Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Philip Dickinson has announced that, after four years, he has left his role of Vice President of International Markets, MICE Sports & E-Sports for Qatar Tourism, to pursue new opportunities. Dickinson said: “When I joined Qatar Tourism in 2020, the world was a very different place. The pandemic had put global travel on hold, so it was a particularly challenging starting point from which to build on the country’s ambitious tourism growth targets. However, since then, the country has flourished, not least thanks to the hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022tm, which brought an influx of new visitors to experience Qatar’s excellent hospitality and attractions. “I’m very proud of the work my team and I have achieved at Qatar Tourism over the past four years, putting Qatar on the tourism map and delivering remarkable tourism growth from 2.1M international visitors in pre-pandemic 2019 to 4.05M in 2023. Also continuing that momentum in 2024 with 2.6M international visitors in H1 a 28% increase on the same period in 2023. I would also like to personally thank all the travel trade partners in India and from around the world for their great support with this tremendous growth. “I wish the whole team at Qatar Tourism all the best and very much look forward to working with my friends and trade partners again soon in my next role”.

As part of their shared commitment to highlight Oman as a preferred tourist destination, Oman Air and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have joined forces for a special stopover promotion for passengers transiting through Muscat. Available until 30 November 2024, the offer provides a free one-night hotel stay for premium class passengers when booking a stopover in Muscat, while those traveling in Economy Class can enjoy two nights for the price of one. In addition, guests have access to exclusive discounts on tours, car hire, and other services, making it the perfect opportunity to explore Oman’s charming capital and beyond.

New Zealand’s tourism industry is facing a storm with the government’s recent decisions on increasing visa fees and the International Visitor Levy (IVL). Higher prices for tourist visas kick in from October 1, going from $131 to $211. Meanwhile its International Visitor Conservation & Tourism Levy (IVL) will also go up from $22 to 62 from October 1.

Tourism Office of Spain in India invites the travel trade to attend an exciting webinar on Ibiza, it’s biodiversity and it’s culture as it celebrates 25 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The top scorer of the Ibiza quiz will win a self-drive trip in Ibiza, sponsored by Ibiza Tourism Board. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call 9650196532.

On a visit to India to promote the destination, H.E. Azzan Qassim Mohamed Al Busaidi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, revealed, “Last year we saw an increase of 70% in visitors from India and we are expecting this growth to continue. In fact, the first five months have already seen a healthy growth with 260,000 visitors from India. Our campaign is targeting different cities in India.”

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar highlighting the unique experiences of BLS Interlaken’s lake cruises, Aletsch Arena, Swissminiatur and Foxtown factory stores. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Sharing an exciting update on the visa procedure for Indian nationals visiting Israel, Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, IMOT, India, says, “To attract even more tourists and simplify their travel experience, we are planning to introduce a first-ever e-visa program for Indian citizens. Although still in its early stages, we anticipate launching a pilot for e-visas by the end of the year. Israel is safe and open for tourism. India has consistently been a major source market for us, with thousands of Indian travellers visiting each year. In the first half of 2024 alone, over 5,700 tourists travelled from India to Israel, demonstrating strong resonance to the destination.” Despite the pandemic induced lockdown, Israel welcomed over 2.6M tourists in 2022 and 3.1M tourists in 2023.  Tourism in Israel has picked up in 2024, with over 4,95,300 tourists visiting the country from across the globe from January to June

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar today on Schilthorn, a mountain which offers stunning views of the surrounding Alpine landscape including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Rules for FDI and Overseas Investments to be simplified to increase FDI inflows and promote use of Indian Rupee as currency for overseas investments, said the FM in her Interim Budget speech. She also said that 1.5 lakh core provision for long-term interest-free loans will be made to support infrastructure investment by state governments. The states will also be incentivised to implement Business Reforms Action Plans and digitalisation to develop tourism. All in all, the Union Budget 2024 was not a total let-down as far as tourism is concerned. Perhaps it has sown the seeds for a better tourism experience in India. But that may be too far into the future. Moreover, there has been no change in taxation, which has disappointed the travel trade no end. Their main gripe was the extremely high GST rates and the procedures, as well as bearing the onus of determining the quantum of TCS.

Sitharaman has raised our hopes when it comes to tourism in India, which bodes well not just for domestic but also inbound tourism, which has been suffering since Covid. Delivering to the states, she highlighted the development of ‘iconic’ tourism centres by the states who will be allowed long-term, interest-free loans for such long-term development. For domestic tourism, the FM announced projects for better port connectivity and more tourism infrastructure, that will be taken up on islands in India, including of course Lakshadweep! All in all, her Budget highlighted promoting investments into India, including its infrastructure projects. In positioning India as a global tourist destination, we’ll also create jobs, stimulate investments and unlock economic opportunities for other sectors. In addition to the measures outlined in the interim budget, I propose the following measures. Vishnupath temple at Gaya and Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar are of immense spiritual significance. Comprehensive development of Vishnupath temple corridor and Mahabodhi temple corridor will be supported, modeled on the successful Kashi Vishwana temple corridor to transform them into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations. Rajgir, Rajgir holds immense religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The 20th Tirthankara Muni Suvaratha temple in the Jain complex, Jain temple complex is ancient. The Sapta Rishi or the seven hot springs form a warm water Brahmkund that is sacred. A comprehensive development initiative for Rajgir will be undertaken. Our government will support the development of Nalanda as a tourist center besides reviving Nalanda University to its glorious stature. Odisha’s scenic beauty, temples, monuments, craftsmanship, wildlife sanctuaries, natural landscapes and pristine beaches make it an ultimate tourism destination. Our government will provide assistance for their development to Odisha …