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

OCTOBER 2013

ISSUE 48

EXPLORE: OMAN The Omani government continues to make strides to enrich the Sultanate’s tourism product and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP to 9.2 percent.

In line with the main objectives outlined in the Economic Vision 2030, Bahrain is placing an increased emphasis on promising sectors, including tourism.

07 EXCLUSIVE: LOW-COST CARRIERS The perspective of a transformation in this lucrative sector is present, and local budget airlines are poised to make the best of it.

15 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

VISIT: Kuwait

EXPLORE: Oman

ONSITE: Bahrain

EXCLUSIVE: Low-Cost Carriers

TOUR: Singapore

TRAVEL CHANNELS

WHO’S MOVED

RENDEZVOUS

TRAVEL TALK

RENDEZVOUS

NEWS & EVENTS

ONSITE: Bahrain

MARKET UPDATE

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel COPY EDITOR Stefanie Saghbini SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli

Sharjah: Over One Million Room Nights During the first half of the year, a total of 951,592 guests stayed in Sharjah’s 103 hotel establishments, marking an overall increase of nine percent, and translating into more than one million room nights.

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 210466 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

eanwhile, hotel occupancy rose three percent to over 71 percent, with a nine percent increase in inbound tourist figures, while the emirate’s room inventory is set to reach 12,000 rooms over the next two years, in line with the recent growth trends. The guests were roughly split between hotels and hotel apartments, with 536,047 residing in hotels and 415,545 opting to stay in hotel apartments, whereas a total of 874,977 guests stayed in the emirate’s establishments during the same period in 2012; 511,620 chose to stay in hotels and 363,357 in hotel apartments. European visitors once again took the lion’s share, this year, at 37 percent, with some 347,500 tourists

overall and with Russia topping the list, while the GCC came in second, followed by Asia. Commenting on the half-yearly statistics, Mohamed Ali Al Noman, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, noted that these numbers are a testament to the positive development and resilience of the emirate’s tourism sector, and a reflection of the path to excellence that Sharjah has been pursuing. “The half-yearly statistics results put great responsibility on us to work public and private sectors to expand tourism activities that boost the emirate’s economy by enhancing the coordination between different tourism sector players in the emirate,” added Al Noman.

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

25/09/2013 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

1,511.50

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Syria (SYP)

Pound

135.65

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.64

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.30

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

24,793.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.81

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

81.66

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.25

Al Qasba

Marriott International: Positive MEA Results Building on the 25 percent year-on-year growth in global net income in the second quarter of the year, Marriott International recorded a 10.6 percent increase in RevPAR figures across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region for the same three-month period, driven predominantly by a two percent rise in occupancy and a 6.8 percent surge in average rates. As Alex Kyriakidis, president, MEA, Marriott International, noted, the notable growth in operational and financial figures demonstrates the success of the company’s strategy of planning, investments, employing the best people and hard work. “We consistently deliver a quality and unforgettable travel experience to millions of guests across our network,“ he said. The company, which currently offers 44 hotels in 12 countries with over 13,000 rooms across the MEA region, aims to exceed 20,000 operational rooms by 2015, as it continues to focus on the Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand, as well as the extended stay sector and mobile technology, as Kyriakidis further explained.

OCTOBER 2013

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Kuwait

PINNACLE OF GLOBAL EXCELLENCE Kuwait City

An exciting quarter lies ahead for professionals under the Kuwaiti tourism umbrella who are currently gearing up to host two highly-anticipated and major governmental events, which are expected to trigger a boost in figures, an upswing in performance levels, and conclude a better year altogether than 2012. KUWAIT IN BRIEF Capital: Kuwait City Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) Language: Arabic

 Stefanie Saghbini

writes

o far so good this year for Kuwait, whose tourism industry is set to see further improvements over the following months, thanks to the upcoming Arab-African Summit and 34th GCC Summit slated to take place in the final quarter. Alike other travel and tourism professional across the country, Ali Haddad, general manager, Swiss-Belhotel Plaza Kuwait, expects more visitors to enter Kuwait this year over 2012, for both business and leisure purposes, as projects materialise. Along parallel lines, Hisham Sultan, director of operations, Le Royal Hotel, who also expressed optimism with regards to the remaining months ahead, said, “There is a very good and noticeable leap in business from 2012 to this year.” All-in-all, 2012 was not an easy year, according to Ziad Tantawi, general manager, Hilton Kuwait Resort, who blamed the economical situation and local market conditions for the turbulent 12-month period. “This year has had some challenges as well, due to the instability in the whole region,” Tantawi further commented, as he too anticipates a busy period over the last quarter during which, he revealed, some major projects will take place in addition to the two large-scale events. Reverberating Tantawi’s views, Wassim Mahdi, director of sales and marketing, Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait, claimed that an improvement change is expected over the coming months, in terms of inbound business to the country, due to the forthcoming major governmental summits. Concurring, Wassim Tarabay, director of sales and marketing, Hotel Missoni Kuwait, also predicts the fourth quarter to be busy as a result of the events, while Aurelio Giraudo, general manager, The Regency Hotel, who shares similar views of a strong emergence from the lower summer season into what he described will be a very busy final few months, stated, “Commercially, we are developing strongly and forecast significant growth over 2012 which, at the time, was a ‘very good year’.” BUILDING MOMENTUM It may have resulted in a very good year for some while for others it proved to be the best year ever in operational history, such as for Jazeera Airways Group, which beat OCTOBER 2013

Kuwait 2011’s record earnings, having collected a net profit of KWD13.9 million (USD48.8 million) for the full year (FY) 2012. Commenting on the healthy results, Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways Group, said, “Like 2011, 2012 was another record-breaking year in every sense. This performance continued to be driven directly by a healthy, growing, profitable, and sustainable airline business, and a reliable and consistent leasing business. Together, they have proven to be an ideal business combination that generates a sustainable net profit in every quarter.” Furthermore, FY2012’s operating revenue increased eight percent from FY2011, to reach KWD62.6 million (USD220.3 million), while operating profit was up 25 percent, from KWD14.9 million (USD52.5 million) recorded in 2011, to KWD18.5 million (USD65.1 million) in 2012. Meanwhile, net profit escalated 32 percent year-on-year, to reach 13.9 million (USD48.8 million), and average yield increased 13 percent from FY2011. According to Boodai, Jazeera Airways Group boasts one of the healthiest balance sheets in the region today and is one that is also cash-rich with KWD47 million (USD165.4 million), thanks, he added, to the shareholders and their statement of confidence in the group and its management team, the support of Kuwait Directorate of Civil Aviation, the carrier’s partners and service providers, and the government of Kuwait. This success managed to trickle its way well into the current year, whose first half (H1) proved to be Jazeera Airways’ most lucrative ever, with operating revenues up nine percent from H1 2012, to reach KWD30.8 million (USD107.7 million), pushing operating profits up 48 percent year-on-year, totalling KWD9.5 million (USD33.2 million). Meanwhile, net profits rocketed 95 percent from H1 2012, to reach KWD7.5 million (USD26.2 million), while passenger numbers surged 4.1 percent and load factor reached 70 percent, up 11.9 percent, year-on-year. Over the six-month stretch, Jazeera Airways Group secured funding for the three remaining aircraft of an order of 15 Airbus A320s, one of which was delivered in June, and the other two which will be delivered this month and May 2014, thus currently boasts one of the youngest Airbus A320 fleets in the Middle East. Also in June, the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) inducted Jazeera Airways Group in the Kuwait 15 index, KSX 15, which lists the 15 top performers on the KSE, placing the airline in a directory said to be designed as a bellwether indicator of the Kuwaiti economy and to track the performance of the Kuwaiti stock market. “Our job is far from over and the team is working hard on closing yet another record-breaking year,” stated Boodai. CRÈME DE LA CRÈME Apart from the two upcoming governmental events, Haddad believes that new hotel developments across Kuwait City are driving supply up the trajectory, thus offering business and leisure travellers more options when they visit the capital. Adding to this growing palette of hotel developOCTOBER 2013

ments across the country is the soon-to-come-onboard Millennium Hotel & Convention Centre, Kuwait; a signed deal between the hotel group and Gulf Real Estate Development House Company. As the second Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and Resorts’ property in the country, this establishment is set to be targeted at the corporate clientele, as Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, president, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Middle East and Africa, explained, “We are pleased to complement our existing hotel offering within Kuwait, Al Jahra Copthorne Hotel & Resort, with this unique five-star business hotel, which will be home to Kuwait’s conference and exhibition market. We are even more honoured to partner with such an esteemed and reputable company such as Gulf Real Estate Development House Company.” Located in Salmiya, Kuwait City, Millennium Hotel & Convention Centre, Kuwait, will boast some 4,000m2 of conference space, including a 1,080m2 ballroom and several meeting rooms, 307 rooms including serviced apartments, multiple food and beverage outlets comprising an all-day dining restaurant and signature concepts, leisure facilities featuring a state-of-the-art health club, spa, and outdoor swimming pool, and an extensive banqueting facility for the convention centre. Also perfectly timed to benefit from the summits in November and December is the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, which softly opened in May. “Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is a one-of-a-kind destination due to its beachfront location, close to the main attractions and airport, and also due to the full range of facilities, venues, and services that suit either leisure or business travellers,” commented Mark Griffiths, general manager, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, who believes that the new development has not only introduced a new lifestyle but has also enhanced the reputation of Kuwait’s hospitality industry. “Thus, not only has the hotel filled a gap by bringing the exceptional luxury and service of the Jumeirah brand, but it has established a destination within a destination,” he added, explaining that the team caters to everyone, whether a business traveller, a family, or a honeymoon couple from within the region. “Since the soft open-

VISIT

ing, we have experienced strong levels of business from the local, regional, and international markets. In the coming months, we expect further business activity from events, weddings, meetings, and conferences through our attractive offers and packages. We have already had a great deal of interest from companies and individuals seeking to use our venues,” commented Griffiths, who noticed particular strength in the demand for rooms from both the local market and corporate business, welcome the business season. “We expect to continue building on this and for business to grow further as the year progresses. We have also been particularly delighted with the response from the local market to our restaurants,” he continued. Another reputed hotel brand gracing the country’s hotel segment with its re-entry is Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait, which has just concluded its three-year, KWD15 million (USD52.8 million) transformation, both structurally and decoratively. Now boasting a new lobby area, the property is also offering guests three distinctive room styles, including a traditional yet sophisticated NY Mansion House, according to Mahdi. With regards to the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, the main building also presents the new faces of well-known and recognised restaurants, including the all-day dining Al Bustan as well as Peacock, serving 

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Chinese cuisine. “Of particular note is the unique executive lounge Sky Lounge, the only one of its kind, which is located on the rooftop to provide panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf,” Mahdi further informed. In addition, the new look also showcases a brand new 340m2 ballroom, which can accommodate up to 200 people, is fully-equipped with high-tech audio/visual equipment, can be divided into two soundproofed venues, and features five adjacent meeting rooms. With its location in close proximity to the airport, diplomatic missions, and the exhibition centre, Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait is set to attract top business sectors during 2014, particularly for the NY Mansion House, as Mahdi noted, with a forecast in occupancy rates of 41.3 percent and an average daily rate of KWD89.7 (USD315.7), for the year under review. Swiss-Belhotel Plaza Kuwait is also welcoming guests with what Haddad described is an impressive redesign portraying continued commitment to service and one which has been changed to become more competitive, particularly in the leisure market where, he further explicated, a broad range of opportunities to enhance the competitiveness and value of this welllocated asset is present. “Initial customer feedback has been positive and our property has been well received by our travellers. Our diverse clientele, including weekday business travellers and weekend leisure travellers, enjoy our newly renovated hotel as their home away from home,” Haddad continued. Guests from the corporate segment are also being provided with an improved The Regency Hotel, which consolidated its position as ‘Best Luxury Hotel in Kuwait’ and ‘Best Conference Venue in Kuwait’ at World Travel Awards, Dubai, in May this year. Having also embarked on an expansion of its outlets and services, some of which are still ongoing and set for completion over the following months, The Regency Hotel introduced a value-added corporate programme, namely ‘The Executive Experience’, which, according to Giraudo, has been a great success. In the meantime, the corporate clientele can now benefit from the fourth floor executive lounge, which has become a regular retreat for private meetings for many of Kuwait’s most respected businessmen, as Giraudo further elaborated. In addition, Regency Gourmet recently opened its doors, welcoming guests to a patisserie, while Italianthemed Balsamico, which launched on September 15, serves classic Italian dishes by Carmine de Filippo, executive chef. “It is important that we continue to lead the market and continue to drive creativity and difference. It is in this way that The Regency wins and is recognised as a leader as opposed to a follower,” Giraudo stressed, assuring that in many cases, the hotel is viewed as a groundbreaking pioneer of new service levels that are rapidly developing in Kuwait. LEISURELY PLEASURES Commenting on the changing trends being witnessed in Kuwait as a predominantly business destination to

Kuwait one which is also emerging as a leisure hub, attributable to the efforts being made by the industry’s professionals, Griffiths pointed out that the responses from both segments, along with the residents of Kuwait, has been most pleasing since Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa’s soft-opening. “Kuwait is an exceptionally vibrant local leisure market and we also welcome leisure travellers from neighbouring Saudi Arabia,” he commented, further revealing that the team is already marketing to a broad range of segments as it continues to seek out new ones. Also noticing the increase in leisure guests from Saudi Arabia to Kuwait, particularly during holidays,

to the resort that will offer trendy activities and games; add a new water sport activities section for children; and increase the space of the main restaurant, Teatro, by combining the terrace with its great beach view. “For 2014, we are preparing an extensive plan that will attract different segments and will serve all guests’ needs in Kuwait, GCC, and internationally, whether for business or leisure, such as attractive promotions and packages for local guests and GCC, and launch creative promotional offers related to the hotel food and beverage that will, for sure, cater many tastes, like an oriental café. “In addition, [we will] continue to spread the famous Hilton weddings concepts through the wedding packages to meet the market demand and local requirements,” Tantawi concluded, with a note that Hilton Kuwait Resort will continue to promote its venues for events of all sizes as well as create meeting packages to attract MICE. NECESSARY CHANGES

Lobby, The Regency Hotel

school vacations, and weekends, is Haddad, who noted that this clientele is attracted to Swiss-Belhotel Plaza Kuwait due to its location and close proximity to Al Muthana Complex, Salhiya Complex, the beach, and Souk Sharq. With this in mind, Mahdi strongly believes that the future of hotel developments rely heavily on the shopping segment, as he further explicated, “Consumers from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, with their healthy levels of disposable income, generally prefer to spend their leisure time in shopping malls and as a result the mega-malls in the Middle East are booming. “Shopping malls and associated hotel developments are key elements in the recovery of travel and tourism in the Middle East and we foresee a growing demand for Middle Eastern hotels that are built inside or close to shopping malls.” The team at Hilton Kuwait Resort is also focusing greatly on the development of services offered at the hotel, in a bid to keep all guests alike satisfied, as Tantawi informed of the complete renovation of the ballroom, renewals across the chalets and villas whose flooring and furniture have been upgraded, as well as a new parking area within the hotel. “Before the end of this year, we will be welcoming a new luxury Mediterranean restaurant, Naranj, to the hotel profile. As for 2014, we will, for sure, keep up the good quality services to serve all guests’ needs and requirements. [We will] add a new fully equipped kids club

According to Tantawi, MICE business remains marginal in Kuwait and is only confined to conferences or conventions organised by the government or local oil companies. Similarly, Tarabay believes that although the business segment in Kuwait is not restricted, it is indeed the main segment that city hotels consider all year round, except summer. “Oil- and gas-related companies are the main driver for this segment, followed by global companies which have offices in Kuwait City or regional offices in Dubai. Consequently, the MICE segment is the one that should have more attention; big city-wide events are very limited and are only driven by government summits or related to government,” he explained. Meanwhile, Giraudo stressed on the importance for Kuwait to attract additional markets and sectors other than the corporate segment, however, urged the private sector as well as the government to push this development forward. In addition, he laid emphasis on the need to send the right message across to the new markets; an approach which, he assured, the team at The Regency Hotel will continue to take alongside its support for all governmental initiatives. Along parallel lines, Haddad brought to surface 2012’s five-year plan for tourism aimed at luring in other segments, and accentuated the urgency to set up a programme of leisure activities for business guests to enjoy during their time in the country. “Kuwait should develop its tourism sector and hospitality industry to attract more international visitors and build excellent hospitality business,” he urged. Also bringing to light the five-year deal, Tantawi expressed positive feelings with regards to what the future holds, as he further amplified, “We are optimistic that things will change soon as Kuwait revealed ambitious plans for mega projects in the oil industry, as well as [launched] a five-year plan for tourism in 2012, which aims to attract more leisure tourists and business leads. This is part of the government’s plan to develop the country as a commercial and financial centre alongside tourism.”  OCTOBER 2013

Oman

EXPLORE

Innovation and Originality

In line with Oman’s vision for 2020, which aims to raise the relative share of non-oil sectors to 91 percent of GDP by 2020, the government continues to make strides to enrich the Sultanate’s tourism product to attract 12 million visitors and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP to 9.2 percent, up from 6.7 percent in 2010.  Rita Kasziba writes

“O

man is a country of enormous diversity and natural beauty which [appeals] to the discerning travellers and which, until recent years, remained largely overlooked by international tourism,” noted Rabih Abou Mrad, general manager, Golden Tulip Khasab Hotel Resort. “Now with enviable infrastructure securely in place, a wide range of international hotels and a wealth of things to see and do, Oman is ready to offer its traditional hospitality to visitors from around the world.” As Abdul Wahid Al Farsi, vice president, external affairs, Omran, further noted, Oman is blessed with naturally magnificent landscapes, from its Hajar Mountains, UNESCO-recognised traditional irrigation systems, forts and Frankincense trees to picturesque sand dunes, and pristine beaches, and coupled with the constant upgrade and investment in major infrastructure projects and tourism facilities through increased government spending, these elements have put the Sultanate on the global tourism map. “In addition, Oman enjoys a stable, prosperous economy under the leadership of H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said that has enabled the Sultanate to move up the ranks on the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report and become one of OCTOBER 2013

OMAN IN BRIEF Capital: Muscat Currency: Omani Rial (OMR) Language: Arabic

the top 60 destinations,” added Al Farsi. “It is evident we are witnessing signs of solid growth,” concurred George Demitry, general manager, City Seasons Hotel Muscat. “I do believe the hotel industry in Oman is benefitting from an encouraging business and economic activities; major growth factors are infrastructure investments and mega projects, art and cultural programmes, sports and youth activities, human resources, and social development programmes, and certainly intensified destination management and marketing initiatives well executed and supported by [the ministry].” In fact, as Naji Abi Farah, general manager, Tulip Inn Muscat, noted, Oman’s revenue from international tourism exceeded the USD1 billion mark for the first time in 2012, and while other countries in MENA posted only a marginal growth or considerable declines, Oman topped its 2010 performance with an additional USD300 million, making up 2.3 percent of the region’s total revenue from international tourism. “The year 2012 was a fantastic year for the Sultanate. The advertising campaign, ‘Beauty has an Address’

and the recognition of Muscat as 2012 Arab Tourism Capital contributed to the success,” highlighted Sharon Beigel, director of communications, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. Praising the ministry’s endeavours to promote the Sultanate as a year-round destination for both leisure and business, Nader Halim, general manager, Hilton Salalah Resort, asserted that this positioning has helped lure visitors from all over the world. Further delving into statistics, Demitry, noted that over the past 12 months, Oman recorded the strongest RevPAR growth in the region, with figures rising 28 percent, triggered by a 25 percent surge in occupancy coupled with a marginal average daily rate (ADR) growth. “However, if supply and demand remain stable in 2014, ADR is expected to show solid improvement,” suggested Demitry. As Marius Wolmarans, general manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat, pinpointed, the arrival of new international brands and operators is set to further enhance the Sultanate’s competitiveness on the global stage. In fact, according to STR Global’s report, Oman is expected to witness the largest supply growth in the region at 59.9 percent with over 4,500 rooms under development, placing mounting pressure on the hotel sector. Nevertheless, as Rabih Zein, general manager, Park Inn by Radisson Muscat, highlighted, Oman’s hospitality industry remains somewhat erratic. “The rates and occupancy will depend on the 

EXPLORE

Oman

seasons or events that will take place in the country. Oman’s rates and occupancy is around 65 percent and the room rates are more expensive than in Dubai,” he stated. In addition, Fadi Abi Khalil, general manager, Golden Tulip Seeb Muscat, believes that with the new infrastructure developments, the Sultanate is bound to turn its vision for 2020 into reality; the road to the success, however, poses various challenges. “With massive government support and many private developers also joining the fray, the hotel industry will see a major turnaround in the coming years as a number of new rooms are being added to the overall capacity of the Sultanate,” he said. BUILDING UP DEMAND In a bid to balance supply and demand, the ministry places an increased emphasis on further expanding

As Zein further noted, Oman is a developing country with a range of projects underway offering a window of opportunity for MICE business, and fuelling the development of a host of destinations outside Muscat, such as Duqm, Musandam, and Salalah. In fact, over the years, Dhofar Governorate has grown to become one of the most talked-about and fastest progressing regions of the Sultanate, and in a bid to exploit the area’s potential and attract more visitors, especially during the Khareef season, royal orders have allocated OMR15 million (USD38.96 million) at the beginning of the year to further improve infrastructure and industry-related facilities. With major investments in the hotel and cruise sectors, along with the expansion of both Muscat and Salalah airports and the planned integrated tourism complexes (ITC), such as the Salalah Beach Complex, the Ministry of Tourism aims to further increase the industry’s contribution to the Sultanate’s economy in

Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre

Oman’s MICE proposition to attract high-value business travellers, groups, and events, by positioning the country as a leading MICE destination boasting a genuinely unique range of business tourism amenities with a distinctive local favour. The aggressive business events drive has already started paying dividends, as Youssef Alonzo, director of sales, Crowne Plaza Sohar, noted, stating that over the past years, the country has witnessed a notable surge in MICE business. “More business meetings, incentive groups and exhibitions are being held around the Sultanate to attract world travellers and investors,” he continued. Wolmarans, concurred, adding that the past years’ investments have given a major boost to the corporate travel sector. “Being a business hotel catering for the corporate traveller, this is obviously a very important sector for us. As long as the country and the economy keeps growing, this segment will grow naturally at the same pace,” he asserted. “With the opening of the new airport and the convention centre, the share of MICE business is bound to increase, which will benefit all the hotels in Oman and the Sultanate can establish its name also in this market,” indicated Sandeep Jaitly, general manager, Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel.

line with the nation’s Vision 2020 strategy. Dictating the pace of the development is Omran, which has been set up by the government to deliver major projects and support the growth of the Sultanate’s tourism industry, or as Al Farsi depicted, to create memorable tourism destinations across Oman. “We also ensure that all the hospitality-related destinations under one umbrella are in harmony with the country’s unique and fragile environment,” Al Farsi added, noting that Omran delivers its mandate though engaging in three key business areas; one being the development of major projects in the country’s less developed regions in order to foster private sector investment, as the company also oversees a growing portfolio of hotels, resorts, and other tourism assets under different levels of management and supervision to ensure that each one delivers a fair return and they contribute to the long-term success of Oman. In addition, Omran also identifies, forms, and invests in joint venture companies that range from large-scale ITCs to stand-alone properties, as Al Farsi, explained. “All these activities will have a powerful impact on national GDP as they stimulate the economy through foreign and domestic tourism spending, job creation, and local supply chain spending,” he further highlighted. One such project, that is in perfect accordance with

Omran’s vision, is the five-star Alia Jabal Akhdar Resort, where, according to Al Farsi, more than 90 percent of the actual construction-related work has already been completed and the final stage will focus on guest room and common area details on the interior, as well as road works, landscaping, and water features on the exterior. The luxury resort and spa, Omran’s first project in the governorate of Dakhiliyah, set on a 2,000mhigh mountain, will feature 86 suites and an Omaniinspired spa and health club, and is expected to welcome its first guests in the first quarter of 2014. Meanwhile the 110-unit, three-star Musandam Resort, due for completion in the first quarter of 2014, has been developed to offer visitors to Khasab affordable yet high standard accommodation, while the design process has recently been completed for the 112room, five-star Fort Hotel in Bausher Heights, Muscat. The famed W Hotel’s debut in the heart of the capital centre is also soon becoming a reality with the tendering for the 290-key property expected to begin this year. Overall, Omran has seven ongoing projects at different phases of construction or planning, excluding joint venture developments, one of the most prominent of which is Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), which, as Al Farsi mentioned, is envisaged to become a true landmark once it opens in 2016. “OCEC will include a convention and exhibition centre consisting of a 3,200-seat auditorium, 14 meeting rooms, two ballrooms, 22,000m2 of exhibition space, and a precinct offering with 1,000 rooms over four different hotels of varied start ratings. The OCEC will also include services apartments, a shopping centre, and a grade-A business park,” explained Al Farsi. Another major project that is set to position Oman on the medical tourism map is the International Medical City (IMC) in Salalah, which will comprise a multispecialty tertiary care hospital, three medical centres of excellence, healthcare resort, wellness centre, four-star hotel, and a conference centre among others, with the first phase due for completion in 2016. Another first in the country will be the upcoming Muscat Grand Millennium Hotel, hailed as the Sultanate’s first Sharia-compliant five-star property. Spread over 56,162m2, the 324-room hotel is slated for completion by 2014, while Rotana’s new addition to the company’s Omani portfolio, Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa, is set to welcome its first guests this December. “Oman has always been a targeted market for our group as it has all the essential components to emerge as a leading tourism destination in the region,” said Selim El Zyr, president, Rotana, announcing two more projects; the four-star Sundus Rotana Muscat corporate and conference hotel at Airport Heights in Bousher, and Sundus Arjaan by Rotana, both valued an estimated USD40 million. AIMING HIGH Meanwhile, Oman Air, continues to play a leading role in the Sultanate’s growth. Currently, the airline operates direct international flights from Muscat to 10 destinations in the Gulf region and offers services to OCTOBER 2013

Oman Cairo, Beirut, and Amman within the wider Middle East region. In addition, the carrier also flies to 10 cities in India, and a number of destinations in Asia, Africa, as well as Europe, and through its codeshare partnerships it offers an extended range of services to its passengers. Giving the large-scale investments taking place across the country, supported by lucrative promotional campaigns, Oman is bound to experience a period of significant growth and progress propelling the Sultanate into a new dimension, as Zein elaborated, “Oman is a promising country providing different kinds of tourism offerings which are rich in nature and preserves culture and history. The Ministry of Tourism is doing a great job in promoting the country and increasing its attractions with the focus on business tourism. This includes the construction of new hotels via Omran and the development of new airports, [attracting] more direct flights and driving tourist volumes.” Once completed, Muscat International Airport’s new terminal will cater to 12 million passengers per annum and further phases of the development are set to bring the airport’s capacity to 48 million, while Salalah Airport is envisaged to handle one million passengers per year. The launch of the new airport facilities are set to give a major boost to the Sultanate’s tourism industry, as Abi Farah noted. “With the opening of the

OCTOBER 2013

new Muscat Airport towards 2015, we expect lots of changes and increase in demand not only during winter but throughout the year.” Similarly, Shibu Hussaim, senior tour executive, Kingdom Travel & Tourism, expressed hopes that the new airport, planned railway network and metro, along with the proposed resorts and hotel projects and other developing infrastructure and activities, will place Oman firmly at the forefront of the world map. “Tourism developers have to place more emphasis on advertising Oman […]. Attracting expatriates from around the globe and attending all international tourism fairs will help the Omani tourism industry reach its heights,” he added. Halim concurred, stating that with a range of tourist attractions throughout different seasons, scenic spots, adventure destinations, and festivals, Oman is very well placed to benefit from the region’s growing travel and tourism industry. “Opening up new markets is fundamental to enhancing Oman’s competitive standing on the global stage and with global airlines continuing to introduce key travel links to the Sultanate, a wide range of new feeder markets are being constantly introduced,” apprised Halim. In line with the latest developments and new air links, Abi Farah expects the Asian markets and Russia,

EXPLORE

along with some African countries, to show significant increases, thus, as Beigel also reminded, relaxing visa formalities is of great importance. “To further increase tourism in Oman, the travel and tourism industry should focus on increasing frequency of flights from source and new markets, reducing or lifting restrictions on visa issuance to emerging markets such as China, Russia, and Brazil, create and allow new products and hotels, and communicate and maintain stability in the country and in the Middle East region,” stressed Beigel. Expressing high expectations for the future path of the Sultanate’s tourism industry, Alonzo highlighted that as a country possessing untapped natural beauty, Oman continues to be a strong magnet for business and leisure guests alike. “Corporations are looking for nations with promising economical futures to reduce risk factors and defaults. Since Oman is building on its tourism sector, I suggest the Ministry of Tourism continues penetrating world travel markets and improving the standards of its hospitality sector, especially guest services.” Speaking about ways to further widen the Sultanate’s target markets, Abou Mrad remarked on the vital role of road shows and trade fairs, and the drawing power of events. “Innovation and originality are the two strengths to market Oman,” he concluded. 

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Bahrain

Widening the Lens

Bahrain International Airport

As Bahrain aspires to shift from an economy solely built on oil wealth to a productive, globally competitive economy in line with the main objectives outlined in the Economic Vision 2030, the Kingdom is placing an increased emphasis on other promising sectors, including tourism.  Rita Kasziba writes

he first decade of the 21st century proved to be a turning point for the nation, with an average annual GDP growth of five percent, and while the oil sector’s share dropped from 25 percent in 2001 to 13 percent in 2011, a number of industries experienced a substantial relative increase in their GDP contribution, as the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB)’s report pinpoints. Fuelled by large-scale investments, tourism has emerged as a primary driving force and a main focus area in the nation’s strategic programme, with the industry’s share of the GDP rising from just 3.4 percent in 2001 to 12.1 percent by 2009. Panos Panagis, general manager, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, described the past 12 months as a very interesting period for the hotel and Bahrain in general, with the government’s initiatives paying rich dividends, bringing various

BAHRAIN IN BRIEF Capital: Manama Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BHD) Language: Arabic

prestigious events and meetings to the island. As Priya Shankar, marketing and public relations manager, Crowne Plaza Bahrain, noted, in spite of the positive signs, the much awaited recovery is still struggling to develop real momentum. “After the unrest the corporate segment dropped quite drastically between early 2011 and 2012. There has been a steady rise since then however the corporate segment can do better,” stressed Shankar. Recalling the past 12 months’ highlights, Puneet Singh, general manager, Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre, noted that the last quarter of 2012 saw confidence return to Bahrain and this also reflected on the tourism figures, with events such as

the World Karting Championship, Manama Dialogue or Eid and the festive seasons, and the prestigious sports events at the beginning of the current year, having stimulated the industry too. “Spring, in general, was fabulous with the Bahrain [Formula 1] Grand Prix and series of Spring of Culture events drawing big crowds to Bahrain with many of them choosing to stay with us. […] In June, we saw the busiest month since the opening in September 2011, with growth in both corporate business and leisure segments.” In fact, although Bahrain’s tourism mix covers multiple sectors, its close proximity to Saudi Arabia, its events sector, and strong business credentials remain principal factors in the industry’s future path. As Mark Neukomm, general manager, The RitzCarlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa, noted, Bahrain has emerged as a destination of choice for corporate events, meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and other world-class events, which, with its growing economy, advanced infrastructure, and easy connectivity to key hubs, continues to capture the attention of event organisers from all over the world. Speaking about the past years’ positive improvements, Raiz Saban, general manager, Majestic Arjaan by Rotana, noted that the government has undertaken significant strides to revive the industry and enhance the country’s competitiveness by embarking on largescale investment projects, which are now being carried out on a fast-track schedule, along with other initiatives. To highlight the Kingdom’s credentials, the ministry has also launched a 24-hour hotline for tourism-related information and has been actively participating in various regional and international shows. “With these zealous efforts, we expect that these will continue to drive the growth of tourist [volumes] in Bahrain, be it leisure or corporate,” Saban stated. The ministry’s recent endeavours to showcase the Kingdom’s diverse tourist product, building on its rich heritage and cultural and leisure attractions, is a much welcomed step, as Covi Larxe-Rey, director of sales and marketing, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, stated, adding that events, such as Spring of Culture and Bahrain Summer Festival help attract more leisure travellers. “We are excited about the efforts of the ministry to make Bahrain a tourist destination. […] Our clientele is a combination of both business and pleasure at the moment; we enjoy catering to both communities and would love to have more of our business clients returning to stay with us for pleasure and vica versa,” Larxe-Rey continued. Stressing the need to further diversify the Kingdom’s tourism product, Chandu Kiran, sales manager, BEST WESTERN PLUS, The Olive, said, “Since Bahrain […] is a developing country, there must be more exhibitions, entertainment, and leisure zones, as well as sightseeing projects.” Shedding light on the extent to which such experiences can appeal to a wider audience, Panagis said, “Numerous activities and events are being held and are already attracting visitors. Focusing on the  OCTOBER 2013

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traditional highlights of Bahrain, its culture, rich tradition, and the friendliness of the people combined with more leisure facilities and activities, will for sure increase the interest in the Kingdom.” Underlining the growing demand for more leisure activities, The Royal Golf Club, one of the Kingdom’s leading sports facilities, has witnessed a major increase in visitor volumes over the past months, informed DJ Flanders, general manager, The Royal Golf Club. “[Our] clientele has historically consisted of well over 80 percent of member play and only a small number of visitors. However, Bahrain and The Royal Golf Club are beginning to the recognised as a viable golf tourism destination and in August the Club enjoyed 50 percent non-member play. We expect this trend continuing in the coming months and years,” Flanders added. Along parallel lines, Mohamed Assar, director of sales and marketing, Holiday Inn Express Bahrain, stressed that the Kingdom already boasts a host of exciting facilities and features designed to spark interest and thrill guests of all ages, offering visitors an ideal destination to spend a weekend with their families or friends. At the same time, Assar believes Bahrain’s excellent services coupled with more flexible and affordable rates could attract a wider spectrum of travellers and leisure guests in particular. One of the latest projects, designed to blur the

Bahrain

lines between business and leisure is The Domain Bahrain, which encompasses a boutique hotel and a social club and which, with its recent opening, brought a contemporary and innovative concept to the Kingdom’s hospitality scene. As Patrick De Groot, general manager, The Domain Bahrain, explained, the property is still in its soft opening phase where the management is fine-tuning several aspects of the premises and the service concepts; the response however, he explained, has been highly encouraging so far. “We cannot wait to open the doors of our remaining ’social spaces’ and introduce the full Domain to Bahrain and the rest of the world,” De Groot added. Revealing the main reasons behind the company’s decision to launch the concept in the Kingdom, he said, “The Domain Bahrain is our first hotel opening under The Domain brand. Chic & Unique Hotels Group is a Bahraini-Emirati company, and Bahrain is the perfect place to launch a home-grown product. […] I think that The Domain fits right in. We are proud to be from Bahrain and not an imported franchise. The Domain concept has been developed locally, but with regional and international development in mind.“ Describing The Domain Bahrain’s guests and members as a young, very social audience, eager to make new contacts around them, De Groot said, “We like to think that they are tech-savvy modernists, who appre-

ciate that “real-time social engagement” which is the ultimate form of entertainment. The Domain provides the tools and sets the scene,” he further explained. POWERFUL DRIVERS As the national carrier of Bahrain, Gulf Air plays a vital role in showcasing the country’s diverse tourism product, and as such the airline remains a key infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy thus supporting the country’s ongoing growth in various dimensions, as Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting CEO, Gulf Air, explained. Moreover, according to Al Musallam, the carrier is also a key strategic asset that allows Bahrain to maintain a positive profile internationally. “Providing direct and indirect employment to over tens of thousands of people, the airline contributes hundreds of millions of Bahraini dinars annually to the country’s GDP and has a positive and wider impact across a number of local business sectors, including hospitality, transport, and tourism,” he highlighted, further disclosing that the carrier is currently responsible for 70 percent of the total operations at Bahrain International Airport, translating to over 800 flights a week to 32 destinations. Following the closure of Bahrain Air, which ceased operations in February, Gulf Air has embarked on a 

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comprehensive restructuring strategy in order to ensure the airline’s long-term profitability and enhance its competitiveness on both regional and global levels by further strengthening its core services, streamlining its structure, reducing its losses, and re-engineering its internal process. “Through modifying all facets of the organisation, the restructuring has resulted in the airline being in a much stronger position today, both financially and operationally, than [eight] months ago when the process began. [Up until August], Gulf Air successfully reduced its losses by over 40 percent, completed the realignment of its fleet and network, and significantly reduced costs through bringing its business requirements into line with its new operational needs,” Al Musallam informed, indicating that over the following months, the airline’s main goals are to further reduce operational costs, increase sales efficiency, and strengthen its network. To this end, as Al Musallam reminded, Gulf Air has secured additional traffic rights to Pakistan, allowing the airline to increase its operation to Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi, following the recent increase in services to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from double to triple daily. Al Musallam further elucidated that in the first quarter of the year, the carrier focused on strengthening its

Bahrain

core MENA operations while maintaining strategic links to select points in Europe and Asia, while the second quarter of the year was, as he elaborated, all about finetuning this network to better reflect the company’s business model which focuses on offering high-frequency services in high-demand and high-yield point-to-point routes; a strategy for which the airline’s predominantly narrow-body A320 fleet is perfectly fitted. Gulf Air’s home base, Bahrain International Airport (BIA), has seen growing passenger numbers and some major developments over the past months, according to figures released by Bahrain Airport Company (BAC). In fact, recent data revealed that the airport accommodates approximately nine million passengers per annum and following a series of development initiatives in 2012, a notable 8.8 percent increase in passenger traffic was recorded. Meanwhile, during this year’s Eid al-Fitr break, passenger volumes reached 164,887, while the annual Formula 1 race in April brought some 15,000 sports aficionados to the Kingdom. As part of its role, BAC has been heading steadily towards achieving its mission to manage BIA as a world-class airport and improve the Kingdom’s aviation capabilities in line with the national plans. Running the airport since 2010, the company is committed to maintaining the country’s position as a regional hub by elevating the airport’s infrastructure to accommodate the increasing cargo and passenger movement. With the airport’s development plans in mind, BAC has adopted an approach which focuses on diversifying the airport’s revenue streams with a mixture of aeronautical and non-aeronautical services designed to deliver excellence in passengers’ experience and meet the changing demands of stakeholders. The airport parking strategy was among the first initiatives which lay the foundation for this endeavour. The new parking spaces provide travellers with both shortand long-term solutions, complemented with free shuttle-bus service to ensure passengers’ comfort, further improving the airport’s readiness for future growth, and injecting an additional revenue stream that contributes towards increasing the BIA’s profitability. In addition, the airport offers a total leasable area

of 350,000m2, and BAC has also been taking development steps on various operational levels with a number of tenders this year, including terminal building expansion and rehabilitation consultancy; airport land use, zoning, the concept infrastructure master-planning consultancy; replacement of carpet flooring; airport operating systems consultancy; and professional mobile radio. THE REBOUND As Bahrain continues to progress, WTTC expects international tourist arrivals to exceed nine million by 2023. “The outlook is promising and we witnessed already strong months with many high profile and government events, sports and cultural conferences, exhibitions and shows,” Neukomm stated, listing the GCC markets, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, among the hotel’s main source markets, followed by Germany and UK. Similarly, as Singh revealed, since the opening of Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre in 2011, the hotel’s key market has also been Saudi Arabia, along with the rest of the GCC, however with improving business relations, Singh expects China to become a promising market for the Kingdom. “This is likely to first affect corporate travel and eventually filter also to the leisure segment,” he elucidated. Similarly, Shankar remains positive about the potential of the emerging markets. “Global presence is the key in both emerging and developed markets, [such as] China, India, Brazil, US and Canada,” emphasised Shankar, adding that participation in international exhibitions is pivotal if Bahrain is to realise its goals, while events headlined by renowned artists can also appeal to a wider audience. Manama’s recognition as the Capital of Arab Tourism for this year certainly helped, and continues to help, spread the word and further enhance Bahrain’s standing on the global stage, noted Neukomm. Along parallel lines, Panagis added, “Looking at the developments in Bahrain, with plans to improve all infrastructure, creating new facilities and, of course, the development of the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia, the island is getting ready for [the projected] increase.” Despite the lingering after-effects of the past years’ uncertainty, the expectations are high. “The long-term outlook for Bahrain, as a business and leisure destination, remains positive considering the ongoing investments in new hotels projects and infrastructure across the country with strong backing from the GCC countries,” indicated Shankar. Likewise, Saban strongly believes that Bahrain’s tourism will be back to where it was before. “As shown in the report made by Bahrain EDB, the tourism sector is rebounding, which is reflected by the robust growth in terms of tourist arrivals to the country [which] reached 8.06 million in 2012 compared to 6.73 million in 2011,” he reminded. “Once the situation is stable in the Kingdom, we will expect a huge number of tourists arriving that will give the tourism and hospitality sector an opportunity to pull through and reposition the country in the mid- to longterm destination competitiveness,” Saban concluded.  OCTOBER 2013

Low-Cost Carriers

Hidden Dynamics  Maria Kazeli

writes

ith European LCCs increasing capacity at 14 times the rate of legacy carriers, the market share of the segment is bound to surge even higher, as global LCCs collectively boast an addition of over 20 million seats between May 2004 and the corresponding month this year, surpassing 30 million total seats this May, according to OAG, the aviation information and intelligence provider. Compared to this evolution, the LCC industry in MENA is an under-penetrated source of transport given that in 2012, only 13.5 percent of total passengers travelling from the region used the low-cost option. This was revealed by Amadeus IT Group, which extracted and analysed data regarding air movement in the Middle East, with additional findings showing that Saudi Arabia and the UAE rose as the leading countries in the region in terms of air traffic volume, while Qatar demonstrated the strongest growth. Most notably, the LCC share in the UAE climbed to

OCTOBER 2013

Although MENA has relatively small penetration by low-cost carriers (LCCs), the perspective of a transformation in this lucrative sector is present, and local budget airlines are poised to make the best of it.

EXCLUSIVE

23 percent, in Egypt to 18 percent, in Saudi Arabia to nine percent, and in Qatar to eight percent. In a strategic outlook by the Saudi-based Aljazira Capital, LCC penetration in Middle East appears slightly higher than Africa, and considerably lower than other regions like Europe and the US. Despite this, the report also indicates that the market share of LCCs in Asia also offers Middle Eastern LCCs an opportunity to improve their footprint in the region, given the huge concentration of the Asian population in Middle East. Catering to this growing market, Cebu Pacific recently celebrated the arrival of its brand-new Airbus A330-300 aircraft with which it plans to serve the many Filipino workers in the region, as the carrier is set to operate direct daily flights between Manila and Dubai beginning October 7. Regional LCCs’ dynamic is also stressed by OAG, which documented that LCCs in the area have delivered consistently higher growth than such airlines in any other region globally over the last 10 years, while the Middle Eastern’s aviation market is one of the fastest growing in the world for scheduled flight capacity. However, Rob Shaw, director of analytics, OAG, explained, “The emergence of carriers which are not afraid to differentiate their product, offering beyond the classic LCC model, will result in a continually developing market for the Middle East, but the region 

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still faces many challenges going forwards.” REGIONAL PLAYERS In 2003, Air Arabia was the first to introduce the LCC model in MENA; a concept which has grown in popularity, drawing more participants in the market. Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, noted, “The success of our business model has led to the emergence of more LCCs in the region and they have emerged as major players in the region’s skies, rapidly increasing their share of the market.” He further supported that LCCs have evolved into sustainable and innovative businesses, forcing traditional legacy carriers to relook their operational models.

Established in April 2004 in Kuwait, Jazeera Airways was the first non-government owned airline in the Middle East and continues to be one of the few non-government owned carriers in the region to this day. The airline serves 19 cities across the Middle East, including high-demand business, leisure, family, and weekend destinations, such as Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, Alexandria, Amman, Luxor, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Cairo, while it operates a modern fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. The first half (H1) of this year was Jazeera Airways’ most profitable H1 in its history, with Jazeera Airways Group simultaneously announcing a record net profit of KWD3.9 million (USD13.7 million) for the second quarter of the year. The Kuwaiti LCC’s net profit, meanwhile, reached KWD7.5 million (USD26.4 million) for H1, up 95 percent compared to the same period in 2012, while its average load factor climbed to 70 percent. Commenting on this crucial milestone for the LCC, Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways Group, said, “We started the year with the objective of building on [2012]’s momentum, and we have been successful so far as reflected in the H1 financial, operational, and commercial results. We have carried

Low-Cost Carriers

more passengers than the same period of [2012], with the average load factor exceeding targets while maintaining operational excellence.” Established by the government of Dubai in 2008, flydubai started operations in 2009 and it now flies out of Dubai International, while it serves more than 60 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and Eastern Europe. In addition, the Dubai-based LCC recently announced the launch of business class services across its entire network. Commenting on the development, Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, stated that the carrier’s agility and flexibility has been an integral part of its journey since the original launch four years ago. He further added, “We have provided easier access for

sity to expect many of the traditional FSCs’‘trimmings’ to be included in the ticket price,” added Al Musallam, who defended the traditional airlines’ model and suggested that LCCs serve mainly price-sensitive backpackers and migrant workers, and while there is definitely a place in the market for their offering, Gulf Air and other FSCs provide different products, their positioning is different, and they serve a different target segment. Taking as an example Bahrain Air, which ceased operations in February, Al Musallam said that the carrier used to fly to a number of the same destinations as Gulf Air, and the initial commercial effect, albeit slight, was evident. However, over the long term, the effect was less apparent, due to the difference in clientele and the airline having to adopt a more hybrid model in order to compete more effectively. According to CAPA – Centre for Aviation, the LCC sector has seen concentration and consolidation and the two airline models have established a growing number of linkages, while the relaxation of the pure low-cost model of simplicity, such as the use of global distribution systems and/or travel agents, the adoption of allocated seating, the inclusion of transfer traffic, long-haul routes, and codeshares, as well as the adoption by FSCs of LCC pricing strategies has narrowed the differences between them. “FSCs are increasingly implementing marketing concepts traditionally used by LCCs such as more emphasis on direct sales channels and the set-up of à la carte pricing. In Europe, a number of FSCs have adopted a more aggressive approach by establishing LCCs subsidiaries. [...] A number of LCCs in the region now offer a complimentary meal and a business class, reflecting a more hybrid model,” Al Musallam confirmed, with these developments pointing to the emergence of a new type of airline business model.

our passengers to 44 previously underserved markets, creating free flows of trade and tourism, to support Dubai’s economic development.”

HIGH POTENTIAL

COMPETITOR BOOST According to a new PhoCusWright Global and Asia Pacific Edition report, traditional carriers are scrambling to drive direct online sales and unbundling services to boost profitability as LCCs chip away at their hold on the region’s air segment. As Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting CEO, Gulf Air, testified, it is undeniable that full-service carriers (FSCs) globally have been affected by the recent growth of LCCs, and over the last 10 years the market has witnessed a dramatic level of consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, bilateral alliances, and codeshares, while operational changes and restructurings have also been widespread. “The agility of FSCs in adapting their business model to combat the LCCs’ onslaught has been impressive, resulting in these newer carriers losing their competitive edge. This is especially evident in the Middle East where passengers have shown a propen-

LCCs have good probabilities to expand their footprint in the region, as Amr Hussein, head, commercial and programme management, UAE, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, supported, adding that 13.5 percent is still a sizable portion. He pointed out that segments with high potential growth in the LCC sector are between the ages of 18 - 25, blue collar jobs, and the expatriate market, while there is good potential for LCCs to capture greater market share in MENA if they are featured on global distribution systems. Shaw, on his behalf, suggested that the Middle East does not currently have secondary airports which would offer a lower cost base for LCCs, while even if some progress is being made towards a more liberal approach to open skies agreements and travel visa restrictions, there is still a long way to go. Ali expressed an optimistic view highlighting the significant role LCCs have played in transforming the Middle East aviation sector, adding that the region’s LCC’s are well-placed for strong, consistent growth.  OCTOBER 2013

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Singapore

A Lilliputian Giant

Never giving up on its ever-growing travel and tourism sector, Singapore continues to add new attractions, malls, and must-see structures and events, in a bid to lure more and more visitors to its small island city state.  Maria Kazeli

writes

usiness Monitor International (BMI) anticipates enormous long-term potential for Singapore’s tourism sector, resulting from its good domestic economic development and access to some of the fastest growing source markets in the world, with solid improvement expected across all key market indicators, including inbound and outbound travel, receipts from travel items, air travel, and hotel accommodation. With a government that remains supportive of the tourism industry, investing in both transport infrastructure and wider marketing campaigns as part of a drive to increase Singapore’s share of the transit air travel market in the Asia Pacific region, the future is looking bright for the country’s tourism market, according to BMI’s Singapore Tourism Report which predicts that by 2017, inbound travel will reach over 20.3 million visitors per year. Data provided by the Department of Statistics show that the country received 14.4 million travellers in 2012, signalling a year-on-year (y-o-y) increase of 9.5 percent, while its largest contributors marketwise were Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. Moreover, preliminary estimates of the Singapore Tourism Board OCTOBER 2013

SINGAPORE IN BRIEF

explained Tony Cousens, general manager, Ramada, and Days Hotels Singapore at Zhongshan Park.

Country: Singapore Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD) Language: English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil

assessed that tourism receipts for 2012 reached SGD23 billion (USD18 billion). For the first half (H1) of this year, cumulative visitor figures totalled 7,615,000 with the change over the corresponding period in 2012 reaching 7.5 percentage points. Similarly, Singapore’s hotel market value has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 10.96 percent since 2008, according to Timetric, the industry intelligence provider, which also forecasts that revenue in the Singaporean hotel sector is expected to reach USD6.7 billion by 2017. At the same time, as a result of the country’s constant positioning as the world’s top international venue for meetings, the growth of low-cost carriers, and the development of new attractions, Singapore’s hospitality industry is set to see a growing appetite for different accommodation types, particularly in the mid-scale segment as travellers become more value conscious,

ARAB TREND Notably, between April and September 2012, Singapore welcomed 9,460 tourists from Saudi Arabia and 35,409 from UAE, while, as Cousens confirmed, with the increasing number of flights operating from Middle East, there has been a boost in the segment in recent years and with a definite potential growth particularly during the summer, Muslim holidays, and through medical tourism. A trend which is becoming prevalent around the world and has affected the travel industry in Singapore as well, is the Middle Eastern travellers’ high disposable income which allows them to take longer vacations especially during the summer season, according to Jennifer Yong, director of sales and marketing, Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, Singapore, who added that airlines and hotels are beginning to pay attention to the Arab clientele and are rolling out amenities and special religious requirements to cater to this group of travellers. Along parallel lines, Anasri Onn, director of sales, The Sentosa, A Beaufort Hotel, added, “We believe the 

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Singapore

MENA market has the potential to grow further. Stiff competition from Southeast Asian [markets], such as Malaysia and Thailand, which are perceived to be of better value due to lower cost, makes this an elusive market.” He also clarified that visa requirements and restrictions need to be revisited as this remains a key issue for the country. Guests from MENA made up 1.3 percent of the total clientele base staying at Far East Hospitality’s hotels and residences during H1, while compared to the same period in 2012 there was an increase of 3.3 percent of the same guest segment, commented Arthur Kiong , CEO, Far East Hospitality, who added that instead of delivering an experience that guests are familiar with at home, Far East Hospitality differentiates itself by introducing them to the unique

Likewise, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has witnessed steady growth of its Arab clientele, which has become one of its top 10 geographic producing areas, this according to Austin Watkins, director of marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, who reiterated the brand’s well-established image. “Four Seasons is a trusted brand and our hotel has been delivering terrific guest experiences since 1994. Earning that trust and thereby repeat clientele is a paramount priority for us,” he said. Moreover, Andrew Tan, general manager, Orchard Hotel Singapore, disclosed that approximately three percent of the property’s guests are from MENA for H1. “We see an increase compared to [2012], with growth namely from Egypt, Oman, and Kuwait,” he continued. Meanwhile, the country’s hotel inventory is ever-

Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore

brand of Singapore-inspired hospitality. “This commitment, to give our guests from all over the world a flavour of Singaporeans’ way of living, working, and playing, has contributed to healthy year-on-year occupancy growth,” he concluded. For The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, whose 608 rooms and suites have undergone extensive refurbishment since 2011, MENA is one of the fastestgrowing, high-potential markets for the travel industry, with the hotel having seen a consistent increase in leisure guests over the past two years, as Peter Mainguy, general manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, elaborated, “We expect this trend to continue well into next year. “Guests from the Middle East tend to book with much shorter lead times hence we have to be able to react quickly to requests and to be flexible in order to meet their needs.” At Regent Singapore, a Four Seasons Hotel, approximately five percent of business comes from MENA and this contribution has remained stable for the past few years, attested Anne Arrowsmith, director of marketing, Regent Singapore, who added, “Four Seasons has nine hotels in the [MENA] region with plans of expanding our footprint. As we grow, so does our customer base and loyal guests. We therefore see opportunities to capture these guests when their travels bring them to Asia.”

expanding with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) having recently opened Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road located in the heart of the city’s vibrant shopping district and entertainment hub, and a second Holiday Inn Express expected to follow soon. In addition, Laguna Hospitality and Dusit International announced the signing of a joint venture agreement with the intention of bringing a Dusit Thani urban resort to Singapore, namely the 36-hole Laguna National Golf and Country Club, set to be one of the first resorts with direct access to a golf club in Singapore. CONNECTING HUBS The country’s flag carrier, Singapore Airlines, is currently serving Dubai, Cairo, Riyadh, and Jeddah, in MENA, with travellers from the region being on a general uptrend although the political turmoil in the region has taken its toll, according to Lionel Siau, general manager, Gulf, Singapore Airlines, who further revealed that UAE has had the largest y-o-y improvement. “MENA is a dynamic and growing region with lots of synergy with Asia. As an Asian-based carrier, Singapore Airlines is always on the lookout for network opportunities to expand its global footprint,” commented Siau. For the first seven months of the year, Singapore’s main air hub, Changi Airport, managed 30.8 million

passengers, an increase of 4.9 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2012, while as of August 1, more than 100 airlines operate at the airport connecting Singapore to 250 cities in some 60 countries and territories worldwide. In the midst of such demanding times, Changi Airport Group (CAG) released its concept plans for an iconic mixed-use complex to enhance the airport’s offerings and strengthen its position as an international air hub, with Project Jewel envisaged to be a worldclass, signature lifestyle destination that will enable Changi Airport to capture tourism mindshare and strongly boost Singapore’s appeal as a stopover point for global travellers. “Against an increasingly competitive landscape,

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore - Club Lounge View

air hubs around the world are actively growing their destination appeal. In order for Changi Airport to stay ahead of the curve, it is important that we continuously innovate to enhance Changi’s attractiveness as an air hub,” supported Robin Goh, assistant vice president, corporate communications, CAG. Other industry players also view this initiative positively, since, as Yong admitted, not only will Singapore’s competitiveness, stature as a vibrant global city, and position as a leading air and sea hub be enhanced, it will also catapult the country into a premium destination offering a diverse range of facilities which will attract more international visitors and increase tourism receipts. Arrowsmith added that anticipating increased arrivals makes sense and demonstrates how aligned the various government departments are and how well the country plans and controls growth. Echoing Arrowsmith’s views, Watkins summarised, “Singapore has always been a key destination between the east and the west. The government has built a city that not only welcomes tourism in its many forms but also multi-national business travel. The ability to see future needs while simultaneously create demand is impressive and one of the many reasons why we love Singapore so much. The coming years are definitely exciting times for our industry.”  OCTOBER 2013

TRAVEL CHANNELS

Abu Dhabi Eyes Chinese Market In the first seven months of the year, Abu Dhabi welcomed 23,618 Chinese hotel guests, marking a robust 36 percent year-on-year surge, as the emirate expects further rises from this segment.

ddressing the 2nd Chinese Visitor Summit, Abu Dhabi, which was attended by 75 top-tier Chinese travel buyers, Mohammed Al Dhaheri, director of strategy and policy, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, highlighted that the emirate’s tourism industry is now acutely aware of the importance of developing tailor products and attractions for this lucrative market. “Chinese visitors are staying with us longer and in greater numbers, largely because there is now much more to see and do with Yas Waterworld, public beaches on Yas and Saadiyat islands, and a flurry of new hotels and resorts which have come on line,“ he said.

Chinese Buyers in Abu Dhabi

The Emirates Group Pushes Environmental Initiatives The Emirates Group’s third annual environment report, which covers the 2012-2013 fiscal year, has revealed significant improvements in Emirates’ fuel efficiency and in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, as the airline continues to add new, modern aircraft to its fleet and retire older, less efficient ones. Today, Emirates’ average fleet age is six year versus 11.7 years recorded by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and, as a result, the carrier’s fuel efficiency is 15.7 percent better than IATA’s 2012 forecast industry average, while its carbon dioxide emission efficiency stands 16.6 percent above IATA’s average. According to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, Emirates Airline and Group, the report illustrates the group’s continuing efforts to improve its environmental efficiency both in the air and on the ground.

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

OCTOBER 2013

The Torch Doha to Host Sports Stars The Torch Doha is, once again, gearing up to play host to some of the world’s top athletes, with a number of sports stars and leaders anticipated to touch down in the capital in the coming months, including the football teams of Paris Saint-Germain and FC Shalke 04, according to Sherif Sabry, hotel manager, The Torch Doha. “We are welcoming sports personalities and media representatives participating at the fourth edition of ASPIRE4SPORT; a worldclass sports business conference and exhibition taking place in November. The Torch Doha will also be the main hub for guests participating at the third consecutive Doha Goals Forum taking place in Aspire Zone in December, the world’s premier platform for world leaders to create initiatives for global progress through sports,” he added.

WHO'S MOVED

YASSER EL SAYED Yasser El Sayed has been appointed hotel manager at Ramada Sharjah. In his capacity, he will be responsible for overseeing the operation and day-to-day management of the hotel and its team, including budgeting, planning, organising, and directing all hotel services. He joined Ramada Sharjah’s preopening team in 2010 as a front office director, subsequently taking on the position of director of operations, his most recent role at

the hotel. El Sayed, who has 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry, started his career in Saudi Arabia, then moved to the UAE in 1997 and has since held various management positions at a number of hotels. In addition, he is also a member of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and serves as deputy chairman representative at the committee of the Hotel Apartments Business Group.

MOHAMED ASSAR Mohamed Assar has joined Holi- Worldwide, InterContinental Hoday Inn Express Bahrain Hotel as tels Group, as well as Banyan Tree director of sales and marketing. Hotels & Resorts. Having worked for 19 years in the GCC market, Assar brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. Prior to joining Holiday Inn ExAssar served a press Bahrain Hotel’s team, he number of reputable served a number of reputable hotel companies in hotel companies in Saudi AraSaudi Arabia, Egypt, bia, Egypt, and Bahrain, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Bahrain

GREG ALLAN Greg Allan has taken on the role of area vice president for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain at Rotana. Allan has previously occupied various positions and worked as general manager of a number of properties in Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia, as well as area director of operations for Southeast Asia at Marriott International. Most recently, he served as vice president of rooms and food and beverage, and head of marketing at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore.

Over the past three decades, Allan has gained considerable international experience in hotel management, which will prove invaluable in his new position, where he will be overseeing Rotana’s operations in both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Allan has gained considerable international experience in hotel management

MONA IBRAHIM Mona Ibrahim has been named director of sales and marketing at Crowne Plaza Bahrain. She started her career in 1997 as a guest relations manager at Le Royal Méridien Bahrain and worked her way up the corporate ladder through her work ethic and determination. Ibrahim, who has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, previously served as director of sales at Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah in Oman.

Prior to that, she held the same position at different brands and properties including Corinthia Hotels and InterContinental Doha Hotel.

Ibrahim previously served as director of sales at Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah in Oman

OCTOBER 2013

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Puneet Singh As Bahrain continues to gain popularity among both leisure and business travellers, Puneet Singh, general manager, Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre, looks into the main reasons and drivers behind the Kingdom’s recent developments.

Travel Trade MENA: Since its opening in early September 2011, the hotel has become a preferred destination of choice among both local and international travellers. How would you summarise the past few months? Puneet Singh: So far, our performance has been great this year and the beginning of summer has been fantastic with visitors from our key market, Saudi Arabia, returning to Bahrain. In June, we saw the busiest month since the opening in September 2011, with increases in both our corporate business as well as from leisure travellers. We believe that the confidence in Bahrain will continue to grow for the remainder of the year, a momentum that should last into 2014. We are very excited for the remainder of [the year] with our international and GCC travellers.

We have also executed several corporate social responsibility projects during Ramadan to capture the spirit of the Holy Month, and have been proactive about educating the local community about the hospitality industry by inviting 150 students from an elementary school to get a unique tour of our property and experience the operation of a luxury hotel behind the scenes. We are looking to further increase our involvement in the local community throughout the year and beyond.

Puneet Singh General manager, Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre

Travel Trade MENA: What have been the main highlights so far this year and how do you engage the local community in your activities? Puneet Singh: Similar to the success of welcoming our international travellers to the hotel, we have also had a great year with a lot of different initiatives to get involved with the local community. We began the year with the hugely successful opening of our Arabic restaurant, Baharat, at Kempinski Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre in January. We wanted the opening to reflect our enthusiasm in endearing our hotel to the local community in more ways than one; and to that end we invited Bahrain-based artists to create art by using spices as the main component in their art. Why spices? Baharat stands for ‘spices’ in Arabic and we wanted to challenge the artists to come up with art that had not been done before in Bahrain. We were delighted to receive a fantastic response with very varied and fascinating art. We organised an exhibition in Bahrain City Centre where thousands of people were mesmerised by the ‘Spice Art’ prior to the grand opening of Baharat where the creations were auctioned off with the proceeds equally divided between a local charity and the deserving artists. Over the past six months, we have also partnered with a local farm, from where we are guaranteed fresh produce for our restaurants. This is an initiative that has allowed us to support the local farming industry, which, for many years, has been declining.

OCTOBER 2013

attract more business from the international market. Travel Trade MENA: Based on Al Taameer Real Estate Investment’s recent report, in April 2013, Bahrain witnessed the largest increase in hotel occupancy rate. In your opinion, what are the main factors behind this improvement? Puneet Singh: Bahrain has experienced challenging times in the last two years which has affected the tourism industry in the country. However, the confidence in Bahrain has started to come back this year, and we can definitely see the increased number of visitors coming from across the causeway and elsewhere in the GCC. This is thanks to the individual initiatives of the five-star hotels in Bahrain to attract tourism to their hotel, and the government of Bahrain for organising big attractions. Travel Trade MENA: Please tell us about your plans for the remainder of the year.

Travel Trade MENA: How would you describe your clientele? Puneet Singh: Our location in the Seef district and the brilliant concept of being attached to Bahrain City Centre, the largest retail and entertainment destination in Bahrain, and our consistency in delivering the Kempinski five-star European flair of hospitality have made us equally desirable for both business and leisure travellers. The leisure segment continues to be our key target market, comprised of people of many demographics, such as local shoppers to Bahrain City Centre who stop by our boutique café, T-Spoon, for a beverage and light snack, or businessmen who enjoy our various business facilities, the spa and wellness centre, and our different lounges to relax after a long day of meetings. We are also continuously striving to

Puneet Singh: Our focus for the remainder of [the year] is to maintain the impetus gained in 2012 and the first half of the year, and to continue improving our performance. Primarily, we are focusing on promoting special packages and partnerships, as well as new opening times for our Arabic restaurant, Baharat. Baharat [used to be] open three nights a week, [however] since August, Baharat has been open six nights a week, excluding Sundays. In terms of partnerships with other businesses, we have just signed a partnership with the exclusive car rental partner of Kempinski Hotels worldwide, SIXT, to provide a stay-and-drive package perfect for any of our business and leisure guests. Guests enjoy the convenience of a hire car when they book specific room categories directly with the hotel. We are also in the process of tying up with Bahrain Institute of Hospitality and Retail where Kempinski can offer its expertise as Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group to the students, and not only that but also provide on-the-job training and employment to the graduates, many of which are Bahraini. These are just a few of our exciting plans. In general, we will continue innovating and developing our food and beverage offerings throughout the year in all our outlets to delight and inspire both the locals as well as our in-house guests.

TRAVEL TALK

travel talk is your space

ZIAD AL SHARABI

TONY TYLER

Sales and marketing manager, Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club (SGSC).

Director general, International Air Transport Association.

“SGSC has grown year after year. The club is based on engaging people in sports activities and creating a society for the entire family to enjoy. In the past few years we have expanded the activities to include indoor and outdoor archery and football, and a new ladies-only gym. People in the UAE have become more health aware and sport has become quite an important part of their lives. So over the years we have seen quite a change and increase in interest in various sports activities.”

“Economic growth and connectivity go hand in hand. Indeed, connectivity creates jobs and supports growth. [...] Aviation is about growing connectivity and all the economic and social benefits it enables. Sustainability is a core part of this vision. We are doing all we can to support fully the success of governments in agreeing an aviation solution for sustainability that is global and which will underpin the future development of our important industry.”

KHALID MOTIK Director, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

“The broad ranging [sports] activities on offer in Ras Al Khaimah include water sports [such as] snorkelling, diving, kayaking through mangroves, parasailing, fishing, sailing, banana boating, and more; light aviation and aerial sight-seeing tours over the stunning mountains of Ras Al Khaimah and the iconic skyscrapers of Dubai; horse riding and desert safaris; trekking and mountain climbing; and cultural heritage tours of traditional desert camps and the UAE’s oldest historical forts. What is more, Ras Al Khaimah’s facilities cater to sporting enthusiasts at all ability levels […].”

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 OCTOBER 2013

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Mark Neukomm As Bahrain continues to diversify its economy away from oil with an increased emphasis on its promising tourism sector, hoteliers, such as Mark Neukomm, general manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa, are making zealous efforts to promote the destination to a wider audience.

Travel Trade MENA: Over the past 12 months, the hotel has introduced a host of new services and facilities. Tell us a little about these. Mark Neukomm: We are very proud that after an intense renovation over the past 12 months, The RitzCarlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa offers a brand new look of its wide selection of innovative dining venues and the extensive pool area with new editions such as an infinity pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, and chill-out sunbeds. The redesigned Italian signature restaurant, Primavera, situated on the first floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa features a contemporary ambience with an open show kitchen and a new outdoor terrace surrounded by sweeping palm trees offering views of the lavish gardens. The new culinary style reflects a growing trend towards Italian food as 'leggero’ meaning light, tasty, stylish, and characterised by an extreme simplicity. The Ritz Gourmet Lounge, a new dining jewel in the crown, is inspired by the golden age of the Belle Époque and serves traditional French dishes alongside homemade pastries, cakes, breads, Arabic sweets, and chocolates. Highlight of the restaurant is the shisha terrace lounge serving exotic and newly composed flavours in oversized contemporary Meduse pipes, made of Czech hand-blown Bohemian Glass, every afternoon. With the creation of Thai, the hotel welcomes a new sanctuary for mingling and chill-out evenings with exceptional views across the lagoon, the garden, and Manama skyline. Thai is situated opposite the poolside restaurant, Overlook, between the outdoor pool and the beach, and provides light food snacks with a Pan-Asian and Thai influence. It offers a plunge pool with sun decks slightly above the water. The indoor area features floor-to-ceiling windows, guaranteeing unobstructed views towards the beach, the private island, and the poolside, and live DJ entertainment on weekends gives the opportunity to unwind while listening to chill-out tunes in a casual ambience. The popular Overlook, an upscale poolside restaurant, awaits guests with a fresh new look as well, providing assorted live-cooking stations, a woodenfired pizza oven and open grills right under the stars. It offers a vibrant atmosphere and is one of its kinds in Bahrain due to its location and services. The seating arrangements are divided into several sitting areas between the outdoor pool and the beach, offering a captivating surrounding to relax during leisure time.

OCTOBER 2013

Mark Neukomm Christian Muhr

General manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Vice president, operations, Egypt and Levant, Bahrain Hotel & Spa Hilton Worldwide

Bahrain continues to attract the attention of event organisers around the world

Travel Trade MENA: Have your main source markets changed during this period? Mark Neukomm: The GCC market remains very strong with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait being our feeder markets, followed by Germany and UK. Travel Trade MENA: With its rich cultural and historical heritage, modern infrastructure, and prestigious events, Bahrain has long established itself as a popular destination. What can be done to further enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness on the global stage? Mark Neukomm: Bahrain emerges as a destination of choice for corporate events, meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and other world-class events. With its growing economy, advanced infrastructure, easy connectivity to countries around the world, it continues to attract the attention of event organisers around the world. Plus, Bahrain has a rich cultural heritage. There are many interesting places to visit from our forts, the Bahrain International Circuit, to the beautiful restored historical buildings in Muharraq. Bahrain was the capital of Dilmun, the first civilisation in the Arabian Peninsula, and its history dates

back to 3000 BC. To name just a few among many attractions there is, for example, Qala’at Al Bahrain Site, also known as the Bahrain Fort; an ancient harbour which was the capital of the Dilmun period. It was listed as a world heritage site in 2005. Another interesting site is The National Museum at the Corniche which houses an amazing collection of Dilmunian artefacts, a rare collection of Bahraini pearls and a fascinating display of social cultures and traditions. Major sports events such as the [Formula 1] Grand Prix certainly have a positive business effect, with everyone working together to create a momentum for families and sports enthusiasts alike. To further enhance and increase awareness of the destination on the global stage we work closely together with the Bahrain tourism sector to co-promote the destination. We are also participating alongside [the ministry] in trade fairs throughout the year such as International Travel Bourse in Berlin, Arabian Travel Market and many others. We believe in teaming up with the local community to leverage the synergies, to build up awareness for the destination and to strongly support each other. Travel Trade MENA: What are your plans for the remainder of the year. Mark Neukomm: For the future, we are looking into upgrading our rooms’ product with a fresh new interior design that focuses on the requirements and needs of today’s discerning, affluent business and leisure traveller. We never stop thinking about innovative ways to make a stay more comfortable and memorable and to create guests for life. Additionally, we continue with our attractive The Ritz-Carlton ‘Let us stay with you’ packages, which cover different room types at the hotel including villas and club suites.

NEWS & EVENTS

Abu Dhabi Elevates Golf Experience Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has organised a Mega Golf Championship Summit in a bid to tee up the best Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship yet with the support of the emirate’s stakeholders. To capitalise on the event, which will run between January 16 - 19, 2014, the authority outlined a number of strategic initiatives aimed at attracting more visitors and to encourage them to stay longer and do more. To galvanise the industry, TCA Abu Dhabi is offering free championship tickets to all hotel guests staying in the emirate during the tournament and issued a rallying call to the industry to create compelling ‘stay and watch’ travel packages. As Faisal Al Sheikh, director, events bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi, noted, the on-course drama is only matched by the emirate’s off-course offerings. “Now it is about pulling this all together to tee up a mega championship that brings visitors, fills our hotels and attractions and drives initiatives that add value to Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry,” added Al Sheikh. The summit was well received by more than 50 attendees, which included representatives from the emirate’s 146 hotels and hotel apartments, destination management companies, attractions, tour operators, golf clubs, and airlines.

EVENTS

Abu Dhabi to Host Emerging Airports Show The third edition of Emerging Airports Conference and Exhibition (EACE), hailed as the only strategic conference of its kind, is set to take place between February 5 - 6, 2014, at Abu Dhabi Airports Company’s Gulf Center for Aviation Studies (GCAS) auditorium, in conjunction with the fourth installment of the Emerging Markets Airports Awards EACE 2014, which is expected to convene an authoritative gathering of airport leaders and industry experts across Middle East, Africa, Russia, and the Indian subcontinent, is set to witness some 50 exhibitors present a unique opportunity for the anticipated 1,500 visitors, who will benefit from the participants’ expansion programmes and will be provided with the opportunity to benchmark with their peers, and discover new solutions that could improve passenger experience. This event comes at an opportune time when the UAE capital is undertaking a multi-million dollar investment programme to ensure that its international airport is able to provide world-class services, infrastructure, and facilities to meet the growing demand, keeping with its state initiative, Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, to cater the emirate’s business and tourism growth.