DECEMBER 2016 - ISSUE 86
04 16
EXCLUSIVE
Cruising
VISIT: EGYPT
09 ONSITE
13 Jordan EXPLORE: LEBANON
TOUR
19 Malaysia
23 Rendezvous
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR
POSITIVE PASSENGER GROWTH IN AUGUST
Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Ellen Petty CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic
Dominique Christou Natalie James SALES & SALES SUPPORT Maria Demetriadou Magda Christou Raluca Apostolescu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou
Middle Eastern airports delivered an 8.1 percent year-on-year rise in passenger traffic for the month of August, in the midst of a global slowing of growth, reported Airports Council International Asia-Pacific.
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uscat recorded the largest increase, with passenger volume soaring 18 percent, while Doha and Dubai International saw a boost of 17.4 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively. Despite global trade growth remaining sluggish, the Middle East saw a 3.5 percent jump in air freight, with Doha also expanding rapidly in this field, climbing 20.2 percent compared to the same month in 2015. However, Dubai International recorded a three percent drop in air cargo volumes.
ONE BILLION TOURISTS IN NINE MONTHS
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ccording to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, destinations around the world welcomed 956 million international tourists between January and September this year. This is 34 million more than in the same period of 2015, a four percent increase. In Europe, international arrivals grew by two percent between January and September, with solid growth in most destinations. Nonetheless, double-digit increases in major destinations such as Spain, Hungary, Portugal and Ireland were offset by feeble results in France, Belgium and Turkey. After a strong start of the year, growth was slower in the second quarter only to pick up again in the third quarter of the year.
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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 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
24.11.2016 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
111.09
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.49
Iran (IRR)
Rial
32,064.68
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,173.76
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.31
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,519.58
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.44
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
10.12
Syria (SYP)
Pound
213.30
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.32
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.13
DECEMBER 2016
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MARKET UPDATE
AIR ARABIA REPORTS IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
The strong performance of Air Arabia’s financial results for the third quarter (Q3) ending September 30, has been attributed to the success of the company’s expansion strategy.
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he airline’s net profit for Q3 was AED 297 million (USD80.9 million), up 26 percent compared to corresponding period in 2015. In Q3, Air Arabia served over 2.27 million passengers, a 14 percent increase compared to two million passengers in the same period in 2015. The average seat load factor stood at an impressive 81 percent. Commenting on the results, Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, chairman, Air Arabia, said, “Despite challenging trading conditions driven by excess capacity in the market, political instability in some markets and the effect of lower oil price in the regional economies, we remain confident about the long-term prospects for the low cost industry in [the] region […].”
DECEMBER 2016
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VISIT EGYPT
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EGYPT: EMERGING
Identity WHILE TRADITIONALLY KNOWN AS A MASS TOURISM DESTINATION, FOLLOWING A CHALLENGING FEW YEARS, EGYPT IS SHIFTING ITS FOCUS TO BOTH NEW MARKETS AND NOVEL SECTORS.
ELLEN PETTY WRITES
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s one of the country’s main sources of income, tourism is fundamental to the Egyptian economy. In 2015, the travel industry contributed some USD14.5 billion to GDP and supported 1,110,600 jobs. According to World Travel & Tourism Council direct contributions are expected to rise 0.7 percent this year and forecasted to increase 4.6 percent per annum until 2026, where it is expected to account for 5.3 percent of the total GDP. With this in mind, the introduction of scheduled flights from Europe, traditionally a key source market for the North African country, will no doubt play a big role in boosting Egyptian tourism. While the reduction, cancellation and merging of flights has had a strong impact on arrival numbers, it has not necessarily damped demand. Mohamed Eid, assistant director, sales and marketing, Gorgonia Beach Resort, explained that potential European guests are eager to visit but are unable to due to a lack of flights. Having said that, more and more countries are lifting travel bans to Sharm El Sheikh, flights from Poland, Italy and Germany have recently resumed, revealed Mohammad Labban, general manager, Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh. Furthermore, Egyptian Tourism Board is making great efforts to showcase renewed safety measures, while talks continue with Russian officials to recommence flights to the resort town.
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EGYPT IN BRIEF Capital: Cairo Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) Language: Arabic Population: 88,000,000 Calling Code: +20 Time Zone: GMT +2
DECEMBER 2016
VISIT EGYPT
EVOLVING MARKETS Prior to unfortunate events, Russian inbound tourism accounted for 35 percent of the total tourism flow, noted Lamia Assem, regional director, marketing communications, TOLIP Hotels & Resorts Egypt, while British nationals represented 11 percent. Given the decreased accessibility from these destinations, there has been a notable shift in the country’s source markets. As Ramy Darwish, regional director, sales and marketing, SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises, explained, guests from the Gulf
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area are frequenting Sharm El Sheikh, an inbound trend described by many. Illustrating the benefits of the growing Middle Eastern market, Moustafa Abaza, director, sales and marketing, Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo – Media City, said, “[...] They usually come as individuals rather than groups which results in longer stay durations [and] they use all the hotel’s services.” At El Gouna, the tourist resort town with 18 properties, Jens Freise, vice president, marketing and sales, Orascom Development Holding, described the German speaking market as the majority of its guests, followed by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Tarek Mousa, CEO, Egypt & Beyond Travel, noticed a clear shift in where inbound tourists arrive from, highlighting Indonesia, Malaysia and India as new source markets, complementing the company’s North American clients. Continuing the topic of unfamiliar nationalities, Eid disclosed an increased occurrence in Polish and Ukrainian visitors in Marsa Alam, which he attributes to low hotel rates. Nevertheless, domestic tourism also plays a role in the industry, as Thomas William, managing director, Environmental Quality International (EQI), underscored that a notable proportion of both Egyptian and foreign residents based in the country frequented to the management company’s three eco-lodges this year. Even with novel source markets, occupancy at properties is still considered to be at a low. Eid revealed that Gorgonia Beach Resort achieved an average occupancy of 87 percent in 2015, yet the property is finding it hard to match that figure this year. Revenue is also incomparable due to aggressive summer offers and repeated increment in suppliers and material expenses. “Therefore, to survive with the lower cost while maintaining the same quality and service – which we consider it one of the main tools to keep our position in the market – is very difficult,” elaborated Eid. Despite an average occupancy of 62 percent in the third quarter (Q3) of this year, a quarter-on-quarter drop of 11 percent, Jens noted, “In Q3, average room rate has marked a 14 percent increase which reflected positively on the overall performance.” Conversely, with growing demand for eco-tourism, William noted an increase in guests at the company’s three eco-lodges in Siwa, when compared to 2015, suggesting opportunities within a niche segment. SHIFTING SCENES “Mass tourism is very important for Egypt, for the employees working in tourism and their families, important for investors and important for the whole country,” stressed William.
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DECEMBER 2016
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VISIT EGYPT
However, while known as a leisure-focussed mass tourism destination in recent decades, Egypt has had to adapt to its evolving travel industry. Despite the obviously negative economical impact, industry professionals are considering the opportunities which the change brings. “Such a shift from mass tourism will open new horizons for tourism in Egypt,” enthused Labban. Speaking in agreement, Darwish concurred, “[...] Moving away from mass tourism to individual can also bring some benefits, like the development of new destinations in Egypt and discovering new places.” Meanwhile, as a destination that never targeted the mass market, El Gouna’s high level of service has sustained its healthy market share at a steadily growing average room rate, revealed Freise, demostrating the potential within the luxury segment. William echoed this view, emphasising that the North African country can benefit in the long term through the evolution towards quality tourism. Not only this, there are also environmental benefits, such as reduced damage to the Red Sea’s coral reef, added William.
DECEMBER 2016
Regardless of the positivity in regards to the changing industry, a clear concern for the country’s unique historical sites was underlined. As Mohsen Abdin, general manager, Fly Well Travel, expressed, the shortfall in visitors to such monuments means a reduction in entrance fees, the consequence of which is insufficient funds to maintain and preserve the country’s heritage spots. NICHE OPPORTUNITIES Egypt has been long visited by travellers, traditionally for its archaeological sites prior to the rapid development and influx of tourists in the 1990s. While the North African destination offers a broad selection of tourism products and serves to a wide range of visitors needs, from those seeking sun and relaxation to culture vultures wanting to learn about the country’s rich history, the shift away from mass tourism has further enabled niche segments to shine. With a decline in leisure visitors, it is the country’s unique offerings which make it stand out amongst its competitors. Unequivocally distinctive, the abundant Egyptology in Upper Egypt
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VISIT EGYPT
clearly remains a big draw, but as William observed, tourists are also attracted to diverse religious tourism opportunities, while nature lovers seek the country’s protected national parks, such as Saint Katherine Protectorate, and expansive desert boasting rich varied fossils and geological fortunes. El Gouna, with five-star properties and a landing strip for private jets, along with EQI’s uniquely located eco-lodges, are considered niche, thus appealing to affluent holidaymakers, proven success stories within the current climate. Demand for Nile cruises and desert safaris is on the rise, cited Mousa, adding that it is great for business, as such clients tend to be high spenders. The high-end market is becoming an important source of income for the local industry, with the development of luxury addresses such as Raffles Citystars Sharm El Sheikh due in 2019, W Sharm El Sheikh expected in 2020 as well as The St. Regis Cairo anticipated in 2017. The prospects for luxury is being capitalised on, as Abaza explained, “We participate as much as possible in travel fairs and events targeting those very clients.” Due to the Red Sea’s outstanding reputation amongst scuba divers, including Ras Mohammed National Park, the area remains highly popular amongst aficionados. Labban explained that this stunning, expansive natural resource is actively being promoted to diversify options for global travellers. Furthermore, other specialist sports groups are also being targeted, on top of divers, Friese described El Gouna as popular with the kitesurfing community. With 10 active and under development Crystal Lagoons projects in the country, this trend is likely to continue. Noting that the Egyptian Crystal Lagoons offerings will focus on the leisure market, Carlos Salas, regional director, Middle East, Crystal Lagoons, said, “[The developments will] have a plethora of sporting usages, such as swimming, kayaking, snorkelling and sailing.” However, the sports tourism sector includes more than just water sports, Abaza mentioned football camps as being one of Egypt’s latest tourism trends. Moreover, Eid added that Gorgonia Beach Resort’s patrons include beach tennis trainers and players, who are building competitions and championships through the country’s six international beach tennis fields. MEETING POINT One of the biggest growing segments in Egypt is MICE, and according to data released by Hotstats, hotels in Cairo recorded a year-on-year rise in residential conference of 77.4 percent in September due to the city’s growing events calendar. This trend has been observed across the country. As reported in Colliers International’s Egypt Quarterly Review & Forecast Q2 2016, hoteliers in Hurghada are shifting their focus on the growing MICE demand, while an increase in Alexandria’s corporate sector was also underscored. “There has been a shift in the purpose of visits [...] to attending conferences and events,” illustrated Labban. This view was echoed by Assem, who explained that the Egyptian government is running new projects with multinational companies, an endeavour certain to attract business visitors. Demonstrating adaptability to the market, Darwish disclosed that SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises is upgrading its corporate facilities to appeal to MICE groups.
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ADJUSTING FOR THE FUTURE Industry professionals are well aware they cannot rely on traditional methods to lure in tourists. Assam highlighted the significant role that online travel agencies play in advertising to European and emerging markets as well as high spenders. Expanding on the essential role of an online presence, Sherif Shahein, vice president, Baron Hotels and Resorts, elaborated, “Egyptian tourism is now following a new digitalised trend which is going more digital and paying more attention to the e-marketing and e-commerce industry.” Darwish stressed that last minute bookings are the reality of today, adding that additional low-cost flights would be a much needed boost to the industry. Underscoring the importance of remaining flexible, Darwish advised, “We should adapt ourselves for different markets.” Recognising the potential of the Middle Eastern market, Labban explained, “We are focussing on the expanding Gulf and Arab market by offering constant promotions, marketing campaigns and tailoring our services to fit their tastes.” That is not to say that the hope of European guests returning has been abandonned. “We are working closely with our tour operator partners to guarantee the smooth operation of business once the European flights return,” enthused Labban. Abdin underlined that following the arrival of UK flights to Luxor, the segment is already getting back to normal. Stakeholders remain hopeful; STR’s September 2016 Pipeline Report revealed that some 5,800 rooms across 17 hotels are currently in construction in Egypt. With so much to offer the future is indeed optimistic and as Mousa concluded, “[...] Many travellers are hungry to visit Egypt after six years of downturn. [...]” DECEMBER 2016
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EXPLORE LEBANON
REINSTALLED
CONFIDENCE A LONG-STANDING FAVOURITE FOR BOTH REGIONAL AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS, LEBANON IS HEAVILY RELYING ON TOURISM TO ENDURE CHALLENGES AND PAVE THE PATH TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
DECEMBER 2016
RITA KASZIBA WRITES
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ccounting for 7.6 percent of the national GDP and providing employment for some 114,000 people, tourism is a major pillar of Lebanon’s socio-economic development, especially at times of financial and geopolitical uncertainties. Yet, as Fadi Kaedbey, general manager, Ramada Plaza Beirut, noted, in recent years, the country has secured a consistent top spot in the world news due to both its internal instability and the spillovers from turmoil in neighbouring lands. Adding to that, a dramatic drop in oil prices has affected demand as well as inward investment, and this, coupled with a slight oversupply, led to a fierce competition in the market, prompting industry stakeholders to review their strategies and implement new action plans. “Although it is easy to get caught up in the
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EXPLORE LEBANON
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In fact, according to Ernst & Young’s Middle East Hotel Benchmark Survey, compared to 2014’s results, occupancy levels in Beirut already showed a much more balanced picture in 2015, having surpassed the 52 percent mark it had stabilised on since 2012, with slight improvements in both rates, as well as RevPAR. The hospitality sector indeed seems to regain some vigor, as hoteliers continue to fine-tune their strategies to adapt to new realities. THERE IS MORE
headlines, we were surprised by the acceptable tourism demand Lebanon has maintained,” indicated Kaedbey, switching to a more positive note and highlighting the recent shift in the demographic of feeder markets which LEBANON IN BRIEF has put significant pressure on room rates. “Lebanon has remained very attractive and a top Capital: Beirut destination for many of our neighbouring countries,” he Language: Arabic further explained, disclosing that a healthy geographical mix of guests helped to compensate the decrease Population: 4.47 million in GCC travellers and despite an enormous drop in the Calling code: +961 market and in rates, the hotel was able to maintain a satCapital Time Zone: GMT +2:00 isfactory RevPAR index. Yasmine Eid Maalouf, general manager, Ramada Downtown, Beirut, reported similar trends. “Though we lost some markets and segments, we have gained others,” she said, admitting that to better adapt to demand, and remain competitive, lower prices were introduced, resulting in a change in the profile of the clientele. All in all, it is very much the case of status quo for now, suggested Michel Boulad, director, sales and marketing, O Monot, saying that having finally settled in a relatively stable atmosphere is giving the industry a sense of optimism. “For the first time in years, Lebanon [is seeing] stability in its hotel industry,” stated Boulad. Fuelling the positivism, 2015 proved to be the second consecutive year with increased arrivals to the country after a major slump in 2011, when figures plummeted to just 1.66 million from 2.17 million in 2010. Tough full recovery is yet to be achieved, data released by the Ministry of Tourism points to an encouraging 12 percent year-on-year surge for 2015 with almost 1.52 million travellers on record. While according to the ministry, prior to 2011, the majority of tourists represented heavyspenders from oil-rich Gulf states, in 2015, for the first time in many years, Europeans, rather than Arab visitors, accounted for the lion’s share of arrivals, making up 33.29 percent of the total, up 12.87 percent year-on-year, with regional travellers grasping 31.67 percent of the market. Hartmut Grauel, general manager, Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel, attributed the changes in the guest profile to the travel ban imposed by GCC countries, noting that stronger demand from other segments, such as Egypt and Iraq helped to offset the decrease in numbers from the high-end luxury segment. “In spite of the lower average rate these markets produce, our business gained from the volume of room nights […], not solely during the holiday season but throughout the year,” acknowledged Grauel. “By adapting our rates for this segment based on pre-planned visits, tailoring our product […] through personal sales calls and the support of our local destination management companies, we were able to close a very good third quarter.”
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“Running our business is an ongoing challenge,” admitted Teddy Aouad, operations manager, Tree O Nine Beirut, saying that nevertheless, an enhanced focus on the European segments has helped to counterbalance the drop from Arab markets. Nonetheless, partially due to recent incidents in another regional favourite, Turkey, GCC travellers are also gradually returning and in addition to that, the Lebanese diaspora also represents an ever-important segment, pinpointed Cynthia Flouty, director, sales and marketing, Mövenpick Hotel Beirut. Underscoring expats’ significance to the wider tourism sector, Shady Younis, sales manager, Advanced Car Rental, said that a larger share of business comes from Lebanese expatriates retuning to their home country from across the globe and especially from the GCC. Hoteliers are also intensifying their effort to tap into new markets, with Mohamad Zein, director of sales, Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun, listing Russia and Iran among the top upand-coming segments. Confirming his peers’ words, Zein also admitted that the focus has recently been on attaining volume and capturing a larger share of the market by signing direct contracts with head offices and annual deals with corporate clients. In fact, despite a weaker demand from holiday-makers,
DECEMBER 2016
EXPLORE LEBANON
business travel is an ever-growing segment in Lebanon, underlined Maha Atieh, director, sales, Phoenicia Hotel and Le Vendôme Beirut Hotel, referring to various prestigious conferences and functions staged in the city. As she disclosed, for this very reason, besides promoting staycation and family packages to the domestic market, the management lays great emphasis on positioning Phoenicia Hotel as a MICE hotspot. “MICE business and extended stay are currently the main trends in Lebanon,” asserted Ihab Kanawati, general manager, Staybridge Suites Beirut, revealing that in order to leverage on this demand, the property has recently launched a meeting room for 40 people. As he revealed, despite the challenges, as an upscale extended stay concept, the hotel continues to witness an increase in corporate bookings month after month. According to Atieh, many of these long-staying guests are arriving to Lebanon to seek medical treatments with local hospitals and doctors being particularly acclaimed for plastic surgeries, making medical tourism a burgeoning segment for the country. As Zein pinpointed, being less volatile to local and regional circumstances, these niche areas, such as MICE or medical tourism are highly important especially at times when due to the repercussion of recent incidents, the leisure
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market might take time to fully return. Echoing similar views, Boulad stated, “In my opinion, eco and medical tourism are still largely undervalued and have huge potential.” As Francois Galoisy, general manager, Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel, Beirut, put it, Lebanon can serve all kinds of tourism. “We are the number one business and tourist destination, especially during winter for ski lovers and during the summer months for mountain [tours] and nightlife entertainment,” he said, highlighting the past year’s new dimension in the leisure segment; that being ecotourism. “Many small hotels and houses have been refurbished to host tourists looking for a new experience in Lebanon and to discover new areas and the authentic Lebanese culture that sometimes is [hard to find] in big cities,” added Galoisy. Although Elie Nammour, marketing director, BELAIR Travel & Tourism, firmly believes that in the long-term MICE and leisure travel are unbreakable and will therefore always flourish, he served with evidence for the growing interest in lesser-known attributes of Lebanon saying that the company’s clients are increasingly inclined to add interesting elements, such as bike tours, ecological adventures, renewable energy trips to solar farms and even cooking and dancing lessons to their itineraries. As Younis said, “Apart from Lebanon’s perfect climate and topography, its rich history and culture, the Lebanese are known for their genuine hospitality and their developed medical centres. This gives the country a great potential in every tourism segment.” While agreeing with his peers that niche offerings, including religious and medical tourism, boast high potential, Grauel called for a united approach to exploit these promising segments. “These tourism sectors require a special focus and tailor-made strategy within the marketing plans of both the specialists of the hospitality companies combined with the long-term vision and a path-clearing support from Lebanon’s concerned ministers,” said Grauel. BACK TO NORMAL Hopes are indeed high. “Today, Lebanon is looking to the future and welcomes tourists back to its resorts, natural attractions and glittering urban scene,” said Eid Maalouf. As Boulad noted, with the new head of state taking office, Lebanon is once again regaining the confidence of the regional and international community. “Huge projects are underway, including oil and gas exploration and improvements in infrastructure, and the Ministry of Tourism is also conducting interesting campaigns,” explained Boulad. Industry stakeholders and the people of Lebanon in general are indeed used to facing and overcoming challenges, asserted Kanawati, saying that is it now time to spread positive vibes. Summarising the industry’s outlook for the future, Nammour concluded, “My guess is that 2017 will be an unprecedented year for Lebanon.”
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DECEMBER 2016
ONSITE JORDAN
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LAND OF
Opportunity AS NEW HORIZONS APPEAR IN JORDAN’S ECONOMY, HOPES EMERGE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE IN THE TOURISM SEGMENT
NATALIE JAMES WRITES
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his August, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a three-year extended arrangement for the Kingdom for USD723 million with the purpose of advancing fiscal consolidation to lower public debt and broaden structural reforms to enhance the conditions for more inclusive growth. As destinations in the Middle East continue to be affected by ongoing regional upheavals, the IMF’s new project has brought hope to Jordan, opening the doors for further growth in a period of political turmoil. Discussing the new arrangement, Nizam Bou Antoun, general manager, Corp Amman Hotel, took it as a challenge for all hotels in Amman to increase their share in the corporate area. Optimism for the Kingdom’s future in the tourism segment has been given new flame, and industry experts, such as Antoun, have increased their efforts to promote their businesses and Jordan as a whole. “Travel agencies [and] wholesalers […] are the main business feeders and act as an open door to local and international markets,” said Antoun. The focus on travel agencies and tour operators is a common trait among many businesses in Jordan, whose endeavours to promote key locations across the Kingdom have suddenly begun to pick up speed following IMF’s decision. H.E. Sharhabeel Madi, commissioner, economic affairs, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), also stressed the significance of promotion via agents and operators. In addition to its charter flights program to facilitate accessibility into the destination and increase the number of visitors, ASEZA offers a cooperation marketing support for tour operators interested in selling and promoting a minimum fournights program for Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Petra. IT TAKES TWO
JORDAN IN BRIEF Capital: Amman Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
Collaborative efforts have also extended between hoteliers and Jordan Tourism Board. While hotels have been working relentlessly to enhance their product offering by tailoring special packages to their guests’ needs, the tourism board seeks to draw visitor attention to Jordan’s rich culture. More often than not, the two authorities come together to draw both local and international market focus.
DECEMBER 2016
Language: Arabic Population: 6.53 million Calling Code: +962 Capital Time Zone: GMT +2:00
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ONSITE JORDAN As Cindy El Bader, marketing manager, The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, said, “In 2017, we will continue to offer our guests an exciting hospitality experience, while also working with our partners – Rotana’s area sales offices and the Jordan Tourism Board – to explore new opportunities and target new markets which will help us attract more customers.” El Bader further stressed the importance of certain markets, with the GCC market playing a big role in Amman, while new markets, such as the US and UK, are constantly emerging with fresh prospects. Ziad Fostuq, general manager, Belle Vue Amman, also commented on the hotel’s many partnerships with local businesses and the country’s tourism board. “We focus on all markets, with the assistance and close relationships with our local DMCs and with the local authorities, being Jordan Tourism Board and of course the Ministry of Tourism,” said Fostuq. These partnerships are host to a multitude of familiarisation trips from new markets, and while the local market has always played the biggest role in tourism contribution, the Kingdom is looking to cater to more niche markets. “To attract more divers to the destination [...] steps have been made to focus on certain markets; the UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Moscow and Spain,” said Madi. THE MILLENIAL REVOLUTION In order to promote Jordan as a top tourist spot, trade experts have begun to employ new methods based on recent trends and, most prominently, the new dominant demographics. “With the rise of the millennials, the demand for better services, better culinary experiences, flexible rates, high ranked online reviews, all together derive higher expectations [which] hoteliers are expected to meet,” Antoun elaborated, listing, among others, the hotel’s website as a priority for direct bookings versus online travel agency dominance, as well as social media platforms. The importance of a strong online presence is evident across the tourism sector. In addition to tour operators, experts are focussed on attracting social media bloggers from the biggest markets. Discussing the ever-growing impact of social media in the hotel business, El Bader further explained that
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in order to reach today’s millennial generation, who are entering their spending years and are particularly influenced by what they read on different social media platforms, the industry needs to learn to speak their language. “We also enjoy inviting decision makers, bloggers and social media influencers – who are the best marketing channels in today’s world – to visit and enjoy the hotel’s different facilities,” said El Bader. Even tour operators are picking up on the trend. Adnan Habbab, managing director, Nawafir Tours, argued that apart from participating in trade shows and arranging familiarisation trips for visitors, online presence plays an important role. “This month, we launched a new website [...]. In 2017, we will use social media to promote our destinations and products,” said Habbab. FAMILIAR FACES More connections are also being introduced between Jordanian cities and fresh international markets. Most recently, a new route to Aqaba from Helsinki Airport was established, courtesy of Royal Wings, the charter arm of Royal Jordanian Airlines. As routes multiply, more companies are seeking to bring their businesses to the Middle Eastern country, such as Rotana Group and Eagle Hills, which have recently settled in the Kingdom. The new Amman Rotana, which opened for business in October, has already become a landmark in the city as the tallest building in the Kingdom, while Eagle Hills has launched its fourth project in Jordan, The Skyline Residences serviced by W Amman. As Alaa Batayneh, CEO, Eagle Hills Jordan, elucidated, “This new project reflects our collective commitment to Jordan’s socioeconomic progress, as it, along
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with our other three projects, will redefine the hospitality experience [in] Jordan, expanding the number of hotel rooms to accommodate guests in the Kingdom and opening up a large number of new job opportunities.” Jordan’s vibrant hotel scene continues to grow steadily with the addition of new addresses, luring visitors from global markets, but established hotels are not staying behind. Many are undergoing renovations to keep their product offering at the highest quality, at the same time tapping into new prospects as well as catering to their existing loyal markets. Dima Jaradat, communications manager, Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts Jordan, explained that apart from the usual business segments, its new marketing strategy will focus more on customer segments. Leisure visitors are a top priority, according to Jaradat, while religious tourism continues to be an important aspect of the industry. “Jordan is also known for its historical and religious tourism attractions for both Muslim and Christian populations, which is a big component of our occupancy rates. Our Dead Sea hotel is located near the famous baptism site [AlMaghtas], which has great significance to Christian pilgrims around the globe,” said Jaradat. These combined efforts to boost travel with new incentives have seemed to pay off. With over 770,000 visitors welcomed at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) during September this year, a marked 9.3 percent increase in passenger traffic in comparison to the same month in 2015, Jordan is looking at a promising season in the tourism segment. DECEMBER 2016
EXCLUSIVE CRUISING
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CRUISING TO
Success THE MIDDLE EAST CRUISE INDUSTRY IS SOARING, WITH MANY DESTINATIONS HOSTING THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WINTER CRUISE SEASON TO DATE. AMID ONGOING DEVELOPMENTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NUMEROUS INITIATIVES, THE REGION IS JUST GETTING STARTED.
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ELLEN PETTY WRITES
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ccording to Dubai Cruise Tourism, following an exceptional 2015-2016 season which saw a 19 percent increase in cruise visitors and a 24 percent surge in the number of ship calls, Dubai’s current term is looking even more promising. “This season, we anticipate the arrival of over 600,000 cruise tourists as more than 150 ships anchor in the emirate in the coming months,” revealed Jamal Humaid Al Falasi, director, Dubai Cruise Tourism (DCT), marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase . Yet another indicator of the emirate’s popularity, Dubai is set to welcome the regional debut of Norwegian Cruise Line and Thomson Cruises, hailed as the first ever UK-based line to home port in the emirate. Furthermore, Al Falasi added that Dubai will serve as the maiden port for six global cruise lines, meaning the expanding line up amounts to 23 cruise operators. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi is expecting to attract some 250,000 passengers, a year-on-year boost of nine percent, in its longest ever cruise season, which after being inaugurated in October, will run until June 06, 2017. A total of 23 ships will use the new state-of-the-art terminal at Zayed Port as its winter base or make port-of-call visits, including three ships originating from the city and nine vessels making weekly stopovers. However, the growth is certainly not limited to the UAE. Salim Adi Al Mamari, director general, tourism promotion, Ministry of Tourism, Oman, disclosed that 152 vessels will call into Oman in the current season, a notable rise compared to 20152016 which saw 135 ship calls. Moreover, Qatar will welcome 32 liners, marking a three-fold rise on 2015-2016, bringing with them more than 50,000 tourists. When taking into consideration that globally the cruise segment rose approximately three percent in 2015, as shown in IPH International’s World Travel Monitor survey, it becomes transparent how rapidly the Middle Eastern industry is soaring. Cruise liners are also reaping the rewards, as Mohamed Saeed, general manager, Middle East, Royal Caribbean Arabia, noted, demand continues to increase, reaching double-digit percentage growth, due to enhanced awareness of the region.
DECEMBER 2016
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Speaking in agreement, Abby Penlington, marketing and communications manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, added that the popular winter destination achieves high satisfaction ratings.
EXCLUSIVE CRUISING
Al Falasi, enables visa on arrival for 47 nationalities as well as offering a simplified online application process. Recognising the significance of this move, Alessandro Bottaro, head, sales and marketing, Mediterranean new markets, India, Africa and Middle East, Costa Crociere, predicted, “Now that the new visa procedure is finally implemented, we are sure that we are going to see a consistent growth in a lot of countries.” Additionally, the initiative has encouraged further growth from emerging source markets such as India, China, Russia and South America, mentioned Al Falasi. In the same vein, for the first time this season, Qatar has introduced a simpler visa procedure. Passenger manifests will be shared with immigration officials 48 hours ahead of a ship’s arrival, allowing officials to clear tourists for entry prior to
STRONGER TOGETHER Authorities in the region have recognised the potential for this booming industry and the importance of collaboration, demonstrated with the formation of Cruise Arabia alliance in 2013. Earlier this year, the association welcomed Bahrain, joining Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Qatar and Oman. Al Mamari disclosed that membership allows partners to jointly participate in both international and regional events within the cruise sector, such as Seatrade Middle East and Seatrade USA. Further elaborating this point, Al Falasi noted that the aim of the organisation is to transform the Gulf region into a leading cruise destination, through the synergy of tourism authorities collectively showcasing the best of the Gulf. Having already seen the benefits of the unified partnership, Al Falasi explained, “[...] We have been able to position Dubai and the region as an ideal winter sun destination for international markets.” Bob Dixon, general manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa sales, Carnival UK, corroborated this view, in part attributing the Gulf’s standing as the next big winter destination due to port congestion and itinerary fatigue in the Caribbean. Moreover, enhanced and upgraded ports play an essential role in attracting cruise companies, with many countries developing their infrastructure in recent years with new cruise terminals. As Dixon demonstrated, “New cruise facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have increased the operational appeal of the destination.” The introduction of the UAE’s multiple-entry visa, as described by
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EXCLUSIVE CRUISING
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docking and offering transit visas to additionally ease entry. ROCKING THE BOAT Despite the significant growth in the relatively new sector, there are still some barriers that need to be considered. While the UAE and Qatar’s improved visa regulations have indeed facilitated cruise travel, other countries need to follow suit. Royal Caribbean is urging each port in the region to do the same. There are also some misconceptions about the region that still need to be overcome to advance the industry even more. “In my view, there is still a job to be done in educating both the trade and the public around the cultural heritage and diversity in the region,” explained Dixon. Moreover, while cruises remain popular amongst European holidaymakers, as Dixon indicated, they are yet to be established as a consideration amongst Middle Eastern travellers, adding that it is likely to be a few years before it takes off. Not only are cruises not yet viewed as a particularly attractive option for Middle Eastern tourists, encouraging them to book a local itinerary is particularly testing. “One challenge we have is attracting guests from the local Gulf region to take a cruise locally, due to the fact that the ports can easily be visited within a few hours car ride from Dubai,” corroborated Penlington. Cunard Line is attempting to solve this through its partnership with DNATA to increase distribution and local custom, revealed Dixon. PLAIN SAILING AHEAD “The Ministry of Tourism, [Oman] has sought to develop this sector because of its high importance and the economic return it beings in,” elucidated Al Mamari. In fact, cruise tourists spend more than double the European average, some EUR218 (USD238) per night, revealed IPH International. In addition to its host of attractions, Dubai is considered to be highly accessible, both due to its air and sea connectivity and its strategic location, illustrated Al Falasi, which make it an ideal cruise destination. To advance the cruise industry’s contribution to the emirates tourism sector, DCT is actively collaborating with key stakeholders such as cruise operators, airlines, port authorities and Dubai immigration to facilitate the growth of what Al Falasi describes as a vital tourism sector in order to achieve its aim of one million cruise tourists every year by 2020, ultimately contributing to Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020. Sharjah is also relying on this lucrative industry to contribute to its Tourism Vision 2021, a new cruise terminal has been constructed in Khorfakkan port and is set to be a fully functioning terminal capable of receiving visiting cruise ships from all around the world, noted Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. In the meantime, Oman is strengthening the industry through participation in trade shows to ensure more knowledge and awareness of the region. Besides, there is also potential for expansion within the Middle East and North Africa allowing diversification and expansion of itineraries. Penlington enthused, “The future opening up of Iran presents a great opportunity to develop the region as does [...] Egypt.”
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TOUR MALAYSIA
MALAYSIA: EASTERN
Promise RANKED AS THE TOP DESTINATION FOR ISLAMIC TRAVEL IN THE MASTERCARDCRESCENTRATING GLOBAL MUSLIM TRAVEL INDEX, MALAYSIA CONTINUES TO WELCOME MUSLIM TRAVELLERS WITH OPEN ARMS.
HOME FROM HOME With Muslim traveller expenditure expected to reach USD233 billion by 2020, the travel industry is already realising the value in attracting such visitors, as Pugeneswary Mudukasan, marketing communications manager, sales and marketing, Best Western Premier Genting Ion Delemen, illustrated, “[...] We realise there is a need to capitalise on the increasing number of Muslim travellers.” For the past two years, Malaysia has been ranked as the number one destination for Islamic travellers in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, and with Islam as the state religion, the country is indeed set up to cater to such visitors. This, according to Zulkifly Md MALAYSA IN BRIEF Said, director general, Islamic Tourism Centre, has enabled the country Capital: Kuala Lumpur to build one of the world’s most enviCurrency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) able infrastructures for the growth of Language: Malaysian Islamic tourism. Nowadays, hotels are going above Population: 31,200,000 and beyond the provision of prayer Calling Code: +60 mats, the Quran, Qibla direction in Time Zone: GMT +8 guest rooms and Halal dining options prepared in certified kitchens, to make their customers feel at home. In an extra effort to put guests at ease, Thomas Schwall, general manager, The St. Regis Langkawi, explained that the property’s highly experienced chefs are trained in the Middle East while pool villas provide the ultimate privacy, an important characteristic for Muslim guests. Moreover, to ensure ease of communication and welcome patrons, the hotel employs Arabic speaking staff, noted Susan Yap, director, sales and marketing, The Westin Kuala Lumpur. MAINTAINING MOMENTUM
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ccording to Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), it is estimated that in 2015, just over 20 percent of Malaysia’s inbound visitors were Muslim, contributing around MYR13.84 billion (USD3.3 billion) to the economy. Islamic tourism is highly important for the Southeast Asian country, so much so, that in 2009 ITC was launched, a specialist advisory body that concerns matters pertaining to its namesake. While there was a double-digit decline in the number of Middle Eastern arrivals in 2015, as stated by Tourism Malaysia, most notably from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, of which tourist figures plummeted 20.2 percent, 12.4 percent and 23.9 percent, respectively, this year is looking much more promising. Propelled by high demand during the summer months, Faizal Iskandar Ghazali, director, sales, Middle East and Africa, Sunday Hotels & Resorts, reported a 10 percent year-on-year surge in guests from the Middle East during the season, a market which represents 25 percent of its total customer base. Michael Schlueter, managing director, The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa elucidated that one in three of its guests originate from the Middle East, further underscoring the big role they play in the market.
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Trade shows, such as Arabian Travel Market (ATM), are seen as valuable opportunities for Tourism Malaysia and hotels to promote their offerings. Parveen Kumar, executive assistant manager, sales and marketing, rooms, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, disclosed that its representatives regularly attend ATM, not only to publicise the property but to gain a better understanding of the market. On top of traditional marketing strategies, Mudukasan underlined the importance of online approaches in order to reach out to the Middle East, noting, “[...] We are re-engineering our marketing strategy to embrace the technology [...].” “[We need to] engage travellers more actively via digital and social media channels,” concurred Lee Meng Hong, director, communications, Lexis Hotels & Resorts Sdn Bhd. As well as agreeing on the importance of these avenues, Mohammed Taib, area director, Dubai, Tourism Malaysia, also stressed the potential of focussing on online travel agencies. “Middle Eastern travellers have been patronising hotels and resorts in Malaysia since the early 1990s,” revealed Ghazali, accentuating the importance of developing new offerings to continue to attract this lucrative source market. Nevertheless, the country still has much to offer, as Kumar clarified, “The recent rating of Malaysia as the world’s fourth best shopping haven by CNN along with the recent depreciation of Malaysian Ringgit has made the country even more attractive as a must go-to destination for shopping and entertainment.” Furthermore, Schlueter concluded that Malaysia is not only good value for money but is also considered a safe country, making it attractive for relaxation and family getaways.
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Q & A with
attract individuals, couples and families alike. Rotana, an Abu Dhabi-based hotel group, has established a well-known reputation in the local market, and it is presently expanding internationally. Therefore our main clientele is from the GCC, Western countries and South Asia.
ULRIKE ANDORFF GENERAL MANAGER, BURJUMAN ARJAAN BY ROTANA, DUBAI
WHILE LOCATION AND FACILITIES ARE IMPORTANT, ULRIKE ANDORFF, GENERAL MANAGER, BURJUMAN ARJAAN BY ROTANA, DUBAI, EXPLAINS HOW COMMITMENT TO CONSTANTLY HIGH STANDARDS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A BUSINESS.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: With Dubai’s room inventory expanding apace, how do you ensure steady performance levels? What are the hotel’s main selling points that distinguish it from other properties in the area? ULRIKE ANDORFF: At BurJuman Arjaan, we always focus on providing excellent service to our guests and this will always be a top priority of the brand. Ongoing studies are crucial to identify new market patterns and improve BurJuman Arjaan’s positioning, especially in such a vibrant and competitive market. Our main selling point is definitely the location, followed by our distinct Rotana service enhancements. While the spacious and fully-furnished suites are absolutely superior to the service apartment buildings in our area, our clientele chooses BurJuman Arjaan because of the genuine friendly and attentive service approach. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana offers 148 spacious suites, ideal for families, businessmen as well as other long-stay guests. What attributes differentiate this segment from other guests? What kind of mindset is required from the management in order to understand the varied needs and preferences of these guests?
ULRIKE ANDORFF: Following [the brand’s] Your Home Away From Home concept, our team at BurJuman Arjaan proactively approaches and assists the long-stay guest to settle in rapidly and smoothly. With changing times, the requests of our valued clients are diverse depending on the purpose of visit, country of origin and profession. To keep up with the pace, the management shall flex within parameters. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: In line with Dubai’s aim to become a leading destination, sustainability remains a major issue for the destination. What kinds of corporate social responsibility and green initiatives are being implemented by the hotel in order to make a positive change? How can such endeavours not only support the community and the environment but also strengthen team spirit? ULRIKE ANDORFF: Rotana launched its global corporate sustainability platform called Rotana Earth [years ago], which offers a practical guide linking sustainability to the strategy that is followed by each property. I am proud that our team at BurJuman Arjaan has been very active in organising and implementing various corporate social responsibility activities, such as a beach clean-up in a wildlife reserve, clothes drive, cancer awareness functions and blood donation, just to name a few. Our colleagues are extremely resourceful in planning and conducting such events which breaks their daily routine and at the same time gives them the feeling of belonging and making a change by giving back to the community.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Located in the vibrant and historical district of Bur Dubai, BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana provides an ideal base for both business as well as leisure travellers. How would you describe your clientele? Which are your main markets? ULRIKE ANDORFF: BurJuman Arjaan benefits indeed from its superb location in the midst of the buzzing Bur Dubai and in walking distance to major sightseeing spots. The nearby metro connects to any business hubs such as Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai International Financial Centre, Business Bay and Jebel Ali. Consequently, equal share throughout the year is taken by business and leisure travellers. With our well-appointed and large fully-furnished and serviced suites, we
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Burjuman Arjaan by Rotana, Dubai
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DECEMBER 2016
WHO’S MOVED
VIKRAM JAMWAL has joined City Centre Rotana, Doha, as resident manager, following his success as the hotel’s executive assistant manager. Jamwal has been in the hospitality industry for more than 22 years, showcasing an extensive hotel experience across the European, African, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets. Before joining Rotana, Jamwal spent 16 years with an international hotel chain where he was incharge of operations in one of the largest five star hotels in Nigeria. Jamwal will be adding more value and contributing further towards the success of Rotana’s newest five-star hotel in Qatar.
BLAISE MONTANDON
VIKRAM JAMWAL
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BLAISE MONTANDON has been appointed as general manager of Four Seasons Resort Marrakech. Born and raised in Switzerland, Montandon graduated from École hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland. Having spent many years in Asian countries gaining experience in luxury services, he is now set to explore Morocco within his new position. With this new assignment, Montandon is looking forward to bringing a new dynamic, hands-on leadership prowess and exceptional service standards to the Resort.
Montandon spent many years in Asian countries
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GENERAL MANAGER, HALA ARJAAN BY ROTANA
“We [will] unveil one of the few truly contemporary style beachfront resorts to the region, unique in its concept of […] luxury service and providing an off-the-cuff personal service experience. Launched in partnership with Meraas, [Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai] is set to emerge as a lifestyle destination for those who set the trend. The look and the feel of the different areas, combined with the entertainment concept of Nikki Beach, create a unique atmosphere.”
GENERAL MANAGER, AL MANSHAR ROTANA, KUWAIT
We will continue to strive [...] in the coming years
“It is wonderful to be recognised [for the] second time in a row, this year in a higher category. From the Best Luxury Serviced Apartment in the UAE to the best in the Middle East, our rising rank is a reflection of the exceptional service, facilities and customer experience that we provide to our guests. We will continue to strive [for] such achievements in the coming years.”
CEO, QATAR AIRWAYS GROUP
IMAD ZABOURA
[A true] contemporary style beachfront resort
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H.E. AKBAR AL BAKER
CHADI NICOLAS
GENERAL MANAGER, NIKKI BEACH RESORT & SPA DUBAI
ALEXANDER SCHNEIDER
TRAVEL TALK
[...] We will continue to provide you the best service [...] “We are enormously privileged to receive the prestigious title of Luxury Business Hotel of the year 2016. This award pays off all the hard work and devotion of the entire Al Manshar Rotana colleagues. This award [would] definitely [have] not be endowed to us without the support and trust of our valued clienteles. With this I thank all of our patrons for believing in us, rest assured that we will continue to provide you the best service, memorable stay and treasured time. ”
We take pride in offering a premium product
“We are proud to have once again been recognised as the Best Middle East Airline serving China by Business Traveller China. We take pride in offering a premium product that is second to none in the market today. We remain committed to providing our China-based passengers with unparalleled in-flight and on-the-ground products and services, while creating memorable travel experiences for this important market.”
TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
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AHMED SAMIR COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, LEVANT, EGYPT AND IRAQ, SABRE TRAVEL NETWORK MIDDLE EAST
SABRE RED WORKSPACE PROMISES TO PROVIDE TRAVEL CONSULTANTS WITH A CONTENT-RICH AND HIGHLY CONFIGURABLE MARKETPLACE WHICH IS EASY TO USE AND ALLOWS THEM TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES. AHMED SAMIR, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, LEVANT, EGYPT AND IRAQ, SABRE TRAVEL NETWORK MIDDLE EAST, REVEALS FURTHER DETAILS AND BENEFITS.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Please tell us about this innovative platform. AHMED SAMIR: The travel and tourism industry has seen major disruption in recent years. Data, analytics, personalisation and mobile have been trending in the marketplace for some time and offer exciting opportunities for buyers and suppliers to meet changing traveller needs. Travellers have an entire DECEMBER 2016
ecosystem of options, services, apps, channels and data streams, and travel companies like Sabre provide the innovative platform that serves up these options. Like Google and Amazon, Sabre has built a modern, technology platform around its core global distribution system (GDS) infrastructure to provide more services and faster value to customers. Sabre’s game-changer system, Sabre Red Workspace, is the next-generation travel agency platform – developed to help customers meet the new, more empowered traveller who increasingly wants personalisation, choice and the ability to unbundle every component of a ticket and dynamically re-bundle it to match their needs. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What features and capabilities set Sabre Red Workspace apart from other platforms in the market? AHMED SAMIR: The new Sabre Red provides that same content-rich marketplace, but with new decision support tools, predictive data insights and merchandising capabilities that bring agents and suppliers together to create personalised experiences for travellers. [It also] includes a decision support bar that provides the consultant with instant access to market data for fare trends, travel seasonality, fare ranges, alternate dates and alternate airports. This data, based on Sabre’s marketplace intelligence and delivered by Sabre application programme interfaces (APIs), provides instant access to information without having to invoke additional commands. Quiet indicators in the shopping response provide the consultant insight into additional revenue opportunities and traveller preferences and indicates whether a commission is available to the agency. This capability is automatically included when there is a profile or business rule identifying policy, preference and commission. The panels contains configurable and customisable information widgets that display information such as weather, graphical seat maps, branded fares, ancillaries and other information provided by third-party apps. The trip summary provides the consultant with a visual indication of where they are in the booking process and enables the consultant to add information
to the passenger name record graphically. The trip summary is interactive, allowing the consultant to book other essential trip elements such as hotel and car to the trip itinerary. During a low fare search, the new Sabre Red Workspace offers a new air shopping experience through the use of Sabre’s destination finder API to search destination themes or view the top destinations being booked from the travellers’ departure city. […] Armed with these insights, your next call to a travel agent using Sabre will result in them advising you the best time to book to get the best price, predicting the best days of travel, or offering you more options to choose from including alternate airports displayed in interactive maps. That is travel consultancy at its best. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How does the product benefit travellers? AHMED SAMIR: Travellers want more than an itinerary; they want to feel confident about their purchases and expect a trip built around choice. They expect their agency to know if they want a window or aisle seat, and if they need an extra bag with their fare. They are looking for a more personalised travel experience. The new Sabre Red Workspace is a major innovation for travel agencies. It has deep merchandising and retailing capabilities that make this much easier for agencies. […] Travellers now have real consultants who can help them save money and personalise their trip. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: When will Sabre Red Workplace be available to travel agencies? AHMED SAMIR: The new Sabre Red Workspace is going through its pilot phase and is tested by a selected group of customers. The official rollout is planned for the beginning of 2017 for all Sabre customers globally. The new Sabre Red Workspace includes the functionality that our customers depend on today, plus new capabilities that create value for their businesses. Customers will receive the standard upgrade without additional fees. As powerful, premium capabilities become available, we will implement commercial models aligning to the value we create. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS
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FITUR: Tourism for the Future
ILTM CANNES Cannes, France December 05 – 08 www.itlm.com/cannes A luxury travel show bringing together international highquality buyers and suppliers.
FITUR Madrid, Spain January 18 – 22, 2017 www.ifema.es The 37th edition of the travel trade fair for both inbound and outbound Ibero American markets.
EMITT Istanbul, Turkey January 26 – 29, 2017 www.emittinstanbul.com Industry professionals from more than 70 countries are expected to attend the exhibition focussed on the East Mediterranean.
IBTM ARABIA
Destinations, hotels, tour operators and other service providers will highlight their preeminent initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable future for the industry at the next edition of International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR).
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eld between January 18 – 22, 2017, at Feria de Madrid, the show has been designated by the World Tourism Organization to kick off celebrations for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Many countries are already promoting support for volunteers in orienting and helping foreigners during their visits as well as developing lesser-known areas, tour operators are also increasingly getting involved in training young people to work in the industry, while others are committed to preserving the natural setting of their countries. To support the theme, some exhibitors will even build their stands with recycled materials. FITUR will help to unveil the latest solutions and advances that are contributing to economic growth, social development, job creation, efficiency of resources, environmental protection, the promotion of heritage values and cultural diversity.
Abu Dhabi, UAE February 07 – 09, 2017 www.ibtmarabia.com One of the leading international events for the Arabian meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry.
Marrakech to Welcome Annual Investment Meeting The first Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) – Africa Chapter outside of the UAE will be held in Marrakech in October 2017, under the theme of The Future Investment Landscape of Africa: Sustainable Investment Through Innovation and Partnership.
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he announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, AIM Organizing Committee and H.E. Ahmed Akhchichine, president, Marrakech-Safi region, Morroco. Al Shezawi noted, “The agreement [...] demonstrates the great importance attached by international and UAE investors for the African market and their quest to expand investment there, which was evident over the past few years through numerous visits by delegations of the investment companies to a number of African countries.”
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