20 JULY 2013
ISSUE 193
NCT&H: 20 Hotels by 2015 The National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels’ (NCT&H) asset management division aims to increase its current portfolio of 12 hotels within and outside the UAE to 20 properties by 2015.
Vida Downtown Dubai has welcomed its first guests, marking the launch of the first ‘urban lifestyle hub’ in the Vida Hotels and Resorts portfolio of Emaar Hospitality Group.
05 Wyndham Debuts in Iraq Ramada Sulaymaniyah Salim Street has opened its doors in Kurdistan, marking Wyndham Hotel Group’s foray into Iraq.
06 IN THIS ISSUE RENDEZVOUS WEEKLY NEWS MARKET UPDATE ACCOMMODATION AIR WHO’S MOVED TRAVEL TALK AGENT’S CORNER TRAVEL CHANNELS RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS
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Vida Downtown Dubai Opens
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RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with Ahmed Alkhaja Set in the heart of the Middle East, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has established itself as the region’s leading destination for exhibitions, conferences and events and, as Ahmed Alkhaja, senior vice president, venues, DWTC, explains, a catalyst in Dubai’s unprecedented growth.
Travel Trade Weekly: In 2012, DWTC welcomed over 1.85 million visitors. Please share with us this year’s figures. Ahmed Alkhaja: DWTC plays a prominent and influential role in positioning Dubai as the epicentre of business tourism in the region. We delivered a strong calendar of events in 2012 with more than 150 trade and exhibition-related events including 106 mega-events, covering sectors such as healthcare, education, information and communication technologies, construction, food, trade, security, and logistics. [...] Foreign visitors hailing from a total of 186 countries made up 38 percent of the total attendees to DWTC’s major conventions and conferences in 2012, highlighting Dubai as the go-to destination for global MICE. Our valueadd is not limited to just the tourism industry; per person, our foreign visitors contributed 11 times the economic value to Dubai in 2011 compared to locally based visitors. This means that DWTC has a real and tangible effect on the Dubai economy, acting as a catalyst for growth and contributing 2.1 percent to the total GDP of the emirate in 2011. From January to May, DWTC has already hosted 137 trade events, conferences and exhibitions. […] Going forward, we strive to attract more high-profile congresses, trade shows and events, as these go beyond delivering financial benefits; they carry strong social implications which help to drive development and progress.
Ahmed Alkhaja Senior vice president, venues, DWTC.
and global circumstances had any impact on DWTC’s exhibitions? Ahmed Alkhaja: The Arab Spring certainly impacted the region. One thing we learnt from the situation is to adapt and look forward. We have continued to host relevant exhibitions, conferences, and events which helped to aid recovery by attracting top-tier business to the region, whilst also creating avenues through which business can continue. [...] Travel Trade Weekly: What can visitors and exhibitors expect from DWTC’s future events?
Travel Trade Weekly: How important is the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in DWTC’s annual event agenda?
most important travel and trade events in the industry’s calendar. The event is a platform for leading global tourism players to get together, network, forge partnerships whilst also discussing regional and international trends. The GCC currently represents one of the fastest growing tourism markets in the world which presents a plethora of growth and business opportunities for the industry. ATM is the spring board through which these deals are made. For more than 30 years, DWTC has played a critical role in the growth of Dubai. The region’s leading venue in terms of size, diversity of calendar, scale of events and the volume of business generated, it has become the epicentre for trade and business tourism, hosting hundreds of events annually, including ATM.
Ahmed Alkhaja: ATM is one of the largest and
Travel Trade Weekly: Have the regional
Ahmed Alkhaja: DWTC attracts exhibitors and visitors from the region and across the world with its grand size, scale, expertise, and focus on customer satisfaction. The 2012 results represented a 12.5 percent increase in visitor numbers and a 5.5 percent rise in exhibitor numbers on 2011 figures. We are excited about a prosperous year ahead and look forward to welcoming more visitors and exhibitors, which, in turn, helps DWTC strengthen the diversification of Dubai’s economy. […] DWTC aims to not only expand its existing portfolio but also attract new events that will benefit the region’s economic development. DWTC is the bridge that links the east and the west, making Dubai the platform for foreign investment partnerships. DWTC is more than just an events destination. It is a testament to Dubai’s world-class tourism and business-hub approach. Each activity undertaken by DWTC is designed to support the country’s economic development by creating jobs and helping nations strengthen their trade routes and partnerships.
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WEEKLY NEWS IATA: Middle East Outperforms Global Growth Middle East carriers posted the strongest year-on-year traffic growth for any region in May, at 11.7 percent, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s latest report. The region’s airlines reported a capacity increase of 12.8 percent, resulting in a 0.7 percentage points drop in load factor to 73.5 percent. Globally, international passenger demand rose 5.7 percent, while capacity climbed 5.6 percent, leading to an average load factor of 77 percent, with the strongest growth occurring in the emerging markets of Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, as Tony Tyler, director general, IATA, pinpointed. This year, airlines are expected to make USD12.7 billion profits, which, on USD711 billion in revenues, translates to USD4 profit per every passenger. According to Tyler, this calls for the aviation sector to perform much better than it currently is if it aims to attract the USD4.5 trillion in capital investment needed over the next 20 years.
Emirates Aircraft in Dubai
Online Travel Bookings on the Rise According to a special evaluation of IPK International’s World Travel Monitor, which was commissioned by ITB Berlin, more and more people are using Internet to book their trips instead of going to travel agencies. Findings show that from 2008 to 2012 the market share of Internet bookings in China more than doubled, rising from 19 to 39 percent, while in Russia this segment has nearly quadrupled, climbing from nine to
42 percent. In Britain Internet was the booking instrument of choice for 78 percent of the trips, representing a 47 percent increase over 2008. Italy, Canada, Japan, France and the Netherlands also exhibit travel markets with above-average Internet bookings – between 61 and 67 percent – whereas in Germany the use of this medium is below average, at 53 percent.
Dubai to Showcase World Wonders H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, has approved a number of new projects in diverse sectors, including a Mini World Park that will showcase replicas of famous monuments and natural wonders from all over the world. The development, the first of its kind in the region, will display features of The Empire State Building, US; Petronas Towers, Malaysia; Acropolis, Greece; Stonehenge, UK; Petra, Jordan; Colosseum, Italy; as well as the Great Wall of China; Pyramids of Giza, Egypt; and the Aztec temples, Mexico, among others. Other highlights will include the Gardens of Babylon, Iraq; Raouche Rock, Lebanon; and Niagara Falls, North America, just to name a few. The proposed projects also include the Al Mamzar Corniche Beach, Dubai, to be completed in the first quarter of 2014, an AED35 million (USD9.5 million), Maritime Museum, and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library featuring millions of books.
Bahrain Summer Festival to Bring People Together The Bahrain Summer Festival returns between August 18 and September 9 with an action- packed line-up of exciting shows and events that will entertain and educate audiences from all ages and facilitate cultural exchange and dialogue. As H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, minister of culture, Bahrain, explained, the festival will focus on bringing people and nations together to engage and interact during a multi-cultural programme of shows and activities. The fifth edition of the event forms part of ’Manama: Capital of Arab Tourism 2013’ leisure tourism season, and will feature local, regional, and international music performances, theatrical plays, art exhibitions, and much more.
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MARKET UPDATE
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel COPY EDITOR
Abu Dhabi: Best May on Record Abu Dhabi’s 146 hotels and hotel apartments registered the best ever results for May, with guest numbers rising 21 percent year-on-year to 232,650, accounting for 716,041 guest nights.
T
Stefanie Saghbini SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
his figure, up 32 percent on the monthon-month comparison, is what H.E. Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, described as an extremely heartening result, as the capital’s tourism authority looks to achieve a greater traction to balance its supply and demand equation, he explained. “The destination represents incredible value-for-money when consumers take into
JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Derek Lainsbury DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi
account the increasing high standard of accommodation and services offered,” Al Muhairi further commented, adding that average length of stay improved nine percent to 3.08 nights. Meanwhile, occupancy rates nudged up seven percent to 67 percent lifting total revenues up 22 percent to AED439.5 million (USD119.7 million), and India became the emirate’s largest international source market, followed by the UK and Germany.
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
Dubai International: Passenger Traffic up 18.9 Percent
EMAILS
Dubai International racked up another month of double-digit growth after welcoming 4,388,614 travellers in May and recording a 18.9 percent rise in passenger traffic. With May being the sixth consecutive month where the airport has handled over five million passengers, year-to-date traffic is up 16.8 percent to over 27.1 million. In May, Western Europe topped the list of regions with the largest increase in total passenger numbers, followed by the GCC, and the Indian subcontinent, while the fastest growing destination proved to the Australia, with Saudi Arabia coming in second. In terms of total passenger number, India remains the top destination, while, based on percentage growth in passenger numbers, Eastern Europe was the strongest market.
info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of
19/07/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar
COUNTRY
CURRENCY
1USD=
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.00
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
3.75
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,511.50
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Syria (SYP)
Pound
104.7
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.29
Qatar (QAR)
Riyal
3.64
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.38
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.66
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
8.48
Iran (IRR)
Riyal
12,285.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.61
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
79.09
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.28
Jeddah’s Occupancy Reaches 84.3 Percent
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eddah’s hotel sector continued to post strong performance levels in May with occupancy reaching 84.3 percent, the highest level out of the seven MENA markets surveyed in TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats report. Average room rates (ARR) rose 17.8 percent to USD259.34, leading to a 19.7 percent and 25.2 percent growth in RevPAR and gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) to USD218.61 and USD178.46 respectively.
In Riyadh, the continued influx of supply resulted in a 2.7 percent decline in ARR to USD241.52. Occupancy levels rose 0.2 percent to 67.9 percent, RevPAR, however, dropped 2.4 percent to USD163.92, and GOPPAR fell 3.1 percent. According to Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting Middle East, this year looks even more challenging as the seasonality of demand is compounded by the increase in new supply. 20 JULY 2013
WEEKLY NEWS NCT&H: 20 Hotels by 2015 The National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels’ (NCT&H) asset management division aims to increase its current portfolio of 12 hotels within and outside the UAE to 20 properties by 2015. As Walid Nicolas Harouni, director, hotels division, NCT&H, explained, the asset management division represents one of the five most important divisions at NCT&H, which is set to grow further in the coming years. In addition, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman, NCT&H, has given instructions to the division to work for supporting and developing the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi, in particular, and the UAE in general, according to Harouni, who added that the division now plays a vital role in maximising NCT&H’s profits, which surged around 13.4 percent to AED34.6m (USD9.4 million) in the first quarter of the year.
RAK Airways: 40 Destinations by 2015 RAK Airways has revealed its network and fleet expansion plans in line with its endeavours to operate to 40 destinations by 2015. The airline, which now deploys two leased aircraft, will welcome new additions to its fleet before the end of the year, as Murabit Al Sawaf, CEO, RAK Airways, explained, further informing that during the first half of the year, passenger numbers rose 40 percent as the national carrier increased frequencies on a number of high-demand routes. “RAK Airways has an ambitious growth plan and the strategy is being studied to roll out the plan effectively, in a short span of time,” commented Al Sawaf. “We are working on diversifying travel options to Ras Al Khaimah, whether it is for business or tourism purposes.”
RAK Airways
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Emaar Residences at Makkah Clock Tower Unveiled
Al-Masjid Al-Haram
Emaar Middle East, a business subsidiary of Emaar Properties, has commenced the handover of Saudi Arabia’s first five-star serviced apartments in Emaar Residences at Makkah Clock Tower. Situated directly on the Haram Plaza, the 316 luxurious residences are located on levels 30-41 of Makkah Clock Tower, a Fairmont Hotel, and are serviced by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, adding to the convenience of the residents who can benefit from the diverse facilities of the hotel. The serviced apartments also feature a dedicated lobby offering residents direct access to their homes and the shopping mall, as well as views of the Holy Kaaba and Haram. As Ahmad Al Matrooshi, managing director, Emaar Properties, explained, the five-star serviced apartments have been designed to provide an inspiring experience for residents, who visit or stay in Mecca.
Nakheel Adds Hospitality and Leisure Division Nakheel has further expanded its business portfolio with the launch of a new division; Nakheel Hospitality and Leisure. The new division, headed by Thorsten Ries, managing director, Nakheel Hospitality and Leisure, will oversee the development and operations of the company’s growing number of hotels, beach clubs, and community centres, a key element in Nakheel’s business strategy. The developer is currently building a 240-room hotel at Dragon Mart, a 40-storey hotel at Nakheel Mall, another hotel complex on Palm Jumeirah, and an economy hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall, with further properties in the pipeline.
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WEEKLY NEWS
DAMAC Properties: 8,000 Serviced Hotel Apartments In line with Dubai’s ambitious plans to attract 20 million visitors by 2020, DAMAC Properties is developing almost 8,000 luxury serviced hotel apartments over the next three years, in addition to Paramount Hotel, Dubai, to cater to the anticipated demand. According to Ziad El Chaar, managing director, DAMAC Properties, even with more hotels coming online, given the destination’s exponential growth, demand is set to exceed supply by 2016. “The luxury serviced hotel apartments sector is currently underserved, despite a huge desire for visitors to experience five-star services in the comfort of their own homes,” claimed El Chaar. DAMAC Properties’ focus currently remains on The Signature in the Burj Khalifa area of Dubai, whose first hotel apartments began handover in June, with 355 units overlooking Burj Khalifa. Paramount Hotel Dubai
Wyndham Debuts in Iraq Ramada Sulaymaniyah Salim Street has opened its doors in Kurdistan, marking Wyndham Hotel Group’s foray into Iraq. Centrally located within easy reach of the city’s various cultural, historical, and commercial centres, the hotel features 58 guests rooms and 13 suites, a 728m2 theatre-style ballroom catering to up to 700 people, a number of dining options, and a spa with seven treatment rooms, indoor swimming pool, Turkish bath, saunas, and a whirlpool. “Wyndham Hotel Group constantly evaluates opportunities to enter new markets and bring our renowned brands and best-in-class service to new destinations,” commented Rui Barros, senior vice president, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group. “We look forward to offering business and leisure travellers in the market a new hotel experience, not to mention all of the benefits of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Wyndham Rewards.”
Minor International to Expand in the GCC Minor International is poised to further consolidate its presence in the GCC region and launch new projects in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman as well as Saudi Arabia. Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, part of the company, seeks to expand its footprint in the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific region to encompass 50 properties by 2015, and operate seven hotels in the Middle East only by the end of this year; five in Abu Dhabi, one in Dubai, and one in Qatar. Due to launch by year-end, Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort & Spa will feature 293 rooms, while Anantara Doha Island Resort & Spa will offer 141 units, with new tourism projects being carried out in Saudi Arabia and Oman, and future plans for the Pacific, such as Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
Hilton Worldwide Expands in Saudi Arabia Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with Al Hokair Group for its fourth property in Saudi Arabia. Located in Dhahran, known as the capital of the Eastern Province, the 153-room conversion property is expected to rebrand and reopen as DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran at the end of the year and will boast a range of amenities designed for both the business and leisure guest. “Our commitment to Saudi Arabia is steadfast as we continue to seek out the best possible opportunities at a range of locations to grow our brands and to serve Saudi Arabia’s many different communities,” commented Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide Middle East and Africa.
Sami Al Hokair, CEO, Al Hokair Group, (left), and John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. 20 JULY 2013
Accommodation
Promising Year for Rosewood Corniche Rosewood Corniche, situated in the heart of Jeddah’s fashionable northern corner, minutes away from key business, diplomatic, and designer shopping districts, bagged two prestigious awards in May. “This year has been a very promising year for the hotel and we estimate a healthy growth in occupancy and revenues by the end of the year,” Mohamed Karara, director of sales and marketing, Rosewood Corniche, commented, adding that year-to-date results have so far exceeded 2012’s figures across the board. “The peak season will last until the end of October, which also marks the end of the annual Hajj season. Leisure and business traffic will also reduce as the government will move back to Riyadh. We expect business travellers to resume their regular travels by November till end of the year,” Karara added.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Vida Downtown Dubai Opens Vida Downtown Dubai has welcomed its first guests, marking the launch of the first ‘urban lifestyle hub’ in the Vida Hotels and Resorts portfolio of Emaar Hospitality Group, and introducing an inspiring lifestyle that is set to appeal to the new generation of business executives, entrepreneurs, and leisure travellers. Located in close proximity to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, the hotel features 156 rooms, an array of distinct food and beverage concepts, outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and four meeting rooms adjoining the property’s outdoor areas. According to Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, Vida Hotels and Resorts will be a trend-setter for the region’s fast-growing hospitality sector; a stylish boutique hotel tailored for the new generation of guests.
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Accommodation
The SPA at Al Faisaliah Soon-to-Open Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, is gearing up to the launch what Alex Pichel, managing director, Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, and Hotel Al Khozama, A Rosewood Hotel, has described as the most ultra-luxurious spa in Saudi Arabia. The ladies-only The SPA at Al Faisaliah is set to span over four floors and measure 1,600m2 while features will include a traditional Hamam, Rhassoul, Vichy shower, ice fountain, VIP treatment suites, relaxation lounges, swimming pool, wellness studios, spa café, and a lifestyle store, just to name a few. According to Pichel, the spa will be bestowed with one-of-a-kind ambience, style, and attention to detail, having recently partnered with some of the world’s best skin care and beauty brands, including traditional- and regional-sourced and inspired services and products.
Emaar and Meraas Introduce Dubai Inn Emaar Properties and Meraas Holding have unveiled Dubai Inn, a new hotel brand dedicated to the affordable segment. As Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, explained, the hotels will be stylishly designed to create a brand new experience, and will also support the destination’s long-term strategy. “One of the key drivers to achieving the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020, to double the number of annual tourists to 20 million by the turn of the decade, is to offer a wider choice of affordable hotels that appeal to the new generation of travellers,” stressed Alabbar, adding that the brand is set to attract more travellers from Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, as well as the Middle East.
Ascott Expands in India The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has secured a contract to manage its first Ascott-branded serviced residence in India. Located in the heart of Ireo city, the 160-unit Ascott Ireo City Gurgaon is slated to open by 2016, and residents will be able to choose from a range of studio, one- and twobedroom apartments, and enjoy facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, and an in-house restaurant. According to Alfred Ong, managing director, strategic development, Ascott, Gurgaon, New Delhi’s flourishing satellite city, is one of India’s most promising hospitality markets, while Lee Chee Koon, CEO, Ascott, expressed conStarwood fidence in the Hotels country’s & Resorts long-term Worldwide economic has signed fundamentals an agreement and conwith tinuesJabal to see Omar potential Development for servicedCompany residences.to launch “With the three addition newof hotels Asin cott Meccreligious Ireo City Gurgaon, tourism continue we now have to nine expand prop-in Saudi erties Arabia, with more we believe than the 1,900time apartment is right units to in expand India,”our he added. portfolio in the country.” Ascott Ireo City Gurgaon
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WEEKLY NEWS
Air
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Al Bait Hotel Under Development
Al Bait Hotel
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has announced the commencement of ground works on the AED100 million (USD27.2 million) Al Bait Hotel in the Heart of Sharjah project. As Yousif Al Mutawa, manager, Heart of Sharjah, explained, during this phase of the development, the focus will be on studying the current infrastructure and the additional infrastructure needed before beginning construction work on the hotel facilities. Spreading 10,000m2, the luxury five-star hotel will comprise 54 guest rooms in a number of houses and buildings, five of which are heritage houses, offering guests the opportunity to experience the traditional Emirati lifestyle. “Al Bait Hotel is a truly unique project that will further consolidate Sharjah’s increasingly prominent position as a cultural tourist destination in Arabia,” added Al Mutawa.
JA Resorts & Hotels to Debut Internationally in September Enchanted Island Resort, JA Resorts & Hotels’ luxury retreat project in the Seychelles, is set to welcome its first guests on September 1. As David Thomson, chief operating officer, JA Resorts & Hotels, revealed, the secluded island hideaway will feature just 10 Creole-style villas in the middle of the National Marine Park with private plunge pools, beach access, four-poster beds, and outdoor rain showers. “Surrounded by the Indian Ocean’s blue waters and a vibrant marine life within a national reserve, guests can enjoy the island’s restaurant, bar, spa, and idyllic setting,” added Thomson, noting that the villas can be booked on an individual or exclusive basis.
Work to Begin on Dubai’s Underwater Hotel The management of Drydocks World and Maritime World (DDWMW) held a meeting with representatives of Deep Ocean Technology and BIG INVEST to discuss issues related to the proposed Water Discus Hotel project in Dubai, such as design, engineering aspects and structure, and increased levels of cooperation and collaboration between the parties. The futuristic developments, to be situated in all parts of the world, will bring guests a deluxe hotel combined with a real marine adventure and will comprise a number of discs, one of which will be underwater, at a depth of 1030m, allowing visitors to get in direct, albeit safe, contact with the flora and fauna of the ocean. According to H.E. Khamis Juma Buamim, chairman, DDWMW, the company is delighted to be involved in this first-of-its-kind and unique project.
Millennium Hotels & Resorts to Enter Jeddah Millennium Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Al Sharif Manour Bin Saleh Abu Rayash to open its first property in Jeddah. As Ramsay Rankoussi, manager, development planning and asset management, Middle East and Africa, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, explained, the new 325-key hotel is set to support the company’s growth commitment to the Saudi market where it currently has over 5,000 rooms in the pipeline. “The entry in Jeddah was strategic
20 JULY 2013
and we are pleased to have secured this hotel with Al Sharif Manour Bin Saleh Abu Rayash, a family-owned limited liability company that has major real estate exposure in Saudi Arabia and in the US,” he commented. Slated to open by 2017, the hotel will offer serviced apartments, branded residences, as well as guest rooms, and will further enhance the growth of the Millennium Executive Apartments brand as a component of the project.
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WEEKLY NEWS
Air
EVA Air Joins Star Alliance Taiwan-based EVA Air has joined the Star Alliance network, further strengthening the organisation’s presence in the Asia Pacific region. The membership enables EVA Air customers to benefit from the global network of 28 airlines, operating more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. As Austin Cheng, president, EVA Air, noted, the carrier will now be able to serve new customers from all corners of the globe and introduce its passengers to the seamless services and status recognition that the organisation provides. Welcoming the airline to the alliance, Tawfiq Assey, chairman, EGYPTAIR HOLDING, pointed out that with this move, many more customers will enjoy added travel options on the alliance’s wide network.
Emirates Upgrades Warsaw Service Emirates plans to deploy a Boeing 777-300 aircraft on the Dubai-Warsaw route as of January 1, 2014. Since the launch of the service in February, over 58,000 passengers have travelled with the airline to and from the Polish capital city, and, as Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, west, Emirates, explained, demand continues to increase. “With the introduction of the larger aircraft, we will offer more than 5,000 seats every week on the route to key destinations like Dubai, Bangkok, Delhi, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Australian network,” added Frach.
Emirates Boeing 777-300
Etihad Airways and Garuda Indonesia Join Forces Etihad Airways and Garuda Indonesia have commenced a new codeshare flight between Jakarta and Perth. Operated by the Indonesian flag carrier, the new daily non-stop service has added an extra 2,184 seats each week to the route, and, as James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, noted, this is expected to deliver benefits to both airlines and to their customers worldwide. “The Jakarta-Perth route adds a new dimension to our partnership with Garuda Indonesia which has developed in a mutually beneficial way since its signing [in October 2012] particularly in terms of operational and cost efficiencies,” explained Hogan, adding that the codeshare with the Indonesian carrier to Perth demonstrates the effectiveness of the airline’s partnership strategy, which enables Etihad Airways to continue its expansion in Australia and to contribute to tourism and economic growth. “We are confident that seamless two-way connections in Jakarta to Perth and Abu Dhabi, and beyond [...] will hold great appeal to travellers on the route,” he continued.
Jet Airways Launches New Flight via Abu Dhabi Jet Airways has commenced a new, seven-times-aweek service between Kochi and Kuwait, via Abu Dhabi International Airport. The Indian carrier currently operates 11 direct flights a week between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi along with seven direct weekly services between Delhi and the UAE capital. As Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operating officer, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, noted, the new route provides a vital link between two markets that are important for Abu Dhabi: India and Kuwait. Jaleel Khaled, regional general manager, Jet Airways, further highlighted that the Indian airline is looking forward to expanding its relationship with Abu Dhabi International Airport and stressed the team’s commitment to providing a high quality and reliable service to all passengers wishing to explore India, Abu Dhabi, and Kochi via this new route.
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WHO'S MOVED
Thierry Antinori Thierry Antinori has been appointed executive vice president and chief commercial officer in charge of commercial operations, revenue optimisation, destination and leisure management, Skywards, and Emirates SkyCargo at Emirates. Having worked for over 25 years in the aviation industry,
Antinori brings vast experience to the role. He joined Emirates in 2011 as executive vice president of passenger sales worldwide.
Having worked for over 25 years in the aviation industry, Antinori brings vast experience to the role
Samer Al Kabalan Samer Al Kabalan has been appointed general manager of Nehal Hotel, the first property of Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts in Abu Dhabi. Al Kabalan brings more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the role, along with excellent understanding of the operation and management requirements of running a hotel. Most recently, he served as hotel manager at Oasis Court Hotel Apartment in Dubai,
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and, formerly, also worked as part of Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman’s pre-opening team where he became rooms division manager. In his new position, Al Kabalan will manage the day-to-day activities of the newly-opened 134-room hotel, which includes supervision of the hospitality staff across all areas and division including food and beverage, front desk, housekeeping, and conference and banqueting.
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Mariana Sousa Mariana Sousa has joined Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi and Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi as director of communications. Sousa moves to the UAE capital from a luxury property in Lisbon, Portugal, where she held a similar position for five years. Prior to that, she worked as human resources and marketing
manager at an international law firm in London and Lisbon. Sousa, who holds diplomas in management and human resources, has a wealth of public relations experience, including social media management, development of marketing and social responsibility strategies, and the creation of marketing tools.
travel talk is your space
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TRAVEL TALK Peter Mansourian
John Slosar
General manager, Grand Millennium Dubai.
CEO, Cathay Pacific.
“I am delighted at the performance of all the team members, from the kitchen, housekeeping, front office, sales and marketing, security and stewarding through to operations and management. This is what makes us stand out from the competition. Guest satisfaction levels are among the best in the group, and this underlines the essence of the Grand Millennium Dubai; providing friendly but efficient service to keep guests coming back.”
“[Having been awarded the World’s Best Cabin Staff and Best Transpacific Airline hounors at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards], I believe that the Cathay Pacific team is the best and it is fantastic to see that our passengers see it the same way. I would certainly like to congratulate our cabin crew and everyone else in the Cathay Pacific team. [...] Special thanks must also go to all the passengers who voted us.”
Tim Clark
Mark Neukomm
President, Emirates.
General manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa.
“Being honoured with the [World’s Best Airline, the Best Middle East Airline, and the World’s Best Inflight Entertainment by Skytrax] is testament to our unrelenting effort to be the world’s best airline. We are constantly striving to offer our customers consistent, world-class service that extends from the moment they make their booking to the moment they arrive home at the end of their journey. These awards are widely regarded as the industry’s benchmark for excellence.”
“We are very proud of receiving [the Best Business Hotel in Manama] accolade for the eighth time. The award recognises the exceptional efforts of our ladies and gentlemen who continuously strive to provide the highest levels of service excellence and guest engagement, and testaments their fantastic teamwork.”
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: Alain El Khoury POSITION: General manager COMPANY: Lena Tours and Travel LOCATION: Lebanon WEB: www.lenatours.com Who are you? I am Alain El Khoury, general manager of Lena Tours and Travel, Lebanon, part of the international travel company Al Tayyar Travel Group. We design your dream vacations and travel plans and have the world at your reach by offering a wide variety of packages, tours, flight and accommodation arrangements, car rental, and much more, to suit all tastes and budgets, making sure to tailor your dream vacation with love and dedication. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? Basically, it is the learning experience and the understanding of multiple cultures that I like most in this industry. But, that is not all; it is also the exposure to the outside world and all the interesting sites to visit, and the chance to know your country better. It is the service orientation of your personality and the chance to be an ambassador to the world. When is the best time to visit Lebanon? Summer time, between May and September. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? Canada is a country I have not explored as yet. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Because of our international reach, professional guidance level, high expertise and knowledge in destinations, and competitive rates. Not only do we offer you the world abroad but also we operate as a leading destination management company promoting Lebanon to the entire world through our well-designed ‘discover Lebanon’ packages, accommodation, wholesale deals, tours, excursions and ground handling. […] We specialise in catering for individual travellers, groups, and incentive plans, event organisers and corporate travel arrangements.
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Travelport Introduces Emirates’ Inspire Me Travelport and Emirates have launched the Inspire Me travel application on the Gulf carrier’s website for consumers who want to travel but have no fixed destinations in mind. The tool presents an easy-tonavigate graphical map of the world and an expansive range of inspirational search capabilities to narrow down the ideal destination and desired travel experience, while selections are based on personal preferences and
Emirates’ global route network. Derek Sharp, president, global distribution sales and services, airline IT solutions, Travelport, commented that the new Emirates Inspire Me application epitomises what Travelport is bringing to the global travel industry through increased search capabilities, customisation. and control. “This is what we aspire to do for all travel service providers to help them compete and prosper,” he stressed.
Emirates' Inspire Me Application
Ramada Downtown takes part in German Workshop Located in Dubai’s most prestigious and vibrant district, Ramada Downtown, alongside other leading hotels, tour operators, and destination management companies, participated in German Workshop, organised by Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM). In the context of its ‘Summer is Dubai’ campaign, DTCM hosted 100 leisure travel agents from Germany in a four-day familiarisation trip and workshop to let them experience Dubai through the emirate’s renowned landmarks, heritage sites and shopping centres. Wael El Behi, general manager, Ramada Downtown, commented, “We fully support DTCM’s initiatives to promote Dubai as a premier summer destination. Ramada Downtown Dubai is delighted to take part in these campaigns and we hope that the travel agents from Germany enjoyed the best of what Dubai has to offer. In addition, our hotel’s strategic location and top-quality hospitality guarantee a memorable and well-appointed stay for tourists from Germany.”
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TRAVEL CHANNELS Al Ain Zoo Trains UAE Nationals in Switzerland
SCTA and Naqa Sign Agreement The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and the Saudi Anti-Smoking Society (Naqa) recently entered into an agreement of cooperation to fight against smoking in tourism facilities.
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R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, SCTA, pointed out that the commission is keen to support Naqa and expressed his appreciation for the great efforts by officials and volunteers from the society. He added that the recent ban on smoking, put into effect by SCTA in tourist accommodation facilities, tourism services, and tourism events across the Kingdom, is in line with the government’s decision to prohibit smoking in public places, and tourist sites and hotels come into this category. “We believe in this issue, and Naqa’s message on the citizen’s health is not just the concern of the government, but it concerns all sectors of society,” Abdul Aziz concluded.
Emirates to Open Aviation Experience Emirates has launched the first-of-its-kind indoor aviationthemed attraction, The Emirates Aviation Experience, in London. Located at the south side of the Emirates Air Line, UK’s urban cable car sponsored by the Gulf carrier, the new construction covers an area of almost 300m2 and provides an insight into the operations and modern achievements of commercial air travel. The project further features commercial flight simulators utilising full landscape visuals, allowing participants to practice their take-off and landing skills, and caters to people of all ages providing a fun and educational overview of what it takes to successfully get a 560 tonne aircraft off the ground and 12,200m into the sky.
Emirates Aviation Experience
In its endeavours to progress with its commitment to foster and cultivate Emirati talent, Al Ain Zoo recently welcomed back UAE nationals who completed management development training at the International Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, with which it partnered as part of its Emiratisation strategy in line with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. The zoo is already gearing up to send its fourth batch for training, with the curriculum including IMD’s Program for Executive Development, High Performance Leadership, Advanced Strategic Management, and Building on Talent. According to Ghanim Al Hajeri, director general, Al Ain Zoo, the development with UAE nationals is among the most vital tactics to ensure Al Ain Zoo expansion to an arid wildlife leader.
Royal Jet: First Intensive Care Intercontinental Patient Transfer Abu Dhabi-based international luxury flight services company, Royal Jet, has executed the first intercontinental transfer of a patient connected to a heart-lung machine. Royal Jet partnered with Epitop Medical as a team of German cardiologists and intensive care nurses flew the patient, who was scheduled for an emergency heart transplant, to Chicago. “Royal Jet, which is known for its pioneering medical evacuation service in the Middle East, prepared for this flight, keeping in mind the sensitive nature of the emergency and the patient’s condition,” explained Shane O’Hare, president, Royal Jet, adding that this was another first in a long list of over 1,600 medevac missions the company have carried out. Royal Jet
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RENDEZVOUS
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Q & A with David Ruetz Hailed as ‘the’ business-to-business platform to for trade visitors, the International Tourism Borse (ITB) Berlin provides a unique platform to discover the whole world within a few hours, and here David Ruetz, head, ITB Berlin, Messe Berlin, explains what makes the show a must-attend event for industry professionals from all over the globe.
Travel Trade Weekly: What makes ITB Berlin a must-attend event for the global tourism industry? David Ruetz: ITB Berlin is truly the world’s leading travel trade show. Not only are all sectors of the leisure market represented but ITB Berlin has also been staging the largest and most important convention of industry experts in the world since 2004. Experts from every source and destination country in the world find out about the latest industry trends and discuss business strategies at the accompanying ITB Berlin Convention. Furthermore, ITB Berlin is a platform where exhibitors can cultivate valuable business contacts. The volume of business negotiated and concluded at the show is in the order of EUR6 billion (USD7.99 billion). This is impressive proof that ITB Berlin gives exhibitors’ business a long-term boost. In addition, ITB Berlin offers an ideal fixed cost ratio compared to the volume of business initiated measured against the number of buyers (cost per contact) and ideal services and infrastructure. Travel Trade Weekly: This year, over 10,000 companies and organisations exhibited their products and services to 170,000 visitors, including 110,000 trade visitors. How many exhibitors and visitors did the show welcome from the Middle East and North Africa region? David Ruetz: ITB Berlin always sees a strong participation from the region. About five percent of the exhibitors at ITB Berlin come from the Middle East and North Africa region. The European and the German market is very
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David Ruetz Head, ITB Berlin, Messe Berlin.
exhibitor but also of a representative display of the industry. Every year, ITB Berlin attracts more and more decision-makers from abroad. ITB Berlin not only boasts the world’s most diverse and international range of exhibitors, but is also the event with the most trade visitors from abroad. In the light of these advantages, in terms of the value they offer, nothing can better face-to-face meetings at a trade fair. We make use of the many possibilities offered by the Internet and social networking sites in order to improve our trade fair services. However, they are no substitute for face-to-face meetings at trade fairs. Travel Trade Weekly: What can visitors and exhibitors expect from the next ITB events?
important to these countries. At ITB Berlin these exhibitors will meet more decisionmakers from all over the world than anywhere else. Nowadays, over 40 percent of buyers come from abroad. Travel Trade Weekly: What do you expect to be the major trends at the coming years’ travel trade shows? David Ruetz: Trade fairs are an extremely effective marketing instrument that offer excellent value for money. The costs of establishing customer contact at ITB Berlin are far below those of buyers’ business trips or of organising road shows. Equally, these contacts are of a higher quality, as meetings take place between interested and well-prepared business partners in the presence, not only of the products being offered by the
David Ruetz: We will continue to evolve ITB Berlin as the leading platform in its sector. The best way to ensure its success is to launch new initiatives like the ITB Buyers Circle in 2012. At ITB Berlin 2013, exhibitors were able sell their travel products on the weekend. For the first time, members of the general public did not only find out about travel destinations and draw inspiration from the wide range of products from exhibitors, but also booked their next trip at the show. We also featured a new matchmaking event that gave 100 exhibitors an opportunity to meet the same number of international bloggers. The travel bloggers represented a variety of sectors such as adventure, luxury, and family travel. This free service by ITB Berlin was aimed at helping exhibitors to improve their marketing of destinations and products and it was a huge success.
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NEWS & EVENTS
ADNEC Hosts ADSG Meeting Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) recently hosted Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG)’s second quarterly meeting to mark the organisation’s fifth anniversary celebrations. The event focused on knowledge sharing on sustainability reporting while it also examined the group’s operational aspects and provided an update on the progress against strategic goals and flagship programmes that ADSG and its members are working towards. Khaled Alsafi Al Hashmi, chief operating officer, ADNEC, said that as an effective member of ADSG since 2012, the company has demonstrated its commitment to endorsing an environmentally-conscious approach and developed a sustainability framework to include the flagship programmes introduced by ADSG. “Our sustainability initiatives are well aligned with these programmes. We are equally keen to extend this culture of sustainability to our suppliers and contractors,” he added.
eNett Reveals Hidden Costs A research conducted by eNett and PhoCusWright has uncovered an apparent gulf between perception and reality in terms of the true cost of payments in the travel industry. According to the study, many see credit card costs as a major concern, although they can eventually lead to a 37 percent saving compared to alternative paying methods. Organisations often look only at merchant fees and airline charges, without considering the cost of manual processing, reconciliation, fraud, processing charge-backs, and reporting on invoices and commissions across multiple payments platforms. The research found that 40 percent of the industry still operate in this way and for an agency, these processes can cost anywhere between USD300 and USD6,000 per week, which adds up to a worldwide total loss of more than USD1.5 billion per year. To help the industry understand the true cost of payments and realise the hidden costs and risks, eNett is releasing three whitepapers, providing professionals with a wider view of payment costs.
EVENTS Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention San Diego, US, August 4 – 7, 2013 (www.gbta.org) GBTA’s Convention will bring together thousands of business travel buyers and industry suppliers and a strong line-up of keynote speakers.
Group Leisure & Travel Trade Show Birmingham, UK, September 18 – 19, 2013 (www.leisureshow.com) One of Britain’s biggest annual group travel events with 200 exhibitors and 2,000 visitors.
International Meetings Industry and Business Travel Exhibition & Conference (MIBEXPO) Moscow, Russia, September 17 – 20, 2013 (www.mibexpo.ru) Dedicated to the most important issues of the business travel industry.
World Tourism Day (WTD) 2013 Maldives, September 27, 2013 (wtd.unwto.org) This year, WTD is being held under the theme ‘Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common Future’.
Food and Hospitality Oman Muscat, Oman, September 2 – 4, 2013 (www.foodandhospitalityoman.com) The event showcases a comprehensive range of services in the international food, beverage, and hotel industries.
The Hotel Show Dubai, UAE, September 28 – 30, 2013 (www.thehotelshow.com) Now in its 14th year, this show is a key meeting place for leading suppliers and buyers.
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