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Hotels regenerate in a changing world
The hotel industry has demonstrated its agility in response to pandemicdriven trends, with many establishments being forced to implement innovative changes to meet their guests’ needs and expectations.
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A panel of experienced hoteliers outlined how they had reinvented their hospitality offering on Day 3 of this year’s first Hotel Industry Summit and agreed that at the top of the agenda in the foreseeable future was adapting to the high priority for people to feel safe and enjoy new experiences whether travelling for business meetings, to work, for leisure or to temporarily live abroad.
Mark Kirby, Head of Hospitality, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “I think what’s changing in the hotels now is that people are really wanting to feel safe. You also hear of revenge tourism, where people are wanting to come out and do something different. So, our staycations have adapted to have experiences within them.”
He shared that he has witnessed a shift in demand towards larger suites to accommodate families on staycations or those who wished to stay for longer periods.
Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President of Hilton in the Middle East, Africa & Turkey, stated that the group’s hotels would continue to focus on safety and had therefore also altered the design of its lobbies. Sleiffer said: “I think the
The session’s other panelists, Fettah Tamince, Founder and Chairman of Rixos Hotels, and Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, discussed the importance of creating community in locations where their hotels operated and also highlighted the value of establishing multi-use facilities to cater to a range of travellers.
lobbies have traditionally been a place where people would just wait for a taxi or wait for a friend. In countries which are opening, we have seen people anxious to get out again and conduct business meetings and one-on-one meetings or just have a place to work. So our new lobbies are a far more interactive place to actually do those things.”
Diriyah cultural tourism project to attract 27 million visitors annually
As part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors, such as tourism, a seven-square-kilometre cultural tourism project is taking shape 15 minutes north-west of Riyadh.
The project will see the historic city of Diriyah transformed into one of the world’s foremost historic cultural tourism destinations, featuring world-class entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office and residential assets with a diverse collection of museums and cultural institutes and a bustling retail heart.
Riyadh’s new premium dining precinct will open later this year within the existing Bujairi district, offering multiple dining brands catering to all types of tastes, from fine dining venues to relaxed family eateries. Each of these outlets will be set against uninterrupted views of At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is also regarded as the birthplace of the kingdom.
Upon completion, the development will add US$7 billion to the kingdom’s GDP, provide 55,000 job opportunities and attract 27 million visitors annually. Jerry Inzerillo, CEO, Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), said: “As we pass the historic milestone of the fifth anniversary of the launch of the ambitious Vision 2030, DGDA is delighted to confirm that several key milestones have already been met.
“As we move from our planning and inception phases into the more detailed delivery phase of our ambitious master plans over the next three years, we are in a robust position, working with a combination of incredible local Saudi talent as well as leading international specialists and firms.
“Having successfully completed our overall strategic phase, in addition to having our hotel programme finalised across 29 of the world’s leading hospitality operators and more than 18 world-class F&B brands confirmed for Bujairi Dining Precinct, we are on time, on track and on budget with our ambitious goals. All of this places us in a unique position to contribute heavily towards the kingdom’s national tourism target of achieving 100 million tourists to Saudi Arabia by 2030, with our aim to attract over a quarter of these to Diriyah.”
Maldives puts up a strong show at ATM
The Maldives is showcasing its diverse tourism offering at ATM this year. Together with Visit Maldives, 69 partners representing 37 tourism establishments from various sectors of the island nation’s tourism industry are showcasing their products and unique experiences.
The Maldives is represented by an attractive stand, designed to showcase the beauty of the country through colourful imagery, videography and state-of-the-art 360-degree touchless experiences for visitors.
The Middle East market has been an important source market for the Maldives. Since the reopening of the borders, the Middle East remains a key focus market. In order to maintain brand visibility for the Maldives in the region, continuous marketing activities are conducted targeting travellers from the Middle East.
Despite challenges faced during the year, the Maldives welcomed a total of 555,494 international tourists in 2020, with the Middle East as one of the island country’s leading source markets.
As a result of mass vaccination drives, easing of travel restrictions and direct flight connectivity, the goal of reaching pre-pandemic arrival numbers from the Middle East shows consistent potential.
As of May 12, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 418,579 visitors this year and among that 7,729 arrivals were recorded from the Middle East market. When the Maldives reopened its borders for tourists of all nationalities in July 2020, the nation put rigorous procedures in place to ensure the safety of tourists and tourism staff.
The administration of vaccines was initiated in February with the government of the Maldives set to provide free COVID19 vaccines to all citizens and residents of the country in the upcoming months.
Visit Maldives, together with the Ministry of Tourism, also recently launched the “I’m Vaccinated” campaign to share a positive message regarding the vaccination of staff working in the tourism sector and also promote the initiatives undertaken to ensure the Maldives remains one of the safest destinations in the world for travellers. The ultimate target is to make the Maldives the first fully vaccinated tourism sector in the world.
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Egypt highlights safety measures to boost international travel
Showcasing its tremendous tourism potential at ATM this year, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, highlighted the country’s credentials as a safe travel destination for holidaymakers from the region and beyond.
The minister provided an overview of the country’s comprehensive action plan for safe tourism and infrastructure development as well as its diverse tourist attractions, from beach resorts to newly opened museums and archaeological projects.
Over the past few months, Egypt has witnessed a significant increase in inbound tourism. Since the resumption of international travel in July 2020, the nation has welcomed three million tourists from more than 20 countries, with 1.8 million visitors since January 2021.
At present, around 17,500 tourists arrive daily in the country, with 65 percent of visitors arriving through airports located in the cities of Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam, which have consistently reported some of the world’s lowest COVID-19 infection rates.
Dr. El-Enany said: “Since the coronavirus outbreak, we have implemented stringent regulations to protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff. In recognition of our efforts, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has granted Egypt its Safe Travels stamp. The robust precautionary measures in place have contributed to a notable rise in tourist numbers, especially since the beginning of 2021.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has issued a series of regulations for the resumption of tourism in Egypt. Hygiene Safety Certificates are a prerequisite for hospitality establishments, airlines, airports, archaeological sites and museums to receive visitors.
All workers in the tourism sector have undergone compulsory COVID19 awareness training. The country has also launched a vaccination drive for all employees in the tourism sector, with most of the staff in South Sinai and Red Sea governorates – the two top tourist destinations – already vaccinated.
Furthermore, Egypt has introduced temporary incentives with the aim of reviving its tourism and aviation sectors and motivating holidaymakers to consider the country for their next vacation. Egypt is closely collaborating with industry partners, such as tour operators and airlines, in this regard.
In October 2021, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities plans to launch a three-year international promotional campaign that seeks to attract visitors from target markets to Egypt. Furthermore, new hotels and resorts as well as new museums, such as the Grand Egyptian Museum overlooking the Giza Pyramid Complex, are set to open.
Dr. El-Enany added: “ATM provides the perfect platform to capture the attention of visitors from the Arab region – one of the most important tourist markets for Egypt that accounted for more than 20 percent of inbound tourism pre-COVID-19.
“In addition to the proximity factor, pleasant weather all year round and distinctive tourist attractions, Arab tourists feel at home in our country due to our shared language, culture and customs. And, of course, this feeling is mutually shared by Egyptians.”
Flydubai is showcasing the latest developments to its onboard experience at this year’s ATM. The carrier’s passenger experience has been redesigned to enable travel in a safe environment that minimises contact between crew and passengers on board and offers them the confidence to travel safely at every step of their journey. Additionally, passengers who book a flight through flydubai.com will receive complimentary global cover for COVID-19 related costs to offer greater peace of mind when travelling.
Daniel Kerrison, Vice President, Inflight Product at Flydubai, said: “The onset of the pandemic in 2020 has reshaped the way people travel and the way airlines operate. We have taken all necessary precautionary measures to safeguard our passengers and that meant doing things differently.
“We temporarily discontinued our onboard duty-free sales, altered the meal service to individually packed meals, disabled our touch screens and limited movement in the cabin. A year on, we have gradually and safely reintroduced some of the onboard services and continue to add new features to enhance our onboard experience.”
Earlier this month, Flydubai introduced a complimentary inflight entertainment streaming service to its fleet of the Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft. The new innovative digital streaming solution is offered by AIRTIME, the carrier’s WiFi connectivity provider. Passengers can now enjoy complimentary inflight entertainment streamed wirelessly to their personal mobile devices, laptops and tablets. This will replace the seatback entertainment system in the economy cabin.
“We continue to invest in technology and enhancing our product offering. Over the next few months, we will roll out more services including our new online eShop for passengers to pre-purchase a selection of hundreds of products VAT-free, to be delivered to their seat during the flight. We will also see the introduction of Bluetooth headphone pairing on our Boeing MAX aircraft allowing passengers to bring their own headphones and connect wirelessly to our award-winning seatback entertainment system,” added Kerrison.
Passengers travelling on a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft can enjoy more comfort and an enhanced travel experience. The new cabin offering features a flatbed in business class and in addition to the extra space and privacy, passengers can sleep comfortably during their flight. The economy class offers new Recaro seats, which are designed to optimise space and comfort so passengers can sit back, relax and enjoy their flight. The aircraft also features exceptional inflight entertainment with a high-definition 11.6-inch screen.
Saudia airlines announced that it has established a codeshare agreement with Gulf Air to enhance travel options for passengers of both airlines.
Under the agreement, the national Saudi and Bahraini carriers will provide passengers with a wider choice of domestic destinations in both countries and to other international destinations across each airline’s network.
Saudia and Gulf Air are among the first airlines to start operations in the GCC with more than 70 years of legacy. The codeshare will take effect during summer 2021 with both airlines incorporating the SV (Saudia) and GF (Gulf Air) flight codes for connections to Riyadh, Jeddah, Tbilisi, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Baku, Multan, Bahrain, Abha, Jazan, Yanbu, Jawf, Hail and Tunis. Frequent flyer members of Saudia’s Al-Fursan and Gulf Air’s Falconflyer will be able to earn and redeem miles from flights operated as part of the codeshare route.
Captain Ibrahim Al-Koshy, CEO, Saudia, said: “Saudia and Gulf Air are key partners in connecting guests on each carriers’ diverse route networks. Both airlines have a long history of partnership, in which this expanded codeshare agreement further enhances connectivity, convenience and flexibility for travellers.”
Gulf Air’s acting CEO, Captain Waleed Al-Alawi, said: “The relationship between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia has always been strong on many fronts and aviation is one of them.”
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Strengthening its presence in the GCC, Swiss-Belhotel International will launch two stunning new hotels in the Middle East – Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef and Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair.
The new hotels also see the launch of two new Swiss-Belhotel International brands in the region as the group aims to diversify its offering to provide greater choice to owners and customers.
Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President – Operations & Development, EMEA & India; Senior Vice President – Group Human Resources & Talent Development, Swiss-Belhotel International, said: “Our aim is to position Swiss-Belhotel International as the best alternative to blue-chip companies in the market offering superior returns, unbeatable value and unforgettable experiences.
“I am really proud to represent and practice Swiss-Belhotel International’s winning partnership philosophy that is defined by working hand in hand with owners and travel partners. I thank our partners for their continued support throughout the pandemic.”
“True to this year’s ATM theme, it is definitely a new dawn for our industry. At Swiss-Belhotel International, we are proud to be part of this phenomenal platform that brings together representatives from different countries.
“Swiss professionalism combined with Asian passion is the core of our brand culture and at Swiss-Belhotel International, we are showcasing this at ATM through our portfolio of 145 hotels in 21 countries.”
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Emirates inks agreement with Huawei at ATM
Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei at ATM yesterday to further extend its existing partnership. The enhanced collaboration will allow both brands to reach a wider audience in China, the Middle East and Africa.
The partnership will encompass the launch of customer-centric initiatives, including enhanced experiences for Huawei smartphone users while booking tickets on the Emirates app, available on the AppGallery.
The joint cooperation will also see Emirates providing support for the Huawei search engine, Petal Search, on smart devices in the MEA region.
For Emirates, the integration into Huawei’s ecosystem will allow the airline to tap into a wider target audience, especially in the Chinese marketplace, which is regarded as one of the key markets for Emirates worldwide.
This move was built on the successful collaboration of the two brands, which was established in early 2020, when the Emirates app was made available on Huawei’s AppGallery.
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Tourism Malaysia celebrates first live event since COVID-19 outbreak
ATM marks Tourism Malaysia’s first physical event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the goal of showcasing the country’s tourism assets and further attracting visitors from the region once Malaysia opens its borders, Tourism Malaysia is pleased with its participation.
The country’s presence at the 28th edition of ATM also highlights its significant relationship with the UAE. HE Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE, Mohammad Tarid Bin Sufian, said: “Malaysia has been one of the strongest supporters of ATM since its inception. Malaysians share many common cultural and religious ties with the people in the region. Discovering Malaysia would bring people closer together.”
Mohamed Hasril Abdul Hamid, Consul General of Malaysia in Dubai, said: “Although travel restrictions have limited the number of our industry players present at ATM 2021, a majority of them are still maintaining their presence and interest in the Middle East by participating in ATM Virtual.”
Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia – Dubai, said: “With uncertainty comes opportunity, therefore, we take the first step by participating in ATM 2021.
“This year, we launched the Malaysia Specialist Certified Programme (MSCP) to educate travel professionals in the Middle East on in-depth destination information to become certified Malaysia travel experts. Conducted by the tourism boards of Penang, Melaka, Selangor, Sabah, Sarawak and Langkawi, the programme comprises a series of six webinars designed specifically for travel agents.
“The MSCP is part of Tourism Malaysia – Dubai’s initiative after the COVID-19 outbreak to let tourists know that we are eager to see them again in our beautiful country.”
As a Muslim-majority country, Malaysia has always been an attractive destination for the halal tourism sector as the country offers a family-friendly environment that caters to the cultural and dietary requirements of Muslim travellers.
The UAE is a key feeder market for Malaysia as it serves as the flight hub for the Middle East, from where a majority of citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Malaysia. As the country pursues a practice of sustainable and responsible tourism, it endeavours to showcase Malaysian hospitality and the picturesque landscapes of the UNESCO Heritage-listed cities, highlands, 130-million-year-old rainforests, balmy islands and pristine beaches.
Homegrown concierge services platform, MyConcierge, is showcasing its customer experience platform, TRYCEP, at ATM. Championing experience-driven e-commerce, it is developed with concierge and lifestyle management companies, associations, DMCs, travel agents, charter companies and specialist luxury and bespoke service providers in mind.
MyConcierge incorporates a whitelabel website, secure members’ area, an e-commerce marketplace, CRM interface with member surveys, live chat, advanced reservation and booking engine, online payment module and much more.
With its beginnings in the media industry and then providing concierge services to clients that include the UAE Prime Minister’s Office and leading real estate developers as well as Mastercard, where it curates Middle East experiences for priceless.com, MyConcierge has developed from a B2C e-commerce platform into a full-fledged customer engagement platform that incorporates a B2B solution for corporate clients.
Recognising the need for a fullservice customer engagement platform, the brand decided to build its own. With technology development taking place from their offices in Greece, and customer support and concierge services managed from Dubai, MyConcierge is an evolving product.
Aside from the experience-driven e-commerce platform, MyConcierge is also seeking concierge partners globally that are interested in operating under the same brand and working to their universal service charter.
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Dubai Tourism highlights cultural offering at ATM
At ATM this year, Dubai Tourism is showcasing the emirate’s proposition as a key cultural hub by highlighting its arts and heritage landscape. The Dubai Tourism stand is displaying 14 original works from 10 Emirati artists and photographers, provided by Dubai Culture, in order to showcase the city’s beauty from new and interesting perspectives.
This reflects Dubai’s ongoing mission to champion local and international creators and demonstrate the city’s commitment to growing its cultural tourism offering in line with the objectives of the Dubai Creative Economy strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Tourism, said: “Art and culture is intrinsic to the social fabric of Dubai, a destination renowned for its diverse proposition, including unique culture and heritage attractions.
“The display of exceptional works of art by talented Emiratis at the Dubai stand at ATM is to highlight the goal set by our visionary leadership to position Dubai as a global hub for arts, creativity and culture, as well as the important contribution being made by the arts and culture sector towards tourism growth.
“Through a range of exhibitions, events and galleries, the city has consistently reaffirmed its growing profile as a prime cultural hub that brings together some of the world’s most innovative talents, and is an outstanding place to discover art from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
“A key focus for Dubai Tourism in 2021 and beyond will be to foster and promote cultural attractions that will be a major draw for visitors to Dubai, as well as attract entrepreneurs and innovators to the city and launch unique projects and initiatives that will aid the growth of the sector.”
Seera Group and Klook partner to drive digital transformation of the Saudi tourism sector
Seera Group, the region’s leading travel services company, announced its partnership with Klook, an international travel and leisure booking platform, at Arabian Travel Market. The collaboration aims to support the digital transformation and robust growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector.
Seera will be the exclusive partner of Klook in Saudi Arabia, and together, the two entities will create a one-stop digital platform with end-to-end content and inventory management solutions that will support tourism and leisure activity providers in Saudi Arabia.
The partnership will provide an extensive choice of offerings for travellers to, from and within the kingdom.
The move aims to not only support the local tourism landscape but also elevate Saudi Arabia’s footprint on the global tourism map. The platform will also showcase tours and activities operated by Discover Saudi, Seera’s integrated destination management company.
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “For our partners across the Saudi tourism ecosystem, finding smart ways to connect with travellers enhances their ability to offer unique Arabian experiences to everyone eager to explore the destination. This platform will empower our innovators, disruptors and new generation of tourism professionals to reach out to the world, tell their stories and build their businesses.”
Majed Alnefaie, Acting CEO of Seera Group, said: “With the partnership, we will bring the world-class technological expertise of Klook and Seera’s knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and travel sector together in one platform.
“The partnership will further digitally transform the Saudi tourism landscape and position it to enable domestic travellers and visitors from around the world as the travel and tourism sector rebounds.”
Ethan Lin, CEO & Co-Founder of Klook, said: “Klook is delighted to partner Seera Group and we are positive that this partnership will help set the stage towards Saudi Vision 2030.
“We’re excited to provide Saudi travellers with access to Klook’s global network of travel and leisure offerings, connecting them to the best experiences across the world.
“With over 100,000 offerings in more than 400 destinations, Saudi travellers can soon access a world of local and authentic experiences right at their fingertips.”
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Wizz Air Abu Dhabi announces new ultra-low fare routes
New, ultra-low fare routes have been added to the Wizz Air Abu Dhabi network. The newly-launched routes will connect Kiev, Bari, Catania, Salalah and Muscat to the UAE capital.
The UAE’s sixth national carrier and first ultra-low-cost airline in the region, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi promises affordable fares and high-quality services for business and leisure travellers.
With an aim to become the leading low-cost carrier in the region, delivering superior service and low fares, the carrier hopes to contribute to the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: “We are excited to offer these new routes, giving travellers sustainable options to explore new places. Travellers will be dazzled by the beautiful architecture found in every corner of Kiev, a wealth of history and gorgeous beaches in Bari and the diverse landscapes found in Oman.
“Kiev, Bari, Catania, Salalah and Muscat are our next destinations in a series of new route announcements we have made and will continue to make. We are committed to providing Abu Dhabi residents and tourists with new travel options and destinations at affordable prices.”
Abu Dhabi to host 15th FINA World Swimming Championships
For the first time this December, the UAE capital will host the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). In less than eight months, the best short-course swimmers from across the globe will descend on the country for the sporting event. top-quality competitive swimming action in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
The event will feature men’s and women’s events in all four strokes, with the individual medley and relays.
The FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) is the latest addition to an ever-growing list of major sporting events to be hosted in Abu Dhabi recently. The past few months have seen sporting events such as UFC, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the UAE Tour and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) to Abu Dhabi later this year. This is set to be a huge event for Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and the UAE, with over 1,000 of the most talented short-course swimmers from around the world, fresh from the Olympic Games in Tokyo, showcasing their abilities in what we expect to be an exciting competition.
“This World Championship event will further strengthen the emirate’s unique sporting offering, enhancing its reputation as a top global destination for sport, entertainment, leisure and business.”
Made up of 44 different swimming events, the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) will be held at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena – the UAE’s largest multi-purpose indoor entertainment venue, which opened in 2021 and is located on Yas Island.
Taking place from Thursday, December 16 to Tuesday, December 21, 2021, the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) will showcase the world’s best competitive swimmers, providing both local and international fans with the opportunity to watch
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ATECA Hotels, a subsidiary of ATECA Holding, unveiled its expansion plans at ATM with a target of reaching five properties by Q4 2022 in Uzbekistan. The group’s first upscale four-star hotel, ATECA Hotel Suites, is already under development in Tashkent and is set to open in July 2021.
Michel Noblet, Executive Chairman of ATECA Holding, said: “Uzbekistan holds strong growth potential for the hospitality industry with unprecedented opportunities.
“At ATECA Hotels, we are thrilled to unlock this lucrative market and delighted to expand our footprint across the country with five unique and powerful brands catering to diverse needs of local and international travellers.”
ATECA Hotel’s rapid expansion is fueled by Uzbekistan’s strong demand for quality hotels. The tourism industry in the country, with its rich cultural and historical heritage, friendly people and natural beauty, holds high growth potential.
The government has recently initiated a number of reforms to facilitate tourism development. A key initiative is visa-free travel for citizens of 86 countries and e-visas for citizens of 77 countries. The goal is to grow tourism’s contribution from US$1 billion in 2018 to US$2.2 billion in 2025.
Ras Al Khaimah set to host Highlander hiking events
International hiking association Highlander recently added Ras Al Khaimah to its global list of hosts for hiking events. With this move, the UAE’s northernmost emirate is set to expand its adventure tourism offering, after announcing its new brand identity at ATM.
In November 2021, Ras Al Khaimah will host the Gulf region’s first Highlander hiking experience, inviting local and international hikers to explore the emirate’s diverse landscape.
Highlander, the only certified international hiking association in the world, is renowned for its curated hiking experiences.
Currently, there are 20 adventures taking place annually in 15 countries. With its addition to the list, Ras Al Khaimah will join iconic locations such as Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Russia and Portugal, all of which have played host to Highlander hikes.
Saudi-based Almosafer Concierge debuts at ATM
A new VIP concierge service, Almosafer Concierge, made its debut at ATM yesterday. Based in Saudi Arabia, the new service is aimed at visitors looking to gain more from their travel experiences. Travellers can benefit from curated and personalised arrangements for both short weekend breaks and long experiential holidays around the world.
The launch of this new product follows the brand’s recent sentiment survey, examining the travel behaviour of Saudi Arabian nationals one year into the pandemic.
Research showed that there is growing anticipation for international travel amongst Saudi nationals, with over 80 percent of respondents planning to travel internationally within the first six months of the country’s borders opening.
Serving as a customer’s personal travel concierge round the clock and remotely, Almosafer Concierge will be offered to a membersonly group of elite customers.
Members have to meet certain eligibility criteria to access the service, which brings them closer to luxurious stays, sought-after experiences and exclusive value-adds.
Available to assist are Almosafer’s luxury travel advisors, who will curate bespoke itineraries and look after every aspect of travellers’ trips, from hotel bookings and flights to unique in-destination experiences. Customers will benefit from exclusive offers not only in well-travelled destinations but also in new, exciting places that many may have never had access to from Saudi Arabia.
Almosafer Concierge is part of Traveller Made’s network of agencies dedicated to providing unique and exclusive bespoke journeys to travellers looking for different and original experiences.
Almosafer’s concierge brand has established partnerships with luxurious renowned programmes, such as Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Stars by Marriott Luxury Brands and Impresario by Hilton Luxury.
Almosafer is also introducing concierge planning services, targeting customers looking to elevate their trips by purchasing the service on a one-time basis at any of Almosafer’s retail branches.
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Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk highlights sustainability efforts at ATM
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, the largest Sofitel property in the region and second largest in the world, is proud to showcase its environmental efforts at ATM 2021.
Since opening its doors in October 2020, the hotel has paved the way for sustainable steps in the hospitality realm by minimising the impact on the environment through efficient energy, water and waste management programmes.
The property is committed to establishing an eco-friendly environment and infrastructure that improves air quality, preserves water resources and increases clean energy and green growth.
A no single-use plastic policy is among the core values of the brand, practised across its French-Egyptianinspired 595 rooms, suites and serviced residences. In addition, plastic bottles, plastic key cards, straws, cutlery and takeaway containers have been substituted for more sustainable options.
There is also a special water filtration system in place managed by a dedicated team that cleans, sanitises, replenishes and seals glass water bottles in a specialised room that no one outside of the team can enter for hygiene and safety purposes. The filtered water bottles are available in all guest rooms, suites, meetings rooms and dining outlets.
The hotel also boasts two green meeting rooms that offer electronic flip charts and amenities made from eco-friendly materials.
Incorporating sustainability into its dining portfolio, the hotel’s executive chef Russell Impiazzi actively creates a genuinely ethical culture within the team. From committing to using local produce to reducing food waste and working with local food banks, sustainability lies in every facet of operations at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk.
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Standing out at ATM
As Arabian Travel Market 2021 draws to a close, we provide a snapshot of highlights from this year’s event
