By Muhammad Rafiq
DUBAI: marhaba, a leading global airport hospitality brand and part of dnata, is gearing up to assist a record 500,000 travellers at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) airports this festive season, offering a range of convenient services to ease their journeys*.
Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s Divisional Senior Vice President, UAE Airport Operations, said: “As more travellers head home or embark on holiday trips this festive season, demand for seamless airport services continues to rise. Whether reuniting with loved ones or heading off on new adventures, our marhaba team is here to make every journey smoother and more enjoyable with our range of personalised services. Our helpful agents look forward to contributing to a memorable experience for both leisure and business travellers, at every stage of their journey.”
Rising demand for premium airport services: In 2024, marhaba has experienced a significant surge in demand for its premium airport hospitality services, with passengers from the UAE, UK, India and USA leading the way in enhancing their airport journeys.
Key highlights include a 43% increase in USA passengers choosing marhaba’s Meet & Greet, Lounge, and Chauffeur Services, reflecting a growing preference for convenience among long-haul travellers who prioritise time and comfort. marhaba’s personalised approach to hospitality also continues to resonate with elderly passengers and families, particularly among UAE customers travelling in large groups.
marhaba’s services are often booked by relatives eager to provide their loved ones with a smooth airport experience. Key markets for such bookings include India with over 20,000 passengers taking advantage of marhaba’s services every month.
marhaba has seen the biggest, 65% growth in passengers travelling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, demonstrating a solid demand from business travellers this year.
Convenience every step of the way: marhaba’s services are designed to offer maximum convenience for travellers. The popular Home Check-in service allows passengers to check-in from the comfort of their homes in minutes, with boarding passes issued on-site. Baggage is securely tagged, transported to the airport, and loaded on to the aircraft – eliminating stress on travel day.
Passengers can also opt for marhaba’s Chauffeur service, offering exclusive vehicles equipped with child seats for families, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride to the airport.
Meet & Greet makes airport experience a breeze: Whether departing, arriving or transiting at Dubai’s airports, passengers are greeted by marhaba’s helpful Meet & Greet professionals, who guide them through airport formalities with ease. With a team of agents fluent in 20 languages and representing 46 countries, marhaba delivers a highly personalised services tailored to individual needs.
Travellers using the Meet & Greet service can breeze through DXB, the world’s busiest international airport, with the help of fast-track lanes and buggy transfers.
Quality lounge hospitality: marhaba’s six spacious lounges in Dubai provide a serene retreat for travellers looking to relax and refresh. This festive season, an estimated 300,000 travellers are expected to enjoy Arabian style hospitality, complete with international cuisine, superfast wi-fi and comfortable seating.
Several marhaba lounges also feature a quiet zone for relaxation, shower facilities and dedicated kids areas.
Last-minute assistance with concierge services: Travellers passing through Dubai International’s Terminal 1 and 2 can also benefit from marhaba’s concierge services, providing a one-stop solution for last-minute travel needs. Located in the Departure Halls, marhaba’s desks offer a comprehensive range of services, including ticket bookings, travel insurance, meet & greet assistance, lounge access, visa cancellations and fast track processing.
marhaba: a home-grown Dubai brand: marhaba, which means ‘welcome’ in Arabic, was launched in the UAE to help passengers arriving in or departing from Dubai International airport. The popularity of Meet & Greet services has grown exponentially in line with Dubai’s growth as a major international travel hub, and marhaba has continually expanded its product offering with a growing list of services and extra options designed to make the passenger airport experience as comfortable as possible.
To book or find out more about marhaba’s services, visit www.marhabaservices.com. Travellers can relax and refresh before boarding their flight at marhaba lounges by presenting eligible credit cards or membership in other lounge access programs, or with purchase upon entry.
The marhaba brand is part of dnata, one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers. A trusted partner of over 330 airline customers, dnata offers ground handling, cargo and catering services in more than 30 countries across six continents.
*All predicted data between 1 December 2024 and 15 January 2025.
