Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Marriott International has signed an agreement with NEOM to bring Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy to Sindalah, the luxury island destination in the Red Sea off Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast. Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will offer premium and luxury apartment-style accommodations to meet the increased demand from families and younger travelers, who now seek more space and homely amenities when staying away from home. “Marriott International has deep insights into the continuously evolving preferences of global travelers. It positions them as a perfect partner for us as we look to develop an array of accommodation options to meet the needs of Sindalah visitors. We are excited to strengthen our partnership by introducing their new brand to the region, which will elevate the guest experience for a growing number of groups traveling together,” said Chris Newman, Executive Director, NEOM Hotel Division. “We continue to strengthen our collaboration with NEOM with the signing of our first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy in the Middle East,” said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “We continue to see a growing desire for premium and luxury apartment-style accommodation among travelers. Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will be a great fit for Sindalah which is anticipated to offer our guests and members exciting, year-long travel experiences on the island.” Designed to cater to travelers seeking more residential amenities, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy Sindalah will feature units ranging from studios to one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, all equipped with a separate living room, full kitchen, and in-unit washer and dryer. The property, set to open in 2024, is also slated to offer a fitness center and swimming pool. “We are proud to be introducing the …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reports its best year for tourism ever, welcoming a record 1.22 million overnight arrivals to the nature Emirate in 2023, up 8% on 2022 numbers and bolstered by a significant 24% year-on-year pick-up in international visitors. The robust performance is underscored by RAKTDA’s strategic growth plans. From investment in tourism infrastructure, targeted initiatives to drive more visitors to the emirate, to developing an ecosystem rooted in sustainability, Ras Al Khaimah continues to reinforce its position as a destination of the future. Its key 2023 achievements include: • A 24% increase in international visitors, supported by over 2,200 international activities from roadshows, trade fairs to media events across 30 countries. • Cemented status as a business and social events hub with a 23% growth in MICE revenue and 103% increase in revenue from weddings. • Silver Certification under EarthCheck’s world-leading Sustainable Destinations programme – the only destination in the Middle East to receive this level of certification alongside more than 20 tourism partners from hotels and attractions. • Featured in CNN Travel’s best destinations to visit in 2023; Condé Nast Traveler’s best places to go in Asia 2024; Travel + Leisure India’s Forget Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah Is The Place To Be In The UAE; and Forbes’ Why You Should Visit Ras Al Khaimah Now. • Boosted international air connectivity with the introduction of direct flights with Qatar Airways, Indian carrier IndiGo’s, Smart Wings, Centrum Air and SmartLynx. • Launched borderless travel with Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) for cross-destination tourism promotion and marketing initiatives, boosting visitor arrivals to Ras Al Khaimah and Musandam. • Debut of Anantara Mina Al Arab …

Over 200 renowned international athletes, including 23 celebrated football legends, are participating in the inaugural ‘Sharjah’s Week of the Stars’, which kicked off on Wednesday, 10th January and will last till Saturday, 13th January, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council Organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the groundbreaking event, which features elite international retired football stars and legends from 23 countries, aims to elevate the emirate’s tourism landscape and boost its global tourism status by showcasing its attractions and cultural landmarks to a worldwide audience. The detailed program of ‘Sharjah’s Week of the Stars’ was unveiled during a press conference organised by the SCTDA on Wednesday, in the presence of HE Khaled Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, Nabil Ashour, Director of the Support Services Department at Sharjah Sports Council, and Steve Crane, Executive Director of Pro FootGolf Tours Joining the press conference also were Ali Abdullah Arif, CEO of World Padel Academy; Abdelrahman Bin Taliah, Director of Executive Affairs at Air Arabia; Massimiliano Suglia, Director General of the International Football Development Association (IFDA); Ukrainian football star Andriy Shevchenko; and Ziad Al Sharabi, General Manager of Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. The inaugural ‘Sharjah’s Week of the Stars’ will commence this evening with the ‘Legends Padel Tour’ featuring 16 international football stars and legends who will compete for the tournament held at the World Padel Academy in Sharjah. The premier event will continue on Thursday with an exclusive tour of Sharjah’s landmarks to offer football stars insights into the emirate’s dynamic development landscape, with a …

The Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) announced a significant collaboration with Renie to address the pressing issue of plastic bottle waste management in the emirate. In a move aligned with the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development, this strategic partnership aims to provide effective solutions for residents and visitors while encouraging the implementation of sustainable practices. At a meeting held at the department’s headquarters, His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of ADTD, welcomed Mr. Jorden Jackers, COO of Renie, highlighting the official nature of this promising partnership. The initiative underlines the emirate of Ajman’s dedication to sustainable tourism practices, focusing on improving the overall experience for residents and visitors, supporting local communities, and promoting environmental solutions for companies and investors. Recognizing the global challenge posed by plastic waste and its environmental impact, ADTD acknowledges the threat of plastic bottle accumulation and its detrimental effects on ecosystems worldwide. In response, the collaboration with Renie aims to implement an integrated system for collecting plastic bottles at tourism facilities across the emirate. As part of this initiative, Renie will install collection boxes in hotel properties throughout the emirate, offering practical solutions for both visitors and the local community. The objective is to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in plastic bottle disposal, attracting strategic partners and fostering community participation to contribute to environmental preservation. Expressing his enthusiasm for the initiative, His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi emphasized the department’s view of sustainable tourism as a crucial element for a prosperous future. He praised the efforts made to achieve balanced economic growth while prioritizing environmental care and societal well-being. Alhashmi stated, “Through our collaboration with Renie, we aim to set a positive example for …

Sharjah tourism and development authority shared that the emirate of Sharjah has witnessed growth in terms of visitors due to its great developments, infrastructure and most importantly sports tourism. Speaking at the press conference Chairman Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa shared that this week of starts in Sharjah will be an opportunity to showcase its rich offerings not only as a family tourisistic destination but also as a sporting and adventure tourism hub. This week will feature friendly football matches to paddle tennis matches to develop sports tourism. 24 football legends will be a key highlight during this week as they will expose the rich heritage and sporting tourism infrastructure of Sharjah to both local and international travellers. There will be 3 different events – paddle tennis, football and footgolf and stars week until the end of this week. Last year there were over 120 players from 20 countries giving Sharjah exposure at the first footgolf tournament.

The 2023 edition of the annual Liwa International Festival has officially concluded after 24 fun-filled days that welcomed more than 300,000 visitors from across the UAE, GCC, and beyond. Organised by Liwa Sports Club, with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, each year the festival captivates visitors with its distinctive motorsport thrills, desert experiences, and family-friendly fun, centred around the 300-metre-tall Tal Moreeb dune. The integrated motoring, music and cultural festival brought its famous mix of family fun, variety of F&B options, superb live music, and high-octane motorsports to Al Dhafra. The biggest, best, and most popular festival yet, this year’s event ended with a drone and fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. The unique fusion of the Al Dhafra region’s majestic sand dunes, the perfectly cool winter weather, and an exciting array of activities meant the event once again provided visitors with experiences that are simply unavailable anywhere else in the region or beyond. H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi, said: “As a prominent highlight on Abu Dhabi’s back-to-back year-round events calendar, the 2023 Liwa International Festival was an exciting, fun-filled celebration for families and motorsport fans. It stood out as one of the biggest and best events to date, showcasing the festival’s continuous growth in size, scale, and popularity each year. Al Dhafra remains the top destination for exceptional entertainment and family-friendly fun in the heart of the desert. I look forward to next year’s edition and even more memorable experiences.” The biggest Liwa Festival ever This year, the festival featured the return of Liwa Village, which …

The second edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum will kick off from 22nd to 24th January 2024 at the Riyadh International and Conventional Center. It will be an important forum where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be promoted as a tourist destination, strengthen constructive collaboration among all stakeholders in the Saudi tourism sector, and deepen awareness about investment and development opportunities in this vital industry, This forum will serve as a platform for achieving remarkable successes and fostering a spirit of cooperation and partnership. There will be seminars and workshops conducted over the three day event to showcase the rich diversity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism proudly announced that Saudi tourism has reached a historic milestone in inbound visitor spending, as indicated by the Travel Account Data in SAMA’s Balance of Payments. Exceeding SAR 100 billion during the first quarters of 2023, this achievement resulted in a surplus in the Travel Account Data in the Balance of Payments, estimated at SAR 37.8 billion, reflecting a remarkable growth rate of 72% compared to the same period in 2022. These accomplishments coincide with the complete recovery of Saudi tourism, with the tourism sector’s rebound reaching an impressive recovery rate of 150% compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Numerous Saudi tourist destinations have experienced a surge in both inbound and domestic visitors. This historic achievement is in line with reports from the UNWTO, confirming that Saudi Arabia led the G20 countries in the growth rate of inbound tourists during the first three quarters of 2023. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia secured the second position among the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations

Qatar has recorded four million visitors, surpassing the annual number of visitors over the past five years. Qatar Tourism has revealed a significant increase in visitor numbers to Qatar, reflecting the positive momentum of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ™, in conjunction with the country’s ongoing efforts and initiatives to advance the tourism sector. Earlier, Qatar announced the continuity of the work of the “Hayya” platform to standardize and tse visa procedures for visitors coming to Qatar. These efforts are complemented by easy travel policies that allow citizens of 95 countries around the world to obtain an instant visa upon arrival in Qatar.Qatar’s events and roadshows throughout the year have contributed significantly to a steady increase in the number of tourists. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar continues to establish itself as a global tourism destination with extended and safe tourism infrastructure in an atmosphere of authentic Arabian hospitality. Qatar’s diverse tourism offerings, with its pristine 500 kilometres of coastline, world-class museums, and cultural and contemporary facilities, complement Qatar’s diverse tourism offerings to provide a unique and distinctive holiday for visitors to Qatar locally, regionally and specifically GCC nationals, as well as internationally. Qatar Tourism is keen to promote family tourism in the State of Qatar and provide something suitable for all family members for an exceptional experience. We continue to work at Qatar Tourism to promote opportunities and further growth in the tourism sector.” Since the beginning of 2023, Saudi Arabia has acquiredAt the top of the ranking in the number of visitors coming to Qatar, where the number of visitors coming from the Kingdom (25. 3% of total international visitors), followed …

The Board of Directors of NEOM has announced Norlana situated on the Gulf of Aqaba’s coastline. Norlana boasts a state-of-the-art 120-berth marina that will serve as an international hub for superyachts, with water taxi services available for residents and guests. The superyacht members club will be a place where like-minded yachting enthusiasts can unwind and enjoy exceptional dining experiences and service while taking in stunning waterfront views. An ultra-modern active lifestyle community, as the latest addition to the evolving regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia. Situated on the Gulf of Aqaba’s coastline, Norlana creates a unique environment where an exclusive community of 3,000 residents will enjoy contemporary luxury fused with advanced technology, setting a pioneering standard for sustainable modern living. Within this contemporary community portfolio of 711 residential properties, Norlana offers deluxe mansions, spacious apartments and beach villas integrated with the surrounding dunes, bringing residents closer to serene nature. A spectacular 18-hole golf course is nestled among rugged mountains, with an equestrian and polo center with world-class facilities nearby. Norlana’s amenities also cater to a diverse range of water sports including sailing and diving, for residents and guests to immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural environment. Norlana has been designed to redefine contemporary and active living. With sport, health and well-being at the core of this cutting-edge community, residents and guests will have every opportunity to experience their passions in this magnificent and environmentally sustainable setting. Aligned with NEOM’s commitment to conservation, Norlana will complement its coastal location and be delivered innovatively and sustainably. With a focus on preserving the surrounding land and marine environments, Norlana will offer the pinnacle of ultra-luxury modern living through a harmonious blend of nature …