KOCHI:

Emirates has a surprise for traveller flying to Kerala, India to celebrate Onam, the celebration of the Kerala harvest season. It has laid out a myriad of delicious treats onboard and an array of entertaining Malayalam movies. From August 20  to 31, 2023, authentic Onam dishes will be served across all cabin classes, on flights to and from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai.

Onboard the 14 times weekly Emirates flight to Kochi, and the 7 times weekly Emirates flight to Thiruvananthapuram, curated menus with the distinctive flavours of Onam will be offered, giving travellers a taste of home. Passengers will enjoy traditional appetisers of sharkara upperi – banana roasted in sweet jaggery, kaya varuthathu – crisp banana chips and kondattam mulaku – fried sundried chillies steeped in yoghurt. Passengers will also have a selection of tasty dips essential for Onam, including kaalan made of coconut, fresh yoghurt and yam, cucumber pachadi – a garnished salad, and puli inji – a sweet and tangy ginger-based chutney. First and Business Class passengers will also be served Kerala-style pappadam and piquant mango pickle.

A delectable choice of main courses will follow including alleppey kozhi curry – spiced chicken in coconut sauce, served with avial, chemba rice and cabbage carrot thoran, or vegetarian sadhya – sambar and kootu, paired with matta rice and carrot pea thoran, spiced chicken sukha – pan-fried chicken with coconut and spices, steamed rice, carrot pea thoran and vegetable kootu, or mutton sukha with chemba rice, erissery and bean thoran. First Class customers can also choose the tasty option of mutton pepper fry.

Desserts will include Onam favourites like palada pradhaman- creamy rice pudding served with roasted pistachios, raisins, and cashew nuts, or parippu payasam – the popular sweet lentil pudding topped with roasted coconut flakes. Staying true to the festive season, all meals will be served on banana leaf dish liners to offer an authentic feel to the sadhya for Keralites.

To make the journey even more memorable, those celebrating Onam can enjoy more than 6,500 channels of entertainment on Emirates award-winning ice, more than 45 Academy Award winning films, over 2,000 movies, 650 TV shows, and 4,000 hours of music, podcasts, and audiobooks across 40 languages. 18 Malayalam movies including award-winning titles like Ela Veezha Poonchira, Hridayam and blockbusters Bro Daddy and 12th Man are currently available on ice.

Emirates celebrates a wide range of global cultures inflight and is passionate about delighting customers with regionally inspired cuisine and special seasonal menus. From Onam to Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year, Christmas, and Oktoberfest to Easter – many festivals are celebrated, creating thoughtful experiences for all global travellers.

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

Undeterred by the pandemic-induced impediments, Kerala Tourism has completed around 18 Muziris Heritage Projects within the deadline set for them, according to Minister for Tourism and Public Works PA Mohamed Riyas. These projects, stretching across Thrissur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts, will be inaugurated in July and August, the Minister said after a review meeting of Muziris Heritage Projects here.

The works have been completed very fast due to the consistent intervention of the government and the support of people’s representatives of the respective districts. These Muziris Projects are expected to attract more tourists to the state, Mr. Riyas said.

The Minister also said that more infrastructure projects will be taken up in Kovalam by using the fund from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). He added that necessary measures will be taken to ensure wellbeing of life guards and improve infrastructure at Poovar and Varkala after holding discussions with the officials concerned.

The Muziris Heritage Project is one of the biggest conservation projects in India, which aims to conserve more than 3000 years of rich culture and heritage. Muziris was an active port on the west coast of southern India in the 1st century BC.  The project includes museums, religious sites, beaches and historical sites. The projects that will be inaugurated in separate functions in July and August include Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kodungallur, Pattanam Information Centre, Kodungallur Temple Museum and Oottupura, Thiruvanchikulam Canal Office, Keezhthali Siva Temple, Mathilakathu PA Syed Mohammed Cultural Centre, Pathinettarayalam Kovilakam, boat jettys at Azheekkode and Munakkal, Kottayil Kovilakam at North Paravur, Holy Cross Church, Paliam Oottupura and Kokkarani, and Pattanam Tourist Interpretation Centre.

The region that forms a part of the heritage project lies between North Paravur in Ernakulam district and Kodungallur in Thrissur district.

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Oman Air has been designated ‘Best Airline Staff in the Middle East’ at the Skytrax 2023 World Airline Awards. Aboudy Nasser, Chief Commercial Officer, received the award on behalf of the company during the Paris Air Show, with members of the airline’s team in France also in attendance. Oman Air also scored highly in a string of global rankings, including 8th for World’s Best First Class Airline Seats, 12th for World’s Best First Class Airlines, 14th for World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew, 18th for World’s Best Inflight Entertainment, and 27th in the World’s Top 100 Airlines list, climbing 10 places from last year. The World Airline Awards, which are in their 24th year, are voted for by travellers from all over the world based on their experiences both on board and at the airport, according to a press release.

Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “Our people are the heart and soul of our airline. We are driven by a passion that embodies exceptional professionalism and going above and beyond to create extraordinary and unforgettable moments for every guest. Receiving this prestigious award for the sixth time amongst our other global rankings is a source of immense pride and a testament to our unwavering commitment to set new benchmarks for guest experience, year after year.”

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, added, “It is a superb achievement for Oman Air to win this award for having the Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East for the sixth time. The unique hospitality provided the multi-national cabin crew and ground services team is clearly very popular with customers of Oman Air.”

Launched in 1999 by Skytrax, the World Airline Awards are widely regarded as ‘the Oscars of the aviation industry’, remaining totally independent and impartial. Over 100 customer nationalities participated in the 2022-2023 survey, with travellers across the globe taking part each year in the world’s largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the winners.

Distinguishing itself for its personalised service, authentic Omani hospitality, and meticulous attention to all elements of the guest journey, Oman Air continues to position itself among the world’s major carriers. Having won the ‘Best Airline Staff in the Middle East’ Award in 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2021, the airline also recently earned the 2023 Five-Star Major Airline rating by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), as well as World’s Leading Airline: Business Class, World’s Leading Airline: Customer Experience, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge at the World Travel Awards 2022.

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Aligned closely with Oman’s Vision 2040 Strategy, which aims to develop a diversified and sustainable economy through opportunities that strengthen the country’s global competitiveness, Oman Air Holidays is redoubling efforts to broaden its integrated offering of flights, hotels, excursions and travel experiences which caters to growing local and international demand.

Also unveiled were Oman Air Holidays’ refocused vision and mission statements, which champion ambitions to become one of the top tourism operators in the Middle East by leveraging Oman Air’s flight frequencies into the Sultanate from international source markets, and position Oman as a uniquely different holiday experience to travel trade globally.

“The timing is right for Oman Air Holidays to foster closer ties with local and international travel trade,” said Mundher Al Shaikhani​, Senior Manager Oman Air Holidays. “As vaccine roll-out ramps up, we’re seeing renewed interest for package holidays and custom stays from locals inquiring about quick getaway options, as well as international guests in the early stages of planning their next overseas holiday. Our refreshed brand, vision and mission statement, and booking platform encapsulate our strategy to develop and offer exclusive ‘Fly & Stay’ packages here in Oman and everywhere Oman Air flies, with promotions and offers tailored to each traveller.”

Oman Air Holidays proudly displays the Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). In June this year, it partnered with WebBeds to enhance its digital booking experience to provide greater choice, flexibility and convenience for guests in search of innovative custom holiday packages in Oman and international markets. Oman Air received the Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating and the Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Lounge Safety Rating at Muscat International Airport.

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The airline will resume services to seven cities in July including: Venice on 1 July; Phuket, Nice, Orlando and Mexico City on 2 July; Lyon on 9 July and Malta on 14 July. Emirates will also launch flights to Florida’s second largest city and one of the world’s most popular holiday spots, Miami, starting 22 July.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Emirates is committed to keeping Dubai, businesses and communities around the world connected and we are working hard to rebuild our network and secure access to more destinations in partnership with various authorities and stakeholders. We are encouraged by the latest developments as many countries have begun to turn the page and reopen for international visitors, and we are seeing strong signs of pent-up demand wherever restrictions have eased. Emirates is nimbly matching up flight services and identifying opportunities to grow our footprint, and provide customers more opportunities to safely get where they want to go this summer, offering best-in-class service, greater convenience and more choice.”

More flights to top destinations

Across its network, the airline will boost capacity and expand its schedules by layering on frequencies for the summer, connecting more customers with popular destinations and adding more choice and convenience as they plan their long-awaited holidays.

Emirates will be adding frequencies to 12 cities across Europe, Africa and North America as more destinations re-open for international visitors, and offer quarantine free travel. Emirates destinations with enhanced schedules for July and August include: German cities Munich, Dusseldorf and Hamburg; Zurich; Vienna; Prague; Madrid; Stockholm; Brussels; Lisbon; Chicago and Tunis. In Europe, the airline currently flies to more than 30 cities in 20 countries including popular holiday destinations Greece, Spain, Italy, France and Malta, which offer quarantine free arrivals.

In the United States, with rapid vaccine rollouts and the reopening of air travel at a rate outpacing the world, Emirates will continue to build its presence. With the addition of Miami to its network in July, Emirates will operate over 70 weekly flights to the US, offering over 26,000 seats across 12 gateways including Boston, Chicago, New York (JFK and Newark), Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC and Orlando. The airline is also ramping up its trans-Atlantic operations Milan-New York and Athens-Newark to meet large passenger volumes and high demand across its premium cabins.

An expanded A380 summer network

Emirates will also boost its A380 network this summer, bringing its flagship experience to 15 cities on 129 weekly services. During the summer, the airline plans to activate over 30 of its A380s to augment its 151 strong fleet of Boeing 777s. The Emirates A380 experience continues to be sought after by customers, with many going out of their way to book their travel on an Emirates A380 for its signature products, spaciousness, quietness and unmatched levels of comfort.

Emirates will be deploying the A380 to the following cities during the summer period: Cairo, Jeddah, Amman, Guangzhou, London Heathrow, Manchester, Frankfurt, Vienna, Paris, Munich, Moscow, New York JFK, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Toronto. Stepping up of deployment of the A380 demonstrates the importance of the aircraft to Emirates’ recovery and growth strategy. The A380 ensures the efficient use of capacity on high demand routes, and enables Emirates to deliver its sought-after A380 experience to more customers, helping the airline to maintain its leadership position in key cities across its network.

Emirates customers can rest assured this summer while travelling that their health and safety continued to be a top priority with the latest health and safety measures in place. When flying out of Dubai, customers can take advantage of contactless technology at nearly every step of their journey for an added layer of safety. The airline will also be boosting its digital verification capabilities, providing its customers even more opportunities to utilise the IATA Travel Pass this summer, and customers flying out of Dubai can also enjoy a paperless experience when verifying their Covid-19 related medical records as part of the airline’s tie-up with the Dubai Health Authority.

Emirates leads the industry with customer centric solutions that make travel planning stress free with even more generous and flexible booking policies, an extension of its multi-risk insurance cover, and helping loyal customers retain their miles and tier status.

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Authorities will convene a special meeting on this matter and take the plan forward once the current wave of Covid-19 subsides, he told newspersons after visiting Fort Kochi’s South Beach that suffered sea erosion recently.

Vaccination for Kerala Tourism employees, including guides, will soon be completed.

As for the restoring the South Beach here, a renovation project will be drafted after holding discussions with pertinent departments, Shri Riyas said.

The developments on recent tourism projects such as a toilet complex and floating Koothambalam were also discussed by the Minister.

Earlier in the day, the Minister chaired a meeting that took an overview of road construction in the hilly regions of Ernakulam district, and said the place had several centres which can boost tourism.

Authorities are taking measures to rejuvenate the district’s tourist destinations even as the sector has been badly hit by the pandemic, Shri Riyas said after the meeting at the Guest House in Pattimattom, 35 km northeast of Fort Kochi. Problems faced by the Kadabrayar Boating Centre and Eco Village at nearby Kizhakkambalam will be solved at the earliest, he added.

Ernakulam district has immense tourism potential as it also houses the Kochi international airport in Nedumbassery. The district has several destinations which foreign tourists can visit once the pandemic is over, the Minister said.

Authorities are currently busy improving the connectivity between these tourist destinations to woo domestic travellers, he said.

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The Wednesday flight from Muscat will depart at 21:15 and arrive in Beirut at 00:50. The flight from Beirut will depart at 01:50 on Thursday and arrive in Muscat at 07:15. The Sunday flight from Muscat will depart at 02:30 and arrive in Beirut at 06:05. The flight from Beirut will depart at 07:05 and arrive in Muscat at 12:30.

Oman Air will maintain its comprehensive safety program throughout all elements of the travel journey to ensure that guests fly confidently. Masks are required when guests are on board the aircraft and in Oman’s airports. Distancing is maintained while guests board and exit the aircraft, which are carefully cleaned after each flight and at the end of every day. Cabin crew all wear a full set of personal protective equipment, meal service has been modified to further ensure safety, and a number of other measures have been implemented to ensure that the airline’s guests and crew are safe at all times.

Guests who are planning to travel to Muscat should visit the Civil Aviation Authority website, caa.gov.om, to ensure they are prepared to comply with requirements to enter the Sultanate.

Guests travelling to Beirut, Lebanon should ensure they are aware of official requirements to enter or transit through the country.

Guests departing from Oman should also ensure that they are aware of all pre-departure requirements and requirements during their flights, which are provided at http://omanair.com

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Dubai’s carrier Emirates airline has announced that UAE residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now travel to 19 countries quarantine-free.

The latest destination addition for Emirates is Spain. From June 7, tourists can enter Spain if they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the date of travel.

With this, UAE residents can choose from over 30 cities they can visit without going on quarantine.

“From July, Emirates will operate over 280 weekly flights from Dubai to cities in Europe, the US, Middle East, Africa, and other popular island getaways, for travellers who want to start their long-awaited adventures and experiences this summer without the hassle, cost or stress of quarantine,” Emirates airline said.

Travellers will have to furnish vaccination certificates upon arrival, and must have received vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), or one of the vaccines included in the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing. These include the Pfizer BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines.

Vaccinated parents can take along with them unvaccinated children under the age of six. A negative PCR test result is a must for children over the age of six.

International passengers must also complete online the Health Control Form (FCS) prior to arrival.

The destinations listed by Emirates for vaccinated residents are: Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Spain, and France (all in Europe: from June 9); Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt (MENA region); Maldives, Seychelles, and Phuket in Thailand (Asia); Kenya and Tanzania (Africa); United States and Mexico.

Emirates will be operating 280 weekly flights from Dubai to the destinations in Europe, the US, the Middle East and Africa. Some destinations on the list are only open without quarantine for vaccinated travellers, but others are open to all UAE citizens and residents.

Travellers returning to Dubai do not need to quarantine; however any travellers continuing to Abu Dhabi must follow the rules relating to Green List or vaccine corridor countries. The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has announced that all who apply for a new residency visa or renew an existing one in Abu Dhabi need to carry a negative PCR test report before getting their medical test done.

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The Minister told the meeting that it was important to make all possible interventions in the sector to address the concerns of the entrepreneurs, employees and other stakeholders.

As part of this, a meeting will be held with the State Level Bankers Committee to explore what the top lenders can do to support the sector as the crisis in the tourism sector could eventually harm the whole economy of the state.

The Minister emphasized that it was vitally important to straightaway work out strategies and implement them fast to reactivate tourism. As part of this process, discussions should be held with the domain experts from within the state and outside, Mr. Riyas said.

He said a meeting of the top officials of the agencies and departments concerned would be convened shortly to discuss implementation of the Central tourism schemes.

The meeting was attended by Rani George IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism, and V R Krishna Teja IAS, Director, Department of Tourism.

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Emirates’ one-of-a-kind flight EK2021 proudly made a journey across the different emirates today, to celebrate the UAE’s remarkable progress in vaccinating its citizens and residents from COVID-19 through a national vaccination programme that has administered close to 9 million vaccines doses to date.
The special flight, which carried fully vaccinated crew and passengers onboard, was unprecedented in the industry in scale. With close to 400 fully vaccinated customers onboard, the flight illustrates confidence and undiminished excitement for air travel.
EK2021 was also supported by fully vaccinated teams across the aviation eco-system, from onboard crew to ground staff, demonstrating the readiness of the UAE’s aviation eco-system to support the safe rebound of air travel.
In spite of the pandemic, the UAE has maintained its status as a leading global aviation hub and it will continue to grow its position as a hub for passengers and cargo traffic by investing in innovations and close collaborations with all stakeholders.
Onboard EK2021 was a group of senior officials from key aviation and health sector entities hosted by Emirates.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “The UAE’s rapid pace and progress in vaccinating our population is a testament of our leadership’s vision and commitment to safeguard our communities, and manage the pandemic by adopting the appropriate measures to protect both nationals and residents. Today’s flight is a showcase of the combined efforts and dedication of all stakeholders in supporting the vaccination programme, and the implementation of protocols in the past 12 months to ensure a safe travel journey, stimulate passenger traffic and set the groundwork for the ramp up of air travel in the near future. Emirates continues to support the national vaccination programme and we are pleased with the progress made within the group in vaccinating our employees.”

Adel Al Redha, Emirates Chief Operating Officer,a said: “We would like to thank the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Dubai Health Authority, The UAE General Civil Aviation authority (GCAA), Dubai Airports, GRFDA, Dubai Police, Airbus and Pure Health as well as other stakeholders for their close cooperation and support of our special flight.”
The UAE currently has one of the world’s highest rate of vaccinations for its citizens and residents at 90.22 doses per 100 people. The outstanding effort by the health authorities in the UAE has contributed to reaching the administration of close to 9 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
In parallel, the Emirates Group vaccination programme rolled out to its UAE-based workforce less than three months ago, and since then has delivered COVID-19 shots to over 35,000 Emirates employees across its vaccination centres.
Today’s flight was operated with Emirates’ newest A380 aircraft which featured the airline’s brand-new Premium Economy seats, and refreshed cabin interiors across every cabin class. First and Business Class customers were able to safely network and mingle in the iconic A380 Onboard Lounge. In addition, all customers enjoyed a full-course meal.
Combining the most advanced aviation technology and an inspired cabin design, The A380 remains a customer favourite for its unmatched comfort and spaciousness. This month, Airbus has launched a travel companion app called “Tripset”. The application aggregates and provides flight and travel information to ease and restore passenger’s trust in their end-to-end journey when traveling by air during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing passengers with the latest and most relevant travel conditions, restriction and health requirements in place, without having to consult a variety of sources. Tripset is part of Airbus’ continuing commitment, alongside airlines, industry partners and regulatory agencies, to encourage the flying public to keep trust in air travel, supporting the safe and well-coordinated return to flight, which is essential for economic recovery from COVID-19.
On the ground, passengers checked in using the latest biometric technologies for a seamless journey across multiple touchpoints. Biometric touchpoints were recently expanded to include over 18 check-in desks and 15 boarding gates at the airport. As a result, customers across all classes enjoyed seamless biometric entry to experience the First and Business Class lounge at DXB.
All EK2021 passengers were provided rapid COVID-19 PCR tests, facilitated by Pure Health. Pure Health, the largest integrated healthcare solutions provider in the UAE, has facilitated the administration of up to 4 million PCR tests at Dubai Airports to date. It has also played a vital role in providing COVID-19 testing support to the aviation industry at large, since the start of the pandemic.
After passengers checked in, they received the green ‘Choose to Vaccinate’ pin and took photos to mark the special event. All EK2021 customers who passed through immigration also received a bespoke ‘Choose to Vaccinate’ stamp on each boarding pass as an added keepsake.

As passengers disembarked, they were handed commemorative certificates for taking part in this initiative.
EK2021 was commanded by UAE National Captain Ahmed Al Obeidli, First Officer Ramon Wilde and flight deck crew were supported by Captain Ricky Garala. Earlier in the day, aviation entities across Dubai and the UAE were sending their messages of support on Twitter in advance of the special flight.
All proceeds for EK2021 have been donated to the Emirates Airline Foundation, the airline’s non-profit charity organisation which supports projects around the world aimed at improving the quality of life for disadvantaged children around the world.

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Multi-risk travel insurance
Emirates was the first airline to provide global multi-risk travel insurance cover for all passengers, and the airline is now extending this facility beyond 31 March 2021 until further notice, offering added value and peace of mind for its customers.
For more information: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/multi-risk-travel-insurance/
Emirates Skywards Tier Status and Miles extension
For its loyal frequent flyers, Emirates Skywards is extending the Tier Status of its Silver, Gold and Platinum members until 2022.
The validity of any Skywards Miles due to expire since April 2020 has been further extended until 31 August 2021, providing Skywards members with more opportunities to utilize them for an extensive range of flight and partner rewards as well as other privileges.
For more information Click here

In addition, Emirates Skywards is offering members a chance to earn double Tier Miles on all Emirates and flydubai flights booked from 01 April until 30 June, for travel until 30 December 2021.

Emirates’ 34 years in India have been defined by progressive investment, partnership and growth. In October 1985, Emirates launched flights from Dubai to Delhi and Mumbai which formed the base of its initial route network. Since then, Emirates has grown its India operations to serve a total of nine destinations across India – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram – with 170 weekly flights. Globally, the airline flies to 157 destinations in 83 countries and territories. For more information on Emirates’ current operations, network, travel support, guidance, customer and employee safety, click here.

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A new service to Russia has opened up from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK Airport) through a partnership with Rossiya Airlines. The airline directly connects the UAE’s northernmost emirate to nine destinations in the world’s largest country.

The inaugural flight arrived on April 2 from the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, which is Russia’s fourth largest city and the second largest in Siberia. Rossiya Airlines flight FV 5633 touched down at 08:35 am at RAK Airport.

There will be weekly flights to and from major cities in Russia, including the capital Moscow and St. Petersburg, its second largest city. There are services also to Kazan, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Ufa and Rostov-on-Dov.

Salem Bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, Chairman of Department of Civil Aviation and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, noted that the service will be instrumental in bringing in a greater number of Russian visitors to experience the unique attractions of Ras Al Khaimah. Russia is one of the UAE’s top source countries for tourism, and business between the two countries is also important for bilateral growth and development.

Sanjay Khanna, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, said the services expand the airport’s reach to new destinations, and offer customers a broader selection to choose from when planning their travel through RAK Airport. The opening of visa-free travel policy between Russia and the UAE in February 2019 is an attraction for travellers.

Currently the UAE’s fastest growing aviation hub, RAK airport’s recent expansion phase include increased flights throughout India and Kazakhstan.

On April 6, the first flight from Moscow will touch down at 7:05 am at RAK Airport. On the same date, there will be a flight from Ufa and Perm at 9:30 and 19:20 respectively. While Ufa is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Perm is located on the banks of the Kama River near the Ural Mountains.

On April 8, there will be flights from Kazan, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan; St. Petersburg, the cultural capital; Samara, Russia’s eighth largest city; and Rostov-on-Don, a port city.

April 10 will see a weekly flight arriving from Nizhny Novgorod, the sixth largest city in Russia and second most populous on the Volga river, Europe’s longest river.

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The video-centric campaign by young influencers drew to a close in this coastal city on Monday evening, turning a new leaf in Kerala Tourism’s efforts to enable travelers re-focus their attention on the famed destinations in God’s Own Country.

More of their narratives will be emerging in the coming days and weeks as images, videos and literature shared on social-media platforms with #MyFirstTrip as the hashtag.

“The bloggers who joined the trip will virtually announce to the world that tourism in Kerala has picked up a year after we were locked down owing to the pandemic,” said Mrs. Rani George, IAS, Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism. “The state has, for the past six months, been showing signs of a major revival in tourism. ‘My First Trip 2021’ will reinforce this trend”, she said.

“Kerala Tourism is certain to gain greater visibility in the coming days through the writings, images and videos generated by the participants, who command a good following on social media,” said V R Krishna Teja IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism.

At a celebratory function in the state-owned Bolgatty Palace last evening, the bloggers gave a glimpse of their March 25-29 trip. The travellers were from both metropolises and small cities: Mumbai (four), Delhi (three) and one each from Hyderabad (Telangana), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Ajmer (Rajasthan).

Unlike its previous editions, Kerala Blog Express this time featured only domestic influencers, aiming to boost the domestic marketing initiatives of Kerala Tourism.

The #MyFirstTrip destinations came under a wide purview: rural life, adventure, cuisine, culture and lifestyle among others. Dotting North Malabar to the state’s deep south, each stopover overwhelmed the bloggers.

Kritika Sharma, for instance, was in awe of the range of things Kerala offers to a tourist. “Be it spices, tea gardens, waterfalls…you have everything here. Come over, what are you waiting for!” she gushes.

Fellow Mumbaikar Deepangshu Sangwan sounded particularly thrilled about the unique exposure to ethnicity on his visit to the rocky Vellar hamlet near Kovalam where the Kerala Arts & Crafts Village is located. Its handicraft stalls and recreational facilities came in streaks, yet with full glory, in the traveler’s video diary.

Ajmer’s Shakti Singh Shekhawat, overwhelmed by the lush-green Alappuzha backwaters that stand in contrast to his home state of Rajasthan, borrowed a trendy Malayalam word to convey his exhilaration: “Adipoli!”

While Delhiite Aanchal Goel was seen dancing on the deck of her houseboat, Anil Kumar Geela from Hyderabad took time off to travel down the cable car at the hilly and picturesque Jatayu Earth Centre in Chadayamangalam of Kollam district.

The Influencers were also greatly impressed by the state’s trendsetting Responsible Tourism initiative, which has the local communities and their livelihood and heritage as the focal point.

The other places along the bloggers’ itinerary included Thumboormuzhi Garden and Athirappaly waterfalls near Chalakudy in Thrissur district, Malakkapara hill-station, Munroe Island (Kollam) and the bird sanctuary in Kumarakom (Kottayam), Muziris Heritage project sites north of Kochi, Punnamada lake, Marari beach, boating along the Periyar lake, Tea Museum and the dams in Idukki district, besides water sports at Cherai, off Kochi.

Kerala Tourism Joint Director A Shahul Hameed spoke at the function, which was also addressed by Tourism Information Officer K R Sajeev.

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“Tackling climate change is a priority issue for airlines around the world and continues to shape the future of eco-efficient air transport,” said Oman Air CEO Abdulaziz Al Raisi. “Oman Air has always championed the cause of climate change by prioritizing a fleet of ultra-efficient aircraft, implementing fuel-saving initiatives, and reducing waste across our business operations. As we mark Earth Hour 2021, we hereby renew our commitment to responsible travel and reducing our environmental footprint in the years ahead.”

Started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007, Earth Hour is now one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet.
Oman Air’s participation in Earth Hour reflects the airline’s efforts in recent years toward sustainable aviation. In the last quarter of 2019, and for a second year in a row, Heathrow Airport’s Fly Quiet and Green programme ranked Oman Air second place among fifty airlines for being one of the cleanest and quietest airlines serving the airport. The programme rates airlines in 7 areas related to noise and emissions, and gave Oman Air an ‘Excellent’ rating for its B787 Dreamliner service on its Muscat to London route, making it the highest-ranked Middle East carrier.

In 2019, the airline saved 7.8 million kg of jet fuel, the equivalent of 24.6 million kg of emissions. The significant reductions were achieved by making flight operations more efficient through fuel-saving initiatives and the latest aircraft technology.

Multi-award-winning Oman Air strives continuously to maintain the highest standards of performance in all aspects of its operations, including sustainable initiatives. Its fleet comprises ultra-modern, fuel-efficient aircraft renowned for their aesthetically designed interiors, with innovative in-flight service equipment delivering exceptional onboard safety and performance. Ongoing investment in the latest technologies, planning and product innovation has helped propel Oman Air to the forefront of modern aviation.

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The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a ‘Spring in Abu Dhabi’ campaign, which will bring exclusive offers on leisure experiences to UAE residents and visitors, on March 26.

The campaign will include a variety of deals and offers across participating hotels and F&B outlets from March 25 to April 10. There will be a variety of hotel ‘staycation’ deals and offers across 50 hotels in the capital.
UAE residents and their families, and visitors can benefit from half-board packages – breakfast and lunch /dinner – for a minimum of two nights’ stay at any of the participating hotels; the second room can be booked at half rate, while children under 16 years can stay free of charge.

“Spring in Abu Dhabi is the result of collaborative efforts between the private and public sectors within the local tourism industry, in line with DCT Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to continuously elevate tourism experiences within the capital,” said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “This campaign is an open invitation from DCT Abu Dhabi to the wider UAE community to enjoy unforgettable experiences and further explore Abu Dhabi’s diversity and authenticity.”

The campaign will run in tandem with DCT Abu Dhabi’s pioneering Go Safe certification programme, which ensures that hotel establishments adhere to the strictest hygiene and safety guidelines.

More than 95% of hotels in Abu Dhabi have been certified safe so far, thus reassuring residents and visitors.

“World’s Coolest Winter” concludes successfully

The campaign has come after the UAE’s “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign concluded with Dh1 billion in revenues. The 45-day campaign, running from December 12, 2020 to January 25, 2021, had attracted 950,000 domestic tourists within a month.
The newly-launched UAE Strategy for Domestic Tourism encourages residents and citizens to explore the country’s hidden gems and promote the features that distinguish each of the seven emirates.
In a collaboration between national telecom major Du and the UAE Government Media Office, #WorldsCoolestWinterChallenge was launched on Twitter and Instagram to encourage the public to share creative images and videos of their outdoor experiences in UAE for chances to win big. Du rewarded individuals who best captured the touristy, natural and cultural landmarks across the UAE; weekly prizes reached Dh50,000. The winners comprised Emirati, Indian, Filipino and Pakistani nationals, many of whom were professional videographers, photographers, and content creators.

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Oman Air will maintain its comprehensive safety program throughout all elements of the travel journey to ensure that guests fly confidently. Masks are required when guests are on board the aircraft and in Oman’s airports. Distancing is maintained while guests board and exit the aircraft, which are carefully cleaned after each flight and at the end of every day. Cabin crew all wear a full set of personal protective equipment, meal service has been modified to further ensure safety, and a number of other measures have been implemented to ensure that the airline’s guests and crew are safe at all times.

Guests who are planning to travel to Muscat should visit the Civil Aviation Authority website, caa.gov.om, to ensure they are prepared to comply with requirements to enter the Sultanate.

Guests travelling to Milan should ensure they are aware of official requirements to enter or transit through the country.
Guests departing from Oman should also ensure that they are aware of all pre-departure requirements and requirements during their flights, which are provided at omanair.com.

The post Oman Air to resume Milan flights on 28 March, 2021 appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Mrs. Rani George, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism, flagged off the Kerala Blog Express, titled ‘My First Trip 2021’, which is slated to conclude on March 29.

The influencers will tread different itineraries for six nights and five days, facilitating production of exclusive contents for Kerala Tourism.The images, videos and literature generated by them will be shared on social-media platforms as #MyFirstTrip.  They will announce to the world that destinations in God’s Own Country continue to be open for tourists.

Kerala Tourism Director Mr.V.R. Krishna Teja, IAS, and Mr. Biju. B.S, Deputy Director, Marketing, Kerala Tourism, were also present at the function held at the Hotel Mascot in the city.

“The trip will give the participants a chance to not just visit the famous tourist destinations in Kerala, but experience the cuisine, culture, art and other popular activities around,” Smt George said.

“Tourism industry was struck by the pandemic and Kerala was no exception. Gradually, we learned to live on with Covid-19. We started to see visitors coming to Kerala from November-December 2020. Now, these vloggers can also spread the word to the world that Kerala is safer to explore since Covid-19 cases are on the decline in the state. So, people would understand the situation,” she added.

Mr. Teja, in his address, said that through the trip, the vloggers would certainly experience the warmth of people and understand how safe the state was to explore.

While the previous editions of the Kerala Blog Express had only international bloggers and social media influencers, My First Trip 2021 has only domestic influencers and aims to provide additional impetus to the current domestic marketing initiatives of Kerala.

‘My First Trip’ will take the influencers on a trip across various destinations in 10 specially branded cars, stipulating to the pandemic protocol in mind. The participants will follow five different itineraries around the state.

The destinations include the Jadayu Earth Center at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, Thumboormuzhi Garden near Chalakudy in Thrissur district, Vazhachal, Athirapally waterfalls near it and the Malakkapara hill-station in the area.

The travellers will also experience village life at Munroe Island (Kollam) and nature walk along the bird sanctuary in Kumarakom (Kottayam) and a houseboat cruise there, besides visits to the Muziris Heritage project sites north of Kochi and a town walk through coastal Alappuzha. Other highlights are visits to the Punnamada lake, Marari beach, boating in the Periyar lake, Tea Museum in Idukki district, the dams at Kundala and Mattupetti and water sports at Cherai northwest of Kochi.

Four of the influencers are from Mumbai, three from Delhi and one each from Hyderabad (Telangana), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Ajmer (Rajasthan).

The post Kerala Tourism launches ‘My First Trip 2021’ campaign targeting domestic tourists appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

On 28 and 29 March, all customers travelling with Emirates will enjoy a delicious Kesar Gujiya – a saffron-flavoured deep fried sweet dish, stuffed with dry fruits – packaged in a specially designed, colourful box. Premium customers travelling in First Class and Business Class on 28 March can also enjoy a refreshing, cold Thandai drink prepared with a mixture of milk and nuts, seasoned with cardamom, saffron and rose petals.

As a global connector of people and places – Emirates celebrates cultural diversity by creating memorable experiences for its customers in the air and on-ground. Passengers on-board will enjoy ultimate entertainment on ice – the award-winning inflight entertainment system – with more than 4,500 channels including popular Bollywood movies.

The airline currently operates repatriation flights to/from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cochin, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Placing the health and wellbeing of its customers as top priority – Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of safety measures at every step of the customer journey, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, and antibacterial wipes.

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The government and the KTM society is considering to hold a physical edition in this year, according to Rani George, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. “The virtual mart went off well and created another history for Kerala Tourism. Yet the importance of a physical mart cannot be ignored,” she said, while speaking at the closing ceremony of the event on March 5.

“The Department of Tourism and the KTM Society are working together to explore ways on holding a physical KTM this year,” the senior bureaucrat noted. “KTM is the ideal stage to showcase Kerala’s post-COVID resurgence.”

Even as the online event emphasized on domestic tourism amid a new world order, the deliberations proved that Kerala’s pre-eminence remains intact on the international travel map, pointed out KTM Society President Baby Mathew Somatheeram.

Just as the five-day meet concluded on March 5, the organisers went on to provide a virtual visit of the KTM till March 10 so as to also communicate with the sellers. This enabled people across the globe to gain wide access to the charms of Kerala’s tourism, Mr. Mathew said.

The KTM edition, which featured 701 buyers (159 international and 542 domestic), saw participants from 38 countries. As for the business meets, 2,660 were with foreign buyers and 4,175 with domestic. Added to this were the meets through online chats, getting the total cross 50,000.

The majority of the international buyers registered were from the US and UK. The others in the category included Brazil, Germany, Spain and Canada, besides Mexico, Oman, UAE and Australia and France.

Most of the domestic buyers were from Maharashtra, a chunk of them based in Mumbai. Delhi, Gujarat and Telangana were among the three other toppers on the list.

KTM Society is the country’s biggest travel and tourism organization. The virtual edition got off to a start on February 28 evening, with state Governor Arif Mohammed Khan inaugurating the country’s biggest tourism meet with a call to highlight domestic tourism for better collaboration among states and greater understanding between people.

The post KTM holds 7,000-plus B2B meets appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Travellers who book return Economy Class tickets to Dubai from 8 to 28 March 2021for travel between 15 March and30 June 2021are eligible for a complimentary one-night stay at the JW Marriot Marquis; while Business Class and First Class passengers who book flights during the same period can enjoy two complimentary nights’ stay from the day of arrival. As one of the world’s tallest 5-star hotels, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai features award-winning dining options, its own shopping galleria, and a world-renowned spa; and is conveniently located near attractions like the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Opera.
Promotional return fares to Dubai start from INR 17,982 in Economy Class, Rs.68,996 in Business Class and Rs.192,555 in First Class.

Passengers can also leave the problem of packing behind as Emirates has added an additional 10kg free baggage allowance when travelling back to India from Dubai, leaving even more room for shopping.

Emirates has safely and gradually restarted operations across its network. Since it safely resumed tourism activity in July, Dubai remains one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, especially during the winter season. The city is open for international business and leisure visitors. From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai offers a variety of world-class experiences. It was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety.

Emirates’ booking policies offer customers flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket for travel on or before 30 September2021, can enjoy generous rebooking terms and options, if they have to change their travel plans. Customers have options to change their travel dates or extend their ticket validity for two years.

All Emirates customers can travel with confidence and peace of mind with the airline industry’s first, multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover. This cover is offered by Emirates on all tickets purchased on or from 1 December 2020, at no cost to customers. In addition to COVID-19 medical cover, the airline also provides provisions for personal accidents during travel, winter sports cover, loss of personal belongings, and trip disruptions due to unexpected air space closure, travel recommendations or advisories, similar to other multi-risk travel insurance products. Some limitations and exclusions apply.

Customers can look forward to a safe and stress-free travel experience as Emirates has prioritised customer health and safety with comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey. Customers are encouraged to check the latest government travel restrictions in their country of origin and ensure they meet the travel requirements of their final destination.
My Emirates Pass
The exclusive offer that turns the Emirates boarding pass into a membership card is also back and has been extended this year giving customers even more chances to explore UAE for less. Emirates’ customers flying to and through Dubai from now to 30 September 2021 can take advantage of the exclusive offers by simply presenting their Emirates boarding pass and a valid form of identification at any of the participating outlets. The offer includes discounts in over 300 restaurants across the country and in over 35 spas in world-class hotels. It also unlocks offers at many tourist attractions including Atlantis Aquaventure and At the Top Burj Khalifa. The full list of participating outlets can be found here: emirates.com/myemiratespass.

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Romeer Sen urges people to enjoy the bliss of nature

Romeer Sen has visited 33 countries, and in this course, he has stayed in both ultra-luxurious hotels and simple hostels. According to Sen, the primary purpose of a trip is the destination to which we are traveling, and the commutation means have very little importance in a journey.

“Even if you travel by Private Jet or fly Economy or travel by train or a car or public transport, it is the destination that matters a lot. No matter what your commutation means is, the destination remains the same. People should travel, I mean they should travel a lot, and should witness the beauty of this world. If you wish to spend moments luxuriously, then choose an extraordinary property for stay, or else, choose a simple stay, and enjoy things around you,” says Romeer Sen.

Romeer Sen shares his life experience as a travel influencer

After completing his educational career in prestigious institutions in Mumbai, Romeer Sen travelled to London to complete his master’s in International Business Management (IBM) from Middlesex University. Now, as a travel influencer, Sen is one of the most demanded personalities in the hospitality industry.

As a travel influencer, Sen always tries to offer a virtual tour to his followers on social media pages. According to Sen, he not only concentrates completely on describing the suits or hotels in which he stays but also his ultimate aim of his trip is to portray the unexplored areas of a city or country to his followers.

“When I started my Influencer journey I was seeing that mostly all the Travel Profile talk about Hotels and just one or two prominent Tourist Spots of the place, that’s when I knew there, has to be a different side of this,” said Sen.

Citing the example of Maldives, Sen added, “Imagine Maldives, so today every celebrity, influencer when sharing their story about the Maldives – it’s about they being in their swimsuits, within the expensive Hotel properties, having breakfast in the pool or bed, and showing the sea and at last a cozy dinner table. My Maldives pictures have my shoot taken early morning at 4 am with the stars and the shooting star photobombing my image. So I am showing the other side of Maldives. I believe in showing different sides of the city or country.”

As the coronavirus scare is getting over, and people have started seeing light at the end of the tunnel, Sen is planning to visit different places within India in 2021. Sen also promised that his followers will be able to see an ecstatic virtual tour of India in the coming days.

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