Edinburgh to Doha

ADDITIONAL flights between Edinburgh and Doha will see double daily flights introduced at Scotland’s busiest airport by Qatar Airways.

The airline will introduce an additional afternoon flight in April to cater for high Easter demand, meaning a double daily service on Mondays throughout the month.

It’s the first time a long-haul carrier has operated double daily routes to the Middle East from Edinburgh Airport, demonstrating the award-winning airline’s confidence in the busy route.


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A four-season land

IRAN, a four-season land, has 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites. These sites have long attracted tourists from across the globe. Foreign tourists #travel to #Iran to visit numerous historical and natural sites and enjoy time in a country which is home to many attractions. World Economic Forum data show Iran's ranking in tourist attraction moving higher from 114 in 2011 to 93 in 2017. That bears proof to the fact that foreign tourists have not become unwilling to travel to Iran.

As foreign currencies, including the US dollar and the euro, claimed ground against the Iranian Rial, the tourism industry in Iran entered a new phase, particularly for foreign visitors. The Rial's slide represents a unique opportunity for foreign tourists visiting Iran as their travel costs have fallen incredibly.



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Reducing plastic consumption

FOLLOWING up on Swiss-Belhotel International’s global initiative to enhance the sustainability of its operations and reduce plastic consumption, the group has announced plans to eliminate the use of disposable plastic straws from its existing and upcoming properties across the Middle East and Africa region. 

According to industry reports the ‘throw-away’ culture is doing a catastrophic damage to the environment. An estimated eight million tons of plastic waste enter oceans every year and research projects that plastic in our oceans could triple in a decade. 

The scale of the plastic problem is evident from these figures: 480 billion plastic bottles were sold worldwide in 2016; one trillion single-use plastic bags were used every year; more than half a million plastic straws were used every day around the world. If the world continues to generate plastic waste at the current rate approximately 12 billion tonnes will be in landfills or the natural environment by 2050.

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Top trending summer travel spots

ONE of the fastest growing online travel agents Agoda, has revealed the top trending summer travel spots, globally, for independent travelers in 2018.
The allure of Japan with its combination of unique culture, temples, mountains and beaches, proves too much to resist as Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa and Kyoto all feature in the top ten Asia Pacific destinations this summer.

• Bali is the top Asia Pacific destination for UK travelers.
• Australians are the biggest international travelers to Bali, followed by South Koreans, Chinese, Singaporean and Malaysian travelers.
• Top summer destinations for Taiwanese independent travelers are Tokyo, Okinawa, Osaka, Kyoto and Seoul.
• American travelers' top three Asia Pacific destinations are Tokyo, Kyoto and Bangkok.
• Most popular African destinations are the Seychelles, Johannesburg (South Africa), Durban (South Africa), Mauritius and Cape Town (South Africa).
• Dubai tops Middle East travel followed by Medina and Mecca, which receive huge numbers of pilgrims for Hajj (19-24 August 2018).
• Despite being the Southern Hemisphere winter, Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast are in the top five Pacific Ocean destinations and still receive their fair share of tourists during the June to August period. Guam and Saipan also feature.

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World Expeditions expands Africa offerings

WORLD Expeditions’ has expanded its #Africa range of trips, launching 16 new itineraries, including family trips, alternative routes on Mt Kilimanjaro as well as treks in Uganda, Morocco and Ethiopia, a new trip taking in two Ethiopian cultural festivals and exciting new combinations of walking, cycling and wildlife safaris.

World Expeditions has a long history having pioneered the first commercial treks of Mount Kilimanjaro‘s Remote Northern Circuit and Shira Routes, while keeping the choices diverse with the Lemosho, Machame and the Rongai routes also on offfer. 

Interest in mountain trekking has expanded from just Kilimanjaro to include Mount Kenya, new trekking routes in Uganda’s Mountains of the Moon – the Rwenzoris, Morocco’s High Atlas and the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia.

Two new family trips – the South Africa Pilanesberg Family Safari and the Eastern Cape Family Safari are designed specifically for adventurous families, with shorter transfers and plenty of opportunities for big game spotting.

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Up in the air . . .

FLYNAS, the Saudi national carrier and leading low cost airline in the Middle East was honored, for the fourth year in a row, with the prestigious World Travel Award for “Middle East’s Leading Low Cost Airline 2018,” during the ceremony that was held on the 19th of April, 2018 at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

Considered as the Oscars of the travel and tourism sector, World Travel Awards reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

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Dubai desert safari tours

DHOW Cruise in Dubai, desert safari aims to help guests relive the ancient Bedouin lifestyle of the Middle East. Each desert safari tour offers the perfect mix of ancient, modern and traditional elements, put together to create an exclusive experience for the guests.

Each desert safari tour is designed to bring the best of the desert home to the guests. The morning safari comprises 6 hours of desert sports such as dune bashing, sand boarding and quad biking, sure to please the adventure souls out there. The Dinner in Desert package offers the chance to enjoy an exclusive dinner – an offer to dine like royalty on world-class veg and non-veg BBQ spread, followed by a night under the stars.

www.dhowcruiseindubai.com

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Up in the air . . .

IN the 2018/19 winter flight schedule, Lufthansa will be offering the connections from Frankfurt to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) as two separate flights. 

Until now, the only connection from Frankfurt to Addis Ababa involved a time-consuming stop-over in Jeddah. 

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Heaven Scent

OMAN is full of contradictions of old and new and many modern shopping complexes have recently sprung up across #Muscat. Fully air-conditioned, they have a selection of local and international stores, local boutiques, supermarkets, cafes, food courts and play areas for children. 

When it comes to shopping a special mention goes to Oman’s world-famous scent, Amouage. One of the world’s most valuable perfumes, it is available at the flagship store, The House of Amouge, in Muscat’s Sabco Centre. Guy Robert, the renowned French perfumer behind the scents of Hermés, Dior and Rochas, was commissioned to formulate the celebrated fragrance, incorporating native Omani ingredients – frankincense and myrrh as well as rosewater extracted from the rarest rock rose found in Oman’s Jebel Akhdar region. 

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A gentle wander in Oman

IF you love to shop, whether it be pottering through ancient alleyways in a traditional souk, visiting local villages for one of a kind pottery pieces, sifting through shelves of high quality silver then #Oman is the place for you. From traditional #souks and local villages here is the low down on where to shop in Oman. 

Muttrah Souq Since ancient times the traditional market places in Oman have been much more than a place to do trade. Omani souqs are places for social gatherings and there is nowhere better to experience this than Muttrah Souq. The oldest marketplace in the capital, Muttrah Souk- located behind Muttrah Corniche, is a maze of tightly packed, narrow lanes that lead in and out of each other revealing gold, silver, textiles, pottery and dates, together with piquant aromas of incense, spices and varying qualities of frankincense, which waft through the alleyways. Also plentiful, are traditional coffee pots and plates, along with handicrafts, incense burners, Bedouin jewellery and silver khanjars – traditional Omani daggers worn by men. Gold and silver are well priced and are mainly sold by weight. The best time to visit is either early morning or late afternoon. 

Nizwa Souq Once considered a symbol of wealth, Silver has been one of Oman’s most precious metals for four thousand years. Visitors to Nizwa, a place famous for the work of its silversmiths, will find some superb silver pieces at Nizwa Souq. Don’t miss the Friday cattle market where you will witness locals converge to sell or buy a prized new cow, goat or camel.  Afterwards take in the views of Nizwa fort with a delicate cardamom scented Omani coffee and Oman’s most famous Halwa (local sweet) from Al-Saifi’s store. 

Bahla Souq Based in the centre of this mystical village is Bahla Souq, where if you are lucky you can witness the modern form of magic that takes place daily with master potters creating their wares. Many of the incense burners, pots and dishes you see around Oman originate from Bahla so it is a treat to be able to visit the source and Bahla Fort is also well worth a visit. 

Ibra Souq One of Oman’s most interesting souqs is at Ibra, where the Wednesday market is a ‘ladies only’ event. Operated by women, the souq’s specialties cater to women and include silks, handicrafts, Bedu jewellery and sandalwood. Although the real highlight, is viewing the women shopping and chatting with their colourful attire. 

Al Hafah Souq Set amid Salalah’s coconut groves in Oman’s southern Dhofar region is Al Hafah Souq, one of the best markets to buy perfume or high-grade frankincense, myrrh and rose. Once worth more than gold, frankincense is in high demand along with the brightly-painted Dhofari incense burners. Local vendors also sell regional food including hummus and mishkak — Omani barbecue meat cooked over a spit. 


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Picture Credit: By yeowatzup from Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany - Nizwa Souk, Oman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24520873

Mövenpick Hotel Muscat Airport capitalises on city’s tourism growth

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ #Oman expansion strategy is gathering pace with the company revealing plans to operate its third property in the Sultanate’s capital, #Muscat.

The global hospitality company has inked an agreement with Oman’s Golden Group of Companies to manage the 370-key Mövenpick Hotel Muscat Airport, part of a new upscale mixed-use project under development near Muscat International Airport, which will also feature retail and commercial space covering 3,000sqm and 10,000sqm respectively when it opens in 2021.

It expands Mövenpick’s inventory pipeline to almost 1,000 keys countrywide after deals to operate Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat and Mövenpick Hotel Bausher Muscat were recently signed.

The three properties will capitalise on Oman’s growing importance as a regional hub for business and leisure tourism, spurred by the development of new infrastructure that ranges from conference centres to cruise terminals. At the same time, Muscat International Airport is undergoing extensive renovations and expansion that will boost its annual capacity from 12 million to 48 million passengers when the redevelopment project is fully completed.

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Adrenalin adventures in Oman

TRAVELLERS with a sense of #adventure need look no further than #Oman to satisfy the next adrenalin rush. No other Gulf region offers such a diverse range of great outdoor adventures across a striking terrain that travels back 500 million years of geological time.

Desert Dune Bashing - Huge rolling dunes as far as the eye can see makes for a white knuckle ride dune bashing in 4WD’s at Shaqiya Sands- less than 3 hours from Muscat. Take a quad bike or camel over the dunes and watch the world turn pink and orange with a spectacular desert sun set. 

Caves and Canyons - For those who like their adventure on the extreme side, the thrill of rock-climbing and abseiling awaits. Climbers from around the globe are drawn to the high peaks of the Hajar mountains, and to the beautiful sea cliffs along the Omani coast. First-time climbers can attempt one of several Via Ferrata (‘by wire’) routes which keep them permanently attached to a cable via a harness for maximum safety at Snake Canyon, Jabel Shams and Jabal Akhdar. 

Take a Hike  - The challenging terrain of Oman’s ‘Sun Mountain’, Jabal Shams – standing 3009 metres above sea level as the country’s highest mountain peak – is a perfect place to start an adventure tour. 

Wadi Bash - Go off-road and experience one of Oman’s fastest growing adventure sports. Throughout the Sultanate there are many opportunities for travellers to hit the dirt, water and sand dunes in a 4 x 4 wheel drive. 

Snorkel and Scuba - Oman’s magnificent marine environment draws in adventurous travellers with the opportunity to snorkel, scuba dive and kayak in sparkling turquoise waters that support vibrant coral reefs. 

Get Airborne - Kitesurfing is one of the fastest growing and extreme water sports to be enjoyed in the Gulf’s warm waters and Masirah Island has the only kitesurfing academy in the Gulf where you can camp out on the island in Bedouin style tents. 

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Picture Credit: Pintrest

Up in the air . . .

ETHIOPIAN Airlines Group, the largest airline in Africa, is pleased to announce to its valued customers that it has fully refurbished its Boeing 767-300 ER fleet and availed for service on its India, Middle East and Africa destinations.

The newly refurbished airplane is fitted with brand new full flat-bed seats in Cloud Nine, modern IFE with high resolution 17 inches screen and in-seat power outlets (inflight entertainment), lighting and other modern cabin products. Customers in the main cabin will also enjoy new seats, multiple channels of inflight audio and video entertainments accessible with their own mobile devices /tablets.

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New hotels open in Oman

THE Middle Eastern country of #Oman is the subject of some reimagining of its potential from within the region. Thirteen new hotel facilities started operating in the Sultanate during the first five months of this year, and the number is expected to increase to 81 hotels during 2017-2018.

The Ministry of #Tourism has detailed its efforts since the beginning of the year to establish hotel projects in the Sultanate, along with supporting investment opportunities through electronic services.

According to Director General of Investors Services & Quality Control
Eng. Mohammed Mahmoud Al Zadjali, the total number of rooms by the end of 2016 was 18,825 rooms distributed throughout the Sultanate, through hotels, resorts, hotel apartments, tourist camps, rest houses, guest houses, heritage hotels and green hotels.

The number of hotel establishments by the end of 2016, at 339, increased by 6.6% compared to the year 2015, which was at 318 hotel establishments. The number is expected to rise in 2017 to 352 hotels.

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Up in the air . . .

UK authorities last week issued new rules that ban passengers on flights from Queen Alia International Airport and other airports in the region departing to London from carrying laptops and tablets in the aircraft cabin, in addition to the phones that are larger than, Length: 16.0cm, Width: 9.3cm, Depth: 1.5cm. These devices can be placed in the checked baggage. 

The decision of the UK authorities included the flights from Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport and flights departing to the UK from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia and Lebanon. The ban excludes the flights departing from the UK to Jordan and the mentioned countries.

This followed on from the the US authorities who issued new rules that ban passengers on flights to the US from carrying electronic and electrical devices in the aircraft cabin, but have them in their checked baggage.

The decision of the US authorities included the flights from Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport to the US, besides the departing flights from nine other airports in the Middle East, the Arab Gulf and North Africa.

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Non-Stop service Manila - Middle East

PHILIPPINE Airlines will mark a new and exciting milestone in its Middle East operations on March 26 this year. The flag carrier will have an 'all non-stop service' between #Manila and seven points in the Middle East.

Manila-Dubai flights will operate seven times weekly; Manila- Doha and Manila-Kuwait , four times weekly each; Manila-Jeddah and Manila-Abu Dhabi, thrice weekly each; Manila -Dammam, five-times-a-week; and Manila-Riyadh, seven-times-a-week.

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Another jewel in the UAE

RAS AL KHAIMAH is a 5-star tourism destination with 4-star prices which has beautiful deserts, open white sandy beaches and warm waters, and stunning mountains. This means a visitor can combine a desert safari with a beach holiday and mountain climbing. It is ideal for the adventure tourist, family vacations, and those wanting a true cultural experience.

Taleb Rifai, the Secretary of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) told attending tourism ministers at the World Travel Market recently, tourism is about people to people, tourism is peace. In Ras Al Khaimah, tourists may explore and live with local beguines, and they don’t even have to give up the luxuries of life while doing it.

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Out & About in Bahrain

#BAHRAIN is comprised of more than 30 islands in the Persian Gulf, its modern capital Manama has a thriving bazaar, Bab al-Bahrain offering wares ranging from colorful handwoven fabrics and spices to pearls. With only two seasons Bahrain is an ideal destination all year round depending on how hot you like it! With a hot summer (April-October) where temperatures average 40C but can reach 48C and a mild winter at more acceptable levels of between 10C-20C.

Bahrain has much to offer the tourist from cultural heritage, wildlife, museums, art galleries and boutiques not to forget a trip to the Bahrain International Circuit for motorsport enthusiasts. Some of its most visited tourist destinations. . .

Qalat al Bahrain site and museum - Bahrain Fort site that is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Block 338 - pedestrian quarter full of international restaurants, art galleries and small boutiques.

Bab al Bahrain - Bab al Bahrain was builtin 1949 and housed the government offices at the time.

Bahrain National Museum - One of the first museums in the Gulf, the Bahrain National Museum opened in 1988 and the site itself is on the edge of the sea.

Old Houses of Muharraq - Muharraq is the former capital of Bahrain and is known for its cultural splendour and traditional Bahraini houses.

Suq al Qaisariya - One of the oldest sections of the Muharraq Suq this offers a shopping experience to rival all others.

Dar Islands - The beach resort of Al Dar Island offers regular pearl dives and cruises to Jarada Island. For wildlife enthusiasts a trip to the Hawar Islands are a must.

Bahrain International Circuit

Bait al Quran - a spectacular Arabic script engraved building, this museum showcases a significant collection of Quranic manuscripts and scriptures dating back to the 7th century.

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Picture Credit: By Joel from Manama, Bahrain - Bahrain Fort, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5812555

Finding your way

THE Jesus Trail is a 65-kilometer #hiking trail in the Galilee region of #Israel which connects important sites from the life of Jesus as well as other historical and religious sites. Offering an alternative for travelers and pilgrims to experience the steps of Jesus by hiking through the rugged and beautiful landscape of the Galilee in Israel. 

The trail is about 60 km (40 miles) to Capernaum. For the average hiker it should take from 3 to 5 days, the return route looping to the south adds an additional 3-5 days, and is more difficult if hiking from the Sea of Galilee back to Nazareth.

The guidebook Hiking the Jesus Trail and Other Biblical Walks in the Galilee provides a welcome addition to Jesus Trail resources, including detailed full-color maps in English, expert advice on backpacking in Israel, thorough information about historical sites, along with hundreds of full-color photos and diagrams.

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Picture Credit: Mussi Katz 52775988@N00/15355251359 Arbel via photopin.com

Al Hoota Cave

OMAN'S most popular natural tourist destination, Al Hoota Cave, has reopened following the implementation of broad enhancements to the visitor experience at the attraction. 

The cave, located in the wilayat of Al Hamra, is believed to be over 2 million years old located in a mountain in the vicinity of the Tanuf Valley in Al Hamra district at the foothills of Central Al Hajar mountains The cave offers a fascinating insight into what lies beneath Oman's plateaus and peaks.

The cave features an electrical train that starts from the visitor centre reaching the mouth of the tunnel arriving to the cave's main entrance. Another feature of this amazing cave is the subterranean lake system which is home to unusual species of aquatic, pink-coloured blind fish which sense their way around the lake with feelers.

The enhanced Al Hoota experience will enable people to get the most from their visits and the ability to plan a visit online means people can book the elements of the visit they want, creating a bespoke experience. Opening times are Saturday-Thursday (Except Monday) from 9am-6pm and on Fridays from 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm.

alhootacave.com

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Picture Credit: By No machine-readable author provided. Nabieh~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1528942