UK tourism will benefit from the launch of a visa waiver initiative for UAE, Oman and Qatar nationals. It is also expected to increase participation from British exhibitors at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2014, which will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 5 to 8, 2014. Organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions is anticipating a surge of exhibition enquiries from UK-based travel and hospitality companies following the recent lifting of visa requirements for UAE, Oman and Qatar nationals travelling to the UK.
Effective from the first quarter of 2014, citizens from the three Gulf states will be able to obtain a free electronic visa waiver 48 hours prior to their planned departure to the UK, replacing the current visa application process. The waiver is also set to be extended to Kuwaiti nationals later next year. The new visa waiver applies for short-term visits only with a six-month validity period. However, those applying to study in the UK or enter for business will still need to apply for a visa.
“London is a perennial favourite among GCC travellers who flock to the capital in the summer months in search of cooler temperatures as well as to take advantage of the fantastic shopping, entertainment options and luxury hotel accommodation,” says Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions. “The British government-backed national tourism agency, VisitBritain’s 2020 forecast – of up to 40 per cent more UAE tourists choosing to spend time in the city – is great news for UK tourism.”
John Calthorpe, managing director, Pavilion Expo Limited, the organiser of the UK Pavillion at ATM, believes UK representation at the show will be buoyed by the news. “The 37 per cent increase in visitors that VisitBritian announced from last year has the possibility of being dwarfed by this visa waiver programme, with the initiative encouraging more frequent short breaks from the region.”
The UK pavilion is also increasing year-on-year in terms of size and exhibitors.
“ATM 2014 will see the biggest and most popular UK pavilion to date – 144 sq m and 34 exhibiting companies. London and Scotland are two of most active participants but we are hoping add other UK cities,” says Calthorpe.
Boosted by global interest in the London Olympics, the UK enjoyed a record year for tourism last year with $30.46 billion injected into the economy from overseas visitors, of which $1.97 billion came from the GCC countries.
Visitors from the GCC are also among the highest spenders, with an average of $3,417 per person per visit and the UK is the second-most visited destination by UAE residents with the number of visits doubling in the last decade.
According to Walsh, outbound travel agencies and specialist tour operators in the UAE, as well as the country’s carriers, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways, are also expected to place increased emphasis and marketing spend on UK travel and routes once the new system is officially up and running.