Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Oman Air applauded the efforts of Oman Golf Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commence, Industry and Investment Promotion for a first-of-its-kind golf diplomacy initiative between Oman and Italy, which concluded this week. As the event’s official airline sponsor, the national carrier brought in the qualifying players, who included some of Italy’s most prominent investors, into Oman for the final, held at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat. The event raised awareness about Oman’s tourism and investment potential in Italy and other key European target markets. Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “In line with our commitment to Oman’s 2040 Vision, Oman Air is a strong supporter of sports tourism, which is a key vehicle for promoting the country’s natural beauty and rich culture to visitors from all over the world. The Oman Golf Trophy was a huge success, leveraging golf as an ambassador to highlight Oman’s rich investment potential and strengthen diplomatic ties between Oman and Italy. We look forward to seeing more events like it in the future that showcase Oman to the world and provide opportunities for economic growth and job creation.” Oman Air’s efforts to promote investment and sports tourism in Oman are in line with the country’s vision to diversify its economy and create new opportunities for growth. The airline has been a major sponsor of numerous sporting events in Oman and internationally, including most recently the 44Cup, Oman Desert Marathon and Ironman 70.3.

The Saudi Tourism Authority welcomes the expansion of the GCC residents visa which now is open to all professions for those wanting to apply for a tourist visa. Announced by the Ministry of Tourism the visa allows visitors to enjoy Saudi’s diverse tourist destinations and perform Umrah throughout the year. This is the latest in a series of announcements across the Saudi tourism eco-system that aim to attract regional tourists and provide more activities for visitors coming from GCC countries. People wishing to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can view more information and apply for a visa on www.visa.visitsaudi.com. The Visit Saudi app also provides a gateway for travelers to discover all the events, international festivals, inspiring tourism experiences, and enjoy the country’s climate, natural and cultural diversity, and the authentic generosity and hospitality of  the Saudi people. The tourist visa was launched in 2019, to keep up with the development and growth of the tourism sector. In 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Nusuk platform in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program. Nusuk, Saudi’s first-ever official integrated digital platform, offers all pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah, and beyond. With Nusuk, travelers from all over the world can easily organize their entire visit, from applying for an eVisa to booking hotels and flights. To book Umrah travel, visit www.Nusuk.sa. Saudi has seen a remarkable increase in the number of visitors every year, reaching more than 93 million visits in 2022. The tourism sector aims to reach 100 million visits annually by 2030.

The number of travellers visiting Germany from the GCC recorded more than double in 2022, resulting in double the room nights as compared to 2021, according to new data from the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Germany recorded approximately 1.12 million room nights in 2022, more than double the 2021 figure of 500,000. GCC travellers were responsible for more than 335,000 room nights in the first half of 2022, representing a 318 per cent increase on 2021. The second half of the year brought even more growth, with records showing a further 793,000 room nights – a 136.7 per cent jump on the previous six months. Further, Germany recorded more than 404,000 GCC travellers in 2022 that resulted in the 1.12 million room nights, a 243.84% increase from 2021 that recorded just a bit more than 165,000 GCC travellers that resulted in 500,000 room nights approx. “This consistent growth illustrates an increasing interest in Germany from the GCC and amplifies anticipation for the year ahead,” said Yamina Sofo, director at the Dubai-based German National Tourist Office (GNTO). “The rise in travellers can certainly be attributed to Germany’s ongoing efforts to diversify itineraries through various tourism campaigns that highlight local cultures, family-focused leisure options, and natural, sustainability focussed travel options.” Sofo continued: “We have seen a consistent growth in 2022 – both quarter-by-quarter and year-on-year. Now our focus lies in amplifying these numbers in 2023 by driving sustainable tourism offerings and helping ensure visitors explore and experience the culture and natural beauty of Germany throughout all its states and cities.” Further, GCC travellers were more inclined towards visiting places that were surrounded by nature and exploring the country’s green landscapes and …

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MOHT), hosted the largest Global Travel Week Middle East this week with the participation of 200 professionals in the field of luxury tourism from around the world, along with 40 local Omani tourism industry key players. It was two days of networking opportunities to connect with the luxury exhibitors across the globe in the Sultanate of Oman. Asma bint Salem Al Hajriya, Deputy Director General for Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman said in her closing remarks stated, “On behalf of my country, the Sultanate of Oman, and on behalf of my entire team of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, we are all delighted to welcome you here today – we hope you have a very enjoyable time and are excited to learn more about our beautiful country. Oman is a blessed country with a diverse landscape, nature, heritage and history and of course, without forgetting the most aspect of its people, the most renowned friendliest and hospitable people of Oman are the assets of this country. With all these components, Oman delivers a unique luxury travel experience.” She further reiterated, “striking the perfect balance between international outlook and traditional atmosphere, our deep culture and heritage combined with world-class hotels and authentic Arabian experiences, means that we are very well placed to make the most of the growing interest in visiting our region. Events like today are an invaluable opportunity for you to connect with our stakeholders, and I hope that as we end this two day event you had fruitful meetings and good knowledge of what Oman offers …

Saudi kicks off its first participation at ITB Berlin, the world’s biggest travel show and convention, celebrating key milestones for Saudi’s tourism growth story and showcasing the breadth and depth of Saudi’s extraordinary destination offering. In the run up to the event, Saudi hosted members of media at the press conference session “Unexpected Arabia: Discover Saudi,” on Monday 6 March, giving a preview of Saudi’s diverse offerings and developments. During the week there will be interactive on-stand experiences, bringing to life the rich culture and heritage of one of the world’s last frontiers of tourism. Visitors will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the authentic home of Arabia, to feel the unparalleled hospitality for which the country is known. As the largest exhibitor at this year’s edition of ITB Berlin, a record number of partners for Saudi are on the stand showcasing a record number of bookable products for the destination (200+) spanning experiences, packages, hotels, and cruises for trade partners. This presence reflects the incredible growth the country is witnessing. Since opening to tourism in 2019, Saudi has been recognized as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in the G20. With an extraordinary +121% increase from pre-pandemic international tourism levels, Saudi achieved 93.5 million visits in 2022 and is outpacing global tourism sector recovery as recognized by the UNWTO. As the world’s biggest investor in tourism, Saudi has committed $550bn to new destinations by 2030. Preserving heritage and history, a $50.6 billion masterplan will transform Diriyah, a 300-year-old city and birthplace of Saudi, into one of the world’s most exciting cultural sites. In 2023, Red Sea Global, the world’s most ambitious luxury tourism development, will debut its first hotel …

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MOHT), hosted The Global Travel Week Middle East, during the period of 4th to 7 March 2023, with the participation of 200 professionals in the field of luxury tourism from around the world, along with 40 local Omani tourism industry key players. The  Global Travel Week Middle East event is B2B type of event organized in cooperation with Travel Weekly Group, a company specializing in organizing tourism activities, that attract tourism companies and tour operators from different countries around the world to meet with their counterparts to strengthen the cooperation between them in the field of tourism. Top selected tourism companies were selected to carry out familiarization tours in the governorates of Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah North in order to understand the destination unique selling points. The program included visits to all major tourism attractions including site visits to the Oman luxury hotels and experiences. Such tours will contribute to enhance their efforts in  promoting the Sultanate of Oman. Asma bint Salem Al Hajriya, Deputy Director General for Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman said: “Connections Luxury Middle East is a valuable addition to the list of luxury tourism companies and has proven to generate extraordinary value for business of companies in the tourism industry. We are proud to once again to partner with Connections Luxury Middle East as the host partner. This partnership provides an unparalleled platform for the Sultanate of Oman to showcase our rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings to a large audience of leading travel and tourism companies coming from different markets around …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) introduces its all-new Wedding Certification Programme to enable seamless, quick, and easy wedding planning in the Emirate. Bolstering Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a world-class wedding destination, the new initiative was announced at the 11th edition of the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference (EWPC), currently taking place at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre with leading wedding and event planners from around the world in attendance. As part of the programme, both domestic and internationally based wedding planners will have access to an e-learning platform that will be launched this spring as a one-stop-shop to seamlessly facilitate all aspects of a civil ceremony. Those certified through the programme will benefit from added ease and flexibility in obtaining necessary licenses, organising events, and gaining valuable business support from certified hotels via the portal. Planners will also gain a deeper understanding of the UAE’s civil marriage process, receive fast-tracked permits, and have access to a network of resources to help them confidently navigate through local regulations. With the aim of enhancing awareness of the Emirate’s array of distinctive locations, certified wedding planners will also gain expert knowledge on a curated portfolio of unique venues that provide breath-taking backdrops for bespoke, picturesque celebrations – including Al Jazeera Al Hamra, Jais Viewing Deck Park, Dhayah Fort, Sonara Camp Al Wadi, Date Farm, and Suwaidi Pearls Farm. In parallel, a series of comprehensive incentive packages will be available for couples, wedding planners, and certified venues. These will include complimentary services, discounted rates, and airport support for charter flights, while any specialised permits will be waived off to further ease procedures. The initiatives follow the UAE’s recent introduction of …

VisitBritain is launching a new marketing campaign aimed at attracting visitors to Britain from the GCC region. The international GREAT Britain marketing campaign invites visitors to ‘See Things Differently’, showcasing Britain as a welcoming, dynamic, exciting and inclusive destination with a warm British welcome at its heart. The multi-media advertising campaign – called ‘Spilling the Tea on Great Britain’ – uses a play on Britain’s love of tea, through destination images and short films, to tell a fresh and exciting story about the experiences on offer showing visitors that ‘whatever your cup of tea, we’ve got it.’ From a ‘Festival’ themed tea that highlights Britain’s live music scene to a ‘Graffi-tea’ that celebrates its vibrant cities and cultural attractions. A ‘Surf’ theme shows Britain’s coastal experiences, ‘#nofilter’ its natural beauty and a ‘Monster Hunting’ tea draws inspiration from Britain’s historical discoveries and legendary myths including world-famous Nessie the Loch Ness Monster. A limited release of the themed teas, blended by British tea company Tregothnan, are set to be available for tastings at VisitBritain promotional and trade events. VisitBritain’s Interim Deputy Director Carol Maddison said: “The GCC is an important tourism market for Britain and we are delighted to be running this dedicated campaign, tapping into motivations for travel this year, to build on the strong recovery we have seen.” “Britain is packed full of new and invigorating experiences for visitors to come and enjoy, from adrenaline filled coastal and countryside adventures to iconic summer festivals, from street food tours to street art tours to afternoon teas with a magical twist. By showing our warm British welcome and telling the story of our vibrant and varied destinations we want to inspire …

The Philippines, home to lovely beaches and picturesque mountain vistas, has a lot more to offer to the visitors. The cities of the Philippines offer fun and unique activities that can be toured in a single day, with a cosmopolitan vibe. Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is alive with sights and sounds of urban life at its busiest. It is also a contrast of the old and the new, with a mix of skyscrapers and heritage houses, and cars share the road with colorful jeepneys and horse-drawn calesas. One tourist stop in Manila should be the Walled City of Intramuros, built by the Spanish colonizers 500 years ago. Its stone ramparts are still intact, along with the other defenses such as its moats and cannons that protected the fort from both natural disasters and invaders. Visit the Casa Manila Museum to get a feel of life during the Spanish era and take a walking tour to the centuries-old churches Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church to appreciate their architecture. Fort Santiago holds historic significance as the prison where the Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was held before his execution in Bagumbayan. Other structures to check out nearby are the Manila Central Post Office, a neoclassical building that has been declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum, the Cultural Center of the Philippines which is home to world-class performances by Filipino artists. Immerse yourself in art at the National Museum of the Philippines that houses the country’s largest and perhaps most iconic painting, the Spoliarium by Juan Luna, the National Museum of Natural History that showcases Philippine flora and fauna, and the National Museum of …

German National Tourist Board (GNTB) continues to bolster its sustainable tourism offerings with the imminent relaunch of one of its most popular campaigns, Embrace German Nature. Highlighting Germany’s great outdoors, the campaign – which relaunches on March 1 – shines a light on the range of protected natural landscapes, superb cycling and hiking trails, and outstanding spas and health resorts. With Germany home to 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 33 per cent of the country under special environmental protection, the campaign also highlights the stunning natural landscapes, which include 18 Biosphere Reserves, 16 national parks covering more than 10,000km², and 104 nature parks. Ecotourism is expected to see a market growth of 15 per cent between 2021 and 2031, according to analysis by the Future Market Insights Institute. Embrace German Nature is designed then to consider the heightened demand, align with market desires, and help Germany achieve its Sustainable Development Goals. “The Embrace German Nature campaign promotes the physical and mental health benefits of sustainable tourism, advantages of climate-friendly travel and transportation options, and the effects on general wellbeing of embracing Germany’s most natural resources,” said Yamina Sofo, Regional Director – GNTB. “Mindfulness, sustainability, and getting closer to nature have all increased in popularity among the GCC market. This has further encouraged us to relaunch a tourism campaign that not only helps meet that demand, but also takes global and domestic climate targets into account and unites responsible use of natural resources.” Both inspirational and fascinating, Germany has a diverse ecological make up, home to more than 300,000km of hiking trails across coastline and islands, imposing mountains, and dense forests. Approximately 50,000 animal and 20,000 plant species …