The international communication campaign #DiscoverGermanyFromHome of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has been accepted with an unusually strong performance in the 50 source markets of German Incoming tourism worldwide. Since the ‘go-live’ on March 16, it has reached 9.6 million users via the GNTB’s channels and generated more than a million interactions. There are also 19,000 contributions about the campaign on external channels, which in turn triggered 210,000 interactions. The sentiment for the campaign is outstanding, with 94.4 percent positive reactions. In order to maintain the dialogue with the customers of tomorrow during the phase of the lockdown, the campaign initially aimed to provide inspiring, empathetic, and informative content, which could be played out interactive via the GNTB’s more than 30 social media channels. Since mid-April, a microsite has been supplementing the digital information offering with virtual experience formats for destinations in all 16 federal states, Spotify playlists, an interactive map, quizzes, and recipes – in short: everything that makes you want to travel to Germany. At this point, various 45 sec films complement the campaign covering nature, culture and more. The dreams of the diverse offerings of Germany as a travel destination can be seen on the GNTB’s YouTube channel and the microsite. In the next step, the GNTB expands the microsite with an AI chatbot. Potential visitors to Germany receive the most current information on travel planning, travel modalities, legal aspects, and tourism offers. “The established appeal of our ‘Destination Germany’ brand, combined with high flexibility in creating and implementing the campaign, as well as the multi-layered use of digital possibilities keeps the interest in the product alive – even in times of lockdown. With inspiration and …

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) held a virtual meeting with key aviation and hospitality partners to discuss current and post-pandemic strategies and joint initiatives aimed at ensuring the tourism industry’s gradual return to normalcy. The meeting also discussed global efforts to minimise the transmission of COVID-19 and precautionary measures deployed to safeguard the health of communities across the UAE. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, commented, “It must be emphasised that the health and safety of our residents and guests will always remain our top priority as we continue to work with the industry and our government partners not just during this critical period but beyond, to develop innovative approaches, real-time responses, and proactive yet prudent initiatives to ensure that Dubai remains at the forefront of the world’s leading destinations in line with our strategy.” Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said, “As health and hygiene standards will play an influential role in encouraging people to travel, we have put in place a set of health and safety protocols at our airports including all necessary quarantine arrangements and the implementation of sanitisation and disinfection measures to reassure tourists that Dubai is one of the safest destinations to visit. We will also continue to receive incoming flights from select destinations, operate cargo flights, as well as flights to repatriate expatriates and guests to their home destinations.” Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates Airline, said, “Emirates commences passenger flights between Dubai and nine destinations from 21 May – London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne, and we will also offer connections in Dubai for customers travelling between the UK and …

Emirates Airline has unveiled multi-faceted measures for employee and customer care at every step of the travel journey, redefining safety and hygiene standards on board and on the ground. The new measures were implemented with the resumption of regularly scheduled passenger flights to nine destinations. Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer, Emirates said “Emirates is implementing a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the traveller’s journey, to enhance the sanitisation of all touchpoints, and ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees. The risk of catching an infection on an aircraft is already very low, but we have spared no effort in reviewing and redesigning every step, from check-in to disembarkation.” “Every measure implemented is an additional reduction in risk, and taken altogether, our aim is really to make flying as safe as possible. We are working with all the stakeholders in Dubai – including the airport, immigration, health and aviation authorities to implement such measures, and we will continue to review and consult expert advice for any development and changes. We are all aware that we have to adapt to different practices during this pandemic in our day to day activities.” said Redha.

Expo 2020 Dubai will now run from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, a delay that allows all participants to safely navigate the impact of COVID-19. It also allows the World Expo to focus on a collective desire for new thinking to identify solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time. The global mega event is gearing up to help shape a post-pandemic world and create a better future for all after a two-thirds majority of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Member States voted in favour of postponing the next World Expo by one year. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said, “We are thankful to Member States for their continued commitment to contributing to a World Expo in Dubai that will play a pivotal role in shaping our post-pandemic world at a time when it will be most needed. We have sought to build over the last 50 years bridges, connections, and partnerships around the world because we believe in genuine collaboration to safeguard the future of all. This swift and overwhelming vote reflects the strength of our international partnerships and truly reflects the positive role the UAE and Dubai play with all countries around the world.” Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE, said, “In their support for the one-year postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai, Member States of the BIE are giving the world the opportunity to reconvene in 2021, when together, we can address the challenges facing humanity and celebrate the unity and solidarity that …

Virtual ATM China Tourism Forum is undoubtedly the highlight of ATM Virtual event that will take place from June 1-3, 2020. With the spread of COVID-19 under control and domestic leisure travel growing, ME travel professionals are looking to China to initiate international tourism. The debate will take an in-depth look at the potential of the Chinese outbound leisure market now that China seems to have the viral outbreak under control and domestic tourism is growing once again. Many Middle East travel professionals will be looking for insight into the current state of the market and more importantly, how and when to start planning for inbound Chinese visitors. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director Middle East, Arabian Travel Market, said, “The relatively swift rebound of domestic travel during the May Golden Week Holiday in China for example, underscores the bullish view of certain analysts regarding China’s integral role in leading the global tourism industry post COVID-19’s closed borders. Some hoteliers in China were reporting occupancy levels for the recent national holiday in excess of 45 per cent with resort markets close to 70 per cent, a significant improvement from the overall average of 30 per cent occupancy, confirming leisure demand is robust.” Specifically, The Virtual ATM China Tourism Forum will focus on the potential recovery of outbound travel and how Chinese travellers have been changing the way that they access information about foreign destinations and making contacts with local hotels, tour operators and ground handlers. The experts will share their opinion and experience on how to overcome the current crisis by identifying new buying patterns, new demand streams and innovative ways of reaching customers as well as of course enhancing existing partnerships. …

The first webinar by the Spain tourism board was concluded successfully with participants from all over the United Arab Emirates and GCC. The next two sessions to be held on June 10 and June 17, 2020. Daniel Rosado Bayon – Director of the Spanish Tourism Office in Abu Dhabi conducted the session with a general update about the country, connectivity, weather etc. He stated that last year Spain received more than 83 million visitors. Furthermore, a poll was held on the right side of the screen for the visitors to interact; the first poll was ‘What are the barriers for coming to Spain?’ there were four criteria given first was connectivity, lack of knowledge of the destination, lack of cultural ties and last one visa issues so in this, about 46 per cent stated visa issues and 36 per cent lack of knowledge about the destination, so this webinar focused on the second aspect and provided the knowledge necessary. These polls are important as the tourism board will receive some main areas of concern which will help them to develop further products according to the requests of the clients. There were several videos shown throughout the webinar which actually gave an opportunity for the visitors to take a closer look of the destination and its offerings. In this session, Madrid and Barcelona were the key areas in focus. It was a very comprehensive presentation by Rosado about the many activities that can be done, the historical, cultural and entertainment options for families, leisure travelling individuals, honeymooners, youth, adventure and MICE visitors etc.

Accor is pioneering a new guest safety initiative ‘ALL Safe Officer’ that will redefine the hospitality experience in the Middle East and Africa during these unprecedented times.The ground-breaking programme, which is scheduled to be rolled out in the coming weeks, will see every hotel appoint a health and safety officer who will not only ensure cleaning and hygiene protocols are implemented to the highest standards, but will be available to handle guests questions and concerns.These specially trained officers are the face of Accor’s new ALL Safe Accor Programme – a set of rigorous measures designed to protect and reassure guests that are being implemented at its 300 properties region-wide. The initiative is bolstered by Accor’s strategic partnership with global insurance giant AXA which, as of July 2020, will be providing guests at its 5,000 properties worldwide with free medical support that includes consultations with medical professionals by phone or in the location where they are staying. “The safety and wellbeing of our guests is always our priority at Accor and we regularly review and enhance our procedures and services to adapt to new circumstances or as improved technology becomes available,” said Mark Willis, CEO, Accor Middle East and Africa. “The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to change the way we live, work and stay and as the largest hotel group in the Middle East and Africa, we are taking the lead in reinventing the hospitality experience, introducing dedicated ‘ALL Safe Officers’ and a rigorous programme of transparent measures that give guests peace of mind and put their health first, which is what they now value most,” he added.

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) gave a global audience of over 2500 industry leaders and stakeholders insight into AlUla’s journey to become an international tourism destination with arts, culture and community at its heart, in a virtual conference. The panel, titled ‘Arts and Culture: Inspiring a future of tourism development in ancient landscapes,’ saw a team from RCU join former Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova; Jean-François Charnier, Scientific Director at AgenceFrançaise pour le Développementd’AlUla (AFALULA); Neville Wakefield, Creator and Artistic Director at Desert X; and Callum Lee of BOP Consulting. During the panel, Abdulrahman AlSuhaibani, Director of Museums and Exhibitions at RCU, who conducted research into AlUla’s ancient civilisations as part of his doctorate at the Sorbonne University in France, said, “The human presence in AlUla began more than 200,000 years ago and continues until our time. This has left a diversity and richness in the archaeological remains, and also in the community today. There is a huge story that we are going to share with the world, but the most important thing is how we can preserve and protect it.” Nora AlDabal, Arts and Culture Programming Director at RCU, said, “It’s really important to us to establish AlUla as a cultural hub for creativity and artistic exchange. We’ve developed multiple arts workshops, including with Desert X: We had the artists work not only on the exhibition itself but also within the community.” Neville Wakefield, Curator, Desert X supported this, saying, “Indeed, one of the joys of working in AlUla was making the community part of the artistic experience. We had so much involvement because everyone had a point of entry. Everyone has a sense of what the desert …

Arabian Travel Market, organisers of ATM Virtual, will address the changes to the tourism industry amid the rise of online travel agencies (OTAs), the re-opening of operations post COVID-19 and its impact on tour and attraction operators across the Middle East. The session, OTAs and distribution for tours and attractions Post-COVID, which will take place on the opening day of ATM Virtual on Monday, June 1, 4 pm – 5 pm GST (1 pm – 2 pm BST), will be hosted by Douglas Quinby, Co-Founder and CEO of Arival, the global research authority on the tours, activities and attractions sector. Quinby will present exclusive new insights into the tours and attractions sector, which according to Arival represented US$254 billion in 2019, while outlining the impact COVID-19 has had on the industry and a global outlook. Representatives from some of the UAE’s leading attractions and tour operators will join Quinby during the session. These include Zeina Dagher, CEO, Emaar Entertainment, and Samir Mehta, General Manager, Arabian Adventures. Rounding out the panel are distribution and technology innovators AlaaAlkhatib, Managing Director, priohub, and Mathis Boldt, VP Global Sales and Supply, GetYourGuide. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “Tours, activities, and attractions are an integral element of the travel and tourism industry and are currently the third largest and fastest growing sector. They are, however, challenged by new technologies and innovations, and now, more than ever, businesses need the support to adapt to the new demands from travellers at a local and global level.” Douglas Quinby, Co-Founder and CEO, Arival, added, “Digital, distribution and venture-backed online platforms have been ushering in a dramatic change, from how travellers plan and book, to …

In a few hours, you can join in for the first webinar – ‘Tourism in Spain’ in a tri-series that will kick off at 11am UAE time today. To participate please contact Crisna de Guzman at crisna.deguzman@ddppl.com or call +971505074618, +971554704200. Educate and update yourself about a country with its rich heritage and history that can really add on to your bucket list. Today you can gather knowledge about the destination, the weather, what to do, the most interesting and popular spots etc.