Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

In Jeddah, more than 100 representatives of Saudi Arabian tour operators took part in the presentation of the first day of the road show. The event was also attended by Consul General of the Russian Federation in Jeddah Yusup Abakarov. In his welcome speech Mr. Abakarov noted: «St. Petersburg is a city of unique history and beauty! I am sure you will never regret or forget St. Petersburg if you visit it, and you can safely recommend it to your clients as a place of cultural rest and unforgettable impressions.” The representatives of the tourist business of the region got acquainted with the novelties of St. Petersburg, classic programs, the new tourist geography of the city on the Neva river. Road show visitors learned about the historical sights of St. Petersburg, architectural masterpieces, the event calendar, educational and religious routes, and much more. Particular attention was paid to the organization of direct flights to the northern capital. The presentation attracted the attention of representatives of tour operators and professional associations, airlines, organizers of MICE events and specialized media from the Middle East. The road show has become part of a unified information campaign of the Tourism Development Committee, which also includes participation in exhibitions and other marketing activities that provide an opportunity to generate interest in St. Petersburg as a tourist destination, and industry representatives to find potential partners and enter a new market. It should be noted that in recent years there has been an increased interest in St. Petersburg among tourists from the countries of the Middle East. Discerning guests from this region are attracted by the comfortable hospitality infrastructure of the city on the Neva river – …

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced its participation in the World Travel Market 2022 (WTM), which brings together 51,000 industry professionals from the travel and tourism industry in the British capital from 7-9 November. Through its participation SCTDA will further its strategic goals of promoting the emirate as a popular travel destination on prestigious global events. The entity is leading a delegation of 17 public and private sector entities, namely, Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF), Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah Old Cars Club, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Sharjah National Hotels, Golden Sands Hotel, The Chedi Al Bait Hotel, Al Badayer Retreat by Mysk, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah,COSMO Travel, and TravTalk. These entities will showcase their latest developments across the emirate, including key projects taking shape in key sectors of tourism, leisure, heritage, culture, sports and hospitality, along with the steps they are taking to preserve Sharjah’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Through their participation, SCTDA will also highlight its new developments and projects, tourism offerings and services, staycation options and hotel establishments across the emirate. Sharjah’s pavilion at WTM 2022, managed by SCTDA, will serve as a nexus for  potential businesses, investors, travel professionals as well as visitors and tourists in Europe to look into their areas of interest and learn more new and emerging prospects in Sharjah’s vibrant travel and tourism market. It will also serve as a platform for networking and exchanging experiences, sharing best practices as well as envisioning a way forward for a sustainable and …

70 top travel trade agents and influencers were invited for the official kick start celebrating the legacy of Picasso in Dubai. Irina Sanchis Vives, Deputy Head of Mission, Political and cultural affairs, embassy of Spain in UAE graced the occasion and shared that in order to celebrate the 50th death anniversary of Picasso, the government of France and Spain have put together many events to celebrate this great artist’s legacy and from the embassy in UAE they will be working together with the tourism board of Spain in UAE to enable this celebration. The event was held in four parts, of which the first was involving the best Emirati travel influencers with travel trade partners, the Spain tourism Director and Marketing Manager who were engaged in painting an artwork provided for them to celebrate the legacy of Picasso. Second was the presentations by the key speakers, Tourism Director of Spain Tourism GCC, Daniel Rosado shared about the destination and on the celebration of Picasso. Thirdly was the surprise with a unique entertainment based on costumes which depicted the artwork of Picasso and finally was the delectable dinner which included some Spanish dishes enjoyed by all the trade partners. As Spain was one of the first countries to open hence, they received a high number of visitors especially from the GCC. This year was a record year for Spain tourism as they hit the 2019 numbers by GCC and considering worldwide they hit 90 percent of the 83 million received in 2019 which is a great start and a very positive recovery. Spain emerged among the top recovered destinations, as, instead of resting on its laurels, Spain has been proactively working …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled its latest campaign: Experience Abu Dhabi. Find Your Pace. The campaign shares the variety of experiences that inspire, excite and restore, welcoming the world to come and enjoy memorable moments that matter – in their own way, and at their own pace. Experience Abu Dhabi shows the seamless connections between a wealth of cultural heritage, alongside exciting experiences. Yas Island welcomes the world with year-round theme park action and waterfront attractions, with events and entertainment for families and all ages. Only 15 minutes away, Saadiyat Island is filled with living culture, home to Louvre Abu Dhabi’s timeless inspiration and unforgettable architecture. Located at the heart of the island, Saadiyat Cultural District hosts community events and exhibitions at Manarat Al Saadiyat, alongside Berklee Abu Dhabi, the pre-eminent institute of contemporary music and the performing arts. The district is also the future home of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, and the immersive art of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Nearby, pristine beaches and coastal avenues are lined with cafes and dining options at Mamsha Al Saadiyat, to enjoy over a breathtaking sunset. Just over an hour from these remarkable island experiences, Abu Dhabi invites visitors to ignite their curiosity by visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites in Al Ain, experience adventure and tranquillity among the desert dunes, and embrace Abu Dhabi’s fascinating past with iconic museums and ancient forts. Enriching experiences throughout the year   The campaign welcomes the world to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s enriching experiences at their own pace, with: Cultural inspiration: past, present and future Explore the nation’s living memorial and …

New figures from the German National Tourism Board has revealed the number of travellers from the Gulf between January and August 2022 more than doubled* when compared to the same period last year, suggesting the country’s ongoing campaigns focusing on nature and sustainability are hitting the mark and driving post-pandemic recovery. The first eight months of 2022 saw an increase in overall foreign visitors to Germany rise 175 per cent compared to 2021, while the Gulf region led the charge for Asia with an increase of 263 per cent*. While the reopening of international borders and relaxing of stringent travel restrictions clearly plays a part in the rise, the fact travellers are choosing Germany over a range of other countries is testament to targeted campaigning by GNTB, who specifically created its Embrace German Nature and Feel Good campaigns following in depth research into what tourists want. “With the GCC being the second top overseas source market, it’s important for us to ensure that the campaigns we invest in align with market wants” said Yamina Sofo, director at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), the regional office of GNTB. “We’re also looking at what’s coming up in the next two months, with the ever-popular winter and festive seasons to begin soon, and continuing to drive our ongoing campaigns, Feel Good and Embrace German Nature.” Both campaigns will continue into 2023 as Germany looks ahead to its winter season, with popular resorts including Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Black Forest, Harz Region, Taunus, Ore Mountains, all set to attract visitors to the incredible skiing and snow sports for all ability levels on offer. Festive markets are also set to start from the beginning from November, …

Experience Abu Dhabi, Find Your Pace will feature at World Travel Market (WTM), welcoming visitors and bringing the destination to life alongside 36 stakeholders and partners, from 7–9 November. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will sign a number of strategic partnerships during WTM, and delegates will have the opportunity to maximise their business potential by meeting partnering hotels and attractions. Visitors can unwind and enjoy Abu Dhabi’s living culture, with a celebration of Emirati craftsmanship at the House of Artisans zone, including a perfumery experience that introduces visitors to the fragrances of the emirate. There is also traditional Arabic coffee in the Bait Al Gahwa zone and the Abu Dhabi Senses Journey at the stand’s Cultural zone. Abu Dhabi will enable WTM visitors to experience the top sites and attractions throughout Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Ain, Al Dhafra region and beyond. Attendees will experience how Abu Dhabi offers something for every visitor, available 365 days a year, at your own pace – with rich cultural history, natural beaches, unrivalled family fun and world-class sports offerings. Enriching destination experiences that excite, inspire and restore are showcased within an immersive stand experience that will host Q&As with global sports partners, including Manchester City and the UFC – with a special guest appearance from Batman, courtesy of Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi. Also on display, Abu Dhabi Calendar has partnered with the world’s best artists, entertainers and sports franchises for a 2022/2023 winter season to remember. Events range from live concerts with international stars Sting and Andrea Bocelli, as well as urban music festival Wireless, making its Abu Dhabi debut in March 2023. Other exciting …

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, managed by Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), reopened officially on Wednesday 2nd November 2022 following a four-month transformation program. Speaking with Travel TV at the inauguration,  H.E. Mahmoud Khalil Ahmed Al Sayed Al Hashemi, Director-General of the Ajman Tourism Development Department added, “we are very happy that the iconic Bahi Ajman palace is open once again, we are now able to show the visitors the five star luxury experiences we can offer them. We look forward to further enhancing experiences for our visitors.’ ‘We are delighted to announce the reopening of one of our leading hotels in the region,’ said Patrick Antaki, Chief Operating Officer at HMH. ‘I would like to congratulate the team on a great upgrade to guest experience, with the fantastic, improved efficiency of the hotel’s cooling systems demonstrating our commitment to responsible, sustainable tourism.’ Sustainable tourism pioneer and champion Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager – Northern Emirates. ‘We look forward to welcoming guests once again after four months with a new cooling system among other facilities to ensure that we generate more revenue with sustainable practices. As we open to guests, we are happy to reveal that we are starting on a very positive note with full occupancy as our travel agent partners have shared many clients who were eager to return to this hotel. We have the biggest ballroom and with Ajman tourism development department we will be promoting as a destination wedding hotel with one of the biggest venues in the emirate and also will be taking part in various trade shows and road shows conducted by the ATDD.” Set on a private beach, Bahi Ajman Palace hotel provides its guests …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with OQ to explore potential opportunities in the areas of research, training, exchange of expertise and knowledge, human resource development and to discover various initiatives aimed at encouraging sustainable practices, as well as promoting activities related to In-Country Value and empowering SMEs in the tourism sector. The agreement was signed by Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, and Ashraf bin Hamad Al Mamari, Chief Executive People, Technology & Culture in OQ, in the presence of several officials from both parties at OCEC. The MoC covers exploring collaboration opportunities in training and capacity building through knowledge and experience transfer between parties. It aims to boost sustainability through social, economic, environmental, and cultural initiatives‏. The MoC also covers cooperation in research development and the exchange of expertise in projects. Furthermore, the MoC focuses on social investment projects, local community development activities, boosting ICV and sponsoring SME development programs. Commenting on the MoC, Hashil Al-Mahrouqi said, “The OMRAN Group seeks to implement the principles of sustainability and enhance ICV through strategic initiatives and partnerships as well as empower national competencies and SMEs. We believe that a collaborative approach such as this plays an effective role in achieving national development; therefore, we are keen to leverage it to achieve our goals in line with the National Tourism Strategy and Oman Vision 2040.” Ashraf Al Mamari, Chief Exec. People, Technology & Culture in OQ, said, “The OQ Group seeks to cooperate with the OMRAN Group in key research and development areas within the OQ Group to establish initiatives that boost economic diversification and sustainable practices.” He added, “We strongly believe …

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2023 is set to take place at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island from 25-27 September 2023, bringing together the investment communities of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) and the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). This is the first time the region’s leading hospitality investment forum will take place in Abu Dhabi. Organised by The Bench, FHS brings together the Middle East and Africa’s industry leaders for discussions, deals and insight on the continued growth of the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. “We are thrilled to take FHS to the UAE’s capital in 2023 with the support of our host sponsors, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Miral, for what promises to be another record-breaking event for our industry. FHS in Dubai welcomed 1,072 attendees, 200 speakers, 63 sponsors and partners and over 70 members of the press last month and we can’t wait to see what next year brings,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench. Mubarak al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), said: “The Abu Dhabi debut of the Future Hospitality Summit, the region’s flagship hospitality investment platform, marks a significant milestone in our fast-growing business events calendar. Since the beginning of 2022, we have successfully brought over multiple new business events to Abu Dhabi. This is a direct result of our Joint Business Event Fund with Miral, a partner who continues to play a crucial role in elevating Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness as a destination of choice for highly productive meetings and conferences. We look forward to welcoming the delegates to Abu Dhabi next year and we invite all to …

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the not-for-profit travel trade association serving government, tourism offices, hotels, airlines and other travel-related companies within the Asia Pacific region, opened its annual summit in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE graced by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) opened the summit officially as the host destination, welcoming all the delegates to Ras Al Khaimah, “We are delighted to host the Pacific Asia Travel Association for the first time in the Middle East. As a dynamic and forward-looking Emirate, we are placing all aspects of sustainability (environment, culture, conservation and livability) at the centre of our investment and development strategy. We look forward to driving the sustainability agenda with key opinion leaders from around the world to build a stronger and resilient tourism economy for the future.” Exploring the theme ‘Reconnecting the World Sustainably’, the programme covers critical industry topics such as destination resilience, sustainable travel recovery strategies, supporting women in micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), global hotel industry trends, sustainable gastronomic tourism, the voice of the next generation, and the decarbonization of transport. This is the first time PATA’s Annual Summit takes places in the Middle East. Hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) at the Al Hamra International Conference Center, the three-day event brings together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers who are invested in driving tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific. The PATA association network consists of both public and private entities representing every facet of the travel ecosystem – government, tourism …