Travel Trade MENA June 2015 by Travel Trade Publications

Let’s TRADE with Europe traveltradeeurope.travel

JUNE 2015

ISSUE 68

VISIT: JORDAN IN 2014, AIRPORTS ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA CATERED TO 306.6 MILLION TRAVELLERS, AND PRESSURE IS MOUNTING ON REGIONAL HUBS TO ENSURE SEAMLESS OPERATIONS, UTMOST SAFETY AND SECURITY.

03 ONSITE: RED SEA

08 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

VISIT: JORDAN

03 02 08

ONSITE: RED SEA TOUR: SRI LANKA EXPLORE: INDONESIA EXCLUSIVE: AIRPORTS TRAVEL CHANNELS TRAVEL TALK WHO’S MOVED RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS

04 12 09 15 16 17 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24

EXCLUSIVE: Airports

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

The Emirates Group: 27 Years of Profitability The Emirates Group achieved its 27th consecutive year of profit after closing the financial year ending March 31 with the company’s second-highest profit ever of AED5.5 billion (USD1.5 billion).

SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu 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 27/5/2015 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

99.62

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

7.62

Iran (IRR)

Rial

28,778.41

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,166.68

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,510.98

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.37

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.84

Syria (SYP)

Pound

188.82

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.96

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.98

he 34 percent rise in profit was supported by a 10 percent improvement in revenue at AED96.5 billion (USD26.3 billion). The strong rise of the US Dollar against currencies in many of Emirates’ and dnata’s key markets had an AED1.5 billion (USD412 million) impact on the group’s bottom line, while the 80-day disruption at Dubai International had an estimated effect of AED1.7 billion (USD 467 million) on revenue. Additionally, Emirates increased capacity by four billion available tonne kilometres and recorded a profit of AED4.6 billion (USD1.2 billion), a year-on-year surge of 40 percent.

Air Arabia: Double-digit Profit Increase Air Arabia’s net profit for the first quarter (Q1) of the year stood at AED85 million (USD23.1 million), up 13 percent.

uring the three-month period, the airline’s turnover reached AED75 million (USD20.4 million), marking a seven percent year-onyear increase as passenger numbers rose 10 percent to 1.6 million. “While the regional political uncertainty combined with the fluctuating oil price continue to pose additional pressure on the aviation industry, we remain focussed on expanding operations and entering new markets,” reinforced Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, chairman, Air Arabia. JUNE 2015

VISIT JORDAN

Setting Things Right BEING HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SITES IN THE WORLD, AND WITH TOURISM BEING ONE OF ITS FORTES, JORDAN HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO RISE AGAIN. ARGUABLY, THIS IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

 Maria Kazeli

writes

ith the overall regional climate being characterised by volatility, in 2014 the total number of visitors to Jordan dipped 1.2 percent year-on-year. According to Tohama Nabulsi, director of media and communications, Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), from now on the challenge for the country’s tourism industry lies in gaining the general public’s trust by showing what really goes on in the country, since its hospitality, culture and people contradict Jordan’s JUNE 2015

portrayal in many news reports. The board’s utmost priority is showing the world that the Kingdom is not only safe but is a one-of-a-kind destination that offers everything from adventure to eco-tourism, history and culture, leisure and luxury, religious pilgrimage and business tourism to name a few, in a land blessed with moderate year-round climate and diverse geography ranging from mountains, forests, wadis, deserts, and beaches, as Nabulsi continued. She added that, “It is through highlighting these experiences through our offices worldwide that we believe we will be able to give the tourism sector the boost it needs to take its rightful place as one of the best tourism desti-

nations in the world.” BEING SOCIAL AND OUTGOING The country’s international markets have been greatly affected, and as Peter Hoesli, general manager, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, confirmed, during the first months of the year, the resort has performed considerably below 2014’s achievements, mainly due to the absence of traditional key feeder markets which are Europe, the US and recently also Russia. Nabulsi assured that the authority is continuing its efforts within the US, the UK and other Western European countries, and has also expanded its reach to

new and competitive segments including Eastern Europe, the Far East and South America. However, an important demo- 

JORDAN IN BRIEF

Capital: Amman Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD) Language: Arabic Population: 6.53 million Calling Code: +962 Capital Time Zone: GMT +2:00

VISIT JORDAN

graphic which is on the rise for this Middle Eastern destination is regional tourists. Roland Debs, general manager, Bristol Amman Hotel, verified that, “Our main segment at Bristol Amman is the business segment. I would not say that our clientele has undergone a drastic segmental change, but visitors’ nationalities slightly did. Regional tourism is one of the most important segments; not only for our property but for the entire hospitality sector in Amman, and especially the luxury one. Domestic segment in the luxury category has a very tiny share; midscale properties have much more bigger market share from the domestic segment.” Atieh Hamarneh, cluster general manager, Amman Rotana and The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, underlined that JTB has proposed several initiatives to encourage Jordanians to explore the country’s tourism sites, through cooperating with the private sector to reduce travel and accommodation costs for domestic tourists. Moreover, Hoesli elaborated that it is very difficult to persuade international guests to visit Jordan at this point of time, therefore it is more productive for the property to concentrate on markets more familiar with the situation in the region that understand the country is a fantastic destination for cultural, religious or leisure trips. “Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the targeted markets, [as we also work] in cooperation with JTB in order to ensure the influx of foreign tourists to Jordan during

“

JORDAN IS SAFE, HOSPITABLE AND IS AN AMAZINGLY UNIQUE TRAVEL DESTINATION

tination, through the eyes of their peers who have travelled to Jordan despite the negative portrayals of the Middle East as a whole,” she said. ADVENTUROUS ENDEAVOURS

the summer season,” Hoesli specified. He added that promotional planning has been altered, focussing on the needs of the local and regional clientele, with social media playing a much bigger role than ever before. “The local and regional feeder markets are approached in most cases directly, using their preferred method of communication, [which is] social media. While this is obviously a change for most hotels, it is a great opportunity to adapt to the new style of communi-

cation and marketing, which will certainly be expanding during the years to come,” Hoesli believes. Social media is a preferred channel for the industry, with Nabulsi voicing that promoting the words and images of travellers to Jordan on social networks and platforms has been one of JTB’s most successful practices. “We try to exclusively [employ] user-generated content to show the world that Jordan is safe, hospitable and is an amazingly unique travel des-

JTB has also been emphasising other aspects of the Kingdom’s tourism products, with adventure tourism playing a major part in this attempt, and Nabulsi stressed that a special focus was given to religious travel and attractions like The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, Mukawir and Mount Nebo; business tourism; and adventure and eco-tourism, through Jordan’s various nature reserves, parks and adventure itineraries. In the Middle East, where annual visitor arrivals are estimated to reach 101 million by 2020 and 149 million by 2030, focussing on adventure travel offers a platform to extend the benefits of tourism beyond gateway cities, as Sandra Carvao, chief, communications and JUNE 2015

VISIT JORDAN seeing to doing an experience, and we are collaborating with the UNWTO to launch the Jordanian National Trail, connecting local communities and installing the necessary services and products, with the private sector developing accommodation and restau-

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THE MEASURES APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AIM TO ENCOURAGE TRAVELLERS TO ADD JORDAN TO THEIR NEXT ITINERARY

publications, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), explained at the recently-held Arabian Travel Market. At the same event, Abed Al Razzaq Issam Arabiyat, managing director, JTB, said

JUNE 2015

that this specific sector had witnessed a major growth in the country, and the engagement of local residents was one of the key contributors to this success. “Tourism has changed from sight-

rants,” he explained, adding that fostering business-to-business networks and bringing overseas tour operators to experience what Jordan is all about, are of paramount importance.

OVERCOMING THE HURDLES There are, however, many aspects that the country needs to address in order to rise again and bounce back in terms of tourism. According to Erik Huyer, general manager, Corp Amman Hotel, there are far too many challenges affecting the industry in Jordan as the destination is perceived as quite expensive, mainly due to visa costs. “Access and connectivity are other factors holding back growth in tourism. There is a need for more low-cost carriers linking key feeder markets as well as emerging markets. In addition to the country’s key attractions such as Petra, the Dead Sea, Aqaba and Wadi Rum, there is a need for more family entertainment and shopping attractions to bring in families,” he supported. Nonetheless, in a recent development the Jordanian government eased regulations and reduced fees under certain preconditions on entry visas, following a proposal put forward by 

VISIT JORDAN the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. “The measures approved by the government aim to encourage travellers to add Jordan to their next itinerary and will aid in promoting it as an accessible, safe and inviting destination. They also reflect our dedication to constantly and vigilantly develop our products and services to cater to our guests from all around the world,” said H.E. Nayef AlFayez, tourism and antiquities minister, Jordan. Addressing the issue of the lack of air links, he added that the Jordanian tourism sector is working diligently on promoting regular and low-cost flights from all around the world, specifically from new potential target markets, through the implementation of several incentive schemes and tax reductions. THE SMALL AND THE BIG PICTURE In line with national endeavours, many regional players are active in highlighting Jordan’s image and tourism product. Abdali Boulevard Company has already launched The Boulevard, a mixeduse complex in Amman with a fusion of state-of-the-art midrise buildings that combine avant-garde offices, worldclass luxurious hotel serviced apartments and retail outlets. “The Boulevard is rejuvenating the Jordanian socio-economic landscape, catering to the various tastes and lifestyles of the Jordanian public and tourists alike. The Boulevard has created a ripple effect of positive changes that will have a lasting [impact] on the local economy. Contributing to human

capital development by creating over 4,000 jobs, the complex will help transform the city into a regional hub for the Levant,” commented Taher Al-Jaghbir, CEO, Abdali Boulevard Company. In addition, parent company Abdali Investment & Development is preparing Abdali, a distinctive modern travel hub which will boost the capital’s current room capacity by more than 1,000 keys in Phase I alone, with properties such as Amman Rotana expected at the end of this year. Moreover, Al Maabar Jordan is getting ready for Marsa Zayed, a development slated to include a conscientious blend of residential communities, hotels, business facilities, commercial outlets and marine facilities, including a modern cruise ship terminal. Aqaba is one of the promising regions in Jordan and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) plays a major role in that, with Hani Al Mulki, chief commissioner, ASEZA, elaborating that in 2001 Aqaba had just 500 hotels, most of which below the four-star

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THE BOULEVARD HAS CREATED A RIPPLE EFFECT OF POSITIVE CHANGES THAT WILL HAVE A LASTING [IMPACT] ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY

JUNE 2015

VISIT JORDAN classification, while in 2014 the figure reached 4,125, many in the four- and five-star range. Mulki expects the number of units to touch 7,978 by the end of 2017, as a result of value-added mega projects like Ayla and Saraya Aqaba. REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Besides governmental efforts for attracting international low-cost as well as full-service carriers, with added incentive schemes and lowering passenger taxes, the Jordanian air industry is flourishing, with new airlines, as well as much positive developments. Earlier this year, UAE-based Air Arabia announced the establishment of its fifth international hub in Jordan following the acquisition of a 49 percent stake in local Petra Airlines, leading to the creation of Air Arabia Jordan, the Kingdom’s new low-cost carrier. Having begun operations from Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) and flying to Kuwait, Jeddah, Erbil and Sharm El Sheikh, the airline aims to greatly strengthen connectivity between Jordan and the Levant, Middle East, Europe and North Africa. “As a major tourism market with a stable domestic economy, Jordan offers a superb opportunity to serve both inbound and outbound passenger demand. In turn, the launch of Air Arabia Jordan will provide a direct boost to the Jordanian economy through the creation of skilled jobs and the opening up of new opportunities for local businesses,” commented Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia. Moreover, the country’s flag carrier

JUNE 2015

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JORDAN OFFERS A SUPERB OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE BOTH INBOUND AND OUTBOUND PASSENGER DEMAND

which led to a drop in the company’s operating cost. Suleiman Al Hafez, chairman, Royal Jordanian Airlines, expressed his satisfaction and noted that the company is

looking forward to positive year-end results. He attributed the improvement in losses to lower oil prices and effective operations, due to a strategy that aims to increase revenues and cut costs, without affecting the level of safety or the services offered to passengers. Following the success in air, QAIA is also making strides as according to an Airports Council International survey, it is scoring high in passenger satisfaction, making the destination’s main airport the place to be. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, chairman, Airport International Group, the hub’s operator, commented, “Jordan has proven to be a prime business environment and an ideal investment destination. We are pleased to have partnered with the government of Jordan to construct what has become a globally acclaimed aviation gateway in the heart of the Middle East. Not only is QAIA a major national asset, but it has also made significant contributions to the government, positively impacted employment rates and promoted the Kingdom as a regional transit hub.” 

managed to reduce losses by 64 percent in the first quarter of the year, and also renegotiated all agreements with service providers and implemented effective initiatives to reduce expenses,

ONSITE RED SEA

Red Never Fades HAILED AS ONE OF THE MOST TANTALISING SEASCAPE ENVIRONMENTS, THE RED SEA HAS BEEN A HOLIDAY PARADISE FOR DECADES. ALTHOUGH PARTS OF THE AREA HAVE FACED CHALLENGES OVER THE PAST YEARS, IT HAS STILL MANAGED TO RETAIN ITS NEVER-FADING APPEAL.  Rita Kasziba writes

hile in Jordan, and especially in Saudi Arabia, destinations located along the Red Sea continued to witness sustained improvements, in Egypt developments lost stamina. As Mohamed Eid, assistant director of sales and marketing, Gorgonia Beach Resort, Marsa Alam, noted, Luxor and Aswan were among the destinations

most affected after 2011, but other tourist hotspots such as Hurghada and Qusier have also lost business. Nevertheless, as Soha El Torgoman, general manager, Hilton Hurghada Resort, noted, the sector has significantly recovered in the second half of 2014, especially at beach resorts. El Torgoman cited the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics’ report, which showed that the number of tourists who arrived from Eastern Europe represented 39.5 percent of the total in January, followed by Western Europe, where 32.9

percent of inbound tourism came from, underscoring the continent’s vital role in the area’s success. In addition, promising increases were also reported from the Middle East and other Arab countries. “We work in an industry where we must be flexible to best respond to the market changes,” stressed El Torgoman, further explaining that in light of the shifting demand patterns, the management has expanded its activities to new markets, such as China, Malaysia, Taiwan, India and Far Eastern countries, while also retaining its focus on the ev-

er-essential local segment. “Through our ongoing relations with the relevant local stakeholders, we have seen great developmental efforts in the Red Sea area, with plans to develop new hotels, real estate and leisure facilities,” suggested El Torgoman. In fact, internal and external initiatives, such as the government’s recent economic agreements with China, international conferences in Sharm El Sheikh and the unwavering support of foreign partners, especially in the all-important German markets, have helped the industry rise above the challenges, added Eid. Despite the negative media coverage, German-speaking customers, for example, remained faithful to the destination and, as Elia Gad, destination director, Egypt, FTI Group, noted, although there has been a decline in demand after 2011, since summer 2014, interest has gradually returned to normal levels. “We stayed loyal to our partners in Egypt during the periods with lower demand, because we believe in Egypt and see the big touristic potential,” reaffirmed the German company’s commitment to the North African country Gad, revealing that in financial year 2013/2014, FTI Group alone brought some 280,000 guests from Europe to Egypt. “The Red Sea offers great resorts and a high-class hotel infrastructure on very good value for money. Additionally, it is a year-round destination which can be reached from Germany in only approximately four and a half hours,” added Gad. The outcome of the recent economic forum in Sharm El Sheikh, which attracted 34 heads of state and some 3,500 international participants willing to invest in Egypt, has also helped reassure people of the safety and security situation, giving a major push to the sector as Cesare Rouchdy, regional director, marketing, Egypt, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, highlighted. All these endeavours have led to improved business levels, especially in Sharm El Sheikh, where according to a HotStats’ report, four- and five-star properties continued to benefit from the revival in tourism activity, leading to a 9.3 percent rise in occupancy to 62.5 percent in March. Demonstrating the strengthening market conditions, average room rate (ARR) jumped 25.2 percent to USD43.57, while RevPAR rose 47 percent to USD27.23. Yet, there is still much work to be done, and effectively marketing  JUNE 2015

ONSITE RED SEA the destination and offering great value for money are crucial, reminded Rouchdy. In fact, over the past years and decades, Egypt’s Red Sea resorts have garnered much interest for their diverse options to fit every taste and budget. The adverse situation, however, forced stake-

holders to reconsider their pricing strategy and, as Eid said, resort to the only solution to reduce rates, influencing bottom line results for the worse – an approach which, the assistant manager warned, can easily backfire and negatively affect the destination’s hard-earned reputation. As Wael Sayed, area director, sales and marketing, Pickalbatros Hotels, admitted, in order to lure higher volumes of guests, the company also introduced promotional package rates for tour operators; nevertheless, it remained committed to offering the same uncompromised standards and service levels as before. Ensuring high guest satisfaction amid all circumstances is paramount according to Sayed, given that the Red Sea has built its reputation on its good product offering and professional services. “We are a leading country in the Middle East and we shall keep our position. The Red Sea will definitely regain its glory,” suggested Sayed. In order to do so, Eid believes that lesser known destinations, especially those in the south, offering unmatched relaxation and leisure options, should also be promoted, and increased emphasis should be laid on preserving the invaluable natural environment to attract future investments. According to El Torgoman, mass

tourism is one of the key short-term tools to improve Egyptian tourism, in the long-run, however, hoteliers and service providers should shift their focus. “On a longer term, we have strategies put in place to attract regular travellers to our resort by improving Egypt’s image through our missions to the in-

cial, as over the past years one of the biggest challenges faced by local stakeholders has been the lack of flights from several key feeder markets. “We invest a lot in improving the flight connections from Germany to Egypt. For example we offer our own flights with partner airline, SunExpress

“We faced no challenges in terms of overall hotel revenue and exceeded the budget alongside the gross operating profit percentage,” disclosed Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director, Rosewood Jeddah. Similar results were reported from another Jeddah property with Jad Shamseddin, general manager, Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway, revealing that since opening this January, demand has surpassed all expectations. Solid market conditions continue to attract strong interest from international and regional hotel brands, leading to, as Ahmed Zain, director of sales and marketing, Holiday Inn Jeddah, Al Salam, noted, to a slight drop in occupancy due to the abrupt increase in supply. In fact, as HotStats’ report pinpointed, in February, occupancy rates in the city for the 12 months to February slipped 0.8 percent to 78.1 percent, nevertheless, still keeping the destination among the region’s top performers with ARR standing at USD278.90 and RevPAR reaching USD217.91, well above other key business locations

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WE WORK IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE WE MUST BE FLEXIBLE TO BEST RESPOND TO THE MARKET CHANGES

ternational market and broadening our product offers,” added El Torgoman. Despite being popular with sunseekers, the area is already far from a mass-tourism-only destination and, in fact, it continues to attract a growing number of well-heeled visitors. “Our focus will always be on the affluent global traveller. We already enjoy a double-digit rate of repeat business and the [relaunch] of British Airways’ flights in September will only improve the situation,” pinpointed Rouchdy. The smooth return of airlines is cru-

from Germany to Hurghada via Luxor,” explained Gad, expressing his belief that the high potential of the Red Sea will trigger investments, further improving the destination’s hotel and services portfolio. BRIGHT RED On the other side of the Rea Sea, in Saudi Arabia, developments are moving ahead with full steam and in fact, for Rosewood Jeddah, 2014 proved to be the best year on record since the hotel’s launch in 2007.

such as Riyadh or Abu Dhabi. As Leitzke highlighted, in recent years Jeddah has established itself as one of the Middle East’s most important business hubs and more than that, the city has become a top leisure and shopping spot for Saudi residents and visitors alike. Shamseddin listed a host of developments, from airport expansion, metro and railway projects, to the tallest tower in the world, among others, that continue to raise interest in the city and the area – an area, which, according to the hotelier, deserves to be appreciated by both industry stakeholders and visitors. “The Red Sea has a beautiful coral and sea life and this must be preserved to continue and grab more tourists,” concluded Shamseddin.  JUNE 2015

TOUR SRI LANKA

Reaching Out Even Further ONCE THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS HIT THE REGION, MANY FAMILIES PACK UP THEIR BAGS AND HEAD OFF TO SOME OF THE COOLER PARTS OF THE WORLD, OFTEN BRINGING ALONG GRANDPARENTS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY. ONE OF THE TRENDING DESTINATIONS FOR SUCH GETAWAYS IS SRI LANKA, KNOWN AS THE WONDER OF ASIA, AN AFFORDABLE YET INCREDIBLY DIVERSE AND VIBRANT DESTINATION THAT OFFERS SOMETHING FOR TRAVELLERS OF ALL AGES.

 Ana Mladenovic writes

he Middle East is currently one of the key sources for the Sri Lankan tourism scene, ranking as the fourth largest inbound market to the country, according to Althaf Mohamed Ali, vice president, sales and marketing, Aitken Spence Hotel Managements. “Furthermore, to our Sri Lankan portfolio of hotels, the MENA arrivals constitute 20 percent of the overall market segment. Significantly, the MENA mar-

ket is the largest producing market during the lean season for Sri Lanka, [that is

SRI LANKA IN BRIEF

Capital: Colombo Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee Language: Sinhala, Tamil Population: 20.48 million Calling Code: +94 Capital Time Zone: GMT+5:30

JUNE 2015

TOUR SRI LANKA

“ from] May to October,” he explained. Similar figures were reported by Ranjaka De Mel, managing director, Michelle Holdings, the company behind the allsuite Michelle Boutique Hotel, while for Avantha Wadugodapitiya, director of sales, Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa Sri Lanka, this number is even higher and stands at 30 percent – a third of all business at the property which, during the period between June and September, relies on this lucrative segment. And it is not only the hoteliers that are happily rubbing their hands, as tour op-

JUNE 2015

SIGNIFICANTLY, THE MENA MARKET IS THE LARGEST PRODUCING MARKET DURING THE LEAN SEASON FOR SRI LANKA

erators also seem to be getting their fair share of the regional travel pie. “We have a very good customer base from the Middle Eastern sector amounting to around 60 percent of our total tours,” enthused Sushan Peiris, director, Modern Voyages.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE To make sure business levels remain high, tourism professionals across Sri Lanka are well versed in anticipating the needs and wants of this niche market, be it dietary, religious or simply practical. At Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa Sri Lanka, for example, guests are offered Qurans and Ifthar buffet during Ramadan, while at the recently launched Sun Aqua Pasikudah all restaurants serve Halal food. At Galle Face Hotel in Colombo Halal food is also available, and travellers are also provided prayer mats upon request. Taking it a notch further, Aitken Spence Hotel Managements has obtained the internationally accepted Crescent Rating certification for all its

properties. “Crescent Rating is only currently existing international certification which stipulates the standards and services required to cater to the needs of the MENA traveller such as prayer direction in the rooms, Halal food, and so on,” explained Ali. Privacy is another common expectation when it comes to families arriving from the Middle East, and this is well understood by their Sri Lankan hosts. De Mel confirmed this saying, “There is absolute privacy for them: private plunge pools, Jacuzzis in the higher category suites, in addition to the main pool, Halal food, among others.” Similarly, and also an all-suite property, Sun Aqua Pasikudah boasts 34 suites – some with private plunge pools – plus two grand beach pavilions 

TOUR SRI LANKA with infinity pools. And for those seeking ultimate privacy, they can opt to book a complete property for their own comfort. This was highlighted as an option by Inna Costantini, public relations manager, Maya Villa, Sri Lanka, a boutique gem that boasts just five luxury suites, all with direct pool access.

tional map, having recently taken part at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. “We are planning to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai to do some individual sales visits,” confirmed Kasun Fonseka, sales manager, leisure, Galle Face Hotel. Aitken Spence Hotel Managements has the widest-reaching strategy, as Ali shared, “We participate consistently at ATM in Dubai, as well as other regional MENA travel fairs. We also work closely with a large database of DMC partners based in the MENA region and undertake periodic road shows and sales blitz visits in conjunction with them.”

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY But facilities alone are not enough; knowledgeable and well-trained staff is essential for any tourism establishment looking to work with Middle Eastern travellers, especially families, and the Sri Lankan tourism sector seems to be

excelling in this area. “Given the importance of the Arab traveller, we have ensured all our staff are geared to cater to their specific needs through education on the requirements. Special emphasis is placed on ensuring the dietary requirements of the Arab traveller, as well as the sensitiveness required whilst servicing female guests,” Ali assured. His confidence was mirrored by Peiris, who said that his team is well experienced in hosting Middle Eastern clients, given that they have specialised in arranging their tours for over five years. “The type of accommodation options and locations that are most preferred, different transport options […] and also various types of culinary preferences are just a few inclusions listed

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WE ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH A LARGE DATABASE OF DMC PARTNERS BASED IN THE MENA REGION

in the checklist we offer our clients in order to ensure that they most certainly experience Sri Lanka at its best. […] I believe this is why we are one of the most sought-after travel companies that cater to our friends from the Mid-

dle East,” he explained.

AN UNDENIABLE ALLURE

FLASHING THEIR GEMS

Being so determined, well prepared and focussed on providing excellent service to this niche segment, Sri Lankan tourism sector can only move forward and expect further growth in arrivals from the region. It has all that it takes, and more – let us not forget its largely pristine natural beauty, convenient accessibility and infrastructure, and extremely varied leisure and sightseeing offerings – both on the shore and under the sea. “Sri Lanka is a destination that can be referred as ‘One Island with a Thousand Treasures’. Within short travel times, guests can explore varied attractions ranging from the pristine beaches, misty mountains to exotic wild life,” reminded Ali. 

To attract this lucrative segment, the industry is reaching out westwards to the region through various channels, combining trade shows, advertising, cooperation with destination management companies (DMCs) and more. Uga Escapes, a collection of locally inspired boutique-style properties, for example, has recently partnered with Entertainer to enhance its visibility in MENA. “The magazine is circulated mostly in Dubai,” highlighted Ashan Wijewickrema, marketing manager, Uga Escapes. Galle Face Hotel also has the UAE and the wider MENA region on its promo-

JUNE 2015

EXPLORE INDONESIA

Unpretentious Beauty AS MIDDLE EASTERN COUPLES BECOME MORE SAVVY AND WELL-TRAVELLED, THEIR APPETITE CONTINUES TO GROW FOR NEW, AUTHENTIC AND STILL UNEXPLORED LOCALES– ESPECIALLY WHEN HONEYMOONING. INDONESIA EMERGES AS AN IDEAL CHOICE; DYNAMIC, LUSH AND LARGELY UNSPOILT, A PERFECT BACKDROP FOR STARTING ONES’ ‘HAPPILY EVER AFTER’.  Ana Mladenovic writes

“I

ndonesia, especially Jakarta, the capital city, has a lot to offer to visitors, especially couples and honeymooners; from sightseeing and shopping for well-known luxury brands, to dining, entertainment and attractions,” enthused Novi Samodro, assistant managing director, The Dharmawangsa Jakarta, a luxurious oasis of tranquillity, nestled amidst the upscale area of Kebayoran Baru. “As a Muslim city, Jakarta can be considered as a tourist-friendly city for JUNE 2015

the MENA market […], as we have several similar culture and tourism policies,” she further added. The bustling metropolis is already a

INDONESIA IN BRIEF

Capital: Jakarta Currency: Indonesian Rupiah Language: Indonesian Population: 252.8 million

familiar destination for travellers from the Middle East, with an increasing number of couples and honeymooners discovering its vibrant charm, as Nathalia Atmaja, assistant public relations manager, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, confirmed. “Our property is quite popular among Middle Eastern couples and honeymooners based on the number of visitors and guests who stayed in our hotel. In […] 2014, the room night production was 1.9 percent of the total production.” COUNTRY-WIDE ENTHUSIASM

Calling Code: +62 Capital Time Zone: GMT+7:00

That it is not only Jakarta experiencing an increase in interest from the

lucrative MENA market was confirmed by Discovery Hotels & Resorts, whose portfolio spans projects in the country’s capital, as well as Puncak, Pekanbaru, Batulicin and Bali, Indonesia’s most widely acclaimed honeymooners’ gem. “Our properties are quite popular among Middle Eastern couples and honeymooners,” said Poul Bitsch, president director, Discovery Hotels & Resorts, specifying that their regional guest mix includes visitors from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the UAE and Yemen. “We have an average of 10 – 15 percent per year from this market,” 

EXPLORE INDONESIA sort cooperates with destination management companies and hosts familiarisation trips, as confirmed by Arya Saputra, assistant director, sales, InterContinental Bali Resort. TICKING ALL BOXES When it comes to the tourism product, Bali has it all. Vast dining and shopping opportunities; lush nature and diverse attractions; and much sought-after privacy, provided by an impressive selection of properties boasting suites, secluded bungalows with private pools and other facilities. Balinese hospitality experts know exactly what their Middle Eastern customers seek. “They seem to enjoy a little bit of everything, however, they prefer more privacy instead of exploring,” elucidated Willy Widana, sales, marketing and customer service manager, Legian Beach Hotel. he revealed. Hotels across Bali have also reported a steady improvement in arrivals from the region, echoing enthusiasm and willingness to further tap into this promising niche. Boutique property, U Paasha Seminyak Bali is seeing interest from the region rise by 41 percent in comparison to 2014. “Average [percentage of guests from this market] from January to April is 1.2 percent,” elucidated Lidya Rinaldi, public relations and marketing communications manager, U Paasha Seminyak Bali. Similarly, Prhativi Dyah, director of public relations, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, confirmed that MENA arrival numbers have been on the rise since the hotel welcomed its first guests on December 15, 2014. “We have 10 percent out of the whole market share that come to the resort,” she confirmed. While on average, percentage-wise, MENA guest figures at the majority of Balinese properties are below five percent, to many, the market still looks promising. “Middle East represents less than two percent of the total resort business, however it is a business that has significantly increased from non-existent a few years back to what it is today. The resort is interested in developing and growing this market as part of its 201516 strategy,” revealed Jorge Fernandez,

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BALI WILL ALWAYS BE A MAGICAL DESTINATION THAT HAS VERY UNIVERSAL APPEAL TO EVERYONE

director of revenue management, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali. A property that is already working well with this market, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel attributed five percent of the total market share in 2014 to this growing segment. “Comparing with the total number of tourist coming from the Middle East to Bali, which was only one percent of the total market share […], we are one of the most popular hotels [on the island] for the Middle East market,” boasted Alice Matulessy, director of sales and marketing, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel. UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITIES In order to further grow its relationship with the Middle East, the Balinese hospitality industry needs more cooperation with the region’s travel agents as

at the moment, most bookings come through online travel agents, as voiced by Rinaldi. There are, however, a few properties that have established stronger cooperation and communication with the region. Matulessy said that her hotel works closely with tour operators who are strong in this target market. “We also attended Middle East Sales Mission organised by the Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy and Arabian Travel Market in Dubai,” she added. Similarly, InterContinental Bali Re-

Male and female spa areas, Halal food, private chauffeurs and utmost exclusivity are just some of the facilities and services available to MENA travellers, with the industry eager to accommodate their guests’ needs and wants. “Bali will always be a magical destination that has very universal appeal to everyone, including honeymooners. Balinese people are warm at heart and their hospitality has been well-recognised by the world, making people want to return to the island to have another memorable experience on their next visit,” concluded Fernandez.  JUNE 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRPORTS

WHERE JOURNEYS START AND END  Rita Kasziba writes

lobally, MEA continued to fuel the sector’s growth, having registered a 10.1 percent surge in passenger traffic in 2014, almost the double of the worldwide average of 5.1 percent reported by Airports Council International (ACI). Regional hubs remained at the forefront of progress and innovation, and in sync with the Arab Air Carriers Organization’s forecast which suggests that by 2026, Arab airports will handle some 571 million passengers – up from just 101 million in 2001 and 153 million in 2006. As H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said, “The aviation industry is growing exponentially due to the massive airport expansions needed to accommodate the growth in air traffic, and airport development in Dubai continues to play a strategic role in our future growth agenda. The huge and consistent aviation investments will have a positive impact not just for Dubai alone, but for the UAE, the Gulf region and the world.” JUNE 2015

IN 2014, AIRPORTS ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA (MEA) CATERED TO 306.6 MILLION TRAVELLERS, AND CONSIDERING THAT TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS SET TO GROW 4.9 PERCENT PER ANNUM TO 2034, PRESSURE IS MOUNTING ON REGIONAL HUBS TO ENSURE SEAMLESS OPERATIONS AND UTMOST SAFETY AND SECURITY.

In fact, in recent years all headlines have been stolen by one single airport, Dubai International, which with some 70.5 million travellers in 2014 managed to displace London’s Heathrow Airport from its long-held reign as the world’s busiest airport for global traffic. “Dubai is the fulcrum that connects long-haul international flights from east and west, north and south,” said Rafael Enchevarne, economics director, ACI World. According to Anita Mehra, vice president, communications and business development, Dubai Airports, Dubai International’s exponential development is a good example of how the sector can thrive in an environment that builds on a clear vision and strategic direction, adopts the open skies concept, has a strong service orientation, a collaborative approach and benefits from the absence of burdensome taxes that elsewhere have discouraged tourism. Over the last decade, passenger numbers have more than tripled at Dubai International from 21.7 million in 2004 to over 70.5 million in 2014. In comparison, during the same 10-year period, Heathrow Airport’s figures rose from 67.3 million to 73.4 million, marking a nine percent improvement compared 

EXCLUSIVE AIRPORTS cility, thus the need for a new masterplan for the airport. The USD163 million runway development, announced in late 2014, means a significant boost in capacity and according to Rivera, further studies for large-scale expansion projects are currently ongoing to help the airport cope with the increased demand in various areas, from the check-in counters to technology and equipment. “The new generation of large aircraft have driven a change in travel patterns. Formerly, aircraft would use the Middle East as a stopover point. This has increased tourism potential as well as airport traffic. Today, flights tend to be direct and overfly the region, especially from European origin to southeast and Far East destination,” highlighted the challenge of congested skies Riviera. In fact, as Omar Bin Ghaleb, deputy

to Dubai’s staggering 325 percent increase. Currently, every day, about 192,000 travellers pass through Dubai International on more than 980 flights, operated by over 100 airlines to 270 destinations on six continents. “Due to the high concentration of large aircraft, we have 208 passengers travelling on average on every flight which, we believe, is a record globally,” pinpointed Mehra. This year, 79 million passengers are expected at Dubai International and as Mehra revealed, traffic is set to surpass 126 million by 2020 and 200 million by 2030 across the two airports, Dubai International and Al Maktoum at Dubai World Central (DWC), the world’s future biggest hub. WORLD’S CONGESTED AIRSPACE

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EVERY DAY, ABOUT 192,000 TRAVELLERS PASS THROUGH DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ON MORE THAN 980 FLIGHTS

All in all, UAE airports collectively handled some 101 million passengers in 2014, roughly equal to the population of the Philippines or Turkey and Malaysia together, setting a new record for the country. The three major hubs, Dubai International, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Sharjah International Airport alone welcomed eight million more passengers than in 2013, and figures are set to skyrocket over the coming years to

reach 170 million travellers, making the UAE, according to Centre for Aviation (CAPA), the world’s busiest air corridor. Although often overshadowed by Dubai International, traffic growth rates at Abu Dhabi International Airport have regularly eclipsed those of Dubai, establishing the UAE capital as a global hub for long-haul traffic, largely thanks to Etihad Airways’ expansion and business strategy. In 2014, some 20 million

passengers passed through the terminals, marking a 20 percent increase, versus the 6.1 percent rise recorded at Dubai International. “Abu Dhabi Airports has made great progress in matching the growth in passenger traffic with a carefully implemented programme to expand capacity,” noted Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, reinforcing the company’s commitment

to pushing ahead with the broader capacity enhancement programme after record-breaking first quarter results which saw traffic surge an astonishing 21.1 percent with over 5.5 million passengers. By year-end, figures are anticipated to reach 24 million and within the next five years, over 40 million travellers are expected to use Abu Dhabi International Airport as their origin, destination or transit point for international and domestic flights. Thus developments continue to move ahead at the Midfield Terminal Complex which, once it becomes operational on 17 July, 2017, will boast an initial capacity of 30 million passengers per annum and 8,500 per hour. Future developments are also expected in Sharjah where, as Jocelyn Victoria Rivera, marketing executive, commercial department, Sharjah International Airport, revealed, 9.5 million passengers were registered in 2014. Today, as Rivera disclosed, over 160 airlines operate scheduled and nonscheduled services to and from the fa-

director general, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, explained at the Global Airport Leaders Forum in Dubai, the UAE will have a major share in the aircraft movements in what he deemed as the world’s most congested airspace. “The aircraft movements in the UAE airspace will increase to 1.62 million in 2030, with aircraft movements numbering 4,400 per day compared to the present 2,200,” specified Bin Ghaleb, reminding that airlines in the Middle East plan to invest some USD450 billion to acquire 2,525 new aircraft by 2030, up from the present 1,060 airliners, translating into a 130 percent rise. “Our airports become even more important thanks to their geographical location and gradual transition of global economic gravity towards Asia. We are witnessing a substantial growth of 7.6 percent, above the global average of five percent,” added Bin Ghaleb, calling for close cooperation among stakeholders to cope with the challenges and take full advantage of the industry. JUNE 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRPORTS According to the International Air Transport Association, by 2034, the Middle East’s total market size is set to reach 383 million passengers, putting increasing pressure on regional operators and the UAE is not the only destination experiencing an abrupt leap in air traffic. Hamad International Airport also continues to witness double-digit surges in volumes with figures soaring close to 26.4 million in 2014, up 13 percent year-on-year. The new, USD16 billion Doha hub, which commenced operations just over a year ago, has a capacity of 30 million travellers per annum and 8,700 passengers per hour. Covering 600,000m2, the size of its passenger terminal complex is equal to 75 football pitches or three times the area of Qatar National Convention Centre.

international travel. As Enchevarne noted, despite Dubai International’s exponential growth, one cannot underestimate the increasingly important role of sister airport, Al Maktoum at DWC, which is eventually poised to surpass these feats by becoming the world’s largest global gateway with capacity of more than 160 million passengers per annum and a multi-modal logistics hub for 12 mil-

lion tonnes of air cargo. With this growth in mind, as Mehra underlined, it is vital that Dubai Airports continues to invest in new facilities to meet demand. The current expansion plans are being tackled on two fronts. “In the immediate future, the focus will be on expanding Dubai International’s capacity to 100 million by 2020 in accordance with our Strategic Plan 2020; a programme including the open-

ing of Concourse A in 2013, the upgrading of both the airport’s runways in 2014 and the launch of Concourse D later this year,” explained Mehra, adding that given the limited space available at Dubai International, from 2020, the development of new facilities will shift to DWC, where a USD32 billion investment promises to create the world’s biggest and most advanced airport with a capacity of over 200 million passengers per annum. 

THE CENTRE OF AVIATION Currently, airport construction activity globally is valued at USD415 billion, as per data released by CAPA, while the six GCC countries alone have allocated USD40 billion for developments, as per IATA. At Bahrain International Airport, USD1 billion is being spent on expanding capacity to 13.5 million passengers, while at Kuwait International Airport USD6 million is being injected into the development project which will help bring annual passenger numbers to 13 million initially, and to 50 million at a later stage. In Egypt, both Cairo International Airport and Sharm El Sheikh International Airport are set to see major improvements to eventually offer a combined capacity of 58 million travellers. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is implementing its largest-ever airport development programme with more than 30 projects under development or planned for the coming years at a total value of USD666 million, USD400 million of which is being earmarked for Riyadh King Khalid International Airport to boost capacity to 35 million passengers. In Jordan, the second expansion phase of Queen Alia International Airport is currently underway which, as Kjled Binger, CEO, Airport International Group, revealed, will enable the gateway to further boost its annual capacity to 12 million after 2016 and to 16 million passengers by 2032. Yet, UAE airports account for the lion’s share in the region with billions being spent to further cement the country’s standing as a global hub of JUNE 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS

UAE Calls for Arab Tourism Strategy The UAE is committed to supporting a unified Arab tourism strategy, reiterated H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, culture, youth and social development minister, UAE.

l Nahyan spoke at the recently held Ministerial Forum on IntraArab Tourism, organised by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, that highlighted the importance of visa facilitation, open skies, the need to adapt to market needs and the role of events in the promotion of intra-regional tourism in the MENA region. As Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, pinpointed, after three years of consecutive decline, international arrivals to the Middle East rose five percent in 2014, proving that despite the challenges tourism in the region continues to progress.

Dubai

Qasr Al Anaqir to Turn into a Museum

he Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) signed an agreement with the Al Anaqir family, owners of Qasr Al Anaqir – Al Anaqir Palace in Tharmada to rehabilitate the building and transform it into a local museum. As Hussain Abu Al Hassan, vice president, antiquities and museum sector, SCTA, noted, the move comes in line with the tourism body’s endeavours to preserve urban heritage landmarks and employ them economically and culturally. The deal also provides that SCTA will have the full right to exploit and invest the destination in activities compatible with its uniqueness.

BAC Prepares for Routes MEA

WEF Ranks Qatar Second in MENA

orld Economic Forum (WEF) listed Qatar as the second most competitive travel and tourism destination in the MENA region in its relevant report for this year. Across the 14 dimensions examined, Qatar scored high on the categories of supportive business environment, safety and security, human resources and labour market, as well as price competiveness. Hassan Al Ibrahim, chief tourism development officer, Qatar Tourism Authority, commented, “Aside from highlighting our strengths, the index also helps us to identify priority areas for attention and action; for example the need for facilitation of visa requirements, as well as comprehensiveness of travel and tourism data and timeliness of travel and tourism data.”

Souq Waqif, Doha

ahrain Airport Company is hosting the first edition of Routes Middle East and Africa (MEA), between May 31 – June 02 at the Gulf International Convention Centre. The event is expected to draw in over 350 delegates looking to benefit from information exchange, networking opportunities and prospective partnerships. Discussions are focussing on route development, open skies policies and protocols, the need for more effective information exchange and regulatory reforms, the impact of European legislation on Middle East carriers, airport congestion and building airports for the future, as well as market liberalisation across Africa to fuel tourism growth.

JUNE 2015

TRAVEL TALK

Service with a smile came naturally

ROXANA JAFFER CEO, Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha

“The excitement and fervour that HUM [Network] stars brought to our establishment [with The Servis 3rd HUM Awards] will stay in our memory bank for eons. Service with a smile came naturally as our staff enjoyed working with such elegance and pizzazz that the HUM guests accorded. We look forward to building greater synergies and are confident that this will be the beginning of a long lasting relationship between the hotel and HUM TV.”

Sustainability is one of our hotel’s top priorities

KARIM NAHAS General manager, Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, Dubai

“Sustainability is one of our hotel’s top priorities and a core business driver. We manage it in the same way we manage other aspects of the hotel and operations performance, look at sustainability from different aspects; from the products we use, the services to our guests, how we conserve energy and water, to working with our owner and corporate office to be more efficient.”

The business traveller is a valuable guest

ALI HADDAD General manager, Swiss-Belhotel Plaza Kuwait

“Swiss-Belhotel Plaza is a perfect place for a business traveller coming to Kuwait as it is located in the heart of prime business areas. Every guest is equally important to us, however, since we are a business hotel, the business travel segment is essential for us and approximately 80 percent from our annual figures come from this segment. The business traveller is a valuable guest and it is expected to be one of the hottest growth markets for the travel industry in the years ahead.“

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

JUNE 2015

WHO’S MOVED

AHMAD SHABAN

Ahmad Shaban has joined Rotana as head of sales for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. After completing his degree in accounting in Amman, he worked with a number of international hotel chains, including InterContinental Hotels Group. Most recently he served as country director of sales and marketing in Kuwait for Marriott International. At Rotana, he will be building on the strengths of the sales team in order to develop a solid platform that will serve the company’s 13 properties in the UAE capital and Al Ain.

Shaban moves to the UAE from Kuwait

KARIM LADIL

Karim Ladil has been chosen to manage Jannah Hotels & Resorts’ two properties in Dubai, namely Jannah Place Dubai Marina and Marina Bay Suites by Jannah. Ladil, who holds a diploma in tourism management, brings years of experience to the role, having previously worked at renowned properties across the UAE, including Emirates Palace. He is also one of the founders of Karim Services, where he shapes and drives a team of highly trained butlers, that will help ensure that all requirements of hotel guests are well taken care of.

Ladil is one of the founders of Karim Services

JUNE 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: With other four Crowne Plaza properties in the country, why should someone specifically choose Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah for his holiday? MANUEL LEVONIAN: The answer lies in the gift that Salalah has been blessed with and that is the nature; starting from pristine sandy beaches to greenery and great wadis. What makes Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah so special is the location, right on the white sandy beach with a lush landscape sprawling across 174,000m2, just a 10-minute drive from the airport, city centre and the famous souq of Salalah. Apart from all other amenities, like the four outdoor swimming pools and leisure facilities like tennis courts, a fully-equipped gym, massage centre and dive centre, the resort also has the only nine-hole par three golf course in the entire Dhofar region, along with a driving range for guests to tee off. The

Q & A with

Manuel Levonian GENERAL MANAGER, CROWNE PLAZA RESORT SALALAH

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TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Many tourism stakeholders voice that even though Salalah has an outstanding beauty, the area is difficult to reach and has connectivity issues. Do you agree and if so, what solutions would you suggest? MANUEL LEVONIAN: The opening of a new international airport with upgraded services would definitely help Salalah to maximise the full potential of this destination. Connectivity has started seeing improvement with international airlines increasing their flights to Salalah, however, the key again reJUNE 2015

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What achievements of the property in 2014 are you most proud of? What are the resort’s main highlights? MANUEL LEVONIAN: For us, the first and foremost important aspect is our guests’ experience during their stay with us and, with the great team we have, we were able to achieve some great results and feedback for the same. Apart from the fact that 2014 was a winning year for us and some key achievements were winning at the World Luxury Travel Awards, getting certified by e-Crystal for hygiene and safety, achievement Level 2 in Green Engage and also carrying out some great corporate social responsibility activities, like the InterContinental Hotels Group’s Shelter in a Storm programme, beach cleaning and supporting some activities from local ministries to assist the local community.

FOR US, THE FIRST AND FOREMOST IMPORTANT ASPECT IS OUR GUESTS’ EXPERIENCE

resort also offers guests a great culinary journey with a selection of food and beverage outlets starting from Darbat, which serves international cuisine, and Dolphin, the beach restaurant offering different theme dinners from seafood to Tex-Mex.

mains how new airlines can be brought to Salalah to improve or rather take connectivity to the next level. Projects like the GCC rail network will also help in getting Salalah more connected with the rest of the GCC countries, and will definitely support the destination, especially during the Khareef season.

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are the priorities for the remainder of the year? Do you have any plans for upgrades or developments at the property?

WITH THE OMANI REGION OF DHOFAR GAINING TRACTION AND BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR WITH INTERNATIONAL VISITORS, MANUEL LEVONIAN, GENERAL MANAGER, CROWNE PLAZA RESORT SALALAH, DEEMS THAT IT IS TIME TO TAKE HOSPITALITY TO A NEW LEVEL IN THE PROVINCE.

MANUEL LEVONIAN: The rest of the year is quite crucial for us to ensure we maintain the momentum gained during the first two quarters and also a key will be to work as a team to have more happy and loyal guests. In the future, there are plans to come up with a 200-key resort next to the existing property and take the service and hospitality benchmark of Salalah to the next level. 

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THE REST OF THE YEAR IS QUITE CRUCIAL FOR US TO ENSURE WE MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah

NEWS & EVENTS Abu Dhabi Promoted in EXPO Milano 2015

EVENTS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPO HONG KONG Wanchai, Hong Kong June 11 – 14 www.itehk.com Amongst others, the event also highlights trendy travel themes such as overseas weddings and honeymoons, as well as sports tourism.

Seoul, South Korea June 11 – 15 www.kotfa.co.kr With a 30-year history, the event sees the participation of 60 countries which promote their tourism resources and cultures.

Imagination Lounge at EXPO 2015

KOREA WORLD TRAVEL FAIR

bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) displays the emirate’s diverse nature at EXPO Milano 2015, highlighting the destination’s plethora of choices. The promotional initiatives are being staged in the Imagination Lounge, where commissioned National Geographic videos showcase the capital city of the UAE. “The eyes of the world will be on Milan during their hosting of EXPO 2015 and with the UAE taking up the mantle for the hosting of EXPO 2020, we have a golden opportunity to project our vision of the emirate to a global audience and shape perceptions of our nation over the next six months,” said H.E. Jasem Al Darmaki, acting general director, TCA Abu Dhabi.

INTERNATIONAL PARIS AIR SHOW Paris, France June 15 – 21 www.siae.fr A window into the dynamic aerospace industry which give manufacturers the chance to showcase their know-how.

INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART Bangalore, India July 10 – 12 www.iitmindia.com One of the country’s premier travel and tourism exhibitions established in 1998, launches in Bangalore this year, with upcoming showings in Chennai, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, Kochin and Kolkatta.

Airport Show Concludes with Strong Industry Engagement

ver 4,000 meetings between 8,000 industry professionals took place at this year’s Airport Show in Dubai, which attracted more than 300 exhibitors and 127 hosted buyers from 30 countries. The three-day event also included two co-located programmes, the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum and Travel Catering Expo, both of which helped underscore the region’s importance for the global aviation industry, according to Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East. The 16th edition of Airport Show will run between May 16 – 18, 2016, at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

JUNE 2015