Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Visit Qatar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with flynas Airways to boost travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, the two parties will cooperate to explore opportunities to operate additional flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with hosting major events and tournaments, including the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™. The partnership will also focus on launching joint marketing campaigns aimed at promoting Qatar as a destination for visitors from the Saudi Arabian market. This agreement reinforces the solid foundation of cooperation between Visit Qatar and flynas, especially in the areas of enhancing air connectivity and implementing joint promotional campaigns during peak travel seasons. Through this partnership, both parties will continue to provide seamless travel experiences and enhance tourism between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The signing ceremony was attended by Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, along with senior Visit Qatar officials, while flynas was represented by Mr. Stéphane Majer, Chief Commercial Officer, and Mr. Abdulelah Al Eidi, Vice President of Sales.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, through its agency Tourism Malaysia announced that Malaysia welcomed 194,440 tourists from Middle East region in 2024. Tourism Malaysia also launched “Visit Malaysia”  (VM2026) latest video which highlights surreal experiences in Malaysia. The Malaysian delegation is led by The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, who is accompanied by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. The delegation consists of 82 different organizations, which include five (5) state tourism boards, 34 tour operators, 35 hotels and resorts, five Tourism Products, two tourism associations alongside one airline. The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said: “Our multipronged VM2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings.” The VM2026 logo, a symbol of Malaysia’s vibrant culture, natural beauty, and global appeal, serves as a visual representation of the country’s readiness to welcome tourists from around the world. Adopted as the campaign’s official icon, the Malayan Sun Bear, a proud and endangered species, reflects Malaysia’s deep commitment to wildlife conservation. Designed in a lovable, animated style, the mascot is intended to resonate with audiences of all ages, evoking a sense of warmth and joy while enhancing Malaysia’s image as a welcoming and family-friendly destination. Official VM2026 theme song, titled “Surreal Experiences” captures the essence of Malaysia’s unique offerings. This song will be a key component of the campaign to attract global attention and engage visitors with the enchanting experiences Malaysia has to offer. Malaysia is eager to welcome 45 million international visitors and to achieve RM270 billion (USD60.8 billion) in tourism receipts by 2025. …

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Visa to facilitate further increases in international tourism inflows and elevate the visitor experience across the city. The MoU will harness Visa’s data-driven insights to optimise marketing campaigns, streamline tourism services, and deliver tailored promotions for visitors. The collaboration aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for business and tourism, and highlights the robust public-private partnerships that continue to drive the tourism sector’s exceptional growth, evidenced by a robust Q1 performance in 2025. Dubai welcomed 5.31 million international overnight visitors in the first three months of this year, up 3% on the same period last year. The MoU was signed at the Dubai stand at ATM by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for GCC – Visa. Under the agreement, Visa will support DET’s strategic objectives by leveraging VisaNet – the world’s largest global payments network – to provide in-depth data-driven insights into visitor journeys, spending behaviours, customer preferences, seasonal trends and digital adoption. These analytics will empower DET to craft targeted marketing campaigns and customer-centric initiatives, ensuring seamless and enriching experiences for tourists. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Visa has been a driving force behind Dubai’s vibrant tourism ecosystem, empowering travellers with seamless, secure, and innovative payment solutions at every step of their journey. This collaboration brings …

Visit Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Satguru Travel to position Qatar as a preferred destination for African travellers and expand its presence across the continent. The MoU was signed by  Saleh Al Nisf, Middle East and Africa Senior Manager- International Markets, Visit Qatar, and Prakash Lalchandani, Vice President of Satguru Travel Group. Under the agreement, Visit Qatar and Satguru Travel will collaborate on the development of integrated, multi-channel marketing campaigns, leveraging Satguru’s extensive regional network, whilst also sharing market insights to better target and attract African visitors.

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced that Sharjah attracted approximately 1.6 million hotel guests in 2024, reflecting an 11% increase compared to 2023. This growth highlights the continuous development of the tourism sector in Sharjah. The announcement was made during a press conference held today with the participation of SCTDA alongside more than 25 government and private entities at the “Sharjah Pavilion” during Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which runs from April 28 to May 1 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The authority revealed key statistics for Sharjah’s tourism sector in 2024, noting that Russian guests ranked first with over 270,000 guests, representing an 18% increase compared to 2023. Indian guests came second with over 170,000 guests, marking a 6% rise compared to 2023. European guests saw a 16% increase compared to 2023, reaching over 100,000 guests, while Chinese guests surged to over 60,000 guests, an exceptional increase of 828% compared to 2023. Among Arab countries, Oman topped the list of hotel guests in Sharjah, accounting for 6% of total guests in 2024, followed by Saudi Arabia at 5%, Egypt at 4%, and Syria and Iraq at 3% each. His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, highlighted the latest developments from the authority, including the official launch of Sharjah’s new tourism brand campaign “Visit Sharjah.” The campaign focuses on showcasing Sharjah’s diverse tourist destinations, blending heritage, adventure, natural beauty, and modern experiences. It emphasizes the emirate’s ability to offer varied experiences catering to different types of travellers who are seeking adventure, tranquillity, family entertainment, or cultural immersion. The campaign also spotlights major events such as the Sharjah Light Festival and other annual highlights that create memorable moments …

The Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, in collaboration with Dhofar Municipality, officially announced the much-anticipated Dhofar Khareef 2025 season during a press conference held on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. Held annually from 21 June to 20 September, the Dhofar Khareef season transforms the southern region of Oman into a lush, verdant paradise, offering visitors moderate temperatures, misty landscapes, and rich cultural experiences. In 2024, the Khareef season recorded a 9% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals, reaching approximately 1.048 million visitors, reflecting Dhofar’s growing status as a premier regional and international tourism destination. The announcement was led by His Excellency Dr Ahmed bin Mohsen Al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, and His Excellency Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, highlighting Oman’s commitment to promoting one of the Arabian Peninsula’s most unique tourism seasons to the world. During the press conference, His Excellency Dr Al Ghassani outlined the new and expanded activities enriching the visitor experience during Dhofar Khareef 2025. He emphasised that the season’s main and accompanying events will be distributed across existing and newly developed sites, with diverse entertainment, cultural, and family-oriented attractions. Building on the success of its new location last year, “Return of the Past” will have an expanded program showcasing the spirit of Oman’s traditional life. Visitors will experience authentic folk performances, bustling heritage markets, and exhibitions of traditional crafts. Significant site development has enhanced the historical ambience, creating an immersive experience that blends heritage with modern amenities. Emerging as a key entertainment hub, Athens Square will host major international shows, cultural events, and shopping experiences. Upgraded facilities include an open-air theatre, integrated …

The new partnership between Emirates and Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) explore and implement promotional activities and offer bespoke packages for tour operators and the wider travel trade in key markets. Emirates and SCTDA will also explore opportunities to create unique products and packages marketed directly to Emirates’ customers via ‘Dubai Experience’ on the airline’s website. This is in addition to advertising and cross promotional marketing campaigns, familiarisation programmes for travel trade and media, as well as promotional competitions aimed to encourage visits to Sharjah as part of their overall UAE holiday.

Qatar Tourism and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) unveiled a strategic partnership designed to strengthen regional tourism ties through a new twin-centre holiday offering. This initiative enables travellers to seamlessly combine Doha and Abu Dhabi into a single, multi-city itinerary, making it easier than ever to explore both destinations in one trip. At the heart of this collaboration are Qatar Airways Holidays and Etihad Holidays operated by Capital Holidays, part of ADNEC group, who will jointly curate customised travel packages. Each will draw from a selection of hotels and experiences to design integrated itineraries that capture the essence of both destinations. These packages will be promoted to tour operators across key markets in Europe and North America. The initiative underscores a shared vision to broaden the region’s tourism offerings, tap into new source markets, and position the Gulf as a cohesive, world-class travel destination. By streamlining travel between Qatar and the UAE, the twin-centre packages provide visitors with a richer array of cultural, leisure, and hospitality experiences. This collaboration not only enhances international visibility for both Qatar and Abu Dhabi but also stimulates cross-border tourism and economic growth.

The German National Tourist Office GCC (GNTO GCC) announced that GCC visitors to Germany have grown steadily to over 489,689 in 2024, a steady year-on-year increase of 1.2% and an impressive 21% increase when compared with the total visitor numbers in 2022. The announcement was made during a press conference, which was held on the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. Yamina Sofo, Director at the German National Tourist Office GCC (GNTO GCC), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), commented, “We have now witnessed considerable growth in visitor numbers from the GCC countries since the end of the pandemic. “These figures underscore Germany’s increasing post pandemic popularity with GCC visitors and bodes well for 2025. With direct flights from the GCC countries to Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hannover, Stuttgart, Cologne and Hamburg, this year we want to encourage GCC residents to visit Germany and experience our diverse year-round tourism offering.” Luis Monreal, Senior Director Sales Middle East Lufthansa Group Airlines, commented: “Lufthansa Group is proud to team up this year with the DZT as their official carrier. We connect the GCC with Germany nonstop since 1960 with its flights to Saudi Arabia. Lufthansa and Eurowings offer both to our passengers German hospitality already on board. Lufthansa, as a premium carrier, offers stable and year-round connections to Frankfurt and Munich from Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam. Our value-airline Eurowings is expanding substantially since 2023 in the GCC by offering more direct connections to other German such as Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne and Hanover. They meet their GCC customers much closer to their homes as they offer departures also from Dubai World, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah. The strong increase in …

Sharjah is preparing to participate in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, scheduled to take place from 28 April to 1 May 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Sharjah pavilion, under the auspices of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), will include representatives from more than 25 entities across the public and private sectors. The participation aims to highlight Sharjah’s latest tourism, cultural, and developmental initiatives while showcasing variety experiences that Emirates of Sharjah has to offer its guest and tourists which reinforce the emirate’s position as a leading destination on both the regional and global tourism map. This event will bring together experts, thought leaders, and decision-makers in the fields of tourism, travel, hospitality, and hotel establishments from around the world to explore the impact that this field has on the leisure and business travel sectors, focusing on how it can streamline operations and enhance customer experiences for travellers, hotel guests, and other. This year’s edition of the exhibition is held under the theme ‘Global Travel: Shaping the Future of Tourism through Enhanced Connectivity’, making it an ideal platform for exchanging expertise and exploring best practices in one of the most dynamic sectors, while contributing to both global and national economic growth. The Emirate of Sharjah’s participation at the event is focused on presenting its current and future tourism plans and innovative initiatives that promote the sector’s development. It will also introduce new projects, variety of accommodation and staycation options, thrilling adventures, and integrated tourism activities, along with a showcase of the year-round calendar of key events designed to enhance the guests and tourist experience and strengthen the sustainability of the emirate’s tourism offerings. The …