9 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 422
Enjoy the feastive season with up-to-date travel trade daily news
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9 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 422
04 TECHNOLOGY
DIGITAL REVOLUTION CHANGES MENA TRAVEL INDUSTRY
05
INDIAN OUTBOUND MARKET TO GCC TO INCREASE
08
OMRAN ESTABLISHES CROWNE PLAZA MUSCAT OCEC HOTEL
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
ALDAR PROPERTIES DELIVERS STRONG PERFORMANCE
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
Aldar Properties announced its financial results for the third quarter (Q3) of this year, which show a strong performance across the business.
PRESS Efi Rousi Maria Angelica Constantinou Athena Karsera Yiazou CONTRIBUTOR Dominique Christou DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515, neil@globetm.com Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of 7.12.2017
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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
115.21
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.83
Iran (IRR)
Rial
35,307
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,196.50
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,511.13
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.46
Syria (SYP)
Pound
515.01
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.49
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.18
Aldar Properties headquarters
D
uring Q3, the company launched its AED2.4 billion (USD653 million), 2,255 home master-plan development, Water's Edge, on the waterfront of Yas Island. The first phase was launched at Cityscape Global in September and fully sold in a matter of days. Sales of homes at Water's Edge, West Yas, as well a land plot sale, took the total value of development sales during Q3 to AED604 million (USD164.4 million). Residential portfolio occupancy increased to 91 percent, while occupancy was stable in the office portfolio at 92 percent and at Yas Mall, which remained steady at 93 percent.
BAHRAIN CINEMA COMPANY ANNOUNCES RECORD PROFIT Bahrain Cinema Company announced a record net profit of USD99 million for the nine months period ending in September this year.
T Fakhro
he increase in net profit is due to the 50 percent sale of City Centre Cinema location assets for the amount of USD51.7 million. The resultant fair value increased due to revaluation of the remaining 50 percent of the assets of the cinema. Esam Abdulla Fakhro, chairman, board, Bahrain Cinema Company, said, “At Bahrain Cinema Company, we pride ourselves on the exponential level of growth we have maintained thus far through the constant provision of the highest standards of quality in entertainment [...]”
9 DECEMBER 2017
AGENTS
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My Holidays Signs Agreement with Travelport Travelport has announced a new agreement with My Holidays, in association with Regency Travel and Tours, one of the pioneering travel agencies in Qatar.
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nder the agreement, My Holidays will utilise Travelports open platform and Universal API technology to connect to the widest choice of content to quickly respond to customers needs by providing the personalised travel experiences that the connected digital traveller of today demands. Travelports Universal API aggregates content from an array of sources including over 400 airlines and 650,000 unique hotel properties, and enables travel providers such as My Holidays to increase attachment rates and deliver tailor-made travel solutions. “Travelports industry-leading technology will enable us to benefit from intelligent, fast and accurate searching beyond just rate and availability when creating trips for our discerning customers,� said Ibrahim Hassan Al-Asmakh, president, Regency Group Holdings.
Expedia Vacation Deprivation Report Revealed
TripAdvisor Announces Popular Southern Attractions
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xpedia released its Vacation Deprivation report for this year, an annual study that looks at the vacation habits of more than 30,000 working adults across 30 countries, revealing that Americans are struggling to use their vacation time. Millennials are the most vacation deprived age group and receive the least vacation time, while half of workers in the US report feeling vacation deprived, and will fail to use approximately 462 million vacation days. The primary reasons cited for not taking time off is, the desire to save up vacation days for a longer holiday and not being able to get away from work. Expedia hopes this report will serve as a friendly reminder to Americans to make the time to take their holidays. 9 DECEMBER 2017
ripAdvisor announced the results of its Seasonal Attractions Trend Index providing travellers with insights into the most popular attractions for autumn, based on year-overyear search activity on its website. The seasonal index reveals the top 25 US attractions with the greatest increase in traveller interest, offering inspiration and highlighting activities and tours that can be booked to get the most out of any upcoming trip. Amongst the most popular attractions were, the Grand Canyon with a 45 percent traffic increase, followed by Ryman Auditorium with an increase of 25 percent, and Chapel of the Holy Cross with traffic increasing by 21 percent. “TripAdvisor Attractions data shows that travellers have a strong interest in historic attractions this season, as well as continued interest in southern nature and structures," said Brooke Ferencsik, senior director, communications, TripAdvisor.
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TECHNOLOGY
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Digital Revolution Changes MENA Travel Industry THE REVOLUTION OF INTERNET AND MOBILE TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE WAY CONSUMERS PLAN AND BOOK TRIPS, INCLUDING RESIDENTS OF GCC COUNTRIES.
TravelClick’s Q4Data on North American Hoteliers
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ravel segments are seeing a noticeable increase across the board in both average daily rates and occupancy, up 1.4 percent and 3.9 percent respectively, during the fourth quarter (Q4) of this year, according to new data from TravelClick’s November North American Hospitality Review. Hoteliers are also experiencing a particularly strong uptick when it comes to bookings for both the group and transient leisure segments, up 5.5 percent and 4.3 percent respectively – largely a result of favourable economic trends, coupled with an increase in holiday travel this year. Additionally, ADR is up 1.9 percent for group travel and 0.5 percent for transient leisure travel overall. “This last quarter has given hoteliers much promise heading into the new year, especially considering the inconsistent market that we experienced throughout most of 2017,” said John Hach, senior industry analyst, TravelClick.
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ego was the first to enter the MENA region by launching fully localised services to meet the needs of a new generation of travellers wanting to shop for and book flights and hotels on their smartphones. “The response from GCC countries to Wego’s fully Arabised websites and mobile apps has been overwhelming,” said Mamoun Hmedan, managing director, MENA and India, Wego. He added, “Wego has grown rapidly to become the most popular and trusted travel search service in the region with over 10 million monthly visits.”
American Express Launches Amex Advance
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merican Express announced the launch of Amex Advance, which harnesses industry-leading machine learning techniques to deliver personalisation services that help marketers customise target audiences, personalise customer experiences and measure their own marketing effectiveness. The Amex Advance platform allows for the secure analysis of American Express closed-loop transaction data alongside partner data and publicly
available consumer data in order to develop insights about the future buying behaviours of a desired audience within the US population. “American Express’ understanding of the shopping behaviours leading up to everyday and significant life moments can help us predict a consumer’s intent to purchase a broad range of products and services,” said Marc Ginsberg, vice president, Amex Advance.
9 DECEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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ATM India stand
Indian Outbound Market to GCC to Increase Reports from the World Tourism Organization suggest that the outbound Indian travel market will grow to 50 million by 2021.
9 DECEMBER 2017
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round nine million Indians are expected to travel to the GCC region by 2021, according to the latest figures from Colliers International, as destinations throughout the Middle East prepare to showcase their latest offerings at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) from April 22 – 25, 2018. The statistics reveal India is among the top 12 source markets globally that showed double digit growth in expenditure in 2016, visitor spend reached a total of USD23.1 billion in 2016, with an increase of 15.1 percent year-on-year. India remains top spot on Dubai's list of source markets for inbound tourism.
Sharjah Media City Attends Global Business Forum
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erving as a networking platform and an opportunity to meet investors and media professionals, Sharjah Media City joined Shurooq and its investment arm in the Global Business Forum in Canada. H.E. Khalid Omar Al Midfa, chairman, Sharjah Media City, stressed the commitment to establish and strengthen partnerships with entities and institutions within the UAE and abroad, to help achieve the common goals related to the emirate’s progress. “This effort is aimed at contributing to the economic strategy adopted by the Government of Sharjah to diversify sources of income, build a stable knowledge-based economy, and invest in media [...]” said Al Midfa.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Old Markets Committee Plans for Development
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Manama Souq project meeting
ADFD Inspects Progress of Airport Modernisation Programme
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ahrain Airport Company, the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport, received a delegation on an inspection visit from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) of the Airport Modernisation Programme. The delegation focused on the progress of the USD1.1 billion programme, which aims to elevate all aspects of the airport experience and build its 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. “This is one of our most important projects as its successful execution will redefine key aspects of the travel experience in the Kingdom. [...],” said Rashed Al Kaabi, director, investment, ADFD.
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E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Khalid Rashid Al Zayani, head, Old Market Committee, held a meeting at the Bahrain Chamber of Commence and Industry (BCCI) to discuss the latest developments on the old Manama Souq project. During the meeting, several topics were discussed which included the grants provided and the budget for the development of Manama Souq’s main facilities and services, which will be presented to BCCI’s board of directors. They also discussed launching Manama Souq’s website, installing signage boards and incubators in a designated area for innovative crafts. “It is our pleasure to witness the joint cooperation between all concerned governmental and private bodies in order to achieve the objectives of the project and its overall success,” said Al Khalifa.
HalalBooking.com Showcases Antalya
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alalBooking.com organised an international familiarisation trip for 28 travel agents, from 10 different countries, to Turkey’s popular Antalya region. With 20 halal-friendly hotels in the area, this is widely regarded as the world’s leading destination for halal-conscious holidaymakers. HalalBooking organises familiarisation trips twice a year, and this is its third year of running the programme. Ufuk Secgin, chief marketing officer, HalalBooking, said, “This was a great opportunity to show our affiliate agency partners what halal-friendly travel is all about. Turkey boasts some of the world’s leading halal-friendly hotels and resorts, so it was wonderful for them to experience at first-hand the service and facilities which they will be selling to their guests.”
Antalya
9 DECEMBER 2017
ACCOMMODATION
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Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC
Omran Establishes Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC Hotel Omran, has launched the first hotel within the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) zone. Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC has opened its doors, providing accommodation for business and leisure travellers.
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ituated in Madinat Al Irfan, the 296-room property boasts extensive meeting and event facilities. With a dedicated events team, a ballroom, and executive lounges, the hotel caters for the needs of each and every business traveller. There are also five food and beverage outlets for guests to enjoy, including a rooftop restaurant showcasing views of Muscat. “Developed to align with Oman’s vision to strengthen and diversify the national economy, the OCEC project aims to accelerate the capacity, scope and potential of the tourism sector in the Sultanate,” said Peter Walichnowski, CEO, Omran.
Mövenpick's Egypt Growth
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övenpick Hotels & Resorts is cementing its presence in Egypt, revealing plans to operate a new coastal resort property on Egypt’s north coast. Scheduled for completion in 2020, Mövenpick Hotel & Residences, North Coast, Egypt, will feature one all-day dining and one specialty restaurant, a café and snack bar, a beach grill, one banquet hall and three meeting rooms. The 300-key resort will also offer an array of leisure options including a fitness and spa facility, large swimming pool, kids’ clubs and water-play attractions, and several amenities and activities aligned to the Mövenpick Family Programme.
9 DECEMBER 2017
ACCOMMODATION
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Cairo
IHG’s First Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cairo
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of Crowne Plaza Cairo Sheikh Zayed City in partnership with Al Badr for Investments and Commercial Spaces Company. Expected to open in 2021, the 187-room property will be suitable for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel includes three meeting rooms, a business centre along with an outdoor pool, club lounge, a spa and three
food and beverage outlets. Rajit Sukumaran, chief development officer, Asia, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said, “The latest addition to our portfolio in Cairo underscores our commitment to the market and our overall expansion plan in MENA. The total number of Crowne Plaza hotels in MENA is set to grow over the next three to five years with eight Crowne Plaza hotels in our development pipeline.”
Cristal Group Expands Presence in Saudi Arabia
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ristal Group has entered into a management agreement with Bayat Company for hotel services to operate Bayat Suites by Cristal, the 47-keys property in the city of Muhayil in Asir region. Expected to open in December, Bayat Suites by Cristal will offer guests a choice of two- or three-bedroom units. The suites will range between 62 m2 and 121 m2 in size, with fully fitted kitchens, working desks in every room, a dining table and bathroom amenities. To assist guests will be a reception, concierge desk and a lobby café for guests to unwind. Kamal Fakhoury, CEO, Cristal Group, stated, “[...] Bayat Suites by Cristal will be well placed to meet the needs of modern travellers who want convenient, fuss-free, affordable accommodation. The hotel will offer its guests everything they need and more when it matters most.”
Bayat Suites by Cristal
9 DECEMBER 2017
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AIR Emirates Places Order for 40 Boeing 787
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uring the Dubai Airshow, on November 12 - 16, Emirates, announced a USD15.1 billion commitment for 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. Emirates’ agreement includes conversion rights to switch the aircraft to Boeing B787-9s, offering the airline additional flexibility for its future fleet and global network. The Dreamliners will be delivered in a mix of two- and three-cabin class configurations, seating between 240 and 330 passengers and will be delivered in phases from 2022 onwards. H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Emirates, commented, “Emirates’ orders today will be delivered from 2022, taking the airline well into the 2030s.”
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Qatar Airways Cargo Launches Freighter Service to Yangon
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atar Airways Cargo has inaugurated a direct freighter service to Yangon, Myanmar. The Doha-Yangon-Doha route is served oncea-week with the Airbus A330 freighter, providing more than 60 tonnes of cargo capacity each way. “We are delighted to launch our eighth freighter destination for [this year], in line with our strategic expansion to our network and fleet. Since the country’s liberalisation, Myanmar has had the fastest-growing economy in the ASEAN region, and foreign investment in local trade has seen tremendous growth,” said Guillaume Halleux, chief officer cargo, Qatar Airways.
Yangon
Oman Air Adds to Duqm Route
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n response to growing demand, Oman Air has increased its frequency from Muscat to the port town of Duqm. Flights have increased in the winter schedule which came into effect on October 29. The airline now operates six flights a week on its Boeing B737-800 aircraft, instead of the five that it operated during the summer. Duqm is an industrial port town of great commercial importance, which has experienced vast development since 2008. As a special economic zone, it attracts investors from around the world. Oman Air strives to accommodate guests and is delighted to respond to additional demand by increasing the number of flights to the important town of Duqm.
9 DECEMBER 2017
AIR
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Oman Air Signs Agreement with Thales
Gulf Air Selects Honeywell to Power its Fleet
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man Air signed an agreement with Thales on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow, to equip its Boeing B737 MAX fleet for developing its inflight entertainment systems. The two companies share more than a decade long relationship, where they worked together to fulfil the goal of development of in-flight entertainment systems for the entire fleet of A330s, B737s, B787s and E175s. The airlines has introduced AVANT, an open, android-based platform, which is equipped with high capacity servers, featuring lightweight and full high definition monitors for incredible viewing angles. The system uses a modern industrial design and offers a customisable passenger experience with the latest applications available on the consumer market.
Etihad Airways Swiss Flights Become All-Boeing 787 Dreamliner Services
From left: Randy Anderson, president, Honeywell and Al Alawi
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oneywell and Gulf Air have signed an agreement that sees the airline purchase Honeywell Auxiliary Power Units (APU) for its new, incoming fleet of 29 Airbus 320/321neo aircraft. Under the agreement, Honeywell will also provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services helping Gulf Air achieve greater cost predictability for future maintenance while reducing expenses when unexpected servicing is required. “We are moving in the right direction, and with Honeywell’s APUs and the accompanying maintenance service agreement, we are better able to focus on providing our passengers with the performance and reliability they deserve,” said Waleed Abdulhameed Al Alawi, deputy CEO, Gulf Air.
tihad Airways flights to and from Switzerland will become an allBoeing 787 Dreamliner operation with the aircraft being deployed on the Abu Dhabi ¬- Geneva route, effective March 25, 2018. The Dreamliner flights to Geneva will complement the airlines existing Boeing B787 Dreamliner scheduled services connecting Abu Dhabi and Zurich, becoming the fifth European city to be served by the carriers growing fleet of next generation aircraft. The introduction of the Boeing B787 Dreamliner will also see a scheduling change that will continue to provide attractive timings for customers travelling. Peter Baumgartner, CEO, Etihad Airways, said, “With another of Etihad Airways popular European destina-
Geneva
tions joining our Boeing B787 Dreamliner network, we are giving more guests the opportunity to experience our next generation aircraft. The Geneva services cater to business and leisure travellers in Abu Dhabi and Switzerlands second largest city [...].”
Jazeera Airways Connects Kuwait with Hyderabad
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n November 19, Jazeera Airways began operating daily flights to Hyderabad from Kuwait. Kochi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad will follow in early 2018 as the airline expands its network to serve the Indian subcontinent, targeting the nearly one million Indian nationals resid-
9 DECEMBER 2017
ing in Kuwait. Rohit Ramachandran, CEO, Jazeera Airways, said, “We are delighted to start with Hyderabad, a 400-year old city and a technology hub, bringing more choice to Indian travellers, connecting them to Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Bahrain and Dubai [...].”
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INTERNATIONAL
Velana International Airport Deploys Amadeus
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elana International Airport has deployed Amadeus’ airport management solutions, as a result of an anticipated increase in the number of travellers and to future-proof its business. Amadeus Airport Operational Database will host, manage, and disseminate complex flight-related information and provide complete visibility of flight schedules up to 365 days ahead to forecast passenger and baggage demand. The airport has also implemented Amadeus Airport Fixed Resource Management Solution which allows it to determine the best resource allocation against its flight schedule. Adil Moosa, managing director, Maldives Airports Company, said, “The recent change in our name to Velana International Airport signifies new beginnings, with new infrastructure developments for the future and we have started by transforming our technology [...].”
Marriott International Expands in Africa
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arriott International and Landmark Africa Group announced the signing of Renaissance Lagos Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments. Scheduled to open in 2020 in Lagos, the 25 floor hotel will feature the 216 room full service Renaissance Lagos Hotel and 44room Marriott Executive Apartments offering extended stay apartments. The property will offer other amenities, including local and international restaurants, spa facilities, a fitness centre, and pool with access to a 100 m long boardwalk offering water sports.
Victoria Island, Lagos
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South African Parks on Google Street View
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team of nature-loving South Africans in partnership with Google Street View and South African Tourism have released a collection of 360-degree imagery of the country’s wildest areas. The announcement of 170 new trails in South Africa’s national parks and reserves follows on from The Mzansi Experience launched in March 2016, which showcased prominent tourist attractions such as Kruger National Park, Table Mountain and Cape Point, amongst others. More than 200 South African volunteers from across the country were involved in the month-long project. The new trails extend the existing street view imagery to include all 19 national parks and 17 previously un-trekked nature reserves. Additionally, seven of South Africa’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites are now waiting to be experienced.
New Maputo Bridge Offers Accessibility
Boom Reported in Namibia Tourism
NAS Partners with #VisaFreeAfrica
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he longest suspension bridge in Africa is under construction in Mozambique, and will link the capital Maputo with the Catembe district; dramatically reducing travel times between the capital and some of the country’s tourism destinations. Currently, travelling between Maputo and Catembe, is only accessible by ferry which frequently breaks down, causing delays. Two main roads are also under construction, one measuring 120 km, which will link Catembe to Ponta do Ouro and the other measuring 65 km, goes to Bela Vista, which is half way between Catembe and Ponta do Ouro. The bridge was funded by the Bank of China, costing around USD725 million and will undergo an urbanisation project.
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AFRICA
peaking at the launch of the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) congress, which also marked its 30th anniversary, Shepherd Chinhoi, chairperson, HAN, noted that Namibian tourism has seen enormous growth, despite other industries experiencing a downward trajectory. The world tourism report showed that the global tourism industry was expected to grow by four percent yearly until 2020.
igali Global Shapers has partnered with National Aviation Services (NAS), to sponsor #VisaFreeAfrica, a global campaign to facilitate mobility in Africa. For the past 30 years, the African Union has attempted to address free movement on the continent. The Agenda 2063 plan to introduce a common African passport by 2020 is in motion but African citizens still need visas to travel to 42 out of 54 African countries. The campaign, launched by the Kigali Global Shapers during the World Economic Forum for Africa in 2016, includes a global petition that calls for all 54 African countries to grant a 30-day visa on arrival to all African citizens by 2022 and achieve free movement of people across all African countries by 2030.
9 DECEMBER 2017
AMERICAS
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GatorWorld Parks Opens in Florida
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new tourist attraction has opened in Florida on October 09, namely GatorWorld. The six ha attraction features a drive through where visitors have prime viewing of more than 400 alligators in their natural habitat. At the end of the drive-through course, visitors can feed alligators from a raised platform and explore the petting zoo. “We are thrilled to open this unique adventure park that we have specifically designed to showcase one of Florida’s unique wonders – that of seeing and engaging with alligators in a real-life setting,” explained Don Buckner, developer, GatorWorld Parks.
9 DECEMBER 2017
New Mexico True Heroes Announced
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usana Martinez, governor, New Mexico announced this year’s New Mexico True Heroes; five New Mexicans devoted to making the state a better place to live, work and raise a family. The winners were Donovan Smith who helps the homeless by making and donating more than 12,000 soaps to homeless shelters, Gwendolyn Winnie Keller, who turns birthday parties into fundraisers, Mike and Debbie Torres who help special needs children, and Jamar Cotton, deputy, Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department, who spends countless hours volunteering his time and resources while he is off duty. “Our New Mexico True Heroes [this year] are leaders in their communities and work hard day in and day out to make our state a wonderful place to call home,” said Martinez.
INTERNATIONAL
Expedition Foodie AZ to Showcase Restaurants
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he Arizona Office of Tourism partnered with Arizona Restaurant Association to launch a website called Expedition Foodie AZ. The site can be compared to Yelp but is based on Arizona restaurants where users will have options such as picking restaurants from all over the state, plan a roadtrip to try some of the places and recommend their local restaurant to be featured. Local business owners can also submit their restaurant to be considered. Expedition Foodie features all local writers and local photographers.
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INTERNATIONAL
ASIA PACIFIC
AVANI Metropolis Auckland Residences Debuts
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VANI Hotels & Resorts has made its first foray into New Zealand, with the opening of AVANI Metropolis Auckland Residences, The new-look property presents a 39-storey city retreat suited to both business and leisure guests. Featuring views across Albert Park, Auckland Harbour, Princes Wharf and the urban city, the property features spacious lounge and dining areas, fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, grocery delivery services and an array of high-tech comforts. In addition, the hotel offers a 22 m heated indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, sauna and a fitness centre.
Colombo to Welcome New Amari Hotel
Moxy OpensTwo Hotels in Japan
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Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho
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yatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of the locally inspired boutique hotel, Andaz Singapore, the first Andaz hotel to open in Southeast Asia. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Changi Airport and only a five-minute drive to Singapore’s Central Business District. Andaz Singapore houses 342 contemporary guestrooms, including 26 suites, and guests can enjoy a complimentary minibar, Wi-Fi and all-day complimentary refreshments at Sunroom. Alley, brings Singapore street dining to hotel guests by offering seven alleyway shop houses on one floor, including the restaurants Smoke & Pepper, Auntie’s Wok & Steam, Icehaus, Mr Stork and a rooftop bar.
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts Expands
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nterContinental Hotels Group has signed a management agreement with Quantum Hi-Tech Group to develop the largest hotel in Fiji. Set to open in 2020, Crowne Plaza Fiji Wiloaloa Beach will include 453 rooms, with direct access to the beach and located a few minutes drive from Fiji’s main airport, Nadi International Airport. Guests can choose to relax and dine at any of the five restaurants and bar at the resort, including a pool bar and a beach club. The resort will also feature one of the largest conference centres on the island, a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre, two swimming pools and a kid’s club, among other exclusive resort facilities.
Andaz Singapore's First Hotel in Southeast Asia
arriott International announced the openings of Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho and Moxy Osaka Honmachi. The 205-room Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho features the brand’s industrial-chic DNA with exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors and fun collaborative spaces, while Moxy Osaka Honmachi 155-room hotel is a playground for modern urban explorers. The hotels’ 24/7 self-service grab-and-go concept, Moxy Pickups, has an array of food options and the bar serves up Moxy’s signature cocktails, alongside other options.
NYX Hospitality Group will launch a brand-new Amari hotel in the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo. Aiming to be completed in mid-2019, the 24-storey property will offer 180 rooms and suites along with signature Amari features including Ahara Gourmet Gallery, Breeze Spa and Voyager Lounge. Other highlights include a rooftop pool, bar and recreation centre, and an elevated Thai specialty restaurant.
IHG to Introduce Largest Hotel in Fiji
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Le Méridien Seoul
e Méridien Hotels & Resorts marked a milestone with the grand opening of Le Méridien Seoul, the brand’s first hotel in Korea. The 336room hotel draws inspiration from both the brands Parisian origin and the traditional and modern aesthetic of Korean design. Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts showcases the M Contemporary Art Centre with a total of 1,157 m2 showcasing three exhibition venues, as well as an array of dining options such as Café Mid-Century and Chef’s Palette which are Korean-influenced restaurants, and Elements and Lab24 which feature a diverse Asian cuisine.
9 DECEMBER 2017
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Capital Airlines Touches Down at Sydney Airport
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ith eight airlines serving 15 mainland Chinese cities, Sydney Airport has welcomed the inaugural arrival of Capital Airlines, which has launched a new Qingdao – Sydney route. The new service will operate four times weekly on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 222 seats, adding 92,000 seats annually. “As a world leading airport for Chinese longhaul distance routes, we are very proud to welcome this new airline and new route. We are thrilled that Capital Airlines’ new service is expected to bring an additional 24,000 Chinese visitors annually and generate AUD100 million (USD77 million) [...],” said Kerrie Mather, CEO, Sydney Airport.
ASISA PACIFIC
Changi Airport Terminal 4 Starts Operations
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hangi Airport’s inaugurated Terminal 4, welcoming passengers of Cathay Pacific and Korean Air. Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong was the first flight to arrive at the new terminal. Its passengers were welcomed with orchids and goodie bags as they stepped into the terminal. Passengers departing on the first departure flight CX650, bound for Hong Kong, were also treated to local delights, games and activities at the G19 boarding gate area. Commenting on the launch, Tan Lye Teck, executive vice president, airport management, Changi Airport, said, “After five years in the making, we are very happy to commence operations at Terminal 4.
INTERNATIONAL
New Kaikoura Marina Marks New Start
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aikoura tourism operators are celebrating the opening of their new Kaikoura Marina, a year after a massive earthquake rocked the town. For wildlife tourism specialists Whale Watch Kaikoura and Encounter Kaikoura, the multi-million dollar marina provides improved facilities and a return to their pre-earthquake summer operating schedules. The marina opening comes just a month before the anticipated reopening of the main north-south highway linking Kaikoura with Marlborough to the north and the ferries between New Zealand’s North and South islands.
Tourism Australia Extends Partnership with Garuda Indonesia
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ourism Australia and Garuda Indonesia have extended their partnership to continue promoting travel to Australia in 2017-2018. The last phase of the partnership in 2016-2017 saw major growth in passenger loads to Australia making it one of the airlines’ most promising international markets. The partnership will continue to focus on showcasing new Australian holiday experiences to Indonesian travellers via the airline’s gateways of Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Indonesia is currently one of Australia’s fastest growing markets, recording a 17 percent increase in visitors for August. Meeting the requirements of today’s challenging market, Tourism Australia and Garuda Indonesia aim to elevate the quality of services across the destinations expanding network.
9 DECEMBER 2017
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RENDEZVOUS
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WITH TOURISM BEING A CENTRAL PILLAR OF DUBAI’S ECONOMIC GROWTH, THE EMIRATE IS EXPECTED TO FURTHER LEVERAGE THE SECTOR BY BROADENING ITS OFFERING. SAMIR HAMADEH, GENERAL MANAGER, ALPHA DESTINATION MANAGEMENT, REVEALS HOW THE COMPANY’S NEW MARKETING APPROACH SHOWCASES DUBAI TO A WIDER AUDIENCE.
Q&A with Samir Hamadeh GENERAL MANAGER, ALPHA DESTINATION MANAGEMENT
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How successful has the first half of the year been (H1) and what are the demographics of travellers who visited Dubai? SAMIR HAMADEH: H1 has been positive due to the fact that we have expanded our client portfolio and have been successful in signing some significant new contracts. We have done our best to be creative by focusing on attractions and experiences to get more customers to the destination. We also had a positive impact on business from a strong EUR exchange rate but the softening of UK pound has not helped traffic into the destination. Being one of the leading destination management companies, Alpha Destination Management, has been catering to a wide mix of visitors in terms of demographics including international travellers looking for authentic, curated experiences with value-added packages. Our aim is to meet the expectations of both regional and international travellers. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing identified increasing the number of repeat visits as one of three key objectives in its Tourism Vision 2020. What is being done across the emirate to achieve this? SAMIR HAMADEH: Dubai continues to impress both residents and visitors with a tourism product that never ceases to evolve. The emirate is becoming a major attractions’ hub and is quickly maturing as a destination that one can return to over and over again – and still have an experience that is just as amazing, just as surprising, just as fulfilling as the first time.
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It is a place where you can continue to experience that joy of discovery no matter how many times you have been here or how many things you have seen. Being in Dubai is always fun. The recent addition of 17 new leisure attractions, strong year-round calendar of events and entertainment, world-class infrastructure, superb global connectivity, expansion of low-cost carriers and development of mid-market hotels, further reinforces its position on the world map and are all steps in the direction to grow both new and repeat visitors. The more the destination creates attractions and tailors its products to cater to diverse tourists, the better conversion it can expect. There is need to build on experiential travel. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Why should travellers return for another trip in Dubai? SAMIR HAMADEH: There are multiple reasons for people to visit Dubai, be it for leisure, business or family visits. Dubai is among the top four most visited cities in the world and the best performer in the MENA region. Connectivity and safety are no doubt the biggest strengths of Dubai and will continue to be the key drivers for tourism. Over one third of the world’s population lives within a four-hour flight from Dubai and two thirds are within an eight-hour flight. Dubai’s location allows Emirates to serve 90 percent of the world. Dubai’s tourism fundamentals are extremely strong and its vision is incomparable. The solid foundation that the government has put in place through broadening portfolio of attractions and facilities,
diversification of source markets, collaboration between various business sectors will all help to accelerate the pace of Dubai’s growth into the future. Also, the ability of Dubai’s tourism sector to adapt and respond with agility to any unforeseen macro-economic upheaval is a key factor behind its success. This reinforces Dubai’s positioning as a tourism and business hub. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What is your company doing to support Dubai Tourism’s objective of attracting repeat visitors? How, if at all, have you collaborated with Dubai Tourism? SAMIR HAMADEH: We are committed to offer added value as well as invest further into technology to enhance customer experience in the destination. In order to support Dubai’s goal to attract 20 million visitors annually by 2020 and maintain a stable momentum of growth in terms of repeat visitors, there is need for new packages and offers with added-value to entice transit passengers to stay for least one night rather than simply pass by. We are definitely working very hard on this in close collaboration with Dubai Tourism. We believe, all players in the industry need to co-ordinate together to promote the emirate, be it tourism authorities, airlines, DMCs, hotels or others. The growth that Dubai is targeting in terms of tourism can only be achieved by drawing a wider range of visitors and mass tourism markets. We are increasingly witnessing a shift in key source markets to lower spending regions due to growth in low-cost carriers, and expanding middle class, and this necessitates the development of more value-added offerings.
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Adapted Physical Activities programme
First Arabian Eagle-Owl Discovered
SFQ Launches Sports Programme for Special Needs Children Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Sports Academy (SFQ), has launched a sports programme for children with special needs titled, Adapted Physical Activities, at Spectra school in Al Duhail area. The programme is suitable for children of ages five to 11, suffering with autism, down syndrome, ADHD and general learning disabilities, by introducing activities based on not only teaching them physical activities like swimming and diverse ball games, but also activities such as Lego, arts, crafts and phonics Activities include many benefits such as enabling children develop muscle strength, coordination and flexibility, improvement in behaviour, academics, self-confidence, building friendships, and also decrease secondary health complications like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) in association with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has confirmed its recent discovery of a previously unsighted owl species in the UAE, the Arabian Eagle Owl, among the rich wildlife currently inhabiting the Hajar Mountains in the Eastern Region. Discovered during an owl survey conducted by Anthony Stoquert, scientist, EWS-WWF’s Terrestrial Conservation Programme, with the support of Sami Majeed, ranger, Wadi Wurayah National Park, Fujairah Municipality, the sighting of the Arabian Eagle Owl is particularly significant, as it highlights the need for more in-depth research and studies on the UAE’s rich biodiversity. Commenting on the discovery, Jacky Judas, manager, terrestrial biodiversity, EWS-WWF, stated, “This recent finding has been quite exciting for the EWS team, as it is undoubtedly just one of many undiscovered species that call the UAE home.”
National Museum Launches Photography Contest
The National Museum, Riyadh
Coinciding with the launch of the first Saudi Archeology Convention, a competition titled Colors of the National Museum has been launched by The National Museum in Riyadh for the general public, amateurs and professionals. Mohamed Al Helu, director, programmes and visitor relations, The National Museum, said that the contest was aimed at exploring the history and civilisation of Saudi Arabia as well as offering the participants a unique experience. The deadline of entry for the contest was December 08, whom the best three photos of museum objects or outdoor gardens would be selected and posted in SaudiColors and Saudi Tourism accounts on social media. Each winner will receive a professional camera besides an invitation for a trip to discover the most beautiful areas in Saudi Arabia
Arabian Eagle Owl
AccorHotels Celebrates 50th Anniversary by Honouring Community
AccorHotels 50th anniversary celebrations
9 DECEMBER 2017
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, on November 19, AccorHotels honoured everyday heroes including firefighters, nurses, teachers, small businesses and residents who serve their communities, by inviting them to attend celebratory events, at 2,000 establishments around the world, including over 140 hotels in the Middle East and Africa. Olivier Granet, chief operating officer, Middle East and Africa, AccorHotels, said,
“We felt that there was no better way to celebrate 50 years of operation than to honour the local heroes and residents in our communities around our hotels. We pride ourselves on the fact that AccorHotels plays an important part of the respective neighbourhoods that we work and live in and we recognise the vital contribution that our neighbours have on our success as well providing enriching experiences of our guests.”
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SCTH Announces New Archeological Discoveries
Qatar Airways Reaffirms Buckingham Palace Declaration Qatar Airways attended a meeting of the signatories to the United For Wildlife Transport Taskforce Buckingham Palace Declaration hosted by the UK’s foreign and commonwealth office at Lancaster House in London on November 01. Acknowledging the scale and complexity of the challenge of illegal wildlife transportation, the airline signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, as one of a small group of aviation industry leaders invited to attend the signing ceremony in London, to demonstrate their commitment to protecting wildlife from illegal trade and transportation. Qatar Airways is dedicated to delivering its commitment to the declaration, including raising employee and passenger awareness of illegal wildlife transportation.
Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has uncovered 10 new archeological discoveries on the sidelines of the first Saudi Archeology Convention, which was held on November 09, at the National Museum in Riyadh. Ali Al Ghabban, general supervisor, Custodian Cultural Heritage Initiative, hosted an open meeting at the convention, to highlight and provide detailed information about the new discoveries as well as shed light on the Saudi-international archeological teams that are undertaking archeological excavations across Saudi Arabia. Different parts of the region will host a number of accompanied events during the forum including symposiums and exhibitions, creating a platform for people who are interested in the sector’s developments.
Fourth Industrial Revolution to Bring Disruption to Youths
Young people in the Middle East and North Africa expect the Fourth Industrial Revolution to have a significant impact on their working and daily lives, while many are comfortable about living in a future where robots work and exist alongside humans, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper Survey 2017. According to the survey, 58 percent of youths expect to experience significant changes to their jobs and careers as a result of technological change, and 52 percent believe that studying and learning will be similarly affected. Meanwhile, 28 percent expect the Fourth Industrial Revolution to have a significant impact on their relationships and 15 percent think it will have an impact on their leisure activities.
The National Museum, Riyadh
Ibis Dubai Deira Reaches One Million Made Beds Ibis Dubai Deira City Centre announced reaching the one million mark of perfectly made beds. In commemoration of this achievement, the hotel held its first ever The Art of Housekeeping event, a five day programme from November 02 – 07, in the main lobby of the hotel. The aim of the event was to showcase hospitality standards of the ibis brand with the Art of Making a Bed, as well as resetting a room to its freshness as conducted daily by housekeeping colleagues. The team at the hotel unlocked housekeeping tips and shared their practices. Participants also had the opportunity to rediscover time-honoured and time-tested practices that maintain ibis room comfort. Ibis Dubai Deira City Centre staff
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9 DECEMBER 2017
PHOTO ALBUM
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Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Falconcity of Wonders was honoured for its valuable contributions to the fourth Dubai International Project Management Forum
Etihad Airways Taste the World Competition Winner at Abu Dhabi Festival
Gulf Air Awards ST Aerospace Arm 15-Year Contract for Boeing 787 Aircraft Component Support
9 DECEMBER 2017
Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Four Seasons Hotel WestLake village transformed into a winter wonderland with its annual Let It Snow event
InterContinental Cairo Citystars celebrated winning the Quarter 3 Front Runner Award 2017
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NEWS & EVENTS
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EVENTS
Sea Festival Concludes
14TH UNWTO AWARDS EVENTS
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he Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has concluded the second edition of the Sea Festival held at Bahrain Bay between October 26 and November 04. Visitors of all ages and families experienced many indoor and outdoor activities such as virtual reality games, live performances, surfing simulators and many more. Additionally, visitors were exposed to traditional sea-related handicrafts and also had the opportunity to learn about the history of Bahrain’s sea industry through modern technology in order to preserve it for the future generations. “We take great pride in the success witnessed by the Sea Festival which showcased the history of Bahrain’s sea-faring profession among other activities,” said H.E. Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, CEO, BTEA.
Buyer Numbers Increased at WTM
Madrid, Spain December 15 – 17 know.unwto.org/14th-unwtoawards-events The UNWTO Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the tourism sector, recognising exceptional leaders.
VII EUROPE+ASIA EVENT FORUM (EFEA) St Petersburg, Russia January 17 – 19 euras-forum.com/en/index.html EFEA serves as a communication site for active interaction between events industry professionals such as forums and conferences and incentive tourism.
FITUR Madrid, Spain January 17 – 21 www.ifema.es FITUR is a global meeting point for tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound Ibero American markets.
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he number of senior industry buyers and travel professionals invited to do business at WTM London rose this year. The pre-qualified buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club who attended the event over the three days stood at 10,484 which increased to eight percent on 2016 figures. Furthermore, the number of senior industry executives invited by exhibitors to do business at WTM London rose significantly, up 14 percent year-on-year to 16,049, including an eight percent rise on November 06 to 11,861. This year’s event experienced almost 88,000 visits across the three days, with the first day of the event seeing 28,154 visits, an increase of one percent on 2016. This included 5,715 senior buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club, an increase of 11 percent compared to 2016.
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HOSPITALITY INDONESIA CONFERENCE (HIC) Jakarta, Indonesia January 30 – 31 www.hospitality-asia.com HIC focuses on delivering a sea of timely market insights that facilitate corporate strategies and growth on a regional scale.
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