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Destination profiles
Qatar
Qatar Tourism / ME1210
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The Torch, Doha
With Qatar hosting the World Cup this year, 17 million ticket requests have already been made, according to FIFA
As the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ soon approaches, Qatar has been making huge changes to the country, which in turn, have brought an array of new hotels, activities and sights for visitors to experience. Tourists are spoilt for choice, with a range of attractions to explore, from museums, galleries, markets and desert safaris to the UNESCO-listed Al Zubarah Fort.
Doha, the country’s capital, has also positioned itself as the cultural capital. In addition to being home to some of the world’s best sporting facilities, it also houses international universities and one of the world’s best airports. The Katara Cultural District, Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art are just a few of the city’s showcases reflecting the investments being made to boost the arts and culture scene.
The world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, Msheireb Downtown Doha, revived the city’s old commercial district and transformed it into a unique attraction, home to retail and dining destinations, entertainment venues and hotels.
From kayaking through one of the country’s protected mangrove regions to scuba diving along its coast, outdoor lovers can enjoy water-based activities or immerse in the country’s natural desert terrain, where the likes of camel riding and jeep safaris allow visitors to escape to the other-worldly natural paradise.
Some of the world’s most luxurious hospitality brands, all calling Doha home, are set to open this year. The destination has been rising in recent years, even though the country has been amongst the most strict nations in the Gulf for closing borders.
Qatar welcomed 2.136 million visitors in 2019, representing an increase of 17 percent compared to the same period in 2018, and this year with the World Cup, those will soar, with 17 million ticket requests already made according to FIFA.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
South Korea
Korea National Tourism Organization / AS2050
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.
According to Statista, in 2021, South Korea received approximately 967,000 inbound visitors, an overall growth since 2000. However, due to the pandemic, the number of visitors to South Korea initially fell by more than 85 percent, before falling by a further 62 percent in 2021. Chinese visitors account for almost half of the incoming market.
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
Cheomseongdae Observatory Seoul
at one of the city’s popular local restaurants or heading to a sky lounge 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, giving visitors plenty to explore.
Greece
Greek National Tourism Organisation / EU1450
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 attractions. From the Acropolis of Athens to the cobbled Byzantine footpaths and sun-kissed beaches to paradisiacal islands, 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 popularity and is often the destination of choice among travellers the world over.
Greece is expecting a high number of visitors this year, with officials predicting that revenues will reach 80 percent of 2019 levels, which was a record year
Parthenon, Athens
for the country before the pandemic brought international travel to a halt.
As one of southern Europe’s most popular summer tourism destinations, Greece attracted more than 33 million international visitors in 2019, most of them from Britain and Germany. The industry accounts for about a fifth of the economy and employs one in five people.
Ahead of the 2022 summer season, Greece has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for foreign and domestic flights. To fly in or out of the country, travellers were previously required to show either a vaccination certificate, a certificate saying they had recovered from coronavirus or a negative test.
While, from May 1, passengers and crew will need only to wear a face mask, as per the country’s civil aviation authority.
destination offers some of the most luxurious hotels in the country.
Still rising is Marsa Alam, which, since the opening of its international airport in 2001, is hot on the heels of its more established rival. However, for adventure travellers or those on a low budget, an array of quaint beachside camps made of palm frond huts offer a unique way to explore the magnificent coral-reef lined coast.
Egypt truly offers tours for all kinds of travellers, but one thing that will penetrate them all is the fascinating history of this ancient country. Aswan’s Philae temples and the unfinished Obelisk are just some of the wonders waiting to be discovered, while Hurghada’s white sands and crystal clear waters are a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Siwa Oasis is a paradisiacal island full of mineral springs, salt lakes and endless olive and palm groves, while in its main town, Shali, ruins of the Shali Fortress dominate the city centre.
Egypt
Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board / AF5200
Home to some of the world’s most ancient and fascinating sites, Egypt has always been a popular destination due to its history, culture, natural beauty and architectural wonders. It is a place etched in most people’s hearts from childhood, with images of Cairo’s Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx some of the first things to learn in the history of the world.
Visitor numbers reached around 13 million in 2019, dropping to less than four million in 2020 but predictions for 2022 from the UNWTO sit at around seven to eight million.
Cairo is also home to the Egyptian Museum – a treasure trove of antiquities. The city’s medieval quarters, with its narrow, winding alleyways and vibrant souks, have also made it a standalone destination. But the country has so much more beyond its capital.
At the crossroads of north-eastern Africa and the Middle East, Egypt is a melting pot of religions and empires, with remnants of ancient cultures still very much alive today. Remote desert monasteries, medieval Islamic architecture and Roman trading
outposts still bear testimony to life as it once was in the unforgiving desert.
Visitors can hop on and off a Nile cruise and visit the likes of waterside temples, cross Lake Nasser to witness the wondrous Ramses II masterpiece at Abu Simbel or travel to the southern city of Luxor in search of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Luxor is also home to some of the world’s most loved pharaonic tombs and temples, including the unforgettable Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun’s tomb was unearthed, and the hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple.
The country’s Red Sea resorts offer some of the world’s most spectacular beaches and scuba diving, and with flights resumed from most countries, business is back on track.
With the backdrop of the Sinai mountains, resorts such as SharmEl-Sheikh have been a diving haven for years. A stunning escape with all the charm of the East, the coastal
Japan
Japan National Tourism Organization / AS2130
One of Asia’s favourite destinations, Japan has been one of the stricter countries to keep borders closed during the pandemic. Until now, only students and business travellers were allowed to enter.
In 2019, before the global pandemic, an estimated 63 million people travelled to and within Japan to view the famed cherry blooms, spending about U$2.7 billion in the process, according to research from Kansai University.
From the hot springs to volcanoes, magical untouched beaches and rugged mountains of Kyushu, the country is a natural wonder, not to mention its famed gastronomy and unique culture.
It is the country’s diversity which continues to attract visitors. Okinawa offers a distinct island culture born of the subtropical sun, white sand, coral, mangrove jungles and the age of the Ryukyu Kings, while in Hokkaido, Japan’s great white north offers wild, white winters and bountiful summers. It has become a haven for dedicated foodies, nature lovers and outdoor adventure fans seeking an adrenaline rush with activities including bungee jumping, snowboarding and canyoning.
Tatebayashi
Itsukushima Shrine
The Kansai region is one of contrasts, from the glittering lights of Osaka and Kobe to the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara. Meanwhile, the bright lights and sensory overload of central Tokyo stand out against the slower pace of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Nikko, a beautifully preserved site allowing visitors to disappear into the country’s past.
Georgia
Georgian National Tourism Administration / EU1660
Kutaisi Square
This magical Caucasus destination has been a hidden gem slowly emerging from the shadows in recent years. Pre-pandemic times saw greater connectivity, bringing people from around Europe and the Middle East to enjoy the melting pot of history, culture, nature and gastronomy in one of the world’s oldest civilisations.
Most tourists come from neighbouring countries, with easy land access from Russia and Turkey, but with so much to offer, it’s an appealing destination that’s only a three-hour flight from the UAE.
Flydubai launched direct flights to Tbilisi from Dubai 10 years ago and the route has become one of its most popular, with the airline now offering three flights a day. Despite the pandemic, Flydubai carried nearly 60,000 passengers between the destinations over 2020
Ananuri Fortress Complex
and 2021. Air Arabia also launched a direct route from Sharjah in 2014 and also from Abu Dhabi last June.
According to data from the UNWTO, the tourism balance over GDP in Georgia was at 13.7 percent in 2019, so the industry is critical for the country’s post-pandemic recovery.
Part of the Silk Road, it has remained rooted in its indigenous culture in spite of centuries of occupation from empires throughout history, from the Arab to the Russian. Tbilisi consists of an intriguing mix of historical and cutting-edge modern architecture, from the glass-andsteel Bridge of Peace to the austere and dilapidated tower blocks that hark back to the Soviet era. From the Mongol to the Soviet, numerous empires have left their mark on the Georgian capital, which sits on the meandering Mtkvari River.
This ‘Tuscany of the East’, which shares the same latitude as Rome and Barcelona, is a gastronome’s paradise. Everything is fresh and local, with every salad bursting with flavour and each cheese a rival to anything found in Europe. Out of economic necessity, farmers still use old-fashioned agricultural techniques, meaning small-scale production by hand, so everything is organic in its truest sense.
Eating out is incredibly affordable and it’s rare to see anything other than Georgian restaurants, which adds a refreshing touch of authenticity. The capital city is untainted by fast food and coffee chains overtaking other parts of the world.
Road trips across the country are popular with intrepid travellers seeking to explore everything Georgia has to offer.
Belgium
Visit Brussels / EU1424
Famed for fine chocolate, Belgium sits in the heart of Europe, well connected by air, rail and land. Whether for a weekend break or a longer trip, business or leisure, Belgium has a lot to offer tourists. For those who enjoy walking, sports and the outdoors, the Ardennes, the green heart of Belgium, is the place to go. For the coastal beauty or cycling, the long stretch of sandy beaches is the ideal destination.
In 2020, Belgium attracted just over one million tourists, a significant drop from pre-pandemic levels, which had seen an uptake in hotel occupancy and arrivals between 2017 and 2019. France, Spain, Germany, the USA and the UK were the main source markets. Visit Brussels reported 4.12 million arrivals in 2019 but the country is hopeful that things are on the up as the skies reopen.
The capital city is a trading hub as well as an arts centre. In areas such as Brussels’ Rue des Bouchers, a wide range of museums and galleries as well as live
Antwerp performances and concerts offer visitors the chance to soak up the local culture.
Business travel remains critical, with Antwerp the world’s diamond capital. Outside the city, there are many more places to see, including the unmissable medieval city of Bruges, which offers a slower, more quaint destination for visitors from abroad, where the heritage and culture of Belgium is perhaps best displayed.
Antwerp Central Station
Mauritius
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority / AS2460
A boutique destination, Mauritius prides itself on keeping visitor numbers low, not embracing mass tourism and instead, prioritising the country’s natural environment and ecosystem at the core of its policies.
The number of inbound tourists stood at 1.4 million in 2019. Until the last quarter of 2021, the borders remained closed to protect its residents from the pandemic’s devastation. In the 50 days that followed, 100,000 tourists arrived in the country, showing people’s eagerness to return to the breathtakingly beautiful tropical island.
In addition to its array of outdoor adventures and sports, from golf to scuba diving, or its romantic endless white sandy beaches, the country is rich in culture and biodiversity. Thick greenery is found on the island, which is also home to waterfalls, volcanoes and mountains. It is a land where every natural landscape is as memorable as the last.
The caves of Pont Bon Dieu are home to a whole colony of swifts and other animals. Over in the west, the Black River Gorges National Park is perfect for family hikes, with marked trails and an information centre to learn more about the flora and fauna of the region.
Other forests, such as the Bras D’Eau National Park in the east and
Le Morne Brabant
The country is rich in biodiversity, a land where every natural landscape is as memorable as the last
Plaine Sophie in the centre, are also accessible. While Ebony Forest in Chamarel is home to one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls.
A crossroads of cultures after centuries of settlement, from Chinese to Dutch, Portuguese to African and Arab, food in Mauritius is as speckled as its past. Whether visitors are looking for fine dining or street food, gastronomy in Mauritius is a journey of its own, reflecting the island’s diverse history.
