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Tourism Breaking News
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IHG Hotels & Resorts signs Crowne Plaza Madinah Al Haramain, expanding Premium Portfolio in Saudi Arabia's Holy City
Post Views: 27 IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of Crowne Plaza Madinah Al Haramain, a 383-key hotel in partnership with Arbah Tayba Real Estate Company. Slated to open in 2026, the hotel will be managed by IHG and will further strengthen the company's premium portfolio in one of Saudi Arabia's most significant religious and cultural destinations. Located opposite the new Haramain high-speed railway station in Madinah, the hotel will offer direct access to the station via an underground tunnel, providing guests with effortless connectivity to major cities including Jeddah and Makkah. Crowne Plaza Madinah Al Haramain is part of a larger mixed-use development and in proximity to other upcoming key projects such as Knowledge Economic City and Rua Al Madinah, making it an ideal choice for travellers seeking convenience, comfort, and modern amenities just outside the bustling city centre. Upon completion, the hotel will feature 383 well-appointed rooms and suites, along with two signature food and beverage outlets. Its design and services will reflect Crowne Plaza's premium identity, prioritising seamless integration between work and leisure for today's modern traveller. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts, India, Middle East and Africa, commented: 'As the Kingdom continues to enhance its tourism and hospitality offering in line with Vision 2030, we remain committed to bringing world-class experiences and trusted brands to Saudi guests and global travellers. This partnership with Arbah Tayba Real Estate Company to introduce Crowne Plaza Madinah Al Haramain is the latest milestone in our growing Saudi portfolio and further underlines our commitment to the Kingdom.' He added: 'Our Crowne Plaza brand crafts experiences that suit every journey, inspiring connection, collaboration, and well-being of our guests. It perfectly suits the broad spectrum of travellers visiting the Holy City, from religious pilgrims to the growing number of business visitors. We look forward to working with our partners to further advance the hospitality sector in Madinah.' Mr. Abdulaziz Al Qafary, CEO of Arbah Tayba Real Estate Company said, 'We are proud to collaborate with IHG Hotels & Resorts on a project that reflects our shared commitment to shaping the future of Madinah's hospitality and infrastructure landscape. Strategically located with direct access to key transport links, Crowne Plaza Madinah Al Haramain is set to meet the evolving needs of today's travellers – offering convenience, seamless connectivity, and a trusted international hospitality experience. This partnership underscores our focus on delivering high-quality developments that enhance access, elevate the guest journey, and support the city's long-term growth.' Madinah is undergoing rapid development, driven by government-led initiatives and giga projects to meet Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals. As a key spiritual and tourism hub, the city is poised for significant growth, with enhanced infrastructure, transportation, and hospitality services key pillars in its evolution. Crowne Plaza has long been a pioneer in blending business and leisure travel. The brand's thoughtfully designed guest rooms, flexible meeting and event spaces, and integrated social areas enable guests to connect, work, or unwind effortlessly. With a bold new brand identity, Crowne Plaza continues to lead the premium hotel segment across urban centres and gateway cities around the world. IHG currently operates 45 hotels across six brands in Saudi Arabia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and voco, with 47 hotels in the development pipeline set to open within the next three to five years.
Tourism Breaking News
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Emirates boosts services to Dublin with a third daily flight
Post Views: 41 Emirates is set to operate a third daily service to Dublin this winter starting from 26 October 2025. The world's largest international airline will offer customers more travel choices to Dubai and beyond, as well as increased cargo capacity to/from Dublin. Emirates flight EK165 will depart Dubai at 02:10hrs and arrive in Dublin at 06:25hrs, local time. The return flight, EK166, will depart Dublin at 08:25hrs and arrive in Dubai at 20:00hrs local time. The additional flight will provide Irish travellers with an early morning departure option, complementing the existing afternoon and evening departures offered by the airline's double daily service to the country. The third daily flight will operate utilising a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft set in a three-class configuration, offering customers 8 private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 304 spacious seats in Economy Class. The added service will also provide travellers with enhanced connectivity to popular destinations across Emirates' network including Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. Last month, the airline officially introduced its newly retrofitted Boeing 777 on the Dubai to Dublin route, offering Irish passengers an upgraded experience with its four-class configuration, featuring its award-winning Premium Economy cabin and latest Business Class experience. The airline has also announced it will deploy its second refurbished Boeing 777 to Dublin starting from 16 October. Customers travelling with Emirates can look forward to the warm hospitality of the airline's multinational crew, regionally inspired meals, and award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice – offering up to 6,500 channels of the best movies, TV shows, podcasts and more. Premium passengers will also experience an essence of Ireland onboard with VOYA bathroom amenities, Keogh's Crisps and Killowen yogurt. For more information or to book tickets, visit Tickets can also be booked on Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.
Tourism Breaking News
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Etihad Airways takes off to Al Alamein, opening a new gateway to Egypt's Mediterranean Coast
Post Views: 18 Etihad Airways marked the launch of its inaugural flight to Al Alamein (DBB), adding the Egyptian coastal city to its list of seasonal summer destinations. This new direct service brings travellers closer to one of the Mediterranean's most alluring seaside destinations, with twice-weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to Al Alamein. The conveniently timed flights operate on Thursdays and Sundays enabling a quick weekend getaway or longer break away. Nestled along the Mediterranean and within reach of Alexandria, Al Alamein is a hidden gem, poised to become a major leisure destination for travellers from the UAE, the wider Gulf region, and beyond. Its unique blend of seaside luxury, scenic shoreline, and upscale retreats make it an ideal location for leisure travellers seeking relaxing beach holidays and rejuvenating getaways. 'The launch of Al Alamein reflects our strategic focus on expanding Etihad's network to serve high-demand seasonal routes,' said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways. 'As leisure travel continues to grow, destinations like Al Alamein offer tremendous appeal for our guests seeking premium summer experiences. This new connection supports our broader commitment to offering more choice and flexibility across our rapidly growing network.' The new service will be operated by Etihad's Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring eight Business seats and 150 Economy seats, combining comfort, convenience, and the airline's renowned hospitality.
Tourism Breaking News
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Gulf Air to add up to 18 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to its widebody fleet
Post Views: 29 Boeing and Gulf Air have announced an agreement for the purchase of 12 787 Dreamliner jets with options for six more as the Bahrain-based airline looks to further develop its international network. Once finalized, this order will bring the carrier's firm order book to 14 of the versatile widebody jets and will support 30,000 jobs across the U.S. Bahrain Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope and Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi to witness the signing. 'This agreement marks a transformative step in Gulf Air's strategic growth journey as we expand our global footprint and modernize our fleet with one of the industry's most advanced and efficient aircraft,' said Khalid Taqi, chairman of Gulf Air Group. 'The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for our long-haul operations, and this new order reflects our confidence in its performance, passenger appeal and contribution to our sustainability goals. We are proud to deepen our partnership with Boeing and reaffirm our commitment to positioning Bahrain as a key global aviation hub.' The 787 Dreamliner, recognized for its fuel efficiency, range and passenger experience, already serves as the backbone of Gulf Air's long-haul operations connecting over 50 destinations. With 10 787 airplanes in service, the airline is well-positioned to grow its network, serving new and existing markets across Asia, Europe and the U.S. 'We are excited to build on our more than 60-year partnership with Gulf Air as we deliver the market-leading 787 Dreamliner to help the airline serve more passengers and connect more destinations,' said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. 'This investment in the 787 Dreamliner demonstrates Gulf Air's commitment to new technology and sustainable development, reinforcing Bahrain's position in the aviation sector.' The 787 Dreamliner family has transformed global air travel by opening over 425 new nonstop routes and carrying more than 1 billion passengers worldwide since its commercial introduction in 2011. As Gulf Air's flagship airplane, the 787 features the largest windows of any widebody jet, air that is less dry and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude for greater comfort, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride. From its first DC-3 in 1961, Gulf Air has taken delivery of 37 Boeing airplanes, including the 787 jets currently in its fleet.
Tourism Breaking News
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Visit Qatar, discover Qatar and Qatar Airways lead joint roadshow in Nigeria to boost leisure tourism to Doha
Post Views: 37 The initiative brought together 120 key business partners and travel professionals at a major event in Lagos, attended by more than 100 guests, followed by an exclusive Business Networking luncheon in Abuja, which hosted 20 senior tourism stakeholders. These events aim to highlight Qatar's unique tourism potential, enhance opportunities for business-to-business collaboration, and establish Qatar as a preferred leisure tourism destination in the region. Through these activities, Visit Qatar and its partners seek to identify collaborations with partner tour operators and travel companies, promote Qatar's key tourist attractions, hospitality infrastructure, and stopover packages, and connect travel agents from Nigeria with destination management companies, hotels and suppliers in Qatar, paving the way for fruitful future collaboration. By highlighting Qatar's global experiences and accessibility across Qatar Airways' extensive network, the roadshow underscores Qatar's commitment to enhancing the tourism potential of the Nigerian market and strengthening trade ties with the West African region.
