Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Hilton have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will further enhance the destination’s visibility globally and support the hotel group with team member training and service optimisation. This new phase of their ongoing partnership is in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, underscoring the commitment of DET and Hilton to drive excellence across the tourism sector by creating outstanding experiences for visitors. Designed to establish a collaborative framework between the entities, the MoU will focus on joint marketing initiatives, including through advertising campaigns and social media, actively promoting Dubai as a premier destination. They will also roll out tourism products that highlight the city’s unique attractions, integrating these experiences into seasonal packages to provide visitors with authentic insights into the city. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to incorporate Dubai experiences into the Hilton Honors loyalty programme, which has more than 195 million members globally. Meanwhile, Hilton will be able to leverage DET’s training and capacity building, offered through its Dubai College of Tourism, to enhance team member skills in areas such as customer service and cultural awareness, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to visitors. The MoU was signed at DET’s headquarters by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa at Hilton. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Hilton has been a key part of Dubai’s tourism growth story over recent decades, contributing …

Qatar Tourism, through the Service Excellence Academy, has launched a new training program titled ‘Qatar Ambassadors: The Road to Excellence’, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Police Officers Institute of the Ministry of Interior, with the aim of improving the visitor experience at all entry and exit ports by developing the skills and knowledge of port and passport officers. The first-of-its-kind training program lasted for three days and concluded with the handing over of 20 graduates certificates of completion on October 22 at the Civil Defense Officers Club. During the program, the important role of passport officers as “ambassadors of Qatar” who make first and last impressions that often last for visitors was recalled. Interns gain the experience and skills to deliver exceptional services and seamless experiences for all passengers. The program aims to enable officers to deal with diverse situations with professionalism, empathy and care, by enhancing their effective communication skills, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The program includes five modules: the role of migration in the travel experience, mastering effective communication skills, striving for excellence, emotional intelligence, and Qatar ambassadors. Commenting on the training programme, Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Acting Head of Tourism Development, said: “The Qatar Ambassadors: The Road to Excellence programme is a joint effort and collaboration between Qatar Tourism’s Academy of Service Excellence and the Police Officers Institute to provide training for frontline workers dealing face-to-face with visitors to Qatar, as the first to receive visitors upon arrival in Qatar. The role they play in representing Qatar is vital to maintaining the mental image of our country in front of visitors. At Qatar Tourism, we are committed to achieving the highest standards of …

As Riyadh Season 2024 kicked off last week, it is stated that an impressive two million visitors were received. This remarkable achievement was announced by the chairman of the board of directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen AlAlshikh. The overwhelming turnout highlights the public’s enthusiasm for this annual entertainment extravaganza. This year, the season features five main areas: Boulevard World, Kingdom Arena, Boulevard City, The Venue, and Al-Suwaidi Park. Boulevard World has undergone a significant 30 percent expansion to accommodate the surge in visitors, introducing new events and attractions. The area now boasts five new sections representing Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Africa, and Courchevel, bringing the total to 22 diverse areas from around the globe, along with 300 restaurants and cafés, and more than 890 shops. In a landmark event, Kingdom Arena hosted a historic boxing match in which Artur Beterbiev was crowned the undisputed champion in the light heavyweight division after defeating Dmitry Bivol by majority decision. This intense bout showcased fierce competition in the boxing world and marked a milestone in the sport. The Venue area launched its season with the prestigious Six Kings Slam Championship, touted as the world’s most expensive tennis tournament. This event attracted six of the top-ranked tennis stars, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. Additionally, Al-Suwaidi Park is currently hosting a vibrant array of Indian cultural events, which will continue until Tuesday. These festivities feature popular shows, traditional cuisine, and artistic concerts, drawing large crowds from the Indian community, residents, and culture enthusiasts. Boulevard City is captivating visitors with innovative entertainment experiences, including the PUBG Mobile game and the Conan experience, alongside …

Qatar is looking at promoting its premier specialised medical procedures center to attract medical tourists. Conveniently situated at the crossroads of East and West, Qatar with its world-class healthcare system, renowned for its advanced technology, state-of-the-art facilities, warm hospitality, and unparalleled accessibility. With specialised hospitals for paediatric and women’s health, as well as world-renowned orthopaedic experts, Qatar’s medical excellence is consistently ranked among the top five globally for quality of care, with highly trained professionals and advanced facilities equipped to handle even the most complex medical cases. Being away from home during a medical procedure can be daunting, but Qatar’s proximity to major cities allows families to visit with ease. With most major cities just a convenient six to eight-hour flight away, Qatar’s strategic location seamlessly connects over 177 destinations across the USA, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This ease of access is further enhanced by Qatar’s welcoming visa policies, with visa-on-arrival options available to citizens from 102 countries. Whether it’s a quick flight from Europe or a short trip from neighbouring Gulf countries, patients, along with their families and friends, can easily access Qatar. Qatar’s commitment to medical excellence is evident in its state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, consistently ranked among the top globally. Institutions such as Sidra Hospital, specialising in paediatric and women’s health, made headlines with the discovery and diagnosis of a new gastroenterological disease, which saved the lives of two young brothers through a precision medicine treatment programme. This breakthrough is set to influence how the disease is diagnosed and treated worldwide. Aspetar, the Gulf’s first specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, has become the facility of choice for global professional athletes seeking medical care, including notable …

Furthering its commitment to sustainable tourism, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) unveiled the ‘Sustainable Tourism AI Assistant,’ an innovative virtual assistant designed to empower travellers, businesses, and institutions to make informed eco-friendly decisions. Launched at GITEX Global, one of the world’s largest and most influential tech exhibitions, this forward-thinking initiative highlights Sharjah’s dedication to environmental preservation while reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable tourism. Supporting more than 40 languages, it offers tailored insights that promote responsible travel choices and support environmental stewardship on a global scale. Commenting on the project, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, stated: “Sharjah, through its practices, emphasises the importance of sustainability as a key pillar of its developmental operations, particularly in the tourism sector, which is one of the most vibrant sectors contributing to national economy. Amid global challenges related to climate change, the ‘Sustainable Tourism Smart Assistant’ comes as a practical model for applying global sustainable development goals, aligning with the UN World Tourism Organisation’s initiative ‘Towards a Statistical Framework for Measuring Sustainability’. The application provides comprehensive information for travellers, tourists, and stakeholders to adopt the best sustainable travel practices, enabling them to make informed decisions that protect the environment and reduce the ecological footprint.” He added: “This project is an advanced technological tool that integrates the concept of sustainable tourism into daily practices. Its objectives are an integral part of Sharjah’s identity, and we are confident that it will contribute to enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors, attracting sustainable investments, and encouraging civil society to adopt environmentally friendly behaviours, thereby reinforcing the emirate’s status as a global sustainable tourism destination.” The Sustainable Tourism AI Assistant …

Visit Qatar has unveiled a new version of its stopover campaign in Qatar, the ‘Day of Memories Lasting Experience’, through which it invites passengers transiting through Doha to convert one holiday into two holidays through a stopover in Qatar. The campaign highlighted some of the most popular attractions and diverse tourism experiences that can be enjoyed in Qatar during a short visit of no more than 24 hours. The campaign aims to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading stopover destination, highlight all the moments worth stopping in Qatar, and prove that one short visit can create the most beautiful and unforgettable memories of a lifetime. The campaign uses the popular classic song “What a Difference a Day Makes”, originally sung by Dina Washington, which emphasizes the profound impact a single day can have on life. The campaign is an invitation for visitors to take advantage of their temporary stopover in Qatar, where they can experience exceptional experiences in Doha and close to the airport such as diving in one of the swimming pools, experiencing Doha’s pristine beaches, or even getting relaxation sessions in the latest malls, instead of spending hours waiting for their second flight inside the airport. Due to the country’s close space, there’s plenty to experience in 24 hours, whether you’re travelling to a distant destination or returning from a business trip. Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Qatar, said: “As 100% of HIA’s transit passengers are potential guests, this stopover campaign represents a strategic opportunity to highlight the attractions and leisure activities that Qatar has to offer to stopover passengers. Visitors to Doha have endless options to explore the city’s vibrant art and …

Speaking at a special interview with TravTalkME, Abdulla Yousuf – Director of International Operations DCT Abu Dhabi shared that their target for this year is to reach out to 25 new countries to showcase the many offerings of their destination. He further shared that CIS and Eastern European markets are the new emerging markets that they have seen increasing over the past few years and in terms of the APAC region India and China contribute almost 25% to the market. Going further they would be looking at increasing the number of hotel keys in the emirate and look at attracting visitors to spend more time in the emirate by partaking in various activities. He reiterated that in their various market surveys they have seen different requirements from them, hence they are working to identify these and make sure that they reach out to the correct partners.

Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) unveiled a suite of new digital services aimed at enhancing and supporting the tourism sector in the emirate of Ajman during its participation at GITEX Global 2024. Among the highlights is the launch of the Department’s revamped website and updated digital services system, alongside the AI-powered ‘Plan Your Trip’ service. These innovative offerings reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to delivering smart and proactive government services that leverage the latest advancements in AI technology and data analytics. The aim is to assist visitors in planning tailored trips to Ajman, offering a flexible and personalised experience. The Department also seeks to enhance the experience of visitors, starting with the website and digital services system, and extending to the emirate’s rich tourism offerings. The newly launched ATDD website and digital services system offer a more interactive and user-friendly interface, designed to meet the highest government quality standards. The updated website features an AI-powered smart personal assistant that can handle customer inquiries, service procedures, requirements, and fees, in addition to tourist guidance services such as information about the emirate, tourist sites, museums, and activities. The new website’s smart personal assistant allows users to make direct calls to customers via audio, video, or screen sharing, allowing them to talk and share their screen with the customer happiness and service staff, catering to their requirements in record time without having to visit the department headquarters. Additionally, the website provides access to all government services and tourism information, such as reports, decrees, and resolutions, along with quick services and open data. ATDD launched the ‘Plan Your Trip’ platform, another innovation showcased at GITEX, which is fully AI-based and designed to help visitors customise …

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) will once again bring a strong presence to two major shows this month in Dubai – GITEX Global 2024 and Expand North Star – highlighting the innovation in the services it offers to enhance ease of doing business, and the innovative companies that are setting up in Dubai and using the city as a launchpad for global growth. DET’s participation in the events is aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. At GITEX Global, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), part of DET, will introduce cutting-edge solutions designed to streamline the investor journey to further improve the ease of doing business in Dubai, a key driver in attracting foreign direct investment and top talent. These initiatives will further strengthen the emirate’s global status as a leading destination for innovation and investment. As part of its participation, DBLC will also honour various partners who have contributed to the success of its initiatives over the past year. Meanwhile, across the city in Dubai Harbour, the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), another entity within DET, will showcase the businesses and services of five of its members, including Transcend Technologies, Jadwelny Portal, Sadeem Energy, Elmadrasah.com and Insurina, as well as its incubation partner Intelak. The participating Dubai SME members represent several sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) in tourism, energy IoT, EdTech, insurance marketplace and cybersecurity. The Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2), an initiative by …

ADNEC Group’s Tourism 365 has achieved a new milestone with the launch of the first-ever weekly charter flight, operated by Air Samarkand, connecting Uzbekistan directly to Al Ain. The flight is part of Tourism 365’s expanded partnership with Uzbekistan-based tour operator EasyBooking, aimed at boosting tourism and fostering greater connectivity between the two destinations. This influx of tourists will provide a significant boost to Al Ain’s tourism industry, reinforcing the emirate’s broader vision of positioning the city as a premier destination for cultural and leisure tourism. Josep-Anton Grases, CEO of Tourism 365, said: “The launch of the first-ever charter flight from Uzbekistan to Al Ain, made possible through our strategic partnership with EasyBooking, represents a key step in expanding Al Ain’s international tourism reach. Together with EasyBooking, we are committed to unlocking new opportunities for travellers to explore Al Ain’s unique cultural heritage and natural wonders, positioning the city as an essential destination within the UAE.” Odil Khasanov, CEO of EasyBooking, said: “We are happy to expand our partnership with Tourism 365 to launch this direct weekly charter flight from Uzbekistan to Al Ain. This collaboration not only strengthens the tourism ties between Uzbekistan and the UAE but also offers our travellers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural richness and heritage of Al Ain. By providing seamless travel experiences and customised tour packages, we are confident this initiative will significantly enhance the travel experience for Uzbek tourists and support the growing demand for travel to the emirate.” Tourism 365 already supports EasyBooking in the operation of charter flights from Uzbekistan to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the newly launched route to Al Ain complements these existing connections. As the …