In Brief

Ras Al Khaimah occupancies jump

HOTELS in Ras Al Khaimah reported a 23.7 per cent increase in occupancy to 62.2 per cent for January, showing that 2016 is off to a strong start for the emirate’s tourism sector. Compared to January 2015, hotels in the emirate reported a 10.3 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR). Ras Al Khaimah’s top source markets were Germany, Russia, the UK, India and Finland. Visitors from Germany increased by 167 per cent compared to January 2015 while the emirate welcomed 30 per cent and 153 per cent more visitors from Russia and Finland respectively.

BA opens new lounge in Dubai airport

BRITISH Airways (BA) has unveiled its prestigious new lounge at the newly-built Concourse D in Dubai International Airport, UAE. The airline’s new concept lounge features a special Concorde Bar for those flying in first class.  The lounge has been designed to maximise space using architectural elements such as illuminated glass screens giving customers separate spaces to work, relax or dine, creating a calm and relaxing environment, BA said.

Jordan airport passenger numbers up 6.5pc

JORDAN’S Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) reported a 6.5 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger numbers for the month of January, welcoming 567,823 passengers – its highest-ever passenger number for the month. In the same period last year, the airport witnessed 567,823 passengers pass through its facility.

RAKTDA promotion in China

RAS AL KHAIMAH Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) recently held meetings in key Chinese cities to raise awareness of the UAE’s northernmost emirate as a tourism destination. Haitham Mattar, CEO of RAKTDA, met with over 20 of the top travel agents and tour operators in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to promote Ras Al Khaimah as one of the world’s premier tourism destinations, offering a wide range of experiences from authentic Arabian experiences and adventures, to connecting with nature, culture and heritage. 

Hungary visa centres open

RESIDENTS of Saudi Arabia can now apply for visas to Hungary at the visa application centres launched by the Hungarian embassy in three cities. Applicants can visit the VFS Global centres located in Al-Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh to submit visa applications and enrol for biometrics.
A centre in Bahrain was also launched for applicants in that country.

Najd Rent-a-Car to buy luxury cars

NAJD Rent-a-Car, one of the UAE’s leading automotive rental providers and a member of the Al Basel Group of Companies, will invest Dh5 million ($1.36 million) for the acquisition of eight new luxury cars to be added to its fleet. The company now operates 100 vehicles.

Emirates to fly Yangon, Hanoi

EMIRATES is expanding its global destination network with plans to launch a daily service from Dubai to Yangon in Myanmar and Hanoi in Vietnam this August.

Starting August 3, this new route will strengthen Emirates’ network of destinations in Southeast Asia, offer a new flight option to passengers travelling between Hanoi and Yangon, and open up new connections for Myanmese and Vietnamese travellers to access Emirates’ global network. The airline will utilise a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration on the route.

Etihad Holidays’ sunshine guarantee

ETIHAD Holidays has launched a new campaign promising “guaranteed sunshine or your next holiday for free” to attract more UK-based visitors to Abu Dhabi.

The initiative aims to bring more business and leisure travellers to the UAE capital over the summer months.

The campaign will apply to every booking that consists of a flight and hotel package between May and September. Visitors who experience more than 5 mm of rainfall during their stay in Abu Dhabi will receive another holiday free of charge.