11 NOVEMBER 2017 ISSUE 418
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort DISCOVER THE PEAK OF WORLD-CLASS LUXURY. EXPERIENCE THE HEART OF OMANI HOSPITALITY.
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11 NOVEMBER 2017 ISSUE 418
04 SHARJAH AIRPORT WITNESSES GROWTH
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08 ACCOMMODATION
OMAN TO WELCOME NEW MÖVENPICK PROPERTY
03 Technology
13 International DAMAC PROPERTIES LAUNCHES VERA RESIDENCES
19 Photo Album
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
American Express Reports Growth
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS Panayiotis Karanicholas Anna Spyrou CONTRIBUTOR Dominique Christou DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515, neil@globetm.com Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
American Express reported a year-on-year growth with revenues rising nine percent compared to 2016. In particular, the company’s net income saw 19 percent growth while diluted earning per share (EPS) grew 25 percent compared to 2016.
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ommenting on the positive figures, Kenneth Chenault, CEO, American Express, explained, “We are completing a two-year turnaround ahead of plan with strong revenue and earnings growth across all of our business segments […].We are starting a new chapter from a position of strength. Based on the momentum in the business, we now expect full year 2017 EPS of USD5.80 to USD5.90. That is up from our earlier outlook of USD5.60 to USD5.80.”
Impressive Results for Deyaar
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of 9.11.2017
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COUNTRY
CURRENCY USD1=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.39
Qatar (QAR)
Rial
3.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
3.75
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
115.41
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.70
Iran (IRR)
Rial
35,152.10
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,167.00
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,511.13
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.52
Syria (SYP)
Pound
515.10
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.50
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.30
Deyaar Development’s financial results showed that the company succeeded revenues of AED512 million (USD138 million) for the first nine months of the year, as compared to AED261 million (USD71 million) in the same period in 2016, representing a 96 percent year-over-year growth.
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he increase is attributable to robust sales and acceleration of progress in the construction of Deyaar’s two flagship projects, which currently exceed 80 percent completion. Deyaar recorded gross profit of AED182 million (USD49 million) while the net profit reached AED100 million (USD27 million). Saeed Al Qatami, CEO, Deyaar Development, said, “With the significant progress on our developments, Deyaar is witnessing a new cycle of growth that aligns perfectly with our long-term strategic plan driven by UAE Vision 2021.”
11 NOVEMBER 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
Mövenpick Adopted TravelClick’s Demand360 In a bid to maximise its revenue, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has recently joined TravelClick’s industry leading Demand360 business intelligence solution.
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emand360 is said to be the only competitive market intelligence product available to the hospitality industry providing powerful forward-looking reservation metrics and competitive share by segment and channel. With the addition of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, more than 23,000 properties around the world now contribute their future and historical data to the intelligence product. “As our Demand360 programme continues to grow internationally, hoteliers are clearly seeing the value of using business intelligence to see into the future of their markets, enabling them to drive business to higher-rated segments and lower-cost channels,” explained, Greg Sheppard, senior vice president, business intelligence, TravelClick.
Exploring the Future of Technology
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n November 11 -12, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils will take place at the Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre in Dubai, bringing together more than 600 members of the Forum’s Global Future Councils. The event aims to develop new and original ideas to positively shape the future in a time of rapid technological change. In addition, council members will have the opportunity to explore how particular technologies can bring new economic and societal benefits. These include artificial intelligence and machine learning, autonomous vehicles, blockchain, drones and digital trade.
BBM and HotelsCombined Create New Service
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lackberry Messenger (BBM) has partnered with HotelsCombined website, to offer BBM users seamless search of all the best hotel booking sites to find the lowest possible rate on a hotel deal. BBM Messenger users in more than 55 countries can now search and book their next vacation or business accommodation without leaving the BBM environment. In addition, with the one-click BBM Share feature, users can share their favourite hotels or the best hotel deals, enabling instant coordination among the app’s contacts to discuss the best prices, preferences or favourites when planning travels. Amer Al Halabi, regional manager, MENA, HotelsCombined, said, “We are very excited about the partnership between HotelsCombined and BBM Messenger.”
HotelsCombined app
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WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS Bahrain Unveils Airport Modernisation Programme
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uring the 2nd Airports Arabia Conference, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO, Bahrain Airport Company, revealed new details of the ongoing Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP) for Bahrain International Airport. Organised by the Bahrain Society of Engineers, the conference focused on subjects related to passenger terminals, such as planning, design, terminal systems, and airport access. Commenting on the occasion, Al Binfalah, disclosed, “The AMP will elevate all aspects of the airport experience, while at the same time building capacities significantly. Once completed, the main passenger terminal building will have an area of 210,000 m2 and the airport overall will be able to accommodate an annual volume of 14 million passengers. There will be new check-in counters, including e-gates offering passengers more convenience and speed […]”
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HIA Received Prestigious Award
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amad International Airport (HIA) was ranked second in the Top 10 International Airports in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2017 readers' survey, following Singapore’s Changi Airport. Commenting on the ranking, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, chief operating officer, HIA, stated, “HIA is a young and ambitious airport. We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in a short period of time with a dedicated team and supportive partners. We value our passengers’ trust and recognition of our continuous effort to provide them with the best travel experience and our endeavour to remain among the leading airports in the world. The votes we received from the Travel+Leisure magazine’s readers are a testament to HIA’s commitment to providing five-star services.”
Sharjah Airport Witnesses Growth
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harjah International Airport achieved 3.29 percent growth in passenger traffic during the first nine months of the year, with 8.6 million passengers. The airport handled 3.1 million passengers in the third quarter (Q3) of the year, a 4.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2016. Aircraft movement increased to 21.02 thousand in Q3, a 3.26 percent increase compared with 20.36 thousand recorded during the same period in 2016. H.E. Ali Salim Al Midfa, chairman, Sharjah Airport Authority, said, “The positive results in terms of the number of passengers, volume of aircraft movement reflect the excellent position of Sharjah International Airport […].”
11 NOVEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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WTM London 2017 Unveils Research on Millennials
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s a session at WTM London 2017, BBC World News unveiled new research conducted on the generation born between the years 1980–1990. The particular session took place in the Inspire theatre on November 08. The study aimed to find what was distinctive about affluent millennials and their relationships with brands, media and advertising and in addition, explore the relationship with brands within the travel industry. “This year, WTM London unveiled exclusive research from Euromonitor International, Nielsen and ForwardKeys. I am delighted to be able to include BBC World News to the list. Travel companies the world over are looking to target Millennial customers and this session will help them do that,” said Charlotte Alderslade, conference and seminar manager, WTM London.
11 NOVEMBER 2017
Al Jahili Fort Hosting a Series of Cultural and Traditional Events
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rranged by the Department of Culture and Tourism, a programme of cultural and traditional events is being held at the historic Al Jahili Fort to showcase the UAE’s cultural heritage. The programme of monthly events launched with Memory of an Emirati Song on October 20. Al Jahili Fort is hosting the exhibition namely, The Trucial Scouts: Life and Times, and visitors have the chance to participate in traditional handicrafts workshops, witness police dog shows and military band performances within the fort’s courtyard. Emirati youths will be performing familiar melodies from the 50s through to the 70s while, singing the words of original Emirati poetry in monthly musical tributes.
Morocco Welcomed YSL Museum
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arrakech has recently celebrated the grand opening of a museum entirely devoted to the work of the legendary fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL). The new YSL Museum houses an important selection from the designer’s impressive collection, which comprises 5,000 items of clothing, 15,000 haute couture accessories as well as tens of thousands of sketches and assorted objects. The 4,000 m² building is designed by Studio KO and features a 400 m² permanent exhibition space where the work of Yves Saint Laurent is presented in a scenography by Christophe Martin. One of the main challenges of the museum has been the conservation of delicate couture garments and accessories created by the designer and belonging to the Pierre Bergé, YSL Foundation in Paris.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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EU Approves Financial Assistance for Jordan
Jordan
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he European Commission, on behalf of the European Union (EU) has approved the disbursement of a EUR100 million (USD117,4 million) loan to Jordan under its MacroFinancial Assistance programme, expected to take place during the course of 2018. This disbursement marks the launch of the second Macro-Financial Assistance programme for Jordan with a total worth of EUR200 million (USD235 million). The assistance is intended to strengthen the country's foreign exchange reserve position and to help Jordan meet its balance of payments and budgetary financing needs. It will also help with public finance management, the tax and social safety net systems, education and professional training, aimed at increasing employment opportunities for both Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees living in Jordan.
Oman’s Real Estate Market to Stabilise in 2018
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ccording to Cluttons, international real estate consultancies, Oman’s GDP growth is expected to rise 5.2 percent in 2018, aided by the introduction of natural gas production at the Khazzan gas field and the opening of the new airport in Muscat, marking the strongest rate of expansion since 2015. Cluttons also points to proposed changes to the Foreign Capital Investment Law as the country looks to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework to attract foreign direct investment. In addition, 10 sub-usufruct agreements have been signed between Oman Wanfang and Chinese companies for projects worth a total of USD3.2 billion within the 11.7 km2 China-Oman Industrial Park. These projects are expected to be completed in 2021.
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Boosting Tourism in Morocco
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n 2018, the Arab sector is to focus on boosting tourism in Morocco by stimulating an influx of tourists and travellers from the GCC region and the Middle East. To implement the strategy, the Morocco National Tourist Office for the Middle East and Asia, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Nirvana Travel & Tourism, launched a workshop in Marrakech for delegations comprising of more than 100 travel companies to promote tourism in Morocco within the Arab communities. It was reported that interArab tourism, would attract more than 93.3 million tourists by the end of 2023. The regional travel and tourism sector collected a revenue of USD191 billion with tourists coming to the Arab region spending USD76 billion.
11 NOVEMBER 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
DAMAC Properties Launches Vera Residences
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AMAC Properties recently announced the launch of the 30-storey Vera Residences, in the ever-popular Business Bay. Strategically placed at the epicentre of one of Dubai’s business hot-spots, the properties are in close proximity to the prestigious Downtown Dubai district offering the ultimate lifestyle for those seeking a lively community with connectivity to the city.
Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, DAMAC Properties, highlighted, “End-users will enjoy ease of travel in and around the area and enjoy major attractions and entertainment options […].Investors will also enjoy a high-yield investment, with the potential to earn up to 10 percent per annum in rental yields, considered amongst the highest in the sector.”
Nikki Beach Dubai to Host White Party
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n November 04, Nikki Beach Dubai, the modern property located on Pearl Jumeira hosted its annual White Party. Nikki Beach’s first ever White Party was launched in St. Tropez in 2002, celebrating the birthday of iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell, who set an all-white dress code for the occasion. Since then, the happening has become a signature event for Nikki Beach Worldwide, with all locations hosting annual all-white fêtes to great acclaim. This year’s event themed Circus Circus offered an opportunity to, partygoers including celebrities and special guests to enjoy an extravaganza of live performances, entertainment, gourmet cuisine, and a beat-pumping line-up of Nikki Beach Worldwide resident.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Oman to Welcome New Mövenpick Property
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eeping in line with its expansion strategy, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has inked an agreement with Oman’s Golden Group of Companies to manage the 370-key Mövenpick Hotel Muscat Airport, part of a new upscale mixed-use project under development near Muscat International Airport. Expected to be completed by 2021, the new address will feature 245 rooms and suites and 125 serviced apartments, an exclusive conference and banqueting space, one specialty restaurant, an allday dining outlet, a lobby lounge, executive lounge and a 24-hour room service. The upcoming development, together with the two already existing Mövenpick properties will capitalise on the country’s growing importance as a regional hub for business and leisure tourism, spurred by the development of new infrastructure that ranges from conference centres to cruise terminals.
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Riyadh to Welcome 11th Ramada Property
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yndham Hotel Group, Riyada International Hotels & Resorts and Concept Towers Real Estate have signed a deal to develop a new Ramada hotel in Riyadh. Expected to open in 2020, the 189-key Ramada Riyadh King Fahd Road will be managed by Riyada International Hotels & Resorts and will mark the 11th Ramada property in the country and the 18th hotel under Wyndham Hotel Group's portfolio of brands. Commenting on the upcoming property, Muhammad Al Amir, managing director, Riyada International Hotels & Resorts, stated, "Saudi Arabia is redefining its tourism and hospitality sectors under Saudi Vision 2030, which will only increase demand for internationally recognised hotel brands throughout Saudi Arabia.
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Swiss-Belhotel Expands in Saudi Arabia
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wiss Belhotel International has signed Swiss-Belhotel and Suites Jazan, which expands its portfolio in Saudi Arabia. The four-star property features 210 keys and is located in the port city of Jazan with direct access to the beach. The hotel includes 140 well-appointed rooms and 70 studios plus apartments, an array of business and lifestyle features making it the ideal address for both corporate and leisure guests. On site are four dining outlets, a ballroom and three meeting rooms, a health club with steam and sauna and a swimming pool. Among these, a key highlight is the marina and restaurant on the beach that will be exclusively dedicated for the hotel guests.
11 NOVEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS AIR Emirates Enhances Safety and Training Optimisation
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mirates is working together with Seeing Machines, an industry leader in computer vision-based technologies, to use advanced gaze tracking technology to better understand how pilots interact and monitor instruments during certain identified real-time procedures that could potentially pose safety risks. The findings will enable Emirates to enhance training for flight deck crew to prepare for a wide range of scenarios in the air. Actual training environments and scenarios are made to enhance the quality of the data collected whereby the companies used non-intrusive eye and head-tracking technology to collect gaze data from a sample of Emirates line pilots, whilst flying standard training scenarios in the carrier's flight simulators.
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Etihad Receives New Boeing
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tihad Airways has received the fourth Boeing 787-9 from Goshawk on long-term lease, with the transaction also involving an innovative structured pre-delivery payments financing facility for the four aircraft. The delivery represents the first aircraft on lease to Etihad Airways and it will be the airline’s 12th Dreamliner, planned for deployment on the Abu Dhabi-Shanghai route. Goshawk’s fleet now stands at 78 aircraft, with a focus on young, fuel- efficient jets on lease to 37 airlines in 28 countries. There are commitments in place for a further 13 aircraft scheduled to deliver this year, bringing the total fleet to over 90 aircraft.
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Qatar Airways Cargo Reaches Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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atar Airways cargo carrier launches Pittsburgh as its 13th freighter destination in the US, as the first B777 freighter arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport on October 12. The twice-weekly freighter flight takes off from Doha on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with stops at Luxembourg and Atlanta, Georgia before arriving in Pittsburgh. On the return from Pittsburgh on Thursdays and Sundays, the freighter stops at the cargo carrier’s European hub, Luxembourg, before arriving into Doha. Qatar Airways Cargo has expanded its footprint in the US with the introduction of four additional freighter destinations this year, namely. Quito, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Miami. The cargo carrier recently received its first Boeing 747-8F and 13th Boeing 777 freighter to meet its growing cargo operations.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Malaysia Further Served by Qatar Airways
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Oman Air Cargo Launched Business Transformation Platform
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s of February 06, 2018, Penang will be served three times a week from Doha, by Qatar Airways. The expansion of the airlines’ services are set to offer passengers a second gateway into Malaysia, where they can explore the exotic holiday destination. H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, commented, “Malaysia has long been one of our most sought-after destinations, and as such, we are delighted to launch a new direct service to Penang, […].”
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man Air Cargo, has launched its new 100 percent Cloud-based Cargo ERP Solution, implemented by SmartKargo, the cargo management platform for airlines. The smart and intuitive SmartKargo booking system is noted for its ease-of-use, providing web-based access for agents and employees of Oman Air with capability for customer bookings via a mobile app to follow in coming months. “I am delighted to say that the successful implementation of the Oman Air SmartKargo system has been a phenomenal success for us all. The team and support have been amazing and we look forward to leveraging latest technology in advancing our business for years to come,” said Mohammed Al Musafir, senior vice president, commercial cargo, Oman Air.
EgyptAir Receives Eighth B737-800NG
Saudia Launches Baghdad Service
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n October 30, Saudia is to launched flights from Jeddah to Baghdad, operating twice daily. Additionally, the airline expanded its operations to other Iraqi destinations including direct flights from Baghdad to King Mohammad Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in
Medina. The new flight came after Saudi budget airline Flynas recently resumed its first direct flight since 1990 from Saudi Arabia to Iraq.
Tunisair to Commence Cotonou Service
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Cotonou
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unisair plans to inaugurate Tunis-Abidjan-Cotonou-Tunis service starting December 16. The airline will operate the route twice weekly onboard an Airbus A320. Tunisair also plans to commence Accra, Douala, Khartoum, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville and N'Djamena services between this year and 2020. In order to meet the requests of today’s challenging market, the airline is adapting its destination routes. Along with improved passenger experience, this addition to the carrier’s route aims to elevate the overall quality of services across the airline’s expanding network.
s part of its strategic expansion plans, Egypt’s flag carrier, EgyptAir has purchased a new fleet deal of nine additional Boeing aircrafts, also receiving its eighth Boeing 737-800. The aircraft is the 68th in the airline’s fleet and the 28th of this type. The airline will receive the ninth Boeing 737-800 at the end of the year. Meeting the requirements of today’s challenging market, the aircraft features the latest advanced design, hailed as the most cost-efficient, reliable and capable single-aisle airplane. Along with facilitating an improved passenger experience, the jet’s addition to the carrier’s fleet aims to elevate the quality of services across the airline’s expanding network.
11 NOVEMBER 2017
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Air Mauritius Acquires A350-900
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ir Mauritius has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350900 aircraft, leased from
AerCap. The A350-900 equipped with Air Mauritius’ latest cabin products including new seats, an all-new inflight entertainment system and inflight connectivity will offer passengers unparalleled levels of comfort and convenience. This A350-900 is the first of six to be delivered to the airline. Four will be purchased directly from Airbus and two leased from AerCap. The carrier will deploy the aircraft on its expanding route network connecting Mauritius with Asia, Africa and Europe.
11 NOVEMBER 2017
INTERNATIONAL: AFRICA
Tanzania Hosts Tourism Expo
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wahili International Tourism Expo occurred in Tanzania, on October 13 – 15,at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center. The event showcased the travel possibilities in Tanzania ,within the 16 National Parks, around Mount Kilimanjaro and on the Island of Zanzibar. Conservation and sustainable tourism, as well as tropical tourism and travelling within East Africa, were additional subjects the expo expanded on. The 2016 International Visitors' Exit Survey Report indicated that Tanzania hosted at least 1,284,279 tourists in 2016, compared to 1,137,156 in 2015, which was a year-on-year increase of 12 percent. Devota Mdachi, managing director, Tanzania Tourist Board, commented on the event, “150 tourist-related institutions and companies from 13 African countries and 186 tourist agents from across the world will meet.”
South African Beaches Awarded Blue Flag
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uring a beach certification programme held at Dolphin Beach, Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, 44 beaches have obtained full Blue Flag status along with 11 sustainable boats and seven marinas, and this was applauded by Tokozile Xasa, tourism minister, Western Cape. The Western Cape has achieved the highest number of Blue Flag sites this year, with 28 of the 44 beaches, all 11 boats (tourism boats that do environmental tours and educational programmes), and six of the seven Blue Flag marinas falling in the province. This is an increase of three Blue Flag boats from the previous season, and one additional marina.
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INTERNATIONAL: AMERICAS Minnetonka Recognised for Financial Planning Excellence
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STR: Canada Hotel Occupancy Increased
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otels in Canada reported positive results in the three key performances metric during the third quarter of the year (Q3) according to data from STR. The hotel industry in the country demonstrated positive year-on-year performance with occupancy rising more than 1.8 percent reflecting 78.7 percent while ADR reached CAD137.35 (USD108.48) and RevPAR rose 7.6 percent. August was the strongest month of the quarter, in both absolute terms and year-over-year growth, for occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR. The absolute occupancy level was the highest for a Q3 in Canada since 1999. Moreover, STR analysts forecasted continued performance growth for the country with demand helped by celebrations around the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
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Delta and Virgin Atlantic Strengthen Links
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iming to optimise their joint network between the US and the UK, while also offering passengers more convenient travel options and experiences across the Atlantic, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic have announced updates to their upcoming summer schedule, effective from March, 2018. Among the highlights is the introduction of Airbus A330 aircraft on Delta Air Lines’ New York-London and Detroit-London routes, bringing onboard customer experience to a new level while also increasing seat capacity. In addition, the two carriers will optimise their schedule between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Heathrow Airport, offering eight daily services. In 2016, the joint venture connected almost five million customers on over 23 routes to over 200 destinations in the US.
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Positive Figures for Latin America Tourism
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heapOair released analytics for travel from the US origins to Hispanic destinations, finding that travel to Latin America is performing positively, with traffic up by 57 percent since 2013. Honduras and Nicaragua have seen visitor numbers up over 75 percent since 2013, while El Salvador and Guatemala saw even greater increases with numbers up 88 percent and 95 percent, respectively. The data shows that travellers to Latin America tend to take long trips, with an average stay of 19 days. It also indicates that travellers to the southernmost countries of South America including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia had an even higher average stay of 24 days.
Canada
Minnetonka
he city of Minnetonka has been recently ranked third in the Minnesota state for healthy financial planning by the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence. The report ranked the states’ 30 largest cities according to best practices in fiscal management. Minnetonka stood out in three main areas which include excellent long-term financial planning, a healthy and consistent general fund balance and a history of affordable debt. “We work very hard each year to be responsible stewards of the city’s resources. We are proud to be included near the top of this list and will continue to strive for financial excellence,” said Geralyn Barone, city manager, Minnetonka.
Royal Caribbean to Return to San Juan and St. Maarten
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oyal Caribbean International’s ongoing commitment to the Caribbean sees 10 ships resuming regular trips to the destinations of San Juan, Puerto Rico and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Having commenced November 30, Freedom of the Seas is the first trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cruise line will offer destination experiences that will allow guests to enjoy the natural beauty, historic landmarks and culture of the islands. The scheduled visits to St. Maarten will operate starting on December 17 while Oasis of the Seas, will make its first call to the island on January 01, 2018. Additionally, the global cruise line will return to St. Croix on January 08, 2018, with the arrival of Jewel of the Seas, which will sail from San Juan.
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INTERNATIONAL: ASIA PACIFIC
Sustainable Tourism and Training Boosts Skills
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he Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Sustainable Tourism Training Programme has contributed to the September - October 2017 edition of Pacific Asia Travel Association, Connected Visitor Economy Bulletin, an e-publication covering industry trends and developments in order to monitor tourism’s impacts. The programme offers practical insights and effective steps to help improve sustainability practices, with the aim of strengthening awareness of sustainable tourism in destinations around the world. This edition, Boosting Sustainability Skills, Expanding Business Opportunities, examines how tourism destinations and businesses can further develop human capital development in sustainable tourism, and why investing in people is a critical part not only of sustainability practices, but also business performance and competitiveness.
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St Kilda Pier Makeover Underway
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uilt iin 1971, St Kilda Pier in Melbourne is set to receive a makeover, enhancing the appeal of one of Melbourne’s most popular piers. Architectural firm Jackson Clement Burrows and landscape architects Site|Office have developed two designs that explore recreational and commercial boating needs, making the most of bay and city views, improving public amenities, integrating the pier with St Kilda foreshore and protecting wildlife while providing a great space for a range of visitor experiences. Chris Hardman, executive director, Parks Victoria, said, ”Renewing the pier is an exciting opportunity for this generation to write a new chapter that builds upon the unique character and rich cultural history of St Kilda Pier.”
China Viewed as Destination Trend
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n 2016, while international travel grew by about four percent, China registered a growth rate of 13 percent, further securing its position as one of the world’s most important source markets for international travel according to an analysis conducted by the World Travel Monitor and IPK International. Overall, China exceeded the Asian average outbound growth rate, which was at nearly nine percent in 2016. China welcomed 51.2 million international trips with overnights, not including trips to Macau and Hong Kong. Compared to the 2015, this portrays a 13 percent increase of international trips to China. Chinese trips to Europe declined by four percent in 2016, compared to 2015, resulting in a total of 16 percent of all Chinese outbound trips going to Europe.
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RENDEZVOUS
Tuscany; Luna restaurant named as the regional winner in the Italian Cuisine category, Country Winner in the Fine Dining Cuisine category and Best Ambiance/ Romantic Atmosphere in Kuwait.
Q & A with
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the demographics of your guests?
PETER SCHULER GENERAL MANAGER, SYMPHONY STYLE HOTEL KUWAIT
WITH THE KUWAITI GOVERNMENT PLANNING TO INVEST USD1 BILLION INTO DEVELOPING TOURISM, THE COUNTRY IS ON THE VERGE OF A TRANSFORMATION. PETER SCHULER, GENERAL MANAGER, SYMPHONY STYLE HOTEL KUWAIT, DISCUSSES WHAT KUWAIT HAS TO OFFER.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How was business in the first half of the year (H1)? PETER SCHULER: H1 has been a very good period for the Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait. We have constantly worked to stay ahead of the competition and continue to set the highest standards in hospitality and customer service. We have witnessed strong occupancy levels during challenging times. The hard work of our teams also paid off as we received The Green Key programme certification for our efforts to preserve the world’s natural resources. We were also honoured to collect three awards at the Luxury Restaurant Awards 2017, with our iconic Italian
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PETER SCHULER: Kuwait remains largely a business destination so the main source market for us remains business travellers from across the GCC. However, this year we have seen a rise in the number of leisure travellers choosing to stay with us, particularly families. That is testament to the hard work and concerted efforts we have made to attract this segment of traveller. We converted the third and fourth floors of the hotel into Kids’ and Teen Floors to improve our entertainment offering for younger guests – a first for Kuwait. The Kids’ Floor has a spacious, interactive play area, staffed by trained professionals, a cinema, games room and dedicated sleeping and dining areas, while the Teen’s Hub, which is on the fourth floor and aimed at children aged 10 and above, includes the latest video game consoles and entertainment equipment. These facilities, together with our Six Senses Spa and our suspended pool area on the second floor, range of dining outlets, ensures we are in a strong position as a preferred destination for leisure travellers. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Kuwait has a target of welcoming 440,000 visitors a year by 2025. What has been implemented to help diversify the country’s tourism industry? PETER SCHULER: Kuwait continues to diversify as a leisure destination. We are increasingly seeing a trend of tourists seeking experiential travel. More and more visitors want to experience authentic Kuwaiti and Arabian hospitality. The continued rollout of visas on arrival for nationals from a number of countries has helped increase the appeal of Kuwait as a leisure destination. Kuwait is viewed as something of a hidden gem in terms of tourism but has a number of sites that are easily accessible, from museums to Kuwait Towers, which is a cultural and tourism landmark that perfectly represents the country’s progressive and economic reawakening. Liberation Tower is also a popular attraction for obvious reasons and is a poignant reminder of how the country has progressed. Kuwait also
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has a number of islands off its coastline that are known as havens of relaxation. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How is your property working to attract visitors to Kuwait? PETER SCHULER: We have been very considerate in ensuring that we have the facilities and services that cater to all of our guests, including the availability of connecting rooms, and we consistently strive to exceed customer expectations. We also pay particular attention to the growing trend of experiential travel. Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait is designed to reflect the local Kuwaiti culture and this is what makes us unique in our offerings. Our commitment to offering an authentic Kuwaiti experience extends to the creation of Bait Al Dimnah, a lounge in the hotel’s lobby area dedicated to showcasing Kuwaiti culture and traditions. Visualised and realised by talented Kuwaiti nationals working within the hotel, Bait Al Dimnah is styled on a traditional Kuwaiti home and featuring artefacts and artworks depicting the country’s past. We are also part of the Quorvos Collection app, which enables travellers to book their stay and interact with us on the go. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: In your opinion, what more can be done to grow Kuwait’s tourism industry? PETER SCHULER: In a challenging climate and a tough industry, it is important to be innovative to keep attracting visitors. Having the ability to offer guests an authentic experience is crucial to retaining that loyalty in the hope that those guests will then pass on the positive message to others. As diversification continues Kuwait will continue to offer a valued proposition for tourists.
Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Etihad Launches Fikra Project
WTTC Embraces Sustainability
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he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) called on travel and tourism companies to measure, monitor and report their sustainability impact as it launches new guidance on environmental and social governance for the travel and tourism sector. The report covers latest trends in sustainability including which governments and stock exchanges are mandating such reports, and how companies are refining the information to be more engaging for audiences. It also includes a 12-step guide to reporting and specific guidance on how to report on the issues of climate change, community, energy and many more. Gloria Guevara, president, WTTC, said, “WTTC’s Global Summit earlier this year focused on how our sector can contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
Abu Dhabi
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tihad Aviation Group (EAG) has launched its Fikra University project for this year, a competition which aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation with students across the UAE. For this second edition of the project, EAG will be partnering with Abu Dhabi Airports in order to offer a more expansive aviation competition. Students will have the opportunity to put forward solutions for a range of challenges set by both EAG and Abu Dhabi Airports related to the travel and tourism industry. Wissam Hachem, vice president, learning and development, EAG, said, “Fikra University is yet another great example of Etihad’s commitment to empowering youth and fostering a culture of innovation.”
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InterContinental Jordan Wins Medals
nterContinental Jordan Hotel participated in the Horeca 2017 exhibition, in Amman. The property and its team stayed abreast on the latest trends and innovations that were showcased and discussed during the exhibition, where they were also honoured by winning 13 golden, silver, and bronze medals in several categories. Two of the golden medals were awarded for Mahmoud Al Doqos, chef, for the best plated desert and the other one for Amjad Yaseen, chef, in the seafood competition. The Horeca exhibition takes place annually and covers the food and beverage services and the hospitality sectors from Jordan and the whole region.
Qatar Airways Joins USAID
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atar Airways joined United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in a concerted response to combat wildlife crime across transportation networks. As a partner in the USAID Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES) Partnership, the airline increased its commitment as a signatory to the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce Buckingham Palace Declaration to protect endangered species from illegal trade and transportation. Alongside ROUTES, Qatar Airways will help raise awareness and build capacity with its staff and strengthen solutions to help stop the trafficking of wildlife. H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, said, “We have a prominent position in establishing industry solutions to global threats, such as the illegal transportation of endangered wildlife.”
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Gulf Air Showcases Bahrain
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Expo 2020 Dubai Launches Volunteering Opportunities
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xpo 2020 Dubai launches its search for more than 30,000 volunteers who will be the face of the largest global gathering ever to be staged in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. The volunteers will play a crucial role in Expo 2020, building on the UAE’s global tradition of hospitality by welcoming up to 25 million visits during the six-month event. H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, director general, Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, said, “Expo 2020 is a global event for everyone to learn, innovate, create, and have fun by sharing ideas and working together and we are proud to include opportunities for more than 30,000 volunteers from any age, nationality or background, reflecting the diversity of our Expo and our nation.”
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
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ahrain gave a number of Russian lifestyle and travel media representatives the opportunity to visit and explore Bahrain with a familiarisation trip jointly hosted by Gulf Air and Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. During the visit, media representatives experienced the airline’s latest products, including its dedicated Falcon Gold Lounge in Bahrain International Airport, visited various local attractions around the country, while enjoying Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay’s accommodation and dining options. Boasting one of the largest regional networks with multiple daily flights to over 10 cities across the Middle East, Gulf Air is well-positioned to facilitate two way movement between Europe, Asia and several key destinations in the Middle East and North Africa.
Ramada Ajman Supports Charity
Carlson Rezidor Reaches Out to the Community
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ow in its 14th year, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Groups’ hotels and corporate offices around the globe organised over 1,200 activities in their local communities and raised a total of USD429 thousand and in-kind donations of USD945 thousand for their global partners and other local charities, through its Responsible Business Action Month activities. September is the month when the hotels and corporate offices collectively reach out to the community, supporting those in need and contributing to our global charity partners. “During September, we make every moment matter by creating a positive impact on local communities through fundraising activities, donations and enthusiastic volunteering by our hotel teams around the globe,” said Inge Huijbrechts, global vice president, responsible business, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
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Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman
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amada Hotel & Suites Ajman marked the annual World Food Day by reaching out to Human Appeal International UAE. The hotel donated excess food from its buffet, which will be distributed by the charity organisation to labour camps and underprivileged families. Commenting on the initiative, Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, commented, “We are fortunate to live in the UAE, and to have the ability to share our blessings to our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Every time you think of wasting food, think of the millions of people who go hungry. In addition, the unnecessary amount of food waste has adverse effects on the environment and this is also a cause that we relevantly address.”
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Etihad Airways launched a competition to engage four young Emirati fashion designers to create new onboard loungewear
dnata Travel was presented with the prestigious UAE’s Leading Travel Agency accolade for the fourth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Dubai Airports hosted an interactive session by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding to provide an insight into Emirati culture for its employees
Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
In celebration of its fourth gateway into Eastern Europe and its inaugural service to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar Airways hosted a press conference at Hotel Bristol
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award concluded the evaluation process for its twelfth edition
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NEWS & EVENTS
UAE Sets Example for Accessibility Initiatives
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he UAE sets exemplary standards through its efforts to become the world’s friendliest place for the disabled, according to representatives of disability centres in the GCC. GCC experts will participated in the second edition of AccessAbilities Expo, in November 07 – 09, which had a strong representation from the region including more than 40 centres from the UAE and GCC. Over 110 exhibitors from different countries including the UK, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, China, and South Korea, who will present the world’s latest assistive technology, aimed at benefitting over 50 million people with disabilities across the Middle East.
OCEC Celebrated First Year of Business
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EVENTS TTR ROMANIAN TOURISM FAIR II Bucharest, Romania November 16–19 www.tradefairdates.com Visitors can find in depth and comprehensive information here about the latest developments, trends, products and services in various fields.
TT Warsaw Int'l Travel Show Warsaw, Poland November 23–25 www.tradefairdates.com Visitors will find destinations and attractions in different locations and for different seasons.
ITW ABU DHABI (International Travel Week) Abu Dhabi, UAE November 25-26, 2017 www.itwabudhabi.com ITW Abu Dhabi is the world’s only dedicated Muslim majority travel event.
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man Conventions and Exhibitions Centre (OCEC) celebrated on October 10 its first year of business. Having welcomed more than 750,000 visitors since 2016, the iconic venue plays a key role in boosting Oman’s local economy. In December, OCEC will feature its first international events including Airport Council International’s Airport Exchange 2017, which will be coincide with the anticipated opening of the new Muscat International Airport, bringing the world’s airport community to the Gulf region. This will be closely followed by the second World Tourism Organization / UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture, which places Oman’s rich heritage in the world’s spotlight as over 65 ministers from around the globe have confirmed their attendance.
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IBTM Barcelona, Spain November 28–30 www.ibtmworld.com ibtm world delivers inspirational days of business, networking and education to a community of international suppliers and buyers.
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