Travel Trade MENA May 2015 by Travel Trade Publications

MAY 2015

ISSUE 67

VISIT: LEBANON IN 2014, OVER 3.3 BILLION PASSENGERS BOARDED AIRPLANES AROUND THE GLOBE, EQUAL TO ALMOST HALF OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION, WITH THE LARGEST SURGE IN TRAFFIC BEING WITNESSED IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

04 ONSITE: MOROCCO

16 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

VISIT: LEBANON

04 02 14

EXPLORE: UMM AL QUWAIN ONSITE: MOROCCO TOUR: SOUTH KOREA EXCLUSIVE: AIRLINES TRAVEL CHANNELS RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TALK WHO’S MOVED NEWS & EVENTS

04 16 09 19 16 21 20 30 21 34 22 36 23 48 24 56

EXCLUSIVE: AIRLINES

MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of 28/04/2015

MANAGING EDITOR

HEADQUARTERS

Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel

T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607 Fax: +357 22 103670

ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli 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

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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

97.81

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

7.62

Iran (IRR)

Rial

28,373.08

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,160.06

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,501.30

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.36

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.90

Syria (SYP)

Pound

188.93

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.94

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.89

HIA Boasts Strong Start to the Year Hamad International Airport (HIA) served a record 4.8 million passengers during January and February, marking a 17 percent year-on-year increase.

he hub saw 4,874,624 passengers pass through its gates at the beginning of the year, with 2,589,403 of them departing, arriving and transiting in January and 2,285,221 passenger movements in

February. Badr Al Meer, chief operating officer, HIA, said, “The airport’s recent success furthers its ambition to position HIA as a major player in the international aviation sector.”

MAY 2015

NEWS TECHNOLOGY Family Travel and Technology to Take the Spotlight at ATM

Destinia Sets Up New Website and App

O ATM 2014

MAY 2015

his year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will run between May 04 – 07 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, will highlight the main trends in family travel – a key area of opportunity for the industry both in the region and globally. As Nadege Noblet, exhibition manager, Arabian Travel Market, noted, the number of wealthy families making travel a high-spend priority is on the rise, and with over one third of MENA residents choosing to stay in upscale hotels when travelling for leisure, this trend for luxury family travel offers exciting opportunities. The Travel Tech Show promises to be another key feature of the event which is expected to welcome over 2,700 exhibiting companies representing 86 countries.

nline travel agency, Destinia.com has launched a revamped website featuring fully integrated search tools and a completely responsive design, adaptable to all devices. The company has also introduced new mobile and tablet application, enabling travellers to easily rent vehicles and manage their bookings. The new platforms provide a personalised user experience by detecting language and currency preferences, and trending topics. “Adapting to the preferences of each market, and offering interesting recommendations for them is a key element in our service,” reinforced Amuda Goueli, CEO, Destinia.com.

VISIT LEBANON AS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE WORLD, LEBANON EXUDES HISTORY AND TRADITION. MODERN-DAY AFFLICTIONS, HOWEVER, HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL, WITH THE DESTINATION STRUGGLING TO GET BACK ON ITS FEET AND TOURISM IS THE WAY TO DO IT.

A Game of Survival

 Maria Kazeli LEBANON IN BRIEF

Capital: Beirut Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP) Language: Arabic Population: 4.46 million Calling Code: +961 Capital Time Zone: GMT +3:00

writes

ebanon had experienced a good deal of popularity a couple of years ago, however 2011’s Arab Spring movements across many destinations affected the overall reputation of the region. Lebanon took a serious blow when neighbouring Syria fell into the vortex of a serious conflict, with many negative repercussions for its travel and tourism industry. 

MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON

“While overall visitor numbers have stabilised recently, the hospitality sector in Beirut and Lebanon in general has suffered in the past few years, and our new strategy is to build stronger relationships in key markets to achieve and improve our sales targets,” verified Hartmut Grauel, general manager, Coral

Beirut Al Hamra Hotel. AN EVER CHALLENGED FIGHTER Ever since the regional turbulence started, the country has been tested and consequently its hospitality sector faced many challenges. As Maha Bourachi, di-

rector of sales and marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, revealed, the market in Lebanon has been extremely competitive with little demand coming in. “We have maintained our price positioning regardless of the highly competitive environment and have put a lot of focus on delivering the right qual-

ity of service to our guests rather than lowering rates to increase volume. Our property is quality-driven, not volumedriven,” she said, confirming that indeed some properties in the country are turning to lower budget travellers in order to recover from their losses. Commenting on this trend, Ihab

MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON very competitive prices, but we are all certain better times are still to come,” Kanawati said, even though he stressed that the current situation in Lebanon, as well as in neighbouring countries, are the main obstacles the industry is facing at this point. “Political unrest is never good for tourism and with the downturn, Warwick hotels increased their focus on the remaining segments available, such as

local corporate, weekend business and banquets and events,” attested Jamal Serhan, vice president, Warwick International Hotels. However, Bourachi went on to address the issue of unpredictability, saying that with the current lack of demand and extremely short lead time do not allow hoteliers to be able to project the future and lay out an effective business plan.

“That is validating any forecast early on in the year. Due to the short lead time and unpredictability of the region, it makes it difficult to plan for projects and initiatives.” Peter Edholm, cluster director, sales and marketing, InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut and Le Vendôme Beirut, touched upon the same trend, saying, “Guests tend to book very last minute and plan their holiday with short advance. 

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THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR IN BEIRUT AND LEBANON IN GENERAL HAS SUFFERED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS

Kanawati, general manager, Staybridge Suites Beirut, suggested that, as it is customary, most hotels have their own strategies according to market conditions and needs. “Survival is a key word during this difficult time that stipulates selling at

MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON We just need to adapt to this new trend and offer our clients the best possible solutions to accommodate these needs.”

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SURVIVAL IS A KEY WORD DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME THAT STIPULATES SELLING AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES

The year 2011 was the beginning of various upheavals in the area that brought demand to a standstill, according to Ibtissam Shamseddine, director of sales and marketing, Monroe Hotel, who commented that, “We introduced some attractive packages in order to catch existing and new markets and some special rates during specific periods were appli-

cable, but even with the promotions implemented, we were able to increase demand just a little bit but sure not reaching the normal occupancy we had before.” Despite all adversities, Lebanon is a country that fights back, a fact underlined by Taleb Rifai, secretary general, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), during a recent visit to the country where he launched an international tourism project entitled The Phoenicians’ Route. Rifai commented that in spite of all the challenges posed to the destination, the campaign introduced by the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism constitutes a message from the Middle Eastern country to the world, that, in the face of obscurity, it celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of the destination. “It proves that Lebanon is still capable of launching initiatives and because it shows that the Phoenicians were pioneers in globalisation, since they were the first to sail towards other lands. Their influence persists today where Lebanese people are spread in all corners of the world,” added Rifai.

BACK ON TRACK WITH BUSINESS? This promotional drive follows the Live, Love, Lebanon campaign launched in April 2014, which was a clear indicator

of the government’s commitment to reviving the country’s tourism prospects, as Nadege Noblet, exhibition manager, Arabian Travel Market, reminded, ahead of the coveted show.

MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON along with the corporate segment. However, leisure travel is yet to see substantial growth due to the ongoing crisis in Syria which has diverted some leisure travel from Lebanon to other low risk destinations within the region,” he elaborated. Local hoteliers verified this, with Bourachi noting that the main source of business for the Lebanese market continued to be corporate and MICE, which

properties made sure to capitalise on. “Corporate travel has not increased, however was consistent over the years. This has been the main source of business for the hotel, with still a good level of leisure business,” she elucidated. Shamseddine corroborated that despite a relative drop at the beginning of the regional crisis, corporate travel later picked up and registered normal levels, however no increase.

In turn, Kanawati commented that MICE and long-stay guests are currently the main trends in Lebanon. “Since we are an upscale extended-stay hotel, we are trying our best to accommodate [our customers]. We recently established a meeting room, equipped with the latest technology that can accommodate up to 40 seated people.” He revealed that the hotel’s main 

Lebanon’s tourism market shows early signs of improvement and according to a Colliers International forecast for this year, Beirut’s hotels are to reach 49 percent occupancy with RevPAR speculated to climb one percent to USD78. The trend seems to have started few months ago as it was shown by statistics presented in December 2014 by HotStats. Establishments in Beirut reported a significant increase in performance levels with a 6.2 percent surge in average room rates, with occupancy levels rising by 9.8 percentage points to 61.7 percent,

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WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE DEMAND JUST A LITTLE BIT BUT SURE NOT REACHING THE NORMAL OCCUPANCY WE HAD BEFORE

whereas RevPAR was boosted by 26.2 percent to USD87.63. The initiator behind this positive picture is the MICE segment, as Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Consulting, suggested. “The improvement in performance levels for hotels was led by a growth seen in corporate travel to Beirut, which is a key driver of the hotel demand to the city. Average room rates for leisure segments also increased MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON

focus this year is to get more long-stayers and corporate accounts. “Our unique concept home away from home, differs from other brands, and despite nowadays the Levant and Iraqi markets being the main feeders,

our versatile nationality mix is a proof of avoiding to attract guests from the same origin,” Kanawati added. As Shamseddine said, if the political situation will remain calm, hoteliers expect a good demand for the second

half of this year, driven by both the GCC clientele as well as the leisure segment. Edholm summarised management efforts, saying, “Beirut remains a top destination in the Middle East thanks

to its strong offering in terms of culture, leisure activities and great hospitality. We continue to build on our legacy while we assure clients that Beirut is as safe as any other Middle Eastern or Mediterranean city.”

MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON develop projects that could be followed up by active committees.” Following the inauguration of the promotion, Tammam Salam, prime minister, Lebanon, emphasised that tourism cannot thrive without stability, pointing out that a security plan was established and is still being implemented across the country. He said, “I am confident that we will be able to march forward and achieve

more success stories in the tourism industry. Even though our country still suffers from certain political instabilities and insecurities, yet we will continue to exert our efforts to implement security and stability in all regions.” EXPATS TO SAVE THE DAY Indeed, the Lebanese hotel and tourism industry has been scared by surround-

ing turbulence and most importantly the boycott of travel by the GCC countries, which were the main source market for the destination. “Business levels dropped throughout the country and our major source of business which is the GCC market practically disappeared,” corroborated Bourachi. Noblet stressed that Lebanon has long been a favoured long weekend 

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CORPORATE TRAVEL HAS NOT INCREASED, HOWEVER WAS CONSISTENT OVER THE YEARS

GOVERNMENTAL PUSH In 2014, a new government took over, with ambitious plans for stability in the country and a new tourism vision. Aside the initiative launched under the eyes of UNWTO, the new heads of the Ministry of Tourism have set a target to put in motion new projects which include promoting and keeping pace with medical tourism in Lebanon, as well as activating rural tourism through a five-year plan and the formation of a multi-ministerial committee to keep pace with this highly important sector by investing in rural areas. For this purpose, in February the ministry introduced the Rural Tourism Strategy for Lebanon, with Michel Pharaon, tourism minister, Lebanon, commenting, “We are approaching a new phase, and we hope that our new initiative, which incorporates other ministries and unions as well as many public and private institutions, will compensate for the paralysis which has been creeping into our institutions and MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON nation is the Lebanese diaspora, which as Bourachi confirmed, is visiting the homeland for leisure holidays. Indicating the potential and viable strength of this niche, Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice presi-

“

WE ASSURE CLIENTS THAT BEIRUT IS AS SAFE AS ANY OTHER MIDDLE EASTERN OR MEDITERRANEAN CITY destination for GCC residents, and the added resurgence in Egyptian, and particularly, Iraqi tourists, in recent months, has created new demand; specifically since tourist arrivals increased for the ninth consecutive month in February. A Bank Audi economic report also validated that the number of Arab

tourists to the country has taken an upward path since the third quarter of 2014, when figures showed a 9.7 percent year-on-year surge after having dropped 18.1 percent in 2013’s respective quarter. However, an important segment emerging for the Middle Eastern desti-

dent, commercial operations, centre, Emirates, commented on the carrier’s upgrades on both its aircraft serving Beirut. “We believe the upgauges will also provide us the increased ability to serve demand from the Lebanese diaspora around the world, including the

large Lebanese expatriate community in the UAE, who will benefit from our enhanced product offering when they go home to visit friends and family.” Emirates has introduced an all-Boeing 777 operation on the itineraries serving Lebanon’s capital city, boosting seat capacity by 12 percent, in a bid to also

MAY 2015

VISIT LEBANON Lebanese outside its borders, the repatriation project can have positive outcomes at many levels, as Pharaon also pointed out. In addition the ministry has also embraced the ANA programme aiming at attracting and encouraging around 10 million people of Lebanese origins in the world to discover their roots and visit the country, as Alain Hochar, group managing director, M&C Saatchi MENA,

explained when presenting the project in front of ministry executives. “Expatriates’ tourism, The Phoenicians’ Route, rural or medical tourism complement our source of pride today in Lebanon: the capacities of the tourism sector in terms of hotels, restaurants, and exceptional touristic and seasonal festivals during summer and winter as well as conference and business tourism,” recapitulated Pharaon.

Besides much ambition, Noblet indicated that there is a solid foundation on which to rebuild interest and drive inbound arrivals, concluding that, “Lebanon’s diverse tourism product encompasses the stylish capital of Beirut with its chic cosmopolitan ambience and reputation for luxury retail, through to trendy beach locations, stunning natural beauty and mountain ranges, ancient cities and architectural heritage.” 

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THE UPGAUGES WILL ALSO PROVIDE US THE INCREASED ABILITY TO SERVE DEMAND FROM THE LEBANESE DIASPORA

expand Lebanese businesses’ access to global markets, yielding benefits to the country’s economic output. The Phoenicians’ Route is yet another step towards nurturing this all-important market since the philosophy of the project is to encourage every expatriate, through incentives, to visit Lebanon at least once in his lifetime. Given that the country is home to 4.5 million people, but there are around 10 million

MAY 2015

EXPLORE UMM AL QUWAIN WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 80,000, UMM AL QUWAIN OFFERS A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ARE DETERMINED TO USE THIS PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE AS A MAGNET TO ATTRACT VISITORS AND INVESTORS.

 Rita Kasziba writes

Little by Little

“W

ork pressure, stress and the busy city life inspire people to look for a calm and peaceful place for their holiday,” elucidated Rajan Harikrishnan, manager, Barracuda Resort, Umm Al Quwain, saying that being a quiet town, people here feel closer to the nature and this is exactly what brings them to the least populous emirate.

“Umm Al Quwain is [already] a sought-after destination by many, due

UMM AL QUWAIN IN BRIEF

Country: UAE Currency: Emirati Dirham (AED) Language: Arabic Population: 70,000 Calling Code: +971 Time Zone: GMT +4:00

MAY 2015

EXPLORE UMM AL QUWAIN to its suburban atmosphere and close proximity to Ajman, Sharjah and Dubai,” added Harikrishnan. The small emirate certainly has its distinct identity and, consequently, its own customer base, supported Dinto Akkara, head of marketing, House of Tours, an Umm Al Quwain-based travel agency. “Umm Al Quwain is a bit different compared to the other emirates of the UAE. […] It is mainly known for its beaches and beach properties [which appeal to] a unique clientele,” he explained. Being a lesser-known destination compared to the bigger emirates, Umm Al Quwain’s nascent tourism industry mainly relies on weekend and holiday traffic, Akkara pinpointed. This image, though helped the emirate gain popularity as a value-for-money destination for those looking to explore the country on a budget. As Harikrishnan noted, an increasing number of budget travellers flock into the emirate, which also remains a popular choice for CIS and German visitors.

definitely improve the picture,” stressed Akkara, admitting that branding the emirate is still in a premature stage. To give a new impetus to the local industry’s sluggish growth, Umm Al Quwain Economic Development Department recently signed a cooperation deal with Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) to utilise the sector’s potential in both emirates via joint initiatives.

It focusses on technical cooperation pertaining to licences for tourism establishments, tourism-related surveys, mutual symposia and the formation of effective communication channels. By fostering relationships, exchanging tourism information and offering mutual support, the cooperation aims to boost tourism-related investments, and, eventually, arrivals to the destinations. To support Umm Al Quwain’s ambi-

tions, ATDD aims to train the department’s staff on classification systems and standards already applied in the emirate. Considering the recent steps taken towards a more prosperous future, Umm Al Quwain is expected to experience gradual growth over the coming years, according to Harikrishnan, who remains bullish about the emirate’s potential to become a significant player in the tourism scene. 

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UMM AL QUWAIN IS A BIT DIFFERENT COMPARED TO THE OTHER EMIRATES OF THE UAE

BIT BY BIT While in contrast to the bustling emirates of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, this tranquility gives Umm Al Quwain a recognisable character, developments are much welcomed, and, indeed, needed if the emirate if to secure a fair share of the pie. The 1.2km walkway on the Corniche, unveiled over a year ago, received much attention and the planned construction of 32km of new internal roads is also set to significantly enhance the destination’s profile. Yet, many believe that in order to appeal to a wider pool of travellers, advanced infrastructure and a greater selection of services, from shopping to dining outlets, are crucial. “New properties, better facilities and positioning Umm Al Quwain as a beach holiday destination [could] MAY 2015

ONSITE MOROCCO

Fresh Development

WITH ITS WARM HOSPITALITY, CULINARY DELIGHTS AND AN ABUNDANCE OF CULTURE, MOROCCO IS WORKING TOWARDS BUILDING ITS IMAGE TO FURTHER LURE IN TRAVELLERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.

ourism is the second largest contributor to Morocco’s GDP and is also the second biggest job creator, playing a vital role in the country’s overall economy. In 2013, tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million for the first time. According to Hassan Bolaachoub, general manager, Beautiful Morocco Voyages, the company’s main feeder markets are France, Spain, Germany, and some Gulf countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia. However, data point to a 19 percent

rise is American tourist arrivals to the country over the past four years with US travellers to the North African country reaching 229,000. As per Seattle-based Access Trips, this fact is attributed to the destination becoming a popular culinary heaven with bookings growing 43 percent in the last three years. “[In the future] we are planning to focus on the Gulf markets like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, as well as the US market,” said Bolaachoub, underlining the US segment’s important standing for Morocco. He added that there will be a new empha-

MOROCCO IN BRIEF

Capital: Rabat Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD) Language: Arabic Population: 33.3 million Calling Code: +212 Capital Time Zone: GMT +1:00

sis on the African markets like Senegal, Ivory Coast and Gabon especially after

MAY 2015

ONSITE MOROCCO in 2014 to reach a total of 40,000 beds since the launch of the national strategy for tourism, according to Imad Barrakad, president, Moroccan Company for Tourism Engineering (SMIT). Thanks to the presence of international institutions, he said, a significant number of projects in the tourism sector are underway and investors, both foreigners and Moroccan nationals, have also funded hotel projects that

would provide high-level services. Barrakad revealed that SMIT has signed five regional agreements to promote Moroccan cities, including Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Tetouan, at this year’s edition of the International Hotel Investment Forum which is marked by the participation of destinations with high tourism potential such as Ecuador, Italy and Brazil.

REGENERATING AND REJUVENATING Morocco has already commenced a EUR28 million (USD30 million) regeneration of the historic Old Medina of Casablanca, a vital part of the city’s history and one of its most appealing tourist attractions. The destination is often overlooked as a tourist attraction by visitors who instead prioritise travel to other parts of the country, such as 

governmental efforts to build more commercial partnerships with those countries. Morocco is not limiting its options though and in a recent bid, the Moroccan National Tourist Office opened a new office in Abu Dhabi, set to serve as a regional platform to increase tourist flow between the Kingdom and the countries of the GCC. On the sidelines of the office’s inauguration, the Moroccan National Tourist Office and the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority signed an agreement to strengthen experience exchanges and encourage traffic between the two countries. Further boosting international ties, the North African Kingdom’s tourism authority signed a promotion agreement called Destination Morocco with a French travellers union. INVESTING INTO THE FUTURE Discussing the latest happenings witnessed in the industry, Bolaachoub said that the current trend in Morocco was attracting business and MICE tourists, a reality that was bringing in a lot of investments in infrastructure. Indeed, many projects within the tourism sector have contributed to the creation of 9,000 additional beds MAY 2015

ONSITE MOROCCO Marrakech and Fes. Thus enhancing the appeal of the medina, which has long been the heart of the city, together with the coastline district, will help reposition Casablanca as a major destination for cultural, business and cruise tourism, according to the instigators of the project. Being part of Wessal Capital’s EUR530 million (USD570 million) CasaPort development, the initiative aims

to transform the harbour and port area and help restore the city once known as the jewel of Morocco. The project will help revitalise the local economy, generating employment in a thriving tourism sector, to double employment in the area and triple employment in areas indirectly linked to the project. Already 2,000 jobs have been created in the construction phase alone, with 6,000 more planned.

The restoration of the Old Medina is the second phase of the Casa-Port project. When completed, Wessal Casa-Port will offer world-class tourism infrastructure, including the development of the city’s first marina, an upgraded port and new commercial and cultural spaces. The public-private partnership is due for completion in five years. The rehabilitation aligns with Morocco’s wider cultural, socio-economic

and urban development strategy, which is seen to be improving living conditions, creating job opportunities, upgrading the city’s buildings and preserving Casablanca’s historical and cultural legacy. AGGRESSIVE INVESTING In addition, Tasweek Real Estate Development & Marketing, an advisor and solutions provider serving property markets, announced the preparation of a new USD55 million mixed-use project, including health, residential, retail and tourism facilities in the city of Agadir. It is the second endeavour for the company in the North African country after the successful 160-bed private hospital which was part of the Marrakesh Healthcare City (MHC) development in Morocco’s third largest city. The move to consider another development in the country is in line with Tasweek Real Estate Development & Marketing’s aggressive expansion strategies which aim to add value to its

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WE ARE PLANNING TO FOCUS ON THE GULF MARKETS

global portfolio of diverse real estate projects. Further, the developer targets to encourage and facilitate more business opportunities based on strong investor-partner relationship between the UAE and Morocco. Just like the MHC development, the new project will bolster the bilateral business and partnership ventures to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. Masood Al Awar, CEO, Tasweek Real Estate Development & Marketing, said, “The project will offer further avenues for GCC investors in the African nation as an attractive, upcoming and lucrative investment destination. We are upbeat that the new project will be as successful as the Marrakech healthcare city.” 

MAY 2015

TOUR SOUTH KOREA

Pushing Harder Every Day CONTINUOUSLY LURING IN TOURISTS DUE TO ITS PLETHORA OF OFFERINGS, SOUTH KOREA IS WORKING TOWARDS REACHING NEW HEIGHTS IN THE INDUSTRY, OFFERING SOMETHING MORE; MEDICAL TOURISM.

 Dominique Christou writes

outh Korea is set to become the most important medical tourism destination in Asia and Korea National Tourism Organization (KTO) has set out some initiatives to work towards this goal. The country is considered as a platform for its niche segment all over the world, due to its medical credentials.

SOUTH KOREA IN BRIEF

Capital: Seoul Currency: South Korean Won (KRW) Language: Korean Population: 50 million Calling Code: +82 Capital Time Zone: GMT +9:00

MEDICAL MARVEL The year 2014 saw the launch of a dedicated website which was created to promote the medical segment and make it easier for patients to obtain useful information on how to communicate with hospitals in South Korea. According to Kwanghee Kim, regional director, KTO Dubai, the site was introduced as a platform for consumers or patients to interact directly with the facilities instead of going through any agency or middlemen. The government of South Korea has already tied up with UAE and Saudi Arabia for medical tourism while there are more GCC countries that will soon be signing agreements for enhancing medical tourism relations, as KTO is working  MAY 2015

TOUR SOUTH KOREA

relentlessly to promote this platform by conducting seminars and issuing print materials. With the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait being key markets from the Gulf region, in October 2014, the organisation held a festival in Abu Dhabi bringing in a team of 12 leading Korean hospitals to meet with the travel trade industry as well as consumers.

For this year, the tourism authorities plan to attract 15.5 million visitors by promoting South Korea to independent travellers, and those who spend large amounts of money such as medical tourists and participants in international meetings. Further, KTO’s office in Dubai plans to participate in international exhibitions happening in the GCC to promote tourism to the Asian

country as well as its wellness offering. MORE THAN EXPECTED Aiming high, South Korea targets to attract 20 million foreign visitors per year by 2017. KTO previously planned to obtain the 20 million mark by 2020, but indications point to an earlier achievement, three years ahead of that time.

The number of visitors in 2014 had reached 14.2 million representing an increase of 15.5 percent on 2013, and the largest growth rate in the past 10 years. South Korea’s revenue from tourism in 2014 reached USD17.2 billion, up by 21.4 percent from 2013’s USD14.5 billion. According to KTO Dubai, over the previous years, tourist arrivals from the Middle East has increased, and the number grew to 155,219 visitors in 2014. As per data available, the volume of travellers is constantly increasing, especially from the GCC states. The average rise of the specific visitors to Korea is between 20 – 30 percent annually; however, the number of visitors in 2014 has reached 22,693, representing an increase of 51 percent compared to 15,023 in 2013. Saudi Arabia has topped the list, followed by the UAE and Kuwait. With initiatives in place to trigger a boom in the tourism industry, South Korea is set to witness positive developments in the coming years. 

MAY 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES

TAKING AVIATION TO NEW HEIGHTS IN 2014, OVER 3.3 BILLION PASSENGERS BOARDED AIRPLANES AROUND THE GLOBE, EQUAL TO ALMOST HALF OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION, WITH THE LARGEST SURGE IN TRAFFIC BEING WITNESSED IN THE MIDDLE EAST. WITH INCREASED NUMBERS COME GREATER OPPORTUNITIES AND LARGER CHALLENGES.  Rita Kasziba writes

ome to some 345.4 million people, the MENA region represents ample opportunities and visionary regional leaders have long recognised the aviation industry’s potential to diversify their economies away from oil, taking into consideration that the sector’s total global impact reaches some USD2.4 trillion and supports 58.1 million jobs. In fact, aviation is a strong enabler of economic development, representing 3.4 percent of global GDP, pinpointed Angela Gittens, director general, Airports Council International (ACI), according to whom the Middle East is emblematic of the heights to which aviation can rise when governments lend their full support and understand the power of the sector. Numbers do not lie and based on the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s data, aviation in the Middle East supports – directly or indirectly – nearly two million jobs and generates some USD120 billion in GDP, and by 2020, the industry is projected to contribute USD53 billion to the UAE economy alone. These robust figures follow years of hard work, and most importantly, heavy investments in air traffic and related infrastructure in the Middle East, which has over the past decade continually outpaced the global average in terms of air traffic growth, placing the region at the forefront of the industry. As per IATA’s statistics, in 2014, more than half of the increment in traffic occurred in the emerging markets of the Middle East and Asia Pacific with the Middle East having recorded a 13 percent year-on-year rise in international passenger volumes, more than double of the 6.1 percent global average.  MAY 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES Yet, as Chris Goater, manager, corporate communications, Europe, Middle East and Africa, IATA, noted, it is important to distinguish between the outstanding achievement of a select number of airlines mostly based in the Gulf, and the wider performance of aviation across the Middle East, where some carriers have faced arduous challenges. Overall, much of the growth in the region has been led by Gulf-based carriers, which, as Goater pinpointed, have benefitted from the coordinated vision and strategy enacted between governments and the airlines in these states, meaning significant investments in airport facilities and aircraft, turning these locations into international hubs for transit traffic. One can however not ignore the geographical advantages of the region, being only a few hours of flying time from the majority of the world’s airfields. In addition, as Goater further explained, the economic development in emerging Asia and Africa has also

helped fuel demand for new services which Middle Eastern carriers are well placed to fulfil. EVERYONE’S BUSINESS As Goater highlighted, without heavy investments the hub strategy could have worked. “Hub airports require sufficient

space to handle extra traffic, plus upto-date facilities to attract both airlines and passengers,” elaborated Goater, noting that the planning to accommodate more Airbus A380s, hailed as the world’s largest passenger airliner, is a case in point. Apart from hub aggregation and booming demand from the local market, fuelled by the large number of ex-

patriates relocating for work for shorter or longer periods, partnerships, alliances, and nevertheless equity purchases have all been pillars of the regional airline industry’s growth. While Emirates for example mainly relies on its organic growth, supported by some key partnerships, Etihad Airways has built a strong network, initially through codeshare agreements and then more and more through investments in other carriers in key markets. The fact that in 2014, out of Etihad Airways’ 14.8 million passengers, over 3.5 million travellers have been delivered by the airline’s codeshare and equity partners, speaks volumes. As James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, explained, the company focusses on organic network growth, codeshare partnerships and minority equity investments in other airlines – a business model that has proved to be resilient to the past years’ economic and geopolitical challenges; and one that has also prompted a heated debate earlier this year.

MAY 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES Three US airlines recently alleged that Etihad Airways, along with the two other major Gulf carriers, Emirates and Qatar Airways, have been heavily subsidised thus enjoyed unfair advantages over the past decade, claiming in a lengthy report that this amounts to some USD42 billion. The American counterparts argued that the existing open skies policies between the US and the UAE and Qatar have allowed Gulf carriers to wrest a significant market share from the US market, making competition nearly impossible. In response to the attempt to stymie the three Arab airlines in the US, Hogan reinforced that open skies has been a model of success, generating enormous benefits for travellers as well as airlines around the globe. “Etihad is a David, a David who has been facing Goliaths since 2003, when we started. In virtually every market we entered, we have had to face existing

on the other side of the globe and justifying Hogan’s statement in response to the American accusations, in 2014, Emirates carried over 2.3 million passengers to and from the US, achieving a load factor of over 80 percent, and nevertheless offering single-carrier connections to over 50 global destinations not currently served by any US airline. Considering these facts, it is not surprising that over the past decade,

the UAE’s airports and airlines have more than tripled their passenger traffic, reaching over 100 million in 2014, acting as a catalyst in the regional aviation industry’s unprecedented development. All in all, the GCC states are forecast to serve more than 400 million passengers per annum by 2020 with aircraft movements in the regional airspace set to exceed 2.3 million, as low-cost carri-

ers (LCC) also continue to claim a larger slice of the pie. HERE COME THE LCCS Based on IATA’s data, although Middle Eastern LCCs have been gradually capturing market share, their gains have been marginal due to the fact that although they are growing fast, so are the big long-haul carriers. 

“

ETIHAD IS A DAVID, A DAVID WHO HAS BEEN FACING GOLIATHS SINCE 2003

competitors, with established businesses, established infrastructure, established sales and marketing, established brands and established customer base. [...] That is called competition,” elucidated Hogan, further highlighting that Etihad Airways in particular serves a number of key territories that other (US) carriers have not effectively captured yet, the Indian subcontinent being a case in point where Etihad Airways operates to 11 cities in its own right and to 15 in combination with its partner Jet Airways; reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role, established mainly by Etihad Airways’ fast-paced expansion, as a transit hub. Etihad Airways currently serves six destinations in the US with 45 weekly flights, Qatar Airways flies to eight locations, while Emirates, with the upcoming launch of its Orlando route, will operate to 10 US cities. Demonstrating just how successful these Gulf carriers have been MAY 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES “LCC penetration in the region is a lot lower than other regions such as Europe and the US,” noted Goater, saying

“

LCC PENETRATION IN THE REGION IS A LOT LOWER THAN OTHER REGIONS SUCH AS EUROPE AND THE US

that part of the reason for this is that while economic growth within the Middle East has been solid, air travel is still hampered by regulatory restrictions. “As a result, growth is not balanced and we see long-haul demand growing at a faster rate than inter-regional traffic,” explained Goater, referring to the Damascus Convention of 2004 that

provides a framework to remedy this with regional liberalisation, however, as he noted, the number of countries that have ratified the convention is insufficient. Yet, as the pioneering LCC in the region, Air Arabia has built a strong business over the past 11 years. Quite uniquely to the regional LCC sector, the Sharjah-headquartered company now

operates from five international hubs to over 100 destinations. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman, Air Arabia, attributed the airline’s continued profitability to the company’s strategy of expansion into new markets combined with improved operational efficiencies. Although flydubai’s history only started six years ago, since then it has

also carried over 24 million passengers. In 2014 alone, the LCC added 23 new routes to its network – when in comparison, Etihad Airways launched 10 additional services – and it now operates a staggering 1,400 flights per week from Dubai. As H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, flydubai, pinpointed, 2014 marked the third consecutive year of profitability for the carrier which, with its continued success and own business model, has helped the UAE establish itself as a centre of gravity for aviation. “We have long recognised the importance of aviation to our economic growth. flydubai continues to make a key contribution to our economy in particular as a result of its strategy to open up previously underserved routes,” highlighted Al Maktoum. Despite the growing competition from both regional and international peers, flydubai’s fast-paced expansion does not seem to lose stamina and as Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, 

MAY 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES

revealed, by year-end the carrier’s fleet is set to reach 50 aircraft, making room for even more growth. Similarly, the past few years have been a success for Jazeera Airways, yet, the two companies have traversed quite different paths over the years. Being the first fully privately-owned airline in the Middle East and the second LCC, the Kuwaiti carrier’s road to success has been marked with some bumps and potholes. While its regional peers continued

to grow in terms of fleet, network and, nevertheless, global presence, after two consecutive years of losses following its exit from its Dubai-hub, Jazeera Airways was cutting capacity and slashing its network and staff. The turn-around plan however paid off and helped the carrier gradually return to profitability. Still, instead of rapidly spreading its wings, the Kuwaiti Stock Exchange-listed company remains focussed on capacity utilisation and yield enhancement. As Marwan Boodai, chairman, Ja-

zeera Airways Group, noted, Jazeera Airways is now more nimble, assetlight, cash-rich and debt-free to pursue new opportunities, thus the group’s divestment from the leasing business to focus on its ‘star performer’ carrier. Demonstrating Jazeera Airways’ growth, and at the same time the LCCs increasing significance in the regional skies, based on data compiled by Innovata / Diio Mi, in September 2014, Kuwait Airways’ weekly departing seats from Kuwait International Airport stood at 32,968, with a significantly larger fleet and network than its low-cost counterpart that accounted for 22,275 seats. Yet, this is certainly not the case across the region, and the gap still remains much wider between legacy airlines and LCCs. Emirates for example carried 44.5 million passengers during the fiscal year 2013/2014, while flydubai accounted for 7.25 million travellers at Dubai International, which served a total of 70.5 million people in 2014, dislodging London’s Heathrow Airport from its decade-long title as the

world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic. BUSINESS AS USUAL While in the past years, these fastexpanding airlines stole much of the limelight, the regional business aviation industry also continued to make great strides and as Ali Ahmed AlNaqbi, chairman, Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), pinpointed, the sector currently accounts for about 10 percent of aviation jobs in the region. As AlNaqbi noted, airport accessibility has long hindered the industry’s growth in the Middle East, since the foundation of the association in 2006, however, the situation has gradually improved. Today, 10 fixed-base operators and at least five maintenance, overhaul and repair organisations are dedicated to business aviation, and the 2008 opening of Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi marked another major milestone. 

MAY 2015

EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES As for adequate regulations, as AlNaqbi admitted, it is still an ongoing issue. “MEBAA signed an agreement with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association to help us draft policy and procedure of business aviation in MENA region. In the UAE, a business aviation working group has been formed […] and this will be also replicated in Saudi Arabia as well as Morocco,” revealed AlNaqbi, adding that raising awareness of the socio-economic significance of business aviation remains the main priority on the agenda. WATCH THIS PACE As Goater revealed, IATA expects traffic in the Middle East to rise 4.9 percent per annum on average to 2034, significantly outstripping the projected global average of 4.1 percent. “This places the region as the joint highest-growing along with Asia Pacific,” added Goater. In fact, the UAE (5.6 percent), Qatar

(4.8 percent) and Saudi Arabia (4.6 percent) are all expected to perform well above the global growth rate. By 2034, the Middle East’s total market size is set to reach 383 million passengers, placing pressure on all stakeholders in the regional air transport industry to ensure outmost safety, security, and at the same time, seamless operations in the air and on the ground. Statistics do not lie, and as Goater

reminded, aviation is still the safest form of travel. In fact, 2014 registered the lowest rate of jet accidents, with only one occurring in every 4.4 million flights. The industry is now focussed on two issues that emerged from 2014’s high-profile happenings, namely the need to improve aircraft tracking, and better information on the risks of overflying conflict zones. Therefore, as Goater noted, the

proposal of the International Civil Aviation Organization to move towards the adoption of a performance-based standard for global tracking of commercial aircraft supported by multinational operational assessments to evaluate impact and guide implementations, was much welcomed by the industry. Effective sharing of critical information about security risks to civil aviation is another crucial issue and IATA is now calling on governments to address the subject and find an international mechanism for relevant regulations. All these are key concerns for Middle Eastern carriers considering that Qatar Airways and Emirates have orders placed for Boeing aircraft worth, collectively, almost USD100 billion and Emirates alone is expected to fly 70 million passengers by 2020. Middle Eastern carriers leave no stones unturned to ensure they capture a significant share of the 7.3 billion passengers who are expected to fly around the globe by 2034. 

MAY 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS

Emirates Aviation University Honours Over 250 Graduates Emirates Aviation University celebrated its second graduating class this year, rewarding more than 250 students – 68 from the bachelor degree programmes, 184 from higher diplomas studies, 39 Emirates Group employees and 19 graduates from the pilot training scheme.

eld under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, The Emirates Group, the graduation ceremony took place at the university’s new campus in Dubai Academic City. “The growing aviation industry in the UAE and across the MENA region has created a whole spectrum of jobs that demand continuing education and professional qualifications. The success of our programmes reflects this demand, and also the calibre of our education,” said Ahmad Al Ali, vice chancellor, Emirates Aviation University.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum with Emirates Aviation University graduates

Etihad Supports Seychelles Carnival

tihad Airways and Air Seychelles renewed their sponsorship of this year’s edition of Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria. As the official airline partners, the two carriers have sponsored return flight tickets for the event, preferential cargo rates and an excess baggage allowance per passenger, worth a combined value of SCR5 million (USD365,000). As Manoj Papa, CEO, Air Seychelles, noted, the event offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the diversity of Seychellois culture while developing the growth of tourism.

MAY 2015

TRAVEL CHANNELS Sir Bani Yas Hosts Offshore Sailing Race

Saudi Roads of Arabia Tour Continues

F Sailing competition at Sir Bani Yas

ailing enthusiasts from clubs across the UAE headed to Abu Dhabi’s Western Region for the second Sir Bani Yas Offshore Race. Coorganised by the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, the nonstop competition proved to be a huge success, and, as Ahmed Al Fahim, executive director, marketing, communications, sales and leasing, TDIC, noted, it helped reinforce Sir Bani Yas’ position as a viable location for such sporting events, and a destination that is capable of welcoming boating travellers.

ollowing nine successful events in various cities around the globe, Saudi Arabia’s Roads of Arabia exhibition will continue in new locations. Previous tours across Europe and the US attracted more than three million visitors, drawing much attention to the Kingdom’s historical importance and cultural dimensions. As H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities, revealed, the country will be executing a series of mega projects in the coming period, expected to contribute to the renaissance of a substantial development. Saudi Arabia is also working together with Egypt to detect cultural relations between the Arabian Peninsula and the North African country.

MAY 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How has your overall business strategy changed over the past years? IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: We have been flexible in terms of our strategy and we always make it a point to study the current market trends. Ajman has witnessed growth over the past years and the proposed developments and new hospitality brands coming in the emirate are testaments to this. We expect a tight competition, naturally, but the new room inventory in Ajman should be regarded as an indication that tourism in the emirate is progressing. In spite of the new rooms, we believe that we have excellent products which provide best value for money, so we will be able to compete suitably in the market. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What measures have you taken to offset the decline in arrivals from Russia and the CIS countries caused by the current geopolitical situation?

IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: In spite of losing a major share of the Russian and the CIS market, which used to account for 60 percent of the hotel’s total occupancy, our first quarter results have been excellent. This is because we have started to tap into new markets including the Turkish and German markets, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as the GCC market, particularly Oman. We have also stepped up our strategies in terms of getting a share from the online business.

Q & A with

Iftikhar Hamdani CLUSTER GENERAL MANAGER, RAMADA HOTEL AND SUITES AJMAN, RAMADA BEACH HOTEL AJMAN

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman has over the years proved its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. What are the main benefits of placing CSR initiatives at the top of the agenda for a business? IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: CSR will always be one of our top priorities as we believe that it is our responsibility to give back to the community and inspire our colleagues within the industry to be socially responsible. Our green initia-

IFTIKHAR HAMDANI, CLUSTER GENERAL MANAGER, RAMADA HOTEL AND SUITES AJMAN AND RAMADA BEACH HOTEL AJMAN, DISCUSSES THE UAE’S CHANGING MARKET TRENDS. tives, specifically our compost machine, which is part of the Zero Landfill project launched in 2012, was very successful and attracted the attention of other hotel operators not just in the UAE but across the GCC. We received visitors from different sectors in Dubai and even Saudi Arabia, to know how it works and consider the same green practices. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How will Expo 2020 benefit the smaller emirates? IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: Expo 2020 is beneficial not just for Dubai, but also for the other emirates in the UAE. Visitors from the Expo are expected to travel around,

not just in Dubai but in the nearby emirates as well. Ajman is a short drive away from Dubai and provides an alternative venue to relax, enjoy and explore. Other emirates are also expected to get a slice of the high room occupancy before, during and even after Expo 2020. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are your main priorities for the coming months? IFTIKHAR HAMDANI: We will continue to tap into new markets and strengthen our current ties with the Turkish, German, Easter European and Central Asian markets.  MAY 2015

TRAVEL TALK

Oman is seeing continuous increases in [...] Indian citizens visiting our shores

PAUL GREGOROWITSCH CEO, Oman Air

“The [Muscat – Goa] service has already been greeted by strong demand from our customers [...]. Goa is noted around the world as a beautiful destination for leisure travellers. Its relaxed pace, beautiful scenery and outstanding hospitality sector make it an ideal destination for holidaymakers. It is therefore a muchappreciated addition to Oman Air’s network, as our 11th destination in India. Furthermore, Oman is seeing continuous increases in the number of Indian citizens visiting our shores.”

We want to reiterate our strength as an affordable accommodation

MOHAMMED KHOORI General manager, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments

“We want to reiterate our strength as an affordable accommodation for families so we will highlight this to our existing partners and potential clients during the Arabian Travel Market. There is a variety of services offered at Golden Sands Hotel Apartments and we have carefully studied the market in order to attract the right customers so the outlook for the year remains positive.”

MAY 2015

TRAVEL TALK

ANTONIS ORTHODOXOU Managing director, Orthodoxou Group of Companies

We are looking for new ventures [...] to increase tourism traffic

Our goal is to become the key leisure beach resort in Oman

“Our ongoing ambition is to further establish ourselves in the Arab market. The company today cooperates with tour operators from over 20 countries, including Italy, Egypt, UK, Greece, Romania, Austria, Iran, Iraq and many more. We are determined to invest in tourism developments and this is the main reason we are participating in the Arabian Travel Market. We are looking for new ventures, cooperations and associates to increase tourism traffic between Cyprus, the Gulf countries, Middle East and Asia.”

“Sohar Beach Hotel is as much a popular tourist establishment as a landmark. Featuring 86 rooms, suites and chalets, our resort is the ideal choice for families, couples and mature travellers. It serves as a haven for those looking for the perfect getaway. The extensive choice of food and beverage [options] is another of the resort’s fortes. Besides, our banquet halls, are ideal for conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings. Our goal is to become the key leisure beach resort in Oman.”

SUBHASH KURUP General manager, Sohar Beach Hotel

MAY 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How does Vida Hotels and Resorts differ from the company′s other brands?

the first hotel in the novel chain is Vida Downtown Dubai offering 156 rooms and the last word in understated cool.

STEFAN VIARD: We believe that the world needs a brand that appeals to young entrepreneurs, out-of-the-box thinkers and future CEOs. With the introduction of Vida Hotels and Resorts under the Emaar Hospitality Group umbrella, we are creating a brand new concept in inspired living and a new urban hub for the discerning traveller. Our primary markets are regional and international visitors, as well the local creative and social crowd. A global brand with a local soul, Vida Hotels and Resorts not only complements the existing hospitality landscape but also addresses the clear ‘white spaces’ by setting new trends in the industry [...]. The hotels create a stimulating environment for the younger generation which demands all the frills of modern luxury travel but none of the fuss. Billed as ‘an urban hub where inspiring minds stay, play and connect,’

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are the main characteristics of the brand’s second project, Manzil Downtown Dubai? STEFAN VIARD: The name, Manzil, sums it up. We offer Arab hospitality; authentic and contemporary – an evolution of the traditional hospitality. Ours is a pragmatic form of Arab hospitality, one suited to a demanding lifestyle. It is adapted, filtered and distilled to be delivered and experienced efficiently, without reducing it to triviality. It provides a certain level of intimacy that is not intrusive but supportive. Manzil Downtown Dubai is a proud Arab property keen to share the cultural richness of its heritage with guests. As part of this, we are introducing useful and common Arabic words and phrases into the brand’s non-Arabic communication. For instance, the arrival experience is defined by distinctive Arabian

Q & A with Stefan Viard

GENERAL MANAGER, VIDA HOTELS AND RESORTS

STEFAN VIARD, GENERAL MANAGER, VIDA HOTELS AND RESORTS, DESCRIBES EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP’S NEW PROJECT AS A GLOBAL BRAND WITH A LOCAL SOUL. ethos with the guests greeted by a warm Marhaba, synonymous with the Arab culture, and a Haniaan after they finish their meals. At the heart of every Manzil is a courtyard. This traditional Arabic feature has been contemporised by Manzil Downtown Dubai and creates an inward looking dimension that is a haven of comfort and social interaction. Born and bred in Dubai, Manzil Downtown Dubai is managed by Vida Hotels and Resorts so you can be sure of an authentic, yet sophisticated experience. Manzil Downtown Dubai comes to define a distinctive niche in Dubai’s hospitality sector with 197-room serving as a stylised hub that provides an imagina-

tive interpretation of Arabian culture for Arab guests and a culturally stimulating experience for international visitors.[...] We love to engage with our guest and are energised by the opportunity to support them and cater to their every need in all ways we can, for the next stage of their journey. [...] It is vital to tap into the cultural context of the location to offer a refreshing lifestyle experience. This is important as tourists increasingly seek cultural experiences, as is underlined by the strong response to Manzil Downtown Dubai. Through our understanding of Arabic culture, we aim to showcase the rich Arabian heritage with an added modern twist.  MAY 2015

TRAVEL TALK

JEAN PIERRE SIMON Regional general manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts

A wedding is the most important day in a couple’s life

The health, safety and security of our guests is, of course, paramount

“A wedding is the most important day in a couple’s life, but it often comes with a huge price tag. Therefore, we have very thoughtfully created [a wedding] package that allows you to celebrate the occasion with your family and friends at a very affordable price. It includes all the must-haves without you having to worry about any additional charges. Our wedding planners ensure the finest details are taken care of.”

“[Being recognised with a Safehotels certification] is a remarkable achievement, and one that we are very proud of because Radisson Blu Residence, Dubai Marina, is the first residence to receive the Safehotels Alliance Certification. The health, safety and security of our guests is, of course, paramount to Rezidor’s Yes I Can service philosophy. We hope that this encourages our peers to implement global best practice in this discipline.”

ROB COLLIER General manager, Radisson Blu Residence, Dubai Marina

MAY 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb marked the re-entry of the brand to Oman, since back in 1977, the Sultanate welcomed the region’s first Holiday Inn property. Why is Oman the ideal place for a Holiday Inn hotel? CARL AINSCOUGH: Holiday Inn is a fresh and modern brand with no other hotel quite like it in Muscat. Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb operates Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts’ Kids Stay and Eat Free programme, making travelling with all the family easier to manage. For travellers who are looking to experience all what Muscat has to offer, Holiday Inn is the perfect option. Guests can reach all what this vibrant city has to offer right from the hotel, in addition to visiting the most popular touristic attractions in town. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: A year after its launch, how was Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb welcomed by the country’s visitors?

CARL AINSCOUGH: Holiday Inn provides the services that travellers need, while offering a comfortable atmosphere where all guests can relax and enjoy. The hotel is located within a 10 minutes’ drive of Muscat International Airport and next to the new centres of business and government, perfect for business travellers on a tight schedule or families looking for a convenient stay in the serenity of Al Seeb. The hotel is also close to some of the capital’s most popular tourist attractions, an easy journey away for business travellers with some downtime between meetings or leisure travellers wanting to explore Muscat’s best sites, including Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the traditional souks, among others.

Q & A with Carl Ainscough ACTING GENERAL MANAGER, HOLIDAY INN MUSCAT AL SEEB

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are the main achievements this property can boast about? CARL AINSCOUGH: [The hotel has] achieved a [high] popularity index rank

CARL AINSCOUGH, ACTING GENERAL MANAGER, HOLIDAY INN MUSCAT AL SEEB, EXPLAINS HOW THE PROPERTY IS BECOMING UNIQUE, FOLLOWING THE BRAND’S STANDARDS.

“

FOR TRAVELLERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO EXPERIENCE ALL WHAT MUSCAT HAS TO OFFER, HOLIDAY INN IS THE PERFECT OPTION

being sixth out of 34 properties on TripAdvisor for Muscat hotels; we have over 2,000 Facebook fans for the first operational year. We also hosted Oman

Sail’s extreme sailing event in 2014 and the RC44 sailing event this year, while we have established good business partnership with companies of Knowledge Oasis Muscat. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Which are your main feeder markets and how do you see them developing in a few years? CARL AINSCOUGH: Oman, Middle East and Europe are our main feeder markets. For the future, we see Southeast Asian countries as the emerging markets due to their developing economy, as well as knowing the fact that Muscat is considered to be potentially growing in business.  MAY 2015

RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How has the group grown over the past few years? PHILIPPE ZUBER: While The Address Hotels + Resorts is the flagship hotel brand of Emaar Hospitality Group, we have further expanded our operations with the addition of two hotel brands – Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels. We also operate several leisure assets under Emaar Leisure Group, as well as a lifestyle dining division in addition to managing Dubai Opera [...]. In key accomplishments during 2014, The Address Hotels + Resorts marked its entry into the international market with its first full-fledged hotel and serviced residence [The Address Istanbul in Turkey]. [It also] expanded to Nigeria to operate The Address Abuja, Centenary City, the first hotel and serviced residences project in Abuja Centenary City. Further fortifying our hotel operations, we opened the doors of Manzil Downtown Dubai. […] Most recently, we unveiled Rove Hotels, developed for the joint venture of Emaar Properties and Meraas Holding.

We plan to roll out 10 Rove properties across central locations in Dubai and the region by 2020 with the first, Rove Za’abeel, to open its doors this year. […] TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How do you see Dubai’s tourism sector evolving over the coming years? PHILIPPE ZUBER: The concerted efforts by Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing have energised Dubai’s tourism sector and today, Dubai is globally recognised as a tourism hub. [...] Furthermore, we see strong growth potential in Dubai and the other international markets where we have established our operations. Today, Dubai is focussed on establishing itself as a year-round tourism destination, which is a catalyst for the hospitality sector. As a regional hub for business and leisure, Dubai’s hospitality sector benefits from a steady inflow of year-round visitors. The city has also clearly defined its credentials in the MICE tourism sector, as well as attracts visitors through a wide

Q & A with Philippe Zuber

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP

PHILIPPE ZUBER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP, TALKS ABOUT THE COMPANY’S GROWTH AND REVEALS ITS FUTURE EXPANSION PLANS. variety of sports, cultural and entertainment events. Additionally, Dubai is also making strong inroads as the region’s capital for health tourism. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Please tell us about the company’s plans. PHILIPPE ZUBER: [...] Over the next five years, our emphasis will be to support the Tourism Vision 2020 and Expo 2020. We have already expanded to Egypt with management contracts to operate The Address Marassi Golf Resort & Spa as well as The Address Masai Mara in Kenya. Additionally, The Address Hotels + Resorts will lend its expertise to Emaar’s upcoming serviced residences

in Downtown Dubai including The Address Residence The BLVD, The Address Residence Fountain Views I, II, & III, and The Address Residence Sky View, while Vida Hotels and Resorts will serve the Vida Residence, The Hills and Vida Residence, Downtown Dubai. We are also strengthening the footprint of Rove Hotels. [...] We have made significant progress with our first project, Rove Za’abeel, while five other properties will open in the coming years in Al Wasl, Port Saeed, Al Jafiliya, Oud Metha and Dubai Marina. We have also signed a management agreement with Town Square [...] to open Vida Town Square, Dubai in the heart of the city.  MAY 2015

WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOVED

MARK DEERE

Mark Deere has been named general manager of Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. Deere is not new to Rotana, having previously worked as general manager of Yas Island, Rotana and Centro Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, as well as Arjaan by Rotana Dubai Media City. He started his career in the industry with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in London as part of the front office team. His diverse experience also includes positions within the conference and banqueting, business development and food and beverage sectors. All in all, Deere has over 27 years of experience. He will now be responsible for a team of more than 400 colleagues.

GEORGE GANCHEV

George Ganchev has taken the helm at Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski in Riyadh as the Saudi propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general manager. With previous highly noted leadership positions at Kempinski properties, Ganchev has over 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry, particularly in the five-star luxury segment. Prior to joining the Saudi hotel, he took dynamically essential roles in executing successful revenue-generating programmes. Moreover, he has managed to gain numerous achievement awards with high guest satisfaction rates at a number of Kempinski hotels across the Middle East and Africa region.

MAY 2015

WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOVED

RAMI FARHAT

MAY 2015

Rami Farhat is the new director of sales and marketing at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Oman. Farhat started his career in the industry in 1999 as an assistant executive with Marriott International in the Kingdom. He then continued in various sales positions before joining Habtoor Group in 2006, where he first served as director of sales for Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and later as director of sales and marketing for the GCC countries. He later returned to Marriott International to oversee sales activities in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, before moving to Sharq Village & Spa in Doha. Prior to his appointment, he worked for InterContinental Hotels Group in Jordan.

JEROME KANDALAFT

Jerome Kandalaft has been named general manager of Concorde Hotel Fujairah. Kandalaft holds a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in hospitality management and his career in the industry spans over 14 years. His passion, vision and determination have seen him progressively scale the ranks. Over the years, he has worked for a number of renowned companies, including InterContinental Hotels Group and Hilton Worldwide. In addition, he also held positions at ShangriLa Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi; Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi as well as Gloria Hotels. His dedication and expertise in the field is to help the hotel maintain a loyal clientele.

WHO’S MOVED

H.E. MOHAMED MUBARAK AL MAZROUEI

H.E. Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei continues as CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports. Al Mazrouei possesses considerable experience in major infrastructure projects, and in the aviation and transportation sectors. He is currently a board member of both Abu Dhabi Airports and Abu Dhabi Ports Company, and has previously served the country in the Armed Forces. As the new CEO, Al Mazrouei is expected to significantly contribute to advancing the company’s journey towards becoming the world’s leading airports group. Al Mazrouei holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of North Carolina, US.

NOORA HASSAN BAHLOOL

Noora Hassan Bahlool has been promoted to assistant event manager at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain. Bahlool, one of the young Bahraini management trainees whose dedication and efforts have been recently recognised by the management, will play a significant role in maintaining relationships with existing partners and attracting business to the hotel. As Rahim Abu Omar, general manager, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, explained, the management lays great emphasis on creating an environment that encourages productivity and the development of talented and hard-working employees, and helps maximise results on a group level.

MAY 2015

NEWS Grand Millennium Dubai Heads to China

Four Seasons Hotel Doha Adds Acclaimed Restaurant

our Seasons Hotel Doha has celebrated the opening of Nobu Doha, hailed as the world’s largest restaurant under the renowned brand. Located at the water’s edge along the oasis-like property’s private marina, the 2,415m2 outlet showcases Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s innovative signature new-style Japanese cuisine, offering, as Rami Sayess, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Doha, said, an unrivalled culinary experience. “From extraordinary cuisine to awe-inspiring art and design elements, this truly is much more than just sushi and sake,” said Sayess about the tri-level restaurant, which is also the only Nobu at a Four Seasons hotel in the Middle East.

MAY 2015

Nobu at Four Seasons Hotel Doha

n a bid to tap into the lucrative Chinese market, Grand Millennium Dubai’s management will organise a fourday road show in the Asian country from June 09 – 12, visiting Beijing and Shanghai. “This standalone road show provides us with a unique networking opportunity to engage face-to-face with the important players of China’s travel and tourism industry, acquaint them with what we have to offer and to discuss mutually beneficial prospects,” said Peter Mansourian, general manager, Grand Millennium Dubai.

PHOTO ALBUM

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Famous musician, Maan Hamadeh played various hits at Atlantis The Palm

Southern Sun Abu Dhabi encourages guests to capture memories by offering a complimentary selfie-stick borrowing facility

Mรถvenpick Kuwait Hotel offered cooking classes for kids from Alfossha Nursery

MAY 2015

PHOTO ALBUM

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, The Emirates Group, congratulates graduates of Emirates Aviation University

Etihad Airways held its third annual Run for a Cause event on the Abu Dhabi Corniche

Songkran celebrations at Dusit Thani Dubai with Thai dishes, dances and cultural programmes

MAY 2015

NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS THE HOTEL SHOW SAUDI ARABIA Jeddah, Saudi Arabia May 03 – 05 www.thehotelshowsaudiarabia.com In its third edition, the event addresses hospitality professionals in terms of technology, supplies and interiors.

IMEX Frankfurt, Germany May 19 – 21 www.imex-frankfurt.com A one-stop-shop for planners looking to book and organise worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel programmes.

Travelport Assists UAE Partners

ravelport held two product road shows which attracted important travel agencies and industry colleagues from across the UAE. Welcoming more than 100 travel agents, the initiative was designed to familiarise existing and potential customers with the latest Travelport products that are aimed at redefining travel commerce, helping to streamline business and growing revenues. “[We] have received extremely positive feedback on the events and in particular, our products,” commented Rabih Saab, president, Africa, Middle East and South Asia, Travelport.

ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET Dubai, UAE May 04 – 07 www.arabiantravelmarket.com Arabian Travel Market has provided a place to do face-toface business with companies from around the globe for the past 21 years. This year′s edition promises to be even larger.

CHINA GUILIN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXPO (CGITE) Guilin, China May 29 – 31 www.cgite.com.cn Part of Conference & Exhibition Management Services’ portfolio, CGITE brings together Chinese and international buyers and exhibitors.

MAY 2015