The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) successfully concluded its first GCC 2024 Travel Mission to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), engaging the travel partners from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This event took place from October 7 to 9, 2024 in Riyadh and Dubai. This year’s mission showcased Hong Kong’s growing appeal among travellers from the GCC, with the city welcoming 19,273 visitors between January and August 2024 - a remarkable 124 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The visitor numbers for the first half of 2024 alone nearly matched the total number of arrivals from the GCC in 2023.

TIS - Tourism Innovation Summit 2024, concluded its fifth edition in Seville, Spain. Over three days, from October 23 – 25, 2024, the event brought together 7,903 attendees and industry professionals. A total of 416 experts and tourism leaders and 221 exhibiting firms gathered in Seville, Spain for this event. The event consolidated its international character, bringing together 41 international delegations from different countries and with China as the guest country partner of this edition.

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Hilton have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will further enhance the destination’s visibility globally and support the hotel group with team member training and service optimisation. This new phase of their ongoing partnership is in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda. Designed to establish a collaborative framework between the entities, the MoU will focus on joint marketing initiatives, including through advertising campaigns and social media, actively promoting Dubai as a premier destination. They will also roll out tourism products that highlight the city’s unique attractions, integrating these experiences into seasonal packages. 

The German National Tourist Office Gulf Countries held their annual Road Show at the Consul General in Dubai’s home with nine partners include hotels, regional tourism boards, airports and shopping Outlets and included first time participants Adina Apartment Hotels, Dresden Marketing GmbH and the famous Porcelain Manufacture Messen Porcelain Manufactory. Yamina Sofo, Director Gulf Countries for The German National Tourist office, addressed the trade and media at the event highlighting that Germany is a well-established tourist destination for many decades and accustomed to the Muslim traveller requirements.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Dubai office participated in the ‘Half a Year To Go EXPO2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan’ event in Bahrain on October 13. This event marked the six-month countdown to the highly anticipated EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025, in Osaka, Japan. The event began with opening remarks by Asako Okai, the Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bahrain, followed by a presentation on the Expo by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. The gathering was designed to engage travel agencies, businesses, government representatives and other key stakeholders in Bahrain.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) has partnered with Nirvana Travel & Tourism to bring the bank’s award-winning TouchPoints loyalty programme to the Mazaya lifestyle rewards platform. Mazaya members can now access exclusive discounts on ADCB products as well as a host of banking rewards and lifestyle privileges.

Esterad Amwaj, the developer and owner of the iconic Amwaj Beachfront project in Amwaj Islands, recently held a signing ceremony partnering with leading hospitality company Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), in bringing METT Hotel & Residences, ISOLA Beach, and RAISE Fitness to Amwaj Beachfront. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of Gateway Gulf Forum 2024, and this collaboration represents a milestone development for the region, featuring 220 keys, branded villas, and residences that promise to elevate luxury and wellness on the Amwaj Beachfront.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, marked a significant milestone with a celebration of 50 years of operations between Bahrain and Egypt at the Marriott Mena House, Cairo Hotel. The celebration served as a testament to the success of Gulf Air’s Cairo route and welcomed a distinguished group of attendees, including Fawzia Zainal, Bahrain’s Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, and representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Egyptian Holding Company for Airport and Air Navigation, and Cairo Airport Company.