Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

CEO of Visit Qatar participated in a high level panel session at the Qatari-Russian Economic Forum last week. He shared the commitment of Visit Qatar to review the prospects of cooperation between Qatar and Russia in the field of tourism, pointing to the importance of expanding tourism offers in line with the interests of visitors, enhancing air connectivity between Doha and major Russian cities, and simplifying visa procedures, as one of the most important incentives to increase tourist flows from Russia to Qatar. Within the framework of the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the Russian Federation, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, participated in a high-level panel discussion within the activities of the Qatari-Russian Economic Forum, which was held on 17 April 2025 in Moscow under the title: “Cooperation in the fields of healthcare, tourism and urban infrastructure to support national development priorities”. The session was moderated by Ms. Karina Hassan, Journalist, TV presenter and co-founder of K&K Media Productions, and was attended by H.E. Eng. Khalid Ahmed Al Obaidly, Real Estate Regulatory Authority – Real Estate, Mr. Dmitry Morozov, Chairman of Biocad, and Mr. Sergey Cheryumin, Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic and International Relations of the City of Moscow. The session highlighted investment opportunities in the tourism, urban infrastructure, and medical technologies sectors, as well as regulatory frameworks and public-private partnership models. During his intervention, the CEO of Visit Qatar reviewed the prospects of cooperation between Qatar and Russia in the field of tourism, pointing to the importance of expanding tourism offers in line with the interests of visitors, enhancing air connectivity between …

The Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), in partnership with Beautiful Destinations, has launched the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai – a pioneering professional development initiative aimed at setting new, global benchmarks for travel content creation and meeting the rising demand for skilled marketing talent within the tourism sector. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), said: “The launch of this innovative programme with Beautiful Destinations is a testament to our commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in the tourism sector. By providing a dedicated space for content creators, we aim to amplify Dubai’s global appeal and further solidify our position as the best city to visit, live, and work in. “This aligns perfectly with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and our vision to make Dubai a leading global city for business and leisure. Thanks to a diverse range of offerings and experiences, Dubai provides an unrivalled platform for capturing creative, engaging content, and we look forward to working with Beautiful Destinations and content creators from around the world to amplify their storytelling globally.” “Dubai is a leading innovator in tourism marketing – a likeminded partner that shares our future-focussed vision” comments Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder, Beautiful Destinations. “The travel industry is experiencing a fundamental shift in how destinations attract visitors. Leading research shows that 76% of travel decisions are now influenced by social media content , yet only 24% of tourism and hospitality brands have in-house teams capable of creating the calibre of content that drives engagement. The Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai directly addresses this gap by cultivating a new generation of specialised …

Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector continues on an upward trajectory, with the Kingdom welcoming 30 million international visitors in 2024, representing a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. This impressive growth will be under the spotlight at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM), where Saudi Arabia will present its latest tourism milestones, showcase new projects and highlight its vision to become a premier destination. ATM 2025 will feature several prominent exhibitors from the Kingdom. In addition to the Saudi Tourism Authority, returning exhibitors include SAUDIA, flynas, Qiddiya Investment Company, Sixth Gulf Travel Company, Taiba Investment, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Fairmont Hotel, Cruise Saudi, and L’azure Hospitality. First-time exhibitors this year include flyadeal, Riyadh Air, Diriyah Company, Aseer, BAAN Holding Group, Makkah Hotel & Towers, Alhussam Tourism, and StayKSA. These exhibitors, along with many others, will be highlighted in a dedicated Saudi Land hall, an expanded version of last year’s ATM Saudi Village, which will be representative of the Saudi Arabian culture, heritage and tourism, while reflecting the upward trajectory of the Kingdom’s travel industry, which has seen Saudi Arabian exhibitor presence increase by 16% this year. Recent research conducted by VIDEC, on behalf of ATM, has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s remarkable status as the largest and fastest-growing economy within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached an impressive USD 1.1 trillion, translating to a per capita GDP of USD 32,500. This positions the nation as one of the most significant and influential markets in the region.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hyatt hotels in Dubai to showcase the city to new global audiences. Through innovative marketing initiatives, exclusive events, and tailored visitor experiences, this collaboration aligns with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. Signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Fathi Khogaly, Area Vice President for the Hyatt hotels in Dubai, the agreement underscores both parties’ commitment to driving tourism growth and elevating the city’s profile on the world stage. Under the terms of the MoU, the Hyatt hotels in Dubai will actively participate in various DET-led initiatives, including hosting familiarisation (FAM) trips, study programmes, and high-profile events designed to attract international visitors. Additionally, they will support DET’s promotional campaigns, such as flash sales, exhibitions, and roadshows, while receiving reciprocal marketing assistance for upcoming projects such as the launch of the new Grand Hyatt Dubai Waterpark, which is set to open this year. Special emphasis will be placed on leveraging key opinion leaders (KOLs) and creating engaging content to amplify reach and impact. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “This collaboration with Hyatt Hotels Dubai aligns with the aspirations of our visionary leadership to position Dubai as the best city to visit, live and work in. Driving forward the ambitious D33 Agenda, with the support of all stakeholders and partners, it is also a testament to our shared vision of diversifying and …

VFS Global to showcase Czechia’s diverse travel experiences and unique attractions catering to the Middle East travellers. Travelers from Middle East can experience Czechia’s exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage—featuring majestic castles, chateaux, seventeen UNESCO monuments, historic cities and Czech cuisine in traditional and modern form with a glass of premium Czech beer or local wine. With this strategic collaboration, CzechTourism and VFS Global are poised to elevate Czechia’s presence on the global tourism map, inspiring more travelers to explore the country’s extraordinary beauty and cultural richness. Jana Štumpová Konicarová, Marketing Director and Director of Foreign offices at CzechTourism, expressed, “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with VFS Global to promote Czechia’s rich cultural and natural attractions to travelers from Middle East. In 2024, Czechia welcomed over eighty thousand Middle East basedvisitors, reflecting a growing interest in our vibrant cities, historic landmarks and serene countryside. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire even more travelers to explore and create lasting memories in one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.” Leveraging its extensive reach and expertise, VFS Global will represent CzechTourism to drive marketing, public relations and trade engagement efforts to boost visitor numbers and enhance overall awareness of Czechia as a premier destination. Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager – New Markets at CzechTourism, added, “Partnering with VFS Global presents a tremendous opportunity to amplify Czechia’s presence in the Middle East. With a strategic focus on PR and marketing initiatives, our goal is to showcase Czechia’s deep-rooted heritage, diverse landscapes and unique travel experiences to a broader audience. Through this collaboration, we look forward to building stronger connections with the travel trade and media fraternity, inspiring more visitors to …

Tourism from the GCC is expected to significantly boost the UK economy in the coming years. Forecasts estimate visitor spending from the GCC will reach £4.5 billion by 2030, while India is projected to contribute £1.4 billion over the same period. Gary Robson will now oversee VisitBritain’s operations in India and the Middle East, calling them “exciting markets with massive growth poten2030tial.”

The Ministry of Tourism Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a new service that enables visitors to verify the license status of their chosen hotels and serviced apartments in Makkah and Madinah. The verification tool, now available on the ministry’s website www.mt.gov.sa, aims to ensure quality services and protect the rights of visitors. This step is part of the ministry’s ongoing campaign Our Guests Come First that seeks to enhance visitor experience and ensure that hospitality facilities comply with standards and licensing requirements. This service will empower visitors to make informed decisions when booking accommodation, ensuring a comfortable and safe stay. The ministry is also working to expand the service’s reach to a wider audience. The Ministry of Tourism continues to respond to inquiries and receive feedback regarding hospitality services. Visitors can contact the Unified Tourism Center at 930 or reach out through the ministry’s official social media channels.

Visit Qatar in collaboration with Qatari Diar hosted the Lusail Sky Festival, which lasted for 3 days coinciding with the Eid Al Fitr holiday, the largest event of its kind in Qatar welcomed more than 340,000visitors. The festival presented an exceptional visual show that brought together more than 3,000 drones and 16 aircraft in coordinated aerial shows that included world-class acrobatic aircraft shows, skydiving, sky-writing aircraft, coloured smoke displays, fast jet shows, laser-enhanced night shows, and fireworks displays. Lusail skies were lit up by professional show teams from Qatar, Northern Europe, the United Kingdom and Germany, with the participation of123 international air show professionals. The excitement spread to the ground, where visitors enjoyed live performances, family and musical activities, as well as a selection of food from chargers and food trucks. As an event open to the public, Lusail Sky Festival is the embodiment of a commitment Visit Qatar by providing world-class experiences that are accessible and suitable for all, emphasizing Qatar’s position as a vibrant destination that attracts visitors from the region and the world.

Eid is around the corner and Dubai is most certainly the best place to celebrate with family and friends as they expect more visitors this year visiting family and friends. TravTalkBreakingnews had a quick chat with Mohamad Feras, AVP Retail & Strategic Alliances, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment about their latest offerings to attract more visitors this Eid. Can you share some of the special programmes for Eid to attract more visitors? We have curated an unforgettable line-up of experiences across Dubai until 6 April, as part of the Eid in Dubai campaign organised by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), in collaboration with government, semi-government, and private sector partners. Our programme spans cultural celebrations, A-list concerts, fireworks, family entertainment, shopping, dining, and much more. Families and friends can look forward to fireworks displays on the first two days of Eid at multiple locations, live concerts by both local and international stars, thrilling sporting events, and must-visit outdoor pop-ups like e& Beach Canteen. In addition, we’re offering world-class dining across Dubai’s top hotels, exclusive Eid stay packages, and a variety of family-friendly activities at iconic attractions. The city will also be buzzing with major retail promotions and grand raffles, giving visitors the chance to win incredible prizes. One of my personal favourite retail highlights this year is The Great Online Sale, which is now live until 30 March. In addition to the biggest-ever bargains of up to 95 per cent off and an extra day of discounts spanning four thrilling days, the citywide sale features the launch of Dubai’s all-new immersive shopping experience this year. This interactive virtual mall enables shoppers to digitally …

Malta Tourism Authority won the title of the ‘Most Innovative Luxury Travel Experience Campaign’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “The Arabian Travel Awards held special significance, recognising the achievements of our clients. The event’s organisation and entertainment were of top-notch quality! Congrats to ATA team. Securing an Arabian Travel Award 2023 is a significant emotional milestone.”- Glenn Johnston Vice President ME and Global Affairs – Representative of Malta Tourism Authority