dnata Travel’s in-store bookings go up 21pc
dnata Travel has reported a 21 per cent increase in the average booking value for in-store services in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Walk-in services at its 13 retail outlets across the UAE remain the most popular way for residents to book travel, driven by a rise in demand for more complex itineraries.
This summer, multi-location trips across Europe were particularly popular, combining train and self-drive travel.
France, Italy and Switzerland were frequently included in these itineraries, which featured multiple stops across one or several countries. Tailor-made itineraries in Asia also gained traction throughout the year, with bookings typically including multiple stops within a single country. Hotspots across Thailand and Sri Lanka are especially sought after, with a notable spike in demand for Vietnam compared to previous years.
Italia Hospitality launches Tasting Opera
Italia Hospitality launched Tasting Opera at the FHS World Dubai 2024, serving delicious food with opera by the Italian masters of yore.
This innovative initiative is not just a celebration of opera; it’s a unique benefit corporation dedicated to nurturing the careers of young opera singers and musicians. Tasting Opera creates a harmonious blend of lyrical music and exquisite food and beverage pairings that promise to enchant the senses.
Tasting Opera allows audiences to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with their senses. Each event is meticulously crafted to harmonize music and food, talent and opportunity, ultimately inspiring a new generation of opera lovers.
Visa platform Atlys secures $20 million funding
Atlys, the leading visa processing platform, has raised $20 million in its Series B funding round, co-led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Elevation Capital. The round saw strong participation from all existing investors, alongside new investors such as DST Global and Headline.
This new funding marks a pivotal milestone in Atlys’ rapid ascent, with the company experiencing 20x growth over the past year.
The platform has expanded its footprint in key global markets, including the US, UAE, and the UK, while strengthening its leadership team with top tier hires in product, engineering, and marketing.
Arabian Travel Market to highlight connectivity
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 will underscore the pivotal role of connectivity in shaping the future of tourism with the theme: “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity” when it returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, 2025.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the travel and tourism sectors are expected to reach a record $11 trillion in global economic contribution in 2024.
In light of the unprecedented growth within the global travel and tourism sector, ATM 2025 is set to play a pivotal role in shaping its future.
Bringing together professionals and industry leaders from the leisure, MICE, luxury and corporate travel sectors, ATM provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and business opportunities, allowing participants to explore the latest trends, innovations, and developments worldwide.
Wego reveals top winter destinations for GCC
According to Wego’s search data so far, Cairo is the most popular city for GCC travellers this winter season. Jeddah, Istanbul, Cochin, Bangkok, Lahore, London, Dubai, and Kuwait round out the top ten most-searched cities. Wego also reported that airfares for the top 10 destinations are all pricier this year by an average of 10.81 per cent compared to the same period last year.