Travel Trade Weekly, 24 March 2018, Issue 437 by Travel Trade Publications

24 MARCH 2018 ISSUE 437

Your Mountain Escape awaits at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort.

24 MARCH 2018 ISSUE 437

06 ACCOMMODATION

Frasers Hospitality Doubles Middle East Portfolio

MÃ&#x2013;VENPICK ANNOUNCE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA EXPANSION

QATAR AIRWAYS ANNOUNCE 16 NEW ROUTES

MARKET UPDATE

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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

JANUARY 2017 HOTEL GUESTS INCREASING - DCT ABU DHABI

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel

Abu Dhabi hotel guests, during January 2017, rose by 7.4 percent year-on-year, building on the success of a record-breaking 2017, which concluded with five million over-night stays.

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 EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

DCT Abu Dhabi aims to reach 8.5 million visitors to the emirate by 2021

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

n total, 437,228 hotel guests stayed at the emirate’s 162 hotels, resorts and hotel apartments during January 2017, up more than 30,000 over 2016, according to Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). All three regions within the emirate recorded hotel guest increases; Abu Dhabi up 6.3 percent; Al Ain up seven percent; and Al Dhafra up 17.3 percent. Multiple markets provided double-digit year-on-year growth, notably; China (10.7 percent), India (31.5 percent), UK (19.1 percent), Saudi Arabia (15.4 percent) and the US (36.1 percent). DCT Abu Dhabi focussed on extensive marketing across the main feeder markets and held a number of roadshows to attract more travellers. Other reasons for the growing visits were visa permits on arrival and more flights.

MIDDLE EAST CONSTRUCTION PIPELINE ON THE UP – LE

MENA EXCHANGE RATES

as of 22.3.2018

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

114.04

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

17.63

Iran (IRR)

Rial

37,701.17

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,188.88

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,514.95

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.33

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.19

Syria (SYP)

Pound

515.25

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

2.40

Yemen (YER)

Rial

249.90

Analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) have reported that the Middle East’s construction pipeline is going up significantly.

T Currently, there are 348 projects/109,027 rooms under construction across the region

he total pipeline includes 573 projects and is up 11 percent by projects year-over-year. Major hospitality companies feeding the Middle East’s construction pipeline are; Marriott International (96 projects), Hilton Worldwide (92 projects), and AccorHotels (83 projects). The brand with the largest growth is Hilton’s full-service hotel (29 projects), Courtyard by Marriott (20 projects), and Accor’s Novotel (14 projects). Additionally, countries set to enjoy the pipeline’s largest share are; Saudi Arabia (202 projects), UAE (191) and Qatar with 60 projects. Cities with the largest pipelines, include; Dubai with 143, Doha with 56 and Riyadh with 55 projects.

24 MARCH 2018

AGENTS

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In 2017, 35,000 tourists booked Turkey accommodation via HalalBooking.com

HalalBooking.com Reports Record Sales HalalBooking.com has reported record sales for the first two months of this year.

ccording to HalalBooking.com, bookings for Turkey came from customers from over 75 countries, with the biggest markets being Germany and the UK. The search and booking website for Halal-friendly travel has developed new technology allowing hotels to add their information and rates to the site automatically. It is also planning a rapid increase in its accommodation portfolio with the aim of listing 10,000 properties by the end of this year. Much of these new accommodations are expected to come from major European cities such as Paris, Rome and London. There will also be a focus on beach resorts such as Spain and thermal and spa destinations like Bosnia and Herzegovina. A number of south-eastern Asian destinations are also being launched this year, including; Malaysia, Bali (Indonesia), Maldives, Singapore and Thailand.

Travelport Appoints New Distributor for Lebanon

Global Holidays will aim to form new partnerships with other leading travel agents across Lebanon

ravelport has appointed Global Holidays as its new distributer for Lebanon. Global Holidays will, from the anticipated date of June 01, distribute the travel commerce platform’s technology and services across the country, including the Galileo and Worldspan platforms. Operations will be headed by Georges Moussa,

24 MARCH 2018

owner, Global Holidays, which is a subsidiary of Dubai-based conglomerate Planet Group. The company’s sales force already maintains relationships with over 400 travel agents across Lebanon. Matthew Powell, managing director, Middle East and South Asia, Travelport, commented, “We believe the company has the expertise and

experience required to not only maintain, but extend our leadership position in the market by setting a new benchmark in service and support for travel agents.” The current distributor, Gate 7, will remain active until May 31 to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted customer service.

TECHNOLOGY

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60 percent of travellers begin their search for accommodation on Google

TravelClick Expands Google Partnership TravelClick, a global provider of data and revenue-generating solutions for hoteliers, has expanded its relationship with tech giant Google to help independent and small to mid-sized hotel chains better identify, attract and convert guests.

New Mobile App for Falconcity

Qatar Airways Extends Agreement with UnionPay

iming to boost the emirate’s urban environment, upcoming Dubai-based real-estate project, Falconcity of Wonders (FCW), announced the launch of its new customer service mobile application. The new application has been designed to provide a complete hassle-free customer service experience to all users. By providing a range of services including bill payments, requests for temporary gate passes, access to promotional material, NOC interim registration, party requests, and maintenance support, the application helps simplify transactions by digitising them and ensuring the safe storage of data. The app’s key features include updates and notifications on the status of requests and payments, location and navigation services using Google maps, and the option to upload and update customers’ documents and profile pictures. “The new smart app reaffirms our commitment towards digital innovation,” outlined H.E. Salem Almoosa, chairman, FCW.

ith Google Premier Partner Status, TravelClick expects to offer its hotel customers priority access to Google beta products, elite account support and performance review with a dedicated, global account team and unique pieces of data for campaign optimisation. “When hoteliers engage with these same consumers using TravelClick’s Customer Relationship Management guest profiles, forward-looking demand data and best-in-class booking engine, hoteliers are able to convert more consumers into paying guests and optimise their pricing,” noted Curtis Brewer, senior vice president, reservations and website solutions, TravelClick. Ru Roberts, senior industry head of travel, Google, added, “Our combined efforts provide a platform for hoteliers to be able to reach the 60 percent of travellers who use Google when they begin to search for travel accommodations and then leverage TravelClick to convert those searches into bookings.”

atar Airways is extending its partnership with international bank card network, UnionPay, to an additional 31 countries and regions, providing a convenient payment option for passengers when booking tickets on the airline’s official website. Customers from countries, including; Qatar, Kuwait, India, Oman, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil and South Africa, and others, can expect to take advantage of UnionPay’s secure payment option when booking tickets to more than 150 destinations on the airline’s extensive global network.

Under the expanded agreement, Qatar Airways and UnionPay will embark upon greater collaboration for various sales and marketing initiatives. Both parties will also look at creating a new and exclusive co-branded card that will provide UnionPay customers exclusive benefits on selected products by Qatar Airways. “Our expanded agreement with Qatar Airways will increase UnionPay card acceptance rate in the airline industry, offering better card-using experiences to UnionPay cardholders outside mainland China,” said, Larry Wang, vice president, UnionPay.

With 90 million cards issued outside mainland China, UnionPay is accepted at more than 10 million online merchants based across 200 countries

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WEEKLY NEWS

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Arabian Travel Market is scheduled to be hosted between April 22 – 25

GCC Visitors Leading Northern Emirates Occupancy GCC visitors are driving occupancy demand across the UAE’s northern emirates, comprising more than 30 percent of hotel check-ins.

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DCT Abu Dhabi Heading to Oman for Roadshow

ccording to data released ahead of this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), of the overall occupancy rises, GCC residents travelling to Fujairah now make up 39 percent of the emirate’s total occupancy levels, 34 percent for Ras Al Khaimah and 34 percent for Sharjah, a trend that ATM’s data expects to continue. “The northern emirates are becoming increasingly popular, as Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah all recorded significant growth,” noted Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM. “Improved transport infrastructure has boosted staycations, particularly from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and visitors from Oman, as well as new luxury properties and new attractions.”

he Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has reinforced its commitment to Oman by announcing a dedicated roadshow across Muscat on March 13. The aim is to cement the UAE capital’s relationship with key businesses and operating bodies by promoting its dynamic set of offerings. “Oman continues to play a big role in our diversified market strategy. Roadshows, such as these, are instrumental for us to meet with key partners and showcase to them all that Abu Dhabi has to offer,” noted Nabeel Al Zarouni, regional promotion manager, Middle East and Africa, DCT Abu Dhabi.

ACCOMMODATION

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Fraser Suites Riyadh boasts 95 fully furnished residences

Frasers Hospitality Doubles Middle East Portfolio FRASERS HOSPITALITY ANNOUNCED IT HAS INCREASED ITS MIDDLE EAST PORTFOLIO WITH SAUDI ARABIA AND OMAN WELCOMING NEW PROPERTIES THIS YEAR.

dditionally, with six more properties planned for Dubai, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Kuwait, Frasers Hospitality is set to double its regional footprint to 13 properties over the next few years. The recent opening of Fraser Suites Riyadh and soon-to-open Fraser Suites Muscat join existing properties; Fraser Suites Seef, Bahrain, Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area Bahrain, Fraser Suites Doha, Fraser Suites West Bay, Doha and Fraser Suites Dubai. From now until 2020, the top three regional business travel markets are expected to be the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. “It is timely for us to scale up in the Middle East. We have a loyal base of corporate customers and this has contributed to the success of our properties in Bahrain, Doha and Dubai, which are enjoying average occupancies of over 85 percent,” said Choe Peng Sum, CEO, Frasers Hospitality.

Bahrain Gets First Park Regis-Branded Hotel

Pearl Rotana Abu Dhabi Nearing Official Opening

R Park Regis Lotus marks the beginning of the brand’s Middle East expansion

tayWell Holdings announced the expansion of its Park Regis brand into Bahrain with the opening of the country’s first Park Regis hotel. Manama hosts Park Regis Lotus Hotel which provides easy access to the financial centre and Bahrain Bay. The 19-storey hotel offers 164 guest rooms, an onsite fitness centre with 24-hour gymnasium and a lap pool. The hotel’s business facilities offer accommodation and conference solutions for corporate travellers, including two fully equipped meeting rooms.

Additionally, Park Regis Lotus Hotel boasts an array of onsite restaurant and bar options including buffet breakfast and casual dining, a patisserie and tearoom, and a roof top café, which offers panoramic views of the Juffair Sea. “Alongside parent company, Prince Hotels & Resorts, StayWell Holdings is in the midst of an exciting rapid development programme with plans to expand both brands internationally, with a current focus on the Middle East,” said Simon Wan, president, StayWell Holdings.

otana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC welcomed guests to its new property, Pearl Rotana Abu Dhabi, from March 10. Located within the central business district, the hotel is steps away from Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Guests can select from 315 rooms and suites overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The hotel’s meeting and conference facilities come equipped with the latest technology for meetings and presentations. Additionally, Pearl Rotana’s restaurants bring new food and beverage venues to the local dining scene; Saffron, Chai and Dino’s Bistro Italiano, being followed by signature concept The Warehouse Wine Bar & Tapas this April. Recreational facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, massage treatment rooms and a Bodylines fitness and wellness club.

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ACCOMMODATION

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Mövenpick Announce Middle East and Africa Expansion

Dubai Media City is among the locations where Mövenpick will expand its presence

SBI Grow GCC Portfolio with Swiss-Belinn Muscat

New Properties Increasingly Strengthen Rotana’s Dubai Presence

H Swiss-Belhotel International is rapidly growing its footprint across the Middle East

övenpick Hotels & Resorts is gearing up for a year of significant portfolio expansion as it forges ahead with plans to open 11 new properties around the world, including the Middle East and Africa, by the end of this 2018. The global hospitality firm, which currently operates 83 hotels across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, is due to enter five new countries – Bangladesh, Iraq, Kenya, Malaysia and Maldives – while boosting its cluster of hotels within the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia and Thailand. In the Middle East, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai and a Mövenpick hotel within Dubai Media City will join the emirate’s hospitality scene, while Mövenpick Resort El Ein Bay will add to Egypt’s offerings. Mövenpick Hotel du Lac Tunis, located on the banks of Lac de Tunis – will be the Group’s third Tunisia property, and Mövenpick Hotel Basra is being designed to capitalise on one of Iraq’s oil and gas hubs. Muscat, Oman and Ras Al Khaimah, UAE are also set to host new Mövenpick properties.

otel management company Rotana has inaugurated Al Bandar Rotana and Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana located on Dubai Creek. The five-star Al Bandar Rotana, and luxury hotel apartment complex Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana will be managed by Rotana on behalf of Al Ain Ahlia Insurance Company. Al Bandar Rotana features 190 rooms and suites as well as Club Rotana rooms, including an Executive Lounge and personalised services. Designed for long-stay visitors, Al Bandar Arjaan

by Rotana offers 90 fully-furnished studios and apartments with options ranging from spacious studios to three-bedroom apartments. In addition to a business centre, six state-ofthe-art meeting and conference facilities. There are two signature restaurants and three casual dining outlets and an extensive in-room dining menu. Al Bandar Rotana and Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana also house Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, which features a gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool and sauna, steam and massage rooms.

ontinuing its expansion across the GCC region, Swiss-Belhotel International (SBI) has entered into a management agreement with Al Salaam International Hotel LLC to operate Swiss-Belinn Muscat, Oman. Scheduled for a 2019 opening, the threestar hotel is located near Muscat International Airport. The property is being designed to include 120 standard rooms and 10 suites. It will offer facilities, including; an all-day-dining restaurant, flexible meeting and conference venues, a gym, Wi-Fi access and 24-hour room service. Gavin Faull, chairman, Swiss-Belhotel International, noted, “It is an exciting time for us as we continue to strengthen our presence in the GCC. Swiss-Belinn Muscat will be ideal for travellers looking for a comfortable and affordable accommodation.”

Within two connecting towers, the properties offer a range of world-class facilities

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AIRPORTS

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QAIA is planning on 2018 being a record-breaking year

QAIA Achieves Record Numbers Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) welcomed 624,207 passengers during January.

24 MARCH 2018

Al Ain Airport Adds First Costa Coffee Outlet

he numbers mark a significant increase of 8.2 percent compared to 576,912 passengers recorded during the same month year-on-year, according to Airport International Group (AIG). In January this year, QAIA also registered 5,672 aircraft movements as opposed to 5,819 year-on-year, meaning a 2.5 percent year-on-year drop. Meanwhile, cargo figures increased by 14.8 percent as QAIA handled 8,074 tonnes of cargo compared to 7,036 tonnes during the same month. Kjed Binger, group CEO, AIG, remarked, “We aim to see 2018 be another successful year to add to our repertoire, as we implement strategies that improve our services and bolster our operations.”

l Ain International Airport announced its first Costa Coffee outlet. Located before the check-in area it is accessible to passengers and the public. The menu offers hot and cold beverages and food options. The outlet features 12 dine-in tables, an outside seating area and an express takeaway counter. Commenting on the opening, Eric Hughes, general manager, UAE, Costa Coffee, added, “This sees Costa Coffee now proudly operating at five airports throughout the UAE.” Hughes added, “We hope this marks the development of a long relationship with Abu Dhabi Airports.”

AIR

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Al Baker stated that the airline will continue expanding and raising Qatar’s flag around the world

Qatar Airways Announce 16 New Routes Qatar Airways has announced 16 new destinations for 2018 – 2019 as part of its expansion plans.

E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, speaking at ITB Berlin on March 07, stated that the airline was slated to become the first Gulf carrier to begin a direct service to Luxembourg. Other new destinations, include; London Gatwick and Cardiff (UK), Lisbon (Portugal), Tallinn (Estonia), Valletta (Malta), Cebu and Davao (Philippines), Langkawi (Malaysia), Da Nang (Vietnam), Bodrum, Antalya and Hatay (Turkey), Mykonos and Thessaloniki (Greece) and Málaga (Spain). In addition, services to Warsaw (Poland), Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Prague (Czech Republic) and Kyiv (Ukraine) will increase to a double daily frequency, while services to the Maldives, Madrid and Barcelona (Spain), will increase to triple daily. “We are committed to continuing our ambitious growth strategy, in order to be able to provide our passengers with as much choice as possible and to take them anywhere in the world they wish to go,” added Al Baker.

Kuwait Airways to Boost Munich Capacity

uwait Airways has announced plans to expand capacity on its seasonal Kuwait City – Munich, Germany, route for the upcoming summer period. Previously, Kuwait’s national carrier served the Kuwait City – Munich route three times a week. From June 07 to September 10, a Boeing B777-300ER service will operate the service, replacing the previously used Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route. Overall, the upcoming seasonal route is scheduled to be offered from June 07 to October 27. Along with facilitating an improved passenger experience, Kuwait Airways’ route expansion aims to raise the quality of services across its expanding network.

Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to historical buildings and museums

Emirates Unveils New Business Class Configuration

E Emirates’ two-class Boeing B777-200LR features a 2-2-2 business class seat configuration

mirates has unveiled a new business class cabin and configuration on its Boeing B777200LR aircraft, with wider seats laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration for the first time. The airline also announced that it is investing over USD150 million to refurbish its 10 B777-200LR aircraft, now setting them with the two-class configuration offering 38 business class seats and 264 economy class. The business class follow the same design and shape of Emirates’ latest lie-flat seats, but are five cm wider. They have an 183 cm pitch, touchscreen controls for the seat, in-flight enter-

tainment system, personal lighting options, privacy panels, shoe stowage area, footrest and a personal mini-bar. The new business class cabin also features a social area – unique to the Boeing B777-200LR fleet – offering snacks and beverages. Emirates’ first newly refurbished B777-200LR aircraft officially went into service on March 06 to Fort Lauderdale, the US. The remaining nine planes are set to be retrofitted over the year, and are planned for several destinations, including the most recently announced route to Santiago, Chile. 24 MARCH 2018

AIR

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SalamAir Introduce Services to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Qatar Airways Sign Five-Year Deal with Bayern München

The partnership agreement was announced during this year’s ITB Berlin

Q O

mani low-cost carrier, SalamAir, has introduced direct services from Salalah to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Starting on March 27, direct flights from Salalah to Jeddah are scheduled to be operated every Tuesday at 14:10, while flights from Jeddah to Salalah will be operated every Monday at 11:50 (all times local). Passengers also have the option of booking the service via Muscat International Airport. Flights to Jeddah via Muscat International Airport are set to be operated twice weekly on Thursdays and Saturdays, while flights to Salalah via Muscat will be operated three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Operating a fleet of A320s, the airline’s flight schedule also includes flights to Suhar, Salalah, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha, Sialkot, Multan and Karachi. SalamAir is aiming to focus on serving under-served and popular short-haul routes.

atar Airways has signed a fiveyear agreement with Bundesliga giants FC Bayern München. Under the new partnership, the award-winning airline will become an FC Bayern München platinum partner until June 2023. The five-season deal, commencing July 01, will see the airline’s logo adorning the shirt sleeves of the German league leaders. Hamad International Airport’s partnership with Bayern, initiated since

January 2016, will continue with Qatar Airways. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, commented, “FC Bayern München is a club that exemplifies ambition, innovation and integrity. These are values we share, admire and are fundamental to Qatar Airways.” Qatar Airways operates 35 weekly flights between Doha and Germany; double daily to Munich and Frankfurt, as well as daily to Berlin.

Jeddah is famous for its tropical arid climate and its coastline location across the Red Sea

Iran Air Launches Flights to Belgrade and Jask

fter a 27-year gap, direct flights between Iran and Serbia recently resumed with an Iran Air jet touching down at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport. The flight was carried out on March 03 with an Airbus A320 aircraft featuring 96 passengers onboard. Iran Air is also reportedly offering a twice weekly direct service between Tehran and Belgrade. Additionally, a second Iranian carrier, Qeshm Air, is also reportedly planning to launch a service between the two capitals starting from March 19. Iran Air also announced a new domestic route between Bandar Abbas International Airport, Hormozgan Province and Jask, which began on March 04. Linking the two port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar-e Jask, the flight was carried out with one of Iran Air's recently purchased ATR turboprops.

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INTERNATIONAL

AFRICA

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Lions Return to Liwonde National Park

fter four years without lions roaming Liwonde, Malawi, African Parks has reintroduced the species back into the National Park. In partnership with Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the Dutch Government and Lion Recovery Fund, two mature male lions were released into enclosed bomas, or enclosures, where they will remain for several weeks to monitor their wellbeing and adjustment. Two lionesses are also set to be translocated from South Africa this month, and once they adjust and bond with the males they are then expected to be all released into the wider park environment.

Ethiopian Airlines Now Linking Buenos Aires

thiopian Airlines announced that it has commenced a five-weekly service to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the initial flight launching on March 08. Buenos Aires is now the carrier’s sixth gateway to the Americas. “Our new flight to Buenos Aires will provide efficient connections to our Middle East, Africa and Asia network, including; Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Mumbai, Delhi, Dubai, Beirut, Nairobi, and Cairo,” outlined Tewolde GebreMariam, group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines. “As the national carrier, we are fast expanding our global footprint, currently covering over 100 international destinations across five continents, to support the country’s growth by facilitating its access to investors and tourists.”

The translocation marks the Majete’s pride return which was entirely poached out decades ago

UNWTO Agenda for Africa Moving Ahead

Victoria Falls to Become Tourism Hub

n African ministerial working meeting convened by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) during the recently held ITB Berlin travel trade show agreed to move ahead with a new 10-point UNWTO Agenda for Africa. The final document will be adopted at a UNWTO Commission meeting for Africa, scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria from June 04 – 06. A recent UNWTO announcement noted international tourist arrivals to Africa expanded eight percent, outgrowing the world average increase. It also noted that tourism was gaining weight as a development opportunity for the whole African continent, with the vast diversity of its nature, culture and wildlife its greatest vehicle for development.

imbabwe’s government has announced plans to transform three key destinations, Victoria Falls, Hwange and Kariba, into a regional hub through its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project. Prisca Mupfumira, minister, tourism, Zimbabwe, stated, “We want Victoria Falls to be the main centre of attraction for the continent.” The government has spent USD150 million towards modernising and extending Victoria Falls International Airport, as the region is anticipating a tourism boom. Mupfumira also noted that the government was looking at transforming the earmarked SEZ, which would come with taxation and special concession benefits, into a virtual city.

Kenya Tourism Board to Create National Events Calendar

K KTB is working on diversifying the country’s tourism product

enya Tourism Board (KTB) has asked county governments to discuss formulating a national events calendar that will help attract more tourists to their respective regions. Betty Radier, CEO, KTB, said the calendar would help to complement Kenya’s traditional wildlife safari and beach tourism products, adding that cultural, sport and food festivals should be included into the calendar to help people plan to attend the events. County governments are now required to identify two tourism products that will be packaged as national attractions by KTB. “We need to create experiences that are unique to various regions and boost their value via engagement of local communities,” said Radier. “Only then will we attract investments, create jobs and increase earnings for local communities.”

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New Delta Service to Chattanooga from New York

elta has inaugurated new nonstop flights between New York City and Chattanooga, Tennessee, to be flown six times weekly from July 09. Flights will be operated by Delta Connection carrier Endeavor Air on CRJ-900 aircraft, providing seating for 12 First Class, 20 Delta Comfort+ and 44 main cabin passengers. Complimentary beverages and snacks will be served and customers will have access to inflight Wi-Fi. Delta’s hub at New York’s LaGuardia Airport will complement existing Delta services, offering 12 peak-day departures from Chattanooga with global connections via the airline’s additional hubs at

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INTERNATIONAL

AMERICAS

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Delta began serving Chattanooga more than 70 years ago

Washington to Welcome New Cambria Hotel

hoice Hotels International has signed an agreement with Sound West Group to develop a Cambria-branded hotel in Bremerton, Washington, the US. The five-storey, 121-room Cambria Hotel Bremerton is part of a mixed-use waterfront development on Marina Square. Slated for 2019, it is expected to feature a rooftop deck with 180-degree views overlooking Puget Sound, a multi-function meeting space, state-of-theart fitness centre, pool, spa, and underground parking. Contemporary onsite dining options will serve local specialties, liquor, wine, and local craft beers, as well as grab-and-go gourmet salads and sandwiches. Adjacent to Bremerton Marina and Kitsap Conference Center, the hotel is within driving distance of three championship golf courses.

INTERNATIONAL

AMERICAS

RAM to Increase Casablanca – Rio de Janeiro Frequency

oyal Air Maroc (RAM) plans to increase frequency on its Casablanca, Morocco – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil route from three to four times weekly. Independent market intelligence, research and data solutions provider, CAPA - Centre for Aviation, also reported RAM will be replacing Boeing B767 with B787 equipment on the route this October. The airline also operates four times weekly between Casablanca and São Paulo Guarulhos with Boeing B787 equipment. According to its official Facebook page, RAM has, during its 59 years of existence, always invested into renewing and modernising its fleet It has regularly expanded its network by opening new routes on five continents, and by multiplying frequencies, to better meet the needs of its customers.

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Belize to Welcome First Autograph Collection Property

utograph Collection Hotels announced the brand is expected to enter Belize for the first time, with the 2020 opening of Alaia resort. Situated within San Pedro, Alaia broke ground at the end of 2017 with a launch plan of five phases. The beachfront resort will feature 56 two-bedroom condominiums with a lock-off option and eight oceanfront villas, totaling 120 keys. When completed, Alaia will include a beach club exclusive to guests and residents, a rooftop suspended pool and lounge with spectacular ocean views, full service spa, fitness centre, kids club, dive shop and live art gallery.

Costa Rica to Open Dubai Representative Office

D Rio de Janeiro has proven to be a popular route on the RAM network

Brazil Sustainability at Expo 2020 Dubai

ubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Costa Rican government for the Central American nation to open a representative office within the emirate. The agreement supports the UAE’s and Costa Rica’s efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and facilitate trade and investment flows. In addition, it will enable Costa Rican business communities to expand their global footprint by leveraging Dubai’s strategic position to access markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Sun Country Airlines Unveils Growing Route Network

razil is to promote its focus on sustainable development and renewable energy to a global audience, after confirming its participation at Expo 2020 Dubai. Brazil is pursuing a sustainable development agenda and is expected to become the world's fifth largest economy by the year 2050. Foreign investment will play a crucial role, with the country ranked sixth globally for foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, amounting to USD84.4 billion for the period February 2016 to February 2017. Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to offer Brazil the opportunity to boost FDI by providing the country with a global stage on which to showcase its highly diversified economy.

Sun Country offers a total of 50 non-stop routes throughout the year

S carrier Sun Country Airlines has announced seven additional routes to its growing route network. Flights aim to be available for the summer vacation season, and offer passengers easy access to major vacation hot spots across the US and Mexico. The new routes, include; Austin-Cancun, three times weekly; Dallas-Las Vegas, four times weekly; Portland – Orlando, three times weekly; San Diego-Los Cabos, twice weekly; and finally, Seattle-Anchorage, five times weekly. Expanded seasonal non-stop services announced were between Minneapolis-Santa Rosa/Sonoma County, twice a week, and Minneapolis and Austin, three times a week.

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ASIA PACIFIC

Willie Creek Pearls and Camel West Introduce New Tours

Hyatt and Tianfu Join Forces to Grow China Portfolio

ianfu Minyoun Hospitality and Hyatt Hotels Corporation are set to drive Hyatt Place and Hyatt House expansion across China. Franchise deals for the first three Hyatt-branded hotels under this strategic development agreement were also signed. Tianfu Minyoun and Hyatt will develop Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels, with plans to bring both brands to more business and leisure destinations throughout China. Under the strategic development agreement, 50 Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels are expected to be developed by Tianfu Minyoun over the next five years, the first being Hyatt Place Nanchong Gaoping, Hyatt Place Changchun Jingyue and Hyatt House Changchun Jingyue.

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Park Hyatt set for Kuala Lumpur Debut

estern Australian tour company, Willie Creek Pearls, has teamed up with Australia’s central city camel ride operator, Camel West, to offer camel rides along Swan River, with that followed by a live pearl harvest at Elizabeth Quay. The experience allows participants to ride, pat and feed the camels before harvesting pearls and trying on jewellery. The Camel Ride and Pearl Harvest package began on March 03 and is scheduled to be available from Wednesdays to Sundays at Western Pavilion, Barrack Square, Perth. Willie Creek Pearls offer pearl experiences, from telling Broome’s pearling history, to educating visitors about modern day pearling, right through to commercial pearl farming and jewellery manufacture.

INTERNATIONAL

Visitors visit Willie Creek Pearls to learn the process behind pearl farming

uala Lumpur’s first Park Hyatt-branded hotel is being designed to join the city’s PNB 118 tower development, anticipated to be completed by 2020 and expected to be Malaysia’s, and Southeast Asia’s, tallest skyscraper, ranking it as the world’s third tallest. Set for a 2021 opening, it is being designed to occupy the top 17 floors of the 118-storey tower. The hotel’s 232 guestrooms include 28 suites and 30 residential apartments. There will also be residentially-inspired galleries and libraries, over 1,858 m2 of flexible meeting spaces, three on-site restaurants and bars, a six-treatment room spa, fitness centre, and swimming pool.

New Executive Chef at Banyan Tree Bangkok

anyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has announced Heshan Peiris as the new executive chef for Banyan Tree Bangkok’s 11 restaurants. Peiris’ career started as an apprentice at Melbourne Racing Club whilst pursuing a culinary arts degree at William Angliss Institute. Over the last 16 years he has lived and worked with Hilton hotels in Melbourne, Sydney and

Seychelles. Prior to joining Banyan Tree Bangkok, Peiris worked at Vietnam’s Laguna Lang Co. Peiris believes in bringing traditional food to new dimensions, modernising the presentation, while valuing original ingredients and keeping the essence of each dish. “I'm excited to be working with the talented team of Banyan Tree Bangkok, to create a fresh new and exciting dining experience,” said Peiris.

VietJet Enhances India and Vietnam Routes

ietJet has announced its plans to operate direct flights connecting Vietnam and India, while its subsidiary, Thai VietJet, is to launch a new direct domestic service between Bangkok and Krabi, Thailand. Both plans are designed to become part of VietJet’s long-term development programme to be a consumer airline serving all customer demands. The India route will connect Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with New Delhi, India with four weekly flights, serving the growing travel demands and contributing to the region’s integration and trade exchange. For the domestic Thailand route, Thai VietJet’s new service between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Krabi Airport, is scheduled to start on April 05. The service will operate with two daily return flights, deploying an Airbus A320 aircraft. This route means the carrier now operates five domestic routes.

INTERNATIONAL

ASIA PACIFIC

Thailand Successfully Hosted Amour Asia Pacific

ourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted Amour Asia Pacific, a luxury travel trade event catering to the booming weddings and honeymoons market across the region. The event took place from February 14 – 17, at Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park Bangkok, and showcased choices for popular wedding themes, including; romantic beach weddings, super yacht weddings, Lanna-style weddings, or traditional Thai weddings, to name just a few. Srisuda Wananpinyosak, deputy governor, international marketing, TAT, commented, “Amour Asia Pacific [2018] strengthens Thailand’s image as a wedding and honeymoon destination on the global stage, following the successful Destination Wedding Planner Congress 2017.”

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WorkPlayce Brings WA to Melbourne

R Wananpinyosak: In 2016, 1.1 million tourists visited Thailand for weddings and honeymoons

egional produce and virtual experiences recently tempted Melbournians to spend a day working from a unique pop-up event, while learning more about Western Australia (WA), due to a partnership between Tourism Western Australia and Qantas. Titled as, WorkPlayce, the pop-up event aimed to inspire attendees to travel west on holiday or stopover when travelling to London on the new Qantas Dreamliner direct service from Perth to the English capital. As attendees worked remotely from the event’s Federation Square venue, specific WA regions were showcased via a virtual reality whale shark diving experience into the Ningaloo Reef, to photography tutorials and live pearl-harvesting demonstrations. A Dreamliner was also on display during the February 13 – 15 initiative.

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RENDEZVOUS

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DISCUSSING KUWAIT’S RICH LEISURE OFFERINGS, PETER SCHULER, GENERAL MANAGER, SYMPHONY STYLE HOTEL KUWAIT, REVEALS THE COUNTRY’S TOP ACTIVITIES TRAVELLERS CAN ENJOY DURING THEIR VISIT

Q&A with Peter Schuler GENERAL MANAGER, SYMPHONY STYLE HOTEL KUWAIT

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Kuwait provides a various activities for guests to enjoy by the sea. Why do you believe travellers should choose Kuwait for such experiences? PETER SCHULER: The Arabian Gulf is intrinsically linked to Kuwait’s heritage and culture and offers an array of experiences and activities for visitors, such as marine events, yacht excursions and exhibitions and trips to surrounding historical islands like Failaka and the Kubar Historical Islands. Yacht exhibitions are extremely popular with businessmen from all around the region seeking to purchase a yacht. Symphony Style Hotel’s strategic location on Kuwait Bay is ideally placed to meet the requirements of guests keen to explore marine activities. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What do you think makes Kuwaiti culture stand out and why should travellers explore this aspect during their visit? PETER SCHULER: Kuwait has an abundance of historical and cultural heritage to attract visitors. Its iconic landmarks include architectural highlights such as Kuwait Towers and Liberation Tower. Kuwait City’s Grand Mosque is also a key tourist attraction, and the fine museums, souq and modern shopping complexes provide visitors the perfect mix of old and new. There is significant investment from the government and private sector in cultural and tourism projects and additionally, the Ministry of Tourism has a range of initiatives and schemes in place to enhance Kuwait’s appeal as a touristic destination. Various activities organised by the Tourism

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authority throughout the year attract large numbers of visitors to the country. There is a myriad of old and new places to discover which forms Kuwait’s new Cultural District, a stunning location that hosts large local, regional and international events, musicals, plays, theatre, art and cultural exhibitions. Among those are; Failaka Historical Islands and the impressive cultural centers, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center and the new Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Center TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Considering Kuwait’s leisure and culture offerings, what else do you suggest as top activities for travellers to do while visiting? PETER SCHULER: Shopping is the main activity for leisure travellers as Kuwait has a distinct advantage of lower taxes than other countries. Kuwaitis are renowned for their taste and links with fashion as the majority are well travelled and knowledgeable.

catering to all needs and requirements for business and leisure travellers. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How successful has 2017 been for your organisation, and what are your expectations for 2018? PETER SCHULER: We recorded many milestones which are testament to our hard work. We strive to excel across all areas, and our culinary expertise is testament to that with Luna restaurant securing three awards at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards; Italian Cuisine Regional Winner, Fine Dining Cuisine Country Winner, Kuwait, and Ambience/Romantic Atmosphere Country Winner, Kuwait. The hotel was also the recipient of a Safehotels Premium Certificate, and the globally-recognised Green Key Certification. In addition to our focus on family travellers, we have introduced to our existing kids’ facilities a dedicated Kids’ Party Room and Teens Hub.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your future plans to attract more leisure tourists to Kuwait?

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Who are your main feeder markets and what are the main reasons they choose Kuwait as a destination?

PETER SCHULER: We will maintain our commitment to unmatched levels of service and creating memorable moments at each step of a guest’s visit. We adhere to a Universal Concierge approach, which ensures that all front of house staff assist guests to maximise their visit and discover a unique experience of local culture. Our attention to the best guest experience includes attractive accommodation packages and

PETER SCHULER: With our meetings and events facilities we remain the preferred partner for business travellers, with the UAE being the main feeder market for us in this sector. Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait is known as the Jewel of Kuwait City and we have plentiful facilities, amenities and experiences to attract leisure travellers. Families from Kuwait remain our main source market, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.

TRAVEL CHANNELS

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Dubai Safari is home to over 2,500 animals, representing more than 250 species

Etihad Aviation Group Marks World Wildlife Day

Dubai Safari Welcomes 175 New Arrivals Dubai Safari announced that, since its December 2017 opening, it has offered a safe and friendly home to 175 new-borns representing 30 species. New arrivals entering the world at Dubai Safari, include; a vervet monkey, 22 blackbuck antelopes, three Arabian wolves, 12 corn snakes, two Nile crocodiles, five Egyptian fruit bats, six wood ducks, 24 African spurred tortoises and three African white lions, among others. “The list of the new arrivals highlights the sheer variety visitors can look forward to at Dubai Safari, including rare animals such as the African white lions, which further strengthens our commitment to conservation efforts for endangered species,” said Khalid Al Suwaidi, director, leisure facilities, Dubai Municipality. The family-friendly destination, has proven to be a highly popular attraction since opening.

Etihad Aviation Group marked World Wildlife Day with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness on the importance of preserving the earth’s resources, including wildlife and nature. The group’s activities, on March 03, took place at various locations, including; Abu Dhabi International Airport, on Etihad Airways flights, and at its headquarters. In partnership with Abu Dhabi International Airport, air travellers passing through Terminal 3 enjoyed wildlife-themed giveaways and a quiz with educational messages, with a wildlifethemed stand as the backdrop. Additionally, Etihad’s Flying Nanny cabin crew encouraged young guests to colour wildlife cards and post drawings on social media using the dedicated #Etihad4Wildlife hashtag.

Etihad passengers were encouraged to learn more about wildlife protection

Real Madrid Promote Emirates A380 Service

The #OneTeam videos were posted on the airline’s social media channels

Emirates has unveiled a video featuring Spanish LaLiga giants, Real Madrid’s football stars onboard an Airbus A380 travelling from Dubai to Madrid. The video includes captain Sergio Ramos and international stars Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro, showing them discover an unexpected talent. The video begins with the players enjoying their flight featuring the shower spa, ice entertainment system, business class cabins and OnBoard Lounge. On the A380, the players notice that the cabin crew is multi-skilled, as they show off their footwork, all while maintaining excellent service to passengers. The #OneTeam campaign highlights similar values that the airline and Real Madrid share; teamwork, ambition, innovation and a passion for sports.

RJ Celebrates All-Female Cabin Crew

The scheduled RJ300 flight was operated by a captain, first officer and three flight attendants, all women

Royal Jordania (RJ) revealed that it operated an all-female crew flight on its Amman – Aqaba route on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 08. Passengers onboard the A320 aircraft expressed admiration for this RJ gesture, and thanked the airline for its support to working women and for helping qualify Jordanian women to fill different positions within the aviation industry, which, for a long time, used to be an exclusive domain for men. Stefan Pichler, CEO, RJ, noted, “RJ spared no efforts in offering all the support to these women who played a major part in the progress of the company, investing in their competencies and giving them the opportunity to be promoted. “Women in RJ have played different roles efficiently; amongst RJ’s female cadre was the first female captain in the Arab world; today, there are three female captains and five first officers in the airline.”

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PHOTO ALBUM

Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. FIFA 2018 cities will join to create shelters for abandoned dogs

On March 01, a press conference of the public organisation, In Wheelchairs without Barriers, took place at the Writer's Bookstore, St. Petersburg

Qatar Airways launch Oryx Kids Club, a new flying club for the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest passengers

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Boeing's B737 is the world's most produced commercial jet aircraft model - Guinness World Records

Ex-NFL star Andre Darnell Reed participated at the 33rd American Airlines Celebrity Ski weekend, to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS

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More European Business Anticipated for Sharjah

ILTM – AFRICA Cape Town, South Africa April 15 – 17 www.iltm.com/africa ILTM- Africa is an invitation-only event, where international travel agents and advisors meet Africa’s luxury travel experience providers.

any tourism stakeholders from various European travel and tourism agencies are said to have visited Sharjah’s pavilion at this year’s ITB Berlin travel trade show to learn more about the emirate’s leading tourism projects. During 2017, Sharjah received around 468,043 tourists from Europe, up by almost 36 percent from 2016’s 343,987 visitors. According to H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman,

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), these figures clearly reflect the emirate’s popularity among travellers from Europe. Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, chairperson, Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, added, “Through ITB Berlin, we hope to learn about Europe’s unique advantages as well as tourism products and services as part of our bid to strengthen our relations with German and European institutions.”

DBE Celebrates Al Safeer Programme Ambassadors

ubai Business Events (DBE), the emirate’s official convention bureau, has congratulated its Al Safeer Programme members for attracting international conferences into the city. Awards were presented to 26 member organisations at the Al Safeer’s annual appreciation ceremony held on February 27 at Park Hyatt, Dubai. The event saw over 150 ambassadors, including doctors, scientists, industry experts, business leaders and government officials from across the UAE, who are all playing a significant role to define Dubai as a knowledge hub.

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.

Ras Al Khaimah Gearing up for RAK Road Riders 2018

as Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry unveiled RAK Road Riders, a debut bike exhibition and show mixing business with adventure and leisure as part of the Year of Zayed celebrations. The first time exclusive bike-focused event is set to feature four main attractions; a Custom Bike Show, internationally acclaimed Stunt Master’s Cup, a Retail Business Expo and The Ride, which is expected to be a scintillating finale with over 500 bikers from

across the world taking part. Apart from these, the event will also have entertainment activities for families, a kid’s zone and a bike auction. “RAK Road Riders 2018 is a four-day event which combines business and the passion for bikes in a unique blend so much so that there is something for everyone, including the general public,” said H.E. Mohamed Ali Musabbeh Al Nuaimi, chairman, board of directors, RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Bahrain Garden Show Attracts 50,000 Visitors 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.

ahrain International Garden Show attracted over 50,000 visitors this year, an 11 percent increase compared to 2017. More than 160 exhibitors participated, including public institutions and civil society organisations, agricultural nurseries, and international companies specialised in the agricultural sector. Participants mostly came from the US, France, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, the UK, Japan, India, China, Indonesia, Turkey and Mali. These were in addition to regional and Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco, Jordan and Syria. Since its establishment in 2004, Bahrain International Garden Show has become a platform for experts and enthusiasts to further develop their expertise and knowledge of the industry’s best practices. The show is also a platform for potential investors to seek agricultural opportunities and encourages agricultural organisations to promote their products and services in order to develop a local and regional customer base.

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