Connect Indian Ocean events were held in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow from October 13 to 16.
Here’s a recap of the key messages from the suppliers present at :
Rooms with views at Address Hotels & Resorts
Address Hotels & Resorts are situated in downtown Dubai and minutes from the renovated Dubai Fountain, which reopened on October 1 with cutting-edge technology, enhanced choreography, and upgraded sound lighting. The Palace Downtown is the best vantage point to enjoy the fountain’s spectacular show.
Non-stop with Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius now operates non-stop flights a week from London Gatwick to Mauritius. State-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 and A330-900Neo aircraft provide comfortable seating and up-to-date in-flight entertainment. Codeshares with Air France from six UK airports off via access to double-daily Air Mauritius flights.
Ajman for culture, beaches and outdoor activities
Ajman is a 30-minute taxi ride from Dubai Airport. It offers outdoor activities, rugged landscapes, white-sand beaches and luxurious resorts.
The Heritage District preserves and promotes Arabian culture, including the Ajman Museum, in an 18th-century fort that was formerly home to the ruler’s family.
Attitude in Mauritius and now Zanzibar
In November, Attitude – a B Corp-certified family business with a collection of three- and four-star eco-committed hotels – will open its first hotel beyond Mauritius’ shores. The Matemwe Attitude in Zanzibar a five-star Superior, adults-only retreat with an all-villa concept. Every villa features a pool and promotes effortless indoor-outdoor living.
Barut Hotels invests in eco-conscious design
Barut Hotels continues to redefine Mediterranean hospitality with its focus on sustainable luxury and exceptional guest experiences. With new investments in eco-conscious design, the brand combines Turkish warmth with modern innovation, strengthening its position as a leading example of responsible tourism in the region.
Combo tickets for Dubai Parks and Resorts
The View at The Palm is the Palm’s highest observation deck and offers a 360-degree view of the Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Gulf and Dubai Skyline. The portfolio includes the MOTIONGATE Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai and Real Madrid World theme parks; LEGOLAND and Wild Wadi waterparks; The Green Planet Dubai indoor tropical rainforest; Inside Burj Al Arab tours; Global Village and the world’s tallest observation wheel, Ain Dubai. Combo-tickets offer clients discounted tickets that pay commission.
More Emirates flights from London
From October 26, Emirates is adding six more weekly flights from London Heathrow. The additional flights will operate on all days except Fridays during winter on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, offering over 350 seats each way in three cabin classes, split between First, Business and Economy.
Expedia TAAP introduces TAAP Rewards
New from October 23, TAAP Rewards offers agents a competitive commission structure and other incentives, including earning one point for every pound spent – redeemable on gift cards.
Agents can add an agency service charge to bookings via the TAAP Academy website and modify bookings made via deferred payment. The message hotels function is also back, via ‘Support’ in the top right corner.
All-inclusive luxury at Heritance Aarah
This premium all-inclusive resort is in the Raa Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane transfer from Male. It offers elegant villas, an array of activities and six restaurants and five bars. It is a retreat for families and couples alike, and the house reef allows guests to snorkel in front of their rooms. Snorkelling equipment is included and all guests receive a 15-minute introduction to diving at the resort’s PADI-accredited Kaito Dive Centre.
JA Resorts to open sports and shooting club
Jebel Ali, JA Palm Tree Court, JA Beach Hotel and JA Lake View Hotel are elevating their guest experience with refined amenities and a Forbes-standard service. JA Lake View Hotel will launch the JA Sports and Shooting Club in April 2026. On the lively JBR strip, JA Ocean View Hotel offers fine views and direct access to Jumeirah Beach and is ideal for stopovers or twin-centre holidays.
Major Travel has a new flip brochure and exclusive deals
Dedicated exclusively to the travel trade, Major Travel offers tailored holidays and has been active for more than 50 years. The new flip brochure showcases the latest worldwide offers, from theme parks, scenic rail journeys and safaris to city breaks and sun-soaked beach holidays in the Indian Ocean. Exclusive deals make clients’ dream getaways more affordable than ever.
Five-star resorts from The Lux Collective
The Lux Collective’s five-star resorts are in Mauritius, Maldives and Zanzibar. Meanwhile, the LUX* Tea Horse Road collection is a way of exploring Yunnan Province in China. Each LUX* hotel offers a sense of ease and quiet yet is unique and shaped by its setting – from palm-fringed shores and desert stillness to storied city streets.
Easier than ever to visit Oman
From October, Oman Air’s enhanced service from London Heathrow makes it easier than ever to reach Oman. Double-daily flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Muscat (MCT) on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will initially operate on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. By the summer of 2026, 14 flights a week will be offered.
Qatar Airways named World’s Best Airline (again)
At the 2025 Skytrax Airline Awards, Qatar Airways was named World’s Best Airline for a record ninth time.
Ras Al Khaimah hosts New Year drone and firework show
Several high-profile hotel announcements were made in the first half of the year, the largest being the Taj Wellington Mews Al Marjan Island with 336 hotel apartments. Ras Al Khaimah is a year-round destination but its Guinness World Record-holding Fireworks and Laser Drone Show is a key draw on New Year’s Eve.
Royal Brunei Airlines flies from Heathrow
Royal Brunei Airlines offers flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to destinations across Asia and the Middle East. Guests can sign up to the Royal Skies loyalty programme to earn and use miles on flights or get a seat upgrade or extra baggage allowance.
Saudi Arabia unveils winter programme
Saudi Arabia’s Winter is Alive tourism programme showcases attractions in Riyadh, Diriyah, AlUla, Al-Khobar and beyond. Continuing through the first quarter of 2026, the programme will feature more than 1,200 tourism products and over 600 special offers across destinations.
Sunlife opens new resort in Mauritius
Anahita Golf and Spa Resort is Sunlife’s new property in Mauritius. With five luxury resorts, there are options for entertaining the family, immersion in local culture or playing golf. Sunlife Mauritius owns the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Course and holidaymakers staying at all of the group’s hotels receive complimentary and unlimited green fees at the course.
New signature experiences from Sun Siyam
With the Maldives at its heart, Sun Siyam makes it easy for holidaymakers to choose the ideal resort from three distinct collections: Lifestyle for the active, Privé for intimate barefoot hideaways and Luxury for the highest calibre of island indulgence. The 10 new Signature Experiences showcase the island’s spirit through sounds, flavours, events and activities.
Travelpack records rapid regional growth
Travelpack is growing rapidly in the Middle East and Indian Ocean, driven by strong demand for tailor-made luxury and cultural experiences. Passenger numbers are significantly up, and the company’s proactive expansion of the bespoke product offering in the regions is key to maintaining that high-value trend.
Magnificent prizes
Travel agents should bring business cards to Selling Travel Connect events to enter prize draws. At our Indian Ocean and Middle East events, agents had opportunities to win prizes.
Nick Lee and Tanja Riddell both won a five-night stay in a Beach Villa on a premium all-inclusive basis for two adults, with return combined speedboat transfer at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi.
Catherine Blackburn picked up a three-night stay for two at JA Resorts, while Mark Donaldson took home a three-night stay at a Barut Hotels property.
Rebecca Edmonds won tickets for two people to several Dubai Holdings attractions including Dubai Parks and Resorts, The Green Planet and View at the Palm.
Birmingham
Glasgow
London
Manchester
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Check the dates and locations of forthcoming Selling Travel Events and sign up online.
