Let’s TRADE with Europe traveltradeeurope.travel
AUGUST 2015
ISSUE 70
SPECIAL REPORT: TATO WITH ITS WELLNESS TRADITIONS DATING CENTURIES BACK, THE MIDDLE EAST BOASTS SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST OPULENT SPA AND WELLNESS HUBS, AS WELL AS SOME OF ITS MOST EXPENSIVE TREATMENTS.
08 TOUR: MALDIVES
17 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE
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EXCLUSIVE: SPA’S
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SPECIAL REPORT: TATO EXPLORE: TURKEY ONSITE: AZERBAIJAN TOUR: MALDIVES RENDEZVOUS WHO’S MOVED NEWS & EVENTS
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EXCLUSIVE: Spas
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli
Positive Growth for Abu Dhabi International Airport Passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport was up by 14.9 percent yearon-year in May, with 1,877,440 passengers on records.
SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis 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
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EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
he figures included travellers to and from Italy, which have grown by 166.5 percent compared to May 2014, exceeding 50,000 passengers, as Alitalia’s newly-opened routes to Milan and Venice started to take effect. In addition, passengers on US routes rose by 49 percent to reach 106,000 persons. In terms of traffic, India topped the list with over 305,000 customers, up by 58.6 percent over 2014.
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MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of 29/7/2015 Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
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COUNTRY
CURRENCY 1USD=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.39
Qatar (QAR)
Rial
3.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal
3.75
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
99.23
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.82
Iran (IRR)
Rial
29,567.34
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,156.43
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,503.25
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.79
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.82
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.96
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
QAIA: 2.66 Million Passengers in Five Months Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) welcomed close to 2.66 million travellers between January and May, a decline of 8.1 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2014.
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ircraft movements (ACM) for the five-month period dropped 6.3 percent to 57,624; with cargo volumes on the other hand showed a continued growth since the beginning of the year, surging 7.4 percent to 40,099 tonnes. In May, the Jordanian airport received 565,591 passengers, down 6.6 percent, while ACM plummeted 5.4 percent to 6,323 movements.
Queen Alia International Airport
AUGUST 2015
EXCLUSIVE SPAS
SERVING A LIFESTYLE
WITH ITS WELLNESS TRADITIONS DATING CENTURIES BACK, THE MIDDLE EAST BOASTS SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST OPULENT SPA AND WELLNESS HUBS, AS WELL AS SOME OF ITS MOST EXPENSIVE TREATMENTS – GOLD LEAF MASKS, GEM- AND PEARL-INFUSED FACIALS, CAVIARBASED INDULGENCES, AND MORE. LUXURY AND OPULENCE ASIDE, WHAT IS THE MIDDLE EASTERN SPA-GOER REALLY LOOKING FOR?
Ana Mladenovic writes
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pa guests are looking more and more for the holistic approach, natural products and quick treatments,” said Miroslava Meszarosova, spa manager, Talise Spa, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, conAUGUST 2015
cisely summing up the top three trends almost unanimously reported by spa experts across the region. Lavish premises, expensive cosmetics brands and the latest in technology just do not seem to be enough these days, with the savvy spa -goer demanding just a tiny bit more. AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING JOURNEY “Today’s spa-goers are looking for not
just a one-time pampering experience in spas, but rather a holistic regime ranging from therapies, fitness, nutritional and mindful practices that can be embraced daily, in a more sustainable way,” enlightened Suraj Dubey, director of spa and wellness, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, who is heading the expansive 6,000m2 Zara Spa. Holistic health and wellness concerns are also gaining prominence
among the Middle Eastern clientele outside Jordan. In the UAE, for example, there seems to be a need to encompass spa and wellness routines in people’s lifestyle. This was highlighted by Paris Kounoudis, director, ESPA, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, who said, “People are becoming more conscious and sensitive about their health and are trying to adapt to a more holistic approach to lifestyle. […] An increased
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EXCLUSIVE SPAS number of customers are trying to find spas and treatments that match their lifestyle.” Thus, in order to ensure an all-encompassing spa journey to its savvy clients, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is upgrading its private spa beach – the only one in the UAE capital - and will launch new treatments in September. Similar views have been voiced across Dubai, with Gopal Kumar, director of spa and retail, Burj Al Arab, revealing, “Today’s spa-goers are more educated and more conscious of their lifestyle and their needs […]. They are interested in an all-encompassing lifestyle plan, as opposed to a short-term quick fix.” The trend towards a holistic approach to spa, instead of limiting it to pure indulgence, has also spilled into the Lebanese capital, as Michel Chaaya,
spa manager, PreGray Health Club and Spa, Le Gray, Beirut, confirmed. “As a result of growing demand for relaxation and stress management these days, clients are looking for much more than basic pampering; they want to learn how to take care of themselves,” he said. TOWARDS THE NATURAL A region known for its high-spenders, the Middle East is famed for its luxurious treatments that use some of the most expensive ingredients such as gold, gems, pearls, caviar and the likes. As coveted as these are, for an increasing number of spa-goers the ‘wow’ factor alone is not crucial when deciding on their treatment.
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its Dead Sea shores and natural springs. “People are paying more attention to living a green, environmentallyfriendly lifestyle with the use of organic ingredients and this translates over into their spa treatments as well,” confirmed Darani Phanchaisri, spa manager, Kempinski Hotel Aqaba. Sourcing local and natural ingredients is also a hot trend over in Egypt, according to Christopher Tutty, director of sales and marketing, Sofitel Old Winter Palace & Pavillon Luxor and Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, who enthused, “The latest trend in the Egyptian spa treatments is to draw on local culture and traditions, combining seabased therapy with the natural health and beauty secrets of ancient Egypt.” Similarly, in the glistening and buzzing Doha, affluent spa patrons are also
“The very expensive gold and gems treatments are still the highest trend and most requested, however, we are starting to see more curiosity in the type of products used and more interest in the contents and origin of the products,” said Drashell Schmidt, spa director, Rosewood Abu Dhabi. “Guests are now taking an interest in organic products that are healthier for the skin, so for us at Sense carrying VOYA is a big advantage,” she added. Organic and natural ingredients also dominate the spa menu of Sharjah’s newest spa gem, O2 Spa which welcomed its first clients in July, and are the pride of ESPA at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi which uses luxuriously natural products, according to Made Sudiarti,
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CLIENTS ARE LOOKING FOR MUCH MORE THAN BASIC PAMPERING
ESPA director, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi. Organic is also the buzz word on the Jordanian spa scene, and it perfectly complements the country’s centurieslong history of wellness and healing on
valuing the local and the natural. This is perhaps best reflected in Sharq Village and Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which boasts an expansive wellness hub with 23 treatment rooms resembling a traditional Qatari village with a souq and narrow alleyways. “The local environment and traditions have provided inspiration for treatments which use organic ingredients such as fresh dates, honey, figs and almonds,” said Francisca Rocha Antunes, regional operations director, Sharq Village and Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Taking natural to another level, Thomas Fehlbeir, general manager, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, referred to ‘earthing’, that is, using movements that include contact with AUGUST 2015
EXCLUSIVE SPAS
the Earth and with natural environments, such as walking on grass. “Earthing can take several forms, such as offering treatments outdoors […] or opening spas in the wilderness,” he explained.
ute treatment or workout. Shorter and more efficient spa treatments and classes are emerging, and integration of classes for those who struggle to find the time to work out is becoming more common,” enlightened Rishi Bharadwaj, spa director, GOCO Spa Ajman.
CHASING TIME RESULT-DRIVEN “With our busy lifestyles, […] there is an interest in wanting maximum relaxation within a minimum amount of time, so express treatments for 30 to 40 minutes, as opposed to a full day of pampering, are more appealing,” Jeanette Haua, director, Royal Spa, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, introduced the third most prevalent trend in the regional spa and wellness industry. Her insight has been mirrored by others outside Bahrain. In the neighbouring Qatar, Fehlbeir similarly noticed, “Spa-goers have never been so pressed for time. As a result, they look for a moment to quickly relax. Spas have successfully been able to address the need by proposing shorter treatments and sporadically in non-traditional settings.” The situation seems to be no different in the UAE, with Kounoudis confirming that visitors at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal are looking to get the most benefits of a treatment in just one hour. Over in slower-paced Ajman, time also is very precious. “There never seems to be enough of it to do everything, including an 80-min-
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Another trend that has been prominently mentioned in the industry is focus on result-driven treatments.
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SPA-GOERS HAVE NEVER BEEN SO PRESSED FOR TIME
“In the fast-paced Middle Eastern environment, people want to make the most of their time and experience express wellness treatments with immediate results,” said Maggie Derblay, regional director, Global Fit, Kerzner International. Speaking from Bahrain, Haua shared her experience, “Locals, Bahraini ladies especially, are very spa-savvy and are in search for result-driven treatments, particularly with facials. It is lovely to experience a nice, relaxing facial but the trend is to see immediate results, even if slight.” Qatari clients seem to be no different according to Eman Arafa, spa sales manager, Grand Hyatt Doha, “[Spa-goers] must feel that the treatment was beneficial and they got a great value, which is what we offer to each and every guest visiting Jaula Spa and Club.” So the outlook is clear – spa-goers aspire to wisely use their time, often opting for natural or organic treatments which show immediate effects and complement, if not constitute their wellness-focussed lifestyles. “Competition is fierce, and consumers are taking more responsibility for their wellbeing, and are looking for brands that make pursuing wellbeing easier,” enlightened Paul Hawco, director of Talise SPA operations, Jumeirah Group. “The trends and research show that we are in the midst of a shift and it is up to each and every one working in the industry to embrace the shift and develop their spa, or to stand still and watch others pass them by,” he concluded. AUGUST 2015
SPECIAL REPORT TRAVEL AGENTS & TOUR OPERATORS
To Be or Not to Be IN AN ERA WHERE WE CAN DO EVERYTHING – OR ALMOST EVERYTHING – BY OURSELVES, SOME PROFESSIONS ARE FACING THE DANGER OF EXTINCTION. HOW IMPORTANT ARE TRAVEL AGENCIES NOWADAYS AND WHAT CAN THEY DO TO ENSURE THEIR PROFITABLE EXISTENCE?
Maria Kazeli
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writes
raditional travel agents are still being utilised by both businesses as well as independent travellers across the Middle East, however, there has certainly been a shift in the sense that more individuals are now booking personal and leisure trips on online portals rather than through the standard travel agent. This was suggested by Bijoy John, operations manager, Airlink International UAE, when analysing the topic of how dependent on travel agents tourists in the region are and if they still rely heavily on offline representatives to take care of their trip arrangements. The change in consumer behaviour was also noted by Hassan Bolaachoub, general manager, Beautiful Morocco Voyages, who underlined that modern travellers are becoming less and less reliant on the travel agent; especially the younger generation who mostly uses the latest technologies and social media for their travel needs.
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“However, those individuals who still wish to have greater flexibility and high levels of personalised customer service and support provided to them, continue to use traditional travel agents,” John suggested.
ONLINE FREAKS Expectedly, in an era characterised by wide Internet penetration, a huge technological boom and many online channels available to every single individual,
professionals of the sector are facing challenges; the biggest of which is the competition from online travel agencies (OTAs). The specific means has been coveted and criticised since it rose to
AUGUST 2015
SPECIAL REPORT TRAVEL AGENTS & TOUR OPERATORS prominence in the early 2000s. According to recent research by Phocuswright, OTAs represent 13 percent of the global travel bookings, which for 2013 translated to an amount exceeding USD150 billion. Over the next two years, worldwide online travel is expected to jump 11 percent as more and more vacationers use their laptops, smartphones and tablets to make related purchases. Data by the same source revealed that online travel penetration in the Middle East is projected to have neared 25 percent by the end of this year, compared to just over 15 percent in 2011. “When the Internet blossomed, very few small travel agencies saw it as a potential advantage for their businesses. […] As all aspects of the digital world become increasingly sophisticated, a top priority for travel agencies should be to leverage the overlapping space between online and offline channels and implement more robust channel integration strategies,” emphasised Rafa Armisén, e-commerce business line manager, Spain, Amadeus. Fortunately, experts of the field agree with the specific standpoint and have realised that the Internet should be used as a weapon and not seen as a threat. Bolaachoub commented that, indeed, high Internet infiltration is not a concern for the sector but an opportunity to reach a vast range of travellers and tourists from a wide geography, especially the younger generation that adores the web, new technologies and social media. “Offline travel agencies need to be present online to compete with online travel portals and they need to market the fact that they have a location where a client or a traveller can visit to meet with the agent face to face, for advice and assistance. The human touch in the travel service industry is a very important competitive advantage the traditional travel agents have over the online travel portals,” he reminded. John also corroborated that the Internet is actually a boon for the travel industry as it allows more information and options to be made available to the end consumers so that they better understand what is available and are, thus, able to make more informed decisions which suit their individual requirements. To ensure agents and operators do not become obsolete, it is vital to move with the times and embrace online technology and incorporate it into tra-
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DIRECT VS INDIRECT Nowadays, there is a trend to book directly with the airline or the hotel, as John attested, but the task of checking multiple sites and understanding the way each portal handles the addition of taxes and surcharges means that there will continue to be business done through traditional agents, he said.
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THE HUMAN TOUCH IN THE TRAVEL SERVICE INDUSTRY IS A VERY IMPORTANT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
ditional service offerings, he added. “There is much more reliance and investment in technology within the travel industry which is the direction where the business is headed. This is the same with Airlink where we have also had to develop our own solutions, such as online tools for reporting as well as a corporate booking engine to provide all the support our clients require and tailor solutions that are not available elsewhere in the market,” John further elaborated.
In a recent move that was initially seen as stepping on the toes of travel agents, Emirates introduced a new feature that offers customers the opportunity to hold their reservations and lock in fares for up to 48 hours. Prompted by this, Bolaachoub argued that such a move puts any airline in competition with the travel agency industry for revenue. “People nowadays think it is always cheaper to buy directly from the airline than from the travel agent if they have the possibility to do so, especially for deals and special promotions that the airlines advertise that are available only on their websites. Airlines would rather have their customers buy from them directly than through the travel agent,” he declared. Voicing a different opinion, John AUGUST 2015
SPECIAL REPORT TRAVEL AGENTS & TOUR OPERATORS claimed that Emirates’ step will primarily impact those travellers who are already using online channels to purchase tickets, while other customers – such as the corporate segment - will more likely continue to be handled by agencies that have an offline presence and can offer flexibility and additional travel options with individually-tailored services.
cess efficiency. In line with this, John said, “The main challenge affecting the travel industry in the region is effectively managing lower margins of profitability into sustainable business plans.” Bolaachoub agreed that the financial crisis that the world has experienced led to a decrease in the purchasing power of the Arab tourists.
Moreover, he cited regional security risks and political instability as some of the major obstacles posed to the travel trade at this point of time. In addition, Ibrahim took a further step and touched upon the issue of the overall attractiveness of a location. “Destinations seeking to maintain or strengthen their position in the future world of travel should start working on
a long-term action plan,” he said. Despite all adversities, John suggested, “Ensuring high standards of personalised customer service, providing relevant management information systems data, embracing and incorporating technology – rather than avoiding or disregarding it – and providing tailored solutions to clients is the only way offline agents can continue to compete with the many online portals.” Summing up, Bolaachoub said that the traditional travel agent’s only competitive advantage is to provide great service in order to gain and maintain loyalty, and be able to compete under fair terms. “Offline travel agencies must know their clients better than ever, and they need to find growth areas that distinguish them from competing travel agencies. They need to customise their messages, be where their clients are, and position themselves in order to find and develop an effective online strategy,” concluded Armisén.
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OFFLINE TRAVEL AGENCIES MUST KNOW THEIR CLIENTS BETTER THAN EVER
He even predicted that in the near future, there will be more technology available to business travellers allowing them much more information and helping them increase savings, while also opening room for the carriers to sell more services directly to end customers, ultimately boosting their own revenue. CHALLENGING DAYS The profession of the travel agent is admittedly being tested by a variety of other aspects that threaten the sector. As Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim, managing director, Perfect Tours, commented, the global economic downturn affected businesses, therefore the agent needs to react by implementing cost-saving measures and creating value and proAUGUST 2015
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EXPLORE TURKEY
Stronger than Yesterday Stronger than Yesterday WITH A YOUNG POPULATION OF 77.7 MILLION, A DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY AND A STRATEGIC LOCATION JUST FOUR HOURS FROM 1.5 BILLION CONSUMERS, TURKEY CONTINUES TO CLAIM AN EVER-BIGGER SLICE OF THE PIE. Rita Kasziba writes
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ince 1999, the Turkish economy has recorded an average annual growth of 3.9 percent, and although the rate fell below three percent in 2014, by 2023 the national GDP is set to soar to USD2 trillion from USD800 billion in 2014, presenting a plethora of opportunities in various industries, including tourism.
Based on data compiled by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, over 36.84 million foreign travellers flocked into Turkey in 2014, up 9.5 percent year-onyear, making it the sixth most visited country globally on the World Tourism Organization’s ranking. In 2014, Germany alone accounted for some 5.04 million visitors and was followed by Russia with 2.67 million tourists. Arrivals from the number two source market, however, plummeted in recent months with forecasts suggesting that Turkey might miss out
on as much as one million travellers – from Russia alone – prompting tourism stakeholders to reach out to new markets and promote niche segments to balance out any potential losses. “Turkey is renewing its tourism industry by raising the quality of services and building better facilities to keep up with the industry’s fast-paced growth,” asserted Eda Yurtsever, assistant travel trade manager, Crowne Plaza Istanbul Asia, saying that spurred mainly by investments from major hotel chains, Turkey continues to enhance and diversify
TURKEY IN BRIEF
Capital: Ankara Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY) Language: Turkish Population: 7.7 million Calling Code: +90 Capital Time Zone: GMT +3:00
its offering, leading to new destinations and attractions season after season. In fact, having long relied on its rich history and abundant cultural experiences, Turkey has in recent years laid
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great emphasis on showcasing other, lesser-known facets of the country and promoting alternative tourism types in order to mitigate the negative impact of low-seasons and shoulder months. The Tourism Strategy of Turkey 2023 aims to exploit the potential of health and thermal, winter, golf, sea, eco, and congress and expo tourism to make the industry less volatile to external factors and ensure steady, year-round revenue flow. CLOSE TIES In this regard, due to its proximity and historical and cultural ties, MENA continues to play a crucial role in the Turkish tourism industry’s growth. “The MENA region, especially the Middle East, is one of the fast-growing and tourist-generating regions in the world as well as for beautiful Istanbul,” said Tarek Mourad, general manager, Raffles Istanbul, referring to the close links between the countries. Likewise, the recently-launched 10 Karaköy, A Morgans Original also aims to capture a fair share of business from MENA, revealed Engin Tinmaz, sales and marketing manager, 10 Karaköy, A Morgans Original, saying that the management is poised to attract young couples and hip travellers from the region. Further demonstrating the Middle AUGUST 2015
EXPLORE TURKEY
East’s significance, Raffles Istanbul organises regular sales trips to the area and participates in all major travel trade shows, Mourad revealed. As Yurtsever observed, almost every day new MENA destinations are being linked to Sabiha Gökçen International
AUGUST 2015
Airport, resulting in growing interest. “Our popularity in MENA countries is rising day after day,” stated Yurtsever. In 2014, Iran alone sent close to 1.2 million visitors to Turkey, while arrivals from Iraq soared to 730,639. The largest increases were, however, recorded from
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia with figures rising to 51 and 46 percent, respectively. To further boost arrivals from the region, Turkey will present some of its most renowned brands at the upcoming The World Halal Travel Summit & Exhibition (WHTS) in Abu Dhabi. “Turkey remains the leading destination for many Halal tourists and this is reflected by all of the most important Halal hotels, resorts and destination management companies confirming their stands,” explained Andy Buchanan, event director, WHTS. Poised to leverage the potential of the industry, Middle Eastern hotel companies are getting ready to make their foray into the country. Rotana has recently celebrated the dual launch of Burgu Arjaan by Rotana and Tango Arjaan by Rotana in Istanbul, adding a total of 318 keys to the company’s room count. “A breakthrough into Turkey is a significant achievement for Rotana as it is a crucial territory to penetrate, for us to solidify our standing as a leading hotel management company in the region,” com-
mented Omer Kaddouri, CEO, Rotana. Abu Dhabi-based Cristal Group has also recently revealed its intention to debut in Turkey and open eight properties within three years encompassing all four brands under the company’s umbrella. “Turkey is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and tourism plays a major role [in this development],” pointed out Kamal Fakhoury, chief operating officer, Cristal Group, noting that the country is also becoming a powerhouse in the region from a geopolitical perspective, making it even more lucrative for tourism-related investment. “There is a long-shared history between Turkey and the Middle East, which shows in the volumes of outbound travel from the Middle East to the country,” reminded Fakhoury, revealing that the company’s expansion drive will focus on primary and secondary business and resort cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Hatay, Antalya and Bodrum. Given the country’s ambitious plans, Fakhoury forecasts sustained development for the destination with
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EXPLORE TURKEY tourism remaining the backbone of the progress. These initiatives and projects underscore the words of Kenneth Millar, general manager, JW Marriott Bodrum, who said that the tourism industry in Turkey is in a state of constant growth. “Certain regions are quite over-saturated in regards to supply as well as demand. For these regions, there is not much chance to grow and invest much further. Fortunately, the same cannot be said about the Bodrum peninsula,” stated Millar, explaining how parts of
the country offer unexploited potential for developments, which, as he suggested, will ultimately help Turkey to reap benefits from its rising profile. “We strongly believe that competition is good for the business and more and more global companies coming into the region will also attract more guests from MENA. These guests are wellversed in regards to luxury chain hotels, as especially the Middle East is a region that is quite enriched and saturated with these kind of hotel,” elaborated Millar. ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD The developments are indeed much needed considering that according to Eurocontrol, Turkish air traffic will double over the next 10 years. Turkish Airlines, for example, plans to double its fleet to 424 aircraft by 2020, while Pegasus Airlines’ fleet is set to grow to 107 aircraft by the same year. The national carrier continues to
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grow at an exponential rate and as Adem Ceylan, vice president, marketing and sales, Middle East, Turkish Airlines, explained, today, it connects 275 destination across 110 countries. “Turkish Airlines’ business across both the Middle East and Africa is growing and both these markets play a very central role in the company’s fast-paced expansion,” stressed Ceylan, disclosing that in the UAE alone, the carrier expects to see a traffic increase of around four percent this year. “Turkish Airlines already has the
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THERE IS A LONG-SHARED HISTORY BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE MIDDLE EAST
largest network in Africa among foreign carriers and North Africa continues to account for most of our African capacity […],” continued Ceylan. Similarly to its GCC-based peers, the Turkish carrier also aims to expand its presence to long-haul markets as Ceylan revealed. “Turkish Airlines is looking at the US, Europe and Africa for expansion […]. The airline is targeting an increase
in its total passenger traffic to reach over 50 million passengers by the end of the year, from 2014 figure of 47 million,” indicated Ceylan. Yet, Turkish Airlines’ strategy notably differs from its regional competitors in certain aspects. “Different airlines have a different approach,” explained Ceylan. “Due to limits in aviation and competition, some airlines have started to get more profit in other markets by investing in ailing carriers. This is one way to become a player in new markets. And if these investments
As Ozturk revealed, in 2014, the airline carried over 2.2 million guests on these transit routes, while in the first three months, figures hit 500,000. “We are very pleased with how our MENA routes are performing, both in terms of passenger load factor and revenue. Our MENA services also make a significant contribution as they generate connecting traffic to our European routes as well as domestic flights,” explained Ozturk, suggesting that the airline plans to launch new services and extra frequencies on a number of routes.
succeed then it becomes one of the main business strategies for an airline.” In line with the country’s development, the Turkish aviation market has experienced astonishing growth over the past years, having flown a total of 165.9 million travellers in 2014, up from just 70.2 million in 2007, a 120 percent rise in just seven years. Over the years, Pegasus Airlines has played a vital role in the Turkish aviation sector’s evolution, having carried 19.7 million passengers in 2014, demonstrating a growth rate one and a half times higher than the average, and registering a 10 percent rise in demand in the first five months of the current year. According to Guliz Ozturk, chief commercial officer, Pegasus Airlines, the figures are partly due to the company’s remarkable expansion, which saw the first Turkish low-cost carrier link the country to destinations such as Bahrain, Hurghada, Kuwait and Sharm El Sheikh, among others in recent months.
“The Middle East is increasingly viewing Turkey as a travel and business destination, adding to the number of guests travelling on these routes for both summer holidays and city breaks with Istanbul enjoying the bulk of growth of this traffic,” commented Ozturk. All in all, this year a seat capacity increase of nine percent is expected at Istanbul Atatürk Airport on international scheduled services following a 13 percent hike in 2014, and to cater to the anticipated rise in traffic, the airfield’s international terminal is to be further expanded. Meanwhile, just 35km from the city, construction crews are working around the clock to build one of the world’s biggest airports. Once completed in 2018, the New Istanbul Airport will cater to 150 million annual passengers, meaning that it will boast more than twice the capacity of London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, further consolidating Turkey’s position at the crossroads of continents and cultures. AUGUST 2015
ONSITE AZERBAIJAN
Hot on Global MICE Scene HAVING SUCCESSFULLY HOSTED SEVERAL MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS OVER THE PAST YEARS, AZERBAIJAN IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING A DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR EVENT ORGANISERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE WHO, LURED BY ITS ATTRACTIVE LOCATION, RAPIDLY EVOLVING INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMPETITIVE PRICES, TRUST IT TO PROVIDE A STUNNING BACKDROP TO THEIR BESPOKE EVENTS. Ana Mladenovic writes
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estifying to its growing appeal is the recent International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranking, the first-ever for the country, which named it 79th in the world, based on the number of association meetings held in the country in 2014. In light of the rising global popularity of Azerbaijan on the global MICE scene, its government and hospitality sector are working in sync to further elevate the country’s offerings and boost its appeal to international MICE organisers, signalling a bright future for the local events sector. “Currently, the local meetings industry is in its infancy and through planned promotional and sales activities it tries to establish Azerbaijan as a AUGUST 2015
AZERBAIJAN IN BRIEF
Capital: Baku Currency: Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) Language: Azerbaijani Population: 9.5 million Calling Code: +994 Capital Time Zone: GMT +5:00
premier meeting destination in the region,” confirmed Anar Narimanov, sales and marketing manager, Azerbaijan Convention Bureau. The forward-thinking approach of the leadership was highlighted by local hospitality experts as one of the key factors that drove the country’s success so far. Laman Aghazadeh, associate director, sales, Four Seasons Hotel Baku,
explained, “Events like the Eurovision Song Contest, the 48th annual meeting of Asian Development Bank in Baku, the 1st European Games this year and many more upcoming events, the highlight of which is Formula 1 Baku Grand Prix in 2016, definitely increase the interest of international event organisers.” Indeed, a slew of events scheduled to take place in the country’s capital, the most important ones being the next conference of the International Association for Energy Economics in 2016 and Islamic Games in 2017, are turning heads towards Baku and the country as a whole. TICKING ALL BOXES “There are many factors that influence international meeting planners’ decision to organise their next events in any destination,” said Narimanov, explaining that some of them are more
universal than others, such as access to the destination, modern meeting infrastructure, safety and security, price, visa formalities and support of the local government. “Azerbaijan meets all the above criteria for hosting significant international events by providing modern hotel facilities and venues, an electronic visa system, high priority on stability and safety in the country and a government keen on hosting international events,” Narimanov further confirmed. Commenting on this, local hospitality experts turned attention to perhaps the most important of all factors – infrastructure, and available facilities. Focussing the spotlight on Baku, host to the majority of big international events in the country, Martin Kleinmann, general manager, JW Marriott Absheron Baku, said, “Apart from being an interesting destination to visit, Baku offers exhibition venues for large-scale events.”
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ONSITE AZERBAIJAN
Kleinmann’s property, in particular, is popular with organisers, having hosted more than 4,000 events in the three years that it has been operating. “The hotel offers 13 conference rooms with 2,600m2 of meeting space. The 1,208m² [pillar-free] Sharg Zali ballroom with a seven-metre high ceiling and a panoramic view of the city centre and the Caspian Sea can accommodate up to 1,000 people,” he enthused. Vast meeting spaces are also available at Four Seasons Hotel Baku which boasts a dedicated convention Centre with more than 1,865m2 of function space. In addition to the existing infrastructure, the city is constantly innovating and expanding its offerings, promising novel and exciting backdrops for international events. “New hotels and meeting spaces are offered to the clients,” confirmed Pascal Leprou, general manager, Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers, adding that new tours and entertainment are also being developed. BEYOND THE OBVIOUS It is not just Baku that has the capacity to stage major events, according to Narimanov. “One of the most significant cities of Azerbaijan in this regard is Gabala. Situated in the northern part of Azerbaijan, this ancient city has all the modern facilities to host meetings of small and medium size. With its magnificent Haydar Aliyev Congress Centre, it can host
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up to 1,200 people,” he explained. International hospitality player that spotted the opportunities offered outside Baku, Rixos Hotels boasts two hotels in the country, Rixos Quba Azerbaijan and Samaxi Place Platinum by Rixos, which are ideal for incentive travel. “Thanks to the unique location, both of our hotels [...] are offering unmatched facilities for team building like no other in Azerbaijan,” said Kenan Agayev, regional director, sales and marketing, Azerbaijan and Georgia, Rixos Hotels. “Rixos Quba Azerbaijan offers the largest golf course and its own amusement park with extensive playground and facilities for children and adults. Both hotels are also offering great facilities for weddings and live concerts,” he further revealed. DRAW OF THE FAMILIAR
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AZERBAIJAN MEETS ALL THE ABOVE CRITERIA FOR HOSTING SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
growing regions of the world and one of the priority markets for our activities,” continued Narimanov. Alongside Azerbaijan Convention Bureau are individual properties with their own strategies and sales initiatives. “MENA region is in the top five of the key markets for our hotel,” said Aghazadeh. “At the moment, all the travellers
are [coming for business], however, in the recent two years we have observed the increased demand for leisure visits. The hotel actively participates in sales trips to MENA and makes presentations of the hotel, along with destination presentations, hosts fam trips and tries to be highlighted in the important publishings of this region,” she explained. Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers is used to welcoming clients from the Middle East, as arrivals from the region account for around 10 percent of its business. “It is not a market feeder, however it has a big potential due to the high budget and developing direct flight connections between the countries,” enthused Leprou. To fully capitalise on the opportunity presented by the MENA market, still more needs to be done, according to Kleinmann, “We need to improve flight connections which are key to grow the MICE market and ensure an easy access to Azerbaijan. […] We plan [...] to promote Azerbaijan and Baku as a professional destination for MICE business, but also for leisure guests and families.” Also with an eye on the Middle Eastern leisure market, Rixos Hotels is working on a new property, expected to open by 2017. “It will be a hunting resort in one of the regions of Azerbaijan and that is where we are aiming to attract MENA region, but mainly for leisure retreats,” said Agayev. With still more venues and initiatives to be unveiled, Azerbaijan and its capital Baku are headed towards a bright future on the global MICE scene. Those seeking original and largely unexplored locations for their memorable events should hurry up, as in a few years Baku is likely to further rise in popularity and rank as a more mature destination.
Due to cultural similarities with the Middle East region and a favourable climate, as well as promotional efforts of the local tourism scene, Azerbaijan and Baku are increasingly popular travel destinations among MENA travellers. “As per arrivals from MENA, the majority of arrivals were from UAE, Iran and Egypt,” Narimanov elucidated. The region is definitely on the radar of the local tourism industry, when it comes to promotion and marketing. “MENA, with an average growth of eight percent in terms of outbound business travel, is one of the fastest AUGUST 2015
TOUR MALDIVES
It Is Always Sunnier in the Maldives WITH ITS TOTAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE GDP REACHING 94.1 PERCENT IN 2013, THE MALDIVIAN TOURISM SECTOR CANNOT AFFORD TO SIT IDLE, BASKING IN PAST ACHIEVEMENTS, THUS THE UNWAVERING EFFORTS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE BRAND.
Rita Kasziba writes
T
he country’s steadfast development continued at full pace in 2014 with the Maldivian economy expanding 8.5 percent, driven by the recovery of the construction sector, and, nevertheless, robust increases in arrivals. As per data released by the Maldives Monetary Authority, some 1.2 million tourists spent around USD2.7 billion in 2014, reaffirming tourism’s catalytic role in the country’s economy, which is expected to grow 10.5 percent this year, putting further pressure on the industry. As Reena Abdul Wahid, marketing officer, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation, noted, tourism’s growth has a direct correlation with the AUGUST 2015
nation’s socio-economic development with statistics showing that employment has increased in sync with arrivals. For this very reason Maldives takes immense pride in being one of the few destinations that give political and economic recognition to the growing relevance and proven contribution the industry provides to the economy
MALDIVES IN BRIEF
Capital: Malé Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) Language: Dhivehi Population: 350,000 Calling Code: +960 Capital Time Zone: GMT +5:00
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TOUR MALDIVES and community, as Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, tourism minister, Maldives, recently highlighted. “Tourism is a vital tool for economic growth, offering significant opportunities for economic gain,” added Gafoor, stressing that therefore it is important to develop the tools for managing tourism properly. MENA LINKS As Eugene Feklistov, director of sales and marketing, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, explained, business has become less volatile as challenges in specific markets are now balanced out by encouraging growth from other sources. “We see the stabilisation of Asian markets and the growth of the Middle East, North and South America,” added Feklistov. Indeed, since 2010, inbound figures have followed a steady upward trajectory with numbers jumping 17.4 percent in 2013 and 7.1 percent in 2014. Taking this into account, industry
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stakeholders are increasingly looking to appeal to the lucrative Middle Eastern market, which, as Wahid pinpointed, has shown substantial growth over the past five years with arrivals from the region rising from just over 9,500 in 2009 to
cations,” explained Shafa Shabeer, director of marketing, Coco Collection. Reporting a 16 percent year-todate increase in arrivals from the Middle East, Srikant Peri, general manager, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Angsana Ihuru
As Lyle Lewis, general manager, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, suggested, easy accessibility, high frequency of flights, short travel distance and free visa services make the Maldives a convenient choice for MENA travellers.
and Angsana Velavaru, further pinpointed, “The Maldives is one of the few beach destinations that is also a Muslim country; [so] we understand the needs and expectations of this market and are well-equipped to serve these guests.” Likewise, Shanoon Khalid, sales and marketing manager, Baros Maldives, reported a robust, 200 percent surge in demand from the Middle East, thanks to the hotel’s reputation in the market and especially in Dubai. As Vivek Suri, marketing and communications manager, Dusit Thani Maldives, said, the resort strives to increase its share of Middle Eastern guests and offers a plethora of dedicated facilities and services, from female butlers to an on-site mosque. Underlining the region’s significance, this year 92 members of 47 companies represented the Maldives at the Arabian Travel Market, marking the country’s 16th year of participation in the annual show. Wahid deemed the event a huge success for the whole delegation, leading to new and stronger partnerships and increased arrivals from the GCC. “We will also be taking part in hosting a road show in four cities at the end of August in Dammam, Riyadh, Kuwait and Doha to further boost the number of visitors from the Middle East,” said Wahid.
From the region, Emirates, flydubai, Oman Air and Qatar Airways all operate to Malé with increasing numbers of passengers booking for the flights. In 2013 for example, Emirates alone carried over 212,800 travellers between Dubai and the islands, up from just 127,300 customers in 2009, while demand on Oman Air’s service has grown 12 times during the same period from 1,845 to well above 23,200. “With so many direct flight options from the region’s key cities, the perfect long weekend escape is just a few hours away,” said Evgenia Boyankova, director of sales and marketing, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives. Further boosting connectivity and accessibility, MEGA Maldives Air has over the past five years grown into the fourth largest international airline to the Maldives, having carried over 263,000 passengers in 2014 to and from a bouquet of destinations, including Jeddah. “The Middle East is an area where MEGA is looking at very keenly; our strategy, however, is identifying and serving those destinations that are not readily accessible by the large Gulf carriers,” divulged Mifzal Ahmed, director of strategy and business development, MEGA Maldives Air. “While we do not have the scale of these highly well-funded large carriers, we believe that there are
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THE MALDIVES IS ONE OF THE FEW BEACH DESTINATIONS THAT IS ALSO A MUSLIM COUNTRY
37,200 in 2014, marking a 16.1 percent surge following 2013’s 46.7 percent hike. “While the US and Europe used to be the most popular spots among MENA travellers, the destination choices for this growing market have shifted to Asian lo-
AUGUST 2015
TOUR MALDIVES
still niche destinations that prefer a direct route to the Maldives rather than having to transit through the major hubs. We believe there are a couple of such markets still available in the Middle East, most notably in Saudi Arabia.” To tap into these niche segments, as Ahmed revealed, the airline plans to relaunch direct services between Jed-
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dah and the Maldives this November. ‘THE’ CONNECTION To meet demand, the country has also steadily and deliberately expanded its room stock in recent years from a registered bed capacity of 21,536 in 2009 to 30,689 in 2014, and from 84 resorts to 104
establishments – all while also improving average occupancy rate from 70.3 percent in 2009 to 74.5 percent in 2014. In 2014, China, Germany, UK, Russia, Italy and India collectively accounted for about 60 percent of the total arrivals to the islands, with figures from the country’s top feeder markets showing significant increases; a fact that, according to Peri, explains the slight downturn in guest nights as Chinese visitors traditionally opt for shorter holidays than those from the Middle East or Western countries. Another trend observed by Suri is the difference in affinity towards specific accommodation types. “Honeymoon guests from Middle Eastern and European markets usually prefer to stay in beach villas with direct access to their own private beachfront,” highlighted Suri the Arab guests’ quest for privacy, further noting that while in previous years, family leisure travel was mainly restricted to European markets while Asians preferred to visit the country majorly as couples, in recent times, the share of families travelling to the island nation has seen a rise from Asia as well as the Middle East. This was also confirmed by Lewis, who said, “The most common thread with the Middle East market is that they are either travelling for romance and honeymoons or as families for multigenerational holidays.” In fact, having already established itself as a top honeymoon destination, the Maldives has successfully utilised its image to build a loyal clientele, indicated Boyankova. “We are now seeing those honeymooners return years later with their families. With more and more families and large groups of relatives spending
their holiday on the island, it is very important that we continue to offer something for every member of the family,” stressed Boyankova. Similarly, Lewis also expressed his belief that nowadays travellers are seeking experiences that connect them with their surroundings – while also enjoying relaxation and the time spent with their loved ones.
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MALDIVES IS A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF HOW TOURISM HAS CONTRIBUTED TO EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN
“They want to experience and connect with the destination through the eyes of the people who live there […],” stated Lewis, noting that to adopt to the latest craze, wellbeing is now a key focus now at the resort. Health and wellness are indeed of high priority for the modern traveller, reaffirmed Shabeer. “Moving away from the standardised fairy tale experience, we are focussed on celebrating memorable moments to capture the essence of timeless experience,” added Shabeer, underlining once again tourism’s vital role in the development of the Maldives and the local community. As the tourism minister said, “Maldives is a unique example of how tourism has contributed to every single citizen in the country.” AUGUST 2015
RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: You have joined the property from Holiday Inn London Heathrow Ariel. What triggered the decision to move to Oman? LAURA EGGLETON: I had expressed an interest in moving to the GCC region and when I received an email from our talent manager based in Dubai inviting me to apply for the job, I looked up Oman, did some research on Muscat and went from there. Oman and the Omanis have such a great reputation worldwide – everyone I asked about Oman always referenced the Omani people and their great welcoming hospitality. When I came for the interview back in February, I experienced exactly that. As soon as I had visited I knew that Oman was the place to start my career in the GCC region, and feel so fortunate to be here now surrounded by great people in a naturally beautiful country where the sun is always shining.
Q & A with Laura Eggleton
GENERAL MANAGER, HOLIDAY INN MUSCAT AL SEEB
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are the perks as well as the responsibilities of being the only female general manager in the GCC within IHG? LAURA EGGLETON: It is great to be the first female [general manager] in the GCC region for such a large hotel group like IHG, and I am grateful that IHG believes in celebrating difference and was supportive of my move to the Middle East. I live by the expression ‘challenge the norm’ so getting an opportunity like this was fantastic. When I announced that I was moving to Oman to friends, family and colleagues in the UK, many were concerned that being a female general manager in Oman would be a near impossible challenge for me, as it was not common and I would not be accepted. They could not have been more wrong. Everyone I have met so far has been so enthusiastic, eager to help me settle and offering me any support I need. In my experience so far, the illusion that female general managers will struggle in the Middle East is completely false. My fellow IHG colleagues in Oman have been equally welcoming. Anything I need, there are plenty of people at the end of the phone willing to help me out with any questions I have. I could not have wished for a better welcome. The best thing about being a female general manager in Oman is the inspiration it brings to the young Omani girls working here at the hotel. Many of the AUGUST 2015
Of course, it goes without saying that I need to execute a fabulous job to ensure that I represent the female population of hotel general managers well – and I intend on doing exactly that. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are the challenges you expect to face in this new post? LAURA EGGLETON: The main challenges really relate completely to the change in region, change in business environment and cultural setting. I am really familiar with the Holiday Inn brand, as this is the third Holiday Inn-branded property I have managed, so it is good to already have the knowledge relating to the brand, systems and everything that comes with it. […] I have a lot to learn about the feeder markets and the cultural differences in this role, so its a huge learning curve. However, I thrive on challenges and love change, so this opportunity suits me so well on a personal level. Everything is so different to what I am used to; the speed at which the business operates, the business peak seasons, the local labour laws, and the list goes on. [...] TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb is a landmark hotel which marked the brand’s re-entry in Oman. What are your plans for it?
AFTER SUCCESSFULLY HOLDING THE SAME POSITION IN LONDON, LAURA EGGLETON, GENERAL MANAGER, HOLIDAY INN MUSCAT AL SEEB, SPEAKS ABOUT THE DECISION TO MOVE TO OMAN AND BECOME THE FIRST FEMALE GENERAL MANAGER FOR INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP (IHG) IN THE MIDDLE EAST. girls have said that they never realised you could be a general manager if you were female as they have not seen it before. Seeing me in the position has inspired them to focus on a career in hospitality knowing that one day, they too could have the opportunity. They ask me hundreds of questions about how I became a general manager, where did I work and what departments have I worked in. It is great that I am able to tell them stories of when I used to work on reception.
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THE BEST ABOUT BEING A FEMALE GENERAL MANAGER IN OMAN IS THE INSPIRATION IT BRINGS TO THE YOUNG OMANI GIRLS
LAURA EGGLETON: The hotel is a fabulous example of the Holiday Inn brand. It is fresh, appealing and of a great finish. We have only been open just over a year, so we are still working on establishing ourselves as a leading hotel in the Muscat market. We have got a fabulous food and beverage offering here at the hotel, so we are working on raising awareness of this to establish us as a real destination in Muscat, and implementing new menus and delicacies for the local community as well as our resident guests. I am really focussed on hotel sales thus am working closely with the sales team to promote our great hotel to both corporate and leisure travellers alike. We are so well located for both business and leisure guests; it is really all about how we are promoting and positioning ourselves now. The hotel has so much potential and I fully intend on ensuring it operates as a leading hotel in the Muscat market, for both business and leisure guests alike.
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WHO’S MOVED
CRAIG BRUCE
Craig Bruce has moved to Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi as general manager. Building on his 10-year background in the industry and thorough understanding of the local market, Bruce aims to ensure that the reputation of the five-star hotel continues to grow from strength to strength. He joins Millennium & Copthorne Middle East & Africa from Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, where he held various roles at properties under the Radisson Blu brand. Most recently he worked as general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island. Prior to that, he honed his skills with Sun International in South Africa.
CHRISTIAN RESETARITS
DESMOND HATTON
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Christian Resetarits has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski, Riyadh. A knowledgeable and driven character, Resetarits will be leading the sales and marketing team of the hotel. He moves to Saudi Arabia from Austria, where he served as director of sales at Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna. After working with Marriott International in the front office in Canada and Germany, he joined Kempinski’s sales department. He then pursued several responsibilities, such as sales manager at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Centre and senior sales manager at The Stafford London by Kempinski, before relocating to the Austrian capital.
Desmond Hatton has been introduced as Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi’s new general manager. His responsibilities will include overseeing the performance, strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the property with the aim to further consolidate its presence on the market. With a career spanning 34 years, Hatton brings a wealth of experience to the UAE capital. He has held progressive management roles within leading hotels and resorts including Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts properties in Fiji, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as a Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Oman. His career path also includes positions in the kitchen, food and beverage, rooms and accounting in Germany, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. He returns to the Middle East after serving as general manager at Dusit Thani Maldives.
AUGUST 2015
RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Which are the next properties to join the group’s fast-growing network? ALI ALZAABI: It has been a very busy period for the team since the start of the year with several new openings and further expansion of our network. We marked our entry into Saudi Arabia with two properties in the Holy City of Medina, the 208-room Millennium Taiba Hotel and the 484-key Millennium Al Aqeeq Hotel. The world’s first Millennium Executive Apartments opened in Muscat and the 221-room Millennium Fujairah opened its doors. The strong pace continues with Millennium Hotel & Convention Centre, in the Salmiya district in Kuwait City. [...] We have also recently announced the signing of two new properties in Oman, including the global debut of eco-lifestyle brand, Agarwood in Salalah. Due to open in 2017, the Agarwood brand has been conceived to meet the needs of today’s traveller with a social conscience. It will be a 286-key resort encompassing a hotel, villas and apartments, all set in beautiful natural surroundings and will combine modern design sensibilities with innovative and intelligent ecofriendly features to reduce the impact on the environment whilst providing comfort and style. Meanwhile our new budget brand Studio M concept will open a 302-key property in the Al Hail district of Muscat in 2017. These properties will join Grand Millennium Hotel Muscat and Copthorne Hotel Muscat, which we will be adding to the portfolio later this year, resulting in Millennium & Copthorne becoming one of the largest hotel operators in Oman. We are also focussing on aggressive expansion in Saudi Arabia; with up to 20 hotels due to open in the next five years, it has been identified as an integral part of the group’s strategic growth. Openings are planned in the Holy Cities of Medina and Mecca, primary cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah and important second-tier cities such as Hail, Jizan, Tabouk and Baha. The next hotel to open in Saudi Arabia will be Millennium Hotel Hail, followed by the opening of M Hotel Makkah. Additionally, we will be introducing the Studio M concept to the region [later this year]. […] We have recently announced the signing of four hotels in Dubai, including three Studio M hotels and a Millennium hotel set to open in Dubai World Central, Dubai Investments Park AUGUST 2015
Q & A with
Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi CEO, MILLENNIUM & COPTHORNE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
We have identified Saudi Arabia as a particular focus for strategic expansion due to the significant developments within the Kingdom and its role as a key feeder market for the UAE and the rest of the GCC. Our hotel pipeline within the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina is a result of sustained growth of religious tourism. Meanwhile Riyadh and Jeddah continue to grow as commercial hubs within the Kingdom resulting in an increased demand for hotels. Our hotel development pipeline spreads across the various provinces due to major infrastructure projects that drive the hotel supply. Oman is also an important foothold for us due to the support from the government which has proactive initiatives to increase inbound tourism. […] Meanwhile the UAE’s hospitality sector has witnessed exceptional growth from all markets and this is expected to continue, particularly with events such as Expo 2020, which will have positive implications before and after the event. We have a broad brand portfolio which covers all key market segments to meet the needs of multiple audiences across the region. […] TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What kind of initiatives are being implemented to differentiate the company and its products in the market?
IN LINE WITH THE GROUP’S AMBITION TO OPERATE 50 PROPERTIES ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA (MEA) BY 2017, MILLENNIUM & COPTHORNE’S EXPANSION CONTINUES FULL STEAM AHEAD AS ALI HAMAD LAKHRAIM ALZAABI, CEO, MILLENNIUM & COPTHORNE MEA, REVEALS. and Al Barsha. An important launch for the group will be Bab Al Qasr, opening in Abu Dhabi later this year. The 677-room, luxury hotel will be located in the exclusive Corniche area and will be one of the largest hotels in the city. […] This opening supports Millennium & Copthorne’s commitment to strategic expansion in the emirate and the UAE. It will establish the Group as one of the major players in the hospitality sector.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What aspects make these markets strategically important for Millennium & Copthorne? ALI ALZAABI: The market opportunity within the GCC has significantly increased due to major infrastructure developments, government initiatives for the hospitality sector, an undersupply of budget and midscale brands in the region and a growth in both international and domestic tourism numbers.
ALI ALZAABI: We are introducing a new global customer relationship management platform to improve our customer communication and help us focus our marketing more effectively. The data we collect will help us build up accurate profiles of our guests and give us vital insights into their lifestyles, behaviour and preferences. Using these profiles, we can be sure we are making the right offers to the right people at the right time – reducing our costs and increasing the number of times a guest stays with Millennium and Copthorne Hotels. We understand the importance in recognising our guests and so many of our hotels participate in the Millennium & Copthorne Loyalty Club. Furthermore, the importance of talking to our customers in their own language has meant we are delighted to see the launch of our global website in Mandarin and Arabic. The year 2014 saw the launch of our Chinese website and this year will see the launch of an Arabic version. The first phase sees all UAE hotels go live in Arabic language.
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NEWS & EVENTS ADNEC Teams up with Agility
IBTM CHINA Beijing, China August 05 – 06 www.cibtm.com A place for meetings, events and incentives industry decision-makers to meet for global business adventures.
ICOMEX Mexico City, Mexico August 25 – 26 www.icomex-mexico.com Part of ibtm events, the show focusses on incentives, congresses and conventions in Latin America.
ONLINE TRAVEL MARKET HURGHADA
Sharjah to Hold Family Tourism Conference
Sharjah Science Museum
Hurghada, Egypt September 04 – 05 www.otmhurghada.com A specialised event for travel technology and online travel solutions in Egypt and the Middle East.
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bu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) signed a five-year strategic agreement with Agility Global Integrated Logistics’ fairs and events division. The memorandum of understanding will enhance ADNEC’s service offering to exhibitors and event organisers with a wide range of logistics and freight forwarding service and other cost-effective solutions. According to Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, acting group CEO, ADNEC, the partnership will significantly improve ADNEC customers’ operational and cost efficiencies, while further boosting their competitive edge.
Elias Monem, CEO, Agility Group Integrated Logistics (left) and Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri
EVENTS
MICE ASIA PACIFIC EXHIBITION Singapore, Singapore September 10 – 11 www.miceasiaexhibition.com Over two days, the event aims to connect Asia’s leading meetings, conference, exhibition and events organisers and help them network with Asia Pacific venues.
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ith an exciting year-round event calendar offering programmes for visitors of all ages, Sharjah aims to attract large numbers of families. The push comes as the destination is moving forward to welcome 10 million travellers within the next six years as identified in the emirate’s Vision 2021. With the family tourist at the core of Sharjah’s tourism roadmap, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is organising a unique family-focussed event towards the end of the year , the Sharjah International Family Tourism Conference. Featuring training workshops and networking activities, the programme will be attended by experts from tourism and hotel sectors, travel industry, celebrity speakers, ministerial delegations as well as heads of tourism authorities and departments from the region and abroad.
AUGUST 2015