Travel Trade Weekly Issue 198 by T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD

24 AUGUST 2013

ISSUE 198

24 AUGUST 2013

ISSUE 198

Best Western International (BWI) has opened BEST WESTERN PLUS Bakkah Awan Hotel, marking the company’s debut in the Holy City.

03 DIA: Record Traffic during Eid Doha International Airport (DIA) witnessed a record number of travellers departing from and transitting through the airport during the first days of the Eid holiday period.

04 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

WEEKLY NEWS

ACCOMMODATION

AIR

WHO’S MOVED

TRAVEL TALK

AGENT’S CORNER

TRAVEL CHANNELS

RENDEZVOUS

NEWS & EVENTS

BWI Debuts in Mecca

MARKET UPDATE

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

Emaar Properties: Hospitality and Retail Drive Earnings Emaar Properties recorded a first-half net profit of AED1.23 billion (USD335 million), while the company’s revenue rose to AED5.22 billion (USD1.42 billion).

Stefanie Saghbini SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli

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

hese figures have marked a yearon-year increase of 33 percent, with hospitality and leisure alongside shopping malls and retail divisions continuing to lead the way for the company’s business, making up 45 percent of the first six months’ total revenues. The hospitality and leisure business alone contributed AED771 million (USD210 million) to the revenue, seven percent higher than in the corresponding period in 2012. According to Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, the remarkable gains

made by the three core business segments of property development, hospitality, and shopping malls, underscore the company’s contribution to the socio-economic growth of Dubai by catalysing the key economic sectors including retail, hospitality, tourism, and construction. In addition, The Address Hotels & Resorts recorded an average occupancy of 90 percent during the six-month period, and the company also introduced two new hotel brands, namely Vida Hotels and Resorts and Dubai Inn.

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

Jeddah: ARR up 13.4 Percent Hotels in Jeddah recorded a 13.4 percent increase in average room rate (ARR) to USD247.93 for the first half of the year, as TRI Hospitality Consulting’s latest HotStats report has revealed. Although, occupancy levels dropped 0.9 percentage points, current figures of 79.7 percent indicate steady corporate and leisure demand, which altogether contributed to a profit growth of 12.8 percent, the study further indicated. Meanwhile in Riyadh, occupancy levels rose 1.3 percentage points to 68.4 percent, ARR, on the other hand, declined 2.1 percent to USD242.75, resulting in a 0.3 percent fall in RevPAR to USD165.96 and a marginally lower gross operating profit per available rooms levels at USD150.52.

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

23/08/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.99

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

112.95

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.29

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.63

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.38

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

24,818.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.66

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

80.88

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.27

Kuwait: Strong H1 Performance

uwait’s hotel market has shown resilience in the first half (H1) of the year, TRI Hospitality Consulting’s latest report has illustrated. During the six-month period occupancy levels and average room rate improved 4.7 percent and 1.7 percentage points

respectively, boosting RevPAR by 10.3 percent to USD159.98. Steady performance in food and beverage revenues coupled with lower payroll expenses lifted total RevPAR and gross operating profit per available room by 17.4 percent and 20.8 percent to USD357.20 and USD168.72, respectively. 24 AUGUST 2013

WEEKLY NEWS Middle East Posts Surge in European Summer Travel

June: Middle East Airports Outperform Global Average The Middle East’s airports posted a 10.6 percent year-on-year passenger traffic growth in June, well above the four percent increase recorded globally, as the Airports Council International (ACI)’s report revealed. During the month under review, the region’s airports handled over 11.8 million passengers, bringing the year-to-date figure to approximately 67.6 million, up 11.6 percent year-on-year versus the global average of 3.2 percent.

London

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an According agreement to a study with Jabal by price Omar comparison Development site, HotelsComCompany to bined,launch demand three for European new hotelsdestinations in Meccreligious rose by tourism 45 percent continue in August toamong expandMiddle in Saudi Eastern Arabia, travellers we believe compared the time to the is right sameto periodexpand in 2012,our with portfolio London, inParis, the country. and Frankfurt ” featured within the top five destinations alongside Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. Travellers from the region were also found to be spending more per booking in these destinations than the global average, with this trend being particularly evident in London. Amer Al Halabi, regional manager, MENA, HotelsCombined, stated that Europe’s growing popularity among Middle Eastern travellers can be attributed to a number of different factors including the milder summer climate and the diverse retail and cultural experiences on offer.

Saudi Arrivals to Rise Seven Percent

Al-Masak Museum

Passenger Traffic Increased in June According to data released by Airports Council International (ACI), global passenger traffic continued along its growth path in June, with the total increase reaching four percent when compared to June 2012. Additionally, during the first half of the year, the number of passengers passing through the world’s airports rose by 3.2 percent. Meanwhile, growth in domestic passenger traffic was almost flat in North America over the period June 2012 to June this year, while European airports experienced a decline of 3.1 percent in domestic movements, mainly reflective of the overall retreat from consumer spending over the 12-month stretch. Moreover, the world’s busiest and major emerging market hubs, namely Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, and Istanbul, expanded yearon-year passenger traffic by 22.3 percent, 17.5 percent, and 12.1 percent respectively, while apart from Middle Eastern airports, all regions experienced a drop in freight traffic for June.

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Tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia are expected to continue on an upward trend with Business Monitor International (BMI) projecting a seven percent increase for this year and an additional 38.6 percent rise over the 2013-2017 period. Based on BMI’s Saudi Arabia Tourism Report, which examines the significant long-term potential offered by the tourism industry as well as highlights the potential downward pressure that regional uncertainty could have on arrival numbers, the Kingdom’s visitor numbers are set to soar to almost 24 million by 2017, with religious tourism and pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina driving this growth. Looking forward, BMI expects business travel to become another strong sector, especially given Saudi Arabia’s status as the world’s largest oil exporter and its other leading industries, such as defense. In fact, as BMI’s report pinpoints, the Saudi Commission of Tourism & Antiquities has already given indications that it wishes to enhance the Kingdom’s standing as an attractive MICE destination.

WEEKLY NEWS Saudi Arabian Domestic Tourism on the Rise Saudi domestic tourism has achieved high growth rate so far this year, despite incapacity of tourism infrastructure in the Kingdom, as H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA), highlighted. According to the tourism statistics division of SCTA, Tourism Information &

Research Center, the number of outbound tourism trips in June reached 2.3 million, compared to 2.1 million in the corresponding month in 2012, while outbound expenditure rose to SAR7.5 million (USD2 billion) versus SAR6.9 billion (USD1.84 billion). Meanwhile, domestic tourism trips exceeded 2.1 million in June, compared to two million in the same month in 2012,

Sharjah Ramadan & Eid Fair: 17 Percent Rise in Visitors The recently-concluded Ramadan & Eid Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah was a major hit with over 104,000 visitors attending the 24-day show, marking a 17 percent year-on-year increase. The final tally of the figures shows that some days of the event had witnessed a surge of over 50 percent in visitor volumes, reflecting the increasing popularity of Ramadan & Eid Fair , and while the majority travelled from the UAE, there was a fair share of footfall from the neighbouring GCC countries.

Expo Centre Sharjah

DIA: Record Traffic during Eid Doha International Airport (DIA) witnessed a record number of travellers departing from and transitting through the airport during the first days of the Eid holiday period. During the whole week, over 250,000 passengers were expected at the airport, making this week one of the year’s busiest and to guarantee seamless operations, DIA added staff in the departure and arrival terminals and opened more check-in counters to reduce queues and ensure passengers continued to enjoy a pleasant experience in the Qatari capital. Passengers were also encouraged to use the web check-in facility provided by Qatar Airways and most other airlines before departing from the airport. In 2012, passenger figures at DIA grew at a rate of 16.87 percent versus 15.16 percent registered in 2011, and the airport catered to more than 21 million passengers.

with a growth rate of five percent, and total expenditure soared to SAR3.4 billion (USD906 million) from SAR3 billion (USD800 million). “The Kingdom is an important tourism country, and we focus on tourism as much as on other huge economic developmental projects in the Kingdom,” bin Abdul Aziz stated.

Royal Caribbean Celebrates Dual Milestones At the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Royal Caribbean International marked two important milestones in the development of its Quantum class of ships, as Quantum of the Seas, scheduled to be delivered in the autumn of 2014, received its first block as the keel was officially lowered and put into place, while Anthem of the Seas had its first piece of steel cut, signalling the first step in its construction. “It is incredibly rewarding to see Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas coming together so well, and today we not only honour these two very important milestones, but also recognise the years of hard work and dedication from the team developing these ships,” Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International, remarked.

Meyer Werft, Papenburg

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WEEKLY NEWS IATA Registers First Airline under Enhanced IOSA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Air Transat has become the first airline to renew its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration under the enhanced IOSA audit process. The new scheme provides that airlines will assume responsibility for ensuring continued conformity with more than 900 IOSA standards; will submit a conformance report to their audit organisation as a record of their internal audit activities; will undergo an in-depth evaluation of their quality assurance programme; and will accept on-site renewal audit every 24 months by their audit organisations.

Marriott Focuses on Family Travel Reinforcing its commitment to family travel enrichment, Residence Inn by Marriott turned the spotlight on children to uncover what they truly want from a hotel and to glean insights on the future of travel, by hosting a kids roundtable on travel at The Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Midtown East. The roundtable’s key findings conveyed the need for hotels to focus on personalisation and customisation for young guests, with highlights including a technology twist in customised experiences and emotional motivation of family time on the road.

Dubai as a Culinary Hotspot Kids Roundtable at The Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Midtown East

MasterChef Australia

Qantas and Emirates, together with MasterChef Australia, is showcasing Dubai and its culinary scene as part of the MasterChef series ‘world food week’. The Australian airline flew the MasterChef Australia production to Dubai to participate in various cooking challenges that also included a traditional Arabian feast at Al Waha Desert Camp as well as a three-course meal at Atlantis The Palm. Olivia Wirth, group executive, brand, marketing and corporate affairs, Qantas, described the Middle East as a key international market for the airline, revealing that since the launch of services in March, Qantas has flown over half a million passengers between Australia and Dubai.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Crowne Plaza Pioneers New Business Energiser Programme Crowne Plaza has launched Business Energiser in the Middle East; a holistic programme of activities to help business travellers stay motivated and focused. Running for a select period of time until the end of August in six Crowne Plaza hotels across Asia, Middle East, and Africa, including Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi and Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park,

Business Energiser aims to help both MICE groups and solo business travellers get the most out of their time. The programme consists of three key elements, including morning energiser in-room wake-up guides, morning warrior wake-up exercise classes, and aerobics exercises, each designed to help corporate travellers stay physically and mentally efficient.

BWI Debuts in Mecca Best Western International (BWI) has opened BEST WESTERN PLUS Bakkah Awan Hotel, marking the company’s debut into the Holy City. Located in the cultural centre of Mecca, just a few minutes’ drive from the Holy Mosque, the 152-key hotel is ideally situated for the millions of travellers visiting the city annually, particularly for the two pilgrimages, Hajj and Umrah. Several adjoining rooms are available along with a restaurant, coffee shops, kids’ club, and a business centre. There is also a shuttle bus service offering transfers to the Holy Mosque. “Tourism in Saudi Arabia is booming. Religious and pilgrimage travel is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the industry, and Mecca is at its heart,” noted Glenn de Souza, vice president, international operations, Asia and Middle East, BWI, adding that the latest addition to the company’s regional portfolio is expected to become a popular choice for all visitors to Mecca.

BEST WESTERN PLUS Bakkah Awan Hotel

24 AUGUST 2013

Accommodation

Al Bustan Centre & Residence: Growing Demand Al Bustan Centre & Residence, Dubai, has recorded a 15 percent year-on-year increase in revenue from its conference and banqueting facilities, in the first quarter of the year. To accommodate the growth in demand for corporate conferences and seminars, the property, which recently added 600m² of meetings space, saw the addition of Al Nahda Banquet Halls 1 and 2 and seven meeting rooms. According to Moussa El Hayek, chief operating officer, Al Bustan Centre & Residence, in the first quarter of the year, bookings were almost full for the meeting rooms and banquet halls, and there is a rise in demand for these kind of services from companies for their department meetings, trainings, and seminars.

WEEKLY NEWS

UAE Unveils Largest Hotel Suite The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, has debuted the resort’s flagship Royal Suite, hailed as the largest hotel suite in the UAE. Max Wiegerinck, hotel manager, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, described the suite, which spans 2,100m2, as a masterpiece that is perfectly suited for a visionary destination such as Saadiyat. Upon arrival, guests enter a palatial living room before stepping into the regal dining room. The upper level also includes three individual bedrooms, a private study, mini-cinema, and games room, while the master bedroom, which spans the entire lower floor, comes with a private balcony, a bathroom with a seaview, an expansive walk-in closet and dressing area, a spa room and sauna.

Golden Tulip Holds Training Course Al Bustan Centre & Residence, Dubai

Park Inn by Radisson Abuja Kaura to Open in 2015 Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced that the 150-key Park Inn by Radisson Abuja Kaura in Nigeria, a midmarket property, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2015. The new hotel is also set to offer a restaurant and bar, a club lounge and business lounge, meeting and conference facilities of 2,000m2, a gym, a wellness spa, a rooftop bar, and an outdoor swimming pool. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s Nigerian pipeline features Park Inn by Radisson hotel locations in Lagos, Abeokuta, and Abuja, and in the upper upscale segment, the group is already present with a Radisson Blu in Lagos, while two hotels are currently under development in Abuja and Port Harcourt. “With this signing, we are bringing our portfolio in Nigeria to already eight hotels in operation and under development,” commented Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group.

24 AUGUST 2013

General managers and executives from all over the world as well as the MENA region gathered together in Paris for Golden Tulip’s latest general manager course. Held under the auspices of Louvre Hotels Group, the three-day programme aroused the attention of the participants on new techniques in yielding, human resources management, and leadership philosophy in business. Participants were then divided into groups for a yielding exercise with Rabih Abdo, general manager, Golden Tulip Serenada Hotel Hamra, Beirut, and Christian Palacin, general manager, Golden Tulip Galleria Hotel, Beirut, winning the challenge with the highest room revenue and profit of the virtual hotel. According to Amine Moukarzel, president, Golden Tulip MENA, there are plans to expand and open new properties in Algeria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Golden Tulip Training Course

WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

IHG to Debut EVEN brand in the US InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced Rockville, Maryland, and Norwalk, Connecticut, as the locations for the first two EVEN-branded properties, with both hotels due to open in early 2014. The hotels are located in major feeder markets for Washington, D.C. and New York City, and are being designed to meet the demands of the large populations of wellness-minded people living in and travelling to those areas. Both the 167-room property in Rockville and the 129-key hotel in Norwalk will feature flexible public workspaces, dining and social areas, natural outdoor spaces, in-room fitness elements, a state-of-the-art, three-zone gym and flex space for small group fitness classes, as well as design and technology elements to help guests maintain the balance they desire. “EVEN Hotels supports the growing segment of the travelling public for whom wellness, both at home and when travelling, is so important,” explained Adam Glickman, head of EVEN Hotels, IHG.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Expands in Turkey

Radisson Blu Conference & Spa Hotel, Istanbul Tuzla

Radisson Blu Conference & Spa Hotel, Istanbul Tuzla, is set to open in the fourth quarter of the year, further strengthening Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s position within the upper upscale segment in Istanbul. Located in the Tuzla district of Anatolian Istanbul, the company’s seventh property in the city will feature 249 rooms and suites, two restaurants, three bars, 3,300m2 of meeting facilities comprising a 580m2 ballroom and a 580m2 conference room, and a wellness area spanning 4,000m2. “Turkey, with its mega city Istanbul, is a focus country for our group. We see a considerable growth potential for our core brands, Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson, and aim to further expand our network together with established partners,” commented Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group.

Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa Honoured Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa has been recognised as one of the top 100 partner hotels in the world by Raiffeisen Tourism Kooperation, hailed as the largest travel agency cooperation in Germany boasting some 3,500 partners. “It is a great honour to be chosen among so many properties as one the best hotels in the world by German travel agencies,” said Mohab Ghali, country manager, Ras Al Khaimah, Hilton Worldwide, noting that this recognition rewards the team members in their efforts to maintain excellence at the property. Every year, German tourism professionals reward the most appreciated hotels in the world according to criteria such as distribution friendliness, high quality, or customer focus. The recognition will be celebrated during an annual congress in Berlin between October 3 - 6.

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Air

Emirates to Double Amsterdam Services Emirates is to launch a second daily nonstop flight between Dubai and Amsterdam, starting December 4. The new daily service will complement the airline’s existing Airbus A380 route to the capital city of The Netherlands and will offer 266 seats in a three-class configuration. As Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, west, Emirates, explained, the carrier’s decision is a direct result of a surge in customer demand. “Emirates’ value proposition to travellers is exceptionally appealing, with more access and connections through our perfectly located hub in Dubai, and unsurpassed standards of luxury and sophistication in air travel. Amsterdam has also proven to be a strong market for first class and business class travel, so there is no doubt that growth remains a key objective for Emirates in The Netherlands,” added Frach.

Etihad Outlines Australian Expansion Plans Etihad Airways has revealed major changes to its Australian operations, including the introduction of new aircraft, new routes, additional flights, and new airport facilities. As part of the airline’s expansion plans, Etihad Airways will operate an Airbus A380 aircraft from Sydney and Melbourne to Abu Dhabi, and will commence nonstop flights between Perth and the UAE capital, along with additional services from Melbourne and Brisbane, while construction works are due to begin on new premium lounges at Sydney and Melbourne airports in 2014. Speaking in Sydney at the CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit, which took place between August 7 - 9, James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, pointed out that Australia was a key and long-term market for the airline and one for which there were exciting growth plans. He also reaffirmed that the airline aims to increase its equity in Virgin Australia, following recent approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board to grow from a 10 percent shareholding to 19.9 percent. “Virgin Australia is a key member of our ever-expanding airline equity alliance, and Etihad Airways is an active and long-term investor in Virgin,” he added.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Tunisair Launches New Website Tunisair has unveiled its redesigned and revamped website offering visitors an enhanced online experience. In line with the airline’s endeavours to better serve customers, the upgraded website includes a number of innovations and offers a more user-friendly and easyto-navigate platform. To make the booking process faster and more efficient, a new feature has been introduced, which enables travellers to buy tickets to multiple destinations.

RAK Airways Debuts in Amman and Islamabad

Murabit Al Sawaf (left)

RAK Airways has commenced scheduled services to Islamabad and Amman, further expanding the airline’s regional network. The inaugural flight to the Pakistani city landed on August 5, marking the carrier’s first new destination this year and its third entry point into the country, following route launches to Lahore and Peshawar in 2011. “We are proud to say that our bookings on our two weekly flights looks very encouraging. We are aspiring to see a significant rising curve of our passenger numbers with the Islamabad launch,” commented Murabit Al Sawaf, president, RAK Airways. Signalling the airline’s entry into the Levant region, RAK Airways launched four-weekly services to Amman on August 7, extending its regional network to 11 destinations in line with the carrier’s ambitious growth strategy to operate 40 routes by 2015.

WEEKLY NEWS

Air

Etihad Airways Links Bahrain and São Paulo Etihad Airways has launched scheduled services between Bahrain and São Paulo, marking the airline’s foray into South America and further consolidating its presence in the BRIC countries. The new route also signals the carrier’s entry into its sixth continent and its commercial foray into Brazil, although the company already has long-standing ties to the country. For example, Etihad Airways’ first ever commercial flight to Beirut some 10 years ago used a wet-leased aircraft, operated by a Brazilian crew. The UAE’s national carrier now operates an Airbus A340-500 aircraft to São Paulo, seating a total of 240 passengers across three cabins; 12 Diamond First, 28 Pearl Business, and 200 Coral Economy class seats. Flight EY191 Lands in São Paulo

Saudia Cargo Relaunches Nairobi Hub Saudi Airlines Cargo (Saudia Cargo) looks to fast-forward its growth in Africa by resuming operations at its Nairobi hub and further expanding its network coverage in sub-Saharan Africa. With five weekly scheduled freighter flights into the Kenyan capital city and enhanced interline partnerships, Saudia Cargo now provides wider access to 23 additional destinations in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa, and Indian Ocean islands. In addition, the carrier also facilitates ad hoc charter flight solutions via its Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, hub to various regional destinations. According to Peter Scholten, vice president, commercial, Saudia Cargo, the relaunch of Nairobi further entrenches the carrier‘s presence in the Africa region, following the earlier inauguration of the West African hub in Lagos.

Air Arabia Launches New iPhone App Air Arabia has introduced a new mobile application (app) for Apple devices, allowing passengers to purchase tickets, review and amend bookings, and select seats anytime, anywhere. The new app, which can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store, also offers iPhone users connectivity to the airline’s website and call centres, as well as access to an abundance of travel information. “Our new application for iPhone will now make it even easier for our passengers to interact with us, while keeping Air Arabia at the forefront of deploying smartphone technology in the Middle East aviation sector,” noted Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, stressing that the airline places great importance on leveraging new technologies to enhance the overall experience of flying with Air Arabia.

Emirates Upgrades Lyon Route In response to the success of the service, Emirates plans to deploy a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft on the Dubai-Lyon route, effective from February 1, 2014. Since commencing operations to the French city in December 2012, the airline has carried over 56,000 passengers on the route, and the decision to upgrade the flight highlights the destination’s strong growth potential, as Thierry Antinori, executive vice president, commercial operations, worldwide, Emirates, noted. “Offering the highest standards of passenger comfort, our customers travelling to and from Lyon will now be able to enjoy the added inflight features afforded by this aircraft, including lie-flat seats in business class and extended inflight entertainment options in all classes,” he said.

Emirates Boeing 777-200LR

24 AUGUST 2013

WHO'S MOVED

Yahya Ahmed Hussein Al-Robaydi

Ahmed Ali Ramadhan Ahmed Ali Ramadhan has been appointed country manager for Oman at Gulf Air. Ramadhan takes on his new position after serving the Bahraini airline as country manager for Egypt over the past three years. During his tenure in Cairo, he was instrumental in delivering sales results while building strong relationships with the carrier’s key travel agents

and corporates. His decadelong career in the aviation industry coupled with his interpersonal skills perfectly position him to drive the commercial performance in one of Gulf Air’s longstanding and important markets.

Ramadhan takes on his new position after serving the Bahraini airline as country manager for Egypt

Yahya Ahmed Hussein AlRobaydi has been appointed general manager in Yemen for Etihad Airways. In his new position, Al-Robaydi will be responsible for driving commercial results and developing strong relationships with the travel trade and the corporate customer segment in the country. His experience, alongside his proven track record within the

Nickolas Chatzipetros Nickolas Chatzipetros has been named deputy general manager at Royal Rose Hotel, Abu Dhabi. A well-rounded hotelier with vast experience in hotel preopenings and high-class food and beverage operations, Chatzipetros has previously worked at various properties in the Middle East and Europe, as well as Asia, which enables him to have a clear under-

24 AUGUST 2013

standing about hotel operations and interact with team members and guests of different cultural backgrounds. In his new role, Chatzipetros will assist the hotel’s general manager, Gianni Malerba, and will ensure that the brand’s standards are efficiently implemented in order to deliver the highest quality of products and service possible to the guests.

industry is expected to help him develop and manage the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s commercial activities in the market. Al-Robaydi also aims to play a key role in the successful launch of the carrier’s new service to Sana’a.

Al-Robaydi will be responsible for driving commercial results and developing strong relationships

Bill Loveday Bill Loveday has been appointed general manager at MonteCarlo Beach Club, Saadiyat. Loveday, who has more than 25 years of experience in premium hospitality management, most recently ran Capital Club in Dubai and Bahrain. Prior to that, he also managed a number of other clubs across the US, including The Houston Club. On Saadiyat Island, Loveday

aims to further consolidate Monte-Carlo Beach Club’s standing as one of the most incredible destination in the region and plans to bring an added dimension to the Club’s Le Deck restaurant and Sea Lounge nightclub.

Loveday aims to further consolidate Monte-Carlo Beach Club’s standing

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

Stephan Killinger

Wael El Behi

President, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco.

General manager, Ramada Downtown Dubai.

“One of the main goals of setting up [the Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) soccer] programme, backed by a prestigious international name like PSG, is to expand the breadth of experiences and services at the resort. Youngsters between the ages of four and 16 received world-class training from selected FIFA-certified coaches during summer. We are glad to have host PSG programmes for three months and [also] to reveal that we received applications from across the region.”

“I am very happy to announce the launch of our new website. It took a lot of time and effort to develop it but I am extremely proud of the result. This website is very important to us because 40 percent of our business comes from online bookings. With today’s technology and an increasing number of guests searching online for their hotels and destination for their travel needs, it is very timely to present them a very informative and refreshing website.”

Ziad Al Sharabi Sales and marketing manager, Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.

“We have recently opened our new ladies-only gym at the club which is one of the biggest in the area for ladies only, and we have branded the gyms and spa under one name, Altitude. We are also revamping the outdoor paintball fields and creating new concepts so that we give people a change. An office building is being constructed as well and will be available for companies and individuals to have their offices in a prestigious location.”

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: Hisham Dia POSITION: Executive manager COMPANY: Travel Trend LOCATION: Egypt WEB: www.traveltrendegypt.com Who are you? My name is Hisham Dia, and I am the executive manager at Travel Trend Egypt. Our agency comes with an online bed-bank concept where we have tens of thousands of beds across Egypt, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, along with all other personalised tourism products which we feature well on our system and through the latest distribution channels technology used on the net. We simply reach out to our partners online and offline, helping them to focus on only one task; sales, thus leaving all other tasks for us. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? It is fast, challenging, and about different cultures living together even for a while; these are the things I do like in the travel industry. At the end, ‘the further you go, the further you know’ is very true. When is the best time to visit Egypt? Egypt is OK throughout the whole year, if you are coming to charming Sharm El Sheikh. September until June is just perfect. It gets a bit hot from June to August, where it reaches 42 degrees, but who cares when you have a fresh drink, some shade on the beach, and being online whenever you want to be. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? South America just sounds perfect if we are talking about a different culture. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Because we are very fast and love helping people to get the best of the experience and because of how unified and confident our team is.

Amadeus and Al Masria Universal Airlines Partner Amadeus has enabled travel agents to electronically book and issue tickets on Al Masria Universal Airlines, an Egyptbased private carrier, for flights from Egypt to select cities in Saudi Arabia. The agreement ensures that all Amadeus-connected agencies can access, book, and sell flights of the airline from their Amadeus reservation platform, without the need to switch to an external application. In addition to enhancing airline content portfolio available in the Amadeus Selling

Platform, the partnership will also contribute to expanding the airline’s distribution beyond its traditional channels and develop its presence in the Saudi Arabian market and beyond, optimising sales opportunities for the carrier. According to Nashat Bukhari, general manager, Saudi Arabia, Amadeus, this agreement will pave the way for quick and efficient services to Amadeus’ travel agencies and will also strengthen its commitment to support its travel agency’s customers.

JA Resorts & Hotels Rewards Travel Agents JA Resorts & Hotels is now offering travel agents across the GCC the chance to join the company’s incentive programme, which rewards them for client bookings at JA Oasis Beach Tower, JA Palm Tree Court, and The Residence at JA Palm Tree Court. Running until September 30, the online programme is presenting the region’s most proactive bookers, who secure leisure business for the hotel brand, with thousands of dollars worth of diamonds, gold, and iPads, with just 100 room nights required to kickstart the rewards. “This initiative was launched during our recent corporate GCC roadshow, and we have seen a 5.2 percent rise in business to date from key GCC source markets, which is extremely encouraging,” revealed Anabela Radosevic, director of sales and marketing, JA Resorts & Hotels, adding that the incentive programme is playing a crucial role in communicating the different JA experiences on offer, which, she continued, have got agents booking JA properties from Kuwait City to Riyadh.

The Residence at JA Palm Tree Court

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

Robust Air Passenger Growth Passenger demand increased six percent in June, well ahead of the 4.8 percent year-on-year growth reported over the first six months of the year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s report has revealed.

eanwhile, capacity expanded 5.6 percent pushing passenger load factor to 81.7 percent and, according to IATA’s data, the strong growth trend was reflected in all regions, however airlines from Asia Pacific were responsible for half of the increase in revenue passenger kilometres from May to June. Moreover, during the month under review, emerging markets were once again the strongest performers, particularly Africa and the Middle East which posted a growth of 10.8 percent and 11 percent, respectively, the latter whose growth has been fuelled by the demand for new routes to markets in Africa and Asia, according to the report. Tony Tyler, director general, IATA, highlighted that although the half-year report for passenger markets is broadly positive, there remains plenty of evidence to support some cautious optimism, adding that in the short-term, cost control remains high on every airline’s agenda, while in the long run the challenge is to expand value streams to generate sustainable levels of profitability.

Etisalat-Eye of the Emirates: Over 59,000 Visitors Etisalat-Eye of the Emirates recorded a 10 percent year-on-year increase in visitor numbers in the first half of the year, equivalent to some 59,000 visitors. “The Ferris wheel is recording an annual growth in number of visitors since its opening to public,” noted Sultan Mohamed Shattaf, manager, Al Qasba, who attributed the annual rise in visitor numbers to the efforts made in developing the overall tourism sector in Sharjah and to the popularity and prestigious position of Al Qasba in the local and regional tourism market.

Etisalat-Eye of the Emirates

Dhofar’s Taqah Castle Turns into Tourist Attraction Taqah Castle, a 19th century stronghold located in the heart of the small coastal town in Dhofar, has over the years become a major hit with visitors to Oman. Originally built as the official residence of Sheikh Ali Bin Timman AlMa'ashani, it is one of the three castles found along the coastlines of Dhofar, which was restored in 1992 and reopened its doors to the public in 1994, and also serves as a centre for displays of artifacts that throw the spotlight on Taqah’s history and the town’s local industries, such as fishing, handicrafts, and costumes. In addition, the ground floor area also houses a small shop with locally produced jewellery and other handmade items.

Muriya Commits to Green Initiatives Muriya has unveiled a unique campaign in support of the Environmental Society of Oman (ESO) initiative, reinforcing the company’s longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability. Dubbed ‘Together we can make a difference’, the campaign has been set up by Sifawy Boutique Hotel and Juweira Boutique Hotel, whose guests have now become stakeholders in the collective national goal of preserving the Sultanate’s unspoiled natural beauty, as Daniel Fanselow, general manager, Sifawy Boutique Hotel, and Juweira Boutique Hotel, explained. “Although symbolic in monetary terms, this gesture connects our multinational clientele with the ideals championed by the ESO through its many activities and projects,” he said. Lamees Daar, executive director, ESO, added, “All funds donated by guests will go towards the management of our research projects and awareness raising efforts. Sifah boasts a beautiful coastline with an expansive sea that is home to many species of whales and dolphins - creating awareness and protecting these species is the main aim of our Renaissance whale and dolphin research project.”

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RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Omer Kaddouri Over the past two decades, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation’s portfolio has grown from just two properties in 1993 to 85 hotels at present, and as Omer Kaddouri, chief operating officer, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, reveals, the company is now keen on entering the burgeoning Turkish market.

Travel Trade Weekly: Over a year ago, Rotana signed an agreement with Rhossos Tourism and Hospitality to manage the 300-room Rhossos Rotana Resort and Serviced Apartments. When is the hotel scheduled to open? Omer Kaddouri: The hotel is strategically located in Iskenderun, the commercial centre of the heritage rich Hatay region, [and it] will be the first Rotana property to be managed in Turkey. The hotel is expected to open in 2015 and will feature a 200m private beach front, a Turkish spa and health club, a business centre, large wedding and banqueting facilities, swimming pool, and a variety of food and beverage outlets. In addition to the hotel and serviced apartments, the property will include a high-end retail destination, complementing the needs of the vibrant local community as well as the leisure and business visitors. Travel Trade Weekly: Earlier this year, Rotana partnered with Dap-Yapi to open Tango Arjaan by Rotana and Burgu Arjaan by Rotana in Istanbul. When are these hotels slated to open? Omer Kaddouri: Tango Arjaan by Rotana and Burgu Arjaan by Rotana in Istanbul, will increase our portfolio by a total of 410 rooms. These properties are set to open in 2015. [...] On completion, the Burgu Arjaan by Rotana, divided into two connected towers [namely] Burgu 1 and Burgu 2, will have a total of 222 rooms, while the Tango Arjaan by Rotana will be a 188-key hotel. The two Burgu towers, with 111 rooms each, will share a host of vital facilities such as the lobby, lobby café, business centre, restaurant, health club and indoor pool, out-

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Omer Kaddouri Chief operating officer, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation

door pool and landscaped areas, as well as five to six meeting and conference rooms. Travel Trade Weekly: What aspects make Turkey an attractive market for Rotana? Omer Kaddouri: Turkey has always been a very important market for Rotana and we aim to manage hotels in key locations within the country, marking our entry with the landmark Rhossos Rotana Iskenderun property. We are proud to have been chosen to manage this new jewel and our team is very excited about the opportunity to be working in Turkey. We are confident that we will introduce a new dimension of hospitality in the country. Travel Trade Weekly: Which brands will lead the company’s expansion in Turkey?

Omer Kaddouri: All our brands will answer the needs of the hospitality market in Turkey. For instance, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana are designed to close the gap between hotel and home and we are entering the vibrant Turkish leisure market for the first time with this concept. The new properties will represent a milestone for Rotana; the Tango and Burgu Arjaan by Rotana will be the first step in taking our brand, which is already iconic in the Middle East and Africa region. The Tango Arjaan by Rotana and Burgu Arjaan by Rotana also make great economic sense for both residents and investors. With the ‘rent while you are away’ scheme, which is common worldwide but is yet to gain ground in Turkey, the properties provide an alternative source of income for owners. [...] The new Istanbul properties to be operated by Rotana will offer a privileged city life to families and guests who want to stay for a long time in the most beautiful buildings of the region. […] Their location is also convenient for both leisure and work. [...] With this in mind, the Tango Arjaan by Rotana and Burgu Arjaan by Rotana are responding to the need for quality accommodation in the region. [...] [Meanwhile] Rhossos Rotana Resort and Serviced Apartments keeps the concept of closing the gap between hotel and home, adding to it another key Rotana brand, Rotana Hotels & Resorts, [which] offers something for every type and level of traveller. The brand’s success is founded on our portfolio of fourand five-star properties and on its ability to attract some of the most renowned names in the restaurant world.

NEWS & EVENTS

Shurooq Touring the US Sharjah is preparing to organise a road show in the US between September 30 - October 4, in a bid to promote the emirate’s investment, business, and cultural attractions in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Organiser of the road show is Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), which hosted a briefing and discussion on the agenda of the visit. On the occasion, H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, stated that the tour is part of the emirate’s current strategy of strengthening cooperation with international parties, as Shurooq is seeking to highlight Sharjah’s tourism attractions and introduce its investment opportunities to the US community. “The delegation will deliver detailed presentation about the state-of-the-art infrastructure in the emirate of Sharjah and the advanced transportation networks which allow for easy access to local and international markets, particularly as Sharjah has one of the highest levels of diversification in the region [...],” he continued.

MSS Progress Discussed Dubai Maritime City Authority recently held a joint meeting with officials from the Dubai Civil Defence to discuss the latest developments in implementing the Dubai Maritime Sector Strategy (MSS) which is the first step aimed at achieving a radical change across the local maritime industry and ultimately positioning Dubai as a leading international maritime hub. The meeting shed light on the mechanism of implementing Dubai’s MSS especially in terms of ensuring compliance with the highest standards of maritime safety, the best environmental practices, and the local and international resolutions related to maritime operations management, in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister, UAE, and ruler of Dubai. Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, director general, Dubai Civil Defence, who headed the meeting, noted the significance of maintaining solid cooperation and constant coordination between various government entities in order to drive the growth of Dubai’s active economic sectors, especially the maritime industry.

EVENTS Food and Hospitality Oman Muscat, Oman, September 2 – 4, 2013 (www.foodandhospitalityoman.com) This event showcases a comprehensive range of services in the international food, beverage, and hotel industries.

Group Leisure & Travel Trade Show Birmingham, UK, September 18 – 19, 2013 (www.leisureshow.com) One of Britain’s largest annual group travel events with 200 exhibitors and 2,000 visitors.

MATTA Fair Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 6 – 8, 2013 (www.mattafair.org.my) Malaysia’s premier travel extravaganza providing global exposure and endless business opportunities.

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’.

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.

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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