Category Archives: Govt

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 …

In an exclusive interview with TravTalk ME, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy – Director General of Tourism Malaysia shared that they expect to close the year with one million visitors from the Middle East region. “Last year, Malaysia welcomed 194,000 visitors from the Middle East. Given our strategic initiatives, increased connectivity, and renewed market engagement, we are setting our sights much higher. Based on current airline capacity planning and market interest, we confidently project welcoming more than one million visitors from the Middle East by the end of 2025.” Speaking on some of the key initiatives that they are currently working on, Periasamy reiterated, “We recognise the growing need to introduce more B2C-focused programs tailored for the Middle Eastern market. We’ve observed that younger travellers from this region are increasingly exploring destinations other than Malaysia—possibly due to a perception that Malaysia lacks activities or products that cater specifically to their interests and lifestyles. In response, we have initiated collaborations with trusted local partners in the Middle East to develop “soft adventure” and lifestyle experiences that appeal to the younger demographic. While families from the region continue to choose Malaysia as a preferred holiday destination, we aim to re-engage younger travellers who are currently exploring alternatives in neighbouring countries. Our industry discussions and trade events with Middle Eastern operators have highlighted a key challenge: accessibility. While Malaysia receives a considerable number of Middle Eastern visitors—many of whom travel for religious purposes—the seat capacity between major cities in Saudi Arabia and Kuala Lumpur remains limited. To address this, we are actively working with key airlines including Riyadh Air and flynas. We are optimistic about launching direct routes from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia—potentially as early …

As part of Visit Qatar’s commitment to digital innovation and smart tourism, an official WhatsApp channel has been launched, offering an interactive and live platform that allows visitors and residents to view Qatar’s top tourist attractions, cultural events and major activities in real time. The new channel provides a seamless subscription experience that acts as a one-way communication tool, where selected updates are sent directly to users’ phones, ensuring that they receive reliable and personalized information tailored to their interests. Subscribers benefit from interactive media content, polls and instant alerts, reflecting Visit Qatar’s use of WhatsApp – one of the world’s most widely used social media platforms – as an innovative and accessible tool that supports its overall digital strategy. WhatsApp is available to international visitors wishing to plan their trip to Qatar, as well as residents looking for constant updates on the unique events, landmarks and experiences in the country. This initiative underscores Visit Qatar’s pioneering role in driving innovation to enhance tourism experiences.

Qatar’s tourism sector kicked off 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors from January to March, driven by an integrated tourism strategy that combines major events, strategic partnerships and diverse tourism experiences that meet the aspirations of different visitors. Visitors from the GCC (36 per cent), followed by visitors from Europe (28 per cent) and Asia and Oceania (20 per cent) led the way, reflecting Qatar’s growing position as an attractive tourist destination in regional and international markets. Visitor arrivals were distributed by air (51%), land (34%) and cruises (15%), highlighting the effectiveness of Qatar’s diverse reach strategy. Eid Al Fitr 2025 recorded the highest tourist arrivals during the festive period in the past three years, with 213,500 visitors arriving over an eight-day period, an increase of 26% compared to 2024, and visitors from the GCC constituting 49% of the total visitors, recording an annual increase of 18%, while hotel occupancy reached 77%, recording an annual growth of 10%. This growth was accompanied by strong performance across the hospitality sectors, with average hotel occupancy reaching 71% and 2.6 million hotel nights sold, reflecting a significant increase in demand driven by key events such as the Qatar Web Summit, Doha Jewellery & Watches and Qatar International Food Festival. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of Visit Qatar, said: “The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 reflect the strength of our long-term strategic approach to developing the tourism sector. By deepening collaboration locally, regionally and internationally, we continue to diversify target markets, enhance visitor experiences, and cement Qatar’s position as a vibrant year-round tourism destination. We are delighted to welcome 1.5 …