Category: Middle East

The UAE has launched National Ecotourism Project, with an aim to position the country as a leading green holiday destination. The project launched by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), is aimed at promoting the country’s eco-tourism attractions in three phases that focus on environmental, economic and social factors. “Over the past few years, the pioneering vision and directives of the UAE leadership have enabled the country to consolidate its leading global status across diverse sectors, with travel and tourism at the forefront,” said Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. Last year, the UAE recorded ... Read more

It’s shopping time in Dubai. And, Dubai World Trade Centre, is calling you for a mega brand sale, offering international brands at a discounted price of up to 75 per cent. The mega brand sale, started on July 4, will conclude on July 8, Sunday. The brands include Guess, Diesel, Boss, Calvin Klein, Police, Paris Hilton, Still 19, Ted Baker etc. So, what are you waiting for? Head to Zabeel hall number 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre between 10 am and 10 pm to grab the best deal. Meanwhile, Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), Dubai’s annual citywide summer shopping celebration which is ... Read more

Royal Oman Police has simplified the tourist visa procedures to get tourist visa to Oman. “Tourist visa fees has been reduced and visa can be applied online,” said the Inspector General Hussain Bin Muhsin Al Shuraikhi.

ഒമാനിലെത്തുന്ന വിനോദ സഞ്ചാരികള്‍ക്കു വിസ ലഭിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള നടപടികള്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ ലളിതമാക്കിയതായി റോയല്‍ ഒമാന്‍ പോലീസ്. ടൂറിസ്റ്റു വിസയുടെ ഫീസ് കുറച്ചതായും ഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍ വിസ സംവിധാനം നടപ്പാക്കിയതായും ഇന്‍സ്‌പെക്ടര്‍ ജനറല്‍ഹുസൈന്‍ ബിന്‍ മുഹ്സിന്‍ അല്‍ ശുറൈഖി പറഞ്ഞു. ടൂറിസം രംഗത്ത് രാജ്യത്തു വളര്‍ന്നു വരുന്ന സാധ്യതകള്‍ കണക്കിലെടുത്താണ് വിനോദ സഞ്ചാര മന്ത്രാലയത്തിന്റെയും റോയല്‍ ഒമാന്‍ പോലീസിന്റെയും സംയുക്തമായ ഈ നീക്കം. വിനോദ സഞ്ചാരികള്‍ക്കു രണ്ടുതരം ടൂറിസ്റ്റു വിസകളാണ് നിലവില്‍ വന്നിരിക്കുന്നത്. പത്ത് ദിവസം, ഒരു മാസം എന്നിങ്ങനെയാണ് അനുവദിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന പുതിയ വിസയുടെ കലാവധികള്‍. നിയമ പരിഷ്‌കരണം സംബന്ധിച്ച് ഇന്‍സ്‌പെക്ടര്‍ ജനറല്‍ ഓഫ് പോലീസ് ഹുസൈന്‍ ബിന്‍ മുഹ്സിന്‍ അള്‍ ശുറൈഖി വിജ്ഞാപനം പുറത്തിറക്കി. അഞ്ച് ഒമാനി റിയാലിന് (887 രൂപ) പത്ത് ദിവസം രാജ്യത്ത് തങ്ങാനുള്ള ടൂറിസ്റ്റ് വിസ ലഭിക്കും. മുന്‍പ് കുറഞ്ഞത് മുപ്പതു ദിവസത്തെ വിസയാണ് ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നത്. അതിനു ഇരുപതു ഒമാനി റിയല്‍ (3,550 രൂപ) ആയിരുന്നു നിരക്ക്. പുതിയ പരിഷ്‌കരണമനുസരിച്ച് ... Read more

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has lifted the travel advisory to Kerala it had issued in mid-May where a Nipah outbreak has claimed over 17 lives.

Transit passenger flying to other international destinations will enjoy a short stay over of two days at Dubai and Abu Dhabi without paying any visa fee. United Arab Emirates has decided to grant free transit visas for two days, which can also be extended for up to 96 hours by paying 50 Dirham (nearly Rs 930). The implementation date has not been decided. Furthermore, a number of express counters at the passport-control hall across UAE airports will be set up for obtaining quick transit visa.\ India is already the number one international tourist source market for Dubai. According to Dubai ... Read more

Emirates announced that it will reinstate two weekly flights between Luanda and Dubai, increasing capacity to five flights per week between the two cities, starting from 1 July 2018. Customers can look forward to a daily service starting from the winter schedule. These additional flights will give passengers more travel choices and address the growing demand for connectivity on Emirates’ global network, especially to destinations in Asia, USA and Europe. The flights will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER with eight seats in First Class, 42 in Business Class and 310 in Economy Class, with 360 seats on offer in ... Read more

Emirates is giving customers even more reasons to explore Dubai and the United Arab Emirates with the return of its signature pass this summer. ‘My Emirates Pass’ turns the Emirates boarding pass into an exclusive membership card, giving travellers exclusive offers and discounts within the UAE. Emirates customers flying to or through Dubai between 1 June and 31 August 2018 can take advantage of a range of offers at some of Dubai’s best known hotspots by simply showing their boarding pass and a valid form of identification. My Emirates Pass gives customers exclusive offers at over 250 locations including world ... Read more

flydubai has announced the launch of its new Home Check-in service in partnership with DUBZ and dnata and is now available for booking through flydubai.com on new and existing itineraries. Up to six hours ahead of departure, the new doorstep check-in and baggage collection service allows flydubai passengers to check in for their flight and hand over their baggage to dedicated DUBZ staff from the comfort of their home or office. A team from DUBZ will pick up the baggage up to 24 hours in advance of the flight, print boarding passes and baggage tags on the spot and deliver ... Read more

സൗദിയില്‍ വനിതകള്‍ക്ക് ഡ്രൈവിംഗ് ലൈസന്‍സ് നല്‍കി തുടങ്ങി. സൗദി ജനറല്‍ ട്രാഫിക്ക് ഡയറക്ടറേറ്റാണ് ലൈസന്‍സ് നല്‍കി തുടങ്ങിയത്. സൗദിയില്‍ വനിതകള്‍ക്ക് വാഹനമോടിക്കാന്‍ ഉള്ള അനുമതിക്ക് ഇനി ഒരു മാസത്തേക്ക് താഴെ മാത്രം സമയമുള്ളപ്പോഴാണ് വനിതകള്‍ക്ക് ആദ്യ ഡ്രൈവിംഗ് ലൈസന്‍സ് നല്‍കി തുടങ്ങിയത്. വിദേശത്ത് നിന്ന് നേരത്തെ ഡ്രൈവിംഗ് ലൈസന്‍സ് കരസ്ഥമാക്കിയവര്‍ക്കാണ് പുതിയ സൗദ് ലൈസന്‍സ് നല്‍കിയത്. 2017 സെപ്തംബര്‍ 27നായിരുന്നു സൗദി ഭരണാധികാരി വനിതകള്‍ക്ക് വാഹനമോടിക്കാനുള്ള അനുമതി നല്‍കുമെന്ന് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചത്. ഈ മാസം 24 മുതലാണ് നിരത്തില്‍ വനിതകള്‍ക്ക് വാഹനമോടിക്കാനുള്ള അനുമതി. 18 വയസ്സും അതിന് മുകളില്‍ പ്രായമുള്ളവര്‍ക്കും ലൈസന്‍സ് ലഭിക്കും. വനികള്‍ക്ക് ഡ്രൈവിംഗില്‍ പരിശീലനത്തിനുള്ള അഞ്ച് കേന്ദ്രങ്ങള്‍ സൗദിയിലെ പട്ടണങ്ങളില്‍ ഒരുക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. വിദേശത്ത് നിന്നും ഡ്രൈവിങ് ലൈസന്‍സ് കരസ്ഥമാക്കിയ സൗദി അധ്യാപികമാരാണ് ഈ അഞ്ച് സെന്ററുകളില്‍ വെച്ച് പരിശീലനം നല്‍കുന്നത്.

Saudi Arabia has issued its first driver’s licenses to 10 women as the kingdom prepares to lift the world’s only ban on women driving in three weeks. The Saudi General Traffic Directorate began to issue domestic driving licences to women who have international ones. Though the Kingdom has started to grant licenses to women, a number of women who’d campaigned for the right to drive are under arrest and facing charges related to their activism. The 10 women who were issued licenses already held driving licenses from other countries, including US, UK, Lebanon and Canada. They took a brief driving test and ... Read more

Though Cyclone Mekunu had an adverse effect on Dhofar coastline and caused some impairment to Salalah and other towns in southern Oman, the tourism authorities are not skeptical about the tourism sector. In fact, the tourism authorities believe that the cyclone has put Oman on the global tourist map. “This will bring about great promotion for the country as many tourists will come to Salalah. The heavy rainfall has led to overflowing springs and waterfalls in Dhofar. These will boost tourism, as many tourists will come to see the water bodies. We don’t have any problems in Salalah, and there ... Read more

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea project said it will offer visas on arrival for overseas visitors following the creation of a company to deliver the ambitious project. The project marked a milestone recently with its incorporation as a standalone closed joint-stock company, The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), wholly owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The newly-incorporated company will now move forward with the creation of its Special Economic Zone, with its own regulatory framework, it said in a statement. The framework will be separate from the base economy, with a special emphasis on environmental sustainability, and will be offering ... Read more

Saudi Arabia’s king has offered to pay the visa fees for first-time pilgrims to Hajj and Umrah. “The cost of first entry for pilgrims to Umrah and Haj will be covered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman,” said Minister of Haj and Umrah, Mohammed Bin Saleh Bentin. The minister announced the same during a coordination meeting with the Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. “Our partnership is aimed at removing all the obstacles that may face the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and facilitate their arrival to the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah,” he told ... Read more

Experts believe that the declaration of 10-year residency visas for investors and specialists will encourage more medical professionals to UAE. As per reports, Dubai is emerging as a prime destination for medical tourism destination, with Mena region ranked first. By 2020, the Emirate is targeting 5,00,000 medical tourists from 3,25,000 in 2016, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.3 per cent. The rise in demand for healthcare services in the Emirate over the past 10 years was accelerated by population growth, medical tourism and increase incidence of life style related medical conditions. The growth has been substantiated by ... Read more