LONDON: Emirates is increasing services to the Maldives and Seychelles as travelers seek out space and luxury after a year of travel restrictions.
It comes as the region’s big carriers position themselves for an upswing in demand for travel as vaccine programs are rolled out and flying restrictions eased.
Such routes are expected to become more important amid a much slower anticipated return of premium travel, where Gulf airlines including Emirates and Qatar Airways have a strong market presence.
Both Emirates and regional hub rival Qatar Airways are seeing strong demand for Maldives getaways as the pair gradually resume flying to more destinations.
“Space is becoming the sought after commodity for many travelers and there has already been capacity added to destinations such as these by several airlines,” aviation consultant John Strickland told Arab News. “Such destinations can support a price premium too for similar reasons and when demand is broadly so weak any opportunity for airlines to tap into higher margin traffic will be welcome.”
Starting March 28, the Dubai carrier will increase services to both destinations ahead of the Easter break. It will increase its weekly Maldives service to 28 flights from the current 24. At the same time the Seychelles route will move to seven-times-a-week from the current five. The heavily tourism-reliant Seychelles has moved quickly to open up to inoculated passengers. It plans to start welcoming international visitors from March 25 by which time some 70 percent of the population is expected to have been vaccinated.
Air Seychelles also said it had introduced weekly direct flights from Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) to the Seychelles between March 27 and May 29 2021, starting from about $343.A recent report from the World Travel Tourism Council highlighted rising anticipated demand for remote destinations and beach vacations post-pandemic.
Aileen Clemente, CEO of Rajah Travel Corporation, predicted there would be “an emergence of new destinations in isolated locations as consumers veer away from ‘massification.’”
All travelers to the Maldives, excluding Maldives citizens, must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test result, conducted within 96 hours prior to departure. Passengers must also complete an online Immigration and health self‑declaration form within 24 hours prior to arrival. Meanwhile travelers to the Seychelles will still be required to present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure.
As Gulf travelers seek post-pandemic pampering, airlines add more Maldives and Seychelles flights
https://arab.news/ybhjw
As Gulf travelers seek post-pandemic pampering, airlines add more Maldives and Seychelles flights
- Air Seychelles and Emirates add routes
- Gulf carriers respond to emerging travel trends
Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend
RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 51.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to finish at 10,945.15.
Trading activity was robust, with 373.9 million shares exchanged and total turnover reaching SR6.81 billion.
The MT30 Index also ended the session in positive territory, advancing 11.93 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,472.82, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index declined 116.82 points, or 0.49 percent, to 23,551.47, reflecting continued volatility in the parallel market.
The main market saw 90 gainers against 171 decliners, indicating selective buying.
On the upside, Al Kathiri Holding Co. led gainers, closing at SR2.18, up SR0.12, or 5.83 percent. Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. advanced to SR23, gaining SR0.99, or 4.5 percent, while Al Ramz Real Estate Co. rose 4.35 percent to close at SR60.
SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. added 4.21 percent to SR118.70, and Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co. climbed 4.12 percent to SR45.
Meanwhile, losses were led by Saudi Industrial Export Co., which fell 9.73 percent to SR2.69. United Cooperative Assurance Co. declined 5.08 percent to SR3.74, while Thimar Development Holding Co. dropped 4.54 percent to SR35.30.
Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. retreated 4.15 percent to SR48.50, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. slipped 3.96 percent to SR10.44.
On the announcement front, Saudi National Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes under its existing international capital programe, with the final size and terms to be determined subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.
The planned issuance aims to strengthen Tier 1 capital and support the bank’s broader financial and strategic objectives.
The stock closed at SR42.70, gaining SR0.70, or 1.67 percent, reflecting positive investor reaction to the capital management move.
Separately, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. said its board approved the establishment of a wholly owned simplified joint stock company to provide drilling, exploration and related support services, with a share capital of SR100 million and headquarters in Najran, subject to regulatory approvals.
The new subsidiary aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance operational efficiency and expand its role in the Kingdom’s mining sector.
Shares of Almasane Alkobra Mining closed at SR98.70, up SR0.30, or 0.3 percent, by the end of the session.
