17 FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE 432
08 AIR
Ryanair Launch 14 New Flights from Europe to Jordan
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JUMEIRAH GROUP TO LAUNCH THE GREENS
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RARE DINOSAUR FOSSIL DISCOVERED IN EGYPT
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MUSCAT AIRPORT REPORTS IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
Muscat International Airport welcomed 14 million passengers in 2017, a 16.7 percent increase over 2016.
EDITOR Mario Hajiloizis 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
Muscat International Airport is increasingly welcoming more passengers
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MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of 15.2.2018
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COUNTRY
CURRENCY USD1=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.38
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
113.82
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.70
Iran (IRR)
Rial
37,061.27
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,183.73
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,513.80
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.33
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.12
Syria (SYP)
Pound
515.21
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.40
Yemen (YER)
Rial
249.95
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he airport also reported 1.2 million domestic visitors, an increase of 18.3 percent, while international visitors reached 12.8 million, a 16.5 percent increase. Aircraft movements during 2017 reported 114,258, showing an increase of 10.6 percent, with domestic at 12,110, increased by 27.4 percent and international at 102,148, increased by 8.9 percent. Passenger numbers also increased at Muscat International Airport by 15 percent in December 2017 compared to December 2016. During that month the airport saw 1.3 million passengers, an increase of 14.8 percent year-on-year, with domestic passengers at 95,379 and international at 1.2 million. Aircraft movements during December reached 9,562, representing a 4.1 percent increase.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA HOTELS SEE ROOM OCCUPANCY GROWTH The latest poll from HotStats revealed that hotels in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) recorded an uplift in room occupancy levels.
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lthough MEA hotels suffered a 2.9 percent drop in achieved average room rate in December 2017, a 3.1 percent increase in room occupancy, to 66.6 percent, helped drive a 1.8 percent increase in RevPAR. The uplift in volume contributed to an increase in non-room revenues, including food and beverage at five percent and conference and banqueting at 4.1 percent, which supported a 2.3 percent increase in TrevPAR in December 2017. In addition to the TrevPAR growth profit levels at MEA hotels were further boosted by a 0.7 percent saving in payroll, which fell to 23.3 percent.
Abu Dhabi ia among the region's most visited destinations
17 FEBRUARY 2018
GENERAL
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Al Zorah Marina 1 partnered with renowned marina operators, ART Marine
Marina 1 Opens at Al Zorah Al Zorah has officially opened Marina 1, allowing boat and yacht owners to moor and enjoy the new facilities. They can also access the promenade and enjoy 15 new dining and recreational facilities at the creekside development.
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ombining lifestyle with leisure, Al Zorah Marina 1 provides a host of entertainment venues for guests of all ages such as; The Groovy Park, a family friendly food park with an outdoor cinema surrounded with themed flower-decorated food trucks; Funtastico, an outdoor amusement attraction for families and kids, and Al Zorah Bootcamp, which is designed to promote wellness and fitness. Additionally, the 37 m luxury yacht, Nordic Star, is available for charter for a variety of purposes, from business meetings to excursions, while BIEL, a 1,800 m2 onsite events facility, can also cater to an array of events.
A’L BAHAR on Track for Official Opening
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AE-based developer Miral has announced that its new beachfront community space, A’L BAHAR, is opening as scheduled by the end of the first quarter this year. 80 percent of entertainment and food and beverage outlets have now been leased at the beachfront project at the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Delivering on the capital’s vision of offering unique experiences for residents and visitors, Miral revealed last
month that the 80,000 m2 mixed-use development will offer a total of 48 retail spaces, comprising food and beverage, entertainment, leisure, retail, as well as fitness and wellbeing opportunities for both residents and visitors. To encourage a fresh wave of creativity, A’L BAHAR is also dedicating retail space opportunities for owners of small businesses and entrepreneurs, which are available for short-term leasing to support and inspire pop-up entrepreneurial projects.
A’L BAHAR is due to open by the end of March
17 FEBRUARY 2018
Sharjah’s First Pedestrian Community Launched lef Group has announced the launch of the first phase of its Al Mamsha development, at a total cost of AED3 billion (USD816.8 million). Al Mamsha is Sharjah’s first fully walkable community. It has been designed to include ample sidewalks and walkways complemented by plenty of greenery and open spaces, offering a dynamic lifestyle that integrates modern living, retail and leisure into a vibrant environment. Commenting on the launch, Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman, Alef Group, said, “At Alef group we are committed to bringing to Sharjah designed lifestyle experiences, inspired by global trends and local needs [...].”
Wild Atlantic Way Initiative Designed to Boost UK Market
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rendan Griffin, minister, State, Tourism and Sport, Ireland, joined Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to launch a new EUR1.8 million (USD2.2 million) initiative titled, Wild Atlantic Way, specially designed to boost tourist numbers from the UK. A EUR1.35 million (USD1.7 million) marketing campaign in the UK will be complemented by Fáilte Ireland’s EUR500,000 (USD 617,970) programme to support businesses. The Wonders of the Wild Atlantic Way promotion campaign will be rolled out by Tourism Ireland in two phases: the first phase is set to happen between February – March and phase two between September – October.
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TECHNOLOGY
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Mezi App
American Express Acquires Travel Messaging App American Express has acquired Mezi, a personal travel assistant app that allows travellers to message their requests for flights, hotels or restaurants, and receive appropriate recommendations.
Gulf Air Forms Digital Partnership with Wego
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new partnership with Gulf Air has given Wego users online access to the airline’s flight-related information and booking capabilities. Dean Wicks, chief flights officer, Wego, commented, “Wego will distribute Gulf Air flights, pricing and schedule information across our extensive marketing channels, allowing travellers easy access to flights with an airline that is famous for its traditional Arabian hospitality and renowned for being family and business friendly.” In 2017 the digital travel marketplace introduced Progressive Web App technology, combined with Accelerated Mobile Pages, to become what is believed to be the world’s fastest loading mobile marketplace. Wego remains a top ranked travel app for both iOS and Android devices throughout the Middle East and North Africa, due to its localisation into more than 30 languages and currencies.
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s part of the deal, Mezi is to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express and continue to develop its core technologies and capabilities in digital travel concierge services. “Mezi’s AI-powered experience opens up exciting new ways for us to connect with and serve our card members, and creates opportunities for us to build more meaningful relationships with them,” outlined Phil Norman, vice president, American Express Digital Labs. “With messaging emerging as channel of choice for many, and the demand for unique experiences increasing, we believe the combination of Mezi’s capabilities with our global network of expert travel counselors creates a differentiated, high-touch service experience [...],” outlined Norman.
Dubai Tourism Introduces Real Time Tours
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ubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), has collaborated with two digital tour apps to launch two new free tours that have been created to help visitors discover and learn more about the emirate’s historic sites and landmarks. Aiming to focus on the different aspects Dubai has to offer, the tours titled, Metro Moments and Al Fahidi Architecture Tour, are available to download
for free from Apple Store and Google Play. Supported by GPS technology, both tours use audio narrations to guide visitors through Dubai, automatically progressing from one point of interest to the next in real time, depending on the user’s location. The pre-recorded audio is available in English, Chinese and German and also comes in text form, while also being accompanied by a map to help with GPS navigation.
Dubai is the UAE’s largest and most populous city
17 FEBRUARY 2018
AGENTS
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Oman Air Appoints South Africa General Sales Agent
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man Air has appointed Holiday Aviation as its general sales agent for South Africa. The appointment of Holiday Aviation is expected to ensure easy access for African customers to Oman Air’s award winning products and services as well as the airline’s highly competitive fares. Signalling the airline’s commitment to expanding its presence on the African continent, Oman Air has positioned South Africa as an important point of sales for its international network. Additionally, Oman Air announced this appointment as Holiday Aviation is regognised as being a leader in the travel and tourism field as it has been awarded many industry accolades to demostrate this. With African destinations on the increase and the offer of connections through Muscat International Airport, Oman Air is growing in importance across the African continent.
17 FEBRUARY 2018
Anti-OTA Hotels Less Competitive
Travelstart Egypt Celebrates Fifth Year
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ohn Jones, managing director, Welcome Systems, suggested that hotels preferring booking engines over online travel agents (OTA) are making themselves less competitive. Jones stated that Expedia data showed millennials, currently the world's largest generation, are less brand loyal than their parents and are far more likely to book a room via an OTA. Jones added that the Welcome Anywhere property management system in 2017 processed GBP74 million (USD103.8 million) of hotel reservations, with over 50 percent of these bookings coming from Booking.com, while direct bookings decreased by almost GBP2 million (USD2.8 million) in value. “By turning their noses up at OTAs, some hoteliers seem to be effectively at war with modern guests and their booking preferences,” outlined Jones.
nline travel agency Travelstart Egypt is celebrating its fifth year of bringing booking options to Egyptian customers. Rated by Amadeus as one of the country’s top 10 travel agencies, Travelstart has launched a number of new services, in addition to allowing customers to search for, compare and book travel deals online. New services include allowing customers to input frequent flyer membership numbers, while Travelstart Egypt’s FLAPP app has also been improved. Ahmed Saad, country manager, Travelstart Egypt, commented, “Travelstart Egypt has enjoyed incredible success over the past five years and has continually raised service standards throughout that time, introducing new features, services and partnerships for the benefit of our customers […].”
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ACCOMMODATION
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Dubai Zabeel House by JumeirahTM – The Greens, rendering
Jumeirah Group to Launch The Greens Dubai Zabeel House by Jumeirah – The Greens will open in the fourth quarter of the year following a management agreement between Jumeirah Group and The Onyx for Development.
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he new property will offer 210 guest rooms, two restaurants, terrace dining around the pool area, conference and business facilities, a gym and spa treatment rooms. Positioned at the heart of The Greens master development, it is also part of a completed wider mixed-use development called The Onyx, which consists of residential, commercial and retail units. Jumeirah Group has five signed hotel management agreements in place for Zabeel House by Jumeirah and is expected to make a series of announcements early this year.
25hours to Enter Middle East with New Dubai Hotel
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SGC has been appointed as the main contractor for AccorHotels’ 25hours One Central hotel. Identified by Accor as being the largest 25hours Hotel worldwide, the property also represents the group’s Middle East debut. Expected to open by 2020, 25hours One Central is being designed to include 434 rooms over nine storeys, plus one ground level and four basement levels.
ATM Data Projects Changes to Hospitality Landscape
As the ground has already been broken, ASGC is planning to deploy its technologydriven strategy on the project, using drones with high-definition closed-circuit television and 360 degree video-capturing systems, to monitor progress at the site. Bishoy Azmy, CEO, ASGC, noted, “It is a privilege to work on such an iconic hospitality project, one that will become the largest in the 25hours Hotel global portfolio.” Press believes hotel guests want more unique experiences
T Groundbreaking at 25hours One Central
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he latest Arabian Travel Market (ATM) data has unveiled a new approach to loyalty programmes and smart technology, which are projected to define the hospitality industry landscape over the next five years. The predictions, published by Colliers International, indicate a rise in ultra-personalised guest services, and technology-led changes to the physical configuration of hospitality spaces with new job roles to accommodate these changes. The trends will be explored at ATM which is set to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22 – 25. Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM, said, “[...] Today’s hotel guests don’t want to be part of the crowd – they want a unique experience, personalised to their tastes and expectations and, preferably in an unexplored, or emerging, destination.” 17 FEBRUARY 2018
AIRPORTS
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Queen Alia International Airport
Queen Alia International Airport Celebrate Baghdad Flights Airport International Group celebrated the arrival of Fly Baghdad’s first flight to Queen Alia International Airport, marking the start of four weekly flights between Amman and Bagdad.
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he welcoming ceremony was attended by officials from both Airport International Group and Fly Baghdad, in addition to the airline's general sales agent in Jordan, Petra Travel and Tourism Company. Ali Al Hamdany, CEO, Fly Baghdad, commented, "The launch of the Baghdad-Amman route was a priority in our airline’s new strategic plan, especially given the invaluable economic relations between the two countries, as well as the presence of a large Iraqi community in Jordan. "I anticipate an upsurge in the frequency of flights between Iraq and Jordan in the coming period thanks to Iraq’s increasingly open economy and commercial scene."
Dubai Airport Expansion for Thrifty
Al Dhabi Airport Opens Revamped Lounge
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hrifty Car Rental has opened its second car rental facility in Terminal 3 at Dubai International. Open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, the new counter is specifically designed to improve customer convenience and engagement and provide the best possible rental experience for travellers to the UAE. Rahul Singh, managing director, Thrifty Car Rental, commented, “Market speculations suggest that the car rental business will hit a boom as travellers look for convenient and cheap travel options to explore the emirate.” Said to be the largest fleet operator in the UAE, Thrifty Car Rental is accessible at 52 locations, offering an extensive vehicle portfolio providing short-and long-term car rental solutions.
17 FEBRUARY 2018
Mövenpick to Open Basra Property
bu Dhabi International Airport has unveiled its revamped Al Dhabi Lounge in Terminal 1, with a 47 percent increase in seating capacity and amenities that can accommodate approximately 300 people. Al Dhabi Lounge is designed to bring the best combination of leisure, dining, and hospitality to the airport. Additionally, a selection of the latest movie blockbusters, TV shows, magazines, newspapers and more are at the fingertips of guests. A hot buffet featuring global cuisines is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to a spread of sandwiches and snacks displayed throughout the day. Guests can also enjoy a refreshing beverage or a cup of coffee at a cozy café, and refresh their senses with an invigorating douche at the four spa-inspired shower areas.
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AIR
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Ryanair staff celebrated the airline’s first flights to Jordan
Ryanair Launch 14 New Flights from Europe to Jordan EXPANDING ITS MIDDLE EAST OPERATIONS, RYANAIR HAS LAUNCHED ITS FIRST FLIGHTS TO JORDAN WITH 14 NEW ROUTES TO AMMAN AND AQABA, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO DELIVER ALMOST 500,000 PASSENGERS ANNUALLY.
Air Cairo Linking Sharm El Sheikh with Naples
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yanair’s Amman year-round schedule includes 10 new routes, starting with Paphos from March, before growing to Bologna, Brussels Zaventem, Bucharest, Budapest, Krakow, Milan Bergamo, Prague, Vilnius and Warsaw Modlin from October. The airline’s Aqaba Winter 2018 schedule includes new routes to Athens, Cologne, Rome Ciampino and Sofia. Commenting on the addition of the new routes, H.E. Lina Mazhar Annab, chairwoman, Jordan Tourism Board, said, “This is a significant development in Jordan’s travel industry. [...] Enhancing air connectivity is one of the key areas Jordan is focusing on, given its impact on unlocking economic growth through attracting business investment as well as spurring tourism [...].”
Qatar Airways Announce Services to Turkey’s Hatay
Q Naples becomes the airline’s third Italian route
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ir Cairo has commenced flights between Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and Naples, Italy. The new service began on January 26, with the link becoming the airline’s second yearround route to Italy from the Egyptian airport. It follows the year-round route to Milan, with Rome being served during the summer season. Initially being flown weekly on Airbus A320 aircraft, the frequency of the 2,325 km route will increase to three times weekly for the summer period. In 2017, Egyptian Tourism Authority’s (ETA) Italy office announced a strategic partnership project between ETA and Italian Federation of Travel & Tourism Associations (FIAVET). Jacopo De Ria, president, FIAVET, commented that Sharm El Sheikh will be advertised throughout Italy through the 1,000 tourism companies which are FIAVET members.
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atar Airways is scheduled to launch new direct flights to Hatay, Turkey on April 04. The new three times per week service is the airline’s fifth gateway into Turkey, and will be undertaken by an Airbus A320, featuring 12 seats in business class and 132 seats in economy class. The airline currently operates direct flights to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport three times daily, to Istanbul Atatürk Airport 10 times weekly, to Adana Şakirpaşa Airport three times weekly and daily to Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport. H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, outlined, “Turkey is continuing to grow in popularity with our passengers for both business and leisure purposes, attracting travellers who wish to enjoy its rich culture.”
17 FEBRUARY 2018
AIR
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Royal Jordanian Allows for Staff Voluntary Release
Emirates Adds Chile to its Network, Increases Sao Paulo Flights
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oyal Jordanian (RJ) and the General Union for Air Transport signed, on January 29, a collective agreement giving RJ staff the choice to obtain a voluntary release from the job between the period February 01 and March 31, subject to the airline’s approval. As per the agreement, employees have the option to submit a request to be released from service, with them being given a half-month salary for each year of service. The agreement was signed by Stefan Pichler, CEO, RJ, and Yousef Qannab, head, General Union, Air Transport and Tourism, and comes in line with the carrier’s turnaround plan to achieve sustainable profitability by reducing manpower. At the signing ceremony, Qannab expressed the Union’s appreciation for the employees’ great efforts.
flydubai Launched Flights from Sheremetyevo
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lydubai which launched daily flights from Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow in November 2017, has announced that it is offering passengers from Russia the opportunity to be the first to enjoy a new travel experience on board the airline’s latest aircraft Boeing 737 MAX 8. With the introduction of the new aircraft, flydubai has launched a new cabin offering which features a flat-bed in business class, in addition to extra space and privacy. flydubai's economy class offers new RECARO seats, which are designed to optimise space and comfort for passengers. flydubai also offers inflight entertainment with a full HD, screen, featuring a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music and games in English, Arabic and Russian. In addition, the Boeing Sky interior provides passengers with a more relaxing travel environment.
17 FEBRUARY 2018
E SalamAir is labelled as being Oman’s first budget airline
SalamAir Reveals Multan Flight Destination
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fter securing final clearances from Pakistan’s aviation authorities, SalamAir has announced plans to operate three direct flights to Multan from Muscat, starting February 08. As its third destination in Pakistan, Multan will complement the airline’s current flights to Sialkot and Karachi. SalamAir is exploring other underserved destinations across the country, including Islamabad, Lahore and Faisalabad, according to Mohamed Ahmed, CEO, SalamAir. “The Pakistani community makes up about 13 percent of local expatriates working in Oman, it is therefore no surprise that this route has been one of the highest in demand,” outlined Ahmed.
mirates announced it will launch a new service from Dubai to Chile’s Santiago International Airport, via Sao Paulo, Brazil from July 05. The new service is set to see Emirates fly an additional five times a week, complementing the airline’s existing daily A380 flight between Dubai and Sao Paulo, taking it to 12 weekly services. Emirates' Santiago flight will be a linked service with Sao Paulo, meaning that customers in South America can now travel between the two cities. The new route will be operated with a two-class configured Boeing 777-200LR which offers 38 business class seats and 264 economy class seats. Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline, stated, “The start of our operations to Chile underlines our commitment to South America with our fourth destination on the continent. […] We are pleased to add a destination that has been in strong demand from our customers […].”
Etihad Expands Nigeria Services
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tihad Airways is to add two additional weekly flights to its popular Abu Dhabi-Lagos route, making it a daily service. The new Tuesday and Thursday services are due to start on May 01.
The route will continue to be operated by a two-class Airbus A330, with 22 business class seats and 240 economy class seats. Since launching the Lagos route in July 2012, Etihad has carried almost 600,000 passengers between Abu Dhabi and the commercial heart of Nigeria. Guests travelling to Lagos can expect to enjoy services provided by a multinational cabin crew, including onboard nannies, extensive in-flight entertainment selections, and a choice of complimentary international meals and beverages. Depending on the class of travel, passengers can have a baggage allowance of two bags up to 32 kg each in business class.
Santiago de Chile is one of the largest cities in the Americas
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AIR Qatar Airways Arrives at Pattaya
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atar Airways’ first direct non-stop flight to the holiday destination of Pattaya has touched down at U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport, inaugurating the airline’s newest Thai destination. This is the airline’s fifth route to the Southeast Asian country, and the first new route launch for Qatar Airways this year, as it continues the rapid expansion of its global route network. Flight QR828 touched down on January 29 and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. Qatar Airways’ new fourtimes-a-week service to Pattaya will be serviced by Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft.
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Saudia adds Another Airbus A320-200 to its Fleet
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audia has acquired its 44th Airbus A320-200 as recorded by the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) Fleet Database. The plane was delivered to International Airfinance Corporation (IAFC) and leased to the airline. CAPA added that Saudia is also expected to lease a further 15 such aircraft from IAFC. The Airbus A320-200 reportedly has a 17.8 cm cross-section advantage over its direct competitor aircraft, providing wider passenger seats, a larger aisle for boarding and disembarking, and easier movement during flight. Airbus also outlined that the aircraft performs exceptionally well in hot and sandy conditions, which are common across the Middle East and Gulf region.
Nouvelair Expands Tunisia – Europe Services
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ouvelair announced plans to operate new routes to France and Italy for the upcoming summer 2018 season. The Tunisian airline is scheduled to start weekly services from Monastir to both Lille and Nantes, France starting April 07. The airline is also due to operate weekly flights from Monastir to Verona, Italy from June 11 to September 17. In 2012, Nouvelair initiated a new strategic approach with the launch of increased regular flights to France. Operating from Monastir, Djerba, Enfidha and Tunis, the airline now offers services to more than 30 destinations, with its Airbus A320 fleet, which currently includes 11 aircraft.
17 FEBRUARY 2018
AIR
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EgyptAir Selects Safran Maintenance
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gyptAir has contracted Safran Nacelles to deliver maintenance services on thrust reversers for the airline’s Airbus A330 fleet. The A330s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, with Safran serving as the original equipment manufacturer for Trent 700 thrust reversers. Service will include both scheduled soft time maintenance as well as preventive primary maintenance. They will be performed at specific operator-chosen intervals, adjusted to coincide with the airline’s operational schedule, while also facilitating coverage for unscheduled repair work and asset management.
Jazeera Begins Kochi Service
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ochi has become Jazeera Airways’ third route in India, following its recent Hyderabad and Ahmedabad launches. Kochi flights from the Kuwaiti carrier have, since January 18, been operating each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Rohit Ramachandran, CEO, Jazeera Airways, commented, “We have been persistent about strengthening our Indian network. Looking at how Jazeera has successfully launched flights into three new cities, brings us enormous pride. "Kochi is a popular destination for tourism and medical visits and we see these as growing segments out of the Kuwait market. In addition, we will offer a welcome choice to friends and relatives wanting to connect with their families in both Kerala and Kuwait.”
Jazeera flies to over 20 destinations across the Middle East, Europe and India
Royal Jordanian to be Handling Agent for JPJETs
Centre Left; Mohamed Selougha, sales director, Safran Nacelles, Centre Right; Yousef Wahby Yousef, marketing and business development manager, maintenance and engineering, Egyptair
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oyal Jordanian (RJ) and Jordanian Private Jets Services (JPJets) signed an agreement on February 01, where Jordan’s national airline will be the handling agent for all JPJets’ charter flights operating at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport and King Hussein International Airport, Aqaba. The agreement includes baggage, cabin appearance, cargo handlings, warehouse and meet and assist services. Stefan Pichler, CEO, RJ, said, “This collaboration marks a significant step forward for both companies, delivering the finest VIP services to the private aviation sector for ultimate customer satisfaction.” Pichler further noted that the airline holds IATA's Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification.
Emirates to Launch Dubai-Newark Flights
Airbus Begins Demonstration Tour for A350-1000
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mirates will introduce a new non-stop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai from June 01, adding to the existing daily flight which operates with a stop via Athens. The new non-stop service will be operated with an Emirates Boeing B777-300ER, offering eight suites in first class, 42 seats in business, 306 in economy class, and 19 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity. This new timing complements the existing Emirates service, as it provides travellers with a new option of a morning arrival in Newark, and a morning departure. The new route is expected to benefit nearly 700,000 Indian Americans residing in the greater New York area, who will have one-stop access to nine Indian cities on Emirates’ global network. 17 FEBRUARY 2018
irbus A350-1000, its newest member, has embarked on a three-week demonstration tour to the Middle East and Asia Pacific region. The demonstration tour follows the completion of a successful flight test campaign, which lasted less than one year and culminated in joint EASA and FAA type certifications, demonstrating its design, performance and maturity. The A350-1000 tour comes ahead of the first customer delivery to Qatar Airways. During the tour, the flight test aircraft will visit 12 destinations, with stops in Doha, Muscat, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Hanoi, Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo and Manila.
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INTERNATIONAL
AFRICA
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Rare Dinosaur Fossil Discovered in Egypt
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n extremely rare dinosaur fossil find in Africa was recently discovered in Egypt’s Sahara desert, dating back to the late Cretaceous period, 96 to 66 million years ago. The dinosaur was named Mansourasaurus after Mansoura University Vertebrate Palaeontology research led to its discovery. The giant dinosaur belongs to the Titanosauria group since it had a long neck, was the length of a school bus, ate plants, had bony plates in its skin and weighed around 5,000 kg. The discovery revealed that the fossil is closely related to other fossils found in Europe, which showed that dinosaurs moved between Africa and Europe.
Hilton makes Cape Verde Debut
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ilton marked the official opening of its new 241-room resort on the Island of Sal, Cape Verde, announcing the company’s debut in the country. Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort boasts a natural stone pool set within a tropical garden. Guests can also enjoy a 24-hour fitness centre and a kids club with children’s pool and nautical centre for diving and sailing adventures. The hotel also features a beauty salon and Hilton's signature Spa concept. Guests and local residents can enjoy a variety of dining options, including The Bounty Beach Club, a pool bar, the Cize bar and all-day dining restaurant Magellan. Over 1,000 m2 of meeting and events space, includes a 300 m2 ballroom with high ceilings.
Tanzania’s Growing Tourist Arrivals
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anzania’s economy received a major economic boost from tourism, with foreign exchange earnings of USD2.16 billion (TZS4.8 trillion), in the year ending November 2017. The financial injection into the economy from the tourism sector was down to many factors, including extra budgetary allocations for tourist sector promotion initiatives and the consolidation of diplomatic relations. According to Bank of Tanzania’s latest Monthly Economic Review, in November, 2016 foreign exchange earnings recorded were USD2.1 billion. The Central Bank’s Monthly Economic Review: December 2017 noted that the foreign exchange earnings from travel, also rose to USD2.15 billion in the year ending November 2017.
Researchers took 150 years longer to trace dinosaur evolution in Africa
Protect Pendjari National Park
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ational Geographic, African Parks, Wyss Foundation and Republic of Benin, announced a joint partnership with the aim to protect and revitalise Benin’s Pendjari National Park. The four partners announced that they are initially committing more than USD23 million to safeguard the park. This globally important reserve, the last stronghold for many key species in West Africa, is facing major threats, such as poaching, demographic pressure on surrounding land, and exponential resource erosion. For almost two decades, African Parks has implemented a successful privatepublic partnership model to conserve Africa’s wildlife.
Malawi’s Tourism Industry Enjoying a Transformation
M Malawi is nicknamed "The Warm Heart of Africa"
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alawi’s tourism industry witnessed a ground-breaking year in 2017, with that growth set to continue this year, according to Malawi Travel Marketing Consortium. Wildlife transformations are underway with Malawi’s safari experiences now starting to match its other tourism attractions as it emerges as one of Africa’s most complete destinations. Helping its 2017 growth considerably was the ground-breaking #500Elephants project completed during the year, with it being the largest elephant translocation in human history. Also, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve welcomed a new, affordable camp in 2017, while Liwonde, Malawi’s premier park is to see the opening of a new Robin Pope Safaris camp in April 2018. Nkhotakota’s Kachenga and Tongole camps are also planned.
17 FEBRUARY 2018
AMERICAS
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First Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Opens
INTERNATIONAL
WestJet Expands Vancouver Flights, Launches Mexico Route
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ordon Ramsay, multi-Michelin star chef and television personality, has celebrated the official grand opening of the first-ever Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Since its soft opening in early January, the highly-anticipated restaurant had already received reservations for nearly 25,000 guests by its January 27 official debut. Designed to be an experiential and immersive destination restaurant, transporting guests to the FOX television show studio set, the venue seats nearly 300 diners and features indoor and Las Vegas Strip-adjacent dining. Currently offering lunch and dinner daily, the eatery also boasts a spirited bar menu. Signature creations include the ginbased Notes from Gordon, garnished with a scroll printed with a surprise note from Ramsay. Vancouver, Canada
W Ramsay is among the world's top celebrity chefs
estJet has enhanced its schedule and connectivity from its Vancouver hub to key business and leisure destinations in Canada and Mexico. The Canadian low-cost airline added 60 additional weekly flights in order to provide its passengers with more flexibility when travelling. WestJet’s biggest service increase is between Vancouver and Calgary, which has jumped from 88 flights per week to 112 times weekly. Other destinations from Vancouver to see weekly flight increases are Edmonton, Kelowna, Ottawa, Regina, Fort St. John, Victoria, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. On March 15, WestJet is scheduled to launch a three-time weekly service between Vancouver and Mexico City with the route then expected to move to daily service on April 29. Overall, WestJet will operate an average of 765 daily flights to 92 destinations this summer.
American Constitution Inaugural Cruise
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merican Cruise Lines’ new ship American Constitution is scheduled to, on April 18, make its inaugural cruise on Chesapeake Bay with an all new American Revolution itinerary. The new itinerary celebrates a region steeped in American history. The cruise will further highlight Chesapeake Bay, known as the Blue Crab Capitol of the World, as guests savour local recipes and enjoy the freshest
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Maryland crab throughout their journey back in time to the dawn of America. Roundtrip from Baltimore, this 10-day, 11-night cruise makes stops in Norfolk, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Washington DC, Mount Vernon, Cambridge, St. Michaels, Annapolis, and Chestertown. American Cruise Lines has organised Revolutionary War experts, historians, authors and re-enactors to bring history to life for passengers on the cruise.
American Constitution
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AMERICAS
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Seahawks and Delta Sustainability Partnership
Hilton’s Collection Launch Expansion
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s part of the Seattle Seahawks' ongoing sustainability efforts, Delta Air Lines, the team’s official airline, has offset carbon emissions from the kilometers the Seahawks travelled during the 2017 season by purchasing 1,080 carbon credits from Cedar Grove Composting. The Seahawks travelled approximately 41,341 km for road games during the 2017 regular season on the airlines’ charter flights. Delta Air Line's carbon offset programme, which launched in 2007, was the first offered by a US carrier to allow travellers to offset travel emissions by investing in environmentally-friendly projects around the world.
Holiday Inn Lima Airport Hotel Debuts
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the new-build, 179-room Holiday Inn Lima Airport hotel, just five minutes from Jorge Chavez International Airport. The two-tower, eight-storey property is the second brand to be introduced by IHG in the capital city of Peru. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, free airport shuttle transfers, nine meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 500 guests, as well as Wi-Fi with IHG Connect. The address also boasts several dining options.
New 351-Room Grand Hyatt Hotel for Cayman Islands
ilton’s Collection brands kick off this year with more than 75 hotels in the combined Curio Collection by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton pipeline. Curio Collection comprises nearly 50 upper upscale hotels around the world and will be opening more in destinations such as Portland, Costa Rica and Iceland. Tapestry Collection, which launched in 2017, will boast more than double its existing portfolio of independent, upscale hotels and open in landmark cities such as Washington. "Our robust pipeline will soon bring Curio Collection by Hilton to over 100 hotels and resorts by 2020," said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton. "Through our expansion, travellers will be able to experience authentic travel [...]."
Icelandair Returns to San Francisco
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celandair has brought back the international service from San Francisco International Airport to Iceland and beyond. Seasonal flights are scheduled to begin on June 01 with four non-stop flights a week to Iceland on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and easy connections to and from more than 25 European destinations. Service from San Francisco will be carried out by one of Icelandair’s Boeing B767s, featuring three cabins of service, more legroom, in-flight entertainment and gate-to-gate Wi-Fi.
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yatt Hotels Corporation has entered into an agreement with Pageant Beach Hotel for the 351-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences. The property will be located on Seven Mile Beach and will offer studio suites, and one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts. Additional amenities include six food and beverage venues, a 2,743 m2 destination spa and fitness centre, three swimming pools, retail shops, kids club, and a state of the art screening room. The resort is planned to have 7,620 m2 of indoor meeting and event space.
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San Francisco
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INTERNATIONAL
ASIA PACIFIC
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Cathay Pacific Partners with Pure Yoga for In-Flight Experience
World-class Optus Stadium Officially Opens
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he world-class 60,000 seat Optus Stadium has officially opened, with a free Community Open Day marking the milestone on January 21. The Stadium will allow Perth to host national and international sporting, arts, and music events, which will attract more visitors, help to fill the hotel rooms coming online in the next few years, and provide exposure for Western Australia and its transformation. Optus Stadium will also encourage more interstate AFL fans to travel to Perth to watch their teams play, allowing Tourism WA to promote Optus Stadium matches to interstate travellers.
Travel Well with Yoga
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athay Pacific has partnered with Pure Yoga to launch a new inflight wellbeing programme, Travel Well with Yoga. In harmony with the airline’s Life Well Travelled campaign, the series of videos have been developed by esteemed Pure Yoga instructors to help passengers ease into their journey with yoga and meditation exercises and tips. Passengers can now view the yoga programme in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese across all Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon routes by accessing the Lifestyle section on their in-flight screens. Simon Cuthbert, manager, entertainment, platforms and connectivity, Cathay Pacific, said, “We all know that sitting still for a long period of time can be uncomfortable. The need to get up, move and get your blood pumping is important during a flight.”
Tourism New Zealand Release Touring Map
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ourism New Zealand’s official visitor information network, i-SITE, released a Chinese version of its popular touring map, designed to support the 400,000 annual tourists arriving from China each year, with key targeted driver safety information. The map has been designed to equip Chinese visitors with detailed information about driving on the left side of the road, driving to the weather conditions, wearing seatbelts, giving right of way, overtaking and any potential hazards on their route. Both Chinese and English language touring maps also highlight i-SITE visitor centre locations, police contact information, freedom camping, and themed highways across New Zealand, to name just a few.
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Holiday Inn Serangoon Nearing Opening
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of a new property in Singapore: Holiday Inn Express Singapore Serangoon, with it due to open this year. Created in partnership with Toledo International, this latest addition to the Holiday Inn Express portfolio is located in Jalan Besar, an emerging hip and creative area. Anticipated to open this year, the new 120room address will be situated at the crossroads of Little India and Serangoon, and close to Singapore’s main commercial and industrial areas. Holiday Inn Express Singapore Serangoon is also being designed to feature a fitness centre, meeting and laundry facilities, and Great Room with a complimentary guest breakfast buffet.
Optus Stadium
Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo Opens Doors
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yatt has officially established Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo, the first Hyatt Centric hotel in the Asia Pacific region. Located in cosmopolitan Ginza, the 164-room hotel provides a perfect launchpad for guests to explore the city’s diverse shopping, dining and entertainment offerings. The featured art in the lobby, elevator, hallways and other public spaces, as well as the guestrooms, echo the spirit of the streets outside, inviting exploration. The use of screens enables art displays to be switched at different times of day, and guest room floors have alternating themes and colour schemes, aiming to encourage a fresh feeling each time guests return.
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RENDEZVOUS
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WHILE EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO MAKE KUWAIT STAND OUT AS A LEISURE DESTINATION, NOT JUST A BUSINESS HUB, DIDIER JARDIN, GENERAL MANAGER, FOUR SEASONS HOTEL THE COUNTRY AT BURJ ALSHAYA, EXPLAINS WHY THE COUNTRY BOASTS AN AUTHENTIC CULTURE.
Q&A with Didier Jardin GENERAL MANAGER, FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUWAIT AT BURJ ALSHAYA
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How successful was 2017 for your organisation? What are your expectations for 2018? DIDIER JARDIN: 2017 was an exceptional year for Four Seasons. As part of our plans to further expand our presence in the Middle East, we officially unveiled Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya on November 06, 2017 and it was our honour to be graced by the presence of H. H. Jaber Al-Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah, prime minister, Kuwait, during the inauguration ceremony. Our hotel also represents a new era of Kuwaiti hospitality, as the country swiftly moves towards becoming a regional and financial hub by 2035, as outlined in the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP). This year, we aim to embrace the tourism boom and keep delivering on our Four Seasons promise. We are excited to showcase the destination in a new light through our hotel and invite guests to discover Kuwaiti culture, gastronomic delights, architecture, and a wide array of entertainment and attractions. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your main feeder markets and what are the reasons they choose Kuwait as a destination? DIDIER JARDIN: Our main feeder market includes a mix of business and leisure travellers from the GCC region, the UK and a few European nations. Kuwait is an emerging travel destination and expects more than 570,0000 international visitors by 2027. As a part of KNDP, the main airport is undergoing a USD4.3 billion expansion, which will allow it to accommodate up to 25 million passengers.
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TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Why do you believe travellers should choose Kuwait for sea activities? DIDIER JARDIN: Travellers to Kuwait will enjoy exploring the diverse range of sea activities like diving, snorkelling and kayaking owing to the warm and shallow waters of Kuwait Bay. Beginners and expert divers and snorkelers alike can look forward to enjoying diving in the islands of Kubar and Umm al-Maradim, which are home to several interesting ocean wildlife species, or in Donkey Reef. Guests can also try Dive Caroline at Messilah Water Village or the five-star PADI at KIM Centre for diving and snorkelling trips to outer islands of Kubar and Umm al-Maradim. Those new to diving can even obtain certification from one of the several diving schools in Kuwait City. Those interested in kayaking can visit KIM Centre, which organises kayaking tours for beginners and experienced kayakers. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What do you think makes Kuwaiti culture stand out and why should travellers explore this aspect? DIDIER JARDIN: There are many attractions in Kuwait City that offer visitors the chance to familiarise themselves with Kuwaiti culture. To realise the true essence of Kuwait’s culture, I ask travellers to visit The Grand Mosque, a destination for a truly memorable experience. Visitors interested in Kuwait’s history must also visit Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Arts, a private museum belonging to Tareq Sayed Rajab and his
English wife, which displays 30,000 items collected over a period of 50 years. Here, you will find several interesting collections of artefacts from all over the Islamic world, Asia and the Far East. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What else can visitors experience in Kuwait if they visit for leisure purposes? DIDIER JARDIN: Travellers from the Middle East and beyond have increasingly started making decisions on destinations based on the culinary experiences these places have to offer, particularly those focusing on unusual dishes and fresh combinations by up-and-coming chefs. Kuwait’s buzzing scene of local markets and must-visit restaurants is driving a movement by entrepreneurs to make Kuwait City the World’s Food Capital by 2030, which in turn, is enticing foodies from far-and-wide to discover the country’s vibrant gastronomic culture. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your future plans to attract more leisure tourists? DIDIER JARDIN: In the future, we will continue to deliver to our guests an exquisite hotel experience that will keep bringing them back to Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya. We pride ourselves on our unerring devotion to services that are attuned with guest needs and our passionate team is constantly pushing itself to surpass their expectations. In addition to this, we plan on promoting the MICE segment, which we believe presents a huge opportunity for Kuwait's tourism industry.
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WHO’S MOVED
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LOUIS ARNAUD has been appointed as the new manager for Amadeus Gulf, Oman. Arnaud comes with more than 15 years of global sales and leadership experiences in the Middle East and Europe. Having supervised the delivery of landmark sales and commercial projects within the travel industry, Arnaud will now support travel and tourism companies across the country, including airlines, hotels, travel agencies, to name a few, in their efforts to better connect, serve, and manage their offerings to local travellers. Arnaud’s track record and expertise is expected to help Amadeus to both deepen and broaden its relation ships with the Omani travel industry.
MARC DESCROZAILLE has been promoted to president, Middle East and Africa (MEA) of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, effective February 01. Having joined the hospitality firm in 2017 as vice president operations, MEA, Descrozaille will now take the helm from Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer, MEA, who has retired from his role. Descrozaille came to Mövenpick from Carlson Rezidor where he was area vice president for the firm’s Africa and Indian Ocean operations. Descrozaille has significant experience working in the Middle East region, having also been employed as regional director, UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Oman for the hotel group. He has also held key executive positions at several major hospitality companies.
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Louis Arnaud
Marc Descrozaille
Mark Powers
MARK POWERS has assumed the position of group chief financial officer at Etihad Aviation Group (EAG). Powers joins EAG from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, where he was a professor of finance. Having held senior leadership roles at major airlines including JetBlue, Powers most recently held the position of chief financial officer. In his new role, Powers will be responsible for finance function across the group’s five divisions; Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners will fall under his role. He will report directly to Tony Douglas, group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group.
Powers will be responsible for the group’s five divisions
Marwan Fadel
MARWAN FADEL has been named general manager of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. Fadel began his career working for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, and was promoted to several senior management roles within the company. Seven years later, he became area director of sales and marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Dubai properties before becoming hotel manager of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. In his new role, Fadel will oversee all management functions, hotel operations, and new innovations, aiming to achieve planned goals for the resort.
Fadel will oversee all management functions
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Abu Dhabi will become the first city in the Middle East to host the Special Olympics
Sharjah Light Festival Illuminates Cultural Heritage
Etihad Supporting Special Olympics Etihad Aviation Group reinforced its commitment to Special Olympics IX MENA Games and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 with the launch of an employee volunteer programme. The initiative aims to recruit 500 employee volunteers for the upcoming Special Olympics IX MENA Games in March, and a further 1,000 volunteers for the World Games 2019, both of which will take place in Abu Dhabi. The Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018 are set to take place between March 14 – 22. Meanwhile, the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 is forecast to bring more than 7,000 athletes from 170 nations to Abu Dhabi and will require 1,000 volunteers. Tony Douglas, group CEO, Etihad, commented, “We are honoured to [...] provide our employees with the opportunity to support this major event.”
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced details of the eighth edition of Sharjah Light Festival. From February 07 – 17, internationally renowned artists participated in the festival showcasing their work in popular locations under the theme Culture in Sharjah. The details were unveiled during a press conference at Al Hisn Fort Museum, with the festival set to include 23 shows covering 18 popular locations across the emirate, curated by more than 24 artists from 10 countries. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA, said that the Authority has worked over the past seven years to diversify the festival’s activities as well as promote the emirate’s scientific, cultural and artistic successes.
Cape Verde Records Loggerhead Sea Turtle Increase
Loggerhead Sea Turtles
Cape Verdean environmental conservation organisations, Projeto Biodiversidade and BIOS.CV, have jointly contributed, with the support of RIU Hotels & Resorts, to increase the number of loggerhead sea turtle nests around the archipelago. Projeto Biodiversidade recorded 7,634 new nests in 2017, twice as many as 2016’s 4,120 nests, while BIOS.CV in Boa Vista recorded 4,688 nests, consolidating a very significant and steady increase. Considering that the loggerhead is among the 11 most endangered sea turtle species on the planet, RIU Hotels & Resorts, BIOS and Projeto Biodiversidade decided to strengthen their partnership in order to protect the country’s wildlife. RIU finances the structural expenses of the non-governmental organisations and collaborates in sustaining volunteers, while BIOS and Projeto Biodiversidade focus on species survival.
Details of this year’s Festival were unveiled to the media
Bangladesh Aiming to Improve Wildlife Tourism Bangladesh government ministry officials recently participated in a sustainable tourism and wildlife workshop to enhance their knowledge and share good practices. Within the framework of the UNWTO/Chimelong Initiative on wildlife and sustainable tourism, implemented between 2017 and this year, 30 officials attended the workshop that was held in Dhaka. Particular focus was given to the critically endangered royal bengal tiger, found around one of Bangladesh’s World Heritage sites, The Sundarbans. Additionally, the workshop also included a revision of good practices related to wildlife-based tourism across the Asia Pacific region, which gave participants the opportunity to make recommendations towards fostering the country’s wildlife tourism sector. The Sundarbans is considered one of the natural wonders of the world
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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. Pop icon and singer Diana Haddad recently visited Emirates Hospital Jumeriah
Renowned Indian fashion designers Shantanu and Nikhil are pictured with Etihad Airways’ cabin crew during the airline’s Runway to Runway loyalty programme promotion at Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai, India
Dubai's Waterfront Market awarded local fisherman Jassim Mohammad Ali Abdullah Al Marzouqi the prize for catching the biggest King Fish of the season weighing 28 kg
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Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free sponsored Qatar Total Open Womens Tennis Tournament
Heart of Sharjah showcased the emirate's cultural progress during Sharjah Light Festival
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS ITB BERLIN Berlin, Germany March 07 – 11 www.itb-berlin.de/en Hailed as a leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin is the foremost business platform for global touristic offers.
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ADIBS Attends Boot Düsseldorf
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delegation from Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS) visited Boot Düsseldorf, described as one of the largest premier marine shows for yachting, watersports and fishing. The ADIBS team’s participation, alongside partners British Marine and Superyacht UK, aimed at increasing awareness of industry prospects within the burgeoning leisure marine industry. The UAE capital is set to host the inaugural edition
of ADIBS at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) from October 17 – 20 Organised by ADNEC, in association with British Marine, ADIBS is expected to draw the participation of 150 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors. Catering to marine industry professionals, boating enthusiasts and families that enjoy a day out on the water, the event will feature 75 boats berthed at the on-site show marina that was recently extended.
ADNEC’s marina
ATM Dubai, UAE April 22 – 25 arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com B2B exhibition showcasing over 2,800 products and destinations from around the world to over 28,000 travel trade visitors.
IMEX Frankfurt, Germany May 15 –17 www.imex-frankfurt.com IMEX opens its doors to 5,200 global decision makers with qualified buying power, including the valuable German outbound market.
ILTM - ASIA PACIFIC Singapore May 21 – 24 www.iltm.com/asiapacific Targeting the Asia outbound market, ILTM Asia Pacific will bring international suppliers face-to-face with the very best regional buyers and key international agents.
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ITB China Introduces New Networking Platform
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aking place in Shanghai from May 16 – 18, ITB China is offering business travel market professionals its first ever Business Travel Day training and networking platform. On May 17, practical workshops with up-todate information on methods and strategies are designed to provide both career newcomers and corporate travel managers with first-hand knowledge and updates. CITS American Express Global Business Travel,
Carlson Wagonlit Travel China and BCD Travel are the event’s exclusive partners with Jonathan Kao, managing director, Greater China, BCD Travel, Kevin Tan, vice president, CITS American Express Global Business Travel, and KJ Wu, deputy general manager, Carlson Wagonlit Travel China, all welcoming the initiative. Admission to the Business Travel Day is free for visitors. ITB China generally welcomes some 15,000 participants.
First Abu Dhabi Publishing Forum
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he Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi on January 30 and 31 organised the first edition of the Abu Dhabi Publishing Forum under the theme Transformations and Achievements in the Publishing Industry: The Emirati Experience. The forum, taking place at Manarat Al Saadiyat, hosted expert Arab and foreign publishers and writers representing institutions and centre’s from around the world. Through its eight sessions, the forum’s speakers and delegates discussed the most significant developments and challenges facing publishing in the UAE in particular, as well as in the region in general, based on several main themes, including authorship and publishing. The forum also shed light on the latest developments in the publishing industry, providing an opportunity for information and expertise exchange.
Publishing developments were discussed
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