Travel Trade MENA January 2015 by Travel Trade Publications

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JANUARY 2015

ISSUE 63

EXPLORE: QATAR

COVERING THE MENA REGION SINCE 2009 WITH

ONSITE: BAHRAIN

09 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

EXPLORE: QATAR

04 02 08

ONSITE: BAHRAIN VISIT: OMAN EXCLUSIVE: GDS TOUR: MACAU TRAVEL CHANNELS TRAVEL TALK WHO’S MOVED RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS

04 13 09 16 16 18 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24

TRAVEL TRADE MENA is the leading monthly PRINTED and distributed publication in the MENA region!

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY is the first and only weekly travel trade newspaper which has been published in a FULLY DIGITAL format since 2009, and now enjoys an average daily readership of over 30,000 trade professionals!

www.traveltradepublications.travel

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli

Abu Dhabi got closer to its 3.1 million visitors target for the year with figures showing that 2,838,842 guests checked into the destination’s hotels in the first 10 months of 2014, indicating a 25 percent uplift on the same period in 2013.

SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba CONTRIBUTORS Dominique Christou Ana Mladenovic

PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltrademena.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel PRINTED IN CYPRUS Cyprinters Ltd P.O. Box 58300, CY-3732, Limassol, Cyprus Tel: +357 25 720035, Fax: +357 25 720123 Email: info@cyprinters.com

MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of 5/1/2015 Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar

Abu Dhabi Hotels Report Upturn in Guest Arrivals

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

87.96

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

7.14

Iran (IRR)

Rial

27,233.12

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,151.25

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.29

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,512.86

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.32

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.18

Syria (SYP)

Pound

179.29

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.89

Yemen (YER)

Rial

215.05

oreover, guest nights from January to October 2014 were up 20 percent yearon-year with occupancy climbing to 74 percent, a surge of six percent. Hotel revenues increased by 14 percent to AED4.86 billion (USD1.33 billion). “Length-of-stay is a key indicator of the destination’s appeal […]. Our focus has to be to get the message out to as wide an audience as possible that there is more to do in this emirate than ever,” commented Jasim Al Darmaki, acting director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi

Nearly 100,000 Guests in the West Bank According to data by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 99,811 guests stayed in hotels in the West Bank in the third quarter (Q3) of 2014; 28 percent were from European Union countries and 11 percent were Palestinian.

T Palestine

he number of hotel guests was 52 percent lower than in the second quarter and 27 percent lower than in the same period in 2013. Room occupancy rate in the West Bank reached 23 percent in Q3 of 2014, with the figure showing a 26 percent drop from the second quarter of 2014. The data included responses from 109 hotels out of 118 properties operating in the West Bank, which represented some 6,577 available rooms with a total of 14,576 beds. JANUARY 2015

EXPLORE QATAR

Building a Momentum IN EARLY 2014, QATAR HAS UNVEILED ITS LONG-AWAITED QATAR NATIONAL TOURISM SECTOR STRATEGY 2030; EVER SINCE, THE COUNTRY’S TOURISM SECTOR IS RESTLESSLY DEVELOPING TO ACHIEVE THE AMBITIOUS TARGET OF ATTRACTING SEVEN MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS BY 2030.

 Ana Mladenovic

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writes

he launch of the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 […] provides a clear framework to all sector stakeholders on how we will contribute to moving our country towards a prosperous future […],” explained Hassan Al Ibrahim, chief tourism development officer, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA). To fuel confidence, QTA released tourism figures for the first six months of 2014, showing impressive increases across all performance indicators. Arriv-

als to the country jumped eight percent to reach 1.42 million, while the average occupancy rate rose to 74 percent. Yet despite this healthy growth, Al Ibrahim emphasised the need for the industry to look beyond mere numbers and make a strategic shift towards quality tourism. CONSOLIDATING FORCES

QATAR IN BRIEF

Capital: Doha Currency: Qatari Riyal Language: Arabic Population: 2.27 million

And indeed, 2014 saw a strong determination to elevate Qatar’s existing offerings through various initiatives such as the recently unveiled Samana project which provides helicopter tours and sightseeing. Speaking at the inaugural event, H.E. Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, chairman, QTA, highlighted its importance for elevating the leisure

Calling Code: +974 Capital Time Zone: GMT +3:00

allure of a country which is still seen mainly as a business hub. “The Samana project will continue to attract leisure travellers to Qatar. This will boost Qatar’s national tourism strategy towards

2030, which seeks to increase the ratio of [leisure] visitors in Qatar from currently 27 percent to 60 percent of all visitors by 2030.” Other similarly exciting projects are underway. In early 2014, QTA revealed several investment opportunities spanning dhow cruises, luxury coaches, 4x4 leasing company, a cottage market, a MICE destination management company and integrated ticking and mobile information centres. And that is not all, as Tarek Shehata, cluster director of sales and marketing, Wyndham Grand Regency Hotel Doha and Ramada Encore Doha, revealed: “With the opening of [...] Qatar Zoo, which will be one of the biggest zoos with a budget of USD63 million set to  JANUARY 2015

EXPLORE QATAR

open in 2017, and building of the train which will allow tourists to visit all sides of Qatar, along with all the existing leisure activities in Doha including its sports activities, […] exquisite dining experiences, traditional locations, distinctive nightlife, shopping, malls, beaches and different cities like the The Pearl Qatar and Lusail, Doha is the next new holiday destination.” His enthusiasm was shared by Walter Dias, executive director, Qatar, World Avenues, who highlighted the new leisure resort openings across the country, including the long-awaited Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, a private island near Doha which is now welcoming its first guests. With an 800m beach and a 100m long lagoon pool, it is poised to become a favourite among local and international leisure seekers. “Meanwhile, there are plans to develop Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas close to the Qatar-Saudi border [by 2019]. [It] is set to include a water park, marina, dive centre, cinemas, pools, health club, spa and considerable retail space,” Dias further revealed. In addition to these impressive properties, Doha is gearing up to accommodate a host of others – the most awaited of which are Mondrian Doha, to be unveiled by the first quarter of 2016; Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay, slated for an early 2017 launch; and Warwick Doha, which has soft-opened in mid-December, 2014. A gem which deserves special attention is The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, which promises to bring something unique to the city. “Our key differentiator is that we will be the only hotel in Doha with well-

being at its heart [...],” said Gianrico Esposito, general manager, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, expressing confidence in his hotel’s extensive recreation facilities spanning two outdoor pools, one of which is a wave pool with an artificial sandy beach, and five pool villas with private plunge pools.” Another equally impressive one is Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, Doha, now soft-opened, delighting guests with a secluded beach, outdoor swimming pools, water sports facilities, a yachts jetty, tennis courts and plush gardens and patios, with an exclusive Spa by Clarins soon to be unveiled. ENSURING PROSPERITY In light of a growing room inventory, QTA is expanding its existing tourist markets as currently, GCC travellers represent the bulk of all visitors to the country and are the most important source of family and leisure travel. “Doha has become a very unique market and a special destination for families, especially from the GCC. We noticed a high increase of tourists, particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” confirmed Ali Moussa, director of sales, Grand Hyatt Doha. On the other hand, a surge in international visitors is being predicted by Mövenpick Tower & Suites Doha’s management. “Efforts to lure more of an international mix of tourists are underway, as the country prepares to attract millions of people for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” confirmed Sara Assad, marketing and communications manager, Mövenpick Tower & Suites Doha. “QTA has partnered up with hotels

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QTA [...] IS FOCUSING ON PROMOTING QATAR AS A BUSINESS AND LEISURE DESTINATION

in Doha and is focussing on promoting Qatar as a business and leisure destination, especially after the launch of the 48-hours stay over programme. [...] More focus is being directed towards MICE, culture, education, sports and leisure tourism, and the government remains invested in sports events, be it

local, regional or international.” Among the efforts of QTA is also the recent launch of a dedicated office for Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Rashed Al Qurese, chief marketing and promotions officer, QTA outlined, “Our focus will be on conveying a strong message that Qatar offers the ideal mix of top quality accommodation and superb leisure facilities, including outstanding cultural attractions and a clean, safe environment with ‘first-world’ infrastructure and services. We will also emphasise the destination’s great potential for family entertainment, shopping, dining and other recreational activities to appeal to this market.” A LEISURELY APPEAL And as QTA prepares to step up its promotion of Qatar to holiday-makers, ho-

JANUARY 2015

EXPLORE QATAR tels across Doha already withnessed a tangible increase in their leisure guests. Sherif Sabry, hotel manager, The Torch Doha, elucidated, “We have significantly noticed the shift in leisure and family visitors, especially during the school holidays and major vacations [...].” He explained that The Torch Doha appeals to this type of guests due to its convenient location next to the Aspire Park, in addition to being directly connected to one of Doha’s largest shopping centres, Villaggio. Another property that is capitalising on the leisure segment is Mövenpick Hotel Doha. “We are happily welcoming the increase of leisure and family visitors to Doha, and [we have] been benefitting from this increase for the past two years. The majority of [it] has been driven by the Saudi nationals, especially during weekends, Eid holidays and Saudi school vacations,” enthused Fabien Chesnais, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel Doha. A growth in this niche market is also felt in the budget segment. “Though we cannot deny the fact that the Qatari hotel market depends more on corporate clients, remarkably we have seen ascending graph of leisure clients,” confirmed Jaya Bhushan Patnaik, general manager, La Villa Hospitality. Patnaik’s belief in the leisure segment was mirrored by Coen Masselink, general manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, which is set to open in March. “Evident by Qatar’s determination to become one of the top family and leisure destinations in the GCC, the tourism industry in the country continues

JANUARY 2015

its strong performance and we are seeing more and more travellers visiting Qatar for tourism.” To accommodate this promising market, Shangri-La Hotel, Doha will offer direct access to City Centre Doha, as well as a whole floor dedicated to recreational facilities, a 2,000m² pool deck with almost 100 trees and the country’s first CHI, The Spa. But still, one cannot deny that most of Doha’s hotels and resorts are in essence corporate properties. Yet, it is impressive to see how they are tailoring their offerings to accommodate other types of guests. “[...] Our beachfront location with stunning views across the bay and our marina allows us the opportunity to cater to leisure travellers, and those on a short stopover on their way elsewhere,” said Katie Roberts, public relations and marketing communications manager, Doha Marriott Hotel. “We are also seeing an increase in the number of residents looking for ‘stay-cation’ options within Doha, which we are now looking to cater to and are offering weekend packages tailored to these types of guests.“ Similarly, La Cigale Hôtel is focussed on promoting its 11 dining and entertainment outlets, as well as recreational facilities. “La Cigale Hôtel provides leisure facilities throughout the year and during special occasions such as the festive season, Valentine’s Day and Ramadan, where packages are being offered and big artists’ names, along with international Djs, perform through different occasions and outlets,” revealed Christelle Bou Chebel, public relations man-

ager, La Cigale Hôtel. Another hotel which is adapting to the new reality is InterContinental Doha The City, which is not only creatively promoting its dining capacities, but is also reinventing its lobby lounge to offer a relaxing shisha garden. Victoria Benz, public relations and marketing manager, InterContinental Doha The City, explained that the hotel also caters to leisure travellers through weekend packages and stopover deals. Finally, innovation and creativity are not limited only to Doha’s hotels, but also to other hospitality establishments such as spas. B/ATTITUDE Doha has taken spa and wellness experiences to a whole new level with its Night SPA Lounge concept. “[Night SPA Lounge] is a new concept of relaxing evening entertainment in the

city, marked by candle-lit set-up and massages by the pool, available during a nice and warm weather,” said Tajana Trtanj, spa manager, B/ATTITUDE Spa. In light of the above, it is clear that these are exciting times for Qatar – times which will pave the way for future prosperity. “I believe that eventually, the government plan to make Qatar a primary destination for world tourism will be achieved and I think that the country has a lot to offer […] said Esposito. “The abundance of beautiful sea line along the coast can be a possible area for development for tourist resorts and attractions, while the very location of the country, situated between the west and east, makes Qatar as one of the hottest and upcoming places to look out for at present and even more so for the future.” 

ONSITE BAHRAIN  Maria Kazeli

writes

lating traffic from our catchment area, including Saudi Arabia, which is one of our key areas of growth. Similarly, we are exploring the endless opportunities presented by Asia and the Far East which offer tremendous growth potential for both commercial and cargo airlines,” Khalil revealed.

ith official figures indicating that revenues generated by the tourism sector soared to BHD200 million (USD530 million) up until November 2014, Bahrain’s government is striving to extend the industry’s reach. Recently, the Ministry of Transportation announced that USD22 billion worth of infrastructure and tourism projects are being planned in the Kingdom, in a bid to strengthen its regional competitiveness. “These are important investments that promise opportunities to international investors, as well as strengthening connectivity with the region. The infrastructure projects are part of a wider effort by the Kingdom which aim at di-

CREDIBLY REPOSITIONING ITSELF Alongside those infrastructural developments, the country’s Ministry of Culture is in the midst of completing a new branding scheme and identity for Bahrain, which will include a new categorisation of hotels and hotel apartments and will focus on the family segment. “We understand that the government has laid out strategic plans to reposition and rebrand the destination Bahrain, for which we will strive to be actors and contributors and spare no efforts in assisting to reach the end result,” commented Soufiane El Allam, director of sales and marketing, The RitzCarlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa, indicating team spirit and determination. Echoing the same views, Stephen Daniel, director of sales and marketing, Al Safir Hotel & Tower, said, “The government’s vision of the classification of hotels and outlets is a well-thought and a right initiative. With time, it will prove to be the right decision, too.” Michel Sursock, general manager, Marriott Executive Apartments Mana-

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAID OUT STRATEGIC PLANS TO REPOSITION AND REBRAND THE DESTINATION BAHRAIN

versifying the economy, as well as drawing in quality investment in order to support long-term sustainable growth, create quality job opportunities and increase the standards of living,” commented Kamal bin Ahmed, transportation minister, Bahrain. Under the guidance of the ministry, Bahrain International Airport (BIA) is to undergo an ambitious modernisation transformation and emerge as a worldclass facility by 2018. “In terms of tourism, we are very optimistic about the future industry growth in the region in general, and Bahrain in specific. The Middle East continues to be a great success story in the aviation sector,” said Mohamed Khalil, chief commercial officer, Bahrain Airport Company, emphasising that the country is ideally positioned to reap these benefits. “We will continue to focus on stimu-

It’s Now or Never A RANGE OF ADVANCEMENTS ARE TAKING PLACE IN BAHRAIN AS THE COUNTRY IS GETTING READY TO REVEAL ITS NEW FACE; A FRESH LOOK HEAVILY AIDED BY GOVERNMENTAL INITIATIVES THAT ARE BOUND TO SHOWCASE BAHRAIN’S ASSETS AND GIVE MORE OPTIONS TO ITS VISITORS.

BAHRAIN IN BRIEF

Capital: Manama Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BHD) Language: Arabic Population: 1.2 million Calling Code: +973 Capital Time Zone: GMT +3:00

ma and Residence Inn by Marriott Manama Juffair, also expressed confidence that things are on the right track, pointing out that changing the branding image of the Kingdom with regards to the hospitality industry will definitely have a positive impact and a buoyant future, even though it takes a lot of effort and time to achieve. Zaher Kassir, director of business  JANUARY 2015

ONSITE BAHRAIN

development and strategy, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, further lauded the government’s current accomplishments and strategy which show an important vision to place the Kingdom amongst the high-ranking destinations on the global tourism map. “The destination is on the right track to be well-positioned on the hospitality and tourism map as a geared up place to host Middle Eastern-organised global events, regional conventions and new markets,” he said, adding that Bahrain is now a real contender to substitute other regional destinations that are repetitive and too crowded. Meanwhile, El Allam pointed out

that Bahrain differentiates itself from other countries in the region since it boasts culture and deeply-rooted history. “With a warm sense of local hospitality, Bahrain has managed to revive this legacy and this is what European and international travellers are looking forward to. Another strong sign arising from the hospitality market is the settling of new hotels and hotel brands. This will surely add credibility to Bahrain’s repositioning, he noted. SPARKING INTEREST Daniel also touched upon the issue of

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WHEN PEOPLE INVEST IN FIVE-STAR HOTELS HERE, IT SIGNALS THAT BAHRAIN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS newcomers in Bahrain’s hospitality industry, saying that this is due to the fact that they recognise the country’s po-

tential business opportunities. Klaus Niefer, complex general manager, The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre, which opened in July 2014, confirmed, “With the present tourism initiatives by the government, we believe we have introduced the two new brands to the country at an opportune time.” He also indicated that the complex’s central location is capitalising on the short connectivity to Al Khobar and Dammam and Bahrain’s convenient flight connections within the Middle East, as well as Europe and Asia. Another company which is soon to debut in the country is Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Greg Pirkle, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, commented, “With our facilities and signature service, we are likely to elevate the offerings from other hotels and, therefore, elevate Bahrain as a destination as a whole. When people invest in five-star hotels here, it signals that Bahrain is open for business. I believe we are part of a catalyst which will spark interest among investors and visitors, on business or leisure, to come here.” Adding to its portfolio of two Manama hotels, Best Western International (BWI) has also unveiled a new resort, BEST WESTERN Hawar Resort Hotel,  JANUARY 2015

ONSITE BAHRAIN

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NEW VISA RULES WILL DEFINITELY HELP US GET MORE OPPORTUNITIES FROM NEW MARKETS

“New visa rules [which were] recently implemented, will definitely help us get more opportunities from new markets like Russia, China or even South America, where Marriott’s Latin American hotels are set to nearly double by 2017,” Sursock verified. As Niefer observed, Bahrain’s cosmopolitan culture, magnificent history and friendliness of the people are just a few things that every visitor takes away as good memories, since the country has a long tradition in welcoming visitors and this has not changed to this day when things look more promising than ever. As Pirkle put it, “This is Bahrain’s moment.”  idyllically situated on the secluded Hawar Island. “With a vast selection of exciting activities, excellent food and beverage options and Best Western’s legendary service standards, I am confident this resort will become a favourite among domestic and regional travellers,” said Ron Pohl, senior vice president, brand management and member services, BWI.

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THE MARKET HAS BEEN BUOYANT SHOWCASING GOOD SIGNS OF GROWTH

A STEADY COMEBACK “The market has been buoyant showcasing good signs of growth and vibrancy, not only for leisure travel but most importantly for corporate, which is an indisputable tantamount to the country’s business comeback and confidence of the international business partners in the destination,” supported El Allam, adding that the developments are in line with the steady comeback of international affluent travellers and the new routes of the national carrier to European cities. He also went on to suggest that the biggest impact on the destination’s hospitality industry was witnessed when Saudi Arabia aligned its weekend calendar to that of Bahrain, largely

strengthening its position as the main feeder market; thus, weekends are now predominantly filled with leisure Saudi travellers. “Likewise, there has been significant growth in the number of cruise ships docking in Bahrain compared with the previous years,” he added. Another change which is predicted to further influence Bahrain’s feeder markets is the new visa scheme which signals fewer restrictions and easier access to the Kingdom for more than 60 additional countries, besides the 36 nationalities already eligible for e-visa applications. JANUARY 2015

VISIT OMAN

The Explorers’ Getaway  Maria Kazeli

writes

ith the Sultanate aiming to attract 12 million visitors per year by 2020, an estimated USD20 billion is expected to be spent on transportation infrastructure and the introduction of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2016. Bahaa Hefzallah, marketing director, Muriya, forecasts that these foundational developments will culminate in prominent opportunities for the country’s tourism investment market. “As part of Oman’s vision, the country is capitalising on its natural tourism resources and has achieved an attractive investment climate. Tourism has been identified as a key economic driver to increase diversification and Oman has attained continuous growth over the past decade. The Sultanate is on course to maintain this steady incline JANUARY 2015

HAVING MANAGED TO EXCEED THE TWO MILLION TOURISTS MARK IN 2013, OMAN NOT ONLY HAS THE BEAUTY REQUIRED TO ATTRACT THE DISCERNING TRAVELLER, BUT IT ALSO HAS A PLAN TO HELP THE INDUSTRY MAKE THE MOST OF ITS NATURAL TOURISM RESOURCES.

and the future outlook remains positive,” added Hefzallah. Noting that the developer’s projects complement Oman’s tourism growth path, he revealed that aside the operational Sifawy Boutique Hotel, Muriya is soon to begin groundbreaking work on a five-star property at Jebel Sifah. Another project that is to attract major investment to the destination is the eco-themed Ras Al-Hadd tourism development. The deal signed between 

OMAN IN BRIEF

Capital: Muscat Currency: Omani Rial (OMR) Language: Arabic Population: 3.9 million Calling Code: +968 Capital Time Zone: GMT +4:00

VISIT OMAN the government of Oman and Qatari Diar Ras Al-Hadd Development Company will see the creation of a 1,848ha tourist hub which is to include a 200unit eco-resort, two five-star properties, a hotel and residential villas, souqs, a wildlife preservation and observation park and a specialised marine life park, as well as a dedicated heritage village. The first phase of the project is set for completion by the end of 2018. ACCESS GRANTED No matter how attractive Oman is becoming, there is an imminent need for the Sultanate to open up its doors in order for tourists to be able to reach it, as Garry Friend, general manager, Grand

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WE NEED TO SHOWCASE THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY TO THE WORLD

sengers this year. This is a great opportunity not only for the hospitality industry, but also the service sector’s contribution to the ongoing development of the country as a tourist destination.” Accessibility issues were also touched upon by Aneesh Prabhakar, operations manager, Musandam Sea Hyatt Muscat, suggested. “I do not like to compare Oman to any country in the GCC because it has its own distinct characteristic. However, it will need to loosen up on some of the regulations to lure foreign investment and ease visa laws if the country would like to encourage tourism,” he said. Gautam Bose, assistant director, sales and marketing, Sohar Beach Hotel, agreed that the rules and regulations for visa issuance need to be revised and become more flexible in order to give a further impetus to international tourism into Oman. “If the 72-hour visa issuing is initiated and gets approved, it is going to result in a decent increase in transit tourism groups. All Oman Air’s flights from India and the subcontinent to Europe would have a decent uplift in

Adventure Travel & Tourism, who suggested that due to restricted flights serving Khasab, the destination is difficult to develop as a tourism hub. WHERE BEAUTY HAS AN ADDRESS “Oman has a rich history of hospitality and culture with its own distinct characteristic. There is a lot to explore and showcase in this beautiful country. […] We need to showcase the natural history of this country to the world,” enthused Tania Thomas, assistant manager, marketing communications, Marriott Resort Salalah. She added that the new generation travellers are explorers by nature, they want to travel the road untravelled and the Sultanate is the ideal getaway for them. Oman holds many hidden gems and its rich history is just one of them. According to Hefzallah, the destina-

passengers, whereas they can [choose to] have a two- or three-day stopover in Oman,” he said. Indeed, the national carrier has relaunched an initiative which aims to lure in a bigger portion of transit passengers, as it has introduced a hotel stopover scheme that provides tourists travelling through Oman on an international Oman Air flight the chance to see more of the destination. As per the airline’s data, 600 passengers were expected to avail the stopover programme in 2014. The segment is deemed as an important one with Hefzallah commenting, “Oman is set to tap into the huge tourism potential that transit passengers could bring in by issuing visas on arrival to them. Expected incoming traffic is estimated to reach four million transit pasJANUARY 2015

VISIT OMAN

tion’s tourism has seen many variations over the years and the current trend is dependent on providing visitors with multipart bundles of activities with recreation being the deciding factor. “The overall experience of these packages drives this sector’s growth, and this is achievable by highlighting the stunning natural landscape that Oman has to offer, harmonising developments with their surroundings, along with providing world-class services that caters to the visitors’ needs to have a memorable experience,” he supported. Jamal Al Alawi, CEO, Turtle Beach Resorts, corroborated that Oman is a beautiful, secure and clean country, with a friendly atmosphere. “I believe that Oman is a safe place for all tourists to visit and experience our natural environment, [something] that could increase profits in the country,” he added.

JANUARY 2015

LEADING THE PACK The ones who seem to be particularly appreciative of what Oman has to offer are mostly Europeans and GCC residents, as Bose said. He commented, “Europe continues to be a major feeder market for four- and five-star hotels. However, a dramatic increase is coming from the pan-Arab region, Africa, India and China. Europeans account for approximately 50 percent of [Sohar Beach Hotel’s] guests, followed by Asia with 25 percent, 15 percent from the GCC and 10 percent from the rest of the world.” Bose went on to explain that the Asian market is the largest source of international arrivals in Oman, as the region accounts for 34.4 percent of overall visits, with forecast saying that figures are to further rise to 41.3 percent by 2017, whereas Indian nationals account for 72.3 percent of the total Asian visitors. Thomas divulged that Marriott Resort Salalah is a preferred getaway for GCC travellers, especially from Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and added that with direct flights added to the city, the hotel expects to see an increase in tourists flocking into the destination. “Our focus [this year] will be to target GCC travellers, especially countries with direct flights to Salalah. We are also going to have an aggressive marketing campaign targeting the local market and Middle Eastern travellers,” she revealed. With Naeem Darkazally, vice president, sales and marketing, Middle East and Africa, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, commenting that the company’s strategy this year will predominantly focus on its expansion into the Sultanate,

its three openings in Muscat come at a timely juncture when the Omani government plans to increase total room count to 20,000 units by 2020, as he said. Hefzallah appeared convinced that the Sultanate will lead the Middle East in terms of growth in the travel and

tourism sector in the future. He, however, reminded, “The challenge for Oman today is to maintain momentum in its economic growth through tourism and employment, to brand the country as a tourism nucleus and provide niche offerings for all market segments.” 

EXCLUSIVE GDS

Booking Made Easier GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS (GDSS), PROVIDERS OF TRAVEL-RELATED TRANSACTIONS INCLUDING AIRLINE TICKETS, CAR RENTALS, HOTEL ROOMS AND MORE, ARE REPORTING STRONG OPERATIONAL GROWTH, REFLECTING AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL.

 Dominique Christou writes

his is proven by Amadeus, having reported financial and operating results for the first nine months of 2014. Adjusted profit for the period grew nine percent to EUR557.2 million (USD671 million), backed by an increase in revenue of 9.4 percent to reach EUR2.58 billion (USD3.1 billion). Air travel agency industry bookings jumped four percent in the third quarter of 2014, celebrating an acceleration over the 2.6 percent growth reported in the first six months of the year. Luis Maroto, president, Amadeus, commented, “Amadeus’ core businesses continued to show strength during the third quarter. Travel agency bookings in this area have increased 17 percent in 2014, maintaining the fast growth rate registered in recent years. Overall, Amadeus’ market share in air travel agency bookings has again increased reaching 40.4 percent.”

group, Thomas Cook Airlines will be able to implement a customer-centric strategy offering a single consolidated customer touch point with comprehensive real-time information. Additionally, Amadeus also renewed its long-term distribution agreement with Thomas Cook Tour Operator business across Europe. Amadeus is committed to continue investing in enabling retailing and merchandising capabilities such as the travel agencies’ distribution of ancillary service. Further making its presence in the technology market, Amadeus and Worldpay, a global leader in payment

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TRAVEL AGENCY BOOKINGS [...] HAVE INCREASED 17 PERCENT IN 2014

MOVING FORWARD Furthering its commitment to the GDS world, Amadeus and Thomas Cook Airlines announced an agreement which will see the carrier become the first leisure airline group to adopt the Amadeus Altéa solutions across its four carriers based in Germany, the UK, Scandinavia and Belgium in order to manage reservations, inventory and departure control. By unifying its IT systems across the

processing, risk management and alternative payments, announced a global agreement to integrate Worldpay’s extensive payment services into the Amadeus Payment Platform at the eighth annual Airline & Travel Payments Summit. Amadeus’ customers will be able to offer travellers more choice as they can now accept payments from more countries and in more currencies through Worldpay’s leading range of solutions.

Celia Pereiro, head of travel payments, Amadeus, commented, “Worldpay will help us to fulfill our customers’ payment needs across the globe through a simple payment experience offered to their travellers. With our unique position at the travel and payments crossroads, we are confident that more and more travel providers will acknowledge the value of the APP as they discover a vast, growing range of payment alternatives.” ACCOMMODATING GDS Hotels also rely on GDS and thus Wyndham Hotel Group and Sabre have signed a global strategic technology partnership which will provide cloud-based, cutting-edge Software-as-a-Service reservations, revenue management and enhanced security solutions to Wyndham Hotel Group properties, making it the first large global company to leverage Sabre’s SynXis Enterprise Platform. As part of this agreement, Wyndham Hotel Group expects to migrate over 4,500 of its North American properties to Sabre’s SynXis Property Manager beginning in the middle of this year. The open

architecture of the SynXis Enterprise Platform will allow Wyndham Hotel Group to integrate critical hotel functions into one intelligent, reliable system. “This best-in-class technology will help Wyndham Hotel Group enable a new level of guest experience, revenue generation and operational excellence,” said Tom Klein, president, Sabre. Moreover, TravelClick, a global provider of innovative cloud-based solutions that enable hotels to grow revenue, recently expanded its partnership with Travelport to sell advertising products to hotels for display to the 67,000 Travelport-connected travel agency customers around the world. TravelClick is now the only company to sell both advertising and preference products on all major GDS and confirms the company’s leading position as a media provider who can plan and optimise hotel media investments across all GDS platforms. Jason Ewell, executive vice president, global product, TravelClick, said, “Travelport Featured Property is another proven programme that helps hotels to capture bookings from travel agents. TravelClick and Travelport have built a strong partJANUARY 2015

EXCLUSIVE GDS travel agency customers.” Another airline to utilise the GDS advantage is AEGEAN Airlines, which signed a multiyear agreement with Sabre whereby travel agencies connected to Sabre will be guaranteed access to all of AEGEAN Airlines’ seats and fare classes. “Distributing our fares through Sabre is an important part of our ongoing growth strategy. Working with leading Sabre GDS is important for our business

in the Greek and Cypriot markets, and enhances our global reach that will help drive our business to the next level,” indicated Dimitris Gerogiannis, managing director, AEGEAN Airlines. Lastly, Ryanair commenced a new GDS partnership with Amadeus allowing Amadeus-affiliated travel agents across Europe access to Ryanair’s low fares and one of Europe’s largest route networks. The combination of Ryanair’s low

fares, extensive network at primary and secondary airports, and leading market share in most of Europe’s major travel markets, and Amadeus’ technology, will enable Ryanair to further improve its business travel offering. Amadeus’ partnership with Ryanair is a landmark deal that underlines the company’s growth commitment in the low-cost and hybrid carriers segment, according to Maroto. 

nership over the last three years and TravelClick is excited to now offer all of Travelport’s innovative products.” COMMITTED TO INNOVATION Travelport is continuously expanding in order to provide seamless services to its customers. In Decemeber 2014, the company signed a multiyear, full content agreement with Azerbaijan Airlines, securing full access to all of its fares and inventory, including web fares and ancillary offerings for the 67,000 Travelportconnected travel agencies worldwide. Azerbaijan Airlines has been a long standing customer of Travelport; however, the new expanded deal also ensures that all of the airline’s content will now be available locally to Travelport users in Azerbaijan for the first time. The agreement means that local travel agencies can now book tickets more efficiently, as part of their existing booking workflow. Robin Ranken, head of airline services, Europe, Travelport, added, “Extending our agreement with Azerbaijan Airlines supports our strategy to deliver the most comprehensive content to our JANUARY 2015

TOUR MACAU

GDP was 43.1 percent in 2013, and was forecast to rise by 6.8 percent in 2014. WTTC also estimated that this contribution is set to grow by 4.6 percent per annum in the period from 2014 – 2024. With Korean tourists being of great importance to Macau, the country was proud to welcome 500,000 Korean visitors between January – November

Full of Surprises LOCATED ON THE WESTERN BANK OF THE PEARL RIVER DELTA IN CHINA’S SOUTHERN GUANGDONG PROVINCE, MACAU BOASTS ARCHITECTURE, ART, RELIGION, TRADITIONS AND CUISINE THAT REFLECT A BLEND OF CHINESE, WESTERN AND PORTUGUESE CULTURES.  Dominique Christou writes

his small administrative region enjoys a vast amount of visitors every year, mainly for short one- or two-day trips. According to Statistics and Census Bureau, in the first 10 months of 2014, the number of tourist arrivals increased eight percent to 26.18 million. In October 2014 alone, it recorded 2.65

million visitors, marking a year-on-year surge of 11 percent. According to the annual global indicators report by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the number of business events held here has risen by 270 percent over the last decade, from 278 in 2004 to 1,030 in 2013. And the figures for 2014 seemed promising and most likely will top the 2013 ones. World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reported that the direct contribution of travel and tourism to Macau’s

MACAU IN BRIEF

Currency: Macanese Pataca (MOP) Language: Portuguese, Chinese Population: 631,000 Calling Code: +853 Capital Time Zone: GMT +8:00

“WE SEE OURSELVES AS THE GATEWAY TO [COLOANE ISLAND’S] ADVENTURE, CULTURE AND NATURE

2014, and MGTO aims to continue to keep these figures high. HOTEL OCCUPANCY ON THE RISE According to Ada Chio de la Cruz, director of marketing communications, Mandarin Oriental, Macau, the hotel has seen a year-on-year increase in terms of tourist arrivals, especially on weekends. Its main feeder markets include Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, but visitors from other regions also showed a substantial growth in figures. To keep positive visitor numbers, Mandarin Oriental, Macau will continue positioning itself as a non-gaming luxury hotel on the Macau Peninsula that offers creative cultural, educational and lifestyle packages. JANUARY 2015

TOUR MACAU walks, a historic fishing village, colonial architecture – [all are] totally unique to this part of Macau.” A VERSATILE ALLURE

Another property that reported impressive 2014 performance was Grand Coloane Resort. According to Malcolm McLauchlan, general manager, Grand Coloane Resort, the hotel saw a 15 percent improvement over 2013. Despite currently not having high visitor numbers from MENA, it recognises a need to develop arrivals from this region, and has been recently accredited with a Ha-

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lal certification to further cater to travellers from this market. McLauchlan also indicated that the hotel embodies everything that Macau has to offer other than gambling. “It is situated on Coloane Island and we see ourselves as the gateway to its adventure, culture and nature; attractions that are only a 20-minute drive from downtown Macau. Beaches, mountain

What makes the destination so appealing is for the locals to reveal. De la Cruz explained that Macau boasts world-class shopping centres that house renowned designer brands from around the world. Visitors can find a full range of products at more favourable prices. The city is also famous for staging large-scale entertainment shows such as The House of Dancing Water, which has become one of the must-do activities for tourists. “Macau is a paradise for food lovers. Visitors can expect the most authentic Portuguese and Cantonese food, as well as the unique Macanese food that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Macanese cuisine is a perfect combination of southern Chinese and Portuguese cuisine with some of its ingredients and seasonings from Europe, Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia,” she further elucidated.

PUSH FOR QUALITY MGTO continues to provide a diverse range of specific and professional training opportunities for the local travel trade to enhance their service quality and the overall work efficiency of the industry in order to uplift quality tourism. From January to October 2014, it held nearly 100 courses and seminars including training sessions for the Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme and those designed specifically for the 8th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Tourism Ministerial Meeting. Dedicated to strengthening industry training and management and enhancing tourism service quality, MGTO also organised a series of 96 training courses and seminars with active participation and support from industry partners. Admitting over 2,900 attendees, the training sessions were designed for personnel from travel agencies, retail businesses and hotel and catering establishments, as well as tour guides and tour bus drivers. 

TRAVEL CHANNELS Capital Club Supports Local Youth

BWI Scoops Another Title Best Western International (BWI) celebrated yet another award as BEST WESTERN PREMIER Indochine Palace, Hue in Vietnam was named the Best Luxury Hotel in Asia at the 2014 World Luxury Hotel Awards.

“T

his award is a tribute to the hotel’s fantastic team of staff, who work tirelessly day in, day out, to provide the most exceptional experiences for our guests,” commented Ron Pohl, senior vice president, brand management and development, BWI, expressing hope that this will encourage more visits to Vietnam’s former capital. Set in the ancient heart of Hue, the hotel offers numerous facilities including a spa, an outdoor pool, fitness centre and spacious meeting and event spaces.

BEST WESTERN PREMIER Indochine Palace, Hue

Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort’ Lifeguards Best in UAE

n a bid to support the professional development of the UAE’s youth, Capital Club, Dubai has made a donation to INJAZ-UAE, a partnership between the business community, educators and volunteers working together to empower young people to own their economic success. Expressing delight at supporting “the next wave of bright minds”, Emma Cullen, general manager, Capital Club, UAE, said, “It is important that the business community of Dubai is aware of the work INJAZ-UAE does. We are looking forward to bringing the stories of successful young people to our members in 2015, through club events and member participation.”

Historic Fossils Introduced to Abu Dhabi Public

T Contestants at the event

he first Baynunah Palaeontology Conference took place at Manarat Al Saadiyat Auditorium in Abu Dhabi as part of the Baynunah Palaeontology Project, a collaborative initiative between Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Yale University. The conference took the audience on a journey back to Abu Dhabi over seven million years ago, where they also heard from an expert from the University of Poitiers, France, how hippopotamuses once roamed the emirate. Participants will also learn of their evolution and the significance of fossil hippos discovered in the Baynunah Formation, as well as of other smaller mammals which roamed Al Gharbia.

e Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort’s lifeguards were named winners of the 2014 UAE National Lifeguard Championship, which took place at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. The ninth edition of the event gathered approximately 150 male and female contesters, all of which took part in six challenges including a one kilometre beach run, a swim/run/swim race, a 400m surf swim, a 120m rescue tube simulation, a Beach Flags competition and a 90m beach sprint race. Launched in 2006, the annual competition is a key one for lifeguards across the UAE.

Evidence shows hippos and elephants once roamed Al Gharbia

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TRAVEL TALK

MOHAMMED SANAD Executive assistant manager, InterContinental Regency Bahrain

MOHAMED AL AAMRI Managing director, City Seasons Hotels

We always strive to make positive contributions to communities in which we operate

We encourage all Lebanese abroad to promote this beautiful country

“We feel privileged to be able to extend our support to the [Rehabilitation Institute for Children with Autism] Center in Bahrain in view of the amazing role they play with regards to providing special education needs for children with communication and learning disorders. At InterContinental Regency Bahrain, we always strive to make positive contributions to the communities in which we operate.”

“I am thankful to my family for the support as without them it would have not been possible [to receive the National Image title at the Social Economic Award in Lebanon] and I am also thankful for my team. [...] Such events and awards motivate us to work harder for the Lebanese tourism industry and to promote Beirut as a destination [...]. We need to capitalise on this thus, we encourage all Lebanese abroad to promote this beautiful country.”

AMINE MOUKARZEL President, Golden Tulip MENA

Our customers can see the advantage of becoming City Plus members

There is an urgency to accelerate the development of mid-market hotels

“With such offers and benefits, our customers can see the advantage of becoming City Plus members especially if they are regular travellers or visit our hotels often for dining. When we launched the programme seven months ago, we had planned the loyalty programme with marketing goals in mind, by cross selling our properties and enhancing the network between different cities. Today [...] we are proud to say that City Plus is bringing to the table more than its share of loyalty […].”

“If Dubai is to draw 20 million visitors annually by 2020, it will need to diversify its hospitality offering in order to widen its appeal to growing middle class worldwide. So there is an urgency to accelerate the development of mid-market hotels in order to reach the right mix of accommodation available in the market. Investors must broaden their horizon and consider budget hotels like ECOS Hotels as the hotel market gets stronger.”

LAURENT A. VOIVENEL CEO, Hospitality Management Holdings

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

JANUARY 2015

WHO’S MOVED

AHMED IBRAHIM JARKASS

JOE BATSHOUN

Ahmed Ibrahim Jarkass was named director of business development and marketing at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait. He has been a key member of the hotel’s pre-opening team eversince he joined in November 2009 as director of sales. He successfully supported planning, sales strategies and activities to forge and maintain relationships with customers and stakeholders, and was instrumental in building the sales and marketing team. In his new role, Jarkass will be responsible for leading the sales, public relations and marketing, revenue and conference and events teams with a strategy to strengthen the positioning of the resort as the first choice hotel for corporate and leisure markets locally and internationally.

Joe Batshoun has been welcomed onboard ART Rotana Amwaj Islands as its new general manager. He has been heading the preopening team of the property and is responsible for its overall running and efficient operation. A veteran in the hospitality industry with over 25 years of experience working across three different continents, Batshoun brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He has been recognised multiple times throughout his career. Bathoun opened Yas Island Rotana & Centro Yas Island Abu Dhabi in 2009, and was instrumental in the successful operation of the two properties. Prior to joining Rotana, he was area general manager with Marriott International, overseeing three properties.

MICHEL MANDREA

THOMAS KLEBER

Michel Mandrea has taken up the role of general manager of Coral Al Khobar Hotel in Saudi Arabia. With over four decades of global experience in hospitality, of which 22 years in the Middle East, he is well familiar with the region’s business and cultural landscape and aims to prove himself instrumental in taking Coral Al Khobar Hotel to greater success. Mandrea makes the move to Coral Al Khobar Hotel from Golden Tulip Resort Dana Bay in Saudi Arabia, where he served as the general manager. During the course of his career, he has worked with a number of leading hospitality brands in key positions, while he holds a bachelor degree in business administration with a major in hotel and restaurant management.

Thomas Kleber is now general manager of Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère, and also serves as the group’s area general manager for Switzerland. He completed a two-year training course at Steigenberger Academy in Bad Reichenhall and got a master’s degree in hotel management, and can look back on more than 30 years of experience in the hotel business. Kleber has occupied senior management positions in Germany, France, Austria and the US, before settling down in Switzerland. In his new capacity as area general manager for Switzerland, he will be working together with the team to represent the Steigenberger brand in the country and to pursue its further strategic development.

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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How has the hotel performed in the past few months and how satisfied is its management? KARIM NAHAS: The hotel managed to increase the average daily rate (ADR) by five percent so far compared to [2013] however, and as the majority of the Dubai hotels, occupancy showed a slight decrease mainly due to a slow summer season and the emergence of Egypt and Turkey as additional vacation options for guests from the GCC market.

Q & A with Karim Nahas

GENERAL MANAGER, ROSE RAYHAAN BY ROTANA

KARIM NAHAS: I guess major achievements were to increase our share from the corporate segment to the hotel and have it as one of the main choices for corporate bookers, as well as the launch of the Club Rotana Executive Floor which is a great addition to our guests across all segments. The ‘hotel within a hotel’ Club Rotana concept offers 72 rooms and suites, all located along the hotel’s highest floors, offering sweeping views of Sheikh Zayed Road and the landmark Burj Khalifa.

“

THE MICE SEGMENT IS A PROMISING ONE AND SHOULD BE ON TOP OF OUR SALES EFFORTS

LEADING THE HOTEL FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, KARIM NAHAS, GENERAL MANAGER, ROSE RAYHAAN BY ROTANA, REFLECTS ON THE PROPERTY’S MAIN SUCCESSES AND GAZES INTO THE NEW YEAR WITH OPTIMISM, HIGHLIGHTING MICE AS A PRIORITY FOR HIS TEAM.

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TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Which are the hotel’s main feeder markets and how have they diversified during the past few years? Which segments do you consider as important and promising for the hotel? KARIM NAHAS: Rose Rayhaan by Rotana occupies an excellent location in the buzzing Downtown Dubai district. Dubai International airport, Media City and Internet City are only 15 minutes away. The hotel’s location on Sheikh Zayed Road, next to Dubai International Financial Centre and the main Dubai business districts,

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: After spearheading the hotel’s management efforts for two years, which are the major achievements you take pride in?

Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, Dubai

tels and, lastly, enhanced the guest experience by empowering the team and colleagues to deliver the best service they can.

Guests booking any Club Rotana rooms or suites will also enjoy complimentary access to a dedicated Club Rotana Lounge. The lounge, which is located on the sixth floor, offers a dining area overlooking Sheikh Zayed Road, an Internet hub, meeting room, TV and library corners and a range of sophisticated food and beverage offerings such as complimentary business breakfast, afternoon tea, evening beverages and canapés. Besides access to the lounge, hotel guests who book Club Rotana accommodation will enjoy exclusive Club

Rotana privileges aimed at boosting convenience and enabling business travellers to hit the ground running, such as return airport transfer to/from Dubai International Terminals 1, 2 and 3; complimentary use of the meeting room on the Club floor; complimentary Internet access, both in-room and in the lounge; private reception with an express checkin and check-out facility; late check-out at 2:00 and deluxe in-room amenities. What we have also managed to do is to drive the hotel rate up to head-tohead with internationally-managed ho-

and with an easy access to The Dubai Mall, makes it the ideal choice for both business travellers and leisure guests. Our main feeder markets continue to be Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK, followed by the German and Iranian markets. I think the MICE segment is a promising one and should be on top of our sales efforts, given the amount of events and exhibitions Dubai is witnessing [especially since] a recent survey by the International Congress and Convention Association showed that the number of associations, conferences and meetings in the Middle East has tripled over the past 10 years. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are the property’s main priorities, both short- and long-term? KARIM NAHAS: For this year, our top priority would be to naturally achieve our financial targets, mainly have the occupancy hitting the 87 – 88 percent, yield on the ADR with our new Club Rotana lounge and increase our market share from the MICE segment. 

NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS

Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan Present at Fitur

EAST MEDITERRANEAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND TRAVEL EXHIBITION (EMITT) Istanbul, Turkey January 22 – 25, 2015 www.emittistanbul.com The 18th edition of EMITT will assign an entire hall to healthcare, thermal and spa tourism.

FITUR Madrid, Spain January 28 – February 1, 2015 www.ifema.es A global meeting point for tourism professionals for inbound and outbound Ibero-American markets.

he 35th staging of Fitur, taking place between January 28 – February 1 in Madrid, will see the participation of Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan. Egypt will be showcasing the opportunities offered by its Red Sea and the Mediterranean coasts, as well as Sinai. At the same time, Jordan will try to entice visitors with its historical riches and its current modernity and dynamism, with striking and mysterious sights, first-class accommodation, exquisite cuisine and countless activities. Meanwhile Tunisia’s offering will include archaeological sites, thalassotherapy and well-being, golf, beaches, cuisine, crafts and culture. The latest and most innovative international suggestions in cultural, sports, gastronomic, shopping, health and other tourism segments will be on show at this year’s Fitur, presented by companies, organisations and institutions from all round the world at a time when nature will be one of the key propositions showcased by international exhibitors at the Spanish event.

TEHRAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXHIBITION Tehran, Iran February 12 – 15 www.titexgroup.com The eighth edition of the event covers an area of 21,000m2, a 55 percent growth compared to 2014.

Fitur

The Future of Borders

ubai is to play host to the second edition of the Future of Borders international conference. Running between March 11 – 12 at The Ritz Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, the event is expected to provide valuable insight into the future travel trends, the enlarged responsibilities of border control authorities and the challenges of handling the massive increase in passenger numbers expected over the coming years. More than 24 globally renowned experts from 12 countries and international organisations will head to the UAE with the aim to come up with the best formula to achieve a balance between the need to strengthen security while maintaining high quality services.

Oman’s Tourism Strategy Discussed 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.

ctivities of the 7th International Tourism Conference took place at the conference hall at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in December 2014, gathering local and international participants. The two-day conference was held under the patronage of Maitha’ bint Saif al-Mahrouqiyah, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, Oman,in the presence of Ali bin Saud al-Bimani, vice chancellor, SQU. Al-Mahrouqiyah said that the recommendations that came out of the conference would be implemented through the national strategy for tourism, pointing out that the Sultanate’s hosting of this conference will put Oman at the forefront of international forums that are interested in this sector.

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