Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

The Austrian National Tourist Office held a travel workshop in Dubai today to shed light on the latest travel updates to Austria and the reasons that put the European country on top of the travellers’ lists. The event, organized in collaboration with Emirates Airline and 13 Austrian partners representing tourist boards, companies, and hotels, was attended by many representatives from the local media and travel trade companies. During the event, the CEO of the Austrian National Tourist Office, Lisa Weddig, highlighted the diverse experiences Austria offers and the factors that make it a popular travel destination around the world. “Austria welcomes visitors with myriad offerings that fulfil all aspirations. Whether travellers come to enjoy its cultural heritage, picturesque nature, family adventures, or to savour its flavours, they will undoubtedly find what they are looking for and more,” Weddig said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the tourism industry worldwide, but thanks to the successful management of this crisis by the Austrian government, we have witnessed a rapid recovery with the return of travel. The health and safety regulations in place have highly contributed in rebuilding the travellers’ trust and made the summer holiday season a remarkable success,” she added. The summer holiday season in Austria was marked by a clear recovery, and travellers from the GCC region played a major role in this. The Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office in the Middle East, Robert Groeblacher, elaborated: “Since the return of touristic travel between Austria and the GCC at the end of June, we  witnessed an increasing number of visitors from this region to Austria. This observation is supported by figures, as 263,000 overnight stays done by GCC travellers …

Wego partnered with the German National Tourist Office to get travelers to experience Germany and Berlin in the new norm. Germany has eased travel restrictions to encourage GCC travelers to explore the country’s 51 UNESCO World Heritage sites which include the awe-inspiring castles and old towns that add a medieval flair. Bahrain and the UAE have recently been added to the German safe list alongside Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, making it easier for visitors from the GCC to explore the country again, especially in the winter season. The reduction in restrictions applies to all travellers twelve years and above regardless of individual vaccination status, with visitors now able to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel, a valid vaccination certificate, or proof of recovery. For full entry requirements to Germany, visitors are advised to refer to www.bmi.bund.de. As part of the collaborative campaign, the German National Tourist Office and Wego will be shedding light on the outdoor adventures, winter activities, and festivities on offer across Germany this winter for families, couples, and solo travelers, in addition to Berlin’s sights and tourist attractions to entice GCC travelers. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “Our partnership with the German National Tourist Office marks another step towards promoting tourism and encouraging people to travel again in the new norm. Our searches show an increase in the appetite for GCC travelers to travel to European countries after hiatus and Germany ranks amongst the top European destinations.” Germany offers nature-oriented holidays for all adventure seekers and solo travellers which includes the bountiful parks by the south of Hamburg, the nature trails along the …

All tourism employees and eligible Boracay residents are expected to be fully vaccinated in one month, allowing fully vaccinated individuals to visit the world-famous island without having to undergo COVID-19 testing as early as November. As of October 24, the vaccination had reached 91.09 per cent of all tourism workers and 62.78 per cent of the Island’s eligible population, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT). Boracay Island is projected to vaccinate its entire eligible population of 24,451 people by the end of October, making it the first Philippine destination to achieve 100 per cent vaccination. Earlier this year, the island became the first tourist destination to get COVID-19 inoculations. Berna Romulo-Puyat, Tourism Secretary, expressed her optimism about the Island’s tourism revival, citing Governor Florencio Miraflores’ commitment to accept visitors with proof of full vaccination, in lieu of a negative RT-PCR test result, once the Island’s residents have reached a 100 per cent vaccination rate. This is a favourable development because the DOT has seen a significant increase in visitor arrivals in the last two months compared to the same period last year. A total of 11,668 active tourism employees had obtained full doses of the COVID vaccine. Individuals employed in hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas and wellness centres, souvenir shops, shopping malls, security services and other essential service providers, tourism transportation, tourism-related cooperatives and associations, and government frontline service and private agencies are among them. A total of 15,350 people, or 62.78 percent of the Island’s 24,451 eligible people, h ave been fully vaccinated, leaving about 9,000 people to be vaccinated. There were no new active cases as of October 18. “Our vaccination rollouts are crucial in protecting our tourism …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) hosted a media gathering on day two of its agenda of activities at the World Trade Market (WTM) 2021 exhibition, held on November 1-3 at ExCel London, where the Authority was promoting its tourism offering while exploring the new global tourism system as the pandemic subsides around the world. The SCTDA booth hosted a media gathering on day two of the exhibit to announce a series of new and future tourism projects to look forward to in the emirate. The Authority also announced that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed between Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Singapore’s The Lux Collective group, which specialises in managing luxury hotels and hospitality institutions. The MoU includes the management of two new tourist resorts in Al Dhaid and Khorfakkan cities in Sharjah. Additional new and notable tourism projects were also highlighted, such as Sharjah Safari in Al Dhaid, the Moon Retreat in Mleiha, Al Suhub Rest House in Khorfakkan, Kalba Waterfront, family parks, and plans to develop the emirate’s beaches, including Al Heerah and Al Luluyah. “Tourism is a key pillar of Sharjah’s economy and the national economy in general,” noted H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, SCTDA Chairman. “It is a necessary requirement to drive sustainable development at every level. As the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority sought to strengthen its relations with the European market by actively taking part in the World Travel Market exhibition in London. WTM is an opportunity for us to highlight the great potential Sharjah’s tourism sector has, showcasing the emirate’s various tourist attractions, which are, once again, drawing tourists …

Wego and Oman Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have signed an agreement to promote Oman tourism attraction sites in the GCC region. Oman has opened its borders to visitors from the GCC and it recently announced that it is open for travel for COVID-19 vaccine holders from 1 September 2021. The Sultanate has eased its travel restrictions, lifting flight prohibition for people travelling from previously banned countries. It is implementing precautionary measures and following through with the vaccination drive across the country, ensuring safe travel for everyone. All travelers to Oman should present a vaccine certificate containing a QR code that states they have received two doses of a vaccine that is approved in Oman (Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford Astrazeneca, Covishield AstraZeneca, Sputnik, Sinovac, Moderna, and Sinopharm, or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson). The last dose of the vaccine needs to have been received not less than 14 days before the arrival date. Travelers should have done Pre-registration via (https://covid19.emushrif.om ) and upload the vaccine certificate as well as the COVID-19 PCR certificate, both containing QR Codes. Over 550,000 searches were performed on Wego’s platform in Q3 2021 from the GCC to Oman. Out of these searches, 34% from KSA, 27% from UAE, 16% from Kuwait, 14% from Qatar, and 10% from Bahrain. Haitham bin Mohammed Al Ghassani, Director General of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman said: “We are glad to partner with Wego. Oman has always been at the forefront of tourism, and this partnership reflects our commitment to continue the positive momentum in months to come. We are confident that this association will help us to promote Oman …

Spain Tourism hosted its first post-pandemic travel and trade roadshow in Saudi Arabia& UAE as part of its initiative to target travellers of the region. The first event took place in Jeddah on the 25th of October 2021, at Jeddah Hilton, followed by  Riyadh on the 26th, at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya and the third at Intercontinental Dubai festival City last Thursday following all covid protocols. There were over 60 participants at all cities who met with the different tourism regions in Spain such as Barcelona, Madrid, Costa del sol, Valencia, Andalucia along with DMCs, hotels, and shopping outlets. Attendees included key players in various travel and tourism sectors which gave them the opportunity to have one-to-one meetings with all the Spanish partners. Speaking about the Spain Tourism Roadshow, Daniel Rosado, Director of Spain Tourism – GCC commented: “Spain Tourism is extremely excited to host its first post-pandemic roadshow in GCC as part of our dedication to further engage and develop our connections with the GCC market. As part of our continuous efforts to strengthen the connections between GCCs outbound travel professionals, MICE specialists and Spain Tourism’s travel industry partners, the event was a great opportunity to further develop new joint opportunities, create new holiday packages for locals and expats in the UAE and increase visitation from the region.” Spain is a one-of-a-kind destination, showing traces of many cultures and civilizations evident in the ancient Roman architecture, medieval castles, and buildings of the Golden Islamic era. Spain is also home to 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and offers a wide variety of lifestyle experiences including exclusive luxury and gourmet experiences, entertainment, and shopping, making it ideal for families and groups …

As the Philippines opens its borders, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is making strides and developing new activities to welcome visitors while ensuring that all international safety regulations are followed at each site. Promotion of new attractions in various locations is one of these strategies. The Philippines is a location unlike any other, with over 7,000 islands offering visitors a one-of-a-kind experience. Whether it is unwinding on the beaches or in the mountains, taking in the colourful city life, or immersing oneself in indigenous culture, the Philippines offers unique experiences for all types of travellers. Here are eight activities and experiences that are particularly Filipino and can be tried in different locations of the country: 1. Cycling around Intramuros on a bamboo bike: Bambike Ecotours offers a chance to explore the historic walled city of Intramuros. The handcrafted bamboo bikes come in a variety of styles for a safe and pleasant ride around Old Manila’s unique charms, with Bambassadors acting as guides. 2. Zooming through Banaue’s winding roads on a wooden bike: Tourists can try out the Ifugao mode of transportation in the mountains of Banaue, which consists of hand-carved wooden scooters that can reach speeds of up to 50 km per hour. These bikes, which are built from scraps of wood and fragments from old rubber tyres, are a testament to the indigenous tribe’s wood carving talents and resourcefulness, which their forefathers carved by hand into the mountainside. 3. Testing balance on bamboo stilts in Cebu: Visitors can see the Philippines from a slightly higher vantage point thanks to the Kadang-Kadang (Karang) or Bamboo Stilts. Tourists in Cebu can test their balance and speed by putting on a pair …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Philippines is keen to revive tourism numbers. In a bid to boost the numbers, the Department has charted out a strategic revival tourism strategy. The strategy will focus on educating the travel trade on all safety procedures to be adhered to when tourists visit the destination as well as sanitization of all key tourist attractions. Every important step has been looked into following global guidelines. Plans are being drafted to work closely with our partners across the world. The Middle East is an important market for us. The plans include conducting workshops offline and online, interacting with media outlets talking about the key destinations and their readiness and overall education of the travel trade. Recently, the Department of Tourism (DOT) along with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) the Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) organized a Philippine Food Festival in support of the country’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai. Several such activities are planned to increase awareness about the destination and prepare travellers for safer travel. Commenting on the plans, Mr. SanJeet, from Philippines Tourism said: “The Philippines as a destination is blessed with abundant nature. We want to give our travellers the experience that lasts as memories to be lived. Travel is all about experiences and the Philippines has that in abundance, from city life to local surroundings, there is always something for everyone.” Showcasing the destination beyond just sun and beach, there are several adventure, sports and eco-conscious activities. Elaborating on the plans for the Middle East, he said: “We are consciously working towards preparing our travellers for an experiential holiday in the Philippines. The pandemic …

As the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) prepares to welcome visitors once more, it is continually introducing new activities for tourists to enjoy while ensuring that all international safety regulations are followed at various destinations. Promotion of new attractions in various locations is one of these strategies. In the Eastern Visayas Region, the department recently launched its inaugural hybrid edition of its Regional Travel Fair, bringing together stakeholders through a tourism webinar, a one-day business-to-business (B2B) session, and live selling. A virtual business venue and onsite activities at Summit Hotel Tacloban allowed over 1,500 registrants to participate. The Philippines is a location unlike any other, with over 7,000 islands offering visitors a one-of-a-kind experience. Whether it is relaxing on the beaches or in the mountains, indulging in the vibrant life in the city, or immersing oneself in indigenous culture, the Philippines offers unique experiences for all types of travellers. “It is indeed more fun in the Philippines, with various activities being readied by the DOT to offer a new and unique experience for international tourists. At the same time, the Philippines government is also readying its welcome for travellers with infrastructure development, such as the improvement of our domestic and international airports and new roadways that will offer faster access to our regional destinations,” said Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Secretary, Department of Tourism. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has given the Philippines Department of Tourism a SafeTravels Stamp in recognition of its adoption of ‘health and hygiene global standardised protocols’ that will ensure safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines Department of Tourism conducts thorough inspection and assessment to ensure that only those who are accredited are allowed to …

Spain Tourism is all set to host its first post-pandemic travel and trade roadshows in Saudi Arabia as part of its initiative to target travellers of the region. The first event will take place in Jeddah on the 25th of October 2021, at Jeddah Hilton, with a following one in Riyadh on the 26th of the same month, at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. This will be the first time Spain Tourism hosts such an event in Saudi Arabia after the pandemic, having stated earlier this year that the destination is set to strengthen its marketing presence in the region and expand its engagement and promotional activities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia specifically. About 40 participants are expected to attend the events, provided that the total attendance does not exceed 50 people as demanded by health regulations in the Kingdom. The attendees will include key players from the Saudi tourism, hospitality and aviation industries, giving key agents in Saudi Arabia the opportunity to have one-to-one meetings with representatives from Spanish destinations, DMC’s and hotels. Speaking about the Spain Tourism Roadshow in Saudi Arabia and heading the Spanish delegation, Daniel Rosado, Director of Spain Tourism – GCC commented: “Spain Tourism is extremely excited to host its first post-pandemic roadshow in Saudi Arabia as part of our dedication to further engage and develop our connections with the Saudi market. As part of our continuous efforts to strengthen the connections between Saudi’s outbound travel professionals, MICE specialists and Spain Tourism’s travel industry partners, the event will prove a great opportunity to further develop new joint opportunities, create new holiday packages for Saudis and increase visitation from the Kingdom to Spain.” SAUDIA airlines currently …