Emirates has strengthened its operations in Kenya with the launch of its third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi, taking the total number of weekly services on the route to 21. The inaugural EK717 flight landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 5:00 am, marking another milestone in the airline's three-decade presence in the country.

The new service has been introduced as part of the airline's summer schedule, offering travellers more flexibility and improved onward connections to destinations across Europe, North America, and Africa.

Flight EK717 departs Dubai at 01:20 and arrives in Nairobi at 05:25, while the return service, EK718, leaves Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 07:10 and reaches Dubai at 13:15. The revised schedule allows passengers to connect more conveniently to destinations including the UK, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.

The additional morning service also benefits international tourists by giving them more time to continue their journey to destinations such as Kenya's national parks and coastal resorts. Business travellers will also benefit from same-day connections to major commercial centres, including London and Paris.

The inaugural flight was welcomed by Christophe Leloup, Emirates' Country Manager for Kenya, along with H.E. Dr. Salim Ibrahim Bin Ahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi, UAE Ambassador to Kenya, Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary of State Department for Aviation & Aerospace Development, Ambassador (Professor) Julius K. Bitok, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, and members of the Emirates team.

Commenting on the launch, Christophe Leloup, Emirates' Country Manager for Kenya, said, "For three decades, Kenya has been one of Emirates' most important destinations in Africa, and this third daily service reflects both the strength of that relationship and our confidence in the country's future. More than adding capacity, this flight creates better connections for travellers from across Europe, North America and beyond, making it easier for people to visit Kenya, do business here, and connect with family and opportunities. It is an investment in a market we know well and a commitment to supporting Kenya's growing role as a regional and global gateway."

Emirates first launched flights to Nairobi in 1995 and has since carried more than six million passengers between Kenya and its global network of over 138 destinations through Dubai.

Welcoming the new service, Teresia Mbaika, CBS, Principal Secretary, Aviation and Aerospace Development, said, "I congratulate Emirates on the launch of its third scheduled flight into Nairobi. This is a strong vote of confidence in Kenya’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors. Kenya and the UAE have enjoyed cordial and mutually beneficial relations over the years, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership even further. I am also confident that Emirates will soon benefit from the ongoing modernisation of JKIA, which is designed to improve efficiency, capacity, and the overall passenger experience."

The airline has also strengthened regional connectivity through its interline partnership with Kenya Airways, signed in 2023. More than 31,000 passengers have already travelled across the combined networks, connecting to destinations including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, and Mozambique.

The third daily service also increases Emirates' cargo capacity by 280 tonnes per week, providing an additional boost for Kenya's flower growers and fresh produce exporters. Combined with Emirates SkyCargo's three weekly freighter services, the airline now transports over 1,100 tonnes of cargo to and from Kenya every week.

The launch follows the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the UAE earlier this year, further strengthening trade and economic ties. It also supports Kenya's goal of welcoming five million international tourists by 2030 through improved international connectivity.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador (Professor) Julius K. Bitok, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, said, "As we continue to showcase Kenya to the world, enhanced air connectivity plays a vital role in movement of people, goods and services while helping more travellers discover the incredible diversity of our destination. Emirates' third daily service to Nairobi will make it even easier for visitors to experience Kenya's spectacular wildlife, pristine coastline, vibrant culture and warm hospitality. We welcome this important investment in connectivity and look forward to inspiring more travellers to visit our magical destination – ‘the origin of wonder’."

June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, added, "As Kenya continues to pursue ambitious tourism growth, strong international air connectivity remains one of our greatest enablers. The third daily service from Emirates will improve access for visitors from key global markets and support our efforts to grow tourism, create jobs and deliver greater economic value for communities across the country. Together with partners like Emirates, we look forward to welcoming more travellers to experience the unparalleled beauty and diversity of Destination Kenya."

Liberty International Tourism Group has announced the launch of a new Destination Management Company (DMC) office covering Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, marking its expansion into Southeast Asia. The new office follows the group's long-standing partner-owned business model, where every destination is led by local professionals with deep knowledge of the market.

Headquartered in Bali with a presence in Singapore, the new office specialises in MICE, premium leisure, events, and weddings. The operation is led by Prashant Yadav (CEO and Co-Founder) and Monica Mohindra (CEO), along with Meghana Arora (Co-Founder and Sales Director) and Neetu Gupta (COO).

With this addition, Liberty International Tourism Group now has more than 60 partner-owned offices across over 120 destinations worldwide.

Commenting on the expansion, Mario Enzesberger, Founder & CEO, Liberty International Tourism Group, said, "Southeast Asia is no longer an emerging story, it is central to how global buyers build their programmes. What makes this office unmistakably Liberty is that it is led by people who have spent their careers building relationships here, not by a regional management structure parachuted in. That is the model that has carried us for 35 years, and it is the model we are bringing to Bali, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.”

Speaking about the new office, Prashant Yadav, CEO and Co-Founder, Liberty Southeast Asia, said, "We didn't build this office from a spreadsheet, we built it from relationships earned over more than two decades with the hotels, venues, and suppliers across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. For our MICE and premium leisure clients, that means access and accountability from day one, backed by Liberty's global infrastructure.”

Monica Mohindra, CEO, Liberty Southeast Asia, added, "Each of these three destinations offers something distinct: Bali for transformative events and weddings, Singapore for world-class MICE, Malaysia for range and value, and clients increasingly want them connected under one trusted partner. That is exactly what this office is built to deliver, with a team that lives and works in these markets.”

Founded over 35 years ago, Liberty International Tourism Group has grown to become one of the world's largest privately owned destination management companies. The company provides services across MICE, premium leisure, sports hospitality, cruise ground handling, and aircraft charter, supported by multilingual teams delivering customised travel solutions for businesses, agencies, and travellers worldwide.

The leadership team for Liberty DMC Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore brings decades of experience across hospitality, tourism, hotel sales, events, and destination management. Prashant Yadav has over 32 years of experience in hotel sales and DMC operations, having previously held leadership positions with Hyatt, The Oberoi Group, and The Imperial, New Delhi. Monica Mohindra brings more than 33 years of international experience across hospitality, tourism, retail, wellness, and sustainable businesses. Meghana Arora has 20 years of experience in hotel sales, having worked with brands including The Leela, Shangri-La, The Lalit, and Hilton Hotels & Resorts, while Neetu Gupta has over 10 years of experience in Southeast Asian tourism with expertise in events, hospitality, innovation, and business growth.

The new office is expected to strengthen Liberty's presence in Southeast Asia while offering clients a locally driven approach backed by the company's global network and expertise.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has been voted among Vietnam’s top city hotels in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific 2026, further strengthening its position as one of Southeast Asia’s most celebrated luxury heritage properties.

The latest recognition adds to an impressive list of recent global honours for the iconic hotel. Condé Nast Traveler recently awarded the Metropole its “Triple Crown,” while Travel + Leisure included it in its global “500 Best Hotels” list for the sixth consecutive year. Its wellness offering, Le Spa du Metropole, was also named Vietnam’s Best Hotel Spa at the Tatler Best of Vietnam 2026 awards.

Commenting on the recognition, George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, said the award holds special meaning as the hotel celebrates its 125th anniversary. He highlighted that the property has long stood as a symbol of timeless elegance in Hanoi and remains committed to delivering personalised luxury experiences for guests.

First opened in 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi continues to be regarded as a historic landmark in Vietnam’s capital. As part of its 125-year celebrations, the hotel is hosting a year-long programme titled “125 Years of a Legend”, honouring its legacy while looking ahead to the future of luxury hospitality in the region.

The property is also known for its blend of colonial charm and neo-classical elegance, featuring the Heritage Wing and Opera Wing, along with six signature dining venues, luxury wellness experiences, and curated cultural offerings.

With this latest recognition, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi continues to reinforce its reputation as one of Asia’s most iconic and enduring luxury hotel destinations