Travel Trade Weekly Issue 163

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22 DECEMBER 2012

ISSUE 163

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22 DECEMBER 2012

Kempinski Hotel Royal Maxim to Open in 2014 Kempinski is to further expand in Egypt with the opening of its third hotel scheduled for 2014.

05 The Ajman Palace Opens Hospitality Management Holdings has celebrated the soft-launch of The Ajman Palace.

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d n a y l ek e W e d a in r o j T y l l e h v Tra rade Mont u o y h T s i l nd w a Trave u o y nk ous a h t per s g o n r i p y a a d n in s a s y a lid o h y p p r. a ha e y w ne

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

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Season's Greetings

ISSUE 163

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RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Jonathan Wigley Following its successful debut in the Middle East, Absolute Hotel Services aims to further strengthen its regional presence and tap into the promising Middle Eastern, African, and Asian markets, as Jonathan Wigley, CEO, Absolute Hotel Services, reveals.

Travel Trade Weekly: Now that the year is coming to an end, how would you describe 2012 overall?

Jonathan Wigley: Well for the Absolute Hotel Services Group and its Eastin Hotels & Residences brand it has been an exciting year with the opening of Eastin Residences Muscat in May, our first foray into the Middle East.

With our Eastin portfolio, previously being represented in Thailand, Vietnam, and India, we were delighted to open in Oman based on our strategic plan to eventually enter into the greater Gulf region with all our brands.

We have had a successful first year with financial results at the expected levels and the property making profits.

Oman has a great and growing reputation as an authentic tourism destination that is shown in the increasing property supply especially in the moderate and luxury segments that has been encouraged by actual and potential demand.

Travel Trade Weekly: In a highly competitive market like the Omani hotel sector, brand recognition and loyalty are pivotal to the success of any property. How challenging was it to establish the brand’s presence in the market and create loyal clientele?

Jonathan Wigley: As the world becomes smaller with the Internet age, as well as with more affordable airlift, we have found that many of our customers who are familiar with our brand presence in Southeast Asia and India are also customers or potential customers

Jonathan Wigley CEO, Absolute Hotel Services

the destination less seasonal than current.

Regional demand will continue to grow as well as demand from Asia especially China, Japan, and Korea. Naturally, with the growth of airlift and point-to-point flights, we do anticipate new source markets to come on line also.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your plans and expectations for 2013?

to our properties in the Middle East or other future geographic areas of portfolio growth.

We heavily invest in reaching our target customers and making it easy to book with us. Our brand promise of ‘value for all occasions’ resonates with our target customers and value is something we all look for and appreciate.

Travel Trade Weekly: How have your feeder markets changed over the past few years and which segments will you focus on in 2013?

Jonathan Wigley: On the tourism front, we have seen and believe we will continue to see a shift from heavy reliance on European demand based on the economic climate across the continent as well as the growth of other source markets which will make

Jonathan Wigley: For Eastin Residences Muscat, we plan and expect to reach our stabilisation business levels quickly in 2013 and build on the good work done this year. We will strive to be recognised as the best value for money option in the hotel and serviced residence segment. We are optimistic that we will grow together with the continued growth and prominence of Oman as a global destination.

Travel Trade Weekly: Tell us a little regarding the company's expansion plans for the Middle East and North Africa region.

Jonathan Wigley: We target to announce a further five properties in the Middle East across all of our brands in 2013. We have active discussions currently for projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar as well as additional properties in Oman.

We have placed Africa as our next priority in terms of geographical expansion, especially East Africa. We are in active discussions for a multi-property deal for Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya at this time, which may lead us to set up a regional office in the continent. We are very optimistic on Africa.

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WEEKLY NEWS Dubai’s First Indigenous Park Opens Nakheel, the Dubai-based developer of the emirate’s palm-shaped artificial islands, has unveiled Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah, a 120,000m2 sustainable, green oasis.

Ali Rashid Lootah, chairman, Nakheel, described the project as a special tribute to the country, explaining that the word ‘ittihad’ means ‘union’, indicat-

ing the company’s vision of creating a place which will unite people for many generations to come.

The park, which is flanked by a 3.2km jogging track, features more than 60 varieties of trees and plants indigenous to the UAE’s deserts, mountains, wadis, and coastal areas, many of which have medicinal uses. It is open

MSC Preziosa Boasts New Aqua Park

24 hours a day and has an adjacent 700-space car park.

“Al Ittihad Park is a new and unique venue for residents to walk, jog, or simply relax in natural, shaded surroundings, and a new tourist attraction for visitors to the UAE who want to learn about our country’s diverse plantlife,” concluded Lootah.

Yas Marina Outlines Expansion Plans

MSC Preziosa, MSC Cruises’ new cruise ship, which will be christened in Genoa, Italy, in March 2013, has revealed the first of its many innovative features; the all new Doremi Castle Aqua Park and Vertigo, hailed the longest single rider body waterslide on the seas.

In prime space on deck 16, the new aqua park boasts a pathway of water features on raised platforms, including sprays, fountains, water pistols, and valves, each designed to splash, soak, and delight in equal measures.

The double and single slides of the Doremi Castle have been specifically designed for the younger guests, while thrill seekers can climb up to deck 18 to embark on what is considered the wildest ride on the waves through 120m of twists and turns down, around, and even off the side of the ship, all enhanced with translucent bands of colour.

Spectators will also have fun from decks below by spotting the more adventurous whizzing through the transparent section.

Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina, operated and managed by Camper & Nicholsons Marinas, is set to undergo an expansion project that will transform it into a vibrant dining and entertainment precinct with views over the marina and the Yas Marina Circuit race track.

As part of the project, which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2013, a 230m pedestrian-only waterfront promenade will be built, while the existing marina facilities will be enhanced with the addition of a variety of new licensed food and beverage outlets, complimenting the ever-growing diverse calendar of sporting, lifestyle, and cultural events at Yas Marina.

Yas Marina

DTCM and Dubai Cruise Terminal at Cruise Convention 2012

Cruise Convention 2012

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Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Dubai Cruise Terminal co-sponsored the second Cruise Convention 2012, which took place for the second time at Le Royal Méridien Hotel in Hamburg, Germany from November 22 - 23.

The convention, which drew in some 150 German decision makers of the cruise industry, has become one of the main events for the sector, due to the importance and actuality of the subjects as well

as the high level of participants.

During the event, representatives from DTCM and the German cruise sector had the opportunity to network and further strengthen relationships, while benefitting from a day programme which featured 15 presentations and three panel discussions on the changing cruise market, and the ways in which to secure long-term growth, followed by an evening event.

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MARKET UPDATE

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

UAE Airports: 80 Million Passengers by Year End The combined passengers traffic of the UAE’s three largest airports, Dubai International Airport (DIA), Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport, could reach 80 million by the end of the year.

JOURNALISTS Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli SALES & MARKETING

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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 www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS

hese figures, based on the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA)’s latest report, further show that over the first nine months of the year, the three airports handled a total of 59 million passengers, and with each achieving double digit growth, the UAE airports are fast approaching the total airport traffic of New York City’s system, staging at a little above 100 million travellers.

Passenger volume at DIA, during the ninemonth stretch, totalled 42.6 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.4 percent, leav-

ing the airport on track to become the world’s largest airport for international passenger traffic.

According to CAPA’s report, the massive development of the UAE’s airport infrastructure, coupled with the level of passenger growth, gives the country one of the world’s premier air transport network, as well as the busiest local airport systems.

With one third of the world’s population within four and a half hour’s flight, the UAE is increasingly becoming a global hub for air travel.

info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

Formula 1 Boosts Al Bateen Executive Traffic MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

22/12/2012 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

1.55

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.46

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,238.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.06

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

78.34

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.26

Al Bateen Executive Airport, the dedicated business aviation airport of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), has recorded a total of 210 commercial aircraft movements during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix between October 28 - November 5.

In parallel with this 38 percent increase, the airport also registered a 42 percent growth in the number of visiting aircraft, which made up 63 percent of the total aircraft movements. In addition, the race day, November 4, marked one of the busiest days at the airport, with 32 aircraft on ground, up 78 percent over 2011’s race day.

Commenting on the results, Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operating officer, ADAC, said, “ADAC had an exciting week during the Etihad Airways Formula 1 Grand Prix, offering its award-winning services to all of the Formula 1 guests at its international airports, and specifically at its dedicated VIP airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport, which welcomed the ‘who’s who’ of the Formula 1 crowd.”

Al Bateen Executive Airport

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Accommodation

Kempinski Hotel Royal Maxim to Open in 2014 Kempinski is to further expand in Egypt with the opening of its third hotel scheduled for 2014.

Despite the recent challenges, the company remains confident in Egypt as a destination for both business and leisure travel, stressed Eman Yasaky, director of public relations, Kempinski Nile Hotel, revealing that Kempinski Hotel Royal Maxim, the group’s second property in the capital city, is set to welcome its first guests early 2014. “[Situated] in a premium location near the airport in up-and-coming New Cairo, the hotel will feature 275 rooms, six restaurants, and the largest banquet space in Egypt,” explained Yasaky, noting that the company’s first property in Cairo, Kempinski Nile Hotel, has remained at the top of the luxury segment during the year.

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WEEKLY NEWS

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Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers: Occupancy Rates Up Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers, located at the heart of Cairo’s diplomatic and presidential district, has witnessed significant improvements in occupancy levels.

“With its prominent location just minutes from Cairo International Airport, the hotel was considered the safest haven to Cairo’s visitors,” explained Noha Mansour, director of marketing and public relations, Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers, revealing that over the past few months, occupancy levels rose an average of five percent versus 2011 levels and the country’s tourism industry is expected to witness a ’great recovery’ in 2013.

She further listed Europe, Egypt, the Middle East, the Gulf region, and North America as the hotel’s main feeder markets, with this year also having witnessed a growing trend among Arab tourists as well as from Central and Eastern Europe.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

The Ajman Palace Opens for Business Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) has celebrated the soft-launch of The Ajman Palace, one of the group’s most distinctive luxury five-star developments in the UAE. “It gives us great pleasure to declare The Ajman Palace open for business,” announced H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, vice chairman, HMH, who described the hotel as a very special property fabulously equipped with world-class business and leisure facilities.

Centrally located opposite the Ruler’s Palace on a picturesque private beach overlooking the Arabian Gulf, The Ajman Palace features 254 rooms, suites, and serviced residences, a plethora of food and beverage outlets as well as leisure facilities, a conference hall, four meeting rooms, a VIP function area, and what is said to be the largest grand ballroom in the Northern Emirates measuring 1,200m2.

Accor and Majid Al Futtaim Properties Reveal Future Plans Further extending Accor Middle East and Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ long standing partnership, Deira City Centre Hotel will be rebranded under Accor’s Pullman brand in February 2013.

Once fully renovated, the 317-key hotel will reflect the upper-upscale standards and innovative services of the brand, offering guests high-end rooms and facilities, including 11 state-of-the-art meeting rooms.

According to Christopher Landais, managing director, Accor Middle East, following its relaunch in February 2013, the property is set to rank among the top UAE hotels in its category.

The two companies have also reached a consensual decision to end the management contract of The Pullman Hotel, Mall of The Emirates, as of January 2013.

Pullman Deira City Centre

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh to Offer Virtual Concierge Services The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, has launched the virtual concierge service for business travellers that will offer the flexibility to clientele to make special requests based on their schedule, to ensure a more relaxed, efficient, and memorable experience.

Through this service, the hotel is offering its guests the ability to customise their stay before their arrival by requesting special amenities such as spa treatments, honeymoon services, dining reservations, and transportation, to name a few. Itineraries will be sent to the guest when all requests are confirmed and presented upon check-in.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air News

Bahrain Air Introduces IFE Bahrain Air has rolled out new business class seats on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft along with its new inflight entertainment (IFE) tablets for business premium class passengers.

Commenting on the launch, Naeem Mahamoor, marketing manager, Bahrain Air, said, “We are in the process of enhancing the business class cabin with new seats and state-of-the-art IFE, which has been customised to our clientele’s likes and to be a step ahead of our competition.

With the new seats, IFE programme and competitive pricing structure, we will have one of the best business class facilities in the region for the business traveller at affordable fares”.

The new business class seat pitch is 45 inches, offering passengers more leg room and comfort, and eight seats will be installed in the premium business class cabins on all aircraft. During the first phase, two Bahrain Air Airbus A319 aircraft will be refitted with the new concept.

SpiceJet Adds International Routes SpiceJet, India’s low-cost airline, has announced further expansion of its international network by opening three new routes Kochi - Malé, Kochi - Dubai, and Dubai - Ahmedabad.

Malé is the new international destination that SpiceJet will connect to India whereas the airline already operates daily flights to Dubai from Mumbai and Delhi. SpiceJet is now further connecting Kochi and Ahmedabad with Dubai.

“We continue expanding our network on domestic as well as on international routes and our decision to add three new routes is another step on this programme. All of these three new routes are popular routes and customers can now enjoy affordable and comfortable flights,” said Neil Mills, CEO, SpiceJet.

SpiceJet

Turkish Airlines to Boost Iraq Services Turkish Airlines has further increased flights from Istanbul to Basra to seven times a week from the former four weekly operations to the Iraqi city.

Furthermore, flights to Najaf have been upgraded from three a week to five, while the airline has also added one more service on the Istanbul - Sulaymaniyah route from four to five times a week.

Turkish Airlines

Qatar Airways Deploys Boeing 787 Dreamliner to London Heathrow Qatar Airways has launched its first long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner commercial operation from its hub in Doha to London Heathrow.

The service, which took off on December 13, had been in the pipeline for some time, this according to Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, who added that this inauguration has put the airline firmly on the global aviation map as a carrier with a determination to continue its expansion drive and improve an already superior in-flight product.

“We have already received our second 787 with a further three to join our fleet by the end of the year,” Al Baker added.

“And we will not stop there. With more 787s being inducted into the fleet next year, further route launches and our move to a brand new international airport in Doha during 2013, we continue to look forward to another year of exciting developments,” he concluded.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air News

Petra Airlines Achieves AOC

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Air Arabia Enhances Kuwait and Riyadh Services Air Arabia Egypt has announced the expansion of services to Kuwait City and Riyadh, from the carrier’s hub in Borj El Arab International Airport, Alexandria, Egypt.

Air Arabia Egypt’s four weekly flights have now been increased to daily operations to both Kuwait and Riyadh, offering passengers travelling to these cities, more convenience.

Commenting on the expansion, Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, said, “Air Arabia Egypt is proud to strengthen its operations to two key destinations in the GCC. We are confident that increased services to Kuwait and Riyadh will offer new options for affordable air travel for our passengers. As Air Arabia Egypt continues its organic growth, we will continue to offer enormous choice for customers seeking to travel around the region.”

Petra Airlines

Petra Airlines, Jordan, has obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate as a scheduled operator with the aim to be the first low-cost carrier in the country.

Over the past two years, the company has been operating charter flights and has fulfilled all the technical and economic requirements to be a scheduled operator, having also gained experience and positioned itself in the regional market while earning the consumer’s and stakeholder’s confidence, this according to Riad Khashman, CEO, Petra Airlines, who revealed that the first scheduled flight will launch in March 2013.

“We have plans to operate five A320s by 2014 and have a schedule flight to most of the major cities in the MENA and GCC region using Queen Alia International Airport, Amman, as a hub,” Khashman concluded.

Etihad Airways Expands BusinessConnect Etihad Airways has launched its loyalty programme for businesses in seven new markets.

BusinessConnect is a free mileage earning programme for companies with between two and 50 business travellers, which do not have an airline corporate contract. It is built on the same platform as the award-winning Etihad Guest frequent flyer scheme, allowing registered businesses to earn miles each time one of their employees takes a flight.

The main benefit of the programme is that the travellers earn miles for themselves and additionally their company earns a percentage of the miles as a bonus.

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer, Etihad Airways, expressed his delight in introducing the scheme, adding that it is targeted at companies looking for ways to optimise their travel spend, while adding convenience and value to their business travel experience.

Yemenia Airways Favours Elaf Group Following the official launch of Yemenia Airways’ weekly flights to Al Madina Al Monawara, Saudi Arabia, as of January 2013, the airline has expressed interest in exploring opportunities with Elaf Group’s hotels in Medina in order to provide hospitality and tourism services to its passengers, especially religious travellers.

Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, president, Elaf Group, expressed his gratitude to Yemenia Airways for favouring the group’s hotels. “We are optimistic of sustaining the long-term growth of our business, which again proves our deep understanding of the dynamics of the Saudi market, especially when it comes to catering to the needs of pilgrims,” he concluded.

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Yemenia Airways

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WEEKLY NEWS

International

BWI Planning 25 New Hotels in Indonesia Best Western International (BWI) plans to open 25 new hotels in Indonesia in the next three years, quintupling its portfolio in the country.

With the new developments, which encompass nine unique destinations and two of BWI’s brand tiers, midscale Best Western and luxury Best Western Premier, the company’s room inventory in the country, which stands currently at 600, will reach almost 3,500 rooms by 2015.

Indonesia is one of the most exciting hotel markets today, due

to its position as the world’s fourth most populous country, has a growing middle class, and is increasingly focusing on domestic and inbound tourism, indicated Glenn de Souza, vice president international operations, Asia and the Middle East, BWI. De Souza concluded that BWI must capitalise on this huge potential, providing both domestic and international tourists the same levels of comfort, convenience, and value-for-money.

Starwood to Add 10 Hotels to African Network Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is to further strengthen its footprint on the African continent by opening 10 new hotels by 2015.

The expansion will increase the company’s African portfolio by nearly 30 percent adding more than 4,200 guest rooms to its existing network of 38 hotels and 10,000 rooms.

By opening three more properties within the next three years in the country, Nigeria will remain the company’s largest growth market on the continent. Besides other key markets, such as Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa, the company is also looking to enter new emerging markets such as Angola, the Ivory Coast, and Ghana.

In Egypt, following a major renovation, Sheraton Cairo is also set to re-open its doors, while The St. Regis Cairo is scheduled for completion in 2014. Furthermore, both Annaba, Algeria, and the Libyan capital city, Tripoli, will see the launch of new Sheraton-branded properties, and the company will also re-open Four Points by Sheraton Tripoli, while another property under the brand is set to launch in Oran, Algeria.

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WHO'S MOVED

Stuart Laird-Smith Stuart Laird-Smith has been appointed head of commercial strategy for the Middle East and Africa at Travelport.

Prior to joining Travelport, Laird-Smith spent four years with South African Airways (SAA) serving as head of commercial and operations finance. During his time with SAA, he worked with a num-

ber of carriers in Western and Central Africa, and acted as chairman of the International Air Transport Association’s joint travel agency and airline group in Southern Africa.

In his new position, he will be working closely with Travelport’s partners, and will also help shape the commercial strategy for the region.

Hannah George Hannah George has been appointed director of public relations at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre.

With a career spanning nearly 10 years in the public relations and the marketing field, in the UK and Middle East, George brings extensive knowledge to the role.

Prior to her appointment she worked as account director at DABO & CO, where she headed-up the consumer public relations division, delivering strategic communications

22 DECEMBER 2012

campaigns for luxury and hospitality brands including Hilton Worldwide, Anantara Hotel, Resorts & Spas, and Vertu.

In addition, she also spent several years as a public relations professional in London, including three years with freud communications, managing integrated communications campaigns for a variety of global brands.

George’s career spans 10 years in the public relations and marketing field

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Calin Rovinescu Calin Rovinescu has been elected as the new chairman of the Star Alliance chief executive board.

Rovinescu, the president and CEO of Air Canada, succeeds Rob Fyfe, CEO of Air New Zealand, who has held the post for the last two years.

In his role, Rovinescu will conduct the two annual board

meetings and act as the designated spokesperson for the board as he focuses on further deepening the alliance while pursuing shared priorities, such as strengthening the global network, providing a seamless travel experience, and maintaining the loyalty of customers through superior service and convenience.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

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Stefan Pichler

Inge Huijbrechts

CEO, Jazeera Airways.

Director, responsible business, The Rezidor Hotel Group.

“A Turn-Around Plan with the objective of prioritising the generation of year-round profitability over growth […] was launched in the second quarter of 2010 and as a result, the group sustained profitability in all nine quarters to date, with recordbreaking earnings in eight of the nine quarters.

Today, we are back to being the only profitable airline in Kuwait, and one of the very few profitable airlines in the Middle East.”

“Out hotels have already made impressive progress in Think Planet [the company’s recently launched energy-saving initiative]. Under the guidance of Nicolas Fernandez, chief engineer, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City, [the hotel] has reduced its carbon footprint by over 15 percent over the past three years. Another good example is our Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah, which […] is reducing its energy consumption by 23 percent.”

Ashraf Naguib

Farah Samawi

General manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis.

Public relations and marketing manager, King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center managed by Hilton.

“Rania Heiba [our director of revenue] and her team in the revenue department fully deserved [the ‘Best Revenue Team’ award at the recently held Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group ceremony]. Balancing budgets and expenditure while always guaranteeing the highest standards of accommodation and service for guests and clients are essential to us at Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis. […] I am delighted to offer my sincere congratulations and thanks to them.”

“As a member of the Hilton Worldwide family, we believe in supporting youth and in sharing our experiences and knowledge where we can.

I hope [that at the recently organised 8th Annual Career Day at Amman Baptist School] I was able to help students understand the benefits and value of a career in hospitality; […] a world of opportunity for talented individuals with the right skills and attitude.”

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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Amadeus Preparing to Launch New Travel Search Solution

NAME: Feryal El Gohary POSITION: General manager COMPANY: Bahi Travel LOCATION: Egypt WEB: www.bahitravel.net

Who are you?

My name is Feryal El Gohary, the general manager of Bahi Travel, an inbound and outbound tour operator based in Cairo with four branches around Egypt and one branch in Tokyo, Japan.

Our chairman, Bahig El Gohary, inaugurated Bahi Travel 30 years ago, and became the pioneer of incoming Japanese travellers to Egypt. At present, Bahi Travel is dominating 85 percent of the Japanese travel market.

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

Having my life chance to be able to get connected to the world’s countries, experience other cultures, learn and acquaint new better concepts in life, widen my knowledge especially in history, learn new updated business techniques and apply them to our own business cycle, which keeps us always improving, and widen my network connection, which opens new travel business chances. These precious, favourite things always keep me ambitious for what the future holds.

When is the best time to visit Egypt?

Egypt has two travelling seasons for two different kinds of travellers. The winter season, starting September and ending in April, is for travellers of cultural and historical purposes, visiting Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abusimbel, and Alexandria.

The summer season, beginning May and ending in August, is for travellers who like beach vacations, water sports, diving, and visiting the Red Sea area.

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

For my next holiday, I would like to travel to the Tibetan mountains.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

Only people who understand the meaning of quality travel services should come to us for travel advice.

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Amadeus has previewed a travel search solution, the patentpending Amadeus Featured Results, at the PhoCusWright Travel Innovation Summit, Arizona, US, in November, aimed at revolutionising the way flight options are presented to travellers.

The patent-pending search solution instantly delivers the four relevant bookable travel options, available, fastest, cheapest, and most popular and sponsored, making travel search simpler and more relevant. According to an Amadeus-commissioned study, one of travellers’ biggest anxiety amongst others is finding the best price. In an effort to address this, the new solution’s algorithm merges price and business intelligence data to

indicate the flight options most often booked for city pairs on the same date.

“Amadeus’ vision is to place the traveller in the driver’s seat and to create the ultimate search, shop, and buy experience. And our travel industry customers and the travellers they serve remain the main drivers of our priorities, guiding us on how to best complement our portfolio and evolve our technology,” commented Holger Taubmann, senior vice president, distribution, Amadeus, adding that by helping travellers navigate an overwhelming amount of information and decrease their search time, this solution can help online travel agents increase customer satisfaction and conversion rates.

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

Jumeirah Partners with Ctrip.com

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Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts and Ctrip.com International, China’s leading travel service enterprise, have signed a global direct connectivity partnership agreement.

he deal, which further illustrates Jumeirah Group’s commitment to the Chinese market, will allow travellers from the Far East Asian country to directly manage their reservation at the hotel group’s properties via Ctrip.com’s platform, which is then delivered automatically and within seconds to the hotel.

Once the direct connect technology is in place, special offers and a customer contest will also be launched. As a result of the agreement, Jumeirah Group expects a growth of 14 percent from the Chinese market to its global portfolio and to Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in particular.

“Jumeirah has confidence that the Chinese travel and tourism market will continue its rapid growth,” said Nicholas Clayton, chief operating officer, Jumeirah Group.

Promoting Seychelles to the Middle East In an effort to increase the visibility of Seychelles in the GCC as well as to other Levant countries, the Seychelles Tourism Office, Middle East, recently conducted a two-day educational seminar targeting travel trade and consumers in Amman, Jordan, in collaboration with Petra Travel & Tourism.

The seminar educated both the travel trade and consumer on the uniqueness of Seychelles in comparison to the other Indian Ocean destinations, showcasing the diversity of its accommodation offerings, activities, and how the destination can cater to many different segments including families, couples, groups of friends, spa retreat breaks, weddings and honeymooners, and adventure seekers, to name a few.

DTCM Cultivates Union Trees in Dubai Hotels In line with the initiative of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, UAE, and ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has planted a union tree in all hotels in the city.

This initiative devotes and reflects the national identity and commemorated the National Day and that is why DTCM adopted the idea of planting the trees across the emirate, as Khalid Ahmed bin Sulayem, director general, DTCM, commented.

He further stressed that the idea received a warm welcome by the tourism sector in general, and the hotel segment in particular, pointing out that this tree will generate joy and happiness to hotel guests.

Bin Sulayem further noted that, as all initiatives by the Sheikh, this act contributes to stimulating and boosting all sectors in Dubai in order to play a role in social responsibility.

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RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Dario Rustico Costa Crociere (Costa Cruises) has long been committed to the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, and as Dario Rustico, director of sales and marketing, Central Europe, Africa, Middle East and India, Costa Crociere, reveals, the cruise line has full confidence in the future of the region.

Travel Trade Weekly: Costa Cruises’ Red Sea destinations include Aqaba in Jordan, as well as Safaga, Ain Sukhna, and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. How many calls will Costa Cruises make across the Red Sea in 2013?

Dario Rustico Director of sales and marketing, Central Europe, Africa, Middle East and India, Costa Crociere

Dario Rustico: The Red Sea is a highly appreciated destination by our guests and in season 2013, Costa has deployed Costa Voyager, until the beginning of March.

Costa Voyager has a capacity of 927 passengers and will call the region 29 times bringing almost 20,000 visiting passengers.

Costa NeoRomantica during the Grand Cruise and Costa Deliziosa during the World Cruise will also call at the Red Sea.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are the major challenges in these regions?

Dario Rustico: The main challenge in these regions are especially related to visa issues. Having to buy at least three visas to be able to sail on a cruise, becomes very costly, very time consuming for prospects, and a limit to the growth of the region. We know that a lot has been done by local government organisations [‌]. We sincerely hope it will be a priority for 2013 to ensure continuous investments in the region.

Travel Trade Weekly: Costa Cruises also operates in the Gulf region. Destinations here include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Khasab, Fujairah, Muscat, and Salalah. What are your expectations for the Arabian Gulf?

Dario Rustico: In the 2012/2013 season Costa will deploy Costa Atlantica with a capacity of 2,600 passengers and Costa Classica with 1,680, for a total of 4,280 passenger capacity.

Our expectations are very high especially because this year we will launch a new five-day product on Costa Classica that will enhance the offer in the region giving the possibility to local guests to embark for a short getaway.

Costa Atlantica and Costa Classica will call the region 34 times, bringing to the area over 75,000 visiting passengers.

Travel Trade Weekly: What aspects make the Red Sea and the Gulf region important markets for Costa Cruises?

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Costa was also a pioneer in launching the programme in the Red Sea in season 2010/2011 with two ships deployed in the region and after the success and the demand of the itinerary, Costa will be back in season 2012/2013 with Costa Voyager.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your future plans in the Gulf region and the Red Sea?

Costa Cruises is focusing strongly on developing local sourcing of passengers Dario Rustico: Costa was the first cruise line to launch regular cruising out of Dubai six seasons ago and we are still the cruise line with the highest capacity committed to the region during winter 2012/2013.

Dubai and the UAE are a firm point in our winter deployment and we are planning to invest more in the region in terms of communication to develop local source market and indeed be able to enlarge seasonality.

Dario Rustico: Costa Cruises will continue to show its commitment to the region even in the next season, 2013/2014. Costa will announce programmes and ships in December for season 2013/2014 and between February and March 2013, we will announce the summer 2014 and winter 2014/2015 itineraries.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your key priorities moving forward?

Dario Rustico: Costa Cruises is focusing strongly on developing local sourcing of passengers. Proximity and accessibility are key factors to increasing and enlarging the two programmes in the long term.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Routes Africa 2013 Officially Launched Routes Africa, the network planning forum for the African region, has launched the 8th Routes Africa event, which will take place in Kampala, Uganda, in July 2013.

The event, which will be hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Uganda and Entebbe International Airport, is expected to gather some 250 key decision makers from across Africa and beyond to discuss air service development, and will comprise a series of face-to-face meetings, an exhibition, and a strategy forum to discuss the hot topics of the industry.

Following a significant increase in both passenger volume across Entebbe International Airport and an annual growth rate of 21 percent in the country’s tourism sector, CAA intends to raise the profile of the airport and Uganda as a whole to airlines from all over the world, by hosting what is said to be the largest route development forum for the entire Africa region, which is now in its eighth year.

UAE’s Tourism Industry Needs to Embrace Online Marketing An event organised by Potential.com, an international business consultancy, and Google, the Internet-related American multinational corporation, recently welcomed some 200 experts from major travel and tourism companies who gathered to discuss the need for the travel and tourism sector in the UAE to embed key strategic online marketing tactics in its business and marketing plans, in order to reach new customers.

Some of the topics included were the role of online marketing in increasing sales; boosting website traffic; reaching and engaging new clients directly; the impact of the Internet to develop and increase corporate business; effective online marketing campaigns; travel and tourism trends, and the future of the industry; and how to assess the performance of the marketing spend.

According to Shadi Banna, managing partner, Potential.com, online marketing is one of the most vital tools which keeps companies continuously connected to their customers and, if done properly, provides a better chance to increase the customer base.

EVENTS 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America São Paulo, Brazil, April 23 – 25, 2013 (www.wtmlatinamerica.com) The leading global event for the region’s travel industry, which brings the world to Latin America and promotes Latin America to the world.

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.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, UAE, May 6 – 9, 2013 (www.arabiantravelmarket.com) The travel and tourism event unlocking business potential within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals.

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