Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Saudi kicks off its first participation at ITB Berlin, the world’s biggest travel show and convention, celebrating key milestones for Saudi’s tourism growth story and showcasing the breadth and depth of Saudi’s extraordinary destination offering. In the run up to the event, Saudi hosted members of media at the press conference session “Unexpected Arabia: Discover Saudi,” on Monday 6 March, giving a preview of Saudi’s diverse offerings and developments. During the week there will be interactive on-stand experiences, bringing to life the rich culture and heritage of one of the world’s last frontiers of tourism. Visitors will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the authentic home of Arabia, to feel the unparalleled hospitality for which the country is known. As the largest exhibitor at this year’s edition of ITB Berlin, a record number of partners for Saudi are on the stand showcasing a record number of bookable products for the destination (200+) spanning experiences, packages, hotels, and cruises for trade partners. This presence reflects the incredible growth the country is witnessing. Since opening to tourism in 2019, Saudi has been recognized as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in the G20. With an extraordinary +121% increase from pre-pandemic international tourism levels, Saudi achieved 93.5 million visits in 2022 and is outpacing global tourism sector recovery as recognized by the UNWTO. As the world’s biggest investor in tourism, Saudi has committed $550bn to new destinations by 2030. Preserving heritage and history, a $50.6 billion masterplan will transform Diriyah, a 300-year-old city and birthplace of Saudi, into one of the world’s most exciting cultural sites. In 2023, Red Sea Global, the world’s most ambitious luxury tourism development, will debut its first hotel …

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MOHT), hosted The Global Travel Week Middle East, during the period of 4th to 7 March 2023, with the participation of 200 professionals in the field of luxury tourism from around the world, along with 40 local Omani tourism industry key players. The  Global Travel Week Middle East event is B2B type of event organized in cooperation with Travel Weekly Group, a company specializing in organizing tourism activities, that attract tourism companies and tour operators from different countries around the world to meet with their counterparts to strengthen the cooperation between them in the field of tourism. Top selected tourism companies were selected to carry out familiarization tours in the governorates of Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah North in order to understand the destination unique selling points. The program included visits to all major tourism attractions including site visits to the Oman luxury hotels and experiences. Such tours will contribute to enhance their efforts in  promoting the Sultanate of Oman. Asma bint Salem Al Hajriya, Deputy Director General for Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman said: “Connections Luxury Middle East is a valuable addition to the list of luxury tourism companies and has proven to generate extraordinary value for business of companies in the tourism industry. We are proud to once again to partner with Connections Luxury Middle East as the host partner. This partnership provides an unparalleled platform for the Sultanate of Oman to showcase our rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings to a large audience of leading travel and tourism companies coming from different markets around …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) introduces its all-new Wedding Certification Programme to enable seamless, quick, and easy wedding planning in the Emirate. Bolstering Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a world-class wedding destination, the new initiative was announced at the 11th edition of the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference (EWPC), currently taking place at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre with leading wedding and event planners from around the world in attendance. As part of the programme, both domestic and internationally based wedding planners will have access to an e-learning platform that will be launched this spring as a one-stop-shop to seamlessly facilitate all aspects of a civil ceremony. Those certified through the programme will benefit from added ease and flexibility in obtaining necessary licenses, organising events, and gaining valuable business support from certified hotels via the portal. Planners will also gain a deeper understanding of the UAE’s civil marriage process, receive fast-tracked permits, and have access to a network of resources to help them confidently navigate through local regulations. With the aim of enhancing awareness of the Emirate’s array of distinctive locations, certified wedding planners will also gain expert knowledge on a curated portfolio of unique venues that provide breath-taking backdrops for bespoke, picturesque celebrations – including Al Jazeera Al Hamra, Jais Viewing Deck Park, Dhayah Fort, Sonara Camp Al Wadi, Date Farm, and Suwaidi Pearls Farm. In parallel, a series of comprehensive incentive packages will be available for couples, wedding planners, and certified venues. These will include complimentary services, discounted rates, and airport support for charter flights, while any specialised permits will be waived off to further ease procedures. The initiatives follow the UAE’s recent introduction of …

VisitBritain is launching a new marketing campaign aimed at attracting visitors to Britain from the GCC region. The international GREAT Britain marketing campaign invites visitors to ‘See Things Differently’, showcasing Britain as a welcoming, dynamic, exciting and inclusive destination with a warm British welcome at its heart. The multi-media advertising campaign – called ‘Spilling the Tea on Great Britain’ – uses a play on Britain’s love of tea, through destination images and short films, to tell a fresh and exciting story about the experiences on offer showing visitors that ‘whatever your cup of tea, we’ve got it.’ From a ‘Festival’ themed tea that highlights Britain’s live music scene to a ‘Graffi-tea’ that celebrates its vibrant cities and cultural attractions. A ‘Surf’ theme shows Britain’s coastal experiences, ‘#nofilter’ its natural beauty and a ‘Monster Hunting’ tea draws inspiration from Britain’s historical discoveries and legendary myths including world-famous Nessie the Loch Ness Monster. A limited release of the themed teas, blended by British tea company Tregothnan, are set to be available for tastings at VisitBritain promotional and trade events. VisitBritain’s Interim Deputy Director Carol Maddison said: “The GCC is an important tourism market for Britain and we are delighted to be running this dedicated campaign, tapping into motivations for travel this year, to build on the strong recovery we have seen.” “Britain is packed full of new and invigorating experiences for visitors to come and enjoy, from adrenaline filled coastal and countryside adventures to iconic summer festivals, from street food tours to street art tours to afternoon teas with a magical twist. By showing our warm British welcome and telling the story of our vibrant and varied destinations we want to inspire …

The Philippines, home to lovely beaches and picturesque mountain vistas, has a lot more to offer to the visitors. The cities of the Philippines offer fun and unique activities that can be toured in a single day, with a cosmopolitan vibe. Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is alive with sights and sounds of urban life at its busiest. It is also a contrast of the old and the new, with a mix of skyscrapers and heritage houses, and cars share the road with colorful jeepneys and horse-drawn calesas. One tourist stop in Manila should be the Walled City of Intramuros, built by the Spanish colonizers 500 years ago. Its stone ramparts are still intact, along with the other defenses such as its moats and cannons that protected the fort from both natural disasters and invaders. Visit the Casa Manila Museum to get a feel of life during the Spanish era and take a walking tour to the centuries-old churches Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church to appreciate their architecture. Fort Santiago holds historic significance as the prison where the Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was held before his execution in Bagumbayan. Other structures to check out nearby are the Manila Central Post Office, a neoclassical building that has been declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum, the Cultural Center of the Philippines which is home to world-class performances by Filipino artists. Immerse yourself in art at the National Museum of the Philippines that houses the country’s largest and perhaps most iconic painting, the Spoliarium by Juan Luna, the National Museum of Natural History that showcases Philippine flora and fauna, and the National Museum of …

German National Tourist Board (GNTB) continues to bolster its sustainable tourism offerings with the imminent relaunch of one of its most popular campaigns, Embrace German Nature. Highlighting Germany’s great outdoors, the campaign – which relaunches on March 1 – shines a light on the range of protected natural landscapes, superb cycling and hiking trails, and outstanding spas and health resorts. With Germany home to 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 33 per cent of the country under special environmental protection, the campaign also highlights the stunning natural landscapes, which include 18 Biosphere Reserves, 16 national parks covering more than 10,000km², and 104 nature parks. Ecotourism is expected to see a market growth of 15 per cent between 2021 and 2031, according to analysis by the Future Market Insights Institute. Embrace German Nature is designed then to consider the heightened demand, align with market desires, and help Germany achieve its Sustainable Development Goals. “The Embrace German Nature campaign promotes the physical and mental health benefits of sustainable tourism, advantages of climate-friendly travel and transportation options, and the effects on general wellbeing of embracing Germany’s most natural resources,” said Yamina Sofo, Regional Director – GNTB. “Mindfulness, sustainability, and getting closer to nature have all increased in popularity among the GCC market. This has further encouraged us to relaunch a tourism campaign that not only helps meet that demand, but also takes global and domestic climate targets into account and unites responsible use of natural resources.” Both inspirational and fascinating, Germany has a diverse ecological make up, home to more than 300,000km of hiking trails across coastline and islands, imposing mountains, and dense forests. Approximately 50,000 animal and 20,000 plant species …

The Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has announced the soft opening for the 1,800-metre dual zipline project in the Wilayat of Khasab, in the Governorate of Musandam. This project is part of an integrated adventure centre designed to offer tourists unique experiences that combine adventure and exploration. An exciting zipline project is the first activity offered by the Oman Adventure Centre, which is being developed as part of a comprehensive development plan for the region. Through this plan, the Musandam Governorate will be able to diversify its tourism market by providing a wide variety of quality products and experiences. This will enable it to draw out its potential and highlight its position as a prominent tourist destination in the region. The Oman Adventure Centre was designed to accommodate a broad range of facilities, providing visitors with an integrated tourism experience. It has a waiting area and more facilities. Additionally, the zipline project will be managed and operated by LEOS, a specialist operator that runs adventure and entertainment projects on a regional and international scale. On this occasion, Mubarak bin Ali al Rahbi, Head of the Musandam Governor’s Office said, “The Musandam Governorate has a wealth of tourism offerings that can be utilised to develop a wide range of tourism projects. This project illustrates our ongoing efforts to utilise these elements for tourism development.” He added, “We are confident that the zipline project will encourage businesses within and outside the Governorate to develop more tourism-related services. In doing so, they will contribute to the sector’s growth, aligning with our vision to place Musandam on the local and regional map of the most prominent tourist destinations, especially in the areas of …

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has concluded its programme for the Sharjah Light Festival 2023, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, from 8 to 19 February 2023 in 13 locations across the Emirate of Sharjah. His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the SCTDA, said: “The efforts, plans, and initiatives of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority aim to develop and advance the tourism sector, in line with the directives of our wise leadership, represented by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his continuous support for the tourism sector in the emirate. The objective is to cement Sharjah’s reputation as a prominent destination on the global tourism map, offering visitors a distinctive mix of events, destinations, and innovative projects that meet all aspirations and enrich the tourism experience throughout the year.” H.E. Al Midfa noted that the 12th edition of the festival achieved remarkable success, adding to the emirate’s successful track record of organising major international events that attract tourists and families from all around the world. Every year, the Sharjah Light Festival reports a remarkable growth in visitor numbers to all locations, H.E. added, revealing that this year, the festival welcomed nearly 1.3 million visitors. The Light Village also welcomed large crowds of individuals and families, estimated at more than 148,000 visitors, to great media fanfare, H.E. Al Midfa continued, applauding the efforts made by all partners, entities, media outlets, content creators, social media influencers and various teams that contributed to the event’s success. The festival’s light …

Qatar Tourism, in collaboration with industry partners, took part in OTM Mumbai Show 2023 in order to attract the Asian market. Qatar Tourism won the ‘Best Design and Decoration’ award for its booth at the event. This year’s booth featured industry partners including Expo 2023 Doha – Ministry of Municipality, NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel, Park Hyatt Doha, Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha, Tawfeeq Holidays, Mannai Holidays and Inbound Tourism L.L.C., Regency Travel & Tours and Travel Designer. Qatar Tourism’s booth also included a photobooth activation where visitors chose from a variety of iconic destinations in Qatar, capture a photo and keep it as a souvenir from the event in addition to a Arabic calligraphy workshop.

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has commenced an official partnership with the world’s preeminent Twenty 20 cricket league, the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL). Cricket is one of the most popular sports around the world. Through this partnership, STA aims to tap into a strong fanbase between the two countries, encourage affinity and increase awareness of Saudi as a leading destination for Indian travelers, especially among young people. With more than half of its population below the age of 30, India shares a similar demographic profile with Saudi Arabia, where 58 percent of the local population is in the same age group. As part of Saudi’s tourism strategy, India represents immense potential as it is expected to be Saudi’s largest tourism source market by 2030. The partnership is a strong example of Saudi supporting the country’s Sports sector. Saudi continues to strengthen its competitive advantage in the market, and it will look to welcome more than two million visitors from India this year. IPL is one of the biggest events on the international sporting calendar and the partnership adds to a growing portfolio of STA’s global strategic relationships. Partnerships like IPL are a key pillar of Saudi’s tourism strategy as they bring fans, athletes and nations together, while sparking curiosity from those that may want to be among the first to visit Saudi as a destination. The dynamic partnership builds on Saudi’s history and love for cricket, with the first governing cricket body established in 2003. In 2020, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) was established and it currently looks after 16 regional associations in 11 cities, and counts 8,000+ registered players and 400+ registered clubs, with a total participation of 35,000 …