Travel Trade Weekly Issue 176

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23 MARCH 2013

ISSUE 176

Al Ain Zoo Offering Zoo Safaris Zoo Safaris will once again return to Al Ain Zoo this spring to offer children an exciting and educational experience.

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, has opened its doors, marking the luxury hotel operator’s debut in the UAE capital and its ninth property in the Middle East.

06 DAMAC Maison to Service Luxury Hotel Apartments DAMAC Maison, a new luxury management company, has been set up to provide hotel management services.

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

02 04 06 10 13 15 16 17 18 19 20

The Ritz-Carlton Debuts in Abu Dhabi

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RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Lakshmi Durai Royal Caribbean Cruises operates to over 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents, and here Lakshmi Durai, executive director, Middle East, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises, talks about the Middle East’s increasing significance in the company’s itineraries.

Travel Trade Weekly: What makes the Middle East an important market for the company?

Lakshmi Durai: The Middle East market is very important to us and this is the reason for Royal Caribbean Cruises to have a regional representative office in UAE since 1993, working successfully on outbound cruise sales.

We have been promoting and selling our worldwide cruise vacations to Middle Eastern guests over the last 19 years. This has increased awareness of cruising as one of the best holiday options to the Middle Eastern vacationer. Visiting multiple destinations, hassle-free travelling, best value for money, plenty of onboard offerings, our Gold Anchor service, as well as the international atmosphere onboard our ships are some of the features that attract guests to cruise with us.

In 2010, we started inbound bookings for Royal Caribbean International when the company deployed its first ship in the region with the home porting of Brilliance of the Seas in Dubai. After finishing her third season in the Gulf successfully in 2012, Brilliance of the Seas is now sailing in Europe and Serenade of the Seas, a newly revitalised same class of ship, is sailing in the region since January this year.

Serenade of the Seas is having a very successful season in the Gulf and she will be sailing the seven-night Gulf itineraries until midApril before returning to the Mediterranean for her summer season.

Lakshmi Durai, Executive director, Middle East, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

the region. Please tell us about the itinerary.

Lakshmi Durai: Serenade of the Seas is sailing seven-night Gulf cruises starting from Dubai every Monday and calling into the ports of Fujairah, Oman, and Abu Dhabi. We also have a day at sea for the guest to experience and enjoy the varieties of onboard activities that we offer.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your expectations for the remainder of the season?

Travel Trade Weekly: How has the cruise industry evolved in the GCC over the past two decades?

year-on-year. We are very successful and we have been seeing a double-digit percentage growth every year despite the world economic challenges.

Our guests have an appetite for new experiences and an interest in activities that take them out of the ordinary, connect them with other people, and enable them to explore new places and learn about other cultures. They are keen travellers seeking a quality vacation at the best value; one that caters to an array of travel needs.

We will work together with our travel trade partners to further increase the interest in cruising of Middle Eastern guests.

There is still huge potential in the region and we will continue working on positioning cruising as a holiday option.

Lakshmi Durai: We started working in this region 19 years ago and our business is growing

Travel Trade Weekly: This season, Serenade of the Seas offers a series of cruises in

Lakshmi Durai: Serenade of the Seas has the capacity to accommodate 2,476 guests on double occupancy in addition to the 884 crew members onboard. The Gulf sailings have been going on successfully with full occupancy. We are already selling well on the rest of the sailings and expect to end the season successfully.

Travel Trade Weekly: Royal Caribbean International has always been guided by the principles of ‘Why Not?’. What is next for the company?

Lakshmi Durai: Our ‘Royal Advantage’ is an on-going revitalisation programme where the most innovative Oasis-class features are brought into our other class of ships. No ship in the fleet will go untouched as we add favourite features from our ground-breaking Oasisclass ships to our entire fleet, and our guests will have an unrivalled vacation experience no matter which destination in the world they visit or what ship they sail on. The ’Royal Advantage’ is our commitment for more than 40 years to deliver personalised services, worldwide destinations, and the most innovative ships at sea.

Now our best ship is every ship.

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MARKET UPDATE

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

Abu Dhabi: Passenger Traffic Up 19.6 Percent Abu Dhabi International Airport continues to experience unprecedented growth with January registering a 19.6 percent increase in passenger traffic.

Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli

B

SALES & MARKETING Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia, 1308, Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 210466 WEBSITE

ased on figures released by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), during the month under review, over 1.3 million passengers passed through the airport, while aircraft movements totalled 11,119, up 12.6 percent, and cargo volumes rose 25 percent reaching 48,875 tonnes.

The top five routes included Bangkok, London, Doha, Manila, and Bahrain.

The continued double-digit growth in passenger traffic in the last decade further validates

ADAC’s strategy in accommodating the growth with bigger and enhanced facilities, noted Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operating officer, ADAC. “The expansion works currently underway in Terminal 1 will deliver the extra capacity needed, enabling Abu Dhabi International Airport to continue to deliver high quality services to all passengers. […] ADAC is committed to providing worldclass air transport infrastructure for the emirate of Abu Dhabi throughout the coming period, leading to the delivery of the iconic Midfield Terminal Complex in 2017,” he concluded.

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

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

22/03/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.80

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

Riyal

3.75

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,504.00

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Syria (SYP)

Pound

70.72

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.58

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.60

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,285.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.78

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

79.40

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.28

Air Arabia: 55 Percent Net Profit Increase Air Arabia reported a solid net profit of AED425 million (USD115.7 million) for the full year of 2012, beating analyst forecast and registering a 55 percent year-on-year growth.

The airline’s turnover rose 21 percent to AED2.9 billion (USD789.5 million), after carrying over 5.3 million passengers, up 13 percent over 2011 figures, while seat load factor averaged at 82 percent.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman, Air Arabia, attributed the strong financial results to the carrier’s expansion and the efficiency of its operations. “As these results signify, Air Arabia continued to demonstrate its concerted efforts to enter into new markets and launch new ventures, while enabling more people to fly efficiently and affordably. The year 2012 saw Air Arabia expand its global network by entering new markets, taking more aircraft deliveries, as well as offering its customers wider product offerings and services,” he commented.

Air Arabia

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6

WEEKLY NEWS

Al Ain Zoo Offering Zoo Safaris

Zoo Safaris will once again return to Al Ain Zoo this spring to offer children an exciting and educational experience, allowing them to explore and learn about wildlife and nature in the region’s setting.

The first spring safari session is scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 4, and the second from April 7 to 11.

Spring safari participants will enjoy a wide range of interactive activities including meeting with animal keepers, a zoo treasure hunt, team-building games, back-of-house tours, arts and crafts, gardening activities, to name but a few.

Dubai Safari Project Underway The first stage of the USD40.8 million Dubai Safari project is set to be completed by the end of the first quarter.

According to Dubai Municipality (DM), 80 percent of the levelling, internal roads, and parking works have already been executed, since the end of February.

Located in Al Warqa 5 on Aweer Road, the prestigious project will cover a total area of 400ha and will include a 60ha safari, a butterfly park, golf courses, as well as entertainment and recreational areas.

“It is worth mentioning that the project comes in the old landfill area of Dubai. The upcoming stages will be announced once the bids are finalised with contractors,” Hussain Nassir Lootah, director general, DM, informed.

SATA to Open New Branches Since its establishment in 1984, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) has grown into one of the fastest-growing travel companies in the UAE. After achieving a 45 percent growth in business volumes in 2012 and opening its new first office in Dubai, SATA is gearing up for the inauguration of its 12th branch in the UAE, revealed Arshad Munir, general manager, SATA. ”We expect our Abu Dhabi branch to be operational by the end of April and we have plans to open more branches in Dubai , Abu Dhabi, and our first branch in Fujairah,” Munir revealed.

TDIC Opens Saadiyat Public Beach The Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) has launched its first public beach on Saadiyat Island with multiple facilities and activities to suit visitors of all ages.

Saadiyat Public Beach, which stretches 400m, comprises a wide variety of facilities which include a snack lounge, a retail outlet, and, from the third quarter of the year, a range of eco-friendly water sports activities, including windsurfing and sailing.

The beach has been designed to facilitate the needs of the island’s residents as well as guests from the wider Abu Dhabi community, as Ahmed Al Fahim, executive director of marketing, communications, sales and leasing, TDIC, explained.

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WEEKLY NEWS

BCD Travel Takes Ownership Stake in Dubai BCD Travel, one of the world’s leading travel management companies, has announced that it has taken a minority ownership stake in its long-time partner in Dubai, which has been operating under the same name.

“Over the past several years, the Middle East has been a consistently strong economic performer. Our investment in Dubai enhances our ability to support companies and travellers in this dynamic region. It is a natural outgrowth of our long partnership with a solid company that already services many of our top multinational customers,” said Joop Drechsel, CEO, BCD Travel.

With annual revenues of USD57 million, the company is one of the UAE’s leading travel providers, and according to Khalid Al Rostamani, chairman, Dubai, BCD Travel, strong partnerships are key to flexible and efficient responses to rapidly evolving markets, technologies, and customer needs.

Qatar: 21 New Hotels for the World Cup Qatar plans to build 45,000 additional hotel rooms to ensure that the country meets the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)’s room capacity requirements of 60,000 rooms for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As the Qatar Business & Trade 2012 report, released by the Ministry of Business and Trade, suggests, demand for hotel rooms in the country is expected to significantly increase in the coming years, as the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) plans to invest USD20 million on tourism infrastructure ahead of the upcoming football championship. According to QTA, there are currently 77 hotels, 80-85 percent of which represent the fourand five-star categories, that have been planned for or are currently under construction, and which would add another 17,000 rooms to the current levels.

Based on the report, between 2012 and 2017, 21 hotels, with a total of 45,000 rooms, are expected to come online, to ensure the country’s readiness for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Following the opening of the 257-room Hilton Garden Inn later this year, 2014 will see the launch of the 268key Al Maha Sofitel, the 488-unit Abdul Wahab Tower, the 230-ket Mandarin Orientel, and the Doha Convention Centre featuring 230 rooms.

One of the Stadiums Being Planned in Qatar

Oman’s Ministry of Tourism Sets up Riyadh Office The Ministry of Tourism in Oman has opened its first permanent representative office in Riyadh, in a bid to tap the Saudi market as one of the major outbound segments of the GCC region.

The new office is set to improve destination brand awareness among Saudi nationals, secure more participation in key local tourism and travel exhibitions and events held across the Kingdom, and implement various joint marketing and promotional activities targeting the main holiday seasons.

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WEEKLY NEWS

The Ritz-Carlton Debuts in Abu Dhabi The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, has opened its doors, marking the luxury hotel operator’s debut in the UAE capital and its ninth property in the Middle East.

Located at the waterfront and consisting of 10 stately buildings arranged in a crescent formation, the Venetian-inspired luxury resort features 447 guestrooms and suites in addition to 85 private one- and two-bedroom villas.

Extended over an area of 23ha, leisure and business travellers alike will enjoy a myriad of facilities and amenities, including a 1,600m2 pool, unique water features and private beaches, further to a 1,550m2 Roma Ballroom with a capacity of 900 people, 14 additional meeting rooms, a traditional majlis, and 10 restaurants and bars.

Accommodation

Pullman to Expand GCC Footprint Pullman, Accor’s upscale brand for international seasoned travellers, is poised to further consolidate its presence in the region.

Following the recent opening of Pullmann Dubai Deira City Centre, the company plans to add two more properties to its regional portfolio with the 354-room Pullman Dubai Jumeirah Lakes Towers, set to the be unveiled later this year, and the 468-key Pullman Doha West Bay, due to open in 2015.

Speaking about the brand’s expansion strategy, which currently operates four hotels in the region, Yann Caillère, president, Accor, revealed, “Middle East’s strong travel and tourism outlook matches Accor’s development goals of managing 150 Pullman hotels worldwide by 2015-2020, among which 15 will be in key GCC destinations.”

Yann Caillère, president, Accor

DAMAC Maison to Service Luxury Hotel Apartments DAMAC Maison, a new luxury management company, has been set up to provide hotel management services for DAMAC Properties’ elite serviced hotel apartments.

The newly established company will offer high-end service capabilities within the property development sector, reflecting DAMAC Properties’ high standards of quality and delivering the ultimate luxury lifestyle.

All properties under the DAMAC Maison portfolio will offer views across the Burj Khalifa area in the heart of Dubai and will include a spa, high-end restaurants, lobby areas with meeting space, kids club and baby-sitting service, and dedicated and qualified staff.

The Signature, a 50-storey tower overlooking the world’s largest fountain and the world’s largest mall, will be the first project to be managed

by DAMAC Maison. The property, which is due for completion in the second half of the year, is on target to set the standard of luxury serviced apartments in Dubai.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Mövenpick Hotel Qassim Collaborates with Qatar Airways Mövenpick Hotel Qassim recently signed a preferred hotel agreement with Qatar Airways, whereby the five-star hotel will benefit from in-flight announcements on every Qatar Airways service arriving at destinations within Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, the airline’s official website will list the 159-room Mövenpick Hotel Qassim as a preferred hotel. “We are delighted to enter into this agreement with Qatar Airways in a move which is extremely positive for awareness of the destination as well,” commented Toufic Tamim, vice president, sales and marketing, Middle East, Möevenpick Hotels & Resorts. “This is our second property in Saudi Arabia to partner with Qatar Airways, following an earlier agreement relating to Mövenpick Hotel Al Khobar in the country’s Eastern Province,” he added.

Bin Majid Hotels Unveils Santorini Hotel Bin Majid Hotels is to further strengthen its presence in the UAE with Santorini Hotel at Marjan Island, the first man-made island project in Ras Al Khaimah, scheduled to open by the end of the year.

Designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers, Santorini Hotel at Marjan Island will feature 256 rooms and suites, a restaurant, spa, gym, and swimming pools, and will boast direct access to the beach.

Commenting on the project, which will offer an ideal base for both weekend trips and long holidays, Ali Kasapbashi, group general manager, Bin Majid Group, said, “This new property will cater to the demands of both leisure and business guests who are looking at Ras Al Khaimah as a new tourism destination. This new development is part of our goal to expand the brand in the region. It has been a very good start for [the year] and we cannot wait to welcome all to the new property when it opens by the end of this year.”

Waldorf Astoria to Debut in Doha Hilton Worldwide is poised to expand its Waldorf Astoria brand presence in the Middle East after entering into a management agreement with Dohabased La Jolla to bring the brand to Qatar.

The 42-storey Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay will feature 250 guestrooms and suites along with 80 serviced apartments, and is slated for opening by 2016.

Designed to appeal to the discerning business and leisure traveller, the property will boast a palatial ballroom, state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities, a wide range of destination bars and restaurants, a rooftop pool, and a two-storey health club and spa.

According to Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, the hotel group enjoys a close affiliation with Qatar and the introduction of the illustrious Waldorf Astoria brand is an important step in offering greater guest choice.

Saad Mohammed Fahad Buzwair, owner, La Jolla, (left) and Chris Nassetta, President, Hilton Worldwide (right).

The Domain Bahrain to Open in May The Domain Bahrain, Domain Hotels’ first property, is set to be unveiled in May. Located in Manama’s diplomatic district, The Domain Bahrain bills itself as ‘a relevant concept for our time’, offering a unique place to stay, work, and play.

Domain members will be able to visit this dynamic place for a workout, a haircut, dinner, to conduct meetings, or enjoy a room for rest and relaxation.

The boutique property will house 61 luxury suites and 68 rooms, and will feature a total of nine restaurants and lounges.

Top tier members will also enjoy access to the Domain Privé, a private lounge on the 36th floor, and the property will also boast a spa, health, and fitness centre spreading over two floors, further to 375m2 of flexible meeting place.

Patrick de Groot, general manager, The Domain Bahrain, described the concept as ’simple to do business, complex to experience’.

23 MARCH 2013

Air

Qatar Airways Adds to Route Network Qatar Airways is to launch flights to Chicago with a reduced schedule from April 10. Originally planned to be daily, the non-stop Doha – Chicago route will now be operated three-times-a-week, rising to a planned daily service from June 15.

In addition, scheduled flights between Doha and Chengdu, the carrier’s sixth point in China, were due to start with three-flights-a-week from March 19, but the route launch has been postponed to a later date.

Qatar Airways’ corporate planners have been actively working on adjusting capacity on routes across its network as a result of the grounding of its Boeing 787s which has impacted operations.

Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, expressed his sincere apologies to the carrier’s customers for any inconvenience caused as a result.

Air Arabia Flies Non-stop to Baghdad Air Arabia has launched a non-stop service to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, from the carrier’s main hub in Sharjah, UAE. The inaugural flight and delegation was marked by the attendance of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al Thani, chairman, Air Arabia, and Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, along with high-ranking guests from the trade community, and members of the press.

The low-cost pioneer in the region will start with three weekly services between Sharjah and Baghdad, to be increased to five weekly flights in the coming weeks.

RJ Alters Amman-Beirut Service Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) changed the route of its operations between Amman and Beirut on March 2, to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft.

Amer Hadidi, CEO, RJ, said that the flight from Amman to Beirut now heads to the southern of Jordan, into the Egyptian airspace, and then over the Mediterranean Sea before landing in Beirut.

As a result, the duration of the Amman-Beirut flight has increased from one hour to one hour and 45 minutes, either way.

23 MARCH 2013

WEEKLY NEWS

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Algeria Welcomes Emirates Emirates made a strong presence in Algiers on March 1 with a press conference and a high profile gala dinner held in celebration of its brand new service to the country.

More than 300 guests from the travel trade and business community gathered for the eagerlyawaited event at Le Chapiteau, Sheraton Club Des Pins Hotel, which featured performances by renowned stars.

“This is a key moment for Emirates in Africa and we would like to thank the Algerian authorities in both the UAE and Algeria for the assistance they have provided in making this new route a reality.

We are confident that our new service will play a significant role in supporting the economic growth of Algeria by connecting the nation to our worldwide network, opening new conduits for trade, investment and tourism,” said Adel Al Redha, executive vice president, engineering and operations, Emirates.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Royal Jet and ADAC Sign MoU Royal Jet and Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will effectively facilitate the expansion of operations into Al Bateen Executive Airport by the Abu Dhabi-based international luxury flight services company chaired by H.E. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

According to H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman, ADAC, business aviation is growing strongly in the region and Al Bateen Executive Airport has established itself as a leader in the industry, thus ADAC is always eager to support all initiatives that will lead to further development and growth.

Air

Etihad Airways and Jet Airways Secure Deal Etihad Airways has confirmed the conclusion of a transaction with Jet Airways to purchase the Indian carrier’s three pairs of slots at London’s Heathrow Airport, for USD70 million.

The purchase, which is part of a sale and lease back agreement signed on February 26, will see Jet Airways continue to operate flights to the UK capital’s main gateway, utilising these slots. Moreover, Etihad Airways is marching head on to progress discussions about further investment in the Indian airline company, strengthening the existing commercial relationship between the two carriers even more.

flydubai to Serve Salalah flydubai has announced the expansion of its presence in Oman with the commencement of its new thrice-weekly service to Salalah, which will come into effect on May 21.

Commenting on the launch of the new route, Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “We are very excited about adding Salalah to our network. The two-hour flight makes this popular city even more accessible, and thanks to our convenient flight schedule, the new route will offer passengers a less stressful way to get to a perfect weekend getaway spot without the need for a long commute by car.”

23 MARCH 2013

WHO'S MOVED

Azar Saliba Azar Saliba has been named hotel manager at Al Qasr Hotel and Dar Al Masyah Hotel at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

Saliba has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, seven of which he spent with Jumeirah Group in the UAE. Prior to his appointment, he served as hotel manager at

Mina A’Salam Hotel at Madinat Jumeirah.

Saliba, who is one of the youngest hotel managers within the group today, dedicates time to forging relationships with clients in order to improve customer satisfaction, and develop the commitment of team members.

Tommy Ressopoulos Tommy Ressopoulos has been named vice president of sales and marketing at TI’ME Hotels Management.

Having worked on four continents, Ressopoulos’ global experience includes senior sales and marketing positions as well as hands-on general management roles with Hilton Worldwide in Europe, US, North Africa, and the Indian Ocean. In addition, over the years, he has also gained indepth knowledge in strategic alliance partnerships.

23 MARCH 2013

Ressopoulos returns to the region, after an almost 20-year absence, to be part of what he described as a familiar business environment, albeit at the forefront of a hospitality landscape which has dramatically changed, and a growing brand that is helping to reshape the increasingly diverse regional tourism product.

Ressopoulos’ global experience includes senior sales and marketing positions

15

Anke Glaessing Anke Glaessing has been named general manager at Mövenpick Hotel Deira.

Glaessing brings a wealth of operational expertise to the role following a career path that has taken her from Germany to the UK, Indonesia, Thailand, and the UAE. She joins Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts from Rotana where she most recently

served as resident manager at Al Murooj Rotana in Dubai.

Apart from driving hotel performance, Glaessing will also be collaborating with the team and the company’s regional office to develop enhanced strategies that will reinforce the appeal of the hotel to both the corporate business and the growing meetings and incentives segment.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

16

Wayne Pearce

Hassan Al-Mousawi

CEO, Oman Air.

CEO, Rizon Jet.

“As an airline that is built around the renowned and ancient Omani tradition of warm hospitality, we take pride in building lasting relationships with air travellers and this campaign [which enables both Oman Air’s fans and others to interact with our business class seat on our Facebook page] helped us strengthen links with today’s customers, and those of tomorrow.”

“We are very proud that we have been given the opportunity to host the network’s most successful launch event [the Luxury D’Elegance Qatar, an invite-only event attended by over 150 VIP guests, and showcasing 20 of the finest luxury companies from the Middle East]. It has been a wonderful opportunity for Rizon Jet to work closely with non-competing key luxury brands, creating such a prestige event and developing a wider network and expanding our client base.”

Ziyad Bin Mahfouz

Mohamed Awadalla

President, Elaf Group.

Vice president, TI’ME Hotels Management.

“Our main goal of organising [the Staff Open Day] was to boost employee motivation and performance, and address any challenges they face, as this, in turn, will lead to better quality of services provided to our customers. We are also studying the process of providing training to Saudi national employees by international hospitality companies […]. This is especially essential since we believe that maintaining excellent service delivery standards is one of the key pillars to success.”

“After the British, Germans are the second highest European source market for the UAE tourism sector and, according to the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, leisure travellers, who book through Germany’s leading tour operators, spend an average of up to 10 days in the emirate, attracted by quality-driven hotels, high levels of comfort, and a welcoming environment.”

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

23 MARCH 2013

AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Ahmed Adly POSITION: Manager, CIS COMPANY: Atlanta Travel & Tourism LOCATION: Dubai WEB: www.atlantadubai.com Who are you?

My name is Ahmed Adly and I am the manager of the CIS department at Atlanta Travel & Tourism. I have worked for the company for the past seven years and can honestly say I have loved every minute of watching it grow from strength to strength.

Atlanta is a company which can provide all the travel services which can possibly be required, for both leisure and corporate clients.

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

It is very interesting and exciting. I meet new people on a daily basis, forming long-lasting relationships which can help overcome challenges; another aspect of the business which I like, because they are often new ones previously un-encountered allowing me to use my mind and resources as opposed to living my day automatically like a robot.

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

Between the months of October and May, because from October to March the weather is the coolest and many events, such as sports events, concerts, festivals, and exhibitions, are held.

During April and May, the weather starts to heat up again slightly but it is a good time to enjoy a resort just relaxing in the sun by the pool or the beach without the weather being unbearably hot.

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

I would like to visit Thailand as it has such amazing culture, nice food, and beautiful sites, both natural and manmade.

Why should people come to you for travel advice?

Atlanta Travel & Tourism offers a very professional service and is well equipped to handle all travel requirements. We are a self supplier of many of those services and have 17 years experience in handling leisure and corporate travel in the UAE.

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Travelport Launches New Tool Travelport has announced a new tool for Middle East and Africa travel agents, which will enable them to significantly enhance the way they manage, mark-up, and control the onward distribution of their airline-filed private fares as it automates the complex and manual processes which have been used until now.

The new device, Net Fare Manager, reduces key strokes related to fare management by up to 80 percent, with its intuitive web-based interface. Updated negotiated fares are displayed from a single screen, for effortless update and redistribution to any travel agency location worldwide.

“Net Fare Manager is a clear example of Travelport developing

tools that help our travel agency customers do their jobs more efficiently. We are once again able to offer our customers products that will keep them ahead of the competition and offer exceptional customer service,” said Rabih Saab, president, Middle East and Africa, Travelport.

Net Fare Manager is a clear example of Travelport developing tools that help our travel agency customers do their jobs more efficiently

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TRAVEL CHANNELS IATA: Securing the Air Cargo Supply Chain

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified four priorities to make air cargo more secure, and Tony Tyler, director general, IATA, has called for the implementation of the Secure Freight principles.

T

he four key elements include closer cooperation between all stakeholders, harmonisation and convergence of regulations, global capacity building, and long-term commitment, which, if fully applied alongside the implementation of the principles, will lead to benefits of USD350-600 million annually, according to a case study carried out on a pilot of the Secure Freight.

Speaking at the Secure Freight Forum held at IATA’s offices in Geneva, Tyler stated that if regulators and governments lose confidence in the security of air freight, then bureaucracy will increase and ultimately some items may not even be viable to be air freighted. He further pointed out that nearly 50 million tonnes of cargo are transported by air each year, which translates to USD5.3 trillion of business, and thus accounts for about 35 percent of the value of goods traded internationally.

Shurooq and AUS to Revitalise Sharjah The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has entered into a collaborative project with the American University of Sharjah (AUS) in a bid to develop a multi-purpose urban venue in the emirate.

Under the terms of the partnership, 14 senior architecture students were given the brief to redesign the Al Ittihad Square and the Central Market in Sharjah, as their fifth year studio project, into a venue that would operate as a lifestyle hub, comprising retail, dining, art, outdoor recreation, and ecological enhancement elements.

Shurooq will be rewarding the student with the best design this month, which may also be used to implement the redevelopment of these two key areas.

Wego Rises in Popularity Seven European hubs have seen a dramatic rise in traffic from users of Wego’s 50 customised metasearch sites in 30 languages around the world.

Despite the economic crisis, bookings directed to Wego partners increased by 71 percent in January compared to the corresponding month in 2012.

The clear leader in growth was Madrid, which surged ahead at 140 percent, while Berlin grew 111 percent during the month under review. Frankfurt and Zurich follow closely, with London, Paris, and Amsterdam each gaining around 60 percent in bookings.

Wego’s role in metasearch in the Asia Pacific, and more recently the Middle East, with its new office, has produced business from younger travel markets, while route expansion between Asian hubs via the Middle East to Europe, along with low-cost flight options, have accelerated visitation and encouraged industry growth for both business and leisure travel. “With a more openminded approach, these users are trying new and alternate brands based on price, and it is creating an expanded and increasingly competitive market online,” explained Dean Wicks, chief flights officer, Wego.

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RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Gillian Taylor Abu Dhabi has rapidly grown to become a very well-equipped business destination, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, heightened levels of service, and a commitment to preserve its Arab identity. Here, Gillian Taylor, business tourism manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), supports this view.

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

Gillian Taylor: Abu Dhabi, being a modern, dynamic business centre, strategically located between West and East, is impacted and benefits from the same trends that affect the global business events industry; the importance of showing the strategic and economic benefits of business events, and showing their relevance and value, that meetings are a vital part of the solution.

In this ever-competitive world, Abu Dhabi needs to distinguish itself as unique and affordable, with excellent venues that are value for money, and have all the facilities and service standards required. We have the added advantage of meetings here being held in an exciting, virtually crime-free destination, with expanding attractions and a tour base. As with global trends, we need to foster collaboration and a team Abu Dhabi approach with stakeholders and suppliers, and strive to offer a quality experience from beginning to end.

Travel Trade Weekly: How was the emirate’s performance in terms of inbound business tourism for 2012 compared to 2011?

Gillian Taylor: In 2011, ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) ranked Abu Dhabi 234 for the eight major meetings held in the destination. We have more than doubled that in 2012 and we realistically expect this to take us to within ICCA’s top 150 when the rankings are announced in the next few months.

Some 12 conferences and exhibitions received incentive support from TCA Abu Dhabi in 2012 under its ’Advantage Abu Dhabi 1’

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Gillian Taylor Business tourism manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi)

(USD640 million), when taking indirect and induced expenditure into account.

Our study anticipates total economic impact to rise from AED2.4 billion (USD640 million) in 2010 to AED4.9 billion (USD1.3 million) in 2020, which equates to a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 7.2 percent, and we think this is very conservative. However, the strategic benefits far outweigh the economic benefits.

Travel Trade Weekly: How well-equipped is the emirate to attract and host business travellers?

incentive programme. Another five submissions under ’Advantage Abu Dhabi 2’ for the corporate meetings and incentives scheme were supported and staged in 2012.

Further enhancements to our ’Advantage Abu Dhabi’ programmes are currently being finalised and will be promoted, in the case of the corporate meetings and incentives sector particularly in the GCC with dedicated sales calls. [...]

Travel Trade Weekly: How important is the business travel revenue for the emirate’s economy?

Gillian Taylor: Extremely important. According to TCA Abu Dhabi research, the average per capita spend of MICE visitors in Abu Dhabi is AED2,400 (USD657.5), making the total economic benefit to Abu Dhabi from the MICE sector around AED2.4 billion

Gillian Taylor: The development of outstanding meeting facilities, venues, and services, together with state-of-the-art conference and exhibition centres, and an array of luxury hotel and resort-based conference and meeting venues, mean Abu Dhabi’s tourism proposition is more mature and more diverse than ever.

We are seeing strong overall growth because our marketing efforts and outreach continue to develop and expand. Abu Dhabi now has more choice, which gives us a lot more flexibility to tailor MICE solutions to an individual organisation’s need. As a consequence of the improvement in visitor facilities, we have made significant headway over the past two years in attracting major convention business to the emirate and will continue to bid, in association with key stakeholders, on other worldwide congresses [...].

The emirate is also expanding its non-traditional meeting spaces. In our heritage heartland of Al Ain, now inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Al Ain Wildlife Park conference centre is advanced on building its Desert Museum Centre which will have function venues.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Positive Visitor Numbers for Dubai Visitor numbers to Dubai increased by 9.3 percent in 2012, with the destination welcoming more than 10 million visitors over a one year period for the first time in its history, according to Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Key indicators of Dubai’s success in attracting visitors in 2012 include figures for hotel guests and cruise passengers rising to approximately 10.16 million, an increase of 9.3 percent on 2011; hotel guests numbering 9.96 million, up 9.5 percent compared with 9.1 million in 2011; guest nights rising by 14 percent, numbering 37,445,453 in 2012, compared to 32,848,190 in 2011; and hotel revenues surging by 17.9 percent at AED18.82 billion (USD5.1 billion).

Arab markets continue to provide a significant percentage of Dubai’s overall visitor numbers and 2012 saw 30 percent more travellers from Saudi Arabia, which is the emirate’s number one source market. Europe contributes over a quarter of Dubai’s hotel guests, with a 54 percent rise in Russian visitors having been witnessed over the past year.

In addition, a significant increase in inbound Chinese visitors coming to Dubai has also been seen.

Focusing on Trade and Infrastructure Development Africa took centre stage at this year’s World Ports & Trade Summit, which took place in Abu Dhabi from March 19-20, with a special focus session on day two of the event to examine opportunities in the region for both trade and infrastructure development.

Growth in seaborne trade between China and Africa is already benefitting UAE ports, as the world’s third largest economy and the emerging African continent rely on the UAE’s trading gateway status, further boosted by growth in bilateral trade between South Africa and the GCC country, which was valued at almost USD2 billion in 2011.

“In the first decade of the millennium, trade between African countries and the GCC jumped by 270 percent to reach more than USD18 billion per annum, and this shows no sign of slowing down with added impetus, particularly from the UAE, generated by government and private sector investment interest in West and Central Africa, following successful forays into East, South and North Africa,” said Chris Hayman, chairman, Seatrade.

EVENTS The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 25 – 27, 2013 (www.gibtm.com) A leading event for the meetings, incentives, and business travel industry in the GCC region, which can truly unlock all participants’ business potential.

Saudi Travel & Tourism Investment Market (STTIM) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 31 – April 4, 2013 (www.sttim.com.sa) This event covers all travel and tourism investments aspects in the Kingdom through a combined conference and exhibition.

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

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

International Destination Expo (IDE) Dubai, UAE, April 4 – 7, 2013 (www.asta.org/events) A destination training programme where participants can meet local suppliers and build profitable long-lasting relationships.

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

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

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

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