Travel Trade Weekly Issue 143

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04 AUGUST 2012

ISSUE 143

Hilton Worldwide Unveils Iraqi Projects Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Mihtab Group to develop the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Erbil.

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The Hertz Corporation has launched Hertz Rent a Boat in the Netherlands, allowing customers to explore Amsterdam by water on a variety of fun vessels.

Qatar Airways Now Serving Kilimanjaro Qatar Airways has further expanded operations in Africa with the launch of daily scheduled flights to Kilimanjaro.

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

02 03 06 08 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Hertz Introduces Boat Trips

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MARKET UPDATE

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

Jeddah Outperforms Regional Peers

Jeddah’s hotel sector continued to witness strong performance levels with a nine percentage point growth in occupancy during May, based on the HotStats database drawn by TRI Hospitality Consulting.

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SALES & MARKETING Maria Demetriadou Brighite Ess 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

he latest survey which studied fully-serviced hotels in six MENA cities, stated that average occupancy across the Saudi city’s four- and five-star hotels climbed to 82.9 percent with average rooms rates (ARR) improving 11.8 percent to reach USD220.15, and RevPAR surging 25.5 percent to USD182.58.

In May, following a 3.3 percentage point decline, Riyadh hotels’ occupancy averaged at 67.3 percent, while ARR was USD255.33, the

highest result out of all six cities surveyed.

In Egypt, hotels in Sharm El Sheikh witnessed double-digit growth in occupancy, achieving 62.2 percent, while Cairo hotels stood at 51.4 percent.

Meanwhile in the UAE, Dubai properties reported improvement in revenues and profits, and Abu Dhabi hotels experienced a drop in rates and profits, with occupancy averaging at 78.8 percent and 61 percent respectively.

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

Air Arabia: Passenger Volume on the Rise A total of 1.3 million passengers travelled with Air Arabia in the second quarter (Q2) of the year, marking an increase of 15 percent over the corresponding period in 2011.

In June alone, the low-cost airline carried 466,474 customers, representing the highest number of passengers handled by the carrier in a single month, by far. The robust surge pushed the average seat load factor for Q2 to 85 percent, up three percent over the same period in 2011, figures which Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, said demonstrate the airlines single most strength; its sound value-for-money product.

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

03/08/2012 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

65.25

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.63

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.03

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,283.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.55

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

82.36

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.27

QAIA: Record Passenger Volume

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ueen Alia International Airport (QAIA) achieved new records in June with passenger volume soaring to 619,615, up 23.8 percent over the same month in 2011, and aircraft movements totalling in 6,238, marking a year-on-year increase of 12.4 percent.

Based on the latest monthly report of Airport International Group, the consortium

responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion, and operation of QAIA, the airport handled 3,023,499 passengers between January and June, representing an improvement of 22 percent over the corresponding period in 2011, while aircraft movements reached 32,812, up 7.9 percent, and the total amount of cargo recorded a year-on-year growth of 8.5 percent.

04 AUGUST 2012

WEEKLY NEWS Hertz Introduces Boat Trips The Hertz Corporation has launched Hertz Rent a Boat in the Netherlands, allowing customers to explore Amsterdam by water on a variety of fun vessels.

Brought to customers through a partnership with local company Boot Amsterdam BV, Hertz Rent a Boat offers people the chance to cruise the city’s canals from gondolas, luxury motorboats, taxi boats, and open boats, with a selection of large vessels able to accommodate up to 35 people.

Amenities onboard some of the larger boats include a kitchen, bar, stern deck, audio system, toilet, and electricity, depending on the selected vessel. Customers also have the option of a private chef, barbeques, or tailor-made catering services.

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Muscat International Airport Improves Level of Customer Service Oman Airports Management Company inaugurated a special entry into the departures hall at Muscat International Airport for airline crew, airport staff, and disabled passengers and visitors.

The opening of the new entrance is set to improve the level of customer service to passengers as this will reduce congestion at the existing departure hall entrance and speed up the pre-departure formalities especially during busy peak hours.

The opening of this special entry was only possible with the coordination of various airport service organisations such as the Royal Oman Police, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, Oman Air, and all airlines operating into the airport.

Muscat International Airport

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WEEKLY NEWS

TDIC Unveils Hodariyat Bridge The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has completed the development of Hodariyat Bridge, the UAE’s largest cable-stay bridge linking Abu Dhabi city’s western coastline with the Hodariyat Island.

The 1.3km long bridge, which provides a 29m vertical clearance and carries six lanes of traffic and two walk ways, was handed over to the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi six months ahead of schedule.

Since work began in October 2009, more than 650 people and a total of five million man hours were dedicated to the development, which marks an important milestone in the island’s history as it facilitates its future development, highlighted Nabil Al Kendi, chief development officer, TDIC. The handover follows the recent completion of TDIC’s Al Bateen Beach project, which is located in close proximity to the bridge and consists of extensive lawn and picnic areas, sport courts, a play area for children, event space, kiosk and food and beverage outlets.

Hodariyat Bridge

Sharjah Museums Department Raises Awareness Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) recently participated in a Seminar for Arabian Studies, which was held on July 13 - 15 at the British Museum’s Clore Centre, organised to increase awareness of the museums sector in the GCC region.

The sessions in the Seminar for Arabian Studies were broadly categorised into five themes which consisted of museums and development; museums and narrative; regional and local museums; museums and globalisation; and museums and the community.

Speaking on the occasion, Manal Ataya, director general, SMD, said, “Museums in Sharjah play a vital role in enhancing the understanding of Sharjah‘s history and its connection to numerous cultures, promoting artistic expression and providing a unique learning environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, conversation and enjoyment.”

Dubai: 11,300 Rooms in Construction Dubai’s hotel sector is expected to witness a major boom when all 11,307 rooms, which, according to STR Global, are currently in the construction phase, become operational.

Besides Dubai, four other markets ended the month of June with more than 1,000 rooms under construction including Abu Dhabi, which has 5,658 rooms in the construction phase, Riyadh with 4,474 rooms, Cairo with 2,209 rooms, and Amman with 1,719 rooms.

All together, based on STR Global’s report, in June the Middle East and Africa region’s hotel development pipeline comprised 506 hotels with a total of 129,077 rooms.

easyJet Holidays Reports Growth to Egypt Holidaymakers are once again looking at Egypt as a potential holiday destination following its recent troubles, this according to results released by easyJet Holidays.

The travel company’s website saw interest levels spike in January when Egypt was the top selling destination, taking an eight percent share of the business.

These results continued through to May when the country returned to the headlines due to the elections, which resulted in a year-on-year increase in traffic of 10 percent to the website’s Egypt pages, confirming that interest was indeed continuing to bounce back to pre-revolution interest levels.

Meanwhile, the website witnessed further yearon-year growth of 20 percent in traffic and bookings during June and a 15 percent rise in figures during the first 10 days of July, compared to the same period in 2011.

Moreover, traffic to its ‘2012 Holidays in Egypt’ page saw a staggering increase of almost 300 percent from May to June.

Sharm El Sheikh, which suffered less disruption than other areas of the country, is also seeing steady web traffic increases of 30 percent and 20 percent for May and June, respectively.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Hilton Worldwide Unveils Iraqi Projects Hilton Worldwide has announced expansion plans in northern Iraq, following the signing of a management agreement with Mihtab Group to develop the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in the rapidly growing city of Erbil.

Hilton Erbil Hotel & Spa, which is expected to open in 2016, will be the second Hilton Worldwide property in the city. Situated in an upscale residential and commercial district just north of Erbil, Hilton Erbil Hotel & Spa will feature 300 rooms including 30 suites as well as a further 10 chalets.

In addition, it will boast a large health club, an outdoor and indoor pool, and an eforea spa at Hilton, said to be one of the world’s fastest growing spa concepts.

Corporate guests will be able to benefit from five meeting rooms, two boardrooms, and 1,000-person multipurpose ballroom.

One&Only Cape Town Catering to Arab Guests One&Only Cape Town recently hired an Arabic-speaking concierge in response to a consistent increase of guests residing at the hotel from the Arab world.

Madnee Mayman, an Arabic speaking South African, has explored the city and its surroundings enabling him to share his extensive knowledge about Cape Town and the vicinity with guests.

Commenting on the importance of an Arabic-speaking team member, Clive Bennett, managing director, One&Only Cape Town, said, “The GCC is a growing market for One&Only Cape Town; we are seeing more and more people from these countries in our resort and we would like to be able to make them feel as much at home as possible.

“We are here to help with all their needs from shopping tips, spa treatments to theatre tickets around the city,” Madnee assured.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air News

Qatar Airways Now Serving Kilimanjaro Qatar Airways has further expanded operations in Africa with the launch of daily scheduled flights to Kilimanjaro.

Operating via the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro takes Qatar Airways’ global network up to 118 destinations and marks yet another move by the Dohabased airline into underserved markets.

According to Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, Africa had long been under the radar of the company’s planning team as the region was highly underserved with a lack of international air services.

“Kilimanjaro signifies the importance Qatar Airways places in looking at airports around the world where capacity is lim-

ited, yet passenger demand is strong,” he explained. “We are pleased to be reinforcing our presence in Africa with the addition of scheduled flights to Tanzania’s tourism centre of Kilimanjaro, home to the infamous Mount Kilimanjaro, allowing us to further develop our business on the African continent.”

Emirates Redefines Air Travel Emirates’ flagship Airbus A380 has touched down in Tokyo, marking the introduction of the aircraft to its daily non-stop service from Dubai.

EK318 was welcomed by a water canon salute to celebrate Narita International Airport becoming the 19th airport on Emirates’ global network of 123 destinations to be served by what has

been recognised as the world’s most environmentally advanced commercial aircraft.

The Emirates A380 service will provide a 38 percent increase in capacity, equivalent to an additional 135 seats on every flight from Dubai, while all passengers will be able to enjoy Japanese cuisine, in-flight entertainment, and on-board Wi-Fi.

Etihad Airways to Begin Services to Ho Chi Minh City Etihad Airways is set to launch daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on October 1, 2013.

The new route will be the airline’s sixth online destination within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) joining Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore, and, in conjunction with its partner airlines, will further extend Etihad Airways’ total flight network reach to 21 ASEAN destinations.

The new air service is set to meet growing demand from the country’s rapidly expanding economy and will support its increasing commercial ties with the UAE, and in particular with Abu Dhabi, which is said to have investments in Vietnam at more than USD3 billion and a twoway trade revenue at some USD1.3 billion.

According to Tran Ngoc Thach, ambassador of Vietnam to the UAE, this addition will contribute to improving understanding between the two nations of Vietnam and the UAE and will also help to foster bilateral trade and tourism.

04 AUGUST 2012

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WEEKLY NEWS

BWI Takes on Bangkok Best Western International (BWI) has opened its sixth hotel in Bangkok, Best Western Plus Grand Howard.

Located in the Sathorn district of the city, Best Western Plus Grand Howard offers 256 contemporary suites, all boasting views of the city or Chao Praya river.

Hotel facilities include the Howard Lane all-day dining restaurant, offering Asian and Western cuisine, Smith’s lounge bar, a swimming pool, fitness centre, limousine services, and a free shuttle to Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain network.

Additionally, the property boasts meetings and events spaces ideal for seminars, weddings, conferences, or private functions.

Glenn de Souza, vice president, international operations, Asia and the Middle East, BWI, said, “We are delighted to announce the opening of yet another Best Western hotel in Bangkok.

Best Western International is completely committed to the long-term future of Thailand’s tourism industry and by offering a full range of accommodation options, from our world-famous Best Western brand to the new full-service Best Western Plus and the luxury Best Western Premier, we are proud to be able to cater to every type of tourist visiting this dynamic city.”

Bangkok

International

Conrad Hotels & Resorts Debuts in South Africa

Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bogota to Open in 2015

Hilton Worldwide has announced that Pezula Resort & Spa is set to join the luxury portfolio of Conrad Hotels & Resorts following the signing of a management agreement with resort owners, Alderney Establishment.

Conrad Pezula Resort & Spa, which is expected to rebrand in November, will be located in Knysna, a popular tourism hotspot between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

The hotel will boast 78 suites housed in detached villas and five larger family villas, all linked by short landscaped pathways to the main building. One unique addition to the resort accommodation is Pezula Resort & Spa’s award-winning private castle built into the cliff face and overlooking Noetzie Beach.

Further guest amenities at the property include executive boardrooms, a business centre, a spa and health club, and the hotel’s main restaurant.

John Vanderslice, global head, luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton Worldwide, said, “By combining Conrad’s signature style and service standards with such a superior resort property and location, we will create an exceptional and memorable guest experience. For 25 years, Conrad has epitomised the definition of smart luxury and our arrival in South Africa represents a key milestone in the brand’s ongoing global expansion.”

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, described this addition as one of value to the hotel group’s growing international portfolio and helps to underline its position as one of the leading hospitality providers in Africa.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Bienes y Comercio for a Grand Hyatt hotel in Bogota, Colombia.

With an investment of approximately USD130 million, Grand Hyatt Bogota will offer 297 guestrooms including 53 suites. Expected to open in early 2015, the hotel will feature two restaurants, a lobby lounge, a patisserie, and more than 2,270m2 of meeting and event space, including a 1,000m2 ballroom. Additional hotel amenities will include a fitness centre, an indoor pool, and spa.

Ciudad Empresarial

Owned and constructed by Organización Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo, the hotel will be an integral part of the 86,000m2 Ciudad Empresarial mixed-use project, which occupies a prime location in the area of Ciudad Salitre, close to Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport.

The project is planned to have 18 office towers with an aggregate of over 600,000m2 of leasable area and over 21,000m2 of retail space which will include high-end shops, a cinema, food and beverage outlets, and meeting and conference space.

04 AUGUST 2012

WHO'S MOVED

Amer Hadidi Amer Hadidi has been named president and CEO of Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ). Over his extensive career, Hadidi has occupied various official posts including executive director of the Public Sector Reform Administration, and secretary general at the Ministry of Transport between 2005 and 2007, and served most recently as

advisor at the Royal Hashemite Court and head of economic and social affairs at the office of H.M. King Abdullah II. Between 2006 and 2007, Hadidi was also a member of RJ’s board of directors before becoming minister of trade and industry, a position he held between 2007 and 2011.

Bill Walshe Bill Walshe has been appointed CEO of Viceroy Hotel Group.

Walshe, who has spent more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, steps into his new role after serving as CEO of the Dubai-based The Doyne Collection.

Prior to that, he also worked as chief marketing officer at Jumeirah as well as president of sales and communication at Kempinski Hotels & Resorts for seven years.

His extensive international

04 AUGUST 2012

experience and recognition as a leader within the industry will enable him to lead the continued growth and development of Viceroy Hotel Group as the company expands its footprint with new destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Walshe steps into his new role after serving as CEO of Dubai-based The Doyne Collection

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Patima Onnorm Patima Onnorm has been named director of sales and marketing at Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, Dubai.

Onnorm, who has acquired a great deal of experience in the hospitality industry across the UAE and an indepth understanding of the key corporate markets of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the

GCC, takes on her new role after working as assistant director of sales at Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi. In her new position, Onnorm will build on the hotel’s growth strategy, develop opportunities in new and existing markets, and continue to position the property as a key player in Dubai.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

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H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Noman

Taleb Rifai

Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

Secretary general, World Tourism Organization.

“Ramadan has always been special in the emirate celebrated as the Cultural Capital of the Arab and Islamic world.

“We are keen to rekindle the spirit of the holy month and once again offer visitors a complete experience through concerted efforts between the government and private sector.”

“Tourism is leading the way in some of the world’s most innovative sustainable energy initiatives. Energy efficient upgrades to aircraft, the shift to renewable fuel for aviation and cruise liners, energy technology solutions in hotels, as well as countless other initiatives are placing tourism at the forefront of the clean energy transformation.”

Simon Stamper Area general manager, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Cairo Citystars.

“Celebrating Service week [an initiative by IHG to acknowledge and celebrate employees who are endeavouring to provide outstanding service to guests] reminds all InterContinental employees of their commitment to keep the spirit alive throughout the year and find ways to continuously thank colleagues and teams for what they do to deliver a great guest experience.”

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

04 AUGUST 2012

AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Ahmad El Mosfi POSITION: Operation manager COMPANY: Cozmo Travel LOCATION: Abu Dhabi, UAE WEB: www.cozmotravel.com Who are you?

My name is Ahmed El Mosfi. I am a graduate in business management in tourism and have been living in Abu Dhabi for 13 years.

Our company, which belongs to the national carrier of Sharjah, Air Arabia, is one of the biggest government organisations in the Northern Emirates, boasting 14 branches across the UAE with two offices in Abu Dhabi.

Outside the country, we have one branch in operation in Qatar with seven more set to launch in Saudi Arabia by the end of the year.

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

Working in the world of travel is my life and the best thing about it is the social connections.

When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi?

The best time to travel to Abu Dhabi is between October and mid-April.

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

I have travelled across almost 60 - 70 percent of the world, but always prefer the Far East. I am a man of the sea.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

The travel agency business is becoming more difficult year-byyear, especially in servicing customers. It is not about the price anymore but about the service provided by staff throughout the travel agency and the knowledge offered to the customer.

Many travel agents open but often close soon after due to wrong choices of the staff members. We always make sure to update the employee with the latest courses and knowledge about customer service. We build on the trust between us and the customer even if our price is higher than other travel agents in the region. It is all about the service in the end.

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Al Bustan Centre & Residence Welcomes Russian Professionals Al Bustan Centre & Residence recently conducted a familiarisation (fam) trip for TEZ TOUR from Stavropol, Russia, said to have provided the agents with the opportunity to experience the product first hand so as to adequately sell it to their clients.

“We are pleased to welcome the delegation from the Stavropol region to our hotel and to Dubai,” commented Moussa El Hayek, chief operating officer, Al Bustan Centre & Residence. “Russia is our important and main feeder market and it remains comparatively stable and promising for Dubai. TEZ TOUR is one of the famous travel agent groups in Russia and I am hopeful that

this familiarisation tour has given them a true picture of our facilities and will help in the promotion of Al Bustan Centre & Residence. We are glad to welcome them and look forward to more guests from Russia.”

This year, Al Bustan Centre & Residence plans to host a large number of fam groups from the region until the end of September, as Moussa further explained, “We have a long association with tour operators and travel agents in the CIS states who recognise the value of our business and have shown a desire to win greater market share.

With the enhanced amenities and services, we hope to get more traffic from those states.”

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TRAVEL CHANNELS SCTA: Preserving Historical and Archaeological Sites

In line with its initiatives to protect the Kingdom’s attractions, the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) has listed over 300 historical and archaeological sites across Medina.

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s part of its efforts to preserve and survey the sites, SCTA has placed signboards at a host of important Islamic and historical attractions and issued a large number of print material related to them in the province, including maps which are aimed to help guide visitors to these sites.

The project forms part of SCTA’s ongoing endeavours aimed at monitoring Islamic sites and registering them in the national archaeological record.

Raising Awareness for the Need of Adequate Safety Measures The 11th meeting of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics has closed with calls to make safe coastal tourism a priority in coastal destinations worldwide.

The committee heard from invited guest, Caroline Danneels, founder, Safe Coastal Tourism, on the importance of safety precautions at beaches and marinas across the globe. Based in Belgium, the organisation works to raise awareness of the crucial need for adequate safety measures and the provision of accurate information to tourists to prevent regular fatal accidents at coastal sites. Committee members drew particular attention to the need for safety warnings in the form of signs and flags, to alert visitors of dangerous conditions and the absolute necessity of lifeguards and lifebuoys to aid in rescues, even during tourist low-seasons.

Outlining the Importance of Mobile Coverage More than a third of European holidaymakers, over 37 percent, noted that good mobile data coverage is a determining factor when choosing a destination, with 86 percent of them expecting wireless connectivity at their hotels to feed their online addiction.

The finding comes from new research conducted by a leader in fabric networking, Brocade, which points to a sea change in the holidaying patterns of increasingly well-connected European travellers.

Some 95 percent of the respondents admitted to taking their mobile devices on vacation with more than 50 percent indicating that they used them for accessing work e-mails or downloading work documents; an increase of 48 percent over 2011’s figure.

John McHugh, vice president, Brocade, stressed that the research illustrates a fundamental change in working patterns and demands on networking architectures as a result of a significant blur between personal time and work time in modern society.

04 AUGUST 2012

RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Mark Hawkes Located in the southern end of Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Village has established itself as one of the emirate’s most prestigious residential and leisure destinations. Mark Hawkes, group chief financial officer, Al Hamra Group, talks about the ongoing developments and company’s main objects.

Travel Trade Weekly: The last phase of the development, Phase 3, was completed in October 2011. What have the main highlights of the project been since then and what are the latest developments?

Mark Hawkes: The focus for this year is on the group’s hospitality projects.

The main project scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2013 will be a Waldorf Astoria hotel which will be the first Waldorf Astoria in the UAE. In addition to this, the renovation of the Al Hamra Fort Hotel is also currently underway and there are plans to expand the Al Hamra Mall.

that includes Al Hamra Golf Club’s 18-hole championship golf course, Al Hamra Mall, Al Hamra Marina & Yacht Club, and a convention centre with a capacity of 1,000 people.

A bespoke spa experience will also be available and is scheduled to open at the beginning of 2013.

Mark Hawkes Group chief financial officer, Al Hamra Group

Travel Trade Weekly: Could you tell us about the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria hotel?

Mark Hawkes: The property will offer guests state-of-the-art facilities including 349 luxurious rooms and suites, access to a 600m private beach, three outdoor swimming pools, and a choice of eight restaurants and lounges, of which a number will offer unique fine dining experiences.

Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, is being developed by Al Hamra Group and will be managed by Hilton Worldwide. Each Waldorf Astoria property offers a singular and timeless experience and in the case of the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, the hotel has been designed as a majestic palace with interiors planned to create a warm and Arabesque feel.

It will be located in the newest part of Ras Al Khaimah in the Al Hamra Village, approximately 45 minutes from Dubai International.

The hotel is part of a mixed-use development

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Travel Trade Weekly: With the upcoming hotel openings, Al Hamra Village is expected to become a true ’tourist magnet’.

What other plans do you have in order to further enhance the destination’s already vibrant atmosphere for visitors?

Mark Hawkes: Al Hamra Mall will be introducing a number of additional attractions which include activities for children and a cinema complex. With the Eid break and festive seasons we will ensure that all guests and residents have an array of sports, life-

style, and leisure options on offer.

Travel Trade Weekly: Ras Al Khaimah is famed as the rising star of the UAE. What aspects make it an ideal destination for investment?

Mark Hawkes: Al Hamra Group’s objective has been to create an integrated lifestyle development in Ras Al Khaimah to support the emirate’s vision of growth and expansion.

This has provided the increasing population and visitors of Ras Al Khaimah with various residential options along with international leisure facilities such as a number of five-star hotels, an 18-hole golf course, marina, world class sailing conditions, fine dining, and shopping, all within a single community.

Furthermore, with a growth in tourism, Ras Al Khaimah is increasingly becoming a popular destination for local and international tourists.

Al Hamra Group has invested in strategic hospitality projects to ensure that the recreational facilities and infrastructure are available to support this growth. We foresee tremendous potential in Ras Al Khaimah and will continue developing our portfolio in line with the emirate’s growth strategy.

Travel Trade Weekly: What other plans are outlined to further expand the company’s portfolio?

Mark Hawkes: At present the group is focusing on growth areas within Ras Al Khaimah owing to the tremendous interest from tourists and the potential the emirate has to further increase tourism.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Promoting Qatar Through the Olympics The Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is participating in Bayt Qatar (Qatar House), the official home for the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) during the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bringing the spirit of the Qatari culture and hospitality to the heart of the UK capital, Qatar House was designed to give guests the opportunity to savour local music, performances, arts and culture, and showcase real Qatari experiences particularly those related to sport development.

The official QOC home is also expected to raise the country’s international profile and promote it and all its national organisations to the world, highlighted Issa Al Mohannadi, chairman, QTA. “With the eyes of the world on London, Bayt Qatar offers a historic opportunity to change global perceptions of Qatar and the region and also to underline how Doha has become a real centre for sport in the region and sports tourism,” he said.

WTM to Introduce an Extra Speed Networking Event World Travel Market (WTM) is introducing an extra Speed Networking event following the success of the concept recorded over the past three events.

Speed Networking was introduced at WTM 2009 and is said to have led to an increase in the amount of business the event generates for the travel and tourism industry, culminating in WTM 2011 being responsible for GBP1,653 million (USD2,562 million) in travel industry deals; a 16 percent increase on the previous event.

For WTM 2012, the WTM Meridian Club’s networking breakfast will be followed by the WTM Speed Networking Thursday event, for discussion about further business opportunities beyond the show. WTM Speed Networking Monday will focus on driving business deals during the four days of the exhibition.

According to Simon Press, exhibitions director, WTM, Reed Travel, the expansion of WTM Speed Networking can only lead to the generation of more industry deals.

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.

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.

International French Travel Market (IFTM Top Resa) Paris, France, September 18 – 21, 2012 (www.iftm.fr) An international fair for networking, doing business, innovating, and keeping abreast of market developments, offering a 360° panorama of the travel 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 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.

04 AUGUST 2012