Exhibitor news

Yas Island to host NBA preseason games

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced that the reigning NBA champions, Milwaukee Bucks, will face the Atlanta Hawks in the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games in October.

The teams will play two preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Thursday, October 6, and Saturday, October 8, 2022. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will mark the league’s first games in the UAE and the region.

Ralph Rivera, NBA Europe and Middle East Managing Director, said: “Bringing the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks to Abu Dhabi in October is an important milestone in the NBA and basketball’s global growth. In addition to the games, we look forward to engaging fans through a variety of interactive events and giving back to the local community through NBA Cares initiatives and youth development clinics that will teach the sport and its values to young boys and girls.”

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a groundbreaking multi-year partnership between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that earlier this year saw the launch of the first Junior NBA Abu Dhabi League, a youth basketball league for 450 boys and girls from 11 to 14 years of age from local schools across Abu Dhabi. The partnership also includes a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness and an NBA 2K League exhibition event at the Middle East Film & Comic Con.

His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, DCT Abu Dhabi Director General, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the first NBA games in Abu Dhabi, the first to be hosted in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf, and look forward to welcoming the Atlanta Hawks, the Milwaukee Bucks and basketball fans from across the world to discover this incredible city and experience our authentic Emirati culture for themselves.

“Basketball has the ability to unite communities, and the spirit of the game will be felt by players and visitors, both on and off the court. The unveiling of the NBA teams marks an important milestone in our wider partnership with this world-class sports organisation.”

The partnership also sees DCT Abu Dhabi, under Visit Abu Dhabi (the tourism promotion initiative of the UAE’s capital city), serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and China.

Tickets for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will go on sale later this year.

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AlUla launches online travel training hub

The Royal Commission for AlUla announced the launch of its first travel agent training programme and trade information hub – AlUla Specialist – at ATM. The online hub will drive awareness of AlUla as a new and unexplored destination and will teach international travel agents to market and sell trips to this vast desert region in Saudi Arabia.

The course will comprise five training modules in English and Arabic, including an introduction to the destination, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, the areas of Dadan and Jabal Ikmah and AlUla Old Town and Oasis. The content will also highlight the destination’s key messaging and offer insight into unique AlUla experiences to travel partners.

The training programme includes a trade toolkit with downloadable factsheets, brochures, visitor guides, videos, training webinars, trade rewards and incentives, regular news and product updates as well as the opportunity to attend upcoming events.

Participants who pass the training programme will become AlUla Travel Specialists and be profiled as premium AlUla operators.

“With AlUla Specialist, we have developed what we hope is best-inclass programming to support our global network of valued trade partners. AlUla is an incredibly rich and inspiring destination and we look forward to introducing AlUla to our trade partners, first digitally and then in person,” said Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Management and Marketing Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla.

“We need to train and prepare the next generation of tourism professionals who we know we can trust to provide an on-demand expertise to travellers and industry partners as we concentrate our efforts to attract 180,000 visitors by the end of this year and 250,000 visitors in 2023.”

Radisson to expand resort portfolio in Morocco

Radisson Hotel Group is growing its Moroccan footprint. Last year, the group opened four hotels in beloved tourist destinations like Al Hoceima, Taghazout Bay and Saïdia. Located in Morocco’s south, north and northeast, the four hotels consist of three resorts and a seaside residence.

In what’s set to be a landmark year for tourism in the country, Qatar is witnessing its visitor numbers steadily scale up. His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, said: “Our strategy is to triple our visitor numbers to six million by 2030, making Qatar one of the world’s fastestgrowing tourism destinations.”

It is an exciting time for tourism in Qatar, with many firsts for the Gulf country, including becoming the first Middle Eastern nation to win the right to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. While this mega sporting event is a milestone in the country’s tourism growth journey, sports will continue to feature heavily in the 2030 strategy as one of four key contributors to driving tourism in Qatar.

Beyond 2022, the country is working on building its calendar of events to continue attracting athletes, amateurs and professionals in various fields. As part of the nation’s efforts to offer exciting experiences outside sporting arenas and stadiums, there are 205 hotels and resorts, including a raft of cultural and retail attractions – such as Place Vendôme and Winter Wonderland – due to open in time for the influx of fans expected to visit Qatar later this

Situated on one of the most scenic Mediterranean bays, Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima is surrounded by 64 acres of cedar forest and is ideally located on the Sfiha beachfront. The hotel features 432 luxury rooms and suites with modern décor and breathtaking ocean and garden

year. Simultaneously, more than 80 projects are in the pipeline, bringing the total up to 291 hotels and resorts.

Qatar is also capitalising on its geographic location for the growth of its cruise tourism sub-sector. In the past decade, the Arabian Gulf has risen to the top three cruise destinations worldwide during the winter months. While hosting cruise ships for overnight stays, Doha has also become a turnaround port, allowing visitors to enjoy longer stays before and after their cruise.

As a step towards enhancing the experience for cruise guests, the fully renovated Doha Port terminal will be inaugurated this spring. A new gateway to the country, located in Doha’s cultural district, it is in close proximity to the capital’s key attractions

With rapid development underway in the country, Qatar Tourism recognises its responsibility to ensure that all its tourism products and services deliver an unparalleled visitor experience. The Service Excellence programme was, therefore, recently launched in order to empower its partners from across different sectors to enhance the experience at every touchpoint along the visitor journey. views. Located just 20 minutes from Al Hoceima’s international airport, the resort provides a convenient getaway for all travellers.

Adjacent to Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima and its facilities, Radisson Blu Residences, Al Hoceima offers direct access and boasts panoramic ocean, garden and pool views from the terraces of the apartments and bungalows. The resort is a welcoming seaside home base, offering world-class service in the coastal region of Al Hoceima, which boasts a rich history, well preserved historic buildings and traditional blue and white houses, drawing from the city’s Spanish and Moroccan influences.

Radisson Blu Resort, Saïdia Beach is ideally situated on the shore, alongside the Med-Saïdia Marina and Golf Course, offering 397 spacious and bright rooms and suites with modern designs inspired by authentic Moroccan architecture.

Located in an eco-friendly village, Radisson Blu Resort, Taghazout Bay Surf Village is steps away from the country’s best surf spot, Taghazout, known as Africa’s surfing paradise. Designed with an integrated and sustainable approach, visitors will be spoiled for choice with the local activities on offer, from surfing and water skiing, to golf and jeep rallies.

In line with Morocco’s commitment to sustainable tourism, the hotels are operated in respect of their close proximity to natural wonders and aim to implement Radisson Hotel Group’s leading responsible business initiatives.

Radisson Blu Resort, Taghazout Bay Surf Village

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Qatar Tourism set for landmark year

Robust tourism development underway in Sharjah

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) unveiled the emirate’s latest tourism developments and future plans at ATM.

His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “Our leadership’s constant support paved the way for Sharjah to make immense progress in recent years in terms of major tourism projects across cities and villages in the emirate, including major infrastructure projects to connect the Heart of Sharjah to the central and eastern regions.

“The emirate’s strategic location is an added value for its tourism sector, playing a key role in the development of the tourism industry and its diversity and offering an array of experiences to meet all interests and cater to every age group. The emirate boasts worldclass tourism capacities, offering an annual agenda full of events, exhibitions, and major festivals – all of which work together to meet the aspirations of visitors from all categories.”

He explained that Sharjah has developed its hotel sector to include more than 100 facilities with over 10,000 keys, featuring beachside resorts, properties based in the heart of the city and retreats that make the most of their natural surroundings, from mountains to sand dunes.

Sharjah has also worked hard to enhance its eco-tourism offering, with destinations providing experiences for adventure lovers with activities such as camping, water sports, desert safaris and mountain excursions, in addition to experiences catering to heritage, arts, history and archaeology enthusiasts.

“Sharjah supports development plans that are designed to ensure the sustainability of its key sectors, including tourism – one of the pillars of the national economy.”

The total number of guests in hotel establishments in Sharjah during Q1 2022 exceeded 350,000, marking a growth rate of 26 percent compared to the same period last year. The UAE ranked as the first source market for hotel guests in Q1 2022, followed by India, Russia and Oman, underlining Sharjah’s appeal to both international tourists and visitors from around the UAE.

Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA), shed light on the Sharjah Safari project – the largest safari outside the African continent. She said: “Sharjah Safari places Sharjah and the UAE at the forefront of attractive destinations for nature and wildlife tourists and contributes to promoting various other sectors, from aviation to hospitality.”

His Excellency Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority, said: “We look forward to highlighting the services and smart solution features that we have recently launched, in addition to demonstrating the quality of our safety standards and operational efficiency, which has been enhanced to provide customers and travellers with a more comfortable experience.”

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), announced the group’s two new luxury hospitality projects, Najd Al Meqsar Retreat and The Serai Wing, Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim.

He said: “These projects offer residents and travellers more choices in the ways they wish to explore Sharjah and complement the other eco- and heritage-inspired hospitality projects developed by Shurooq in the emirate.

“Through these new undertakings, we reiterate our commitment to enhancing Sharjah’s tourist landscape, encouraging diversified investments through local and global partnerships, and developing projects all across Sharjah as part of an inclusive, community-focused development plan.”

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Best Western strengthens Middle East portfolio

BWH Hotel Group announced the signing of three new hotels in the region while highlighting its current portfolio of properties at ATM. The new openings will include Best Western Plus Dubai Academic City with 600 rooms, Best Western Ajyad in Makkah with 201 rooms and Best Western Plus Airport Riyadh with 99 rooms.

A leading global hospitality network, BWH Hotel Group comprises three hotel companies, including World Hotels Collection, Best Western Hotels and Resorts and Sure Stay Hotel Group.

The network boasts approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. With 18 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. With the new signings, BWH Hotel Group underscores its strong focus on development in the Middle East market.

Dilip Waghaye, Director of Development Middle East: “I am very proud to announce these new additions to BWH Hotel Group’s portfolio of hotels in the Middle East. We have built a strong development pipeline and there are new openings scheduled in key Gulf markets for 2022.”

TI Infotech showcases latest developments at ATM

Making the most of the slower pace of the travel industry over the last two years, TI Infotech used the time to enhance its flagship products. The India-based technology provider added new features to their Travel Cloud Suite and Travel Assist products.

“We developed our new feature ‘Make Your Own Package - MYOP’ which is a true dynamic packaging feature. Also, we enhanced our split stay feature for island-focused packages. With these features in place, it became a lot easier for tour operators and their end clients to search, explore, book and manage holiday bookings,” said Nitin Chaudhry, Business Consultant - Global Sales.

The company has been participating in ATM since 2009 and the team is optimistic about the year ahead, with travel on the road to recovery.

“The show and the region it covers primarily are both important for us and caters to our purposes of branding, new business and networking along with meeting with our existing clients and suppliers.

“A successful ATM for us means increased business from new and existing clients and enabling them to do more business. Also, we are looking forward to meeting and syncing with other global industry players in person.”

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ISO Travel Solutions highlights new software at ATM

ISO Travel Solutions GmbH has launched ‘Travel:up Video’, a new software solution for travel companies. The intelligent software introduced by the Germany-based technology company allows travel and tourism businesses to create and send personalised videos to customers in order to raise upsell rate and customer satisfaction.

Demonstrating its functionality, the tool, if used by an airline, can be used to offer passengers additional services, such as in-flight catering, more legroom or additional baggage, via short video sequences. For hotels, services such as room upgrades, a meal or a spa treatment can be highlighted.

Each video is created by the software individually and personalised for each customer. With its interactive ability, viewers can click on each additional service in the video and make a direct booking. The tool receives information about the customer’s chosen services directly from the company’s reservation system along with additional services that match those already booked. The tool then sends an email with an online link to the customer.

Markus Kretschmer, Managing Director, ISO Travel Solutions GmbH, said: “With this solution, customers can book upsells directly out of the video. As soon as the customer clicks on the link, the video is individually compiled, personalised and played for the customer. Furthermore, the tool combines the video sequences of all the relevant additional services into one seamless video.”

German airline Condor has already used the software, which has reportedly tripled its upsell rate.

Moreover, at the show, ISO Travel Solutions GmbH is showcasing all its software solutions, which include reservation systems, internet tools and video solutions for tourism companies, attractions, amusement parks, cruise lines, airlines and airports.

“We have worked on several projects in the Middle East with many companies, including Emirates, Etihad and Kuwait Airways, among others. Our most recent project is the delivery of an online booking portal for VisitOman.om, the national travel operator of the Sultanate of Oman,” highlighted Kretschmer.

Miral unveils strategic plans for Abu Dhabi

Yas Bay Waterfront

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, unveiled its forwardlooking strategic roadmap at ATM. The group announced its upcoming projects and demonstrated its commitment to enhancing the UAE capital’s leisure and entertainment offering.

During its first decade, Miral invested over US$2 billion into developing worldclass attractions and experiences on Yas Island, in partnership with global industry giants such as Ferrari and Warner Bros.

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, said: “We are delighted to take part in ATM 2022, which provides us with the perfect opportunity to showcase Miral – past, present and future. From the evolution of Yas Island into a global destination, a continuous source of pride, to our recent appointment to oversee Saadiyat’s destination management strategy, we look forward to building more immersive attractions, worldclass destinations and enhanced guest experiences as we contribute to Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth and position it as a global destination for visitors from all around the world.”

In 2011, Miral embarked on a mission of prompting a shift in the UAE capital’s leisure and entertainment landscape on Yas Island. The group developed worldclass attractions and cultural landmarks and also created top-tier guest experiences like no other. Consequently, Yas Island re-emerged in the everdynamic global tourism ecosystem as one of the UAE’s biggest touristic draws, attracting visitors from all over the world with its diverse mix of award-winning leisure and entertainment experiences.

In 2020 and 2021, Miral delivered multiple projects on the island, expanding its portfolio of world-class destinations. Located on the southern end of Yas Island, Yas Bay is an iconic mixed-use development that comprises three distinct but integrated areas: Yas Bay Waterfront, The Residences at Yas Bay and Yas Creative Hub.

Also located on the waterfront and developed by Miral is Etihad Arena, the Middle East’s largest stateof-the-art indoor entertainment venue and the new five-star resort, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island.

Miral’s hospitality offerings also include DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences and the WB Abu Dhabi Hotel, the world’s first Warner Bros.-branded hotel.

As part of its efforts to enhance the customer experience and create a seamlessly connected destination of world-class theme parks and attractions on Yas Island, Miral set forth on a digital transformation journey in 2018 with the launch of MyConnect, a foundational digital platform that provides robust digital capabilities, enabling a hyper-connected and immersive visitor experience.

In 2021, Miral launched FacePass, a cutting-edge contactless technology that utilises facial recognition to streamline guest experiences and its Decision Analytics strategy, the Noor Initiative. This initiative aims to enhance the company’s investment in predictive data analytics and integrate innovation across its operations, bolstering its contribution to Abu Dhabi’s position as a data-driven capital.

The most recent growth journey has begun with Miral’s appointment by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to oversee Saadiyat Island’s destination management strategy in 2022.

Further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a destination of distinctive cultural developments on Saadiyat Island, Miral has partnered with DCT Abu Dhabi to conceive and develop the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, set to be completed in 2025.

Looking ahead, on Yas Island, a partnership between Miral and SeaWorld® Parks & Entertainment will see the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s leisure and educational offering with the opening of SeaWorld® Abu Dhabi, which is set for completion in 2022.

VISIT STAND ME2350, ME2310

Batumi presents year-round offering

At ATM this year, Batumi, the capital city of Georgia’s Adjara region, has seen an increase in enquiries about its year-round offering for tourists from the Gulf region.

With 70 direct flights per week between Georgia and the GCC countries, the city offers a diverse range of options for travellers, from beachside breaks during the summer to ski holidays during the winter.

Tinatin Zoidze, Head of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Batumi, Georgia, said: “As Batumi is situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, we attract visitors from both European countries and our neighbours in the Middle East. You can explore our beautiful city and surrounding villages, enjoy our exquisite cuisine, listen to Georgian polyphonic singing or visit our incredible mountains within a flight time of just two hours and 15 minutes.”

As the majority of Batumi’s GCC tourists currently visit during the summer months, Zoidze and her team are looking to raise awareness of the activities and locations that can be enjoyed during other seasons.

“We have high-quality ski resorts and the longest period of snow in Georgia until April, which means you can go from enjoying the sunshine on one of our beaches to skiing in the mountains within only a two-hour drive.”

In addition to promoting their yearround tourism offering, the Batumi team is using ATM 2022 to meet with a selection of GCC tourism leaders.

“Our team and Paata Kalandadze, Georgia’s Ambassador to the UAE, have had a series of high-profile meetings, including the Area Manager of Air Arabia, for example, where we discussed prolonging the flight season from GCC countries to Batumi,” said Zoidze.

“We also had a very productive meeting with Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing. The tourism authorities here in Dubai are a great example for us to follow. Mr. Kazim shared his experience with us and advised us on some steps we could consider taking. We have also met with senior representatives from Flydubai, Abu Dhabi’s tourism authorities and some of the largest tour operators in the region,” she concluded.

Tinatin Zoidze

Welcome to the World wins ATM Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition

Welcome to the World has been named the first-ever winner of the ATM Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition, which saw a selection of the region’s most innovative travel and tourism start-ups deliver pitches on the ATM Travel Tech Stage for the chance to secure up to US$500,000.

A total of 15 finalists pitched to the panel of five industry judges, including Alaa Ismail Al Haija, Founder and CEO of AladdinB2B, SalesMENA and the DraperAladdin Startup Competition, Hadi Saeed AlShakhori, Business Incubation Manager at Wa’ed, Walid Tarabih, Founder and CEO of PLATX and former advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE, Matthew Gardiner, Founder of A1 AI, and Bashar Sami El-Khasawneh, Associate Professor at Khalifa University.

The judges assessed pitches from a range of start-ups, which also included AirportAssist.com, Elves, Gauvendi, Hotailors, Lykos, Octoos, OnArrival, Road.Travel, SmartGuide, SLF, S-Rate, Teamatix, Telgani and Travelexic.

Welcome to the World aims to solve the problem of the high rates of commission charged by online travel agencies. Described by Founder and CEO Stefanie Schachtschabel as “YouTube for tourism”, the platform enables tourism businesses and travel influencers to drive direct bookings free of commissions by sharing videos.

Commenting on the win, Schachtschabel said: “We are very happy. We have been working hard to reach where we are today and having the confidence of so many investors means the world to us.

“We are in the midst of our seed round, which means we are onboarding investment. These funds will be used to build in state-of-the-art technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to monetise our data and also to scale our business to the 48 destinations that we are currently targeting.”

Welcome to the World currently boasts more than 185,000 monthly users, having already attracted brands such as Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Accor, Address Hotels + Resorts, W Hotels, Radisson Blu and The Ritz-Carlton Dubai.

The investment gained as part of the first-ever ATM DraperAladdin Startup Competition follows US$264,000 already secured as part of the firm’s pre-seed round.

After taking first place at the ATM Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition, Welcome to the World will now have the opportunity to compete for a further US$500,000 of investment as part of the hit TV show, Meet the Drapers.

Digital tour guide platform SmartGuide and route marketplace Road.Travel came in second and third place, respectively.”

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME for Arabian Travel Market, said: “The ATM Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition is a fantastic initiative, which we believe will act as a springboard for innovative travel and tourism companies that are working to reshape our industry for the better.”

HyperPay introduces HyperBill at ATM

HyperPay, the MENA region’s leading payments platform, announced that it achieved an Oracle Validated Integration with Oracle Hospitality’s Opera, the property management system for hospitality businesses. HyperPay is, therefore, showcasing HyperBill’s Hospitality Payment Solution for the first time at ATM.

The integration will allow hotels across the MENA region to benefit from HyperPay’s e-invoicing payments platform (HyperBill) without the need for long and complex integration processes.

HyperPay recently launched a production Oracle Marketplace app, the first of its kind that combines the power of Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform (OHIP), Oracle Hospitality Industry Connector (OIC) and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).

The Oracle system partners with brands that can share their expertise and offer solutions to some of the most complex problems of running a business. This now includes handling all of the billing for even the biggest companies.

“Hotels and hospitality professionals from around the world can benefit from the integrated hospitality solution. Combining Oracle Hospitality’s Opera with HyperPay’s powerful e-invoicing system, HyperBill will deliver a frictionless, unified customer experience. This will enable guests to secure their reservations and hotels to seamlessly collect their payments,” said Products Development Manager, Obaida Khaleel.

The announcement of HyperPay’s invoicing solution, HyperBill, and Oracle’s partnership comes as welcome news for hoteliers in the MENA region. Opera centralises data and makes it available on the cloud whenever it is needed. Now, with HyperBill, it is even more straightforward to manage relationships and payments, ensuring nothing gets missed and that customer data is safe and secure.

There are multiple ways for a customer to pay their bill and for the vendor to manage their invoices and payments. Using HyperBill, hotels can collect payments overseas with no issues and complications and at the same time, make it easier for guests and their reservations, with a streamlined checkout and check-in.

Customers will notice the difference when it comes to quick, secure payments, and clear and accurate invoices. Vendors will enjoy a quick and intuitive interface for customising and generating invoices and the option for either one-time or recurring billing. HyperPay is now available across the MENA region, totally integrated with a hotel’s Oracle Hospitality’s Opera system. Hotels can start the process now and move forward with an invoicing solution that can streamline internal operations and guest reservations.

Deutsche Hospitality eyes Middle East growth

Germany-based hotel company Deutsche Hospitality has its sights set on further expansion in the Middle East following a successful 2021. The hospitality group, which has been active in the region since 2015 and participating in ATM since, will showcase its diverse offering to the international travel trade.

The brand is present in key markets in Europe and the Middle East and will be announcing expansion plans across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. One of the group’s major expansions will include the launch of Deutsche Hospitality’s new luxury lifestyle brand.

Siegfried Nierhaus, Vice President, Deutsche Hospitality, Middle East, said: “Deutsche Hospitality has been very active in growing our different hotel brands in the Middle East. We have shown a strong commitment to our presence in the area and have shown great capabilities in adapting our management performance with our existing and new partners. As a result, November 2021 saw the successful opening of the new Steigenberger flagship hotel in Doha and the first franchise hotel IntercityHotel Jaddaf Waterfront Dubai with a great partner in the region.

“In March this year, we announced our partnership with Al Hamra, the leading lifestyle developer and investment company in Ras Al Khaimah, to take on the management of two properties: Al Hamra Village Hotel and Al Hamra Residence.

“Deutsche Hospitality was able to reopen Al Hamra Residence within a record time of 25 days from the date of signing the hotel management agreement. Al Hamra Village Hotel will reopen in Q3 2022 and both properties will be managed as white label within the Deutsche Hospitality brand portfolio.

“After renovations, Al Hamra Residence will be branded as Steigenberger Residence and Al Hamra Village Hotel as Maxx by Deutsche Hospitality. Further, 2022 will see our new flagship, IntercityHotel Muscat in Oman.”

Across Europe, Nierhaus stated that the group has witnessed a spike in bookings from the region. “We have seen a huge demand in bookings coming from this part of the world for our portfolio of hotels in key destinations, especially in the German-speaking European countries (Germany, Switzerland and Austria), following the lifting of travel restrictions around the world. We are looking forward to welcoming our guests from the Middle East.”

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CodeGen introduces new product at ATM

Innovative travel technology provider CodeGen introduced its latest product for travel and tourism businesses at Arabian Travel Market this year.

Touted as the ultimate digital experience for DMC operations and servicing, the UK-based company has released a smart and efficient application for supplier and resource allocation.

Mark Melzack, Head of Global Sales, CodeGen Ltd., said: “We are promoting our all-in-one solution for end-to-end travel sales. It is an AI-driven platform for call centre, B2C and B2B sales that increases online conversion rates and improves operational efficiency.”

CodeGen has been participating in ATM since 2018 and it has become an integral event on the company’s calendar with the team’s representatives meeting industry professionals at its busy ATM stand.

“We have several large clients based in Dubai and the UAE, including airlines, DMCs, tour operators as well as resort and park operators. We see huge potential in this region for the future and invest heavily in R&D to ensure we can offer our clients here the very latest travel tech to give them the competitive edge.”

Emaar aims high for wellness tourism

With wellness tourism a powerful segment of the international travel industry, the UAE is on track to becoming a global wellness destination for tourists. Emaar Hospitality Group is aligning its premium hospitality services with the needs of the new era of travellers.

“As the UAE is set to become a global wellness destination in the new era of hospitality, Emaar Hospitality Group is setting new standards of wellness with specially designed experiences and retreats. From innovative spa treatments to in-room fitness products, our hotel properties are well-equipped to meet the demands of travellers,” said Mark Kirby, Head of Emaar Hospitality Group.

The recent launch of the brand’s beachfront properties, including Vida Umm Al Quwain and Address Beach Resort, gained high popularity amongst wellness travellers, and this will remain the key focus of the group’s development pipeline into 2023. “Our beachfront properties have been key in offering holistic wellness experiences and we will continue to expand our products and practices to match the needs of wellness travellers in the UAE and across the region,” he added.

Additionally, Address Hotels + Resorts is introducing a new spa menu that adds healing and wellness to its premium spa services to further enhance customers’ experiences. With holistic spa offerings that are redesigned to improve the state of wellness at the cellular level, guests can unwind and enhance their well-being in a unique atmosphere. The facilities are also tailor-made, catering to the needs of the new wave of travellers.

With the awareness of fitness and well-being becoming more widespread than ever before, Address Sky View has launched dedicated wellness suites that provide guests with fitness equipment in the comfort of their rooms. This experience is designed to ensure that guests can continue their wellness and fitness routines during their stay with in-room fitness experiences, along with facilities like the spa, fitness centre and infinity pool that add to the overall wellness experience.

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Zahid Travel invests in travel tech start-up

Zahid Travel, a Zahid Group company that delivers travel and destination management solutions to both businesses and individuals, announced that it has recently completed a strategic investment in Bondai, a travel technology start-up founded by Saria Alderhali, a young Saudi Arabian entrepreneur passionate about travel and technology.

Launched in July 2020, Bondai, which is based in Jeddah, is the first double-sided marketplace in Saudi Arabia that guides experience-seeking travellers in discovering and booking curated experiences across the kingdom.

Bondai also offers an online Software as a Service (SAAS) solution to tourism companies that allows them to automate their processes and grow their businesses. Bondai currently holds the largest database of travel experiences as well as travel service providers in Saudi Arabia who are using Bondai’s software in Saudi Arabia.

Bondai was previously funded by notable venture capitalists in the region like 500 Global, Impact46, Hala Ventures and Zayani VC in its seed round. With this new round of investment led by Zahid Travel, Bondai will launch new products and distribute its listings across global channels, making it the leader in the full digitisation of the tours and experiences sector across the MENA region.

This round of investment is the latest of many accomplishments for the start-up. Bondai was one of the 15 high potential start-ups to be selected out of a pool of 1,000+ start-ups to be part of the first tourism accelerator in the region, which is run by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism in Riyadh. Bondai gained access to a rigorous capability building program aimed at helping tourism start-ups scale up, get access to key decision makers and stakeholders in the ecosystem as well as a service grant during their time in the accelerator.

Daniel Ponzo, Managing Director of Zahid Travel, said: “Our investment in Bondai is based on three factors: First, our commitment to Vision 2030 and being an active participant in accelerating the kingdom’s travel and technology sectors. Second, our passion for promoting the kingdom’s unique touristic offering to the world. Third, our appreciation for Saria’s passion and belief in her vision for Bondai.”

Samir Mehta, General Manager, GoZahid Destination Management, said: “Saudi Arabia is a new and unique destination, which has much to offer. We look forward to working with Bondai and in creating significant synergies in the destination management sector, to be technology driven, and becoming the leading source of experiential offering to travellers from across the globe.”

Sarai Alderhali, Founder of Bondai, said: “Zahid Travel is one of the kingdom’s first and most respected travel solutions providers, with decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge and international contacts. We look forward to working with them in creating dynamic experiences and developing innovative means of promoting the best that our kingdom has to offer travellers.”

Swiss-Belhotel partners with Odyssey Group

Swiss-Belhotel International and Odyssey Asset Management Limited have signed a joint venture agreement for Odyssey to identify attractive hospitality opportunities to allow Swiss-Belhotel International to expand its Asian hospitality portfolio in Japan and other Asian countries.

Swiss-Belhotel International’s stronghold in the Asian markets over the last 34 years allows for the group to establish itself across Japan and offer services that are appealing to local Japanese and international travellers alike.

Gavin Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, said: “This is an exciting development and we are delighted to partner with a well experienced asset management group, Odyssey Asset Management. Our commitment towards hospitality is reflected in our determination of our global expansion plans, and with Odyssey, we are even more confident on achieving our goals.

“We are excited to expand to newer territories with our unique proposition of a winning partnership philosophy, working hand-in-hand with our owners and investors to achieve the desired business objectives. SwissBelhotel International has plans to double the number of hotels under management to 300 by 2025. Our partnership with Odyssey is part of this aggressive expansion plan.”

Odyssey’s Co-Founder and CEO, Alex Walker, said: “We are pleased to be able to partner with Swiss-Belhotel International and to help them further expand their extensive Asia Pacific hospitality portfolio into Japan and across the Asia Pacific region. Odyssey’s expertise in the Asian hospitality real estate market and Swiss-Belhotel International’s desire to provide highquality hospitality experiences for their guests, complement each other. Our mutually shared principles and dedication to providing value and quality lay the foundation for future shared success. Odyssey is confident that with the expertise and experience of Swiss-Belhotel International together with their proven brand standards will be well received by the Japanese and Asian hospitality sector.”

The number of developers and existing building owners in Japan are eager to partner with international hospitality groups like SwissBelhotel International and leverage their brand quality, service offering and international capability for an ever-growing domestic market with huge potential for international growth after COVID-19 recovery.

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Greek National Tourism Organisation announces key partnerships

The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) celebrated a successful return to ATM this year, with the exclusive announcement of two high-profile strategic partnerships. The announcements were made by the General Secretary of GNTO, Dimitrios Fragakis, who shared that the national tourism body is stepping up its efforts to promote Greek tourism across the region ahead of the summer travel period.

GNTO’s first announcement was its partnership with Qatar Airways to promote a new direct route to Santorini, which becomes the airline’s third destination in Greece. Qatar Airways already has flights to Athens and Mykonos. The first flight to Santorini is scheduled to depart from Doha in June.

Fragakis said: “Greece is looking forward to a dynamic comeback to ATM and the Arabian market which is set to be a priority for Greek tourism over the years. We have had the pleasure of meeting up with several leading travel brands during the fair and stressed that Greece offers many unique year-round experiences beyond the world-renowned sea and sun products. Greece also offers a variety of quality accommodation and an excellent city break opportunity for the Arabian audience.”

Furthermore, GNTO has inked an exclusive deal with WEGO, an online travel website, to further build on the destination’s appeal to GCC travellers.

Fragakis added: “GNTO is excited to work with WEGO, one of the most influential platforms for the Arabic audience, to promote Greece as a destination ideal for couples, solo travellers and also for family vacations. The mainland and islands are top of the mind for leisure holidays or relaxation and are also home to some of the historic monuments of the world. We are happy to be able to welcome Arab travellers looking to combine more than one destination and experiences during their trip planning on the WEGO platform.”