Category: Destinations

Abu Dhabi to deliver Tourism Strategy 2030 to ensure emirate’s sustainable growth as a global destination

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved the new Tourism Strategy 2030 for the emirate. Spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the ambitious blueprint signals a new era of expansion and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector.

The Tourism Strategy 2030 initiative seeks to boost visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030 (overnight and same-day), with a 7% year-on-year growth. Moreover, it plans to significantly elevate the tourism and travel sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP, raising it from approximately AED 49 billion in 2023 to AED 90 billion annually by 2030.

The Strategy will generate an estimated 178,000 new jobs by 2030 as the entire tourism infrastructure develops to meet this demand. It intends to almost double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 approximately to 7.2 million in 2030, expand hotel room availability from 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000 by 2030, and further enhance the holiday home segment to diversify accommodation options.

H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Tourism Strategy 2030 marks a pivotal moment in Abu Dhabi’s transformative journey, representing a vital lever in our ongoing evolution. Delivered alongside our key partners, the Strategy underscores our steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable growth and strategic development in the travel and tourism sector. Through carefully crafted initiatives that will unlock economic opportunities, amplify our distinctive culture, and enhance the emirate’s value proposition, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant and prosperous future that transcends generations.”

A member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak is a prominent Emirati leader overseeing the growth of Abu Dhabi’s cultural, entertainment, real estate, and tourism sectors.

In 2016, His Excellency was appointed the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), where he oversees the preservation of the emirate’s heritage and history whilst inspiring its dynamic, world-leading approach to creating a recognised cultural capital, where culture is a driver of social and economic development.

AI Mubarak is accountable for ensuring that Abu Dhabi is a top-of-mind destination for all leisure and business travelers, growing Abu Dhabi’s MICE share, and partnering with global IPs to bring the best of international entertainment to the emirate as well as high profile sporting events including F1, NBA, and UFC.

One of the major achievements in Al Mubarak’s journey at DCT Abu Dhabi is the development of Saadiyat Cultural District – a curated destination for inspiration, artistic expression and cultural dialogue, that is currently home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and once finished will house, Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi.

Al Mubarak serves as Chairman of Aldar Properties PJSC, the leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi responsible for some of the most iconic landmarks and pioneering architecture in the emirate, including residential, commercial, and retail assets.

Al Mubarak is Chairman of Miral, the leading creator of immersive experiences in Abu Dhabi, where he has led the transformation of key areas within the emirate, including Yas Island, and has developed strategic partnerships such as the one established with Warner Bros. World Abu DhabiTM.

Al Mubarak is the President of the Abrahamic Family House and a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, where he is joined by international religious leaders, educational scholars, and cultural leaders across the world, to support and spread the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

Al Mubarak serves as Vice-Chair on the Foundation Board of ALIPH, the international alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas.

Al Mubarak is a graduate of Northeastern University (Boston, USA), with a double major in Economics and Political Science.

Fostering sustainable growth across four strategic pillars

To achieve the Strategy’s goals, 26 key initiatives have been identified across four strategic pillars: Offering and City Activation; Promotion & Marketing; Infrastructure & Mobility; and Visa, Licensing, and Regulations. These initiatives are key to realizing ambitious tourism targets and ensuring sustainable sectoral growth.

The initiatives will be unlocked through the collective vision of DCT Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), and other key government and private stakeholders, who play a strategic role in bringing Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision to life.

The first pillar, Offering and City Activation, aims to enhance guest experiences with new cultural sites, theme parks, retail options, and hotels. It will also diversify dining with culinary schools and training programs.

Simultaneously, DCT Abu Dhabi will expand Promotion and Marketing efforts from 11 to 26 markets, fostering synergy within Abu Dhabi’s tourism ecosystem and forming global partnerships to create targeted content.

The Infrastructure and Mobility pillar of the Strategy will expand hotel room availability, including accessible and luxury options, glamping, and farm stays. Collaborations will enhance roads, public transport, and infrastructure, simplifying travel and increasing flight seat capacity.

Streamlined Visa, Licensing, and Regulation processes, in collaboration with government agencies, will improve the visitor experience and ease of doing business, attracting investment.

Building on the success of 2023

In 2023, Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector flourished, welcoming nearly 24 million visitors, with a 27% increase in hotel guests and a 54% rise in international visitors, contributing approximately AED 49 billion to the UAE’s GDP.

In 2023, Abu Dhabi attracted a surge of international travelers, led by key markets such as India, Russia, the UK, China, and Saudi Arabia. With over 150 vibrant events, pristine beaches, and rich landscapes, the emirate’s culture also played a pivotal role. Historical sites like Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr al Watan, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque drew over 8.7 million visitors. Museums, cultural festivals, and art exhibitions thrived, with record attendance at the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the inaugural Manar Abu Dhabi exhibition showcasing diverse offerings.

Business tourism saw a 44% increase in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events, attracting nearly a million delegates (960,000) to 2,477 events. This boosted the food and beverage sector with a 21% revenue increase. Major entertainment events like the MOTN Festival and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, alongside cultural celebrations like the Al Hosn Festival and the Liwa Festival, solidified Abu Dhabi’s status as a global leisure and tourism hub.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

Click here to to learn more about the Tourism Strategy 2030.

Note: This is a partnered post.

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Indian Railways to operate record 9,000 plus train trips as massive travel rush expected this summer

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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To accommodate an increasing number of travellers seeking summer getaways, the Indian Railways has announced a significant surge in train operations this season. With a remarkable 43% increase compared to last year. The Railways Ministry said that a record 9,111 train trips are slated to run during the summer period.

This rise from the 6,369 train trips offered in the summer of 2023 will meet passenger demands effectively. The additional trains have been strategically planned to connect key destinations across the country, facilitating seamless travel on major railway routes.

Taking cognisance of the anticipated surge in travel demand during summer, Indian Railways is operating 9,000+Summer Special Train trips to ensure smooth and comfortable travel for passengers.

Read: https://t.co/5gi3Kt0c0w pic.twitter.com/K86Ey6BsIn

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 19, 2024

Leading the pack, the Western Railways will operate the highest number of trips at 1,878, followed by the North Western Railway at 1,623 trips.

Also read: First train to longest route, 5 facts about Indian Railways

Anticipating the summer travel rush, all zonal railways have geared up to operate these additional trips, catering to passengers from various states across India.

The ministry, which continuously monitors passenger demand through various channels including media reports, social media platforms, and helpline services, ensures dynamic adjustments to the number of trains and trips throughout the season.

Also read: India starts working on indigenous bullet train with speeds exceeding 250 km per hour

In addition to expanding train services, the ministry has directed zonal railways to ensure the availability of drinking water at railway stations and has implemented elaborate crowd control measures to regulate passenger flow effectively. With the deployment of RPF personnel and the coordination of GRP and RPF at foot-over bridges, Indian Railways aims to provide a safe and comfortable travel experience for all passengers during the summer season.

Tickets for these additional trains can be booked through railway ticket counters or the IRCTC website/app.

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After ‘India Out’ campaign by Maldives, visitors to island nation plummet

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Indian tourists visiting Maldives have almost halved following the diplomatic stand-off between the two nations. According to reports, in the first quarter of 2023, just 34,847 Indian visitors travelled to the Maldives, a significant decrease from the 56,208 tourists who visited the island nation during the same period last year. This 38% decline is lower than the figures from the first quarter of 2019, when 36,053 Indian tourists visited the country.

After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, India remained the primary source market for Maldives between 2021-23. However, this year has witnessed considerable decline, after Indians started a boycott Maldives campaign after alleged derogatory remarks were made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the past few months that followed, there have been quite a few developments between India and Maldives. Nonetheless, this decline in Indian visitors travelling to Maldives coincides with the “India Out” campaign led by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. The issue gained attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Lakshadweep islands in January 2024. Not only social media influencers but travel agencies and celebrities joined the trend and urged Indians not to travel to Maldives for vacations.

Also read: People in Maldives miss Indian tourists; are sorry and urge them to return amid diplomatic row

As relations between Maldives and India soured, Indian military personnel stationed in the neighbouring country, who operated a Dornier aircraft gifted by India, left nation on April 9.

Under an earlier agreement, New Delhi agreed to replace Indian military personnel with trained civilians to oversee the operations of military aircraft gifted to Male. Nonetheless, Muizzu reiterated his commitment to removing all Indian soldiers from Maldives.

Amid developments over the past few months, Muizzu reaffirmed his stance on foreign influence in Maldives, asserting that the ultimate power rests with the citizens and not with foreign ambassadors, which highlighted the shifting dynamics in the region.

Despite these geopolitical shifts, the Maldives remains a crucial maritime neighbour for India in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It holds significance in India’s strategic initiatives like ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the ‘Neighborhood First Policy.’

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Canadians advised not to travel to India during 2024 general elections

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Canada has advised its citizens against travelling to India between May and June 2024, when the world’s largest democracy will hold its general elections to elect the country’s ruling party. According to the advisory issued by the Canadian government, citizens have been asked to “exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.

The advisory mentioned cities like Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai should be avoided for non-essential travel. “Consular services in-person are temporarily unavailable in those cities or surrounding areas. If you need consular services, contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa,” the advisory read.

Moreover, Canadians have been advised against travelling to parts of Northeast India, including Assam and Manipur and sensitive border areas of the country.

Recently, Canada trimmed the number of diplomatic personnel deployed in New Delhi and other parts of the country and the Justin Trudeau-led government said that staff had been reduced to “effectively manage in-country operations.”

In September 2023, India had temporarily suspended visa services to Canadian citizens amid a diplomatic standoff between the two nations. There were speculations at the time about Canada retaliating with a similar visa suspension.

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From London to Honolulu, Google ranks the world’s top 20 summer destinations for 2024

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The summers are here and it also means we start planning our holiday gateways for the year. To make the lives of travel enthusiasts a bit easier, Google has unveiled a list of the top 20 destinations for 2024. The list offers the names of the destinations to escape the scorching heat, while also providing insights based on past flight bookings and search trends.

Google’s compilation of the top 20 destinations can assist individuals plan their summer vacations or craft a perfect itinerary. Relying on the most searched destinations by travellers in the United States on June 1 and August 31 last year, the list has some new additions this year. Places that lost popularity since last year have made way for the new ones.

Here is the full list of top 20 destinations for summer 2024:

A report by ABC News suggests that Google, for its list, also compiled data from mid-January to mid-March from users in the US to identify the most popular travel-related inquiries in summer. During its research, the platform underlined the maximum use of terms like ‘travel itinerary’ and ‘solo travel’ in January, reaching an all-time high.

The new list, unlike last year’s compilations, saw several changes with Cancun dropping from the second position to sixth place and Tokyo moving up from eighth place to third.

Meanwhile, the first spot in the list was claimed by London, with Paris securing second place, notably as it prepares to host the upcoming Summer Olympics.

The new additions to this year’s list include San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Madrid, Spain. Napa Valley in California and Key West, being the southernmost point in the Continental US, emerged as the top trending destinations for “romantic getaways”.

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Thomas Cook India and SOTC launch aerial spiritual tours to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Targeting the surge in demand for spiritual tourism, Thomas Cook India and its group firm SOTC Travel have partnered with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board to offer aerial darshans to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, the company announced on Wednesday.

The five-day spiritual tour has been launched at ₹90,000 per person — subsidized by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The base camp for the tour will be Pithoragarh, in Uttarakhand.

The darshans will start from the second day onwards. On the day-2 of the trip Manokamna temple darshan will be organised and on day-3 onwards there will be Adi Kailash & Om Parvat darshan. Each batch of the five-day spiritual tour will consist of 14 persons.

Thomas Cook and SOTC’s data indicates a significant demand of 100% YoY for Spiritual Tourism.

The tour includes two helicopter darshans to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) for the journey to the Parvati Sarovar temple and all meals (vegetarian), according to the statement by Thomas Cook India Limited.

”We are honoured to partner with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board to introduce exceptional aerial tours to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, offering our customers an enriching spiritual experience. Our aim is to redefine spiritual tourism in India, by unveiling hidden gems /sacred sites while also ensuring accessibility,” Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head Holidays, MICE, Visa, at Thomas Cook (India) Limited said.

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Spain scraps ‘golden visas’ scheme; All you need to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Spain has started the process of eliminating its so-called ‘golden visa’ programme that grants residency rights to foreigners after they make large investments in the country’s real estate sector. On Tuesday, Spanish ministers took part in a Cabinet meeting wherein they agreed to stop awarding ‘golden visas’ — obtained by foreign investors in exchange for buying property worth 500,000 euros ($541,250) or more, BBC reported.

The Spanish government’s intention behind ending this scheme was to “guarantee that housing is a right and not merely the subject of business speculation,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said.

“Today, 94 out of every 100 such visas are linked to real estate investment… in major cities that are facing a highly stressed market and where it’s almost impossible to find decent housing for those who already live, work and pay their taxes there,” Reuters quoted Sanchez as saying.

The Spanish PM added that most of these visas awarded were linked to purchasing properties in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

At these places, the housing market is under “enormous pressure,” he said, adding that it is “almost impossible” for people who live and work in those places and pay their taxes to find affordable housing.

‘Golden Visa’

Created by the conservative government of Mariano Rajoy in 2013, golden visa scheme was aimed at attracting foreign investment in the country in the wake of the eurozone crisis, which hit its property sector badly.

Until 2023, 6,200 visas have been issued for property investment, according to Transparency International.

Most of the beneficiaries were Chinese (2,712), as per the report.

Following China on the list were Russians (1,159), Iranians (203), and US citizens (179) and the residents of the UK (177).

Spain’s “golden visa” scheme also provided residency to non-EU citizens in exchange for investing 2 million euros or more in state bonds. However, the government noted that a mere 6% of visas were awarded for reasons other than the purchase of property.

What have other countries done?

The European Commission had earlier called on EU members to restrict issuing visas under such schemes due to security concerns, especially in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the UK government put an end to its scheme that allowed wealthy foreign nationals to settle in the country once they bought assets.

Soon after, Ireland terminated the Immigrant Investor Programme in February last year. Under this, the country offered residence in exchange for substantial financial investment or donations.

Portugal, meanwhile, has revised its own version of it and does not allow residency in exchange for property purchases anymore.

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