Middle East
AlUla Old Town opens to travellers after three years
AlUla Old Town, one of four significant heritage sites in AlUla, has welcomed its first visitors back after a three-year hiatus for extensive restoration and conservation in sections of the town’s tightly packed stone and mudbrick buildings
Qatar Airways increases seats to Seychelles ahead of reopening
Qatar Airways is increasing seat capacity into the Seychelles this summer as the tourist hot spot opens up to the world again
Saudi Tourism unveils virtual trade roadshow
Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has launched an international virtual roadshow under the ‘Journeys in Arabia’ platform, which aims to inform and inspire travel trade partners about the diverse products and experiences on offer in Saudi Arabia
Emirates passengers offered chance to purchase adjoining seats
With demand for air travel still low following the Covid-19 pandemic, Emirates has begun offering passengers a chance to snap up empty seats in economy class.
COVID-19 updates: Indonesia travellers can now enter UAE
Passengers from Indonesia can now visit the UAE under the Safe Travel Corridor Arrangement (STCA) between the two countries
Etihad Airways reports staggering USD 1.7 billion loss
Abu Dhabi’s national carrier Etihad has reported core operating losses of USD 1.7 billion in 2020, reflecting the severe toll of the coronavirus pandemic on the airline
Turkey gears up to welcome Brit travellers by June
Turkey has plans to welcome Brits back by June as it pushes ahead with its vaccine rollout.
What’s in store if you travel to Israel now. Tracking bracelet instead of hotel quarantine
Israelis returning home from abroad have a new option that will exempt them from being sent to a quarantine hotel
Gourmet rejoice! Dubai Food Festival to start on 25 March
Dubai Food Festival (DFF), the annual culinary celebration, has announced updated dates for this year’s festival, from 25 March – 17 April 2021
UAE hotels prepare for V-shaped recovery after vaccine rollout and herd immunity take effect
Hotels in the UAE have put up a sterling performance, given the challenges of operating during the pandemic last year
How is Dubai promoting itself as a safe destination
Dubai Tourism has highlighted the robust new safety measures deployed across sectors and new initiatives taken to further enhance the city’s position as a safe destination for global travellers
Emirates operates first fully vaccinated flight
Emirates operated its first flight with a fully vaccinated frontline team servicing customers at every touchpoint of the travel journey.
Ajman Tourism launches interactive digital map
Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) is showcasing an interactive digital map for the emirate of Ajman, providing visitors with key information on top tourist attractions
Saudi citizens married to non-Saudis can now travel abroad
Saudis married to non-Saudis are allowed to travel with their spouse or join them abroad in case they reside outside the kingdom due to work or otherwise
Airlines will not turn cash positive until 2022, says IATA
IATA has released new analysis showing that the airline industry is expected to remain cash negative throughout 2021
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