Jordan sees robust growth in tourism revenue
Jordan experienced a 41.3 per cent surge in tourism revenue over the first eight months of the year, compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, according to Central Bank of Jordan data.
This uptick has been attributed to a noticeable rise in tourist arrivals, said a Petra news agency report.
As per the bank’s recent data release, the tourism sector’s earning stood at approximately JD3.651 billion ($5.150 billion) during the period.
This was bolstered by the 41.9 per cent increase in tourist arrivals during the period, totalling around 4.504 million, the report said.
The bank highlighted that overnight tourists rose to 3.757 million, reflecting a 38.5 per cent growth, while the day-trippers segment saw a tally of 747,000, showing an increase of 61.3 per cent.
In a month-on-month comparison, August’s tourism income grew by 10.8 per cent from last year, registering JD646.2 million ($911.4 million) for the month.
Oman’s hotel revenues surge to $317m
The revenues of three- and five-star hotels in Oman saw an increase of 28 per cent at the end of July 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
The revenues amounted to about OMR122.53 million ($316.87 million), compared to OMR95.84 million ($248.94 million) for the same period in 2022.
Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information indicated that the total number of guests in these hotels increased by 25.8 per cent, registering about 1,98,157 guests at the end of last July, compared to 872,796 guests in the same period in 2022, while the occupancy rate recorded a growth of 10.3 per cent.
The number of Omani guests reached 411,551, while the number of guests from the Gulf region increased by 19.1 per cent, to 99,947. The number of European guests increased by 44.4 per cent, to 259,649.
Seychelles Tourism partners with dnata Travel
The Tourism Seychelles office in the Middle East recently conducted a destination Presentation in collaboration with Dnata Travel Consultants, a leading travel group and service provider.
As part of its continuous efforts to increase the destination’s brand visibility in the GCC Region, Seychelles Tourism, through its Middle East office, has embarked on a joint campaign with Dnata Travel, targeting its offices in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai & Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Iraq, said a statement.
A vital component of the initiative involved conducting an informative training presentation for 35 consultants from Dnata Travel’s Leisure, Corporate, and Gold Medal brands. This activity was an opportunity to update the travel specialists with the latest entry procedures for Seychelles, provide information on new and upcoming hotels, and the Halal requirements, to name a few.
The GCC region, particularly the UAE, remains a pivotal market for Seychelles tourism. Given the proximity of Seychelles as a short-haul destination with excellent flight connections from the UAE through carriers like Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways, as well as Qatar Airways from Qatar, Tourism Seychelles Middle East will continually increase its efforts to keep Seychelles on top of the mind of the travel trade, consumer and media, said the statement.
AlUla Wellness Festival returns
AlUla Moments announced the return of the much-anticipated AlUla Wellness Festival 2023, taking place from October 19 to November 4.
The two-week flagship festival is dedicated to promoting mind, body, and wellness and offers a diverse array of holistic workshops and activities inspired by AlUla’s rich historical and natural heritage.
The third edition of the AlUla Wellness Festival promises holistic offerings, guiding participants and attendees towards physical, mental, and emotional balance and alignment.
Rami Al Mouallim, Vice President, Royal Commission of AlUla, said: “Reflecting on the remarkable journey since the inception of the AlUla Wellness Festival grand opening in October 2020, we take immense pride in curating events that celebrate the beauty and essence of every season in AlUla.”