Category Archives: Govt

NEOM announces 450 meter high luxury mountain range, Aquellum

The Board of Directors of NEOM  announced Aquellum, a luxury and experiential mountain resort space embedded within the mountains, and the latest striking addition to the ongoing regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia. With its foundations steeped in cutting-edge technology, avant-garde architecture and forward-thinking concepts, Aquellum will offer guests a taste of futuristic living through its array of pioneering experiences. Concealed from the outside along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, Aquellum is hidden within a breathtaking, 450-meter-high mountain range and represents a futuristic ecosystem that is harmoniously integrated into the natural surroundings. Crafted to inspire originality and imagination, Aquellum will push the boundaries of conventional design and construction possibilities. To access Aquellum, visitors will embark on an extraordinary journey, beginning at the world’s first floating marina. Here, guests will board a specially designed vessel to enter Aquellum through a concealed underground canal, unveiling a hidden community that offers an incredible sensory journey. Once inside, visitors will be treated to an exhilarating, 100-meter-high vertical experience with an impressive courtyard space stretching from the water to the sky. ​This subterranean digitalized community creates vibrancy and interconnectivity through seamlessly blending hotel accommodation, apartments, retail spaces, leisure and entertainment zones and innovative hubs. A dynamic boulevard winds through the courtyard, connecting diverse social spaces, world-class hospitality, immersive arts, events, shopping and dining. A signature space, dubbed ‘The Generator’, houses unique research labs for disruptors, innovators, and creative thinkers, offering a platform where the future is reimagined. An omnidirectional internal transit system facilitates easy access to upper floors, transporting residents and visitors to their homes and hotels, ascending to rooftop gardens with breathtaking coastal views. Guided by its unwavering commitment to crafting spaces in nature that …

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Sharjah promotes sports tourism bringing sports legends to the emirate

Sharjah tourism and development authority shared that the emirate of Sharjah has witnessed growth in terms of visitors due to its great developments, infrastructure and most importantly sports tourism. Speaking at the press conference Chairman Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa shared that this week of starts in Sharjah will be an opportunity to showcase its rich offerings not only as a family tourisistic destination but also as a sporting and adventure tourism hub. This week will feature friendly football matches to paddle tennis matches to develop sports tourism. 24 football legends will be a key highlight during this week as they will expose the rich heritage and sporting tourism infrastructure of Sharjah to both local and international travellers. There will be 3 different events – paddle tennis, football and footgolf and stars week until the end of this week. Last year there were over 120 players from 20 countries giving Sharjah exposure at the first footgolf tournament.

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Over 300,000 visitors across GCC and beyond attended the biggest ever Liwa International Festival

The 2023 edition of the annual Liwa International Festival has officially concluded after 24 fun-filled days that welcomed more than 300,000 visitors from across the UAE, GCC, and beyond. Organised by Liwa Sports Club, with the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, each year the festival captivates visitors with its distinctive motorsport thrills, desert experiences, and family-friendly fun, centred around the 300-metre-tall Tal Moreeb dune. The integrated motoring, music and cultural festival brought its famous mix of family fun, variety of F&B options, superb live music, and high-octane motorsports to Al Dhafra. The biggest, best, and most popular festival yet, this year’s event ended with a drone and fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. The unique fusion of the Al Dhafra region’s majestic sand dunes, the perfectly cool winter weather, and an exciting array of activities meant the event once again provided visitors with experiences that are simply unavailable anywhere else in the region or beyond. H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism, the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi, said: “As a prominent highlight on Abu Dhabi’s back-to-back year-round events calendar, the 2023 Liwa International Festival was an exciting, fun-filled celebration for families and motorsport fans. It stood out as one of the biggest and best events to date, showcasing the festival’s continuous growth in size, scale, and popularity each year. Al Dhafra remains the top destination for exceptional entertainment and family-friendly fun in the heart of the desert. I look forward to next year’s edition and even more memorable experiences.” The biggest Liwa Festival ever This year, the festival featured the return of Liwa Village, which …

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Saudi Tourism Forum to take place from 22nd to 24th January in Riyadh

The second edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum will kick off from 22nd to 24th January 2024 at the Riyadh International and Conventional Center. It will be an important forum where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be promoted as a tourist destination, strengthen constructive collaboration among all stakeholders in the Saudi tourism sector, and deepen awareness about investment and development opportunities in this vital industry, This forum will serve as a platform for achieving remarkable successes and fostering a spirit of cooperation and partnership. There will be seminars and workshops conducted over the three day event to showcase the rich diversity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

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Statement by the Government of Maldives

The Government of Maldives is aware of derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals. These opinions are personal and do not represent the views of the Government of Maldives. The Government believes that the freedom of expression should be exercised in a democratic and responsible manner, and in ways that do not spread hatred, negativity, and hinder close relationships between the Maldives and its international partners. Moreover, the relevant authorities of the Government will not hesitate to take action against those who make such derogatory remarks.

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World Aquatics’ first regional centre to open in Bahrain

In a move to promote water sports tourism in Bahrain and the region the World Aquatics and the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC)  laid the foundation stone for the establishment of the Bahrain World Aquatic Centre at the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), in partnership with GFH Financial Group and the Bahrain Swimming Association. Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, the foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by senior state officials, guests and Bahrain national swimming team players. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad expressed pleasure at the new achievement, noting that it represents a new step towards establishing a global centre for water sports in the kingdom. His Highness stressed that the project will boost water sports in the region, and add to the kingdom’s status as a pioneering global sporting hub, expressing congratulations to the partners for their efforts to develop the project. “We look forward to welcoming world athletes to the kingdom to train and compete, as well as realise their dreams and aspirations in the field of sports,” HH said. HH Shaikh Khalid underlined the importance of the Bahrain World Aquatic Centre in embracing renowned swimmers from Bahrain and abroad, as well as in linking science with sports in one of the most successful sports projects launched in partnership with the private sector. His Highness stressed BOC’s keenness to strengthen its partnership with the World Aquatics, and cooperation with the GFH Group to make the Kingdom a centre for developing various water sports. Commenting, Dr. Husain Al Musallam, World Aquatics President, asserted that …

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France becomes first EU country to issue digital Schengen Visas for the Paris Olympics

Since Monday, 1st January 2024, France has started operating a new system called the “Olympic Consulate” which will be processing applications of 15,000 international athletes, 9,000 journalists and delegations of foreign countries participating in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. The system has been established in a bid of the French authorities to prevent the applications for the Olympics from getting mixed up with the flood of files currently being processed at French visa centres abroad. “It [the system] is indeed necessary to guarantee the issuance of visas within timeframes compatible with the successful organization of the Games.” shared, France Ministry of the Interior. Applications will be filed and processed via the France-Visas platform completely online, which makes France the first EU country to process visas online, in line with the EU Schengen visa digitalisation plans adopted by the Parliament last October. At the same time, these 70,000 people will not have their visas affixed to their passports, but will have them integrated directly into their accreditation cards. The Olympic and Paralympic Games in France are set to be held from July 26 to August 11 and from August 28 to September 8, 2024, respectively. The country expects around 1.5 million spectators from all over the world to attend the games. “In 2024, France will host the summer Olympic Games for the first time in a century, and the Paralympic Games for the first time in its history. It will host 15,000 athletes, over 9,000 accredited journalists, and almost 1.5 million spectators from all over the world ” said France Diplomacy. Previously, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games services and relations manager, Alejandro Recalde, had announced that athletes and officials who …

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The Ministry of Tourism announces that inbound visitor spending in Saudi Arabia has surpassed SAR 100 billion by the end of Q3 2023

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism proudly announced that Saudi tourism has reached a historic milestone in inbound visitor spending, as indicated by the Travel Account Data in SAMA’s Balance of Payments. Exceeding SAR 100 billion during the first quarters of 2023, this achievement resulted in a surplus in the Travel Account Data in the Balance of Payments, estimated at SAR 37.8 billion, reflecting a remarkable growth rate of 72% compared to the same period in 2022. These accomplishments coincide with the complete recovery of Saudi tourism, with the tourism sector’s rebound reaching an impressive recovery rate of 150% compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Numerous Saudi tourist destinations have experienced a surge in both inbound and domestic visitors. This historic achievement is in line with reports from the UNWTO, confirming that Saudi Arabia led the G20 countries in the growth rate of inbound tourists during the first three quarters of 2023. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia secured the second position among the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations

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Qatar welcomes four million visitors, highest level of visitors in five years

Qatar has recorded four million visitors, surpassing the annual number of visitors over the past five years. Qatar Tourism has revealed a significant increase in visitor numbers to Qatar, reflecting the positive momentum of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ™, in conjunction with the country’s ongoing efforts and initiatives to advance the tourism sector. Earlier, Qatar announced the continuity of the work of the “Hayya” platform to standardize and tse visa procedures for visitors coming to Qatar. These efforts are complemented by easy travel policies that allow citizens of 95 countries around the world to obtain an instant visa upon arrival in Qatar.Qatar’s events and roadshows throughout the year have contributed significantly to a steady increase in the number of tourists. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar continues to establish itself as a global tourism destination with extended and safe tourism infrastructure in an atmosphere of authentic Arabian hospitality. Qatar’s diverse tourism offerings, with its pristine 500 kilometres of coastline, world-class museums, and cultural and contemporary facilities, complement Qatar’s diverse tourism offerings to provide a unique and distinctive holiday for visitors to Qatar locally, regionally and specifically GCC nationals, as well as internationally. Qatar Tourism is keen to promote family tourism in the State of Qatar and provide something suitable for all family members for an exceptional experience. We continue to work at Qatar Tourism to promote opportunities and further growth in the tourism sector.” Since the beginning of 2023, Saudi Arabia has acquiredAt the top of the ranking in the number of visitors coming to Qatar, where the number of visitors coming from the Kingdom (25. 3% of total international visitors), followed …

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NEOM announces Norlana, its coastal wellness focused area

The Board of Directors of NEOM has announced Norlana situated on the Gulf of Aqaba’s coastline. Norlana boasts a state-of-the-art 120-berth marina that will serve as an international hub for superyachts, with water taxi services available for residents and guests. The superyacht members club will be a place where like-minded yachting enthusiasts can unwind and enjoy exceptional dining experiences and service while taking in stunning waterfront views. An ultra-modern active lifestyle community, as the latest addition to the evolving regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia. Situated on the Gulf of Aqaba’s coastline, Norlana creates a unique environment where an exclusive community of 3,000 residents will enjoy contemporary luxury fused with advanced technology, setting a pioneering standard for sustainable modern living. Within this contemporary community portfolio of 711 residential properties, Norlana offers deluxe mansions, spacious apartments and beach villas integrated with the surrounding dunes, bringing residents closer to serene nature. A spectacular 18-hole golf course is nestled among rugged mountains, with an equestrian and polo center with world-class facilities nearby. Norlana’s amenities also cater to a diverse range of water sports including sailing and diving, for residents and guests to immerse themselves in the breathtaking natural environment. Norlana has been designed to redefine contemporary and active living. With sport, health and well-being at the core of this cutting-edge community, residents and guests will have every opportunity to experience their passions in this magnificent and environmentally sustainable setting. Aligned with NEOM’s commitment to conservation, Norlana will complement its coastal location and be delivered innovatively and sustainably. With a focus on preserving the surrounding land and marine environments, Norlana will offer the pinnacle of ultra-luxury modern living through a harmonious blend of nature …

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