Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

The Ajman Tourism Development Department signed a sponsorship agreement with Etihad Water and Electricity, reaffirming its commitment to fostering collaboration within the nation’s key sectors. The agreement will establish a strategic alliance between both entities, with an aim to sponsor community and tourism events, as well as a diverse array of activities to achieve mutual development goals. Under the agreement, various sports, tourism and community events will be organised to attract both visitors and residents, positioning Ajman as the region’s leading tourist destination. The alliance also showcases the significance of maintaining coordination between both entities, while promoting knowledge exchange and leveraging collective resources to ensure success of such events. It is also poised to expand the institutional presence of Etihad Water and Electricity by showcasing its services and initiatives that benefit both residents and tourists. H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director-General of the Ajman Tourism Development Department, and H.E. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity, signed the agreement in the presence of senior officials from both organisations. H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi said: “Our partnership with Etihad Water and Electricity is a strategic move to support the implementation of the department’s initiatives to elevate Ajman’s position as a leading tourist destination. It is also a part of our efforts to strengthen collaboration between government and private entities to achieve key developmental goals.” H.E. underscored that the collaboration with Etihad Water and Electricity will yield favourable outcomes for the Emirate. Moreover, he highlighted Etihad Water and Electricity’s integral role in supporting upcoming events to enhance participation of tourists and residents in these activities, while promoting their exemplary array of services. H.E. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water …

Addressing G20 delegates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, said: “Saudi Arabia shares and celebrates the G20’s dedication to boost tourism growth and to put sustainability at the heart of our work. ”Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to make its rapidly expanding tourism sector sustainable and a powerful force for forging closer cultural links between the world’s nations at the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Brazil. Reflecting on the meeting’s overarching theme of “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”, Al-Khateeb added: “There is more than just an economic benefit from the strides we are making to improve connectivity. They also provide the chance for people from around the world to explore the rich culture of Saudi Arabia and for our people to experience the wonders of other countries and cultures.” The high-profile gathering in Belém is bringing together not only the G20 nations, of which Saudi Arabia is the only permanent member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as 32 additional guest countries and international organizations. Saudi Arabia approved the creation of the G20 Tourism Working Group during its presidency in 2020 and among the Ministers’ key objectives at this meeting in Belém finalizing a report by the Working Group that details measures taken by its members to promote robust, sustainable, and balanced global tourism growth. During the event in Belém, His Excellency met with ministers and senior political figures from Brazil, India, Italy, Spain and Japan, as well as with His Excellency Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of UN Tourism and Julia Simpson, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). In addition to meeting with global leaders, His Excellency also joined a WTTC Public-Private Dialogue to coincide with the launch …

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved an increase of 73% in the number of international tourist growth, while international tourism revenues recorded an increase of 207%, according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer report issued this week at the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Belem, Brazil. It was also shared that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tops the list of G20 countries in the indicators of the growth rate of the number of international tourists and the growth rate of international tourism revenues according to the latest data for the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2019. Several tourist destinations in the Kingdom witnessed a significant increase in the number of international tourists this year, with 17.5 million tourists during the first seven months of 2024. The Kingdom achieved a growth of 56% in the number of international tourists during 2023 compared to 2019, with 27.4 million tourists, and travel receipts recorded a historical surplus of 48 billion SAR during 2023, an annual increase of 38%. In its September report after the conclusion of the “Article IV Consultation 2024”, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the unprecedented achievements made by the Kingdom’s tourism sector under Saudi Vision 2030. Diversifying the economic sectors, in which travel and tourism emerged as the most important – recording the highest level in the number of visitors, spending, job creation and contribution to GDP. These achievements reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination, and the continuous growth in the number of inbound tourists reflects in the Kingdom’s attractive options and diversity for visitors.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced a series of four strategic initiatives during its participation at Seatrade Cruise MED 2024, underscoring its commitment to elevating the emirate’s position as a premier cruise destination. To enhance the visitors experience, DCT Abu Dhabi has introduced a new digital cruise guide, designed to help guests discover Abu Dhabi’s top attractions, hidden gems, and cultural experiences. Accessible via mobile devices, the guide offers curated itineraries and insider tips, ensuring visitors make the most of their time in the UAE capital. As part of its commitment to improving the experience of all visitors, DCT Abu Dhabi will launch the Cruise Crew Pass, an exclusive benefit for crew members of cruise liners operating in the Arabian Gulf. The pass offers significant discounts, including up to 25% off at 500+ restaurants, shopping discounts at 25+ retail stores, a free UAE SIM card, and complimentary entry to 10+ cultural attractions. The Cruise Crew Pass will be available via a unique invitation code and accessible through the Abu Dhabi Pass App. DCT Abu Dhabi also announced the addition of new cruise itineraries in the Arabian Gulf, featuring the MSC Euribia, Celestyal Journey, and Resorts World One. These cruises will enhance the region’s cruise offerings and attract a new wave of visitors to Abu Dhabi, further establishing the emirate as a key hub for maritime tourism. Additionally, DCT Abu Dhabi has revealed a new visitor information centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Zayed Port. The centre will serve as a gateway for cruise visitors, providing essential information, booking assistance, and insights into the emirate’s diverse offerings, enhancing the overall visitor journey from …

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Emaar Hospitality Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that Dubai remains at the forefront of global hospitality trends and continues to offer unparalleled services to guests. Underlining DET’s commitment to building relationships with homegrown and international hotel groups, and to foster growth and innovation within the hospitality sector, the MoU exemplifies the robust public-private partnerships that are pivotal to Dubai’s tourism success and instrumental in creating unique experiences that attract visitors from around the world. The MoU further strengthens the ongoing partnership between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group and aims to enhance marketing and promotional efforts, develop tourism products and experiences, provide training and capacity building. It was signed at DET’s headquarters by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Mark Kirby, Head of Emaar Hospitality Group. Increasing collaborative efforts between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group will further bolster Dubai’s tourism sector, in line with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, driving visitation growth and consolidating Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Inspired by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and guided by the goals of the D33 Agenda, this new MoU between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group marks another important milestone for Dubai’s tourism industry. Hospitality has been a cornerstone of Dubai’s journey towards becoming one of the most visited and most popular …

Ajman is currently witnessing a substantial increase in tourists from the CIS countries, recording an exceptional increase of 12 per cent visitors and 12 per cent increase in nightly accommodations. This is a testament to the growing attractiveness of the emirate as a tourist destination. There has been a marked increase of 3 per cent in hotel occupancy rate, along with a 5 per cent increase in room revenues as compared to the previous year. The Ajman Tourism Department has launched a promotional tour to the CIS under the leadership of His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Tourism Development Department. The tour, which is being held from September 14 to September 21, has been organised to reinforce collaborations with representatives from the tourism sector of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan in a move to attract more tourists to the emirate of Ajman. The promotional tour includes visits to Almaty, Tashkent and Baku, during which the Department is highlighting Ajman’s latest tourist destinations and new projects which aim to enhance the Emirate’s position as a global tourist destination. His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi said: “The key goal of the promotional tour is to enhance Ajman’s position as a leading tourist destination at a regional and global scale. Our visit to the CIS is aimed at deepening strategic relations with our key partners, and further explore newer avenues for cooperation ad exchange of expertise.” He added: “During the promotional tour, we are showcasing Ajman’s rich heritage and ongoing transformation as a unique cultural and tourist destination within the UAE, enabling us to draw more visitors. We are confident that all these efforts will create new opportunities for sustainable economic …

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a pioneering partnership agreement with noon, the local digital champion, to launch an e-commerce program to further bolster the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai. The partnership falls under the wider Dubai Traders initiative, one of the ten transformative initiatives announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to empower Dubai-based SMEs to adopt new digital tools and channels so they can scale domestically and internationally. Dubai Traders will pave the way for Dubai to consolidate its position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and SME growth, supporting SMEs to build a branded online presence, digitise supply chain processes, and access e-commerce channels. The initiative is focused on forging close private sector partnerships with leading B2B, B2C, and specialised digital solution providers, to leverage their expertise and strengths to provide a suite of tools, incentives, and support mechanisms for SMEs to engage and transact with online customers. In the presence of H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Noon, the partnership agreement was signed by Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), and Faraz Khalid, CEO of noon. At the outset, the program will focus on the e-commerce vertical to allow SMEs to build a comprehensive e-commerce presence and thrive in the digital marketplace. Through the partnership with noon, Dubai Traders will offer an onboarding incentive package to encourage both first-time and experienced sellers to get online and benefit from enhanced visibility on …

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has reinforced its commitment to becoming a global tourism leader by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA). The agreement, finalized during the Global AI Summit in Riyadh, emphasizes the Kingdom’s focus on leveraging advanced technology to support its Vision 2030 objectives. Tourism, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, has already surpassed expectations. In 2023, the Kingdom reached its target of welcoming 100 million annual tourists—seven years ahead of schedule. Now, Saudi Arabia is setting its sights even higher, aiming to attract 150 million tourists by the end of the decade. This rapid growth underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to developing its tourism infrastructure and embracing innovation, with AI playing a central role in this transformation. At the heart of this next phase of growth is the integration of artificial intelligence. The partnership with SDAIA is designed to embed AI across the tourism sector, enhancing operational efficiency, personalizing visitor experiences, and optimizing resource management. The MoC outlines plans to establish a Center of Excellence for AI in tourism, deploy AI-driven technologies, and create data-driven strategies to continually refine and elevate the sector’s offerings. His Excellency Anas Al-Sulai, Assistant Minister of Tourism, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on Saudi tourism. “Saudi tourism is growing at an incredible pace, and we are seeing visitors from all over the world choose Saudi Arabia as their destination. As we continue this upward trajectory, we recognize the critical role of technology in enhancing the visitor experience. From the moment travelers land at our airports to every experience they have in our country, AI will be a key …

Saudi’s national tourism brand, ‘Saudi Welcome to Arabia’ has launched its first-ever integrated consumer campaign for the Indian market – ‘Spectacular Saudi’. With a captivating blend of ancient tales and modern marvels, this campaign reveals a side of Saudi that transcends all expectations. Launching in English across the country, ‘Spectacular Saudi’ takes viewers on an immersive journey through Saudi’s golden sands, pristine waters, and endless skies, revealing the country’s iconic landscapes and experiences. The campaign visuals bring to life all that makes Saudi a spectacular destination – from the ancient mud-brick architecture of Diriyah’s At-Turaif and the pristine waters of the Red Sea to the historic streets of Al Balad in Jeddah and the majestic Nabataean tombs in Hegra, AlUla. Spotlighting Saudi’s open and welcoming culture which resonates with Indian hospitality in many ways; the campaign further cements Saudi’s close affinity with Indian culture. It invites couples, families, and people in search of iconic experiences rooted in culture and heritage, to explore the unexplored. It narrates the story of a Spectacular Saudi, one steeped in heritage, history, and modern wonders while encouraging prospective Indian travellers to embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery. Speaking on the campaign, Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC Markets at Saudi Tourism Authority, said, “Indian travellers have long shown a deep appreciation for authentic and unique experiences. They are keen to explore novel destinations, cultures and gastronomy, and that is exactly what Saudi has to offer. With iconic destinations like Diriyah, Al Balad, and Hegra in AlUla – three of Saudi’s eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, they can walk through history dating back millennia, and with tailor-made packages, experience world-class culture, adventure, and cuisine. We are excited …

The Saudi tourism system and its partners from the private and public sectors attended a workshop under the patronage of HE Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). This year’s Saudi Winter 2024-2025 program is expected to launch across seven destinations: Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, the Red Sea, the Eastern Province, Hail, and Madinah. The workshop reviewed achievements in the tourism sector, areas of collaboration with the private sector, and preparations and expectations for the upcoming Saudi winter season program. The program will include activities such as desert and beach camping, sports competitions, cultural and entertainment events, and shopping exhibitions. It will also focus on developing unique offers, packages, and programs in collaboration with the commercial sector to align with the expectations of domestic tourists and target regional and global markets. “The tourism sector is receiving unprecedented support from the wise leadership, with close collaboration between the Saudi tourism system and private sector partners,” the tourism minister said, noting that the number of partners in Saudi Summer has exceeded 700. “This year’s Saudi Winter program includes several global promotional campaigns targeting various international markets, raising our ambitions and expectations to achieve outstanding results and set new records while enhancing what we offer to the tourists of our dear Kingdom,” the minister said. Meanwhile, STA Chief Executive and board member Fahd Hamidaddin said, “We are proud of the achievements and results of the Saudi Summer program so far.” Hamidaddin said that, in partnership with both the private and public sectors, we aim to offer a range of high-quality products during the upcoming Saudi Winter program. He indicated that …