Category Archives: Govt

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) hosted a virtual meeting with His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, and leaders from across the tourism industry, this week. During the meeting, WTTC shared data, revealing the potential global economic impact of COVID-19 on Travel & Tourism. WTTC Members’ high-profile CEOs discussed the impact of COVID-19 and the decisive action needed to protect over 75 million livelihoods that have been put at risk across the sector. The roundtable was chaired by WTTC President and CEO, Gloria Guevara, and H.E. Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of this year’s G20 Tourism Track. As one of the world’s most labour-intensive sectors, supporting 330 million jobs worldwide and one in four new jobs created on the planet in 2019, tourism must be at the heart of global response and recovery efforts. Latest research from WTTC shows the COVID-19 pandemic could result in a loss of up to $2.1 trillion in Travel & Tourism GDP to the world economy. H.E. Al-Khateeb stressed his commitment to working proactively with WTTC in coordinating with the private sector and shaping global crisis response measures to ensure travel and tourism is at the forefront of recovery efforts. H.E. Al Khateeb, said, “The challenge ahead lies in two phases: first in weathering the impact of COVID-19 on people’s lives and businesses and second in rebuilding from it.” He added, “As we work together to outline solutions for the private sector, we look forward to building a collective response for all types of businesses involved – from global conglomerates to the many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that help make tourism a thriving and innovative industry. Guaranteeing …

UAE Minister of State H.E. Zaki Nusseibeh will be sending a message of unity and solidarity in response to global challenges presented by COVID-19 by hosting a live social media event on April 16. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will be holding the online cultural marathon symposium to be attended by UAE Ambassadors representing the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, India, Singapore, China, and Australia. With the participation of museum directors, artists, design specialists, and cultural institutions discussing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and offering solutions and insights, the event will last for over 24 hours. As the UAE intensifies its efforts to support art, the online symposium will serve as a meeting point for arts professionals around the world to explore ways to emerge from this crisis as a global community.

In the absence of a Culture Summit Abu Dhabi 2020 event, The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with global cultural organisations, is delivering a special Culture Summit Abu Dhabi live stream experience, set to be broadcast on YouTube on 9 April at 5pm (UAE time). HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, will chair the panel session ‘Alone Together: Culture and Resilience’, featuring distinguished participants including Ernesto OttoneRamírez, Assistant Director-General for Culture, UNESCO; Alexandra Munroe, Samsung Senior Curator of Asian Art and Senior Adviser, Global Arts, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation; Rebecca Lyons, Director of Collections and Learning, Royal Academy of Arts; Melanie Noronha, Senior Editor, Thought Leadership, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, The Economist Intelligence Unit; and Marisa Henderson, Chief, Creative Economy, UNCTAD. ‘Alone Together: Culture and Resilience’ will address the current global situation and its impact on culture from a social, economic and psychological angle. Culture today is in crisis, but the session will address how it is responding to the threat and helping to create a resilient society that prioritises participation and community support. With culture being the continuous thread which links an increasingly isolated global population, the discussion will assess the impact of this current period of unprecedented crisis on the culture sector, and explore how culture might help to lessen our collective anxiety and trauma. With many institutions closing their doors for an extended period of time, there are severe challenges around funding and staffing, and the panellists will debate how cultural organisations can best endure this period of shutdown, and how we can most effectively support institutions, artists, and the creative …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) launches a range of far reaching support initiatives, aimed at its hospitality, leisure and development partners, during the peak of COVID-19 crisis and to lay the strong foundations for future recovery. In a move that further reflects the emirate’s ‘ONE RAK’ commitment to transparency, ease of doing business and global community spirit, the tourism authority has sent all business partners and stakeholders a comprehensive contingency plan, which maps out short- to mid-term solutions to mitigate the negative impact of coronavirus on travel to Ras Al Khaimah. Addressing partners and stakeholders via a virtual meeting on April 1, Raki Phillips, CEO, RAKTDA, highlighted that the hospitality industry was facing a grave threat from the coronavirus crisis. The UNWTO estimates losses from international visitor spends to be between USD $30-50 billion globally, while The World Travel and Tourism Council have found up to 50 million jobs have been put at risk. RAKTDA’s prompt robust response sees the creation of an internal Stimulus Committee and Steering Stimulus Committee representing the Emirate. Led by Raki Phillips and top executives across the hospitality, leisure and development sectors, specific measures include a six-month waiver of all touristic licenses; waiver of Tourism Dirhams from March to May; a complete exemption of tourism licensing fees for Q2 and Q3 and tourism licensing fines until September 30. This support will be further enhanced by a dedicated Financial Incentive Package aimed towards non-government owned touristic entities, including budget, midscale and 4-star hotels as well as attractions, golf courses and other tourism establishments. In addition to this, hospitality partners will be able to benefit from complimentary participation in a diverse array of exhibitions and …

Oman Ministry of Tourism revealed that significant investments will be poured in, to transform ancient houses into heritage inns and guest houses in an aim to boost tourism efforts promoting the sultanate’s vibrant local heritage. As one of the Ministry’s top priorities, the preservation of ancient houses – which are considered architectural treasures that show Oman’s archaeological character – are central to national initiatives showcasing the unique heritage and rich history and civilisation of the sultanate. The Ministry’s announcement is expected to result in higher tourist arrivals to meet the government’s goal of attracting 11 million local and international visitors by 2040. Boosting domestic tourism will also lead to new job opportunities for citizens and a diversified national economy. Saleh bin Ali Al Khaifi, Director of Promotion and Marketing Department, Oman Ministry of Tourism, said, “Investing in heritage homes is a step in the right direction amid our continued efforts to entice more tourists from all over the world to come visit Oman. Therefore, we are moving forward with our mega tourism projects aimed at transforming old traditional homes into heritage inns with the best services, while preserving and protecting the old structures and the atmosphere of the neighbourhoods in our ancient areas. We will observe the highest standards in these projects, keeping sustainability and the finest hospitality in mind.”

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) revealed that the emirate recorded a three per cent growth in the number of hotel guests in 2019 as compared to 2018. The sector welcomed approximately 1.8 million guests last year with a hotel occupancy rate of 66 per cent. In terms of nationalities, guests from the Russian Federation topped the list, followed by GCC countries such as KSA and Oman, and then India. H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said, “The emirate witnessed robust inflows of tourists throughout last year, thanks to the emirate’s major achievements in terms of the launch of new recreation facilities, tourism initiatives and related activities. Sharjah’s higher hotel occupancy rates can be attributed to the success of the initiatives and projects implemented in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to further enhance the emirate’s position on the global tourism landscape.” Al Midfa noted that by the end of 2019, the emirate had more than 10,000 hotel rooms, comprising 1,331 rooms in nine 5-star hotels; 2,733 rooms in 21 4-star hotels; as well as thirty one in one to three-star hotels; and 2,485 apartments in 40 hotel apartment facilities. Furthermore, six new 5-star and 4-star hotels were inaugurated last year, and more than seven new hotel projects are expected to be unveiled in 2020. This reflects Sharjah’s growth as a must-visit destination for families, business travellers and those seeking exciting tourism and recreation activities, and highlights investor confidence in Sharjah’s flourishing tourism sector.

The Saudi Entertainment Ventures Company (SEVEN) has announced the expansion of new entertainment complexes to prime locations across the Kingdom. These will delight residents and tourists alike and contribute to positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub for entertainment and leisure. The entertainment complexes will meet the fast-growing tourism sector and contribute to realising the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. They are being developed in key strategic geographic locations, providing large resident populations with innovative leisure choices that will appeal to all the family. Each complex will feature several entertainment and leisure choices including cinemas, play areas, rides, F&B, attractions and more. Abdullah Al Dawood, Chairman of SEVEN, said, “We have a clearly structured development plan to build 20 entertainment destinations, 50 cinemas and two large theme parks in prime locations across the Kingdom. We are committed to realising the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to accelerate the creation of world-class entertainment assets in the Kingdom that support economic diversification, create new jobs, and contribute to socio-economic progress. Our complexes will position the Kingdom as an entertainment, culture and tourism hub of the region.” “At SEVEN, we believe in promoting and creating opportunities for the private sector to thrive in the fast-evolving entertainment landscape of the Kingdom. We are inviting the most ambitious and creative business partners and vendors to join us in our remarkable step forward to shape the entertainment landscape of the Kingdom,” said Al Dawood. 

The Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with relevant health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has announced the following regulations: Temporary suspension on issuing tourism visas to tourists from countries with significant coronavirus risk areas: China, Italy, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Kazakhstan; Temporary suspension on processing tourism visas previously issued to the citizens from the above-mentioned countries; Temporary suspension on issuing or processing tourism visas for anyone who have visited high risk areas within the past 14 days; Continued issuing of electronic and on arrival tourist visas for citizens from other permitted countries; Tourism visa holders will not be permitted to visit Makkah and Al Madina. The Ministry of Tourism stated that such measures are taken to provide the utmost protection to citizens, residents and tourists visiting Saudi Arabia. This is in line with the recommendations of relevant health authorities concerned with applying the highest precautionary standards, and taking proactive preventive measures to avoid the entrance and spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Tourism announced that these measures are temporary and are being constantly monitored by relevant authorities.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)  announced stellar visitor figures for 2019 with arrivals up almost 4 per cent to 1.12 million and RevPAR recorded at an impressive $114.90, amongst the highest in the region. This was reflected by the strong yearly occupancy rates, averaging at 74 per cent.  Last year’s inbound growth was spurred by a variety of activities undertaken by the Emirate, inclusive of the launch of the Jais Sky tour, and hosting of the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, Tough Mudder and the prestigious UAE tour. In addition, corporate activity and M!CE participation further contributed to the growth in visitor numbers, with RAKTDA conducting 122 familiarisation trips, participating at 20 exhibitions and completing 34 roadshows across 16 countries. Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, commented, “2019 was a positive year for Ras Al Khaimah, as we saw increased footfall from key markets resulting in the overall arrival growth of almost 4 per cent. Ras Al Khaimah is in the midst of its three-year destination strategy which aims to broaden its reach through increased segmentation. A key focus has been on higher yield visitors such as M!CE delegates, as well as prioritising sustainable nature-based adventure and culture driven activities and experiences.”

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) is set to open a skatepark at Saqr Park in Ras Al Khaimah, with a fun-filled family event from February 27-29, 2020. A free public event that’s open to all, skatepark at Saqr Park will come to life from 3 pm to 10 pm each day in an alfresco festival of food, shopping and skating action. Its official opening will be celebrated on February 28 with special performances from renowned international skateboarders – 15-year-old Isabelly Avila, her father Garcia Rodriguez and 13-year-old Virginia Fortes Aguas. They will also lead workshops where visitors will have the opportunity to skate with the pros and pick up key techniques, skills and tricks. There will also be games, entertainment, music and an array of delicious food options to choose from throughout the three-day event as well as an outdoor market of goods from local artisans and retailers for those looking to do some shopping. Its opening aligns with RAKTDA’s mandate to cater to the array of interests of visitors to the emirate as well as the local community. It offers a well-equipped outdoor space spanning 620 sqm for the UAE’s growing skating community and guests to face off against a series of obstacles, including a bowl, pyramids, ledges, banks and round rails. The park will enhance Saqr Park’s standing as a one-of-a-kind leisure venue and is set to become a hotspot for the emirate’s avid skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX bike riders.