JULY 2017 - ISSUE 93
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JULY 2017 - ISSUE 93
04
10
TOUR
Greece
VISIT: EGYPT
08 ONSITE: JEDDAH
02 Market Update 16 Who's Moved 18 Rendezvous
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
Royal Jordanian Reported Positive Results
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel SENIOR JOURNALIST Ellen Petty JOURNALISTS
Maria Sabova Panayiotis Karanicholas Anna Spyrou CONTRIBUTOR
Dominique Christou DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670
Royal Jordanian Airlines has reported positive operational results for January – April, during which a five percent growth in passenger traffic was observed, along with a 10 percent climb in seat factor over the corresponding period in 2016.
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
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s revealed by Suleiman Obeidat, CEO, Royal Jordanian Airlines, the carrier transported 1.13 million travellers during the reviewed period, 45,000 more than the first four months of 2016. Attributing the growth to relentless efforts of the airline’s teams, he further clarified that the increase in passenger numbers reflected positively on seat factor soaring from 64 percent in 2016 to 70 percent. The airline also saw a surge in load factor, up 11 percent compared with the same period in 2016.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 Email: kuka@rmamedia.com
Promising April for Dubai International
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, Email: david@simpson-media.com
Cover: Domes of Elounda
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of COUNTRY
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04.7.2017 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
107.95
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.95
Iran (IRR)
Rial
35,520
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,165.41
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,508.55
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.36
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.68
Syria (SYP)
Pound
214.35
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.45
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.15
Dubai International
According to Dubai Airports, passenger traffic at Dubai International climbed 9.2 percent in April, with the hub welcoming 7,622,946 passengers compared to 6,979,063 recorded during the corresponding month in 2016.
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uring the period under review, total flight movements reached 35,285 compared to 34,945 in April 2016, a growth of one percent. South America topped the list with traffic on routes to the region growing 38.9 percent, followed by Eastern Europe and Asia, registering rises of 33.9 percent and 18.9 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the hub handled 217,881 tonnes of freight, a year-on-year increase of 1.9 percent, contributing to the 3.1 percent boost observed in the first four months of the year.
JULY 2017
HOTEL PERFORMANCE
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Hotstats’ latest report MENA Chain Hotels Market Review April 2017 has revealed growth across hotels in Dubai, Kuwait and Manama. LEISURE SEGMENT FUELS GROWTH IN DUBAI
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hanks to strong growth across the leisure segment, hotels in Dubai recorded a 13 percent year-on-year surge in total RevPAR in April, driven by an 11.4 percent increase in achieved average room rate and a 5.4 percentage point jump in occupancy, to 87.8 percent. The leisure segment accounted for 60 percent of total demand, a notable rise compared to the 48.8 percent observed in the 12 months to April. Both individual and group segments increased over April 2016, up 15.6 percent and 2.4 percent, correspondingly. Furthermore, hoteliers were able to cut costs, illustrated by the 1.9 percentage point drop in payroll to 20 percent of total revenue, which resulted in a 20.7 percent increase in profit per room.
STRONG APRIL AFTER WEAK Q1 IN KUWAIT
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otels in Kuwait achieved an 11 percent jump in profit per room in April, on the back of a 6.9 percent rise in total RevPAR. While properties recorded an 11.8 percent year-on-year increase in RevPAR, due to a 5.3 percentage point rise in occupancy along with a 2.7 percent surge in achieved average room rate, non-rooms revenue fell. However, hoteliers reported 1.7 percent cost saving in payroll, as well as a 3.5 percent saving in overheads on a per available room basis. Despite the performance, it did not offset the 6.2 percent decline in profit per room seen in the first quarter (Q1). As a result, year-to-date gross operating profit per available room fell 1.2 percent to USD120.96.
GRAND PRIX ENSURES GROWTH IN MANAMA
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n April, profit per room in Manama soared 32 percent, fuelled by the 10.4 percentage point surge in occupancy, which reached 69 percent due to the 2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the timing of which also had an impact on results, falling in April rather than being spread across March and April. During the month under review, achieved average room rate jumped two percent year-on-year to USD194.14. As a result, RevPAR increased 20.1 percent, while increases in non-rooms revenue, including a 11.7 percent rise in food and beverage, resulted in a 17.1 percent growth in total RevPAR to USD204.72. Despite a slight rise in costs, the strong volume drove a USD19.71 uplift in profit per room to USD81.27.
JULY 2017
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VISIT EGYPT
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Egypt Tourism: Facing a Brighter
Horizon
Steigenberger Al Cazar Sharm El Sheikh
WITH A HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED SUMMER SEASON AND SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIOD UNDERWAY, EGYPT EXPECTS TO HARVEST THE FRUITS OF PAST AND PRESENT ACTIONS, FOCUSSED ON REGAINING ITS STATUS ON THE GLOBAL TRAVELLERS’ MAP.
MARIA SABOVA WRITES
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n light of the challenges that Egypt’s tourism industry faced in 2016, the sector’s authorities and stakeholders have doubled their efforts in the search for solutions, building the confidence of influencers and independent travellers to return to the destination. One of the main frameworks for guiding the tourism’s way ahead is the Egypt Ministry of Tourism’s 6x6 Tourism Impact Plan, which this year has observed real results among few of its main pillars of focus. This includes improved air connectivity thanks to resumed services to the destination by international airlines as well as expanded route networks of domestic and regional carriers. To mention a few developments, Air Cairo has recently launched a new itinerary from Sharm El Sheikh to Copenhagen along with strengthening its links to Prague. Furthermore, Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss Air is set to increase the number of services to Egypt, including the relaunch of its schedule to Marsa Alam during the winter season while at the same time EgyptAir’s Asian presence will be reinforced by a new itinerary to Japan. In addition, the latest codeshare partnerships of EgyptAir with Etihad Airways and Kenya Airways along with Royal Wings’ ser-
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EGYPT IN BRIEF Capital: Cairo Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) Language: Arabic Population: 95 million Calling Code: +20 Capital Time Zone: GMT +2:00
JULY 2017
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VISIT EGYPT
SUNRISE Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort, Royal Club Pool
vice between Aqaba and Cairo are also expected to boost the regional and international links, thus opening the destination to more flyers. Last but not least, according to Colliers International’s (CI) report Egypt Quarterly Review Q1 2017, Cairo is expected to appeal to multiple businesses and travellers on the back of the new airport project in 6th of October city. Underlining the crucial role of air connectivity as the main factor influencing guest arrivals, Sameh Mohie, sales director, SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises, disclosed, “The first quarter [of this year] brought good business to Sharm El Sheikh due to direct flights from the source markets, especially Jordan and Lebanon […].” He further pinpointed that although arrivals to Hurghada resorts slightly
JULY 2017
increased during the Easter period, the current lack of direct flights still represents a challenge in bringing more travellers to the location. In order to reverse the situation, Arab Tourism Organisation named the Red Sea resort as this year’s capital of Arab summer holiday destinations, aiming to encourage higher influx of visitors with a rich event's programme. Furthermore, in the first quarter of this year (Q1), Egypt saw multiple hospitality investments, showing positive movements in other focus areas of the governmental plan, with new hotel openings and initiated development projects. Among others, the country welcomed Deutsche Hospitality’s 100th global property in Cairo, The Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir, while AccorHotels
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VISIT EGYPT
Hilton Alexandria King’s Ranch Hotel
signed a management agreement for Fairmont Pyramids Hotel & Residences set to open in 2022 in the 6th of October city. Furthermore the long-awaited Mall of Egypt was also successfully inaugurated. Adding to the bucket of new hospitality openings in the months to come, Areej Mohieldin, regional director, communications and public relations, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, unveiled, “We are opening a luxurious five-star hotel Steigenberger Al Cazar in Sharm El Sheikh, which caters [among others], for Middle Eastern guests. This extravagant family resort offers uniqueness in all senses, 610 lush rooms, suites and villas including 243 family designed ones featuring elegant yet extremely comfortable surroundings, 90 swim-up rooms and five suites with private pools.” Although the achievement of the ambitious tourism revival goals hinges on many diplomatic and political factors which are beyond the control of hoteliers and travel services providers, Ahmed Sabry, general manager, Radisson BLU Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis, exemplified on positive developments in welcoming returned German guests following the lift of the travel restrictions. He revealed, “This [waved travel ban] is why our Red Sea resorts are currently enjoying a 50 – 60 percent occupancy from the German market.” ATTRACTIVE SETTINGS FOR ARAB VISITORS As part of the continuous efforts to boost tourist arrivals from the Arab coutries, Egypt Ministry of Tourism participated in this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to promote and enhance the country’s rising status as an attractive Arab destination. Speaking during the occasion, H.E. Yehia Rashed, tourism minister, Egypt, clarified that the Arab market represents one of the most significant exporters of visitors to Egypt, which was demonstrated by 38.8 percent year-on-year jump of such travellers’ numbers in Q1. He further revealed that in 2016, Arab tourism to Egypt accounted for 36.3 percent of the total visitors, with Saudi Arabia sending the highest amount of travellers, followed by Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon, all contributing in the total figure of two million Arab tourists welcomed during the reviewed period. Corroborating, Mohie commented, “We have a good business with MENA region, especially for our resorts in Sharm El Sheikh. Most of our guests are from Jordan, Lebanon and Algeria. This year showed much better traffic [from this segment] compared with 2016.” While unveiling the latest attractions awaiting the MENA holidaymakers, he further de-
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scribed, “As we are close to summer holidays and school vacations, we have come up with a family package in order to attract [the] family segment. At the same time, we are also considering the honeymooners and couples especially for our premium resort SUNRISE Arabian Beach, where we have created a honeymoon package offering extra services and bonuses. Also, we have implemented in our resorts a list of exclusive added values for our MENA clients which meet all family members’ expectations […].” While mentioning that the hotel enjoyed 60 percent occupancy by multinational guests in Q1 despite being the newest Hilton property in the location, Karim Helmy, general manager, Hilton Alexandria King’s Ranch Hotel, uncovered upcoming plans to create designated packages for leisure-seeking Middle East families on the top of the regular special rates and daily animation activities tailored to entertain children and adults alike. He expanded, “This is in addition to night entertainment by the largest pool in the city. The hotel stands out from the competitors by having a spa covering more than 6,000m² where guests will discover an oasis of relaxation and well-being.” Describing the multiple offerings across the portfolio of 25 Jaz-branded properties, which invite guests to enjoy vivid beach vacations and romantic gateway experiences, Mohieldin highlighted, ”The exceptionality of Jaz Collection lays in the renowned service standards that the brand is famous for and its products’ diversity, catering ultimately for every holiday need and taste.” Egyptian hoteliers appear to have quickly grasped the opportunity coming from the positive momentum of a rising interest from the Arab world. Referring to the hotel’s plans for attracting more Middle Eastern visitors this year, Sabry exemplified, “Giving attractive rates with lots of added value to the MENA guests is one of our main targets in the second and third quarters [of this year], as well as providing high level of service among our competitors is on top of the list. We believe this is the way to attract business to our hotel. […].” LURING DIVERSE VISITORS Apart from promoting Egypt’s globally admired cultural and historical heritage, which has been a magnet for travellers for decades, as part of the common efforts to resurge the country’s former tourism status, industry players are branching out to alternative segments, aiming to inspire non-traditional visitors through diversified offerings. Accordingly, CI’s report
JULY 2017
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VISIT EGYPT
SUNRISE Grand Select Arabian Beach Resort, Royal Club Villa
a lot to offer, Sabry shared, “Our business in Q1 was very good, we had a good mix of pharmaceutical companies meetings, as well as some leisure groups [and] our occupancy ranged for Q1 between 65 to 70 percent, which is a remarkable percentage being one of the largest hotels in Heliopolis with 427 rooms and suites.” Expanding the portfolio of venues catering for the business guests, Mohieldin exemplified that the newly opened Steigenberger El Tahrir Hotel in Cairo and the legendary Steigenberger Cecil Hotel in Alexandria are both revolutionaries in the meetings, conferences and social events sector, maintaining high standards of service and quality in a vibrant environment. With the upcoming Arab Club Championship tournaments set to kick-off in July and August in Alexandria, hoteliers will have an opportunity to take advantage of the influx of sport fans and teams while exploring the potential of sports tourism for the destination. Helmy confirmed, “[…] Our hotel is considered a perfect hotel for teams and spectators as it is the closest to Borg El Arab stadium, only three kilometres away.” ON THE RIGHT TRACK
pointed out that the cities which cater to diverse markets are less prone to seasonal demand fluctuations, such as Alexandria, which enjoys the growth of the domestic corporate sector, now representing its key source market. Confirming such a shift of focus, the Egyptian pavilion at the ATM concentrated on showcasing the variety of the destination’s tourism attractions responding to different travelling purposes including cultural, religious and medical. Identifying the potential of medical and wellness tourism as an attractive niche, Helmy revealed that the property promotes related offerings as a part of its efforts to draw in more visitors. He elucidated, “[…] The spa located inside the premises of the hotel focusses on prevention and rehabilitation. The spa healthcare professionals are internationally accredited German physical therapists, sport therapists, massage therapists and remedial instructors with experience in the physical examinations and treatments of a wide range of physical functions and disabilities.” Describing some positive developments in the business travel sector which has JULY 2017
Sharing insight about what is being done to assist the sector’s growth going forward, Sabry revealed, “[…] We will definitely concentrate on promoting our rooms, suites, spa, meeting rooms and all our food and beverage outlets on the social media, which is the shortest way in the 21st century to promote a hotel. We will leave promoting the whole destination to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism’s marketing arm which is Egyptian Tourism Authority […].” On a similar note, Mohie also unveiled the company’s plans to attend international fairs targeting the MENA markets, along with reaching a wider audience though live sales calls, press advertising, social media, mobile and e-mail marketing campaigns. Summarising Egypt’s hotels performance in Q1 and presenting the projected trends for the months to come, CI’s study identified a positive performance in Cairo, which had achieved occupancy levels above 70 percent during the period under review, said to be the highest since 2007. The upward trajectory is expected to continue due to travellers’ rising confidence to return to the city on the back of the government’s efforts. Furthermore, the study also forecasted favourable progress in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Alexandria for the year, as the travel bans are expected to be lifted and the cities are perceived as more affordable due to the Egyptian Pound’s devaluation. Consequently, the research suggested that the aforementioned destinations are set to fuel the demand mainly from the leisure family segment originating from the GCC region and also internationally. Based on the data and the recent promising developments, along with persistent common efforts of the industry’s stakeholders, Egypt’s tourism seems to be heading towards recovery.
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ONSITE JEDDAH
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Jeddah: Beyond Religious
Tourism
NESTLED ON THE COAST OF THE RED SEA, JEDDAH IS A MAJOR COMMERCIAL HUB AND THE GATEWAY TO SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS SITES IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD. WHILE SAUDI ARABIA AIMS TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF PILGRIMS TO 30 MILLION, IN LINE WITH SAUDI VISION 2030, JEDDAH IS READY TO PROVE ITSELF AS MORE THAN JUST A STOPOVER.
RIYADH IN BRIEF
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JEDDAH IN BRIEF
Country: Saudi Arabia
Country: Saudi Arabia
Currency: Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR)
Currency: Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR)
Language: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Population: 5,272,000
Population: 2,883,200
Calling Code: +966 1
Calling Code: +966 12
Time Zone: GMT +3:00
Time Zone: GMT +3:00
ELLEN PETTY WRITES
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s Saudi Arabia continues to implement measures to further diversify its economy, Jeddah is also welcoming changes to enhance its tourism offering. Renowned as a major entry port for pilgrims as they travel to Mecca, inarguably religious tourism is exceptionally valuable to the city’s tourism industry. “Religious tourism is possibly the most vital component in the hospitality industry within Jeddah, as it is the gateway to Mecca and Medina,” enthused Cherine Hamdan, marketing and communication manager, Assila Hotel. She elaborated that while a small portion of guests throughout the year have the intention of conducting some form of religious tourism, this rises to between 80 – 90 percent during the seasons of Ramadan and Hajj. In fact, according to Abdullah Bakrman, corporate marketing manager, Makarem, Dur Hospitality Group, more than 70 percent of guests visiting Jeddah are doing so for religious purposes. Further underscoring the significance of what is usually a niche segment, he noted, “Religious tourism remains the lion’s share of tourism in the Kingdom, it contributes alone three percent of the country’s GDP.” The relationship between Mecca and the second largest city could be described as symbiotic. Yet on the other hand, as a result of a serious decline in business in Mecca in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, visible by a 22 percent year-on-year drop in RevPAR, as revealed by Mostafa Elenany, regional director, hotel sales, GCC and Levant countries, Middle East, AccorHotels, the coastal city also suffered. He expounded that in Q1, Jeddah saw a 19 percent drop in volume alongside a 15 percent decline in average daily rate, which ultimately led to a massive 31 percent plummet in RevPAR, thus paving the way for alternative streams of tourism that are less impacted by seasonality. A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER As revealed in Jones Lang LaSalle’s Q1 2017 Jeddah Real Estate Market Overview report, hotel stock in Jeddah had reached 9,900 keys, while an additional 1,051 units are expected to enter the market this year alone. With more competition than ever before, hoteliers are taking extra steps to differentiate their services, especially when it comes to religious travellers. In a bid to enrich experiences for such visitors, Bakrman
JULY 2017
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ONSITE JEDDAH
revealed that Makaram hotels offer a spiritual concierge to provide guidance, as well as libraries with religious texts and artifacts. Moreover, the group’s mobile application features a full Hajj and Umrah guide, prayer times as well as Qibla locator, demonstrating a clear understanding of its guests’ needs, especially important as the Saudi government has set its sights on growing the number of pilgrims to 30 million annually by 2030. While noting that a wide range of nationalities tend to visit the city to conduct religious duties, Hamdan highlighted that the hotel’s priority is to ensure the requirements of multicultural guests are met, as well as offering transportation to the holy sites and assisting with these trip, through the provision of Ihram clothing, among other services. Concurring that source markets tend to be diverse, with Indonesia, Egypt and Turkey leading the way, Elenany added that despite their cultural differences, the main concern for visitors is location and accessibility to religious sites. MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE While religious tourism is undoubtedly a lucrative sector for hoteliers in Jeddah, the cosmopolitan city has much more to offer as it attempts to overcome seasonality and become a more sustainable year-round destination. In line with this, a number of infrastructure projects are progressing, including the new airport project and high-speed rail, disclosed Elenany, which, he explained
JULY 2017
are expected to maximise sources of business and improve commercial activity throughout the year. Bakrman praised the efforts of Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) in this regard, as it has heavily invested in improving not just infrastructure to attract business and domestic travel, but has committed to archaeological sites, participated in international hospitality events as well as launched initiatives to drive a surge in internal tourism. So far, SCTH’s efforts seem to be paying off. Bakrman noted that in 2016 leisure spending increased to account for a 2.8 percent share of the economy, while a 40 percent rise in the number of domestic trips between 2015 and 2020 has been forecasted. As the country’s commercial capital, Jeddah also has the potential to be a top MICE destination. Elenany pinpointed that the destination is particularly focussed on boosting its MICE infrastructure, with enhancements well underway. As well as highlighting the government’s initiatives to further diversify the industry, he continued to say that Jeddah is expected to benefit from SCTH’s strategic approach of capitalising on domestic tourism flows while internally promoting the destination as a hub of local tourism. Concluding that Jeddah has the ability to appeal to an assortment of segments, including leisure thanks to the recent influx of entertainment events, along with cultural, corporate, health and heritage tourism, Bakrman said, “The coastal city’s seaside resort appeal and business market puts it on top of the list of Saudi Arabian tourism.”
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TOUR GREECE
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Greece: Unrivalled
Hospitality WITH ITS RICH HISTORY, CULTURE, LANDSCAPES, AND GASTRONOMY WHOLLY SYNONYMOUS WITH LONGEVITY, COMPLEMENTED BY ITS HOSPITABLE, OPEN AND TOLERANT SOCIETY, GREECE IS DEFINITELY A PLACE WHERE CULTURAL SENSITIVITY IS HIGHLY CONSIDERED.
Santorini Secret Suites & Spa
ANNA SPYROU WRITES
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ccording to data released by Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), 16.87 million passengers passed through Greece’s main airports in 2016, indicating a nine percent increase compared to the 15.47 million arrivals registered in 2015. Reflecting the industry’s resilience, the numbers demonstrate that despite the obstacles of the recent years, Greek tourism has succeeded in safeguarding its product. In addition, as highlighted in the 2021 Growth Roadmap, international visitors are expected to reach 22-24 million, with a parallel average spend increase, by 2021. Commenting on the positive figures, Manos Vatzolas, director, sales and marketing, Ledra Hotels & Villas, stated, “This is the result of the collective work of SETE, Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), and a number of active hotel groups in the country, all working together to properly reposition the Greek product abroad.” Further elaborating on this, Mina Iliovits, executive, marketing and communications, Mideast Travel Worldwide, revealed, “Truth to be told, Greece deserves this and even greater numbers of arrivals, as it is a dreamy destination that offers optimum infrastructure and many alternatives for visitors all year round.” Beyond its exceptional infrastructure and natural beauty, the country is currently a point of reference as a
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GREECE IN BRIEF Capital: Athens Currency: Euro (EUR) Language: Greek Population: 10.8 million Calling Code: +30 Time Zone: GMT +2:00
JULY 2017
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TOUR GREECE
unique oasis of stability in a wider destabilised region. “It is not a secret that this year’s forecast is also directly connected with the geopolitical situation of our neighbouring competitive markets as well as the expensive pricing of more traditional destinations,” divulged Vatzolas. EMERGING MARKETS Even though the destination proved to be significantly popular among European markets, a shift has been noted during recent years, with the country becoming particularly attractive to Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) travellers. Confirming this shift, Evripides Tzikas, general manager, Novotel Hotels & Resorts, pinpointed, “Our guests from the MENA region are increasing year-on-year and this is something that scripts the potential growth from the specific market.” As highlighted by hoteliers and travel agents, as well as tourism authorities, the shift is mainly related to the geographical accessibility of the destination, the improvement of air connectivity but also by the fact that Greece is a safe destination, ideal for family holidays. In fact, and as pinpointed by SETE, family travel seems to be the most important area of focus as far as MENA travellers are concerned. Greece’s year-round weather, clean and safe waters, world renowned hospitality and family-friendly properties are some of the main reasons why MENA travellers are choosing to spend their holidays in Greece. “Families always come first for Grecotel,” highlighted Alexandra Mallosi, director, regional sales, Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, adding that a number of new family friendly developments, including a 10,000 m2 aqua park have recently been launched.
JULY 2017
Elaborating on the value of MENA travellers, Popi Tanta, general manager, sales and marketing, Louis Hotels, said “The percentage of our guests from the Middle East varies, depending on the hotel and the destination. Strong sellers are our five-star hotel in Limassol, Cyprus, The Royal Apollonia and our boutique hotel in Mykonos, The Mykonos Theoxenia, which is a member of design hotels.” Mallosi further added, “The Middle East is a priority key market for the Grecotel Group. [...] We target Middle Eastern travellers because we are confident we can satisfy every discerning international traveller with a penchant for culture and luxury as we know that Grecotel quality will always meet their expectations.” As recognised by both hoteliers and travel agents, the Arab market’s penetration has been a priority for tourism authorities during the last decade. Through a series of familiarisation trips, exhibitions and social media campaigns, SETE and GNTO have invested a great amount of effort in promoting the country to the MENA region. In the framework of strengthening links between the two countries, Elena Kountoura, tourism minister, Greece, held a series of meetings with leading UAE-based tour operators and travel agencies during Arabian Travel Market, including Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman, Al Habtoor Group, in order to discuss potential investment opportunities and large-scale projects currently underway in the country. AN EXPERIENCE CLOSE TO HOME “Greece, except for its great history and weather, offers great food and [uniquely is] welcoming to all, regardless of their nationality and religion,” highlighted Tzikas. Drawing on the popular trend Localising the Global, Louis Hotels
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TOUR GREECE
incorporates global cuisine, events and atmosphere to its destinations, respecting visitors’ unique dietary requirements and religious practices. “Local goes Global is a trend that has dominated the luxury travel market and this is especially valid for the MENA travellers,” revealed Tanta. Interestingly, as Violetta Nikopolidou, marketing manager, Santorini Secret Suites and Spa, highlighted, a high number of properties started serving Halal food, while Santorini itself has a dedicated Halal provider. “If the guest requires, we will [...] remove all alcoholic beverages and candies from their mini bars, which might [not be Halal],” she added. Elaborating on this, Kalia Konstantinidou, vice president, Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, Santorini, said, “We make sure that our recommended meal choices do not include pork and warn our guests if there is some on the plate […]. Finally we make sure to preorder Halal meat when we are informed of MENA travellers’ arrival.” Halal is also a future consideration for Ledra Hotels & Villas and as Vatzolas disclosed, the property is in the process of extensive research regarding new services which will exclusively target visitors from the MENA region. “Should things go according to plan, and more MENA visitors invest in a holiday to Greece, there are more to consider including medical tourism investments, […], female spa, gym and other public areas,” pinpointed Vatzolas. Aiming to target more visitors from the MENA region, Mideast Travel Worldwide with the support of GNTO, is in the process of creating a new brochure, the content of which has been carefully selected to address the
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Vedema, A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini
Mykonos Theoxenia Boutique Hotel
particular traveller needs and preferences. Commenting on the new offering Iliovits explained that guides will include information about Halal food and mosques in Greece, destinations, and types of tourism MENA travellers prefer. MORE THAN SUN AND BEACH
St. Elias Resort
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Reducing seasonality and prolonging the tourism period has been set as one of the core objectives in Greece’s 2021 Growth Roadmap. “Although the country’s tourism infrastructure is well developed, Greece is committed to establishing itself as a 12-month destination,” revealed Mallosi, adding that targeted sectors for expansion should include the development of golf courses, sports tourism, wellness and health offerings, upgraded marinas, conference centres and agrotourism products, as well as a wide range of thematic attractions related to Greece’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Adhering to the values of 2021 Growth Roadmap and with the aim of achieving its targets SETE has set a number of actions in order to further boost the country’s product. The authority aims to invest EUR7 billion (USD8 billion) annually into infrastructure developments, focussing on luxury hotels. According to information provided by the authority, 250,000 beds, including 100,000 new projects and 150,000 refurbishments and upgrades, will be completed by 2021. With a number of new developments coming into alignment, creating new opportunities for employment as well as a foundation to further strengthen tourism, the future of the industry looks positive, more than ever before in the country’s recent history. But beyond luxury hotels, there is something more to be considered. Greek hospitality remains as the competitive advantage of this land. This is something that comes very naturally to the country, and is visible either through its culture, island hopping, history and gastronomy, all synonymous with longevity. JULY 2017
SIMON CASSON PATRICK PIERCE
PRESIDENT, HOTEL OPERATIONS, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS
VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS, ETIHAD AIRWAYS
The team [...] have a great responsibility at hand “After hosting a growing number of Kuwaiti guests at our properties within the region and beyond, we are pleased to bring the Four Seasons experience to the heart of Kuwait City. The hotel combines style and grace with warm and welcoming service and exceptional culinary offerings [...]. The team in charge of this beautiful property know they have a great responsibility at hand, and drawing from their many years of experience with Four Seasons, they make an excellent choice to extend the brand’s legacy in this dynamic market.”
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT HOLDING
FERGHAL PURCELL
TRAVEL TALK
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We are seeing a sizeable increase in the number of guests from emerging markets “To sustain our growth in a highly competitive environment, it is absolutely essential to have a stronger grip on our business. Besides existing markets, inbound tourism to the Middle East from emerging markets is also growing rapidly and consistently, thanks to the vast global airline network, [the] growth of low-cost carriers, outstanding communication services, etc. It represents undeniable opportunities for our brands as we are seeing a sizeable increase in [...] guests from emerging markets.”
Etihad Airways draws inspiration from the world’s best restaurants “Etihad Airways draws inspiration from the world’s best restaurants and emerging chefs [...]. We serve our cuisine [...] with style and sophistication that has become synonymous with the Etihad Airways brand. Thus we are delighted to see Dean Parker win our Taste the World Award – he demonstrated innovative cooking techniques and use of ingredients to create a truly remarkable dish [...]. We look forward to welcoming Dean to our home at Taste of Abu Dhabi in November to compete in the finale.”
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
JULY 2017
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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Dubai Airports Supports Children in Emergencies New Antique Heritage Unveiled in Egypt
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iming to enhance awareness and boost funding to provide education to underprivileged children, Dubai Airports has recently signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organisation. According to the agreement, Dubai Cares will utilise the money raised in the first year of the partnership to fund its Education in Emergencies programmes and help children that have been affected by conflict and natural disasters to catch up with their education. To further maximise awareness among travellers and with the aim of surpassing the 2016 contribution of AED640,000 (USD174,236), Dubai Airports has also launched a donation page on its website and on the WiFi landing page at Dubai International.
Touna al-Gabal excavations
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he village of Touna al-Gabal, near the city of Minya, witnessed the discovery of an underground human necropolis boasting 17 non-royal mummies, among other findings. Hidden eight metres below the surface of an expansive archeological site on the edge of the western desert 220km outside Cairo, the preliminary stage of the excavations also revealed six sarcophagi, two clay coffins, a funerary building and thousands of mummified animals. The location is expected to further uncover more items as the archaeological works continue.
ATDD Empowers Local Community
Zayed Humanitarian Day
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n observance of Zayed Humanitarian Day, Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) launched an initiative to train and integrate disabled citizens into government and tourism sectors across the emirate. The selected candidates have been enrolled into a four-week internship, with the initial positions offered by ATDD, Ajman Executive Council and some of the region’s leading hotels. In collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, ATDD plans to extend the programme with further training, thus increasing the target group’s opportunities for employment. H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general, ATDD, said, “[…] This initiative comes in line with the Year of Giving, and is aimed at promoting the culture of giving in future generations, strengthening social security, and achieving solidarity.”
JULY 2017
MARC DESCROZAILLE has been appointed as the vice president of operations, Middle East and Africa at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. Descrozaille joins the group from Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, where he served as area vice president for its Africa and Indian Ocean operations after gaining significant experience of the Middle Eastern hospitality industry as regional director for the UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Oman. Furthermore, he has also held key executive positions at several major hotel companies including Hilton and Compass Group.
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DECLAN HURLEY
MARC DESCROZAILLE
WHO’S MOVED
OSSAMA CHARROUF has been named as vice president of sales at Jannah Hotels & Resorts, bringing more than 12 years of international experience to the position. Before joining the company, Charrouf, a highly accomplished industry leader, worked for a luxury hospitality group as director of sales, where he was responsible for generating top line revenue and growing market share indexes. In his new role, Charrouf will develop strategies to maximise sales and profitability, lead the sales team to target new revenue streams, and oversee the implementation of sales plans for the group’s four properties.
Charrouf is a highly accomplished leader
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CHADI GEDEON
OSSAMA CHARROUF
Descrozaille has extensive international experience
DECLAN HURLEY has been announced as the new corporate vice president of sales of Rotana. With effect from April, the industry veteran Hurley joined the hotel management company from The Ritz-Carlton, where he had served as a vice president of international sales office for Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. With 25 years in the hospitality sector, he has demonstrated leadership and passion for driving high-performing teams towards achieving target business results. In his new role, Hurley will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to maximise the company’s sales and profitability across its global sales offices, including overseeing the expansion of the sales teams and building brand awareness in key existing and new markets.
CHADI GEDEON has taken on the role of new general manager of Mövenpick Hotel Beirut, bringing unique leadership qualities, commitment, a wealth of experience, and indepth knowledge to the role. Gedeon has worked with the group for more than 14 years in a number of executive positions including director of rooms, resident manager and general manager across different properties. Most recently, he served as general manager at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lake Towers. In his new role, Gedeon will lead the team to achieve strong performance goals, revenue projections and ensure guest satisfaction.
Gedeon will lead the team to success
JULY 2017
Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
STEPHANIE ABOUJAOUDE SENIOR AREA DIRECTOR, MARKETING, MIDDLE EAST AND TURKEY, THE REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP
IN TERMS OF EQUAL PAY, FEMALE WORKFORCE RATIOS AND WOMEN IN MANAGERIAL ROLES, THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE ACROSS THE WORLD. HOWEVER, AS STEPHANIE ABOUJAOUDE, SENIOR AREA DIRECTOR, MARKETING, MIDDLE EAST AND TURKEY, THE REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP, EXPLAINS, PROGRESS IS BEING MADE TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Regarding gender equality, how has the Middle East and its tourism industry progressed in recent years? STEPHANIE ABOUJAOUDE: I believe there has been progress in recent years, not so much in terms of actual numbers but more in the context of raising awareness. In the past three years in the Middle East, we have seen gender equality come to the top of agendas, both in the hospitality industry and outside. So,
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overall the topic of gender quality has come to the fore and is much more visible than ever before. This was a necessary step ahead of actually moving the needle and making in-roads in terms of numbers. We needed to change the mindset of people before we can realistically expect to see a greater balance. There is much more to do in order to promote balanced leadership and diversity in the workplace, no matter what the industry happens to be. Within the MENA region, women in CEO roles acount for just 13 percent of the total, compared to 21 percent in other developing countries. And, according to the International Labour Organization, no more than seven percent of companies surveyed in the MENA region have women serving as board presidents. The evidence is abundantly clear: diversity is good for business. At Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, creating and maintaining a balanced workforce at every level is a top priority. As Sheryl Sandberg, [chief operating officer, Facebook], said, in the future there will be no female leaders, there will just be leaders. What we are doing today will get us there, and this is what we need to aim for.
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The Balanced Leadership programme encompasses three main work streams. [The first being] official programmes, dedicated to helping our talent remain with the company and transition into leadership positions. [Secondly,] policy changes [to recognise] that people have different needs during their career. [Finally,] behavioural change, which recognises the biases and stereotypes that exist in humans. [In terms of ] official programmes, we have several fully developed or piloted programmes dedicated to helping our talent remain with us and transition into leadership positions.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Gender equality in the workplace is becoming an increasingly talked about issue. What initiatives has Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group undertaken to promote the important role of women and overcome gender inequality? STEPHANIE ABOUJAOUDE: The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group strongly advocates balanced leadership in the hospitality industry. The group’s Balanced Leadership initiative promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We celebrate our diversity and respect what is unique about each and every one of us. We believe in creating working environments where the things that make us different are always valued. We recognise that those differences reflect not only visible differences such as age and gender, but those less visible such as beliefs and sexuality. We want to challenge existing thinking and increase the representation of women in senior positions across the entire company. We want to harness the individual strengths of our female leaders and we actively encourage their collective participation at every level of our business.
STEPS is the organisation’s official leadership programme that focusses solely on high potential women, encouraging them to recognise their potential and empowering them to progress to the level of general manager and beyond. The STEPS programme, organised in partnership with the Center for Balanced Leadership, comprises a series of workshops designed to empower female staff with new skills and awareness of their talents, passions and capabilities. [It] consists of training and coaching, and covers subjects that emphasise the growth paths and opportunities for participants, and gives clear guidance on how to communicate with the greatest impact, in addition to helping them better manage their careers and JUNE JULY 2017
RENDEZVOUS
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achieve a work, life balance. In Saudi Arabia, Rezidor has made great progress, from six female employees in 2014 to 84 today, with 12 in leadership positions. Now, the first Saudi female general manager has been appointed. [As for] policy changes, when it comes to the development and retention of our female leaders we believe in sustainable and lasting change with a focus on long-term career planning for all. In return we ask those women working in senior positions to lead by example and be positive role models for the future, helping us evolve a culture covering more flexible approach to working conditions, along with active,
changing attitudes towards women? STEPHANIE ABOUJAOUDE: Yes, we were very proud to announce Maram as the first Saudi female general manager in hospitality. It was a landmark announcement that was very positively received both regionally and internationally. As mentioned, gender equality and women in leadership have been at the top of organisation’s agendas over the past few years but I believe this announcement in the context of the hospitality industry will prove to be a catalyst for more women taking up leadership positions in hospitality. In Saudi Arabia, there is already
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Jeddah
personalised and meaningful development plans, and more flexible approach to mobility. [Concerning] behavioural change, in order to address these biases that exist in society, our Balanced Leadership toolkit asks every employee to recognise their own biases and gives ideas on how to combat biases in all contexts. The toolkit is available to all managers and supervisors. We are encouraging managers to update the toolkit with local examples to ensure we depict a wide range of cultural differences. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group recently announced Maram Kokandi as the first female Saudi general manager. How important are appointments like this in JULY 2017
or developments that have empowered women in the region?
East make to increase gender equality in the tourism industry?
STEPHANIE ABOUJAOUDE: In terms of notable landmarks, we have recently seen high profile announcements including the first female CEO of a listed Saudi commercial bank in line with the Saudi government's economic and social reforms, the Saudi Stock Exchange appointed its first female chair, and the UAE aims to be among the top 25 nations worldwide excelling in the field of women’s empowerment.
STEPHANIE ABOUJAOUDE: One of the most important aspects is to recognise that this is not a women issue. Men play a hugely important part in creating the right culture and environment to support women in a company. At Rezidor there is a really strong culture for supporting women through the Balanced Leadership programme, and men play such a vital role in the coaching, development and overall support. As mentioned, at Rezidor we do not look at this as a women issue rather it is about gender balance. Every region has male and female Balanced Leadership champions and their role is to drive the Balanced Leadership programme within their respective regions and support all their male and female colleagues. Furthermore, companies must recognise that the barriers to women reaching leadership positions are not just business related but are also related to cultural stereotypes and tradition. One of the biggest reasons for more women not achieving leadership positions is maternity. This is often the time in a women’s life where you see their career progression stall. Companies need to do more in improving maternity policies, creating more flexible working conditions so that more women can continue their professional lives as a working mother. However, in this region there are also cultural barriers to overcome and these are arguable more challenging for women to address but equally important for organisations to recognise and address.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What other steps can organisations in the Middle
huge potential for growth thanks to the Saudi Vision 2030 and the government’s emphasis on economic diversification. Part of the emphasis of Vision 2030 is to develop tourism in Saudi Arabia and also emphasises the significance of Saudi women and their role in leading the development of both social and professional growth of the Kingdom. I do believe Saudi women will continue to provide more leaders either in the industry or outside. Saudi women have so far shown a great success in leadership positions and have proved there are able to not only meet the challenges before them but exceed expectations. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Have there been any other notable landmarks
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Turned Visitors into Artists
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TOURISM AND BUSINESS Lucerne, Switzerland August 31 – September 01 www.hslu.ch The second edition of event will see the presentation of research related to the tourism and hospitality sectors.
22ND UNWTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY Chengdu, China September 04 – 09 World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) annual meeting will bring together tourism officials and private sector leaders.
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Complementing the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi exhibition The Creative Act: Performance, Process, Presence, Manarat al Saadiyat hosted a Deconstructing Decollage workshop, enabling participants to learn the signature décollage technique of French artist Jacques Villeglé.
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he event invited young adults to create eccentric artworks using torn collaged pieces derived from a range of commonplace materials, such as magazines, newspapers, and paints, transform them into an opposite of collage. The Creative Act’s comprehensive programme of free public events is aimed at encouraging the wider community to engage with the creativity on display, through a wide variety of activities and workshops directly linked to a specific artwork in the exhibition.
SCTH Prepares for First Antiquities Forum The event will be part of SCTH’s programme titled Caring of Kingdom’s Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Information, and Ministry of Education, as well as a number of other public administrations.
ITW HCMC Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam September 07 – 09 www.itehcmc.com Hailed as one of the most important annual international travel events in Vietnam, more than 26,000 visitors from 50 markets are expected to attend.
TTF MUMBAI Mumbai, India September 15 – 17 www.ttfotm.com Just one in a series of India-wide TTF events, with exhibitors from more than 80 countries due to showcase their products.
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ommenting on the objectives of the forum, H.R.H Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz president, SCTH, said, “SCTH works [...] to raise people’s awareness on the cultural heritage of the Kingdom, link citizens to their history and homeland, [...], as well as introducing them to its cultural richness and promote spirit of belonging.”
Dubai Duty Free Gathered Golf Elite Dubai Duty Free has concluded the 24th edition of Dubai Duty Free Golf Cup 2017 with satisfaction, as 97 avid golfers competed at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
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oasting some exceptional results in both male and female divisions, the tournament’s illustrious trophy was awarded to Patrick Morrow who demonstrated an outstanding round of golf amid challenging humid conditions. He enthused, “It was just one of those days where everything goes right, 27 putts around Dubai Creek will always help too. […] This is always a fantastic event to play in and this year has been no different.”
JULY 2017