Travel Trade Weekly Issue 269 by Travel Trade Publications

3 JANUARY 2015

ISSUE 269

WORKS START AT DWC’S EXECUTIVE TERMINAL COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT WORLD TRADE CENTER, ABU DHABI HAS WELCOMED ITS FIRST GUESTS, MARKING THE BRAND’S DEBUT IN THE UAE CAPITAL.

06 WARWICK INTERNATIONAL HOTELS ENTERS DOHA

11 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY AIRPORTS ACCOMMODATION RENDEZVOUS INTERNATIONAL AGENT CORNER TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL CHANNELS WHO’S MOVED PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS

02 03 04 06 09 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT ENTERS ABU DHABI

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba

HotStats Brings Out Profitability Forecasts HotStats and e-forecasting have recently published Hotel Market Profitability Forecasts, covering major markets in Europe, Middle East and North Africa.

CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic

ach one of the reports contains predictions for 24 months, eight quarters and three years spannning all key hotel performance metrics, including occupancy, average room rate (ARR), RevPAR, total RevPAR and gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR). “By drawing even further on the depth of HotStats’ unique database, we are able to glean important insights into the hospitality industry. Quarter after quarter, our subscribers take a measure of the real health in their market place and the ever-changing predictive analytics that are expected to drive hoteliers’ business,” commented Maria Sogard, CEO, e-forecasting.

PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou

Etihad Boasts the Best Year Ever

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

Etihad Cargo remained on track to achieve its best-ever annual performance after carrying an all-time record 53,292 tonnes in November 2014.

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MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of

2/1/2015

Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY 1USD=

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.39

Qatar (QAR)

Rial

3.64

Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal

3.75

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

87.92

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

7.16

Iran (IRR)

Rial

27,174.00

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,152.45

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.29

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,513.00

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.21

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.1

Syria (SYP)

Pound

179.21

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.87

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.89

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he total uplift for 2014 at the freight division of Etihad Airways is expected to reach 570,000 tonnes, a year-onyear increase of 17 percent. Strong market demand, the expansion of its global reach and the smooth handling operations at its hub in Abu Dhabi have already enabled the company to secure more than USD1 billion in revenue to-date. Apart from its own and Etihad Airways’ expansion, Etihad Cargo also continues to benefit from the growth of its codeshare partners; a fact, that according to Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, means greater capacity utilisation and further development of the company’s charter business.

Meetings Made Easier with Marriott's App Marriott International has further facilitated meeting planning as 75 additional hotels worldwide joined its Meeting Services App (MSA) initiative.

early 600 establishments now offer MSA, including select Autograph Collection members as well as properties in Europe and the Middle East. Hotels in Asia Pacific are expected to welcome the app in the first quarter of the year. Currently available in 20 different languages, MSA allows meeting planners to easily manage events, making real-time requests for coffee refills, room temperature changes and much more. Customised for each event’s meeting rooms and spaces, the app is sent out by the host hotel three days prior to its start and is available for use on all web-enabled devices. 03 JANUARY 2015

HOTEL PERFORMANCE WEEKLY NEWS

Beirut Bounces Back

According to the October 2014 HotStats survey of four- and five-star hotels by TRI Consulting, Kuwait, Beirut and Cairo come out as the winners, while Amman seems to be struggling. Bahrain is on an upward path and, according to Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Consulting, this is due to the recommencement of key infrastructure and mixed-use development projects by the Bahraini government.

Bahrain’s Hotel Performance Rises

elative stability experienced in Manama over the recent months allowed hoteliers to record a strong growth in revenues for October 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Average room rates (ARR) increased by 11.2 percent to USD213.13 in October 2014, while occupancy grew by 4.5 percentage points to 55.9 percent. The rise in hotel demand drove a 20.9 percent surge in RevPAR to USD119.22 for the period. “A growing level of confidence in the Bahraini market has resulted in a higher proportion of leisure visitors from neighbouring GCC countries, which is assisting in the overall growth in performance levels,” added Goddard.

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he Lebanese capital’s hotel market reported a significant increase in overall performance in October 2014 with a 2.8 percent rise in ARR and occupancy levels surging 8.5 percentage points to 60.7 percent. The growth in both overall demand and room yields boosted RevPAR by 19.6 percent. Top-line revenues were primarily driven by the increase in room revenues. Goddard reminded that Beirut is known to be a tourism market that rebounds quickly, and this was the case from August to October 2014 as demand swiftly returned, despite travel warnings issued by several western and GCC countries.

Cairo Hotel Profits Surge

n the back of renewed international tourism, demand in Cairo continues to flourish. “The re-emergence of international tourists in the capital is an encouraging sign for the entire Egyptian hotel market which will surely feel the benefits of greater visitation to the country,” confirmed Goddard. Hotels reported a significant boost in RevPAR for October 2014 and the surge in room revenues was driven by the leisure segment. Occupancy increased to 57.4 percent, while ARR reached a two-year high, rising to USD117.65.

Amman Suffers from Regional Uncertainty

he ongoing civil unrest in neighbouring countries continued to dampen hotel performance in Amman, as ARR grew by a marginal 1.1 percent whilst occupancies declined by 3.5 percentage points to 58.8 percent. The fall in overall demand resulted in RevPAR decreasing by 4.6 percent. Although conference and leisure segments displayed marginal recovery, driven primarily by domestic demand, overall hotel performance softened due to the decline in the dominant corporate segment, as Goddard commented.

Corporate Travel Boosts Kuwait’s Market

“T

he return of corporate demand after the slow summer months benefitted hotel revenues in the city as hoteliers successfully improved room yields on certain corporate segments,” Goddard explained, adding that hoteliers did manage to protect room revenues, but given the relatively low occupancy levels the market is currently achieving, ARR may be more difficult to protect in the future. Hotel occupancy in Kuwait improved to 53.5 percent in October 2014, while ARR grew by seven percent and drove RevPAR up by 16.8 percent.

WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY

Hilton Enhances Digital Services

Travelport Further Invests in Turkey

Hilton Worldwide’s digital platform

Hilton Worldwide’s digital check-in and room selection technology has arrived to more than 4,100 hotels worldwide, including 53 properties in the Middle East and Africa region.

hrough their Hilton HHonors accounts, guests are now able to check-in and select their room through laptops, tablets as well as mobile devices. They can also customise their stay by requesting upgrades or making special requests. “Never before have guests been able to check-in, select their room from a digital floor plan and customise their room ready for arrival,” pointed out Geraldine Calpin, global head of digital, Hilton Worldwide, adding that with the new initiative, the company is truly revolutionising the industry.

ravelport announced new investments in Turkey, bringing more benefits to its customers in the country, including state-of-the-art technology and innovative products. In light of this, new offices distributing its Galileo and Worldspan products and services have opened in Istanbul, taking over from the current Travelport operator, Turkish Airlines. Rabih Saab, president, Levant, Middle East and South Asia, Travelport, stated, “Turkey remains one of our key geographical sectors, and as one of the fastest growing and most technologically-savvy of the Middle East economies, we are very pleased to further enhance our presence here.”

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WEEKLY NEWS Celebrity Cruises Orders Two New Ships

elebrity Cruises has taken yet another bold step in ship design with the signing of a letter of intent for two new class of vessels. The two 2,900-guest, 117,000-grossregistered-tonne ships, developed under the project name EDGE, will build upon the modern luxury experience of the Millennium and Solstice class vessels, and will deliver small ship itineraries with large ship amenities. The addition of the vessels comes in line with the company’s long-term strategic plan of moderate capacity growth, explained Richard Fain, CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in fall 2018, while the second one will join Celebrity Cruises’ fleet in early 2020.

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New Lounge at Mina Al Arab

Oman Summit Examines Investment Potential

as Al Khaimah’s Mina Al Arab waterfront community celebrated a new addition to its food and beverage portfolio with the opening of The Lounge by Manhattan, whose launch was marked with an attempt to host the world’s largest dessert party, serving sweet delicacies to a record number of attendees. The Lounge by Manhattan features the emirate’s first ICONS Coffee Couture outlet, enticing with a range of healthy options. “The opening of The Lounge by Manhattan is a welcome addition to the ever expanding retail and food and beverage offering at The Lagoon Walk in Mina Al Arab, a thriving resort-style development with lifestyle living at its core,” said Paul Ashton, deputy CEO, RAK Properties.

man Tourism Summit, that took place alongside the International Travel & Hospitality Show (ITHS) in December 2014, saw industry professionals discussing investment and development opportunities within Oman’s tourism sector. Amongst those were Trevor McCartney, general manager, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre; Garry Friend, general manager, Grand Hyatt Muscat; Filippo Sona, director and head of hotels, MENA, Colliers International; Jessica Asher, founder, Socioholics; and J. S. Mukul, ambassador to Oman, India. Held under the broader theme Investments in Oman's Tourism Sector towards Propelling National Growth, the event was aimed at attracting domestic and foreign investment.

WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS

World’s Tallest Chocolate Structure Unveiled

13.47m chocolate model of Burj Khalifa has been uncovered by Dubai International and is hailed to be the tallest structure of this kind in the world. The creation of the master chocolatier Andrew Farrugia, which was part of the 43rd UAE National Day celebrations at Dubai Airports, was made using 4,200kg of Belgian chocolate and took 1,050 hours of work to complete. Anita Mehra, vice president, communications and business development, Dubai Airports, commented, “We thought it was a great idea to celebrate the National Day with a recordbreaking feat that travellers passing through Dubai International would be able to appreciate.”

QAIA Ranks 30th among Global Airports

ueen Alia International Airport (QAIA) has climbed six positions from its second quarterly ranking in 2014, coming in 30th among 246 airports included in the third quarterly Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey. According to the findings, the Jordanian airport witnessed tangible improvements in its overall satisfaction ratings. Expressing delight at being listed, once again, among the world’s top 50 hubs, Kjeld Binger, CEO, Airport International Group, said, “This newest ranking is yet another proud accomplishment that could not have been achieved without Jordan’s safe environment and its citizens’ ongoing support of their prime airport.”

BIA Holds Emergency Exercise

ahrain Airport Company (BAC) held its 14th full scale emergency drill at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) in order to assess the effectiveness and adequacy of the hub’s emergency plan through real life scenarios. The drill, which is organised every two years, is in accordance with the regulations issued by Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs and global industry procedures enforced by the International Civil Aviation Organization. It is of great importance to BAC as it helps improve the airport’s safety processes to comply with global standards.

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Works Start at DWC’s Executive Terminal

ubai World Central (DWC) announced the ground breaking for an executive terminal, located in its Aviation District. Once completed later this year, it will cater exclusively to business aviation with Jet Aviation, XJet and Jetex being its key fixed-based operators. Rashed Bu Qara’a, chief operating officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, stated, “DWC is partnering with industry leaders to build a complete ecosystem for a world-class aerotropolis, and the executive terminal is a step in the right direction. Providing integrated access to both land side and air side, DWC’s Aviation District enables the seamless functioning of fixed-based operations and is, therefore, ideally placed to host a project of this magnitude.”

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WEEKLY NEWS

Big Bus Tours Gets Bigger

Mega FAM Trip in Dubai now k u o y Did

op-on, hop-off sightseeing tour operator, Big Bus Tours added a third route to its existing tour portfolio, showcasing Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina Mall, The Walk and Marina Beach, among other attractions. The new tour runs at 20-minute intervals throughout the day and consists of 15 stops, providing visitors with a fresh perspective on Dubai. “Dubai has seen so much development in such a short time that we must continuously strive to keep pace with the city in order to enable guests to enjoy a complete sightseeing experience,” said Mike Lees, general manager, Middle East, Big Bus Tours.

Big Bus Tours at Atlantis The Palm

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Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Dome lifted onto its final position

Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Dome Installed

ubai recently saw the largest-ever mega fam trip from December 6 – 9, 2014, hosting 440 travel operators, wedding planners, MICE operators, niche segment specialists and media experts from 16 cities across India. Organised by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the fam trip aimed to provide potential trade partners from India with a first-hand experience of all that the city has to offer as a business and leisure destination. “This FAM trip was a huge success, we were pleased to be able to welcome and host such a large group from India, which is one of our key source markets,” said Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Dubai Marina

UK Vacationers Return to Tunisia

T T

he 7,000-tonne dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi has been successfully placed into its final position atop four main piers in what is said to be a first-of-its-kind process in the construction world. Prior to the installation, the bearings underwent months of testing in the US to ensure they can hold the dome, which was originally built on top of 120 temporary towers. On-site, construction is progressing with over 21 million man hours already completed. Work is also underway on the 1.2km Saadiyat Tunnel, which will become the main entryway for the artworks.

unisia welcomed a record number of UK holidaymakers between January and November 2014, with the figure hitting 413,317 versus 396,784 in the corresponding period in 2013. Based on data released by the Tunisian National Tourist Office (TNTO), 46,249 UK visitors landed in the North African country in October 2014 alone, up 13.3 percent year-on-year, while November 2014 recorded an even greater increase at 29.7 percent with arrivals reaching 20,116. According to Tarek Aouadi, director, UK and Ireland, TNTO, the strong figures show that Tunisia, which has long been popular with UK visitors, is still appealing thanks to its continually improving tourism offering.

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ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS

Swiss International Enters the UAE Swiss International has debuted in the UAE with the launch of Swiss International Hotel Concorde, Fujairah.

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reviously an independent hotel, the 206-key property, located only a five minutes’ drive from the emirate’s airport, now benefits from the strength of an international brand, including reservations support, marketing, guest loyalty programmes, brand standards and more. Commenting on the launch, Henri Kennedie, CEO, Swiss International, said, “As we expand our footprint in the UAE, we are exceptionally thrilled to contribute towards Fujairah’s growing travel and tourism sector, as well as its social and economic progress.”

Swiss International Concorde Hotel, Fujairah

Rose Rayhaan by Rotana: Hotel within a Hotel

ith business travellers in mind, Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, Dubai has unveiled its new Club Rotana offering with 72 rooms and suites on its highest floors. Guests booking Club Rotana rooms or suites will enjoy access to a dedicated lounge that features a dining area, an Internet hub, a meeting room, TV and library corners and more, plus return transfer to and from the airport, a private reception and more. As Karim Nahas, general manager, Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, noted, the businessleisure split at properties in prime business locations is 50/50, so offering a concept that answers the common needs of the business traveller makes a lot of sense.

03 JANUARY 2015

Swiss International Concorde Hotel, Fujairah

Action Hotels to Acquire Freehold Land in Dubai

ction Hotels, together with parent company, Action Group Holdings, is to jointly purchase an over 2,400m2 prime freehold plot of land in Dubai Healthcare City from the government of Dubai. The transaction, valued at some USD15.7 million, will mark Action Hotels’ debut in Dubai where it intends to develop a 240-room three-star branded hotel. Considering that there are currently no operating threestar properties in Healthcare City, the company aims to attract families, as well as friends of medical patients. “This hotel fits with our strategy to provide economy and mid-market hotel rooms in key locations,” noted Alain Debare, CEO, Action Hotels.

WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Autograph Collection comes to the UAE

Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights to Open in March

yatt Hotels & Resorts and wasl Hospitality are preparing to launch Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, situated within Dubai Healthcare City. Slated for a March opening, the hotel will feature 464 rooms and suites and 405 private residential apartments, in addition to extensive conferencing and bridal facili-

Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights

M ties, a spa, gym and fitness studios. Mathieu Greppo, general manager, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, commented, “The property opening marks a significant momentum in the expansion of our brand in the UAE, a market that is continuing to make its presence felt as a burgeoning business and leisure destination.”

arriott International is to add Dubai’s Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa to its exclusive Autograph Collection. Upon joining the ensemble early this year, the 446-room property will be the first member of this prestigious collection in the Middle East and Africa. “Autograph Collection is known for creating authentic experiences that are centred around rich personality and the spirit of independence,” explained Alex Kyriakidis, president, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, adding that with its courageous inventiveness, Dubai fully represents the ensemble’s essence.

Rosewood Rebrands Jeddah Hotel

s part of its brand relaunch, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts has renamed its ultra-luxury property in Jeddah, formerly known as Rosewood Corniche, to Rosewood Jeddah. The move signifies the hotel’s importance to both the city and the company, as Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director, Rosewood Jeddah, explained. “The new name will help further increase the awareness in Jeddah and throughout Saudi Arabia of the Rosewood brand and its collection of unique, world-class hotels,” he added. In addition to this, the group has introduced a new seal, individually designed for each property.

Rotana Debuts in Jordan

he Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana has opened its doors, marking Rotana’s entry into Jordan. Located in the new downtown of Amman, the property is part of a mixed-use development, The Boulevard, and features 391 serviced apartments plus a fitness and wellness club, rooftop swimming pools and an Italian restaurant. A second food and beverage outlet and the conference rooms will be unveiled in the coming months. As Atieh Hamarneh, general manager, The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, highlighted, the hotel complements Amman’s hospitality scene and adds a new dimension of modern accommodation to meet the needs of the country’s visitors.

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ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS

Warwick International Hotels Enters Doha

arwick International Hotels has recently celebrated a new addition to its hotel portfolio with the opening of Warwick Doha Hotel. The property boasts 164 rooms including 23 suites, all of which are equipped with upscale amenities and highspeed Internet, in addition to four food and beverage outlets, versatile meeting spaces, an executive lounge, an outdoor pool and a spa. Kent Cooper, regional chief of sales and marketing officer, MENA, Warwick International Hotels, commented, “We are very proud of the Warwick Doha Hotel which completely reflects the spirit of what hospitality is for Warwick International Hotels.”

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Abu Dhabi’s Four Seasons to Open in Q2 2016

Dubai Properties and Hilton Agree on Bay Square Hotel

HMH Arabic Website Goes Live

tructural framing has been completed on Abu Dhabi’s first Four Seasons-branded hotel, putting the property on track to open in the second quarter (Q2) of 2016. Upon completion, the 34-storey five-star establishment will comprise 190 rooms, 54 serviced apartments and 1,290m2 of meeting and conference facilities, along with a rooftop pool and 300m2 garden overlooking Al Maryah Island’s waterfront promenade. “Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi will set a new standard in hospitality, combining elegant and spacious accommodation with five-star facilities in an architecturally stunning building,” said Simon Casson, regional vice president, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

ubai Properties and Hilton Worldwide penned a deal to build a DoubleTree by Hilton property at Dubai’s mixeduse Bay Square development. The 238-room DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Business Bay will join the brand’s portfolio of hotels in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, and is expected to open in early 2017. John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “With the constantly changing cityscape and major events such as Expo 2020 on the horizon, Dubai is one of the most exciting destinations where DoubleTree operates.”

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s part of the company’s continuous investment in digital technology, Hospitality Management Holding (HMH)’s multi-brand reservation website is now available in Arabic. As Laurent Voivenel, CEO, HMH, explained, the new platform is set to help HMH better engage the highgrowth Middle East market and build direct interaction with Arabic-speaking guests. “The new portal, with a bilingual English and Arabic booking engine, will allow Arabs around the world to book stays at any of our properties. We expect this to tremendously bolster performance of hotels within HMH network,” added Voivenel.

WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT ENTERS ABU DHABI

Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi

Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi has welcomed its first guests, marking the brand’s debut in the UAE capital.

djacent to the city’s World Trade Center Mall, the hotel is aimed at the young business traveller looking for modern essentials, connectivity and a little bit of fun. “This opening is not only extremely significant for the company as a Marriott-endorsed brand in the capital, but it also reinforces the clear focus of the international group and its long term expansion plans across the GCC,” commented Richard Bleakley, general manager, Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi.

Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah Bags First Award

KAI Holdings’ USD1 billion Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah received it first industry accolade with its architects, P&T Architects and Engineers, picking up the Hospitality Project of the Year recognition at the annual Middle East Architect Awards. The architectural design of the luxury hotel and residential project, due to open in 2016, maximises the beach and sea view with a large glass cube welcoming guests upon arrival, separating the drop-off area from a 100m vanishing pool. As Nabil Akiki, CEO, real estate development, SKAI Holdings, reiterated, the goal was to create a unique and memorable project.

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hosts Tourism Event

ofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism, the country’s Tourism Promotion Authority in Germany and the governorate of Aswan, hosted the annual gathering of the Quality Tourism Alliance (QTA), one of Europe’s largest alliances of tour operators, airlines, car rental companies and tourism media. Commenting on the significance of the gathering, Rafic Khairallah, general manager, Sofitel Legend Old Catract Aswan, Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor and Pavillon Winter Luxor, said, “It is a business-to-business and well as business-to-consumer conference that aims to boost cultural tourism and attract major German tourism alliances to Upper Egypt.”

Waldorf Astoria Boasts Dubai’s Largest Suite

W Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah

From left: Elia Gad, group destination director, FTI Group; Yasser Fattah, chief operations officer, FTI Group; Selim Shawer, executive assistant manager, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan; Ralph Schiller, group managing director, FTI Group,;Aly Okda, CEO, Meeting Point

aldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah has unveiled what is known as the emirate’s largest suite, the 1,567m² Royal Suite. Its facilities include spacious balconies, two en-suite bedrooms and a Majilis lounge, as well as a dining room and a spacious living area, complete with a baby grand piano. Neutral tones of warm wood, crème and gold dominate the space,

and are accentuated by crisp Italian marble and glittering chandeliers. Jan Moenkedieck, general manager, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, commented, “This palatial sanctuary will host world renowned celebrities, royalty and international dignitaries for the most distinguished events Dubai has ever seen.”

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ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa Receives HABC Approval

C Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa

rowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa recently became the first approved training centre for the Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) UK in Jordan. Being a leading provider of food safety and compliance qualification and training material, HABC offers more than 200 qualifications, various levels of which can now be obtained at the Jordanian property. The news follows the resort’s recent announcement that is has become the first InterContinental Hotel Group property in Jordan and Palestine and the first hotel in the Dead Sea area to receive the ISO 22000:2005 certificate for food safety.

Elaf Tours Malaysia and Indonesia

laf Group of Companies capped off its marketing tour which aimed to recognise the significant contributions of its agents in Malaysia and Indonesia and raise awareness of the company’s diverse tour package offerings. During the past months, the group’s partners outside Saudi Arabia performed excellently, leading to a notable increase in the number of pilgrims to the Kingdom during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. In line with its endeavours to reach out to other countries outside the region that have a large Muslim population, the company plans to partner with more agents and operators to promote its offerings to a wider audience. Participants at the event

Marriott International Sees Regional Growth

n response to the growing extended-stay hospitality sector in Middle East and Africa, Marriott International has launched two new Residence Inn properties in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. According to the announcement, the openings follow a 13 percent rise in year-on-year RevPAR rates within its extended stay-portfolio, as well as increased demand from the region’s Gen Y demographic. By 2018, the company will unveil 12 hotels across the MEA, which will add 1,228 rooms to the extended stay sector. Within the Marriott Executive Apartments brand alone, six properties in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Gabon, and Ethiopia will open in the next couple of years.

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Kuwait City

WEEKLY NEWS AIR

dnata Takes over American Airlines Flights

s of February 17, dnata is set to handle all of American Airlines’ flights at Zurich Airport. The deal follows the merger between American Airlines and US Airways, enabling dnata to support more than 500 flights a year for both carriers, providing them with ramp operations, de-icing, arrival services and its newly launched integrated clean and search service, designed to make the departure process more efficient for airlines. The offering includes a mandatory search by the dnata team as it cleans the aircraft, eliminating the need for a separate search prior to departure.

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Etihad Goes Double Daily to Melbourne

Jet Airways Boosts India – Abu Dhabi Links

Wizz Air Adds to Summer Schedule

n response to the growing demand, Etihad Airways will launch a second daily nonstop flight between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne on August 1, becoming the only airline to offer double daily nonstop services between the two destinations. The additional flight will bring the weekly capacity on the route to over 4,500 seats. As James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, revealed, since launching operations to Melbourne in 2009, it has become one of the best performing routes on the airline’s network. “Etihad Airways has close ties to Australia with significant investments in our workforce, infrastructure, tourism, and commercial partnerships across four states,” added Hogan.

bu Dhabi Airports announced two new daily Indian routes operated by Jet Airways from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Goa and Lucknow. Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, commented, “India is a vast market for us, one that continues to show more potential for growth as evident in our increasing traffic figures. This means there will be even more travellers to and from India for both business and leisure purposes.” Shakir Kantawala, vice president, Gulf and MENA, Jet Airways, added, "It is indeed a proud moment for us at Jet Airways to introduce direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Lucknow and Goa, an indication of the strong demand, boosting trade and tourism.”

izz Air is to launch two new summer services from Budapest to Hurghada in Egypt and to Alghero in Italy, due to commence on May 16 and June 15 respectively. György Abran, chief commercial officer, Wizz Air, said, “The holiday resorts in Hurghada and the Italian island Sardinia are very popular beach destination for families and water sport lovers. Our weekend departure to Hurghada makes this destination ideal for a one week vacation, while the twice weekly flights to Sardinia allow Hungarian travellers to go on a short getaway to the Mediterranean.”

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AIR WEEKLY NEWS Oman Air Links Muscat with Jakarta

Emirates A380 Heads to Perth

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s of May 1, Emirates’ passengers flying between Dubai and Perth will be able to enjoy the Airbus A380 experience on one of the airline’s three daily services on the route. This move is set to increase the weekly capacity between the two cities by 1,904 seats. According to Barry Brown, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, East, Emirates, the new A380 service, hailed as the first-of-its-kind to Perth, will be instrumental in helping the carrier meet the growing passenger demand and deliver substantial economic benefits through travel connections and inbound seats.

Oman Air’s Airbus A330

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man Air commenced four weekly services from Muscat International Airport to Jakarta. The new route, which is operated by a new Airbus A330300, is expected to meet strong demand from both leisure and business travellers, according to Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, chief operating officer, Oman Air. “Not only is [Jakarta] an exciting and vibrant city, but it also provides a centre from which to explore the cultural richness, natural beauty and geographical diversity of Indonesia,” he noted, adding that the new aircraft enables passengers to relax, enjoy the flight and experience the very highest levels of comfort, space and onboard service.

Qatar Airways Expands in Africa

Q Emirates’ economy class

Etihad Airways Doubles Its US Gateways

atar Airways has continued its expansion into Africa with the recent launch of its 12th new destination in 2014, the Eritrean capital of Asmara. The new route provides passengers to and from Eritrea with two weekly flights, connecting Asmara via Doha to more than 140 destinations worldwide. The airline celebrated its new destination launch with a VIP reception held at the Asmara Palace Hotel, which was attended by more than 200 guests including ministers, ambassadors and the corporate and travel trade industry. The host of the event was Marwan Koleilat, chief commercial officer, Qatar Airways.

tihad Airways has officially inaugurated its Abu Dhabi – Dallas/Fort Worth route, doubling its US network in just 12 months. The airline’s sixth US destination is currently being served three times a week, with plans to offer daily frequencies in the future. James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, noted that the UAE was the largest export market for the US in the Middle East region. “Linking Dallas/Fort Worth with the strategically important and rapidly growing markets in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent will help to deepen the strong commercial, trade and cultural relationship between the US and the UAE,” added Hogan.

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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Etihad Airways and SAA Strengthen Ties

Emirates to Double Barcelona Operations

tihad Airways and South African Airways (SAA) have announced a major expansion of their strategic partnership, which will see SAA commence daily services between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi on March 29. Additionally, subject to regulatory approvals, the airlines will increase the number of routes they codeshare on to 49, while passengers will benefit from an enhanced alignment of their frequent flyer programmes. The two companies plan to continue to explore areas for further cooperation, including joint sales and marketing campaigns and the coordination of procurement, facilities and airport operations.

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atar Airways will significantly expand its capacity across Europe with additional frequencies added to European cities from February. Barcelona and Manchester will be served double-daily, while Stockholm and Copenhagen will see their daily services increase to 10 and 11 per week, respectively. “As a rapidly expanding global airline, it is crucial that we not only support new destination launches, but also add to the existing capacity across our network. This, in turn, provides passengers with an additional level of connectivity and choice when travelling the globe,” commented Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways.

Barcelona

Qatar Airways to Add Capacity across Europe

mirates revealed plans to introduce a second daily flight between Dubai and Barcelona as of May 2, to be served by a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft which is set to increase the total number of seats on the route by 51 percent and significantly boost cargo capacity. “Barcelona continues to be a huge success story for Emirates,” stated Hubert Franch, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, West, Emirates, noting that the additional frequencies underscore the carrier’s commitment to the Spanish market.

flydubai Starts the Year with New Destinations

NasJet and The Jet Business Team Up

asJet has signed a deal with The Jet Business, hailed as the world’s first street-level corporate aviation showroom for the acquisition and sale of private jet aircraft and ancillary services, which will enable the private aviation operator to negotiate competitive terms for private aircraft sales for its clients. Saad Saleh Alazwari, CEO, NasJet, commented, “The Jet Business’ expertise in utilising highly analytical strategies will help us strengthen and further expand our core experience in purchasing and managing our own fleet, as well as that of our clients.”

flydubai plans to add three new routes to its network in the first quarter of the year, bringing its footprint to 89 destinations in 46 countries. Creating the first direct link between Nejran and the UAE, the airline will launch four weekly services to the Saudi city on January 10, and will also become the first carrier to operate to Hargeisa, Somalia from Dubai with four weekly flights starting on March 5. In addition, as of March 31, Chennai, the airline’s eighth destination in India, will be served three times per week.

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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: First half (H1) of 2014 statistics reflect a stable occupancy in Sharjah’s hotels of nearly 74 percent, even during the normally low season summer months. Is that the case at your property? KHAMIS KAZZAZ: Yes, that is the case with our property as well. We have recorded a 78 percent occupancy in H1. However, there has been a sharp drop in the last two months of H1 due to the escalation of the Russia – Ukraine crisis. The achieved occupancy is due to the events held by various departments of the Sharjah government, celebrating the emirate’s success as Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014 despite the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which affected the leisure travellers influencing the third quarter of the year.

Q & A with Khamis Kazzaz

GENERAL MANAGER, RADISSON BLU RESORT SHARJAH

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your expectations regarding Sharjah’s future in the tourism sector and your hotel in general? KHAMIS KAZZAZ: Sharjah is getting ready to offer a grand welcome to international visitors to the emirate as part of its celebrations for being chosen as the capital of Arab Tourism for this year. As a part of this, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is launching new marketing strategies in the sectors of cultural tourism, family tourism and sports tourism. With a hope to further exploit and tap into these promising markets, the emirate will offer a complete holiday and leisure experience. Sharjah keeps its reputation as a world-class destination for sports tourism with annual events […]. Our hotel will be busy to accommodate guests and is expected to be one of the official hosts for the government events, the International Sharjah Book Fair and the Sharjah Water Festival. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Sharjah has to compete with the more developed and known emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. How important it is to secure a fair share of visibility for Sharjah? KHAMIS KAZZAZ: As the third largest and most populous emirate in the UAE, Sharjah has always been known for its 03 JANUARY 2015

WITH RUSSIA AND THE CIS, ITS MAIN MARKETS, FACING A CRISIS, SHARJAH IS WORKING HARD TO MAINTAIN ARRIVAL NUMBERS. KHAMIS KAZZAZ, GENERAL MANAGER, RADISSON BLU RESORT SHARJAH, REVEALS WHAT ACTIONS HAS THE HOTEL TAKEN TO BOOST ITS VISIBILITY AND TACKLE CHALLENGES. rich and authentic Arab and Islamic heritage and tradition and its patronage of arts, culture and knowledge. Sharjah views tourism as a strategic pillar of the emirate’s economy and has invested in developing the sector’s infrastructure and tourism numbers. Tourism has been given an additional boost in 2014 after [the emirate] was voted Islamic Culture Capital for 2014 and Capital of Arab Tourism for this year. Events like the Sharjah Book Fair,

“

SHARJAH VIEWS TOURISM AS A STRATEGIC PILLAR OF THE EMIRATE’S ECONOMY

F1 Powerboat World Championship, Sharjah Biennial, Sharjah Light Festival, which highlights the grandeur of the emirate’s Islamic architecture, Sharjah Heritage Days and Sharjah Spring Promotions have also helped attract a large number of visitors to the emirate. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Which are the hotel’s main markets and what steps are being made to attract these? KHAMIS KAZZAZ: The feeder markets across the portfolio are guests from the CIS countries, the GCC and Western Europe, mainly Germany. There is a growth from China, India and Scandinavia. Tourism in Sharjah is on a growth curve and has experienced a significant increase [...]. The many steps we take include] participation in international tourism and travel events shows along with SCTDA to boost the emirate’s position on the global tourism map, especially to the Russian and European market. Travel exhibitions are a good opportunity to promote the emirate as a perfect destination for Russian tourists and build new partnerships with the Russian travel and tourism market. As a part of its strategy to provide better information, Radisson Blu launched its websites in Russian. This will help to promote e-tourism and provide our Russian guests with all the information regarding the services of the hotel and the background of the emirate. The websites are very userfriendly and provide pictures of the hotel, of Sharjah and the nearest locations [in the emirate] and a virtual tour of the hotel – which resulted in 22 percent growth in online business. To promote the property and its world-class services and facilities to the agents who are selling tour and travel packages to Sharjah, we arrange a fam trip every summer. They are given an opportunity to experience the quality accommodation, efficient services and appetising meals. To give an accurate and 100 percent objective picture of the hotel, the hotel is listed in the brochures of different tour operators in Russia. The brochure consists of clear and detailed information about the services and facilities, which in turn results more credibility with the tour operators and the travellers.

WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Extended

Koh Samui

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement with The Platinum Samui to develop the first Holiday Inn resort and Holiday Inn Express on Koh Samui, Thailand. Located 15 minutes from the airport, the mixed-use development will include both hotels, nestled on a land area of over 40,000m². The resort will feature 150 units while the hotel will include 200 keys. As Clarence Tan, senior vice president of development, Asia, Middle East and Africa, IHG, noted, Thailand has the company’s highest number of hotels open in Southeast Asia and IHG is looking to almost double that in the next three to five years.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

IHG to Bring Holiday Inn to Koh Samui

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Strengthens its Thai Presence

Hard Rock Hotel Goa

Mövenpick Resort Laem Yai Beach Samui

Welcoming Hard Rock Hotel Goa

ard Rock International introduced Hard Rock Hotel Goa, the brand’s first hotel in India, slated for a March 2015 opening. The company will transform the current North 16 GOA Resort owned by Convention Hotels India (CHI) into the 135-room Hard Rock Hotel Goa, featuring live music performances and unique brand-wide amenities such as Body Rock workout facility and a Rock Shop. As for the facilities and services, there will be a premium three-meal restaurant, open-air pool and an outdoor courtyard area, complemented by a poolside bar and grill.

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced its latest Singapore deal with OUE Group for a 243-room extension of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. The new 10-storey wing will be located adjacent to the existing hotel, which will feature a total of 563 rooms, a business centre, conference facilities, food and beverage outlets, a spa and health club and a pool. Clarence Tan, senior vice president, development, Asia, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said, “We [...] look forward to delivering greater guest experiences with our valued partners when the new wing opens in 2016.”

övenpick Hotels & Resorts unveiled its latest Thai resort, Mövenpick Resort Laem Yai Beach Samui, featuring 50 rooms and pool and beachfront villas. Overlooking several tropical islands in the Gulf of Thailand, the resort is located on the pristine sandy Laem Yai Beach and offers three swimming pools, two food and beverage outlets and a wellness retreat. Available leisure activities span kayaking, snorkelling, hiking and visits to local fishing villages and Thai temples. “With its stunning beaches, lush jungles and extraordinary cultural heritage, Thailand is a tourism epicentre,” enthused Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer, Middle East and Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. 03 JANUARY 2015

AGENT CORNER

Agent’s Insight NAME:

Muhammad Taqi

POSITION:

General manager

COMPANY:

Travel Academy

LOCATION:

Deira Dubai, UAE

WEBSITE:

www.travelacademydubai.com

Bitcoin Travel Payments Gain Ground

Who are you? I am the general manager of Travel Academy […]. Founded and registered in Dubai in 2005, Travel Academy is a private limited liability company. Our service concept evolves from our superior buying power. We are able to negotiate the best rates from our respective service providers when catering to our diverse and valued clientele. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? It is a very interesting field, which allows interaction among all nationalities. I love working in tourism. It is an endless journey. When is the best time to visit the UAE? During spring, winter and autumn. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? Switzerland. A few months ago I met with a Swiss tourism team and received an eye-opening education about the country’s many wonders, beyond skiing. Why should people come to you for travel advice? I am a professional with 14 years of experience [with expertise in inbound tourism]. Which is the percentage of MENA travellers your agency welcomes annually? Overall, 30 percent of our business is from MENA and we are looking to increase this figure by 15 percent this year. 03 JANUARY 2015

ailed as the first online travel agency to accept Bitcoin payments in the Middle East, Destinia reported a strong interest in the new paying method. In Saudi Arabia for example, 2.6 percent of payments were made through Bitcoins, just under one percent less than through more conventional methods like PayPal. As Amuda Goueli, CEO, Destinia, noted, Bitcoin payments are a practical modality that has been welcomed by travellers in 50 countries all around the globe, and it has now been brought to the Middle East as well. “We want our customers to know that the Middle East is prepared to adopt this new virtual currency, and that Destinia is prepared to welcome and pioneer innovation,” underlined Goueli.

TRAVEL TALK

The cruise industry is [...] delivering significant benefits for businesses

MOHAMED JUMA AL SHAMASI CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports Company

“Celebrity Cruise’s decision to base a vessel in Mina Zayed Port demonstrates that the new cruise terminal and the Abu Dhabi Cruise Development Committee’s work really are delivering results. The cruise industry is already delivering significant benefits for businesses[...]. The committee will continue to work together to meet the requirements of the cruise lines and to differentiate the city from other cruise locations, so that cruise operators can increase the vessel calls and develop new exciting itineraries around this region.”

The results […] speak for themselves

ROUDI SOUBRA General manager, Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport

We are so pleased to have our hotel recognised

GEORGE DEMITRY General manager, City Seasons Hotel Muscat

“We are so pleased to have our hotel recognised [in the Luxury City Hotel category at the World Luxury Hotel Awards]. City Seasons Muscat is a beautiful hotel that offers modern luxury, combining unparalleled service with contemporary elegance and comfort together with the feeling of being at home that is very important to visitors to Muscat. The 334-room hotel, that opened its doors four years ago, is located in the heart of the diplomatic and commercial districts and is a true milestone in the country’s business accomplishments.”

“It has been such a joy to open and manage this flagship Premier Inn [hotel] in Abu Dhabi. The results [including a year-todate occupancy of 89 percent] speak for themselves and I extend appreciation to Abu Dhabi Airports for their help in delivering such a great property, and in particular the foresight to provide direct connectivity from the hotel to Terminals 1 and 3.”

Our strength lies within our group

JAYA BHUSHAN PATNAIK General manager, La Villa Group of Hotels

“Though we cannot deny the fact that Qatar’s hotel market depends more on corporate clients, remarkably, we have seen leisure clients graph’ ascending. In specific, GCC guests are the holiday makers, Saudis being the most [prominent ones]. We can and we are catering to leisure seeking holiday-makers. Our strength lies within our group, as we are a diversified and customised accommodation management company.”

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

03 JANUARY 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS

Air Freight Maintains Strong Growth International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a positive air cargo performance in October 2014, with freight tonne kilometres rising 5.4 percent year-on-year and capacity growing 4.4 percent.

arriers in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific witnessed a faster demand growth than the global trend with Middle Eastern operators in particular expanding 13 percent. IATA noted that carriers in the region have diversified, further expanding their services and connecting growing markets in Asia and Africa. “We are now back to levels of demand not seen since the 2010 post-recession bounce-back,” highlighted Tony Tyler, director general, IATA, warning that the industry is still under pressure to improve its value offering.

SkyTeam Introduces SkyPriority

kyTeam has recently rolled out SkyPriority across its global network, offering red carpet treatment to Elite Plus, first and business class customers at more than 1,000 airports worldwide. To further enhance the benefits offered under SkyPriority, SkyTeam announced the launch of fasttrack lanes at security and immigration points for top customers, which will be rolled-out across 60 airports worldwide. Currently, 39 out of the 60 airports have implemented Security Fast Track service, while Immigration Fast Track Service has been rolled out in 21 airports.

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Dubai Airports Steps up Recruitment

ubai Airports joined forces with recruitment solution provider, Cazar, to launch a new online recruitment platform available on mobile devices. This comes on the back of the company’s USD32 billion expansion plan which is set to enable Dubai International to handle an annual passenger traffic of 200 million. Meshari Al Bannai, vice president, human resources, Dubai Airports, explained, “Today smart phones, tablets and social media are a way of life for candidates. [...] As an innovative employer of choice, we felt it was essential to have a fully mobile responsive career site so anyone, anywhere can apply from any platform or device.”

Online Travel Booms in Emerging Markets

hile online travel markets in developed countries have matured and are growing moderately, emerging markets continue to rise at a much faster pace. According to research by PhoCusWright, between 2011 and 2015, travel in the developed markets of North America, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan grew at a combined compound annual rate of 2.5 percent versus 7.4 percent for emerging markets. The difference is even starker for online travel; seven percent versus 22 percent. However, although online travel in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East is booming, the developed markets are still adding far more in total new online gross bookings.

WHO’S MOVED

MAHMOUD AL ZAIBAK

ABIGAIL BAUTISTA

Mahmoud Al Zaibak has been appointed director of business development at Royal Rose Hotel Abu Dhabi, City Seasons Hotels’ first fivestar property. In this new role, he will lead the sales department while overseeing sales operations, as well as marketing and promotional activities of the hotel. Al Zaibak brings with him over 14 years of experience in the hotel industry that spans five hotel openings and rebrandings. With his previous positions being at various renowned luxury hotels across the Middle East, his knowledge of the regional market and profound understanding of customer satisfaction is expected is be real assets to the hotel’s team.

Abigail Bautista has been appointed cluster marketing manager for Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Jumeirah Beach Residence and Ramada Downtown Dubai. In her role, she is responsible for the development and implementation of marketing strategies, and she will also lead the creation of marketing tools, including advertising and media plans. As cluster marketing manager, Bautista has been tasked with maximising the marketing budget and coordinating with various departments including sales and food and beverage, regarding promotions and activities. She will also ensure that the hotels’ websites and collaterals are up-to-date and are in line with the company’s brand guidelines.

FERNANDO GIBAJA

LAURA DICKINSON

Fernando Gibaja joined Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah as the new general manager. He will be responsible for building on the success and reputation of the resort, taking over from Stephan Schupbach, who has been promoted to regional vice president of operations for Jumeirah Group. Gibaja first joined the company in 2010 as general manager of Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa in Mallorca to lead the property’s pre-opening phase. His industry experience spans over 20 years and includes roles across the US, Mexico, Spain and Singapore, holding a number of senior positions in the areas of food and beverage and banqueting, as well as executive assistant manager and general manager roles.

Laura Dickinson has recently joined Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, nestled on Jumeirah beach and adjacent to Dubai Marina, as sales and marketing manager. In her new capacity, Dickinson will be working across the entire Habtoor Hotels estate. For the past eight years, she has successfully developed various multi-channel marketing and sales strategies for revenue growth for some of London’s most renowned restaurants and venues. Dickinson has many years of experience and is expected to support her new team of colleagues across all Habtoor outlets and implement innovative strategies that will help grow and develop the company’s diverse range of food, beverage and hospitality offerings.

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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...

Accor donated USD10,000 to the Red Crescent Society

Etihad Airways collaborated with Operation Smile for the charityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25th medical mission to Vietnam

Emirates Executive debuted its new uniform

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Atlantis, The Palm celebrates the year of the goat this Chinese New Year

Etihad Airwaysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team collects the Most Effective Contact Centre Training Program award at the Customer Contact Association Global Excellence Awards

InterContinental Doha The City unveiled a gingerbread village for the holidays

NEWS & EVENTS Enhanced Connectivity Drives Catering

he fast-rising volume of travellers at Middle Eastern airports is prompting expansion of catering facilities across the region. The GCC already accounts for a significant share of the global travel catering market estimated at USD15 billion, with an annual growth rate of five percent. The next edition of the Travel Catering Expo, running between May 10 – May 12 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will allow attendees to tap into these opportunities.

Dubai Expo’s Subthemes Discussed

ubai Expo 2020’s team recently sat together with UAE academics and the representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to explore ways of collaboration and discuss the event’s subthemes: opportunity, mobility and sustainability. According to H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, director general, Bureau Dubai Expo 2020, bridging the gap between the academic and research community and the Expo 2020 content development is key to the delivery of a successful and game-changing’ Expo and its legacy.

Second Edition of ABILITIESme Announced

he second edition of ABILITIESme, a regional disabilities support platform, will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from March 24 – 26, under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, minister of culture, youth and community development, UAE. “For the second year, ABILITIESme embodies the spirit of an all-inclusive society, recognising disabled people’s right to be different and to live their life in a way which meets their particular needs without prejudice,” said Al Nahayan.

EVENTS EAST MEDITERRANEAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND TRAVEL EXHIBITION (EMITT) Istanbul, Turkey January 22 – 25 www.emittistanbul.com The 18th edition of EMITT will assign an entire hall to health care, aesthetics, thermal and spa tourism.

FITUR Madrid, Spain January 28 – February 1 www.ifema.es A global meeting point for tourism professionals for inbound and outbound Ibero-American markets.

ABU DHABI AIR EXPO Abu Dhabi, UAE February 8 – 10 www.abudhabiairexpo.com It brings together major players in general aviation, enabling a demanding clientele to discover the industry’s latest developments.

IBTM ARABIA Abu Dhabi, UAE February 10 – 12 www.ibtmarabia.com Formerly GIBTM, it brings a fresh new format with one-to-one meetings and an exclusive closed community experience.

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