Middle East and North Africa Edition
ABU DHABI CLASSIFICATIONS Abu Dhabi’s new hotel classification system, first announced in early May, has been officially launched. All accommodation facilities in the emirate will be classified according to the new scale by 2011.
Construction work is set to start next month on Aldar’s Yas Island water park. The project is due to open in 2012, featuring more than 40 rides and attractions.
5 BROKEN MODEL International taxation models and industry disunity are responsible for the global industry’s ongoing struggle for profitability, according to Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. However, he says the Gulf model puts its carriers and airports at a competitive advantage.
6 In This Issue Market Update Accommodation News Air Travel News International News Agents’ Corner Travel Tips Travel Talk Who’s Moved Rendezvous Events JUNE 19, 2010
ISSUE 32
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Water Park 3 www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Emirates’ Mercator Branches into Passenger Services for Global Airline Start-ups
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY Deputy Editor Laura Warne
Emirates Group’s IT solutions provider Mercator has acquired the tikAERO passenger services system solution through TIK Systems.
Journalist Louis Dillon Savage Design & Layout Elina Pericleous Sales & Marketing Jane Davidson Marianna Tsiamas Evelina Hadjigeorgiou. Directors Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi Headquarters P.O. Box 25255 Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +35722820888 Fax: +35722318958 Website www.traveltradeweekly.travel Emails info@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel
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he company will now offer passenger service and distribution solutions to hybrid, regional, low cost and start-up airlines worldwide. Patrick Naef, divisional senior vice president of Emirates Group IT, said tikAERO was already used by 19 airlines around the world. “This is a really exciting moment of the history of Mercator with our first major acquisition,” he said. “Our current passenger services portfolio, Jupiter, is rapidly creating a reputation for being one of the most complete and integrated solutions in the market for medium to large network carriers. “With the acquisition of tikAERO, we are now able to address a whole new segment of the market. We can manage the needs of an entire airline community covering all shapes, sizes and business models.” Naef added that the system would help airlines to significantly lower costs by minimising distribution
Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar
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CURRENCY Dirham Pound Riyal Pound Dinar Dinar Pound Dinar Riyal Rial Dinar Dirham Riyal Rial Dinar Dinar
This is a really exciting moment of the history of Mercator with our first major acquisition
International Investment Fund, Hideaways Club, Launches GCC Operation
MENA Exchange Rates Accurate as of 16/6/2010
COUNTRY UAE (AED) Egypt (EGP) Saudi Arabia (SAR) Lebanon (LBP) Bahrain (BHD) Jordan ( JOD) Syria (SYP) Kuwait (KWD) Qatar (QAR) Oman (OMR) Tunisia (TND) Morocco (MAD) Iran (IRR) Yemen (YER) Algeria (DZD) Libya (LYD)
costs, increasing efficiency and lowering training efforts. “In today’s market where airlines are posting significant losses, this product offers enticing rewards for cutting costs, increasing flexibility and improving long term economic efficiencies and overall net profits,” he said. Roland Heller, managing director of TIK Systems, said that the backing of Emirates Group would help tikAERO to realise its full potential. The acquisition follows record profits at Emirates Group, with an increase of 248 percent during the 2009-2010 period, compared to the previous year. Mercator will establish a new office in Bangkok, which will provide a base for the company’s product development. All TIK Systems’ staff will transfer to the new Bangkok base.
1USD= 3.67 5.68 3.75 1501 0.37 0.70 46.86 0.29 3.64 0.38 1.51 8.97 9973 225.22 75.69 1.32
The Hideaways Club, an international property investment fund launched by entrepreneur Mike Balfour, is expanding its scope to target GCC investors. A new sales and marketing operation will cover the GCC, offering both Hideaways pillars – the investment fund and a private members club. The fund focuses on professional buying and management of international holiday homes, fully maintained and serviced on behalf of investors. Balfour was formerly chairman of health club Fitness First and launched Hideaways in 2007. The club now has more than 150
members and 27 solely-owned multimillion dollar luxury properties throughout Europe, Africa, Mauritius and South East Asia. The company has recently cemented alliances with US based Equity Estates and Banyan Tree Private Collection, giving members access to a range of holiday options around the world. Balfour said the company was targeting Gulf nationals and expats who were looking to combine investments with exclusive access to luxury properties. The Hideaways Club partnered with Etihad Airways in May to offer members exclusive fares and services. JUNE 19, 2010
Thrifty Car Rental Rolls Out Automated Check In/Out System Thrifty Car Rental is rolling out Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to all UAE outlets, enabling automated check-in and check-out.
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he PDAs will replace the existing manual documentation process of car rentals, significantly reducing administration time, according to Rahul Singh, general manager of Thrifty Car Rental. “This automation is a huge technology leap for Thrifty in the UAE,” said Singh. “If a driver in Dubai delivers a vehicle to Ras Al Khaimah, as soon as the customer signs the PDA, the data will automatically be reflected on a real time basis across the Thrifty vehicle management system, and the information would be immediately accessible to any Thrifty staff with the simple click of a button.”
Thrifty’s in-house IT and customer relation teams have spent 12 months developing the software for the PDAs, which have been-fine tuned to reflect feedback from staff throughout the company’s network. “We are leading the way for car rental companies to go digital,” said Singh. “By introducing this technology we expect to significantly reduce our costs arising from non-revenue mileage, untraceable traffic fines and salik charges.” All Thrifty locations in Dubai and the northern emirates are expected to be fully automated by the end of June, 2010, with the next phase of implementation covering Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Thrifty PDA
We are leading the way for car rental companies to go digital
Yas Island Launches Water Park Aldar Properties has committed to opening a new water park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, with more than 40 rides and attractions. The project is set to open in 2012 and Aldar says it will be one of the world’s most environmentally friendly water parks. Aldar has received conceptual planning approval from Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council and has appointed UK designer Atkins. Construction work will begin in July, 2010. Atkins is designing the park’s buildings to meet sustainable Estidama guidelines and is engineering ways to reduce energy and water consumption. The water park will join Aldar’s other theme park project, Ferrari World, which is scheduled to open on Yas Island in October, 2010.
JUNE 19, 2010
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- Accommodation
Resta Hotels and Resorts to Manage Al-Qasr Hotel and Resort in Aden, Yemen Hotel management company, Resta Hotels and Resorts, has signed a management contract for its first property in Yemen.
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esta will take the reins of Al-Qasr Hotel and Resort in Yemen when the hotel opens in November this year. Mohamed Abd Al-Gawad, chairman of Resta, said the agreement reflected the company’s wider growth strategy, aimed at operating 15 properties by 2013. “Our strategy is based on operating a hotel in every major city and global tourism destination in the MENA region,” he said.
“Furthermore, [our strategy is also based on] building up Resta's portfolio by managing diversified categories of hotels and resorts to meet international market demand.” Abd Al- Karim Al-Dabae, chairman of developer Arabyl Holding, said the resort was unique within Yemen. “Al-Qasr Hotel and Resort is distinguished by its architectural style, inspired by cultural heritage in Aden,” he said. “The hotel and resort serves as the first project of its kind in Yemen.”
Resta currently operates four resorts in Egypt with three more, including AlQasr, under development across the Middle East.
Our strategy is based on operating a hotel in every major city and global tourism destination in the MENA region
New Atlas Managing Director Takes on Expansion Mandate Under the leadership of new managing director, Siegfried Nierhaus, Atlas Hospitality plans to focus its development strategy on the UAE. Atlas Hospitality is a hotel development business and a subsidiary of the Atlas International holding company. According to Nierhaus, Atlas Hospitality plans to begin three new projects in the country over the next three years. Nierhaus said the UAE focus had been motivated by renewed visitor growth to the country. He pointed to strong visitation figures in Abu Dhabi as evidence of the UAE’s strength as a market. “We are watching the economic indicators and they are heading in the right direction,” he added. “The region continues to out-perform other key markets.” Nierhaus said Atlas would also make itself available as a consultancy. “We are geared to sharing our expertise in hotel and F&B and project development by playing the role of the consultant for niche investors, developers and operators,” he said. Atlas’ first property, Regent Emirates Pearl in Abu Dhabi, is on track to open in 2012. 4
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- Accommodation
All Abu Dhabi Hotels to Be Re-classified by 2011: New System Launched by ADTA Abu Dhabi’s new hotel classification system, first announced in early May, has been officially launched.
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asser Saif Al Reyami, Director of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s (ADTA) licensing and classification division, said that all accommodation in the emirate would be classified according to the new scale by 2011. Mubarak Al Muhairi, director general of ADTA, said research into international practices had produced a hybrid system of classification. “Our studies revealed that throughout the entire industry, classification systems were either mandatory in nature or based on scoring methodology and they often
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resulted in disappointing gaps between theory and reality due to lack of implementation,” he said. “We seized the advantage of learning from others to create a best-in-class system, with fair and transparent implementation mechanisms and one which is geared to delivering quality throughout the entire hospitality chain.” Rather than focusing on a check list of facilities, or an aggregated score, Abu Dhabi’s approach combines elements of both. A sliding scale from zero to 900 points is applied when assessing hotels, with each star level requiring a certain score
and certain facilities. This scale is supplemented by five further categories of distinction, including: environmental issues, special needs, comprehensive detailed standards, consideration for cultural tourism sustainability and implementation planning. Reyami said the system would allow hotels pursuing high star ratings to offer more varied products than a traditional mandatory system would. “Realistically we do not expect that even five star hotels will be able to offer all of the services and amenities in the scoring system, so it does allow hotels to offer varied products,” he said.
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- Air Travel
Gulf Aviation will Outcompete Established Players, Dubai Airport Chief Says The Gulf model for the aviation market puts its airports and carriers at a competitive advantage with the rest of the world, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, has declared.
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ccording to Griffiths, international taxation models and industry disunity are responsible for the global industry’s ongoing struggle for profitability. “Airlines worldwide have lost some USD50 billion since 2001,” he said in a speech to the UK Aviation Club. “It is clear the current model is completely and utterly broken.” Griffiths said the approach taken to aviation taxes worldwide was largely responsible for the woes of the industry. “Most governments around the world treat aviation as a pariah and choke its growth with costly, misdirected regulation and parasitic forms of taxation whose revenues usually flow straight out of the sector,” he said. However, he also pointed to failings within the industry itself. “Almost 50 percent of the time a customer spends at an airport is absorbed by
cumbersome and non-commercial processes - at an opportunity cost as high as USD35 billion per annum,” he said. “This lost revenue ultimately stems from a chronic lack of trust and co-operation between airlines, airports and retailers. “It’s high time for all parties to acknowledge their inter-dependence and leverage their strengths. “This could lead to an environment where the travel retail industry records greater profits, airports fund themselves entirely from non-aeronautical income, and airlines are relieved of the burden of airport charges.” Griffiths said Dubai’s tax free model should be taken as an example by the rest of the world and predicted that Middle Eastern aviation would soon begin to outcompete traditional approaches. “Middle Eastern airlines with young fleets based in efficient, geocentric airports with room to grow are well positioned to take on less profitable transfer traffic that is ill-
suited for mature markets with congested airports,” he said.
Governments around the world treat aviation as a pariah and choke its growth with misdirected regulation Paul Griffiths
GCAA Takes Training Course to Latin America The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has strengthened ties with Latin America, hosting a training course in Paraguay. The training course, which focused on the role of strategic planning in the civil aviation industry, attracted representatives from 11 countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia,Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic. Laila Bin Hareb, head of strategic planning and corporate excellence at GCAA, spoke at the course’s main lectures. 6
“The participation of GCAA in this course in Latin America reflects the role of the UAE in civil aviation worldwide and the trust of global and regional civil aviation authorities and organisations in the UAE,” said Bin Hareb. “Through the bilateral co-operation agreements and memoranda of understanding signed with several civil aviation authorities around the world, the GCAA is aiming at sharing experiences and training, which will help discovering new fields that can enhance the reputation of GCAA and expand its role in civil aviation worldwide.”
The GCAA course covered various topics, including strategic planning under globalisation and a rapidly changing environment; business strategy development mechanisms; tools and techniques for planning and decision making; environment analysis; strategy implementation steps; and target oriented management.
GCAA is aiming at sharing experiences and training JUNE 19, 2010
- Air Travel
Close to Home Boom Forces Air Arabia to Schedule Additional MENA Flights Demand for travel within the Middle East over summer has been so strong as to force Air Arabia to schedule additional flights to meet demand.
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ir Arabia will make additional flights on its routes from Sharjah to Amman, Jordan; Damascus, Syria; and Alexandria, Egypt at the end of June and in early July. Sherif Attia, chief operating officer of Air
Arabia's Sharjah hub, confirmed that the capacity boost came in response to increased demand for intra regional travel. “We are pleased to expand our service to Amman, Damascus and Alexandria this summer, in line with increased demand from our customers,” he said. “Air Arabia focuses on putting its customers'
needs first, and our latest initiative to increase the frequency of service to popular destinations will surely enhance the level of convenience for our customers.” Air Arabia already runs frequent flights to these destinations, with seven per week to Amman, 11 per week to Damascus and 21 per week to Alexandria.
Gulf Air Launches New Routes to Aleppo and Medina Gulf Air has launched permanent operations to Aleppo in Syria and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Suleiman Sarra, Syria’s ambassador to Bahrain, said the Aleppo route represented a strengthening of a long established relationship. “We wholeheartedly welcome Gulf Air expanding its network into the Syrian Arab Republic,” he said. “Gulf Air’s relationship with Syria began more than two decades ago when it started flying to Damascus in 1988 and I am glad this relationship has grown stronger with the addition of Aleppo.”
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- International
Australia Abandons 2018 World Cup Bid in Favour of European Destinations In a move that places the country in direct competition with Qatar, Australia has abandoned its bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, focusing its ambitions exclusively on the 2022 tournament.
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hile the country had previously sought either the 2018 or 2022 cup event, now only the latter is being pursued. Representatives of both FIFA and Australian football’s governing body, Football Federation Australia (FFA), have said the withdrawal was made to favour European competitors for the event. The 2018 World Cup will be the first since 2006 to be allocated according to intercontinental competition. The 2010 and 2014 Cups were assigned according to competition between African and South American nations, respectively, under a system designed to allow poorer continents access to the event. Though Africa and South America are the only continents ineligible for the World Cup events currently under contention, Jerome Valcke, general secretary of FIFA, said Australia’s withdrawal reflected a desire for a European event. “The FFA have displayed an exemplary level of solidarity with Europe and the European bidding nations and were
Sydney, Australia
among the very first to enter into an open and constructive dialogue with me after it became apparent that there was a growing movement to stage the 2018 World Cup in Europe,” Valcke said. Frank Lowy, Chairman of Football Federation Australia, confirmed that Australia was deferring to European interests. “We have been in discussion with FIFA for months and it is that trusting relationship with the leadership of the
governing body that has caused us to focus on 2022 and decide to leave the field for 2018 to European contenders,” he said. Australia has become one of four nations bidding exclusively for the 2022 event, including Qatar, Japan and South Korea. A number of countries are bidding for both 2018 and 2022, including two joint bids by Portugal/Spain and Netherlands/Belgium, as well as the US, England and Russia.
Fosun International Buys Stake in Club Med, Outlines Development Strategy Fosun international, one of China’s largest conglomerates, has bought a 7.1 percent stake in Club Med and announced a strategic alliance for the development of the brand. A representative of Fosun will be appointed to the board of directors of Club Med. The conglomerate has indicated that it will leverage its resources and influences 8
to create benefits for Club Med’s global network of resorts. According to Fosun, the new affiliation will benefit the hospitality group by giving Club Med access to Fosun’s extensive catalogue of companies as feeder markets for MICE business. Fosun has also declared an intention to leverage its existing influence in the Chinese media to promote the Club
Med brand throughout the country. Club Med has had a sales presence in China since 2003 and has identified China as a major development focus for the company. Sites have already been identified for five Club Med resort villages in China, planned to open by 2015. The first of these, a ski village in Yabuli, is slated to open in the winter season of 2010. JUNE 19, 2010
Sabre Launches New Agency Tool Sabre Red, a new travel solution from Sabre Travel Network, was launched in Austria this week. The new tool features a range of capabilities, spanning shopping, booking, customer service and business intelligence. Greg Webb, president of Sabre Travel Network, said Sabre Red would help agents create high customer loyalty, grow revenue and keep costs in check. “To succeed in today’s highly competitive market where travel is more complex and travellers face more choices than ever, travel companies face the challenge of balancing resources to deliver great customer service with the need to meet profitability goals,” said Webb. He added that the new tool would enable agencies to respond to the emergence of airline ancillary fees, merchandising initiatives, changes in preferred supplier agreements and the growth in demand for mobile services. More than 250 Sabre customers have been trialling the Sabre Red product for the past six months and Webb said more capabilities would be rolled out throughout 2010 and into 2011.
Agent’s Insight Fatima Ansari Travel Agent, Kanoo Corporate, Bahrain Who has inspired you in your travel career? I was inspired by my four brothers who are all pilots. I was always keen on joining the travel trade after having heard so much about the destinations they have been to, and hoping that I too may be able to visit these places and learn more about the travel industry.
What has been the highlight of your career so far? I have traveled to many destinations during my time in the travel industry. However, my trips to Beirut and Larnaca seem to be the most memorable. I have also received many letters of appreciation from corporate customers that I have been working with during my many years in the industry.
When is your peak selling period? As I deal with corporate travel, the business is well spread throughout the year. However, the summer season is our peak when most local and expatriates travel out on vacations with their family.
Where is the next hot destination? Personally, I have many customers that are booked to travel to UK this season. However, Malaysia and China are very popular destinations too.
Why are travel agents important? Sabre Red
Greg Webb
Al-Futtaim Links with Thomas Cook Travel management company Al-Futtaim Travel has signed on as a preferred sales agent to distribute Thomas Cook – ME Outbound leisure products in the UAE. William Horsley, general manager of Al-Futtaim Travel, said the partnership would provide greater options for travellers. “Thomas Cook is clearly the world’s best known name in travel and holiday packages,” said Horsley. “This agreement is a further endorsement by a global brand of Al-Futtaim Travel’s market-leading position as a corporate and leisure travel management company.” Among the Thomas Cook leisure offers are international school summer camps, escorted coach tours, city breaks and holiday packages to destinations such as Switzerland, Greece, Germany and the Indian Ocean. 10
I think travel agents are important due to many reasons. Agents are able to Fatima Ansari offer valuable travel tips and advice to passengers based on our experience, available to assist passengers before and after issuing of travel documents, provide information on ticket restrictions and visas to destinations and also offer value added services that help passengers plan their trip with less hassle. JUNE 19, 2010
International Geographic: Geopositioning and You The juggernaut of social media continues to gain momentum and every day another front seems to open in the online battle to take advantage of the trends.
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he geographical applications offered by personal global positioning systems (GPS) represent a hotly contested territory in the fight for the killer app. According to Berg Insight, 560 million GPS phones are expected to ship annually by 2012; this means that in a population of seven billion, around one in 10 of all consumers will have GPS in their pocket. Already, the synergy of live mapping and internet access offered by these devices has been tipped to change to way we socialise, consume and travel. The technology can and has been used
effectively by Google Maps and others to help disoriented consumers pinpoint hotels and choose between offerings. However, the growing importance of social media has led a push back in the other direction. Increasingly people are being encouraged to interact with the maps; to determine the salient landmarks and identify their own points of interest. Geopositioning, a kind of cartographical status update, allows users to post their own location on an online map, to view the position of friends in their network and in some cases to post images, notes and other information.
The recently launched initiative Topguest is an example of how travel businesses are able to get in on social media more meaningfully than the ubiquitous Facebook fan page. Topguest has collaborated with a range of businesses, including Starwood Hotels and Delta Airlines, offering loyalty reward points to members for their geopositioning habits. Where some give the points indiscriminately, Starwood has chosen to limit rewards to posts made from within a Starwood property, thus incentivising potential guests to not only stay in the hotel, but to broadcast it.
Destination Tip: Selling Amsterdam With new flights from Emirates kicking off to Amsterdam, hotels in the country are offering up special deals to Middle Eastern travellers. John Felix, senior vice president of Emirates Holidays, said Emirates staff had created a range of tailor made packages in anticipation of new demand. “Amsterdam presents the perfect European city break, with a heady mix of rich cultural history and a vibrant nightlife,” said Felix. “It’s a compact, bustling centre that offers the traveller a unique blend of Dutch culture, the arts, legendary canals and the iconic floating flower market.” Air Arabia has also reported strong results for the region, after JUNE 19, 2010
celebrating the first year anniversary of its flights from Casablanca to Benelux (Brussels & Amsterdam) in May. In the first year of operation, Air Arabia carried more than 84,000 passengers on its Casablanca-Benelux routes. Top tips for culture seekers in Amsterdam are the Van Gough Museum and Rijksmuseum; for children, there is Madam Tussauds wax museum, Amsterdam Dungeon or the NEMO science centre. Amsterdam
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Paolo De Renzis
Carol Maddison
Area Commercial Manager, Middle East, British Airways (BA) “We have had a terrific response to the [UAE British Airways Business Opportunity Grants] initiative, proving that there is a real desire and need for business travel. British Airways is in the business of connecting people, and we know that the key to building successful long-term business partnerships is through face-to-face meetings. Our hope is that the opportunity grants really help these businesses open doors, forge stronger partnerships, and increase their revenues.”
UAE Manager, VisitBritain “Food is a major element for Arab travellers when choosing a destination to spend their holidays, making Scotland’s new food and drink theme a natural fit. With 16 Michelin-starred restaurants available, in addition to scenic landscapes, and tailored luxury offerings, Scotland offers the ideal getaway package.”
There is a real desire and need for business travel
Scotland
UAE winners of BA Business Opportunity Grants (winning companies have each been awarded 10 BA business class return tickets, to stimulate business and seek out new opportunities)
Food is a major element for Arab travellers when choosing a destination
Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority “The [Abu Dhabi Ambassador Programme] is important because it gives our visitor facing representatives an essential understanding of the emirate’s tourism potential, capabilities and its role in Abu Dhabi’s economic and social advancement. It then empowers them with skills, knowledge and confidence to better promote and represent Abu Dhabi, its unique heritage and culture as well as our determination to preserve them. This emirate has an abiding ethos of extending hospitality to travellers and sharing our cultural heritage. What better way for these to be conveyed than by Emiratis? The result will be a much enhanced visitor engagement experience which in itself will engender a stronger competitive edge.”
The result will be a much enhanced visitor engagement experience
ADTA graduates
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 12
JUNE 19, 2010
Siegfried Nierhaus
Laurence Udo
Atlas Hospitality has appointed Segfried Nierhaus as managing director. In his new role, Nierhaus has been given the task of expanding Atlas’ group portfolio, with development focusing on the UAE. He has spent 20 years working for a variety of international hotel groups, including Rezidor, throughout Europe.
Laurence Udo
Doha Marriott Hotel has appointed Laurence Udo as public relations and marketing communications manager. Udo joins the hotel from Marriott Vacation Club in London, where she spent the past five years working as a marketing manager. She holds a master degree in international business, specialising in marketing.
Michael Kuhn
Siegfried Nierhaus
Shawn Pisani HelmsBriscoe, a global site selection and service provider for the meetings industry has appointed Shawn Pisani as director of industry relations for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Pisani will be based in Europe and will support supplier partnerships within the EMEA region. He previously spent 16 years working at Corinthia Hotels, where he held a number of positions – most recently director of products and services. 14
Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat, has appointed Michael Kuhn as director of sales and marketing. He most recently held the same position at Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam, and has previously worked in Egypt, Switzerland, Germany and Dubai. Kuhn has qualifications in business and economics.
Laurent Rigaud
(L-R) Michael Kuhn with Michael Jacobi, general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat
Laurent Rigaud JAL Hotels has appointed Laurent Rigaud as general manager for the upcoming Hotel JAL Tower Dubai, scheduled to open later this year. Rigaud has more than 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Rigaud will lead the pre-opening team for the new property. JUNE 19, 2010
Q&A with Ryad Sunusi Libya has long been sidelined as a tourism destination, despite a stock of historical attractions and a wealth of natural beauty. Ryad Sunusi, founder and CEO of Libya Exhibitions, gave Travel Trade Weekly a guided tour of the Libyan product. Travel Trade Weekly: Libya has a range of tourism attractions, yet remains a relatively minor destination - why is this? Ryad Sunusi: This is a result of both external and internal factors. Libya’s image has long been associated with terrorism and this has fuelled negative stereotypes of Libya. After the Lockerbie incident, Libya was under international sanctions and very little news came out of Libya. The internal factors are the government’s red tape and bureaucracy and regulations, which while still complex by Western standards, have improved considerably in the last few years.
Travel Trade Weekly: What can be done to encourage tourism to Libya? Ryad Sunusi: As mentioned above, red tape and bureaucracy concerning issuing the visa process would help to improve tourism in Libya. Currently, Libya strictly controls the issuing of visas through Libyan tour operators. Tourist visas are only obtained through a Libyan tour operator, which manages the visa process and, by law, must include a guide. Libya also has a significant dearth of luxury and mid class hotel rooms, although dozens of global hotel chains are currently in the process of building hotels in Libya.
The hotel construction boom is reminiscent of the transformation that occurred in the Gulf JUNE 19, 2010
Libyan Desert Expedition
Libya’s deserts are among the most startling and beautiful landscapes Travel Trade Weekly: What are the main activities and attractions for tourists to Libya? Ryad Sunusi: Libya is a popular for
Travel Trade Weekly:Can you tell me about any major recent or upcoming developments for tourism in Libya? Ryad Sunusi: The Radisson Blu Mahary
primarily cultural tours – Libya has some of the best Roman and Greek ruins in the Mediterranean. Desert tours are very popular as well, as Libya’s deserts are among the most startling and beautiful landscapes. Libya is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha; the Hellenic ruins of Cyrene; the desert town of Ghadames; and the rock art sites of the moonlike Tadrart Akakus.
recently launched in Tripoli to compete with the Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel, which was once Libya’s only five star hotel by Western standards. Rixos, a Turkish hotel chain, also has a presence in Tripoli with its five star Rixos Al-Nasr. New hotels to be launched include those from InterContinental and Rezidor.
hotels and a variety of four and three star hotels. There are numerous hotels and resorts being built and in the planning stage, with construction going on nonstop and new hotels going up year after year to meet the surging demand.
from the current levels. The hotel construction boom and ever changing skyline is reminiscent of the transformation that occurred in the Gulf, and everywhere you go in Tripoli and Benghazi, you see the cranes and new buildings going up.
Travel Trade Weekly: What do you expect tourism in Libya to look like in five years time? Travel Trade Weekly: How developed Ryad Sunusi: Libya’s Tourism Ministry has stated it seeks to attract two million are tourism facilities in Libya? Ryad Sunusi: Libya has several five star tourists by 2011 – a significant increase
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BSL World Expands into Abu Dhabi, Predicting Large Events Growth Potential BSL World, a UK firm offering support and logistics for large scale events, has chosen Abu Dhabi as the location of its first office outside London. Jonathan Bodansky, managing director of the company, said Abu Dhabi’s growing profile had prompted the expansion. “Following our success in managing the VIP transportation for 15,000 VIPs at the first Etihad Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2009, I saw a great opportunity to launch here,” he said. “Abu Dhabi is an exciting place to be
right now - it was catapulted onto the worldwide stage last year and was host to a number of international events. “With the plans currently in place for the future, Abu Dhabi can only continue to get stronger.” BSL was established to manage logistics for major musical events, including tours by Elton John, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney. The company now offers services including corporate hospitality, logistic operations and global incentive travel at major sports, arts and MICE events worldwide.
Abu Dhabi is an exciting place to be right now Abu Dhabi
Events HospitalityWorld Bengaluru, India, June 24-26 (www.hospitalityworld.in) Showcasing south India’s hospitality industry. Beijing International Tourism Expo Beijing, China, June 25-27 (www.bitechina.com.cn) Exhibiting products and destinations for Chinese and International professionals. India International Travel Market Bengaluru, India, July 10-12 (www.iitmindia.com) A showcase for tourism, leisure, hospitality and related industries. Cityscape Dubai Dubai, UAE, October 4-7 (www.cityscapeglobal.com) Networking, conference sessions and round table events for the real estate market, including hotels and other tourism developments.
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Outdoor Adventure Dubai Dubai, UAE, October 8-10 (www.outdooradventuredubai.com) Adventure sports, outdoor clubs, equipment specialists and holiday destinations. GITEX Technology Week Dubai, UAE, October 17-21 (www.gitex.com) Technology solutions for hotels, businesses and consumers. Hotex Fair Syria Damascus, Syria, October 19-22 (www.hotexfair.com) Fair for Arabic and foreign companies in tourism and travel, including hotels, restaurants and equipment suppliers.
JUNE 19, 2010