Travel Trade Weekly Issue 184

Travel Trade Weekly proudly enjoys readers on average per day

18 MAY 2013

ISSUE 184

Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts: Extensive Expansion Plan Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its AED150 million (USD40.8 million) expansion plan covering the new corporate identity with a new logo as well as a newly-opened hotel in Abu Dhabi and two other upcoming projects in the UAE.

Saadiyat Rotana Resort, located along a 9km stretch of white sand on Saadiyat Island, is set to welcome its first guests in 2015.

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

04 06 09 15 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Saadiyat Rotana Resort to Open in 2015

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MARKET UPDATE

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

Jazeera Airways Group: Record Q1 Earnings Jazeera Airways Group announced a record net profit of KWD3.6 million (USD12.6 million) for the first quarter (Q1) of the year, marking the 10th record-breaking period since the third quarter of 2010.

JOURNALISTS Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli

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SALES & MARKETING

he three month stretch was also the group’s 11th straight profitable quarter, during which it witnessed a surge in revenue by 15.7 percent to KWD14.7 million (USD51.4 million), while operating profit was up 99.5 percent to KWD4.5 million (USD15.7 million).

The increases were supported by a five percent rise in passenger volume and a 15.2

Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS

percent improvement in load factors which averaged at 70 percent.

“These exceptional results were generated by our airline business, which saw an increase in passenger loads and a full recovery from the three Syrian destinations that were suspended by the fourth quarter of 2012,” commented Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways Group.

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

Air Arabia Breaks Passenger Record

WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel

Air Arabia has recorded the highest passenger numbers in its history for the first quarter of the year, after carrying a total of 1,445,783 travellers, marking a 17.5 percent rise over the corresponding period in 2012.

The significant growth was supported by increased frequencies on a number of existing routes as well as new services which have taken the airline’s global network to 85 destinations from its three hubs.

“Air Arabia continues to witness significant growth in passenger numbers, and this demonstrates the popularity of the airline’s value for money and excellent service,” commented Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, who reinforced the carrier’s commitment to set the standard for the low-cost travel segment, offering great fares to an ever growing range of destinations.

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

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

17/05/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.98

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

Riyal

3.75

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,504.00

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Syria (SYP)

Pound

97.55

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.66

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.63

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,283.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.61

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

79.36

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.29

Turkish Airlines: Growth from Abu Dhabi Passengers

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urkish Airlines recorded 36 percent increase in passenger traffic from Abu Dhabi in 2012 and to meet with the growing demand, two weekly flights have recently been added between the UAE capital and Istanbul.

To mark the strong performance, Turkish Airlines, hailed as the world’s fastest growing airline, hosted a gala dinner event to honour

the highest performing travel agents in Abu Dhabi for their continual support and contribution to driving passenger traffic.

The event, held in the presence of H.E. Şefik Vural Altay, ambassador of Turkey to the UAE, was attended by industry representatives from Abu Dhabi Airports Company , Abu Dhabi Airports Services, and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Seawings Partners with ‘Ask Ali’ Seawings has welcomed cultural expert and author Ali Al Saloom, founder , AskAli.com, as the company’s Emirati brand ambassador.

Al Saloom, well-known for delivering dynamic speeches on culture and traditions, will be promoting Seawings via various online channels, providing his followers with information on the seaplane tour operator’s services and experience.

“Seawings prides itself on showcasing the UAE’s art, architecture, landscape, and lifestyle through its sightseeing tours, and teaming up with Ali Al Saloom will strengthen this drive further,” said Stuart Wheeler, CEO, Seawings.

Seawings

New Law for Dubai’s Hotels The Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has released a decree which formally legalises a new Hotel Classification Scheme for Dubai.

Designed to provide the industry and visitors with clarity and transparency on the type and quality of each hotel establishment within the emirate, the new system adopts a multi-layered framework to rate and categorise each hotel and provides specifications on the requirements for different types and levels of guest accommodations, and encourage a wider range of choice for visitors.

Ras Al Khaimah on Track to Receive 1.2 Visitors Ras Al Khaimah continues to gain momentum as a global affordable luxury destination with visitor numbers rising from 600,000 in 2010 to over 1.1 million in 2012.

For this year, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (Ras Al Khaimah TDA) has increased the annual target, aiming to receive 1.2 million visitors coming largely from the emirate’s primary source markets of Germany, UAE, and Russia, as Victor Louis, former chief operating officer, Ras Al Khaimah TDA, explained, highlighting that the year had a strong start with a high number of visitors in the first two months.

New Dubai Bird Market to Open in November Construction works on Dubai’s new bird market in Al Warsan area are already well underway with the AED54.1 million (USD14.7 million) project expected to be completed by November.

Covering a total area of 50ha, the development, which is being executed by Dubai Municipality (DM), will include nine main buildings encompassing various blocks for administration, auctions, health clinic, labour accommodation, as well as a hotel for animals.

The new project, which is triple in size compared to the current market, is expected to boost both trade and tourism, as Hussain Nassir Lootah, director general, DM, explained.

18 MAY 2013

WEEKLY NEWS Al Ain Zoo Introduces the ‘Night Zoo’ and Reptile Month

Dubai to Open New Office in Brazil

Since May 1, Al Ain Zoo has changed its operating hours to summer timings, allowing visitors to enjoy the cooler evening hours.

The ‘Night Zoo,’ which welcomes guests from 16:00 to 22:00 daily, coincides with the launch of Reptile Month this month to celebrate Al Ain Zoo’s diverse reptiles with an array of activities.

Themed ‘Life in Cold Blood’, Reptile Month pays tribute to Al Ain Zoo’s exceptional collection of reptiles, one of the largest in the region. The zoo’s reptile house, which is being showcased this month, is home to over 520 specimens, 32 different species, and 27 different habitat displays featuring crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and turtles.

Regular activities including zookeeper talks, a ‘Reptile of the Week’ spotlight on the Burmese Python, Green Anaconda, Reticulated Python, and Sand Boa, respectively, in addition to interactive discussions, are all running until June 1.

The Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced the opening of a representative office in Brazil, as part of its strategy to increase visitor numbers from the burgeoning South American tourism market.

The launch of DTCM’s first South American office demonstrates the importance Dubai is placing in further strengthening relationships with this region.

As Hamad bin Mejren, executive director, business tourism, DTCM, explained, the new office will focus on promoting Dubai as a leisure and MICE destination to the whole Latin and South American market, specifically to Brazil and Argentina.

H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, DTCM, further highlighted that Brazil is Dubai’s primary business partner in Latin America, and by opening this office DTCM hopes to double the number of visitors from Brazil from 40,000 in 2012 to 80,000 in 2014.

Yellow-footed Turtoise

DAMAC Launches Golf Community in Dubai Dubai-based developer, DAMAC Properties has announced its largest project by size and scale yet; Akoya by DAMAC, a 260ha master development off Umm Sequim Road Dubai.

Billed as the most luxurious golf community in Asia, with premium branded mansions, villas, townhouses, and luxurious apartment units, the project will include an 18-hole championship golf course, in addition to a spa, boutique hotels, and international schools.

The fully-integrated community will also boast a range of retail brands, leisure and entertainment offerings, and a sports complex.

Akoya by DAMAC is set to become the most desirable living environment in Dubai for aspirational professionals who recognise ultimate luxury, as Husseim Sajwani, chairman, DAMAC Properties, stated.

18 MAY 2013

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Underwater Clean-up of the Arabian Gulf The biggest underwater clean-up of the Arabian Gulf, off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, was declared a major success after more than 200kg of waste and rubbish was collected from the depths of the sea floor.

The first of its type initiative in the emirate was arranged

by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa, together with sister hotels DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah and Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, to mark the recently held Earth Day. The hotel brought together a crack project team comprising Emirates Diving Association, Adventure Sport, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and Project Aware, a global organisation of divers passionate about protecting seas and oceans.

Protecting the Waters

Accommodation

First Wyndham Hotel to Open in the UAE Wyndham Hotels Group plans to launch the first Wyndham Hotels and Resorts property in the UAE, following the signing of an agreement with Sigma III Limited, a subsidiary of British-owned developer, The First Group, to manage its 33-storey building in the Dubai Marina.

Currently under development, Wyndham Dubai Marina is expected to open within the next three years and will feature 497 rooms, including 251 suites, 632m2 of food and beverage outlets, meetings and conference space, and 232m2 of spa and leisure facilities with a gym and outdoor pool.

18 MAY 2013

DWC Business Park to Double Capacity The Dubai World Central (DWC)’s Business Park has outlined plans to more than double its capacity by the end of the year.

The expansion, which will take the total lease able area of up to 50,000m2, comes in response to the growing interest from both Emirati as well as multi-national companies looking for larger space at the park, explained Paolo Serra, director, DWC Business Park, highlighting that businesses operating in the area can leverage the state-of-the-art infrastructure of DWC, the easy accessibility to Al Maktoum International Airport, which is due to open its passenger operations in October, and the proximity to main highways.

WEEKLY NEWS

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Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts: USD40.8 Million Expansion Plan Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its AED150 million (USD40.8 million) expansion plan covering the new corporate identity with a new logo as well as a newly-opened hotel in Abu Dhabi and two other upcoming projects in the UAE. Marking the company’s debut in the capital city, the 134-key Nehal Hotel Abu Dhabi targets the corporate and government sectors, while the soon-to-open Tower Apartment, also located in Abu Dhabi, will comprise 230 rooms and suites, and Santorini, situated on Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, will feature 265 rooms and is due to open by the end of the year.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Swiss-Belhotel International to Debut in Bahrain Swiss-Belhotel International has signed a management agreement with Miami Property Company to operate its first hotel in Bahrain.

Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014, the four-star Swiss-Belhotel Seef will be situated in the heart of the new business district. The 29-storey tower will feature 149 rooms and suites, state-ofthe-art facilities, an all-day dining restaurant, conference venues, and health and fitness centre.

“Our partnership with Miami Property Company is one of a shared goal to maximise the untapped potential within Bahrain’s mid-level hospitality sector. Swiss-Belhotel Seef marks our entry into the Kingdom and, with its prime location in the new Central Business District, sets an example of the country’s bright tourism future,” noted Gavin Faull, president, Swiss-Belhotel International.

Abidos Hotels Partners with Sabre Hospitality Solutions Abidos Hotels has appointed Sabre Hospitality Solutions to power its distribution via the SynXis Central Reservations System.

As Aamir Pervez, group general manager, Abidos Hotels, explained, the new partnership will enable the company to benefit from the streamlined integration of the most innovative and comprehensive tools that the technology provider offers, which, in turn, will help increase Abidos Hotels’ global reach, by connecting global distribution systems, online travel agents and mobile booking engines, sell more room nights, drive revenues, and improve customer service.

Sabre Hospitality Solutions’ integration will also connect Abidos Hotels’ central reservation system to major property management systems that will thus facilitate channel merchandising and revenue management while enabling a seamless booking process.

Accommodation

Raffles Dubai Unveils Luxurious Floor Raffles Dubai has launched its new Dubai Floor, a residential sanctuary on level 14.

Spread over 2,000m2, the new floor, hailed as the most luxurious floor in the Middle East, boasts a stylish blend of Middle Eastern and Asian décor with panoramic city views, and features six spacious rooms and suites, a spa and hair salon, majlis, three private kitchens, and a cinema seating up to nine guests, offering an ideal accommodation option for families and friends, a product launch, a private screening, or for those seeking the utmost comfort and privacy.

The Dubai Floor is accessible via a private elevator and offers 24-hour check-in, a private limousine service with a dedicated chauffeur, customised linen, a private chef, and a dedicated butler.

Raffles Dubai

Novotel Set for Summer Opening in Dubai According to an announcement from Accor at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), a further 465 rooms are set to open this summer on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, when the Novotel Dubai Al Barsha is launched.

The 42-storey property will feature more than 100 family rooms and 89 furnished suites, 10 function rooms catering for up to 250 participants at meetings and events, while other facilities will include free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a dedicated MAC web corner, a restaurant, and four other outlets, as well as Balance by Novotel, a signature fitness and spa centre with seven treatment rooms, two saunas and two steam baths, and outdoor pool.

Shaza Hotels to Expand in Qatar Shaza Hotels, the luxury fivestar hotel brand, is poised to further consolidate its presence in the region with the 180key Shaza Doha set to open in spring 2016.

Located in the heart of the cultural district, within walking distance of major tourist attractions, the hotel will boast three dining venues, an executive club, a signature Shaza Hammam & Spa, a kids’ club, the country’s first art gallery to be integrated into a lobby, and Qatar’s first business club for leaders of society, where members will enjoy a broad range of privileges, including private meeting rooms, exclusive suites, cigar lounge, and library lounge, as well as access to the hotel’s recreational facilities.

18 MAY 2013

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Marriott International to Expand the Moxy Brand Globally Following Moxy Hotels’ much-anticipated launch in Europe in 2014, Marriott International plans to expand the brand globally.

Speaking about the company’s foray into the three-star category, Ramesh Jackson, global brand manager, Moxy Hotels, noted that the economy segment is the fastest growing segment in Europe thus Marriott International wishes to be part of this development.

“Nearly half of the hotel room supply in Europe is in the three-star tier and yet less than 20 percent of these hotels are branded. We believe that Marriott’s global sales force and our award-winning Marriott rewards programme, coupled with Marriott.com, will enable us to grow quickly in this segment,” Jackson explained, adding that the brand has been designed to appeal to the next generation of travellers, whose style and competitive price-point are of the utmost importance.

Over the next 10 years, 150 franchised Moxy Hotels are set to open in Europe, and although, as Jackson suggested, there are no immediate plans to expand the brand outside Europe, the company will be closely monitoring its success and potential.

Saadiyat Rotana Resort to Open in 2015 Saadiyat Rotana Resort, located along a 9km stretch of white sand on Saadiyat Island, is set to welcome its first guests in 2015.

The property will feature 354 rooms and suites in addition to 13 private beach villas, and will offer a private beach, a variety of food and beverage outlets, large meeting and conference facilities, a Zen the Spa at Rotana, and a fully equipped health and fitness club.

Commenting on the new addition to the company’s portfolio, Nasser Al Nowais, chairman, Rotana, highlighted that the opening date coincides with the launch of the highly anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi museum. “The luxurious property, which will be designed with a distinctly themed atmosphere, will have great appeal, particularly among tourists who are looking for the kind of excellent sea-facing destinations the island represents,” he added.

Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort: Extensive Room Refurbishment Following its recent 10year anniversary, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort is gearing up for a new and improved decade ahead with plans for an all-embracing room refurbishment.

The project, which will be completed over the next two summers, will include a complete overhaul of the bedrooms at a cost of Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort AED25 million (USD6.8 million), with a complete re-design, encompassing the new Le Méridien brand design concepts and local touches.

The new venture follows the recently completed AED10 million (USD2.7 million) renovation and refurbishment of the public spaces at the resort, which continues to play a leading role in environmental protection in the region and which will continue to set the benchmark for hospitality on the East Coast, this according to Patrick Antaki, general manager, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort.

18 MAY 2013

Accommodation

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman Launches Urban Farming Project Ramada Hotels & Suites Ajman has embarked on an urban farming project in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of a clean, green, and healthy community.

To mark this year’s Earth Day, which is celebrated every year on April 22, the property allotted 430m2 of its vast parking space to an urban farm growing seasonal vegetables and crops, which can be used in the hotel’s kitchen.

Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, described the initiative as another groundbreaking project which will help not only the hotel but also the environment.

WEEKLY NEWS

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Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi Reveals Renovation Plans Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi has officially commenced the renovation of the hotel’s guest accommodations and public spaces.

Slated for completion by the end of the year, the renovation comes in line with a larger strategy by the hotel brand and its ownership groups to invest more than USD200 million in the renovations of 13 hotels and resorts in the Middle East and Africa region over the next three years.

The project at Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi will include a complete redesign of the public spaces and all 277 rooms and suites, the launch of Le Méridien Hub, which will boast a new Latitude Bar, and a new level of comfort and exclusivity at the Club Lounge for guests of Le Méridien Club Suites.

Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi

Millennium & Copthorne MEA Prepares for Summer Season Building on previous years’ success, Millennium & Copthorne Middle East and Africa (MEA) is encouraging travellers to visit the GCC countries and explore all the major activities alongside different cultural events, by taking advantage of the company’s ‘Stamp your way this summer’ campaign.

The promotion, which runs until September 15 and is valid in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq, was launched in a bid to capitalise on the GCC’s increasing popularity as a summer getaway destination.

“As GCC travellers exceed forecasts for both leisure and business segments and uplifting our average occupancy for the previous months, we wanted to further reward this segment, by providing them with better, more family-focused and value packages,” commented Moine Kandil, vice president, operations, Millennium & Copthorne MEA, who pinpointed that the GCC region continues to gain popularity as a holiday destination and hopes that this campaign will continue to highlight all Millennium & Copthorne hotels’ attributes to a wider audience.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Anantara Art Series Continues As part of Anantara Art Series, a new initiative launched earlier this year, another exhibition is gracing the halls of the dedicated Art Space at Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara.

This month sees two separate and equally indigenous experiences, starting with Journey into Islamic Pattern Design, a unique workshop experience courtesy of Bayt Al Qindeel, followed by an exhibition as part of Green Abu Dhabi, showcasing the talent of emerging artist George Lewis.

Moritz Klein, general manager, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, said, “Green Abu Dhabi is an important initiative in the local community and one that is closely connected to Anantara’s environmental philosophy [...]. In addition, the introduction of the unique Islamic Pattern Design workshops is a further example of Anantara’s ongoing commitment to preserving the culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi and providing our guests with unique and memorable experiences.”

BWI Expands Further into Indonesia Best Western International (BWI) announced the latest phase of its Indonesian expansion, with the launch of its first hotel in Semarang, Central Java.

The new 28-storey BEST WESTERN Star Hotel is located in the centre of the city’s business district, within close reach of government and corporate offices.

Aside from its 258 rooms and suites, the newly-built property also features a rooftop sky pool bar and Prima Restaurant, which serves local and international cuisine, as well as extensive conference and banqueting space, boasting nine separate meeting rooms covering more than 620m2, with the largest able to accommodate up to 180 guests.

According to Glenn de Souza, vice president, international operations, Asia and Middle East, BWI, the company plans to include 12 new hotels to its Indonesian collection.

BEST WESTERN Star Hotel

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments at Riyadh Travel Fair Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, part of A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises, participated in the fifth edition of Riyadh Travel Fair, held between April 23-26, in a bid to strengthen its brand presence and increase its share of the Saudi market while, along these lines, the firm also made its presence at the Jeddah International Tourism & Travel Exhibition.

“The GCC market is one of our strongest markets especially the Saudi market which has a very good demand on hotel apartments. Travellers from Saudi often travel with their families and with the coming holiday vacation we want to promote Dubai as the ideal destination for them and Golden Sands Hotel Apartments as the perfect accommodation during their stay,” revealed Mohammed Khoori, general manager, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments.

18 MAY 2013

WEEKLY NEWS

Air

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Etihad Airways and Air France Increase Codeshare Network Strategic partners Etihad Airways and Air France have announced a number of new codeshare destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe for the summer season.

Now placing its EY flight code on Air France flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Oslo, and Stockholm, Etihad Airways expects to build on the existing joint codeshare routes from Paris-CDG to Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Madrid, Nice, and Toulouse.

Subject to further regulatory approvals, Etihad Airways anticipates the placement of its EY code soon on Air France routes between Paris-CDG, Lisbon, and Marseilles.

Moreover, Air France is placing its AF code on Etihad Airways’ daily flights from Abu Dhabi to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and to two cities in Australia; Melbourne and Sydney. The French carrier expects to place its AF code shortly on Etihad Airways services between Singapore and Brisbane.

Furthermore, subject to regulatory approvals, Air France foresees placing its AF code on routes between Abu Dhabi and Kathmandu.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Cargo Adds New Destination to Network Etihad Cargo has introduced Washington, D.C. to its global cargo network, in addition to boosting frequency to Hong Kong, courtesy of strategic partner Air Seychelles.

The US capital is Etihad Cargo’s fifth destination in North America, while Hong Kong is already part of the carrier’s five-destination Greater China

cargo network.

Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, commented, “Our cargo network continues to expand and with the addition of bellyhold capacity to Washington, D.C. and an overall increase in cargo capacity to Hong Kong, we believe these new operations will strengthen cargo services

both east and west for our customers.”

Etihad Airways has deployed an Airbus A340-500 aircraft to operate the daily Abu Dhabi-Washington, D.C. route, while Air Seychelles has scheduled its Airbus A330-200 aircraft to fly the three-times-a-week service between the Indian ocean archipelago and Hong Kong.

Ryanair Opens Three New Bases Ryanair celebrated the opening of its new bases at Marrakech, Fez, and Chania, on April 26, bringing the carrier’s base network to 57.

Marrakech is Ryanair’s first Moroccan base, with two-based aircraft and 22 routes set to deliver up to one million passengers per annum and sustain 1,000 on-site jobs, as the airline invests over USD170 million at Marrakech Airport.

Chania

18 MAY 2013

Ryanair also opened its second base in Fez, Morocco, with one-based aircraft and 15 routes, which will deliver up to 600,000 passengers per year and sustain 600 on-site jobs, representing an USD85 million investment at Fes-Saïs Airport.

Chania, meanwhile, is Ryanair’s first Greek base, with one-based aircraft and 26 routes expected to deliver up to 500,000 passengers per annum and sustain 500 on-site jobs, as Ryanair invests over USD85 million at Chania Airport.

Robin Kiely, head of communication, Ryanair, said, “Ryanair is delighted to open its newest bases at Marrakech, Fez, and Chania; our first in Morocco and Greece, bringing our total base network to 57.”

Air

nasair to Launch Operations from DWC Saudi Arabian carrier, nasair, confirmed that it will be the first MENA airline to initiate passenger operations from the new Dubai World Central (DWC), the emirate’s second airport.

Having announced a 20 percent increase in overall passenger numbers since the beginning of the year, compared to 2012, and a growth of 11 percent in the number of flights versus the same period in 2012, the airline is currently in the planning process to operate more than 50 weekly services between Dubai and a number of destinations in Saudi Arabia.

“The launch of passenger operations at DWC is one of our biggest highlights to date and we look forward to offering our passengers even more flexible services with the assistance of another airport in Dubai, while we maintain our long-standing flights from Dubai International,” said François Bouteiller, CEO, nasair.

18 MAY 2013

WEEKLY NEWS

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Etihad Airways and Air Canada Sign MoU Etihad Airways and Air Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a commercial cooperation agreement that is set to enhance travel services between the UAE and Canada.

While the two carriers currently have interline agreements in place for passenger and cargo services, Etihad Airways and Air Canada will also offer customers through-checked bags, reciprocal codeshare services, and frequent flyer benefits under the MoU which is set to be introduced in the third quarter of this year.

The agreement will also allow frequent flyer mileage accrual on codeshare flights by members of the Etihad Guest and Aeroplan programmes and reciprocal premium lounge access at Toronto’s and Abu Dhabi’s airports for eligible passengers of both airlines.

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WHO'S MOVED

Viviane El Hajj Viviane El Hajj has taken on the position of general manager for Lebanon at Etihad Airways.

Prior to joining the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, she spent 18 years in the airline industry, and most recently served as sales manager for Air France, following several years at KLM where she held

various managerial positions.

In her new role, El Hajj, who is replacing Joseph Chamoun, will be based in Beirut, and will be responsible for driving commercial results and further growing strong relationships with the airline’s travel trade and corporate customers.

Andreas Searty Andreas Searty has been named cluster general manager for Dubai at Hilton Worldwide.

In his new capacity, Searty will be responsible for Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Residences, and Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel.

A seasoned professional with a 30-year international hospi-

tality background, Searty has worked across the world and has held positions in the UK, Kenya, Oman, as well as Qatar, where he was in charge of the opening of Hilton Doha, the company’s first hotel in the country which, in its first year of operation, has become an attractive and popular addition to the city landscape.

Jaouad Sbihi Jaouad Sbihi has been named director of sales and marketing at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI) Qatar.

Sbihi started his hospitality journey 13 years ago in Morocco before moving to Dubai in 2001 to continue working in front office. He then joined the pre-opening teams of Shangri-La and Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates as sales manager, travel and trade for the GCC region, before becoming a member of

the pre-opening team of Raffles Dubai in 2007.

Most recently, he worked as director of sales at the property and in his new role, which will keep him based at Raffles Dubai, he will be responsible for setting up a representation office in Doha, and he will also be looking for opportunities for FRHI to develop new projects. In addition Sbihi will also handle the Qatar Investment Authority and Katara Hospitality relationship for FRHI.

18 MAY 2013

TRAVEL TALK

General manager, Oryx Rotana Doha.

" We always strive to go out of our way to make sure all our customers are comfortable and well looked after and that they enjoy the fabulous Qatar Airways Group signature five-star service.

[By winning the Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East awards by Skytrax] we have shown that we can compete with the best. To win the Skytrax award for the second year running is a great accomplishment.”

18 MAY 2013

Patrick Antaki Complex general manager, Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort.

“What we offer at Al Maha is truly different and unique; there is nothing else like it out there. […]

This getaway sojourn is unrivalled for the unique experience it offers, be it the luxurious suites, the peace and tranquility, the fine dining, or the opportunity to mingle with the desert’s most beautiful animals, thanks to our ongoing conservation efforts. [...] The overall experience makes Al Maha a once-in-a lifetime holiday.”

travel talk is your space

Kevork Deldelian

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AGENT'S CORNER

Travelport Launches Direct Operations in Kenya Travelport has announced the launch of a new direct commercial presence in Kenya, marking the latest milestone of the company’s investment strategy across the continent.

Travelport, which currently operates in 47 countries across Africa, with more in the pipeline, views the continent as a key strategic investment area, considering its healthy GDP growth, which is expected to reach an average of 4.8 percent, and whose Eastern region is set to hit 5.6 percent this year.

Kenya’s GDP in particular, is forecasted to soar to 5.5 percent this year, which is set to pave the way for increased travel through

the region thus establish Kenya as an East Africa hub for a growing number of international business organisations, this according to data revealed by the annual African Economic Outlook report.

“The Kenyan travel industry is growing at a pace and we feel that the interests of the travel agents in this region would now be better served by a whollyowned and focussed Travelport operation. While we cut over to our new direct operation, we will work closely with Kenya Airways to ensure a very smooth transition for our customers,” commented Mark Meehan, managing director, Africa, Travelport.

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Haitham Naeem Al-Mayali POSITION: Managing director COMPANY: Raihana Universal Travel & Tourism

LOCATION: Iraq WEB: www.raihana.net Who are you?

I am Haitham Naeem Al-Mayali, the managing director of Raihana Universal. We are a leading company in the tourism industry in Iraq. We are able to receive touristic groups and supply all services such as transportation, accommodation, and security services. We have diverse participation, such as at the Berlin exhibition, International Tourism Bourse, World Travel Market London, Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, and World Islamic Tourism Mart 2013 in Malaysia.

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

Our favourite thing about working in travel tourism is charter flights, religious tours, and receiving tourism from inside and outside Iraq.

When is the best time to visit Iraq?

The best time to visit Iraq is during February, March, April, September, October, and November.

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

My next holiday will be in Georgia and Egypt.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

People should come to us because our company has charter seats on many airlines and therefore we offer competitive prices better than other companies and special touristic packages.

Iraq

18 MAY 2013

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Q & A with Amer Hadidi It has been almost 50 years since the first Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ)’s flight landed in Beirut, and here Amer Hadidi, CEO, RJ, shares his views on the airline’s role in the Kingdom’s growth and reveals its development plans for the future.

Travel Trade Weekly: How would you describe RJ’s role in Jordan’s socio-economic development?

Amer Hadidi: It was the royal vision of His Majesty King Hussein when establishing Alia, now Royal Jordanian, [to make it] the national carrier of Jordan with the aim of contributing to developing and promoting services, creating better ties with the world, promoting interaction with other cultures, and establishing relations with other nations. RJ has played a vital role in the development of the Kingdom’s socio-economic development throughout its 50 years in its capacity as the national carrier of Jordan.

It has always been the main conduit and an important promoter of tourism, business, and medical travel to and from Jordan as well as offering cargo services which help transport Jordanian industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical products to the rest of the world.

With the existing air services and when opening new cargo and passenger routes, RJ encourages and increases movement of tourists, businessmen, investors, in addition to the movement of imports to and exports from Jordan.

Travel Trade Weekly: Over the past five decades, passenger numbers have increased significantly. How many passengers are expected to fly with RJ this year?

Amer Hadidi: RJ expects to carry 3.5 million passengers this year. We launched flights to Algiers in February, in addition to our new services to Misrata in 2012, and Berlin in 2011.

It is the objective of RJ to cater to the demand of travel. Therefore, RJ constantly works

18 MAY 2013

Amer Hadidi CEO, Royal Jordanian Airlines

long-range routes. Yet, our four A340s underwent a comprehensive renovation programme, providing our passengers with the latest entertainment technologies and a fresh, refurbished cabin for their comfort. Meanwhile, the A330s are new, modern aircraft that RJ received recently.

Travel Trade Weekly: How will the launch of the new terminal at Queen Alia International Airport supports the airline’s growth?

to broaden its route network by conducting the feasibility studies to operate to various promising markets. Operation to new cities is bound to improve connectivity, serve passengers, and increase company revenues.

In this regard, we are planning to launch flights to cities in the region, and also in the African continent. Studies are ongoing to open new routes even to long-haul cities.

Travel Trade Weekly: Could the introduction of the Dreamliners lead to more longhaul flights?

Amer Hadidi: The addition of the Dreamliner to RJ’s fleet, with deliveries expected to start in the last quarter of 2014, will definitely allow RJ to look at additional medium and long-haul destinations.

The Boeing 787s are to replace the currently operating A340s and A330s that are run on the

Amer Hadidi: Modernising the airport, which is a national vital facility, stems from King Abdullah’s vision to make Jordan a gateway to the region. It also reflects his keenness to develop the infrastructure in order to achieve economic growth.

The new terminal, the hub of RJ’s operations, [...] constitutes a fundamental leap for the airline. It will enable us to increase our commitment to improved performance and even better services to our passengers, since it is bound to simplify travel procedures.

The new terminal will support RJ’s growth by allowing for additional capacity and by offering an enhanced customer experience through improved facilities and services thus strengthening Amman’s position as a transit point of choice in the region.

RJ’s vision is to be the airline of choice connecting Jordan and the Levant with the world. We offer flights to over 60 destinations worldwide directly, and to more than 900 airports in almost 160 countries through our 12 oneworld partners.

We are proud of our Jordanian human capital, which play the biggest role in the success of RJ; they are the company’s real asset and the pillar of the developments that RJ is attaining.

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TRAVEL CHANNELS Successful Emiratisation Strategy at Al Ain Zoo

Al Ain Zoo has announced that its UAE national workforce now makes up 33 percent of the organisation’s employees.

W

ith more than 160 Emiratis currently working at Al Ain Zoo across a range of departments, the figures stem from a series of successful initiatives that encourage the young locals to explore the unconventional array of career choices at the zoo.

As part of the UAE’s ongoing commitment to Emiratisation, Al Ain Zoo has implemented various tactics to attract and develop a strong, qualified national workforce, including training schemes and internship programmes.

Initiatives focus on honing individual skills so that each employee can share the zoo’s history, heritage and culture with visitors in line with Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, to lay the foundations for a socially cohesive and economically sustainable community that preserves the emirate’s unique cultural heritage.

Rotana Honours the General Manager of the Year Patrick Martinez, general manager, Yas Island Rotana and Centro Yas Island Abu Dhabi, has been recognised as ‘General Manager of the Year 2012’ among all Rotana hotels in the Middle East.

Every year, the hotel company honours general managers who have exemplified outstanding ability to fulfill their respective targets and inspired and supported initiatives that allowed their properties to reach their highest potential.

“It is an honour to receive this award; I am proud of my entire team and the executive committee members who are also behind this achievement. To them, I would like to extend my appreciation and sincere thanks for their constant pursuit of hospitality excellence, innovation and commitment to faithfully keeping our hotels leaders in the Patrick Martinez (left) and Omer Kaddouri, market,” Martinez expressed. chief operating officer, Rotana

Fortifying the Silk Road Programme Delegates from over 15 countries and representatives of the United Nations Development Programme and the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations, gathered together for the third meeting of the Task Force of the Silk Road, on April 22-23, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The strong link between sustainable tourism and the rich cultural heritage of the Silk Road, was a major talking point during the meeting where a range of actions to strengthen the Silk Road Programme was discussed.

The delegates developed a number of creative ideas including the vision of a Silk Road Festival interactive portal and the concept of creating a Silk Road Tourism Partnership, aimed at promoting the world’s longest trade and culture route.

RJ Launches YouTube Channel In a series of celebrations marking Royal Jordanian Airline (RJ)’s 50th anniversary this year, the airline unveiled its official YouTube channel on April 21, releasing a brand new corporate campaign video.

The objective of the video, announcing the launch of the channel, is to explain RJ’s history and accomplishments over the past five decades, highlighting the various programmes and activities that has brought the company and its employees to the level witnessed today.

The message portrayed in the video shouts the national carrier’s 50-year successful growth and the services and care it has offered, and still continues to provide to its entire ‘family’ today.

As part of its endeavours to employ marketing initiatives which mostly interact with its customers, in line with the international trend toward social media and interactive tools, RJ will constantly be sharing its newest services, destinations, and events through its new channel, to familiarise the public with its undertakings.

18 MAY 2013

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Q & A with Rami Mashini The future is much nearer than it appears and will affect travel one way or another, with Rami Mashini, vice president, sales and marketing, Middle East and Africa, Gullivers Travel Associates (GTA), taking a stand on the matter, as the travel company continues to evolve against ever-changing technological advances.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your predictions for future tourism in the MENA region?

Rami Mashini: Strong growth in markets that are currently in transition, with countries rebounding strongly from recent periods of change. At GTA, we feel that we have not even scratched the surface yet and whilst we are very proud of our market share, the shift in the socioeconomic status within the region is well-catered to by our enhanced offerings and strong supplier and customer relationships, further strengthening our position on the ground and capitalising on the greater disposable incomes that have resulted from this change.

Travel Trade Weekly: Do you think robotic hotel staff or supersonic travel is an upcoming reality which will affect travel’s future or is it just a futuristic approach?

Rami Mashini Vice president, sales and marketing, Middle East and Africa, Gullivers Travel Associates (GTA)

Travel Trade Weekly: How will the role of travel agents evolve in the future?

will climate change and sustainability play in the shaping of future tourism?

Rami Mashini: The reality is that GTA already exists in a ‘robotic’ environment with XML (extensible markup language) travel bookings becoming more and more prevalent; machines talking to machines to make reservations, is an everyday reality for GTA. Regarding robotic hotel staff, from a reservation perspective, it is fair to say that this exists already too, and with the advent of self check-in facilities at airports, it is surely a matter of time before that facility is applied at hotel check in.

Supersonic travel is almost a thing of the past and the aviation sector has shed away from this in more recent years with the ending of the Concorde services of Air France and British Airways.

Rami Mashini: There is an emerging ‘green’ side to the business and with the advent of bio-fuels, there is certainly a push in that direction. Whether the industry can actually make that a force for decision making is another thing, but the emergence of destinations such as South America and the jungle regions of Asia is certainly a comment on that side of industry. Looking at new resort designs such as those in Jordan, the Maldives, parts of Africa, and, even more locally, in the Musandam [peninsula], Oman, the trend is set; whether that continues to be a motivator is anyone’s guess.

Travel Trade Weekly: How important a role

Rami Mashini: [...] The reality is that our tech-

18 MAY 2013

nology is making booking a vacation more accessible, more cost-effective, and more readily available with almost daily improvements in our system. So, looking to the future, GTA will continue to keep these advances going, always striving to improve the response times and offerings online for the ever-changing tech environment. The effect of technology cannot be underestimated and as companies invest so much on improving their technology, this creates a level of competition not realised before.

Travel Trade Weekly: How is technology affecting travel and tourism in all its aspects?

Rami Mashini: This is an industry where we are dealing with clients’ dreams and aspirations and these are emotional issues. So GTA feels that there will be a role for travel agents well into the future as we believe that people will still need to interact with people for quite some time to come. It may come to pass that there will be less players in the market and the ‘one stop shop’ and concierge service-style booking agent is evidence enough that there is a service level demanded by the travelling public that ensures the continuation of the travel agent; this can only be delivered by quality agents.

An embracing of technology by travel agents will have to become a part of their future strategy or they will cease to exist and certainly their current form will evolve. [...] Good advice from wellqualified people is still desired, however it will be to the detriment of the travel agent if they fail to adopt a good mix of people and technology, so a more experienced, adaptable and technologically-advanced travel agent is the way forward in the retail world; but quality service provided by people will be the key to the success.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Sharjah’s Presence in the Saudi Tourism Market Sharjah expanded its presence in the Saudi tourism market as it headed to the fifth edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair, which took place in the capital from April 23-26.

Some 3,000 exhibitors, delegates, and trade visitors from across the region and around the world, representing governments and leaders of the tourism and hospitality industry, took part in the event this year.

H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, chairman, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority, described the emirate’s participation in the Riyadh Travel Fair as an important part of Sharjah’s strategy to reach out to the massive Saudi tourism market.

“This will strengthen the emirate’s tourism cooperation with the GCC countries, especially the Saudi market which is our biggest contributor in the GCC region and thus most important for us,” he emphasised, adding that the number of Saudi tourists to Sharjah has been growing fast, year-on -year, with a 96 percent increase recorded between 2011 and 2012.

Dubai Hosts First Sawasdee Cup Golf Tournament The first Sawasdee Cup Golf Tournament was held at Al Badia Golf Club Dubai in March, bringing together friends of Thailand from private and public sectors.

Sponsored by the Royal Thai ConsulateGeneral, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Dubai, THAI Airways International, Siam Cement Group, and Petroleum Authority of Thailand, the Sawasdee Cup Golf Tournament will become an annual event to strengthen ties between the Thai and foreign communities in the UAE. Enjoying this networking event for public and private sectors with interests in Thailand, were over 40 participants from foreign missions in the UAE, airlines, hotels, and multinational companies.

EVENTS Moscow International Travel Fair Moscow, Russia, May 16 – 18, 2013 (www.mitf.su) A unique tourist fair which allows participants to present their services and attract new clients.

IMEX 2013 Frankfurt, Germany, May 21 – 23, 2013 (www.imex-frankfurt.com) A show that innovates, inspires, and presents new opportunities for the global meetings industry.

Korea World Travel Fair Seoul, Korea, May 30 – June 2, 2013 (utilty.danah.kr) Korea’s largest world travel fair with national tourism organisations, local governments, regional tourism associations, and many more taking part.

International Luxury Travel Market Asia (ILTM Asia) Shanghai, China, June 3 – 6, 2013 (www.iltm.net/asia) A leading ‘by invitation only’ event for the luxury travel community of the Asia Pacific, presenting the world’s most sought after collection of luxury experiences.

The Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) Chicago, US, June 11 – 13, 2013 (www.aibtm.com) A three-day event focusing on the Americas’ meetings and events sector, where no time is wasted and where deals get done.

Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) Beijing, China, June 21 – 23, 2013 (www.bitechina.com) One of Asia’s leading travel and tourism events, which will showcase a range of destinations, tourism attractions, travel packages, and services.

18 MAY 2013