MAY 2018 - ISSUE 103
Beat the heat at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
MAY 2018 - ISSUE 103
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VISIT: LEBANON
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EXCLUSIVE
Airlines EXPLORE: MALTA
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
EUROPEAN VISITORS TO GCC TO INCREASE BY 2020 – ATM Arrivals from Europe to the GCC will increase by 17 percent by 2020, according to the latest data published by Arabian Travel Market (ATM).
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel EDITOR Mario Hajiloizis PRESS Efi Rousi Maria Angelica Constantinou Athena Karsera Yiazou 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 WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel
ATM takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22 – 25
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TM’s research partner, Colliers International, added that as many as 24.6 million EU residents will travel to the GCC between now and 2020. The UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to be the preferred GCC destinations for European visitors; together they are on track to welcome 81 percent of the projected business and leisure travellers. The UAE is expected to receive 14.5 million, Saudi Arabia 5.4 million, Oman 2.21 million, Bahrain 1.72 million and Kuwait 738,000, by 2020. “Historically, Europe and the GCC have enjoyed excellent travel and tourism links. Building on this, over the next three years, EU arrivals to the GCC will increase and we will see this in both the leisure and business segments,” said Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM. “While European tourists have previously travelled to the GCC for its luxury resorts, the growing numbers of millennial travellers, middle-class tourists and corporate travellers on a budget, are slowly changing traditional market trends, as is the growth in affordable, mid-market hotels combined with an increase in low-cost flights.”
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EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515, neil@globetm.com Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of 26.4.2018
COUNTRY
CURRENCY USD1=
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
114.56
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.70
Iran (IRR)
Rial
41,999.31
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,190.28
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,512.98
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.34
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.25
Syria (SYP)
Pound
515.23
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.43
Yemen (YER)
Rial
249.90
MAY 2018
MARKET UPDATE
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ACI REVEALS DECLINING JANUARY FIGURES FOR MIDDLE EAST AIR TRAFFIC
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irports Council International (ACI) Asia Pacific released passenger traffic across Asia-Pacific and Middle East during January. Specifically, concerning the Middle East, passenger traffic continued to show mixed results due to the timing of Chinese New Year, meaning Dubai
International recorded a slight decline of one percent while Abu Dhabi declined by 12.6 percent. The GCC diplomatic crisis with Qatar, since June 2017, has continued to negatively impact Doha’s traffic for the month at a 14.1 percent decline. The region’s bright spots were Kuwait and Muscat,
Oman where strong growth of 19 percent and 12.4 percent respectively was observed. In terms of air freight, the Middle East grew by 0.7 percent during the month. Current growth continued to be supported by buoyant demand on exports.
DXB REPORTS FEBRUARY DECLINE
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n February, Dubai International (DXB) welcomed nearly seven million passengers, according to the monthly traffic report issued by Dubai Airports. The monthly traffic this year totalled 6,928,547 compared to 6,948,157 passengers recorded during the same month year-on-year, down marginally by 0.3 percent. The year-to-date traffic reached 14,888,693 passengers, down 0.6 percent compared to 14,985,165 recorded during the first two months of 2017. In terms of percentage growth, Eastern Europe was the fastest expanding market with traffic growing 17.6 percent, followed South America 13.3 percent and the CIS block 12.1 percent. The average number of passengers per movement during February reached 228 compared to 223 during the corresponding month year-onyear, an increase of 2.2 percent. India remained the top destination country by passenger volume with a total of 962,425 passengers during the month. The UK was placed second with 505,255 passengers, followed by Saudi Arabia with 490,058 and Pakistan with 336,875 passengers.
MAY 2018
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EXCLUSIVE: AIRLINES
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Reaching
New Heights AIR TRAVEL HAS BECOME FAR MORE COMPLEX THAN GETTING A PASSENGER SAFELY FROM A TO B. NOWADAYS, AIRLINES FROM THE MENA REGION ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF DEVELOPMENTS AND ARE BECOMING MORE INNOVATIVE WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOMER SERVICE, PROVIDING NEW LEVELS OF COMFORT AND DECREASING THEIR FOOTPRINT.
ATHENA KARSERA YIAZOU WRITES
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here is a lot for the discerning traveller to consider when booking a flight and, keeping in mind consumers’ growing needs and demands, airlines are aware they must stay ahead of the game to maintain a competitive edge. Several MENA-based airlines have become global industry leaders in adapting to provide innovative new products and services to their clients, as the sector continues to grow on both a regional and global level. BRIGHT OUTLOOK It is clear to see why airlines are working hard to maintain and expand their market share as there are significant indications the airline sector will continue to expand on a global level, as well as within the MENA region specifically. International Air Transport Association (IATA), at the end of 2017, for example, provided an encouraging outlook for the global airline industry. Anticipating a strong demand for air travel, IATA predicted global net profit of USD38.4 billion for the industry this year, much higher than the profitability forecast of USD34.5 billion for 2017. Ratings agency Moody’s, meanwhile, suggested the Middle East would be
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the fastest-growing region of the world for the airline industry in 2017. Additionally, in its 2017 Global Aerospace and Defence Sector Outlook report, Deloitte, an audit, consulting, tax, and advisory service, noted that the Middle East region had led travel demand growth globally between 2010 and 2015, and was also expected to continue to record the highest Revenue Passengers Kilometres (RPK) growth in 2016. Deloitte added that, over the following 20 years, passenger traffic growth was forecast to grow strongly at an annual rate of 5.9 percent and that the region would need 3,310 additional aircraft to meet the increasing demand. Taking all this into account, two of MENA’s leading airlines recently revealed how they are working to keep their clients happy and their competitors on their toes. ADAPTING TO DEMANDS Thierry Aucoc, senior vice president, commercial operations, Europe and Russia, Emirates, disclosed, “Emirates will always remain a full-service airline with a rich product offering, but we will continue to look at different ways to offer more value for money options for our customers.”
MAY 2018
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This, according to Aucoc, includes adjusting to unbundling in order to offer customers more choices. Now, Emirates passengers can choose from a variety of seat options, different ticket fare options depending on the best fit for their journey, and can pay to enter the airline’s airport lounges regardless of which cabin class they travel in. “We are also seeing demand for airlines to become more digitally present, to which we have responded with our redesigned mobile app and web experience which includes a more simplified booking and check-in process as well as live chat options,” Aucoc added. Unveiling Gulf Air’s strategy and plans for this year and beyond, Krešimir Kučko, CEO, Gulf Air, revealed the airline is also moving with the times, including investing in its fleet renewal. Bahrain’s national carrier is anticipated to welcome an incoming fleet of 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft, which are expected to commence delivery over
MAY 2018
EXCLUSIVE: AIRLINES
the coming months. A total of seven new aircraft, five Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners and two Airbus A320neo aircraft, are anticipated to enter the airline’s fleet before the end of the year. GAME-CHANGING UPGRADES Kučko outlined that Gulf Air’s new fleet would be outfitted with superior onboard products and services including, what he described as, some of the best in-class seats and in-flight entertainment options. The airline is also aiming to create a new business class offering that would compete with the first class standard of other airlines, and a fresh economy class product that would afford enhanced onboard comfort. Additionally, Emirates has also introduced product enhancements on both its Boeing B777 and Airbus A380 aircrafts, while it has also unveiled
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EXCLUSIVE: AIRLINES
an enhanced A380 onboard lounge. Its Boeing B77-300ER first class private suites have experienced, what Aucoc described as a multi-million-dollar gamechanging upgrade. Aucoc noted that Emirates recently announced a new business class cabin configuration on its Boeing B777-200LR aircraft with wider seats in a 2-2-2 configuration for the very first time. Economy class seats on the B777-200LRs have also been refreshed with full leather headrests with flexible side panels that can be adjusted for optimum support. Also, within Emirates’ economy class cabins, the airline has introduced sustainable blankets made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, hailed as the largest onboard sustainable blanket programme in the airline industry. Illustrating its pioneering role, Emirates, in 1992, became the first airline to install TV screens on every seat, and in 2017 it connected over 10 million passengers to Wi-Fi onboard its flights. Its in-flight entertainment system, ice, now provides passengers with over 3,500 channels live TV. CHAMPIONING CONNECTIVITY Providing customer comfort is one thing but they also need to be encouraged to get onboard to try out the immersive experiences, and one of the most ef-
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fective means of doing this is efficiently getting them where they want to go. “We continue to find ways to meet customer demand with even more convenient flight options,” added Aucoc. “In July 2017, we entered a partnership with [Dubai low-cost carrier] flydubai, which offers passengers access to over 200 destinations through the combined network of the airlines.” Gulf Air also recognises the importance of connectivity. Kučko outlined that Gulf Air planned to add eight new destinations to its network this year. Alongside this, frequency changes to key routes during the course of the year are anticipated to enhance Gulf Air’s network to and from Bahrain. LOOKING AHEAD Aucoc expressed confidence that the airline industry will continue to grow, as demand for global travel increases, especially within regions like Africa, the Middle East and Asia, particularly China, which he described as fast becoming one of the world’s largest air travel markets. Kučko also spoke of upcoming plans to rollout a new brand identity for the airline, noting that the new look and feel for Gulf Air would, alongside its new fleet, new network, new products and services, represent the Gulf Air of Tomorrow.
MAY 2018
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VISIT: LEBANON
Unveiling Lebanon’s Fashion
Cosmos
LEBANON’S FREE-SPIRITED CULTURE INSPIRES THE INNOVATION OF NEW TRENDS. NOWADAYS, THE LEBANESE TOURISM AUTHORITIES ARE PRIORITISING FASHION AS IT IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING A REASON WHY TRAVELLERS CHOOSE THE COUNTRY AS THEIR DESTINATION OF CHOICE.
MAY 2018
MARIA-ANGELICA CONSTANTINOU WRITES
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ollowing several recent regional challenges, Lebanon may have unfairly been cast as a destination nestled within a politically unstable region, however, a new chapter for the country is seeing its incredible tourism industry flourishing year after year, according to Joyce Mouawad, corporate sales and marketing director, Le Royal Hotel Management Company. Lebanon is a world-renowned destination for tourism being able to cater to travellers seeking different and unique experiences. Included among such options is the country’s growing fashion tourism industry. People from all around the world are increasingly flocking to the country to experience the Paris of the Middle East. Echoing this statement, Cynthia Flouty, director, sales and marketing, Mövenpick Hotel Beirut, said, travellers are coming from all around the world. Lebanon has often been described as the region’s fashion exemplar. Worldwide, fashionconscious people eagerly await to see the trends emerging from the Middle East’s most distinctive fashion capital. In fact, Flouty, describes, “When it comes to fashion, no other Middle Eastern city can be approximated to France quite like Beirut.” Yearly, the country is flooded with fashion stakeholders with varying priorities. Some visit Lebanon for leisure – such as to note down the catwalk’s new trends, or for business – to showcase their designs and brands. Cecilia Slim, senior marketing executive, Riviera Hotel and Beach Lounge, stated that all top designers consider the Lebanese market as one of their top priorities. Corroborating with the idea, Hadi El Medawar, director of sales, Staybridge Suites Beirut, enthused, “Hosted buyers from different countries are present during Beirut fashion week. It is a good opportunity for mutual business between Lebanon and foreign countries.” This shows that not only does Fashion Week attract travellers to the country but it also provides Lebanon with a solid business platform, to build relations with several multinational companies and to enhance the country’s economic level. Specifically, people are now travelling to the country to embrace the Lebanese fashion experience. In the light of this, Mouawad
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VISIT: LEBANON
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highlighted that to feel it you have to live it. Flouty evaluates the country’s freedom as a relevant factor to the growing fashion tourism industry by adding, “The relative freedom experienced in the Lebanese capital has made it a centre for creative types and innovators.” Significantly, Lebanon’s association with fashion was entrenched post-World War II when the country became a French colony. “With all the cultural clashes that come with such an occupation, Lebanon quickly became a hub for business, culture and fashion,” explained Flouty. Influenced by other countries’ traditions and styles, Lebanon now has its own unique sense of style. Fashion is part of the country’s identity. To elucidate, Mouawad even described fashion as part of this diversified culture. RED CARPET SHOWCASE It seems that the Arabian world is captivated by the culture of Lebanese fashion. “Middle Eastern travellers are still the biggest number of visitors for fashion,” according to Aline Ghamem, managing director, Exclusive Services Group. As a matter of fact, Ghamem believes that all regional celebrations involve a Lebanese fashion designer, showing that the country’s fashion talents are seen throughout the region. Substantially, European and Hollywood celebrity events also show their love for the Lebanese way of fashion as Ghamem pinpointed that every red carpet event features a big number of famous Lebanese designers’ pieces. Lebanon is influencing fashion-forward people everywhere. Through the connections and associations it has created with the general fashion world, Lebanon has created its own microcosm of fashion tourism. REAL LEBANESE IDENTITY Part of Lebanon’s growing fashion world is the annual Beirut Fashion Week which is one of the region’s most publicised events. The red carpet fashion event is an official extension to the fashion weeks that are held across many western capitals, such as; New York, London, Milan and Paris. The event, managed by Maalouli International Group, aims to illustrate the real Lebanese identity, stimulate tourism and outline Beirut among one of the world's leading fashion capitals. Describing the national and local climate of Lebanon during Beirut Fashion Week, Mouawad enthused, “[the] event is crowned by the presence of these positive vibes, the positive energy that
empower the client to purchase, the media to create the buzz and the designer to be proud of his creation.” Clearly, Lebanon is energised during the whole month as the country comes together to boast its talents. Lebabon’s fashion tourism industry is also influencing the younger generations with Beirut Fashion Awards taking place usually during the month of November. Beirut Fashion Awards are hosted as an extension by Beirut Fashion Week Organisation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the governor of Beirut, Beirut Municipality, regional universities and European embassies. The awards’ objective is to provide international exposure for young fashion designers, and draws young fashion influencers to visit the country and experience the fashion dream. Having said that, Lebanon’s fashion tourism is for all; people visit the country from different nationalities. Age or gender have no affect over the matter. To be exact, the country provides fashionrelated activities for all ages and features clothing brands that are applicable to both genders. FASHION FORWARD LEBANON Lebanon’s welcoming fashion culture, which involves all ages and genders, is evolving and taking the appropriate steps to enhance its fashion tourism sector. Overall, the ministry of tourism’s management are very active when promoting Lebanon as a place to be for fashion, mentioned Mouawad. In fact, the ministry is promoting the country’s fashion culture across the wider Middle East region. Initiatives include organising visits to renowned designer houses and planning appointments with image consultants and stylists. Such activities that have a fashion-related character help develop Lebanon’s fashion tourism beyond the relevant events and shopping facilities currently available. The ministry is regularly highlighting the country’s fashion-related events and special occasions to attract tourists. To enhance the visitor experience, the relevant authorities are also organising specific tour packages to apply to different preferences. The growing options galvanise visitors to choose Lebanon as a destination which combines local fashion culture with leisure through an array of planned tours. According to Riviera Hotel and Beach Lounge, Lebanon’s relevant authorities are most definitely prioritising fashion tourism. Through several international media campaigns and by dressing celebrity fashion icons, the country is well underway to becoming the centre of Middle
Elie Saab Haute Couture
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VISIT: LEBANON
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are thus helping to attract people to visit their homebase. “Our fashion ambassadors – Elie Saab, Tony Ward, George Chakra, Zuhair Mrad, and Reem Acra, among others – became international fashion icons known to dress the most famous celebrities at huge events such as the Oscars,” analysed El Medawar. Another initiative, undertaken to well-formulate the fashion tourism experience, involves engaging tourists with the country’s rich culture. Tourism stakeholders focus on promoting the country’s warm hospitality which is evident from hotel and restaurant services to welcoming hosted events. “Our visitors will always have and feel Lebanese hospitality,” expands Mouawad. As a matter of fact, Lebanese hospitality is a prominent contribution to the country’s tourism. Mouawad states that the beautiful hospitality emanates from the heart. Visitors feel immediately welcome and this plays a key role in creating a fashion tourism family, which is created through the country’s warm hospitality and annual events. It is at such events where the fashion elite meet and have thus created a tradition, cultivated from mouth to mouth association, and encourage constant visits from for all travellers seeking to be a part of the fashion world. FASHION MACROCOSM Reem Acra
Eastern cultural innovation, as emphasised by Flouty. The celebrity involvement and relevant marketing initiatives undertaken are indeed helping LebaLEBANON IN BRIEF non cultivate a strong fashion industry presence. Capital: Beirut Nowadays, the marketing world Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP) seems to involve more social media Language: Arabic influencers. The ministry of tourism is Population: 6 million capitalising on this by focussing on inCalling code: +961 viting fashion social media influencers to visit the country and promote its fashCapital Time Zone: GMT+2:00 ion sector to the millions of followers on their respective platforms. Through this initiative, travellers are becoming more aware of what the country has to offer in terms of fashion.
Lebanon’s ongoing goals have helped shape the country as a priority when it comes to fashion tourism. As the country’s stakeholders have promoted the message that Lebanon is the place to be for fashion, the quality of the country’s fashion industry is developing, exposing all of its potential. Using its strengths, and proving its resilience over the years, Lebanon has been crowned the Middle East’s fashion capital. The travel and tourism industry is indeed keeping a close watch as to what this ever-evolving fashion destination will conjure up next.
FASHION AMBASSADORS Lebanon regularly hosts international and local based designers who wish to exhibit their work in the country. Lebanese designers that have achieved international fame are representing the country’s fashion industry worldwide and
MAY 2018
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Romantic Vienna It is said of Vienna that its streets are not paved with stones but with history. Indeed, a great part of the city’s charm lies in its winding alleyways, arcaded courtyards, lavish parks and beautiful city palaces. They make Vienna a celebration of reverie – especially for the romantic at heart.
WienTourismus/Peter Rigaud
A walk through the Old City, a boat ride on the Danube or a rest at a heuriger (tavern): Vienna has many romantic aspects.
WienTourismus/Peter Rigaud
ROMANTIC WALKS ON COBBLESTONED STREETS
SHARE A PIECE OF CAKE IN A TRADITIONAL VIENNA COFFEEHOUSE
Winding lanes, arcade-lined courtyards, time-honoured palaces: in Vienna, the city centre is especially romantic. In the oldest quarters of the city on the Danube around St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the narrow lanes are paved with cobblestones as they were centuries ago, while a stroll along Schönlaterngasse or Domgasse becomes an encounter with the past. Romantic walks can also be found on Spittelberg, a quarter in the seventh district with beautifully preserved houses from the Biedermeier period.
In a typical Viennese coffeehouse the bustling city life meets the comforts of your living room. Since 2011, the traditional Viennese coffee house has even belonged to the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO. Traditional cafés such as the Sacher, Central, Griensteidl, Museum and Sperl entice with a wide variety of coffee drinks, international newspapers and pastry creations. Around 150 are classic coffeehouses, where the waiters are still dressed in black, and the décor is as unpretentious as it was in the ‘good old days’: wooden floors, marble-topped tables, and seating that is simple and plush.
HUNDREDS OF FLOWERS IN VIENNA’S PARKS Of course, Vienna is particularly romantic in the spring. The chestnut trees blossom in the Prater, 400 types of rose bloom in the Volksgarten, and the fragrance of lilac pervades the city’s many other parks. In total Vienna provides 850 parks and green spaces and 280 of them are imperial. RIDE IN A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE Anyone who would prefer not to walk should hire a Fiaker (horse-drawn carriage) and take in the palaces, mansion houses and architectural gems on four wheels. There are Fiaker stands dotted all around the first district, including on Stephansplatz, Heldenplatz, Albertinaplatz and in front of the Burgtheater. BOAT RIDES AND PICNICS Also atmospheric is a boat ride on the Old Danube, in particular the full moon rides with a glass of Prosecco. The restaurant La Crêperie even puts together a variety of picnic baskets for the boat ride. Lovers can also have a picnic basket put together by the Villa Aurora on Wilhelminenberg and seek out a romantic spot with a view of Vienna. Alte Donau, 1220 Vienna, www.alte-donau.info
Waltzing romantics will feel right at home at one of the numerous balls, which are held in Vienna not just during Carnival. Romantic dance evenings can also be enjoyed on a (private) waltz dancing course. For many people, a candlelight dinner is the very essence of romance. A candlelight dinner for two is offered by, for example, the Romantic Crystal Dinner in Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel. Giant Ferris Wheel, Riesenradplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, www.wienerriesenrad.com
WienTourismus/Christian Stemper
DANCING THE WALTZ
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ROMANTIC THINGS TO DO IN VIENNA
EXPLORE: MALTA
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Nature at
its Best! WITH ITS MAIN CITY VALLETTA DESIGNATED A EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE FOR THIS YEAR, MALTA ATTRACTS VISITORS FOR ITS STUNNING VIEWS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND FAIR WEATHER. TRAVELLERS ALSO CHOOSE THE MALTESE ISLANDS AS A LEISURE AND SPORTS DESTINATION AS THEY BOAST NUMEROUS NATURAL ESCAPES AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
EFI ROUSI WRITES
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alta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean where only the three largest islands Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited. It is believed that the word Malta derives from the Greek word ‘meli’ which means honey, or land of honey, as it was known since at the time locals produced a remarkable amount of honey there, while it was also home to a unique beehive. According to Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), travellers mainly choose the islands for their sun and leisure activities with the islands’ long history and natural beauties also playing a significant part. After the hot summer period, the first rains bring the landscape to life with a variety of wild flowers and plants, which offer a pleasant view for its visitors. Its cliffs plunging into waves, lush valleys, prehistoric sites, medieval chapels, secluded places of the Knights, along with the plethora of sports and outdoor activities available, play a crucial role in the islands’ overall tourism offering. Michael Zammit Marmara, manager, sales and marketing, be.HOTEL, enthused, “Malta is only a small island, but its small size only adds to its potential as the perfect spot for adventure lovers and history buffs. It is easy to dig into the corners of this ancient archipelago – finding charming cafés on winding streets, diving into caves full of marine life, or wandering through ancient temples.” The country’s National Statistics Office revealed that during February, Malta welcomed 103,555 leisure visitors, with
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MALTA IN BRIEF Capital: Valetta Currency: Euros (EUR) Language: Maltese Population: 445,426 Calling Code: +356 Time Zone: GMT +1:00
MAY 2018
30,600 of them being repeat tourists. At the same time, MTA reported that the peak months April to October saw tourists increase by 14.1 percent, coinciding with the time of the year when the weather gives even more life to nature, making it irresistible for walkers and photographers. Thorsten Sander, general manager, Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, commented, “Malta has had 7,000 years of history, however, still lives in the present. When you visit Malta, you will span the millennia with an astonishing array of things to discover. Wherever you go, the islands' scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop. The colours are striking: honey-coloured stone against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.”
Away from the hustle and stressful environments, the Maltese Islands offer various natural spots to be explored. NATURE HAVEN Ideal for a stress-free getaway, Sander, points out, “For a tempo and scene change from Malta itself, hop over to the sister islands of Gozo and Comino. Here, you will holiday within a holiday and at the most relaxed of Mediterranean paces.” Malta’s countryside is dubbed as having the world’s oldest free-standing structures, with the Megalithic Temples of Malta, which are several prehistoric temples, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, built during three
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distinct time periods, approximately between 3,600 BC and 700 BC. Malta’s sister island, Gozo is thought to be the Calypso’s isle of Homer’s Odyssey. Hailed as a tranquil haven, the island offers a greener and more rural environment. Gozo boasts some of the Mediterranean’s most famous dive sites as it has a seemingly never-ending coastline awaiting exploration. Situated between Malta and Gozo, Comino is hailed as a paradise for adventurers that can be visited throughout the year, as it offers enticing spots for walkers and photographers. With no urban areas or cars on the island, visitors can smell the scent of wild thyme and other herbs. The island’s main attraction is the Blue Lagoon which is popular with day-trippers for its aquamarine water over white sand. “There is a plethora of activities to choose from which include visits to The Malta Experience, Mdina the silent city, Maltese Cultural Feasts, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, the Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino, a myriad of temples, museums, beaches, casinos and, of course, the sister island Gozo,” added Marmara. IDEAL ACTIVITIES Surrounded by the sea, Malta boasts some of the Mediterranean’s warmest waters, making it ideal for water sports activities. Many beaches offer experiences from windsurfing to sea-kayaking and jet ski hire. For the more adventurous, waterskiing, wakeboarding, or paragliding activities are also available. Other popular sports include; water polo, canoeing, fishing, yachting and sailing. While some spend their time in the water, others choose Malta for its scenery, offering experiences such as jeep safaris for a wilder, off-road view. MTA believes that a walk in Malta is never just walk but a discovery of the Mediterranean life. Through the Malta Goes Rural product development project, new walking routes have been identified by MTA through European Agricultural Fund for the Rural Development. These routes aim to generate interest in rural areas and quaint villages which are not often frequented by traditional tourists. A visit between October and May is said to be ideal for hiking and walking. Additionally, various styles of climbing can be experienced on the Maltese islands, ranging from traditional and sport climbing, to bouldering and sea level traversing, giving travellers a choice of around 1,300 climbing routes. Apart from water sports and climbing, Malta’s national sport is football with matches played at various pitched around the islands, including the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali. The country’s second most famous sport is horseback riding, with horse racing one of Malta’s prime spectator sports. Races are held every Sunday between October and May. ACTIVE BASE With many sporting events bringing in spectators from around the world, the country’s hotel industry is also catering to the needs of active guests by offering facilities, such as; tennis and squash courts, swimming pools and saunas, to name a few. Sports tourists visiting Valetta can spend a day at Marsa Sports Club, hailed as the island’s largest sports centre, and can enjoy an 18-hole golf course, miniature golf, tennis and squash courts, cricket grounds and a swimming pool. Karen Muscat Baldacchino, assistant manager, sales and marketing, Mediterranean Conference Centre, highlighted, “Malta offers several possibilities for tourists; visits to Valletta, Mdina and the Three-Cities are a must to capture the beautiful history of Malta. Other activities include festivals taking place during weekends in villages such as the Chocolate Festival and the Strawberry Festival, village feasts during the summer, cruises in the Main Harbour, visiting the sister Island of Gozo, attending concerts, hiking and rock-climbing, to name just a few. Being small, Malta gives tourists the opportunity to roam around on foot or by bus in minutes.” Baldacchino also expressed her excitement about Malta being an easily accessible destination with direct flights from all over Europe, concluding, “Malta is blessed with a fantastic climate and friendly people. From a historical site, to avant-garde leisure spots and amazing beaches, Malta is the ideal destination.”
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BEAT THE HEAT WITH ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR RESORT
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WITH EXCLUSIVE SUMMER SAVINGS FOR GCC RESIDENTS
As summer approaches and temperatures begin to rise in the Middle East, it can be tempting to flee far and wide to seek cooler climes. What may come as a surprise is that cooler temperatures are closer than you think. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort offers a refreshing staycation this summer thanks to its mountain location which remains 15 – 20 degrees cooler than the rest of the GCC, making it the perfect place to #BeatTheHeat. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar’s magnificent location, perched 2,000 meters above sea level on Oman’s famed Green Mountain provides a welcome escape from the sweltering temperature with endless fresh mountain air, cooling canyon edge pools and thrilling mountain adventures for those who want to continue to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle throughout the summer months.
or take to the recently launched Ultimate Jabal Activty Wall for a mountain climbing and zipline adventure. Those looking to simply relax can enjoy the luxurious facilities and treatments on offer at the world-renowned Anantara Spa, take a dip in the spectacular infinity edge pool, or enjoy a sunrise yoga session with canyon views. A collection of six restaurants and lounges provide an exciting choice of dining options from a fine dining Arabian grill concept in a central fort tower, to traditional Italian cuisine offered poolside, a rooftop shisha lounge and all day dining, with the cool temperatures allowing for year-round alfresco dining.
The exclusive GCC Resident offer includes: This summer, GCC and Oman residents in need of relief from the rising temperatures can relish in the resort’s elevated luxury for less thanks to exclusive savings as part of the resort’s Beat The Heat campaign. Starting from when the heat starts in May, the exclusive GCC resident offer provides discount of up to 15 percent off the best flexible rate. Guests can choose to stay in one of the 33 villas which boast private temperature controlled infinity pools, or choose from a wide selection of premier and deluxe rooms that offer jaw-dropping views of the dramatic canyon. The offer also includes daily breakfast and dinner plus 10 percent off selected Anantara Spa treatments and additional food and beverage. Just a scenic two-hour drive from Muscat or a five-hour drive from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the mountain’s pleasant climes are within easy reach. Culture and adventure enthusiasts can immerse themselves into the remarkable landscape with wadi hikes, mountain biking
• Up to 15 percent off Best Flexible Rate for a room or villa • Daily buffet breakfast for two persons • Daily dinner for two persons • 10 percent off selected Anantara Spa treatments • 10 percent off food and beverage in all outlets (excluding alcohol and tobacco) Nightly rates at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort start from AED1,049 (USD285.64).
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit http://jabal-akhdar.anantara.com/
LIFE IS A JOURNEY. PO Box 110, Postal Code 621 Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman T +968 2521 8000 F +968 2521 8008 E aljabalalakhdar@anantara.com
anantara.com
WHO'S MOVED
HAGOP TCHAPARIAN has been appointed as the new director of sales and marketing at Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai. Tchaparian joins the property from Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf and Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf, Dubai, where he was multi-property director of sales and marketing for a period of three-and-a-half years. Previously, Tchaparian has worked for several other properties within the Marriott International group, including Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, where he was director of sales and marketing from 2012 to 2014. In addition, he has previously worked under the Sheraton brand, as sales manager at Sheraton Kuwait Hotels & Towers.
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Hagop Tchaparian
Emiel van Dijk
EMIEL VAN DIJK has been named general manager for Swissôtel Al Ghurair and Swissôtel Living Al Ghurair, Dubai. Van Dijk brings 18 years of experience to the team, having worked within numerous divisions of hospitality across several countries. Throughout his journey with Swissôtel, which started in 2006, van Dijk initially gained essential insights across its Europeanbased properties. His subsequent move to Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul, paved the way for his current role at Swissôtel Al Ghurair. In his current position, van Dijk will be responsible for the properties’ overall performance, operations and their strategic direction, while delivering exceptional results.
MAY 2018
WHO'S MOVED
LEANI VAN TONDER has been named head, marketing and communications department at Oryx Rotana Doha. Van Tonder brings with her over five years of traditional and digital marketing experience. Previously, van Tonder has been associated with reputed firms including Dusit Thani, Maldives; Integer, South Africa, to name a few. In her new role, van Tonder will conceptualise innovative marketing solutions, grow social media channels and increase sales on e-commerce platforms. “Oryx Rotana Doha hotel enjoys an exceptional reputation as a preferred address for both regional and international travellers and it is an exciting challenge to take it to the next level,� enthused van Tonder.
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Leani van Tonder
Dmitry Gontar
DMITRY GONTAR has recently assumed the position of director of e-commerce at Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara. Gontar brings with him more than 10 years of marketing and e-commerce experience, as he has previously served as marketing and PR executive at Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, and as marketing and communications, e-commerce manager at Kempinski Hotel Ajman, UAE. In his new role, Gontar will be tasked with developing digital strategy for Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, in addition to supervising and training e-commerce representatives of upcoming Qatar-based properties from Minor Hotels Group.
MAY 2018
TRAVEL TALK
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H.E. AKBAR AL BAKER
SIMON PRESS
GROUP CEO, QATAR AIRWAYS
SENIOR EXHIBITION DIRECTOR, ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET
Qatar Airways celebrates strong links with Russia “Qatar Airways celebrates strong links with Russia, with triple daily flights to Moscow and daily flights to St. Petersburg, from our home and hub, Hamad International Airport. During this widely celebrated Year of Culture between Russia and the State of Qatar, I am delighted to further strengthen our ties with this partnership, highlighting our shared countries beliefs in the importance of art as a means of bringing people together. I personally look forward to Cosmoscow opening this September.”
Egypt’s tourism industry recorded a strong performance “The tourism industry in Egypt recorded a strong performance in 2017, welcoming 7.2 million visitors, predominantly from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC, after many years of muted growth. This is great news for the country and we expect this trend to continue this year as a series of new attractions and investments are unveiled. To win back the millions of tourists who used to arrive in the country each year, Egypt signed a three-year, USD66 million deal to create promotional campaigns for 27 source markets.”
PETER BAUMGARTNER
H.E. SHEIKH NASSER SABAH AL-AHMAD AL-SABAH
CEO, ETIHAD AIRWAYS
MINISTER, DEFENCE, KUWAIT
The partnership strengthens the ties that the UAE and Switzerland enjoy “This codeshare deepens Etihad Airways’ commitment to the Swiss travel market and Switzerland, a key destination for travellers from our UAE home, neighbouring Gulf countries, and across our Asia Pacific network. The partnership further strengthens the historic cultural, business and tourism ties that the UAE and Switzerland have enjoyed over many decades. For Swiss travellers, our new relationship will provide access to Etihad’s award-winning service and the hospitality for which our Abu Dhabi home is known.”
Kuwait will be a catalyst in bringing together other countries
“To change, things have prevailed, and to regain our growth, we have chosen the Northern Gulf Gateway development, not only as an economic catalyst but also to build a new geopolitical era. We can use the geographic advantage of our northern region, which lies closest to two of the world’s oldest civilisations to help build new relations with our neighbours. Connecting to the Belt Road Initiative, the development will have a world-class airport, industries, knowledge, leisure and educational zone.”
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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MAY 2018
PHOTO ALBUM
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Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. More than 200 participants of all ages turned out for Sharjah Run at Flag Island
H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority, inaugurated the world's largest Wyndham Garden Hotel
Designs by Mexico’s Pedro Narvaez and Japan’s Hiroyuki Hosaka were illuminated on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa throughout April
MAY 2018
Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi marked its 10-year anniversary
Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Dubai Frame was illuminated with blue light from sunset to sunrise to mark World Autism Awareness Day
Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman was recently presented with a 2017 TopHotels Traveler’s Choice award for being one of the world's Top 100 Resort Hotels
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS AIRPORT SHOW Dubai, UAE May 07 – 09 www.theairportshow.com Airport Show serves as a B2B platform for companies to present their airport and aviation-related products and services.
AFRICA’S TRAVEL INDABA
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Warner Bros. Unveils Bedrock and Dynamite Gulch
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arner Bros. World, Abu Dhabi has revealed details on bringing animation characters to life. More specifically, the theme park announced that it will bring to life Bedrock and Dynamite Gulch, which are inspired by animated characters from Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera such as Marvin The Martian, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Fred Flintstone and George Jetson, to name a few. “The characters in these lands have fascinated fans of every age for decades, and it will be a dream
come true for many of our guests to walk the streets they know and love. The park is guaranteed to be a charming, heart-warming and fun-filled retreat for the whole family,” stated Mark Gsellman, general manager, Warner Bros.World, Abu Dhabi. The lands are home to four high-energy rides and attractions, two authentically themed restaurants and two memorabilia shops all inspired by famed characters and stories straight out of cartoons such as The Flintstones and The Jetsons.
Durban, South Africa May 08 – 10 www.indaba-southafrica.co.za Africa’s Travel Indaba showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa's best tourism products.
Guests can experience Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner by hopping aboard the Fast and Furry-ous rollercoaster
WTM 2017 Generating Deals Worth Millions IMEX – FRANKFURT Frankfurt, Germany May 15 – 17 www.imex-frankfurt.com IMEX – Frankfurt brings together 3,500 exhibitors from over 150 countries.
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rganisers of WTM London 2017 announced that they expect the event will have generated travel and tourism industry deals worth a record GBP3.1 billion (USD 4.4 million). Independent research of WTM London’s exhibitors revealed that WTM London 2017 is expected to generate deals, either through contracts signed at the event or from negotiations with WTM Buyers’ Club members, which will lead to deals signed before WTM London 2018.
The deals worth GBP3.1 billion (USD4.4 million) are anticipated to have been generated from 935,129 business meetings held at WTM London. On average, WTM exhibitors hosted a total of 208 on-stand meetings. The amount of business facilitated by WTM London 2017 further cements the success of the three-day event that saw a record number of 10,500 from the WTM Buyers’ Club attendance, compared to 10,000 year-on-year.
TTF KOLKOTA Kolkota, India July 06 – 08 www.ttfotm.com Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) is India’s largest travel trade show network. The regional circuit TTF branded shows cover nine major cities.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM Moscow, Russia, September 11 – 13 www.tourismexpo.ru/en The event features winter and sun destinations, city and sightseeing tours, cruise and adventure holidays and more.
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Oman Air’s France Office Awarded for its Efforts
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man has awarded the French branch of its national carrier, Oman Air France, for its contribution to the development of the Sultanate’s tourism industry. H.E. Ahmad Al Mahrizi, minister, tourism, Oman, presented the award to Rocio Jolivet, country manager, France, Oman Air, at the ministry’s Paris-based Oman Workshop event on March 14. Oman Air announced that the event, created to help promote Oman to the French market, was attended by a number of VIPs, including former French President Francois Hollande, and more than 160 travel agencies. The Omani delegation was headed by Salim Al Maamari, director general, Ministry of Tourism, Oman, and comprised of 26 partners, including hotels and destination management companies, to name but a few.
The award recognises Oman Air France’s efforts to promote Oman tourism
MAY 2018