Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (D TCM) unveiled new Desert Tour & Camp Regulations aimed at further elevating the popular Dubai desert experience to best-in-class standards.  As part of the initiative, Dubai Tourism has established quality benchmarks for all desert tour operators, including those managing outdoor, cultural and hospitality activities. Operators will be evaluated on a number of categories including, visitor experience, health and safety, insurance coverage, marketing and advertising as well as transport and logistics. The new Regulations will also focus on the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices. By empowering operators to improve their services and provide detailed information on the activities included in their packages, Dubai Tourism aims to position the Dubai desert tour industry as a safe, authentic and dynamic extension of the destination experience. The new Regulations will come into effect in three months’ time giving the industry a sufficient window to adopt the standards.

The Ministry of Tourism, Oman, has revealed that up to $US 35 billion will be invested in the tourism industry of the Sultanate over the 25 years as officials conclude a hugely successful presence at this year’s Arabian Travel Market. Up to 80 per cent of that investment will come from the private sector as the country plans to double the number of international visitors Oman attracts to five million as part of its new national 2040 Tourism Strategy. Tourism officials, led by Director General of Tourism Promotion Salim Al Mamari, conducted a record number of business and trade meetings during the ATM in Dubai as interest in the country as one of the world’s fastest growing and unique destinations rapidly grows. Al Mamari said: “We have enjoyed a hugely successful Arabian Travel Market and have found unprecedented levels of interest from the tourism industry in seeking new partnerships and initiatives with the Ministry.”