Latest news with #SatguruTravels
Khaleej Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Journey Mappers launches UAE Assist - an assistance app for travellers
Sheikh Ahmed Al Qassimi Group's Journey Mappers has announced the launch of UAE Assist, an innovative tech-driven travel assistance service designed to enhance safety, security, and convenience for UAE travellers. Partnered with Satguru Travels, UAE Assist aims to redefine real-time tourist support with seamless, on-ground assistance through its state-of-the-art mobile application. As the UAE continues solidifying its position as a premier global travel destination, UAE Assist serves as a game-changer in responsible tourism, ensuring that every traveller receives instant support in moments of distress and when in need. The service is designed to provide 24/7 emergency assistance, real-time GPS tracking, and direct call support for incidents related to medical emergencies, theft, baggage loss, police support, emergency transit, and many more. 'We are delighted with this association with UAE Assist as this platform provides all support to the visitors visiting UAE, who have been one of the major factors for the economic growth of this country. We stand committed to providing the best service support,' said Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi. Pioneering a new era in travel assistance UAE Assist is a cutting-edge travel assistance platform, integrating technology with on-ground support to create a seamless experience for visitors. The mobile application will be available on Android and Apple Play Stores, offering an intuitive touch-button interface that will instantly connect travellers to verified support services. This initiative is designed to provide: Round-the-clock emergency assistance: Immediate support for medical crises, lost belongings, legal issues, and other unforeseen incidents. Seamless crisis management: Collaborations with local authorities ensure rapid response and resolution. Real-time location tracking: Auto-activated GPS for precise assistance to travellers in need. Trust and security: Verified and professional assistance to enhance the UAE's reputation as a safe and welcoming travel destination. Reliable and authentic travel information: Authentic and verified information related to travel inquiries of travellers. 'At UAE Assist, we aim to set new benchmarks in travel assistance. Our partnership with Satguru Travels and the Royal office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every traveler can explore the UAE with confidence, knowing that help is just a touch away,' said Harish Khatri, founder and MD of India Assist and UAE Assist. The launch of UAE Assist aligns with the vision of bolstering tourism safety and establishing the nation as a leader in tech-led hospitality services. The initiative aims to enhance traveler security, expand reach and accessibility, drive technological innovation, and boost economic growth. As a global leader in travel solutions, Satguru Travels brings its extensive network and expertise to UAE Assist, ensuring a seamless and efficient implementation of the service. Anil Chandirani, Chairman and CEO of Satguru Travels commented: 'At Satguru Travels, we are committed to elevating the global travel experience through seamless and efficient implementation of the service. Our partnership with UAE Assist aligns perfectly with our mission to provide travellers with reliability, comfort, and peace of mind. Together, we are setting a new benchmark in responsible tourism by ensuring that every visitor to the UAE has access to real-time assistance whenever they need it. With its patented technology and extensive operational expertise, UAE Assist will help position the UAE as a global role model for travel safety and assistance services. This initiative is set to inspire similar models worldwide, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in the tourism and travel security sector. Dunston Pereira, CEO to the Royal Office of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi added that in a technology-enabled era that we are all living in today, this platform will deliver the best services using AI and real data. Travelers will be able to spend their valuable time in this country without worrying about anything as UAE Assist is there for all assistance.
Zawya
02-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MALT Congress 2025: Resounding success for incentive, business and luxury travel from the Middle East
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The 13th Annual Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress, organized by QnA International in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), concluded on February 19-20, 2025, marking another milestone in the Middle East's Business, Incentive and Luxury Travel industry. Held over two dynamic days, the event solidified its position as the region's premier platform for high-level carefully curated networking, strategic collaborations, and industry innovations. The MALT Congress 2025 attracted top-level travel and hospitality stakeholders, including global travel suppliers, top-tier travel agencies, corporate travel heads, and luxury concierge services. The event's meticulously curated one-on-one meetings fostered meaningful business connections and delivered tangible outcomes for participants, in addition to sharing the latest insights on the dynamic travel landscape from the region. Speaking on the emerging trends in the GCC travel market, Mr. Kanoo – Chairman of Advisory Board emphasized the rapid transformation taking place in the region: "The travel industry in the GCC is undergoing significant change, driven by dynamic growth in markets such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE. Travelers today are seeking more personalized engagement, luxury experiences, and immediate service delivery. From resorts and airlines to ground transportation, the entire ecosystem must adapt to meet these evolving expectations. The demand for luxury is clear, customers want to feel valued and attended to, and they expect convenience at every step. The challenge and opportunity for the industry lie in not only meeting these expectations but exceeding them, creating experiences that keep travelers coming back for more." Board member Anil Chandirani who is Group President of Satguru Travels and on the MALT, Board remarked on the growing interest in travel. The Founder of the 35-year-old travel conglomerate with operations across 80 countries said, 'Travel has changed and grown. People are exploring more and more. They are being adventurous with travel destinations, looking for upgrades ', Satguru Travels is a full-fledged agency that owns the travel portal Travel Wings and has recently acquired Orient Tours as well as Trav Trips, a pure holiday organizing company. Mr. Chandirani said the market has grown for both economy and luxury travel. Demand in all segments of the market has increased, even for business travel related to MICE. With over a decade of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Mr. Nasir Jamal Khan, CEO of Al Naboodah Travel & Tourism Agencies LLC and MALT Board members emphasized the value of networking at key events, saying, "I consider myself lucky that I never missed all these events; this is my 13th year." He highlighted the rapid recovery post-COVID in the region, noting, "We recovered the business volumes at the level of 2019 much earlier than expected." Mr. Nasir also observed the rise of online bookings in markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, stating, "Online business has grown tremendously: Saudi Arabia has 75% penetration, and UAE has almost the same trend." Despite this, he stressed the continued importance of travel agents for personalized support, especially for cancellations and refunds: "People are now coming back to the travel agent to buy services - they appreciate having a responsible person who can address their queries and concerns." He noted the increasing popularity of luxury travel and shorter holiday durations, with travelers seeking more control over their plans: "Luxury travel has picked up a lot after COVID. People are booking shorter holidays." Lastly, he commented on rising costs in the industry, adding, "Airline fares are going up, hotel rates are up, but the occupancy rate is 95%.". Travel is here to stay despite higher costs. Mohamed Islam Salama, Senior Regional Director Client Executive EMEA, CWT from Egypt and Board member, MALT highlighted the increasing role of technology in travel and tourism. ' In our company we have lots of training on how to generate savings by using AI and it's a very sensitive subject, managed as such. As an American company we are very aware about protecting passenger information and not exposing it to an open environment like AI. We are also focused on sustainability and developing sophisticated techniques to measure the carbon footprint of travelers to meetings and events. ' The discussions flourished under the guidance of some of the most influential and visionary leaders in the industry, whose expertise and forward-thinking perspectives continue to shape the future of travel. Advisory Board members shared invaluable insights on evolving travel trends, market recovery, technological advancements, and sustainability, offering a roadmap for innovation and growth in the ever-changing landscape. Chris Flynn Executive Chairman of World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage had a varied perspective on luxury travel. He said, ' We work with governments on how to build a better policy. Success of a destination should not be based on volume but on attracting the right type of tourist who will value the experience and respect your culture. When the right profile of traveler is attracted for the right reasons in optimum numbers, the impact on the industry and host country are excellent. ' The Congress concluded with the 8th Annual MALT Excellence Awards, celebrating industry visionaries and recognizing excellence across various categories: Best Corporate Travel Strategy of the Year: Caesars Travel Group MICE Innovator of the Year: Luxotic Events Best Incentive Program in an International Destination (Shared): Ali Bin Ali International Travel & Tourism W.L.L Mice Minds (an ITL World Company) MICE & Travel Team of the Year: Al Hashar Tourism and Travels LLC TMC of the Year - MICE: CWT Meetings & Events TMC of the Year – Luxury: Travel Counsellors UAE TMC of the Year: Cozmo Travel Industry Icon Award: Alaa Al Ali from Nirvana Rising Star of the Year Award: Kamal Kabsha from NAS, Kuwait Corporate Event of the Year: MCI Middle East LLC Women Leader of the Year: Aga Al Khatib Travel Procurement Leader of the Year: Eng. Saud Al Namshan Elite Luxury Travel Designer/Planner of the Year: Royal Class Travel & Tourism Outstanding Destination Wedding of the Year: TA Weddings and Events Hall of Fame Award (Lifetime Achievement Award): Mr. Mishal Kanoo Wrapping up the remarkable success of the 13th Annual Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress, Mr. Sidh N.C., Director of QnA International reiterated the location of the MALT 2025 Congress. ' Abu Dhabi is a perfect location for this Congress. We are overwhelmed with the response.' ' The whole concept of MICE and Meetings and Luxury Travel is evolving in the Middle East. Middle Eastern travellers used to have a standard pattern of traveling to certain specific location and not go anywhere else. But it's changing because luxury is no longer about glitz and glam. Or VIP service, it's about connecting with nature. It's about sustainability. It's about all they want is just to unwind. It's different things to different people. We are looking forward to setting the trend year after year.' he added.
Mid East Info
01-03-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
MALT Congress 2025 : Resounding Success for Incentive, Business and Luxury Travel from the Middle East
Abu Dhabi, UAE – March 2025 – The 13th Annual Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress, organized by QnA International in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), concluded on February 19-20, 2025, marking another milestone in the Middle East's Business, Incentive and Luxury Travel industry. Held over two dynamic days, the event solidified its position as the region's premier platform for high-level carefully curated networking, strategic collaborations, and industry innovations. The MALT Congress 2025 attracted top-level travel and hospitality stakeholders, including global travel suppliers, top-tier travel agencies, corporate travel heads, and luxury concierge services. The event's meticulously curated one-on-one meetings fostered meaningful business connections and delivered tangible outcomes for participants, in addition to sharing the latest insights on the dynamic travel landscape from the region. Speaking on the emerging trends in the GCC travel market, Mr. Kanoo – Chairman of Advisory Board emphasized the rapid transformation taking place in the region: 'The travel industry in the GCC is undergoing significant change, driven by dynamic growth in markets such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE. Travelers today are seeking more personalized engagement, luxury experiences, and immediate service delivery. From resorts and airlines to ground transportation, the entire ecosystem must adapt to meet these evolving expectations. The demand for luxury is clear, customers want to feel valued and attended to, and they expect convenience at every step. The challenge and opportunity for the industry lie in not only meeting these expectations but exceeding them, creating experiences that keep travelers coming back for more.' Board member Anil Chandirani who is Group President of Satguru Travels and on the MALT, Board remarked on the growing interest in travel. The Founder of the 35-year-old travel conglomerate with operations across 80 countries said, 'Travel has changed and grown. People are exploring more and more. They are being adventurous with travel destinations, looking for upgrades ', Satguru Travels is a full-fledged agency that owns the travel portal Travel Wings and has recently acquired Orient Tours as well as Trav Trips , a pure holiday organizing company. Mr. Chandirani said the market has grown for both economy and luxury travel. Demand in all segments of the market has increased, even for business travel related to MICE. With over a decade of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Mr. Nasir Jamal Khan, CEO of Al Naboodah Travel & Tourism Agencies LLC and MALT Board members emphasized the value of networking at key events, saying, 'I consider myself lucky that I never missed all these events; this is my 13th year.' He highlighted the rapid recovery post-COVID in the region, noting, 'We recovered the business volumes at the level of 2019 much earlier than expected.' Mr. Nasir also observed the rise of online bookings in markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, stating, 'Online business has grown tremendously: Saudi Arabia has 75% penetration, and UAE has almost the same trend.' Despite this, he stressed the continued importance of travel agents for personalized support, especially for cancellations and refunds: 'People are now coming back to the travel agent to buy services – they appreciate having a responsible person who can address their queries and concerns.' He noted the increasing popularity of luxury travel and shorter holiday durations, with travelers seeking more control over their plans: 'Luxury travel has picked up a lot after COVID. People are booking shorter holidays.' Lastly, he commented on rising costs in the industry, adding, 'Airline fares are going up, hotel rates are up, but the occupancy rate is 95%.'. Travel is here to stay despite higher costs. Mohamed Islam Salama, Senior Regional Director Client Executive EMEA, CWT from Egypt and Board member, MALT highlighted the increasing role of technology in travel and tourism. ' In our company we have lots of training on how to generate savings by using AI and it's a very sensitive subject, managed as such. As an American company we are very aware about protecting passenger information and not exposing it to an open environment like AI. We are also focused on sustainability and developing sophisticated techniques to measure the carbon footprint of travelers to meetings and events. ' The discussions flourished under the guidance of some of the most influential and visionary leaders in the industry, whose expertise and forward-thinking perspectives continue to shape the future of travel. Advisory Board members shared invaluable insights on evolving travel trends, market recovery, technological advancements, and sustainability, offering a roadmap for innovation and growth in the ever-changing landscape. Chris Flynn Executive Chairman of World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage had a varied perspective on luxury travel. He said, ' We work with governments on how to build a better policy. Success of a destination should not be based on volume but on attracting the right type of tourist who will value the experience and respect your culture. When the right profile of traveler is attracted for the right reasons in optimum numbers, the impact on the industry and host country are excellent. ' The Congress concluded with the 8th Annual MALT Excellence Awards, celebrating industry visionaries and recognizing excellence across various categories: Best Corporate Travel Strategy of the Year: Caesars Travel Group MICE Innovator of the Year: Luxotic Events Best Incentive Program in an International Destination (Shared): Ali Bin Ali International Travel & Tourism W.L.L Mice Minds (an ITL World Company) MICE & Travel Team of the Year: Al Hashar Tourism and Travels LLC TMC of the Year – MICE: CWT Meetings & Events TMC of the Year – Luxury: Travel Counsellors UAE TMC of the Year: Cozmo Travel Industry Icon Award: Alaa Al Ali from Nirvana Rising Star of the Year Award: Kamal Kabsha from NAS, Kuwait Corporate Event of the Year: MCI Middle East LLC Women Leader of the Year: Aga Al Khatib Travel Procurement Leader of the Year: Eng. Saud Al Namshan Elite Luxury Travel Designer/Planner of the Year: Royal Class Travel & Tourism Outstanding Destination Wedding of the Year: TA Weddings and Events Hall of Fame Award (Lifetime Achievement Award): Mr. Mishal Kanoo Wrapping up the remarkable success of the 13th Annual Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress, Mr. Sidh N.C., Director of QnA International reiterated the location of the MALT 2025 Congress. ' Abu Dhabi is a perfect location for this Congress. We are overwhelmed with the response .' ' The whole concept of MICE and Meetings and Luxury Travel is evolving in the Middle East. Middle Eastern travellers used to have a standard pattern of traveling to certain specific location and not go anywhere else. But it's changing because luxury is no longer about glitz and glam. Or VIP service, it's about connecting with nature. It's about sustainability. It's about all they want is just to unwind . It's different things to different people. We are looking forward to setting the trend year after year .' he added.
Mid East Info
28-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
MALT Congress 2025: A Resounding Success for Luxury Travel in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi, UAE – February 2025 – The 13th edition of the Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) in partnership with QnA International, concluded on February 19-20, 2025, marking another milestone in the Middle East's luxury travel and MICE industry. Held over two dynamic days, the event solidified its position as the region's premier platform for high-level networking, strategic collaborations, and industry innovation. The MALT Congress 2025 attracted top-level travel and hospitality stakeholders, including global travel suppliers, top-tier travel agencies, corporate travel heads, and luxury concierge services. The event's meticulously curated one-on-one meetings fostered meaningful business connections and delivered tangible outcomes for participants. Board member Anil Chandirani who is Group president of Satguru Travels remarked on the growing interest in travel. The Founder of the 35 year old travel conglomerate with operations across 80 countries says, ' Travel has changed and grown. People are exploring more and more. They are being adventurous with travel destinations, looking for upgrades' , Satguru Travels is a full fledged agency that owns the travel portal Travel Wings and has recently acquired Orient Tours as well as Trav Trips, a pure holiday organising company. Chandirani said the market has grown for both economy and luxury travel. Demand in all segments of the market has increased, even for business travel related to MICE in spite of the of the growing incidence of online meetings. High demand has led to travellers booking in advance. 'We have covered 30% of our revenue target for 2025 in January itself' he added. With over a decade of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Mr. Nasir, CEO of Al Naboodah Travel & TourismAgencies LLC and MALT Board member emphasized the value of networking at key events, saying, 'I consider myself lucky that I never missed all these events… this is my 13th year.' He highlighted the rapid recovery post-COVID in the region, noting, 'We recovered the business volumes at the level of 2019 much earlier than expected.' Mr. Nasir also observed the rise of online bookings in markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, stating, 'Online business has grown tremendously… Saudi Arabia has 75% penetration… and UAE has almost the same trend.' Despite this, he stressed the continued importance of travel agents for personalized support, especially for cancellations and refunds: 'People are now coming back to the travel agent to buy services… there's a responsible person now.' He noted the increasing popularity of luxury travel and shorter holiday durations, with travelers seeking more control over their plans: 'Luxury travel has picked up a lot after COVID… people are booking shorter holidays.' Lastly, he commented on rising costs in the industry, adding, 'Airline fares are going up, hotel rates are up, but the occupancy rate is 95%.'. Travel is here to stay in spite of higher costs. 'The whole concept of MICE and Meetings and Luxury Travel is evolving in the Middle East. Middle Eastern travellers used to have a standard pattern of traveling to certain specific location and not go anywhere else. But it's changing because luxury is no longer about glitz and glam. Or VIP service, it's about connecting with nature. It's about sustainability. It's about all they want is just to unwind. It's different things to different people. We are looking forward to setting the trend year after year.' He added. The Congress concluded with an award distribution recognizing excellence in various categories. * Mr, Mishal Kanoo won the Lifetime Achievement award. He highlighted the important role the travel industry plays in adding meaning to people's lives. List of awardees attached. Chris Flynn Executive Chairman of World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage had a varied perspective on luxury travel. He said, 'We work with governments on how to build a better policy. He suggests that the success of a destination should not be based on volume but on attracting the right type of tourist who will value the experience and respect your culture. When the right profile of traveller is attracted for the right reasons in optimum numbers, the impact on the industry and host country are excellent.' Mohamed Islam Salama, Senior Regional Director Client Executive EMEA, CWT highlighted the increasing role of technology in travel and tourism. 'In our company we have lots of training on how to generate savings by using AI and it's a very sensitive subject, managed as such. As an American company we are very aware about protecting passenger information and not exposing it to an open environment like AI. We are also focused on sustainability and developing sophisticated techniques to measure the carbon footprint of travelers to meetings and events.' Sidh N.C., Director of QnA International reiterated the location of the MALT 2025 Congress. 'Abu Dhabi is a perfect location for this Congress. We are overwhelmed with the response.'
Zawya
28-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MALT Congress 2025: A resounding success for luxury travel in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The 13th edition of the Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) in partnership with QnA International, concluded on February 19-20, 2025, marking another milestone in the Middle East's luxury travel and MICE industry. Held over two dynamic days, the event solidified its position as the region's premier platform for high-level networking, strategic collaborations, and industry innovation. The MALT Congress 2025 attracted top-level travel and hospitality stakeholders, including global travel suppliers, top-tier travel agencies, corporate travel heads, and luxury concierge services. The event's meticulously curated one-on-one meetings fostered meaningful business connections and delivered tangible outcomes for participants. Board member Anil Chandirani who is Group president of Satguru Travels remarked on the growing interest in travel. The Founder of the 35 year old travel conglomerate with operations across 80 countries says, ' Travel has changed and grown. People are exploring more and more. They are being adventurous with travel destinations, looking for upgrades' , Satguru Travels is a full fledged agency that owns the travel portal Travel Wings and has recently acquired Orient Tours as well as Trav Trips, a pure holiday organising company. Chandirani said the market has grown for both economy and luxury travel. Demand in all segments of the market has increased, even for business travel related to MICE in spite of the of the growing incidence of online meetings. High demand has led to travellers booking in advance. 'We have covered 30% of our revenue target for 2025 in January itself' he added. With over a decade of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Mr. Nasir, CEO of Al Naboodah Travel & TourismAgencies LLC and MALT Board member emphasized the value of networking at key events, saying, "I consider myself lucky that I never missed all these events... this is my 13th year." He highlighted the rapid recovery post-COVID in the region, noting, "We recovered the business volumes at the level of 2019 much earlier than expected." Mr. Nasir also observed the rise of online bookings in markets like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, stating, "Online business has grown tremendously... Saudi Arabia has 75% penetration... and UAE has almost the same trend." Despite this, he stressed the continued importance of travel agents for personalized support, especially for cancellations and refunds: "People are now coming back to the travel agent to buy services... there's a responsible person now." He noted the increasing popularity of luxury travel and shorter holiday durations, with travelers seeking more control over their plans: "Luxury travel has picked up a lot after COVID... people are booking shorter holidays." Lastly, he commented on rising costs in the industry, adding, "Airline fares are going up, hotel rates are up, but the occupancy rate is 95%.". Travel is here to stay in spite of higher costs. 'The whole concept of MICE and Meetings and Luxury Travel is evolving in the Middle East. Middle Eastern travellers used to have a standard pattern of traveling to certain specific location and not go anywhere else. But it's changing because luxury is no longer about glitz and glam. Or VIP service, it's about connecting with nature. It's about sustainability. It's about all they want is just to unwind. It's different things to different people. We are looking forward to setting the trend year after year.' He added. The Congress concluded with an award distribution recognizing excellence in various categories. * Mr, Mishal Kanoo won the Lifetime Achievement award. He highlighted the important role the travel industry plays in adding meaning to people's lives. List of awardees attached. Chris Flynn Executive Chairman of World Tourism Association for Culture & Heritage had a varied perspective on luxury travel. He said, 'We work with governments on how to build a better policy. He suggests that the success of a destination should not be based on volume but on attracting the right type of tourist who will value the experience and respect your culture. When the right profile of traveller is attracted for the right reasons in optimum numbers, the impact on the industry and host country are excellent.' Mohamed Islam Salama, Senior Regional Director Client Executive EMEA, CWT highlighted the increasing role of technology in travel and tourism. 'In our company we have lots of training on how to generate savings by using AI and it's a very sensitive subject, managed as such. As an American company we are very aware about protecting passenger information and not exposing it to an open environment like AI. We are also focused on sustainability and developing sophisticated techniques to measure the carbon footprint of travelers to meetings and events.' Sidh N.C., Director of QnA International reiterated the location of the MALT 2025 Congress. 'Abu Dhabi is a perfect location for this Congress. We are overwhelmed with the response.' About QnA International QnA International LLC is a global leader in B2B event organization, driving innovation in knowledge-sharing and business events for over a decade. Its diverse portfolio includes conferences, summits, and training programs across sectors such as trade finance, travel and tourism, technology, supply chain, destination weddings, and human resources. Based in Dubai, UAE, QnA International delivers world-class events in key global markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Mexico, India, Greece, Thailand, Georgia, and Indonesia, aligning with the evolving demands of the global economy.
