Category Archives: Govt

Frasers Hospitality has further expanded its presence in the Middle East with the entry into a new management agreement to operate Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain. This is in partnership with Seef Properties. This development cements Frasers Hospitality’s presence in the Middle East region. The development comes as Frasers Hospitality strengthens its long-standing partnership with Seef Properties through an extension of its existing management agreement of Fraser Suites Seef Bahrain to 2031. The newly anticipated Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain will offer 63 gold-standard serviced apartment units across a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, spread over three floors. This will include nine one-bedroom serviced apartments, 44 two-bedroom serviced apartments and 12 three-bedroom serviced apartments, perfect for those seeking comfort in accommodations fitted with the latest technologies and modern furnishings. Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain forms part of the Al Liwan mixed-use development under Seef Properties which has been designed to embody the essence of the ‘Live, Work and Play’ lifestyle and is nestled within the neighbourhood of Hamala with a direct connection to the Al Liwan Mall in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s primary entertainment district. The development is ideal under the Fraser Suites brand due to its unique ability to cater to the highly-premium lifestyle needs of extended-stay guests. The name, Al Liwan, reflects cohesion, unity, and togetherness, inspired by the culture of the region and speaking to the desires of discerning guests. Alongside Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain, the new district offers numerous dining options, cafés, and leisure opportunities. At the core of the development lies the Central Plaza, a generous open space created for communal gatherings and entertainment, providing a city retreat for both visitors and …

His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, launched the Masfout development project at a high-profile reception held recently. During the launch ceremony, Sheikh Theyab briefed the Ruler of Ajman on the strategic pillars of the Masfout development project, which involves implementing a wide array of innovative development strategies focusing predominantly on cultural tourism, as well as uplifting various facets of society in Masfout. Sheikh Humaid emphasised that the well-being and happiness of Emiratis and their families across the nation, as well as enhancing their living standards, are priorities for the UAE leadership. The Masfout development project is the second venture under the Emirates Villages projects launched by the Emirates Council for Balanced Development. The project seeks to foster a sustainable development model and offer economic and investment opportunities that enhance social stability and the quality of life for community members. The event was attended by Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, along with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Emirates Council for Balanced Development. Photo credit WAM

Abu Dhabi’s unique culture is central to plans to increase overall visitation to more than 24 million, from 18 million in 2022. DCT Abu Dhabi’s research reveals that culture was the primary reason for travel for almost half (47 per cent) of international tourists. With the rise of the culture-seeker segment, about 4 million visitors are expected at DCT Abu Dhabi’s cultural sites this year – more than one million additional visitors compared with the previous year. His Excellency Saood Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, said the plans to promote and protect the emirate follow a strong 2022 performance that demonstrated innovation, resilience and integration of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors. His Excellency Al Hosani said: “With culture at the heart of everything we do, we have set bold and ambitious targets for 2023 as we promote, protect and progress Abu Dhabi and share it with the world. We are proud to share some of our 2022 results, which powerfully demonstrate how we re-ignited the engine of growth through resilient culture and tourism sectors, with visionary leadership and key partnerships across the different creative industries. “We are progressing Abu Dhabi by creating new job and career opportunities and enabling growth across the culture sector throughout the culture and creative industries (CCI) while enabling business and leisure tourism to thrive. Our purpose is to share Abu Dhabi with the world and enrich lives.” With the promotion and protection of culture central to its mandate, DCT Abu Dhabi is building on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, to strengthen national identity, nurture talent, create better awareness of Emirati heritage and …

The Ministry of Transport of The State of Qatar is the host and strategic partner of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum. Under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Qatar’s Minister of Transport, The Ministry of Transport is hosting the first International Forum for Autonomous e-Mobility organized by Just us & Otto Marketing Services during the period of 10-12 October 2023. The event, which will be hosted in Doha over three days, will shed light on latest trends and innovations in sustainable transport solutions. It will also provide a leading platform for exchanging experiences, ideas and enriching discussions on developments in the field of electric transport and self-driving mobility, a topic of local and global importance. The Forum will bring together industry leaders, policy makers, senior officials, expert speakers, and representatives of ministries, government institutions, private sector companies, academic institutions, and the media, as well as hundreds of attendees. It thus establishes a suitable opportunity for concerned international parties to enhance knowledge, explore opportunities for cooperation and partnerships, and formulate recommendations on the future application of electric and autonomous vehicles in real-world settings. On this occasion, Eng. Hamad Issa Abdullah, in charge of the duties of the Assistant Undersecretary for Land Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, said: “For many years, electric transport vehicles have been a main focus in the efforts of governments and the visions of manufacturing companies within the wider context of sustainability and diversification of energy sources. The State of Qatar seeks to bring about transformative movement in the transportation sector by investing in sustainable and smart mobility, and improving energy efficiency to achieve the goals of the Qatar National Vision in …

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Emirates Tourism Council, emphasised the UAE’s commitment, under the guidance and vision of its wise leadership, to actively support global endeavors in promoting sustainable tourism. HE further highlighted the UAE’s dedication to contributing to initiatives that foster the formulation of sustainable tourism policies, facilitating the growth of international tourism. HE Bin Touq made these remarks during his participation in the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting 2023, which was attended by over 20 decision-makers in the global tourism industry recently in Goa, India. HE asserted the significance of collaborative endeavors and proactive measures to propel the regional and global tourism sector in a way that supports achieving comprehensive economic and social development in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting discussed several tourism topics and agendas related to tourism. One significant focus was on promoting sustainability in the tourism industry and harnessing the possibilities presented by digital transformation and smart applications, especially in the realm of tourism services. Additionally, the meeting addressed strategies for enhancing the tourism sector and making it appealing to global talent, especially through the development of innovative tourism products. The participants emphasised the necessity of fostering a supportive environment that embraces small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the tourism sector. In his speech at the meeting, HE Bin Touq said: “In the present era, the development of the tourism sector heavily relies on sustainability, given the prevailing environmental and social circumstances. It has become crucial to raise awareness about the significance of sustainable tourism through the implementation of legislation and policies that safeguard natural resources, cultural heritage, and …

Almosafer, and Klook have together launched the first ever holistic tours and activities platform for the KSA market, Almosafer activities. The launch follows the signing of an agreement between the two travel industry powerhouses in early 2022 to establish the joint venture with the purpose of creating a holistic B2B marketplace for activities in the Kingdom, addressing a gap in the market which has thus far largely seen fragmented options for bookable ‘things to do’. Almosafer Activities is a one-stop digital platform with end-to-end content and inventory management solutions that supports tourism and leisure activity merchants in Saudi Arabia, as well as distributors across the globe, to provide an unprecedented choice of product offering for travellers to, from, and within the Kingdom. The platform, which will go live for distributors in Q3 2023, will leverage Klook’s position as a leading global distributor of experiences and services and enable domestic and international tourists to book activities with ease. Almosafer Activities will provide seamless booking experiences, connecting Saudi Arabia travellers to global platforms, starting with Klook. The launch of Almosafer Activities supports the tourism agenda of Saudi Vision 2030 by boosting inbound and domestic tourism. The platform will also support small and medium-sized merchants by providing them with a platform and exposure to more distribution channels. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority, said: “Saudi is setting the pace for global tourism development. We are currently undergoing a remarkable transformation and experiencing unprecedented growth, positioning ourselves as the world’s largest investor in tourism – this presents an exciting opportunity for both our existing and new partners. “The launch of Almosafer Activities represents another significant stride towards establishing …

As part of an ongoing effort to deepen ties between China and Arab partners, Riyadh and Beijing are stepping up efforts to improve air connectivity between these fast-developing economies. At the recently held Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, attendees from China and the Arab world explored new avenues for collaboration to unlock the potential of shared business between these exciting markets, particularly also in air connectivity. Celebrating its 10th year, the conference brought together leading government officials, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and investors. Establishing stronger air links to foster tourism growth and unlock new opportunities was a hot-button topic at the event, with ACP’s booth forming part of the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to draw attraction to the high-potential travel and tourism industries in the Kingdom. “In line with Vision 2030 and the ambitions of the National Tourism Strategy, ACP is bridging the stakeholder ecosystem to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination. Chinese visitors will, indeed, play a key role in achieving this ambition,” said Ali Rajab CEO of ACP. He added, “By ensuring that our customer service and operational readiness meet the high standards that Chinese visitors expect, ACP is creating a seamless travel experience between China and the Kingdom. For these travelers, like all others to Saudi Arabia, we prioritize cultural understanding and the highest levels of quality assurance.” Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism leaders, including stakeholders such as ACP, are actively working to turn the Kingdom into a sought-after air connectivity destination. In the past year, the Kingdom saw 23 new routes connected to Saudi Arabia from three continents, resulting in an expansion of seat capacity by 700,000. Likewise, several partnerships have been established with government …

Speaking on Saudi Tourism Authority’s ever-strengthening collaboration with China, Fahd Hamidaddin, Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board, Saudi Tourism Authority said, “Saudi is the world’s biggest investor in tourism, committing $550bn to new destinations by 2030. This investment along with the leadership, the commitment and the total orchestration in government and business around the sector has paid out dividends.” He further reiterated about digitalisation, “We are the second fastest-growing destination in the world, and if you take out Qatar during the World Cup, we are the fastest-growing destination in the world. When Saudi first started tourism, we started with an E-Visa that got recognized as the best digital platform – that was the founding cornerstone of what we’re building in this sector. We’re taking everything through digital. Accessibility, connectivity and creating a seamless journey are paved through digital.”

At the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Fahd Hamidaddin, Saudi Tourism Authority CEO shared that the collaborative events to reinforce the strong bonds between China and Saudi, has unveiled untapped opportunities, propelling business growth. “We have multiple visa offerings for Chinese travelers, all offered online. Today we have a 50,000-seat capacity direct from Guangzhou, we are also expecting to operate from Beijing in August – another direct route – and SAUDIA has signed a digital transformation agreement with Accenture. Accenture is expecting to offer an additional 32 digital services on their system and today we have 26 agreements in place with online Chinese travel agencies. However, when you reach the destination, you want authenticity. That’s why we say digitize the expected and humanize the unexpected. While we are digitizing the services that provide seamless experiences and journeys, we need to remain true to Arabia, uniquely Saudi and authentically local in every destination visitors go to in Saudi.”  

“We anticipate that guests from the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman will be exploring the multiple trip potential to the UK that the new ETA offers over the course of two years for just 10 gbp. With our recent extensive renovation and extremely flexible room spaces which cater to large families and multi-generational travel, not to mention our larger-than-average suites which exist in their own boutique hotel experience – we are ready to re-welcome those GCC travellers who are looking for to make us their home away from home on multiple trips to the UK,” comments Bill Fisher, general manager, Hilton London Metropole;  the largest Hilton property in the UK (second largest worldwide). Hilton London Metropole has welcomed the UK Government announcement this week regarding a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme which will roll out at the end of 2023 and early 2024. The new ETA will allow multiple trips to the UK across two years for just 10GBP. “We’re delighted about the recent announcement from the UK Government regarding the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for many of our key target markets in the Middle East which will come into play in early 2024; and for Qatari travellers at the end of this year. The new scheme will make it even easier for GCC travellers to visit the UK. Having recently undergone an extensive multi-million-pound revamp which was completed with the GCC traveller in mind, the central-London located property has 16 Executive King Suites,  four Octogan Suites and an incredible three-bed penthouse which offers London skyline views, all existing within a boutique hotel set up but benefiting from large scale property services such as 24/7 …