The tiny Gulf emirate that packs a big punch continues to defy expectations as it reported welcoming 1.67 million international visitors in the first third of 2021, according to the Dubai Tourism Annual Visitor Report 2020. While Indians made up nearly 30% of those arrival numbers, visitors from Russia and Eastern Europe made up just […]
Egypt tourism showing initial signs of recovery after 73% drop in 2020 due to Covid
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has reported that the country welcomed 500,000 tourists during the first quarter of 2021 despite the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic. Egypt has strict testing requirements in place for international arrivals and has largely been spared the severe impacts of the pandemic that other countries have suffered. The heavily […]
Arabian Travel Market takes 2020 show virtual, moves live event to 2021
Organizers of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) have announced that the planned 2020 exhibition and conference will now become a virtual event to be held online June 1-3, 2020 while the next live in-person event will take place May 16-19, 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Center. Founded 1995 and originally hosted at the […]
UAE requests, BIE Exec. Cmte. recommends postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai
Following a request from the government of the United Arab Emirates to reschedule Expo 2020 Dubai, the Executive Committee of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which oversees world expo events, has voted unanimously to recommend that the event be postponed until 2021. The final decision is now up to the BIE’s General Assembly, consisting […]
Millions of tourism sector jobs in jeopardy as COVID-19 proliferates globally
The annual global summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) had been planned for 21-23 April in Cancun, Mexico, but that too has now been postponed amid worldwide travel bans, border closures, and mass flight cancellations due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The council’s 20th anniversary event will now be rescheduled for […]
Bahrain Grand Prix will still take place, but without spectators
Organizers of the Bahrain Grand Prix Formula One race decided not to cancel the event this year in light of the burgeoning Covid-19 pandemic, but opted instead to proceed without the thousands of spectators that would normally attend to watch. In a statement about the decision, officials explained, “Given the continued spread of Covid-19 globally, […]
Egypt reopens the interior of the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara to the public
The Step Pyramid at Sakkara, built in the 27th century BC as the final resting place for the Third Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser, has had its interior reopened to the public after a 14-year, USD 6-million restoration project. The restorations, which began in 2006, were carried out to shore up the monument’s structural integrity after damage […]
New data show Gulf visitors giving Egypt a boost
A new report released by the Arabian Travel Market revealed a marked increase in expected Egyptian tourism revenues coming from visitors from GCC countries. According to the report, visitors from the region will contribute USD 2.36 billion to Egypt’s coffers in 2020, representing an 11% increase over spending by GCC visitors in 2019. Saudis, who […]
Egypt’s Almasa Royal Palace property to become a St. Regis
Marriott International has announced plans to take over and operate the Almasa Royal Palace hotel property as a St. Regis in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital east of Cairo. The announcement was made at a joint press event with the National Authority for Management and Investment (NAMI), which was attended by the advisor to the president […]
Sharjah unveils new eco-park
The UAE’s Sharjah emirate opened a new eco-park today in an effort to boost eco-friendly and sustainable tourism in the area. Officially named the Buhais Geology Park, the new attraction is located just off Highway E55 between Meleha and Al Madam near the country’s border with Oman. The park showcases the history of plant, animal, […]
