2021 PRAVASI BHARATIYA SAMMAN AWARDED TO DR SIDDEEK AHMED

At a special ceremony held at the Indian Embassy today, Eram Group Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, was officially presented with the 2021 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) by the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed.

Conferred by the President of India as a part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conventions organized annually since 2003, this award acknowledges august members of the Indian community and their tangible contribution in social and humanitarian upliftment. This year, Dr. Ahmed was one of only 4 recipients from the Middle East and the only one representing the Kingdom. The pandemic didn’t allow for the more elaborate ceremony that is usually held in New Delhi annually every year, but the sense of occasion and sentiment was palpable at the embassy.

Dr. Ahmed spoke of how he extended his vision and outstanding technology in the sanitation sector with the launch of an R&D-based social enterprise, Eram Scientific Solutions, aimed at developing indigenous technology tailored to local requirements. The result was the innovative ‘e-Toilet’, which is an automated public sanitation solution in line with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. This initiative was duly showcased at the UN Innovation exhibition and recognized by the United Nations country representative for its game changing potential.

The patented e-Toilet has had more than 12 million users till date and an average of 15,000 daily users. Eram Scientific Solutions has already won more than 44 national and international accolades for its inspiring contributions in introducing high-end, future proof and scalable technology in the sanitation space. Dr. Ahmed also received the Toilet Titan award from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Safaigiri Summit in 2015, a salute to the Eram work ethos and the dedication of its 8,000 plus employees from over 20 plus countries.

Lauding Dr. Ahmed’s unwavering commitment to addressing the critical challenges faced by humanity, Dr Sayeed noted that the company’s innovative products and services had made many a Smart Cities safer, cleaner, smarter and prouder making him a worthy recipient of this eminent award.

Expressing his gratitude to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narender Modi for the honor and thanking the Pravasi Divas committee, not to mention Dr Sayeed and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ahmed took this opportunity to acknowledge the importance of having a strong base.

“Thanks to strong partnerships, the unwavering commitment of our team, and their industry, Eram Scientific Solutions has installed 4,000+ eToilets across India, Kuwait, Nepal and the MENA region over the years. Being headquartered in the Middle East where foresight and change are encouraged is a plus. Initiatives like the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 or the UAE’s hosting of Expo 2020 have buoyed Eram Group’s mission and with the support of regional government entities, we are looking forward to extending our footprint in the Kingdom and across the GCC with our innovative approach to infrastructure development.”

ITL World implements Travelport in multi-year technology agreement

Worldwide leader in travel retail, Travelport, today announced a multi-year technology agreement with ITL World, one of the leading travel management companies in the Middle East. The agreement will see Dubai-based ITL World implement Travelport+, Travelport’s recently launched next-generation platform that creates a simplified, capability-rich, marketplace for travel retailing.

The move to Travelport+ will see ITL World benefit from advanced retailing capabilities including a modern, lightweight, highly functional microservices API, as well as a sophisticated point of sale solution and tools for enhanced value generation – all in one place. Travelport and ITL World also intend to implement various NDC initiatives in the future, leveraging Travelport’s NDC connections with multiple airlines.

Additionally, ITL World will use Travelport’s Branded Fares and Ancillary Services, giving its agents a graphically rich experience when searching and booking fares and ancillary offers from the approximately 275 airlines using the solution.

“Deploying Travelport+ supports our commitment to deliver travel management solutions which are innovative, yet cost-effective”, said Dr Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing Director at ITL World. “Travelport+ will enable us to simplify complex travel retailing processes, respond with agility to the needs of all our customers, and create increased value.”

Kathryn Wallington, Head of Middle East & Africa at Travelport said: “We are proud to be partnering with a market leading travel management company like ITL World. We will continue to work closely with ITL World to enhance capabilities, improve pain points and ensure we are generating value from every trip. ITL World’s upgrade to Travelport+ will also enhance its competitive edge as the industry approaches a full return to travel.”

Founded in the 1980s, ITL World is an award-winning travel management company owned by leading regional business conglomerate ERAM Group. Based in the Middle East with several offices in the GCC region as well in Thailand and India, ITL World offers a full portfolio of travel solutions catering to various verticals.

ITL World chooses Sabre to deploy its technology strategy

Award winning travel management company recruits latest technology to cater to the new traveller

SOUTHLAKE, Texas and DUBAI, UAE, 2nd June 2021 – Award winning travel management company with operations across the GCC & India, ITL World, has renewed multi-year agreement with Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), the leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry.

The expanded, long-term agreement will see ITL World work with Sabre to deploy the latest technology and best solutions to drive growth, boost revenue and transform its business during the anticipated recovery period and beyond. ITL World will continue to use Sabre’s next-generation travel agency desktop, Sabre Red 360, to deliver an intelligent and consultative service to travellers, create compelling shopping experiences for customers and provide an enhanced level of expertise to help people travel again.

“Travellers have developed new expectations throughout this crisis and are seeking assurances, flexibility and real-time communications from travel providers. I therefore believe that the road towards recovery relies heavily on technology,” said Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing Director, ITL World. “Sabre has the technology and development to support our strategy and enable us to cater to the new expectations and demands of today’s traveller. We are looking at intelligent solutions such AI and NDC that will help us meet the expectations of the new-age technology savvy traveller by providing a seamless, interactive and personalized experience.”

ITL World agents will leverage the industry-leading technology, data-driven insights and intuitive interface of the industry-leading Sabre Red 360 platform, allowing them to further enhance the consultative service they offer travellers.

“We are delighted to be working with a technology driven customer like ITL World, that recognizes the role that advanced technology can play in its success,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, vice president, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “By offering customers a highly intelligent and tailored shopping experience, ITL World will be able to tap into recovery growth and win back the trust of travelers. I therefore believe that Sabre’s increased innovation and investment into advanced technological development will position agencies like ITL World for long-term success well beyond the crisis.”

Sabre has recently announced the development of Sabre Travel AI™. This industry-first technology will utilize state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to deliver highly relevant and personalized content that better meets the demands of today’s traveller.

MATCH HOSPITALITY APPOINTS ITL WORLD AS NON-EXCLUSIVE SALES AGENT IN KUWAIT FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022™ OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY PROGRAMME

FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022™ OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY PACKAGES NOW ON SALE IN KUWAIT

MATCH Hospitality has today confirmed that leading sports travel agency, ITL World, has been appointed as its Sales Agent in Kuwait for the sale of the Official Hospitality Programme of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

MATCH Hospitality is the global rights holder and the only company appointed by FIFA to exclusively promote and sell, either directly or via a network of sales agents, official commercial hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup 2022™, including guaranteed match tickets. MATCH Hospitality has successfully operated the FIFA Commercial Hospitality Programmes for the previous three editions of the FIFA World Cup™ and FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, Brazil and Russia, and of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Germany, Canada and, most recently, France.

JAIME BYROM, Executive Chairman of MATCH Hospitality, said: “Qatar promises to deliver an amazing tournament that will capitalise on its principal attributes; the close proximity of its eight venues which are all located in or within short driving distance of Doha, and a fascinating region with unique attractions, spectacular state-of-the-art stadiums, and traditional Arabic hospitality. MATCH Hospitality strongly believes in the unique potential of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Hospitality Programme and in our ability to deliver truly ground-breaking and unprecedented sales globally. Our Sales Agents will be key to our success, and I am delighted to announce our decision to appoint ITL World.

I have no doubt that ITL World will help deliver the best possible results for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and open the door to a Kuwait market ready for the extraordinary experiences promised by what will be an exceptional FIFA World Cup.”

DR. SIDDEEK AHMED, Chairman & Managing Director, ITL World, added: “ITL World is honoured to act as Sales Agent for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Hospitality Programme in Kuwait. Thanks to this agreement, ITL World will bring this territory a lot closer to the most coveted football competition in the world, offering fans a unique opportunity to purchase ticket-inclusive hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”

AHMAD HAMAD AHMAD ALHAMAD, Partner, ITL World said: “Working in conjunction with MATCH Hospitality, ITL World will provide football fans and corporates across Kuwait for what is expected to be one of the most exciting sporting events in the world and one that is easily accessible and in close proximity. The first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East in 2022 can be a powerful catalyst for unlocking football not just from a spectator perspective but also foreseeing potential and propelling the game forward.”

ITL World will also offer various services in conjunction with the hospitality packages, including flights, accommodation, transport and leisure programmes. More on this on: www.itlworld.com/fifaworldcuphospitality

MICHAEL KELLY, Chief Revenue Officer of MATCH Hospitality, said: “As part of our global tender process launched in February 2020, we have received proposals from most of the key territories from where we anticipate high demand for the Official Hospitality Programme for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We have been most encouraged by the remarkable global response, which has further cemented our belief that despite the unprecedented events of the last year, there remains unwavering enthusiasm and interest in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Hospitality Programme. Kuwait represents an important territory within our overall strategic sales operations for the FIFA Hospitality Programme and, working in partnership with ITL World, we are extremely optimistic about its sales potential.”

ERAM GROUP & ITL WORLD CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR, DR. SIDDEEK AHMED HONORED WITH THE 2021 PRAVASI BHARATIYA SAMMAN AWARD

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is India’s most prestigious award for non-resident Indians is a recognition of the contributions made by a member of the Indian community and their tangible involvement in acts of charity, philanthropy and social upliftment.

Conferred by the President of India as a part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conventions organized annually since 2003, it also acknowledges the winner’s support and contribution in multiple fields of endeavor including education, business, medicine and employment opportunity.

The 2021 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is won by Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing Director of Eram Group, a business conglomerate with global operations in several sectors including oil and gas, power, construction, manufacturing, travel, healthcare, IT, media, logistics, automotive and training & education.

This win is a testament to his unwavering commitment to addressing the critical challenges faced by humanity, including access to clean sanitation, environmental issues, skilling the underprivileged and responsible and sustainable living through integrity, innovation and ideas.

Expressing his gratitude to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narender Modi for the honor and thanking the Pravasi Divas committee Dr. Ahmed said ,“My contribution to society is something that I have learned from my parents. They have always been soft and generous to people’s sufferings and what I do today is what I have seen growing up. It’s an irreplaceable part of my life”.