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May 25 - Travel agencies in Kuwait have said that this year’s bookings for summer travel will be much better than those of the last two years. In fact, the current turnout, they said, indicates that there is positive growth in the travel industry. Travel agents stated the financial crisis and the swine flu scare as the cause for last year’s travel season. Also, online bookings affected the travel agency…
May 24 - The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) hopes that there will be many more Saudis coming to the Emirates for their summer vacations. "We have chalked out an elaborate summer program for our visitors from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the GCC," ADTA 's Domestic Promotion Section Head Ati Al-Dhaheri spoke during a press conference at the Westin in Jeddah on Saturday. "The Saudi guests who stayed in…
May 24 - Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast announced on Saturday that Iran and Georgia will cancel visa requirements between the two countries. In fact, he said that opening Iran’s consulate in Batumi is one of the top priorities in order to foster a healthy relationship between Georgia and Iran. Cooperation with neighbour states and promoting ties with Georgia is among Tehran's foreign…
May 24 - "The Atlas of Tunisia's landscapes", a database of Tunisia's landscape was presented on Friday in Tunis, during a study day on "Planning and Tourism" The brainchild of the Directorate General of Land Planning, under the aegis of the Ministry of Equipment, Housing and Territory Planning, the atlas has been launched in Arabic and French, and gives an overview of the region’s landscape in great detail.…
Sharjah National Travel and Tourist Agency said its summer travel bookings for air tickets and increased 15 percent in the first two weeks of May compared to the same period last year. Zafar Imam, Managing Director of SNTTA said “The sales trend indicates that the travel industry, which has had some reversed over the past year, is now firmly back on track,” Last year people were reluctant to travel for…
May 23 - The ‘Heart of Sharjah’ project received approval by the Ruler of Sharjah and the Sharjah Development and Investment Authority (SDIA) will begin work soon on the strategic plan to create the region’s biggest heritage project in the heritage area. His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah approved the ‘Heart of Sharjah’ project which was…
May 23 - The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is significantly expanding its six week long ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi’ program, bringing its spectacular entertainment line-up into eight venues across the UAE and Al Ain. This is the first time the festival, now in its third year, has branched out into the emirate’s Eastern Region heritage heartland. Three major international acts headline the summer festival, which…
May 23 - South Korea has launched an initiative called 'collaborative medical tourism' that will especially focus on tourists from the Middle East. In fact, recent figures show that South Korea played host to over 60,000 medical tourists from all over the world. It is because of this that the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) organised a 'Korea Medical Tourism Evening' in Dubai on Wednesday night in cooperation…
May 23 - Tunisia stands second with respect to recuperative tourism, mineral water therapy and thalassotherapy after France, said a study published on Friday. Tunisia has to its credit vast resources of mineral water (about 95) all over the country. In fact, 30 of these sources are known for producing particularly cold water – as cold as 25 C – while the rest are known for being hot – as hot as 70 C, said the…
May 20 - Destination management companies (DMCs) have expressed their concern regarding the new ruling from Dubai Airport that prevents the former from meeting and greeting their clients at the airport. Instead, they are required to pay a fee to Marhaba - part of the Emirates Group - to carry out the service on their behalf. The new law came into place on April 1 and DMCs say the regulation will adversely…
May 19 - The Kerala Tourism Board has launched a new tourism campaign in Dubai titled ‘Dream Season', which will includes holiday packages during the cooler and rainy months in Kerala, India, that is, May to September. "It's the best time to enjoy the lush greenery and picturesque views of rain-soaked plants and trees when the backwaters are full," said Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Kerala's Minister of…
May 19 - Some 94,000 Saudi nationals visited Britain in 2009, said Visit Britain’s Chief Executive Sandie Dawe in Dubai last week. "In 2009, some 94,000 people from the Kingdom visited the United Kingdom, compared to 80,000 during the previous year,” she said, adding that this year the number may hit 100,000 She also said that visitors to the UK from the Gulf countries stood at 589,000 in 2009, while Saudis…
May 19 - The 7th Oman Travel Mart (OTM) began on Monday at the Oman International Exhibition Centre under the patronage of Ahmed bin Sulaiman al Maimani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The exhibition has some 50 companies participating in it. The fair is being attended by many local as well as foreign dignitaries and is expected to boost tourism and travel in the region. In fact, many…
May 18 - Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry urged its citizens not to travel to Thailand because of the critical situation there. Humoud Al- Rhoudan, Director of the consulate department said in a statement to the press “The Foreign Ministry calls upon citizens not to travel to Thailand because of the critical security situation in the country at the current time.”
May 18 - A new company, titled Al-Oqair Tourism Company, with capital of SR6 billion will be set up to develop tourist spots in the Al-Ahsa governorate, Saudi Arabia, said Fahd Al-Jubair, Mayor of Al-Ahsa Governorate. The company will develop several important sites such as Mount Al-Qarah, Al-Oqair Beach and Al-Asfar Lake. One of the main aims of the Tourism Company is to develop the Al-Oqair Beach. At the end…
May 18 - The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) member countries have been finalized and it’s not likely that another member will be added to it, said US Ambassador to the UAE Richard Olson on Sunday. Olson was asked whether or not the US government will respond positively to the UAE government’s demand that people from the Emirates receive the same treatment as offered to citizens of 34 other countries in the UAE who…
May 17 - Both Brazil and Argentina want more Arab tourists in order to broaden trade and tourism with South America, it was learnt on Sunday. In a workshop held on Saturday at the Marriott Hotel in Doha, trade and tourism representatives from both South American countries said that Qataris should consider Brazil and Argentina as potential holidaying spots. In fact, this will increase once Qatar Airways launches…
