Travel News

Connect Conference Centre, often known as “C3,” will now be managed and operated by ASM Global. This is the second addition to the company’s Dubai portfolio, which also includes the renowned Coca-Cola Arena, which it launched in 2019. Additionally, it adds to the world’s largest portfolio of conference and convention facilities.The C3 building, which is a part of Expo City Dubai, has undergone a remarkable repositioning after serving as the Opportunity Pavilion during the illustrious Expo 2020. As part of the upcoming COP28, which will take place in Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, C3 is prepared to play a crucial role in hosting a variety of meetings, conferences, and cultural gatherings. A distinctive, customizable space, C3 is a welcome addition to Dubai’s mid-sized venue market and opens up even more interesting alternatives for business, entertainment, and community events at Expo City Dubai, according to Sholto Douglas-Home, chief sales and marcoms officer. We anticipate seeing the Opportunity Pavilion come to life once more as a vibrant hub in our expanding city because it was a well-liked destination during Expo 2020. This endeavor highlights ASM Global’s steadfast commitment to growing our footprint in the MENA area, according to Harvey Lister, chairman and chief executive of ASM Global’s APAC division. Our goals are perfectly in line with the UAE’s ongoing expansion and quest of excellence in the live events industry. We are leaders in spotting this potential in a complex that is continually growing, and we anxiously anticipate new growth chances. The location’s extraordinary adaptability enables it to accommodate a variety of events, from summits, conferences, and meetings to exciting live entertainment performances and upscale corporate events. According to Lister, C3’s importance goes beyond its services and will play a crucial part in the company’s future regional operations and event schedule. In addition to paving the way for future expansion plans within Expo City Dubai, ASM Global’s recent achievement in acquiring the management and operations rights for this venue also prepares the way for a wider growth strategy across the UAE and the Middle East. Shakir’s Exhibition World Bahrain, Jeddah Arena Airport City, and International Convention Centre Jeddah Airport City are some of the other Middle Eastern venues run by ASM Global. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/asm-global-named-operator-of-dubais-connect-conference-centre/

A new premium travel lifestyle brand that will be sold internationally has been unveiled by Cathay Pacific. The goal of the brand will be to promote a travel-centric way of life under the “Cathay” banner. Cathay will now function as the airline’s division while Cathay Pacific will remain the global umbrella moniker. According to Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay, “this month of September marks 77 years since the Cathay story first began with a single Douglas DC-3 aircraft dubbed “Betsy” and a drive to connect the world and its people.” Both our company and the preferences and needs of our customers have changed. By changing our name to Cathay, we’ve ushered in an exhilarating new age that reflects our commitment to the traveler and our aspiration to become “one of the world’s greatest service brands.” Consumers can find exciting new options for dining, lodging, and spa services everywhere. Cathay has launched its first global advertising campaign in three years, Feels Good To Move, to signal the start of its global expansion and highlight the brand’s goal of assisting customers in taking the next step in their life. Every piece of content in the campaign is a powerful call to action that celebrates humanity’s intrinsic drive to move, starting with our first pulse. Edward Bell, general manager of brand, insights, and marketing communications at Cathay, said the ad “gets right to the heart of why Cathay exists as a premium travel lifestyle brand—a brand that seeks to enable us to live the premium travel lifestyle every day.” Since our founding, “Cathay has always been about forward progress.”We are naturally restless beings. This advertisement “celebrates the joy of movement.” The Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and 22 additional markets in Asia, Oceania, and the Americas (such as Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas) all see the launch of Cathay. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/cathay-pacific-launches-premium-lifestyle-brand-cathay/

Ambitious UAE nationals are invited to stop by The Emirates Group’s interactive booth at the 2023 Ru’ya, Careers UAE Redefined, which will take place from September 19–21 at the World Trade Center in Dubai. Through Ru’ya, the Group will provide skilled Emiratis with a range of career options in travel and aviation, for everyone from seasoned professionals to recent graduates and college students. The National Cadet Pilot Program, the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering License (AMEL) Program, and the IT Scholarship Program are all scholarship programs available to university graduates. Jobs in Airport Services, Contact Center, and Emirates cabin crew are open to high school graduates. There are also chances to enroll in the SkyCargo Acceleration Program and the dnata Maintenance Supervisor Program. Candidates with a high school diploma can also participate in digital on-site interviews at one of the four interview pods built into the Emirates Group’s creative stand. The Group is also looking for talent for its tailored Graduate and Outstation Programmes, and it is providing undergraduates with internship opportunities to help them prepare for the professional work environment that will help them succeed in the future. The Emirates Group’s Emiratisation team actively participates in career fairs all around the UAE with the goal of accelerating the hiring of local talent through meaningful interactions with the community, providing inspiration, and providing in-depth knowledge of employment trends. The Emirates Group’s continued participation in Ru’ya, Careers UAE redefined, over the years is a testament of the value placed on the platform for connecting the company with Emirati job seekers and creating opportunity bridges. The Group’s unwavering dedication to the Emiratisation Strategy is demonstrated by its ongoing efforts to cultivate fruitful collaborations and choose special programs for the Group’s Emirati workforce that guarantee their continuous growth and development. The Emirates Group has already signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three partners to deliver programs that improve the skills and competitiveness of UAE nationals from various business units and roles. These partners are Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai, PwC Academy Dubai, and Microsoft. The Group has also introduced a number of development initiatives, such as the UAE Talent Acceleration Initiative, which offers a selection of initiatives specifically created to foster the growth of top-performing UAE National Talent in the Emirates and dnata Group firms. The Emirates Group, one of the top employers in the UAE, is made up of dnata, a top international provider of air and travel services, and Emirates, the largest international airline with a presence in more than 140 cities worldwide. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/the-emirates-group-returns-to-ruya-with-unique-career-opportunities-in-travel-and-aviation/

The iconic 5-star luxury hotel Steigenberger Hotel Doha, located in the center of Doha, is happy to announce an exclusive package for GCC citizens wishing to enhance their F1 experience with a touch of elegance and opulence. The Steigenberger Doha’s F1 package, available for as little as QAR 750, includes an overnight stay for two people, free breakfast and dinner at the hotel’s specialty restaurant, Crust, free mocktails at the Sundeck Pool Bar, and a 30% discount on all spa services at the venue’s lavish Opal Spa. The special F1 package at the Steigenberger Hotel Doha seeks to give its guests an extraordinary Grand Prix weekend by fusing exhilarating race action with unmatched comfort and grandeur in the city where speed meets speed and luxury. Visitors can anticipate being immersed in an exciting and exquisite ambiance as soon as they arrive, capturing the Grand Prix’s high-energy mood while simultaneously relishing in the serene luxury for which Steigenberger is renowned. “Steigenberger Hotel Doha is thrilled to unveil the exclusive F1 package that encapsulates the very best our city and hotel have to offer,” said Sherief Abouelmagd, General Manager at Steigenberger Hotel Doha. “As the city of Doha prepares to host the highly anticipated Formula 1 Grand Prix,” he continued. “Like Doha itself, the Grand Prix is more than just a competition; it’s a display of invention, speed, and excitement. With a combination of the high-octane thrills of the racetrack and the grandeur and cultural diversity that are the characteristics of Qatari hospitality, our F1 overnight stay package strives to bring this harmony to our esteemed guests. This is an invitation to see Doha in all its splendor, not simply a race weekend. The Formula 1 Grand Prix Package at the Steigenberger Hotel Doha is more than just a deal; it’s a symbol of the extravagant and thrilling lifestyle that Doha and the hotel each exclusively provide. As Doha prepares to host a weekend of speed, thrills, and luxury, Steigenberger Hotel Doha extends an invitation to GCC citizens to take part in this unique event and enjoy its first-rate services. Early reservations are necessary for those who want to enjoy the Grand Prix weekend in the height of luxury because availability is limited. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy sport, culture, and the art of hospitality is provided by this package, all against the stunning backdrop of Doha’s luminous cityscape. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/steigenberger-unveils-the-ultimate-f1-package-for-gcc-residents/

Emirates has expanded its in-flight meal preordering service to include flights to and from European cities like Warsaw, Venice, Rome, Bologna, Prague, Vienna, Moscow, Istanbul, Dublin, Hamburg, St. Petersburg, Brussels, and Madrid, as well as Seychelles and Mauritius, as a result of the initiative’s successful launch on UK routes and the favorable feedback from passengers. In the upcoming months, the effort will be expanded to encompass additional international locations. With the new service, Business Class passengers can select their main dish 14 days to 24 hours before to takeoff, ensuring they always get their preferred pick and minimizing food waste. Visitors can browse the onboard menu on Emirates.com or the Emirates app up to a fortnight before their trip to choose from a variety of regionally inspired dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Emirates invites passengers to enjoy a fantastic dining experience in the sky. You can order chef-prepared meals in Business Class, including breakfast options like chocolate hazelnut pancakes with apricot compote and ricotta sour cream, lunch options like beef tenderloin with thyme jus, roasted potato wedges, and steamed vegetables, and dinner options like pan-fried salmon trout with saffron cream, blanched green beans, braised beets, and polenta with spring onions. The flight’s cabin crew will utilize their electronic devices to access the preordered menu and serve the passenger’s selected meals. The addition of meal preordering to Emirates’ current collection of AI-enabled consumer monitoring data and cabin crew reports makes it easier to plan menus, load food efficiently, and reduce waste. Emirates places a strong emphasis on innovation and technologically enabled travel. In addition to digital boarding passes and itinerary management, access to digital in-flight menus, simple Skywards sign-up for immediate free Wi-Fi messaging onboard, and playlist curation for in-flight entertainment prior to a flight all complement the preordering meal service. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/emirates-extends-inflight-meal-preordering-service-across-europe-2/

Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) has introduced the “2 For One” promotion so you can book a fall or winter trip with a friend for the price of only one! Customers may get two roundtrip tickets to the same destination for just HK$1,020 up from today to September 30, 2023. This special offer is valid for flights departing Hong Kong during the following times: 18–28 September 2023, 1–19 October 2023, and 22–15 December 2023, to any one of the GBA locations, including Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City. The tickets are good for up to a seven-day stay. The tickets come with a 7kg carry-on baggage limit and a 10kg check-in baggage allowance for each flight to make things easier for shoppers. To accommodate special needs, extra baggage allowance can be purchased individually.In July 2022, GBA started offering scheduled service. As of the now, it offers flights to Bangkok, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Ho Chi Minh City. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/greater-bay-airlines-launches-2-for-one-offer/

The Jetwing Galle Heritage Home is the newest addition to the varied range of Jetwing Hotels and Villas. The exclusive and exclusive house is tucked away in the historic city of Galle and is a meticulously renovated traditional Southern Sri Lankan mansion. The heritage home has been lovingly restored to its former splendour, serving as a living witness to the island’s customs and drawing inspiration from the country’s own rich architectural legacy. Jetwing Galle history Home is the first and only totally authentic Sri Lankan boutique home. While most history buildings in the nation show a combination of colonial and local influences, they truly reflect the island’s age-old design principles and aesthetics. A 10-minute drive from the famous Galle fort, in the residential village of Milidduwa, Jetwing Galle Heritage Home offers guests the chance to take in the rich tapestry of history, culture, and tranquility that adorns Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Hiran Cooray stated, “Our most recent opening of a heritage home in the Southern city of Galle is the outcome of our recent transformation of a traditional Northern residence in the heart of Jaffna – Jetwing Mahesa Bhawan. We are glad to help restore and preserve historic homes all around the Emerald Isle as a firm dedicated to Sri Lanka in every aspect, as well as to develop fresh experiences for discerning tourists. The heritage villa has three roomy spaces, including two deluxe rooms and a charming attic apartment, where traditional elements and modern conveniences coexist together. Along with a private chef who will be on-site to make meals upon request, visitors have access to a fully furnished kitchen that includes a wood-fired clay stove and a gas burner. A haven for nature and adventure lovers, the area offers a variety of thrilling excursions, from touring historical and sacred sites like Rumassala to taking in the diversity of local art and culture at the traditional mask museums. Explore the serene nature that awaits you in the Kanneliya rainforest and the Hiyare reservoir, two mesmerizing natural beauties. Additionally, the Southern coast offers a variety of exhilarating activities including scuba diving, whale viewing, and snorkeling all promise an amazing adventure. With a history in the tourism sector spanning more than 50 years, Jetwing Hotels has made a name for itself as a pioneer in creating one-of-a-kind experiences and providing genuine Sri Lankan hospitality. With ongoing programs centered on community uplift, environmental protection, and resource efficiency, Jetwing, a family-owned company, remains a major proponent for sustainability and responsible tourism. The company’s broad portfolio includes a selection of opulent hotels and villas, each of which presents a distinctive viewpoint on Sri Lanka’s extensive cultural heritage and stunning natural surroundings. Hotels Jetwing in Sri LankaJetwing Hotels, forerunners in Sri Lanka’s hospitality and tourism sectors, had their start with a modest Negombo 6-bedroom resort. The brand now includes more than 30 distinctive resorts and villas distributed across 12 amazing locations in the green island, from the golden sands of the coastline and the mist-covered hills of Sri Lanka to the cityscapes of Colombo and the wilderness of Yala. Each establishment owned by the brand is dedicated to community empowerment and sustainability, and each one is established on the promise of offering the best Sri Lankan hospitality and genuine island experiences. Jetwing Saman Villas on Bentota’s southwest coast, Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle, Jetwing Vil Uyana in the serene greenery of Sigiriya, and Jetwing Kandy Gallery, which is close to Kandy’s bustling ancient city, are some Jetwing Hotels properties that stand out in the opulent boutique hospitality spaces. Jetwing Hotels’ establishments in Negombo, specifically Jetwing Blue, Jetwing Lagoon, and Jetwing Beach, are setting fanciful standards for those idyllic vacation weddings. Source- Travel daily

The Tourism Education and Skills Working Group met on September 12 to discuss the next steps in attempting to get an alternative qualification while looking at the difficulties associated with post-16 education. In order to proactively shape future educational routes in the travel and tourism sector, the Group was established back in April 2023. This comes in the wake of the government’s decision to move forward with its larger education reform initiatives, which include the introduction of T-levels and the defunding of all level 3 travel and tourism programmes in England starting in September 2026. Effective replacement training programs are necessary because there won’t be a T-level in travel and tourism, which will help ensure that younger people can reach the sector. In order to best prepare students for further study or to start employment in the industry, the working group is looking at this. At its most recent meeting, the group agreed on a set of fundamental themes that would need to be covered by future level 3 travel and tourism credentials. Before the year is over, a series of industry workshops will be held to gather opinions and suggestions on the themes. After that, recommendations will be given to educational institutions that are creating courses to replace those that will finish in September 2026. As a crucial step in getting permission for new courses, participants in the workshops will also be requested to participate in activities to show the industry demand that exists for the courses. As early next year’s course curriculums are put together by educational providers, there will also be opportunities for the industry to interact directly with them. The head of education and career development for ABTA, Vicki Wolf, stated: “This is a real opportunity for the travel and tourism industry to shape the future of level three skills training for the sector. It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm and a collaborative approach from across the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.” The Tourism Education and Skills Working Group held a very successful meeting last week with informed and illuminating input from a wide range of industry experts, according to Claire Steiner, director of the Institute of Travel and Tourism. We will all be reaching out to our individual memberships in the coming weeks to solicit their input for a series of workshops, and I encourage everyone in the sector to participate as your opinions and experience will be crucial in helping to develop new educational programs. As we prepare to negotiate the changes to level 3 Travel and Tourism credentials, John Garside from Sutton Coldfield College, a division of BMet, said: “I continue to be excited and inspired by the partnership with all members of the Tourism Education and Skills Working Group. The hope is that we can continue to offer industry-recognized credentials that open doors to higher education and benefit our prospective students. Businesses interested in participating in the workshops should get in touch with their trade association, such as ABTA, the BTA, UKHospitality, or UKinbound, or through one of the other groups affiliated with the Travel and Skills Working Group, such as ANTOR and the ITT. More information will be made available as soon as possible. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/the-tourism-education-and-skills-working-group-new-training-options-for-young-peop

Beginning on October 15, 2023, David Kondo will assume the role of Senior Director Austrian Brand Experience and be in charge of all future marketing and product management for Austrian Airlines. This covers branding, marketing communications, and the design of the customer experience throughout the entire travel supply chain. As a youth traveling frequently and growing up in Japan, Canada, and Australia, David Kondo had a deep enthusiasm for aviation. His professional career was significantly impacted by this as well. Before joining Qatar Airways in 2013 as a Product and Strategy Specialist, he began his career with Virgin Australia as a Product & Operations Graduate. There, he revamped the in-flight experience and oversaw the design development of the “Qsuites” Business Class. He moved back to Australia in 2015 and joined the Qantas Group, where he oversaw the inflight retail initiatives for Jetstar Asia (Singapore) and Jetstar Japan. David has been a part of Finnair since 2017, serving in a number of senior leadership roles in customer experience to achieve initiatives like the award-winning long-haul experience and the renovation of Helsinki Airport. Currently, David Kondo is a director on the board of the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). He has a background in design thinking and innovation in addition to his education in engineering and airline business. Austrian Chief Commercial Officer Michael Trestl stated, “I am certain that David Kondo is the best candidate for this job given his industry experience and understanding of the customer experience. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/david-kondo-appointed-head-of-austrian-brand-experience/

The service is now being expanded across routes to and from European cities such as Warsaw, Venice, Rome, Bologna, Prague, Vienna, Moscow, Istanbul, Dublin, Hamburg, St. Petersburg, Brussels and Madrid, as well as to and from Seychelles and Mauritius, following the successful launch of the Emirates inflight meal preordering initiative on UK routes and the positive feedback received from passengers. In the upcoming months, the concept will be implemented on other international lines. The new service enables Business Class travelers to preorder their main dish between 14 days and 24 hours before takeoff, guaranteeing they always get their preferred selection and assisting in reducing food waste. Up to a fortnight before a trip, travellers can explore the onboard menu on Emirates.com or on the Emirates app to select from a variety of regionally inspired dishes using locally produced ingredients. This allows Emirates customers to experience great cuisine in the air. A selection of chef-created dishes are served in Business Class meals, including chocolate hazelnut pancakes with apricot compote and ricotta sour cream for breakfast, beef tenderloin with thyme jus, roasted potato wedges, and steamed vegetables for lunch, and pan-fried salmon trout with saffron cream, blanched green beans, braised beetroot, and polenta with spring onions for dinner. The cabin staff onboard the plane will use digital gadgets to view the preordered menu and serve the passenger’s preferred food. Onboard Emirates, meal preordering is a new feature that complements the already comprehensive set of AI-enabled customer preference tracking data and cabin crew reports that make menu planning, ideal food loading, and waste minimization possible. Innovation and digitally enabled travel are two of Emirates’ main priorities. The option of digital boarding passes and itinerary management, access to digital inflight menus, a simple sign up for Skywards to instantly access free Wi-Fi messaging onboard, and playlist curation for inflight entertainment are all added benefits to the preordering meal service. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://quillbot.com/?utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=paraphrase_developing&campaign_type=performance_max