Travel Trade mena, October 2015, Issue 72

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OCTOBER 2015

ISSUE 72

VISIT: KUWAIT BY 2020, MIDDLE EASTERN AIRPORTS ARE SET TO HANDLE SOME 400 MILLION PASSENGERS PER ANNUM, WITH LOW-COST CARRIERS PLAYING AN EVER-INCREASING ROLE IN THE EVOLVEMENT OF THE INDUSTRY.

03 EXPLORE: OMAN

08 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE

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VISIT: KUWAIT

03 02 08

EXPLORE: OMAN ONSITE: BAHRAIN EXCLUSIVE: LOW-COST CARRIERS TOUR: SINGAPORE TRAVEL TALK WHO’S MOVED RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS

04 12 09 15 16 18 20 20 21 22 22 23 23 24 24

EXCLUSIVE: Low-cost Carriers

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MARKET UPDATE

Jazeera Airways: 36 Percent Growth in Demand w.

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel

kno u o y d Di

ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli

ays Airw na r e o Jaze e first n ned w is th ment o er in ri rn r e a v c o ? g cost East low- Middle the

SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu Dom DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi PUBLISHER T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltrademena.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

Jazeera Airways recorded a 36 percent year-on-year rise in flown passenger numbers for July, driven by strong traffic to Gulf destinations, mainly the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

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n routes serving the cities of Dubai, Manama, Jeddah and Riyadh, the Kuwaiti carrier witnessed a 48 percent surge in figures, while flights to and from the Levant region and Istanbul experienced a 38 percent increase, boosted by new morning and evening options to Beirut and six weekly frequencies to the Turkish metropolis. Egyptian destinations also remained popular, leading to a 26 improvement in customer volumes and figures to the North African country are likely to remain on the upward trajectory following the recent relaunch of operations to Assiut.

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ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Park Lane Publishers Ltd Office no.16 Business Centre Al Thuraya 2 Dubai Media City PO Box 10263, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 4280622, Fax: +971 4 4293236 PRINTED BY Express Printing Services LLC, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 2857209

MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of 28/9/2015 Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY 1USD=

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.39

Qatar (QAR)

Rial

3.64

Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal

3.75

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

106.09

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

7.82

Iran (IRR)

Rial

29,954.85

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,190.12

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,506.70

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.36

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.72

Syria (SYP)

Pound

188.78

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.94

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.89

OCTOBER 2015


VISIT KUWAIT WITH EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN PLACE, ALONG WITH THE EMERGENCE OF LEISURE PATTERNS, KUWAIT IS TAKING STRIDES TO POSITION ITSELF AS AN ESTEEMED TOURISM DESTINATION IN THE REGION.

Edging Towards Change

OCTOBER 2015

 Pauline Shahabian

I

writes

n accordance with the economic impact report by World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the sector’s total contribution to Kuwait’s GDP was KWD1.99 million (USD6.57 billion) in 2014, and it is expected to rise 4.2 percent by year-end, and 3.4 percent per annum by 2025. WTTC further found that in 2014, total contribution of the sector to employment was 3.7 percent accounting for 90,000 jobs. This is forecasted to increase 4.4 percent by the end of the

KUWAIT IN BRIEF

Capital: Kuwait City Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) Language: Arabic Population: 3.3 million Calling Code: +965 Capital Time Zone: GMT +3:00

year to 93,500, and grow by 3.7 percent to 135,000 in 2025. 

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VISIT KUWAIT

LEISURELY GROWTH Across the hospitality sector, the MENA region has maintained its position of dominance in regards to source markets. Hisham Sultan, director of operations, Le Royal Hotel Kuwait, stated that

in the first half of the year, 79 percent of guests arrived from the region, registering a one percent rise over 2014. Sharing slightly higher results, Nader Batniji, director of business development and marketing, The Regency Hotel Kuwait, noted, “It was a fantastic quarter

OUR KEY FEEDER MARKETS REMAIN THE GCC AND THE MIDDLE EAST

[...]. We have witnessed an over 26 percent increase in the number of visitors versus the same quarter in 2014; 90 percent of [those visitors are] from MENA region. “Our key feeder markets remain the GCC and the Middle East. We have been able to develop these markets very well, and will continue to do so,” he reaffirmed. Elaborating further on specific areas, Peter Schuler, general manager, Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait, expressed, “The hotel has established itself well within the local and GCC market, leading us to build a healthy business base.” He accredited Kuwait for 18 percent of overall business, Saudi Arabia for 11 percent, UAE for seven percent, closely followed by Qatar, which delivered six percent. Discussing the destination’s core tourism segment and mirroring it to the individual hotel, Ali Haddad, general manager, Swiss-Belhotel Plaza Kuwait, stated, “Our feeder markets depend on different sources, mainly the corporate since we are in a country where [a large portion] of its visitors come for busi-

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ness, and our location – in the middle of Kuwait’s business hub surrounded by companies, banks, ministries – helps to attract this target market.” Kuwait is deemed as a predominantly business destination, however, a much welcomed pattern of leisure tourism is developing as the country’s hospitality stakeholders start recording a rise in the refreshing trend. “Occupancy levels are very similar to [what] we had in 2014, but we experienced a healthy growth of 14 percent in the average rate of the leisure segment,” pinpointed Schuler. Echoing this observation whilst reflecting on the hotel’s key segments, Hassan Hassanein, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel Kuwait, commented, “Our main leisure market is Saudi Arabia, but we have noticed an increase of leisure guests from other GCC countries such as Qatar and Bahrain.” Indeed, Euromonitor International posited that Saudi Arabia’s easy access to Kuwait makes it an important source market for the country’s travel and tourism industry. Saudis are more likely than any other nationalities to visit the destination for leisure purposes as they take short breaks and often find more entertainment than in the Kingdom. Further flows were prompted between the two destinations when visa requirements were eliminated, in 2010. “Certainly there is currently an increase on short- and medium-term intraregional travel, in particular GCC families in short breaks or visiting relatives on a long-term basis creates a definitive potential for Kuwait to position itself as OCTOBER 2015


VISIT KUWAIT “The growing number of branded hotels and lodgings, as well as the high level of service offered can add value to the sector, if a strategy is followed for developing this field in Kuwait,” he pointed out.

OUR MAIN LEISURE MARKET IS SAUDI ARABIA, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED AN INCREASE OF LEISURE GUESTS FROM OTHER GCC COUNTRIES one of the leading leisure destinations in the GCC,” Hassanein further emphasised. Reaffirming and adding to Hassanein’s notion, Haddad commented that there is indeed plenty of chances to enhance the leisure segment in the country.

OCTOBER 2015

TO THE SKY AND BEYOND From June to August, passenger movements at Kuwait International Airport rose 11 percent over the same timeframe in 2014, reaching over three mil-

lion travellers. Aircraft movements also gained momentum with a 14 percent year-on-year growth. For the first half of the year, Jazeera Airways recorded a 5.5 percent increase in the number of passengers, which the airline attributes to its continued strong demand on all routes, better flight schedules and a constantly improving travel experience. “We serve 16 high-demand business, leisure, family and weekend destinations including Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, Alexandria, Amman, Istanbul, Sharm Al Sheikh, Luxor, Assiut, Sohag, Mashhad, Jeddah, Riyadh and Cairo. By focussing on these destinations and providing the best travel experience, we have been able to continue to grow our passenger numbers,” highlighted Martin Aeberli, vice president, network and revenue management, Jazeera Airways. During the period in question, the airline also enjoyed a 27.1 percent surge in profit brought on by its ability to manage and grow its network within areas that provide high return and prof-

itability, its commitment to ensuring an efficient journey, and its continued focus on delivering a value-based offering for economy and business class travellers. “Our double-digit growth [...] proves that we have the right strategy in place for our market with the right product for our customers, a strategy reinforced with strong relations with our travel trade partners,” Aeberli added. Further elaborating on the carrier’s core strategy, Aeberli noted that, unlike state-owned airlines, Jazeera Airways as a regional short-haul carrier is not too concerned with expanding its network, instead it prefers to focus on adding frequencies and improving its on-theground share in the Kuwaiti market by making departures seamlessly easier and more convenient. Indeed, the airline has rolled out grand improvement plans, having recently launched four dedicated gates at Kuwait International Airport as part of its investment scheme in ground facilities to capitalise on the destination’s 

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VISIT KUWAIT growing domestic travelling population, with an eventual goal of establishing its own fully-functioning terminal at the airport by 2017. “We grow through the markets we know, the markets we understand, and the markets we have an established track-record in,” expressed Aeberli. On the other hand, the country’s national carrier, Kuwait Airways has placed great emphasis on its fleet development programme, launched in December 2014, which will see the airline leasing a total of 12 new aircraft. Seven Airbus A320s have already been welcomed at Kuwait International Airport, and three out of five Airbus A330s have also arrived; with two remaining to complete the modernisation plan. The flag carrier has also expanded its reach with the inauguration of a new sales office in the heart of Kuwait City. The new station features various sections and services, including holidays, foreign medical travel care, as well as marketing services. The addition comes as part of development

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plans currently implemented which include expanding its aircraft fleet, improving onboard services, commencing new destinations, and reoperating other sales branches to meet increased passenger demand at destinations such as Munich, Vienna, Istanbul, Bangalore, Mashhad and Ahmedabad. As Aeberli concluded, there is plenty of potential in the Kuwait avia-

tion market, proven by Jazeera Airways’ yields having more than doubled from 2009 to 2014. OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MAKING With all things considered, Kuwait has taken strides with the development of its tourism product, but that is not to say that further action is not called for.

World Economic Forum’s The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 ranks Kuwait 13th in the MENA regional index, and 103rd in global standing, painting a rather grim outlook in regards to the country’s appeal for development of the overall tourism sector. “Building a tourism infrastructure is the first step that Kuwait has to start with, followed by legislations and laws that attract investors to develop the tourism industry in the country. Kuwait has great opportunities to shine as a tourist country. Remember that Kuwait businessmen develop hotels in so many countries, so why not give them the opportunity to invest in their own country,” questioned Schuler. Batniji shed light on the need to develop key infrastructural elements, mainly the country’s airport. Indeed, the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation has long announced plans to upgrade terminal facilities as well as overall cladding of the buildings exterior and interior and flooring at Kuwait International Airport. 

OCTOBER 2015



EXPLORE OMAN OMAN FASCINATES WHOMEVER VENTURES TO EXPLORE ITS MYSTERIOUS LAND, FILLED WITH WADIS, MOUNTAINS, HISTORIC SITES AND A PRISTINE COASTLINE. PRESERVING ITS MESMERISING INDIVIDUALITY, THE COUNTRY EXUDES AN AIR OF EXTRAVAGANCE INVITING MORE AND MORE TRAVELLERS TO VISIT.  Maria Kazeli writes

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or years, Oman was a mystery to the outside world but the traditionally oil-dependent Gulf country has over the years adopted tourism as a central plank of its economic strategy. This was voiced by Nader Halim, general manager, Hilton Salalah Resort, who suggested that with the industry contributing seven percent to the Sultanate’s GDP and the number of incoming tourists on the rise, Oman is gradually becoming a

must-see destination. Backing this claim, data by the National Centre for Statistics and Information showed that until the end of June, some 1.14 million travellers visited Oman, driving three- to five-star hotel revenues to exceed OMR97 million (USD251.98 million) in the first six months of the year. Indeed, the country has witnessed an undeniable growth in the travel industry as a result of efforts by the government to diversify the economy and introduce multiple revenue streams with a focus on tourism and hospitality,

Arabian Charm Unearthed OMAN IN BRIEF

Capital: Muscat Currency: Omani Rial (OMR) Language: Arabic Population: 3.9 million Calling Code: +968 Capital Time Zone: GMT +4:00

Hossam Kamal, general manager, Salalah Rotana Resort, stressed. “In addition to this, there has been a constant enhancement of infrastructure to support the influx of tourists for an allencompassing experience; specifically the opening of the new Salalah Airport which has been built with a capacity of one million passengers with further plans to expand to a capacity of six million in the coming years,” he added. As a matter of fact, a recent report by Oxford Business Group revealed that, besides the new airfield launch in Salalah and expansions at smaller airports, the Sultanate will see 2,244km of rail laid in the coming years. According to Maurice de Rooij, gen-

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eral manager, Millennium Resort Mussanah, a combination of factors, supported by governmental initiatives to ease intra- and extra-regional movement, are to have a positive impact on Oman’s travel sector, making it a more attractive proposition for leisure and business travellers. In line with the endeavours to expand infrastructure in the country, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) is launching in 2016. As a purpose-built venue, OCEC will also contribute to the Sultanate’s economic diversification strategy by welcoming a range of events at a local, regional and global scale. According to Trevor McCartney, general manager, OCEC, “[These] will initially focus on industries that have been designated as key to Oman’s economic diversification strategy as presented by its Vision 2040 and offering prime opportunities for investment including healthcare, education, tourism, information and communications technology, transport, communications, food, energy, manufacturing, fisheries and the environment.” With the rapid developments the country is undergoing in all industries, the Sultanate meets the needs of tourists and travellers seeking unique experiences and niche destinations, observed  OCTOBER 2015



EXPLORE OMAN Hawazen Esber, CEO, Al Mouj Muscat. He revealed that the waterfront destination is preparing for growth, saying, “We are expanding to include a greater focus on hospitality and leisure, with our first hotel, the five-star Kempinski, opening in 2016, followed by the four-star Shaza hotel.” SO… WHY OMAN? “While tourism has been identified as a key area of expansion [...], the country has kept its traditional Arabian charm featuring spectacular rugged mountain landscapes, magnificent deserts and natural attractions,” said de Rooij, commenting on the distinct points that differentiate Oman from other Middle Eastern destinations. Christian Palacin, general manager, City Seasons Muscat, added that the Omani identity of the place is very strong compared to other Middle Eastern countries. He further suggested that this is owed to the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy to avoid having the Sul-

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tanate compared to or compete with any other Arab destination, but instead strive to maintain its unique character. With modern guests being more interested in the full experience when visiting a new country, Oman fits the pattern and answers their expectations, as it is known for its tradition and history which is still felt until today, as Garry Friend, general manager, Grand Hyatt Muscat, corroborated. “Most tourists want to discover different parts of Oman so we always offer attractive packages,” he added. Being the second largest country in the Gulf community, the Sultanate is abundantly blessed with resources making its natural beauty its most distinct feature, a fact that Salalah Rotana Resort uses as a promotional tool in its campaigns, according to Kamal. He elaborated that Oman’s pristine sandy beaches, unrivalled landscape, UNESCO heritage and historical sites offer a unique travel experience for all. The Middle Eastern destination’s peaceful nature extends to its people

who are known for their hospitality which is second to none, as McCartney enthused. “The international community looks at Oman favourably on a regional and an international level, on the basis of its astoundingly safe and virtually crime-free society,” he commented. In fact, a recent report by the World Travel & Tourism Council positioned Oman in the ninth place out of 141 countries worldwide in terms of safety

and security, a fact that McCartney deemed critical for the country’s present and future MICE sector. “What better an endorsement for prospective clients also looking to bring business events to Oman,” he said. On the same note, Palacin argued that safety is a perk visitors to Oman can for sure rely on and one that is opening up new markets for the destination. “What has been happening lately is a

OCTOBER 2015


EXPLORE OMAN breathtaking nature and lot of outdoor activities, like visiting the mountains, wadis, desert and of course the white beaches and blue ocean,” she stressed. Encouraged by demand from the continent, national carrier Oman Air is introducing its fifth weekly frequency to Paris. The move comes as the airline continues its major asset and network expansion programme, which was launched in late 2014 and will see Oman Air’s fleet increase from 30 to 57 aircraft by 2018, and top 70 airliners by 2020. HIDDEN IN WADIS AND DESERTS resurgence of European tour operators that have actively brought Oman up to the level of an appealing and safe holiday destination, by offering tailor-made packages,” he professed. Europe is indeed a rising segment for Oman, as Dorien Smit, area director, sales and marketing, Oman, InterContinental Hotels Group, also stressed. “Europeans are travelling to Oman because of the real Arabic culture, its

OCTOBER 2015

Despite the seemingly ragged exterior, Oman is actually emerging as a wellrounded luxury destination. Tim van Veen, hotel manager, Millennium Executive Apartments Muscat, confirmed that the country is becoming a high-end destination, however, now accessible to all types of travellers with more and more mid-market accommodation options coming online. “Oman offers a different experience to that of

Dubai, as Oman’s focus is on its natural beauty, adventure and authenticity,” he declared. The Ministry of Tourism is putting a lot of effort into promoting the Sultan-

OMAN’S FOCUS IS ON ITS NATURAL BEAUTY, ADVENTURE AND AUTHENTICITY

ate as a diverse and luxury destination with a lot of bonuses, confirmed Smit. “Oman has a lot of different things to offer compared with other GCC countries; the main key item would be the culture. The true Arabic culture with the Omani hospitality differentiates Oman from

the rest,” she supported. Linking traditions with opulence, Halim said that nowadays guests mainly belong to the independent-minded luxury traveller category that seeks authenticity, simplicity and a commitment to the local environment, paying greater interest in closer contact with local culture as an integral part of their travel experience. “The surge in luxury tourism in Oman should also be attributed to its improved infrastructure, crime-free society and general hospitable nature of Omanis,” Halim further noted. As Kamal asserted, with the huge investment in infrastructure and the presence of a variety of luxury accommodation options, Oman has the potential to compete on not only the regional level but also globally. He concluded that, “We will continue to contribute to the foundation laid by the government in positioning Oman as the ideal luxury destination as we strongly believe in the potential of the Sultanate.” 

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ONSITE BAHRAIN

Unstoppable WITH A NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY AND MANY DEVELOPMENTS HAPPENING ALL AROUND, NOTHING SEEMS ABLE TO STOP BAHRAIN’S PRESCRIBED ROUTE TO SUCCESS. DESPITE BEING THE SMALLEST COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE KINGDOM HAS NOTHING TO FEAR AND IS NOW PLAYING IN THE MAJOR LEAGUE.  Maria Kazeli writes

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oasting a concrete tourism action plan, the Kingdom moves steadily forward with the Ministry of Culture having recently unveiled the Bahrain Tourism Strategy 2015-18. According to Oxford Business Group, the initial aims, among others, are to develop package tourism experiences and establish a supreme committee in charge of the sector. In addition, at the forefront of this strategy is the combination of heritage and modernity, since the country’s appeal does not simply lie in its modern amenities but is also rooted in an authentic culture and history that spans

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millennia. This is in fact what Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and the government rely on to promote the country abroad and attract new investment. Tourism is gradually becoming a strong asset and, as Thomas Flindt, general manager, Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, noted, the authorities are working actively to open up Bahrain to attract more business as well as international visitors. He commented, “The latest initiatives to ensure that setting up a business is hassle-free will likely make Bahrain a destination of choice in the GCC. Likewise for tourism, there are great intentions to ensure Bahrain has a diverse offering to the international tourist.” Susy Massetti, operations manager, The Palace Boutique Hotel, confirmed that in the past year the industry has

seen great efforts from the various ministries and the government in general, targeted at promoting Bahrain as a tourist destination in the Gulf. “Starting from a regulatory point of view, [this included] new hotel and restaurant classifications for instance, but

BAHRAIN IN BRIEF

Capital: Manama Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BHD) Language: Arabic Population: 1.2 million Calling Code: +973 Capital Time Zone: GMT +3:00

moreover, bringing the many historical, cultural and entertainment sites Bahrain has to offer to the attention of the tourism trade,” she said. Making Bahrain more receptive and ready to attract travellers craving to experience its charm is a task in process. As Michel Sursock, general manager, Marriott Executive Apartments Manama and Residence Inn by Marriott Manama Juffair, said, the Ministry of Culture’s active campaign to promote tourist spots and create different activities as well as engaging events, influences positively the Kingdom’s image and the world’s perceptions for the destination. He added, “With the increasing number of international companies active in its economy and the rise of social media, the people of Bahrain have now opened their doors to tourists from all OCTOBER 2015


ONSITE BAHRAIN over the globe.” As a matter of fact, Bahrain is following the example set by many countries in the region and is seeking to diversify its economy turning to a guaranteed resource, which tourism is. EDB’s Bahrain Economic Quarterly indicated that the Kingdom’s non-oil sectors’ GDP contribution rose from three percent in 2013 to 4.9 percent in 2014. Most importantly, the hotels and restaurants segment has been a strong performer throughout 2014, having seen an overall expansion rate of 9.9 percent year-on-year. As the document specifies, the sector benefitted from a continued surge in visitor numbers to unprecedented levels, as well as a significant expansion in capacity, with several new accommodation establishments opening in 2014. Along the same lines, the World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that this year the country is to welcome 6.45 million travellers and the figure is to nearly double by 2025, reaching 10.16 million.

OCTOBER 2015

BUILDING MUSCLES Bahrain wants to grow and is methodically progressing, starting with improving its accessibility. As Massetti commented, infrastructure on the island has grown a lot in respect to where it

THERE ARE GREAT INTENTIONS TO ENSURE BAHRAIN HAS A DIVERSE OFFERING TO THE INTERNATIONAL TOURIST was just five years ago and continues to do so. She referred to Bahrain International Airport saying that even though it is small, yet it is very well connected, 

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ONSITE BAHRAIN corroborated that high-end properties do not face much competition, nevertheless most visitors nowadays look for luxury and comfort more than anything else when on a trip. The all-important Saudi segment plays a major role in shaping this trend, with Rameez Shaikh, director of sales, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, observing that weekends are still filled with families from Saudi Arabia and the majority of hotels in close proximity to malls benefit from this. WINGS OF A FALCON Much of Bahrain’s success as a destination is due to Gulf Air flying the flag of the Kingdom in various destinations since 1950. Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting

THE PEOPLE OF BAHRAIN HAVE NOW OPENED THEIR DOORS TO TOURISTS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE and passengers can fly pretty much anywhere in the world with only one connection, while its upcoming major renovation is to quadruple capacity by 2019. Indeed, Bahrain Airport Company expects that, once completed, the new 201,467m2 terminal will be four times the size of the current facility and can accommodate 14 million travellers per annum whilst maintaining optimum efficiency of operations, ease and flexibility in passenger movement and superior levels of service. Vasken Vartanian, director of sales and marketing, Intercontinental Regency Bahrain, took a step further, proposing that as more opportunities are coming from business travel markets around the world, it is good to start promoting Bahrain as a destination market for Latin America, southeast Asia and Australia, since those passengers can benefit from the stopover of long-haul flights and spend days in Bahrain. Flindt also lauded the country’s connectivity, saying that Bahrain has

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a great infrastructure with a fantastic road network and is easily accessible by sea, while he made particular reference to the new bus initiative which offers independent travellers a great alternative to taxis and private cars. Specifically, the destination’s public transport network witnessed a complete overhaul as the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications implemented a new system, where 141 buses are operating on 32 routes, serving, amongst others, Amwaj Islands, City Centre Mall, Souq Waqif, Manama and Muharraq, as well as the port of Mina Salman. In addition, eight new itineraries cater to travellers heading to Bahrain International Airport. ROOM FOR MORE On the hospitality front, various brands are massively expanding their footprint in Bahrain, adding to the country’s total of 105 hotels; a figure disclosed by Oxford Business Group which relates to 2014.

As Sursock divulged, Marriott International is preparing to open another Residence Inn by Marriott in Seef in 2016, while the 150-key One&Only Bahrain is coming up in the same year. Moreover, Emaar Hospitality Group revealed plans to operate The Address Marassi Al Bahrain and The Address Residences Marassi Al Bahrain, in addition to Vida Marassi Al Bahrain and Vida Residences Marassi Al Bahrain; all scheduled for launch in 2018. The move marks the first international expansion of the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand which currently boasts two properties in Dubai. Despite the upcoming developments, Oxford Business Group studies document that roughly 70 percent of the country’s total hotel stock is classified as luxury four- and five-star offerings, thus it is not surprising that Bahrain registered the Gulf region’s second-highest average daily room rates in 2013. Ali Al Jazzazi, director of sales and marketing, Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa,

CEO, Gulf Air, verified that the carrier is now, more than ever, embracing its role as a key national infrastructure asset providing critical business links which are important for Bahrain’s wider economic development. In line with the ongoing holistic strategy implemented since Gulf Air’s 2013 restructuring, the airline’s financial trajectory remains on a positive upswing reflected by its consistently falling losses. In 2014, it continued to strategically shift from low-value transit traffic through Bahrain to high-yield, high-demand, point-to-point routes focussed largely on MENA; a fact which led to a 15.4 percent year-on-year rise in passengers. Al Musallam enthused, “Our future vision extends well beyond [this year] to ensure the longevity of this airline and its role in driving value to Bahrain and the industry as a whole. […] Perceptions of our national carrier are changing and confidence is boosted both internally and externally.”  OCTOBER 2015


EXCLUSIVE LOW-COST CARRIERS

CLEAR SKIES AHEAD

BY 2020, MIDDLE EASTERN AIRPORTS ARE SET TO HANDLE SOME 400 MILLION PASSENGERS PER ANNUM, WITH LOW-COST CARRIERS (LCC) PLAYING AN EVER-INCREASING ROLE IN THE EVOLVEMENT OF THE INDUSTRY BY MAKING AIR TRAVEL ACCESSIBLE TO BROADER DEMOGRAPHICS.

 Rita Kasziba writes

S

ince the first regional budget airline commenced operations 12 year ago, the Middle East’s tourism scene has utterly transformed to boast more diverse offerings and attract a wider pool of visitors. A trailblazer in the Gulf skies, Air Arabia has grown into a major player, running now five international hubs following the launch of Air Arabia Jordan earlier this year. The fact that in 2014, the two UAEOCTOBER 2015

based LCCs, Air Arabia and flydubai carried over 14 million travellers speaks volumes. In comparison, Etihad Airways’ passenger numbers stood at 14.8 million in the same year. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman, Air Arabia, attributed the success to improved operational efficiencies and the company’s growth strategy, which builds on expansion and increased network coverage. Likewise, recognising the latent opportunity of emerging and untapped markets, flydubai has established a strong presence in territories which had

previously lacked convenient connections, and considering that by 2023, the Dubai-based carrier expects to operate a fleet of 100 aircraft – from around 50 this year – LCCs are set to take the competition in the Arabian skies to a new level. As Bader Al Mershed, vice president, industry affairs, Jazeera Airways, noted, no other aviation market in the world has seen as much growth and opportunity as well as crises and turbulence as the Middle East. “Had someone told me in 2005 [when the first Jazeera Airways flight took off] that we would go through

what the Middle East aviation market has gone through and still be operating, let alone growing profitability year-onyear, I would not have believed them,” admitted Al Mershed. In fact, as the first non-government owned airline in the Middle East, Jazeera Airways has substantially reshaped the dynamics of the regional industry, and despite the beliefs of many who cite cheap prizes as LCCs’ only selling proposition, Al Mershed strongly believes that the growth of the Kuwaiti carrier has been just as much about operational excellence as it has been about a 

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EXCLUSIVE LOW-COST CARRIERS seamless travel experience that the airline got to be known for in the market. Travelling with an LCC is no longer about spending little and expecting little, suggested Yazeed Al Rasheed, director of marketing and communications, NAS Holding, explaining that over the past years, the company has laid great emphasis on further improving services and changing its perception by treating travellers as guests rather than customers – and this, according to Al Rasheed has been crucial to flynas’ return to profitability after eight long years. The rebranding of the carrier – earlier known as nasair – in 2013, included a comprehensive overhaul of the company and what it represented. Rather than just redesigning the logo and aircraft livery, the Saudi airline introduced busi-

friends and relatives (VFR) segment, suggested Al Rasheed. Yet, as he noted, “LCCs often face issues relating to protectionist policies relating to state-owned carriers and landing rights which can serve as barriers to entry in some of these destinations.” This view was also supported by Al Mershed, who called on civil aviation authorities to take the necessary steps to support the growth of regional operators and city-to-city connectivity. “We have always been strong advocates for a single regulatory market in the GCC and the greater Middle East. The only barrier today for a Kuwait-based airline to serve passengers on the Beirut – Riyadh route or an Omani airline on the Jeddah – Bahrain route is an outdated legal framework that is not helping anyone, not even state-owned airlines,” argued Al Mershed, urging the establishment of a unified regulatory system that would not only boost connectivity between cities in the Middle East but also free up state airlines, which have heavily invested in wide-body aircraft to utilise long-haul global opportunities. Along parallel lines, Al Rashed noted that big regional carriers have a very dense network in the Middle East, which means that on short flights guests often have access to full-service airlines that

FLIGHTS ARE TAILORED TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS, WHICH WORKS FOR BOTH THE PASSENGER AND THE AIRLINE

ness class on its flights and launched its own loyalty scheme, to, as Al Rasheed said, reposition flynas from a local carrier into a key regional player. The first and only Saudi Arabian budget airline, however, is not alone in stretching the unwritten rules of LCCs. flydubai and Jazeera Airways passengers can also opt for business class, while Air Arabia’s Airewards programme enables flyers to earn and redeem points, setting new standards in the segment. The additional perks also allow these airlines to generate higher ancillary revenues, boosting bottom line results. “Flights are tailored to your specific needs, which works for both the passenger and the airline,” summarised the LCC model’s core strength in one sentence, Dean Wicks, chief flights officer, Wego. AROUND THE WORLD ON A BUDGET The travel search site has recently released a report, showing how travellers can explore the whole world with LCCs regardless of their country of residence.

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“While aviation has evolved in so many ways over the past decades, nothing has had a greater impact on the industry than the evolution of the LCCs,” highlighted Wicks. “It is now possible to do an aroundthe-world trip solely flying on LCCs, which means big savings for travellers,” continued Wicks, explaining that globetrotters are often simply not aware of the available low-cost alternatives. In fact, while LCCs initially focussed on short-haul routes, in recent years many of them have ventured into longhaul markets. Wicks referred to flydubai, which has notably expanded its reach well beyond its home territory. As Al Mershed reiterated, Jazeera Airways remains focussed on short-haul routes within an average flight time of 2.2 hours. This concept, as he explained, has freed the airline to value efficiency and reliability over luxury that passengers would not have time to enjoy. Also, this strategy allows the carrier to add frequencies rather than destinations as it is often the case with legacy airlines. Operating in the market with the

largest population on the Arabian Peninsula has naturally steered flynas’ focus towards the domestic market. The carrier, however, is also active on international routes with an emphasis on highdemand and high-growth countries – predominantly the ones with high volume of migrant labourers to the Gulf and those fuelling the valuable visiting

some sectors, such as business travellers, tend to prefer, thus the need for LCCs to offer optional upgrades, such as business class seats, in order to effectively compete with the Gulf giants. Another major challenge, as Al Rashed noted, is related to infrastructure. “Unlike many other geographical regions such as Europe, North America OCTOBER 2015


EXCLUSIVE LOW-COST CARRIERS and Asia, where large cities have secondary airports, the lack of secondary or smaller airports across the Middle East has also proved to be an issue in certain countries as LCCs are then forced to operate out of the same hubs as major carriers,” pointed out Al Rashed. In the end, as Al Mershed said, on short-haul routes both LCCs and legacy airlines compete for the same passenger.

these nations, Otten, said, “Without the European Union (EU)’s open skies policy it is fair to say that places like Morocco would not have seen much growth, with the local flag carrier controlling a majority share and maybe one other [airline]. This agreement has really helped stir things up by allowing more EU carriers to operate and compete from a number of destinations all across the EU. This has helped local tourism to develop

enormously,” pinpointed Otten. Yet, as ten Brink revealed, Transavia for example is still prohibited from selling one-way tickets to certain destinations. Lifting this limitation would certainly help boost sales. As Otten, noted, linking MENA with areas such as Europe, does not only benefit LCCs but also those Arab countries. In addition, the stiffening competition has prompted local airlines to reevaluate

their pricing strategy and services, benefitting passengers on both sides. As Wicks suggested, “Today you can fly around the world and back again for much less than you have ever imagined.” Regional LCCs will certainly not rest on their laurels as Al Mershed suggested, “Are we there [where we thought we would be in 10 years’ time in 2005]? Yes. Will we stay here? No, we are constantly moving ahead.” 

GLOBAL ISSUES The past years’ abrupt increase in arrivals to the region has been heavily boosted new low-cost services, mainly by European companies. As Reginald Otten, commercial manager, France and Morocco, easyJet, noted, the region enables European short-haul point-to-point carriers to offer year-round access to warmer beach climes and discover tremendous cultural heritage on the continent’s doorstep. As Otten explained, places like Agadir, Marrakech, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are highly popular throughout both summer and winter, nonetheless, due to strong VFR demand. “Despite the difficult context in the region, its popularity remained and this year we opened new routes [to Agadir and Essaouira],” Otten further elaborated.

Mattijs ten Brink, managing director, Transavia, cited similar reasons to underscore MENA’s significance, saying that it represents a large ethnic market and more so these destinations play a crucial role in achieving strong results during shoulder and low seasons. Throwing the spotlight on these carriers’ imperative role in supporting OCTOBER 2015

17


TOUR SINGAPORE

Golden Haven WITH A SERIES OF EXCITING FESTIVITIES AND CAMPAIGNS ON ITS CALENDAR – INCLUDING ITS ACCLAIMED GOLDEN JUBILEE – AS WELL AS ITS GROWING EMPHASIS ON THE MENA MARKET, THE SMALL YET DENSELY POPULATED ISLAND COUNTRY IS QUICKLY POSITIONING ITSELF AS A DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR TRAVELLERS ACROSS MANY DEMOGRAPHICS.  Pauline Shahabian

writes

I

n accordance with figures released by Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the destination welcomed 7.3 million international visitors during the first half of the year, registering a 3.4 percent decline over the corresponding period in 2014. The plunge was due to decreased arrivals from west Asia, including Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, among other nations, with figures falling 4.2 percent, having recorded a total of 70,705 travellers. Quoting the authority’s statistics,

SINGAPORE IN BRIEF

Capital: Singapore Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD) Language: English, Malay, Tamil, Mandarin Population: 5.4 million Calling Code: +65 Capital Time Zone: GMT +8:00

Peter Draminsky, general manager, Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel, verified, “There has been a dip of inbound travel from the MENA market [...]. This is in line with our hotel’s guest arrivals from the region, which saw a slight decline in the first quarter compared to [2014].” Despite the currently underwhelm-

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ing numbers, the country has witnessed an overall encouraging development from MENA over the past years. “[MENA] is an important growth market for Singapore and we are working with the relevant industry partners to grow the visitor arrivals and spend,” noted Mohamed Firhan Abdul Salam, area director, Middle East and Africa, STB. MENA ORIENTED Indeed, it seems the hospitality partners in Singapore share Salam’s positive outlook, with many recognising the region’s growing importance. “We have seen an upward trend in Middle East visitors,” stated Stephane Fabregoul, general manager, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, with 2.5 percent of its guests now sourced from the region. A similar view was echoed by Patrick Fiat, general manager, Royal Plaza on Scotts, who explained that the property experienced a rise of two percent in MENA guests. Furthermore, Charis Choi, area director, sales and marketing, southeast Asia, Grand Hyatt Singapore, remarked that the international status of the hotel plays an important role in its ability to garner a larger share of guests from the region, which she identifies as one of great potential. GOLDEN JUBILEE Having gained independence on August 9, 1965, this year Singapore marked its Golden Jubilee, prompting a year-long series of attractions and celebrations, branded SG50.

“SG50 promotions strengthened the voice of Singapore in the regional markets as many of the business came together to celebrate the special occasion. It hyped up the country with many exciting happenings for visitors to experience and take part in,” Fiat pointed out. The Golden Jubilee opened a gateway for collaboration between STB, Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group (CAG), as the three entities embarked on a two-year partnership jointly investing SGD20 million (USD14.12 million) to strengthen Singapore’s appeal and drive visits through enhanced experiences. The venture targets leisure, business and MICE audiences in more than 15 markets worldwide. In addition, STB’s Middle East and Africa office is striking out its own travel trade partnerships in the coming months to enhance destination awareness and likeness, according to Salam. “The office will be setting up new social media platforms and launching digital campaigns reaching out to the

consumers to engage with the destination and build affinity to Singapore. With these initiatives in place by the third quarter of the year, STB hopes to see stronger growth in arrivals and spend from the market as well as forge a deeper engagement with end consumers on their experiences in Singapore,” Salam elaborated. RIPE FOR EXPANSION This year, Singapore is expecting over 3,000 more rooms to come online, including The South Beach, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ LVX collection, with the opening date scheduled for the last quarter of the year, as Josephine Lim, managing director, southeast Asia, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, noted. “Singapore has been one of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ strongholds in the region for many years with a diverse portfolio of member hotels [...],” indicated Lim. The upcoming period will also see the inauguration of Starwood Hotels & OCTOBER 2015


TOUR SINGAPORE Tan posited that CAG will continue to ensure comfort, safety and efficiency, as well as warrant infrastructure adequacy to cater for future growth. In this regard, CAG is currently working on three projects simultaneously, namely the airport’s Terminal 4, expansion of Terminal 1, and the Changi East development which incorporates Terminal 5, all expected to be completed by mid 2020. DILIGENT STEPS AHEAD In line with a report issued by Euromonitor International, inbound arrivals to Singapore are expected to increase over the forecast period dating to 2019, due to its reputation as a holistic and

SG50 PROMOTIONS STRENGTHENED THE VOICE OF SINGAPORE

Resorts Worldwide’s Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview, a 476-room downtown property slated to open in July 2016, as well as InterContinental Hotels Group’s 131-unit Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong and the 451-room Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong. In addition, Far East Hospitality will also be adding to its ample Singapore portfolio with the opening of Oasia Downtown, as Arthur Kiong, CEO, Far East Hospitality, revealed. OCTOBER 2015

SKY IS THE LIMIT The air travel sector has also shown increasing commitment to MENA. “At Singapore Airlines, we review our network operations on a regular basis in order to match capacity with demand and where there are opportunities for growth, we will take the decision,” commented Erwin Widjaja, general manager, Gulf, Singapore Airlines, who added that the Middle East and the Gulf is a fast-growing region with plenty of opportunities for the carrier. Moreover, the airline launched its premium economy class to be progressively introduced on its fleet across a number of destinations, including Dubai, effective from January 5, 2016. Setting a new benchmark on the UAE – Singapore route, Etihad Airways

also launched a daily Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service. Confirming the city state’s popularity, Changi Airport Singapore handled 31.5 million passenger movements in the first seven months of the year, signalling a 1.1 percent year-on-year growth. Some 1.59 million of the total amount during the 12-month period ended in June, were to and from the Middle East and Africa, as Ivan Tan, senior vice president, corporate and marketing communications, CAG, mentioned. “Managing one of the world’s busiest airports, CAG undertakes key functions, [...] as not just the gateway to Singapore, but a global air hub that connects people from all over the world. Airport operations contribute three percent to Singapore’s GDP,” highlighted Tan.

safe tourist destination with a constant addition of tourism offerings and renewal of existing tourism products. The report also sheds light on Singapore’s well-developed communication network, as well as increased air, land and sea accessibility. “Facing intense competition from other destinations is nothing new. Singapore, as a tourist destination, continues to reinvent itself, and cannot afford to remain stagnant,” expressed Kiong, who pinpointed the evolution of attracting guests with shopping, dining and family-oriented activities, coupled with new attractions continuously sprouting. Sharing Kiong’s stern notion, Draminsky reaffirmed, “Singapore cannot be complacent and must continue reinventing itself and upgrading its offerings.” 

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TRAVEL TALK

At flynas we are in a unique position

YAZEED AL RASHEED Director of marketing and communications, NAS Holding

“At flynas we are in a unique position as we are a key player operating in a market which we believe is still largely untapped and offers plenty of opportunities to grow. The fact that we call Saudi Arabia our home market is our biggest differentiator from other regional airlines, both low-cost as well as legacy carriers as the Kingdom is the largest market both in terms of population and growth opportunities. Our biggest potential lies in serving guests wanting to travel within the Kingdom and to neighbouring countries.”

This tie-up also helps us promote the Oman Air brand

PAUL GREGOROWITSCH CEO, Oman Air

“Oman Air supports many activities across Oman, and of course football is a sport that is loved by Omanis. We are pleased with our role as the official carrier of the national team of Oman. The Oman Football Association does a great job in nurturing the budding talents in football. This tie-up also helps us promote the Oman Air brand.”

The hotel has established itself well within the local and GCC market

PETER SCHULER General manager, Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait

“The hotel has established itself well within the local and GCC market, leading us to build a healthy business base. The Kuwaiti market represents more than 18 percent of our business, followed by Saudi Arabia with 11 percent while the UAE makes up seven percent of our occupancy; last but not least, business generated from Qatar delivers six percent of our business. Compared with the same period [in 2014], we are encountering a growth from the main feeder markets, especially Saudi Arabia.”

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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OCTOBER 2015


RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Many tourism stakeholders voice that even though Salalah has an outstanding beauty, the area faces connectivity issues. Do you agree and if so what solutions would there be for this matter? SAMER KHAIR: The new airport will positively affect the tourist numbers in the region; and will help raise travel and tourism’s share in the country’s GDP. Salalah also receives a number of international flights from Doha, Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi through Qatar Airways, flydubai, Rotana Jet and Saudi Arabian Airlines. The opening of the new Salalah airport will boost tourism, air traffic and provide greater connectivity throughout the region and facilitate access to Salalah, especially to the Dhofar region.

Q & A with Samer Khair

GENERAL MANAGER, SALALAH MARRIOTT RESORT

TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Khareef is considered as one of the most important tourist seasons, with Dhofar having

SAMER KHAIR: It is true that Khareef is considered as the most important season for the Dhofar region, however, there is more to the south of Oman when it is not the monsoon season. One cannot compare the region to a city like Muscat but it has endless places to explore and is great for adventure seekers. Dhofar boasts one of Arabia’s oldest and most cosmopolitan cultures – whose remains continue to engage historians and archaeologists to this day. This is the part of Oman that is distinct with a tropical twist; the endless white sand beaches, the coastline aligned with coconut and banana trees, the scenic Dhofar Mountains, including the rugged Jebel Samhan and Jebel al Qamar dotted with wadis, gorges, sinkholes and blowholes. These OCTOBER 2015

SAMER KHAIR: In terms of achievements, our associate Hadid Jamaan Bait Shamasa, an Omani national from Salalah, was awarded Marriott Awards of Excellence, Marriott International’s highest award, at a ceremony organised earlier this year in Bethesda, Maryland, US. The excellence award was established in 1987 in honour of the company’s founder. It is presented annually to Marriott associates nominated by their supervisors or peers for their outstanding performance, and for demonstrating the five key traits inscribed on the award medallion: achievement, character, dedication, effort and perseverance. When speaking about guest services, with guests’ best interests in mind, we have enhanced our in-room entertainment experience offering state-ofthe-art high definition TVs. We now offer our guests 40-inch and 48-inch HD TVs with impressive picture and sound

KHAREEF TURNS THE REGION INTO MISTY GREEN WHICH IS REFRESHING AND QUITE BREATHTAKING

WE ARE DEFINITELY LOOKING AT SOME MAJOR AND EXCITING UPGRADES

received more than 400,000 visitors in 2014. How does the season affect business and planning at your property?

main highlights that you count upon?

WITH SOME MAJOR AND EXCITING IMPROVEMENTS COMING SOON, SAMER KHAIR, GENERAL MANAGER, SALALAH MARRIOTT RESORT, EXPLAINS WHY THE PROPERTY IS THE IDEAL GETAWAY FOR TRAVELLERS WANTING TO VISIT OMAN AND SALALAH IN PARTICULAR. local attractions are stretched all towards the old town of Mirbat and the ruins of ancient Sumhuram. Khareef turns the region into misty green which is refreshing and quite breathtaking. It is very unique to the GCC where the rest of the region is having summer and in Dhofar it is actually raining and it is green with fog-covered mountains. That is one of the reasons why the region is flocked with tourists during this season where families want to take a

break from the soaring heat of the city. Business is definitely growing during this time. We receive a mix of nationalities from different parts of the world hence we have to be prepared to cater to the mix of tourists that flock to the region to explore the monsoon season. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Which were the achievements the management can be proud of at the property during this year and which are the resort’s

quality. Complementing this is the wide variety of channels provided, promising hours of entertainment. Adding to this, we have also recently upgraded our Internet connection and connectivity and are now offering Wi-Fi in the rooms at a reasonable price. Guests can select from two speeds according to their budget. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are your priorities for the remainder of the year? Do you have any plans for upgrades or developments at the property? SAMER KHAIR: It is too early to speak about it at this stage, however I can say, we are definitely looking at some major and exciting upgrades happening in and around the property. Dhofar Tourism Company is quite focussed on developing the Mirbat project and we should see it materialising soon. 

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WHO’S MOVED

DAVID WILSON

David Wilson has been named general manager at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. An accomplished hospitality executive with over 30 years of experience, Wilson will direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the resort. He moved to the UAE from China where he held the same position at The Ritz-Carlton Beijing for over two years. Prior to that, he spent almost seven years at The Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort and Spa. His career path has also taken him to Kuala Lumpur, Fukuoka, Adelaide and Jakarta, among others.

FRIDA AUDI

Wilson spent decades in the Asia Pacific region

FRANCESCO PANTALONE

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Frida Audi has returned to Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa as director of business development. A seasoned professional, Audi brings a diverse range of skills to the table, having gained extensive experience in the field of sales and marketing across the region. She joins the team from The Oberoi, Dubai where she was heading the sales and marketing department for the past two years. Her past experience includes key assignments in the UAE, Qatar and Lebanon with many luxury brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Audi has a valuable insight into the dynamics of various business segments.

Francesco Pantalone has been appointed hotel manager at Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh. Drawing on his vast experience of 15 years in the hospitality industry, he will aim to further strengthen the property’s reputation on the global stage while working side by side with his team to deliver a new level of hospitality excellence to the Kingdom. Pantalone, who has worked on four continents, was previously the hotel manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Pudung in East Shanghai, China. During his long career in Asia, he also held senior leadership roles with some of the biggest international luxury hotel chains, including executive assistant manager, food and beverage at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Pantalone brings a deep understanding of both Asian and Western hospitality to the role.

OCTOBER 2015


RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How has ROHM achieved to bring the world to Oman and vice versa? UMBERTO FANNI: Under the guidance of H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and according to his vision, ROHM represents an important cultural milestone in the advancement of Oman’s renaissance and was a natural step in the development of music in modern Oman, which is rooted in the nation’s rich musical heritage. Within the vision of a contemporary civilisation, it introduced new forms of music to further enrich the cultural life of the nation. These included five world-class royal military bands as well as two traditional royal orchestral bands for Arab and Eastern folkloric music. The successful development of the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra by educating and training talented children from villages and towns throughout Oman was a phenomenal achievement that inspired further development. The new royal bands and Oman’s symphony orchestra were stepping stones on the path that led to ROHM, which is now a proud venue for Oman’s musicians. The most popular event at ROHM is the annual performance of military music by the royal bands of the armed forces, the police and the royal guard. […] Musicians and singers from Oman and the Arab world are booked for one third of performances each season and it is a growing trend for non-Arabs to attend these performances, as well as for Arabs to enjoy productions from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. ROHM conducts daily guided tours of the facilities and Muscat’s hotels facilitate access to tickets and transportation. Increasing numbers of tourists come to Muscat specifically for performances at ROHM and stay on to enjoy the country’s many scenic and cultural attractions. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How has the venue transformed the art scene for locals and visitors alike? UMBERTO FANNI: After the unforgettable inauguration of ROHM with a specially-commissioned production of Puccini’s Turandot from Franco Zeffirelli […] it seemed that Muscat was transformed overnight into one of the world’s great cultural capitals. There was, and continues to be, a great deal of excitement in town as each new season is eagerly anticipated. […] In summary, ROHM has signifOCTOBER 2015

Q & A with Umberto Fanni

ACTING GENERAL DIRECTOR, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT

costumes, and then of course, the slate of Omani performances, as well as the building itself. The architectural style and interior decoration of ROHM include contemporary interpretation of traditional Omani building conventions and motifs. The timeless architecture of Oman’s forts and castles was the dominant influence in the formulation of the exterior design. […] In addition, traditional Omani designs in silver found on the iconic curved dagger or khangar and old Bedouin jewellery were interpreted to suit the aesthetic scheme of ROHM. The result is an opera house that is European in style, but Arabian in demeanour and atmosphere. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What performances are coming up?

THE OPENING OF ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT (ROHM) IN 2011 HERALDED NEW EFFORTS TO SUPPORT AND CONSOLIDATE TRADITIONAL OMANI ARTS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH INTERNATIONAL CULTURE. UMBERTO FANNI, ACTING GENERAL DIRECTOR, ROHM, EXPLAINS WHY. icantly enriched and actually transformed the cultural life of a city, which previously featured only periodic amateur theatre in a variety of modest venues; and, in addition to performances by the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra in hotel auditoriums or ballrooms, occasional concerts and shows sponsored by embassies. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How does the venue enrich the Omani capital’s tourist product?

UMBERTO FANNI: It is fair to say that ROHM is in itself a tourist attraction that brings tourists to the city. The productions are superb, featuring world famous stars, opera and ballet companies and orchestras for which it is difficult in Europe or America to get tickets, let alone at a reasonable cost. What connects ROHM to local culture is first of all the friendly and hospitable Omani front-of-house staff who is dressed in beautiful traditional

UMBERTO FANNI: The 2015/16 season is aptly titled A World Class Quality Season. It [opened] in mid-September with a privileged event featuring Jonas Kaufmann, said to be the greatest tenor of his generation, performing some of the most celebrated arias from his repertoire. Puccini’s Turandot, produced by Franco Zeffirelli and performed by the Arena di Verona, is presented in October for an eagerly anticipated return engagement and as the first of five famous operas included in our new season. […] Events produced in-house include the annual Omani Women’s Day Celebration, a musical tribute in honour of Oman’s 45th National Day, the spectacular annual Military Music, and the annual Pipe Organ Symposium. TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are your main priorities in the near future? UMBERTO FANNI: […] Of utmost importance is the continuing training of Omanis in theatre arts as technicians, staging and costume specialists, and administrative staff. This year, 52 extras for Turandot will be selected from the local population. This will further connect the community to ROHM and give young Omanis as chance to see if they are inspired by theatre arts as a career choice. Marketing is also high on our list of priorities. We want to reach as many new and returning patrons as possible so that they are aware of this brilliant new season and all the services that ROHM has to offer the community as well as international visitors. […] 

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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS

Abu Dhabi Aviation Week to Be Held in March 2016 ADAAW press conference

HQ 2015 Doha, Qatar October 13 – 15 www.hqshow.com A global exhibition featuring all aspects of the hotel, restaurant and café industry, addressing hospitality professionals, franchise investors and suppliers.

Singapore, Singapore October 21 – 23 www.itb-asia.com The show will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies from the Asia Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not only the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE travel.

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET London, UK November 02 – 05 www.wtmlondon.com Now in its 36th year, the event generates more than USD3.9 billion of travel industry contracts.

SAUDI CONVENTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS FORUM Dammam, Saudi Arabia November 08 – 10 www.saudicef.com An initiative of the Saudi Exhibition & Convention Bureau that aims to make the forum a main meeting point of all stakeholders of the conventions and exhibitions sector in the Kingdom.

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C

onverging six trade, defence, entertainment and sports components under one umbrella, the inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week (ADAAW) will run between March 6 – 12, 2016, concurrently in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The event, which is anticipated to attract a constellation of decision-makers and international experts, along with trade visitors and the general public, is set to boost the UAE capital’s status globally, suggested H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al Darmaki, acting director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. “ADAAW will serve as an ideal opportunity for participants to explore the emirate’s various tourist attractions, and gain insight into its vision for the tourism sector,” added Al Darmaki.

Dubai Announces AIM 2016

Annual Investment Meeting 2015

ITB ASIA

T

he UAE Ministry of Economy revealed that the sixth Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) will be held between April 11 – 13, 2016, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, the upcoming edition will convene high-profile government and private sector representatives, to address several investment-related issues. With the theme The New World of FDI, Key Features and Best Practices, the event is to emphasise the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in emerging and developed markets, and will include a thought conference, a global leaders debate, as well as a ministerial roundtable, capacity building workshops, an exhibition and a gala dinner.

OCTOBER 2015


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