Category Archives: Govt

Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports) reported that it facilitated the travel of 13,983,885 passengers, marking a 33.5% increase compared to the first half of 2023. Zayed International Airport (AUH) alone facilitated 13,726,550 passengers, representing a 33.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023, exceeding expectations. This surge in passenger traffic was supported by a 24.3% rise in flight movements, with a total of 84,286 movemernts recorded during the first half of 2024 compared to 67,835 flights in H1 2023. Following strong performance during the first quarter, AD Airports expanded its customer base by welcoming two new airlines at Zayed International Airport in the second quarter, US Bangla with three weekly flights to Chittagong and four weekly flights to Dhaka, and British Airways serving London Heathrow daily. The airport operators’ network of destinations also expanded through the addition of year-round services to Sarajevo (Wizzair Abu Dhabi), Chandigarh (IndiGo) and Jaipur, Antalya, Bali and Gassim (Etihad) and Turbat (Pakistan International Airline), and seasonal flights to Trabzon (Air Arabia Abu Dhabi) and Nice, Mykonos, Santorini and Malaga (Etihad). Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at AD Airports, said: “Our traffic results for the first six months of this year are a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire team at Abu Dhabi Airports. We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which highlights the resilience of our teams, airline partners, and stakeholder community, as well as the robustness of our infrastructure during the peak operational season. We are enthusiastic about the future of Abu Dhabi’s tourism and trade prospects and the pivotal role our airports will play in boosting tourism and trade.” AD Airports also handled an impressive 254,300 tonnes …

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Nicolás Grau, the Minister of Economy, Development, and Tourism of Chile, to explore new avenues to strengthen economic ties between the two countries in the fields of new economy, tourism, aviation, entrepreneurship, e-commerce, renewable energy, technology, and agriculture. H.E. Bin Touq emphasized the UAE’s robust and expanding economic relations with the Republic of Chile, highlighting that the two countries have successfully forged sustainable and diverse partnerships and agreements across various economic and investment domains. The meeting highlighted the significance of signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Chile as a major step towards strengthening the existing economic cooperation in various sectors. The primary objective of the agreement is to enhance investment flows, create opportunities, expand trade, and encourage partnerships at the private sector level. Furthermore, it will streamline the access of companies from both countries to promising markets and opportunities in Asia and South America. H.E. Bin Touq said: “We consider the Republic of Chile as a valuable economic partner for the UAE in South America, as it boasts a favourable investment environment. We look forward to elevating our economic relations to new heights at both government and private sector levels, as well as exploring promising opportunities in sectors and areas of mutual interest.” The discussions focused on the significance of strengthening collaborative efforts to introduce new programs for small and medium-sized projects in both markets. The two ministers agreed on the importance of empowering the SMEs sector and facilitating the entry of their exports to foreign markets. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of enabling Chilean entrepreneurs and startups to leverage …

Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024, a 9% increase over the 8.55 million tourist arrivals in the first half of 2023, according to data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Following a landmark 2023, when the city hosted 17.15 million international overnight visitors, Dubai has continued to sustain its strong tourism momentum. The growth in the first six months of this year puts the city on track for a record performance in 2024. Guided by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and driven by DET’s efforts in collaboration with stakeholders, the rise in international visitation aligns with the ambitious goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and leisure. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “Guided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s strategic vision, Dubai’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate its robust growth potential and attractive proposition for global travellers. With its sustained growth, Dubai is setting the standard for cities worldwide, in line with the objective of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to establish Dubai as one of the world’s top urban economies.” His Highness urged all industry stakeholders to expand partnerships with key markets, explore new opportunities and work to enhance Dubai’s value offering by creating rich and memorable experiences. “The strong tourism growth achieved by Dubai in the first …

Accommodation and food services activities sector posted a growth of 3.8%, with a value of AED 4.7 billion. Its contribution to the GDP reached 4.1%, driving economic growth by 0.2 percentage points. According to data from the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai’s hotels maintained high occupancy levels, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 83%. Dubai welcomed 5.2 million international visitors during the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2023. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, reiterated that the emirate’s economy continues to grow steadily and showcase robust economic indicators that exemplify the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The strength of Dubai’s economy is amply demonstrated in the 3.2% economic growth it achieved in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year, by adding more than AED 115 billion in GDP terms, Sheikh Hamdan said. His Highness said it is especially commendable that the emirate’s successes in this regard highlight the combined efforts and teamwork of various stakeholders to realise the objectives of the emirate’s comprehensive development plans for 2033, specially the Dubai economic Agenda (D33) and Dubai Social Agenda 2033, which serve to enhance overall standards of wellbeing and quality of life while consolidating Dubai’s standing as a global economic capital and its attractiveness as a destination for foreign investments. Sheikh Hamdan said: “Dubai is progressing in accordance with a clear vision whose …

Mohamed Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral shared that last year was successful with Yas island receiving 34million visits and the recently opened SeaWorld welcoming over one million at the special collaboration between WB and Etihad Airways. Yas island is one of the key entertainment destinations for the entire family hence even during summer, they experience a good footfall of visitors from across the globe. One of the key reasons for the destination to receive visitors all year around is that all their parks are indoor which is an advantage making it one of the most visited places in Abu Dhabi.

The United Arab Emirates and China signed MoU to increase air connectivity between the two countries. The negotiations resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase air connectivity between the airports of the UAE and the airports of China. Additionally, both parties agreed to enhance cooperation and collaboration in the civil aviation sector and to explore new initiatives that would strengthen bilateral relations in the aviation sector. The United Arab Emirates, represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), held a round of Air Services Consultation’s with the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) in Beijing. The aim was to enhance bilateral air transport relations between the two countries and to increase air connectivity. The UAE delegation was led by His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA. In this context, H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, highlighted the authority’s dedication to enhancing air transport services, bolstering its international presence, and improving air connectivity to benefit the UAE’s national carriers. He expressed commendation for the agreements reached during the discussions, foreseeing a substantial positive impact on the economic sectors of mutual interest. He emphasized the significance of collaboration and the exchange of expertise between the two countries in areas of aviation security, safety, air transport, aviation industry and investments in the aviation sector. He added that the first Air Connectivity Forum between the two countries, held on July 15, was instrumental in achieving positive outcomes in the negotiations. He also highlighted the necessity of holding such forums on a consistent basis to support and strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan, the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers, Amideast/Jordan, and Boeing have launched the “Disabled Soldiers Empowering Tourism” program. Training sessions have begun in Amman and Irbid, marking a significant step in preparing wounded, injured, and sick servicemembers and veterans for careers in Jordan’s tourism and aviation industries. His Royal Highness Prince Mired Bin Ra’ad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers, reaffirmed his commitment to empowering wounded and injured soldiers: “Under the directive of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, and to act on His Majesty’s vision of achieving equality, social justice, and economic empowerment, this program is launched as a step towards progressing vital development goals. These goals include the rehabilitation, support, and integration of disabled soldiers to enable them to obtain job opportunities and economic prospects in the tourism sector. This aligns with our ongoing efforts at the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers to unify and consolidate efforts to build economic empowerment programs that meet the needs of various sectors and provide inclusive job opportunities.” Over the next months, 50 participants aged 20-45 will continue to engage in a comprehensive upskilling program, investing 220 hours in training. The injured servicemembers and veterans will not only enhance their English language proficiency but also cultivate essential soft and technical skills vital for success in tourism and aviation. With tailored training sessions addressing industry-specific demands, courtesy of active participation from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, participants will be well-equipped for transitioning into civilian careers. The program with Jordan’s Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers builds upon Boeing’s ongoing partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation, supporting the recovery and …

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (SZGM) has secured top positions globally among the most revered cultural and historical landmarks, according to the 2024 report of leading travel and tourism platform TripAdvisor. Recognition in the report, derived from the analysis of more than eight million data points provided by travellers of diverse nationalities, is a testament to the mosque’s universal appeal and the rich experiences it offers. SZGM’s unique cultural and historical experiences have earned it 10th place globally and the first position in the Middle East in the Top Attractions category among 25 world-class attractions. In the Top Experiences category, SZGM secured 17th place globally and second in the Middle East for the travel experience from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which includes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, and Etihad Towers. Furthermore, in the Cultural and Historical Experiences category, it ranked third globally, showing significant progress compared to 2023, with improvements of five ranks in the Attractions category, three in Experiences, and four in Cultural and Historical Experiences. His Excellency Dr Yousif Alobaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC), said: “The mosque’s realisation of this global milestone reflects the vision of our leadership. This accomplishment is the fruit of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s five-year strategic plan to enhance its services and offer visitors new experiences. These results also underscore the centre’s success in training over 250 young UAE Nationals in the field of cultural tour guidance and visitor services. These individuals are staff of the centre and graduates of the Ibn Al Dar programme, which is part of the AL Shabab AL Banie initiative. They are responsible for delivering more than 5,000 cultural tours annually within …

According to the statistics by GACA, there was a 17% increase in the number of passengers over the past six months, reaching approximately 62 million passengers, compared to 53 million passengers during the same period last year. The number of flights also reached approximately 446,000, marking a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, which saw 399,000 flights. Additionally, the airfreight volume in the first six months of 2024 witnessed a 41% increase, reaching 606,000 tons compared to the 430,000 tons in the same period of 2023. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) released air-traffic statistics showing significant growth in the number of passengers and flights during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. During the first half of this year, GACA launched several development projects, including the development and expansion of Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, the inauguration of the development and expansion of Al-Ahsa International Airport, the launch of the new additional international departure terminal at Taif International Airport, and the introduction of the self-driving air taxi experience for the first time during the Hajj season. Furthermore, the authority granted the first operating permit for building cleaning using drones, which illustrates its commitment to enabling safe and innovative advanced air mobility solutions. It also launched a knowledge-testing center for aviation personnel and the first phase of electronic gates at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. In terms of service quality provided to passengers, GACA won two gold awards for Best Customer Service and Best Public Service Center in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, the Consumer Protection Association award for excellence in protecting passengers’ rights, and the …

Diriyah announced over SAR7.8 billion ($2 billion) mixed -use development in northern region. It involves the construction of advanced educational institutions, cultural venues, modern offices, and a luxury hotel. Diriyah Company announced the signing of a contract with El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd (ESEC), in partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC), for a large-scale construction project in the northern part of Diriyah. The project will be executed by some of the most prominent real-estate developers from Saudi Arabia and around the world, contributing to the realization of the Diriyah Company, which represents one of the most important historical and cultural destinations in the Kingdom and a key project of Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement was signed by Diriyah Company Group chief executive Jerry Inzerillo, ESEC chief executive Eng. Ahmed Al Bassam, and CSCEC’s KSA Branch chief executive Chuanhai Wei. Construction work is set to commence in the third quarter of this year. “This represents a major step in our accelerating development strategy and commitment to making Diriyah one of the most important and prominent tourist, humanitarian, and cultural destinations in the world,” Inzerillo said. “This contract is one of the largest in terms of size, scope, and significance within the development plan for the Diriyah project. This agreement also represents another example of the close economic relations and strong commercial partnerships being established between Saudi Arabia and China,” the chief executive said. The agreement is a testament to the local and global stature of the Diriyah project and its ability to attract more economic opportunities to the Kingdom. The project offers tremendous investment opportunities and an attractive business environment characterized by the highest standards of governance, …