Travel Trade MENA December 2013 by T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD

DECEMBER 2013

ISSUE 50

ONSITE: JORDAN Despite an ambitious National Tourism Strategy (NTS), Jordan’s visitor numbers have dipped in recent years, nevertheless the industry remains upbeat.

Egypt is a country blessed with colossal ancient monuments, thousands of years of history, expansive natural wonders and world-class resorts.

07 EXCLUSIVE: CRUISE TRAVEL The MENA region has long been earmarked as the next frontier of growth for the global cruise sector, and is set to experience a leap in cruise activities.

16 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

VISIT: Egypt

ONSITE: Jordan

EXPLORE: Yemen

EXCLUSIVE: Cruise Travel

TOUR: Switzerland

TRAVEL CHANNELS

WHO’S MOVED

TRAVEL TALK

RENDEZVOUS

NEWS & EVENTS

VISIT: Egypt

MARKET UPDATE

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel COPY EDITOR Mario Hajiloizis SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli PRESS 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 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel PRINTED IN CYPRUS Cyprint Plc P.O. Box 58300, CY-3732, Limassol, Cyprus Tel: +357 25 720035, Fax: +357 25 720123 Email: info@cyprint.com.cy

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

29/11/2013 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.89

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

Riyal

3.75

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,507.50

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Syria (SYP)

Pound

139.95

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.67

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.25

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

24,840.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.81

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

79.92

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.24

Emirates Carries 21.5 Million Passengers in Six Months Emirates served 21.1 million passengers between April and September, marking a 15 percent yearon-year increase, and contributing to a two percent rise in net profit which stood at AED1.7 billion (USD475 million) at the end of the first half (H1) of the current fiscal year. Demonstrating the strong passenger demand and yield, the airline’s revenue, including operating income, stood at AED39.8 billion (USD10.8 billion), up 12 percent. According to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, Emirates Airline and Group, the carrier’s capacity and route growth continue to both match and meet passenger demand, however the high fuel prices, accounting for 39 percent of the company’s expenditure, and the unfavourable currency exchange environment continue to affect the profit. Meanwhile, The Emirates Group’s revenues reached AED42.3 billion (USD11.5 billion) for H1, representing a 13 percent surge, while net profit soared four percent to AED2.2 billion (USD600 million), with dnata also continuing its strong performance. Emirates

Air Arabia Reports Net Profit of USD92.8 Million Air Arabia recorded a net profit of AED341 million (USD92.8 million) for the first nine months of the year, while the company’s turnover stood at AED2.3 billion (USD626.2 million), up 14 percent year-on-year.

M Air Arabia

eanwhile, passenger traffic soared to 4.5 million, marking a 15 percent increase and bringing the average seat load factor to 81 percent. “Air Arabia is pleased to announce yet another nine months of solid financial performance achieved despite the political instability affecting the regional travel market,” highlighted Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, chairman, Air Arabia, saying that since its foundation 10 years ago, the delivery of value for all its stakeholders has been at the heart of the company’s strategy. “Air Arabia’s robust financial performance, a function of our high seat load factor and operational excellence, further reflects the airline’s continued focus on generating profitable growth through innovation and excellent services,” noted Al Thani, further adding that as the carrier marks its 10th anniversary, the management aims to increasingly focus on its business expansion strategy while also introducing innovative low-cost travel solutions that have benefitted nearly 40 million passengers over the past decade.

DECEMBER 2013

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Egypt

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE GLORY Egypt is a country blessed with colossal ancient monuments, thousands of years of history, expansive natural wonders and world-class resorts. And even with such fortune, the nation’s tourism industry has the potential to get even better. Mivida Main Wadi

Mivida Gardens

Egypt IN BRIEF Capital: Cairo Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) Language: Arabic

ENHANCED CONNECTIONS

 Mario Hajiloizis writes

n order for Egypt to build on its already impressive portfolio, the Ministry of Tourism and Egypt Tourist Authority (ETA) are looking to consolidate key markets, while at the same time announcing plans to further enhance tourism infrastructure. Just prior to this year’s World Travel Market (WTM), ETA announced its partnership with UK public relations agency, Rooster PR, on a 12 month contract to promote travel to the country from the UK and Ireland, in a bid to safeguard this lucrative market. Rooster PR’s first priority was to organise a press conference for Hisham Zaazou, minister of tourism, Egypt, at WTM, where he answered questions on the destination’s plans for the next 12 months. “More than 18 countries have lifted the travel advisory on Luxor and Aswan. Over a third of UK visitors have been to the country three times or more. As soon as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office revises its travel advice for the UK, we will work tirelessly with our valued media, travel agent and tour operator partners to communicate that the whole of Egypt is open,” Zaazou stated. Looking ahead, he further commented, “We are embracing real-time online communications by

utilising the latest visual technologies such as webcams and mobile apps to show exactly what is happening on the ground in Egypt now. 2014 will bring a renewed and reinvigorated interest in Egypt as the ideal medium-haul historical, cultural and beach destination for travellers. The destination’s abundance of world-class tourism attractions will again see travellers choosing Egypt for their holidays year-round.” In a separate message, Zaazou announced plans to further strengthen another of the nation’s key markets, India, with the country preparing to start offering direct flights to New Delhi at the beginning of January 2014. Total tourist arrivals in the fiscal year 2011 - 2012 were significantly lower at 11.5 million, compared to14.7 million in the 2009 - 2010 fiscal year, according to Central Bank of Egypt data, illustrating the reasoning behind Zaazou's current focus on the country’s key markets. In addition security, political stability, the lifting of the state of emergency in Cairo and encouraging tourist flow from neighbouring countries, is set to contribute to bringing back 90 percent of the tourists Egypt lost, according to Zaazou. The minister expects tourism numbers to gradually increase due to recently implemented initiatives, including 50 percent discounts on airline tickets as part of an action plan to encourage internal tourism.

In an effort to further enhance domestic and international air travel, the Egyptian government has also announced plans to build New Airport City around Cairo International Airport on an area covering up to 10 million m2 and at a cost of about EGP100 billion (USD14.49 billion). It will include a new trade free zone, cargo village, factories belonging to the civil aviation for packaging and food terminals. In addition, it will feature an entertainment area, administrative offices, hotels and hospital. The project is still in the planning stage, but authorities expect to start the first phase in January 2014. Proposed developments have also been announced at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, with a new terminal being designed to handle 10 million passengers, which will increase total airport capacity to 18 million annually. Furthermore, national carrier EGYPTAIR has been enjoying high demand from Saudi Arabian travellers visiting the country according to Gamal El Gazar, regional director, Saudi Arabia, EgyptAir, who confirmed that the success of Sharm El Sheikh flights from the Kingdom has motivated the airline to look into the possibility of a new route to Hurghada as this is proving to be one of the most attractive spots for Saudi Arabian travellers. VALUABLE HOSPITALITY Tourists visiting Egypt are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting accomodation with some of  DECEMBER 2013

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Egypt

the world’s best-known hotel brands setting up shop here, in addition to many ambitious projects in the development pipeline. Amongst plans currently on the horizon is Ancient Sands, a brand new luxury resort and residential project based in the Red Sea town of El Gouna, expected to welcome guests to its first five-star apartment hotel in April 2014. Located in Hilltop Village, Ancient Sands Golf Resort will consist of five individual buildings, each with its own garden and swimming pool and will comprise a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The hotel complex, which will open in two phases, will initially offer 114 apartments in April 2014, 91 of which will be reserved for tourists visiting El Gouna. The second phase is set for operation in 2016, and will bring the total number of units to 261. Jens Freise, senior director marketing and sales,

development is set to feature seven lifestyle districts, each with distinctive identities and activities. The resort will offer thousands of hotel rooms, an international marina, an 18-hole signature golf course and leisure facilities. Mivida will encompass 5,000 homes as well as commercial spaces and other lifestyle amenities such as a state-of-the-art business park, a healthcare centre, an international school, shopping boulevard and a five-star hotel. Furthermore, Egyptian Resorts Company (ERC) also has plans for master developments with its flagship project Sahl Hasheesh - a fully-integrated resort community located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. “Sahl Hasheesh is open and thriving — from our Arrivals Piazza to the Old Town entertainment and shopping hub, to the beach-front resorts, luxury hotels and residential communities,” remarked Abu-Bakr

Uptown Cairo Emaar Square

destinations and hotels, Orascom Development, outlined, “Ancient Sands is an exciting prospect for us. With El Gouna an already well-established yearround destination on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera offering a range of hotels to suit all budgets, the new five-star apartment hotel is the first of its kind here and will add an air of opulence to this private town. Unique additions such as these are intrinsic to maintaining the rich variety of the El Gouna community.” Meanwhile, Emaar Misr, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE-based Emaar Properties, has identified Egypt as a key market for growth, and has announced four key projects: Uptown Cairo, Marassi, Mivida, and Cairo Gate (planning phase). Uptown Cairo is set 200m above sea level and upon completion will include 11 villages, a lake and an 18-hole golf course, as well as a wide array of facilities including Emaar Square; Egypt’s largest open mall, featuring a five-star premium The Address Hotels + Resorts property, and serviced residences. Boasting a prime location on Sidi Abdel Rahman Bay - a favourite amongst Egypt's beaches - Marassi

Makhlouf, commercial director, ERC. In addition to Sahl Hasheesh, ERC is constructing Jamaran, a sea-front all-villa project due to open in 2015, and Sawari Marina, which will function both as an active centre of town life and a more practical hub for boat traffic into, and out of Sahl Hasheesh. “The stunning five-star hotels and luxurious apartments with direct beach access, the beautiful downtown waterfront, unforgettable dive sites, golf courses, cinema complex, and world-class marina are all draws for tourists,” concluded Makhlouf. Lining Egypt’s iconic coast with modern developments is a task which Crystal Lagoons has also taken on, being the company behind the world’s largest manmade lagoon at Citystars Sharm El Sheikh. “Our second Egypt project, Radamis Lagoon, is also located in Sharm El Sheikh and is currently under construction, with an expected completion date of 2014,” outlined Kevin Morgan, CEO, Crystal Lagoons. “This lagoon project will form the centerpiece of a new luxury resort being developed by Radamis For Hotels & Touristic Resorts. Aimed at the high-end

traveller, the resort features a 2,500-room hotel and a lagoon offering a wide selection of water sports.” Additionally, Hilton Worldwide has signed an agreement with Egyptian Touristic Resorts, to introduce the 390-room Hilton Giza Pyramids, and the 195-room Hilton Alexandria King’s Ranch Resort. Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi, a 257-room property strategically located in the upscale residential and diplomatic district of Maadi, is due to open in early 2016. The company has also signed a management agreement with Afak Co. for Touristic Development Co., for the newly built 676-room Hilton Makadi Resort. Makadi has recently welcomed another global hotel provider with the official opening of Steigenberger Hotel Makadi. "The five-star facilities at Steigenberger Hotel Makadi fulfil the high requirements of our standards and thus represent the perfect enhancement of our resort portfolio in Egypt", explained Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Steigenberger Hotel Group. "With the opening of Steigenberger Hotel Makadi we will strengthen the partnership between the group and Jaz Hotels, and trust that this will be an important step in establishing our cooperation on the Egyptian market", added Alaa Akel, general manager, Jaz Hotels & Resorts Division. Another upcoming property due to be launched by the group is Red Sea resort, Steigenberger Aqua Magic which is currently in the opening phase. With a total of 705 guestrooms and suites, the hotel has 294 family suites which are specially designed for comfort and privacy. “The highlight of the resort is the fully graded Splash / Aqua Mania waterpark which features extensive water slides, and a family-friendly multiple feature water playground,” remarked Elena Schrick, marketing communications executive, Steigenberger Aqua Magic. Kempinski Hotels has also jumped on the Egyptian hospitality development bandwagon, with the announcement of Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski due to open in 2014. Featuring 204 guestrooms, 18 suites, one wedding suite, and two presidential suites, the property will add to the group’s currently operating Egyptian hotels, Kempinski Nile Hotel and Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay. “Kempinski remains confident in Egypt as a destination for both business and leisure travel,” affirmed Avsar Koc, regional director of sales and marketing, India, Middle East and Africa, Kempinski Hotels. “We are opening our new property in New Cairo, near the airport. This is a great location as many investors continue to come to Egypt to explore business opportunities in the country.” The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company., has also announced plans to continue its expansion in Egypt with its first hotel in the capital city Cairo. Owned by Misr Hotels - a subsidiary of The Holding Company for Tourism, Hotels and Cinema - plans are in place to convert the strategically located 431room Nile Hilton, into a full-fledged The Ritz-Carlton hotel after an extensive renovation period.  DECEMBER 2013

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Jordan

Jordan on Its Own Despite an ambitious National Tourism Strategy (NTS), Jordan’s visitor numbers have dipped in recent years, nevertheless the industry remains upbeat about the Kingdom’s outlook.  Rita Kasziba writes

hile in 2010 arrivals stood at 8.25 million, tourist volumes shrank to 6.6 million in 2011, and to 6.3 million in 2012, causing severe hardship for the country’s economy, and putting the Kingdom’s NTS, which was aimed at paving the path to attract 9.4 million visitors by 2015, in jeopardy. Daniele Venuti, director of sales and marketing, Jordan, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, attributed the abrupt decline in visitor numbers to the political situation in the Levant region and the economic crisis in Europe that, according to Venuti, prompted Jordan to further intensify its efforts in terms of quality of service, product enhancement and marketing activities.

DECEMBER 2013

JORDAN IN BRIEF Capital: Amman Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD) Language: Arabic

“We strongly believe that difficult times are also an opportunity to improve and change our way of doing business, to find new opportunities and to be more creative,” suggested Venuti. Following the past years’ adversity, the industry indeed aims to rebound, as Eric Seso, general manager, ibis Amman, indicated, saying that the regional unrest, coupled with the effects of the European economic crisis and the tax increase imposed on accommodation establishments in the country, have

made it more challenging to maintain the results achieved in previous years. Nevertheless, thanks to the intensive joint efforts of the industry and the media, the Kingdom has managed to portray an image of Jordan as a safe haven, according to Kamel Ajami, country manager, Jordan, Hilton Worldwide. Adding fuel to the fire of positivity, Emad Jawad Hussain, general manager, Corp Executive Hotel Amman added, “We went through challenging times […] but we have seen an upswing in travellers recently that brought considerable comfort and stability to the market.” In fact, during the first eight months of the current year, Jordan received just short of 3.69 million visitors, with the main markets remaining the Arab countries, followed by Europe and the Americas, and as Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, managing director, Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), asserted, JTB remains optimistic that year-end results will show an increase in tourism activity over those recorded in 2012. BALANCING OUT Hussain described Jordan as a country of great diversity, which, despite a more balanced tourism-split in the capital city of Amman, still mainly relies on 

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Jordan

leisure travel. Drawing a parallel between the past years’ regression and the setback in leisure tourism Ziad Fostuq, general manager, Bristol Hotel Amman, exclaimed, “All leisure markets have decreased dramatically due to the turmoil in the neighbouring countries, as most of the combined tours have not materialised.” According to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Kingdom’s tourism industry relies solely on leisure travel, which represents nearly 90 percent of the industry’s contribution to the national GDP. As a result much emphasis is now being laid on promoting the country’s unique credentials in a bid to distance it from outside circumstances, and ensure its sustainable growth. “For a long time, Jordan has been sold in leisure packages with various other countries when actually there is enough treasure in Jordan to organise such tours with Jordan as a stand-alone destination without depending on the neighbouring countries’ offers,” stressed Seso. Echoing similar views, Naaz Tabassum, marketing manager, Belle Vue Hotels, part of Amlak Hotels & Tourism Investment, agreed that Jordan can stand alone as a regional competitor, further remarking on the Kingdom’s stability, which makes it an ideal destination for not only leisure travel, but also for major regional and international events. “Jordan is also a pioneer and one of the best countries in the whole region for medical treatments,” stated Tabassum, highlighting another unique

brighter future it will be vital to further improve the travel experience by bringing the Kingdom’s historical and tourism sites up-to-date, embedding international quality standards in the hospitality sector, training a skilled workforce and revising the country’s tax policy currently levied on accommodations. Alaa Hijazi, director of sales and marketing, Winter Valley Warwick Resort & Spa, Dead Sea, concurred, saying that by investing into the Kingdom’s infrastructure and attractions as well as labour, hence raising the standards internally first, and then applying the right approach to the right clientele, should help not only to increase, but to double the Kingdom’s current revenues generated by the tourism industry. “Hoteliers are just one aspect of the whole tourism industry, same as local travel agencies, the tourism board and the national carrier,” explained Venuti, saying that the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Jordan team is keen to open up new markets, such as Asia or South America, which might not bring immediate return on investment, but should support the Kingdom’s long-term aspirations. Soha Zahar, cluster director of sales and marketing, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Jordan, expressed similar views, informing that IHG is also planning to grow in the Asian and Latin America markets. “Since we are part of Jordan’s tourism industry, we have a big responsibility to support this sector by all means possible. […] It is important to mention that the support of JTB, and our aggressive and continuous marketing campaigns are of utmost importance

selling point of the Kingdom. In fact, the enhancement of Jordan’s tourism product and its wider promotion are high on the agenda, as Seso also noted the need to develop and promote the image of Jordan by throwing the spotlight on its rich cultural heritage and eco tourism vocation, instead of focusing only on its globally known attractions such as Petra or the Dead Sea. According to Seso, in order to pave the way for a

in achieving the goals,” underscored Zahar. Venuti further added, “We believe that the goal of 9.4 million visitors is only achievable with a strong common effort that sees the opening of new routes to Amman’s international airport, the promotion of the destination in countries where Jordan is not yet known, the participation in communication activities such as press trips and fam trips, the investment of funds in marketing and the development of new

attractions throughout the country that create further interest in the destination.” Underlining the great importance of joint ef-

forts, Tabassum noted that Belle Vue Hotels now aims to promote Jordan as a destination rather than just advertising the company’s properties. In an effort to further this goal the group has collaborated up with a number of travel agents in various countries to create packages for the Kingdom. “We realise that Jordan’s success is our success,” summed up Tabassum. In order to promote the country’s diverse tourism product, JTB is engaged in a string of activities that include travel trade fairs, press and familiarisation trips. As a result, a number of new markets have emerged recently, including the Far East, Brazil, Australia, Eastern Europe and Nigeria. In order to leverage on these opportunities, following the positive impact of market-based representatives (MBR) in Brazil, JTB is soon to appoint MBRs in Australia, informed Arabiyat. “History and culture continues to be the number one segment attracting tourists from all over the world,” asserted Arabiyat, saying that the country is being widely promoted as an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. “We are highlighting Jordan as a family destination with fun and adventure experiences such as that can cater to families travelling with children. This is complimented by the rest of our well-developed experience, including history and culture, religion and faith, eco and nature, MICE, leisure and wellness, and fun and adventure,” elaborated Arabiyat, noting that JTB’s recently launched food microsite is yet another initiative aimed at highlighting the Kingdom’s credentials. “I believe that JTB is working on the right path with regards to promoting Jordan as a destination rather than counting on combined tours,” supported Fostuq. “Jordan has a lot to give and is able to  DECEMBER 2013

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Jordan

offer a full 10-day or longer tour throughout its different cities and historical sites.” NEW WAVE OF DEVELOPMENTS To further strengthen Jordan’s standing on the global stage, a number of large-scale projects have been

hub for the Levant region and give the capital city a more cosmopolitan feel, creating a lively tourism destination for both locals and visitors. Saraya Holding is yet another company which is undertaking the development of a mixed-use building in the heart of Amman’s new district. Ali Kolaghassi, CEO, Saraya Holdings, explained that

Jerash

launched over the past years, one of these is The Boulevard, which forms a major component of the Abdali development that is under construction in the capital city of Amman. The mixed-use development consists of 12 buildings, six on each side, bordering a unique 370m long central pedestrian spine. From the construction point of view, more than 95 percent of the project has already been completed according to Taher Al Jaghbir, CEO, Abdali Boulevard Company, who explained that besides a host of food and beverage outlets, spas, health clubs and high-end retail outlets, The Boulevard will also be home to some 400 luxurious serviced hotel apartments under the Arjaan by Rotana brand. “At The Boulevard, our vision is to introduce a truly exceptional mixed-use development that combines a pedestrian-friendly promenade, with the best outdoor shopping and high-end retail outlets, along with rooftops for entertainment and fitness facilities, world-class business offices backed with the latest state-of-the-art infrastructure and luxurious serviced hotel apartments providing the highest standard of hospitality,” explained Al Jaghbir. The company believe that the project will rejuvenate the Jordanian socio-economic landscape by providing a central location where people can live, work and engage in leisure activities that cater to various tastes and lifestyles. “The Boulevard will create a ripple effect of positive changes that will have lasting effects on the local economy,” expounded Al Jaghbir, asserting that the project will help transform Amman into a regional

the USD200 million property will consist of a 36-storey, 78,000m2 mixed-use tower that is attached to a podium, featuring a five-star luxury hotel and hotel apartments, operated under Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’s W brand. The project will also

offer commercial office space, retail outlets and 42 exclusive serviced residences. Opening for business in 2016, W Amman, which will also comprise a spa, outdoor pool, fitness centre, business centre and event space, is located in the

modern new downtown area of Amman, surrounded by various public and private institutions, such as banks, hotels, hospitals and residential areas, food and beverage outlets, luxury shopping, and indoor and outdoor entertainment options. In line with its focus to develop world-class mixed-use tourist destinations and positively engage and enhance local economies and communities, Saraya Holdings’ projects are set to create thousands of job opportunities and consolidate Jordan’s status as a tourist and business destination. Saraya Aqaba is yet another shining example of these aspirations according to Kolaghassi, who stated, “Saraya Aqaba, with its five-star hotels and superb MICE facilities, will be a major boost to corporate and leisure tourism.” Construction work on the project resumed in the first quarter of the year, and phase one will include four hotels, a conference palace, Souk Saraya, beach club, waterpark, infrastructure, service quarters and residential units. This first stage of development is slated for delivery by early 2016. The Kingdom’s port city of Aqaba, has been an integral part of Jordan’s touristic and economic ambitions for centuries. Located in close proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra and the everpopular Wadi Rum, Aqaba welcomed some 480,000 travellers in 2012 and its airport currently serves more than 35 airlines from all over the world. To further boost the destination’s standing, JOD100 million (USD141.14 million) is being invested in the airport’s expansion project, which started in 2008, and includes a recently inaugurated arrivals terminal. Set to become home to state-of-the-art entertainment attractions of global distinction, The Red Sea Astrarium (TRSA) is another major project, which, according to Kamel Mahadin, chief commissioner, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), will transform the Aqaba region into a high-end tourism hub for Jordan. The themed entertainment resort is envisioned to become a diverse leisure destination and will cover close to 750,000m2. “The continued push to build tourism in Aqaba by all stakeholders, including the private sector, Aqaba Development Corporation, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, JTB and the Ministry of Tourism, is accelerating growth in the hospitality industry,” asserted Michel Lansen, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Aqaba, claiming that Aqaba is ideally placed to support Jordan’s tourism aspirations. “The city’s enviable coastline location in the northeast corner of the Red Sea attracts short and long-stay tourists, and the tremendous work carried out by ASEZA has shaped Aqaba’s status as a distinct destination with broad sector appeal,” he added. Hailed for its healing and rejuvenating properties, the Dead Sea has also long been a must-visit experience. The area’s stakeholders are currently working in close collaboration to attract more business tourism to the area, especially since King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre by Hilton is by far the largest standalone venue of its kind in the Kingdom. Part  DECEMBER 2013

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Jordan

of the project includes the 285-room Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa, due to open in 2014. “We have all been strategically consolidating and aligning efforts in order to create a destination that is complete under the umbrella of JTB of which we are members,” elucidated Ajami, saying that these endeavours are set to raise public awareness attracting an increased number of conferences and meetings, subsequently resulting in higher revenues and a improving both the Dead Sea and Jordan’s appeal.

AIG is also currently working on demolishing the old QAIA terminal; the end of which will trigger the next phase of the airport’s expansion, adding further passenger capacity. Currently, Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) is responsible for 60 percent of traffic at the airport, where 50 percent of the 64 check-in counters are dedicated to RJ passengers, explained Amer Hadidi, CEO, RJ, who considers the new terminal at QAIA, with its cuttingedge features, a qualitative leap for the carrier’s op-

explained, revealing that year-to-date passenger numbers are four percent above 2012 levels. “Regular flights to Jeddah and Erbil took place earlier this year and Petra Airlines also obtained permission and flew to the major airports of Iraq, including Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, Basra and Sulaymaniyah. We also signed contracts with Lebanese clients and have a successful operation out of Beirut to many European destinations, including Rome, Genoa, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey.” WELCOME 2014

Ajloun Castle

50 YEARS ON Demonstrating the industry’s gradual rebound, traffic volumes at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) continue to pick up, with passenger numbers during the first nine months of the year standing close to 4.97 million, up 2.95 percent year-on-year, and aircraft movements rising 0.22 percent to 51,174. These increases are attributable, as Kjeld Binger, CEO, Airport International Group (AIG), noted, to the recent expansions in flight frequency and seat capacity. “The QAIA project is a key part of Jordan’s successful efforts to attract foreign direct investment [which] in Jordan typically accounts for about nine percent of GDP, as of 2010,” noted Binger, further elucidating that under the built-operate-transfer public-private partnership scheme, the government of the Kingdom retains ownership of the airport and receives about 54.47 percent of QAIA’s gross revenues for the first six years, and 54.54 percent for the remainder of the 25year concession agreement which begun in 2007. “In line with the government’s drive to double tourism revenue to JOD4.2 billion (USD5.93 billion) by 2015, AIG’s role is to oversee key contributing factors such as managing airport efficiency, opening a new state-of-the-art terminal and investing in strong marketing efforts to attract airlines,” elaborated Binger.

erations and services. The national carrier, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, plays a major part in driving the economic wheel of the Kingdom, with annual revenues that exceed USD1 billion, Hadidi asserted. “RJ is always keen to cater to the demand by constantly trying to provide a robust route network and boosting connectivity. This positively enhances tourism to the Kingdom and allows transit passengers to explore various places of interest in Jordan. The airline’s transit passengers make up around 35 - 40 percent of its total number of passengers transferred annually,” elaborated Hadidi. During the first nine months of the year, the airline carried over 2.5 million passengers with seat load factor reaching 71.1 percent, and new passenger services commencing to Algiers, Lagos, Accra and Mosul. “The company is conducting studies to see whether it is feasible to inaugurate routes to Washington and Toronto in addition to some Asian cities. RJ is working on putting these cities on its route network in the near future,” revealed Hadidi. Meanwhile, as Jordan’s first low-cost carrier, Petra Airlines aims to connect the Kingdom with various Middle Eastern cities offering passengers reliability and safety at substantial savings, as Marwan Shennara, director of business development, Petra Airlines,

Talking about JTB’s main goals for 2014, Arabiyat explained that the tourism board will continue to focus on the digital market, placing a strong foothold on mobile services, including JTB’s soon to debut mobile site and the relaunch of its more up-to-date iPhone application, while also offering new platforms for android and windows devices. “We are also shedding light on some of Jordan’s less-known experiences within fun and adventure, as there are so many adrenaline pumping activities that Jordan has to offer,” stressed Arabiyat, mentioning the recently held Sky Dive Jordan event which offered thrill seekers the unique opportunity to jump to the lowest point on Earth. “We are also extending support to charted flights to allow more traffic to flow to Jordan, and are focusing on promoting consumer related activities,” concluded Arabiyat. Praising the tourism board’s directives, Lansen said, “Tourism in Jordan is emerging as an important contributor to support the country’s drive to sustainable economic development. JTB is successfully positioning the country as an attractive business and leisure destination [...] and we believe that Jordan is now well placed to maximise its natural and historic assets to become a key Middle East business and leisure destination.” 

Aqaba

DECEMBER 2013

EXPLORE

Yemen

Hidden Secret of Arabia

Sa'dah

Unrest has been affecting Yemen for years, and the 2011 revolution took a heavy toll on tourism as violence erupted in several areas causing more fear among international tourists. With travel warnings still in place in many countries, it is not an easy time for Yemen’s travel and tourism.  Maria Kazeli

writes

ince the incidents that took place in Yemen at the beginning of 2011, the destination is now forging ahead in a bid to recover from the negative reprecussions inflicted on the economy, the tourism industry and various other fields, according to Yasmin Al Hamdani, marketing manager, Yemen Tourism Promotion Board. “Yemen is still healing and we are working hard to create a new tourism environment for all visitors, both international and local. We are facing big challenges to return as before, but we aim to be better than before,” she explained, Solving many issues that the National Dialogue Conference is dealing with, will pave the way to Yemen’s recovery and many obstacles will be eradicated, she added. According to figures released by the tourism board, inbound tourism to Yemen has apparently declined since 2011, but encouragingly this year showed a 20 percent rise in incoming figures compared to 2012. The World Travel & Tourism Council attested that

YEMEN IN BRIEF Capital: Sana’a Currency: Yemeni Rial (YER) Language: Arabic

in 2012 Yemen's tourism sector generated some YER187.4 billion (USD872.4 million) thanks to expenditure by international tourists, and predicted that this figure looks to grow by 3.8 percent this year, with the country receiving 590,000 international tourists, while by 2023 visitor influx is forecast to total 874,000. According to Euromonitor International, Yemen experienced some growth in tourist arrivals in 2012, mainly thanks to the larger number of Yemeni expatriates travelling back to the country to visit friends and family. “Expatriates normally have a rising flow, as they come back to their mother country and visit their families and friends, but eventually they spend money and contribute to the national economy by providing the foreign currency,” said Al Hamdani.

FORGING AHEAD Yemen had committed to a long-term development plan for travel and tourism prior to the crisis, which became unrealistic after the recent events. “The [tourism] Ministry was working on a five-year plan, but with the incidents that Yemen went through, the priorities changed,” confirmed Al Hamdani. New priorities include the improvement of the quality of tourist services and activities through the government’s contribution to fund training and rehabilitation programmes; building institutional capacity to provide skilled and efficient labour; developing tourism products and diversifying patterns; raising awareness of tourism to maintain the sustainability of tourism resources and promote local tourism; and providing the necessary facilities for entry and exit procedures for tourists by the immigration and passports authority, and customs in air and sea ports and land ports. In a relevant development, Yemen and Turkey confirmed an agreement to remove visa requirements for travel between the two countries in a move which is expected to help in Yemen’s economic recovery, and facilitate trade and tourism between the two destinations. Expressing his personal opinions regarding governmental actions, Ali Abu Monassar, owner and investor, Al Salam Hotels Yemen, remarked that the Ministry should hold a meeting with the industry, to find solutions for the problems within the country, and discuss what could be done to change the international communities perception regarding Yemen. BUSINESS ON HOLD Euromonitor International reported that several hotels were forced to close amidst the revolution and violence, as occupancy levels reached just five percent in 2011 and early 2012, and while many are likely to gradually reopen their doors, performance is estimated to remain poor and recovery for many may well prove challenging. Underlying the difficulties that several properties

Socotra Island

DECEMBER 2013

Yemen are facing, as well as the importance of the expatriate market for Al Salam Hotels, Monassar said, “We are surviving thanks to the local market who found in our hotel, [Burj Al Salam], the best view and the best services. Naturally we cannot survive on daily visits only, as all rooms are not occupied by the local market. We were hoping that during the National Dialogue Conference when many expat delegations visit Yemen, we would have some share of the occupancy, but the warning from the Ministry of Interior and Defence to all delegations and embassies not to use any hotel or visit the old city of Sana’a has spoiled our hopes.” Fadel Al-Hilali, general manager, Mercure Aden, contributed stating that even though Yemen is a promising country for tourism, due to the political situation, it has lost most of its tourism, and in the last three years tourists visiting Yemen have declined by 10 percent, compared to the period before 2011. He added that marketwise the hotel’s key feeder segments are mainly European, Japanese and some from the Gulf countries. COUNTERING LOSSES Air transportation in Yemen has shrunk significantly in the last few years, as Taha Mohammed Al-Akwaa, commercial planning manager, Felix Airways, confirmed, adding that the carrier’s flight schedule has been minimised due to lower demand and increasing ticket fares. Yemen Airways (Yemenia), the country’s national carrier, suffered major losses during the uprising, however in a recent meeting with Hamed Ahmad Faraj, chairman, Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, Yemen, the flag carrier discussed taking the necessary measures towards adopting the Presidential Committee's recommendations, proposals and solutions regarding ticket prices to Ghaydah and Socotra airports. The meeting also touched on aspects of joint cooperation between the civil aviation and Yemenia, and how to provide better services to the travelling public, while all participants emphasised the need for coordination and communication in order to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and work towards the advancement of the air transport industry in the country. Similarly Al-Akwaa underlined that the main challenges faced by Yemen and the airline industry include the overall difficult situation in the country and international recommendations against visiting the destination. Despite the current climate, Etihad Airways has decided to support the country, by launching its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to Sana’a in September. A high level delegation, including H.E. Waed Bathib, minister of transport, Yemen, H.E. Qasim Sallam Said, minister of tourism, Yemen, civil aviation representatives and senior airport officials received the maiden flight upon its arrival at Rehaba International Airport. “The ancestral, cultural and business ties between these two countries are significant, and we celebrate this new link between these two capitals,” commented James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways. “The launch of direct services to Sana’a is consistent with our strategy of adding depth and scale to our network and targeting areas of growth in emerging markets. I am confident this new service will further facilitate Yemen’s economic development and encourage trade and investment in the capital.” Yemen is a rich country that enjoys a plethora of diverse tourism components, natural landscapes, adventure experiences, archaeological and world heritage sites and natural reserves; the climate is unique; the service prices are reasonable and suit everyone’s income; and the country enjoys an excellent geographical location. According to Al Hamdani, these accolades and more, make Yemen one of the best destinations for many discerning tourists. The same view is shared by Al-Hilali who concluded, “We hope that in 2014 the situation will start to improve [politically and security-wise] for Yemen, which will reflect positively on the whole economical situation, and especially the tourism sector as Yemen is one of the best countries in the region, very rich with its ancient civilisation and culture; with a lot of historical places and natural beauty in most of the country where you have more than 2,500km of beaches, deserts, green mountains and splendid islands like Socotra Island. Yemen can become one of the best burgeoning tourist destinations if the political and security situation improves.”  DECEMBER 2013

EXPLORE

EXCLUSIVE

Cruise Travel

Going With the Flow

Silversea Cruises

The MENA region has long been earmarked as the next frontier of growth for the global cruise sector, and following the past years’ hardship, the region is set to experience a quantum leap in cruise activities.  Rita Kasziba writes

ith the global cruise industry set to earn some USD36.2 million this year an increase of 4.5 percent over 2012 - and passenger numbers expected to hit 20.97 million, up 3.3 percent, according to a report released by Cruise Lines International Association, cruising continues to be not only one of the most rewarding travel experiences, but also a substantial contributor to the world economy. Following the past years’ instability, which resulted in several cruise lines’ withdrawal from parts of MENA, the region is now stepping up its initiatives to encourage home-porting and additional ports of call. “As a cruise line with worldwide itineraries, we are pleased to offer our guests the opportunity to experience the alluring Middle East,” divulged Thomas Harrison, director of sales, Nordic, Benelux, South Africa and Middle East, Silversea Cruises, saying that with the region steadily developing, the company continues to identify new opportunities. “The political situation does serve as a challenge, however with a ship we are somewhat flexible and can adapt our itineraries,” noted Harrisson. Along parallel lines, Antonio Paradiso, executive

director, emerging markets, MSC Cruises, said, “Today, cruise lines need to accept that geographical situations can happen on a regular basis and that it is essential to remain flexible in terms of itineraries [...]. As a cruise line, in comparison to a land-resort, we have the unique flexibility to immediately reposition our ships wherever it is safest for our guests.” He further added that despite the previous cancellation of certain ports, the company will continue to call in the region for as long as travellers show interest in it. Lucky then that the appeal of the region is evident as Martin Lister, planning manager, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, commented, “From a marketing and destination perspective, North Africa, for many guests, offers a more ‘exotic’ warmer cruising option to the standard Mediterranean cruises.” Bringing to light the popularity of the Arabian Gulf, Hansjorg Kunze, vice president, public relations and communications, AIDA Cruises, noted that the wealth of cultural heritage and activities, add to the region's appeal as an interesting alternative to the cruise lines’ long-distance winter destinations. “AIDA has been operating in the Arabian Gulf since 2006, and we can say that the region has constantly improved its services and facilities, and has set up standards that are in line with the worldwide cruise industry, such as good infrastructure and air connectivity. Other regions could follow this example,” said Kunze. In past years, the Middle East has taken significant steps towards realising its cruising ambitions, and following commitments to make substantial investments to promote the sector, the region is increasingly being recognised as a key growth market, according to H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general,

Costa Fortuna

Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Considering this development it is of little wonder that Dario Rustico, director of sales and marketing, Central Europe, Africa, Middle East and India, Costa Cruises, also spoke of the growing popularity of the region, saying, “We have been cooperating with DTCM for many years to promote the itineraries in the GCC region and to bring more visiting guests to the area. The commitment that Costa Cruises has demonstrated over the years to this region is tangible and will continue in the years to come.” STEPPING UP THE GAME In fact, despite some uncertainty in the past year, MENA has become a firm fixture on many of the world’s leading cruise lines’ winter schedule. In the current season, Dubai alone is set to welcome as many as 300,000 cruise passengers with more than 20 major global cruise lines dropping anchor at the emirate’s port. In a bid to facilitate a rise in arrivals, an expansion project is already underway to endow Dubai Cruise Terminal with an additional 27,000m2 of space. This extension will prepare the terminal to be able to handle complete passenger turnaround of five cruise ships simultaneously. Demand indeed is on the rise as Dubai already serves as the home port to five of the world’s leading cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, TUI Cruises and Costa Cruises, the latter of which was actually the first cruise line to launch regular cruising in the Middle East in 2006, and still offers the highest capacity during the 2013/14 season. DECEMBER 2013

Cruise Travel Likewise, Abu Dhabi has experienced significant growth in cruise arrivals in recent years with figures rising from just 35,000 passengers from 29 calls in 2006/07, to 180,000 travellers and 88 vessels in 2012/13. For the 2014/15 season, the UAE capital is targeting 100 calls and 220,000 passengers. To cater to this anticipated demand, Zayed Port - which handled 96 ships with 155,000 visitors in 2012/13 - now offers even greater capacity with Abu Dhabi Ports Company also allocating the southeastern end of the port berth for cruise tourism. With a coastline of 3,000km, Oman is another major player on regional cruise tourism scene, having welcomed some 257,000 passengers in 2012, significantly higher than the 3,500 visitors recorded in 2003. And with a proposed development, which is expected to turn Port Sultan Qaboos into a dedicated cruise port by January 2015, Oman is set to seal its reputation as an international hub for cruise tourism. Meanwhile, in Egypt, cruising on The Nile River remains on many travellers’ bucket list. However, travel bans on the country, have significantly affected bookings, as Dina El Badramani, assistant regional communication manager, Sonesta Collection, noted. “We lost the interest of the deluxe travellers and the niche market as these are the first to be hit after any crises,” explained El Badramani, saying that the com-

DECEMBER 2013

pany now focuses on the local Egyptian markets and foreign residents in addition to corporate businesses, nevertheless the long-term outlook remains positive. Besides cruising, yachting also continues to gain popularity thanks a the fast-developing infrastructure within the industry segment. “We saw the popularity of yachting grow in the Middle East over the last 10 years and we expect this trend to move at an even faster pace in the future,” projected Bruno Meier, director of marina management, ART Marine. MAKING WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT Despite the positive outlook, cruise line executives agree that certain questions and challenges still need to be addressed if the region is to harness its potential. “For the long-term success of cruising in the GCC region and North Africa, new ports of call need to be developed, terminal facilities must be upgraded and there must be an increased focus on sourcing from local and regional markets,” said Paradiso. Forging stronger cooperation between cruise operators and local authorities, is also a vital element. “We cooperate fully with governments in the region and do our best to pool with the destinations on every level,” said Paradiso, adding MSC Cruises was the

EXCLUSIVE

first cruise line to redirect its ships back to Tunisia after several ships cancelled calls to North Africa. “We see an ambitious and reliable long-term partner in Tunisia, one that shares our drive and desire to maximise future growth, and we have become true ambassadors of the country, making a significant contribution to promoting and consolidating its image and profile,” added Paradiso, further noting that in order to promote MENA, especially the Middle East and the UAE among European holidaymakers, the company is also collaborating with Emirates as well as the respective tourism authorities. Throwing down the gauntlet, Rustico called for further improvements in order to foster the regional cruise sector’s sustainable growth. “Besides the political situation in some countries, one of the main obstacles preventing the increase of popularity of the Middle Eastern region in particular is the lack of a multiple entry visa at a suitable price,” pointed out Rustico, saying that Costa Cruises has been working with DTCM for several years to solve this issue, however the difficulties to obtain a visa and the high costs are still a major drawback. To address these issues and identify new opportunities, cruise line executives from all over the world will be heading to Abu Dhabi this month for the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum. 

TOUR

Switzerland

On the Highest Peak

Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains St. Moritz

Switzerland has officially been listed among the best tourism spots in the world, boasting top ratings for its hotels and facilities, as well as excellent tourism personnel thanks to the availability of qualified labour in a country that features many of the world’s best hotel management schools. SWITZERLAND IN BRIEF Capital: Bern Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) Language: German, French, Italian

 Maria Kazeli

writes

witzerland has maintained its number one spot in the overall rankings of this year’s edition of ‘Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index’ published by the World Economic Forum. This is the fifth consecutive year that the forum sees Switzerland come out on top of the 140 economies assessed. And things look set to get better yet as according to the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the winter season is promising a 2.9 percent increase in overnight stays and in the summer of 2014 numbers are expected to rise by 2.3 percent. Daniela Bär, head of international media relations and corporate communications, Switzerland Tourism, said, “The following aspects have to be seen as the main reasons for the optimism: the economic situation in the Eurozone – the most important for-

eign markets for Swiss tourism when it comes to the volume of overnights – is likely to brighten up which would significantly influence travel to Switzerland. In addition, the development in the main Asian growth markets is persistently strong and will help to assure future market shares.” She added that figures from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office regarding the number of overnight stays in Swiss hotels show that from January to September, there were 28.6 million overnights, an increase of 2.5 percent compared to the same period in 2012, with guests from foreign countries being responsible for some 56 percent. “For the same period, talking of the Gulf countries and North Africa, Swiss hotels registered roughly 579,000 overnights from guests out of these markets which corresponds to a plus of 17 percent compared to the same period in 2012. The numbers for the whole year 2012 sum up to a plus of even 25 percent,” pointed out Bär. Confirming MENA’s significance for the country, Tilla Tihanyi, web marketing assistant, Crowne Plaza Zürich, said that the market’s share at the hotel for the first quarter (Q1) of the year was three percent. Similar figures were disclosed by Betina Welter, area director of public relations, Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains, St. Moritz, which also registered a slight growth of 0.2 percent for Q1 from the Middle East, a

fact Welter attributed to the increasing awareness of the destination in the GCC in general and the promotional work being carried out in the region. One property already benefitting from higher numbers of MENA guests is Fairmont Le Montreux Palace , as Stephan Skok, associate director, sales and marketing, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, explained that nearly 10 percent of the hotel’s guests come from the Middle East. “Especially small GCC nations such as Bahrain and Oman still have potential for the region and Fairmont Le Montreux Palace as these countries have had a steady increase throughout the last couple of years. However, main drivers within the region do remain Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Also, Qatar has had a steady increase throughout the last years,” he said. The region is a very strong source market for Switzerland, verified Nicolas Meylan, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Geneva, since guests coming from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait remain the largest number of travellers to Geneva. “[They] get more into the vibe of the ski holidays nowadays. The younger generations have different booking and travelling habits, they are more independent and are more into new experiences,” he elaborated. Further connecting the country with the MENA region, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) recently expanded operations out of Geneva, with the addition of six new routes, including Marrakech. “We constantly monitor our current network and observe market development. The new Geneva – Marrakech operation is one of these opportunities,” said Myriam Ziesack, spokesperson, SWISS. “MENA offers historically stronger destinations out of Geneva than Zurich. With our expansion in Geneva, it was clear to also grow in this region,” she added. Moreover the carrier, along with its sister company Edelweiss Air, provides a direct route from Zurich to Cairo, Marsa Alam, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheik, Muscat, Dubai, Marrakech, Agadir and Djerba. 

Chateau de Chillon, Montreux

DECEMBER 2013

TRAVEL CHANNELS

Emirates Builds Its Own Aircraft Emirates has unveiled its own manufactured aircraft. The two-seater RV 12 is six metres long and is the result of thousands of hours of dedication by a group of Emirates’ engineering trainees, working in their spare time.

O Emirates' Two-seater RV 12

ver a two year period, the group of 40 trainees assembled 11,000 parts of the aircraft. “The trainees’ first task was to unpack the crates, check the components against the inventory and create a storage system where items could be easily retrieved,” said Adel Al Redha, executive vice president, Emirates. The project has already drawn quite a bit of attention and a rise in visitors to Emirates Engineering Centre in Dubai. And while the propeller-driven aircraft, weighing in at 335kg and with a wingspan of 8.1m, is a far cry from its larger relatives in the Emirates fleet, it has a range of around 900km, a top speed of 217km per hour, and would just about make it to Doha, Salalah or Riyadh.

Global Golf Sales Grow 9.3 Percent The 2013 International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), which launched on November 11, has put forward an optimistic outlook for the golf tourism industry. In his keynote address, Peter Walton, CEO, International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), presented positive findings from the association’s Global Golf Tourism Report, highlighting a 9.3 percent increase in global golf tour operator sales in 2012, over 2011. With the report showing steady, healthy growth, the sector can look forward to a third consecutive year of golf tourism growth in 2014, commented Walton, adding, “Golf resorts, courses and hotels, should continue to focus on their individual strengths, but also, and more importantly, on working together with public sector bodies, to promote their golf destination, and position it in the best possible way to attract more golf travellers and golf tour operator business.” Peter Grimster, exhibition manager, IGTM, shared Walton’s optimism by stating, “IGTM is becoming increasingly important as a barometer of the golf travel industry’s performance and the verdict this year is that the market has indeed been lifting, at a steady pace.” Peter Walton

DECEMBER 2013

Global Partnerships Enhancing Security International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for a partnership between the aviation industry, governments and regulators to enhance aviation security by embracing a globally harmonised, risk-based system. Speaking at the 22nd AVSEC World Conference in Istanbul, Tony Tyler, director general, IATA, said the procedures of the current security system will not be able to cope with global passenger numbers expected to approach four billion per year by 2017. “We need to change from prescriptive one-sizefits-all measures and embrace performancebased regulation if the economic benefits of aviation growth are not to be curtailed by security inefficiency,” he said. Tyler noted three key areas for improving security cooperation: the early collaboration between industry and governments; a shift to a risk-based approach; and a strengthened, harmonised global system.

WHO'S MOVED

HIBBA BILAL Hibba Bilal has been promoted to the position of director of public relations at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh. She will carry out her new role alongside her current position as director of public relations at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence. Bilal - who joined the company in 2004 - first headed the public relations team at Four Seasons Hotel

LAMIA ASSEM

Cairo at Nile Plaza, where she was also part of the opening team and a played a key contributing role in the hotel’s successful launch. The new dual role will see herspearheading public relations activities, social media and communications for both properties.

Bilal joined the company in 2004

Lamia Assem has been named director of marketing at Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, Sofitel Cecil Alexandria and Pavillon Winter Palace Luxor. After gaining experience at The Coca-Cola Company, Assem took on the position of assistant marketing communications manager at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Egypt.

She then became the regional marketing communications manager for three hotel brands, including Iberotel Hotels & Resort, Sol Y Mar Hotels & Resorts and Jazz Hotels & Resorts. Prior to joining the Sofitel family, she worked as cluster director of marketing communications, public relations and e-commerce for Marriott International’s Red Sea Resorts.

RABAH ABUSBAITAN Rabah Abusbaitan has been appointed hotel manager at Hyatt Regency Dubai. Abusbaitan, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in hotel management and an associate degree in accounts, has been with Hyatt Hotels Corporation since October 2001 and has extensive experience within the company. He started as an executive sous chef at Hyatt Regency Taba Heights in Egypt, and was later part of the pre-opening team of Grand Hyatt Dubai. He then moved to Grand Hyatt Amman, where his hard work earned him the position of director of food and beverage. In 2011,

he was transferred to Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where he served as executive assistant manager of food and beverage before moving back to Dubai. In his new role, he will assist the general manager in overseeing the hotel’s day-to-day operations and its overall strategic planning.

He started as an executive sous chef at Hyatt Regency Taba Heights in Egypt DECEMBER 2013

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Digvijay Singh Today, London is home to over 1,000 hotels, creating as Digvijay Singh, general manager, 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences, says, a highly competitive luxury market where guest from the MENA region are increasingly important for these properties.

Travel Trade MENA: The 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation earlier this year as well as a number of prestigious cultural and sports events have once again put the spotlight on London. How would you summarise the year so far? Digvijay Singh: London remains a key attraction for visitors coming to Britain. Without a doubt, the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympic Games in 2012, followed by the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation, have made London all the more appealing to overseas travellers. According to a recent survey carried out by the mayor of London, a record number of tourists from overseas visited London in the first quarter of the year, causing a much welcome economic boost. The most recent figures released by Visit Britain show 32.2 million overseas visits to the UK in the past year on a rolling annual basis, making it the best 12 months since the year ending November 2008. There is also a strong upward trend on spending, totalling GBP20 billion (USD32.4 billion) [during the first eight months of the year]. Staging such memorable events made London a must-go holiday destination and we have certainly felt the positive repercussions from the ‘Olympic legacy’. Travel Trade MENA: What attributes distinguish 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences from the other hotels in the same category in London? Digvijay Singh: I would say that the location of the hotel is our first competitive advantage. We are steps away from Buckingham Palace in St James, yet strategically situated on a secluded street – this offers our guests all the privacy and tranquility they need during their holiday or business trip. At the same time, we are close to the West End’s shops, theatres and museums, but when our guests step into The Courtyard at 51 Buckingham Gate, they can leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city and finally relax. From an accommodation point of view, all our suites have fully-equipped kitchens. Not many hotels in London can boast such a convenient feature, and business travellers or families travelling with kids equally appreciate it, especially if they plan a long stay in London. Another factor that makes 51 Buckingham Gate stand out in the highly competitive luxury hotel DECEMBER 2013

Digvijay ChristianSingh Muhr

General manager, 51 Buckingham Gate, Vice president, operations, Egypt and Levant, Taj Suites and Residences Hilton Worldwide

the Cinema Suite are certainly the preferred options. These two suites are a favourite with celebrities, film stars, diplomatic delegations and captains of industry looking for no holds-barred luxury and exclusivity. The hotel consists of three individually designed townhouses: Kings, Falconers and Minsters which have been charmingly restored and offer 86 elegant suites each with their own separate kitchen and living area. We are currently refurbishing the suites in the Kings townhouse. Travel Trade MENA: How important is the Middle East and North Africa region to your business? Which are the best performing markets within this region?

market in London are its themed suites: the Jaguar Suite launched in Autumn 2011 and the Cinema Suite, unveiled in November 2012. The Jaguar Suite is the result of an exciting partnership between two TATA-owned companies, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and Jaguar. Overseen by Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum, the suite features specially-commissioned auto-inspired artwork and is the first and only Jaguar suite in the world. At the other end of the ‘design spectrum’ we have the Cinema Suite created by one of India’s hottest designers, Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Inspired by the golden era of 1940s and 1950s Hollywood, as well as the Indian Cinema of 1950s, this two-bedroom suite oozes the glamour of a bygone age. It houses remarkable history books, vintage mirrors, a myriad of portraits and drawings, art and antique rugs. Silk drapery, antique furniture displays and embroidered Indian lamps ornate the sitting room where an 85-inch plasma cinema screen with a Steinway Lyngdorf audio system provide a one-of-akind cinematic experience. Travel Trade MENA: How popular are these suites and residences with your guests? Digvijay Singh: For guests wishing to indulge in extremely lavish accommodation, the Jaguar Suite and

Digvijay Singh: Our best performing market is the US which is one-third of our guests. At present, Middle East and North Africa arrivals represent less than 10 percent, however these markets have doubled from five years ago. We are fully determined to expand in those markets even further and, with this in mind to reach new clients by partnering with high-end tour operators and travel agents to sell our product effectively in those regions. Travel Trade MENA: What makes the MENA region an important market for 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences? Digvijay Singh: In comparison with previous years, these markets are growing at a rapid pace. With London being considered the world’s leading financial centre in the world, this is only bound to increase. Travellers from the Middle East and North Africa that opt for the luxury hotel segment come to London not just for business but also for leisure. Thanks to our location and facilities, we are well placed to satisfy the requirements of such visitors on both levels. Guests from the MENA region tend to be long-haul, high-net-worth travellers. With large suites that can interconnect into larger residences of up to nine bedrooms, the hotel can perfectly accommodate large families or delegations from the region. The Taj Group is expanding in the MENA region with the construction of Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on the Palm Crescent, Jumeirah in Dubai. There is also a Taj sales team based in Dubai dedicated to the Middle Eastern market.

travel talk is your space

TRAVEL TALK HEINZ KRÄHENBÜHL

WALID AL-AWA

General manager, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain.

General manager, Tamani Marina Hotel.

“We are honoured to accept the ‘Best Airport Hotel in Arabia’ award from the International Property Awards that recognises our efforts to celebrate service excellence. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our hotel team members for continuously maintaining the highest quality standards.”

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our hotel team

“It is all about my team; any award is a result of team work. Without the great team we have at Tamani Hotel Marina, we would have never achieved the highest guest satisfaction that resulted in the prestigious continent award [at the World Luxury Hotel Awards in the luxury suite hotel category]. It is a great feeling to receive the second award this year and for sure will get more awards in the future. This is not just an outstanding achievement for our entire team, but also a confirmation that world-class hotel accommodation is available in Dubai.”

CORNELIA ERHARDT

HATEM GASMI

General manager, Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai.

Managing director, Auris Hotels.

“I would like to congratulate our team for the great achievement and we are very delighted with this recognition. We feel very honoured to be selected as Best Luxury City Hotel for UAE and take home this prestigious award from The World Luxury Hotel Awards. We will continue to serve for the luxury market, and keep our focus on delivering our ‘Yes I Can!’ promise, to create unforgettable memories for our guests.”

“As a brand, we will focus on building our portfolio in the MENA region and beyond. Our “Freedom of Choice” concept that allows guests to choose and tailor their stay according to their budgets and taste has been well received in the market. We seek to promote the concept further, by focusing our marketing on the various types of properties that we manage. These range from boutique and apartments to five-star star establishments.”

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, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel DECEMBER 2013

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Naeem Darkazally With eight operational hotels, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels has established itself as one of the leading hospitality companies in the UAE, Here Naeem Darkazally, vice president, sales and marketing, Middle East and Africa, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, outlines the company’s long-term vision and future expansion plans.

Travel Trade MENA: How has this year been for the company in the UAE so far? Naeem Darkazally: It has been a significant year for Millennium & Copthorne Middle East with new properties and more rooms joining the portfolio. The UAE still enjoys the lion’s share of operating properties in the region with eight hotels spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. [This year] business levels, in general, across our UAE properties saw a strong summer with big hikes in occupancy, excluding those dates in the heart of Ramadan. In fact, the months of June and August had occupancy levels close or equal to the winter season, with our Dubai properties in particular, benefitting from the city’s allure as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for shopping - a trend that we are confident will continue. We also saw an increase of up to six percent yearon-year this summer, across our Abu Dhabi hotels and this positive trend can be attributed to the significant efforts of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority in promoting the emirate as a destination for leisure as well as business. During this year and to support our rapid expansion we relocated our regional headquarters to Dubai where we are driving a new culture of progress and innovation to lead the company forward. The company has always been confident in its current track and it essentially foresees the MENA region, especially the UAE, as not only the growth engine, but also leading best practice across Millennium Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

Naeem Darkazally Christian Muhr

Vice and marketing, Vice president, president, sales operations, Egypt andMiddle Levant,East and Africa, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Hilton Worldwide

business travellers and meet the increasing market demand for “homely” extended stay accommodation. Our first property in Fujairah, Millennium Hotel Fujairah, is due to open in 2014 and will be part of a significant commercial complex including a shopping mall. Millennium Golf Resort in Al Ain will offer premier leisure facilities for guests looking to escape city life. Millennium Bab Al Qasr Hotel, will be located in Abu Dhabi’s corniche area and will provide guests with a refined experience. Millennium Executive Apartments will open in Dubai later in 2014, and will become the company’s

first entry into the competitive extended stay market in the city. Travel Trade MENA: How do you see the UAE’s hotel sector developing over the next decade? Naeem Darkazally: With the echoes of the Arab Spring still in the air, and the unrest it has cast on several countries in the Middle East, the UAE hospitality market has benefitted from its image as a 'safe haven' and tourist friendly destination. With an increasing penetration of new destinations and markets, owing to new airline routes, we see the demand for hotels in the UAE only increasing over the next 10 years. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai will continue to reinvent themselves with significant investments in their infrastructure and appeal as global tourist and commerce destinations. The benefits of Abu Dhabi’s tourism-driven developments at Saadiyat Island and Dubai’s continued ability to create fascinating attractions for a global audience means we predict a positive increase in demand. Global events such as World Cup 2022 in Qatar and Expo2020 in Dubai will also drive the need for an increased hotel supply within the UAE. Overall we expect the UAE hospitality sector to prosper in the coming years, with many international and local operators looking to introduce new concepts and create market trends that will attract more investment into the country.

Travel Trade MENA: Please tell us about the company’s UAE pipeline. Naeem Darkazally: Our pipeline for the UAE is very strong with five properties - which equates to around 1,500 rooms - due to open by the end of 2014. These figures illustrate the continuing importance of the UAE, both as a first class tourist destination and also, as a leading international hub for commerce. The properties due to open in the UAE within the next few months span diverse market segments from extended stay apartments to luxury hotel developments. Our first serviced apartment offering, [Millennium Executive Apartments], is due to open in Abu Dhabi in the next few months. The property will provide comfortable accommodation for long-stay DECEMBER 2013

Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai will continue to reinvent themselves with significant investments in their infrastructure and appeal

Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi

NEWS & EVENTS

ADNEC Showcases Business Tourism Credentials Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) attended the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)’s 50th anniversary meeting in Shanghai recently to highlight its top-quality products and services to the global congress audience. The meeting, organised by ICCA - a global community for the meetings industry - was aimed at enabling members to generate and maintain significant competitive advantage within the business tourism sector, and saw the attendance of more than 950 suppliers from 88 countries. Robin Miller, director of sales, ADNEC, described ICCA as one of the industry’s most valuable global resources and most respected networking organisations for senior meetings industry executives. Pieter Idenburg, group CEO, ADNEC, added, “Participation in events like this allows ADNEC to understand and discuss current trends within the industry, and equip itself to maintain a position as a leading venue for conferences and conventions. Abu Dhabi is a dynamic city that has risen quickly to within the world’s top 100 busiest meetings and congress destinations, and as we continue to grow we must remain agile enough to respond to market trends. Such meetings allow us to do that.”

EVENTS

Qatar Hosts Global Airport Conference Qatar welcomed some leading figures from the global aviation industry for Airport Council International (ACI)’s annual ACI Airport Exchange Conference and Exhibition. Organised under the theme ‘Beyond Airports 2020’, nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world attended the two-day programme, which also helped highlight Qatar’s credentials as a growing aviation hub. “Qatar is a rapidly developing nation budding with aviation growth, spurred by the onset of Qatar Airways, which is at the helm of this development,” asserted Ashish Jain, senior vice president, group safety and security, Qatar Airways. The soon-to-open Hamad International Airport (HIA) also arose from a need to increase Qatar’s aviation capacity, and the new airport will not only keep pace with the country’s growth, but will also actively contribute to this era of cultural and economic development. Jain also conveyed that airports need to develop the capacity to innovate and exceed expectations, which HIA, with its entirely new approach, is expected to achieve.