Muscat Nights will Help Local Businesses & Revitalize Domestic Tourism

Muscat: A kaleidoscope of activities will take place during the inaugural edition of the Muscat Nights, which will take place from January 19 to February 4.

Muscat Nights, organized by Muscat Municipality, aims to be the largest entertainment, cultural, and community event in the capital city.

Ahmed Mohammed Al Hamidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, announced on Sunday at a press conference at Qantab Hall, Al Bustan Palace, and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the presence of representatives from ministries and government that Muscat Nights 2023 will be held at four locations: Al Qurum Natural Park, Al Naseem Public Park, the Oman Automobile Association (OAA), and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC).

Al Hamidi said, “Muscat Nights aims to develop events that go down well with the community, traditions and customs, and promote healthy practices.

“For the youth, we have included activities and sports at the Oman Automobile Association, given that the majority of Omani society is under the age of 16.”

Al Hamidi hoped that Muscat Nights would contribute to the revitalization of domestic tourism by providing a venue for entertainment and cultural events. He stated that 90 percent of the contracts for venue preparation have been awarded to local companies.

“This year, every segment of society will be served and we have been keen to develop events that take care of all with safety and security standards at the top of our priority,” said Al Hamidi.

Brigadier General Mohammed bin Nasser Al Kindi, Director General of Operations at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), said: “Extra policemen will be on duty to ease traffic congestion due to the Muscat Nights activities. This will be done through a plan to open other lanes to reduce congestion.”

The top ROP official said: “The police will provide advice and guidance, and will deploy members of civil defence to help if necessary. The police will also participate in a number of educational shows and exhibitions during the activities from January 19-February 4.”

Al Hamidi also talked about the concerns of people regarding traffic congestion in Al Qurum. He said: “To prevent traffic congestion in the Al Qurum region, the Muscat Nights event will be held only in a section of the park, which includes the lake and its nearby areas.”

Muscat Nights, according to Al Hamidi, is a new concept unrelated to the Muscat Festival, which was last held in 2019 after having been held annually since 1998.

“Most of Muscat Nights activities will be held in the evening and added that Muscat Municipality took into account many suggestions to organise the inaugural edition of Muscat Nights,” he said.

Special schedule

Each venue is expected to have its own distinct personality and a unique schedule with a variety of activities tailored to the venue.

According to officials, the activities will not be limited to entertainment but will also promote domestic tourism and support local industries by providing a platform for them.

With the release of an app for ticket purchases, technology will be used to book tickets and view the event schedule.

This time, a heritage village will be established in Al Naseem Park, with a greater representation of the governorates.

The Sultanate of Oman’s talented artists will organize the concerts.

Children under the age of 12 and people with disabilities are exempt from paying entry fees, according to the organizers.

 

 

 

 

Source : zawya

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Tourism Scenarios in 2023

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Brazil ranks first in the world in terms of the tourism potential of its natural resources in 2023. We have a population of more than 210 million people, a receptive population, favorable exchange rates that boost domestic consumption and increase exports, and consolidated tourism products in all states.

Global studies show that new generations would rather travel and experience new things than, say, buy the car of their dreams. Even generations such as “Baby Boomers, X, and Y” prioritize tourism to improve their quality of life, and with the consolidated phenomenon of social media, everyone posts their trips, spreading their experiences and strengthening their social status.

Over the last four years, there has been a significant improvement in tourism strategic planning in the state of So Paulo, as well as the implementation of legislation throughout Brazil creating, for example, tourist districts, with the expansion of municipalities incorporating tourism master plans, tourist inventories, and demand surveys, which will enable the sustainable growth of our market in the coming years.

With several launches this year 2023, tourism and real estate projects like Multiproperties have increased the supply and structural quality of products, particularly in leisure tourism destinations. The APM Resort in Caieiras, SP, for example, has 300 units and a Convention Center for 1,200 people.

More than 570,000 hotel housing units, 1.5 million rental vehicles, 40,000 agencies and tour operators, 80 theme parks and natural parks, more than 2.5 million restaurants and bars, and more than 3,000 event centers will be available in the tourism production chain by 2023, among other tourism products (compilation of data from the main tourism entities).

As a result, we can forecast that in 2023, these scenarios for tourism in Brazil will show growth rates of more than 15% in the leisure market compared to 2019 before the pandemic, and with the resumption of events and fairs, the tourism market for corporate destinations will show growth rates of at least 6% compared to pre-world health crisis levels.

The imminent approval of Law 442/91 on games and casinos in Brazil will be the icing on the cake, allowing for the insertion of approximately US$ 70 billion in national and international investments, directly activating the securities, real estate, construction, decoration, technology, and industries; next, professional qualification with the academy and teaching entities will begin, followed by operation, enhancing the desti Brazil, with its 52 tourism segments such as hotels, gastronomy, events, culture, transportation, and concerts, as well as overall commerce, will be able to have a budget similar to that used by Mexico of US$ 500 million, with 12% of the funds raised for tourism, boosting tourist destinations throughout the country.

 

 

 

 

 

Source : igamingbrazil

 

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Global Luxury Tourism is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2028

There is a link between luxury travel, one-of-a-kind experiences, and bespoke service. Increased spending by wealthy visitors motivated by a desire to explore uncharted territory and participate in novel activities propels the industry forward. Weekend getaways’ growing popularity, as well as the tourism sector’s international expansion, have all contributed to the sector’s recent growth.

Because tourists spend money on local products and services such as art, restaurants, culture, guides, and sporting events, luxury travel plays an important role in the global distribution of wealth. Tourists want customizable itineraries that let them mix and match activities like sightseeing and resting to create the perfect vacation.

Many travelers, particularly the wealthy, are drawn to the growing popularity of cruises, yachts, and other small ships. It is widely assumed that ultra-wealthy consumers constitute a sizable portion of this market’s clientele. Companies in this industry have responded by emphasizing cruises and other high-end water-based travel options.

The use of the internet for research has also increased dramatically. Demand for high-end hotels and vacations is expected to rise throughout the forecast period.

The sector’s growth is being driven by increased internet and social media access. There has also been an increase in the number of travelogues published on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as on blogs.

No sector of the global economy has escaped the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel agencies, hotels, tour operators, cruise lines, and airlines have all suffered as a result of the global tourism slump.

Due to restrictions on their ability to travel, nearly everyone on Earth had to change their way of life, while the remaining people stayed at home out of fear of the virus. This effectively halted the travel and tourism industries.

The proliferation of social media has had an impact on how we consume, just as it has on every other aspect of our lives. These advancements have had a significant impact on businesses, primarily because they have enabled new forms of advertising.

Without a doubt, tourism, one of the world’s most active economic sectors, plays a role. People frequently share their travel experiences with others. People’s decision-making processes have shifted as a result of social media.

The global pandemic has nearly halted the tourism industry. The tourism industry was impacted by the travel bans and drop in demand that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Several countries have implemented travel restrictions to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which has had a significant impact on the tourism industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source : traveldailymedia

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Emirates Signs an MoU with The Bahamas to Promote Tourism

As part of the collaboration, Emirates will assist The Bahamas in growing as a vacation destination for visitors from Asia and Southern Europe.

Emirates and the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote tourism throughout the Caribbean archipelago.

Growing markets

The new partnership was signed on Wednesday, 4 January 2023 by The airline chairman HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and The Bahamas’ Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar.

The first marketing and trade trips are scheduled to begin in early 2023, with the goal of developing collaborative packages through Emirates Holidays. While Emirates does not fly directly to Nassau (NAS) or George Town (GGT), it does fly to 12 US cities and one in Canada, with additional flights available through partners such as United Airlines, Air Canada, and JetBlue.

Emirates and The Bahamas have praised the collaboration, emphasizing its importance in expanding the tourist market for visitors outside of North America. The MoU will highlight The Bahamas’ appeal as a hot holiday destination to visitors from the UAE, Greece, India, China, the Philippines, and Singapore.

“We are pleased to collaborate with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas in supporting its goals to boost the nation’s tourism economy,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

“Through our partnerships with United and Air Canada, we look forward to playing a key role in promoting The Bahamas services to our points in North America and benefit from enhanced connectivity and access to the islands.”

Tourism in 2023

The collaboration is expected to significantly boost the Bahamas’ economy, which, like many tourism-driven regions, suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking to local media in December, The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association President Robert Sands emphasized the archipelago’s post-pandemic potential following an unprecedentedly quick pandemic recovery, which is expected to surpass 2019 levels in 2023.

Several other airlines, including Virgin Atlantic and the Bahamas’ Western Air, have looked to expand operations in the country and increase capacity for tourists looking to soak up some sun, sea, and sand. With tourism expected to grow further over the next decade, the Bahamian government is looking to increase air capacity by developing a new international airport on Grand Bahama.

Grand Bahama’s current airport (FPO) was severely damaged during Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, with several aircraft damaged and the runway submerged in six feet of water. The airport was nationalized by the government in 2021, and work began to rebuild its infrastructure and modernize its facilities.

While the redeveloped domestic terminal opened in December, construction on the new international airport is expected to begin early this year and be completed by 2025. The government is currently in the final stages of negotiations with an investor for the airport, but Minister of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation Chester Cooper told Eyewitness News that an announcement could come soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Source : simpleflying

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The Role of Tourism in The Reconstruction of The Greek Economy

“Tourism, a National Case!” was the theme of the fourth Greek Summit. On December 7, “Possibilities and Perspectives” was a huge success in Athens, Greece. Leading representatives from the government and opposition parties, members of the political leadership, academics, and leading market executives all contributed to the conference, which focused on the role of tourism in the Greek economy’s reconstruction.

In an interview with the editor and director of Realnews, Nikos Hatzinikolaou, the Minister of Tourism, Vassilis Kikilias, stressed that the tourism industry outperformed the national target this year in Greece.

According to him, the target included in the 2022 national budget was for the industry to achieve 80% of its performance in 2019. In Greece, the tourism industry outperformed the national target this year. “Despite the Ukraine conflict, double-digit inflation, and the energy crisis, we not only met, but exceeded, the target by 3 billion euros,” Mr. Kikilias said.

The US ambassador in Athens, George Tsounis, credited the Minister of Tourism for the outperformance, calling it “impressive.” Noam Katz, Israel’s ambassador in Athens, focused on the high level of investment interest in Greece and the potential for synergies in sustainable tourism, sustainability, and green development between the two countries.

Dimitris Fragakis, Secretary General of the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT), described this year as a watershed moment for Greek tourism. According to him, 2022 will be the new year of records for Greek tourism, not only because revenue will reach and possibly exceed that of 2019, but also because Greek tourism managed to recover from the absolute “zero point” in March 2020 in just two years. He stated that EOT has invested in four axes of experiential tourism over the last three years: gastronomy, sports tourism, outdoor activities, and wellness, which is linked to medical tourism.

Elena Kountoura, MEP of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, highlighted the importance of alternative forms of tourism for sustainable tourism development, focusing on the important access problem faced by small and medium-sized enterprises today in terms of financial programs, tools, and bank lending. Giorgos Patoulis, Governor of Attica, mentioned the region’s efforts to develop a “global health village,” which will attract visitors all year.

Finally, Yannis Smyrlis, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs and President of Enterprise Greece, spoke about the government’s goal of making Greece the best case for sustainable tourism, improving its image, and upgrading the country’s brand. According to him, strategic investments in the tourism sector help to improve the tourist product and create an ecosystem that benefits the entire region.

Next is Now and Dome Consulting organized the conference, which was held under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization, and the Region of Attica.

 

 

 

 

 

Source : businessdaily

 

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Tourism and the Holiday Season: Despite Inflation, Travel Habits Restored

PARIS, 6 DECEMBER 2022 (PRNewswire) – With the holiday season only a few weeks away, Sojern—the first digital marketing platform dedicated to tourism professionals—reveals the latest travel trends for Christmas 2022. While last year’s vacation plans were shaky at best due to the Omicron variant, the end of 2022 may well mark a return to normal tourism levels, despite Europe’s unprecedented inflation.

Christmas in Paris: Pure Holiday Joy

According to the most recent data, searches for domestic flights in France increased by 10% compared to early this year, while searches for international inbound flights increased by 27% overall.

In 2022, Île-de-France will continue to be France’s top domestic and international travel destination. In particular, 60% of holiday visitors to France will visit Paris, while only 9% will visit the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. This trend is mirrored in 2022 online hotel searches, with Île-de-France accounting for 57% of total searches, followed by Grand Est (11%).

American tourists are returning in force

France has always been a popular tourist destination for Americans. According to flight search data to France for the end of 2022, the top ten countries of origin remain largely unchanged from those of 2021. However, the United States is making a strong comeback this year, moving from fifth to second place, owing to the strengthening of the dollar against the euro. This is also supported by Sojern’s observations for other EU countries, including Italy (2nd), Spain (4th), and the United Kingdom (1st place).

 

 

 

Source : prnewswire

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Taiwan Uses The “silver economy” To Boost Tourism

Taiwan’s tourism bureau held a press conference on Wednesday to promote the results of its efforts to attract more elderly visitors to Taiwan. The Golden Years travel initiative of the bureau is focused on ecology, culture, and quality of life.

The effort is in response to the world’s aging populations. According to government statistics, one in every five Taiwanese will be over the age of 65 by 2025. The tourism bureau says it plans to capitalize on this.

Taiwan, according to Deputy Tourism Chief Trust Lin (), is a popular destination for seniors who want to engage in recreational activities while remaining mentally and physically healthy.

He goes on to say that the government has been working to improve infrastructure, lodging, and transportation services to make sites more accessible and senior-friendly.

Lin also claims that the “senior economy” is thriving and has a lot of untapped potential. According to him, domestic travel by senior citizens was valued at NT$40 billion last year. Lin claims that the tourism bureau is prepared to capitalize on this niche market.

 

 

 

Source : en.rti.org.tw

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London launches new 2030 Tourism Vision

According to new data, Brits are falling back in love with their capital city, with the majority preferring to vacation in London over other European city breaks, and 60% proud to call London their capital city. The study was commissioned by London & Partners, the company that runs Visit London, to coincide with the release of a new Tourism Vision, which outlines the city’s plans to transform its tourism and hospitality industries by 2030.

Rose Wangen-Jones, managing director, marketing, destination & commercial at London & Partners, said: “So much has changed since our last Tourism Vision back in 2017 – we knew it was absolutely essential to create a new framework to support one of London’s most vital industries. It has been so rewarding to lead such a collective effort along with organisations across the tourism industry in London, creating a vision that we know will benefit both Londoners and tourists alike. Sustainability, inclusivity and resilience, all of which are increasingly important to visitors and the industry, are all at the heart of our shared vision as we work to make London a brilliant experience for all.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said“Tourism is a key driver of London’s economy, supports over half a million jobs, and is one of the cornerstones of our diverse, vibrant, global city. This Tourism Vision builds on the inspiring way the tourism and hospitality sector came together during the pandemic, working collaboratively for the benefit of their businesses and the capital’s recovery, and I am looking forward to taking the next steps together as we build a better London for everyone.”

Visitors from the United Kingdom are returning to London.

City destinations such as London are rebounding strongly from the pandemic, according to new research, with nearly 6 in 10 Brits feeling more confident about booking a city break after the pandemic. According to the findings, Brits are now more likely to book a city break than a coastal or rural getaway. Over 41% believe that city escapes provide more sights, more restaurant and cafe options, and easier transportation than a beach vacation.

The London 2030 Tourism Vision highlights the need to create better experiences for Brits to enjoy in the city, thereby increasing the number of nights spent in London per trip. The Vision proposes a number of measures, including extending opening hours throughout the city to help with capacity, as well as requesting government assistance to improve infrastructure, allowing Brits to enter and exit the city.

London makes the British proud

Brits love London, with nearly 60% saying they are proud to call it their capital city. Over half also agreed that a’staycation’ in London is appealing because it keeps money in the UK economy. In terms of city breaks, London was rated as having more to offer than global rival cities Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome.

The new Vision emphasizes the importance of ensuring that London’s tourism and hospitality industries provide prosperity and growth for both visitors and Londoners.

Visitors prefer a mix of traditional and novel travel experiences

When it comes to the types of activities Brits want from a vacation, nearly a quarter said their favorite part of London is its historical sites, with Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben, and the London Eye among the top five choices.

At the same time, Brits are looking for the ‘unexpected’ in London, with more than half being surprised by the number of hidden gems across the capital, with rooftop cinemas, canal boat rides, and exploring a Roman temple among the most popular options. Three-quarters of those polled said they would need three or more trips to London to see everything they wanted to see.

According to London & Partners’ Vision, by 2030, the UK capital city should offer a broader range of ‘visitor districts,’ dispersing visitors across the city and providing tourists and Londoners with new and exciting parts of the city to explore.

With industry support, sustainability will be a top consumer priority.

Green issues are increasingly important to travelers, with more than half of Britons saying they consider their carbon footprint when booking a vacation. However, most admit that this currently plays only a minor role in their decision-making. With more than a third willing to consider a more sustainable UK “staycation” rather than a trip abroad, there is a clear desire among consumers to make greener choices when presented with them.

As a city with excellent connections to the rest of the world, there is still work to be done to encourage visitors to include neighboring European destinations in their travels and to promote slow travel. London gateway travel now accounts for 12% of all visits to the capital city, with the Vision predicting that this can and should increase by 2030.

 

 

 

Source : traveldailymedia

 

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The Number of Foreign Tourists in Egypt is Increasing

Tourists from Spain and France are leading an increase in European visitors to Egypt. As Luxor enjoys a tourist boom, the United States is also contributing to rising demand.

Mohamed Othman, head of the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee at the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, told Arab News: “There has been an increase in the tourist traffic coming from a number of European countries, especially Spain and France. Spanish tourism companies are currently doing around 48 trips per month to Luxor.

“There has been a significant increase in the tourist traffic from France, and the same is true of the incoming trips from the US.”

As Luxor enjoys a tourist boom, the United States is also contributing to rising demand. According to Othman, the percentage of confirmed reservations during the winter is higher than in the previous two years.

Tourism writer Mai Sayed told Arab News: “The increase in the number of tourists to Luxor and Aswan, which are located in southern Egypt, is due to the high temperatures there compared to European countries.

“Another factor is that this period is the beginning of the school year, which makes the Egyptian presence in the two ancient cities almost non-existent.”

She also stated that tourists are aware of Egypt’s holiday seasons, which results in an increase in international visitors during October.

On the sidelines of his visit to attend a fashion show at the Temple of Hatshepsut, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa is expected to meet with investors in Luxor in the presence of Governor Mostafa Elham.

He will talk about winter tourism preparations and how to increase visitor numbers.

Plans are currently being developed to create a national tourism development strategy that will be launched in the first quarter of 2023. These initiatives aim to boost tourist traffic to Luxor and Aswan by 25 to 30 percent per year.

 

Source : arabnews

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Thailand targets Central Asia to boost inbound tourism

Bangkok (VNA) – Tourism of Thailand and Sports Ministry is eyeing new markets in Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as post-COVID trends show strong demand for international tourism.

Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan stated that Central Asia has the potential to be a new market for inbound tourism due to short flight times of no more than seven and a half hours.

According to the ministry’s market analysis, travelers from this region have a high demand to travel internationally following the pandemic. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, in particular, have a greater potential for economic growth than other countries in the region.

Visa applications and flights were discovered to be the most important factors in determining holiday destinations for people in this region.

Tourists from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are now eligible to apply for visas on arrival in Thailand from October this year to March next year for a period of 30 days, up from 15 days previously.

Meanwhile, Air Astana is operating direct flights from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Phuket three times a week. For the upcoming high season, direct services to Phuket will be increased, totalling 1,162 seats on direct flights starting from October 30. A new route to Bangkok is scheduled to start on the same date.

SCAT Airlines, based in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, has also announced charter flights from Almaty, Astana, Kostanay, Shymkent, and Uralsk to Thailand’s Phuket and U-tapao airports.

Minister Phiphat said Kazakhstan ranked first among the Commonwealth of Independent States countries in terms of foreign visitors to Thailand, with 56,529 travellers in 2019, followed by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, which had 19,891 and 4,608 travellers, respectively.

 

 

 

source : en.vietnamplus.vn

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