10 JANUARY 2015
ISSUE 270
BUSIEST HALF YEAR IN DUBAI AJMAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS TO ESTABLISH THE EMIRATE’S FIRST TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE.
08 ETIHAD COMPLETES ALITALIA STAKE ACQUISITION
14 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE
02
TECHNOLOGY
03
ACCOMMODATION
10
AIR
12
RENDEZVOUS
17
INTERNATIONAL
18
AGENT CORNER
19
TRAVEL TALK
20
TRAVEL CHANNELS
21
WHO’S MOVED
22
PHOTO ALBUM
23
NEWS & EVENTS
24
AJMAN TO SET UP TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE
6
MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
9/1/2015
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
2
Katara Hospitality, owned by the government of Qatar, purchased a 50 percent stake from Lloyds Banking Group in London’s The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel.
T
CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic
As of
Katara Acquires 50 Percent of London’s Savoy
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
3.75
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
88.19
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.15
Iran (IRR)
Rial
27,289.83
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,138.77
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.29
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,510.02
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.19
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.26
Syria (SYP)
Pound
180.65
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.89
Yemen (YER)
Rial
215.00
he transaction means that the historic property is now equally owned by Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) and Qatar. According to the Saudi company, the agreement further solidifies the strategic partnership between Qatar’s government and KHC which also owns a 35 percent stake in FRHI Hotels & Resorts in partnership with the Qatar Investment Authority. The central London hotel, which originally opened in 1889, was purchased by a consortium, headed by H.R.H. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, chairman, KHC, in 2005.
The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
Over 40,000 Rooms Under Contract in UAE
The UAE continues to lead in hotel development in the Middle East and Africa, with currently 40,102 rooms under contract in the country.
A
ccording to STR Global’s November 2014 Construction Pipeline Report, six other countries in the region reported more than 5,000 units under contract, including Saudi Arabia (37,362 rooms), Qatar (12,073), Egypt (7,583), Morocco (6,381), Oman (5,836) and Nigeria (5,412). All in all, the Middle East and Africa region remains upbeat and continues to show signs of steady developments with 644 hotels currently under contract with 151,680 units.
Middle East Drives Asia Pacific Air Growth Airports in Asia Pacific witnessed a 7.3 percent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic, while the Middle Eastern hubs recorded a 7.6 percent surge in the same metric in October 2014.
B
ased on data compiled by Airports Council International, in terms of freight traffic, Asia Pacific maintained a steady growth rate of 4.8 percent, the Middle East on the other hand continued to see robust improvements at 13.7 percent. From January – October 2014, passenger traffic in Asia Pacific showed an increase of 4.9 percent, with the Middle East recording a 8.8 percent surge. 10 JANUARY 2015
TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY NEWS
Amadeus Taxi & Transfer and Cabforce Partner
Amadeus, in partnership with Cabforce and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) as launch partner, has rolled out the Amadeus Taxi & Transfer solution.
A
irlines can now integrate a hassle-free one-stop shop in their website, offering a wider range of products and services to their customers to increase bookings and revenues. The Amadeus Taxi & Transfer offer is currently bookable through SAS’ website, with several other carriers in the pipeline to join. The agreement comes at a time when there is an ever-growing focus on ancillary services.
10 JANUARY 2015
EGYPTAIR Teams Up with Sabre for Transformation
E
GYPTAIR has signed an agreement with Sabre to help develop and implement a transformation programme for EGYPTAIR and EGYPTAIR Express. Aimed at increasing revenues, improving efficiencies and exploring new revenue streams by June 2016, the comprehensive strategy will address a wide range of the company’s areas, including financial performance, revenue management, network, fleet and crew planning, alliance partnerships, and fuel and maintenance strategies. “Our goal is to increase revenues and return the airline to profitability by the end of the fiscal year 2015/2016, putting us in line with our global counterparts,” explained Sameh El-Hefny, chairman, EGYPTAIR.
3
WEEKLY NEWS
Promoting Golf to the Emirati Community
The European Tour Performance Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates has announced a new programme which will introduce Emirati children to the game of golf.
T
he initiative has been carefully designed to promote golf and grow the game which is already hugely popular with the expat community living in the UAE. The programme, titled Diamonds in the Rough, will take a number of complete beginners who will undergo regular tuition to develop their skills as golfers. Starting in mid-January, the project will focus not only on teaching golf skills, but also fitness and mobility which are all fundamental in developing top golfers.
The Emirates Group Releases Environmental Report
T
he Emirates Group has published its fourth annual environmental report which measures and tracks the company’s environmental performance and identifies examples of best practice across its activities. Key to the group’s environmental strategy is Emirates’ ecoefficient fleet, whose fuel efficiency results are 14.5 percent better than the International Air Transport Association’s average. As per the report, total fuel efficiency for all passenger and freighter flights for the 2013/14 fiscal year improved 0.5 percent while emissions dropped to 0.764 kg of CO2 per tonne kilometre. “[The report] illustrates our successes, as well as areas for improvement,” said H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, The Emirates Group.
Al Dana Island Announced
G
reen Valley International Real Estate is to launch its 158,000m2 Al Dana Island in Dibba Fujairah, hailed as one of the largest manmade islands in the UAE. The project will feature a total of 376 three- and four-bedroom luxury villas set in a landscaped environment, which will compliment the international-standard yacht club and planned five-star hotel. Wiaam Mahmoud Rabah, chairman, Green Valley International Real Estate, said, “Al Dana Island will be a completely unique development, benefitting from the beauty of the natural environment of the region.”
QTA Strengthens Focus on Southeast Asia
Q
atar Tourism Authority (QTA) stepped up its promotional efforts in Southeast Asia, opening a dedicated overseas office which is to focus on Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Rashed Al Qurese, chief marketing and promotions officer, QTA, commented, “Experience shows that having an on-the-ground presence makes a vital contribution to maximising the tourism potential of source markets.” QTA’s focus will be on conveying a message that Qatar offers the ideal mix of top quality accommodation and superb leisure facilities, including outstanding cultural attractions and a clean, safe environment.
4
10 JANUARY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS Dubai Briefs Industry on Key Activities
Sharjah Promoted in India
I
Dubai Food Festival
M
10 JANUARY 2015
ore than 500 representatives of Dubai’s tourism industry attended Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM)’s first-ever briefing event to hear about the destination’s ongoing and upcoming events, including the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival and Dubai Football Challenge as well as other updates on its tourism offerings. “With continual enhancements to our destination offering, it is essential to ensure that our partners are kept up-to-date with developments and that they have all of the information they require to provide a worldclass service,” stressed Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing.
n line with its strategy to highlight the emirate as a leading business and investment hub, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) participated in the recently held trade mission to India. The four-day business-to-business event allowed the authority to introduce Sharjah’s portfolio of groundbreaking projects to Indian investors and keep the local business community well-informed about the options and advantages that the emirate has to offer. During the mission, Shurooq also met with representatives of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces in order to explore ways for possible future cooperation and potential business partnerships.
5
WEEKLY NEWS
AJMAN TO SET UP TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE
Dubai Tops Luxury Travel Survey
Dubai
Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) is to establish the emirate’s first tourism information centre.
T
he facility, to be opened on the Corniche, will feature a reception area to answer all questions of visitors and offer information on the emirate’s various tourism offerings, Khulood Khaled Al Nuaimi, director of tourism development and marketing, ATDD, revealed. In addition, two counters will be dedicated for the issuance of licenses for tourism establishments and activities following the official Ajman government working hours. To this end, ATDD invited students of the Engineering College of Ajman University of Science and Technology to submit their design ideas for the centre.
GCC Visitors Spend USD418 Million in Morocco
Abu Dhabi Airports Celebrates New Etihad Service
M
arking the takeoff of Etihad Airways’ inaugural Airbus A380 flight to London’s Heathrow Airport, Abu Dhabi Airports held a ribboncutting ceremony. As Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, noted, the addition of the Airbus A380 to the roster of aircraft using Abu Dhabi International Airport heralds a new era. Meanwhile, Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer, Etihad Airways, revealed that this was the first of 10 scheduled flights on board the A380, and the model will also serve Sydney and New York later this year. In preparation for the arrival of the world’s biggest commercial airplanes, Abu Dhabi Airports recently renovated its Southern Runway.
6
M
orocco continues to attract an increasing number of tourists from the GCC with recent statistics suggesting that visitors from the region spent some USD418 million in the country in 2013 alone. This was highlighted at the 4th GCC-Morocco Investment Forum, which was held to explore business opportunities between the two regions. Commenting on the recent shift from the European markets, Stephan Killinger, president, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, said, “The potential for cultural tourism in the country is really high and we expect this to be a major contributor to the inflow of tourists to Morocco.”
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort
Ajman Museum
L
uxury travel trends will be once again highlighted at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which will run between May 4 – 7 in Dubai in parallel with an International Luxury Travel Market @ ATM programme. “A 2014 YouGov Luxury Travel report for the MENA region showed that out of the 1,000-plus regionally based survey respondents, luxury clearly has a home in the Middle East with Dubai ranked in top spot as the preferred upscale destination,” explained Nadege Noblet, exhibition manager, ATM, Reed Travel Exhibitions. In fact, 69 percent of respondents agreed that luxury travel is defined by the availability of five-star accommodation as a minimum standard. Those surveyed admitted they had taken an average of 1.9 luxury holidays over the last 12 months.
10 JANUARY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS Saudi Arabia Establishes New Tourism Associations
Busiest Half Year in Dubai
T kn u o y d i D
ow. .
f nt o tme erce r a p e omm ai D Dub sm & C perates i o r Tou keting ces r fi a f o M 20 wide? ld wor
D
ubai’s hotels and hotel apartments welcomed more than 5.8 million visitors between January and June 2014, setting a new record for the first six months of a year. The destination’s primary source market remained Saudi Arabia, and the top 10 also included India, UK, US, Russia, China, Iran, Oman, Kuwait and Germany. Subsequently guest nights rose 6.7 percent for hotels and 4.1 percent for hotel apartments, while length of stay, a key driver of tourism growth within the Tourism Vision 2020, reached an average of 3.9 days. Revenues for hoteliers and hotel apartment operators also showed significant growth – with total first half revenues reaching AED12.74 billion (USD3.18 billion), up 10.9 percent.
he Saudi tourism scene has recently welcomed the foundation of Saudi Tourism Associations, launched by H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA), and H.E. Tawfiq bin Fozan Al Rabiah, minister of commerce and industry, Saudi Arabia, during SCTA’s annual meeting. “These associations are helpful in the monitoring efforts because we cannot fully rely on State’s monitoring on these sectors. In addition, they are very useful in the development up of objectives and work jointly for achieving these objectives,” bin Abdul Aziz commented.
Abu Dhabi Targets African Tourism
I
n an effort to open up Africa’s burgeoning outbound market, a delegation from Etihad Airways, supported by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) organised a tourism workshop in Cairo for 120 travel agents and tour operators. “We see significant potential from Africa overall and Egypt in particular,” stated Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of promotions and overseas offices, TCA Abu Dhabi. “With Saudi Arabia currently accounting for the lion’s share of Egypt’s outbound market, with people travelling for Hajj and Umrah, there is opportunity for Abu Dhabi’s emerging Halal tourism stopover propositions to take hold.” In 2014, more than 100,000 Egyptians checked into Abu Dhabi’s hotel establishments.
Sharjah Attracts Major Cruise Lines
S
harjah’s Khorfakkan Port continues to welcome increasing numbers of international cruise passengers. In late December 2014, two major cruise ships, TUI Mein Schiff 2 and Costa neoRivieria called at the East Cost, bringing some 4,000 visitors to the emirate, who enjoyed a tour of the Heritage Village and also had the opportunity to learn about Emirati customs and traditions. Since the beginning of the current cruise season, the port has received 13 major cruise liners with more than 30,000 passengers on board. All in all, more than 36 international ships are set to call in Sharjah, bringing over 80,000 visitors to the destination.
8
10 JANUARY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS New Meeting Point in Ras Al Khaimah
Preparations Underway for Qasr Al Hosn Festival
D
ubai-based fully-licensed destination management company, Meeting Point UAE (MPUAE) opened a new branch in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Hamra Mall. After having successfully managed and expanded its Dubai office, the company decided to set up a new branch in Ras Al Khaimah to take advantage of the destination’s growing business opportunities as Roula Jouny, CEO, Meeting Point International, explained. The company has in particular its focus on servicing the local industry with very fast and efficient distribution where required.
Qasr Al Hosn Festival
The opening of the new Meeting Point branch
T
he annual Qasr Al Hosn Festival, running between February 11 – 21, is set to delight audiences with an innovative programme. Held at the Qasr Al Hosn fort, the event will give visitors access to the living quarters of the ruling family for the first time ever, and will include exhibitions, art installations, traditional workshops and cultural and interactive learning experiences and more. H.E. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, said,“Qasr Al Hosn is truly the heart of Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene […] Through [it] we appreciate the efforts of our ancestors by passing down centuries of information to those visiting from across the UAE and abroad.”
SCTA Tackles Shortage of Architectural Heritage Experts
T
he Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) has teamed up with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) to train more than 10,000 Saudi technicians and help them specialise in the field of architectural heritage. Mashari Al Naeem, supervisor general, National Urban Heritage Center, confirmed that the programme is designed to address the Saudi market’s shortage in trained technicians in the field of urban heritage restoration. “These trainees can then work in various consultation offices, private companies and organisations that require a continuous training of 15 years to engage in the business and be able to replace the expatriate labour,” he explained.
10 JANUARY 2015
9
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Sofitel The Palm Dubai Receives Blue Flag Certification In recognition of its commitment to sustainable practices, Sofitel The Palm Dubai has been awarded with the coveted Blue Flag Certification.
kn Did you
ow. .
a iteri 's cr ntal g a l F e Blue ronm The de envi n and inclu ducatio , water e ion nment mat o infor y, envir f safety o t i l t a n e qu ? agemser vices n a m d n a
A
s Rohit Salunke, director of engineering, Sofitel The Palm Dubai, highlighted, the hotel has become the only resort on Palm Jumeirah and within Accor’s portfolio to have received three prestigious sustainability certifications including Green Globe Certification and ISO 14001:2004, within just one year of operations. Christophe Schnyder, general manager, Sofitel The Palm Dubai, added, “Our whole team strongly believes that sustainability is not only a corporate responsibility but a global one, to help preserve our planet. By following the best sustainability practices, we offer our guests an environmental-friendly resort with a magnific experience.”
Sofitel The Palm Dubai’s team
Participants at the event
Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
Al Bustan Centre and Residence Improves Staff Accommodation
10
Action Hotels Expands Regional Portfolio
A A
l Bustan Centre and Residence welcomed the new year with a cleanup activity, Together We Care, to upgrade and improve the surroundings off the hotel staff accommodation in Sonapur, Dubai. The week-long activity included cleaning the entire compound, trimming of tree branches and repainting the staff accommodation premises. Moussa El Hayek, chief operating officer, Al Bustan Centre and Residence, commented, “We would like to ensure that our staff lives in a conducive environment and that they comply with health and safety regulations. Keeping the environment clean is one of our fundamental corporate responsibilities and a value governing all our activities.”
ction Hotels has added two new properties to its Middle East footprint. Marking the company’s debut in Bahrain, the 304-room, Accor-managed ibis Seef has been completed on schedule and below budget. Featuring 18 apartments, the hotel offers an ideal base for long-stay guests and families. Scheduled to be unveiled this month, the 168-unit Premier Inn Sharjah is Action Hotels’ first Premier Inn branded project and Whitbread’s first hotel management contract in the Middle East outside of the company’s joint venture with The Emirates Group. Further cementing Action Hotels’ regional presence, Premier Inn Bahrain is on track to open in the third quarter of the year, and the pipeline also includes the 104-key Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah.
10 JANUARY 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
KHI Sells Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
Alfardan Properties Renews ISO Certification
DAMAC Launches New Hotel Apartments
F Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
K
ingdom Hotel Investments (KHI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi conglomerate Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), has sold its 100 percent interest in Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai to a UAE-based investment company for a gross consideration of USD95 million. H.R.H. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, chairman, KHC, described the transaction as another success for the company’s value realisation strategy from growth market investments. As Samad Zok, CEO, KHI, further noted, the sale also underscores the economic robustness of Dubai and the buoyant mergers and acquisitions environment of its hospitality sector.
10 JANUARY 2015
ollowing a successful audit, Qatarbased Alfardan Properties has once again secured the ISO 9001:2008 certification on its Quality Management System (QMS). As Mohamed Sleiman, general manager, Alfardan Properties, explained, the company first received the certification three years ago and has since continued to establish effective management policies and practices in all its business processes. “In our continual pursuit of business excellence and sustainability, we constantly benchmark our business and operations against international best practices. […] Alfardan Properties has given importance to leadership, continual improvement of our process and people, and feedback from our clients, suppliers, and stakeholders in its QMS,” concluded Sleiman.
kn Did you
ow. .
rdan lio Alfa ' por tfo s e i des er t Prop lso inclu sidences a e R ki a? pins Doh Kem Suites, &
DAMAC Maison Cour Jardin
D
AMAC Properties has opened its third luxury serviced hotel apartments in the Burj area of Dubai, DAMAC Maison Cour Jardin, managed by DAMAC Maison Hotels & Resorts, the company’s hospitality arm. Located in the heart of the city in walking distance to The Dubai Mall, the property features more than 350 apartments spread across 19 floors, offering refined living in comfortable deluxe rooms. Guests can also take advantage of the Chrysalis Spa, a café and a 400m2 terrace designed for large functions and events. As Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, DAMAC Properties, noted, the property will offer various first-class options to clients searching for the best experience in town, be it for leisure or business.
11
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Gulf Air Steps Up Muscat Operations In response to the growing demand, Gulf Air is to offer four extra weekly flights on the Bahrain – Muscat route, effective from January 20.
T
he additional frequencies will bring the Bahraini carrier’s services to the Omani capital from 21 to 25 flights, offering convenient same-day travel options. As Ahmed Janahi, acting chief commercial officer, Gulf Air, noted, the extra frequencies further strengthen the airline’s position with one of the largest regional networks and reinforce its commitment to provide passengers with convenient and enhanced connectivity.
SAUDIA Surprises Smartphone Users
Kuwait Airways Begins Fleet Upgrade
K SAUDIA launches smartphone services
S
audi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has launched a bouquet of smartphone services, offering passengers a whole new reservation and travel experience. Available on iPhones running the iOS7 operating system or later versions, the applications allow travellers to book and purchase their tickets and pay through Sadad, select their seats and keep their boarding pass in the PassBook. As Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, director general, SAUDIA, pinpointed, the smartphone technology allows passengers to save time and energy by completing most of their travel procedures from the comfort of their home or office. Offered in both Arabic and English, the service is initially available for domestic flights but will soon be offered on international routes and on Android devices as well.
12
uwait Airways took delivery of an Airbus A320 equipped with Sharklets, the first of 37 new aircraft the company ordered as part of its major fleet renewal
plan. Announced in February 2013, the airline’s strategy is built on the lease of 12 and the purchase of 25 aircraft. Rasha Al Roumi, chairwoman, Kuwait Airways, described the arrival of the new aircraft as a defining moment for the airline. Besides the Sharklet wing tip devices, that will deliver up to four percent in fuel savings among other benefits, the carrier has also decided to equip its new A320 fleet with Airbus’ Runway Overrun Prevention System technology, becoming the first Middle East airline to utilise this innovative system.
10 JANUARY 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS Etihad Airways Celebrates New Airbus A380 Service
In-flight Entertainment to New Heights at SAUDIA
S U
The launching ceremony
AE flag carrier, Etihad Airways, recently celebrated its inaugural Airbus A380 flight at the departure gate of Abu Dhabi International Airport, gathering top-level attendees from the airline and Abu Dhabi Airports for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event took place prior to the departure of EY11 flight to London’s Heathrow Airport. Passengers received special gifts and commemorative certificates, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi vouchers. The flight also marked the debut of the Etihad Airways’ new services including First Apartments, Business Studios and Economy Smart Seats, as well as The Residence by Etihad suite.
Etihad Airways Expands Its South American Reach
audi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has introduced onboard wireless entertainment options available on laptops, tablets, mobile phones and other devices, currently offered on its Airbus A320 aircraft flying to Frankfurt, Rome, Milan and Geneva, as well as a number of domestic and regional routes. The system interacts through a special display screen, carefully designed to offer unique experience with a user-friendly interface which supports wireless devices that operate on Apple, Android and Windows systems. Abdul Mohsen Jonaid, executive vice president, commercial services, SAUDIA, explained that this new service will enable passengers to have unlimited viewing options over a rainbow of onboard entertainment segments.
Pre-allocated Seating on EGYPTAIR Flights
Buenos Aires
E I
n a bid to provide passengers with better access to South America, Etihad Airways has signed a codeshare agreement with Aerolíneas Argentinas, effective from February 1. Guests will be able to travel on the UAE carrier’s flights to Buenos Aires, and from there to 20 destinations on the continent, including Montevideo, Rio Grande, Santiago de Chile and others. James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, commented, “Codeshares are a fundamental pillar of Etihad Airways’ strategy and our new commercial partnership with Aerolíneas Argentinas is a significant development for both airlines. We are now able to enhance our business and leisure travel offering between the UAE, Argentina and onwards to the strategically important South American market.”
10 JANUARY 2015
GYPTAIR passengers flying to some of the most popular destinations in the carrier’s network can now reserve their preferred seat in advance. The service, which can be selected from 14 days until four days prior to the flight, is available on routes to Johannesburg, London and New York. The reservation is being offered as an additional service and can initially only be made through the carrier’s offices and call centre, EGYPTAIR’s team, however, is already working on extending the option to those purchasing their tickets online via the airline’s website.
13
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Emirates: World’s Largest Wide-body Airline
E
mirates rounded off 2014 as the airline with the world’s largest wide-body passenger fleet of 218 aircraft, in addition to 14 freighters. Following two consecutive years of record deliveries and capacity increases, 2014 saw the airline adding 27 aircraft to its fleet, including the 50th Airbus A380 and its 100th Boeing 777-300ER, further strengthening Emirates’ position as the world’s largest operator of both the A380 and 777. As Tim Clark, president, Emirates, highlighted, despite an eventful year, marked by a series of external challenges, Emirates has continued to grow, adding capacity equivalent to a mid-sized airline while maintaining high seat load factors.
14
Gulf Air Cohosts Athens Fam Trip
G
ulf Air recently teamed up with The Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies (HATTA) to host a group of media representatives from Bahrain and Kuwait on a familiarisation trip to Athens. The initiative was designed to showcase the Greek capital and its offerings to these lucrative markets. Since June 2014, Bahrain’s flag carrier flies four times per week to the city on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, departing at 14:00 local time.
Athens
Etihad Completes Alitalia Stake Acquisition
E
tihad Airways and Alitalia have completed all the formalities related to the transfer of air transport operations from Alitalia CAI to the new Alitalia SAI. The UAE carrier subscribed and paid for the capital increase of EUR387.5 million (USD473.2 million) for the acquisition of a 49 percent share in the Italian company, while the remaining 51 percent shareholding is held by Alitalia CAI through MidCo, which has contributed the agreed assets and liabilities for the continuation of the airline.
Qatar Airways Welcomes First A350
Q
atar Airways took delivery of the world’s first Airbus A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) aircraft and another A380. The new members of the carrier’s fleet are the first of 80 A350s and the fourth of 13 A380s on order. The first passengers to enjoy the benefits of the A350 aircraft will be those travelling on the Doha – Frankfurt route. With this historic moment, Qatar Airways became the first airline in the world to operate every family of Airbus’ modern airliner portfolio. “The A350 XWB, in combination with the recently-introduced A380, will offer unprecedented levels of interoperability and a highly efficient solution to meet long-haul passenger demand on the rapidly expanding Qatar Airways’ network,” explained Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways.
10 JANUARY 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS Emirates: Three Times a Day to Birmingham
E
mirates is stepping up its presence in Birmingham with the introduction of a third daily service, effective from August 1. Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration, the additional flight will offer passengers greater flexibility, as Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, West, Emirates, explained. “This is another significant investment in the UK market and we look forward to offering further choice and excellent value for money to travellers and businesses, including the cargo community,” added Frach. Since launching the Dubai – Birmingham service in December 2000, Emirates has carried over 4.9 million passengers on the route.
Birmingham
Qatar Airways Increases Salalah Services
Etihad to Codeshare with Hong Kong Airlines
I
T
n response to the growing demand, Qatar Airways has added three extra weekly flights to its Doha – Salalah route. Effective from February 3, the airline will introduce another service, bringing the total number of weekly frequencies between the Qatari capital and the second largest city of the Sultanate to eight. As Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, pinpointed, the increased operations demonstrate the carrier’s strong regional network and provide travellers with greater choice. Operated by an Airbus A320, featuring two-class configuration, the flights offer a mix of morning and evening options. With the additional services, Qatar Airways now operates 36 weekly services to the Omani cities of Muscat and Salalah.
ravellers can now benefit from enhanced connections thanks to Etihad Airways and Hong Kong Airlines’ new codeshare agreement. Subject to regulatory approval, the UAE airline will place its code on the Asian carrier’s services between Hong Kong and Bangkok, allowing passengers to book a round trip between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi via the Thai capital. The code will also appear on flights between Hong Kong and Okinawa, Japan. In turn, Hong Kong Airlines’ code is being placed on Etihad Airways’ triple-daily operations between the UAE capital and Bangkok, together with two upcoming services that will connect Abu Dhabi to Madrid and Hong Kong.
Oman Air Signs Financing Deal
O Salalah
10 JANUARY 2015
man Air and Standard Chartered Bank have signed a landmark sale and operating leaseback transaction for three Boeing B737-800s. The first two aircraft were already delivered at the end of 2014, while the third one is planned for February. As Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, noted, in line with its ambitious growth strategy, the airline is keen to pursue different options to finance new aircraft, and one of those options is sale and leaseback. The transaction is one of the first sale and leaseback deal entered into by Oman Air and was arranged exclusively by Standard Chartered Bank.
15
WEEKLY NEWS AIR NetJets Europe Enters Middle Eastern Market
Gulf Air Expands Saudi Network Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
G
N
etJets Europe released further details of its offering in the Middle East, which focusses on providing a 360-degree service for companies and individuals, from fractional ownership through to full service aircraft management. Speaking at the Middle East Business Aviation exhibition in Dubai, Michael Graham, senior vice president, NetJets Europe, explained that the company is well-positioned to expand its operational footprint in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. “The Middle Eastern market represents a fascinating proposition to us, especially as the region’s business aviation industry is projected to grow to USD1.3 billion by 2020 – about double its value today,” said Graham.
ulf Air is gearing up for the inauguration of two new services to Gassim and Taif. Starting January 10, the airline will operate four weekly flights to each city, bringing its Saudi network to six destinations. As Maher Salman Al Musallam, CEO, Gulf Air, noted, Bahrain’s relationship with Saudi Arabia is a long-standing one. “Saudi Arabia is an important market for us and the launch of services to Gassim and Taif, supplementing our Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina operations, further demonstrates our commitment to connecting people to various destinations across Gulf Air’s network,” he added.
Emirates Customers Enjoy Wi-Fi
flydubai Goes to Central and Southeast Europe
O
f
ver 200,000 passengers have used Emirates’ free onboard Wi-Fi since October 2014. The airline currently offers Wi-Fi connectivity onboard all of its 56 Airbus A380s, as well as on 30 of its Boeing 777s. A comprehensive retrofit programme is underway to install Wi-Fi capability across the rest of its fleet. “Emirates sees in-flight Wi-Fi as an essential value-add service that should be freely available for our customers to connect with friends, family and business,” commented Patrick Brannelly, vice president, corporate communications, product, publishing, digital and events, Emirates.
lydubai has further consolidated its presence in Europe by launching services between Dubai and Bratislava, Prague, Sarajevo, Sofia and Zagreb. As Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, noted, the inauguration of the new routes reflects the company’s commitment to providing passengers with flexible and convenient travel options. Passengers booking the new services also have the option to travel on business class. The launch of the routes, which comes after the introduction of visa on arrival for 46 European nationalities, including Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria and Slovakia, brings the total number of new destinations added in 2014 to 23.
kn u o y d i D
ow. .
eisa Harg l also , i a n il Chen ejran w ubai’s N d y d fl an join ? soon network
16
Etihad Welcomes First Residence Guest Onboard
Gino Bertuccio
M
iami-based businessman and aviation enthusiast, Gino Bertuccio was the first person to experience The Residence by Etihad, hailed as the world’s only private multiroom cabin on a commercial passenger aircraft. By joining the inaugural flight onboard the Airbus A380 aircraft between Abu Dhabi and London’s Heathrow Airport, Bertuccio became part of aviation history as the first member to enjoy what James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, described as the world’s most luxurious and exclusive hospitality and service experience in the air.
10 JANUARY 2015
RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Shurooq has long been making efforts to boost and expand Sharjah’s image by encouraging international investors. How fruitful have these efforts been so far? MARWAN BIN JASSIM AL SARKAL: When Shurooq was established in 2009 through an Emiri decree, our efforts were first focussed on developing projects that would attract investment, but we also recognised the importance of making Sharjah’s investment potentials known on an international level. To facilitate the investment promotion process we focussed on doing the relevant research and identifying the sectors and geographical areas that offer the greatest potential and that we therefore need to focus on. Parallel to this, we created a lot of awareness about Sharjah and the economic climate in particular through participating in various local and international events, as well as regular road shows. In the past two years alone we have signed memorandums of understanding aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation with [various agencies in the US, Hong Kong and Turkey]. These agreements are playing a key role in helping us bridge relations with local investors who previously did not know much about the facilities they can avail if they were to invest in Sharjah. […] TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What kind of investments are you expecting in the near future? MARWAN BIN JASSIM AL SARKAL: Our efforts continue to focus on four key sectors, namely travel and tourism, healthcare, transport and logistics, and renewable energy. Shurooq aims to set the pace and encourage investors to develop projects in line with the emirate’s vision; we took the lead in the past four to five years in developing tourist destinations and hotels. We have more than 20 projects in the pipeline, some of which has been delivered, some under construction, and the rest are in the design phase. As for the tourism and travel industry, we have been very successful in developing the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and we will aspire to improve and develop projects to highlight and enhance this rapidly growing industry. […] TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How impor10 JANUARY 2015
Q & A with
H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal CEO, SHARJAH INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SHARJAH IS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES MAKE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PROMOTE THE DESTINATION, SOMETHING THAT ACCORDING TO H.E. MARWAN BIN JASSIM AL SARKAL, CEO, SHARJAH INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (SHUROOQ), CREATED A LOT OF AWARENESS FOR THE EMIRATE.
Sharjah waterfront
tant is investment in the tourism industry for Shurooq and which are the relevant efforts made towards the development of the industry? MARWAN BIN JASSIM AL SARKAL: Tourism is playing a vital role in Sharjah’s growing economy, which makes investment in this sector crucial. Here again, our research shows a real shortage in the number of hotel beds in Sharjah. Between now and 2016 there is a shortage of approximately 3,000 beds, this equates to approximately four hotels, mostly in the five-star category. The addition of Shurooq hotel projects Al Jabal Resort, The Chedi Khorfakkan and Al Bait Hotel will definitely help to ease this shortage, but there is still a lot of room for investors and developers to embark on new hospitality ventures. Similarly, with regard to upscale international restaurants, there is a big gap. The demand as a matter of fact is higher than the supply and much of the disposable income with regards to food and beverage by residents in Sharjah is being spent elsewhere. Here Shurooq took the lead and invited international chains to open units in our destinations and elsewhere. Residents are now seeing more international chain varieties in the emirate but we would like to see more on the East Coast part of the Emirate in areas such as Korfakhan and Kalba. [In 2014], Shurooq also opened the state-of-the-art attraction, Al Montazah - Amusement and Water Park, which has proved to be a big success with residents and visitors alike and will be able to accommodate three million visitors a year. The Heart of Sharjah, the five-phase 15-year historical restoration project that aims to restore and revamp the traditional heritage areas of Sharjah, which currently is in its first phase of development, is also already attracting large numbers of visitors. The potential investment in the tourism industry is growing exponentially with the addition of projects such as the development planned in Dibba Al Hisn and the very ambitious Sir Bu Nuair Island. In addition, in 2013 Shurooq has introduced the City Sightseeing Sharjah tour bus service to the emirate of Sharjah, which has busses that have been specially adapted to accommodate Sharjah’s climate allowing for year-round air conditioned comfort, is making it even easier for tourists to take in Sharjah’s many sights.
17
WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
AVANI Enters Thailand
IHG Expands in Australia
Meliá Proceeds with Digital Transformation
A
I
T
VANI Hotels & Resorts, Minor Hotel Group’s upscale brand has launched AVANI Atrium Bangkok, its first hotel in Thailand. Previously operating as Atrium Bangkok, the 568-key property has undergone a massive refurbishment over the past years, which has included the guest rooms and suites as well as many of the public areas. Corporate travellers can also benefit from seven meeting and boardrooms, as well as function and ballroom venues that can cater for up to 400 people. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO, Minor Hotel Group, commented, “For Minor Hotel Group introducing our newest brand to our home market of Bangkok was very important to us, and we are confident that AVANI is a great fit in this vibrant city.”
18
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with UNIR Hotels to redevelop Rydges Perth into the luxurious, 240room InterContinental Perth. Following a comprehensive refurbishment, the new hotel is expected to commence operations in early 2017, marking IHG’s sixth property in Australia. Situated in the city’s central business district, the hotel will be nestled amongst top business and leisure facilities. Karin Sheppard, incoming chief operating officer, Australasia and Japan, IHG, noted, “The signing of InterContinental Perth is pivotal to IHG’s expansion plans in Australasia. This hotel will be one where comfort is balanced with sophistication, and elegance does not interfere with practicality.”
he new customer relationship strategy is the driving force behind the comprehensive transformation of Meliá Hotels International, which is said to revolutionise the lives of its employees as well as relationships with investors and hotel owners. The company aims to lead the technological evolution in the industry in an effort to optimise customer relationships and boost satisfaction, and therefore, maximise hotel profitability. By 2017, 40 percent of sales are expected to be made through digital channels. The iniative, running under the title Meliá Digital project, is not limited to sales or customer relations, but will also extend to the entire hotel value chain and will also focus on customers, employees, and its stakeholders.
Marriott Adds to Scottish Portfolio
M
arriott International and Aberdeen City Council have signed an agreement to deliver a brand new Residence Inn by Marriott hotel on the new Marischal Square development in the centre of the city. Work on the hotel, which is aimed at the extended-stay business and leisure markets, will begin this month and is expected to be completed by summer 2017. Residence Inn Aberdeen is part of the multimillion pound Marischal Square project which Aberdeen City Council is developing in partnership with urban regeneration and property specialist Muse Developments. The new hotel will comprise 114 studios and 12 one-bedroom suites, each with a fully equipped kitchen and separate areas for living and sleeping.
10 JANUARY 2015
AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Mary Pyrgos
POSITION:
Managing director
COMPANY:
PYRGOS CONGRESS
LOCATION:
Cyprus
WEBSITE:
www.pyrgoscongress.com
Mubarak Al Shamisi
German Conference Held in Abu Dhabi
Who are you? Mary Pyrgos, the managing director of PYRGOS CONGRESS, a company that organises exciting and interesting visitor programmes in Cyprus, international meetings, exhibitions and events all over Cyprus. Over the last 25 years we organised many events of this kind. Our company can also organise information campaigns. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? Having a background of French literature and public relations studies and as a socio-historical researcher, I love presenting the culture and civilisation of my country to our visitors and guests and letting them feel the Cypriot hospitality to the fullest. When is the best time to visit Cyprus? All seasons are wonderful in Cyprus, but spring (March to April) is a very nice time. For conferences and meetings the best time is February and March because the weather is cool and the hotel prices are lower. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? South America. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Because we have the know-how and we can guarantee the best holiday at the most favourable prices. 10 JANUARY 2015
O
ver 800 leading German tourism players travelled to Abu Dhabi for the 64th annual congress of the German Travel Association, which was cohosted by Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, and was supported by airberlin. Welcoming the delegates, Mubarak Al Shamisi, director, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, noted that Germany remains one of the emirate’s leading markets for hotel guests and with increasing air links, this upward momentum is set to continue. “Germany is now our third largest overseas source market for hotel guests after India and the UK. In the first 10 months of 2014, 106,635 Germans stayed in our hotels and resorts, which was up 11 percent on [2013],” revealed Al Shamisi.
19
TRAVEL TALK
Women make up a significant part of the company
MOHAMED YOUSIF AL BINFALAH CEO, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC)
“At BAC we continuously praise the progress of our employees, especially the achievements of our female workforce which we consider as one of our core assets and important contributor to our success. We are very proud to announce that women make up a significant part of the company as they represent 20 percent of the BAC workforce and 25 percent of the executive management team. During [2012’s Women’s day] event we announced the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Unit.”
We will continue to serve the luxury market
CORNELIA ERHARDT General manager, Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai
Those awarded represent the best of our school
SONIA TATAR CEO, Les Roches Global
“The measure of our success lies in the exceptional career paths and leadership accomplishments of our alumni. Those awarded [at the alumni awards ceremony, including Omer Kaddouri, CEO, Rotana] represent the best of our school and embody not only the excellence of our curricula but the values we instill in them. Although in very different stages in their careers, they have each demonstrated how to be entrepreneurial, innovative and concerned about those around them. They make us proud.”
“I would like to congratulate our team for [winning the Best Luxury Business Hotel title at the World Luxury Hotel Awards]. We are delighted and honoured to be recognised once again by the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards, first as the Best UAE Luxury City Hotel in 2013 and now as the Best Luxury Business Hotel in the UAE. We will continue to serve the luxury market and keep our focus on delivering our Yes I Can! promise, to create unforgettable memories for our guests.”
We believe tourism to be the driving force behind the UAE’s […] development
SASCHA BARTZ Vice president, Meydan Hotels and Hospitality
“We are delighted to have been among the [21st Annual World Travel Awards’] big winners and believe our awards [World’s Leading Desert Resord for Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa and World’s Leading Sports Resort for The Meydan Hotel] to be a clear testimony of our unwavering dedication to delivering world-class hospitality and what we strive to be. We believe tourism to be the driving force behind the UAE’s economic and social development.”
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
20
10 JANUARY 2015
TRAVEL CHANNELS
Emirates and Boeing Help the Underprivileged in Iraq Emirates and Boeing partnered with US-based non-profit organisation, Another Joy Foundation, to transport a consignment of winter gears onboard the airline’s new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
T
he shipment, which included blankets and sleeping bags, was picked up in Dubai by Iraqi Airways to distribute the goods to underprivileged people in Iraq. The initiative marked the sixth time since 2009 that Emirates and Boeing have collaborated to transport humanitarian aid to the needy in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Somalia. Moreover, since Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flight programme began in 1992, the company has facilitated more than 163 humanitarian delivery shipments, working in partnership with over 50 different airlines.
Winter gears are being transported to Iraq
Abu Dhabi in CNN.com’s Top 10
City Centre Qurum Launches Free Shuttle Bus Service
C
ity Centre Qurum aims to satisfy Oman’s rising population and tourism sector by introducing a dedicated complimentary shuttle bus service. Operating daily and throughout the day, the shopping and entertainment centre’s initiative is set to provide a value-added service for visitors by offering a convenient way to get to the mall. Targeting key three-, four- and five-star hotels, resorts and budget hostels in the neighbouring community, City Centre Qurum commissioned a 14-seater coach to transfer visitors with a door-to-door service.
Visit the Philippines Year Kicks Off
T Louvre Abu Dhabi
he Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) has embarked on its year-long campaign under the theme, Visit the Philippines Year (VPY). Through its promotional activities, DOT aims to inspire 10 million foreign tourists to experience the ensuring promise of ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’. VPY focuses on five main themes, including arts and culture, lifestyle and entertainment, travel and adventure, yearround sporting events and business. “What will truly sustain the VPY campaign are the people themselves,” said Ramon Jimenez, tourism secretary, Philippines. DOT also developed a microsite on its online platform.
C
NN.com has listed Abu Dhabi among its top 10 destination picks for the year. As the news website suggests, Abu Dhabi and its skyline are about to get a lot more inspiring as the emirate bids to become the Middle East’s cultural capital. Soon to become the home to Louve Abu Dhabi, as well as the Zayed National Museum in 2016 and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2017, the 24,000m2 Saadiyat Island Cultural District is being described as an intellectual playground. The UAE capital has been ranked among other popular tourist hotspots, such as Milan, the Bahaminian Coast and downtown Los Angeles.
10 JANUARY 2015
Philippines
21
WHO’S MOVED
YASSER AL YOUSUF
YASMINE EL GAMMAL
22
Yasser Al Yousuf has been appointed managing director for Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ loyalty programme. He assumes the role at a time of rapid growth in the business as Etihad Guest continues to evolve into a broad-based lifestyle programme also catering to passengers of the airline’s partners Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional. Al Yousuf has a strong background in the loyalty industry having worked at Emirates Skywards, and more recently at Du. He first joined Etihad Airways in 2013, and has since held a number of senior roles within Etihad Guest, including head of coalition partnerships. In 2013 Etihad Guest separated from the airline to form a separate legal company and today boasts nearly three million members globally.
Yasmine El Gammal has been promoted from marketing coordinator to assistant marketing communications manager at Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino. Over the past two years, El Gammal has showed impeccable performance in the marketing communications department of the property and her dedication, commitment and true passion for her work has not been overlooked by the management. As El Gammal takes on this brand new role, she is expected to remain a key contributor to the hotel’s success. Her accountability, positive approach, willingness to learn and keen eye for quality and perfection are expected to help her manage challenges and come up with creative solutions.
ANTHONY MCHALE
SHANE O’HARE
Anthony McHale has been named general manager of Burj Al Arab. He is joining Jumeirah Group after working as general manager of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London for more than five years. During his time at the UK property, he successfully opened Bar Boulud in 2010, as well as Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in 2011, which has secured two Michelin stars and worldwide recognition. In 2011 he also spearheaded the opening of One Hyde Park Residences, hailed as the most expensive real estate in Europe. His 35-year career in the luxury hospitality business also includes nine years with Orient Express Hotels as general manager of various establishments in the US, as well as roles with The Peninsula Hotels and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Shane O’Hare has joined Etihad Airways as senior vice president of marketing. O’Hare brings with him a mix of experience in airline marketing and management, having held various senior executive positions in the Gulf region and around the globe. Most recently, he served as the president and CEO of Royal Jet, one of the largest private jet companies in the Middle East and over a seven-year period, he helped develop it into a successful private jet brand. In his new role, O’Hare will have responsibility for developing the airline’s marketing strategy, and for leading its successful implementation across commercial strategies, brand management, communications, product and service development, and sales and distribution strategies.
10 JANUARY 2015
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...
Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company honoured bid ambassadors
Tennis star Roger Federer with Qatar Airways crew
Novotel Fujairah team has participated in the 7 Emirates Run to support charitable activities
10 JANUARY 2015
Costa Serena at the new Cruise Terminal 3 in Dubai inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed
U.I.M. World Championship in Sharjah
Sharjah Water Festival mascot, Mouj, visited schools across the emirate
23
NEWS & EVENTS TURESPAÑA Joins FITUR Shopping
T
URESPAÑA, the tourism organisation of Spain will participate in the first staging of FITUR Shopping, which will take place as part of FITUR 2015, running between January 28 – February 1 at Feria de Madrid. Highlighting Spain’s credentials as a shopping destination forms part of the country’s Shopping Tourism Plan, taking part of the event of which is one of the 18 planned actions. Fitur Shopping aims to facilitate interaction among the professional trade sector and destinations, and promote Spanish brands and products.
Abu Dhabi to Host WITS15
T
he World Islamic Travel Summit (WITS15) is to debut in Abu Dhabi from October 19 - 21, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The multi-faceted event will include an exhibition with over 200 participants plus a 1,000-delegate conference with 150 presentations from 70 international speakers. Organised under the theme Driving The Halal Tourism Revolution, the event will bring together an unprecedented array of specialists, projects, suppliers and policy-makers.
Al Ain Hosts Conference on Water and Life
E
nvironment experts from eight countries across the Middle East, Canada and Europe participated in a regional conference in Al Ain. The three-day event aimed to trace the beginnings of oasis life in northwest Arabia and early water management techniques from ancient to pre-modern times. At the same time, water sustainability opportunities, the challenges of water management in fast-growing cities and water-saving irrigation strategies for improving food security were also discussed.
24
EVENTS EAST MEDITERRANEAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND TRAVEL EXHIBITION (EMITT) Istanbul, Turkey January 22 – 25 www.emittistanbul.com The 18th edition of EMITT will assign an entire hall to health care, aesthetics, thermal and spa tourism.
FITUR Madrid, Spain January 28 – February 1 www.ifema.es A global meeting point for tourism professionals for inbound and outbound Ibero-American markets.
ABU DHABI AIR EXPO Abu Dhabi, UAE February 8 – 10 www.abudhabiairexpo.com It brings together major players in general aviation, enabling a demanding clientele to discover the industry’s latest developments.
IBTM ARABIA Abu Dhabi, UAE February 10 – 12 www.ibtmarabia.com Formerly GIBTM, it brings a fresh new format with one-to-one meetings and an exclusive closed community experience.
10 JANUARY 2015