Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Starting off the year with its first webinar to discover Northern Germany virtually on Tuesday 18th January 2022 from 12 noon GST about the pristine sandy beaches, white chalk cliffs, sophisticated Baltic seaside resorts, cozy fishing villages, sky high brick churches and fairy tale castles of Meckenburg-Vorpommem. Germany is one of the most popular vacation destinations for the travelers in the Middle East as it has a diverse offering catering to each traveler from the Middle East, whether it be family, millennial, leisure, MICE etc. Meckenburg-Vorpommem located between the metropolises of Berlin and Hamburg in the northeast of Germany, the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has fascinated guests from all over the world for centuries. It is time once again for the agents in the region to take a quick peak at the destination to offer a new area to explore to those yearning to discover. Yamina Sofo Director Sales and Marketing German National Tourist Office GCC shares the importance of attending this event and invites all trade partners to join and learn about the novelties of this destination virtually at first. “We are looking forward welcoming our valued trade partners to ´The Gems of Northern Germany` where we will inform and update the GCC trade about Destination Germany and shed a special light to the beautiful federal-state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, one of Germany´s leading tourist destinations. We see immense potential of Germany`s Northern regions for our GCC guests and therefore wish to showcase the special natural wonders and cultural offering there are to experience. From pristine beaches to cozy fishing villages, fairy tale castles to sophisticated seaside resorts the destination has a treat for all age groups.” The region welcomes its …

The countdown has begun for the comprehensive webinar to be hosted on Tuesday 18th January 2022 from 12 noon GST about the pristine sandy beaches, white chalk cliffs, sophisticated Baltic seaside resorts, cozy fishing villages, sky high brick churches and fairy tale castles of Meckenburg-Vorpommem. Germany is one of the most popular vacation destinations for the travelers in the Middle East as it has a diverse offering catering to each traveler from the Middle East, whether it be family, millennial, leisure, MICE etc. Meckenburg-Vorpommem located between the metropolises of Berlin and Hamburg in the northeast of Germany, the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has fascinated guests from all over the world for centuries. It is time once again for the agents in the region to take a quick peak at the destination to offer a new area to explore to those yearning to discover. The region welcomes its guests with 2,000 kilometres of Baltic Sea coasts and 2,000 glistening lakes. It is also known as the sunniest region in all of Germany with 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Also more than 30% of the whole region is under conservation. The unspoiled nature of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern inspired famous painters throughout the centuries and is best explored by foot, bike or boat says the experts. In terms of local wellness they offer such as Thalassotherapy and the so called healing forests or for those who want to let loose with all kinds of activities on land or on water you can take up kitesurfing, stand up paddling or Jeep Safari on an island. Virtually you can immerse yourself in the culture of a historical region and enjoy the local cuisine with freshly caught …

Moscow City Tourism Committee is set to hold its first on-ground roadshow in the UAE after the pandemic, within an ongoing initiative to promote Moscow as a leading tourism and business destination to the region. The first roadshow will take place in Dubai on the 10th of January 2022, at the Shangri-la Hotel Dubai, followed a second roadshow in Abu Dhabi on the 11th of January 2021, at Sofitel Corniche Abu Dhabi Hotel. Each roadshow is expected to attract a total of 90 attendees, while making sure all health and safety regulations are in place, as required by the local health authorities. it is expected that the key players from Moscow will come to have one-to-one meetings with the best representatives of the UAE tourism, hospitality, and aviation industries. The roadshow will also demonstrate the tourist potential of Moscow in the gastronomic sphere: this fall, the capital of Russia became the first city in the post-Soviet space to be included in the Michelin Red Guide. Commenting on the upcoming roadshows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Head of International Division Anastasia Popova said: “Moscow City Tourism Committee is really excited to host its first live roadshow since the breakout in the UAE, as part of our efforts to further engage with the GCC market and develop our connections with the region. As means to broaden the connections between the UAE’s outbound travel professionals, MICE specialists and Mosturizm travel industry partners, the roadshows will prove a great opportunity to enhance relationships, develop new opportunities, and provide more options for Emirati customers.” In addition to the two upcoming roadshows, the Moscow City Tourism Committee is continuously developing and implementing highly-targeted marketing and public …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced a further update to the ‘Green List’ of countries for inbound travel into Abu Dhabi, as it supports the easing of travel restrictions whilst maintaining safety protocols. All travellers arriving from the updated ‘Green List’ destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi. Travellers will be required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result valid for a maximum of 48 hours before departure, and undergo an additional PCR test upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Vaccinated passengers from the updated ‘Green List’ countries will take another PCR test on day 6 (the day of arrival into Abu Dhabi counts as day 1). Unvaccinated travellers arriving from ‘Green List’ countries will must take PCR tests on days 6 and 9. Countries, regions, and territories included on the ‘Green List’ will be regularly updated based on international developments. Inclusion on the list is subject to strict criteria of health and safety protocols for travel, ensuring and prioritising the well-being of the UAE community. To note, the countries on the ‘Green List’ have been given the green light for travel and refer to inbound travel origin, not citizenship of passenger. Below is the updated ‘Green List’ as of 3 January 2022 – 12:01 AM: 1. Albania 2.Algeria 3.Armenia 4.Australia 5.Austria 6.Azerbaijan 7.Bahrain 8.Belarus 9.Belgium 10.Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.Brazil 12.Bulgaria 13.Burma 14.Cambodia 15.Canada 16.China 17.Croatia 18.Cyprus 19.Czech Republic 20.Denmark 21.Finland 22.France 23.Georgia 24.Germany 25.Greece 26.Hong Kong (SAR) 27.Hungary 28.Indonesia 29.Iran 30.Iraq 31.Israel 32.Italy 33.Japan 34.Kazakhstan 35.Kuwait 36.Kyrgyzstan 37.Laos 38.Latvia 39.Luxembourg 40.Malaysia 41.Maldives 42.Netherlands 43.Morocco 44.Norway 45.Oman 46.Papua New Guinea 47.Philippines 48.Poland 49.Portugal 50.Republic of …

If you are looking for a relaxing post-lockdown vacation, Hokkaido is the place to go for a holistic holiday experience. Discover a world of breathtaking beauty, unique culinary experiences, storied heritage, and endless adventures on Japan’s northernmost island. It is Japan’s largest and most fascinating prefecture, covering roughly a quarter of the country. With the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games drawing the world’s attention for weeks, Japan was the most sought-after destination in 2020. The Olympic marathons and race-walking events were held in the cool environs of Hokkaido. Japan’s famed ‘Omotenashi’, the time-honored spirit of selfless hospitality that goes above and beyond, was experienced by the entire world. Fall in love with Hokkaido’s pristine landscapes, which are known for their natural beauty and produce. Immerse yourself in slow-paced travel with guided tours to organic farms where you can learn about traditional farming and vegetable harvesting firsthand. A trip to Hokkaido’s vineyards is a must if you want to savour hand-picked fine wines while taking in the stunning scenery. Yoichi wineries have harnessed Japanese terroirs to create a distinct expression from their European counterparts. Furthermore, the three-Michelin-star Noma restaurant in Copenhagen offers Yoichis premium wines for connoisseurs to enjoy. Do not miss Japan’s celebrity Michelin-starred chef Tomoyuki Takao’s ingenious Italian culinary marvels made with the region’s freshest seasonal products while you are here. He is a dedicated chef who traverses the highlands and forages the nearby harbour for traditional Ainu foods and fresh seafood to use in his gourmet creations. He is noted for curating neo-Hokkaido cuisine by incorporating the Ainu (Hokkaido’s indigenous people) culinary methods. Say yes to adrenaline-fueled adventures at Hokkaido’s gorgeous ski locations for skiing and snowboarding in the …

Buoyed on by a steady increase in tourist arrivals, Sri Lanka, with confidence and pride, presented the country’s tourism roadmap on the Expo 2020 Sri Lanka National Day which was celebrated on Monday, 03 January 2022, at the Expo Media Centre in Dubai. Expo 2020 Sri Lanka National Day was led by Honourable G. L. Peiris, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Prasanna Ranatunga, the Minister of Tourism & Aviation and Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism and Commissioner General for EXPO 2020 Dubai. The event shed light on Sri Lanka’s readiness for growth and revival of the Tourism industry post-pandemic. In addition, the National Day attracted visitors with colourful cultural performances performed at the Al Wasl Plaza situated at the Stage of Nations. Inbound tourism in Sri Lanka is booming due to the successful implementation of the vaccination programme. As a result, the country is witnessing a decline in COVID-19 infections, with over 85% of the eligible population from Sri Lanka’s 21.9 million being vaccinated. In addition, the administering of booster Pfizer vaccines is rapidly progressing, with priority being given to personnel from the travel industry. During the event, Kimarli Fernando quoted, “Sri Lanka has recovered post-pandemic with confidence, and the country is now steadily moving forward, prioritising its tourism sector in the interests of the country and travel-hungry tourists. We are honoured to be awarded the ‘Safe Travel Stamp’ by the World Travel and Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council in 2021.” The destination is fully operational and delighting vaccinated as well as non-vaccinated tourists, with a set of health & safety protocols to follow: Vaccinated travellers do not need on-arrival PCR tests and …

A comprehensive webinar will be hosted on Tuesday 18th January 2022 from 12 noon GST about the pristine sandy beaches, white chalk cliffs, sophisticated Baltic seaside resorts, cozy fishing villages, sky high brick churches and fairy tale castles of Meckenburg-Vorpommem. Germany is one of the most popular vacation destinations for the travelers in the Middle East as it has a diverse offering catering to each traveler from the Middle East, whether it be family, millennial, leisure, MICE etc. Meckenburg-Vorpommem located between the metropolises of Berlin and Hamburg in the northeast of Germany, the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has fascinated guests from all over the world for centuries. It is time once again for the agents in the region to take a quick peak at the destination to offer a new area to explore to those yearning to discover. The region welcomes its guests with 2,000 kilometres of Baltic Sea coasts and 2,000 glistening lakes. It is also known as the sunniest region in all of Germany with 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Also more than 30% of the whole region is under conservation. The unspoiled nature of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern inspired famous painters throughout the centuries and is best explored by foot, bike or boat says the experts. In terms of local wellness they offer such as Thalassotherapy and the so called healing forests or for those who want to let loose with all kinds of activities on land or on water you can take up kitesurfing, stand up paddling or Jeep Safari on an island. Virtually you can immerse yourself in the culture of a historical region and enjoy the local cuisine with freshly caught fish and the 700-year-old brewing …

The Dubai Racing Club announced that its seventh race meeting at the Meydan Racecourse on January 1, 2022 dedicated to celebrate the #DubaiDestinations initiative that was launched recently to highlight the exceptional experiences, events and activities offered by the emirate. The move is part of the Dubai Racing Club’s efforts to support the initiative, which was launched in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance the UAE’s profile as a leading global destination and make Dubai the world’s best city to live and visit. The first race night of the new year featured a total of seven races including the ‘UAE 1000 Guineas Trial’, with the total value of all prizes exceeding AED800,000. Each of the day’s seven races will be named after one of Dubai’s iconic destinations, beginning with the ‘Etihad Museum’ maiden race followed by the second maiden race ‘Dubai Frame’, with both races being dedicated to Purebred Arabians horses. The Thoroughbred races will begin with the Al Jaddaf Mile presented by the ‘Museum of the Future’, followed by four races bearing the names of tourist destinations in Dubai such as ‘Ain Dubai’; ‘Burj Al Arab’; ‘Burj Khalifa’, and ‘The Palm Jumeirah’. Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, said that Dubai Racing Club is keen to support the #DubaiDestinations initiative as part of its efforts to further raise Dubai’s profile as a leading global destination, in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum added that Dubai’s leading position in the equestrian …

The Honourable Minister Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri graced the occasion and officiated the launch of the Malaysian classic traditional trishaw, or locally known as beca, as well as several Malaysia packages highlighting new ecotourism products in various destinations in Malaysia. This week, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) through its agency Tourism Malaysia took over the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 26th December 2021 until 31st December 2021. Promoting Malaysia as the next Top of the Mind Ecotourism Destination in the World, the Ecotourism Week at the Malaysia Pavilion takes the call from Malaysia’s National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 which highlights the practice of sustainable and responsible tourism. Malaysia is joined by 16 organisations, consisting of five (5) state tourism boards, three (3) associations, one (1) hotel chain, one (1) product owner, and six (6) tour operators. Throughout Tourism Malaysia’s Ecotourism Week, participants get to learn more about different perspectives of ecotourism in Malaysia by Malaysia’s renowned speakers at the Expert Talk series, namely: Andrew Sebastian – Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia, Syed Abd Rahman Syed Hassan – Diveheart Malaysia, Adj. Prof Anthony Wong Kim Hooi – Sustainability & Ecotourism Expert and Eric Sinnaya – Malaysia Nature Society. As part of her first Tourism Sales Mission to the Middle East, Dato’ Sri Nancy will also attend a networking dinner with members of the travel trade and media in UAE on 30 December 2021. The mission aims to reinstate and enhance the commitment to establishing good tourism cooperation, engaging future collaborations, and cooperation in the tourism industry. The Malaysian Government launched its first International Travel Bubble by reopening Langkawi Island to fully-vaccinated …

Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) continues to act on its commitment to build sustainable tourism in the country by joining the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI).  As the pandemic continues, ATB has been putting more and more emphasis on building responsible and sustainable tourism offerings as well as involving key local players in the process.  “Understanding the urgency to act for sustainable development, we are pleased to join an international initiative to reduce the environmental impact of the tourism industry in a collective effort with our esteemed stakeholders”, said Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board. By joining the GTPI, ATB commits to stimulating the elimination of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and items by 2025 and involving local stakeholders in this process through discussion platforms and meetings with key players such as industry experts and experts in plastic pollution.  ATB’s commitments within the initiative also include to encourage change in traveller behaviour on recycling and reuse during their journey in Azerbaijan through tour guides trained and educated in the matter in question. Developed within the framework of the Sustainable Tourism Programme of the One Planet network, the Initiative is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to drive the shift towards a circular economy of plastics.