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UAE Travel & Tourism sector set to recover this year, says WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) today reveals the UAE travel & tourism sector is projected to meet the 2019 peak this year. The sector is set to contribute AED 180.6 billion to the UAE economy by the end of 2023, almost matching the 2019 high AED 183.4 billion, only 1.5% behind pre-pandemic levels. This represents nearly 10% of the total economy. WTTC is also forecasting that the sector will create nearly 7,000 jobs this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 745,100, to reach more than 758,000 employed by travel & tourism. Last year, the travel & tourism sector’s GDP contribution grew more than 60% to reach nearly AED 167 billion, representing 9% of the country’s economy. The sector also created more than 89,000 more jobs from the previous year to reach more than 751,000 jobs nationally, surpassing 2019 levels by an additional 6,000 jobs. 2022 saw the return of international travellers to the UAE, with India (13%), Oman (8%), Saudi Arabia (8%), and UK (7%) leading as source markets for international arrivals. According to the data, in 2022, international visitors contributed AED 117.6 billion to the national economy, representing a year-on-year growth of 65.3%, although 19% behind 2019 levels. In terms of domestic spend, 2022 saw a 35.7% year-on-year jump, reaching AED 46.9 billion, 10.6% above its pre-pandemic counterpart. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The national Travel & Tourism sector is recovering at a rapid pace, proving the UAE continues to grow in popularity amongst international travellers. The UAE is home to one of the world’s busiest and successful airports, Dubai International, which acts as a gateway to the Middle East. “The …

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Qatar Airways and Google Cloud to collaborate on data and AI to advance the airline’s passenger experience

Google Cloud and Qatar Airways have agreed to collaborate to set out the airline’s intention to explore leveraging Google Cloud’s data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to create superior customer experiences for its passengers. In 2022, Qatar Airways carried 18.5 million passengers across 150 destinations worldwide. This large volume of passengers drives an abundance of structured and unstructured data to the airline’s digital transformation unit. The proposed collaboration with Google Cloud is intended to help bring deeper meaning to Qatar Airways’ customer data through the power of Google’s data analytics, AI and machine learning (ML) solutions, including BigQuery and Vertex AI. This, in turn, will enable the airline to enhance the travel experience for passengers, providing them with offerings personalized to their individual needs, travel trends, and past travel history. Qatar Airways Chief Information Officer, Mr. A.T. Srinivasan, said, “Qatar Airways is a highly respected aviation leader which has always set benchmarks with its globally recognised and award-winning customer service. Google Cloud brings us the opportunity to build elasticity and scalability on demand, as we increasingly look to leverage both structured and unstructured data to personalise customer and employee experience. We will also leverage Google’s highly secure and diverse set of Cloud service offerings for optimising our airline and airport operations particularly in the areas of aircraft inventory, flight operations both on ground and in the air, as well as airport operations. We also look forward to collaborating with Google Cloud to try out some of their cutting-edge technology through this long-term partnership. The presence of a Cloud in Qatar gives us the assurance that our data stays in-country and we can focus on data and AI/ML led innovation …

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Cruise Saudi to recruit new local talents at the Ministry of Tourism’s first job fair

Cruise Saudi  is committed to creating 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Saudi by 2035, which will benefit the local workforce. In line with this, Cruise Saudi was keen to participate in the Ministry of Tourism’s first two-day Tourism Job Fair, with the aim of recruiting Saudi talents in the rapidly growing cruise tourism sector. Cruise Saudi Chief Human Capital Officer Ayman AlGhamdi said: “As we are developing a new industry that supports the Saudi Tourism sector, we believe in investing in the local community and its cadres. With a Saudization rate of 71 per cent, we are proud of our local talents who have proven their capabilities, qualifications and fast development in a wide range of cruise related fields.” Additionally, Cruise Saudi has outperformed the female employment goals outlined in Vision 2030, with their participation in the workforce now reaching 32 per cent, ahead of the 2030 target of 30 per cent. Saudi tourism is currently undergoing a massive transformation with a focus on long-term, sustainable growth. Under plans set out in Vision 2030, tourism will become an important tributary for national economy. Deputy Minister of Tourism Human Capabilities Development Mohamed Bushnaq said: “This forum comes at a pivotal moment, as Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is undergoing substantial development. Having transformed into a regulated industry backed by regulations, systems, projects, and programs, it is striving to become one of the most important pillars of Saudi Vision 2030. The ultimate aim is to contribute to the diversification and prosperity of the national economy. “We are here today, steadfastly continuing our journey to provide more opportunities for this generous nation by launching the first tourism employment forum both in-person and through …

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Saudi Tourism Development Fund collaborates with Hyatt to develop hospitality focused destinations in Saudi Arabia

Expanding its roster of collaborators, the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation to establish luxury hotels across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The collaboration aims to develop several hospitality-led destinations which will enhance the tourism offering in Saudi Arabia. These destinations may include beach and urban hotels, as well as mountain, desert and farm retreats. They will be developed under Hyatt’s existing trademarks, such as Alila Resorts, which offer an authentic wellness destination experience, or other trademarks such as Park Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Grand Hyatt and any other Hyatt brands mutually agreed upon by the entities. The development of these hotels would be part of the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy and in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Commenting on the agreement, CEO of the Tourism Development Fund Qusai Al-Fakhri, said, “We are joining forces with many legacy brands in the tourism, hospitality, and business travel segments as we continue to thoughtfully expand our roster of collaborators. This collaboration with Hyatt will help us to attract tourists and ensure that they receive a comfortable, high-quality experience in the Kingdom’s top tourism destinations.” Hyatt has one of the world’s largest portfolios of hotels and resorts, focused on the high-end travellers in each segment that it serves, and is continually growing its brand footprint. It has established an industry-leading luxury, lifestyle, and leisure portfolio across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which is significantly contributing to its global expansion. Regional Vice President, Development – Middle East and Africa at Hyatt Ludwig Bouldoukian, said, “Saudi Arabia is the largest emerging market in the Middle East and has made significant advances …

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Sindalah slated to open by 2024; create 3500 jobs in tourism sector

Sindalah is expected to start welcoming guests to enjoy its bespoke nautical experiences, exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings from early 2024. It is anticipated that the development will create 3,500 jobs for the tourism sector and hospitality and leisure services. With its incredible array of amenities, state-of-the-art marine facilities, strategic location and exceptional natural landscapes, Sindalah is expected to become established as one of the most alluring islands in the Red Sea. Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square meters, Sindalah, is one of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM, each according to its unique vision and design. Building on its ability to design new tourism opportunities from the ground up, NEOM is working with world-class leisure and hotel brands to make Sindalah an exclusive and glamorous destination in the Red Sea for the world’s yachting community. NEOM is developing the island to be a premium destination surrounded by a stunning and diverse marine environment which has one of the world’s most beautiful coral reserves. This was disclosed as NEOM signed an agreement with Riyad Bank for SAR 3 billion in debt financing to help fund the development of Sindalah, marking the first NEOM region to be successfully financed with bank debt. Riyad Bank is one of the largest supporters of Saudi Vision 2030 and has developed a diverse range of initiatives specifically designed to support business capabilities from establishment, logistics and investment. Its strategic locations across the world include England, US, Singapore, and soon China, all of which facilitate foreign investments, managed by a talented and experienced team of specialists. Tareq A. Al-Sadhan, CEO, Riyad Bank, added: “NEOM represents an incredible opportunity for our …

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Ministry of Tourism Saudi unveils a new initiative for tourism education

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a new initiative for tourism education, which intends to collaborate with universities and higher education institutions throughout the Kingdom to offer distinctive and enriching educational programs. These programs are specially designed to align tourism and hospitality education with the market requirements, and to equip aspiring professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure lucrative employment opportunities in this sector. At a special event held in Riyadh, Her Highness Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, Vice Minister of Tourism, launched this initiative on behalf of His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Al Khateeb. The ceremony was attended by several key partners from government entities and the education sector, who discussed the programs’ primary objectives and implementation strategies. Additionally, the event witnessed the signing of four memorandums of cooperation with MoE, MHRSD, ETEC, and KFUPM. During this occasion, Her Highness stated, “We are delighted to collaborate with the top educational institutions in the Kingdom to introduce the tourism education initiative in order to raise awareness and attractiveness of opportunities in the tourism sector for Saudi citizens and education sector leaders. This initiative is in line with MT’s strategy to meet the needs resulting from the sector’s rapid growth. The launch of these programs will also guarantee that suitable talents are accessible to support the Kingdom’s march towards fulfilling NTS and Vision 2030 objectives, by empowering the next generation of Saudi talents.” Students will have the opportunity to enroll in specialized programs as part of the educational program. These programs include the “Travel and Tourism Diploma” offered by the University of Tabuk in partnership with the renowned Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the “Diploma in …

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Qatar tourism installs official monument in the capital in recognition of Arab Tourism Capital 2023

Qatar Tourism has installed an official monument on the Doha Corniche, in recognition of Doha’s landmark Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 title, which was awarded by the Arab Ministerial Council earlier this year. The monument, which reflects the official Doha Arab Tourism Capital 2023 logo, is positioned in a photogenic location on the Corniche. The design of the monument was inspired by the slogan of Doha Capital of Arab Tourism 2023, which reflects the city of Doha as a modern centre for tourism rooted in its rich cultural heritage. Since Doha received the prestigious award, Qatar’s tourism sector has welcomed an incredible start to the year. With over a million visitors in the first quarter of 2023, Qatar registered its highest ever first quarter of international arrivals. In April, Qatar Tourism announced the re-launch of the Hayya platform in its new form, inviting tourists who currently need a visa to Qatar to enjoy the country’s famously warm Arabian hospitality and diverse touristic offering. The Hayya platform unifies all visa process for tourists and business visas to Qatar.

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Qatar Tourism showcases its MICE potential at IMEX Frankfurt 2023

Qatar Tourism participated in IMEX Frankfurt 2023, one of the largest and most popular exhibitions in meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), at the head of a delegation of 13 partners from the public and private sectors. The three-day event, which took place from 23 to 25 May 2023, served as a global platform to promote the latest projects and developments in Qatar’s tourism and hospitality sector, particularly those that will enhance incentive and meetings tourism offerings and benefits. and exhibitions and conferences in the country. This year’s Qatar Pavilion included key partners such as Qatar Airways, The Ritz-Carlton Doha, Sharq Hotel & Spa, as well as ten other tourism and hospitality partners: Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, Qatar National Convention Centre, Arabian Adventures, Tawfiq Travels, 365 Adventures by Peninsula Compass Tourism, Just us and Otto, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Centre, The St. Regis Doha, Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha and  InterContinental Doha. Over the past few years, Qatar has become a regional and international convention and exhibition hub, with a world-class infrastructure that includes the finest hotels and meeting and conference rooms, all equipped to host world-class events. Qatar Tourism recently hosted the annual Middle East and Africa World Association of Exhibition Industry (UFI) conference, which attracted the largest gathering of business events experts in the Middle East in Doha for the first time. This year, Qatar also hosted major events, including Fourth Conference of the International Association of Sports Management (WASM), International Association of Hotel Receptionists (AICR) Conference, and International Council of Museums Intercom Doha 2023 General Conference. Looking ahead to 2024, Qatar is gearing up to host more than 12 mega events that cater to different …

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Saudi inspires travelers with new ‘Rethink Summer’ campaign

Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) officially launched ‘Rethink Summer’, its seasonal campaign aimed at promoting Saudi as a diverse, unique summer destination for adventurers and explorers from within Saudi and abroad. As part of the campaign launch, for the first time and in its efforts to empower and enable the private sector, STA brought together key partners within the governmental, private, and tourism ecosystem at an official event held in Riyadh. The briefing event was an exclusive preview into the campaign, the key destinations, events and experiences being showcased and a call-to-action for trade partners to further enhance and strengthen the country’s product offering through their own promotions and offers. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority said: “Saudi is the fastest growing destination worldwide today, with a proven capacity to host visitors from the world over, yearlong. Building on this, we are pleased to launch the ‘Rethink Summer’ campaign to share the beautiful diversity of Saudi with the world, from the cool, green highlands, to the coasts of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. Entertainment events will be special and for everyone. Our partners in the private sector are instrumental in this campaign, offering over 1.8 million additional seats for inbound flights, more than 15 thousand new hotel rooms, and over 100 products tailored to meet the taste of all our visitors this summer. This is the largest contribution of the private sector yet.” The destination is set to hit significant milestones this year, from the opening of the first three resorts at The Red Sea, the world’s most ambitious, regenerative, luxury tourism development to Sindalah Island, NEOM’s incomparable island destination. Diriyah, the …

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Qatar Airways and Air Seychelles sign codeshare agreement

Qatar Airways announces a codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles allowing passengers on both networks seamless travel to one of the world’s most exotic and unique destinations. Qatar Airways serves over 160 destinations worldwide and connects travellers from Africa, America, Asia  and Europe easily to and from Seychelles through its hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport (HIA). Moreover, Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can also earn and spend Avios at almost 200 outlets at Qatar Duty Free (QDF). Currently, Qatar Airways operates a daily flight between HIA and Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), located on the Island of Mahé, near the capital city of Victoria, with a morning arrival and evening departure from Mahé Island. Because of this new codeshare agreement, Qatar Airways will place its code on Air Seychelles’ operated flights between Mahé and Praslin and enable passengers to continue their journey conveniently using a single booking. Praslin is home to the pristine Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site along with palm-fringed beaches, like Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio, both bordered by large granite boulders. Passengers can book their travel with both airlines, through online travel agencies, as well as with local travel agents. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Our strategy of facilitating connectivity to African markets through partnerships is in line with this enhanced cooperation with Air Seychelles. Our two airlines are pleased to work together to benefit passengers with more travel choices and to support the tourism industry in Seychelles.” Air Seychelles maintains its domestic network with a fleet of five Twin Otter TurboProps operating between Mahé and Praslin as well as charter flights. The airline celebrated 45 …

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