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Almosafer’s CEO Shares the Company’s Evolution from Hotel Booking Platform to a Comprehensive Omnichannel Travel Agency

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The Integrator had an exclusive interview with Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO, Almosafer. He sheds light on how the company started and transformed into one of the largest omnichannel travel agency of the Middle East.

What was the main idea behind starting Almosafer?

Almosafer, part of Seera Group, was founded in 2013 with the original intention of creating a travel booking platform for Saudis focused specifically on hotel reservations. As time went on, we experienced significant growth and Almosafer was transformed into a fully-fledged omnichannel travel agency for the Middle East. I have since overseen the amalgamation of all of Seera Group’s travel businesses under the Almosafer umbrella. These businesses include Almosafer, Almosafer Business, Discover Saudi, and Mawasim.

How does Almosafer differentiate itself from other travel brands in the Middle East?

Almosafer stands out in the Middle East market due to our comprehensive suite of products and services, covering the entire travel spectrum from religious tourism to leisure tourism in Saudi Arabia. We also cater to business, corporate, and government travel needs, in addition to our strength in consumer travel. What sets us apart is that all these services are integrated into a single platform, utilizing the same technology and data. This centralized sourcing approach enables us to provide a unique and seamless set of services for the entire travel ecosystem.

Can you give a brief about the four main areas that Almosafer deals with?

We are the Middle East’s leading travel company, catering to every travel vertical. There are four businesses under the Almosafer umbrella.

  1. Mawasim, which focuses on religious travel, specifically Hajj and Umrah into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We collaborate with agents globally, particularly in key markets like Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, and the US. Our aim is to provide B2B packages to these agents, which they can offer to their customers.
  2. Discover Saudi, which caters to inbound leisure tourism. We offer packages, tours, and operations for B2B international agents, covering all of Saudi Arabia. This includes popular destinations like AlUla and the Red Sea, among others.
  3. Almosafer Business, which specializes in corporate and government travel within Saudi Arabia. We work closely with government and corporate agencies to meet their travel needs and provide tailored solutions.
  4. Almosafer, our largest segment that is consumer travel, which includes B2C services through our mobile application, website, WhatsApp, and call center operations. We cater to consumer travel demands not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the rest of the GCC region.

Can you elaborate a little on the Almosafer Concierge that is your luxury travel service, how it caters to VIP and high-end clients?

Almosafer Concierge is an exclusive, invitation-only program that offers tailored luxury trips for VIP and high-end clients. We have established special partnerships and access for our guests at renowned luxury hotels such as Four Seasons and Marriott. Our team, largely comprised of Saudi professionals, understands the preferences and expectations of Saudi travelers. We also have international experts supporting us in delivering exceptional service. In addition to our invitation-only program, we offer a concierge planning service, allowing individuals to access our concierge services through a one-time fee.

What are the company’s future plans?

We have ambitious plans for the future. In 2023 alone, we are targeting 40 to 50% growth. We are excited about our non-binding terms agreement with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), signed in September 2022, that we aim to close in the near future. This agreement is expected to provide us with further growth opportunities. As a company, we remain committed to investing in tourism and technology for Saudi Arabia and the wider region, continually striving to enhance our offerings and services.

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Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer

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Qatar Airways today unveiled its new onboard signature music, created in partnership with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.

Inspired by Qatar and its culture, Qatar Airways’ new onboard music brings a distinctive sound identity to the passenger experience through its collaboration with the iconic composition of Hans Zimmer. The music is also featured on the ‘Burgundy Symphony’ album, a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.

The collaboration brings together Zimmer’s acclaimed cinematic storytelling and Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering memorable experiences, creating a recognisable sound that reflects the emotions, moments and memories that define travel.

The launch was celebrated at Hans Zimmer’s highly-anticipated concert in Doha on 6 November, where audiences were given an exclusive first look at the story behind the collaboration through a specially created film on the creative process and inspiration behind Burgundy Symphony, alongside a preview of the music. Qatar Airways passengers can experience the new composition onboard from today.

The Burgundy Symphony album captures the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:

Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons.

Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars.

The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life. The inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences.

Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life. The track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends.

An Ode to Qatar, concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision. The piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony.

Following the unveiling, Burgundy Symphony is now available on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel, inviting audiences around the world to experience Hans Zimmer’s original compositions inspired by the journey of travel and the spirit of Qatar Airways.

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has won the Sustain Sharjah award for Hotel Properties at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2026, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). This marks the resort’s second consecutive recognition under the initiative.

The accolade acknowledges the property’s progress at Level 2 of the programme’s Explorers journey, structured around four core pillars: Guest, Experience, Local, and Story. Across each pillar, the resort has prioritised measurable, practical measures that engage guests, support the surrounding community, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.

Central to this achievement are three primary operational initiatives:

  • Onsite water bottling plant: Replaces single-use plastics with reusable glass bottles, eliminating approximately 300,672 plastic bottles annually.
  • Winnow AI food-waste system: Weighs and monitors kitchen waste in real time, enabling culinary teams to curb excess directly at source.
  • Onsite biodigester: Installed in 2026, making the property the first hotel in Sharjah to process organic waste entirely on site.

Commenting on the achievement, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said: “Securing the Sustain Sharjah award for the second consecutive year is an honour for our entire team. Initiatives such as our water bottling plant, AI-driven waste monitoring, and onsite biodigester reflect our daily operational commitment—one shared with our guests, partners, and the local community. We thank the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for this recognition and for their steady leadership in advancing sustainable tourism across the emirate.”

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and continues to align its operations with broader international climate targets.

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Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight

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Qatar Airways has inaugurated its new twice-weekly service connecting Doha with Caracas and Bogotá. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate nonstop services from the Middle East to both Bogotá and Caracas. The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening global connectivity for the region and is operated on Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

Qatar Airways flights to Caracas (CCS) and Bogotá (BOG)

Qatar Airways’ flight schedule has been designed to provide smooth onward connections through Hamad International Airport to key markets including Australia, China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. This offers passengers greater flexibility and seamless transfer options across Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations.

Departing every Wednesday and Sunday:

Doha (DOH) to Bogotá (BOG) – Flight QR783: Departure 07:35; Arrival 16:25

Bogotá (BOG) to Caracas (CCS) – Flight QR783: Departure 17:55; Arrival 21:00

Caracas (CCS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR783: Departure 23:30; Arrival 20:35

The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Brazil’s São Paulo.

The airline has recently expanded its partnership with LATAM to include LATAM Airlines Colombia, offering travellers greater access to the region. Qatar Airways will place its code on LATAM-operated flights between Bogotá and key domestic destinations including Cartagena, Armenia, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Leticia, Medellín, Montería, Neiva, Pereira, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés Island, Santa Marta, and Yopal.

Qatar Airways continues to strengthen global connectivity, serving more than 170 destinations this winter. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.

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