Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Shahab Shayan – Regional Director Asia Pacific and Turkey – Dubai Economy and Tourism shared that China is a key source market for Dubai and they are ready to welcome visitors from China. In his address, he welcomed the visitors to Dubai, “during the first six months we saw China recover very well, almost 84% more than 2019. It is a great recovery of the market from China to Dubai and ever since the borders opened Dubai has been China ready, to receive the Chinese market. We conducted the biggest roadshow in China in six cities and signed over 34 plus different partnerships and many fam trips as well. We want to remind them again why Dubai should be their first choice again.”

The highly anticipated 3rd edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM), organized by NeXTfairs, is set to take place from 25 -27 November 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). As the premier event showcasing global travel and tourism offerings, QTM is dedicated to highlighting Qatar as a leading hub in the industry with TravTalk ME as the media partner. This year, the event will welcome a diverse range of participants including senior executives, decision-makers, tourism experts, academics, researchers, government officials, representatives from related sectors and travel enthusiasts. This year’s edition is set to make a significant impact, with the exhibition space doubling to accommodate more international participants and enhance attendee experience. Featuring 300 hosted buyers and focusing on seven key tourism sectors—Business, Leisure, Luxury, Medical, Cultural, Sports, and Halal Tourism—QTM 2024 will unveil top travel destinations and the latest industry trends. Reflecting on QTM 2023’s success, which saw participation from 60 countries, 250 exhibitors, and nearly 10,000 visitors, “Qatar Travel Mart has been a remarkable journey that underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and connecting industry leaders in the travel and tourism sectors. QTM 2024 is set to be our most impactful event yet, driving progress and shaping the future of the industry,” said Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder & General Manager of NeXTfairs. Feedback from previous participants highlights the event’s exceptional organization and networking opportunities; “The meticulous planning has been evident, and we are pleased with our participation. We are eager to return next year, having achieved about 30 B2B meetings,” noted Suran Rabaev, Head of Department, Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic. QTM 2024 will also offer valuable investment opportunities in tourism development and feature a …

As part of their shared commitment to highlight Oman as a preferred tourist destination, Oman Air and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have joined forces for a special stopover promotion for passengers transiting through Muscat. Available until 30 November 2024, the offer provides a free one-night hotel stay for premium class passengers when booking a stopover in Muscat, while those traveling in Economy Class can enjoy two nights for the price of one. In addition, guests have access to exclusive discounts on tours, car hire, and other services, making it the perfect opportunity to explore Oman’s charming capital and beyond. Launched just in time for the winter season, visitors can experience Muscat at its very best, with warm weather, stunning landscapes and cultural activities promising an unforgettable retreat. Committed to promoting the natural beauty, rich heritage and friendly, genuine hospitality of its home-base, Oman Air remains dedicated to serving as a gateway for tourists to Oman, providing them with seamless connectivity, convenient flight schedules, and award-winning onboard products and services. Passengers who hold a return ticket to any destination on Oman Air’s network with a transit through Muscat can take advantage of the limited-time offer. Guests can simply fill out the online request form and make their stopover booking by 30 November 2024. It is important to note that the complimentary hotel stay includes the room only and is subject to availability. A maximum of one stopover per return ticket applies. For full terms and conditions, please contact Oman Air Holidays at holidays@omanair.com.

Visit Qatar, the main marketing and promotional arm of Qatar Tourism, has announced a new organisational structure in line with the National Development Strategy 2024-2030 and the National Tourism Strategy 2030. This new strategic structure aims to support Visit Qatar’s mission to enhance Qatar’s attractiveness to international visitors by developing diverse tourism offerings that attract these visitors. The new organisational structure includes several key job roles aimed at enhancing Visit Qatar’s capabilities in developing new tourist attractions and diversifying the country’s calendar of events. The new hires included specialists in digital product development, festivals and events, financial management and strategic project planning. Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: “Visit Qatar is pleased to unveil a new organisational structure that is empowered and capable of furthering our mission of promoting Qatar’s rich tourism offerings and enhancing our global presence, as we continuously attract outstanding talent in line with the National Tourism Strategy 2030. With the addition of our new team of Qatari talent and global expertise, we are better able to move towards innovation, managing major events and delivering exceptional experiences that will attract visitors from around the world.” With its extensive network of international offices, state-of-the-art digital platforms and strategic marketing campaigns, Visit Qatar is expanding its reach globally. As part of its strategic vision, Visit Qatar is committed to diversifying the country’s offerings by organizing an event calendar that includes a wide range of experiences, festivals and tournaments designed to attract visitors from all over the world to an exceptional, enjoyable and enjoyable experience in Qatar.

Her Highness Princess Haifa Mohammed Al Saud, Vice Minister of Tourism, has initiated the largest programmatic and institutional accreditation initiative. This effort is designed to enhance the quality of tourism education and training, aiming to improve the efficiency of education and training outcomes in the Kingdom’s tourism sector and better connect them to the labor market. HH emphasized that since its inception, the Ministry has been dedicated to enhancing the educational and training programs and aligning their outcomes with the needs of the current and future labor market. She noted that the launch of this substantial initiative marks a critical step towards ensuring the success of these efforts. HH also detailed that this initiative, the largest worldwide, involves assessing the quality of 102 national tourism education and training programs throughout 2024. This assessment will be conducted in partnership with 3 organizations to measure the quality of tourism programs: UN Tourism, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. The goal of the initiative is to enable tourism education and training institutions supported by the Ministry of Tourism to earn both international and local accreditations and professional certificates. The initiative aims to accomplish various short- and long-term objectives. These include 31 tourism education and training programs and institutions receiving national and international accreditation by 2024, 200 trainers and educational and administrative staff earning professional certificates to deliver new tourism programs developed by the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the year 2024, and 37 Ministry of Tourism employees obtaining professional certification to manage tourism programs. Additionally, by 2025, the initiative targets 27 tourism education and training programs and institutions to achieve …

This year’s Jeddah Season drew in over 1.7 million visitors from within and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over 52 days. It featured a wide array of entertainment activities, solidifying Jeddah’s status as a top tourist destination, offering a plethora of interactive experiences and action-packed games. The Warner Bros. Discovery: Celebrate Every Story area was especially popular among families. The season featured diverse, unique attractions, with the City Walk area standing out as a top highlight.  It offered an immersive experience that brought beloved stories and iconic characters to life. Furthermore, the interactive Imagine Monet exhibition allowed visitors to explore 200 of the most renowned paintings by the French artist Claude Monet. Prince Majid Park added a new dimension to the season by offering various events, live shows, shopping experiences and workshops, enriching the visitors’ overall experience. In a unique historical and cultural experience, the season offered visitors the chance to delve into the Jeddah Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has preserved elements of ancient social life spanning over 400 years, enriching their understanding of the city’s rich heritage. The season’s events extended beyond cultural and entertainment offerings, incorporating thrilling sports tournaments like the Motosurf International Cup and the Summer Speed Festival at the Jeddah Corniche. Attendees were treated to thrilling sports encounters and spectacular shows, creating unforgettable moments for all. The season’s success reflects a forward-looking vision to elevate Jeddah’s status as a global cultural and tourism destination. It also aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, which aim to cultivate a sustainable entertainment sector that enhances the quality of life for citizens and residents and serves as an economic driver for economic diversification and …

In a recent interview with tourismbreakingnews.ae Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director International Promotion Division, North and East Asia, covering Asia and Africa shared that they are expecting a double increase in terms of tourism numbers from the GCC. Last year, Malaysia welcomed 164,568 tourists from the region, representing a substantial increase of 85.88% compared to 88,534 tourists in 2022. Therefore, we are optimistic that the arrivals from this region will double compared to last year. In mid-2024, Malaysia’s tourism sector showed strong recovery and growth in tourist numbers compared to previous years. Malaysia experienced a significant increase in international arrivals in 2024, with a 28.9% growth from January to June compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically, the West Asia market saw a rise from 56,592 tourists in the first half of 2023 to 85,559 tourists in 2024, an increase of 51.2%. Malaysia has been actively refining its strategies to attract visitors from the West Asian market. Tourism Malaysia will continue to collaborate with national carriers and foreign airlines through the Charter Flight Matching Grant (GSPC) to increase air traffic from the West Asian market to Malaysia. As of now, the number of flights for the year 2024 is 138 per week with a seating capacity of 41,956 from the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Leveraging air connectivity to increase arrivals to Malaysia and rejuvenating offerings will further enhance Malaysia’s appeal as a preferred tourist destination in this region. Tourism Malaysia and Emirates signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) for a joint promotion campaign at the Arabian Travel Market 2024. In general, our marketing approach for 2024 is geared towards high-impact and fast conversion strategies by …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) celebrated the graduation of 57 Emirati students from its Tourism Youth Summer Camp 2024. This initiative aligns with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and the newly launched Tourism Strategy 2030 by empowering over 60 students annually to drive growth in the emirate’s tourism and hospitality sector. Completing its 11th edition this summer, the two-week programme introduced participants aged 16–21 to Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sector. The graduation was attended by participants, their families, key industry partners, and government officials, including: Fergus Bugg, Senior Vice President of Guest Experience at Miral Destinations, Salama Al Shamsi, Culture Sites Management Department Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, Ziad Makhlouf, Director of HR at Abu Dhabi National Hotels, Amna Al Suwaidi, Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFIS); Maral Jule Bedoyan, Education and Learning Resources Manager at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Saleh Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Across 11 highly successful editions of the Tourism Summer Youth Camp, DCT Abu Dhabi has strategically fostered growth within the sector, fulfilling our mandate to build capacity and meet tourism demand now and for years to come. We are proactively encouraging and engaging talented Emiratis, who represent the future of travel and hospitality in Abu Dhabi. We are committed to championing our youth, ensuring they are empowered to contribute to the sustainable development and economic growth of the emirate.” During their five-day placement at 22 prestigious Abu Dhabi hotels (ranging from 4- to 5-star), students rotated through various departments, including the front desk, food and beverage service, kitchen, recreation, and events. This experience provided them with a comprehensive understanding of the …

The Ministry of Tourism reported that Inbound tourists spent over SAR 141 billion in the Kingdom in 2023. According to the Ministry’s annual tourism statistics report for 2023, the largest portion of spending was on accommodation, surpassing SAR 45 billion. The report also highlighted that shopping spend exceeded SAR 25.5 billion, with Local Transport amounting to approximately SAR 21.5 billion. Food and beverage spending approached SAR 19.4 billion, while other expenses surpassed SAR 25.5 billion. Additionally, entertainment spending topped SAR 4.0 billion. In 2023, Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 27 million international tourists, with spend exceeding SAR 141 billion. Furthermore, the combined total of domestic and international tourists for that year surpassed 109 million.

In a move to attract more visitors from the GCC Visit Qatar recently launched ‘Visit Qatar Pass’ which allows GCC visitors to redeem exclusive offers and discounts on a variety of services throughout Qatar until 1 September 2024. The Pass provides 30-50% discounts and buy-one-get-one deals across categories such as Food & Drinks, Beauty & Spa, Health & Fitness, Fun & Leisure, Room Nights, and Services and Retail. Available on the Visit Qatar mobile application, signing up to the Pass is free and requires only an email address for registration. The offers can be redeemed for advance booking services or at the destination during payment. The Visit Qatar app offers insights into Qatar’s travel, tourism, and hospitality offerings and is available in 8 languages. Qatar inaugurated new hotels and attractions in 2024, including the country’s largest waterpark, Meryal Waterpark, and a new resort experience, ‘Our Habitas Ras Abrouq’ at the edge of the UNESCO protected Al Reem Biosphere. Earlier this year, Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways launched the ‘Stopover in Qatar’ packages, offering five exciting options for travellers with limited time to explore the country. It is imperative to highlight that in 2023, the number of travelers and hotel room nights for stopovers in Qatar more than doubled compared to 2022. These events, initiatives, and attractions underscore Qatar’s commitment to diversifying its events calendar and offering unparalleled experiences for all kinds of tourists. In the second half of 2024, Qatar aims to further elevate its touristic landscape with exciting events, including the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024 and the highly anticipated unveiling event for the Michelin Guide Doha 2025. Outdoor Cooling Technologies in Qatar Qatar’s innovative and …