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DOT: PHL to welcome international tourists soon

On the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) request, on November 19, 2021, the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) “has approved in principle the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions,” according to guidelines that may be finalised and approved by the IATF-EID. The IATF has tasked the Special Technical Working Group on Travel with promptly developing such standards for final approval. The proposal to enable leisure travel from ‘green countries’, or those identified as low-risk countries by the Department of Health (DOH) (https://mirror.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2021/11nov/20211111-IATF-Resolution-148A.pdf), will be subject to strict limitations, according to Berna Romulo-Puyat, Tourism Secretary, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT). Only fully vaccinated individuals with vaccines recognised by the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) or those authorised by the World Health Organisation would be allowed entry. Puyat also notes that this is a welcome development as other countries have already reopened their borders to international leisure travellers. Separately, the DOT will collaborate with the Small Technical Working Group on Travel on a proposal called ‘Vaccinated Travel Lanes or Bubbles’, which would be a special programme for vaccinated tourists from yellow-list countries who would be allowed to enter the country under certain restrictions and conditions. “Allowing tourists from green countries or territories that have the majority of its population vaccinated and with low infection rate will greatly help in our recovery efforts, increasing tourist arrivals and receipts among others. This move will likewise aid in bolstering consumer confidence, which is a large contributor to our gross domestic product or GDP growth. Our ASEAN neighbours, such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia also did the same. We believe …

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Comeback of tourism industry

Following the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) decision to reduce the quarantine period for travellers from both green and yellow list countries, or those with low and medium infections, the tourism chief made the announcement. The Department of Tourism (DOT) has been working to shorten the quarantine period for inbound tourists, particularly those who are fully vaccinated, since May 2021. Vaccinated travellers can leave quarantine facilities as early as five days after their arrival, while unvaccinated tourists can depart seven days after their arrival, according to the IATF resolution. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers must have negative RT-PCR Covid-19 test results taken on the fifth and seventh days following arrival, respectively. Travellers can then finish the rest of their quarantine at home. However, the DOT underlined that general inbound tourism remains prohibited. Returning Filipinos and balikbayans, their families, and foreigners with valid visas are the only inbound passengers who are eligible. Arrivals from all countries and territories on the government’s green and yellow lists, as well as locations with low or medium infection levels, are exempt from the new limitations. Bermuda is the sole country on the government’s red list of high-risk countries, which prohibits inbound travel. “The reduction of the mandatory quarantine period for inbound travellers is an encouraging development for the country’s tourism industry. The easing of travel restrictions, particularly quarantine protocols, is a promising development as we inch closer to our goal of making the prospect of travel more appealing to our potential visitors. The faster we are able to adjust to this situation, the faster we can bounce back better and regain our position in the global tourism market. This …

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Smart Tourism to Drive Global Demand in the Travel Industry

Under the theme ‘Smart Tourism and Global Challenges’, the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF) gathered entrepreneurs and experts in travel and tourism in the UAE and from around the globe, to share inspiring insights, and future plans to help recover and drive the global tourism industry in a post-COVID world. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the forum was held on November 24 at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. The event was opened by HE. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa Chairman of Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority. “The global tourism sector is preparing for a new phase of growth where countries are employing new products and allocating deep budgets for its promotion and development. A major component to drive this growth will be the development of Smart Tourism, by immersing digital and technological innovations in this sector. In a recent study, 84% travelers themselves have stated that technology will help increase their confidence in travelling,” said Guest of Honour at the event, HE. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises. “The UAE is already employing the latest in digital technology across sectors, and in particular to support the travel sector. We have deployed the 5G connectivity, and have so far trained 100,000 programmers to support businesses. We hope to continue this drive and reach new horizons and expand to new sectors.” He highlighted the importance of calculated and detailed development strategy in the tourism sector using digital technologies to accelerate and attract visitor experience. “We …

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Diriyah Gate Development Authority unveils its vision for Diriyah Square

Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) officially unveiled its vision for Diriyah Square, the commercial heart of its 190 Billion SAR [50 Billion USD] Diriyah giga-project on the edge of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – scheduled to be open by 2024. Bringing together wonderful experiences for young and old, Diriyah Square is the gathering place  of the Diriyah masterplan hosting 450+ of the world’s finest global retail brands, complemented by an additional 100 authentic local Saudi artisan souks. The district will deliver a complete lifestyle offering; from leisure and entertainment, ultra-luxurious hotels, and places to work and live – all within an iconic destination steeped in heritage, culture, and promise.  Diriyah is the Birthplace of the Kingdom, centered around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, and is the site of the First Saudi State. Diriyah Square provides an uncompromisingly bold destination, breaking the status quo and setting it apart from the traditional retail competitors. Looking beyond the vision of Diriyah Square,  DGDA will partner with leading international brands to ensure their expectations are exceeded. Diriyah Square’s vision rests on three key values: Authenticity, Future and Place. AUTHENTICITY – The Diriyah Square project will faithfully apply timeless Najdi-inspired architecture and design principles, which no other project of this scale has ever done before. This will ensure the project is immediately recognizable and provides a distinct proposition for the region while remaining true to the Kingdom’s heritage and vision. FUTURE – Diriyah Square is a bold and ambitious project – creating an exciting future whilst being anchored by the past. Underpinned by state of the art infrastructure, above and below ground, a thriving Najd village will deliver an urban, walkable city …

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Wego Partners with EXPO 2020 to Offer Users a Chance to Visit this Remarkable Event

Wego announced that it has partnered with EXPO 2020 and is an authorized ticket reseller for the event. The joint campaign will see Wego promoting the event across all its marketing channels. Wego will be working on compelling stories and tailored videos covering things to do and explore at the event including a detailed guide for the event to generate awareness around EXPO 2020. It will also include emails and push notifications to Wego’s vast customer base in the MENA region enticing them to visit the world’s most awaited event. The campaign will run online until the 31st of March, where Wego provides the users with a range of tickets that they can book from through its application and website under the activities section. Travellers from any part of the world can seamlessly book a 1 day ticket, multi day pass entry as well as season’s pass. Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “EXPO 2020 is the first global event that will draw a new path for the return of the global economy to what it was before the pandemic and boost the tourism industry. We’re proud to partner with EXPO 2020 and offer our users a chance to visit this remarkable event.” EXPO 2020 is an event that the world was awaiting, and it represents a benchmark for the most prominent events in light of the pandemic, which in turn will contribute to a significant increase in the tourism recovery in the region. Through this collaboration, Wego aims to increase the number of visitors to the event. For the month of October, Wego has rewarded its users with a free EXPO 2020 ticket when they booked a …

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Research Reveals ‘XL Holidays’ Are Set To Boom Among UAE Travellers

Just in time for the long weekend, new research conducted by Hilton shows that extra-large holidays are set to boom as UAE residents and citizens invite friends and family away with them. The majority (89 per cent) of adults in the UAE say the events of the past 18 months has made them re-evaluate what is really important. Three quarters of parents (75 per cent) said their children had missed out on seeing grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins during 2020 and 2021, with 83 per cent keen to make up for lost time in the future. As a result of the extended time apart, the UAE is set to embark on an era of multi-generational holidays, with the vast majority (89 per cent) likely to go away next year with extended family members such as siblings, cousins and grandparents. Of the respondents who had family abroad, 80 per cent confirmed their group holiday would involve visits to family overseas. Almost all (92 per cent) of those polled said going on an extended family holiday allowed them to reconnect with family members while enjoying a break, and 8 in 10 (80 per cent) said inviting more people along made childcare easier. Hilton is the only major hotel chain that allows guests to confirm interconnecting rooms at the time of booking, providing a hassle-free solution to a decades-old problem for families and groups. The most popular reason to have an XL holiday is to catch up with family members, followed by a chance to see relatives you don’t often spend time with and allowing kids to play together while grown-ups relax. One third (33 per cent) of adults said holidays provide an …

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Germany’s outstanding sustainability practices underpin the country’s status as a leading travel destination

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has been recognised by the European Cultural Travel Network (ETCN) for ongoing commitment to placing sustainability at the forefront of its global tourism campaigns. As Germany’s tourism industry experiences an increase in international travel demand, the country’s global brand image has been further enhanced with two major Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2021 accolades for GNTB campaigns. Two of Germany’s leading 2021 campaigns were recognised during the ETCN’s annual meeting in Athens. The ‘Feel Good’ campaign took second place in the ‘Walking Tourism and Slow Travel – Synergies with Cultural Tourism’ category, while the ‘Wanderlust Germany’ campaign, aimed at inviting travellers to discover the country’s nature-based highlights through a dedicated walking and cycling tours, won the National Level title in the ‘Special Jury Prize – Assessing the Impact of the Pandemic’ category. The Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2021 was co-hosted by European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), Europa Nostra, the European Travel Commission (ETC) and the Network of European Regions for a Sustainable and Competitive Tourism (NECSTouR). “Sustainability has always been a priority and central theme for positioning Germany as an outdoor travel destination. These awards further demonstrate a direct link between Germany’s excellent reputation, and a growing willingness to adapt to sustainable practices,” said Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales and Marketing of the German National Tourist Office. “Our marketing activities and successful recovery strategy for restarting incoming tourism have positioned Germany as the leading travel destination despite the increasingly fierce competition among other destinations.” According to SiteMinder’s World Hotel Index, hotel bookings for foreign guests in German hotels increased by 30.8 per cent across 400 global hotel booking channels, as of …

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GCC Travellers Contribute to a Successful Summer Holiday Season in Austria

The Austrian National Tourist Office held a travel workshop in Dubai today to shed light on the latest travel updates to Austria and the reasons that put the European country on top of the travellers’ lists. The event, organized in collaboration with Emirates Airline and 13 Austrian partners representing tourist boards, companies, and hotels, was attended by many representatives from the local media and travel trade companies. During the event, the CEO of the Austrian National Tourist Office, Lisa Weddig, highlighted the diverse experiences Austria offers and the factors that make it a popular travel destination around the world. “Austria welcomes visitors with myriad offerings that fulfil all aspirations. Whether travellers come to enjoy its cultural heritage, picturesque nature, family adventures, or to savour its flavours, they will undoubtedly find what they are looking for and more,” Weddig said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the tourism industry worldwide, but thanks to the successful management of this crisis by the Austrian government, we have witnessed a rapid recovery with the return of travel. The health and safety regulations in place have highly contributed in rebuilding the travellers’ trust and made the summer holiday season a remarkable success,” she added. The summer holiday season in Austria was marked by a clear recovery, and travellers from the GCC region played a major role in this. The Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office in the Middle East, Robert Groeblacher, elaborated: “Since the return of touristic travel between Austria and the GCC at the end of June, we  witnessed an increasing number of visitors from this region to Austria. This observation is supported by figures, as 263,000 overnight stays done by GCC travellers …

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German National Tourist Office and Wego Entice GCC Travellers to visit Germany

Wego partnered with the German National Tourist Office to get travelers to experience Germany and Berlin in the new norm. Germany has eased travel restrictions to encourage GCC travelers to explore the country’s 51 UNESCO World Heritage sites which include the awe-inspiring castles and old towns that add a medieval flair. Bahrain and the UAE have recently been added to the German safe list alongside Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, making it easier for visitors from the GCC to explore the country again, especially in the winter season. The reduction in restrictions applies to all travellers twelve years and above regardless of individual vaccination status, with visitors now able to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel, a valid vaccination certificate, or proof of recovery. For full entry requirements to Germany, visitors are advised to refer to www.bmi.bund.de. As part of the collaborative campaign, the German National Tourist Office and Wego will be shedding light on the outdoor adventures, winter activities, and festivities on offer across Germany this winter for families, couples, and solo travelers, in addition to Berlin’s sights and tourist attractions to entice GCC travelers. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “Our partnership with the German National Tourist Office marks another step towards promoting tourism and encouraging people to travel again in the new norm. Our searches show an increase in the appetite for GCC travelers to travel to European countries after hiatus and Germany ranks amongst the top European destinations.” Germany offers nature-oriented holidays for all adventure seekers and solo travellers which includes the bountiful parks by the south of Hamburg, the nature trails along the …

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National Day insights by Sojern

The 50th UAE National Day Celebrations will mark the country’s Golden Jubilee, since the nation’s founding in 1971, officially marked by the federal unification of the six emirates (seven in 1972 after Ras Al Khaimah joined). These two tables compare the same dates ranges on event date for National Day, meaning that it is a like for like comparison. Pre-covid, whilst the UAE remains #1 as a top destination, it is far more heavily weighted in 2021 vs 2019, with 84% of travellers choosing to travel in the UAE. Whilst travel restrictions have eased, vaccine rollouts have ramped up and PCR test costs decrease, travellers still appear to be choosing to stay local and travel within the Emirates as opposed to 2019 where there was a much higher distribution of travellers looking to travel abroad. Taking the same date range and looking further at the breakout by city, whilst the ranking has not changed significantly between 2019 and 2021, there is a slightly higher % of travellers that are looking to travel to Dubai (53% in 2021 vs 49% in 2019) versus the other Emirates. Looking further at the top departure dates between 2019, 2020 and 2021, taking the same date range as previously mentioned, there was a far higher % of people who travelled to the United Arab Emirates ahead of National Day (45% 3 days ahead of National Day), versus 2020 and 2021, where people travelled to the United Arab Emirates the day before National Day. In observing the search to travel lead times, we also found a much shorter search to travel lead time window in 2021 vs 2019 with 39% of hotel search events taking place within …

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