Travel Trade Weekly Issue 145

Travel Trade Weekly proudly enjoys readers on average per day

18 AUGUST 2012

ISSUE 145

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Displays New Look Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi has unveiled its new grand lobby; a project worth an estimated AED600,000 (USD163,000), which included the cleaning of the lobby’s dome.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have greatly benefitted London’s hotel sector, based on data compiled by STR Global from more than 2,400 hotels across the UK.

04 Emirates to Serve Phuket Emirates is set to continue its network expansion following the recent announcement of daily fights to Phuket, Thailand, scheduled to take off on December 10.

08 IN THIS ISSUE 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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Summer Olympics Boost London Hotels

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MARKET UPDATE

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

Jazeera Airways Group: Record Net Profit

Jazeera Airways Group closed the second quarter (Q2) with a record net profit of KWD2.6 million (USD9.2 million), marking a year-on year increase of 23.5 percent.

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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 WEBSITE

ased on the group’s quarterly report, operating profit rose 49.2 percent to reach KWD4.2 million (USD14.9 million), while revenue grew 11.8 percent to KWD15.6 million (USD55.3 million).

The positive quarterly results pushed net profits for the first half (H1) of the year to KWD3.8 million (USD13.5 million), up

21.6 percent over H1 2011. Operating profit amounted to KWD6.4 million (USD22.7 million), and revenue totalled KWD28.3 million (USD100.4 million), up 39.9 percent and 11.8 percent respectively.

Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways Group, believes the second half of the year will bring even more healthy results, in line with Kuwait’s improving economy.

Summer Olympics Boost London Hotels

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

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have greatly benefitted London’s hotel sector, based on data compiled by STR Global from more than 2,400 hotels across the UK. Between July 27 and August 5, occupancy levels in London averaged at 87.7 percent, while average daily rate (ADR) amounted to GBP216.42 (USD338.82), marking an increase of 3.2 percent and 87.1 percent respectively when compared to the same period in 2011.

The capital’s RevPAR climbed to GBP189.89 (USD297.29), up 93.1 percent, however hotels in the areas of Heathrow and Gatwick, located in the west and south of London thus less convenient for Olympic venues, have reported occupancy declines.

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

17/08/2012 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.08

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

65.55

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.61

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.92

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,265.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.55

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

82.08

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.26

Jet Airways Reports Profit

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et Airways posted a quarterly profit of INR333 million (USD6 million) for the three-month period ending June 30, versus a loss of INR1,568 million (USD35.1 million) in the corresponding quarter in 2011.

Jet Group, which includes Jet Airways and Jetlite, recorded a total revenue of INR52.7 billion (USD948.5 million), marking a year-on-year increase of 31.4 percent, of which international operations accounted for 56 percent, pushing

international revenues up 29.8 percent with an average seat factor of 86.3 percent.

“Fuel cost increase and depreciation of the Indian Rupee vis-à-vis the US Dollar weighed heavily on the industry’s profitability,” noted Nikos Kardassis, CEO, Jet Airways, highlighting that the industry has been going through turbulent times over the last few quarters.

“Going forward, we do not expect any major capacity increase given the delivery schedules of airlines in the sector.”

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WEEKLY NEWS Saudi Outbound Tourism on the Rise A total of 2,748,889 Saudis travelled abroad in the second quarter (Q2) of the year, marking a 23 percent surge over the corresponding period in 2011, based on data compiled by the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities in collaboration with the National Information Center at the Ministry of Interior.

Bahrain and Kuwait have proven to be the most popular destinations among Saudi travellers, having welcomed 970,000 and 436,000 visitors from the Kingdom respectively, followed by the UAE, which attracted some 365,000 tourists from the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Jordan received 318,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia, Yemen 188,000, Qatar 163,000, Egypt 55,000, Turkey 51,000, and the UK 35,000.

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Hertz Partners with Royal Jordanian Airlines Hertz has entered into a new partnership with Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) to provide preferential rates and special rewards to members of the airline’s frequent flyer programme, Royal Plus, while also offering global car rental benefits to all other customers booking flights online.

As a result of the new three-year agreement, Royal Plus members can immediately take advantage of the best available rates on car rentals at Hertz locations across the airline’s international network of 59 destinations, while earning 500 Royal Plus miles for each booking.

Royal Plus members can also benefit from year-round promotions and offers through a new dualbranded HertzLink booking platform accessible from the airline’s website.

Royal Jordanian Airlines

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

ARAC to Open Luxury Hotel in Dammam The Arab Resort Areas Company (ARAC) is to add a luxury property to its portfolio.

Located 10 minutes from Dammam’s first industrial city, the development will comprise 200 five-star hotel keys along with 120 hotel apartments, four dining venues, and a plethora of leisure facilities including a gym, spa, kids’ club, and an indoor swimming pool.

With a capacity of up to 600 guests, the property’s banquet hall, along with its business centre and meeting rooms, will provide an ideal venue for events.

The consultancy contract to design and supervise the construction has already been awarded to Dewan Architects & Engineers. "The economy of Saudi Arabia is developing rapidly and there is a great demand for luxury leisure destinations within the Kingdom,” noted Ammar Al Assam, executive director, Dewan Architects & Engineers.

“ARAC's foray into the luxury hospitality sector with this project is an excellent opportunity for Dewan to further consolidate our already strong presence in Saudi and contribute towards the development of the country,” he concluded.

Dubai’s Le Méridien to Reopen in November Following an extensive period of refurbishment, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina is set to welcome guests as of November with a refreshed look.

The project was launched earlier this year in a bid to infuse the interiors with classic chic décor to reflect the brand’s dynamic focus on culture and refinements and establish the hotel as one of Jumeirah Beach’s leading addresses, this according to Stewart Selbie, complex general manager, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.

Besides the refurbished guest rooms and the public areas, the hotel is set to debut a number of new food and beverage concepts.

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Displays New Look

Grand Lobby

Following a month-long work, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, has unveiled its new grand lobby; a project worth an estimated AED600,000 (USD163,000), which included the cleaning of the lobby’s dome where 15kg of gold and silver leafing paint has been applied.

Rajeev Chopra, director of engineering, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, explained, “The project was massive due to the intricacy of the set-up and the work itself.”

Jörg Hauri, general manager, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, added, “Whilst we gave it our best attempt to ensure the work and closure of that particular portion of the lobby would not infringe on daily activities and guests’ visits, it was inevitable that this would be the case from time to time.

We therefore, would like to thank all our guests for being patient.”

Grand Millennium Dubai Targets Overseas Markets

Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Grand Millennium Dubai

In a quest to familiarise overseas operators with the hotel, Grand Millennium Dubai is participating in a number of trade events this year such as the Chinese Visitor Summit taking place in Dubai this September.

“Shopping is a must for brand conscious Chinese travellers and our prime location in the heart of new Dubai is ideal with Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, and Dubai Mall all within easy reach,” commented Peter Mansourian, general manager, Grand Millennium Dubai, who also mentioned that many of these visitors travel during off peak seasons and the corporate travel sector also holds great potential.

Other markets being targeted by the sales team include Europe, GCC, South America, and Russia, in addition to the events and meetings sector, therefore the hotel management will also participate in the OTDYKH Leisure Moscow 2012 in September, as well as in the World Travel Market in London in November, and the EIBTM in Barcelona in December.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

IHG’s First Signings for New Brand InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced its first set of signings for the new HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts brand, which has been specifically designed for Chinese consumers.

Focusing on the unique aspects of Chinese etiquette, the importance of rejuvenation, status recognition, and enabling spaces that reflect local customs and heritage, the new brand is said to take the best aspects of renowned Chinese hospitality and applies IHG’s international scale, powerful systems, and unparalleled insights into the market, with the aim of consistently delivering what clients expect in the Asian country today.

Eight management contracts have been signed since the brand launch earlier this year, including hotels in Beijing and Shanghai as well as six emerging business and leisure destinations across the country, bringing a combined total of nearly 2,800 rooms to the HUALUXE brand pipeline.

ALJREIC to Add 8,000 Rooms In a bid to support the sustained growth of the Saudi tourism sector and cater to the needs of citizens, visitors, and pilgrims, Abdul Latif Jameel Real Estate Investment Company (ALJREIC) is to add more than 8,000 units to the Kingdom’s hotel room inventory under the Anjum Hotels brand as part of the company’s ambitious Jabal Al Kaaba project.

The launch of the new brand, with its flagship hotel set to open in 2013, comes in line with ALJREIC’s long term strategy aimed at contributing to the development of the Saudi industry and enhancing the quality of hospitality and tourism amenities in the Kingdom, explained Yousef Abdul Latif Jameel, chairman, ALJREIC. “ALJREIC has taken the lead to support the tourism boom in the Kingdom through strategic development initiatives that include the SAR10 billion (USD2.7 billion) Jabal Al Kaaba project,” he added.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air News

Emirates to Serve Phuket Emirates is set to continue its network expansion following the recent announcement of daily fights to Phuket, Thailand, scheduled to take off on December 10.

According to Tim Clark, president, Emirates, the team is looking forward to the launch of the nonstop service to Phuket, which will be just in time for the holiday season.

“We have always had a strong affiliation with Thailand and have been operating flights to Bangkok since 1990.

Thailand is an important market for Emirates. We currently operate four daily flights between Dubai and Bangkok, including one with our Airbus A380 aircraft. We are confident that Phuket will prove a popular destination for our passengers, especially those from the UAE, Middle East, and Europe,” he said.

Phuket

IndiGo Introduces Two New Flights IndiGo has further enhanced its customer experience with the recent introduction of two flights to its schedule, which came into effect on August 7.

Hyderabad – Dubai is now being served daily and directly by the airline, bringing the two cities closer together. Additionally, IndiGo also welcomed its second daily and direct flight between Delhi and Dubai.

Speaking on the occasion, Aditya Ghosh, president, IndiGo said, “It gives me immense pleasure in announcing these new flights connecting Dubai to Hyderabad and Delhi. IndiGo is determined to provide the best travel experience to all those who wish to fly these destinations.

“We are looking at providing affordable fares on these new routes for travellers. It is our constant endeavour to provide more flexibility of choice for our customers as IndiGo continues to offer them an ontime, hassle-free, and always-affordable flying experience.”

These new services further consolidate IndiGo’s position as the fastest growing airline in India, with its 57 brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, operating 357 flights daily connecting 32 destinations across the country.

Indigo

Turkish Airlines to Add Four Routes Turkish Airlines is forging ahead with its fast-paced expansion, as it gears up to add four new routes to its network namely Sharm El Shaikh, Maldives, Kinshasa, and Sabha.

Starting August 27, the airline will operate four flights per week to Kinshasa, the capital city of Congo, while Sabha, Libya, is set to join the route map on September 2 with three weekly services to the southwestern city.

Meanwhile, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, will see four weekly flights served by the airline, effective October 9, in addition to a five-weekly services to the Maldives starting November 24.

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WEEKLY NEWS

International

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inaugurates Ski Resort Complex

Sheraton Changbaishan Resort

Unveiling of the Hotel Maria Cristina The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, has reopened the doors to the historic Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian, following an extensive USD25 million restoration.

The renovation of the hotel, which was completed in time for its 100th anniversary, is part of a larger strategy to make major investments in the upgrade of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’s most celebrated Luxury Collection Hotels properties, this according to Roeland Vos, president, Europe, Africa, and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worlwide.

Hotel Maria Cristina features 107 guest rooms and 29 suites, in addition to renovated restaurants and bars, and the new Tse Yang, a haute cuisine Chinese restaurant.

The restored Prince de Galles, Paris, and The Gritti Palace, Venice, also members of The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, will follow with debuts in 2013.

Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the opening of its first dual-branded ski resort complex in Changbaishan, China.

Owned by Dalian Wanda Group, the 297-room Sheraton Changbaishan Resort and 262-room The Westin Changbaishan Resort are adjacent to the slopes of the Changbai Mountains, one of China's leading ski areas and famed resort destinations.

The opening marks the hotel group’s first ski resorts in Asia Pacific and further lengthens its footprint as the largest international luxury and upper upscale hotel operator in China where the company recently celebrated 103 properties in operation, with another 100 hotels in the pipeline.

“We are proud to introduce the Sheraton and Westin brands to the Changbai Mountains with this spectacular, new year-round ski resort complex where guests will enjoy world-class amenities set against the backdrop of one of China’s most visually stunning mountain ranges,“ said Stephen Ho, president, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Huvafen Fushi Completes Renovation

Huvafen Fushi, Maldives

Following 10 weeks of renovations, Huvafen Fushi, Maldives has re-opened, four days ahead of schedule, revealing refurbished bungalows and pavilions, new interior finishes, a new outdoor lounge area over the reef, added plunge pools and bars, and uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, just to name a few.

“As the flagship Per AQUUM property, we wanted to build on the iconic design of Huvafen Fushi by complementing its visionary DNA. Now in its eighth year of operation, it was important to introduce some new concepts that would not only update the property but also ensure we retain our competitive edge within the Maldives,” commented Neil Palmer, CEO, Per AQUUM.

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WHO'S MOVED

Peter O’Connor Peter O’Connor has assumed the position of general manager at Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai.

O’Connor, who has 30 years of experience in the hotel industry at senior management level, has worked with various renowned brands around the world, including Hilton, InterContinental, Hyatt, Westin, and Mövenpick. So far, he has launched 12 hotels and assisted

in the opening of 21 properties in eight different countries.

He returns to the UAE from Singapore where he served Pacific Star Group. O’Connor previously spent four years in Dubai as general manager of Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach.

So far, he has launched 12 hotels and assisted in the opening of 21 properties in eight different countries.

Christopher Eden Christopher Eden has joined Doha-based Rizon Jet’s team as director of ground operations.

The aviation professional brings a wealth of experience gained around the world to the role, having most recently worked as safety systems inspector at the Australia Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Perth.

Eden returns to the Middle

Adel Hallaba Adel Hallaba has been appointed director of operations at V Continents Executive Suites, Abu Dhabi.

Hallaba, who has more than 35 years of hospitality management experience, has been tasked to ensure the successful opening and future operations of the property.

Hallaba started his career in Abu Dhabi, working for various companies including

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Ramada Worldwide and Abu Dhabi National Hotels before returning to Egypt where he served InterContinental Hotels Group for almost 10 years as resident manager and later as general manager.

Hallaba further enriched his experience in Oman as director of operations at The Hotel Management Company & The Hotel Development Company.

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East after having previously held various ground operations roles with companies in Abu Dhabi as well as Doha.

At Rizon Jet he will be responsible for the conduct and regulatory compliance of all fleet operations.

He has also been tasked with flight standards and safety management, as well as the company’s day to day operations.

Richard Lineveldt Richard Lineveldt has been appointed general manager of UAE operations at GAMA Aviation FZE. Lineveldt, who began his career in business aviation in South Africa, has been placed responsible for implementing the company’s growth strategy throughout the MENA region. Prior to joining Gama Aviation in 2008 to establish the operations department

of the company’s MENA business, he gained significant experience in a number of aviation operations positions around the world.

He has been a key member of the management team, supporting the company’s expansion initiatives in the region, including the set-up of the exclusive operation of Sharjah International Airport’s Executive Handling Service.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

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Scott Butcher

Ashraf Helmy

General manager, Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai.

General manager, Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort.

“Shows such as OTDYKH Leisure allow us to engage with key players in the industry including major tour operators, destination management companies, travel consortiums, and other trade professionals.

“The Russia / CIS / Baltics market is considered one of the most promising ones for the emirates, as it attracts an extraordinary number of tourists every year. However, it is still a relatively small market for us in terms of volume.”

“The [cruise-themed team-building] programme aims to unify Miramar’s vision, mission, and values for the team to believe in the same virtues and principles which fuels our hotel to excel.

“We place high value in human resources as this is the core of the hospitality industry and this activity provided an excellent venue to boost the team’s confidence and dedication. We want to instill the core values […] which are very essential to stay afloat in this business.”

Peter Mansourian General manager, Grand Millennium Dubai.

“Being in the hospitality business, we are well aware of what it means to care for people and the community. Dubai is a vibrant city teeming with upwardly mobile youngsters, so we have sought to focus on the student community in the emirate.

Each of the events we [recently] sponsored is centred on specific concerns of today’s youngsters – the spirit of adventure and physical well-being, the desire to compete, achieve, and learn, and the passion to thrive.”

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 NAME: Jayesh Ashar POSITION: Managing director COMPANY: Pearl Travels LOCATION: India and the UK WEB: www.pearltravels.com Who are you?

Pearl Travels is a business-to-business wholesaler for global land arrangements. We specialise in tailor-made itineraries. We shifted our head offices to India in 2008 to be closer to our main markets, India and the Middle East, after I started the business in the UK in 1992.

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

There is always something new to learn everyday, if you are willing to do so. There is always a new crisis just around the corner and we have to be on top of all these and yet smile when clients ask for a discount.

We will never become millionaires in monetary terms working in this industry but we definitely are millionaires in information and knowledge terms.

When is the best time to visit India?

The Himalayas are best visited during the summer and the heritage routes of Delhi-Agra-Rajasthan during the winter. Goa and the colonial hill stations in monsoon offer the best of deals and scenic beauty. The beaches of India other than Goa are spectacular. Destinations such as Puri, Pondicherry, the Konkan belt have very rustic but clean beaches that have not been commercialised yet.

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

Maldives, Mauritius, and the Fiji Islands are on top of the list.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

I strongly believe that people go on holidays to fulfil their dreams and spend their life’s hard earned money. Hence, it is the duty of all travel trade professionals to ensure that they understand an individual traveller’s needs and preferences and provide them the best value for money itineraries without any thoughts to profits. The profits will follow automatically.

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Travelport Launches GDS Mobile Application Travelport has announced the launch of Travelport Mobile Agent through its Developer Network.

The mobile app, which enables Travelport-connected agencies to gain full access to the Galileo platform directly on their mobile device, is currently available via Apple’s App Store.

Developed by Travel Technology & Solutions (TTS), the application is one of the first products to be made available globally as a result of the Travelport Developer Network which was introduced in November 2011, after a successful pilot in Portugal, Spain, and Brazil.

Commenting on the launch, Jason Nash, vice president, product innovation, Travelport, said, “We are delighted to be able to bring this product to the industry through our Developer Network. By enabling talented third parties to build products using Travelport technology, we are delivering on our strategy to launch new, innovative solutions for our customers worldwide.”

Marcio Ferreira, CEO, Aviateam, one of the early adopters of Travelport Mobile Agent, added, “Being able to manage our travel bookings on the move is hugely advantageous in today’s mobile world.”

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

IATA: Passenger Demand Growth Slows Passenger demand growth continues to slow, in line with weakness in business and consumer confidence, based on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) global traffic results for June.

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ear-on-year, demand for air travel improved 6.2 percent and, along with a capacity growth of 4.5 percent, this led to load factors averaging at 81 percent.

Overall, results recorded between February and June showed a two percent annualised increase, marking a major slowdown from the eight percent annualised growth rate experienced from mid-2011 through to January this year.

In June, Middle East carriers proved to

be the strongest performers with a demand growth of 18.2 percent, outstripping a capacity expansion of 13.4 percent, and recording an average load factor of 78.6 percent.

IATA’s report also highlights that in contrast to the overall market, the growth trend in this region remained robust throughout the year, gaining a further 1.9 percent in June when compared to May. Meanwhile, European airlines experienced a strong increase in June of 7.3 percent and Asia-Pacific carriers reported a six percent

surge in demand, more than double the 2.9 percent expansion in capacity for the month, when compared to June 2011.

In spite of these encouraging results, Tony Tyler, director general, IATA, warned that they are not implicit of positive times ahead. “The uncertainty that we see in the global economic situation is being reflected in air transport’s performance. Although there are some pockets of solid performance, it is difficult to detect a strong trend, positive or negative, at the global level,” he stated.

Queensland: Middle Eastern Visitors on the Rise During the first four months of the year, a total of 16,300 travellers visited Queensland from the Middle East, up 28 percent over the same period in 2011, based on figures released by Tourism Queensland.

In April alone, the second largest state of Australia welcomed 4,000 visitors from the region, marking a year-on-year increase of 38 percent.

Queensland has long actively striven to attract travellers from the Middle East by providing dedicated facilities, including prayer rooms in malls and theme parks, and offering halal food. In addition, during the last three years, the government has been jointly organising Iftar at leading hotels during Ramadan.

With the average length of stay standing at three weeks and spend per visitor reaching the triple of the global average, the Middle East has earned its place among the top 25 focus areas of Tourism Queensland.

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RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Salim Damji With a history of over three decades, Budget Car & Van Rental has long been part of the UAE’s tourism industry, and here Salim Damji, senior general manager, Budget Car & Van Rental UAE, talks about the industry’s latest trends and innovations that are shaping the sector’s present and future.

Travel Trade Weekly: Can you give us an overview of Budget Rent a Car UAE? Salim Damji: Budget Rent a Car UAE was established in 1980, as part of Liberty Investment Company, the holding company for a diversified group with extensive interest in various sectors.

With over 30 years of operation, Budget Rent a Car has attained a leadership position in the country’s vehicle rental industry, offering short-term rentals, lease, and international reservations to individuals and the corporate sector. Budget’s growing fleet features a wide range from small to luxury class vehicles, including four wheel drives and commercial vehicles.

as in short and long-term vehicle leasing.

Based on our internal strategic market analysis, our market share in car rentals at airport locations is around 30 percent. Budget UAE has some of the best trained employees in the business. By the end of the year, we plan to launch a new loyalty programme, packed with value added benefits, for our customers. We have also upgraded our reservations system which enables customers to make reservations through their mobile phones.

Salim Damji Senior general manager, Budget Car & Van Rental UAE

Travel Trade Weekly: How many outlets does the company operate across the country?

Salim Damji: Currently, we have a network of 21 branches. In addition to these physical locations, we also get business from Microlink which is linked to most UAE hotels; hotlines covering reputed hotels; a bilingual English and Arabic Internet portal; tie-ups with local brokers and travel agencies; and Maestro/ BRAC International Reservations.

Travel Trade Weekly: As a franchise of Budget International, how has the business grown over the past three decades?

Salim Damji: Budget Rent a Car has been a leader in the UAE’s car rental business for over 30 years. We have a substantial market share in daily, weekly, and monthly rentals as well

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Earlier this year, we moved to our new headquarters located in the Dubai Investments Park (DIP), which also houses our large, hi-tech, multi-brand vehicle service and maintenance facility. Over the last two years, the business has grown by over 20 percent annually and we have won some prestigious awards, including ‘Best Car Rental Company in the Middle East’.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are the latest trends in car rental in the UAE? Salim Damji: The latest trend is to opt for short-term rentals starting from a threemonth lease, rather than long-term leases that stretch for a period of one to three years.

This is because of the changing requirements of the corporate sector. Secondly, we have added to our fleet a range of smaller, lower-priced vehicles, which enable us to offer more attractive rates. We expect this move to help us tap a new customer segment.

Travel Trade Weekly: How do you think environmental innovations and responsibilities are going to change the car rental industry and your business?

Salim Damji: Currently, our fleet comprises smaller buses with engines that comply with Euro 4 emission standards, which are environment friendly.

Budget is at the forefront of introducing the use of biodiesel and green fuel. We have entered into an agreement with a vendor for using biodiesel for some of our leased buses on a trial basis. Apart from this, our sister company, Liberty Automobiles, is an authorised dealer for 100 percent electric and hybrid buses. This makes it easier for us to explore ways of introducing more green technology to our fleet.

Lastly, the Budget new service centre in DIP has been built to be environment friendly.

Being the industry leader, Budget brings innovations which will change the trend in the car rental industry and set benchmarks for others to follow.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Elaf Group: Summer Festivals Boost Occupancy With a host of festivals having recently taken place in Saudi Arabia, Elaf Group of Companies has witnessed a significant increase in occupancy levels.

The recently-launched Jeddah Summer Festival along with a number of similar events across the Kingdom have fostered further improvement of the industry and raised performance levels notably, as Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, president, Elaf Group of Companies, pinpointed, also highlighting that although Muslims typically stay at home for Ramadan, this year’s pilgrims were able to perform their Ummrah rituals and achieve their spiritual goals while exploring tourism in the Kingdom via the Jeddah Summer Festival.

“Saudi Arabia has launched a tourism campaign to open up the Kingdom to non-religious visitors as well, so we expect to achieve an increase of between 20 and 25 percent in our hotel occupancy rates, compared to the same period in 2011,” he added.

World Expo 2020 Dubai Dubai Municipality recently launched the campaign of World Expo 2020 and hosted the promotional exhibition of the event in its main building.

The aim of this exhibition was to publicise the hosting file and promote interaction between citizens, residents, and visitors in the candidate city. According to Nasser Lootah, director general, Dubai Municipality, who attended the event, the civic body is keen to promote the national campaign aimed to support and encourage the country to host this exhibition and the international event.

The UAE stands firm as a global centre for trade and business in terms of its strategic location in addition to the availability of airports, and this can be seen in its proven track record in hosting international events such as meetings of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and Dubai Airshow.

EVENTS China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM) Beijing, China, September 12 – 14, 2012 (www.cibtm.com) A leading meetings, incentives, and business travel show providing the ultimate platform for suppliers to the MICE industry.

International Tourism Bourse (ITB) ASIA Singapore, October 3 - 5, 2012 (www.itb-asia.com) Where exhibitors across all sectors of the travel-value chain, meet with top international buyers from the MICE, leisure, and corporate travel markets.

Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Nairobi, Kenya, September 25 – 26, 2012 (www.africa-conference.com) An event showcasing the potential Kenya and other high-growth destinations across the continent have to offer.

Asia Pacific Tourism Destination Investment Conference Singapore, October 15 – 17 , 2012 (www.tdiasia.questexevents.net) Consisting of an array of networking opportunities, business meetings, and a conference programme, the event will focus on hotel investments and tourism infrastructure developments.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)Travel Mart Manila, Philippines, September 25 – 28, 2012 (www.pata.org/events/pata-travel-mart-2012) Asia Pacific’s premier travel trade show offering networking and contracting opportunities for hundreds of international buyers and sellers.

The 18th World Route Development Forum Abu Dhabi, UAE, September 29 – October 2, 2012 www.routesonline.com/events The largest global event of its kind, attracting over 2,750 delegates from more than 80 countries, and determining the future of air services.

World Travel Market (WTM) London, UK, November 5 – 8, 2012 (www.wtmlondon.com) A must-attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors.

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

18 AUGUST 2012