21 FEBRUARY 2015
ISSUE 276
QATAR: OVER 2.8 MILLION VISITORS IN 2014 H.H. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM, RULER OF DUBAI, APPROVED PLANS TO REJUVENATE AND REDEVELOP THE EMIRATE’S HISTORICAL DISTRICT, THE OLDEST PART OF THE CITY.
07 MELIÁ DOHA OPENS ITS DOORS
13 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE HOTEL PERFORMANCE CRUISING ACCOMMODATION AIR INTERNATIONAL RENDEZVOUS AGENT CORNER TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL CHANNELS WHO’S MOVED PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS
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REJUVENATION PROJECT FOR DUBAI APPROVED
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
Etihad Buys Into Alitalia Loyalty Etihad Airways has acquired a 75 percent stake in Alitalia Loyalty, the owner and operator of MilleMiglia, Alitalia’s frequent flyer programme.
ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of
19/2/2015
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he Italian airline is retaining the remaining 25 percent stake. Alitalia Loyalty will also become part of Global Loyalty Company, allowing the UAE carrier and its partners to target the global loyalty market more effectively, while driving technology and back office synergies. Commenting on the transaction, valued at EUR112.5 million (USD128.4 million), James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, said, “The loyalty programme sector is a faster growing and higher margin business than the airline industry. This approach allows both Etihad Airways and Alitalia to reap greater rewards together, with opportunities to generate sustained profits from our loyalty programmes.”
MilleMiglia card
CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic
Jazeera Airways: Passenger Numbers up 10 Percent Continuing the trend of increased passenger figures in November 2014, Jazeera Airways recorded a 10 percent rise in flown travellers in December 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
94.16
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.63
Iran (IRR)
Rial
27,628.00
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,161.90
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,503.50
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.36
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.50
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.94
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.92
Yemen (YER)
Rial
215.07
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he Kuwaiti airline also retained high on-time performance at 95 percent, as reported by FlightStats. On routes serving Egypt, the carrier experienced a 19 percent year-on-year rise despite the fact that it only flew to five cities due to the temporary closure of Assiut International Airport. On routes to the Gulf cities of Dubai, Bahrain, Jeddah and Riyadh, Jazeera Airways saw an 11 percent surge in figures, compared to December 2013. 21 FEBRUARY 2015
TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY NEWS TripAdvisor Acquires ZeTrip
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ripAdvisor has taken over ZeTrip, including its personal journal application, Rove, that allows users to log activities with places visited and photos taken. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed, however, ZeTrip’s employees have moved into TripAdvisor’s Palo Alto office to work with the mobile specialists. “The team will be a valuable addition to our mobile group and we look for-
ward to integrating the company’s technology to further enhance the experience for TripAdvisor mobile app users,” commented Adam Medros, senior vice president, global product, TripAdvisor. According to Edouard Tabet, CEO, ZeTrip, the two teams share the same passion for helping travellers plan and document their trips.
Honeywell Technology Lights Up Dubai International
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rawing on its expertise, aerospace technology provider Honeywell played a key role in refurbishing both the southern and northern runways at Dubai International and installed one of the world’s first complete LED airfield lighting systems. The recently completed project was designed to help the airport accommodate future growth by implementing technology that enables more efficient, reliable and sustainable operations. Honeywell installed more than 8,200 LED lights and 1,300km of cabling in 80 days. “We are extremely proud to have been a part of the runway refurbishment success story. This project is a game-changer in terms of promoting efficient, safe and reliable airfield operations,” said Norm Gilsdorf, president, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Honeywell.
Dubai International
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WEEKLY NEWS HOTEL PERFORMANCE
With Dubai’s four- and five-star hotels maintaining strong business levels, Abu Dhabi properties rebounding after facing years of oversupply, and Doha, Beirut and Manama performing equally well, the Middle East hospitality scene looked revamped in 2014, as per the HotStats December report. Although the market has been facing challenges with geopolitical issues in Eastern Europe and the revival of Egypt’s tourism industry, Dubai continued to steam ahead, as seen with Dubai International toppling Heathrow Airport for the top spot in international passenger traffic, Christopher Hewett, senior consultant, TRI Consulting, commented.
Dubai Hotels End 2014 with Increased Profits
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ubai’s market maintained a healthy performance during December 2014 with RevPAR climbing 2.2 percent to USD308.26. The growth in rooms revenue was driven by a marginal surge in average room rate (ARR), coupled with a 1.4 percentage point boost in occupancy to 82.2 percent. Higher food and beverage and conferencing revenues drove a 3.5 percent rise in total RevPAR and supported profitability, as gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) increased by four percent to USD286.33.
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Year of Rebound for Abu Dhabi Properties
Doha: Doubledigit Growth in Total RevPAR
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Beirut Hotels See Surge in Profit Margins
Manama’s Market Buoyed by Higher Leisure Demand
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bu Dhabi hotels recorded a 10.1 percentage point increase in occupancy levels to reach 83.1 percent, driving a 22.8 percent growth in RevPAR to USD141.55. The strong demand levels allowed hoteliers to command healthier ARR, which grew by 7.9 percent to USD170.37. Hotels benefitted from a rise in occupancy levels on the back of increased tourist numbers, said Hewett, adding that after facing years of oversupply, average rates rebounded during the year with the market breaching the threshold required to see average rates increase by 0.8 percent over 2013.
he Beirut hotel market reported a significant increase in performance levels with a 6.2 percent boost in ARR to USD142.13, coupled with an occupancy growth of 9.8 percentage points to 61.7 percent. Total RevPAR was impacted by lower dining activity together with decreased revenues derived from minor operated departments, commented Hewett. He added that despite the reduction in total revenues, hoteliers implemented effective cost cutting measures to improve operational efficiencies which helped profits grow by 4.5 percent during 2014.
otels in Qatar's capital continued to see room revenue rise for the eighth consecutive month in December 2014, with occupancy levels increasing to 71.5 percent, while ARR grew by 4.9 percent to USD232.08. The boost in both indicators led to a RevPAR surge of 24.4 percent. The strong demand also benefitted other profit segments, as the food and beverage and leisure departments enjoyed an upsurge in revenues which corresponded to a 22.8 percent rise in total RevPAR to USD397.62. As the supply and demand dynamics began to stabilise, the market made way for an occupancy growth of 11 percent, revealed Hewett.
ahrain’s hospitality segment continued to recover as Manama hotels reported a 4.1 percentage point rise in occupancy to 46.1 percent. The growth in demand pushed RevPAR up by five percent to USD86.78, despite the impact of ARR falling by 4.2 percent. Local hoteliers dropped rates across corporate, conference and leisure segments in order to raise occupancies during the month, which generally witnessed low demand due to cooler weather. However, revenue from nonroom operations saw improvements, particularly within the food and beverage department.
21 FEBRUARY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
Abu Dhabi Successfully Hosts Queen Mary 2 Abu Dhabi Ports has recently welcomed Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 at Mina Zayed, enabling its passengers to explore the UAE capital for a day.
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oyagers were encouraged to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, the new Yas Mall and other attractions, while dedicated tourist information services, taxi and bus stands at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal helped them plan their day and facilitated their sightseeing. “The fact that Cunard Line keeps putting Abu Dhabi on its itineraries confirms the emirate’s status as the next big cruise hub in the region, with excellent services to cater for this growing market,” said Noura Al Dhaheri, cruise terminal manager, Abu Dhabi Ports.
21 FEBRUARY 2015
Queen Mary 2
roomsXML.com Launches Contest for Travel Agents
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oomsXML.com gives the opportunity to travel agency owners, managers and staff to participate, for free, in the ICC World Cricket Cup contest, Howzattt, running until March. Entrants have to answer three questions and the closer the predictions of the participating teams, the better are their chances of winning, with 51 prizes to be claimed. Prakash Bang, managing director, roomsXML.com, said, “There is no talking shop this time round. It is gonna be pure fun. Cricket is a passion in all cricket-playing countries and we want the travel agent community to be a part of the game, from the comfort of their homes and offices. It is as simple as that.”
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WEEKLY NEWS
REJUVENATION PROJECT FOR DUBAI’S HISTORICAL DISTRICT APPROVED H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, approved plans to rejuvenate and redevelop the emirate’s historical district, the oldest part of the city centred around Dubai Creek.
now. . k u o y Did the e se of
pha lude th c first The t will in ouks in s ec f j bai o o r p ade Bur Du of r g p n u d llatio a an Deir he insta s at t p and abra sto ha? ag d n i Sh
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he joint initiative, led by Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai Municipality and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, is set to transform the area into a leading culture and heritage centre for the region. Covering 1.5km2 and focussed around four key districts, Shindagha, Bur Dubai, Al Faheidi and Deira, the project’s aim is to raise awareness of the emirate’s rich history, allowing UAE nationals to reconnect with their roots and strengthen national identity and values.
Dubai
Abu Dhabi Hotels Certified for the Chinese Market
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bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), together with China Tourism Academy (CTA), is set to issue the Chinese travel industry’s highly sought-after Welcome Chinese certification to over 20 hotels and attractions in the UAE capital. “In acknowledging the efforts undertaken by these establishments to provide a set of overseas travel service standards approved and released by CTA, Chinese visitors will have greater confidence in the range and quality of our product,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director, tourism, TCA Abu Dhabi. The emirate welcomed 120,350 guests from China in 2014, marking an increase of 166 percent over 2013.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
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21 FEBRUARY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
Qatar: Over 2.8 Million Visitors Welcomed in 2014
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atar received more than 2.8 million travellers in 2014, representing an 8.2 percent year-on-year increase. Since 2009, international visits to the country have risen 91 percent, with an average annual growth rate of 13.8 percent. In 2014, GCC countries accounted for 40 percent of the traffic, while another 28 percent of travellers originated from Asia and Oceania, and 15 percent from Europe. Based on data released by Qatar Tourism Authority, the sector contributed QAR13.6 billion (USD3.7 billion) to the national GDP in 2013, representing four percent of the destination’s non-extraction economy. Benefitting from higher demand, hotel occupancy reached 73 percent in 2014, up from 65 percent in 2013, with the largest gains being reported from five-star properties.
Doha
Abu Dhabi Airport: Greater Convenience for US-bound Travellers
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bu Dhabi International Airport has introduced new automated passport control kiosks by SITA, enabling passengers flying to the US to pre-clear customs and immigration. The new kiosks allow travellers to provide their travel documents, biometric data and customs declaration prior to speaking to a US customs and border protection officer. Collaborators on the project were SITA, US Customs and Border Protection Agency, Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways. “The process has been greatly enhanced by the introduction of automated passport control kiosks which allow passengers to pass through border controls quickly and seamlessly, significantly improving their travel experience,” said Richard Hill, chief operations officer, Etihad Airways.
Automated passport control kiosk
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WEEKLY NEWS CRUISING
Celebrity Cruises Introduces Luminae
Exciting 2016 for AmaWaterways
CMV Takes Delivery of Magellan
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nspired by the essence of light, exceptional food, wine and luxury, Celebrity Cruises revealed the first look into its newly named suite class restaurant, Luminae. The exclusive dining experience will be introduced onboard the company’s modern luxury ships beginning in April. Guests dining at the brand’s first suite restaurant can experience the new elegant menus for complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner. With handcrafted dishes, the menus will also feature locally-sourced regional and seasonal ingredients inspired by the destinations Celebrity Cruises sails to. “Everything about Luminae embodies an inspirational culinary journey for our guests. We want them to savour soulful, technique-driven cuisine, while enjoying warm and personalised service in a relaxed, stylish setting,” said John Suley, executive chef, Celebrity Cruises.
iver cruise line, AmaWaterways, announced that its 2016 sailings are now open for booking, with the introduction of two new ships, 34 winethemed sailings, an inaugural Taste of Bordeaux itinerary and five new voyages designed exclusively for art enthusiasts, giving travellers an opportunity to explore the rich and artistic heritage of northern France while creating their very own masterpieces. The two new 158-passenger sister ships, AmaViola and AmaStella, will feature the line’s new connecting staterooms, as well as larger suites. “We are thrilled to introduce an array of new ships, itineraries and destinations, giving travellers even more options to create unforgettable memories,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president, AmaWaterways.
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ruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has received its new flag ship, Magellan. She will reposition to Greece for a docking period before sailing up to the UK for her various launch events and Maiden Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights Cruise departing March 15. Whilst a number of changes will be made to enhance some of her facilities, including new livery, the funnel gull wings will remain attached. Chris Coates, commercial director, CMV, said, “The addition of Magellan to our fleet brings a new dimension in cruising to CMV. Since launching Magellan’s programme on November 3, 2014, we have sold 60 percent of her capacity which clearly demonstrates the strong demand for our product and smaller ship cruising.”
ow. .
ffers ys o a w er n 20 Wat to Ama ore tha eraries m n i t i ? rent rom diffe hoose f c Luminae
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Magellan
21 FEBRUARY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS DSF Stimulates Emirates’ Traffic Growth
Dubai Shopping Festival
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21 FEBRUARY 2015
ubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has grown into one of the most important fixtures on Dubai’s annual calendar attracting a huge influx of visitors from around the world, according to Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, Emirates. “Since the beginning of DSF [this year], we have recorded an increase of 12 percent in the number of passengers compared with the same period [in 2014],” he revealed, stressing that most of the visitors come from around 25 countries, comprising almost half of the inbound passengers to Dubai. To satisfy the high demand during the festival, Emirates had introduced additional frequencies on routes across the GCC and Iran.
Oman Joins Tourism and Culture Conference
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man’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Heritage and Culture participated in the recently concluded UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture held in Cambodia. The three-day event brought together some 800 ministers of tourism and culture, along with other experts, to discuss how to build new partnerships. The programme explored the potential of working together in order to foster economic growth, social development and heritage preservation. Topics addressed during the conference included governance models, the promotion, protection and safeguarding of culture, innovation, the role of creative industries, as well as urban regeneration as a vehicle for sustainable development in destinations worldwide.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Saudi Heritage Hospitality Company Formed
Positive Business for Novotel and ibis Abu Dhabi Gate
Security is Key for Yemen’s Tourism
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R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities, patronised the signing ceremony for the Saudi Heritage Hospitality Company. The articles of incorporation were inked by representatives of the stockholder companies which include the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Taiba Holding Company, Dur Hospitality, Al-Tayyar Real Estate and Development, Riyadh Development Company, and Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad Al Mofdi, secretary general, PIF, commented that the Saudi Heritage Hospitality Company is an important outcome of efforts for the development of the tourism and antiquities sectors in the Kingdom.
The signing ceremony
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ovotel Abu Dhabi Gate and ibis Abu Dhabi Gate expect an increase in business this year due to a projected growth in the number of visitors to the emirate. Nicola Hochgruber, general manager, Novotel and ibis Abu Dhabi Gate, said the expected increase in guests would be a result of the large number of exhibitions and conferences planned in the capital this year, adding that the location of the two properties, near Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, makes them a key destination for those visitors. “Abu Dhabi has become a key destination for visitors due to its attractive sites and advanced infrastructure and services,” continued Hochgruber.
Novotel and ibis Abu Dhabi Gate
areq Alyahiri, front office manager, Lamar Hotel, disclosed that admittedly the current situation in Yemen does not seem to be getting any better, but supported that stakeholders are aware of the fact that tourism is very important for the country’s national economy and declared that this year the situation will slightly improve. Commenting on the shift in demand, he said, “Starting from December 2014, we noticed a sudden decrease in the number of guests from MENA region.” Alyahiri added that the government needs to work towards handling and fixing the current issues as they are the factors that define a successful tourist sector.
Lamar Hotel
21 FEBRUARY 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS Jumeirah Signs First Venu Hotel for Bluewaters Island
J Bluewaters Island rendering
umeirah Group announced the first deal for its new contemporary lifestyle hotel brand, Venu, following the signing of a management agreement with Meraas Holding. The global luxury hotel company will operate Venu Bluewaters Island Hotel together with adjoining serviced residences, which will be run under the Venu Living brand. Both properties are expected to open in 2017 and will offer close to 300 rooms and 119 serviced apartments. Bluewaters Island is a mixed-use development that will be located off the coast of Dubai and will also host retail, residential, hospitality and entertainment zones. Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group, said, “Meraas Holding is a respected developer with a bold vision and we are proud to bring our unique hotel experience to Bluewaters Island.”
Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm Launched
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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Musstir have opened Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm, the brand’s third property in Oman and the first outside the capital. “As an emerging economic and industrial hub, Duqm offers huge potential in transforming itself into the next business and weekend escape destination due to its location on the coast of Oman,” said Mark Willis, area vice president, Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Located 10km from Duqm’s port, the hotel features 73 accommodation units, while amenities include a ladies salon and tennis court, among others.
Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm
21 FEBRUARY 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
City Seasons Hotel Muscat Receives ISO Certification
Mövenpick Hotel Kuwait Presents New Face
City Seasons Hotel Muscat
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ity Seasons Hotel Muscat has been awarded with the ISO 22000 certification, becoming one of two properties in Oman to be honoured with the distinction. The main goal of the implementation of the system at the hotel is to introduce a robust and effective food safety culture, including, but not limited to, processing, preparation, handling, storage and serving. The system is designed to measure, monitor, analyse and improve the effectiveness of food safety performance in line with the ISO and other applicable legislative requirements. According to George Demitry, general manager, City Seasons Hotel Muscat, the management’s involvement and proactive approach have been key driving forces behind the success.
övenpick Hotel Kuwait has reopened after a full renovation of all its 100 rooms, providing a contemporary look for savvy business travellers and families. The four-month makeover has transformed the property’s units into comfortable, stylish and technologically advanced living spaces that combine sophistication and functionality. Boasting views of the garden and lagoon around the hotel, each room is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which includes LCD TVs and highspeed Wi-Fi connection. Hassan Hassanain, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel Kuwait, said, “The continuing developments at Mövenpick Hotel Kuwait are regarded as high priority since the hotel is committed to supporting the country as it strives to stay internationally competitive and productive.”
Mercure Aden: Occupancy Suffers
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emen is a very rich country for all kinds of tourism, [boasting] culture, greenery, beaches, deserts, mountains and history, but unfortunately the political situation and the instability of security badly affects the tourism sector,” supported Fadel Al-Hilali, general manager, Mercure Aden. As he noted, in recent months occupancy in many Yemeni hotels has been well below 50 percent and this year does not look promising either. Al-Hilali added that if things improve, Yemen will welcome tourists not only from MENA but from all over the world.
Mercure Aden
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21 FEBRUARY 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Orascom Takes Over Taba Heights Resort
Meliá Doha Opens Its Doors
Strand Taba Heights Beach & Golf Resort
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21 FEBRUARY 2015
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s of February 1, Egypt’s five-star InterContinental Taba Heights Resort became Orascom Development’s newest self-managed property in the area and now bears the name Strand Taba Heights Beach & Golf Resort. “We are excited about managing this special property,” noted Jens Freise, senior vice president, marketing and sales, Orascom Development, revealing that the takeover decision followed an amicable agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group to terminate the management contract. “Anticipating and satisfying guest desires remain to be our core value and we will save no effort to make this property a new success record in our hotel management portfolio,” he concluded.
eliá Hotels International (MHI) has unveiled Meliá Doha, its debut property in Qatar. Gabriel Escarrer, vice chairman, MHI, commented, “We are excited to enter the evolving Qatari market with the introduction of Meliá Doha, the country’s first fivestar Spanish hotel, located within the West Bay region. The Middle East is a key growth market for Meliá Hotels International and we anticipate significant interest from both the business and leisure markets as the region continues to evolve and grow.” The property offers 280 rooms and 37 suites, including the 436m2 royal suite, a health club, temperature-controlled pool and The Level Lounge for privileged guests, plus three dinning outlets, one of which is Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Etihad and Air Seychelles Extend Codeshare Deal Etihad Airways and Air Seychelles have expanded their codeshare agreement to include Mumbai.
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Emirates Explores the World of Languages
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nder the deal, Seychelles’ national carrier will place its flight code on 21 weekly Etihad Airways flights between the Indian city and Abu Dhabi that connect onto its services between the UAE capital and Seychelles. As Manoj Papa, CEO, Air Seychelles, noted, the enhanced connectivity builds on the airline’s existing thrice-weekly direct operations to Mumbai. “Put together, these flights offer travellers more choice, flexibility and convenience, including daily connections to our archipelago and the option of combining a direct flight to Seychelles with a stopover in Abu Dhabi on the return journey, or vice versa,” he added.
Lufthansa Technik to Arrive at DWC
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ravellers onboard Emirates can sample the latest entertainment content in more than 35 languages on the airline’s in-flight entertainment system, ice Digital Widescreen. This month will see the introduction of films in Pashto, one of Afghanistan’s official languages, while in March passengers will be able to enjoy movies in Igbo, a language spoken primarily in southeast Nigeria. With the refresh of content across channels every month, the language mix offered on ice Digital Widescreen changes, Emirates however strives to maintain consistency of diversity. “We try to have our finger on the pulse of what entertainment our customers enjoy, and language plays a crucial role in catering to these different tastes,” said Patrick Brannelly, vice president, in-flight services, Emirates.
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ufthansa Technik intents to develop a new operational facility at Dubai World Central (DWC) by the fourth quarter of the year. According to the letter of intent signed between the two parties at the second and concluding day of MRO Middle East in Dubai, Lufthansa Technik becomes the anchor tenant of the aerospace supply chain facilities that DWC is shaping within its aviation district. The intended Lufthansa Technik facility will articulate the organisation’s strategy to expand its operational footprint across the Middle East.
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AIR WEEKLY NEWS Air Seychelles Heads to Amman
Emirates SkyCargo Takes Off to Burkina Faso
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ir Seychelles has expanded its reach in the Middle East by adding the Jordanian capital to its codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways. Seychelles’ national carrier now places its HM code on weekly services operated by the UAE airline between Abu Dhabi and Amman. The new route marks the seventh codeshare point for Air Seychelles in the region, with the airline already adding its code on flights to Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait. As Manoj Papa, CEO, Air Seychelles, noted, the codeshare expansion further enhances the brand visibility in the Middle East and drives traffic to the islands.
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mirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has bolstered operations on its African trade route network with the introduction of a weekly service to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the 27th African destination to join the company’s network. Emirates SkyCargo operates a Boeing 777 freighter aircraft on the Dubai – Ouagadougou – Dakar – Frankfurt route, capable of carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo on each direction. “We offer thousands of tonnes of capacity each week on our routes into Africa and the new scheduled freight service to Ouagadougou will take Emirates SkyCargo’s import capacity to Africa to 3,700 tonnes per week. Our services help facilitate international trade for businesses in the region,” said Nabil Sultan, divisional senior vice president, cargo, Emirates.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL Preferred Hotel Group Rewards Meeting Planners
Hyatt City of Dreams Manila Opens
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iming to motivate event organisers, Preferred Hotel Group launched its meeting planner incentive initiative. US-based meeting planners who book group business at any of the participating hotels and resorts around the globe can now earn iPrefer Reward Certificates per event, which can be used towards free nights and other on-property expenditures during their next vacation at an establishment within the iPrefer portfolio. “We understand that everyone has preferences when it comes to organising a meeting or event so we designed the new programme to reward both long-time partners and firsttime clients,” said Elaine Macy, senior vice president, group sales, Preferred Hotel Group.
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yatt celebrated the launch of Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, located 3km from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and minutes away from the city’s major business centres. Spread over two towers, the 365-key hotel features two restaurants, one of which boasts a show-kitchen, plus an outdoor lap pool, fitness centre and a beauty salon. “With our comfortable rooms, bustling dining venues, great facilities and access to all that is on offer at City of Dreams Manila, not to mention the capital itself, we are confident our guests are going to have a delightful stay with us,” said Stephen Radcliffe, general manager, Hyatt City of Dreams Manila.
Wyndham Acquires Dolce Hotels and Resorts
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yndham Hotel Group (WHG) has purchased Dolce Hotels and Resorts, provider and manager of group accommodations with 24 properties across Europe and North America, for USD57 million. Geoff Ballotti, president, WHG, commented, “With over three decades of established brand equity, Dolce is a respected leader in the group space with outstanding destination properties and some of the best meeting product offerings available in the market today. In addition, Dolce has a long, successful history of awardwinning innovation in conference planning and management,” he said, adding that WHG looks forward to continuing the growth of the Dolce brand and leveraging its attributes across the Wyndham global system.
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How has the hotel performed in the past months? GEORGE KOUMENDAKOS: 2014’s fourth quarter has been challenging, however we are pleased with the way we performed in the current market conditions. At the moment, supply is seemingly more than demand, though arrivals remain buoyant. Quarter four of 2014 also [brought] with it a different range of business streams, as the corporate year winded up internationally, making way for what [was] an increasingly busy festive season. There does appear to be an increasing number of leisure groups in Dubai, as the destination is promoted as a destination of fun and plentiful leisure options, in line with the Dubai Vision 2020.
Q & A with George Koumendakos
AREA GENERAL MANAGER, CROWNE PLAZA DUBAI DEIRA
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your predictions for Dubai’s future, especially in regards to the vision to host 20 million tourists by 2020? GEORGE KOUMENDAKOS: 2020 is going to further enhance Dubai on the world arena. The projects that are already here, as well as what is coming will just cement the vision further. Expo 2020 is going to be a spectacular event, and one that is giving Dubai an identity, and I think restoring some faith in the Middle East. We have seen problems in Bahrain, Lebanon, as well as unrest over the years in Egypt and now of course Iraq, Syria and Palestine. Dubai’s safe reputation and idyllic lifestyle is attracting many visitors. The amazing skylines and shock factor in the style of the lavish malls and experiences 21 FEBRUARY 2015
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: With Dubai’s industry booming, how do you make sure to stay abreast of growing competition? What are your plans for the year? GEORGE KOUMENDAKOS: In regards to the increasing competition, I think one thing we stand for is consistency in standards, and the stability of our loyalty from visitors around the world. Guests are our focus whether that is a leisure traveller, a corporate client or someone in transit. The levels of comfort shown at Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira is what has us in a very commanding position on TripAdvisor for the Deira region and holding number 59 out of 484
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How would you describe the hotel’s clientele and how has it changed over the past few years? GEORGE KOUMENDAKOS: The traditional markets, with the exception of the Russian and CIS business for Deira, are still here. We have seen good growth from China on the leisure side, but also a strong MICE emergence from the same market. In regards to corporate and traditional MICE, it is all still there, perhaps the percentage of each segment is changing slightly, but overall we know the business we attract. Nigeria is performing well and of course Saudi Arabia and the Northern Gulf is doing well as always.
all add to the mystique of this truly extraordinary city. Deira itself is getting somewhat of a revamp, new creek projects as well as the Deira Palm, so we are really looking forward to being part of this experience in line for 2020.
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ONE THING WE STAND FOR IS CONSISTENCY IN STANDARDS, AND THE STABILITY OF OUR LOYALTY FROM VISITORS WITH DUBAI’S TOURISM SECTOR BOUND TO EXCEED ALL PREDICTIONS, GEORGE KOUMENDAKOS, AREA GENERAL MANAGER, CROWNE PLAZA DUBAI DEIRA, EXPLAINS HOW THE HOTEL STAYS AHEAD OF COMPETITION AND REVEALS THE PROPERTY’S PLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.
hotels in Dubai. The new year for us is all about the recognition and comfort of our InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Rewards Club guests, as well as our new IHG Dining Rewards programme, which is a paid membership offering special offers for loyal members to the amazing food and beverage outlets across various IHG properties in Dubai.
Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Holiday Inn Johannesburg Airport to Open
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a franchise agreement with Choice Decisions 65 for the 151-room Holiday Inn Johannesburg Airport. Expected to open in the first quarter of this year, the new property will be a conversion of the current Airport Grand Hotel & Conference Centre. Featuring a selection of meeting rooms and function spaces, the hotel is well equipped to host business meetings, while guests can also enjoy a restaurant and two bars. Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said, “Today South Africa ranks amongst the top business events and leisure travel destinations in Africa and we are confident in the market’s longterm growth potential.”
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North American Hotels Forecast a Good Year
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otels in key North American markets experienced strong growth across all industry sectors, according to data from the January TravelClick North American Hospitality Review. “As we enter the cold winter months of the new year, hoteliers need to carefully monitor meeting, convention and large group events within their market in order to sustain positive RevPAR,” said John Hach, senior vice president, global product management, TravelClick, adding that they also keep an eye on the pace of business bookings as they appear to be softer than in past months. As for the outlook for the year, overall committed occupancy is up 2.8 percent year-on-year and the average daily rate (ADR) rose 4.5 percent.
kno u o y d Di
Johannesburg
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New Freediving Hub at Dusit Thani Maldives
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es rovid ck p lutions i l C l o e Trav -based s und the o d r u a o eir l c otels w th s for h e to gro ce cost glob ue, redu ove r n reve nd imp nce? a a m r o perf
Dusit Thani Maldives
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usit Thani Maldives launched an official and internationally approved freediving centre, in cooperation with Thailand’s freediving organisation Apnea Total. The facility boasts world-class diving equipment and guests will be able to obtain Apnea Total certifications which are recognised worldwide. Thanos Lionsatos, director of sales and marketing, Dusit Thani Maldives, enthused, “Freediving is a phenomenal water sport to offer guests at the resort, especially when we are blessed with such stunning marine biodiversity due to being located within a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This new initiative is a reflection of our continued pursuit of expanding our portfolio of guest services at Dusit Thani Maldives.”
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AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Abdul-Aziz Abdeen Abdo
POSITION:
President
COMPANY:
1st. Platinum Travel Group
LOCATION:
Saudi Arabia
WEBSITE:
www.1platinum.net
Who are you? I am the president of a travel and tourism, and services provider company, the 1st. Platinum Travel Group. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? The industry has been my hobby ever since I was young and left my career in chemistry to work in the travel sector. When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia? Due to the weather conditions, I would say from November to February. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? Anywhere in Europe. Why should people come to you for travel advice? We have the best quality and diverse options, such as education tourism, sport tourism and medical tourism. We also cover ticketing, tour packages, free independent travellers and groups, cruises, MICE, as well as incentive packages.
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TRAVEL TALK
Our vision has always been to create the world’s finest travel experience
AKBAR AL BAKER Group CEO, Qatar Airways
“Having received such prestigious honours for our business class, we are proud to be recognised [with the Best Economy Long-haul Experience award by SKIFT] for our commitment to all of our world travellers. Our vision has always been to create the world’s finest travel experience; in the air and on the ground, in every seat on every flight, for both business and leisure passengers. We are honoured by this recognition and inspired to set new standards for our hospitable, five-star service.”
There is a misconception on the available jobs in the hotel industry
MOHAMMED SANAD Hotel manager, InterContinental Regency Bahrain
We at IHG appreciate these hotels’ dedication to attract international expertise
PASCAL GAUVIN Chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
“We are happy to pool all the experiences we gained from all over the world and place it in the hands of the hotel industry in Jordan, specifically for hotels that are owned by the Jordanian citizens via the Social Security Investment Fund. We at IHG appreciate these hotels’ dedication to attract international expertise in the hospitality field, which led to the development in the touristic services, as well as training many Jordanian experts in the hotel services field and hospitality.”
“There is a broad misconception on the available jobs being offered in the hotel industry, along with career growth opportunities [...]. The reality is totally different as there are wide arrays of employment opportunities in the hospitality sector waiting to be tapped by Bahraini nationals such as jobs in the accounting, human resources, engineering and IT sectors. I advise the youth of Bahrain to wade into corporate waters of internationally renowned chains, and have their dreams turned to reality.”
These awards recognise hotels and resorts that exemplify the highest level of […] excellence
RAFIC KHAIRALLAH General manager, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
“I am honoured of this great achievement [winning three awards from TripAdvisor], and I want to thank all Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan ambassadors and associates for their hard work, professionalism and great efforts during 2014. These awards recognise hotels and resorts around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in hospitality and service quality.”
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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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Etihad Flight College Gets GCAA Approval Following its certification as an Approved Training Organisation by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Etihad Flight College is now authorised to provide the Multi Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training programme.
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he MPL scheme provides students with the core competencies required of an airline pilot and it focusses on relevant and operator-specific training, rather than the traditional model of performance-based training in a generic format. “Establishing our own world-class training facility is a long-term strategy to support our needs for the future,” stressed James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, saying that as the national airline of the UAE, it is vital for the company to offer training and manpower development for Emiratis while also providing a source of well-trained, highly-skilled pilots.
IBPC Honours Al Habtoor Group Chairman
K
halaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group, was handed the prestigious Golden Friends of India Award by the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) at a ceremony at The Oberoi, Dubai. Al Habtoor was the first recipient of the award, in recognition of his commitment to Indian – UAE economic and investment practices. “It was an honour to receive this award from the IBPC. India is very important to the UAE, we have a strong history together and there are a lot of Indian expatriates living and working here,” Al Habtoor commented.
Emirates Dresses Up for ICC Cricket World Cup
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mirates has been the official partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and all its major tournaments since 2007, and it has unveiled the first of its aircraft that features the ICC Cricket World Cup logo. The Emirates Airbus A380 recently set off to Australia and New Zealand, and is the first of a number of the carrier’s specially-marked aircraft that will fly around the globe, celebrating this major event with cricket lovers and fans. The ICC Cricket World Cup began on February 14 and the final will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 29.
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WHO’S MOVED
FRANK EIKELAND
NAZLEY MOHAMED
Frank Eikeland has assumed the position of general manager at the five-star Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah. He has been part of The Rezidor Hotel Group’s Middle East team since 2010 and has a track record of successfully leading hotels and lifting their performance to the optimum level. Eikeland moved to Fujairah from Egypt where he worked as the general manager at Radisson Blu Resort, El Quseir. Under his leadership, the 250-room resort significantly increased revenues and improved guest satisfaction. After studying at the Norwegian Hotel Management School, Eikeland has spent the last two decades in various sales, marketing and management roles across the Nordics and the Middle East.
Nazley Mohamed has joined The Chedi Muscat as spa director, where she will oversee the 800m2 Asian-inspired facility. Mohamed began her professional career as spa operations manager at Steiner Trans Ocean in Miami and over the years her success took her to Dubai where she worked as director of spa at Jebel Ali Resort and Spa, and Escape Spa. Prior to moving to Oman, her most recent role was that of spa manager at Dubai Ladies Club. Mohamed will now work on incorporating her fresh and creative ideas into the resort’s spa concept in order to position The Chedi Muscat among the best properties in the Sultanate.
Mohamed moves to Oman from Dubai
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STEPHAN KAMINSKI
MICHAEL KOTH
Stephan Kaminski has been appointed the new general manager of Grand Millennium Hotel, Amman. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, he will aim to position the hotel as one of the best in the country by playing a key role in creating a creative and inspirational atmosphere. He will be holding both operational and directional responsibilities and will also be in charge of all employees, as well as the hotel’s policies and financial operations. Kaminski spent the past 20 years managing five-star hotels, such as Emirates Palace, UAE; Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München and Kempinski Grand Ixir & Hotel Bahrain City Centre. Most recently, he served as general manager at Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski, Riyadh.
Michael Koth is the new general manager of InterContinental Jordan and the new director of operations for the Levant region for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). Koth, who first trained as a chef, has 35 years of experience under his belt. After his studies, he worked in London, Geneva and Frankfurt in the areas of front office, sales and marketing. He first moved to the Middle East in 1995 to become resident manager at InterContinental Regency Bahrain and continued in top positions at various European and Middle Eastern IHG properties and at the company’s Dubai corporate office as general manager support. He most recently worked as regional general manager in Northern Gulf, where he was responsible for six hotels in two countries.
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PHOTO ALBUM
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Crowne Plaza Beirut’s team visited the Children′s Cancer Center of Lebanon to celebrate the children's birthday
Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways with FC Barcelona superstars Gerard Pique (third from left) and Neymar Jr (second from right)
flydubai has added its 44th Boeing 737-800 Next Generation to the fleet
21 FEBRUARY 2015
H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dubai′s crown prince took part in a car free initiative
Nine-year-old Manuel from Zürich drew his favourite Emirates aircraft
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NEWS & EVENTS Cruise Shipping Miami Promises Strong Presence
EVENTS INDIA TRAVEL MART
C
ruise Shipping Miami is poised to offer the most comprehensive and robust roster of panel discussions, gathering some of the industry’s most prominent executives, such as Orlando Ashford, president, Holland America Line; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president, Celebrity Cruises; Jan Swartz, president, Princess Cruises; and Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, among others. Its thematic topics are to include the geography of cruise tourism; safety and ship operations; market segments; and cruise product development. The event, organised by UBM Connect, is scheduled to take place from March 16 – 19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Ahmedabad, India February 21 – 23 www.itmtravelmart.com Organised across many Indian cities throughout the year, it showcases travel, hospitality, leisure and related industries.
MICE ARABIA CONGRESS February 22 – 23 www.mice-arabia.com With a portfolio that boasts leading luxury and MICE travel agencies, the event is a platform for global solution providers.
ITB BERLIN Berlin, Germany March 04 – 08 www.itb-berlin.de A leading trade fair for the global travel industry as in 2014 some 10,140 companies from 189 countries exhibited their products.
Cruise Shipping Miami
GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FAIR
ITB Berlin to Excite with Industry Innovations
Guangzhou, China March 06 – 08 www.gitf.com.cn The fair has received wide attention from the tourism industry since its first session, 22 years ago.
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his year’s ITB Berlin, taking place from March 4 – 8, is set to showcase a range of game-changing travel industry products through its ITB Innovators platform. Visitors to the event’s website can vote for the products online, and those innovations with the most votes will be presented at the ITB Berlin Convention on March 6. Innovative services include Packnada, designed to eliminate the hassle of packing for frequent travellers, smart suitcases by Bluesmart which open and close by using Bluetooth, and can report their own weight and be tracked via GPS, and Oculus Rift goggles that enable customers of TUI Cruises to virtually tour a cruise liner.
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INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL MARKET JAPAN Kyoto, Japan March 16 – 18 www.iltm.com/japan A specialist invitation-only event, where Japan’s travel agents and advisors meet the world’s most spectacular travel experiences.
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XX WEEKLY NEWS
05 JULY 2014
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