16 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 423
Enjoy the feastive season with up-to-date travel trade daily news
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16 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 423
06 WEEKLY NEWS
EXPO 2020 DUBAI AWARDS BUSINESSES
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STR REVEALS DATA FOR JEDDAH HOTELS
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OMRAN PARTNERS TO PROMOTE ATANA HOTELS INTERNATIONALLY
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
STR REVEALS DATA FOR JEDDAH HOTELS
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
This year’s STR preliminary October data for hotels in Jeddah indicates rate-driven performance growth.
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
Jeddah
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ased on daily data from October, Jeddah reported the following in year-over-year comparisons; supply increased by 12.5 percent, demand saw an increase of 9.1 percent, occupancy decreased by three percent to 50.4 percent, while average daily rate increased to 13.5 percent to SAR871.40 (USD232.3) and revenue per available room increased to 10.1 percent to SAR439.60 (USD. 117.2). Significant demand growth year-over-year was not enough to keep pace with a spike in supply. The imbalance coupled with higher rates, led to the lowest October occupancy level in Jeddah since 2004.
SAUDIA’S PASSENGER TRAFFIC INCREASES MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of 12.12.2017
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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
115.30
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.82
Iran (IRR)
Rial
35,499
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,185.20
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,514
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.46
Syria (SYP)
Pound
515.01
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.49
Yemen (YER)
Rial
515.01-
In October, Saudia’s passenger numbers increased by 12 percent to 2.37 million passengers in both domestic and international flights, reaching 27 million passengers from January to October.
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he airline's performance report included the operation of 16,300 flights, 10,000 internal flights and 6,300 international flights. The Riyadh and Jeddah stations topped the airline's number of departures during the month. The number of flights operated from January until October increased to 173,000, of which 99,000 were domestic flights and 66,000 scheduled international flights.
16 DECEMBER 2017
TECHNOLOGY
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SC Unveils Design Plans for New Stadium
Travelport Launches PCI DSS Tool Travelport has announced the launch of an online Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) service to help its customers businesses achieve PCI DSS certification.
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium plans
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he Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has unveiled the design of Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, the seventh 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium design to be released. Due for completion in 2020, the stadium has a bold and innovative design concept, said to never been seen in a FIFA World Cup venue before. Built using modular building blocks, it combines tournament experience and legacy planning in a revolutionary way to create a truly unique venue. Commenting on the design, H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general, SC, said, “Innovation has always been central to our plans for delivering a historic FIFA World Cup that leaves a legacy for Qatar and the world, and there is no better example of this than the design of Ras Abu Aboud Stadium.”
Visa Readies Digital Payments
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s of March 2018, any International Air Transport Association (IATA) agent that accepts card transactions against its own merchant agreement or issues Billing and Settlement Plan card transactions is required to provide proof of PCI DSS compliance to IATA. Alexandra Fitzpatrick, vice president, global payment solutions, Travelport, said, “Combining consumer protection with customer-driven solutions is key to our goals as it creates frictionless payment processes and better ways of working. We are delighted to offer this PCI DSS certification program in partnership with SecurityMetrics.”
16 DECEMBER 2017
n celebration of the final draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, Visa released travel and spending data. Throughout official FIFA venues, Visa will enable a cash-free fan experience by implementing point-of-sale terminals that accept a Visa credit or debit card and a range of digital payments, such as those made via phone or watch. These enhancements ensure official venues are equipped with the latest in payment innovation and are ready for the increase in expected international visitors to Russia. Based on spending trends and insights from Visa, it is projected that Russia will host an additional 300,000 to 500,000 international visitors.
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AGENTS
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Wome Deluxe Hotel
HalalBooking Partners with Wome Deluxe Hotel
Expedia Offers Deutsche Bahn Rail Services
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xpedia has launched Deutsche Bahn rail tickets as well as tickets for international rail routes, including travel in the UK, to its users in Germany, with plans to extend to an international audience in early 2018. The deal sees Expedia expanding its range of travel products for the German market to include air, hotel, car rental, cruise, packages and now rail. German customers are now not only able to book rail tickets within Germany, but are also able to book rail travel within certain countries they book on Expedia.de. Andreas Nau, managing director, Expedia, said, “Helping people go places is core of what we do at Expedia and a critical piece of that is building out our capabilities in rail travel.”
Following a meeting in Istanbul, HalalBooking. com and Wome Deluxe Hotel have announced a new and exclusive partnership for 2018.
Munich, Germany
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ome Deluxe has appointed HalalBooking.com as its sole and exclusive sales agent for the European market. Ufuk Segin, chief marketing officer, HalalBooking.com, said, “Our customers are overwhelmingly impressed by the facilities and the standard and services offered by Wome Deluxe Hotel. The resort is currently rated with a very good score of 8.4 by HalalBooking.com customers. We share the same core values, which include a commitment to high standards of customer care. The resort has released its 2018 prices [...] and we expect to see a high level of early bookings.”
HotelsCombined Reveals Hotel Booking Increase
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Muscat
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recent data analysis from HotelsCombined revealed that the international hotel bookings are up by 35 percent compared to domestic bookings for the UAE National Day weekend. The website also analysed the top international hotels for the weekend, looking at bookings from November 30 to December 03 this year. Al Areen Hotel Apartments in Oman was the most popular, while Golden Tulip Resort Dibba and Hormuz Grand Muscat ranked second and third respectively. Other in-demand hotels by UAE travellers included Le Metropole Hotel Alexandria, Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana-Makkah and Shaza Al Madina. Amer Alhalabi, regional manager, Middle East and North Africa, HotelsCombined, said, "The UAE local or expat population love to take advantage of long weekends or holiday breaks. Their target destinations are always planned on the basis of offers or air fare.” 16 DECEMBER 2017
AIRPORTS
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Muscat International Airport
Muscat International Airport Passengers Increased Muscat International Airport revealed passenger figures for October which saw an increase of 30 percent.
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assengers increased to 1.2 million, resulting in a 29.7 percent increase compared to 2016. Domestic flights surged by 19.5 percent, with around 94,013 passengers, while international flights increased by 30.6 percent, to 1.1 million passengers. As for aircraft movements, a 22.8 percent increase was witnessed, with domestic flights rising to 28.5 percent and international flights surging 22.3 percent.
16 DECEMBER 2017
First Elite Group of Members Join Aviation Lounge
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H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA), welcomed the joining of the initial group of elite governmental entities and multinational companies from the aviation sector in Dubai to the Future Aviation Lounge. The initiative promotes dialogue and close cooperation among individuals and entities involved in Dubai’s aviation industry, allowing users to create their professional profiles, share scientific and practical ideas and suggestions. Al Maktoum expressed his confidence in the initiative, in line with expectations of the increase in the share of the aviation sector to AED195 billion (USD53 billion).
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Expo 2020 Dubai award ceremory
Expo 2020 Dubai Awards Businesses EXPO 2020 DUBAI ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS SO FAR AWARDED AED10.8 BILLION (USD2.940 BILLION) CONSTRUCTION AND AED411 MILLION (USD111,9 MILLION) NON-CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS THIS YEAR.
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hese packages will be among a number of other opportunities made available by Expo 2020 Dubai in 2018, as it moves into the next stage of its delivery, focused on operational expenditure. Other sectors that will offer procurement opportunities in 2018 to companies of all sizes include design, logistics, health and safety, construction and construction materials. Manal AlBayat, senior vice president, business development and integration, Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “This has been a significant year on the journey to Expo 2020 Dubai, and we are excited to continue our smooth progress into 2018 [...]”
Dubai to Host 2018 ICCA Congress
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ubai is gearing up to host the 57th Congress of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) 2018, following the conclusion of this year’s edition in Prague. Dubai was named host city for the 57th ICCA Congress in 2014, following a successful bid for the event that was led by Dubai Business Events and Dubai World Trade Centre. To be held from November 11–14, 2018 at Dubai World Trade Centre, the congress will see meeting industry professionals from all over the world gather in Dubai to discuss key challenges and opportunities within the business events industry. The ICCA’s primary purpose is to be the global community for the meetings industry, enabling its members to generate and maintain a significant competitive advantage.
ICCA 2017, Prague
Middle East Visitors to UK up 6.6 Percent
V London
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isitors to the UK from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain totalled 659,466 in 2016, an increase of 6.6 percent, amounting to almost 5,000 more visitors than in 2015, according to data released by Arabian Travel Market, (ATM), which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22 – 25, 2018. The report, which was conducted by ATM’s research partner Colliers International, confirmed London as the most popular destination in the UK, recording almost 3.5 million room nights, compared to 3.9 million for the rest of England, 321,000 in Scotland, 215,000 in Wales, and almost 12,500 in Northern Ireland, in 2016. “We know that outbound travel from GCC countries alone is expected to grow by over 80 percent in the next 10 years,” said Deirdre Wells, CEO, Ukinbound. 16 DECEMBER 2017
ACCOMMODATION
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Citymax Hotel Aswan
Citymax Hotel Aswan Opens Citymax Hotels made its debut in in Egypt with the opening of Citymax Hotel Aswan.
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wned by Egypt Holland for Touristic Investments, the four-star hotel is located in Kornish Al Nile in close proximity to Aswan’s key tourist attractions. The hotel features 79 rooms equipped with modern comforts and amenities, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and cafe, a sauna, Jacuzzi and an all-day-dining res-
taurant. Russel Sharpe, chief operating officer, Citymax Hotels, stated, “It is exciting to open our first hotel outside the UAE and underpins our commitment to grow our portfolio in the region. Aswan is a prominent city in Egypt and has tremendous potential for growth. We are delighted to enter the destination at this strategic time.”
Construction of Azizi Victoria Commences
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zizi Developments has commenced construction of Azizi Victoria in Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, District Seven. Azizi Victoria comprises 105 residential buildings of 30,000 units of apartments, a retail district and two hotels. The buildings will be mixeduse constructions of housing apartments, retail establishments, restaurants and hotels. “Azizi Victoria is our newest offering to those who wish to invest in a unique lifestyle equipped with state-of-the-art community facilities. Situated in the heart of Dubai, Azizi Victoria will further our vision of creating urban living spaces which will revolutionise the meaning of community living in Dubai,” said Mirwais Azizi, chairman, Azizi Developments.
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Banyan Tree's New Project in Dubai
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weid & Sweid has partnered with hospitality brand Banyan Tree to develop and deliver the first Banyan Tree Residences in the Middle East. Its 244 residences will stretch over 32 storeys and include different apartment options, with penthouses offering large terraces featuring swimming pools. Banyan Tree Residences, Hillside Dubai, stretching over 34,000 m2, will avail a residents-only Clubhouse & Spa which will include a state-of-theart fitness centre, a spa and saunas. Outdoors, the residents will enjoy a swimming pool, a poolside café, a children’s pool and play area. Concierge and 24-hour security will be provided, with Banyan Tree’s management ensuring their internationally-renowned levels of service and hospitality are offered to the residents. Completion of the project is scheduled for the third quarter of 2019, with construction having commenced at the start of this year. 16 DECEMBER 2017
ACCOMMODATION
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Atana Musandam
Omran Partners to Promote Atana Hotels Internationally
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mran, signed an agreement with Preferred Hotels & Resorts to provide sales, marketing, and distribution support to Atana Hotels in Oman. The strategic decision is set to highlight Musandam, one of Oman’s most idyllic areas, and support the long-term tourism goals of the country. Owned by Omran, Atana Musandam and Atana Khasab are both boutique properties, located in the Musandam peninsula.
“Oman is fast attracting the attention of global travellers, owing to its rich heritage, distinct culture and unspoilt natural beauty. Hospitality is an intrinsic part of Omani culture, and this is reflected within each Atana Hotels property. This strategic partnership will introduce international travellers to the welcoming nature of the Sultanate, and establish Musandam as a world-class tourism destination,” said Qais Al Hosni, head, government and corporate affairs, Omran.
Slovakia Hydrotour Renews Deal with Salalah Rotana
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alalah Rotana Resort is set to welcome thousands of tourists to its waterfront resort following the renewal of its partnership with Slovakian tour operator, Hydrotour. The renewed cooperation will see guests arrive via a charter flight from Bratislava to Salalah, weekly until May 2018 The partnership is a build-up of the resort’s effort to market destination Oman to the European traveller and aligns with the government's tourism marketing effort. Hossam Kamal, general manager, Salalah Rotana Resort, said, “I am delighted to continue this partnership with Hydrotour until 2020. We successfully welcomed thousands of guests since the initial signing in 2015 and introduced Oman to Slovakia.”
Novotel Suites Gains Sustainable Tourism Award
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he Dubai Sustainable Tourism three-star category award has been given to Novotel Suites Dubai Mall of the Emirates, as the Best Green Hotel in Dubai. This distinguished competitive award acknowledges AccorHotels’ accomplishments in implementing and engaging effective sustainable operations and management, educating guests and employees about sustainable tourism practices, supporting cultural and natural heritage preservation, and collaborating with other private and public stakeholders to promote best practices in sustainable green tourism. The group believes that growth and development should always represent an opportunity and never be a danger for people and the environment, while also being of ISO 14001 certified international standard covering all of the environmental factors.
Novotel Suites Dubai Mall of the Emirates
16 DECEMBER 2017
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AIR Gulf Air Brings ThalesFMS to its New Airbus Fleet
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ulf Air has signed an agreement with Thales to equip the airline’s new incoming 12 Airbus A320Neo and 17 A321Neo aircraft with a cockpit package of Thales avionics solutions, including the TopFlight and Flight Management System (FMS). With a 70 percent market share on the Airbus A320Neo and A330Neo families, TopFlight FMS is hailed as the most successful flight management system in the world. It provides pilots with highly reliable navigational information, displayed in a simple manner especially suited to heavy air traffic conditions.
Signing event between Thales and Gulf Air
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Qatar Airways Sponsors Orbis UK
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atar Airways has renewed its sponsorship as the official airline partner of Orbis UK for three more years. Orbis UK’s pioneering Flying Eye Hospital spearheads the charity’s global efforts to transform lives. The hospital with wings is equipped with a stateof-the-art operating theatre which is connected to a classroom with a 3D screen at the front of the room, enabling students to observe the surgery taking place. The aircraft also features pre- and post-op spaces for patients to recover. H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, said, “Qatar Airways strongly believes in giving back to the global community and to making a difference.”
flydubai Doubles Capacity to Moscow
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n November 29, flydubai’s inaugural flight touched down at Shermetyevo Interntional Airport, marking the start of a new daily service from the carrier’s second point in Moscow. In addition to operations to Vnukovo International Airport, flydubai is now offering 14 weekly flights to Moscow. Earlier this autumn, the carrier launched flights to Makhachkala and Voronezh, resumed services to Ufa and increased capacity on existing routes, namely Kazan, Krasnodar, Mineralnye Vody, Moscow, Rostovon-Don, Samara and Yekaterinburg. Today the carrier operates 47 flights a week to Russia and the figure will grow to 58 flights for the New Year holiday season.
16 DECEMBER 2017
AIR
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Emirates Collaborates with ESPN
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mirates has collaborated with ESPN to produce Flying the Flag, a four-part documentary following the stories of four athletes in the UAE as they prepare to compete on the world stage. The series began on November 29, reinforcing the power of sport and the pride of these athletes to represent the UAE’s progress as a young nation on the world stage of sports. The series focuses on the stories of athletes in four different sports, Zahra Lari, figure skater; Al Balooshi, national motocross champion; Chirag Suri, Indian cricket and Shadia Bseiso, the first Arab female wrestler from the Middle East to join WWE.
16 DECEMBER 2017
flydubai Announces Seasonal Routes for Summer 2018
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lydubai announced the launch of two new summer seasonal destinations for 2018, namely Dubrovnik and Kutaisi. Flights to the Croatian coastal city of Dubrovnik will operate four times a week from April 10, 2018 until October 25, 2018. Additionally, along with Tbilisi and Batumi, Kutaisi will become flydubai’s third point in Georgia and will be served with three weekly flights between June 14, 2018 and September 22 , 2018. “These popular new routes, along with the relaunch of flights to Batumi, Tivat and Qabala, will complement our existing comprehensive network,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Royal Jordanian Offers Online Multi-Currency Pricing
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oyal Jordanian customers can now purchase their online air tickets and services in as many as 150 currencies through a feature available on their website and mobile application. The feature enables the airline to set prices in currencies that local and international customers know and also gives them various payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, realtime Banking, Alipay, e-fawateercom and other options. “We are expanding our e-services to our customers for an enhanced online shopping experience. With the multicurrency pricing (MPC), we now offer cardholders the convenience to shop, [...] in the currency of their choice.[...] ,” said Stefan Pichler, CEO, Royal Jordanian.
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INTERNATIONAL
AFRICA
West African Hotel Pipeline Increasing
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Marriott International Opens New Four Points Hotel in Kenya
M Cote d’Ivoire
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est Africa’s economy is expected to rebound from this year onwards. Commodity-based economies, like Nigeria, are slowly recovering from the fall in oil prices and oil production, while countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal have shown economic resilience and sustained growth. The growth of the hotel sector is an important indicator of how well a market is developing its travel infrastructure, and the indicators for West Africa are mixed. According to W Hospitality Group’s Hotel Chains Pipeline report, West Africa has a pipeline of 114 hotels and 20,790 rooms, accounting for 42 percent of the Sub-Saharan African hotel portfolio. However, of these hotel deals signed and planned, only approximately 9,875 rooms, or 48 percent have moved to construction.
Fifth African Union European Union Summit
Tanzania Promotes Golf Tourism
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n November 29 – 30, the fifth African Union-European Union Summit took place in Abidjan, under the theme of Youth. In the political declaration, the European and African leaders set out their joint commitment to invest in youth for a sustainable future. The main priorities were mobilising investments for African structural and sustainable transformation, investing in people through education, science, technology and skills development, strengthening resilience, peace, security and governance, and managing mobility and migration. Jean-Claude Juncker, president, European Commission, said, "We spoke a lot about young people during this summit.”
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he Tanzanian government has expressed determination to boost sports tourism through further development of the country’s golf offerings. At this year’s Tanzania Open Golf Championship, Harrison Mwakyembe, minister, information, culture, arts and sport, Tanzania, called on the Tanzania Golf Union to partner with the ministry in future efforts to develop the game. “We want golf to be a sport for tourism; I have seen its potential here. I am told that next year, more golfers from outside the country will come as the club is planning to host an international and popular tournament called Sunshine Tour,” said Mwakyembe.
arriot International has announced the opening of its second hotel in Kenya, namely the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, further consolidating its presence in the region. Situated within the main complex of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the all-new 172 room Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, features spacious and modern rooms, including suites. It also offers dining options including all-day dining, a lobby cafe, and a rooftop bar and grill, Tazama. Other facilities include a rooftop pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a spa and a 325 m2 of meeting space.
Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport
Visas on Arrival for Travellers to Rwanda
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ffective from January 01, 2018, all travellers to Rwanda, regardless of nationality, will get a 30day visa on arrival without prior application. Further to this, on a reciprocal basis, with immediate effect, the country will grant 90-day visas, free of charge, to Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Senegal, the Seychelles and Sao Tomé and Principe. Rwanda is also introducing a visa waiver for some diplomatic and service passport holders, which will be effective immediately. A 90-day visa on arrival will also be available for travellers from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa region, subject to payment of visa fees.
16 DECEMBER 2017
AMERICAS
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American Cruise Lines: Themed Cruises
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merican Cruise Line announced a line-up of themed cruises for the 2018-2019 season. The new schedule includes a variety of theme cruises which explore, in-depth, the most intriguing aspects of American heritage and culture. For history or literary enthusiasts, a Civil War, Lewis & Clark, or Mark Twain Tribute Cruise is an ideal choice. Music aficionados will love the Lower Mississippi Music Cruise which features the birthplace of jazz and blues, as well as the Nashville Country and Blues Cruise which visits the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Furthermore, the Food & Wine cruises are perfect for gourmands and wine connoisseurs alike.
16 DECEMBER 2017
Cunard to Returns to Alaska
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eginning May 2019, Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth will sail from Japan to Alaska, remaining in the region through June. The ship will then sail down the west coast of the US, through the Panama Canal to New York, then on to Iceland and the British Isles. Commenting on the additional route, Angus Struthers, vice president, marketing, Cunard Line, said, “Exploring the oceans aboard the style and luxury of a Cunard Queen is like nothing else and we are thrilled to make our return to Alaska, one of the world’s must see destinations. As the majestic Queen Elizabeth undertakes her first season there, our guests can explore the region [...].”
INTERNATIONAL
Carnival to Increase Short Cruise's
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arnival Cruise Line has announced it will expand capacity on its short cruise offerings from Galveston and New Orleans beginning in 2019. Carnival Dream will launch four- and five-day cruises to Mexico year-round from Galveston beginning May 2019, providing Texans with a convenient new vacation option. Carnival Valor, currently based in Galveston, will shift to New Orleans to begin year-round four- and fiveday cruises, also beginning May 2019. “Galveston and New Orleans are two of our most popular and fastest-growing homeports and Carnival Dream and Carnival Valor provide wonderful short cruise options in these markets, [...],” said Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line.
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INTERNATIONAL
AMERICAS
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Florida Announces All-Time Record High for Tourism
Lima Accounts for Over a Half of Peru's Tourism
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ick Scott, governor, Florida, announced the state had set another tourism record by welcoming the highest number of visitors of any nine months in its history, with 88.2 million visitors. This represents a 3.3 percent increase over the 85.4 million visitors from the same period in 2016. This includes 77.6 million domestic visitors, 7.9 million overseas visitors and 2.7 million Canadian visitors. Total enplanements at Florida’s major airports in the third quarter increased 2.4 percent over the same period in 2016, with 20 million passengers. The number of hotel rooms sold in Florida during the third quarter grew by 4.7 percent compared to the same period in 2016.
Peru
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ima accounts for 59 percent of travel and tourism GDP in Peru, as the city is a pivotal hub and gateway to the rest of the country, with 90 percent of visitors to Peru spending at least one night in the capital, revealed a new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council, Latin America City Travel & Tourism Impact. Travel and tourism contributes 4.6 percent of Lima’s GDP, a total of USD4.5 billion in 2016. International spend is responsible for 35.4 percent of tourism revenue, and the US tops the source market list with 25 percent. The total contribution of Peru´s travel and tourism to GDP was USD19.6 billion, 10.1 percent of GDP in 2016.
AOT Hosts American Airlines FAM Tour
Buenos Aires Important for Argentina’s Tourism
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new report by the World Travel & Tourism Council, Latin America City Travel & Tourism Impact, revealed that Buenos Aires generates over a half of Argentina’s travel and tourism GDP. The city’s travel and tourism sector accounts for 5.1 percent of its overall economy and totals USD11.1 billion. The sector employs 265,000 people in Buenos Aires, or 3.8 percent of the city’s workforce. Over a half of Argentina’s tourism GDP, 59.1 percent, is in Buenos Aires, and the city is responsible for 46.3 percent of jobs in the sector in Argentina.
Conference on Tourism and Growth in Jamaica
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our operators from Mexico City participated in the American Airlines Mexico FAM tour, hosted by Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), after visiting the Valley and Southern Arizona in 2016. The 10 agents travelled to Chandler, Flagstaff, Page, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly before wrapping up their adventure in Phoenix. The familiarisation trip (FAM) offered agents the chance to shop at Chandler Fashion Centre, make snow at Arizona Snowbowl, spot stars at Lowell Observatory, view a sunset over the Grand Canyon, take a desert Jeep tour, witness the colourful geology of Lake Powell and relax on their own private balcony.
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Jamaica
Conference under the theme Jobs and Inclusive GrowthPartnerships for Sustainable Tourism was organised by the World Tourism Organization, the government of Jamaica, the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank. Aiming to set a new collaborative framework for tourism moving towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the official event of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development gathered 1,500 participants and over 150 speakers in Montego Bay. During the conference, sessions analysed the areas that contribute to improving Jamaica.
16 DECEMBER 2017
INTERNATIONAL
ASIA PACIFIC
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Best Western's New Bangkok Airport Hotel
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est Western Hotels & Resorts announced a new hotel at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2020, Best Western Nada Don Mueang Hotel will be a modern midscale hotel serving the needs of airport passengers, as well as the rising number of business and leisure travellers exploring North Bangkok. The hotel will feature 270 comfortable and contemporary guest rooms, all equipped with the latest high-tech facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests will also be offered a healthy breakfast.
Centara Reveals Five Year Vision Strategy
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ollowing Centara’s announcement of Markland Blaiklock as the new deputy CEO, the group has now released its significant expansion plans for the next five years, aiming to double its revenues by 2022. To begin with, the company plans to expand its current portfolio, becoming more prominent in Southeast Asian markets, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East, while expanding its footprint into East Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. The company will also develop and expand new brands to fill gaps in its hotel and resort portfolio. In addition, Centara will identify and pursue new business opportunities outside its historic hotel.
IHG Expands in Geelong
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nterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) announced a 20-year management agreement with Franzé Developments to open and operate Holiday Inn and Suites Geelong. Opening in 2020, the 190-room property will boast an all-day dining restaurant and bar, swimming pool, gym, parking and a 300 m2 of meeting facilities including a function room for 250 people. “Geelong welcomes around 2.2 million overnight visitors annually, but is dramatically underrepresented by quality hotels. The Holiday Inn brand is known and loved by travellers all around the world, so I can’t imagine a better fit for a world-class city like Geelong,” commented Paul Franzé, managing director, Franzé Developments.
Ascott Expands in China
Ascott Raffles City Shenzhen
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scott is expanding its presence in China with the opening of its third property in Shenzhen, in the Nanshan District. Ascott Raffles City Shenzhen is part of CapitaLand’s flagship Raffles City integrated development which also comprises a 70,000 m² mall with more than 200 shops, and a 23-storey office tower, designed by architecture firm Benoy. The property offers guests 182 furnished apartments which include a kitchen, audio visual equipment and Wi-Fi. Other facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, breakfast lounge, gymnasium, aerobics room, reading room, sauna and steam room, children's play area and business centre.
16 DECEMBER 2017
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RENDEZVOUS
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LOCATED IN THE HEART OF SAKHIR DESERT, BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT (BIC) IS AN ULTRAMODERN MOTORSPORT FACILITY AND A FAVOURITE VENUE FOR A RANGE OF EVENTS INCLUDING WEDDINGS, MUSIC CONCERTS AND CHARITY OCCASIONS. ARIF RAHIMI, CHAIRMAN, BIC, EXPLAINS HOW THE VENUE CONTRIBUTES IN PROMOTING THE ISLANDS’ UNIQUE CULTURE WHILE ALSO UPGRADING BAHRAIN’S TOURIST PRODUCT.
Q&A with Arif Rahimi CHAIRMAN, BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How was business this year and which are BIC’s main feeder markets? ARIF RAHIMI: Whilst we host over 350 events every year, there is a huge concentration of visitors around the time of Formula1 in April. In 2016 we beat our race day attendance record, welcoming 33,000 spectators at the track and 93,000 over the weekend. Those numbers have grown consistently over the last few years and we would expect this to continue in the future. The majority of our audience comes from the GCC region however, we have an ever-growing number of fans travelling from Europe and farther afield. This trend of more international visitors has been reflected across several of the major events we host throughout the year.
aligned to our culture and we are always looking to reflect Bahrain’s unique character in the events we host. We are fortunate that, alongside the sporting bodies we work with to promote our events, authentic cultural promotion is also actively encouraged. Our culture of hospitality is exceptional and visitors to Bahrain will experience that wherever they go,
2017 Bahrain Grand Prix
which is the reason why many Formula 1 fans keep coming back.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What attractions, programmes and activities would you recommend to travellers wishing to tap into Bahrain’s local life?
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How does BIC contribute in enhancing Bahrain's tourism profile?
ARIF RAHIMI: Any trip to Bahrain would not be complete without a visit to BIC! What visitors find most attractive is the fact that we offer activities for all age groups including track experiences for experienced drivers and karting for the kids. Outside BIC, there are many historical landmarks which are unique compared to other leisure and business destinations in the region. I would say that it is particularly easy in Bahrain to connect to local culture and people, given our open and welcoming nature. […] we always aim to ensure that the experience of our visitors is closely
ARIF RAHIMI: Most would agree that our involvement in Formula 1 puts Bahrain on the map as a tourist destination. Indeed, the growth in tourist numbers since our first race in 2004 speaks for itself. However, there is more to the BIC than just Formula 1 and we regularly attract visitors from the GCC and farther afield throughout the year. Most importantly, however, we work closely with relevant government departments, as well as other major organisations and businesses in Bahrain to ensure we work together in presenting Bahrain in its best light. Bahrain International Circuit
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WHO’S MOVED
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BARTLOMIEJ MART has been appointed as the new hotel manager of Swiss-Belresidences Juffair in Bahrain, expected to open its doors on April 01, 2018. Mart brings over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry working with hotels in Europe, the US and the Middle East. His most recent posting was as director of operations at Marriott Executive Apartments & Residence Inn in Bahrain. In his new role, Mart will be in charge of hotel staff management, the business management, the upkeep of hotel facilities, guest satisfaction and customer service as well as organising the implementation of marketing strategies.
Mart brings over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry
TIM CORDON has been named the new area senior vice president for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Cordon has been with the hotel company since 2003 holding leadership positions at Carlson Rezidor hotels in Manchester and London. He briefly left the group to become general manager of the Cumberland Hotel in London, before returning as the general manager and regional director of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek. As the new area vice president, he will be involved in expanding and securing new business, managing project portfolio that meets or exceeds projections, and participating in the internal management of the regional hotels.
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Bartlomiej Mart
Tim Cordon
Mark Fernando
MARK FERNANDO has assumed the position of general manager of Ramada Downtown Dubai. Fernando brings with him more than 30 years of hospitality experience with a track record on hotel operations, revenue management and business development, working with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, serving as a deputy general manager at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, revenue manager at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Resort and Marina and customer service manager and Royal Club manager at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre. In his new role, Fernando will head the overall operations of the 181- key hotel, while establishing new business relationships and exploring innovative schemes.
ZEYNEP ODEN AGAGILAS has taken the role of director of sales and marketing of Raffles Dubai. Agagilas brings over 16 years of hospitality and sales expertise by starting her career at The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul’s pre-opening team and later working as a director of sales at Raffles Istanbul, and director of sales and marketing of Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul. In her new role she will oversee the sales, marketing, communications, and events departments, give strategic market insight and leadership skills to drive the divisions to achieve greater successes.
Zeynep Oden Agagilas
Agagilas brings over 16 years of hospitality and sales expertise
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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Emirates Photography Exhibition 2016
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Supports Children’s Healthcare
Exhibition on Emirates Photography Opens An exhibition celebrating 10 years of the internationally recognised Emirates Photography Competition has opened at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island. Inaugurated on November 27 and organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, the exhibition will run until March 31, 2018. The exhibition is divided into two main sections, including Spotlight, which features a selection of works by 10 of the best Emirati and international photographers dealing with various areas such as nature, wildlife, portraits, people, sports, movement, journalism and travel. The second section, Through Time, includes a selection of photographs that were shortlisted in previous editions and that met the criteria and terms of the competition.
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi hosted a race challenge on its beach on December 08 to raise funds for children’s healthcare. The biathlon, in aid of Al Jalila Foundation, appealed to all family members, who were invited to join the Run, Swim, Run. All funds raised were donated to Al Jalila Foundation, a philanthropic organisation dedicated to medical education and research. The race consisted of six entry categories tailored to suit different age groups; junior and adult entrants completed two 1,600 m runs plus a 500 m swim in between. Children, aged 11-14, completed two 0.5 km runs, with a 250 m swim in between, while toddlers, under the age of 10, ran two 200 m dashes, plus a 50 m wade.
Three New Caves Discovered in Oman
Oman
A group of cave explorers in coordination with the Speleological Team of Oman have explored a number of new caves in the vicinity of the village of Gail Al Hareem in the Wilayat of Dama Wa Altayyin. The efforts resulted in the discovery and partial surveying of three new caves, named Al Khishil Cave, Al Naqqah Cave and Al Faqa'a, all of which are local names used by the neighbouring villagers on these deep mountain vents that were apparently never abseiled before. The Al Khishil Cave is one of the deepest caves in Oman, expected to be more than 400 m below the surface, the cave contains clear water ponds.
Arjaan by Rotana Supports Clean Up the World Initiative
Clean up the World campaign
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Ajaan by Rotana has joined forces with Clean up the World campaign, a global initiative that envisions creating positive environmental change. The team of 50 volunteers conducted an extensive cleaning operation at the hotel premises and the surrounding areas within Media City on November 22. The campaign has contributed to reinforcing the concepts of strategic partnership among various segments of the society in accomplishing its objectives in the field of environment protection, sustainable waste management and promoting voluntary work in the emirate, boosting environmental awareness. Ayman Ashor, general manager, Arjaan by Rotana, stated, “Arjaan by Rotana holds a long standing commitment to the environment, and Clean up the World is another great way for us to expand our efforts to make positive social impact in local communities.”
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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. Qatar Duty Free (QDF) won Best Employer In The Tourism And Hospitality Industry Award At The 2017 VeryEast Summit
DMCA celebrated and congratulated Saeed Al Malik who has been elected as the new chairman of the International Shipsuppliers & Services Association
Seef Mall celebrated its 20th anniversary by revealing a fun-filled calendar of events
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Etihad Airways marked the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi with A380 Fly-By
Da Vincis receives Favourite Italian Restaurant Dubai Award 2017
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NEWS & EVENTS WISE Conference Aimed to Improve Education Globally
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atar Airways partnered with the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) as the official carrier of the two-day global conference which took place on November 14–16. WISE invited some of the world’s greatest leaders in the fields of education, technology and media to Doha to facilitate discussions about the future of education, hosting 2,000 top education experts from 100 different countries at the Qatar National Convention Centre. This year’s conference theme, Co-exist, Co-Create: Learning to Live and Work Together, encouraged the delegates to discuss the importance of global educational and social challenges in an uncertain world. Several workshops and labs also took place as a way to encourage interactive debates.
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EVENTS 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.
Abu Dhabi Hosts Global Telecom Research Conference EMITT
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he Khalifa University of Science and Technology, has announced that Abu Dhabi will host the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Global Communications Conference 2018 (Globecom), said to be the largest telecommunications research conference. To be held from December 09 – 13, 2018 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, Globecom themed Gateway to a Connected World. The conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 specialists, engineers and researchers in information and communication technology. Arif Al Hammadi, president, Globecom, said, "We are honoured that Abu Dhabi has become the first Arab city in the Middle East to host a world-class conference such as Globecom.”
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Istanbul, Turkey January 25 – 28, 2018 www.emittistanbul.com EMITT, attracts over 46,000 industry professionals and tourists, annually, looking for new travel opportunities from destinations and travel service companies from across the globe.
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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