Category Archives: Govt

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) and South Al Sharqiyah Governor’s Office signed a pact to develop several tourism projects in the governorate. The signing aligns with OMRAN Group’s endeavors to work in harmony with various stakeholders in order to stimulate the growth of the Sultanate’s tourism sector. The pact was signed by H.E. Yahya bin Badr Al Mawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah and Eng. Mohammed bin Salim Al Busaidi, Chairman of OMRAN Group, in presence of several officials from both parties. Under the pact, OMRAN Group will undertake technical support as well as supervise the execution operations of the multi-phased projects being developed in several Governorate’s destinations, where phase one will see a park development in Al Suwaih with a total area exceeds 65,000 square meters, as well as the development of another park in Al-Ashkharah extending over a total area of roughly 14,000 square meters. The two parks will provide a variety of tourism and entertainment facilities, including dining areas, retail outlets, kids’ playgrounds, and Campgrounds. On this occasion, H.E Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Mawali, Governor of South Sharqiyah said, “The governorate draws plenty of local and inbound tourists owing to its rich and diverse destinations, which we seek to exploit, jointly with various stakeholders, to further stimulate the governorate’s tourism”. “Our collaboration with OMRAN Group aims at upgrading tourism services and products within those destinations, which in turn will open prospects and promising opportunities for local businesses and SMEs in the governorate”. Al Mawali added. Meanwhile, Eng. Mohammed bin Salim Al Busaidi, Chairman of OMRAN Group said, “This signing comes within the framework of the existing collaboration between OMRAN Group and South Sharqiyah Governor’s Office …

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture visited Korea for two days from June 8th to June 9th to strengthen the bilateral cultural relationship between the Kingdom and Korea. His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture; His Excellency Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Vice Minister of Culture and CEOs from the Film, Music Commissions visited Korea. Over the two-day visit, the delegation met with key government officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) and Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, and business leaders in cultural powerhouses including CJ ENM and SM Entertainment to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries. During the meeting with the MCST minister Park Bo-gyoon, His Highness lauded ‘Hallyu (K-wave)’ that is sweeping across the globe, and sought opportunities for cooperation in various cultural fields. The visit also included a meeting with the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, an affiliated organization under the Korea Cultural Heritage Administration, where insightful conversations on the protection, preservation, transmission of cultural heritages, and introduction various cultural heritages of the Kingdom took place. One of the most important milestones during this visit was the collaboration framework agreement signed between Saudi Ministry of Culture, and CJ ENM According to the agreement, the two parties agreed to boost cooperation and cultural exchange in the areas of music, cultural events, film and other cultural sectors. Over the next ten years, the two parties will jointly implement cultural events, make bilateral investments, develop exchange programs, nurture talent in both nations, and collaborate on Saudi-Korean content. Also, a meeting with SM Entertainment was held at SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seong-su, where in-depth conversations were held on ways for collaborating in the field of …

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) confirmed at the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, that three new hotel management agreements have been signed with international hotel brands to operate resorts in the first phase of development at The Red Sea Project.  These include Ritz Carlton Reserve and Miraval hotels – the first to operate in the Middle East – and Rosewood, a global luxury hospitality company. This announcement demonstrates industry confidence in The Red Sea Project, with a total of 12 hospitality brands now confirmed, and signifies a growing appetite from global leaders to participate in the expansion of the Saudi Tourism market. With two brands now entering the region for the first time, I believe the future of tourism in the Kingdom is bright, said John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC. “Together with our collection of globally recognized and respected partners, we are excited to play our part in opening up this unique and undiscovered part of the world, setting new benchmarks for sustainable development along the way.” Ritz Carlton Reserve is situated at the destination’s idyllic Ummahat Islands, whilst Miraval and Rosewood are located on Shura Island, the main hub for the resort. The new collection of hospitality brands collectively feature nearly 500 hotel keys of the total 3,000 planned for Phase One. The luxury hotel companies join a stellar line-up of globally renowned brands that have already confirmed they will operate at The Red Sea Project, including: EDITION Hotels and St Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International; Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and SLS Hotels & Residences, part of global hospitality group Accor; Grand Hyatt, part of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Intercontinental Hotels & …

As Saudi Arabia eases restrictions they continue to ensure that entry to the destination or visas to become more easily accessible thanks to the implementation of online visas. Foreign nationals who live in one of the Gulf Cooperation Countries and hold an eligible passport can obtain their online visa and enjoy stays of up to 3 months in Saudi Arabia. Most foreign citizens must get a visa for Saudi Arabia if they wish to enter the Kingdom. The only exception is represented by nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC). Although GCC citizens can visit Saudi Arabia visa-free, third-country nationals who live in one of the GCC nations and hold a residence permit must get a visa unless they have a Saudi passport. Fortunately, many GCC residents can get the Saudi eVisa online. Eligible GCC residents can apply for a Saudi eVisa in minutes. All they need is a reliable internet connection. GCC residents can follow the below steps to obtain a Saudi Arabia eVisa: Fill out the online application form in all of its parts, Upload copies of the relevant documents (such as their valid passport), Pay the application fee and wait for the visa to be sent via email. The application can be completed from anywhere in the world — GCC residents do not have to physically be on GCC territory nor their home country when they apply. They can use a device of their choice to connect to the online application system, including their mobile phone. This allows for great flexibility as they can send their eVisa request on the go. The Saudi eVisa form was designed to be straightforward and easy to complete. Most applicants can …

It was announced that there is a new Saudi Arabia eVisa for cruise passengers. The e-maritime visa is for travelers joining a cruise in Saudi Arabia or arriving at one of its ports onboard a cruise ship. The new eVisa is specifically for cruise tourists. The visa is for passengers: Flying into Saudi Arabia to join a cruise ship, Arriving at a Saudi Arabian port by cruise ship, The new visa has been introduced to facilitate visa processes for cruise passengers. It is now easier for foreigners to fly into the country to join a cruise ship, or visit the country as part of their cruise itinerary. The Saudi Arabia e-maritime visa is a type of transit visa. It cannot be used for extended stays in the country. For longer vacations, foreigners should apply for a tourist eVisa for Saudi Arabia. The tourist visa for Saudi Arabia is for multiple entries of up to 90 days each. The Saudi Arabia tourist eVisa application is also online. Travelers complete the form electronically and receive the approved visa by email. To get an e-maritime visa for Saudi Arabia, applicants must already have purchased a cruise ticket. This visa is only available to people who can prove they will take a cruise to or from Saudi Arabia. They will also require a valid passport. All cruise eVisa applications must be made through the online system. The information provided by applicants is checked in cooperation with the Saudi Cruise Company. To apply for the Saudi Arabia cruise eVisa, eligible travelers must complete the online form, pay the visa fees, and submit the request. Applicants need to provide basic personal and passport details, and information …

Public and private leaders have been called on to unite behind the Jeddah Call to Action, a commitment to align with UNWTO’s approach to rethink tourism governance at every level to keep adapting to the challenges faced by tourism as a global driver for recovery. On the back of the 116th session of its Executive Council, held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UNWTO set down a marker for the future of global tourism. With the pandemic having showed the systemic vulnerabilities of the sector, the United Nations specialized agency called for the construction of a new and reimagined system of governance and financing with the aim of building resilience against future shocks while also making tourism more sustainable. Now is the time to think big. Realize tourism’s unique potential to drive recovery, provide opportunity and build resilience, through better and stronger governance and focusing on jobs, training and education In Jeddah, UNWTO continued with its tradition of complementing the important deliberations of its Executive Council with an open discussion on the biggest challenges and opportunities for the sector. The Forum “Tourism Futures – New Governance and Advocacy”, featured two distinct sessions – “Towards a New Tourism Governance” and “Raising Tourism’s Visibility” outside of the sector. “Now is the time to think big”, said the UNWTO Secretary-General welcoming delegates and speakers. Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the need to “realize tourism’s unique potential to drive recovery, provide opportunity and build resilience, through better and stronger governance and focusing on jobs, training and education”. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commented: “We cannot recover backwards. Now is the time to capitalize on this heightened recognition …

Malaysia has officially reopened its borders to international tourists starting 1st April 2022. Targeting to attract more than 2 million international tourists this year, Tourism Malaysia, the promotional board under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), will embark on a continuous effort to showcase the country’s unique blend of “Truly Asia” heritage to the Middle East and the world. Earlier during the pandemic, Tourism Malaysia launched the campaign #WeMissYou, which was targeted at the Middle East region to invoke feelings of nostalgia among travellers on the magnificent attractions that Malaysia has to offer. Recently, Tourism Malaysia participated in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022, where it signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Dubai-based Emirates Airline as part of the recovery and development of traffic to Malaysia from key markets across the airline’s network. Through this strategic agreement, Tourism Malaysia will work with Emirates to explore mutually beneficial initiatives that will drive tourism into Malaysia, and offer Emirates more opportunities to serve the market, which include familiarisation trips, workshops, seminars, digital campaigns, in-flight marketing campaigns and other marketing programs. The mission’s goal at the ATM is to re-establish and strengthen the region’s commitment to good tourist cooperation, future partnerships and better cooperation with the travel and tourism industry. Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Malaysia’s Tourism Arts and Culture Minister said: “We will continue to place strong emphasis and focus on the Middle Eastern market in terms of outbound tourism. Hence, we will be stepping up our promotional efforts here. “It is indeed a huge relief for the tourism industry as we welcome more international tourists, newcomers and regulars alike, to further boost our economy. Therefore, we hope for …

Saudi Arabia moved up 10 places to 33rd in the world overall, in the 2021 World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index, which was released recently at Davos. The independent index benchmarks 117 countries on 17 pillars crucial to the development and resilience of their travel and tourism industries. Saudi Arabia moved from 43rd in 2019 to 33rd in 2021, the second largest rise in rankings, as a result of improvements across almost all indicators.  This is the first report to be produced since Saudi Arabia opened for international tourism in September 2019. In 2019, Saudi Arabia launched the National Tourism Strategy, a clear plan to drive forward the aims of Vision 2030. These aims will increase the contribution of the tourism sector to 10% of GDP, create 1million new jobs, and attract 100 million local and international visits annually by 2030. The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index is a key indicator of Saudi Arabia’s extraordinary journey as a global tourism leader. Saudi Arabia’s leadership, resources and ambition are driving the monumental growth of the sector and delivering on Vision 2030 goals. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia said: “I am proud of the progress the Kingdom has made through our Vision 2030 reforms as we have opened to the world. Our success is demonstrated by our strong investment in the tourism sector – from creating jobs opportunities for citizens to working with global partners who are invested in our transformation.” “Our ranking is proof that since 2019, despite the global pandemic, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated incredible global leadership as a new tourism destination. We have made it easier to …

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched a ‘Service Ambassador’ programme with the objective of improving the customer experience in Dubai and thereby reduce consumer complaints. The programme, developed by DET’s Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) Sector and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) in cooperation with the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) features a specialised course designed to assist employees in businesses and commercial groups elevate the quality and efficiency of their customer service. The Service Ambassador programme is part of a series of innovative initiatives being launched by CCCP to support business and enable merchants to maintain cordial relations with their customers. The course content will be offered online on DCT’s smart learning platform. Merchants can subscribe to the programme and trainees can log in and start learning from anywhere, anytime. Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection sector stated that the Service Ambassador programme has been meticulously developed to address the most important aspects defining customer happiness, including service quality, warranty obligation as well as merchant-consumer relations and interaction. “Shopping being a major factor in driving growth of tourism and retailing in Dubai, it’s important for businesses and all commercial outlets to maintain an exceptional level of customer service. The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector and Dubai College of Tourism have jointly developed this programme drawing on our insights on the customer’s journey and expectations on shopping in Dubai,” Lootah said. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “Dubai continues to grow its reputation as a top retail destination globally through an integrated shopping experience that features a broad spectrum of dining and entertainment. The new …

Almosafer and The Tourism Authority of Thailand signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to boost tourism between the Kingdom of Thailand and GCC countries. Almosafer’s consumer segment and The Tourism Authority of Thailand will work together to promote and develop quality tourism experiences in Thailand for travellers from GCC countries, with a focus on key niche markets including sport tourism, luxury tourism, and health and wellness tourism. Muzzammil Ahussain, Executive Vice President of Almosafer, said: “The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with The Tourism Authority of Thailand today is an important step in meeting the growing demand for tourism from the GCC to Thailand. This partnership will provide our consumers with the best experiences while strengthening ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Thailand. Thailand is an increasingly popular destination and we look forward to working together with The Tourism Authority to enable many visitors from the GCC to experience all that Thailand has to offer.” The MOC follows the announcement on 9 March 2022 permitting Saudi nationals to travel to Thailand which marked the end of a travel ban for nationals wanting to visit the popular Southeast Asian destination. Since the announcement, Almosafer has experienced huge growth in demand for travel from Saudi Arabia to Thailand with a 470% increase in demand compared to January 2022 and a 268% increase compared to February 2022. Thailand is currently a very popular international destination for visitors from the GCC, especially from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait where Thailand ranks in the top 5 and top 9 international destinations respectively. During the month of May to date, searches for Thailand on Almosafer’s platform grew by 1100% in Saudi …