Travel Trade Weekly Issue 177

Travel Trade Weekly proudly enjoys readers on average per day

30 MARCH 2013

ISSUE 177

HIA to Operate as of April 1 Effective April 1, Hamad International Airport (HIA), Qatar’s brand new iconic airport, will begin soft opening operations for 10 passenger airlines.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Majid Al Futtaim Properties have celebrated the launch of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel.

04 Rotana Debuts in Bahrain Majestic Arjaan by Rotana has opened its doors, marking the hotel company’s debut in Bahrain.

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

02 04 08 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel Opens

10

2

MARKET UPDATE

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

Riyadh: 7,990 Rooms in the Pipeline The Middle East and Africa region’s hotel development pipeline comprises 491 hotels with 120,524 rooms, according to the February STR Global Construction Pipeline Report.

JOURNALISTS Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli

A

SALES & MARKETING

mong the markets under review, Riyadh reported the largest expected supply growth with 7,990 rooms in the pipeline, equivalent to 103.2 percent. In addition, four other destinations registered

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

Dubai: DSF Boost Occupancy Levels Hotels in Dubai continued to surpass 2012 performances as tourists flocked to the city for the 18th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which took place from January 3 to February 3.

This data, compiled by TRI Hospitality Consulting and illustrated in the latest HotStats survey of full-serviced four- and five-star hotels further states that the success of the month-long event lifted occupancy levels to 89.6 percent, up 4.2 percentage points, while average room rate (ARR) rose five percent to USD359.39, and RevPAR increased 10.2 percent to USD321.85.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi also benefitted from the overflow demand from DSF, boosting occupancy levels by 10.8 percentage points to 71.7 percent. ARR on the other hand dropped 10.7 percent to USD167.77, dragging RevPAR down by 5.3 percent to USD113.05.

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

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

27/03/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.80

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

Riyal

3.75

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,504.00

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Syria (SYP)

Pound

70.60

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.29

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.59

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.64

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,285.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.31

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

79.11

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.29

expected room growth of more than 20 percent, including Jeddah with 3,798 rooms or 63.6 percent, Muscat with 1,992 rooms or 42 percent, Abu Dhabi with 7,189 rooms or 38 percent, and Dubai with 16,588 rooms or 26.3 percent.

QAIA’s Passenger Traffic Soars

Q

ueen Alia International Airport (QAIA) has experienced continued growth in year-to-date passenger volume and aircraft movement (ACM) for January.

Based on figures released by Airport International Group (AIG) during the month under review the Jordanian airport welcomed 475,069 travellers, a year-on-year increase of 2.6 percent, while ACM rose over three percent to 5,269, and cargo traffic grew to 6,931 tonnes, up by a marginal 0.03 tonnes.

“QAIA’s continued traffic growth is a posi-

QAIA’s continued traffic growth is a positive indicator of the airport’s expected performance this year tive indicator of the airport’s expected performance this year, and underscores the necessity of the new state-of-the-art terminal in accommodating the projected increase in passenger and flight numbers,” highlighted Kjeld Binger, CEO, AIG. 30 MARCH 2013

4

MARKET UPDATE

HIA to Operate as of April 1 Effective April 1, Hamad International Airport (HIA), Qatar’s brand new iconic airport, will begin soft opening operations for the following 10 passenger airlines: Air Arabia; Air India Express; Biman Bangladesh Airlines; flydubai; Iran Air; Nepal Airlines; Pakistan International Airlines; RAK Airways; Syrian Air; and Yemen Airways.

Qatar Airways’ flights will not be affected, and will move its entire operations from the current Doha International Airport (DIA) to HIA by the end of the year, while the specified remaining 10 airlines will no longer have a presence at DIA and will operate exclusively from HIA. Along with the concourse B opening on April 1, the eastern runway and the uniquely designed air traffic control tower, will also be in operation.

Additionally there will be a shuttle bus between the two airports.

IATA to Open an Area Office in Abu Dhabi The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the conclusion of an agreement with the government of the UAE for the establishment of its Gulf area office in Abu Dhabi, which will come into effect on June 1.

The Abu Dhabi office will report to the association’s MENA regional office in Amman, Jordan, and together they will make available the full range of IATA’s services and member benefits to airlines operating in the region.

This includes managing the local operations of the IATA Industry Settlement Systems, the IATA Operational Safety Audit, and delivering leadership as the industry establishes and implements global standards to support the flagship ‘Simplifying the Business’ programme, among other activities.

“This agreement reflects the recognition by the government of the UAE of the importance that aviation plays in driving economic growth and development,” said Tony Tyler, director general, IATA, who signed the agreement with Sheikh Abdullah Mohammad Bin Butti Al Hamed, undersecretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE, in the presence of Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, foreign minister, UAE.

VingCard Elsafe Offers NFC-compatible Mobile Access Solution The global leader in hospitality security, part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, VingCard Elsafe, has showcased its new integrated solution enabling event staff to use their Xperia T near field communication (NFC)-enabled handsets to access their hotel rooms during this year's Mobile World Congress, which took place on February 25-28 in Barcelona.

Using the Seos application, trial participants checked in at Hotel Porta Fira Santos, using their Sony handset by simply touching it with the NFC-compatible Signature RFID by VingCard electronic door lock reader to access their hotel room.

The Seos ecosystem consists of integrated elements which support issuing, delivering, and revoking digital keys on NFC-enabled mobile devices that are used to open doors to homes, hotels, offices, universities, hospitals, and commercial buildings.

Dubai: 10 million Visitors for the First Time Visitor numbers to Dubai increased 9.3 percent in 2012, with the city welcoming more than 10 million travellers over a period of a year for the first time in its history.

Based on the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM)’s figures, hotel guest and cruise passenger numbers reached 10.16 million, while guest nights rose 14 percent to over 37.4 million, and hotel revenues increased 17.9 percent to AED18.82 billion (USD5.12 billion). In response to the growing demand, the number of hotel establishments changed from 575 to 599.

The coordinated city-wide destination management strategy, Dubai’s world-class infrastructure, its location at the crossroads of East and West, and the unrelenting efforts to enhance its already diverse tourism offers have all been key to the continued year-on-year growth, according to H.E. Helal Almarri, director general, DTCM, who further commented, “The increasing average length of stay and the rising number of hotel apartments is evidence of a growing trend in people and families visiting Dubai for longer periods.”

30 MARCH 2013

6

WEEKLY NEWS

Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau Conducts US Roadshow The recently launched Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, the dedicated, one-stop-support entity within Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), has partnered with the UAE embassy in Washington, D.C. to roll out a roadshow in a bid to highlight Abu Dhabi’s business tourism offerings to US associations.

The roadshow culminated with an educational luncheon in the US capital, which attracted top executives from the associations sector, and enabled participants to discuss a wide range of topics from opportunities for the sector, the safety of groups visiting the region, women’s rights, infrastructure, as well as the existing strong US - UAE ties.

In addition, tourism from the US to the UAE, as well as the huge potential of the US MICE market, were also highlighted during the event, as visitors from the country are among Abu Dhabi’s longest-staying hotel guests, spending an average of 5.5 days.

Middle Eastern Hoteliers Remain Upbeat Accommodation owners in the Middle East remain optimistic about the current year, with 71 percent of them expecting profitability well above the global average of 68 percent, as TripBarometer by TripAdvisor, hailed as the world’s largest accommodation and traveller survey, revealed.

The report, which was based on the responses of more than 35,000 travellers and hoteliers around the world, also shows that in the Middle East 39 percent of accommodation providers are planning to increase rates this year, close to the global average of 40 percent, while African and Middle Eastern consumers are the most likely to grow their travel budget with 76 percent and 75 percent respectively versus 49 percent globally.

Reflecting the online channels’ growing importance, respondents listed travel review websites, web-based travel agencies, and travel operator websites among the top three sources of information, and 56 percent of businesses from the Middle East are expected to prioritise social media within their marketing plans.

ADPC to Develop New Tourism Hub Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) plans to turn Shahama Port into a commercial, leisure, and tourism hub, with the first phase of the project slated for completion in 2014.

ADPC has revealed plans to redevelop the Shahama Port with the addition of new facilities and recreational amenities that both support the community and the activities in the port. These include slipways, boat lifts, ramps, water and electrical connections for boats, services centres, a marina clubhouse, restaurants and cafés, a shopping and retail complex, and picnic areas, among others.

“We see Shahama Port becoming one of the largest onestop-shops for all leisure boat users in Abu Dhabi,” said Waleed Al Tamimi, vice president, Project Development, ADPC.

Shahama Port

30 MARCH 2013

8

WEEKLY NEWS

Tulip Inn Royal Suites Ajman to Tap CIS Market Tulip Inn Royal Suites Ajman, situated along the Corniche Road, overlooking the sea, aims to further improve its business levels by tapping new markets.

Arun Kumar, group general manager, Tulip Inn Royal Suites Ajman, who described 2012 as a successful year, expects a 20 percent rise in business volumes in the coming months, as the management looks to extend its reach.

“We are planning to focus on the CIS, Russia and the GCC markets. We have a strong feeling that we can bring more tourists from the CIS market this year,” revealed Kumar, adding that in order to reach out to potential customers and further strengthen relations with existing clients, the hotel will have a strong presence in all the major travel exhibitions.

Accommodation

Expo Centre Sharjah to Add a Hotel Hailed as the first established trade fair venue in the UAE and a pioneer in its field, Expo Centre Sharjah, is to further enhance its facilities and services.

“This year, we are building a new car park for 1,500 vehicles, and a mosque that can accommodate over 300 people. We are also planning a hotel with 213 rooms, work for which will start this year,” revealed Saif Al Midfa, director general, Expo Centre Sharjah, adding that a good example of the quality and prestige of the events that the venue hosts is the recently held Government Communication Forum 2013, which was attended by over 2,500 delegrates, including a number of highprofile guests such as Kofi Annan, former secretary general, UN, and national and regional ministers.

Expo Centre Sharjah

Anantara Art Series Launched Art comes alive at Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara with the hotel company’s recently-launched Anantara Art Series.

Celebrating the cultural diversity that Abu Dhabi is famous for, each month the work of both local and international artists grace the halls of this urban sanctuary’s dedicated art space.

The initiative kicked off on March 14 with a unique photography exhibition from renowned British photographer, David Dunn.

The aptly named collection, ‘Passport Photos’ features inspiring and creative travel images collected along his journey from around the world, presented on large floating frame canvases and in framed print format. The following months will feature a range of collections such as Green Abu Dhabi, ‘A taste of travel’, as well as a workshop for Islamic Pattern Design hosted by Bayt al Qindeel.

“Central to Anantara’s core philosophy and vision is embracing experiences that are indigenous to the regions we call home,” asserted Mortiz Klein, general manager, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, who described the initiative as a new and creative way to connect with the cultural face of Abu Dhabi.

30 MARCH 2013

10

WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Rotana Debuts in Bahrain Majestic Arjaan by Rotana has opened its doors, marking the hotel company’s debut in Bahrain.

Conveniently located on the island of Muharraq, only a few minutes from Manama, the property is Rotana’s 11th hotel under the Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana brand and offers 128 suites, fullyequipped meeting rooms, a number of leisure facilities, including an outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, a fully-fledged fitness centre with steam and sauna rooms, and three food and beverage venues.

Omer Kaddouri, chief operating officer, Rotana, described the launch of the hotel as a major milestone in the company’s strategy to expand further in the Middle East and Africa region. “This is our first property in Bahrain, a fascinating city with an attractive liberal lifestyle, a rich history and culture, with a strong demand for luxury hotels that offer world-class hospitality,” he said.

Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel Opens Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Majid Al Futtaim Properties have celebrated the launch of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel.

Directly connected to Dubai’s leading shopping destination, the hotel features 481 rooms, including 94 suites, close to 836m2 of ultra-modern meeting and event space, further to four restaurants, a club lounge, an executive business centre, a fitness centre, and a spa.

With this opening, the hotel company now operates 14 hotels in Dubai, representing the highest concentration of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide properties in any individual city outside New York, and it also marks the 16th Sheraton hotel in the region.

“Our brand portfolio in the region is stronger than ever and globally, we are anticipating recordbreaking growth with plans to open our 500th Sheraton hotel by 2015,” explained Hoyt Harper, global brand leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel

Shurooq to Commence Work on Al Bait Hotel The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) is planning to start work on the luxurious Al Bait hotel in the ’Heart of Sharjah’ development.

Hailed as the first traditional Emirati five-star hotel in the emirate, the AED100 million (USD27.2 million) project is set for completion between December 2014 and January 2015, and spreads over 10,000m2, comprising 54 guest rooms with five heritage houses.

According to H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, the development of the property forms part of the authority’s and emirate’s vision to preserve and restore heritage and historical sites.

Similarly, H.E. Sheika Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chairperson, Shurooq, expressed her delight in shining the spotlight on Sharjah’s history through what she described as a luxurious hotel.

30 MARCH 2013

12

WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Mövenpick Al Ain Rotana Hotel Nears Qassim Launch Col-of laborates New Wingwith Qatar Airways Al Ain Rotana is moving closer to the completion of its expansion project which will add a new wing to the five-star hotel.

The soon-to-be-launched Falaj wing will feature 48 chalets, a swimming pool, a Zen the spa at Rotana, and various terrace facilities with each building comprising four one-bedroom apartments and eight studios.

Designed to meet the needs of the most discerning guests, the new wing is set to complement the property’s existing rooms, suites, poolside chalets, and villas.

According to Ayman Gharib, general manager, Al Ain Rotana, the project has been designed to accommodate a mix of guests, and precisely meet their needs. ”Al Ain Rotana expansion will not only strengthen the property’s leading role in Al Ain but will also uplift Al Ain as a destination that is ideal for MICE, leisure, and corporate business,” he added.

Amari Doha Unveils the Breeze Spa Amari Doha has launched the first Breeze Spa in the region, offering guests an extensive array of treatments and massages.

“It is a key milestone for our property to launch the first Breeze Spa in the Middle East, and an additional privilege that Breeze Spa has chosen Amari Doha for its worldwide launch of its signature men’s treatments,” commented Damian Ball, general manager, Amari Doha.

To coincide with the opening Amari Doha Breeze Spa has also internationally premiered its first menu of spa treatments dedicated exclusively to men, which following the launch in Qatar will be rolled out at Breeze Spa establishments across the company's Thai properties later in the year.

Emaar Unveils The Address Residence Sky View Emaar Properties has further strengthened its portfolio of premium hotels, residences, and serviced apartments in Downtown Dubai with the launch of The Address Residence Sky View, the latest addition to The Address Hotel + Resorts’ network.

The striking 50-storey hotel, residence, and serviced apartment twin-tower complex, atop a grand podium, features a Sky Bridge, spanning the entire establishment, which boasts a signature restaurant, ballroom, infinity pool, and amenity deck, which offers 360-degree vistas of the destination.

The property will also serve as a business hotel of approximately 180 keys, and 532 fully-furnished serviced apartments, appealing to visitors to the neighbouring Emaar Square and Dubai International Financial Centre.

According to Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, the project builds on the growth of the property market and tourism sectors of Dubai, offering investors a premium choice of home in the most prestigious km2 on Earth, and will become a referral point for all future projects from design and architecture to its host of services.

After recording online traffic from more than 75 countries, the developer closed online registration for the project in less than an hour.

Breeze Spa

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh Introduces Chinese Cuisine A new Asian dining destination has opened in the heart of Riyadh, with the official debut of Hong fine dining restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.

The sixth and latest addition to the hotel’s collection of world-class restaurants, Hong offers a contemporary take on traditional Chinese cuisine, with a menu that celebrates The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Led by Danny Khoo Teng Jin, chef de cuisine and Asian culinary specialist, Hong’s menu draws on classic Chinese flavours and ingredients, but gives them a modern twist with artistic presentation and flavour combinations, as Mickael Chevalier, executive assistant manager, food and beverage, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, explained. “It is all about delivering an authentic flavour of the Orient […]. Hong elevates Chinese dining to an entirely new level.”

30 MARCH 2013

Air

Royal Jet Launches Luxury Travel Company Royal Jet has officially launched its bespoke travel division Royal Jet Luxury Vacations (RJLV) on Seychelles at an event attended by travel experts, top travel-media representatives, and VIP guests.

The division is a new partnership with one of the UK’s largest independent luxury travel providers, Eden Luxury Group, which has developed a portfolio of travel experience with the vacation programme, that is in tune with the market, this according to Paul Beacall, managing director, Eden Luxury Group, who praised Royal Jet’s strong brand presence in the region and across the globe.

Shane O’Hare, president, Royal Jet, expressed confidence for the company’s partnership with Eden Luxury Group, and described these vacation offerings as a solution for today’s high-end travellers who demand comfort, intuitive personalised service, and unparalleled expertise.

Turkish Airlines to Offer Flights to Aqaba Turkish Airlines is to add Aqaba to its fast-expanding network, starting April 3, with three weekly flights.

Turkish Airlines’ expansion comes after closing 2012 with a sales revenue increase of 26 percent, and an operating profit improvement of 192 percent, with net profit surging from TRY19 million (USD10.46 million) in 2011, to TRY1.133 billion (USD624 million) in 2012, as passenger numbers for the full year of 2012 jumped 20 percent to 39 million.

flydubai to Increase Russia and Ukraine Services flydubai has announced that it will double its network in Russia with the launch of flights to Mineralnye Vody, on April 16, followed

by Rostov-on-Don and Volgograd on September 13, and Krasnodar on September 20.

Meanwhile, the route map in Ukraine will also expand to add capacity to the capital, Kiev, on September 15, to which the carrier will fly double daily, while it will introduce direct services from Dubai to Odessa, on the same day. Direct services will also be launched between Dubai and Dnepropetrovsk on September 18.

30 MARCH 2013

WEEKLY NEWS

13

Air Cairo Introduces New Flights to Riyadh Building on the success of the direct services from Alexandria, Assiut, and Sohag to Jeddah and Kuwait, Air Cairo now operates direct flights from Alexandria and Assiut to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which launched on March 25.

Yasser El Ramly, CEO, Air Cairo, commented, “We have an ambitious plan to expand and develop the network, and will continue to provide new destinations and increase frequencies in order to provide more options to our customers in all Egyptian governorates, as well as prices to suit everyone.

“With the operation to Riyadh we will have 45 scheduled weekly flights. This expansion of the network in the Middle East comes under the strategy of the Ministry of Aviation to grow investments and provide more services for residents of Egyptian governorates located far from Cairo.”

14

WEEKLY NEWS

BWI Adds Luxury Resort to Vietnam Best Western International (BWI) recently announced the launch of a luxury island property on Hon Tam island near the town of Nha Trang, Vietnam.

BEST WESTERN PREMIER Hon Tam Resort & Residences offers 49 bungalows, ranging from 52m2 deluxe bungalows, to 64m2 family suite bungalows, all designed in a traditional Vietnamese architectural style and all boasting balconies.

Amongst its luxury amenities are flat screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, large bathrooms with bathtubs and separate showers, while its facilities include a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, game room, and karaoke room, to mention a few.

“Vietnam is one of Asia’s hottest new destinations and the Nha Trang coast is now drawing large numbers of domestic and international visitors,” said Glenn de Souza, vice president, international operations, Asia and Middle East, BWI.

International

One to One Hotels Takes Over Thai Property One to One Hotels has added another property to its growing portfolio after signing a management agreement with Sunset Hill Boutique Resort in Thailand.

Situated on Koh Phangan, the first boutique apartment hotel on this fast developing tropical island boasts spacious suites, studios, and two- and three-bedroom apartments. Located on a hill, the resort offers a home away from home for couples as well as families who can participate in a host of activities while maintaining a healthy lifestyle with the help of certified health coaches and a healthy menu.

Besides various water sports, guest can also enjoy yoga courses and massage treatments, as well as Muay Thai training and events, beauty treatments, scooter and speedboat tours, fishing trips, safaris, hiking, elephant riding, or visit a monkey farm or a snake show.

After enjoying the infinity pool or the Jacuzzi, guests can learn more about wellbeing at the resort’s workshops and self development courses.

30 MARCH 2013

WHO'S MOVED

Andreas Bourdon Andreas Bourdon has been appointed pre-opening general manager of Steigenberger Aqua Magic in Egypt.

Having worked in 15 countries all over the world, Bourdon brings more than 33 years of experience to the role, eight of which he spent in various assignments in Egypt.

Apart from his extensive exper-

tise, Bourdon also has substantial pre-opening experience, having worked for a number of internationally renowned hotel groups, including The Leading Hotels of the World, as well as Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Bourdon brings more than 33 years of experience to the role

Gisele Clark Gisele Clark has been appointed hotel manager at Mina A’Salam Hotel at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

Prior to joining Jumeirah Group in 2010, Clark served a number of well-known groups such as Firmdale Hotels and Thistle Hotels in London, further to Swiss Grand Resort & Spa in Australia and Marriott International.

Clark, whose career spans over 22 years across eight countries, spent the past three years as general manager of operations support, providing key support

30 MARCH 2013

to the group’s properties in the Maldives, Azerbaijan, and Istanbul during their pre-opening phase, as well as to new openings worldwide.

In her role as interim general manager at Jumeirah Maldives in 2012, she inspired the teams to deliver the company’s hallmarks, and developed culturally connected experiences.

Clark has been appointed hotel manager at Mina A’Salam Hotel at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

15

Chris Fourment Chris Fourment has become the hotel manager of TIME Grand Plaza Hotel, Dubai.

Fourment, who has several years of marketing and operational experience under his belt, joins TI’ME Hotels Management from Accor. During his years with the hotel company, Fourment held general manager roles in both the Czech Republic and the UK,

gaining extensive international experience.

In his new capacity, he will oversee the hotel operations and work closely with the sales, and marketing, and corporate team to drive rooms business and strategic marketing activity as the group gains momentum and follows through with ambitious goals.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

16

H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori

Iftikhar Hamdani

Chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).

General manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman.

“ADAC is thrilled to be named ‘the Best Airport in the Middle East’ from the industry-leading Airport Council International. It is an honour to have achieved this ranking through the opinions of millions of visitors to Abu Dhabi International Airport, as their testaments to the quality of service is an accolade that ADAC has been striving to achieve. […]

[This] comes as a result of the team’s relentless commitment to achieve excellence in quality service.”

“We are experiencing a very good occupancy at Ramada Beach Ajman. […] Ramada Ajman also won the charity award of Wyndham in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and [was] nominated as best Green Hotel in the region. This year we are going to donate AED100,000 (USD27,226) charity for African children to provide them safe water, and we are going to host a painting competition among all the Northern Emirates schools.”

Tassos Diavatis

Wayne Pearce

Managing director, Net Tours and Travels.

CEO, Oman Air.

“Conventions and corporate meetings are on the rise as the pace which international business accelerates.

Attracting such major events requires marketing to meeting and convention planners, as well as to major trade fair organisers. There is a tremendous opportunity for developing and transition economies to attract meeting and convention traffic through the promotion of [...] locations, high-quality services, and cost-effective options.”

“We are delighted to be offering this additional freighter capacity to our cargo customers around Oman Air’s network [after signing an exclusive block space agreement with DHL for utilising DHL’s capacity in both directions of its operation between Muscat and Dubai]. Moreover, our new partnership with DHL is adding further synergies for both organisations and the ultimate winner will be our customers.”

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

30 MARCH 2013

AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Rajesh Krishnan POSITION: Marketing manager COMPANY: al rais travel LOCATION: Dubai WEB: www.alrais.com Who are you?

I am the marketing manager of al rais travel and the GSA's we represent. I also head the department’s activities of al rais travel & shipping agencies; a well-organised and established company in the UAE for almost four decades, which also includes cargo and car rentals. I have been with al rais for the past few years and have seen it evolve according to the market changes, and be a leader at all times.

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

I love the travel industry. There is always something happening and I am fortunate to be a part of this trade. I am a people-loving person so being in this industry always gives me the opportunity to meet with new people across the world. Travelling is my passion and the travel industry gives me lots of opportunities to explore the world.

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

Dubai has become a round-the-year city to visit. October to March, the weather is pleasant with lots of activities happening, such as shopping festivals, sports events, and much more. For beach-goers, I suggest April to June when it is warm, though not too hot, and where they can enjoy the sun and beaches. Let me reinstate that all year there is something for Dubai to offer all visitors.

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

I would like to visit Brazil especially during the carnival. It is a lovely country, with lovely people and beaches.

Why should people come to you for travel advice? al rais travel is a pioneer in this part of the world. Our vision is to continue to be known as a preeminent service-orientated travel management company, which puts the customer first and cares about people. Our professional consultants will strive to exceed expectation of every corporate client and individual traveller, providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

30 MARCH 2013

17

Al Bustan Centre & Residence Promoting Dubai to Indian Market Al Bustan Centre & Residence, Dubai, recently organised a familiarisation tour for Air Arabia general sales agent (GSA) managers from 14 major cities of India.

The group of managers, who were in the emirate attending the annual meeting of GSA Air Arabia in order to position Dubai in the Indian market as a year-round destination, came from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Goa, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Calicut, Kochi, Trivandrum, and Pune.

They were brought to Dubai by White Sands, the local destination management company of

Air Arabia which plays a major role in promoting Dubai to the Indian market.

Moussa El Hayek, chief operating officer, Al Bustan Centre & Residence, said, “A large segment of Indian visitors utilise hotels and hotel apartments in the emirate making India the top source market. We hope this familiarisation tour gave them first-hand experience of the extensive services and facilities we offer thus helping them in promoting Al Bustan Centre and Residence to their customers. It is our pleasure to host them and look forward to more visitors from their country.”

18

TRAVEL CHANNELS GCC to Invest in Airport Technology As they brace themselves to take on the world competition by strongly emerging as the new global travel hubs, the six GCC states are investing millions of dollars in airports technology and system upgrades.

W

ith Middle East airports expected to be handling nearly 400 million passengers per year by 2020, constant development and upgrades to the security system are needed to deliver a better travellers experience, as Mohammed Ahli, director general, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), explained.

“Safety of passengers, freight, and infrastructure security is not, and should not be, of a transit nature, but a constantly evolving requirement. The authorities face the challenges of adopting effective safety measures whilst limiting the inconvenience to the passengers. An airport is always judged by its security and service standards. It is crucial to adopt innovative technology, improve security, and streamline efficiencies [...],” he stressed.

A report by Frost & Sullivan shows that USD86 billion will be spent by Middle East airports in expansion plans until the year 2025, and as a result, spending on regional aviation security is expected to increase sharply.

Tourism Ireland’s Focus on the GCC Tourism Ireland has launched a UAE sales mission to boost visitor numbers to Ireland, as part of its continued focus on the GCC. The mission is providing Irish companies with a chance to meet with more than 60 agents from across the UAE and will focus on promoting Ireland’s two major tourism campaigns for this year, namely The Gathering Ireland 2013 and Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013.

It will also highlight the country’s continually popular golf and luxury products, as well as opportunities to learn English as a foreign language.

Positive Number of Overseas Golf Rounds Played New figures released by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) show the emirate’s trio of championship-ready golf courses, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and Yas Links, recorded 94.5 percent growth in the number of overseas rounds played in 2012 compared to 2011.

The authority partially attributes the huge surge in overseas bookings to the runaway success of ‘Golf in Abu Dhabi’, an umbrella marketing, communications, product packaging and distribution platform designed to increase the emirate’s penetration of the lucrative golf tourism segment.

Some 13,171 overseas rounds were played at Abu Dhabi’s triumvirate of world-class in 2012, a near two-fold increase on the 6,769 overseas rounds tallied at the same facilities in 2011. The number of overseas rounds played reached 5,664, or 43 percent of the total number played in 2012, which were booked via international tour operators, with 5,795, or 44 percent, coming through hotel reservations, and the remaining 1,712, 13 percent, generated through ‘walk-ins’.

30 MARCH 2013

RENDEZVOUS

19

Q & A with Saeed Al Dashti Advancing technology and new media are inevitably shaping the hospitality segment’s future, and here, Saeed Al Dashti, chief information officer, Jumeirah Group, explains what role the industry’s suppliers play in all of this.

Travel Trade Weekly: Which are the main criteria for choosing a technology service supplier and which for a product supplier?

Saeed Al Dashti Chief information officer, Jumeirah Group

Saeed Al Dashti: Jumeirah Group has a thorough selection process for our technology partners. When we go out for tender, we usually look for a combination of technical, functional, and commercial aspects. It is also important that we do business with companies that are like-minded and are willing to invest in a mutually beneficial partnership. We value innovation, team work, and integrity.

Travel Trade Weekly: How important is the use of online software technology, either booking engines or revenue management systems, for the hotel industry, when referring to it to predict or increase occupancy and profitability?

Travel Trade Weekly: How important is sustainability and energy saving for the group and its guests and how does this reflect in your collaboration with specific suppliers?

Saeed Al Dashti: Helping Jumeirah’s guests to reduce their carbon footprint is important to us and we want to do this in a way that does not compromise the luxury experience that we are known for. We implement sophisticated energy management systems in our hotel rooms. Those systems use a combination of interfaces and sensors to determine the occupancy status in the room, and to adjust lights, air condition, and heating accordingly. This is seamless to the guest and results in significant environmental savings.

Another initiative is our STAY DIFFERENT app, which we started to roll out in 2012. The app can be downloaded on a guest’s device and gives instant access to any information an in-house guest might need. Services on the app include restaurant and spa information and bookings, room service orders, access to our loyalty programme and magazine, housekeeping requests, and a lot more. With the app we

30 MARCH 2013

been very positive, both in terms of the reliability of the Wi-Fi service and the fact that it is offered as a complimentary part of the service at all Jumeirah Group hotels internationally.

need less paper-based collateral in the rooms and we can update information on the fly.

Travel Trade Weekly: To what extent are the Internet, communications, and inroom entertainment an integral of the hotels’ offerings, how is this achieved through your service providers, and what is your guests’ feedback?

Saeed Al Dashti: Wi-Fi is one of the most important guest amenities for both business and leisure travellers. Guests need to be able to stay in touch or use their digital services anytime and from anywhere, and we therefore offer 100 percent wireless coverage in our hotels, even on the beaches. Part of our STAY DIFFERENT promise is to be thoughtful and generous and that is why we have decided to provide high quality wireless Internet access at no extra charge to our guests. The response from our guests has

Saeed Al Dashti: Revenue management is extremely important to our industry and we put a lot of effort in systems that help us to reach our customers and optimise our revenue. We are about to go live with a fully revamped version of our company website, jumeirah.com.

Our customers have been engaged throughout the redevelopment process and the result is an extremely user-friendly booking experience. We also launched a best price guarantee programme, which means that the best available rates for our hotel rooms are always available across all platforms a guest might use to make a booking.

Travel Trade Weekly: What should service providers and suppliers do to serve the Middle East hospitality industry more effectively?

Saeed Al Dashti: The vendors that have been successful in this region have always been the ones that were willing to make an investment. It is important that vendors have a local presence and understand the specifics of our market, our culture, and language. We are looking for longterm strategic partners and we encourage international players to establish themselves here and work with us to achieve our vision for the region.

20

NEWS & EVENTS

Sharjah: More than 300,000 Russian Visitors Sharjah has experienced a sharp surge in arrivals from Russia in recent years with visitor numbers in 2012 reaching 304,978 tourists, marking a 47 percent increase over 2011 figures, H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), revealed.

Describing the recent 20th Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (MITT 2013) as one of the key items on SCTDA’s itinerary for the current year, aimed at boosting the emirate’s presence in global tourism markets especially the Russian segment, Al Noman noted that Sharjah’s emphasis on culture and heritage, its natural landscape, moderate climate, and endless leisure options make it an ideal destination for Russian tourists, who contributed to a significant 18 percent of the emirate’s total number of tourists during the year 2012.

As Al Noman further highlighted, Sharjah occupies a prominent place on the list of favourite tourist destinations for Russian tourists, also because of its busy calendar of global festivals and cultural events and plenty of opportunities for shopping and leisure throughout the year.

ITB Berlin 2013 Closed on a High-note ITB Berlin 2013 welcomed 10,086 exhibitors from 188 countries who gathered to showcase and present their products and services to over 110,000 visitors during the five-day event.

Overall, some 43 percent of the total visitation figures hailed from abroad with an increase in buyers originiating from the US and Middle East.

In addition, a total of 21,000 people took part in the 200 lectures, discussions, and workshops, 25 percent more than in 2012, and social media and mobile travel services proved to be major visitor attractions.

“Once again, ITB Berlin has kicked off the travel season around the globe. No other place in the world gathers so many leading representatives from the private and public sector. This is where the tone is set for the future of travel for a billion people. The increase in international buyers is proof that ITB Berlin continues to be the most important marketplace for the global travel industry,“ commented Christian Göke, chief operating officer, Messe Berlin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) Beijing, China, June 21 – 23, 2013 (www.bitechina.com) One of Asia’s leading travel and tourism events, which will showcase a range of destinations, tourism attractions, travel packages, and services.

30 MARCH 2013