The Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Arabia, has introduced five specialized educational programs. These are applied diplomas and master’s degrees in the tourism and hospitality. These programs are set to cater to the demands of the market regarding experienced professionals in various regions of the kingdom.

The launch is in partnership with King Khalid University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Batterjee Medical College, University of Tabuk, Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and numerous eminent international organizations in tourism education, a Saudi Press Agency reported the same.

 
Initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, this Tourism Education aims to bring into line the growing need for well-versed personnel in hospitality and tourism industry in the kingdom. The Ministry of Tourism is all geared up to create one million jobs in different tourism sectors by 2030, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 and National Strategy of Tourism Development.

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With the UAE commemorating Emirati Women’s Day, which is on the 28th of August, the extraordinary
assistances of Emirati women in boosting the country’s growth with the farsighted leadership take centerstage on this important event.

The theme for this year’s Emirati Women’s Day, ‘We Collaborate for Tomorrow’, supports the country’s all- embracing maxim for the year, ‘Today for Tomorrow’, aligning with the ‘UAE Year of Sustainability’. With their steadfast devotion, Emirati women would carry on playing an essential role toward driving sustainable development for the upcoming days, forming an inheritance of permanent development.

From proficient administrators to CEOs, Emirati women are energetically backing Dubai’s effort to boost its position as one of the best three international cities in the world, in agreement with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. On this distinctive event, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) highlights its exceptional female officials who play essential parts in DET’s determinations to guarantee the triumph of the D33 Agenda.

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Meshginshahr, a picturesque hilly city in northwest of Iran, is creating an all-inclusive strategy for its tourism sector.

The Governor of Meshginshahr said that bearing in mind the role of the tourism segment in the progress of areas and the place that the city has taking into account natural assets and possibilities, they are
making a broad plan for the tourism segment of Meshginshahr.

Meshginshahr is still a travel destination that is not that much known, even though it embraces a extensive range of cultural, historic and natural wonders, said the Governor.

Efforts are going on to implement all tourism infrastructures competently and to deliver inexpensive
housings to tourists, said the Governor.

Meshginshahr is positioned 25 kms from Sabalan Mountain, which is a major and most well-known dead
volcano in Iran, located at an altitude of 1830 meters above sea level. Meshginshahr shares co-border with Azerbaijan in the north and the northeast and also Moqan Plain in the northwest.

Spreading on a high, barren plateau, Ardabil is popular for possessing plentiful natural loveliness, welcoming people, along with its tradition of silk and carpet craft. Ardabil is also home to the UNESCO-listed Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah along with the Shrine Ensemble. It is chilly during winter and mild during summer, enticing several tourists annually.

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According to Schengen Visainfo.com, Qatar was third on the list of nations with the highest Schengen visa applications per resident.

The year 2022 saw a striking increase in visa requests as citizens from many different nations showed a strong desire to cross borders. Kuwait, Qatar, and Kosovo were among the nations that stood out in this respect.

According to data, Kuwaiti, Qatari, and Kosovoese nationals filed the most visa requests per person.

Out of every 100,000 people, 6,891 in Kosovo, 3,426 in Kuwait, and 2,939 in Qatar sought for a visa.

According to Schengen data, 79,859 Qataris applied for uniform visas, while 53,870 did so for multiple entry visas. Almost 3 million people live in Qatar, and 2.9% of them requested a Schengen visa.

According to statistics, Qatar has a 98.9% proportion of multiple-entry visas (MEVs), whereas the percentage of uniform visas that were not given was 11.1%. In Qatar, just 325 out of every 100,000 persons received a Schengen visa.

If the 90/180 day restriction is not broken, the bearer of a multiple-entry visa may enter and exit the Schengen region as often as they choose.

In the top 10 list of countries with the highest Schengen visa applications per resident, Capo Verde (2,935), Suriname (2,726), Armenia (2,232), the United Arab Emirates (1,966), Lebanon (1,853), Tunisia (1,351), and Bahrain (1,307) were the other seven countries that trailed Qatar.

With 79,859 total applications submitted, Qatar came in 24th position overall, while Kuwait came in 14th.
Turkiye, South Africa, and India each submitted more than 500,000 applications for Schengen visas, placing them at the top of the list of overall applications.

The trends in visa applications for 2022 show how eager Qatar and other Gulf Cooperative Council countries are to experience international travel.

This haste to apply for visas reveals a desire to travel, discover, and interact with the globe, reports zawya.com.

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The total number of passengers traveling to and from Kuwait International Airport in 2023 is predicted by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of Kuwait to reach 15.5 million, up from 14.46 passengers in 2018.

According to DGCA Director of Air Transport Abdullah Al-Rajhi, the total number of passengers flying out of Kuwait International Airport this summer is predicted to be 5.75 million, up 13% over the previous summer.

Additionally, he anticipated operating 45,000 flights this season, a 15% increase from the previous season.
The airport’s busiest summertime destinations include Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain, Amman, and Sohag, he continued.

According to him, Kuwait Airways leads the pack among the majority of operational airlines, followed by Jazeera Airways, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways, Egypt Air, Emirates Airlines, and Air Cairo.

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From kicking off the season with dazzling performances presented by Disney on Ice to executing the hugely successful Qatar Toy Festival, Qatar Tourism’s summer calendar ensured a fun-filled and vibrant few months designed for the whole family to enjoy.

Building on this momentum, Qatar Tourism has announced two new concerts in August and September as part of its Summer in Qatar programme, ensuring a spectacular conclusion to the season’s festivities.

The hit Kuwaiti Show — Aghani Al Mosalsalat, will be held from August 31 to September 2 at Al Mayassa Theatre, QNCC and presents a captivating live performance that seamlessly blends music and visuals, invoking cherished memories of original Arabic and GCC TV series from the early 1970s through to the 2020s.

Following its successful debut in Kuwait, this second rendition in Qatar will continue the staging of nostalgic tales, accompanied by a vibrant live orchestra.

Spanning two hours, the performance features a 50-member ensemble of musicians and singers, all under the esteemed guidance of renowned Kuwaiti maestro Dr. Khalid Nouri.

Tickets are available at Virgin Megastores.

Iraq-based singer Mohamed Al Turki will debut on September 6 at 9pm on Mall of Qatar’s Oasis stage.

A star from the widely popular show, Arabs Got Talent, the singer continues to captivate audiences at cultural and social events across the GCC. The show is open to the public and is free of charge.

Visitors and residents can discover exciting offers and promotions from some of Qatar’s finest hotels and resorts this summer.

Zulal Wellness Resort offers a special deal for a tranquil retreat, giving guests a seven-night stay while paying for four.

Other appealing promotions, such as a three-night stay for the price of two, are available at renowned hotels such as Mina Hotel & Residence, Banyan Tree Hotel, La Cigale Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel and more.

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Colliers has released its third EWAA (Eco, Wellness, Adventure, and Agritourism) report, putting particular attention on the UAE and KSA as regional benchmarks for eco-tourism.

Within the MEA region, EWAA tourism’s success stories are abundant in countries like South Africa, Tanzania and Namibia, where they have expertly utilised their natural landscapes and strong cultural influences to deliver unique visitor experiences.

Regional success stories

Emerging tourist hotspots, particularly in the Middle East, are transforming their rural landscapes to create captivating, destination-centric experiences that stimulate local economies.

KSA and the UAE are investing significantly in EWAA, backed by solid governmental initiatives, including financial aid and policy formation. Notable examples include the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve in the UAE, Amaala’s planned Clinique La Prairie, Jayasom, Rosewood resorts – the unveiling of over 40 adventure-related projects in Oman, the ‘Al Khayyat’ farm in Al Ahsa, KSA and the strong ongoing agritourism drive in Al Ahsa Oasis, known for its rare Hassawi rice.

The agritourism in KSA is being promoted through initiatives like the ‘Saudi Agricultural Development Fund’ which supports local farmers and encourages farm visits.

Al Ahsa together with Taif, Abha, Al Ula and Jouf display great potential for this sector.

The Taif region is particularly well-known for its fragrant rose gardens and farms, which not only contribute to the local economy but are also a major tourist attraction.

Al Ula and its rich resource in date palm trees stands at as the heart of the ecosystem by providing shading layers to citrus trees, cereals and aromatic herbs.

How to build an eco-tourism destination

Modular design and construction is an innovative building technique which includes pre-fabrication of modules off-site. Following a standardised construction process, the modules are then transported and assembled into the final product on-site.

This can lower the overall environmental impact on the site and its surroundings, in addition to realising earlier revenue generation, thereby enhancing ROI.

The introduction of EWAA tourism into a previously unaltered, untouched community and landscape can have both positive and negative implications on the host destination.

To reap the benefits and minimise the negatives, planning and management are key.

This could involve implementing strict environmental regulations, offering education programs for tourists, fostering community engagement and ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are equitably distributed within the community.

The asset life cycle encompasses the journey of a development from concept to re-purpose/ retirement stage.

For EWAA concepts, the concept phase which must include a detailed destination study emerges as crucial for the project success, wherein the story and purpose of the project are defined.

These form the core of development and guide decision-making through a holistic approach.

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As per the latest data released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, it shows that the city is steadily advancing towards its goal of becoming the world’s most visited destination.

Dubai welcomed 8.55 million international visitors from January to June 2023, exceeding the pre-pandemic figure of 8.36 million tourists in H1 2019.

Record H1 performance contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which is to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities.

It remains a first-choice destination for global travellers, with the city’s hotels outperforming all pre-pandemic metrics in occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, Occupied Room nights, and guests’ Length of Stay.

Dubai’s hotels outperform pre-pandemic levels across all hospitality metrics in H1 2023. Dubai’s average hotel occupancy of 78% in the first six months of 2023 ranks among the highest in the world.

Surpassing pre-pandemic visitation levels and further bolstering the city’s bid to become the world’s most visited destination, the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) represents the industry’s best ever H1 performance.

The 20% YoY visitation growth contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate the emirate’s status as one of the world’s top three cities.

The record H1 performance reflects the successful and diverse city-wide drive to market the destination, with the unwavering support of stakeholders and partners, and under the guidance of Dubai’s visionary leadership.

It also reaffirms Dubai’s position as the fastest recovering destination globally, and far exceeds the projection made by the United Nations World Trade Organisation that international tourist arrivals could reach between 80-95% of pre-pandemic levels this year.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said that the remarkable surge in international visitors witnessed by Dubai in the first half of 2023 further demonstrates its emergence as one of the brightest spots not only in the worldwide tourism sector but also the broader global economic landscape.

This accomplishment has been made possible by the foresight of Dubai’s leadership, whose vision and prudent polices fortified its resilience in the wake of global challenges and enabled it to rebound more swiftly than other markets.

While the growth of international visitation reinforces Dubai’s rise as a major global tourism destination, it also signifies its status as a pivotal hub for trade, investment and enterprise.

The Dubai Economic Agenda D33, spearheaded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has outlined an ambitious new trajectory for the city to further consolidate its status as one of the world’s top urban economies and tourism destinations.

As a major pillar of Dubai’s economy, the tourism sector will continue to play a key role in realising its future aspirations.

His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “The H1 industry performance is testament to the future-oriented strategy of our visionary leadership to position Dubai as the best city in the world to visit, live and work.

Within a highly competitive global tourism ecosystem, Dubai has continued to accelerate momentum and stay ahead of the curve, primarily by highlighting the diversity of the city’s offerings and the flexibility of our portfolio.

Central to our success in showcasing Dubai as a must-visit destination is fostering multi-level partnerships between the public and private sectors.

“These collaborations with government entities, industry stakeholders and global partners form the backbone of our growth strategy, paving the way for a well-aligned and united cross-sector endeavour to create a unique positioning and drive international visitation, as well as support the wider talent attraction and economic growth agendas.

As we move forward, we remain dedicated to delivering memorable experiences to all our guests, residents and the business and MICE community at large, to set new standards and push the boundaries of excellence globally.”

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In the UAE’s accessible tourism sector, Amsaan Accessible Tours, a firm that specializes in designing trips for deaf people, has emerged as a pioneer. The “Deaf for the Deaf” philosophy, according to which 80% of the employees is deaf or hard of hearing, is the company’s signature characteristic.

The team addresses the issues and limitations that deaf tourists have when traveling, catering to their psyche and demands.

The firm, situated in Dubai, provides excursions on which all material is presented in sign language.

Benny Ngo, who visited the UAE, shared his experience to Gulf News, saying, “Deaf people face barriers throughout their lives, even in the simplest everyday matters. We are hopeful that the travel industry will progressively offer inclusive solutions, leveraging technologies and access to create opportunities for an enriching travel experience for the deaf community.”

“We are creating a truly unique offering considering the specific needs of our tourists,” Gulf News quoted Vitalii Mykhalchuk, CEO of AMSAAN, as saying.

“Since 2020, we have been developing the IT solutions of the Amsaan ecosystem in the UAE market, and the success of our tourism programs and flow will depend directly on productive cooperation with businesses and government departments. Increased awareness of the issues faced by deaf individuals in society and the realisation that deaf people want and can travel represent significant steps toward inclusivity.”

Following are the Amsaan Accessible Tours offers:

Deaf guides for group tours: Tours providing deaf tourists opportunities to connect and explore in a supportive environment.

On-demand sign language Interpreters: 24/7 access to interpreters for effective communication and prompt issue resolution during the trip.

Dedicated mobile application: Convenient access to tickets, itineraries, and local tips with an intuitive mobile application.

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According to a Saudi Press Agency report, Cruise Saudi has received nominations for three significant cruise industry awards programs.

The company was named a finalist for “Middle East’s Best Cruise Destination” by the World Cruise Awards, “Destination of the Year” by the Seatrade Cruise Awards, and “Best Excursion” by the Wave Awards.

The World Cruise Awards have recognized the firm for its achievements in growing the country’s cruise industry, improving ports along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts, and offering shore excursions that showcase Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, culture, and hospitality.

The “The Lives of Saudi Women” cruise trip is nominated for a Wave Award. According to the description of the trip, which is solely available to female travelers, it offers a greater knowledge of the role of women in the Kingdom by giving true insights into their history and present lives.

One of the 18 historical women’s shelters in the neighborhood, which was recently converted by Saudi entrepreneur Haleel Alabassi into an Arabic language school, is one of the stops on the trip that takes visitors to Jeddah’s Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“We’re delighted to be nominated for awards at the World Cruise Awards, Seatrade Cruise Awards and Wave Awards,” said Cruise Saudi CEO Lars Clasen.

“The categories we have been nominated for are especially important to us, as they recognize the hard work our team and our partners have put in to create exceptional experiences for our passengers and to make a positive contribution to the wider global cruising industry.”

On October 15, there will be a gala event at Atlantis the Royal hotel in Dubai where the winners of the World Cruise Awards will be announced. The Wave Awards will be given out on November 13 at the Dorchester Hotel in London, while the Seatrade Cruise Awards will be given out on September 6 during the Seatrade Europe exposition in Hamburg, Germany.

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