Latest news with #TTME
Tourism Breaking News
2 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
ITB Asia 2025 to focus on ME and GenZ travellers
Post Views: 28 TTME in an exclusive interview with Darren Seah – Executive Director – ITB Asia shared that this year their focus shifts in the industry—particularly the growing influence of the Middle East market and the rising power of Generation Z travellers. The Middle East continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Asia-Pacific's travel dynamics. With a reputation for luxury, experiential travel, and high-value outbound tourism, the region's significance is only increasing. Seah shared, 'Oman is joining us this year, and we're in active discussions with other Middle Eastern destinations including the UAE.' He further added, 'We were recently in the UAE, engaging with key stakeholders to strengthen regional collaboration.' This growing engagement aligns with the broader tourism strategies of countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—each investing heavily in hospitality infrastructure, cultural offerings, and mega-events, as part of long-term national visions such as Saudi Vision 2030. For ITB Asia, this means not just showcasing the region as a destination, but also as a vital source of outbound travellers seeking immersive, high-quality travel experiences across Asia-Pacific.
Tourism Breaking News
26-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
ITB China opens, anticipates over 700 exhibitors from 90 countries
Post Views: 34 ITB China opens today withTravTalk ME as media partner will be at ITB China from 27 to 29 May. This year, they anticipate over 700 exhibitors from around 90 countries and regions, while the number of buyers is set to increase by 30%, reflecting the growing global interest in the event. TTME spoke with Lydia Li, Deputy General Manager ITB China to find out more about the much anticipated exhibition for the world. The Middle East market holds significant importance for China's travel industry and ITB China: Firstly, the growing demand for diverse and unique experiences – Chinese outbound travelers, are shifting from mass tourism to premium, personalized experiences. The ME—with destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia—offers shopping, futuristic architecture and exclusive cultural attractions. ITB China bridges ME destinations with Chinese travel agencies by showcasing tailored packages, VIP services, and unique offerings that align with these preferences. Secondly Visa Facilitation and Policy Support – ME countries have streamlined visa processes for Chinese tourists (e.g., visa-on-arrival, e-visa program), removing barriers to travel. ITB China amplifies these advantages by connecting ME tourism boards and agencies with Chinese travel trade buyers, ensuring seamless promotion of visa-friendly policies and destination accessibility. Thirdly MICE Tourism and Business Travel – The ME is a global hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism, with world-class venues. As Chinese corporations expand internationally, demand for business travel and corporate events in the ME rises. ITB China facilitates partnerships between ME MICE providers and Chinese enterprises, fostering cross-border collaborations and revenue growth. Visitor can see a stronger lineup of exhibitors from ME this year at ITB China, including country and regional tourism organization Qatar, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, Ras AI Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Diriyah, Abu Dhabi, and companies including Miral Destinations, SATGURU TRAVEL AND TOUR SERVICE, IRAN PARDISAN TOUR & TRAVEL COMPANY, Qatar Airways, Steigenberger Hotel & Residence Doha, Safar Pishe Parse Tour and Travel, and many others, meanwhile also have Morrocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria from North Africa.
Tourism Breaking News
24-02-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Rotana prepares for Ramadan: interview with Timur Ilgaz, Area Vice President – Dubai & Northern Emirates, Rotana Hotels & Resorts
Post Views: 100 Rotana is working on its strategies to attract more visitors this Ramadan and beyond. Timur Ilgaz, Area Vice President – Dubai & Northern Emirates, Rotana Hotels & Resorts shared in an exclusive interview with TTME. What is your strategy for attracting visitors during Ramadan and the Eid holiday, particularly from Abu Dhabi and the GCC? Tailored Offerings: We design special packages that include iftar and suhoor experiences, showcasing a mix of traditional and contemporary cuisine, while ensuring the ambiance reflects the spirit of Ramadan. We also offer flexible booking options, ensuring guests can enjoy extended stays with exclusive rates. Emphasizing Cultural and Local Traditions: At Rotana, we prioritize integrating local culture and customs into our experiences. During Ramadan, we focus on promoting the values of generosity, family, and togetherness, which resonate with our guests. This can include activities such as traditional storytelling sessions, local music performances, and showcasing regional crafts. Exclusive Eid Celebrations: Eid is a time of joy and celebration, and we create memorable experiences for families and business travellers alike. From lavish Eid brunches to special events and entertainment, we ensure that our offerings are both exciting and culturally relevant. Community Engagement: We emphasize the importance of giving back, so we partner with charitable organizations to host events that support local communities, ensuring that our guests can participate in meaningful initiatives. Enhanced Customer Experience: Our focus is always on service excellence, so we ensure that staff are well-trained to cater to the specific needs of Ramadan and Eid guests. This includes offering special touches, such as pre-arrival communications and thoughtful amenities that enhance the guest experience. By delivering a balanced combination of cultural sensitivity, exclusive offers, and high-level service, our strategy aims to create memorable moments for our guests during this special time of year. Please share the recent performance of the hotel sector in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Dubai and the Northern Emirates remain among the most dynamic and high-performing hospitality markets globally. Demand for both leisure and business travel remains robust, supported by a strong events calendar, ongoing government initiatives, and an ever-expanding tourism sector. We have recorded impressive occupancy rates across our properties, with strong RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) growth driven by strategic pricing, targeted marketing, and our commitment to exceptional service. The Northern Emirates, in particular, are seeing increasing interest from travellers seeking unique experiences, and we are capitalising on this by positioning our properties as leading destinations in their respective markets. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reports its strongest year ever, welcoming a record-high 1.28 million overnight arrivals in 2024, marking 12% growth in tourism revenues and a notable 15% rise in MICE visitors. This success is a testament to the Emirate's strategic and sustainable growth vision to attract over 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030. Tourism has become a cornerstone of Ras Al Khaimah's economic development. The emirate's strategic infrastructure investments, such as the upcoming Rotana Mangrove (258 keys) and a focus on bolstering air connectivity, are designed to attract international visitors. Moreover, the introduction of innovative events like the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival and the ongoing commitment to hosting large-scale entertainment events, such as the record-breaking fireworks, further cement its position as a year-round destination. What are your vision, goals, and plans for the hotel this year? Any new initiatives that will be introduced in the new year? Our vision is to further strengthen Rotana's presence in the region by enhancing guest satisfaction, increasing profitability, and driving innovation. Key priorities for this year include: Advancing digitalisation – Implementing AI-driven solutions to streamline operations and personalise guest experiences. – Implementing AI-driven solutions to streamline operations and personalise guest experiences. Sustainability initiatives – Expanding our eco-conscious efforts in line with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism vision, building on Arjaan by Rotana's Gold Award achievement. – Expanding our eco-conscious efforts in line with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism vision, building on Arjaan by Rotana's Gold Award achievement. Strategic partnerships – Strengthening collaborations with key industry players to expand our market reach. – Strengthening collaborations with key industry players to expand our market reach. Operational efficiency – Leveraging data analytics to enhance performance and optimise revenue management. – Leveraging data analytics to enhance performance and optimise revenue management. Elevated dining experiences – Introducing new F&B concepts that align with contemporary traveller preferences. Additionally, we are rolling out unique events and activations across our properties to foster community engagement and enhance guest interaction. Talk us through the expansion plans of Rotana Hotels in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Rotana continues to expand its footprint in Dubai and the Northern Emirates with a strategic growth plan aligned with increasing demand for high-quality hospitality experiences. We are actively working on: New property openings: Strengthening our presence with upcoming developments catering to various market segments, including luxury, mid-scale, and extended-stay accommodation. Strengthening our presence with upcoming developments catering to various market segments, including luxury, mid-scale, and extended-stay accommodation. Sustainable hotel concepts: Our new projects integrate the latest in sustainability and digital transformation, setting new benchmarks in the industry. Our new projects integrate the latest in sustainability and digital transformation, setting new benchmarks in the industry. Diverse offerings: Introducing properties with unique positioning—whether catering to corporate travellers, leisure guests, or long-stay visitors. This expansion strategy reinforces Rotana's leadership in the market while ensuring we continue to meet evolving guest expectations.
