Izmir, as a pioneer in sustainable tourism in Turkey, has become the first city to receive the Sustainable Tourism Destination Certificate in collaboration with the largest international network of sustainable tourism destinations.Izmir joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in 2023 and initiated research to obtain the Sustainable Tourism Certificate. Now, with the acquisition of this certificate, the city is taking steps towards becoming a significant sustainable tourism destination by implementing relevant strategies.To ensure the proper implementation of the certification process and meeting its criteria, the Destination Management Unit was established within the Tourism Directorate of İzmir Municipality.
Create: Apr 24, 2024 Edit: Apr 24, 2024 International NewsHilton hoteliers announced the acquisition of a majority stake in the Sidel Group, bringing the luxurious and exclusive Nobu Hotels, currently only based in London, to global destinations.Nobu Hotels, renowned for their stylish designs and unparalleled services, offer a unique and memorable experience for their guests. The brand is celebrated for its unconventional approach to hospitality.With this acquisition, Hilton can expand Nobu Hotels into high-end markets worldwide, providing an excellent opportunity to attract luxury travelers and offer them new and exciting experiences.
Create: Apr 24, 2024 Edit: Apr 24, 2024 International NewsAccording to preliminary statistics from the Saudi Arabian Central Bank, the expenditure of foreign tourists in the country reached a new record in 2023, totaling $35.95 billion. This figure indicates a growth of 42.8 percent compared to 2022 and marks the highest level of foreign tourist spending in the country's history. Furthermore, the World Tourism Organization's Tourism Barometer report in January 2024 showed that tourist arrivals in Saudi Arabia in 2023 increased by 156 percent compared to 2019. These achievements demonstrate Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop its tourism industry and become an attractive global destination for tourists.
Create: Apr 17, 2024 Edit: Apr 17, 2024 International NewsIn a move to facilitate tourist entry, Japan has launched its Electronic Visa (eVISA) system. Implemented since April 1st, 2024, this initiative allows citizens of India and other eligible countries to apply online for short-term visas. In this process, applicants receive a digital visa issuance notification upon completion of the electronic application form. The aim of this scheme is to streamline travel procedures and enhance tourism exchanges between Japan and its global partners.
Create: Apr 17, 2024 Edit: Apr 17, 2024 International NewsThe Red Sea International Airport is on the verge of welcoming its inaugural international flight. Operated by Flydubai, the flight will directly connect Dubai International Airport to the Red Sea International Airport starting from April 18.With this new flight, destination connectivity at the Red Sea will be strengthened within the global travel network, operating twice weekly.With the commencement of Flydubai operations, the airport's flight schedule will increase to eight flights per week.
Create: Apr 17, 2024 Edit: Apr 17, 2024 International NewsAt the annual airline excellence awards ceremony, Qatar Airways has been selected as the winner of the "Best Hospitality Service of 2024" award.The selection criteria included the quality and variety of food, offering dishes suitable for passengers from various nationalities, services provided by flight attendants, and the quality of utensils and equipment used. Qatar Airways has received this award multiple times in previous years and was also recognized as the second-best airline globally for hospitality services in 2023.This award underscores Qatar Airways' commitment to providing high-quality services to its passengers.
Create: Apr 3, 2024 Edit: Apr 3, 2024 International NewsAccording to published data, Dubai secured the second position globally in hotel room reservations last year, surpassing New York, Paris, and Singapore by a significant margin. London claimed the top spot in terms of reserved hotel rooms with approximately 43 million room nights, followed by Dubai with 41.8 million room nights, placing it second. In the midst of this, New York ranked third with 36 million room nights, while Paris secured the fourth position with approximately 24.7 million room nights, and Singapore stood fifth with 20.4 million room nights.
Create: Apr 3, 2024 Edit: Apr 3, 2024 International NewsIn 2024, Qatar will transform into a global focal point by hosting 80 significant cultural, sports, and scientific events.Organized by the Qatar Tourism Authority, these events provide a unique opportunity for visitors from around the world to experience Qatar's cultural diversity, creativity, and innovation. The comprehensive calendar for the year 2024 in Qatar, recently released by the Qatar Tourism Authority, encompasses a wide spectrum of events in various fields.Hosting these events provides Qatar with an unparalleled opportunity to emerge as a global tourist destination and showcase its cultural diversity, creativity, and innovation to the world)
Create: Feb 28, 2024 Edit: Feb 28, 2024 International NewsBooking.com has recently unveiled a list of top destinations for food and restaurants in Southeast Asia, based on feedback from its global users.Leading the list are Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, recognized as the most visited cities in the region. These cities are renowned as cultural and culinary hubs, boasting a variety of international restaurants. Additionally, the list includes multiple entries from countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, showcasing the unparalleled diversity of Southeast Asian cuisine.
Create: Feb 23, 2024 Edit: Feb 23, 2024 International NewsThe Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands with 40 hotel brands, has announced a new record in 2023.Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, the alliance witnessed a 20% increase in Gross Operating Revenue (GDR) compared to 2022. Additionally, the number of reservations surged by 30%, with a 25% increase in member hotels. GHA also expanded into 10 new markets in 2023. This success is attributed to various factors including GHA's focus on innovation and technology, providing unique services and benefits to member hotels, and establishing a strong network of independent hotels worldwide.
Create: Feb 23, 2024 Edit: Feb 23, 2024 International NewsExciting news from Saudi Arabia's Tourism Minister, Ahmed Al-Khatib, who revealed the country welcomed over 100 million visitors last year, achieving Vision 2030 goals.Discussions abound on the strategies behind this milestone, with experts pointing to new laws, regulations, and marketing efforts. Al-Khatib aims even higher, setting a target of 150 million visitors. Vision 2030's Quality of Life initiative and streamlined visa procedures are credited for driving tourism growth. Saudi Arabia's remarkable transformation in tourism since Vision 2030's launch positions it as a leading global destination.
Create: Feb 23, 2024 Edit: Feb 23, 2024 International NewsTurkish airlines , a global leader in aviation, has hailed a major move made by Türkiye to extend visa-free entry to the nationals of the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia Tourists from these countries can now spend 90 out of 180 days in Türkiye without a vi The new visa exemption rule is set to bolster ties between Türkiye and these countries, and further strengthen the country’s tourist numbers from 2024, Turkish Airlines noted
Create: Feb 23, 2024 Edit: Feb 23, 2024 International News