Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi, has said that as per the Global COVID-19 Sentiment Survey conducted by DCT Abu Dhabi, 65% of Indian travellers’ decisions depend on low COVID-19 case numbers in the destination of their choice and 43% of Indian travellers perceive Abu Dhabi as an ideal holiday destination for families. “Taking this sentiment into account and the understanding that Indian travellers are more likely to take short haul flights than mid-long-haul flights, Abu Dhabi is ready to welcome business and leisure travellers from India,” he adds.

Embassy of India, Muscat has informed that the Government of the Sultanate of Oman has added Covaxin to the approved list of COVID-19 vaccines for travel to Oman. The Civil Aviation Authority issued a notification on 27th October regarding this. All passengers from India who have received two doses of Covaxin at least 14 days before the estimated arrival date will now be able to travel to Oman without the requirement of quarantine. All other COVID-19 related requirements/conditions, such as pre-arrival RT-PCR test shall be applicable for such passengers. This notification will significantly ease travel to Oman for Indian nationals who have taken Covaxin, Passengers, who have taken AstraZeneca/Covishield are already permitted to travel to Oman without quarantine.

Switzerland Tourism will conduct a webinar on Thursday, 28 October, 2021, focusing on three unique touristic offerings – BLS Interlaken, Schilthorn and the Lake Geneva Region. This captivating webinar will highlight the scenic cruises on the Lake Thun and Brienz with BLS Interlaken, Schilthorn, the famous ‘James Bond Mountain’ and the French-speaking Lake Geneva Region along its popular attractions. To register, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has joined hands with John Cena for their new tourism campaign to promote tourism to the emirate. The actor is starring in a new tourism film for Abu Dhabi, in which he highlights why the Time is Now to visit the emirate. The film has been released after the announcement that Abu Dhabi is welcoming all international vaccinated travellers and those travelling from Green List countries back to the Emirate, without any need to quarantine.

Speaking about the impact its first virtual roadshow has made, Sthembiso Dlamini, Acting CEO & COO, South African Tourism, says, “We are delighted at the response received from all stakeholders including suppliers, buyers and corporates at the VirtuallyYoursSouthAfrica show. India is a critical market for us as we look at travel recovery and we believe that the partnerships formed and relationships built here will hold us in good stead. We look forward to creating customised itineraries specifically for the evolved Indian traveller basis the insights and inputs we received from our trade partners.”

The sixth edition of France’s worldwide culinary extravaganza, Goût de/Good France was celebrated over five continents between 14th-22nd October. French Embassies and Consulates hosted culinary events promoting a commitment to a “greener” and more inclusive global gastronomy ‘à la française’. This year the gastronomy of the ‘Centre-Val de Loire’ region was honoured. In Mumbai, Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet,  the Consul General of France in Bombay hosted an exclusive soiree at the French Residence on 21st October where guests enjoyed the succulent flavours of France’s renowned cuisine thanks to a specially curated menu designed by the Sofitel Mumbai for this occasion. Seen here on the left is Sami Bouakaze, Deputy Consul, Consulat Général de France à Bombay alongside Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Consul General of France in Bombay, at the event. France’s worldwide gastronomical event, Goût de France/Good France, is back for its 6th edition, and restaurants in India once again participated in force. From October 14 to 22, dozens of restaurants across India served French-style menus focused on sustainable gastronomy. They joined chefs and restaurants across the world and over 150 French embassies and consulates in this annual event celebrating French cuisine. This year’s edition focused on the gastronomy of the future by highlighting commitment to a more eco-friendly, sustainable cuisine, as well as on the Centre-Loire Valley region, the “Garden of France” whose gastronomy dates back to the Renaissance and has shaped an exceptional way of life, opening a window onto French excellence. Restaurants across India, chefs, importers of French products and other stakeholders of gastronomy in India took part in the initiative by creating menus that promote French gastronomy, French gourmet food products and wines in sync with the themes of the event. …

Bali has opened to fully vaccinated travellers from 19 countries including China, India, and France. The UK is not on the list yet. However, visitors to the island still need to serve a five-day quarantine period in a hotel. Around 82% people in Bali are fully vaccinated, which is one of the highest vaccination rates in Indonesia. The Government has released the full list of countries and have said they expect hotel and flight bookings to pick up over time.

Sharing her expectations from the upcoming VirtuallyYoursSouthAfrica roadshow on October 20, Sma Dlamini, Acting Executive Manager – Tourism, Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency, says, “We intend to meet with the Indian trade to showcase Mpumalanga’s diverse and unique product offerings, while also establishing joint marketing initiatives which will be mutually beneficial for both – our potential trade partners in India and us. We especially look forward to displaying the scenic beauty and abundant wildlife in Mpumalanga, as we look to attract increased tourist footfall from India.”

Tourism Malaysia is participating for the third time at the third edition of the Gulf Travel Show (GTS) from 12 to 14 October 2021. As a platinum partner, Malaysia is having its own virtual pavilion with 13 booths consisting of Tourism Malaysia Dubai, Tourism Malaysia Jeddah, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), together with three DMCs/tour operator partners, one product partner, as well as five hotels and resorts from the island of Langkawi. Following this year’s participation, Manoharan Periasamy, the Senior Director of Tourism Malaysia’s International Promotion Division for Asia & Africa says that GTS 2021 is a platform that allows industry players to share the development and implementation of safety for domestic and international travellers in preparation for reopening the borders, especially for the Middle East market. “Malaysia has successfully completed the vaccination of more than 90 per cent of its adult population against COVID-19, and as a result, domestic tourism has fully reopened effective Monday, 11 October 2021. In the meantime, Tourism Malaysia is gearing up in preparing to welcome more tourists and also continuing in promoting the #WeMissYou campaign ahead of the reopening of our international borders that is expected after we achieve 90 per cent complete inoculation nationwide,” says Manoharan. Nasaruddin Bin Abdul Muttalib, Chief Executive Officer of LADA adds, “On 16 September 2021, the government has announced the reopening of Langkawi as the pilot project for Malaysia’s domestic travel bubble, aimed at reviving the nation’s tourism industry. Langkawi has become the first holiday destination in Malaysia to open its doors to domestic tourists who are fully vaccinated. The visitors are also subject to the standard operating procedures (SOP) compliance and are required …

Sharing his expectations from the upcoming VirtuallyYoursSouthAfrica roadshow on October 20, Vuyani Dayimani, CEO – Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, says, “The Eastern Cape Province is the jewel of South Africa; it offers tourists authentic experiences from bungee jumping off the highest bridge in the southern hemisphere, to big seven safari, hiking diverse trails, being the birth and resting place of Nelson Mandela. Its hospitable people and unique culture and heritage, endless coastal line, myriad of outdoor activities, adventure sports, and urban life experiences spread across different regions make it a destination for all seasons. ECPTA hopes to be able to showcase all of this and more at the expo, after two years of presenting the destination to Indian Travel Trade partners, the agency seeks to see Eastern Cape included in more travel packages to South Africa with the focus on increasing bed nights and geographic spread.”