Qatar Airways, British Airways shared network now includes 42 new countries

Qatar Airways and British Airways have completed the latest phase in the expansion of their partnership, offering global connectivity between more countries than any other airline joint business.

The airlines have added 42 new countries to their shared network, including the Maldives and Singapore. Customers will now benefit from even greater choices in prices and schedules with options for direct flights as well as connections via hubs in London and Doha.

The expansion will enable seamless connecting journeys on single tickets through Doha and London, bringing the total number of destinations served by the two airlines to 185 across more than 60 countries. The complementary networks access dozens of countries that no other alliance or joint business provides. The partnership also ensures access to more cities around the world than ever before.

Additionally, customers will have more freedom to engage with both airlines’ loyalty programmes, earning and spending Avios, their common currency. Customers are able to seamlessly link their Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club accounts to transfer Avios between the two, and combine balances to claim rewards offered by each programme. The collaboration further offers access to both airlines’ exclusive lounges, and cabins to suit all budgets and needs, including British Airways’ new Club Suite and Qatar Airways’ Qsuite.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker said: “The growing collaboration between Qatar Airways and British Airways shows our customers our common goal to offer an unparalleled network with unique benefits. Travellers can now experience the best in quality and service as they travel across our joint network. The joint business between our airlines cements both Qatar Airways and British Airways as industry leaders, aiming to provide the utmost flexibility and unrivalled connectivity to our customers.”

Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO, British Airways said: “This is a huge milestone in our longstanding relationship with Qatar Airways, an airline that shares our passion for customer service, choice and flexibility.

“From idyllic holiday hotspots such as the Maldives and Thailand, to business hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong, we are pleased to open up the world as the travel industry continues to make steps towards its recovery.”

*Cooperation on a small number of routes remains subject to pending regulatory clearances.

Qatar to host first Jeff Koons exhibition in the Gulf

Qatar Museums (QM) is set to present Jeff Koons: Lost in America from 21 November 2021 to 31 March 2022 as part of the Qatar-United States 2021 Year of Culture. 

The artist’s first exhibition in the Gulf region will take place at the QM Gallery ALRIWAQ with items selected by curator and art critic Massimiliano Gioni that provide a view into the career of one of the best-known contemporary artists in the world.

Source: Qatar Museum. Koons's work bridges pop, minimalism and the readymade, and his iconic balloon dog statue is recognised globally.

Lost in America presents a portrait of American culture as seen through Koons’s autobiography, beginning with his childhood in suburban Pennsylvania. The exhibition features more than 60 artworks drawn from Koons’s four-decades-long career and is divided into 16 galleries, each introduced by an autobiographical text by the artist, that emphasise his memories, influences and fascination with American visual culture.

ViaVii to offer help with travelling in Qatar

Visitors travelling to Qatar for tourism and attending mega sporting events will now be able to personalise their travel itineraries through ViaVii, a platform to explore and book travel experiences. 

ViaVii will provide opportunities for visitors to experience cooking traditional Qatari food, enjoy the local arts scene, hear stories of tradition and heritage, spend the night in the desert and partake in heritage walking tours.

Rola Fayyad, ViaVii's Founder and CEO said: "What caught my attention the most was that travellers to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region struggled to find and discover new experiences, or things to do, that allowed them to explore new cultures and meet new people. People these days have become more aware of the real value of travel that goes beyond just sightseeing and attractions; they are looking to be exposed to different cultures, languages and cuisines, all while meeting new and interesting people.

"Our main goal is to connect people in the most meaningful of ways. For that reason, all the experiences available on our platform are designed and hosted by amazing residents of a community who are eager to share their culture and talents with travellers. It's a win/win situation for both the curious travellers and the welcoming hosts. To date, ViaVii offers more than 3,500 ready-to-buy immersive digitally delivered experiences, of which only 20% were active due to COVID-related lockdowns during the last year."

The platform is anticipated to be extremely relevant with the FIFA World Cup 2022 scheduled to take place in Qatar in less than 18 months' time.

"We're so proud to have an opportunity to potentially serve hundreds of thousands of visitors to Qatar over the next couple of years, that are either here for business, on holiday or to attend events such as mega sporting tournaments," Fayyad said. 

"So many travellers today are looking for an empathetic platform, with personalised user-experience and authentic content designed and hosted by amazing locals, ultimately making travel more purposeful. ViaVii provides just that."

Details:

A mobile application will also soon be available for download through the Apple and Google app stores. Currently available in English and Arabic, more languages including Russian, Chinese and Spanish are to be available next year.

A digital itinerary planner will be available later this year for major events held in Qatar.

Source: Qatar Science & Technology Park. A desert safari in Qatar.

Souq Al Wakra Hotel by Tivoli offers MICE opportunities

Source: Tivoli Group. The Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by
Tivoli.

Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli has launched in Al Wakra, the up-and-coming seaside district a 20-minute drive south of Doha.

Blending Qatari tradition and contemporary leisure, the new hotel has 101 guest rooms housed in two former heritage houses.

Each house features architecture mirroring a Qatari house or fortress. In keeping with the local heritage, each of the guest rooms and suites features classic thatched roofs, reflecting traditional basket weaving elements. The guest rooms have motifs reflecting blues of the sea and the tones of the desert, inspired by Al Wakra’s history as a pearl diving and fishing village.

Open walkways and maze-like paths lead to courtyards where multiple guest rooms can be blocked off to create private areas for groups. Large parties can stay together in guest rooms grouped around authentic Qatari majlis (meeting rooms). Historically a majlis was a gathering place for people to discuss family and business-related issues and announcements. The tradition continues in Arab homes, which typically have a majlis for events and meetings.

Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli has five restaurants and lounges. Jarnen offers Mediterranean all-day dining with fresh seafood sourced daily from the local Al Wakra market and BBQ dishes grilled to order at live cooking stations. Markhan, an Arabic fusion lounge, has views of sunsets overlooking the gulf.

Emshoot offers invites Asian flavours while Mahaadeg’s terrace, which has views of the souq, serves international dishes. Quick bites are available at the Lobby Lounge.

A majlis situated across the property offers an authentic Bedouin-style evening or live BBQ.

To complement the waterfront location, Tivoli Spa provides services for relaxation and wellbeing with separate treatment rooms for men and women as well as a hydro pool, steam room, Vichy shower* and jacuzzi. A multifunctional gym in each building is also available for all guests.

Fifteen minutes by car from Doha’s Hamad International Airport, the hotel is an easily accessible location for business meetings, with both a multipurpose boardroom equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment and a business centre available in each building. The hotel also has direct access to the adjacent Al Wakra public beach and promenade.

A former coastal settlement for pearl divers, sailors and fishermen, Al Wakra flourished as a trading post until supplies ran out. Recent investment has resulted in efforts to preserve and revive heritage sites, said Tivoli.

Souq Al Wakra is now popular with merchants selling traditional garments, dates and spices, and souvenirs. The souq comes to life at night with diners along the promenade, locally called the corniche. The regeneration of the area also includes historical landmarks such as Al Wakra Fort, a short walk from the property, which will soon reopen after refurbishment.

Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is part of the Minor Hotels and currently operates 16 properties in around the world.

*The user lies on a shallow bed with drainage, underneath several shower mechanisms.

Qatar Airways supports Breast Cancer Awareness month

Source: Qatar Airways. Amenity kits go pink.

Limited edition amenity kits in pink are now being offered to Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class passengers to mark the airline’s continuing support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Passengers flying long-haul in first and business class will receive luxury amenity bags created exclusively for Qatar Airways by Italian luggage brand BRIC’S, in shade of pink called Rose Pompadour.

All passengers flying in First Class and Business Class with Qatar Airways will be offered pink versions of the airline’s signature miniature BRIC'S Bellagio and Sintesis suitcase amenity kits, for men and women, which feature a hard shell with a Tuscan leather trim. Each bag contains exclusive products from Italy’s Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio, the environmentally-friendly olive oil company.

The skincare range includes lip balm, hydrating facial mist, and anti-ageing moisturiser in business class, with added Night Recovery Cream for first class kits. Pink socks, eyeshades and ear plugs complete the range with the addition of a BRIC’S signature luggage tag for First Class. A card urging customers to Think Pink! and encouraging them to support the fight against breast cancer is included with each kit.

Qatar Airways Senior VP, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Salam Al Shawa, said: “Qatar Airways is a very strong supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all the incredibly hard work that goes into research and development to help beat breast cancer. We hope these very special and limited edition pink BRIC’S luxury amenity kits for our male and female passengers flying long-haul in first class and business class will help demonstrate our ongoing commitment to raising awareness of breast cancer, and show our support for those affected by it.”

As well as being encouraged to wear pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many Qatar Airways employees will be taking part in a number of initiatives to alert staff to the dangers of the disease and generate funds towards fighting breast cancer. These include various workshops and awareness-raising lectures designed to raise awareness of the importance of self-assessment and early diagnosis.

Now in its 20th year, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 200 aircraft flying to business and leisure destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways will be adding more destinations to its network in 2017 and 2018, including Canberra, Australia and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Rose Pompadour was created in France in 1757 at the Sèvres porcelain facility, named after a member of the French court, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, the Marquise de Pompadour (Madame de Pompadour). Madame de Pompadour who was a major patron of porcelain. Rose Pompadour is one of five colours produced by Sèvres, which helped to define magnificence and luxury in eighteenth-century France.

Qatar opens visa-free entry for 80 countries and territories

Source: Qatar Airways. The press announcement yesterday.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways have announced that Qatar will allow visa-free entry* for citizens of 80 countries and territories.

Citizens of these countries and territories will no longer need to apply or pay for a visa to visit Qatar; instead, a multi-entry waiver will be issued free-of-charge at the port of entry, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.

Depending on the nationality of the visitor, the waiver will either be valid for 180 days, from the date of issue, and allow the visitor to spend a total of 90 days in Qatar (multiple-entry waiver); or it will be valid for 30 days from the date of issue and entitle the visitor to spend up to 30 days in Qatar with the possibility of applying for an extension of the waiver for an additional 30 days (multiple-entry waiver).

These developments come as part of a series of measures that Qatar has taken to facilitate visitor access to the country. Last month, Qatar launched an e-visa platform through which travellers of all nationalities can apply for tourist and visitor visas. The country is also considering further enhancements to its visa policy, such as waiving visa requirements for holders of a residence permit or a valid visa from the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, KSA, and the UAE), Australia, and New Zealand. This waiver would allow eligible visitors to obtain an electronic travel authorisation by completing an online application at least 48 hours prior to travel.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said yesterday: “Today’s announcement places the state of Qatar as the most open country in the region. This is a momentous occasion for Qatar, making the number of nationalities eligible to enter our country without a visa the highest in region, which is something that we are very proud of.

“Qatar Airways is the patriotic flag carrier for the state of Qatar and as such we are extremely honoured to bring millions of people each year to our beautiful, welcoming and historic country. This important initiative from the Ministry of Interior and Qatar Tourism Authority will provide an opportunity to welcome even more visitors, from even more countries, to experience the many exciting attractions that await them.”

According to Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development officer at QTA, visa facilitation is a critical component of the national tourism sector strategy, which QTA is currently reviewing in partnership with stakeholders from the public and private sectors. With renewed focus by the country’s leadership on diversifying the national economy, a revised strategy which empowers various players to boost the growth of tourism is set to be launched on 27 September 2017, when Qatar hosts the official celebrations of World Tourism Day.

“Easing entry to Qatar is a key enabler for the growth of Qatar’s tourism industry. With this announcement we are already turning the pages of the next chapter of Qatar’s journey towards 2030,” commented Al Ibrahim. “Together with our partners in the public and private sectors, we have examined all of the elements needed to create a smooth and enticing experience that can attract visitors from around the world. There is no doubt that facilitating and streamlining access at all ports of entry are key factors in creating a positive first and lasting impression of Qatar.

“With 80 countries eligible for a visa waiver, Qatar is now the most open country in the region and we are delighted to invite visitors to discover our renowned hospitality, cultural heritage and natural treasures.”

Brigadier Mohammed Al Ateeq, Director General of the Department of Passport and Expatriates Affairs at MoI, commented, “We are very pleased to announce that nationals of 80 countries are now eligible for a visa waiver and can enter Qatar without requiring any prior visa arrangements. Together with our partners at QTA and Qatar Airways, we have been working to enhance our country’s visa policies and implement solutions to better facilitate travel to Qatar. Further enhancements are being studied and we look forward to announcing them in due course.”

In November 2016, Qatar introduced a free transit visa, which allows passengers of all nationalities transiting in Qatar for a minimum of five hours to stay in Qatar for up to 96 hours (four days). In May 2017, QTA launched +Qatar, an initiative to promote the country as a stopover destination, with the national carrier, Qatar Airways. These measures, along with intensified international marketing, have resulted in a 39% increase in the number of stopover visitors during the first six months of 2017, compared with the same period last year.

As part of Qatar Airways’ and QTA’s combined efforts to boost tourism in the country, the award-winning airline has accelerated its global expansion plans, and recently announced the launch of a number of new destinations that it is adding to its network by the end of August 2017. The airline launched Sohar, Oman as a new destination in early August.

Interested?

The following countries are included under the visa-free programme:

Nationals of the following 33 countries will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips.

1. Austria

2. Bahamas

3. Belgium

4. Bulgaria

5. Croatia

6. Cyprus

7. Czech Republic

8. Denmark

9. Estonia

10. Finland

11. France

12. Germany

13. Greece

14. Hungary

15. Iceland

16. Italy

17. Latvia

18. Liechtenstein

19. Lithuania

20. Luxembourg

21. Malta

22. Netherlands

23. Norway

24. Poland

25. Portugal

26. Romania

27. Seychelles

28. Slovakia

29. Slovenia

30. Spain

31. Sweden

32. Switzerland

33. Turkey

Nationals of the following 47 countries and territories will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days.

1. Andorra

2. Argentina

3. Australia

4. Belarus

5. Bolivia

6. Brazil

7. Brunei

8. Canada

9. Chile

10. Mainland China

11. Colombia

12. Ecuador

13. Panama

14. Costa Rica

15. Georgia

16. Guyana

17. Hong Kong

18. India

19. Indonesia

20. Ireland

21. Japan

22. Kazakhstan

23. Lebanon

24. Azerbaijan

25. Macedonia

26. Malaysia

27. Maldives

28. Mexico

29. Moldova

30. Monaco

31. New Zealand

32. Paraguay

33. Peru

34. Russia

35. San Marino

36. Singapore

37. South Africa

38. South Korea

39. Suriname

40. Cuba

41. Thailand

42. Ukraine

43. UK

44. US

45. Uruguay

46. Vatican City

47. Venezuela


*Entry to Qatar is approved at the sole discretion of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior.

Mileslife partnership allows app users to earn Qatar Airways Qmiles

Mileslife, a mileage earning app in China, welcomes Qatar Airways Privilege Club as its 12th airline loyalty programme partner. This is the first time ever that Qatar Airways has collaborated with a local company in China.

Mileslife App users can now earn Qmiles directly through daily lifestyle and travel spending while Mileslife has expanded its frequent flyer network to the Middle East.

Privilege Club is the frequent flyer programme of Qatar Airways. They have become popular with frequent flyers in China due to the number of flights they have that connect Europe and China. Every time members fly with Qatar Airways or use any of their partners' services, they earn Qmiles which can be redeemed for flights on Qatar Airways, oneworld airlines, partner airlines and services of non-air partners.

Mileslife offers over 2,000 mileage earning opportunities for users, ranging from mid-to-high end restaurants and leading spas to boutique hotels, luxury resorts, recreational activities and travel packages. Once users pay via the Mileslife App, they can earn up to to 1 airline mile with every 1 RMB (or equivalent) that they have spent and the miles earned will be directly credited into the frequent flyer account of the user within three to five working days.

Launched in 2015, Mileslife partners with China's leading loyalty programmes including China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club, China Eastern Airlines Eastern Miles, Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club, PhoenixMiles and Sichuan Airlines Golden Panda. The company is also the first Chinese startup to partner with British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Miles & More, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, United MileagePlus and EVA Air Infinity MileageLands.

"We've noticed most of the frequent flyers are loyal customers who tend to purchase value-oriented products," explained Troy Liu, founder and CEO of Mileslife. "After more-than-a-year operation, frequent flyers and our partners could distinguish the difference between Mileslife and other travel-related apps, and recognise our value."

Qatar Airways VP, Customer Loyalty and Relationship Management, Dr Ian Di Tullio, said: "We are excited about this innovative way to connect frequent flyers with daily lifestyle spending. Mileslife provides an excellent opportunity for us to activate the frequent flyer market in China and offers even more opportunities for our members to earn benefits, privileges and awards."

Interested?

Mileslife App users can book a flight at qatarairways.com through to 1 September 2017 and save up to 20% on fares. They can also earn 100% bonus Qmiles in premium class and 50% bonus Qmiles in economy class for flights taken till 31 March 2018.

Qatar Airways Cargo transports pioneer cow herd for new dairy industry in Qatar

Qatar Airways Cargo, the cargo division of Qatar’s national carrier, has transported the country’s first two shipments of 330 Holstein cows from Europe on a Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 freighter. These initial shipments are part of a 4,000-head herd that marks the launch of a completely new industry for Qatar.

Ulrich Ogiermann, Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo said, “It is with utmost pride that we were given the opportunity to offer our expertise and services to support this momentous project. We are truly a part of history, helping launch the country’s newest industry, producing dairy products to meet local demand. The cattle charters involve a great deal of skill and coordination to ensure the flight from the points of origin to Doha was smooth and safe.

“With our extensive freighter fleet and state-of-the-art cargo facility at our Doha hub, we were able to meet our client Baladna Farm’s requirements with tailormade solutions to transport the cattle from various continents swiftly into Doha. Our dedicated team at Qatar Airways Cargo is well-trained and our QR Live product is fully-compliant with IATA’s Live Animal Regulations to ensure safe and comfortable air transportation of live animals.”

Source: Qatar Airways. Cows feeding.

The cargo carrier has been appointed to charter more than 20 cattle shipments from Europe, the US and Australia in the next few weeks. Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport (HIA), the cattle are carefully and efficiently transferred to Baladna Farm, a major livestock farm in Qatar.

Power International Holding Chairman Moutaz Al Khayyat said: “We are proud to expand the dairy industry in the State of Qatar, and are thankful to Qatar Airways Cargo for the expedient, safe and secure transportation of the cattle that have now safely arrived at their new home, Baladna Farm. With the arrival of the dairy cows, we aim to meet 30-35% of the imported milk demand in the country within two months.”

Baladna is a subsidiary of Power International Holding, a diversified Qatari company. Baladna has built special cowsheds with a temperature control system to ensure a comfortable environment for the cattle. Baladna Farm, built over 700,000 sq m, includes 40,000 Awassi sheep able to withstand high temperature and produce high-quality milk. The farm also houses 5,000 goats and an animal feed mill yielding 100 tonnes per day.

Qatar Airways Cargo recently attracted attention for undertaking a massive airlift of food and grocery items when a blockade was initiated by neighbouring countries on 5 June. This undertaking, arranged entirely by Qatar Airways Cargo, lasted several weeks and used its own fleet, as well as other leased aircraft. The cargo airline continues to connect its global customers’ businesses to over 150 destinations on 200 passenger and freighter aircraft.

Ranked the world’s third-largest international air cargo carrier, Qatar Airways Cargo has made significant investments in its fleet, network, its hub and products in recent years as part of its strategy and commitment to improve and enhance its product offering for the benefit of customers globally. The cargo carrier has performed charters for a variety of cargo including such as horses, cattle, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas products, art, concerts and exhibitions, machinery, mining and humanitarian relief goods.

Airlines cancel flights to Doha

The suspension of diplomatic ties between various countries and Qatar, announced 5 June, has led to the cancellation of flights to and from Doha for airlines headquartered in the countries involved. Under the various announcements, there are to be no land, sea or air connections between Qatar and the countries involved, which include Bahrain, KSA, and UAE in the Middle East.

Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, has suspended daily services between Bahrain and Doha with effect from 23:59, 5 June 2017 local time until further notice.

The last Gulf Air flight from Bahrain to Doha (GF530) will depart at 8:55pm on 5 June and the last Gulf Air flight from Doha to Bahrain (GF531) will depart at 10:40pm on 5 June (all times local).

"Gulf Air regrets any inconvenience this may cause to passengers affected by the suspension. A dedicated customer services team from the Gulf Air 24-hour Worldwide Contact Centre has been set up and is contacting affected passengers to offer alternative options, including full refunds on unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternate Gulf Air destinations.

The airline would like to thank all its customers for their patience and understanding and advises them to contact the Gulf Air Worldwide Contact Centre on +973 1737 3737 for further information," the airline stated on its website.

Etihad Airways has suspended all flights to and from Doha, Qatar as of the evening of 5 June, until further notice.

The last flight from Abu Dhabi to Doha will depart as EY391 at 9:35pm (local time) on 5 June. The last flight from Doha to Abu Dhabi will depart as EY398 at 10:50pm (local time) on 5 June, the airline said.

All customers who are booked on Etihad Airways flights to and from Doha are being provided with alternative options, including full refunds on unused tickets and free rebooking to the nearest alternate Etihad Airways destination. 

Detailed information is available by calling the Etihad Airways Contact Centre on +971 (0) 2599 0000, or by visiting‎ etihad.com.

"Etihad Airways regrets any inconvenience caused as a result of the suspension," the airline said in a statement.

"As instructed by the UAE government, Emirates will suspend its flights to and from Doha, starting from the morning of 6 June 2017, until further notice," Emirates stated on its website, apologising for the inconvenience caused to customers.

Emirates’ flights to and from Doha on 5 June, will operate as normal. The last flight from Dubai to Doha will depart as EK847 at 2:30am on 6 June. The last flight from Doha to Dubai will depart as EK848 at 3:50am on 6 June, the airline said.

Travellers bound for Doha, who are boarding their flight from airports around the Emirates network on 5 June are being advised to make alternative arrangements. "All customers booked on Emirates’ flights to and from Doha will be provided with alternative options, including full refunds on unused tickets and rebooking to alternate Emirates destinations," the airline said in the online statement.

Customers who booked with Emirates can process refunds for their tickets at online or contact their local Emirates office. Customers who booked through a travel agency should contact their travel agents.

Emirates is headquartered in Dubai while Etihad is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

Saudia's website carried a similar announcement, confirming that Saudi Arabian Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Qatar starting Monday 5 June.

"Due to the current situation of Qatar it has been decided to waive all tickets’ restrictions (rebooking / rerouting / refund and no-show ) of affected passengers holding confirmed reservations on flights departing from / to Qatar effective 5th of Jun’17 until further notice," the airline stated online.

There were no announcements on the Qatar Airways website at the time of writing, though media reports have noted that it has also suspended flights to various destinations. 

New Parfums Christian Dior Paris Pavilion at Hamad International Airport

Source: QDF. QDF unveils the Maison de Parfum  pavilion at HIA’s
main passenger terminal.

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has brought the south of France to Hamad International Airport (HIA) with the new Maison de Parfum Pavilion by Dior, featuring the private perfume collection.

Passengers departing, arriving or transiting through HIA will be transported to the Dior perfume laboratory in Grasse, France, where they will discover the origins of Parfum Christian Dior’s craftsmanship. The brand’s full fragrance catalogue will be on display, with specific focus on male and female fragrance bestsellers, including Sauvage, Dior Homme, Miss Dior and J’adore.

Senior VP, QDF Luis Gasset said: “QDF provides passengers with the latest premium services and a variety of products available across all QDF’s outlets in HIA’s main departure terminal. The exclusive Dior Pavilion will enhance passengers’ experience while shopping, giving them the opportunity to try technology by being transferred to Grasse gardens in France through virtual reality (VR) and enjoying the customisation or the personalisation of their purchases with special engraving and wrapping services.”

This is the third consecutive year that QDF has collaborated with Parfums Christian Dior to create a unique and luxurious experience for passengers travelling through HIA. In 2015, the pavilion featured a 'Bed of Roses' installation displaying six thousand hand-planted flowers; last year it featured a 180-sq m animated Dior Les Parfums installation inspired by the Rose de Mai.

QDF is a leading duty free operator in the Middle East, offering its customers an extensive range of leading international luxury brands including Moncler, Bally, Burberry, Coach, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Rolex, Bulgari, and Harrods.

Two new dining concepts at Hamad International Airport

Source: Qatar Airways. Spizzico is one of two new restaurants in the North Node at Hamad International Airport.

Qatar Duty Free (QDF), in partnership with HMSHost International, which provides dining experiences for travel venues has announced two new restaurants in the North Node of Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha.

Burger Federation, a casual dining concept, opened its doors to travellers in the North Node of HIA’s main terminal. The restaurant serves burgers that have been reinvented as contemporary gourmet cuisine. HMSHost responded to customers’ growing demand for high-quality meat with a menu of locally and internationally-inspired burgers made from premium Angus beef and fresh toppings.

Guests are welcome at Spizzico, a quick-service, contemporary bread and pizza bakery offering an assortment of gourmet pizzas, freshly-baked paninis, pastries and salads.

Senior Vice President, QDF, Luis Gasset said: “We invite travellers to try Burger Federation and Spizzico located at the North Node as well as the more than 30 restaurants and grab-and-go-style establishments offering an extensive selection of cuisine from all corners of the globe, strategically placed across the South and North Duty Free Plazas and along Concourses A, B, C, D and E.”

Walter Seib, CEO of HMSHost International, said: ”After the opening of Doha’s first Harvest Market restaurant in HIA in January, we are thrilled to announce the opening of two more restaurants that will appeal to hungry travellers. The strategic partnership with one of the fastest-growing airports in the Gulf, helps us in delivering our mission and conveying our promise of Feeling Good while on the move. Also, this partnership enables us to grow our footprint worldwide with our mixed brand portfolio.”

HMSHost operates international brands and proprietary concepts in more than 100 airports around the globe. Through its HMSHost International division, the company has food and beverage operations in 21 airports across the Middle East, Asia, and the Asia Pacific region.

QDF is a duty-free operator in the Middle East, offering its customers an extensive range of international brands including Moncler, Bally, Burberry, Coach, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Rolex, Bulgari, and Harrods.

Transit overnight at a luxury Doha hotel free with Qatar Airways

Source: Qatar Airways. Doha skyline.

Qatar Airways has launched a stopover package in partnership with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) to promote and market Qatar as a destination of choice for international travellers.

The package offers transit passengers the opportunity to discover Doha with free luxury hotel stays and complimentary transit visas. The unique offer is part of a broader campaign called +Qatar designed to encourage transit passengers to consider adding Qatar to their itinerary.

The promotion invites all Qatar Airways transit passengers to add Doha to their vacation by taking advantage of a free one-night hotel stay from a selection of the country’s best four- and five-star hotels in the capital city. Throughout the summer (Q2 to Q3), the national carrier, with the support of QTA, will offer a night's accommodation at hotels such as The Four Seasons, Marriott Marquis, Radisson Blu and the Oryx Rotana. They can stay a little longer with a second night’s stay for a US$50 booking fee.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is more than just a national flag-carrier for Qatar; we are proudly patriotic and want to share Qatar’s many exciting attractions with our passengers from around the world. This exclusive initiative provides the opportunity to add an extra element to our passengers’ existing travel plans with a complimentary hotel stay in some of Doha’s finest hotels. We want to ensure that our passengers have a memorable experience every time they travel with Qatar Airways, and now, we’re going even further to make sure that we exceed their expectations.”

Chief Tourism Development Officer, Qatar Tourism Authority Hassan Al-Ibrahim said: “It was a great source of pride for all of us in Qatar when we launched the transit visa last November. We have already seen a surge in stopover passengers, with a 53% increase recorded in March 2017, compared to the same month last year. With the launch of +Qatar today, we aim to convert a larger portion of the 30 million passengers passing through Hamad International Airport into stopover visitors. We are delighted to make Qatar more accessible to people from around the world and invite them to discover our country, our cultural heritage and our natural treasures.”

Interested?

To be eligible for this offer, passengers must book their flight online at www.qatarairways.com/plusqatar, select ‘multi-city’ and choose their hotel once they receive their flight confirmation. The online transit visa application is also free and is eligible for those in transit between five and 96 hours. This offer is available to Qatar Airways passengers flying both Premium and Economy, and demonstrates the airline’s commitment to its brand ethos of Going Places Together. Additional stopover packages are offered by Discover Qatar.

Win a trip to Barcelona with UberHOLIDAY and Qatar Airways

Source: Uber Malaysia. Qatar Airways will fly three lucky winners and their partners on a whirlwind trip to Spain.

On 12 January 2017, Uber users in Malaysia stand a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience in Barcelona, Spain with UberHOLIDAY. This promotion is brought to Uber users in conjunction with the Qatar Airways Travel Festival 2017.

In partnership with Qatar Airways, three winners and their partners will be picked up and driven straight to the airport to fly to Barcelona on the same day, provided they have valid passports and meet visa requirements for Spain*. Hotel stays will be provided, as will VIP tickets to watch an FC Barcelona match on 14 January 2017. The return flight from Barcelona to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will depart on Sunday, 15 January 2017.

There will be a total of 36 winners, including the three flying to Barcelona. The other winners will receive prizes such as return flight ticket vouchers (four available), Qatar Airways aircraft models (33 available) and limited edition Uber swag.

Interested?

Open up your Uber app on 12 January 2017 from 11am to 2pm
Move the slider to UberHOLIDAY and request.
Have the new Uber app? Just tap the UberHOLIDAY card at the bottom of the app to request.
On a successful request, your ride containing exclusive prizes will arrive at your doorstep.

Terms & conditions

• Only three grand prize winners will get a ride to the airport to fly to Barcelona, Spain with their partners on the day itself. 
• Please make sure you hold a valid passport and meet visa requirements before requesting. 
• Demand will be high and availability limited. 

*Malaysian passport holders do not need a visa to enter Barcelona, Spain, subject to immigration checks.

Qatar revises transit visa scheme

Source: Qatar Airways. Doha skyline.

Qatar Airways, Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar’s Ministry of Interior have introduced a revised tourism visa scheme available to passengers transiting through Doha in a move to promote Qatar as a world-class stopover destination.

The new transit visa structure now allows passengers with a minimum transit time of five hours in Hamad International Airport, Doha, to stay in Qatar for up to 96 hours (four days) without the requirement to apply ahead of time for an entry visa.

This is a significant increase from the previous transit visa scheme, which allowed travellers with a minimum layover of eight hours to spend a maximum of 48 hours (two days) in Qatar. This increase is designed to make stopovers easier and more attractive to Qatar Airways’ global passengers, and aims to deliver additional value to the local economy while strengthening Qatar’s position as an attractive tourist destination.

The Qatar transit visa is free of charge and available on arrival at Hamad International Airport to passengers of all nationalities, upon confirmation of the onward journey and completion of passport control procedures. All visas are approved and issued at the sole discretion of the Ministry of Interior.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways serves millions of people from around the world as they journey across our network of more than 150 destinations. Whether travelling for business or leisure, we want to enrich the journey of all of our passengers and we are restructuring our fares to reflect this initiative and to promote stopovers to travellers. We are excited to offer our passengers the opportunity to taste the cultural highlights that the city of Doha and the state of Qatar have to offer. We are thankful to the Ministry of Interior and the Qatar Tourism Authority for helping us to create a journey that includes discovering Qatar, an experience that will stay in our visitors hearts and minds forever.”

The development, shared on the eve of World Tourism Day, is the third in a series of enhancements that Qatar has made to facilitate entry into the country for visitors. A new process to quicken the entry of tourists arriving on board cruise ships and an agreement with VFS Global, which will see the development of a new, faster and more transparent tourist visa application mechanism, were earlier announced.

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General Taleb Rifai commended Qatar on its rapid advancement in this area. “Promoting visa facilitation is a priority for tourism development worldwide and a key element in the competitiveness of tourism destinations. We congratulate Qatar for announcing, very auspiciously on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, a new milestone change in the country’s transit visa scheme,” he said. “This is the third significant travel facilitation announcement from Qatar in the space of just one month. We are very pleased to see that the work conducted by UNWTO with Qatar on visa facilitation is yielding results and trust that these will certainly result in an increase of visitors to Qatar.”

The Director General of the General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriates Affairs in the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier Abdullah Salim Al-Ali, said: “The Ministry of Interior strives to support the country’s growth and development, while maintaining security for all visitors and residents. We are pleased to further facilitate the movement of the 30 million passengers who pass through Hamad International Airport every year. We welcome them to spend time in Doha and discover Qatari hospitality.”

Qatar Tourism Authority’s Chief Tourism Development Officer, Hassan Al Ibrahim, said: “By offering an enhanced transit visa to passengers travelling through Hamad International Airport, Qatar is providing its visitors a welcoming experience from the moment their planes touch down in Doha until they begin their onward journeys to their final destinations. And, as we celebrate World Tourism Day’s Tourism for All theme, we are delighted to make Qatar more accessible to people from around the world and invite them to discover our country, our cultural heritage and our natural treasures.”

The introduction of a new transit visa scheme is also a step towards positioning Doha as a turn-around port for cruise ships, Al Ibrahim added, noting that in the near future international cruise passengers could fly to Qatar, enter using a transit visa, and begin and end their cruise in Doha. “This will increase the length of stay in Qatar of a growing segment of visitors, and allow them to further explore our country’s tourism offering, while increasing the economic impact of cruise tourism,” he commented.

To maximise on their transit through Qatar, visitors can explore Discover Qatar stopover packages offered by Qatar Airways Holidays. These include, desert safaris, city tours, visits to Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and The Pearl-Qatar island, plus museum and art gallery visits, architectural tours, and hotel bookings.

Interested?

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about the collaboration between Qatar and VFS Global

Qatar Airways will be first in the world to know where its planes are, minute by minute

Qatar Airways will be the global launch customer of GlobalBeacon, a technology solution by Aireon and FlightAware that is designed to provide up-to-the minute global tracking of all aircraft equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) in 2018, approximately three years before the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) recommendation for compliance by 2021.

Source: Qatar Airways. Plane in Qatar Airways livery in action.

GlobalBeacon combines FlightAware’s worldwide flight tracking information, including origin, destination, flight plan route, position, and estimated time of arrival with data from Aireon’s space-based ADS-B aircraft surveillance system, due to be operational in 2018. The solution will provide Qatar Airways with state-of-the-art technology to meet and exceed Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS) requirements and recommendations.

In addition to aircraft tracking and location reporting requirements, GADSS requires aircraft to provide immediate notification of abnormal events, regardless of air traffic unit boundaries and without a degradation of baseline search and rescue services. Further, distressed aircraft status tracking under GADSS can be activated by the pilot, automatically by the aircraft and remotely by the operations control centre.

Announced by ICAO in March of 2016, the GADSS was created to help improve the ability to detect commercial aircraft in remote locations. The key components of GADSS recommend that aircraft report their position to the airline’s operations centre at a minimum of once every 15 minutes under normal flight circumstances. However, if an aircraft should become in distress, position reports are then to be provided every minute. GlobalBeacon will provide a permanent minute-by-minute reporting capability, exceeding the ICAO recommendation.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said: “As one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, both our needs, and our drive to deliver the very best services for our global passengers, are continually evolving. GlobalBeacon will seamlessly integrate with our existing ICAO 2018 compliant flight watch technology (Total Operations System), and further enhance our fleet management by providing updates every minute.

“I am proud of Qatar Airways’ leadership in this vital area of aviation safety and awareness. We will be the first airline in the world to have the capability to use worldwide satellite air surveillance to support our airline operations and to achieve the highest level of flight tracking standards ahead of the ICAO 2021 mandate.”

“Qatar Airways is a leader in the aviation industry, and their proactive approach to implementing the GADSS recommendations reinforces that point,” said Aireon CEO, Don Thoma. “With a modern fleet of 190 aircraft flying all over the world, across remote and oceanic airspace, Qatar Airways and GlobalBeacon are an ideal match and no new avionics will be required. We’re excited to welcome them as a partner.”

“With GlobalBeacon, Qatar Airways is getting the most state-of-the-art solution to meet GADSS recommendations in the industry,” said FlightAware CEO, Daniel Baker. “The adoption of this solution shows their commitment to their customers, employees and international community to help improve airlines and aviation stakeholder’s ability to locate aircraft in distress and improve search and rescue capabilities.”

Qatar Airways brings the A380 to Australia via Sydney

Source: Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways' A380 aircraft makes its Australian 

debut in Sydney.

Sydney has become Qatar Airways’ first destination in Australia to be served by the A380 aircraft, just six months after the super jumbo craft was introduced to the carrier’s global network.

Following the route’s inauguration with the Boeing 777-300 on 1 March 2016, Qatar Airways has seen a steady growth in demand for its service on this route. The A380 aircraft increases Qatar Airways’ current daily capacity by 44% to meet growing travel and trade demand. The 517-seater offers twin decks in a tri-class configuration of eight seats in First Class, 48 seats in Business Class and 461 in Economy Class.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar Al Baker said: “From the moment we inaugurated service to Sydney earlier this year, we have been welcomed with open arms. Customers flying to and from Sydney appreciate our global route network and our efficient flight schedules, which save them hours of time on the average itinerary. We are pleased to respond in kind, with the introduction of the A380 service to Sydney, offering 517 seats per flight.

“Qatar Airways brings travellers from Australia to more destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa than any other airline serving Australia today. Australia is one of the main hubs of the business world in Asia Pacific, with many passengers flying worldwide for business and leisure. What better way to serve travellers from this key destination than to introduce our iconic A380 to the country, starting with the nation’s biggest hub, Sydney.”

“We’re thrilled that Qatar Airways has upgauged to an A380 within six months of the airline’s launch in Sydney, which is testament to their early success and strong loads,” Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said.

The A380 aircraft will feature a First Class Cabin with ultra-wide seats, which automatically recline into a flat bed, two-passenger table extension dining, sleeper suits, flight slippers and amenities from Giorgio Armani. Passengers travelling in Qatar Airways’ Business Class can also enjoy private aisle access with the 1-2-1 seat configuration and a suite of connectivity options including on-board Wi-Fi. First and Business Class passengers also have access to an on-board lounge located on the upper deck of the super-jumbo.

Economy Class passengers also benefit with the added spaciousness of the A380, with higher ceilings on the main deck, a wider seat configuration and design to offer more leg room plus contoured headrests.

When transiting through Qatar Airways’ hub, Hamad International Airport in Doha, passengers travelling from Sydney can enjoy a comfortable and efficient transit. The airport has more than 40,000 sq m of retail space and restaurants including more than 70 retail and 30 food and beverage outlets, as well as a 25m swimming pool, gym, hotel and spa.

Interested?

Daily flight schedule:

DOH to SYD on QR908 

Departs 9:40pm, arrives 7:35pm the next day

SYD to DOH on QR909 

Departs 10:25pm, arrives 5:05am the next day

Qatar Airways, Qatar Tourism Authority and VFS Global to enhance tousit visa application system

From left: Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Rashid Al Mazroui, Director of the 
Airport Passports Department; HE Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO of Qatar 
 Airways; Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer at Qatar 
 Tourism Authority; Zubin Karkaria, CEO of VFS Global; in a group photo 
 after the announcement.

Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) have signed an agreement with VFS Global – a provider of visa processing services – in the presence of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior. The agreement paves the way for an efficient and transparent tourist visa application system for travellers to Qatar.

The move comes as Qatar steps up efforts to attract and welcome more visitors to Qatar in line with the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 (QNTSS). The agreement will enable Qatar to identify and implement ideal visa solutions for its visitors while capitalising on VFS Global’s expertise in developing multi-platform visa services, and Qatar Airways’ international footprint.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said at the time of the announcement: “Qatar Airways has been bringing tourists to Qatar for nearly two decades and today’s announcement marks another milestone in our commitment to making Doha a world-class tourist destination. Qatar’s tourism industry is experiencing exponential growth and the visa advancements announced today will further support our country’s vision to invite and welcome visitors from around the world to experience all that Qatar has to offer. We look forward to welcoming more passengers on-board, at Hamad International Airport and into Qatar, as a result of today’s initiative."

Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer at QTA said, “It is a great source of pride for all of us at QTA to be making this announcement only two and half years after the launch of QNTSS. Facilitating the visa application process is an important step in our drive to increase the number of visitor arrivals to Qatar, and in raising inbound tourism spending. This agreement is also testament to the public-private-partnerships that are employed in the development of the sector, creating positive impacts across the tourism value chain and the broader economy.”

Qatar Airways and QTA will be working with VFS Global and the Ministry of the Interior over the next months to establish the new tourist visa application process, after which full details of the new system will be announced. The steps taken are expected to increase Qatar’s openness ranking on the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index*.

Brigadier Abdullah Salim Al Ali, Director General of General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriates Affairs, said, “Qatar’s Ministry of Interior continuously strives to make government services as smooth and efficient as possible, while ensuring that Qatar’s security is not compromised. We are pleased to take developments in our tourist visa application services to the next level by working with our valued partners Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority. We believe this agreement will optimise resources as well security, while creating a positive impact on Qatar’s image and economy.”

VFS Global offers convenient and efficient visa application services that can be accessed online by travellers from across the world, and the partnership aims to support passengers along their journey as well as to facilitate Qatar’s booming tourism industry by simplifying the tourist visa process.

Zubin Karkaria, CEO, VFS Global said; “We are pleased to partner with Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority to make the Qatar visa application process available to travellers globally, through online and mobile platforms. These new channels, which are sure to prove convenient and beneficial for visitors here, signify the next level of flexibility and security in the visa application process. This service will leverage on our experience and reliability in providing seamless visa application services, and will act as an important tool to boost tourism and make Qatar a preferred tourist destination.”

*The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index is maintained by the World Economic Forum. The most recent report was in 2015 (PDF)

Qatar makes significant strides in Global Innovation Index 2016

Qatar is ranked first in the world on two indicators, Ease of Paying Taxes and Tertiary Inbound Mobility of International Students in the Global Innovation Index 2016, reports Qatar's Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The annual Global Innovation Index explores rising share of innovation carried out via globalised innovation networks and is themed Winning with Global Innovation. The report also concludes that there is ample scope to expand global corporate and public R&D cooperation to foster future economic growth. It is published by UN's World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), INSEAD Business School and Cornell University.

The 2016 report highlights that gains from global innovation can be shared more widely as cross-border flows of knowledge and talent are on the rise. The Index, which measures performance of 128 countries on 82 indicators, placed Qatar third in the Arab world and 50th globally in the overall performance rankings.

Qatar advanced six positions on the Infrastructure pillar (ICT access and use), 10 positions on Market Sophistication and 28 positions on Business Sophistication, ranking 16th, 68th and 78th globally, respectively. Other wins for Qatar are - Electricity output (6th), University/industry research collaboration(8th), State of cluster development (8th), Joint venture/strategic alliance deals (8th) and Foreign direct investment outflows (16th).

Qatar is now ranked 52nd on Wikipedia edits and 46th on Video uploads on YouTube indicators within Online creativity sub-pillar. Qatar gained five ranks in Generic top-level domains and is now ranked 56th globally.

According to Qatar’s ICT Landscape Report 2016: Business, 13% of multinational ICT companies invested in R&D, with 8% of the local ICT companies investing in R&D activities in 2014. Among the ICT enterprises investing in R&D in Qatar, a majority (63%) of them spent less than 5% of their annual budget for R&D in 2014 in Qatar.

Source: Global Innovation Index. Top rankings for the Global Innovation Index.

Switzerland emerged as the global leader among innovative economies followed by Sweden, the UKm the US and Finland. Singapore at 6th place was the top-ranked Asian country and the only Asian representative in the top 10, with Korea coming in 11th.

Mainland China joins the ranks of the world’s 25 most-innovative economies for the first time, also the first time a middle-income country has joined the highly developed economies that have historically dominated the top of the Global Innovation Index through its nine years of surveying the innovative capacity of 100-plus countries across the globe, noted Cornell, INSEAD and WIPO.

"China’s progression reflects the country’s improved innovation performance as well as methodological considerations such as improved innovation metrics in the Global Innovation Index," they said in a statement. "Despite China’s rise, an 'innovation divide' persists between developed and developing countries amid increasing awareness among policymakers that fostering innovation is crucial to a vibrant, competitive economy."

“Investing in innovation is critical to raising long-term economic growth,” says WIPO Director General Francis Gurry. “In this current economic climate, uncovering new sources of growth and leveraging the opportunities raised by global innovation are priorities for all stakeholders.”

Japan, the US, the UK, and Germany stood out in “innovation quality,” a top-level indicator that looks at the calibre of universities, number of scientific publications and international patent filings. China is 17th in innovation quality, making it the leader among middle-income economies for this indicator, followed by India which has overtaken Brazil.

Soumitra Dutta, Dean, Cornell College of Business and co-editor of the report, said: “Investing in improving innovation quality is essential for closing the innovation divide. While institutions create an essential supportive framework for doing so, economies need to focus on reforming education and growing their research capabilities to compete successfully in a rapidly changing globalised world.”

Bruno Lanvin, INSEAD Executive Director for Global Indices, and co-author of the report, emphasised, “Some may see globalisation as a trend in search of its ‘second breath.’ Yet, the relative contraction of international trade and investment flows does give even more strategic importance to the two sides of global innovation: on one hand, more emerging countries are becoming successful innovators, and on the other hand, an increasing share of innovation benefits stem from cross-border co-operation.”

Source: Global Innovation Index. Regional innovation leaders. In the Middle East, the UAE ranked first, followed by Saudi Arabia.

At the national level, the report says that innovation policies should more explicitly favour international collaboration and the diffusion of knowledge across borders. New international governance structures should also aim to increase technology diffusion to and among developing countries.

Johan Aurik, Managing Partner and Chairman of GII Knowledge at AT Kearney, the global consultancy, says: “Digital has become a primary driver of strategy development and innovation for business in almost all sectors; I am convinced we are only at the beginning. Notably for established organisations, the challenge lies in finding ways to successfully innovate by using and transforming existing resources and business practices. Realising success in today’s new landscape requires creative, forward-thinking strategies that embrace digital and address the need to change the fundamental ways of working in the company.”





Regional analyses include:

Central and Southern Asia

India, at 66th, is the top-ranked economy in Central and Southern Asia, showing particular strengths in tertiary education and R&D, including global R&D intensive firms, the quality of its universities and scientific publications, its market sophistication and ICT service exports where it ranks first in the world. India also over-performs in innovation relative to its GDP. It ranks second on innovation quality amongst middle-income economies, overtaking Brazil. Relative weaknesses exist in the indicators for business environment, education expenditures, new business creations and the creative goods and services production.

“The commitment of India to innovation and improved innovation metrics is strong and growing, helping to improve the innovation environment. This trend will help gradually lift India closer to other top-ranked innovation economies,” says Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Following India in the region are Kazakhstan (75th), the Iran (78th), Tajikistan (86th), Sri Lanka (91st), and Bhutan (96th).

Northern Africa and Western Asia

Of the top five Global Innovation Index performers in this region, two are from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): UAE (41st) and KSA (49th). Many of the GCC countries are diversifying their economies following a decades-long dependence on oil, turning their focus towards more innovation-driven and diverse sources of growth and overcoming relative shortcomings in areas, such as Institutions, market and business sophistication.

“Innovation no longer occurs in silos; today it crosses borders and relies on collaboration between various entities to create a win-win prospect. The UAE is harnessing a globalised strategy to lead innovation internationally through its Smart City agenda and bring about a greater degree of convenience and satisfaction, and ultimately happiness, for all,” says Osman Sultan, Chief Executive Officer, du.

Turkey ranks 4th in the region in 2016 and 42nd overall. The region shows its highest average scores in ICT access and ICT-driven business model creation, as well as in e-government, and productivity growth. The report also said many of the GCC countries are diversifying their economies following a decades-long dependence on oil, turning their focus towards more innovation-driven and diverse sources of growth and overcoming relative shortcomings in areas, such as Institutions, market and business sophistication.

Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania

Singapore (6th), Korea (11th), Hong Kong (14th), Japan (16th), and New Zealand (17th) lead the rankings in this region. The majority of innovation leaders in the Global Innovation Index are in this region, or in Europe.

Among upper-middle income economies, China (25th), Malaysia (35th), and Thailand (52nd) rank first in the region. Vietnam (59th) maintains its top place among lower-middle-income economies, followed by the Philippines (74th,) and Indonesia (88th). Low-income economy Cambodia maintains its ranking in the top 100 economies overall (95th).

The region’s strongest average performance is in the number of teachers per pupils and productivity growth, with lower scores in R&D financed by foreign firms, ICT services exports and imports, and intellectual property receipts.

Interested?

Read the Global Innovation Index 2016 report (also available in Chinese)

Museum of Islamic Art pays tribute to Muhammad Ali this July

Source: Museum of Islamic Art Facebook page. View of boxing gloves.

Muhammad Ali: Tribute to a Legend is an exhibition dedicated posthumously to world boxing legend Muhammad Ali (1942 to 2016). The temporary exhibition is curated by Qatar Museums’ 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum and will present a collection of artefacts from the boxing legend’s career, including photography from Ali’s outdoor exhibition bout at the Doha Stadium in 1971; memorabilia spanning his journey to the 1960 Rome Olympics; Ali’s world title winning bout against Sonny Liston in 1964 and his final world title winning fight against Leon Spinks in New Orleans in 1978.

The museum has also developed augmented reality features for its app that can be used with the Muhammad Ali exhibition.

Interested?

The exhibition, at the Eastern Gallery, 4th Floor, Museum of Islamic Art, runs till the end of July. Admission is free.

View the video on the augmented reality app 

Download the augmented reality app for iOS 

Hashtag: #LegendAli

Qatar Airways introduces A380 to Guangzhou route

Source: Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways senior management pictured with senior airport officials at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, following the arrival of the airline’s A380 inaugural flight to Guangzhou.

Qatar Airways has upgraded its aircraft flying to Guangzhou, China as of 1 July.

The inaugural A380 flight to Guangzhou was met with a warm welcome as it touched down for the first time and now represents the airline’s fourth A380 destination, after Bangkok, London and Paris. Qatar Airways became the first Middle East airline to fly to Guangzhou in 2008 with a Boeing 777.

The A380 is spread across twin decks in a tri-class configuration of eight seats in First Class, 48 seats in Business Class and 461 in Economy Class and will serve Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, the third busiest airport in China, and the city of Guangzhou on the Pearl River Delta, home to 57 million people.

The airline currently flies a modern fleet of 186 aircraft to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations worldwide.