Travel Trade Weekly Issue 180

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20 APRIL 2013

ISSUE 180

BWI: A Decade of Asian Success Best Western International (BWI) has celebrated more than a decade in Asia Pacific with a special event in Bangkok.

Corp Executive Hotel Amman has been officially inaugurated by H.E. Ibrahim Saif, minister of planning and international cooperation, Jordan, in the presence of a number of prestigious guests.

06 RJ Begins Frequent Cargo Services to Frankfurt Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) commenced the operation of direct, regular cargo flights between Amman and Frankfurt, on April 7.

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

02 03 04 08 13 15 16 17 18 19 20

Corp Executive Hotel Amman Celebrates Opening

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RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Tassos Diavatis Tassos Diavatis, managing director, Net Tours and Travels, anticipates corporate travel to become one of the hottest growth markets for travel industry providers in the near future. Here, he explains the importance of combining both leisure and business attributes to result in the perfect MICE destination.

Travel Trade Weekly: What is the profile of the modern business traveller ?

Tassos Diavatis: Most business travellers today have access to corporate booking tools, but only a third is able to make bookings via mobile booking tools. Recent researches and reports made by Amadeus and ICM Research reveal a fast-changing business landscape and the ways in which technology is impacting it. […] Largely, thanks to technology and online communications, today’s consumers are in charge. With 24/7 access to information and interactive communication on a global basis, they are no longer the passive recipients of our sales pitch. This too has enormous implications for how we treat our business guests.

The other reality is the blurring of work and play. For a variety of reasons, business travellers increasingly expect and, in many cases, are encouraged by their companies to combine productive work with leisure and social activities.

Obviously, this also has implications for what we offer the corporate guest.

As we look into the future, a high quality, tailored service combined with access to alwayson, anywhere, and everywhere technologies will enable travel managers and their corporate travellers to be better connected, which will be crucial in adapting to ‘the new normal’.

Travel Trade Weekly: Which are the general trends that affect business events and consequently business tourism?

Tassos Diavatis: […] Business travel accounts for approximately nine percent of all international travel. Business tourism is defined as leisure activities in conjunction with business trav-

Tassos Diavatis , Managing director, Net Tours and Travels

well-equipped and well-marketed emirate to attract business and MICE tourism, in general, with Qatar coming next, as it has risen from the sands as a business destination and stopover route.

Qatar is well-placed to meet the needs of passing business travellers, mainly with the help of Qatar Airways which strives to gain leadership in the Middle East area, and, of course, Abu Dhabi is a rising force. Also Bahrain, with economic prosperity and foreign investment, has become a buzzing business destination. Its neighbours may be bigger and flashier, but Bahrain has big plans to ensure it remains a leader in the Gulf.

Travel Trade Weekly: Which are the main criteria when organising a MICE event?

el. Business tourists are less cost-sensitive than leisure tourists, spending on average twice as much per day. Their purchase decisions are influenced primarily by their ability to use time efficiently within business travel schedules.

As two-thirds of business travellers extend their business trips for pleasure when they can, there is enormous potential in this market. Business tourism is expected to be one of the hottest growth markets for travel industry providers in the years ahead. [...] Business travellers typically have some free time when they are away from home. They are most likely to participate in tourism activities if the effort required is minimal and the risks are low.

Travel Trade Weekly: Which countries in the Middle East are equipped to attract business tourism?

Tassos Diavatis: Dubai definitely is the most

Tassos Diavatis: A destination could globally compete in hosting MICE events when it has, mainly, the following attributes; amenities, sufficient facilities and infrastructure for conventions and exhibitions, and meeting room facilities, as well as its ability to have certain basic services as fire protection, police, water supplies, and so on; accessibility, refers to the level of ease with which attendees can travel to and from the event site taking into consideration time and effort; accountability, refers to the ability of the host destination to provide overall quality to MICE tourism participants in terms of customs, telecommunications, health care, and qualified employees; affordability, refers to overall price or cost of participating in an event; attractions, refers to the ability of the host destination to provide meeting attendees with attractions and places of interest; activities, refers to recreational activities before, during, and after the meeting event; and, last but not least, a destination’s image is a very critical factor in travel decisions.

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WEEKLY NEWS Hogan: Legacy Airline Alliances Prove Inadequate According to James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, who recently delivered a keynote speech at the International Aviation Club in Washington, D.C., legacy airline alliances have outlived their usefulness.

“The traditional airline alliances have evolved into slowto-respond, bureaucratic organisations which struggle to deliver added value to their member airlines, many of which are no longer compatible with each other,” he added.

“If we look at the consolidation currently occurring throughout the airline industry, we are also seeing more fragmentation within the alliances. This is going to continue as members seek ways to operate profitably in a very competitive environment with high fuel costs and generally slower global economic growth. This month, we will report our strongest ever first quarter results. Our codeshare and equity partners have made a major contribution to that financial success,” Hogan continued.

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Fish Market Project in Al Hamriya Dubai Municipality is planning to implement a new fish market project in Al Hamriya, Dubai, said to be one of the prestigious future endeavours of the civic body, with the aim of providing specific markets to serve the emirate’s community.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general, Dubai Municipality, highlighted that the market is under the stage of bidding and the authority plans to implement it as a distinguished project, providing the entire elements of attraction for tourists, shoppers, and visitors creating a user-friendly environment and outstanding facilities with global specifications.

The market will be divided into different parts, including places for storing and freezing, and encompasses 506 units in addition to 278 parking slots for trucks and services and 769 places for visitors. The total area of the project is estimated at 120,000 m2.

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MARKET UPDATE

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

IATA: Premium Travel Growth Slows Growth in premium travel continued at a more moderate pace in January, with figures up 3.3 percent year-on-year but down 4.5 percent compared to December 2012.

Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli

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SALES & MARKETING Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian 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 info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

19/04/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.91

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

70.22

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.60

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.51

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,283.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.91

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

79.08

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.28

ased on the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s report, economy class passenger numbers rose 2.9 percent year-onyear, but were 4.2 percent lower than in December 2012.

Between August 2012 and January this year, premium and economy passenger volumes increased between two and three percent, and as IATA’s report highlights, the weakness in the growth is not widespread and is largely isolated to markets connected to Europe; on the other hand, emerging markets, particularly those linked to Asia, are the source of improvement in premium travel.

Hussein Dabbas, regional vice president, Middle East and North Africa, IATA, comment-

Hussein Dabbas

ed, “Today’s premium traffic numbers show the continuing strength of the Middle East as a driver of business air travel. For example, growth in January on the Africa - Middle East routes was 10.9 percent and from Europe it was 7.3 percent, compared to January 2012.”

MEA Occupancy up 6.4 Percent The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region registered positive performance results in February with occupancy levels reaching 66.4 percent, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.4 percent, according to data compiled by STR Global.

During the month under review, average daily rate (ADR) improved 2.9 percent to USD176.55, while RevPAR climbed 9.5 percent to USD117.24.

In the Middle East, both Abu Dhabi and Muscat recorded double-digit occupancy growth of 18.3 percent, reaching 76.4 percent, and 16.2 percent to 83 percent, on a monthly level, respectively.

Meanwhile, four markets across the region achieved doubledigit RevPAR increases; Abu Dhabi rose 24.2 percent to USD143.41; Muscat was up 15.8 percent to USD205.47; Jeddah climbed 10.5 percent to USD179.95; and Dubai ascended 10.4 percent to USD238.36.

On the contrary, occupancy in Amman fell 31.9 percent to 53.6 percent, while RevPAR dropped 25.8 percent to USD83.83.

Similarly, in Beirut RevPAR was down 25.6 percent to USD83.27.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Middle East: Highest Potential for Airport Investments

BWI: A Decade of Asian Success

The Middle East holds the highest potential for airport investment and expansion in the next five years, based on an online survey of aviation professionals, carried out by the Airport Show ahead of May’s inaugural Global Airport Leader’s Forum in Dubai.

An impressive 64.4 percent of respondents voted for the Middle East, followed by the Asia Pacific region, with 16.7 percent, Central Asia and Africa, with 5.2 percent, and Europe, with 3.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the region is expected to handle 400 million passengers by 2020 and aviation-related investments are projected to reach USD90 billion.

The study, based on responses from 273 senior executives, illustrated that over 88 percent agreed that satisfactory sustainable airport growth could be achieved if leadership and stakeholders work together to develop a collaborative aviation policy, while 63.4 percent highlighted the importance of the development of human capital.

Abu Dhabi Air Expo

Al Habtoor Group’s Emiratisation Programme Al Habtoor Group is ramping up its Emiratisation programme, or Absher Initiative, having set up a committee upon request of Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group, to enhance and reinforce the programme it launched in 2012, now named Think Emirati.

The team is being spearheaded by Paul Rayner, advisor of Ahmad Al Habtoor, and it also includes Abdul Salam Al Marzooq, director, community relations, Al Habtoor Group.

“It is a collaborative effort that involves all the Al Habtoor Group, which includes Habtoor Hotels, Al Habtoor Motors, Diamondlease, and Emirates International Schools. The purpose of the committee is to ensure that the group fully supports the government initiative and to ensure that we employ the best. We want Emirati’s that are looking for a career in the private sector and who will grow with Al Habtoor,” commented Rayner.

Best Western International (BWI) has celebrated more than a decade in Asia Pacific with an event in Bangkok, entitled ‘Oriental Reflections: Passage to the Next Decade’.

Addressing invited guests, Glenn de Souza, vice president, international operations, Asia and Middle East, BWI, described the past 10 years as an extraordinary period of growth for the company. “When we opened our Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Bangkok in 2001, we had just a small handful of hotels. Now, 10 years later, we have more than 200 properties either operational or in the pipeline, from Bangkok to Beijing, Bali to Bahrain,” he remarked, revealing that BWI aims to take its portfolio to 350 hotels in Asia and the Middle East.

In the next few years, the company plans to add at least 15 new hotels in Indonesia and 10 in Saudi Arabia, while doubling its portfolio in Malaysia and the Philippines, opening its first hotels in Nepal, Iraq, and Sri Lanka, and becoming the largest international hotel operator in Bangladesh.

Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan Join Hands Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA), and Abulfaz Garayev Mursal Oglu, minister of culture and tourism, Azerbaijan, recently gathered to sign a cooperation agreement covering different areas in the field of tourism and heritage.

“SCTA, since its inception about 14 years ago, sought to take advantage of experiences of advanced countries in the field of tourism and heritage through the Department of International Cooperation,” commented Abdul Aziz, adding that this has paved the way for the development of several bridges of cooperation with several countries that have been extensively utilised by the commission, in its efforts to develop a variety of activities and programmes.

The signing of the deal comes in the light of the existing general agreement of cooperation in the fields of economy, commercial, investment, art, culture, sport, and youth between the two governments, which was signed in Jeddah in 1994.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

TDIC Launches Second Phase of Eastern Mangroves Apartments Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has opened phase two of its Eastern Mangroves resort residential component in Abu Dhabi for lease after receiving high demand and successfully leasing out its first phase of residences.

Eastern Mangroves Promenade Apartments feature a selection of 170 apartments set across two buildings, one of which comprises 77 units and is available for lease at this stage.

The exclusive residences form part of Eastern Mangroves complex which also boasts the 222-room five-star Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara.

In addition, the development will soon also include Eastern Mangroves Promenade Retail Complex, scheduled to open in the second quarter of the year.

Eastern Mangroves Project

Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah to Tap New Markets Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah, the five-star hotel located in close proximity to both Sharjah’s historic attractions and Dubai’s top shopping destinations, aims to target European guests with the assistance of local destination management companies.

As Basel Talal, general manager, Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah, revealed, the resort, which completed a softrefurbishment in summer 2012, has long enjoyed strong guest volumes from the CIS countries, Germany, and other German-speaking markets, as well as from the GCC, while the last couple of years saw a notable surge from China and pan-GCC markets.

This year, the hotel aims to further extend its reach and attract Czech, Polish, and Eastern European travellers, as Talal explained, describing Sharjah as a city which continues to grow into a perfect tourism destination and ideal venue for international conferences and exhibitions or MICE events.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Eddé Sands to Enhance Guest Experience Eddé Sands Hotel & Wellness Resort, Byblos, Lebanon, boasting a unique resort, five-star hotel, spacious wedding venues, a range of restaurants, and award-winning spa facilities, plans to add a number of new amenities to its offerings.

As Joanne Zarifé, marketing and communications manager, Eddé Sands Hotel & Wellness Resort, revealed, the management plans to expand the hotel’s capacity in order to cater to the increasing demand from groups.

“We are also diversifying our food and beverage varieties by adding more outlets within the resorts, and in our continuous aim to uplift the quality of our products, major renovations are taking place in our 10 cabanas during the summer period,” explained Zarifé.

Renovated Cabana

Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers to Close for Refurbishment Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers is to undergo a major refurbishment, during which the 262-room property will be closed to the public.

Starting July 8, the project will include all the guest rooms, as well as the Vivaldi restaurant and other facilities, in a bid to give them a refreshed new look.

The hotel, overlooking the famous Dubai Creek, is set to return following the extensive renovation which will last eight to 10 months.

JA Resorts & Hotels Celebrates a Year of Achievements JA Resorts & Hotels, formely Jebel Ali, celebrated a number of accomplishments in 2012, including a company rebrand and a successful extension project, with a party which took place at JA Ocean View Hotel, the latest addition to the portfolio.

David Thomson, chief operation officer, JA Resorts & Hotels, who pioneered the development of the brand with the support of the parent company, Dutco Group and his in-house team, remarked on how JA Resorts & Hotels has come a long way in a short pace of time. “Our future is what we make of it. And we, as a company, will make it great,” he confirmed.

Casa d’Or Hotel to Reveal Renovated Rooms Casa d’Or Hotel, located in the heart of Hamra district in Beirut, is in the process of fully renovating its rooms.

Utilising the latest in both design and technology, the hotel will soon welcome existing and potential guests with a new look, as Daniel El-Nouni, general manager, Casa d’Or Hotel, revealed. “Our first renovated rooms will be put in service very soon and guests will definitely enjoy all what it has to offer when it comes to comfort and creativity,” he said.

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Accommodation

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi to Open in August Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is to add another property to its UAE portfolio with The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open on August 15.

Located on the Corniche, in close proximity to the ministries area, the hotel will provide 228 distinctive guest rooms and 55 grand suites, including one on the connecting bridge with views of the Gulf, further to a number of exclusive restaurants and a health club with outdoor swimming pool.

Its refined function space, which covers more than 4,800m2, offers an ideal venue for business and social events.

Corp Executive Hotel Amman has been officially inaugurated by H.E. Ibrahim Saif, minister of planning and international cooperation, Jordan, in the presence of a number of prestigious guests, including representatives from owning company, Faisal Holding, as well as Hospitality Management Holdings.

Located opposite the Royal Culture Centre in the financial and diplomatic centre of the Jordanian capital, the hotel boasts 108 rooms along with a wide range of business and leisure facilities, including three multi-functional meeting rooms and a ballroom.

H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, managing director, Faisal Holding, described the hotel as a beautiful addition to the company’s portfolio which offers a safe haven for travellers in an alcohol-free environment, and which symbolises the spirit and substance of the dynamic econoH.E. Sheikh Al Qassimi (left) presents a special my and culture of the Kingdom. trophy to H.E. Ibrahim Saif (right)

Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, has launched its new business lounge offering corporate travellers and Starwood Preferred Platinum Guests a range of services.

Describing Z Lounge as a great addition to the hotel, Erik Vedsegaard, general manager, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, stressed that the new facility is set to appeal to the growing number of business travellers staying at the property.

Service provided at the Z Lounge includes free Wi-Fi connectivity, daily breakfast buffet, and refreshments throughout the day, while the daily Z Hour is for after hour’s relaxation.

Z Gallery, contiguous to Z Lounge, serves as a spacious breakout room for meetings and gives an eye into the world of art with displays of pieces from local and international artists.

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Corp Executive Hotel Amman Celebrated Opening

Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road Unveils Business Lounge

Z Lounge, Fourpoints by Sheraton

WEEKLY NEWS

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Abidos Hotels to Debut at ATM Dubai-based hospitality chain, Abidos Hotels, will showcase its existing and upcoming hotels to trade professionals as well as investors and developers at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market, Dubai.

The company, which soft-launched its first hotel in Dubai in December 2012, has quickly emerged as a serious contender among the regional hospitality brands, as Mina Habib, vice president, Abidos Hotels, asserted. “Though we are just starting our foray into hospitality, we have seen a terrific response from both our guests as well as developers. Hence, we deemed it necessary to have an independent stand where we can comfortably welcome our trade partners and business associates while displaying our products and services,” explained Habib, noting that in addition to promoting Abidos Hotel Apartment Dubailand, the company will also be unveiling some other exciting projects that are in various stages of development.

Abidos Hotel Apartment Dubailand

Le Commodore Hotel Beirut Reveals New Ballroom Le Commodore Hotel Beirut, the 204room property located in the heart of the Lebanese capital city, has debuted its newly renovated ballroom.

The venue offers an ideal space for weddings, corporate events, and conferences, adding to the hotel’s existing meeting and banqueting facilities that also include four multi-purpose day-light meeting rooms, as Eddy Chahine, director of sales and marketing, Le Commodore Hotel Beirut, explained.

Commenting on the hotel’s main source markets, Chahine added, “Our tactical sales forces and new strategy implemented on other markets like Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and Syria gave satisfactory results.”

Taj Palace Hotel Dubai to Reveal Upgraded Facilities Taj Palace Hotel Dubai has embarked on a soft refurbishment with the aim of sprucing up the hotel from top to bottom, this according to Ahmed Badawy, director of finance, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai.

The entire project includes the revamping of all rooms, apartments, restaurants, and business and leisure facilities, by focusing mainly on the improvement of aesthetics and general facilities, Badawy further explained.

Works are already underway and guests will soon be able to discover the new look across the hotel’s private and public spaces, including the lobby as well as the Taj Club Lounge, while diners will be offered new menus at all of the food and beverage outlets, as well as in the guest rooms.

In addition, the hotel also recently rebranded one of its existing restaurants as an authentic Arabic restaurant, namely Al Waha.

Executive Room, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air

Oman Air Collaborates with Ethiopian Airlines Oman Air has entered into a codeshare partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, the national carrier of Ethiopia, on the Muscat - Addis Ababa service.

This codeshare agreement will cover flights between the two capitals, which will operate onboard an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft, thus build on the company’s four flights per week between the two cities. Meanwhile, these services will be marketed by Oman Air. Announcing the agreement, Wayne Pearce, CEO, Oman Air, said, “With the signing of this new codeshare, seamless travel via Muscat to Ethiopia from any one of Oman Air’s many destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, has become convenient and easy, giving customers even greater opportunities to see the world and to experience Oman Air’s legendary hospitality.”

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Etihad Airways Launches Daily Abu Dhabi - Washington, D.C. Services Etihad Airways has commenced non-stop daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Washington, D.C., onboard a 240seat ultra-long range Airbus A340-500 aircraft, creating the first direct air link between the two capitals.

The new service to Washington Dulles International Airport has been introduced to meet growing demand for government and business travel, as well as for leisure trips between and beyond the cities.

“Government and corporate customers in both markets have given us strong indication that the Abu Dhabi - Washington route can support a daily service from day one,” said James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways.

Washington, D.C.

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WEEKLY NEWS

flydubai Adds to CIS Route Network flydubai has announced operations to two new destinations in the CIS region; Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, and Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

Flights to both cities will operate twice a week, with flights to Osh beginning on April 24, and services to Dushanbe taking off on April 30.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “With the addition of these two new routes, we now have a network of 20 destinations across the CIS which is a tremendous achievement. We marked our entry to the Kyrgyz market back in February 2012 with flights to the capital, Bishkek, and through adding Osh and Dushanbe we are able to link even more underserved destinations to our ever-growing network.”

Air

Jazeera Airways Launches Summer Schedule Jazeera Airways recently announced the return of its seasonal scheduled flights for summer between Kuwait and Istanbul, and Kuwait and Sharm El Sheikh.

Operations to the Turkish city began on March 31, serving passengers with two weekly flights, while services to the popular Egyptian summer destination started on April 4, twice a week.

“Our schedule is ideal for families and friends who want to spend a full weekend or more on the Red Sea, or for a week at the historyfilled and vibrant city of Istanbul,” commented Rafik Boghdady, vice president, sales, Jazeera Airways.

The summer schedule will run through to the first week on November.

Jazeera Airways

Kenya Airways Launches Dubai - Hong Kong Flights Kenya Airways recently announced the commencement of threeweekly direct flights from Dubai to Hong Kong, in an effort to provide a seamless link between the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa.

Titus Naikuni, CEO, Kenya Airways, noted that the new flight between Dubai and Hong Kong is expected to deliver world-class services to customers, providing seamless connectivity for the carrier’s customers to various destinations.

The introduction of flights between Hong Kong and Dubai comes as the airline pursues a network expansion strategy through its 10-year growth plan, Project Mawingu, aimed at growing the number of routes that it operates as well as its fleet.

Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance, this year marks its 36th year in operation, boasting 59 destinations worldwide, 40 of which are in Africa, and carrying over three million passengers annually.

Kenya Airways

RJ Begins Frequent Cargo Services to Frankfurt Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) commenced the operations of direct, regular cargo flights between Amman and Frankfurt, on April 7.

The airline will be running one flight weekly, until it increases the services to two at the beginning of May, with plans to reach three in 2014.

According to Muath Majali, vice president, cargo sales and services, RJ, the feasibility study conducted by the airline for the German market, revealed the importance of a cargo route connecting Amman and Frankfurt.

He further stressed that the route will support Jordanian exports of fruits, vegetables, and medicine to the German market, and is also bound to support the national economy by stimulating cooperation and understanding partnerships between the two countries, in addition to boosting trade volume.

He indicated that this cargo service between Jordan and Germany will, in turn, serve German exports.

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WHO'S MOVED

Rajat Chatterjee Rajat Chatterjee has been named general manager of Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites.

Chatterjee has over 20 years of hospitality experience. He joined Marriott International in 2002 as director of rooms, before being appointed director of operations at JW Marriott Mumbai. He later became

the pre-opening general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Chennai, and helped establish the brand’s presence in India.

Over the course of his career with the company, Chatterjee has proven his passion towards exceeding guest expectations, developing high performing teams, and maximising owner returns.

Samy Boukhaled Samy Boukhaled has been named area general manager at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa. Boukhaled will primarily be responsible for the overall management of the hotel and will supervise the operations of Sofitel Al Khobar The Corniche, as well as the regional development of the brand in view of the upcoming openings in Saudi Arabia.

Having joined Accor over 24 years ago, Boukhaled has held various progressive positions under the group which has

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seen him lead several missions for the Sofitel Luxury Hotels brand since he joined it in 2004. He also assumed the position of president of the Food & Beverage Committee of Sofitel Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as president of the Marketing and Promotion Commission at the Regional Tourism Council in Agadir.

In recognition of his achievements, in 2012 he was laureate of the Gold Bernache, Accor’s highest accolade, in the performance category.

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Ahmed Azmy Ahmed Azmy has been promoted to executive assistant manager in charge of rooms division at InterContinental Cairo Citystars, from director of rooms division.

Azmy, who has more than 15 years of experience in the industry, joined the property’s team in 2004 as assistant front office manager and was also

part of the pre-opening team.

Prior to that, he served as assistant front office manager at Crowne Plaza Sharm El Sheikh where he was also part of the pre-opening team. In his new role, he will be responsible for the front office including concierge, guest relations, and housekeeping department, to name a few.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

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Yousif Hassan Al Hammadi

Ayman Ashor

Chairman, organising committee, Abu Dhabi Air Expo.

General manager, Tilal Liwa Hotel.

“The atmosphere of the week, exhibitor registration for [2014]’s show, the number of visitors welcomed, and the generated sales value [of AED3 billion (USD816.8 million)] are all clear indications that Air Expo has an essential place in the regional aviation calendar. Al Bateen Executive Airport looks forward to Air Expo 2014, providing regional aviation enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to view the best products that the industry has to offer [...].

“We would like to congratulate the UAE government and members of its leadership for this milestone project [Shams 1] that will generate clean energy to power 20,000 homes in the UAE. I am also extremely proud because we have been part of the realisation of Shams 1 from day one. Tilal Liwa Hotel became the home to hundreds of contractors and sub-contractors who are working on this project. […] It has been a wonderful experience working with them.”

Rabih Saab President, Middle East and Africa, Travelport.

“Thanks to our exceptional technology and dedicated local resources, Travelport has been able to build great momentum in Saudi Arabia and gain the trust of such high-calibre travel agencies. We are proud to be affiliated with such reputable, travel companies [like Asfar Travel, Transcontinents and Roibek Travel] and look forward to working closely with them supporting their dynamic businesses with the best global distribution system offering in Saudi Arabia.”

TRAVEL TALK is your space – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

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AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Mahmood Farzaneh POSITION: General manager COMPANY: Sarvineh Tours and Travel Co. LOCATION: Iran WEB: www.holidayiran.com Who are you?

My name is Mahmood Farzaneh, and I am the general manager of Sarvineh Tours and Travel Co. in Tehran, Iran. We are an inbound tour company and a subdivision of Holiday Iran Tour. This has been a family business since 1973 and one of the largest and most well-known travel companies in Iran.

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

I guess after show business, travel business should be ranked number two, as everyone works all year long and, finally, will spend the money on travelling and exploring new destinations and knowing about other people around the world.

When is the best time to visit Iran?

The best time is during spring and autumn seasons, and, of course, summer and winter would be just fine. I should mention, however, that during the summer time it is a bit hot.

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

I would like to see some countries in Eastern Europe and South America.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

Well, it is hard to say but I guess it is best to use a well-known company for almost everything one may need.

Tehran, Iran

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Travelport Takes on Tunisia Travelport has announced that it is extending its footprint in Africa with a new distributor operation in Tunisia.

This follows the appointment of SIR Tunisie SARL as Travelport’s new partner in Tunisia and means that Galileo products and services will become available in the country with immediate effect.

The Tunisian launch is the latest milestone in Travelport’s expansion in Africa, where the global distribution systems (GDS) provider is now operating in 47 countries with more in the pipeline.

SIR Tunisie SARL will distribute the Galileo GDS platform to local travel agencies, providing them with industry-leading

technology, access to the rich airline, hotel and car content as well as comprehensive training and support services.

Rabih Saab, president, Middle East and Africa, Travelport, commented, ”Africa, and especially North Africa, is a key strategic investment region for Travelport and this official launch of commercial operations in Tunisia serves as a testament to our commitment to this important part of the world. With its extensive local market knowledge and technical expertise, our appointed distributor is very wellpositioned to grow Travelport’s business in the region and effectively serve our new travel agency customers here.”

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

Positioning the GCC Region on the Aviation Map

A

Aviation experts across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are gearing up to meet at the 13th edition of the Airport Show taking place in May.

ccording to Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, there remains an urgent need to strengthen the aviation sector’s human resource development initiatives so as to take advantage of both local and foreign expertise to cope with the industry’s rapid growth.

During the session ‘Investing in Capacity Building to Develop Airport Leaders’, the forum will focus on the local market with the aim to provide regional airport management with an opportunity to highlight skill challenges and shortages and find tangible solutions in order to develop a pool of highly-skilled Arab professionals.

In addition, experts will gather to discuss the ways in which airport management can grow and develop through effective human capital strategy, as well as through leadership development initiatives and succession planning, and investment in university development programmes.

KLM Biofuel Powered Flights KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is now operating its first-ever series of second generation biofuelpowered intercontinental services alongside its partners in the corporate biofuel programme, which include Schiphol Group, Delta Air Lines, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The first flight departed for Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, using the sustainable biofuel which is made from processed frying fat and does not have a negative impact on biodiversity or food production.

“If we want to make aviation more sustainable, we need to join forces,” stated Camiel Eurlings, managing director, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Seychelles Tourism Board and Emirates Holidays Collaborate Dive Middle East Exhibition, held in association with Emirates Diving Association (EDA), celebrated its seventh edition this year, shedding special light on Seychelles not only as a normal holiday destination, but also as a hub for diving, sailing, and fishing.

“Seychelles Tourism Board’s aim in participating in this event is to continue to increase awareness of the impressive diving, fishing, yachting, and sailing opportunities that the Seychelles can offer. The Middle East remains a lucrative market for Seychelles and we will continue to increase the visibility of Seychelles to strengthen its position,” commented Aliette Esther, tourism attaché, Seychelles Tourism Office, Abu Dhabi.

Having witnessed what Ahmed Fathallah, regional manager, Seychelles Tourism Office, Middle East, described as substantial growth this year so far, in terms of incoming business, with a 37 percent increase from January to February, compared to the same period in 2012, the team at Seychelles Tourism Office, Middle East feels optimistic that this year’s goal to receive 22,500 visitors from the region will be achieved.

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RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Jean Pierre Simon With Sharjah increasingly becoming a world-class destination of choice for both leisure and business travellers, Jean Pierre Simon, general manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts, looks into the main forces which are driving the emirate’s fast-paced development.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are the main factors behind Sharjah’s development?

Jean Pierre Simon: Sharjah is a very cultural and relaxing city that has its own unique charm. Proximity to Dubai and Ajman, fabulous weather from October to April, excellent infrastructure for business and leisure, including connectivity with important feeder markets through the growth of Air Arabia, fine selection of dining venues and hotels, worldclass facilities including state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centres, stable and secure political environment, and a year-round calendar of international events make it a preferred destination for both business and leisure.

Sharjah is now approaching a new era of steady growth in tourism with the development of new infrastructure, attractions, and source markets. Aided by innovations in travel technology, destination management companies and tour operators are gaining back consumers’ confidence. Hotels too are trying to diversify and expand their services by creating mulitiple revenue generating opportunities to maximise the profit.

Travel Trade Weekly: Which are your main feeder markets?

Jean Pierre Simon: CIS and German visitors continue to dominate the tourist flow into Sharjah followed by GCC travellers. The bulk of our business comes from the leisure segment.

Having said that, both business and leisure travellers favour Coral Beach Resort - Sharjah owing to our convenient location, excellent facilities, fabulous service, and value offers. We are constantly trying to reach new horizons to

20 APRIL 2013

Jean Pierre Simon General manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts.

Book Fair, Ramadan Festival, and the Sharjah Biennial. At the end, all emirates complement each other with diverse product offerings.

The way the UAE, especially Dubai, filled the vacuum created by overflow of supply in past years was amazing. It is astonishing to see no rooms available, having nearly 100,000 rooms in Dubai and Sharjah.

Travel Trade Weekly: Could 2013 be another record-breaking year for Sharjah?

broaden our customer base while consolidating our existing source markets.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are the main advantages and disadvantages of being situated close by to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Jean Pierre Simon: UAE is like a tree, branching out with different emirates offering different attractions. It is impossible not to be dazzled by Dubai or amazed by Abu Dhabi, however Sharjah has its own unique charm. With a focus on cultural and educational tourism as well as ecotourism, Sharjah has witnessed amazing growth in tourism in the last few years. In order to further boost cultural attractions, the emirate is upgrading its 23 museums and is adding a number of new ones. The city is home to some of the region’s most popular cultural events such as Sharjah Festival Days, the Sharjah

Jean Pierre Simon: We can see competition growing around our area quite significantly, as within two years, more than 1,000 rooms will be added in Sharjah and Ajman, which could be a challenge. Quality and delivery of the finest resort service is a hallmark of Coral Beach Resort - Sharjah. With a wide selection of superb indoor and outdoor venues ranging from a fabulous ballroom to world-class meeting rooms, an array of restaurants, and beautiful lawns, it is a great address for any kind of event, be it weddings, corporate gatherings, social get-togethers, board meetings, or family affairs. In addition, we host a variety of cultural and entertainment events that are designed to provide our guests a lively atmosphere while giving them a glimpse of the local culture.

We began the year on a very positive note.

However, we believe that long-term sustainability of profit is dependent on generating a mix of business. With a strong occupancy, we are now targeting higher RevPAR as one of our primary objectives for the year. We are also looking to broaden our customer base in Europe and anticipate robust demand from both existing and emerging feeder markets which will tremendously benefit us.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Showcasing Saudi Arabia Aimed at further boosting the Kingdom’s hospitality industry, this year’s Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market forum, which took place on March 31 - April 4 at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center, hosted a range of technical sessions to discuss the major issues related to the country’s tourism experience.

According to Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, president, Elaf Group of Companies, who is also a member of the Tourism Development Council for the Mecca region, the exhibition also highlighted the achievements of the sector and indicated the group’s presence to grab every opportunity, which may prove beneficial to the market, especially by offering job opportunities for Saudi nationals and by exploring ways to improve other vital aspects within the tourism sector.

Sharjah: Expanding Business Tourism Sector Sharjah wrapped up a successful Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition in Abu Dhabi after it evoked considerable interest from major business tourism players, exhibitors, and investors, as well as the international media.

During the event, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and other governmental bodies showcased the emirate’s MICE propositions, investment opportunities, and various initiatives, which are set to further boost and develop this niche tourism market in Sharjah.

Remarking on the first quarter’s positive results, H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, director general, SCTDA, expressed optimism about the coming months, and underscored the opportunities and potential of business tourism in Sharjah and the region at large.

He further urged all players of the tourism sector to make the most of Sharjah’s business tourism infrastructure and world-class facilities.

EVENTS World Travel Market Latin America (WTM Latin America) São Paulo, Brazil, April 23 – 25, 2013 (www.wtmlatinamerica.com) A leading global event which brings the world to Latin America and promotes Latin America to the world.

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

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.

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.

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