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The ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ concludes its successful campaign by a 50% increase in hotel establishments revenues

DUBAI, 13th February, 2022 (WAM) — The UAE Government Media Office announced the success of the second edition of the "World's Coolest Winter" campaign, that was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on December 2021.

The campaign promoted tourism, natural sites and entertaining destinations and experiences across the seven emirates of the UAE. Achieving qualitative results for national economy, and a marked increase in the domestic tourism, the campaign raised the revenues of hotel establishments to AED1.5 billion, compared to AED1 billion in its first edition last year, marking an increase of 50%.

In its second edition, the campaign also raised the number of domestic tourists from 950,000 to 1.3 million, an increase of 36% over the first edition of the campaign. While the occupancy rate of hotel establishments during this period reached 73%, compared to 66% in 2021, recording an increase of 7% over the occupancy rate, comparing to the first edition of the campaign in 2021.

The campaign recorded a remarkable turnout and participation on social media, achieving more than half a million interactions from around the world on different platforms, while the reach rate exceeded half a billion. Also, It was accompanied by more than 87 media interviews and 53 press releases, while the #WorldsCoolestWinter hashtag was used in more than 71,000 photos and videos on social media.

More than 260 promotional videos for the campaign were produced by the UAE Government Media Office, while 106 content makers submitted 175 videos about the campaign, which collectively achieved 129 million views.

The campaign proved once again the advanced position of the UAE as a major tourism destination in the world, highlighting its beauty, the spirit of its people and their authentic human values and warm hospitality.

The World’s Coolest Winter was launched locally on the 15th of December 2021, and was implemented by the UAE Government Media Office, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and various entities concerned with tourism, culture and heritage, aiming to highlight the various tourism destinations in the country. The campaign succeeded once again in introducing UAE’s beautiful nature, culture, heritage, history, architecture and landmarks, to local and international audience and to highlight the distinguished tourism experience in each of the seven emirates.

Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, said that launching initiatives, such as the World’s Coolest Campaign which strengthens internal tourism, is a main pillar and engine for economic development within the projects of the next 50 years, adopted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE,

He added, "The different activities during the "World's Coolest Winter" campaign have shown the UAE's landmarks and destinations in a new way, by introducing visitors to the UAE’s unique tourism potential, providing them with the opportunity to enjoy natural beauty, tourism services, rich cultural, historical and environmental heritage, and to undergo exceptional experiences during the winter vacation."

Belhoul indicated that the UAE, through its unique tourist, heritage and urban attractions, has become one of the most preferred destination for tourists from all over the world. Adding that: "The World’s Coolest Winter campaign has contributed to supporting the tourism sector and increasing its growth, which reflects the flexibility and the safe environment that characterizes the economy and tourism sector in the UAE."

He concluded: "We will continue to promote domestic tourism, as we believe it is a strategic axis of the national economy and development journey. the Emirates Tourism Council, will continue in presenting plans and enhancing efforts, through coordination and joint work with all stakeholders in the tourism sector, to double the results that have been achieved, by 2030."

Saeed Al Eter, the Chair of the UAE Government Media Office, said that the UAE driven by its rich, highly equipped and efficient heritage, entertainment and cultural components and destinations, is now considered one of the most sough-after destination in the regional and global tourism industry.

He added: "The World’s Coolest Winter campaign, and its success in achieving record numbers, reflects the wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also represents the country's impressive success in highlighting its unique tourism capabilities, and the confidence of the world in the UAE tourism product."

Al Eter also noted the importance of coordinated efforts in the success of the campaign through the cooperation of partners in the tourism authorities of various emirates, contributing to the great success of the campaign that was warmly received by local, regional and international media.

As part of celebrating mild weather and tourist destinations in the UAE, the campaign also witnessed the launch of "Let's Make Their Winter Warmer" campaign, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the Network of Regional Food Banks and YouTuber Hassan Suleiman "Abu Fella". This campaign contributed to raising $11.5 million donated by 155,000 donors from 120 countries around the world, for the benefit of 110,000 refugee and displaced families and disadvantaged families in the Arab region and Africa, enabling them to overcome harsh winter and secure their basic needs.

The initiative was recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records for the longest continuous live broadcast (video) of 268 hours,.and the largest number of direct views in one moment for a humanitarian campaign via YouTube, with total of 700,000 views at the same time. also, the humanitarian initiative recorded more than 800 local, regional and international media coverage, reaching 20 million people, and 163 million views, while 29,258 people interacted with the campaign directly on social media.

During the campaign, several social media influencers, including Omar Farouk, Joe Hattab, Khaled Al Khaldi, Ali Salloum, and Wasnisni, participated in vlogging and covering various attractions in the UAE.

The campaign also launched the "World’s Coolest Winter photography competition", organized by The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA), in cooperation with the UAE Government Media Office. The competition aimed at encouraging amateur and professional photographers to capture the most beautiful recreational, cultural and natural landmarks of the UAE and introducing its diverse tourist activities. It received more than 2,800 entries from 89 nationalities.

The campaign shed light on the values of tolerance, coexistence, respect for human diversity, and the warm hospitality of the people in the country. It also shed light on the country’s unique tourist attractions and diverse activities that include environment and sustainable tourism, desert tourism, beach tourism, mountain tourism, adventure tourism, Cultural and heritage tourism, Festivals and events tourism, which includes arts, musical and entertainment activities, in addition to Expo 2020 Dubai, the largest human event of its kind in the world, beside Shopping tourism that provides visitors with shopping festivals, offers and discounts across the country, while health and hospitalization tourism offers the opportunity to benefit from world-class health and recreation services.

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Emirates

World Free Zones Organization Launches its New Corporate Identity

The World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) has launched its new corporate identity, which coincided
with its 10th anniversary. The launch came during the 10 th World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) World Congress in Dubai held under the theme ‘Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures – Unlocking New Investment Avenues’, In conjunction with the launch of its new corporate identity, the World FZO announced its new vision, mission, and purpose. Its new vision focuses on driving global economic progress, sustainability, and inclusive growth through empowered free zones, setting the benchmark for economic advancement. As part of its new mission, the World FZO aims to engage with free zones from around the world by supporting them through knowledge
sharing, networking, advocacy, and consulting, enhancing their positive impact and contributions to economic and social development in their respective countries.
The World FZO reaffirmed its commitment to its core values while enhancing its approach by adopting the
latest practices and keeping pace with rapid global changes. This forward-thinking approach enables the
organisation to reshape prevailing perceptions and highlight its distinctive and innovative methods.
With its new identity, the World FZO also emphasise its dedication to launching purposeful and transparent initiatives that solidify its role as a catalyst for positive change on the global stage.
The organisation’s new corporate identity represents its three strategic pillars: Impact, Influence, and Trust. Its focus on Impact will drive sustainable growth and effectiveness, ensuring that free zones remain at the forefront of socio-economic development and innovation. Under its second pillar, Influence, it seeks to shape the future of global trade and investment by advocating for policies that foster growth and opportunity for businesses and communities. Furthermore, by building Trust, the organizations will reinforce its role as a steadfast ally, providing the advocacy needed to navigate an increasingly complex and evolving global landscape. The organisation’s key objectives for its new phase include opening new investment horizons and reinforcing social contributions by supporting net-zero initiatives.
The World FZO remains focused on fostering trade relations and partnerships between economic zones in its member countries, while broadening its activities to encompass emerging economic sectors. These sectors align with the demands of the era, including artificial intelligence, digital trade, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and advanced technologies.

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Emirates

Dubai Customs Launches Innovative Training Program to Enhance Emiratisation Efforts

– Specialized Vocational Program Under "Masar 33" Aims to Train and Employ 80
Citizens
– Sultan Bin Sulayem: Our Plans Align with National Vision and Goals
– Abdulla Mohammed Busenad: A Strong Commitment to Supporting
Nationalization Efforts in the UA

Dubai Customs is launching a significant initiative to train and employ 80 new high school graduates as “Customs Inspectors.”in line with the vision of the Dubai government and contributing to the goals of the Dubai Economic and Social Agenda, along with the leadership’s commitment to invest in citizens and increase Emiratisation rates.
This initiative is part of the department’s commitment to enhance the participation of citizens
in the economic development process and to support the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan goals
by investing in the youth and equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to
keep pace with global changes. The department has allocated a vocational program in
customs inspection for candidates selected from Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024, providing them
with professional training for seven months both domestically and internationally before they
take up available positions. This initiative is part of the pioneering “Masar 33” program
designed to meet Dubai’s agenda goals by mobilizing all resources and development plans
to ensure the highest quality of life for citizens in the emirate. “Masar 33″aims to enhance
the competitiveness of Emirati talent through various initiatives, professional programs, and
scholarships, establishing Dubai Customs as a cornerstone for advancing the national
human development system, boosting its efficiency and productivity, and increasing its
participation in economic sectors to meet Dubai’s leading aspirations for the future.

Program Objectives:
The vocational program aims to nurture and train new high school graduates by enhancing
their professional skills in line with the Dubai government’s vision. It seeks to integrate
citizens into the labor market from early stages, ensuring their future success and
competitiveness. Additionally, it focuses on building the capabilities of customs inspectors on
scientific and advanced training foundations to address security risks and protect the
community and economy from customs evasion and smuggling, achieving a 100%
nationalization rate in customs inspection at Dubai Customs.

Active Participation:

H.E. Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports,
Customs and Free Zone Corporation, stated that the organization is committed through its
various initiatives and programs aimed at training and qualifying citizens to actively
contribute to the success of the UAE’s national vision, which is fundamentally based on the
Emirati workforce. He praised Dubai Customs for diversifying its projects in line with the
Dubai government’s plan and its social and economic agenda, enhancing the
competitiveness of citizens in the labor market for both the public and private sectors under
an ambitious strategy to encourage and promote nationalization policies.

Attracting Citizens:
H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, emphasized that
the department provides a range of specialized programs at the highest levels to attract
young citizens and involve them in the development process. Through “Masar 33” which
aligns with the objectives of the Dubai agenda and the leadership’s vision for enhancing
nationalization in both the public and private sectors, the programs enable citizens to gain
knowledge, field experience, and technical skills necessary for joining the labor market
through the approved career path. He noted that the initiative to train recent high school
graduates in customs professions builds upon Dubai Customs’ previous achievements in
qualifying citizens and the positive results attained through a series of diverse programs
covering the most in-demand job sectors. The department remains committed to enhancing
the efficiency of citizens and providing them with the professional opportunities they seek,
reinforcing its commitment to supporting nationalization efforts in the UAE.

Four Pillars:
Mohammed Al Ghaffari, Executive Director, Human Resources Division at Dubai Customs,
announced the opening of applications for the customs inspector training program during the
Ru’ya Careers UAE 2024 and provided the link to the official Dubai Government Jobs
website. The program is designed around four main pillars: digital skills programs, behavioral
programs, customs science programs, and security programs, alongside practical training in
the department’s customs centers and external training in collaboration with strategic
partners, which includes a comprehensive professional guidance program. He stated, “The
programs provided by Dubai Customs are increasingly popular among young citizens,
confirming the success of the department’ efforts in attracting national talent to shape future
leaders in customs work through various academic and specialized professional paths. This
offers new graduates the opportunity to qualify for roles in Dubai Customs, with 80 vacancies
allocated for graduates of the customs inspector training program.”

 

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Emirates

DCO Secretary-General commends Global Digital Compact at Summit of the Future

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the
Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), said that “the digital divide the world faces today is
multifaceted, encompassing gaps in digital intelligence, computing capabilities, gender, and
skills,” in a speech at the Summit of the Future held during UNGA79 in New York.
In her speech, delivered after the UN General Assembly adopted the & Pact for the Future’ and the
‘Global Digital Compact’, AlYahya warned that “The AI and computing divide represents a
significant barrier, as some nations advance rapidly in AI innovation and deployment, while
others struggle to keep pace.
At the same time, the gender digital divide continues to limit women’s access to technology and
opportunities, and the skills divide leaves many without the digital competencies essential for
success in a fast-evolving economy. If we do not address these interconnected challenges, we
risk leaving entire communities behind.”
AlYahya praised the Global Digital Compact for “lays out an ambitious roadmap for an
inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all,” emphasizing that “It is a
bold vision, but the real challenge is translating these goals, principles, objectives, and
commitments into action, especially as we strive to achieve the SDGs.”
AlYahya highlighted that “at the Summit of the Future, the DCO proudly launched the Digital
Economy Navigator (DEN), an innovative tool that provides detailed insights on digital economy
performance across 50 countries. This initiative is just one of the many ways we are turning the
principles of the Global Digital Compact into action.”
She explained that “while DEN is a vital resource, it is only the beginning. In the spirit of
networked multilateralism, we must foster collective efforts to the GDC’s ambitious goals,
objectives, and commitments. I call upon every country, organization, and individual to join
forces in this critical endeavor.”
The Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) evaluates digital economy performance through three
intersecting dimensions: Digital Enablers, Digital Business, and Digital Society. Within these
dimensions, 10 pillars synthesize and summarize key aspects of countries’ digital economy, and
use of digital technology application from 102 indicators gathered from respected secondary data
sources, in addition to proprietary survey data of more than 27,000 participants across the 50
countries.
In addition to the launch of the DEN, on the sidelines of UNGA, DCO signed an agreement with
the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to enhance digital cooperation and accelerate
digital transformation across the world, to support efforts aimed at achieving the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the League of Arab States (LAS) to
accelerate the inclusive and sustainable digital economy, enhance relations and exchange experiences and knowledge, and accelerate the process of digital transformation and economic development.

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