Category: Middle East

The implementation of value-added tax (VAT) doesn’t seem to trouble UAE’s hospitality and travel sector, as reports suggest the sturdy tourism sector is growing. Within few month of the tax implementation, the number of tourists rose to 4.7 million recording a growth of 2 per cent, while the accommodation rate reached up to 87 per cent indicating a growth by 0.7 per cent. The experts of hospital and travels industry mark the impact of tax as insignificant. The first year of tax introduction is expected to create a revenue of Dh12 billion and may rise up to Dh20 billion in ... Read more

Indian missions in the UAE have announced a total ban on satellite phones while travelling to India. The Indian diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai issued an advisory to foreigners traveling to India, informing them about a ban on satellite phones to the country. The statement, published on all social media channels of the missions, said, “All foreigners who intend to go to India are therefore advised not to carry satellite phones to India.” Violators will face legal consequences. Providers of satellite phone services in the UAE have been advised to inform subscribers about the legal ban, reported Khaleej Times.

The Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi, has issued an advisory for beachgoers. Based on the regulations for licensing, hiring and using personal watercrafts, “Operating a jet ski less than 200 metres from the beach” will attract a penalty. The Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi, has announced that the first penalty will be Dh 500, whereas the second and third penalties will be Dh 1,000 and Dh 2,000, respectively. The third penalty will also incur the impounding of the jet ski for one month.  

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is loosening its residency laws and is planning grant long-term visas for up to 10 years to investors and highly-skilled professionals. The 10-year residency visas will be granted to specialists in science, medicine and research, and to “exceptional students.” The plan aims to attract global investment and innovators. The UAE Cabinet approved the new rules yesterday, saying plans are also on track to allow foreign investors 100 per cent ownership of their UAE-based companies this year. Under current laws, foreign companies must have an Emirati owning 51 percent of the shares, unless the company operates ... Read more

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has unveiled its “Giant Suitcase” initiative for the Holy Month of Ramadan. With more than 75 per cent of travellers admitting to over-packing clothes for their holidays, this programme will provide them with the opportunity to do-good through a simple donation programme. Etihad has placed a Giant Suitcase in their terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport, encouraging travellers to donate just one item they know they can do without to those less fortunate. Research shows the vast majority of leisure travellers over-pack for their holiday. Etihad staff will also contribute during giant ... Read more

Emirates has commenced its signature Ramadan service for customers during the holy month. Emirates’ Ramadan service consists of specially crafted iftar meals on board, relevant programming on its ice inflight entertainment system, and the distribution of dates and water on the ground for those breaking their fast. Emirates provides iftar boxes with a nutritional meal for customers breaking their fast on board. The boxes have been redesigned this year by local homeware specialists Silsal Design House. The designs are inspired by the Middle East, its people, places and culture. Silsal has also created bespoke Emirates Arabic Coffee Cups available at ... Read more

As a plan to promote Dubai as a favoured destination for Chinese travellers, the Dubai tourism authority has signed an agreement with Chinese internet giant Tencent on Tuesday. As per the statement issued by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), the association will lead the Tencent network to spread out Dubai’s marketing reach and access within China. China is considered as one the quickest budding markets for the Emirate. There were reports on Sunday that a senior government delegation from Dubai headed to China for signing agreements with Tencent and a number of other leading companies, with ... Read more

Acacus Technologies has just signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bring driverless technology to Dubai’s roads by 2020. The company is all set to revamp the entire fleet of Dubai Police’s cars so that the city’s streets will be patrolled by driverless vehicles by 2020. The MoU was signed by the general command of the Dubai Police department, major-general Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, commander-in-chief of Dubai Police and founder and CEO of Acacus Technologies, Talal Ben Halim. Acacus will install the self-driving functionality in the existing fleet of cars and other types of vehicles used by Dubai Police. “We are proud to contribute ... Read more

This Ramadan, break your fast and experience a floating iftar launched by Boardwalk’s BBQ Donuts at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The iftar will feature favourites such as shish taouk, lamb kofta, falafel, kibbeh and fattoush, with a variety of fruit and local sweets to top it all off. Each float can accommodate up to eight people at a time, with an à la carte option also available with a customisable barbecue package. The tables in BBQ Donuts are decorated in the traditional colours of the region, along with a wide selection of Middle Eastern treats. The Queen Elizabeth 2 ... Read more

Israel is becoming a favourite tourist spot for tourists and the initial statistics affirm this. As per reports, Israel had 1.36 million visitors from January-April this year. In this, 4,08,000 tourists alone visited Israel in April 2018 when compared to 3,50,000 last April, recording a 17%hike. The Ministry of Tourism claims that the revenue from tourists in April had exceeded NIS 2.1 billion. Out of all tourists visited Israel in April, 2,38,000 were from Europe. France, UK, Germany, Poland and Italy were the main contributors. The rise in European tourists is attributed to the Giro d’Italia bicycle race. Tourists from ... Read more

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) is launching Dubai Pass, an all-inclusive pre-paid card, grants cash-free access to 33 key events and venues across Dubai. It is a new way for visitors to enjoy the city’s exciting range of attractions, experiences and tours and will be available to redeem from 16 May 2018. Starting at AED399, the pass offers ‘Select’ and ‘Unlimited’ packages, with a specially-curated list of popular attractions and experiences. These include Burj Khalifa, Dubai Parks and Resorts, IMG Worlds of Adventure, Wild Wadi Waterpark, Ski Dubai, Desert Safari Tours, and many more. With every purchase, visitors will ... Read more

Travellers from Russia, China and Iran can now enter the Sultanate of Oman without a pre-entry tourist visa. The move is an extension of new visa policy introduced by Oman in March including the new online application process. By this Oman joined its neighbour UAE in relaxing the visa policies for travellers from Russia and China in the recent years. The Sultanate had already facilitated visa on arrival for travellers from 68 countries including USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and the European Union’s Schengen area. Russia, China and Iran are the latest to join the list. Since UAE granted visa ... Read more

The no change in visa rates for Pakistani citizens confirms that they will still have to pay 0.1 million to rupees 0.4 million for attaining the tourist visa. Reports say that the Pakistan embassy in Saudi and the Pakistan’s foreign office wasn’t aware of this policy and are yet to respond on this. The double pricing in visa policy of Saudi has come under discussion and has even put Pakistan under scanner. The reduction in the visa fee was initially denied by Saudi Gazette, the leading English-language daily newspaper published in Jeddah. However, they gave credibility to the news as ... Read more

As a part of expansion and attracting more tourists to Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air, flag carrier of Bahrain is set to undergo rebranding and the new brand identity was unveiled at the VIP event marking the beginning of Gateway Gulf Investor Forum Bahrain 2018. Gulf Air launched the worldwide exclusive premiere of its outdoor 3D projection #yearofchange video at one of the topmost projections in the world, on the Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain Bay. The video will soon be displayed across the airline’s network. The event was carried out under the backing of Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, ... Read more

The first ibis Styles will be opened at Sultanate of Oman as AccorHotels has signed agreement with the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran). The hotel which will be opening by 2020 will have 280 standard rooms with design and facilities that symbolize ibis Styles. This will be the first internationally branded economy hotel in the OCEC master development (Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre), giving a strong foothold for AccorHotels in Oman. OCEC is Oman’s largest and only dedicated meeting, conference, incentive and exhibition destination with superior design and state of the art convention infrastructure. The ibis Styles all-inclusive breakfast package ... Read more