Wednesday, 01 April 2026

Staying at a Hotel? Simple Tips Every Guest Should Know

Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, these practical hotel tips can help you have a better and more comfortable stay.
Published: Monday, March 09, 2026
Staying at a Hotel? Simple Tips Every Guest Should Know
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Traveling away from home often means staying in a hotel, motel, or guesthouse. While hotels are designed to provide comfort and convenience, guests are also expected to follow certain basic etiquette. Respecting hotel rules and being considerate toward other guests and staff helps create a pleasant environment for everyone.

Here are some simple and practical tips on what guests should do—and what they should avoid—during a hotel stay.

Book Your Room with Accurate Information

Always provide correct details when booking a hotel room, including the number of guests who will be staying. Rooms are priced and arranged according to occupancy limits. If additional people join later, inform the hotel in advance to avoid complications during check-in.

Keep Noise to a Minimum

Hotels host many guests at the same time, and everyone deserves a quiet and relaxing environment. Avoid playing loud music, shouting, or making noise in hallways—especially late at night or early in the morning. Being mindful of noise levels ensures that other guests can rest comfortably.

Maintain Basic Cleanliness

Even though hotels provide housekeeping services, guests should try to keep their rooms tidy. Dispose of trash properly, avoid leaving food scattered around the room, and keep the bathroom reasonably clean after use. Small efforts help maintain hygiene and make housekeeping easier.

Use Hotel Facilities Responsibly

Electricity, water, and other amenities should be used wisely. When leaving the room, turn off lights, television, and air conditioning if they are not needed. Responsible use of utilities helps reduce waste and supports environmentally friendly practices.

Avoid Wasting Food at the Buffet

Many hotels offer buffet breakfast or dining options. Guests should take only what they can comfortably eat instead of filling their plates with excessive food. Reducing food waste shows respect for the resources and effort involved in preparing the meals.

Follow Check-In and Check-Out Times

Every hotel operates according to a schedule for check-in and check-out. Guests should follow these timings unless they have arranged an extension with the reception desk. Informing the hotel in advance about late arrival or late departure helps staff manage room availability smoothly.

Use Room Service Thoughtfully

Room service is meant to provide convenience, but it should be used responsibly. Avoid making repeated or unnecessary requests, particularly during late-night hours. Respecting staff schedules helps maintain good service for everyone.

Supervise Children Carefully

If you are traveling with children, make sure they behave appropriately in shared spaces such as corridors, elevators, and lobbies. Children should not run around unsupervised or play with hotel furniture and equipment, as this could lead to accidents or damage.

Respect Hotel Staff

Hotel employees work hard to ensure guests have a pleasant stay. Being polite, patient, and respectful when interacting with staff members is important. A simple “thank you” or positive feedback for good service can make a big difference.

Keep Personal Belongings Secure

Hotels usually provide safes or lockers for valuables such as passports, cash, and electronics. It is always wise to store important items securely and avoid leaving them unattended in public areas.

Follow Hotel Rules and Policies

Every hotel has its own policies regarding smoking, visitors, pets, and facility use. Guests should familiarize themselves with these rules to avoid misunderstandings or additional charges.

Treat Hotel Property with Care

Furniture, towels, electronics, and other hotel items should be used properly. Damaging property—whether intentionally or accidentally—may result in extra fees. Treat the room and facilities with the same care you would show in your own home.

Be Considerate in Shared Areas

Common spaces such as elevators, gyms, swimming pools, and dining areas are shared with other guests. Keep these areas clean, follow posted rules, and avoid behavior that might inconvenience others.

Leave the Room in Good Condition

Before checking out, make sure personal belongings are packed and trash is disposed of properly. Leaving the room in reasonable condition helps hotel staff prepare it quickly for the next guest.

Following these simple guidelines helps ensure a comfortable and enjoyable hotel experience. Practicing good manners while traveling not only improves your own stay but also contributes to a respectful and welcoming atmosphere for everyone at the hotel.

Emirates Offers Rebooking and Refund Options for Passengers Affected by Disruptions

Published: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Emirates Offers Rebooking and Refund Options for Passengers Affected by Disruptions
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Passengers holding Emirates bookings for travel between 28 February and 15 April 2026 who experience flight disruptions — or who wish to change their travel plans — can choose between rebooking and requesting a refund.

Rebooking: Customers may move to an alternative Emirates service to reach their intended destination for travel on or before 31 May 2026. If the original departure is within 72 hours, travellers can make changes through Manage Your Booking or via the Emirates mobile app. For travel dates beyond the 72‑hour window, Emirates asks customers to seek help through its support channels.

Refunds: Passengers may request refunds by completing the online refund form. Emirates advises allowing up to 15 days for refund requests to be processed.

Customers who purchased tickets through travel agents should contact their agent for assistance with rebooking or refunds. Emirates also reminds travellers to verify their flight status before travelling to the airport and to consult the latest operational information.

Saudi Arabia Sets Deadlines for Umrah Visas and Pilgrim Departures

Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Saudi Arabia Sets Deadlines for Umrah Visas and Pilgrim Departures
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Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced key deadlines for the current Umrah season, specifying that the issuance of Umrah visas will end on the first day of Shawwal. Pilgrims will be permitted to enter the Kingdom until Shawwal 15, while all Umrah pilgrims must depart by the first day of Dhul Qada.

The announcement was made during the ministry’s 17th periodic virtual meeting with licensed Umrah companies, held on Saturday. Officials used the session to reiterate compliance requirements ahead of the Hajj season, emphasizing that Hajj rituals must only be performed with a valid Hajj visa and not under an Umrah permit.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah praised service providers for their coordination during Ramadan, highlighting their role in assisting pilgrims, resolving cases involving stranded visitors, and ensuring their safe return home.

He also called for continued adherence to operational guidelines, including managing staggered arrival schedules at airports and regularly updating departure information through the Nusk Masar platform.

In addition, the minister encouraged companies to take part in the third Umrah and Visit Forum scheduled for 2026, aimed at strengthening collaboration and sharing expertise across the sector.

The meeting featured a review of performance indicators from the current Umrah season, along with discussions on preparations for the upcoming forum. Participants examined opportunities to enhance partnerships and improve service delivery for pilgrims.

These regular meetings form part of the ministry’s broader effort to maintain coordination with industry stakeholders and to advance service standards, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to improve the overall experience for Umrah pilgrims and visitors.

Iran Conflict Disrupts Middle East Air Travel, Affecting Nearly Six Million Passengers

Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Iran Conflict Disrupts Middle East Air Travel, Affecting Nearly Six Million Passengers
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Nearly six million airline passengers have been affected by widespread flight cancellations across the Middle East following the outbreak of the Iran conflict that began on February 28.

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that between February 28 and March 13, airlines scheduled more than 98,000 flights to and from destinations across the Middle East. However, over 52,000 of those flights were canceled during the period, significantly disrupting regional and international travel.

The cancellations include routes connecting the Middle East with destinations outside the region, as well as inbound flights from other parts of the world. Domestic and intra–Middle East services were not included in the analysis.

Cirium’s estimates are based on an average passenger load factor of 80 percent — a metric representing the proportion of occupied seats relative to total seat capacity. Airlines operating in the region typically deploy aircraft averaging about 242 seats per flight, although some larger aircraft, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, can accommodate significantly more passengers.

The scale of the cancellations highlights the wider impact on global aviation. Industry data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that international passenger demand had been steadily rising prior to the disruptions. In January 2026, global international travel demand increased by 5.9 percent compared with the same month in 2025, while airline capacity grew by 5.8 percent year-on-year. During the same period, the average load factor reached 82.5 percent, a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points.

Airlines based in the Middle East experienced even stronger growth earlier in the year. Regional carriers reported a 7.2 percent year-on-year increase in passenger demand in January, alongside a 7.8 percent rise in capacity. The load factor for Middle Eastern airlines stood at 83.2 percent, representing a modest decline of 0.4 percentage points compared with the previous year.

Commenting on the situation, IATA Director-General Willie Walsh called for efforts to protect civilian aviation amid the ongoing conflict.

“We all hope for an early peaceful resolution to the current hostilities,” Walsh said. “In the meantime, states must respect their obligation to keep civilians and civil aviation free from harm.”

Jazeera Airways Opens Kuwait–Istanbul Route via Saudi Arabia’s Qaisumah Airport

Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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Jazeera Airways has introduced a temporary travel route linking Kuwait and Istanbul through Qaisumah Airport in Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia, as the airline works to maintain passenger connectivity following the suspension of operations at Kuwait International Airport for safety reasons.

The Kuwaiti low-cost carrier said it is currently the only airline from Kuwait facilitating travel through this alternative arrangement. The move is part of the airline’s efforts to ensure mobility for passengers amid the ongoing regional situation.

The first flight on the new route operated on March 15. Passengers departing from Kuwait were transported by bus to Qaisumah Airport, where they boarded the flight to Istanbul Airport. For the return journey, travelers flew from Istanbul to Qaisumah before continuing their trip to Kuwait by road.

Jazeera Airways said it is coordinating closely with aviation authorities and operational partners in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety and efficiency of the temporary travel arrangements.

“As a Kuwaiti national carrier, maintaining connectivity for Kuwait during this period is extremely important for us,” said Jazeera Airways Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi. “Following the launch of flights to Egypt and Jordan, we are pleased to extend our operations to Istanbul, allowing more passengers to travel to and from Kuwait despite the current operational situation.”

Pasupathi added that since March 11 the airline has transported more than 6,000 passengers under the adjusted operations. Flights to Colombo have also been introduced and are currently fully booked.

To meet strong travel demand, the airline plans to increase flight frequencies on existing routes while gradually adding new destinations, including cities in India and the United Arab Emirates.

Pasupathi also acknowledged the support of aviation authorities and operational partners. “We are grateful for the strong collaboration and support of the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, and our operational partners in establishing a safe and coordinated travel solution for passengers during this time,” he said.

Gulf Air Opens Dammam Routes to London, Mumbai and Bangkok

Published: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Gulf Air Opens Dammam Routes to London, Mumbai and Bangkok
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Gulf Air has started accepting bookings for international flights departing from King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, as the airline adjusts its operations during the ongoing closure of Bahrain’s airspace.

The carrier announced that passengers can now reserve seats on flights from Dammam to three major international destinations: London Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India, and Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. The flights are currently available for travel between March 15 and March 16 through Gulf Air’s website and mobile application, with additional travel dates expected to be announced soon.

Gulf Air said it will also facilitate transportation for passengers traveling between Bahrain and Dammam who hold confirmed flight bookings. The airline will assist eligible travelers with obtaining Saudi transit visas when required. However, passengers planning to enter Saudi Arabia must independently obtain a valid visa.

The airline further advised customers not to travel to departure airports without confirmed tickets. Flights operating to and from Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended until Bahrain’s airspace reopens.