Abu Dhabi has been recognized as the most walkable city globally, according to a recent survey conducted by Time Out Index. The UAE capital achieved this top ranking with an impressive 91 percent of locals rating its walkability as either “good” or “amazing.” This places Abu Dhabi ahead of any other city in the world...
Dubai’s tourism authority is launching an “influencer academy” aimed at training aspiring digital creators to produce engaging content. This initiative is part of a collaboration with the travel content agency Beautiful Destinations and is driven by the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commonly known as Visit Dubai. The goal is to not only...
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new Value Added Tax (VAT) refund policy for tourists, which became effective on April 18, 2024. This initiative allows international visitors to reclaim the 15% VAT paid on eligible goods and services during their stay, marking a significant move to enhance the country’s appeal to global travelers. The Zakat, Tax...
Dubai’s Emirates airline has issued a travel advisory for passengers flying through Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport during the weekend, expecting over 300 000 travelers. To manage the anticipated surge, Emirates has urged passengers to arrive well ahead of their scheduled departure times and ensure all travel documents are ready to avoid delays. The...
Fujairah in the UAE will host the first-ever international adventure tourism conference from April 30th to May 2nd, 2025. This groundbreaking event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, aims to drive innovation, partnerships, and sustainability within the adventure tourism sector. The Fujairah...
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), announced that the tourism sector is set to contribute AED62 billion, approximately $17 billion, to the emirate’s economy in 2025. This figure represents a projected increase of 13 percent compared to the previous year. The long-term...
Dubai has further established itself as a global leader in the creator economy with the introduction of the Beautiful Destinations Academy. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize tourism marketing by providing a comprehensive curriculum tailored for aspiring digital content creators. The Academy is designed to equip participants with essential skills that will help them thrive...
In a significant effort to enhance the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global travel industry, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has officially launched the Together in Travel SME initiative. VFS Global has joined this initiative as a Founding Partner. The WTTC serves as the only global entity representing the...
Etihad Airways has kicked off its annual summer sale, offering travelers significant discounts on flights. Customers can enjoy up to 30 percent off fares to a variety of destinations, with travel available from May 1 to September 30, 2025. This sale is a great opportunity for those looking to escape the UAE heat for cooler...
The Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, known as Visit Dubai, has announced the launch of the Beautiful Destinations Academy, Powered by Dubai. This innovative professional development initiative aims to establish new global standards for travel content creation and respond to the growing need for skilled marketing talent in the tourism sector. Issam Kazim,...