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V Continents Executive Suites Opens V Five Continents Hospitality Group has launched its third property in Abu Dhabi.
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Rotana has announced the official opening of Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana and Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana in the heart of Deira, one of Dubai’s busiest tourism and commercial districts.
FlyGeorgia Touches Down in Dubai Georgian airline, FlyGeorgia, which began operation in summer 2012, has launched flights to Dubai, complementing the carrier’s other services in the MENA region.
08 IN THIS ISSUE RENDEZVOUS WEEKLY NEWS MARKET UPDATE ACCOMMODATION AIR NEWS WHO’S MOVED TRAVEL TALK AGENT’S CORNER TRAVEL CHANNELS RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS
02 03 04 06 08 11 12 13 14 15 16
Rotana Opens Two New Hotels in Dubai
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RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with Lashley Pulsipher Today, Kempinski employs over 20,000 staff members worldwide and welcomes an annual average of four million guests, concurrently laying a strong emphasis on the local economic, social, and environmental impact of its hotels, which Lashley Pulsipher, regional director of public relations, Middle East and Africa, Kempinski, believes can be managed positively and responsibly.
Travel Trade Weekly: What does the word ‘sustainability’ mean for Kempinski? Lashley Pulsipher: For Kempinski, sustainable business practices means growing our business with respect for the overall impact, whether social, economic, or environmental, which our hotels have. As a pioneer, Kempinski has often been the first international luxury hotel brand to enter a new destination: our role in integrating the local workforce, engaging with the local community, and respecting the resources of the destination is vital. Opening new hotels can have a positive economic impact but we need to manage the risks to local culture; this is why at Kempinski, we integrate and respect local culture in the design and operation of our hotels. Kempinski implements a series of corporate social responsibility initiatives, bringing a very positive attitude and innovative approach to some serious issues. This attitude and approach is different from many other companies, not just in the hospitality industry but in business in general. Travel Trade Weekly: How can a hospitality company like Kempinksi make a positive impact on the society and the environment? Lashley Pulsipher: Take sustainable energy first; Kempinski’s Green Inspiration programme is designed to raise awareness and implement simple actions to minimise waste, reduce energy consumption, and make wiser purchasing decisions. Yet Kempinski is engaged in a more fundamental approach through KREEN (Kempinski Renewable Energies) that takes into consideration the destination, renewable energy supplies, and local
Lashley Pulsipher Regional director of public relations, Middle East and Africa, Kempinski
energy prices to create a tailored solution for hotels at each stage of their lifecycle. Kempinski believes that a pragmatic approach to energy can result in real savings for business, so there is an actual incentive for both operator and hotel owner to implement a strategy that also benefits the environment and is a demonstrable commitment which guests can appreciate. Plus KREEN provides its services not only to Kempinski hotels but other hotel groups. KREEN recently unveiled its first renewable energy project at Kempinski Hotel Ajman, which uses solar energy to heat 30,000 litres of water a day. Travel Trade Weekly: What are the biggest challenges Kempinksi faces? Lashley Pulsipher: Some of the main challenges stem directly from the fact that Kempinski is a hotel management company
operating in countries with varying levels of infrastructure and healthcare models. By facing these challenges pragmatically, very much part of Kempinski’s DNA, the company believes it can find new and innovative ways to ensure the hotel operates to the highest standards of luxury hospitality, while also benefitting the local community. Kempinski has an innovative approach to health, believing that health is a shared value between business and the communities where it operates. After starting with a successful guest awareness and employee training programme in 2008 focused on tuberculosis (TB), with the Stop TB partnership, Kempinski began exploring an alternative and innovative format for cross-sector partnerships. Kempinski was joined by Landor, Bloch & Partner, and bridge.over as founders of BE Health Association, an independent, nonprofit association based in Switzerland. Travel Trade Weekly: What are the company’s long terms goals? Lashley Pulsipher: Long term, Kempinski aims to hold its hotels to increasingly high standards, especially when the hotel is being newly built and the very design of the building can be influenced and adapted to be the most sustainable possible in its location. Through KREEN’s management of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, and through increasingly demanding programmes and initiatives, which are part of Green Inspiration, as well as implementing BE’s peer education programmes, Kempinski believes it has found a sustainable and optimistic approach to serious issues.
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WEEKLY NEWS Arabian Adventures Launches Booking Engine Destination management company, Arabian Adventures, has put in operation its new online booking engine. By visiting the official website, customers can browse, book, and pay for most of Arabian Adventures’ range of sightseeing options, desert safaris, boating excursions, air tours, and attractions, in Dubai, Fujairah, and Abu Dhabi. Online visitors can also fill-in a booking request form for a host of other tours, products and services. According to initial results, the ‘sundowner’ excursion, which includes a dune drive, camel riding, henna painting, and live entertainment in the heart of the desert, has proved to be the most popular excursion with online bookers so far. The introduction of the online booking engine coincides with the launch of the company’s brochure and will complement the new collection of activities that showcase the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Opens Promotion Office in India Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has launched its first ever destination promotion office in India to best serve the growing demand from the Indian market. The move comes as India is gradually identified as a high potential market for Abu Dhabi, with 124 flights a week, linking nine Indian destinations with Abu Dhabi International Airport. According to Mubarak Al Nuaimi, international promotions manager, TCA Abu Dhabi, India is currently the destination’s second largest overseas market for hotel guests after the UK, and this year, Mubaral Al Nuaimi, international the authority will also roll out a roadshow across India. promotions manager, TCA Abu Dhabi (on the right)
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MARKET UPDATE
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS
UAE: Strong Occupancy Levels Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi continued to see growing demand in the hotel sector, as TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats survey for November 2012, revealed.
Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli
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SALES & MARKETING Maria Demetriadou Derek Lainsbury Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia, 1308, Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 210466 WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel
ccupancy levels in the capital reached 83.5 percent, among the highest in the region. Average room rate (ARR), however, shrunk seven percent from the corresponding month in 2011, decreasing to USD202.72, thus reducing RevPAR by 6.8 percent, to USD169.32, and gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) down USD9.47 to USD162.80. Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting, indicated continuously strong occupancy levels in Abu Dhabi, how-
ever stressed that bottom line performance continued to suffer due to the perpetual pressure on rates as a result of new competition. Meanwhile in Dubai, hotels registered the highest profit margins in 36 months, as occupancy levels reached 90.8 percent and ARR surged 1.6 percent to USD360.47, compounding a 5.2 percent increase in RevPAR to USD327.16. According to the study, a 23.2 percent increase in meeting revenues coupled with a slight reduction in payroll costs aided a 12.3 percent improvement in GOPPAR to USD297.15.
EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of
24/01/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar
COUNTRY
CURRENCY
1USD=
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
6.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
3.75
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,502.00
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Syria (SYP)
Pound
71.00
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.28
Qatar (QAR)
Riyal
3.64
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.38
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.56
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
8.38
Iran (IRR)
Riyal
12,285.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.05
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
78.01
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.26
Passenger Traffic Soars in Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) welcomed 1,211,464 passengers in November 2012, marking a year-on-year increase of 10 percent, as Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC)’s latest monthly traffic report revealed. During the month under review, aircraft movements rose 7.9 percent, reaching 10,711, and cargo traffic figures were also on the rise, with over 49,896 tonnes of freight handled, recording a growth of 18 percent. Bangkok, Doha, London Heathrow, Manila, and Bahrain were the top five routes for the month, collectively claiming 21 percent of the total traffic for the month. With over 13.4 million travellers passing through the airport in the first 11 months of 2012, passenger volume improved 19.3 percent at ADIA. “Such figures are an indication of the position of the capital’s airport as a major international aviation hub,” Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, ADAC, pointed out, adding that the company looks forward to sustaining this dynamic growth. Abu Dhabi International Airport
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WEEKLY NEWS
Rotana Opens Two New Hotels in Dubai Rotana, a leading hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, has announced the official opening of Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana and Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana in the heart of Deira, one of Dubai’s busiest tourism and commercial districts, taking the company’s total number of properties in the emirate to 15, the highest of any operator in the city. The two new hotels also represent Rotana’s largest ever room inventory in a single project and will add 620 rooms to the company’s Dubai portfolio; 428 rooms at Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana, and 192 apartments at Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana, bringing its total room inventory in the emirate to 3,795, its most significant in a single city within its extensive portfolio.
Accommodation
Accor Continues Saudi Expansion Accor has signed a management contract with Ahmed Saleh Kaki Sons Company, a family-owned diversified business group, to develop the first Novotel hotel in Jeddah. Located in the most central artery in the city, Novotel Jeddah, which is slated to open by the end of the year, will feature 143 rooms and suites, 350m2 of meeting space, health club, and swimming pool, just to name a few. It will also offer easy access to the airport and the business district, and will join Accor’s rapidly expanding Saudi network, which already includes 12 hotels representing over 3,000 rooms. Describing the country as a key market for the company, Christophe Landais, managing director, Accor Middle East, noted, “We just recently signed two new contracts for Sofitel and Suite Novotel in Riyadh, and have now a pipeline totaling eight projects under construction in the Kingdom.” Christophe Landais, managing director, Accor Middle East (in the middle)
V Continents Executive Suites Opens V Five Continents Hospitality Group has launched its third property in Abu Dhabi. Located in the heart of the UAE capital’s business hub, V Continents Executive Suites features 120 studios and suites, each with a fully equipped kitchenette. Various food and beverage outlets are available, while recreational facilities include a gym, outdoor rooftop swimming pool, and sauna. The business centre offers spacious meeting rooms for up to 50 people, with tailored packages and secretarial services. The opening of the new hotel marks another milestone in the company’s growth strategy, as Tarek Elsherif, managing director, V Five Continents Hospitality Group, highlighted, while Bader Jeiroudi, managing director, Sultan International Holding, the owning company, described the property as one of the most luxurious hotels in Abu Dhabi.
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Accommodation
Golden Tulip MENA Introduces Breakfast Manager Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites and Resorts MENA (Golden Tulip MENA) has highlighted the importance of a breakfast duty manager, with the presence of one during the serving experience who will join the crowd during their early morning meal. “The breakfast duty manager initiative that we are highlighting in all our hotels in the MENA region is an opportunity to have the managers not only interact with the guests, listen to their ideas, and share their experiences, but also to make them feel how important they are, and how important the memory of the hotel stay […] as this is the real experience they can share with their friends and what keeps them coming back to the hotel and recommend it to others,” commented Amine Moukarzel, president, Golden Tulip MENA.
Kuwait’s Arraya Ballroom Unveils New Look Arraya Ballroom, Kuwait City’s landmark venue managed by Marriott International, has undergone a makeover to adapt to the latest international trends in product and service offerings. Over the last decade, the 1,500m2 ballroom, located in the heart of downtown, adjacent to Courtyard by Marriott Kuwait Hotel, has earned a reputation for being the choice for some of the country’s most important events. George Aoun, general manager, Kuwait Marriott Hotels, expressed his delight during a grand cocktail reception, and said, “We are proud to showcase our world-class Arraya Ballroom as the true leader for prestigious occasions in Kuwait. We have always ensured that no two events are ever the same no matter how complex, from hosting corporate seminars to graduations to memorable wedding parties.” Providing an ideal venue for any occasion, the upgraded ballroom comes with meeting facilities, two large screens, wireless connections, private meeting rooms, and an experienced in-house event team for personalised support.
Arraya Ballroom
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WEEKLY NEWS
Copthorne Hotel Dubai Gets a Facelift Copthorne Hotel Dubai has undergone a major refurbishment, upgrading its guest rooms, swimming pool, gym, restaurants, public spaces, and technology, as well as adding a number of new retail, commercial, and meeting facilities. “When it comes to a hotel, refurbishment is an ongoing process. Our objective is to continuously maintain standards while adding new features. We have upgraded our facilities top-to-bottom,” commented Alaa Salameh, general manager, Copthorne Hotel Dubai. “The makeover was carried out in stages as the hotel is consistently busy. Keeping the property open all year round meant that the rooms had to be done without causing any inconvenience to our guests. The biggest task was to expand our meeting facilities adding a beautiful ballroom, four meeting rooms, a boardroom, three breakout rooms, and an outdoor event space.”
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WEEKLY NEWS
Air News
Air Arabia Serving Sialkot On January 10, Air Arabia began services to its third destination in Pakistan, Sialkot, becoming the first UAE carrier to operate scheduled flights to the capital city of Sialkot District. “The launch of our daily service to Sialkot is a continuation of Air Arabia’s promise to offer value for money fares to multiple destinations in Pakistan. Since launching operations to Pakistan five years ago, we have been committed to offering our customers a unique option for affordable air travel and a great connectivity between both nations. The new service to Sialkot further contributes to the travel needs between Pakistan and the UAE. That being said, we look forward to developing our services to reach more destinations in Pakistan,” said Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia.
EGYPTAIR Launches New Flights
Manchester
Egypt’s national carrier announced its new return direct regular services to Manchester, UK; Toronto, Canada; and Harare, Zimbabwe, as of June 1. Flights to and from Manchester are to be operated daily except Mondays and Wednesdays, while air routes to Toronto and Harare will be served four times a week. The services are complementing a current network of 17 African and 20 European destinations already served by EGYPTAIR’s codeshare partners. The airline will offer promotional fares on the new destinations while frequent flyer members will enjoy additional benefits.
American Airlines and Qatar Airways Codeshare American Airlines has signed an agreement with Qatar Airways to codeshare on each other’s flights providing new growth opportunities for the American carrier in the Middle East and for the Dohabased airline in the US. Following government approvals, the new codeshare agreement will offer customers more seamless choices by allowing the two airlines to work together to improve flight schedules and connection times. This will include codesharing on non-stop services between the US and Doha, as well as those connecting at the carriers’ European gateways such as Paris and London, and flights to cities in the US and beyond Doha. “This new codeshare relationship with Qatar is another example of how American is focused on building its global network through closer coordination with its alliance partners around the world,” commented Kurt Stache, vice president, strategic alliances, American Airlines.
Emirates Adds to Bangkok Route Emirates has further strengthened its commitment to Southeast Asia by introducing a fifth daily non-stop service between Dubai and Bangkok, with the announcement coming just weeks after it launched a daily service between Dubai and Phuket. As of March 31, the airline will operate 35 flights a week between Dubai and Bangkok, plus a daily Airbus A380 service between the Thai capital and Hong Kong, and a daily flight between Bangkok and Sydney, which connects on to Christchurch. These services, along with the Phuket flights, take the number of weekly Emirates departures from Thailand to 56.
Emirates
FlyGeorgia Touches Down in Dubai Georgian airline, FlyGeorgia, which began operation in summer 2012, has launched flights to Dubai, complementing the carrier’s services in the region which include air connections to Sharm El Sheikh, Tehran, Antalya, and Hurghada, to name a few. Also boasting services to one European destination, namely Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with two more set to come on board, John Kohlsaat, CEO, FlyGeorgia, believes that it is time for the airline to expand its network and connect Georgia to the world. Part of these efforts is dnata’s assignment by the carrier as its representative in the Middle East. Kohlsaat explained, “FlyGeorgia’s decision to appoint dnata as general sales agent for the GCC and India was based on the company’s experience, contacts in the regions, and their well-trained, knowledgeable staff who can help us tap into an untouched potential market, especially for our new Dubai service.”
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10
WEEKLY NEWS
Emirates and TAP Portugal Collaborate
Air News
Etihad Airways to Launch Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam Flights
Emirates and TAP Portugal have announced the start of a reciprocal codeshare agreement enabling passengers from both airlines to benefit from seamless connections, which began on December 21, 2012. The deal permits customers to enjoy the convenience of a single combined ticket for Emirates and TAP Portugal-operated flights, in addition to linking both airlines’ frequent flyer programmes, namely Emirates’ Skywards and TAP Portugal’s Victoria. Under the agreement, Emirates’ flight number will be placed on TAP Portugal’s services from Lisbon to Porto, Faro, and Funchal in the country, as well as Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona in Spain. Meanwhile, TAP Portugal will place its code and flight number on several Emirates services between Lisbon and Dubai, to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
flydubai to Add Ha’il Route flydubai has added another destination in Saudi Arabia to its network, with two flights a week to Ha’il. Flights to the oasis city in Nejd in the north west of the country, will commence on February 13, with twice a week operations. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “As we remain committed to better serve the Saudi market, we are grateful to the authorities for their continuous support of flydubai. The start of this service reaffirms our commitment to serve regional airports with direct flights to Dubai. We look forward to serving passengers from Ha’il, which is becoming increasing important to the Kingdom’s economy.” flydubai now serves nine destinations in Saudi Arabia, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Yanbu, Dammam, Gassim, Tabuk, and Taif, in addition to Ha’il.
flydubai
Etihad Airways is set to launch daily flights to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, as of May 15. Speaking at a press conference in the Dutch capital, James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, and Peter Hartman, president, KLM, also disclosed details of the expansion of the codeshare agreement between the two airlines with the new service set to carry the KL code of the Dutch national carrier. In addition, the daily flights will complement KLM’s current service between Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi, which will increase to daily from summer and carry Etihad Airways’ EY code, ensuring that the two airlines can offer a combined double-daily service. “The double-daily service between Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi will benefit passengers looking to travel from the Netherlands to Abu Dhabi and beyond to destinations like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Australia. This is indicative of Abu Dhabi’s growing importance as a global hub. In addition to Amsterdam, Etihad Airways will also launch flights to São Paulo, Washington, D.C., and Ho Chi Minh City this year,” commented Hogan.
Qatar Airways Increases Poland Routes Qatar Airways has announced a capacity increase on the Doha - Warsaw route, effective February 1. The current four-times-a-week service is scheduled to move to a daily operation less than two months after the launch of flights to Poland’s capital city. The frequency rise follows a pledge by Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, in December, 2012 to introduce more flights on the Warsaw route once there was strong passenger demand. “I have been pleasantly surprised how well the route has performed since adding the latest European gateway to our ever-expanding global network last month. When we enter new markets, we do so carefully with limited capacity and then develop routes with more capacity once we see evidence that additional flights are warranted. Today’s development is welcome news for the people of Poland with more choice of flights and a great international network to choose from, specifically to Asia, Australia, and the Middle East,” he commented.
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WHO'S MOVED
Zeynep Tunac Zeynep Tunac has joined Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City as meetings and events manager. Having previously worked for Hilton Worldwide in both Turkey and the UAE in several senior positions, Tunac brings a strong sales background, solid knowledge and over four years of experience to the team. In her new role, she will be responsible for managing and
promoting the hotel’s meeting and events facilities, handling the day-to-day operations and reservations within the department, overlooking the organisation of all events as well as leading and directing the team to achieve further success.
Tunac has joined Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City as meetings and events manager
Frédéric Huynh Quan Dat Frédéric Huynh Quan Dat has been appointed general manager for Vietnam at Etihad Airways. Huynh brings over 13 years of experience to the role, having begun his career in 1999 as an analyst at Air France, based in New York. Since then he has held a number of commercial roles in France, Lebanon as well as the UAE. Prior to joining Etihad Airways, he served
Craig Kreeger Craig Kreeger has been named CEO of Virgin Atlantic, effective February 1. He takes on the role after spending 27 years with American Airlines in various commercial, financial, and strategic roles in the US and around the globe, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific. He started in 1985 as an analyst and was appointed senior vice president
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of customer service in 2012. Kreeger, who will succeed Steve Ridgway, who is retiring from the airline, joins at an exciting time as Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic finalise their agreement for a new joint venture that will create an expanded TransAtlantic network.
Kreeger has been named CEO of Virgin Atlantic
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as Air France-KLM’s manager for international and Netherland’s corporate policy. Huynh Quan Dat, who holds a Master’s degree in the science of management from ICN Graduate School of Business in Nancy, France, will be based in Ho Chi Minh City.
Huynh Quan Dat has been appointed general manager for Vietnam
Wolfgang Prock-Schauer Wolfgang Prock-Schauer has been appointed as the new CEO of airberlin. Prock-Schauer, who also becomes an executive director on the board of directors of airberlin, succeeds Hartmut Mehdom, who will continue to serve as non-executive director of the board. A widely respected expert in the airline industry, ProckSchauer has extensive experi-
ence in international management, having started his career in 1981 with Austrian Airlines. Over the past three decades, he also worked as the CEO of Jet Airways, as well as the CEO of British Midland International. Most recently he served as chief strategy and network planning officer on the management board of airberlin, a position, which he will continue to hold until further notice.
TRAVEL TALK
travel talk is your space
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Sam Eltibi
Shaun Parsons
Executive director, MENA and Asia Pacific, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group.
General manager, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi.
“As we have seen in Europe, there is a correlation between budget airlines and the increase of car rental. The UAE is a hub now for regional tourism and transit stays, so people like to drive around even when they are on a short trip. Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group has a very strong presence in airports across the UAE in Dubai, Sharjah as well as Abu Dhabi.”
“[In 2012] the hotel [had] done a good job staying in the lead; despite the fierce competition and the new openings, we managed to keep our loyal base of business travellers groups from the Gulf countries, mainly Saudi Arabia, as well as Europe, mainly France, the UK, and Germany. Another source market that had remained steady over the tough years is Asia with Japan and Korea, linked to the oil business, and a new entrant lately being China.”
Arbind K. Shrestha
Sayed Tayoun
General manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi.
Area director of sales and marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group.
“Abu Dhabi has a strong future in event and cultural tourism and is establishing itself as a business and leisure travel hub. With the continuous influx of hotels into the Abu Dhabi market, this will be a promising, at the same time, challenging year. However, we welcome the competition as it allows us to perfect our service and product offerings.”
“We will definitely see a change in our business mix [at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island] and an increase in our leisure segment after the opening of Yas Waterworld and Yas Island beach, which will perfectly complement existing attractions such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Links Golf Course on Yas Island and Al Forsan Sports Resort which is just a seven-minute drive away.”
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: George Fawzi POSITION: President COMPANY: Excel Travel LOCATION: Egypt WEB: www.exceltrvl.net
Who are you? I am George Fawzi, president and CEO of Excel Travel in Egypt. I have been working in the travel industry for the last 30 years. Excel Travel is a dynamic and creative destination management company in Egypt. We provide all travel and travel-related services, and design creative programmes. Our standards are guaranteed, [with a] reply on all requests, inquiries, and requests for proposals within 24 hours, followed by a detailed itemised offer. Our multilingual staff are accessible 24/7. Discover with our guides the valley of whales and the White Desert; chartering helicopters and Nile cruises; desert star gazing including Bedouin dinner. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? My favourite thing about working in the travel industry is the constant creativity and meeting with people from [across the globe]. When is the best time to visit Egypt? Egypt is a great destination where, in winter, you can visit the Red Sea, the Western Desert, and the Nile Valley, and in the summer, you can visit the Mediterranean and also the Red Sea. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? I would like to travel to the Red Sea, specifically El Gouna. This is my preferred destination in winter and also in summer. Why should people come to you for travel advice? For two reasons, being the knowledge of the destination (as we are a destination management company) and the quality of services we provide.
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PIA and Travelport Sign Full Content Agreement Travelport has announced that is has reached a full content agreement with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan’s national carrier. The new multi-year deal applies to all Galileo and Worldspan subscribers in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and allows all connected travel agents to have access to the airline’s full range of published fares, web fares, and inventory. The new relationship will fulfil a long-standing demand from the travel industry, according to Mamoon Rashid, director, corporate services, PIA, who added that it will provide
the airline with the opportunity to grow its business, while travel agents can access PIA more easily, through Travelport’s reach and depth of coverage. “This is an incredibly important agreement for our travel agency customers,” explained Will Owen Hughes, senior airline director, Middle East and Africa, Travelport. “PIA is a strategic airline that boasts a far-reaching network and strong loyalty amongst the Pakistani expatriate community, and as such is highly valued by travel agencies in the region and worldwide,” he concluded.
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Visa Signs MoU with Dubai Government Visa has signed the UAE eCommerce Working Group memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Dubai and private sector companies based in the emirate.
A
s part of a global initiative, which is set to reinforce Dubai’s leading position in eCommerce entrepreneurship across the region, the MoU, which is valid for 12 months, was signed during the third annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit, in the presence of various dignitaries including H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister, UAE, and ruler of Dubai. “eCommerce is a rapidly growing opportunity and a crucial driver
for economies and business growth across the region. Visa has been a pioneer in eCommerce and has always striven to make it safe, reliable, and convenient,” commented Kamran Siddiqi, general manager, MENA, Visa, who was also present at the event, and expressed delight to be a part of the new group and feels confident regarding the adoption of eCommerce policy guidelines through the UAE Working Group which, he believes, will benefit not only Visa’s partners in the initiative but all businesses across the country.
ANVR Commits to UNWTO Code The Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ANVR) has signed a private sector commitment to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, pledging to observe and promote the principles of sustainable tourism development. Commenting on the signing, Taleb Rifai, secretary-general, UNWTO, said, “As the only association in the world which has made it mandatory for all its members to appoint a trained sustainability coordinator, ANVR is a clear example of how the private sector can move forward in the implementation of the Code.” Sharing this view, Frank Oostdam, director, ANVR, further expressed the belief that the tourism sector can play an important role in stimulating a sustainable future for the people at the various destinations. “It is our conviction that tourism in that way is part of the solution by realising a sustainable future,” he concluded.
Camp Hope at Sharjah Water Festival Visitors from Camp Hope, an initiative aimed at creating the right environment for children with special needs and organised under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah, attended the Sharjah Water Festival on December 16, 2012. The group, which included children with special needs, were taken around the park to witness and take part in a range of shows and activities. H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Noman, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, stressed the importance of unique and fun events in accordance with the emirate’s image as a family tourism destination, adding that the sixth edition of the Sharjah Water Festival received more than 53,000 visitors.
Sharjah’s Healthcare Sector Set to Grow According to a study released by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), the emirate’s healthcare sector is set to rise by 9.3 percent by 2016. Healthcare is a promising sector where the increased demand for specialised services will drive growth, with the industry growing from AED4.59 billion (USD1.25 billion) in 2012 to AED6.55 billion (USD1.78 billion) in 2016, as H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, explained, adding, “With various new projects in the stage of planning and execution, while many others are in the pipeline, Sharjah’s healthcare sector is set to witness a major boom in the months and years ahead.” Moreover, Sharjah offers many untapped market opportunities, making it ideal business destination for investors from the UAE and abroad, stressed Al Sarkal.
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RENDEZVOUS
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Q & A with Christophe Landais Accor has long been a vanguard of the hospitality industry, and here, Christophe Landais, managing director, Accor Middle East, explains how integrating sustainable principles into the group’s business strategy can benefit not only the environment and the community but also the company, its partners, and employees.
Travel Trade Weekly: Why is it important for Accor to recognise its corporate responsibility and set an example for others? Christophe Landais: With an increase in global travel, we recognise our growing corporate responsibility in lessening our business impact on the natural environment, and improving our impact on the society. As a leading hotel operator, Accor is at the forefront of deploying environmental and social innovative solutions that minimise the impact of our hotels. We believe that making day-today commitments and putting eco-friendly facilities and practices in place can drive continuous improvement across the board. All our hotels in the region and Accor’s 3,500 hotels worldwide are all deeply committed to create a virtuous circle that benefits its ’ecosystem’, comprising employees, customers, partners, local communities and of course, the planet as a whole, while creating value for its operations. At a time when the group is embarking on a phase of brisk expansion, with the aim of becoming the global reference in hotel industry, we are reaffirming our choice of responsible growth capable of generating shared value for all. Travel Trade Weekly: Accor’s PLANET 21 programme is set to transform the company’s commitment to sustainable development into a ‘decisive competitive advantage’ for the group. What are the main pillars of this initiative? Christophe Landais: Accor's new sustainable development strategy is being written today
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Christophe Landais Managing director, Accor Middle East
innovation. I am convinced that sustainable development will lead us towards a new business model. PLANET 21 gives us a fantastic driver of competitiveness for our brands, attractiveness for our customers, and partners and loyalty for our employees. Travel Trade Weekly: Based on your experience, what are the main challenges and benefits of implementing sustainable practices, particularly in the MENA region?
with PLANET 21. The name is taken from Agenda 21, a programme of goals signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and reminds us of the urgent concern to be addressed in the 21st century: the need to change our methods of production and consumption to preserve human beings and eco-systems. PLANET 21 consists of 21 commitments and the same number of quantified goals adopted by Accor looking to 2015, including employees training in the prevention of diseases in 95 percent of hotels, the promotion of balanced dishes in 80 percent of establishments, the use of ecolabelled products in 85 percent of hotels or the reduction in water and energy use of respectively 15 percent and 10 percent in owned and leased hotels. [...] With the PLANET 21 programme, we are putting sustainable hospitality at the core of the group’s strategy, development, and
Christophe Landais: In the MENA region, the foundation is being laid out for sustainable growth. It is still much in the development stage here although we see, read, and hear more news about ‘green initiatives’ being rolled out. The hospitality industry in the region recognises the need to commit to sustainable actions, to ‘walk the talk’ rather than just talking about it. It is encouraging to see that government-related bodies such as the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority are committed to green measures. More hotel guests are concerned about sustainable development in the hotels they stay in and, for some, it is an important factor they consider before they even book a hotel. Clients are helping us make the planet a better place to live in, as they voice out these concerns to us. Non-governmental organisations and international organisations also help in assisting us to be responsible corporate citizens. Hand in hand, we believe that if all of us […] put our minds and hearts to it, we can all create a long-term positive influence and make a difference.
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NEWS & EVENTS
ITB Highlights Barrier-free Tourism The latest ITB World Travel Trends report has revealed that barrier-free tourism is an underrated market that will increase drastically over the years. In addition, the study has shown that despite having the time and money to travel, people with disabilities or reduced mobility are discouraged from doing so due to lack of easily accessible facilities. According to data, around 37 percent of disabled people in Germany decided not to travel as a result of the shortage of such facilities, but 48 percent would travel more if the necessary arrangements existed, while 60 percent would even be willing to pay higher travel costs for better accessibility. Martin Buck, director, Competence Centre Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin, emphasised that the global travel industry should remove barriers so as to facilitate disabled people, families with young children, accident victims, and the elderly.
ADAC to Host 2013 Trinity Forum Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) recently announced that it is to stage this year’s Trinity Forum, the travel retail industry’s annual conference, taking place from January 29 - 31 at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi. The event, which is jointly organised by Airports Council International (ACI) and the Moodie Report, is set to attract 350 delegates, including duty free retailers, leading international brands, and the most progressive airports from around the world. “Exchanging knowledge between travel retail experts and professionals during the Trinity Forum is an exciting and critical opportunity for the industry, as it allows all stakeholders to identify new trends, contribute to the customer experience on the ground, and ultimately maximises revenue growth in a challenging global market,” commented Mohammed Al Bulooki, chief commercial officer, ADAC. The conference’s focus will be Thought Leadership in Travel and Retail, while topics of discussion will cover the industry’s evolution and the major challenges it continues to face.
EVENTS Business Travel Show London, UK, February 5 – 6, 2013 (www.businesstravelshow.com) One of Europe’s main exhibition and conference for corporate travel buyers, managers, and bookers to source, learn, and network.
MITT Moscow Moscow, Russia, March 20 – 23, 2013 (www.mitt.ru) Russia’s leading and largest travel exhibition with over 3,000 participating companies and 197 destinations, a key meeting place for industry professionals.
Hoteliers European Marketplace Brussels, Belgium, February 11, 2013 (www.cvent.com/events/hoteliers-european-marketplace-2013) A one-day business-to-business workshop where European hotels and hotel chains meet contractors from all around the world.
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.
Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) Melbourne, Australia, February 26 – 27, 2013 (www.aime.com.au) A must-attend, five-star event in the Asia Pacific region for the meeting and events industry.
World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America São Paulo, Brazil, April 23 – 25, 2013 (www.wtmlatinamerica.com) The leading global event for the region’s travel industry, which brings the world to Latin America and promotes Latin America to the world.
ITB Berlin Berlin, Germany, March 6 – 10, 2013 (www.itb-berlin.de) A business-to-business platform for trade visitors which provides the possibility to discover the whole world within a few hours.
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.
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