Category Archives: Govt

Al Hamra in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), is offering investors an unparalleled opportunity to secure a 12-year residency visa and a business licence when they purchase a ready-to-move-in seafront or golf-course view home in Al Hamra Village or Bab Al Bahr, two award-winning master-planned communities by Al Hamra, set in the scenic emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. As part of the package, investors will enjoy exceptional incentives and benefits including a 12-year UAE residency visa, a business licence to undertake any of the hundreds of business activities as per the investor’s choice, an additional partner visa and a flexi-desk with modern amenities to conduct business seamlessly. Benoy Kurien, Group CEO of Al Hamra, said, “The UAE is among the top places to live and work in the region, in addition to being ranked as one of the world’s most-preferred tourist destinations. With its vibrant expatriate community, which makes up around 80 per cent of the population, international investors feel instantly at home in the UAE. Further, the nation’s strategic geographical location, government support programmes, policy reforms, and infrastructure offers attractive opportunities for entrepreneurship and business growth. “Ras Al Khaimah, named as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2021 at the fifth annual meeting of tourism ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, is now the fastest-growing tourism and investment destination in the region. The government’s institutional approach has made the Emirate an investment destination of choice for SMEs and big businesses. More than 38,000 companies from 100 countries representing over 50 industries already operate in Ras Al Khaimah. With the launch of our new package, we are offering an extraordinary opportunity for investors to buy-into Al Hamra as …

Travel Counsellors UAE has reported more new bookings were made throughout the month of November 2020 than in November 2019 with sales climbing to 114% of the figures achieved during the same period last year. Holly McCann, General Manager of Travel Counsellors UAE said, “The spike in sales is driven by Travel Counsellors customers pent up demand. Our top selling destination in November was The Maldives and the vast majority of those bookings are travelling within the next 4 weeks. This along with the continued trend towards residents enjoying staycations in the country means that we have seen our trading here very quickly bounce back to pre-covid levels.” Katie McMichael, Marketing Manager said, “The campaign reflects the feelings customers now have towards travel, with many seeing the new year as an opportunity to experience the bucket-list destinations they’ve always dreamed of, whilst others naturally remain cautious, preferring to travel closer to home and the short haul destinations featured on our 2021 list. The recurring theme, however, is the real requirement to book through an experienced travel professional, who will be available to handle any changes to travel arrangements throughout.” McCann added, “Leisure customers and corporate clients who have been unable to travel this year have witnessed first-hand how their Travel Counsellor has looked after every element of their trip, taken care of all amendments, and in many cases rebooked their well-earned break or business trip for a later date. They’ve seen the true value of being able to rely on real, personalised one-to-one advice, feel completely cared for and been able to take advantage of the knowledge base of a global community of nearly 2000 travel professionals, who have come …

Dubai has emerged as a leading example of a city that is getting tourism back on track following its successful and gradual reopening of its borders and economy, industry experts said during a recent webinar hosted by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The webinar, titled Trust in Tourism 4.0: How Dubai Adapted to Welcome You Back, was organised by Dubai Chamber’s representative offices in Latin America, and joined by over 470 participants, including business leaders from the UAE and several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, and Guatemala. H.E. IssamKazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation of Tourism and Commerce Marketing outlined several factors that ensured Dubai’s successful reopening, including the government’s proactive approach to ensuring the health and safety of citizens, residents and tourists, which included a comprehensive city-wide sanitation programme, close cooperation with the private sector and wider society. Kazim highlighted the New Dubai Assured Program, an award stamp issued by the government to businesses meeting high safety standards, as an effective tool in this regard, adding that Dubai Tourism maintained communication within key source markets throughout the year, keeping stakeholders informed of new developments as the emirates restarted business events and meetings. For his part, Omar Khan, Director of International Offices, Dubai Chamber noted that Dubai delivered on its promise to welcome international visitors, and offered participants insights on how the business landscape in the emirate has changed in the new normal. He revealed that a number of business and leisure events have already been hosted in Dubai, and said the return of GITEX Technology Week, the region’s largest technology exhibition, is a positive development signalling a recovery on the horizon. Khan pointed out that the …

Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Israeli Minister of Tourism welcomed the first Gulf Air flight from Bahrain to Israel, along with a delegation of key stakeholders in the tourism industry led by Minister of Economy and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani. Following the reception, Minister Farkash-Hacohen said, “The opening of direct flights, and the travel of people between the countries, is an essential step towards building peace between our nations. I look forward to hosting the Minister and his delegation, showing them a taste of Israel’s scenes and heritage, and introducing them to Israel’s private tourism sector.” The Bahraini delegation includes, in addition to the Minister, the Director of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, the CEO and CCO of Gulf Air, and the Chairman of the Association of Bahrain Travel & Tour Agents. During the visit, which will last until Thursday, Israel’s Ministry of Education will hold a series of working meetings between the visitors and key players in the local tourism industry, including President of the Israel Hotel Association, Amir Hayak, CEO of The Israel Association of Travel Agencies & Consultants, Tali Laufer, and CEO of the Incoming Tour Operators Association, Yossi Fatael. Additionally, the Bahraini delegation will tour Jerusalem and visit Tel Aviv. “For the past two months we have worked hard to turn peace from an idea to a reality, and the tourism MOU between the countries is an important step in that direction,” Farkash-Hacohen said. “The tens of thousands of tourists who will arrive from Bahrain and the UAE when the skies reopen will experience Israel in the best way possible. Such visits contribute not only to building peace between the countries and people, but also towards …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Youth Hostel Association and the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, with the aim of enhancing the guidelines, standards and mechanisms in managing youth hostels and improving the quality of services provided to the youth tourism sector while preserving the traditional houses of the emirate. The new initiative comes in line with Sharjah’s continuing efforts to strengthen its leading position on the global tourism map. The SCTDA has been tasked to take charge in the management, supervision and development of services of youth hostels located in the emirate, while the Sharjah Archaeology Authority oversees the maintenance and preservation of the facilities. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA stated, “This will ultimately benefit the local tourism sector and cement Sharjah’s position within the ranks of the most prestigious and distinguished tourist destinations in the world. We look forward to working closely with both entities, especially in the move to improve the quality of youth hostel services and the preservation of traditional houses. Our collaboration will help reinforce Sharjah’s reputation as a distinct destination that combines the past traditions with the present age in an urban setting. We are confident that this agreement, which will further enrich the tourism experience of Sharjah, will help strengthen our initial efforts to promote youth tourism. There is no doubt that improving youth hostels will have a positive impact on the tourism community, as they provide distinguished services that will help establish the emirate as an ideal destination for those looking to experience luxurious but cost-efficient holidays. The youth hostels offer multiple options to meet the different tastes and requirements …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announced its collaboration with the Frontline Heroes Office to offer curated dedicated packages and benefits for frontline professionals as a sign of recognition for the key role they play in protecting the nation.As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, RAKTDA took quick action and launched several support initiatives aimed at its hospitality, leisure and development partners to lay the strong foundations for the sectors’ recovery. The Authority has now made strong strides towards achieving its recovery goals and aims to pay it forward to the nation’s heroes, who made these achievements possible by putting themselves on the frontline in service to the country and ensuring the population’s wellbeing and safety. “We would like to take this opportunity to honour their commitment to this responsibility and show our gratitude through a series of dedicated offers and benefits that they can avail when they visit Ras Al Khaimah,” said Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. He goes on to add, “It is with great pleasure that we welcome the nation’s heroes for a well-deserved break to enjoy the Emirate’s diverse entertainment and hospitality offering.” Her Excellency Professor Maha Barakat, Director General of the Frontline Heroes Office commented, “The Frontline Heroes Office strives to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the country’s heroes, working with partners on exclusive offerings to express the nation’s gratitude. With the help of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and its array of partners we are able to continue to reward and recognise the heroic efforts of the country’s frontline professionals and their immeasurable actions to protect the UAE and its community.”

Ministry of Economy (MoE) launched the ‘International Advisory Council on the New Economy’, a first of its kind initiative, with the participation of international experts, advisors and economic policy makers, as well as influential national figures involved in the formulation and development of many of the UAE’s economic development programs. H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq AlMarri, UAE Minister of Economy, said: “The Council is a new initiative that the UAE is developing, through which we will work to develop ideas, proposals and formulate new economic policies.” The Council will undertake a set of tasks related to the structure of the new economy, including the development of ideas and proposals; providing advice to decision-makers in new economic fields, development of research papers and studies; and development of new models for regional and international partnerships in the fields of the future economy. In addition, the Council will contribute to coordination efforts with research centres and academic institutions, with the aim of strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovative ideas and sharing the UAE economy’s experience with external partners. H.E. Bin Touq added that the changes the world is currently witnessing as a result of the pandemic are being reflected across all aspects of life, ranging from our daily lives to travel, trade and other vital economic sectors. However, the current circumstances do not limit the UAE’s aspirations. Instead, they motivate us to convert challenges into opportunities and employ them in the service of long-term development goals and objectives, he said. Bin Touq continued, “The government of the UAE was the most prepared one to deal with most of the challenges that emerged as a result of COVID-19 and was also …

There is huge potential for the UAE and Vietnam to expand ties in renewable energy, trade, investment, logistics, maritime transportation, medical tourism and aviation, according to government officials and trade experts who spoke at the first Global Partnership Series event. The virtual forum, organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, was attended by 80 participants from the UAE and Vietnam, including government officials, industry experts and business leaders. “I expect that the efforts from two sides will create the favourable conditions and further enhance the economic, trade, industry and investment relationship between Vietnam and UAE,” said H.E. Nguyen Manh Tuan, who outlined several recommendations for boosting bilateral ties including promoting cooperation between free zones, increasing business and knowledge exchange, and driving participation of businesses in the seminars, workshop, exhibitions and trade fairs organised in Vietnam and Dubai. Addressing participants, H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair elaborated on the state of UAE-Vietnam trade ties, which he said have expanded rapidly following the mutual opening of embassies many years ago, strategic cooperation agreements and the establishment of direct flights between the two countries. The UAE is Vietnam’s top trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, and Dubai serves as a gateway for the re-exporting Vietnamese goods and products. Yet, he noted that there is still plenty of scope to expand Dubai-Vietnam non-oil trade beyond the $7.4 billion accounted for in 2019, adding that the virtual forum supports Dubai Chamber’s efforts to explore untapped economic potential in Vietnam and other emerging markets around the world.

Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) has launched inspection campaign across the emirate’s tourist establishments to ensure compliance with ‘BV’ certification to protect guests, visitors and hospitality employees in Ajman, in line with the strengthening of precautionary measures taken by the UAE. Bureau Veritas (BV) includes a comprehensive checklist to confirm compliance with good hygiene practices, social distancing, and all other recommendations to maintain the highest levels of safety. It also includes field audits to check that the expected protective measures are implemented efficiently. Sultan Ali Al Nuaimi, Director of Licensing & Tourism Standards Department at Ajman Tourism, said, “This campaign comes as part of our efforts to ensure that all tourist establishments are following the best preventive measures as the emirate continues to consolidate its position as a favourable destination for the UAE residents and tourists. We continue to work closely with our partners in the hospitality sector to preserve the safety and health of the guests of the Emirate of Ajman.”

Ministry of Economy, UAE and Dubai Chamber, which is the key local partner for Google’s ‘Grow Stronger with Google’ programme, discussed digital transformation in the sector Small and medium enterprise, during a webinar in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises. His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, spoke about the need to continue investing in modern technologies to enhance the effectiveness of responding to the repercussions of the pandemic. He stressed on the vital role of technology in accelerating the pace of economic recovery and restoring momentum in various sectors, especially retail sales, tourism and hospitality services. During the panel discussion, His Excellency further added that “The challenges that the world faces today have proven that investing in technology, innovation and digital transformation is no longer an option, but rather has become an imperative to ensure the continuity of competitiveness. There is no doubt that the post-Covid-19 scene will not be like earlier times and the speed of adapting to the new reality will be a key factor in accelerating the pace of recovery of economies globally and returning to the path of growth. He also remarked on how Governments, and the private sector provide virtual channels of coordination and communication at a time when direct communication is difficult due to the preventive measures in place. “In this context, we would like to commend the partnerships between government agencies in the UAE and global technology leaders such as Google, as these partnerships and initiatives contribute to increasing the resilience of the …