Tag Archives: France

Four of the strongest European countries came together today as they opened the travel summit with 150 buyers who flew in from within GCC, Levant and India for the first ‘Discover Europe Travel Summit meets Marhaba 2025’. Germany, Spain, France and Austria organised the event with partners from each destination. The event will b e held across two days today and tomorrow. They included destinations, hotels, DMCs, attractions, retail outlets etc. A total of 5,720 pre-scheduled meetings are planned across the two-day event. Germany has consistently attracted GCC travellers with its rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes, and modern urban experiences. The country’s emphasis on family-friendly attractions and seamless travel infrastructure makes it a preferred destination for both leisure and business travellers from the region. Spain has emerged as a favoured destination for GCC tourists, drawn by its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and culinary delights. The country’s diverse regions offer unique experiences, from Madrid’s bustling streets to Barcelona’s coastal beauty. France continues to enchant GCC travellers with its iconic landmarks, luxury shopping, and gastronomic experiences. The country’s commitment to offering tailored services has enhanced its appeal among discerning visitors from the region. Austria’s breathtaking alpine landscapes, serene lakes, and charming cities have seen growing interest from GCC travellers. The country’s offerings range from winter sports to summer festivals, catering to diverse preferences and providing year-round appeal.  

The German National Tourist Office GCC (GNTO),  Spanish Tourist Office, Atout France Middle East and Austria Tourism are joining forces for a landmark edition of Discover Europe Travel Summit meets Marhaba 2025, taking place in Dubai on 25 and 26 April 2025. This powerful fusion brings the heart of Europe to the UAE, offering travel professionals from the GCC, Levant, and India a gateway to connect with 130 top-tier suppliers from Austria, France, Germany and Spain. A total of 5,720 pre-scheduled meetings are planned across the two-day event. In an exciting collaboration, two of Europe’s leading tourism networking platforms, the Discover Europe Travel Summit and Marhaba Europe, will unite for the first time. The summit serves as a strategic hub for destination marketing organisations, hospitality providers, DMCs, and transport specialists to exchange insights, showcase new products, and build long-lasting partnerships with 150 qualified buyers from the region. Austria’s breathtaking alpine landscapes, serene lakes, and charming cities have seen growing interest from GCC travellers. The country’s offerings range from winter sports to summer festivals, catering to diverse preferences and providing year-round appeal. Michael Tauschmann, Head of Markets Middle East and India at Austria Tourism, said: “Austria offers a remarkable variety of experiences that align perfectly with the preferences of GCC travellers. From the majestic alpine peaks and serene forest trails to the sparkling lakeside retreats, the country delivers authentic experiences for all. We are seeing growing interest from the region in discovering lesser-known parts of Austria, where hidden gems await. This summit gives us the ideal platform to connect with key travel experts and showcase Austria’s rich and refreshing diversity.” France continues to enchant GCC travellers with its iconic landmarks, luxury …

Gulf Air announced the launch of seasonal flights for Summer to Nice, France, starting on 22 May and operating throughout the summer until 28 September; and to Geneva, Switzerland, starting on 03 June to 12 September. The airline will operate two weekly flights from Bahrain to both Nice and Geneva via Milan. These routes will be served by Gulf Air’s state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering passengers superior travel experience, with a modern and spacious cabin, comfortable seating, and advanced in-flight entertainment systems. Renowned for its natural attractions and luxurious lifestyle, summer 2025 marks the comeback on Nice for the fourth consecutive year as a Gulf Air seasonal destination, while the airline will build on the success of its Geneva route in summer 2024 by bringing this favorite financial and leisure hub back to Gulf Air network for the second consecutive summer. The flights from Bahrain via Milan to Nice will depart on Thursday and Sunday at 01:40 am, and from Nice via Milan to Bahrain at 09:50 am, while flights from Bahrain via Milan to Geneva will operate on Tuesday and Friday at 01:40 am, and from Geneva via Milan to Bahrain at 09:40 am. The launch of these seasonal flights reflects Gulf Air’s strategic expansion plans within the European market, focusing on key leisure and business destinations. Additional destinations to the Gulf Air network will be announced in the coming months.

VFS Global has witnessed a 15% surge in visa applications in 2023 v/s 2022, and a whopping 145% growth since borders reopened post-pandemic. Popular destinations preferred by travellers from UAE in 2023 were Canada, France, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and United Kingdom (in alphabetical order). Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head – UAE, VFS Global, said, “The rise in demand for international travel has grown exponentially in the last two years, with the travel season extending beyond the traditional seasons of summer and winter. We urge applicants to plan their travels and apply well in advance, especially with the upcoming Eid and summer holidays, when we expect to see a surge in applications.” In the UAE, VFS Global caters to 39 sovereign governments, namely Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai Visa Processing Centre (UAE), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, Philippines Passport Service, Nigeria [NIN enrolment]. VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrol biometrics, if applicable. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa. For more information, please visit www.vfsglobal.com. UK Premium Visa Application Centres: UK visa applicants can now book appointments at our Premium Application Centres at Radisson Hotels in Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Dubai, to submit their documents and enrol biometrics in the ambience and comfort of a five-star hotel. Applicants opting for this service can also enjoy a range of …

VFS Global opened France visa services for the residents of Qatar through its new France Visa Application Centre in Doha. Focused on providing exceptional customer service, ensuring convenient and seamless experiences, the premises feature a spacious waiting area, state-of-the-art biometric facilities, and a dedicated space to promote France as a destination, providing applicants with key information ahead of their travels. Travellers visiting this centre can also choose from a range of our optional services, such as courier return service to receive processed passports at home, and form filling assistance from trained professionals, among others. Those looking for a more personalised service can also opt for the Premium Lounge to receive end-to-end assistance throughout the process in a plush ambience. The centre was inaugurated on 08 February 2024 by Patrick Poinsot, First counsellor at the French embassy in Qatar. France visa applicants can now visit this centre located in Level 2, Al Nuaimi Building, Oqba Ibn Nafie Street, Airport Road, Doha, Qatar, to submit their applications for short and long stay visas. Prior appointments are mandatory and can be booked on www.vfsglobal.com. Mr. Patrick Poinsot, First counselor at the French embassy in Qatar said, “We care about the quality of the welcome of our Qatari friends and residents of Qatar who want to go to France. We are very pleased to see that, each year, more and more people are travelling to France, especially for touristic reasons and, with our new partner VFS Global, we will endeavor to process their visa applications in the best possible and efficient way” Mr. Atul Marwah, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East & Egypt, VFS Global said, “We are excited to embark on this new journey with …

An official UAE delegation led by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, will be in France this week to explore further development of economic partnerships between the two countries. The visit will focus on enhancing partnerships in the sectors of trade, entrepreneurship, tourism, aviation, travel, new and circular economies, education, health, energy, anti-money laundering, space, AI, and intellectual property in particular. H.E. Bin Touq will hold several bilateral meetings with French ministers, officials, and private sector representatives to further enhance the economic and trade relations between the two sides by exploring more promising investment opportunities. The Minister of Economy will also participate in a meeting with the private sector, which will also be attended by several officials from both sides, to highlight the promising investment and commercial opportunities offered by the UAE economy. It will turn the spotlight on the advantages that the UAE’s business environment offers to investors and entrepreneurs, especially since French investments in the UAE continue to grow. More than 12,500 French economic licenses are active in the UAE as of July 10, 2023. H.E. Bin Touq will visit some of the largest business incubators and accelerators in France, namely ‘Station F’ and the ‘Airbus’ Creative Center to exchange experiences and best practices in entrepreneurship, startups and technology, and to learn more about their operations. In addition, he will visit the First Abu Dhabi Bank branch in France.

Qatar Airways has begun its new direct service from Doha, Qatar to Toulouse, France, this July, marking Qatar Airways’ latest efforts to expand its network in France. The highly anticipated inaugural flight becomes the fourth destination in France after the airline’s recent additions of Nice and Lyon. Passengers were greeted with French delicacies and music at the departure gate of Hamad International Airport (DOH). Onboard the inaugural flight, QR047 carried esteemed passengers including Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, as well as the Ambassador of France to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Mr. Jean-Baptiste Faivre. The flight was received by the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to France, His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Jassem Al Thani, and the Chairman of the Board of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Mr. Philippe Crébassa. The new direct service to Toulouse is operated by an Airbus A330-200, with 24 Business Class seats and 236 Economy Class seats. Synonymous with excellence, the inaugural flight included a French curated dining menu to all its passengers, as well as a box of the luxurious Pierre Hermé macarons and various other giveaways at both the departure and arrival gates to celebrate the new route. A press conference was held by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H.E. Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and by the Chairman of the Board of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Mr. Philippe Crébassa to announce the national carrier of the State of Qatar’s expansion in the French market, as well as future collaborative opportunities between both exciting cities. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways’ expanded footprint into France will serve to strengthen the trade, tourism and …

For the first time, the two most visited countries by the GCC, France and Spain have collaborated to bring out a special event titled, “Marhaba France, Spain 2023” which will take place in the Sultanate of Oman from 6th to 9th March 2023. The on-site event will bring in 70 suppliers from the two countries to meet 100 buyers from nine countries in GCC and ME region and expects to conduct over 2000 meetings. Karim Mekachera, Regional Director, Middle East, and Turkey, Atout France, “We will be organising Marhaba in collaboration with Spain and will be named as “Marhaba France, Spain 2023”. We have an array of 70 suppliers that will come over to meet with the travel trade from the region coming from nine different countries and of course this year we wanted to make something new and something different and as we work in the tourism industry, we thought to organise this event in another great destination and very popular in France, the Sultanate of Oman. Over three days we will have more than 2000 meetings, along with a special entertainment program, a special press corner for journalists to meet with all the different stake holders and promote both destinations. France and Spain remain as the two first destinations in terms of tourist arrivals in the world, so with this collaboration we also intend to introduce our travel trade to make the most of this event and partnership as they will be able to design new itineraries which can cover both countries France and Spain as they plan for their clients. We want the travel trade to think out of the box and give their Middle East clientele …

As the growth of the airport sector in the Middle East was highly disturbed since the Covid-19 pandemic, plans to expand airports in all related sectors specialize in: air freight, aircraft construction and business aviation.  Business France will bring together a delegation of French companies to join the In-Person experience and benefit from face-to-face networking sessions with airport professionals from the Middle East. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the show will host a French pavilion focused on airport modernization & new construction projects. In line with France’s commitment to take action in favor of a sustainable world and respond to social and climate issues, exhibiting companies will introduce how their solutions, empowered by a strong technological expertise, can reduce the environmental footprints, and how they tackle many current and future challenges. Internationally, these values, are instigated across the French industry thanks to la French Fab, THE label whose mission is to renew the industrial sector and committed to an eco-friendly approach as well as concerned about the common good. In the region, the French airport industry is particularly recognized in the following sectors: –              Ground Support Equipment (GSE) –              Air traffic detection and tracking devices –              Provision of software packages and dedicated IT solutions – technical training services (MRO, ground operations, pilots and cabin crew, etc.) –              Airport access control – identity control, video surveillance, alarm system, image analysis, etc. –              Dismantling and recycling of parts, modules and components Willing to provide a wide range of advantages to middle eastern players, French companies will …

The Higher Organising Committee of IWAS World Games Sharjah 2019 confirmed that 1,462 participants from 50 countries are set to compete in the world’s largest wheelchair and amputee sports championship in Sharjah from February 10-16. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member Ruler of Sharjah, the IWAS World Games has returned to the emirate for the second time after its successful debut in the city in 2011. The eighth edition of the world championship brings together seven games including archery, athletics, badminton, swimming, shooting, table tennis and wheelchair fencing. New details of the upcoming biennial sports championship were revealed at a press conference held recently at Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa. Global athletes landing in Sharjah over the next few days are set to represent 50 competing nations confirmed by the Higher Organising Committee which include the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Algeria, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, India, Sweden, Ukraine, Thailand, Turkey, Brazil, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Kenya, Russia, China, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Italy, South Africa, South Korea, Poland, Pakistan, Norway, Kenya, Latvia, Macau, Azerbaijan, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Serbia, France, Georgia, the UK, the US, Hong Kong, Greece, Czech Republic, Austria, Belarus and Comoros.