Tag Archives: GCC travellers

Following a successful debut last summer, the German National Tourism Board’s ‘German.Local.Culture’ campaign returns highlighting more of the many ways to experience the country’s national traditions. As a result of the encouraging news that visitors to Germany no longer require a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or negative PCR test, the country’s tourism board is looking forward to a rise in arrivals from the GCC and the opportunity to offer them a variety of cultural experiences and insights into the country’s customs. “Our German.Local.Culture campaign encourages visitors to focus on unique elements of Germany’s culture; experiences you simply cannot get in other countries,” said Yamina Sofo, director of sales and marketing at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), the regional office of GNTB. “Germany has a rich tapestry of traditions ready for tourists from the GCC to enjoy – from industrial architecture and traditional craftmanship to local festivals.” Below are just a small selection of some of the sights and experiences on offer, with a specific insight for each of the German.Local.Culture campaign’s four pillars: Green: Hiking with a View in Baden-Baden Shining a light on Germany’s sustainable travel options, Baden-Baden is filled with stunning valleys and incredible views. The Panorama Trail is an ideal way to see as much of the city as possible. Venturing through beautiful gardens filled with plentiful flowers, across the Geroldsau waterfall, and through the Rhine Valley, the 45km trail is known for being one of the most breath-taking in all of Germany. Craft: Glass Art in Harz Mountains Glass art in Germany is steeped in history, dating back as far as the 17th Century. Visitors to the country can enjoy one of the few places still …

One of the most aspired destinations by the GCC travellers is the Spanish islands, Turespaña – Spain Tourism Office GCC will conduct the final in the triseries of “Re-discover Spain” on Wednesday 7th April 2021, from 12noon to 1pm. This one hour will enable the travel trade in GCC to learn about the amazing offerings that await them when the borders open. Maximo Caletrio-Market Manager – Brand Management Department,Visit Valencia, “València is located on Spain’s eastern coast, at the mouth of the Turia River, right in the centre of the Gulf of Valencia. It is situated on the shores of the Mediterranean, a stretch of water which has gradually forged the city’s character over the centuries. València’s geographical location makes it an excellent operational base from which to explore the rest of Spain. At just an hour and a half from Madrid by train, three hours from Barcelona by car, and with daily departures to the Balearic Islands, the capital of the Mediterranean is well worth a visit. Bask in the city’s pleasant climate, stroll along its wide sandy beaches, just fifteen minutes from the centre of València, catch a glimpse of its past, sample the local cuisine and discover the richness of its culture.” Carlos Bernús Blanch, Tourist Promotion Manager – Island Council of Formentera, “Formentera is the smallest inhabited island of the Balearic Islands (83.2 km2) and has a peculiar indented shape giving it a large stretch of coastline (69 km) made up of numerous beaches and coves and curious coastal nooks and crannies. The island of Formentera is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is part of the Balearic archipelago. From the moment you disembark on Formentera you …

Germany is firmly establishing its position as a leading destination for outdoor tourism, encouraging travellers to consider its nature and outdoor activities following the lift of post-pandemic travel measures, with the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) leading the charge in presenting the country’s offering to GCC travellers. The European country is the ideal travel destination for its array of outdoor locations, wildlife, sports, and adventure tour offerings, favoured by both domestic and international travellers. Germany’s tourism sector is inviting visitors to explore its parks, nature trails, and other open spaces with all the family. “Travellers from the GCC are eager to explore while ensuring they are keeping their families safe,” Yamina Sofo, Director Sales & Marketing, German National Tourist Office Gulf Countries said. “We are encouraging future travellers to consider nature-oriented holidays as an option, and Germany boasts a wealth of offerings across the regions, suitable for families, or solo travellers.”

The first in a series of two webinars was successfully concluded yesterday with many trade partners participating in a virtual adventure to Ireland. Four speakers comprising Siobhán Naughton, Marketing & Trade Executive Middle East & Asia Tourism Ireland, Gillian Costelloe, Business Development Manager & Creative Planner, Emerald VIP Services, Deirdre Purcell, Cluster Sales Director North America and Entertainment Markets, MHL Hotels, David Wardell, Tourism Development Manager, Irish National Stud and Gardens and Alison Johnston, Kildare Village presented some of the most interesting areas in Ireland to be visited by the GCC travellers. Naughton started off the session by introducing the destination, the key areas and activities much loved by the GCC travellers. She stated that since 2018, UAE nationals were given the opportunity to travel visa free to Ireland and at the same time the short stay visa waiver scheme allows GCC visitors who enter UK on the general C visit visa to also visit Ireland without an Irish visa and it is valid for a period of 90 days. Some of the key areas GCC visitors take an interest is luxury experience, city breaks, coastal touring routes, golf experience and screen tourism. At this point she mentioned how 80% of Game of thrones were filmed in Ireland as well some scenes from Star Wars. Costelloe shared the many services offered by Emerald VIP Services where one can tailor make their individual experiences, as they focus on bespoke services. She mentioned the strong leadership behind the organisation and how the traveller will be able to gain maximum advantage with its specialised unique experiences. She went on to mention the many luxury experiences and the exclusive properties that can be rented …

Heritance Aarah Maldives has re-opened to GCC travellers this month. With the ease of travel restrictions and increasing number of flights from the GCC, Maldives has now become one of the top destinations for a relaxing break where guests can unwind in absolute privacy. Heritance Aarah Maldives is located on the beautiful private island of RaaAtoli just 45-minutes by seaplane from the International Airport in Malé. This exclusive 5-star resort offers the perfect blend of Maldivian culture combined with modern comfort while being surrounded by the island’s pristine white sand. The resort features 26 Intimate Luxury Duplex Ocean Suites, 56 Ocean Villas and 68 Land Villas, ranging from Beach Villas to Pool Beach Villas as well as Family Beach Villas and Family Pool Beach Villas. Heritance Aarah Maldives is known for its all-inclusive premium packages which includes a stay in one of the suites or villas, full board with a choice of five restaurants, spa treatment, island excursions and premium beverages. The island boasts one of the largest collection of beverages in the Maldives and offers a stocked up mini bar based on guest preferences on arrival on the island. Travellers looking for a relaxed and calm vacation can pamper themselves at the Medi Spa, the first of its kind in the Maldives to offer holistic treatments to rejuvenate, soothe and uplift the mind and senses. Medi Spa offers treatments focused on wellness, weight loss and beauty in their stunning overwater therapy rooms. Heritance Aarah also boasts an extraordinary culinary experience with venues that are unrivalled throughout the Maldives including six restaurants, five bars and an Infinity Pool. The destination also offers an extended array of motorised and non-motorised water …

According to a recent Pricewaterhouse Cooper report, global megatrends and their impact on the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry, highlight that travellers in the GCC now do the majority of their holiday research and booking on smartphones and tablets. Smartphone usage for the GCC markets is among the highest in the world, 78 per cent in the UAE and 77 per cent in Saudi Arabia. Due to the ubiquity of high-speed mobile internet, travellers can easily access mobile applications to book flights and hotels online, and compare online reviews. Wego, a leading travel search website for GCC travellers living in the Middle East, was the first to enter the MENA region by launching fully localised services to meet the needs of a new generation of travellers wanting to shop for and book flights and hotels on their smartphones. “The response from GCC countries to Wego’s fully Arabised websites and mobile apps has been overwhelming,” said Mamoun Hmedan, Wego Managing Director of MENA and India. “Wego has grown rapidly to become the most popular and trusted travel search service in the region with over 10 million monthly visits.”