Travel in Qatar

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When it comes to the world's best airlines for business class, the same names and products have long dominated the conversation, especially when it comes lie-flat products on Middle Eastern routes. But these days, with new technology for a post-pandemic travel era coming to fruition and the elevated-class competition strong, travelers would do well to pay attention to newer business products that are emerging to compete with those major players—particularly on smaller routes, where the service is more focused and the airport less-crowded, no less.

JetBlue and Etihad Airways have expanded their partnership to allow travelers to earn reciprocal points benefits when flying either airline.

The head of Saudi Arabian tourism wants Taylor Swift to bring her tour to the Middle East. Of course he does; Swift’s Eras tour has a proven track record of boosting economies wherever it goes.

Visit Qatar will be participating in the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) conference this year in Dubai, UAE from May 6 to 9 to showcase upcoming destinations Qatar offers to the travel and tourism industry. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to explore new areas in the tourism market, highlight the benefits of cooperation, and attract additional investment in the tourism sector.

World Travel Awards – the leading authority that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has revealed its Middle East 2024 winners. The announcement coincides with the start of Arabian Travel Market, the region’s leading industry event.

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) announced today (Monday 6th May) that GCC travellers spent 1,297,256 room nights in Germany during 2023, a 15% increase over the 1,128,341 overnight stays recorded in 2022.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) led 64 Thai tourism entrepreneurs and associations to showcase Thailand’s tourism attractions, products and services at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 currently taking place in Dubai. Running until Thursday at Dubai World Trade Centre, the ATM 2024 is claimed by the organiser to be world’s third largest tourism promotion event this year.

Qatar Airways has long been known for having a top-notch inflight experience, especially if you’re sitting up front in the airline’s Qsuites business class. The Doha-based carrier is consistently ranked as one of the best international airlines in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Add in a newly renovated Hamad International Airport—recently awarded the title of best airport in the world—and you have the makings for a solid travel day.

A Taylor Swift tour is on Saudi Arabia’s radar. That’s not saying much of course – Swift is on every destination’s radar. But Saudi says such a concert could be in the country’s future if the wider Arabia does more to promote itself as a unified destination.

JetBlue is bolstering its partnership with a major Gulf airline. Starting Wednesday, the New York-based carrier will expand its partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways to include loyalty benefits.

New Saudi Arabian carrier Riyadh Air plans to sell package holidays alongside its flight tickets. The government-funded airline is part of Saudi’s attempt to become a global aviation hub, boosting its tourism sector in the process.

India’s TBO Tek will start lining up buyers for its IPO this week and shares should start trading on May 15. In all, it hopes to raise INR 15.5 billion ($180 million).

Air India’s new flagship has made its debut on the international stage. On Wednesday night, Flight AI995 departed Delhi for Dubai, operated by an Airbus A350-900 for the first time. 

The Colombian carrier Avianca is partnering with Cardless to release two new credit cards, which will be available in late May. These cards will utilize American Express as their payment processor.

Celestyal Cruises is expanding into the Middle East with new itineraries and new ports in the Arabian Gulf. 

The Italian music icon Andrea Bocelli is set to perform in Qatar for the first-time in a concert organised by Visit Qatar. This year, Andrea Bocelli is coming to Qatar as part of his 30th year anniversary in the music industry tour. Andrea Bocelli has transformed the name of classical and pop music over the last 30 years. The tickets to his concert in Doha are now live and will be held on May 13 at Lusail Multipurpose Arena. The concert goers can expect an evening full of incredible classical and pop music, featuring Bocelli’s greatest hits. The tickets to Andrea Bocelli’s concert are on sale at https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/qa/music/23990/andrea-bocelli

Zulal Wellness Resort, the first wellbeing retreat of its kind in the Middle East, combines a newly enhanced wellness experience with an extraordinary location between desert and the sea.

Singapore Airlines has been ordered to compensate a couple who said their business-class seats malfunctioned, according to local media reports.

Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar was just named the best airport in the world in the 2024 Skytrax awards, knocking 12-time winner Singapore Changi Airport down to second place.

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport has, for the second consecutive year, been voted the world’s best airport for shopping at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024 which took place last week. The accolade is an affirmation of a determination at the Qatar Airways hub to create a world-class retail destination ever since its inception in April 2014.

In its 25th year of judging airports based on passenger surveys, the aviation ranking website Stytrax revealed on Thursday the world's best airports for 2024.