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Kuwait carrier Jazeera Airlines has stopped several direct flights out of Dubai because of restrictive regulatory conditions. Jazeera has stopped flights to Mumbai, Delhi, Sana’a and Selah non-stop from Dubai. Passengers flying to these locations from the UAE must fly out of Kuwait instead. Flight services to Kochi and Karhtoum will also stop from 1 June. Jazeera Airways Chief Executive explained that Kochi…
Jet Airways introduces its new no frills economy service, Jet Airways Konnect, which begins on 8 May 2009 for select India routes. The new service focuses on that portion of the market which wants an economically priced, low fare product. Jet Airways Konnect will complement Jet Airways full service product. The same Jet Airways ground and flight staff will deliver service but passengers must buy their meals…
Leading Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines begins flights from Bangalore to Dubai beginning 25 June 2009. The airline had planned to start the new service in March but delayed the launch because of the global economic slowdown. Kingfisher’s area manager for UAE, Qatar, and Oman said conditions have improved now and it is a good time to connect Dubai and the UAE for the coming travel season. Vinay Nambiar said…
Almulla Hospitality has completed an agreement to open its first property in the holy city of Makkah. UAE based Ulmalla Hospitality is a new Sharia-compliant hotel operator. The new five star hotel will have 875 rooms and is scheduled to open in 2012. The company sees several new business opportunities although the economic slowdown has stalled investment in the regions hotel sector. Chairman Abdulla…
Nigeria, Cambodia, and Romania were among the countries displaying their stand at the Arabian Travel Market for the first time this year. With the weaker economy slowing tourism demand there is more interest in the Middle East because it is one of the travel industry’s few bright spots. Romanian mineral water spas, ancient Cambodian ruins, and Nigerian warthogs were some of the least familiar attractions…
India encouraged efforts towards responsible tourism while focusing on the luxury leisure traveler at this year’s Arabian Travel Market 2009. A top official with India’s’ Ministry of Tourism said they don’t want to see global warming hurt the tourism industry and so their “concern about responsible tourism is quite high” Last year there was a difference of opinion among private players regarding how private…
The Jumeirah Group will operate the Jumeirah Al Ain Hotel in Abu Dhabi, which is Al Fanida Investments newest luxury hotel in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Top executives on Saturday concluded a management agreement between the two companies. Executive chairman of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless, signed the agreement with Shaikh Hamad in Abu Dhabi at the Sheraton Khalidya Hotel. Construction started in 2008 and will be…
Sharjah based budget carrier Air Arabia net profits for the first quarter increased 32% to Dh 103 million. Lower fuel prices and passengers switching to lower cost air travel contributed to the increase. On Saturday the airline said the net profit growth figures exceed the growth in new revenue and passengers during the first quarter of 2009. Compared to the first quarter of last year, revenues increased 21%…
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Prime Minister for Tourism said with the 25 year battle against the Tamil Tigers ending, “there’s a lot of interest in the investment side”. Faizer Mustapha said there are early stage negotiations for hotel developments taking place. He said within six months he expects to finalize resort deals with Middle East investors, although he did not provide details. Mustapha talked about Sri…
Thousands of Egyptians cancelled plans to travel to Saudi Arabia for their small pilgrimage following an announcement by the Egyptian Minister of Health, who said he was considering a three week due to the H1/N1 swine flu outbreak. Vice President for the Chamber of Commerce Nasser Turki said bookings have fallen 60% for the Umrah to Makkah pilgrimage. The World Health Organization has warned there could be…
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffith said passenger growth may increase further in the second quarter of this year, compared to its 2.3% growth in the first quarter. Griffiths said early indications are that there may be even better growth in the second quarter, although he did not specify a figure. Griffiths spoke about the airport traffic at a press conference in Dubai to promote next week’s Airport show in…
Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) President said more flights are needed to Saudi resorts in order to promote tourism and give a boost to the local economy. Prince Sultan bin Salman has urged domestic airlines to increase the number of flights because there is a shortage, especially during the holidays. The Prince spoke about the domestic flight shortage during a meeting with the President…
Tourist Enterprise Company(TEC) Deputy Chairman outlined plans for a strategic expansion in Kuwait that will cost about KD 100 million. Khalid Al Gamin, addressed reporters at a press conference about the company’s expansion plans following the companies annual general assembly meeting at its headquarters in Shuwaikh last week. Mr. Gamin said despite the global economic crisis the company maintained its…
Dubailand and the world’s biggest global cruise line, Royal Caribbean, formed a strategic marketing partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Monday. The partnership is expected to substantially boost the cruiseline industry and Dubai as a favored tourist destination. The two partners will engage in joint marketing and promotional activities in key global source markets in order to…
Marriot Global Sales announced that it achieved an impressive 20 per cent sales growth in the Middle East and Africa region despite the economic downturn, which has slowed many other sectors. The increase in sales is due to the astounding 42 percent surge in online bookings through the Marriot Global Reservations Center. The positive sales growth demonstrates the resilience of the hospitality sector and its…
The tourism board of India will showcase incredible India at the world’s largest travel exhibition, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2009, being held in Dubai this week. There will be 31 companies from the tourism and hospitality sector featured at ATM 2009. Regional Director for India Tourism, Manmohan Saldanhah said they see the economic recession as an opportunity because India’s location in the region makes…
The UAE based luxury airline for executives, Royal Jet, will participate in the 2009 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai this week. They will be the only private aviation company at the exhibition. The airline is a long standing supporter of ATM and has participated every year since its inception six years ago. Royal Jet is supporting Abu Dhabi as a world class tourism destination at its corporate corner within…
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will participate in the Arabian Travel Market for the 12th consecutive year. The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the regions premier travel and tourism event which takes place annually. This year the ATM takes place at the Dubai World Trade Center from 5 May through 8 May. SCTDA chairman Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, said there will be a…
