ATM Dailies – Day3 by Naveed Aziz

THE OFFICIAL SHOW DAILY 6 – 9 May 2013

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Contents 18

04 EXHIBITOR NEWS 17 SEMINAR SCHEDULE 18 Focus IT'S ALL IN THE RETAIL 22 Social photos THE OFFICIAL ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET PARTY 24 Focus GOOGLE'S SHOW DEBUT 28 Column RUPPRECHT QUEITSCH 30 EXHIBITOR TRAILS 33 DESTINATION PROFILES 38 EXHIBITOR EXPECTATIONS

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3 Wednesday 8 May

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NORTHERN EMIRATES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

UNWTO: COOPERATE FOR GROWTH The United Nations World Travel Organisation (UNWTO) has called on the tourism and aviation sectors to work in partnership to safeguard the future growth of the global travel market. “There were one billion travellers globally in 2012, yet we still see the tourism and aviation industries that facilitate them working in parallel when they should be working together,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai speaking at yesterday’s UNWTO and Arabian Travel Market Ministerial Forum. “At least 50 percent of those one billion travelled by air; the

growth of tourism and aviation are intrinsically linked.” He told the 25 tourism ministers and several aviation executives attending the forum, which was staged at Arabian Travel Market for the second year running under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make their respective governments aware of the “great logic” in intertwining aviation and tourism policies to drive economic prosperity on a local and global scale. “Tourism and air transportation are still not fully recognised in terms of what they can contribute

Illustrious participants at the UNWTO Forum

to the rest of the world,” the Secretary-General emphasised. Rifai identified three issues the industries needed to address to drive tourism growth: economic regulation, with World Bank studies revealing air sector “connectivity and liberalisation are a must”; the impact of overinflated air travel taxes on tourism growth; and the need to abolish “restrictive visa procedures”. “The UAE has been the driving force in opening up visa regulations, but the Middle East is lagging behind, with 70 percent

Mark Walsh (right), presents Benito C Bengzon Jr, Philippines, with the New Frontiers Award

PHILIPPINES CELEBRATES NEW FRONTIERS AWARD The Philippines has received the New Frontiers Award 2013 in recognition of the country’s efforts to rebuild its tourism infrastructure following the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Bopha. “The Philippines, its government and its people have shown remarkable fortitude and a stoic determination to get communities and the local economy back on track following the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Bopha last year; their resilience in the face of such a monumental crisis is commendable,” said Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, who presented Benito C Bengzon Jr, Deputy Minister, Philippines Department of Tourism, with the award during a special seminar yesterday (Tuesday 7 May). “Winning the New Frontiers Award not only recognises the

efforts and resilience of the Filipino community following the typhoon but serves to motivate us to continue to make tourism a national industry in the Philippines,” said Bengzon. “We need to step up our participation at international shows to promote the Philippines more aggressively and participating at Arabian Travel Market is a very effective platform for reaching both the Middle East and global outbound market.” Launched in 2005 by Arabian Travel Market, the New Frontiers Award was created to recognise outstanding contributions to tourism development in the face of overwhelming adversity, supporting the chosen destination by donating exhibition space at the event to the value of US$10,000. Previous recipients include Japan and Chile.

07/05/2013 23:34

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) UAE 2450 info@ajmantourism.ae

‫ﻣﻦ ﻗﻠﺐ ﻋﺠﻤﺎن‬ From the Heart of Ajman

NEWS

UNWTO: COOPERATE FOR GROWTH of people travelling to the region still requiring a visa,” he noted. Rifai said the tourism and aviation sectors should adopt the Expo 2020 Dubai bid’s slogan, ‘Connecting minds, creating the future’ in a bid to grow the tourism industry together. He commended the UAE for its integrated aviation and tourism policies creating a “success story” that had “changed the face of the global aviation industry”. Rifai noted that goals such as hosting the 2020 Expo could be leveraged to force greater cooperation between the two parties and achieve Dubai’s target to double visitor numbers from 10 million in 2012 to 20 million by 2020. HE Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai

Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said the UAE’s Open Skies policy had been “instrumental in driving the success of Dubai’s tourism industry” and would safeguard its “future prosperity”. “The key to tourism growth is to allow the airlines to travel,” stressed Almarri. This was the unanimous opinion of all forum attendees, with many tourism ministers, including those representing

SNAPSHOTS FROM DAY 2

Tunisia, Lebanon and Egypt blaming strict air restrictions in their countries for poor tourism growth. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism, HE Hisham Zaazou, said the “protectionist attitude” of Egyptair was hampering visitor numbers to a country which relied heavily on the tourism industry for its economic wellbeing. “What the airlines and the authorities also need to realise is that if we bring in people

from long-haul destinations, it benefits other countries in the region too; in our case Jordan and Lebanon,” he added. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths also identified the urgent need to “harmonise Air Traffic Control” to improve air connectivity prospects, safety and efficiency. HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, President and Chairman of the Board, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) agreed, noting how it would improve air access in Saudi Arabia where the enhancement of aviation infrastructure is high on the agenda. “We currently have 27 airports with many subject to further developments and in the next five years, we will have 35 airports,” he said. Building a robust airport network would help the kingdom achieve its ambitious targets to ramp up domestic, religious, MICE and group tourism, he added.

The Arabian Travel Market show dailies are published on behalf of: ®

Gateway House 28 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1DN, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 8271 2158, Email: arabian.helpline@reedexpo.co.uk Web: www.arabiantravelmarket.com Arabian Travel Market is owned and protected by Elsevier Properties SA and used under licence. Reed Travel Exhibitions/Reed Exhibitions is a registered trade mark of Reed Elsevier Group PLC.

Published by: Nicholas Publishing International PO Box 500573, Office 704, Executive Heights, Dubai Tel: +971 4 4243640, Fax: +971 4 4327505 Email: enquiries@npimedia.com Web: www.npimedia.com © Copyright This show daily is published under licence by Reed Exhibitions Limited. The copyright in the design and content of the show daily is owned by Reed Exhibitions Limited or its licensors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, by any means – electronic, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior permission of Reed Exhibitions Limited.

SHOW DAILY TEAM: EDITORIAL Group Editor Faye Rowe faye.rowe@npimedia.com Production Editor Debra Freeman-Thorpe Contributors Jacqueline Castelluccia Naomi Chadderton Olivia Cuthbert Gemma Greenwood Rachel Ingram Cavell Mallett Sarah McCay Eddie Taylor Kirsty Tuxford STUDIO Senior Art Director Andrea Tempesta Senior Designers Prachi Bhaumik, Kerri Bennett Kelly Massie, Tony Santiago Designer Hiral Kapadia Photographers Adham Sneeh, Grant Pritchard, Martin Pfeiffer A busy afternoon at Arabian Travel Market yesterday was punctuated by a visit and tour of the show by UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who was escorted by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Director General, His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri. From Kenya through to Thailand and Indonesia, unique showcases are aplenty at this year’s Arabian Travel Market. You can even hop aboard at flydubai and enjoy some inflight entertainment with your feet set firmly on the ground.

Production Co-ordinator Naveed Aziz ADVERTISING Advertisement Manager Irene Fernandez irene.fernandez@npimedia.com International Sales Manager Rose D'Souza rose.dsouza@npimedia.com Sales Co-ordinator Carol Milan PUBLISHING Publisher Rob Nicholas rob.nicholas@npimedia.com

Visit NPI at stand UAE3155

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Vida promises life and smart stays

The Amadeus stand

KSA, UAE and Qatar dominate GCC air travel Amadeus, an advanced technology solution provider for the global travel industry, has announced the latest Middle East air travel trends. Key findings revealed passengers travelling from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar accounted for over 53 percent of all air travel volume from the Middle East, which equates to 52.8 million out of a total of 99 million passengers. Saudi Arabia accounted for 25 percent of the market share, closely followed by the UAE with 23 percent and Qatar with five percent. According

to the findings obtained via the Amadeus Air Traffic Travel Intelligence solution, Qatar saw the strongest growth of the three, with an average growth rate of 10 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, while as a whole, the Middle East saw a growth of two percent. Antoine Medawar, Vice President Middle East & Africa, Amadeus, said: “We have analysed that the domestic market in Saudi Arabia is major. We have also analysed that the trend between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is big, but it’s reduced. The trend between Qatar and

Dubai is that people from Qatar will travel to Dubai, (especially Qatari), to take another flight to somewhere else and we have analysed that the busiest route from Dubai is to London.” Further findings revealed that the UAE is the most prominent point of origin for intercontinental journeys, while Saudi Arabia volume is driven by domestic traffic and the UAE leads the way in low-cost airline market share. As a result of the survey, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are shown to be growing global travel hubs.

Visit stand TT6220

Saudi Arabia’s bold vision for 2020 Abdullah S Al-Jehani

Reflecting the kingdom’s ambition to grow its tourism industry, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) stand at Arabian Travel Market is 20 percent larger this year, housing 32 partners. “This is our 10th year at the show and the focus is on introducing Saudi Arabia as a destination for GCC residents, as well as increasing domestic tourism,” said Abdullah S Al-Jehani, Vice President for Marketing and Programmes, SCTA. The vision for 2020 is to achieve 88 million visitors per year

and to have 254,310 hotel rooms available in the kingdom. A total of 135 new hotels are set to open between 2014 and 2015. “We have big plans, especially in the Makkah and Madinah areas, which receive the Hajj and Umrah traffic,” said Al-Jehani. Enhancing its conference facilities and improving policies and procedures in relation to business tourism is also top of mind in order to leverage the country’s

potential for attracting meetings and events. “We hope that in the next five years Saudi will be in a leading position in terms of business,” affirmed Al-Jehani. The promotion of culture and heritage is also high on the agenda, with the spotlight on the most prominent attractions, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Medayn Salah (awarded in 2008) and Dyrah (awarded in 2010). “We are working with UNESCO to hopefully name a third site – Historical Jeddah – which is expected to be finalised in 2014,” said Al-Jehani. It is hoped the efforts will help build on the kingdom’s already strong reputation as a religious and economic hub. Al-Jehani explained: “Saudi Arabia is also known for its political dimension and is a leading power in the Middle East and internationally. ”

Visit stand ME4010

Targeting a new generation of young travellers seeking affordable luxury, Emaar Hospitality Group has launched a new, four-star hotel brand called Vida Hotels and Resorts. Billed as an urban hub where people can stay, play and connect, the first branded outlet in the innovative hotel chain is set to open in Downtown Dubai (formerly the Qamardeen hotel) in June 2013, offering 156 rooms. The brand will later be rolled out in Emaar’s key global markets. Speaking about the launch, Josef Kufer, Chief Operating Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “By appealing to a younger consumer segment, this new lifestyle brand allows us to target a larger share of the visitor market. The name Vida, meaning ‘life’ in Spanish, was chosen to reflect the energetic and inspiring character of the brand, with employees chosen on the strength of their personalities as well as their professional capabilities via an X Factor-style selection process. In line with the latest trends, the technologydriven brand allows guests to

check in and order food and beverages during their stay via their iPads or smart phones.” According to the ITB World Travel Trends Report 2012/2013, more than one-third of travellers are aged between 15 and 34 – a statistic reflected in the Middle Josef Kufer

East where two-thirds of the population are under the age of 30. In addition, Dubai serves as a hub to over two billion people below the age of 25 years across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The launch further builds on Emaar Hospitality’s portfolio which includes The Address Hotels + Resorts, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club and Dubai Marina Yacht Club, in addition to its dining outlets At.mosphere in Burj Khalifa, The Palace Café and Madeleine. Emaar Hospitaliy is also launching a new The Address property in Africa, near the Masai Mara in Kenya, which is due to open in spring 2014. Also in the pipeline is the Emaar Misr (Eqypt), which will boast an 18-hole golf course and beachfront location. A residence in Istanbul will follow. “It is only natural for us to expand in locations where we already have business activities,” said Kufer. “The aim is to grow organically and we will look at similar opportunities across the Gulf region, taking small, smart steps. Location is very important to us as is being within a mixed-use development containing shops, restaurants and businesses.”

Visit stand HC5320

Ras al-Khaimah delivers affordable luxury Ras al-Khaimah is living up to its label as the ‘rising emirate’ with a series of exciting tourism developments in 2013, the highlights of which include the opening of the Waldorf Astoria – the first in the UAE – and a further four new hotels located on the manmade Al Marjan Island. The developments are all part of the emirate’s aim to increase the number of visitors from 600,000 in 2010 to 1.2 million by the end of 2013, with the number of hotel rooms climbing to 10,000 by 2016. “The vision of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi is to create a destination of affordable luxury,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras al-Khaimah Free Zone and Chairman of the Board of Hilton, Ras al-Khaimah. “We are not a mass-market destination, but one of the high-quality facilities in which people can come and sample outstanding hospitality and enjoy a range of activities and nature. “The arrival of the iconic Waldorf Astoria shows that we are on the global tourism map,” he added. “We are also extremely excited about the Al Marjan Island project

and we expect both will become attractions in their own right.” Aviation is set to play a key role in establishing Ras al-Khaimah as a tourism hub, with the local carrier RAK Airways and the international airport undergoing expansion to keep up with increasing demand. “RAK Airways operates to nine destinations currently, but we are actively looking to increase both the number of destinations and the frequency of flights,” said Sheikh Salem Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of RAK Airways and member of the General Civil Aviation Authority. “We have

three aircraft that are leased at present, but this year we will be purchasing two Airbus A320s and hope to add two more in 2014. The airport terminal is also being remodelled. “Ras al-Khaimah will attract 1.5 million visitors next year,” he said. “We have to be ready for them.” Khalid Motik, Director of Ras al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, underlined the unique tourist offer of the emirate. “People come to sample our outdoor activities and first-class resorts. We are not competing with our neighbours – we are complementing them.”

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi

Visit stand UAE2410

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news

POURING INVESTMENT INTO OMAN TOURISM

An Omani welcome

Oman’s Ministry of Tourism estimates that an additional 3,000 hotel rooms will be completed by end of 2014, adding significant capacity to the destination’s room stock. The ministry is seeing a record investment in resorts and

hotels as the country surges ahead in tourism development and attempts to capitalise on its unique natural, cultural and historical attractions. Oman is at Arabian Travel Market showcasing a variety of new projects, not least of which is the master plan for Port Sultan Qaboos’ transformation into a tourism and cruise ship precinct that is expected to complete this year. HE Ahmed Al Mahrizi, Oman’s Minister of Tourism, said: “The development projects now in planning or construction will put Oman’s tourism industry on a new footing. Developer

Omran is on track to complete niche resorts in Khasab and Jabal Al Akhdar and construction of new hotels and visitor facilities are starting in Muscat and Salalah. “Other developments include the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre that is on track to open in Q1 2017. These ‘next generation’ developments take into account community, environment values and our consumer segments. Our focus continues to be on quality and authenticity. We are looking to provide sustainable jobs across the country,” said Al Mahrizi.

Visit stand ME4310

Promoting Yas Waterworld

Yas showcases island LIFE Yas Island has launched a range of new attractions, adding to its appeal as a one-stop-shop for leisure and business tourists. The recently opened Emiratithemed water park, Yas WaterWorld is a draw card for adventure seekers, with 43 rides, slides and attractions and a range of packages for corporate groups. Karim El Guanaini, Vice President of Marketing, Destination Management Yas Island, said: “We’ve also launched Yas Express, a complimentary shuttle service providing pickup and drop-off to a variety of

Yas Island’s attractions. In addition, Yas Beach, which is in its soft-launch stage and the Yas Marina expansion project, which will transform the Yas Marina into a vibrant dining and entertainment precinct, are set to be completed at the end of 2013.” Plans for Yas Marina include adding large outdoor terraces with panoramic views, 10 food and beverage outlets, a children’s play area and a

musical fountain, plus community activities, sporting and cultural events. The island is also expanding its retail offering. “Set to launch in the first quarter of 2014, Yas Mall will be a super regional mall showcasing over 450 international and local brands as well as a Geant Hypermarket. The project also includes a 14-screen Cineplex and a number of international department store operators,” said Guanaini.

Visit stand UAE2210

GATEWAY TO sri lanka

Nishantha Wickremasinghe

Additional flights, an expanded fleet and upgrades to its existing aircraft are all part of SriLankan Airlines’ current bid to boost its position in the Middle East market. Targeting Arab tourists en route to the Far East, Sri Lanka’s national carrier is offering Middle East visitors the opportunity to spend a few days in the country’s capital, Columbo, on the way. Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, said: “We introduced ATM show dailies artwork.indd 2

15/04/13 17:30

the dual-destination option for visitors passing through Sri Lanka to encourage them to pause and see the many attractions this country has to offer. The hill stations, idyllic beaches, tea plantations and sheer abundance of cultural and natural wonders combine to make the country itself one large attraction.”

The airline posted a 26 percent annual increase in passengers from the Middle East for 2012/2013 compared to 2011/2012. Overall, passenger traffic from the Middle East has contributed the second highest revenue to the national carrier’s network after the Far East. “We have a strong relationship with the Middle East and are seeing a growing number of leisure visitors from Gulf countries in Sri Lanka,” Wickremasinghe said. In March, the country launched its second airport to cater to rapidly growing demand. “The opening of the new Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport serves to strengthen our position in South Asia as we work towards establishing a regional aviation hub, offering academic and training centres that will eventually expand to serve the region,” he added. With the aim of attracting 2.5 million visitors by 2016, up from one million in 2012, Sri Lanka is taking steps to position itself as Asia’s foremost tourism destination.

Visit stand AS6750

Qatar, where the past meets the future. Qatar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where you can follow in the footsteps of Arabian legends. Marvel at the breathtaking architecture of the past, present and future. Unwind on the golden sands of the Arabian peninsula, with its deep blue sea gently lapping at your feet.

For the ultimate authentic experience, visit Qatar.

qatartourism.gov.qa

news

Lots of Hotels! Webjet is celebrating the launch of its business-to-business international hotel aggregation platform, Lots of Hotels, providing users with a quick and easy way to find the best year-round rates and availability.

Initially focusing on markets in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region, Dubai-based Lots of Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of Webjet Australia, offers over one million hotel rooms on sale every day sourced from multiple

Introducing Lots of Hotels

Visit stand TT6260

suppliers, global hotel chains and independent properties around the world. Leveraging Webjet’s existing hotel aggregation model and leading technology, the company boasts the most extensive inventory of hotel rooms on sale in the region. The content will be available to thousands of travel agencies across the Middle East, Africa and beyond and will first launch in Dubai, Kuwait and Turkey, with plans to roll out in additional markets this year. Rotana Hotels Country Director of Sales – Travel Trade Ganesh Kamath said: “Lots of Hotels will be a formidable force in the region. We are extending our wholehearted support for the benefit of our organisations.” The new business will offer customer support with its Dubai service centre open around the clock, seven days a week.

The Qatar Tourism Authority stand

Qatar builds Tourism brand on its culture Qatar is seeking to use culture as the foundation of a unique tourism offering. Although meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE) and sporting tournaments have been a more conspicuous part of Qatar’s tourism message, the tourism authority believes the combination of local heritage, vibrant urban contexts and contemporary art will help broaden the country’s appeal to its visitors. “Culture is how we’re looking to differentiate ourselves,” says Hend Zainal, Head of Marketing, Qatar Tourism Authority. “As a country, we have been able to maintain our cultural heritage and we are now building on that, celebrating it in a way that

appeals to people across the region. Doha, for instance, is now a truly cosmopolitan city with unique experiences, from traditional souks to museums.” A cornerstone of the message is the Cultural Year, created by the Qatar Museums Authority to showcase and explain modern Qatar to different audiences. In 2013, the Cultural Year is held in association with the UK and events have included theatre productions at The Globe Theatre in London and a pearl exhibition at the celebrated Victoria and Albert Museum. In September, there will be an exhibition by

artist Damien Hirst that will open in London and then be brought to Doha. “In 2012, we partnered with Japan and next year it will be Brazil. The Cultural Years are helping to promote Qatar’s product to new audiences that we feel will be receptive,” says Hend. A range of new boutique hotels in the heart of Doha is also part of creating a new and unique experience. The likes of Al Najada and Al Mirqab enable visitors to stay in luxury in the heart of the capital’s Souq Waqif, surrounded by traditional shops, sights and sounds.

Visit stand ME4210

On the Eastern horizon

VISIT US ON OUR STAND EU7330

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Arabian Travel Market and Malaysia has been a proud exhibitor at every instalment of the exhibition. Tourism Malaysia Director General Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin points out that it’s now all eyes forward to Visit Malaysia Year. Visit Malaysia Year 2014, is the fourth event of its kind for the country and Malaysian tourism authorities view Arabian Travel Market as the ideal platform to create awareness, meet with Middle Eastern tourism industry players and put into action a set of comprehensive promotional activities, which will involve visits to Oman and Kuwait once the travel exhibition concludes. In an effort to reach their target of 28 million tourists in 2014, the Visit Malaysia Year is promoting over 200 scheduled events, with highlights including Formula 1 Grand Prix and Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival. As in previous years, 2013’s Arabian Travel Market sees a strong 122-partner

The Tourism Malaysia press conference

line-up of Malaysian delegates from 80 organisations that incorporate hotels, travel agents, tourism product owners and representatives from various state governments. In addition to announcing recent attraction expansions in the region, such as Asia’s first Legoland and the redevelopment of Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Tourism Malaysia continues to acknowledge the

importance of Muslim travellers to the destination. Expanding on this, Noordin recounts: “In a survey released in January this year by Crescentrating, a Singaporebased Muslim travel consultancy, Malaysia secured the first spot as the world’s top Muslim-friendly holiday destination.” Yesterday’s press conference also saw the launch of the Destination Malaysia brochure.

Visit stand A6420, AS6620

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news

Record number of tourists for Turkey Turkey’s popularity as a holiday destination is at an all-time high. The country is set to welcome 33 million international tourists this year representing its biggest annual arrivals forecast yet, according to estimates by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB). Mehmet Önkal, Managing Partner, BDO Hospitality Consulting

said this year’s tourism crop will make the industry a key player in the nation’s economic growth with 2013 inbound tourism revenues expected to top US$25 billion. “Tourism is known to contribute to overall economic success by increasing job opportunities across a multitude of sectors, which in turn leads to increased consumer spending.

Everyone benefits, as tourism becomes a catalyst for economic growth,” said Önkal. World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) figures suggest the sector directly created more than two million jobs in Turkey last year and contributed 10.9 percent to the nation’s GDP. WTTC’s Executive Director Geoffrey Breeze said that if the growth in domestic tourism continues at around five percent each year, then by 2023 it will account for 59 percent of total GDP contribution.

Promoting Turkey at Arabian Travel Market

Visit stand EU8220

ATM_2013_D3_NEWS.indd 13

Rise of the blog The Professional Travel Bloggers Association (PTBA) is teaming up with Arabian Travel Market to help showcase leading travel bloggers around the world and encourage partnerships between them and industry members in attendance. Michael Hodson, a founding blogger of the association, will be speaking at two sessions taking place in the Google Technology Theatre: ‘Using Blogging and Social Media Effectively’ on Wednesday May 8 from 11.00 to12.00 and ‘Travel blogging: What's your perspective?‘ on Thursday May 9 from 11.00 to 12.00. Hodson will also highlight the PTBA search engine, which is ideal for helping industry members find travel bloggers to work with. The association will be providing Arabian Travel Market attendees with free access to the search engine for 30 days. The PTBA is a newly formed, non-profit association of travel bloggers from around the world and is dedicated to the advancement of travel blogging as a profession and helping bloggers and travel industry members come together.

Mövenpick reveals 10 new PROPERTIES

Andreas Mattmüller

In the midst of its 40th anniversary celebrations, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is announcing the opening of 10 new properties in the next 12 months. “Presently we have over 30 projects under development worldwide with 10 properties set to open within the next 12 months in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Thailand, the Philippines and China,”

said Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer Middle East and Asia for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. “Promoting these future and current properties remains crucially important and solidifying our association with Reed Travel Exhibitions and the Arabian Travel Market gives us access to key international partners on the travel and tourism scene with whom we share business interests.” The group will also mark a total of 10 hotels in Saudi Arabia when Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh opens in Q1 2014 with 433 rooms and suites. During the past few months the company made headway by opening its first property in Paris and extended its portfolio in Africa with properties in Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada. Mövenpick aims to operate 100 hotels by 2015.

Visit stand HC5640

07/05/2013 22:27

news

Hyatt extends its LUXURY portfolio Hyatt has revealed development plans for major properties in Saudi Arabia and France – two critically strategic markets for the US-headquartered hospitality company. Those in the pipeline for the kingdom are the 257-room, 37-suite Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya and the 628-key Hyatt Regency Mecca. “Over the past few years, demand in the luxury market in Saudi Arabia has been very strong,” said Tareq Daoud, Regional Vice President Global Sales – Middle East, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Southwest Asia. “As such, business travellers are facing challenges to reserve branded accommodation.” Across the globe in France, Hyatt’s four newly branded properties are expected to attract visitors from the Gulf for their summer holidays. “Paris and Cannes are France’s two most important cities for business and leisure travel and Nice is one of the most in-demand resort areas in the world,” said Ron Cusiter, Vice President, Sales Operations for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Southwest Asia. “We know Gulf travellers see France as an appealing destination for summer

Tareq Daoud

travel and we are delighted to deliver more of our hospitality to our guests from the region.” The newly branded hotels are: Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez (previously Hotel Martinez) located on the exclusive Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes; Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranée (formerly Palais de la Mediterranée Hotel and Casino) in the city centre with a prominent beach frontage;

and Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile (previously Concorde Lafayette), the only hotel with direct access to Palais des Congrès, the largest conference venue in Europe. Hotel du Louvre, in one of the most sought-after tourist and commercial districts in Paris, will become Andaz following a twoto three-year renovation. The new hotels add more than 1,700 rooms to Hyatt’s existing hotel portfolio in France.

Visit stand HC5450

705 million

international tourists recorded across the globe during the first eight months of 2012 Source: UNWTO report

Frontel for HospitalITY REVEALS EXPANSION PLANS Exhibiting for the first time at Arabian Travel Market, Frontel for Hospitality Inc is unveiling its Middle East expansion plans. Rushdi Sherwani, Director Brand Development, Frontel for Hospitality Inc, said: “With three new group hotels set to open

in the kingdom in the next two years, we are also accelerating our development agenda for the region. We are seeing growing interest from established markets such as the UAE, as well as from Iran and Yemen – both of which are looking for professional The Frontel for Hospitality team

Visit stand HC5478

ATM_2013_D3_NEWS.indd 14

operators to come in and help grow their hospitality base.” Sherwani revealed that the group is close to signing contracts for three properties in Pakistan either as the branded operator or on a franchise basis, having opened up negotiations for both the tallest and largest hotels in Karachi – two of the city’s most significant hospitality landmarks. In Saudi Arabia, the group will launch its first property in Madinah next year, the 1,350key Frontel Village Hotel, with a second Madinah property to follow in 2015. The company's first three-star venture, the Frontel Business Hotel will open in Jeddah in 2016 under the branding of ‘Frontel Eco’.

STRING OF NEW HOTEL OPENINGS FOR RIXOS Luxury Turkish hotel chain Rixos is planning to launch several new properties in the next few years. Rixos Quba, Azerbaijan, will open during the second half of 2013, while the Rixos Fluela Davos, the group’s first property in Western Europe, will follow at the end of the year. In addition, Rixos Bab al Bahr is expected to be open within 2013. “We want to grow in the region and strengthen our position fast,” said Basak Erel, Senior Vice President Brand Management. “We are talking to investors and developers to increase the offerings we have in the pipeline. On the construction side, we already have a presence in the UAE and we plan to build on our business gradually.” The new properties build on those launched in 2012: Rixos The Palm Dubai; Rixos Pera Istanbul; Rixos Bomonty Residence; Rixos Lake Borovoe; and Rixos Sharm El Sheikh.

“Since it was established, the Rixos Group has reported significant growth in key emerging markets, with over 20 properties across Turkey, the UAE, Croatia, Kazakhstan, the Ukraine, Georgia, Libya and Egypt in operation,” said Erel. “It’s predicted that the company will double its size over the coming years, with projects in Azerbaijan,

Switzerland, Russia and other locations in the Middle East.” Rixos’ properties are located in carefully chosen historic locations and are designed to offer the best of new and traditional features. The hotels offer a tailormade service with a private butler and concierge. Every Rixos hotel also has a Wellness and Spa Centre with an authentic Turkish hammam.

Rixos at Arabian Travel Market

Visit stand UAE3210, NA1110, UAE2410

SWISS' ONLINE SALES BOOM Online travel bookings are proving popular among residents in the UAE with Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) registering an increase of 21 percent in revenue from tickets purchased in 2012 – a growth of 34 percent on 2011. With the popularity of online reservations projected to grow further, SWISS has expanded the range of services and options it offers on its website. A new ‘guaranteed reservation’ option now offers users the opportunity to keep a provisional

reservation open for 48 to 72 hours at a guaranteed fare before cancelling or confirming the booking. The new service is available for any flight with a SWISS flight number and for all passengers within the reservation concerned. “More and more customers are realising the convenience of booking their flights online,” said Hazel Saldanha, SWISS Marketing, Public and Customer Relations Manager for the UAE and the Gulf. “As such,

our passengers from the UAE will be pleased with our new expanded service for online booking as it provides further flexibility, leaving them plenty of room to decide on a specific flight booking as well as assurance on price. SWISS customers can also now also book ‘open-jaw’ flights online, which allows them to fly to one destination and return from another, or embark on a journey with one or more stops.

The SWISS stand

Visit stand EU7420

07/05/2013 22:30

news

CATERING FOR CORPORATES ABIDOS’ EUROPEAN UNION The JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City is highlighting its strength in catering for corporate business at Arabian Travel Market following its recent award win of ‘Best Business Hotel in Kuwait City’. The

hotel boasts a central location in the heart of the business and downtown commercial district, just 15 minutes from Kuwait International Airport. Its facilities are exemplary with a dedicated executive floor Entertainment courtesy of Kuwait

Visit stand ME4410

featuring a guest reception and executive lounge for business travellers. On the first floor, the Al Jahra Ballroom can be divided into five separate sections to accommodate up to 500 people in total. The Al Thuraya Ballroom, which takes up the 16th floor, can house up to 550 guests and is divisible into four separate sections with an exclusive pre-function area and a vast foyer. Four elegantly appointed meeting rooms offer flexible layout options for small to large groups. Numerous dining options are available, including sumptuous buffets at the all-day La Brasserie restaurant, certified US Angus beef and seafood delights at Terrace Grill, Japanese specials at Kei restaurant and Tuscany-inspired cuisine at the Café Royal. The 15th floor panoramic Elite Health Club provides a serene space to work out or unwind. In addition, the property is directly connected to the luxurious Salhia Shopping Mall.

Aamir Pervez

Abidos Hotels announced a new European partnership at Arabian Travel Market yesterday (May 7). The Dubaibased group has joined forces with Poland’s Zbyszko Hotels to take over the running of two of the firm’s flagship properties. Equipped with world-class facilities, the hotels are located just two hours from Warsaw, close to the forest of Kurpie which is a tourist attraction known for its rich natural

reserves. The properties offer 80 keys and are undergoing expansion to double the number of units by the end of 2014. “These hotels are truly exceptional and are the perfect addition to our growing portfolio. We have the necessary resources and network to expand our portfolio and are eager to be a top player in the local hospitality

sector with a select presence in the global arena,” said Aamir Pervez, Group General Manager, Abidos Hotels. Welcoming the new partnership, Zbigniew Karwowski, Owner and Chairman of Zbyszko Hotels, said: “We are proud to be the first one in Europe to flag our properties as Abidos Hotels. We are confident this great partnership will open a world of opportunities for our respective groups and will be instrumental in driving tourism from this part of the world to Poland and vice versa.” The announcement comes as Abidos Hotels also rolled out its expansion strategy at Arabian Travel Market, announcing plans to increase its number of hotel to 20 by 2017. Four to five additional projects are to be announced before the end of the year, including a 900-unit property in Dubailand that is currently under negotiation.

Visit stand HC5170

It’s place to lose oneself among breathtaking scenery and natural wonders and nd what you’re really made of in the countless of challenging activities that promise fun and excitement. It’s a place that oﬀers abundant opportunities to enjoy and be one with nature.

visit us at Indonesian Booth No. AS6550

ATM_2013_D3_NEWS.indd 15

07/05/2013 22:33

news

Azerbaijan tourism website launches With an aim to capture a larger slice of the Middle East's outbound tourist market, Azerbaijan is introducing its new website, OurAzerbaijan.com, at Arabian Travel Market. Available in English and Arabic, the website is run by Dubai-based Atlantis Holidays, which represents the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Users can search for information on everything from major tourism attractions to accommodation and more.

Rashid Al Noori, CEO of Atlantis Holidays, said: “We know how incredible a destination can look in a magazine and online and that, for many aspiring travellers, it’s what may inspire a booking for their next holiday. Reading about it in a magazine and online may be the next best thing, but nothing brings the sights and sounds of the Gem of the Caucasus to life as much as being there in person.” The Azerbaijan stand

Visit stand EU7365

ATM_2013_D3_NEWS.indd 16

Seeking Fortune Fortune Group of Hotels is promoting its 2012 acquisition of the Lotus Boutique Dubai and its subsequent relaunch as the four-star Fortune Boutique Hotel at Arabian Travel Market. Blending modern luxury with boutique style, the property prides itself on its trendy rooms and food and beverage outlets. Located at Burj Nahar in Deira, a few minutes away from the Gold Souk, Lotus Boutique Dubai has easy access to the city’s business districts, shopping malls and beaches. Praveen Shetty, Group Founder and Chairman, said: “Personalised service, varied entertainment and more value for money has always been the core of our business and we intend to continue that tradition by bringing our strongest food and beverage brands to Fortune Boutique Hotel.“ The hotel offers 80 guest rooms and four restaurants and bars. Live entertainment is provided in all four establishments. Fortune Group of Hotels is a privately owned hotel company and one of the fastest-growing hospitality groups in the region. Visit stand HC5585

Hungary pinpoints niche A new marketing focus from the Hungarian National Tourist Office is expected to encourage the continuing growth of visitors from the Middle East to Hungary in 2013. As part of its tourism development strategy, Hungarian Tourism, the national body responsible for the international promotion of Hungary, is targeting niche consumer segments such as health tourism and business tourism which includes meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. Travel packages are also key, as well as highlighting the capital city Budapest and the areas surrounding Lake Balaton. “The Middle East market has been a growing and increasingly important source market of visitors to Hungary over the last couple of years and we see positive signs to suggest that this trend will continue,“ said Marianna Tóth Denéné, CEO of Hungarian Tourism. “We expect a further increase in visitors from the region in 2013.“ Hungarian Tourism has worked hard to engage the regional travel trade, airlines and agents in its efforts to stimulate tourism,

Abidos Hotels

Hungary at Arabian Travel Market

with the destination’s variety of attractions and value for money appealing to business and leisure travellers alike. Within the health tourism sector, cosmetic procedures at the country’s numerous clinics and hospitals are being promoted alongside Hungary’s traditional medicinal water therapies and

spas. For business travellers, the spotlight is on infrastructure and Hungarian hospitality. Leisure tourists are being directed towards Budapest’s historical landmarks and luxury hotels and the Lake Balaton district, Europe’s largest freshwater lake, is being spotlighted as a leading holiday destination.

Visit stand EU7450

07/05/2013 21:52

SEMINAR & DEBATE | PROGRAMME

ATM SEMINAR SCHEDULE 2013 THIS YEAR’S FREE-TO-ATTEND EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR PROGRAMME COVERS A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS AND FEATURES A DIVERSE RANGE OF HIGH–PROFILE SPEAKERS

Seminars take place in the Seminar Theatre – Hall 1 WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 11.00 – 12.00

12.15 – 13.15

13.30 – 14.30

Taking the right angle of approach A dynamic line-up of professionals from the golfing industry talks trends. Speakers: Chris Card, Group General Manager, Troon Golf Abu Dhabi; Stephen Deane, Head Academy PGA Professional, Emirates Golf Club Dubai Moderator: Eleni Henderson, Editor, TTG MENA Selling to niche segments (outbound) This panel discusses the opportunities to sell niche travel experiences. Speakers: Ron Steyers, Co-Founder and Manager, Real Expeditions; Jacqueline Campbell, Managing Director, Travel Collection; Mark Allvey, Vice President, The Set Hotels; Dina Al Herais, Vice President, Emirates Holidays; Ian Stazicker, Tourism Director, Chic Outlet Shopping by Value Retail Moderator: Charmaine Fernz, Editor, Travel Daily Middle East

16.00 – 17.00

11.00 – 12.00

Using blogging and social media effectively Keynote speaker: Michael Hodson, Travel Blogger, GoSeeWrite.com

12.15 – 13.15

Technologies to enhance customer experience and loyalty in the travel and hospitality sector Speakers: Dr Des O'Mahony, CEO and Founder, Bookassist; Paschal Nee, Consulting Director and Co-Founder, Mobile Travel Technologies (MTT); Matthew Maxwell, CEO, Guest IQ

15.00 – 18.00

Google Think Travel An invite-only session on the latest travel industry trends and digital innovations. Speakers: Mohamad Mourad, Regional Manager Gulf, Google; Dr Bernd Fauser, Global Head of Travel Top Accounts at Google; Maciek Nowakowski, Product Manager for Google Hotel Finder, Google; Marie de Ducla, Industry Head Travel – Gulf; Edouard Mailfait, Top Account Mobile Lead, Google; Nigel Huddleston, Industry Head of Travel – UK, Google Algonso de Gaetano, Industry Head - Gulf Region, Google, Subramanya Sharma, CMO, Cleartrip

THURSDAY 9 MAY 11.00 – 12.00

Travel blogging – What's your perspective? Speakers: Victoria Pearce, International New Business Manager, Think!SocialMedia. Moderator: Michael Hodson, Travel Blogger, GoSeeWrite.com

12.15 – 13.15

Using Arabic online Speaker. Joe Akkawi, Owner, PAZ Marketing & Bambinoz Middle East, Byron Koller, Digital Marketing Director, Cobone.com, Mo Elzubeir, Managing Director, Mediastow Moderator: Shamim Kassibawi, PR Consultant & Video Blogger, Fikra

Looking to the skies. Global aviation trends 2013 – 2023

13.30 – 14.30

Tech showcase – Back by popular demand. Using the GDS to make big bucks Speakers: Assita Kone, Hospitality Business Development Manager, Travelport. Ahmed Youseef, Regional Director, Marketing & Operations Middle East & North Africa, Amadeus IT Group SA; Darren Wickham, Managing Director, Sabre Travel Network Moderator: Kim Thomson, Publishing Director, TTN

14.45 – 15.45

Announcing the prize-winners and drawing the winners of the Travel Agent Programme Passport Competition.

THURSDAY 9 MAY Storming to performing...Getting teams to work together This seminar looks at ways to build effective, motivated teams. Speakers: Hatem Gasmi, Managing Director, Auris Hotels, Mark Lee, General Manager, Media One Hotel, Michael R. Payne, General Manager, One&Only The Palm, Rupprecht Queitsch, General Manager, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai Moderator: Lynne Bellinger, Managing Director – UAE, Purple Cubed 12.15 – 13.15

WEDNESDAY 8 MAY

Is home-working for you? The home-working trend that has taken off worldwide is now about to take the UAE by storm. Speakers: Debbie Duncan–Studart, Travel Counsellor, Travel Counsellors; Leo Fewtrell, General Manager, DTTAG/Gulf Reps; Malcolm Hingley, Sales Director, Travel Counsellors; Harvey Lines, Travel Counsellor, Travel Counsellors Moderator: Gemma Greenwood, Freelance Journalist

A look at future aviation, examining the key trends and industry outlooks based on empirical evidence and facts. Keynote speaker: Sunil Malhotra, Director – Aviation Sector, MENA, Ernst & Young

11.00 – 12.00

All seminars take place in the Google Technology Theatre, Sheikh Saeed Hall 1

Assessing the Middle East online travel opportunity In this session, PhoCusWright presents the results of a landmark research project, sharing key data and analysis of the Middle East travel market. Speakers: Mona Faraj, Research Analyst – Middle East, PhoCusWright Inc Moderator: Florence Kaci, Director, Sales, EMEA and European Market Specialist, PhoCusWright Inc

14.45 – 15.45

Technology Theatre

Rising stars As part of the Careers Day programme, Arabian Travel Market talks to rising stars from the travel, hotel and hospitality sector. Speakers: Lamia Al Ansi, Contracts Manager, Oman Tourism Development SAOC – OMRAN; Rashid Alawadi, Retail Travel Manager, dnata; Madiya Bin Hadi, Operations Manager, Arabian Adventures; Elie Milky, Director of Business Development MENA, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group; Christophe Mousset, Hotel Manager, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Moderator: Phil Blizzard, Broadcaster, ameinfo.com

Destination Briefings Join Lonely Planet Traveller Middle East to discover Europe's next travel hot spots. Discover new destinations within the region and find out what new activities await travellers with a bit of insider knowledge. All sessions are taking place in the Google Café, Sheikh Saeed Arena. WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 11.00 – 12.00 15.00 – 16.00

Destination Europe. Opening up Eastern Europe. New destinations. New routes Destination Asia Pacific. The rise of eco-tourism and the different experiences that brands are offering

THURSDAY 9 MAY 13.30 – 14.30

NTOs vs Travel Agents NTOs are getting increasingly frustrated with travel agencies’ “lack of cooperation”. Arabian Travel Market gets the two parties together to battle out issues and to forge a path forward for better co-operation. Speakers: Leo Fewtrell, General Manager, DTTAG/Gulf Reps; Bill Horsley, General Manager, Al Futtaim Travel Management Company; Karim Mekachera, Director Middle East & Turkey Regional Office, Atout France Dubai; Maheen Mohamed, General Manager, Nasser Air Travel (NASA); Sai Rattan, Senior General Manager UAE, SNTTA; Vassilis Theocharides, Director, Cyprus Tourism Organisation Moderator: Gemma Greenwood, Freelance Journalist

14.45 – 15.45

What’s your company value? Fostering values in employees and companies Whether people admit it or not, everyone has personal values – the guiding principles by which they live their lives – and the same applies to companies. Moderator: Lynne Bellinger, Managing Director – UAE, Purple Cubed ,Patrick Antaki, Complex General Manager, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort & Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Caron Jones, Independent HR Consultant, CJHR, Julie Spring, Independent HR consultant & Business Coach, Formerly HRD & board member for Pizza Express UK

13.30 – 14.30

Destination Africa. The development of the East Coast for luxury tourism

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SHOPPING | FOCUS

The world’s next fashion capital? Home to numerous sprawling malls, with many more in development, the UAE is squaring up to the world’s most high-profile shopping destinations and the benefits for the tourism and hospitality sector are tremendous, says michelle meineke

The Dubai Mall

New York, Paris, Milan, London and now the UAE? With its expansive mega-malls and proliferation of luxury brands, the region is earning its stripes as one of the most sought-after cities among shopping enthusiasts. Dubai has long led the way when it comes to shopping facilities and is already home to five of the region’s largest shopping malls, namely The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Al Ghurair Centre, BurJuman Centre and Deira City Centre. Now, with the Mohammed bin Rashid City in Dubai in development, the destination’s retail credentials are set to receive a further boost. The ambitious project, which will span an area 30 percent larger than London’s Hyde Park, will contain the world’s largest mall, golf courses and more than 100 hotels. A timetable is yet to be penned, although it is anticipated that, once complete, Mohammed bin Rashid City’s Mall of the World will have the capacity to handle 80 million visitors a year. “The current facilities available in Dubai need to be scaled up in line with the future ambitions for the city,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when detailing the plans for the development last November. “Therefore, we have to start work immediately on the third phase of development that is aligned to our 2030 Vision and boost the UAE economy to enable it to enter a new era in which it will become the

capital of entrepreneurship, arts, culture and family tourism for over two billion people.” Accessibility is pivotal. Hence, a AED28.8 billion (US$7.8 billion) expansion of Dubai International Airport, currently the world’s third busiest airport with 75 million passengers per year, will boost capacity to 90 million passengers annually in the next five years. Where weary shoppers will rest their heads presents hoteliers with a valuable opportunity. The importance of retail for Dubai’s hospitality sector is already evident, with 48 percent of the emirate’s hotels within two kilometres of a mega-mall, according to research by Reed Travel Exhibitions. When the Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Festival City and The Dubai Mall opened between 2005 and 2008, the number of local hotels soared by 40 percent to 519. Between 2007 and 2008, hotel stock grew by 17 percent alone. The Address Hotels + Resorts is just one example of a hotel brand that has strategically positioned itself to appeal to visitors with shopping in mind. The Address Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai is attached to The Dubai Mall and its services include a personal fashion adviser for all in-house guests. Similarly, The Address Dubai Marina links directly to the stylish Dubai Marina Mall making it the perfect location for those who want to blend activities on the water with a touch of retail therapy. TI’ME Hotels is targeting shopping visitors with special packages. “With all our hotel apartments in close proximity to

Yas Mall, Yas Island

A timetable is yet to be penned, although it is anticipated that, once complete, Mohammed bin Rashid City’s Mall of the World will have the capacity to handle 80 million visitors a year major shopping malls, the retail sector is very important to us. We have created permanent weekend shopping packages targeting GCC visitors,” said Mohamed Awadalla, Area Vice President of TI’ME Hotels. Hoteliers’ confidence in the tourism draw of mega-malls is justified. The Dubai Mall, currently the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, has flourished since opening in 2008 with more than 65 million visitors in 2012, rising 20 percent on the 54 million visitors in 2011. To put that in perspective, it is more than the annual 52 million tourists visiting New York City.

Featuring over 1,200 shops, The Dubai Mall also stands out for its entertainment attractions such as The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, SEGA Republic and the Dubai Ice Rink. In addition, it houses the entry point for At the Top, the observation deck in the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa. However, owner Emaar Properties is not resting on its laurels and there is currently a 13 million-square-foot expansion project underway. A highlight of the development is a boulevard featuring leafy walkways and water features as well as a strip of premium stores from international brands.

The Galleria, Sowwah Square

Capital attractions Neighbouring Abu Dhabi is fast emerging as a contender to Dubai with a wave of new malls opening in recent months and more in the pipeline. Home to more than 36 high-end brands, Avenue at Etihad Towers is the first mall dedicated entirely to luxury in the UAE capital. “The capital continues to grow as an international luxury shopping destination,” said Richard Foulds, Property Manager, Avenue at Etihad Towers. “Not only is the demand for high-end shopping among Abu Dhabi residents extremely strong, but the city’s visitor market is rapidly expanding with increasing numbers of travellers from Russia, China, India, the US and certain parts of Europe who are known for their love of luxury brands.” The mall houses A. Lange & Söhne’s first Middle East boutique alongside numerous other debut brands, including Breguet, Givenchy, Guiseppe Zanotti, Lanvin, Manolo Blahnik, Roger Dubuis, Salvatore Ferragamo and Tom Ford, to name just a few. More designers are set to put their stamps on the emirate within the Galleria at Sowwah Square, which is expected to open later this year. Located on Al Maryah Island, this new retail complex will add another dimension to the UAE capital’s retail scene and will be directly connected to Rosewood Abu Dhabi. “We have created a dynamic, sophisticated and architecturally significant place for visitors to shop, eat and

enjoy panoramic views of the city,” said Kenneth A Himmel, Co-Managing Partner of Galleria development firm Gulf Related. “The Galleria will feature a prestigious mix of luxury to mid-market retailers alongside chef-driven restaurants and cafés along the waterfront.” On Saadiyat Island, the island’s first retail complex, The Collection, is opening soon. In addition, in Al Bahia, The Deerfields Town Square mall will boast around 80,000 square metres of retail, food and beverage space with family entertainment. Aldar’s Yas Mall on Yas Island will be Abu Dhabi’s largest shopping mall when it opens its doors next year, with over 450 leading local and international brands, while Aldar’s The Mall at the World Trade Centre is expected to open in the third quarter. As Sami Eid, Head of Marketing and Communications at Aldar, says: “With Aldar’s largescale retail offerings of Yas Mall as well as The Mall at World Trade Centre moving closer to completion, along with a number of other retail developments across the emirate, the next 12 months are going to move Abu Dhabi’s retail operations onto a whole new level.”

Stylish stays Of the 387 hotels and 188 hotel apartments registered by the Dubai Government Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) at the end of 2011, 48 percent are within two kilometres of one of Dubai’s five megamalls. Here's a rundown of accommodation surrounding the retail emporiums: • Dubai Mall: 19 hotels/hotel apartments (nine five-star hotels and five four-star hotels) • Mall of the Emirates: 37 hotels/hotel apartments (nine five-star, five four-star) • Al Ghurair Shopping Centre: 16 hotels/hotel apartments (three five-star and six four-star) • BurJuman Shopping Centre: 131 hotels/hotel apartments (six five-star and 18 four-star) • Deira City Centre: 73 hotels/ hotel apartments (eight fivestar and 21 four-star hotels) Source: booking.com

Al Faisaliah Resort & Spa, Durrat Arriyadh

Building the future... inspired by the past

Al Shohada Hotel, Makkah

Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina, King Abdullah Economic City

Al Faisaliah Center, Riyadh

Al Faisaliah Hotel, Madinah Al Khozama managed portfolio

Experience, diversity and powerful business partners Since 1995, Al Khozama Management Company has been at the forefront of commercial property management and development across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our diverse portfolio includes some of the country’s most iconic hospitality, retail and mixed-use complexes. This constant innovation comes from a fundamental belief in quality, exceptional service and insight into the needs of tomorrow’s consumers – as well as the steadfast support of our business partners. Al Khozama is committed to the future of the country and region. We’ll continue to create groundbreaking Middle Eastern environments, where communities, business and tourism can thrive in unrivalled surroundings.

Visit us at ATM Dubai, Stand Number HC 5260, Sheikh Saeed Arena. OWNERSHIP AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT · HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT · RETAIL MANAGEMENT · INVESTMENT P.O. Box 4148, Riyadh 11491, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. T: +966.1.273.0005/6 F: +966.1.273.0001

RACING | FOCUS

MOTOR SPORTS ON THE GRID already Attracting VISITORS IN THEIR DROVES, RACING CIRCUITS in the uae are in pole position to fuel further increases in business and leisure TOURISM, THROUGH HIGH-PROFILE EVENTS AND ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES

of the ordinary hotel meeting room into something really different, giving business a fresh touch. Hold a corporate event here and you have the marina on one side and the circuit on the other.” Along the coastline, the Dubai Autodrome offers a multitude of race-day and team-building experiences, attracting visitors from around the world. The 5.39-kilometre circuit has been designed with a combination of high-speed straights and technical corners, making it a particularly challenging track. It also contains six different configurations designed to allow three racing circuits to operate simultaneously and

DUBAILAND stand

Home of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it is only natural that the UAE has become a racing hub in the region. In the three years since the inaugural F1 race in the UAE capital, the motor sport industry has grown in leaps and bounds. The F1 Abu Dhabi grand prix in November 2012 sold 50,000 tickets, attracted thousands more visitors to the capital and was televised across almost 200 countries, with over 50 million people tuning in to watch the races live. Riding on this success, racing circuits in the emirates are pulling out all the stops to capitalise on the sport as an all-year-round tourist draw. “Motor sport is one of the most exciting sports in the world for both spectators and competitors. The history and excitement attracts people by the millions all wanting to get behind the wheel to experience the true thrill of driving on a race track,” said Anthony Prophet, Race and Drive, Corporate and Group Event Enquiries, Dubai Autodrome. Visitors to the UAE have plenty of opportunity to partake in racing-themed activities. The famous Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is considered one of the most technologically advanced circuits in the world. It is also the only one that has a hotel – Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi – straddling the track. As well as hosting annual mega-event, the F1, Yas Marina Circuit provides driving experiences and lessons for

all skill levels. The ultimate ambition is to have a UAE national compete in F1 within 10 years. Adventure seekers who want to do more than just watch can get involved at Yas Racing School, which offers a selection of half- and full-day driving packages. These range from an entry-level Rookie & Teaser Package offering guests a sample of the racing experience, to the Yas Premium Package, which includes test drives of several vehicles including a Formula Yas 3000 and Aston Martin GT4, plus activities and personalised instruction and briefings from an instructor. Karting and drifting are also on offer and the school tailors packages especially for corporate groups. Even though Yas Marina Circuit hosts the biggest spectator sporting event in the UAE, it obtains most of its business from corporate events. Boasting a number of distinctive venues that can host groups of up to 800, including the 1,200-square-metre Media Centre, the circuit can be used for a range of purposes from conferences and banquets in the Paddock Club, to VIP events in the three-storey Paddock Team Villas. Event planners looking for a truly unique venue can even hire one or all of the 36 Paddock Garages. Asli Plail, MICE Product Manager, Yas Marina Circuit, said: “Most of our business comes from the corporate world – about 80 to 90 percent. We offer a meeting space with a twist so it takes delegates out

to Dubai. From our two karting facilities to our world-renowned Race School, we put you behind the wheel. We have a fleet of single-seater formula cars, which are one of the most popular ways to fulfil the motor sport ambition. Slick tyres, wings and the groundlevel cockpit offer the driver a real motor sport experience. We also have a range of supercar driving experience options from our Audi fleet from the TT to the R8 V10.” For those who would rather observe than partake, Dubai Autodrome Motorsports Club (DAMC) hosts several contests throughout the year which attract driving teams and spectators. The competitions include the UAE GT Championship, the UAE

Visitors have plenty of opportunity to partake in the sport in the UAE. The famous Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island is considered one of the most technologically advanced circuits in the world Yas Marina Circuit

Yas Marina Circuit

independently from each other. There’s also a popular Kartdrome with indoor and outdoor tracks. In addition, the whole venue – which is part of Union Properties Motorcity in Dubailand – can be hired out for large-scale events accommodating up to 15,000 people. Prophet said: “To drive on a circuit certified to the highest global standard on a daily basis is truly a dream. We offer guests of the Race School a glimpse into the world of motor sport with them behind the wheel and the team and I on hand to offer any assistance to improve their circuit driving. “Dubai Autodrome is a very popular destination for visitors

Touring Car Championship and the UAE Sportbike Championship, which take place on weekends between October and April. “The race championships in Dubai and the wider region are growing at a very encouraging rate, bringing more people into this sport here in Dubai. The winter weather also offers the European teams and drivers an opportunity to continue racing during their off season,” Prophet adds, confirming that unlike many of the world’s key racing locations, the UAE can offer motor racing all year round.

For more information, visit Yas Island at stand UAE2210 and DUBAILAND at stand UAE3340.

NETWORKING | SOCIAL

licensed to thrill guests enjoyed a JAMES bond-themed arabian travel market party held at mĂ&#x2013;venpick hotel ibn battuta gate. FOR your eyes only...

1. Jamal R. Al-Nahas, Natalia Zubareva and Efran El-Hamad 2. Virginie Ludmer, Roziani Zuljifli, Fiona Ashton, Lise Esser and Aimee Stevens 3. Irina Malgoire and Maria Badakh 4. Sylvia Zhao, Jessie King, Pan Wei, David Yu and Ryan Sun

SOCIAL | NETWORKING

8 1

5. Eissa Mohammed, Syed Irfan and Suhail Abubakar Amodi 6. Jem Dudvou, Pete Rawlins, Joe Rawlins and Gavin Bleakley 7. Lishko Olga 8. Ludivine Soenmez and Majed Aridi

GOOGLE | TECHNOLOGY

Get tech Savvy with Google Internet giant Google is teaming up with Arabian Travel Market for the first time this year with Googlers flying in from around the globe to share insights into the latest market trends

Marie de Ducla

The invite-only ‘Google Think Travel’ event taking place today in the Technology Theatre will reveal the results of a special Googlecommissioned IPSOS survey into the internet travel habits of both business and leisure travellers. The half-day experience will deliver up-to-the-minute industry data with responses to be collected and analysed right up until the moment it is revealed. Marie de Ducla, Travel Industry Manager for Google in MENA, says that one of Google’s 10 corporate philosophies is to “focus on the user and all else will follow” and the survey into travel habits is being conducted with that in mind. “We chose to survey a wide demographic of people in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as the largest markets in the region,” she says. “We did this over the phone in the UAE and face to face in Saudi Arabia to avoid bias. If we had done it via the Internet or email, there would be bias, as people would already be online.” De Ducla urges all those invited to attend. “If you are in the travel sector in the Middle East and you want to gain insight into what people in the two largest markets think, you need to hear the results of the survey.” Google's Gulf Regional Manager Mohamad Mourad will be co-presenting the findings, which are expected to bring up some interesting data about how regional travellers make decisions when it comes to travel and purchase behaviour.

“We want to help users plan their flights and hotels with just a few clicks” Snapshots of such behaviour can be drawn from a regional Google survey conducted in 2012 into what people search for when looking for travel products online. The results showed that some 96 percent of those conducting travel-related searches in the UAE do so by brand. “People will not just search for ‘business flight’, they will search for ‘Emirates flight’,” explains de Ducla. “This contrasts with the UK, for example, where only around half of searches are by brand.” In addition, in Saudi Arabia, 80 percent of searches are conducted in Arabic. “Many companies here feel having a website in English is enough. Clearly, it is not,” she says.

Tapping the digital market As well as launching the IPSOS study’s results, the ‘Google Think Travel’ day’s series of seminars sees a variety of Google executives flying in to impart their insights: Nigel Huddleston, Google's Industry Head for Travel in the UK; Dr Bernd Fauser, Global Travel Accounts Director; Maciek Nowakowski, Google Travel Product Specialist; and Edouard Mailfait, Mobile Travel Expert. Each will be discussing a topical issue, from using the web for travel decisions to how travel brands can drive engagement and increase their brand awareness online.

De Ducla also reveals that the latest iterations of Google Hotel Finder and Flight Search will be unveiled directly from the product managers. With mobile penetration in the Middle East and North Africa among the highest in the world at 87 percent and more than 178 percent in the GCC in 2012, according to the World Cellular Information Service, there is huge potential in the region to harness this technology. According to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, there are 153.8 mobile devices per 100 people in the UAE, meaning that two out of every three people in the The Google Technology Theatre

UAE own two or more mobile devices or tablets. Another study by Our Mobile Planet has shown that, in countries such as the UAE, 71 percent of users access the Internet on a daily basis via their smartphones, while the majority never leaves home without a mobile device. “Studies also indicate that 27 percent of personal travellers and 51 percent of business travellers use mobile devices to access travel information – both numbers are up by around 10 percent over last year,” says de Ducla. “The travel team's overall goal is to improve the user experience and get users quickly to the information that best answers their travelrelated queries – through all five phases of their journey (dreaming, researching, booking, experiencing and sharing). We want to help users plan their flights and hotels with just a few clicks. And it’s needed: research shows that nearly 50 percent of travellers dropped off at some point before booking, or while researching, because the process took too long.” The presentations from Google will demonstrate the many tools available to help people make quick and educated decisions regarding all aspects of travel. At the same time, it will provide airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and other tourismrelated businesses with the tools to promote themselves to these prospective travellers. Google is also presenting small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a chance to take part in learning sessions on how to best utilise the Internet. “The Google café is aimed at helping SMEs in the region to understand the building blocks of making a good web presence, how they can best use the web and how to invest time and money properly,” says de Ducla. “Most travel businesses know it’s important to be online, but many wonder where to start.” “We are investing in the region and Arabian Travel Market is a great opportunity for Google to reach out to the regional and global travel sector. It’s a great time for the market, for the Internet, for technology and also for the travel business.”

Timetable The Google Think Travel event is an invitation-only seminar Google Think Travel Event May 8, 2013, 15.00 – 18.00 Technology Theatre Language: English 15.00 – 15.30 Opening Address Introduction and overview of the MENA market. Sharing the findings of the Googlecommissioned research study conducted by IPSOS and revealing how travellers in MENA make decisions Speakers: Mohamad Mourad, Regional Manager Gulf, Google; Marie de Ducla, Industry Head, Travel – Gulf, Google 15.30 – 15.50 UK Focus The UK Travel Market is the largest feeder market for the MENA region. Discover user behaviours, online user trends and key facts to help you tap into this important market Speaker: Nigel Huddleston, Industry Head, Travel, Google 15.50 – 16.20 Worldwide Vision The Google perspective on worldwide travel trends and how to stay ahead Speaker: Dr Bernd Fauser, Global Head of Travel Top Accounts, Google 16.20 – 16.35 Break 16.35 – 16.55 Product Demo Discover the latest Google product: a demo of a new flight search and hotel finder online tool Speaker: Maciek Nowakowski, Product Manager for Google Hotel Finder, Google 16.55 – 17.15 Mobile Focus Is ‘mobile’ the future for travel marketing? Find out its full value Speakers: Edouard Mailfait, Top Account Mobile Lead, Google; Subramanya Sharma, CMO, Cleartrip 17.15 – 17.45 Social Branding Online Inspiring travel brands in a multiscreen and alwaysconnected world Speaker: Alfonso de Gaetamo, Industry Head, Gulf Region, Google 17.45 – 18.00 Closing Address

NORTHERN EMIRATES | Focus

Rising stars of the north Standing out as an appealing destination when your neighbours are Dubai and Abu Dhabi could be considered a challenge. Imogen Lillywhite looks at how the northern emirates are making the most of their natural beauty and cultural heritage to win a place on travellers‘ ‘must-see‘ lists

Ras Al-Khaimah

Sitting north of their flashier cousins are the emirates of Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Fujairah. Far from loitering in the shadows of eminent projects such as Burj Khalifa and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, these emirates are cashing in on the opportunity to grab a slice of the UAE visitor market by enticing tourists to come and explore the diverse landscape. Tourism in the northern emirates is clearly on the increase, according to the latest statistics. RAK smashed its target of welcoming one million visitors in 2012, receiving 1,105,191, representing a huge increase on 835,200 in 2011. The upswing has continued so far this year with 194,983 people visiting in January and February combined. Domestic tourism forms the largest share of RAK‘s visitor market, with 27 percent of people travelling to the emirate from within the UAE. The next largest source market is Germany, which comprised 26 percent of all visitors to RAK in 2012, followed by 15 percent from Russia. Other key markets are the Czech Republic and the Ukraine. The emirate‘s success in attracting Europeans can partly be attributed to a commitment RAK made in 2011 to spend US$500 million on tourism development by the end of 2013, which appears to be paying off. Currently, the emirate has four new hotel projects in development, all due to open in 2013, adding a further 1,561 rooms to its inventory.

Ajman Fort

Victor Louis, Chief Operating Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, summarised the rise of RAK, which has attracted international hotel brands including Hilton, Banyan Tree and Cove Rotana. “Ras Al Khaimah‘s tourism sector has grown dramatically in recent years, with an influx of major international brands opening affordable luxury beach resorts and city hotels to accommodate the growing number of holidaymakers attracted to the region‘s temperate climate, beautiful landscapes and outdoor lifestyle,“ he said. New charter flights from Germany and Sweden to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport have also contributed to growth, providing a tourist revenue boost of US$159 million (AED584 million). Louis added: “Accessibility to the emirate has been a key factor in the growth of its tourism sector. Ras Al Khaimah is just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport, making it an attractive and accessible destination for both local and international travellers and thus flights to Ras Al Khaimah Airport are increasing.“ Fujairah is also seeing an increase in tourism with 501,197 visitors in 2012 up from 406,453 in 2011, according to the Fujairah Statistical Yearbook published by the Government of Fujairah. Its location facing east to the Arabian Sea makes it a key diving destination and several first-class hotels have

established themselves in prime position along the seafront, including the Hilton Fujairah Resort and Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort among others. A backdrop of craggy mountains adds an appeal that other emirates can‘t offer. In order to further develop its tourism product, each of the northern emirates needs to better understand where its visitors are coming from and so, in 2012 the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority (FTAA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fujairah Centre for Statistics to exchange information and data on projects related to tourism and

heritage in the emirate. Once figures are in place, Fujairah will be better positioned to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy and promote its selling points, such as its nature, antiquities and monuments. Sharjah, which is carving itself a niche as a cultural centre of Islam and Arabic heritage, welcomed 1.7 million people last year – the largest number of all the northern emirates. Of the visitors to Sharjah, 36 percent were from the Gulf states and 36 percent from Europe. Increasing numbers are visiting from Asia too, according to HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce

Sharjah welcomed 1.7 million people in 2012 – the largest number of all the northern emirates Qur'an Memorial, Sharjah

and Tourism Development Authority. The emirate has been busy promoting itself at several travel exhibitions worldwide and at marketing events such as the Sharjah Light Festival and Sharjah Water Festival. Directly north of Dubai, bustling Sharjah is not standing still in terms of development, with four new prestigious hotel projects underway. Construction has begun on the Chedi Khorfakken Luxury Resort and an ambitious eco-tourism project at Kalba was announced last year. The Oceanic Hotel at Khorfakken (a pocket of Sharjah territory over near the east coast) is another new project currently nearing completion and a large-scale five-star hotel and heritage development project, Bait Al Naboudah, which forms part of the Heart of Sharjah, has been unveiled by Shurooq. Al Noman regards the northern emirates‘ proximity to Dubai and Abu Dhabi as an advantage rather than a challenge, which they utilise to raise awareness of what they have to offer. “Each emirate has its own distinct tourism profile and no one is facing any challenges from anyone,“ he said. “Sharjah‘s celebration of Arab and Islamic heritage and culture and its unique social and cultural approach to tourism has helped it establish itself on the global tourism map. This is why it was recognised as the Cultural Capital of the Arab world by UNESCO in 1998 and recently as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2015 by Arab tourism ministers and as the Islamic Cultural Capital for 2014 by the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation nations.“ Ajman, the smallest of the seven emirates, does not yet have recorded statistics on the number of visitors, but they are currently being compiled. The Ajman Tourism Development Department was established just three months ago and the Ajman Culture and Media Department just six months ago. At present, there are 35 hotels and three new five-star resorts are in development. Related business means that 181 companies and agencies catering to tourists have also

been established. Ajman is an emirate in the early stages of exploiting its potential income from tourism and is currently in the process of instigating a classification system to ensure its tourist establishments are in line with international standards with an emphasis on quality. While it has previously been the case that hotels could simply brand themselves as four-star or five-star, soon they must undergo inspections and meet government standards to do so. Faisal Ahmed Al-Nuaimi, General Manager of Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), explained: “One of the most important projects for ATDD this year is a project on classifying tourist establishments in Ajman. The project comes as part of a main programme for improving and developing services. The outcome will be clear assessment results regarding the current status of all tourist installations in the emirate. The project represents a step on the road to a new Ajman, supported by its government which is keen on investment in the development of tourist attractions and establishments.“ Ajman is clearly aware of the need to attract foreign investment and international brands, to help benefit the UAE as a whole. “Within the UAE, our working strategy is to perform in an integral, not a competitive way,“ said Al-Nuami. “For Ajman, all expected challenges are comprehensively addressed in our strategic plan from 2013 to 2017. “One of the main goals of ATDD is to sustain tourism growth and development via continuously evolving and updating legislation and infrastructure with the aim of promoting the role of the tourism sector in the economic development of Ajman.“ While the northern emirates are still in the early stages of identifying tourism markets and developing strategies for the future, their location is a selling point, as they are able to ride the wave of success enjoyed by Dubai and Abu Dhabi and offer complementary attractions for visitors.

JW MARRIOT T® MARQUIS DUBAI

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Rupprecht Queitsch | COLUMN

elevating the proposition Dubai’s tourism industry has evolved dramatically, growing from a basic infrastructure to a mature proposition. Now, says Rupprecht Queitsch, General Manager of the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, targeting the lucrative business tourism sector is top of mind

and services for both business and leisure guests. Considering Dubai’s ambitions to become a leading hub for business tourism, targeting the highly lucrative meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition market is an increasingly important part of the strategy. The sector is already big business for cities such as New York, London, Vienna, Madrid and Paris. To put the market into context, the US’ MICE segment – one of the key targets of the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai team – contributes US$106 billion to that country’s GDP. This is higher than automotive manufacturing (US$78 billion), performing arts/spectator sports/museums (US$71 billion) and information and data processing services

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

(US$76 billion). I have also seen first-hand how lucrative the sector is, having spent five years in Paris, one of the world’s leading convention destinations, as General Manager of the Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel and Convention Centre. Dubai’s excellent air service, especially its connections to the emerging BRIC economies, is also expected to create further opportunity. Nasser Saidi, Chief Economist for Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has already noted the growth in Chinese firms coming to Dubai to set up a hub to access the African markets. In addition, China is becoming an increasingly important export partner for the UAE.

The potential to cater for the growing needs of the global business community is huge and we believe the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is uniquely placed in that regard. Our owner Emirates Group had the vision to build a corporate and convention hotel that would cater for the lack of hotels or event spaces in Dubai large enough to accommodate the vast number of delegates that international conferences attract. Once we open our second tower in 2014, the city will be able to accommodate groups, meetings and conventions of more than 1,000 people who are seeking to meet, sleep and dine under one roof. To support that, our facilities include

Salon 8 meeting room

The UAE’s hospitality industry is one of the most competitive in the Middle East thanks to its vast array of luxury hotels, sunny climate and top attractions. Having long realised the industry’s potential to drive economic growth, the government has continued to support the development of world-class airlines, tourism infrastructure and hotels and, as a result, the emirate has reaped huge financial rewards. Tourism revenue in 2011 hit US$4.35 billion, up 20 percent on the previous year and representing 31 percent of the UAE’s total GDP.

This figure continues to grow and is expected to rise to US$75.62 billion annually within the next 10 years. Dubai is an especially competitive environment as global hotel chains grapple with local operators for a share of the multi-million-dollar market. While this is great news for the industry as a whole, it also benefits the customer. Significant investment has spurred a dramatic transformation of the hospitality market. Gone is the basic infrastructure and in its place is a much more mature offer that includes a host of value-added facilities

Rupprecht Queitsch

Dubai is an especially competitive environment as global hotel chains grapple with local operators for a share of the multi-million-dollar market. While this is great news for the industry as a whole, it also benefits the customer Marriot Hotels International stand

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

Visit stand HC5750

an event space totalling more than 7,500 square metres, nine restaurants, five lounges, a world-class spa, a health club and two ballrooms. In addition, we are working closely with the Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) to help establish Dubai on the global conference market landscape. Our prerogative is to show convention organisers and group planners just how perfect Dubai is. It’s clean, safe and home to a melting pot of nationalities. These factors, coupled with affordable price points, the ease of getting around the city – it’s a 20-minute journey from the airport to the central business district – world-class infrastructure and Emirates’ growing network makes Dubai an ideal destination for international corporations and is likely to attract big-name pharmaceutical firms, banks and consultants who typically host annual conferences in a different city each year. It’s also important to recognise that people don’t just want to come for business. They want to go out in the evening, go to the beach and play golf. This city is a dream for any convention planner. Dubai’s meetings and events industry is already starting to show signs of growth. Recently the city hosted the World Conference on International Telecommunications, which welcomed around 1,000 delegates and will next year stage several other large-scale events, including the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication Congress & Exhibition. As for general business, Dubai is ideally positioned with its proximity to huge growth markets such as India and the fact that it has literally billions of people within a five-hour flight range. What business travellers are looking for is a hotel that has everything they could possibly need under one roof and we truly believe the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai will set a new standard in business hotels, not just in the region, but globally.

Y o u ’ l l f i n d a w a Y. Meydan Beach. The exclusive beach experience you ’ll do anything to be a part of.

CHill dinE RElaX discover Mediterranean tranquility in the heart of dubai. Meydan Beach welcomes day guests and members to relax by its deep blue infinity pools, take time out for spa pampering, indulge in italian dining by Giannino or chill out with Café del Mar ’s resident dJs through sunset and into the night. find out more at Meydan’s stand uaE 3210 in Hall 3, or come and visit us in person. Call us on + 971 44 333 777 or visit www.meydanbeach.com Meydan Beach, The walk, JBR, dubai.

B E l o n G.

EXHIBITOR TRAILs

exhibitor trail: WATER travel Sailing and cruising around the UAE is becoming increasingly popular. Not only is it a relaxing option, but it also allows the visitor to take in several sites in one trip…

Star Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Star Cruises together with Norwegian Cruise Line is the third-largest cruise operator in the world, with a combined fleet of 18 ships offering approximately 35,000 lower berths. The fleet sails to over 200 destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and Bermuda. Join both companies on stand to find out about luxury cruise holidays.

Prince of Sea The team from the Prince of Sea yacht is ashore this week promoting its action-packed cruises. The motorised sailing yacht departs from Ras Al Khaimah for daytime, sunset and dinner cruises and options include snorkelling and the opportunity to spot a rare green turtle at Al Marjan Island. The boat accommodates up to 75 people and the fun-loving crew lay on traditional performances and other entertainment.

Visit stand CP1346 Royal Caribbean Cruises – Middle East Discover a multitude of destinations to visit on a Royal Caribbean Arabia (Safeen Tourism) cruise and gain an insight into life on board. There’s information about services, packages, offers and the ports of call. The company has a comprehensive destination portfolio, catering for all tastes.

Visit stand AS6416

Visit stand UAE2410

exhibitor trail: SHOPPING Exhibitors from the retail sector have an array of products to showcase. Follow the trail of shops and malls to uncover a treasure trove of quality products and must-see shopping venues from 79 exhibitors...

Visit stand HC5320

McArthurGlen Designer Outlets

El Corte Inglés Department Stores

McAthurGlen is the leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets in Europe. Its stand at Arabian Travel Market this year will highlight its 21 designer outlets located in eight countries. McArthurGlen is the largest operator of outlet space in Europe, with a market share of more than 20 percent and 600,000 square metres of luxury retail space.

With a name synonymous with quality, El Corte Inglés is a leading department store in Spain and has been in business for more than 70 years. At Arabian Travel Market it will be highlighting the variety of products available, including luxury watches, exclusive fashion brands, cosmetics, jewellery, sports equipment and exquisite gastronomic products. The store is the biggest in Europe with more than 80 branches throughout Spain and Portugal. Speak to representatives at the stand to find out about tax refunds available on its products.

Visit stand EU7464

The Dubai Mall

Bicester Village – London

As the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, The Dubai Mall needs little introduction. Features include over 1,200 retail outlets, two department stores and over 160 food and beverage outlets. One of the Dubai Shopping Festival’s strategic partners, The Dubai Mall is the ultimate destination for shopping, entertainment and dining in the city.

A haven for luxury shoppers, Bicester Village, near the Cotswolds, UK and only an hour from London, is one of the Collection of Chic Outlet Shopping Villages operated by Value Retail. Find out about the 130-plus designer boutiques set in an open-air pedestrianised street style. Stores in Bicester Village offer up to 60 percent off previous seasons’ collections.

Visit stand EU8120

Visit stand EU7320

u o y e k i l l e e f u o y e r e h W ! d r a c t s o p a f o t r a p are

libya Ð SAUDI ARABIA | Destination

Libya F

ollowing its 2011 revolution and the formation of an elected assembly in August 2012, the State of Libya is now looking forward to a bright new future, with high hopes for renewed interest in its tourism offering. International groups have started to return to the North African country, drawn by its five UNESCO World Heritage sites, sandy beaches and Mediterranean climate.

Leptis Magna, Al Khums, Libya

The international tourism industry sees promise in Libya’s tourism offering. The World Travel Market Industry Report 2012 asked 1,310 global exhibitors and buyers from the WTM Meridian Club whether the country could become a viable tourism destination. More than a third (34 percent) said the country has tourism potential now, including 12 percent that described its tourism potential as

Gorgon at Leptis Magna, Libya

Libya at Arabian Travel Market Libyan Ministry of Tourism NA1240

Libya also offers mountains, national parks and protected nature reserves together with adventure and eco-tourism opportunities ‘significant’. The main reasons cited were the country’s 1,800 kilometres of coastline, its Roman Empire heritage and closeness to Europe. More than half of those surveyed (56 percent) felt Libya has tourism potential in the future once the country is perceived as politically stable and improves its tourism infrastructure. Most international traffic into Libya is related to the ongoing reconstruction efforts. However, some tour operators are now taking groups into the country on fixed-itinerary tours.

Saudi Arabia Nabatean tomb, Mada'in Saleh

recent report by global travel market research firm PhoCusWright predicts tourism receipts in Saudi Arabia will increase at an annual rate of four percent from US$10.2 billion in 2012 to US$11.4 billion by 2014. Online sales for tourism products are expected to double in Saudi Arabia over the next two years, as e-commerce penetration continues to grow across the region. The domestic market remains Saudi Arabia‘s strongest, although

regional arrivals continue to grow steadily. GCC tourists are still a major source of demand on tourism in the kingdom, with travellers from the UAE accounting for 15 percent of arrivals and Kuwait accounting for nine percent. Saad Al Damin, Arab Tourism Organisation Adviser, talking at Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM), said Saudi Arabia has been ranked sixth in the Arab World and 60th internationally in tourism compe-

titiveness, according to a World Economic Forum 2013 report. Saudi Arabia also has one of the largest domestic tourism workforces, with 160,000 people employed by the hotel sector alone. Both the public and private sectors are pushing Saudisation of the tourism sector, with Saudi students now able to specialise in tourism and hospitality. Dr Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Al Abdul Hafiz, Director General of Training at the Human Resource Development Fund, said the tourism sector is showing promise. He added that its attractiveness gave it a relative advantage in its ability to geographically distribute job opportunities throughout different parts of the kingdom. Looking forward, the number of jobs in the tourism sector will be boosted to more than 462,000, according to Economy and Planning Minister Mohammed bin Suleiman Al-Jasser. “In addition, training

Saudi Arabia at Arabian Travel Market Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) ME4010

Libya’s vast desert is a historic landmark of World War II. Representing more than 90 percent of Libya’s landmass, the Sahara offers many tourist attractions, including urban constructions and habitations in oases and desert lakes. Most popular are the Ghadames, Ghat, Wadi Elhayat, Wadi Eshati, Jufra and Kufra oases. Libya also offers mountains, national parks and protected nature reserves together with adventure and eco-tourism opportunities. The country’s capital, Tripoli, offers historic

opportunities will be available for a further 245,000 jobseekers,“ said Al-Jasser. Saudis spent SAR61 billion (US$9.66 billion) on tourism in 2011, of which SAR36 billion was on domestic tourism. These expenses did not include international transportation costs. Total spending had increased from SAR28 billion (US$7.47 billion) in 2009. “Saudi Arabia has natural resources, a variety of heritage sites, multiple facilities and a good infrastructure that can contribute to the tourism sector. This supports our gross domestic

mosques, a central medina and a diverse architecture, influenced by its Turkish and Italian colonial periods. For years, tourism accommodation was lacking in Libya, with the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli the only five-star hotel in the country. However, in recent years international brands such as InterContinental, Marriott, Mövenpick, Radisson and Sheraton have entered the market, or are due to open properties soon. According to market researcher Euromonitor, Libya’s travel and tourism future is uncertain, with a great deal of reconstruction needed. However, its long-term prospects are encouraging. As Libya’s international image improves, so will its travel and tourism industry. Leptis Magna, Libya

product (GDP) and provides employment opportunities, as well as raises Saudisation rates,“ said Al-Jasser. The development of tourism in the kingdom would also support two main objectives in the government's development plan: economic diversification; and a balanced development between regions. “The amount of money citizens spend on tourism abroad underscores the need to improve local tourist attractions and make use of media to cover available tourist spots in the kingdom,“ Al-Jasser added.

Tourism receipts in Saudi Arabia will increase at an annual rate of four percent from US$10.2 billion in 2012 to US$11.4 billion by 2014 Holy Mosque, Makkah

Libya fact file The State of Libya is situated in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. Libya has a land area of about 1.8 million square kilometres Population: 5.9 million Climate: Within Libya,

as many as five different climatic zones have been recognised, but the dominant climatic influences are Mediterranean and Saharan Local time: GMT +2 Currency: Libyan dinar Language: Standard Arabic is the official language, but the native language is Libyan Arabic. English is widely understood, especially by residents of Tripoli Getting there: Tripoli International Airport is the nation’s largest airport and is located in the town of Ben Ghashir to the south of Tripoli city centre. There is also the Benina International Airport located in the town of Benina, 19 kilometres east of Benghazi

Nabatean inscription near Al'Ula

Saudi Arabia fact file The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest Arab state in Western Asia by land area, covering around 2,250,000 square kilometres Population: 29 million Climate: Most of the country

has a desert climate marked by high temperatures during the day – sometimes topping 50 degrees Celsius – and low temperatures at night Local time: GMT +3 Currency: Saudi Arabian riyal Language: Arabic is the

official language, although English is also widely used in business. The large expatriate community means that Malayalam, Tagalog and Urdu are also spoken widely Getting there: National flag carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines serves more than 90 destinations worldwide. International carriers also fly into the kingdom

maldives Ð Mauritius | Destination

Maldives A

collection of island atolls nestled in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has been a tourism hot spot for more than 30 years and now attracts around one million international arrivals every year. Tourism arrivals for 2012 and early 2013 have continued to hold steady, according to the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture. Arrivals for February 2013 jumped 25

percent compared to 2012 figures, while Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb reportedly told local media he was confident the Maldives would reach one million tourist arrivals in 2012, a record for the country. Asia remains the largest source market for the tropical islands, with 43.7 percent of the total tourism market. China continues to grow as an inbound market, with February 2013 Tropical lagoon, Maldives

attracting 33,592 arrivals from the People’s Republic, versus 12,237 in February 2012 – a 174.5 percent increase. The Middle East also remains a key feeder market, with the start of flydubai services to Male in January opening up access even further. “The start of flydubai's flights opens our wonderful nation to a wider number of tourists, while also offering affordable fares to Dubai for our residents. Through this regular service, we look forward to welcoming travellers from a wider range of destinations and continuing to develop our tourism appeal,” said Adheeb. “I am confident that the Maldives will prove attractive to passengers from across our network, particularly those in the GCC and CIS regions who can transit easily through Dubai’s aviation hub,” added flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith. Dubaibased hotel chain Jumeirah

Group has also ventured into the Maldives, and now operates two resorts there – Jumeirah Vittaveli and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi. Other resorts across the atolls are looking at ways to differentiate their paradise offering. Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, the Hyatt Group’s first property in the Indian Ocean, has appointed Britishborn Arabella Willing as Resident Marine Biologist & EarthCheck Co-ordinator. She now offers weekly work- shops and courses to measure coral, identify marine life and estimate fish stock, in order to educate guests, staff and locals on

how to preserve, protect and nurture the environment. Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, Hadahaa has one of the healthiest reefs. Beginners and experts have the opportunity to snorkel and dive these untouched reefs and discover the atoll’s rich and diverse marine life. There are over 125 endangered species (including coral) in the atoll and all can be found off Hadahaa. Several species of stingray and sharks, critically endangered Hawksbill turtles and Napoleon wrasse are frequently seen.

The Middle East also remains a key feeder market, with the start of flydubai services to Male in January opening up access even further

Maldives at Arabian Travel Market Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation AS7070

Mauritius L

ying in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has been a popular tropical island holiday destination for decades. In 2012, the island paradise attracted 965,441 international visitors, with forecasts expecting Plaines Wilhelms, Mauritius

this figure to top one million for 2013. Gross tourism receipts for the first nine months of 2012 were estimated by the Bank of Mauritius at RS31,954 million (US$1 billion), up six percent on 2011 figures. The bank forecasts tourism receipts for the whole

of 2013 will rise to RS47,000 million (US$1.5 billion). Hotel numbers also saw growth for the first three-quarters of 2012 with 108 registered hotels, of which 105 were in operation. These offer 11,715 rooms and 23,899 beds. The Middle East inbound feeder market is one that is enjoying particular growth

Anemone reef fish

Authority (MTPA),partnered Beachcomber Hotels to host a major international press delegation from the Middle East (Doha, Beirut, Kuwait, Jeddah, Dubai, Bahrain and Jeddah) and other regions (Prague and Geneva) to promote visibility of the destination. The special guests were part of the select few aboard the A380 Emirates flight on March 12, 2013, the first-ever A380 to have landed in Mauritius. It is hoped that, once modernisation work is completed on Mauritius’ Sir

In 2012, the island paradise attracted 965,441 international visitors, with forecasts expecting this figure to top one million for 2013 at present. Arrivals from the UAE rose 43 percent in 2012 to achieve 5,403. Tourist arrivals from the Middle East as a whole grew by 49 percent to reach 7,974 arrivals in 2012. Promoting Mauritius to the UAE and further Middle East market, Emirates airline, in partnership with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion

Mauritius at Arabian Travel Market Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority AF6350

Clear seas surrounding Mauritius

Infinity pool, Four Seasons, Kuda Huraa

Maldives fact file The Republic of the Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of a double chain of 26 atolls, totalling 1,192 islands, of which only 192 are inhabited Population: 328,000 Climate: Two seasons

dominate the weather in the Maldives: the dry season associated with the winter northeastern monsoon; and the rainy season, which brings strong winds and storms Local time: GMT +5 Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa Language: Maldivian Getting there: Male International Airport is located on Hulhule Island in the North Male Atoll. It is well-connected with major airlines providing links to the Maldives from around the world

Rochester Falls, Soulliac, Mauritius

Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, the A380 will return to the island, serving up one of the two daily services from Dubai. Developed and promoted as a luxury destination, Mauritius offers up an array of high-end hotel chains, including Oberoi, Four Seasons, Maritim, Angsana and One&Only. Its azure seas, white sandy beaches, historic sights and cultural diversity are enough to attract tourists. Port Louis, the mercantile capital of the island, is reportedly one of the wealthiest cities in Africa. It exudes hustle and bustle and its own charm. The central plateau towns of Quatre Bornes and Curepipe and the Black River Gorges National Park are also cited as tourism ‘must sees’. Then there is the cuisine. China, India, France and Africa have all touched the island at some point in history and left their culinary mark.

Mauritius fact file The Republic of Mauritius is an archipelago of islands that includes Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega and Saint Brandon. The islands form part of the Mascarene Islands, which also include Reunion. The country covers an area of 2,040 square kilometres Population: 1.3 million Climate: Mauritius has a

tropical climate with two seasons: a warm, humid summer from November to April and a cool, dry winter from June to September Local time: GMT +4 Currency: Mauritian rupee Language: Mauritian Creole is the language spoken by locals, while English and French are also widely used Getting there: A number of international carriers serve Mauritius, including Emirates which flies twice daily

Destination | Australia

Australia A

ustralia’s tourism industry is adapting to a changing marketplace, following China’s elevation to becoming its second largest source market of international visitors in 2012 behind New Zealand. Arrivals from China increased by 17 percent to 573,000, just surpassing the UK at 558,000. The country received more than 6.1 million international arrivals

Opera House, Sydney

in 2012, an increase of 4.6 percent over 2011 figures. Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director, Tourism Australia, said the increase was a very creditable performance, against the backdrop of a fiercely competitive global tourism marketplace, a persistently high dollar and economic stagnation in a number of Australia's key traditional source markets.

"In many ways, 2012 was a year of transition for our industry, as we continue to adapt to the Asian Century and the enormous opportunities provided by the region's fastemerging and increasingly mobile middle classes,” he added. Tourism Australia has ambitious plans to double its overnight tourism revenues by 2020, with the aim of achieving AUD$140 billion (US$146 billion) in tourism receipts. Central to its tourism marketing plans is the use of social media, with Tourism Australia aiming to make the country the world’s most talkedabout holiday destination in the online world. According to Tourism Australia, the country was the most popular travel destination on Facebook, Google and Instagram in 2012 and already had a loyal army of fans interacting and

Australia at Arabian Travel Market JC Travel Professionals AS6860

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enthusiastically selling the country. “Ultimately, we want our four million Facebook fans, the 23 million Australians who live here and the 6.1 million people who visited last year to become part of the world’s biggest social media team and ambassadors for our country,” explained McEvoy. Bringing Australia to Arabian Travel Market is independent inbound tour operator JC Travel Professionals. The firm has been exhibiting at the show

Tower Point Centre, Sydney

Australia fact file Australia is the sixth largest county by land area and 7.7 million square kilometres in size. The vast majority of the population live in coastal areas because the interior, known as the 'outback', is extremely hot and dry Population: 23 million Climate: A wide variation of

climates is found across the Australian continent. Most of the country receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Generally, the north is hot and tropical, while the south tends to be sub-tropical and temperate. Most rainfall is around the coast and much of the centre is arid and semi-arid Local time: GMT +8 to +10 Currency: Australian dollar Language: Expect everyone to speak English. Generally, the only Australians who are not fluent English speakers are older people who migrated as adults Getting there: Approximately half of all international travellers enter Australia in Sydney, its largest city. After Sydney, a significant number of travellers also arrive in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth

Arrivals from China increased by 17 percent to 573,000, just surpassing the UK at 558,000. The country received more than 6.1 million international arrivals in 2012 since 2004 and attends the 2013 edition with its largest participation ever. According to Freddy Mikhael, Managing Director, JC Travel Professionals, Australia is a popular long-haul destination for travellers from the GCC, but with Ramadan falling in August in recent years, arrival figures from the region have dropped. “Australia should again see increases from GCC visitors during August and the

beginning of September. That should place Down Under programmes in the lead this year and next,” said Mikhael. The Middle East represents 75 percent of JC Travel Professional’s business and is a leading tourism feeder market in July, August and September, with Queensland’s Gold Coast the most popular destination for this market, due to its numerous amusement parks, shopping malls and beaches.

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kenya Ð spain | Destination

Kenya Cheetah, Kenyan safari

important decision-makers in the region’s travel industry, the event took place alongside the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), a two-day conference that showcased the hospitality investment potential of Africa’s fastest-growing nations. The recently opened Boma Hotel in Nairobi, a tourism venture in association with the Red Cross, hopefully signals the start of more tourism development in the country. The new hotel

offers 148 rooms designed to cater to the business traveller. According to Kenya’s president Mwai Kibaki, the opening of the Boma Hotel will not only supplement the income for humanitarian projects in the country, but also boost the country’s tourism sector. Other hotel brands are now considering entering the Kenyan market, including Best Western, Radisson Blu and Kempinski. Meanwhile, the UAE’s Emaar

Hospitality Investment has started construction of a five-star hotel near the Masai Mara game reserve. Kenya has long had links with the Middle East, with trade routes having run between the east coast of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. Tourism routes continue to flourish with arrivals to Kenya from the region up 102 percent between January and September 2012. New air links from Etihad Airways helped facilitate this growth.

In 2011, 1.26 million people visited the country, compared with 1.1 million the year before. Kenya aims to achieve 10 million tourist arrivals by 2020 African elephants, Kenya

s East Africa’s safari destination, tourism is fundamental to Kenya’s economy, contributing 12 percent to its GDP and creating one in 10 jobs. The country is blessed with many attractions including white sandy beaches, rich cultural heritage, spectacular scenery and diverse wildlife protected in 60 national parks and reserves. In 2011, 1.26 million people visited

the country, compared with 1.1 million the year before. Kenya aims to achieve 10 million tourist arrivals by 2020 and, as part of this, has established Resort City Zones in Kilifi, Lamu, Isiolo, Diani, Turkana and Konza in order to attract investors. The World Travel Awards (WTA) chose Nairobi as the host city for its Africa & Indian Ocean Ceremony in September 2012. Attended by some of the most

Kenya at Arabian Travel Market Kenya Tourism Board AF6450

Spain Trujillo, Cáceres

pain is the second most visited country in Europe with 58 million tourists per year, attracted by beaches, resorts, gastronomy, cities and culture. However, Spain has ambitions – notably to swell its inbound tourism market to between 75 and 80 million tourists by 2015. Already, the country’s tourism fortunes are

moving up. Spain welcomed 9.4 million international visitors during the first quarter of 2013, up 2.3 percent on 2012 figures. It ended 2012 with 57.7 million international arrivals, an increase of 2.7 percent over 2011 figures. According to PwC Consulting, in its recent report ‘Hot Topics of Tourism in 2013’, Spain needs to focus on innovation, technology,

Spain at Arabian Travel Market Spain Tourist Office EU7320

product differentiation and public-private collaboration if it is to succeed in its aim of 80 million arrivals. A holistic approach is required. One that refreshes Spain’s sun and sea image and that also pulls in the entertainment industry, events and business tourism. Off-peak travel is also to be developed, with Spain looking closely at its offering to international tourists wanting more than a beach holiday. Golf tourism, which already has firm links in Spain, is one tourism avenue the country is keen to exploit. A recent survey by KPMG's Golf Advisory Practice named Spain as the most popular destination for the sport, following Portugal and Scotland. Golf-linked tourism generated more than EUR400 million (US$520 million) for Malaga, Spain, alone in 2012. The Costa del Sol resort saw 300,000 visitors take to the fairways. Figures are expected to increase by 4.5 percent in 2013, according to Arturo Bernal, Managing Director for the Costa del Sol tourist partnership. Away from the golden beaches and the lush, green fairways, Spain is a crossroads for several civilisations and its cultural and historical attractions are many. Madrid and Barcelona are two of the main city

destinations in Europe and offer numerous attractions. Spain also boasts 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 13 cities, such as Cordoba, Ibiza and San Cristobal de La Laguna. Other tourism hot spots include Seville, Granada, Santander and Bilbao. Connections to the Middle East are many, as the Al Andalus Route takes visitors back to the legacy of Islamic heritage. Islamic architecture and design

are prevalent in places such as Granada and across Andalucía, Murcia and Portugal. Most famous is the Alhambra palace and fortress complex in Granada built for the Muslim Emirs. Originally constructed as a fortress as early as 889, it was converted into a royal palace in 1333. Today, Alhambra is one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Connections to the Middle East are many, as the Al Andalus Route takes visitors back to the legacy of Islamic heritage The City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia

Kenya fact file Kenya is a country within Eastern Africa and is 582,650 square kilometres in size. Its Indian Ocean coast lies between Somalia to the northeast and Tanzania to the south. Surrounding it are Ethiopia and South Sudan to the north and Uganda to the west Population: 43 million Climate: Kenya has a tropical

climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country Local time: GMT +3 Currency: Kenyan shilling Language: English and Swahili are the two official languages. You can get by with English in the larger cities and when dealing with those connected to the tourism industry, although a few words of Swahili will always go a long way Getting there: Kenya has three international airports: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi; Moi International Airport in Mombasa; and Eldoret International Airport (local flights and cargo only). Jomo Kenyatta is the main airport for visitors flying into Kenya

Alhambra Palace, Granada

Spain fact file The Kingdom of Spain is a sovereign state and member of the European Union. It is located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwest Europe Population: 47 million Climate: Spain’s climate varies according to geography. The coast enjoys Mediterranean weather, the southeastern quarter is semi-arid, while the north has an oceanic climate. Local time: GMT +1 Language: Spanish is the official language, although Basque, Catalan, Galician and Occitan are recognised regional languages Currency: Euro Getting there: Iberia is the flag carrier and largest airline in Spain. It serves 49 destinations. Other international carriers provide scheduled and charter services to Spain

Destination | lebanon

Lebanon F

rom its Mediterranean coastline to its snow-capped mountains, Lebanon is a small country found in the Levant region of the Middle East. Named the ‘Switzerland of the Middle East’, the country is rich in history, archaeology and natural beauty. According to figures by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the direct contribution

of the travel and tourism industry to the Lebanese economy is estimated to reach US$4.1 billion in 2013, up 1.8 percent from 2012. In 2012, the industry accounted for 9.3 percent of the country’s nominal GDP, with most of the tourism receipts generated by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other

Pigeon's Caves, Lebanon

Lebanon at Arabian Travel Market Lebanon Ministry of Tourism ME2010

passenger transportation services. Covering a parcel of land just 225 kilometres long and 46 kilometres wide, Lebanon offers a Mediterranean-lapped coast, rugged alpine peaks and green fertile lands. An ancient land, Lebanon features in the writings of Homer and in the Old Testament, while its cities were major outposts and seaports in Phoenician and Roman times. Yet visitors are lulled by the cosmopolitan flair of modern-day Beirut, with its street-side cafés, fashionable eateries, stylish shopping districts and nightlife. The city was chosen in 2012 by Condé Nast Traveler as the best city in the Middle East, ahead of Dubai. Away from the city, the Békaa Valley, known in ancient times as ‘the breadbasket’ or ‘granary’ of the Roman Empire, is still the country’s main agricultural region. Located on a high plateau between two mountain ranges, the river-fed Békaa supports the production of tomatoes, potatoes, wheat, olives, and grapes. The area is also home to some of Lebanon's best wineries – Ksara, Kefraya and Massaya – as well as the famous ruins at Baalbek. Originally a a place of worship to Baal, the Phoenician Sun God, Baalbek was known in Greco-

Roman times as the famous Heliopolis, or ‘City of the Sun’. Taking more than 200 years to build, the temples honour Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus. At the coastal cities of Saida (Sidon) and Jbail (Byblos), tourists can enjoy the rare opportunity to

snorkel among long-submerged Phoenician ruins. Alternatively, they can go hiking in the Chouf region of the Mount Lebanon Range. In winter, Lebanon’s highest summits turn into worldclass ski resorts and it, therefore, offers skiing breaks.

According to the WTTC, the contribution of the travel and tourism industry to the Lebanese economy is estimated to reach US$4.1 billion in 2013 Anjar, Lebanon

Ancient ruins, Lebanon

Lebanon fact file The Lebanese Republic is located on the East Mediterranean. It is bordered by Syria and Israel, boasting a richly diverse population, comprising 60 percent Muslim and 40 percent Christian Population: 4.4 million Climate: Lebanon has a

desert climate and most days are sunny throughout the year. Summers can get extremely hot, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, while winter sees temperatures drop to the mid-20s Local time: GMT +2, GMT +3 in summer Currency: Aebanese lira or pound Language: Arabic Getting there: Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the national flag carrier of Lebanon. The airline serves 31 destinations worldwide

India Tourism Dubai Tel: +971-4-2274848 Fax: +971-4-2274013 E-mail: goirto@emirates.net.ae

exhibitor | Vox pops

exhibitor vox pops Sound bites direct from the show floor

Dato’ HJ Azizan Noordin

Javier Aranda Pedrero

Jay Gray

Manit Boonchim

Otunba Segun Runsewe

Tourism Malaysia

Mexico Tourism Board

Brand USA

Tourism Authority of Thailand

We have been attending this show for 20 years and this time we brought in 77 new additions from Malaysia and there are 120 participants under our family. When we come to Arabian Travel Market more business comes to Malaysia. This year is something special. We want to launch the Visit Malaysia Year Campaign for next year. It is a very good platform for us to promote ourselves because of the large number of buyers and sellers who will get to know our programme for next year. We are inviting many buyers and sellers to come to Malaysia.

The exhibition is part of our five-year plan to increase tourism in our country. Each year we find ways of working with major tour operators, or arranging seminars to educate their travel agents on our best offers. This year we are promoting some of our most recognised beach destinations, such as Cancun. We hope to source direct flight opportunities to Cancun from the Middle East or arrange better connections through the US. By our fifth year here, we want to bring 20,000 new tourists into Mexico from the region.

We want to create awareness of the US and all it has to offer. This is our first soirée into Arabian Travel Market. There hasn’t been a Brand USA presence before, so by bringing a lot of our US partners with us we’ve created a critical mass here and the response has been phenomenal. Right now, we’re meeting with tour operators and travel agents, talking about partnership programmes and meeting with the airlines to discuss passenger development programmes. Primarily, it’s around education and awareness of the US product.

Over the past 14 years that Thailand has been exhibiting here at Arabian Travel Market, we’ve definitely noticed an increase in tourism and business. Each year our goal is to expand awareness of our beautiful country by working with other exhibitors and hotel partners. At the moment we’re focusing on how unique Thai culture and Thai hospitality is. This allows us to represent a different part of Thailand to visitors, alongside our more familiar attractions and present a complete experience.

Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation

Visit stand AS6420

Visit stand AM7048

Visit stand AM7140

Visit stand AS7150

Visit stand AF6320

Gisela Marti

Mohammed Khoori

Mitzi Chollampel

Michael H Corbin

Razvan Marc

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Embassy of the United States of America, UAE

Romanian National Tourism Authority

DFW, as the gateway to the Americas, is really our message. We have regular flights now coming to Dubai straight from Dallas/Fort Worth and we’ve just recently hit 200 non-stop destinations from DFW, so it’s a great place to experience Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth and also connect beyond to a final destination. We have a great partnership with KLM and plans with BA. At this point we have 22 passenger carriers, so a lot of options for passengers to come through the airport as a gateway.

The UAE is a global crossroads and there’s so much promise here that the US needs to be represented. We’re very honoured to be here with more travel agents than we’ve had before and we expect to see more US travel agencies here as the US becomes a premier travel destination. We have so much to offer, from reasonable to luxury travel and we want to take advantage of Arab travel markets. We want to try to encourage people to come to the US and we’re also encouraging Americans to travel overseas.

We’ve found the Arabian Travel Market to be the best platform to reach Middle East clients. At the moment our aim is to position our capital, Bucharest, as a city-break destination. We’ve found our climate and picturesque scenery is appealing to this market, but we also want to make people aware of the city’s entertainment and nightlife as well as our museum attractions and parks. We’re focusing on presenting all these factors and opening up our tourism industry in a way that appeals to both families and the youth market.

Visit stand AM7140

Visit stand EU7240

Deputy Director General

Vice President, Marketing & Tourism

Regional Director Europe

General Manager

For us, this trip is really more about learning and understanding the market and the players. We’ve very happy to be here. We know there’s an incredible amount of opportunity within this market. We’re also in discussion with the Gulf carriers and one of the commitments that we’ve made to the them is to be more active in the Arab market. The main goal is to secure air linkages because this really is where it all begins – to really build one trade in tourism. We hope that a Gulf carrier serves Miami in the future.

Arabian Travel Market has always given us great exposure within the Middle East region. We hope to attract new emerging markets such as Australia, Latin America and the Far East. Golden Sands Hotel Apartments offers over 600 accommodation units to suit individuals, as well as families and large groups coming to Dubai for business, leisure or both. We are undertaking refurbishment projects on our two- and three-bedroom apartments to give them a new and refreshed look.

Visit stand AM7140

Visit stand UAE3210

Vice President – Global Partnership Development

Manager, Trade Marketing

Executive Director

Ambassador

Director-General

We’ve participated here for four years now and attend this year, first and foremost to open up investor opportunities. We have very wide tourism opportunities in Nigeria, from eco-tourism and heritage to sports and conference tourism and our frontiers are open for credible investors who would like to come to our country. The opportunities are massive. Our mission is to let people know that Nigeria is very open to receive visitors. We are using Arabian Travel Market to invite the people of the UAE.

Director

Visit us at stand CR-1416

Raffles Singapore - since 1887

KATARA HOSPITALITY, PRESERVING ICONIC TREASURES There is much more to being a world-class hospitality organisation than just owning, managing or developing hotels. At Katara Hospitality, our appreciation for the past powers our aspirations for the future. Decades of experience,

an innovative mindset and meticulous attention to detail enable us to craft unique masterpieces that set new standards for others to follow. With us, it is all about our boundless passion for creating legendary hospitality, building on our heritage.

Visit us at stand HC5850

Katara Hospitality Building, PO Box 2977 Doha, State of Qatar T +974 4423 7777 F +974 4427 0707 info@katarahospitality.com www.katarahospitality.com

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