May 14 - French tourist authorities are looking to attract more high-end travelers from the GCC by starting a new drive which will feature information about the country’s various tourist spots. As many as 725,000 tourists from the Middle East went to France last year so officials of the French tourism authority hope to maintain this number this year also. "We are not expecting an immediate surge in tourist traffic to France from the region this year, given the general global slowdown. Our strategy is long-term and we want to create awareness about the immense tourist potential of France and its new destinations in Rhone Alps and Bordeaux," said Karim Mekachera, Director of Atout France, Near and Middle East, the state-owned French tourism body.
Most of the GCC tourists are from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. "Travellers from the region are high-end clientele for France's tourism and this realisation will be the base for our onward strategy to woo the affluent bitten by the travel bug from the Middle and Near East," added Mekachera. He also said that while 2009 was a good year for tourism in France, there was a six per cent decrease in tourist arrivals in the first half of 2009 from the Middle East. "Travellers from the Middle East and Near East are high contributors to French tourism industry in terms of their liberal spending habits and long stays and we believe that their share in the global outbound flows to our country is as yet not unlocked fully," Karim said. People in the GCC region tend to spend more, he added.
Mount Nebo is a ridge that rises 817m above sea level about 35km southwest of Amman. In the Old Testament, Mount Nebo is where Moses first glimpsed the Holy land (and where he was later buried). The view has not changed. It's simply breathtaking. On a clear day you can see all the way to Jerusalem. Be sure to go in the afternoon or evening on a clear day, because the...
The most on show building in the city, Parliament was completed in 1902 and has 690 gorgeous rooms mixed in a neo-Gothic, neo-Romanesque and neobaroque styles. You’ll only get to see three on a guided tour which takes you around the North Wing. On a tour you’re likely to see the Crown of St Stephen on display, along with the ceremonial sword and, orb and the 10th century Persian crafted sceptre wi...
Minar-e-Pakistan is an important monument which stands in Iqbal Park. It is of great historical significance and stands at the exact same spot at which Muslim leaders proclaimed in 1940 that India had to be divided and a separate homeland for Muslims had to be created to ensure their safety. This structure is 60 meters high and is constructed of concrete with marble and stone walls and floors. Vis...
This district is famous for its Christmas Collectors Fair that takes place every year. ...