8 AUGUST 2015
ISSUE 300
EGYPT OPENS FIRST GCC OFFICE AEGEAN AIRLINES ENHANCED ITS NETWORK WITH ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS FROM ATHENS TO RIYADH AND TEHRAN.
06 INTERVIEW WITH MICHEL MANDREA
18 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE TECHNOLOGY MALLS ACCOMMODATION AIR INTERNATIONAL RENDEZVOUS WHO'S MOVED TRAVEL TALK AGENT CORNER TRAVEL CHANNELS PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS
02 03 04 10 13 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
AEGEAN TAKES OFF TO RIYADH AND TEHRAN
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli
Rezidor: 15 New Projects in Q2 The Rezidor Hotel Group has signed 15 projects with almost 2,500 units and launched six hotels with 1,200 rooms in the second quarter (Q2) of the year.
SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
kno u o y d Di
CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou
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, 20 020 ED 2 y R B are isson Rad d hotels en p o de bran cted to iddle expe rope, M ica? r u in E and Af East
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS
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MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of
7/8/2015
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
2
COUNTRY
CURRENCY 1USD=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.39
Qatar (QAR)
Rial
3.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal
3.75
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
100.87
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.82
Iran (IRR)
Rial
29,707.64
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,153.00
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,503.79
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.85
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.82
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.97
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
“T
he majority of signings were in emerging markets and focus countries, and are scheduled to open within the next 12 months – further supporting our clearly defined growth strategy and ambitious targets,” explained Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group. The group targets asset-light, fee-based and sustainable growth especially in Africa, as well as Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Besides the launch of Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Apartments Al Rigga in Dubai, the company has also signed Radisson Blu Hotel, Misrata in Libya, Park Inn by Radisson Al Barsha First in Dubai, and Park Inn by Radisson Jubail Corniche and Park Inn by Radisson Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia.
Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Apartments Al Rigga
T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670
Amadeus Takes Over ITESSO Amadeus is expanding its technology offering to the hotel industry with the acquisition of ITESSO, a provider of cloud-native property management systems, which currently offers its service to 1,800 hotels worldwide.
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he deal brings Amadeus closer to its vision of uniting its range of systems into a cloud-based community model platform which is fully centred on guest experience. Essentially, the agreement enables the simplicity of a tightly integrated solution which shares data from all primary hotel applications to give a single view of the guest, as well as visibility and control of the business across brands, groups and properties. 8 AUGUST 2015
TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY NEWS
Amwaj Rotana Enhances Technology Offerings In a bid to meet increased demand for speed and connectivity, Amwaj Rotana, Dubai, implemented updates to its technology front.
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he hotel has completed an enhancement to its Wi-Fi infrastructure by adding a total of 100 access points to cover all of its guest rooms, restaurants, recreational areas and the lobby. This is the first phase of a project which will see an upgrade of all the Internet access hubs to a newer model in 2016. “We believed that as a five-star hotel, we need to keep aligned with our guests’ changing expectations and the latest trends,” commented Rabih Merhy, director of IT, Amwaj Rotana.
HMH Focusses on Technology
I
n a complicated and competitive digital marketplace, Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) continues to optimise and enhance its digital capability to provide travellers wider online and mobile access. Integrating compelling features and content, the group’s website provides guests with direct access to live rates and availability. Laurent Voivenel, CEO, HMH, said, “Our commitment to improve the way we connect with and serve our guests and hotels lies at the core of our innovation strategy. [Our website] is the heart of our digital ecosystem. Accessible worldwide anytime, anywhere, with both English and Arabic interface, across various distribution channels, it has significantly increased our penetration in key markets by reinforcing our online presence.”
8 AUGUST 2015
RezNext and Hotelogix Team Up
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ezNext and Hotelogix have announced their partnership, further strengthening the companies’ focus on the midmarket segment globally. RezNext’s intelligent distribution platform will be tightly integrated with Hotelogix’s property management system allowing hoteliers to benefit from real-time distribution powered by on-demand action-oriented intelligence. As a result, small and midsized independent hotels and chains can now access endto-end automation tools, breaking down entry barriers to providing fine customer service and generating improved online revenues, on the lines of what large hotel chains are able to achieve.
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WEEKLY NEWS MALLS
City Centre Mirdif Goes Greener Retail and leisure pioneer, Majid Al Futtaim has set a new global benchmark in sustainable retail development and property management with the world’s largest shopping mall to achieve the LEED Gold EBOM rating.
Emaar Malls Enjoy 37 Percent Profit Growth in H1
City Centre Mirdif
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he 280,000m2 City Centre Mirdif encapsulated the very best example of the company’s five-year sustainability and green building strategy which has set the standard for best practices in the field. “We are witnessing a genuine drive of development projects pursuing increasingly higher levels of sustainability, with more companies seeking to embrace internationallyrecognised standards,” explained Alain Bejjani, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim, adding that the company remains committed to leading the industry by example, by applying international best practices across the entire business operations and portfolio of brands.
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maar Malls recorded a 16 percent increase in revenue and a 37 percent boost in net profit during the first six months (H1) of the year, compared to the same timeframe in 2014. The period also marked an 11 percent growth in visitor arrivals to 62 million, while tenant sales across all the company’s assets were AED9.6 billion (USD2.6 billion). During H1, Emaar Malls also launched its new community brand, The Souk, with the first under the portfolio being The Ranches Souk - Arabian Ranches II. The new product will be rolled out across existing and future projects, building on the company’s vision to deliver memorable retail offerings in a warm and social environment.
8 AUGUST 2015
WEEKLY NEWS XX
ETA Opens First GCC Office The Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) has launched its first regional representation in Abu Dhabi.
Luxor
T
he introduction of the office comes in line with the organisation’s strategy to promote tourism to the North African country across Arab markets, particularly within the Gulf area, a key target of the Masr Qariba campaign. “The UAE has always been a strong supporter of Egypt and is one of the country’s key tourism markets. The launch is a key element of the strategic plan developed by the Ministry of Tourism and ETA to attract 20 million visitors to Egypt by 2020, and drive tourism revenues to reach USD26 billion,” explained Sami Mahmoud, chairman, ETA.
New Cruising Site for the Region
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new cruise specialty website, CruiseXplore has been launched which aims to function as an online platform dedicated to vacationers in the Middle East. Lakshmi Durai, CEO, CruiseXplore, an industry professional with 20 years of experience in the region, commented, “As an exclusively designed cruise-only website, what CruiseXplore aims to facilitate for the guests is the unmatched and rich experience of a cruise vacation. We have a team of cruise professionals in every department who bring with them expansive knowledge about the industry.”
SCTH Conducts Surprise Visits
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he Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH)’s inspection teams have made several unscheduled visits to accommodation facilities in various provinces of the Kingdom. As Omar bin Abdul Aziz Al Mubarak, acting director general, licensing department, SCTH, explained, the purpose of the actions was to ensure that operators have already obtained the relevant licences and classification certificates and detect the extent of provisions of required services according to stipulated criteria. According to Al Mubarak, SCTH works with investors and operators to further develop the accommodation sector, ensure a fair competition and encourage investment.
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8 AUGUST 2015
WEEKLY NEWS Eid Hotel Bookings Exceed Expectations
Sharjah: Over One Million Guests in H1
Dubai
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ubai proved to be the most popular destination on bookbestrate.com, with bookings for the city’s accommodation establishments exceeding 10,000 prior to and during Eid holidays. According to Bashar Al Tarawneh, general manager, Book Best Rate, the option to manage travel plans through smartphones and mobile devices has been a key contributor to the increase in demand with 62 percent of travellers now preferring to book their rooms from their gadgets. According to data issued by Book Best Rate, Turkey came second in travel bookings, while Egypt ranked third.
harjah hotels and resorts welcomed more than one million visitors in the first half (H1) of the year, consistent with the statistics of 2014. The third most populous emirate currently boasts some 100 accommodation establishments, with a number of new projects under development. Based on data released by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the destination’s largest source markets remained Europe and the GCC, collectively accounting for more than 70 percent of arrivals.
Al Montazah, Sharjah
SCTDA Praises Ruler’s Vision
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harjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) attributed the remarkable tourism growth in the emirate to the visionary approach of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah. Lauding his recent announcement to develop the Al Hisn Island, a leisure and tourist attraction located in Diba Al Hisn, H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Noman, chairman, SCTDA, said that the project reflects the keen interest of the leadership in making tourism a key segment of the economy. “As a major leisure tourism project with advanced facilities and amenities for families, Al Hisn Island will contribute to the growth of Sharjah as a leading family tourism destination and help achieve the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, which aims to attract more than 10 million tourists to the emirate by 2021,” Al Noman added.
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8 AUGUST 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
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Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
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new family facility has been launched at Dubai International’s Terminal 3; the first of a series of developments Dubai Airports is implementing across the hub’s terminals to ensure utmost comfort and convenience. Located between gates B7 and B8, the dedicated space – which takes inspiration from the Arabian desert – features a children’s zone complete with creative play equipment, TVs, baby changing rooms and a climbing area with interactive games. The main transfer area in Concourse B has also been expanded and refurbished with more seating. Other enhancements include redesigned washrooms with baby changing facilities, as well as family toilets and powdering booths for women.
Abu Dhabi Goes Down Under Destination management company, Arabian Adventures also joined the road show
New Family Area at Dubai International
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n a bid to increase awareness of the emirate’s expanding tourism and business opportunities, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conducted a four-destination road show in Australia. The 11-strong delegation visited Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney to meet some 450 retail travel agents, MICE consultants and key influencers. As Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of promotions and overseas offices, TCA Abu Dhabi, divulged, in the first six months of the year, a total of 23,794 Australians stayed in the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments; up 11 percent year-on-year.
Destinia.com: New Services for Muslim Travellers
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n a bid to further improve the travel experience of the Muslim community, Destinia.com has introduced two new services dedicated to those looking for comfort and convenience while on the go. Customers accessing the website from MENA, or choosing to view it in Arabic, will be able to immediately check if their flights offer Halal meal services onboard. In addition, flights with exclusive rates for pilgrims to Mecca are now indicated from the very first search. “Through our new services, we are aiming to deliver bespoke experiences for Muslim travellers from the very beginning of their journey, ensuring that their needs are satisfied,” said Ines Chueca, strategic partnership manager, Destinia.com.
8 AUGUST 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Tamani Marina Fills Up During Eid Break
Tamani Marina Hotel & Hotel Apartments
Tamani Marina Hotel and Hotel Apartments’ occupancy rate exceeded 96 percent during this year’s Eid Al Fitr, with guests from across the region, especially from Saudi Arabia, heading to the UAE to explore what the destination has to offer.
A
ccording to Sherif Elibrashy, director of sales and marketing, Tamani Marina Hotel and Hotel Apartments, demand was spurred by the property’s special offers targeting Arab families. As Elibrashy further suggested, the high occupancy rates across Dubai reaffirmed the destination’s standing as the top tourism hotspot in the region, especially for families.
Second Hyatt Place Opens in Dubai
H
yatt Place Dubai/Baniyas Square, the brand’s second project in the Middle East is now officially open. Located in Nasser Square in Dubai’s historic district, the sixth Hyatt property in the emirate features 126 rooms and comprehensive business facilities, and joins Hyatt Place Dubai/ Al Rigga, which has already proven popular among both business and leisure travellers, as Vishal Mehra, general manager, Hyatt Place Dubai/Baniyas Square and Hyatt Place Dubai/Al Rigga, noted. “The Hyatt Place brand fits perfectly into Dubai’s contemporary landscape of well-conceived development, modern comfort and cutting edge technology,” said Pablo Graf, senior vice president, operations, southwest Asia, Hyatt.
Hyatt Place Dubai/Baniyas Square
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8 AUGUST 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Rotana Enters Turkey
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otana has officially launched Burgu Arjaan by Rotana and Tango Arjaan by Rotana, marking the company’s foray into the country. Situated in the Maltepe district on the Asian side, the hotels feature a total of 319 fully-furnished hotel apartments divided across two architecturally striking structures. Other facilities include four food and beverage venues, a bouquet of leisure facilities along with three meeting and conference rooms. Omer Kaddouri, CEO, Rotana, described Turkey as a crucial territory to solidify Rotana’s standing as a leading hotel management company. According to Kaddouri, the offering of the properties sets them apart from other accommodation establishments in the area, with a strong emphasis on comfort and refinement.
Burgu Arjaan by Rotana and Tango Arjaan by Rotana
Radisson Blu Residence Istanbul Batisehir
First Radisson Blu Residence to Open in Istanbul
C
arlson Rezidor Hotel Group revealed plans to launch its first residence in Istanbul. Slated for opening in the second quarter of 2016, the 171-unit Radisson Blu Residence Istanbul Batisehir will be located on the western side of the city and will form part of the mega Batisehir development that will host some 15,000 people. Guests of the hotel will be able to take advantage of a restaurant, bar, gym and a business centre with four meeting rooms. As Wolfgang Neumann, president, The Rezidor Hotel Group, noted, demand for serviced apartments is on a constant rise, fuelled by strong interest from business and leisure customers from the Middle East.
8 AUGUST 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Dubai to Welcome ibis Styles
Cristal Group to Capitalise on Iran Potential Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
i
W
ith an annual visitor target of 20 million by 2025, Iran is set to become one of the region’s most lucrative hotel development markets, according to Peter Blackburn, CEO, Cristal Group. As Blackburn pinpointed, a notable rise in business traffic has underlined the lack of accommodation and the recent agreement on capping nuclear capacity is expected to drive strong demand. According to Blackburn, importing the services of experienced hotel operators who have the knowledge of the market will enable the country’s hotel sector to up its game in the short term. As he revealed, Iran would be a natural fit in the group’s growing portfolio.
Peter Blackburn
bis Styles Dubai Jumeira is gearing up to enter the market eyeing both corporate and leisure travellers with its prime location. Just a short drive away from the city’s major business hubs and with easy access to iconic landmarks, the six-storey property will house 191 rooms and suites with modern interiors where each guest room will be equipped with a wide range of basic amenities. The hotel will also feature a fully-equipped gym, indoor swimming pool, spa for ultimate pampering, an all-day dining restaurant, meeting rooms for small corporate or social gatherings, a business centre, valet parking service, as well as a car park.
Millennium & Copthorne Partners with SAUDIA
F
ollowing the company’s recent entry into Saudi Arabia with the opening of Millennium Taiba Hotel Madinah, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels signed a frequent flyer global agreement with Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and its loyalty scheme, Alfursan. The partnership will allow the Saudi carrier’s loyal members to start earning 500 base miles for every qualifying room stay and 1,500 base miles for suite accommodation at any of the Millennium & Copthorne properties across Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, New Zealand and the Middle East. “With up to 20 high-profile properties set to open over the next five years, Saudi Arabia has been identified as a key strategic focus for the group,” commented Naeem Darkazally, vice president, sales and marketing, Millennium & Copthorne Middle East & Africa.
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8 AUGUST 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Jazeera Airways Returns to Assiut Starting September 10, Jazeera Airways will relaunch operations to Assiut, offering four weekly flights to the Egyptian city.
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Assiut
he Kuwaiti carrier served Assiut from August 2006 until June 2014, when the airport closed for renovations. In addition, passengers can also benefit from convenient links from Kuwait to five other destinations in the North African country, including Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh and Sohag. From October 3 onwards, Jazeera Airways will operate three services per week to Assiut.
Air Arabia Partners with University Hospital Sharjah
A
ir Arabia has signed a service level agreement with University Hospital Sharjah outlining a framework for healthcare services and education for the airline’s staff. In terms of the deal, the hospital will determine the primary, secondary and tertiary care needs of members of the company and make referrals to the relevant specialists, if necessary. “Having a strong and reliable medical partner is of paramount importance, mandating a strict emphasis on medical training healthcare,” emphasised Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia. The hospital will conduct a series of complimentary health talks and screenings for the carrier’s staff and dependents, and create an awareness programme on health conditions commonly affecting the residents of UAE.
Adel Ali (left) and Michael Stroud, CEO, University Hospital Sharjah
8 AUGUST 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
AEGEAN TAKES OFF TO RIYADH AND TEHRAN AEGEAN Airlines enhanced its network with additional flights from Athens to Riyadh and Tehran.
T
he Saudi city is now served twice a week while operations to the Iranian capital became thriceweekly. With these new itineraries, the number of new destinations launched by the Greek carrier this year has reached 17. “We continue with our policy of expanding routes to the Middle East in order to provide passengers from the region with easy access as well as enhance the interconnectedness of our hub in Athens. After Beirut and Amman in 2014, we have now added Riyadh and Tehran, marking the first time the Iranian capital is served by a Greek carrier,” commented Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO, AEGEAN Airlines.
Oman Air Backs SMEs
Emirates Goes Double-daily to Lisbon
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Lisbon
Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
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man Air has signed a memorandum of understanding with government body, Riyada to offer greater ease of access to the airline’s supply chain for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The partnership allows SMEs registered with the public authority to bid for contracts with the airline in a more convenient and efficient way. The enterprises will then be registered with the carrier’s supply chain departments, enabling them to identify and schedule business opportunities with the national airline via an online portal. According to Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, the resulting business opportunities will have a positive impact on the country’s economy and will also help further increase Oman Air’s indirect contribution to the nation which totalled more than OMR400 million (USD1.04 billion) in 2014.
I
n response to strong demand, Emirates will offer a second daily service between Dubai and Lisbon, effective from January 1, 2016. Since commencing operations to the European capital in July 2012, the UAE carrier has recorded a significant increase in traffic with an average capacity growth of 15 percent per year, while cargo volumes also continued to rise, as Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, West, Emirates, revealed. “The additional service will provide customers in Africa, the Far East and Australasia, the Middle East and West Asia with even easier access to Lisbon, supporting the burgeoning business and leisure traffic between these markets and Portugal,” added Frach.
8 AUGUST 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS Emirates Team New Zealand Comes Second in Portsmouth
Anti Credit Card Fraud Initiative at Oman Air
O
man Air has launched a new project aimed at preventing credit card fraud by tightening checks on the validity of transactions. Customers who use credit cards to book tickets will now be required to carry the same card with them during check in. In case a third-party card has been used and the cardholder is not present, the passenger needs to carry relevant authorisation from the person named on the card. “Credit card fraud is on the rise globally,” noted Mohammed Al Shikely, general marketing manager, Oman Air, saying that such actions not only harm businesses, but also cause great distress and inconvenience for consumers.
E
mirates Team New Zealand finished second at the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth, just a single point behind the local favourites Land Rover BAR Racing. The championship saw world-class sailors setting out from the English town, home of Emirates Spinnaker Tower, which now sports new and distinct branding following a GBP3.5 million (USD5.45 million) sponsorship investment by the Dubai-based airline. Emirates has been the naming rights sponsor of the team since 2004.
Emirates Team New Zealand takes to the water in Portsmouth
8 AUGUST 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
DCAF Expands Fleet
Djibouti Welcomes Qatar Airways Cargo
Bombardier Challenger 604
Q
D
C Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) enlarged its aircraft management fleet with the addition of a Bombardier Challenger 604, which will be operated on behalf of a client. “The addition of this state-of-the-art aircraft follows growing interest from clients seeking our expertise to manage their aircraft both commercially as well as under private operation. This management contract is also further evidence of our expertise and capability to deliver the highest possible quality standards for safety and service to our VIP clients,” commented Holger Ostheimer, general manager, DCAF. The plane will be based at the company’s Dubai World Central facility which offers an exclusive lounge area that caters to the discerning needs of VVIP customers with shower areas, a conference room and covered parking.
flydubai to Link UAE and Eritrea
atar Airways Cargo has commenced operations to Djibouti, becoming the carrier’s seventh dedicated freighter destination on the African continent. The weekly service is set to meet the increasing demand for East African routes from customers in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. As Ulrich Ogiermann, chief officer, cargo, Qatar Airways, explained, Djibouti is an important market for the company and for the Middle East, which benefits as a consolidation point for the African market due to its geographical location. “This new route will further open up the African market to our customers who are increasingly demanding capacity to Africa, keen to maximise upon the numerous possibilities the country holds.”
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ed in ebut with d i a b 9 flydu in 200 hts to g i ca i fl r f d A i? dule sche Djibout
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Asmara
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lydubai is to establish the first direct connection between the UAE and Eritrea by launching scheduled services between Dubai and Asmara. Starting October 25, the low-cost carrier will offer four weekly flights to its 18th new destination this year, and passengers will also be able to take advantage of business class seats. “We are keen to reflect the UAE’s efforts to support emerging markets, particularly in East Africa,” underlined Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, noting that the route will complement the airline’s existing operations to Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Somaliland, bringing its weekly services to Africa to 60 flights.
8 AUGUST 2015
INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY NEWS
South Africa to Welcome New Safari Lodge Sanctuary Retreats' Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge has opened in Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s premier game-viewing destinations.
Mandapa to Open in Bali
Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge
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he property has just eight glass-fronted suites hidden in a lush riverside forest. Guests also have the option to sleep under the stars surrounded only by the African wilderness at a raised star view sleep-out hide. The main lodge has a lounge and dining area which opens out onto a deck, and there is also a spa, a gym and swimming pool available. Marco Rosa, senior vice president, Sanctuary Retreats, said, “Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge enables us to offer South Africa for the first time as a destination for a luxury safari with Sanctuary Retreats.”
Marriott Arrives in Tianjin
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ali’s spiritual and cultural heart of Ubud will welcome Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve which will launch on September 5. The property will offer individually tailored spiritual, wellness, health and detoxification programmes as well as activities to suit travellers of all ages, complimented by the full-time personalised attention of a dedicated butler. Mandapa, a RitzCarlton Reserve features 35 suites, 25 private pool villas and the Mandapa Spa, while four restaurants and lounges will be on offer for guests, in addition to an organic garden, farm and an educational kids’ hut.
8 AUGUST 2015
Marriott Executive Apartments
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arriott Executive Apartments opened its doors to both business and family travellers with 114 studio, one-, twoand three-bedroom, fully-serviced units supported by around-the-clock staff. It is the sixth apartment property of Marriott International in China, and the first extended-stay project managed by an international hotel group in Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA). Marriott Executive Apartments is connected to the company’s Renaissance Tianjin TEDA Convention Centre Hotel and can therefore provide guests with an offering that combines the amenities of a five-star hotel with the privacy of a cozy residence.
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How would you describe the hotel’s clientele and how has it changed over the past years? MICHEL MANDREA: Coral Al Khobar Hotel is a landmark by itself centrally located in the Eastern Province on the Arabian Gulf, 55km from Dammam airport and 18km from the Dammam train station, surrounded by key business establishments. Featuring 131 well-appointed rooms and outstanding business and leisure facilities, the hotel is well-equipped to meet demands of corporate travellers. With extensive business facilities our primary focus is the corporate segment and meetings. In terms of business mix and clientele we have not noted any major changes over the past years. Coral Al Khobar Hotel provides exceptional conference and banqueting facilities with 15 meeting rooms, including a ballroom that can accommodate 500 people. All rooms are selfcontained venues, fully-equipped and have been specially designed to cater to a range of styles and expectations. In addition, our guest rooms have been conceived to be business friendly with high-speed Wi-Fi connection. On site there is a wide range of facilities including executive floor, VIP business lounge and a fully-fitted health club and car service. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the major changes you have witnessed within the Kingdom’s hospitality industry in the past few years? With so many new hotels coming up in the country, how do you see the sector developing? MICHEL MANDREA: Saudi Arabia boasts the largest number of hotel rooms in the development pipeline in the region with most of this new supply having only been added in recent years. In terms of demand, most of the business in Saudi Arabia is domestic. Oil and gas is one segment that is quite lucrative. There is little else feeding the market in this region, but we do try with Qatar and Kuwait as their nationals can travel freely to the Kingdom. We are looking at 75 percent occupancy during summer, 35 percent of this as corporate business and the balance as Saudis drifting down from Riyadh during the school holidays […]. Due to demand that does not grow as fast as the room inventory, some hotels in the five-star bracket are lowering their rates
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Q & A with
Michel Mandrea GENERAL MANAGER, CORAL AL KHOBAR HOTEL
to the four-star standards and therefore all rates are dropping. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your predictions for the country’s tourism future? Do you think there is space for enlarging the figures of international visitors? MICHEL MANDREA: Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage is doing a fantastic job of encouraging and supporting domestic tourism through sponsoring and conducting tourism events
Coral Al Khobar Hotel
WITH SAUDI ARABIA BOASTING THE LARGEST NUMBER OF HOTEL ROOMS IN THE PIPELINE IN THE REGION, MICHEL MANDREA, GENERAL MANAGER, CORAL AL KHOBAR HOTEL, SPEAKS ABOUT THE HOTEL AND THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY’S CURRENT TRENDS.
Coral Al Khobar Hotel
across the country. We have been working very closely with them and have been participating in their promotional campaigns and offers. To attract summer tourists we have been conducting special road shows and sales trips to adjacent countries in the GCC. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the latest trends in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry? MICHEL MANDREA: The scale of opportunity in the region for midmarket and budget hotels is unprecedented. Low-cost carriers have made travel within the country extremely affordable and convenient. Expanding airline network, increased airport capacity and development of new airports across the country, the addition of new tourism and family attractions and the enhancement of infrastructure are all fuelling the demand for midmarket hotels. 8 AUGUST 2015
WHO'S MOVED
RAED RABIE
MALI CAROW
8 AUGUST 2015
Raed Rabie has taken charge of The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana in Jordan as general manager. He joins the company’s first hotel in the Kingdom with more than 15 years of experience in the industry to oversee the day-to-day operations, helping the property reach its full potential and setting it as the destination of choice for travellers and families looking for long-term stays in the heart of the Jordanian capital. Having worked in Jordan, Egypt, Dubai and the UK, Rabie most recently served as director of operations and quality assurance at the National Company for Tourism Development in Jordan. Prior to that, he held various senior management roles with Hilton Worldwide and Marriott International.
Mali Carow has been promoted to hotel manager at Four Seasons Hotel Amman. She will oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the property to ensure exceptional levels of service. Carow joined the team in the Jordanian capital in May 2014 as director of food and beverage, leading all kitchen, in-room dining and banquet events, in addition to the operations in six restaurants and lounges. Four Seasons Hotel Amman is Carow’s seventh Four Seasonsbranded destination, having joined the company in 2000. She began her career in the US and for the next 10 years, she continued to move up the ladder until she became director of food and beverage at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.
NICOLA ZAMBONI
PAUL BOOTH
Nicola Zamboni has been named executive assistant manager at Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai. Zamboni, who holds a diploma in hotel management from Greece and a bachelor degree in hospitality management from the UK, boasts extensive experience in food and beverage, having previously worked at various hotels and resorts in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He joined Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai in January 2012 as director of food and beverage and he consequently spearheaded kitchen operations as well. In his new role, Zamboni will continue leading the food and beverage and kitchen departments and he will also be responsible for the front office, housekeeping, the spa as well as the health club.
Paul Booth has taken over as general manager at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, a post in which he will work closely with the ownership group to implement key strategies in the advancement of Troon Golf’s standards for service, hospitality and golf course conditioning. Booth has worked at each level of the golf business, gaining a well-rounded approach collected over 20 years to golf club management. After successful tenures as a coaching professional in the UK, Booth moved to the Middle East in 2001 to develop his management experience of premium golf venues before joining the Troon Golf family in 2007. Since then he has worked at both Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
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TRAVEL TALK
Our doors are always open for [the less fortunate kids]
SAMIR ARORA General manager, Ramada Downtown Dubai
“We are pleased to receive and spend time with the less fortunate kids supported by UAE Red Crescent, and to be able to share our blessings with them. It feels good to reach out to them and embrace compassion and generosity [...]. Our doors are always open for them and we hope that they continue to spread joy to the people around them, just like what we felt.”
Nothing is impossible with the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo team
SAMEH SOBHY General manager, Semiramis InterContinental Cairo
Toshi has long been a favourite among locals and visitors alike
PETER MANSOURIAN General manager, Grand Millennium Dubai
“Diners loved Toshi [restaurant] for its friendly ambiance and invigorating flavours, thus we strive to maintain that, while the interiors have been changed and given a more modern look. The new layout of the restaurant will accommodate up to 120 guests relishing the culinary delights. Guests will have the option of family-style dinners, a la carte options and a variety of set menus as well as a Saturday brunch. Toshi has long been a favourite among locals and visitors alike as it has been serving up a mix of Asian cuisines for years.“
“I can say that nothing is impossible with the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo team. After four years of suffering from a difficult country situation, we finally made it. This is the first time that [InterContinental Hotels Group’s fourth quarter 2014 Front Runner in the Asia, Middle East and Africa region] award goes to a hotel in Egypt, and we are glad that our hotel has been selected after all the hard work and the big efforts exerted by our incredible team.”
We are extremely delighted and honoured
ANDREAS PFISTER General manager, InterContinental Doha
“We are extremely delighted and honoured to be awarded with the Qatar’s Leading Business Hotel [accolade at the World Travel Awards]. This was only possible by offering our guests personalised services and attention to detail in an elegant atmosphere and with a refined product.”
TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
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8 AUGUST 2015
AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Farouk Kridli
POSITION:
Tours general manager
COMPANY:
Alsarh Travel
LOCATION:
Saudi Arabia
WEBSITE:
www.alsarh.com.sa
The UAE delegation
Alpha Destination and Natalie Tours Go to Russia
Who are you? Alsarh Travel is one of leading travel agencies in Riyadh promoting outbound tour packages all over the world. I am the general manager of tours. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? Travelling. When is the best time to visit Saudi Arabia? I would say the winter season, and specifically October, December, January and February. Where would you like to travel for your next holiday? Switzerland. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Being in the field for more than 20 years, I have good experience in tourist destinations, and we have the best deals for travel packages in our area. 8 AUGUST 2015
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lpha Destination Management Company and Natalie Tours, backed by 22 hotel partners from the UAE, conducted a series of road shows in Siberia and the Ural region to promote the country as an all-encompassing tourism destination. The 10-day initiative evoked strong response from travel trade professionals in cities such as Tomsk, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Kazan, Samara and Nizhniy Novgorod. Adnan Aridi, managing director, Alpha Destination Management Company, commented that the road shows were designed to further cement the firm’s position and to align its vision to continuously promote the UAE and Dubai in the Russian and CIS markets.
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi Supports Nepali Associates Eight Nepali employees of Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi received a surprise benefit during the monthly associate gathering.
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hey were presented with a total grant of USD40,000 to rebuild their homes destroyed in the recent Nepal earthquake. The donation was made possible by the Starwood Associate Relief Fund which was established by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide to provide need-based financial aid to its associates and employees who have suffered significantly as a result of a natural disaster or other emergency hardship situation. “These hard-working colleagues do their best in putting a smile in the face of our guests. We […] are privileged to be able to support their families in time of need,” said Max Wiegerinck, general manager, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi.
Max Wiegerinck (left) with the Nepali employees
Rare Albino Alligators at Atlantis, The Palm
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tlantis, The Palm welcomed its newest residents, two albino alligators. Appearing for the first time in the UAE, the uncommon reptiles have taken up residence in The Lost Chambers Aquarium, home to more than 65,000 animals. After many months of research and consideration, the facility’s team decided to give home to the two reptiles from Florida. According to Natasha Christie, director, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, “This rare type of alligator is a critically endangered species and it is our aim to do our part in species conservation by learning more about these fascinating reptiles, and taking care of them.”
TripAdvisor: 30 Percent More Monthly Visitors
Orange County Opens Up to Middle Eastern Guests
A California
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n average of 375 million monthly unique users looked up destinations on TripAdvisor in the second quarter (Q2) of the year, 30 percent more than in the corresponding period in 2014. The website now has 250 million reviews and opinions on 5.2 million places to stay, eat and make memories, including 950,000 hotels from around the globe. TripAdvisor also reached 215 million mobile application downloads in Q2 and managed to grow its total revenue by 25 percent to USD405 million. “Our long-term business prospects grew stronger in Q2,” said Steve Kaufer, CEO, TripAdvisor, noting that the company also further deepened its relationship with hotel partners, including Marriott International, Mandarin Oriental and Langham Hospitality to power direct bookings.
n an effort to optimise the experiences of Middle Eastern visitors to California, the Orange County Visitors Association (OCVA), in collaboration with the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding, announced the release of a free online training video for local American business owners. Titled Welcoming Our Middle Eastern Guests to Orange County, the film highlights cultural diversities and teaches etiquette for communicating and interacting with visitors from the region as it aims to bridge differences. “We hope businesses use this as training in their offices to encourage culturally aware hospitality for our Middle Eastern guests,” said Ed Fuller, CEO, OCVA.
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8 AUGUST 2015
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. Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Abu Dhabi Duty Free welcomed Sephora stores
Emirates Team New Zealand with Prince William and the Dutchess of Cambridge in Portsmouth
Barney, the purple Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur, spend some time with ill children at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi
8 AUGUST 2015
More than 400 Australian children attended coaching clinics, sponsored by Etihad Airways to learn from Manchester City Football Club coaches
Throwback photo - Dubai International's air traffiic control tower in the 1970s
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi celebrated International Friendship Day
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NEWS & EVENTS Dubai Festival City Mall Marks Expansion Progress
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ubai Festival City Mall celebrated the advancement of its AED1.2 billion (USD327 million) extension by hosting an event for 800 workers who have all contributed to the project since it was launched in 2014. The facility recently unveiled its completely redesigned Festival Square, its main atrium, with the addition of 25 brands. As Brad Merchant, general manager, Dubai Festival City Mall, explained, the main goal of the expansion, which is scheduled for completion in 2016, is to create the best retail mix and the ideal environment for shopping and entertainment.
EVENTS ICOMEX Mexico City, Mexico August 25 – 26 www.icomex-mexico.com Part of ibtm events, the show focusses on incentives, congresses and conventions in Latin America.
ONLINE TRAVEL MARKET HURGHADA Hurghada, Egypt September 04 – 05 www.otmhurghada.com A specialised event for travel technology and online travel solutions in Egypt and the Middle East.
Dubai Festival City Mall
Saudi Summer Festivals Embrace Youth Hobbies
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iming to boost tourism and highlight the Kingdom’s cultural diversity, tourism festivals taking place throughout different parts of Saudi Arabia this summer are featuring a large number of events including cultural, folklore, heritage, sports and entertainment activities. The festivals are more youth-oriented this year, a fact attested by Ibrahim Al Hazim, member, The End, a participating company who said, “Our shows have attracted over 1,000 visitors, most of them are young people and we witnessed great interaction by them.” According to local experts, most of the visitors show keen interest for heritage and in getting to know historic sites.
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FOOD & HOSPITALITY OMAN Muscat, Oman September 07 – 09 foodandhospitalityoman.com A business and networking platform to promote the latest products and services in the food and beverage sector.
MICE ASIA PACIFIC EXHIBITION Singapore, Singapore September 10 – 11 www.miceasiaexhibition.com Over two days, the event aims to connect Asia’s leading meetings, conference, exhibition and events organisers and help them network with Asia Pacific venues.
8 AUGUST 2015