12 minute read
Destination profiles
Ethiopia
Tourism Ethiopia / AF3001
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Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most picturesque countries. Its landscapes are striking, both in beauty and scale.
It is here that visitors can trek the Simien and Bale mountains, which extend more than 9,800 feet above sea level and also visit the lowest place on the African continent – the Danakil Depression – which lies about 410 feet below sea level and boasts an astonishing 25 percent of Africa’s active volcanoes.
In between, there are lush highlands and stirring deserts, dizzying canyons, the sweeping savanna, vast lakes and high plateaus. Also scattered across the country are landmarks of great significance, from the source of the Blue Nile to extraordinary monuments of faith.
When it comes to culture, Ethiopia is home to an abundance of riches. There are the Surmi, Afar, Mursi, Karo, Hamer, Nuer and Anuak cultures, whose ancient customs and traditions have remained almost entirely intact.
A highlight of any trip here is witnessing one of the many festivals that are an integral part of the traditional culture, from age-old ceremonies marking rites of passage to religious celebrations, which can provide travel memories to last a lifetime.
In the Horn of Africa, this rugged, landlocked country boasts archaeological finds that date back more than three million years, which helped Ethiopia secure its status as a place of ancient culture. Among its important sites is Lalibela with its rock-cut Christian churches from the 12th and 13th centuries. While Aksum features the ruins of an ancient city with obelisks, tombs, castles and churches.
No list of things to do in Ethiopia can fail to acknowledge the country’s bounteous wildlife, including opportunities to get up close to species such as the rare Ethiopian wolf.
Simien Mountains National Park Sitting landlocked in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is blessed with incredible natural beauty and abundant rare wildlife
Danakil Depression
Oman
Ministry of Tourism - Oman / ME2110
Few countries in the region have the breadth of landscapes found in Oman. From the lush green waterfalls of the Dhofar region to the majestic Al Hajar Mountains, known as the Grand Canyon of the Middle East, Oman is wildly beautiful.
Visitors can enjoy some of the most breathtaking beaches as found in Salalah, famous for its monsoon season where temperatures are around half that of its neighbouring countries. There is also a vast array of active pursuits, from
Muttrah Fort With an abundance of natural beauty, Oman is the ideal choice for those seeking out the modern face of Arabia while still wanting to experience its ancient heart and soul
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
climbing to hiking, caving to canyoneering and fishing to riding. With so much nature around the rich landscape, visitors can get up close to an array of flora and fauna with activities such as dolphin watching or spotting native oryx and gazelle.
An adventure seeker’s paradise, there is much history to be uncovered too with UNESCO World Heritage Sites in abundance, including the Frankincense Route, The Five Falajs, Bat Tombs and Settlement as well as the Bahla Fort and Wall.
The sultanate’s capital, Muscat, has also added a range of attractions to lure visitors, including three pristine golf courses and the city’s cultural hub – the Royal Opera House.
In addition to the famous Muttrah Souq and exquisite street food, there is much to stimulate the senses in the nation’s heart and soul. Now a wellestablished destination, a total of 2.5 million tourists visited Oman in the first nine months of 2019, according to the country’s National Centre for Statistics and Information. The top source markets were the GCC, followed by Indians and British visitors.
While Oman has always been hugely welcoming to the outside world, it has held onto its authenticity and charm. Locals are all around, from the concierge to the taxi driver, so it’s easy to feel the true Omani welcome, while diversity is also felt everywhere from its architecture to its varied cuisine.
From the waterfalls of the Dhofar region to the Al Hajar Mountains, Oman is wildly beautiful
Greece
Greek National Tourism Organisation / EU2450
Steeped in history, alive with culture and boasting an endless coastline, there are few other countries in the world that offer such a plethora of stunning natural attractions. From the Acropolis of Athens and the massive marble sculptures dredged up from the Aegean Sea to the cobbled Byzantine footpaths and sun-kissed beaches, there is so much for visitors to explore in Greece.
The country’s capital, Athens, is the ideal destination for those wanting to embrace Greece’s rich culture. Home to historic remnants that date back thousands of years, such as the Temple of Poseidon and the magnificent Acropolis, the city also has excellent beaches and an array of restaurants serving Greek cuisine.
Island hopping is a great way to explore all that the country has to offer, with Crete one of the most popular, thanks to its vibrant villages, ancient treasures and splendid beaches. With so much to offer, it is little wonder that the ancient country has grown in
Parthenon Santorini
Sun-kissed ruins pierce the blue skies in this ancient country, while along the coast, the balmy Aegean laps an endless coastline
Island hopping is a great way to explore Greece, with Crete one of the most popular, thanks to its splendid beaches
popularity and is often the destination of choice among travellers the world over.
In April 2021, Greece announced that it would lift quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers and those testing negative for COVID-19 from key tourism markets. These include citizens from Europe, the UK and the United States.
In what officials are calling “baby steps” on the road back to normality, the move marks the first time the country has been open to American visitors since March 2020, when Greece entered its first lockdown at the onset of the pandemic.
The announcement also makes Greece one of the first major European destinations to reopen to tourists ahead of the 2021 summer season – a development that could see it steal a significant chunk of holiday traffic away from rival hotspots.
Corfu
Italy
Italian State Tourist Board / EU2500
Last month, authorities in Italy introduced a new ‘COVID-free islands’ vaccination plan with an aim to innoculate all residents of Italy’s holiday islands in order to aid the recovery of the country’s tourism sector, in time for the European summer. The programme would prioritise citizens in smaller islands, such as those in the Sicily and Campania regions, including Ischia, Procida, Capri, Aeolian, Egadi, Pelagie, Tremiti and Elba.
As a popular tourism destination, Italy was one of the severely hit nations in the wake of the pandemic, but the country has plans to bounce back and welcome the world once again to its spectacular offering, which boasts everything from world-class art and culture to historical treasures, stunning landscapes and enviable gastronomy.
With 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country, iconic areas include Pompei, Verona, Venice, Mount Etna and the Piazza Dei Miracoli, which houses a breathtaking cathedral and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
For visitors seeking a romantic getaway, Italy is incomparable, thanks to the architecture and ambience of cities like Rome, Florence and Venice offering classic experiences including visits to the capital’s Trevi Fountain and gondola rides along the Venetian canals.
History buffs, meanwhile, can learn all about the glory of Ancient Rome. The capital has a rich, storied past that survives today in monuments such as the Colosseum.
Art lovers can nourish their passion in Florence. The city offers both the Galleria Degli Uffizi, which opened in 1581 and boasts works by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli, and the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David.
Colosseum
Home to many of the world’s greatest works of art, architecture and gastronomy, Italy’s stunning sights inspire and overwhelm the senses
Grand Canal, Venice
South Korea
Korea National Tourism Organization / AS3550
South Korea was one of the first countries to be hit by the pandemic in 2020 and became a role model for its mass testing and aggressive contact tracing measures, which helped keep infection rates low.
While travel restrictions are still in place, the republic hopes to achieve herd immunity from COVID-19 by the autumn of 2021. And when it reopens to tourism, it will once again welcome visitors with its array of attractions, incredible landscapes and more than 5,000 years of history.
South Korea perfectly balances the timeless traditions of Asia with fast-moving advancements in the world of technology. The capital city, Seoul, is a bustling metropolis, where visitors can shop for the newest technological marvels and the latest designer labels before stopping off at one of the city’s popular local restaurants or heading to a sky bar to see the glittering city from above.
Outside the capital, visitors have the chance to escape Seoul’s high rises to discover a host of stunning landscapes.
Jeju Island has numerous beaches perfect for the summer as well as snowcapped mountains for the cold winters. The cherry blossom season can also rival that of Japan’s, while those seeking to explore the country’s history can head to one of the many temples or palaces.
The World Heritage-listed Changdeokgung is a must-visit for its striking setting while the changing of the guard ceremonies at Gyeongbokgung is another attraction not to be missed. The nation is also home to Cheomseongdae Observatory, the world’s first astronomical laboratory, built during the seventh century.
South Korea’s compact size and superb transport infrastructure make it easy to travel throughout the country. In March 2021, a bill paving the way The Korean peninsula offers travellers a dazzling range of experiences, from its beautiful landscapes to its 5,000 years of culture and history. Rest assured there is plenty to discover across its diverse lands
Cheomseongdae Observatory Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
for the construction of an international airport in Busan, South Korea’s secondmost populous city, was approved by its National Assembly. The decision followed a decade-long debate on expanding airport infrastructure in the south-east of the peninsula in order to relieve the pressure on Gimhae, the region’s only international airport, which had been mostly operating above its passenger capacity before the pandemic.
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority / ME3512 Surrounded by the rugged Al Hajar Mountains, the UAE’s northernmost emirate is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts with sandy shores, sprawling oases and record-breaking adventures
The UAE’s northernmost emirate, Ras Al Khaimah offers everything from stunning sandy beaches to dramatic mountainside scenery. Boasting the UAE’s highest mountain, Jebel Jais, the emirate is now firmly positioned as the adventure capital of the Middle East.
Famed for activities such as hiking and mountain climbing, it gained the world’s attention through its 2.8-kilometre zip line, Jebel Jais Flight, which is also the world’s longest
The emirate’s northernmost position and mountainous climate, which can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than the neighbouring emirates, means that even the summer months remain popular for the quaint and enchanting town.
A range of competitive hospitality packages and all-inclusive offerings have helped immensely. Domestic visitors fueled the sector last year, with residents turning to its sunny shores in favour of international travel, owing to
Jebel Jais Flight
and is suspended 1,680 meters above sea level. Also available at the site is a host of adventure activities, from the Jais Sky Maze and Jais Sky Tour, ideal for those who don’t mind heights.
For the less adrenaline-hardy, there are other options in the emirate, including the Via Ferrata, which is a series of smaller zip lines over a shorter distance, involving a gentle scrambling route. There is also mountain biking, horse and camel riding as well as a range of water sports. restrictions imposed by the pandemic. This resulted in the emirate’s average daily rate recording a one percent rise compared to 2019 levels. Before the pandemic, Poland, Russia, India, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic contributed to the record-breaking number of international arrivals in 2019.
With its wide appeal, it is arguably one of the fastest growing destinations in the region and looks to continue in the same vein in the years to come.
Boasting the UAE’s highest mountain, Ras Al Khaimah is firmly positioned as the region’s adventure capital
Dhayah Fort
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