Travel Trade Weekly Issue 162

www.traveltradecyprus.travel

15 DECEMBER 2012

ISSUE 162

www.traveltradecyprus.travel

15 DECEMBER 2012

Al Habtoor Group and Emaar Properties Discuss Belarus Al Habtoor Group and Emaar Properties are in talks to collaborate on investments and possible joint ventures in Belarus.

ISSUE 162

Air Arabia officially inaugurated its service to Pristina,the capital city of Kosovo, becoming the first UAE airline to operate scheduled flights to the country.

05 Reed Travel Exhibitions to Launch IBTM India Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced that it is to launch Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings Expo (IBTM) India, in September 2013.

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

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Air Arabia Launches Services to Pristina

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RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Vicky Lewis Offering over three decades of experience and knowledge, Century Travel specialises in tailor-made holidays and cruises, and is also the official representative for a number of cruise lines in Cyprus and the Middle East.

Here, Vicky Lewis, managing director, Century Travel, shares her views on the regional cruise industry’s fastpaced development.

Travel Trade Weekly: Century Travel prides itself on offering professional services which are fully customisable to the needs and requirements of each of its clients.

What are the main assets of the company?

Vicky Lewis: We deal with cruise lines for travel worldwide and through our partnership with Etihad Guest, we are able to offer [the airline company’s members] mileage on bookings, regardless of where they live or travel to.

We represent many cruise lines in Cyprus, but we also represent Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Windstar Cruises in the Middle East, which means that we are the cruise lines’ office for the region. We deal with both direct clients and agents in the Middle East and Cyprus and have contact telephone numbers in each in order to service clients as easily as possible. Once a client or agent contacts us, we work to suggest something suitable for the client.

We like to think of ourselves as a ‘one-stop cruise shop’ for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. We welcome enquiries from any agent across the region.

Travel Trade Weekly: Tell us a little about the company’s background.

Vicky Lewis: We were at the forefront of the growth of cruise in the UK 20 years ago when it was in its infancy. We decided that we wanted to move to an area of the world where cruise was relatively unknown and where growth was anticipated. The cruise line companies loved the chance to have representation from people who really know the product first-hand and that is how Century Travel was born.

Vicky Lewis Μanaging director, Century Travel

We now represent Thomson, Cruise & Maritime, Holland America, Variety Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silverseas, Seabourn, Windstar, Cunard & P&O Cruises.

We have recently gone from nine to 12 cruise lines [...] ranging from three-stars to six-stars with something for everyone.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your comments regarding the shift in travel trends across the cruising sector?

Vicky Lewis: Cruising is hugely growing in popularity across the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East regions, as people are looking for ease of travel and value for money.

In times where people are feeling the pinch, cruising is at fantastic value as it offers all meals and entertainment for the family and

in some cases shore excursions and drinks as well. It is a great feeling to know that you can budget for your holiday in advance.

I think cruising will continue to grow in popularity over the next few years. Agents need to embrace this change in travelling trends by learning as much as possible about the different products.

Cruising is addictive and if you get the holiday right for your clients, they will return year after year.

Cruise lines also appreciate travel agents by recognising how important they are to the client. For example, if a client travels onboard a ship and makes a forward booking for another cruise, the booking automatically reverts back to the original agent to look after. Therefore, if a client is happy, you will receive repeat business along with any normal commission due.

The major mistake that agents make when handling cruise bookings, is that cruise ships are all the same. There are many different products available, with different service levels, different sizes, some suitable for families, some not. Our online brochure gives guidance on each cruise line and who they are, or are not, suitable for.

Cruising is the fastest growing sector in travel at the moment. Do not make the mistake of thinking it will go away - cruising is here to stay!

Cruising is the fastest growing sector in travel at the moment 15 DECEMBER 2012

Cruising

Seatrade Med Closes in Marseille The recently concluded Seatrade Med Cruise & Superyacht Convention, Marseille, has registered a record-breaking number delegates.

The ninth edition of the event, which ran between November 27 - 29, welcomed 140 companies and included a comprehensive conference programme as well as social events.

According to Daniel Read, director, cruise portfolio, UBM, organisers of the event, the convention was a great opportunity for the cruise community to engage, discuss trends, and do business, and exceptional positive feedback was received from the exhibition floor, delegates, speakers, and valued partners.

Jacques Truau, vice president, board of surveyors, Marseille Fos Port Authority, expressed delight in having hosted such a successful event and promised all those who visited the port and city, and enjoyed the hospitality, that upon their return, they will the have the chance to see all the finalised infrastructure projects which the authority is investing in.

WEEKLY NEWS

Belevari Marine: 100 Percent Growth Belevari Marine, a leading marine charter and events company in the UAE, specialised in brokering and chartering motor yachts, sailing boats, and Arabian Dhows, has grown 100 percent year-onyear since its conception in 2009.

“Belevari Marine offers a comprehensive yachting concierge service. Whether it is corporate entertainment, commercial product launches, human logistics or recreational cruises we can tailor make any package to suit both individual traveller and international company alike,” explained Piers Lunnon-Wood, brokerage manager, Belevari Marine, adding that the company has recently purchased a catamaran, which has fast become a hit with both residents and tourists.

Sonesta Nile Cruises: Good Results, High Hopes Sonesta Nile Cruises, which offers daily guided excursions on the River Nile to ancient Egyptian sites such as the Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, or the Colossi of Memnom, expects to see strong demand in 2013.

The positive prediction come as the cruise sector gradually climbs its way to recovery following a slowdown of business in 2011. “The Nile cruise business has always been fragile to any crises due to its strong reliance on leisure tourism. In our case, we are not only depending on the leisure business but also on the niche market, free independent travellers and incentive groups,” noted Heba Amer, director of sales and marketing, Sonesta Nile Cruises, adding that the excursions attract a diverse clientele.

“Our main feeder markets are the US, Australia, UK, Japan, Latin America, Mexico, Switzerland and Germany,” concluded Amer.

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Belevari Marine

“In the future, Belevari Marine hopes to own more catamarans and eventually have a larger team of managers focusing on the different sectors of marine business,” added Lunnon-Wood. “Our aim is to generate a more open approach to sailing and offer people the chance to enjoy the water of Abu Dhabi while imparting some knowledge of how sailing boats work. We are also now embarking on a young people’s programme to teach young local people the importance of marine conservation and that there is more to yachting than powering up the engines and motoring away.”

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MARKET UPDATE

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli

QAIA Sets New Records Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan has registered record passenger volume and aircraft movement (ACM) for October, based on the Airport International Group (AIG)’s latest report.

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SALES & MARKETING Maria Demetriadou Derek Lainsbury DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia, 1308, Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 210466

uring the month, a total of 526,584 travellers passed through the airport’s facilities, marking a year-on-year growth of 15.45 percent, while ACM hit 5,720, up 4.61 percent over 2011 figures.

In terms of year-to-date results, QAIA has now surpassed the five million mark with 5,353,776 passengers, an increase of 17.27 percent, and ACM surged 6.98 percent totalling 56,783. In addition, cargo traffic improved 7.66

percent, reaching 77,594 tonnes year-to-date.

The positive results further bolster the consortium’s commitment to working towards a prosperous future for both QAIA and the Kingdom, stated Kjeld Binger, CEO, AIG, who added, “With the new terminal nearing completion, visitors will soon be welcomed to the Kingdom via a landmark, modern gateway, which we anticipate will have a positive impact not only on the airport, but on the entire country.”

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

Rendering image of the new QAIA

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

14/12/2012 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.17

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

71.00

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.57

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.50

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,265.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.84

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

78.67

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.26

Dubai International: Second Busiest Month With over 4.92 million passengers passing through the airport’s facilities, October proved to be the second busiest month at Dubai International.

Based on the latest traffic report released by Dubai Airports, during the month under review, passenger volume at the world’s fourth busiest airport reached 4,923,246, up 14.3 percent over 2011 figures, pushing the year-todate figures to 47,488,586, a year-on-year increase of 13.5 percent.

The largest improvement in total passenger numbers was recorded from the GCC region, followed by Western Europe, the Indian subcontinent and Asia. The strongest markets in terms of percentage passenger growth were South America, followed by the GCC, Russia and the CIS, and Eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, aircraft movements rose 3.9 percent to 29,578, taking the year-to-date figure to 283,551, up 5.9 percent over the corresponding period in 2011.

“At this rate we expect to exceed our initial forecast of 56.5 million passengers and should end the year at or around 57 million passengers,” expressed Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.

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WEEKLY NEWS Al Ain Hosts Conference on Vernacular Architecture Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Al Ain played host to the International Conference on Vernacular Architecture (CIAV 2012) between November 18 - 21, at Al Qattara Centre.

Over the years, the conference has become one of the most prominent events in the field of vernacular architecture where experts from all over the world come together annually to exchange views and expertise.

This year’s edition, which marked the first time that the conference took place in an Arab country, was held under the theme Sense of Place in a Heritage of Vernacular Buildings amid the Fast-Changing Environment, where a host of eminent experts and specialised organisations presented a variety of research papers on the subject.

On the sidelines of the event, the annual meeting of the International Committee of Vernacular Architecture was also held, as well as an international camp, called ‘Camp Vernadoc 2012 Al Ain’, which saw the participation of 20 student architects and professionals from various parts of the world.

Eléa Estate Receives International Recognition Eléa Estate, the golf, leisure, and residential development in Paphos, Cyprus, which features a golf course designed

by Sir Nick Faldo, has been awarded two accolades by Overseas Property Professional (OPP).

Commenting on the recognition, Richard Browning, resort general manager, Eléa Estate, said, “With phase one construction well underway, it is hugely encouraging that OPP and its panel of influential judges across the globe has highlighted Eléa Estate’s property de-

Eléa Estate - The Clubhouse

velopment as a beacon of success in the eastern Mediterranean.”

Eléa Estate’s phase one properties are situated at one of the most prestigious locations on the development, close to the 13th and 14th tees of the Eléa Golf Club, and will enjoy panoramic views of the golf course and the Mediterranean Sea.

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Middle East Airlines Eye American Expansion Gulf carriers are likely to continue their aggressive expansion strategy in the US, according to the Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA)’s latest report.

Based on the study, in the fast changing alliance scene, partnerships will be integral as the three major long-haul airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, are looking to further expand their global networks.

Over the 2011/12 financial year, Emirates, which currently operates to eight North American and three South American cities, has recorded a year-on-year revenue increase of 21.3 percent and aims to expand its US network to at least 10 destinations.

Qatar Airways, which offers services to four North American and two South American destinations, plans to double its US network, while Etihad Airways, which currently operates to two US cities, will soon connect Abu Dhabi with Washington and São Paolo.

According to the Arab Air Carriers Organisation’s data, currently only 2.4 percent of the organisation’s airlines’ available seats are operated to and from the Americas, compared to 31.3 percent of seats into Europe, 18 percent into Asia, and 8.8 percent into Australasia.

Al Habtoor Group and Emaar Properties Plan to Invest in Belarus Al Habtoor Group and Emaar Properties are in talks to collaborate on investments and possible joint ventures in Belarus.

Senior executives from both Dubai conglomerates recently discussed investment opportunities in the Eastern European country at the Al Habtoor Group head office on Al Wasel Road in Dubai.

The meeting comes after Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group, spent four days in Belarus in mid-October to look at potential investment opportunities there and both groups are soon set to travel to Minsk to further study these prospects, with a focus on possible collaboration in multi-purpose complexes and hospitality facilities in the country.

Mohammed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, managing director, Al Habtoor Group, said, “Emaar has a proven track record in the UAE and international markets. We have many synergies. A combination of the Al Habtoor Group and Emaar will make a very strong team.”

In addition, recent months have seen the UAE and Belarus bolster bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of trade and investment, as well as boosting partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries and setting up joint projects in promising sectors.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Taba Heights Marriott Red Sea Resort Gives Back

Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Hosts Jordan Motor Sport

Alexander the Great Beach Hotel Gets a Facelift

Taba Heights Marriott Red Sea Resort has visited a local school in order to offer maintenance assistance.

The visit was part of the Marriott International Global Customer Appreciation Week where the hotel company supports local communities and thanks customers for supporting the group.

This year’s motto ’We open the door to a world of possibilities’ inspired the team at the hotel that included management and engineers, which volunteered their time to paint the lunch area, fix air conditioning units, offer IT support to the administration offices, and carry out essential maintenance at the football field.

Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa has hosted its first major event; the Jordan Motor Sport, which was held under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Faisal Bin Al Hussein, prince of Jordan, and took place from October 11 - 13.

The property is the latest resort in the Dead Sea area and the latest addition to InterContinental Hotels Group’s cluster hotels in Jordan.

It features 420 rooms and suites, including one presidential suite and one royal suite, as well as a vast 5,500m3 swimming pool, white sandy beach, promenade, amphitheatre, kids club, and eight food and beverage outlets.

Kanika Hotels & Resorts’ Alexander The Great Beach Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus, is undergoing major renovations and upgrades.

Scheduled for completion in March 2013, the makeover is set to further consolidate the hotel’s standing as a prime seafront escape on the southwestern coast of the island. The main elements of the project have been designed to deliver new dimensions of contemporary elegance, with the ultimate goal of combining the property’s modern facilities with the company’s longestablished reputation for guest-centred hospitality. The hotel has already charmed innumerable guests with its seafront location and personalised service.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Opens Observation Deck Jumeirah at Etihad Towers has unveiled Observations Deck at 300, Abu Dhabi’s latest and highest luxury venue.

Located on Tower 2’s level 74 at 300m, the deck offers an uninterrupted bird’s-eye perspective of the city’s skyline, the Corniche, and Arabian Gulf, making it a unique gathering point for tourists and local residents alike for both business and private meetings and events.

With 360-degree panoramic views at great heights, the Observation Deck at 300 will be the capital’s highest tea serving venue with its ‘Tea at the Towers on High’, and the menu also includes a variety of mocktails, soft drinks, coffees, as well as desserts and salads.

For visitors wishing to enjoy the vistas in detail, observation binoculars will allow for close-up viewing of Abu Dhabi.

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman Completes Hotel Renovation Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman has finalised its AED10 million (USD2.7 million) hotel makeover, which now boasts an additional 60 renovated rooms and a new executive floor.

The property, which recorded 100 percent occupancy during the Eid Al Adha holidays and expects to reach up to 90 percent in the coming months, now invites residents to experience a more relaxing and comfortable stay, according to Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman. “We are very pleased to announce the completion of our renovation work,” he said.

“The additional rooms will mean that we are now able to attract both leisure and corporate guests and contribute to the tourism business in Ajman.

Our new rooms, facilities and services will provide a truly relaxing and rewarding experience to our guests,” Hamdani continued.

With the additional rooms, the hotel now boasts a total inventory of 400 rooms, making it an ideal address for leisure and business travellers alike.

La Résidence des Cascades Enhances Restaurant Area La Résidence des Cascades Golf, Spa & Thalasso Resort, Soma Bay, in Egypt, has unveiled new additions to its food and beverage outlets.

The enlargement of the property’s winter garden and the Dunes Restaurant Terrace have recently been finalised, along with the new show-cooking area, revealed Sherine Emara, marketing and communications manager, La Résidence des Cascades, adding that in a bid to attract new markets, the management team has stepped up its promotional and marketing activities.

“We are working on different special offers to all markets and attending most of the international fairs, trying to expand the geography of our clientele,” explained Emara, identifying the Eastern European and the local market as the main targets of the resort.

Cleopatra Hotel Offers Four-Star Luxury at Nicosia City Centre The four-star Cleopatra Hotel, the first established hotel in Nicosia which counts three generations of experience, has recently completed the renovation of all its 86 rooms and six suites into a more contemporary look.

The units now all boast LCD TV, satellite channels, in-house movies, minibar, safe boxes, telephones in both the room and the bathroom, air conditioning and heating, and high-speed broadband cable and wireless Internet connection.

Situated in the heart of the Cypriot capital’s city centre, within walking distance from all major commercial, shopping, and entertainment establishments, as well as bars, cafeterias, and restaurants, Cleopatra Hotel also caters to corporate and social events with four state-of-the-art multi-function rooms, a business centre, an outdoor swimming pool area, a ballroom, a lounge bar, a Greek restaurant, and is also home to Stones Health Centre.

Cleopatra Hotel

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Air News

Etihad Cargo ExpandsLagos into West Africa Emirates Enhances Services Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, has re-introduced a weekly

freighter service from Abu Dhabi to Lagos, Nigeria, using a Boeing 747400F freighter, with a capacity of 124 tonnes.

The service will be complemented by the addition of 16 new interline destinations across West Africa. Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, observed that West Africa is a hugely important market for the UAE national carrier, and offering freighter services to and beyond one of its gateway cities, Lagos, is imperative. He further indicated that the new destinations will also help cement the expanding trade ties between West Africa and the UAE. Etihad Airways already operates six weekly Airbus A330 passenger services between the two cities, while Etihad Cargo flies to a total of 86 destinations internationally, operating a fleet of six freighters.

Etihad Cargo

Emirates Twice Daily to Mauritius Emirates has added three frequencies to its present 11-weekly flights to Mauritius, set to undoubtedly create more opportunities for the Mauritian tourism sector and local economy, explained Ahmed Khoory, senior vice president, West Asia and Indian Ocean, Emirates.

“The island destination is very popular throughout our network and double daily flights will offer even more flexibility to travellers,” he added.

In January, Emirates and the government of Mauritius signed an agreement aimed at jointly promoting the island destination across the airline’s global network. The two parties have engaged in the development of a series of joint activities to increase the visibility and awareness around the island in the 126 destinations to which the airline flies.

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Air Arabia Launches Services to Pristina Air Arabia officially inaugurated its service to Pristina,the capital city of Kosovo, and thus has become the first UAE airline to operate scheduled flights to the country, commencing with two weekly services.

“Air Arabia is delighted to touch down in Pristina and become the first UAE carrier to offer scheduled services to Kosovo. We are confident that our service to Pristina will further contribute to the ever growing ties between Kosovo and the UAE. “Additionally, the launch of two direct flights from Sharjah will offer customers a unique value driven product, while rapidly expanding our network in Eastern Europe,” said Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia.

WEEKLY NEWS Bahrain Air Implements FlySmart with Airbus Application Bahrain Air is the first airline in the region and the fifth globally to implement FlySmart with Airbus’s Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solution, which gives pilots a chance to exploit numerous features such as calculating flight performances and looking up flight manuals using Apple’s popular digital device, the iPad. The new system, FlySmart with Airbus, replaces the traditional PC-based EFB method, with the aim of optimising aircraft performance while obtaining savings in cost, weight, and time, as Maitham AlShaikh, first officer, Bahrain Air, explained, “We are pleased to get the new EFB solution on our flights. We were 100 percent successful in implementing the system and now our pilots carry a 1.5 pound (680g) iPad instead of 35 pounds (15.9kg) of paper material which results in more than half a gallon (1.9l) of fuel saved per flight hour. The iPad allows pilots to access information faster and easier and also increases the situational awareness of the pilots which leads to better decision making.”

Similarly, Waleed Alshamsi, director, flight operations, Bahrain Air, expressed, “We are continuingly looking ahead to implementing state-of-the-art equipment and tools on our aircraft in our commitment to the highest standards of safety whilst attempting to minimise costs.”

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WEEKLY NEWS

International

Banyan Tree Group Launches First Property in India Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of Banyan Tree Kerala, scheduled to be unveiled in the first quarter of 2013.

The resort marks the first property in India for the group and will be located on the private island of Nediyathuruthu in the Alleppey district of Kerala, an hour south of Kochi International Airport.

The property will boast 59 villas all featuring a private pool and views of the surrounding waterways and canals. Regarding facilities,

Banyan Tree Kerala will feature the group’s first dedicated Ayurvedic centre offering personalised consultations by qualified doctors. Guests may enjoy these alongside a variety of other wellness therapies.

As for dining, the resort will offer a variety of options while special culinary experiences include dinner aboard a local palak boat and dining atop a specially built tower, the tallest point on the island, admiring panoramic views of the resort.

Hilton Worldwide Announces Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with IC Bomonti Uluslararasi Kongre Turizm Yatirimlari Ticaret to open an upper upscale hotel in Istanbul’s city centre.

Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Centre is the largest hotel under development in Istanbul, by number of rooms and size of meeting space, providing the city with a worldclass conference facility, expected to attract new international conference business, as Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, stated.

The hotel will be located in a newly built 35-storey tower and will feature 829 rooms and suites, an executive lounge, as well as spa and fitness facilities, among others. Serhat Çeçen, board member, IC Bomonti Uluslararasi Kongre Turizm Yatirimlari Ticaret, confessed that the property aspires to become the largest landmark hotel in Istanbul’s centre and expressed his pleasure for cooperating with the hospitality giant. “Hilton Worldwide has demonstrated a serious commitment and ability to make this spectacular project a great success in one of Europe's fastest growing and most exciting destinations,” Çeçen concluded.

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WHO'S MOVED

Iryna Peresada Iryna Peresada has joined Dusit Thani Dubai as a sales manager with the responsibility of driving the corporate sector forward.

With almost a decade of sales experience within the hospitality industry, both in the UAE and Ukraine, Peresada brings extensive knowledge to the role, in which she will

assist in developing further leads across the emirate.

Over the past seven years, she has already served a number of prestigious five-star properties across Dubai.

Peresada has joined Dusit Thani Dubai as a sales manager

Nicolas Villemin Nicolas Villemin, has been appointed director of business development at Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai.

Villemin, who speaks five languages, has worked in the hospitality sector with a particular focus on sales and marketing for over 13 years, thus brings vitality, enthusiasm, and extensive knowledge to the team.

He has served a number of renowned hotel companies, such as Accor, Hilton World-

15 DECEMBER 2012

wide, One&Only Resorts, Hyatt International, and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, across the globe, including Switzerland, Brazil, France, Kazakhstan, and UAE. Earlier appointed as director of sales and marketing for the pre-opening of Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, he took on the opportunity to work in his favourite city, Dubai.

Villemin brings vitality, enthusiasm, and extensive knowledge to the team

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Peter O’Connor Peter O’Connor has been named general manager of Habtoor Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai.

Over the past 30 years, he has worked in nine countries in Europe, North America, Hawaii, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

He has spent the past 18 years as general manager, senior vice president, and CEO of international brands in the five-

star luxury category, and has played a vital role in securing prestigious awards for his hotels. Other achievements include overseeing and managing all operations during the opening of properties within Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and at Jumeirah Beach, and the rebranding of international luxury hotels.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

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Taleb Rifai

Mark Walsh

Secretary general, UNWTO.

Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

“Every single person who has travelled [this year], whether on holiday or business, is part of the one billion and can make a real difference. I hope everyone will join our campaign [One Billion Tourists: One Billion Opportunities] and help us spread the message that one billion tourists really do mean one billion opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and the future of our planet.”

“In 2011 alone, there was a 39 percent rise in online bookings in the region, and we are seeing a clear shift from dependence on traditional booking channels to online services [...]. Mirroring this sharp rise in the online travel marketplace, floor space in our Technology and Online Wholesalers section for next year’s show (2013 Arabian Travel Market) is already 78 percent sold.”

James Hogan President, Etihad Airways.

“Particularly with increasing ties between the UAE and US, both government and private sector, we see a demand for premium services between the Washington, D.C. and Abu Dhabi. I am delighted to bring our award-winning Diamond First Class Suites and Pearl Business Class to the route. As we build our operations at Washington, D.C., we are also keen to expand further in the US [...] particularly on the West Coast.”

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, and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

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AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT

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Travelport Launches Mobile Application for MEA Agents

NAME: Saad Osman POSITION: Vice president COMPANY: Magi Tours LOCATION: Egypt WEB: www.magitours.com

Who are you?

I am the vice president of Magi Tours, with my main areas of expertise being in business development, product management, and travel operations.

Our company goes back many years [...] that started as a family business in1937.

Having being based initially in Port Said and with the cruise lines passing by the Suez Canal, this is where we started, and have been growing from this point.

For several decades, we have been handling well-known cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, British India, The World ResidenSea, and many other cruise lines and navy ships.

Our business moved on and Magi Tours was then established as a separate entity in Cairo by Magdi Osman, president, Magi Tours, and has been operating and growing successfully since 1989.

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

It is a very dynamic and challenging industry where you always have to be creative and seek opportunities that lie ahead.

When is the best time to visit Egypt?

The climate to visit every part of Egypt is very good all year round.

The best times I would recommend are spring and autumn (MarchMay and September-November).

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

The Alps in the winter.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

We are highly experienced in the field and always treat each traveller as a separate individual. We study the travellers’ needs and interests in-depth so we can offer the best of Egypt for their experience.

Attention to every detail and rigid quality control throughout the journey to Egypt are our key success.

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Travelport has announced the launch of its mobile global distribution system application, the Travelport Mobile Agent.

The application will provide access to the Galileo desktop directly from an iPad or iPhone device for Travelport-connected agents.

Recognising the need for agents to manage bookings on the go through online technology, Rabih Saab, president, Middle East and Africa, Travelport, said, “Travel agents need the ability to access booking data at a moment’s notice, which is why we have provided a mobile applica-

tion that keeps them close to their business no matter where they are. [...] And with no foreseeable end to the mobile revolution that is engulfing this region, we continue to create innovative new ways to empower our customers to sell the broadest range of content however and - from now - wherever they want to.”

Travelport Mobile Agent is the second mobile application launched by Travelport in the Middle East and Africa this year, following Travelport View Trip Mobile, a mobile traveller itinerary application, released in June.

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

Positive Results for Tourism to Florida According to preliminary estimates released by VISIT FLORIDA, 21.9 million travellers visited the state during the third quarter of the year.

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hese figures show an increase of 3.5 percent over the same period in 2011, while average daily room rate rose 3.3 percent, and the occupancy levels for Florida hotels improved 1.7 percentage points over the three-month period.

“In today’s highly competitive travel marketplace, we are encouraged by the healthy increase in both domestic and international visitors.

The balanced growth we are seeing in visitation from the US, Canada, and overseas indicates that the Florida tourism industry is strong and on pace for another record year,” concluded Will Seccombe, CEO, VISIT FLORIDA. Glenn Hastings, chairman, VISIT FLORIDA, pointed out that the entire industry’s efforts provide jobs for more than one million Floridians.

Sharjah Museums Department Takes Part in Taweya 2012 The Education and Interpretation Department at the Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) participated in the second edition of the National Exhibition for Society Awareness and Humanitarian Services (Taweya 2012) in Abu Dhabi.

The three-day show aims to enhance and encourage solidarity and partnership among the public, civil, and private sectors, and this year’s event welcomed a large number of institutions, authorities, and departments in a bid to present the services they offer and spread social awareness.

Alya Burhaima, manager, department of education and interpretation, SMD, expressed a willingness to cooperate with any government or public party in order to achieve partnership and social solidarity.

Determining Business Travellers Needs Corp Executive Hotel Apartments-Al Barsha, Dubai, recently appointed Marketing Pro-Junction (MPJ) as its marketing research company, to conduct a special study for the hotel to make sure it has what it takes to please business travellers.

Aamir Pervez, general manager, Corp Executive Hotel Apartments-Al Barsha, Dubai, said, “Nearly 30 percent of our business comes from corporate travellers hence we have to continuously evolve and upgrade our business facilities and technology in keeping with the demands of this very significant sector ensuring they have what they seek. And the findings of the survey by MPJ, that was based on the guest feedbacks, have been truly delightful with nearly 93 percent of our business clientele expressing their satisfaction with our facilities and services.”

Hina Bakht, vice president, MPJ, underlined the ability to get connected anytime, anywhere, as the largest concern of business travellers, while airport transfers is another cause of worry.

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RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Achille Staiano With passenger numbers soaring at an unprecedented rate and a growing number of cruise lines committing to the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, the region’s cruise sector boosts tremendous opportunities, and Achille Staiano, corporate commercial manager, MSC Cruises, reveals why.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your expectations for the current season?

Achille Staiano: The cruise industry stands out today for its steady growth over the last decade and, in spite of the fragility of the current global economic framework, its potential for further growth, especially in the Mediterranean area where market penetration is still low, is incredibly high.

MSC Cruises is already strong in the Mediterranean area and our objective is to grow by 14 percent in terms of capacity in 2013. When our new ship MSC Preziosa is delivered in a few months, she will complete our internationally renowned Fantasia class, raising MSC Cruises’ total capacity to over 40,000 berths and allowing us to offer the unparalleled features of this new generation of ship all over the world. In 2013, we in fact expect over 1.6 million guests to sail with us.

With a modern fleet of 13 ships [we are able to] diversify our itineraries, thus offering new destinations to guests who have already taken a cruise with us. In this regard, MSC Armonia’s new itinerary in the Red Sea region will be very much welcomed, especially by our repeaters.

Travel Trade Weekly: Popular ports of calls in the region include Egypt and Jordan.

What aspects make these countries attractive destinations for MSC Cruises and its passengers?

Achille Staiano: Egypt and Jordan are renowned for transporting travellers back to enchanting ancient worlds and MSC Armonia’s guests will sail through thousands of years of history from the comfort of an MSC ‘luxury time

15 DECEMBER 2012

Achille Staiano Corporate commercial manager, MSC Cruises

developments we suggested are implemented, MSC Cruises is confident that the region will maximise its potential and that many more cruise passengers will discover this truly unique destination and enjoy its rich traditions and vibrant modernity.

Travel Trade Weekly: With the cruise industry becoming more competitive, how do you intend to maintain or further increase your market share?

machine’. With MSC Armonia sailing 21 eightday and seven-night cruises, departing every Saturday from Sharm El Sheikh until March 30, 2013, MSC Cruises has come up with the perfect comprehensive itinerary. [...] MSC Armonia’s guests are also treated to a daily culinary and entertainment programme to bring the region vividly to life on board as well as on shore, including specially designed Arabian themed drinks and menus.

Travel Trade Weekly: Would you consider the company’s return to the Gulf region, after pulling out earlier this year?

Achille Staiano: The cooperation of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority and its partner stakeholders was important for the success of our first cruises in the region, and we look forward to the possibility of working together again in the future. When the

Achille Staiano: In an industry characterised by continuous change and growth, being flexible and able to update the product is paramount to success. The latest important changes on board our fleet include a 20-hour non-stop service at the buffet, and new options for families and children.

We have also recently transformed our positioning cruises into the completely new MSC Grand Voyages that offer a rich lecture programme, regionally inspired entertainment and cuisine nights, classical concerts, and onboard activities designed to last for several days and to create a shared journey for guests enjoying the cruise.

With on-going investment in state-of-theart technology, MSC Cruises strives to constantly anticipate new trends and, if possible, realise them even before they have become fashionable. We also dedicate great attention to our web platform and to fly and cruise schemes, as we know that a cruise experience does not end on board. It begins and ends ashore and it is important to control the entire process in order to be sure it guarantees the high standards our guests will find on board.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Reed Travel Exhibitions to Launch IBTM India Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), organiser of some of the world’s leading portfolio of business travel events, has announced that it is to launch Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings Expo (IBTM) India, which will take place at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, from September 12 - 14, 2013.

IBTM India is set to provide an integrated platform for the MICE and business travel sectors and will host some 100 suppliers from international and Indian hotels and venues, national and state tourism boards, travel and destination management companies and airlines, along with other suppliers including technology and event management companies.

A proportionate number of top level decision makers will be hosted as buyers from key markets around the globe, all of whom will be pre-qualified to ensure they are planning to place business in India. Moreover, buyers who are keen to place outbound and domestic business will be included.

HOREXPO Cyprus Returns in 2013 Following the success of the first edition, the 2nd HOREXPO Cyprus is expected to attract a large number of exhibitors and visitors, when it sets off on January 25, 2013.

The three-day event, which is set to come to a close on January 27, 2013 at Expo Cyprus, Nicosia, will bring together the elite of the Cypriot tourism industry and leading companies, providing all participants with an ideal platform to network, exchange ideas, negotiate, and conduct business.

The exhibition will, once again, cover a wide range of organising, equipment and supply chain products and services for hospitality, food and entertainment establishments. In addition, 2013’s edition will also bring an intensified focus on the food and beverage sector.

The much anticipated event will also be enriched by important collaborations and side events, focused on the interests of tourism and food service professionals.

EVENTS Ferien – Messe Wien Vienna, Austria, January 10 – 13, 2013 (www.ferien-messe.at) The leading public access tourism trade fair in Austria with over 100,000 consumers and thousands of experts from within the sector.

Business Travel Show London, UK, February 5 – 6, 2013 (www.businesstravelshow.com) One of Europe’s main exhibition and conference for corporate travel buyers, managers and bookers to source, learn and network.

SATTE New Delhi, India, January 16 – 18, 2013 Mumbai, India, January 21 – 22, 2013 (www.satte.in) Hailed as South Asia’s leading business-to-business travel and tourism event serving the inbound, domestic, and outbound markets.

Hoteliers European Marketplace Brussels, Belgium, February 11, 2013 (http://www.cvent.com/events/hoteliers-european-marketplace-2013) A one-day business-to-business workshop where European hotels and hotel chains meet contractors from all around the world.

East Mediterranean Tourism & Travel Exhibition (EMITT) Istanbul, Turkey, January 24 – 27, 2013 (www.emittistanbul.com) Considered the fifth largest travel exhibition in the world, EMITT brings together 4,500 exhibitors and over 128,000 visitors.

HOREXPO Cyprus 2013 Nicosia, Cyprus, January 25 – 27, 2013 (www.horexpo.com) The second edition of the event covering a wide range of travel industry sectors, including hotels and catering.

Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) Melbourne, Australia, February 26 – 27, 2013 (www.aime.com.au) A must-attend, five-star event in the Asia Pacific region for the meeting and events industry.

The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 25 – 27, 2013 (www.gibtm.com) A leading event for the meetings, incentives and business travel industry in the GCC region, which can truly unlock all participants’ business potential.

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