The Seychelles Tourism Department, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), hosted a two-and-a-half-day consultative workshop starting on Tuesday, 20th August, to evaluate the cruise tourism sector in Seychelles. The workshop aimed to assess the cost-benefit aspects and strategic potential of this growing industry.
Following a situational analysis conducted by UNECA in April 2024, the delegation returned to present their preliminary findings and report, with the workshop serving as a platform for key stakeholders to engage, provide insights, and contribute valuable feedback.
Leading the inaugural discussions were UNECA’s Professor Pius Odunga, Ms. Carine Rukera, and Dr. Geoffrey Manyara alongside Mr. Paul Lebon, Director General for Destination Planning and Development within the Seychelles Tourism Department, who officially opened the event.
The workshop focused on evaluating the current state of the cruise tourism sector, including infrastructure, services, and market trends. Participants explored the challenges and opportunities within the sector, focusing on environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Additionally, participants got the opportunity to work on enhancing collaboration among government agencies, local businesses, and communities. The workshop also sought to develop actionable recommendations and a strategic plan to guide sustainable growth in the sector.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Rukera highlighted the importance of understanding both the financial benefits and costs associated with cruise operations. She stated, “As we engage with all of you present in these few days, it will be imperative to understand financial benefits and costs associated with cruise operations to be able to grab the sector’s overall impact on the Seychelles economy and local economies.”
Ms. Rukera also reaffirmed UNECA’s strong commitment to collaborating with the government of Seychelles to achieve sustainable development and fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by cruise tourism. She acknowledged the crucial role of the participants’ dedication and expertise in advancing actionable strategies and recommendations for optimising the economic impact of cruise tourism.
Mr. Lebon, in his opening reflections, clarified that the workshop, at this stage, is not intended for validation but is open to suggestions and recommendations.
As part of the workshop’s primary objectives, he highlighted the importance of assessing the current state of the cruise tourism industry in Seychelles, including infrastructure, services, and market trends.
He acknowledged the relevance of risks, such as environmental, social, and economic challenges, and noted the persistent concern of piracy in the Indian Ocean. He indicated that while the situation is currently under control, it remains a potentially volatile point.
The first day of the workshop featured keynote presentations on global trends, sustainability practices, and relevant case studies, followed by panel discussions with government officials, industry leaders, environmentalists, and community representatives. The second day was dedicated to strategic planning, with breakout sessions on infrastructure development, environmental management, marketing strategies, and community engagement.
The workshop concluded with a plenary session where outcomes from the breakout sessions were presented and discussed to prioritise actions and plan the way forward. The consultants are anticipated to return during the fourth quarter of the year to conduct the validation process and present the final report.
Given the global nature of the cruise industry, where destinations like Seychelles have limited bargaining power, UNECA is working on strategies to improve the financial outcomes for Seychelles.
Dubai’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and embracing innovation has been a key factor behind its transformation into a city at the forefront of the global economy.
The city’s long-term wider approach to leveraging the latest advancements not only enhances the experience for residents and visitors but also boosts the economy by attracting more businesses and investors.
Recognizing the importance of leveraging technology to shape the future of travel and hospitality, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has consistently spearheaded initiatives to raise the bar across multiple sectors, while strategies are in place to improve tourism services with new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR).
DET has also nurtured innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability to create new pathways for growth, aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure.
Proactively adapting its offering to align with emerging global trends, and to cater to the diverse demands of residents and international travellers, the city’s tourism and hospitality sectors are utilising innovation to ensure that Dubai continues to elevate standards across the tourism ecosystem – from streamlined visa processes and airport smart gates to hotel check-in via smartphone apps and digital platforms showcasing the best of Dubai’s offerings.
This dynamic approach, combined with Dubai’s commitment to excellence and continuous collaboration between the government and private sectors, has been the catalyst for rapid change across the emirate, with world-class infrastructure and exceptional service at all touchpoints contributing towards enhancing the guest experience.
With global travellers eager for novel experiences, this fusion of innovation allows tourists to seamlessly connect with both traditional and modern elements of the emirate’s diverse offering and has contributed towards further highlighting the emirate’s position as a must-visit destination. Dubai’s growing popularity is evident in the steady growth in visitors – from January to June 2024, Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international visitors, an increase of 9 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Inspired by the visionary leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and guided by the objectives of the D33 Agenda, Dubai is committed to advancing with distinctive world-class infrastructure, experiences, and attractions. Dubai’s unwavering dedication to exceeding expectations is demonstrated through the seamless integration of technology into our industry.
This unique synergy of innovation and technological excellence is a testament to our strong commitment to progress and is instrumental in making Dubai the best city to visit, live and work in, aligned with the goals of the D33 Agenda. The emirate continues collaborating with key stakeholders and global partners to spearhead technology-driven tourism, ensuring a future where innovation enriches every visitor’s experience.”
Kenya Airways PLC has announced a significant milestone in its journey towards profitability, marking the first time the airline has reported a profit after tax since 2013.
For the first half of the financial year ending June 30, 2024, the airline achieved a profit after tax of Kshs 513 million, from the Kshs 21.7 billion loss reported in the similar previous period.
The airline attributes the growth to its strategic turnaround plan, Project Kifaru, which emphasises customer obsession, operational excellence, financial discipline, innovation, and sustainability.
“The impressive performance reaffirms the operational viability of our business and underscores the effectiveness of the collective efforts by our board, management, and staff,” said Kenya Airways Chairman, Michael Joseph.
He added: “This achievement underscores the strength and resilience of Kenya Airways as we move forward on our path to sustained profitability.”
Operating and Financial Highlights:
Passenger Growth: Kenya Airways experienced a 10% increase in passenger numbers, totaling 2.54 million.
Capacity Expansion: The airline’s capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), increased by 16% to 7.991 billion ASKs, while Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) improved by 14%.
Revenue Surge: The airline’s total revenue grew by 22% to Kshs 91 billion, driven by higher passenger numbers.
Cost Management: Despite the expansion, operating costs rose by 22%, aligning with the growth in capacity. However, overheads were reduced by 22%, reflecting Kenya Airways’ continued commitment to cost management and operational efficiency.
Profitability: The airline’s profit after tax saw a remarkable 102% improvement, highlighting the success of the ongoing recovery strategy.
Joseph said the airline remains focused on completing its capital restructuring plan to reduce financial leverage and enhance liquidity, thus ensuring a strong foundation for long-term growth and stability.
“Kenya Airways is committed to maintaining this positive momentum, building on the success of the first half of 2024 as we continue to strive for excellence in the aviation industry,” concluded Joseph.
Commenting on the improved financial performance, Allan Kilavuka, CEO of Kenya Airways, welcomed the positive performance ad observed, “Our financial results are a clear indication that our strategic initiatives are delivering the desired outcomes. We have focused on strengthening our core operations, enhancing our customer service, and exploring new avenues for growth. This performance positions us in good stead to navigate the challenges of the aviation industry and prepare for future growth.”
As Kenya Airways continues to implement its strategic priorities, Kilavuka remained optimistic that the airlines’ commitment and dedication to driving sustainable growth, creating value for stakeholders, and delivering world-class service to its customers is already yielding desired results.
“Our commitment to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and innovation remains strong as we continue to build a stronger and more resilient airline,” said Kilavuka.
Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s leading airline, has signed a technical advisory and consultancy contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners), a partner with the world-renowned signature architects Zaha Hadid Architects, to embark on the design and supervision of a Mega Airport City at Abusera in Bishoftu city.
This state-of-the-art airport city, located just 40km from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, is poised to revolutionize air travel in Ethiopia. Upon completion, the new airport is projected to have the capacity to serve 110 million passengers each year, which is four times the current capacity of Bole International Airport.
Ethiopian Airlines’ Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, announced the Mega Airport City project, highlighting its role in establishing Ethiopia as a global aviation hub. “The project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and prioritize environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond, reflecting the airline’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. With its exceptional capacity and world-class facilities, this new airport promises to elevate African aviation and strengthen partnerships, marking a significant advancement for the region’s air travel infrastructure”.
Dar’s Director of Operations in Ethiopia Tariq Al-Qanni stated, “We are privileged to be collaborating with Ethiopian Airlines on this visionary new airport, which will provide vital global air connectivity, accelerate economic growth in Ethiopia, and elevate Ethiopian Airlines into Africa’s most strategic and most competitive aviation group.”
In its first phase, scheduled to be completed in 2029, the contract is set to position Ethiopia as the leading global gateway to Africa with a capacity of handling 60 million passengers, almost three times the number of passengers registered in Africa’s busiest airport in 2022, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport; ultimately, the new airport’s capacity will serve 110 million passengers a year, quadrupling the capacity of Bole International Airport.
The Mega Airport City will feature a 1.1 million sqm terminal including passenger facilities, 126,190 sqm of airline support facilities, and over 100,000 sqm of cargo and airport support facilities. It will also include an associated airfield and other essential airport infrastructure.
The new airport is positioned at a lower elevation compared to the current primary hub, Addis Ababa, situated at one of the world’s most elevated locations, presenting unique operational challenges for aircraft. The architectural team will incorporate elements of Ethiopian heritage to establish a new emblematic structure for the nation – a people-centric, intuitive airport characterized by sustainability, resilience, and future-readiness. Ethiopian Airlines remains steadfast in its commitment to elevating customer experience to unprecedented heights, ensuring every journey is marked by excellence and innovation.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is one of the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent’s largest airline brand. In its seventy-eight years of successful operations, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian’s fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and De Havilland Q400.
Ethiopian is also pursuing multi-hub strategy through hubs in Lomé, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025) ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world. Ethiopian has been champion in various coveted awards including Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa Award’ for seven consecutive years among others. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2011 and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years.
About Dar
Dar provides design, planning, engineering, and management services for buildings, cities, transportation, and civil infrastructure projects.Dar, TYLin, and Landrum & Brown belong to Sidara, a global collaborative of industry-leading firms have advised 23 of the top 30 global airports and delivered projects in over 300 airports, including Ethiopia’s Bole International Airport as well as strategic global hubs such as Dubai International Airport. Zaha Hadid Architects brings award-winning capabilities and a global track record of iconic airport projects, while Pascall+Watson Architects has successfully completed more than 2,000 aviation projects across 70 airports in 35 countries.
Keeping up with the trends and knowing your customers is crucial for any business. To know your customer is to understand their habits and needs.
How do modern travelers book trips in 2024? What are the most critical elements in determining which tour operator to choose? What matters to modern travelers in the process?
With the travel world evolving, many things have changed in the travel industry. Some new trends have emerged, and travelers’ focus, and needs have significantly changed. This transformation has been in the works for quite a while now, and tour operators and destination management companies aren’t left with much choice – they must meet the new demand for digitally transforming their businesses.
Here are the top 4 things modern travelers are looking for when booking a trip.
Master the Art of Online Presence!
The first thing modern travelers will do is conduct thorough online research on the desired destination. Every tour operator or DMC’s goal is for the customer to find them immediately. And that isn’t possible if a company doesn’t have a strong online presence, primarily web based.
Nowadays, modern travelers visit many websites before making a reservation, so it’s critical to ensure your website is unique, relevant, and quickly establishes credibility. With printed catalogs slowly becoming a part of the past, the website is the most common touchpoint any tour operator has with their target customers. It gives your company more credibility, builds your brand, gives you a web-based platform to address your travelers directly, and continuously brings new customers.
According to the Trends Global Survey, 80% of global travelers surveyed feel it’s important to be able to book their trips entirely online, with 86% of Millennials and 83% of Gen Z’s leading the charge. We’re talking about high numbers! Therefore, the web has for sure replaced physical catalogs and even your offices.
Of course, it is important not only to have a presence but also to make it a good one.
Photos, Descriptions, and Video Content – It’s Essential to Stand Out!
Having a user-friendly, clear, and visually attractive web is crucial. Destinations should be clearly listed together with some itineraries to inspire future modern travelers. Three of the most impactful deal breakers for most travelers are bland and unappealing hotel rooms, non-aesthetic food photos, and boring content presentations. There should be short descriptions and authentic photos from trips that will catch the eye.
An example of good practice by one of our clients, Hidden Iceland
More and more travelers are turning to YouTube when planning a trip. Therefore, another great thing is having video content showcasing the destinations and travelers enjoying the journey with your team.
A really cool segment is a 360° tour of a hotel, resort, or even a part of the destination. Aerial videos became very accessible and more affordable with drones – and the videos they make are of fantastic quality. Instead of filming over-produced promo films, capture authentic content – travelers will appreciate it. Be playful and use your imagination – with the modern technology we have on hand, options are numerous!
Introduce your guides and make them relatable. When travelers are scrolling through your website for the first time, meeting the team that may be accompanying them on their trip instills more trust.
Let your staff share their hobbies, favorite destinations, locations, and insights. They are the ones who know the most about each destination; they can share some insights that will attract potential travelers to choose a specific trip. This will also give that personal touch to the otherwise digital experience—and travelers love that!
DMC Amazing Africa is proud to present its team to travelers
Oh, and don’t forget. Travel has shifted to mobile. The new generations of travelers expect to have all the information in the palms of their hands.
In the past years, there has been a significant spike in the number of online bookings done on mobile phones. So, optimizing a website for mobile phones is a must in this day and age.
Shaping Sustainable Wanderlust: Travelers Are Opting for Sustainable Travel Products!
In a recent booking.com survey, over half (53%) of travelers seek accommodations that blend comfort with innovative sustainability features, and 65% want green spaces and plants in their stays.
At the same time, 67% of Gen Z’s surveyed by the Pew Research Center reported expressing a need for climate action, compared to 61% of millennials, 53% of Gen X, and 50% of baby boomers. Ecotourism is thus expected to soar in popularity in the coming years, and sustainable products are the new good-to-have.
Many travelers today increasingly prioritize sustainability in their choices, including the sustainable products they use, but also the food they eat.
“Travel can be a force for good, and travelers themselves are proving to be today’s changemakers, adopting more sustainable travel habits and seeking responsible experiences.”
Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking.com
While not all travelers may prioritize sustainability equally, there is a growing demand for sustainable products within the travel industry. As awareness continues to increase and consumers become more informed about their choices’ environmental and social impact, the demand for sustainable travel options will likely continue growing.
Why is a Dynamic Social Media Presence Non-Negotiable?
Like any other industry in the world, the travel industry cannot survive without being present on social media. Social media platforms are essential for communicating directly with travelers, acquiring new customers, promoting your offer, and, last but not least, advancing Google search results.
Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are the best options for tours and travel businesses. Each offers different formats and targets different demographics.
Facebook is the social media giant. According to Statista, Facebook has more than 3 billion monthly active users. It offers posting photos and videos with short descriptions, and you can also do live streaming.
Since the audience is vast, you can use all it provides to communicate directly with your travelers. Many nowadays use Facebook as a source of information. Post all information and news here, and travelers will appreciate it. Leave the comments section open for any questions your customers might have.
People enjoy reading reviews. Previous customers can rate your agency and post a short review on Facebook, which is a fantastic feature. That way, prospective travelers can read about other people’s experiences traveling with your agency.
Unsurprisingly, YouTube follows strongly – some travelers love watching vlogs because they get real and detailed feedback. Videos are entertaining, educational, and engaging. What better way to imagine yourself in a destination than with a video? Establish your presence there; travelers seek authentic, entertaining, educational, and informative content.
Instagram is one of the most preferred social media channels for Millennials, but not only. Selling products and showcasing offers on Instagram has become a common thing. Modern travelers tend to turn to travel Instagram profiles in search of inspiration.
With its specific framework, Instagram is ideal for tour operators and DMCs. It focuses on beautiful pictures, short videos, and keyword descriptions, while its search relies on hashtags. #travel links to more than 700 million posts. Instagram is here to inspire travelers to explore new destinations.
Your target customers will enjoy watching a live stream from a destination. People are much more responsive there than on Facebook. Travelers are likely to contact you directly if they require any information. Don’t hesitate to ask your travelers to tag the guides or your travel agency in their photos – there is no better promotion than that!
Last but not least, we have come to a platform that has been going strong for the last couple of years. Whereas Instagram targets millennials, TikTok users belong to GenZ and are between 16 and 24 years old.
It is a video-first platform mainly focusing on creating challenges and portraying various hacks and memes. Its content has the potential to go viral within hours of posting. Travelers will turn to TikTok for fun challenges, new recipes from all over the world, insights for different destinations, and travel tips and tricks. Also, Phocuswright research found that 35% of travelers ages 18 to 34 use TikTok to help decide what activities to partake in while traveling.
One example is the term #DestinationDupe, which has taken over social media platforms, especially TikTok. It is a trend that offers reasonably priced substitutes for the world’s most popular travel destinations, urging visitors to choose the less-traveled route. It encourages people to look into unusual possibilities that offer one-of-a-kind experiences and hidden riches, as well as lesser-known jewels, while reducing mass tourism in popular destinations.
Another is set-jetting, a trend in which travelers decide to book a trip to a place they’ve seen in movies or streamed shows.
To sum up, you just have to be creative, aim to inspire rather than sell, and remember — consistency is key!
Blog – a Perfect Way To Showcase Your Tours!
It may seem time-consuming, but having an active blog is a great way to attract new travelers. Having one person designated to write for the blog is great, but that is not crucial. Your guides can write or, even better, your travelers.
Ask a traveler to do a guest section — what better promotion than having first-hand experience written by someone who only recently visited the destination? They can include some beautiful pictures or videos and give the highlights of the journey.
Update your blog regularly, and don’t forget to include direct links to your tours and packages.
It is a perfect place to showcase your offer in a slightly different form. Write travel guides for various destinations. Feel free to include authentic content, share tips and insights, portray local customs, include interviews with locals or your guides, etc. The options are endless and are bound to attract new travelers to book with you.
As mentioned, every traveler starts their research online. When using Google, it is in every tour operator’s best interest to appear in search results. To ensure you are among the first, continuously update your website’s content, mainly your blog.
As the team at Hubspot put it, “SEO writing is the process of writing content to rank on the first page of search engines like Google. This involves researching keywords, writing high-quality content that matches user intent, and optimizing your headers for easy page crawling.”
It is a great marketing technique bound to attract more travelers to your website; just give it some time and don’t give up. Read more on why every travel business should start a blog
Sabre has closed a multi-year renewal of its distribution agreement with Delta Air Lines. The long-term agreement enables Sabre-connected Travel agents connected to Sabre will now have access to both traditional EDIFACT and NDC Delta content.
Earlier this year, Delta announced details of its selling and servicing transformation, which included NDC. The pair will work together on the integration of NDC content into Sabre’s travel marketplace to support the transformation. “We are pleased to extend our full content agreement and value-based commercial model with Sabre,” said Jeff Lobl, managing director, distribution strategy and agency sales programmes of Delta Air Lines.
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“We look forward to collaborating with Sabre to make Delta’s NDC technology solution available to all Sabre-connected travel agents to ensure that our customers receive the best possible travel experience tailored to their needs.”
Roshan Mendis, chief commercial officer of Sabre Travel Solutions, added: “Sabre is delighted to extend our long-standing partnership with Delta Air Lines and to support their NDC journey. “This agreement underscores our commitment to building a comprehensive travel marketplace that equips travel agents with the tools and content they need to excel in today’s dynamic travel environment, including the ability to leverage the potential of NDC.”
Catch the latest recap of the Kenya Travel Industry Payments Summit (K-TRIPS) on YouTube! Navigating industry shifts to fostering innovation, the summit offered valuable takeaways for travel professionals.
The East African Community (EAC) has urged its partner states to fast track regulations to liberalise the air transport market to boost regional integration and economic growth.
“An integrated air transport market is essential for the development of our region. By removing barriers to air travel, we can enhance competitiveness and attract investment in the region,” The East African Community (EAC) Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik, said during the 19th Meeting of Director Generals of Civil Aviation and Airports Authorities.
The liberalisation of the market in the region, which has been in the plans since 2006, is expected to lower the cost of air fares, stimulate demand for air traffic, connectivity, increase operation efficiency, reduce the flying time and support the expansion of air transport capacities and the regional economy.
Among other things, the EAC is urging partner states to consider harmonising regulatory fee and charges, and to designate the regional air transport market as domestic for registered air operators in the region.
Only Rwanda and Burundi have submitted their reports on the draft EAC Air Transport Market (Liberalisation) Regulations. The regulations are expected to be submitted to the 19th Meeting of EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communication and Meteorology (SC-TCM) for adoption.
Once adopted, and then ratified by Partner States, the air transport market will be liberalised. States will then negotiate bilateral and multilateral arrangements.
Dubai medical tourism is booming, with 691,000 health tourists spending AED1bn ($280m) last year, according to a recent report by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Dentistry, dermatology and gynecology are among the most popular activities for medical tourists coming to Dubai.
This upsurge is evident in the increased number of tourists seeking medical treatment in Dubai and their significant spending on a range of healthcare services.
Dubai medical tourism
The report reflects the rising global confidence in the quality and excellence of Dubai’s healthcare services across different medical specialties. It also demonstrates the emirate’s competitive advantage as a leading health tourism destination regionally and globally.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on DHA’s collaborative efforts with its strategic partners to accelerate the growth of health tourism.
These endeavours are in alignment with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which strive to double the emirate’s economy and elevate its global standing as the preferred hub for business, investment, and tourism.
As per the report, Dubai welcomed more than 691,000 health tourists from across the world in 2023, with their collective spending on healthcare services exceeding AED1.03bn ($280.5m).
These numbers bettered those of 2022, when international health tourist arrivals topped 674,000, with their spending totalling AED992m ($270m).
Dubai’s indirect revenues from health tourism stood at AED2.3bn ($626m) in 2023. These revenues played a crucial role in elevating Dubai’s overall GDP and further boosting vital sectors.
Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, emphasised that the rising number of international tourists from every corner of the globe opting for healthcare services in Dubai reflects global trust in the emirate’s healthcare sector.
He highlighted Dubai’s exceptional service quality, conforming to the latest standards of excellence and healthcare.
He also outlined several factors that have significantly bolstered Dubai’s health tourism sector. These include enhancements to the emirate’s healthcare system through incorporating and leveraging cutting-edge technological advancements, ensuring the availability of top-notch medical expertise, and attractive programmes and initiatives designed for international patients.
Furthermore, the competitive pricing provided by healthcare facilities in Dubai and the government’s dedication to advancing the health tourism sector through fruitful partnerships aim to enhance the emirate’s competitiveness in this domain, further solidifying Dubai’s status as a preferred destination for individuals seeking medical treatment and recovery.
Al Ketbi lauded the contributions of the private medical sector in Dubai as a strategic partner to the government sector. He praised their initiatives, facilities, and patient treatment programmes while highlighting their dedication to providing exceptional experiences for international patients in a secure and comfortable environment.
This commitment, he added, is supported by a sustainable and advanced infrastructure tailored to meet patient needs and ensure the highest level of satisfaction.
Al Ketbi reiterated the DHA’s commitment to continually enhance the healthcare system in Dubai to align with the emirate’s tireless development and rapid transformations across the economic, health, and social sectors.
This commitment showcases a visionary strategy aimed at bolstering Dubai’s standing as a pioneering global development model that meets current demands and anticipates future requirements.
Based on information from the Dubai Digital Authority, the report highlighted that 58 per cent of international health tourists were women and 42 per cent were men.
A significant volume of international medical tourists originated from Asia, comprising 33 per cent of the total, followed by Arab countries within the GCC at 28 per cent, and European countries along with the Commonwealth of Independent States at 23 per cent.
Dubai also succeeded in attracting a substantial number of medical tourists from various regions who sought out experts in key specialties, reinforcing its position as a premier destination for specialised healthcare services.
A breakdown of the medical specialisations most sought after by visitors and the region-wise breakup in terms of specialised treatments they sought is as follows:
Top 3 in-demand specialties: Dentistry – 29 per cent, Dermatology – 27 per cent, Gynaecology- 13 per cent
Region-wise demand for dermatology: Asia – 33 per cent, Arab and GCC countries – 28 per cent, Europe – 23 per cent
Region-wise demand for dental services: Arab and GCC countries – 48 per cent, Europe – 20 per cent, Asia – 19 per cent
Region-wise demand for gynaecology services: Asian countries – 49 per cent, European countries – 25 per cent, Arab and GCC countries – 13 per cent
Region-wise demand for orthopaedic surgery: Arab and GCC countries – 30 per cent, Asia – 29 per cent, Europe – 24 per cent
Region-wise demand for plastic surgery: Arab and GCC countries – 43 per cent, Asia – 21 per cent, Europe – 21 per cent
Region-wise demand for ophthalmology services: Asia – 28 per cent, Arab and GCC countries – 27 per cent, Africa – 21 per cent
Region-wise demand for fertility treatments: Asia – 36 per cent, Arab and GCC countries – 22 per cent, Europe – 21 per cent
Region-wise demand for recuperation and recovery treatments: Europe – 35 per cent, Arab and GCC countries – 30 per cent, Asia – 21 per cent
The statistics provided in the report underscore the city’s appeal as a hub for specialized healthcare services, welcoming patients from all over the world seeking quality treatment and care in diverse medical disciplines.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has pledged to fast-track strategies aimed at unlocking the immense potential of Kenya’s tourism sector.
Miano said that Tourism is the third largest source of foreign exchange for Kenya, with earnings reaching Sh352.6 billion in 2023 compared to Sh268.1 billion the previous year, marking a 31.5 per cent increase.
Speaking when she took over the ministry from Alfred Mutua who is the new Labour Cabinet Secretary during the official handover ceremony in Nairobi, Miano said that she would lead consultations in revamping the National Tourism Policy.
“I will ensure the revamping of the National Tourism Policy to serve emerging trends given the ever-changing tastes of tourists with this sector holding significant promise in boosting the country’s economic growth,” said Miano.
The Cabinet Secretary said her priority will be to accelerate the growth of tourism earnings to support the government’s development agenda by seeking a broad consensus with key stakeholders in the spirit of the Bottom-up Economic Model.
Miano said this will be done in a manner to uphold the distribution of benefits accruing from tourism and wildlife conservation more evenly throughout Kenya as she consults with sector players on ways of reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
The Cabinet Secretary was categorical on the need to enhance product diversification that caters to modern tastes and boosts the country’s competitive edge affirming that the Ministry would work closely with all stakeholders to unlock the sector’s immense potential for both domestic and international tourism.
“I will seek ways of entrenching a domestic tourism culture as we disabuse the notion that tourism is for visitors from without, i will also encourage the use of modern information technology to rally the travel industry to not only shore up tourist numbers but also create memorable experiences of our diverse attractions,” said Miano.
The Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife, through the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), is collaborating with county governments to develop niche tourism circuits, which Miano said will be a game-changer for the sector.
Miano said that her door is open for all sector players as they seek partnerships that will be beneficial to the sector, with a focus on ensuring synergy with the county governments as well as creating an enabling environment for investment in tourism across the country.
The Cabinet Secretary said there was a need to retool wildlife conservation to respond to current issues like climate change with Kenya being a custodian to diverse wildlife heritage as well as flora and fauna that we must take care of
Miano expressed commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the human-wildlife conflict noting that she will work closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service and other agencies to ensure proper mechanisms for compensation and conservation are in place.
Mutua lauded groundwork laid during his tenure, particularly through initiatives which aim at uncovering Kenya’s hidden tourism treasures expressing confidence that Miano will bring a fresh perspective to boost tourism earnings.
“I am confident that CS Miano will build upon the momentum, especially through the collaborations with counties, to drive tourism revenue growth and wish her success in steering Kenya’s tourism sector to new heights,” said Mutua.
