04 JULY 2015
ISSUE 295
APRIL HOTEL PERFORMANCE JAZEERA AIRWAYS HAS FORMALLY SUBMITTED A LETTER OF INTENT TO ACQUIRE 35 PERCENT OF KUWAIT AIRWAYS, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A PRIVATISATION PROCESS BY THE STATE’S GOVERNMENT.
03 SUITE NOVOTEL RIYADH DYAR OPENS
10 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE
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TECHNOLOGY
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ACCOMMODATION
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AIR
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INTERNATIONAL
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RENDEZVOUS
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WHO'S MOVED
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TRAVEL TALK
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AGENT CORNER
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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NEWS & EVENTS
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JAZEERA AIRWAYS: FORMAL BIDDING FOR KUWAIT AIRWAYS
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
JAZEERA AIRWAYS: FORMAL BIDDING FOR KUWAIT AIRWAYS Jazeera Airways has formally submitted a letter of intent to acquire 35 percent of Kuwait Airways, which is currently undergoing a privatisation process by the state’s government.
CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi
now. . k u o y Did ing since
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HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670
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he 35 percent investment represents the maximum allowed stake by a single private company as stipulated under the applicable law. As Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways, explained, the vision is to grow Kuwait Airways into a leading airline, starting by reclaiming the carrier’s home market. “As witnessed in airline privatisation exercises over the last 50 years, we believe an efficiently run Kuwait Airways with a private sector management approach benefits all stakeholders [...],” added Boodai.
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MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of
3/7/2015
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
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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
99.16
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.62
Iran (IRR)
Rial
29,400.00
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,161.40
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,506.31
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.36
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.75
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.82
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.95
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
Traffic up 15.5 Percent in Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi International Airport welcomed over 1.87 million passengers in April, 15.5 percent more than in the corresponding period in 2014.
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ircraft movements surged 14.4 percent to 14,211, while cargo handling activity climbed 19.3 percent to 71,650 tonnes. As Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, noted, the hub continues to register double-digit improvements month after month, making it one of the fastest growing airports in the world. He attributed the rise in passenger traffic to increased activity by Etihad Airways’ partner airlines and the launch of new routes.
Abu Dhabi International Airport
4 JULY 2015
HOTEL PERFORMANCE WEEKLY NEWS Amman and Dubai Witness Profit Decline
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The Egyptian hotel market is rising once again, according to HotStats’ findings in April, with both Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh experiencing a renewed interest that drove surges in all key metrics. On the other hand, Middle Eastern cities such as Amman and Dubai saw weak demand that forced hoteliers to drop average room rates (ARR). In addition, properties in Bahrain’s capital city managed to boost occupancy, however, at the expense of ARR.
Manama Hotels Experience Mixed Results
he performance of Amman hotels was largely affected by a 10.8 percentage point reduction in occupancy levels to 62.3 percent. The lower demand during the month under review saw both ARR and RevPAR fall 4.3 percent and 18.5 percent respectively to USD154.94 and USD96.48. Properties in the Jordanian capital city were able to offset the decline in room revenue with stronger food and beverage demand. In Dubai, a 12.8 percent decrease in ARR to USD373.78 had a significant impact on profitability, with the figure falling by 19.5 percent compared to the same period in 2014. The combined effect of the weak Euro and stronger US Dollar is one of the key challenges facing the city, forcing hoteliers to lower ARR in order to maintain occupancy levels at 84.9 percent. Food and beverage revenues were also affected, dropping 19.8 percent and 26.7 percent respectively, resulting in a 15.7 percent downturn in total RevPAR.
Renewed Demand in Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh
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ccommodation units in Cairo witnessed a 12.1 percentage point increase in occupancy levels to 53.5 percent, allowing hoteliers to yield a 9.9 percent rise in ARR to USD111.28 and driving RevPAR upwards by 42.1 percent to USD59.52. Slightly softer food and beverage revenues had a marginal impact on total RevPAR performance that, however, saw a 33.8 percent surge over 2014. A 7.4 percentage point swell in occupancy and a 19.8 percent growth in ARR also provided Sharm El Sheikh hotels with a significant improvement in their bottom-line, with GOPPAR climbing 27.1 percent to USD19.18. The return of international visitors and travel agent demand helped occupancy touch 69.9 percent in April and allowed hoteliers to yield an ARR and RevPAR of USD48.81 and USD34.09, respectively.
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ospitality establishments in Manama witnessed a marginal 1.9 percentage point boost in occupancy levels to 60.8 percent, ARR, however, fell by 2.8 percent to USD193.82. The growth in demand was sufficient enough to maintain RevPAR performance at USD117.87, and stronger food and beverage revenues saw total RevPAR improve 3.2 percent to USD193.13. In keeping with the mixed performance, the higher revenue margins were eroded by increased operating expenses resulting in a stable gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR). Sharm El Sheikh
4 JULY 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY Travelport Supports Start-up Companies
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ravelport has announced the development of a seed stage investment and mentorship programme to accelerate the growth of innovative start-up companies focussed on travel commerce. Set to begin in late summer, the Incubation initiative which will run in four-month cycles and will accept up to four start-ups per stage, will be han-
dled completely in-house by dedicated Travelport experts. At the end of each programme, each team will have the opportunity to participate in a demo day to pitch its travel commerce innovations to senior Travelport executives, investors and other potential business development partners from across the travel industry.
Illusions Adds Expedia Affiliate Network to Portfolio
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llusions Online and Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) signed a partnership agreement which will see EAN’s offering being added to the technology company’s existing portfolio. Faisal Memon, founder, Illusions Online, revealed that the two firms have been in conversation about a potential partnership for some time. “With EAN, we found great guys that we have a very good working relationship with and it is what works for both of us. They have got fantastic product which we can immediately add to the portfolio that we already have,” he said. Memon added that the company is in discussions to start feeding its global travel marketplace product back into Expedia.
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4 JULY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY XX Sabre and Turkish Airlines Sign Agreement
IHG Pilots Mobile and In-hotel Digital Technology
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abre inked a new technology deal with Turkish Airlines to provide its AirCentre Flight Plan Manager solution to streamline the airline’s operations. In addition, the carrier will be moving from its current flight tracking system to adopt Sabre’s Flight Explorer. AirCentre Flight Plan Manager brings together real-time information on a number of key variables, including weather, air space restrictions, aircraft performance and schedule information, and then calculates the optimal flight route relative to these variables. This automation supports flight planning decision-making across all operations, enabling airlines to address ongoing key concerns, such as fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is trialling and selectively rolling out a number of digitally-driven innovations. The company’s digital initiatives draw on a mixture of mobile-driven and in-hotel technologies. Stay.com allows guests to research and plan their travel or create a personalised travel guide and share it with their friends. Starting in the Americas a mobile check in and check out function will be also introduced along with Mobile Folio, which enables travellers to view their hotel bill in real time. Other innovative solutions include mobile room key technology, guest request service via the IHG application, iBeacon technology and a translator function for Apple Watch.
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Yas Marina
Hotelogix Partners With TripAdvisor loud-based property management system, Hotelogix announced a deal with TripAdvisor to integrate the travel site’s review collection solution directly into its offering. Review Express is TripAdvisor’s tool that allows hotels to easily connect with guests after their stay to encourage fresh feedback. Using the software, hoteliers can create and customise e-mails for guests, generating more reviews and gaining valuable insights about their stay. “Almost 60,000 hotel and bed and breakfast owners have already made Review Express part of their post-stay communication programme for customers. Now, we have created a faster solution for timepressed accommodation owners through this new integration,” said Minesh Shah, senior director, global hotel partnerships, TripAdvisor.
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4 JULY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
Atout France Rolls Out Training Platform for Travel Agents Atout France, the French tourist bureau, launched French Specialists, an updated online destination and product training platform for the travel trade in the Middle East and Turkey.
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t is open to all travel trade professionals who can receive certificates in recognition of completing the online e-learning gateway. The different modules take the agent through the best of the French regions, providing practical information, including hints for Halal restaurants as well as mosques in France and classic French attractions. Karim Mekachera, director, Middle East and Turkey, Atout France, stated, “Becoming a French Specialist travel agent can go a long way in assisting agents to sell destination France.”
OCEC to Host IMTEC Oman
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einforcing its commitment to building world-leading events by forging sustainable relationships with Oman’s business events industry, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) signed an agreement with East Expo to host the three-day International Medical Tourism Exhibition & Conference (IMTEC Oman), from March 28 – 30, 2016. Trevor McCartney, general manager, OCEC, commented, “While OCEC is bringing the global events community to the Sultanate, we are also strengthening Oman’s own business events industry, helping make home-grown events world-class, increasing their international presence and making sure they gain the market share they deserve in this fast-paced industry.”
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WEEKLY NEWS Abu Dhabi Summer Season Further Promoted
Emirates Partners with ENDP
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he Emirates Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP) to recruit UAE nationals in a variety of positions to support the growth of Emirates and dnata. As Amira Al Awadhi, vice president, national recruitment and development, Emirates, noted, since the establishment of the national recruitment and development unit in the early 90s, the group has worked hard to ensure Emiratis are well-positioned across different facets of the business. “We aim to attract up to 5,000 UAE nationals by 2020 and our partnership with ENDP is the best approach to reach that goal,” added Al Awadhi.
bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is organising media Iftars in six cities across the Arabian Gulf during the month of Ramadan to raise the profile of Abu Dhabi Summer Season. “The Ramadan Iftars will be a great opportunity for us to meet our GCC media partners and introduce the detail of the Abu Dhabi Summer Season programme, while highlighting the benefits of choosing Abu Dhabi for a family vacation or organising a business trip to the emirate,” said Sultan Al Mansoori, country manager, Saudi Arabia, TCA Abu Dhabi.
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harjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) took part in a recent Arab-German business forum in Berlin, organised by the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event focussed on current cooperation and opportunities across various fields like infrastructure, security technologies, free zones, financial services as well as construction, and H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, delivered a presentation titled Sustainable Urban Solutions in Sharjah. A memorandum of understanding was also signed between Shurooq and Berlin Partner for Business and Technology for mutual cooperation. “Germany’s technology industry is renowned throughout the world, and can have a prominent impact on Sharjah’s burgeoning sector,” enthused Al Sarkal.
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Al Sarkal (right) presenting a commemorative plaque to Stefan Franzke, managing director, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology
Shurooq Deepens Ties with Germany
4 JULY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Suite Novotel Riyadh Dyar Opens kn Did you
ow. .
AccorHotels Middle East opened Suite Novotel Riyadh Dyar, offering 88 spacious suites.
adh l Riy d to e t o v itte e No Suit is commlanet 21 r Dya roup’s P ility b g the sustaina and its e m ram illars ? g o r p p n seve
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Suite Novotel Riyadh Dyar
he property boasts multi-function meeting rooms, sports and leisure facilities, including a fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, kids’ play room, pool and tennis tables. In addition, Dunes restaurant and Café Gourmand offer many food and beverage options for guests. Located next to iconic landmarks such as Al Anoud Tower, Al Akaria Shopping Mall, Faisaliah Tower and Kingdom Tower, Suite Novotel Riyadh Dyar is within walking distance of the popular Olaya business and shopping district at the heart of the Saudi Arabian capital. “In Riyadh, we now have five operational hotels and five more in development. This brings us close to 2,000 rooms in Riyadh alone and more than 12,500 across the Kingdom in total,” revealed Christophe Landais, chief operating officer, AccorHotels Middle East.
Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa
Lounge Restaurant Concept to Launch in Dubai
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he H Holding revealed plans to bring LUA Restaurant Lounge to the UAE, introducing a new concept to the country’s dining scene that hosts a diverse selection of dining and entertainment options under one roof. Located at Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa, the destination will feature back-to-back daily entertainment shows, adding a new dimension to Dubai’s offering. The project marks yet another big move for the company following the opening of the first outlet, Monte Carlo Stars in Dubai Marina. “LUA is a heart-warming slice of Lebanon right here in Dubai,” explained Hafeez Abdullah, chairman, The H Holding.
4 JULY 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS Millennium & Copthorne Bets on Saudi Arabia
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s part of the group’s strategic expansion plan with over 10,000 keys in the pipeline, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East and Africa (MEA) signed four hotels in Saudi Arabia with Taiba Holding Company. The deal includes the takeover of two existing properties in Medina; the 208-unit Millennium Taiba Hotel Madinah and the 484-room Millennium Al Aqeeq Hotel Madinah which are both aimed at serving the rapidly growing religious tourism market. A further project, the 299-key Grand Millennium Hotel Madinah is set to open in 2018 and will be situated in a prime location on King Faisal Road. Lastly, in the same year the group will introduce the Biltmore brand to Riyadh with a 265-room hotel.
New Hotel Staff Training Programme in Sharjah
Sharjah
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harjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has taken another step forward in its efforts to attract 10 million visitors to the emirate with the launch of a new programme to train the hotel sector front office staff, including receptionists and customer service representatives, who deal directly with tourists and guests. The project constitutes the second phase of SCTDA’s Marhabtain initiative which aims to develop the human resource capabilities within various industries to provide a better experience for visitors to the emirate. This stage will help hotel staff improve their communication skills, and enable them to provide outstanding tourism service in accordance with the highest international standards.
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WEEKLY NEWS
M Management Company Is Born
Elia Greek restaurant
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ith the aim of offering a complete range of management and consultancy services to the hospitality, food and beverage, and events sectors within the UAE, M Management Company has been established in Dubai. The organisation was formed by the team behind Elia Greek restaurant and The Music Room in Dubai following the success of both venues. Two new concepts are expected to be added to its portfolio with plans to further expand around the GCC, according to Alexander Economides, founder, M Management Company. Nola Eatery & Social House will be a New Orleans-themed venue offering southern American food with a healthier and more modern take in a convivial setting. As for the second new venue, Mythos Kouzina & Grill will serve authentic Greek cuisine. Both are expected to open in Jumeirah Lake Towers.
Staff of the new office
DAMAC Properties Opens Ladies-only Office
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AMAC Properties is launching its first ladies-only office, in response to the increased number of female buyers. Morjana is set inside DAMAC Maison Dubai Mall Street in the heart of the Downtown Dubai. The exclusive office has more than 25 female staff, all fluent in Arabic, and is open seven days a week. “We have seen a significant increase in the number of women looking to invest in the Dubai property market and it was a natural progression to open an all-female office, with a large percentage of our buyers now female,� said Ziad El Chaar, managing director, DAMAC Properties.
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4 JULY 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Oman Air Opts for AVANT Entertainment Oman Air selected Thales AVANT in-flight entertainment system for its fleet expansion, enabling a fully-customisable passenger experience.
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he technology will feature the state-of-the-art AVANT Android system and Thales’ Touch Passenger Media Unit handset that will cover a total of 25 aircraft. As a result, passengers will have access to a wide selection of on-demand entertainment delivered through an interface developed specifically for Oman Air. Dominique Giannoni, CEO, Thales InFlyt Experience, said, “[Oman Air’s] choice of equipping its newest planes with the latest generation AVANT is a testament to our long-lasting partnership in delivering a premier passenger experience.”
flydubai Invests USD50 Million in Innovation
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lydubai entered into a partnership with US-based Radixx International, allowing the airline to take the customer experience to a new high. The agreement between the carrier and the provider of cloudbased reservation and distribution systems for airlines, includes a license for flydubai to access and modify the Radixx Air Passenger Services System source code and ongoing customer service system, eliminating constrains of the more traditional one-size-fits-all approach. According to Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, through this USD50 million investment, the company aims to create a customised and easily scalable platform both in terms of functionality and volumes.
Gulf Air Increases Summer Frequencies
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s part of its new summer schedule, Gulf Air will boost its flights to and from Frankfurt, Larnaca and Paris during the upcoming peak travel period until September, due to growing passenger numbers. The increased connectivity will offer greater choice for passengers travelling to the destinations, with eight weekly services to both Frankfurt and ParisCharles de Gaulle Airport and six weekly flights to Larnaca. Gulf Air’s European summer schedule further supplements the airline’s existing four weekly operations to Athens and the double-daily Heathrow Airport service.
4 JULY 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Emirates Gives Travellers More Time
Qatar Airways Ups Flights for Ramadan Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
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atar Airways commenced a new daily all-first-class service from its hub in Doha to Jeddah. With the additional daily flight having started on June 18, services to the Saudi city increased from double-daily to triple-daily. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, said, “The demand for premium group travel continues to grow especially during the Ramadan season, and therefore we have introduced this all-premium Airbus A319 to Jeddah further strengthening Qatar Airways’ position as a five-star airline providing the best first and business class service in the industry.”
mirates is now making it easier for customers in select markets and the UAE to book and lock in fares while they simultaneously plan their travel itineraries for their business trips, family holidays or weekend getaways. Hold My Fare is a new feature on the airline’s website that offers customers the opportunity to hold their reservations and lock in fares for up to 48 hours, for a nominal fee which is calculated based on the booked route or destination and applies to every passenger except infants. Emirates is the first airline in the region to introduce this online service to customers.
Kuwait Airways to Offer AVANT In-flight Entertainment
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n the first day of the Paris Air Show, Thales Group announced that Kuwait Airways’ newest fleet of Airbus A330-200 will be fitted with the AVANT in-flight entertainment system. Passengers onboard the airline’s newest A330 will have access to a wide selection of on-demand entertainment and the latest generation of applications on the market, including the Thales 3D maps. AVANT is an Android system featuring a highly-customisable passenger experience. It has been selected by 19 airlines; more than 130 aircraft are flying with AVANT and total orders are exceeding 500 aircraft.
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4 JULY 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS Qatar Airways Adds Amsterdam to Its Network
Tunisair Takes Delivery of A330-200
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Amsterdam
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atar Airways commenced services between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Doha, with six weekly frequencies which will be operated on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that offers 22 seats in business class and 232 in economy. Marwan Koleilat, chief commercial officer, Qatar Airways, who led a delegation to mark the inaugural flight, said, “Qatar Airways is proud to celebrate our much-anticipated arrival into the beautiful city of Amsterdam, and we thank Schiphol for such a grand and colourful welcome.” The capital city is the airline’s first destination in the Netherlands and its 34th in Europe.
unisair welcomed its first Airbus A330200, which flew out from Toulouse, France and landed at Tunis-Carthage Airport to join the airline’s existing fleet of Airbus aircraft, comprising four A319s and 17 A320s. “[The plane’s] unique profitability and unrivalled operating costs will allow us to develop our operations and win new market shares, thus supporting our country’s growth in the areas of tourism and economic development,” commented Sara Rejeb, president, Tunisair. Boasting an entirely new, fully-equipped cabin, the Tunisian carrier’s A330-200 will offer passengers greater comfort, more space, Wi-Fi connectivity and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system. It can accommodate 24 passengers in business and 242 in economy class.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Mexico Welcomes First Grand Hyatt Hotel Hyatt opened Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort, in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the first Grand Hyattbranded hotel in the country.
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he property boasts 314 rooms, including 36 suites. A selection of swim-up units offer guests direct access to one of the resort’s infinity pools overlooking the beach. Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort features a variety of food and beverage outlets, including bars and lounges, spa, fitness centre, eight pools and Camp Hyatt for kids. Moreover, indoor and outdoor event space is also available, alongside a grand ballroom and 18 meeting rooms.
Rocco Forte Hotels Adds Shanghai Property
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signing ceremony was held in Shanghai to announce the launch of a new Rocco Forte project, due to open in 2018, marking the group’s first move into the Asia Pacific market. Rocco Forte Hotels will partner with Longhua International to be the exclusive luxury international hotel provider to Longhua International Aviation Service Centre, a new urban complex in Shanghai’s Xuhui Riverside area. The property, which is yet to be named, will be part of the new project taking over the top 15 floors of the tallest building of the development. It will include around 280 rooms and suites, three restaurants, a spa and health offering complete with a swimming pool, as well as a grand ballroom.
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Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort
Crystal Cruises Bought by Genting Hong Kong
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enting Hong Kong recently acquired Crystal Cruises from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha for a total of USD550 million. The transaction was followed by the appointment of Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman, Genting Group, to head the cruise line. He commented that Genting Hong Kong is delighted and honoured to add Crystal to its global hospitality and leisure brands. “The current management team and crew will continue to lead Crystal’s six-star operation while Genting will provide the financial resources and proven expertise in innovative ship design to deliver a new ultra-luxury ocean vessel by 2018,” Thay further assured.
4 JULY 2015
INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY NEWS
Swiss-Belhotel Opens in Bali
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eliá Hotels International announced its foray into Myanmar with the signing of Meliá Yangon, a strategic project which will increase the group’s exposure in southeast Asia and is scheduled for a 2016 opening. The new-build hotel will be in a prime location in downtown Yangon next to Inya Lake, offering fast access to the airport and the highway to the country’s capital city. Meliá Yangon will feature 400 rooms, including the signature The Level rooms, a YHI spa, a variety of restaurants and a wide range of meeting facilities. The hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex that will also boast office buildings, apartments and a commercial centre.
Swiss-Belhotel Petitenget
Yangon
Meliá Hotels International Enters Myanmar
wiss-Belhotel International launched Swiss-Belhotel Petitenget, Bali, a midscale property comprising 111
rooms. Gavin Faull, president, Swiss-Belhotel International, said, “Spectacular rice paddy views are the signature of North Kuta, which is surrounded by excellent restaurants and cafés, beach clubs, shops and lifestyle hubs. Swiss-Belhotel Petitenget is the ideal choice for those who love life, whether they are leisure or business travellers or families.” Swiss-Belhotel Petitenget is also close to famous sightseeing spots and cultural landmarks like Tanah Lot and Batubelig Beach.
New Radisson Blu Resorts Come to Mauritius
C Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa
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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group is further expanding its portfolio in the Indian Ocean with the addition of new Radisson Blu projects. Located on the north-eastern cost of Mauritius, the 100-room Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa, the 100-key Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa and the 57-unit Radisson Blu Azuri Residence & Suites are conversions of existing properties and will start operating under the brand in the third quarter of the year. Elie Younes, chief development officer, The Rezidor Hotel Group, described Mauritius as one of the most strategic markets for the company. “These new management contracts are an important step for us to establish our presence and to further expand our upper-upscale resort network in the region. Our ultimate objective is to add value to our owners and shareholders,” added Younes.
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What characteristics and values set the company apart from its peers? RUSSEL SHARPE: The distinguishing trait is first and foremost the variety and high quality of the in-house restaurants and bars. Also, Citymax hotels offer additional services which one would generally only get in a high-end hotel such as free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, full concierge services, full buffet breakfast, complimentary tea and coffee in your room, complimentary beach and shopping centre shuttles, full gym facilities and a swimming pool. The fact that we are able to provide these above-threestar-level services at very affordable prices, without compromising on quality, places Citymax Hotels in a different bracket to your standard midmarket hotel.
Q & A with
Russel Sharpe CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CITYMAX HOTELS
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: The company has recently commenced construction on two new properties in Dubai. Please tell us about these projects. RUSSEL SHARPE: We have recently broken ground on a Citymax hotel in Business Bay and a second Citymax hotel in Al Barsha. The Al Barsha property will be within walking distance of Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Metro, featuring 120 rooms with a City Cafe – the allday dining restaurant concept for the group – plus one additional bar. Guests staying in Citymax Hotels Al Barsha will enjoy integrated signing privileges, and able to dine in the various outlets and charge it to their room in either hotel. The new Citymax Hotels Business Bay will be ready to welcome guests by early 2017. With a light, airy two-storey high atrium lobby, three restaurants and bars, plus meeting rooms and extensive banqueting facilities, Citymax Hotels Business Bay will set itself apart from the standard budget hotels. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What was the main impetus behind your decision to introduce new features and take the budget accommodation concept to a new level? RUSSEL SHARPE: We are creating a ‘budget-plus’ hotel in Business Bay because this is what our guests want and expect. When asked, our target market of
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CITYMAX HOTELS PROMISES VALUE FOR MONEY AND FOUR-STAR FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT THREE-STAR RATES. AS RUSSEL SHARPE, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CITYMAX HOTELS, REVEALED, THE COMPANY IS POISED TO TAKE THE BUDGET ACCOMMODATION CONCEPT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
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WE WILL BE FOCUSSING ON THE BUILDING OF OUR THREE NEW PROJECTS
low-cost business and leisure travellers as well as economy transit passengers want an affordable hotel in a central city location without compromising on comforts or modern services. This is one of the reasons that all our hotels have recently installed complimentary Wi-Fi and we have created a mobile-responsive website. Rooms in Citymax Hotels Business Bay will be larger than the standard for budget hotels, featuring additional built-in bedding to comfortably accommodate up to four people, appealing
to families and young singles travelling together. Newly designed rooms with a number of smart features will be unveiled shortly, appealing to the Millennial travelling on a budget. Affordable, stylish and technologically-advanced, the new rooms are designed to comfortably accommodate up to four guests in flexible configurations. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Over the coming years, a number of new developments are expected to come online in Dubai. How will these developments change or challenge Dubai’s hospitality scene? RUSSEL SHARPE: The development frenzy of midmarket hotels is a necessity due to the 2020 vision and the everincreasing number of tourists to our shores and Citymax Hotels welcomes the competition. Our business model is well-established with constantly high occupancy rates and we will continue this model of offering four-star facilities at three-star rates in central locations for all the hotels in our current pipeline. Today, the budget hotel category is one of the most fiercely competed categories in the region and I believe that to succeed in the coming years, you need to differentiate your brand in order to attract sustained local patronage in addition to overseas guests. At Citymax we have succeeded in carving a niche in the highly competitive dining-out market in Dubai for our food and beverage outlets to exist as independent brands with identities so strong that they have become household names in the local community. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Please tell us about your plans for the coming months. RUSSEL SHARPE: We will be focussing on the building of our three new projects which will increase the total number of rooms from 1,200 to about 2,000 within the next three years. By the end of 2016, we will have built a new Citymax hotel in Ras Al Khaimah with 204 rooms and a second hotel in Al Barsha with 120 rooms. By January 2017, Business Bay will be open with 375 rooms. All three new hotels will reflect similarities in exterior design with each also incorporating features such as a roof top pool, bar and sun deck. Room interiors are currently under design and will all be an average of 25m2 in size. 4 JULY 2015
WHO'S MOVED
ROBERT SWADE
Robert Swade continues as Jumeirah Group’s new group chief operating officer. Swade, who joined the company in 2005 as general counsel, has been an integral part of the senior executive team for several years. In 2012 he was named group chief development officer, responsible for a robust portfolio of future hotel projects. His journey in the industry commenced in the south of England where his family owned and managed a boutique hotel. He started off as a commercial lawyer, working in both London and Dubai. Prior to moving to the UAE 15 years ago, he also served at the House of Commons for the UK government.
YARUB MOHAMED OBAIDALLA
Swade served at the UK's House of Commons
TOYIN ALARAN
4 JULY 2015
Toyin Alaran has been appointed general manager for Uganda at Etihad Airways. Based in Kampala, Alaran will be in charge of establishing and developing strong professional relationships with corporate clients and key partners in the travel and tourism trade, and growing the airline’s presence and operations in the country. With more than 24 years of experience in the industry, Alaran joined Etihad Airways in 2014 as sales manager for Nigeria, before taking over as acting general manager for Uganda earlier this year. He previously worked in various managerial positions at Air France–KLM, holding positions such as regional sales manager for West Africa based in Ghana, and head of sales in Nigeria.
Yarub Mohamed Obaidalla has been named general manager for Oman at Etihad Airways. Based in Muscat, Obaidalla will lead the further development of the airline’s commercial strategy in the Sultanate and he will also be responsible for strengthening the carrier’s relationship with its travel trade and corporate customers. Obaidalla joined Etihad Airways in 2009 as business development manager for Hala Abu Dhabi, later serving as government sales manager in the UAE capital, where he successfully managed the Abu Dhabi Government Employee Travel Programme. He takes on his new role after working as sales manager for the airline looking after Sharjah and the Northern Emirates markets.
Laura Eggleton has taken over as general manager at Holiday Inn Muscat Al Seeb. She moves to Oman from the UK where she held the same position at Holiday Inn London Heathrow Ariel Hotel for the past two years. Eggleton graduated from the University of Brighton in international tourism management and has since focussed on building her career at properties flying the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express flags under both franchise and management agreements.
LAURA EGGLETON Eggleton moves to Oman from London
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TRAVEL TALK
H.H. SHEIKH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
AQEEL RAEES Group CEO, Gulf Hotels Group
In Dubai, we never sit idle
Our passengers are at the heart of everything we do
“Our stakeholders have invested billions of Dirhams in the industry in line with the vision of making aviation a major contributor to our Dubai’s unrivalled economic success story. The dramatic transformation of our aviation industry is a classic example of how well the industry is managed. In Dubai, we never sit idle, basking in our past achievements. Dubai is working its way to be the global travel hub for the 21st century.”
“Qatar Airways strives to offer the best travel experience for its guests across our entire global network, with a commitment to providing quality services to each and every of one our passengers. [The three top accolades at Skytrax World Airline Awards] reflect our passengers’ satisfaction; they choose to fly with a five-star airline and [...] they have chosen Qatar Airways as the world’s best airline for the third year. Our passengers are at the heart of everything we do and we are very proud to be recognised by them and to receive these three Skytrax awards.”
AKBAR AL BAKER Group CEO, Qatar Airways
The service will mirror the group’s core philosophy
We have always strived to innovate with new ways
“Gulf Residence Amwaj is managed by Gulf Hotels Group and is one of the new projects [that forms part of the] group’s expansion strategy of adding hotels and luxury apartments in key locations which will be managed to the highest international standards. Gulf Residence Amwaj is one of the latest additions to join the group’s exclusive collection of unique independent properties and will not only offer guests every comfort, but also excellent value for money. The service will mirror the group’s core philosophy of providing five-star services for four-star price.”
“We at InterContinental Regency Bahrain are absolutely delighted to [announce the winners of the Love is in the Food campaign]. We have always strived to innovate with new ways to complement the unparalleled dining experiences that are provided at all our outlets whilst staying true to our repute of consistently giving them a taste of our authentic yet modern twists to flavours, and with the Love is in the Food campaign, we were able to align ourselves to that same effect.”
MOHAMMED SANAD Hotel manager, InterContinental Regency Bahrain
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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4 JULY 2015
AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Nour Farra-Haddad
POSITION:
Managing director
COMPANY:
NEOS Sarl
LOCATION:
Lebanon
WEBSITE:
www.neoslb.com
Celebrity Cruises Launches Travel Agent Website
Who are you? I am Nour Farra-Haddad, a senior researcher and I teach in three Lebanese universities. I am now managing my own travel consultant company, NEOS. My credentials include a doctorate in religious anthropology, a master’s in anthropology and a bachelor degree in both archaeology and anthropology. I hold a tourist guide diploma from the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism and have been elected vice president of the Lebanese Tour Guides syndicate. […] What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? I love working in the challenging field of the Middle Eastern tourism industry and I am passionate about Lebanon. When is the best time to visit Lebanon? All year long you can enjoy Lebanon. For beach lovers it will be during summer, for cultural tours lovers autumn and spring time will be perfect and for winter sports lovers you can choose between six ski stations. Nature and rural tourism are possible all year long. Where would you like to travel for your next holiday? I will be visiting Japan to get lost in translation. Why should people come to you for travel advice? People will look for NEOS’ travel advice especially when visiting Lebanon and exotic countries. NEOS’ services are boutique services, very personalised. 4 JULY 2015
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elebrity Cruises has relaunched a shore excursion website specially created for travel agents. The innovative and interactive hub provides dedicated travel partners with rich content and opportunities to plan their clients’ vacations with more real tools and solutions for better business. The online resource is a one-stop shop for agents, providing fast and convenient access to all the latest information on the cruise line’s destination experiences. Travel agents also can learn more about the advantages of booking Celebrity shore excursions, see tour clips and draft personalised destination experiences based on their customers’ interests.
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Sharjah Media Centre Helps Refugee Children Sharjah Media Centre donated AED500,000 (USD136,000) to the Big Heart Foundation, which provides aid for displaced children around the world.
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he amount is the proceeds raised by a charity concert featuring the Lebanese singer Majida Alroumi, held in January. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman, Sharjah Media Centre, commented, “The success of Alroumi’s concert will encourage more charity events, where proceeds can be donated to societies specialising in social, health and educational affairs.”
Al Qasimi (right) handing the donation cheque to Big Heart Foundation
Jumeirah Helps Endangered Turtles
TCA Abu Dhabi Gears Up for Youth Programme
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bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is preparing to accept a fresh influx of students to its annual Tourism Youth Summer Programme from August 2 – 20, an event aimed at identifying and inspiring the next generation of tourism professionals for the emirate. During the camp, some 50 students will take part in a number of workshops covering a range of topics from culture, hospitality, events, attractions, sports tourism, entertainment to entrepreneurship. “At the end of the programme, each student will be equipped with knowledge and experience about the different aspects of tourism and culture and its important role in Abu Dhabi’s future […],” said Nasser Al Reyami, director, Standards Regulations and Licensing Department, TCA Abu Dhabi.
SCTA Backs Saudi Summer Festivals
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umeirah Group recently celebrated World Sea Turtle Day with the release of 45 endangered sea turtles into the Arabian Gulf next to Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. The 45 animals were rescued from the shores of the UAE and nursed back to health by the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project. This latest release takes the total number of turtles rescued to 800 since the project began in 2004. Five of the juvenile hawksbill turtles were recently exhibited at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo to highlight the threat faced by this critically endangered species. Prior to their release into the Arabian Gulf, they were fitted with small satellite tags, sponsored by the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, to support the ongoing turtle tracking initiative.
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o support its tourism sector, this summer, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) is working on promotional and marketing campaigns and will sponsor tourism festivals, monitor accommodation facilities and services, support tourism service operators and improve public parks across the country, in cooperation with governorates and municipalities. This season, Saudi Arabia will witness 57 festivals, with over 130 companies currently being engaged in the preparations. SCTA has provided trainings, workshops and exploration trips abroad to organisers, and the events will receive strong media coverage with press rooms and full-time editors, in order to efficiently promote them.
4 JULY 2015
NEWS & EVENTS BIA: Environmentally Friendly
EVENTS INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART Bangalore, India July 10 – 12 www.iitmindia.com One of the country’s premier travel and tourism exhibitions launches in Bangalore this year with other showings coming up in Chennai, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkatta.
Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah
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ahrain Airport Company (BAC), the managing body and operator of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), achieved Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 1 Mapping, a significant milestone in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operate BIA as an environmentally-friendly facility on par with its global counterparts. The accreditation is the only institutionally-endorsed carbon management certification standard for airports that recognises and accredits airfields that successfully manage and reduce their carbon footprint. Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO, BAC, commented, “Environmental sustainability has become a global movement and the aviation industry is increasingly taking action to reduce its carbon footprint and operate in a greener, more responsible manner.”
IBTM CHINA Beijing, China August 05 – 06 www.cibtm.com A place for the meetings, events and incentives industry decision-makers to meet for global business adventures.
ICOMEX Mexico City, Mexico August 25 – 26 www.icomex-mexico.com Part of ibtm events, the show focusses on incentives, congresses and conventions in Latin America.
MICE ASIA PACIFIC EXHIBITION Singapore, Singapore September 10 – 11 www.miceasiaexhibition.com Over two days, the event aims to connect Asia’s leading meetings, conference, exhibition and events organisers to meet and network with Asia Pacific’s leading venues.
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4 JULY 2015