Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

As part of the latest phase of the #DubaiDestinations summer campaign, a new interactive guide titled ‘Dubai’s Summer Gems’ was issued by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office. Showcasing a comprehensive compilation of tranquil beach destinations, exhilarating water activities, and captivating waterparks, the new guide perfectly encapsulates Dubai’s distinctive summer ambiance and unparalleled experiences that distinguish it as one of the world’s most fascinating destinations during the warmer months. Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, said: “‘Dubai’s Summer Gems’ guide unveils the best of what our city has to offer during the summer months. It serves as a fantastic resource that invites individuals to embark on a remarkable journey of discovery in this vibrant city. The guide highlights a diverse range of attractions and activities that cater to every taste and interest. From serene beaches perfect for relaxation to thrilling water activities that ignite a sense of adventure, this guide captures the essence of Dubai’s summer charm.” The guide highlights numerous exceptional public beaches that provide ample facilities and activities for families and children. These beaches offer a range of amenities and services to ensure a memorable experience. Additionally, for those seeking thrilling water adventures, the guide features a variety of waterparks that guarantee a fun-filled day of aquatic excitement. The guide also includes a selection of other exhilarating water activities that cater to diverse interests. Some of these activities include the thrilling experience of parasailing, the mesmerising exploration of scuba diving, the scenic delights of boat touring, and the adrenaline rush of surfing. The latest phase of the #DubaiDestinations campaign invites international audiences to embark on a captivating journey of exploration and …

Wego and Azerbaijan tourism board invites travelers to discover Azerbaijan in all seasons.  The two companies will join forces for a new campaign aiming to showcase Azerbaijan’s incredible attractions to MENA travelers. Building on the successful previous partnership, this collaboration will leverage Wego’s extensive reach and innovative marketing strategies to showcase Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality. In Azerbaijan, both summer and winter offer a wide range of exciting activities for each type of traveler. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “As we renew our partnership with Azerbaijan Tourism Board, we aim to inspire and guide travelers to explore the wonders of Azerbaijan and create a seamless and inspiring travel experience. We recorded over 830,000 searches globally to Azerbaijan this year and we are expecting to see an increase in the searches towards the summer.” During the summer months, the country’s beautiful coastal areas become a haven for beach lovers. Travelers can indulge in water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. Additionally, the picturesque mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, such as the Greater Caucasus range, provide fantastic opportunities for hiking, trekking, and exploring scenic trails that lead to breathtaking vistas and hidden waterfalls. Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board, said: “In winter, Azerbaijan transforms into a winter wonderland, providing excellent opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts. The country has premier ski resorts and offer world-class skiing and snowboarding facilities with a range of slopes suitable for beginners to advanced skiers. Additionally, the picturesque village of Gabala, located in the Tufandag Mountains, offers a charming winter retreat with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and even enjoying horse-drawn sleigh rides through snowy landscapes.”

Dubai’s stature as a global meetings incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination continues to soar with the city registering a strong year-on-year growth of 44% in business event bid wins in the first half of 2023. The outstanding growth in the number of global events being hosted by the city contributes further to its economic growth in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, worked with partners and stakeholders to win 143 conferences, congresses, meetings and incentives in the first six months of 2023. These events – which will take place over the coming years – are expected to bring over 94,000 additional visitors to the city, including global experts and leaders in their respective fields. The surge in event wins serves as a testament to the dynamic momentum of growth witnessed not only within Dubai’s business events sector but also across its broader economy in recent years. The events captured include 24 association conferences, congresses and meetings, which are set to contribute to driving Dubai’s knowledge economy forward. Renewed growth from China alongside ongoing momentum from India contributed to 84 incentives won by the city. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, our focus on capturing business events that bring value to the city continues to deliver strong results. Dubai’s robust proposition, built not only on world-class business events infrastructure and …

“Dubai further consolidated its status as the world’s leading tourist destination in the first half of 2023. We welcomed more than 8.5 million international visitors in the first six months of the year while Dubai Financial Market (DFM)-listed companies recorded a total market value of AED652 billion. Dubai also strengthened its status as one of the world’s top three hubs for wealth owners, and one of the fastest-recovering cities since the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very proud of what we have achieved so far this year, and the confidence that we have inspired in the global community,” His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, said Dubai continues to reinforce its position as a major global economic hub, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Qatar Tourism has released the third edition of Qatar Now, a bi-annual edition that aims to enhance the visitor experience, encourage them to explore the destination, and give them a holistic view of the destination. This edition of the Qatar Now guide is divided into two parts , each focusing on a distinct aspect of Qatar. The first section of the guideline is titled “Vibrant Traditions,” where readers are taken on a captivating journey to learnabout Through it they learn about Qatar’s ancient heritage, and explore the customs and traditions of its people. The second section of the guide, titled ‘Modern Vision’, presents a diverse mix of content on innovation, mega projects and the workforce that have contributed to the evolution of Qatari society towards modernity. On this occasion, Mr. BeerWHold Trainkel, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, said: “The Qatar Guide now captures the depth of Qatari culture and highlights the destination’s tourism offerings to travellers from around the world. This edition of the guide is designed to reflect Qatar’s unique blend of authenticity and modernity, and highlights the innovative steps Qatar is taking to continue its progress.” The third edition of Qatar Now features a collection of inspiring stories by prominent local figures, offering a glimpse into the lives and experiences of Qataris who have made significant contributions to Qatar’s cultural and artistic scene. Prominent among these are Mr. Nasser Al-Attiyah, Qatar Tourism Brand Ambassador, Mr. Khalifa Haroun and Mr. Mubarak Al-Malik, who have left a distinctive mark on the creative scene in the country. The Qatar Guide is now an inspiration for families of young people coming to Qatar from around the world to design their trips, …

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is delighted to promote its captivating campaign 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Historic.Modern.Germany aimed at enticing GCC travellers to explore the wonders of Germany during the vibrant summer season. Germany boasts 51 World Heritage sites and more than 6,000 museums, offering a wealth of interesting places of cultural and historical significance. Showcasing a fusion of both its rich history and contemporary allure, Germany offers an extraordinary tapestry of experiences where ancient castles, picturesque landscapes, and bustling cities coexist seamlessly. With its latest campaign, the GNTB seeks to present the country as the ideal summer destination for Gulf travellers, enticing them with a diverse array of attractions, cultural encounters, and unforgettable adventures. Whether it is in the city or countryside, Germany’s culture is honoured and preserved, providing inspiration for the future. Under 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Historic.Modern.Germany, the country is unswervingly promoting its palaces and castles, nature and gardens, architecture and design, churches and abbeys, cultural heritage, and historical town centres. Some of the noteworthy places that explorers can discover under this campaign are the castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Bruhl, the Margavial Opera House in Bayreuth, Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz, Bauhaus sites in Weimar Dessau and Bernau, Cologne Cathedral and the historic centres of Stralsund and Wismar, among others. This allows travellers to embrace Germany’s ‘Stay a Little Bit Longer’ initiative and explore many of the country’s regions and make the most of the abundance of diverse experiences each has to offer. Travellers can also make the most of GNTB’s interactive map (https://www.germany.travel/en/campaign/world-heritage/home.html), which allows them to immerse in the full splendour of Germany. The tool enables visitors to seamlessly …

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is delighted to promote its captivating campaign 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Historic.Modern.Germany aimed at enticing GCC travellers to explore the wonders of Germany during the vibrant summer season. Germany boasts 51 World Heritage sites and more than 6,000 museums, offering a wealth of interesting places of cultural and historical significance. Showcasing a fusion of both its rich history and contemporary allure, Germany offers an extraordinary tapestry of experiences where ancient castles, picturesque landscapes, and bustling cities coexist seamlessly. With its latest campaign, the GNTB seeks to present the country as the ideal summer destination for Gulf travellers, enticing them with a diverse array of attractions, cultural encounters, and unforgettable adventures. Whether it is in the city or countryside, Germany’s culture is honoured and preserved, providing inspiration for the future. Under 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Historic.Modern.Germany, the country is unswervingly promoting its palaces and castles, nature and gardens, architecture and design, churches and abbeys, cultural heritage, and historical town centres. Some of the noteworthy places that explorers can discover under this campaign are the castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Bruhl, the Margavial Opera House in Bayreuth, Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz, Bauhaus sites in Weimar Dessau and Bernau, Cologne Cathedral and the historic centres of Stralsund and Wismar, among others. This allows travellers to embrace Germany’s ‘Stay a Little Bit Longer’ initiative and explore many of the country’s regions and make the most of the abundance of diverse experiences each has to offer. Travellers can also make the most of GNTB’s interactive map (https://www.germany.travel/en/campaign/world-heritage/home.html), which allows them to immerse in the full splendour of Germany. The tool enables visitors to seamlessly …

Qatar Tourism in collaboration with the renowned Spacetoon channel is preparing to host the Qatar Games Festival, which will be the first of its kind in Qatar and the largest in the region, from July 13 to August 5 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme “Adventures… Tales.. and games.”  More than 25 of the world’s leading gaming brands including Barbie, Blebby, Bloway, Cocomilon, Disney, Happy Cappy, Marvel, Fortnite and Transformers are participating in the festival. The event is part of Qatar Tourism’s ‘Summer in Qatar’ campaign, which includes diverse and lively events and activities. Over the course of its 25 days, children and families who are festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet a range of their favorite characters, participate in interactive areas such as Barbie’s Dream House and the life-size Monopoly gamepad, as well as the possibility of purchasing the latest toys offered by participating brands. Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are delighted to partner with one of the region’s most popular satellite channels to bring a world of fun to families this summer. When designing Qatar’s Summer Campaign programme, we made sure that it included unprecedented events and allowed families and children to enjoy a wonderful summer atmosphere in Qatar. Since the launch of our global campaign ‘Qatar More than a Feeling’ late last year, our seasonal campaigns have been very successful in developing a diverse and enjoyable calendar all year round and on all occasions.” The Qatar Games Festival offers four distinctive zones known as ‘Islands’ that satisfy the tastes of many visitors from all ages. These islands are: Fancy Land – with Disney …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) foresees a robust recovery for Philippines Tourism, underpinned by the encouraging figures in the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) for 2022, as compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The Tourism Direct Gross Value Added share of tourism to the Philippine economy, as measured by the GDP, was estimated at 6.2 per cent for 2022. The TDGVA last year amounted to PHP 1.38 trillion, 36.9 per cent higher as compared with the PHP 1.00 trillion in 2021. Internal tourism expenditure, combining inbound and domestic tourism expenditure, saw a growth last year, tallying PHP 1.87 trillion in 2022, a 131.2 per cent growth from the PHP 810 billion in 2021. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted the DOT’s commitment to sustain last year’s gains through its seven-point agenda to be pursued by the Marco’s administration. “We are elated by the figures enclosed in the 2022 Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts. We ascribe last year’s gains to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., vision, which inspired the DOT, and all players making up the tourism value chain and allowed the Philippines to achieve greater heights,” Secretary Frasco said. “As we continue to ride the wave of travel resurgence coming out of COVID, we in the DOT, acknowledge the initiatives to make the Philippine Tourism sustainable and resilient for the next several years,” she added. The 2022 PTSA showed inbound tourism expenditure posted the growth out of the different forms of tourism expenditure, recording PHP 368.67 billion last year compared with PHP 27.63 billion in 2021. Inbound tourism expenditure, referring to the expenditure of non-resident visitors or those foreign and Filipinos permanently residing abroad, contributed 5.9 per cent to …

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed a pioneering Memorandum of Understanding with Mastercard to form a “Digital City Partnership” to further accelerate the emirate’s economic growth in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. A global first at a city level, the strategic alliance paves the way for Dubai to harness Mastercard’s multi-rail payments network and data-driven digital commerce technology, which connects over 100 million merchants globally across all sectors and segments to address key priorities of the D33 Agenda. The MoU will lead to the development and implementation of a multi-year Digital Partnership programme in Dubai, focusing on: Enabling growth of trade and exports: The collaboration aims to enable new international trade opportunities for businesses and expand export capabilities, leveraging Mastercard’s expertise in facilitating secure and efficient payment transactions. Developing SMEs and enabling innovation: The partnership will prioritise the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing them with digital tools, resources, and mentorship to foster innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. Attracting and developing talent: Dubai and Mastercard will work together to attract and nurture Emirati and global talents in the digital sector, fostering the development of a skilled workforce equipped with the capabilities necessary to drive the city’s digital economy forward. Accelerating growth across the tourism ecosystem: The Digital City Partnership aims to leverage digital technologies to further enhance Dubai’s tourism industry. Implementing innovative payment solutions and improving visitor experiences will support Dubai’s vision to become a top-three global destination for visitors across leisure, business and specialised services. The visionary commitment of Dubai’s leadership, coupled with the depth and magnitude of this digital partnership, provides a conducive environment to deliver scalable and inclusive use-cases …