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ISSUE 252
DUBAI ACHIEVES RECORD HALF YEAR VISITOR NUMBERS AIR TRAFFIC MOVEMENT AT MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAS WITNESSED AN INCREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FLIGHTS AND PASSENGERS.
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FOUR MILLION PASSENGERS AT MUSCAT’S AIRPORT
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Sharm El Sheikh Hotels’ Profits Fall 50.5 Percent
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
COUNTRY
CURRENCY
1USD=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.39
Qatar (QAR)
Rial
3.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
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Dirham
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Dinar
80.66
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
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1,180.66
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214.91
Hotel units in Sharm El Sheikh suffered from a decline across all performance metrics during June, according to TRI Hospitality Consulting.
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n 8.9 percentage point drop in occupancies to 59.7 percent coupled with average room rates (ARR) falling 8.7 percent to USD41.07, caused RevPAR to plummet by 20.5 percent. Moreover, operating costs continued to rise substantially, while payroll costs surged by 6.3 percentage points, resulting in bottom-line profits falling 50.5 percent. June typically generates strong demand from leisure tourists and charters across the CIS region and Europe, however, Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting, attributed the decline to travel bans imposed by many European countries, diverting visitors to safer holiday destinations.
Meliá Soars High in H1 Meliá Hotels International announced results for the first half (H1) of the year in which the hotel industry showed signs of greater strength, mainly due to sustained economic growth in numerous markets.
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Meliá Dubai
global year-on-year increase in RevPAR of 11 percent over the period has led to improved operating margins and a 35 percent rise in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation. As well as the successful performance of recent additions to the company’s portfolio, the hotelier also attributed growth to its leadership and positioning in the resort hotel segment, and its ability to optimise the management of its city properties. The current bullish trend in the markets allows the group to remain optimistic about results to year end.
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TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY NEWS Travelport: New Agreement in Saudi Arabia
Amadeus Egypt Hosted Tour in Germany
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n an effort to improve agency productivity and drive business growth, Global Travel Solutions, a travel agency in Saudi Arabia, has announced a technology agreement with Travelport and its Worldspan distribution partner, Stargate Cyber Active. Under the new agreement, Global Travel Solutions will adopt Travelport’s leading-edge travel solutions in its work designing vacation packages and managing meetings and events for both individuals and corporate customers. Commenting on the new partnership, Shailendra Philips, general manager, Global Travel Solutions, said, “In addition to their technology, we favoured Travelport for their wealth of content and ongoing commitment to agency support that they have demonstrated over the years.”
madeus has reported that this year’s Eductour, an exclusive event for Egypt’s travel industry leaders, has taken place successfully in Munich, Germany. The Driving Technology Togetherthemed event aimed to share with Amadeus’ travel partners the many ways in which technology can help them better serve their customers, grow their businesses, and shape the future of travel. “We are committed to working together with the Egyptian travel industry to shape the future of travel through trips such as our 2014 Eductour Egypt event. We believe in building and maintaining longterm, mutually beneficial relationships and focussing on our customers’ ever-evolving business needs,” said Khaled Gad, general manager, Amadeus Egypt.
Aloft Hotels to Hire a Robot
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he hotel industry's first robotic butler, or Botlr for short, made its official debut recently at Aloft Cupertino, a Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide property. Created by robotics company Savioke, the robot is able to perform both front and back of house duties, navigating its way around the property, including the lifts, delivering amenities to guests’ rooms. Dressed in a vinyl-collared uniform complete with a tag bearing the name A.L.O., the Botlr accepts tips in the form of a tweet and can communicate effortlessly with guests and various hotel platforms. The robot is designed not to only free up staff time but enhance the hotel’s current tech-forward offerings. A.L.O. will be joined by several new botlrs over the coming months.
A.L.O. at Aloft Cupertino
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WEEKLY NEWS
AKOYA Oxygen a Breath of Fresh Air
Abu Dhabi Targets Chinese Tourism
A Artist's impression of AKOYA Oxygen
Following the success of AKOYA by DAMAC in 2013, DAMAC Properties has announced the introduction of a second development, set to be the largest in Dubailand at over 500,000m2.
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he aptly-named AKOYA Oxygen will showcase the greenest living spaces in Dubai with luxurious residential properties set amidst parklands, gardens and green open spaces, all surrounding a championship golf course. Ziad El Chaar, managing director, DAMAC Properties, explained the vision is to create the first green luxury residential address in Dubai. “Homes will incorporate energy-efficient materials such as lighting, low-emission paints and solar water heating systems, and all will feature strongly in the building process,’’ he said. The new development looks set to be a success as the first release of houses were sold out in record time at the sales launch.
bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is working on a number of key initiatives aimed at increasing the number of Chinese visitors to the emirate. Mubarak Al Shamisi, director, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, explained that although there has been significant progress in the number of Chinese the emirate attracts, there is still room for growth. This is evidenced by figures which show that in the first half (H1) of this year, some 59,518 Chinese checked into Abu Dhabi’s hotels and resorts, a 189 percent increase on H1 2013. However, there remains a specific challenge in terms of the duration of these stays, as Al Shamisi explained. “Our Chinese guests do not stay with us long enough, just 1.78 nights on average. We want more Chinese guests and we want those that do come to stay longer,” he said.
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WEEKLY NEWS ADIA Sees Rise in Passenger Traffic now. . k u o y Did six first he
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ADIA
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bu Dhabi Airports announced a 19.4 percent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) during the first half of the year. From January 1 to June 30, a total of 9.48 million passengers passed through the international hub, with the month of June alone registering 1.67 million travellers, a year-on-year surge of 21.4 percent. At the same time, the number of aircraft movements rose to 73,862, representing 11.8 percent growth compared to the corresponding period in 2013, while cargo activity in the first six months of the year comprised 377,885 tonnes handled at the three terminals, representing a 16 percent increase.
DCTM Announces #MyDubai Trip
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travel series featuring 12 episodes and entitled #MyDubai Trip is to be produced under the #MyDubai initiative and delivered by the Peeta Planet travel show. Fifty itineraries will be posted on Peeta Planet’s Facebook page by residents of Dubai prominent on social media. The top 12 itineraries will be selected by public vote and each filmed as one episode. #MyDubai Trip aims to draw upon local knowledge and make residents advocates of tourism in Dubai. “By working with local insiders, international instagrammers and the Peeta Planet team, we can create content that reaches all four corners of the globe and encourages visitors to experience a side of our city that may be unfamiliar and unexpected,“ said Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. The series will be filmed in September and October and broadcast from November.
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WEEKLY NEWS BAC Celebrates Aerodrome Certificate Renewal
Al Ain to Leverage its Heritage Status
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BIA
l Ain has identified its UNESCO world heritage inscription, deep-rooted cultural experiences, and appealing natural environment as development levers for its tourism progression. During a two-day fact finding mission organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), 15 destination management companies and cruise excursion operators active within the UAE, singled out opportunities to develop tours which would reflect Al Ain’s natural landscape and cultural origins.
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ahrain Airport Company (BAC), the managing and operating body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), celebrated the renewal of the Aerodrome Certification from the Ministry of Transportation’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA). The certificate, which is valid for five years and issued by CAA, confirms that the BIA aerodrome is licensed and approved for international civil air traffic operations. Discussing the development, Mohamed Thamir Al Kaabi, chief operating officer, BAC, commented, “Renewal of the certificate was granted following the assessment of BIA’s aerodrome by CAA and confirms the readiness and operational capability of BIA and ensures that the landing field is safe and suitable for takeoff and landing of international aircrafts.”
A’s n BI ilt o antage u b n is adv Visio etitive on as a t i p com the reg efficien d in n a dly t? frien airpor
Bahrain
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WEEKLY NEWS Dubai Achieves Record Half Year Visitor Numbers
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Disney on Ice
tatistics released by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) revealed highest-ever half year visitor figures as Dubai’s hotels welcomed more than 5.8 million tourists. During the period, the emirate hosted some top events and festivals, all of which contributed towards the growth in visitor numbers. The events calendar is even busier in the second half of the year with Disney on Ice, GITEX Shopper and the Dubai International Film Festival amongst others, all expected to attract visitors. Commenting on the statistics, H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, DTCM, said, “The figures show an increase in visitors from many of our key source markets, for example we are seeing strong growth from China, Brazil, Australia and many countries in Europe.” Saudi Arabia continued to be Dubai’s primary source market whilst China saw a substantial increase of 26 percent.
Egypt Celebrates History
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gypt Tourism Authority will organise a ceremony in commemoration of the discovery of Nefertari’s tomb in Luxor 110 years ago, in collaboration with the Italian embassy in Egypt. The celebrations will take place between October 15 – 25 in the Valley of Queens, Luxor. Several Italian archaeologists, trip organisers and media professionals representing Egypt and Italy will be amongst the attendees, and photo exhibitions will be held at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Nefertari was one of the most famous Egyptian queens and her tomb, discovered in 1904, is one of the most important finds in the Valley of the Queens. 6 SEPTEMBER 2014
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WEEKLY NEWS
FOUR MILLION PASSENGERS AT MUSCAT’S AIRPORT Air traffic movement at Muscat International Airport has witnessed an increase in the total number of flights and passengers.
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he number of air services increased by 1.3 percent to reach 40,204 flights by the end of June, compared to 39,695 flights in the same period of 2013. Moreover, passengers passing through the airport swelled by 7.5 percent, reaching 4.43 million compared to 4.12 million in the first six months of 2013. An air traffic report issued by Oman’s National Center for Statistics and Information also revealed that the total number of passengers on international flights passing through Muscat International Airport rose by 7.5 percent, whilst there was a 4.6 percent growth in the volume of domestic flights.
Muscat International Airport
Tourism Hots Up on the Beaches of Sharjah
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otels and beach resorts across Sharjah enjoyed record levels of international tourists during the first half of this year, according to statistics released by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). The volume of visitors rose to over 180,000, registering occupancy rates of 80 percent. The majority of tourists were Europeans, followed by visitors from the GCC. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, director general, SCTDA, said that the turnout had exceeded expectations, noting that numerous cultural and artistic festivals, as well as promotions by major shopping malls and special concessional rates offered by hotels to both visitors and residents, had all added to the emirate’s attractions. Sharjah is also the only emirate that offers access to the coasts of both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
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ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Studio M Brand Debuts in Middle East Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East and Africa (MEA) is to launch its Studio M brand in Riyadh. The 145-key property is due to open in the second quarter of 2015.
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tudio M is a very distinctive brand that addresses an under-represented segment of the regional market,’’ explained Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, president, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels MEA. “In Riyadh, budget hotels account for just 10 percent of existing supply and only 1,000 rooms in the pipeline [...]. We see tremendous potential for a contemporary budget brand,” he added. Other prime locations in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia have been identified for the Studio M brand in addition to two sites already under negotiation in Doha and Dubai, paving the way for up to six properties signed or launched by 2017.
Studio M
Refurbishment to Uplift Dubai International
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he upgrade of two runways at Dubai International has been carried out with minimal disruption to flight operations during the 80-day period for which it lasted, according to Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, director general, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), who stated that no other project of this kind has occurred in the history of civil aviation with the least possible impact on normal operations. A raft of additional projects are in the pipeline to enable Dubai Air Navigation Services to handle the anticipated growth in air traffic in the emirate and to restructure the airspace that has been labelled as one of the most congested in the world. The UAE handles approximately 600,000 movements a year and by 2025 will need to accommodate in the region of 1.2 million movements.
Marriott International Expands Mobile Check-in Across 11 More Brands
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arriott International has announced significant expansion of its mobile check-in and checkout services to 11 more brands across the group. The services are available at 1,200 properties now and will be live at more than 4,000 by end of the year. Marriott Rewards members receive a notification on their mobile devices on the day before their arrival, alerting them that they can check-in. Since payment information is stored within members’ profiles, guests simply collect their pre-programmed key card from the mobile check-in desk. “You cannot separate the mobile experience from the personal interaction between guests and our hotel associates,” said George Corbin, senior vice president, digital, Marriott International.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Swiss-Belhotel Acquires Abu Dhabi Palace
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lobal hospitality management chain Swiss-Belhotel International has continued its expansion in the Middle East with the launch of Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot, a heritage building on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, originally built as a palace for the Abu Dhabi ruler. The recently refurbished four-star resort’s architecture exemplifies Arabian luxury and style, with golden walls, soaring domed ceilings, capacious balconies and generous living spaces. Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot is well-suited to families, offering water activities as well as a large swimming pool and a separate children’s pool and kids’ club. “Swiss-Belhotel International is in the midst of an exciting period of growth in the Middle East, with three more hotels set to be launched before the end of [2015],” said Gavin Faull, chairman, Swiss-Belhotel International.
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Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot
Elaf Jeddah Hotel Achieves 96 Percent Occupancy
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laf Group has announced an impressive 96 percent occupancy rate at its Elaf Jeddah Hotel at Red Sea Mall during Ramadan. Senior executives of the group attributed the success, which exceeded the original sales target, to the availability of special room packages during the Ramadan period which were further enhanced by the offer of Suhoor, as well as access to the attractions of Red Sea Mall. The hotel’s restaurants were singled out by management for creating a unique selling point for the hotel during the Eid holidays.
Elaf Jeddah Hotel
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Juweira Boutique Hotel: Occupancy Up
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uweira Boutique Hotel at Muriya’s Salalah Beach destination has achieved 85 percent occupancy during Khareef, the monsoon season that attracts record numbers of visitors each year. The hotel’s occupancy level has doubled compared to the corresponding period in 2013. “With Salalah witnessing a 73.4 percent growth in the number of tourists compared to [2013], Juweira Boutique Hotel is in a prime position to meet the ever increasing demand for a unique leisure and hospitality experience. Our results during Khareef so far highlight our ability to offer a luxurious getaway with a high level of attentive personal service that ensures guests enjoy a memorable visit to the Middle East’s only tropical destination,” said Daniel Fanselow, general manager, Juweira Boutique Hotel.
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ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai Sees Rise
Swiss-Belhotel Seef Now Open
Gavin Faull (right)
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n announcing its first half results, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai reported a 7.2 percent increase in RevPAR whilst occupancy grew 9.5 percent. In addition, the hotel has witnessed occupancy levels in excess of 80 percent during the first six months of the year, driven by the growing MICE industry. Bill Keffer, general manager, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, commented that the property was designed to meet the needs of large MICE groups. “The objective behind this was to help position the emirate as a leading destination for large scale conferences and events and drive the number of visitors to Dubai to 20 million by 2020.” The second tower of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai was released in three stages, with the final block of rooms due to be opened by October 1. This will phase in an additional 804 rooms, which will bring the total inventory of the property to 1,608 once fully operational.
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s it continues its expansion plans which will see the operation of up to seven hotels in the Middle East by 2015, Swiss-Belhotel International has launched Swiss-Belhotel Seef, Bahrain. The new four-star rated hotel, which officially opened on July 27, boasts 149 rooms and is located in Bahrain’s new business district. It further features a rooftop bar and restaurant, lobby café, an all-day dining restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, and meeting facilities. Discussing the recent launch, Gavin Faull, president, Swiss-Belhotel International, commented, “We are excited to be expanding in the Middle East, and Bahrain is a very important market which we are delighted to be entering.”
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Atana Musandam Open for Guests
A Atana Musandam
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tana Hotels, Oman’s very own hospitality brand, is now welcoming local and international tourists to the newly-opened Atana Musandam hotel to experience the country’s rich heritage in the stunning surroundings of the Musandam peninsula. An all-new destination, the property promises to provide Omani families and tourists alike with an authentic experience of Oman’s style, spirit and character by delivering world-class levels of hospitality and personal service. The groundwork for the foundation of Atana Hotels was laid by Omran, Oman’s Tourism Development Company, which manages Atana Musandam and Atana Khasab under the umbrella of the National Omani Hospitality Company (NOHC), an Omran subsidiary.
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AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Qatar Airways to Launch New Route to Eritrea Effective December 4, Qatar Airways is to further expand its African operations with plans to launch scheduled flights to Eritrea’s capital city Asmara, twice a week.
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he services will be operated onboard an Airbus A320 featuring 12 seats in business and 132 seats in economy class. “There is clearly demand and huge potential to and from Eritrea, one of the many underserved markets in Africa,” commented Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, adding that the airline is constantly looking for new opportunities to fulfil the needs of the travelling public from such markets and for those wanting to travel there from some of the 140 destinations that Qatar Airways serves around the world.
Asmara
Mahan Air Expands Further in Germany
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ollowing expansion of its international route network, Mahan Air, the private airline based in Tehran, Iran, has announced that it will launch three times weekly flights to Munich from October 29. The scheduled flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays will utilise an Airbus A310 aircraft. This marks the fifth European destination for Mahan Air, and its second in Germany after Düsseldorf.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Emirates SkyCargo to Launch Freighter Service to Basel
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mirates SkyCargo currently offers more than 340 tonnes of capacity each week on its routes into Switzerland and is set to further strengthen trade links between the country and its worldwide network with the introduction of a weekly freighter service from Basel to Dubai, starting September 21. Basel will become the 40th European destination to join the Emirates SkyCargo network, further boosting bilateral trade links between the UAE and Europe. “The economic region of Basel has a strong pharmaceutical and chemical industry and Emirates is offering seamless trade connections and an efficient hub with multiple flights for time and temperature sensitive freight”, said Hiran Perera, senior vice president, cargo planning and freighters, Emirates.
Basel
Etihad Cargo Expands in Russia
Oman Air Launches Flights to Manila and Jakarta
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tihad Airways’ freight division, Etihad Cargo, has launched twice weekly freighter rotations linking Abu Dhabi International Airport and Moscow Domodedovo Airport. The dedicated cargo service, which will operate every Wednesday and Friday, will utilise an Airbus A330-200F freighter. Commenting on the new freighter service, Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, noted, “Russia is a key market for Etihad Cargo and our new freighter service will allow us to capitalise on the growing trade between Russia and the UAE.”
Qatar Airways to Fly Daily to Bucharest and Sofia
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rom October 1, Qatar Airways will increase the frequency of its Bucharest-Sofia itinerary from five to seven flights per week. With the two extra services, the route will offer an additional 48 business and 360 economy class seats per week, an overall increase of 408 seats. “Bucharest-Sofia has been an extremely popular route for those travelling to and from Europe. The additional two frequencies will help meet the demand the airline has for this particular route,” commented Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways. He added that Europe in particular, is an extremely popular destination for a number of passengers, especially those in East Asia.
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man’s national carrier is introducing new services from Muscat to Manila, The Philippines, and Jakarta, Indonesia, beginning in December. Oman Air will be offering two flights per week to Manila as of December 2 with a third frequency being operated from December 13, and will start flying to Jakarta on December 12 thrice-weekly, with an additional service scheduled from January 2, 2015. Aiming to meet strong demand, the flights are the first to link the Omani capital directly with the two Asian cities. “Oman Air is launching these new services during the winter holiday period in order to meet significant demand during the festive season. Both The Philippines and Indonesia have large numbers of citizens living overseas and we are ideally placed to help them rejoin their families during the holiday,” commented Abdulrahaman Al-Busaidy, chief operating officer, Oman Air.
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AIR WEEKLY NEWS
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s of September 2, Air Arabia is running three flights per week from its new hub in Ras Al Khaimah to Chittagong, Bangladesh, further strengthening its connectivity with a core growth market, since the carrier already operates 14 weekly flights to Dhaka. “We have a strong association with Bangladesh having run flights to the country since 2007. As we close in on our 100th destination worldwide, it is fitting that we are strengthening our connectivity with a market that possesses such strong growth potential for both tourism and business,” said Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia. He also added that the ever growing appeal of the airline’s flights is underpinned by the core value of making flying affordable for everyone, leading Air Arabia to be considered the airline of choice for thousands of passengers who travel between Bangladesh and the UAE every month.
Emirates Now Daily to Larnaca and Malta
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mirates has boosted its service now connecting Dubai to Larnaca and Malta, daily. The airline’s cargo division, Emirates SkyCargo, is also offering 17 tonnes of belly-hold capacity on every flight to further increase the trade opportunities between the three cities. Mustafa Al Jabri, country manager, Cyprus, Emirates, commented, “This new daily service will help further stimulate trade and tourism between these destinations and further afield across Emirates’ vast network via Dubai.” The timings of the flight have been scheduled to facilitate onward connections to popular destinations, such as Australia, New Zealand and Brazil.
Larnaca
Air Arabia Flies to Chittagong
Jet2holidays Jetting off to Tunisia
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Tunisia
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et2holidays has announced another new route for summer 2015 as it adds Tunisia to its growing list of destinations. The direct weekly services to Enfidha Airport in the North African country will provide access to resorts such as Yasemine Hammamet, Port El Kantaoui and Sousse. Commenting on the new addition, Steve Heapy, CEO, Jet2holidays, said, “Tunisia is a fantastic addition to our services and with the reliable sunshine, I am confident that it will be an extremely popular holiday destination for us next year and beyond.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Heathrow’s Terminal 2 Welcomes EGYPTAIR
Qatar Airways to Ramp Up Flights to Istanbul
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s of September 17, EGYPTAIR will commence operations from Heathrow Airport’s brand new Terminal 2 in London. The new terminal was recently constructed with the aim of creating an integrated hub, optimised for the modern air traveller with state-of-the-art technology facilities, which EGYPTAIR passengers will soon be able to enjoy. Furthermore, business class and EGYPTAIR Plus Gold passengers will also have access to an all-new lounge area which is fully equipped with a range of comforts and amenities, as well as a view of the runway.
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rom October 26, in response to increased demand for its services to Istanbul, Qatar Airways will be adding three weekly flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, thereby making the route daily. The nonstop service from Doha to the Turkish airport was initially launched on May 22, marking Qatar Airways’ expansion to its third route in Turkey. Qatar Airways passengers looking to travel to Istanbul will have even more choice and further convenience and flexibility in their travel plans, while the extra flights will also be a great boost for the travelling public from Istanbul to cities around the world, according to Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways.
Terminal 2 London Heathrow
flynas: Largest Domestic Share in KKIA
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ccording to data from King Khaled International Airport (KKIA), flynas continued to boast the largest share in the domestic air transport market, reaching 16.5 percent by the end of July compared to 14.4 percent during the same period in 2013. Due to operational expansions in the domestic market, the airline transported about 1.25 million passengers locally in the first seven months of the year, an increase of more than 30 percent on 2013 figures. “[...] We have increased our flights to fulfil our role as the national carrier providing reliable air transport services to citizens and residents in the various regions of the Kingdom,” commented Wael Al-Sarhan, director of marketing and communications, flynas.
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Tell us a bit about the newly-opened OVAVERVA Pool, Spa & Sports Centre. Which are its main attractions to lure Middle Eastern visitors? KATJA SCHNEIDER: OVAVERVA Pool, Spa & Sports Centre has just opened its doors, after a construction period of 26 months and an investment of CHF69.2 million (USD77.1 million). The municipality of St. Moritz [Switzerland] has created a new attraction with the OVAVERVA indoor swimming pool, spa and sports centre that will offer huge added value to the entire region in the fields of leisure, spa and sports activities, as well as a new stimulus for the tourism sector and major sports events. The vast 25m indoor swimming pool provides professional training facilities as well as being available publicly for leisure activities. The complex boasts a separate diving pool as well as an outdoor pool with bubble loungers, and a sun terrace with a beautiful view of the St. Moritz mountain scenery. There is a separate children’s and family area with a paddling pool and a learner pool where both water babies and adults can enjoy fun and games. The fun tower with three different slides and a total length of 190m, offers sensational rides, from gentle slopes to kamikaze plunges. Besides water fun, particular importance is attributed at the OVAVERVA to improving swimming abilities and the health of young and old alike. There are swimming courses for children, school swimming and aqua gym available, right through to swimming activities to combat rheumatism. It is fun for the whole family with the extra bonus of improving health and fitness. Furthermore the OVAVERVA offers rest, recuperation and pure relaxation at the peacefully situated 1,620m2 spa. The Kneipp basin and vapour bath, a bio sauna and a Finnish sauna, as well as a ladies-only area are great ways for guests to escape from everyday pressures. Among the highlights are the big Rosatsch whirlpool with its mountain panorama, and the salt rest room with its beneficial climate. The spa area also includes six treatment rooms for a great variety of massages, cosmetic treatments and wellbeing packs, specially created for the OVAVERVA. […] Last but not least is the 600m2 OVAVERVA fitness centre under the direction of Gut Training St. Moritz, the 6 SEPTEMBER 2014
Q & A with Katja Schneider
SALES MANAGER, GERMANY, RUSSIA, GCC AND BRAZIL, ENGADIN ST. MORITZ
This tradition has recently gained popularity amongst more affluent visitors who are choosing to relax and recuperate in locations which are known for their healing properties. In St. Moritz, alpine moor mud, an invigorating climate and the highest carbonated mineral springs in Switzerland are the natural ingredients that for hundreds of years have given St. Moritz its reputation as a place of healing and helped make its mark as a place for summer vacations. Wellness tourism is well-known and favoured among the population in Europe therefore those facilities are still in great shape and there are also still new openings, like we have here in St. Moritz. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: In your opinion, why is Europe a top performer in wellness tourism and why is Switzerland such a hit with international wellness travellers?
ST MORITZ, SWITZERLAND HAS WELCOMED A NEW ADDITION SET TO ENHANCE ITS OFFERING. KATJA SCHNEIDER, SALES MANAGER, GERMANY, RUSSIA, GCC AND BRAZIL, ENGADIN ST. MORITZ, EXPLAINS IN WHAT WAYS THE REGION AND THE COUNTRY ARE ATTRACTIVE TO WELLNESS TRAVELLERS. renowned provider of fitness training and health protection in the Engadin region. Professional and leisure fitness fans will find a comprehensive facility with the latest equipment for group fitness, strength and endurance training as well as performance diagnostics. […] TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Among the world’s top 20 countries for inbound/ international and domestic wellness tourism (in terms of combined mar-
ket size), over half are in Europe, with Switzerland featured in the top six for wellness tourism expenditures, according to SRI International. Why is that the case, do you believe? KATJA SCHNEIDER: Switzerland has a long tradition of bathing culture and of using healing water with different temperatures, healthy air and further treatments with natural compounds to become healthy.
KATJA SCHNEIDER: Just like Switzerland, the rest of Europe has long been associated with natural facilities such as thermal spas, clean mineral water and fresh mountain air. The benefits of this kind of clean living and wellness breaks have been sought out for hundreds of years, and Switzerland offers a great combination of all of these facilities. Add to that the fact that Switzerland is one of the world’s safest travel destinations, and you can see why people seek out the relaxation and benefits of our environment again and again. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Are Middle Eastern customers expected to visit the centre’s spa as much as international tourists? KATJA SCHNEIDER: Our biggest feeder markets in summer and winter are Switzerland and Germany. Currently we do have some visitors from the Middle East. We are a hidden secret among those guests, and offer a unique and exclusive luxury resort, which our Middle East visitors are finding is on a par with the luxury and comfort they are used to, in a naturally beautiful and revitalising setting. There are other destinations in Switzerland, like Geneva or Zurich, which are more well-known, but we are looking forward to welcoming more and more guests from the Middle East to glamorous St. Moritz, as the reputation of our natural beauty, clean living and luxurious facilities spreads through the region. [...]
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL New Hampton Inn Opens in the US
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ampton Hotels, Hilton Worldwide’s global brand of more than 1,900 midrange hotels, has announced the official opening of its newest property, the 122-room Hampton Inn Seattle/Everett. Boasting a convenient, downtown location in Everett, Washington, the hotel provides easy access to the main attractions and institutions of the area making it suitable for both leisure and business travellers. In addition to the modern amenities and facilities available in the rooms, guests can enjoy the unique culture of hospitality fostered by the Hampton Hotels brand, which focuses on the anticipation of guests' needs and providing travellers with helpful suggestions about area attractions, historical facts and fun things to do around town. As Melissa Springer, general manager, Hampton Inn Seattle/Everett, explained, "Our staff is committed to make sure guests have the best experience during their stays with us.”
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Meliá Hotels International Expands in Venezuela
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panish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International has signed an agreement with developer and investor Franco Biocchi Zurita to develop and operate five new Innside by Meliá hotels in Venezuela. The first of these hotels, Innside Punto Fijo Hotel, is planned to open in 2016 in the state of Falcón, Venezuela. The property will comprise 116 rooms over 12 floors and offer amenities including a restaurant, bar and gym, and rooms for meetings and events. As highlighted by Gabriel Escarrer, vice president, Meliá Hotels International, “This framework agreement is a major landmark in the consolidation of the Innside brand as a market leader for urban hotels in cities with strong growth and development potential in Latin America.”
Solís Brand Expansion in Bali
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olís by Capella Hotel Group announced the development and opening of the Solís Ubud Resort & Spa planned for 2017. Set in the heart of the cultural centre of Bali, the hotel will offer 108 rooms, as well as luxury villas with a range of high-end services and offerings such as two themed restaurants with Balinese cuisine, spa, panoramic views over rice fields and riverfront experiences. Horst Schulze, chairman, Capella Hotel Group, commented on the objective of the brand, “The focus of this property, like other Solís hotels, is to be ingrained deeply in the Balinese way of life.”
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Solís Ubud Resort & Spa
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AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Rashmeeth Kalathil
POSITION:
Manager, holidays and MICE
COMPANY:
Al Reyami Travel and Tourism
LOCATION:
UAE
WEBSITE:
www.alreyamigroup.ae
Sharaf Travel Group Achieves Certification
Who are you? Al Reyami Travels and Tourism is the travel division of Al Reyami Group of Companies, one of the largest commercial houses in the UAE founded in 1995. Al Reyami Travels and Tourism specialises in corporate travel, leisure and holidays, government travel, Hajj and Umrah, marine travel services, MICE, while I look after the holidays and MICE department for Dubai , Abu Dhabi and the Internet City office. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? I think it is having the opportunity to meet someone new every day. The network is endless. There are so many great opportunities to meet not only people in the industry, but local people in each country during the visit. It is through this industry that I have built great relationships, and have met some great and sometimes famous people. This job is all about people. Our industry is about building networks and forging ties; travelling around the globe. When is the best time to visit the UAE? September to March. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? London, Scotland and Ireland. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Each and every client is taken care of during their travel and the product knowledge of our staff gives confidence to the client. 6 SEPTEMBER 2014
S
haraf Travel Consortium, one of UAE’s leading travel management companies, has completed ISO certification in quality management, environmental management and health and safety. The travel specialty group was established in 1991 with the primary aim of providing quality travel services to business and leisure travellers. It is now parent to several sub-divisions including Sharaf Travel Services, Sharaf Travels and Sharaf Tours and received certification following a sevenmonth process to improve customer experience and employee satisfaction and health. “These professional standards validate the philosophy of the Sharaf Travel group which encompasses high standards of customer service along with a focus on quality and the environment,” said V. Jayaram, managing director, Sharaf Travel, going on to thank all stakeholders and the board of directors for supporting the initiative.
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TRAVEL TALK
This step marks a significant step in the growth of our local tourism industry
SHEIKH SALEM BIN SULTAN AL QASIMI Chairman, Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah
“We are delighted that Ras Al Khaimah has been chosen to host the fourth annual Arab Aviation and Media Summit, which holds great significance to us on both aviation and tourism scales. This step marks a significant step in the growth of our local tourism industry and with this in mind we are highly aware of the importance of fostering relations between the aviation and tourism industries, and we look forward to working with the many partners over the coming months.”
We are honoured to be recognised by U.S. News & World Report
RACHAEL MARRET Senior vice president, customer engagement, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
“We strive to offer one of the most rewarding loyalty programmes in the industry and we are honoured to be recognised by U.S. News & World Report as a top programme [being ranked within the top five hotel rewards schemes amongst 17 competitors]. This recognition reinforces our commitment to offering our members benefits that go above and beyond hotel stays.”
We are glad to be part of this growing industry forum
ADEL ALI Group CEO, Air Arabia
“As the aviation industry continues to grow throughout the Arab world, the link between aviation and tourism becomes increasingly significant. We are glad to be part of this growing industry forum, [the Arab Aviation and Media Summit, which this year promises] to bring together industry experts to explore the mutual benefits of fostering partnerships between the aviation and tourism industries for sustainable economic growth, with the aim of developing and encouraging tourism within the Arab states.”
TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
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6 SEPTEMBER 2014
TRAVEL CHANNELS
Oman Air Unveils Human Resources System As the carrier prepares for the next stage of its expansion, it is launching its new performance management system, which will involve every member of staff throughout the company.
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ndividual outcomes will be linked to Oman Air’s reward programme following end-ofyear reviews. The new scheme will provide a vital mechanism for communicating responsibilities and evaluating achievements, said Rashid Mohamed Al Ghailani, chief officer, human resources, Oman Air. He added that, “Oman Air has built its formidable international reputation upon the quality of the goods and services we offer to our customers and the continuing success of the company relies on our individual accomplishments.”
Summer Camp Ends on a High Note
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he summer camp at Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has successfully concluded its fun-filled programme. Located on one of the emirate’s principal sand beaches, the summer camp engaged children in daily learning in a friendly and informal atmosphere. In addition to many leisure facilities, such as a fitness centre, pool, indoor playroom, sports courts and complimentary kids’ club, the camp Summer Camp at Coral Beach Resort featured an array of occupations for Sharjah all ages and educational visits to places such as a chocolate factory. Jean-Pierre Simon, regional general manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts, commented that the resort’s summer camp has become popular through its result-oriented activities which encourage participants’ decision-making and nurture the thought process of the child, in addition to encouraging innovative thinking and freeing the mind from preconceived notions.
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Gulf Air Launches EthicsPoint
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thicsPoint is an anonymous, Internet-based reporting tool which will allow staff to submit suggestions and feedback, as well as confidentially report any violation of policies or standards, as H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, chairman, Gulf Air, explained. “We are committed to cultivating a positive work environment and building a culture of integrity and ethical decisionmaking that extends the airline executive management team’s open door policy and provides a new level of support for each member of the national carrier’s workforce,” he added. All cases submitted via EthicsPoint will be delivered to Gulf Air’s audit committee and board of directors for review.
Customised Coca-Cola Product for Royal Jordanian Airlines
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oyal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) has sealed a marketing partnership with Coca-Cola Içecek, Jordan through which the logo of both companies will be displayed on a new Coca-Cola product. The agreement was signed by Nasser Lozi, president, RJ and Ezel Agaoglu, general manager, Jordan and Syria, Coca-Cola Içecek. The drink will be distributed on board RJ planes and in the Crown Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport, as well as at big stores around the Kingdom. In his congratulatory speech, Lozi underlined that RJ and CocaCola will work together to make this partnership a success, paving the way for continued commercial cooperation between the two big names in the Jordanian private sector.
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WHO’S MOVED
MANAL HUSSEIN ABDEL RAZEK
FAKHRI YACOUB HINDIYEH
Manal Hussein Abdel Razek is the new executive chairman of Orascom Hotels and Development, Orascom Development’s largest subsidiary in Egypt. Abdel Razek has been advisor to the chairman of Orascom Development on several projects since September 2013, and has served for more than 20 years in the Egyptian governmental sector, amongst others deputy minister of finance and head of the budgeting committee from 2004 to 2013. She has also served as chairman of e-finance, one of Egypt’s market leaders in the field of electronic payment solutions.
Razel has served on the boards of companies with interests in banking, aviation and tourism
Fakhri Yacoub Hindiyeh has been appointed hotel manager at Crowne Plaza Duqm, bringing with him vast experience spanning 26 years, gained from working with different brands and hotel companies in Jordan and the UAE. After graduating from California State University, Fresno, in 1988, he started his career with Le Méridien Amman, joining the pre-opening team and gradually moving to the positions of general accountant - duty manager, front office manager and executive housekeeper before joining Crowne Plaza Amman in 2004 as room division manager.
Hindiyeh holds a bachelor degree in business administration
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DAVID ALLAN
David Allan has taken over as general manager at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City. He joins the property from Radisson Blu Glasgow where he worked for two years, prior to which he headed Park Inn by Radisson Glasgow City Centre, where he successfully repositioned the property in the local market. Allan has a strong financial background and a proven track record in people leadership and in his new role will focus particularly on the consistent operation of the hotel’s rooms, restaurants and meeting spaces, maximising opportunities to deliver profitable results.
Allan has a sound working knowledge across all food and drink operations
RAKESH SARNA
Rakesh Sarna is joining Indian Hotels Company (Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces) as CEO and managing director where he will be responsible for steering the growth of the organisation as it establishes its strategic presence in chosen markets outside India. Sarna served as group president of the Americas and executive vice president at Hyatt, responsible for developing and spearheading owned, managed and franchised properties across all Hyatt brands. He was also responsible for developing and launching the group’s luxury brand, Andaz.
Sarna brings over three decades of experience across various leadership roles with Hyatt
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PHOTO ALBUM
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Al Tawadi Medical Center opens at Dubai's airport
Official football fan gear is now available at Emirates official stores
Qatar Airways’ freshly painted Airbus A350 XWB on the factory lines in Toulouse, France
Etihad Airways new ambulance service
Emirates sponsors Arab Idol Season 3
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NEWS & EVENTS
The 16th Jorge Vila Fradera Award
EVENTS FOOD & HOSPITALITY OMAN Muscat, Oman September 9 – 11, 2014 www.foodandhospitalityoman.com A business and networking platform to promote the latest products and services in the food and beverage sector.
AFRO TOURISM EXPO 2014
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itur, an international tourism trade fair in Spain, will stage the 16th annual Jorge Vila Fradera Award in collaboration with the Spanish Association of Tourism Experts (AECIT). The award will form part of Fitur 2015, taking place in Madrid from January 28 to February 1, 2015. The aim of the award is to promote and distribute unpublished research on tourism and it is open to the entire academic community with links to the industry. Members of AECIT, sponsors of the award, and representatives of Fitur, will establish the evaluation criteria and choose the four finalists who will be presented during the AECIT Conference at Fitur 2015. The winning research will be published for distribution and marketing throughout Spain, the European Union, the Latin American nations and the rest of the world.
Abuja, Nigeria September 17 – 18 www.afrotourismexpo.com The continent’s main conference and exhibition for travel, tourism and hospitality service providers.
KERALA TRAVEL MART (KTM) Kochi, India September 18 – 20 www.keralatravelmart.org KTM brings together the business fraternity and the entrepreneurs behind Kerala’s products and services.
WORLD ROUTES 2014 Chicago, Illinois, US, September 20 – 23 www.routesonline.com World Routes forms the essential global gathering for aviation organisations from across all continents and countries.
ARAB AVIATION & MEDIA SUMMIT
Fitur 2014
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Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, September 24 www.aamsummit.com Arab media and top executives gather to have insightful discussions on the current trends.
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