Tag Archives: tourism

MeetChina, the business forum for travel buyers from China and tourism suppliers from the MENA region, returns to Yas Island Abu Dhabi for the first time since the pandemic. Taking place at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, the event will kick off on September 4, 2023, with two days of intensive meetings aimed at reestablishing tourism ties between China and the region. MeetChina is owned and operated by NPI Media, with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT – Abu Dhabi) along with Yas Island as the Destination Partner. Now in its 10th year, the 2023 edition will welcome up to 100 top senior-level Chinese travel buyers. Playing an integral role in the resurgence of China’s outbound travel market, MeetChina guarantees tourism stakeholders from across the UAE an opportunity to secure business from China through pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings and networking sessions over the course of two days. Event registration is open to government tourism organisations, hotels, destination management companies (DMCs), attractions, excursion providers, shopping malls and luxury retail brands. In 2019, outbound travel from China contributed over US$253 billion to the global economy – the highest of any country. Chinese tourists took more than 150 million trips during the year, making them outsized contributors to the international travel market. Earlier this year, the country eased all restrictions, allowing outbound travel activity to resume. According to the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI), Chinese travellers are projected to take around 110 million international trips in 2023, which is two-thirds of the 2019 level, while 2024 will see the country’s outbound travel figures touch the 155 million mark. During the past decade, China consistently ranked among …

Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, explained about the expansion to new markets such as Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates at the Thailand Product Update for buyers and media attending the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2023. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) underlined quality, and experience-based tourism among key elements of Thai tourism products and services as part of its strategic move to transform Thailand’s tourism towards high-value and sustainable tourism.  He further reiterated, “TAT is illustrating Thailand as offering meaningful-driven travel to improve visitors’ experience. Encompassing discovery, transformation, fulfilment, and engagement between people, cultures, and nature, this underscores TAT’s direction to making a destination for protecting the country’s vast natural and scenic beauty and instigating a range of environmental initiatives.” Key elements of tourism products and services that reflect TAT’s overall strategies have included luxury tourism experiences, wellness tourism, and tourism towards sustainability. Highlights for luxury tourism experiences include Live the Bangkok Life and Relaxing Phangnga plus Youthfully Phuket, while for wellness tourism, Thailand’s wellness possibilities include family-friendly wellness breaks in Chiang Mai; and immunity booster vacations in Ko Samui, Surat Thani. Thailand’s tourism towards sustainability comprises a wide range of destinations and activities that deliver sustainability experiences, including exploring local community by bike at Bang Krachao, Samut Prakan; adventurer travel in Umphang, Tak; slow life at low- carbon destination on Ko Mak in Trat; and exploring the Little Amazon and surfing at the Memories beach in Takua Pa, Phangnga. TAT is also developing a national drive that encompasses the entire Thai tourism industry with the development of the …

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a new initiative for tourism education, which intends to collaborate with universities and higher education institutions throughout the Kingdom to offer distinctive and enriching educational programs. These programs are specially designed to align tourism and hospitality education with the market requirements, and to equip aspiring professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure lucrative employment opportunities in this sector. At a special event held in Riyadh, Her Highness Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, Vice Minister of Tourism, launched this initiative on behalf of His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Al Khateeb. The ceremony was attended by several key partners from government entities and the education sector, who discussed the programs’ primary objectives and implementation strategies. Additionally, the event witnessed the signing of four memorandums of cooperation with MoE, MHRSD, ETEC, and KFUPM. During this occasion, Her Highness stated, “We are delighted to collaborate with the top educational institutions in the Kingdom to introduce the tourism education initiative in order to raise awareness and attractiveness of opportunities in the tourism sector for Saudi citizens and education sector leaders. This initiative is in line with MT’s strategy to meet the needs resulting from the sector’s rapid growth. The launch of these programs will also guarantee that suitable talents are accessible to support the Kingdom’s march towards fulfilling NTS and Vision 2030 objectives, by empowering the next generation of Saudi talents.” Students will have the opportunity to enroll in specialized programs as part of the educational program. These programs include the “Travel and Tourism Diploma” offered by the University of Tabuk in partnership with the renowned Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the “Diploma in …

The 13th edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair with TravTalkME  as media partners concluded in the Saudi capital of Riyadh yesterday. It is a significant annual event where the leading travel and tourism companies in Saudi Arabia with GCC And Other International Companies / Countries gather with exhibitors representing tourist promotion authorities and tourist companies at the Arab and International levels. This year Kazakhstan, South Africa, The Royal Commission of Al Ula and many other key partners held special B2B sessions to present their destinations to the travel trade. This year’s event attracted over 200 exhibitors from 30 countries. Another significance this year was the many interactive sessions in most pavilions which provided exciting give aways and prizes. Amala Tourism had their stand adorned with some beautiful birds and other species which attracted many visitors. Speaking with TravelTVNews, Nawaf Khalid, General Manager Amala Tourism shared that in keeping with the Saudi Vision 2030, they will be opening a special family destination 200km from Riyadh, with an animal sanctuary, 186 key resort, man made lake and many other exciting activities for both domestic and international visitors. He further reiterated that within the next two years, the project will be completed and travellers will be able to enjoy the destination.

Al Rostamani Travel and Holidays and the Saudi Tourism Authority are excited to announce a new strategic partnership. This cooperative endeavour focuses on promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia to UAE residents. Under this agreement, Al Rostamani Travel and the Saudi Tourism Authority will work together to showcase the natural wonders, cultural heritage, and unmatched hospitality of Saudi Arabia to travelers from the UAE. The goal is to create unparalleled travel experiences, fostering deeper connections and understanding between the two nations. The partnership aims to offer UAE travelers the chance to immerse themselves in Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes, including the awe-inspiring rock formations of Al Ula, the bustling streets of Riyadh, the tranquil Red Sea coast, and the breathtaking archaeological marvels of Madain Saleh. Al Rostamani Travel and the Saudi Tourism Authority are committed to providing seamless travel experiences that exceed expectations with tailor-made itineraries, curated tours, and exceptional customer service. Bimal Jain, General Manager of Al Rostamani Travel and Holidays, and Khalid Khan, GCC Trade Director for the Saudi Tourism Authority, officially signed the agreement at the Arabian Travel Market event. Expressing gratitude for the trust placed in Al Rostamani Travel, the organization acknowledges the significance of this partnership in supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision to establish itself as a leading global tourism destination. By leveraging their expertise and resources, both entities will work towards raising awareness about the incredible tourism offerings of Saudi Arabia and inviting UAE travelers to embark on unforgettable journeys. As this collaboration unfolds, the public can look forward to more exciting updates and initiatives to showcase the wonders of Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry. Al Rostamani Travel and the Saudi Tourism Authority are determined to create memorable …

Miral Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Microsoft, announced the launch of its generative AI customer-facing service leveraging ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service to provide personalized guidance and information to customers visiting Yas Island’s theme parks and experiences. With over 1,700 operations completed successfully within a week, ChatGPT is being used to augment the capabilities of chatbots for customer services for the first time, not only across various industries in the UAE, but also within the wider region’s tourism and entertainment sector. Commenting on the collaboration, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, said: “We are proud to be pioneering the introduction of ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service within the tourism and entertainment sector.  We champion innovation at every step and believe that digital transformation is key to creating more compelling and personalized visitor propositions. Our collaboration with Microsoft is a testament to our relentless pursuit of delivering unique and memorable experiences to guests of all ages and nationalities, further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure.” Miral has long been working with Microsoft, having used the company’s intelligent cloud and data services for its existing guest experience platform and operations. As part of its ambition to be a customer-centric, progressive and efficient organisation, Miral plans to use Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT to enable customers to plan their day at any of the theme parks, providing a more seamless customer experience. “We are delighted to collaborate with Miral to enhance its customer experience through the use of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.” Said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “With the help of Azure OpenAI Service and ChatGPT, Miral can better engage with …

Rather than cost, the Middle East’s luxury travel sector should focus on the long-term gains offered by decarbonisation, waste reduction and community initiatives. That was the assessment of experts speaking on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 4 May today. ‘Sustainable Luxury: At What Cost?’ included a range of insights into how luxury travel is leading the tourism industry’s sustainable charge in the Middle East. Moderated by Joe Mortimer, Editor-at-Large at Destinations of the World News, panellists included Nadia Ibrahim, Member of the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact; Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President Operations – Middle East & Africa at Minor Hotels; Candice D’Cruz, VP Luxury Brands at Marriott International; and William Harley-Fleming, Vice President of Operations for JA The Resort and Indian Ocean. Commenting on growing demand for sustainable offerings among consumers, the UN Global Compact’s Ibrahim said: “Luxury and sustainability have not always gone hand in hand, but this is changing. We are encountering a new generation of travellers that wants high-end experiences that do not compromise sustainability. This is why airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourist destinations are thinking about how sustainability can be integrated into their existing services, and how it can be used to attract more customers.” Referencing the approach Minor Hotels’ Anantara brand has taken to sustainable luxury, Golbarg said: “Globalisation opened the doors to the world, but I think localisation is now equally important. We took the decision to go indigenous as a lot of the costs associated with sustainability relate to the importation of goods. It’s all about how you are benefitting the communities in …

Tourism Minister Haim Katz: “Improvement of infrastructure and beautification upgrades the tourist experience and encourages returning tourism. I have asked the ministry to prepare a directive for the support budget for 2023, that will place an emphasis on budgetary efficiency alongside maximizing the tourism potential.” Ministry of Tourism Director-General Dani Shahar: “We are in the midst of preparing the tourism infrastructure in Israel to welcome  tourists, following the recovery from the pandemic. We carefully considered the many applications received, and we chose those which would bring the greatest value to tourism.” The ministry’s Development Budget Committee approved the support budget for 2022 that will assist in the establishment of dozens of projects in local authorities: parking lots, promenades, bridges, sound and light shows, renovating markets and public spaces, unique lighting, trails, parks, observation points and more. As part of the directive for support in developing public tourism infrastructure, the Israel Ministry of Tourism received in 2022 approximately 210 applications from local authorities for assistance in establishing projects in their area, of which approximately 160 applications met the threshold conditions. The budget available for the construction of tourism infrastructure in 2022 stood at about NIS 340 million. It should be noted that the cost of implementing all the projects is about NIS 700 million, of which the Israel Ministry of Tourism contributed about NIS 410 million (NIS 340 million from the 2022 budget and the remainder from previous years). In recent months, the projects were discussed in the ministry’s Development Budget committee, and were investigated in accordance with the project standard rating: Contribution to incoming tourism (35%) Project maintenance capability (15%) Matches government and ministry policy (15%) Contribution to the economic …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Labour to launch the new training for employment project “Najm”. The project, which operates under the #IAmTourism programme, aims to provide a platform for developing highly skilled Omani nationals in the tourism and hospitality sector. It will train 250 job seekers for employment at a newly established start-up company, which will develop and manage tourism-related activities across Oman to stimulate the growth and popularity of the sector. The agreement was signed by HE Sayyid Salim bin Musallam Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Human Resources Development and the CEO of OMRAN Group, Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, with senior officials from both parties in attendance. As part of the agreement, 250 job opportunities have been announced and applications are currently being accepted from prospective Omani candidates across Oman. To be eligible, relevant candidates profiles have to meet the required criteria being announced. The selection process will involve a personal interview and different ability tests. After the selection, 250 high-calibre Omani nationals with an entrepreneurial mindset will be shortlisted. These candidates will undergo six months of intensive theoretical and practical training developed in partnership with recognised and specialised institutes in the country. Upon completion of the training and certification, each of the 250 candidates will be offered full-time employment with a newly established OMRAN Group start-up. “This project will improve the labour market and its outcomes by creating new employment opportunities. The tourism industry in the country is still growing and requires the involvement of national competencies, both in terms of tour guides and hospitality.” He added, “The tourism sector is crucial and requires …

Visitors to the Visa Application Centre submitting their applications can now learn more about the tourism offerings and highlights of India, guided by trained professionals from VFS Global, by visiting the kiosk at the time of their appointment. Mr. N. Ram Prasad, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia formally inaugurated the new India Tourism kiosk at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Riyadh recently. Mr. N. Ram Prasad, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia said, “I am pleased to launch the first India Tourism kiosk in association with VFS Global, who have been our partners in KSA for the last 14 years. In addition to best-in-class visa services, applicants will now also be able to learn about all the wondrous tourism offerings of India when they visit this centre.” Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer, VFS Global said, “We are excited to further strengthen our relationship with the Government of India with the launch of our India Tourism kiosk. I thank the Ministry of External Affairs for their constant and unwavering support and faith in our organisation and its services. As the service providers of visa and passport solutions here in Saudi Arabia, it is only fitting that we also provide informational services on all there is to offer in this bountiful country.” VFS Global caters to over 7 million Indians across 9 countries – Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, France, and Australia, offering passport and consular services on behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The organisation has a long-standing association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, offering visa application …