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    Singapore Tourism Awards 2023

    25 individuals and organisations were recognised at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2023, for delivering exceptional experiences and displaying enterprise excellence as tourism resumed fully last year.
    Conferred by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Singapore Tourism Awards seeks to raise the sector’s competitiveness by motivating individuals and organisations to create compelling experiences and adopt best practices. Recipients[1] were selected from 90 finalists[2] nominated for the categories of Experience Excellence (Leisure/MICE), Enterprise Excellence and Customer Service Excellence.
    STB Chief Executive Mr Keith Tan said, “I congratulate all our award recipients and finalists for their outstanding achievements. Their efforts have strengthened Singapore’s tourism sector and enhanced the experiences of visitors to Singapore. I hope their achievements will inspire others in the tourism sector to step up and perform even better in the future.”
    Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
    Mr George Tanasijevich​, former President and CEO/Managing Director of Marina Bay Sands, was conferred the Awards’ highest accolade – Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. He spearheaded Las Vegas Sands Corporation’s successful bid in 2006 to develop the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort. It is now one the world’s most iconic tourist destinations, creating quality jobs for locals and significant economic benefits for Singapore.ADVERTISEMENTRecognising the best in tourism
    24 individuals and organisations were also honoured for their outstanding achievements in Experience Excellence (Leisure/MICE), Enterprise Excellence and Customer Service Excellence.
    In particular, Avatar: The Experience​ was awarded Outstanding Attraction Experience under the Experience Excellence (Leisure) award category. It immersed visitors in the world of “Pandora”, while offering an “eco-smart tourable experience” that can be transported and reused, reducing its overall carbon footprint.
    Kayak Fishing Fever’s Kayak Sailing in Singapore, Mangrove and Culinary Adventure received the Outstanding Tour Experience for bringing guests up close with the natural ecosystem and habitats while offering a rare glimpse into life on Pulau Ubin​.
    Blue Smoke was named Outstanding Casual Dining Experience for its unique concept of an open wood and charcoal fire smokehouse and grill, while creating uniquely Asian flavours with Nanyang Teochew cuisine at the core.
    Informa’s Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) received the Outstanding Business Event award under the Experience Excellence (MICE) award category, for restructuring FHA 2022 into two tradeshows. It achieved strong attendance to become the best-attended Food and Hospitality event in Asia.
    Sands Expo and Convention Centre (Marina Bay Sands) was awarded Outstanding Event Venue Experience for repositioning Marina Bay Sands from a one-venue destination to a vibrant and integrated precinct. It has also been conferred the Exceptional Achievement[3] award for achieving Outstanding Event Venue Experience three years in a row.
    ​Mandai Wildlife Group was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability under the Enterprise Excellence award category, for displaying leadership in conservation and sustainability. To protect biodiversity, the organisation focused on enhancing local habitats and ecological connectivity at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. It also achieved an 80% reduction in single use plastics across parks and converted its in-park trams and buggies to run on electricity.
    Sentosa Development Corporation’s (SDC) Discovery Neverending NFTs was named Outstanding Marketing Idea as it successfully drove brand awareness and engagement by leveraging the popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFT) among their target segments. The innovative marketing plan – which had a clear analysis and mapping of audience behaviour – increased sign-ups for SDC’s loyalty programme and garnered high participation, receiving 1.96 million impressions on their social channels.
    Resorts World Sentosa was recognised as Outstanding Employer (formerly the Exemplary Employer award) for its structured approach in talent management and development. The organisation achieved close to 300,000 training hours in 2022 and implemented a tiered skill allowance framework. It also has a dedicated Innovation Department to assist and work with departments on innovation and work processes.
    New award for Outstanding Wellness Experience
    In line with STB’s ambition for Singapore to become an urban wellness haven and to grow our tourism offerings in this area, the Outstanding Wellness Experience award was introduced this year. The inaugural award was clinched by Xiu Nature Connections. Through its unique forest bathing experience that taps on pockets of green spaces in Singapore, Xiu Nature Connections created a distinctive way for visitors to explore Singapore. It also collaborated with stakeholders such as Far East Hospitality, Seek Sophie and ClassPass to drive global outreach for its forest bathing programmes.
    Organised by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Singapore Tourism Awards brings together Singapore’s tourism sector to celebrate individuals and organisations that best deliver exceptional experiences and achieve enterprise excellence. The Awards is an integral part of STB’s efforts to raise the Singapore tourism sector’s competitiveness by motivating organisations and individuals to create compelling experiences or adopt best practices. For more information, visit www.singaporetourismawards.com.

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    Dubai welcomes 4.67 million overnight visitors in the first quarter of 2023

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    Dubai welcomes 4.67 million overnight visitors in the first quarter of 2023

    Dubai welcomed 4.67 million international overnight visitors in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 3.97 million tourists during the same period in 2022. This marks a 17 % YoY growth and the city’s best Q1 performance since the pandemic, placing it firmly on track to becoming the most visited international destination, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
    The growth, which sets the city on course to full tourism recovery, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai this January, to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities.
    His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “The remarkable growth in international visitation achieved by Dubai in the first quarter of 2023 demonstrates the city’s emergence as one of the key destinations leading the way in the rebound of the global tourism sector. This achievement has been made possible by the far-reaching vision of the leadership to transform Dubai into one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolises and the globe’s pre-eminent hub for travel, talent, entrepreneurship and investment. The Dubai Economic Agenda recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, charts an ambitious new path for Dubai to enhance its contributions to shaping the future of the global economy. The tourism sector is not only the strongest pillars of our economy but also a key enabler of Dubai’s distinctive role in the world as a bridge between markets, cultures and regions. In the years ahead, Dubai will continue to introduce new pathbreaking initiatives to offer a distinctive proposition for travellers and achieve its goal of becoming the world’s best place to live, visit, work and invest in.”
    The latest industry results – announced at the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai World Trade Centre, positions Dubai as the fastest recovering destination globally, achieving 98 % of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2023, and exceeding the projection made by the United Nations World Trade Organisation that international tourist arrivals could reach between 80-95 % of pre-pandemic levels this year, especially in Europe and the Middle East.
    The number of visitors in Q1 2023 was just two percentage points short of pre-pandemic volume of 4.75 million tourists that arrived in Dubai in the first three months of 2019, a remarkable achievement since turning the tide in July 2020 by reopening the city to international tourists, and in spite of current global economic headwinds. The industry performance also capped an exceptional first quarter for Dubai, which saw the city being crowned again as the No.1 global destination in Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2023, making it only the second time in history a city has won the coveted award for two years in a row.ADVERTISEMENTHis Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, commented: “Q1 2023 has set us off on a very strong trajectory for the year and is driving us closer towards realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai to make Dubai the most visited and re-visited destination. The positive industry performance is an endorsement of our well-defined strategy, and a testament to the unwavering support of our tourism industry partners and stakeholders. The coming decade will see our industry going through extraordinary phases of transformation, in terms of infrastructure, technology, attractions and experiences, as we focus on achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033.
    “To maintain Dubai’s global appeal as the first-choice destination for travellers, we will continue to follow the multi-pronged blueprint that largely contributed to our success in 2022 – evolving the destination promise, a multi-geographic approach to markets, constant international outreach through global campaigns, hosting international MICE, business and leisure events, and further improving stakeholder relationships. As we look ahead to further accelerating momentum in our tourism sector, the pillars of sustainability, gastronomy, trade, and technology will form the foundation of our future success. Notably, this year is declared as UAE’s ‘Year of Sustainability,’ marking a major milestone for us, as the city prepares to host COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference. Sustainability will form the core of all that we do, incorporating sustainable practices into every aspect of the visitor experience to advance our journey towards becoming the world’s best city to live and work in,” HE Helal Almarri added.
    Strong rebound
    Dubai’s traditional source markets delivered solid tourism volumes during the first quarter of the year with key regions continuing to make an impact on international visitation, further underscoring the success of the city’s diversified multi-geographic strategy. GCC and MENA combined was the top region, collectively contributing to 29 % of total volumes, reflecting the city’s continued appeal for travellers from neighbouring markets. Western Europe accounted for 22 % of tourism arrivals, while South Asia, accounted for 16 % of total international visitation, followed by CIS and Eastern Europe together contributing 15 %, Americas (7 %), North Asia and South East Asia (6 %), Africa (4 %) and Australasia (1 %).
    The majority of the regions have demonstrated significant increase in Q1 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 while four regions have fully recovered and surpassed Q1 2019 levels – CIS and Eastern Europe (48 % vs. Q1 2019), MENA (32 % vs. Q1-2019), Americas (9 % vs. Q1-2019 and Australasia 2 % vs 2019). Both South Asia and Western Europe are close to achieving pre-pandemic levels in terms of tourism volumes.
    Dubai’s hotel sector spearheads growth
    Dubai hotels saw a surge in performance during the first quarter of 2023. Average occupancy for the sector during the January-March period stood at an impressive 83 %, making it one of the highest in the world, and almost on par with the 84 % occupancy recorded in Q1 2019. This achievement is particularly notable given a 26 % increase in room capacity since then. By the end of March 2023, the city’s hotel sector had a total of 148,877 rooms in 814 hotel establishments compared to 118,039 rooms in 717 hotel establishments in 2019. Continued domestic and international investment into the sector helped further boost hotel inventory, with the first quarter of 2023 seeing a 6 % increase in the total number of hotels and rooms compared to the same period in 2022.

    The hotel sector outperformed pre-pandemic levels across all other hospitality metrics. During the first three months of the year, Dubai hotels collectively provided 10.98 million Occupied Room Nights, a YoY growth of 7 % and a 27 % increase compared to the pre-pandemic period of Q1 2019, which registered 8.63 million Occupied Room Nights. The ADR of AED607 during the first three months of the year surpassed the ADR of 2019 (AED498), a 22 % growth while RevPAR of AED504 in Q1 2023, surged by 21 % compared to the first three months of the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (AED 417). The robust performance of the hotel sector is also evident by the fact that average length of stay by guests increased to four nights compared to 3.5 nights, a 14 % increase over the same period in 2019, highlighting the city’s appeal for longer-stay travellers.
    His Excellency, Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Inspired by our visionary leadership, we have made tremendous strides in our efforts to position the city as a must-visit destination through celebrity-led and digital first global campaigns in parallel with initiatives that increase accessibility, minimise barriers to travel, and make it as seamless as possible for travellers to visit Dubai. We express our sincere appreciation for the steadfast support from all our stakeholders and partners who relentlessly strive to uphold our city’s position as a top-tier travel destination globally. Their commitment to our shared vision is instrumental in maintaining our city’s global reputation and for the steady inflow of international visitors. We will continue to work with them to develop innovative and unique tourism products and experiences that will further amplify the appeal of our city as the top consideration for both first-time and repeat business and leisure travellers. With global travel undergoing a paradigm shift in terms of visitor expectations and experiences, we are making every effort to ensure Dubai performs even better in 2023 and beyond to remain ahead of the curve in a highly competitive global tourism landscape.”
    Spearheading sustainability initiatives
    In an effort to fortify its existing and emerging markets, as well as uncover fresh opportunities for growth both in the domestic and international markets, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is ramping up its pursuit of non-traditional tourism avenues to attract visitors. This approach is particularly crucial, as the success of Dubai’s tourism strategy will largely hinge on the pillars of sustainability, gastronomy, trade, and technology.
    As Dubai shifts towards a more advanced, inclusive, long-term approach to sustainable growth, sustainability is becoming increasingly important as an opportunity and driving force for growth, as more and more travellers seek out sustainable destinations. Sustainability is a core component of Dubai’s development strategy, and hosting global events like COP28 will provide an exceptional opportunity to highlight the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative designed to enhance the sustainability of the tourism sector and contribute to broader clean energy and sustainable development objectives. DST will also prepare Dubai to cater to global travellers seeking authentic local experiences that promote sustainable practices. A key DST initiative is the Dubai Can campaign, which encourages the use of reusable bottles. The initiative has successfully reduced the number of single-use plastic water bottles by over 7 million in just one year since its launch in February 2022.
    DET will further enhance its Gastronomy Always on Campaign as Dubai drives growth in the hospitality and F&B sector, focusing on the four pillars of diversity, value for money, authenticity and experience. Additionally, the city’s investment in infrastructure and support systems for entrepreneurs has transformed it into a much sought-after destination for start-ups, global talent and entrepreneurs.

    With the support of its stakeholders and partners, Dubai is committed to continuously offering novel and distinctive experiences for discerning global travellers. These developments will largely be driven by the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which includes over 100 % expansion of tourism attractions, providing new areas for investment and increasing diversity of attractions and experiences for both residents and visitors. Dubai will also continue to showcase its offerings in various segments, including ecotourism, food tourism, wellness tourism, cruise tourism, sports tourism and destination weddings.
    Leveraging its position as an international events destination to draw more visitors to its MICE, business and leisure events, Q1 2023 saw Dubai hosting an extensive line-up of events including the Dubai Shopping Festival, the flagship festival of the city’s year-round Retail Calendar, Art Dubai, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Dubai Duty Free Tennis, the Dubai World Cup, Dubai International Boat Show, World Government Summit, as well as Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food & beverage exhibition, which hosted a record 5,000 plus exhibitors from over 125 countries. In addition to COP28, other major events that are set to create greater visibility for Dubai around the world this year are the family summer extravaganza, Dubai Summer Surprises, Dubai Esports and Games Festival and Dubai Fitness Challenge.

    Dubai will also continue to provide alternative growth pathways facilitated by reforms and regulatory enablers, including visa initiatives like the Golden Visa, 5-year Multi Entry Visa, Virtual Working, and Retire in the Dubai programs that have eased barriers to entry, promoted long-term affiliation with the city and further enhanced its position as a global liveability hub.  Home to over 200 nationalities, Dubai also provides parents a choice of quality education for their children with many top-ranking international universities having established their campuses in the city. These initiatives have also strengthened Dubai’s pro-business environment, making it an attractive destination for multinationals, family offices, global talent, entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors.

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    ‘Amazing Workation’ to further boost Thailand’s appeal to foreign film makers

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    ‘Amazing Workation’ to further boost Thailand’s appeal to foreign film makers

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report the launch by the Thailand Film Office under the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, of ‘Thailand – Amazing Workation’, the newest chapter in Thailand’s ongoing efforts to remain one of the best filming destinations in the world.Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said “Thailand is already a favourite filming location for foreign TV and film makers, who applaud the kingdom’s diverse geographical characteristics, historical sites, natural beauty, fascinating culture, and filmmaking services and government support. The latest Amazing Workation initiative will certainly help further strengthen this appeal.”
    The ‘Amazing Workation’ initiative contains three aspects of film production fundamentals – Great Incentives, Great Services, and Great Relaxation.
    The ‘Great Incentives’ reflect the best of value beyond ‘Fast Cash,’ ‘Speedy Pay (Rebate),’ and ‘Truly Transparent’ concept. The maximum rebate up to 20% for foreign film production projects that invest 50 million Baht will be increased to 150 million Baht per project. Income tax exemption will be given to foreign film actors when filming in Thailand, for a 5-year period from 2 August 2023 to 1 August 2028.
    The ‘Great Services’ reflect the world-class services, facilities, and hospitality provided to foreign film makers in Thailand, while the ‘Great Relaxation’ represents the friendly charm, unique culture, and wonderful leisure activities that can be enjoyed while filming in Thailand.
    Evidence of Thailand’s well-earned popularity as a filming destination for film makers from around the world, is data showing that 171 foreign films were shot in Thailand in the first four months of 2023 from January to April – earning revenue of 1.29 billion Baht. These represented an increase of 18 films and 118 million Baht in revenue when compared to the same period in 2022.ADVERTISEMENTFor 2023, the month of April alone saw 33 films productions – earning revenue of 169 million Baht. In the first three months of 2023, March recorded 60 film productions – earning 488 million Baht, February 2023 saw 43 film productions – earning 370.99 million Baht, and January welcomed 35 film productions – earning 270 million Baht.
    In 2022, Thailand was chosen as the location for 348 foreign film productions – earning revenue of almost 6.4 billion Baht.
    Among the most high-profile productions filmed recently in Thailand was the third season of ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip’ reality TV series in Phuket which premiered on the Peacock streaming service on 23 March 2023, and the final two episodes of season 27 of ABC’s “The Bachelor’ series in Krabi which aired on 20 and 27 March 2023.
    On the big screen, Czech adventure comedy movie ‘Ostrov’ (The Island), which was shot almost entirely in Phuket and Krabi, was released in theatres in Europe in February 2023.

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    Qatar Tourism Launches Awards Programme to Celebrate Excellence in Tourism Industry

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    Qatar Tourism Launches Awards Programme to Celebrate Excellence in Tourism Industry

    Qatar Tourism, in partnership with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has launched the Qatar Tourism Awards, a programme designed to celebrate and recognise the remarkable contributions made by businesses in delivering outstanding and distinct tourism experiences in Qatar.
    The Qatar Tourism Awards are designed to shed light on the factors that contribute to curating a visitor’s experience at every touchpoint of their journey, by awarding tourism businesses that continually achieve excellence in customer service delivery. This initiative aims to encourage all stakeholders who play a direct or indirect role in the delivery of tourism experiences to continue to develop and emulate exceptional initiatives characterised by uniqueness, sustainability, accessibility, and high-quality service.
    Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to launch the Qatar Tourism Awards, which are designed to recognise the exceptional work of stakeholders in the tourism sector. Qatar is home to some of the world’s most iconic tourism experiences, and this is achieved by the vision, hard work, and dedication of the businesses and individuals in the tourism sector. Through this programme, we hope to inspire and encourage our partners to develop new and innovative initiatives that will continue to elevate Qatar’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination.”
    The Qatar Tourism Awards will focus on three principal categories: Cultural Experiences, Smart Solutions, and Service Excellence, which highlight the different aspects of the visitor experience.
    Entry to the Qatar Tourism Awards is open to all tourism businesses, operators, entrepreneurs, visitor attractions, organisations, and events that operate in Qatar and promote Qatar to a domestic and international audience. Submissions for the awards are now open, and winners will be announced in a special ceremony later this year. To apply, visit: Qatar Tourism Awards | Qatar TourismADVERTISEMENT

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    HOTEL DE LA VILLE CELEBRATES SEVENTY YEARS OF “ROMAN HOLIDAY”

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    CentaraThe1 Members Earn Double Turkish Airlines Miles

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is offering CentaraThe1 and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles loyalty programme members the chance to exchange CentaraThe1 points for double Miles to be used on Turkish Airlines flights across Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas.
    This partnership highlights Centara’s continued efforts to expand its global network and enrich its robust Centara The1 loyalty programme benefits, affording more opportunities for its members to travel and explore the world. Turkish Airlines is the latest addition to Centara’s airline redemption partner network, which already includes Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways. Centara The1 members now have more compelling reasons to earn points and even more exciting ways to burn them.
    From now until the 31 May 2023, Turkish Airlines is offering this special promotion whereby loyalty programme members will receive 300 Miles&Smiles Miles for every 5,000 CentaraThe1 points transferred from their CentaraThe1 Card member account to their Miles&Smiles member account via centaraThe1.com. More Miles means more possibilities for free flights, extra baggage allowance, seat upgrades and other exciting members-only perks.
    Sign-up to the CentaraThe1 loyalty programme is free and gives members access to exclusive privileges, including 15% off room rates, complimentary room upgrades, and the ability to earn points from eligible hotel and resort stays, dining, laundry services, and relaxing treatments at participating spa branches.
    For more information on this offer and how to convert CentaraThe1 points to Turkish Airlines Smiles&Miles, please visit https://centara1card.com/turkishairlines or https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/miles-and-smiles/program-partners/hotels/centara-hotels/ADVERTISEMENT

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    Accor and Erth Real Estate announce three new luxury hotels

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    Accor and Erth Real Estate announce three new luxury hotels

    Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, in partnership with Erth Real Estate Company, today announced that it will open three new hotels in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of a new master planned development project.The forthcoming luxury hospitality community will include a 230-key Raffles hotel, a 250-key Sofitel Serviced Residence, and a 60-villa MGallery resort, all set to open by 2027. The multi-faceted community will also include office towers, residential towers, and retail space, all built around a centrally located garden area.
    Erth Real Estate Company, the premium real estate developer across Saudi Arabia, is the owner and developer of the 4.2 billion Saudi Riyal mixed-use project at Al Yasmin District and has signed with Accor for hotel management within the two towers of this development. Accor will provide hotel management services and support from several brands within its world-leading brand portfolio.
    Raffles Riyadh and Sofitel Extended Stay at Al Yasmin District, both located at King Fahad Road intersecting with King Salman Road and Al Olaya Street, will reside within sparkling glass, 34-storey and 42-storey towers – creating an iconic presence in the city’s skyline. The towers, which will enjoy convenient 18-minute access to King Khalid International Airport by car, will have a clear view of KAFD, New Murabba, Avenues Mall, SAB Tower and Tamkeen Tower. Ample green space, including lush gardens, will also surround both buildings. MGallery Resort Riyadh, only 20 minutes away from Riyadh city center, will be developed in the Al Waseel district, where some luxury private resorts are located, and will be situated in a wadi surrounded by date farms. With 60 low-rise villas, it will be an ideal attraction for families and guests looking for a break from the busy city center and immersion into a vibrant neighborhood of Riyadh.
    Speaking at the signing event, Saud Abdullah Al Rajhi, the Group Managing Director of Erth Real Estate stated: “The company’s vision of becoming a preferred real estate brand in Saudi Arabia is fully aligned with leading first-class projects that meet market expectations and unleash the economic potential of the Kingdom. Therefore, Erth is pleased to expand its relationship with Accor by adding new assets to our hospitality portfolio.”
    “As part of Accor’s ultra-luxury division, Raffles is honored to soon open a second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh,” said Omer Acar, CEO Raffles & Orient Express. “As a brand that is highly selective of the destinations where we choose to develop, we are confident that vibrance and growth surrounding the city of Riyadh is the perfect location to offer our guests the true Raffles experience – one that is celebrated, authentic, and renowned for its legendary service. We look forward to welcoming new guests and those returning as family to Raffles Riyadh.”ADVERTISEMENT“On behalf of both the Sofitel and MGallery brands, we are delighted to contribute to a diverse community of luxury hospitality choices for business and leisure visitors, particularly those who wish to settle in and stay a little longer to enjoy the dynamic energy of the cosmopolitan city of Riyadh,” said Maud Bailly, CEO Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems. “As an ambassador of French culture around the world, Sofitel will bring the art-de-vivre that has been so successful at our two other Sofitel destinations in the Kingdom. Guests will also have the chance to discover the culture and a vibrant neighbourhood at the new MGallery, with the property providing sumptuous resort style villas and the luxury of feeling of a home away from home.”
    Erth’s new luxury hotels in Riyadh are being imagined by some of the world’s top designers. The lead architect is Foster + Partners, a global studio for sustainable architecture, urbanism, engineering, and design, founded by Norman Foster in 1967. With offices across the world, the practice works as a single entity that is both ethnically and culturally diverse. Additional consultants will provide expertise on spa, art, technology, and food & beverage.
    Erth’s relationship with Accor started a few years ago with a prestigious development in the region – Raffles Hotel and Residences Jeddah – which consists of two towers. In one tower, a world-class luxury hotel; in the other, a stunning set of exclusive private residences, unlike anything Jeddah has known before, set against a rich backdrop of Hejazi culture and tradition.
    Since the announcement of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, Erth and Accor have both played a key role in the development of tourism through several existing and upcoming projects in key locations across the Kingdom. Accor has been present in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years and has contributed to the development of the Holy destination of Makkah, counting over 9,000 rooms with direct access to the Haram.
    Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Accor currently operates 42 properties (16,000+ rooms) and has a robust development pipeline of 34 properties which will add approximately 7,000 rooms to the Group’s portfolio by 2027. Properties expected to arrive in the Kingdom in 2023 include the much-anticipated Raffles Jeddah, Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences Riyadh, Sofitel Riyadh, Movenpick Waad Al Shamal-Turaif and Novotel Makkah Thakher City Residences. Among its Saudi Arabia portfolio, Accor is leading the way with positive hospitality experiences and environmentally sound development and operational practices. The new master-planned community in Riyadh will be developed with ethical, social, and environmental engagement that will contribute to a healthier environment while delivering value to its stakeholders, including the guests of the three new luxury hotels.

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    Korean Air to launch inflight Wi-Fi Service on international flights

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    CentaraThe1 Members Earn Double Turkish Airlines Miles More

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    Rotana partners with Memar Development & Investment

    Rotana announced its ambitious pipeline across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2023, signing four “Edge by Rotana” and one “Rayhaan by Rotana” property in partnership with Memar Development & Investment, a leading real estate development company specialized in the hospitality development guided by the motto “Developing to enhance life”.
    Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO of Rotana, and Eng. Abdulaziz Al Meqren, CEO of Memar Development & Investment, were both present at the official signing of the agreement at FHS’s Global Stage on Tuesday, 9 May 2023.
    Commenting on the partnership, Hutchinson said: “Saudi Arabia presents one of the fastest-growing markets in the region, increasingly establishing itself as a leading tourist destination. These new properties located in the heart of Riyadh include a mix of hotels and serviced apartments, offering our guests diverse options to suit their varying needs. We are excited to partner with Memar Development & Investment on this project as we work together to deliver on Rotana’s singular brand promise of delivering ‘Treasured Time’ for all our guests.”
    The five new Riyadh properties will add 618 keys to Rotana’s growing portfolio. This is in line with the group’s target of adding triple the number of rooms it currently runs in the Kingdom to 6,000 over the next four years. The new Edge by Rotana properties will be interconnected, operating in synergy to ensure efficient workflow and deliver the ultimate guest experience. The properties will offer guests a range of dining options as well as recreational facilities such as pools, gyms, treatment rooms and more.
    Eng. Abdulaziz Al Meqren, CEO of Memar Development & Investment added “We are pleased to sign today with a leading hospitality brand with regional roots such as Rotana. This new development will provide visitors with various experiences gathered in one place. With a variety of dining and recreation facilities being developed across all five properties, residents and visitors of Riyadh will soon have a new place to discover in the city,”ADVERTISEMENTMakram El Zyr, Corporate Vice President – Development for Rotana added: “launched at ATM 2022, Edge by Rotana has seen tremendous development and is on track to reach its target of operating 30 Edge by Rotana properties across the region by 2027. Rotana has, to date, successfully opened three Edge by Rotana-managed hotels in the UAE – Arabian Park and Park Apartments in November 2022, and Damac Hills 2 in February 2023.”

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    MOL AND WIZZ AIR COMMERCIALLY TEST SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL SUPPLY AT BUDAPEST AIRPORT

    Three Wizz Air flights took off from Budapest Airport with 37% blend of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™produced from renewable waste and residue raw materials supplied by MOL
    MOL, in cooperation with Neste, Budapest Airport, RÜK (Airport Fuel Supply Kft.) and Wizz Air, today starts commercially testing its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chain.
    The project supports broader efforts in the aviation industry to reduce CO2 emissions and aims to prepare the fuel supply system at Budapest Airport ahead of the EU SAF blending mandates, which will be introduced in 2025.
    On 10 May, Wizz Air took off from Budapest Airport for the first time using a blend of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ supplied by MOL. During the SAF test, Wizz Air’s three newest Airbus A321neo aircraft were fuelled with a total blend of 23.5 tonnes containing 37% pure SAF and 63% Jet A1 fuel. The aircraft carried passengers from Budapest to Paris and several other European destinations.
    With these flights MOL, as the fuel supplier to Budapest Airport, and Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and most sustainable airline globally*, have taken another step to reduce the environmental footprint of transportation fuels. The SAF is produced by Finnish company Neste from used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Using SAF reduces carbon emissions by up to 80% over the fuel’s life cycle compared to using fossil jet fuel.ADVERTISEMENTCsaba Zsótér, senior vice president of the MOL Group’s Downstream Fuels, said: “Our strategic goal is to kick-start Hungary’s circular economy and make our operations carbon neutral by 2050. We are constantly testing new technologies and developing our products to strengthen the region’s security of supply with low-carbon fuels and accelerate the green transition.  So far, we have mainly taken steps in road transport fuels. At the Danube Refinery, for example, we have been co-processing vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats with fossil components since 2021 to produce more sustainable diesel. We are now moving into a new area, working with our partners to gain experience in aviation fuels to make aviation more sustainable. I am confident that the first SAF shipment, which is now being launched as a commercial test, will be followed by many more.”
    In the Danube Refinery, bio-based materials – vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats – have been processed together with fossil components during fuel production, in order to produce more sustainable diesel since 2021. The recycling of waste is also supported. Since 2011, used cooking oil can be handed in at MOL filling stations.
    Wizz Air leads the industry by example and operates with the lowest carbon emissions per passenger/km against all competitor airlines. To achieve this, the airline has invested heavily in its fleet by adding new and replacing older aircraft with the Airbus A321neo aircraft. The Airbus A321neo aircraft incorporates the latest technology, offering significant environmental benefits and can currently fly with up to 50% SAF blend.
    Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air, said: “Today’s SAF test, which is ahead of the legislative mandates coming in 2025, demonstrates that industry collaboration is one of the most impactful ways to address the current climate challenge. While Wizz Air is already leading in sustainability with one of the world’s youngest aircraft fleets and highly efficient operations, the SAF initiative at Budapest Airport is a testament to our broader strategy, with alternative fuels playing a significant role. This marks further progress against our commitment to reduce our carbon intensity by 25% by 2030 and shows we remain laser focused on technology and innovation.”
    “It is a forward-looking, highly innovative, and long-awaited moment to see an aircraft being filled with sustainable aviation fuel here at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Hundreds of thousands of litres of kerosene are consumed every day at Budapest Airport, and we would very much like to see an increasing proportion of sustainable aviation fuel being used to service flights as soon as possible,” said CEO of Budapest Airport, Chris Dinsdale said. He added: “Budapest Airport is doing a lot to make the airport as sustainable as possible, and we have reduced our direct emissions from operations by 65% in ten years. It is a key priority to achieve net zero emissions by 2035 at the latest, 15 years earlier than our previous commitment. However, in order to make the whole industry more sustainable and to further reduce emissions from aviation, the use of SAF is vital.”
    *According to the CAPA – Centre for Aviation Awards for Excellence 2022

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