Latest news with #AbdullabinTouqAlMarri
Mid East Info
a day ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
In the Presence of H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri MAJRA National CSR Fund signs MoU with Careem to support delivery captains during summer months
More than 60,000 delivery captains expected to benefit from mobile rest stations, hydration kits, and health checkups ● Initiatives open to all delivery captains in the UAE Dubai, UAE –June 2025: MAJRA National CSR Fund announces a signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Careem, in the Presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees. The MoU aims to enhance joint cooperation in Careem's Annual Summer Initiatives to support delivery captains during the UAE's hottest months. This year's campaign expands to offer a broader range of support across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, benefitting over 60,000 delivery captains from different platforms. These initiatives include the deployment of air-conditioned mobile rest areas and sustainable, solar-powered rest stops. These stations are equipped with temperature control, free Wi-Fi, drinking water, and refreshments. Strategically placed across high-traffic locations, they offer captains a safe and comfortable place to pause and rehydrate during shifts. Mudassir Sheikha, CEO and co-founder of Careem, commented: 'Summer in the UAE is challenging for those on the road, especially delivery captains. Our summer initiatives were designed to provide tangible, on-the-ground support to make it easier and safer for captains to earn. This year we're proud to partner with MAJRA National CSR Fund to expand these benefits across the UAE.' Sarah Shaw, CEO of MAJRA National CSR Fund, said: 'The Annual Summer Initiatives is an exceptional campaign that will offer on-the-field support and ensure safety with distinguished services for over 60,000 delivery captains, who face numerous challenges during the hottest times in the summer season. Furthermore, the signing of the MoU with Careem is in line with the 'Year of Community' and is part of MAJRA's initiatives to promote all projects and campaigns that are launched across the UAE.' Careem is distributing Captain Kits – with towels, water bottles, and hydration supplements. In partnership with Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), Careem will provide free on-ground health screenings at PAD premises throughout the summer. Captains will also benefit from added hydration and cooling services including free ice cream, fresh fruit juices, and cold water dispensers stationed across key delivery zones. About Careem: Careem is building 'the everything app' for the greater Middle East, making it easier than ever to move around, order food and groceries, manage payments, and more. Careem is led by a powerful purpose to simplify and improve the lives of people and build an awesome organisation that inspires. Since 2012, Careem has created earning opportunities for over 3.5 million captains, simplified the lives of over 75 million customers, and built a platform for the region's best talent to thrive and for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. Careem operates in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan.
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Gulf Bloc Greenlights 'Grand Tours' Visa for Seamless Horizons
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Approval has arrived for the unified tourist permit spanning Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain, clearing the path for cross‑border travel under a single application, akin to Europe's Schengen system. UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri confirmed that the visa has moved to implementation stage, now resting with GCC interior ministries and security agencies for final coordination. Governments in all six member states have endorsed the scheme unanimously, reflecting a strategic priority to deepen tourism cooperation through the GCC 2030 strategy. Oman's Minister of Heritage and Tourism, Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, disclosed that preliminary blueprinting and feedback were concluded by end‑2023, and final approval occurred at the Muscat ministerial meeting this month. The GCC Secretary‑General, Jassim Al‑Budaiwi, expressed optimism about deployment by end‑2025, with technical alignment underway. ADVERTISEMENT Experts anticipate the visa will be valid for at least 30 days, potentially extendable to 90, facilitating flexible travel across the region. Applications are expected to be submitted online, with a choice between single‑state access or multi‑country entry, and accompanied by standard requirements—passport, photo, accommodation proof, insurance, and return travel documentation. Industry stakeholders predict this measure will significantly boost 'bleisure' tourism by intertwining business and leisure travel, expanding multi‑destination offerings and joint marketing opportunities. Dubai alone logged 7.15 million international visitors from January to April 2025, a 7 per cent increase year‑on‑year, with regional tourism already generating $110.4 billion in 2023 from 68.1 million arrivals. Polls by Oxford Economics estimate the visa could draw up to 22 million extra visitors and inject an additional $26 billion of tourist spending by 2030. Roland Berger further outlines that inter‑GCC travel has significant room for growth, supported by strong transport infrastructure, cultural assets and mega‑event calendars. National tourism strategies across the Gulf have outlined commitments to invest in hotels, cultural destinations, transport connectivity and digital innovation. Economy‑diversifying goals align with visa harmonisation, which is viewed as a lever to translate policy into visitor flows. Key questions remain around pricing and fee structure. While details have yet to emerge, observers expect integrated visa costs to be lower than applying separately to each state, with validity spanning up to three months. The visa is also anticipated to support lesser‑visited Gulf destinations. Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait could benefit from spill‑over tourism that pilots through Dubai before exploring quieter cultural or natural sites. Coordination challenges remain for interior ministries around border systems and security protocols. These are now being finalised ahead of implementation, with the official rollout expected later in 2025. As the Gulf coalition moves from theory to mechanics, attention turns to how the visa will revolutionise travel dynamics. With a single application, global tourists will be empowered to hop between hyper‑modern cityscapes, desert oases and heritage enclaves—now under one permit.
Web Release
2 days ago
- Business
- Web Release
Hospitality Advisory Council discusses new national initiatives to boost growth and employment opportunities in the sector
The Hospitality Advisory Council convened its second meeting of 2025 under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. The session brought together 16 Council members, including CEOs and senior executives from leading national and international hotel groups. Discussions focused on a range of new national initiatives developed in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the growth of the UAE's hospitality sector. The initiatives also aim to generate employment opportunities across all sectors of this vital industry. H.E. Bin Touq said: 'Thanks to the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE's tourism and hospitality sectors continue to thrive. In the first quarter of 2025, hotel revenues reached AED 13.5 billion, with over 8.4 million guests recorded, a two per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total hotel nights reached 29.3 million, and the national hotel occupancy rate stood at 81.3 per cent during the same period.' H.E. added: 'These impressive figures reflect the UAE's strong commitment to advancing its hospitality industry in line with global best practices. We have invested heavily in developing hotel and entertainment infrastructure across all seven emirates, organizing major international events, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that reflect authentic Emirati heritage and culture. As a result, the UAE has become one of the world's leading hospitality destinations today.' The Minister of Economy continued: 'The year 2025 marks a major milestone for UAE tourism, marked by the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as the first woman globally to serve as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for the term 2026-2029. This achievement reinforces the UAE's prominent role in supporting international efforts to advance the global tourism industry.' The meeting's discussions covered a comprehensive array of key files and initiatives that support the UAE's efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of its hospitality sector. Participants emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to establish the UAE as the top global tourism brand by the next decade. The Council also reviewed the newly launched 'Summer Hospitality Camp' program by the Ministry of Economy. It is designed to support Emiratization across hospitality-related sectors by offering hands-on training to school and university students in real-world environments such as hotels and tourism facilities, in addition to its structured learning tracks. Established by the Emirates Tourism Council, the Hospitality Advisory Council serves as a strategic advisory body to the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council on matters specific to the hospitality sector. It provides insights and data on industry developments, recommends private-sector initiatives to drive sector growth and reinforce the UAE's position as a leading global tourism destination, and offers feedback on government tourism policies and initiatives.
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Hospitality Advisory Council discusses new national initiatives to boost growth and employment opportunities in the sector
Tourism and hospitality sectors see sustained growth as hotel occupancy rates reach 81.3% in Q1 2025 The Hospitality Advisory Council convened its second meeting of 2025 under the chairmanship of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. The session brought together 16 Council members, including CEOs and senior executives from leading national and international hotel groups. Discussions focused on a range of new national initiatives developed in partnership with the private sector to accelerate the growth of the UAE's hospitality sector. The initiatives also aim to generate employment opportunities across all sectors of this vital industry. H.E. Bin Touq said: 'Thanks to the vision and guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE's tourism and hospitality sectors continue to thrive. In the first quarter of 2025, hotel revenues reached AED 13.5 billion, with over 8.4 million guests recorded, a two per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total hotel nights reached 29.3 million, and the national hotel occupancy rate stood at 81.3 per cent during the same period.' H.E. added: 'These impressive figures reflect the UAE's strong commitment to advancing its hospitality industry in line with global best practices. We have invested heavily in developing hotel and entertainment infrastructure across all seven emirates, organizing major international events, and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that reflect authentic Emirati heritage and culture. As a result, the UAE has become one of the world's leading hospitality destinations today.' The Minister of Economy continued: 'The year 2025 marks a major milestone for UAE tourism, marked by the election of Shaikha Al Nowais as the first woman globally to serve as Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for the term 2026-2029. This achievement reinforces the UAE's prominent role in supporting international efforts to advance the global tourism industry.' The meeting's discussions covered a comprehensive array of key files and initiatives that support the UAE's efforts to enhance the growth and competitiveness of its hospitality sector. Participants emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to meet the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy 2031, which aims to establish the UAE as the top global tourism brand by the next decade. The Council also reviewed the newly launched 'Summer Hospitality Camp' program by the Ministry of Economy. It is designed to support Emiratization across hospitality-related sectors by offering hands-on training to school and university students in real-world environments such as hotels and tourism facilities, in addition to its structured learning tracks. Established by the Emirates Tourism Council, the Hospitality Advisory Council serves as a strategic advisory body to the Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council on matters specific to the hospitality sector. It provides insights and data on industry developments, recommends private-sector initiatives to drive sector growth and reinforce the UAE's position as a leading global tourism destination, and offers feedback on government tourism policies and initiatives.
ILoveQatar.net
2 days ago
- Business
- ILoveQatar.net
GCC single tourist visa approved, roll out expected soon
Khaleej Times reported on 16 June 2025 an announcement made by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE's Minister of Economy, stating that the GCC single tourist visa has been approved and is set to be rolled out soon. The statement made by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri to Khaleej Times was as follows: 'The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and waiting now to be implemented, hopefully, soon. Now, it is with the Ministry of Interior and the relevant stakeholders and they should look into it.' The GCC single tourist visa would allow international visitors to travel across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain with one visa.
