VFS Global and CzechTourism join hands to promote Czechia's allure to Middle East based Travellers
Post Views: 89
VFS Global to showcase Czechia's diverse travel experiences and unique attractions catering to the Middle East travellers. Travelers from Middle East can experience Czechia's exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage—featuring majestic castles, chateaux, seventeen UNESCO monuments, historic cities and Czech cuisine in traditional and modern form with a glass of premium Czech beer or local wine. With this strategic collaboration, CzechTourism and VFS Global are poised to elevate Czechia's presence on the global tourism map, inspiring more travelers to explore the country's extraordinary beauty and cultural richness. Jana Štumpová Konicarová, Marketing Director and Director of Foreign offices at CzechTourism, expressed, 'We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with VFS Global to promote Czechia's rich cultural and natural attractions to travelers from Middle East. In 2024, Czechia welcomed over eighty thousand Middle East basedvisitors, reflecting a growing interest in our vibrant cities, historic landmarks and serene countryside. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire even more travelers to explore and create lasting memories in one of Europe's most captivating destinations.'
Leveraging its extensive reach and expertise, VFS Global will represent CzechTourism to drive marketing, public relations and trade engagement efforts to boost visitor numbers and enhance overall awareness of Czechia as a premier destination.
Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager – New Markets at CzechTourism, added, 'Partnering with VFS Global presents a tremendous opportunity to amplify Czechia's presence in the Middle East. With a strategic focus on PR and marketing initiatives, our goal is to showcase Czechia's deep-rooted heritage, diverse landscapes and unique travel experiences to a broader audience. Through this collaboration, we look forward to building stronger connections with the travel trade and media fraternity, inspiring more visitors to discover the charm of our country.'
G.B. Srithar, Global Head of Tourism Services, at VFS Global, said, 'We are happy to partner with CzechTourism to promote its diverse and exciting offerings to Middle East based travellers. In line with our destination promotional approach of powering tourism happiness, this collaboration will enable us to bring Middle East based visitors to have fun and discovery in Czechia. With Middle East based travellers becoming more discerning in their travel needs – seeking rich gastronomy, immersive heritage and authentic local experiences – they will find Czechia a very appealing destination. At VFS Global, we are delighted to foster a long-term partnership, building on our strong travel trade partner-friendships across Middle East.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tourism Breaking News
3 days ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Etihad expands its European network with flights to Prague and Warsaw
Post Views: 59 Etihad Airways celebrated the launch of flights to two new destinations in Central Europe – Prague and Warsaw. The UAE's national airline operated its inaugural flight to the enchanting Czech capital Prague, one of 16 new destinations the airline will add this year. Next the airline touched down in Warsaw for the first time, adding the vibrant Polish capital to its expanding European network. 'Our new Prague and Warsaw services open doors to countless possibilities,' said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways. 'These new routes create a bridge between two remarkable regions, connecting travellers from the Middle East to the heart of Central Europe, while offering seamless connections via Abu Dhabi to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Australia.' Often called the 'City of a Hundred Spires', Prague captivates visitors with its stunning Gothic architecture, centuries-old squares, and lively cultural scene. The Czech capital's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases architectural treasures spanning eight centuries, while its modern districts pulse with innovative cuisine, art, and design. Beyond the city, the surrounding region offers picturesque landscapes, from historic castles to renowned spa towns. In Poland, the modern city of Warsaw captivates with its distinctive contrasts – elegant architecture and contemporary skylines, traditional markets and inspired dining scenes, historic parks and cutting-edge cultural venues. This diversity is complemented by Poland's enticing array of experiences, from medieval cities to pristine forests and mountain ranges. Visitors to the UAE from Czechia and Poland, can enjoy Abu Dhabi's distinctive blend of tradition and modern luxury. The UAE capital offers everything from the serenity of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the artistic masterpieces of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The city serves as an ideal gateway to desert adventures, championship golf courses, and the entertainment district of Yas Island with its world-class theme parks and Yas Marina Circuit. Prague and Warsaw join Etihad's expanding European network at an exciting time. The airline is set to welcome 16 new destinations throughout 2025, including Atlanta (July), Taipei (September), and key Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Krabi in the fourth quarter. Operating on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the services feature 28 Business Studios and 262 Economy Smart seats. Each Business Studio transforms into a fully-flat bed and offers direct aisle access, while Economy Smart seats provide enhanced comfort for all guests. The aircraft offers the latest in-flight entertainment technology and thoughtfully crafted comfort in both cabins. To celebrate Etihad's expanding network, the airline has launched a competition, The Extraordinary Challenge, daring guests to compete in a race to visit 15 of the airline's new destinations, including Prague and Warsaw, to win five million Etihad Guest miles. Any new or existing Etihad Guest member can register to compete and has 12 months to complete the challenge, the first three members to visit all 15 destinations will be awarded. First place will win five million Etihad Guest miles, Second place will win three million miles, and Third place will win one million miles.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
From Madinah to Mumbai: Dubai resident collaborates with Bollywood singer Shaan
Dubai-based poet Amaan Haider Zaidi is the lyricist of Shaan's debut Ghazal album which will be shared with music lovers across digital platforms on the auspicious day of Eid. From reluctantly reciting his Urdu poems for his colleagues on the office bus in the UAE to launching his first ghazal album with celebrated Indian singer Shaan in Mumbai, the incredible turnaround in Amaan Haider Zaidi's life seems like the script of a timeless Bollywood classic. Dubai-based poet Haider, who writes under the pen name Haider Amaan Haider, is the lyricist of Shaan's debut Ghazal album, Ghazal Ho Gayi, which was launched by Saregama, India's oldest music label, at the singer's Mumbai residence on May 4. 'The album has six ghazals and they will be released across digital platforms like YouTube and Spotify tomorrow (May 6),' Haider told the Khaleej Times over the phone from Mumbai. Haider, who is now the head of corporate affairs at VFS Global in Dubai, only discovered his flair for poetry in 2014 after a personal setback. 'I was working for RAK Bank those days. Something happened in my life which hit me so hard that I had to get help from a psychiatrist. There were so many things that came to my mind during that phase and I began to jot down some of my thoughts,' he recalled. Those thoughts soon translated into poetry that first resonated with his former RAK Bank colleagues before capturing the hearts of international cricketers, Indian diplomats in the UAE, acclaimed film director Shekhar Kapoor and Shaan, one of the finest singers in Bollywood music. 'It's amazing how I met Shaan. He came for the Dubai Expo where I was working at the Indian Pavilion. When I was introduced to him, I presented him a copy of my poetry book, Apni Amaan Main Rekhna,' Haider said. About a year later, Shaan called him from Mumbai, asking his permission to take six of his poems from the book for a ghazal album. 'I could not believe Shaan wanted me to be his lyricist. He loved my poems. I think what appealed to him was the simplicity in my writing. You know, Shaan is a very big celebrity in India, but he is also a very simple human being. His voice has taken my poetry to a different level,' Haider said. Having an album launched in Mumbai seems a bit surreal for the 44-year-old Haider, a late bloomer in the world of poetry. 'This is a dream for me. I cannot believe this is happening in my life. But if you ask my friends, I am still the same person who came from a very small village in Uttar Pradesh (India),' he said. 'I think it's all because of the prayers of my parents, my sisters and Allah's blessing.' For a man who has captivated audiences at symposiums in the US, UK, Australia, Kuwait, India, Afghanistan and the UAE, Haider's first experience of reciting his poetry was at the Prohet's Mosque in Madinah. 'I will never forget that day. I was on a pilgrimage and there was an event for Prophet Muhammad's birthday (PBUH), so I got an opportunity to recite my poems,' he said. 'As I said, everything happens for a reason. Now Shaan has turned my poems into Ghazals for his first album in the genre. The six ghazals will be shared with music lovers across digital platforms on the auspicious day of Eid (Friday). It's a big blessing in my life.'
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
China May services activity grows despite US tariff concerns, Caixin PMI shows
BEIJING - China's services activity expanded at a slightly faster pace in May, with new orders growing more quickly than in April, though new export orders declined due to uncertainty stemming from U.S. tariffs, a private sector survey showed on Thursday. The Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers' index (PMI), rose to 51.1 in May from 50.7, remaining above the 50-mark that separates expansion from contraction. The reading was broadly in line with China's official survey, which showed services activity edging up to 50.2 from 50.1 the previous month. The Caixin PMI is considered a better read of trends among smaller, export-oriented firms, particularly along the east coast, while the official PMI primarily tracks large and medium-sized enterprises, including state-owned companies. China's economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, and the government has maintained its annual growth target of around 5%. However, analysts warn that U.S. tariffs could significantly dampen momentum. Beijing and Washington have agreed to a 90-day pause during which both would cut import tariffs, raising hopes of easing tensions. Yet investors remain concerned that negotiations could progress slowly amid persistent global economic risks. "On the external demand front, new export orders remained sluggish in both the manufacturing and services sectors. Average costs for businesses rose slightly, but selling prices continued to weaken, increasing profit pressure," said Zhe Wang, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group. However, faster services growth failed to offset a drop in manufacturing production. The Caixin China General Composite PMI fell to 49.6 from 51.1 the previous month, marking the first contraction since December 2022. Last month, the central bank eased monetary policy to limit damage from the trade war with Washington, and lowered the ceiling for deposit rates to offset margin pressure on banks and prompt savers to spend or invest more. Both supply and demand expanded at a slightly quicker pace, as businesses sought to attract new clients. However, foreign demand weakened due to U.S.-China tariff uncertainty, with new export orders declining for the first time this year, the survey showed. Employment-related indices remained slightly above the 50-mark. Some firms continued to reduce headcounts to cut costs, while others hired more workers to meet rising demand. Service sector businesses faced the fastest input cost inflation since October 2024, driven by higher purchase prices and wages. Average output charges declined for the fourth month in a row in May. Overall sentiment over the next 12 months remained positive in the sector, with companies optimistic that the negative effects of U.S. tariffs may diminish over time. "Currently, unfavourable factors remain relatively prevalent. Uncertainty in the external trade environment has increased, adding to domestic economic headwinds," said Wang "In terms of policy, the lasting impact of earlier consumption-stimulating measures needs further evaluation," Wang added "More importantly, boosting domestic demand should be grounded in improving household incomes." (Reporting by Liangping Gao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Kim Coghill)
