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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on June 7, 2024
Atlantis Dubai is marking the third anniversary of its pioneering sustainability initiative, the Atlantis Atlas Project, by announcing a bold new commitment: 100% seafood traceability across its dining establishments. This announcement coincides with World Oceans Day on June 8th, a fitting occasion to highlight the resort's ongoing efforts to protect marine ecosystems and promote responsible tourism.
In a significant step towards transparency and sustainability, Atlantis Dubai has partnered with Seafood Souq, a UAE-based organization dedicated to establishing clear and accountable seafood supply chains. This collaboration began in 2022 and has already made notable strides. Seafood Souq’s innovative SFS Trace technology allows every piece of seafood served at Atlantis Dubai’s restaurants to be tracked from ocean to table, ensuring comprehensive insights into sourcing practices.
The SFS Trace system collects and audits detailed data on each seafood item, whether wild-caught or farmed. For wild-caught seafood, this includes information like the date of capture, fishing gear used, and the vessel's registration. For farmed seafood, the system tracks species, feed sources, and welfare standards. This data is then verified and compiled into a digital impact dashboard, which Atlantis Dubai uses to monitor and improve its procurement practices.
By August 2023, the traceability technology was fully operational at Atlantis Dubai, with regular quarterly audits ensuring compliance and data accuracy. By the end of 2023, 68.7% of the seafood served was traceable, rising to 90% by March 2024. Atlantis Dubai aims to achieve full traceability by December 2024, making it a leader in sustainable seafood sourcing in the region.
Since its launch, the Atlantis Atlas Project has spearheaded numerous initiatives to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. Key achievements over the past year include:
Solar Energy: Installation of solar panels has saved 767 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorption of 15,435 trees.
Food Waste Reduction: Implementation of Winnow technology in buffet restaurants has cut edible food waste by 40%.
Waste Management: Recycling bins in all 1,544 guest rooms at Atlantis, The Palm, enhance waste segregation efforts.
Plastic Reduction: Transition to refillable pump bottles for amenities in guest rooms has diverted 3 million plastic tubes from landfills annually.
Water Bottle Replacement: Over 2.6 million single-use plastic bottles have been replaced with glass refillable bottles.
Educational Outreach: Introduction of new school programs at The Lost Chambers Aquarium has boosted attendance by 253% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Inclusive Guest Experience: Atlantis Dubai became the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to earn the IBCCES Certified Autism Center™ Designation, enhancing accessibility for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests.
Soap Recycling: The UNISOAP UAE initiative has collected 70.7kg of discarded soap from the properties for recycling.
Atlantis Dubai’s efforts are not just about operational changes but also about fostering a culture of sustainability among guests and staff. The resort’s culinary and procurement teams work closely with Seafood Souq to select responsible suppliers, and future plans include allowing guests to scan a QR code to view the traceability score of their seafood dishes.
Fahim Al Qasimi, Co-Founder and Executive Chairperson of Seafood Souq, underscores the importance of this initiative, stating, “Traceability of seafood supply chains is crucial for food safety and ocean protection. We are proud to partner with Atlantis on this pioneering initiative, a first for the region.”
As Atlantis Dubai celebrates the third anniversary of the Atlantis Atlas Project, it doubles down on its commitment to sustainability. For every marine animal experience participated in by a guest on World Oceans Day and the following day, the resort will double its $1 USD contribution to support future conservation and education projects.
To learn more about the Atlantis Atlas Project and explore how you can get involved, visit www.atlantis.com/atlasproject.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on July 22, 2025
Germany is considering a reversal of the air traffic tax hike introduced in May 2024, according to a report by Bild. The move comes amid growing pressure from airlines and concerns over high operational costs at German airports. The current coalition government plans to discuss the matter during the preparation of the 2026 budget.
The tax increase raised the surcharge for short-haul flights from €12.48 to €15.53 per ticket. This has been widely criticized by airlines, especially low-cost carriers like Ryanair, which claim that the added costs are making air travel to and from Germany less attractive. International airlines have also hinted at scaling back their operations in response to the high fees.
Christoph Ploss, the government's tourism policy coordinator, has been vocal in calling for a change. “The increase in air traffic tax must be cancelled, and charges at German airports must also be reduced,” he told Bild. He further noted that the tax hike made holidays more expensive for millions of Germans. “A well-deserved holiday in Mallorca must not become unaffordable,” he added.
Germany’s transport ministry reportedly supports the reversal and sees it as a step toward reducing financial strain on the aviation sector. The coalition government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has expressed a commitment to easing the burden on the travel industry, although no official timeline has been provided yet.
The announcement briefly lifted Lufthansa’s stock by 2.2%, reflecting positive sentiment from the market. Ralph Beisel, head of the ADV airports association, also welcomed the potential policy change. “A reorientation of aviation policy is needed in our country,” he said, calling the reversal “a first and urgent step in the right direction.”
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is expected to present the draft budget for 2026 in the coming week. While economic challenges and increased defence spending are putting pressure on the national budget, businesses and industry watchers are closely monitoring the government's next steps in offering relief to the aviation sector.
By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 21, 2025
Emirates has unveiled 'Emirates First', a new premium check-in zone at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, offering a private and elevated experience exclusively for its First Class travellers and Skywards Platinum members.
Just steps from the dedicated Emirates entrance, the new facility is designed to mirror the airline’s First Class luxury—with interiors featuring marble finishes, gold and bronze accents, and plush seating areas. The space is intentionally free of digital signage to maintain a calm, lounge-like atmosphere. Instead, the check-in process is handled via iPads or at elegantly crafted counters, providing a personalised, tech-enhanced experience.
The zone also includes family-friendly seating, allowing one member to complete formalities while others relax. Luggage is seamlessly routed through dedicated First Class belts for smoother transfers.
“Emirates First reflects our continued investment in luxury travel,” said Adel al Redha, Deputy President & COO, Emirates. “It offers privacy, efficiency, and comfort at every step of the journey.”
Post check-in, passengers can proceed directly to the First Class lounges for à la carte dining, spa treatments, shopping concierge services, and more.
This initiative is part of Emirates’ broader First Class upgrades, which include Robert Welch caviar bowls, curated wine pairings, and a more refined onboard service. With over 26,800 First Class seats available weekly, Emirates continues to set the standard for top-tier travel experiences.
Foreign travellers heading to Europe may soon have to pay nearly three times more for the region’s new digital travel permit. The European Union has proposed increasing the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) fee to 20 euros (approx. USD 23), a steep rise from the originally planned 7 euros.
This change, unveiled by the European Commission, comes as the EU aims to adjust for inflation, operational demands, and to better align the permit cost with global equivalents. For instance, the U.S. charges USD 21 for its ESTA, while the UK’s ETA costs 16 pounds (around USD 21).
Expected to roll out in the last quarter of 2026, ETIAS will be mandatory for travellers from visa-exempt countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, entering any of the 27 EU member states (excluding Ireland) as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The permit will be valid for three years.
While travellers aged under 18 or over 70 will be exempt from paying the fee, others will need to apply online before their trip. The system is intended to enhance border safety by identifying security risks, irregular migration, and other concerns in advance, making travel both safer and smoother for eligible visitors.
The European Parliament and member states now have two months to review this fee adjustment. Once approved, it will go into effect with the launch of the ETIAS system, which has already seen multiple delays, largely due to its link with a yet-to-be-implemented automated border control system.
This proposal comes amid the EU’s broader financial plan, including a two-trillion-euro long-term budget (2028–2034), which aims to fund priorities like defence and agriculture. Brussels hopes to raise funds through new revenue tools such as a carbon border tax and an e-waste levy, targeting 58 billion euros annually.
As the EU moves to strengthen both financial sustainability and border security, the updated ETIAS fee stands as a key piece of its evolving travel and economic framework.
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