Tag Archives: tourism

Miral Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Microsoft, announced the launch of its generative AI customer-facing service leveraging ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to provide personalized guidance and information to customers visiting Yas Island’s theme parks and experiences. With over 1,700 operations completed successfully within a week, ChatGPT is being used to augment the capabilities of chatbots for customer services for the first time, not only across various industries in the UAE, but also within the wider region’s tourism and entertainment sector. Commenting on the collaboration, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said: “We are proud to be pioneering the introduction of ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service within the tourism and entertainment sector.  We champion innovation at every step and believe that digital transformation is key to creating more compelling and personalized visitor propositions. Our collaboration with Microsoft is a testament to our relentless pursuit of delivering unique and memorable experiences to guests of all ages and nationalities, further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure.” Miral has long been working with Microsoft, having used the company’s intelligent cloud and data services for its existing guest experience platform and operations. As part of its ambition to be a customer-centric, progressive and efficient organisation, Miral plans to use Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT to enable customers to plan their day at any of the theme parks, providing a more seamless customer experience. “We are delighted to collaborate with Miral to enhance its customer experience through the use of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.” Said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “With the help of Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT, Miral can better engage with …

Rather than cost, the Middle East’s luxury travel sector should focus on the long-term gains offered by decarbonisation, waste reduction and community initiatives. That was the assessment of experts speaking on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 4 May today. ‘Sustainable Luxury: At What Cost?’ included a range of insights into how luxury travel is leading the tourism industry’s sustainable charge in the Middle East. Moderated by Joe Mortimer, Editor-at-Large at Destinations of the World News, panellists included Nadia Ibrahim, Member of the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact; Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President Operations – Middle East & Africa at Minor Hotels; Candice D’Cruz, VP Luxury Brands at Marriott International; and William Harley-Fleming, Vice President of Operations for JA The Resort and Indian Ocean. Commenting on growing demand for sustainable offerings among consumers, the UN Global Compact’s Ibrahim said: “Luxury and sustainability have not always gone hand in hand, but this is changing. We are encountering a new generation of travellers that wants high-end experiences that do not compromise sustainability. This is why airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourist destinations are thinking about how sustainability can be integrated into their existing services, and how it can be used to attract more customers.” Referencing the approach Minor Hotels’ Anantara brand has taken to sustainable luxury, Golbarg said: “Globalisation opened the doors to the world, but I think localisation is now equally important. We took the decision to go indigenous as a lot of the costs associated with sustainability relate to the importation of goods. It’s all about how you are benefitting the communities in …

Tourism Minister Haim Katz: “Improvement of infrastructure and beautification upgrades the tourist experience and encourages returning tourism. I have asked the ministry to prepare a directive for the support budget for 2023, that will place an emphasis on budgetary efficiency alongside maximizing the tourism potential.” Ministry of Tourism Director-General Dani Shahar: “We are in the midst of preparing the tourism infrastructure in Israel to welcome  tourists, following the recovery from the pandemic. We carefully considered the many applications received, and we chose those which would bring the greatest value to tourism.” The ministry’s Development Budget Committee approved the support budget for 2022 that will assist in the establishment of dozens of projects in local authorities: parking lots, promenades, bridges, sound and light shows, renovating markets and public spaces, unique lighting, trails, parks, observation points and more. As part of the directive for support in developing public tourism infrastructure, the Israel Ministry of Tourism received in 2022 approximately 210 applications from local authorities for assistance in establishing projects in their area, of which approximately 160 applications met the threshold conditions. The budget available for the construction of tourism infrastructure in 2022 stood at about NIS 340 million. It should be noted that the cost of implementing all the projects is about NIS 700 million, of which the Israel Ministry of Tourism contributed about NIS 410 million (NIS 340 million from the 2022 budget and the remainder from previous years). In recent months, the projects were discussed in the ministry’s Development Budget committee, and were investigated in accordance with the project standard rating: Contribution to incoming tourism (35%) Project maintenance capability (15%) Matches government and ministry policy (15%) Contribution to the economic …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Labour to launch the new training for employment project “Najm”. The project, which operates under the #IAmTourism programme, aims to provide a platform for developing highly skilled Omani nationals in the tourism and hospitality sector. It will train 250 job seekers for employment at a newly established start-up company, which will develop and manage tourism-related activities across Oman to stimulate the growth and popularity of the sector. The agreement was signed by HE Sayyid Salim bin Musallam Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development and the CEO of OMRAN Group, Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, with senior officials from both parties in attendance. As part of the agreement, 250 job opportunities have been announced and applications are currently being accepted from prospective Omani candidates across Oman. To be eligible, relevant candidates profiles have to meet the required criteria being announced. The selection process will involve a personal interview and different ability tests. After the selection, 250 high-calibre Omani nationals with an entrepreneurial mindset will be shortlisted. These candidates will undergo six months of intensive theoretical and practical training developed in partnership with recognised and specialised institutes in the country. Upon completion of the training and certification, each of the 250 candidates will be offered full-time employment with a newly established OMRAN Group start-up. “This project will improve the labour market and its outcomes by creating new employment opportunities. The tourism industry in the country is still growing and requires the involvement of national competencies, both in terms of tour guides and hospitality.” He added, “The tourism sector is crucial and requires …

Visitors to the Visa Application Centre submitting their applications can now learn more about the tourism offerings and highlights of India, guided by trained professionals from VFS Global, by visiting the kiosk at the time of their appointment. Mr. N. Ram Prasad, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia formally inaugurated the new India Tourism kiosk at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Riyadh recently. Mr. N. Ram Prasad, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia said, “I am pleased to launch the first India Tourism kiosk in association with VFS Global, who have been our partners in KSA for the last 14 years. In addition to best-in-class visa services, applicants will now also be able to learn about all the wondrous tourism offerings of India when they visit this centre.” Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer, VFS Global said, “We are excited to further strengthen our relationship with the Government of India with the launch of our India Tourism kiosk. I thank the Ministry of External Affairs for their constant and unwavering support and faith in our organisation and its services. As the service providers of visa and passport solutions here in Saudi Arabia, it is only fitting that we also provide informational services on all there is to offer in this bountiful country.” VFS Global caters to over 7 million Indians across 9 countries – Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, France, and Australia, offering passport and consular services on behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The organisation has a long-standing association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, offering visa application …

ForwardKeys announced at WTTC´s Global Summit Riyadh that despite the current global challenges such as the war in Ukraine and impending inflation, the travel market is seeing an uplift in international arrivals. Apart from the travel recovery in the Americas, particularly Central America and the Caribbean, the Middle East is proving to be capturing the attention of international travellers in Q4 and early 2023. The Middle East is shifting to growth mode in Q4 with international arrivals at +4%, long ahead of the global average of -30%. “The FIFA World Cup is certainly the key driver for its travel recovery”, says Juan Gomez, Head of Market Intelligence at ForwardKeys. The latest air ticketing data by ForwardKeys also shows that international arrival levels may be back to normal in 2023, with travel to the Middle East up by 15% on pre-pandemic levels in Q1. “The Middle East is the only region to show growth into 2023, but Africa and America are not too far behind. Overall, the outlook for 2023 looks promising, despite high inflation in key source markets and the looming recession. Tickets are still being booked and economy class travel continues closing the gap with premium cabins,” adds Gomez. The Middle East is indeed attracting more premium travellers than in 2019. Saudi Arabia shows the greatest growth, but Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon are also showing growth, with a regional average of 11% above 2019. ForwardKeys has recently launched the 2022 Most Visited Destinations Report, featuring a top 100 destinations by region list whilst also examining key destinations which showed uncanny resilience and travel data mastery: Albania, Tanzania, Fiji, and the Maldives. The country list is headed by the …

The leaders of the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) have described Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become one of the top 5 destinations in the world in the next decade as “unparalleled” in the history of tourism and travel. Opening the 22nd edition of the Summit, Arnold Donald, Chair, WTTC & Vice Chair of the Board, Carnival Corporation, welcomed the nearly 3000 participants to what will be the biggest ever meeting of global tourism and travel industry leaders. Praising the goals set by the Kingdom to welcome 100 million international and domestic travelers a year by 2030, Mr. Arnold said: “These are ambitions that are unparalleled in the history of our sector. Over the past three years it has been a great privilege to see the progress made here with our own eyes.” Summit host, Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb welcomed the leaders of the tourism world to Riyadh said: “We have the power to shape the sector, bridge cultures, and transform communities. We are fortunate to be in the position to effect change. We must not let this opportunity pass by us. Let us ensure that here in Riyadh, we really do deliver a better future for travel.” WTTC CEO Julia Simpson focused on the vital importance of nature to the long-term prosperity and sustainability of the sector. She said: “The WTTC Positive Travel and Tourism Report shows tourism from nature generates over $600 bn which provides opportunities for some of the world’s poorest countries to protect biodiversity and their communities.” In a day packed full of debate, dialogue and the sharing of innovative ideas from around the world, leaders of the global tourism industry participated …

The G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting hosted under the 2022 Indonesian Presidency, brought together Ministers from across the globe under the theme ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger’ to address key issues arising in the aftermath of the pandemic. Steered by the theme, the G20 Bali Guidelines aim to provide a framework to advance the transformation of the tourism sector through policy action on MSMEs and communities, and focused on three priority issues, Global Health Architecture, Digital Transformation and Sustainable Energy Transition. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb called on tourism leaders during the Ministerial Meeting to join collaborative efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable future for the sector. Alluding to the importance of public and private partnerships, His Excellency addressed the first meeting of private sector leaders at a G2O Tourism Minister’s Meeting and expressed the importance of co-operation in shaping the future of the sector. Saudi Arabia has a strong history of cross-sector collaboration, it is home to the first regional office of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and last year agreed plans to open the Tourism Academy in Riyadh to empower young people with the skills needed to flourish in the tourism sector. Supporting the recovery of the sector by investing in human capital is a key focus for the Kingdom, further demonstrated by the roll-out of internationally acclaimed Tourism Trailblazer’s program that is investing $100m to train 100,000 young Saudis for different roles across the hospitality industry. In November of this year, the Kingdom will welcome the largest edition of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) which brings together leaders from across the world to discuss and address key priorities affecting the sector. During the …

According to the Jeddah Communique a joint statement between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was shared after the visit of US President Joseph R. Biden conducted an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. It states that following the meeting with King Salman, President Biden and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held an official meeting, attended by senior officials from both sides. The two sides reviewed in detail the many shared priorities that contribute to the partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. At the end of this meeting, the two sides issued this communique outlining the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States over the coming decades with the aim of advancing their mutual interests and advancing a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East. The two sides noted the historic ties between the peoples of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Stated. They welcomed, in this regard, extending the validity of business and tourism visas to 10 years to facilitate closer people-to-people ties and economic cooperation. The U.S. side commended the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative, and welcomed Saudi Arabia’s participation at the recent Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, joining of the Global Methane Pledge, its status as a founding member of the Net-Zero Producers Forum, and the Kingdom’s announcement to meet fifty percent of its electricity generation from renewables by 2030. The two sides welcomed the finalization of a Partnership Framework for Advancing …

As part of its mandate to promote tourism as a rewarding career option for Emiratis and UAE-based professionals, and to develop those already working in the private sector, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled a revamped calendar of training programmes and Emiratisation initiatives for the second half of 2022. The new programme calendar aims to increase the growth and development of the Emirati and UAE-based workforce, encourage enrolment in training and job opportunities, and develop the knowledge and skills of existing tourism and hospitality workers in the private sector. Created by DCT Abu Dhabi’s Emiratisation and Capability Development Section, the initiatives will generate greater Emirati and general participation in Abu Dhabi’s tourism activities. It will highlight employment opportunities in the sector by detailing a clear qualifications and skills development pathway for participants. His Excellency Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We have an outstanding Emirati and international talent pool in Abu Dhabi, with the necessary skills and aptitudes to succeed in the emirate’s exciting and rapidly growing tourism sector. Through this revamped Emiratisation and sector-wide training programme, we can maximise the potential of our UAE workforce, fulfil our strategic goal to create a thriving and diverse tourism eco-system, while also building bridges between cultures by allowing visitors to meet and interact with both Emiratis and a range of other nationalities across our tourism assets.” Fatima Al Melhi, Section Head of Emiratisation and Human Capital Development at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We are proud to announce the new calendar, which includes training programmes and initiatives to support the highly talented Emirati and expat workforce we have …