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The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Dubai tourism surges with nearly 10 million international visitors in first half of 2025
Dubai received 9.88 million international visitors in the first six months of 2025, Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said. In a post on X, Sheikh Hamdan said the achievement reflects the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to position the emirate among the world's top three global tourism destinations, a target set under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. "The achievement has been driven by strong public-private partnerships and an effective global marketing strategy. A warm welcome to all our visitors – from the heart of the world – Dubai," Sheikh Hamdan said. Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism said the latest figure represents a 6 per cent year-on-year increase. The data highlights Dubai's continuing growth as a global tourism hub, building on its record-breaking year of 2024, when the city welcomed more than 18.72 million international visitors. Dubai Economic Agenda D33 Tourism remains a cornerstone of Dubai's diversified economy, significantly contributing to the country's gross domestic product and job creation. The Dubai Economic Agenda D33, launched in January 2023, aims to double the size of the emirate's economy to Dh32 trillion ($8.7 trillion) by 2033. It features 100 transformational projects designed to make Dubai one of the world's top three cities for tourism, trade and investment. Enhancing visitor experiences and attracting global talent are central pillars of the agenda. Infrastructure and sustainability Under D33, Dubai has expanded its tourism offerings through the introduction of new attractions, cultural initiatives and infrastructure investments. Significant developments, including theme parks, luxury resorts and expanded entertainment districts have strengthened Dubai's appeal to international travellers. The government has also made efforts to enhance accessibility and sustainability in tourism, supporting inclusive destination certification and innovative urban projects, among others. Combined with strong airline connectivity through Emirates and flydubai, these measures have positioned Dubai as a leading choice for leisure and business travellers alike. With visitor numbers still rising steadily, Dubai appears on track to surpass last year's record, advancing its goal of ranking among the world's top three global tourism destinations by 2033.
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
Omantel continues its 'Break the Barrier' campaign as technology partner of Khareef Dhofar 2025
Muscat – Omantel continues to strengthen its prominent presence at Dhofar Khareef, one of the region's most iconic tourism seasons, through a renewed technology partnership with Dhofar Municipality. This collaboration underscores Omantel's commitment to enhancing its brand presence and supporting national efforts to ensure the success of the tourism season, which attracts a growing number of visitors from within and outside the Sultanate. This year's participation comes under the theme 'Break the Barrier,' a campaign designed to inspire visitors to embrace new experiences, move beyond routine, and enjoy the unique autumn atmosphere of Dhofar. The campaign also encourages guests to capture their moments and share them across digital platforms powered by Omantel's advanced network. To ensure a smooth experience for visitors, Omantel has made early preparations by expanding network capacity across key tourist sites and high-traffic areas, while upgrading and redistributing several stations to deliver stronger coverage and ensure exceptional voice and data services even during peak demand. To provide added convenience for visitors, public Wi-Fi is now available at key locations across Dhofar, including Eteen Square, Awaqad Park, and Awdhat Al Madhi, ensuring reliable connectivity throughout their visit. The 'Break the Barrier' campaign further reflects Omantel's commitment to enabling seamless digital engagement, encouraging visitors to create and share memorable moments. In line with this approach, Omantel offers special data bundles and prepaid visitor packages, available through eSIM activation via the 'Omantel' app, at its retail outlets, and at dedicated counters at Muscat and Salalah airports. Beyond technology, Omantel's participation also emphasizes its commitment to supporting youth initiatives and start-ups in Dhofar by providing platforms for showcasing their projects and engaging with visitors. The company is partnering in several cultural and entertainment activities aimed at enriching the visitor experience and fostering stronger community connections. In addition, Omantel is launching technology-driven initiatives in collaboration with local charities and community organizations as part of the corporate social responsibility efforts. Omantel has succeeded, through the integration of its operations, processes, and extensive expertise in the field of communications and digital technology, in establishing its position as a leading telecommunications company within the Sultanate of Oman and beyond. The company's innovative approaches have contributed to providing the latest solutions to various consumer and business sectors. The company aims to deliver an unparalleled, exceptional experience to its subscribers and strives to always exceed their expectations. Omantel is committed towards the achievement of Oman Vision 2040 objectives by investing in emerging technologies and providing cutting-edge solutions in modern technology, information and communications technology, such as cloud solutions, ICT solutions, AI, Smart solutions, cybersecurity, and much more.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Ras Al Khaimah tourism hits record 654,000 visitors in H1 2025, revenue up 9%
Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 654,000 visitors in the first half of 2025, marking a 6 per cent year-on-year increase and driving a 9 per cent rise in tourism revenues, according to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). The Emirate also reported a 36 per cent surge in MICE and weddings revenues, reflecting its growing reputation as a global tourism and events hub. 'These half-year achievements are a clear testament to the strength of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism offering and the impact of its focused strategy,' said Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA. 'With a clear vision to welcome over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030, the Emirate is firmly on track to deliver long-term, sustainable value for its economy, communities, and tourists.' Key international markets drove the record-breaking performance. India led with a 25 per cent increase in arrivals, while the UK (+5 per cent), China (+9.2 per cent), and Russia (+7 per cent ) posted their highest-ever half-year numbers. Central and Eastern Europe delivered standout growth, with Romania up 65 per cent, Poland 56 per cent, Uzbekistan 47 per cent, and Belarus 30 per cent, boosted by new direct flights to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Connectivity and hotel expansion Air connectivity continued to strengthen with new routes from Poland, Romania, Russia, Uzbekistan, and the Czech Republic. The airport's strategic expansion is underway to handle larger aircraft and enhance the visitor experience. The Emirate also advanced its hospitality offering, with high-profile announcements including Four Seasons, Fairmont, Taj, and NH Collection hotels. Rove Al Marjan Island opened in early 2025, and ongoing developments aim to double hotel keys by 2030, reinforcing Ras Al Khaimah's position as one of the region's fastest-growing destinations. Strategic partnerships and event-led tourism Events remained a key driver of Ras Al Khaimah's tourism strategy, with the 18th Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, the UAE Tour's Jebel Jais stage, the DP World Tour's RAK Championship, the highlander hiking series, and the debut of Jais Ride cycling challenge drawing global attention and participants. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has signed several new agreements to attract more visitors and promote the Emirate as a top destination. The partnerships include working with Fujairah Adventures to offer more inter-emirate adventure experiences, teaming up with popular Chinese travel platforms and Tongcheng, and joining forces with four major Saudi travel websites to reach more travelers from the GCC region. With strong half-year performance, expanded infrastructure, and a robust event calendar, Ras Al Khaimah is on a clear path to achieving its 2030 tourism vision and cementing its status as a leading regional destination.
