Travel Trade mena, August 2016, Issue 82 by Travel Trade Publications

AUGUST 2016 - ISSUE 82

EXCLUSIVE

Halal Travel

VISIT: TUNISIA

09 EXPLORE

12 Turkey ONSITE: AZERBAIJAN

TOUR

15 Maldives

20 Rendezvous

MARKET UPDATE

www.traveltrademena.travel TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR

MIDDLE EAST: OVER 150,000 ROOMS UNDER CONTRACT

Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Rita Kasziba JOURNALISTS Pauline Shahabian Memnon Arestis CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic

Dominique Christou SALES & SALES SUPPORT Maria Demetriadou Magda Christou Raluca Apostolescu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis

Some 550 new hotels with 154,576 units are expected to become operational in the Middle East in the coming years, according to STR’s June pipeline report.

he figure represents a 23.5 percent year-on-year increase, while in terms of rooms under construction, statistics show a 14.1 percent growth over 2015, with 256 properties representing 81,951 keys being in the development phase. Saudi Arabia continues to propel the regional hotel sector’s expansion with 81 hotels and 35,770 units currently under construction, followed by the UAE with 26,989 rooms in 93 accommodation establishments. Two other countries each boast more than 5,000 keys in this stage, including Qatar and Egypt.

CHALLENGING MONTH IN THE REGION

ccupancy levels remained flat at 69.1 percent across the Middle East in May, while average daily rate (ADR) dropped 4.7 percent year-on-year to USD156.75, pushing down RevPAR by 4.6 percent to USD108.34. According to STR’s report, Oman for example, witnessed decreases across all three key performance metrics with absolute RevPAR plummeting to the lowest level since 2011, partially due to a 9.9 percent growth in supply. On the other hand, despite a 15.7 percent negative change in occupancy, Egypt experienced a 24.8 percent rise in ADR to EGP721.66 (USD81.27), leading to a 5.3 percent improvement in RevPAR to EGP381 (USD42.91).

DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltrademena.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel PRINTED BY Cyprinters Ltd P.O. Box 58300, CY-3732, Limassol, Cyprus Tel: +357 25 720035, Fax: +357 25 720123 Email: info@cyprinters.com WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515, Email: neil@globetm.com Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 Email: kuka@rmamedia.com Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, Email: david@simpson-media.com

MENA EXCHANGE RATES

as of COUNTRY

29.7.2016 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

110.45

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

8.88

Iran (IRR)

Rial

30,956.00

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,169.58

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,507.80

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.40

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.81

Syria (SYP)

Pound

215.45

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

2.23

Yemen (YER)

Rial

250.10

AUGUST 2016

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VISIT TUNISIA

REBUILDING

Confidence HAVING LONG BEEN A TOP TOURIST HOTSPOT, TUNISIA IS ON THE MISSION TO RESTORE ITS IMAGE AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER NORTH AFRICAN DESTINATIONS THAT ARE TAKING STRIDES TO RECOVER THEIR TOURISM SECTOR.

RITA KASZIBA WRITES

ith its rich history dating back 3,000 years, the country, that has been at the crossroads of civilizations since historic times, has always heavily relied on tourism with the industry’s contribution to the national GDP standing well above eight percent in 2010. Yet, as per data released by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the past five years have delivered negative results. Arrivals for example, have dropped 25 percent year-on-year in 2015 to 5.36 million from 7.16 million in 2014, leading to a downturn in annual economic growth to 0.8 percent from 2.3 percent in 2014. As Mohamed Bachar, counsellor, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Albania, Tunisian Tourism Board, noted, following the unfortunate happenings in June 2015, a number of safety and other relevant measures have been introduced, and both the government as well as the private sector embarked on various initiatives to convey the message that the country welcomes back visitors, however, the industry is yet to fully rebound. “The only markets supporting the Tunisian tourism industry now are Algeria, Libya, France and Russia,” claimed Bachar. From Great Britain for example, arrivals plummeted 94.9 percent since the beginning of the year up until 

TUNISIA IN BRIEF Capital: Tunis Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND) Language: Arabic Population: 10.89 million Calling code: +216 Capital time zone: GMT +1:00

AUGUST 2016

VISIT TUNISIA

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June 10, while from the Netherlands for instance, figures dropped 82 percent. On the other hand, demand from Russia showed an upward trend. This was also reaffirmed by Mejda Bouabid, senior sales executive, Hotel Africa Tunis. “Lately, we have come to rely on the Russian market, which helped a bit in the restoration of the tourism industry in general,” attested Bouabid. As Bachar explained, in order to restore the country’s image – and visitors’ confidence – effective tourist police units have been placed at sites frequented by travellers and around 1,000 extra security officers have been deployed across the country with stationed and patrolled units being send to beaches and the surroundings of popular resorts. Security has been also enhanced at airports, border checkpoints, hotels and even in certain car parkings. SAFETY FIRST Ensuring a safe environment is indeed of paramount importance, underlined

Bouabid, saying that once security is in place, the destination’s rich tourism product can take centre stage. Bouabid cited Morocco’s Mawazine Festival – which has over the years become a major promotional asset for the North African country – stressing that such events can only gather significant following once circumstances are settled. Hoteliers and other industry stakeholders can only do so much to lure visitors back, indicated Bouabid, saying that low prices alone are not sufficient enough to overcome challenges. On a positive note, Bouabid noted how the market showed a more stable picture between this February and the beginning of Ramadan – which marks the start of a traditionally slower period – noting that this improvement, however, came by sacrificing rates in favour of lower online prices, which were marketed through massive and extended promotions in order to compensate

the lack of group travel and drive business volumes through individual bookings. Finding new avenues of income certainly is a priority, given the fact that the industry supports some 470,000 jobs in the country, thus, the endeavours to resuscitate the sector, which suffered greatly in 2015 with tourism expenditure plunging from USD1.68 billion in 2014 to USD1.1 billion. As Bachar noted, since summer 2015, authorities have deployed great efforts to restore tourism and promote the destination, especially to European markets. Yet, in order to further strengthen the industry’s role in the nation’s socio-economic development, still much needs to be done. Bachar touched upon the importance of open skies agreements in order to improve accessibility and provide seamless travel options. The continuous training and specialisation of those working in the sector and the thorough review of services provided at tourism related establishments, including hotels, restaurants and coffee houses, are also crucial, and so is the protection of the environment in order AUGUST 2016

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VISIT TUNISIA

to welcome visitors to clean beaches, touristic sites, stations and other facilities. Similar views have been voiced by Nejib Ben Ghachem, banqueting coordinator, Majestic Hotel Tunis, who brought the attention to the great importance of the first impression upon (or even before) arriving to the country by saying that detestable air services, both in air and on the ground, are real deal breakers for travellers. “Secondly, most of the hotels need to improve the quality of services offered to guests,” admitted Ghachem, echoing Bacher’s sentiments that staff members need to do their best to make visitors feel welcome and well-looked after. Last but certainly not least, enhancing the destination’s tourism product by highlighting country’s lesser-known sides besides its sun, sea and sand proposition, can open up new streams of income. Grachem referred to cultural, Saharian, regional and even camping tourism, all of which are deemed promising niche segments. Bachar also supported the diversification of the Tunisian offering, especially

For instance, if a nearby country is deemed a no-fly zone, accessibility suffers considerably, leaving vague possibilities for local industry stakeholders, noted Bouabid. Nevertheless, as she said, expectations remain high. “They say time heals,” recited Bouabid. “We hope that […] people will feel eager again to come and visit Tunisia.” Hopes are indeed high. “Tunisia was and remains the most popular and peaceful destination in the North African area,” professed Bachar, reinforcing that Tunisian people are known globally as tolerant, friendly and welcoming hosts. For this very reason, Bachar expected visitors to gradually return to the destination. “We, Tunisians are sure that the situation in our country will be [resolved] as soon as possible. We believe in the millions of friends of Tunisia all over the world, and the [nation’s] people to convey the message and reassure their patriots that Tunisia remains a safe, welcoming and beautiful country to visit,” concluded Bachar. 

within the leisure segment, while calling on hotels and restaurants to review their pricing policy and on principal partners, such as tour operators to team up with local industry stakeholders and promote the destination through well-targeted advertising campaigns. Once these actions are in place, large-scale events, possibly with headline acts or popular teams can be organised to promote the destination, recited Bouabid’s views Grachem, further adding that all in all, it is very much about ensuring a pleasant experience – in all aspects – from the moment of arrival up until departure. SETTING AN EXAMPLE To convey the message that Tunisia is once again a safe destination, the country’s Ministry of Tourism put up a strong presence at travel trade events, such as ITB Berlin, while recently, tempting footage of some of the country’s highlights was screened in key markets, including London, Paris, Berlin, Brussels and Milan. To support the nation’s endeavours, the World Tourism Organization also held its 4th International Conference on Tourism and the Media in Tunis. However, Tunisia’s present and future is closely interconnected with the North African region in general, and vice versa. “North Africa’s perception does really affect the business levels in Tunisia [because] we are a country of sea and workforce. If the country is peaceful, people will come to enjoy the sun and the great beaches. As for workforce, investors will be eager to come and make business here,” asserted Bouabid, highlighting how the situation in neighbouring countries and the area’s perception in general can both positively as well as negatively affect the industry’s ability to thrive.

AUGUST 2016

EXCLUSIVE HALAL TRAVEL

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TRAVELLING THE

Halal Way SOME 1.57 BILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM, REPRESENTING 23 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL GLOBAL POPULATION, AND A MASSIVE MARKET FOR THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY.

RITA KASZIBA WRITES

y 2020, the global Halal travel market is expected to be worth USD220 billion – up from its estimated current value of USD150 billion – making it one of the industry’s fastest-growing and most promising sectors. According to the 2016 MasterCard-CrescentRating Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), in 2015 alone, some 117 million Muslim visitors travelled the world, representing as much as 10 percent of the entire travel economy. As Fazal Bahardeen, CEO, CrescentRating, the global Halal travel service provider, pinpointed, by 2020, this figure is set to reach 169 million travellers and USD200 billion in spending, meaning a significant business opportunity for industry stakeholders in all segments of tourism. The list – which studied 130 destinations, including both members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as well as non OIC states – was topped by Malaysia for the second consecutive year, followed by the UAE, Turkey, Indonesia and Qatar. Among non-OIC countries, Singapore scored the highest rating on the index, with Thailand, the UK, South Africa and Hong Kong rounding off the top five.

AUGUST 2016

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EXCLUSIVE HALAL TRAVEL

“Regardless of OIC or non-OIC, Muslims love to travel across the world as the GMTI shows,” stressed Bahardeen. In fact, according to the Amadeus Traveller Trends Observatory, with a 35 percent rise in value and a 50 percent growth in volume expected in the span of mere five years, Halal travel is one of the fastest growing sectors globally, with businesses all around the world eager to capture a fair share of the pie. “[This] is a big opportunity for the industry to meet their requests and properly cater to their needs,” highlighted Antoine Medawar, vice president, Middle East and North Africa, Amadeus. This sentiment was also echoed by Martin Persson, chief operating officer, Jannah Hotels & Resorts. “The hospitality industry, particularly, has become very attentive to the rapid growth of travelling Muslims and the need to personalise their experience [by] becoming more Halal friendly and offering them the best of services and amenities,” said Persson. Ismail Ibrahim, director of sales and marketing, Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi, concurred, saying, “[This trend] has impacted the tourism sector and as a result, many hotels have started to provide the basic services and amenities that are required by Muslim travellers to attract the maximum number of [guests].” FIRM COMMITMENT As Bahardeen noted, industry stakeholders are increasingly aware of the significance of the Halal travel sector and the immense size of the Muslim market, thus, the recent changes in services and business strategies in general. “The entire sector is now looking at how they can diversify their arrivals and consequently put marketing plans and infrastructure changes in place to cater to the requirements of these travellers,” divulged Bahardeen, saying that in response to the growing demand, CrescentRating teamed up with MasterCard to provide a benchmark tool for destinations to get a better understanding of where they stand and help them create the best possible strategy going forward. From tourism agencies to government bodies, the organisation provides insight, research, consultancy, training and rating services to all sectors of the industry. “Like all travellers, Muslim travellers are also becoming more sophisticated in their travel,” explained Bahardeen. “Apart from the usual food and prayer facilities, Muslims are looking for culture, history and heritage. For example, not only do they want Halal but they want Halal local cuisine so they can experience the culture and destination they visit.” In fact, those working in tourism understand that this form of travel is not only about finding and offering Sharia-compliant food, but about meeting the preferences of these experienced, well-informed and curious visitors throughout their entire journey. As Bahardeen pinpointed, with the majority of these travellers being young professionals, they are increasingly tech savvy and often take advantage of digital tools to map out their travel plans. Similar observations were recorded by Amadeus, with the technology expert’s report suggesting that those opting for Ha-

AUGUST 2016

lal compliant services heavily rely on word of mouth and social media channels. With over 30 percent of them representing the 15 – 29 years old age group, they are interested in both familiar as well as new, more off-the-beaten-track locations. Furthermore, and even more importantly, they are not only highly educated but also have a high spending power. “The Amadeus-commissioned study [conducted by UK-based research firm, Context], Halal Travel 2016 highlights three elements that might prove very useful for the travel sector to serve this segment of travellers,” explained Medawar, revealing the most significant points. “They wish to maximise their trip value, they expect to find relevant accommodation adapted to their culture and traditions and, last but not least, they are ready to explore new family-friendly destinations in the world, preferably staying within their comfort zone,” disclosed Medawar. Nevertheless, even if they often favour locations that are culturally associated and lifestyle wise similar to their home country in order to ensure a welcoming environment and that all their needs and preferences can be satisfied, as Amadeus’ study shows, Halal travellers are also keen to unlock untapped destinations and wish to visit non-Muslim countries as easily as locations that preserve the same values as their native lands. 

EXCLUSIVE HALAL TRAVEL

BOOMING MARKET To provide this influential group of visitors with services and products that make them feel at home, whether they stay close to their native land or venture out of their comfort zone, Salam Standard, hailed as the world’s first online hotel reference tool dedicated to Muslim travellers, offers a wealth of information on hotels and resorts around the globe that cater to their specific requirements. The inventory includes more than 10,000 addresses with major international chains on board, including AccorHotels, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Rotana, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas and Rixos Hotels, just to name a few with a strong presence in MENA. As Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO, Salam Standard, explained, the catalogue is based on the feedback of 50,000 Muslim travellers from around the world. “We conducted an extensive global campaign asking those surveyed what services and amenities were most important to them when travelling,” disclosed Fadhlillah. “Our aim is to encourage hotel operators to offer more facilities for Muslim travellers, ensuring they experience the holiday of a lifetime.” In light of the unprecedented growth of Halal travel, destinations and businesses are indeed eager to stake claim for a share of the burgeoning sector, with an increasing number of locations and establishments setting up dedicated services and offering amenities specially designed to cater to the distinctive wishes and desires of those committed to their religion and traditions even while on the go. Foods and beverages that are permissible for Muslims to consume, availability of prayer rugs and the Qibla signage highlighted in all rooms and suites are all important services and touches, that, as Persson noted, are provided by Jannah Hotels & Resorts properties, all of which are alcoholfree, too. “We understand that Halal tourism is the fastest growing sector in the hospitality industry, and seeing this growth, we respond to the increasing demand for Halal alternatives for [this] rapidly growing market,” underlined Persson. Similarly, as a dry hotel, Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche considers the Halal segment a crucial contributor to the business, emphasised Ibrahim, noting that the property is one of the few four-star addresses listed in Etihad Airways’ Islamic stopover programme. “We have already hosted many Hajj and Umrah groups through our collaboration with [the airline],” informed Ibrahim, further disclosing that this, along with cooperations with Halal-focussed booking platforms, helped to bring the volume of guests preferring Halal options to 20 percent. Being a dry hotel, however, is not enough. “We also added the concept of separate timing for male and females and have created a separate female-only floor,” explained Ibrahim. In fact, based on the findings of Amadeus’ report, women are strong influencers in destination choice and holiday planning, while when travelling together as a family, destinations offering praying options are highly regarded and so are smart transportation alternatives, preferably with private drivers.

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Hotels, in general, are applauded for their comprehensive service, but when it comes to privacy, apartments are preferred, according to the report, which also identified high level of freedom and the respect of religious principles as decisive factors. To help industry stakeholders gain a competitive edge over their international peers, regional tourism organisations are laying a strong emphasis on putting forward the destination’s Halal proposition and wide range of products. As H.E. Jassim Al Darnaki, acting director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), noted, Abu Dhabi is placing itself at the heart of this market in the Gulf region, and the emirate is well-placed to meet specific Muslim demands on a number of fronts with these including food and beverage, segmented family and gender-specific products and dedicated sessions for females at top attractions. In addition, as Al Darnaki pinpointed, the emirate also offers a plethora of high and medium-quality dry hotels. To promote the UAE capital as a welcoming destination for the specific segment, Abu Dhabi played host to the first World Halal Travel Summit in October 2015, allowing industry stakeholders to showcase their carefully-designed products and offerings to existing and potential partners. Al Darmaki pledged to continue the work by partnering with local, regional and even international partners to bring attention to the wide array of Halal offerings available in the emirate, in order to capitalise on the booming segment. All in all, industry professionals agree that Halal travel is currently one of the fastest growing segments of the industry, representing a major opportunity – one which they all are eager to leverage on. 

AUGUST 2016

ONSITE AZERBAIJAN

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USHERING A

New Dawn WITH AN IMPROVED VISA FACILITATION PROGRAMME IN PLACE AND A NEW WAVE OF DETERMINATION AND TOURISM CONFIDENCE, AZERBAIJAN IS EMERGING AS AN EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE HOLIDAY DESTINATION FOR MENA TRAVELLERS, AND A TOP-PRIORITY MARKET FOR INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS.

ANA MLADENOVIC WRITES

n a bid to boost its attractiveness to international tourists and increase visitor numbers, Azerbaijan has unveiled the ASAN Visa system, which ensures easier entry for citizens of a number of countries, including Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, since February 01. The move has, unsurprisingly, resonated well with local hoteliers, who reported significant surges in arrivals from the MENA region over the past months. “All the efforts and actions taken to simplify visa regulations are very much helping the tourism sector of the country as well as our hotel,” said Ricardo Acevedo, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Baku, adding that as a result of increased demand from MENA, tourist numbers from the GCC countries have quadrupled since the beginning of the year. The positive impact of the ASAN Visa system on the tourism flow from the MENA region was also 

AUGUST 2016

AZERBAIJAN IN BRIEF Capital: Baku Currency: Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) Language: Azerbaijani Population: 9.5 million Calling Code: +994 Capital Time Zone: GMT +5:00

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confirmed by Sayad Ibrahimli, director, marketing and communications, Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers, who also emphasised the prominence of Middle Eastern leisure tourists looking for five-star facilities. In fact, the GCC is now one of Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers’ key markets, in addition to Iran, whose citizens still require a visa, and Turkey, which is completely exempted. UNEARTHING POTENTIAL Similarly to Acevedo and his team, many have been working hard to attract MENA travellers even before the changes in visa regulations, through trade shows, personal sales calls, media promotions and special packages, while others are just beginning to tap into this lucrative segment to capture a fair share of the flourishing business. “Indeed, compared to 2015, a major increase of tourists visiting our property from MENA has brought a newer experience and led to [a] systematic growth in terms of market adjustments towards this target group,” said Alexandra Kazakova, director of sales, JW Marriott Absheron Baku. The hotel took part in Marriott International’s GCC sales mission that attracted over 50 corporate and travel industry customers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. As Kazakova further revealed, her team is working hand in hand with travel agencies in the region, and the property also released special offers for GCC families, which are being marketed by partners and wholesalers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. “Another interesting part of our marketing strategy is a special activity we have launched together with Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AZTA)’s office in Dubai, promoting special offers in our restaurants and exclusive summer deals in the GCC market during AZTA special events,” she explained. 

Pulling Power of Events

hile the effort of hoteliers and other industry stakeholders to promote the destination do yield results, what really propells Azerbaijan to the global spotlight is its mega events. This year, all eyes were on the country as it hosted the Formula 1 Grand Prix in June. According to reports from Heydar Aliyev International Airport, from June 10 – 22 – the days prior to and during the event - the hub handled 118,000 passengers and a total of 640 flights. On a slightly smaller scale, the seventh Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations attracted around 1,500 international delegates from 146 countries, including senior government representatives and heads of state, plus about 120 accredited media representatives, according to Abulfaz Garayev, minister of culture and tourism, Azerbaijan. The MENA market is also on the radar of Azerbaijan Convention Bureau (ACB) as one of its priority markets with an average business travel growth rate of eight percent. Kazakova cited Anar Narimanov, sales and marketing manager, ACB, who earlier commended the country’s historic and geographical proximity to the region, expressing hopes to attract even more event organisers and show attendees to Azerbaijan.

AUGUST 2016

EXPLORE TURKEY

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HOME AWAY FROM

Home

WITH UNCANNY SIMILARITIES IN CULTURE AND TRADITIONS – YET ALL WITH A EUROPEAN FLAIR – TURKEY HAS LONG BEEN A FAVOURED DESTINATION AMONG MIDDLE EASTERN TRAVELLERS, AND AS INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS PREDICT, THE MARKET IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN SIGNIFICANCE.

PAULINE SHAHABIAN WRITES

oasting seven geographical regions and numerous popular destinations, each with its own distinctive qualities and a variety of attractions and offerings, Turkey is perceived as an ideal destination for culturally-induced holidays. Foreign arrivals to the country touched 36.24 million in 2015, indicating a slight 1.61 percent decline over 2014. Regardless, tourism stakeholders are forging ahead to reach higher numbers this year, shaking off the stigma attached from recent events, and in doing so, looking towards their neighbours in the east. “[The] Middle East market has [always played] an important role for JW Marriott Ankara, ever since its opening in 2011. It can be characterised as a growing market with high accommodation potential [which is] developing year after year,” noted Mustafa Bulmus, director of sales and marketing, JW Marriott Hotel Ankara. “Speaking of the reasons of this annual growth, development of economic and political relations between Turkey and Middle East countries can be named

TURKEY IN BRIEF Capital: Ankara Population: 78.74 million Language: Turkish Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY) Calling Code: +90 Capital Time Zone: GMT +3:00

AUGUST 2016

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EXPLORE TURKEY

as a major factor of this rapid growth.” “[The] Middle East market is definitely growing in Turkey. [Relations between] Turkey and the Middle East have strengthened [...],” stated H. Riza Elibol, general manager, Swissôtel Büyük Efes, Izmir, specifically highlighting Izmir’s appeal to this market due to its geographical features, and shopping and cultural offerings. As Elibol noted, since the launch of the hotel, Swissôtel Büyük Efes, Izmir has acted as a tourism ambassador for Middle Eastern travellers to the city, promoting the destination’s potential to the region. The property is also represented at trade exhibitions, and also partakes in road shows and sales calls across the Middle East. Similarly, Levent Cengiz, general manager, Renaissance Izmir Hotel, commented, “There is tremendously increasing demand from Middle Eastern guests, which makes the Middle East an important market for us. The year-round beautiful weather of Izmir, the historical bazaars that the city offers, the health sector’s growth and cultural similarity all play a big role [in this development].”

AUGUST 2016

UNCANNY LURE Cultural associations between the country and the Middle East have long been observed, creating a pathway for industry stakeholders to claim a slice of the pie. “[...] The cultural similarities between Turkey and the Middle East create a huge set of common notions. Therefore, tourism gets its share. When you see the change in the shopping districts and cultural attractions in Istanbul, you may see just from the signs that it is becoming more and more integrated [into] the Middle East community,” posited Onur Kademoglu, director of sales and marketing, Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah. Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah is quick to weave various offerings, such as special dining menus and exclusive luxury shopping packages, to cater to the Middle Eastern clientele. As Cengiz further noted, the cultural and religious closeness between the 

EXPLORE TURKEY

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destinations is very apparent. “Turkey is the frontier facing the West, but at the same time containing the cultural values that are very similar to those in the Middle East,” Cengiz continued, adding that Renaissance Izmir Hotel cooperates with tour operators in order to create packages for Arab guests to showcase the country’s cultural richness. “Middle Eastern tourists are deeply interested in Turkey’s rich historical and cultural heritage, especially in the places of interest and works of art related to the Ottoman period,” pinpointed Bulmus. Arzu Topcu Civak, hotel manager, Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay Bodrum, reiterated, “Our guests from the Gulf region appreciate the Ottoman heritage on Anatolia and its impact on the Muslim world. It is a great privilege for all to come and visit these iconic heritage sites [...].” As Civak noted, Bodrum is in very close proximity to several cultural highlights, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman eras. “This unique melting pot has something to offer for all culture lovers. Our concierge has already mastered all routes and critical itineraries for our guests’ convenience and discretion,” she enthused. On another front, Fahri Kurt, general manager, Umbrella Travel, was quick to emphasise that Turkey is located in the centre between the Middle East and Europe, giving the country a geographical advantage in attracting visitors from Arab states. In agreement, Bulmus noted the frequent flights between the destinations, while also shedding light on Turkey’s well-preserved rich historical and cultural heritage, natural beauty, high-quality service standards, luxury accommodation facilities and wide array of shopping outlets. Safari trips, yacht voyages, as well as mountain, canyon and valley trips are just some of the many activities that await holiday-makers, according to Metin Aktaþ, owner, Medes Travel. Aktaþ also noted that each of the country’s hotspots has its own unique offering; one can for example visit the Black Sea for trekking, enjoy hiking and climbing, tour Ionia for a glimpse into the country’s old cities, spend some time at Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern or by the Bosphorus in Istanbul, or be mesmerised by caves and taste local cuisine in Cappadocia. Bulmus was quick to commend the country’s tourism ministry for actively promoting the destination through various Arabic-language informative booklets and websites in order to introduce Middle Eastern tourists to all that the country has to offer. 

AUGUST 2016

TOUR MALDIVES

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PICTURESQUE

Haven

THE MALDIVES HAS LONG BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH LUXURY TOURISM, ATTRACTING VISITORS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, INCLUDING THE ALL-IMPORTANT MIDDLE EASTERN MARKET, AS MORE AND MORE ARAB TRAVELLERS HEAD TO THE INDIAN OCEAN DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS AND RELAXATION.

MALDIVES IN BRIEF Capital: Malé Language: Dhivehi Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) Population: 350,000 Calling Code: +960 Capital Time Zone: GMT +5:00

PAULINE SHAHABIAN WRITES

ccording to Mohamed Adam, deputy managing director, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation, the destination welcomed 20,434 tourists from the Middle East between January and May, registering a 22.6 percent growth over the same period in 2015. Saudi Arabia posted the highest number of arrivals from the region, representing 8,846 visitors of the total, constituting over 43 percent of all entrants from the area. Indeed, Dinesh Bhaskar, group director, sales and marketing, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, noted that Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, contribute the main chunk of Middle Eastern arrivals at the all-inclusive five-star Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives resort, which welcomed some 1,400 customers from the region in the first half of the year, up from 1,280 holiday-makers during the same timeframe in 2015. “The Middle Eastern market is a very reliable market for W Maldives,” stated Anna Karas, marketing communications manager, W Maldives. “Due to the economic stability of the region, we see a stable and strong travelling tendency 

AUGUST 2016

TOUR MALDIVES

to the Maldives, [with the country] being considered a luxurious hideaway destination, which is what our Arabic guests are looking for at the moment.” Referring to the latest Maldives Visitor Survey, Adam noted that 35 percent of travellers spend their holiday in the Maldives for rest and relaxation. “Spa and wellness play an important role for guests looking forward to rest and [relax]. A good session at a wellness centre can refresh [the] mind and body,” Adam added. Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation has been pro-active in its pursuit of luring Middle Eastern tourists from niche segments, including spa and wellness enthusiasts. “We invite them to explore the spiritual side of life [in the] Maldives,” enthused Adam.

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huge importance on spa and wellness during their stay with us, after enduring the unforgiving heat and dust of the Gulf region during the summer, which is why we offer sanctuaries of tranquility and rejuvenation at both [The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and Sun Aqua Vilu Reef ],” pinpointed Evgenia Boyankova, group business development director, The Sun Siyam Hotels & Resorts, indicating that the majority of the correspondence the hotelier’s Maldivian properties receive from Middle Eastern clientele pertains to the spa and wellness packages on offer. “The spa segment is very popular among Arabic women who always take extra care of their wellbeing and beauty,” posited Karas, highlighting AWAY Spa at W Maldives, which offers a series of treatments and journeys that can satisfy even the most demanding clientele. Accordingly, hoteliers are keen on constantly revitalising their overall wellness offering through renovations, upgrades, new venues and other enhancements. “There are more and more spa and wellness brands getting introduced in the Maldives,” posited Bhaskar, shedding light on Elena Spa, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts’ very own wellness brand.

RELAX AND UNWIND “[Spa and wellness] is a vital part of our tourism industry, hence, the number of unparalleled exquisite spas in terms of splendour and luxury are as legendary as our unique island resort hotels,” commented Mohamed Riyaz, managing director, Lets Go Maldives. “As a luxury tour operator, [Lets Go Maldives has] wealthy clients, who are very much into health and wellbeing, hence, spas are very popular among our clients as the Maldives offers some of the most luxurious spas in the world, with all kinds of treatments – be it relaxing or medical – in an idyllic setting with world-class expertise.” Indeed, local hoteliers have caught on to this unwavering demand and are keen to satisfy their guests in every aspect. “Here in the Maldives, we understand that our Middle Eastern guests place

AUGUST 2016

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TOUR MALDIVES

“[In 2015], we tried and tested all the key elements of the brand in our spa at OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, a four-star superior resort in North Malé Atoll. Now, we are introducing the full services of Elena Spa at our brand-new lifestyle luxury resort, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo [...],” he elaborated. The new address, which launched in mid-July, boasts 41 beachfront and 49 overwater villas, and offers a uniquely exclusive holiday plan, incorporating Elena Spa’s therapies. Varun Bharadwaja, director of sales and marketing, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, described the hotel’s Jiva Garden Spa as an oasis of privacy at the far end of the resort, featuring overwater spa pavilions, each with a private sundeck and relaxation space, as well as an array of other amenities to cater for all needs. “Escape the frenetic pace of daily life and discover an island hideaway with the best of everything. However you choose to unwind, our promise is consistent: warm, attentive and caring service, and priceless moments with the people you love. We believe that time well spent is worth every second,” Bharadwaja enthused.

beach, ensuring ultimate privacy and contentment. Meanwhile, the resort’s 70 overwater bungalows have separate entrances which look out over the ocean. Similarly, Sun Aqua Vilu Reef’s 14 beach villas have a private terrace with access to the seaside, while the deluxe villas feature a private deck. “At both resorts, guests can order room service or choose a secluded part of the beach for sunset dining, ensuring privacy at all times,” concluded Boyankova. 

SECLUDED OASIS Over and above the rejuvenating journeys available, Maldivian accommodation establishments also provide Middle Eastern guests with high levels of privacy. As Marko Muthig, director of sales and marketing, Banyan Tree, Maldives, noted, the destination is one of few beach locations that is also a Muslim country, hence, industry stakeholders understand the needs and expectations of this market, and are well-equipped to serve visitors form the region. “[Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru] provides guests with seclusion, which is key to travellers from the Middle East region. Guests staying at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru can expect complete privacy with sheltered accommodation featuring personal pools and Jacuzzis, [offering a] perfect retreat for honeymooners and couples,” Muthig added. “Maldives, with its unique concept of one island one resort, offers exclusive privacy and peacefulness to all guests,” highlighted Adam. In agreement, Riyaz added that the destination’s luxury resorts are carefully designed to offer complete seclusion with isolated villas that come with private pools, beach space and butler services. The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi features 221 oceanfront villas, all boasting their own pools entirely secluded by lush foliage with a hidden exit towards the

AUGUST 2016

Q & A with

RENDEZVOUS

MOHAMED CHEBIL GENERAL MANAGER, THE CURVE HOTEL BY EZDAN

EZDAN HOTELS HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A TRUSTED BRAND IN QATAR’S HOTEL SCENE AND ITS UPCOMING PROJECT IS SET TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE COMPANY’S PRESENCE IN THE MARKET AS MOHAMED CHEBIL, GENERAL MANAGER, THE CURVE HOTEL BY EZDAN, EXPLAINS.

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life easier. The rooms are all equipped with modern amenities so guests will only need to bring their personal [belongings]. Each room is furnished with modern interiors, fully-equipped kitchens and home entertainment systems connected to an IP TV system. For guests who wish to unwind, the hotel offers separate male and female gyms as well as a female massage room. Our roof-top swimming pool has the best views of Doha’s coastline. Guests can also enjoy five different restaurants serving international cuisines and all-day dining. Apart from the exceptional service that we will be providing, one of the main highlights of the hotel is that all rooms boast views of the sea. The Curve Hotel gives you the comfort of a home and a tranquil setting from the daily rush of the city – all while being a step away from various international companies, ministries and the outstanding landmarks of Doha. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: With its stateof-the-art venues and extensive range of developments, Qatar continues to attract high volumes of corporate travellers. Which markets will you be focussing on? MOHAMED CHEBIL: Qatar is focussed on delivering the FIFA World Cup 2022. The beauty of this is that it allows the country to develop its infrastructure accordingly. During this period The Curve Hotel by Ezdan will focus on guests that are relocating to Doha or companies that are looking for proper accommodation for their staff.

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What will be the main highlights of the property? MOHAMED CHEBIL: The Curve Hotel by Ezdan will be the newest addition to the hotel and serviced apartment inventory of Qatar in the West Bay area by the last quarter of the year. The name implies to the hotel’s structure that follows the curvature of the Corniche, Doha’s famous shoreline. Essentially it has 600 guest rooms but can be arranged to accommodate discerning business travellers or families who want to relocate themselves. The property is the perfect place for anyone to immerse and integrate in Doha. The hotel has several amenities that will make transition and day-to-day

The Curve Hotel by Ezdan

Likewise, a part of Qatar’s travel market is driven by events, particularly [those in] the sporting industry. The country is niching into the business of sports as it has hosted several major sporting events in recent years, such as the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championship, 24th Men’s Handball World Championship and AIBA World Boxing Championship. We want to cater to these short-term guests that are potentially [organising] these events as well as to guests keen on attending these tournaments. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Seasonality has long been a challenge for regional hoteliers. What kinds of offerings and services can you rely on in order to ensure healthy performance levels all year round? MOHAMED CHEBIL: Our several years of experience in the Qatari market would be our greatest asset in addressing seasonality concerns. We are prepared with promotions that will entice travellers to stay at The Curve Hotel. At the same time, the property welcomes long-term guests all year round and we are [well prepared] to serve them on a daily basis. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: With preparations well underway for the muchanticipated FIFA World Cup in 2022, Qatar continues to welcome an increasing number of accommodation establishments. What are those tangible and intangible attributes that can make a difference in such a crowded marketplace? MOHAMED CHEBIL: The Curve Hotel is positioned as a place to embrace the city. Its advantageous location will allow guests to easily assimilate. At the same time, our heartfelt service comes from the best hospitality skills of our staff. The most important factor for us is service. In a crowded marketplace, where competitors are literally just next door to each other, the one factor that can give a competitive advantage is that guests feel that they are valued.  AUGUST 2016

TIM CLARK PRESIDENT, EMIRATES

AUGUST 2016

[At] Emirates, [we have] always put our customers at the heart of what we do “We are honoured to be recognised by the prestigious Skytrax awards. [At] Emirates, [we have] always put our customers at the heart of what we do, and we work hard to deliver the very best experience possible to our customers at every touchpoint, every day, all around the world. The fact that these awards are based on direct feedback from passengers is gratifying and a wonderful recognition of all of the hard work that has gone into creating the Emirates experience.”

MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROOMSXML

PRAKASH BANG

TRAVEL TALK

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It is in their interest to opt to work with companies that are profitable

“Undercutting, discounting, price gimmicks, cash-backs and the likes are not going to work. Travel agents should realise that there is no free lunch. It is in their interest to opt to work with companies that are profitable. These companies are likely to be around when times become tough.”

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TOURISM SUPPORTS PEACE

E-TOOLKIT INTRODUCED TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

he World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) joined forces with its partners to launch a new e-toolkit Nearly Zero Energy Hotels (neZEH), which assesses the energy performance of hotels and proposes measures to improve efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy sources towards better consumption. neZEH is the outcome of a three-year long project, funded by the European Union (EU), which aims to support properties in Europe to comply with nearlyzero energy building regulations, which all EU member states are required to meet by 2020. Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, stated, “This unprecedented initiative shows not only the concerns, but also the high level of commitment of the tourism sector in addressing one of the worldwide preoccupations: climate change.”

articipants of a World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) conference on Tourism, a catalyst for development, peace and reconciliation reiterated the importance of placing tourism at the heart of the peace and reconciliation agenda in order to ensure that the sector remains a catalyst of development and social inclusion. The conference focussed on four main topics, including the contribution of the industry’s growth to peace, local community involvement and peace sensitive tourism, public/private partnerships and marketing in post-conflict destinations. “We face a deficit of tolerance. Tourism brings people together; it opens our minds and hearts. Yet to gain peace we need to give people opportunities for a better future; we need to create jobs and bring them hope,” said Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO.

owers Rotana partnered with Manar Al Eman Charity School to recognise the top seven achievers from this year’s high school graduating class. The students, along with Saeed Al Baloushi, general manager, Manar Al Eman Charity School, and other teachers, were invited to a celebratory dinner at Flavours on Two to commemorate their achievements of scoring the highest grades in the group. The successful youngsters received a tablet through the Ramadan fundraising efforts of Towers Rotana Dubai. Based in Ajman, the school provides free education to more than 3,000 orphans and students from families living under poor conditions, up to the age of 16.

TOWERS ROTANA HONOURS STUDENTS Top students at Towers Rotana

P CAIRO WELCOMES SOLAR POWERED PLANE Solar Impulse 2

ilot André Borscherg, operating Solar Impulse 2, reached his destination, Cairo in mid-July after a 50-hour and 30-minute flight from Seville. The innovative technology transforms 17,248 solar cells into the energy required to fuel the aircraft that weights 2.3 tonnes and has a wingspan of 72m. A press conference was held under the auspices of the national tourism authority and the ministry to welcome the historic plane which travels at an average speed of 75km/h at a maximum altitude of 8.535m. “We look forward to welcome our tourists aboard solar powered planes in the near future,” declared Mohamed Yehia Rashed, tourism minister, Egypt.

AUGUST 2016

DOUGLAS JEWSON AUGUST 2016

WHO’S MOVED

BURAK OLCAN has been named director of sales and marketing at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, Bahrain. A dynamic hotelier, Olcan has extensive experience in sales and marketing in five-star properties across the Middle East and Turkey. He relocates to Bahrain from Saudi Arabia where we worked as director of sales and cluster director of sales for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. He initially joined The Rezidor Hotel Group in 2013 and has since built up a proven track record of delivering results without losing focus on client’s requirements and market developments.

HAFIDH AL BUSAIDY

BURAK OLCAN

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HAFIDH AL BUSAIDY has been recruited as cluster general manager at Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels (SWBH). With 31 years of experience in the hospitality sector, Al Busaidy has worked in seven counties, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, which has equipped him with solid knowledge of the Middle Eastern market. In his new role at SWBH, he will work towards advancing the level of services provided to guests. Expressing excitement about his return to Qatar, Al Busaidy is now looking forward to maintaining and expanding the level of excellence and sophistication that SWBH is known for.

DOUGLAS JEWSON has taken on the role of managing director for Africa at Travelport. With an extensive experience of 20 years in Africa’s telecommunications and electronics sector, Jewson’s notable roles include various leadership positions with multinational companies such as Sony, Research in Motion and Nokia. His responsibilities will fall upon the promotion of Travelport’s position in airline merchandising, hotel content distribution, business to business payments and mobile travel commerce to regional customers. Jewson has expressed his excitement about having the opportunity to lead the technology expert at a crucial stage when the company is strengthening its presence in Africa, whilst air traffic and tourism are also growing across the continent.

NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS

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Jordan to Host Arab Aviation Summit

MEETINGPLANNERS RUSSIA Moscow, Russia September 05 – 06 www.europecongress.com Worldwide MICE solution providers and leading Russian and CIS meeting planners will come together for an intensive two-day workshop.

Arab Aviation Summit 2015

FOOD & HOSPITALITY OMAN Muscat, Oman September 20 – 22 foodandhospitalityoman.com A business and networking platform promoting the latest products and services in the food and beverage sector.

IFTM TOP RESA Paris, France September 20 – 23 www.iftm.fr Reed Expositions France puts together a happening that over the years has become a multitarget market event for all travel types.

Jordan has been selected as the official host for the sixth edition of the Arab Aviation Summit, which will take place on December 05 – 06 at the Dead Sea.

rganised under the theme Linking Cultures, Driving Economies, the event is set to draw attention to the significant roles the aviation and tourism sectors play in contributing to the greater economic development of the region. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, managing director, Jordan Tourism Board, said, “Hosting the prestigious Arab Aviation Summit 2016 will only strengthen our efforts in further showcasing the country’s attractive and wide-ranging tourism offerings.”

OTDYKH TRAVEL MARKET

Saudi Arabia to Welcome Intersec

Moscow, Russia September 21 – 24 www.tourismexpo.ru The 22nd edition of the Russian show is a must-attend event for negotiations and new business deals.

International trade fair Intersec, will debut in Saudi Arabia in 2017, offering global suppliers direct access to the Kingdom’s vast market where security spending continues to rise.

rganised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East in partnership with Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, the inaugural edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia will take place between May 02 – 04, 2017 at Jeddah Center for Forums & Events. The three-day show, which will feature more than 125 exhibitors from 20 countries, will target buyers from the Saudi market where, according to US Department of Homeland Security, spending on security-related products is estimated to reach USD15.4 billion by 2018. Intersec Saudi Arabia will present a comprehensive overview of the entire safety, security and fire protection industries.

AUGUST 2016