Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has renewed its strategic partnership with WebBeds expanding its scope to over 30 markets and aiming for a 25% year-over-year increase in the number of hotel guests. This expansion will not only focus on Abu Dhabi City but will also extend its reach to Al Ain, highlighting the emirate’s wide spectrum of tourism experiences. In 2023, the partnership with WebBeds targeted 21 source markets and achieved remarkable success, surpassing targets by reaching 149% of its goal for hotel guests. This success was driven by the collaboration’s joint marketing campaign, which significantly contributed to the increased visibility of Abu Dhabi’s diverse tourism offerings. Continuing the collaborative effort to enhance Abu Dhabi’s global tourism appeal, for the upcoming year the refreshed partnership will focus on key source markets for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. For Abu Dhabi, the targeted markets include the UAE, India, China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, the UK, Germany, Russia, the USA, Brazil, Canada, Bahrain, Jordan, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Italy, and Australia. Al Ain’s source markets will include Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, and several others. Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our ongoing collaboration with WebBeds reinforces the importance and effectiveness of showcasing our wide variety of hotels, resorts and other hospitality offerings through a global platform. We are leveraging our combined expertise and driving innovation in the industry and among our stakeholders, while creating memorable experiences for our travellers.” The expanded partnership will introduce key initiatives such as joint sales engagement, targeted campaigns, and trade initiatives designed …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has officially launched its comprehensive Event Licensing Manual, a guide that streamlines and standardises the event licensing process across the emirate. Available online, the Event Licensing Manual offers an extensive overview of the Abu Dhabi Events Licensing System (ELS) and provides detailed guidance on the procedures and requirements needed to obtain and manage event licenses across various types of events, including business, leisure and entertainment, cultural, sporting and religious events. The manual outlines the entire event licensing process, covering requirements for securing and managing event licenses, defining various licenses and permits – including those for mega events with multiple performers – while also providing detailed information on regulatory requirements, application procedures, and best practices to ensure efficient and successful event planning and execution in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the manual includes sections on health and safety, sustainability, promotion standards, and cultural sensitivity to align events with Abu Dhabi’s objectives and values. HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Event Licensing Manual sets a strong, supportive foundation for our stakeholders as it provides clear and comprehensive guidelines that will help our partners to deliver events that meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s growth as a premier destination for events.” The Abu Dhabi events industry is a cornerstone of the emirate’s economic and cultural growth, drawing travellers, business professionals, investors, and partners to a diverse array of events that attract local, regional, and international attention. The introduction of the Event Licensing Manual is a strategic move by DCT Abu Dhabi to streamline event planning and execution, ensure regulatory …

Qatar Tourism has announced the update of the instructions governing the maritime tourism transport activity, including the licensing of marine tourism transport offices and marine tourism transport in all its categories (A, B and C). In line with international best practices, Qatar Tourism has issued a new classification guide for owners and operators of marine tourism transport, specifying the technical requirements and specifications that must be met by these means that comply with the Tourism Regulation Law No. (20) of 2018. According to these updates, Qatar Tourism confirms that any Class A boat that does not meet the classification requirements and criteria referred to in the Classification Guide No. 1.1 of 2024 will not be allowed to operate, be present or dock in the Doha Corniche area. Categories of tourist transportation include: 1. Class A – includes boats used for short trips only, operating within the Corniche area. 2. Class B – includes boats used for long journeys, operating outside the Corniche area. 3. Class C – includes boats used for long trips that provide accommodation and meals (premium and luxury boats such as yachts). Individuals can operate Category A only while Categories B and C are operated only by licensed tourist offices. Managers of maritime tourism transport offices, boat owners and operators are required to ensure compliance with the new instructions within the allocated time frame as of 25/8/2024, and the means of transport have been given 3 months from the date of issuance of these instructions to abide by them. Qatar Tourism regulates and develops the tourism industry, promotes private sector investment and sets the strategic direction of the sector. Mr. Fahad Hassan Al-Abdulmalik, Director of Tourism Licensing …

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT)  has partnered with Coursera to reach 155 million learners worldwide. Through this collaboration, DCT will introduce 16 new courses focused on essential skills in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including hospitality marketing, budgeting and events, revenue management, inventory management, front office operations, housekeeping, and many more. The global hospitality sector is expected to grow to $4.99 trillion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. In the GCC, the industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2023 and 2028, reflecting the region’s continued investment in the sector. With this growth comes a rising demand for skilled professionals, underscoring the need for targeted education. This partnership with Coursera helps address the talent gap in the industry and supports efforts to equip learners across the region and beyond with the skills needed to thrive in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of Dubai College of Tourism, said: “Our partnership with Coursera represents a significant advancement in our mission to provide world-class tourism and hospitality education, aligned with Dubai’s vision to become a global hub for business and tourism. By leveraging Coursera’s cutting-edge platform and our expertise in tourism and hospitality training programmes, we are confident that our 16 new courses will make a meaningful impact on the careers of learners worldwide. This collaboration also underscores our commitment to inclusive education and our dedication to shaping the future of the industry. Together with Coursera, we aim to contribute to the talent pipeline, fostering a new generation of tourism professionals equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel in a rapidly evolving landscape.” “This partnership with the Dubai …

Speaking with TravTalk Middle East, Suhaib Albakheet – Marketing Specialist – Jordan Tourism Board shared that GCC and Asia are some of the key markets they focus on currently. He further reiterated that Africa is another source market which they are looking at present and they have a diverse portfolio of visitors from these markets. Presenting their unique experiences at ITB Asia, some of the areas they focus on is faith tourism, which brings in a lot of devotees to the destination. Jordan has been in the forefront of promoting itself with all its rich culture and heritage. They have been able to keep their tourist numbers high mainly due to the many efforts to promote the destination to new markets.

Visit Oman, the countries native B2B booking engine for Oman, exhibiting at ITB Asia 2024 showcased Oman’s unique travel experiences to the Asian market. As Asia’s curiosity and appetite for new destinations is growing, Visit Oman has found this the perfect time to showcase the ease of booking Oman, with the destination known for its warm hospitality, offering a safe, comfortable and easy to navigate environment, making it ideal for travellers seeking both relaxation and adventure. Mohammed Al Asmi, Visit Oman Senior Executive shared “Solidifying Oman as a must-visit destination while showcasing at ITB Asia highlights a significant step forward to attract travellers from Asia and the importance of travel technology solutions like Visit Oman in a fast paced tourism ecosystem.” Visit Oman aims to forge stronger partnerships with travel agents and resellers across Asia, educating travel trade on the nation’s blend of rich heritage and vast array of experiences to explore. To attract more visitors in Q4 2024, Visit Oman is launching exclusive travel packages, and immersive itineraries with live booking capability.

Sustainable development needs to be the cornerstone of the Travel and Tourism sector, now and into the future, according to H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, who took part in the fourth annual World Economic Forum Urban Transformation Summit, being held in San Francisco, California. The Minister, who is one of the chairs of the Summit, gave Keynote Remarks during the Opening Plenary session. He commented that while tourism growth brings challenges like overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental pressures, keeping sustainability at the heart of the approach to tackling those challenges will set up the sector for the future: “We are seeing exponential growth in the tourism sector, and in parallel, we are seeing a rising demand for sustainable, enriching experiences. This provides us with the chance to reshape tourism while safeguarding the planet and driving positive change that benefits communities as well as economies, for future generations.” Al-Khateeb, who also is also the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Program, went on to say that building a strong global community of industry leaders and experts who can convene at forums such as the WEF Urban Transformation Summit, is essential for creating a positive and lasting future for tourism and developing collaborative solutions to seize on those growth opportunities responsibly. “Tourism and sustainability are key pillars of Saudi Arabia’s Future Saudi Cities Programme and remain a focus for our leaders,” said Al-Khateeb, “But we need city leaders, urban planners, and tourism experts from around the world to share best practices at forums like these, to think about the tourism sector and work out how they can support it by creating smart, sustainable, and resilient cities. Stronger public-private …

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Hilton have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will further enhance the destination’s visibility globally and support the hotel group with team member training and service optimisation. This new phase of their ongoing partnership is in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, underscoring the commitment of DET and Hilton to drive excellence across the tourism sector by creating outstanding experiences for visitors. Designed to establish a collaborative framework between the entities, the MoU will focus on joint marketing initiatives, including through advertising campaigns and social media, actively promoting Dubai as a premier destination. They will also roll out tourism products that highlight the city’s unique attractions, integrating these experiences into seasonal packages to provide visitors with authentic insights into the city. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to incorporate Dubai experiences into the Hilton Honors loyalty programme, which has more than 195 million members globally. Meanwhile, Hilton will be able to leverage DET’s training and capacity building, offered through its Dubai College of Tourism, to enhance team member skills in areas such as customer service and cultural awareness, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to visitors. The MoU was signed at DET’s headquarters by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa at Hilton. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Hilton has been a key part of Dubai’s tourism growth story over recent decades, contributing …

Qatar Tourism, through the Service Excellence Academy, has launched a new training program titled ‘Qatar Ambassadors: The Road to Excellence’, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Police Officers Institute of the Ministry of Interior, with the aim of improving the visitor experience at all entry and exit ports by developing the skills and knowledge of port and passport officers. The first-of-its-kind training program lasted for three days and concluded with the handing over of 20 graduates certificates of completion on October 22 at the Civil Defense Officers Club. During the program, the important role of passport officers as “ambassadors of Qatar” who make first and last impressions that often last for visitors was recalled. Interns gain the experience and skills to deliver exceptional services and seamless experiences for all passengers. The program aims to enable officers to deal with diverse situations with professionalism, empathy and care, by enhancing their effective communication skills, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The program includes five modules: the role of migration in the travel experience, mastering effective communication skills, striving for excellence, emotional intelligence, and Qatar ambassadors. Commenting on the training programme, Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Acting Head of Tourism Development, said: “The Qatar Ambassadors: The Road to Excellence programme is a joint effort and collaboration between Qatar Tourism’s Academy of Service Excellence and the Police Officers Institute to provide training for frontline workers dealing face-to-face with visitors to Qatar, as the first to receive visitors upon arrival in Qatar. The role they play in representing Qatar is vital to maintaining the mental image of our country in front of visitors. At Qatar Tourism, we are committed to achieving the highest standards of …

As Riyadh Season 2024 kicked off last week, it is stated that an impressive two million visitors were received. This remarkable achievement was announced by the chairman of the board of directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen AlAlshikh. The overwhelming turnout highlights the public’s enthusiasm for this annual entertainment extravaganza. This year, the season features five main areas: Boulevard World, Kingdom Arena, Boulevard City, The Venue, and Al-Suwaidi Park. Boulevard World has undergone a significant 30 percent expansion to accommodate the surge in visitors, introducing new events and attractions. The area now boasts five new sections representing Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Africa, and Courchevel, bringing the total to 22 diverse areas from around the globe, along with 300 restaurants and cafés, and more than 890 shops. In a landmark event, Kingdom Arena hosted a historic boxing match in which Artur Beterbiev was crowned the undisputed champion in the light heavyweight division after defeating Dmitry Bivol by majority decision. This intense bout showcased fierce competition in the boxing world and marked a milestone in the sport. The Venue area launched its season with the prestigious Six Kings Slam Championship, touted as the world’s most expensive tennis tournament. This event attracted six of the top-ranked tennis stars, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. Additionally, Al-Suwaidi Park is currently hosting a vibrant array of Indian cultural events, which will continue until Tuesday. These festivities feature popular shows, traditional cuisine, and artistic concerts, drawing large crowds from the Indian community, residents, and culture enthusiasts. Boulevard City is captivating visitors with innovative entertainment experiences, including the PUBG Mobile game and the Conan experience, alongside …