30 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 425
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30 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 425
09 ACCOMMODATION
ME BY MELIÁ DEBUTS IN DUBAI SKYLINE
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INDIAN TRAVELLERS INCREASE IN GCC HOTELS
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DUBAI SAFARI TO BECOME FUN-FILLED LIVING CLASSROOM
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
IATA RELEASES OCTOBER PASSENGER TRAFFIC
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for October showing that demand rose 7.2 percent compared to the same month in 2016.
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 21.12.2017
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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
115.24
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.83
Iran (IRR)
Rial
35,751.86
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,190.87
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,512.47
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.35
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.41
Syria (SYP)
Pound
515.0
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.50
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.1
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apacity grew 6.2 percent and load factor climbed 0.8 percentage points to 80.8 percent, which was a record for the month. October's performance was a strong bounce-back after the hurricane-related disruptions in September, and domestic and international travel growth largely was in balance. "As expected, the recent severe weather in the US region had only a temporary impact on the healthy travel demand we have seen this year, and we remain on course for another year of above-trend growth," said Alexandre de Juniac, CEO, IATA.
ALPHA DESTINATION MANAGEMENT SEES GROWTH Alpha Destination Management has announced that it has registered positive growth this year.
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ccording to Ghassan Aridi, CEO, Alpha Destination Management, the company registered a growth of almost eight percent compared to 2016. “Some markets such as the CIS, specifically the Russian market, came back very strongly. We have also seen a very good increase from the UK market. Both are very significant source markets for Dubai. This year many markets returned back in a big way while other markets disappeared altogether for some reasons. [...] Dubai’s tourism fundamentals are extremely strong and its vision incomparable,” noted Aridi.
30 DECEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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Strong Sustainability Performance by UAE Companies This year 44 of the top 100 companies have reported on their sustainability performance, compared to 36 in 2016, according to KPMG’s corporate responsibility reporting survey, The Road Ahead, published on December 11.
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PMG’s survey studied the annual financial and corporate responsibility reports published by the top 100 companies in the UAE, and draws comparisons with global industry trends. KPMG observed an increase in the number of non-financial metrics being reported, including social and environmental impacts generated by an organisation’s business operations. The report also looks at the level of reporting in relation to the United Nations sustainable development goals. 11 percent of the reporting companies were found to already follow the latest global reporting initiative standards framework which are said to become mandatory in 2018.
GBTA Unveils New Website
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he Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has announced its new website, www.gbta.org. The new interface is easy to use, mobile-friendly, streamlined and most importantly makes searching for information simple. Users can get access to GBTA content from any device anywhere, access across all GBTA properties with ease and speed, while it is easy to follow navigation that will lead to the information they want in just one click. Moreover it provides quick access to tools and research that make visitors job better including benchmarking tools, the latest industry trends and more visible ways for travel suppliers to feature their brand in front of travel buyers and decision makers. “In today’s world, there are an increasing number of factors that influence the global business travel industry,” said Michael McCormick, executive director, GBTA. 30 DECEMBER 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Bahrain International Airport
Global NCD Alliance Forum in Sharjah
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panel of five globally recognised healthcare and welfare experts recently told hundreds of delegates at the second Global Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance Forum in Sharjah that there is a vital need to share resources, information and understanding across all sectors in order to achieve the best results for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
The forum took place on December 09 – 12, at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, where Anders NordstrÜm, ambassador, global health, UN policy department, told the delegates that increasing life expectancy was not enough of an achievement and that people needed to stay healthy in their later years.
Bahrain Airport Company Holds Runway Distance Course
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Bahrain International Airport
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ahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport, recently held a five-day professional certificate course for BAC employees on the Re-declaration of Runway Distances. Carried out from December 03 - 07, the course aimed to train airport operations engineers and managers on how to respond in the case of the runway being exposed to an emergency situation.
30 DECEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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Oman
Second Conference on Tourism and Culture in Oman
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lobal tourism and culture leaders and stakeholders convened in Muscat on December 11 – 12 for the second tourism and culture conference to discuss the relation between the two. The event co-organised by the World Tourism Organization and UNESCO was held in the framework of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. More than 20 tourism and culture ministers participated to explore ways to build and strengthen the partnerships
30 DECEMBER 2017
between the tourism and culture sectors in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The first discussion is titled, Tourism development and protection of cultural heritage and promoting responsible and sustainable tourism management at World Heritage sites, while the second one was named, Culture and tourism in urban development and creativity. The third session will explored the relevance of cultural landscapes in tourism.
Allianz Worldwide Partners Release Reports
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new series of reports has been released by Allianz Worldwide Partners US. In order to meet the requirements of today’s market, the company illustrates how these touch points can serve as competitive advantages to drive higher sales through customer satisfaction. Allianz Worldwide highlights strategies and tactics for using customer feedback to develop better products and processes in Five Practices to Stay Connected to Your Customers’ Needs. The company also explores how evolving technologies add convenience and accessibility to consumer travel planning, protection and assistance in Humanising Technology to Enhance Travel Protection, Present & Future.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Indian Travellers Increase in GCC Hotels
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ATM 2017
UNWTO Promotes Media’s Role as Wildlife Tourism Advocates
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ome 30 international and local journalists travelled to Kasane, Botswana for a media training workshop to both enhance their knowledge of sustainable tourism and wildlife, and analyse their work’s impact on the issue. The December 08 workshop was part of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)/Chimelong Programme that commenced earlier this year and includes capacity building, training and advocacy actions on sustainable tourism and wildlife. Participants proposed the creation of a network of African journalists specialised in sustainable tourism, capacity building-related activities addressing the media, and regular exchanges with tourism stakeholders. The Kasane workshop was the programme’s second activity of its kind. The first took place in the Republic of Congo in July, when nearly 20 African journalists learned more about the multidimensional coverage of sustainable tourism.
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ndian millennial tourists are opting for a little and often approach when it comes to travelling, according to a recent survey, urging GCC hoteliers and travel professionals who will use Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018 as a platform to showcase their facilities. The tourism event, which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22 – 25, 2018, has been referring to a recent survey, from Indian online travel portal Yatra.com, which revealed that out of 1,592 respondents, 66 percent said they would only be planning to travel for just seven days at a time, or less, but they would however, travel more frequently. Interestingly, 43 percent of those surveyed were millennials. Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM, said, “There are more than 400 million millennials in India.”
Majid Al Futtaim and Smart Dubai Sign MoU
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mart Dubai and Majid Al Futtaim signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in areas that will help to enhance Dubai’s data and analytics capabilities. The agreement has been developed in line with the government’s vision to empower, deliver and promote an efficient, seamless, safe and impactful city experience for residents making Dubai the smartest and happiest city on earth. As part of the MoU, the two organisations will collaborate in four critical areas: data enrichment, policy, education, and innovative technology, where they will both work together to enhance and improve raw data, while finding ways to make data a more valuable asset.
Dubai
30 DECEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS HalalBooking.com Launches Loyalty Club Programme
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alalBooking.com has announced the launch of its HB Loyalty Club (HBLC). HBLC has three tiers namely Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Membership is free and can be activated by registering online on HalalBooking.com. Gold members will earn discounts on many hotels across the world. Guests move up through the tiers by making more bookings. They will earn one HB point for each USD1 spent on a booking. As they move up the tiers, the available discounts will increase. Eventually points can also be used to pay towards future bookings. Ufuk Secgin, chief marketing officer, HalalBooking.com, noted, “This will not only save them money but also entitle them to a range of exclusive privileges such as complimentary early check-in or late check-out or complimentary room upgrades.”
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Dubai Safari to Become Fun-Filled Living Classroom
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ailed as home to the most diverse array of animals in the UAE, Dubai Safari will become a fun-filled living classroom for young minds discovering wildlife diversity through immersive and engaging activities designed to bring them closer to over 2,500 animals representing more than 250 species. Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general, communications and community sector, Dubai Municipality, commented, “Dubai Safari is more than just a wildlife park. Our vision for this project is to offer a highly engaging edutainment experience that fosters education on animal welfare, inspires a sense of learning about wildlife diversity and raises awareness on what makes wildlife protection a top priority.” A diverse array of family-friendly activities promises to make the 119 ha park a destination for handson learning and fun.
Dubai Safari
30 DECEMBER 2017
ACCOMMODATION
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ME by Meliá Debuts in Dubai Skyline HOTEL BRAND, ME BY MELIÁ, HAS ANNOUNCED ITS DEBUT PROPERTY IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH THE LAUNCH OF ME DUBAI AT THE END OF 2018.
ME Dubai
Four Seasons Hotel Tunis Opens its Doors
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our Seasons Hotel Tunis has opened its doors showcasing contemporary Arabesque architecture, surrounded by pools, fountains and gardens, giving way to the beach. The 203 guest accommodations, including 35 suites, offer myriad room options whether travelling alone or with family. Five dining options are available, overseen by chef Omar Mallen, including The CREEK, Bistro Chic Restaurant and Lounge, BLU Bar & Grill, Azur and Salon Alyssa. The hotel’s spa is inspired by the country’s historic sites with 11 treatments including therapies, soothing treatments and a Hammam ritual. A swimming pool is also available, as well as a fitness centre with steam rooms and sauna. Four Seasons Hotel Tunis also features 1,500 m2 of event spaces ranging from the Jasmin Ballroom to wellequipped meeting rooms.
30 DECEMBER 2017
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E Dubai will take residence in the 95 m high, Opus building, situated in the heart of the upcoming Burj Khalifa district in Downtown Dubai. ME Dubai will consist of 93 rooms and suites, across 19 floors, as well as 98 serviced apartments. The property will feature signature furniture in the lobby, vertical café, lounges and reception area. The lifestyle hotel will offer 15 restaurants, including ROKA, the Japanese robatayaki restaurant. Gabriel Escarrer, CEO, Meliá Hotels International, said, “[...] We are confident that our unwavering commitment to exemplary service, coupled with Zada Hadid’s remarkable design and ROKA’s sumptuous cuisine will make for an unparalleled experience for our guests in Dubai.”
Rove Hotels Now Part of U By Emaar Loyalty Programme
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By Emaar loyalty programme that brings added value for guests across the breadth of hotels, restaurants and entertainment attractions under the company, has now added Rove Hotels, a joint venture of Meraas and Emaar Properties, to its portfolio. All four operational Rove Hotels in Dubai including Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre, Rove Healthcare City and Rove Trade Centre join the loyalty programme, enabling visitors and guests to earn Upoints, the currency of U By Emaar, with one Upoint for every AED2 (USD0.54) spent, when they stay at a Rove Hotels property. In addition to redeeming points for stays at any Rove Hotels property, members of the U By Emaar programme can enjoy other benefits as well, such as 10 percent savings on direct bookings and late checkouts.
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AIR
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Casablanca Named Etihad Airways’ New Dreamliner Destination Etihad Airways will operate its flagship Boeing B787 Dreamliner on the Abu Dhabi to Casablanca route from May 01, 2018.
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asablanca is the first North African destination to be served by Etihad Airways’ next generation aircraft, fast becoming the backbone of the Abu Dhabibased carrier’s longhaul fleet. The three-class aircraft, featuring eight First Suites, 28 Business Studios and 199 Economy Smart Seats, will replace the Airbus A330s currently operating daily on the route, and offer additional cargo capacity. An accompanying scheduling change also optimises timings for customers travelling to and from Morocco’s port city and commercial hub, improving connectivity to a wider network of destinations across Asia and Australia. Geneva will become the newest Boeing B787 European destination from March 25, 2018.
Qatar Airways Partners with KAHRAMAA
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atar Airways and Hamad International Airport partnered with KAHRAMAA’s National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency, Tarsheed, to deliver technical energy and water conservation training to employees on December 06. The technical training was delivered by KAHRAMAA as part of a memorandum of understanding that provides a framework for Qatar Airways and the airport to work together on technical initiatives, as well as building staff and community awareness in relation to water conservation, energy efficiency systems, and renewable energy.
30 DECEMBER 2017
INTERNATIONAL
AMERICAS
WestJet Introduces WestJet Link
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estJet introduced WestJet Link, a new regional air service operating under a capacity purchase agreement with Pacific Coastal Airlines. Using Pacific Coastal Airlines’ aircraft painted in WestJet colours, the new service will connect the communities of Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Cranbrook and Prince George to WestJet's rapidly expanding network hub at YYC Calgary International Airport. These new routes will add to the airline’s existing leadership position in Calgary, offering more flights and seats to more destinations.
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Bahamasair Adds New Houston Connections to Nassau
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ahamasair has announced a new twice-a-week nonstop service between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas. The airline also offers connections to 13 Bahamas Out Islands including Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Bimini, and Exuma.
American Airlines Strengthens Canada Service
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tarting in summer 2018, American is to add a service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Calgary International Airport and Vancouver International Airport. The daily service to Vancouver will begin on May 04, 2018, and a seasonal service to Calgary will start on June 07, 2018. The airline will also increase frequencies from the US East Coast to Eastern Canada and extend seasonal services to popular Canadian destinations.
Positive Air Cargo Figures for October
Delta Performance Results for November
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he latest worldwide air cargo figures as reported by 75 airlines to WorldACD confirm that October has seen impressive results. Worldwide volumes in October increased by 6.9 percent year-on-year, in comparison with October 2016 performance, was dwarfed by a year-on-year revenue growth of 20.5 percent. This strong showing was driven in particular by the following factors; a yield growth from Europe, the Middle East and South Asia, in particular from India; high volume growth from Europe, from and to North America, and to Central and South America. In the various categories of specific cargo products, the transport of pharmaceuticals had the largest year-on-year revenue growth with an increase of 31 percent.
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elta Airlines reported operating performance for November, with results showing that the airline carried 14.9 million passengers across its broad global network in the month. According to the report, the airline set a new system and domestic revenue day during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, recording zero system cancellations across global operation while carrying more than 2.35 million customers on nearly 23,000 flights with an on-time arrival rate of 92.7 percent. Finally, the airline received approval by the US Department of Transportation of the trans-Pacific joint venture with Korean Air and ranking as the number one US airline by the corporate travel community in the Business Travel News Airline Survey for a historic seventh consecutive year.
Nassau
United Airlines Increases US Routes
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nited Airlines announced it will offer customers more opportunities to travel from five of its US hubs to 10 cities in California, Florida, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Texas beginning in April 2018. Additionally, beginning in February 2018, a newly enhanced bank structure at O'Hare International Airport will mean shorter connection times and better access to more destinations for customers connecting through the carrier's Chicago hub. "We continue to focus on making United Airlines the first choice for customers when planning their domestic and international travel," said Grant Whitney, vice president, domestic network planning, United Airlines.
30 DECEMBER 2017
AMERICAS
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Hilton Expands with New Hotel in Colorado
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mbassy Suites by Hilton announced the opening of the newly built Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder. Located in the heart of Boulder, the property welcomes guests to enjoy its contemporary two-room suites where travellers can enjoy breakfast, free WiFi and complimentary drinks and snacks each night. There are 204 contemporary, spacious suites, more than 706 m2 of meeting and banquet space, and the city's largest hotel ballroom with space for up to 650 guests. The property also boasts amenities such as a 24hour fitness centre, an outdoor, heated pool, a retail market, an outdoor plaza and 700 pieces of unique art created by local Colorado artists.
30 DECEMBER 2017
Luxor Undergoes Room Remodelling
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uxor Hotel and Casino has unveiled its newly remodelled rooms as the hotel continues the redesign more than 1,700 hotel rooms in its east and west towers. The remodel began in early November and will continue through early 2018. The rooms are inspired by unique geometric form and feature a modern, and efficient design. The refurbishment will showcase multifunctional furnishings which aim to maximise living space without sacrificing comfort. Multiple power outlets are to be added to the bedside, as well as workspace lighting bases to accommodate the needs of high-tech travellers. Additionally, bathrooms will be updated to expresses the same modern sensibility.
INTERNATIONAL
TravelClick and First Hotels Partner
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ravelClick has announced its expanded partnership with First Hotels, a collection of 57 unique hotels in Scandinavia and Iceland. Through this engagement, TravelClick will become First Hotel’s exclusive partner for reservations, business intelligence and guest management solutions. Earlier this year, TravelClick surged investment in their cloud-based iHotelier Central Reservations System to develop a myriad of tools. As such, First Hotels will host its official brand loyalty programme on TravelClick’s guest management solutions platform and partner with the company for fully integrated loyalty points redemption on iHotelier Booking Engine 4.0.
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INTERNATIONAL
QantasLink Direct Flights to Kangaroo Island
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antasLink celebrated the launch of its direct flights to Kangaroo Island providing travellers with access to the island making it the airline’s first carbon neutral destination. Year-round flights from Adelaide commenced, with seasonal Melbourne flights which commenced on December 17. In partnership with the South Australian Government, Qantas will offset all flights to the Island by supporting new tree planting projects set to deliver local environmental, economic and community benefits, while continuing to drive awareness for Qantas customers to Fly Carbon Neutral right across the network.
Western Australia Airports See Capacity Decline
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he two largest airports in Western Australia, Perth and Broome, have seen scheduled aviation capacity decline this year. At Perth, capacity is down by 2.1 percent for the year-to-date and for Broome, figures are down 2.4 percent. If the year continues like this, 2017 will see capacity somewhere between what it was in 2012 and 2013. However, international tourism to Western Australia has been growing. According to the International Visitor Survey produced by Tourism Research Australia, international visitors to Western Australia grew by 27.4 percent between 2012 and 2016.
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ASIA PACIFIC
Vietjet Receives AOC and Announces New Route
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ietjet officially received the recertified Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. Presented during a special ceremony with the theme Let’s Enjoy A New Journey, the airline also announced the launch of a new international route, commencing on December 18, from Bangkok to Dalat. “And the new AOC, bestowed to Vietjet today, is a remarkable milestone for the carrier to further prove its safety and services as it spreads its wings and continues to fly further and higher on this journey of sustainable development," said Arkhom Termpittayapaisit, minister, transport, Thailand.
Australia’s Tourism Leaders Meet in Perth
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ore than 400 tourism leaders from across Australia, including representatives of major hotels, airlines, tourism products and international buyers, gathered in Perth at Crown Perth and the Hyatt Regency for the annual Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Meeting Place event. Along with the conference programme, Meeting Place included more than 3,500 business-to-business appointments, a range of familiarisation options around Perth and Fremantle and tours of some of Western Australia tourism highlights like, scenic tours and skydiving.
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir Codeshare on Scoot Flights
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ingapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir customers travelling to more than 130 destinations across the SIA Group network stand to benefit from a new codeshare agreement with the group’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot. The codeshare arrangements will begin with Scoot flights serving Athens, Clark, Gold Coast, Hat Yai, Ipoh, Krabi, Kuching and Palembang. They will enable SIA and SilkAir customers to travel on single-ticket itineraries to codeshare destinations, meaning their boarding passes and baggage tags will be issued up to their final destination at the first point of check-in. SIA and SilkAir customers will also be offered Scoot’s FlyBagEat privileges including checked baggage allowance, complimentary meal and beverage, and blanket for flights above four hours.
Perth
Ctrip Partners with Big Bus Tours
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trip has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Big Bus Tours. Both companies will work together in areas of innovative marketing and product diversification to ensure that customers are able to have more access to tour options and in-destination transportation services. Ctrip is said to be the first travel provider allowing over 300 million users to directly book with Big Bus Tours. With a combined fleet of over 400 buses, more than four million passengers turn to the tours as a travel option, which runs services in 19 cities spanning across four continents. Destinations such as Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul and Sydney are the most popular amongst Chinese tourists.
30 DECEMBER 2017
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ASIA PACIFIC
INTERNATIONAL
Asian Members Meeting Concluded
IHG to expand Holiday Inn Express Presence in Seoul
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est Western Hotels & Resorts celebrated the conclusion of its 11th Asian Members’ Meeting, which gathered delegates from all across Asia in Bangkok in late November. Running under the theme BW & Beyond, this year’s event provided a vision for the company’s future as it embarks on an exciting new era. This year’s meeting focused on the Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ future in Asia and the exciting opportunities provided by this dynamic market. Delegates were treated to an in-depth programme that included executive speeches, corporate updates and networking opportunities.
WA State Tourism Strategy Review Released
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced it will open a new 300-room Holiday Inn Express hotel in Seoul, South Korea in 2018.
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae
Situated at the main junction of Hongdae, Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae will feature the signature Holiday Inn Express Great Room as a social lounge area and the Free Express Start Breakfast or a Grab & Go option for food necessities. A self-service business centre and laundry room will also be available as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre and flexible meeting rooms to cater travellers needs. “[...] Hongdae enjoys growing prominence as one of Seoul’s most vibrant tourist hotspots [...],” said Ken Choi, CEO, JEJUair, the hotel’s major investor.
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ourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) is facing challenges in meeting the AUD12 billion (USD9 billion) visitor spend goal by 2020. This is attributed to areas in which the auditors believe Tourism WA could have performed better in the delivery of the strategy to date, revealed a review of the Western Australia State Tourism Strategy, conducted by the office of the auditor general. In response, Nathan Harding, chairman, Tourism WA, said the agency would closely review the auditor general’s report, with a view to build on Tourism WA’s efforts to increase visitor numbers and spending in Western Australia.
New Zealand's Pioneer Mountain Bike Race Returns
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he course overview for the revamped Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race to take place on November 25 – 30, 2018, has been revealed, now starting and finishing in Queenstown, with stop offs in Central Otago towns, Alexandra and Bannockburn taking place in between. Riders will start their six days of riding with a 22 km prologue at Coronet Peak, with five longer stages following, taking riders as far south-east as Alexandra and the Clutha River. Once over the finish line, participants will have completed 450 km of riding, including 15,500 m of climbing. The course will touch on three of the New Zealand Cycle Trail’s Great Rides including trails not open to the public.
30 DECEMBER 2017
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RENDEZVOUS
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AS FUJAIRAH IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO PUTTING ITS VERSATILE AND PROACTIVE STRATEGIES IN PLACE FOR THE NEXT 23 YEARS, OMAR SOUAB, GENERAL MANAGER, FAIRMONT FUJAIRAH BEACH RESORT REVEALS HOW THE PROPERTY’S LUXURY OFFERING ATTRACTS GUESTS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE.
Q&A with Omar Souab GENERAL MANAGER, FAIRMONT FUJAIRAH BEACH RESORT
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How successful has the first half of this year (H1) been in terms of tourists’ arrivals and which were your main feeder markets? OMAR SOUAB: Since soft opening in 2016, Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort has increasingly become the preferred luxury accommodation choice in Fujairah. Albeit having opened with limited inventory and facilities, the resort marked a historic achievement having opened a month ahead of its original opening date. The hotel’s achievements month-on-month have been strong on room revenue, occupancy as well as ADR indexes, leading the hotel to surpass industry benchmark standards for performance over a pre-opening time-frame of four months. The resort has consistently grown its occupancy and increased visitor numbers, enabling the property to quickly gain prominence in the Northern Emirates region. The resort has earned a positive welcome from UAE and GCC residents and international travellers alike, with the hotel currently holding the number one position in Dibba on TripAdvisor and a Guest Satisfaction Score of above 86 percent. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How has Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort changed the hospitality scene in the emirate? OMAR SOUAB: The hotel’s strategic location hidden between mountainous valleys and the Gulf of Oman creates a sense of exclusivity. Attracting travellers across the Middle East and internationally, the hotel showcases authenticity, a hip interior design and innovative culinary concepts. It offers a wide range of facilities, including the UAE’s second Willow Stream
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Spa, exciting aqua activities and meeting venues designed to inspire creativity and maximise productivity. Five iconic dining venues present unique culinary options, from international cuisine at Canvas, Café Pronto’s European-style bistro to Arteasan’s artinspired tearoom, IAMMAI’s serene pool and shisha lounge. The resort’s signature restaurant, The Copper Lobster, brings locally-sourced seafood and a new gastro bar concept that has been warmly received by its UAE, GCC, UK and CIS target markets.
arabesque/Berber theme that breathes life into the emirate. An important part of our role as hospitality partners is to support the tourism boards in their efforts to promote the destination. We continue to participate in international trade shows to promote the hotel, the destination and all that Fujairah has to offer. In the fourth quarter this year (Q4), we launched a Friday Market showcasing locally-sourced products with an aim to highlight Fujairah’s culture and heritage.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Fujairah’s tourism and hospitality sector has grown by leaps and bounds during recent years. Which further actions need to be taken in order to turn Fujairah into a globalised destination?
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Do you have any further plans in order to attract more customers from the Middle East and North African (MENA) region?
OMAR SOUAB: There is huge potential for the destination to cater to travellers across the UAE and internationally, particularly as Fujairah marches towards its 2040 vision development plan of integrated growth, […]. As the Fujairah 2040 Framework Plan also acts as an important holistic guide in directing growth and management in key sectors such as regional and local tourism, the addition of Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort contributes positively to the ever growing tourism sector in Fujairah and hospitality market in northern emirates. We strive to be pioneers in the luxury segment and to pave the way for more brands to set base in Fujairah. The resort contributes to the continuous development of Fujairah’s international positioning of the region, while reflecting the emirate’s energy, culture and heritage in each of its offerings, be it through its wellness and food and beverage offerings, or in the resort’s art-inspired
OMAR SOUAB: We have recently launched our private and dedicated beach and will be unveiling the upcoming Lava Beach Club facility in Q4. Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort will fill a significant gap in Fujairah’s leisure offerings with one of the region’s first ever luxury lifestyle beach clubs. Spanning over 2,600 m2. Lava Beach club will include a multi-function lawn area, luxurious penthouse, amphitheatrestyle sun-loungers, and a kids’ pool to complement the resort’s existing Little Sailors Kids’ Club. Facilities will also include a 840 m2 free-form swimming pool in vivid hues of orange and yellow with multiple sunken Jacuzzis, luxury day chalets and unrivalled capabilities for social events. Other features will include a fully licenced restaurant with an outdoor terrace, a sunken pool bar, shisha bar and a DJ station. Lava Beach Club will be a much welcomed lifestyle addition to the destination, attracting visitors from the Middle East as well as international travellers from the UK, Germany, Russia and CIS countries alike.
30 DECEMBER 2017
TRAVEL CHANNELS
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Smith
SCTH Hosts Training Workshop for Urban Heritage
KAU Allocates Places to Students with Special Needs
Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), represented by the National Center for Tourism Human Resources Development, organised a training workshop from December 05 – 06 for people working in the field of urban heritage in cooperation with the SCTH branch in Jazan and the SCTH's Urban Heritage Center. The aim was to achieve a broad participation by local communities in urban heritage as well as to encourage them to play key roles in the development and conservation of national urban heritage. The workshop discussed a number of important issues that develops urban heritage and conservation methods, as well as, the role of documentation in the preservation of urban heritage and the applications of structural renovation of traditional buildings. To conclude the workshop, a global experience in the rehabilitation of heritage sites was also reviewed.
King Abdulaziz University
Dubai Based Athlete Sets Sight on BikingMan Record
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) has allocated 10 percent of its Travel and Tourism Diploma places to students with special needs in an effort to train them to join the labour market. KAU said the initiative responds to King Salman bin Abdul Aziz’s directives for public departments to pay special attention to students with special needs and due to the interest, as chairman of Saudi Disabled Children Association, of H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. It also falls within KAU’s social plans which, according to the university, aim to grant an appropriate degree covering scientific, theoretical and practical aspects in accordance with national and international standards, develop the competitive capacities of university students, create social partnership, and develop care programmes for students with special needs.
Marcus Smith, founder, Inner Fight GYM, and extreme athlete, is gearing up to be the first man to complete BikingMan’s ultra-cycling race series across four continents in 2018. BikingMan is a self-supported ultra-cycling adventure designed to bring together athletes in unfamiliar and uncommon environments. The race focuses on connecting cyclists who desire adventure and exploring cultures in less-travelled places, with each course averaging 1,000 km for a four to five day duration. The first race scheduled to take place from February 25 – March 02, 2018 in Muscat, will see Smith competing with 99 other athletes from across the globe who will be covering a minimum of 200 km a day without any support vehicles and carrying their own their own food and supplies.
SCTH
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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First annual meeting of the Academy of Scientists
Mawaheb from Beautiful People Art Gallery Unveiled at Dubai Airports
First Meeting of Mohammed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists
Dubai Airports, in collaboration with Mawaheb from Beautiful People, a local art studio for the determined ones, opened an art gallery at Dubai International’s Concourse D on November 29. The opening was timed to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed globally on December 03. The exhibition was on for two weeks. Anita Mehra, senior vice president, communication and reputation, Dubai Airports, commented, “We are very proud to be associated with Mawaheb from Beautiful People, and work with them to bring much needed attention to the capabilities of the determined ones. Our artDXB initiative will provide them a unique platform that showcases their full potential to what is arguably the world’s most multicultural and cosmopolitan audience – the millions of passengers that pass through Dubai International”.
Sharjah’s 4th Hospitality Industry Forum Highlights Innovation
H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA
Building on an increase in local hospitality sector revenues, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA’s) fourth Hospitality Industry Forum focused on innovation. Opening on December 04, the Continuous Innovation-themed event also centred on further tourism sector expansion. A 7.8 percent increase in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2016 saw local hospitality sector revenues climb to AED372 million (USD101.28 million). H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA, commented, “The remarkable expansion of the sector is the result of the Sharjah Government’s intensive efforts to adopt an innovative tourism approach to improve the sector through the provision of innovative solutions. This falls in line with Sharjah’s tourism vision which aims to attract more than 10 million tourists by the year 2021.”
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai, attended the first annual meeting of the Mohammed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists, which took place at Etihad Museum in the presence of prominent scientists and experts from various fields. The annual meeting focused on three main topics: Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, and Engineering and Technology. 10 discussion groups were formed with the aim of developing scientific plans and initiatives to achieve national strategies and objectives. The meeting witnessed the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Excellence, which aims to honour distinguished researchers. The Medal, which represents the highest Emirati scientific honour, was awarded to Saeed Alhassan Alkhazraji from the UAE, and Hassan Arafat, from Jordan, for their achievements and contributions in the scientific field.
Mawaheb from Beautiful People Art Gallery at DXB
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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. Etihad Aviation Group donated vital school and home supplies to more than one thousand Syrian refugee children at the Ritsona refugee camp
Millenium Airport Hotel Dubai wins two trophies at the Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards
The Department of Health recognised Etihad Airways for its commitment to travellers' health
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SCTDA in partnership with Sharjah International Marine Sports Club launched the qualifications round of the UIM F1H2O World Championship
Semiramis InterContinental Cairo in collaboration with Picasso East art gallery, hosted a vernissage displaying the artworks of Egyptian artists, Mahmoud Marei and Tamer Ragab.
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NEWS & EVENTS Future-Oriented Topics at the ITB Berlin
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evolutionary forms of transport, overtourism and digitalisation in the tourism industry will be the key topics of this year’s Leading Travel Industry Think Tank Admission. Free for exhibitors and visitors to ITB Berlin, taking place on March 07 – 10, 2018, the convention, will examine innovative and far-reaching trends in the travel industry, politics and business. Tech giants and traditional industries are investing billions in improving manufacturing processes, products, how to reach customers, and marketing and sales. On March 07, 2018 the ITB Future Day will examine how the travel industry is affected by these developments and in what specific ways tour operators can make use of artificial intelligence. The focus this year will be on personalising products and the individual customer experience.
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EVENTS VII EUROPE+ASIA EVENT FORUM (EFEA) St Petersburg, Russia January 17 – 19 euras-forum.com 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.
First-Ever Dar Al Zain Festival to Launch EMITT
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he Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi has announced the full programme for the first-ever Dar Al Zain Festival taking place at Al Ain Convention Centre. Having run between December 14–23, Al Ain hosted an outdoor village that was packed with live entertainment including singer Myriam Fares, who kicked-off the festival, craft stalls, and culinary delights, hosting families from across the UAE and wider region for a fun-filled 10 days. Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director, tourism sector, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, said, “[...] this unique and comprehensive family event further cements Al Ain Region’s position as a leading destination for family entertainment and leisure activities. We are confident this festival will help boost footfall to the city [...].”
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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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