Karisma Hotels Licenses Despegar's AI Travel Assistant Sofia

Karisma Hotels Partners with Despegar to Enhance Customer Service with AI Travel Assistant, Sofia

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 4, 2024

Karisma Hotels & Resorts has announced a strategic partnership with Despegar, Latin America's leading travel technology provider, to license their AI-powered travel assistant, Sofia. This new collaboration marks Karisma’s commitment to enhancing customer service by integrating Sofia’s AI functionalities to provide personalized assistance for guests across their travel journey.

The integration of Sofia will allow Karisma’s customers to experience a streamlined travel planning and booking process. With its AI-driven features, Sofia will offer tailored travel recommendations, seamless assistance, and a comprehensive approach to customer support.

Miguel Ortiz, Chief Strategic Officer of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to partner with Despegar and integrate their innovative AI travel assistant, Sofia, into our services. This collaboration underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of hospitality technology, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable travel experience.”

Damian Scokin, CEO of Despegar, added, “Our partnership with Karisma allows us to deepen our collaboration with a valued partner and position Karisma as a leader in hospitality innovation. We’re eager to expand Sofia’s capabilities, bringing even more value to travelers and setting a new standard for digital engagement.”

This move is part of Despegar’s broader strategy to license AI-powered solutions to enhance customer experiences while expanding their B2B partnerships. In line with this growth, Karisma recently announced plans for the Porta Rai hotel-residential complex in Montenegro, in collaboration with Dobrov & Family Group, further demonstrating its dedication to advancing hospitality through strategic partnerships and innovation.

Abu Dhabi Strengthens Global Tourism Position with Rising Visitors and Revenues

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 13, 2026

Abu Dhabi is stepping up efforts to position itself among the world’s leading tourism and cultural destinations, backed by steady growth in visitor arrivals, rising hotel revenues, and a strong pipeline of long-term investments. These developments reflect the emirate’s broader strategy to build a diversified, tourism-led economy.

Hotel establishments across Abu Dhabi recorded 4.4 million guests during the first nine months of the year, marking a notable increase compared to the same period earlier. Alongside higher footfall, hotel revenues saw a sharp rise to Dh5.85 billion, driven by improved room rates, stronger occupancy levels, and a growing mix of international visitors.

This performance aligns with the emirate’s long-term tourism strategy, which aims to significantly increase annual visitor numbers, expand hotel capacity to around 50,000 rooms, create large-scale employment opportunities, and raise tourism’s contribution to the overall economy. Industry leaders and officials point to a coordinated effort between government-backed developers, private tourism firms, and cultural institutions as a key driver behind this momentum.

Abu Dhabi offers a diverse mix of attractions spanning museums, archaeological sites, heritage forts, desert and coastal destinations, sports venues, and globally recognised entertainment brands. Several locations are listed on Unesco’s World Heritage register, while sustained investment in museums and cultural institutions has helped position the city as a year-round cultural destination.

The emirate has also strengthened its standing as a regional hub for large-scale international events. Its annual calendar features major sporting, cultural, and business events, drawing global visitors and supporting both leisure and corporate travel segments.

A major contributor to Abu Dhabi’s tourism expansion has been Miral, the state-backed developer behind several flagship leisure and entertainment destinations. Founded in 2011 and chaired by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral has built a development portfolio valued at over Dh13 billion across Yas Island and other parts of the emirate. The company oversees the full lifecycle of tourism assets, from design and construction to operations and management, and has supported the creation of around 3,000 jobs across the sector. Its operations span Miral Destinations, Miral Experiences, and Yas Asset Management.

Private tourism operators have also expanded alongside government-led developments, supported by funding programmes and strategic partnerships. Among them is Premier Travel & Tourism, founded by Emirati entrepreneur Saud Mohammed Sultan Al Darmaki. The company operates across heritage, business, and incentive travel segments, with sustainable tourism positioned as a core focus. Backed by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, the company reflects the growing role of Emirati-led enterprises in the tourism ecosystem.

Officials note that rising visitor volumes and strong hotel revenues reinforce tourism’s role as a key non-oil growth engine for Abu Dhabi. With continued investment in entertainment projects, museum districts, heritage tourism initiatives, and business event infrastructure, the emirate is betting on sustained tourism growth to deliver higher-value visitor flows and deeper economic impact in the years ahead.

Spirit Airlines Ranks Among Top Three North American Airlines for On-Time Performance

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 12, 2026

Spirit Airlines has earned a top-three ranking among North America’s largest airlines for on-time performance, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The achievement reflects a significant improvement in operational reliability, with the airline moving up from its previous position and outperforming several major and legacy carriers.

Based on Cirium’s analysis, Spirit Airlines successfully operated a strong percentage of its flights on time over the year. Cirium defines an on-time flight as one that arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled gate arrival. The ranking places Spirit among the most reliable airlines in the region, despite operating a high-utilisation network.

Commenting on the achievement, John Bendoraitis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Spirit Airlines, said the airline is entering the new year with a strong focus on delivering a reliable and elevated guest experience. He credited the performance to the dedication of Spirit’s team members and their continued commitment to taking care of guests.

Mike Malik, Chief Marketing Officer at Cirium, noted that achieving a top-three position is a meaningful operational milestone, particularly for an airline with a tightly coordinated and high-frequency network. He added that Spirit’s results reflect improved schedule integrity, efficient turn execution, and disciplined network management measured over a full year.

Alongside its operational success, Spirit Airlines has also recorded its highest-ever net promoter score, a key indicator of guest satisfaction. The airline reported a significant increase in the score compared to the previous year, driven by the introduction of more comfortable seating options and enhanced premium offerings.

Spirit’s growing range of premium experiences allows travellers to enjoy added comfort and benefits at a more affordable price compared to traditional legacy carriers. The airline’s Spirit First offering includes the Big Front Seat, complimentary snacks and beverages, priority check-in and boarding, reserved overhead bin space, fast Wi-Fi streaming access, and flexible ticket options with no change or cancellation fees.

In addition, Spirit’s Premium Economy option provides extra legroom or a blocked middle seat, along with priority boarding, reserved overhead bin space, one carry-on bag, and flexible booking benefits. These enhancements reflect Spirit Airlines’ continued focus on combining reliability, affordability, and improved guest experience.

Etihad Airways Makes History as First Middle East Airline to Launch Direct Flights to Luxembourg

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 12, 2026

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of direct flights to Luxembourg, marking a historic milestone as the first airline from the Middle East to operate services to the country. Scheduled to commence operations in October 2026, the new route will also make Etihad the only airline offering nonstop connectivity between Luxembourg and Abu Dhabi, establishing a direct link between two key European and Middle Eastern hubs.

The service will operate three times a week to Luxembourg Airport, responding to growing demand from travellers across Luxembourg, the wider Benelux region, as well as neighbouring France and Germany. The route enhances access to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, known for its cultural landmarks, world-class hospitality, and year-round leisure appeal.

Flights will be operated using Etihad’s state-of-the-art Airbus A321LR aircraft, offering a premium three-class travel experience. The aircraft features First Suites and lie-flat Business Class seats with direct aisle access, alongside next-generation Economy seating with generous legroom, 4K touchscreen entertainment, Bluetooth connectivity, and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the cabin.

The introduction of this route is expected to strengthen economic, cultural, and tourism ties between Europe and the UAE. Luxembourg’s strategic position also makes it a gateway market for neighbouring European countries, further reinforcing Etihad’s growing footprint across the continent.

Commenting on the announcement, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the new route represents a significant step in expanding the airline’s global network. He noted that the A321LR enables Etihad to deliver a premium experience on routes that were previously underserved, while opening new opportunities for business and leisure travel between Europe and Abu Dhabi.

The service is well-positioned to cater to both corporate and leisure travellers. Business passengers benefit from direct access between Luxembourg, a major financial centre, and the UAE’s capital, while leisure travellers can explore Abu Dhabi’s cultural and entertainment attractions, including renowned museums, heritage landmarks, entertainment destinations, beaches, and desert experiences.

Passengers travelling via Abu Dhabi will also enjoy seamless onward connections through Zayed International Airport to Etihad’s expanding global network, covering key destinations across Asia, including India, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.

At the same time, travellers from the UAE and Etihad’s global network will gain convenient access to Luxembourg, known for its historic Old Town, fairytale castles, scenic valleys, and blend of heritage and modern European charm.

Flight Schedule (All Times Local)

Flight	Route	Departure	Arrival	Frequency	Aircraft
EY 51	Abu Dhabi – Luxembourg	02:45	06:55	Mon, Thu, Sat	A321LR
EY 52	Luxembourg – Abu Dhabi	09:35	19:05	Mon, Thu, Sat	A321LR

The Luxembourg service becomes the latest addition to Etihad Airways’ expanding European network, reinforcing the airline’s long-term growth strategy and commitment to connecting key global markets.

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Karisma Hotels Partners with Despegar to Enhance Customer Service with AI Travel Assistant, Sofia

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Abu Dhabi Strengthens Global Tourism Position with Rising Visitors and Revenues

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Spirit Airlines Ranks Among Top Three North American Airlines for On-Time Performance

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Etihad Airways Makes History as First Middle East Airline to Launch Direct Flights to Luxembourg

Flight Schedule (All Times Local)

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