Travel Trade Weekly Issue 157

Travel Trade Weekly proudly enjoys readers on average per day

10 NOVEMBER 2012

ISSUE 157

Travel Trade Weekly proudly enjoys readers on average per day

10 NOVEMBER 2012

ISSUE 157

First Russian Charter Flight Lands in Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has welcomed the first Russian charter flight.

Hilton Doha, Hilton Worldwide’s first property in Qatar, has been officially inaugurated during a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a Festival of Senses celebration.

03 Qatar Airways Serves Maputo Qatar Airways has launched scheduled flights to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, its latest foray into the African continent and 10th new route of the year.

10 IN THIS ISSUE RENDEZVOUS WEEKLY NEWS MARKET UPDATE WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION AIR NEWS INTERNATIONAL WHO’S MOVED TRAVEL TALK AGENT’S CORNER TRAVEL CHANNELS RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS

02 03 04 05 06 09 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Hilton Doha Officially Opens

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RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Raza Siddiqui RAK Hospital, an 80-bed specialised private hospital managed by Arabian Healthcare, in association with Sonnenhof Swiss Health, is fast becoming a leader in the world of medical tourism, regionally and internationally, as Raza Siddiqui, executive director, RAK Hospital, proudly reveals to Travel Trade Weekly.

Travel Trade Weekly: How has RAK Hospital performed so far this year and how can this be compared to 2011?

Raza Siddiqui: Since its opening five years back, we have grown at a steady pace year on year, and have seen over 30 percent growth this year till date, compared to 2011. A consistent improvement has been noticed in the quality of patient-doctor communication and patient-nurse communication that has directly yielded greater patient satisfaction.

Also, introducing new facilities/departments like neuro and spine surgery, and plastic and reconstructive surgery has added onto the revenue.

A dedicated daycare centre has provided much needed, quick and convenient access to care and faster discharge of patients. Effectively better patient outcomes in all departments have concreted our promise of highly reliable services.

Travel Trade Weekly: What has been the hospital’s largest patient market share in terms of gender and nationality so far this year?

Raza Siddiqui: Most of our patients are from the UAE itself, but we are increasingly seen as a destination for a wholesome wellness by foreign patients as well.

With over 80,000 registered patients, RAK Hospital serves to the needs of all genders across all nationalities and ethnicities.

Men, women and children almost equally share the hospital’s registered patient database as the hospital offers a wide range of services.

Raza Siddiqui CEO, Arabian Healthcare Group, and executive director, RAK Hospital

open to patients in early 2013.

Travel Trade Weekly: What makes RAK Hospital different to the rest of the medical institutions in the area and emirate?

Raza Siddiqui: Each member of RAK Hospital family through his or her complete dedication to core values; desirable patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and hospitality; distinguishes RAK Hospital from the rest in the region.

Our clinical excellence is complemented by the finest hospitality and clean, open, healing environment. We were awarded the Best Healing Environment Award in UAE in 2011.

We strongly feel that RAK Hospital has a great potential to become a premier institution and destination for medical tourism.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are the latest upgrades, additions, and improvements at RAK Hospital?

Raza Siddiqui: We are consistently adding services to our healthcare spectrum, the latest being the department of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and the newly opened spa [...] aimed at increasing patients’ overall wellness.

‘The Spa at RAK Hospital’ has wellness in its core whereby a multi-disciplinary approach combined with excellent services under medical supervision sets it apart, making it the first ever spa within a hospital in the entire Northern Emirates.

We are also in the process of setting up a dedicated centre for diabetes management in line with the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the emirates. The centre shall be

Travel Trade Weekly: What is your opinion regarding the future of medical tourism across the MENA region?

Raza Siddiqui: The medical tourism industry worldwide is set to become a USD100 billion industry this year and a considerable chunk of this will be captured by the UAE because of its infrastructure, standard quality healthcare, competitive pricing, to name a few.

The UAE is an emerging destination and will see increase in number of patient’s year on year.

With rapid infrastructural growth over the last 40 years and boasting of some of the best medical facilities available in the world, UAE has naturally become a magnet for medical tourism. The country is fast taking the centre stage by increasing its market share in this ever-growing sector.

10 NOVEMBER 2012

WEEKLY NEWS First Russian Charter Flight Lands in Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA) has welcomed the first Russian charter flight, which carried 187 passengers to the emirate all of who were personally greeted by the RAK TDA team.

The inauguration of the charter services comes following RAK TDA’s agreement with Pegas Touristik, one of the leading Russian tour operators, in cooperation with ORENAIR and Nordwind Airlines, to operate one weekly charter flight from Syktyvkar and one weekly service from Kemerovo between the end of October and mid-May 2013.

“Russia is one of the top five source markets of Ras Al Khaimah and this new direct charter flight service is a strategic step in achieving our goal of 1.2 million visitors by 2013,” commented Victor Louis, chief operating officer, RAK TDA. “With its diverse landscape, rugged terrain, and exclusive beach facilities, this affordable luxury destination offers the perfect getaway for visitors from Europe seeking an ultimate outdoor experience for leisure or adventure,” he added.

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MEA Occupancy Up 5.4 Percent Occupancy levels in the Middle East and Africa region improved by 5.4 percent in September as compared with the corresponding month in 2011, based on data compiled by STR Global.

While the region’s average daily rate (ADR) fell 1.7 percent to USD137.76, RevPAR rose 3.6 percent to USD83.63. The largest occupancy increases were reported from Cairo and Muscat, where occupancy grew 24.6 percent to 52.3 percent and 20.8 percent to 59 percent, respectively.

In Amman, ADR rose 10.1 percent to USD156.07, while RevPAR was up 22.3 percent to USD105.87. In Saudi Arabia, occupancy levels rose 20.6 percent to 50.8 percent and RevPAR improved 19.2 percent.

In contrast, in the UAE occupancy dropped 2.4 percent to 66.6 percent and ADR fell two percent, while RevPAR was down 4.4 percent.

The largest decrease in all three key performance metrics was reported from Beirut, where occupancy decreased 40.1 percent to 42.7 percent, ADR was down 27.5 percent to USD166.36, and RevPAR fell 56.6 percent to USD71.11.

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MARKET UPDATE

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS

ACI: 12 Billion Passengers by 2031 Global passenger traffic is set to reach 12 billion by 2031, based on the Airports Council International (ACI)’s 2013 edition of the Global Traffic Forecast 2012-2031.

A

Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli

ccording to the report, global passenger traffic growth got off to a positive start this year, with January to May figures showing a continued improvement of 4.8 percent.

The short-term outlook, however, indicates a more moderate growth rate as the global economic recovery remains precarious.

Based on ACI’s forecast, traffic should start

SALES & MARKETING Maria Demetriadou Derek Lainsbury DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi

to recover by 2013, driven by a modest economic recovery which is projected to accelerate by 2014 onward. In the freight sector, economic activity is expected to remain the main driver of growth and globally, freight operations should improve faster than passenger operations. Meanwhile, freight is expected to double to reach about 225 million tonnes by 2031, meaning a 4.5 percent annual growth.

HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia, 1308, Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 210466

DXB: Double-digit Passenger Traffic Increase Passenger volume at Dubai International reached 4,780,394 in September, marking a year-on-year growth of 12.8 percent, based on the latest monthly traffic report released by Dubai Airports.

The strong performance during the first nine months of the year, seven of which brought double-digit increases, has boosted the year-to-date traffic by 13.4 percent with 42,565,340 travellers passing through the airport’s facilities.

In terms of total passenger numbers, Western Europe experienced the largest improvement, with the Indian subcontinent, the GCC, and Africa, tagging closely behind. Meanwhile, the strongest markets, with regards to percentage passenger growth, were South America, followed by Russia and CIS, Australasia, and North America.

Aircraft movements for the month rose 2.9 percent to 27,909, pushing the year-to-date figure to 253,973, up 6.2 percent over 2011 figures.

WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

09/11/2012 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.12

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

Riyal

3.75

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,505.50

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Syria (SYP)

Pound

70.10

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.59

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.67

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,275.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.61

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

80.09

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.25

Kingdom Holding: Profits Up 10 Percent

K

ingdom Holding Company (KHC) has recorded a net income of SAR218 million (USD58 million) for the third quarter of the year, bringing the year-to-date consolidated net income to SAR497 million (USD132.5 million), up 10 percent over the corresponding period in 2011.

The company’s international and regional equities portfolio has increased more than

SAR2.5billion (USD666.6 million) over 2011 in addition to realising gains from its real estate investments.

The construction of Kingdom Tower, Jeddah, considered the world’s tallest building with a height of over 1km, has commenced, worth a total of SAR4.6 billion (USD1.2 billion), while KHC has also signed an agreement for the sale of part of Kingdom Riyadh Land for SAR250 million (USD66.6 million).

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WEEKLY NEWS IATA: Sluggish Traffic Growth Global passenger demand continues to slow, based on the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s latest monthly report.

The growth trend in air travel started to flatten in the second quarter of the year and year-on-year (y-o-y) comparisons are now also starting to show more moderate rates of improvement with September recording a 4.1 percent rise above 2011 levels in passenger demand, down on the 5.3 percent y-o-y growth rate in August and below the six percent average rate witnessed throughout the first half of the year.

Capacity rose 3.1 percent y-o-y, leading to an average load factor of 80 percent, up 0.7 points over the corresponding month in 2011.

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MENA Hotel Sector Recording Mostly Positive Results September is said to have brought signs of relief for the region’s hotel sector, based on the latest HotStats survey of full service hotels conducted in seven MENA cities by TRI Hospitality Consultancy.

Despite a slight drop of 2.8 percentage points in occupancy to 74.3 percent, hotels in Dubai reported positive results with average room rates (ARR) increasing 3.9 percent to USD218.30, and total revenue per available room (TRevPAR) rising 2.7 percent to USD311.59. In Abu Dhabi, performance indicators declined significantly, with ARR falling 10.6 percent to USD124.28, occupancy dropping 0.2 percentage points to 65.5 percent, and TRevPAR down 7.7 percent to USD188.93.

Meanwhile, hotels in Riyadh and Jeddah experienced strong improvements with occupancy rates increasing 4.1 percentage points to 60.5 percent, and 6.2 percentage points to 81.5 percent, respectively.

Hotel performance levels in Egypt continued to show on-going signs of recovery with occupancy levels in Cairo reaching 55.4 percent and in Sharm El Sheikh, 74.5 percent.

Likewise, occupancy in Kuwait averaged at 60.4 percent, up 10.3 percentage points, while TRevPAR jumped 15.2 percent to USD300.07.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Luring Holidaymakers to Yas Island Craig Bruce, general manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island Hotel, has revealed healthy occupancy levels for both properties, as the teams progress to attract more leisure travellers from around the globe once the shared private beach is inaugurated.

“From the second year, we have always achieved 81 - 82 percent occupancy, and Park Inn closed 2011 at 90 percent, so it has been a real success for us, and Yas Island in general has been a real success story,” noted Bruce, adding that although the properties receive the majority of business from the corporate segment, he is certain that once the beach opens, the hotels with be able to attract more leisure travellers especially from the European and CIS markets, as well as the Chinese segment which Bruce believes holds great potential for the establishments and the man-made island.

Meliá Dubai: Growing Demand Since its opening in April, Meliá Dubai, Meliá Hotels & Resorts’ first property in the region, has successfully positioned itself in the UAE’s hotel sector, as Gilles Longuet, general manager, Meliá Dubai, revealed continuous growth in both occupancy levels and rates.

“Not all facilities were ready when we opened the doors of Meliá Dubai,” Longuet commented. “The YHI Spa, for example, only opened at the end of August and our Level Floor, including The Level Lounge, opened at the end of August as well. Now all facilities are open and we are happy to see a growing demand and are already welcoming regular guests and returning customers to our hotel,” he added.

Meliá Dubai

Yas Viceroy Benefits from Greater Exposure Home to world-class attractions and events, Yas Island is fast becoming a global tourist hub, and with the destination’s profile on the rise, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi remains upbeat about 2013 and beyond.

Andreas Kohn, regional director of sales and marketing, Yas Viceroy, attributed this optimism to the additional exposure given to the hotel as it hosted the Chinese Visitors Summit in September, and listed Germany, the UK, and the GCC among the five-star hotel’s main source markets, and China as one which is gradually increasing.

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Accommodation

Hilton Doha Officially Opens Hilton Doha, Hilton Worldwide’s first property in Qatar, has been officially inaugurated during a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a Festival of Senses celebration.

The company has always been committed to Qatar and its current pipeline of four hotels in Doha reflects its continued interest in this market, emphasised Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, who hopes to deliver an international experience rooted in local culture to global travellers.

Located on the headland of the capital city’s prestigious Corniche, the 309-room hotel boasts a 750-capacity ballroom, among other MICE facilities, alongside an array of food and beverage outlets, a kids club, and the first eforea: spa at Hilton in the Middle East.

Al Habtoor Group Presents Latest Investments The senior team of Al Habtoor Group recently welcomed a visit from H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, UAE, and ruler of Dubai, during which Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group, presented the royal with the company’s new hotel developments, which are currently underway.

In the past 12 months, the group has announced investments worth USD1.6 billion in the hospitality sector, which include Dubai’s first-ever integrated resort comprising of three hotels as well as a Las Vegas-style theatre, slated to open in 2015 under Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and the Waldorf Astoria to launch in 2013.

Jebel Ali Golf Resort Waves the Blue Flag Jebel Ali Golf Resort has been awarded the Blue Flag accreditation for its 800m private beach and its 100-plus berth marina, becoming the first resort in the UAE to receive the prestigious award for both.

The Blue Flag Programme recognises and awards beaches and marinas worldwide on their sustainable development, and Jebel Ali Golf Resort has long been active in marina enrichment activities, which form an integral part of the corporate social responsibility programme, according to Fredrik Reinisch, general manager Jebel Ali Golf Resort.

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WEEKLY NEWS

A Brand New Apollonia Beach Hotel for Limassol As of November 1, Apollonia Beach Hotel, Limassol, Cyprus, has been closed for full-scale renovations with the aim of reopening under a new name, Royal Apollonia Beach, in May 2013.

Throughout this period, all 204 guest rooms and suites will be reinvented, nine of which will feature an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Akakiko Japanese restaurant will be extended to include an outdoor pergola while the indoor bar will be expanded and upgraded and the existing main buffet restaurant renovated and rearranged to provide a higher open-air seating capacity.

An all-new à la carte-themed restaurant will be created as will a new pool bar for the outdoor swimming pool, which will be replaced by a number of additions including a children’s pool and playground.

The health club will also undergo renovations to be rearranged into a new contemporary spa facility.

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Air News

Etihad Airways to Expand East Asia Services Etihad Airways is set to commence codeshare services to Hong Kong in February 2013 in partnership with Air Seychelles, subject to regulatory approval.

The three return flights per week, between Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, will be operated by the UAE national carrier's equity and codeshare partner, Air Seychelles. According to James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, the new route connects two of the world’s leading international financial and tourism centres, a move he believes will stimulate the growth of commerce and trade between the UAE and China, the UAE’s second largest trading partner.

The flight schedule aims to provide leisure and business passengers from Hong Kong with seamless connectivity through Etihad Airways’ hub in Abu Dhabi, to key destinations across the GCC and to primary European destinations including the UK, France, Germany, and Ireland.

Air Arabia Begins Service to Rostov Air Arabia has launched operations to Rostov, its fifth destination in Russia, complementing the carrier’s existing services to Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, and Ufa. The airline will offer two weekly flights between Sharjah and Rostov, which, according to Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, underscores the company’s commitment to make air travel more convenient for its passengers. “We will continue to focus on our route expansion strategy in the Russian Federation and Eastern European sectors where we have launched a number of new destinations since the beginning of this year,” Ali further commented.

“We are confident that the new service will offer our customers a great choice for affordable travel and further contribute to the strong trade and tourism relations between the UAE and Russia,” he concluded.

Rostov

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WEEKLY NEWS

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Malaysia Airlines Joins oneworld Malaysia Airlines is set to become a full member of oneworld effective from February 1, 2013, after a thorough review of its readiness is completed, which will be conducted by Qantas, the airline company sponsoring its entry in oneworld.

The implementation programme is on track for completion soon however the addition to oneworld will be delayed until February 2013 for administrative reasons.

Once it becomes a member airline, Malaysia Airlines will offer oneworld’s full range of services and benefits, whereby members of the Southeast Asian carrier will have their privileges extended to all of oneworld’s member airlines.

Additionally, Malaysia Airlines’ network will be covered by oneworld’s extensive range of alliance fares and sales products, thus strengthening the alliance’s connectivity between key business cities across Asia.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air News

Etihad Airways Postpones Ethiopian Services Etihad Airways has confirmed the airline has been forced to postpone the launch of its flights to Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, after the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority rejected the airline’s application for the required operating permit.

The UAE national airline’s five times per week service was scheduled to commence on November 2, however due to a lack of any positive outcome, the launch of flights between Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi will not take place, until further notice.

This comes despite the existence of a memorandum of understanding concluded by the two governments in June 2007. Based on this agreement, Ethiopian Airlines commenced scheduled passenger flights to Abu Dhabi in July 2008, suspending the service 12 months later.

Over a period of six months, the UAE government has held several meetings to resolve this situation, with the final meeting in Addis Ababa last week ending in failure.

Qatar Airways Serves Maputo Qatar Airways has launched scheduled flights to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, its latest foray on the African continent and 10th new route of the year.

The Doha-based carrier inaugurated the first of three weekly services to the city hailed as the gateway to Mozambique’s vast natural resources and a source for business.

Commenting on the launch, Rashid Mordiffi, senior manager, Africa, Qatar Airways, who led a delegation on the inaugural service, said, “Launching these new flights to Maputo shows our confidence and commitment to this vibrant economy. Being an important port in Mozambique, Maputo is a vital economic supply corridor to neighbouring landlocked countries in Southern Africa and strategically well positioned. Qatar Airways will now connect Maputo to key markets across Europe, Far East, Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.”

Connecting Morocco and the UK Air Arabia Maroc’s inaugural flight connecting Casablanca and Tangier to London Gatwick airport took off on October 29.

The new non-stop service, which leaves from Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca, offers a total of five weekly flights between Morocco and the UK. Commenting on the launch of the new service, Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia said, “We are extremely pleased to start our service to London. Entering the UK will further strengthen our current flights between Morocco and Europe and, at the same time, offers customers wider choice of affordable air travel between Casablanca, Tangier, and London.”

Casablanca, Morocco

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Air News

Safi Airways Gains IATA Membership Safi Airways has officially been accredited with full International Air Transport Association (IATA) membership.

Hamid Safi, CEO, Safi Airways, announced that he and the team are looking forward to the benefits of joining the association with the main objectives of enhancing and building current and future relationships, as well as partnering with other IATA airlines and industry providers to carry Safi Airways forward on its continual expansion plans.

The Afghan national carrier currently operates a modern fleet of Airbus A320’s as well as Boeing 757 and 767 and flies from its base in Kabul to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Delhi, Dubai, and Herat.

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easyJet’s 2013 Routes easyJet is gearing up to launch flights to Marrakech, Morocco, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, as part of its new 2013 route additions from London Stansted Airport.

The airline will also move a larger A320 aircraft to London Stansted Airport, which will have 180 seats onboard, and will offer year-round flights to Marrakech three times a week, with the inaugural flight taking off on February 15, 2013. easyJet will also operate a year-round twice-weekly service to Sharm el Sheikh from London Stansted Airport with the first flight leaving on February 17, 2013, while the twice-weekly Sofia route is slated for takeoff on February 16, 2013.

WEEKLY NEWS

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flydubai Launches Route to Skopje flydubai has begun flights between Dubai and Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, marking the low-cost airline’s 15th passenger route in central and Eastern Europe.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “More than 40 percent of our route development this year has taken place in central and Eastern Europe and with the addition of Skopje, we are connecting the UAE to another underserved market. This illustrates our commitment to this region, while also opening up opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with different nations.”

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air News

Air Arabia to Serve Prishtina Air Arabia has announced that it will become the first UAE airline to operate scheduled flights to the Republic of Kosovo, when it commences a twiceweekly service to Prishtina International Airport on November 22.

H.E. Dritan Gjonbalaj, director general, Civil Aviation Authority, Republic of Kosovo, said, “Air Arabia’s inaugural flight to Prishtina marks an important moment in the ever growing ties between the Republic of Kosovo and the UAE. As the first UAE carrier to fly to Kosovo, Air Arabia is at the forefront of a significant trend, with the flow of goods, services, and people between the two countries only likely to increase in the coming years.”

Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, also expressed confidence in these new flights which, he believes, will bring great benefits to the economic ties between the UAE and Kosovo and will support Air Arabia’s rapidly expanding network in Eastern Europe.

Etihad Airways Launches Arabic Facebook Page Etihad Airways has launched its new Facebook page in Arabic, complementing the already existing English Facebook page launched in March 2011, which boasts 270,000 fans.

“Reaching out to our guests through popular social media sites is an increasingly important way of raising the profile of the Etihad Airways brand and communicating news and initiatives,” stressed Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer, Etihad Airways, adding that this step is in line with Abu Dhabi government’s vision to establish the capital as a global centre of excellence in Arabic content creation.

The Arabic Facebook page will be a medium for Arab-speaking customers to gain access to privileged content, while it will also empower them to become active brand advocates.

Etihad Airways will continue expanding its Arabic social media presence and is planning to launch an official Arabic account on Twitter.

Gulf Air Introduces Electronic Airwaybill Gulf Air has achieved another major milestone with the launch of Electronic Airwaybill (e-AWB), replacing the traditional paper AWB that consumed significant time, cost, and paperwork.

The first cargo shipment under the e-AWB was recently moved from Bahrain to Dubai and with this achievement, Gulf Air joins the ranks of a very few efreight capable airlines in the region.

The e-AWB will be introduced across the airline’s network progressively in the coming months as it requires parties in the entire supply chain such as freight forwarders, airlines, handling agents and customs authorities, to modify their systems capable of accepting and approving e-AWB information.

With the e-AWB implementation, all cargo will be tagged with bar code labels in accordance with the International Air Transport Association’s cargo specifications making it easier for the airline as well the customer to track and follow the cargo while in transit.

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WEEKLY NEWS

International

BWI Debuts in Angeles City Best Western International (BWI) is bringing its world renowned brand to Angeles City, one of Philippines' fastest-growing destinations.

Best Western The Mint Hotel will become the first internationallybranded property in Angeles City, and is to be located close to Clark International Airport.

The eight-storey hotel offers 52 guest rooms, a café-restaurant offering complimentary buffet breakfast, and laundry as well as car rental services.

“We are very excited about bringing our world famous brand to Angeles, the Philippines’ most up-and-coming entertainment capital,” said Glenn de Souza, vice president, international operations, Asia and the Middle East, BWI. “The potential for Angeles as a destination is enormous and the recent arrival of AirAsia Philippines, as well as the presence of Cebu Pacific, SEAIR, AirPhil Express, and other international carriers at Clark airport is testament to the growth of the area,” he concluded.

Dusit International’s Deal with Tanota Partners Dusit International recently signed a hotel management agreement with property owners Tanota Partners for an upcoming flagship project in Guam.

Scheduled for a soft opening in late 2013, Dusit Thani Guam, located in the island’s prime commercial and tourist precinct, is a 417-room beachside resort hotel with 30 floors and is set to offer world-class facilities, including Guam’s largest conference centre alongside a large array of restaurants and bars.

Commenting on the deal, Chanin Donavanik, CEO, Dusit International, said, “The success of this new management bid by Dusit International has been spurred by our confidence both in the property and the potential of Guam as a growing destination.

“Not only will the Dusit Thani Guam, with its unprecedented facilities, attract a new generation of guests, we believe that within a short time it will become Guam’s premier hotel.”

To support that aim and the future growth of the hotel, Dusit International is expanding its sales presence with the opening of a regional sales office in Tokyo late this year.

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WHO'S MOVED

Christian Hellot Christian Hellot has been named director of sales and marketing at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.

Hellot began his career in sales in 1992 at JW Marriott Los Angeles, and relocated to Dubai in 2008 after assuming the position of pre-opening director of sales and marketing at Jumeirah’s beach property. In

2011, he was promoted within Accor to cluster director of sales and marketing.

Prior to his appointment, Hellot worked for InterContinental Hotels Group, most recently holding the position of regional vice president of sales and marketing for the group’s properties in Florida and Beverly Hills.

Cornelia Erhardt Cornelia Erhardt has been named general manager of Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai.

Erhardt first joined The Rezidor Hotel Group in 1979 as director of housekeeping at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, and has over the past 35 years held various positions worldwide, gaining a wealth of managerial experience across the hotel industry.

She took on her first general manager position in 2005 at Radisson SAS Hotel in Klaipeda, Lithuania, and moved to

10 NOVEMBER 2012

the Middle East in early 2007 as general manager for the pre-opening of Radisson Blu Residence, Dubai Marina.

Erhardt was then appointed general manager of Radisson Blu Tala Bay Resort, Aqaba, Jordan, before moving back to the UAE as general manager of Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah.

Erhardt took on her first general manager position in 2005 at Radisson SAS Hotel in Klaipeda, Lithuania

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Stéphane de Robien Stéphane de Robien has been appointed director of sales and marketing at the soon-to-open Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait.

De Robien started his career with Forte Hotels in Paris before moving on to work as director of sales and marketing for luxury resorts on the French Riviera.

In 2009, he launched the Gar-

rigae Resorts brand in Southern France and was then appointed group director of sales and marketing for Palmeraie Hotels & Resorts.

Prior to joining Jumeirah Group, he served as director of sales and marketing for Meliá Hotels International and was responsible for the opening of Meliá Zanzibar.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

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Janet Fitzner

James Wilson

General manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek.

General manager, Dusit Thani Dubai.

“The diverse spread of locations has made Dubai a ‘crossroads’ for international air travel. Airline expansion has helped Dubai tremendously as a destination in the past years and will continue to grow.

New air routes provide accesses to new markets; Brazil and China being good examples. With the UAE’s major expansion project, such as its international airport, it is set to welcome greater passenger traffic than any other time in the history.”

“Dubai is a very competitive destination but there is business for everyone and it has been that way for a number of years. What we have noticed is that while there has been an increase in hotel rooms available in the city, demand has also increased. Airlines are continually expanding their destinations bringing new visitors to Dubai. The emirate has become a key hub for both business and leisure travellers.”

10 NOVEMBER 2012

AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Giampiero Ambrosi POSITION: General Manager COMPANY: VirtualTourist LOCATION: California, US WEB: www.virtualtourist.com

Who are you?

I am Giampiero Ambrosi, the general manager of VirtualTourist.

I am a life-long traveller and have been an Internet enthusiast from the early days.

VirtualTourist is one of the original and still best resources for answering the questions, ’where do you want to go, what do you want to do, and who do you want to meet?’

We focus a lot on the quality of the advice and make sure that we see the real person behind the place.

What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?

The [fact that] we are helping people open up their world. Travel is a process of discovery and can be one of the most transformative experiences in someone’s life. It is often some of the best and happiest memories that people have, so it is great to help connect people over that topic.

When is the best time to visit California?

Personally, I do not feel there is any best time to visit California. It is such a gloriously varied state, that any week or day of the year gives you incredible opportunities.

Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday?

I am off to Romania soon and I’m eager to explore more of Eastern Europe. I am looking forward to exploring cooler climates and historical cities and towns.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

VirtualTourist has a million members from around the world sharing advice about the places the have been or indeed where they live. It is unbiased, friendly, and real, and it truly gives you the inside scoop from what we call the people behind the places. One of the things that is most unique about VirtualTourist is the real world component of our community. Members actually know each other, meet up, and share real travels.

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Al Bustan Centre & Residence Hosts Travel Agents from Natalie Tours and Silk Tour Al Bustan Centre & Residence recently hosted familiarisation tours for Natalie Tours, Russia and Silk Tour, Kazakhstan.

The groups were invited to visit the Dubai property and were shown the hotel’s facilities and services. “I hope these familiarisation tours gave them first-hand experience of the services and facilities we offer thus helping them in promoting Al Bustan Centre & Residence to their customers. It is our pleasure to host their stay and look forward to more visitors from their respective countries,” commented Moussa El Hayek,

chief operating officer, Al Bustan Centre & Residence. The property features a residential and entertainment complex, a comprehensive 95-outlet shopping mall, and has one of the biggest indoor amusement arcades in the UAE.

Al Bustan Centre & Residence

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TRAVEL CHANNELS UNWTO Prioritises Visa Facilitation and Air Connectivity

The 94th session of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council defined visa facilitation and promoting increased air connectivity as priorities for the organisation.

I

n the opening speech, Gloria Guevara, minister of tourism, Mexico, stressed the advancements which the country has made regarding visa facilitations and the positive impacts this has had for the destination.

Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, added, “Thanks to our joint efforts, the issue of visa facili-

tation has been placed firmly on the table. But much remains to be done to make our goal of removing unnecessary barriers to travel a reality.”

Apart from visa facilitation, air connectivity is a crucial impediment for tourism as all council members agreed, who have asked UNWTO to discuss the issue with transport industry professionals.

Airline Ancillary Revenue Projected to Reach USD36.1 Billion IdeaWorksCompany and Amadeus have announced the results of The Amadeus Worldwide Estimate of Ancillary Revenue, which projects that airline ancillary revenue is set to reach USD36.1 billion worldwide.

This financial component is generated by additional activities that airlines offer including commissions for hotel bookings, sale of frequent flyer miles to partners, excess baggage charges, and the provision of à la carte services.

IdeaWorksCompany’s analysis performed earlier this year revealed four categories, namely traditional airlines, whose average percentage of revenue remained at 2.9 percent; major US airlines, which dropped to 10.1 percent while ancillary revenue champs witnessed a slight decrease to 19.7 percent; and low-cost carriers, having boasted an increase to 7.2 percent.

Middle East Impact on the Global Economy In his keynote address to delegates at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Passenger Symposium, which took place in Abu Dhabi on October 16 - 18, James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, noted that Middle East hubs and airlines are leading the way to confront and overcome serious challenges to global aviation growth and stability and bring about positive change in the industry.

Hogan spoke in depth about the positive impact the region is having on the global economy and how the focus is shifting from the traditional, more established markets to the emerging economic powerhouses in the Middle East, Asia, South America, and Africa. “In an uncertain world, the Middle East is one of the ‘strong pockets’ for growth in aviation,” he commented, further indicating that the connectivity provided by Etihad Airways is key to Abu Dhabi’s regional competitiveness.

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RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Pep Lozano As the highly anticipated opening of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, is approaching, Pep Lozano, general manager, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, gives a glimpse into the luxurious world of this Renaissance-inspired hotel.

Travel Trade Weekly: Tell us a little bit about the up and coming The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

Pep Lozano: We are very excited to be opening our beautiful hotel by the end of this quarter, and are currently accepting reservations for January 2013 and onwards.

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, is our first property in the capital, consisting of 10 separate buildings in a crescent formation, and spread across 230,670m2 with more than 447 rooms and suites. In addition, we also have 85 private one- and twobedroom villas.

Our 1,600m2 outdoor swimming pool is one of the largest in Abu Dhabi, and we have a 2,000m2 spa with 15 private treatment rooms that is scheduled to open later in 2013.

Other than being a spectacular residence for all our guests, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, is also a majestic and memorable setting for meetings, weddings, or any other special event. Our hotel boasts 14 meeting rooms of varying sizes, two ballroom foyers, as well as a private and lavish Majlis overlooking the Grand Mosque.

The most awe-inspiring backdrop for any event is our palatial ballroom, the third largest in Abu Dhabi, with a private entrance and direct elevator access to the bridal suite to ensure the privacy of the event.

Our hotel promises to be a treat for all the senses, where guests can choose to pamper their palate in any of our 10 hotel restaurants.

To ensure that no one is left out, for the enjoyment of our younger guests, we have the Ritz Kids Club.

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Pep Lozano General manager, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

and any other hotel is summed up in our brand platform, ‘Let us stay with you’.

While other hotels ask their guests to stay with them, we ask instead that they let us create indelible memories and experiences that last a lifetime, and in that way let us stay with them, forever.

Travel Trade Weekly: How do you think Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry will continue to grow?

Travel Trade Weekly: What makes The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, stand out in the emirate’s ever-rising hotel sector?

Pep Lozano: Other than our outstanding facilities, what will set us apart from the proliferation of hotels in Abu Dhabi is that we are not just another luxury hotel; we are The Ritz-Carlton and we bring with us our unprecedented service values.

The Ritz-Carlton has always carved a niche for itself because we have always known that our beautiful properties are not enough by themselves; delivery is key and we have a service legacy which we are proud of. We recognise that each guest is a complex individual and we work to personalise our service to cater to both their expressed and unexpressed needs. The key difference between The Ritz-Carlton

Pep Lozano: The natural beauty of Abu Dhabi, the rare combination of expansive and untouched deserts on a city by the sea, supplemented by an exceptional hotel inventory and key attractions, all ensure the growth of the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi.

China and India are important emerging markets for Abu Dhabi. Having representation of The Ritz-Carlton global sales offices in both locations, will allow us to further tap into these markets for leisure travellers, groups, as well as for weddings.

To anticipate the continued trajectory of growth in the industry, the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has opened offices in London, New York, and Moscow, which is indicative of emerging markets and trends in those areas.

The leisure segment from these markets continues to grow, and we observe an increase in fournight stay travel patterns. Furthermore, family travel from the GCC market continues to thrive.

Etihad Airways also continues to expand and drive awareness for our destination as well as traffic into Abu Dhabi.

Already we have received tremendous support from the government entities, for which I would like to thank them.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Selection of Sharjah as Capital of Arab Tourism 2015 The Council of Arab Tourism Ministers in Cairo has selected Sharjah as the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015, based on specific bases and criteria especially its celebration of Arab and Islamic culture and heritage, this according to H.E. Nayef Al Fayez, minister of tourism, Jordan, who announced the winner.

H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, described this move as one which will give the emirate a huge boost for its tourist sector and economy and an honour which should encourage everyone to do their best, work together, and make the most of this new recognition.

“In Sharjah, we have a unique and different tourism model to offer to international and regional visitors. It has immense potential and offers endless opportunities.

Now it is up to us how we exploit them,” he commented, adding that new projects could transform the face of Sharjah and its tourism industry.

Oman Eyes US Convention Opportunities Oman’s status as an emerging destination for international business events has been further enhanced following the Sultanate’s participation in IMEX America.

Led by the country’s government-mandated organisation, Omran, the Omani delegation’s main objective was to understand the globalisation strategies of international organisations based in North America and to determine how the Sultanate can be part of this, while also exchanging experiences with other participant countries, Wael Al Lawati, CEO, Omran, explained.

The event also helped ensure the country’s readiness leading up to the completion of its cornerstone project, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in 2016. According to Rochelle Uechtritz, group manager, convention sales development, AEG Ogden, the venue’s operator, Omanis have been actively involved in international and regional associations for decades and have been asked to host many of the world’s most prestigious congresses, however this has not been possible until the development of the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is complete.

EVENTS PURE Life Experiences Marrakech, Morocco, November 12 –15, 2012 (www.purelifeexperiences.com) A premier travel trade exhibition serving one of the hottest high-end travel sectors at the moment; experiential travel.

INTUR Valladolid, Spain, November 22 – 25, 2012 (www.feriavalladolid.com) A show offering professionals and companies the opportunity to make business and generate innovation.

International Golf Travel Market Algarve, Portugal, November 12 –15, 2012 (www.igtm.co.uk) The premier event for the golf travel industry with over 600 golf tourism suppliers and 350 pre-qualified buyers.

EIBTM Barcelona, Spain, November 27 – 29, 2012 (www.eibtm.com) A leading global event for the meetings, incentives, events, and business travel industry, held in a vibrant business and tourism destination.

China International Travel Mart (CITM) Shanghai, China, November 15 –18, 2012 (www.citm.com) The largest professional travel show in Asia with participants from all sectors of the travel industry.

India International Travel Mart Hyderabad Hyderabad, India, November 30 – December 2, 2012 (www.iitmindia.com) India’s premier exhibition for travel, tourism, hospitality, leisure and other related sectors.

The Hotel Show – Saudi Arabia Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, November 17– 19, 2012 (www.thehotelshowsaudiarabia.com) A full spectrum hospitality catering and supplies event for the region, bringing leading manufacturers and qualified buyers together.

Food & Hotel Oman Muscat, Oman, December 3 – 5, 2012 (www.foodandhoteloman.com) Formerly known as Food Expo, the event has been re-branded to reflect the emerging hospitality and tourism market in the Sultanate and the region.

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