Tag Archives: visitors

Visit Qatar is launching a first-of-its-kind desert activation at Ras Abrouq, a new premium destination set to run from 18th December until 18th January that caters to the entire family, offering adventure, relaxation and cultural enrichment. Situated on the edge of the UNESCO-protected Al-Reem Biosphere Reserve in north-west Qatar, these activations present a new desert experience for visitors and residents alike. The Visit Qatar activation at Ras Abrouq offers a collection of immersive zones. Families can enjoy a harmonious blend of adventure and tranquillity, complemented by premium offerings that are accessible at affordable prices. Highlights include Our Habitas Resort, The Desert Escape, Film City, Wildlife Park, and the Glamping Zone. Ahmed Hamad Al Binali, the Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, said, “At Visit Qatar, our goal is to diversify our offering ensuring that every visitor, regardless of age, can enjoy a range of interactive and engaging experiences. From entertaining activities at the Film City zone, to the excitement of the Desert Escape with hot air balloon rides and a wide range of activations, every element is tailored to offer something for everyone.” He added, “We’ve also incorporated cultural installations, live performances, and educational workshops and daily camel parades enabling families to connect with Qatar’s heritage while immersing themselves in its desert landscapes. This activation reflects our commitment to offering premium experiences that create unforgettable memories for families.” The Film City zone will offer a variety of family-oriented activities, including a coffee shop, a gift shop, and an exhibition in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife park rides, camel, pony, and horse rides, as well as a unique photo activation. …

Air Astana launched a new direct air services from Almaty to Tel Aviv. The new flight is scheduled to operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays using Airbus A321LR aircraft. The outbound service from Almaty has a flight time of 6 hours 45 minutes, with the return flight from Tel Aviv taking 5 hours and 50 minutes. The cost of a round-trip Economy ticket starts from US$603 and Business Class ticket starts from US$1438. Israeli citizens can stay in Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days. This new route is destined to strengthen business, trade, cultural and tourism links between the two countries. Almaty, nestled at the foothills of the majestic Tien Shan mountains, is the largest city in Kazakhstan and beckons international travelers with its unique blend of culture, nature, and history. Almaty’s cultural tapestry is a testament to its diverse heritage, where Eastern and Western influences converge. Visitors can immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant arts scene, explore captivating museums, and indulge in the flavors of Central Asian cuisine. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the city’s proximity to pristine mountain landscapes, offering opportunities for hiking, skiing, and breathtaking vistas.

Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, growing 97 per cent YoY from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities for travel and business. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said: “Dubai’s ability to rapidly accelerate tourism growth, which has marked it out as a clear frontrunner in the international industry,  demonstrates the far-reaching vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform the emirate into an important global player in shaping the future of vital sectors. The remarkable rise in international visitation in 2022 supports the ambitious goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. The tourism and travel sector contributes significantly to the leadership’s aim of making the emirate a model for excellence in the global economy. “The exceptional growth in the inflow of visitors reflects Dubai’s continued rise as one of the world’s most connected cities and its determination to lead the world in hospitality infrastructure and service levels. The high growth shows the world that we never rest on our achievements and constantly work to raise our benchmarks. I am confident that Dubai will …

Dubai has welcomed over 107,082 passengers on the New Year’s Eve, with 95,445 travelers arriving through Dubai Airports, 6,527 arriving via Hatta Border Crossing, and 5,010 arriving via marine ports. This marks an 89% increase in passenger traffic in 2022 compared to the previous year, with a total of 23,672,468 incoming passengers arriving through all ports. Of these, 21,817,022 arrived through airports, 1,612,746 crossed Hatta Border Crossing, and 242,700 passengers used sea ports. In 2021, the emirate received 12,025,468 passengers through airports, 399,083 through Hatta Border Crossing, and 83,700 through marine ports. According to a new report by the UK-based market research firm Euromonitor, Dubai Airports have established themselves as one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking second globally in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2022 for speed of service and procedure completion for passengers. Dubai Airports were also ranked first regionally and internationally in the Airports Council International (ACI) report 2022 and maintained their leading position in the global competition indices, ranking first by the Legatum Prosperity Index in tolerance towards foreigners. The UAE passport was ranked the strongest in the world according to the Global Passport Power Rank. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, stated that the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things has allowed Dubai Airports to deliver exceptional digital services and a superior travel experience to all visitors, solidifying Dubai’s reputation as a top destination for tourism, business, and lifestyle.

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) revealed that the performance of its cultural assets in Dubai showed a remarkable recovery following a difficult year imposed by the repercussions of COVID-19 on the world. The Authority’s museums, heritage sites and public libraries attracted more than 521,000 visitors in 2021. Statistics conducted by Dubai Culture showed that museums, heritage sites and public libraries in Dubai are still gaining momentum as touristic, cultural and educational destinations for the public, including UAE citizens, residents and visitors. In 2021, the total number of visits to these sites was 521,753; heritage sites topped the list, recording 50% of total visitors, followed by libraries, with 39%, and museums at 11%. Muna Faisal Algurg, Director of the Museums Department and Acting CEO of the Culture & Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture, affirmed that despite the conditions and repercussions imposed by the pandemic on the cultural and creative sector around the world, Dubai Culture adopted an effective methodology in dealing with the imposed challenges through digital offerings such as virtual tours, workshops, activities, and educational lectures across those sites. Following the lockdown period, Dubai Culture succeeded in reigniting the cultural movement in the emirate and keeping the audience in touch with the history of Dubai and its cultural landmarks. The Authority also ensured the implementation of all the precautionary measures and precautions to guarantee workers and visitors of those sites the highest levels of protection. Algurg indicated that the performance of museums and heritage sites in the emirate is on its path towards a full recovery at a time when the world’s museums are still suffering from the repercussions of the pandemic. Based on a report issued by …

Dubai International (DXB) saw 7.2 million passengers in September as traffic rose to 67.5 million for the year. Traffic was down slightly (-0.2%) in September due to the Eid Al Adha holidays that fell in September 2017. It was the sixth time this year that DXB’s monthly traffic surpassed the 7 million mark, helping finish off the third quarter with 23.8 million customers, up 1%. A total of 7,197,866 customers were served in September (- 0.2%) and 6 million bags (+1.12%) were passed through the airport’s sophisticated 175 km long baggage system during the month. Smart Gate technology at DXB helps speed customers through immigration while state-of-the-art operations centre leverages real-time information to improve service and efficiency, leading to a reduction of 28% in wait times during September. India remained DXB’s top destination country by customer volume, with total traffic reaching 957,748 during the month. The United Kingdom was the was second with 538,199 customers, followed by Saudi Arabia with 454,929 customers. Other markets of note include Australia (256,848), the US (252,264) and China (208,822). The top three cities were London (329,778), Mumbai (199,829) and New Delhi (170,122). The fastest-growing regions were North America,(up by 15.2%,) Africa (up 10.9%) and CIS growing at 6.8%.

At the Top, Burj Khalifa gets a digital facelift with a series of innovative technology experiences. As the guests set to start the Burj Khalifa journey, the ambience changes; white gradient glass walls provide an illusion of clouds, highlighting the heights they will scale soon and give a first glimpse of a 4-metre illuminated model of Burj Khalifa. Here, a giant video wall creates a ‘movement art’ of all visitors. Sensors gather the presence of every visitor, his location and turn them into real-time digital art. The replica of Burj Khalifa comes to life with digital projections in four different themes. The view of the Burj Khalifa model is hidden from the central reception area by ‘magic glass’ – a technological application enabling visitors on the outside to get just a glimpse of the model. Ahmad Al Falasi, Executive Director – Group Operations at Emaar Properties, said, “We have leveraged the latest advancements in digital technology to ensure that every visit, every time, by anyone will assure them delightful surprises. The spacious, aesthetic and digitally enhanced reception will significantly add to the convenience of our visitors from across the world.”