Marriott International has announced it will open the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa on the stunning island of Vagaru, in Shaviyani Atoll in Q4 of this year, as a part of its luxury portfolio. Set to provide guests with an exceptional experience, this luxury oasis will feature 61 beach and overwater villas, ranging from 234 sqm to 638 sqm, each with its own private pool. Created with the Middle Eastern traveller in mind, the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa will offer some of the largest entry category villas, complete with lush vegetation and plenty of privacy. In addition, there will be a branded Spa by JW, and Kid’s Club by JW, exceptional culinary experiences and offerings and an array of exciting activities.

Campbell Gray Hotels has announced a property in Amman, Jordan. Campbell Gray Amman, located in Amman’s new downtown, Abdali is set to open its doors in 2020 and promises to be a breath of fresh air for the modern traveller. A development by Al Seraje Real Estate, a subsidiary of the Audeh Group, Campbell Gray Living Amman is leading the way in luxury mixed-use developments. Billed as a boutique hotel, Campbell Gray Amman will feature 192 guestrooms and suites.

Set to open in summer 2018, Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla marks the second Hyatt hotel in Jordan, joining Grand Hyatt Amman. The hotel is centrally situated within the Ayla development, an exquisite waterfront complex, set to accommodate a plethora of dining and entertainment facilities such as a prestigious golf course, numerous retail outlets and the exclusive Ayla marina.

At the Annual Turkish Airlines Travel Agencies Awards Ceremony, Turkey’s national carrier announced a strong start of 2018, reaching the highest load factor with 79.8 per cent in their history. The total number of passengers carried went up by 37 per cent reaching 5.7 million passengers during January 2018. During the ceremony, Nirvana Travel & Tourism, the leading tour operator of the UAE was honoured with the ‘Best Travel Agent’ in the UAE.

MGallery announced the signing of two landmark agreements with Khamas Group of Investments, a multi-industry investor and operator, for the opening of two upper upscale lifestyle properties in Dubai, MGallery Dubai Business Bay and MGallery Bur Dubai. The 144-room MGallery Dubai Business Bay is set to open in 2021, while the 164-room MGallery Bur Dubai will open to guests in August of this year, following the rebrand of an existing hotel. from left to right: Bader Bukhamas, chairman of Khamas Group; Sami Nasser, chief operating officer, Luxury Brands, AccorHotels Middle East; Pawan Kachroo, managing director of Khamas Group; and Mohammed Yousuf Abdulkarim Bukhamas, Khamas Group.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has successfully concluded a two-day promotional mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of its on-going efforts to develop new markets and increase the number of visitors and spend from the region to Sri Lanka. Headed by Anjantha Ratnayake, assistant director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, a delegation of 20 partners from Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality industries visited Dammam and Riyadh, and held the roadshow at Holiday Inn Corniche and Holiday Inn Qasr last April 8 and 9, 2018.

Multi-million selling, international recording artist Craig David regaled and wowed Marriott International’s loyalty programme members, partners and invitees from the media with an unforgettable performance last month. The exclusive event that was held between W Dubai Al Habtoor City and La Perle by Dragone, was a celebration of Marriott International’s announcement of a unified loyalty programme, with one set of benefits across Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG).

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, unveiled W Amman, the brand’s first property in Jordan. Developed by Eagle Hills Jordan, the 280-room hotel is located in the heart of Amman’s up and coming new downtown neighbourhood, Abdali, and features design inspired by the energy of the Middle East and charm of Jordanian history, culture and tradition with a playfully modern twist.