Tag Archives: GCC visitors

In 2023, GCC travellers contributed €2.6 billion to Germany’s economy, marking a 24% increase over the previous year—a testament to Germany’s appeal and deepening ties with the region. Germany has reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as one of its leading tourism markets following a high-profile media and trade event co-hosted by the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) and visitBerlin. The event showcased exciting developments in Germany’s travel sector, including new flight routes, digital innovations, and a personalised approach to GCC tourists, who comprise Germany’s third-largest overseas tourism market. Germany has recently expanded its direct flight options from the GCC region to accommodate the growing number of tourists, reinforcing its commitment to accessible and convenient travel for GCC visitors. Condor introduced direct flights between Berlin and Dubai, while Eurowings, Germany’s prominent low-cost carrier, launched flights from Berlin to Dubai and Jeddah, alongside new routes from Cologne-Bonn airport and Stuttgart. This enhanced connectivity aims to streamline the travel experience for visitors from the Gulf, fostering seamless access to Germany’s diverse regions, historic sites, and cultural landmarks. Burkhard Kieker, CEO of VisitBerlin, said: “Berlin is more accessible than ever for GCC travellers, thanks to enhanced flight connectivity to the region. These connections allow visitors from the GCC to explore Berlin’s rich cultural heritage, diverse neighbourhoods, and renowned medical facilities. Our goal is to offer seamless, enriching travel experiences tailored to the unique preferences of GCC tourists, strengthening our bond with the region.” In 2025, Berlin will celebrate key anniversaries, including the 200th anniversary of its renowned Museum Island and the reopening of historic sites such as Peacock Island’s Lustschloss. With its blend of modern attractions and heritage …

According to the latest official statistics, for the first six months of 2024 shared by Visit Britain show there were a record 512,000 visits from the GCC to the UK, up 25% on January-to-June last year. Visitors from the GCC also spent a record £1 billion on their trips in the UK in the first half of 2024, up 6% on 2023. As Britain’s national tourism agency VisitBritain gears up to host top travel buyers from across the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries on its ‘Destination Britain Middle East and Asia’ trade mission, latest official statistics show travellers from the GCC are visiting the UK in record numbers, and spending more on their trips. To harness this growth and compete for visitors, VisitBritain is hosting 20 buyers from the GCC on its upcoming ‘Destination Britain Middle East and Asia’ trade mission, taking place from 20-to- 22 November in Bengaluru, India. The three-day event sees dozens of UK tourism industry suppliers meet with more than 70 top buyers from China, the GCC, Japan, India and South Korea, to drive business to Britain. Speaking ahead of the trade event, VisitBritain’s Deputy Director Middle East and Asia Carol Maddison said, “With the growing airline connectivity through regional gateways alongside the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, travel to the UK is now easier and more accessible for GCC nationals. Working with our trade partners including at our Destination Britain Middle East and Asia trade event, we’re harnessing the strong growth we’re seeing, showcasing Britain’s latest tourism products and experiences to drive bookings. “We want visitors to explore outside of London through our regional gateways, staying longer and discovering exciting destinations across our nations and …

In line with the summer season, Visit Qatar has launched its Qatar calendar of events and ‘Your Summer Starts Here’ campaign, including a host of offers, events and fun activations targetting the GCC visitors. Curated for people of all ages, the ‘Your Summer Starts Here’ campaign showcases what the country has to offer from outdoor acitivities to exclusive offers in iconic locations. The campaign video shows Bahraini influencer and film-maker Omar Farooq head to Doha for a 24-hour visit where his friend, renowned Qatari athlete, Mutaz Barshim meets him. Together, both Barshim and Farooq experience Qatar’s curated summer offerings. Following its success last year, the Qatar Toy Festival returns to Qatar this summer in its second edition from July 15 to August 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The Qatar Toy Festival will be an unforgettable experience for families of all ages. Qatar is also home to several indoor parks including Doha Quest, Virtuocity, Angry Birds World and Trocadero. With world-class private beaches, Qatar is set to welcome GCC visitors to its shores. West Bay Beach, 974 Beach, Doha Sands Beach, Banana Island Resort, Doha Beach Club, Katara Beach and many others will be operating throughout the summer with special events and offers. GCC visitors can benefit from Visit Qatar’s promotions, including up to 40% in multiple locations by Katara Hospitality. Some of these promotions include a festive brunch, lunch or dinner, hotel stays among other exciting offers. Additionally, families with children can visit Inflata City at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) until July 13 for fun activities on inflatables. Msheireb Downtown Doha is hosting ‘Summer Nights’ until August 31 with immersive festivities catered to all …

On opening day of Arabian Travel Market  Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand Thapanee Kiatphaibool shared that 2023 witnessed an increase of 28% travellers from the GCC region. Speaking with TravelTV Middle East she reiterated, “In 2023, we welcomed approximately 868,000 visitors from the Middle East, a notable 28% increased from previous years. For 2024, we are projecting that this number will rise to over a million, as we continue to strengthen our marketing efforts and enhance the travel experience tailored to Middle Eastern tourists.” “The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is actively engaging with the Middle Eastern market through strategic partnerships, tailored promotional campaigns, and participation in regional travel exhibitions, including this ATM event. We are focused on cultural exchange programs and have initiated marketing efforts that highlight Thailand’s diverse attractions, specifically catering to Middle Eastern travel preferences, such as halal tourism initiatives. This year, TAT has launched our new communication concept, ‘Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End.’ This concept underscores our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for every traveler visiting Thailand. Our goal is to instill lasting memories and meaningful journeys that inspire visitors to become storytellers, sharing their unique tales of Thailand with the world. To engage Middle Eastern travelers in crafting their never-ending stories in Thailand, we will leverage Thailand’s ‘5F Soft Powers’—Food, Film, Festival, Fight, and Fashion. These elements will add value to our tourism products and services and offer meaningful experiences to Arab travelers.” “We have observed significant interest in health and wellness tourism from Middle Eastern tourists. With over 300 international standard hospitals and clinics, many equipped with Arabic interpreters, highly trained nurses, and doctors, Thailand offers advanced medical technology, reasonable costs, and …

Germany, the diverse travel destination, has launched its Autumn/Winter campaign, encouraging travellers to visit, explore, and experience its sustainable and diverse culture. From unspoilt landscapes to authentic cuisine, urban attractions to historical locales, Germany is the ultimate European destination to travel sustainably. The ‘Feel Good’ campaign encompasses a plethora of guiding tips highlighting the country’s eco initiatives providing conscious travellers with adequate tools and information on reducing their carbon footprint while touring different regions. With the German Environment Agency having set the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65 per cent by 2030, and complete neutrality by 2045, the German National Tourism Board is consistently supporting this goal through various ongoing initiatives with one of them being the ‘Feel Good’ Campaign. Under the initiative, states and towns are highlighting their innovative transport solutions, pioneering examples of green architecture, and sprawling parks – all of which ensure an exciting city break that can be enjoyed eco-responsibly. Berlin has an abundance of green hotspots including vegan restaurants and alternative events within the city’s urban oasis; Winterberg in North Rhine-Westphalia is equipped with a sustainable guest management system; and Freiburg features a Plusenergy House, which aims to achieve the world’s best energy values for buildings and represents the efficiency standards expected in the future. The tranquil Black Forest in Deidesheim has long been known for being a hub for local food produce and handmade crafts, while Celle recently became a certified sustainable destination for its eco-friendly initiatives and practices. “Modern travellers have become increasingly environmentally conscious and plan their trips to be sustainable,” said Yamina Sofo, director of sales and marketing at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), the regional office of …