• Dubai-based Pakistani editor Maira Omer with her daughter on their holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer
    Dubai-based Pakistani editor Maira Omer with her daughter on their holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer
  • Maira Omer and daughter on holiday in Georgia. Ms Omer said every country that they visited surprised them with beautiful landscapes. Photo: Maira Omer
    Maira Omer and daughter on holiday in Georgia. Ms Omer said every country that they visited surprised them with beautiful landscapes. Photo: Maira Omer
  • Maira Omer and M Omer Farooq with their daughter on holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer
    Maira Omer and M Omer Farooq with their daughter on holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer
  • Maira Omer and her daughter during their holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer
    Maira Omer and her daughter during their holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer
  • Travel agents in Dubai believe affordability, travel time and availability of activities draw people to places like Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Photo: Levon Vardanyan / Unsplash
    Travel agents in Dubai believe affordability, travel time and availability of activities draw people to places like Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Photo: Levon Vardanyan / Unsplash
  • The Symphony of Stones in Garni, central Armenia, are made of symmetrical hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns measuring almost 50 metres high. Photo: Unsplash
    The Symphony of Stones in Garni, central Armenia, are made of symmetrical hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns measuring almost 50 metres high. Photo: Unsplash
  • Khor Virap monastery on the Ararat Plain is Armenia’s most sacred site and popular with visitors. Photo: Esplora
    Khor Virap monastery on the Ararat Plain is Armenia’s most sacred site and popular with visitors. Photo: Esplora
  • Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a favoured destination for UAE travellers. Getty
    Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a favoured destination for UAE travellers. Getty
  • Georgia’s latest tourist attraction is a 240-metre-long hanging bridge with a glass walkway and a diamond-shaped centrepiece outside the city of Tsalka, about 100 kilometres from Tbilisi. AFP
    Georgia’s latest tourist attraction is a 240-metre-long hanging bridge with a glass walkway and a diamond-shaped centrepiece outside the city of Tsalka, about 100 kilometres from Tbilisi. AFP
  • There are now five direct flights a day from the UAE to Tbilisi, Georgia, in addition to flights direct to the Black Sea city of Batumi. AFP
    There are now five direct flights a day from the UAE to Tbilisi, Georgia, in addition to flights direct to the Black Sea city of Batumi. AFP
  • Azerbaijan provides visas on arrival to residents of the UAE. AP
    Azerbaijan provides visas on arrival to residents of the UAE. AP

Georgia and Armenia tourism is booming — and it's down to Gulf travellers


Anam Rizvi
  • English
  • Arabic

In March, Maira Omer had a summer holiday itinerary for what she described as “half of the world”, but with endless delays in securing visas, she was left despondent with nowhere to travel to this year.

The Dubai-based Pakistani book editor had Europe on her mind but faced weeks of waiting for visa appointments for some countries while others had no appointments left for this year.

She decided to take matters into her own hands and created an itinerary for her family that included Georgia, Azerbaijan and Croatia.

In the face of long waiting times for Schengen visas, many UAE residents — especially those from India and Pakistan — have set their sights on Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, each of which provides visas on arrival to residents of the Emirates.

From the UAE, we have 50 to 100 couples travelling to Georgia every week, with a majority of these from India, Pakistan and the Philippines
Godly Babukutty,
Epic Travel

“Back in March, we were applying to visit a lot of countries because the restrictions had settled down a little bit … and this year, it was just boom … the world was open,” said Ms Omer, 30, a mother of one.

“Everyone was travelling so much in March, we did try to apply for let's say half of the world.

“Initially, we wanted to travel in May or June because that is when the summer starts over here and the heat gets brutal. We wanted to explore Europe [but] could not find any visa appointments.

“We tried Singapore but there were travel restrictions and we needed an invitation. We tried the UK and Canada and the US, and, in some cases, we were getting the closest [visa appointment] slot in April next year.”

The family were told to check websites regularly in case appointments became available.

She said many of her friends who travelled in the summer applied for Schengen visas back in January or February.

Maira Omer and her husband M Omer Farooq during their holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer
Maira Omer and her husband M Omer Farooq during their holiday in Georgia in May. Photo: Maira Omer

“We couldn't get any [visa] booking slots online and ended up going to the countries that provide visa on arrival … that was because, at that time, we just wanted to get it over with and needed to go somewhere.”

Ms Omer had hoped that visa appointments would open up so that her family could travel in August but found that all slots continued to be fully booked.

“We were desperate. We needed to change of scene and I wanted mountains and nature and something cooler. So, we ended up going for Georgia since it was visa on arrival,” she said.

The family booked a holiday package and their Croatia visa came through at the last minute, allowing them to spend close to two weeks in the three countries.

“These were literally last-resort countries and a lot more affordable. Every country that we visited has always surprised us with just how beautiful the landscape is,” she said.

The National reported in June that long waiting times for Schengen visas and difficulties in completing the necessary paperwork meant residents had little choice but to travel to countries not requiring a Schengen visa.

Although Europe is a top summer destination for many UAE residents, Schengen visas are required by citizens of more than 100 countries before they are allowed to travel to the continent.

Affordability and travel time

Travel agents in Dubai believe affordability, travel times and an array of activities have drawn people to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In the past 20 to 25 years, Georgia's dependence on tourism has increased significantly. The number of tourists increased from 85,000 in 1995 to 7.73 million in 2019.

In 1997, tourism revenue stood at $75 million, while in 2020, it was $586m.

Godly Babukutty owner of Epic Travel In Dubai. Courtesy: Godly Babukutty
Godly Babukutty owner of Epic Travel In Dubai. Courtesy: Godly Babukutty

Godly Babukutty, owner of Epic Travel in Dubai, said that some of his clients had applied for UK visas and had been waiting for 10 weeks.

“There are several easy places to visit such as Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Serbia, so people are opting to go to these,” said Mr Babukutty.

“From the UAE, we have 50 to 100 couples travelling to Georgia every week, with a majority of these from India, Pakistan and the Philippines.”

Mr Babukutty was in Georgia recently for meetings with business partners to widen offerings and activities for customers due to the increased demand.

“Even people who have travelled to Georgia or Romania once or twice want to travel again because there are lots of things you can do in these countries.

“Also, these countries are affordable and another factor is travel time, which is around three to three-and-a-half hours for these countries. All these countries are easily reachable and we have good connectivity.”

He said families travelling to Georgia could expect to spend Dh2,500 per person for a week.

Hotels see surge

There are now five direct flights a day from the UAE to Tbilisi, Georgia, in addition to flights direct to the Black Sea city of Batumi.
There are now five direct flights a day from the UAE to Tbilisi, Georgia, in addition to flights direct to the Black Sea city of Batumi.

Hotels in Georgia and Armenia have reported a surge in tourists from the UAE.

Antony Doucet, chief experience officer at Kerten Hospitality, who is currently in Tbilisi for the opening of luxury boutique hotel, The House Hotel Old Tbilisi, said there was increased interest in Tbilisi as a destination.

“During the pre-opening phase of The House Hotel Old Tbilisi, we were studying the market and we noticed that the UAE has increased the number of direct flights to Georgia. There are now five direct flights a day from the UAE to Tbilisi, in addition to other flights linking directly to Batumi,” said Mr Doucet.

“Overall, the good value for money, the undiscovered destination for travellers from the UAE and the frequency of direct flights have increased the interest in the country, and we are already seeing more and more inquiries from the region.

“Such is the case with visitors from Saudi Arabia, now that there are direct flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Tbilisi, as well. If you are looking for an upcoming destination, then Georgia would be the place.”

Mr Doucet said Georgia's status as an all-year destination had contributed to the growing interest from the UAE, especially in the summer when the weather there is cooler.

In the winter months, the mountains have well-developed ski resorts that are much cheaper than those in Europe.

Inna Khostikyan, general manager at Republica Hotel Yerevan in Armenia, said she had seen an increase, although not major, in the number of tourists from the UAE.

She attributed the increase mostly to Indian residents travelling to Armenia.

Specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre V6

Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km

Price: Dh179,999-plus

On sale: now 

Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House

Profile box

Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D 
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Squads

India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.

Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

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How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school

Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety

Shows signs of depression or isolation

Ability to sleep well diminishes

Academic performance begins to deteriorate

Changes in eating habits

Struggles to concentrate

Refuses to go to school

Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings

Begins to use language they do not normally use

The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

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ATP WORLD No 1

2004 Roger Federer

2005 Roger Federer

2006 Roger Federer

2007 Roger Federer

2008 Rafael Nadal

2009 Roger Federer

2010 Rafael Nadal

2011 Novak Djokovic

2012 Novak Djokovic

2013 Rafael Nadal

2014 Novak Djokovic

2015 Novak Djokovic

2016 Andy Murray

2017 Rafael Nadal

2018 Novak Djokovic

2019 Rafael Nadal

All Blacks line-up for third Test

J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).

Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, M Fekitoa.

Updated: August 02, 2022, 7:24 AM