Travel News Page 314
Emirates launches Emirates World store in Riyadh
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has inaugurated its latest Emirates World retail store in Riyadh, introducing an immersive experience-led travel retail concept to the Kingdom. Located in the heart of Riyadh, the new, 288m2 store is ready to welcome customers in a stylish, lounge-inspired space to plan their next journey, receive expert travel advice, and experience Emirates’ signature products through interactive and immersive displays.
Thai-me to Fly: Finnair to offer a record number of flights to Thailand
Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier, will offer customers a record number of 25 weekly flights next winter between its home hub, Helsinki, and Thailand. The Nordic airline will resume direct flights to Krabi in southern Thailand and increase frequencies to Bangkok. The flag carrier will also continue to operate its ever popular route to Phuket, showing its commitment to the Asian market.
Stay22 bolsters leadership with top tech and finance hires ahead of next growth phase
Montréal-based affiliate commerce platform Stay22 has strengthened its executive team with two key hires, Fabien Loupy as CTO & Louis-Charles Genest as CFO. The appointments mark a new chapter for Stay22 as it approaches its tenth anniversary and surpasses $1 billion in annual transactions Fabien Loupy and Louis-Charles Genest are joining the travel tech company based in Montreal (Canada) as Chief Technology Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. After successfully leading technology at Stay22, Hamad Al-Khabbaz will be from now on Chief Innovation Officer of the firm that he co-founded in 2016, a newly created role to support the further development of the company.
11 Things to Know About Soundstorm 2025
Every December, Saudi’s capital turns into the global stage for music as Soundstorm takes over Riyadh. Since its launch in 2019, the festival has become one of the largest music events in the world and a defining symbol of Saudi’s cultural and entertainment renaissance. Soundstorm is more than a festival, it’s a landmark moment on Saudi’s annual calendar, bringing together hundreds of thousands of fans, global superstars, and world-class production. Year after year, it reaffirms Saudi’s position as a leading destination for culture, music, and unforgettable experiences.
Corendon Airlines to continue its growth course in 2026
The leisure airline Corendon Airlines has set the course for further growth in its twentieth year of operation. Passengers, and travel agency and tour operator partners, can therefore look forward to larger capacities in 2026. This will be particularly evident in the summer season April to October 2026, when capacity from UK will increase by 9% compared to 2025, with more balanced timetables and higher weekly frequencies on core leisure routes providing travellers and trade partners with greater choice and schedule reliability.
New Blue Lagoon booking system reduces visitor concentration by 68%
The highest recorded concentration of visitors at the Blue Lagoon at any one time in July and August was registered on the afternoon of Friday, 22nd August, at an estimated 3,830, down by 68% when compared to the peaks of summer 2024. The average number of visitors at the Blue Lagoon at each of the three daily time slots of the new booking system introduced this summer is 1,979. Only 34 out of 189 available time slots (morning/afternoon/evening) in July and August registered more than 3,000 visitors.
Holafly’s Global eSIM & Travel Report Reveals the Rise of the ‘Deliberate Traveller’
Holafly, one of the world’s fastest-growing travel internet abroad brands, today announced key insights from its upcoming Global eSIM & Travel Report, revealing a powerful shift in how people move, connect, and experience the world. According to the global report*, a new kind of traveller, the “Deliberate Traveller,” is reshaping global mobility. Digitally fluent, emotionally aware, and purposeful, these travellers move not to escape but to engage. Travel is evolving from recovery to redefinition as individuals seek meaningful, connected experiences enabled by seamless digital infrastructure.
Civitel Hotels & Resorts Participate in WTM 2025 in London
Civitel Hotels & Resorts, one of Greece’s most well-established hospitality groups, is pleased to announce its participation in the prestigious World Travel Market (WTM) exhibition, which will take place at ExCeL London from 4 to 6 November 2025. This premier global event brings together travel and tourism industry professionals from around the world, providing an exceptional opportunity for Civitel to present its distinctive properties and exceptional services to an international audience.
Somabay Unveils Exciting News and Openings at World Travel Market
Somabay is delighted to unveil a series of dynamic new additions and partnerships, further cementing its position as one of Egypt’s leading lifestyle and tourism destinations. The destination has recently celebrated the opening of The Kaktus Hotel & Co-Working Hub – a vibrant new concept that seamlessly blends leisure, sports, and relaxation, offering guests a unique and contemporary experience.
Food technology startup Tazizi launches in the UAE
Tazizi, a Dubai-born and based food technology startup, has officially launched its innovative workplace dining solution, transforming how employees access healthy, affordable meals at work. Built around the idea that nutritious food should be convenient and accessible, Tazizi provides offices with smart, automated fridges stocked daily with chef-crafted, wholesome meals. Each meal is prepared fresh every morning in Tazizi’s kitchen and restocked across office locations throughout Dubai, ensuring employees always have ready-to-enjoy options on hand, 24/7. Think protein overnight oats, nourishing bowls and salads, fresh wraps and sandwiches, and more, all of which are macro-tracked and calorie counted, and ready to be enjoyed without a delivery fee or wait time.
AlUla Development Company Awards Contract for Diyar AlMahash Project
AlUla Development Company (UDC), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, today announced the awarding of the contract for Diyar AlMahash project to Rezaik Abdullah Al Gedrawy Company, which will oversee the final design and construction. This marks a crucial step in UDC’s commitment to developing world-class residential infrastructure that supports the growth of AlUla’s hospitality sector. Diyar AlMahash is a vital project for the region’s development, designed to provide high-quality, sustainable living spaces for more than 1,000 hotel employees. Comprising of 568 residential units, including rooms, studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, the complex will develop a vibrant and supportive community.
Lakes, Mountains, Golf, and Royal Cuisine: Lombardy Showcases its Excellence
Luxury, nature, sports, and Michelin-starred cuisine: Lombardy will be showcasing its unmistakable style at the World Travel Market, the most prestigious international event dedicated to tourism, scheduled from November 4 to 6 in London. It is the “Lombardy Style”, a way of living – and traveling – that combines the excellence of the territory with the experience of authentic luxury, which is also a scenic beauty capable of enchanting.