Tag Archives: Karim Mekachera

The most popular European destination for the Middle East travellers France announces its opening from 9th June 2021. As summer approaches the fashionistas from the Middle East are ready to travel once again to their most loved second home in France. Vaccinated travellers with vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) – Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson – while other travellers will have to justify one of the compelling reasons established by the French authorities. Both types of travellers will have to undergo PCR tests. Most countries of the Middle East are classified as orange, except Lebanon (as green) and Bahrein (as red). Foreign citizens who plan to travel to France from the region will need to follow these instructions: For fully vaccinated travellers: Submit vaccination proof – only Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are currently approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours or a negative antigen test of less than 48 hours on boarding. *Proof of vaccination is only valid if it can attest to a complete vaccination schedule, which is: 2 weeks after the 2nd injection for dual-injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca); 4 weeks after the injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson); 2 weeks after injection of vaccines for people with a previous history of contracting Covid-19 (only 1 injection required). For travellers who have not been vaccinated, they will need a compelling reason: Present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours or negative antigen test of less than 48 hours on boarding, Random antigenic test upon arrival in France; Complete a 7-day of self-isolation upon arrival in …

Demonstrating their commitment to the Gulf region, the European national tourist boards of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France are hosting an exclusive networking event in Dubai this April, ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM). In a combined effort, Atout France’s travel trade workshop ‘Marhaba’ will kick off its two-day event on April 24 while the national tourist boards of Germany, Switzerland and Austria will take over on April 26 and host the ‘Heart of Europe Travel Summit’ at Sofitel, The Palm Resort & Spa, Dubai. More than 40 tourism suppliers from France and 80 from Germany, Switzerland and Austria – ranging from local tourist boards, hotels, destination management companies, airports, shopping facilities, transport companies as well as medical clinics – are looking forward to developing knowledge about the destinations, and also providing travel trade from the GCC with the opportunity to source products to enhance their holiday offerings for the summer season and beyond. The four tourism boards expect an attendance of over 100 buyers from the GCC region. Highlighting the importance of the travel trade industry in the Gulf region, Sigrid de Mazieres, Director–Gulf Countries, German National Tourist Office, said, “We are excited to collaborate with our European neighbouring countries, and to facilitate business relations between our touristic partners and the local travel trade through this new innovative platform.” The travel trade workshops will include pre-scheduled B2B appointments, cutting-edge presentations and extensive social programmes to experience the destinations’ hospitality and networking opportunities with participating decision-makers. “We believe that one of the many challenges facing the travel trade industry today is to keep abreast of the growing and changing needs of travellers from the region. This joint and unprecedented event …