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March 13- The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has launched the international B2B Engagement Initiative called Horizons Abu Dhabi. This initiative aims to increase the number of guests in Abu Dhabi hotels to 1.65 million in 2010, a 10 per cent increase as compared to 2009. “Over the past 18 months or so, Abu Dhabi’s visitor infrastructure in terms of accommodation, accessibility and attractions has…
March 12- Al-Saggaf Palace in Makkah, a historic site in Saudi Arabia, has been given to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) for renovation, it was learnt on Thursday. "The commission will renovate and develop the palace in an appropriate manner considering its historical value and open it to visitors," said an official statement. Al-Saggaf Palace was the centre of the government during…
March 12-The number of jobs in the Middle East (ME) air transport sector is likely to hit two million jobs over the next 20 years, said a study by Oxford Economics, a global research firm. At present, air transport in the ME has provided jobs to 400,000 people in the region and will add another 750,000 jobs in the next 20 years. As a result of this, the GDP of the region will stand at $50 billion (Dh183.64bn).…
March 12- The new tourism law for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is in its final stages and may be passed this year, Chairman, Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), Prince Sultan bin Salman said on Thursday. Speaking at the opening of an SCTA office for licensing and investment in Makkah, Prince Salman said all hotels in the KSA would be classified on the basis of international standards.…
March 10- ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show, started today and will continue till 14, March 2010 on the fairgrounds of Messe Berlin in Germany. This year there are a total of 603 Middle East-based travel companies participating, including airlines, tour operators, hotels and resorts. There is also representation from Middle Eastern embassies and city tourism boards. The Middle East countries that…
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) is offering a training programme titled “How to start your small business in the tourism field” for small business entrepreneurs that will enable them to open their own tourism business. The course is being offered in collaboration with the National Commercial Bank (NCB), the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and Saudi Credit and Savings…
Dubai Mall received five million visitors last month during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), setting a record in visitor footfall. There was a massive surge witnessed in tourism and trade during the festival sources said. “ Dubai Mall was the city's key shopping, entertainment and leisure destination during DSF, underscored by the record five million visitor footfall, thus setting a new precedent for…
Scores of students in Saudi Arabia are expected to benefit from a tourism education programme organised by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and the Ministry of Education. Titled, ‘Ibtisam’ (meaning smile) was inaugurated at Al-Hokair Fun Town in Mecca on Saturday and will help students understand the importance of tourism, and benefit to the economy. “In the current academic year, 120,000…
Shoe makers and enthusiasts are all set to come together at the Malaysia International Shoe Festival from April 2-4. The festival will take place at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur and is an effort to celebrate the best of the local shoe industry, including makers of traditional footwear, along with international designers. One of the most anticipated shoe makers at the event is Jimmy Choo, slated to…
March 6-The Jabal Al Qalaa’s -- also known as the Citadel – renovation and rehabilitation (in 2009) in Amman is expected to attract more visitors to the site, said Shan Tsay, the site’s manager. She said that while the Citadel is a significant landmark located in the heart of Amman, there were little or no local visitors coming to the site. “Visitors are usually schoolchildren. Families seldom visit the site,"…
After struggling to stay afloat during the global financial crunch last year, the leisure marine market in Dubai seems to be recovering slowly, it was learnt. Never before has the marine market had cancellations of orders for yachts, a key feature during the recession last year that affected the entire industry. However, interest in yachts has picked up since January this year. “The mid-segment, which was hit…
The National Committee for Haj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, predicted that around four million Umrah pilgrims are expected in Mecca this year. This is a 15 per cent increase from last year when the figure stood at 3.1 million. The hotel industry in the region is particularly excited about this expected surge. “We have high hopes for 2010 and are well placed to welcome guests to the holy city of Mecca," said Omar…
A recent survey conducted by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) revealed that 60 per cent of the tourists that have come to Abu Dhabi 2009 came to the city for the first time, out of which 87 per cent would like to visit again. Most visitors stayed in Abu Dhabi for about a week while business visitors stayed anywhere between five to nine days. The study further showed that about 30 per cent came to Abu…
Japan continues to be focus for Etihad Airways this week as a codeshare with ANA is finally in place, sources said. Brought into working order before Etihad’s Tokyo service takes off, the ANA codeshare will enable Etihad customers all over the world to travel to two major cities in Japan. A third one will be introduced later this month. The codeshare allows ANA to put its two-letter 'NH' code on the four weekly…
A recent survey conducted by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) revealed that 60 per cent of the tourists that have come to Abu Dhabi 2009 came to the city for the first time, out of which 87 per cent would like to visit again. Most visitors stayed in Abu Dhabi for about a week while business visitors stayed anywhere between five to nine days. The study further showed that about 30 per cent came to Abu…
Bawadi Mall, the largest shopping mall in Al Ain that was established in April 2009, has been a popular tourist attraction since it came into being. Spread over a massive 140,000 square metre plot, the Bawadi Mall houses top international brands, one of the reasons why the mall is frequented by tourists. “Al Ain's gross lease area (GLA) is quite low, against other parts of the world, thus making it a fit…
March 4- Recent figures issued by the UN World Tourism Organisation show that Lebanon recorded the highest number of tourists -- 39 per cent -- coming to the country in 2009. Kenya came a close second with a 36.8 per cent increase recorded last year. Other countries that recorded an increase include Vanuatu 29.6 per cent, Myanmar 17.8 per cent, and Taiwan with 14.3 per cent. The report showed that while…
Umrah service providers in Saudi Arabia are hopeful that the revenue generated from pilgrimage this year will go up to SR12 billion. According to experts, around 3.3 million Umrah pilgrims are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia, with the most number of visitors in Ramadan, a popular month for Umrah. The Haj Ministry has issued over 150,000 visas ever since Makkah was opened for Umrah this year, as a result…
