19 JULY 2014
ISSUE 245
INTERVIEW WITH GLENN DE SOUZA H.H. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM, RULER OF DUBAI, LAUNCHED WHAT IS HAILED TO BE THE WORLD’S FIRST TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED CITY, MALL OF THE WORLD.
08 STARWOOD UNVEILS TWO BAHRAIN HOTELS
09 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE GDS WEEKLY NEWS RENDEZVOUS ACCOMMODATION CLASSIFIEDS AIR INTERNATIONAL AGENT CORNER TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL CHANNELS WHO’S MOVED PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS
02 03 04 08 09 12 14 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
MALL OF THE WORLD ANNOUNCED
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of
MANAGING EDITOR
17/07/2014
Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli
COUNTRY
CURRENCY
1USD=
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.15
DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
3.75
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,514.50
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Syria (SYP)
Pound
149.7
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.28
Qatar (QAR)
Riyal
3.64
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.38
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.72
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
8.29
Iran (IRR)
Riyal
26,025.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.85
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
79.53
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.24
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
Mixed Hotel Results in Cairo Cairo’s hotel sector reported mixed results for May as occupancy continued to fall despite a rise in average rates.
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ased on data released in TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats report, hotels in the Egyptian capital registered occupancies of 44.4 percent and average room rates of USD111.27, which surpassed RevPAR at USD49.40, down by four percentage points. As Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting, noted, although performance levels for the month are slightly higher than those witnessed year-to-date, major market movements will be difficult to gauge until the impact of the presidential Cairo elections is realised.
Strong Leisure and MICE Demand in Dubai
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ubai’s hotel sector benefitted from solid leisure demand coupled with several high-profile international events during May as shown in TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats report. As a result, the destination maintained strong occupancies of 82.2 percent and this, in conjunction with an average room rates (ARR) growth of 4.6 percent to USD301.09, led to a RevPAR increase of 3.5 percent to USD247.61. Profitability in the city jumped 5.8 percent reaching USD208.15. “Hoteliers yielded the highest growth in average rates from the MICE segment, where ARR increased 18.4 percent on the back of strong demand,” highlighted Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting, adding that some international events, including that Arabian Travel Market, collectively drew 70,000 attendees.
Dubai
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GDS WEEKLY NEWS
Sabre Launches in Azerbaijan
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abre Corporation has officially launched in Azerbaijan, where it aims to provide a wide range of technology solutions to travel agencies and travel suppliers from its new office in Baku, with an experienced team of travel and technology consultants, offering travel shopping and booking tools, data solutions, mobile solutions and travel apps. Sabre’s Azerbaijan office will be led by Gabil Allahverdiyev, director, Sabre Azerbaijan, who brings strong commercial experience and industry relationships gained from his role as owner of Headstart Consulting Company. Allahverdiyev commented, “The Azerbaijan travel industry is hungry for the latest technology to keep pace with new consumer expectations and industry change. Along with a global presence, Sabre offers local industry knowledge, technology solutions designed specifically for this market and a passionate team committed to our customers’ success.”
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al glob a s e erat etplace k e op Sabr vel mar cessed tra ich pro billion wh 100 USD mated r e ti ov of es l spend e trav 013? in 2
Travelport Signs Distribution Agreement with United Airlines
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ravelport announced a new long-term agreement with United Airlines, adding to the carrier’s availability, inventory and prices, and providing access to ancillary products through the merchandising technology offered under the Travelport Merchandising Platform umbrella, including the adoption of Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding. The software enables airlines to more effectively present the value proposition for their products, through detailing their offers, including services and/or ancillary services available for purchase, as well as options to upgrade to alternative products via the Travelport travel commerce platform and travel agencies.
United Airlines
Azerbaijan
Amadeus Gulf Teams up with Mohebi Aviation
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echnology provider for the global travel industry, Amadeus Gulf, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mohebi Aviation, the travel solutions and services division of UAE-based Zainal Mohebi Holdings. In terms of the deal, Amadeus Gulf will offer rich air and nonair content to Mohebi Aviation, including the recently launched Travel Wizard, which allows travel agencies to benefit from a host of smart solutions. In addition, Mohebi Aviation will also profit from Amadeus Gulf’s 10-year distribution agreement with 13 airlines from the Arab Air Carriers Organization. As Graham Nichols, managing director, Amadeus Gulf, noted, the UAE remains one of the fastest growing travel destinations in the world.
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WEEKLY NEWS
MALL OF THE WORLD ANNOUNCED H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, launched what is hailed to be the world’s first temperature-controlled city, Mall of the World.
L Mall of the World
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ocated along Sheikh Zayed Road, the project will occupy a total area of 446ha and will house a large indoor theme park, covered by a glass dome that will be open during the winter months, and a massive shopping mall with an area of 743,000m2. The facility will also host a wide range of hospitality options, comprising 20,000 hotel rooms through the addition of 100 hotels and serviced apartments buildings, catering to all types of tourists. Once completed, the city is projected to become a year-round destination, welcoming around 180 million visitors annually. “Tourism is a key driver of our economy and we aim to make the UAE an attractive destination all year long. This is why we will start working on providing pleasant temperature-controlled environments during the summer months,” commented Al Maktoum.
Dedicated Cartoon Network Zone at IMG Worlds of Adventure
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urner Broadcasting, owner of Cartoon Network Enterprises EMEA (CNE EMEA), and Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group (IMG), have signed an agreement which sees the launch of a dedicated Cartoon Network Zone within IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai’s impending first mega-themed indoor entertainment destination. Upon this new arrangement, popular characters from global and award winning hit Cartoon Network shows will be brought to life in an immersive world of thrilling rides and entertainment, where the Cartoon Network Zone will also feature an exciting array of branded restaurants and retail locations.
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WEEKLY NEWS #MyDubai: One Million Instagram Submissions
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ess than six months after its launch, Dubai’s initiative to create the world’s first autobiography of a city has crossed the one millionth use of the hashtag #MyDubai on Instagram. As AsIssam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, disclosed, until the beginning of July, 1,018,952 images have been
displayed on #MyDubai, and when collectively viewed they create a portrait of life. To mark the achievement and showcase a selection of the photographs submitted to date, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Elevision Media have donated space on a 96m-long LED screen in front of DIFC gate building.
Oman: Hotel Sector in Danger of Oversupply
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ollowing several years of limited development activity, Muscat is set to experience a wave of openings in the four- and five-star and serviced apartments
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segment, over the next five years. According to Cluttons’ latest Commercial Market Outlook, the properties under construction will add 1,400 rooms and 260 serviced
apartment suites to the segment, to a 50 percent increase in the existing number of premium rooms. In addition, a further 2,500 units in the luxury segment are currently proposed.
While the outlook for the Sultanate’s hotel sector remains positive, experts warn of an oversupply risk in the capital’s luxury hotel segment, which may put pressure on room rates.
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WEEKLY NEWS Luxury Hotel Guests Increase in Oman
Desert Gate Becomes a Full Service DMC
Dubai
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
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ollowing a decade of serving local destination management companies (DMC) in the UAE, Desert Gate has expanded its range of services to a full-fledged DMC. Building on its extensive local knowledge, the company offers premium tailor-made excursions and programmes for holiday-goers and upscale leisure groups. As Samir Tabbah, CEO, Desert Gate, explained, the company lays great emphasis on the human touch and on studying its customers in order to provide them with the most suitable programme of activities. The DMC will continue to serve the UK, German and CIS markets, but the management also plans to expand its scope to further promote the UAE in Eastern Europe, the Americas and the Far East.
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he total number of tourists staying at four- and five-star hotels in Oman witnessed an increase at the end of May totalling 323,779 guests, compared with 258,518 during the same period in 2013, recording a growth rate of 25.2 percent. According to Oman's National Centre for Statistics and Information, the total revenue for luxury hotels grew 10.4 percent between January - May, rising to OMR77.9 million (USD202.3 million). At the same time occupancy rates rose to 68.6 percent up until May, versus a 64.5 percent recorded for the first five months of 2013. When comparing the change in the number of four- and five-star hotel guests by geographical origin, the report reveals that guests from Europe increased by 29.7 percent, the number of Omani guests grew by 17.9 percent, and guests from GCC countries grew by 21.3 percent.
BAC Launches Training Programme
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ahrain Airport Company (BAC) with the support of the Ministry of Transportation and Tamkeen, rolled out Tahleeq, a new graduate training programme aimed at educating the future leaders of the Kingdom’s aviation industry. The two-year capacity building initiative was launched for aspiring, high-performing Bahraini graduates, who, as Ahmed Nemat, acting undersecretary, civil aviation affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Bahrain, explained, will be trained by experts within the aviation field. Participants will specialise in various fields, including engineering, airport operations, information technology and facilities management.
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WEEKLY NEWS DAMAC Properties Awarded Green Building Certification
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AMAC Properties has become the first company to receive a Green Building Certification from the Dubai government’s department of planning and development, Trakhees. The regulatory authority bestowed the honour on the NAIA at Suburbia Jebel Ali hotel apartments, which is slated for opening later this year. According to Trakhees, the project demonstrated its compliance to the environment, health and safety (EHS) sustainability criteria for the built environment, making it the first development to ever be certified green under the scheme. As Madiha Salem, director, EHS, Trakhees, explained, the EHS in-house certification programme aims to provide clients with a region-specific, appropriate and cost effective alternative.
Abdali Mall to House 11 Cinema Screens
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bdali Mall Company (AMC) announced Prime Cinemas as an anchor tenant in the upcoming Abdali Mall’s 8,807m2 entertainment area. The shopping centre, which is at over 65 percent construction completion and already achieved a total leased percentage of 47 percent, will feature 11 cinema screens, revealed Hammad Atassi, CEO, World Media Holding, under which Prime Cinemas operates. “We have been following this project since the early stages of its design and conception [...]. The development includes state of the art design and finishing, and is a great site for the newest and most prestigious location for Prime Cinemas in Amman.”
Abdali Mall
Seychelles Promoted in Bahrain
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he Seychelles Tourism Office Middle East (STOME), in partnership with Emirates Holidays, held a trade presentation in Bahrain for travel agents, in order to better acquaint them with the country’s offerings and recent developments. The fully educational training aimed to ensure that attending agents have an in-depth knowledge of what the Indian Ocean destination has to offer, allowing them to better sell it to their clients. As Ahmed Fathallah, regional manager, STOME, explained, among the GCC markets, Bahrain has ranked number four between January and May in terms of visitor numbers, registering a 84 percent rise compared to the corresponding period in 2013.
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Which are the next properties to join BWI’s portfolio of hotels? GLENN DE SOUZA: Best Western International’s development in Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate. Having debuted in Al Khobar and Mecca in recent years, we now have a further 12 hotels in the pipeline that will see us expand to multiple new destinations across the Kingdom.
Q & A with Glenn de Souza
VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST, BWI
We have seen strong demand for our upscale BEST WESTERN PLUS hotels in Saudi Arabia, which offer more facilities and larger rooms to cater for business travellers and families, and we look forward to introducing our luxury BEST WESTERN PREMIER brand into the market, to cater to Saudi Arabian travellers’ preference for deluxe amenities. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What makes the Kingdom a key market for the company?
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THE SAUDI ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET IS BOOMING, ESPECIALLY AMONG DOMESTIC AND REGIONAL VISITORS
This year, we expect to launch new BEST WESTERN hotels in such destinations such as Jeddah, Dammam, Al Jubail, Hayel, Jizan and the capital Riyadh. We also intend to expand our upscale BEST WESTERN PLUS label in the country, with the launch of a new hotel in Al Ahsa, while our luxury BEST WESTERN PREMIER brand is expected to debut in Saudi Arabia towards the beginning of 2015, in the city of Al Qassim. Also in 2015, we have plans to add to our portfolio in the key cities of Riyadh and Mecca. Overall, this expansion will take us to a portfolio of 14 hotels, totaling 2,773 rooms, across Saudi Arabia by the end of 2015. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How is BWI adopting its development strategy to the needs of the Saudi market? GLENN DE SOUZA: We are seeing a strong rise in both domestic and regional tourism in Saudi Arabia. With several airlines, especially from the Gulf countries, adding new air routes across this vast country, previously inaccessible destinations are being opened up, offering new opportunities for business travel. The religious travel and pilgrimage market is also booming, and cities like Mecca and Jeddah are experiencing a surge in growth. We are also seeing an increase in demand for family travel.
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BEST WESTERN PLUS Al Massa Awan Hotel
SAUDI ARABIA IS FAST BECOMING A KEY MARKET FOR BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL (BWI); ONE WHICH ACCORDING TO GLENN DE SOUZA, VICE PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST, BWI, IS SET TO EXPERIENCE UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENT OVER THE COMING YEARS.
BEST WESTERN PLUS Al Massa Awan Hotel
GLENN DE SOUZA: As mentioned above, the Saudi Arabian travel market is booming, especially among domestic and regional visitors. New air routes from Gulf carriers are making the country more accessible, which is driving a strong rise in international visitors. Overseas arrivals to Saudi Arabia increased by approximately seven percent in 2013 - well ahead of the Middle East’s regional average - and are now projected to climb an additional 39 percent between 2013 and 2017, according to Business Monitor International’s Saudi Arabia Tourism Report. And importantly, Saudi Arabian tourists are among the world’s highest spenders, offering good opportunities for tourism operators in the country. We have high hopes for Saudi Arabia, and the relationships we have built in the country provide a solid foundation for our continued growth in the Kingdom. 19 JULY 2014
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Majid Al Futtaim celebrated the opening of The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre.
The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre
The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre Unveiled
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ocated in the heart of Manama, the projects mark the Westin and Le Méridien brands’ debut in Bahrain. Directly linked to City Centre Bahrain, the two properties add a total of 460 rooms to the company’s portfolio in the Kingdom. Guests staying at the 200-key The Westin Bahrain City Centre can enjoy a revitalising experience and benefit from a variety of dining venues, The Heavenly Spa by Westin and 604m2 of ultra-modern event space. The 260-unit Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre features over 460m2 of event and meeting space, a selection of food and beverage outlets, while the Le Méridien Hub is expected to open by year-end.
Adagio Hotel Apartments Open in Abu Dhabi
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dagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan, Accor’s largest property in the Middle East, opened on July 6. The property boasts 279 apartments, is adjacent to the newly-opened sister property Novotel Al Bustan and it aims at medium- to long-term business or leisure travellers to the capital city. Providing access to the 361-room sister hotel through an enclosed footbridge, Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan’s guests can enjoy all of the extra facilities, which include six food and beverage outlets, seven meeting rooms, a ballroom, plus recreation and wellness facilities. The apart-hotel complex itself includes 70 studios, 112 one-bedroom, 56 two-bedroom and 41 three-bedroom apartments, which are all ready to live in with a fully-equipped kitchen including a microwave, oven, electric hubs, dishwasher and refrigerator.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Marriott DoubleTree Executive by Hilton Apartments UnaizahDubai Creek
Hilton Worldwide Expands Saudi Footprint
Rotana to Open Luxury Hotel in Bahrain in Q4
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ilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Saud Abdulaziz Alalloush Real Estate to launch its first hotel in the city of Unaizah in Al Qassim province. Scheduled to open in mid-2016, DoubleTree by Hilton Unaizah, Al Qassim will feature 112 deluxe rooms and suites in the main hotel building surrounded by a selection of two and threebedroom villas. Amenities will include a 400-capacity multi-purpose function room, an all-day dining facility and lobby lounge together with a range of recreation facilities like an on-site club house with three swimming pools and fitness centre to a dedicated children’s area and extensive landscaped gardens.
otana Hotel Management Corporation has signed an agreement with Ossis Property Developers to launch a luxury property in Bahrain in the fourth quarter (Q4) of the year. Located on the man-made Amwaj Islands in close proximity to Bahrain International Airport, the five-star ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands will feature 311 luxurious rooms and suites, extensive banqueting and conference facilities, including a ballroom and eight meeting rooms, along with eight food and beverage venues, a state-of-the-art leisure and wellness club, three swimming pools, a kids’ waterpark and other recreational facilities.
ZamZam Pullman Madinah to Open in September
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s r vice telSe as 14 o H r h Acco le East der d n d i u M ls n hote pment i ? o l a i e b v de Ara i d u Sa
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ccor HotelServices Middle East, and real estate development company Munshaat for Projects & Contracting have signed a management agreement for a new upscale Pullman hotel in Medina. Slated for opening in September, the five-star ZamZam Pullman Madinah will be located just 150m from the Holy Mosque and will consist of two towers, offering a total of 834 rooms and suites. The new project will mark the third Pullman property in Saudi Arabia, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to meeting demand for upscale hotels in the Kingdom, noted Christophe Landais, chief operating officer, Accor HotelServices Middle East.
Bahrain to Open Floating Hotel Later This Year
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-Hotel, hailed as Bahrain’s first floating hotel, is set to be unveiled this autumn. Docked at Manama’s Coral Bay, the USD5 million boutique property will feature 14 rooms and two suites, and is set to appeal to visitors wishing to enjoy their stay in close proximity to the water. Developed by Seven Leisure Group, the hotel is being built on the base and hull of an old house boat, explained Akram Miknas, owner, Seven Leisure Group, revealing that the idea of the project was conceived six months ago when he purchased a house boat and started converting it.
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ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Citadines Sari Jeddah
Ascott Expands Saudi Portfolio
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nternational serviced residence owner-operator, The Ascott Limited has secured agreements to manage two more projects for Abdul Samad Al Qurashi Group’s subsidiary, United Spectrum Holding, in the Saudi city of Jeddah. With the addition of the 51-unit Citadines Sari Jeddah, slated to open in 2015, and the 135-key Somerset Corniche Jeddah, the first Somerset-branded serviced residence in the Kingdom, due to open in 2016, the company’s portfolio in Saudi Arabia will reach nearly 700 apartment units across five serviced residences. Subsequently, the group’s GCC network will grow to over 1,700 units across 11 properties.
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im tt L ges Asco ly mana Dubai, e h T rent rk Place erset a om d tt P a, S Asco ott Doh oha an Asc st bay D set We Somer rain? Bah ateh Al F
IHG to Open Two Abu Dhabi Hotels
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is to further cement its position in the UAE capital. Slated for opening by the end of the year, Holiday Inn Downtown Abu Dhabi, which will be a conversion of the current Sands Hotel Abu Dhabi, will offer 257 units, while InterContinental Abu Dhabi – Grand Marina, due to be unveiled in 2016, will feature 184 rooms. As the capital of the UAE and one of the fastest growing cities in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is a key market for IHG, emphasised Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG. Mohamed Mounib, group CEO, National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels and Pearl Azure Hotel Management, added “The three properties we have under [IHG's] management have seen steady growth and healthy returns over the years.”
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Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana: Increased Demand
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l Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana, Deira reported significant year-on-year growth in demand with the highest average daily rates since opening. “Our apartments are among the largest ones in terms of size and being attached to a mall gives us an edge over others,” explained Carine Harb, director of marketing and communications, Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana and Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana, saying that being located in Deira, the oldest business hub of the emirate gives the property a substantial demand for its apartments. “[Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana and Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana] being a premium product and a deluxe apartment unit, are a preferred choice for many companies' top executives,” added Harb.
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CLASSIFIEDS RECRUITMENTS
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19 JULY 2014
RECRUITMENTS CLASSIFIEDS
NEWLY-OPENING 5-STAR DESERT RESORT HAS SIX OPENINGS Newly-opening 5-star desert resort near Al Ain, UAE, is seeking for the following posts. All must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the same position in 5-star chain hotels. Food and beverage manager Chief engineer Waitress / waiters Security manager Front office desk agent Guest relations officers
CAPITAL CLUB DUBAI VACANCY
Website: www.gloriahospitality.com Email address: gloriahotels@eim.ae Telephone Number: +971 2 644 4739 Fax Number: +971 2 644 4759
IN-HOUSE GRAPHIC DESIGNER (BEACH HOTEL IN RAS AL KHAIMAH) Must be fluent in Arabic and English, reading and writing.
Work for one of the top 10 most exclusive private member’s Clubs in the world: Capital Club Dubai. Accepting applications for Membership Managers to lauren.ruttle@capitalclubdubai.com Must have sales experience in luxury goods and/or hospitality, a strong UAE business network and a 5* professional attitude.
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Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts information: If you are looking to start a career at a fast-paced innovative company with loads of opportunities, then look no further than Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts. We are growing dynamically and are looking for motivated, talented and proactive individuals to join our team. Must be fluent in Arabic and English, reading and writing. Please send your CV to:
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Etihad Airways: Six New Routes in H1 2015 Etihad Airways is poised to significantly extend its global network with the addition of six new destinations in the first half (H1) of 2015.
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he expansion drive will kick off on February 15, 2015 with the launch of the Abu Dhabi – Kolkata service and will continue on March 29, 2015 with the introduction of daily flights to Madrid, followed by the inauguration of daily operations to Entebbe, Ugabda on May 1, 2015. In June, three other key destinations will be added to the airline’s network, including Edinburgh, effective from June 8, 2015, Hong Kong from June 15, 2015, and Algiers, starting June 17, 2015. In addition, the carrier’s existing daily flights to Brisbane, currently operated via Singapore, will become a direct service from June 2015, while further upgrades include the introduction of first-class cabins on the Singapore, Brisbane and Moscow routes.
Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
EGYPTAIR Starts Flights to Chad
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Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies Recognised and Awarded for Work
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n line with its network expansion strategy in Africa that aims to link the continent to the rest of the network, EGYPTAIR announced the launch of direct operations between Cairo and N’Djamena, Chad with three weekly flights. Starting August 2, EGYPTAIR will serve the central African capital ever Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. The flights will be operated onboard a Boeing 737-500 accommodating 104 passengers, while the airline has tailored the flight timings to connect with its flights to Europe, Middle East and Far East.
uring the Airport Council International’s (ACI) Annual World Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, a special milestone award was presented to Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS). The recognition coincided with the accolade received by Abu Dhabi International Airport earlier in June for The Best Airport in the Middle East Region. GCAS was honoured by ACI in appreciation of its dedication and commitment to hosting and facilitating ACI training programmes for over 1,000 delegates in the past four years. These programmes covered most of ACI’s portfolio of safety, facilitation, economics, environment, management, and technical courses. GCAS
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AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Etihad Airways Enhances South American Travel Options with GOL
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tihad Airways, in partnership with Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, is now offering travellers greater access to South America, following the implementation of a codeshare partnership agreement. Subject to regulatory approval, the new deal will allow the UAE carrier to place its EY code on flights operated by its partner across the Brazilian airline’s domestic network as well as to other destinations in South America. Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, described Brazil as a growing market for the airline.
Gulf Air Introduces Additional Flights This Summer
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ulf Air will offer extra services between Bahrain and select popular destinations, such as Amman, Beirut and Bangkok, as part of its summer schedule. The airline’s flights to Jordan will increase to 17 per week as of July 20, while services to Beirut and Bangkok will rise to nine and seven a week, respectively, as July 25. The summer schedule for Amman will be effective until October 25, while for Beirut and Bangkok it will run until September 14 and 27, correspondingly. “The launch of Gulf Air’s summer schedule reinforces our business strategy to strengthen the airline’s core regional network while maintaining strategic business and tourism links to key global destinations,” said Ahmed Janahi, acting chief commercial officer, Gulf Air.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Gama Aviation Opens Private Terminal in Sharjah
G Gama Aviation's New Terminal
lobal business aviation services organisation, Gama Aviation has officially unveiled its exclusive terminal at Sharjah International Airport, creating a full service private aviation hub serving Sharjah, Dubai and the Northern Emirates. As H.E. Ali Salim Al Midfa, chairman, Sharjah Airport Authority, noted, due to its uncongested ease of operations and speedy process, Sharjah is becoming increasingly popular among general aviation and business jet operators. Marwan Khalek, CEO, Gama Aviation, added, “We have long seen the strategic potential of Sharjah as a private aviation hub. Our new lounge facility complements our dedicated hangars, maintenance facilities and fuel services. Phase two is to commence shortly with the development of a new hangar which will incorporate an expanded maintenance facility as well as a much needed increase in aircraft storage capacity.”
Jazeera Airways Inaugurates Four Exclusive Gates
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azeera Airways Group launched four new gates equipped with two state-of-the-art bridges at Kuwait International Airport, exclusively operated by the airline, enabling it to offer an even better and more efficient customer experience. The new gates are part of the carrier’s investment in onground facilities to capitalise on Kuwait’s growing domestic travelling population and are to lift the capacity at the country’s only passenger airport by 30 percent. Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways Group, commented that this initiative compliments a series of other investments in Jazeera Airways’ value offering in the air, online, and now on-ground.
Fawaz Al-Farah, president, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Kuwait
Etihad Airways Enhances Indian Services
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n response to strong demand from business and leisure travellers alike, Etihad Airways has significantly increased its operations between UAE and India. Offering passengers greater flexibility, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier now flies twice daily to Bangalore, Chennai and Kozhikode, while from October 1, Hyderabad will also receive a second daily service. The frequency boost follows the recent introduction of additional flights to Kochi and the inauguration of extra services to Mumbai and New Delhi in 2013. Reiterating the airline’s long-term development plan in India, Etihad Airways now utilises larger wide-body aircraft on selected routes.
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Bangalore
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Please tell us about IHG’s development plans for Saudi Arabia. PASCAL GAUVIN: In Saudi Arabia IHG is currently the largest international hotel company with 24 hotels, and we are looking to increase our presence in the Kingdom by more than 50 percent, from almost 6,000 to 9,000 rooms, over the next three to five years. In 2013, we opened two hotels in Saudi Arabia: Holiday Inn Riyadh Meydan and Crowne Plaza Madinah – our first Crowne Plaza property in the city. We also signed an agreement to develop the world’s largest Holiday Inn, the 1,238-room Holiday Inn Makkah, and announced that we will be introducing our extended-stay brand, Staybridge Suites, to Saudi Arabia with two new properties in Jeddah and one in Al Khobar. Saudi Arabia holds our largest pipeline in the Middle East with nine hotels
Q & A with Pascal Gauvin CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, INDIA, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, IHG
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WE WILL ALSO LAUNCH A NEW BRAND IN SAUDI ARABIA WHEN WE OPEN THE FIRST HOTEL INDIGO IN THE MIDDLE EAST and 3,000 rooms, and this year we will open Crowne Plaza Riyadh – ITCC [Information Technology and Communication Complex] in Riyadh’s up and coming business district. We will also launch a new brand in Saudi Arabia when we open the first Hotel Indigo in the Middle East in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District in 2015. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How is IHG responding to the latest tourism trends observed in the Kingdom? PASCAL GAUVIN: With religious tourism continuing to grow in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi government set to invest more than USD30 billion into the tourism sector over the next decade, and planning further expansion in travel and tourism infrastructure to allow 88 million visitors by 2020, we anticipate a boom in religious and domestic leisure 19 JULY 2014
HAILED AS THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL COMPANY IN SAUDI ARABIA, INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP (IHG) CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN ITS FOOTPRINT IN THE MARKET, WHICH, ACCORDING TO PASCAL GAUVIN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, INDIA, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, IHG, OFFERS TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES. tourism which would create strong opportunities for the growth of midscale brands such as Holiday Inn, which is already well-established in the country with 10 hotels and more than 2,000 rooms, and another three due to open in the next three to five years. Our recent travel trends report indicates that travellers are changing their expectations and looking to hotels not only for consistently good service and to reflect local trends and customs, but to also tailor services to meet their per-
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SAUDI ARABIA CONTINUES TO BE A KEY GROWTH MARKET FOR US AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO EXPANDING OUR PRESENCE
sonal preferences. In other words, to win guest loyalty in the future, hotels need to deliver a global, local and personalised experience. This is especially true in Saudi Arabia, where hotels need to be sensitive to the local culture and traditions of their guests. The industry on the whole needs to start looking at how to truly become 3D, global, local and personal, to build trust and guest loyalty amidst the booming hospitality landscape in Saudi Arabia. Our Hotel Indigo brand responds to this trend for 3D travel experiences. Hotel Indigo properties are designed to reflect the local culture, character and history of the surrounding area whilst delivering the consistencies travellers would expect from a global brand. It is for this reason that we have planned our first Hotel Indigo in the Middle East to open in Riyadh in 2015. We have also seen a demand for extended-stay brands to cater to business travel from within the Middle East, particularly in markets such as Al Khobar with its rising popularity as a regional and international business hub on Saudi Arabia’s east coast. To cater to this demand, we announced the signing of our first Staybridge Suites property in Al Khobar, our third in Saudi Arabia, which will open in the next three to five years. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What were the main reasons and motivations for IHG to expand in Saudi Arabia? PASCAL GAUVIN: IHG has a long heritage in Saudi Arabia, where we opened our first hotel almost 40 years ago. […] Saudi Arabia continues to be a key growth market for us and we are committed to expanding our presence with the launch of two new brands into the country – Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites. Saudi Arabia’s thriving commercial hubs such as Jeddah and Al Khobar have been drawing both long- and- short-stay business travellers and, combined with the annual influx of travellers on pilgrimage and now the increased government emphasis on encouraging leisure tourism, there is immense potential for the fast growing travel market in Saudi Arabia. Continuing in this direction we believe the government is on track to achieving its aim to draw 88 million tourists annually into the country by 2020.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL Westin Reaches 200th Hotel Milestone
First EVEN Hotels Property Introduced
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tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced that its Westin brand has achieved the 200th hotel milestone with the opening of The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square in China, which will be followed by three more properties in the country: The Westin Zhujiajian Resort in Zhoushan, The Westin Blue Bay Resort in Qingshui Bay, Hainan and The Westin Haikou also in Hainan. The company expects to launch a total of nine new Westin hotels worldwide this year and nearly another 30 by the end of 2016, with almost half of those being in Asia Pacific, the brand’s fastest growing region.
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) opened the first EVEN Hotels property in Norwalk, Connecticut, US, its newest lifestyle and wellness hotel brand which was launched in 2012 and is designed to meet the large and growing demand for wellness-minded travellers to maintain their balance on the road. Kirk Kinsell, president, the Americas, IHG, said, “Through a carefully designed hotel and service culture, created with the needs of our target guest at the core, we know EVEN Hotels can deliver a better experience to travellers for whom wellness is so important. We firmly believe that the EVEN brand will be a key driver in market share growth in the US as well as a unique, differentiated choice for our franchise owners.”
Katara Hospitality to Launch The Peninsula Paris
The Peninsula Paris
EVEN Hotel Norwalk
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atar-based hotel owner, developer and operator, Katara Hospitality, introduced The Peninsula Paris, which is to open on August 1 after meticulous restoration. Located just steps away from the Arc De Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, the hotel is to become the 14th operational hotel in Katara Hospitality’s portfolio of 26 properties around the world. The Peninsula Paris has been fully renovated to become a true Parisian palace, since the investment aims to succeed in celebrating the property’s outstanding architectural heritage whilst discreetly modernising it to become a thoroughly contemporary hotel. “At Katara Hospitality, we are taking the pioneering spirit that saw us lead hospitality development in Qatar and applying it to iconic hotels around the world. We are delighted to welcome The Peninsula Paris into our operational portfolio,” commented H.E. Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, chairman, Katara Hospitality.
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19 JULY 2014
AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Clare and Mike Harris
POSITION:
Operations directors
COMPANY:
Gulf Leisure
LOCATION:
Oman
WEBSITE:
www.gulfleisure.com
Who are you? Gulf Leisure is a UK-based tour operator specialising in tours to Oman and within this wonderful country. The company is run by Clare and Mike Harris, who worked and lived in Oman for over six years from 2005. Gulf Leisure was set up in 2006 with its unique glass bottom boat trips at its centre. Over time, we have introduced land tours to our portfolio of services and are proud with the service we offer ensuring clients can see and experience the real Oman and the beauty of this friendly and hospitable country. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? Working in the travel industry means that we get to help customers make the most of their time off. When is the best time to visit Oman? The weather in Oman is simply perfect between October and April. During this time the sun is warm and the air fresher than in the hot summer months. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? Now that we are based in the UK we would love to travel back to the Middle East. We miss the shopping and nightlife of Dubai. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Gulf Leisure staff have first hand experience of what to see and do in Oman and can tailor-make your trip to ensure you get to see the most of this fabulous company without spending a fortune. A recent happy customer said, “If I had to use one word to describe the tour, it would be astonishing. The information on your website totally undersells what we had.” 19 JULY 2014
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TRAVEL TALK
The development of talented UAE nationals is a top priority for Etihad Airways
JAMES HOGAN President, Etihad Aviation Group.
“We are very proud of our [217] new graduates as they celebrate this milestone in a journey of learning and development and now become part of the Etihad Airways family. The development of talented UAE nationals is a top priority for Etihad Airways. Since the launch in 2007 of our UAE National Development Program, we have continued to enhance the training programmes to include all aspects of the airline business and invest and expand our state-ofthe-art educational facilities for trainees.”
We do believe that the Saudi market is very promising
BASEL TALAL District director, Saudi Arabia, The Rezidor Hotel Group.
“We believe in growth by presenting our brands as powerful, consistent brands. […] We also maintain the lead of the market in major and emerging Saudi cities. This is translated by the expansion of our portfolio with new hotels in those destinations. We are very positive about the future and we do believe that the Saudi market is very promising, supported by business growth within the country and most important the stability which is a cornerstone for any investment plans.”
The Kingdom can transform natural beauties into money generators
MARKUS MARTI General manager, Mövenpick Hotel Al Khobar.
“Saudi Arabia should continue to explore natural potentialities and develop more activities to promote sustainable ecotourism. Rich in deserts, mountains, oasis, caves and seas, the Kingdom can transform these natural beauties to money generators with an added bonus of creating jobs for Saudis. There is much to be done for the Kingdom to reach its full tourism potential but with the perennial flow of religious pilgrims, competitive and open business environment to engage with international tourism investors, a positive outlook for travel and tourism is seen.”
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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19 JULY 2014
TRAVEL CHANNELS
Jeddah in UNESCO’s List The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in its 38th meeting, which was held on June 21 in Qatar, approved the registration of the historic Jeddah in the World Heritage List of the organisation.
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his came in recognition of the city’s cultural and architectural value as a model of an extraordinary urban heritage on the Red Sea basin, and an important national symbol. The Saudi Council of Ministers during a meeting under the chairmanship of H.R.H. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, crown prince, Saudi Arabia, praised the decision and noted the efforts of the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities in the completion of the nomination file and its work, in partnership with relevant government agencies and the local community in the province of the Jeddah.
Saudi Council of Ministers
Arab Tourism Organisation Delegation Visits SCTDA Offices
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high-profile delegation from Arab Tourism Organisation (ATO) visited the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) offices and met with H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, director general, SCTDA, as part of Sharjah’s celebrations as the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2015. The visit, which took place on June Sharjah 25, allowed both ATO and SCTDA to review the plans and packed calendar of events of the upcoming celebration of Sharjah. Moreover, during the meeting, Al Midfa expressed the great pride for all residents of the emirate, as the Arab Tourism Capital award is a great opportunity to promote Sharjah in all its rich diversity and as a distinct tourism destination recognised regionally and internationally for its cultural heritage and attractions.
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The Americas Commit to Sustainable Tourism
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athered at the 57th Meeting of the World Tourism Organization Commission for the Americas, delegations from 19 countries and approximately 100 private sector representatives took stock of the region’s tourism, as advancing public-private partnerships and incorporating sustainability in all tourism operations are crosscutting challenges shared by the tourism authorities of the Americas. The meeting outlined the path to ensure that tourism’s benefits contribute to the sustainable development of the region, and participants in the meeting underscored that tourism initiatives should be based on sustainability criteria, highlighting in particular the role of public awareness, and education.
SCTA and King Khalid University: MoC in Tourism
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he Saudi Commission of Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) recently inked a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in the fields of tourism, antiquities and heritage with King Khalid University in Abha. The agreement, which was signed by H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, president, SCTA, and Abdul Rahman Al-Dawood, rector, King Khalid University, comes in line with the principle of partnership and cooperation pursued by SCTA in its relationship with the various parties in the public and private sectors in order to achieve the goals and directions of the general strategy for the development of national tourism in the Kingdom. The memorandum includes cooperation in a number of areas, such as exchange of information and expertise between the university and SCTA’s Centre for Tourism Information and Research, organising events and activities that have positive impact on the Asir region’s tourism, courses and training programmes for professionals, as well as development of cultural heritage.
Signing of the MoC
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WHO’S MOVED
HANI ABU LAFI
Hani Abu Lafi has been promoted to director of sales and marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Amman. Abu Lafi graduated from the University of Huddersfield in the UK with a degree in hotel and catering management. He joined Four Seasons Hotel Amman in 2005 and has since excelled at every stage of his career. In recognition of his hard work, he was promoted to director of sales in 2009. Building on his technical expertise, skilled salesmanship and diligent work ethic, he will be in charge of developing and implementing dynamic and creative sales and marketing strategies that support the success of the hotel.
FERGHAL PURCELL
Abu Lafi joined Four Seasons Hotel Amman in 2005
LIZ REGAN
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Liz Regan has joined Hospitality Management Holdings as director of human resources and training. Specialising in human resources and staff training, Regan has over six years of experience in the hospitality sector. Her initial posting in the Middle East was as regional training manager for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Egypt, after which she joined Le Royal Meridien Bahrain as director of human resources and training. Following a spell in Lebanon, Regan rejoined IHG as area training manager based in Nairobi before returning to the Gulf region to head human resources and training for The Rezidor Hotel Group. Regan moves to Dubai from Abu Dhabi where she spent nearly five years as director of training at Emirates Palace.
SEBASTIAN GOY
Ferghal Purcell has taken charge at The Ajman Palace Hotel & Resort as the property’s new general manager. Purcell, who graduated from the Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland, has extensive experience in resort and conference hotel management. He started his career as a food and beverage manager in South Africa and was later promoted to general manager. During the 1990s, he was in charge of two spa and golf resorts in the African country before returning to Ireland as general manager of Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, then branching out into hotel ownership with the purchase of Aherlow House Hotel. Purcell moved to the UAE from Ireland where he most recently served as general manager of Lough Erne Resort.
Sebastian Goy has been welcomed by Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi as the property’s new director of sales. Goy, having built up a fine pedigree of experience in his native Germany, has held a number of key roles in the UAE. Most recently he served as assistant director of sales in charge of the corporate sector at Dusit Thani Dubai. Prior to that, he worked with hotel companies, such as Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide. Goy’s strong background in the European hospitality industry paired with senior sales positions in Dubai is expected to complement his latest appointment.
Goy has held a number of key roles in the UAE
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Royal Jordanian Airlines invited 200 orphans for Iftar and distributed goodwill parcels in the Jordan Valley
Boeing has delivered its 1,500th 747 to Germany-based Lufthansa
British Airways has begun testing a hi-tech blanket which changes colour using brainwaves
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Dubai Duty Free Announced 169th Winner of Millennium Millionaire Promotion
Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai hosted an Iftar for the media
Motaz Zayed, winner of Hilton Worldwide’s What your beef? Competition
Etihad Airways became Melbourne City Football Club’s new principal partner
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NEWS & EVENTS The Hotel Show Adds International Village
EVENTS INCENTIVE, BUSINESS, TRAVEL & MEETINGS EXPO (IBTM) INDIA Chennai, India, September 3 – 5, 2014 (www.ibtmevents.com) An invitation-only event for India’s inbound, outbound and domestic incentives, business travel and meetings industry.
The Hotel Show
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he Hotel Show, which will take place between September 28 – 30 in Dubai, has launched a new and dynamic international village dedicated to specific products displayed by their country of origin. Hailed as the largest international showcase of its kind, this year the new country pavilions will include representations from Belgium, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Thailand and the UK. According to Christine Davidson, event director The Hotel Show, the initiative helps elevate the global nature of the show, giving an identity to each country and its own individual products and services. “Of course there will still be many of the world’s leading brands that choose to exhibit under their own brand elsewhere in the show, but for those wanting to be within their own region’s showcase, this is now the perfect solution,” added Davidson.
SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL GOLF & TRAVEL (SIGT) Shanghai, China, September 5 – 7, 2014 (www.shanghaigolfshow.com) SIGT will be a meeting place where golf industry people and golf enthusiasts can interact.
KERALA TRAVEL MART (KTM) Kochi, India September 18 - 20, 2014 (www.keralatravelmart.org) KTM brings together the business fraternity and the entrepreneurs behind Kerala’s products and services.
WORLD ROUTES 2014 Chicago, US, September 20 – 23, 2014 (www.routesonline.com) An essential global gathering for aviation organisations from across all countries and continents.
CITYSCAPE GLOBAL
The Hotel Show
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Dubai, UAE, September 21 – 23, 2014 (www.cityscape.org) Cityscape Global’s mission is to enhance and support the vision for real estate growth worldwide to an international audience.
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