Middle East and North Africa Edition
JORDAN CONCERNS Jordan’s tourism promoters have hit back at negative press, voicing concerns that association with unrest in Egypt could harm tourism to the country.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has revealed its ambitious plans for developing tourism in the emirate, focusing on golf, cruising, culture, education and events.
4 LIBYA MARRIOTT The first Marriott hotel in Libya, JW Marriott Tripoli, will open in the nation’s capital on February 15.
8 In This Issue
Market Update Weekly News Accommodation News Air Travel News International News Agents’ Corner Who’s Moved Travel Talk Rendezvous Travel Tips Events
FEBRUARY 12, 2011
2 4 8 10 12 14 15 16 18 19 20 ISSUE 66
ADTA Strategy
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TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY Managing Editor Mary Kammitsi Deputy Editor Louis Dillon Savage Journalist Rita Kasziba Design & Layout Elina Pericleous Sales & Marketing Dimitris Thomaidis Directors Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi Headquarters P.O. Box 25255 Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +35722820888 Fax: +35722318958 Website www.traveltradeweekly.travel Emails info@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel
NCBC to Advise on Tourism Development in Al Ogair, Saudi Arabia The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has secured a financial advisor to oversee the formation of a new tourism development entity.
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he commission has entered an agreement with NCBC Capital which will see the latter provide advice on the formation of the new Al Ogair Development company. Al Ogair Development Company will be responsible for developing a range of tourism sites and attractions in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, president of SCTA, said the project was a high priority, despite having experienced delays. “Al Ogair development project is one of the leading national projects and we hope to reach in the next stage the provision of
joint tourism investment options to both public and private sectors,” he said. “This project was delayed for various reasons, but now we are working in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA), the site owner and the General Investment Fund to accelerate its implementation.” NCBC was selected as advisor through a process of public bidding. Bin Abdul Aziz said increased government support was a crucial factor in getting the project off the ground. “The decision of the Council of Ministers in 2010, to support the activities of SCTA, and provide the necessary financial resources is an important step to stimulate tourism investment,” he said.
Travelport Founds Algerian Subsidiary
MENA Exchange Rates Accurate as of 10/2/2011 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar COUNTRY UAE (AED) Egypt (EGP) Saudi Arabia (SAR) Lebanon (LBP) Bahrain (BHD) Jordan ( JOD) Syria (SYP) Kuwait (KWD) Qatar (QAR) Oman (OMR) Tunisia (TND) Morocco (MAD) Iran (IRR) Yemen (YER) Algeria (DZD) Libya (LYD)
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CURRENCY Dirham Pound Riyal Pound Dinar Dinar Pound Dinar Riyal Rial Dinar Dirham Riyal Rial Dinar Dinar
1USD= 3.67 5.88 3.75 1508.05 0.37 0.71 46.98 0.28 3.64 0.38 1.42 8.23 10,340 214.73 73.1 1.24
Global distribution system (GDS) provider Travelport has entered the Algerian market, launching a local subsidiary called Travelport Algeria. The company will distribute the company’s two GDS platforms, Galileo and Worldspan, within the North African country. Lotfi Skander, former head of rival Amadeus Algeria, has been named as general manager. He said the entrance of Travelport would improve the choices available to agents in the country. “This new partnership with Travelport means that travel agents in the country will now have far greater choice when it comes to selecting a GDS provider and I firmly believe that they will be as excited by the Travelport offering as I am; I think this is great news for the local travel industry,” he said. Marc Meehan, managing director in Africa for Travelport, said the move represents a step forward for the company’s regional activities.
Travel agents in the country will now have far greater choice “This new partnership marks an important milestone for Travelport as we further strengthen our presence and provide increased localised support to our travel agency customers in this region,” he said. “Travelport Algeria will be better placed to work more closely with the local travel industry and introduce exciting new and innovative products and services to travel agents in the region.” FEBRUARY 12, 2011
ATM Interest Reflects Region-Wide Tourism Focus Economic diversification is driving tourism growth in the Middle East, according to the organisers of Arabian Travel Market.
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eed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of the event, have reported increased interest in the lead up to their 2011 show in March. Space booked at the exhibition by Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar rose by 11.8 percent, 7.5 percent, 3.8 percent and 3.6 percent respectively compared to 2010. Reed cited figures from around the Gulf indicating a focus on tourism as a means of diversifying away from reliance on oil and gas. Mark Walsh, group exhibition director of Reed Travel Exhibitions, said Saudi Arabia, the region’s largest economy, was a good example. “Saudi Arabia is keen to diversify its economy,” he said. “Revenue from hydrocarbon exports currently accounts for 45 percent of Saudi gross domestic product (GDP).” Similarly, Walsh said bullishness among regional aviation players demonstrated a region-wide drive to diversify. “Regionally, billions of dollars are being
invested in tourism infrastructure – Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates are all aggressively expanding or reviewing spending on their fleets and identifying new destinations, diversifying their economies, at a time when oil prices seem destined to settle comfortably above USD100 per barrel,” he said.
Regionally, billions of dollars are being invested in tourism infrastructure The success of the region at attracting socalled mega events is also set to increase tourism in the Middle East. Walsh shared market research figures indicating the expected impact of the Qatar-hosted FIFA World Cup 2022. “According to consultancy firm Grant Thornton, around 373,000 fans visited South Africa for the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup alone,” he said. “In Qatar's case, at least twice as many people again will be needed during the planning and preparation stages to
Mark Walsh
develop the stadia, hotels, power and transport infrastructure.” The World Tourism Organisation has predicted an average of 6.7 percent growth in tourism arrivals for the Middle East up until 2020 and the region showed increases in major hospitality performance measures in 2010.
Jordan Tourism Officials Hit Back at Bad Press, Express Concerns Over Impact Jordan’s tourism sector could take a hit from widespread unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, according to Jordan Tourism Board ( JTB). The country has experienced street demonstrations and protests calling for constitutional reform in the monarchical country. Jordan’s king dismissed his prime minister and cabinet in early February and promised to initiate reforms. JTB released a statement emphasising that Jordan remains a safe destination, despite having been associated with 4
more severe unrest in Egypt and Tunisia. Nayef Al-Fayez, managing director of JTB, criticised news coverage linking protests in Jordan to those elsewhere. “Any such link or characterisation is not objective, is certainly unfair, and does great injustice to everything that Jordan stands for,” he said. “Tourists from all over the world continue to enjoy Jordan’s countless and priceless treasures, as well as its unique and internationally renowned hospitality.” Muhannad Malhas, a spokesperson for Jordan Inbound Tour Operators
Association ( JITOA), said Jordan has been used as an evacuation point for tour groups escaping upheavals in other countries. Similarly, according to Malhas, a number of tours intended for other Middle Eastern destinations have been redirected to Jordan as a safer alternative. Nevertheless officials have expressed concern over the possible impact of unrest on tourism to the region and Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism has announced a campaign to address potential misconceptions. FEBRUARY 12, 2011
ADTA Unveils 2011 Tourism Development Strategy Abu Dhabi will concentrate on developing and marketing its cruise, golf, educational, events and cultural segments in 2011, according to the emirate’s tourism authority.
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ubarak Al Muhairi, director general of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), revealed the plan at the authority’s Annual Industry Forum. “We will invest in these sectors and address all components of the value chain, extending a range of incentives to our partners and tour operators worldwide,” he said. “These are all segments where we now have significant resources, the product to satisfy demand and to differentiate ourselves.” ADTA has also increased its target for the number of hotel guests in the emirate this year.
Two million guests is the new benchmark, an increase of 100,000 on 2010 numbers. Al Muhairi said 2011 will prove challenging, but that he believes Abu Dhabi will be able to meet its goals. “Our destination rose superbly to the challenge in 2010 and we believe we can do it again,” he said. “We have our work cut out for us with another 4,000 plus rooms, in both business and leisure hotels and resorts, due on line this year adding to our existing room stock of 18,844.” New source markets are also being targeted as part of Abu Dhabi’s strategy, with ADTA boosting its presence in key locations.
Mubarak Al Muhairi
“We have representation on the ground in Moscow and are finalising a dedicated office there, while offices will open in Manhattan, New York and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia by the end of the first quarter,” Al Muhairi said.
MMI and Omega to Partner on Government Contracts MMI Travel and Omega World Travel have formed a partnership to supply US government agencies in the UAE. Omega travel is one of the largest travel agencies in the US and one of only two companies in the Middle East authorised to hold US government and military travel contracts. According to a joint statement from the companies, the partnership has been established to extend the reach of services provided and meet demand for travel by US officials. Goran Gligorovic, managing director of Omega, said the Middle East is the focus of expansion plans for the company. “The GCC is one of the key expansion markets for Omega World Travel,” he said. “Our partnership with MMI Travel will greatly increase our capabilities in this region and Omega is looking forward to a successful relationship and an enhanced offering for our clients.” Mayank Dhingra, general manager of MMI, said his company’s local knowledge would benefit the partnership. “As a specialised travel operator in the GCC, MMI has the flexibility to tailor its products to meet the unique requirements of its clients, whether this is in the area of banking, finance or overseas government entities,” he said. 6
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- Accommodation
Marriott International Takes First Step into Libya The first Marriott hotel in Libya, JW Marriott Tripoli, will open in the nation’s capital on February 15.
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he property will offer 370 rooms, 38 suites and three restaurants. According to Gerald Moutte, general manager of the property, the process of launching the hotel has been challenging but he believes the property will perform strongly. Moutte said the property faces little competition in the country, as one of the only five star properties from a major international brand. “Opening a hotel like this in Libya is a challenge, but also a great opportunity,” he said. “Libya has been a closed country for a long time but is now beginning to open up.”
Moutte explained that visa issues had plagued the hotel, a common problem for the tourism industry in the highly bureaucratic country.
Opening a hotel like this in Libya is a challenge, but also a great opportunity He said the hotel would target business travellers and locals to compensate for the relatively low traffic of leisure visitors. “Local people have been waiting for this hotel, which is something of a landmark in Tripoli,” he said. “I know they are eager to try our outlets
JW Marriott Tripoli
and our ballroom for weddings, which will be the largest in the city when we open.” Moutte said Libya still has a long way to come, but that progress continues in opening the country for greater tourism opportunities. Tourism attractions within Libya include a number of well-preserved ancient Roman sites and a range of natural features.
Ibis Hits 900 with New Moroccan Hotel Ibis Tanger City Centre in Tangier, Morocco marks the nine hundredth property operating under the Ibis brand worldwide and Accor’s hundredth hotel in Africa. The property opened on January 31 amid fireworks and fanfare. Ibis was launched in 1974 in France and has spread steadily since then. Yann Calliere, CEO of Accor, said Ibis will continue to grow rapidly. “Ibis will continue to expand at a rate of around 70 new hotel openings a year,” he said. “The opening of this Ibis hotel in Tangier is also an important landmark for the group since it is Accor’s hundredth hotel in Africa.”
Ibis will continue to expand at a rate of around 70 new hotel openings a year The new hotel is the sixteenth Ibis Accor has opened in Morocco since the brand was introduced in 1997. According to Accor, the brand now represents 50 percent of their operations in the country. 8
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- Accommodation
Major New Contender Hits MENA Hospitality Newly formed Asian company Zinc | Invision Hospitality will invest USD180 million launching its hotel brands in the Middle East and North Africa.
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he company has announced plans for 28 properties region-wide, with the first to go online in 2014. That property will be located in Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE and operate under the company’s flagship business brand, Zinc Edge. The company will focus its development in Dubai, aiming for eight hotels in that city along with its regional operational headquarters. Other properties planned include two in Qatar, three in Saudi Arabia, two in Bahrain, one in Lebanon, two in Oman, four in Egypt, two in Syria and four in Morocco. The hotels will be spread between Zinc | Invision’s seven brands, which range from boutique urban concept Zinc City, to the eco and culture focused Zinc Journey.
increasing – allowing us a perfect time to come in and leverage our presence in the area. “Offering both a five star hotel and mid-tier hotel to different travellers allows the opportunity for Zinc | Invision Hospitality to package itself as a brand that is friendly
for all travellers.” Zinc | Invision is a joint venture between Thai company Invision Hospitality and Cinovision | CG, a Singapore based subsidiary of Nepalese conglomerate Chaudhary Group.
We are looking at phoenix-like growth over the next few years Jean Marc LaFosse, vice president of development in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Middle East and Africa for the company, said rapid growth was planned to take advantage of a recovering market in Dubai. “We are looking at phoenix-like growth over the next few years,” he said. “Recent tourism reports have shown that Dubai's five star hotel market is slowly recovering and the revenue per available room (RevPAR) is also FEBRUARY 12, 2011
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- Air Travel
Etihad and Air New Zealand Initiate Codeshare Etihad has signed a codeshare agreement with Air New Zealand, further entrenching itself in the Australasian aviation market.
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ending regulatory approval, the codeshare flights will go on sale from the end of February. For Etihad, the agreement opens a range of destinations within New Zealand, including the cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Customer loyalty schemes operated by both airlines will be integrated, allowing travellers to earn points on either carrier. James Hogan, CEO of Etihad, confirmed the partnership was part of a wider strategy for growth in the region. “This new codeshare illustrates Etihad’s growing ambitions in the Asia Pacific region,” he said.
“It opens up five key destinations in New Zealand that we have been eager to offer our customers for a long time and we are certain the connections and seamless flight experience offered by Etihad and Air New Zealand will appeal to business and leisure travellers.” Rob Fyfe, CEO of Air New Zealand, said collaborating with Etihad would give his airline better access to long haul destinations and funnel traffic to its shortdistance routes. “This arrangement with Etihad Airways further extends connectivity options for our customers through to Europe as well as providing opportunities to further grow passenger numbers for our
trans-Tasman and domestic services,” he said. Etihad has already established an extensive codeshare agreement with Virgin Blue and V Australia, in which Air New Zealand recently acquired a 14.99 percent stake.
This new codeshare illustrates Etihad’s growing ambitions in the Asia Pacific region Etihad’s agreement with V Australia has been subject to complaints from Qantas, Australia’s national airline.
Gulf Air Unveils Portable In-Flight Systems Gulf Air has introduced portable media players as a new inflight entertainment option for its premium class passengers. The handheld units have been produced by US Company Digecor and offer more than 1,500 movies in a variety of languages. Samer Majali, CEO of Gulf Air, said the players were part of a long term, large scale plan to update the carrier’s in-flight entertainment. “We have embarked on a complete overhaul of our onboard products and services offering to our customers,” he said. “The portable entertainment solution from Digecor is just the beginning of a major revamp of our total onboard entertainment and business support services that we will start introducing across our fleet from early next year.”
We have embarked on a complete overhaul of our onboard products
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- Air Travel
New Air Ambulance Service Takes Flight from Dubai Business jet operator Empire Aviation Group (EAG) has partnered with RMSI, an international airborne medical provider based in Dubai, to launch a new medical evacuation service in the Middle East. Hawker 800XP
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Passenger Security Education Campaign Launched in Abu Dhabi The Abu Dhabi police force has launched an airport security awareness campaign with the support of Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO). The initiative, named the Offshore Aviation Security Awareness Campaign, is aimed at minimising violations of airport security measures by educating travellers in their impact. Ali Rashid Al-Jarwan, CEO of ADMA-OPCO, said the campaign seeks to demonstrate the wide reaching effects of security breaches. “The initiative sheds light on the impact of airport security on our national economy, particularly the oil and gas sector and how the revenues of our companies as well as our
AG will manage and operate a Hawker 800XP business jet which has been specially converted to an air ambulance configuration on behalf of RMSI. Robert Lamb, CEO of RMSI, said the service aimed to introduce international standards into the medical evacuation sector in the Middle East. “Choosing Dubai as our regional hub and global HQ was a relatively easy task, country can be affected when security measures given the emirate's status as an aviation hub and a trusted medical centre of are weak or not in place,” he said. The campaign involves training workshops, excellence,” he said. brochures, educational videos and airport projection screens displaying maps of the islands and oil sites in Abu Dhabi. Traveller help desks have also been installed in passenger terminals at Abu Dhabi Airport as part of the campaign.
The initiative sheds light on the impact of airport security on our national economy
Choosing Dubai as our regional hub and global HQ was a relatively easy task, given the Emirate's status as an aviation hub and a trusted medical centre of excellence
“We are delighted to be working with Empire Aviation Group as our aviation partner because of their regional expertise and knowledge, and more specifically because EAG executive director Paras Dhamecha gained air ambulance flight experience in the US and, as our aim is to match the standards of US and European operators, this experience is very valuable.” According to RMSI, typical services include rapid response for patients requiring urgent evacuation from areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Patients include non-government organisation (NGO) employees, defence or security personnel, or construction workers requiring evacuation to a point of stabilisation or treatment in Dubai. FEBRUARY 12, 2011
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- International
VisitBritain Adopts New Strategy in Middle East Cutbacks in public spending by the UK government have forced a new promotional strategy for VisitBritain, the country’s tourism promotion body.
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ince the election of a LiberalDemocrat / Conservative coalition in May 2010, UK tourism offices – both within the country and around the world – have experienced major cutbacks and restructuring. Prassad Shirke, travel trade executive of VisitBritain’s Dubai office, said a smaller budget has forced the agency to rethink its approach to marketing in the Middle East. Shirke confirmed that VisitBritain would not participate in Arabian Travel Market for the second consecutive year in 2011; a decision he attributed directly to reduced funding.
“There has been a tremendous cutdown in our budget and ATM is a very expensive event,” he said. In response to the loss of its advertising budget VisitBritain has adopted an alternative strategy of direct outreach to the Middle Eastern travel trade. “We have no more budget for advertising, so there will be much more below the line activity,” Shirke said. The agency staged a series of workshops in the past week, connecting UAE-based travel agents to travel suppliers from the UK, flown in for the occasion. Chris Foy, head of VisitBritain’s 2012 Olympic Games Unit, said the workshops
were an effective way of promoting the upcoming event.
We have no more budget for advertising, so there will be much more below the line activity “The workshops were a fantastic opportunity for us to discuss both the highlights and the concerns of UAE travel agents ahead of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said. The cutbacks come in the context of falling visitor numbers from the Middle East to the UK, according to Shirke.
Sénégal Airlines Takes Off with Six Routes The new national carrier of Sénégal, Sénégal Airlines, has commenced operations following the delivery of its first two aircraft. The carrier has been launched as a private sector replacement for the country’s former national airline, the now-defunct Air Sénégal International. Sénégal Airlines is 64 percent privately owned, with the remaining 36 percent divided between various government entities. Initial routes offered by the airline are Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; Bamako, Mali; Banjul, Gambia; Conakry, Guinea; Nouakchott, Mauritania; and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The connections will be operated with two leased Airbus A320 aircraft in a two class (business and economy) configuration. The airline’s launch date has been repeatedly delayed, with flights initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2010. Emirates Airline and the government of Sénégal provided support for the development and launch of the new carrier.
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- International
Starwood Confirms Six New W Hotels in 2011 Starwood’s design-focused W Hotels brand is preparing to open six new properties around the world this year.
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he hotels include W St Petersburg, in Russia, to open in March; W London – Leicester Square in the UK (February); W Taipei, in Taiwan (February); W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, in Indonesia (March); W Paris – Opéra, in France (December); and W Guangzhou in China (December). Eva Ziegler, global brand leader for W Hotels, said the properties were designed using ideas taken from their locations. “Design has always been an integral part of the W brand,” she said. “As W continues to transform into a
FEBRUARY 12, 2011
global powerhouse, we have evolved our design approach to include contextual insights that lead to locally relevant designs bound together by W’s DNA.”
W London – Leicester Square
Design has always been an integral part of the W brand For example, the St Petersburg property was inspired by Russia’s famous Fabergé Eggs, while the Guangzhou hotel took its cues from the Kesi Tapestries produced in the region in ancient times. W London – Leicester Square is to be clad in colour changing glass, which will shift to reflect the time of day or events in London.
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Agent’s Insight
Blue Souq, Sharjah
Name: Rama Khoulani Company: Jasmin Tours Position: Travel Agent Location: Syria Who are you? My name is Rama Khoulani and I work for one of Syria`s leading tour operators, Jasmin Tours. The company is based in the capital, Damascus and run by the owner and managing director, Zakwan Halabi. We have more than 15 years experience bringing tourists to Syria, Jordan and Lebanon from all over the world by offering them classic or tailor-made programmes based on their interest.
What is your favorite thing about working in the travel industry? What I like the most is the direct contact with the clients from different nations and cultures. It’s a privilege to get to know people from all around the world, from Europe to America and Asia to Australia and to understand their wishes, satisfy their needs, then get the feedback and hear their experiences.
When is the best time to visit the country? The diversity that Syria offers in terms of sights and events makes the country a year-round destination. However based on our experience many of the holidaymakers, especially from Europe, prefer countries with a mild summer to spend their vacation during the hottest period of the year.
Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? Spain or Malaysia. I`ve been interested in the Spanish culture for quite a long time, and I can`t wait to discover the country. However I`ve heard so much about Malaysia and the recent developments in the country, that I believe it could be a truly memorable holiday.
Why should people come to you for travel advice? Our agency looks after its clients from arrival to departure by arranging the flight, the accommodation and their programs with trusted and experienced guides during their whole holiday.
First Class of Tour Guides Graduate from Training Scheme Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has finished its first training campaign for tour operators in the emirate. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, chairman of SCTDA, explained the process undertaken by tour guides enrolled in the initiative. “During the first advanced training programme, tourist guides were provided with the latest information and updates on the tourism sector in the emirate,” he said. “In addition, field visits to various important tourism sites in the Emirate - including museums, commercial outlets, archaeological sites, etcetera - were organized to increase awareness and identification of the Sharjah tourism product and the SCTDA's role in developing and strengthening relationships with all related authorities.” He said the scheme was part of a plan to improve tourism services.
Field visits to various important tourism sites in the Emirate were organized to increase awareness and identification of the Sharjah tourism product “The initiative comes as the Authority seeks to enhance the quality of tourism packages on offer and to develop the tourism sector as one of the best in the world, given the rich heritage and numerous tourism attractions in the emirate,” he said. According to a statement from SCTDA, the training programme will be made mandatory for all tour guides in the near future and will require all operators to be certified under the scheme.
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Mohamed El Noman
Ram Gupta
Mohamed El Noman has been appointed as the new country manager for Sudan for Etihad Airways. Prior to joining Etihad, El Noman held the position of sales manager at Emirates Airline and worked as sales promotion manager for Gulf Air’s general sales agent in Sudan. Overall, El Noman has 14 years of commercial aviation Mohamed experience in Sudan. El Noman
Ram Gupta has taken over as director of revenue management at Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers. His prior experience in the UAE includes positions with Le Méridien Abu Dhabi and Residences by Le Méridien, UAE. He started out with Hyatt Regency Delhi and The Regent Mumbai where he became the assistant front office manager before pursuing career growth with Intercontinental The Grand Mumbai. Gupta holds a diploma in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management, India, followed by an Executive Master’s in Business Administration from HTW Chur in Switzerland.
Gerald Moutte Gerald Moutte has been named to lead the pre-opening team of Marriott’s first hotel in Libya, the JW Marriott Tripoli. His previous roles have included the general manager for Courtyard by Marriott Kuwait City and Arraya Ballroom, Kuwait; and general manager at the Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View Beach Resort, Egypt. Hailing originally from France, Moutte will oversee all aspects of preopening as general manager of the property. Gerald Moutte
Ram Gupta
Eric De Neef Eric De Neef is Rezidor’s new vice president for the Park Inn by Radisson brand worldwide. De Neef moved into the position from the role of managing director for Accor’s All Seasons, Mercure and M Gallery Hotels brands. Eric is a graduate in Hotel Management from CERIA – IPIAT in Brussels, Belgium and speaks French, Dutch, English and German. His previous roles in the hospitality industry include director of Novotel Brugge Zuid; and general manager of Sofitel Brussels Eric De Neef Toison d’Or Hotel. FEBRUARY 12, 2011
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Kurt Ritter
Matteo Stefanel
CEO, Rezidor Hospitality “Hotel Missoni Kuwait is a fantastic addition to the Rezidor's growing portfolio across the Middle East and a key property in this important region. The hotel will strengthen our presence in the Middle East and reinforce our position as one of the leading international hotel groups. A combination of design, lifestyle and technology will bring a truly new and authentic travel experience – as soon as you walk through the doors, you'll know it's Missoni.”
Executive Director, Abraaj Capital “We'd like to commend the team at Art Marine for creating a truly unique network of destinations that will allow the region's yacht owners to come and discover yachting. Moreover, we are proud to welcome Zighy Marina's exclusive hideaway as the latest addition to the company's yachting lifestyle offering.”
Hotel Missoni Kuwait is a fantastic addition to the Rezidor's growing portfolio across the Middle East
We are proud to welcome Zighy Marina's exclusive hideaway
Jean Marc LaFosse
Kurt Ritter
Vice president of development in the Middle East and Africa, Zinc | Invision Hospitality “We are confident that our new line of hotel brands under the Zinc | Invision Hospitality banner will be widely received by today’s generation of travellers and tourists - be it those who can afford a five star hotel stay, a mid-tier hotel stay or a traveller’s hotel stay. Presenting different options to different customers is part of our commitment to answer to the demands of hotel customers. Rest assured, we will continue to do this by coming up with well-designed hotels coupled with ably trained staff and personnel – living up to our reputation of introducing cutting edge concepts in hotels, spas, resorts and residences.”
Presenting different options to different customers is part of our commitment to answer to the demands of hotel customers
Jean Marc Lafosse
Travel Talk is your space – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel 16
FEBRUARY 12, 2011
Q and A with Jose Mariano Jose Mariano is the mind behind space tourism company Zero 2 Infinity. Travel Trade Weekly pulled his head out of the clouds to talk about his upcoming near-space travel product. Travel Trade Weekly: Can you tell us a little about who you are and what you do? Jose Mariano: The company is Zero 2 Infinity and we see ourselves as purveyors of elevation. The service of getting human beings uplifted – both physically and in a spiritual sense. We are an earth-space company, we are a tourism company, we are space tourism company and even a green tech company because we are zero impact. You could call us a lot of things, but we like to think of ourselves as an elevation company. Our first product is called Bloon, which is a near-space ship capable of taking people – common people, not necessarily trained people – to the edge of our planet. At altitudes where the view is very nice, where you can see the blue of the earth and the black sky in daytime and the curvature of the earth can be seen very clearly.
Most of the funding for space tourism comes from the Middle East Travel Trade Weekly: Do you see yourself as competing with other emerging space tourism operators? Jose Mariano: Not really. As I said, we see ourselves as purveyors of elevation. For us, the fact that the whole experience has zero environmental impact is as important as altitude. That our experience is slow and calm and allows for reflection is also very important: no rocket can offer that. The view is very similar, but the experience is otherwise totally different. Space tourism is such a new market that it is limited by the systems that are 18
developed rather than by the demand. The demand is very clear but it is still uncertain which systems will be able to meet it. This is what has allowed the Russians to command the market the way they do now.
Jose Mariano
Flying over the holy cities of Saudi Arabia would be very exciting Travel Trade Weekly: When will you be ready to launch? Jose Mariano: We expect somewhere in We are offering a similar experience 2013; that is the target. However I prefer to give a range of somewhere between 2013 and 2015. Space projects have a very complex certification process, which is not necessarily within the company’s control, so delays can happen. On our side, all our projects are on track, but I don’t want to make any commitments.
without the added investment. When you go up, you stay at the cruising altitude for two hours, so the time is longer and the cost per minute is much lower than a parabolic flight, like on a rocket that might go up and down in seven minutes.
number of bases, and there will be around 100 flights per year from each base. The aim is to have bases around the world in places where the view will be good, in places of particular beauty. Also, we are looking for places with good weather, to make sure all our launch and retrieval operations are streamlined. Also, places that are well connected, with flights for customers to access the bases. Each flight will carry four paying customers and two pilots. The cost will be EUR110,000 (USD150,200) per person. Our development costs are much more manageable than any platform with a rocket.
for our second base after our one here in Spain. The Middle East has good weather, a varied landscape and good first class flight connections, so all the ingredients are there. Also, most of the funding for space tourism comes from the Middle East. Not for us yet, but we are talking to people. So it is really a natural place for something like this. I would not put forward a location without getting solid commitments from local partners, but even though I am not a Muslim myself I can imagine that flying over the holy cities of Saudi Arabia would be very exciting for many people.
Travel Trade Weekly: Have you considered operations in the Middle Travel Trade Weekly: How accessible East? Jose Mariano: Very much so. I see it as will your product be? Jose Mariano: We have plans to open a clearly something in our future – probably
FEBRUARY 12, 2011
Business Advice from James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways In a few short years, Etihad has grown into one of the Middle East’s leading airlines. Speaking at the recent Carlson Wagonlit Travel Conference, James Hogan, CEO of the carrier, shared some of his secrets for success.
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ogan said pragmatism and flexibility were crucial for all businesses and recommended making the most of business realities. “For companies to survive they need to focus less on how unfair they perceive the world to be, and more on how to adapt to take advantage of emerging opportunities and changing operating conditions,” he said. He also emphasised the importance of not just customer service, but genuine customer dialogue when it comes to making business choices. “We concentrate on providing our customers with the very best products and service, both on the ground and in the air,” he said. “We listened to our customers, which is why Etihad has become increasingly popular with both the corporate and business traveller.”
FEBRUARY 12, 2011
James Hogan
For companies to survive they need to focus less on how unfair they perceive the world to be
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Arab Health Branches Into Africa with New Regional Exhibition Arab Health, a major healthcare tradeshow based in Dubai, is reaching beyond the Middle East with the launch of a sister exhibition for the African healthcare market. Organised by the Institute for International Research Middle East and Asia (IIR), Africa Health will be held for the first time from May 9 to May 11 this year. Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, South Africa has been chosen as the venue for the inaugural event. Simon Page, divisional director of IRR, said Africa Health will be modelled on the Arab Health exhibition. “Continuing in the tradition of the extremely successful Arab Health Exhibition and Congress that saw more than 65,000 visitors from over 100
countries descend on Dubai in January, this new show is set to enhance private sector investment and to provide a platform for the world’s leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical community from the southern African region and beyond,” he said.
Active government support in recent years means a continued focus on healthcare expansion He said increased public sector support has helped healthcare to grow in Africa. “Active government support in recent years means a continued focus on healthcare expansion and Africa
Arab Health 2010
Health will attract thousands of healthcare professionals, exhibiting companies and speakers from around the world to its doors,” he said. According to IRR, the African healthcare industry remains heavily reliant on imported equipment, making the continent an ideal location for a trade show of this kind.
Events Middle East Exclusive 2011 Dubai, UAE, February 20-22, 2011 (www.middleeastexclusive.com) Luxury brand and travel retail exhibition. Eventopedia Amman, Jordan, February 22-23, 2011 (www.eventsunlimited.com.jo) Conference covering the A to Z of events management, aimed at encouraging Jordan’s MICE market.
ITB Berlin, Germany, March 9-13, 2011 (www.messe-berlin.de) One of the world’s major travel and tourism exhibitions for all aspects of the travel industry. GIBTM Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 28-30, 2011 (www.gibtm.com) International event for the business travel and meetings industry in the Gulf and Middle East region.
Gulfood Exhibition 2011 China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market Dubai, UAE, February 27-March 2, 2011 Beijing, China, April 13-15, 2011 (www.cottm.com) (www.gulfood.com) International exhibition for the food, drink and hospitality markets. Dedicated business to business event targeting the growing market for outbound travel from China.
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FEBRUARY 12, 2011