Category Archives: Govt

Saudi joined Umrah+ Connect, a leading B2B platform dedicated to the Umrah travel market to share Saudi’s Umrah offering with UK and European trade partners. Taking place during the World Travel Market, where Saudi is this year’s Premier Partner, Umrah+ Connect brings together leading DMC’s, airlines, hoteliers, and Umrah companies. Following the success of last year’s first major B2B Umrah event in London, Umrah+ Connect took place in association with Nusuk, Saudi’s first official integrated digital platform that offers pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah, and beyond. This comes off the back of the recent global launch of Nusuk by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Nusuk is an initiative of the Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Program which has seen roadshows taking place in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt and Indonesia. Nusuk will expand the range of choice and enhance the overall experience for Muslims visiting Saudi and enable simpler arrival procedures for visitors to perform Umrah. Nusuk will also offer a new range of services including facilitating visas, permits, booking processes and procedures, along with special packages for Makkah, Madinah and beyond. His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Chairman of the Committee for the Pilgrim Experience Program, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, said, “The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues its efforts in cooperation and collaboration with government entities in Saudi Arabia to serve the pilgrims of Makkah and Madinah through Nusuk. We are using the most advanced technology to enrich the spiritual experience of the pilgrim and visitor. Nusuk’s sponsorship of this event is a symbol of our commitment to bringing Nusuk to our partners and to the tens of millions Muslims …

Saudi opens World Travel Market (WTM) London for the second consecutive year as Premier Partner. Hosting its largest pavilion at an international event, Saudi has developed interactive on-stand experiences to immerse and inspire visitors across every touchpoint, on a journey of the country through the senses. Incredible visuals showcase the breadth and depth of Saudi’s extraordinary destination offering, bringing the authentic home of Arabia to life. Visitors will feel for themselves the unparalleled hospitality for which the country is known with an opportunity to experience a rich part of the country’s culture, through a celebration of the Year of Saudi Coffee at the Saudi Café. Event attendees will feel the beat of the Saudi spirit through traditional and modern music and dance and be able to journey through the traditions of Saudi’s diverse regions with unique activations ranging from the flower crowns of Soudah to the sadu weaving from Diriyah. Global partners continue to find untapped opportunity and potential in Saudi and have joined Saudi on its journey to create the world’s most exciting leisure tourism destination. At WTM, Saudi welcomes a record of more than 40 destination partners highlighting a wide range of Saudi tourism products, creating access to experiences, packages, hotels, and cruises for trade partners. On stage, senior leaders from the Saudi delegation will take part in high-profile discussions focused on the future of travel, sustainability and innovation through technology in a global context. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board of Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “In Saudi, we dream big, and we deliver bigger and today, we are creating the newest and most exciting destination on Earth, for tomorrow. This year’s WTM is our biggest …

Opening the press conference at the Sharjah tourism pavilion, H.E Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, “welcome to the Sharjah stand. We are very happy to be back here at World Travel Market, as you know it is very important for us to showcase what is new in the destination and the good news is that we have so many new different products and experiences in Sharjah. Fortunately, during the covid period we were able to develop many new projects, we are announcing some of them today and within the next two years we will be launching more projects. The most important elements today or the additions are adventure and eco- tourism. As you know Sharjah is the cultural hub in the Arab world and have been recognised an awarded many times by UNESCO. In addition, we host many events the popular one the power boat racing event for the past 20 years and the Sharjah national book fair, the largest book fair in the world and the Sharjah Lights festival to name a few. Today, myself and my colleagues from both government and private sector will be sharing a brief about products and experiences that have been introduced to enhance the emirate’s touristic and overall infrastructure, given the fact that the sector is a major contributor to the national economy. We are very happy to have you here, as through yourselves whichever field you work under the general tourism umbrella, we will get the right audience, the right reach, the right exposure so thank you once again for being here.” HE Midfa reiterated, “Ladies and gentlemen there is so much to see when you are in Sharjah, our slogan is smile …

Al Taif Investment, a joint venture between Dubai Investments – the leading diversified investments company listed on the Dubai Financial Market and Fujairah Investment Establishment (FIE), the investment arm of the Fujairah Government, has today announced new business updates of Al Taif Business Center, its flagship project in Fujairah. Al Taif Mall, the retail segment within Al Taif Business Center is almost 50% leased out. The G+2 level shopping mall, nestled between Al Taif Business Center’s 19 floor Hotel & Residential and Office Tower is spread across both the towers and is equipped with 45 retail outlets including supermarkets and other lifestyle stores. The mall is getting ready to open doors for shopping and has signed up with Step-in Group, home to a multitude of leading international and national brands for apparel, fragrances, accessories, cosmetics, footwear, and more commodities, accommodating the needs of the Centre’s diverse visitors. Earlier this year, Al Taif Investment signed a contract with Hilton to open Double Tree by Hilton in Al Taif Business Center with 228 guest rooms, a ballroom counted amongst the biggest in Fujairah along with a wide selection of restaurants and other amenities. The hotel is also gearing up to open doors by the end of this year, providing residents, visitors and tourists a perfect venue for business and leisure. Elie Hadwan, Business Center Manager, Al Taif Investment commented, “The partnerships with the Hilton Group and the Step-in Group, reiterate the commitment to provide access to quality living, lifestyle, shopping and business options. We are expecting the mall to reach the 70% leasing mark by the end of the year. Once operational, Al Taif Business Center will contribute towards alleviating Fujairah’s attractiveness …

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, THE RED SEA and AMAALA, has announced the appointment of Reem Emirates Saudi to construct the façade and roof shell of the Red Sea International (RSI) airport’s landside facilities. “Red Sea International will set new standards in sustainable aviation, and the ongoing construction works are a critical part of building that legacy. This requires experienced partners who share our vision for doing things better,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. “Not only is the airport sustainably designed, but aesthetically it takes inspiration from the forms of the surrounding desert, the green oasis and the sea. The roof shell, which Reem Emirates Saudi will deliver, typifies this, with dune-like pods radiating out from the center, providing an arresting welcome as guests first arrive to THE RED SEA from above.” The airport is designed to include shaded areas and natural ventilation that minimizes reliance on air conditioning. It will feature five mini-terminals, which allow areas to be closed during slower activity periods, curbing the need to air-condition all sections and waste energy. At the same time, the entire airport will be run by renewable energy, supporting RSG’s ambition to usher in a carbon-neutral, net-zero era for airport designs and operations. Reem Emirates Saudi will adopt innovative, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions throughout the facade design, structural engineering, manufacturing, and installation, aligned with industry-leading Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications. Eng. Naser Al Marzooqi, General Manager at Reem Emirates Saudi, said: “Our partnership with RSG marks the start of an exciting chapter in revolutionizing airport offerings, while closely aligning with the strategic goals of Vision 2030. …

115 trade partners gathered for the St.Petersburg roadshow in Riyadh. The guests were welcomed by Arbi Abubakarov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Relations of St. Petersburg, Stanislav Yankovets, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Deputy General Director of the City Tourist Information Bureau of St. Petersburg Yulia Bondareva. The welcome speeches were followed by the presentation of St Petersburg and the travel partners from St Petersburg, among whom was General Director of the Northern Capital Gateway Company (operator of the Pulkovo airport) Leonid Sergeev. The road show “Visit Saint Petersburg!” ended in Saudi Arabia. The road show program, formed on the initiative and with the participation of specialists from the tourism industry in St. Petersburg and organized by the Committee for Tourism Development of St. Petersburg and the City Tourist Information Bureau, included a series of workshops in Riyadh. Participants of the hospitality industry of the Northern capital presented their programs and established direct contacts with Middle Eastern colleagues. There was also a discussion of the possibility of establishing direct air communication between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and St. Petersburg. The representatives of the tourist business of the region got acquainted with the novelties of St. Petersburg, classic programs, the new tourist geography of the city on the Neva river. Road show visitors learned about the historical sights of St. Petersburg, architectural masterpieces, the event calendar, educational and religious routes, and much more. Particular attention was paid to the organization of direct flights to the northern capital. The presentation attracted the attention of representatives of tour operators and professional associations, airlines, organizers of MICE events and specialized media from the Middle …

The Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) and Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST), both part of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) have upgraded their much-sought after ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism’ course that is available on DCT’s innovative learning platform, Dubai Way. The enhanced course on sustainability is launched, as the UAE prepares to host the COP28 (Conference of the Parties) Climate Change Conference, at Expo City Dubai in 2023, which will further address climate change to create a more sustainable and progressive economic future. With a range of new modules including educational segments focused on water and energy saving, how to implement a Green Team and effective procurement, the DCT course will empower participants with the knowledge on how to abide by and operate with sustainable principles across the travel and hospitality sectors. Dubai Way is a world-class training platform offering a broad range of educational and awareness programmes for people employed in tourist-facing roles across the tourism ecosystem. Supporting those who interact with visitors on a day-to-day basis, Dubai Way offers specialist training focused on history, culture and heritage and customer service, all of which are critical to delivering exceptional experiences for visitors to Dubai. Since the launch of the sustainability course in 2019, it has contributed significantly towards boosting the city’s sustainability credentials, within the wider DST initiative to position Dubai as tourism destination focused on and implementing sustainable practices. For example, a number of hotels have developed water bottling plants, installed solar panels and implemented water saving initiatives.  In recent years, the tourism sector has also witnessed a proliferation of on-site farms, generating locally sourced greens as well as hotels supporting local suppliers of fresh produce, poultry, seafood …

In Jeddah, more than 100 representatives of Saudi Arabian tour operators took part in the presentation of the first day of the road show. The event was also attended by Consul General of the Russian Federation in Jeddah Yusup Abakarov. In his welcome speech Mr. Abakarov noted: «St. Petersburg is a city of unique history and beauty! I am sure you will never regret or forget St. Petersburg if you visit it, and you can safely recommend it to your clients as a place of cultural rest and unforgettable impressions.” The representatives of the tourist business of the region got acquainted with the novelties of St. Petersburg, classic programs, the new tourist geography of the city on the Neva river. Road show visitors learned about the historical sights of St. Petersburg, architectural masterpieces, the event calendar, educational and religious routes, and much more. Particular attention was paid to the organization of direct flights to the northern capital. The presentation attracted the attention of representatives of tour operators and professional associations, airlines, organizers of MICE events and specialized media from the Middle East. The road show has become part of a unified information campaign of the Tourism Development Committee, which also includes participation in exhibitions and other marketing activities that provide an opportunity to generate interest in St. Petersburg as a tourist destination, and industry representatives to find potential partners and enter a new market. It should be noted that in recent years there has been an increased interest in St. Petersburg among tourists from the countries of the Middle East. Discerning guests from this region are attracted by the comfortable hospitality infrastructure of the city on the Neva river – …

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced its participation in the World Travel Market 2022 (WTM), which brings together 51,000 industry professionals from the travel and tourism industry in the British capital from 7-9 November. Through its participation SCTDA will further its strategic goals of promoting the emirate as a popular travel destination on prestigious global events. The entity is leading a delegation of 17 public and private sector entities, namely, Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF), Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah Old Cars Club, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Sharjah National Hotels, Golden Sands Hotel, The Chedi Al Bait Hotel, Al Badayer Retreat by Mysk, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah,COSMO Travel, and TravTalk. These entities will showcase their latest developments across the emirate, including key projects taking shape in key sectors of tourism, leisure, heritage, culture, sports and hospitality, along with the steps they are taking to preserve Sharjah’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Through their participation, SCTDA will also highlight its new developments and projects, tourism offerings and services, staycation options and hotel establishments across the emirate. Sharjah’s pavilion at WTM 2022, managed by SCTDA, will serve as a nexus for  potential businesses, investors, travel professionals as well as visitors and tourists in Europe to look into their areas of interest and learn more new and emerging prospects in Sharjah’s vibrant travel and tourism market. It will also serve as a platform for networking and exchanging experiences, sharing best practices as well as envisioning a way forward for a sustainable and …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with OQ to explore potential opportunities in the areas of research, training, exchange of expertise and knowledge, human resource development and to discover various initiatives aimed at encouraging sustainable practices, as well as promoting activities related to In-Country Value and empowering SMEs in the tourism sector. The agreement was signed by Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, and Ashraf bin Hamad Al Mamari, Chief Executive People, Technology & Culture in OQ, in the presence of several officials from both parties at OCEC. The MoC covers exploring collaboration opportunities in training and capacity building through knowledge and experience transfer between parties. It aims to boost sustainability through social, economic, environmental, and cultural initiatives‏. The MoC also covers cooperation in research development and the exchange of expertise in projects. Furthermore, the MoC focuses on social investment projects, local community development activities, boosting ICV and sponsoring SME development programs. Commenting on the MoC, Hashil Al-Mahrouqi said, “The OMRAN Group seeks to implement the principles of sustainability and enhance ICV through strategic initiatives and partnerships as well as empower national competencies and SMEs. We believe that a collaborative approach such as this plays an effective role in achieving national development; therefore, we are keen to leverage it to achieve our goals in line with the National Tourism Strategy and Oman Vision 2040.” Ashraf Al Mamari, Chief Exec. People, Technology & Culture in OQ, said, “The OQ Group seeks to cooperate with the OMRAN Group in key research and development areas within the OQ Group to establish initiatives that boost economic diversification and sustainable practices.” He added, “We strongly believe …