21 SEPTEMBER 2013
ISSUE 202
Abu Dhabi Introduces Ladies-only Cruises Abu Dhabi-based cruise tour operator, Belevari Marine, has become the region’s first company to offer fully-certified ladies-only cruises.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group recently announced the relaunch of Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait, after a threeyear renovation period.
05 Rotana Jet Connects Abu Dhabi and Bahrain Rotana Jet has commenced operations between Al Bateen Executive Airport and Bahrain, the carrier’s second international destination after Salalah, Oman.
09 IN THIS ISSUE WEEKLY NEWS
03
MARKET UPDATE
04
ACCOMMODATION
06
AIR
09
WHO’S MOVED
11
TRAVEL TALK
12
AGENT’S CORNER
13
TRAVEL CHANNELS
14
RENDEZVOUS
15
NEWS & EVENTS
16
Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait Reopens
6
WEEKLY NEWS Bringing the Shangri-La Experience to Life Over the past four decades, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has established its hallmark of ‘hospitality from the heart’ and, at present, more than 40,000 employees worldwide bring the brand’s philosophy to life. The ladies and gentlemen contributing to the group’s success include employees working at various departments. At Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, for instance, Mohm Kassim bin Abdulla has been tending the hotel’s 6ha garden for four decades, while at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu, Irene Tan works as a marine biologist, observing the plant and animal life forms at the resort’s 6ha marina sanctuary. As a tea sommelier, Sheena Brady has concocted various tea beverages and tea-infused pastries at Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto, similar to her counterpart, Kenneth Law, at Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong. Meanwhile, at Kerry Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai, the hotel’s executive pastry chef, Francois Pietri, created the lollipop-shaped Kerry Pops which have proved a huge success with guests. Keeping everything spotless at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, is executive housekeeper, Christine Wong, whose tasks include cleaning the hotel’s chandeliers every three months.
Frequent Flyers Not Loyal to Loyalty Programmes According to Deloitte’s Rising above the Clouds: Charting a course for renewed airline consumer loyalty survey, airline loyalty programmes are not as effective as they could be in driving loyalty among their core audience of frequent travellers. Based on the survey, 72 percent of high-frequency business travellers participate in two or more programmes, while one-third is involved in four or more,prompting airlines to focus on personalising the customer experience in a way that makes individual travellers feel special, according to Jonathan Wall, assistant director, hospitality and real estate advisory, Middle East, Deloitte. The report also shows that two-thirds of overall respondents are receptive to the idea of switching to a competing loyalty programme, and, even more importantly, travellers overall and a section of those from the business segment, ranked loyalty programmes as the 19th and 18th most important attribute, respectively, when selecting an airline.
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Golden Tulip Sharjah Participates in Training
Golden Tulip Sharjah’s Team
The executive team of Golden Tulip Sharjah attended a course delivered by Riad Bejjani, regional human resources and training manager, Golden Tulip MENA, focusing on presentation skills, performance management - assessment process, and business writing skills. While the management took part in various activities, role plays, and assessments to further develop their know-how and widen their expertise, the hotel’s employees had the chance to improve their customer service and non-verbal skills. According to Selim El Hage, general manager, Golden Tulip Sharjah, in support of the hotel’s commitment to employee development, partnerships, and organisational enrichment, the management will be conducting trainings frequently in line with the company’s regional training programme.
Hoteliers Remain Upbeat TripAdvisor has revealed the results of what is considered the world’s largest accommodation and traveller survey, the TripBarometer by TripAdvisor, which gathers the views of over 19,000 travellers and more than 10,000 accommodation business owners around the world. Based on the study, in the Middle East, 46 percent of respondents are planning to spend more on travel in 2014, while in Africa, 59 percent expect to increase their travel budget, compared to 56 percent in Europe, and 74 percent in Asia. Correspondingly, in the Middle East and Africa, 72 percent and 70 percent of hoteliers feel optimistic about making a profit in 2014, respectively, versus 56 percent in Europe, and 74 percent in Asia.
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MARKET UPDATE
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel COPY EDITOR
MEA Posts Mixed Results for July The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region recorded a 5.6 percent year-on-year rise in average daily rate (ADR), to USD147.82, this July, according to data compiled by STR Global.
M
Stefanie Saghbini SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
eanwhile, occupancy plummeted 13.5 percent to 49 percent, and RevPAR dropped 8.6 percent to USD72.37, compared to July 2012. While occupancy levels in Doha rose 9.5 percent to 48.2 percent, Cairo experienced a sharp decrease of 60.1 percent in the same metric, as occupancy fell to 16.6 percent, versus the corresponding month in 2012. The largest ADR growth was reported
JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi
from Jeddah, where rates surged 13 percent to USD258.81, while in Beirut figures declined 20.2 percent to USD157.03. Similarly, RevPAR climbed 6.3 percent to USD203.68 in the Saudi city while the Qatari capital recorded an increase in RevPAR of 2.5 percent to USD83.96. In the Egyptian and Lebanese capital cities, however, the same metric dropped 62 percent to USD16.68, and 43.5 percent to USD60.73, respectively.
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
20/09/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar
COUNTRY
CURRENCY
1USD=
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
6.90
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
129.73
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.28
Qatar (QAR)
Riyal
3.64
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.38
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.64
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
8.28
Iran (IRR)
Riyal
24,790.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.86
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
81.60
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.25
Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Profit Decline in July The hotel sectors of Abu Dhabi and Dubai recorded slight declines in profitability and revenue during the month of July, as a result of the traditionally slower summer and Ramadan season, TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats report has revealed. In the capital, RevPAR was down 3.8 percent to USD52.98, while occupancy levels rose 0.5 percentage points to 50.1 percent, and gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) also remained below 2012 levels. In Dubai, the reduction in RevPAR by 16.8 percent to USD107.45 was induced by the 12.5 percent decline in occupancy to 54.6 percent.
Dubai
Egypt’s Hotel Sector Challenged
J
uly proved to be a challenging month for the Egyptian hotel sector, as TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats survey showed. In Cairo, the results illustrate a 23.5 percent plunge in occupancy levels to 21.3 percent leading to a drop in RevPAR of 46 percent to USD25.31. Meanwhile, average room
rate (ARR) rose 13.4 percent to USD118.68 and gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) plunged 88.1 percent. In Sharm El Sheikh, RevPAR dropped 10.4 percent to USD23.41 as occupancy fell 7.5 percent to 58.2 percent, and ARR improved 1.2 percent to USD40.24, leading to a GOPPAR decline of 20.6 percent. 21 SEPTEMBER 2013
WEEKLY NEWS Abu Dhabi Introduces Ladies-only Cruises Abu Dhabi-based cruise tour operator, Belevari Marine, has become the region’s first company to offer fully-certified ladies-only cruises following the appointment of two female captains. The move comes in response to the growing demand for activities that cater to the female-only market and is expected to receive positive response from regional customers. As Amanda Hyden, captain, Belevari Marine, noted, sea cruises with an all-ladies crew and female captain allow guests to experience the natural beauty of the Arabian Gulf in a comfortable, qualified, and safe environment. Cathy Alvadaro, captain, Belevari Marine, further revealed, “Schedules and timings for ladies’ cruises are kept confidential and will only be dealt with by the two female captains.”
Muscat Grand Mall Launches MGM Walk Muscat Grand Mall has introduced a new initiative to encourage members of the community to lead healthy lifestyles by exercising and window shopping at the same time. The MGM Walk programme is offered every day and covers a 1km walk inside the capital city’s newest mall, which has also drawn up favourable routes to help those participating to map the area they have covered. “At Muscat Grand Mall, our aim is to help promote a healthy lifestyle by offering Muscat residents the opportunity to use our premises, which provide a convenient, safe, and climate controlled atmosphere, to stay fit,” commented Hassan Jaboub, general manager, Muscat Grand Mall, adding that with over 120 outlets, the mall gives customers a lot to explore while also benefitting their health. MGM Walk
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Abu Dhabi to Boost Golf Tourism Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has launched a series of ‘Play, Stay and Watch’ packages in a bid to increase international attendance at the upcoming Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which will run between January 16 - 19, 2014, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Golf aficionados can choose from three-, five-, and seven-night packages, which also include varying options for flights, on-ground transfers, accommodation, tee-times at the emirate’s six diverse playing facilities, and access to the popular attractions. Having attracted 61,240 fans over four days to this year’s event, TCA Abu Dhabi is now targeting international attendance of 15 percent at the championship. “We cannot achieve our goals alone and we need our partners to help us boost the tournament’s international visitor numbers,” commented Faisal Al Sheikh, director, events bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi, adding that a range of new incentives have been devised to encourage tour operators and trade representatives to engage their clients.
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WEEKLY NEWS
Accommodation
Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait Reopens Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group recently announced the relaunch of Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait, after a three-year renovation period. Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group, commented that the reopening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Kuwait, signifies the launch of a new chapter in the property’s history, from where Kurt Ritter, former president, The Rezidor Hotel Group, grew the Radisson Blu brand across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. The iconic and newly-improved property underwent KWD15 million (USD52.6 million) of investment which transformed it both structurally and decoratively. The hotel now offers a five-star modernised interior, while its 191 guest rooms, including six junior suites, 16 executive suites, six deluxe suites, one admiral suite, and one presidential suite, deliver Radisson Blu signature services.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara Honoured Following a comprehensive audit by Farnek Consulting, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Abu Dhabi, has been awarded international Green Globe Certification (GGC). The 206-unit hotel’s room management system, which controls air conditioning and lighting, has so far this year delivered a 22 percent reduction in electricity costs along with a 37 percent cutback in propane. A waste segregation and recycling room has also been created and the hotel now recycles 13 percent of its overall rubbish, while an onsite sewerage treatment plant has helped a significant reduction in water consumption. According to Wael Soueid, general manager, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, sustainability is not a fad or a project; it has to become integral to the operational procedure.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Unveils Italian Restaurant
Villa Toscana
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi has opened its eighth restaurant, Villa Toscana; a residential dining destination, which is set to become a gathering place for the city’s increasingly up-market patrons and global visitors alike. Serving hand-crafted, regional specialties, the artisanal Italian restaurant’s interior design bridges tradition and elegance, while its menu represents a culinary path through the European country, incorporating fine ingredients and preferred seasons along the way. Families and larger groups can meet up for a journey of culinary surprise at the restaurant’s communal dining table, hailed as the first in the city, or at the open kitchen, while the separate private tables, set away from the liveliness of the entry way, offer a more intimate atmosphere for couples and business parties.
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi Expands Horizon Club In line with Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi’s endeavours to cater to the growing number of business travellers and leisure guests while maintaining high standards of personalised service and special privileges, 22 of the 46 rooms on level four have been converted to Horizon Club rooms. Coinciding with the one year anniversary of the hotel’s executive retreat, 17 deluxe and
five premier rooms have been added to the club’s room and suite inventory, which already includes 24 rooms on levels five and six. Guest staying in Horizon Club rooms and suites enjoy a range of privileges, including meet and greet service, private in-room check-in, dedicated club concierge team, and access to the exclusive Horizon Club Lounge, among others. Horizon Club
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WEEKLY NEWS
Accommodation
Park Inn by Radisson Muscat Adds to Meeting Facilities
Meeting facilities at Park Inn by Radisson Muscat
In response to the growing demand for meeting and events spaces, Park Inn by Radisson Muscat has revamped its conference and banqueting facilities. The hotel, centrally located in Al Khuwair, has expanded the capacity of its three meeting rooms through partition, in a bid to obtain and accommodate larger groups, while the banqueting menus have also been upgraded to offer guests a choice of food options suited for meetings and events of all kinds.
Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai Targets Scandinavia A management team from Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai will join an official delegation from the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing on a roadshow around Scandinavia slated to take place between October 7 - 10, with the aim to increase business from the northern countries of Europe. It is the first time that the hotel has specifically targeted the business and leisure markets in the region, however Scott Butcher, general manager, Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai, expects a good response, particularly following the boost in nonstop flight connections between Scandinavia and Dubai.
Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai
Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha Hosts Music Event The Q Underground lounge at Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha launched another magical musical experience, titled ’Raaga Factory’. The first of a series of shows took place on September 6, while the others are scheduled for the last Friday of every month. Mitun de Sarkar, proprietor, Simply Healthy, is one of the performing artists who revealed that the event will bring a mix of jamming sessions, unplugged classical recitals, and a selection of instruments from old and modern age, for those seeking fun times and an experience with a difference.
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Air
Mahan Air Launches Dubai Flights In line with its commitment to provide passengers with greater choice to key business and leisure destinations across Iran and the world, Mahan Air has introduced scheduled services to Dubai. The new route, which is being operated twice weekly from Mashhad, is set to ultimately benefit the large Iranian expatriate community in the UAE and offer more flexibility for business and leisure travellers as well as pilgrims visiting Iran’s second most populous city. The Iranian carrier is deploying an Airbus A310 and Airbus A300 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the route.
WEEKLY NEWS
9
SpiceJet Connects Pune and Sharjah SpiceJet is to launch scheduled flights between Pune and Sharjah, effective from September 21. The new route is set to significantly improve connectivity between the third largest emirate and the Indian metropolis. The low-cost carrier will be deploying its new generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the route, which will mark its third service to Sharjah after Varanasi and Lucknow. In the past months, the airline, which also operates four daily flights to Dubai from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kochi, has been rapidly expanding its global footprint with the addition of a number of new routes in the Middle East and Asia, including the recently-introduced service between Ahmedabad and Muscat.
Etihad Airways Introduces Flying Nanny A dedicated in-flight child care assistance programme for families, led by the introduction of a new Flying Nanny on board long-haul flights, was launched by Etihad Airways. During the past two months, 300 Etihad Airways cabin crew members went through enhanced training for the role from Norland College, concentrating on child psychology and sociology, while a further 60 are set to be trained this month. The airline expects that by the end of the year, 500 flying nannies will be working across Etihad Airways’ flights. “Flying with a young family can be a daunting task, even for the most experienced travellers, and the Flying Nanny role demonstrates our understanding of our guests’ needs and our commitment to making the journey as relaxing and comfortable as possible,” explained Aubrey Tiedt, vice president, guest services, Etihad Airways.
Flying Nanny
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SpiceJet
Rotana Jet Connects Abu Dhabi and Bahrain Rotana Jet has commenced operations between Al Bateen Executive Airport and Bahrain, the carrier’s second international destination after Salalah, Oman. The new service, which is being operated twice a week, demonstrates the airline’s commitment to consolidate its presence across the region, as Rajendran Vellapalath, director, commercial and planning, Rotana Jet, explained, “[This year] will continue to be one of Rotana Jet’s biggest years of expansion addressing the underserved markets that our strategy has focused on. As we continue to grow and receive more aircraft, we will look at other opportunities to expand our network and further strengthen our brand presence. This includes the GCC region initially.” Vellapalath also believes that Bahrain is yet another example of the company’s commitment to provide passengers with choice and great value with easy access.
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WEEKLY NEWS
Air
Oman Air Gains ISO Accreditation Oman Air Learning and Development, which operates from the Oman Air Training Centre in Muscat and works to enhance standards in civil aviation by providing training to the airline’s staff and members of the public, has been awarded ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System certification. The ceremony, which was held in August at Golden Tulip Seeb, Mus-
cat, saw Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Zadjali, senior manager, Oman Air Learning and Development, and Abdulaziz Alraisi, chief officer, management affairs, Oman Air, receive the accolade on behalf of the company. Alraisi stated that this certificate allows companies to continue implementing global standards in education and to commit to strategic planning for the future need and ongoing success.
Emirates Commences Services to Stockholm Emirates has further expanded its European reach with the start of its daily nonstop service to Stockholm, on September 5. The Swedish capital is an important centre for business, industry, and services in Scandinavia, with an average annual GDP growth of 3.5 percent forecast for the coming years, attested Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, west, Emirates, who was aboard the inaugural flight to Stockholm. The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft operating on the route is well-appointed with eight private suites in first class, 42 lie-flat seats in business class, and ample space for 216 customers in economy class, while in addition to passenger operations, Emirates SkyCargo offers 17 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity between the two cities. Stockholm
Qatar Airways Touches Down in Chengdu Qatar Airways has further expanded its operations in China with the launch of thrice weekly scheduled services to Chengdu, the airline’s sixth destination in the Asian country. As Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, noted, Chengdu is set to play a vital role in the next wave of economic development in western China, therefore it is hardly surprise, he added, that nearly half of the world’s 500 top companies have opened offices in the city, which is aiming to become the country’s fastest growing aviation hub.
Etihad Cargo Handles Record July Tonnage Etihad Cargo posted a record monthly uplift in figures for July of 45,000 tonnes, representing a 37 percent rise on the same month in 2012, mainly due to increases in key export markets such as India, Hong Kong, and China, and demand into the Middle East for foodstuffs ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan, predominately from The Netherlands. Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub also posted record tonnage for July with 70,500 tonnes handled into, out of, and through the cargo facilities, which are now part of the airline’s subsidiary organisation, Etihad Airport Services - Cargo. “To meet the future demand for cargo at our Abu Dhabi hub, planning is also underway to develop the East Midfield site for a new state-of-the-art integrated cargo terminal,” explained Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, adding that the recent arrival of Etihad Cargo partner carriers into Abu Dhabi also cements the importance of the emirate as a key point of integration and partnership in global cargo networks.
Akbar Al Baker
“The opening of Chengdu shows our commitment to a vibrant and flourishing economy in the country’s next key economic and transportation hub,” Al Baker added.
21 SEPTEMBER 2013
WHO'S MOVED
Michel Nader
Nur Shaffik Haris Nur Shaffik Haris has been appointed general manager for the UAE and the Gulf region by Malaysia Airlines. Haris, who holds an honours degree in commerce from Australia, has been with Malaysia Airlines for 16 years and was most recently based in Mumbai as the general manager for West India. Prior to this, he served as area manager in Bangladesh and
also held various administration support functions which helped him gain a wealth of experience in the aviation industry. In his new role, Haris will spearhead the expansion of the airline’s foothold in the region.
Haris has been with Malaysia Airlines for 16 years
Michel Nader has been appointed general manager at Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel. In his position, he will report to Guido de Wilde, senior vice president and regional director for the Middle East. Nader, who has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, took on his first role at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in 1999 as assistant food and beverage
Salah AlShawosh Salah AlShawosh has assumed the position of country manager for Ethiopia at Gulf Air. AlShawosh takes on his new role after working in India where he served as airport manager in Mumbai for six years. With a career spanning almost 30 years, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, in which his immediate focus
21 SEPTEMBER 2013
will be on further strengthening existing relationships with travel agents and other key stakeholders in Ethiopia to drive the commercial performance of the market where the Bahraini carrier currently operates six weekly services.
AlShawosh’s immediate focus will be on further strengthening existing relationships
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manager at Le Bristol Hotel in Beirut. Over the years, he has held various management positions in Lebanon, Egypt, and Spain.
Over the years, Nader has held various management positions in Lebanon, Egypt, and Spain
Yasmin Sati Yasmin Sati has been appointed director of public relations at Four Seasons Hotel Amman. Sati graduated with a masters degree in print journalism in 2002, and has been working in the fields of journalism and public relations ever since. Sati, who is also a certified copywriter from the Institute of Copywriting in the UK, brings along with her a vast
background. Prior to joining the hotel’s team, she worked at a reputable public relations agency for seven years, boasting a wide range of experience with corporations and industries. Sati’s new position marks her first venture into the hotel and hospitality industry, and she is very excited about pursuing her new career.
TRAVEL TALK
travel talk is your space
12
Khalid Motik
Faisal Al Sheikh
Director, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.
Director, events bureau, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
“Over the last months, as a result of the cooperation and continuous efforts together with our partners and investors, the authority has achieved many goals in various fields including upgrading the hotels and resorts inventory, expanding the tourist attractions, as well as opening new sports facilities in the emirate. [...] The latest addition to Ras Al Khaimah’s offering is the sailing and motorised catamaran yacht, Freedom, [which] takes guests on scenic cruises along the Ras Al Khaimah coast, starting from the Cornice.”
“The Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has been hailed by many as arguably the best in the world. We have three championship-ready golf courses all within a 25-minute radius, stunning marinas including a dedicated site that was built to host the Volvo Ocean Race, which is now a centre point for all sailing in the capital, world-class tennis stadiums, and stunning natural landscapes, which lend themselves to many great [sports] events.”
Craig Senior Head of sales and marketing, Meydan Hotels & Hospitality.
“We are continually adding new facilities and activities. At the Meydan the tennis academy is now fully operational; the nine-hole flood lit golf course at Meydan provides the opportunity to play golf through to 22:00. Meydan Beach at the Dubai Marina opened in September 2012. In addition, guests can visit the stables via an organised tour, along with our existing recreation of the shooting simulator located at the hotel.”
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
21 SEPTEMBER 2013
AGENT'S CORNER
AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Fahad Bin Ibrahim Al-Jarboa POSITION: CEO COMPANY: Al Tayyar Travel Group LOCATION: Saudi Arabia WEB: www.altayyaronline.com
Who are you? I am Dr. Fahad Bin Ibrahim Al-Jarboa, CEO of Al Tayyar Travel Group. In the past I have been assistant vice president for marketing and media in the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities and vice president for marketing and sales for the National Agricultural Development Company. Al Tayyar Travel Group provides all travel and tourism services to our customers, including reservation, ticketing for all major domestic, regional and international flights, follow-up and confirmation of reservation, as well as ticketing for land, sea, and train transportation facilities. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? This is a great industry for networking with a cross section of the society and serving people. When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia? Saudi Arabia is best visited between October and April. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? Germany and France. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Al Tayyar has more than 32 years of cumulative travel and tourism experience, and we are the largest travel group in the Middle East, allowing us to have stronger real partnerships with hotels and suppliers worldwide with exclusive treatment and offerings. We have the largest network of branches in the Kingdom, and offices in every airport in Saudi Arabia, [that is] 28 offices in 26 airports, which allows us to serve our customers with great expertise at their convenience. Al Tayyar Travel Group also has a 24/7 call centre and its fully owned online booking engine, providing reliable products and services to all our customers any day of the week at any time. We have also invested in dedicated ladies branches that serve female customers with ease and comfort.
The Appointment Group Chooses Travelport Travelport has announced a long-term agreement with The Appointment Group, an awardwinning, international travel and event management company. Under the deal, the group will migrate to Travelport’s Galileo global distribution system (GDS), giving its Australian-based agents full access to the technology provider’s extensive air, hotel and car content. The Appointment Group is headquartered in London and has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Melbourne, while it has already established agreements with Travelport both in the UK and the US, making the
decision to align its systems in Australia an essential necessity, as Maurice Veronique, chairman, The Appointment Group, confirmed, “Our decision to sign with Travelport Australia is in line with our global expansion strategy within a very specialised market. The Galileo GDS provides us with a wealth of content for our clients, and Travelport’s exciting range of products offers the latest in travel technology, enabling us to work more efficiently.” Meanwhile, Alex Fitzpatrick, general manager, Pacific, Travelport, expressed his excitement that the group has chosen to migrate to travelport in Australia.
Sabre Signs with University of Jordan Sabre Travel Network Middle East (Sabre) has signed a three-year exclusive partnership agreement with University of Jordan to provide its faculty of archaeology and tourism with the software and training support needed in order to start offering Sabre-certified courses. Travel agencies across the Middle East region use Sabre’s wide product range as tools to maximise the offering to their customers, and as such the university’s students need to have access to that knowledge and expertise, according to Ekhleif Tarawneh, president, University of Jordan, who thanked Sabre for its support. Darren Wickham, managing director, Sabre, supported that the travel technology solutions provider is committed to investing in the development of local Jordanian talent by partnering with the top training schools, offering students a Darren Wickham (left), and Shtaywy leg up when they enter the Abdalla, vice president, administrative competitive travel industry. and finance affairs, Jordan University
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Ras Al-Khore Wildlife Sanctuary Joins WLI Ras Al-Khore Wildlife Sanctuary (RAKWS), supervised by Dubai Municipality, has been enlisted in Wetland Link International (WLI), a global network of wetland education centres.
“R
AKWS is the first wetland in the UAE to be recognised as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention. It is a matter of pride that it has recently been accepted as a member of WLI based in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, UK,” commented Hamdan Al-Shaer, director, environment department, Dubai Municipality. As Mohammed Abdul Rahman, head, marine environment and wildlife section, environment department, Dubai Municipality, further explained, the network, which boasts 350 wetland education centres across six continents, defines such a centre, as a place where there is interaction between people, wildlife, and communications, education, and public awareness activity occurs in support of wetland conservation aims. “Being in the forefront of wetland management in the country, the membership of RAKWS with the WLI enhances its opportunity to contribute to the global efforts in educating people of the importance of wetland,” Abdul Rahman added.
Qatar and Uganda Sign Open Sky Agreement Qatar, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has signed an open sky air services agreement with Uganda. The deal allows Qatar Airways, as the national flag carrier to operate an unlimited number of weekly services, both passenger and cargo, between the Middle Eastern state and the East African country. The agreement was officially signed by Ebrahim Abdulqader AlJanahi, director, air safety department, CAA, and Kalumba Kagawa, assistant commissioner, air transport, Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda, on the authority’s premises.
National Museum of Riyadh Reaches out to People of Special Needs
Saudi Arabia Concludes Participation in UNWTO Assembly
As part of the ‘Museum Education Program Plans’, National Museum Riyadh organised an awareness lecture entitled ‘Museum Education – Concept and Objectives’. Delivered by Dr. Arwa Akhdar, specialist in the education of people of special needs, who is also involved with people with hearing disabilities, the lecture highlighted ways of dealing with students with special needs and presented various examples from different countries of the possibility of applying such approaches in the Kingdom. The event fell under the Cultural Dimension Initiative’s ‘Museum Education Program Plans’ that aims to develop the performance of museums in Saudi Arabia, and marked another significant step in the National Museum’s endeavours to emphasise the cultural and educational importance of such actions.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA), recently concluded its participation in the 20th session of the General Assembly of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which was held from August 24 - 29 at Victoria Falls, in Zambia and Zimbabwe. During his speech in the event, Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Dakheel, advisor, H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, SCTA, emphasised that the Kingdom will continue to support the efforts of UNWTO, which aim to achieve recommendations of the UN regarding tourism statistics and tourism subaccount. In addition, he highlighted the leading experience of SCTA in applying tourism subaccount which has contributed to a quality shift in obtaining tourism data and using them for the development of the sector. In conclusion, members of the General Assembly agreed to re-appoint Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, for a new term 2014 - 2017.
National Museum, Riyadh
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RENDEZVOUS
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Q & A with Bill Loveday Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, is a special place where the spirit of the French Riviera meets the soul of Saadiyat, according to Bill Loveday, general manager, Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, who shares his views here on the private club concept’s development in the region.
Travel Trade Weekly: As the new general manager of Saadiyat Island’s first private beach club, what are your main priorities?
Bill Loveday General manager, Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat
Bill Loveday: My main priorities will be to continue the successful growth of membership and usage of the club while ensuring the delivery and enhancement of a premium quality experience. Travel Trade Weekly: Having worked at some of the most exclusive clubs in the world, how do you see the private club concept evolving in the Middle East? Bill Loveday: For more than 25 years, I have been part of the club industry in the US and GCC. I came to the Middle East seeing the potential to improve the development and refinement of the offering of the private club business model, which is still a fairly new concept here. One of the main differences is the desire and perception of exclusivity by club members. The term ‘private’ club stands for a privileged, vibrant and successful business that everybody wants to be part of. It becomes their second family and identity. In this region, clubs tend to open access for the greater community, mostly through their dining outlets. Exclusivity is then defined by how you enhance the lifestyle of your members. Travel Trade Weekly: Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, was Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM)’s first venture in the region. What makes Abu Dhabi the perfect fit for the brand? Bill Loveday: The audacious nature of the de-
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mopolitan venue where they can enjoy both the facilities and dining, receiving a first-class experience. Members share the same values as the club; luxurious and creative way of life with a traditional and modern approach. The synergies in between Tourism Development & Investment Company’s properties have led us to welcome the communities looking for an alternative to the hotel offer, whether to enjoy a special getaway from Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Travel Trade Weekly: Tell us about your plans for the coming months.
velopment of Abu Dhabi mirrors the making of Monaco. With the formation of SBM and support of the royal family, the town of Monte-Carlo has been developed into a globally revered entertainment destination, delivering a unique lifestyle in terms of gastronomy, art and culture, tourism, and leisure for over 150 years. Abu Dhabi shows the same vision than Monte-Carlo with similar major events held in the capital: Etihad F1 Grand Prix, Mubadala tennis championship, music festival and art fair [...]. Travel Trade Weekly: How would you describe your clientele? Bill Loveday: Interest and appreciation of the club from Abu Dhabi leaders and community, both Emirati and expatriates, have risen significantly since the opening. Our clientele is looking for a unique, peaceful and cos-
Bill Loveday: Enhancing our offer comes first, especially with the increasing membership; entertainment is part and parcel of the legend of Monaco that continues here in Abu Dhabi. Our guests join us to open their senses with gourmet dinners and live music on a daily basis in an outstanding décor. From the stylishly, contemporary Sea Lounge to smart casual restaurant Le Deck, Monte-Carlo Beach Club Saadiyat will ensure a magical experience to our guests. As part of our main event this year is the 150 year anniversary of our parent company Monte-Carlo SBM in October. We are also developing additional activity programmes for the kids at the club facilities with beach sports, boot camps and other healthy pursuits to ensure fun for the youngest and pure relaxation for our guests. In the pipeline for 2013-14 are exciting partnerships with some renowned hotels in neighbouring areas, which will benefit the club, our members, and discerning Saadiyat Island as the new world class leisure and tourist hub.
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NEWS & EVENTS
Jeddah to Host Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions Forum Under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, emir of Mecca region, Jeddah will organise the first Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions Forum. The two-day event will be held on November 3 - 4 under the supervision of the National Program for Exhibitions and Conferences and will include a scientific programme in which a number of national and international speakers specialised in exhibition and conference industry will take part. The first Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions Forum is organised in conjunction with the launch of the five-year plan for the development of the exhibition and conference sector in the Kingdom, in addition to updating and issuing regulations and procedures for activating the role of the National Program for Exhibitions and Conferences. An accompanied exhibition will be held on the sidelines of the event that will be attended by the management of exhibitions and conference facilities as well as industry suppliers and operators in the Kingdom.
ILTM Africa 2014 Expands Following the successful first International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa held in Cape Town earlier this year, Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced that ILTM Africa 2014 will expand to include a third day of pre-scheduled appointments for the elite of the African luxury travel industry, to meet with up to 150 Africa specialists from across the globe. During the event, which will take place at the Cape Town International Conference Centre between April 28 - 30, 2014, over 8,500 targeted luxury travel business meetings are already planned, while confirmed participants include Wilderness Safaris, Dare to Explore, Victoria Falls’ Elephant Camp, Western Cape’s Grand Dedale, and Virgin Limited Edition. In 2012, inbound tourism arrivals to Africa reached a record figure of 53 million, initiating African luxury travel specialists to increasingly create travel itineraries for high net worth individuals worldwide.
EVENTS 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’.
Cityscape Global Dubai, UAE, October 8 – 10, 2013 (www.cityscapeglobal.com) The 12th edition of the Middle East’s largest and most influential property event with more than 200 international and regional exhibitors.
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.
International Tourism Bourse (ITB) Asia Singapore, Singapore, October 23 – 25, 2013 (www.itb-asia.com) A three-day business-to-business trade show and convention where exhibitors meet with top international buyers from the MICE, leisure and corporate travel markets.
MICE Middle East Forum (MMEF) Dubai, UAE, October 1, 2013 (www.miceforumme.com) A must-attend event for professionals from all facets of the industry that are involved in conferences, corporate hospitality, cultural and sporting events and more.
Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions Forum Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, November 3 – 4, 2013 (www.saudicef.com) The Kingdom’s leading conference and exhibition for the MICE industry with over 700 stakeholders of the Saudi and regional sector.
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