NOVEMBER 2017 - ISSUE 97
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NOVEMBER 2017 - ISSUE 97
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03 UAE OVERVIEW
Abu Dhabi
OVERVIEW: DUBAI
17 OVERVIEW: SHARJAH
13 Ajman 15 Ras Al Kahimah 20 Fujairah
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Cover by: Celebrity Cruises
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Positive Figures for Sharjah International Airport
30.10.2017
COUNTRY
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Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport witnessed impressive figures for the month of August.
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assenger numbers at the airport increased by six percent to 1.1 million passengers, over August 2016 figures. Moreover, the cargo decreased 12 percent in the month under review. Aircraft movements at Sharjah International Airport where witnessed in a positive light with a 3.5 percent increase in comparison to August 2016 figures.
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UAE OVERVIEW ABU DHABI
ABU DHABI CRUISE TOURISM:
Bon Voyage
WITH ITS CRUISE SECTOR HAVING BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN EMERGING NICHE, ABU DHABI IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE ARABIAN GULF’S AMBITIONS TO BECOME A LEADING WINTER SUN CRUISE HUB. THE SECTOR IS SHOWING ITSELF TO BE RESILIENT AND CAPABLE OF BOOSTING THE EMIRATE’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION.
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ANNA SPYROU WRITES
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ccording to Amadeus’ UAE IN BRIEF Shaping the future of travel in the Gulf Cooperation Capital: Abu Dhabi Council (GCC) report, tourCurrency: Emirati Dirham (AED) ism and travel have been gradually emerging as key sectors Language: Arabic for the economic vitality of the entire Population: 9.4 million region with travel providers, industry Calling code: +971 bodies and governments reimaging Capital time zone: GMT +4:00 a travel experience driven by a new, always-connected generation. Apart from overall tourism that is directed by the aviation industry, cruises are increasingly becoming the new facet of the GCC tourism, offering a foreseeable potential for sea travel, especially intra-regional as well as opportunities for investing in this sector’s infrastructure and regulations. Noticing the popularity of the new trend for cruise tourism amongst the Middle Eastern segment, Lakshmi Durai, CEO, Travel Matrix, the Middle East representative for Celebrity Cruises, stated, “The demand for cruises from the Middle East has been growing continuously over the last decade and there are more guests now with reasonable awareness to choose their preferred cruises. Middle Eastern cruisers are keen on good quality and hassle-free vacations.” With its geographical advantages, extensive coastline, winter sun, beautiful islands and state-of the-art infrastructure, Abu Dhabi serves as an ideal hub for cruises. The emirate is expecting increased arrivals and greater tourist footfall onshore thanks to the decision by international cruise companies such as MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and AIDA Cruises to home port their vessels throughout the season, before and after voyages, making the emirate the entry point for a greater number of guests who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience what Abu Dhabi’s cruise sector offers.
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UAE OVERVIEW ABU DHABI
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Celebrity Constellation
Speaking about the cruisers demographics Abdulkareem Al Masabi, executive vice president, Ports Unit, Abu Dhabi Ports, revealed that Germany and the UK are the main feeder markets, probably due to the region’s ideal weather, with Italy, Russia, the Netherlands and the US following. According to Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the 2016-2017 cruise season was record-breaking as demand, occupancy and forward bookings from cruises, originating from Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal reached unprecedented heights while this rise in passenger figures is expected to continue, with projections of 450,000 by 2020 and 808,000 by 2025. The sector’s successful path has also been confirmed by Al Masabi who disclosed that the emirate welcomed during 2016-2017, 345,662 cruise visitors. Further elaborating, Al Masabi highlighted that this was the first year during which the cruise season has been extended to June, something which is quite surprising as until recently the cruise season concluded in April or May.
In addition, the construction of a new purpose-built cruise terminal in 2015 enabled ships to dock and berth in Abu Dhabi while also offering state-of-the art facilities and features such as airline check-in, something which is not offered anywhere else in the region. Located in Zayed Port, and developed by Abu Dhabi Ports the new Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal marks a milestone in the Arabian Gulf’s cruise tourism journey. Designed to welcome the surge of passengers visiting the emirate in search of a winter sunshine paradise, the state-of-the-art facility is fully equipped to host all kinds of vessels for turnaround, and home porting. Its contemporary design and infrastructure offers a welcoming gateway to international tourists to explore Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. As Al Masabi disclosed, investing in technology was another key pillar of the sector’s growth. Aiming to respond to the travellers’ demand for digitalisation and online services, Abu Dhabi Ports has recently launched Maqta Gateway which is said to be the first fully digitalised system of its kind in the UAE. Set to redefine Abu Dhabi’s trade services, processes and information exchange through a unified interface that connects various trade customers, including shipping agents, traders, custom brokers, freight forwarders and clearing agents, Maqta Gateway is also home to various e-services offering such as port directory, vessels schedule, linear services and vessels tracking. In addition, and as part of the emirate’s strategy to promote cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf to the international market, TCA Abu Dhabi together with Abu Dhabi Ports have recently joined forces and participated in this year’s Seatrade Europe which took place on September 11 – 13 in Hamburg. Abu Dhabi’s growth ambitions have been accelerated by the partnership between TCA Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Ports and Etihad Airways in 2015, resulting in price incentives, loyalty agreements and sup-
SOWING THE SEEDS OF GROWTH As Durai revealed, one of the main reasons of the sector’s rapid growth was the introduction of more relaxed visa options, including a new multiple entry visa for cruise guests which facilitated the administrative processes and has helped reach a wider pool of international vacationers. Introduced in 2014, this multi-entry visa is now available for passport holders from markets that had previously required separate visas for each national port of call, including India, Russia China and Brazil.
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UAE OVERVIEW ABU DHABI
port in tactical joint marketing. In addition, and in an attempt to target more visitors from European countries, Etihad Airways teamed up with Geneva-based MSC Cruises in 2015 to further boost tourism through the UAE capital providing a unique opportunity to passengers to embark and disembark from Abu Dhabi. A JEWEL IN THE ARABIAN GULF Abu Dhabi also boasts the Arabian Gulf’s only dedicated cruise beach stopover destination on Sir Bani Yas Island, the first of its kind in the region for cruise tourism. Keeping in line with the local culture and aiming to respond to the growing demand for world-class cruise infrastructure and experiences, Sir Bani Yas Island lies 240 km west of Abu Dhabi. Established in 1971 as a nature reserve, the island has evolved into a thriving wildlife sanctuary and is a home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, which covers half of the island and promotes breeding and rehabilitation of many animal species which roam the natural environment. The island development is also home to three luxury hotels including Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara and a host of attractions, facilities and eco-tourism excursions including also the remnants of one of the oldest Christian monastery. Abu Dhabi Ports was responsible for developing Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, which was officially opened in 2016. “Sir Bani Yas Island gives Abu Dhabi a competitive advantage, as anchoring at this multi award-winning nature conservation desert island adds a unique proposition to an already diverse array of passengers seeking a mix of luxury and adventure,” emphasised, Al Masabi. BEYOND OIL ECONOMY While also further supporting moves to expand economic growth beyond the hydrocarbons sector, the cruise tourism segment is showing itself to be significantly capable of boosting the UAE’s capital status as an international destination. The increased cruise traffic is expected to bring in long-term direct and indirect economic benefits to the wider economy, for both Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Some of the positive knockon-effects that are expected include greater activity at Abu Dhabi International Airport, expanded hotel use before and after cruise launches, more taxi and restaurant expenditures and other tourism spends. As Saeed Al Dhaheri, manager, cruise sector and city tour development, TCA Abu Dhabi, revealed, onshore attractions such as the imminent opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi and the ever-growing awareness of Abu Dhabi as a travel destination are other central factors that are forecasted to bring about higher number of cruise guests opting for day trips ashore, and for choosing to visit greater number of attractions in the emirate. “The diversification of our economy through investing in sectors such as tourism, trade and logistics will continue to be our leitmotif for the years to come. From our side, we will continue contributing to making the emirate’s economy more dynamic and putting Abu Dhabi at the heart of global trade and tourism,” stated Al Masabi. Durai recognised that for the sector to be expanded further, more destinations need to be added, “One of the key elements for deciding a cruise vacation is inter-
Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal
esting destinations. The region should be offering more ports of call that are interesting and attractive for the global visitors,” added Durai. In addition, and further elaborating into this, Al Dhaheri revealed that the authority will continue to focus on expanding the emirate’s penetration at regional but also international trade exhibitions while also adding new destinations for roadshows including countries such as Australia and Africa. “The department is also working with cruise lines to extend the season in the region by launching an incentive programme with full marketing support, as well as looking to encourage companies to expand their operations to the Indian sub-continent,” Al Dhaheri said. Taking into account the broader cultural aspects of tourism, as well as the new customer demographics, the cruise industry is looking to diversify the range of options and destination choices while also easing access for passengers from key source markets and attracting more cruise lines to home port at Abu Dhabi. The industry is also undergoing change to keep pace with changing times. After years of competing amongst themselves, Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai are collaborating to promote cruise tourism across the Gulf from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, Oman, Bahrain, and India’s West Coast. All of these participants are building additional cruise terminals and facilities and are simultaneously working on establishing common operational and technical standards. Over the coming years, this alliance is expected to widen to increase a greater number of participants from the Gulf and many rival established cruise destinations including those in the Caribbean region.
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Dubai: Countless Reasons
to Return
AS THE WORLD’S FOURTH MOST VISITED DESTINATION IN 2016, DUBAI IS A METROPOLIS ON EVERY TRAVELLER’S BUCKET LIST. SEEKING TO CAPITALISE ON ITS DIVERSE OFFERINGS AND SHEER IMMENSITY, DUBAI HAS IDENTIFIED REPEAT VISITORS AS ONE OF ITS KEY TARGET MARKETS.
ELLEN PETTY WRITES
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n the first half of the year (H1), Dubai welcomed a total of 8.06 million international overnight tourists, an impressive 10.6 percent year-on-year increase, according to Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). While this is edging closer to the emirate’s ambitious target of attracting 20 million annual arrivals by 2020, as outlined in its Tourism Vision 2020, there is still significant progress to be made. As the city develops in line with the influx of tourists, its hospitality offering has also grown. By the end of June, Dubai’s room inventory stood at 104,138 units across 676 properties, a rise of five percent over the same period in 2016. Although necessary to meet the upcoming demand, the surge of new addresses has put pressure on hoteliers. Corroborating DTCM’s report of an overall one percent climb in occupancy to 79 percent, Ammar Hilal, general manager, Fairmont Dubai, noted that despite the increase in this measure, hoteliers’ have had to overcome the rise in hotel inventory with lower average room rates. However, this is not the case for all. Wael El Behi, general manager, First Central Hotel Suites, commented, “H1 was as per our Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
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Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Tower
expectation, where we achieved exactly out budget in terms of total revenue with an increase of six percent in net operating profit compared to 2016 [...].” With the opening of three new addresses in H1, and a further six developments announced, Emaar Hospitality Group also enjoyed a fruitful start to the year. Olivier Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group, pinpointed that revenue in the first six months reached AED787 million (USD214.25 million), a nine percent climb over the same period in 2016. Moreover, he added that occupancy levels stood at an average of 82 percent, and room revenues soared 19 percent to AED337 million (USD91.74 million). Until recently, Dubai had garnered a reputation of being an extravagant destination, with an abundance of international luxury brands. As the emirate diversifies, paving the way to welcome mass markets with an affluent middle class such as China and India, mid-market hotels have taken a larger share of the market. As a result of more competition, Pierre Sokhan, general manager, hospitality division, Al Khoory Hotels, pinpointed that across its three- and fourstar properties, occupancy dropped around two to three percent and average room rate fell approximately AED30 (USD8.17). With its 2020 target of 20 million annual arrivals, Dubai has pulled out all the
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stops to lure back visitors time and time again. DIVERSIFIED DEMOGRAPHICS Besides guests from the GCC, Moussa El Hayek, chief operating officer, Al Bustan Centre & Residence, noted that a large proportion of customers arrive from Russia and China. Thanks to the implementation of visa on arrival for Chinese and Russian tourists, these feeder markets are set to soar. More diverse source markets bring a broader variety of needs, especially when personalisation is more appreciated than ever before. Hilal explained, “To cater to GCC travellers, it is important to have connecting rooms offering ample space for larger families and being operationally flexible. Whilst for Chinese guests, it is important to have a person onsite who can communicate in their native language.” Speaking in agreement, Harnisch expounded, “There is no one size fits all to define the expectations to guests, more so because they are all so diverse in their interests. Business travellers would expect all the amenities that make their stay seamless, while leisure guests seek memorable lifestyle experiences.”
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However, Harnisch added that Emaar Hospitality Group has developed programmes to serve the specific needs of Chinese, Indian, and Russian travellers, a sign of the impact these feeder markets are expected to have on tourism in Dubai. As well as new source markets, the demographics of travellers have changed. Although noting that two thirds of leisure guests are families with kids, Shahzad Butt, general manager, Ramada Downtown Dubai, disclosed that the number of millennials visiting the emirate is soaring and they now account for around a third of all visitors. In terms of their expectations, he elaborated, “They are more tech and social media savvy, so we have to make sure that their needs are covered by providing them with fast connectivity as well as amenities and services
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that are worth sharing on social media.” Echoing this sentiment, Mark Deere, general manager, Amwaj Rotana – JBR, pinpointed, “We have noticed an increase in a new category of travellers who are younger, design-conscious, adventurous, and technologically savvy.” As a result, hotels have had evolve to meet the changing demands of guests, with expectations including fast complimentary Wi-Fi as a minimum requirement. THE EVER-CHANGING CITY Like many Middle Eastern governments, Dubai is committed to moving away from its reliance on oil revenues and has named tourism as central pillar of economic growth and diversification. In order to achieve this, DTCM has identified key strategic objectives to maximise the development of the industry, one of which is increasing the number of repeat visits. Highlighting that repeat travellers sustain the hospitality and tourism industry in Dubai, Sam Bahl, director, sales and marketing, M Hotel Downtown by Millennium, explained, “Dubai has abundant and varied options for every facet of tourism. It is very dynamic and caters to all tastes. In the future, the options available to any tourist are only going to increase, hence the probability for their return soars too.” In actuality, demonstrated by the fact that key feeder markets have been stable in the last couple of years, El Behi revealed that a good portion of rooms nights are from repeat guests that visit two or three times each year. He expanded, “The main reason for repeat travellers is definitely emotional. When you fall in love with a destination, you would love to visit more and more.” Aside from an emotional attachment, visitors choose to take another trip to the evolving metropolis as one is not enough to tick off all the top attractions. As Ulrich Hoffmeister, general manager, Jumeira Rotana, explained, “Travellers are encouraged to return, simply because hardly anyone can claim to have seen it all.” Almost unrecognisable from its humble beginnings, the emirate has defined itself as a sprawling metropolis synonymous with expeditious growth. Samer Rafie, hotel manager, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham JBR, said, “To encourage repeat visitors, the emirate is constantly coming up with new attractions, including theme parks, landmarks, museums and more.” Rafir listed Dubai Parks and Resort, Dubai Opera, Dubai Canal, and Etihad Museum as key attractions that have recently opened. “Dubai offers numerous reasons for guests to visit and there is always something new coming up which means no two trips will be the same,” enthused Deere. “A guest who has visited previously will still find reasons to come back and experience a different itinerary,” added Deere. WORLD-CLASS EVENTS Alongside the ongoing development of new experiences, DTCM has identified events as a key travel incentive. Eli Jawich, director, sales and marketing, AVANI
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UAE OVERVIEW DUBAI
Dubai Creek
Deira Dubai Hotel, expounded, “[Every year], DTCM proposes a rich calendar of events all across the city and special attractions unique in the region, which [greatly] help in attracting repeat visitors.” Depicting La Perle by Dragone, the emirate’s latest addition, as an out of this world production, Frida Audi, director, business development, Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, remarked, “Extensive initiatives have driven arts and entertainment to Dubai, which ideally will have a great impact on the tourism market, thus leading to repeat visitors.” Along with attracting arrivals, Dubai’s selection of shopping events encourages high levels of spending through promotional offers, therefore providing a boost to the economy. Jawich underlined that value of shopping festivals such as Dubai Summer Surprises, which play an important role in enticing tourists back for another trip. Dubai also has a distinct advantage as leading business destination. Harnisch illustrated that a corporate traveller who visits to conduct business is inclined to return to the city to explore its leisure offering with family and friends.
Agreeing that Dubai is a favoured stopover hotspot that connects the world, Vanessa Chinopoulou, director, marketing and communications, Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre, added that more steps need to be taken to capitalise these trends and incorporate them to promote and sustain repeat visits. COLLABORATION IS KEY In order to accomplish its goals of broadening its tourism offering and increasing awareness of the emirate, DTCM has formed working partnerships with both public and private sectors in Dubai and abroad. Hoffmeister confirmed,
THE GATEWAY TO THE WORLD While events and attractions are undoubtedly vital in luring back travellers, the infrastructure to accommodate them has to be in place. Mentioning that Dubai was the world’s fourth most visited city in 2016, Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East, Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group, said, “[...] By streamlining visa requirements, infrastructure development, and investment into destination marketing, [the government is] enabling repeat visits from neighbouring countries in the Middle East and South Asia.” As a visitors’ first and last impression of the emirate, Dubai’s two airports are essential elements of its tourism industry, linking the city with 280 destinations worldwide. Lorne Riley, director, corporate communications, Dubai Airports, stated, “[...] We work closely with DTCM to find ways to showcase Dubai in our airports for both arrive passengers as they enter the emirate and connecting passengers as they pass through our facility. For the latter, we endeavour to showcase Dubai so on their next trip, they are enticed to stop over or to visit the city.” Riley added that Dubai Airports continues to concentrate on enhancing customer service. Along with boosting capacity, at Dubai International, passengers can enjoy musicDXB and artDXB, which consists of live music concerts and creative displays. “Aviation has proved to be an indispensable catalyst for the growth of Dubai’s tourism industry, both through the connectivity it provides and through the opening up of new markets and opportunities for people to visit Dubai,” enthused Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations centre, Emirates. Thanks to the emirate’s geographical location and Emirates’ connectivity to 157 destinations on six continents, Dubai is a renowned transit destination. NOVEMBER 2017
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La Perle by Dragone
“Rotana participates in all major trade shows internationally to showcase and advertise not only our own hotels, but also the destination.” Along with holding meetings with DTCM, Sokhan said Al Khoory Hotels have an advantage in that its online promotions are linked to DTCM’s portal, giving the group global exposure and a competitive edge. To further understand travellers and their expectations to ensure tourism providers maintain a high reputation, Karim Bizid, general manager, The Oberoi, Dubai, reported that DTCM launched an initiative focussed on the feedback of tourists. “[...] The report, Digital Reputation Report, carefully observes the comments and experiences posted by travellers in all digital mediums including social media.” In an effort to impress and intrigue potential customers, Lennard Otto, CEO,
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IMG Worlds of Adventure, divulged that, in partnership with DTCM, the company took a life-size animatronic dinosaur to the arrivals area of Dubai International and offered free tickets to travellers. As the momentum of the destination’s growth shows no signs of stopping, and its tourism industry is aligned to achieve the same goal, Dubai offers a whole world of experiences for travellers. As Nikhil Kilpady, regional sales and marketing manager, Middle East, Cathay Pacific Airways, summarised, “Dubai is a destination that continues to evolve, expand, and develop, providing a new experience on each return visit. The investment in tourism continues to increase, with the level of hospitality and Dubai’s core roots remaining at the heart of every visitor journey. [...] There continues to be a wealth of activities and interactions for a wide traveller demographic that will continue to hold its appeal for years to come.”
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UAE OVERVIEW AJMAN
Ajman: Authentically
Emirati
CARVING ITS NICHE AS THE AUTHENTIC EMIRATE, AJMAN PRIDES ITSELF ON GENUINE EMIRATI HOSPITALITY, ITS RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND PROVIDING VISITORS WITH MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES.
ELLEN PETTY WRITES
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way from the hustle and bustle of the UAE’s largest cities, yet within close enough proximity to be easily reached from Dubai International or Sharjah International Airport, Ajman is considered to be the place to experience authentic Emirati culture. “Ajman is a culturally and historically a rich destination, home to authentic Emirati hospitality, which is reflected in our destination brand Sincerely Emirati,” illustrated Yamina Aoucher, director, tourism development and marketing, Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD). “However, it extends well beyond that, and visitors to Ajman have the chance to experience an authentic side to Emirati culture and tradition that may not be as easily accessible in some of the other emirates.” Iftikhar Hamdani, cluster general manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche, illustrated, “In contrast to the glitz and glamour of the other emirates, Ajman has a fair mix of luxurious offering, old-fashioned vibe, and a glimpse of traditional Arabian culture.” Reflecting ATDD’s slogan, Francis Desjardins, general manager, Fairmont Ajman, explained that Ajman’s tourism industry has identified the potential in developing it as the emirate of local culture. With this, he elaborated, that the hotel has brought together various stakeholders, including community groups, producers, and suppliers, to discuss how local culture can be immersed into the property’s offering. As a result, Fairmont Ajman ensures that guests get a taste of local culture from the-word-go. Desjardins highlighted that upon arrival, travellers are served Gahwa and dates, the symbol of Arabian hospitality. Going one step further, Desjardins added, “We also work with local artists, such as Emirati artist Budour Al Ali, on exhibitions showcasing her oil-based paintings of local scenes of everyday life.” FINDING ITS NICHE Although it is important for hotels to recognise their role in promoting local culture, travellers seeking authentic experiences will want to get out and discover Ajman’s breadth of offerings. Understanding
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UAE OVERVIEW AJMAN
the need to create novel attractions so that it stands out among other tourism hotspots across the region, Ajman has enhanced its appeal with unforgettable experiences, and continues to invest in creating more. Describing the emirate as a laid-back, sun-drenched destination with white-sand beaches, rolling desert dunes, craggy mountains, and thriving mangrove forests, Albert Meow, director, sales and marketing, The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah, believes that exploring Ajman’s diverse natural landscapes is the best way to understand the destination. Mentioning the emirate’s conservation and eco-tourism initiatives, Meow highlighted mangrove kayaking excursions, marine life observations, bird watching, and micro flights across the destination as some top activities for tourists. Also underlining the beauty of the emirate’s natural landscapes, Aoucher stressed that environmental conservation is a priority for ATDD, in order to protect and preserve the destination and ensure a sustainable tourism sector On the other hand, Hamdani suggested that holidaymakers take a trip to Ajman Corniche or Ajman Marina to see where local residents spend their free time. Aside from the emirate’s natural beauty, there are many attractive man-made sights to see. Hamdani expounded, “Visitors will also be surprised to drive around Ajman to discover stunning art mural in various locations in the emirate.” Noting that many people do not realise the range of traditional and cultural experiences on offer throughout the emirate, Kamal Rijhwani, executive assistant manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Ajman, said, “There are many activities like visiting Ajman Souk, watching fishermen catch your fish at Ajman Fish Market, and Ajman Stud, that allows visitors to understand the culture better and connect with locals and their way of life on a different level.” Along with naming Ajman Museum as an ideal attraction to learn about the area’s heritage, Rijhwani described Ajman Pearl Journey as an underrated insight into the emirate’s customs. He elaborated, “[...] Visitors get the opportunity to embark on a traditional Arabian boat to learn about the history of pearling, how to open an oyster and if lucky, even find a pearl to take home as a souvenir.” However, it is not just the attractions or sites which make Ajman unique. Hamdani clarified, “Given that Ajman is the smallest emirate in the UAE, there is a greater sense of community [...], making it an ideal destination for experiential tourism.” RESULTS DRIVEN Thanks to extensive efforts to promote Ajman as an authentic destination, Ajman has seen a surge in arrivals. According to ATDD, the emirate’s 39 accommodation
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establishments hosted more than 125,000 visitors in the second quarter of this year (Q2). While the UAE accounted for the largest source market, travellers from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) contributed the most number of guest nights thanks to an average stay of 7.4 days. Underscoring that so far this year has been the property’s peak performing year, in line with the rapid rise of tourism in Ajman, Desjardin elaborated, “Guest flows demonstrated steady year-on-year growth compared to 2016, and continues to increase in our feeder markets such as the UAE, the UK, Russia, Germany and Scandinavia. The activation of visa-on-arrival status for the Russian market has been an active push in boosting the number of travellers [...].” Meanwhile, Hamdani noted that the emirate’s main feeder markets used to derive from Russian and the CIS, but now a shift has been observed to include a broader mix of arrivals from Northern and Eastern Europe, Germany, Turkey and Central Asia. As a result of higher demand, Hamdani revealed, “We are preparing to accommodate the increasing tourist arrivals in the emirate with the opening of the first Wyndham Garden located at Ajman Corniche, by the last quarter of this year.” ROOM TO GROW To sustain the upward trajectory of Ajman’s tourism figures, hoteliers are working alongside ATDD to promote the destination in key markets. Along with noting that the presence of the Fairmont brand contributes in promoting the destination, Desjardin said, “I believe that it is our responsibility as tourism providers to come together as one to support the tourism board’s efforts in realising Ajman Vision 2021.” According to Aoucher, ATDD has been highly active in promoting the emirate at regional and international trade events. As well as hosting its own road show with key industry partners, ATDD has taken part in various Visit UAE road shows and leading trade events such as Arabian Travel Market, ITB Berlin and has plans to visit World Travel Market London this year. Like Fairmont Ajman, which has worked closely with ATDD at various exhibitions, Hamdani elucidated, “Our properties [...] have been actively participating in [road shows] to promote not only our hotels, but Ajman as a destination.” Rijhwani remarked that this year saw ATDD embark overseas to targeting the Russian and Scandinavian markets, and in 2018 there are plans to focus on the Asian market, primarily India and China. Looking to the future, Rijhwani concluded, “The main strategy for the coming years is to make Ajman a niche tourism destination, develop archaeological sites and promote investment opportunities in the emirate.”
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UAE OVERVIEW RAS AL KAHIMAH
Ras Al Khaimah: More Than Meets
the Eye
WITH ITS SPRAWLING LAGOONS, MANGROVE FORESTS, AND A COLOURFUL HISTORY STRETCHING BACK MORE THAN 7,000 YEARS, RAS AL KHAIMAH IS THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION CHOICE FOR ACTIVE ADVENTURERS, CULTURAL EXPLORERS AND ALL THOSE SEEKING FOR ADRENALINE FILLED VACATIONS.
ANNA SPYROU WRITES
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ith more limited hydrocarbon reserves compared to its UAE neighbours to the south, the emirate has been developed into an industrial hub thanks to its dynamic network of industrial free trade zones. As the government intensifies efforts to develop and promote the tourism sector, in line with its long-term vision for economic diversification, the industry is seeking to attract an increasingly wide range of regional and global visitors, focusing on active adventurers, cultural explorers, and wellness seekers. “Ras Al Khaimah’s natural assets, a key attribute to stimulating visitor interest
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Harma Beach
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Al Marjan Ramadan Tent
in the emirate, boast the UAE’s highest mountain peak, abundant wildlife, terracotta desert, 64 km of pristine beaches and much more, each providing the perfect setting for the active adventurer, emphasised, Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). While also recognising the destination’s unique natural features, Amit Arora, general manager, Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah, a Ritz-Carlton partner hotel and The Ritz-Carlton, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, stated, “Visitors in Ras Al Khaimah can enjoy adventure and exploration ranging from kayaking along the coast, golf facing the ocean, horse riding in the desert, or hiking in the mountains.” RAKTDA’s policy of positioning the emirate as more than a sun, sea and sand destination, driven by the implementation of the Destination Ras Al Khaimah 2019 strategy, has resulted in attracting 820,772 visitors in 2016, putting the sector in a strong position to achieve its target of one million visitors by the end of 2018 and 2.9 million by the end of 2025. COUNTING MILESTONES RAKTDA has played a highly active role in establishing Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination of choice for leisure and business travellers. This year has also seen RAKTDA champion sustainable tourism via a landmark partnership with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for its International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development campaign. As part of those efforts, RAKTDA has commissioned a UNWTO mission to investigate current standards and policies relating to sustainability and to produce a report on how the destination can implement the best practices for a sustainable future across the global tourism landscape. In an attempt to further boost visitor arrivals in 2018 and beyond, the authority unveiled a slew of eye-catching tourism products including the launch of what is expected to become the world’s longest and highest zip line. Due to break the current Guinness World Record held by 2,200 m long, The Monster in Puerto Rico, Ras Al Khaima’s zip line, located on Jebel Jais, is due to open in December and will use solar energy and locally-sourced natural materials to ensure visitors enjoy a natural experience in the emirate’s mountain landscape. This year’s growth was further supported by the opening of highly recognised hotel brands including Anantara Resort & Spa within the Mina Al Arab development. Meanwhile, and as highlighted by Arora the entry of The Ritz-Carlton with two ultra-luxury resorts will help drive MICE business during weekdays and family
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leisure business during weekends. According to CBRE Group, Ras Al Khaimah is the fastestgrowing hospitality and tourist market in the whole region, with the industry having witnessed 8.7 percent growth between 2014 – 2017. “Currently offering just over 5,000 hotel rooms, Ras Al Khaimah’s increasing hotel and resort portfolio is expected to grow by more than 4,445 rooms by 2020, across 13 new hotel brands,” further added Mattar. LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION As Mattar noticed, the UAE has always been the leading source market for the emirate, accounting for 41.2 percent of total visitors and 20 percent of total guest nights during 2016, something which has also been confirmed by Arora. Interestingly, Arora revealed that new secondary markets started showing increased attention to the destination and these include India, Commonwealth of Independent States and China, something which is directly linked to the recent implementation of visas upon arrival. In addition, the destination is becoming particularly attractive to the GCC region with Saudi Arabia being one of the most important emerging source markets for Ras Al Khaimah, while further visitor increase is expected in the upcoming years as the authority has recently expanded its presence in Riyadh with the opening of a new representation office. Meanwhile, and due to a variety of advancements, bolstered by RAKTDA’s comprehensive international promotional initiatives, the number of foreign arrivals has skyrocketed. As Mattar noticed, international visitors represent almost two thirds of the overall tourism to the emirate, with the four largest source markets remaining Germany, Russia, the UK and India while a significant growth has been observed from Kazakhstan, Poland and the Czech Republic during the first half of the year, accounting for 16 percent, 224 percent and 81 percent respectively. In particular, the growth in arrivals from Poland and the Czech Republic are attributed to strategic partnerships and charter agreements struck between the authority and in-market tour operators in the central European nations.
Ras Al Khaimah zip line, rendering
NOVEMBER 2017
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UAE OVERVIEW SHARJAH
Sharjah: A Multi-Faceted
Destination
ELLENPETTY WRITES
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ccording to Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the emirate welcomed 885,000 hotel guests in the first six months of the year (H1), a respectable 3.5 percent increase over the same period in 2016. While this is a long way from the 10 million annual visitors the emirate hopes to attract by 2021, it is nevertheless a step in the right direction. With recent legislation changes enabling Russian and Chinese visitors to obtain a visa on arrival, a major travel incentive, it comes as no surprise that these markets represent a significant proportion of international guests. While noting 
AS AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR DESTINATION, SHARJAH HAS EXPERIENCED EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH IN RECENT MONTHS. WHILE CULTURE REMAINS THE MAIN ATTRACTION FOR MANY, VISITORS ARE ALSO BEGINNING TO TAKE NOTICE OF ITS BOUNTIFUL NATURAL OFFERING. Arabian Collared Kingfisher
NOVEMBER 2017
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UAE OVERVIEW SHARJAH
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that so far the hotel has welcomed a similar number of tourists as 2016 , Rabih Zein, general manager, Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah, pinpointed that guests from Russia, Eastern Europe, and China account for more than 65 percent of all stays. Yet, as revealed by SCTDA, Saudi Arabia continues to represent the destination’s leading source market, with some 72,000 Saudi nationals staying in Sharjah’s hotels in H1. Moreover, thanks to the government’s staunch efforts of positioning the emirate as a prime regional destination, especially for families, the number of GCC arrivals also increased. In terms of tourism income, the emirate saw great success in H1, hospitality revenue skyrocketed to AED372 million (USD101 million), a rise of 7.8 percent over the same period in 2016. Sharjah International Airport handled an impressive 5.5 million travellers during the period January – June, a year-on-year surge of 2.9 percent. Indicating that in July the number of passengers passing through the gateway increased 3.5 percent, Iain Forrest, general manager, Middle East, India and sub continent, Dufry Sharjah, attributed the success to a resurgence in Indian travellers. FORWARD PLANNING In order to accommodate the influx passengers, Forrest highlighted a number of initiatives that the airport has implemented to improve passenger experience. In addition to complimentary Wi-Fi, Forrest outlined that the hub recently introduced Smart Gates at passport control, which allow travellers to pass through in under 20 seconds. Consequently, he added, “This greatly helps the penetration in shops as the dwell time of the passenger has significantly increased.” With this, Sharjah Duty Free, managed by Dufry Sharjah, is set to welcome a plethora of new brands as it completely renovates its departures shop.
Kalba
PILLARS OF GROWTH As outlined in Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, to achieve its target of 10 million annual arrivals, SCTDA identified four strategic pillars to simultaneously concentrate on. The first of these is to continue promoting the emirate as an ideal family destination, while the second is described as adopting an innovative tourism approach to improve experiences through the provision of innovative solutions. The third pillar aims to enhance efficiencies within the tourism sector through partnerships to offer world-class facilities and capabilities. Lastly, the fourth is to reinforce the emirate’s reputation as an international cultural hub. Known as the cultural capital of the UAE, Sharjah boasts no less than 16 museums, more than 600 mosques and a myriad of heritage sites, offering something for everyone. “Sharjah is very well known as a cultural and heritage destination [...],” enthused Zein. SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Aside from its rich cultural offering, Sharjah is repositioning itself as a leading eco-tourism destination, capitalising on its diverse natural landscapes. The emirate’s varied topography includes not just vast desert and unspoilt beaches, but acacia forests and wildlife-abundant marshes. Describing just some of the experiences awaiting tourists, Zein said, “Sharjah [...] has much to explore, from [...] kayaking in the mangroves, climbing mountains, diving in oceans, cycling in the desert, and today, the authority will also focus on developing eco-tourism such as the development of a special and dedicated area for walking.” After years of investing in cultural tourism resources, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has refocussed its efforts to create a range of eco-tourism attractions. Considered to be one of the most significant to date, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project opened its gates in 2016. The 50 km2 destination combines archaeology exhibits with adventur-
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Sharjah Art
ous experiences including desert trips and paragliding. The second phase of this ambitious project, to be developed in partnership with Environment and Protected Areas Authority, will see the reintroduction of indigenous wildlife to a 450 km2 area as well as a camping park, motel and astronomy observatory. Further demonstrating its aspiration to transform Sharjah into a leading ecotourism destination, Shurooq is currently developing Kalba Eco-Tourism Project. With conservation being its core objective, the attraction will give visitors the chance to learn about indigenous wildlife and become immersed in nature. Among other projects, it will feature a turtle rehabilitation centre and a conservation centre to protect the wetlands, which are listed as a Wetlands of International Importance. While the emirate’s goal of welcoming 10 million visitors by 2021 may seem ambitious, thanks to SCTDA’s clear strategy of providing richer experiences, whether immersing travellers in culture or the environment, it is certainly achievable. NOVEMBER 2017
UAE OVERVIEW FUJAIRAH
Fujairah: Eyes On The Prize for
2040
WITH NEW INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE, LUXURY COMPLEXES AND MAJOR EXPANSION OF EXISTING FACILITIES, THE UAE’s EAST COAST EMIRATE HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FUTURE, AS OUTLINED IN ITS PROMISING 2040 FRAMEWORK PLAN.
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strong presence in the international arena. During the last decade, Fujairah has witnessed remarkable growth in all aspects of social and economic activities with tourism and hospitality sectors growing by leaps and bounds. Praising the emirate’s performance, Charles Hadju, acting general manager, Fujairah International Airport, said, “The attractiveness of the UAE as a whole and the strengthening of Fujairah’s economy are two of the factors supporting the further development of the emirate’s tourism market.” Hadju further pinpointed that the destination’s beautiful landscapes, protected nature reserves and beaches, alongside its strong commitment towards local traditions, customs and cultural heritage have all significantly contributed in gaining popularity amongst both local and foreign visitors. In a similar manner, Khaled Zaki, general manager, Millennium Hotel Fujairah, recognised authenticity, and promotion of Emirati heritage and traditions as a unique attraction and elements of the destination and the keys towards its success. OPENING THE WAY TO NEW MARKETS Fujairah as a destination for tourists has a long history, however this has, until very recently been confined to the UAE market, consisting of weekend and day-trip tourists. As Omar Souab, general manager, Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort, revealed, since soft opening in 2016, the address’ source markets comprise 65 percent of local visitors and 35 percent of international guests. While the UAE and the GCC remain the emirate’s key source markets, tourism stakeholders noticed a considerable demand from Eastern European countries, in particular Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland. As Hadju revealed, the launch of flights by Polish airline Enter Air, between Poland and Fujairah has played a significant role in strengthening the links between the two destinations. In addition, and as Zaki further explained, the emirate’s authorities are now exploring options to expand operations at Fujairah’s hub by attracting more commercial airlines and charter flights from key international source markets, while the airport itself is undergoing a major expansion plan to meet the demand of the increasing tourists expected over the next few years. Working with Abu Dhabi Airports, a memorandum of cooperation has been signed by the airport authorities, and the expansion project will include a new ATC Tower, a parallel runway, and the expansion of the existing runway. ALL EYES ON 2040
ANNA SPYROU WRITES
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ocated close to the tourism giants of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s youngest emirate, Fujairah has been striving during recent years to become a pioneer in the luxury segment and to pave the way for quality tourism. Surrounded by the panoramic views of the Gulf of Oman, the destination offers a wide range of recreational activities including hiking, water sports, aquatic adventures, spa indulgences and beach lounging, inviting corporate travellers, couples and families to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate their spirits. Recognising the need to differentiate itself and effectively communicate its unique offerings and value proposition to clients and partners, Fujairah is on the right track of attracting local investments while also marking its
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Fujairah 2040 Framework Plan has been initiated by Fujairah Municipality as the emirate was facing an unprecedented level of growth against a backdrop of geopolitical interest in the region. Based on a balanced approach towards sustainable economic growth, and urban development, together with ensuring conservation of the emirate’s environmental and cultural heritage assets the plan aims to set the vision and framework for growth and development while also underscoring Fujairah’s catalytic role as a key member of the UAE . “As Fujairah 2040 Framework Plan acts as an important holistic guide in directing growth and management in key sectors such as regional and local tourism, the addition of Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort contributes positively to the ever growing tourism sector in Fujairah and hospitality market in the emirate,” said Souab. With its versatile and proactive strategies in place for this year and with an ambitious vision for the next 23 years, there is no doubt that Fujairah will succeed to maintain solid occupancy levels and revenues, consolidating its presence in existing key markets and opening up avenues towards new, emerging ones.
NOVEMBER 2017
NEWS & EVENTS
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FITUR to Focus on Sustainability and New Technologies
EVENTS ILTM Cannes, France December 04 – 07 www.iltm.com/cannes The flagship inspirational show will provide opportunities for more contacts, more insights and more markets than anywhere else.
FITUR
F MEDTRAVELEXPO Moscow, Russia December 04 – 08 www.expocheck.com An exhibition for medical and health-related services and health care technologies in Russia and abroad held as part of Russian Health Care Week.
ITUR, organised by IFEMA is set to run from January 17 – 21, 2018, at Feria de Madrid, and will be showcasing the latest proposals in international tourism, with a special emphasis on sustainability and new technologies The 2018 event will focus on special emphasis on the actions being undertaken by countries, businesses and institutions to contribute to improving the environment and sustainable tourism and which will underscore the importance of technological developments as the keys to transforming the tourism industry. Specifically this year, FITUR will be showcasing as a novelty the advances made by the first digital innovation lab on 5G for application in the tourism industry and in the sphere of trade fair activities. The creation of the lab was a collaboration agreement between IFEMA with 5TONIC, an organisation founded by TELEFÓNICA and IMDEA Networks Institute, of which ERICSSON is also a member. At the international tourism event, destinations from around the globe, Spanish regions and territories, tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, carriers and all kinds of tourism-related service and technology companies will announce their products and services.
Oman to Host the ACI Airports Exchange FERIENMESSE Bern, Switzerland January 11 – 14, 2018 www.ferien-messe. com A wide variety of shows, displays and presentations by inspirational speakers will take place in this year’s event.
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS Panayiotis Karanicholas Anna Spyrou
WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS
Dominique Christou
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CONTRIBUTOR
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man will host the ninth annual Airports Council International Airports Exchange Forum and Exhibition on December 05-07. The three-day event will be held at the new Oman International Conferences and Exhibitions Center at Madinat Al-I`rfan. Sheikh Aiman bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al-Hosni, CEO, Oman Airports Management Company, noted that the event is among the most important gatherings in the aviation and airport management industry. More than 1,500 participants will be meeting in Muscat to discuss how to improve passengers’ experience through enhanced Airport management. The event will attract 120 official speakers, who will gather to discuss the latest developments in the airport sector and to share ideas.
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NOVEMBER 2017