

The World Travel Awards™ Winner Wall Plaque is perfect for display outside premises, in hotel lobbies, receptions, sales counters in fact anywhere you want the public to see that you have been voted the best of the best within World Travel Awards, the most comprehensive and recognised travel awards programme in the world.

CONSTRUCTION

The wall plaque is produced from a base of 30 pound High Density Urethane (HDU) which is then coated with a cold applied, real metal coating. This patented LuminOre® Metalizing Process is up to seventy-five percent real metal and is in use worldwide as an architectural and industrial coating. LuminOre® is well established, reliable and extremely durable. After application, it has all the properties of cast or sheet metal but without the limitations.

DIMENSIONS

10 x 10.5 inches

25.4 x 26.7 centimetres

OPTIONS

1 Black raised

2 Brass recessed

Keyhole mounting brackets are pre-installed and suitable screws are supplied that are appropriate for most installations.

PRICING

£650.00

Includes delivery

SHIPPING

The Winner Wall Plaque is made to order. Delivery can be expected approximately six weeks from receipt of payment.

ORDER NOW

Contact your World Travel Awards™ contact or contact us by:

Email: awards@worldtravelawards.com

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7925 0000

Receiving a World Travel Award™ is a world-class achievement that provides you, the Winner, with the ideal marketing tool to promote your winning products and services ahead of your competitors.

St. Regis Downtown Dubai appoints new GM

The St. Regis Downtown Dubai and Delta Hotels by Marriott, Dubai Investment Park have appointed Vipin Khattar as the new Multi-Property General Manager.

A passionate hotelier, Khattar brings with him more than two decades of illustrious experience in luxury hotel operations, primarily in the UK, Middle East, and Africa. As Multi-Property General Manager of The St. Regis Downtown Dubai and Delta Hotels by Marriott, Dubai Investment Park, he will oversee the properties’ overall operations, cultivate bespoke guest experiences, further enhance its F&B portfolio, improve employee satisfaction and more.

Vipin Khattar has held various significant and career-defining roles including General Manager of The Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, where he launched and operated the most successful and highest revenue-generating F&B outlet; Eve Penthouse and Lounge.

An alumnus of Hotel Management and Catering Technology from IHTTI School, Neuchatel, Switzerland with a specialisation in Hospitality Operations, he is known for his exceptional sales and marketing skills and effective leadership style. He has filled the role of Raja Zeidan, who is now the Chief Operating Officer at RDK Group.

Commenting on his new appointment, Vipin Khattar said, “I am honoured to be at the helm of two incredible properties and be part of the Marriott International brand. I look forward to work alongside both teams to continue crafting and elevating exquisite guest experiences, whilst aspiring for both hotels to lead in their luxury and premiumselect segments.”

More Information

To find out more visit marriott.com or head over to stand ME3050 at ATM 2023.

Experience Abu Dhabi to reveal new products at ATM

Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is to reveal Abu Dhabi’s calendar of events at ATM and demonstrate the city's untapped potential.

Experience Abu Dhabi will reveal its latest ground-breaking summer campaign films, alongside new and exciting travel products to benefit visitors throughout the season and beyond.

Alongside key stakeholders collectively sharing Abu Dhabi with the world, Experience Abu Dhabi will showcase the diversity of experiences that excite, inspire and restore, and highlight the emirate as a leading year-round destination.

Experience Abu Dhabi’s stand will be over 30% bigger than that of 2022, inspired by stunning natural landscapes such as Al Wathba Fossil Dunes, Al Ain Oasis and Saadiyat Beaches – and will engage VIP guests, event participants and members of the media through immersive stand experiences.

Representing Abu Dhabi, major Abu Dhabi stakeholders will present updates on events, experiences and attractions, including the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Etihad Arena and the world-class portfolio hotels and resorts across the emirate. DCT Abu Dhabi is also expected to announce and sign several Memorandums of Understanding and announcements of new developments and strategic partnerships for the year ahead.

Arabian Travel Market is the market-leading international travel and tourism event. Assigning an industry-relevant theme each year, ATM 2023 will be presented under ‘Working Towards Net Zero’.

More information

To find out more about Experience Abu Dhabi visit stands ME2450 and ME2410 at ATM, and also visitabudhabi.ae.

Experience Abu Dhabi’s stand will be over 30% bigger than that of 2022

Ras Al Khaimah: it’s a journey

The fastest growing destination in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah offers a wealth of new experiences across its mountain, desert and beach landscapes, waiting to be discovered at the RAKTDA stand ME3410.

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is aiming to develop its tourism infrastructure and establish the naturebased Emirate as a world-class destination for leisure, business and adventure travel, announcing sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of

life for its residents. Known as the fastest growing destination in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah has hosted several prestigious international and regional events over the past years and is set to become the regional leader in environmentally conscious tourism by 2025.

More information

Head over to stand ME2210 and visit visitrasalkhaimah.com.

Breaking

interview: Azar Saliba, general manager, Jumeirah Al Naseem

Recognised as the best-in-the-world by voters at the World Travel Awards, Breaking Travel News here finds out more about this one-of-a-kind property

Breaking Travel News: How would you describe the mood in Dubai tourism as we approach the key summer season?

Azar Saliba: 2023 has been off to a great start for Dubai, with the emirate welcoming 3.1 million overnight visitors in the first two months of 2023 – almost on par with 2019 figures. We are definitely seeing this reflected across Jumeirah beachfront hotels including Jumeirah Al Naseem, where we have experienced periods of close to 100 per cent occupancy.

As we move into the summer period, we have a great programme of promotions and offers for Jumeirah Al Naseem including our Summer Escapes and staycations offers. We also enjoy consistently strong performance across our award-winning food and beverage outlets, such as KAYTO, Rockfish and our hugely popular

Summersault Beach Club. So overall I would say we are in a good position and expect the optimistic perception to continue as we move into the summer.

BTN: Has the demographic composition of inbound guests arriving in the emirate changed over the past two-or-three years?

AS: At Jumeirah Al Naseem we have always enjoyed strong visitor numbers from the GCC market, and this was particularly true following the initial period following the easing of travel restrictions in the region. As international travel resumed, we saw momentum build from our traditional international markets, in particular Europe.

The reopening of China for international tourism is a promising development for the hospitality industry in Dubai, and indeed

worldwide, and we expect to witness robust growth across the sector from this market as 2023 progresses.

BTN: This is the thirtieth anniversary of Arabian Travel Market – how will the Dubai-based Jumeirah delegation be contributing to the celebrations?

AS: Jumeirah has had a distinct impact on Dubai’s hospitality market over the past two decades, and the group is actually currently celebrating its 25th anniversary since the opening of its first resort, Jumeirah Beach hotel in 1997.

So, we feel we have grown alongside Arabian Travel Market! We will, of course, be celebrating with our famous The Party, the must-attend event for our partners in the ATM calendar.

BTN: How has tourism in Dubai tourism developed over the past three

decades – and how important is the sector today?

AS: Tourism and hospitality have been a key driver of Dubai’s growth over the past 30 years. Dubai is now the world’s busiest international airport and the UAE’s tourism revenue accounted for over $5 billion in the first half of 2022 alone, according to figures release by the government.

This astronomical growth is set to continue under the ambitious United Arab Emirates’ Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to attract $27.2 billion as additional tourism investments and 40 million hotel guests by 2031.

As the original, homegrown hospitality group in the UAE, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts has played an integral part in the development of Dubai’s

tourism sector, and we look forward to being among the key players contributing to the continued growth of the local hospitality industry for the next 30 plus years.

BTN: Can you tell me about the property you lead - Jumeirah Al Naseem – this is one of the best beach locations in the emirate?

AS: Jumeirah Al Naseem is one of the four hotels in Jumeirah Group’s Madinat Jumeirah cluster. Meaning sea breeze in Arabic, Jumeirah Al Naseem, is a cool and contemporary beachside retreat offering world-class dining and comfort in spectacular surroundings. We have arguably one of

the best locations in Dubai, nestled along Jumeirah’s unparalleled 2.5 kilometres of pristine, private beachfront set against the backdrop of spectacular views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, which can be enjoyed from most of the guest rooms, pool and terraces.

Apart from providing guests service beyond expectations and signature dining experiences, the resort is also committed to preserving wildlife, which it does through the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP). The resort is home to Dubai’s only state-of-the-art Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary including a sea-fed lagoon that

monitors the progress and condition of rescued sea turtles before releasing them back into UAE waters. Run by DTRP, the resort plays a key role in the conservation of sea turtles and hosts regular workshops educating communities and guests on marine biology and the local and global plight of sea turtles.

BTN: The property took the title of World’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards last year – how important are accolades such as those to the success of the property?

AS: At Jumeirah Al Naseem we are continuously innovating and enriching our offering

to provide guests with exceptional experiences, so it was a real honour to be named the World’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2022 in recognition of this. Accolades like this are a testament of our unique blend of contemporary design, vibrant dining scene and unparalleled hospitality and help to elevate the resort within the luxury sector.

BTN: What caught the eyes of World Travel Awards voters – what is the secret of your success?

AS: Everything mentioned above! The Jumeirah brand DNA of Stay Different drives us to go above and beyond in crafting experiences that truly resonate with our guests. We consistently strive to turn ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones, crafting unique and memorable touchpoints throughout the entire guest journey.

More Information

Jumeirah Al Naseem is recognised as ‘World’s Leading Hotel’ by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Visit Jumeriah Group here at Arabian Travel Market on stand HC0320 or head over to www.jumeirah.com.

Our location in the thriving Msheireb area makes Alwadi Hotel MGallery your preferred location

General manager, Ramsey Saarany

Alwadi Doha –MGallery Hotel Collection makes a splash in Qatar

Offering boutique luxury with 213 luxurious rooms and suites, Alwadi Hotel MGallery has redefined travel to Doha

Located in the landmark smart city of Msheireb, Alwadi Hotel MGallery offers guests unparalleled convenient access to historic Souq Waqif, Doha’s iconic Corniche and world-class museums.

Located just 15 minutes from Hamad International Airport and ten minutes from West Bay, the hotel is ideally situated to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers alike.

General manager, Ramsey Saarany, said

the hotel had established itself as a leading force – from its stunning rooms and suites to the restaurants and cafes. “Our location in the thriving Msheireb area makes Alwadi Hotel MGallery your preferred location to enjoy this truly immersive and unique experience in Qatar. You can either experience an indulgent well-being break, enjoy a lively dinner in one of our esteemed restaurants, or use the hotel as a base to explore Qatar’s rich cultural landscape.”

With a design steeped in history and culture, Alwadi Hotel MGallery rooms and suites have thoughtful amenities, stunning Arabic-inspired patterns, and a vibrant colour scheme to bring a touch of Qatar’s rich heritage to its contemporary design. The best-selling Souq Suites and the Royal Suite offer balconies overlooking Souq Waqif, while the Superior, Deluxe, and Executive rooms offer spectacular views of the West Bay skyline.

All rooms feature the hotel’s unique cocoon MyBed concept, as well as special products and amenities for female travelers chosen as part of the brand ‘Inspired by Her’ concept, which includes medium-and small-sized bathrobes, emergency kits, a sleep menu, and ‘Inspired by Her’

Alwadi Hotel MGallery has led the market with its innovative food and beverage outlets offering unique and memorable experiences for each diner. The centrepiece is its popular Le Colonial, which offers guests a trip through Qatar's history while enjoying breakfast overlooking Souq Waqif.

Cila Levantine Cuisine, with its design meant to evoke Qatar's famed maritime heritage, wooden dhows, and highlights the region's flavours. Meanwhile, alfresco O'Glacée, located next to the hotel's pool and with views across Msheireb, is a much sought-after place to chill and relax.

Located on the hotel's rooftop, Infinity has unparalleled views of Doha's skyline and a menu of innovative drinks and bites inspired by the pages of Around the World in 90 Days.

AtTEAtude, on the hotel's ground floor, enables guests to enjoy the creative masterpieces of Alwadi Hotel MGallery's pastry chefs while admiring the view of Souq Waqif and Msheireb.

Alwadi Hotel MGallery's team strives to provide each guest with their own memorable moment, an exclusive experience that inspires lifelong memories,” Saarany concluded.

More Information

beverages. To be more inclusive, ten guest rooms have been specially designed to accommodate guests with special needs, including braille communication tools.

Alwadi Hotel Doha is home to the awardwinning M|Spa, which houses five treatment rooms, a steam room, a sauna, and a relaxation area for rejuvenation and comfort. Alongside, M|Fit, the hotel’s fitness centre, is furnished with the latest Technogym equipment.

Alwadi Doha – MGallery Hotel Collection has been nominated for the titles of ‘Middle East’s Leading Hotel Service Award’ and ‘Qatar’s Leading City Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards. Find

Breaking Travel News’ partners Virtual World Internet.

Yas Island Abu Dhabi to host World Golf Awards 2023

Radisson Blu Hotel Yas Island and Yas Links

ABU Dhabi will play host to the 10th annual World Golf Awards on 23 October 2023.

Leading names from the golfing world will join VIPs and figureheads from the golf travel industry for what will mark the third World Golf Awards visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The prize-giving evening at Radisson Blu Hotel Yas Island will form the climax of an exclusive golfing itinerary, which will include golf at the 18-hole, championship Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

The ceremony will bring together market leaders from more than 65 nations across Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, North America and Oceania.

Chris Frost, Managing Director, World Golf Awards, said: “We are delighted to be hosting World Golf Awards 2023 on Abu Dhabi’s incredible Yas Island, with its amazing golf and exquisite hotels. With every continent represented, the event will be a truly global gathering of the golf tourism industry as we find out which brands are shaping our future.”

Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island is set amidst the extraordinary beauty of the Abu Dhabi. Enjoy the best of Arabian island life: swim in the blue waters of the gulf at Cyan Beach, enjoy concerts at Etihad Arena, or visit some of the UAE’s biggest attractions and theme parks.

The 18-hole championship Yas Links Abu Dhabi is a golfing masterpiece, combining visual glory with the thrill of golf’s ultimate test. Home to the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Kyle Phillips designed course is set alongside the water’s edge, against dramatic views of the Arabian Gulf.

More information

For more information about Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island visit radissonhotels.com

For more information about Yas Links Abu Dhabi visit stand ME2450 and ME2410 at ATM 2023, or click on www.viyagolf.com.

The event will be a truly global gathering of the golf tourism industry

Chris Frost, Managing Director, World Golf Awards

World-class links golf in the heart of Abu Dhabi

Home to the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Kyle Phillips designed course combines visual glory with the thrill of golf’s ultimate test.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi is the first true links golf course in the Middle East, perfectly located on the western shores of Abu Dhabi’s entertainment hotspot, Yas Island. The par 72, 18-hole championship links course opened in 2010 and takes in rolling hills and seaside greens, and currently ranks #34 in Golf Digest’s world golf rankings.

Hosting the golf element of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, Yas Links Abu Dhabi has also hosted DP World Tour’s season opening Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a Rolex Series event.

Alongside championship golf, the resort also offers a luxurious clubhouse and golf academy, gym, swimming pool, male spa and worldclass floodlit practice ranges with state-of-the-art Toptracer technology. Dining options include Hickory’s

restaurant with stunning views over the mangroves and Abu Dhabi skyline, and Japanese restaurant MATSU.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi will play host to the 10th annual World Golf Awards on 23 October 2023.

More Information

To find out more about Yas Links Abu Dhabi visit stand ME2450 and ME2410 at ATM 2023, or click on www.viyagolf.com.

Easier than ever to visit Saudi Arabia with new stopover visa

The free-ofcharge option is open to a wider number of countries than ever before

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Tourism (MT), the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU), Saudia and flynas, has welcomed the launch of a new Stopover Visa. The free-ofcharge stopover visa is open to a wider number of countries than the historic tourism eVisa and is Saudi’s latest move to make the destination more accessible. The visa will allow passengers to stay in the country for up to 96 hours, enabling more visitors than ever to explore Saudi’s incomparable historical, cultural and spiritual sites.

Travelers will also be able to use the Stopover Visa to perform the spiritual Umrah ritual. Spiritual travellers can book flights through Saudia and flynas, but must also register for Umrah through the Nusuk platform.

Even more exciting for visitors, Stopover Visa holders will be eligible for a complimentary one-night hotel stay during the stopover when booking through Saudia. To help visitors make the most of their stopover, custom 24, 48, 72 and 96-hour itineraries have been developed to inspire visitors to stroll through Jeddah’s Al-Balad, or visit the Al-Turaif district in Diriyah, one of the six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia.

Visitors can also use the Stopover Visa to break up long-haul flights or book a bonus trip to experience Saudi’s burgeoning entertainment and seasonal events calendar or even extend a business trip on the way to their final destination.

Ahmed Al Khateeb, minister of tourism of Saudi Arabia, said: “The new Stopover Visa is yet another proof point is Saudi’s commitment to developing and encouraging growth in the tourism sector. We will continue to work together across government and across the tourism ecosystem as Saudi transforms into a leading global tourism destination.”

The stopover visa application will be automatically available through the airline booking platforms for all passengers traveling to their final destination on SAUDIA or flynas airlines. A stopover can be made through any airport in Saudi. For many, the application process can be completed in under three minutes and can be applied for up to three months before travel.

The visa provides yet another flexible option for visitors to experience the authentic home of Arabia and will contribute to Saudi’s vision of reaching 100 million visits annually by 2030.

Fahd Hamidaddin, chief executive of the

Saudi Tourism Authority, said: "This announcement of Saudi’s inaugural Stopover Visa is a landmark example of integrated public and private sector cooperation as we continue to share our country and the places we call home with the world. Saudi is committed to a seamless visitor experience. In partnership with our national air carriers, SAUDIA and Flynas, we are using digital innovation to provide an instant Stopover Visa, which only enhances Saudi’s accessibility and our world-class destination offering.”

More Information

Visit the Saudi Tourism Authority here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 on stands ME4410 and ME4350 – or head over to www.sta.gov.sa for more information.

Saudi is committed to a seamless visitor experience.

FAhd Hamidaddin, chief executive of the Saudi Tourism Authority,

Forte Village unveils sustainability push in Italy

Award-winning property is seeking to drive home eco-tourism message with new campaign

Forte Village is seeking to plant 1,000 trees by the end of 2023 and collect 1,000 kilograms of waste plastic by the end of May. The two targets are the main objectives that see Forte Village at the forefront of achieving sustainability in full compliance with an added commitment to honour the sea, the territory, the nature and the local community of majestic south Sardinia.

Forte Village has always been strongly committed to sustainable development, and this is most evidently seen through an introduction and implementation of a wide range of sustainable and proactive initiatives. These include the recycling of water, a commitment to reducing energy consumption, protection of the biodiversity of its park, waste and procurement management, as well

as support for local economic development.

This year began with an even more declared commitment towards sustainable development with two non-profit environmental projects. ‘One Year, 1,000 Trees’ was launched in collaboration with the Destination Management Company FA Travel, a historical partner of Forte Village instrumental helping guests discover the wonders of southern Sardinia.

The goal of this collaboration is to plant 1,000 trees by the end of 2023. So far, the first 200 trees have been planted by Forte Village and FA Travel team in the countryside of Ussana. The trees are a mixture of carob, wild olive, pear and almond trees and act a symbol of this incredibly important initiative that will help create a green lung for the

benefit of future generations.

Secondly, ‘Fishing for Litter’ has launched in partnership with Ogyre. This initiative, which began in May last year, sees direct involvement of local fisherman all working towards the same goal.

The goal of this collaboration is to collect 1,000 kilograms of marine litter before the end of May. The project is part of an international campaign, which sees the commitment of fishermen around

the world to recover the waste that remains in the nets during fishing activities on the high seas, sorted on board and delivered to the port to be placed in the disposal.

These are the numbers that motivated Forte Village to launch their own project and make a valuable contribution to preserving the beauty of its surrounding sea. The water from which is harnessed for their renowned thalassotherapy circuit, which has no equals in the world.

More Information

Forte Village is considered the World’s Leading Resort by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Forte Village will be present at Arabian Travel Market on the Leading Hotels of the World stand at HC0730.

For more information, head over to fortevillageresort.com.

Discover London, its history, architecture, shopping, museums, nightlife, luxurious hotels and spas, wonderful restaurants and of course its people. Let Discover London take you on daily tour to understand and learn more about the sights, sounds and the culture of one of the greatest cities in the world.

London is one of the most visited cities and is a diverse cultural hub — responding to this, Discover London brings you the news in eight languages. Whether it serves tourists or Londoners themselves, there will be a language for almost everyone. Check our ‘About’ section to discover more about this beautiful city.

Georgia-based real estate developer Next Group offers outstanding 5-star branded residences in partnership with Radisson Blu and Wyndham. Next Group has developed premium infrastructure and hospitality services on the Black Sea coast in Batumi Gonio, which boosted the profile of this location among tourists and investors worldwide.

Those projects give customers a unique opportunity to become co-investor and hotel room owner of Radisson Blu and Wyndham. Besides branded residences, the company develops and manages aparthotels and villas.

Next Collection – the company's new aparthotel with 5-star infrastructure and services on the first coastline next to Batumi Botanical Garden, significantly increased the demand for the location.

Georgia’s Next Group goes from strength to strength

The company’s eight large-scale hospitality projects, featuring 3,500 hotel rooms, elevated Batumi's real estate and hospitality industry to the next level, which is a proof of its excellence in hospitality development.

Next Group is going international and soon will launch a project on Dubai's first coastline.

Visit

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

WITH THE RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, THE GEORGIAN CITY OF BATUMI IS RAPIDLY ESTABLISHING ITSELF AS ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST EXCITING DESTINATIONS.

Batumi enjoys a delightful setting on the shores of the Black Sea, with a backdrop of the soaring snow-capped Ajara Mountains.

The capital of the autonomous Ajara region is home to a delightful belle époque old town, which has been restored to its original glory. It also offers a scintillating mix of old and new thanks to a construction boom that is transforming its skyline, with new hotels and glistening towers.

More information

For more information about Batumi visit visitbatumi.com and also head over to stand EU1650 at ATM.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

1 ENDLESS SUMMER

Famed for its summer season, Batumi is a fascinating destination in spring and autumn. Visitors can sunbathe or swim from May, whilst sea temperatures are still ideal for bathing into October due to the long Indian summers. As well as the sea, visitors can also trek to the amazing mountains of Ajara, which soar up to 2,500 m above sea level.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

2 OLD MEETS NEW

Batumi is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, and the initial settlement “Batus” dates back to the 4th century BC. The city’s unique history has contributed to its vast architectural diversity. In the 19th century, during the “Porto Franco” period, European architects completed a number of interesting architectural projects.

During the Soviet era, Batumi was developed into a popular seaport and tourist destination.

3AJARIANCUISINE&WINE

Georgian cuisine offers an amazing array of cooking techniques. In mountainous Ajara, dairy products are common ingredients in many dishes. Boat-shaped Ajarian khachapuri is one of the most famous Ajarian dishes. Sweets also play an important role in Ajarian cuisine. Viticulture is an essential component of Georgian culture, with around 50 different grape species in Ajara that are still used in wine production to this very day.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

4 BEAUTIFUL BOTANICAL GARDENS

For the scent of plants and flowers in an incredible coastal setting head to Batumi Botanical Garden. The garden features a thousand species of astonishingly beautiful and unique flowers. The plants derive from completely different climatic and landscape zones yet grow together in harmony. For example, the garden has Canary Palms growing side by side with Japanese Sakuras.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

5 GEORGIAN HOSPITALITY

Exceptional hospitality and the goodwill of the Georgian people is the hallmark of every trip to Batumi. As a guest in Georgia, you will not only experience unparalleled hospitality, but will also be enchanted by the genuine kindness of the Georgian people.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

6 WANDER AROUND THE OLD TOWN

The Old Town in Batumi is a charming place to wander around. Many of its building date back to the 19th century when Batumi was an important port along the route from Europe to the Caspian Sea. Now the Batumi Old Town was recently restored and can enchant you easily.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

7 THE BOULEVARD

The construction of Batumi Boulevard was started in 1881 by a Prussian gardener and landscape architect and later completed by a French architect. Today the boulevard is one of the world’s longest, stretching for eight kilometres long and is distinguished by its broad walking and bicycle paths, magnolia and palm trees, fountains, café-lounges and children’s attractions.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

8 MIX THE MOUNTAINS AND SEA

The combination of seaside and mountains makes Batumi an ideal year-round tourist destination.The mountain resorts have excellent conditions all four seasons and are also ideal for romantic weekend getaways. In addition, the protected areas in Ajara and the region’s other natural treasures offer unforgettable experiences for ecotourism.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

9 GEORGIAN CULTURE

Georgia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world, leading to a significant influence on Georgian culture.

Gonio, one of the oldest settlements in Georgia, is located in Ajara.The region is famous for its stone-arch bridges, religious monuments and monasteries. Gelati and Bagrati are located just a few hours’ drive from Batumi.Tbilisi, Mtskheta and other parts of Georgia are also very rich in unique and diverse cultural monuments.

TEN REASONS TO VISIT BATUMI

10 A GEORGIAN FEAST

The backbone of Georgian social culture, the Supra is a traditional feast. The “Tamada” or toastmaster leads the Supra, and is considered to be the most honourable member of a traditional Georgian Supra, and entertain guests with poems, songs and interesting stories. New courses of food are always served to the guests first, and toasts are made each time, with guests expected to empty their glass with each toast.

Discover New Zealand with Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer

Inspired by one of the greatest and most iconic adventurers of our time, The Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer offers an epic 13-day journey by rail and luxury coach throughout the majestic South Island of New Zealand.

Experience the postcard perfect vistas and dramatic alpine scenery on the “Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer” tour which includes the ‘Big 5’ rail journeys of the South Island – TranzAlpine, Kingston Flyer, Taieri Gorge, Coastal Pacific & Marlborough Flyer.

The guided journey begins in The Garden City, Christchurch, where you board one of the world’s great train journeys, The TranzAlpine and traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass. Luxury coaches await in Greymouth to escort you to the glacial beauty of Franz Josef and some well-deserved pampering at the Hot Pools.

The journey then heads inland to take in the wonders of Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound. Cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw and ride the iconic steam train, The Kingston Flyer, the icing on the cake for railfans and historians. Onward to Dunedin where guests enjoy another iconic rail journey with Dunedin Railways through the remote and rugged landscape of the world-famous Taieri Gorge, an epic rail journey over white wate rapids, towering viaducts and historic tunnels.

The departure from Dunedin continues with Dunedin Railways along the coastal route to Oamaru, then detours inland to “mountain country”, staying in Aoraki Mount Cook and the prestigious Hermitage Hotel and Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, where you will banquet after a keynote address from a Hillary family

member. Back to Christchurch to join The Coastal Pacific Scenic Train, one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand’s railways.

Throughout this scenic experience, you will meander along the Pacific coast across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breath-taking beauty to Kaikoura. From Kaikoura through to Marlborough, saving the best for last, the grand finale of epic proportions, sees you hauled under a full head of steam by the glorious Marlborough Flyer. This historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendaele, named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. This is a locomotive fit for kings, having hauled royal trains on two previous royal visits in the early 1900s. A journey to end all journeys from a bygone era. The final day continues with one of the most scenic and picturesque ferry crossings in the world, as we weave our way from Picton through the Queen Charlotte Sound and cruise across the Cook Strait to the harbour city of Wellington, where your journey ends.

Emaar unveils ambitious expansion plans at Arabian Travel Market

Dubai-based company will explore new trends, innovation for growth and opportunities at industry-leading show

The company manages marquee brands such as Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels & Resorts, Armani Hotels & Resorts, the Boat by Address and Emaar Leisure Clubs. This includes all golf resorts and Dubai Polo Club, among others.

Arabian Travel Market is taking place in Dubai from 1-4 May. Ever-growing and steadily expanding, Emaar Hospitality Group has announced a line of new hospitality developments and food and beverage concepts that are ready to welcome the world between 2023 and 2024. This expansion is indicative of the ongoing nature of Emaar’s phenomenal success and growthoriented philosophy.

Eight new properties are to be infused into their portfolio of marvellous developments, including - Address Jabal Omar Makkah, Vida Dubai Mall, Vida Creek Beach, Palace Dubai Creek Harbour, Address Marassi Beach Resort in Egypt, Vida Marina Resort & Yacht Club Marassi in Egypt, Vida Aljada and Vida Residences Cairo Gate.

An Emaar spokesperson commented: “We are delighted to be once again participating in the Arabian Travel Market and look forward to mapping the future of hospitality alongside industry leaders and experts. We are also thrilled to announce the expansion of Emaar Hospitality Group to key destinations like Marassi in Egypt,

Makkah in Saudi Arabia, in addition to expansions within the Dubai Creek Harbour in the UAE, showcasing how the landscape for hospitality in these booming countries is revolutionising.

“We have witnessed successful growth in occupancy rates, with 2022 rates going up from the original 60 per cent in 2021 to 65 per cent, and to 74 per cent in 2023 thus far. With the increasing demand of hospitality in the region, our expansion plans are aligned to welcome local as well as international tourists.”

MENA Expansion

First on the list of new additions is Address Jabal Omar Makkah, Emaar Hospitality Group’s first hotel to open in Saudi Arabia. This is a momentous addition to Emaar’s collection of landmark hotels, as Saudi Arabia is being widely recognised as the up-and-coming hub for hospitality, and this is a great time to foray into this exciting locale. Address Hotel + Resorts is renowned for offering world-class luxury and style across all their properties, and this new addition will be an iconic landmark in Makkah.

In addition to this, Emaar Hospitality Group is adding to its existing portfolio of hotels and resorts, with Address Marassi Beach Resort and Vida Marina Resort & Yacht Club Marassi, both in Egypt,

scheduled to open in 2023. Finally, 2024 will see two more additions to the Vida brand, with Vida Aljada in Sharjah and Vida Residences Cairo Gate in Egypt.

Next in line is Vida Dubai Mall, another iconic addition to the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand, known for its range of lifestyle hotels across the UAE. This time appearing adjacent to Dubai Mall, this new property will be located at the centre of all the action in the heart of Dubai. The project is estimated to be ready halfway into 2023, with stylish interiors including rooms and suites, social dining options and residences.

Reinventing Hospitality at Dubai Creek Harbour

Further establishing and cementing their presence in Dubai’s new hotspot for hospitality, food and beverage concepts, and residential developments - Dubai Creek Harbour – Emaar Hospitality Group is launching Palace Dubai Creek Harbour and Vida Creek Beach in this bustling location this year. These additions will bring the total number of Emaar Hospitality Group’s hotels in this cluster to four, including the already operating Vida Creek Harbour and Address Grand Creek. Dubai Creek Harbour is quickly becoming a widely popular development, with inviting elements for tourists and locals alike, given the incredible vantage point it offers and the glittering

views of the Dubai skyline against creek waters.

Latest food and beverage concepts under Emaar Hospitality Group

Emaar Hospitality Group has also been developing eye-catching restaurants and food and beverage concepts that match the grandeur of their properties. At.Mosphere at Burj Khalifa, the iconic fine-dining restaurant located on the 122nd floor of the tallest building in the world, saw a grand reopening earlier this year, and is once again welcoming guests for the ultimate dining experience in the clouds. Another significant reopening was that of Thiptara, Dubai’s favourite Thai restaurant, located at Palace Downtown. Other noteworthy restaurants include the refreshing Luma Pool Lounge at Address Grand Creek Harbour, and SAliA, a modern seafood bar and grill, nestled below the mountains on the coast of Fujairah. First amongst new openings will be the muchanticipated Amwa, which will put an artistic twist on culinary experiences. Emaar Hospitality Group is constantly reinventing food and beverage concepts to further enhance guest experiences within hospitality.

New sustainability initiatives

Emaar Hospitality Group is not only a brand that focuses on luxury and exceptional service but also places great importance on sustainability. Sustainability will be a key focus for 2023, as the brand takes steps to incorporate sustainable practices

into everything it does, ensuring that its properties are mindful of their impact on the environment. The sustainability efforts are actioned against six points: guest supplies and F&B, operational, waste reduction and recycling, single use plastic, technology and strategic partnerships.

On the operational front, steps to ensure resource preservation through water conservation cards in rooms, equipment preventive maintenance, ambient temperature control, along with energy and water conservation practices will be implemented. Efforts are made in the direction of reduction of waste to landfill through recyclable material separation in rooms, staff training and awareness on recycling, and re-introduction of composting practices. Attempts will also be made at reducing single use plastic and introducing more sustainable material in all areas of operations, by focusing on items that are biodegradable, compostable, ocean-bound, and/or made from recycled material. In order to achieve these set goals efficiently, Emaar Hospitality Group intends to seek adequate technological support and also partner with local UAE businesses and environmentsolutions providers as part of their focus on community support and sustainable initiatives.

An Emaar spokesperson added: “2023 is the year of sustainability in the UAE and with Emaar Hospitality Group we want to champion the efforts of the UAE government to make our properties as environmentally friendly as possible.

As an industry leader we have a responsibility to be more aware of our impact on the environment and with this in mind, we have introduced a number of measures throughout our hotels and resorts in an effort to be more sustainable. Each new opening is being built with sustainability in mind and this is a key factor for us moving forward.”

Additionally, the brand also aligns itself with government initiatives, working together towards a sustainable future. With environmental consciousness being the absolute need of the hour and a rising trend in the hospitality industry, Emaar Hospitality Group is training its staff and aligning all operations to be in line with the envisioned future. The impact it aims to create through its expansions is therefore dual in nature - one that furthers the interests of the industry as well as the environment.

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Emaar Hospitality Group was voted ‘World’s Leading Hospitality Development Company 2023’ by voters at the World Travel Awards. Spa Suites at Address Downtown Dubai were named ‘World’s Best Hotel Spa Suites’ at World Spa Awards whilst Armani Hotel Dubai is also a winner of ‘World’s Best Hotel Spa’ at World Spa Awards. Visit Emaar here at Arabian Travel Market on stand HC0220 or head over to www.emaarhospitality.com for more information.

Oman Air marks three-decade legacy in the skies

Oman Air is passing a major milestone with the occasion of its thirtieth anniversary, a journey which began in March 1993.

The carrier debuted with a single flight between the cities of Muscat and Salalah. The route, operated by Boeing 737300, marked the launch of the airline’s domestic network, which was followed shortly after

with its first international flight between Muscat and Dubai. Over the past three decades, the airline has gone from strength to strength and now flies to over 45 destinations as far as Europe and the Far East, with a strong international presence and a reputation for providing high quality products and outstanding customer service.

“Thirty years as Oman’s national airline is a milestone to be proud of,” said Abdulaziz Al Raisi, chief executive officer of Oman Air. “In that time, Oman Air has grown from a small regional carrier connecting Omanis across the country to an award-winning airline connecting visitors from around the world to Oman’s diverse natural beauty and rich culture. Despite the challenges of the last few years, our goal continues to be to serve our country by enabling Oman’s Vision 2040 ambitions, whether through job creation, supporting the tourism and logistics industries, or increasing inward investment. With three decades of experience and

expertise to build on, we’re looking to the future with renewed optimism.”

A cornerstone of Oman’s socio-economic development, since its maiden flight, Oman Air has carried millions of passengers into the country, providing them with an authentic introduction to Omani hospitality and culture. It has laid the foundations for a tourism industry that has increased ten-fold over the last 30 years, contributing to the creation of hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. It has transformed the local aviation industry, not least by bringing training in-country with its state-of-the-art Flight Training Centre, as well as running a number of successful graduate training programmes. Meanwhile, it has maintained a steady rise in Omanisation, which now stands at 94 per cent (excluding female cabin crew).

As it looks to the coming years, Oman Air is working towards joining the oneworld Alliance, which will see it broaden its network’s global reach and provide guests with huge benefits and greater travel options, while further strengthening its leading position in the Middle East by focusing on agility, efficiency, and new market opportunities.

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Oman Air took the titles of World's Leading Airline - Business Class, World's Leading Airline - Customer Experience and World's Leading Airline Lounge - Business Class at the World Travel Awards last year.

Find out more about Oman Air on stand ME1410 here at Arabian Travel Market 2023, or head over to www.omanair.com.

RoyalJet becomes largest Boeing Business Jet operator in the world

RoyalJet Abu Dhabi, an award-winning global leader in premium private aviation, has added yet another Boeing Business Jet to its fleet taking the total number to 13. RoyalJet had also acquired a BBJ early this year, which made it the largest BBJ Operator in the world. The latest BBJ boasts 19 passenger VVIP interior with a forward crew rest area, a master bedroom with a private lavatory and shower, and a first-class lounge.

Finished with custom-made materials and state-of-theart design configuration, the BBJ is designed for the best functionality and maximum comfort. The first-class lounge area is equipped with a custom liner system, CMS-controlled electric window shades, VIP-style custom carpet, LED reading, table lights and wash lighting with customised mood pre-sets among others. It also has a 32-inch monitor, cabinets with two pull-out tables on each side, hanging storage, and active emergency exits on both sides. The master bedroom is fitted with CMS-controlled electric window shades, VIPstyle custom carpet, wash lighting, and a 42-inch monitor.

RoyalJet chief executive, Mohammed Husain Ahmed, expressed his delight at the purchase of the new aircraft: “Over all of last year, demand exceeded supply in the premium aviation industry across the region. The overall health of the global private jet market has been going strong, and this growth is expected to reach greater heights as we move into a very busy period packed with events and conferences. The leadership of the UAE has committed itself to supporting tourism and global trade by investing in building a strong logistics sector. In line with the UAE leadership’s vision, we are actively looking to expand our operations to serve our premium clientel.,”

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RoyalJet is considered the Middle East’s Leading Private Jet Charter by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Find out more on the official website at www.royaljetgroup.com.

Private jet operator continues to build fleet in response to growing demand for luxury travel in the United Arab Emirates

Buoyant travel sector recoups losses, says WTTC

11 jobs worldwide. Spending from overseas visitors grew by a record 82% to reach $1.1TN in 2022, showing that international travel is firmly back on track.

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows the travel and tourism sector is closing in on its 2019 peak, recovering by more than 95%. In 2023, the sector is forecast to reach $9.5TN, just 5% below 2019 pre-pandemic levels when travel was at its highest. 34 countries have already exceeded 2019 levels.

According to the research conducted by WTTC in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the global tourism body also forecasts that the sector will recover to 95% of the 2019 job level. Last year, despite the economic and geopolitical difficulties, the travel sector’s recovery continued at pace, growing 22% year-on-year to reach $7.7TN.

This recovery represented 7.6% of the global economy in 2022, the highest sector contribution since 2019, although its global GDP is still

22.9% behind its 2019 peak. In 2021 the global sector grew 24.7% year-on-year, and last year it grew a further 22% to reach a GDP contribution of $7.7TN.

The research shows that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and prolonged travel restrictions imposed by a number of countries such as China had a significant impact on the global recovery. But the recent decision by the Chinese government to reopen its borders from January will propel the sector and see it recover to pre-pandemic levels next year.

From a pre-pandemic high of more than 334MN, the COVID19 pandemic ravaged employment in the sector which saw losses of more than 70MN to bring the total number employed in 2020 to just 264MN. Following the recovery of 11MN jobs in 2021, the sector created 21.6MN new jobs in 2022 to reach more than 295MN globally – one in

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The Travel & Tourism sector continues to recover at pace, demonstrating the resilience of the sector and the enduring desire to travel. By the end of the year, the sector’s contribution will be within touching distance of the 2019 peak. We expect 2024 to exceed 2019. Travel & Tourism will be a growth sector over the next ten years. The recovery will speed up this year as Chinese travellers re-enter the market. Travel & Tourism provides 300 million jobs worldwide.”

What does the next decade look like? The global tourism body is forecasting that the sector will grow its GDP contribution to $15.5TN by 2033 representing 11.6% of the global economy and will employ 430MN people around the world, with almost 12% of the working population employed in the sector.

The latest EIR also reveals that 34 of the 185 countries analysed in the EIR have now recovered to pre-pandemic levels in terms of GDP contribution.

WTTC forecasts that by the end of 2023, nearly half of the 185 countries will have either fully recovered to prepandemic levels or be within 95% of full recovery.

Located

Mauritius News

Payen appointed Chairperson of MTPA

Donald Payen has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA).

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am honoured and humbled by the continued trust placed in me. I have been a member of the Board of the Tourist Office on several occasions since my first appointment in 2003 and look forward to carrying on with the work done to build back (tourism) better.

He added: “In this context, I would like to pay tribute to my predecessors and to all those who have worked, and equally those who are currently working so hard for their contribution in making tourism an important pillar of our economy, a pillar we can all be proud of. Our priority remains returning to the level of activity we had prior to the pandemic. We will focus on delivering on this objective in the true spirit of public/private partnership (including ALL partners) spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, which remains the cornerstone of our modus operandi at the MTPA.”

Mauritius selected as a Shortlisted Nominee in the 30th Annual World Travel Awards

Mauritius has been selected as a shortlisted nominee in the 30th annual World Travel Awards:

Indian Ocean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Beach Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Dive Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Nature Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2023: Mauritius

Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Board 2023: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination 2023: Mauritius

In order to vote, visit www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.

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Head over to stand AF2220 and visit mauritiusnow.com

Donald

Air Mauritius celebrates Delhi return

The carrier organised a networking gala evening at Hotel Imperial in Delhi in association with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.

Krešimir Kučko, chief executive of Air Mauritius, stated: “We are excited to resume our operations to Delhi after three years of absence. India and Mauritius share a special relationship that is built on the foundation of people-to-people ties. Both India and Mauritius are united by culture, ancestry, language, and geography. This April, Air Mauritius is proudly commemorating its 50 years of presence in India. New avenues are being explored with Air India to offer seamless connectivity via Delhi as well as Mumbai to/from several destinations in India.”

The event ended with an exciting lucky draw, where Air Mauritius offered multiple return tickets, and hotels offered stay vouchers to the winners, through a lucky draw, in their endeavour to encourage other trade partners to make efforts to increase sales of the destination as a leisure, MICE and wedding destination.

Air Mauritius, the flagship carrier of Mauritius, will resume its direct operations to and from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi from the May 3rd. Biweekly flights will use the Airbus A330 aircraft in a business and economy class configuration with a capacity of 254 seats. The duration of the flight is seven hours and 30 minutes. Air Mauritius currently operates six weekly direct flights to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

The event was graced by the presence of H. Dillum, high commissioner of the republic of Mauritius to India, Krešimir Kučko, chief executive of Air Mauritius, Laurent Recoura, chief commercial officer of Air Mauritius, Arvind Bundhun, director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and other dignitaries from the travel trade, top media persons and other delegates.

Arvind Bundhun, director of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, while talking to the guests, mentioned: “The long-awaited flight from Delhi to Mauritius is a major milestone facilitating travellers from the northern part of India to commute. We are thankful to Air Mauritius for this initiative which will boost demand. We foresee a steep rise in the footfalls on our land.”

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Air Mauritius is considered the Indian Ocean's Leading Airline - Economy Class by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Head over to stand AF2220 here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 to find out more about Mauritius, or discover more on www.airmauritius.com.

Vietnam seeks immediate rebound in international visitor numbers

Asia destination looks to leverage World Travel Awards titles as market reopens.

Vietnam has unveiled an ambition to more than double tourist numbers in 2023 to around eight million international overnight guests. The news was confirmed ahead of Arabian Travel Market, which returns to Dubai this week.

The projection came as official figures showed more than 3.6 million arrivals in 2022 with a return of inbound travel following the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK was the top European source market for the destination, with a total of 93,794 British visitors recorded last year.

New hotels set to open in 2023 include the Nobu Hotel Danang, Avani Cam Ranh and Mandarin Oriental Saigon, according to a statement from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board chairman Kien Tran Trong said: “Strong visitor numbers in 2022 speak for themselves, and are a testament to the quality of product that Vietnam has to offer tourists as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. “After a quieter couple of years due to the pandemic, it’s been a pleasure to welcome back such a large number of tourists to the country, so that we can continue to show our visitors all Vietnam has to offer. In 2023, we look forward to continuing to welcome international travellers to our destination, as we continue to focus on improving our tourism offering throughout the year.”

Cruise sector

Vietnam witnessed a significant increase in the number of international tourist arrivals by sea in the first quarter of 2023, showing that cruise tourism has great potential for further development in the south-east Asian nation.

According to the General Statistics Office, in March, international arrivals to Vietnam by sea rose more than 2.8 times, as compared to the previous month. In the first three months of the year, Vietnam welcomed 33,700 cruise passengers.

Since the beginning of 2023, many cruise ships carried thousands of international tourists to localities across

Vietnam. In late February, Spectrum of the Seas, one of the world's top ten most luxurious cruise ships, docked at Tan Cang-Cai Mep port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

According to the Vietnam tourism development strategy in 2020, with a vision to 2030, the country is giving priority to developing sea and island tourism. Vietnam has a favourable geographical position on the regional maritime route. The country also boasts a coastline of 3,260km, with more than 4,000 islands and many famous scenic spots, as well as time-honoured historical and cultural sites.

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Vietnam took the trophies for World's Leading Heritage Destination and World's Leading Nature Island Destination last year at the World Travel Awards.

To find out more about visiting head over to the official website at www.vietnam.travel.

Magical experiences with Diamonds Resorts

Diamonds Resorts are luxury all-inclusive resorts situated in unique, magical and idyllic locations. The brand’s philosophy is to listen to the individual needs of guests in order to offer personalised services, exquisite culinary experiences and exclusive services to make each stay extraordinary and unforgettable.

Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Kenya

Set in fabulous botanical gardens, Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort is a haven to relax and rejuvenate. Situated on 38 acres of beachfront property, it features an 18-hole golf course overlooking the Indian Ocean. The resort also offers a casino, spa and outdoor swimming pool.

Each air-conditioned room and suite comes with modern African-inspired décor, satellite TV and a safety deposit box. The en-suite bathroom includes complimentary toiletries.

Guests can relax on Diani Beach or with a massage at the Lotus Health & Relaxation Centre. They can also enjoy activities such as scuba diving or a round of golf.

Leisure Lodge is located just 10 minutes’ drive from Colombus Trust and 15 minutes' drive from the Kaya Kinondo sacred forest. Likoni Ferry is 21.7 miles away and Mombasa

International Airport is 26.1 miles from the resort.

Diamonds Athuruga, Maldives

Boasting elegant beach bungalows, junior suite and beautiful over-water villas, Diamonds Athuruga is a paradise located at just a 20 minutes scenic flight away from Malé International Airport.

The wellness centre offers a variety of treatments and Ayurvedic massages and a well-equipped diving centre provides enthusiasts with the very best underwater experiences.

Athuruga is the ideal resort to discover the Maldives from a centre of excellence, where attention to detail will make your journey unforgettable. Let yourself be charmed by one of the most unique, enchanting well known coral reefs in the Maldives and discover its secrets thanks to the marine biologists on the island.

Sustainability lies at the heart of the resort’s philosophy. In partnership with Parley Maldives, waste segregation, PET 1 plastics are collected from the resort, water ways and sent for repurposing and recycling plastics into clothing and accessories. The Olive Ridley Project identifies turtles with a resort made database which adds to the larger ORP database.

Diamonds Thudufushi Beach & Water Villas, Maldives

The Diamonds Thudufushi resort is situated just a 20 minute scenic seaplane flight away from Malé International Airport. Thudufushi is the ideal resort to start discovering the Maldives in a centre of excellence, where every detail has been carefully selected to make your journey unforgettable.

The island resort features elegant beach bungalows and luxury over water villas. A

wellness centre offers ayurvedic treatments and a diving centre caters to the underwater experience of our guests.

Dives and excursions are conducted with experts, from biologists who reveal the secrets of the reef to qualified personnel who make stays unique and unforgettable.

Sustainability is key to the resort’s approach, including its

partnership with Parley Maldives, for repurposing and recycling the plastics. A new state-of-the-art marine laboratory has been inaugurated at Diamonds Thudufushi, between Planhotel Hospitality Group and the University of MilanoBicocca, Italy. The partnership will ensure ongoing coral restoration and coral conservation activities.

Diamonds Dreams of Africa, Kenya

Diamonds Dreams of Africa is where the enchanting force of nature melds with the exotic IndoArabic architecture to create a hypnotic charm, which, in Swahili, is known as bembeleza.

Sit yourself down on the Balinese armchairs on your room’s terrace and listen to the sound of the wind and the rustling of the palm trees, enjoy the music of the waves and let your heart dance in silence: your dream of total relaxation is finally a reality.

The Resort is located along the silver sand beach of Malindi, a twohour drive from Mombasa International Airport and 15 minutes from Malindi Airport.

Sandies Tropical Village, Kenya

Sandies Tropical Village in Malindi has been built according to Kenyan tradition but features all modern comforts. An oasis of tranquillity, the Resort features 109 garden rooms built in two levels semi-circle structure with private balconies at first floor and terraces at ground

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floor. All rooms are designed in Lamu or English style with large bathroom with walk-in shower.

Let the sound of the ocean gently cuddle you and be amazed every day by the wonderful colours of the sunsets that make Kenya a place famous and unique in the world.

To find out more about Diamonds Hotels & Resorts and Plan Hospitality Group visit www.planhotel.com.

Oman Airports launches Maseer training programME

The new scheme is designed to provide job seekers with employment in the fastdeveloping Middle East destination

Oman ground handling organisation Transom Handling, a subsidiary of Oman Airports, has celebrated the launch of its Maseer training-foremployment (TFE) program, which is associated with the employment of young Omani job seekers in aviation and ground services, and which assists them to achieve their goals and build their future career. The Maseer inauguration ceremony was held at the Training Centre of the Civil Aviation Authority under the auspices of Sayyid Salem bin Musallam Al Busaidi, undersecretary of the ministry of labour for human resources development.

Alongside the inauguration, Al Busaidi affirmed the Ministry of

Labour endeavours to implement national visions and projects that serve job seekers and overcome any obstacles hindering the realisation of their career goals.

Al Busaidi explained: “Through this partnership, we seek to strengthen the private sector institutions’ efforts, and support their endeavours and national contributions to offer greater opportunities for job seekers to improve their individual career standings. We also seek to support a trained and skilled generation of job seekers that can deservedly join the market. This comes in line with our efforts to achieve the vision laid out by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq – May Allah protect and

preserve him.”

Sheikh Saud Al-Azizi, Transom Handling executive director, stated: “We are delighted to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour to introduce the Maseer program, which harmonizes with our company's vision to support and empower Omani youth to further achieve their goals and create a suitable work environment for their future careers. Our youth should be aware of the importance of education in terms of how it relates to their future professional success, as well as to the nation of Oman’s development plans. They should be ambitious, passionate to learn, and responsible with regards to continuing building their country,

while deriving their determination and passion from the renewed renaissance.”

Sheikh Al-Azizi concluded by emphasizing that efforts are continued through many training and employment programs in all fields of the ground handling sector to enhance the government’s efforts in securing employment for job seekers.

The Maseer program, which will last for two years and target 100 job seekers in its current phase, is one of the most prominent elements of the company's strategy, as Omani manpower rehabilitation programs in private sector institutions are one of the strategic options that are

highly relied upon in terms of linking service works to youth employment. Transom Handling pays close attention to conceptualizing and enhancing aviation, hospitality and logistics services in the airports of the Sultanate of Oman, while being the nexus between these vital, value-adding sectors.

To a large extent, this is achieved by investing in employees, and supporting them with expertise and training opportunities. This is to help them keep pace with the aspirations that the company seeks to achieve within its vision to provide the highest-level ground handling service and hospitality for clients from various commercial airlines at all airports in the Sultanate,

including Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport, Suhar Airport, Duqm Airport, as well as Oman’s oil field airports. Transom Handling also works to guarantee its customers and passengers comfortable and safe flights at all airports.

More Information

Find out more about Oman

Airports at www.omanairports.co.om or head over to stand ME1410 for a chat with the Oman Ministry of Heritage & Tourism.

Miral Destinations to showcase latest developments at Arabian Travel Market

SeaWorld Yas Island set to top agenda as show welcomes tourism insiders from around the world.

Miral Destinations, the trusted one-stop trade and promotional partner for Saadiyat Island and Yas Island Abu Dhabi, will be making a splash at Arabian Travel Market. The company is set to unveil key updates for award-winning destinations Yas Island Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, including the highly anticipated opening of SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on May 23.

Liam Findlay, chief executive of Miral Destinations, said: “We are pleased to return to ATM 2023, which presents a unique platform to connect with industry professionals and showcase our upcoming plans for Yas Island Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi. We are on track to open the region’s first Marine Life Theme Park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and we are excited to bring to life our newest Yas Island campaign with Jason Momoa as a global brand ambassador. The campaign has been a resounding success thus far and we are delighted to extend the brand’s CIO storyline to cater to guests’ growing demand. As we continue to develop and expand our portfolio of offerings, we remain committed to providing world-class experiences and a wide spectrum of complementary services that continue to attract visitors from around the globe.”

Miral Destinations’ presence amongst key industry players at ATM 2023 furthers its commitment to the travel and tourism sector in the UAE, stressing the pivotal role both destinations play in creating unforgettable experiences that appeal to all. Visitors can also look forward to interactive exhibits and engaging activations from various attractions including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and the W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, amongst others, as the company showcases its diversified leisure and entertainment portfolio to visitors.

Mohammed Al Zaabi, Miral Group chief executive, will be speaking at the event, sharing his views on the UAE’s travel economy and the growth of the tourism sector on May 3 in a panel titled “The Success of Tourism for the UAE: 30 Years On...”.

Findlay will also be speaking at a panel discussion on May 4 where he will shed light on the latest developments and innovations in the industry. The panel, titled “Innovating Travel - Experiences, Tours & Attractions”, addresses the trends and challenges facing the industry and how leading attractions and theme park

operators can play a crucial role in mitigating these changes to attract new business opportunities.

In addition, Miral Destinations will be exhibiting a dedicated zone for the muchanticipated SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, where visitors will get the chance to witness firsthand an immersive experience of the park during the Arabian Travel Market. The park is set to be home to the world’s largest and most expansive multi-species aquarium containing 25 million litres of water and home to more than 68,000 marine animals.

ATM’s visitors will also get to enjoy an immersive experience of Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi’s tranquil and pristine attraction that has undisputedly earned the title of ‘The 'Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination.’ The luxurious island of Saadiyat will be featuring the recently opened Abrahamic Family House (AFH), which is now open for public in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island and now joins a consortium of cultural attractions on Saadiyat Island, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, along with up-and-coming attractions such as the Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural

History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena – making the island an unmissable destination for luxury, culture and arts aficionados.

More Information

Miral Destinations, a subsidiary of Miral, is the trusted one-stop destination partner that inspires and connects people through the power of shared experiences, delivering countless memorable moments and joy to guests across leisure, entertainment, and tourism attractions and landmarks throughout Abu Dhabi and beyond.

Yas Island is recognised as the World's Leading Theme Park Destination by voters at the World Travel Awards, while Saadiyat Island was named Middle East's Leading Beach Destination.

Join Miral Destinations on the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi stand at Arabian Travel Market 2023 at ME2450 and ME2410,

For more information on Miral Destinations, visit www.miral.ae/destinations.

we remain committed to providing world-class experiences

Liam Findlay, chief executive of Miral Destinations

Jamaica poised to continue recovery during summer 2023

Sandals Resorts unveils new investments as award-winning Caribbean destination welcomes growing number of holidaymakers

said Donovan White, director of tourism, Jamaica.

Last year, Jamaica welcomed 3.3 million visitors and registered a remarkable recovery of earnings compared to pre-COVID earnings of 2019, with total estimated revenue of US$3.63 billion. As the destination recovery has outpaced earlier projections, there is a high possibility that full recovery could be realized a year earlier than predicted.

Sandals Resorts

Sandals Resorts

On the heels of a strong recovery from the Covid19 pandemic, the 2023 forecast for Jamaica shows the destination is on track to achieve 11 per cent growth. Gross foreign exchange earnings for the 2023 calendar year are also forecasted to reach US$4.12 billion, an estimated 13 per cent increase on the previous year’s earnings.

“Jamaica’s tourism is back, and our recovery continues to outpace our earlier projections. We are now in growth mode and to achieve this in double digits for this year is huge. It will mean more jobs and more earnings for

workers and the island’s economy. Tourism is Jamaica’s lifeblood and driver of economic growth and the industry’s growth means the country’s growth," said Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, Jamaica.

The projected growth is based on Jamaica's primary markets registering growth over the previous period, with Canada strengthening its position to deliver 38 per cent growth, the United States showing steady growth of seven per cent, and UK/Europe primarily demonstrating growth of 5.3 per cent through the Eastern European

markets.

“We could not achieve these successes without our partners. Our airline partners, tour operators, travel agents and so many more have contributed to the destination remaining top of mind and accelerating our recovery.

The Jamaica Tourist Board’s focus on an integrated sales and marketing strategy, which is embedded in the pervasive use of new technologies along with a focus on new and emerging markets, has allowed the destination to leapfrog its own projections for growth,”

International (SRI) is expanding Sandals

Halcyon Beach Resort in Castries, St Lucia, and family resort Beaches Negril in Jamaica, with new rooms and suites opening in 2023.

A favourite among families for its intimate vibe and quintessential island hospitality, Beaches Negril will add 12 new and expansive butler suites, bringing its total room count to 197. The new additions include six Firesky Reserve Villas –nestled on the beach at the northern end of the resort and inspired by the destination’s captivating technicolour sunsets.

Each will offer four bedrooms spanning three storeys at 3,700 square feet. Well-appointed living areas, stylish kitchens, private oceanfront plunge pools and rooftop decks with dining terraces which give way to views of the Caribbean Sea. The Firesky Reserve Villas accommodate up to ten guests and are perfect for larger, multige nerational families. On the opposite end of the resort’s coastline, the Eventide Penthouse Collection will give a nod to the calm waters and minimal change in tides along Negril’s famous seven-mile beach. Comprising six suites with three to four bedrooms each, these can accommodate up to 18 guests. Spacious kitchens and thoughtfully designed living areas indoors give way to expansive balconies and walkout terraces. Guests will also have access to a rooftop terrace, ideal for stargazing and sunbathing.

Located next to some of St. Lucia’s calmest and brightest blue seas, Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort is opening 25 new butler suites. The expansion includes 20 Joli Beachfront Suites built right on the edge of the shore, offering a combination of luxurious rooms with walkout beach access and private pools, and second-storey accommodations with balconies featuring Tranquility Soaking Tubs. Offering an open-air layout, the suite interiors are outfitted in natural woods, hues of blues and soft island floral touches, with king-sized beds perfectly positioned to take in direct sea views from sunrise to sunset. The suites are framed by bright pink bougainvillea and are named ‘Joli’, the Creole word for ‘beautiful’, because of their stunning setting.

Five new Koko Rondoval Villas, named after the Creole word for coconut to celebrate the fruit’s abundance on the island, will be intertwined among

the resort’s lush landscaping, just mere steps from the sea. The Rondovals are a first for Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort, with their rounded walls and thatched roofs considered one of Sandals’ most forwardthinking designs. These new suites will focus on ‘bringing the outside in’ with windows that span nearly the entire wall, giving the illusion that the villa extends onto the private patio complete with a plunge pool.

The expansion will bring the total number of rooms and suites at Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort to 194, complementing the property’s lush gardens, six gourmet restaurants, a variety of water sports, access to golf, as well as an additional 21 eateries at the two other nearby, award-winning Sandals Resorts in St. Lucia.

“Our guest experience drives everything we do, and these new suites are emblematic of our unrelenting move across

the brands as we challenge ourselves to reimagine every facet of the business,” said Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “We wanted to go beyond traditional luxury and these new suites are stunners; it’s about design and amenities that make connecting with each other more comfortable and more fulfilling.”

More Information

Sandals Resorts is considered the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company by voters at the World Travel Awards, while Jamaica took the trophies for World’s Leading Family Destination and World’s Leading Wedding Destination last year.

Find out more about visit Jamaica at www.visitjamaica.com, while there is more about Sandals Resorts at www.sandals.com.

Las Vegas tourism industry hits record high in 2022

A fast-paced recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the city reclaim its former glory in record time

A new report from the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has revealed economic output related to visitor spending reached a record $73 billion in 2022, a 24.7 percent increase from the previous record set in 2019.

The annual Economic Impact of Southern Nevada’s Tourism Industry report outlines economic impacts associated with the region’s tourism industry and convention travel, including visitor spending on rooms, dining, shopping, sports, local transportation and other activities and amenities.

Las Vegas, as a tourist destination, has experienced dramatic growth in recent

years with the addition of new resort properties, expanded convention and meeting space, professional sports teams, and new venues such as Allegiant Stadium. Following the disproportionate impacts suffered by tourist destinations like Las Vegas during the pandemic, Las Vegas demonstrated a strong rebound as a favourite location for pent up travel demand.

Visitor spending in 2022 hit an all-time high of $45 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Total spending by visitors in 2022 outpaced the prior year by 24 per cent and the 2019 total by 22 per cent.

“These results are a powerful testament

that what we do in concert with our resort partners to market this destination has an undeniable impact on our community," said Steve Hill, chief executive and president of the LVCVA. "We're proud of this city and this industry and know that the upcoming offerings in the destination will add to that success."

The report also notes that Southern Nevada’s tourism industry remained the largest regional employer in 2022, directly employing an estimated 229,440. With direct and indirect impacts included, total impacts reached an estimated 358,880, a 21 per cent increase over the prior year.

“As we emerged from the pandemic, our consumer research made clear it was the perfect moment for us to capitalize on pent up travel demand,” said Kate Wik, chief marketing officer of the LVCVA. “We’re thrilled to see not only the strong rebound in visitation, but also the significant impact our visitors have on our state’s economy.”

Other key findings include the total economic output related to visitor spending in 2022 (including direct, indirect and induced impacts) reached an all-time high of $79.3 billion, equivalent to about half of the region’s gross economic output.

Despite 2022’s 38.8 million visitation tally falling 3.7 million visitors short of the 2019

visitation total, overall spending increased dramatically due to a 33.4 percent rise in per-trip visitor spending compared with 2019.

More Information

The LVCVA is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide and with operating the 4.6 million square-foot Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

With 150,000 hotel rooms and more than 14 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space in Las Vegas alone, the LVCVA's mission centres on attracting leisure and business visitors to the area. The LVCVA also owns the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop designed and operated by the Boring Company and also owns the Las Vegas Monorail, an elevated 3.9-mile system with seven stops throughout the resort corridor.

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority took the title of ‘North America's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2022’ at the World Travel Awards.

Find out more about visiting Las Vegas at www.visitlasvegas.com.

We’re thrilled to see not only the strong rebound in visitation, but also the significant impact our visitors have on our state’s economy.

Kate Wik, chief marketing officer, LVCVA

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Qatar Airways welcomes first passengers to Al Mourjan Business Lounge – the Garden

The airline has opened the new location at Hamad International Airport

The lounge overlooks ‘the Orchard,’ surrounded by renowned retailers and restaurants, while offering uniquely designed relaxation spaces and areas to socialise and indulge in a scenic masterpiece.

An exclusive sanctuary available for Qatar Airways Premium Passengers, the Garden stretches over an area of 7,390 square metres, and can accommodate up to 707 passengers. It features 24 quiet spaces, each designed to offer optimum relaxation available free of charge for the first six hours, and also features seven spa treatment rooms.

Accessible for passengers travelling in Premium cabin, the new lounge offers a range of premium facilities that fulfil the needs of business, leisure and family travellers with numerous dining options, relaxation rooms, a fitness studio, pedicure & manicure stations, spa facilities, dedicated private spaces, recreational areas and a nursery. The lounge has been influenced by modern aesthetics incorporating natural light in its distinct design, providing passengers with an immersive experien ce reflecting The Orchard below.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar

Al Baker, stated: “At Qatar Airways, excellence is embedded in the core of our brand, and as we continue to evolve our offerings, we choose to provide our passengers with the very best experiences in aviation and hospitality. Passengers can now enhance their journey to a new level at our newly opened Al Mourjan Business Lounge – the Garden at Hamad International Airport. This world-class lounge showcases a sophisticated way of travel, centred in comfort, wellness and nature. I welcome our premium passengers to experience this spectacular addition to our signature lounge portfolio.”

Located in the Northern expansion of Hamad International Airport, Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden is set to captivate premium passengers with its luxurious facilities it offers, making it a landmark within the award-winning airport

Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden serves as an extension to the iconic Al Mourjan Business Lounge, exclusively available to Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers. Together, both lounges can accommodate up to 1,600 passengers at once, offering luxurious facilities that include showers, dressing rooms, business areas and spaces to unwind at the Northern and Southern parts of HIA.

More Information

Qatar Airways is considered the World's Leading Airline by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Join Qatar Airways here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 on stand ME1210 or head over to www.qatarairways.com for more information.

Qatar Tourism to showcase latest hospitality developments at ATM

Qatar Tourism is set to lead a delegation of 43 partners at Arabian Travel Market. This follows the country’s remarkable success in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, in which Qatar’s hospitality and tourism industry demonstrated its ability to deliver world-class events.

Qatar Tourism’s 603 sqm, double-decker pavilion will feature the destination’s oneof-a-kind attractions and its unique blend of modernity and cultural authenticity. Qatar's participation at ATM demonstrates the country’s ongoing commitment to position itself as a leading global destination for travel and leisure.

Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are pleased to take part in the Arabian Travel Market and showcase Qatar’s incredible offering as a world-class tourism destination. In particular, this leading travel and tourism exhibition allows us to engage directly with core markets that we have identified as part of our 2030 strategy. We invite industry professionals to step into our exceptional pavilion and immersive themselves in the authentic culture and hospitality that Qatar is famed for. We look forward to highlighting the latest leisure developments taking place in Qatar and strengthening our partnerships with key travel and tourism stakeholders throughout the event.”

Qatar Tourism's pavilion at ATM will feature an array of unique attractions, including a Whale Shark activation, where visitors can view up-close the beauty of this

endangered species. It will also include an augmented reality photobooth that will allow visitors to take pictures in iconic Qatari destinations. Additionally, there will be an immersive room that will play scenic destinations across Qatar, providing visitors with a 360-degree experience of the country's attractions where visitors can explore and interact with Qatar’s unique tourism offerings in real time, per their interests.

In addition to the pavilion's attractions, Qatar Tourism will have a dedicated cultural area that depicts Souq Waqif, the country’s most popular traditional market, and serve Arabic coffee to guests. With the Expo 2023 Doha taking place later this year, Qatar Tourism will also shine a spotlight on this major upcoming event with an area at ATM dedicated to the Expo.

Arabian Travel Market is a market leading, international travel and tourism event that unlocks business potential within the Middle East for tourism professionals. The event brings together tourism destinations from around the world to showcase their brands alongside the biggest names in accommodation and hospitality, renowned tourism destinations and attractions, innovative travel technology providers, and airlines.

More information

Go to visitqatar.qa and head over stand ME1310, AZ3C at ATM.

this leading travel and tourism exhibition allows us to engage directly with core markets that we have identified as part of our 2030 strategy,

Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer at Qatar Tourism

Emirates Group joins the United Nations Global Compact

The voluntary global initiative promotes responsible business practices and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Advancing its sustainability efforts, the Middle East carrier has joined with dnata to enter the scheme.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “In the United Arab Emirates’ Year of Sustainability, we are pleased to join the United Nations Global Compact, which is another step forward in the Emirates Group’s efforts to embed sustainable and responsible business practices across our operations.

“Emirates and dnata have always taken a balanced approach to growth. Reflecting Dubai and the UAE’s long-term vision, we are tireless in our pursuit of excellence and progress, and we embrace the values of tolerance and respect. We will continue to invest in technologies, people, and partnerships to improve our business performance, expand our positive impact on the communities we serve, and minimise our environmental impact,” he added.

As participants of the UNGC, Emirates and dnata commit to implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, and to report its progress on these efforts annually. The Group will benefit from access to the UNGC’s extensive tools and resources to engage with its employees across the globe and improve their learning and training in Sustainability.

The Emirates Group’s ongoing environmental initiatives focus on three areas: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly and preserving wildlife and habitats. Among recent initiatives, Emirates in January successfully operated a milestone demonstration flight using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in one engine, supporting collective industry efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF flying. In June 2022, dnata pledged US$100 million to be invested over two years to enhance environmental efficiency across its global operations.

The group is committed to gender balance. It is a signatory to the UAE Gender Balance Council’s pledge which aims to increase female representation at middle to senior management positions by 2025; and dnata has signed up to IATA’s 25by2025 initiative to strengthen and improve female representation within its organization. Enriching and supporting communities, Emirates and dnata regularly mobilise resources for humanitarian relief efforts which in 2022 included initiatives for the floods in Pakistan, and earthquake in Turkey-Syria.

Committed to ethical and responsible practices, the Group has cross-functional internal committees that govern and monitor critical strategic, operational, financial, and reputational areas.

More Information

Emirates is considered the World’s Leading Airline Brand by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Find out more about Emirates on www.emirates.com or head over to stand ME3210 here at Arabian Travel Market.

Write your own story in Sharjah

From the bustling capital city on the Arabian Gulf, through the interior desert and over the Hajar Mountains to the pristine beaches of its east coast enclaves, Sharjah boasts some of the UAE's most diverse landscapes – each with its own unique appeal and exciting attractions.

Before you embark on your adventure, look through the next few pages where you’ll find essential information and helpful resources to ensure your visit to Sharjah is memorable for all the right reasons.

Sharjah is home to an endless list of astounding architectural gems and worldclass developments that span the ages of the emirate's growth and transformation into a bustling centre of culture, tourism and commerce.

From the 19th century coral stone Sharjah Fort to the lively and modern Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah’s landmarks are top destinations for learning and leisure.

More information

Head over to stand ME3410 and visit visitsharjah.com.

Saudi Arabia tourism goes from strength to strength

Saudi Arabia is continuing with its incredible ascent as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in the G20. With an extraordinary +121% increase from prepandemic international tourism levels, Saudi achieved 93.5 million visits in 2022 and is outpacing global tourism sector recovery as recognized by the UNWTO. As the world’s biggest investor in tourism, Saudi has committed $550bn to new destinations by 2030.

Preserving heritage and history, a $50.6 billion masterplan will transform Diriyah, a 300-year-old city and birthplace of Saudi, into one of the world’s most exciting cultural sites. In 2023, Red Sea Global, the world's most ambitious luxury tourism development, will debut its first hotel openings: Six Senses, St. Regis, and Nujama - a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a monumental development in Saudi’s sun and sea offering.

Saudi’s participation at ITB Berlin is a commitment to the European market as STA increases its presence to facilitate trade development. There are unparalleled opportunities in the German market for initiatives like Nusuk, an integrated digital platform to facilitate seamless Umrah journeys. At the Saudi stand, visitors will hear from the STA CEO during Saudi Talks, in conversation with the world’s largest independent travel agency, Lufthansa City Center, and will be able to experience a taste of authentic Saudi hospitality, or “hafawah,” at a Saudi coffee and date pairing session.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board of Saudi Tourism Authority said: “Saudi is growing at the speed of light, transforming at a scale and pace the world has never witnessed before.

“Last year, we recorded 93.5 million domestic and international visits and in January this year achieved a record number of inbound overnight visitors. We continue to gain momentum on this growth journey and it is critical that we inspire and engage our

partners to join us as we reinforce our commitment to the sector globally. Our first participation at ITB Berlin is our biggest presence at an international event to date, bringing the best of our dynamic tourism offering to showcase what is unexpected about Saudi while also highlighting the diversity, beauty, hospitality and energy of the destination.”

Saudi is reimagining tourism to welcome 100 million visits by 2030. Driving forward ambitious tourism goals, the destination has already celebrated key milestones including the official opening of Bujairi Terrace and AtTuraif late last year.

Saudi aims to increase international air connectivity from 140+ cities to 250+ cities by 2030. Through exceptional partnerships, Saudi is creating increased travel options and competitiveness to expand consumer choice and drive down costs. An exceptional partnership with Wizz Air launched 24 new routes from Europe to Saudi, and in January 2023, the first-ever free 96-hour stopover visa was launched through national carriers SAUDIA and flynas.

In 2022, Saudi extended eVisa regulations to GCC countries and visas on arrival to holders of valid US, UK, and Schengen visas.

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), launched in June 2020, is responsible for marketing Saudi’s tourism destinations worldwide and developing the destination’s offering through programs, packages and business support. Its mandate includes developing the country’s unique assets and destinations, hosting and participating in industry events, and promoting Saudi’s destination brand locally and overseas. STA operates 16 representative offices around the world, serving 38 countries.

More information

To find out more about Saudi Arabia Tourism Authority visit stand ME4410 and ME4350 at ATM.

Saudia sees passenger numbers take off

Flag-carrier is celebrating a positive start to the year as tourism figures boom in fast-growing Middle East hotspot

Saudia, the national flag-carrier of Saudi Arabia, has released its operational performance report for the first quarter of 2023, which revealed a 35 per cent increase in the number of guests carried across its flight network compared to the same period last year. The airline transported seven million guests, including 3.2 million domestic guests and 3.8 million international guests, which represents a significant 94 per cent increase. The carrier said the figures reaffirm the objective to connect the world with Saudi Arabia.

During quarter one of 2023, aircraft flew over 42,000 flights across four continents, representing a five per cent increase, which accumulated to over 127,500 flight hours, and a 26 per cent increase. Internationally, the airline operated over 18,300 flights with an increase of 40 per cent and recorded 87,300 flight hours with an increase of 55 per cent. Additionally, 23,600 domestic flights were operated by Saudia across a total of 40,100 flying hours.

Ibrahim Koshy, chief executive of Saudia, said: “The growth achieved during quarter one of 2023 comes in line with Saudia’s operational plan to increase its flights and seating capacity, considering the operational efficiency and maintaining ontime performance. This was evident in the

services provided that enhanced the travel experience and earned the loyalty of more guests from all over the world.

“Saudia’s flight network and quality services have been contributing to the kingdom's comprehensive development in all fields, including transporting visitors, tourists, and organizers to attend various events, exhibitions, and conferences held in the Kingdom. SAUDIA has designed an ambitious plan to transport more pilgrims as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program and connect the world with Saudi Arabia,” he added.

Saudia’s operations are expected to grow over the upcoming period. The airline will soon receive its first Airbus A321neo, with more deliveries expected of the same aircraft, as well as the A321XLR model. Additionally, Saudia completed its previous order for Boeing 787 aircrafts, aiming to add 38 new aircraft to its fleet by 2026. The airline also recently announced a new agreement with Boeing to deliver 39 new B787s, with an option to add another ten aircraft.

More Information

Find out more about Saudia on stand ME4310 here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 or head over to www.saudia.com.

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Wizz Air takes next steps on sustainability journey

The carrier has announced a £5 million investment in a biofuel company, Firefly.

The agreement with Firefly and investment in new SAF technology represents the latest milestone in Wizz Air’s broader sustainability strategy, including its ambitious fleet renewal plan and already efficient low-cost operations with the latest technology aircraft and high seat density and load factors. This will further strengthen Wizz Air’s position as an industry leader in sustainability and drive its commitment to reducing its carbon emissions per passenger/km by 25 per cent by 2030.

The investment is the first from the carrier in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research and development. The partnership with Firefly will allow the airline to supply SAF to its UK operations from 2028, up to 525,000 tonnes over 15 years. The agreement has the potential to save 1.5 million tonnes of CO2-eq.

Firefly specialises in a process, which converts sewage sludge, a low-value waste product available in large quantities, into SAF. More than 57 million tonnes of sewage sludge are produced in the UK each year, with the potential to produce 250,000 tonnes of SAF.

Michael Berlouis, head of strategic projects at Wizz Air, said: “In addition to fleet renewal and operational efficiency, SAF is crucial for reducing carbon emissions from aviation. However, feedstock availability remains the key challenge for the industry. Our investment in Firefly and its sewage sludge SAF technology is a major step forward for Wizz Air in securing its long-term ability to provide low-cost fares to its customers in an ever more environmentally sustainable way. From 2028, we are aiming to procure 525,000 tonnes of SAF from Firefly over a period of 15 years. This has the potential to reduce our emissions by 100,000 tonnes CO2-eq per year, which is equal to the emissions of over 12,000 return Wizz Air flights between London and Budapest.”

More Information

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi can be found on stand ME2450 and ME2410 here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 – or head over to www.wizzair.com.

SriLankan Airlines Shines a Light on Seagrass Conservation

The event was carried out alongside training arm, SriLankan Aviation College, and in partnership with the ministry of environment, Lanka Environment Fund and Blue Resources Trust. The workshop was preceded by a free public webinar on the potential of blue carbon ecosystems toward sustainable economic growth by Dr Milica Stankovic, an eminent scholar on seagrass research from the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand.

Seagrass meadows are patches of flowering plants that grow in shallow ocean waters and can capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, making it a Blue Carbon sequestering ecosystem with incredible

ability to mitigate climate change. Seagrass meadows, however, are currently under serious threat from human activity.

“SriLankan Airlines hopes to bring about a positive change in seagrass conservation by advancing the scientific study and research of this vital natural resource. We hope our seminal work will also lead to accelerated progress in establishing Sri Lanka as a prominent South Asian research hub on blue

carbon ecosystems,” stated Richard Nuttall, chief executive officer of SriLankan Airlines. For SriLankan Airlines, the decision to support seagrass conservation efforts was easy and fitting. The aviation industry has been grappling with carbon emissions for years and member airlines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) including SriLankan Airlines, have committed to fly net zero carbon by 2050.

“Seagrasses are responsible for 11 per cent of the organic carbon buried in the ocean and is important to the equilibrium of the planet. SriLankan Aviation College is proud to play its part in facilitating national training in conservation of seagrass Blue Carbon ecosystems by creating knowledge, addressing learning gaps in the latest research techniques and creating awareness about the importance of this indispensable resource,” commented Primal De Silva, general manager, SriLankan Aviation College.

SriLankan’s steady support for a sustainable future is illustrated through the airline’s many, often novel initiatives and the workshop and webinar were also a celebration of United Nations recently adopting the Sri Lanka sponsored resolution to declare March 1st as ‘World Seagrass Day’.

More Information

SriLankan Airlines is considered the World's Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Find out more about the carrier on the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau stand here at Arabian Travel Market at stand AS5110 – or visit www.srilankan.com.

Award-winning airline hosts a workshop for local scientists and professionals on mapping local seagrass meadows using drone-imagery.

Kuwait eyes tourism sector expansion

promising signs for activating tourism activity by highlighting the media and promotional events. Kuwait pays great attention to revitalizing tourism through many regional and local agreements, projects, activities and events capable of being attractive in various artistic, cultural, commercial, sports and other fields.

He indicated that the tourism sector in the Ministry of Information, under the directives of the Minister of Information and Culture and the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al-Mutairi, seeks to converge wills, harmonize policies, and integrate efforts between the state and the private sector to encourage local investment by establishing tourism projects, as it is an industry that works to develop more than 30 related economic sectors, which constitutes a great opportunity to provide job opportunities for national competencies.

The Kuwaiti Association for Festivals was established last April and specializes in the field of festivals, tourism and entertainment, and seeks to be one of the specialized associations in this field at the Gulf and Arab levels.

Kuwait and Saudi Arab ink cooperation

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Information and the Saudi Ministry of Tourism have a memorandum of understanding for boosting tourism cooperation.

Kuwait is building its tourist industry with the Ministry of Information signing an agreement with the Kuwait Association for Festivals, to establish ‘Discover Kuwait ‘an electronic platform project to display tourism, cultural and sports events and activities. This platform will shed light on official and unofficial events in various fields, to be a guide for tourists from inside and outside Kuwait.

The platform enables many diverse tourism elements and is considered one of the

The MoU, inked by the Kuwaiti Minster of Information, Culture Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi and the Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmad AlKhatib, aims for the two sides to bolster cooperation in the tourism sector, regarding relevant legislations concerning hotels, leisure facilities, statistics, exhibitions and other sections.

The two sides will cooperate regarding permits for tourism installations, developing tourist sites and at various other levels.

Kuwait Airways launches new upgrade bidding system

Carrier continues to refine services for luxury travellers.

As part of Kuwait Airways' continuous efforts to provide various services to its valued passengers, the company launched the ‘Just Upgrade’ travel service through a bidding system, where customers can offer the best price to upgrade the seat, from Economy Class to Business Class, or from Business Class to Royal or First Class.

Director of network and planning at Kuwait Airways, Shorouk Al-Awadhi stated: “Kuwait Airways is pleased to launch its latest distinguished service, which is the Just Upgrade service, allowing customers to obtain the best price to upgrade their travel class through bidding. Here the customer can submit a bid before the departure of their flight through the available electronic payment methods. This is followed by a confirmation email being sent to the customer stating an upgrade in the promotion, for which the customer has offered the highest price to reserve the seat.”

Al-Awadhi added: “This will provide the passenger with an upgrade from Economy Class to Business Class, or from Business Class to Royal or First Class and offer several privileges, including priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling, access to premium class lounge, and varied selection of meal choices. Moreover, Kuwait Airways is also keen to design seats to keep pace with the best in the world and believes in the comfort and relaxation of the passenger during the flight and until the passenger reaches their destination, which is one among the company's important priorities. Kuwait Airways' on-board experience also includes ample spacious seats, international in-flight entertainment, local and international meal options to suit varied preferences and requirements.”

Director of corporate communication, public relations, and marketing at Kuwait Airways, Mr. Khalid Al-Bustan continued by saying, "The launch of this service comes within the framework of Kuwait Airways' continuous programs directed towards launching new and diverse services in an effort to develop its system, provide service diversity, comfort, as well as entertainment to its passengers, and is within the framework of the company's approach to achieve the highest levels of service excellence."

More Information

Find out more about Kuwait Airways on www.kuwaitairways.com.

Bahrain tourism ascends to new heights

Bahrain’s tourism sector continues to exceed targets set under its 2022-26 tourism strategy.

The nation has recovered during the year 2022 by 90% compared to pre-pandemic levels, outperforming the international recovery rate, which was estimated by the World Tourism Organization at a rate of 65%.

The number of tourism visitors reached 9.9 million in 2022, up by 19% over the target of 8.3 million visitors. The average daily

expenditure of tourists exceeded the target number by 10%, with a record of BD76 per visitor, compared to a target average expenditure of BD69. The average duration of stay for tourists exceeded the target number of 3.3 days, recording 3.5 days, which represents an increase of more than 6%.

More Information

To find out more about Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) head over to stand ME2210 and visit bahrain.com.

Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre

The new Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre is the Middle East's largest Exhibition & Convention Centre. Located in the heart of Arabia, the spectacular new centre aims to place a spotlight on Bahrain as the region's newest destination to attract the world’s most prestigious exhibitions, conventions, entertainment, concerts and gala events.

Bahrain is the only island in the Middle East. A diverse island rich in culture, heritage and entertainment. An island to experience and feel rather than visit.

Gulf Air seeks to boost regional connections

Bahrain-based carrier is drawing closer to regional partners as it seeks to widen route network.

Aiming to boost long-term relations with partners in its main markets, Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, held its annual Ramadan Ghabga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the Kuwaiti capital.

Gulf Air chief executive officer, Waleed Al Alawi, valued the annual opportunity to network with the airline’s travel and tourism agents in its popular GCC destinations, as Gulf Air started flying to the region in the fifties and still sees strong passenger demand that translates to adding more daily frequencies in the future.

Al Alawi also highlighted the adaption of several ambitious initiatives aimed at digital transformation and the application of green principles that are environment-friendly, briefing the audience on the airline’s expansion plans and the qualitative additions of Gulf Air’s beach destinations, the latest of which was the launch of direct

flights between Bahrain and the city of Goa in the Republic of India.

Boutique strategy

These expansion plans come in line with the airline’s boutique strategy to offer passengers customised services and Gulf Air’s renowned Arabian hospitality. Al Alawi concluded by thanking and appreciating all partners in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait who had the greatest impact on the success of Gulf Air’s operations in those neighbourly countries and beyond.

More Information

To find out more about Gulf Air head over to the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority stand here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 at ME2110.

Or visit the official website at www.gulfair.com.

Air Arabia to take off for Baku this autumn

Capital of Azerbaijan to be served to three-times weekly from SeptembeR.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues to enhance global connectivity to and from the capital of the UAE, serving a total of 32 destinations directly from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has starts direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Baku in Azerbaijan. The direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Heydar Aliyev International Airport with a frequency of three flights per week, starting from September 13.

Adel Al Ali, group chief executive officer, Air Arabia, said: “We are excited to start our direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Baku, a city which offers a unique blend of Europe and Asia. Baku is a significant route in our expansion plans from United Arab Emirates’ capital and reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with more choices, convenience, and enhanced connectivity, while supporting both countries’ aviation sector and tourism industry.”

Air Arabia operates a total fleet of 68 Airbus A320 and A321 neoLR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across Air Arabia’s fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. The aircraft is equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming service that will allow passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices. Customers can also enjoy a variety of delicacies between snacks, meals, and sandwiches from the onboard ‘SkyCafe’ menu at affordable prices.

The otherworldly city of Baku is a must-visit destination, offering travellers anthropological sites, modern boulevards and panoramic views, as well as sizzling lakes and mud volcanos for the more adventurous.

More Information

Find out more about Air Arabia on stand ME2210 here at Arabian Travel Market 2023 or head over to www.airarabia.com.

flydubai expands route network in Italy

other points in Italy, will give passengers the opportunity to enjoy convenient direct operations to some of Italy’s most attractive regions. We look forward to welcoming passengers from Italy onboard to Dubai and beyond onto the growing flydubai network.”

Bergamo, a historic city in northern Italy, has been designated alongside Brescia as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2023.

The

marks the start of flydubai’s fivetimes weekly operations to the city, growing its network in Italy to four points including Catania, Naples and Pisa. Flights to Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) is now a daily service. Emirates will codeshare on these routes and the flights will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB), offering travellers more seamless connections through Dubai’s international aviation hub.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive at flydubai, said: “We are pleased to see our network in Italy grow to four points since our first entry to the market in 2018 with the start of flights to Catania. There is a large demand for travel from Dubai and the region and our flights to Milan-Bergamo, as well as the

Emilio Bellingardi, managing director of SACBO, said: “The start of flydubai's operations is of great importance as it further expands Milan Bergamo Airport’s network and offers direct access to Dubai International Airport. Passengers can not only access the heart of one of the most popular and attractive tourist destinations in the world, they can also benefit from a large network of connections.”

More Information

Find out more about flydubai here at Arabian Travel Market on stands ME2510 and ME2580, or head over to www.flydubai.com.

arrival

The carrier earlier touched down in Milan Bergamo Airport to a water cannon salute and warm welcome by airport officials.

lebua: the world’s first vertical destination

Since Sirocco and Sky Bar first pierced Bangkok’s skyline back in 2003, they have been on everyone’s list of ‘Bangkok’s bestloved destinations’. People from all over the world come to experience romance, stardust and the magic of being in the show.

lebua’s family of ground-breaking designer bars and restaurants has shaken the global culinary and cocktail scene with lebua No.3, Pink Bar and Chef’s Table.

The world’s first vertical destination is a place to wine and dine amongst the stars above the ever-changing lights of the city.

Pink Bar made a grand entrance onto Bangkok’s nightlife scene in 2019 with the mystique of a dusky pink femme fatale and a sexy swish of a Hollywood wiggle. Designer Scott Whittaker of DWP says, “I

wanted this to be somewhere intimate and feminine, somewhere that romance and love mix with the cocktails and bubbles.”

Indeed, Pink Bar features the world’s very best champagnes, like the exquisite, but little known Comptes de Dampierre that Deepak Ohri, CEO of lebua Hotels & Resorts, personally sourced in France. Bathed in pink, the comfortable luxury of rosé velvet loungers embrace you as the double-height champagne cellar glistens invitingly and Bangkok glows seductively below.

Chef’s Table celebrates the art of mastery by blending a state-of-theart kitchen with refined French dishes, bringing a whole new culinary experience in front of guests’ eyes. The first restaurant in the world that resides in the kitchen, each table enjoys a front row view of the craftsmanship, dedication, and artistry that is involved in creating world-class, stunning

cuisine. Within just eight months of opening it earned its first MICHELINstar, demonstrating its distinction within the culinary world, and making lebua Hotels & Resorts the only hotel in Thailand with two MICHELIN-Starred restaurants under one roof. What more could we have asked for than being recognized by a institution such as MICHELIN Guide.

At the very heart of Chef’s Table is its kitchen; this is where magic is made. The stunning Molteni stove is a work of art, and had to be disassembled into four parts in order to be moved to its new home on the 61st floor. An engineering feat – one that was deemed impossible by many – a highly technological ventilation system surrounds the kitchen to keep all smoke and odors

contained. A creating an alluring aesthetic juxtaposition to the romantic Carrara marble that encircles; the champagne-bronze palette makes for a stunning backdrop to the architectural magnificence.

Watch this space for the next reveal! Unforgettable dining experiences at the iconic lebua –

the world’s first vertical destination. Tower Club at lebua, Thailand was voted ‘World’s Leading Luxury Suites Hotel’ by voters of World Travel Awards whilst Sky Bar and Sirocco @ lebua at State Tower, Thailand was named ‘World’s Leading Hotel Rooftop Restaurant & Bar’.

More Information

To find out more, visit lebua.com

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WORLD SPA AWARDS GALA

2023

3 October 2023