Category: Travel & Tourism

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Lite Blogs Travel Travel & Tourism

Maldives records highest tourist arrivals in Oct

The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort

According to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the country will this year cross the mark of a million tourist arrivals by the end of October…reports Asian Lite News.

Over 100,000 tourists have visited the Maldives in the month of October, the state-owned PSM News citing data from the Ministry of Tourism said on Tuesday.

Ministry data showed that 102,434 tourists visited the Maldives from October 1 to 24, a 599 per cent increase from the same period in 2020 but a 2 per cent decrease compared to 2019, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Maldives has recorded a total of 973,269 tourist arrivals so far this year, or a daily average of 4,454.

According to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the country will this year cross the mark of a million tourist arrivals by the end of October.

India and Russia were the biggest sources of tourist arrivals for the Maldives, accounting for 23 per cent and 19 per cent of all arrivals, respectively.

They were followed by visitors from France, Kazakhstan, Spain, Ukraine, the UK and the US.

The country’s borders had been fully closed for three months last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic before they were reopened in July 2020.

The borders were closed for South Asian tourists due to a surge of Covid-19 cases in May 2021, but were reopened on July 15.

Tourism is the largest economic industry in the Maldives, as it plays an important role in earning foreign exchange revenues and employing thousands of citizens.

ALSO READ-OPEC Fund extends $10mn loan to Bank of Maldives

READ MORE-Cabinet approves MoU between India, Maldives

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-Top News Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism

Another boost for Lankan tourism

In addition, from the first week of December, Russia’s AZUR Air and Italy’s Neos Air will fly twice a week to Colombo…reports Asian Lite News

 The Sri Lankan government has approved five new airlines to operate into the country before the end of this year aimed at boosting tourist arrivals following the easing of Covid curbs, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

Accordingly, Sweden’s Edelweiss Air will operate a weekly flight and Russia’s Aeroflot twice a week from November 1, while Air France will fly three times a week from November 3, reports Xinhua news agency.

In addition, from the first week of December, Russia’s AZUR Air and Italy’s Neos Air will fly twice a week to Colombo, the Minister said.

The operations of these airlines into the country will be subject to strict health guidelines.

“The aim is to enhance foreign earnings through the revival of the tourism industry and contribute to the national economy,” Ranatunga said.

With international travel having begun following the administration of the vaccine against Covid-19 globally, nearly 16,500 tourists had arrived in Sri Lanka between October 1 and 24, boosting hopes for the crisis-ridden industry.

“If the trend continues, October is likely to record the highest monthly arrivals for this year,” Ranatunga said

“With the easing of travel restrictions, there is a growing interest from global travellers to visit the country,” the Minister added.

According to official figures, September saw the highest arrival of 13,547 tourists, thereby boosting the first nine months’ figure to over 54,768.

The majority of these tourists were from India, the UK, Pakistan, Russia, Germany, Maldives, Canada, France, the US and Indonesia.

ALSO READ: US announces additional aid to Afghanistan

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-Top News Travel & Tourism UAE News

Emirates, Maldives ink tourism deal at Dubai Expo

Emirates, Maldives ink tourism deal at Dubai Expo

Emirates has reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the Maldives by extending a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism earlier this week…reports Asian Lite News

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, met Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives, at the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The MoU was signed by Ahmed Khoory, SVP Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean at Emirates, and Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Minister of Tourism of the Maldives, and Thoyyib Mohamed, CEO and Managing Director, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation.

EXPO 2020

Khoory said, “Maldives is a very integral market in Emirates’ network and we are very pleased to be renewing our commitment to the island-nation today. Emirates has proudly served the country for more than 34 years and we look forward to continue strengthening our long-standing partnership, and to boosting the country’s trade and tourism industry.”

For his part, Dr. Mausoom said, “With over 1,000 flights and visits from 170,000 passenger arrivals to the Maldives this year, Emirates Airline continues to be a very important partner in Maldives Tourism success story. Ministry of Tourism is confident that this tri-party MoU between Emirates Airline, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation MMPRC and the Ministry, will connect the Maldives better with UAE and the world, support tourism development and promote tourism.”

Thoyyib Mohamed, CEO and Managing Director, Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation, said: “Our relationship with Emirates Airline is one that spans over three decades. A great deal of the success of the Maldives tourism industry can be attributed to the long-lasting and fruitful relations we have with airlines – and Emirates is no exception.”

ALSO READ: Expo Records Nearly 1.5 Million Visits in 24 Days

The agreement reaffirms the airline’s commitment to the island-nation and outlines key initiatives to continue supporting the country’s tourism recovery. Since January 2021, the airline has operated the highest number of passenger flights to the Maldives, connecting 170,000 passengers to the country, from more than 100 destinations including the top markets, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Germany, United States of America, and Czech Republic.

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Travel Travel & Tourism World

Israel lifts official travel warning to Morocco

Israel lifts official travel warning to Morocco

Israel has lifted an official travel warning for trips to Morocco which has been in effect for the past 10 years…reports Asian Lite News

“It has been decided to cancel the travel warning for Morocco that has been in place for over a decade,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office said in a statement.

The move came following a recommendation by the National Security Council to cancel the official warning, reports Xinhua news agency.

Israel lifts official travel warning to Morocco

“This decision was made in light of an assessment of the situation according to which the estimated threat level in Morocco has declined,” the office said.

However, the office recommended Israelis to “continue showing increased alert” while travelling in Morocco.

ALSO READ: Israel and Lebanon urged to respect the Blue Line

The shift came as ties between the two counties have been warming up in the wake of the signing of the US-brokered normalization deal in December 2020.

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-Top News Abu Dhabi Travel & Tourism

Mein Schiff’s Arrival at Port Zayed Marks Start of Cruise Tourism

With world-class terminal operations and services, Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal offers the ultimate destination for international cruise lines and passengers…reports Asian Lite News

The German vessel MEIN SCHIFF 6 arrived at Mina Zayed, today, with 1,252 vacationers onboard, signaling the start of a much-awaited cruise tourism season.

Inaugurated by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council in December 2015, the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal was developed by AD Ports Group as the first dedicated permanent cruise infrastructure in the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

The cruise terminal is situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi and operates from Zayed Port, the first commercial port in the emirate. Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal has established itself as a prime gateway for cruise visitors to experience fun-filled opportunities amid Abu Dhabi’s deep-rooted heritage and culture.

Spanning over 7,800 square metres, the spacious and modern terminal can host three vessels simultaneously via 900 metres of available berth space.

An extensive portfolio of services, such as airline check-in for onward travel and baggage services to ease transfers, meet the needs of visitors. Additionally, adjacent to the terminal, a vibrant retail and F&B hub, Marsa Mina, provides a taste of Arabian entertainment and hospitality, while health and safety and guest well-being remains a key focus across all terminal operations.

With world-class terminal operations and services, Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal offers the ultimate destination for international cruise lines and passengers.

Commenting on the phased return to normalcy, Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri, Managing Director – Cruise Business, AD Ports Group, said, “AD Ports Group is delighted to see the resumption of cruise activities in Abu Dhabi, marking the beginning of the cruise season for 2021/2022. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all passengers, AD Ports Group has formulated a comprehensive management strategy and a cruise management plan that aligns with the emirate’s health protocols for international arrivals. In addition, we are also focusing on enhancing the visitor experience by offering a portfolio of services within the terminal. Our aim is to support the future growth of the emirate’s tourism economy and strengthen the UAE capital’s position as a world-class hub for maritime tourism.”

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi Gearing Up For Desert Challenge

For his part, Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, said, “We are very excited to see the resumption of cruise activities in Abu Dhabi and to welcome visitors to the capital of the UAE once again. Our top priority remains the well-being of all travellers visiting our esteemed emirate, and to that end AD Ports Group’s implementation of a number of health and safety measures across the terminal, means that passengers can travel with confidence safe in the knowledge that every measure is being undertaken to ensure their good health during their stay in Abu Dhabi.

“At AD Ports Group, we remain fully committed to supporting and developing the UAE’s cruise industry and confident that the industry will continue to serve as a key contributing factor to the development of a diversified and sustainable economy within the heart of Abu Dhabi.”

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News Travel & Tourism World

The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort

The resort is expected to reopen on May 1, 2022 for guests to indulge in the abundance of experience that awaits…reports Asian Lite News

Following excellent results during the summer season despite the pandemic, The Emerald Collection further establishes its focus in the Maldives and the Indian Ocean, announcing the acquisition of a second 5-star luxury property in Raa Atoll, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa.

The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort

The resort is expected to reopen on May 1, 2022 for guests to indulge in the abundance of experience that awaits. Originally inaugurated in summer 2019, the resort will return to welcome international travelers under the aegis of The Emerald Collection. The resort will undergo a careful restyling to integrate the Italian touch, a part of the brand’s DNA, along with a series of new services.

Immersed in lush greenery and surrounded by a 100-hectare private lagoon with natural coral reef, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is located on an intimate 7-hectare island in Raa Atoll, just a 25-minute journey by boat from the first property of the Group in the destination; Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa and is already in the affiliation phase in The Leading Hotels of the World circuit.

Guests can unwind in any of the 80 luxurious independent villas that boast refined and contemporary style, featuring warm colors of wood and an abundance of natural stone. The resort also features a private dock that leads to 39 Water Villas with Pool and three Superior Water Villas with Pool. Adding further to the incredible offering, the resort will feature 27 Beach Villas, 10 of which are accompanied with private pools, along with 10 Family Beach Villas with Pool and one Presidential Beach Villa.

The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort

The key highlight of the property will once again be the brand’s signature Deluxe All-Inclusive offering, included in the cost of the stay, featuring countless water and land sports activities, as well as the à la carte gourmet experiences in its four restaurants of international cuisine and two bars that will serve a selection of the best international grape, hops and spirits.

The Emerald Spa is immersed in a tropical garden with eight panoramic treatment rooms featuring a futuristic design, sauna, Turkish bath, outdoor jacuzzi and relaxation area. The spa will be the ideal refuge where guests can spend moments of tranquility and indulge in rebalancing massages based on natural products by ELEMIS brand, following their day of discovering Maldivian underwater wonders.

Among the innovations that will be introduced by The Emerald Collection is the Dolphin Kids Club. Conceived as a real “kids resort within the resort”, providing a rich program of dedicated activities, the kid’s club will provide a child-friendly stay to the little guests at the property. It will also offer a Sports Center located in the island’s private marina with a Technogym-equipped fitness center overlooking the sea, along with tennis and padel courts.

ALSO READ: Tanzania allocates $39.2 mn for tourism recovery

Upon announcing the expansion, Aldo Scarapicchia, Partner & Managing Director of The Emerald Collection commented, “We are excited about this new acquisition which allows us to consolidate the presence of The Emerald Collection as a luxury hospitality brand in the Indian Ocean with a focus on sustainability. Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is significantly different from Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, both in design and in the concept, which in this case is characterized by what we call ´Barefoot Elegance´ luxury and modern in style. Starting from next Summer, we will offer our guests an incredible experience of island hopping in a Deluxe All-Inclusive offering on two islands whose landscape and facilities will be complementary, mainly with the combined accommodation packages between the sister properties.”

  • The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort
  • The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort
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Arab News Travel & Tourism World

Israel to reopen for fully vaccinated tourists

Israel to reopen for fully vaccinated tourists

Israel will be reopened to tourists fully vaccinated against Covid-19…reports Asian Lite News

Starting from November 1, Israel will be reopened to tourists fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to a plan jointly drafted by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office and the Ministries of Tourism and Health.

Israel to reopen for fully vaccinated tourists

Under the plan, individual tourists who are fully inoculated with vaccines produced by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinovac, and Sinopharm will be allowed to enter the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

People who have recently recovered from Covid-19 would also be allowed to enter the country if they had received a booster dose of a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization, according to the plan.

ALSO READ: Israeli medical residents and interns to return to work

The plan is subjected to updates “according to developments and the discovery of new variants,” and will be brought for final approval of the cabinet later this month.

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Lite Blogs Travel & Tourism

Enjoy a peaceful and pampered getaway in Seychelles

Couples who prefer adventure, instead of lounging about all day can now pick Seychelles over Maldives for their getaway. As the country eases restrictions on travel, here’s a list of all the fun you can explore.

Hopping the islands

Nothing puts you in touch with adventure and the grand diversity of this archipelago like island-hopping. Mahe, Praslin and La Digue are the principal islands but there are many others to enjoy as well. In contrast to the mountainous Inner Islands, Bird and Denis Islands to the north are flat coral island outposts offering wild nature at its finest while Fregate to the east and the Outer Islands of Desroches and Alphonse are the ultimate remote tropical getaways. Island-hopping around the Seychelles archipelago introduces you to the incredible diversity of these islands.

A network of air and sea connections places these islands within easy reach, with excursions by local operators offering the chance of day trips to the closer islands where you can enjoy nature walks, swimming, snorkelling and traditional Creole food which is a delicious fusion of old French kitchen and Indian and Chinese culinary traditions that produce such masterpieces as freshly baked fish basted with garlic, ginger and chillies; coconut curries; terrines and fruits used as vegetables in a variety of piquant chutneys.

Hitting the water

With limpid, warm turquoise waters and a climate of perpetual summer, Seychelles is ideal for water sports. Mahe Island’s Beau Vallon bay is where to enjoy paragliding, water skiing, jet-skiing, banana rides and wind-surfing. The islands’ water sports centres and hotels can hire your snorkelling equipment and sometimes canoes for that individual sortie into the big blue but watch for signage indicating strong currents or other hazards. Operators offer deep-sea fishing in waters offering one of the most varied catches on the planet, including marlin, sailfish, tuna, jobfish, dorado and barracuda. Land-based and boat-based dive centres can introduce you to some of the best diving on the planet on both granite and coral reefs.

Blazing the turquoise trail

A new activity that blends beautifully with the stunning Seychelles backdrop is horse riding, now available on Mahe Island. Stables are neatly arranged, professionally operated with a string of gorgeous Appaloosa horses. Travellers have the delight of riding beautiful horses with treks into the lushly vegetated countryside along little-used paths, especially carved out to make the most of the surroundings and to introduce you to the very best of Seychelles’ natural beauty as you ride flanked by pristine forest and the mighty Indian Ocean. Travellers can now have riding lessons, countryside treks, riding on glorious Grand Anse beach, romantic picnics for couples in picturesque settings complete with Champagne and canapes, wedding celebrations and photoshoots, and even swimming with a horse in the ocean.

Ziplining & rock climbing

On the island of Mahe, you can find many other activities such as rock climbing, ziplining and abseiling facilities. Zip-lines range from 80 -120m, suspended both within and above a beautiful, pristine forest canopy, allowing the adventurer the opportunity to sail through the vegetation almost within touching distance on an exhilarating ride. This ride is an adrenaline rush as you speed through the emerald panoply at high speed catching glimpses of the ocean as you descend, as if on hidden wings. You can also have a sensational rock-climbing experience on an 18-metre granite cliff face in a controlled, safe environment which allows you to have a feel of mountaineering but without the danger.

Sailing and cruising the islands

With a near-perfect climate and islands well outside the cyclone belt, the Seychelles archipelago leaves little to be desired when it comes to sailing and cruising. Seychelles’ extraordinary marine scene offers breath-taking panoramas, easy sailing distances and great moorings in many a secluded bay.

Sailing and cruising can be enjoyed from a state-of-the-art fleet of single hulls and catamarans which you can hire either skippered or bare-boat, choosing to stay within the area of the Inner Islands or setting your sails for adventure among the more remote Outer Islands to be greeted by reef islands, sand cays, sapphire lagoons and teeming wildlife.

The big advantage of sailing the Seychelles archipelago is that it is a year-round activity although sailors should bear in mind that the south-east trades which blow from May to September bring with them somewhat stronger winds and rougher seas. Another plus is that the waters around the islands are still relatively uncongested and, very often, the only sails you may see will be your own.

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COVID-19 Travel & Tourism World

Israel started enforcing ‘Green Pass’ restrictions

Israel has started enforcing its ‘Green Pass’ restrictions, limiting entry to various public venues only to people who have received a third Covid-19 booster shot…reports Asian Lite News

The enforcement of the Green Pass, part of the Israeli government’s plan to fight the coronavirus, started on Sunday after more than two weeks of delay, reports Xinhua news agency.

Under the new guidelines, a person will have to receive a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine in order to be considered fully vaccinated and be eligible to receive the Green Pass.

Israel started enforcing ‘Green Pass’ restrictions

People who have recently recuperated are also eligible.

The Green Pass is a barcode valid for six months that enables entry to various venues, including restaurants, cafes, bars, cultural and sporting events, cinemas, weddings, gyms, conferences and hotels.

In order to comply with the new rules, these venues are now obliged to scan QR codes before allowing entry.

The enforcement of the Green Pass was supposed to begin on October 3 but was postponed over “technical difficulties”, according to the Health Ministry.

ASLO READ: UAE, Israel Agree to Boost Tourism Ties

The move comes amid a sharp drop in new infections and severe illness in Israel, with a decrease of about 80 per cent in the number of daily cases since early September.

After a peak of 766 severe cases in late August, the number dropped to 388 on Sunday.

“It is possible to say with caution that we are defeating the fourth wave,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.

However, he warned that the current outbreak, driven by the quick spread of the Delta variant, is not over yet.

“We are not taking the foot off the gas and are not taking off the masks… We are continuing to see to full stocks of vaccines and tests,” Bennett said.

He also noted that the Israeli government is preparing for a possible another coronavirus wave.

“We are preparing the infrastructure for the Omega scenario, the code name for a new variant, and of course, we are preparing for the winter, for a combination of flu and the coronavirus,” he said.

The Green Pass is widely seen in Israel as a tool to encourage people to receive the third dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

The government has based its strategy to tackle the current fourth wave on large-scale vaccination rollout.

So far, some 41 per cent of the country’s 9.3 million people have received the third dose, according to official figures.

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COVID-19 Travel & Tourism World

Tanzania allocates $39.2 mn for tourism recovery

Tanzania allots $39.2 mn for tourism recovery

Tanzania has allocated $39.2 million for implementation of 23 projects aimed at revamping the tourism sector affected by the Covid-19 pandemic…reports Asian Lite News

Damas Ndumbaro, the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, told a press conference in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam that the funds were part of the $567.25 million approved in September by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reports Xinhua news agency.

Tanzania allots $39.2 mn for tourism recovery

The IMF approved the funds in emergency financial assistance to Tanzania under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rapid Financing Instrument to support the authorities’ efforts in responding to the pandemic by addressing the urgent health, humanitarian, and economic costs.

Ndumbaro said projects to be implemented include renovation of infrastructure, installation of security systems, purchase of mobile test kits for testing Covid-19 infections among tourists and acquisition of transportation facilities.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi PHC to unveil newest smart application

“These projects will simplify access to different tourist attractions and subsequently reviving the tourism sector,” said the official.

He said part of the funds will be used to renovate roads leading to Serengeti, Mkomazi, Tarangire, Nyerere, Kilimanjaro, Saadani and Gombe national parks.

Ndumbaro added that the funds will also be used to conserve forests managed by state-run Tanzania Forests Services Agency.