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ISSUE 262
HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SEES STEADY GROWTH HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL HAS ANNOUNCED HARD ROCK HOTEL DUBAI MARINA, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ABU DHABI FINANCIAL GROUP AND SHEFFIELD HOLDINGS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY.
05 JORDAN TOURISM BOARD SUPPORTS CHARTER FLIGHTS
08 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE TECHNOLOGY GENERAL ACCOMMODATION AIR RENDEZVOUS INTERNATIONAL AGENT CORNER TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL CHANNELS WHO’S MOVED PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS
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HARD ROCK DEBUTS IN THE MENA REGION
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
Rezidor Accelerates Growth in Q3 With The Rezidor Hotel Group concluding the third quarter (Q3) of the year, Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group, elaborated, “Asset management is a core pillar of our Route 2015 programme. Through exits and re-negotiations of unprofitable contracts, we improve profitability and consciously prune our portfolio.”
CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic 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 As of
14/11/2014
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
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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
84.68
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.14
Iran (IRR)
Rial
26,780.95
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,159.74
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.29
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,520.12
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.19
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
8.87
Syria (SYP)
Pound
169.40
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.83
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
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n Q3, the company had signed five new hotels with 1,300 rooms, bringing the total number of signings to 22. It also concluded a deal in Saudi Arabia for more than 30 Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson properties. “We see further potential for such professional co-operations with other existing and future investors in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East”, said Elie Younes, senior vice president, The Rezidor Hotel Group.
Jazeera Airways Announces Record Earnings Jazeera Airways Group reported a record net profit of KWD8.1 million (USD28 million) for the third quarter (Q3) of the year, up 22.6 percent from 2013’s corresponding period.
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his was the company’s best quarter ever and the 17th quarter of straight profitability, 13 of which had record net earnings. Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways Group, said, “Despite the continued political unrest in several areas of our network, the company managed to deliver the best earnings in the history of our nine year old airline. […] Thanks to our team’s dynamic capacity management and resource planning, we were able to absorb the impact in Q3 while registering 10.8 percent growth in flown passengers and a 22.6 percent growth in profitability.” 15 NOVEMBER 2014
WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
Enhancing Travelport Smartpoint Travelport introduced a new version of Travelport Smartpoint agency desktop technology, enhanced with numerous new features and available to Travelport Worldspan-connected travel agencies worldwide, which will soon be extended to users of Travelport Galileo and Travelport Apollo.
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ey benefits of the updated version include the ability to shop and book full-service and low-cost airlines alongside the existing agent workflow, new graphical seat maps and added extras such as bags and lounge access. It also boasts improved navigation, graphical mapping and interactive screens to facilitate the sales of additional services, such as hotel rooms and car hire. These enable travel agents to sell more products and services and earn new revenues.
WestJet and Travelport Pen a New Deal
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estJet signed up for Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding solution, which gives airlines the ability to present the full scope of their products to Travelport-connected travel agents, allowing them to manage how their flights, fare families and ancillaries are visually presented and viewed on travel agency screens. “Travelport’s merchandising technology gives WestJet an important tool to seamlessly communicate with travel agents detailed information about WestJet’s offerings, better deliver our full product portfolio and maintain brand consistency,” commented Lyell Farquharson, vice president, sales, WestJet.
iWitness App Boosts Traveller Safety
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ravellers worldwide welcomed a new app for iOS and Android mobile devices, iWitness, which helps prevent attacks and safeguards evidence of incidents. With a single click of a button, it broadcasts audio and video clips, uploading them to a secure cloud server. The material does not stay on the phone. Dave Remer, founder, iWitness, explained, "iWitness provides a virtual witness in any situation [...]. Consumers tell us that using the mobile app gives them peace of mind. Police tell us it may also act as a deterrent to an attack."
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15 NOVEMBER 2014
WEEKLY NEWS
Qatar’s new Hamad International Airport (HIA) reported a rise in its monthly traffic compared to that seen at Doha International Airport in 2013, with a 10 percent increase in passenger numbers in September. Cargo, mail and aircraft movements for the month also jumped 13.6, 4.7 and 7.6 percent respectively.
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Hamad International Airport
HIA Sees Steady Growth in Traffic
ommenting on the strong performance, Badr Al Meer, chief operating officer, HIA, enthused, “In our fourth month of operation, we are seeing continued growth in passenger, cargo and mail traffic. HIA is distinguishing itself as a world-class airport and a key hub for the Middle East, and we are proud to be the home of Qatar’s national carrier, Qatar Airways, along with more than 40 other international airlines.”
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Elaf Group Debuts at WTM
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laf Group took part at this year’s World Travel Market, held from November 3 – 6 in London, where it represented Saudi Arabia alongside Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, president, Elaf Group, explained, “We are participating at [the] WTM for the first time this year due to the success […] it has achieved over the last few years. In fact, [2013’s] edition of WTM generated 54.64 percent of direct purchasing activities for exhibitor’s services, further reflecting a 23.55 percent influence on participants […].”
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WEEKLY NEWS
Abu Dhabi International Airport
ADNEC andInternational MCI ExploreAirport Growth Abu Dhabi Opportunities Boasts Strong September Traffic
Yas Island Takes Part at ITB Asia
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bu Dhabi Airports saw a 23.9 percent increase in passenger numbers at Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) during September, compared to the same month in 2013. Total number of travellers stood at 1,696,651, while aircraft movements increased by almost 15 percent to reach 13,070. Cargo activity also jumped 9.6 percent. Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, commented, “ADIA is set to become one of the fastest growing aviation hubs in the world and this is supported by the numbers. Total passenger movements during the first nine months of the year […] were 14,803,324, representing an increase of 20.9 percent against the same period of the year 2013.”
as Island was presented at this year’s ITB Asia, in line with the destination’s plans for promotion to the region in 2015. “Appearing at ITB Asia is an opportunity to both build on the huge success that Yas Island has enjoyed from markets such as India and to also focus on other key growth markets in the region such as China,” said Karim El Guanaini, senior vice president, Yas Island Destination Management, adding that the broad demographic reach of the show aligns well with their strategic business targets for 2015.
Yas Island
Oman Promotes Itself to the UAE
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man's Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with its local trade partners, recently organised a road show and workshops in the UAE in a bid to reinforce the joint venture between the ministry and the country’s national carrier, Oman Air, and promote the Sultanate as the region’s leading tourist destination. Presentations were held by both parties so as to provide a deeper insight into Oman’s tourism infrastructure and facilities, as well as attractive offers. During the event, several agreements were signed with UAE-based hotels and travel agencies. The initiative complimented Oman’s burgeoning tourism sector, which is aiming to record one of the strongest tourism growth rates globally in 2015. Muscat Gate in Oman
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WEEKLY NEWS
RAK Breaks the One Million Barrier
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eptember ended with more than 1.47 million guest nights in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), while in 2013, the one million mark was not reached until November. “We are also seeing significant increases in the number of people searching for Ras Al Khaimah on Google, in visits to our website and in the levels of engagement via our social media presence,” said Steven Rice, CEO, RAK Tourism Development Authority, further highlighting a 47 percent increase in room revenue in the third quarter of the year and strong forward bookings.
JTB Supports Charter Flights
Qatar Tourism Surges Ahead in H1
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ordan Tourism Board (JTB) announced its support for charter flights to Aqaba, promising to cover the cost of empty charter seats if the operator meets various criteria such as running no less than 16 direct flights over four months. Stephen Hurp, director, UK, JTB, said “This is [...] evidence of the [...] support that JTB is making available to help the UK trade develop their product and sales. Aqaba is a wonderful hub [....]; world-class hotels and the wonders of the Red Sea corals are on your doorstep, the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum are just an hour away.”
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atar Tourism Authority (QTA) released figures for the first half (H1) of the year, showing that the country’s tourism industry continued its strong performance across all key indicators. Total visitor arrivals grew by eight percent to reach 1.42 million, with 38 percent of all inbound tourists being GCC nationals. “This healthy growth demonstrates Qatar’s transformation into one of the GCC's top business, family, and leisure destinations. We have to look beyond mere numbers and make a strategic shift towards quality tourism. This will emphasise hospitality, high standards of service, innovative developments and attractions grounded in Qatari culture and tradition,” commented Hassan Al Ibrahim, chief tourism development officer, QTA.
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WEEKLY NEWS ADNEC Hosts Korean Medical Tourism Forum
Unique Shopping Destination Slated for Egypt
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Mall of Egypt Project
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ajid Al Futtaim recently hosted Egypt’s top government officials at the construction site of its latest mega project in the country; Mall of Egypt. The site visit was held under the patronage of Ibrahim Mahlab, prime minister, Egypt. The two-level mall spans a gross leasable area of 165,000m2 and will include over 420 stores featuring a variety of international and local brands. It will also boast more than 50 food and beverage outlets, a 21-screen VOX cinema multiplex; Magic Planet; and Ski Egypt, the first indoor ski slope on the African continent. With estimated total investments of EGP4.9 billion (USD685 million), the mall is set to open in 2016.
bu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) hosted the Korean Medical Tourism Forum from October 28 – 29, with 13 leading health centres from the Republic of Korea showcasing their offerings and promoting the country’s health tourism appeal to local industry professionals and the general public. The event was held in cooperation with the Korean National Tourism Organisation. Latifa Kabi, sales manager, ADNEC, commented, “Showcasing innovative products and broadening access to the best services is what we are committed to doing as a leading destination in the MICE industry.”
Aqaba Stakeholders Sponsor Arab British Forum
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qaba Special Economic Zone Authority and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) were premium sponsors of the second Arab British Economic Forum recently held in London, under the auspices of the ArabBritish Chamber of Commerce. The event gathered key public and private sector decision makers from the UK and the Arab world to discuss new business, investment and cooperation opportunities. Kamel Mahadin, chairman, ADC, confirmed that his team strived to secure a strong presence for Aqaba at the event, highlighting Aqaba Special Economic Zone as a strategic choice for investment in sectors that serve the region as a whole with its competitive investment climate, infrastructure and world-class transport system.
Aqaba
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WEEKLY NEWS Exhibiting Recovered Treasures
DAMAC Extends The Drive at AKOYA
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amdouh el-Damaty, antiquities minister, Egypt, has recently signed a contract with Franck Goddio, founder, Institut Européen d’Archéologie Sous-Marine, to organise three exhibitions in Paris, London and Berlin so as to showcase Egyptian artifacts recovered from the sea. According to the agreement, a collection of 293 Egyptian artifacts saved from the sea are scheduled to tour the three European capitals between December 2015 – March 2017.
The Drive at AKOYA
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AMAC Properties extended The Drive at AKOYA to 2.5 km, making it one of Dubai’s longest outdoor shopping and entertainment hubs. Located in the AKOYA by DAMAC development, the avenue will connect retail outlets, food and beverage options and multiple entertainment attractions such as an outdoor ice-skating rink, cinema, and more. Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, DAMAC Properties, stated, “The nature of the new facilities and extension [...] expresses DAMAC’s intent to offer the best in town in terms of residential and leisure mix.”
Al Hamra Golf Club Reports Strong Year
R Al Hamra Golf Club
as Al Khaimah’s Al Hamra Golf Club reported strong performance in the first nine months of the year, forecasting a solid last quarter. “We [...] carried out some strategic marketing in the UK this year, as it is a very large market as far as golfing tourism is concerned,” said Simon Mees, general manager, Al Hamra Golf Club, adding that his team attended this year’s International Golf Travel Market where they mainly focussed on European markets. The property boasts refurbished locker rooms and retail facilities, plus two new dining options; Belgium Beer Café and Maison Mathis.
Bahrain Potential Promoted in China
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Bahraini business delegation recently stepped up its promotion of the Kingdom during a 10-day visit to China. Organised by the Economic Development Board (EDB) with the participation of the private sector, the visit included a number of high level meetings between businessmen from the two countries, as well as promotional activities aimed at attracting Chinese investment to Bahrain. The delegation also took part in the China Overseas Investment Fair, while H.E. Kamal Ahmed, acting CEO, EDB, met with representatives from leading Chinese enterprises such as China National Building Material Company and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China.
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15 NOVEMBER 2014
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
HARD ROCK DEBUTS IN THE MENA REGION Hard Rock International has announced Hard Rock Hotel Dubai Marina, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Financial Group (ADFG) and Sheffield Holdings development company.
I Hard Rock Hotel Dubai Marina
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) penned a deal with Abjar Hotels International for two new hotels at Dubai World Central (DWC), the 450-room Holiday Inn Dubai World Central and 250-room Staybridge Suites Dubai World Central. Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said that DWC holds an immense potential for IHG with its growing business and leisure travel. “We are proud to be able to offer our hospitality partners the necessary infrastructure and facilities needed to remain at the forefront of this growth,” added Rashed Bu Qara’a, chief operating officer, DWC.
Representatives of Abjar Hotels International, DWC and IHG at the signing ceremony
DWC to Welcome Two New IHG Hotels
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et to open in mid-2015, the hotel will occupy 33 floors of the 101-storey Marina 101 building and will feature a dining outlet on its top floor, as well as the Rock Spa, Body Rock workout facility, several fine-dining and entertainment options, meeting and event spaces, a Rock Shop and The Sound of Your Stay music amenity programme. Jassim Alseddiqi, CEO, ADFG, commented, “When choosing a hotel to be placed, we were seeking an iconic global brand boasting the same irreverent spirit as the destination it represents and found that in our collaboration with Hard Rock.”
Ajman Saray Recognised for Being Green
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jman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort, has been awarded LEED Silver certification for its commitment to sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Michele Frignani, general manager, Ajman Saray, a Luxury Collection Resort, commented, “We are proud to be awarded with this certification as we constantly strive to make green initiatives in order to preserve the environment. There is a growing demand for ecotourism, sustainable travel and responsible tourism, and travellers nowadays are more inclined to stay at hotels that are more environmentally friendly.”
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
DoubleTree on Marjan Island Presents New Beach
Encore Spa Opens at The Ajman Palace Hotel
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oubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah near Al Hamra has recently unveiled its brand new white sandy beach following a AED3,000,000 (USD816,000) expansion. The new, enlarged shape of the beach offers more space and comfort as the beach gained 15m in width with new white sand brought over from Dubai. “The comprehensive makeover of the beach of DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marja Island came from a wish from our guests to enjoy a better experience with a white sandy beach. We are looking forward to their feedback and increasing our guests’ satisfaction,” explained Remco Werkhoven, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island.
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erghal Purcell, general manager, The Ajman Palace Hotel, has recently welcomed a brand new addition to the property’s luxurious facilities portfolio, saying that the newlyopened Encore Spa is the perfect sanctuary to unwind and a place where guests can experience the ultimate relaxation and restoration surrounded by a tranquil setting. Encore Spa features nine beautifully appointed treatment rooms equipped with premium facilities which offer sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf. In addition, guests have at their disposal two VIP treatment suites with expansive bathtubs for specialised body treatments, one room for couples as well as a relaxation area enclosed in the traditional Arabian-style Mashrabiya for a locally inspired spa experience.
Hawthorn Suites in Dubai Donates Sports Equipment
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awthorn Suites by Wyndham Jumeirah Beach Residence donated two new treadmills to Dubai Centre for Special Needs. A hotel delegation, headed by Wael El Behi, general manager, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Jumeirah Beach Residence, visited the centre to meet its staff and students. “As a way of giving back to the community, we are very happy to grant the request of the school for new equipment which will be helpful for the therapy of the students. We hope that this simple gesture can go a long way in enhancing their wellbeing and encouraging them to be fit and healthy, and we look forward to more activities in the future to support the organisation,” said El Behi.
Premier Inn to Increase MENA’s Inventory
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remier Inn reaffirmed its commitment to the Middle East, announcing plans for a portfolio of 2,687 rooms in the upcoming three years, up from 1,356 operating rooms today. Darroch Crawford, managing director, Middle East, Premier Inn, explained that this means an additional seven hotels, spread across six cities; Doha, Jeddah, Jubail, Muscat, Sharjah and Dubai. “Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta Mall will open in the second half of 2016, just after the 150-room Premier Inn Muscat Al Quram and 320 rooms served by the two Saudi-based properties. This is just weeks after Qatar gets two Premier Inn hotels, the 102room Doha International Airport and another 219 rooms in the capital’s Education City development,” he said.
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ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Rotana Targets Saudi Market
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otana unveiled plans for six new hotels in Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar and Dammam, four of which under its Centro Hotels by Rotana brand. “Rotana will work to promote the concept of economy hotels, a relatively new concept in the Kingdom, which will offer guests a wonderful stay experience at convenient prices while still providing them with the highest standards of hospitality,” said Omer Kaddouri, CEO, Rotana, adding that the company’s expansion plans will add a significant number of new hotel rooms to the Kingdom, providing more than 1,500 jobs for Saudi youth.
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Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana - Makkah
Accor Reaches 100 Hotels in the Middle East
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ccor HotelServices Middle East reached a milestone of 100 hotels across 10 countries in the region, 66 of which are operational and 34 under development, with a total of around 24,500 keys. Christophe Landais, chief operating officer, Accor HotelServices Middle East, commented, “It is a great achievement made possible by the strength of our relationships with our regional partners and the fantastic commitment of our employees. […] I am especially proud of the fact that we achieved this major milestone ahead of our scheduled target date of 2015.” The strategy of expanding aggressively through select developments tailored to each market has delivered outstanding results so far, added Landais.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Emirates Unveils Customer Service Hub in Budapest
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he multi-million dollar investment was opened by Laszlo Szabo, deputy minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary, and Thierry Antinori, executive vice president, Emirates. “The customer is at the centre of what we do at Emirates, and this new contact centre will have the same hallmark of service and excellence as our facilities around the world. Budapest was the ideal location for the opening of this centre – from the support we have received from its dynamic leadership, to a highly talented pool of qualified professionals, fantastic infrastructure and telecom support, Hungary was an obvious choice,” explained Antinori.
Thierry Antinori and Laszlo Szabo inaugurate the new facility
Following the launch of its daily flights to Budapest, Emirates inaugurated a 300-seat customer care facility in the Hungarian capital.
Qatar Airways Inaugurates Flights to Djibouti
Q H.E. Moussa Ahmad Hassan, minister of transport and equipment, Djibouti (left) and Jared Lee
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atar Airways continued its African expansion with the introduction of flights to Djibouti, its 145th global destination. Addressing government and industry partners at the inaugural event, Jared Lee, vice president, Africa, Qatar Airways, stated, “Qatar Airways is proud to be the first five-star airline connecting Djibouti to popular business and leisure destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.” He said that Djibouti presents a great opportunity with its wealth of natural resources and tourist attractions. Its tourism appeal lies in its picturesque beaches, as well as scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities.
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AIR WEEKLY NEWS
flydubai Celebrates a New Indian Destination
Air Arabia Welcomes 100th Destination
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lydubai has recently launched its inaugural service to Mumbai, bringing the total number of destinations on its Indian network to seven. Commenting on the launch, Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, stated, “The launch of our Mumbai route is a clear indication of the enduring relationship between India and the UAE.” Sudhir Sreedharan, senior vice president, commercial, GCC, Indian Subcontinent, Africa, flydubai, further added, “Today’s Mumbai launch will add a new chapter to a rich story of trade, tourism and cultural exchange between the two nations. flydubai remains committed to delivering affordable and reliable travel options but we also take pride in bringing the people, ideas and values of two great countries a little closer.”
Ghaith Al Ghaith (left), Naveen Chawla, vice president aeromarketing, Mumbai International Airport, (middle) and Sudhir Sreedharan
15 NOVEMBER 2014
Etihad’s Flying Butlers Elevate Air Travel
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n October 29, Air Arabia marked its 11th year of successful operations with an inaugural flight to Tbilisi, Georgia, celebrating its 100th global destination. The inaugural flight was received by officials from the Georgian government, civil aviation sector and press. Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, stated, “Air Arabia has been a vanguard in the UAE aviation sector – we have created opportunities for more people to travel by introducing a new pricing segment to popular or untapped destinations. Our first flight to Tbilisi, the social and economic centre of Georgia, epitomises this philosophy.” Air Arabia is scheduled to fly twice weekly to the Georgian capital from its primary Sharjah International Airport hub, with services running on Tuesdays and Fridays.
aving completed a specially tailored three week training course at the Savoy Hotel in London, a group of 13 Etihad Airways cabin crew are set to become flying butlers. The role of the flying butler is to look after guests booked in Etihad Airways’ three-room cabin, The Residence by Etihad, which features a living room, private shower room and double bedroom. Aubrey Tiedt, vice president, guest services, Etihad Airways, enthused, “I am extremely proud of the team’s achievements and they all qualified with flying colours to become the world’s first ever butlers in the sky. They are really enthusiastic and cannot wait to board the A380 aircraft and put into practice all that they have learned.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Gulf Air’s Maiden Flight to Moscow Takes Off
ADIA Welcomes Al Reem Lounge
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Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Al Reem Lounge
ulf Air launched its four weekly direct services to the Russian capital city of Moscow. Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting CEO, Gulf Air, commented, “I am delighted Gulf Air is directly connecting Moscow and Bahrain as a product of H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa successful visit to the Russian capital Moscow […]. During this visit, an agreement of mutual air transport was signed, paving the way for direct flights between Manama and Moscow. [The] visit marked the beginning of new strategic business, investment and tourism cooperation prospects between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation. We hope our passengers will experience and enjoy Russia’s historic capital city.”
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Celebrating the launch of the flight
bu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA), in cooperation with Plaza Premium Lounge Management, revealed the newly renovated Al Reem lounge in Terminal 1. Song Hoi-see, founder, Plaza Premium Lounge Management, commented, “The reopening of Al Reem by Plaza Premium Lounge brings a world-class experience to the airport in design, function and efficiency [...].” Mohammed Al Bulooki, chief commercial officer, Abu Dhabi Airports enthused, “The airport continually looks to improve its facilities and services to meet both the growing number of passengers and their high expectations.” Announcing the upcoming first class Al Dhabi Lounge, Bulooki added, “There are many more improvements and new additions planned for the coming months that will ensure ADIA continues to raise the bar on customer experience.”
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mirates celebrated another milestone with the delivery of the airline’s 100th Boeing 777300ER, one of the world’s largest long-range, twin-engine commercial aircraft. Tim Clark, president, Emirates, commented, “The Boeing 777-300ER is one of the most remarkable aircraft ever built, and its combination of efficiency, range and payload is second to none. Our customers are equally excited by the aircraft and its on-board product [...].” “We have 204 more Boeing 777s on order, which supports over 400,000 jobs in the US, including those from various suppliers such as General Electric which provides the GE90 engines that power all of our 777-300ERs,” added Clark.
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Emirates’ 100th Boeing 777-300ER
Emirates Welcomes Its 100th Boeing 777-300ER
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Nearly a year after taking over the two properties, what are your main priorities at the moment? ALPER CAN BULCUM: We are working on improving guest satisfaction, as well as delivering better financial results. In every aspect of what we are doing, we are always aiming higher. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How does the UAE’s hospitality industry differ from other parts of the world? How challenging is this position in Dubai where new hotels are being launched at such a rapid rate? ALPER CAN BULCUM: The biggest difference is that Dubai is a constantly growing market, very dynamic and open-minded; open to all new things, trends and food and beverage concepts. The greatest challenge in Dubai, indeed, is the rapidly growing number of hotels. Lately, we are facing a rate war, especially with the hotels on Palm Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed Road and the Jumeirah Beach Residence area. However, it is not as dramatic as in other countries due to the growing demand of the destination, and the supply and demand balances so there is no oversupply in the number of hotels. Adding to that, Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing is constantly entering new markets and Emirates is launching new destinations to support the demand. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How do the source markets of Ramada Plaza JBR and Ramada Sharjah differ? ALPER CAN BULCUM: The two properties are different and have their own trends. Ramada Plaza JBR is serving all segments due to the market and its location. At Ramada Sharjah, we have more corporate business, as well as leisure guests. The main feeder markets of Ramada Plaza JBR are Europe, mainly the UK and Germany, and the GCC and the CIS countries. New upcoming markets are Australia, India and China. The business mix of Ramada Sharjah is mainly the GCC and the CIS countries, and we can also mention India and China as emerging markets. Also, the emirate of Sharjah is getting its fair share of the Dubai business as well due 15 NOVEMBER 2014
Q & A with
Alper Can Bulcum GENERAL MANAGER, RAMADA PLAZA JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE (JBR) AND RAMADA SHARJAH
WITH THE BRAND ALWAYS STRIVING FOR THE BEST AND STAYING AHEAD OF COMPETITION, ALPER CAN BULCUM, GENERAL MANAGER, RAMADA PLAZA JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE (JBR) AND RAMADA SHARJAH, SPEAKS ABOUT THE TWO HOTELS AND COMPARES THEIR RESPECTIVE DESTINATIONS. to its proximity to Dubai and more affordable rates. The price-sensitive travellers might opt to stay in Sharjah. Ramada Plaza JBR, with its prime location – just minutes from The Walk and the beach, and the services and facilities offered on site like an American pub, a Brazilian restaurant, an Arabic rooftop Lounge – is more appealing to the European travellers. Whereas Ramada Sharjah is favoured by the more conservative GCC guests
who prefer to stay in a ‘dry’ emirate, and they can still enjoy the convenience of the large one- and two-bedroom apartments and the proximity of the Sahara Centre. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Being in close proximity to Dubai, Sharjah attracts both business and leisure travellers. What can hoteliers do in order to lure even more visitors to the emirate?
ALPER CAN BULCUM: Ramada Sharjah is located at one of the closest points to Dubai, the Dubai Metro and Sahara Centre. These selling points are helping the hotel in a very positive way with easy access to the mall and local attractions, and less traffic. Sharjah has always been in demand for stays in the UAE due to its proximity to Dubai, yet offering more affordable rates. Therefore, more and more branded and non-branded hotels and hotel apartments have opened in the past years and this trend seems to continue. The expectations of guests are on the rise and hotels such as Ramada Sharjah are constantly trying to meet these expectations. The recently-opened water park in Sharjah is further adding to the entertainment scene and the popularity of the emirate, which will help boosting local tourism as well as attracting more international visitors. Also, the expansions and upgrades in the Sahara Centre are making Sharjah a more popular destination. Sharjah’s tourism authority is promoting Sharjah very dynamically to bring the emirate on the world map, and we are trying to make the most of it by participating in all major events and international exhibitions organised by Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Please tell us about your plans for the coming months. ALPER CAN BULCUM: In Ramada Plaza JBR we have launched a new outlet this year, Sama Lounge, an Arabic rooftop terrace on the 35th floor, which has been very much welcomed by the local community as well as the hotel guests. As of September, we even have added live music entertainment. […] This year, we are planning to establish new tie-ups with strategic partners to be able to provide added value to our guests, especially with the nearby Sahara Centre, offering shopping and entertainment options to our guests. There is a constant observation of the market and its requirements in order to adjust the Ramada Sharjah product accordingly, so that we can not only meet but exceed the expectations of our guests.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
First Rosewood Property in China
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osewood Beijing has recently opened its doors, celebrating the presence of the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts ultra-luxury brand in Asia. “This hotel was envisioned as an unconventional haven and a distinctively different hotel encounter,” says Sonia Cheng, CEO, Rosewood Hotel Group. “We want to provide sophisticated guests the ease they feel at home, yet also a place where they can create their own journey to experience the authentic and unexpected Beijing.” The luxurious hotel boasts 283 rooms, in addition to a variety restaurants and lounges presenting cuisines from across China and around the world. It also houses a spa, indoor swimming pool, a gym, a yoga studio, 3,350m2 of meetings and events space and a 730m2 ballroom.
Gran Meliá Xian Officially Opens
Jumeirah Vittaveli Unveils Two-bedroom Beach Villas
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eliá Hotels International has announced the opening of Gran Meliá Xian, a new flagship hotel for the brand in Asia Pacific. Located in the new district of Qu Jiang, near the ancient city wall and in proximity to expansive shopping malls and a convention centre, Gran Meliá Xian is destined to become the hotel of choice for both business and leisure travellers. The property offers 389 rooms, including 54 suites. Commenting on the launch, Gabriel Escarrer, vice chairman, Meliá Hotels International, remarked, “The opening of Gran Meliá Xian represents a milestone in our growing presence in China, which will also see hotels launching in the coming months in first-tier cities such as Chonqing, Zhengzhou, Jinan and Tianjin.”
kno u o y d i D
umeirah Vittaveli has introduced a collection of two-bedroom beach villas, a novel accommodation category now available to guests. The new villas feature spacious interiors and child-friendly facilities, and are ideal for families and couples. At 203m² in size, each unit offers a combination of space, service and privacy, while all have direct access to white sandy beaches, and the Indian Ocean is just steps away. At the resort, children enjoy complimentary access to Kuda Koli Kid’s Club and the Teen Lounge, while adults can relax on their private terrace or refresh themselves with a leisurely dip in their own pool. Alternatively, they can indulge in a semi-open shower experience in their private open-air bathroom, complete with a marble bathtub.
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Rosewood Beijing
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Jumeirah Vittaveli
15 NOVEMBER 2014
AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Mohammed Mustafa Abdel Razek
POSITION:
General manager
COMPANY:
Helen Holidays Egypt
LOCATION:
Egypt
WEBSITE:
www.helentvl.com
IATA’s New Toolkit Tackles Cyber Threats
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Who are you? I am Mohamed Mustafa, partner and general manager of Helen Holidays Egypt with 15 years of experience in the tourism field. We offer meeting services, incentive organisation, exhibition fair services, indoor and outdoor activities, charter flights and flight tickets.
o help protect the global air transport industry stakeholders from cyber risks, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched its Aviation Cyber Security Toolkit which explains how to protect critical IT infrastructure. Carolina Ramirez, global director, aviation security and facilitation, IATA, commented, “The aviation industry depends on essential IT infrastructure functioning reliably. While the industry has put in place best practices to protect its IT infrastructure, the threat is ever-evolving. The Aviation Cyber Security Toolkit provides guidance to help airlines and their partners stay one step ahead of those with intent to do harm through cyber-attacks.”
What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? My favorite thing about working in the travel industry is getting extensive experience with other cultures and the acquisition of broad knowledge. When is the best time to visit Egypt? Winter season is the best time; from October to April. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? I hope to travel to Australia and India. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Because we are always committed to giving the best and the highest quality of services to clients. Which is the percentage of MENA travellers your agency welcomes annually? Around 60 percent of our business comes from MENA. 15 NOVEMBER 2014
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TRAVEL TALK
MUBARAK AL NUAIMI Director of promotions and overseas offices, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
We believe Kuwait holds out even more potential for us
Noor Ali meticulously documented historic firsts
“[Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry heading to Kuwait for a major promotion at The Avenues Mall] is a very timely initiative. It comes as the number of Kuwaitis staying in the emirate’s hotels and resorts is on an upward trajectory and as our major events calendar for the year-end has considerable cross-age and cultural appeal. While we are obviously encouraged by this upward momentum, we believe Kuwait holds out even more potential for us and would like to convince those Kuwaitis who do come to Abu Dhabi to stay longer.”
“Through this year’s [Lasting Impressions: Noor Ali Rashid] exhibition, UAE residents and visitors alike will learn about the country’s history and cultural heritage through the prolific work of the photographer Noor Ali Rashid. With his camera as his constant companion, Noor Ali meticulously documented the historic firsts and many significant moments of our country’s early decades. Anyone who visits Lasting Impressions will leave with a richer understanding of our history thanks to the legacy left behind by the region’s first photojournalist.”
MANAL ATAYA Director general, Sharjah Museums Department
I have the best staff in the world
ASHRAF EL ZARQA Chief operating officer, Emirates Vacation Club
“What other companies took to achieve in several years, we have done in a short amount of time [having won the Best Timeshare Resort, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) award by Perspective Magazine] because I have the best staff in the world and we offer an exemplary level of quality and service to our guests and owners. We have created the fastest growing vacation ownership company and timeshare developer in the Middle East and we are working on targeting the entire world.”
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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15 NOVEMBER 2014
TRAVEL CHANNELS
Abu Dhabi to Be Experienced by All Blind and visually impaired tourists and residents visiting Abu Dhabi are now being offered destination information in Braille.
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concise brochure outlining Ten Things to Know about Abu Dhabi has been produced in Braille and is now to circulate through Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority’s (TCA Abu Dhabi) 10 overseas offices and its visitor centres, and will also be available at its key events. This initiative, considered as the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf’s official tourism promotion sector, is the result of a six months cooperation project between TCA Abu Dhabi and Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs.
DWHC Serves Refreshments to 15,000 Persons
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uring Eid Al Adha, Dubai World Hospitality Championship 2014 (DWHC 2014) has provided a catering service to one of the highest places in the world, the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa, serving Arabic coffee and sweets to over 15,000 visitors. H.E. Ahmed Bin Hareb, president, DWHC, commented, “It is indeed a great honor for us to announce that we have successfully organised the highest catering service in the world. Serving to 15,000 guests at the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa is a remarkable achievement for Za’abeel Palace Hospitality, DWHC, and the UAE. We are confident that we will continue to create many more such benchmarks during the DWHC 2014.”
Etihad Airways Celebrates Social Media Success
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tihad Airways is enjoying its social media success after having reached one million Facebook fans globally. Etihad Airways undertook various initiatives on its social networking pages to engage fans and build a stronger bond with them, alongside generating revenue for the airline. The pages provide real-time news updates about the brand, sponsorships, route additions, products and services, special offers and brand-engaging games. Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer, Etihad Airways, commented, “Social media channels have become a vital part of our broader digital and communications activity.”
15 NOVEMBER 2014
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WHO’S MOVED
AXEL JAROSCH
MAMOUN HMEDAN
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Axel Jarosch was appointed general manager at Banyan Tree Al Wadi and Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach. He brings a wealth of experience spanning more than 20 years to the two resorts, including over six years in the MENA region. Prior to joining Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, he held several management roles, most recently as general manager at Six Senses Zighy Bay. As operations director based in Abu Dhabi, Jarosch was responsible for the hotel openings of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, and before this he was general manager at the company’s properties in Oman, Bali and Indonesia during pre-opening stages. In addition to his time in the Gulf, he has worked in Sri Lanka, the Seychelles, Namibia and Mauritius.
Mamoun Hmedan has recently moved on to being Wego’s general manager, Middle East and North Africa. In his new role, he will lead the company’s regional team based in Dubai Internet City. Hmedan first joined the travel search engine in 2013 as manager, media sales, MENA, and was pivotal in establishing its media business in the region, as well as in the setup of its Private Advertising Marketplace which provides media agencies programmatic access to advertising inventory via their trading desks. With Wego now attracting over two million visitors a month in the MENA region and its traffic increasing at a rapid pace, Hmedan has been the driving force in scaling media business and developing key commercial partnerships in the region.
KLAUS NIEFER
MARIE-LAURE BLAISE
Klaus Niefer is the new complex general manager for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’s two new hotels in Bahrain, The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre. With a celebrated career in the hospitality industry spanning 30 years and three continents, he has worked in several five-star properties in Germany, Australia, the Philippines and China. Niefer takes upon him to introduce Westin’s winning approach to wellbeing and Le Méridien’s contemporary lifestyle approach to the local community and international travellers to Manama. He joins the team from The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, where he was the general manager from 2010 and managed the pre-opening and launch of the golf resort.
Marie-Laure Blaise has recently joined The Rezidor Hotel Group’s area support office in the Middle East as the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing manager for the Middle-East, subSaharan Africa and Turkey, following her move from the company’s corporate support office based in Brussels. Blaise is expected to work closely with both internal stakeholders – marketing, sales, revenue management, customer relationship management, public relations and the hotels – as well as external parties including creative agencies, media agencies and commercial partners, to implement brand and tactical marketing activities for the B2B and B2C segments.
15 NOVEMBER 2014
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...
Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel invited the local duo Hollaphonic to create music-inspired experiences for guests
Dubai Maritime Summit 2014 reinforces Dubai’s position
Roller-skating waiters at Movenpick Resort & Spa Tala Bay
15 NOVEMBER 2014
Emirates and Australian Open serve up multi-year deal
Etihad Airways has extended its Breast Cancer Awareness campaign to guests and employees at Abu Dhabi International Airport
Sharjah Museums Department presented its fifth edition of Lasting Impressions: Noor Ali Rashid
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NEWS & EVENTS
IPS Targets Saudi Investors
EVENTS THE GLOBAL MEETINGS & EVENTS EXPO (EIBTM) Barcelona, Spain November 18 – 20 www.eibtm.com The flagship event of the Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings (IBTM) global events portfolio, which holds seven events across the globe.
Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organizers of IPS 2015
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rganisers of the International Property Show (IPS) 2015, which will be held from March 30 – April 1, 2015, are strongly targeting Saudi investors and end-users. This is encouraged by the fact that Saudi investors made 1,121 transactions worth AED3.3billion (USD899 million) in Dubai’s real estate sector in the first half of this year, out of the total AED19 billion (USD5.2 billion) invested by the Gulf investors, according to figures released by Dubai Land Department. IPS 2015 is expected to attract 10 international pavilions from, amongst others, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Spain and Cyprus, as well many local and regional developments due to its growing reputation as the ideal destination for buyers in the region.
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CHENGDU INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FAIR Chengdu, China November 21 – 23 www.sc-citf.com A mega-scale tourism exhibition in Western China, dedicated to providing a one-stop platform for all the tourism-related organisations.
WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS GRAND FINAL GALA CEREMONY Marrakech, Morocco November 29 www.worldtravelawards.com Following a hosting deal with the Moroccan National Tourist Office, the prestigious awards will also throw the spotlight on Fez and Casablanca in 2015 and 2016.
INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL MARKET (ILTM) Cannes, France December 1 – 4 www.iltm.com ILTM is luxury travel's flagship event, where international travel agents and advisors meet the world’s luxury travel experiences.
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