In celebration of the UAE’s Year of Tolerance, the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has officially inaugurated the first multi-faith prayer room at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The new prayer room provides passengers of all faiths with a quiet and reflective space located away from the main airport to gather and practice their faith. This ceremony was attended by key personnel from Abu Dhabi Airports and the DCD.

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, and Al Hilal Bank, have partnered to launch Al Hilal Bank Etihad Guest Visa credit card in the UAE. The programme offers UAE residents an attractive package of benefits. Al Hilal Bank Etihad Guest Visa Credit Cards are available in Platinum, Signature and Infinite variants and offer a vast range of travel benefits, with a sign-up bonus of up to 60,000 Etihad Guest Miles.

Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, has announced the launch of direct flights between Sharjah and Austrian capital, Vienna, starting September 15, 2019. The non-stop six-hour flight to Vienna will initially operate four times a week, on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and will increase to daily flights starting mid-December.

dnata has opened a new airport lounge at Dubai International (DXB) to enhance young flyers’ travel experience. This facility has been designed exclusively for unaccompanied minors, whose safety, security and comfort are ensured by dnata’s specially trained team at the airport. Located in Terminal 1, the lounge is equipped with games and entertainment screens to keep young guests occupied throughout the day. The lounge is open 24 hours and manned by experienced, multilingual staff.

Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas hosted the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group’s (ADSG) second quarterly meeting on June 18. Representatives attended the strategy workshop from the group's member organisations and partners, to explore the current and upcoming sustainability issues. The ADSG engaged with members as part of the strategy review process, to help ensure that the ADSG work is up to date and the Group acts as a catalyst to drive sustainability ethos in the Emirate.

Savoy Hotels were winners in three categories in the recently concluded Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards 2019. These awards were initiated by DTCM, Government of Dubai, UAE at the Al Ras Ballroom, InterContinental Dubai – Festival City on June 18, 2019. The Savoy Suites Hotel Apartments were declared the “Winner Deluxe Hotel Apartment category”; “Winner Standard Hotel Apartment category”; and “Best Green Team category”.

Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments Dubai, in Dubai Internet City, launched their first specialty Pan-Asian restaurant; House of Noodles, on July 17, in the ground floor of the property. The outlet offers wok-fried noodles with different dipping sauces and customers can enjoy variety of noodle types like Pad Thai Goong Sod featuring prawns or Beef Teriyaki Noodle with delicious grilled beef barbecue. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner from 12.00 to 00.00 hrs.

W Amman has collaborated with street artist and muralist Dina Saadi to create a mural at the hotel’s Wet Deck, titled ‘Desert Nomad’. The mural was revealed at the Wet Deck’s ‘Summer Is On’ launch party on June 14, where the city’s movers and shakers gathered to kick off the season in style. The ultimate outdoor destination for Jordan’s fun and sun seekers, the design at W Amman’s WET Deck includes a modern depiction of The Roman Theater’s Atrium. The rest of the 280-room hotel also features design inspired by the energy of the Middle East and charm of Jordanian history, culture and tradition with a playfully modern twist.

Anu van der Sande was appointed head of marketing and communications at the Media One hotel. She started with Marriott in 2014, continuing her career to eventually become marketing manager before joining Media One. She completed her BBM in hospitality from Hotelschool The Hague, The Netherlands.

Action Hotels Company has appointed Christophe Landais as its chief executive officer to direct the group’s strategy for its 13-strong property portfolio. Landais, former managing director and chief operating officer of Accor in the Middle East, brings more than 30 years’ experience in hospitality management.

Subramanian Suryanarayanan is director of food and beverage at Amwaj Rotana, Dubai. He has worked with hotels part of the Intercontinental Hotel Group, Great Hotels of the World and Leading Hotels of the World. He has received awards and nominations from Hotelier Middle East and MENA Awards.

Bartlomiej Mart is now general manager of one of Ascott’s KSA-based residences, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh. Prior to his posting, Mart was hotel manager at Swiss-Belhotel Residences in Bahrain. In 2014, he was an Edge Award Winner in the ‘Marriott Global Award for Excellence in Delivering Guest Experiences’. Sophia Berriane is now Ascott’s director of marketing for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Most recently, Berriane was marketing director with a Dubai-based consultancy working across a portfolio of brands including Jumeirah, Emaar, Burj Al Arab and Kempinski. She brings immense experience in marketing and brand development. 

Bartlomiej Mart is now general manager of one of Ascott’s KSA-based residences, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh. Prior to his posting, Mart was hotel manager at Swiss-Belhotel Residences in Bahrain. In 2014, he was an Edge Award Winner in the ‘Marriott Global Award for Excellence in Delivering Guest Experiences’. Sophia Berriane is now Ascott’s director of marketing for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Most recently, Berriane was marketing director with a Dubai-based consultancy working across a portfolio of brands including Jumeirah, Emaar, Burj Al Arab and Kempinski. She brings immense experience in marketing and brand development. 

Kerzner International Holdings, the owner of the iconic Atlantis Resort and Residences, and ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts brands worldwide, has announced the promotion of two key executives. Philippe Zuber has been promoted to the chief operating officer position. Zuber will lead the successful operation of all Kerzner resorts, including the flagship Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, the recently opened Atlantis, the entire One&Only collection, and Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco. Brett Armitage has been promoted to the chief commercial officer position and will lead all commercial functions of Kerzner International.

Kerzner International Holdings, the owner of the iconic Atlantis Resort and Residences, and ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts brands worldwide, has announced the promotion of two key executives. Philippe Zuber has been promoted to the chief operating officer position. Zuber will lead the successful operation of all Kerzner resorts, including the flagship Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, the recently opened Atlantis, the entire One&Only collection, and Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco. Brett Armitage has been promoted to the chief commercial officer position and will lead all commercial functions of Kerzner International.

Christian Palacin is general manager of Millennium Al Barsha, set to open this summer. He has held several senior management positions with hospitality brands including Sheraton and Marriott Hotels. During his 25-year career, he has been instrumental in large renovation projects, rebranding and hotel openings.

One&Only Resorts has appointed Michele Giraudo as general manager of One&OnlyPortonovi in Montenegro. In his new role, Michele is responsible for the opening of the ultra-luxury resort, building and leading the team and ensuring guest satisfaction.  

Wael Makahleh is the new multi property general manager for JW Marriott Kuwait City Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Kuwait City Hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott Kuwait City Hotel and Arraya Ballroom managed by Marriott in Kuwait. He is a hotelier with robust sales, marketing and operations experience.

Radisson Hotel Group has promoted Katharina van Beugen-Mayr to regional PR & communications manager Middle East. In her new role, Katharina’s responsibilities will include supporting all Middle East hotels in PR & Communications with the aim of increasing the awareness of Radisson Hotel Group and its brands.

Dr Tania Bardhan has been appointed as the new director of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort’s award-winning spa. She has over 18 years of industry experience and has won various high-profile spa and hospitality accolades in her career. Prior to this, she was group spa head for The Leela in India.

Eike Clausen has been promoted to general manager at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea. Clausen started his Kempinski journey in 2007, as a sales management trainee at Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. In November 2015, he was appointed director of rooms at Kempinski Hotel Gravenbruch Frankfurt, Germany.

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi has appointed British Chef Joseph Murphy as executive chef for the hotel’s six outlets and its large banqueting operation. Chef Murphy has 20 years of experience in hospitality, and his focus will be to deliver new projects such as the re-opening of Asia de Cuba in the coming months.

Travelport has appointed Greg Webb as its new chief executive officer. Webb is a proven leader with over 20 years of experience in the travel technology industry. Most recently, Webb served as senior vice-president and general manager of Oracle Hospitality, a leading travel technology solutions provider.