Travel Trade Weekly Issue 165

05 JANUARY 2013

ISSUE 165

NEWS TOPICS Accommodation Air Airports Cruising International

General Market Rendezvous Events Who’s Moved

Travel Talk Car Rentals Agents Mini Reports

Special Interest Tourism: Rural Hiking Conference & Incentive Golf Cycling Religious

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Weddings Nautical Cultural Gastronomy Medical & Wellness Education

05 JANUARY 2013

ISSUE 165

ibis Debuts in Saudi Arabia Accor Middle East has opened ibis Riyadh Olaya Street, marking the brand’s debut in Saudi Arabia.

JA Resorts & Hotels has added another property to its portfolio with the opening of the four-star, beach front, 338-unit Ocean View Hotel.

06 Emirates Touches Down in Lyon Emirates has launched direct flights to Lyon, the airline’s third route in France and fourth new European destination since the beginning of 2012.

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

02 03 04 05 08 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Ocean View Hotel Opens

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RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Soha Zahar The spa segment across the MENA region is undoubtedly on the rise, with establishments, old and new, rapidly grounding a solid presence within and throughout the tourism industry, as Soha Zahar, cluster director of sales and marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jordan Cluster Office, proudly reveals to Travel Trade Weekly.

Travel Trade Weekly: Tell us a little about the recently-launched spa at Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa? Soha Zahar: The famous French spa, Thalgo Spa, opened at Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa in October 2012, along with the soft opening of the resort itself. The grand opening is taking place this year.

Thalgo Spa is a calming space that covers 6,000m2. Facilities include 30 treatment rooms with an adjacent changing room, a private shower and a bathroom, an individual music system and access to steam rooms. There are two indoor hydrotherapy pools, as well as a Dead Sea saltwater pool, a fitness centre, which is open daily from 6:30am until 11:00pm, and a beauty salon that offers professional makeup, manicure, and pedicure.

Thalgo Spa offers many treatments, facials, and massages, including anti-ageing, anti-cellulite treatments, and weight loss treatments. There are also the famous Thai, Shiatsu, and hot stone massages that are not to be missed, and scrubs and mud wraps that use the famous Dead Sea products.

Thalgo Spa also has a specialised restaurant, Cuisine de Sante, that offers healthy choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Travel Trade Weekly: How has the spa been received so far by the property’s existing and potential guests?

Soha Zahar: It has already become quite a popular choice for many residents of Jordan as well as tourists and Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa guests.

Soha Zahar Cluster director of sales and marketing InterContinental Hotels Group, Jordan Cluster Office

Things have changed and the demands of life have increased, [‌] so people need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and enjoy the idea of relaxing and unwinding; hotel spas are the perfect place that can offer this

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your target markets for the spa this year and what do you offer to cater to them?

Soha Zahar: Our target markets are the already established ones; GCC, Near East, and European markets, and we are planning on penetrating new markets as well. These are the most important markets from which business can be generated, and whose residents are known to come to Jordan for both business and leisure, so catering to them is of great importance.

Our approach is advertising in targeted international magazines, billboards, social media, as well as travel agent brochures.

And there are many treatments, facials, and massages that are guaranteed to please and satisfy our guests.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are your opinions regarding the future of the spa sector in Jordan and across the MENA region?

Soha Zahar: Spas are a popular concept and will definitely continue to be in the coming years. Things have changed, and the demands of life have increased, as well as the workload that is getting heavier and heavier, so people need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and enjoy the idea of relaxing and unwinding, and hotel spas are the perfect place that can offer this.

After such a stress-free experience, guests can leave feeling happy, relaxed, and rejuvenated. Therefore, the spa sector in Jordan, as well as in the MENA region, will witness growth for sure.

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WEEKLY NEWS Qasr Al Agouz Temple Reopens The Ptolemaic chapel temple Qasr Al Agouz on Luxor’s west bank, which dates back to the reign of King Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, has relaunched following seven years of restoration work.

The Marc Bloch Institute of Egyptology of the University of Strasbourg, solicited by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in collaboration with the French Institute of Oriental Archeology in Cairo, carried out comprehensive restoration work since 2002, during which cracks in the walls were repaired, paintings consolidated, the floor covered with bubbles to absorb subterranean water, and a new lighting system installed in order to make the temple accessible at night.

Al Zorah Resorts: Further Details Revealed Al Zorah Development Company’s board of directors has approved the offering of the first tender dedicated to implement a world-class five-star hotel at the Al Zorah Resorts project in the emirate of Ajman, UAE. Stretching over an area of over 100,000m2, the resort will have a waterfront frontage of 290m, and over 154 individual rooms, private suites, and villas along with four restaurants and a spa.

Extended on a total area of 5.4 million m2, Al Zorah Resorts is set to become a unique tourism destination on Ajman’s northern coast, only 15 minutes from Sharjah International Airport.

The road linking the project with Emirates Road has already been completed, as well as four tourist ports with a capacity of 200 boats.

Slated for completion in summer of 2015, the first phase of the project will feature a five-star luxury resort with 230 rooms, while other components will include a board walk surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and shops all the way to the waterfront tourist marina, and a beach club offering a spa, several swimming pools, restaurants, and amusement and entertainment centres.

The Mangrove of the World Theme Park is expected to become another highlight of the first phase, as well as the Golf Course & Club House, which will comprise an 18-hole golf course, apartments and villas, and a visitors pavilion.

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Sharm El Sheikh: Double-digit Occupancy Growth Egypt’s hotel sector continues to show signs of recovery, according to the latest HotStats survey by TRI Hospitality Consultancy.

During October 2012, occupancy levels in Sharm El Sheikh’s four- and five-star hotels surged 16.3 percentage points to 79.4 percent, the highest in two years, while average room rate (ARR) rose 5.4 percent to USD59.29, the best result since January 2011. Total revenue per available room improved 30.3 percent to USD81.58, driven by strong demand during the Eid holidays.

Likewise, hotels in Cairo recorded an average occupancy of 54.1 percent, up 4.8 percentage points over October 2011. ARR grew 2.1 percent to USD119.29, leading to a RevPAR of USD64.59, a year-on-year increase of 12.2 percent.

“The data shows that the recovery in Cairo hotel performance was primarily helped by a growth in leisure segments, pointing to a recovery in confidence among tourists,” said Rashid Aboobacker, senior consultant, TRI Hospitality Consultancy.

Big Bus Tours Arrives in Muscat Open-top sightseeing tour operator, Big Bus Tours, and Travel Point, Oman’s single largest travel company, have launched Big Bus Tours in Muscat.

The hop-on, hop-off tours have been designed to take visitors past the major landmarks and historic sites of the Omani capital city and will cover 12 stops on the two-hour route. Commenting on the company’s debut in the Sultanate, St. John Cooper, director, business development, Big Bus Tours, said, “Big Bus Tours has redefined the tourism industry of every city that it has gone to, and we are looking forward to see Oman receive the same highlight on the global map, with Big Bus Tours.”

Expressing equally high expectations, H.E. Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, added, “The objective of introducing the Big Bus Tours in Oman is to endorse the beauty of this country to the people of the world.”

Big Bus Tours

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MARKET UPDATE

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou Maria Kazeli

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide: Restoring Luxury Hotels The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and the owners of the company are investing USD200 million to renovate and restore some of the collection’s most prestigious hotels in Europe.

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

F

ollowing an extensive restoration project of 10 months, Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville, reopened its doors in March 2012, while Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian, was re-launched in July 2012.

This month will see the debut of the restored The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice, while Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, is set to come onboard

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in the second quarter of the year.

“The Luxury Collection has an intimate understanding of today’s luxury travellers who, more and more, aim to stay with a brand that offers a consistent level of impeccable service, while celebrating each hotel's heritage and unique character,” noted Paul James, global brand leader, The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis, and W Hotels Worldwide.

The Luxury Collection is an ensemble of more than 80 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts, spanning 30 countries.

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NasJet Sees Revenue Increase MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

04/01/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.42

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

Riyal

3.75

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,505.50

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

1.57

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.54

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

12,285.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.11

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

78.50

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.26

One of the largest and fastest growing private jet companies in the Middle East, NasJet, witnessed a rise in revenue during 2012, despite regional political instability and high fuel prices.

The 13-year-old, 65-fleet Saudi Arabia-based company announced revenues exceeding SAR500 million (USD133 million) for 2012, marking an improvement of six percent, while it is expecting to record an increase of 20 percent for current year.

Sulaiman Al Hamdan, group CEO, Nas Holding, congratulated the NasJet team for driving growth in a sector which continues to remain challenging, compounded by escalating operating costs. At the same time, he highlighted the positive financial impact NasJet services were having in the region, successfully meeting the exact demands of leading private and institutional clients.

In addition, Hardy Sohanpal, head of marketing, NasJet, said, “We are strategically positioned to operate a significant proportion of new aircraft to be delivered into the Middle East over the next five years and to rival the large international operators.”

NasJet

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Accommodation

Hilton Adds to its Saudi Pipeline Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with existing owning company, Abdulmohsen Al-Hokair for Tourism and Development, to develop a second Garden Inn-branded property in Riyadh, following the successful opening of Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya.

Located close to the commercial, diplomatic, and residential districts of the Saudi capital city, Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Andalusia will boast 130 rooms, a health club, outdoor swimming pool, allday dining restaurant, lobby lounge, four boardrooms, and a business centre.

Commenting on the deal, Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Riyadh continues to attract large numbers of international companies seeking a Middle East base which, in turn, is fuelling demand across a number of sectors, including hospitality. The capital is buoyant and I am delighted to sign this great new hotel, which becomes our 16th pipeline property in Saudi Arabia.”

Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya

Crowne Plaza Duqm Gears Up for Soft Opening Crowne Plaza Duqm is to open its new hotel nestled in the very heart of Duqm city, 600km for the Omani capital city of Muscat.

Commenting on the upcoming soft-launch of the property, Ali Salih, general manger, Crowne Plaza Duqm, said, “We are very excited for the opening of the first luxury hotel in the Al Wusta region which is an integral part of economic development for Duqm. The team at Crowne Plaza Duqm is looking forward to welcoming guests to our first class facilities.”

Featuring unique and elegant décor inspired by Omani architecture, the hotel will feature 213 rooms, a wealth of fine dining options, comprehensive first-class business facilities, a fully equipped fitness centre, and adults’ and kids’ pools.

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WEEKLY NEWS

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Launching of Abidos Hotel Apartments With the soft launch of Abidos Hotel Apartments in Dubailand having recently taken place, Abidos Hotels has become the latest hospitality brand to start operations in the emriate of Dubai.

The upscale tower has been built by Al Shafar General Contracting (ASGC) and has a total built up area of 27,50m2.

Making the announcement, Emad Azmy, president ASGC, said, “We are pleased to declare Abidos Hotel Apartments open for business and this marks the beginning of a new brand; Abidos Hotels, […] which has been conceptualised to provide quality lifestyle at affordable rates.”

The hotel features 132 apartments, offering a choice of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units each with a private balcony and fully-fitted kitchens, as well as an all-day-dining restaurant, gym, rooftop swimming pool, spa facilities, and a kids’ play area, as well as a mobile business centre.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Ocean View Hotel Opens JA Resorts & Hotels has added another hotel to its portfolio with the opening of the four-star, beach front, 338-unit Ocean View Hotel.

Originally planned to debut on January 1, the hotel already opened its doors 10 days prior to the scheduled date, on December 22, 2012, offering visitors as well as local residents a new venue to enjoy during the holiday season right in the heart of Dubai, as William Harley-Fleming, general manager, Ocean View Hotel, explained.

With six very different restaurants and bars, the hotel offers a variety of culinary experiences, and also boasts a Calm Spa and Salon, welcoming both men and ladies with various treatments.

The Address Dubai Marina Pays Homage to Spa Indulgence The Spa at The Address Dubai Marina witnessed impressive growth in 2012, compared to 2011, featuring a healthy mix of hotel guests from numerous nationalities, as well as residents of Dubai, thus reflecting the cosmopolitan nature and tourist demographics of the city, according to Antony Treston, general manager, The Address Dubai Marina.

The Spa, which recently scooped a number of accolades in the global awards circuit, is currently devising a programme called ‘Spaholic Club’ which Treston explained will provide enthusiasts and regular visitors with a spa membership, offering discounts on treatments, access to the infinity pool, and fitness centre among others. “Additionally, we are in the process of launching the VIP Spa Indulgence Card for loyal guests that provide them with significant rewards upon their visit to the spa,” Treston concluded.

Ocean View Hotel

Starwood Reflags Mall of the Emirates Hotel Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Properties to open a Sheraton-branded hotel at Mall of the Emirates.

Scheduled to debut in the first quarter of the year, Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates will feature 481 rooms and suites, four restaurants and lounges, and 836m2 of state-of-the-art meeting and event space.

Commenting on the rebranding of the property, which was previously operated under Accor’s Pullman brand, Peter Walichnowski, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said, “As the regional pioneers of the shopping resort concept, which combines malls and hotels, we realise the importance of creating the right pairing of our hotel and retail assets. When looking for a new partner for our hotel at the Mall of the Emirates, it was clear that Starwood and its Sheraton brand were the perfect fit for our distinctive mix of luxury retailers and unique entertainment and leisure offerings.”

Guido de Wilde, senior vice president, Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, described the deal as part of the hotel company’s strategic growth plan to open more than 60 Sheraton hotels around the world over the next three years.

The Spa at The Address Dubai Marina

ibis Debuts in Saudi Arabia Accor Middle East has opened ibis Riyadh Olaya Street, marking the brand’s debut in Saudi Arabia.

Hailed as the first internationally-branded threestar economy hotel in the kingdom, ibis Riyadh Olaya Street is expected to pave the way for a spread-out development of the brand throughout the country.

Conventionally located right in the centre of the city’s business district, close to many local landmarks, ibis Riyadh Olaya Street features 176 units, including rooms dedicated to families, and four rooms for individuals with special needs. “ibis has always been a pioneer in the region in the economy segment,” noted Christophe Landais, managing director, Accor Middle East, who added that the regional network has grown to a total of 11 ibis hotels.

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WEEKLY NEWS

Air Arabia Introduces Third Pakistani Destination Air Arabia has added its third destination in Pakistan with the launch of services to Sialkot, and becomes the first UAE carrier to operate scheduled flights to the city, offering daily services as of January 10, 2013.

The launch of operations to Sialkot will complement Air Arabia’s existing flights to Karachi and Peshawar, and follows the recent announcement of the airline’s increasing operations to the two cities to daily, serving three destinations in Pakistan with 21 weekly non-stop flights.

“The launch of our regular Sialkot service 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,” commented said Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia.

Air News

EGYPTAIR Increases Flights to Istanbul EGYPTAIR has announced that it will step up services between Cairo and Istanbul as of January 15, when it will add an extra three weekly flights to Turkey’s largest city.

This will bring the operational route network to a total of 17 weekly services until the end of the existing timetable on March 30.

The three new flights will be operated onboard a Boeing 737-800 and Airbus 321 which will provide 185 seats.

Istanbul

RAK Airways Boosts Calicut Services RAK Airways has increased its flights to Calicut, India, from Ras Al Khaimah, and as of December 15, 2012, it has been operating daily services to the city.

John Brayford, CEO, RAK Airways, explained that Calicut is one of the carrier’s key destinations and passenger demand on flights to the city has always been very good.

“I believe stepping up the frequency will satisfy our passenger mix of tourists as well as the significant number of Indian expatriates from the southern state of Kerala, working in the UAE and GCC,” he continued, adding that the new flight schedule will also serve travellers who are working in other GCC states within RAK Airways’ network, Doha and Jeddah, by providing excellent connections.

RAK Airways

Emirates Touches Down in Lyon Emirates has launched direct flights to Lyon, the airline’s third route in France and fourth new European destination since the beginning of 2012.

Operated by an Airbus 340-500 offering a total of 258 seats, the new service increases Emirate’s overall capacity in France by 12 percent.

“The south east of France has been on our radar for some time,” claimed Thierry Antinori, executive vice president, passenger sales worldwide, Emirates, noting that Lyon, as the second largest metropolitan area in France, is a strategically important market that is incredibly viable in terms of potential traffic flows through to the airline’s vast network.

“Our commercial footprint in France has increased steadily since our first service to Paris in 1992. Since day one we have invested significantly in France. […] Today, Emirates operates 31 flights per week between France and Dubai up from three weekly flights in 1992, further underpinning our long-term commitment to France,” concluded Antinori.

With the addition of the route, Emirates became the first international carrier to provide direct services from Lyon to Dubai.

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Air News

Hainan Airlines Shifts Gulf Hub Hainan Airlines has transferred its Gulf flight operations from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, now offering its twice weekly service between Beijing and Luanda, Angola, through Etihad Airways’ hub in the UAE capital.

The move to Abu Dhabi expands the cooperation between the Chinese airline and its codeshare partner, Etihad Airways, and was welcomed by James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, who further noted that Hainan Airlines is the second partner from Asia Pacific to relocate its Gulf operations, after Garuda Indonesia.

“This is a huge vote of confidence for the operators of Abu Dhabi International Airport and its suppliers. We expect there will be significant flow-on opportunities and benefits for the myriad stakeholders in the emirate, including those in the tourism industry,” he stressed.

flydubai Features Movies from All Hollywood Studios flydubai has become the first airline to show high definition movies from all six major Hollywood studios.

The carrier introduced its in-flight entertainment (IFE) system in December 2010 featuring movies from two studios, Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Today, it can air films by NBCUniversal, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, and Sony Pictures Entertainment as well.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “From day one, we have aimed to offer our passengers the best in-flight experience and the IFE is a significant part of this.”

flydubai’s in-flight entertainment system

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WEEKLY NEWS

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Qatar Airways Flies into Poland Qatar Airways launched its 12th new route of 2012 with scheduled flights to Warsaw, Poland, operating from its hub in Doha.

The official delegation on the inaugural flight onboard an Airbus A320, which included H.E Hadi Bin Nasser Al-Hajri, ambassador of Qatar to Poland, was greeted by Michał Marzec, director, Warsaw Chopin Airport, followed by a traditional Polish folk dance.

Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, expressed confidence that the Polish capital will attract many passengers, especially since Poles are keen to travel to distant destinations, which Qatar Airways can provide with new flights via its Doha hub.

The Doha-Warsaw route will be operated four times a week with an Airbus A320, featuring 144 seats in a two-class configuration of 12 in business class and 132 in economy.

Warsaw marks the latest point in the airline’s expanding global route map, now totalling 122 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America, and South America. In Europe alone, the carrier now flies to 32 cities.

Gama Aviation Sees Growth in Aviation Movements At the recently concluded Middle East Business Aviation show in Dubai, Gama Aviation announced a rise of 40 percent year-on-year in business and general aviation movements.

The increase comes nine months after the company signed an agreement for fixed-base operation (FBO) services at Sharjah International Airport, with which it is working closely alongside Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, aimed to add further investment to ensure the latest FBO facilities for its passengers and crews. “With our significant investment in personnel and infrastructure, together with the shared vision we have with the airport authority, Sharjah International Airport is rapidly becoming a perfect fit for operators seeking a fast and efficient service in Dubai and the Northern Emirates,” explained Dave Edwards, managing director, Middle East and Asia, Gama Aviation.

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WEEKLY NEWS

StayWell Hospitality Group to Launch in Bali StayWell Hospitality Group, owner and operator of the Park Regis and Leisure Inn brands, has announced a new agreement to operate a four-star hotel in Bali, Indonesia, following the signing of a long term management deal between the group and PT Rudy Indopratama Sejahtera, owner of the property.

Park Regis Kuta is expected to open early this year and will be StayWell Hospitality Group’s first hotel in Indonesia.

The property will be located in the vicinity of the popular Kuta area and a short distance from a main beach, shopping districts, and local attractions.

Simon Wan, CEO, StayWell Hospitality Group, said that the destination is a strategic step in the company’s expansion plan.

Four Seasons Arrives in Tanzania Following a rebrand and an extensive upgrade, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania officially opened its doors on December 3, 2012.

The property is the first Four Seasons in sub-Saharan Africa with two additional hotels soon to follow.

The lodge offers guests 77 rooms, including12 suites with plunge pools and five free-standing villas with private swimming pools. Each room has an elevated open-air sundeck, which provides views over the Serengeti region.

It is suitable for guests of eight years of age and above and further features its own Discovery Centre with museum quality exhibits and a lecture hall for guests to learn about the local wildlife, environment, and culture.

International

The Ritz-Carlton Plans First Hotel in Kazakhstan The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced the expansion of its portfolio in the CIS with the addition of The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty, the company’s first hotel in Kazakhstan set to open late this year.

The 145-room property is located in the 37-storey Esentai Tower, within the mixed-use Esentai Park development project in the city centre, which features an extensive shopping mall, fitness club, and residential complexes. In addition, the property will offer club and suite accommodation together with over 930m2 of meeting space and facilities.

Almaty, Kazakhstan’s former capital, is the country’s largest city, and an important cultural and commercial centre as well as business destination, as Herve Humler, president, The RitzCarlton Hotel Company, noted, further expressing his delight for partnering with Capital Partners to manage this property and for being able to offer The Ritz-Carlton experience to global business travellers visiting the city.

Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The First BEST WESTERN PLUS Opens in the Philippines Best Western International (BWI) and Makati City’s Antel Hotel have celebrated the launch of the brand new Serenity Tower and the hotel’s rebranding as BEST WESTERN PLUS Antel Hotel, the first of the brand in the Philippines.

The twin events were marked with a ceremony on November 19, 2012, attended by a number of leading company professionals. This was followed immediately by the main event at the AQUA function room of Serenity Tower, where guests from the travel trade, corporate partners and members of the media were present to join the celebrations.

At her welcome speech, Jen Wong, vice president, operations, Antel Land Holdings, said, “Being awarded the ‘PLUS’ status entails a lot of responsibility.

Hand-in-hand with Best Western International, we are committed to giving much more in all aspects of the hospitality business; [...].”

In addition, Yvonne Villacorte, general manager, BEST WESTERN PLUS Antel Hotel, remarked, “What truly sets us apart from the rest is our people; what has kept me strong and what has kept our business strong, is our hardworking, sincere, and warm staff who shares such genuine hospitality with all our guests.”

The hotel now offers three towers with a total of 210 furnished suites and features two restaurants, three lounges, eight function rooms, two business centres, two children’s playgrounds, and a spa, among others.

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WHO'S MOVED

Alexander Schlaubitz Alexander Schlaubitz has been appointed head of marketing at Lufthansa Passenger Airlines, effective January 7.

In his role, he will be responsible for the airline’s entire marketing activities, including classic advertising and brand management, as well as direct marketing and marketing analysis.

Schlaubitz gained his first pro-

fessional experience at marketing companies in the US, after which he continued to broaden his expertise at advertising and communications agencies. He also worked for Facebook as director of customer marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and as marketing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Intel Corporation.

Peter Nilsson Peter Nilsson has been appointed general manager of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

In his new role, he will be in charge of overseeing all hotel operations and will lead the team in maintaining the resort’s standing as a premier luxury destination in the Indian Ocean.

Nilsson joins Hilton Worldwide from Six Senses Resorts, Residences and Spas where he served as managing director of the Gulf

5 JANUARY 2013

of Thailand.

Over the past 26 years, he has worked in a number of countries around the globe, including Sweden, Russia, Vietnem, Thailand, and East Timor.

No stranger to the Maldives, he previously spent two years at Soneva Gili

by Six Senses as general manager where he was responsible for the re-opening of the property following the tsunami which hit the cluster of islands in 2004.

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Purnima KP Purnima KP has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Mövenpick Hotel Deira, Dubai, UAE. Having previously worked in Oman, Yemen, and the UAE, she will draw on her experience and yield and revenue management expertise to support the hotel’s highly visible presence in the community,

and grow regional and international business in key market segments, and drive marketing and corporate programmes.

She brings a thorough firsthand understanding of hotel operations to the role, where she will be responsible for overseeing the full spectrum of sales, marketing, and communications activities.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

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Doris Greif

Amr Badr

General manager, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers.

Managing director, Egypt and Middle East, Abercrombie & Kent.

“The last couple of months have been an exciting time for Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. November 2012 saw the opening of the luxury shopping experience Avenue at Etihad Towers. […] This was further aided with the opening of our Observation Deck at 300 […] offering 360 degree spectacular panorama views. Additionally, December 2012 saw the opening of our two newest gourmet experiences.”

“Egypt is proactive in terms of tourism strategy.

The Egyptian people believe in the industry and we follow a clear strategy of pulling people to Egypt and pushing Egypt to the people. This helps us to maintain a strong flow of travellers to our country. Our plan for this year is to continue to promote tourism to Egypt from around the world.”

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AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Sherif Abdel Hady POSITION: Sales and marketing manager COMPANY: STI Travel International LOCATION: UK

Who are you?

I started in the company in 2008 as part of the operation team.

STI Travel International is an affiliate of Sakkara Group International, established in 2007 in London, with sister companies in France, the US, and India. With over 40 years experience in the travel industry and highly experienced staff, it is our great pleasure to assist travellers in organising their leisure or business travel arrangements throughout the following destinations; Egypt, UAE, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Turkey. Within the next couple of months we will have the pleasure to announce that we are expanding our business into the US. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?

Using my creativity when working in the tailor-made department, in addition to learning a great deal about different cultures.

When is the best time to visit the UK? Mid-June to late August to enjoy the sunny weather and explore the countryside, and during the festive season of Christmas to enjoy all the festive decorations and livelihood of the British cities.

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

South Africa.

Why should people come to you for travel advice ?

We have over 40 years of experience in the travel industry particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, with an excellent reputation among many hoteliers and airlines within the region.

Having offices and sister companies throughout the destinations we specialise in, gives us the advantages of prompt, accurate, and the most updated information and offers, without the need of thinking of the time difference or making long international calls. We have a reputable incentive and corporate portfolio particularly when organising medical conferences.

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Sharaf Travel Receives Recognition Sharaf Travel, a leading travel management company in the UAE, was recently awarded the ‘statement of assessment’ by DNV Business Assurance, based on its customer satisfaction levels.

Sharaf Travel was part of a pilot initiative in collaboration with DNV Group and is the first company to receive the DNV statement of assessment, which is part of the ISO 10004:2012 whereby a company is given a set of guidelines and best practices that, once adopted, leads to greater levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.

According to Salah Sharaf, chairman, Sharaf Travel, this

achievement will greatly contribute to the enhancement of the quality and content of the portfolio of services offered by the Sharaf Travel Group.

Salah Sharaf (right) receiving the award

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

DTCM Celebrates in Africa Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Southern Africa joined in the celebrations for the 41st UAE National Day on December 2, 2012,at CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria.

T

o mark the occassion, the UAE Embassy in South Africa hosted an event on Monday, December 3, 2012, where various South African dignitaries were present, as well as representatives of Emirates, Etihad Airways, and DTCM Southern Africa.

“We were honoured, as Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing Southern Africa, to be a part of the 41st UAE National Day celebrations,” commented Wendie White, director, DTCM Southern Africa.

CSIR International Convention Centre

Eurostar Trials New Service Eurostar, the rail passenger service that links London and mainland Europe, will launch a new direct service from the UK capital to three destinations in the south of France; Lyon, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, aimed at travellers looking for early summer vacations.

The service will go on trial during May and June and tickets are already available.

“Our direct Avignon summer services grow in popularity year-on-year and our customers tell us they would like to see it extended to offer even more choice of holiday destinations,” explained Nick Mercer, commercial director, Eurostar, adding that the three destinations are the most popular in the south of France.

‘I Know Europe’ Proves Successful In a bid to help travellers find qualified travel agents who have the knowledge and experience to ensure the utmost holiday experience, the Globus Family of brands concluded a 30-hour ‘I Know Europe’ certification programme, dedicated to travel agents working across the Middle East. The initiative helped 30 professionals gain comprehensive skills which are to enable them to showcase Europe as a complete destination as well as parts of the continent as standalone destinations.

BA Lists Top Destinations for the Year British Airways has compiled a list of the top 13 destinations to visit this year, with the leading three hotspots being Sri Lanka, Rio de Janeiro, and Seoul. Richard Tams, head of sales, UK and Ireland, British Airways said, “Undoubtedly consumers will continue to be driven by value for money this year with routes such as Dubai, Cape Town, and Bangkok already proving popular. We are also […] responding to demand with a number of new routes, including Seoul and Sri Lanka.”

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RENDEZVOUS

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Q & A with Taleb Rifai With international visitor arrivals having exceeding the one billion mark in 2012, travel and tourism remains one of the fastest-growing sectors, which has both the potential and the responsibility to drive socio-economic development globally, as Taleb Rifai, secretary-general, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), explains.

Travel Trade Weekly: In 2012, UNWTO adopted a new theme to celebrate World Tourism Day (WTD), namely Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development. How was this theme received by the industry?

Taleb Rifai: The theme was extremely well received. […] There has been a clear recognition by all those involved that tourism can only continue to grow by tying itself to a clean energy agenda.

At the same time, WTD has been an opportunity to raise awareness of tourism as a positive force for a more sustainable future.

Many people are only slowly becoming aware of tourism’s role at the forefront of some of the world’s most ambitious and innovative clean energy solutions: the aviation industry is implementing cutting-edge technologies to make aircraft lighter than ever before; commercial flights are beginning to use biofuels in their fuel mix; key card systems and energy saving light bulbs are increasingly being implemented in hotel rooms worldwide; and tour operators are asking for energy efficiency throughout their supply chains.

Travel Trade Weekly: What kind of role does UNWTO play in encouraging others to adopt sustainable principles?

Taleb Rifai: One of the main priorities of UNWTO is to promote sustainable tourism development: supporting sustainable tourism policies and practices which make optimal use of environmental resources, respect the sociocultural authenticity of host communities, and provide socio-economic benefits for all.

In particular, UNWTO encourages the im-

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Taleb Rifai Secretary-general, World Tourism Organization

stimulate job creation, especially in poorer communities, with increased local hiring and sourcing and a positive spill-over effect on other areas of the economy. The direct economic contribution of tourism to local communities would also be increased, maximising the amount of tourist spending retained by the local economy. Finally, a green tourism economy would ensure significant environmental benefits, including reductions in water consumption, energy use and CO2 emissions.

Travel Trade Weekly: How important is it to raise awareness of sustainable practices in the MENA region?

plementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism; a set of 10 principles designed to guide stakeholders, such as governments, local communities, tourism professionals, as well as visitors, in the responsible and sustainable development of tourism. In September 2011, UNWTO launched a campaign geared specifically towards the private sector to encourage its adherence to the principles of the Code. Since that time, some of the world’s leading tourism companies have signed commitments to adopt these principles in all their business operations.

UNWTO also engages in research to support its mandate of promoting sustainable tourism development. The Tourism Chapter of the Green Economy Report, for example, prepared jointly by UNWTO and the UN Environment Programme, and launched in 2011, shows that investing in the greening of tourism over the coming decades would

Taleb Rifai: Despite recent difficulties in the Middle East, the region has actually been one of the world’s fastest growing tourism regions.

The Middle East has more than doubled its number of international tourist arrivals in just 10 years, with 58 million tourists in 2011, up from 24 million tourists in 2000.

Income from tourism has grown even faster, from USD17 billion in 2000 to USD46 billion in 2011. Tourism has thus been identified by many governments in the region as a key factor in their efforts to diversify their economies.

As tourism to the Middle East continues to grow (the region is expected to reach a total of 195 million international arrivals by 2030), UNWTO maintains its close contacts with the tourism authorities of destinations in the region to ensure that growth is as sustainable as possible.

This support comes in many forms, but is essentially delivered by building-up policy and technical capacities through workshops, training, market intelligence and guidance on sustainable and competitive tourism practices.

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NEWS & EVENTS

ILTM 2012 Improved from 2011 Edition The invitation-only International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) came to a close after various events being held during December 3 - 6, 2012, to provide insights based on the first-hand experience of the new generation of travellers and their knowledge of the travel marketplace.

Some of the programmes that were organised at ILTM were ‘travel and leisure rising-star agents’, ‘the role of children in the family travel planning process’, and ‘gastronomy driving travel decision making’. ILTM hosted 1,350 VIP buyers who met with 1,350 highend travel suppliers, indicating an increase of over 10 percent compared to ILTM 2011.

ILTM 2013 is scheduled to take place in Cannes from December 2 - 5.

ILTM 2012

Shurooq at HKTDC World SME Expo The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) concluded its participation at the HKTDC World SME Expo, organised by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), which took place in early December 2012 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

At the event Shurooq showcased the high level of support that Sharjah provides to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the wide range of business opportunities the emirate has on offer for SMEs. Ahmed Al Khaja, UAE consul general in Hong Kong, visited Shurooq’s stand lauding the authority’s efforts made to promote the UAE and Sharjah and emphasising the consulate’s support for all Emirati bodies that want to communicate with investors in Hong Kong.

During the expo, Shurooq’s delegation stressed Sharjah’s strategic location between Europe and the Far East, which, in combination to its position as the only GCC hub with direct access to both the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, makes it an ideal investment destination for foreign companies who wish to expand into the GCC and greater Middle East.

EVENTS East Mediterranean Tourism & Travel Exhibition (EMITT) Istanbul, Turkey, January 24 – 27, 2013 (www.emittistanbul.com) Considered the fifth largest travel exhibition in the world, EMITT brings together 4,500 exhibitors and over 128,000 visitors.

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.

HOREXPO Cyprus 2013 Nicosia, Cyprus, January 25 – 27, 2013 (www.horexpo.com) The second edition of the event covering a wide range of travel industry sectors, including hotels and catering.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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