United Arab Emirates joins rejoins United Nations World Tourism Organisation
UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, has announced the United Arab Emirates has rejoined the organisation 26 years after leaving. “The Middle East is one of the fastest growing tourism regions in the world in spite of facing countless challenges; much of this dynamism has been led by the strong political commitment awarded to tourism in the region and the vision that tourism is a key pillar of development in the Middle East of which the UAE is a perfect example,” said Rifai. → Read More
Abu Dhabi tourism investment continues to pay dividends
Figures just released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority have revealed Abu Dhabi's 141 hotels and hotel apartments have turned in a promising quarter one performance with across the board growth in guest numbers, guest nights, average length of stay and revenues. During the first three months of 2013 some 631,417 guests checked into accommodation throughout the emirate - a six per cent rise on quarter one 2012. → Read More
DNA Health Corp to boost medical tourism in Abu Dhabi
US-headquartered integrative health and wellness specialists, DNA Health Corp, is set to open its first overseas flagship center on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island in June, targeting both the region’s residents and visitors looking for a different approach to personalised health and wellness. → Read More
UAE escapes Middle East tourism slump
International arrivals to the UAE increased healthily in 2012, reaching an estimated 11 million tourists, delegates heard today at the latest WTM Vision Conference - Dubai held at Arabian Travel Market. Overall performance of inbound trips to the Middle East region were down five per cent last year mainly due to the decline of arrivals to those countries hit by the Arab Spring, which took place in 2011 effecting countries such as Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Syria. → Read More
European visitors flock to Central America
Central America was a big hit with European visitors in 2012 according to new figures released by the ministries of tourism of the seven Central American countries. In total Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama - received 832,567 European visitors last year, an increase of nearly 16 per cent when compared to the previous year. → Read More
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi expands operations
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi returned to ATM for the third year running announcing plans to move to a seven-day operational model later this year. The world's largest indoor and only Ferrari-branded themed park arrived all revved up to showcase to the regional and global travel industry the unique leisure offering it adds to the UAE's premiere leisure hotspot, Yas Island. → Read More
ATM highlights next decade of opportunity for region
UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are leading the race for tourist revenue growth with positive outlook for the industry as governments use tourism as major anchor for economic diversification. Arabian Travel Market 2013 will look toward this future as it opens to celebrate its 20th edition and welcome over 2,500 exhibitors from 87 countries in Dubai. → Read More
New York makes play for British visitors
NYC & Company, its long-standing partner American Express and Brand USA are launching a major out-of-home, digital and social media campaign to encourage Brits and their families to travel to New York City this summer. The campaign, under the banner New York Summer, represents an estimated total media value of $1.1 million and marks the first time NYC & Company and American Express have partnered on an international promotion. → Read More
Saudi hotel brands to make ATM debut
Saudi Arabia's Frontel for Hospitality is making its Arabian Travel Market (ATM) this week as the group looks to take its growing portfolio of properties beyond the Kingdom's borders, with a strategic development plan for the Middle East. → Read More
Ritz-Carlton in digital focus at ATM
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is launching a fully-integrated social media campaign that will offer visitors a unique interactive experience. at ATM The move is in line with The Ritz-Carlton commitment to deepen connections with existing and prospective guests in an environment in which they spend increasing amounts of time. → Read More
Dubai opens tourism office in South America
Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is planning to open an office in Brazil in a bid to attract visitors from the growing South American tourism market. → Read More
AHIF organiser welcomes pro-tourism government in Kenya
Organisers of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum and other leaders of the hotel investment community have welcomed the new pro-tourism administration in Kenya, hot on the heels of the announcement by the president of several ministerial candidates. The new government stood for election with tourism highlighted in its manifesto and since Uhuru Kenyatta's inauguration, commitments have been made to increase the intensity of Kenya's tourism marketing activity, to double the number of tourists to three million a year and to provide incentives to encourage investment in tourist accommodation. → Read More
