Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Visit Qatar in collaboration with Qatari Diar hosted the Lusail Sky Festival, which lasted for 3 days coinciding with the Eid Al Fitr holiday, the largest event of its kind in Qatar welcomed more than 340,000visitors. The festival presented an exceptional visual show that brought together more than 3,000 drones and 16 aircraft in coordinated aerial shows that included world-class acrobatic aircraft shows, skydiving, sky-writing aircraft, coloured smoke displays, fast jet shows, laser-enhanced night shows, and fireworks displays. Lusail skies were lit up by professional show teams from Qatar, Northern Europe, the United Kingdom and Germany, with the participation of123 international air show professionals. The excitement spread to the ground, where visitors enjoyed live performances, family and musical activities, as well as a selection of food from chargers and food trucks. As an event open to the public, Lusail Sky Festival is the embodiment of a commitment Visit Qatar by providing world-class experiences that are accessible and suitable for all, emphasizing Qatar’s position as a vibrant destination that attracts visitors from the region and the world.

Eid is around the corner and Dubai is most certainly the best place to celebrate with family and friends as they expect more visitors this year visiting family and friends. TravTalkBreakingnews had a quick chat with Mohamad Feras, AVP Retail & Strategic Alliances, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment about their latest offerings to attract more visitors this Eid. Can you share some of the special programmes for Eid to attract more visitors? We have curated an unforgettable line-up of experiences across Dubai until 6 April, as part of the Eid in Dubai campaign organised by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), in collaboration with government, semi-government, and private sector partners. Our programme spans cultural celebrations, A-list concerts, fireworks, family entertainment, shopping, dining, and much more. Families and friends can look forward to fireworks displays on the first two days of Eid at multiple locations, live concerts by both local and international stars, thrilling sporting events, and must-visit outdoor pop-ups like e& Beach Canteen. In addition, we’re offering world-class dining across Dubai’s top hotels, exclusive Eid stay packages, and a variety of family-friendly activities at iconic attractions. The city will also be buzzing with major retail promotions and grand raffles, giving visitors the chance to win incredible prizes. One of my personal favourite retail highlights this year is The Great Online Sale, which is now live until 30 March. In addition to the biggest-ever bargains of up to 95 per cent off and an extra day of discounts spanning four thrilling days, the citywide sale features the launch of Dubai’s all-new immersive shopping experience this year. This interactive virtual mall enables shoppers to digitally …

Malta Tourism Authority won the title of the ‘Most Innovative Luxury Travel Experience Campaign’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “The Arabian Travel Awards held special significance, recognising the achievements of our clients. The event’s organisation and entertainment were of top-notch quality! Congrats to ATA team. Securing an Arabian Travel Award 2023 is a significant emotional milestone.”- Glenn Johnston Vice President ME and Global Affairs – Representative of Malta Tourism Authority

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Wizz Air have revealed the successful launch of the airline’s ‘Let’s Get Lost’ campaign, which created an exciting new way for travellers to experience the diverse tourism offerings of Abu Dhabi. The campaign saw guests boarding a Wizz Air flight without knowing their final destination. The surprise was revealed upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, a city that offers a wide range of cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, pristine beaches, leisure facilities and world-class entertainment. DCT Abu Dhabi supported this venture with a packed itinerary, showcasing the city as a premier destination for global travellers. The partnership has demonstrated DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to forging strategic international partnerships to boost visibility and support Abu Dhabi’s tourism strategy. The collaboration with Wizz Air not only highlighted the city’s appeal but also showcased how DCT Abu Dhabi is working with partners to drive sustainable growth in the tourism sector. Abdullah Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our collaboration with Wizz Air on the ‘Let’s Get Lost’ campaign was a strategic move that underlined our commitment to innovative marketing approaches. By providing an element of surprise and excitement, we not only promoted Abu Dhabi as a premier destination but also enhanced our position as a world-class tourist destination. This partnership aligned perfectly with our broader strategy of fostering international collaborations to drive sustainable growth in Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.” The success of this collaboration with Wizz Air underscores DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to promoting the city’s tourism sector and enhancing its global visibility. By leveraging the power of strategic partnerships, DCT Abu Dhabi continues to drive growth in …

As the Eid Al-Fitr holidays approach, Qatar is set to deliver an exceptional experience for visitors from across the GCC with the launch of its latest campaign, “Entertainment on Us”. The campaign offers four complimentary tickets to some of the country’s top entertainment and leisure destinations, making Qatar the ideal getaway for families and individuals seeking unique experiences. Visitors can enjoy an array of world-class attractions covered under the campaign, ensuring a memorable holiday for all. Doha Quest stands out as a must-visit destination, boasting the world’s tallest indoor roller coaster and drop tower. As for the water adventure enthusiasts, Meryal Waterpark on Qetaifan North Island features over 69 exhilarating attractions, including the world’s tallest waterslide tower. Meanwhile, Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort offers an expansive water park, a variety of rides catering to all ages, and scenic beachfront areas in the heart of the city. For families seeking a blend of relaxing nature and adventure, Banana Island Resort by Anantara presents an exciting outdoor experience. While thrill-seekers, can enjoy the Angry Birds World, which features over 20 exciting rides suitable for all ages. Qatar in celebration of Eid has an exciting new spectacle. From 3 to 5 April, Lusail Sky Festival will captivate audiences with a drone show featuring 3,000 drones, dazzling fireworks, laser displays, a mesmerising water show, and breathtaking aerial performances, including paramotors and aircraft displays. The festival will also feature an extraordinary musical performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. Visitors during the Eid holiday can also enjoy a range of musical and artistic performances, featuring both renowned stars and emerging talents. U Venue will host a live concert on 4 …

Tourism Malaysia, Dubai Office was honoured with the title of ‘Best NTO – South East Asia’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award from DDP Group. It reflects our commitment to positioning Malaysia as the premier travel destination in this region. This recognition underscores our dedication to fostering strong partnerships with airlines, agents, and media. Looking ahead to Visit Malaysia 2026, we are excited to enhance our promotional strategies with both new and existing partners. ”- Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Director, Tourism Malaysia Dubai Office.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Premier Inn Middle East to further diversify the city’s tourism offering and enhance the overall visitor experience. A joint venture in the Middle East between Emirates and Whitbread PLC, Premier Inn is known for its high-quality, high value service and accommodations, and shares DET’s vision to cater to the needs and preferences of all international travellers. DET and Premier Inn will work together to boost tourism growth, enhance hospitality training, and develop unique travel experiences, underlining DET’s commitment to drive industry momentum through stakeholder collaborations. Aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, the agreement establishes a framework for DET and Premier Inn to showcase Dubai’s diverse destination proposition to global audiences. One of the key focuses of the MoU is joint marketing campaigns. Through targeted advertising, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, and dynamic social media strategies, Premier Inn will actively promote Dubai as a must-visit travel destination. These efforts will target both B2C and B2B markets, ensuring maximum reach and impact. In addition to marketing, the two organisations will work together to develop unique tourism products that highlight Dubai’s cultural heritage, seasonal attractions, and other distinctive features. These offerings will be incorporated into tailored packages aimed at specific markets, providing travellers with memorable and personalised experiences. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Guided by the city’s visionary leadership, this strategic alliance with Premier Inn supports our broader efforts to meet the diverse needs of …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is partnering with ITAKA, Poland’s largest tour operator, to host its Top Sellers Conference 2025. Announced at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, the partnership will foster deeper connections with travel trade professionals and increase awareness of the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the Polish market.Bringing together over 200 travel trade professionals from Poland, the conference will be hosted in Al Ain, the emirate’s “living oasis”, home to the UAE’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and a growing culture, wellness and adventure destination, recently selected as the Gulf Capital of Tourism for 2025. The programme will highlight Abu Dhabi’s range of itineraries and travel packages for both summer and winter, and attendees will also be able to participate in expert-led training sessions. Following the two-day event, the trade professionals will then embark on curated site visits and tours in Abu Dhabi City from 13 to 17 April, experiencing its leading cultural institutions and heritage sites, world-class hospitality infrastructure, and unique attractions firsthand. H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Welcoming ITAKA’s Top Sellers Conference to Abu Dhabi underscores our commitment to fostering strong ties with Poland’s travel trade community. Poland offers tremendous potential and this partnership highlights the unique blend of world-class experiences, cultural heritage, and warm Emirati hospitality that define Abu Dhabi as a destination. By offering leading travel professionals firsthand experience of Abu Dhabi, we strengthen their connection with the destination, inspiring more Polish travellers to explore diverse attractions and rich experiences.” Mariusz Janczuk, President of ITAKA, said: “It is extremely satisfying that ITAKA is working so …

Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malta Tourism Authority to bolster inbound tourism through collaborative marketing efforts. The MoU was signed by Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (West) Europe and Americas and Carlo Micallef, Chief Executive Officer, Malta Tourism Authority, during ITB Berlin, Germany’s premier travel trade exhibition. The signing ceremony was also attended by senior executives from both organizations. Under this strategic alliance, Emirates will leverage its expansive global network to promote Malta as a premier leisure destination. Key initiatives will include organizing media familiarisation trips from key target markets to showcase Malta’s unique appeal as a Mediterranean gateway. The two entities will further explore joint advertising campaigns and collaborations with tour operators and travel agents to develop compelling promotional packages. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “Malta has been a key destination in our European network for over two decades, and we’ve witnessed its growing popularity as a sought-after leisure gateway over the years. This agreement reaffirms our commitment to supporting Malta’s tourism industry by leveraging our global reach to further boost inbound travel. Our daily service, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER—the largest scheduled passenger aircraft serving the destination—ensures that travellers enjoy our award-winning products and services, while local businesses benefit from the significant cargo capacity we offer on the route.” Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Hon. Ian Borg said: “This agreement will continue strengthening the long-standing collaboration between Malta and Emirates, while helping us reach out to more travellers, as we spread the word about the Maltese Islands’ unique attractions and experiences. By joining forces with international airlines and other key industry …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways have  launched the new Abu Dhabi Pass at ITB Berlin. The new Abu Dhabi Pass transforms the visitor experience into a fully digital journey, simplifying access to the emirate’s offerings. Etihad passengers will receive an email with a link to access the Abu Dhabi Pass through a dedicated website, with no additional cost or app download required. The free Abu Dhabi Pass unlocks a range of benefits for Etihad passengers and all visitors to the emirate. These include a tourist SIM card with 10GB data to stay connected, unlimited access to public buses, and 24-hour unlimited access to the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus network exploring key city attractions. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The launch of the new Abu Dhabi Pass reflects our commitment to enhancing the visitor experience by providing seamless access to the emirate’s diverse, world-class attractions, cultural landmarks, and entertainment offerings. Through this partnership, we aim to introduce Abu Dhabi as a top global destination to a wider audience, making it easier for our travel and tourism stakeholders to showcase the very best the emirate has to offer.” Aysha Al Kaabi, Vice President Commercial Enablement & Engagement at Etihad Airways, said: “Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi makes experiencing the emirate’s attractions more appealing than ever. By combining transport, connectivity, and attraction discounts in one digital pass, we’re making it simpler for visitors to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s diverse experiences, from cultural discoveries to family entertainment.” The agreement builds on the success of Etihad’s stopover programme, which welcomed 85,000 international visitors in 2024, compared to 12,000 in 2023. …