Tourism & Aviation
Tourism and aviation news — covering travel technology, airline updates, Saudi tourism developments, and hospitality innovations in the Kingdom and the region.

Emirates wraps up a safe and successful ATM
Dubai, UAE, 20 May 2020: Emirates has successfully concluded its participation at Arabian Travel Market 2021 (ATM), the largest in-person travel industry event to take place globally since the pandemic began. Click here to watch how visitors safely experienced Emirates’ products at this year’s ATM. The staging of this year’s Arabian Travel Market is reflective of Dubai’s sustained efforts […]

Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef Opens its Doors in the Heart of Bahrain
Expanding its presence in the Middle East, Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the opening of its much anticipated first 5-star hotel in the region – the Grand Swiss-Belhotel Waterfront Seef. It marks the entry of the upscale brand in the Middle East bringing unique experiences to affluent travelers to the Kingdom. The spectacular hotel was inaugurated by H.E. Zayed Rashid […]

Looking Back on 25 Years of the Bell 407
More than 6 million flight hours and 25 years of operation. Dubai, UAE (May 19, 2021) A global platform renowned for its versatility and reliability, the Bell 407 aircraft has played an essential role in critical missions for more than 25 years. The aircraft sets a high-standard for single-engine aircraft with its unmatched reliability and performance […]

Emirates inks strategic agreement with global tech giant, Huawei, at ATM
Enhanced collaboration will see Emirates as a key partner of Huawei’s ecosystem Dubai, UAE: 18 May 2021 – Emirates today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei, one of the world’s top tech brands, to further extend its existing partnership. The enhanced collaboration will allow both brands to build awareness to […]

Seera Group & Klook form Strategic Partnership to drive digital transformation of Saudi tourism sector
Strategic partnership will add momentum to placing Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map Plan to join forces to support and enable Saudi-based tour activity providers and strengthen the value chain through additional local tourism offering for travellers to explore Riyadh, KSA; May 17, 2021: Seera Group, the region’s leading travel services company, have formed a […]

IHG® signs MDA with RIVA Development Company to open 7 new hotels across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The latest signing is aligned with IHG’s strategy to expand presence in the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 18 May 2021: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with RIVA Development Company via its wholly-owned subsidiary RIVA Hospitality for Hotel Services Company to open at least 7 hotels […]

ATECA Hotels Unveils Robust Expansion Plans at Arabian Travel Market Dubai Targets 5 Properties by Q4 2022 in Uzbekistan – Central Asia
ATECA Hotels, a subsidiary of ATECA Holding, unveiled today its aggressive expansion plans at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai with a target of reaching five properties by Q4 2022 in Uzbekistan – Central Asia. The group already has its first upscale 4-star hotel ‘ATECA Hotel Suites’ under development in Tashkent which is slated to open […]

Emirates and flydubai build on Dubai’s connectivity with more choices for travellers since reactivation of strategic partnership
Joint network to reach 168 passenger destinations by end of May Nearly 500,000 customers have flown with reactivated partnership since September 2020 Dubai, UAE, 17 May 2021: Emirates and flydubai are delivering on their customer promise to reintroduce more convenience, choice and seamless connectivity for travellers across their combined network, which is expected to reach 168 […]

Emirates welcomes His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum to its ATM stand
Airline showcases its Premium Economy seats and refreshed onboard products DUBAI, U.A.E – 16 May 2021 – Emirates, the Official Airline of the 2021 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), welcomed His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum to its stand as he opened the region’s largest travel and tourism trade event and the first physical travel […]

Swiss-Belhotel International Puts Up a Strong Show at the Arabian Travel Market 2021
The Swiss-Belhotel International unveiled its stand today at the Arabian Travel Market with a strong presence. The group’s impressive response to the show, given the various travel restrictions around the world owing to COVID-19 precautions, is a testament to its commitment to support global recovery efforts in the changing hospitality landscape and business environment. Laurent A. Voivenel, […]

Kandima Maldives announces participation at Arabian Travel Market 2021
17 May 2021, Maldives: Game-changing lifestyle destination Kandima Maldives has announced its participation at the 2021 edition of the annual Arabian Travel Market, set to take place from May 16 to 19 at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) in the UAE. This year’s theme, ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’, will highlight the latest COVID-19 related […]

Arabian Travel Market 2021 opens in-person tomorrow in Dubaias new dawn awaits ME travel & tourism sector
First major in-person international travel event since outbreak of pandemic 62 countries represented on exhibition floor, 67 conference sessions & 145 local, regional & international speakers Middle East tourism professionals optimistic about rapid recovery of industry Senior regional and international government and private sector panelists to discuss ‘The Road to Recovery’ Local, regional and international […]

A CULINARY ADVENTURE FROM UNDER THE SEA AT SEVEN RESTAURANT
COURTYARD RIYADH NORTHERN RING ROAD Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 02 February 2021 – Providing opportunities for guests to pursue their personal and professional passions on the road, Courtyard Riyadh Northern Ring Road is also set to tantalise taste buds. Taking guests on a culinary adventure from under the sea, Seven Restaurant has now opened its doors to […]

Collinson’s Priority Pass announces a 20% portfolio expansion for its members
Priority Pass to add over 150 new airport lounges to the programme by end of year 100 new premium airport experiences and off-airport lounges also to be added Total coverage to exceed 1,500 lounges and premium experiences Dubai, UAE- 16 May 2021 – Priority Pass, the leading global airport lounge programme, has announced it will add […]

Discover Three Unique Experiences in One Unparalleled Destination: Soho Garden, SBG & Foxglove
Discover a playground of discovery this May and choose from three unique venues in one destination, each with an amazing array of great food, drinks, and social and gastronomic experiences, in one destination at Soho Garden. Dubai, UAE (May 2021): A playground of discovery on the Dubai dining and social scene, set alongside the Meydan […]

KANDIMA MALDIVES UNVEILS THE KOOLEST FESTIVE & SUMMER ESCAPE PACKAGE FOR ITS MIDDLE EAST GUESTS!
Kool Eid Escape package promises an enchanting festive season this year 12 May 2021, Maldives: Haven’t booked a holiday for Eid or summers yet? Don’t stress! Game-changing lifestyle destination Kandima Maldives has announced an incredible Kool Escape offer for the long weekends, giving travellers from the Middle East a chance to enjoy the perfect combination of […]

Emirates to showcase its Premium Economy Seats for the first time at ATM
Visitors will also personally view enhanced signature onboard products Dubai, UAE: 10 May 2021 – Emirates will be showcasing its Premium Economy seats for the first time at Arabian Travel Market 2021 (ATM). The region’s leading travel and tourism exhibition will run from 16-19 May, and will be the first in-person travel industry event to take […]

SRSC becomes an authorized rotorcraft repair station facility in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Rotorcraft Support Company (SRSC) employs more than 40 people with 86% Saudization Saudi Rotorcraft Support Company (SRSC), a subsidiary joint venture of Boeing, has been issued a certificate from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) authorizing SRSC to perform maintenance on rotorcraft platforms and their accessories. “The authorization of this new capability […]

Travel tech giants stage a conference comeback at ATM in Dubai
In partnership with Amadeus, Travel Forward Theatre welcomes Google, Skyscanner, Travelport, Hilton Hotel, Expedia Group and more Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 10 May 2021: Travel Forward, the leading global event for travel technology, has revealed an impressive line-up of big name brands to present live on stage as a part of sister event Arabian Travel Market (ATM). This […]

Explore Hijaz in Ramadan
If you are in the Kingdom, visiting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in the Hijaz region is a given. In fact, thousands of people worldwide make the all-important Umrah pilgrimage during the holy month. That, however, may not be possible this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For local Saudis and residents though, […]

Tawuniya launches Covid-19 Travel Insurance program
Offers comprehensive cover for a range of pandemic travel-related issues for citizens traveling outside Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – May 8, 2021: The Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya) has launched the Covid-19 Travel Insurance program to provide extra cover and reassurance for Saudis traveling while the Covid-19 pandemic is still present across the world. The program, available to obtain […]

Emirates SkyCargo completes one year of transporting urgently required cargo on passenger seats and in overhead bins*
Carrier operates more than 3,100 flights with cargo loaded on passenger seats and in overhead bins on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft More than 11,000 tonnes of cargo transported on seats and in bins, equivalent to cargo loaded on more than 800,000 seats PPE supplies were the most common cargo transported Dubai, UAE, 6 May 2021– Emirates SkyCargo […]
