Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

In 2024, Malaysia aims to welcome 27.3 million international tourist arrivals and generate RM102.7 billion in tourism receipts. The remarkable rise in visitors from the Gulf region in recent years fuels Tourism Malaysia’s enthusiasm to further cultivate this market. Tourism Malaysia participates in the 31st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, showcasing the country’s latest attractions and destinations to attract more tourists from West Asia. The four-day prestigious event held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 6 to 9 May 2024 marks Malaysia’s 31st year of participation, demonstrating its enduring commitment to this burgeoning market. Led by the Honourable Chairman of Tourism Malaysia Datuk (Dr.) Yasmin Mahmood, and accompanied by Dato’ Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot, Deputy Secretary General (Management), Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Malaysian delegation comprises a good mix of 75 organisations, including hotels and resorts, travel agents, tourism product owners, and representatives from state tourism boards. The Malaysia Pavilion will engage with Middle Eastern buyers, generating interest while highlighting tourism products and services tailored to their specific needs and preferences, thus underscoring the importance placed on West Asia as a key source of tourists, especially during its summer vacation. “With the upcoming launch and celebration of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, we strive to attract more West Asia tourists. We recognise the immense potential of this market, not only in terms of outbound tourism but also trade and investment. “We are confident that Malaysia’s position as a top destination for Muslim travellers, coupled with our intensified promotional efforts, will enable us to achieve our target,” stated Datuk (Dr.) Yasmin Mahmood during the launch of the Malaysia Pavilion today.  

Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism shared that the team is here at the Arabian Travel Market to showcase their many offerings to the travel fraternity in the Middle East and the increase the numbers from the region by creating awareness among the travel trade. She reiterated that the Arabian Travel Market is the stepping stone for them to reach out to the GCC and Middle East as currently they do receive some good numbers from the United Arab Emirates as they have the connections to reach the destination but they are looking at increasing connectivity in the region to attract the numbers from the region as they have witnessed growth from the region over the past few years. She conducted a very comprehensive virtual tour of the destination within 30 minutes which made the media stay back and request for information on the beautiful nation in Africa.

Department of Tourism Philippines shared that United Arab Emirates was the top source market in 2023 with an increase of 419.8% followed by Saudi Arabia with 48.9%, Kuwait and Qatar. A special meeting was held with the DOT Philippines and travel trade industry partners on the sidelines of the 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market 2024. Christina Garcia Frasco – Secretary of Tourism – Department of Tourism Philippines shared that they are looking forward to receiving more tourists this year from the region with all their offerings.

On opening day of Arabian Travel Market  Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand Thapanee Kiatphaibool shared that 2023 witnessed an increase of 28% travellers from the GCC region. Speaking with TravelTV Middle East she reiterated, “In 2023, we welcomed approximately 868,000 visitors from the Middle East, a notable 28% increased from previous years. For 2024, we are projecting that this number will rise to over a million, as we continue to strengthen our marketing efforts and enhance the travel experience tailored to Middle Eastern tourists.” “The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is actively engaging with the Middle Eastern market through strategic partnerships, tailored promotional campaigns, and participation in regional travel exhibitions, including this ATM event. We are focused on cultural exchange programs and have initiated marketing efforts that highlight Thailand’s diverse attractions, specifically catering to Middle Eastern travel preferences, such as halal tourism initiatives. This year, TAT has launched our new communication concept, ‘Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End.’ This concept underscores our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for every traveler visiting Thailand. Our goal is to instill lasting memories and meaningful journeys that inspire visitors to become storytellers, sharing their unique tales of Thailand with the world. To engage Middle Eastern travelers in crafting their never-ending stories in Thailand, we will leverage Thailand’s ‘5F Soft Powers’—Food, Film, Festival, Fight, and Fashion. These elements will add value to our tourism products and services and offer meaningful experiences to Arab travelers.” “We have observed significant interest in health and wellness tourism from Middle Eastern tourists. With over 300 international standard hospitals and clinics, many equipped with Arabic interpreters, highly trained nurses, and doctors, Thailand offers advanced medical technology, reasonable costs, and …

Qatar Tourism is pleased to announce the establishment of a new representation office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), serving as its dedicated sales and marketing representative in this important market. Masterkey has been tasked with promoting Qatar’s offerings and services, focusing on building leisure demand from KSA. Their primary role will involve educating trade partners in KSA about Qatar’s diverse products and services, aiming to generate greater interest and demand for Qatar as a leisure destination. They will collaborate closely with major tour operators and online travel agencies (OTAs) to effectively showcase Qatar’s attractions and experiences. This new representation underscores Qatar Tourism’s commitment to further developing and strengthening its presence in the KSA market, fostering partnerships with local entities, and ultimately providing exceptional travel experiences to visitors from Saudi Arabia.

The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) invites you to connect with the Middle Eastern travel trade at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, the leading global event for the inbound and outbound travel industry in the Middle East. Together with Visit Maldives, 250 partners representing 123 travel and tourism establishments are promoting the Maldives. The event is scheduled to be held from 06 -09 May 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The Maldives will be featured at a 517.5 sqm 4-side open double-decker stand, captivating visitors with a fully immersive experience. Breathtaking visuals showcasing the Maldives’ unique offerings will be on display, transporting the visitors to our island oasis. Adding to the ambiance, the stand will be further enhanced by a Maldivian sun feature that transforms throughout the day, reflecting the ever-changing colors of the Maldives’ magical atmosphere. ATM 2024 fosters industry collaboration and our stand will be a hub for engaging activities. The event provides a significant platform to engage in meetings with key travel trade representatives and explore destination presentations highlighting the Maldives’ unparalleled safety, luxury, and unique island formations. Additionally, media interviews will be conducted at the stand, and a captivating 360-video booth will whisk you away on a virtual Maldivian adventure. A cultural performance area will round out the experience, providing a taste of Maldivian traditions. The event also assists industry members in showcasing their products and experiences. Visit Maldives seeks to maintain a strong destination presence and collaboratively promote the Maldives as the Middle East’s leading travel haven. A separate ‘Maldives Media Press Event’ will also be held on the sidelines of ATM. The speakers for the event are Mr. Ibrahim Faisal, …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) and Alizz Islamic Bank  announced the signing of a collaboration agreement to establish a strategic financial partnership with a synergetic objective to reinforce Oman’s tourism and economic sectors through this strategic endeavour.  Development for Commercial Building No. 1 in the Business Park at Madinat Al Irfan (East). OMRAN Group, the master developer of the project, reiterated its commitment to developing the Business Park to become a vibrant destination for business and innovation, hosting the headquarters of various institutions. Dr. Hashil Al Mahrouqi, the CEO of OMRAN Group, and Ali Al Mani the CEO of Alizz Islamic Bank, delivered speeches, highlighting the synergetic objectives to reinforce Oman’s tourism and economic sectors through this strategic endeavour. Dr. Al Mahrouqi articulated, “This collaboration with Alizz Islamic Bank is a stride towards realising our vision at OMRAN Group – to transform landscapes into vibrant, sustainable environments contributing significantly to Oman’s social, economic, and environmental prosperity. The Group has a rich record of leading tourism projects and assets, and is working to stimulate investment by building strategic partnerships with investors to contribute to the creation of sustainable social and economic benefits.” Emphasising the impact of the partnership, the CEO of Alizz Islamic Bank, Ali Al Mani, remarked, “Aligning with our dedication to support projects of substantial national value, this alliance with OMRAN Group represents a crucial milestone in our journey towards contributing to Oman’s flourishing future, rooted in innovation and sustainability.”   The event, attended by industry leaders, investors, and media representatives, underscored the partnership’s shared objectives: to highlight the development’s uniqueness, elevate awareness around the Business Park, and attract investors for the enhancement of the master plan of …

dnata has partnered with Mauritius Tourism as it aims to attract more travellers from the UAE in 2024. Mauritius Tourism has appointed dnata Representation Services as its sales, marketing, and PR representative in the UAE, to provide localised booking support and share top rates, latest news, itineraries and more from the destination with travellers across the country. The collaboration will focus on showcasing trending experiences for 2024, including the island’s diverse proposition beyond its famous shorelines. In recent years, Mauritius has become an increasingly popular destination among UAE-based travellers. With an impressive 62% increase in travellers from the UAE to the country recorded by Mauritius Tourism between 2015 and 2023, passenger arrivals continue to show steady growth in 2024. Rakhi Purohit, Head of Representation Services at dnata, commented: “Mauritius is a location known for its world-class beaches, but it offers much more for travellers seeking extraordinary adventures. From hiking in National Parks to enjoying diverse culinary experiences, some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and picture-perfect golf courses – there’s something for everyone. We look forward to bringing the island’s host of authentic and meaningful experiences closer to the UAE’s avid traveller base in 2024.” Popular locations across the island for UAE travellers include the beaches of Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne on its West and South West Coast, where the country witnesses its most sunshine, and offers some of its most impressive natural landscapes, luxury resorts, dining and entertainment options. Donald Payen, Chairman of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, added: “Mauritius may be best known for its stunning, tropical landscapes including its exceptional beaches and azure waters, but a key element we want to showcase to …

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved the new Tourism Strategy 2030 for the emirate. The Strategy seeks to boost visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030 (overnight and same-day), with a 7% year-on-year growth. Moreover, it plans to significantly elevate the tourism and travel sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP, raising it from approximately AED 49 billion in 2023 to AED 90 billion annually by 2030. Spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the ambitious blueprint signals a new era of expansion and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector. The Strategy will generate an estimated 178,000 new jobs by 2030 as the entire tourism infrastructure develops to meet this demand. It intends to almost double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 approximately to 7.2 million in 2030, expand hotel room availability from 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000 by 2030, and further enhance the holiday home segment to diversify accommodation options. H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Tourism Strategy 2030 marks a pivotal moment in Abu Dhabi’s transformative journey, representing a vital lever in our ongoing evolution. Delivered alongside our key partners, the Strategy underscores our steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable growth and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector. Through carefully crafted initiatives that will unlock economic opportunities, amplify our distinctive culture and enhance the emirate’s value proposition, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant and prosperous future that transcends generations.” Fostering sustainable growth across four strategic pillars …

In an update to mark World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April, it has been announced that Dubai is on record pace towards becoming a Certified Autism Destination. Just over one year into the process, driven by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city is firmly on track to becoming the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere. As part of the accreditation process, DET, in collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), renowned leaders in autism and sensory training and certification, has initiated comprehensive autism and sensory awareness training for its tourist-facing workforce. Offered via ‘Dubai Way’, a world-class online training platform developed by Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), this training is tailored to enrich staff knowledge, deepen understanding, and refine communication strategies, all aimed at fostering a more inclusive and accommodating experience for People of Determination. In addition to its Autism and Sensory Awareness course, DCT offers Inclusive Service training on the Dubai Way platform which is a self-paced online programme that teaches applicants how best to cater and communicate with People of Determination. The programme is delivered through a series of experiential training sessions, including real-life stories, interactions and videos. In just over a year, the city has achieved the following milestones: ● More than 13,000 individuals have received autism and sensory awareness training via Dubai Way. ● More than 350 hotels commenced the training and certification process, ensuring comfortable and inclusive stays for guests with autism and sensory sensitivities. ● More than 30 locations have earned IBCCES certifications. The significant progress made so far in the accreditation process underscores Dubai’s unwavering dedication to inclusivity and accessibility for all …