Category Archives: Govt

Kuwait Airways and Kuwait Telecommunications Company ‘stc’ have signed a joint cooperation protocol which aims to strengthen cooperation between the two entities in developing both the telecommunication and aviation sectors, providing integrated, and innovative services that serve mutual interests and enhance the customer experience. Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to host the signing ceremony of a joint cooperation protocol with Kuwait Telecommunications Company- stc, one of the largest mobile network operators in the State of Kuwait. This cooperation reflects our ongoing commitment to reinforcing Kuwait Airways’ pivotal role in fostering strong relations with the public and private sectors, in the service of our beloved country, Kuwait.” Al-Fagaan added, “This protocol between Kuwait Airways and stc comes within the framework of expanding our cooperation to new horizons and levels, enhancing the achievement of shared goals, and fostering the exchange of expertise across various fields, such as technology, air transport, communications and others. This collaboration serves the mutual interests of both parties and contributes to the development of our national economy.” Captain Al-Fagaan expressed his deep appreciation for the prominent role played by Kuwait Telecommunications Company- stc in providing telecommunications, internet services, and technology solutions to both individuals and companies. He also highlighted stc’s contribution to the development of the country’s digital infrastructure and its commitment to providing innovative services to customers. Al-Fagaan concluded his statement by emphasizing that this protocol represents a fruitful and important agreement that contributes significantly to achieving the desired objectives through successful partnerships. He also commended stc’s notable efforts in fostering distinguished and productive relationships across both public and private sectors, and its vital role as a key driver and …

Jordan and South Africa have agreed to deepen bilateral relations, with tourism emerging as a key pillar of cooperation. In a recent round of political consultations, both nations highlighted the potential of strengthening religious and cultural tourism exchanges, while also exploring broader opportunities in economic, trade, and educational partnerships, according to the Jordan News Agency (Petra). The talks, led by Majid Qatarneh, Secretary-General of Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, and Candith Mashego-Dlamini, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, underscored a shared commitment to promoting mutual tourism flows and enhancing collaboration in global platforms. Jordan’s rich religious heritage and South Africa’s diverse cultural and natural attractions were identified as strong foundations to foster two-way tourism. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to coordinate closely on regional developments and support each other’s initiatives in international organizations.

As part of its preparations for the 2025/2026 cruise season, which is scheduled to kick off this November in Doha, Qatar Tourism, in cooperation with the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, organized a strategic workshop aimed at highlighting the cruise ship passengers and discussing the most prominent projects and initiatives related to the development of the cruise tourism sector in Qatar. The workshop sought to discuss the existing challenges and exchange views, as well as develop the skills and knowledge of all employees and partners involved in the cruise sector in the country, both public and private. This initiative aims to ensure that the sector is ready to provide a distinguished tourism experience to visitors to Qatar as well as unifying efforts among all relevant authorities. Over the course of two days, the workshop brought together representatives from various relevant government and private entities, where the sessions included presentations on the most prominent trends and experiences of global tourist destinations in the field of cruises, identifying points that need to be developed, and proposing innovative initiatives and solutions to enhance the experience. Commenting on the workshop, Mr. Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, said: “The marine tourism sector is one of the vital pillars of Qatar Tourism’s strategy, due to its growing role in supporting the national economy and enhancing the country’s position as a global tourism destination in this industry and provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve excellence in service, ensuring an exceptional experience for visitors to QT.” Commenting on the workshop, Mr. Yousef Jaber Al Jaber, Director of Government Development Affairs at the Civil Service and Government Development …

As part of the UAE’s celebrations of Emirati Women’s Day 2025, held under the theme ‘Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years,’ the Ministry of Economy and Tourism took part in the ‘Women’s Economy Dialogue’ in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. The event was aimed at strengthening the global presence of Emirati women, highlighting their remarkable achievements, and fostering international partnerships between successful women leaders in the economic sector in both the UAE and China. These efforts align with the UAE wise leadership’s vision to support and empower women and to reinforce their role in shaping the future. The UAE delegation participating in the event – organized by the Consulate General of the UAE in Guangzhou was led by H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and included H.E. Mariam Alshamsi, Consul General of the UAE in Guangzhou; Emirati entrepreneur Maryam Al Mansoori, General Manager of Rebound; as well as representatives from Sky River and Esaal. H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor affirmed that the empowerment of women remains one of the UAE’s strategic priorities, in line with the wise leadership’s vision to support Emirati women and enhance their role in shaping the nation’s economic future. She emphasized that since its founding, the UAE has adopted a pioneering approach to positioning women as active partners in the country’s development journey, through supportive policies, legislation, and initiatives across both the public and private sectors – making women’s participation in national development a key driver of the UAE’s regional and global competitiveness. Her Excellency said: “We take pride in the remarkable achievements of Emirati women across all sectors. Through this dialogue, we aim …

Qatar Tourism, through the Service Excellence Academy, has concluded the first edition of the ‘Junior Tourism Guidance Program – Summer Camp’, which aims to inspire Qatari youth through interactive tourism activities at Qatar Museums. Two groups of different ages participated in the camp, reflecting Qatar Tourism’s ongoing commitment to skills development and tourism awareness among the local community, and the first batch of young tour guides were honored on the final day at the National Museum of Qatar in the presence of parents and partners. Commenting on the programme, Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar Tourism is committed to providing more programs and initiatives that serve our local community through the Service Excellence Academy. Through this camp, children have learned valuable skills such as storytelling, teamwork, and discovering Qatar’s rich heritage. These skills are not only tools for tourism guidance, but they are also keys to self-confidence and successful communication for our children from the next generation of future tourism ambassadors to encourage our children, as you may be a tour guide or an expert in the tourism industry who carries Qatar’s message to the world.” The program has seen close cooperation with Qatar Museums, with the National Museum of Qatar hosting the closing ceremony, providing a learning space and organizing educational guided tours for children. The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum provided the activity area during the first two days of the program, while the MIA education team worked with Qatar Tourism to deliver an innovative learning experience through an “escape room.” Other teams from Qatar Museums also coordinated logistical aspects, such as securing galleries, booking sites, and ensuring that the …

Kuwait to officially start rolling out tourist visas to residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on arrival, announced First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Kuwait, HE Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, on Sunday according to the publication of the official gazette Kuwait Alyoum, local media. This will allow any foreign national residing in a GCC country and holding a valid residency permit to get access to Kuwaiti as a tourist. According to the decision, applicants must hold a residence permit in a GCC country valid for at least six months to qualify for the visa-on-arrival issuance. The visitors will be issued a tourist visa on arrival directly at the port of entry. This measure, which will be taking effect immediately, follows a 2008 regulation governing the entry to GCC countries for tourism purposes.

TOURISE, the bold new global tourism platform, announced the members of its cross-sector Advisory Board, a powerhouse of industry titans guiding TOURISE’s strategic direction and shaping the agenda of the inaugural global summit taking place in Riyadh from 11-13 November, 2025. TOURISE is where cross-sector convergence begins, a platform where leaders and visionaries debate, collaborate and take action to shape the future of tourism. The 14-member board brings together expertise from tourism, technology, aviation, entertainment, education, sustainability and media, making it one of the most intentionally cross-sector bodies in global tourism today. Together, they will champion TOURISE’s vision, ensure high-impact global issues such as equity, geographical representation and sectoral diversity are in spotlight and influence the long-term value of the platform. Chaired by His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, the Advisory Board represents an alliance of cross-industry leaders, assembled to elevate tourism on the global stage and shape a bold new vision for the sector’s future. “TOURISE is driving cross-sector global collaboration, and the formation of the Advisory Board ensures we are uniting diverse perspectives from representatives across the global tourism ecosystem,” His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb said “Their visionary thinking and deep expertise will be essential in transforming TOURISE from ambition into action, ensuring the platform becomes a catalyst of innovation, investment, and sustainability in tourism for decades to come.” The TOURISE Advisory Board members are: • Julia Simpson, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council. • Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council. • Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus. • Blake Chandlee, former President of Global Business Solutions, TikTok. • Neil Jacobs, Founder of Wild Origins and former CEO of Six Senses. • Stephane Lefebvre, President, Cirque …

In a significant move to strengthen the UAE’s global economic position and future-readiness, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced a series of strategic changes in the federal government structure. The current Ministry of Economy will be renamed the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, highlighting the vital role tourism continues to play in the country’s economic diversification strategy. The ministry will continue to be headed by HE Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. Among other key changes is the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Foreign Trade, with HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi appointed as its Minister. This new ministry reflects the UAE’s growing focus on expanding its global trade footprint and fostering international economic partnerships. Additionally, in a landmark development, Sheikh Mohammed also announced the integration of the National Artificial Intelligence System as an advisory member in the UAE Cabinet, the Ministerial Development Council, and all federal boards of directors, effective January 2026. The AI system will provide real-time analysis, technical advice, and policy insights to enhance government decision-making and overall efficiency across sectors.  

Ministry of Economy UAE launched a summer hospitality camp to build national capabilities in the hospitality sector. H.E. added: “The Summer Hospitality Camp is an investment in our young Emiratis, designed to equip them with the skills and training needed to thrive in the tourism sector. It reflects our commitment to increasing local participation in this vital industry and aligns with our vision for a dynamic tourism future led by capable Emirati talent. Through this initiative, we are preparing the next generation of leaders and innovators who will enrich the visitor experience in the UAE and serve as true ambassadors of our authentic Emirati identity and globally recognized hospitality.” In the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, the Ministry of Economy launched the ‘Summer Hospitality Camp 2025’. The comprehensive training program places students in real-world hospitality settings such as hotels and tourism facilities to enhance national tourism capabilities, supporting broader efforts to develop human capital in the UAE’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The initiative aligns with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 and is being implemented in strategic partnership with academic institutions, tourism and hospitality companies, and leading hospitality providers across the country. The launch event was attended by H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Secretary-General elect of the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the 2026–2029 term, it was also attended by nearly 100 people representing the country’s hospitality sector, along with student leaders, and industry professionals. Speaking at the event, H.E. Bin Touq emphasized that tourism has become a key driver of sustainable development and economic competitiveness, thanks to the vision and support of the UAE’s wise leadership. …

The UAE’s real gross domestic product (GDP) reached AED 1,776 billion in 2024, marking a 4 per cent increase compared to that of 2023.Hospitality sector, encompassing hotels and restaurants, rose by 5.7 per cent. This growth was primarily driven by the exceptional performance of UAE airports, which handled 147.8 million passengers—an increase of approximately 10 per cent. Non-oil GDP grew by 5 per cent, totaling AED 1,342 billion, while oil-related activities contributed AED 434 billion to the overall economy. H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, emphasized that the latest GDP figures released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) reflect a renewed and positive momentum in the national economy. They further underscore the new milestones achieved by the UAE in economic diversification and competitiveness, guided by the vision and directives of its wise leadership. With non-oil sectors accounting for 75,5 per cent of the UAE’s GDP by the end of last year, H.E. emphasized that these indicators reflect the sustained success of the nation’s economic strategies, which are driving the transition toward an innovative, knowledge-based, and sustainable economic model aligned with global trends and emerging technologies. H.E. said: “Under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and guidance from H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, we continue to strengthen our national efforts to achieve the objectives of ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision. With each milestone, we are moving closer to achieving the UAE’s target of raising GDP to AED 3 trillion by the next decade, while reinforcing its position as a global hub for the new economy, driven by sustainable development, international competitiveness, and forward-looking …