Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

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 …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) stands poised to welcome visitors from around the globe, as Qatar hosts the prestigious 18th edition of AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023TM. Set to take place from January 12 to February 10, 2024, the tournament will see twenty-four of the continent’s top teams competing in 51 matches across Qatar’s state-of-the-art stadiums. Drawing from the lessons and expertise gained during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 TM, the airport has meticulously planned its operations to ensure a seamless arrival experience for visitors entering the vibrant city of Doha. The comprehensive preparation includes seamless coordination and communication among all stakeholders ensuring optimal service delivery. Extensive collaboration with transport providers guarantees efficient connectivity to and from the airport, the city, and the stadiums, with multiple public transport options, including taxis, bus services, and the metro, available for visitors. Arriving passengers can access necessary amenities like foreign exchange services, food and beverage options, convenient stores, ATMs and purchase local sim cards, which are all conveniently located at the arrival hall. Passengers who have a transit time of more than 8 hours have the option of booking a Doha city tour through Discover Qatar, the destination management company of Qatar Airways, to experience the city during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 TM. Qatar Airways, the country’s national carrier, has partnered with the Asian Football Confederation to transform the fan experience at Asian football competitions in the coming years, including the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023TM. The home and hub of Qatar Airways, Hamad International Airport is set to bring the tournament experience to the terminal with a dedicated fan zone and exciting activations that will provide an immersive experience to …

It was announced that Oman had exceeded the set target of 2.5million tourists by end of 2023 and went on to receive 2.9million tourists by end of October 2023. According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism Oman has achieved high indicators in the goals of Oman 2040 vision. While the target was to reach 33,000 hotel rooms by the end of 2025, the Ministry’s statistics indicate that the achieved indicator stood at 32,371 by the end of September 2023. This was revealed by Oman News Agency. The target percentage of tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) at constant prices for the year 2025, set at 2.75 percent, was almost accomplished in 2022, when GDP at constant prices for that year stood at about 2.4 percent. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is embarked on utilizing statistical figures in a systematic manner to produce indicators that both support tourism decision-making and realize the sector’s goals in Oman Vision 2040.

H.E Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to play a major role in investing in the talent required to meet the needs of this thriving sector. This is strategically aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 goals in relation to youth empowerment and women. As an illustration, we have increased female labour force participation by 64% since 2021. Providing insights and data on the sector’s status quo, the report allows countries and regions to set clear goals to empower women and engage youth. ” According to the latest research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC), initiated by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, reveals that the global Travel & Tourism sector is delivering soaring employment opportunities to women and young people around the world. The report shows that the Travel & Tourism sector directly employed a rapidly rising number of women between 2010 and 2019, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million, an increase of 24%. It also found hospitality to be the leading employer of women within the sector, accounting for more than half of female employment. Young workers are shown as an important component of the sector’s workforce, representing 15% of all jobs in the sector in both 2010 and 2021. By contrast, the share of young workers in overall global employment fell from 16.5% in 2010 to 12.5% in 2021, highlighting the importance of Travel & Tourism to youth employment. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “As part of our Environmental & Social Research, we are incredibly proud to have worked alongside the Sustainable Tourism Global Center and to be releasing this incredibly …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority (SCTDA) in partnership with Sharjah Sports Council and Professional Footgolf Tour will host the Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament from 12th to 14th January. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “The Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament further emphasises the efforts being made in Sharjah to enhance Sharjah’s position as a premier tourist destination. We are delighted to be welcoming professional footgolf players from all over the world to Sharjah next month, and we look forward to inviting these players to enjoy the Emirate’s rich history, geography, nature, culture, heritage, archaeology, and arts.” The world’s top footgolf players, with both men and women competing for cash purses over a two-day competition, utilising an 18-hole, stroke-play format will be held at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. Footgolf, a sport combining football and golf. The Professional Footgolf tournament will take place at Sharjah’s world-class country club, with some of the world’s best players traveling to the Emirate from across the globe to participate. The event will bring together over 140 players from more than 20 different nationalities to take on the challenging course. The tournament will consist of four players per group, teeing off every six minutes. Players will compete across two days, vying for more than $40,000 in total prize money. The event is also open to amateur footgolf players based in UAE with a prize fund of $1,500 up for grabs, with these players also eligible for the overall fund. While Footgolf tournaments have taken place all over the world to date, the Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament will be the first of its kind within the GCC. “We’re thrilled to be bringing the region’s first …

The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship arrived at Doha Port with a ceremony by Qatar Tourism, as part of the 2023/24 cruise season that opened in late-October in Qatar. The welcome ceremony featured a traditional Ardah performance, henna, dhow souvenirs, Arabic calligraphy art, sadu weaving, and net making for disembarking passengers. The cruise ship can accommodate up to 2,340 passengers, and has an operating crew of 1, 032 members. It will be anchored for two nights, allowing passengers to explore nearby sites in Doha which include the Mina District, Souq Waqif, National Museum of Qatar, and more. Speaking on the arrival of the cruise ship, His Excellency, Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, stated, “The pioneering arrival of the Norwegian Dawn and its regional debut is a significant milestone for Qatar’s growing cruise tourism sector and marks Qatar’s international appeal as a cruise destination. Qatar Tourism is keen to create new partnerships and agreements with leading cruise lines and extend the opportunity to international passengers to explore Qatar’s abundant events calendar as well as its world-class museums, attractions, and cultural hotspots.” Captain Abdulla Mohamed Al-Khanji, CEO of Mwani Qatar, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Norwegian Cruise Line maiden voyage to the shores of Qatar and the Gulf region. This important event reflects the growing interest of cruise operators to dock at Doha’s Old Port and depart from it to other cruise terminals in the region. Qatar has rapidly evolved within the cruise tourism industry, emerging as a prominent global destination in this expanding sector. Its captivating attractions and ideal geographical location have been strongly recognised and have made Qatar a highly sought-after destination by both …

Begin 2024 with a tropical escape and welcome the year with a commitment to craft unforgettable memories. Envision a trip through stunning landscapes, with thrilling adventures, full of savory cuisine, culture, and captivating encounters. Begin your year with the promise of enriching experiences in the Philippines. As the cool, dry season graces the islands in the initial three months of the year, this period provides an ideal window to explore a country that is filled with warmth, beauty, and the genuine hospitality that the country is renowned for. Here are our top recommendations for planning a trip to the archipelago in 2024. Palawan Start your journey in a sanctuary for nature lovers seeking either tranquility, adventure, or a perfect blend of both. Explore the Underground River in Puerto Princesa – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and navigate through the mesmerizing limestone caves, adorned with stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. Unwind in the pristine beaches of El Nido surrounded by naturally carved out limestone cliffs and visit the awe-inspiring Big Lagoon or explore the Secret Lagoon. For diving enthusiasts, the crystal-clear waters of Coron houses a vibrant marine life that will leave you captivated. Spend time away from the bustle of tourists in Port Barton, a coastal village embraced by palm-fringed beaches and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, explore nearby waterfalls, and snorkel in the pristine waters teeming with marine life. You can also uncover the rich history of Taytay, home to the 17th-century Fort Santa Isabel. Climb to the fortress’s vantage points for panoramic views and learn about its historical significance. For those seeking the road less traveled, venture to Balabac. Balabac offers a glimpse into the raw and untouched …