Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

SAUDIA Airlines resumes direct flights to Mauritius 3 times a week. With the resumption of flights Saudis are now able to travel again into this magnificent destination, and enjoy what this paradise island has to offer. From the start Saudis visiting Mauritius will instantly feel welcome, they are treated to a warm attitude by locals, the Mauritian hospitality, rooting from an extraordinary mix of cultures, religion and ethnicities. All the communities live in harmony by nurturing their own culture and heritage, and sharing them with visiting guests. Mauritius has plenty to offer to the Saudi travelers be it families, couples, adventure travelers, or Saudis who wish to see this paradise island and all it has to offer. Here are some of the most unforgettable experiences you will have on your stay in Mauritius. The island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and cliffs that offer, together with the blue lagoon, an extraordinary scene that varies according to the seasons and the time of the day. The coastal landscapes also change according to the region, they are nothing alike. A sight to behold for sure! Mauritius is an island, and water sports is a must. Whatever the age or fitness level, you will surely find an activity that will suit you. Activities such as pedalo, kayak, stand-up paddle, and glass-bottom boat, there are also operators for specific outings such as dolphin viewing or big-game fishing, Submarine ride, the undersea walk, the underwater scooter and the parasailing for those looking for more thrilling activities. Aside from the water activities, Mauritius also has plenty to offer adventurous travelers in both air and land, trekking, quad biking, Safari, horse riding, double zip lines …

Medyaf, the industry nationalisation initiative at Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, has launched the ‘Explore the Tourism Industry in Dubai’ initiative, designed to empower Emirati talent seeking to join the tourism workforce with the fundamental knowledge and skills through an immersive programme of interactive workshops, field trips, vocational experiences and hands-on training. The goal of the Medyaf initiative is to provide students with a better understanding of opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sectors, attracting new talent and supporting their continued professional development, in addition to contributing towards further enhancing the visitor experience. Mariam Al Maeeni, Director of Industry Nationalisation at Dubai College of Tourism, said: “We are delighted to launch the Medyaf ‘Explore the Tourism Industry in Dubai’ initiative, inspired by the constant efforts of our visionary leadership to boost the economy by providing opportunities for Emirati talent to excel across sectors. The initiative is also in line with the important role played by Medyaf in supporting the UAE’s industry nationalisation strategy, which aims to support and bolster Emirati talent and increase the number of UAE nationals entering the tourism sector. Medyaf is a comprehensive public-private collaboration which includes a plethora of immersive workshops, training events, and industry activities contributing to the growth of the tourism sector, in addition to supporting the diversification of the national economy.” As part of the initiative, two workshops were hosted by Medyaf last month; the first was conducted in Al Seef Heritage Hotel and attended by 10 participants, whilst the second was held in Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, and welcomed 11 participants. Both workshops contained theoretical and practical activities in an engaging, interactive environment, and provided …

Dubai is to host the next edition of the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (IFOS) World Congress, providing its members with the opportunity to finally meet face-to-face at the first in-person edition of their flagship global gathering since 2017. The 22nd edition of the congress will be the first to take place in the Gulf region in cooperation with the GCC ORL Head and Neck Society, Emirates ORL Head and Neck Society, and will be held 17-21 January 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Arrangements are being made after the Emirates ORL Society, offered to relocate the event to Dubai from its originally planned host city.   Led by the UAE ORL Society and with support from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Health Authority, the city has shown a strong commitment to providing the IFOS with a platform for the hosting of its flagship congress, maintaining fruitful dialogue with the international organisation in recent years.   As a member of the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, which brings together sector leaders and members of global organisations to position Dubai as a hub for international business events, the UAE ORL Society has been able to leverage support from Dubai Business Events, part of DET and the city’s official convention bureau, to ensure it can present optimised propositions to IFOS.   His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism said: “The decision by IFOS to bring its next congress to Dubai is a testament to the city’s positioning as a world-class business events destination and knowledge hub. It is also a demonstration of the confidence that continues to be shown in Dubai’s handling of …

As the most important month of the Islamic calendar, signifying a period of reflection and spending time with loved ones. Ramadan is also the time to experience the true essence of Arabian hospitality in addition to the diverse attractions Dubai is known for. With a number of events, iftars and activations taking place during Ramadan, the city welcomes residents and visitors to enjoy the abundance of activities taking place during this special time. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has curated a list of some of the best ways to observe the month of Ramadan with family and friends. Family friendly attractions The architecturally impressive Museum of the Future recently opened its doors to the public, welcoming guests to explore, learn and create. The attraction focuses on different elements including the ecosystem, bioengineering, outer space and transportation, in addition to exciting exhibitions offering an insight into the future. An iconic, cultural landmark and centre for future innovations, Museum of the Future is a must-visit attraction. Located along the waterfront of Deira Islands and home to over 400 shops, Souk Al Marfa is among the city’s newest shopping centres. The wholesale market sells everything from carpets and spices to clothing and electronics, with stores and kiosks run by both local and international businesses. Sky Views Dubai at Address Sky View is the city’s newly opened attraction that takes city sightseeing to new heights. Adventure seekers can take on the Edge Walk and Sky Glass experience located on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the iconic twin-towered Address Sky View hotel. Guests can also brave their fears and ride the breath-taking Sky Slide in which you hurtle from floor-to-floor more than …

Germany has long been a popular destination for Eid travellers because of the variety of vacations the country has to offer: From city breaks to naturistic explorations, adventure holidays to sporting experiences. Now this year, with restrictions having eased, the country is gearing up for an influx of visitors once more – including a considerable number from the Gulf region. While Germany has countless attractions, some of the key inspirations for Eid travel include the town of Marburg, which is celebrating its 800th anniversary this spring, so culture vultures have the chance to revel in a tour that spans eight centuries of history and includes important figures such as Saint Elisabeth, Landgrave Philipp, and Emil von Behring. Other events the town has encountered over the years are also highlighted. With the weather warming up, outdoor activities in Germany are also set to enjoy popularity, like the Romantic Road in Möttingen. With a minimum of three-day itineraries encouraged to revel in all the beauty of the 350km route through forests, mountains and villages seeped in half a century of history, the trip is perfect for those looking to soak up both nature and culture. With many mosques throughout Germany open to tourist visits throughout the year, the Blue Mosque in Hamburg is one of the oldest Islamic sites in the country. Renowned for its exceptional structural design, its beautiful shades of turquoise blue accompanied by Arabic calligraphy wrap around several prayer rooms, which together can hold up to 1,500 people. The mosque also features one of the world’s largest carpets – it took three years to complete and required 22 people hand-tying 80 million knots. “Germany’s longstanding ties with various international …

The growth of audiovisual productions in Spain has brought people from all over the world closer to the culture, heritage and wealth of this country. Assuming that great stories are a great way to travel, the Spanish Tourism Institute (TURESPAÑA) and Netflix have presented the “Spain Travel Guide” (a mosaic of stories that make up the essence of the country) in the Mugaritz space and the audiovisual competition «How would you say it is Spain without saying it?». Both initiatives emphasize how Spanish fiction promotes the Spain Brand at an international level. The guide, produced in collaboration with ETHIC and the General Directorate of the Food Industry covers the 17 Autonomous Communities and the two Autonomous Cities through the stories and protagonists of each corner. «Spain Travel Guide» proposes an itinerary that includes the Spanish cultural, environmental and leisure wealth, in addition to its historical heritage. In a map format, it allows you to discover how the traditions (such as crafts, music or agriculture), the lifestyle and the capacity of Spanish society to offer unique experiences are reflected in many of the series and films produced for Netflix in Spain. The central axis of this guide are the testimonies of the inhabitants themselves, thanks to whose stories a diverse tourism is discovered. Throughout its sections, a territory full of contrasts between its cities and its rural environments is reflected, in which culture, gastronomy, historical heritage, fashion, nature or sports are presented as surprising alternatives for those who want to explore the country in a different way. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Government of Spain, Reyes Maroto, has highlighted “that the collaboration of Turespaña with Netflix through …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has become one of the first UAE government entities to create its own Non-Fungible Token (NFT). During a series of innovative workshops, more than 220 employees collaborated to create the unique NFT digital art, which aimed to reflect DCT Abu Dhabi’s corporate values of being welcoming, pioneering, agile, and collaborative. Jasim Al Hebsi, Acting Director of the People and Performance Department at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “In creating our NFT collage, we have proven that the spirit of innovation is thriving within our organisation. At DCT Abu Dhabi, our vision is to cultivate knowledge and understanding for our cultural heritage, while also initiating creativity to embrace the future of technology. So, as well as highlighting our corporate values and encouraging teamwork, this project has enabled us to gain a firm understanding of how art and culture are evolving in the digital age.” NFTs are digital assets that represent real-world objects, such as artwork, music, video game, or film clip. The created arts can be purchased or sold online using cryptocurrencies only, and are often encoded and stored on the same cryptocurrency blockchain software. The two-day workshop event consisted of eight sessions where 20 teams worked on creating their designs using a photo library containing more than 1,000 images. The unique designs were fused to create a collage which was later transferred into DCT Abu Dhabi’s exclusive NFT. Since DCT Abu Dhabi’s NFT workshop, other UAE government entities have shown interest in recreating the sessions to make their own unique digital assets. NFTs were first invented in 2014, but they have recently gained recognition as an increasingly popular means …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) concluded its first-ever Visit Abu Dhabi Roadshow event in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the successful two-day event hosted in partnership with Etihad Airways and Experience Hub. The roadshow saw key stakeholders join DCT Abu Dhabi representatives to showcase the UAE capital as the leading tourism destination for families and couples in the Middle East region. Paving the way for long-term partnerships in the sector, members of DCT Abu Dhabi met with tour operators and key stakeholders to promote and discuss the unique and diverse experiences the destination offers Israeli travellers. Nabeel Al Zarouni, Travel Trade & Market Development Regional Section Head – Domestic & Middle East Region at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Over the last 50 years of the UAE’s growth, Abu Dhabi has played an integral role in shaping the tourism offering of the region and we’re delighted to have been able to showcase this, and upcoming announcements, to our valued travel trade partners in Israel. Abu Dhabi is a destination that offers the world in one place – culture, entertainment, relaxation and amazing natural landscapes from deserts to beaches. There is something for everyone to enjoy at your own pace, whether it’s the tranquillity of Al Ain to the thrills of Yas Island. We look forward to welcoming more Israeli travellers this year, particularly with the exciting calendar of events we have in 2022 and beyond.” The official visit started on 23 March when the roadshow welcomed industry leaders, Israeli senior management, diplomats, and Abu Dhabi tourism stakeholders at an exclusive networking dinner held at the Hilton Tel Aviv hotel. This was followed by a DCT …

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the government of Uganda’s destination marketing organization, launched its new destination brand Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa, as part of a tourism and media event held at the Sheraton Jumeriah Beach Resort in Dubai. The launch was conducted in the presence of the Honorable Tom Butime, Uganda’s Cabinet Minister for Tourism, and resulted in the United Arab Emirates becoming the first international market to experience the launch of Uganda’s new and improved brand. The extravagant open air evening event saw an impressive turnout with more than 90 key industry stakeholders, professionals, media and travel bloggers flocking from around the Emirates and GCC countries, to learn more about the intriguing destination that is Uganda. Speaking at the launch and heading a delegation of tourism officials and key professionals from the Ugandan tourism industry, the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Honorable Tom R Butime said: “Uganda is extremely excited to launch our revitalized brand and travel offering to the world, and we are thrilled to do that here in Dubai, where the UAE and surrounding Gulf States are a priority tourism market for Uganda. Through our continuous promotional efforts in the region and participation in Expo 2020 Dubai over the last six months, we have developed the necessary networks and offerings to ensure Uganda is positioned as a top holiday destination for travelers from the UAE and GCC seeking meaningful and unique once in a life time experiences.” Ms. Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Office, Uganda Tourism Board added: “The new brand promise seeks to re-emphasize Uganda’s rare and precious range of tourism attractions that can all be found in one destination and based on pillars …

As travel begins to boom again, Carlos Brito, President of Embratur — Brazil’s Tourist Board — shares why Brazil is an ideal choice for travelers from the UAE and across the GCC. “Brazil is the perfect to travel in 2022,” says Carlos Brito. “As travel begins to resume to pre-pandemic levels and travelers in the region begin to plan their next vacation, we want Brazil to be top of their list. With exquisite natural beauty and numerous similarities between Arab and Latino culture, the South American nation offers a new yet familiar experience to Arab tourists. We’re ready to introduce these incredible adventures to visitors while also being mindful of their faith-based needs.” Home to an Arab population of 7-12 million people, Brazil is steadily rising as an attractive destination for Muslim and Arab travelers. Aside from its vast biodiversity and enigmatic cities, the cultural similarities and Muslim friendly services are creating a big draw for Muslim travelers. Firstly, the increased number of core faith-based services — which are important to Muslim travelers — are becoming more readily accessible and available across Brazil. Brazil has a strong Muslim community and beautiful mosques that serve both as temples and as cultural centers for Muslims in the country. Thanks to Brazil’s growing Arab Muslim community, the nation now has over 150 mosques — offering Muslim visitors access to prayer facilities. In a bid to attract more Muslim travelers, Brazil is also ramping up its halal tourism.  As such, restaurants and hotels in various cities are becoming halal-certified including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Parana and Foz do Iguaçu — the first city that is expected to become halal certified in Latin America. …