Category Archives: Govt

The Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), an institution established by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), is holding its annual series of Open Days to raise awareness of its vocational and specialised courses for prospective students. The next DCT Open Day will be held on April 22 at DCT’s new campus located at One Central, in the Dubai World Trade Centre area. The first Open Day of 2019 was held on March 23, kicking off the programme which will offer six further Open Days on Saturdays during the summer months. Dates include April 27, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3 and August 24, 2019.  Open to both prospective students and their parents, the Open Days will be held between 2-6 pm, giving first-hand insight into the world-class vocational education programme that is offered at DCT across five core disciplines: Retail, Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Events. Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of Dubai College of Tourism, said, “The Open Days at DCT provide an opportunity for prospective students to tour our brand-new campus, learn about the various programmes available, meet the instructors and also talk to current students to get a better understanding of the specialised courses on offer. We are committed to providing the highest quality training packages, delivered within a friendly environment that will also help pave the way for students to find suitable job placements through our network of stakeholders. We hope our Open Days will encourage applications from prospective students who are interested in joining us for the September 2019 intake to continue their education as they pursue a range of qualifications including Certificates, Diplomas and Applied Bachelors Programmes.”

As the region readies itself for the upcoming Ramadan celebrations Dubai is introducing another retail festival for the tourists and residents of Dubai, to further its position as a hub for homeware. Celebrating the very best of the emirate’s homeware offering, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) announced the inaugural Dubai Home Festival (DHF) will run from April 18 to May 1 and give homeware fans the perfect opportunity to shop. Showcasing Dubai as the hub of homeware in the Middle East, the citywide event will feature an array of unmissable home furnishing sales, exclusive promotions, events and life-changing chances to win an apartment throughout the festival. From interiors inspiration to design deals, there will be a host of global and homegrown brands on display, as well as a range of exciting in-mall activations and opportunities to snap up homeware collections as part of the exciting DHF Reveals programme. A key element of the festival, shoppers will also have the opportunity to take part in a series of interesting workshops and masterclasses hosted by design experts to help finesse their furnishing style and create the ultimate decorative pieces. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, commented, “Dubai has a rich history in hosting must-visit festivals that attract tourists from across the world, including the flagship Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, and we are now incredibly proud to be unveiling the very first Dubai Home Festival. We’ve seen significant growth in Dubai’s homeware industry and together with our strategic retail partners, we are excited to shine a spotlight on this flourishing sector to give consumers the opportunity to enjoy unbeatable sales, promotions and events in this …

Looking for a weekend staycation, long-haul getaway or the perfect Eid break on a budget? Visit the first-ever ATM Holiday Shopper where hundreds of exclusive travel and tourism deals will be on offer for one day only. “Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on April 27 – the day before the official opening of Arabian Travel Market – travel agencies, hotels and far-flung destinations will be offering a wide range of incredible deals to consumers attending the show,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. With itineraries for thousands of hotels and resorts across the world, Middle Eastern holiday website HolidayMe will be providing 20 per cent off package holidays to the first 100 visitors to its stand. While Holiday Factory, a leading tour operator in the UAE market, will be offering 10 per cent off package holidays to 25 destinations across the Indian Ocean, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. If you’re looking for a relaxing family break over Eid, visit Ras Al Khaimah’s stand and receive up to 20 per cent off on hotel stays or a complimentary room upgrade at various properties across the emirate as well as up to 20 per cent off on spa treatments and food and beverage during your stay. Attendees can immerse themselves in faraway cultures with the world’s first Virtual Reality (VR) Travel experience. Ride through the streets or soar over the sights of some of the world’s most famous cities including Rome, Tokyo, the Swiss Alps, Masai Mara Kenyan Safari, Dubai, Paris and Washington DC. Enjoy a range of family-friendly attractions throughout the day such as cultural displays, calligraphy, henna and falconry amongst many other activities. …

For the second time in a row the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and ITB China, set to take place from May 15 to 17, 2019 in Shanghai, have joined together to promote education and professional development in the hospitality industry. HSMAI is a 90-year-old, global, non-profit association with more than 7,000 members committed to growing business for hotels and their partners. It has recently recruited Asia’s top hotel revenue managers to join forces to produce a training programme that underpins a new online industry education platform. Appropriately, on May 17 the dedicated ‘Education & Job Day’ is being held for the second time at the ITB China Conference 2019. It is focusing on the exchange of educational knowledge and the promotion of career opportunities of current and future talents of the Chinese travel industry. HSMAI will be conducting a session in the presentation hub on May 17, 2019 starting at 10 am covering the topics of Revenue Management, Data Intelligence and Hotel Sales Distributions. These topics form part of HSMAI’s Certificate in Revenue Management (Hospitality) launched in 2017 and created by the senior leaders of revenue management in hotels around the world. “HSMAI have been busy updating our current courses and developing new education and courses to assist hotel professionals to grow their careers. In 2019, we’ll be developing new programmes for hoteliers to continue their learning in digital marketing, distribution and managing commercial functions”, says Jackie Douglas, President HSMAI Asia Pacific. Huilian Duan, President of the HSMAI Greater China Chapter Board, urged her industry colleagues to get behind the education, “All Sales, Revenue and Digital Directors should be certified in their respective fields.  Only HSMAI can …

Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi are taking Jeddah residents on an immersive tour of Abu Dhabi across VOX Cinemas using 3D projection mapping. This is the first time this technology is being utilised to promote a destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the wider Middle East region.  This month, projection mapping will turn VOX cinemas into a theatrical stage to provide viewers with a simulated first person experience of what it’s like flying with Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi. Tim Burnell, Vice President Marketing, Etihad Airways, said, “Abu Dhabi is a dynamic capital with a wealth of exciting opportunities to offer to every type of traveller. We are delighted that today’s technology can showcase what our airline and capital has to offer, by bringing the experience to them, making them feel like they are actually here.” Viewers will board an Etihad aircraft and walk around the Business Cabin before being transported to world-famous leisure attractions including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and to Warner Bros. At World Abu Dhabi, famous cartoon and comic characters such as Bugs Bunny and Batman will interact with the audience. The journey continues to a mangrove forest, followed by miles of beautiful white sand beaches and a live cooking demonstration, before closing on Abu Dhabi’s rich skyline.

Tripfez, a provider of halal travel content to several major OTAs in the Middle East, has marked a major milestone as Malaysia’s first Islamic Digital Economy (IDE) compliant travel firm. The Online Travel Agency (OTA), Asia’s leading provider of Muslim-friendly travel packages, which recently merged with the Middle East’s award-winning holiday booking site, holidayme, is the only company in the travel industry to receive a verification and listing by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). This distinction follows MDEC’s recent introduction of Malaysia’s first IDE Mi’yar as it consolidates its position as the world’s leading Islamic economy and reinforces Tripfez’s reputation as a leading halal travel brand, regionally and in global growth markets including the Middle East. To be listed as IDE compliant, companies are required to comply with the Shariah Compliant Startup Mi’yar and Mi’yar for Technology Product & Services, which is validated through a screening process to scrutinise business activities in the digital space, as well as the operational end-to-end processes within the company — from product and services and financial management to capital structure. Shariah advisory firm, the Amanie Group, which specialises in Islamic financial services, conducts the screening process. “IDE compliancy sets Tripfez apart from the competition, providing a clear message to our customers and our investors that we are the leading Muslim travel brand in every respect, from the products and services we offer to the way in which we conduct our business,” said Tripfez Founder & CEO, Faeez Fadhlillah, Asia’s most widely-known and influential entrepreneur in the halal tourism arena. “A robust Islamic Digital Economy provides Malaysia with a distinct competitive advantage and Tripfez is proud to be leading the way in the field of …

Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) launched a new sponsorship scheme to drive continued innovation and sustainability across Dubai’s events industry. Reaffirming Dubai’s position as a global events hub, the scheme is designed to further empower leisure event organisers with additional incentivisation opportunities in the form of event sponsorship. The new process will build on the growth and competitiveness of the city’s event sector, which recorded an increase of over 100,000 ticket sales and 25 additional events in the first quarter of 2019 when compared to the same period last year. Continuing to effectively showcase Dubai’s proposition as a host city for international events from around the world, the scheme will target entertainment events and will be applicable for events that are ticketed and open to the public, with an eligible leisure event permit. With state-of-the-art venues across the city, Dubai is well placed to compete on the global stage to host international events, as it continues to grow its reputation as a world leading leisure and entertainment destination. The scheme will work in conjunction with the department’s ticketing and permits services to streamline management and coordination of event licensing activities and provide greater operational efficiency. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, said, “The sponsorship scheme forms part of our commitment to retain the city’s status as a leading global event destination and has been designed to build on this momentum and act as a catalyst for the local events industry.” The sponsorship scheme, which will directly support leisure event organisers, will take effect for events being held from May 1, 2019 through an online application process. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, …

Dubai has moved up in the ranking of the world’s top 10 maritime capitals in 2019, the latest in its string of achievements that has made the emirate a globally competitive maritime hub. The emirate took the 9th spot this year, up from its 10th rank in 2017, according to a recent report issued by Menon Economics and DNV GL, the global organization that specializes in benchmarking top maritime capitals of the world. The report surveyed 200 experts and high-profile officials from leading maritime companies worldwide. Around 40 per cent of the experts were from Europe, 30 per cent from Asia, and 30 per cent from the US, Middle East, and Africa. H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World; Chairman of Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation and Chairman of DMCA, said, “We are delighted to achieve this new global achievement that demonstrates the progress of the maritime sector in Dubai led with a leadership vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, and his support to the industry and keen efforts to enable our teams to achieve better results in all areas related to the maritime sector. I would also like to thank the DMCA team for its work and dedication to ensure improved local maritime services at all levels.”    

The Dubai Pass, an all-inclusive, pre-paid pass, created by iVenture Card and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) is offering users access to 15 more attractions, with 48 experiences now available to choose from through the upgraded pass. With a competitive starting price of AED 425 (US$116) for adults and AED 405 (US$110) for children, the newly re-launched pass offers great value on entrance to a number of the city’s high-profile attractions, tours and experiences enabling visitors to enjoy the best of Dubai for less. With the ultimate attractions pass, visitors to the city can now choose from 48 of Dubai’s leading experiences. Combining the best of the emirate’s sightseeing, theme parks, cruises, adventure and cultural experiences into a pre-paid pass, users can save up to 60 per cent overall on Dubai’s leading leisure spots. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, “Dubai Pass has been enhanced to provide visitors with ease of access to a variety of the city’s tourist attractions through offering a range of experiences at great value for both families and independent travellers.” Dubai Pass offers three bespoke packages that allow users to discover Dubai’s diverse destination offering with special pricing packages for both adults and children. With options to purchase the Dubai Select, Dubai Flexi or Dubai Unlimited Pass, users are invited to explore the best of the city with more flexibility and at better value. Additionally, with the purchase of every Dubai Pass, visitors can also enjoy a 50% discount on tickets to one of the city’s leading shows, La Perle by Dragone, by simply presenting their Dubai Pass upon purchase of the tickets.

As part of its strategy to further boost growth in the tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MiCE) sectors of Bahrain, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) continues to participate in events and initiatives including global conferences, congresses and exhibitions that showcase infrastructure development with an aim to promote Bahrain as the tourism and MiCE destination of choice. The BTEA’s Director of Exhibitions and Conferences Marketing and Promotion, Fawzi Tulefat, represented the BTEA in one of UFI’s major annual events, UFI Middle East/Africa Conference 2019, which was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre on April 8 and 9,   2019 under the theme of ‘Embracing Change and Looking Forward to the Future’. Annually, the UFI Middle East and Africa Conference is attended by over 70 member and non-member trade fair exhibition organizers, exhibition centres, associations and service providers related to the exhibition industry. During the conference, Tulefat, a panelist on Venue / Organizers – Panel Discussion during the first day of the conference, actively discussed the new developments in Bahrain’s MiCE industry and highlighted the achievements of BTEA including updates on the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Centre which is expected to be completed in early 2021.  The tourism attractions of Bahrain and the new Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Centre will take center stage from May 21 to 23, 2019 at the Bahrain Pavilion at the IMEX 2019, which will be held at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany.  The BTEA will be joined by seven co-exhibitors from the business tourism and hospitality industry in Bahrain. The IMEX 2019 is an annual global MiCE industry event bringing together over 14,500 participants including 3,500 exhibitors from over 160 countries from around …