Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

The Ajman Department of Tourism Development – ADTD signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ajman Department of Economic Development (Ajman DED) which aims to establish a partnership between the two parties to increase cooperation, unite efforts and exchange knowledge and experiences at all levels. The memorandum of understanding was signed by His Excellency Mahmoud Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development, and His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Hamrani, Director General of the Ajman Department of Economic Development. As part of the agreement, a coordinating committee will be formed that aims to increase the economic and tourism growth rates in the emirate by uniting efforts and exchanging experience and knowledge to support tourism projects and events in line with the emirate’s vision 2030. The agreement aims to enhance the emirate’s position at the regional and global levels by improving its position in international competitiveness reports. The two parties also seek to enhance the economic and tourism competitiveness of the emirate through integration in planning, partnerships and joint projects. The memorandum also aims to support decision-makers by measuring strategic performance and raising customer satisfaction rates. The scope of collaboration between these two parties encompasses a range of activities, including synchronized efforts in economic and tourism marketing and promotion, the exchange of vital economic and tourism-related data and insights, and the undertaking of collaborative studies and research endeavors. This collaboration further encompasses the formulation and execution of joint policies and initiatives, as well as the continuous monitoring of international competitiveness benchmarks. A pivotal objective is also to enrich the experiences of investors and tourists alike by involving international corporations and orchestrating joint occasions and festivals. In this regard, …

Second edition of NEOM Beach Games will host over 800 athletes and staff members from around the world for five international sports events, commencing on October 21, 2023. NEOM Beach Games will host Super League Triathlon NEOM, NEOM Beach Soccer Cup, NEOM FIBA 3×3 Challenger 2023, NEOM Titan Desert Saudi Arabia, and NEOM IFSC Masters. The Games will commence with the Grand Finale of short course Super League Triathlon NEOM on October 21, closely followed by a NEOM Beach Soccer Cup competition. Following that, will be a three-day international NEOM FIBA 3×3 Challenger basketball competition. The renowned NEOM Titan Desert Saudi Arabia desert mountain bike race will return to the region for the second time on November 14, featuring 230 male and female riders for a four-stage event, covering 80-120 kilometers per stage. The Games will culminate with the introduction of an international sport climbing event, NEOM IFSC Masters, featuring world champions and Olympians from November 22-24. Jan Paterson, Managing Director of Sport at NEOM, added: “We are excited once again to be hosting the NEOM Beach Games, and it is a privilege to work with national federations and international rights-holders as we aspire to be a natural home for global sports events. The inclusion of the International Federation of Sport Climbing in this year’s games is exciting, aligning with our goals to build a high-performance culture and inspire the next generations of athletes across the Kingdom.” This year’s event will see the introduction of the NEOM Beach Games Volunteers Program, with 50 volunteers from the NEOM community helping to ensure a smooth and enjoyable event for all spectators and athletes. The program is open to those aged 18 years …

The Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia  announced an extraordinary achievement in the country’s tourism sector. In the first quarter of 2023, Saudi Arabia witnessed a remarkable transformation, transitioning from a deficit of USD 427 million in Q1 2022 to an impressive surplus of USD 6.1 billion during the same period this year. This momentous shift is underpinned by the phenomenal growth in incoming tourism revenues, which have surged by an astounding 225% compared to the first quarter of 2022, reaching a staggering USD 9.8 billion. This data, reported by the Saudi Central Bank, showcases the Ministry of Tourism’s unwavering commitment to not only revitalizing the tourism sector but also harnessing its pivotal role in advancing the national economy. His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, underscored the significance of this accomplishment, stating, “These achievements are a testament to the Kingdom’s dedication to creating a world-class tourism sector. In the past year, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has witnessed a paradigm shift driven by new regulations, increased connectivity, ease of accessibility, and a greater focus on partnerships. Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a key global destination for tourists and investors, powered by a skilled and ambitious workforce. The Kingdom is shaping the future of tourism, one that is sustainable, full of opportunity, and connects communities, countries, and cultures.” In recent times, Saudi Arabia has achieved several notable milestones in the tourism industry. The country ascended an impressive 16 places in the international tourism revenue index, ranking 11th globally in 2022. This marked a significant leap from its 27th position in 2019. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia continued to excel internationally, welcoming approximately 7.8 million tourists in the first quarter of …

Wego’s statistics show a substantial surge in bookings from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait to Britain during the campaign, up 25% from January to June, compared to the same period last year. Additionally, passenger numbers traveling to Great Britain through Wego are up 27% during the same timeframe. There was also a 78% rise in Wego’s searches from Riyadh to Newcastle and a 63% increase in searches to Manchester. The multi-media advertising partnership campaign ‘Spilling the Tea on Great Britain’, which ran between January to June 2023, used a play on Britain’s love of tea, inviting visitors to ‘See Things Differently’. The campaign promoted Britain’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking coastlines and landscapes, as well as its dynamic cities and destinations including London, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Manchester. Wego VP of Brand Marketing and social media, Roxana Nicolescu said: “We are absolutely delighted with the campaign growth figures that our partnership with VisitBritain has achieved. This collaboration signifies our joint commitment to showcasing the unparalleled beauty and experiences that Britain has to offer. The impressive growth in engagement and bookings affirms the impact of our collective efforts in igniting wanderlust and facilitating seamless travel experiences.” VisitBritain Head of Partnerships, APMEA, Jennifer Huntley said: “Our partnership with Wego has been instrumental in promoting Britain’s diverse travel experiences across the nations and regions to a global audience. The impressive growth figures from our partnership are also testament to the allure of Britain as a destination and the power of collaboration in driving tourism growth.” In an initiative to facilitate traveling for GCC nationals, the UK Government is set to launch a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme commencing in October, starting with Qatar. …

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) entered a new, far-reaching and long-term strategic partnership with Red Sea Global (RSG) to develop and expand Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing tourism landscape and boost the Kingdom’s status as one of the world’s most in-demand locations for tourists and investors. Signed at a meeting between Amr AlMadani, the CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, and John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, the Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) agreement will act as a catalyst for the continued growth and expansion of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, allowing each project to transfer knowledge, expertise, best practices, innovative ideas, and solutions as they drive ahead with their shared goal of meeting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aspirations. As two of the world’s most ambitious tourism projects – located just 350 km apart – the ongoing regeneration of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea region has many attributes in common with AlUla, each facing and overcoming a variety of unique challenges as they progress with comprehensive development strategies. The new partnership, which will function on a national and global scale, will fuel the growth of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification allowing each destination to achieve its full potential while benefiting local communities and stakeholders alike. As the core developer of Saudi Arabia’s stunning Red Sea region, RSG is spearheading a new model of regeneration that is helping to reimagine the sustainable luxury tourism industry by merging the vast coastal area’s rich environmental biodiversity and cultural heritage with unrivalled amenities and hospitality services. Now established as a must-visit destination for holidaymakers seeking high-end accommodation and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences within an incredible natural landscape, AlUla is one of the world’s most diverse and immersive …

Qatar welcomed more than 2.56 million visitors from January to 25 August 2023, surpassing the total number of visitors for the whole of 2022, marking a 157% increase in the number of international visitors compared to the same period last year. This significant increase in the number of visitors to Qatar reflects the country’s growing position as a leading tourist destination in the world, supported by the success achieved following the successful hosting of the FIFA  World Cup Qatar 2022™, which put Qatar on the international tourism map. The tourism sector has received a boost thanks to the extension of the validity of the Hayya Card to its existing holders and the relaunch of the Haya platform to become a unified visa portal for visitors coming to Qatar, as the country welcomed visitors from all over the world, with visitors from Saudi Arabia, India, Germany, the United States of America, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan topping the list of countries for visitors coming to Qatar. His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, President of Qatar Tourism and Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, said: “This growth in international visitors to Qatar is the result of Qatar Tourism’s strategy to capitalise on the tourism momentum that accompanied the hosting of the world’s biggest sporting tournament late last year. Thanks to our focus on priority tourism markets, our multi-pronged approach, our tireless efforts and pioneering initiatives across the pillars of our tourism strategy, we have been able to attract visitors from all over the world and highlight the unique blend that Qatar offers to its visitors, which combines sophistication and modernity on the one hand …

The third ICCA Middle East Summit – with TravTalk Middle East as media partner – concluded after two days of great insights, updates, and networking opportunities with industry experts from across the globe. The event was inaugurated by H.E. Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, with Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA opening the session with an inspiring speech. Khalid Al Zadjali, ICCA Middle East Chapter Chair, radiated excitement as he took on the role of host for the very first time, setting an electrifying tone for the entire summit. There were many sessions which left both experts and audience inspired by the prospect of hosting more business events in various Middle East destinations. Khalid Al Zedjali, Director of Oman Office of Conference at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, stated, “By organizing this event, we aimed at exploring the various means in which the local associations can further improve their operations, strengthen member services and make a more impactful contribution to their industries and communities by leveraging the valuable insights with best practices for international associations. Further, there were also many key areas where local associations can benefit from the experience and expertise of their international counterparts”. Al Zedjali added that it is important for the local associations to maintain the strong bonds with the international networks, to participate in conferences and events and to search proactively for learning and cooperation opportunities with their international peers. By doing so, local associations can improve their performance and create value addition to their members and stakeholders. The event included three different sessions. The first session “Building Resilient Communities” explored the vital role that ICCA (the …

Abu Dhabi has won the bid to host the 63rd International Congress and Convention Association Congress. Taking place from 20-23 October 2024 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the event will reaffirm Abu Dhabi’s position as an international hub for major MICE events. Abu Dhabi’s growing prominence as a preferred destination for global and regional businesses and tourists is evident with the delivery of more than 1,200 MICE events catering to 603,000 visitors throughout 2022 facilitated by the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. With Abu Dhabi International Airport serving as a hub for over 23 airlines connecting to more than 114 destinations, the emirate ensures convenient travel options for attendees. The International Congress and Convention Association is a knowledge hub and an advocate for the international association meetings industry. Part of its mission is to offer global entities education, connections, tools and resources to help them organise more effective and successful meetings. His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “It is an honour to be able to host the ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi, which demonstrates the emirate’s growth as a MICE destination. This win has been possible due to the collective support from key stakeholders such as Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre as well as other local and regional partners. Through our commitment to forging strategic partnerships, we have positioned Abu Dhabi as a dynamic hub where businesses prosper and innovation thrives. By offering a wide array of distinct venues, hotels and year-round cultural, leisure and entertainment options, we deliver travel and business …

The Philippines is a land of unparalleled biodiversity and enchanting beauty. Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, the country beckons those who seek awe-inspiring experiences through its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, towering mountains and vibrant coral reefs. Islands and Pristine Beaches The Philippines is world famous for its breathtaking beaches and crystalline waters. Feel the powdery white sands of Boracay beneath your toes, explore the remote coves of Palawan’s El Nido, and be mesmerized by the pink sands of the Great Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga. You can also discover hidden lagoons, dive into vibrant underwater worlds, and bask in the sun’s warm embrace. Majestic Volcanoes and Mountains Nature enthusiasts and adventurers will find paradise among the Philippines’ majestic peaks, which serve as one of the best places to witness the sun rise or set. Opt to ascend to the summit of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country, or traverse the dramatic landscapes of Mount Pulag and Mount Mayon. Find a moment of calm and peace from atop these peaks and be rewarded with panoramic vistas that defy description. Underground Wonders A world of mysteries awaits beneath the surface. One can delight in exploring the subterranean marvels of the Philippines, such as the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the intricate limestone formations and underground rivers that wind through captivating cave systems. Divers and snorkelling enthusiasts will be enthralled by the Philippines’ vibrant marine ecosystems. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park boasts a dazzling array of marine life, while the Apo Reef Natural Park is a haven for divers seeking encounters with manta rays and sharks. Unique Biodiversity The Philippines is …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled updates to its holiday homes policy, with farmhouse owners now able to obtain licenses to transform their properties into holiday homes. The update is designed to diversify accommodation offerings available in the emirate and unlock new economic advantages for farm owners. The expansion of the policy is in alignment with recent decisions by the Abu Dhabi government which facilitates farm owners to secure licenses for economic activities. DCT Abu Dhabi’s updated holiday homes policy now includes farm stays, caravans, and RVs, and allows landlords and residential unit owners to obtain more than one holiday home license for multiple units, presenting a key opportunity for investors and property management firms. HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said: “Our expansion of Abu Dhabi’s holiday homes licencing policy to allow farmhouses to offer guest accommodations will support both Abu Dhabi’s hospitality and agri-tourism sectors. As the emirate witnesses substantial tourism growth, it is imperative that we continue to offer visitors unique and sustainable experiences that reflect our rich heritage and renowned Emirati hospitality.” DCT Abu Dhabi is providing guidance to farmhouse owners seeking to register their properties, including organising sessions on navigating the licensing system and clarifying the requirements. In addition, a comprehensive guidance manual has been made available on the official DCT Abu Dhabi website. Farmhouse owners have a grace period of six months to initiate the licensing process for their properties, aimed at ensuring a seamless transition and avoiding any potential penalties. Committed to fostering diverse and enriching experiences for all visitors to the …