Jetsettersblog

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced agreements with Naseel Holding Company to manage three new Hyatt-branded hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The three new hotel agreements will bring the number of Hyatt-branded hotels in the country to six. Currently, there is one Hyatt-branded hotel in Saudi Arabia — Park Hyatt Jeddah-Marina, Club and Spa, which opened in 2009.

Park Hyatt Riyadh, currently slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2015, will be a stand-alone building located on King Fahd Road in the Olaya District in the city of Riyadh, situated near the Kingdom Center and the Al Faisaliya Tower. The 275-room hotel, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), will have 50 suites, as well as three restaurants, a lounge, 1,450 square meters of meeting and event space including a 1,000-square-meter ballroom, and a spa and fitness center.

Grand Hyatt Jeddah, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), with 400 rooms, including 48 suites, will be located in the center of the city of Jeddah, on the corner of Corniche Road and Al Amir Naif Street with views of the Red Sea. The hotel, which is expected to open in early 2016, will feature three restaurants, a lobby lounge, and a Grand Club Lounge. In addition, the hotel will have 5,700 square meters of meeting and event space, including grand and junior ballrooms. The hotel will also have a spa and fitness center.

Hyatt Regency Jeddah, with 240 rooms, including 30 suites, will be located on Tahliyah Street in the center of Jeddah, near Tahliyah Square and close to Malek Road and North Corniche Road. The hotel, which is expected to open in the second half of 2015, will feature three restaurants, a lobby lounge, and a Regency Club lounge. In addition, the hotel will have 1,700 square meters of meeting and event space, including a ballroom and boardroom, as well as a spa and fitness center. For more information, visit Hyatt Hotels.

Officially Appointed by UAE National Olympic Committee

DUBAI, UAE -29th November 2011: MMI Travel has been officially appointed by the UAE National Olympic Committee to sell tickets and packages in the UAE for the Olympic Games 2012.

Next year, millions of people will visit the city of London to watch this amazing sporting extravaganza as top athletes from around the globe compete in world-class sporting events in some of London’s iconic venues. MMI travel, one of the Middle East’s leading sports travel management companies will enable sporting enthusiasts from our region to be part of this unforgettable experience.

From those simply wanting to purchase a ticket, to customers who would like to have a complete tailor-made travel package, MMI Travel can help as they have been selected to be the region’s “Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR) in UAE for Olympics 2012″. Complete packages include flights, hotel accommodation and game tickets, with the added convenience of transfers too.

For sports fans are looking to have an extra special visit to the Olympic Games, MMI Travel has a second option. As “Authorised Marketing Agent of Prestige Ticketing in UAE for sale of Official Hospitality packages for Olympics 2012″ they offer travellers a top notch experience with hospitality access at the venue.

“This appointment recognises MMI Travel as the leading sports travel management agency in the Middle East. It emphasises the value that MMI Travel has provided to the Sports Industry and its considerable experience in arranging specialist sports travel packages”, said Abdulla Tawakul, Senior Vice President for MMI Travel.

“The UAE National Olympic Committee has entrusted MMI Travel with this responsibility based on our credible experience in sports tours management. As the Authorised Ticket Reseller we will be the selected retailer for all event tickets as well as the ‘Prestige Experience’, which promises exceptional food, service and hospitality within the official Games venues. The hospitality, combined with great accommodation, flights and transfers makes this a truly premium product and give customers a day they will never forget,” said Mayank Dhingra, MMI Travel’s General Manager.

“We selected MMI Travel for this appointment due to their excellent reputation and considerable knowledge in the region” said Saeed Abdulghaffar Hussain, Secretary General. “This is the first time in the history of the UAE National Olympic Committee that an official travel agent has been appointed to manage ticket sales and inclusive packages, for the general public. We felt that MMI Travel was the perfect company for us to partner with for the Olympics 2012″.

Ticket and package sales are on sale now and are subject to availability. For more information please contact MMI Travel’s expert planners on +971 4404 5859, e-mail sports@mmitravel.ae  or visit www.mmitravel.com

JET AIRWAYS STRENGHTENS ITS PRESENCE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Jet Airways has strengthened its connectivity with the United Arab Emirates with the introduction of two new flights.

The Indian airline now operates its first daily flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Sharjah. Flight 9W570 departs Thiruvananthapuram at 10:00 hours local time, arriving in Sharjah at 12:40 hours. The return flight, 9W569, leaves Sharjah at 13:40 hours, arriving at Thiruvananthapuram at 19:00 hours local time. The flight commenced operation on the 31st October 2011. This new service will complement current operations from Kochi to Sharjah.

Jet Airways will also be adding a daily flight from Mumbai to Riydah, making it the first carrier to offer twice daily flights to the destination. Flight 9W526 will leave Mumbai at 14:00 hours, arriving in Riyadh at 16:00 hours. The inbound flight will depart Riyadh at 17:00 hours arriving in Mumbai at 23:15 hours. The flight will come into effect from the 14th December.

Jet Airways now serves 10 destinations in the Middle Eastern region including flights to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammamam.

JET AIRWAYS INCREASES SERVICES TO BANGKOK
Jet Airways will introduce a third early morning service to Bangkok from Mumbai effective from the 14th December, making it the only airline with triple frequency on this sector. The Indian airline has added the extra flight to meet growing demand for the route, benefitting both business and leisure travellers. Flight 9W70 will depart Mumbai at 07:45 hours and arrive in Bangkok at 13:30 hours. The return flight (9W69) will leave Bangkok at 14:30 hours and arrive in Mumbai at 17:30 hours. Passengers embarking on the service from Mumbai to Bangkok will enjoy the facilities on board the state- of the- art Boeing 737-800.

JET AIRWAYS CONNECTS MADURAI WITH BANGALORE AND CHENNAI
Jet Airways has added new daily flights from Madurai to Chennai and Bangalore which came into effect as of the 31st October. These extra flights have been introduced to meet the growing demand for travel between these cities. Flight 9W2769 departs Madurai daily (except Tuesdays and Saturdays) at 12:25 hours, arriving into Bangalore at 13:40 hours. While the return flight (9W2770) leaves Bangalore at 14:10 hours, arriving back in Madurai at 15:25 hours.

In addition Jet Airways now offers a daily service between Chennai and Madurai. The outbound flight (9W2725) leaves Chennai at 10:35 hours arriving in Madurai at 11:55 hours. While the inbound flight leaves Madurai at 16:10 hours arriving in Chennai at 17:30 hours except on a Tuesday and Saturday when it departs at 12:25 hours arriving in Chennai at 13:45 hours.

JETLITE INTRODUCES ADDTIONAL FLIGHTS FROM AHMEDABAD TO FIVE NEW DESTINATIONS
Ahmedabad is now better connected thanks to Jetlite’s (Jet Airways’ all economy subsidiary) new services to Bengaluru and Delhi with onward flights to Coimbatore, Kolkata and Lucknow. Jetlite will introduce the new Boeing 737 services in its winter schedule in response the growing demand for the respective destinations. The flights came into effect this November.

Guests will now be able to fly from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru and back in a day with the new daily morning service to Bengaluru. Flight 9W7021 will depart Ahemdabad at 06:20 hours arriving in Bengaluru at 08:15 hours. The inbound flight (9W7022) will depart Bengaluru at 21:20 hours and arrive in Ahmedabad at 23:20 hours.

Direct services from Ahmedabad to Delhi have also been introduced. The 9W7105 flight will depart Ahmedabad at 07:15 hours arriving in Delhi at 08:40 hours. Jetlite has also added two return flights from Delhi to Ahmedabad departing at 12:10 (flight 9W7001) and 18:35 (flight 9W7111). The inbound flights will arrive at 13:35 (flight 9W7001) and 19:55 (9W7111) respectively.

Guests will now be able to continue their journey onto Coimbatore and Kolkata via Bengaluru and Lucknow via Delhi.

JET AIRWAYS WELCOMES ITS 100th AIRCRAFT
Jet Airways’ 100th aircraft commenced service this month, marking a major milestone for the Indian airline. The latest addition to the fleet is a new next generation Boeing 737-800 with Sky Interiors configured with 8 Premiere and 162 economy seats.

The Boeing’s Sky Interior is in keeping with the airline’s commitment to continually innovate and differentiate its product for an enhanced in-flight guest experience. The aircraft is replete with the very latest Boeing 787 inspired shape, colour, décor and texture. The Sky Interior features cove lighting, larger windows and curved cabin architecture, providing a feeling of openness and space.

Dynamic light-emitting diode (LED) lighting can portray different colour schemes like a soft blue sky and a relaxing pallet of sunset colours. Other new features include new overhead pivot bins affording greater guest storage capacity. In addition to this, the new Boeing 737 – 800 aircraft possess superior on board, sound quality and clarity through new speakers that have been improved in each passenger row.

British world record-breaking adventurer, Adrian Hayes, has embarked on the ‘Footsteps of Thesiger’ expedition which will see him recreate the 1940s journeys of legendary British explorer Wilfred Thesiger. The expedition team will be travelling on camels and foot across the Arabian Desert. Earlier this week the team left the historical city of Al Baleed in Salalah, Oman, to begin their trek to Abu Dhabi via Liwa and Al Ain.

The expedition team were waved off by the Oman Under Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Miss Metha Al Mahrouqi; senior dignitaries and hundreds of well-wishers. Travelling a total distance of more than 1,500km, the team will make their way towards the green hills of the Al Qara Mountains through to the Nejd landscapes of southern Dhofar, before reaching the sands of Rub’ Al Khali (Empty Quarter) and finishing their epic journey in Abu Dhabi.

The expedition team will rely on basic provisions, nature and Bedouin hospitality to survive the 45 day trek. They will aim to reach Abu Dhabi by mid December 2011.

Hayes, the former British Army Ghurkha Officer and UAE resident, who is currently listed in the Guinness World Records 2012 for his 2009 Greenland Quest expedition, commented, “the Footsteps of Thesiger expedition has been a thought of mine for more than 20 years, and after two years of planning I am thrilled to commence this exciting journey along with my Bedu companions. I’m looking forward to experiencing the desert environment, wadis, mountains and the people which we will encounter along the way.”

Between 1945 and 1950 ‘Mubarak Bin London’ (as Thesiger became known) crossed the desert of the Empty Quarter (Rub’ Al Khali) twice with his two Bedu companions. Today, and supported by the UAE Armed Forces, the Footsteps of Thesiger expedition will see Hayes, an experienced desert operator who served in Southern Oman during his military career, travel with two Bedouins. Experienced camel-handlers, Saeed Rashed Al Mesafry and Ghafan Mohammed Al Jabry, will accompany Hayes as they cross some of the toughest desert terrains, where sand dunes can reach more than 250 metres in height and the hyper-arid environment temperatures can reach more than 50 °C.

Abdulla Butti Alqubaisi, Director of the Communication Department Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage (ADACH,) is delighted the Footsteps of Thesiger expedition is underway. “The expedition is a key way to promote the rich heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi and we wish the team the very best as they commence their trek. With the co-operation and valued support from the Oman Ministry of Tourism Board we look forward to welcoming the team safely back to Abu Dhabi this December.”

An Abu Dhabi Media commissioned documentary will be filmed by the UK award-winning documentary producers, TwoFour Arabia. The documentary will focus on the modern day re-inaction of Thesiger’s (“Mubarak Bin London”) original journey, whilst taking a closer look at the cultural heritage of the desert region.

Eissa Al Mail, Head of Abu Dhabi Al Emarat, commented, “we are extremely proud to be involved in this project which records the UAE’s unique history and recognises the significant achievements of this explorer. Abu Dhabi Media’s exclusive “Footsteps of Thesiger” documentary will capture the journey step by step from Oman all the way to Abu Dhabi, complete with detailed historical references and explanation of the region’s culture and heritage.”

The Footsteps of Thesiger expedition would not be possible without the support of the Patron and Presenting Partner – ADACH Official Expedition Partners include the UAE Armed Forces, Motivate Publishing; Abu Dhabi Media; Twofour Arabia; Thuraya, Xtralink and Oman Abela. Oman Ministry of Tourism are supporting the expedition in Oman.

SEVENXP, the lifestyle marketing division of Professional Sports Group, will be coordinating the media platform of the expedition which will deliver international PR coverage worldwide.

The Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar has officially opened on the Arabian coast. The resort is the ninth hotel to be opened by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and offers 36 three-bedroom duplex villas — including two Royal Villas each with a spacious majlis — two restaurants, a spa and fitness center, free-form swimming pool, a kids club, and private beach.

“There is nothing like this resort in the entire Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia,” said Markus Marti, general manager of the new property. “Everything has been designed to the highest possible standards offering a seaside experience that is exceptional and comforting.”

Each duplex is equipped with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, service quarters as well as dining and living areas. Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar is 45 minutes from Dammam International Airport and 25 minutes from the shopping outlets and entertainment options of Al Khobar and the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain. For more information, visit www.moevenpick-alkhobar-beach.com

Savings of more than $2100 per person are now available on a nine-night New Year’s Eve cruise/land package around the fascinating Arabian Gulf region on the Costa Favolosa in December 2012, when you book by November 30 this year.

Celebrate the beginning of 2012 on this round-trip itinerary from Dubai which involves port visits to the Omani capital Muscat, the emirate of Fujayrah, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and the port of Khasab in Oman.

The new low price of from $3119 per person twin share (was $5289) also includes return economy airfares from Sydney and Melbourne, all taxes, on-board gratuities, two nights at Raffles in Dubai and a 4wd desert safari with dinner and a belly dancing show.

Children aged up to 18 cruise for free (except for port charges) sharing a cabin with two adults.

Costa Favolosa has a choice of five restaurants and 13 bars, swimming pools and Jacuzzis, casino, shopping centre, video arcade and a Formula One Grand Prix simulator.

More details from ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out their new website www.ecruising.travel.com

Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E – RAK Airways, a national carrier of the UAE, has marked the expansion of its route network to 10 destinations, with the introduction of flights to Khartoum, Sudan. Effective December 15th, 2011 RAK Airways will offer three flights a week to Sudan’s capital city.

RAK Airways re-launched operations a year ago with two routes to Jeddah, KSA and Calicut, India. Over the last twelve months the airline has focused on extending its route network across the GCC, Indian sub-continent and North Africa; RAK Airways entry into Sudan marks a milestone for the airline, which now operates to 10 destinations.

In the weeks following the airline’s first anniversary, RAK Airways announced the introduction of flights to Peshawar and Lahore in Pakistan, Kuwait and an increase in frequency to its Doha flights to seven times a week.

RAK Airways CEO Omar Jahameh said, “We had a clear mandate to fly to 10 destinations within one year of re-launching our operations. With the introduction of our flights to Khartoum, we have achieved our objective and laid the foundation for a successful and profitable future for the airline.”

“Khartoum presents compelling business opportunities and marks our commitment to furthering our presence in North Africa,” concluded Jahameh.

Return, all-inclusive fares start at AED 899 to Khartoum.

Included in the price of all fares is a full hot meal and beverages served free on-board all flights, along with a baggage allowance of 30kg per passenger in addition to the normal hand baggage allowance. There is also a free shuttle service between other emirates and RAK International Airport for each flight.

RAK Airways provides free parking for passengers who wish to drive to RAK International Airport which is just 30 minutes away from Sharjah and 45 minutes away from Dubai.

Bookings can be made online at www.rakairways.com; through phoning a 24-hour call centre on 971-7-2075000; through sales offices across all Emirates as well as across the airline’s network destinations; and through appointed travel agents.

Accor’s first Novotel hotel in Dammam has recently opened, adding 159 rooms to Dammam’s midscale hotel market and boosting potential to promote the city as a key hub for visitors whether travelling for business or leisure.

The opening of Novotel Dammam Business Park comes hot on the heels of Accor’s recent signing of two new hotels in Jeddah and two hotels under construction in Riyadh and Yanbu. It is part of the group’s fast-paced development platform for Saudi Arabia.

Located at the heart of the Dammam Business Park, an integrated business complex, close to the capital of the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, the hotel has direct access to the Al Khobar – Dammam highway and is only 25 minutes drive from King Fahd Airport and 20 minutes to downtown Al Khobar.

Christophe Landais, Managing Director, Accor Middle East commented “the Novotel Dammam hotel is the newest addition to Accor’s current network of 11 properties in the Kingdom and aims to serve both business and leisure travellers; offering a simple, well-designed, modern hotel as well as superior facilities and services”.

With initial room rates starting from SR 550, the hotel expects to cover all markets with appeal to business travelers for group business as well as families traveling to Dammam for shopping or short city breaks. The new hotel has unique offerings such as Meeting@Novotel – tailored to make every event a success and Family&Novotel – tailored offers to make every family stay warmly remembered.

H.E. Sami bin Abdul Mohsen Alhokair, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice Chairman of Al Hokair Group for Tourism and Development, owner of Novotel Dammam Business Park said: “The opening of our new property, Novotel Dammam Business Park, is an important milestone for us. It signals our initial partnership with Accor, one of the world’s most respected hotel operators. We trust in their extensive experience in managing world-class hotels and we believe that this new hotel will perform successfully. It represents an exciting opportunity for Al Hokair Group to introduce its distinctive portfolio of world-class hotels.”

The hotel has a total of 159 rooms of which 22 are suites, 29 are superior rooms, 108 are standard rooms including two special needs rooms across six floors. Many of the rooms are interconnected and suitable for families with young children. All rooms feature IDD telephones, satellite flat screen TV, high speed Internet and WiFi connections, as well as 24-hour laundry service and an all day snack service.

A variety of dining options includes “The Square”, an all-day dining restaurant which offers an international buffet service with Arabic, Mediterranean,and Oriental flavours. The 24-hour Lobby Coffee Lounge for a relaxing tea or coffee with friends in a vibrant yet cozy ambience or as a convenient chill-out venue to meet up with friends after-work hours, completes the selection.

The new Novotel is part of a planned network of 15 Novotel hotels in the region: 9 Novotel hotels with 2,030 rooms are currently in operation and 6 hotels with 1,590 rooms are under development in Syria and the UAE which are set to open by 2014.

Accor Middle East will have a total of 76 hotels throughout the Middle East, of which 55 are operational and 21 are under development.

Region’s leading low-cost carrier to provide flights four days a week to Gassim Saudi Arabia starting July 15, 2011

Sharjah, UAE: July 11, 2011:

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today the introduction of a new flight destination in Saudi Arabia, from the carrier’s primary hub in Sharjah, UAE. Beginning July 15, 2011, Air Arabia will offer 4-weekly flights to Gassim, making it easier and more convenient for passengers to visit friends and family in the Kingdom.

On Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays flights will depart Sharjah International Airport at 13:20 arriving at Gassim Airport (ELQ) at 14:20. Return flights will depart Gassim at 15:00 arriving Sharjah at 18:00 (local time).

“We are extremely pleased to introduce our new service between Sharjah and Gassim, which marks the fifth destination in Saudi Arabia reachable via Air Arabia,” said AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department at Air Arabia. “As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, we are pleased to offer one more way to help bring friends and families together for the holidays.”

In addition to providing non-stop service to five cities in Saudi Arabia, Air Arabia also offers a range of value-for-money holiday packages, including hotel accommodation and visa assistance.

Company Expects 50-50 Leisure and Business Travel in the Kingdom

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 10 July 2011 – Dollar Rent a Car, a franchisee of the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc (NYSE: DTG), and one of the Middle East’s fastest growing car rental companies, today announced their expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a franchisee agreement with Al Wefaq Rent A Car. The office in Al Rawabi, Riyadh, will serve as the Dollar headquarters for car rental services in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Jubail.

Dollar’s office in Saudi Arabia will be managed by Nasser AlQahtani who will act as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company. Dollar will target corporate customers in the Kingdom as well as cater to holiday makers and short-term business tourists. “Saudi Arabia is a hub for regional and international investment at the moment,” said Nasser Al AlQahtani, Chairman and CEO, Dollar Rent A Car. “Tourism is increasing at a steady pace. We have an influx of business tourists with the opening of new offices for international corporations and local businesses.”

The Leisure business will be driven by residents who frequently opt to rent cars for drives to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. “Saudi has also been a hub for religious retreats, and we are prepared to serve the tourist this Ramadan season,” continued Mr. AlQahtani.

Dollar Car Rental expects a 50-50 split between leisure and business travel in the Kingdom over the next few years. The World Travel and Tourism Council reports that Leisure travel spending (inbound and domestic) is expected to generate 54.7 per cent of direct Travel & Tourism GDP in 2011 compared with 45.3 per cent for business travel spending.

“The inaugural Dollar Car Rental office in Saudi Arabia is a major success for the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, as we have been eying penetration into the country,” said Sam Eltibi, Executive Director, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group MENA & Asia Pacific. “We leave the valuable business in the very capable hands of Mr. AlQahtani, who has been in the industry for 11 years. His enthusiasm and activeness in the Kingdom’s tourism industry is real asset to drive Dollar’s business in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.”

The fully operational office in Saudi Arabia is equipped with the market’s most sought after fleet, ranging from 4x4s for regional road travelers, to small and medium size cars for holiday visitors. The company will be using Al Wefaq’s workshops for car maintenance and service ensuring customers that their rental experience is up to the standards of Dollar Rent a Car.

Dollar Rent A Car opened its Middle East office in 2004 and operates in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey and now Saudi Arabia.

About Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (“the Company”) is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Driven by the mission “Value Every Time,” the Company’s brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, serve value-conscious travelers in over 80 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have over 600 corporate and franchised locations in the United States and Canada, operating in virtually all of the top U.S. and Canadian airport markets. The Company’s approximately 6,000 employees are located mainly in North America, but global service capabilities exist through an expanding international franchise network. For additional information, visit www.dtag.com