Tag Archives: Yamina Sofo

Yamina Sofo – Director, Sales & Marketing – German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries. “It is important to communicate with each other, to share opinions and share ideas and to see how we altogether pull on one string to get us all out of this crisis. It affected the tourism industry as one of the first and hardest hit, every destination has an impact of the crisis. Germany has done a tremendous job in handling the crisis, from our research, feedback and surveys we are on a high ranking of our standards. Our partners in the industry continuously over the last weeks have implemented the necessary hygiene, distance rules, they have updated and upgraded their products according to the new standards so the destination itself is very well prepared now to welcome back tourists from all over the world.”

TravTalk Middle East’s second virtual conclave will take place on Monday July 20, 2020 from 11am until 1.15pm. To participate please contact Crisna de Guzman at crisna.deguzman@ddppl.com or call +971505074618, +971554704200. The main theme of the Digital conclave is Building and enabling trust in the travel and tourism sector. It will be conducted as two sessions; each will be for one hour. The first session will begin by 11am and end by 12 noon with three key speakers in the Middle East region; HE Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), Raki Philips – Chief Executive Officer Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Suman Billa – Director Technical Corporation and Silk Road Development UNWTO. As the UAE has open to international visitors, this is the perfect opportunity to find out the many efforts undertaken by the relevant tourism boards and the UNWTO. The second session will commence after a 15 minute break at 12.15pm and end by 1.15pm; this session will take into account outbound travel with three key national tourism boards with the most number of visitors from the UAE and GCC region. Speakers will be Daniel Rosado Bayon – Director of the Spanish Tourism Office in Abu Dhabi; Pichaya Saisaengchan, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Dubai &The Middle East Office and Yamina Sofo – Director, Sales & Marketing – German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries.

Wego partners with the German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries (GNTO) to invite travellers to discover the destination of Germany and virtually explore its amazing attractions and hidden gems. Until it is safe to travel again, Wego brings the world to you in the comfort of your home. With the message ‘dream now – visit later’, this joint partnership with ‘Wego’ introduces the global campaign ‘#DiscoverGermanyFromHome’ to tomorrow’s travellers in the GCC by providing them with inspiring and informative content, virtual experiences in its 16 federal states, Spotify playlists, an interactive map, quizzes, recipes and much more to keep their interest in the destination alive until travel is resumed. Speaking of the partnership, Yamina Sofo, Director Sales & Marketing, German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries (GNTO) commented, “The Gulf region is among the Top 20 of the most important source markets to Germany and the third largest source market outside Europe. Our partnership with Wego is a great opportunity to highlight that Germany ticks all boxes of the GCC travellers aiming for wellness and recreation, nature and sightseeing or simply for entertainment and shopping, while enjoying high quality services, great value for money, luxury accommodation and facilities.” Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said, “We are bringing the world to our users until it is safe to travel again and we’re thrilled to partner with GNTO to promote one of the most beautiful European countries. Germany entices tourists with its rich and vibrant nature and culture; it’s a must-see destination for everyone.”

The German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries (GNTO) has appointed Yamina Sofo as its new Director Sales & Marketing. In her new capacity, Yamina Sofo will provide leadership and strategic direction to the Gulf region team, manage a wide range of marketing campaigns and activities as well as work closely with the local and overseas trade partners and industry stakeholders to promote ‘Destination Germany’ as a year-round travel destination throughout the Gulf region. Speaking on her appointment, Sofo commented, “I’m proud to say that Gulf region is among the Top 20 of the most important source markets to Germany and the third largest source market outside Europe. Due to its diversity, Germany is one of the preferred travel destinations for the GCC nationals, whether for wellness and recreation, nature and sightseeing or simply for entertainment and shopping – offering high quality services, great value for money, luxury accommodation and facilities as well as environmentally-friendly transportation links throughout the entire country.” Commenting on the recent lockdown, Yamina said, “In spite of the lockdown, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has launched “#DiscoverGermanyFromHome”, a joined communication campaign on all social media channels worldwide to communicate inspiring, emphatic and informative content with tomorrow’s travellers in an engaging and interactive way.”