Category Archives: Agents

Almosafer (part of Seera Group), has signed a partnership agreement with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce to develop Saudi talent for the travel and tourism sector. The partnership will enable Almosafer to expand the reach of its in-house training programme, Almosafer Academy, which equips young Saudi nationals with the necessary skills and industry knowledge needed to succeed and grow as travel advisors or other industry professions. Almosafer and the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce will work together to enable more university students in Saudi Arabia to apply to Almosafer Academy. Fahad Alobailan, Chief Tourism Officer of Almosafer, said: “This partnership with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce will help accelerate our efforts to develop the necessary human capital for a sustainable travel and tourism industry. As our industry grows, there is a wealth of opportunity for young Saudis to embark on successful careers. I am pleased we are doing our part in championing young talent as we continue to support the tourism agenda of Saudi Vision 2030.” Naif Abdullah Al-Rajhi, Second Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors Riyadh Chamber and Chairman of the Tourism Committee, said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Almosafer. This partnership is poised to significantly enhance human competencies, underpinning the growth of the travel and tourism sectors and aligning seamlessly with the Kingdom’s strategic mission to cultivate and advance Saudi talents, inspiring them to pioneer and lead initiatives across diverse disciplines.” The signing took place at the inaugural Tourism Investment Forum in Riyadh which was sponsored by Almosafer. Fahad Alobailan, Chief Tourism Officer at Almosafer, moderated a panel discussion on private sector investments with Her Highness Princess Haifa Bint Mohammed Al Saud, Vice Minister of Tourism, …

Wego offers travelers an unforgettable experience in Spain this summer. Wego and Spain Tourism will be promoting the best things to do in the country and sharing guides and tips on how to spend the best summer holiday. This strategic collaboration brings together the extensive reach and expertise of Wego in the online travel industry and the allure of Spain’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities. Summer in Spain is one of the most enjoyable travel experiences. The vibrant cities such as Madrid and Barcelona offer a plethora of shopping options from high end boutiques to traditional markets that are perfect for every type of traveler. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “Spain is a preferred destination for MENA travelers. Through our partnership with Spain Tourism, we aim to attract a wider audience and boost tourism to this captivating country. We will be providing curated itineraries, and personalized travel recommendations, to inspire and assist travelers in planning their dream trips to Spain.” Wego will showcase Spain’s diverse attractions, including its historic landmarks, breathtaking beaches, and world-renowned culinary scene, to its vast user base. Daniel Rosado, Director of Spain Tourism for the Middle East, said: “Spain is a well-known country in the GCC region and it’s experiencing a continuous increase in demand year after year. To consolidate this trend and build on it, we are partnering up with Wego to reach more and better the potential audience. Spain is a world in a country where travellers will find all they are looking for and that they desire, as Spain caters for all tourists. Through this campaign we will increase the awareness in …

In line with Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s objective of solidifying the emirate’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and travel, business tourism accelerated its role in fostering economic growth during 2022. Continuing to drive Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector growth in Dubai in a post-pandemic new market, the largest operator across the wider region, Dubai World Trade Centre’s (DWTC) event calendar remained an economic catalyst for the nation – generating sustainably high returns for adjacent industries connected to the MICE ecosystem. The latest 2022 Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) Annual Report estimates DWTC’s total economic output across 63 large-scale events at AED 13Bn, of which a substantive AED 7.4Bn was retained within the local economy. These business events hosted, organised and delivered at the venue, welcomed nearly 1.2MM attendees with 40% being international – an impressive 49% YOY increase in foreign participation, emphasising Dubai’s leadership as a global mega-event hub. The study further observed that direct investments in an event at DWTC generated 7.4x in impact across the wider economy, meaning that every AED 1MM spent at these MICE events, drove circa AED 7.4MM of economic output for Dubai across other interlinked sectors. “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the recently launched Dubai Economic Agenda D33, DWTC remains committed to furthering its contribution to the targets of doubling GDP over the next decade, particularly in consolidating its position as a top three global city,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, in his capacity as Director General, DWTC Authority. “The MICE sector has long been an integral pillar of …

MeetChina, the business forum for travel buyers from China and tourism suppliers from the MENA region, returns to Yas Island Abu Dhabi for the first time since the pandemic. Taking place at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, the event will kick off on September 4, 2023, with two days of intensive meetings aimed at reestablishing tourism ties between China and the region. MeetChina is owned and operated by NPI Media, with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT – Abu Dhabi) along with Yas Island as the Destination Partner. Now in its 10th year, the 2023 edition will welcome up to 100 top senior-level Chinese travel buyers. Playing an integral role in the resurgence of China’s outbound travel market, MeetChina guarantees tourism stakeholders from across the UAE an opportunity to secure business from China through pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings and networking sessions over the course of two days. Event registration is open to government tourism organisations, hotels, destination management companies (DMCs), attractions, excursion providers, shopping malls and luxury retail brands. In 2019, outbound travel from China contributed over US$253 billion to the global economy – the highest of any country. Chinese tourists took more than 150 million trips during the year, making them outsized contributors to the international travel market. Earlier this year, the country eased all restrictions, allowing outbound travel activity to resume. According to the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI), Chinese travellers are projected to take around 110 million international trips in 2023, which is two-thirds of the 2019 level, while 2024 will see the country’s outbound travel figures touch the 155 million mark. During the past decade, China consistently ranked among …

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, explained about the expansion to new markets such as Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates at the Thailand Product Update for buyers and media attending the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2023. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) underlined quality, and experience-based tourism among key elements of Thai tourism products and services as part of its strategic move to transform Thailand’s tourism towards high-value and sustainable tourism.  He further reiterated, “TAT is illustrating Thailand as offering meaningful-driven travel to improve visitors’ experience. Encompassing discovery, transformation, fulfilment, and engagement between people, cultures, and nature, this underscores TAT’s direction to making a destination for protecting the country’s vast natural and scenic beauty and instigating a range of environmental initiatives.” Key elements of tourism products and services that reflect TAT’s overall strategies have included luxury tourism experiences, wellness tourism, and tourism towards sustainability. Highlights for luxury tourism experiences include Live the Bangkok Life and Relaxing Phangnga plus Youthfully Phuket, while for wellness tourism, Thailand’s wellness possibilities include family-friendly wellness breaks in Chiang Mai; and immunity booster vacations in Ko Samui, Surat Thani. Thailand’s tourism towards sustainability comprises a wide range of destinations and activities that deliver sustainability experiences, including exploring local community by bike at Bang Krachao, Samut Prakan; adventurer travel in Umphang, Tak; slow life at low- carbon destination on Ko Mak in Trat; and exploring the Little Amazon and surfing at the Memories beach in Takua Pa, Phangnga. TAT is also developing a national drive that encompasses the entire Thai tourism industry with the development of the …

Thailand’s leading B2B travel industry show, the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2023, kicked off in Bangkok attended by key agents in the Middle East. Hon. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, opened the event welcoming everyone. “It is indeed an honour and pleasure for me to meet everyone of you, who have travelled from around the world and entrepreneurs living in Thailand who have come to participate in the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2023 in Bangkok today. After covid-19 pandemic, ‘shaping supply’ is what Thailand’s tourism has put in mind and has been increasingly concerned about. In other words, we realize that developing the quality of tourism products and services and most importantly experiences for the entire journey are key to meet the demand of quality travellers. Meanwhile, sustainability is playing a crucial role in improving the supply side. Thus, it has been addressed in our strategy that implements the “Bio-Circular-Green” economy concept to design travel experiences and deliver meaningful trips to travellers, as well as initiate and implement the sustainable tourism goals to set a frame work advocating sustainability in the environment, socio-economy, management, and culture for tourism related businesses in Thailand. In order to successfully drive Thailand towards sustainable tourism and being a quality destination, we cannot do it alone. However, we need support from you and the stakeholders in the tourism industry to make it happen.” Last year, Thailand received 96,389 travellers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 65,857 from the UAE, Kuwait came in next with 44,566 travellers followed by Oman with 26,745 travellers and Qatar with 23,170. Last month at the Arabian Travel Market, Yuthasak Supasorn – TAT Governor reiterated, that they expect …

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 …

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 …

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 …

In a significant move poised to redefine the Saudi Arabian tourism landscape, ELAF Group, a leader in the Kingdom’s travel, tourism, and hospitality sector, announced a strategic partnership with global destination management trailblazer, EXO Travel Group. This collaboration will lead to the inception of EXO Saudi Arabia, a venture designed to amplify the allure of Saudi Arabian tourism on the global stage. The historic contract was signed by key representatives from both organizations in the historical district of Jeddah, amidst a host of distinguished personnel from the Ministry of Tourism, Elaf’s directorial board and executive team, and delegates from SEDCO Holding. This agreement not only embodies the consummation of an earlier pact between Elaf and EXO but also aligns seamlessly with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to bolster tourism influx into the Kingdom and cultivate sustainable growth in this pivotal sector. EXO Saudi Arabia’s genesis signifies ELAF Group’s ambition to craft a reputable destination management organization, fueled by a synergy of expertise, robust global alliances, and an unyielding commitment to provide innovative travel experiences, state-of-the-art technology, and sustainable travel practices. Dr. Abdulraouf Mohammad Mannaa, Chairman of the Board of Directors at ELAF Group, commented on this occasion by saying: “Our key priority is to contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. We have been working towards forging long-standing relationships with leading international tourism companies and agencies to boost this sector and attract more tourists, further positioning KSA as a leading global destination that provides exceptional experiences that satisfy the needs of visitors from across the globe. The partnership contract signed with EXO Travel to establish EXO Saudi Arabia is a …