Checking In | The National

Despite the crowds, there’s something quite magical about airports at this time of year. I enjoy watching people arrive home to be welcomed into the open arms of loved ones - those special people willing to pick you up at the airport, no matter the hour. And with the festive season well under way, several airports around the world are adding a little extra magic to the terminals. In Abu Dhabi, Zayed International Airport has a particularly impressive Christmas tree, while at London Heathrow there are giant lifelike polar bears, a carol-singing quartet entertaining travellers with songs in English, Mandarin and Arabic, and appearances by Santa Claus. Lucky travellers might also pick up a Charlotte Tilbury gift bag, as the British beauty brand is handing out presents in Terminal 5 throughout December. In Germany, travellers departing from Munich International Airport can head to a Christmas market, which takes place in the outdoor area between the terminals every day until December 31. There you can stock up on handcrafted ornaments and festive food and drinks - and if you’re feeling energetic, hire some skates and hit the ice rink. In Singapore, travellers can visit the Changi Festive Market at Terminal 3, which has been decked out with a Hello Kitty theme. Aside from huge slides, carnival rides and bouncy castles, the indoor wonderland has live music and imitation snow showers. At Hong Kong International Airport, there’s festive fun at a winter wonderland of Christmas trees, twinkling fairy lights and digital screens displaying Santa Claus animations. The airport has just been named as having the world’s busiest flight route – with more than 6.8 million people travelling from Hong Kong to Taipei this year, a 48 per cent increase on the previous year. Meanwhile, in Dubai, travellers can venture into an airport winter wonderland and enjoy the magic of Christmas carols reimagined with beatboxing, be captivated by the Nutcracker march, the airport's festive parades or catch live musical performances. Emirates airline is also bringing festive magic to flights with holiday-themed decorations in its lounges and traditional Christmas dinners served on board. The latest travel data from Skyscanner reveals where UAE travellers will be heading when they fly out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This year, travellers are gravitating toward destinations in the UK, India and Thailand, among other popular choices. City hotspots London, Bangkok and Istanbul are also popular, while escapes such as the Maldives and Turkey’s coastal retreats have also recorded a surge in demand this season. Until next week, wherever you're heading, stay safe, travel well and keep up to date with all the latest travel news and stories online . Flights to Lebanon resume There was good news for Lebanon this week after some airlines resumed flights to the country in time for Christmas. Etihad Airways and Air Arabia led the resumption of flights between the UAE and Beirut, giving Lebanese in the UAE more options for travelling home this festive season. Etihad Airways is operating non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport while Air Arabia's flights are again departing Sharjah for the Lebanese capital. Despite higher-than-normal airfares between those destinations for this time of year, many people are celebrating the return of more flights and hope other airlines will follow. Flights to Lebanon from Dubai via Emirates airline and flydubai remain suspended. A wave of new hotels Things certainly aren't slowing down in the world of hotels as we creep towards the end of the year. Saudi Arabia’s latest luxury offering, Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah has opened its doors in the historic district. Nestled amid the country’s rich cultural heritage, this hotel offers guests a blend of traditional Arabian architecture and modern luxury. Meanwhile, Hilton is set to make its mark in Jordan with the opening of Signia by Hilton Amman. This luxurious property will be the first Signia hotel outside of the US. With 272 spacious rooms and suites, seven diverse dining venues, a world-class spa and a state-of-the-art bowling and entertainment centre, it's scheduled to welcome its first guests next month. And in India, Accor is looking to 2030 when it plans to open two new resorts in Goa. Raffles Goa Shiroda will be a sprawling resort with 120 luxury villas set on 11 hectares, the brand's first property in the state. The hotel will share a coastline and a private beach club with Fairmont Goa Shiroda, which will open with more than 400 hotel rooms. IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Madagascar In the western Indian Ocean, and separated from continental Africa for more than 150 million years, Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world, with a landmass larger than Germany and Spain combined. Yet it is a place very much waiting to be explored. Saeed Saeed heads there and discovers a country of contrasts, of the serene and the rugged, of natural wonders and urban grit. Exploring the island's unique biodiversity, he gets up close with cute lemurs and colourful chameleons then finds himself surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Mozambique Channel. TRAVEL NEWS THIS WEEK Top travel tip Keep your jewellery tangle-free when you travel by threading necklace or bracelet chains through a sturdy straw and securing the clasp. This keeps chains straight and prevents knots. For earrings, grab a few buttons and thread your earring posts through the holes, then attach the backs to secure them.