Category Archives: Govt

The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) is planning to host a series of events during “tourism week” in Madinah, to be held from 25 to 29 August 2024. Monsha’at will conduct eight workshops as part of the week-long event, covering topics such as innovation in tourism, tourism routes, tour guides, and showcasing successful local tourism businesses. The event is part of a nationwide efforts to boost the tourism sector; similar events will take place simultaneously in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar. According to Monsha’at, this aims to help local entrepreneurs and investors by highlighting investment opportunities and government support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises.

In a recent interview with tourismbreakingnews.ae Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director International Promotion Division, North and East Asia, covering Asia and Africa shared that they are expecting a double increase in terms of tourism numbers from the GCC. Last year, Malaysia welcomed 164,568 tourists from the region, representing a substantial increase of 85.88% compared to 88,534 tourists in 2022. Therefore, we are optimistic that the arrivals from this region will double compared to last year. In mid-2024, Malaysia’s tourism sector showed strong recovery and growth in tourist numbers compared to previous years. Malaysia experienced a significant increase in international arrivals in 2024, with a 28.9% growth from January to June compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically, the West Asia market saw a rise from 56,592 tourists in the first half of 2023 to 85,559 tourists in 2024, an increase of 51.2%. Malaysia has been actively refining its strategies to attract visitors from the West Asian market. Tourism Malaysia will continue to collaborate with national carriers and foreign airlines through the Charter Flight Matching Grant (GSPC) to increase air traffic from the West Asian market to Malaysia. As of now, the number of flights for the year 2024 is 138 per week with a seating capacity of 41,956 from the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Leveraging air connectivity to increase arrivals to Malaysia and rejuvenating offerings will further enhance Malaysia’s appeal as a preferred tourist destination in this region. Tourism Malaysia and Emirates signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) for a joint promotion campaign at the Arabian Travel Market 2024. In general, our marketing approach for 2024 is geared towards high-impact and fast conversion strategies by …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) celebrated the graduation of 57 Emirati students from its Tourism Youth Summer Camp 2024. This initiative aligns with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the newly launched Tourism Strategy 2030 by empowering over 60 students annually to drive growth in the emirate’s tourism and hospitality sector. Completing its 11th edition this summer, the two-week programme introduced participants aged 16–21 to Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sector. The graduation was attended by participants, their families, key industry partners, and government officials, including: Fergus Bugg, Senior Vice President of Guest Experience at Miral Destinations, Salama Al Shamsi, Culture Sites Management Department Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, Ziad Makhlouf, Director of HR at Abu Dhabi National Hotels, Amna Al Suwaidi, Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFIS); Maral Jule Bedoyan, Education and Learning Resources Manager at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Saleh Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Across 11 highly successful editions of the Tourism Summer Youth Camp, DCT Abu Dhabi has strategically fostered growth within the sector, fulfilling our mandate to build capacity and meet tourism demand now and for years to come. We are proactively encouraging and engaging talented Emiratis, who represent the future of travel and hospitality in Abu Dhabi. We are committed to championing our youth, ensuring they are empowered to contribute to the sustainable development and economic growth of the emirate.” During their five-day placement at 22 prestigious Abu Dhabi hotels (ranging from 4- to 5-star), students rotated through various departments, including the front desk, food and beverage service, kitchen, recreation, and events. This experience provided them with a comprehensive understanding of the …

The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South continues to achieve outstanding private jet movements, with 8,472 movements in the first six months of 2024, a growth of 7% over the same period in 2023. This achievement reflects the growing maturity of the business aviation ecosystem and reinforces Al Maktoum International Airport’s status as the leading airport for international business aviation movements in the Middle East. The growth in private jet movements this year follows a record of 16,657 movements in 2023, with a forecast for these movements to reach 18,000 by the end of 2024. In his comments, HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, said: “We are pleased to see continuous growth of business aviation movements year after year, and we anticipate these figures to further grow as a result of the new developments of aircraft hangars and maintenance facilities in Dubai South and the hosting of MEBAA Show, the region’s leading business aviation event, in December 2024. At MBRAH, we will continue with our mandate to position Dubai as the aviation capital of the world, in alignment with the government’s vision.” MBRAH offers global aerospace players high-level connectivity and is a free-zone destination for the world’s leading airlines, private jet companies, and associated industries. Located in and developed by Dubai South, MBRAH is also home to maintenance centers and training and education campuses.

The Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market in association with UN Tourism and WTTC will see more than 50 tourism dignitaries and leaders from across the globe debate the potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to transform the tourism industry. With an increasing demand for innovative solutions that can revolutionize how we experience and interact with destinations, the industry is on the brink of profound change as a result of technological advancements. The Ministers’ Summit, which takes place on Wednesday 6th November, will debate the transformative potential of AI and emerging technologies in shaping the future of travel and hospitality against the ethical implications of its deployment. This year the Summit, run in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTourism) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), will be moderated by a well-known BBC journalist, bringing together both the public and private sector, to ensure a fair but thought-provoking discussion. Now in its 18th year, this year’s Summit aligns with World Travel Market’s TravelPower campaign, which aims to convey the potential of tourism industry to drive positive change. Ministers will discuss how AI promises enhanced experiences and streamlined processes, and how to ensure that these advancements align with ethical standards. Another key discussion point will be how equitable access to AI technology is essential to prevent existing socio-economic disparities from becoming even further entrenched. Ministers will debate the best ways to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all stakeholders, regardless of their background or resources, have access to the benefits of AI in tourism, one of the main priorities laid out in the UN Secretary-General’s report on Science, Technology and Innovation for sustainable development. WTTC …

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and SETI Institute announced their collaboration agreement as part of a long-term vision to further the development of AlUla Manara Observatory as a leading destination of the future, for space research, discovery and astro-tourism. AlUla is an ancient desert oasis located in North West Saudi Arabia with more than 200,000 years of recorded human history and ancient heritage sites with 7000 years of successive civilisations. The AlUla Manara Observatory is part of an ambitious plan to develop AlUla into a premier destination with a focus on sustainability, community and cultural and knowledge enrichment. As part of the agreement, the SETI Institute will facilitate installation of a Laser SETI instrument at AlUla Manara Observatory. LaserSETI, an optical SETI project, monitors the sky for laser flashes that could indicate the presence of extra-terrestrial technology. The LaserSETI station would be part of a broader network scanning the entire northern hemisphere night sky from various locations. Naif Almalik, AlUla Manara’s Executive Programme Director, said, “This collaboration enhances AlUla’s evolving role as a dynamic hub for science and knowledge exchange. It will equip AlUla Manara with the instruments needed to observe the cosmos in extraordinary detail and establish AlUla as a premier destination for research and astro-tourism. Just an hour’s drive from AlUla’s center, the observatory will inspire local youth to pursue diverse careers in advanced STEM fields, supporting the growth and economic diversification of Saudi Arabia in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions. “ Additionally, the SETI Institute will support in developing data analysis systems for some of the telescopes housed at AlUla Manara Observatory and provide expertise in hardware and instrument development. The SETI Institute’s Centre …

According to the latest figures released by Qatar tourism, during the first seven months they received a total of 2.956 million visitors which is an increase of 26.2 per cent from the same period last year. During the month of July 2024 they welcomed 317,000 visitors. Saudi Arabia maintains its position as the number one source market with 0.86million visitors followed by India with 238,000 visitors and Bahrain with 135,000 visitors. Other top source markets on top are Kuwait, Oman, the US, UK, UAE, Germany and China.

Residents of Qatar can now apply for their Bulgaria visas at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Doha. Inaugurated this week the centre will accept documents for short-term and long-term visas, as well as requests for the legalisation of Police Clearance Certificates to Bulgaria. The contract for VFS Global to provide Bulgaria visa services in Qatar was signed by H.E. Plamen Delev, Ambassador of Bulgaria in Qatar on 22, July 2024. H.E. Plamen Delev, Ambassador of Bulgaria in Qatar, said, “Globalization demands efficient visa services. The strategic outsourcing of the Bulgaria Visas and Police Clearance Certificates legalization with VFS Global in Qatar streamlines the process, leveraging their expertise for smoother travel and business opportunities. This commitment to innovation ensures that our Embassy sets higher levels of exceptional visa services.” Marita Bachhav, Regional Head, VFS Global, said, “We are delighted to be expanding our partnership with the Bulgarian government to offer convenient and efficient visa application services to residents in Qatar. The opening of our new Visa Application Centre in Doha reflects our commitment to providing a seamless and hassle-free experience for travelers seeking Bulgarian visas.” VFS Global has been a trusted partner for the Government of Bulgaria since 2008, and currently operates a network of 92 Bulgaria Visa Application Centres in 16 countries worldwide. Applicants can also choose from a range of optional services* offered by VFS Global for an enhanced customer journey, including SMS updates at every stage of the application process and courier return service for delivery of processed passports to the applicants’ doorstep. VFS Global’s Premium Lounge will also be available to Bulgaria visa applicants, which includes end-to-end professional guidance, a faster application and biometric submission process, and …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral are bringing the prestigious luxury travel fair LOOP CEE to the Middle East for the first time. Titled LOOP BEYOND BORDERS, the landmark event will be held from 15 to 19 September at Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas in Abu Dhabi and Anantara Qasr Al Sarab in Al Dhafra. The high-end platform aims to gather distinguished local hospitality brands, offering them an exclusive opportunity to showcase their products and engage with ultra-luxury buyers, travel partners, and agents from Central and Eastern Europe. Over the course of five days, each exhibitor will have the opportunity to conduct 62 appointments, each lasting for 15 minutes, alongside numerous other opportunities to connect with over 100 top tour operators and agents from 16 central and eastern European countries – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia. Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We look forward to hosting the Middle East’s first ever LOOP CEE event in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a premier destination for luxury travellers seeking the most refined of experiences. LOOP BEYOND BORDERS not only supports Abu Dhabi’s journey to becoming one of the most prominent, must-visit locations in the world, but provides unparalleled networking opportunities and knowledge exchange, strengthening our ties across central and eastern European markets, and fostering long-term collaboration.” Taghrid AlSaeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral said: “We are happy to host the Middle East’s first-ever LOOP CEE event in Abu Dhabi, particularly on Saadiyat Island, …

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced the successful conclusion of the first edition of the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival 2024 at the Exhibitions World Bahrain, where it attracted more than 97,000 visitors from the Kingdom and abroad. Visitors, particularly citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and residents expressed their positive reception of the festival. In its inaugural edition, the festival demonstrated a strong commitment to social responsibility by welcoming children from various charitable organisations and national initiatives. These included the Royal Fund for Fallen Servicemen, the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled, Al Sanabel Orphan Care Society, and the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. Dana Osama Al Saad, Deputy CEO for Resources and Projects at the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), announced the successful conclusion of the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival in its first edition. She commended the cooperative efforts of the relevant government authorities and private sector institutions, emphasising the positive impact of these collaborations on the event. Al Saad expressed her appreciation to Al Dana Amphitheatre, Spacetoon, Exhibition World Bahrain, and the National Bank of Bahrain for their joint and constructive efforts, which resulted in an exceptional summer entertainment festival. She emphasised that the event has significantly bolstered tourism across the Kingdom and strengthened the hospitality sector. She also expressed her aspiration to make the festival an annual event in cooperation with all partners, in line with the plans to develop the tourism sector and achieve the goals of the Tourism Strategy 2022-2026. The Bahrain Summer Toy Festival contributed to boosting the tourism movement in the 2024 summer season, resulting in a significant increase in the occupancy rates of hotels and hospitality establishments. It also increased …