Tag Archives: GCC

Global travel marketplace Skyscanner highlighted key travel trends to Saudi Arabia for the month coinciding with Ramadan. Accordingly, Saturday 18 March 2023 is the most popular departure date, with 38% of travellers aiming to travel to Saudi; whilst over 92% travellers are aiming to travel to Saudi during the week of 20 March, making the start of Ramadan the most popular travel time. Travellers from across the GCC, the United Kingdom, Egypt and Germany are amongst the most popular making their way to the Kingdom during this time where Jeddah is the airport of choice, accounting for 75% of bookings. Over 70% of travellers are looking for trips between 1-2 weeks long. “As restrictions ease and capacity increases, we are seeing travel demand return to pre-pandemic levels, if not higher,” said Ayoub El Mamoun, Skyscanner Travel Expert. “Travel remains a key priority, with many travellers across the GCC, such as the UAE and Saudi, planning the same or more trips in 2023 than they did the year previously.” Top GCC destinations booking Saudi Arabia during Ramadan UAE Saudi Arabia Kuwait Qatar Oman   Top international destinations booking Saudi Arabia during Ramadan UK Egypt Germany Netherlands Pakistan Italy France USA Indonesia Morocco

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has revealed the country recorded a 318 per cent increase on overnight stays from Gulf nationals in the first six months of 2022 when compared to the same period last year*. GCC nationals were responsible for more than 335,000 stays in H1 2022, compared with a little less than 81,000 in 2021. Such figures confirm the region’s position as representing the biggest growth from an Asian source market. While tourism numbers may not have returned to pre-pandemic levels yet, the promising growth demonstrates the countries strong recovery as it continues to attract tourists. “The GCC is the top Asian source market, therefore it’s unsurprising with our recent campaigns that there has been such a strong increase,” said Yamina Sofo, director of sales and marketing at the German National Tourist Office, the regional office of GNTB. “Pandemic recovery has long been top of mind and it’s encouraging to see that both longstanding and first-time travellers are increasingly keen to explore everything that Germany has to offer.” Overall, the Asian source markets have recorded a 252.3 per cent increase in overnight visitors, a jump from just over 217,000 to just under 800,000 in 6 months. The surging increase demonstrates a dedication and determination to travel internationally, despite some countries continuing to implement travel restrictions during the first half of the year. To further drive interest in travel to Germany in the remainder of 2022, GNTB has announced the launch of its ‘Feel Good’ campaign, which encompasses a plethora of guiding tips highlighting the country’s eco initiatives that provide conscious tourists with adequate tools and information to reduce their carbon footprint during their travels. A recent survey by D/A, …

A recent survey by YouGov* revealed that when planning a holiday, more and more youngsters seek authentic experiences representing local culture and opt for sustainable and eco-friendly travel and accommodation options. Brazil has set its eyes on the GCC market looking at both locals and expatriates as they are living home to the natural landscapes and rich culture, Brazil is the perfect destination for young tourists from the region looking for an ethnically diverse, ‘instagramable’ holiday. From breathtaking beaches and adrenaline-infused activities to bustling nightlife and vibrant local culture, Brazil has so much to offer for those young at heart. Here are four distinct destinations in Brazil that are perfect for young solo travellers or groups of friends seeking adventure and real-life experiences. Reconnect with nature, relax by the tropical beaches or simply dance the night away at Florianópolis. From stunning coastlines and natural scenery to lounges and sporting activities, this serene island checks all the boxes for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ holiday. During the day, Florianópolis is great for being outdoors with hiking routes, surfing and other adventurous activities and by night, this city transforms to a place to unwind and connect with other free-spirited souls. Florianopolis International Airport (FLN) receives daily flights from São Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG). Fernando de Noronha is known as a true paradise on Earth. It features some of the most pristine beaches in Brazil and memorable ecotourism experiences ideal for nature enthusiasts looking for hiking trails, boat tours, snorkelling, surfing, and other outdoor adventures. In addition to having breath-taking vistas and crystal-clear beaches, the island serves as a breeding ground for green sea turtles. Tourists and locals can witness these sea creatures …

The fifth edition of the Gulf Travel Show kicked off with a special press conference with Mohamed Amirul Rizal, Senior Deputy Director, International Promotion (Asia Africa) Division Tourism Malaysia chairing the press conference. In his opening remarks he welcomed the media for attending the event sharing that this is the fifth consecutive time that Tourism Malaysia participated as Platinum partner with the Gulf Travel Show to network with the travel agents and tour operator partners in the Middle East, especially in the GCC. He also thanked everyone for their dedication and commitment to make Malaysia top of mind destination in the region. He reiterated that entry requirements to Malaysia are now eased, and you can travel hassle free to explore the destination. It is no longer necessary to have pre-departure nor on arrival PCR tests nor have a special covid insurance etc. Instead, he stated that Malaysia is hassle free and everyone is welcome to travel without any quarantine or testing as their vaccination drive including children and retirees hit over 86% hence after two years of stringent border controls now it is time to explore the destination which has a lot more to offer to guests especially from the Middle East/ GCC countries. Connectivity is of utmost importance for all destinations, sharing his thoughts on this, “we work with our airline partners such as, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways etc, at present we are looking at further strengthening our network with SAUDIA, Egypt Air and Air Arabia to have more connectivity to our destination from the Middle East. After the pandemic and the borders opened we received about 23,000 visitors from the Middle East from 1st April 2022, however, we …

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has revealed the country recorded a 318 per cent increase on overnight stays from Gulf nationals in the first six months of 2022 when compared to the same period last year*. GCC nationals were responsible for more than 335,000 stays in H1 2022, compared with a little less than 81,000 in 2021. Such figures confirm the region’s position as representing the biggest growth from an Asian source market. While tourism numbers may not have returned to pre-pandemic levels yet, the promising growth demonstrates the countries strong recovery as it continues to attract tourists. “The GCC is the top Asian source market, therefore it’s unsurprising with our recent campaigns that there has been such a strong increase,” said Yamina Sofo, director of sales and marketing at the German National Tourist Office, the regional office of GNTB. “Pandemic recovery has long been top of mind and it’s encouraging to see that both longstanding and first-time travellers are increasingly keen to explore everything that Germany has to offer.” Overall, the Asian source markets have recorded a 252.3 per cent increase in overnight visitors, a jump from just over 217,000 to just under 800,000 in 6 months. The surging increase demonstrates a dedication and determination to travel internationally, despite some countries continuing to implement travel restrictions during the first half of the year. To further drive interest in travel to Germany in the remainder of 2022, GNTB has announced the launch of its ‘Feel Good’ campaign, which encompasses a plethora of guiding tips highlighting the country’s eco initiatives that provide conscious tourists with adequate tools and information to reduce their carbon footprint during their travels. A recent survey by D/A, …

From the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai, Marriott International, Inc. announced plans to expand its Middle East footprint with the expected addition of over 20 properties and more than 5,000 rooms across the Gulf countries over the next 15 months. The company’s growth in the region is fuelled by ongoing demand for its extraordinary portfolio of hotel brands across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, and increased appetite from developers for conversions and adaptive reuse properties. “The tourism industry in the Middle East continues to undergo significant growth in line with the long-term strategies of regional governments to diversify their economies,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “The reputation of Marriott International and our world-class brands, along with our long-established presence in the Middle East, continue to put us in a great position to contribute to the ongoing growth and diversification of the region’s tourism sector.” Luxury Segment Spearheads Growth in Saudi Arabia, While Select Segment Maintains Momentum With significant demand for luxury offerings in Saudi Arabia, particularly within the country’s ambitious developments such as the Red Sea Project and Diriyah Gate, Marriott International expects to enhance its portfolio with six additional luxury properties in the Kingdom by the end of 2023.  The anticipated openings will debut the St. Regis and EDITION hotel brands in the country and introduce the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East with the opening of Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Red Sea Project. Additionally, the company is responding to strong demand in the country for select service accommodation, with a new Four Points by Sheraton in Riyadh and Courtyard by Marriott in Jubail expected …

Premium destination, Vienna is ready with its new luxury experiences for the travelers from the GCC as they announce some of their latest openings from the airport to hotels etc. Summer is the main time of the year where GCC travelers explore and spend their family vacation in the lap of luxury in cooler areas in Europe. “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from the GCC region, so that they can experience the premium destination Vienna first-hand. Vienna has a host of surprises for the luxury-loving guest from the GCC region, who prefer the more tasteful things in life. And it wouldn’t be Vienna if the extravagance were not accompanied by a hint of the city’s typical charm.” Matthias Schwindl, Media Manager Middle East at the Vienna Tourist Board In Vienna luxury can take a highly traditional form. Although the Austro-Hungarian monarchy ceased to exist in 1918, the high quality standards set by the former purveyors to the imperial court continue to have their place in the modern era. Around 500 companies were granted the royal k. u. k. (kaiserlichen und königlichen) warrant, making them Hoflieferanten. With this honor came the right to supply the Imperial Court with goods and services. Whether they had the imperial seal or not, in Vienna these long-standing local companies and their artisanal traditions continue to shape the city’s unmistakable appearance and fuel unique shopping experiences in the twenty-first century. Since 29 March 2022 Vienna International Airport put Terminal 2 once again into operation, ensuring a new travel experience for passengers. The oldest airport terminal was completely modernized and expanded to encompass new features. Travelers can take advantage of a modern and very exclusive …

Starting from 26 June 2021, Switzerland opened its borders to fully vaccinated guests from the GCC countries, who will be able to enter the country again without having to undergo quarantine, nor testing, celebrating the improvement of the global pandemic situation, and answering calls of those who wait for this destination to open. All EMA and WHO approved vaccinations including Sinopharm will be accepted up to 12 months after full vaccination, with the exception of people entering from countries with worrying mutations of the virus who will still have to abide by the country’s covid control rules. Matthias Albrecht, Director GCC, Switzerland Tourism says: “We are extremely happy and feel quite emotional that we finally can go back to what we do best; to host guests in our magnificent country. And we believe with our beautiful nature and uncrowded boutique towns as well as wide-open landscapes, Switzerland is the natural choice for a post-Covid holiday. Now that borders will open, we can’t wait to welcome each one of you!” The news come as a relief for travellers eager to visit, or revisit, Geneva, one of the most vibrant cities in the world, where its European identity blends with a warming welcome to share its beauty, history, and culturally rich public life with everyone, embodied in the details of every site, monument and locally crafted object, harmoniously located at closed proximity to take them from one experience to another, adding multiple flavours and layers to their city-escape. To explore Geneva from a unique and wholesome angle, the city offers an array of cruises spanning from one hour to a full day, designed to take visitors onboard an adventurous discovery of the …

In a recent interview with Yamina Sofo – Director of – German National Tourism Office (GNTO) in Dubai for GCC countries shared with us that they are hopeful about summer as most tourism establishments opens for guests in Germany.  At the press conference it was revealed that Berlin would be one of the first destinations to open for fully vaccinated travellers with those recommended by the EU whereas other travellers may have to undergo PCR tests, however, more details are to be shared very soon. Sofo reiterated, “we are very hopeful for the summer, so already by next week, a lot of the tourism establishments are reopening for guests from Germany itself, the neighboring countries, and then hopefully summer and maybe already in June for overseas customers. So it’s going to be in phases. But by the time our valued GCC guests can travel to Germany, Germany is well up and running and the safety standards are very high and in place. The GCC countries are the third most important overseas market for Germany incoming tourism so they’re very high and extremely important for our tourism industry profits, and they’re highly appreciated and welcomed. So over time in 2019, we had 1.6 million guests overnight, guests from the GCC countries. Last year the number was lower unfortunately, but we had to reach 300,000. So this shows really the eagerness of GCC travellers to come to Germany even in the most difficult situations, and we appreciate that a lot. So we are very hopeful because we know the industry, we know the guests here – they have their suitcases packed. They are ready to go, and so we anticipate a very …

Second edition of the Gulf Travel Show (GTS) will be held on March 31 and April 1, 2021. GTS with its proprietary exhibition software will help you recover, rebuild and reimagine relationships and products. Our first edition which concluded with great success was an affirmation of the need of the hour for the travel fraternity to ensure they maintain their connections and proactively search for new connections and/or partners that will help them grow their business help grow their brand and build long-term profitable business connections. For more information kindly contact – crisna@ddppl.com +971 55 470 4200; sonia.butalia@ddppl.com +91 96503 1177; nikhil.jeet@ddppl.com Last November the first edition received a positive impact from the industry partners as they were provided the opportunity to network with partners from across the globe which targets the Middle East as one of their source markets. It concluded with 40 plus exhibitors, 6000 one-to-one meetings, and 2,500 visitors from 59 countries which included travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies and international agencies. Local and international industry leaders attracted viewers with their insightful and engaging panel discussions. The hosted buyer programme along with the leader board motivated buyers to have meetings till the late hour. At the onset of the first virtual event, we provided the platform which depicted that of a real live event, with our state of the art technology. As you enter the event, you were transported to the venue with a very easy to manage menu that enabled you to really enjoy the event without any hassle. The hosted buyers had the opportunity to earn points while visiting each booth and increase chances of making connections and at …