Latest news with #TravTalkME
Tourism Breaking News
2 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Shaikha Al Nowais makes history as First Female Emirati Elected UN Tourism Secretary-General
Post Views: 30 TravTalkME is proud to celebrate a landmark achievement for the region and the global tourism sector: Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President of Owner Relationship Management at Rotana, has been elected as the Secretary-General of UN Tourism. This historic appointment marks her as the first female Emirati to hold this prestigious international position. A trailblazer in the hospitality industry, Shaikha Al Nowais has long championed gender diversity and the empowerment of women in the workplace. Under her leadership, Rotana has implemented progressive policies focused on equal pay, access to education and training, and supportive workplace environments for all employees—regardless of gender. Her election not only reflects her outstanding contributions to tourism and hospitality but also signifies a bold step forward for female representation in global leadership. As Secretary-General, she is expected to bring fresh vision and inclusive leadership to the future of international tourism.
Tourism Breaking News
2 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026 with Global Meet and International Outreach
Post Views: 80 In a special interview with TravTalkME, Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director International Promotion Division, North and East Asia, Tourism Malaysia shared that efforts are being made to intensify priority markets such as the GCC to drive more opportunities and that they are planning a special event to connect Malaysian sellers with international buyers and media in September this year on world tourism day to further promote about 'Visit Malaysia 2026'. She added that Malaysia is ramping up its preparations for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, with major initiatives already underway this year. A national priority, the campaign brings together strategic partners from across the hospitality and tourism industry—including hotels, airlines, and media platforms—to amplify Malaysia's brand on the global stage. 'Among the key highlights is Global Meet, a business-to-business (B2B) platform taking place later this year. The event will connect Malaysian tourism sellers with international buyers and media, aiming to boost global awareness and drive business opportunities ahead of 2026. Additionally, Malaysia will host World Tourism Day in Melaka this September, further showcasing its readiness and commitment. Efforts are being intensified in priority markets. While neighboring countries remain strong contributors to tourist arrivals, Malaysia is expanding its focus to China, India, and notably the Middle East—aligning with the Prime Minister's regional engagement efforts. Long-haul markets like Europe are also a renewed priority.' To drive this agenda, Malaysia has launched a series of sales missions and workshops. These include recent promotional tours in India, China, and the Middle East, such as the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and missions to Jeddah and Riyadh. Post-COVID, the push is clear: re-establish Malaysia's presence in under-engaged regions and aggressively market the country as a top tourism destination. With 2026 on the horizon, Malaysia is going 'all out' to ensure the campaign's success.
Tourism Breaking News
4 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Qatar eyes greater role @ ITB China 2026 after strong showing in 2025: Visit Qatar
Post Views: 70 Jassim AlMahmoud – PR & Communications Director – Visit Qatar in a special interview with TravTalk ME shared that their presence at ITB China 2025 was most successful and their intention to expand their presence next year with the positive feedback received as they participated for the first time. 'ITB China is a very important event for us for two key reasons: first, the exceptional quality and professionalism associated with the ITB brand; and second, the high caliber of exhibitors and potential partners participating in the show. We are here to build meaningful partnerships, but most importantly, to deepen our engagement with the Chinese market—which we consider a Tier 1 source market for Qatar. This is my first visit to China, and already it is clear that the country offers immense opportunities. China's vast population and its growing appetite for international tourism make it a key focus in our global tourism strategy. But to truly attract Chinese travellers, we must understand their preferences and expectations. We've already identified that gastronomy, shopping, cultural experiences, and family-friendly attractions are particularly appealing to Chinese tourists. Fortunately, Qatar can offer all of these. From luxury shopping and world-class cuisine to rich heritage and attractions suited for travelers of all ages, we are confident in our ability to cater to Chinese guests. We are seeing solid growth from this market. For example, in 2023 we welcomed 56,000 Chinese visitors, and in 2024 we've recorded a 28% increase—a clear sign of rising interest. To support this momentum, we are actively expanding our partnerships. We brought 10 partners from Doha with us to ITB China this year. And based on what we've experienced here, we're seriously considering expanding our presence next year. The market potential is undeniable, and the hospitality we've received reinforces the importance of being here. To better serve Chinese travellers, we've already taken practical steps: We have representative offices in Shanghai and Beijing. We currently have 35 Chinese-speaking tour guides, soon increasing to 45, including both full- and part-time staff. Many of our hotels now offer Chinese-speaking staff and Chinese cuisine. Visitors from China enjoy visa-free access to Qatar, which significantly eases travel. We are exploring training initiatives similar to those launched by other countries, such as tailored cultural and language programs for frontline tourism staff.' Speaking on connectivity he shared, 'On the connectivity front, Qatar Airways operates 61 flights per week to 8 major Chinese cities, in addition to services offered by three Chinese carriers—Xiamen Airlines, China Eastern, and Air China. We're in ongoing discussions to further increase this number, pending regulatory developments. The relationship between China and Qatar is strong at both the governmental and cultural levels. This mutual understanding is reflected in our visa policies and bilateral cooperation. Looking ahead, while language can still be a barrier, we are leveraging AI tools and professional translation services, and considering further steps to make our destinations more accessible—such as enhancing signage and information in Chinese. To conclude, China is a top-priority market for Qatar Tourism. ITB China has been a valuable platform, and based on our first-hand experience here, I am confident that our post-event report will strongly recommend an even larger presence next year. We are committed to building long-term relationships and delivering an outstanding experience for every Chinese traveller visiting Qatar.'
Tourism Breaking News
4 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Malaysia expects one million tourists from Middle East by end of the year
Post Views: 64 In an exclusive interview with TravTalk ME, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy – Director General of Tourism Malaysia shared that they expect to close the year with one million visitors from the Middle East region. 'Last year, Malaysia welcomed 194,000 visitors from the Middle East. Given our strategic initiatives, increased connectivity, and renewed market engagement, we are setting our sights much higher. Based on current airline capacity planning and market interest, we confidently project welcoming more than one million visitors from the Middle East by the end of 2025.' Speaking on some of the key initiatives that they are currently working on, Periasamy reiterated, 'We recognise the growing need to introduce more B2C-focused programs tailored for the Middle Eastern market. We've observed that younger travellers from this region are increasingly exploring destinations other than Malaysia—possibly due to a perception that Malaysia lacks activities or products that cater specifically to their interests and lifestyles. In response, we have initiated collaborations with trusted local partners in the Middle East to develop 'soft adventure' and lifestyle experiences that appeal to the younger demographic. While families from the region continue to choose Malaysia as a preferred holiday destination, we aim to re-engage younger travellers who are currently exploring alternatives in neighbouring countries. Our industry discussions and trade events with Middle Eastern operators have highlighted a key challenge: accessibility. While Malaysia receives a considerable number of Middle Eastern visitors—many of whom travel for religious purposes—the seat capacity between major cities in Saudi Arabia and Kuala Lumpur remains limited. To address this, we are actively working with key airlines including Riyadh Air and flynas. We are optimistic about launching direct routes from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia—potentially as early as the end of this year—which will greatly enhance travel accessibility and support our broader tourism goals. Furthermore, we are forming strategic partnerships with travel specialists such as Al Musafir in Saudi Arabia and others who focus on niche tourism products. Destinations like Sabah, Sarawak, and Kuala Lumpur continue to hold strong appeal for younger visitors, particularly those interested in entertainment, urban culture, and experiential travel. Malaysia also offers extensive halal dining options, with halal-certified restaurants and food experiences readily available. This is a significant advantage for Middle Eastern travellers seeking destinations that align with their dietary and cultural needs. We acknowledge that Malaysia may have previously underrepresented products suited to the younger generation due to a perception of conservatism. However, through ongoing dialogue with Middle Eastern operators, we are working to spotlight offerings that resonate with Gen Z and young adults—especially in vibrant markets like Saudi Arabia, where the majority of outbound travellers are under 35. On connectivity, we are also engaging with markets beyond the UAE and Saudi Arabia—such as Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. While UAE and Doha offer strong air connectivity, markets like Kuwait and Bahrain still face limited direct access. However, these gaps are partially bridged by services from regional carriers like Air Arabia.'
Tourism Breaking News
09-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
73% of buyers with families prefer branded residences: Knight Frank report
Post Views: 103 In the lead up to the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia taking place in Riyadh with TravTalkME as media partner, Knight Frank has released that 73% of buyers with families prefer branded residences for long-term living in their study about the surging demand for branded residences in the Kingdom. The report titled 'Destination Saudi, branded residences in focus,' discusses the strong momentum branded residences are gaining in Saudi Arabia's real estate sector, with 68 percent of expat buyers surveyed saying they are likely to purchase a branded residence in the Kingdom. Millennials are leading this demand, and hotel-branded residences are their top choice—especially among high earners with household incomes above SAR 40,000 per month. Key highlights from the report include: • 73% of buyers with families prefer branded residences for long-term living • 52% are interested primarily for investment purposes • Preferred locations include Riyadh (48%), Jeddah (33%), and NEOM (29%) • Expat respondents expect to spend a combined SAR 630 million on branded residential assets • A majority of buyers prioritise design, service, and proximity to business districts and schools As Saudi Arabia continues its urban and hospitality transformation, this emerging asset class offers strong potential for investors and developers looking to meet evolving lifestyle expectations and has a dedicated track at FHS Saudi Arabia with sessions about market trends, legal frameworks, investor strategies and global buyer behaviour.
