Marriott International will open the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa on the stunning island of Vagaru, in Shaviyani Atoll in Q4 of this year. This luxury oasis will feature 61 beach and overwater villas, a branded Spa and Kid’s Club by JW. Privacy is of utmost importance, with each guest room featuring private decking and private pools, offering guests utter seclusion throughout their stay.

HMH – Hospitality Management Holding has signed the management agreement for an environmentally responsible hotel in the UAE under its hotel brand, ECOS Hotels. ECOS Hotels is a trendy and futuristic new brand that brings together sound ecological practices signifying efficiency, creativity and simplicity, combined with a unique design and technology. The 320-key ECOS Hotel will be located in Al Furjan, Dubai and is due to open before 2020.

Tencent, a leading provider of internet value added services in China, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing to jointly enhance Dubai’s reputation as a sought-after destination and spearhead smart tourism along the route of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Etihad Airways has introduced the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its daily service from Abu Dhabi, to Casablanca. The airline maintains a morning arrival into Casablanca, and also operates a revised mid-morning return flight that provides an earlier, more convenient evening arrival time in Abu Dhabi. Etihad operates a codeshare partnership with Royal Air Maroc (RAM), providing its customers with onward connections to Agadir, Marrakech and Tangier.

The largest annual event of its kind, Dubai Airport Show, in its 18th edition hosted over 350 exhibitors from 60 countries, representing Europe, US and Asia, along with over 7,500 visitors. This year’s event saw its largest number of buyers ever, with 190 buyers attending from 34 countries, representing 75 airports, ground handling, police, immigration, customs, air traffic control and aviation authorities. Major deals signed during the show include Dammam Airports Company (DACO) signing strategic agreements with Vanderlande and Serco Middle East. Honeywell launched a new smart software suite Honeywell Navitas that helps enhance the safety and efficiency of airside operations.

The Cristal Group has announced the signing of Al Mahra Resort by Cristal, a four-star resort, ideally located in Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah’s first man-made coral shaped archipelago. The resort will feature 548 modern rooms, suites and villas, fully equipped with the latest in technology and comfort. Guestrooms will include coffee and tea making facilities, IP TV, complimentary wi-fi access, premium linens and mattresses.

The minister of foreign affairs and the European integration of the republic of Moldova, Tudo Ulianovschi, together with Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, officially inaugurated the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Abu Dhabi. This move marks the new phase between the two countries as it eyes to build tourism, investment, trade and economic partnerships in the region. New UAE-Moldova flights will also be established through this development.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has come up with the world’s first undersea residence, The Muraka, which will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018. It is designed to blend into its environment, giving guests unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean. Muraka is a two-level structure comprising of space above the sea level and an undersea suite designed for sleeping under the ocean’s surface.