Category Archives: Govt

In line with its efforts to promote Sharjah’s tourism and hospitality offerings among Kazakh tourists, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will lead a high-level delegation from the emirate of Sharjah at the Kazakhstan International Tourism and Travel Fair (KITF 2018). The event is scheduled to be held in the Kazakh city of Almaty from April 18 to 20 at the Almaty International Exhibition Centre. SCTDA’s participation will thus facilitate the achievement of Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, which aims to attract 10 million visitors to the emirate by 2021. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, emphasised on the importance of the authority’s participation in the Kazakhstan International Tourism and Travel Fair, as it reflects the commitment of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to make the emirate the ideal family destination. He added that the participation coincides with the recent decision to exempt Kazakh tourists from pre-entry visa requirements to enter the UAE. Al Midfa commented, “SCTDA’s marketing plans are designed to meet the current and the future requirements of the emirate’s tourism and commercial sectors. Our participation in KITF 2018 highlights Sharjah’s unique tourist attractions that make it one of the best tourist destinations that cater to tourists seeking to explore heritage, science, culture and the arts.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched an online Event Ticketing System, part of its Event Licensing System. This new system aims to streamline and facilitate event registration and licensing procedures, in addition to establishing a database for tracking tourism performance, growth trends and types of events, collating event information – including segments, speakers and activities – and providing indicators of rates of success and achievement of objectives. DCT held a series of specialised workshops for those interested in using the Event Ticketing System, including hotel establishments, event organisers, shopping centres and hall owners. The system includes events where tickets are sold after obtaining the initial approval from the system, in addition to providing an additional database for ticketed events. Nasser Al Reyami, Director – Regulatory and Licensing Department, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “This system is a new starting point for the Event Licensing System, which is managed by DCT Abu Dhabi with the aim of providing solutions and infrastructure to support its activities and maintaining the steady growth of the emirate’s tourism sector. This step reflects our commitment to adopting an e-services system, consolidating Abu Dhabi’s leadership as a sustainable tourism destination and a global economic hub.”

A tourism delegation led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) visited three major cities in China this month, to help raise awareness about the emirate as a holiday destination for Chinese travellers. The delegation, which included Etihad Airways, hotels, tour operators and attractions, first visited capital city Beijing, followed by Nanjing and finally Guangzhou, for its annual roadshow. China is now the leading overseas source market for Abu Dhabi hotel guests, with the latest figures revealing a 40.9 per cent increase, year-to-date, from visitors from China compared to 2017. In the first two months of 2018, 86,400 Chinese visited the emirate, with February alone accounting for an impressive 83.6 per cent increase. The Department is targeting 600,000 Chinese hotel guests a year by 2021. DCT Abu Dhabi has been spearheading a number of delegations visiting the Chinese market on roadshows and promotional exhibitions. Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director Promotions and Overseas Offices, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “With a diverse range of leisure, entertainment options, high-quality hotels and shopping malls, Abu Dhabi will continue to position itself as an attractive destination for Chinese travellers. Moving forward, we will continue to promote Abu Dhabi’s unique offerings focused on presenting the best culturally-enriching experiences to our Chinese visitors who are seeking to experience new cultures.”

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is embarking on a four-city roadshow to India along with partners and stakeholders to help promote the emirate and lure more Indian visitors to explore Abu Dhabi. The delegation, which includes Rotana Hotels, Yas Experience, Royal Arabian Destination Management, Royal Rose Hotels, Etihad Airways, Jet Airways, Lama Tours, Air Travel Enterprises, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, and Holiday Inn Hotels will be in India from until March 23. The roadshow began in Chandigarh in northern India, followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai and concluding in Pune. Last year, more than 360,000 Indians stayed in Abu Dhabi’s 162 hotels and hotel apartments, an increase of more than 11 per cent compared to the previous year. Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director, Promotions and Overseas Offices, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “India is a vital Tier-I source market for us which is providing more and more hotel guests for us each year and helped us reach a record of more than 4.9 million numbers of guests last year. In 2017, we recorded spectacular double-digit growth from India and we are already recording further progress from the Indian market since the turn of the year.”  

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is all set for its 19th participation at the Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT) in a bid to promote Sharjah’s top tourist spots, attract more international visitors, and join the world’s leading tourism and hospitality events. Running from March 13 to 15, 2018, the 25th edition of MITT will provide SCTDA with a global platform to highlight the emirate’s promotional plans to enhance its position as a leading family tourist destination and attract 10 million tourists by 2021 based on the objective of Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021. SCTDA’s presence in the exhibition signifies its full commitment to collaborate with industry pioneers and investors from Europe and 80 other top-notch international touristic destinations. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, will lead the participating delegates. Commenting on the participation, Al Midfa said, “In 2017, local hotels welcomed a total of 266,086 Russian guests compared with 112,171 visitors received in 2016. The numbers represented an impressive growth rate of 137 per cent. Our 19th participation in MITT is another opportunity to enhance the emirate’s presence in Russia, one of Sharjah’s largest source markets.”

The number of hotel guests staying in Abu Dhabi during January rose 7.4 per cent versus the same month a year ago, building on the success of a record-breaking 2017 when close to a total of five million people stayed in the emirate. In total 437,228 hotel guests stayed in the emirate’s 162 hotels and hotel apartments during January, up  more than 30,000 over the previous year, figures disclosed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). All three regions recorded an increase in hotel guests, Abu Dhabi up 6.3%, Al Ain Region up 7% and Al Dhafra Region up 17.3%. Multiple countries provided double-digit year-on-year growth in January, notably China (10.7%), India (31.5%), UK (19.1%), Saudi Arabia (15.4%) and the United States (36.1%). The surge in Indian travellers to the emirate, which rose 11.5% in 2017 to total 359,000, continued in January with more than 34,000 Indian hotel guests staying in Abu Dhabi, an increase of 31.5% on the year. DCT Abu Dhabi has focused on extensive marketing across India and held a number of roadshows in the country to attract more Indian travellers to experience the emirate.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is all set to showcase Sharjah’s latest major tourism projects and infrastructure developments during its 21st participation at ITB Berlin 2018, to be held from March 7 to 11. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, who will attend the five-day event, is set to lead the delegation. High-level representatives from 12 government and private organisations will also join the SCTDA team to put the spotlight on their world-class tourism and cultural services and initiatives. The participating government institutions will consist of Knowledge without Borders, Expo Centre Sharjah, The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), The Sharjah Museums Authority and Sharjah International Airport. The private companies will comprise Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa, Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency,  Al Rais Tours & Holidays, and Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa. H.E. Al Midfa said, “ITB Berlin is a strategic opportunity for us at SCTDA to put Sharjah on the international tourism and business maps in line with the government’s economic development agenda. Germany and other major European nations are important markets for Sharjah. As such, we consistently roll out relevant initiatives catering to European visitors to further strengthen our relations as well as form new mutually beneficial agreements.”

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced its cooperation with the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WTFGA) to host a training programme for ‘tourism guides’ organised in collaboration with the World Tourism Organisation (WTO). The six week programme, held across two phases, will be entitled ‘tour guiding principles’. The preparatory course will provide the necessary training and practical guidance skills for about 100 participants. The course also targets those who wish to improve their practical skills. Themed on “Train the Trainer,” the second phase of the programme will target 12 participants. It will focus on training the mentors to become trainers or trainers who wish to enhance their training skills and gain accreditation from the World Tourism Organisation. The training course aims to develop common standards for capacity building and guidelines, in addition to enhancing the experience of tourists by facilitating access to cultural and historical sites, develop specific tourism products and services, and prolong the stay of visitors in the Kingdom. “The Authority has always sought to develop its human capital and sharpen their skills, which stems from its belief in their vital role in the progress and development of the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Providing services to visitors and meeting their needs is important to enhance their tourism experience,” said Hesham Al Saken, Director of Facilities and Tourism Services, BTEA.

Dubai Health Authority, in collaboration with the Thumbay Group, celebrated the achievements of the emirate’s healthcare sector and recognised several game changers in the industry. His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director General, Dubai Health Authority, graced the Annual Health Awards 2018 ceremony as the chief guest. As many as 35 winners in 23 categories including private and public-sector organisations and individuals, as well as 17 legendary dignitaries were recognised for their pioneering roles in shaping the healthcare industry of the region. Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, was also present. “We would first like to thank you all for attending the award ceremony, symbolising a new addition to the arena of excellence, creativity and innovation that distinguishes Dubai from other international cities. We would like to congratulate the winners and thank the Thumbay Group for its cooperation with DHA and keenness in supporting the Authority’s efforts to provide a competitive environment among the health sector and its employees,” Al Qutami observed. He further added, “We derive the values of positive competition from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The award was also inspired by His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.”

The Health Bank in partnership with Dubai Health Experience (DXH) has announced the launch of DXH SmartCare to provide health tourists with a single point of contact for seamless healthcare coordination, second medical opinion, flight bookings, visas, accommodation, airport transfers, leisure activities and post treatment support. Conceived by Dubai Health Authority, the DXH brand aims to strengthen the position of Dubai on the medical tourism world map. Dubai offers unparalleled access to the best in health and wellness experiences combined with world-class hospitality and integrated services along with many tourist attractions. The Health Bank provides high quality end-to-end services with excellence in customer care, through an impressive and extensive partner portfolio. Health tourists can have their medical, dental, aesthetic or wellness journey mapped out even before they travel. DXH SmartCare, which can be accessed on www.dxh.ae, offers three-tiers- Blue as the essential package offering research and referrals on treatment options, and Silver and Gold memberships providing journey planning services along with dedicated account manager, concierge and comprehensive care coordination.