Travel Trade Weekly, 13 January 2018, Issue 427

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13 JANUARY 2018 ISSUE 427

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13 JANUARY 2018 ISSUE 427

04 WEEKLY NEWS

Miral to Develop Beachfront in Abu Dhabi

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DUBAI DUTY FREE CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY WITH SALES

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AVANI HOTELS & RESORTS TO DEBUT IN OMAN


MARKET UPDATE

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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

DUBAI DUTY FREE CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY WITH SALES

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel PRESS Efi Rousi Maria Angelica Constantinou Athena Karsera Yiazou

Dubai Duty Free marked its 34th anniversary as it welcomed passengers travelling through Dubai with a special 25 percent discount on a wide range of merchandise on December 18, 2017, and continued until the operation’s anniversary day on December 20, 2017. Total sales for the three days reached AED196 million (USD54 million).

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 11.1.2018

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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

115.02

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

17.69

Iran (IRR)

Rial

36,289.91

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,184.31

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,511.85

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.35

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.37

Syria (SYP)

Pound

515.0

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

2.46

Yemen (YER)

Rial

250.1

Colm McLoughlin, CEO, Dubai Duty Free, and Ramesh Cidambi, chief operating officer along with other senior management joined employees in cutting the 34th anniversary cake

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erfume was the highest selling category with sales of AED45.259 million (USD12.4 million) followed by cosmetics with sales of AED39.329 million (USD10.775 million) and watches with sales of AED35.064 million (USD9.606 million). Over the three-day period, the cash registers recorded a total of 375,000 sales transactions with nearly 107,000 sales transactions alone on December 20, 2017. The Dubai Duty Free anniversary promotion is now a highly-anticipated event with many travellers choosing to travel on the days when the 25 percent discount is offered.

AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS UNVEILS INVESTMENT BUDGET Azizi Developments has announced that it will invest AED9.1 billion (USD2.47 billion) across its operations in the UAE in 2018, higher than its investments in 2017.

T Azizi Developments budget signing ceremony

he budget announcement aims to meet the developer’s commitment to further develop the Dubai real estate market by establishing unique community lifestyle projects in key locations across the city. Farhad Azizi, CEO, Azizi Developments, said, “Our developments will include new residential projects in upcoming locations and community-style projects in high-potential areas across the city. [...] We expect to see further business growth and development in 2018, especially as we near the commencement of Expo 2020, one of the biggest events on Dubai’s calendar for the next few years.”

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AGENTS

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Hotelbeds Group TAB Integrates CityPASS

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orldwide bedbank and B2B travel industry services provider Hotelbeds Group has announced the integration of CityPASS, the provider of multi-attraction ticket products, into its Transfer & Activity Bank (TAB). The partnership adds 78 new attractions to TAB´s platform such as the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Space Needle, World of Coca-Cola and Blue & Gold Bay Fleet Cruise Adventure. It also includes a real-time booking confirmation and cancellation service, all in 12 US markets such as New York, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Dallas.

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ABTA Launches 2018 Travel Campaign

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he travel association ABTA launched its 2018 Travel with Confidence national campaign on December 26, 2017, to coincide with the industry’s busiest sales period of the year. The campaign aims to encourage people to book with an ABTA Member. It initially targets families and over 55s across the peak booking season, and then 18-35 year olds and business travel audiences later in the year. ABTA will also support the campaign through a hub on its website providing holidaymakers with tips on how to travel with confidence. Victoria Bacon, director, brand and business development, ABTA, said, “As thousands of travellers start to plan and book their holidays for this year we are reminding people of the importance of booking with an ABTA Member.”

Amadeus Ventures Invests in Situm

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madeus Ventures announced that it will invest in Situm Technologies, an indoor GPS startup for travellers at airports, train stations or conference centres. The Spanish startup provides indoor positioning, tracking and navigation services for many different uses, such as guiding visitors inside a large building, tracking the location of security staff in case of emergencies, or tracking moving objects inside factories. Thousands of buildings around the world have already used its technology, which provides high location accuracy, up to one metre, with the lowest infrastructure investment and complexity for indoor services.

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WEEKLY NEWS

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A’L BAHAR project

Miral To Develop Beachfront in Abu Dhabi MIRAL HAS ANNOUNCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW BEACHFRONT COMMUNITY SPACE LOCATED ON ABU DHABI’S CORNICHE.

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ue to open in the first quarter of this year, the A’L BAHAR project will help to deliver on the capital’s vision of offering unique experiences for residents and visitors, establishing the emirate as an entertainment and leisure destination of distinction. Miral will develop an 80,000 m2 location into a dedicated beachfront space for leisure and wellbeing, offering to include over 20 food and beverage outlets that cater to different tastes. The beachfront will comprise basketball and beach volleyball courts, soccer pitches, an outdoor gym, kids play area, spaces for concerts and community events as well as an inflatable floating structure. A promenade, stretching over 0.5 km in length, will also be set aside for walking.

Matajer Al Juraina Mall Retail Expansion on Track

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ajid Al Futtaim has confirmed the AED56 million (USD15.25 million) expansion of Matajer Al Juraina community mall is on track for completion early this year. Phase two of the expansion strategy, will add 3,000 m² of gross leasable area including 16 new brands and restaurants. There will be a wider scope for servicebased outlets such as salons and banks

Dubai Safari Attracts Thousands of Visitors

while the enhancement will include a vibrant new redesign with a shaded pergola for al fresco dining. Ali Al Abdulla, senior director, community and neighbourhood malls, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said, “Matajer Al Juraina is to set to become an anchor for the community where families can come together to shop, eat and play.”

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Matajer Al Juraina Mall

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ubai Safari announced that since opening to public during the week of December 11, 2017 the number of visitors to the park has crossed the 100,000 mark. Continuing with its commitment to provide visitors of all ages a unique experience, entrance to Dubai Safari will be ticketed, as of December 21, 2017. Mohammed Mubarak Al Mutaiwei, assistant director general, communication and community sector, Dubai Municipality, said, “Conducted with approximately 50,000 visitors to Dubai Safari, the survey found that the ethnicities of the visitors comprised of 39 percent Arabs, 29 percent Asians, 23 percent Emiratis and nine percent Europeans. [...] In terms of age, a majority, 54 percent were between the ages 30-40, while 25 percent were between the ages 19-29, 13 percent were between the ages 41-51, six percent were below 18 years, and two percent were 51 years or older.” 13 JANUARY 2018


WEEKLY NEWS

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Dubai Land Department Concludes Global Tour

T Guest Behaviour Through Length of Stay Metrics

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ength of stay is becoming an important variable in the equation of growth and evolution of brand loyalty programmes. Length of stay, or the number of actualised room nights per booking, is impacted by a variety of factors, as well as economic and societal trends. For instance, a recent Forbes.com article said that 78 percent of millennials intentionally carved out personal time on their business trips.

13 JANUARY 2018

Brand.com experienced a year-over-year decline of 4.1 percent to 1.76 nights, while online travel agents remained the shortest length of stay at 1.69 nights. Overall, the resulting 1.89 night length of stay from all sources of business represented a 3.3 percent year-on-year decline. Length of stay declined in all major markets in December, with Dallas-Fort Worth dropping the most by nine percent year-on-year to 2.24 nights.

he Real Estate Investment Management and Promotion Center, the investment arm of Dubai Land Department, has concluded its real estate roadshow and workshops in Baku and the UK. The purpose of the roadshow was to promote Dubai's real estate market and attract British investors. The event attracted a large number of visitors, investors, investment companies and other groups of interested parties. The developers were given the opportunity to offer promotional deals, flexible payment plans and payment facilities, highlighting Dubai's investment environment and its distinctiveness from other cities around the world.

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ACCOMMODATION

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AVANI Hotels & Resorts, Muscat

AVANI Hotels & Resorts to Debut in Oman Minor Hotels has signed a management agreement with Safari International Group for a new AVANI hotel to be developed in Muscat.

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cheduled to open in 2020, the 250-key AVANI Muscat Hotel located in Seeb to the west of the city, is set to open in two phases. The first phase will comprise 160 guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an AVANI Pantry and a rooftop lounge. Additional facilities will include a swimming pool and health club, a 1,000 m2 ballroom and eight meeting rooms. The second phase, which will commence two years after the main hotel opens, will offer a total of 90 serviced apartments including studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus two 175 m2 three-bedroom apartments.

MGallery Announced Three New Openings

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Gallery announced the opening of three new addresses; Victory House Leicester Square, London; The Retreat Palm Dubai; and Tarcin Forest Resort & Spa, marking, with the latter two being the first of the brand in the Middle East and in Bosnia, respectively. Victory House, Leicester Square boasts 86 stylish and contemporary bedrooms, including nine suites, and has officially launched the restaurant, Petit Bistro.

The Retreat Palm Dubai is the first MGallery property as well as the first 360-degree holistic wellbeing resort in the Middle East, offers 255 rooms and suites, while also including four dining concepts. MGallery Tarcin Forest Resort & Spa features a restaurant, hotel cafe, business centre, executive VIP lounge, luxury spa and a wellness oasis with a fitness centre, organic dining, and conference and banquet facilities.

The Retreat Palm Dubai

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First InterContinental Resort in the Middle East Opens nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of the InterContinental Fujairah Resort in Dibba. The venue’s 190 guest rooms and suites, including 44 Club InterContinental Rooms and 38 suites, feature expansive balconies offering of the sea. InterContinental Fujairah Resort offers a gymnasium, O Spa by L'Occitane, four meeting rooms, a boardroom and a ballroom. The hotel boasts two gourmet dining options including Nama and Drift while guests can also enjoy cocktails at Horizon. There is also a family pool, kids’ club and a teen’s club, as well as a babysitting service.

Aldar Properties Completes International Tower Acquisition

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ldar Properties has completed the acquisition of International Tower, the office tower located in Capital Gate district of Abu Dhabi for AED658 million (USD179 million). International Tower comprises 39,000 m2 of Grade A commercial space and will immediately contribute to Aldar Properties’ net operating income supported by a strong mix of existing tenants and robust occupancy. The Capital Gate district is home to a combination of private and public sector organisations, as well as a range of hospitality outlets and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. International Tower is located at the heart of this business hub.Aldar Properties.

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AIR EgyptAir Receives Final Boeing

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s part of its continuous fleet expansion strategy, the flag carrier airline of Egypt, EgyptAir, has announced the launch of its ninth and final Boeing 737-800NGs on a lease deal from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise which is valued at USD864 million. Meeting the requirements of today’s challenging market; the aircraft features 16 seats in business class and 137 in economy class. Along with facilitating an improved passenger experience, the jet is the 69th addition to the carrier’s fleet and the 29th of this type.

Royal Jordanian Sees Increase in Bookings

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Qatar Airways Welcomes Thailand Expansion

Emirates Launches London Stansted Airport Service

Celebrating the launch of the airline’s fourth gateway into Thailand, Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, welcomed the company’s expansion.

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oyal Jordanian’s 54th anniversary online sales campaign that was launched on December 15, 2017 resulted an increase in the number of online and mobile app bookings. The one day offer saw an increase of 1104 percent over the previous 24 hours online bookings, and website bookings increased by 151 percent over the regular daily visitors to the site. Stefan Pichler, president, Royal Jordanian, said, “Thank you, dear guests, for your trust and loyalty. You always give us another reason to keep offering super low tickets. This campaign, like all previous ones, shows that RJ knows how to stir customers' interest and cares to remain the number one choice for its loyal customers, as well as to attract new ones.”

London Stansted Airport

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ommenting on the launch of the four times weekly flights, Al Baker, said, “We are very excited to have launched our direct non-stop service to Chiang Mai. […] Expanding our presence with a fourth gateway into Thailand has always been a priority for us. Putting the city (Chiang Mai) on our global route map also connects local travellers from Chiang Mai to our extensive network of more than 150 destinations.”

From left, Yuthasak Supasorn, governor, Tourism Authority, Thailand, Al Baker, Marwan Koleilat, senior vice president, Asia Pacific, Qatar Airways

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mirates announced that it is to launch a new daily route from Dubai International Airport to London Stansted Airport on June 08. With its strategic position close to the tech and pharma hubs of Cambridge and Peterborough, Emirates is hailed to be the first Middle Eastern airline to operate out of the popular London airport. Tim Clark, president, Emirates said, “ The introduction of the new London Stansted-Dubai service underscores our commitment to serve London, with operations soon to three different airports in the city. There is a clear demand for this service from both business and leisure travellers and we anticipate that this news will be warmly received both across our global network, as well as by the business community based in the Stansted catchment area.”

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AIR

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Inaugural flight celebrations

Qatar Airways Flight to Saint Petersburg

Q flydubai Touches Down in Kilimanjaro

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lydubai’s inaugural flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport touched down on December 15, 2017, increasing capacity to Tanzania and further expanding its network in Africa to 12 destinations. flydubai offers six flights a week to Kilimanjaro, three of which are via a stop in the capital, Dar es Salaam and will increase the total number of flights to Tanzania to 14 flights a week. In addition, as part

of the inaugural programme, flydubai showcased its new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, commented, “With our service to Kilimanjaro, we are responding to a growing demand for travel between the UAE and Tanzania. flydubai is the first UAE airline to offer direct air links to Kilimanjaro with the aim to [...] offer travellers more choice and flexibility.”

atar Airways’ first non-stop flight from Doha to Saint Petersburg landed at Pulkovo Airport on December 19, 2017, marking the airline’s second gateway in Russia. In order to meet the customers’ needs, the flight was operated by Boeing B787 Dreamliner. H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, said, “I am delighted to touch down [...] on board our first commercial flight to St. Petersburg. Following the great success of our Moscow route, we are extremely happy to extend our reach into Russia. By launching this new route, we are committing to further supporting the Russian market, and providing inbound and outbound passengers a seamless journey through the skies.”

NAS Launches New Pearl Lounges

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ational Aviation Services (NAS) announced the launch of its Pearl Lounges at Marrakech-Menara Airport in Morocco reinforcing capacities at the newly renovated airport. The two lounges in arrivals and departures, covering 800 m², combine luxury and serenity to offer maximum comfort for all passengers, including more than 150 seats, a wide menu selection, free Wi-Fi, a smoking zone, shower facilities as well as separate designated entertainment areas for kids and teenagers. Hassan El-Houry, CEO, NAS Group, said, “[…] Our Pearl Lounges are the perfect accent to the eclectic facilities offered at the airport, rated by Skyteam as the most beautiful airport in the world. All passengers, arriving, departing or in transit can access the lounge to relax and rejuvenate or get work done in a comfortable environment.”

El-Houry with Youssef Jroundi, director, sales and marketing, ONDA inaugurating the NAS Pearl Lounge in Marrakech

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AIR NCB Capital Announced Aircraft Portfolio

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CB Capital announced the acquisition of a portfolio of 21 commercial aircraft from AerCap Holdings. The portfolio comprises a mix of narrow-body and widebody Airbus and Boeing aircraft on lease to 14 airlines across the world. The acquisition of the portfolio is part-financed with a nonrecourse term loan arranged by BNP Paribas, Citibank and Credit Suisse. Sarah Al Suhaimi, CEO, NCB Capital, said, “Aircraft leasing is a fast growing industry that offers a unique and attractive diversification opportunity. We are delighted to have partnered with AerCap, the global leader in aircraft leasing, in this transaction that is the first of its kind in our market.”

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Gulf Air Praises Flight Safety Annual Summit

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ulf Air has praised the success of the Gulf Flight Safety Council’s annual summit which was held in Bahrain. This year’s summit comprised different sessions focusing on flight, ground and cabin safety and saw the attendance of key representatives from Gulf Air, Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs, Bahrain Airport Company and Ministry of Interior. As official carrier of the twoday event, Waleed Abdul Hameed Al Alawi, deputy CEO, Gulf Air, welcomed all attendees and stressed Gulf Air’s commitment to supporting and promoting the improvement of flight safety in the GCC region.

Air Arabia Adds Sharjah - Moscow Service

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ir Arabia will begin flights to Sheremetyevo International Airport from February 01, 2018, initially with four flights a week, to increase to daily as of March 01. The four weekly flights will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing from Sharjah International Airport. Adel Al Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, said, “We are pleased to serve Moscow’s two busiest airports providing our customers with choice and convenience. Our flights to Moscow cater to a lively market that is made up of both leisure and business travellers. With the launch of our flights to Sheremetyevo, passengers can now benefit from additional travel options to connect to Russia from Sharjah and other destinations in our network.”

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INTERNATIONAL

AFRICA

Solving the Conflict Between Humans and Elephants

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Botswana Hosts Sustainable Tourism Conference

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asane in Botswana, recently hosted tourism stakeholders exchanging knowledge of innovative approaches towards enhancing tourism and conservation planning, financing and marketing. Themed Empowering Tourism Destinations’ Sustainability through Innovation, the 10YFP STP International Symposium and Annual Conference, the conference also discussed the tourism sector’s role in fighting climate change. Inaugurated by Tshekedi Khama, minister, environment, natural resources conservation and tourism, Botswana, the event began with a debate on how to market sustainability to trigger consumer change. The second day served to prepare the Kasane Call to Action for Sustainable Consumption and Production in Tourism entitled The Tourism We Want.

Tarangire locals

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he World Animal Protection Nederland and TUI Care Foundation in collaboration with Alex Chang’a, project coordinator, RESOLVE, biodiversity and wildlife solutions, have organised a plan to solve the farmers of Tarangire National Park elephant issue; regional elephants keep feeding and destroying the farmer’s crops leading to violent attacks. One of the solutions that were introduced was the chili routine where farmers created a chili paste and tied it to the fence that surrounds the fields, something that drives elephants away due to the strong smell. Also, farmers have learned to hang beehives in the trees that line in their fields to once again scare elephants away in a more peaceful manner. This project with World Animal Protection Nederland is currently finished, but the commitment to the protection of elephants remains intact as the organisations are now focusing on the Asian region.

Ascott Begins Africa Takeover

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scott is boosting its record growth for 2017 with its first foray into Africa. It has secured contracts to manage two properties in the heart of Accra, one of Africa’s top cities for investment. The 220-unit Ascott 1 Oxford Street Accra will open in phases from 2019, while the 40-unit Kwarleyz Residence will open in the fourth quarter of this year. Lee Chee Koon, CEO, Ascott, said, “[...] Ascott is set to surpass its target of 80,000 units well ahead of 2020 as we continue with this growth trajectory, expanding through strategic alliances, management contracts, franchises and investments.[...] We see huge opportunities to bring Ascott into Africa, the world’s second fastest growing economy [...].

Hard Rock International Expands Portfolio in Maldives

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ard Rock International announced plans to expand its portfolio with Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and Hard Rock Cafe Maldives. Set to open on October 01, 2018, the hotel will be one of three resorts included in the development, boasting 178 expansive guestrooms, family suites, beach villas and oneand two-bedroom overwater villas. The property will provide guests with

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brand offerings and amenities, including The Sound of Your Stay music programme, offering complimentary use of Fender guitars and Crosley record players for in-room jam sessions, as well as a full-service Rock Spa, a Rock Shop selling all brand merchandise, Roxity Kids Club and Teen Spirit Club. Guests can also enjoy on-site food and beverage options, ranging from a pool bar and all-day dining, to a Beach Grill restaurant and in-villa dining experience.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives

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INTERNATIONAL

AMERICAS

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Opening of Cambria Hotel Westfield Indiana

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hoice Hotels International, in collaboration with Ceres Enterprises and The Orlean Company, announced the opening of the Cambria Hotel Westfield in Indiana. The 152-room newly constructed property is a short drive from downtown Indianapolis and features 353 m2 of meeting space, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and an indoor pool. The property includes contemporary onsite dining, serving a menu comprised of area specialties, signature cocktails and local craft beers, as well as freshly prepared grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches. "The Cambria Hotel Westfield is nearby to all that Indianapolis offers, whether travelling on business or leisure, and we look forward to providing guests with new upscale lodging options where they can treat themselves on the road," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president, upscale brands, Choice Hotels.

Andaz Brand Introduces (ANDAZ)RED Cabanas

Cambria Hotel Westfield

Home2 Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Airport Opens

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he Andaz brand announced its latest collaboration with the AIDS organisation founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver, namely (RED). Andaz is expanding its (RED) collaboration by creating new (ANDAZ) RED Cabanas that are available to book at five of the brands’ hotel locations in the US and Latin America. The brand’s collaboration with (RED) creates a unique opportunity for guests to have inspiring experiences at new (ANDAZ) RED Cabanas, while helping to save lives with every reservation. “We are so excited that the Andaz brand is giving guests yet another way to engage with (RED) while travelling to one of these five fabulous properties worldwide! These striking cabanas mean guests can now enjoy the poolside action and fight AIDS,” said Deborah Dugan, CEO, (RED).

Home2 Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Airport

H ANDAZ)RED Cabanas

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ome2 Suites by Hilton announced the opening of its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Airport. Located two miles north of the airport, the hotel will cater the 7.5 million out of town visitors. The hotel features 115 suites and a range of techfocused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Airport offers all-suite accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and modular furniture, providing guests the flexibility to customise their suite to their style and preference. The hotel also features complimentary Internet, inviting communal spaces, and trademark Home2 Suites amenities such as Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area, Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, and the Inspired Table, a complimentary daily breakfast that includes more than 400 potential combinations. Guests can also enjoy an indoor saline pool, fire pit and grill area.

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INTERNATIONAL

AMERICAS

Crystal River Cruises’ Collection of Destination Experiences

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Carnival Fascination to Undergo Dry Dock

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arnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Fascination will undergo an extensive multi-million-dollar dry dock that will add a variety of food and beverage innovations. The sadditional amenities will include Guy’s Burger Joint; the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar; Blue Iguana Cantina Mexican eatery, Cherry on Top sweets shop, the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar; BlueIguana Tequila Bar; and a Bonsai Sushi Express venue. The spaces will be added during a two-week dry dock taking place February 04 – 17, in Freeport, The Bahamas, prior to the ship resuming its yearround schedule on February 18.

Danube

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rystal River Cruises announced details of its new collection of destination experiences for voyages along Danube, Rhine and Europe’s main rivers. Debuting this year, the newly added offerings focus on authenticity and are tailored to travellers’ individual interests, featuring smaller group sizes and unique details. Nearly 200 excursions are included, with additional pursuits also available at a cost. With many destinations including Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Switzerland, Slovenia, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia voyages include, culinary experiences, string and opera performances, a full day exploring Salzburg from Linz; horse show and carriage ride at Lázár Equestrian Park; and Schlagkamp Winery in Cochem.

Florida Aquarium to Produce Lab-made Corals

Holland America Line Celebrates ms Nieuw Statendam

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n December 06, 2017, Holland America Line hosted a coin ceremony at Fincantieri’s Margera shipyard in Italy, to celebrate its upcoming float-out ms Nieuw Statendam. The ship's design will be similar to Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and will have public spaces and its own style created by Adam Tihany, designer, and Bjorn Storbraaten, architect. The ship will carry 2,660 guests and feature all of the hallmarks of pinnacle-class design; grand light-filled spaces; visual drama; and sumptuous interiors inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments.

Destination Canada Signs MoU with Sina Weibo

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he Florida Aquarium and the Horniman Museum and Gardens, based in London, have joined forces to save coral reefs by reproducing corals in a lab. Corals in the wild reproduce once per year making it hard for researches to observe especially as the event is becoming increasingly more uncertain given the changing climate. On December 11 – 17, 2017, Keri O’Neil, nursery manager, corals, Florida Aquarium, visited the Horniman to learn their techniques of growing corals in a lab setting and gather ideas of how to transport future coral fragments to Florida for restoration purposes.

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Canada

estination Canada has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sina Weibo. This strategic decision will allow Canada to tap into the 80 percent of Chinese travellers who use the internet to plan their trips and raise the profile of Canadian tourism products among prospective Chinese travellers. The partnership framework will boost Canada’s exposure in China, the second largest contributor of tourism dollars to the Canadian economy. "To be heard in a market as large as China, we need an always-on, digitally-based marketing strategy,” said David Goldstein, president, Destination Canada. “Sina Weibo is a powerful tool that allows us to reach our target consumer: hyper-connected Chinese traveller.”

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INTERNATIONAL

ASIA PACIFIC

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Princess Cruises Reveal 2019 Japan Cruise

Singapore Airlines Launches Chatbot

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ingapore Airlines launched a beta chatbot, as it expands digital servicing channels for customers. The bot, named Kris, will initially be available on the airlines global Facebook page, and will later be made available on its website. Customers who visit the Facebook page and reach out to the airline via Messenger will be able to chat privately with Kris and receive assistance for pre-flight-related queries. As a beta bot, Kris will be in constant learning mode and its capabilities will develop over time. The bot is currently trained to address queries in English related to baggage, check-in, online booking, as well as travelling with infants and children.

Tokyo

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rincess Cruises announced its 2019 programme featuring Japanesebuilt Diamond Princess returning for its sixth season, sailing roundtrip from Tokyo and Kobe. The March-November 2019 season features 60 departures on 40 itineraries, visiting 41 destinations in seven countries. Offerings include access to 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites and nine late night port calls. "Japan is a culturally rich country with an abundance of local entertainment, historical sites and culinary experiences for our guests to embrace," said Jan Swartz, president, Princess Cruises. "Cruising is the best way to explore this island nation and Princess has been recognised the number one international cruise line in Japan."

Qantas to Operate First Bio-fuel Flight

Thailand Introduces Shades Concept

Volvo Ocean Race to Visit Auckland

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antas announced that it will operate, what is hailed to be, the world’s first bio-fuel flight between the US and Australia. The Los Angeles to Melbourne flight will take place early this year, in collaboration with World Fuel Services and Altair Fuels, and will see Qantas’ Dreamliner being powered by Brassica Carinata, an industrial type of mustard seed which produces high quality oil, ideal for aviation biofuel for airport vehicles. “We are constantly looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions across our operations when it comes to using renewable jet fuel, [...] Our work with Agrisoma will enable Australian farmers to start growing today for the country’s biofuel needs of the future [...],” said Alison Webster, CEO, Qantas International.

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he tourism authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced its new tourism marketing concept, Open to the New Shades, to the French market alongside the presentation of Thai tastes at a press conference held on December 14, 2017, at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. The Open to the New Shades concept reflects TAT’s three new marketing directions for 2018, including new markets, new segmentations and new products. It is customised to accommodate every single target segment and market such as, luxury, weddings and honeymooners, lady travellers, families and millennials.

uckland will welcome, what are described to be the world’s toughest sailors for this year, when the Volvo Ocean Race stops over in the region in February 2018. Boats competing in the world race are due to make landfall in New Zealand around February 24, and will be in Auckland until March 18. Amongst crew in the seven competing teams are the Kiwi sailors, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke both part of the winning US Cup team and reporter James Blake. Attractions will include interactive displays including a grinding challenge, big screens showing race coverage, a stage with a programme of live performances, shops and hospitality spaces for enjoing the sailing festival atmosphere.

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RENDEZVOUS

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MOVING AWAY FROM ITS RELIANCE ON OIL REVENUES, DUBAI HAS IDENTIFIED KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES TO MAXIMISE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS TOURISM INDUSTRY BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF REPEAT VISITORS. KARIM BIZID, GENERAL MANAGER, THE OBEROI BUSINESS BAY EXPLAINS HOW REPEAT TRAVELLERS WILL SUSTAIN THE EMIRATE’S HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY.

Q&A with KARIM BIZID GENERAL MANAGER, THE OBEROI BUSINESS BAY

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How successful has the first half (H1) of 2017 been and how does this compare to 2016? KARIM BIZID: H1 2017was very encouraging for The Oberoi Business Bay. In particular, during the first quarter of 2017 we saw a very good growth of nine percent in revenue, led by the demand from the GCC and European segments. The Oberoi Business Bay was perhaps one of the very few hotels in Dubai which managed to grow its ADR during this period. Meanwhile, the second quarter of 2017 witnessed a growth in occupancy particularly from India, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, however the ADR dropped marginally due to the market dynamics during the summer period. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your guests’ demographics and what are their expectations? KARIM BIZID: Our guests are a mix of discerning business and leisure travellers ranging from single travellers to couples and families wanting to be in and around Business Bay. The resort’s top nationalities derive from the UK, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India and Germany. They seek a luxury experience which is customised to their personal taste and preferences and they expect state of the art facilities with dependable service in a caring environment […]. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) identified increasing the number of repeat visits as one of the key objectives in its Tourism vision 2020. What is the

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resort doing to support DTCM’s objective? KARIM BIZID: Right towards the beginning of 2017, DTCM had shared its vision of supporting its initiative to position Dubai as a destination that inspires global travellers to visit it again and again. To achieve this objective, it was important to listen to what the travellers had to share. The initiative was covered under the 2016 DTCM Digital Reputation Report, managed by DTCM, which focuses on the comments and experiences posted by travellers in all digital mediums including social media. The Oberoi Business Bay’s objective resonates with Tourism 2020 vision and our endeavor is to delight our visitors in a manner that they only have pleasant memories to share. It was very encouraging to see that with a high score of 92 percent, the hotel secured a spot in the top 12 for the entire city of Dubai in the 2016 DTCM Digital Reputation Report. This report encompasses all critical area of a hotel and we were recognised by the guests especially for exceptional service, food, rooms and Wi-Fi. Further to this, we regularly collaborate with DTCM by offering our hospitality and experiences to the key influencers such as travel planners, bloggers and travel industry leaders who have the following and power to influence many. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Why should travellers return for another trip to Dubai and what more can be done to promote repeat visits? KARIM BIZID: Dubai has consistently created unique and new experiences that the global travellers can always look forward to, for example the

Dubai Canal which is a new and beautiful feature in the Downtown Business Bay area which has not only changed the landscape of the area but offered a chance for visitors to admire another engineering marvel. In order to promote repeat visits, all hospitality and tourist service establishments should give great importance to the quality of experience of the travellers. At The Oberoi Business Bay we go out of the way to customise the stay and experiences of our guests by offering personalised service such as in room check in for guests, the legendary Oberoi butler service in every room including the entry level room, a la minute customised breakfast for guests over and above a great buffet spread, mix of 32 nationalities as team members to assist the guests. As far the physical room product experiences are concerned, the hotel offers one of the largest entry level room size at 52 m2, thus making them comparable to junior suites of most city hotels. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your priorities going forward? KARIM BIZID: Our priority is to establish The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts as one of the best not just in Dubai but also in the region. In order to achieve this, we are taking certain initiatives of further developing our brand awareness and presence in the Middle East and GCC. Following the opening of our newest hotel, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah in Ajman, the company is expecting to open more new hotels in the near future in key markets such as The Oberoi Marrakech.

13 JANUARY 2018


TRAVEL TALK

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LAURENT A. VOIVENEL

RUSSEL SHARPE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND INDIA, SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CITYMAX HOTELS

Our objective is to deliver the most memorable experiences” “Swiss-Belhotel Seef Bahrain is one of our flagship hotels in the region that has established a tremendous reputation […] We are extremely proud of the prestigious industry accolades that the hotel has been consistently recognised with. The credit for this goes to our fantastic team led by Herve Peyre general manager who is also the area general manager for the group in Bahrain where we have extensive development in progress. […] Our objective is to deliver the most memorable experiences and excellent value to our guests […].”

TRISTAN DE LA PORTE DU THEIL GENERAL MANAGER, DUKES DUBAI

This award was a tremendous achievement

“To receive the Middle East title of this award was a tremendous achievement, but to be recognised as the best new hotel on an international stage is the ultimate accolade. Every single employee deserves enormous credit, whether front or back of house. We always knew that we were a special team, now that is no longer merely opinion, it is official.”

This demonstrates the dedication and passion by our team

“It is a great honour and tremendous achievement to be recognised as the World’s Leading Budget Hotel Brand by global travellers. This demonstrates the dedication and passion put forth by our team in providing a memorable experience and exceptional value to our guests despite the stiff competition. Our objective is to provide consistency in what we offer both in terms of service as well as the facilities together with value for money and we are truly glad that our guests have recognised and appreciated this. [...].”

ZURAB POLOLIKASHVILI SECRETARY GENERAL, UNWTO

Our responsibility is to ensure that tourism benefits every community

"Tourism’s sustained growth generates immense opportunities for economic welfare and development. Yet, it also brings in many challenges. Adapting our sector to the challenges of safety and security, evolving market changes, growing digitalisation and the limits of our natural resources should be priorities in our common action. [...], I take upon me to lead UNWTO with a strong focus on building strong partnerships with public and private sector."

TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

13 JANUARY 2018

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

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Las Vegas

Saudi Society Shifting Towards National Monuments

Travellers Plan to Spend More in This Year Americans plan to spend more money on quick trips this year, according to the Enterprise Annual Weekend Getaway Survey. Roughly 85 percent of respondents said they were planning a weekend trip this year, up from 78 percent in 2017. Reasons such as stress led the list at 43 percent, followed by news, 39 percent, the current political climate, 38 percent and social media 24 percent. Steve Short, vice president, Enterprise, said that the company has seen a steady increase year over year in Americans seeking getaways and in how much they planned to spend on them. “In 2017 we got more insight on what is driving them to get away. In past years, respondents wanted to get away to relax,” added Short.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a widening interest in the discovery and protection of national monuments. According to the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Natural Heritage (SCTH) this major achievement was made in collaboration with and support of public departments and specialised organisations and associations. SCTH said it had been through these efforts that society’s negative views were transformed into respect for, acceptance of, and pride in national antiquities. While there are voices calling for the removal of the antiquities or lack any interest in them, the dominant voice of the people now demands protection of and pride in past civilisations, the commission said. It added that support came not only from intellectuals but also public officials and religious scholars.

Dubai as Top Destination for Festive Season Travellers

Dubai

Hotel price comparison website HotelsCombined.com has revealed that Dubai continues to be the top destination among GCC travellers during the festive season, followed by Abu Dhabi and Al Medina. Internationally, London maintains its position as the most popular destination followed by Istanbul and Paris, according to the number of bookings and visitors gathered from December 22, 2017 to January 2. Amer Alhalabi, regional manager, Middle East and North Africa, HotelsCombined.com, said, “Destinations like Dubai and London are very popular among travellers during the festive season as it is easy to get visas to these countries. Dubai itself is a popular attraction for youngsters, families and couples; and is also a hub for travellers heading to other destinations outside the Middle East.”

Saudi Arabia

UNWTO and EC Address TSA Significance

Measuring the economic impact of tourism in Europe: the Tourism Satellite Account

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The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission recently gathered national tourism policy makers and statisticians in Brussels to advance the measurement of economic impact through Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs.) As part of International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development events, and within the framework of UNWTO and DG GROW cooperation, the two institutions coorganised a Measuring the economic impact of tourism in Europe: the Tourism Satellite Account workshop in collaboration with Eurostat. Bringing together over 100 policy makers, tourism statisticians and TSA compilers from European Union member states and COSME countries, the workshop helped bridge better understanding and entice collaboration amongst key stakeholders.

13 JANUARY 2018


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. Oman Air was awarded with World's Leading Airline, Economy Class, at the World Travel Awards

Gulf Air showcased its three weekly flights between Bahrain and Tbilisi to a number of GCC travellers with a fam trip

Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...

Over 400 contestants participated in Sharjah’s first ever female-only obstacle race entitled ‘Challenge Accepted’ and organised by Sharjah Girl Guides

Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free supported the ExxonMobil Open Men’s 2018 Tournament

13 JANUARY 2018

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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS

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Fifth SWMF to Take Place

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.

T

he fifth edition of popular annual music event the Sharjah World Music Festival (SWMF) will entertain the UAE from January 12 – 19. Festival organiser, Furat Qaddouri Music Centre, has confirmed that a stellar line-up of artists and musicians from the Arab and Western worlds will be performing in this edition. Dozens of artists, musicians and instrumental-

ists from 11 countries from Kuwait to Argentina will be performing in four different venues in Sharjah. Furat Qaddouri, manager, SWMF, commented, “The programme has been curated in a way that will bring a world of artistic expressions to one stage.” One of the highlights of the festival will be a tribute night to musician Abdel Halim Hafez, performed by the Cairo Opera House Orchestra.

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.

2017 SWMF

Travel Tech Pavilion Announced

W EMITT Istanbul, Turkey January 25 – 28 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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orld Travel Market (WTM) Latin America announced the launch of the Travel Tech Pavilion, an area that is unprecedented within the already existing Travel Tech Show event. This will expand small and medium-sized companies’ access to technology as applied to tourism and enable them to include the tools available in their existing business. Companies that exhibit in the pavilion will have all the rights and benefits that are guaranteed to other WTM exhibitors. In addition to the space that is already equipped to receive new exhibitors, the stand will have an illuminated back-lit panel, where their brand can be exhibited, and an entry in the official catalogue that is delivered to all participants at the event.

RLC to Host Annual MENA Summit

R

etail Leaders Circle (RLC) will host its annual MENA summit on March 27 – 28, at Dubai’s Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach. The high-level summit is being organised in partnership with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the theme Re-imagining Retail in Middle East: Innovation and Disruption. The event is to bring together over 300 business leaders from the retail, real estate, and technology sectors, as well as investors and other key stakeholders. The two-day summit will address themes such as, the evolving role of shopping malls, , key trends and technologies impacting the global retail sector, and the state of the e-commerce, while it will also explore how retailers are competing in a fast-changing market.

H.E. Hamad Buamim, CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

13 JANUARY 2018


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