The tourism sector in the Governorate of Musandam is one of the main pillars of economic development in the governorate. Of late, the region is witnessing a growth in travellers and those visiting luxury cruise ships. Located to the north of the UAE and bordered to the west by the Arabian Gulf and to the east by the Sea of Oman, this location has made it a major tourist destination. The geographical location of the Governorate of Musandam is one of the most important features that the governorate enjoys in terms of its location on the Musandam Peninsula. It overlooks the Strait of Hormuz, in addition to its fame over the ages with many titles and names of tourist significance, such as ‘The Heads of the Mountains’ or ‘The Land of the Mountains’.   The number of historical and archaeological monuments in the Governorate of Musandam include 46 sites such as towers, mosques, forts, and castles. It also includes three ancient tombs and 115 historical lanes. Nawfal bin Mohammad bin Ahmed Al-Kamzari, Assistant Director, Heritage and Tourism Department, Governorate of Musandam said, “The governorate till last year-end received 76,011 guests 512 hotel rooms eight hotels. He stressed the Musandam tourism sector was witnessing an increasing growth in the number of ships that docked in Khasab port, as the number of cruise ships in 2022 till the beginning of 2023 reached 58 cruise ships of various shapes and sizes visited the Governorate, while as many as 13 docked at the port. There is also MCS OPERA ship, which recorded an average of 22 visits in two years, while the number of visitors arriving at the port reached 18,999 visitors. Travellers visiting …

Très 2023, an international trade event aimed at promoting experiential tourism in India, recently concluded its fifth edition on April 20-21 at Andaz Delhi. The by-invite event showcased 60 of the most exclusive properties and travel concepts from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, in the experiential and luxury segment. Attended by over 50 foreign travel operators from countries such as the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, USA, Germany, and more as well as over 250 registered buyers from niche travel companies, Très 2023 successfully brought the travel community diaspora under one roof. The showcase was supported by Uttar Pradesh Tourism as the Lead Sponsor and Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Rajasthan Tourism as the Associate sponsors. Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla. Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, comments, “This is our third year supporting Très; at Madhya Pradesh Tourism, we have a clear-cut vision to promote responsible, authentic circuits and we feel our aims align. Très brings the perfect audience for us to showcase the various wildlife and heritage products we want to promote to the domestic and international traveller.” Deputy Director, Events and Marketing, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Yuvraj Padole adds, “The panel session ‘The Changing Narratives of Wildlife in Central India’ powered by Madhya Pradesh Tourism gave a platform to all our lodges in Madhya Pradesh to lead and voice their expertise to a mix of international and domestic buyers.” Anju Chowdhary, Regional Tourism Officer, New Delhi, Government of Uttar Pradesh says, “With bespoke one-to-one appointments between buyers and sellers and workshops, talks and panel sessions that deepen insights into the destination offerings, Très offers a fantastic platform for stimulating travel into and within the country …

Taking place at the Lusail International Circuit, the Qatar Grand Prix will be the second edition of the race happening in the peninsula of Qatar. Scheduled to take place from 6th October 2023 to 8th October 2023, the Qatar Grand Prix is the latest to be hosted in the middle east. Having established itself as a premium sports destination, Qatar additionally offers a range of quality hotels, excursions, and attractions. The country is all ready to host the ultimate festival of automotive excellence and has thrilling early bird offers for the Formula One fanatics. Qatar Airways is the Global Partner and Official Airline in collaboration with Qatar Tourism and their on-ground partner Discover Qatar have curated and launched special packages that include 3 nights of hotel stay with breakfast, entrance for all 3 days of the event, optional airport transfers, and a free access to the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) in Qatar. The available packages have three main categories T2 Grandstand with seating located at turn 2 and view of the T1 exit and T3 entrance, North and Main with seats at the main straight-line and podium ceremony views, and Paddock Club that allows a view of the formula one circuit from right above the pit lane. The packages cover unparalleled sporting experience with unrivalled entertainment activities. In addition to the optional tours facilitated by Discover Qatar, the destination also has a range of options for internal transfers like the metro, tram, and local buses. With special rates for trade and complimentary entry to the GIMS that is scheduled to be hosted from 5th October to 14th October, the early bird offer runs up to 31st of May 2023. …

We are thrilled to announce that the number of Indian arrivals to Oman in January 2023 has crossed 40,000, marking the highest ever in the past 15 years. This record is a testament to the growing popularity of Oman as a tourist destination among Indians. The surge in Indian arrivals to Oman can be attributed to a variety of factors, including its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and world-class infrastructure. Oman has been investing heavily in promoting tourism and has been attracting visitors from all over the world. Oman Tourism has undertaken a plethora of activities to promote tourism, such as conducting five-city roadshows and a four-city sales mission in India and collaborating with trade partners to jointly promote tourism and advertising through various media channels. The increase in Indian visitors to Oman is an indication of the growing preference for the Sultanate as a travel destination among Indians. To enhance its presence in the Indian market, Oman Tourism will sustain and expand its promotional efforts. This year, the tourism board will continue promoting Oman to B2B and B2C partners through joint cooperations, sales missions, FAM trips, and roadshows. Recently, Oman Tourism organized a sales mission in key markets such as Kochi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, which was graced by the delegation of MHT Muscat. The sales mission was a remarkable success, with 70 key outbound trade meetings conducted within a span of six days. “The remarkable growth in the number of Indian tourists visiting Oman in January is truly delightful. With the current positive trend, we are optimistic that Oman will become a preferred travel destination for Indian travellers,” said Arjun Chadha, Country Manager, Oman Tourism India office. Oman’s diverse …

According to Nichlas Maratos, Vice President Commercial at Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the company has plans to open a Dusit D2 in Shimla and a Dusit Princess residence in Calcutta later this year. Additionally, the company is exploring multiple other opportunities in resort locations and urban destinations in India. 

OTOAI in association with VisitBritain, conducted a VISA workshop at the British High Commission, New Delhi, during which OTOAI recommended that the UK Visa immigration develop a portal which provides a login ID and password to tour operators to apply for visas for their customers online. 

Olajide Oluwatoyin, COO, Air Peace said, “We are exploring the possibility of collaborating with major carriers in India to expand our reach beyond Mumbai. Our aim is to connect all corners of India including the East, West, South, and North. We are already in discussions with some of the carriers in the region to expand our network and offer our passengers the exceptional travel experience they desire.”   

The Manta Trust team at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is once again preparing for the greatest underwater show on Earth, and thanks to its intensely researched “hot dates,” marine adventurers can now maximise their chance to swim with the world’s largest-known manta ray population. It’s one of the most exciting times of the year in the Maldives Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Between May and November, plankton-rich currents lure reef manta rays to local waters in their hundreds for graceful feeding frenzies. Having studied this group of gentle oceanic giants for nearly twenty years, the Manta Trust team at Landaa Giraavaru are best placed to offer extraordinary insights into their habits and lifestyles. During 2022’s manta ray season, The Manta Trust – whose researchers have run The Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP) at Landaa Giraavaru since 2005 – estimated 6,083 manta ray sightings in the waters around the Resort. At nearby Hanifaru Bay, famed for its mass manta aggregations, an estimated 5,016 sightings were made. Across the archipelago, 176 manta rays were identified for the first time, bringing the total known Maldives reef manta ray population to 5,507 – the largest recorded in the world. During June 2022, Landaa Giraavaru’s researchers (and guests!) were also lucky enough to encounter more than 60 manta rays on the Resort’s House Reef. For the first time ever, the mantas were observed engaging in cyclone feeding – a rotating feeding circle resembling a cyclone – within a stone’s throw of the Resort’s Arrival Jetty. “It was so special to show guests cyclone-feeding mantas directly from the beach,” recalls Ellie Strike, MMRP Project Manager at Landaa Giraavaru. “It goes to show, you …

Designed to honour Chiang Mai’s traditional Lanna history, while also celebrating the city’s present-day appeal, the 29-key resort boasts a prime waterfront location and offers spacious luxury accommodation, a stunning rooftop pool and constantly evolving menus of world-class cuisine, especially created by a winning chef from Iron Chef program. Taking Chiang Mai’s iconic Wat Umong as inspiration – a forest temple known for its unique tunnels and meditation spaces – and also referencing Chiang Mai’s ancient walled city, the distinctive new resort seamlessly blends old and new, traditional and contemporary, and offers guests a unique experience that salutes the past while being undeniably modern. The property was built on the site of an old rice winery and actually unearthed some antique remnants during the construction with a great effort went into preserving the natural features of the estate, which included a dramatic row of 120-year-old tamarind trees, all of which remain standing as part of the hotel’s unique character. The guests can stroll along a peaceful riverside path right in front of the resort, go kayaking on the river, or head up to the rooftop, which offers a fully equipped gym, generous lap pool complete with sunken loungers, a kids pool and deep water overlooking the property’s grand tamarind trees and river frontage. Open exclusively to resort guests, the intimate yet spacious rooftop space also has a bar and provides the perfect place for a cocktail while watching the sun sink behind the iconic Doi Suthep mountain range. “Chiang Mai’s history, its emphasis on the arts, laidback way of life and eclectic cuisine continues to lure travellers from around the world”

The Philippines is a tropical paradise with so much to offer tourists. It is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, each with its unique charm and attractions. From world-renowned beaches to bustling cities, there’s something for everyone. Its stunning beaches are world-renowned and are among the most beautiful in the world, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking sun, sand, and sea. The white sand beaches of Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao are just a few of the many picturesque destinations that the Philippines has to offer.   The event is in continuation of the talks initiated by DOT since September 2022 with the concerned agencies to take up visa concerns for key tourism markets in the hope of finding solutions affecting the flow of entry of international tourists. Beaches: The Philippines is famous for its stunning beaches with crystal-clear waters and pristine white sand. Palawan’s El Nido, Boracay, and Siargao are just a few of the many beach destinations that will leave you in awe. Enjoy water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and island hopping. Cultural Experiences: The Philippines has a rich cultural heritage, and there are many ways to immerse yourself in it. Visit the Spanish colonial-era architecture in Vigan, see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rice Terraces in Banaue, or attend one of the colorful festivals such as the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. Food: Filipino cuisine is a fusion of Malay, Spanish, and Chinese influences, resulting in unique and flavorful dishes. Try adobo, sinigang, and lechon, among others. Sample street food such as balut, isaw, and fishballs, which can be found throughout the country. City Life: The Philippines has a thriving urban scene with cities like Manila, Cebu, …