Category Archives: Govt

SCTDA announces 11th edition of Sharjah Light Festival 2022

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced the 11th edition of the Sharjah Light Festival, which will take place from February 9-20 across nine sites in the emirate. With its tagline ‘Echoes of the Future,’ the festival will feature dazzling light and music shows designed to shine a light – quite literally – on Sharjah’s main landmarks and prominent architectural features. The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by the authority yesterday evening in Hamriya municipality, Sharjah, in the presence of His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA and a number of officials, department directors and employees of government institutions from the Emirate of Sharjah, in addition to representatives from the local and international media. The Sharjah Light Festival is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and is an initiative of the emirate’s tourism sector to encourage visitors to Sharjah. Aiming to support the course of development and progress in the emirate with artistic representations of its illustrious past, its dynamic present, and its bright future, the event has been curated to commence a new phase of post-pandemic tourism growth in Sharjah. “Over the past decade, the Sharjah Light Festival has contributed to the consolidation of Sharjah’s name as a leading destination for premium events that attract all categories of visitors from around the world. Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority’s strategic partners from the public and private sectors are vital to the success of this event, with the contribution of government departments and commercial agencies instrumental in promoting the Emirate of Sharjah as an integrated tourism …

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Cultural assets in Dubai regain momentum, witnesses over 521,000 visitors in 2021

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) revealed that the performance of its cultural assets in Dubai showed a remarkable recovery following a difficult year imposed by the repercussions of COVID-19 on the world. The Authority’s museums, heritage sites and public libraries attracted more than 521,000 visitors in 2021. Statistics conducted by Dubai Culture showed that museums, heritage sites and public libraries in Dubai are still gaining momentum as touristic, cultural and educational destinations for the public, including UAE citizens, residents and visitors. In 2021, the total number of visits to these sites was 521,753; heritage sites topped the list, recording 50% of total visitors, followed by libraries, with 39%, and museums at 11%. Muna Faisal Algurg, Director of the Museums Department and Acting CEO of the Culture & Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed that despite the conditions and repercussions imposed by the pandemic on the cultural and creative sector around the world, Dubai Culture adopted an effective methodology in dealing with the imposed challenges through digital offerings such as virtual tours, workshops, activities, and educational lectures across those sites. Following the lockdown period, Dubai Culture succeeded in reigniting the cultural movement in the emirate and keeping the audience in touch with the history of Dubai and its cultural landmarks. The Authority also ensured the implementation of all the precautionary measures and precautions to guarantee workers and visitors of those sites the highest levels of protection. Algurg indicated that the performance of museums and heritage sites in the emirate is on its path towards a full recovery at a time when the world’s museums are still suffering from the repercussions of the pandemic. Based on a report issued by …

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DCT Abu Dhabi enhances smart tourism with PayBy

As part of efforts to achieve a cashless, contactless payment system across the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PayBy, the innovative financial technology platform. In support of the UAE government’s vision to create a secure financial ecosystem for merchants and consumers and its drive towards digital transformation across all sectors, PayBy’s widely accepted, user-friendly and highly secure platform will now be in use across hotels, malls and other tourism establishments. With the current global concerns around hygiene and safety, the use of PayBy’s system will also play a key role in minimising touch points across the emirate. Saeed Al Dhaheri, Acting Tourism Products Development Director, DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our MOU with PayBy is an important step towards a seamless and innovative financial ecosystem throughout Abu Dhabi in line with the national digital transformation which will clearly benefit consumers, visitors and many other stakeholders. At DCT Abu Dhabi, we are committed to the use of state-of-the-art technology to improve the experience for tourists and residents, so the implementation of PayBy’s innovative platform is another key measure in achieving this objective.” Financial transactions on PayBy are protected by advanced technologies, including an Artificial Intelligence-based fraud management system to detect unauthorised activities, which complies with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS), the international gold standard in this sector. By offering security to guests’ payments at participating establishments and entities across the emirate, PayBy will support Abu Dhabi’s efforts to be a globally renowned, ‘smart’ tourism destination equipped with leading digital infrastructure. PayBy was launched to offer greater safety, …

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Dubai tourism signs MOU with HSBC to position as global hub for business and events

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and HSBC Bank Middle East have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), paving the way for increased cooperation in further enhancing Dubai’s position as a global liveability destination. The MoU was signed by Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Abdulfattah Sharaf, CEO of HSBC UAE and Head of International, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited. Under the terms of the agreement, DET and HSBC will promote to HSBC customers and employees the unparalleled quality of life in Dubai, its position as a global investment hub and the diverse features of the destination that everyone can enjoy. The MoU also envisages collaboration in marketing activities designed to promote events and experiences across the tourism ecosystem to further amplify the city’s position as a leading international business, leisure and events destination. Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented: “We are pleased to partner with HSBC, a global brand that has played a significant role in the development of Dubai’s business, banking and finance sectors, in showcasing our multi-faceted business and tourism offering. This MoU reflects the trust and confidence reposed in Dubai by multinational corporations and will further enhance our efforts to support the aim of our visionary leadership to make Dubai the most sought-after international city and the most attractive location to live and work in. Our partnership with HSBC is also testament to the continued efforts being made in collaboration with our stakeholders to leverage the city’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure and its position as one of the world’s safest destinations to attract multinationals, entrepreneurs, investors and tourists to Dubai.” Abdulfattah …

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Tourism Malaysia promotes ecotourism at Expo 2020

The Honourable Minister Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri graced the occasion and officiated the launch of the Malaysian classic traditional trishaw, or locally known as beca, as well as several Malaysia packages highlighting new ecotourism products in various destinations in Malaysia. This week, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) through its agency Tourism Malaysia took over the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 26th December 2021 until 31st December 2021. Promoting Malaysia as the next Top of the Mind Ecotourism Destination in the World, the Ecotourism Week at the Malaysia Pavilion takes the call from Malaysia’s National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 which highlights the practice of sustainable and responsible tourism. Malaysia is joined by 16 organisations, consisting of five (5) state tourism boards, three (3) associations, one (1) hotel chain, one (1) product owner, and six (6) tour operators. Throughout Tourism Malaysia’s Ecotourism Week, participants get to learn more about different perspectives of ecotourism in Malaysia by Malaysia’s renowned speakers at the Expert Talk series, namely: Andrew Sebastian – Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia, Syed Abd Rahman Syed Hassan – Diveheart Malaysia, Adj. Prof Anthony Wong Kim Hooi – Sustainability & Ecotourism Expert and Eric Sinnaya – Malaysia Nature Society. As part of her first Tourism Sales Mission to the Middle East, Dato’ Sri Nancy will also attend a networking dinner with members of the travel trade and media in UAE on 30 December 2021. The mission aims to reinstate and enhance the commitment to establishing good tourism cooperation, engaging future collaborations, and cooperation in the tourism industry. The Malaysian Government launched its first International Travel Bubble by reopening Langkawi Island to fully-vaccinated …

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New precautionary measures announced for new year by Dubai Supreme Council of crisis and disaster management

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the emirate’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has announced precautionary measures for New Year’s Eve celebrations in the emirate. Urging members of the public to continue abiding by COVID-19 precautionary measures to protect themselves and the community, the Committee said that stringent observance of preventive guidelines is vital to maintain the progress Dubai has achieved in combating the pandemic. During a meeting held, the Supreme Committee further said the community’s stringent adherence to COVID-19 precautionary guidelines has been key to Dubai’s exceptional success in containing the pandemic. The emirate’s ongoing awareness campaigns and the public’s continued cooperation will help ensure the wellbeing of all citizens, residents and visitors. The Committee’s latest meeting reviewed the preparations for New Year’s Eve celebrations and the roles of various task forces. The meeting also approved preventive measures and guidelines for the celebrations. His Highness Sheikh Mansoor said the concerted efforts of frontline authorities and the integrated plan to curb the pandemic combined with the steadfast cooperation of the public has enabled Dubai to curb the spread of the virus. Strong preventive protocols continue to be enforced as part of the Government of Dubai’s efforts to protect citizens, residents and visitors, His Highness said. “Dubai has continuously monitored local and global developments to take the decisive action necessary to protect the community and implement precautionary measures outlined by local and international health authorities. Every member of the community should stringently observe the preventive guidelines in …

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New Timeshare Portal launched as Dubai sets its sights on becoming a leading vacation ownership destination

In a move that further contributes to realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to make Dubai the world’s best city to live, work and visit, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched an online portal that provides a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ for timeshare operators to register and apply for permits and provide insights and guidance to customers and tourists. The new portal, which facilitates a seamless experience for customers, tourists, investors and vacation operators in the city, supports the legal framework created by Dubai’s new Timeshare Law. The Timeshare Portal developed by DET in cooperation with partners allows potential operators to register and submit their applications for timeshare properties, obtain a permit as a licensed timeshare operator, and renew these permits on a yearly basis. The portal brings immense benefits to the tourism ecosystem, further strengthening investor confidence in the city and its real estate and hotel offerings. Additionally, it will speed up the approval process and provide guidance and easy access to information sought by investors, owners and operators, as well as tourists who wish to use timeshare during their visit to Dubai. The Timeshare Portal, which incorporates global best practices, aims to establish a better business environment and seamless experience for all parties and ensure customers are protected. A multi-entity Dubai-wide initiative, the portal is primarily driven by a partnership between DET and Dubai Land Department (DLD), backed by continuous coordination with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).  The easily accessible online portal seeks to further stimulate and encourage investments in the vacation ownership sector. The Timeshare Law, which regulates the …

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Abu Dhabi Maritime unveils Jet Ski licencing Services

Delivering on its mandate to transform Abu Dhabi into a leading centre for maritime activities and to support the growth of the local marine community, Abu Dhabi Maritime, the primary custodian of Abu Dhabi’s waterways and marine ecosystems, has revealed it will now provide jet ski licencing services within the emirate. Assuming the role previously held by Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Maritime will assist members of the public and commercial marine service providers with the registration of new jet skis, annual license renewals, and booking technical inspections. As an added premium offering, the organisation’s inspection teams will also be able to conduct technical examinations of a user’s jet ski at a location selected by them, including from the comfort of their own home. Accessible via Abu Dhabi Maritime’s website and from a dedicated web portal, the new streamlined process will not only make licencing services more efficient and less time consuming, but it will also enhance maritime safety and security across Abu Dhabi’s waterways by ensuring all jet skis operating within the emirate are well-maintained and seaworthy. Capt. Saif Al Mheiri, Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Maritime, AD Ports Group, said: “As the primary custodian overseeing the management, regulation and safe use of Abu Dhabi’s waterways, it is only natural that the responsibility of handling jet ski licencing falls under our remit. “In addition to demonstrating our readiness to respond to the needs of Abu Dhabi’s long-standing and thriving maritime community, we are also keen to elevate our community’s overall user experience and streamline the process by which jet ski licensing is managed in order to be faster and more efficient. It is our strong belief that the provision of …

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Dubai to become the global capital of creative economy by 2026

In a new step aligned with its role as a planner, enabler and regulator of the cultural and creative sector in the emirate, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) launched ‘The Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics’ that sets a comprehensive, local statistical framework and classification of the domains and activities of the creative economy in the emirate in accordance with international references and standards in this field. This constitutes a new means to design a dynamic system that enables Dubai to have an accurate grasp on the creative pulse of the sector by adopting comprehensive measures and data that monitor the health of the sector in line with international standards as well as monitoring statistical data in the fields of cultural and creative industries, enabling this sector, its development and highlighting its strength. Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), affirmed that the new statistical framework has been developed to suit the emirate’s cultural position through the use of data points that allow international comparison. The framework supports the planning methodology for impactful strategic projects that support the sustainability of cultural and creative industries sectors, develop a stimulating environment for them, identify the aspirations and trends of cultural and creative talents globally, attract them to live and prosper in Dubai, and enable them to flourish with their creativity, innovations and intellectual property across all creative fields, contributing to advancing Dubai’s creative scene and achieving a positive economic and social impact. This step has direct implications on the fulfilment of Dubai’s Creative Economy Strategy, which aims to make Dubai the global capital of the creative economy by 2026. …

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IATF updates testing and quarantine protocols

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved testing and quarantine protocols on December 2, 2021, for arriving international passengers from countries/territories/jurisdictions that are not listed as Red List countries/territories/jurisdictions in all ports of entry in the Philippines. The new standards have been implemented on December 3, 2021. Individuals who have been fully vaccinated must have a negative RT-PCR test completed within 72 hours of departing from their country of origin. They will be subjected to facility-based quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, with an RT-PCR test performed on the fifth day, with the date of arrival being the first day. Regardless of the result, they will be subjected to home quarantine until the 14th day after their arrival. Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated will be required to do a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of departing from their country of origin. They will be subjected to facility-based quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, with an RT-PCR test conducted on the seventh day, with the date of arrival being the first day. Regardless of the result, they will be subjected to home quarantine until the 14th day after their arrival. The Department of Transportation has been directed to ensure that only passengers who pass a negative RT-PCR test before flying are allowed to board. Minors’ testing and quarantine protocols, on the other hand, must follow the parent/testing guardian’s and quarantine protocol, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status or country of origin. International travellers who have already arrived and are undergoing quarantine must follow the testing and quarantine protocols in effect at the time of their arrival. Filipinos from countries/territories/jurisdictions on the Red …

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