Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Visit Qatar launches ‘Scoop on the Sea’ event as a new summer experience on the shore of West North Bay to attract visitors. This summer event held daily on the shore of West North Bay from 18 June to 13 August 2025. Based on a concept inspired by the world of ice cream, the event offers a variety of activities suitable for the whole family, including interactive competitions and live sports and entertainment shows. The event includes a busy programme, where the water festival includes kitesurfing and boarding shows, a rowing fashion festival, as well asunique activities such asFoam Family Party , and a virtual reality experience to simulate Formula 1 cars, where visitors can enter a cockpit that simulates Formula 1 racing with virtual reality technology. The ecosports competition allows participants to compete on stationary bikes designed to convert kinetic energy into usable energy. Theair show also includes a series of smoke and flags shows. Daily entertainment programs includecarnival games, air jumping park, photo corner and open sports sessions.Interactive activities include pedestrian shows on long sticks, children’s shows, mime shows, musical performances, family challenge track, sand castle building competitions, trips to Safliya Island, bodyweight movement competitions, volleyball and basketball tournaments. Visitors will also have a variety of food and beverage options available throughout the event. The event will be held from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays, and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends (Friday and Saturday). The entrance fee is QAR 35 for adults on weekdays and QAR 50 on weekends, with free entry for children under 12 years old and seniors over 60 years old. Tickets can also be purchased through the event website.

Qatar Tourism, in collaboration with Discover Qatar announced the return of Whale Shark tours for the 2025 season. The tours offer residents and visitors a rare opportunity to witness one of Qatar’s most unique natural experiences. Qatar’s northern waters host one of the world’s largest aggregations of whale sharks. The Whale Shark Tours aim to promote ecotourism by allowing guests to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, while ensuring minimal disturbance to the marine environment. The tours also provide educational insights into whale shark behaviour and Qatar’s conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals. The return of the Whale Shark Tours has been made possible through close coordination with key entities from both the private and public sectors, including Qatar Energy, the Ministry of Municipality, Mawani Qatar, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Qatar Airways, and the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security. These partnerships strengthen the tour’s operational framework and contribute significantly to enhancing the service delivery and overall visitor experience. Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Chief of Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are proud to welcome the return of the Whale Shark Tours, one of Qatar’s most distinctive ecotourism experiences. This initiative highlights our dedication to sustainable tourism and showcases the richness of Qatar’s marine biodiversity. Our preparations for the upcoming Whale Shark Tours have been greatly strengthened by the valuable contributions of our government and semi-government partners, whose collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional and environmentally responsible visitor experience.” Operated by Discover Qatar, the tours promise a unique adventure aboard a premium catamaran, led by expert marine guides. Guests will enjoy a truly immersive and informative journey, learning about …

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at its first City Briefing of 2025 shared that Dubai welcomed 7.15 million international overnight visitors between January and April 2025, a 7% YoY increase. This builds on the 18.72 million people who visited in 2024, the second consecutive year of record-setting growth for the city. Dubai’s hotel sector offered 153,534 rooms at the end of April, with all key performance indicators demonstrating strong YoY growth. Beyond the data, the forum reaffirmed DET’s commitment to creating a resilient and future-ready tourism ecosystem. DET also highlighted the critical role that partners across the public and private sectors are playing in Dubai’s continued tourism performance. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “The visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is reflected in the continued success of our tourism sector. Building on yet another record-breaking performance in 2024, the exceptional results achieved by the industry so far in 2025 is a testament to the resilience and steadfast support of our stakeholders and partners. From hospitality and aviation to retail and gastronomy, every sector has played a critical role in solidifying Dubai’s position as a global tourism leader. It is by coming together as a community that we have been able to navigate challenges, create compelling narratives about the city, and drive global trends. “In advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, our focus remains on strengthening the spirit of partnerships, embracing innovation, and creating future-ready experiences that enhance Dubai’s position as the world’s best city to visit, live …

Moscow has witnessed a sharp increase in visitors from the UAE, rising from 18,000 in 2019 to 62,100 in 2024, according to Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee. He emphasised Moscow’s growing appeal to Gulf tourists, with expanded halal dining options and Arabic-language services across the city. New tourist information centres—staffed with English and Arabic speakers—have opened at key locations, including Dream Island amusement park and river stations. A recently launched Muslim-Friendly Guide offers curated recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and activities. E-visas have also simplified entry procedures, boosting accessibility for international travellers. This summer, Moscow is hosting vibrant cultural festivals and events to entice Middle Eastern travellers to the city for a seamless holiday experience.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Rotana unveiled the first phase of their joint initiative to boost summer tourism to the emirate. This partnership aims to address seasonal travel lulls and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a dynamic, year-round destination. With Rotana’s strong regional appeal and global loyalty network, the collaboration is primed to drive bookings across Abu Dhabi’s diverse source markets, particularly the GCC. From June through August, guests staying at Rotana properties in Abu Dhabi can enjoy an exclusive ‘Stay 3, Pay 2’ summer offer. This campaign is a key activation of the DCT-Rotana partnership, designed to stimulate travel during the traditionally quiet summer months, reinforce Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a family-friendly destination, and encourage direct bookings through exclusive incentives. Eddy Tannous, COO, Rotana said: “As a homegrown brand deeply rooted in the region, we are proud to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi on a campaign that supports the broader vision of positioning Abu Dhabi as a year-round destination. Through this initiative, we are combining strengths to deliver both economic impact and exceptional guest value, reaffirming our commitment to driving tourism growth in the emirate.” As part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, the partnership with Rotana underscores the emirate’s commitment to sustained, collaborative growth. It is one of several recent alliances formed to enhance Abu Dhabi’s global profile, increase visitor numbers, and deliver seamless, tailored experiences across key international and regional markets. For every three consecutive nights booked, the third night is free. For longer stays, the offer continues (e.g., stay 6, pay 4), creating greater value the longer guests stay. The summer promotion also includes: • Free stays …

In a special interview with TravTalkME, Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director International Promotion Division, North and East Asia, Tourism Malaysia shared that efforts are being made to intensify priority markets such as the GCC to drive more opportunities and that they are planning a special event to connect Malaysian sellers with international buyers and media in September this year on world tourism day to further promote about ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’. She added that Malaysia is ramping up its preparations for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, with major initiatives already underway this year. A national priority, the campaign brings together strategic partners from across the hospitality and tourism industry—including hotels, airlines, and media platforms—to amplify Malaysia’s brand on the global stage. “Among the key highlights is Global Meet, a business-to-business (B2B) platform taking place later this year. The event will connect Malaysian tourism sellers with international buyers and media, aiming to boost global awareness and drive business opportunities ahead of 2026. Additionally, Malaysia will host World Tourism Day in Melaka this September, further showcasing its readiness and commitment. Efforts are being intensified in priority markets. While neighboring countries remain strong contributors to tourist arrivals, Malaysia is expanding its focus to China, India, and notably the Middle East—aligning with the Prime Minister’s regional engagement efforts. Long-haul markets like Europe are also a renewed priority.” To drive this agenda, Malaysia has launched a series of sales missions and workshops. These include recent promotional tours in India, China, and the Middle East, such as the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and missions to Jeddah and Riyadh. Post-COVID, the push is clear: re-establish Malaysia’s presence in under-engaged regions and aggressively market the country as a top tourism destination. …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has officially selected the China Visitors Summit (CVS) to be held in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on 28–29 August 2025. This landmark event will bring together 150 elite Chinese travel industry buyers, making it the largest B2B gathering of Chinese outbound travel professionals ever hosted outside of China. The CVS Abu Dhabi is a highly curated, by-invitation-only event. The attending Chinese buyers are carefully vetted and confirmed to be actively doing business with the UAE—specifically with travel products and services in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Delegates include senior executives from: • Travel agencies and tour operators • Luxury agents, wholesalers and bespoke travel designers • MICE managers and corporate travel planners • OTAs and niche specialists in adventure, culture, culinary, wellness, and more Over the course of the two-day, face-to-face workshop, participating Abu Dhabi travel suppliers—including hotels, DMCs, attractions, museums, shopping malls, and transportation companies—will engage in pre-scheduled B2B appointments. Each supplier will have the ability to personally select the Chinese buyers most relevant to their product, whether focused on leisure groups, luxury FITs, or MICE and corporate segments. In addition to the business meetings, the CVS program includes local experience days in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, designed to give the Chinese delegates firsthand exposure to the products they may sell. These include hotel site inspections, cultural experiences, F&B showcases, and interactive destination briefings, allowing buyers to become more effective ambassadors for Abu Dhabi upon returning to China. This 2025 edition of CVS Abu Dhabi marks a return to the summit’s roots. Originally launched in Abu Dhabi in 2013, CVS has since expanded globally. With its initial …

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 …

Jassim AlMahmoud – PR & Communications Director – Visit Qatar in a special interview with TravTalk ME shared that their presence at  ITB China 2025 was most successful and their intention to expand their presence next year with the positive feedback received as they participated for the first time. “ITB China is a very important event for us for two key reasons: first, the exceptional quality and professionalism associated with the ITB brand; and second, the high caliber of exhibitors and potential partners participating in the show. We are here to build meaningful partnerships, but most importantly, to deepen our engagement with the Chinese market—which we consider a Tier 1 source market for Qatar. This is my first visit to China, and already it is clear that the country offers immense opportunities. China’s vast population and its growing appetite for international tourism make it a key focus in our global tourism strategy. But to truly attract Chinese travellers, we must understand their preferences and expectations. We’ve already identified that gastronomy, shopping, cultural experiences, and family-friendly attractions are particularly appealing to Chinese tourists. Fortunately, Qatar can offer all of these. From luxury shopping and world-class cuisine to rich heritage and attractions suited for travelers of all ages, we are confident in our ability to cater to Chinese guests. We are seeing solid growth from this market. For example, in 2023 we welcomed 56,000 Chinese visitors, and in 2024 we’ve recorded a 28% increase—a clear sign of rising interest. To support this momentum, we are actively expanding our partnerships. We brought 10 partners from Doha with us to ITB China this year. And based on what we’ve experienced here, we’re seriously considering …

H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority, has launched the 2025 edition of the “Saudi Summer” program, themed Colour Your Summer, at a workshop gathering over 120 public and private sector partners. Running from May to September, the initiative spans six destinations, from Jeddah’s coastal retreats to the highlands of Taif, Al-Baha, and Aseer. Highlights include the Esports World Cup in Riyadh and seasonal events in Jeddah and Aseer, aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth. H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority, stated, “Bringing together our partners each year through this workshop is a testament to our shared commitment to shaping the future of the Saudi tourism industry. This year, we are encouraged to see the private sector contributing over SAR300 million in preparation for what promises to be an incredible summer season. With its rich culture and breathtaking diversity, Saudi Arabia’s destinations continue to inspire travelers from around the world while fueling a dynamic domestic tourism scene.” The theme ‘Colour Your Summer’ highlights the rich diversity of Saudi Arabia’s tourism offerings, catering to a wide range of visitor preferences. The program features coastal and mountain destinations, global events, exclusive deals, and a broad selection of tourism experiences across the Kingdom.