Recognising the contribution of top performing agents across the United Arab Emirates, Philippine Airlines hosted ‘Mabuhay Night’ recently in Aklan province of the Philippines. The airlines disclosed that in 2023. it posted US $53.8 million revenue from passenger sales in the UAE, 70% of which came from the travel agents. Hence, it was perfect opportunity to take the partnership to the next level. Photo Gallery ..read more

TRAVTALK celebrated International Women’s Day in Dubai with 11 insightful speakers from the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The event was first in a series of ‘Women leaders forums’. Dr. Shehara Rizly The event kicked off with Devika Jeet, Director, DDP Group, welcoming the audience with an inspiring note “inspire future generations to dream big and reach for the stars”. “When we as women stand together shoulder to shoulder each day, we gain strength together. This event marks the beginning of many more to come. We hope for your continuous support, as we strive to see the industry u ..read more

Post Ramadan outbound travel picks up once again, thanks to demand from locals and expats in the GCC region. Maldives and Thailand in Asia, as usual, secure top position while close by and visa-free destinations, such as Georgia and Azerbaijan, also follow the suit, and not to forget Istanbul and South Korea, which attract more youth to these getaways. Experts share their views with TRAVTALK. Mohamed Al Rais, Executive Director, Al Rais Travel Group Key outbound destinations booked by travellers from the UAE post-Ramadan reflects a blend of cultural exploration, iconic landmarks, and diverse ..read more

Sun Siyam has become a household name in the GCC region due to its activities and features. TRAVTAL takes a trip down memory lane with Zulaikha Manik, Deputy Managing Director, Sun Siyam Resorts, on their journey over the years and then moves on to the importance of the GCC market and adapting changes necessary to cater to different markets, key trends and insights in the hospitality industry. Dr Shehara Rizly With humble beginnings many moons ago, Sun Siyam has undoubtedly become one of the most sought after getaways during Eid Al Fitr or any other short break periods to travellers from the ..read more

Signature events targeting travel trade and media partners in five major international cities – Dubai, London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Mumbai, AlUla will kickstart the ‘Forever Revitalising’ campaign to tell a captivating story. The campaign encapsulates the essence of AlUla, presenting a refreshing and authentic perspective crafted to captivate travellers worldwide. TT Bureau Forever Revitalising, the data-driven endeavour of AlUla that aims to be more than a traditional destination marketing campaign, debuts across nine core global source markets in six languages, and will be integr ..read more

Ajman has become one of the emerging destinations in the UAE catering to families, couples, honeymooners and for weekend breaks with friends and female travellers. His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General, Ajman Department of Tourism Development shares about the source markets they are targeting and new initiatives they have taken to attract more visitors to the emirate. TT Bureau Which are the new source markets you are looking at this year? We are actively exploring opportunities to attract visitors from emerging markets, with a specific focus on expanding our reach in the ..read more

Destination Germany is on a robust recovery trajectory with heightened appeal among travellers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, says German National Tourist Office. TT Bureau With an impressive 15 per cent increase in overnight stays from GCC travellers in 2023, totalling 1,297,256, Germany reinforces its position as a premier global destination. The fourth quarter of 2023 alone showcased a remarkable resurgence to near pre-pandemic activity levels, with 263,985 overnight stays, mirroring 97.44 per cent of the figures from 2019. The success of 2023 builds on the momentum fr ..read more

Josh Vasquez, Regional Head – EMEA Region, Philippine Airlines, reveals the airline generated $53.8 mn revenue from passenger sales in UAE in 2023, 70% of which came from the travel agents. TT Bureau Philippine Airlines in the UAE held a night of gratitude and recognition of their partners in their journey to achieve a good revenue over the past year. The full-fledged flag carrier of the Philippines was founded in 1941 and its UAE operations began in 1982, first serving Dubai on 7 August. It was part of a growing Middle East route network that also connected flights between Manila and Doha i ..read more

A journey of celebration and discovery in the Maldives Celebrate Eid al-Fitr surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones by the azure waters and pristine beaches of the Maldives. As the spring blooms and joy fills the air, make every moment during this Eid truly special, infused with the spirit of celebration and tranquility. Private celebrations with the whole family Experience the essence of togetherness with exclusive family celebrations in private villas and overwater bungalows. Have a retreat and bask in the serenity of your own secluded haven where you can gather with loved ones to m ..read more

Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East Marriott International, shared valuable insights on their latest research of 192 million global membership, their growth plans for the year with a special focus on empowering women in leadership in Saudi Arabia, as there will be more hotels coming up this year. Dr. Shehara Rizly Marriott International in the Middle East, Egypt and Turkey counts for 233 hotels that are currently in operation. About 130 other projects are in different phases of construction. Starting off in the UAE, on 1 January was the announcement of Marriott International ..read more