UPFRONT

UAE FLAG CARRIER ETIHAD AIRWAYS will soon touch down in Vienna with flights from Abu Dhabi International to the Austrian capital launching on May 22.

The new service, which will be operated by a two-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, will run four times weekly until June 30, daily from July 1 to August 31, five times weekly from September 1 to November 30 and daily from December 1 onwards.

Departures have been conveniently timed to arrive early morning in Vienna, and to connect seamlessly in both directions via Abu Dhabi to gateways across the Etihad network including the GCC, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Etihad’s two-class B787-9 Dreamliner features next-generation Business and Economy cabins configured with 290 seats - 28 Business Studios and 262 Economy Smart Seats. Viennese whirl for Etihad Airways

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS & RESORTS has revealed the most iconic sights, sounds, tastes, smells and sensations that travellers should experience in 2020 if they want to really get to know the city they are visiting. The ‘InterContinental Icons’range from the smell of fresh bagels at a West Village shop in New York to the unique flavours of Karak Chai tea on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road.

The list of top experiences was determined by an online public vote and then ranked by a panel of influencers and leading travel experts and have inspired curated experiences at the group’s hotels in each destination. The ICons representing the true essence of Dubai are: 1.Tasting the unique flavours of Karak Chai along Jumeirah Beach Road 2.The enchanting smell of burning bukhoor, transporting you back in time 3.Sound of water lapping an Abra as it glides along Dubai Creek 4.The crackle of a campfire breaking the silence on a night-time desert escape 5.The fascinating contrast of old and new under the glow of a warm Dubai sunset InterContinental Dubai Festival City and InterContinental Dubai Marina are offering sensory activities that reflect these ICons. They include a bespoke Arabic bukhoor session with an InterContinental expert (pictured) and a unique tea-tasting experience at a masterclass in Dubai Marina. INTERCONTINENTAL’S NEW TAKE ON ICONIC DUBAI

UAE-BASED HOSPITALITY group Rotana will make its debut in Morocco this year with the takeover of the iconic 230-hectare Palmeraie Resort in Marrakech. Following a full refurbishment, the Palmeraie Rotana Resort will feature three hotels – the 315-room five-star Hôtel du Golf Rotana (pictured), the Golf Club Rotana with 11 exclusive suites and the 314-key Palmeraie Palace – plus a Conference Centre that can host up to 3,000 delegates, 13 restaurants, a large fitness centre, Zen the Spa at Rotana and complex highlight, the 18-hole championship golf course spanning 120 acres. Rotana’s Morocco debut

SPECIALIST MIXEDUSE OPERATOR Kerten Hospitality will open the doors to its first Cloud7 Residence in Jordan in June. Introducing its contemporary midmarket aparthotel brand to the country for the first time, Cloud7 Residence Ayla Aqaba will be located in the trendy Marina Village area of Aqaba’s new Ayla Oasis waterfront development on the Red Sea coast.

The Cloud7 Residence concept is described as a “unique destination for the next generation of travellers, with iconic buildings and boutique surroundings coupled with social spaces and state-ofthe-art technology providing a modern, efficient and well-designed environment for guests”. Cloud7 Residence Ayla Aqaba will feature 75 apartments and offer guests access to dining and shopping experiences, a golf course and a beach club. Ayla is five minutes from Aqaba city and 10 minutes from the King Hussein International Airport. Cloud7 Residence dives into Jordan

EMIRATES GOES THE EXTRA MILE TO ALLAY COVID-19 FEARS

AT A TIME WHEN THE COVID-19 outbreak is dominating global headlines, Emirates has announced several procedures and initiatives to give passengers peace of mind when travelling with the airline. They include:

Enhanced cleaning and disinfection On all aircraft departing from its hub in Dubai, Emirates has implemented enhanced cleaning and complete disinfection of all cabins as a precaution. In line with the latest expert medical findings that the COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted by touch, Emirates has placed its greatest focus on surface cleaning. The airline uses an approved chemical that is proven to kill viruses and germs, leaves a long-lasting protective coating against new contamination of viruses, bacteria and fungi on surfaces, and is eco-friendly. The cleaning process includes a comprehensive wipe down of all surfaces – from windows, tray tables, seatback screens, armrests, seats, in-seat controls, panels, air vents and overhead lockers in the cabin, to lavatories, galleys and crew rest areas. This is being conducted in addition to regular procedures such as changing head rest covers on all seats, replacement of reading materials, vacuuming, and more.

If a COVID-19 case is suspected On any aircraft found to have transported a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, Emirates will implement further deep cleaning and disinfection in a process that takes between six to eight hours to complete. This will include defogging cabin interiors and misting with disinfectant across all soft furnishings and the replacement of seat covers and cushions in the affected area. The aircraft’s HEPA cabin air filters will also be replaced. HEPA cabin air filters are proven to filter out 99.97 per cent of viruses. They also remove dust, allergens and microbes from the air recirculated into the cabin and cockpit.

Peace of mind on travel plans Emirates has also introduced a waiver policy for all bookings made before March 31,

allowing customers to change their travel plans without reissuance fees. Customers can change their booking to any date for travel within an 11-month date range in the same booking class without change penalties.

Loyal flyers retain their tier status Recognising that some of its members will be impacted by travel restrictions and flight reductions, Emirates Skywards is offering Platinum, Gold and Silver members the ability to maintain their current status by fulfilling 80 per cent of their tier travel requirements between March 31 and June 30, 2020. In addition, Skywards members booked to travel between now and June 30 2020 will benefit from an additional 20 per cent bonus Tier Miles.

Monitoring and response protocols Since January, Emirates has activated its contingency response team to monitor daily developments on the COVID-19 outbreak, maintain contact with all relevant health and regulatory authorities, and ensure the airline’s response is current and appropriate.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS is waiving charges for rebooking flights impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. The carrier has said it will allow one free date change as long as the replacement flights takes place before July 15 this year. Subsequent changes will be subject to normal reissue fees. Flights up to June 30 that have been cancelled as a result of coronavirus, or when guests are advised against travelling to the destination by their local authorities, can also be rebooked free of charge. Etihad waives rebooking fees

GULF AIR is offering passengers more travel flexibility in reaction to COVID-19 and its impact on air transport with the launch of its ‘no fees, unlimited changes’ campaign. Passengers with issued bookings in 2020 and new bookings made until March 31 are eligible to make unlimited changes to their travel dates at no cost. In addition, any member of the Falconflyer loyalty programme will retain their current status and membership tier for the next three months, regardless of whether or not they complete the required number of trips or miles travelled. Gulf Air promises ‘no fees, unlimited changes’

Arabian Travel Market 2020 postponed as COVID-19 pandemic escalates

THE MIDDLE EAST REGION’S LARGEST travel industry event, Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has been postponed to June 28 to July 1, 2020 due to the global escalation of the coronavirus pandemic.

Show organiser, UK-based Reed Travel Exhibitions, issued a statement announcing the decision on March 9 expressing its concern for everyone impacted by COVID-9 and reiterating that its priority was “the health and safety of everyone involved” including employees, partners, customers and exhibitors. The statement said: “Due to the escalation of the COVID-19 epidemic around the world, after consultation with all our stakeholders, the venue management, supporting associations, and in alignment with the advice from the UAE public health authorities regarding travel to and from impacted countries, we have taken the decision to postpone our event which was due to take place on April 19 to 22, 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

“Whilst the UAE is following the strictest medical and hygiene protocols in line with international standards, we have made this decision in the best interest of the industry to enable us to organise an event which provides effective participation and experience for all. The announcement has been made at the earliest opportunity to give as much notice as possible to all stakeholders enabling them to make the necessary arrangements to reschedule their plans.”

It continued: “Moving forward, we are continuing to liaise directly with all relevant United Arab Emirates and Dubai authorities on a regular basis, whilst monitoring and complying with the World Health Organisation guidance, and rest assured we will keep you informed of any new developments as we receive them.” arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com

DID YOU KNOW? SAUDI ARABIA ISSUED more than 400,000 tourist visas between late September when it introduced new legislation opening up its borders and mid-February, according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage. On September 27, the kingdom introduced e-visa and visas on arrival to citizens of 49 countries globally. Under Vision 2030, the country’s blueprint for economic diversification, it aims to attract 100 millions visits annually. EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP (EHG) has stopped taking bookings at three Dubai hotels for more than five months as the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold.

“Following the recent global impact on the travel industry drawing us into a state of force majeure, Emaar Hospitality Group has taken the decision to temporarily refocus on a selected number of assets,” said a company statement.

The hotels impacted are Address Fountain Views, Vida Creek Harbour and Vida Emirates Hills, with no bookings being taken between now and August 31, 2020, although restaurants, gyms and pools at all three remain open. Guests due to stay at the properties will be rebooked at other Emaar properties in Dubai. Emaar Hospitality suspends bookings at three Dubai hotels

SAUDI ARABIA is launching an instant visa scheme to support entrepreneurs set up new businesses in the kingdom. In a tweet last month,Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Minister of Labour and Social Development, said the visa would play “an important role in supporting male and female entrepreneurs and stimulating and accelerating business growth”. It will enable young Saudis to launch start-ups, open small businesses, boost economic growth and accelerate business expansion plans, he added. Saudi Arabia in entrepreneur push

FOUR SEASONS GEARS UP FOR SIX NEW OPENINGS

FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS is preparing to open six new ultra-luxurious properties around the world in 2020, spoiling business and leisure travellers for choice.

Two new hotels are planned for Asia Paci c, one in the Otemachi area of Tokyo, representing the company’s third property in Japan and the other in Bangkok, marking the return of Four Seasons to the city with a Jean-Michel Gathy-designed hotel and private residences on the Chao Phraya River (pictured).

In Europe, Four Seasons will debut in Spain with a new hotel in central Madrid, an assembly of several historic buildings now fully restored and reimagined, and highlighted by a roo op restaurant by three Michelin-starred Spanish celebrity chef Dani Garcí and in California where the luxury hospitality brand is well established with seven existing locations, a second San Francisco property will open its doors in the vibrant Embarcadero district.

Also scheduled for 2020 is the highly anticipated opening of a Four Seasons resort in Napa Valley, including a unique collection of Private Residences and the brand’s  rst on-property winery. In another US addition, the recently announced hotel for New Orleans is expected to open in late 2020 in the city’s historic World Trade Center.

OMAN’S MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT has unveiled plans to launch Muscat Airport City as part of its new National Aviation Strategy 2030. Oman Aviation Group is master planning the mega project, which will comprise  ve main areas including the 3.3 million sqm Muscat Airport Free Zone; a 1.1 million sqm mixed-use business portal; a 200,000 sqm logistics area for air freight services; a 166,000 sqm aviation portal in Muscat International Airport, to include the passenger terminal area and to act as a hub for aviation innovation; plus a 192,000 sqm hospitality zone featuring hotels, travel companies and duty-free shops. National carrier Oman Air will also be restructured under the strategy, which aims to increase the aviation sector’s contribution to the Sultanate’s GDP. NEW AIRPORT CITY FOR OMAN

ROUTE NEWS

ASCENT

FLYNAS TAKES 10 Flynas will launch services to 10 new destinations this summer. Departing from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Qassim, Saudi’s low-cost airline will introduce routes to Salzburg and Vienna in Austria; Tirana in Albania; Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt; Salalah in Oman; Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Baku in Azerbaijan; and Tbilisi and Batumi in Georgia. All of the new destinations will be served by between three and eight flights per week, starting from May 19, 2020, according to Flynas CEO, Bander Almohanna.

WIZZ AIR Q3 LAUNCH The UAE’s newest low-cost carrier (LCC), Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, will launch in Q3. It follows a partnership between the Hungarian airline and Abu Dhabi Development holding Company (ADDH). The budget carrier will operate services from Abu Dhabi International to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa and will start with a fleet of three new Airbus SE A321neos, increasing to 50 aircraft over 10 years.

NEW KOLKATA DAILY Indian low-cost carrier Indigo has launched a new daily direct service from Dubai International to Kolkata in West Bengal.

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