Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

MSC Cruises, in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), DP World and Emirates Airline, today announced that the naming ceremony for the line’s newest flagship, MSC Virtuosa, will take place in Dubai on 27 November at Mina Rashid (Port Rashid). The event reflects the growing importance of Dubai as a must-visit destination for global travellers and the cruising’s key contribution to the city’s tourism industry. The newest addition to the MSC Cruises fleet derives her name from the Italian word virtuoso and refers to the master craftsmen who designed and developed this masterpiece, which will be the most technologically and environmentally advanced cruise vessel ever deployed in the UAE. Her naming will be celebrated with a stunning array of live entertainment and performances awaiting the specially invited guests from around the world as well as from across the Gulf region – one of MSC Cruises’ key markets where the company is brand leader. Further details of the line-up of entertainment events will be revealed in due course. The naming ceremony event will take place in compliance with all public health and safety protocols outlined by the Dubai government, as well as with the support of MSC Cruises’ Health and Safety protocol that allowed the line’s ships to restart its operations in this region. The occasion will also be a part of the celebrations surrounding the Golden Jubilee of the UAE and will be staged as Dubai welcomes the world to Expo 2020. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Dubai has charted a strong and steady course to become a global tourism destination and preferred …

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced the return of the Sharjah Summer campaign, which will offer an integrated package of distinguished experiences designed to enhance Sharjah’s position as an exceptional and competitive family, cultural, environmental, historical and heritage tourism destination. The campaign, which runs from July 15 to the end of August, is aligned with the Authority’s commitment to launch leading initiatives and create diverse and integrated tourism experiences that live up to the expectations of all tourists and visitors to Sharjah. The much-awaited spectacular Sharjah Summer campaign is held yearly to showcase Sharjah’s famous tourist attractions, new hotels, destinations, and unique projects, as well as inject new energy into local tourism and enhance confidence in the emirate as a premier destination of choice for families. The Sharjah Summer 2021 campaign features a range of exclusive offers, including especially designed packages for families and hotel promotions, to provide tourists coming to the emirate with unforgettable experiences. The campaign also seeks to support and boost domestic tourism this year amid the current circumstances. In addition, SCTDA is organizing a competition for its followers on its Instagram account (@visit_shj) to achieve wider coverage of the summer campaign in cooperation with numerous social media influencers. The competition is also geared towards informing SCTDA’s digital platform followers across various age groups about the exciting adventures, fun experiences, exclusive offers and family activities that are available in Sharjah’s distinct and diverse tourist destinations and hotels. The Authority also assured that preventive and precautionary procedures are in place to ensure the highest level of safety of all visitors and their families. H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said: “We are pleased …

With Qatar now open for tourism to fully vaccinated travellers, Discover Qatar, the destination management division of Qatar Airways, has partnered with Qatar Airways Holidays and launched specially curated packages to welcome international travellers visiting friends and family in Qatar for a much-awaited reunion. As part of the conditions of entry, the State of Qatar has mandated that all tourist arrivals must have a confirmed hotel reservation. To help meet this requirement, Discover Qatar in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays is offering exclusive deals with significant savings on a range of hotels that will enhance the customer’s family and friends’ experience, helping them make new memories as they reunite in Qatar. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are very proud to be playing our part in the reopening of our country to visitors in the safest way possible and supporting the next step in the development of Qatar’s tourism industry. Surrounded by crystal waters and a unique biodiverse ecosystem, Qatar has so much to offer when it comes to rediscovering nature, stellar architecture and offering a world that is inspired by modernism and traditions alike. “The city and desert tours will allow our passengers to enjoy every step of their journey with us, and we hope many get to experience Qatar’s renowned hospitality, culture and heritage, and the vibrant city of Doha through Discover Qatar’s exclusive packages.” The ‘Family and Friends’ packages start at QAR 1,721 per person and are available for a five, seven, or a ten-night stay at leading, luxury hotels in Qatar such as the Hilton Doha, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, the Ritz-Carton Doha, Mondrian Doha, the Westin Doha Hotel & …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has issued the updated list of “Green List” destinations. Vaccinated travellers arriving from these destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi and will be required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, as well as another PCR test on day 6. Unvaccinated travellers arriving from these countries are exempt from mandatory quarantine but will also need to undergo PCR testing on arrival, as well as two further PCR tests on day 6 and 12. Countries, regions, and territories included within the “Green List” will be regularly updated based on international developments. Inclusion in the list is subject to strict criteria of health and safety to ensure the well-being of the UAE community. The list also only applies to countries travellers are arriving from, rather than citizenship. Please note below the updated “Green List” as of 13 July 2021: Albania Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Canada China Denmark France Germany Greece Hong Kong (SAR) Hungary Iceland Israel Italy Jordan Malta Mauritius Moldova Netherlands New Zealand Norway Republic of Ireland Romania Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Singapore South Korea Sweden Switzerland Taiwan, Province of China Turkmenistan United States of America Vatican City More information on the “Green List” can be found on www.visitabudhabi.com. DCT Abu Dhabi will also continue to issue updates on the list and overall travel status in the coming months.

The State of Qatar has re-opened its borders to international travellers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with vaccines that are approved for use by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar. A new streamlined set of measures designed to make travelling to Qatar as easy as possible, while maintaining the necessary precautions to continue to protect against the spread of COVID-19, has been implemented and is effective immediately. The new measures will allow people who are fully vaccinated to visit Qatar without the need for quarantine. The new arrangements will also make it easier for citizens and residents of Qatar to travel in and out of the country, enabling fully vaccinated people to bypass the quarantine requirement when returning to Qatar. All visitors – vaccinated or non-vaccinated – will be required to undertake a PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel. However, travellers are advised to check the entry requirements of the country they are travelling from and will return to from Qatar, before booking any flights and should understand that those policies can change with very little notice. In order to visit Qatar – international visitors, citizens and residents – must register and upload required documentation such as a vaccination certificate, valid PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel, and personal details through the ‘Ehteraz’ website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa). Travellers have to apply for the authorization through the ‘Ehteraz’ website (free of charge), at least 12 hours before their planned departure to Qatar. All in-bound travellers are advised to submit their application as soon as they have all their required documentation, to ensure they can board their flights as planned. Airlines are advised to only …

Finland’s new entry model opens up Finland for leisure travellers: travellers from EU and Schengen countries can enter Finland freely as of 12 July without any additional health safety measures when they are fully vaccinated, or have had a covid-19 infection before, or are born in 2006 or later, or arrive from a country with low virus incidence. Those with one vaccination only are instructed to take a covid-19 test earliest 72 hours after arrival to Finland, and those without any vaccinations are required in addition to have a negative test result before departure to Finland or a test on arrival. In line with this new model, Finnair will as of 12 July discontinue its requirement for customers to present covid certificates before boarding flights to Finland. “With the new legislation, the requirements for entry are checked on arrival, so our customers do not need to show their certificates to Finnair customer service agent at the check-in when their destination is Finland”, says Jaakko Schildt, Finnair Chief Operating Officer. “We continue to check the documents for those transiting to an international flight at Helsinki, per authority requirements.” “The health and safety of our customers is a key priority for us, and we continue to have comprehensive measures in place on our flights to ensure safe travel. These include, among others, the obligation to wear a mask for the duration of the flight”, Schildt says. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommended earlier this year that all airlines with flights to Finland require their customers to show either a negative test result, a certificate of recovery, or a vaccination certificate, and Finnair has been the only airline flying to Finland …

YouGov’s new report throws light on the travel plans, considerations, and motivations of consumers from 25 markets globally. Data from YouGov’s “International Travel & Tourism Report 2021” reveals that UAE residents were the most likely among other global consumers to say they intend to travel abroad for leisure in the next 12 months. Using YouGov Global Travel Profiles, the report looks at global travel demand, concerns and motivations of approximately 185,000 survey respondents from 25 markets globally. Data from Global Travel Profiles, a daily survey which runs in 25 countries, found that in the month of May half of people worldwide said they plan to take a domestic holiday in the next 12 months. On the other hand, appetite for international holidays is lower and less than a fifth of consumers (18%) globally are planning an international vacation in the next 12 months. The United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stand out in terms of international travel sentiment, with respondents planning to travel substantially more than consumers in other countries. In fact, in both these countries intent to take international leisure trips is higher than domestic trips. Apart from travelling for leisure, people in the Middle Eastern countries have also shown a higher interest in business trips. Consumer sentiment data shows that respondents in the MEA (18%) and APAC (14%) regions are more likely to travel for business, both domestically and internationally, than consumers in Europe (6%) and North America (11%). This makes them a favourable target market for airlines and hotels, particularly those offering premium products. Even though travel is on a recovery path, certain factors put additional pressure on consumer’s confidence and willingness to travel. When …

Egypt is set to increase hotel and entertainment venue occupancy rates by almost a quarter as the country continues with the phased reopening of its vital tourism sector. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and theatres can raise capacity from 50% to 70% occupancy, Egypt’s cabinet confirmed on Monday in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly. In the meeting, Egypt’s health minister, Dr Hala Zayed, reviewed the coronavirus situation in the country, including infection rates, and the various precautionary measures designed to curb the spread of the virus. Egypt lifted its initial ban on inbound tourist traffic 12 months ago and has been reopening its tourism market in phases so that it can assess health and safety precautions designed to stem the spread of COVID-19. In one year, Egypt has managed to recover visitor numbers. Since July 2020, some 4 million people have visited Egypt, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The ministry says it expects visitor numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels by Fall 2022. Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, said that Egypt’s tourism reopening strategy “is on track” and that the country was able to increase occupancy rates because it closely followed a plan that focused on a cautious reopening. Strict Hygiene safety measures, vaccinating all hospitality staff in several governates and by closely monitoring our hotels and venues, we have been able to reopen safely. Following Egypt’s efforts to introduce precautionary measures, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) granted the country its Safe Travel Stamp, sealing its status as a safe destination.  Inbound travelers are required to undertake a PCR test and the country is also checking all vaccination …

Turespaña together with Manarat Al Saadiyat, part of Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism presents, in the Capital of the United Arab Emirates, an exhibition ‘The Arab legacy in Spain: a journey through the most impressive buildings’. It will take place from July 8 until July 29 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. The exhibition takes the visitor on a tour through the most impressive buildings of Arab origin in Spain, explaining the strong cultural ties between Spain and the Arab nations. It aims to promote the Arab legacy of Spain in the United Arab Emirates in such a way that one can enjoy these wonders. It’s expected to awaken the curiosity of visitors and make them aware of its existence and generate the desire to travel, and experience the monuments through the 5 senses, enjoying at the same time all that Spain offers. The exhibition consists of 26 visuals showcasing different images of the following monuments: the Giralda, the Torre del Oro, the Real Alcázar of Seville, the Mosque of Cordoba, Medina Azahar, the Alhambra, the Aljaferia de Zaragoza, some fortresses such as those of Málaga, Guadix or Badajoz, the Cristo de la Luz in Toledo or the cisterns of the Palacio de las Veletas in Cáceres. On all panels there is a brief description in English and Arabic, alongside the image. The exhibits include: an introduction to the exhibition, a brief history of Al Andalus and suggested itineraries in Spain to be able to visit all these monuments. All panels have QR codes to access more information. Free entry from 10am to 8pm.

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), has announced its second successive Summer Training Programme for students between the ages of 16-19. The distance learning online programme of Medyaf aims to increase Emiratisation within the tourism industry and provides students with relevant information and skills about the sector, as well as introducing the promising opportunities it offers for its citizens and their role in supporting the industry’s success and prosperity. Medyaf was established as part of DCT’s industry nationalisation initiative to lay the groundwork for talented Emiratis to join the city’s tourist-facing workforce. The latest training programme aims to empower students to enhance their knowledge and skills over the summer period, while earning an accredited training certificate. The 2021 Summer Training Programme will be implemented over four consecutive courses with each course taking place for a period of five days. The courses include workshops delivered live by experienced speakers with interactive games and educational activities, and will be held as per the following schedule; 4-8 July 2021, 11-15 July 2021, 25-29 July, and 1-5 August.