5 SEPTEMBER 2015
ISSUE 304
BEIRUT FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION LAUNCHED STR GLOBAL’S PRELIMINARY JULY DATA FOR DUBAI INDICATES SIGNIFICANT YEAR-OVER-YEAR PERFORMANCE INCREASES, AS DEMAND GROWTH CONTINUES TO OUTPACE SUPPLY.
04 SALALAH’S KHAREEF SEASON ATTRACTS 400,000 VISITORS
06 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE ACCOMMODATION AIR INTERNATIONAL WHO'S MOVED RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TALK AGENT CORNER TRAVEL CHANNELS PHOTO ALBUM NEWS & EVENTS
02 11 14 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24
STR GLOBAL: DUBAI DOES WELL IN JULY
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
MAF: Focus on Expanding Footprint For the first half of the year, Majid Al Futtaim (MAF)’s revenue rose seven percent year-on-year.
ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli
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his showed sustainable growth in a period which saw Dubai remaining at the core of the group’s business along with expansion in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The company’s ongoing ventures in the emirate continued with the investment of AED267 million (USD73 million) for the first phase of City Centre Me’aisem, the sixth City Centre mall in the UAE, expected to open in September. “This is a transformational year, two decades since the launch of City Centre Deira, and we are positioning the business for accelerated development. […] On the back of a strong 2014 we are progressing well,” said Alain Bejjani, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim.
SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis
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
MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of
City Centre Deira
DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi
Abu Dhabi: 1.98 Million Guests in H1 More than 1.97 million visitors stayed in Abu Dhabi’s 163 hotels and hotel apartments in the first half (H1) of the year, a 17 percent rise over the same period in 2014.
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4/9/2015
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
106.22
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.83
Iran (IRR)
Rial
29,961.03
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,154.41
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,519.92
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.75
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.82
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.96
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
uest nights climbed 11 percent to over 5.7 million, average length of stay, however, dropped five percent, revealed Jasem Al Darmaki, acting director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to entice guests to spend more time in the
emirate. India has regained its spot as Abu Dhabi’s largest international source market, producing an average length of stay of 3.71 nights, well above the overall figure of 2.89 nights. The top five is completed by the UK, China, Germany and the US.
Sir Bani Yas Island
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
MARKET UPDATE
STR GLOBAL: DUBAI DOES WELL IN JULY
Dubai
STR Global’s preliminary July data for Dubai indicates significant year-over-year performance increases, as demand continues to outpace supply.
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he emirate witnessed a boost in supply and demand of 4.8 and 32.1 percent, respectively. At the same time, occupancy rates grew 26.1 percent to 57.6 percent and RevPAR surged 22.4 percent to AED353.43 (USD96.22). In contrast, average daily rates (ARR) decreased 2.9 percent. STR Global analysts note that Dubai’s occupancy level for the month under review remained below 50 percent until the conclusion of Ramadan.
Commercial Sales Skyrocket at Abu Dhabi Airports Commercial sales of Abu Dhabi Airports reached AED707.6 million (USD192.7 million) in the first six months of the year, a rise of almost 11 percent year-on-year.
Abu Dhabi International Airport
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hile top performing categories were food and beverage and duty free, all of the company’s commercial activities increased including specialty retail, hospitality, banking and currency exchange, car parking, advertising and Skypark Plaza operations. Dan Cappell, acting chief commercial officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, commented, “Abu Dhabi Duty Free, in conjunction with our partners, will continue to focus on improving the customer experience. Our retail and food and beverage refurbishment programme will enable us to offer our passengers the widest possible choice, through exclusive offers, product launches and innovative promotional campaigns, delivering great value and excellent customer service.”
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WEEKLY NEWS
Beirut International Festival Association Launched
The launch of the association
Lebanon’s tourism offering is to be enriched following the introduction of the Beirut International Festival Association, which is to be chaired by Lama Tammam Salam.
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n her welcome speech, Tammam Salam commented that the main aim of the venture is to create cultural events that will take place in Beirut. “We will not only focus on music festivities, but on cultural, artistic, technological and sports events which will take place throughout the year,” she added. The first event, Beirut International Festival – Nabad Beirut, will be held between September 21 – 27, and is to feature story telling and 3D projection mapping of the story of the Lebanese capital.
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
WEEKLY NEWS XX Salalah’s Khareef Season Attracts 400,000 Visitors
Salalah
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alalah welcomed a massive influx of tourists during this year’s Khareef season, according to the Oman Ministry of Tourism, which reported 393,312 visitors in the region between June 21 – August 11. During the same period in 2014, the destination welcomed 272,306 travellers. “This year’s Khareef season saw a significant increase in the number of local, regional and international visitors. The yearly Salalah Tourism Festival, along with the opening of the new Salalah airport, is also driving this growth,” said Salim Edi Al Mamari, director general, tourism promotion, Ministry of Tourism, Oman.
Palestinians Enjoy Domestic Trips
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ccording to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), 36.9 percent of households in Palestine undertook a domestic trip in 2014. Out of these, 32.5 percent visited the West Bank and 45.5 percent the Gaza Strip. The most popular location in the West Bank was Mega Fun Land in Tulkarm governorate with 21.8 percent of travellers, and Alnoor city in Gaza Strip with 21 percent of the total. The PCBS survey also indicated that 16.1 percent of households travelled outside of the country during the year: 45 percent went to Jordan, 23 percent to Saudi Arabia, 6.5 percent to Egypt and 2.8 percent to Turkey. Visiting friends and relatives was cited as the main reason of outbound trips taken.
Gaza beach, Palestine
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5 SEPTEMBER 2015
WEEKLY NEWS TCA Abu Dhabi Conducts GCC Road Show
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
now. . k u o y Did the first
ar, ng Duri f the ye ived o e half habi rec di u D a S u b A 99 62,4 uests? g
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n a bid to boost visitor arrivals during the shoulder season, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) toured a number of GCC cities. Representatives of the destination’s tourism sector met with key industry players who, besides getting a glimpse into the UAE capital’s attractions, also learned about the opportunities and facilities available for the business segment and the various initiatives and services of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau. “We will be providing more attractive offers to encourage our GCC guests to enjoy their time in Abu Dhabi and stay longer, especially that the weather has started to cool down,” said Sultan Al Mansouri, country manager, Saudi Arabia, TCA Abu Dhabi.
DWC Landmark Project Named
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ubai World Central (DWC), a subsidiary of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, has named its 145km2 master-planned city Dubai South. The new destination is expected to generate over half a million jobs and sustain a total population twice that number, and is already hosting Al Maktoum International, Airport, which will have the capacity of 220 million passengers per year upon full completion. H. H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, noted, “Dubai South is the emirate’s flagship urban project that will set the benchmark for the rest of the emirate in terms of manifesting the themes of happiness as set out in Dubai Plan 2021.”
Al Maktoum International
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5 SEPTEMBER 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
MEBAA Brings Industry to Casablanca
Qatar to Welcome Hamleys
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EBAA Show Morocco has been recently concluded, having hosted African companies such as Air Ocean Maroc, AfricAir and Waga Engineering & Distribution exhibiting alongside key business aviation players like Bombardier and Gulfstream. Attendees at the event, held at King Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, enjoyed a display of business aircraft, while over 50 exhibitors had the chance to network and establish new relationships in North Africa. Ali Alnaqbi, founding chairman, Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), commented, “We are pleased to have [had] such a cross section of the industry represented here at MEBAA Show Morocco. With around 50 percent of the region’s business aviation activity based here, it is the ideal location for this event to take place.”
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all of Qatar has signed up world-famous toy store Hamleys to open its first outlet in the country. As a double height department store of 2,386m2, the shop will offer Qatar residents and visitors an exclusive range of toys not commonly available in other stores, and will play host to ongoing events, character visits, theatrical elements and parades. Rony Mourani, general manager, Mall of Qatar, said, “We have always promised to bring the very best exclusive brands to Qatar and we are living up to our promise by bringing the world’s most iconic toy store to Doha for our visitors.”
Riyadh Awaits a New Al Zahera
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iyadh’s historic Al Zahera neighbourhood is up for a revamp, according to Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTNH). The currently deteriorated area will be transformed into a high-profile commercial centre with shopping malls, libraries, serviced apartments and other facilities. Land in the area will be re-sold to investors, both individuals and organisations. The project is jointly carried out by a number of public and private parties, including Ar-Riyadh Development Authority, Riyadh Municipality, SCTNH, the country’s Ministry of Finance and Riyadh Development Company.
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5 SEPTEMBER 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
InterContinental Dubai Marina to Lure Foodies
InterContinental Dubai Marina
InterContinental Dubai Marina has celebrated the inauguration of Marina Social and The Social Room, offering a British-Mediterranean inspired menu to guests and visitors of the recently-launched hotel.
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he restaurant and bar cater to the city’s gourmet connoisseurs with Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton’s famed deformalised dining style. “Dubai has grown to be a vibrant, cosmopolitan city and evolved into a true foodie haven. […] With Marina Social and The Social Room settling in the heart of Dubai Marina, what we are most excited about is offering fantastic food in a great atmosphere, this is our true passion,” said Atherton.
Mohammed Bin Mahfouz
Elaf Launches B2B Online Platform
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laf Travel & Tourism Company debuted a new online business-to-business (B2B) trading portal connecting the group’s entire network to establish a virtual marketplace of all travel-related businesses. The platform acts as a one-stop shop, enabling users to benefit from easy access to competitive rates offered by more than 500,000 hotels worldwide, over 150 international airlines and 1,000 international tour operators. Additionally, it also displays special offers on car rentals, sightseeing trips, travel insurance and other ancillary services. As Mohammed Bin Mahfouz, vice president, travel tourism and Hajj Umrah, Elaf Travel & Tourism Company, revealed, the company will soon launch its business-to-customer portal as well as a mobile application.
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION ibis Styles Jumeirah Unveiled
Jumeirah Inks Deal for Malaysian Development
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J Kuala Lumpur
Hotels has officially soft opened ibis Styles Jumeirah, located on Al Mina Road in Jumeirah, Dubai. The three-star property features 191 rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant and two specialty outlets, plus a gym, meeting rooms and a business centre. With its strategic location, the hotel aims to cater to both leisure and corporate travellers seeking cost-effective accommodation at the heart of the city. Sumair Tariq, managing director, R Hotels, commented, “There is a growing demand for mid scale accommodation in Dubai with premium facilities and services and we are optimistic on capturing this specific market.“
umeirah Group has signed management agreements with Oxley Holdings to operate a 190-room luxury hotel and to brand 273 premium residences in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Jumeirah Kuala Lumpur hotel and Jumeirah Living Kuala Lumpur residences will be set within one of the three towers which make up the landmark mixed-use development that is set to transform the skyline of the city. The structures, interconnected via a retail podium, will be located in the middle of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct. Construction of the development, which will cover an area of more than 12,500m2, is expected to start in 2016 and be completed in 2021.
Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel
Marriott Marquis Doha: Strong First Year
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arriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel, the first property under the brand to open outside of the US, celebrated its first anniversary on
August 1. In August 2014, Renaissance Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Center merged to form the existing 577-unit project, deemed a flagship in the Marriott International portfolio. Since the rebranding, the establishment welcomed 637,435 diners into its 10 restaurants and hosted 1,384 meetings.
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS Madinat Jumeirah to Launch Event Space in October
Sheraton Distinguishes Properties with New Class
New Madinat Jumeirah event space
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adinat Jumeirah is preparing to inaugurate Fort Island’s expansion, creating what is hailed as the UAE’s largest hotel event space. Set over 1,750m2, the area has tripled in size and is set to play host to a range of events for up to 1,400 people. Margaret Paul, general manager, Madinat Jumeirah, described it as one of the city’s most innovative and exclusive outdoor venues, which will provide versatile options for every type of event. Located in the heart of the resort, Fort Island will be connected to the property by four bridges and guests can also access it by wooden abra boats.
tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide unveiled Sheraton Grand, a new premier tier that recognises the brand’s exceptional properties around the world. The first to Sheraton Grands are located in Dubai, Bangalore, Beijing, Edinburgh, Miyazaki, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. By year-end, the company plans to designate another 40 hotels, with plans for 100 by early 2017. “Sheraton Grand celebrates our standout hotels and helps us further reinforce Sheraton as a trusted voice in global travel,” said Adam Aron, interim CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
Ramada Corniche Abu Dhabi
Ramada Corniche Abu Dhabi Eyes Emerging Markets
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amada Corniche Abu Dhabi is determined to further grow its business by focussing on China and other emerging markets. As Julien Péchey, general manager, Ramada Corniche Abu Dhabi, revealed, the plan also includes the opening of new restaurants and the development of food and beverage services. In addition, as Péchey disclosed, a Silk Road festival will take place at the four-star property between October 6 – 12 with the participation of chefs from countries of the region as well as travel agents, tourism officials, diplomats, journalists and other personalities.
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Qatar Airways Presents Airbus A350 Qatar Airways deployed the world’s newest aircraft on the Doha – Dubai route.
B Qatar Airways’ A350
etween August 8 – September 1, the airline showcased the Airbus A350 on 28 of its Dubai shuttle frequencies. Passengers benefitted from a new boarding experience achieved by a dome-design entrance with welcome light distribution, and enjoyed extra wide seats with generous legroom in all classes. Ishfaq Jalal, acting vice president, GCC, Levant, Iran, Iraq and Yemen, Qatar Airways, said, “The A350 provides passengers with an unmatched travel experience thanks to its modern technology and spacious innovative design and features.”
Emirates Resumes Flights to Baghdad
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rom September 17, Emirates will recommence passenger services to Baghdad, which were suspended in January. The flights will be operated four times per week on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, centre, Emirates, said, “Commercial air transport has been one of the cornerstones of economic development for Iraq and we want to continue to support the development of economic opportunities in Baghdad by increasing access to international markets and inward investment.”
Oman Air and Cargolux Cooperation Expanded
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he partnership between Oman Air and Cargolux, which launched in April, introduced a second frequency to Chennai. The addition is the cooperation’s latest step in expanding air freight services from Oman to India. The collaboration was established to enable both parties to jointly access new freighter destinations and contribute to the development of the Sultanate’s logistics hub, allowing the cargo airline to utilise Oman Air’s experience of flying to a range of global destinations. In addition, it enables the Middle Eastern carrier to further expand its cargo operations.
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5 SEPTEMBER 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS Etihad Introduces New Concierge Team
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tihad Airways has teamed up with global concierge service provider Ten Group, to serve the needs of guests travelling in The Residence by Etihad onboard the airline’s Airbus A380
fleet. The service provider will bring a specially-trained Etihad Lifestyle Concierge team who will work closely with the airline’s London Savoy-trained Residence by Etihad Butlers. Utilising intelligent systems, global support and unmatched supplier relationships, the newly-established group will deliver a highly personalised and discreet experience, providing access to a range of services, including dining reservations, entertainment bookings, special events, destination information and lifestyle options.
The Residence by Etihad
flydubai Adds Astana to Its Network kno u o y d Di
w. .
d tere ai en n in b u d fly akhsta Kaz tember Sep 14? 20
f
lydubai is to launch flights to Astana, extending its route network in Kazakhstan to three destinations. Starting October 26, the low-cost airline will operate four times a week to the capital city, becoming the first Dubai-based carrier to serve the route. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “It has been a year since the start of our operations in Kazakhstan and we are pleased to extend our network in the country, where we have seen strong demand for our services.”
Astana
Gulf Air Explores UK Potential
I Maher Salman Al Musallam (left) and Kuljinder Bahia
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
n a bid to identify areas of mutual interest and opportunities for growth, Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting CEO, Gulf Air, held a meeting with Kuljinder Bahia, founder, Southall Travel, one of the largest travel agencies in the UK and a long-established, long-haul flight specialist. The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to a long-standing cooperation and to researching new areas of potential collaboration in a common effort to promote Bahrain. Serving the UK market since 1970, Gulf Air links London’s Heathrow Airport to Manama with double-daily flights and offers connectivity from the European capital to various cities across its network in the Middle East and Asia.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Representatives of the companies seal the deal
Dusit Cements African Presence
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usit International has penned a deal with South Africa-based eLan Property Group to manage several hotels and resorts in southern Africa and the Indian Ocean. According to the agreement, the Thai hospitality expert will initially run five hotels and resorts in the region, out of which two are in South Africa, two in Mozambique and one in Mauritius. Overall, the deal provides that the Asian hotelier will oversee a total of 1,400 rooms across nine properties. The two partners will also work on a regional hospitality education programme, the details of which will be announced in due course.
Krabi
Holiday Inn Express to Launch in Krabi
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n 2017, Krabi, Thailand will welcome its first Holiday Inn Express-branded property, nestled on the popular Ao Nang Beach, just a 30-minute drive from Krabi International Airport and a two-hour drive from Phuket International Airport. The 222-key hotel will offer comfort and convenience, including free Wi-Fi and 24-hour gym access. Leanne Harwood, vice president, operations, southeast Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group, said, “As Krabi International Airport becomes more accessible […] and international direct flights to Krabi increase, we anticipate a surge in visitor arrivals over the next few years. It is a great time to be bringing the Holiday Inn Express brand into Krabi.” 5 SEPTEMBER 2015
WHO'S MOVED
ALI TABBAL
ALI MOHAMMED
Ali Tabbal continues as Kerzner International’s chief operating officer. Tabbal, who has served the group as chief financial officer for the past three years, will now oversee global operations ensuring alignment of resources, systems and talent to support Atlantis, One&Only and Mazagan resorts, as well as all projects in development. He will also provide strategic leadership across all key operational areas of business. As chief financial officer, he was a major contributor to the company’s growth. Tabbal joined Kerzner International in 2012 from Kingdom Holding Company where he was deputy chief financial officer. Prior to that, he worked for Dubai Holding.
SAIF AL YAARUBI
Saif Al Yaarubi is the new chief financial officer of Kerzner International. Al Yaarubi has over 25 years of experience, and he most recently worked as chief operating officer of Alizz Islamic Bank. Prior to that, he was finance director at Investment Corporation of Dubai, the investment arm of Dubai’s government. He began his career in 1991 in the finance department of Oman’s Ministry of Defence and then moved to Dubai in 2000 to join Ernst and Young. Previous roles also included chairman of the audit committee and member of the steering committee of Aswaaq, as well as a member of the audit committee for Dubai Aero Space.
Ali Mohammed has joined Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano as hotel manager. After 15 years away from his homeland, Mohammed returns to Egypt with extensive experience that he gained in destinations such as Saudi Arabia, the Bahamas, Canada, the Maldives, Syria and Thailand. He joined Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in 2002 at the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo and continued in Riyadh as part of the housekeeping department. He later also assisted in the launch of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, before accepting a role in Toronto. Most recently he served at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Thailand as a camp manager.
Mohammed returns to Egypt after 15 years
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Is Saudi Arabia targeting MICE tourism more actively than in previous years? TARIQ AL ESSA: Increased emphasis has been placed on developing the business tourism sector by both private and public sector organisations within Saudi Arabia. In 2013, the Saudi Council of Ministers passed a resolution forming SECB. SECB was created to streamline the processing of event-related licenses, increase the proficiency of event organisers and venues, develop research and statistics in relation to the sector and encourage investment into the sector through private-public sector partnerships. The country has also witnessed strong interest between domestic and foreign organisational partnerships in regards to developing events specific to the economic strengths of the country.
Q & A with
Tariq Al Essa
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAUDI EXHIBITION & CONVENTION BUREAU
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Which are the country’s most prominent markets in terms of conferences? TARIQ AL ESSA: Saudi Arabia is still predominantly a domestic market. Since the country has the largest economy and population in the GCC, it has naturally developed a robust business events sector. In addition, SECB has collaborated with organisers from the US
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How encouraging are the signs that the country will have a bright future in this tourism niche? TARIQ AL ESSA: There are positive growth indicators for the sector. We have seen an increase in events in key economic sectors as well as received optimistic feedback from the country's primary stakeholders. Government agencies including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Saudi Customs are working together with SECB to streamline processes for organising events within the country. SECB has implemented development programmes such as the Saudi Ambassadors network and the Saudi Association committee to focus on bringing additional international events to the country.
“ WITH SAUDI ARABIA’S EVENTS SECTOR GRADUALLY GROWING, IT WAS ONLY NATURAL TO HAVE A BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENHANCING THE INDUSTRY’S EFFECTIVENESS, AS TARIQ AL ESSA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAUDI EXHIBITION & CONVENTION BUREAU (SECB), COMMENTS.
SECB WAS CREATED TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESSING OF EVENT-RELATED LICENSES
and the UK to develop events within the healthcare, shipping and logistics, as well as energy sectors. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are developments are coming up at the bureau? TARIQ AL ESSA: SECB is hosting the third edition of the Saudi Convention and Exhibition Forum in November. During the forum, SECB will launch an integrated online portal which will create a new industry standard in providing information and enabling stakeholder engagement. A team has been formulated and is working on the framework and content of the system currently.
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5 SEPTEMBER 2015
WHO'S MOVED
AGNES CLARKEHLAVACS
JULIEN PÉCHEY
Agnes Clarke-Hlavacs has taken on the role of revenue optimisation manager for the Middle East region at The Rezidor Hotel Group. Clarke-Hlavacs began her journey in the tourism industry at Radisson Blu Portman Hotel in London, where she was successful in guiding the property through a challenging economic climate. She then moved to Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre, where she was initially responsible for setting up all necessary distribution and revenue management systems as well as the ongoing business planning, budgeting and forecasting. In her new position, ClarkeHlavacs will be in charge of the UAE, Jordan, Egypt and Oman, and is tasked with growing hotel revenues and assisting the respective teams.
Julien Péchey has been named general manager at Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche. Péchey’s career spans 18 years in the resort and business segments of the hospitality industry and encompasses various managerial roles. He previously worked as general manager at Ramada Ulaanbaatar City Center, Mongolia for more than two years and he also earned a general manager certification from Wyndham Hotel Group. Earlier in his career, Péchey spent several years in South Pacific, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. Building on his modern and dynamic approach, in Abu Dhabi his main mission will be to deliver the brand promise.
Péchey’s career spans 18 years
5 SEPTEMBER 2015
KAMAL NAAMANI
TON VAN VILSTEREN
Kamal Naamani has been appointed head of new projects at Al Habtoor Group’s hospitality division. In his capacity, Naamani will oversee the operations of the company’s portfolio of new developments. He assumes the position after gaining experience as managing director for Asia Pacific at Pragma Group and Pragma Lifestyle. Naamani brings more than 25 years of experience to the table. Throughout his career, he has made significant contributions in the areas of business development, strategic planning, as well as sales and marketing. He was responsible for the development and expansion of Cavalli-branded properties, as well as other food and beverage brands throughout Asia Pacific.
Ton van Vilsteren has been chosen as Jumeirah Group’s new chief financial officer. Since graduating from Hotel School, The Hague, in the Netherlands in 1995, van Vilsteren has worked his way up through Hilton Worldwide, starting as a management accountant with Ladbrokes, which later joined forces with Hilton Worldwide, and being promoted to international and global finance positions within the company. Since 2007, van Vilsteren has been head of finance for the Asia Pacific region at Hilton Worldwide, with overall responsibility for the accounting function and financial operations across all regional offices in Asia Pacific. In his new role at Jumeirah Group, he will be in charge of the financial direction, control and management of the company.
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TRAVEL TALK
SAMEH SOBHY General manager, InterContinental Hotel Cairo Semiramis
This award recognises […] the best sales revenue
It is undoubtedly the perfect place for locals and tourists
"I am honoured [to recognise three IHG Dining Rewards Champions for recording the best sales scores]. I want to thank all InterContinental Hotel Cairo Semiramis champions for their hard work, great efforts during the past year. This award recognises hotels and resorts among the Middle East area that exemplify the best sales revenue for the IHG Dining Rewards programme, as well as the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in hospitality and service quality.”
“We are confident the new look will take [our Pan-Asian restaurant] Toshi to new heights. It is undoubtedly the perfect place for locals and tourists to savour the finest Asian specialties. While the old favourites continue to be on the menu, many exciting new dishes have been added to tempt the palate. In addition, we are delighted to announce a weekly Asianthemed Saturday brunch, daily happy hours and family-style dinners combined with live entertainment.”
PETER MANSOURIAN General manager, Grand Millennium Dubai
Global investment is not a threat
JAMES HOGAN President, Etihad Airways
“Aviation is a global industry, not a local one. Like so many other industries, aviation should have access to global investment funds in order to provide the capital required to grow efficiently and remain competitive. Global investment is not a threat. It is both a lifeline and an energiser, which can only be good for European aviation, European economies and European jobs. Let’s not forget that nobody else wanted to invest in Alitalia. [...] We have not only ensured that Alitalia stays in the air. We have also invested in protecting and creating jobs in Italy. We have invested in rebuilding the Alitalia brand.”
Cooperating with Cathay Pacific was a natural choice
COEN MASSELINK General manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Doha
“Cooperating with Cathay Pacific [to fly famous blogger, Khalifa Saleh al Haroon, also known as Mr Q, to Hong Kong] was a natural choice given the synergy between our two brands. Both have a strong Asian heritage and both are renowned for providing an incomparable level of care and service. We are eager to extend our signature heartwarming welcome to Mr Q and look forward to seeing his adventures.”
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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AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight Michael Loullis
POSITION:
Managing director and owner
COMPANY:
ML Smart Events
LOCATION:
Cyprus
WEBSITE:
www.smarteventscy.com
Travelport Celebrates Business Wins
What are the most important attributes of a good PCO and DMC? Very important factors are punctuality, with deadlines for quotations, precision when putting together a quotation and reasonable pricing. What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives from customers? In recent years we faced last-minute requests and demand for an immediate response. [However,] to put together a professional quotation, it needs to be worked on and that takes time. Another question is about the location of where the group will be accommodated. Usually when the client is not familiar with the island, this becomes an issue. What are the must-visits and must-dos in Cyprus that no one should miss? Attractions to be visited are the Green Line in Nicosia (the only remaining divided capital in the world), archaeological sites, such as the Kourion Amphitheatre and Paphos Mosaics, Kykkos Monastery, the popular village of Omodos and the beautiful coastline of Limassol with the recently-completed marina and promenade. […] As a DMC and PCO, we also use the Cypriot beaches for our activities to emphasise the Cyprus product – sun, sea and crystal waters – within the MICE business. Which destination is on your bucket list? The mystic Latin American region. 5 SEPTEMBER 2015
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ravelport has announced a number of new business accomplishments with renowned travel agencies based in Abu Dhabi. The signing ceremony was held after a comprehensive workshop and a series of live demonstrations which showcased the travel platform’s technology and capabilities. The occasion took place at Travelport’s Beirut office and was attended by recently-acquired travel agency customers, Safe Travel, Rahlty Travel and Orient House Travel. The new clients signed long-term agreements with the technology provider, enabling access to travel content inventory, and will benefit from the merchandising capabilities of the company’s point of sale solution, Travelport Smartpoint.
Rabih Saab, president, Africa, Middle East and South Asia, Travelport
When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry? I always wanted to get involved in the tourism industry as this was very intriguing for me. For this reason, I actually chose to study economics with a major in tourism management. Since 1990, I have been working in the destination management company (DMC) and professional congress organiser (PCO) business as an employee for some years, later on as a partner, and as of 2005 as the owner of ML Smart Events. I took a small break, for approximately four years to work in the hotel industry as sales manager at a large property. […]
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Oman Urges Increased Tourism Safety Oman’s Ministry of Tourism participated in a traffic safety campaign, running under the slogan Drive Safely and Enjoy the Beauty of Oman, which included a range of programmes and events focussed on raising awareness in tourist sites.
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mong the two approaches undertaken, one concerns tourists that are visiting new destinations in the Sultanate. The idea of the project is to send a text message to the visitor upon entering the destination with information to help with safety regulations in the area. The second initiative is a fog detector which provides automatic control over the fog signal, and is supplied in hazardous areas.
UNWTO: Africa’s Positives Absent from Global Media
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tronger regional cooperation and increased partnerships are key to building an effective brand value for Africa, it was concluded at the recent World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Conference held in Ghana. John Dramani Mahama, president, Ghana, who opened the conference, stated, “We must change the negative perception that has been built over the years. Africa is not one country, it is 54 different countries. […] There are many […] unique selling points of this continent that we can package for the world. If we package Africa, the international media will respond.” “It is a tragedy that many of the positive stories of Africa are often hidden from the headlines,” said Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO.
Flea Market Returns at Sheraton Abu Dhabi
SCTDA Invests in Sharjah Hotel Staff
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s part of the Marhabtain initiative, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) organised a training course aimed at developing the capabilities of frontline employees in the hospitality sector. The three-day programme took place at Hilton Sharjah Hotel in August. The training attracted participation from 15 properties in the emirate and a total of 36 staff. Led by a group of hospitality and tourism experts, the course covered a variety of topics, including effective communication with customers, dealing with comments and complaints, etiquette skills, anger management and dealing with situations concerning hotel guests.
Marhabtain training course
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Charity flea market at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
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heraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort will host yet another charity flea market on September 19 in support of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Organised three to four times a year in the property’s Arzanah Ballroom, the event allows exhibitors to sell their pre-loved goods to bargain hunters and enjoy a fun-filled day while also supporting, through table hire, UNICEF’s work. “Our charity flea markets have been running for a number of years. It has quickly become a sought-after event and it remains an incredibly popular date in our calendar,” explained Yves Tarabout, deputy general manager, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort.
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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. Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Abu Dhabi Ports employees donate blood during a two-day campaign launched in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank
Kids enjoy a Power Rangers show during Dubai Summer Surprises
Modhesh, Dubai's ambassador of smiles, was at Dubai International, welcoming little travellers with gifts
Health day and a special message at Centro Sharjah
The cheese room at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is always ready for the Friday brunch
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NEWS & EVENTS Panama Hosts ACI General Assembly
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anama’s Tocumen International Airport hosted the Airports Council International (ACI) Latin AmericaCaribbean/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, organised under the theme Airports: Shaping our future, which gathered global airport leaders in Panama City between August 31 – September 2. The event was preceded by an expanded forum and symposium programme. “It is most fitting that this year’s event [took] in Panama,” said Angela Gittens, director general, ACI World. “Located at the isthmus that connects the Americas, the country is emblematic of aviation’s power to bring people and businesses together.”
EVENTS 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.
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
Panama City
BBC Good Food Show Comes to Dubai
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he first-ever BBC Good Food Show will be coming to Dubai with a special winter edition, as Turret Media announced. To be held at Dubai World Trade Centre between December 17 – 19, the event will provide top entertainment and opportunities for shopping from the very best regional producers. Live cooking shows will be performed by famous chefs, Paul Hollywood, James Martin and Andy Bates, who will be appearing on stage alongside Dubai-based celebrity chef Silvena Rowe. Laura Biggs, managing director, BBC Good Food Shows, said, “We are delighted to be bringing the tried and tested successful formula of the BBC Good Food Shows to Dubai for the first time.”
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Singapore, Singapore September 10 – 11 www.miceasiaexhibition.com Over two days, the show aims to connect Asia’s leading meetings, conference, exhibition and events organisers and help them network with Asia Pacific venues.
WORLD ROUTES Durban, South Africa September 19 – 22 www.routesonline.com The programme, which takes place in Africa for the first time, attracts the most senior representatives of airlines, airports and tourism authorities.
THE HOTEL SHOW Dubai, UAE September 28 – 30 www.thehotelshow.com Presenting a full view of the hotel and hospitality industry, the event boasts over 17,700 attendees from across the sector having grown by over 12 percent in the past year.
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