Qatar Airways won the World's Best Airline award this week as it also increased its flight frequencies for the winter.
In the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airwayswhich was named the best airline for customer experience, announced that it is rolling out its Airbus A380 in flight to new York from April.
Here's a roundup of recent travel and tourism news, in case you missed it.
UAE wins awards at World Travel Awards 2023
UAE airlines and hotels win dozens of awards World Travel Awards 2023whose grand finale took place at Burj Al Arab Friday.
Dubai was named the “World’s Best Exhibition Destination,” while Dubai International Airport received the prestigious “World’s Best Airport” award.
EmiratesDubai Airlines, meanwhile, was named the World's Best Airline to the Middle East and the World's Best Airline Brand. Dubai Airlines also received awards for Best First Class, Best Inflight Entertainment Program and Awards.
Etihad Airways has been named the world's best airline for customer experience and economy class, while its first class lounge has been named one of the world's best airport lounges.
More than 40 hotels across the Emirates were recognised, including Jumeirah Al Naseem, which won the title of World's Best Hotel.
Atlantis The Royal won the award for World's Best New Resort, and Atlantis sister property, The Palm, was named World's Best Iconic Resort.
Al Wathba, a luxury resort and spa in the Desert Resort & Spa collection in Abu Dhabimeanwhile, won the award for the world's best desert resort, while Erth Abu Dhabi was awarded the world's best family hotel.
AlUla Arts Festival returns
Saudi ArabiaThe ancient city of Al-Ula will host the AlUla Arts Festival for the third year from February 8-24.
The multidisciplinary festival will feature a three-week programme of creative events, exhibitions and initiatives that will take over the city, including live performances, photography exhibitions, street art tours, film screenings and interactive workshops.
At the heart of it all is Desert X AlUlaa world-class, site-specific art exhibition that will run until March 23 and will focus on contemporary works by Saudi and international artists.
Wadi Al-Fanna soon-to-open cultural destination, will also be featured with a pre-opening exhibition by Saudi artist Manal Al Dowayan titled Oasis of Stories, showcasing stories from AlUla’s communities.
Another exhibition titled More Than Meets the Eye will also be held, allowing visitors to explore modern and contemporary works by Saudi artists and documenting their stories as well as recent movements in the kingdom.
Peru introduces visa for digital nomads, increases visitors to Machu Picchu
Peru has announced plans to introduce a digital nomad visa, allowing remote workers to stay in the South American country for up to a year, with the possibility of an extension.
The new visa is intended for workers employed by companies located outside the country, who therefore do not need to obtain a separate work visa. It will be available once the changes to Peru's migration law have been regulated and published.
Lima, the capital of Peru, is known as a great place for digital nomads, as it is full of friendly coworking spaces and offers a low cost of living.
Elsewhere in Peru, the government has unveiled plans to increase the number of people allowed to visit the Inca monument of Machu Picchu daily. Attendance will increase from 3,800 daily visitors to 4,500, with a potential of 5,600 on certain dates.
The changes come as the country's tourism industry struggles to recover from pandemic-related shutdowns.
Etihad Airways to operate A380 to New York
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates has announced that it will begin flying its double-decker A380 aircraft to New York's JFK airport from April 22.
The superjumbo will operate on one of Etihad's two daily flights to the Big Apple, while the other will be operated by a 787-9. In economy class, the cabin features 68 extra legroom seats, which add 10cm of space, as well as 337 Economy Smart seats.
The American route is the second destination after London to experience the A380 from Etihad has returned its superjumbo in service after a shutdown during the pandemic.
“We are delighted to begin flying our remarkable A380 across the Atlantic, and we know our customers love the experience on board,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer.
“The fact that our new route to Boston, Etihad’s fourth gateway to the United States, will open on March 31, three weeks before our A380 begins flying to New York, underlines our ambitious growth plans.”
Until next Tuesday, the airline is offering passengers the chance to upgrade to The Residence, the world's only three-room suite in the sky, for Dh10,999 per person or Dh14,999 for two, one way. The standard fare is usually Dh16,600 per person, one way. This offer is available for travel from April 22 (excluding the period from June 14 to 24).
Universal Introduces New Resort for Families with Young Children
Families have enjoyed Universal theme parks around the world for decades, but earlier this year, the company announced it would introduce its first park designed specifically for people with young children, located in Frisco, Texas. WE.
This week, the project was renamed Universal Kids Resort and the groundbreaking ceremony took place in November.
The park will feature immersive themed areas that bring to life characters and stories loved by younger visitors. There will be family attractions, interactive shows, merchandise, food and drink outlets and character meet-and-greets. There will also be a 300-room themed hotel.
“Universal Kids Resort will inspire children’s unbridled creativity through imagination, discovery and, most importantly, play,” said Molly Murphy, president of Universal Creative. “We are designing the resort so that children and families can experience the thrill of being physically immersed in their favorite stories and characters.”
Details on the opening date have not yet been revealed.
Qatar Airways increases flights for winter
Qatar Airways, which was named the world's best airline at the World Travel Awards 2023 on Friday, has announced increased flight frequencies for the winter season.
THE Doha The airline offers better connectivity to Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Belgrade and Miami via Hamad International Airport.
There will be three additional weekly flights to Bangkok from December 15, four more to Amsterdam from December 16, and the number of flights to Belgrade will increase from seven to ten from December 23.
The number of flights to Barcelona will increase from 18 to 21 from January 1, while Miami will benefit from three additional flights from January 13.
Updated: December 13, 2023, 10:02 a.m.
