Block this Space Contact us at sales@traveltradeweekly.travel
09 JUNE 2012
ISSUE 135
Block this Space Contact us at sales@traveltradeweekly.travel
09 JUNE 2012
ISSUE 135
UAE Visa for Cruise Tourists In light of the burgeoning cruise tourism industry, a multiple entry UAE visa for passengers is likely to be introduced by September.
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Etihad Airways has acquired a 4.99 percent stake in Virgin Australia Holdings and has also leased a Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER for use on its weekly route between Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur.
Swiss么tel Makkah to Open in July Swiss么tel Makkah is set to welcome its first guests on the first day of Ramadan this summer. .
06 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION AIR NEWS INTERNATIONAL WHO'S MOVED AGENT'S CORNER TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL CHANNELS RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS
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Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia Strengthen Ties
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MARKET UPDATE
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS Stefanie Saghbini Rita Kasziba Dominique Christou
QTA: GCC Visitor Volume on the Rise
During the first quarter of the year, the number of GCC visitors heading to Qatar rose 22 percent, based on data compiled by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
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SALES & MARKETING Maria Demetriadou Brighite Ess Katerina Dalal 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
riven by a sharp increase from Saudi Arabia, at 161,549 tourists during the first three months of the year, Qatar received a total of 261,057 travellers from the GCC while visitor numbers from Asia and Europe reached 36,685 and 10,456 respectively. Based on the report, Qatar currently boasts 112 hotels with a total of 16,922 hotel rooms and serviced apartments, and for the three-month period, average hotel occupan-
cy rates reached 64 percent, while revenues of four- and five-star establishments stood at QAR734.4 million (USD201.6 million), marking a year-on-year increase of QAR32 million (USD8.8 million). The statistics underscore the Qatari tourism and hospitality sector’s continued development, noted Ahmed Al Nuaimi, chairman, QTA, who attributed these successful results to the country's growing business and sports segments.
WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel
STR: Strong Upper Upscale Segment
EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
In April, the Middle East and Africa’s hotel development pipeline comprised 494 hotels with a total of 126,606 rooms, according to the latest STR Global Construction Pipeline Report. With 39,844 rooms, the upper upscale segment accounted for the largest portion of the total active pipeline at 31.5 percent. Meanwhile, three other segments also reached over 15 percent, with the luxury segment at 26,102 rooms making up 20.6 percent, the upscale segment with 25,486 rooms, representing 20.1 percent, and the unaffiliated segment with 20,384 rooms, at 16.1 percent, of the total development pipeline.
MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of
07/06/2012 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar
COUNTRY
CURRENCY
1USD=
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
6.04
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
3.75
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,505.50
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.38
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Syria (SYP)
Pound
63.85
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.28
Qatar (QAR)
Riyal
3.64
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.38
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.61
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
8.79
Iran (IRR)
Riyal
12,284.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.55
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
77.54
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.28
IHG: Increased RevPAR
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has posted strong performance results for the first quarter of the year with revenue reaching USD409 million, up three percent over the same period in 2011. Operating profit totalled USD118 million, marking a year-on-year increase of five percent, while global RevPAR rose seven percent. During the three-month period, 7,101 rooms have been launched bringing IHG’s total portfolio to 174,554 rooms, of which
over 40 percent is under construction. The group also introduced EVEN Hotels in the US and HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts in Greater China, in a bid to further strengthen the company’s position in the markets. In the Asia, Middle East, and Africa region, RevPAR increased six percent, including rate growth of 1.7 percent, with Saudi Arabia up 9.5 percent and the UAE up 7.4 percent experiencing a robust increase. Meanwhile, Egypt recorded a decrease of 13.6 percent and Bahrain witnessed a 13.9 percent drop. 9 JUNE 2012
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WEEKLY NEWS
Sharjah: GCC Roadshow Ends in Qatar Sharjah ended its GCC roadshow, hosted in association with Air Arabia, on a high note in Qatar, after showcasing its tourism and cultural offerings in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as well. Over the past three years, the number of Qatari visitors to the emirate has increased 100 percent, noted H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. “Qatar is not just one of the fastest growing tourism markets in the region, it is our biggest and most critical after Saudi Arabia and Oman. Nearly 100,000 Saudi tourists visited Sharjah in 2011, followed by 54,000 from Oman, and 35,000 from Qatar.”
Hertz Boosts EV Fleet Hertz Corporation, through its partnership with Vauxhall Motors, now offers travellers heading to the UK the option to rent revolutionary electric vehicles (EV) from Hertz On Demand EV car sharing fleet in London. In support of London’s vision of becoming an electric capital of Europe, Hertz Corporation is also committed to help promote Source London’s EV charging network, as part of the company’s ongoing dedication to sustainable motoring, which led to the introduction of electric cars and vans across three continents.
UAE Visa for Cruise Tourists Giving a significant boost to the burgeoning cruise tourism industry, a multiple entry UAE visa for passengers is likely to be introduced by September. While the current visa process imposes financial burden along with a lot of documentation procedures, the multiple entry visas will help remove these obstacles and create a wider marketing perspective, stressed Hamad bin Mejren, executive director, business tourism, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). “We have re-emphasised the importance of having implemented a multiple entry UAE visa for the cruise tourists to the highest level and it is underway,” he further commented.
9 JUNE 2012
Accommodation
Ascott Attracts Tech-Savvy Guests The Ascott Limited, CapitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, has launched the mobile versions of its three brand websites, as well as an online chat platform available in five languages, further enhancing guest search and reservation experience. The online and mobile channels enable travellers to easily access information or make their reservation in The Ascott, Citadines, or Somerset branded properties, anytime, anywhere, explained Tony Soh, chief corporate officer, The Ascott Limited. “The sophisticated and tech-savvy travellers of today want fast and convenient access to information while on the go. In addition to leveraging social media, Ascott’s mobile-friendly websites and online chat facility will enable us to better reach out to our guests.”
9 JUNE 2012
WEEKLY NEWS
InterContinental Aqaba Resort Receives Blue Flag InterContinental Aqaba Resort was once again accoladed the Blue Flag status, a voluntary eco-label awarded to approximately 3,650 beaches and marinas in 46 countries, as it was announced during a ceremony held under the patronage of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. Through strict criteria for water quality, environmental educations and information, environmental management and safety, alongside other services, the Blue Flag works towards sustainable development of beaches and marinas. Intercontinental Aqaba Resort, which also has the Green Key, is committed to sustaining principles for both labels. InterContinental Aqaba team
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WEEKLY NEWS
Accommodation
Swissôtel Makkah to Open in July Swissôtel Makkah, hailed as the largest hotel in Saudi Arabia, is set to welcome its first guests on the first day of Ramadan in July, marking the hotel group’s primary venture in the Middle East. Just a few steps from the Grand Mosque, Swissôtel Makkah will offer 1,487 deluxe rooms and suites, along with a variety of worldwide culinary experiences and a multifunctional business centre. “With the most convenient location in the Holy City of Makkah (Mecca), we anticipate Swissôtel Makkah to be the preferred destination not only for pilgrims and Umra performers but also for business travellers, who will be visiting the Holy City of Makkah,” noted Meinhard Huck, president, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.
Rotana: Five to six Hotels in Qatar Rotana, which is set to open its second property in Doha by the end of the year, is to significantly expand is Qatari portfolio over the next decade and operate five to six hotels ahead of the highly anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup. Highlighting the country’s prosperous potential, Selim El Zyr, president, Rotana, said, “More than 140 major projects are currently underway in Qatar as the country focuses its investments on its transportation infrastructure. Billions have been spent upgrading the extensive road networks connecting the country to the rest of the Middle East. In addition, the USD25 billion, 2,200km Qatar National Rail Scheme will link to the six-state GCC Railway network, worth USD30 billion, from 2017.”
Swissôtel Makkah
Accor Eyes Saudi Expansion Accor, which currently operates 12 hotels in Saudi Arabia representing 3,346 rooms in six different cities under the brands of Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, and Mercure, is to significantly expand its presence in the country. Both Zamzam Pullman Makkah and Pullman Al Hamra, formerly Sofitel Al Hamra, Jeddah, will undergo extensive renovation. The company also has an objective to operate a network of 15 to 20 ibis hotels in Saudi Arabia, with one in Riyadh expected to open in December, and one in Yanbu in 2013. Other Accor properties in the development pipeline include ibis Jeddah Malik Road, and Adagio Jeddah Malik Road, both slated for opening in 2014, while Novotel Jizan is due to be launched in 2015. Furthermore, the company will also focus on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, where religious tourism is rapidly growing. Riyadh
9 JUNE 2012
Accommodation
Hilton to Re-Brand Dubai Property Hilton Worldwide is to further strengthen its presence in the UAE and convert a Dubai property, The Royal Ascot, into a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. Following the re-branding to DoubleTree by Hilton Bur Dubai in January 2013, the 174room property will undergo a comprehensive two-year refurbishment and upgrading programme expected to be completed by January 2015. “I am delighted that today’s announcement brings us closer to our goal of establishing five of the company’s brands into the UAE local market within the next two years,” noted Rudi Jagersbacher, area president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East and Africa. “Dubai’s continued status as a main regional economic hub for the Middle East gives us confidence to launch new brands in the city and provide more options for the growing number of visitors.”
WEEKLY NEWS
Accor: New Novotel Hotel in Saudi Arabia
Dusit Thani Dubai Receives Upgrade
Accor and Sheikh Salem Saleh Babgi have signed a management contract to develop a Novotel hotel in the city of Jizan, Saudi Arabia, slated to open in 2015. Located in the southwest of the country, Jizan has established itself as one of the fastest growing provincial cities of Saudi Arabia, and the hotel, which will boast 200
Dusit Thani Dubai is soon set to complete refurbishment of its guest rooms, part of a major project due for completion by the end of September. The refurbishment will see the hotel rooms take on a modern appearance, creating a welcoming and relaxed ambience, but still reflecting the hotel’s Thai cultural heritage, as James Wilson, general manager, Dusit Thani Dubai, explained, “Being a Thai hotel brand, it is important that while we embrace our location and incorporate international design, we remain true to our company DNA. With the Dusit brand expanding internationally we have chosen a design which will put our rooms more in line with international standards while ensuring that there are still strong elements of Thai design throughout the rooms.” Phase two of the project, focusing on the refurbishment of the hotel’s 147 one- and twobedroom residences, will start in summer 2013.
Accor ME signs management contract with Sheikh Salem Saleh Babgi
keys for both leisure and business guests, will be situated on the city’s corniche. According to Christophe Landais, managing director, Accor Middle East, joining forces with reputable Sheikh Salem Saleh Babgi will certainly contribute to the promotion of Jizan as a key regional destination.
MICE from Accra to Zurich
Zurich
9 JUNE 2012
Creative cuisine, inspirational event ideas, and fast efficient MICE services from start to finish, are at the heart of the new global Meetings & Events programme launched by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts at IMEX in Frankfurt. Intensive training to streamline every element of the MICE process at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has already paid major dividends with the company achieving a number three ranking among European-branded hotels in this year’s German IFH Institute for Hos-
pitality Management’s annual MICE survey. The Meetings & Events programme will be available across all key MICE properties of the hotel group’s properties, from Accra to Zurich, by the end of the year, with all employees involved in the MICE customer journey taking part in company-wide training, with the aim to provide personalised, intuitive, and efficient services in addition to those working in the meetings, events, and banqueting departments.
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WEEKLY NEWS
Air Arabia to Offer Services to Salalah Air Arabia has announced the launch of a new service between Sharjah and Salalah, starting June 28, with the new route set to become the airline’s second destination in Oman. “Salalah is a popular tourist destination of Oman and we target through our new twice weekly service to develop the tourism traffic between Salalah, the UAE, and the wider region,” commented Adel Ali, CEO, Air Arabia. “Oman has rapidly established itself as a major tourist destination worldwide and introducing this attractive service is just in time for our customer to benefit from while planning their summer get-a-ways,” he concluded.
Air News
Singapore Airlines to Suspend Flights Singapore Airlines will be suspending services to Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Athens, Greece as a result of sustained weak performances on both routes. The last flights to both cities will depart Singapore on October 26. Despite these suspensions, which are in line with the airline’s policy to match capacity to prevailing market demand, Singapore Airlines will continue to serve Dubai. In addition, connections to and from Athens are also possible on Star Alliance partner airlines via several of Singapore Airlines’ other European points.
Emirates to Begin Daily Services to Catalonia As of July 3, Emirates is set to launch daily services to Barcelona. According to Thierry Antinori, executive vice president, passenger sales worldwide, Emirates, the new Barcelona flight is the culmination of a very significant increase in the airline's services to Spain. “In the space of 48 hours, we will have tripled flights to this market in a clear demonstration of our commitment to Spain,” he commented. From Barcelona, passengers will be able to fly more conveniently to popular destinations such as Mumbai, Delhi, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Manila.
Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia Strengthen Ties Etihad Airways has confirmed that it has acquired a 4.99 percent stake in Virgin Australia Holdings. This equity investment in Virgin Australia’s domestic operations is set to significantly strengthen the 10-year strategic partnership forged by the two carriers back in August 2010 and will enrich the commercial benefits which the alliance already provides for both airlines as well as to increase the benefits to Australian consumers and visitors to the country. Together, Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia operate 24 flights a week between Abu Dhabi and Australia and passengers have access to a combined network of more than 150 destinations. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways has leased a Virgin Australia Boeing 777-300ER for use on its route between Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur once week. According to Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, working together with Virgin Australia will help Etihad Airways continue to find new ways to serve its guests and create value for each of its airlines.
9 JUNE 2012
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WEEKLY NEWS
International
Swiss Expansion in China A Chinese name and logo, a website in Mandarin, a new Shanghai executive team, three new hotels under development, and a record number of Chinese consumers embracing Swiss products, are paving the way for success in China for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. In China, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will be known as Rui Xi, which means ‘brings you enjoyment and luck with Swiss quality’.
Additionally, a Mandarin website has been launched for the hotel group to further assist Chinese-speaking guests. Meanwhile, with the aim to steer further expansion in China, a number of changes have taken place within the hotel group’s China-based offices. Three Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts properties are currently under development in the country with two gearing up for opening in 2013, and another to open in 2015.
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh, Re-opens Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced that its global powerhouse, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, continues to enhance its portfolio with the re-opening of the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh, following a full multi-million dollar renovation. Located in the heart of the Scottish capital, the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa now offers fully refurbished guest rooms, freshly renovated meeting and event space, and a new restaurant and bar. Furthermore, the hotel features 269 guest rooms along with facilities including a newly-installed Sheraton Club Floor where Club guests can receive exclusive access to the Club Lounge. The hotel also boasts a new dedicated meetings and events complex offering 14 function rooms, and a six-storey One Spa, one of Europe’s most advanced city spas.
9 JUNE 2012
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WHO'S MOVED
Jaffar Juma Al Lawati Jaffar Juma Al Lawati has been named country manager for Oman at Oman Air. By optimising the sales revenue and seeking ways to promote the airline through various channels, Al Lawati will be responsible for achieving the set targets of the hub station. Since entering the aviation
business as a management trainee with Gulf Air in 1990, Al Lawati has gained vast experience across a broad range of roles in the industry. Prior to his current position he served as country manager for Oman at Etihad Airways. Al Lawati expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received to his new role.
Claudia Klingbeil Claudia Klingbeil has been named marketing and communications manager at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City. Klingbeil started her career in the tourism and hospitality sector in Australia before moving to the UAE to further pursue her passion for marketing and public relations.
She spent the last two years in Abu Dhabi, serving as marketing manager for a hospitality, leisure, and events institution, and having also worked in Sharjah and Dubai’s tourism sector, Klingbeil has extensive market knowledge and experience in the business-to-business marketing field.
Genevieve Picard Genevieve Picard has been appointed director of corporate communications at Jumeirah Group. Prior to joining the company in 2007 as corporate communications manager, she worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canada as well as for the University of Ottawa. With over two decades of experience in communications and public relations, she will now be in charge of the company’s international
external communications. In her capacity, she will manage the group’s network of public relations agencies in the US, Brazil, UK, Germany, and China, as well as agencies appointed for tactical projects in other markets, to ensure close alignment with commercial objectives.
Picard will now be in charge of the company’s international external communications
9 JUNE 2012
AGENT'S CORNER
AGENT'S INSIGHT NAME: Ryan Powell POSITION: Sales Director COMPANY: andBeyond LOCATION: South Africa WEB: www.andBeyond.com Who are you? I have spent 10 years in the tourism industry, in all sectors, inbound and outbound, with eight and a half years specialising in selling African lodges and products. What is your favourite thing about working in this industry? Engaging with guests after they have travelled, especially first time visitors. They come with preconceived ideas of Africa and most of the time we exceed their expectations, and you witness them falling in love with the continent. The reason I was drawn to andBeyond, is because of its reputation for exceptional products, excellent guides, and a strong ethic of giving back, both in conservation and communities. When is the best time to visit South Africa? The winter months, between May and September, are best for safaris, as the bush is thinner and the grass is lower, allowing excellent game viewing. The weather is also cool and moderate with less humidity. Guests can get incredible value for money by travelling during this time. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? The one thing on my bucket list is to run through the Andes up to Machu Picchu and spend time in the Amazon jungle. Why should people come to you for travel advice? andBeyond has 20 years experience and is a leader in luxury safari lodges, as well as a pioneer in conservation and community development. The travel company is renowned for having the most knowledgeable and professional guides/rangers in the industry, and we run three training schools offering extensive training programmes for every ranger. As an experiential travel company, andBeyond is a leader in offering extraordinary guest experiences. By choosing to travel with us, our guests can make a difference.
9 JUNE 2012
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Travelport Teams up with dnata Travelport has announced that it has signed a groundbreaking agreement with dnata, the Middle East’s leading travel management provider, to utilise the industry-leading Travelport Universal application programming interface (API) technology for the first time in the Middle East. Available in selected countries, Travelport Universal API is a GDS industry first offering the ability to aggregate content and travel related services from multiple sources through a single connection, leading to greater up-sell and cross-sell opportunities for travel retailers and suppliers. Headquartered in Dubai and with over 52 years of experience, dnata is the first travel retailer in the region to gain access
to Travelport’s Universal API, which provides a single connection to additional air, hotel, and rail content not available on the core GDS. dnata has already begun leveraging Universal API to support its growing portfolio including its recently expanded online business. As an open platform, Travelport Universal API works side-by-side with existing APIs, allowing dnata to build customised applications that will enhance its online capabilities. The technology will also help them maximise their IT investments by supplementing existing content feeds and functionality as they transition to the new content tools and resources.
TRAVEL TALK
travel talk is your space
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St. John Cooper
Amr Hamed
Business development director, Big Bus Tours.
General manager, Liwa Executive Suites.
“This landmark anniversary [celebrating 10 years of operations in Dubai] represents both the success of Dubai and the Big Bus Tours business model. We would like to thank all those who have helped us succeed, including the DTCM, the Roads and Transport Authority and the government of Dubai, all of whom have provided invaluable assistance and support, alongside of course our many agents and all of our customers.
“We have had a busy start to the year and have maintained the momentum until now, with little breathing space. Our continuing success and high occupancy levels are in line with tourism developments in the capital. The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority estimates that we will receive 2.7 million hotel guests this year and appears to be on track to achieve this target.”
Ashraf Helmy General Manager, Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort.
“Wadi Wurayah is one of the many tourist attractions in Fujairah and we want to preserve its beauty and maintain its environment because it is home to hundreds of species of animals and plants. It is very depressing to see that the beauty of the place had been damaged by some people who leave large quantities of waste behind. Wadi Wurayah is a protected area so we decided to launch [the Wadi Wurayah Cleaning Campaign].
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
9 JUNE 2012
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
A Great Start for Tourism According to the UN World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer May 2012, the first results of the year indicate that international tourism continued to show sustained growth amid of challenging economic conditions.
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eleased in Batumi, Georgia, on the occasion of the 54th UNWTO Commission for Europe, the report also stated that during the first two months of the year, international tourist arrivals grew by an estimated 5.7 percent compared to the same period of 2011. In Europe, results were above expectations with an increase of five percent, boosted by the strong growth in arrivals to Central and Eastern Europe, up eight percent, as well as to
destinations of Northern and Western Europe, both witnessing an increase of six percent. At the same time, international tourism has been particular buoyant in many emerging economy destinations in Eastern Europe, which, according to Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, have strong tourism potential provided they shape the adequate conditions. Rifai further noted that as a result, arrivals have almost tripled in the past five years from just below a million in 2006 to close to three million in 2011, with inter-
Positive Signs for Singapore’s Tourism First quarter (Q1) figures from Singapore Tourism Board (STB) show that 14,280 visitors arrived in Singapore from the UAE, an increase of more than 18 percent over Q1 of 2011. During this time, Singapore also saw a 36.3 percent rise in visitors from Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the country witnessed general growth in visitors from the Gulf region over the same period. According to Mohamed Hafez Marican, area director, Middle East and Africa, STB, at least a 10 percent jump is expected in the number of Gulf visitors to Singapore this summer season. The increase in regional visitors to Singapore comes as many new attractions are revealed and existing ones renewed, in addition to the latest hotspots for this year, including many hotel developments such as Marina Bay Sands. Additionally, airlines have begun to meet this increased demand through the introduction of new flights or services, such as Emirates, which now offers 29 flights a week to Singapore, while Qatar Airways flies 14 times a week.
national tourism receipts reaching almost USD1 billion in 2011. Africa was the fastest-growing region with an increase of over seven percent in international tourist arrivals, attributed to continued growth in sub-Saharan Africa, with a seven percent increase, and a clear rebound in North Africa witnessing an eight percent increase. Tunisia saw a 53 percent increase in the first quarter of the year while Egypt saw signs of recovery with a 32 percent growth in tourist arrivals during the first three months.
Denmark Welcomes Rising Interest The Danish statistical office has published the latest numbers on overnight stays in commercial accommodation, and the figures look good for the Danish tourism industry. In 2011, the total number of overnights from abroad rose to 21,932,924, equivalent to an increase of 4.6 percent over 2010, partially accredited to a significant pickup in the British market. British tourists spent 528,101 nights in Denmark in 2010, in comparison with 591,570 in 2011, showing an increase of 63,469 nights, up 12 percent. Henrik Kahn, director, UK & Ireland, VisitDenmark, commented, “As for the current year, things are looking equally positive with UK clocking up 109,000 overnights stays, an increase of 7.3 percent over the same period in 2011.”
Copenhagen, Denmark
9 JUNE 2012
RENDEZVOUS
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Q & A with Ali M. Ballan Safir Heliopolitan Hotel, Beirut, located in prestigious Raouché, has long been welcoming both leisure and corporate guests. Meanwhile, Ali M. Ballan, executive manager, The United Company for Development and Tourism (BALMA), the owner company, touches upon adding focus on the hotel’s maturing MICE segment.
Travel Trade Weekly: How would you summarise the past 12 months with regards to performance by Safir Heliopolitan Hotel? Ali M. Ballan: The hotel performed quite well during 2011 given the political instability in the area. We were able to achieve an average occupancy rate of 65 percent year round by enhancing our customer service in meeting and exceeding all our clients’ needs and continuously investing in our property in order to stay up to date. Our major feeder markets included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, UAE, Eqypt, and Iraq.
further four areas through thoughtful use of space and investing in preparing this space to accommodate business meetings, conferences, and seminars.
Ali M. Ballan Executive manager, The United Company for Development and Tourism (BALMA)
Travel Trade Weekly: In your opinion, what kind of accommodation options are travellers to Lebanon looking for?
Travel Trade Weekly: Which markets do you target? Ali M. Ballan: The hotel is positioned in the five-star category of full-service upper-scale lodging. We mainly target the GCC, Levant, and recently European travellers. Lebanon has much to offer to all these markets as does our property. Travel Trade Weekly: What percentage of your business stems from the corporate and the leisure segments? Ali M. Ballan: During the high seasons, the majority of our business comes from the leisure segment, while during the low seasons, we get a little over half of our bookings from the business segment. We are proactively working to accommodate the MICE segment in the market by introducing more venues in our property. To date, we have nine meeting or conference rooms, and we are in the process of introducing a
9 JUNE 2012
litical movements in the region have ended improving our outlook on the touristic year. Given the high demand on Lebanon as a touristic destination and the fairly low supply of rooms, we predict the industry will perform very well. Furthermore, the opening of Zaitunay Bay, located on the marina in downtown Beirut, with its 17 restaurants on the waterfront, is a welcome addition to the tourism industry and will most definitely add to the demand on Lebanon as a destination.
In addition to abundant meeting space, we also have two outlets that can accommodate a total of over 250 persons at a time with special business menus prepared by our head chef. We understand that both the leisure and business segments are very important sources of business for us and therefore we continuously invest in our property and focus our efforts to best accommodate these segments. Travel Trade Weekly: What are your expectations for the remainder of the year? Ali M. Ballan: We are optimistic on our forecasts for the coming months. Most of the po-
Ali M. Ballan: Lebanon has a wide range of different kinds of accommodation that meet travellers’ needs. Depending on the traveller’s budget, one can enjoy a highly luxurious stay in Lebanon or benefit from many different ‘value for money’ options. This is the beauty of the tourism industry in Lebanon; it can accommodate any traveller at any budget. Travel Trade Weekly: What factors do you think make Lebanon a truly unforgettable ‘must-visit’ destination? Ali M. Ballan: We encourage all travellers, whether they are travelling for leisure or on business, to visit Lebanon and experience the country’s charm. Lebanon offers sun, sand, ski, food, drink, nightlife, historical sites, great weather, and impeccable service. Once in Lebanon we would like travellers to consider Safir Heliopolitan Hotel, Beirut, their home away from home where they can enjoy a ‘world of hospitality’.
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NEWS & EVENTS
Sharjah Leaves a Positive Impression Sharjah has been wowing Saudi and international visitors after its debut at the fourth edition of the Riyadh Travel Fair which came to a close on May 18. More than 700 delegates from 30 countries, representing governments and leaders of the tourism and hospitality industry in the region, and from around the world, took part in the event. “Sharjah has always enjoyed a special relationship with Saudi Arabia thanks to the strong Arab and Islamic cultural identities and values that both share,” commented H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). Al Noman further pointed out that Sharjah received more than 65,000 Saudi tourists in the first quarter of this year alone. Some 381,625 tourists from the GCC countries visited the emirate during 2011, forming 24 percent of the total number of tourists to the city, with Saudis forming the bulk of visitors from the region at 99,000.
IMEX Closes on a High Note The 10th anniversary edition of IMEX, Frankfurt, the award-winning trade show for the worldwide meetings, incentive travel, and events industry, closed on a strong note on May 24, with Ray Bloom, chairman, IMEX Group, announcing a 21 percent rise in the number of individual buyer appointments with exhibitors during the show. In total over 64,000 appointments took place between buyers and exhibitors over the three-day trade show, 40,000 of which were made by individual buyers, the remainder being group appointments. Bloom also confirmed that just fewer than 4,000 hosted buyers attended the show from an overall total of nearly 9,000 visitors from around the world. The event also succeeded in delivering its most ambitious education programme to date, with nearly 140 separate seminars, workshops, and short-session campfires taking place, as well as discussions on social media, innovative event design, and sustainable meetings and events.
EVENTS International Travel Expo (ITE) Hong Kong, June 14 – 17, 2012 (www.itehk.com) A travel fair with impressive profiles of international exhibitors, buyers, and regional trade visitors.
Africa Hotel Investment Forum Nairobi, Kenya, September 25 – 26, 2012 (www.africa-conference.com) An event showcasing the potential Kenya and other high-growth destinations across the continent have to offer.
Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) Beijing, China, June 15 – 17, 2012 (www.bitechina.com.cn) A tourism event that showcases destinations, tourism attractions, travel packages, products, and services.
PATA Travel Mart Manila, Philippines, September 25 – 28, 2012 (www.pata.org/events/pata-travel-mart-2012) Asia Pacific’s premier travel trade show offering networking and contracting opportunities for hundreds of international buyers and sellers.
The Americas Meetings & Events Exhibitions (AIBTM) Baltimore, US, June 19 – 21, 2012 (www.aibtm.com) A leading exhibition for the meetings and events industry, bringing together professionals from all around the world.
ITB ASIA Singapore, October 3 - 5, 2012 (www.itb-asia.com) Where exhibitors of all sectors of the travel-value chain, meet with top international buyers from the MICE, leisure, and corporate travel markets.
China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM) Beijing, China, September 12 – 14, 2012 (www.cibtm.com) China’s leading meetings, incentives, and business travel show providing the ultimate platform for the world’s top suppliers to the MICE industry.
Asia Pacific Tourism Destination Investment Conference Singapore, October 15 – 17 , 2012 (www.tdiasia.questexevents.net) Consisting of an array of networking opportunities, business meetings, and a conference programme, the event will focus on hotel investments and tourism infrastructure developments.
9 JUNE 2012