19 minute read
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Qatar Airways’ VP of Sales for Europe, Thierry de Bailleul, tells Business Traveller how the airline has negotiated the pandemic and aviation crisis
It’s been a torrid time for the aviation industry, which this year will burn through between U$75-95 billion a er 2020 when demand dropped by nearly 66 per cent worldwide. e crisis saw the failure of some carriers, while many others have been reliant on government help to survive, and industry body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts it will be 2021 before tra c recovers.
Qatar Airways has continued ying during the pandemic, though at the worst point its worldwide list of destinations fell to about 30. It is now on the rebound, ying to more than 120.
For many of us who are forbidden from travelling, it may seem surprising there are enough passengers to make it worthwhile.
Qatar Airways VP of Sales Europe, ierry de Bailleul, told me that while cargo is making a bigger contribution to the airline’s revenue than normal, there are still passengers ying.
Some are visiting friends and family overseas and are prepared to undergo the tests and quarantine necessary and then there is essential business travel, where he gave me the examples of ships’ crew and people who work on oil platforms. Still, is it pro table?
“We cover at least our operational costs. It may not pay the whole costs, the structural costs and so on, but between the passenger revenue and the cargo we make sure that every ight is economically justi ed,” he reveals. WORDS TOM OTLEY
roughout the pandemic, the airline has “In economy the face masks are not enough, taken the opportunity to show current and so we o er face screens. All crew cover their potential customers how reliable the airline uniforms and menus that normally are re-used is compared to its competitors. are disposed of and we present new ones on
“We schedule the ights and do every ight. Our catering has not changed, but everything possible to keep that schedule it is sealed, and many other things [have been stable. We don’t like to cancel, especially at introduced] such as the ultraviolet robots, the last minute. Our customers don’t like it, which clean the cabins to exterminate germs. our trade partners, the travel management “I’m not saying there are zero cases, but we companies, don’t like it, because it gives are one of the few airlines that has published them extra work for no the numbers, for crew and payment and so we do passengers. e rate of everything it takes, even infection for pax is 0.002 if it’s costly, because we per cent, which is far think it’s all about trust and less than in the streets of reliability,” says De Bailleul. London or Paris or Madrid.
Where there is not “It’s safer to y with a enough demand to justify safe airline like us than the ight, then Qatar being in the normal living Airways cancels the ight circumstances wherever well in advance so it doesn’t we are.” a ect many passengers and e COVID crisis has also reroutes them. Thierry de Bailleul not only altered airline
De Bailleul believes priorities and practices, but the route to recovery also “I strongly believe those of passengers too. provides opportunities, provided airlines can the behaviour of “I strongly believe that the behaviour of our convince people that ying our customers is customers is changing in in the era of COVID is changing in quite a quite a spectacular way,” safe. So, is it safe? “Absolutely, yes, it is,” he spectacular way” says De Bailleul. “Before it was all about price and says. “We have the right to that’s still important, speak about this because we [but] now it’s service, the have own so much in the last 12 months. reliability that we have We have gone the extra mile. Some spoken about and the people were saying ‘Do you criteria of safety measures of think it is too much?’, but then each airline. Airlines are not all the new variants came along equal on safety measures, quality and they changed their mind. of service and reliability.”
KEYS TO THE
New and upcoming hotels to check out when you next visit Saudi Arabia KINGDOM
While the pandemic has put on the hotel development brakes in many major markets, Saudi Arabia is well and truly bucking the trend. e country is currently leading the world in projected hotel supply growth, according to gures revealed last month (April) by STR, the data benchmarking and analytics specialist for the global hospitality market.
Saudi Arabia has some 73,057 rooms across the three phases of the hotel pipeline with a huge 67.1 per cent increase in room supply anticipated over the next three years. is increase, which assumes completion of all projects in construction, nal planning and planning, is the highest among the world’s 50 most populated countries, STR found.
“Saudi Arabia’s growth aspirations, along with the strength of other Middle East hospitality markets such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, is further validation that the region continues to emerge as a global tourist destination,” says Philip Wooller, STR’s area director for the Middle East/Africa. “Such growth is a testament to the strength and prospectus of the nation’s strong cultural and economic resources.”
While a signi cant portion of Saudi Arabia’s pipeline activity is concentrated in Holy City of Makkah where there are 28,052 rooms under development, representing a 81 per cent surge in hotel supply, several other submarkets are expected to increase supply by 50 per cent or more. ey include the capital Riyadh, with 13,165 pipelined rooms (+75 per cent), Jeddah with 11,165 rooms (+97 per cent) and regional areas with 13,996 rooms (+80 per cent).
Of the total rooms in Saudi Arabia’s pipeline as of March 11, 2021, 16,965 were scheduled to come online in 2021. Here, we outline some of those keys and their hotels, as well as properties opening their doors across KSA in the next few years. Habitas AlUla Habitas, the sustainable, experience-led hospitality brand known for rede ning the concept of luxury hotels, will soon make its regional debut in AlUla. Opening in H2, the property will be nestled in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley, surrounded by sandstone cli s and palm groves. e resort’s pathways will lead guests to each of the 100 guest rooms, as well as the yoga deck, wellness and tness centres, restaurant and swimming pool. Every space is being constructed from ethically-sourced organic materials, which blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings. Appealing to responsible travellers, Habitas hallmarks include a modular-build, low-impact design that protects the environment and sustainable construction methods. Habitas AlUla will also immerse guests in authentic experiences based on music, wellness, adventure, culture, learning and food. ey will range from Saudi cuisine made from fresh local ingredients and performances by local musicians to cultural lm and documentary screenings and a guided walk through the remains of the ancient city where the Nabateans once lived.
Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh e soon-to-open Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, features 321 rooms and suites and is located in the Saudi capital’s Central Business District, providing easy access to corporate o ces, government buildings, high-end shopping, restaurants and cafés. It’s part of the mixed-use Al Faisaliah Centre, designed by Foster & Partners. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group signed an agreement with Al Khozama Company to take over the management of Al Faisaliah Hotel in November. e luxury brand will start operating the property soon and continue with an extensive guestroom and public area renovation, which will be completed at the end of 2021, a er which it will be rebranded Mandarin Oriental. e new room and suite interiors have been designed by Adam Tihany Design, New York. Also new are a variety of refreshed restaurants, lounges and bars, including the popular top- oor venue, which commands outstanding views of the city. Revitalised function spaces will cater to social events and business meetings, while an indoor swimming pool, male and female spa areas and a tness centre will complete the leisure facilities
JW Marriott Riyadh Housed within the city’s iconic 64-storey skyscraper that is home to residential apartments and Saudi Telecom Company’s leadership and technology academy, the upcoming JW Marriott Riyadh (previously Burj Rafal Hotel) is set to deliver an “unprecedented level of service and accommodation in the kingdom’s capital”. e property will be part of the future Capital Gate community, boasting a prime location between the King Abdullah Financial District and Avenues Mall and close to the new Riyadh metro. e hotel is currently undergoing improvements including the introduction of new dining concepts such as Qahwet Al Mandaloun, JW Steakhouse, Tea eighty eight, Club Fumee and Maze Shisha Garden. e hotel entrance, lobby and reception area are also being heightened to provide guests with surroundings that “re ect their destination”. When works are completed, it will be rebranded as a JW Marriott Hotel.
Renaissance Riyadh Hotel
e rst Renaissance-branded hotel in the kingdom will be located in the King Abdullah Financial District, close to Riyadh International Airport. It will feature 266 thoughtfully designed suites, three food and beverage outlets and leisure facilities such as a spa, pool and tness centre.
Aloft Makkah Taysir Slated to be the world’s largest Alo property, Alo Makkah Taysir will feature around 1,000 guest rooms. Located in Makkah’s Taysir district, close to the Grand Mosque entrance, the hotel will be ideally located for guests visiting on pilgrimage and o er signature Alo amenities including the Re:mix Lounge; Re:fuel® by Alo , o ering a 24/7 grab-and-go gourmet menu; and Re:charge, Alo ’s 24-hour tness centre.
Courtyard by Marriott Makkah Kudai Marriott will continue to expand Courtyard by Marriott’s footprint in Saudi Arabia when it opens Courtyard by Marriott Makkah Kudai featuring 438 spacious guest rooms, its signature Grab n’ Go market and a tness centre. It will be situated 2km from the Grand Mosque entrance.
Hilton Riyadh Olaya is new-build hotel, expected to open in Q4, will command a prime position on King Fahd Road, Riyadh city’s main thoroughfare, close to the iconic Kingdom Centre and a short drive from the Diplomatic Quarter (5km) and the King Abdullah Financial District (6km). Hilton Riyadh Olaya will house 239 rooms, including 22 suites, one presidential suite, and 30 one/two-bedroom serviced apartments. Amenities will include an all-day dining restaurant, lobby café, executive lounge, an Eforea Spa with a swimming pool, sauna, Hammam, Jacuzzi and treatment rooms, as well as a retail area and barbershop. For meetings and events, the ballroom will o er Kingdom Centre views, complemented by four state-of-the-art meeting rooms, one boardroom and a business centre.
Banyan Tree Resort AlUla
Accor has partnered with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) to operate an expanded Ashar Resort under the Banyan Tree brand. e group will add 47 new high-end villas to bring the resort total to 82, complemented by a luxury spa and several gourmet restaurants. A sensitive design concept will ensure each villa blends discreetly into the striking natural scenery of the Ashar valley, located 15km from the Kingdom’s rst UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra.
Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Financial District
Expected to open around the time of press (end of April), Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Financial District enables travellers to “enjoy an Arabian escape while staying connected to the city”. e hotel’s 262 naturally lit guestrooms o er stunning views of the capital and are designed to re ect Arabian culture, featuring Saudi cra s and paintings. e property, which also o ers a choice of meeting venues, is located near the King Abdullah Financial District and is minutes from business and entertainment destinations, as well as the city’s heritage sites.
Fairmont Riyadh Serviced Residences
Fairmont’s rst luxury long-stay apartment property in the kingdom will boast 249 serviced residences including one-, two- and threebedroom units, as well as fourbedroom penthouses. Pitched as an unforgettable luxury destination and a city landmark, the property will include a food and beverage plaza with three specialty dining concepts and family friendly features such as a cinema room, lounge and kids’ play area.
Shangri-La Jeddah
Shangri-La will make its brand debut in Saudi Arabia in October. e waterfront Shangri-La Jeddah will feature 235 guestrooms, suites and serviced residences that boast oor-to-ceiling windows with unparalleled views of the Red Sea and o ering “unmatched facilities for both business and leisure travellers”. Horizon Club members will enjoy an array of exclusive privileges including Horizon Club lounge access and the complimentary use of a meeting room. Set to become one of the city’s top dining destinations, restaurants will include Shangri-La’s signature Shang Palace, introducing guests and local residents to the brand’s awardwinning authentic Chinese cuisine. Guests can also expect a 960sqm Grand Ballroom, 10 meetings rooms and CHI, e Spa, which will o er wellness treatments blending traditional Asian methods with local in uences, with both male and female facilities available.
Grand Hyatt Al Khobar Hotel and Residences
e recently opened Grand Hyatt Al Khobar Hotel and Residences – Hyatt’s rst Grand Hyatt in Saudi Arabia – features 368 rooms, including 54 residential units, and is located in the commercial and retail heart of Al Khobar with a connecting bridge to Al Rashid Mall. e property features three restaurants and a lobby lounge, banquet halls and a tness centre and spa. Voco Jeddah North
Voco Jeddah North will feature 145 rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa with four treatment rooms and a range of culinary venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, a co ee lounge and a roo op lounge, when it opens to guests in Q1 2022. One of the closest hotels to the new Jeddah airport, it will also o er 1,710sqm of meeting and banqueting space (including two ballrooms of 500 sqm and 400 sqm), making it ideal for a corporate gathering. e hotel will be close to Jeddah Seasons square, Obhur Corniche and Alexandria beach, while Kingdom City, the new anticipated centre of Jeddah, is just 3km away.
e Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel & Residences, which opened last month (April), is Radisson’s ninth hotel in Riyadh and its second Radisson Collection property in the Saudi capital. Located on Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Road, the property is easily accessible by rail and road to King Khalid International Airport and the King Abdullah Financial Centre, with Riyadh’s new metro system opening soon. e hotel features 140 rooms and suites, plus 27 luxurious apartments and 24 threebedroom villas for long-stay guests.
AND THERE’S MORE…
Ra les Jeddah Hotel & Residences
Inspired by rich Arab heritage and with an enviable waterside location, Ra les Jeddah will feature 181 guestrooms and 188 branded residences. The property will o er special wedding suites for newlyweds, as well as a library, a penthouse-level entertainment suite and a large spa with eight treatment rooms and a fitness club. A ballroom overlooking the corniche will be part of the meeting and events o ering, while six exquisite restaurants and lounges will include a gentlemen-only lounge.
Aman Hotels will open a Janu property in AlUla next year
Janu AlUla
Aman hotels, a pioneer of “sanctuary hospitality”, launched its wellness-orientated brand Janu in 2020. AlUla in Saudi Arabia is one of three destinations earmarked for Janu’s debut next year (2022). The others are Montenegro in Europe and Tokyo in Japan. The company says the AlUla property will provide “incomparable insight into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its magnificent unspoilt natural landscapes and archaeological sites, which have long remained undiscovered”. Sanskrit for “soul” (Aman translates as “peace”), Janu is founded on the belief that true luxury means never having to choose between personal fulfilment and pleasure.
Mövenpick Turaif Al Shamal
This 237-room hotel, envisaged as an urban resort for business travellers, will o er three food and beverage outlets, extensive meeting and event space, male and female wellness areas and recreation facilities.
Radisson Blu Hotel Riyadh Al Qurtuba
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Qurtuba, opening soon, will be part of the new upscale Al Jadah mixed-use development, conveniently close to Riyadh’s city centre and to roads linking the capital to the international airport, which is just 12km away. The hotel will feature 103 rooms and suites and 16 villas.
Radisson Riyadh Airport
Opening this month, Radisson Riyadh Airport o ers 471 keys across various room types including serviced apartments and villas to cater to large groups and long-stay guests. An all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants and meeting and conference space spanning 2,600 sqm are ideal for corporate events.
Radisson Blu Riyadh RICEC
With a mooted Q3 opening, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre will feature 200 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a lobby, a lounge and a café. With an indoor swimming pool, fitness facilities and a 1,075 sqm meetings and events area, this property will be ideal for business or leisure.
Radisson Al Qurayat
Also opening in Q3, Radisson Al Qurayat, situated in the Al Jawf Province in northern Saudi Arabia, close to the border with Jordan, will feature 137 rooms and suites, an international restaurant and a lobby lounge, a spa, gym, four meeting rooms and a conference room. The hotel will be located 10km from the domestic airport and just 8km from the land port.
Holiday Inn Riyadh, Al Malaz
This Holiday Inn, conveniently located in Riyadh’s city centre, near government institutions and several ministries, will open in Q1 2022. It will introduce Holiday Inn’s new ‘Open Lobby’ concept to the city, where the front desk, lobby, F&B, lounge area and business centre will merge into one open and cohesive space.
Voco Jeddah Gate
Voco Jeddah Gate will be IHG’s sixth hotel in Jeddah when it opens in Q2/Q3 next year. The 681-key hotel will occupy a “premium location” in the Fayhaa area within Jeddah Gate, an integrated masterplanned community featuring residences, commercial areas and recreational amenities once completed. Four meeting rooms accommodating up to 600 guests, two dining options and an outdoor pool and health club will be part of the o ering. King Abdulaziz International Airport is just 10 minutes from the Jeddah Gate lifestyle destination.
Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche
Expected to open Q2 2022, this 156-room property, located near to Jeddah Waterfront, Jeddah Corniche and sister hotels InterContinental Jeddah and Crowne Plaza Jeddah, will feature a business centre, two meeting rooms, three dining options, a gym, spa and pool.
Holiday Inn’s ‘Open Lobby’ concept will be rolled out in Riyadh soon
ASCOTT TO OPEN FOUR NEW KSA PROPERTIES
International lodging owneroperator, ‘The Ascott Limited’ (Ascott), is on course to open four new properties in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2022. As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, the group is currently preparing to launch and manage the 90-key Ascott Villas Riyadh, Somerset Downtown Al Khobar, Citadines Abha and Citadines Al Aziziya Al Khobar, all of which cater to business, leisure and long-stay guests with spacious serviced accommodation and lifestyle amenities. Ascott already operates six exclusive properties in the kingdom including Ascott Sari Jeddah, Ascott Tahlia Jeddah, Citadines Al Salamah Jeddah, Spectrums Residence Jeddah, Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh and Ascott Corniche Al Khobar. Ascott recently launched an ‘Escape in Style’ promotion o ering guests up to 25 per cent o when they book online at the-ascott.com/o ers or via the brand’s loyalty app – Discover ASR. The app is part of Ascott’s loyalty programme, ’Ascott Star Rewards’ .
Ascott Villas Riyadh
Citadines Abha InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort
Riyadh City’s rst and only resort will open in the distinguished Banban neighbourhood in Q4. e unique property, characterised by “architectural grandeur”, will be located amid a 154,000 sqm lush green oasis, enhanced by eco-friendly water features. e property will feature 121 rooms, 31 suites and 10 stately private villas, each with an outdoor swimming pool, plus a wide range of dining venues, a spa and indoor and outdoor pools. Ideal for meetings and events, venues will include Grand Durrah Hall, eight meeting rooms and several outdoor spaces, with a team of event specialists on hand to help with the planning.
Holiday Inn Riyadh, The Business District 15
is 138-room property will feature two F&B outlets, six meeting rooms (1,216 sqm), one of which will have the capacity for 310 guests, plus an outdoor pool, a gym and a business centre when it opens in Q1 next year. e hotel will be part of a mixed-use development, e Business District, comprising 20 o ces, a co ee shop, a mosque and a nursery.
Crowne Plaza Makkah (Beban)
is property will make its mark as the world’s largest Crowne Plaza when it launches in Q2 2022. Housing a staggering 1,200 rooms and close to the Holy Mosque, it will be a landmark hotel for IHG. It will join the InterContinental and Holiday Inn properties already in operation in the Holy City and cater to the in ux of pilgrim visits expected as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan for socio-economic transformation. Crowne Plaza Makkah Beban will also o er two restaurants and a co ee shop, a business centre and three meeting rooms.
Holiday Inn Jeddah
Opening in Q2 next year, Holiday Inn Jeddah Al Hamra will feature 253 rooms and a host of facilities for business and leisure travellers, including three dining venues, six meeting rooms, a business centre, outdoor pool, a gym and a spa.
