12 SEPTEMBER 2015
ISSUE 305
LARGEST SAUDI MALL EXPANSION COMMENCES STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE HAS OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED GRAND HILLS, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL & SPA, A SANCTUARY SET IN THE LEBANESE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF BROUMANA.
04 AIR ASTANA RELAUNCHES DUBAI SERVICE
14 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE
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ACCOMMODATION
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AIR
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INTERNATIONAL
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RENDEZVOUS
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WHO'S MOVED
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TRAVEL TALK
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AGENT CORNER
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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PHOTO ALBUM
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NEWS & EVENTS
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THE LUXURY COLLECTION HOTELS & RESORTS DEBUTS IN LEBANON
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
Turkish Airlines: Strong Traffic Growth from GCC Turkish Airlines recorded 7.8 percent year-on-year increase in passenger traffic from the GCC in the first half of the year, driven by a 6.1 percent surge in demand from the UAE alone.
CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu 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
MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of
Double Record at Abu Dhabi Airport Abu Dhabi International Airport celebrated the two million passenger milestone for the first time in its history in July, when departing traveller figures also reached a new high with over one million customers.
11/9/2015
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
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o celebrate the achievement, the airline hosted the Annual Travel Agencies Appreciation Awards and gala dinner in Dubai to reward its best performing partners. During the event, held at Raffles Dubai, plaques of appreciation were awarded to the company’s top 20 agents. Emre Ismailoglu, general manager, Dubai, Turkish Airlines, enthused, “Our position as ‘Europe’s Best Airline,’ increasing connectivity, enhanced services and the rising popularity of Turkey as a holiday and business destination continue to attract a growing number of travellers from Dubai.”
COUNTRY
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Qatar (QAR)
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3.75
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Algeria (DZD)
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Pound
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Pound
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Pound
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1.95
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
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inal Term d l e will Midfi The Building m long k a 22 dling have age han le of bagg m capab ver o syste cessing per pro 0 bags 0 19, 0 hour?
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uring the month, more than 2.1 million passengers used the airport, up 23.3 percent year-on-year, taking the average daily number of travellers to over 60,000. The top five routes included London’s Heathrow Airport, Bangkok, Doha, Manila and Mumbai; accounting for 16 percent of all traffic. “The rate at which passenger numbers are increasing year on year continues to follow an upward trend,” noted Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, saying that work on the Midfield Terminal Building continues to progress. 12 SEPTEMBER 2015
WEEKLY NEWS Visa-free Entry for Belarusians to Tunisia
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he Tunisian government has decided to abolish visas for Belarusian citizens, making travel to the North African country convenient and hassle-free. “To enter Tunisia, Belarusians will need valid passports and travel documents. The total duration of stay
shall not exceed 90 days,” explained Dmity Mironchik, spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belarus, adding that the Tunisian government and authorities are taking measures to ensure the safety of foreign tourists in resort zones.
Dubai Hosts World Health Tourism Congress
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ver 80 states from across the Gulf, Africa, Asia and Europe were represented at the 10th World Health Tourism Congress (WHTC) which took place early September in Dubai for the second consecutive year. Held under the patronage of Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, the threeday event focussed on exploiting the vast potential of health tourism, which, according to H.E. Dr Bandar Bin Fahd Al-Fehaid, president, Arab Tourism Organization, is becoming one of the fastestgrowing industries generating some USD100 billion per annum, of which USD27 billion are is being spent by Arabs. “The future of health tourism in the Arab countries promises to be very bright; thus long-term strategies are being stretched in order to develop and to promote this industry and to attract patients from different nationalities,” added Al-Fehaid.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Largest Saudi Mall Expansion Commences
JLL: Foreign Hotel Investment on the Rise
Red Sea Mall, Jeddah’s biggest shopping and family entertainment centre has embarked on what is hailed as the Kingdom’s most significant mall enlargement development to date.
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A Red Sea Mall
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s Mohammed Alawi, CEO, Red Sea Mall Markets, noted at the launch ceremony, the expansion will add around 145,000m2 of gross leasable area, including a 4,000m2 open space that will showcase international brands and a variety of restaurants. According to Alawi, the SAR200 million (USD53 million) project, which is slated for completion by the end of 2016, was necessary in order to cater to the growing demand for commercial rental space.
his will be a record year for foreign investment in hotels, as according to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), global hotel transactions already reached USD42 billion between January and June. The largest total business volumes were seen in the Americas at USD24 billion, out of which USD4.2 billion came from foreign investors, up 176 percent year-on-year. The Europe, Middle East and Africa regions came second, where total deal values rose 55 percent to USD15 billion with foreign transactions accounting for USD9 billion. On the other hand, in Asia Pacific, the figure dropped six percent to USD4 billion. “One of the biggest trends [this year] is the surge in Middle Eastern and Mainland Chinese investment into hotels globally,” pinpointed Mark Wynne Smith, global CEO, hotels and hospitality, JLL.
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WEEKLY NEWS XX
Riyadh to Develop City Centres
SCTH Collaborates with Almarai
S Diriyah
audi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) has signed a deal with dairy company, Almarai to establish enhanced cooperation between the two parties and offer tours during local and national events all over Riyadh region with special excursions to Almarai factories in Al Kharj farms. “The agreement falls under SCTH’s objectives for developing, promoting and organising tourism, antiquities and the national heritage in the Kingdom as well as enhancing their role in human, cultural and economic development,” commented Abdul Aziz bin Hassan Al Hassan, director, Riyadh, SCTH. According to Al Hassan this could be achieved through coordinating the efforts of both the public and private sectors in a way that serves the country’s prospective goals.
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nder the Kingdom’s City Centers Rehabilitation and Development scheme undertaken by the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, in collaboration with Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH), Riyadh province is to witness the implementation of seven city centre rehabilitation projects. These will include Diriyah, Tamir, Al Majma’ah, Hotat Sidair, Shagra and Al Kharj, as well as a heritage road in Al Kharj. The initiative aims to develop the cores of Saudi cities in a way that keeps up with modernity while also preserving the sites’ authenticity as cultural landmarks reflecting the history of Saudi provinces. The signing ceremony
Dubai Parks and Resorts Creates Over 1,000 UAE Jobs
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ubai Parks and Resorts has rolled out a major Emiratisation programme to employ more than 1,000 UAE nationals, meaning that more than one third of the positions will be filled by Emiratis. In line with Dubai Plan 2021 and the seven-year national agenda, the programme will seek to empower and grow a new generation of talent for the theme park industry, which was identified as one of the country’s most exciting growth sectors. Separated into three divisions, the initiative offers opportunities for all career levels from new graduates to future leaders.
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12 SEPTEMBER 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
Seoul
Korea Becomes Partner Country of Silk Road Event
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orea Tourism Organization has been listed as partner country for this year’s China Xi’an Silk Road International Tourism Expo (CXSRITE). Running between September 11 – 13 at Xi’an Qujiang International Conference & Exhibition Centre, the show covers an area of over 20,000m2 with more than 500 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. The programme is expected to attract some 4,000 professional buyers and 30,000 visitors. This year’s CXSRITE focusses heavily on the Silk Route and maritime routes, helping tourism stakeholders to capture the lucrative market.
Turkey Turns to the Middle East
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report published by TOPHOTELPROJECTS for the upcoming The Hotel Show reveals that hotel construction in Turkey is at an all-time high with 75 projects and 12,968 new rooms in the pipeline. “The increase in representation of local Turkish manufacturers looking to showcase their products to hoteliers and target distributers in Dubai is interesting and could be encouraged by buoyant hotel construction in that country,” said Christine Davidson, group event director, dmg events. Over 30 Turkish manufacturers are expected to participate in Dubai’s The Hotel Show later this month, as the general economic stagnation in Europe is pushing Turkish exporters to focus more on the Middle East, explained Engin Ertekin, Turkish representative, The Hotel Show Dubai.
A Turkish manufacturer at the Hotel Show 2014
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12 SEPTEMBER 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Crowne Plaza Salalah Celebrates CR
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah, one of the six InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) properties in Oman, marked its participation in the company’s corporate responsibility (CR) week, celebrated globally with various activities.
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he festivities were inaugurated with the general manager’s instant trivia quiz which was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony, where the hotel’s team released green helium balloons to kick off the activities. This year’s CR programme was an adaptation of 2014’s IHG Green Week which has been since expanded to include all three CR programmes; IHG Green Engage, IHG Academy and IHG Shelter in a Storm.
Langham Place Downtown Dubai
Dubai to Welcome Langham
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angham Hospitality Group is set to launch its first luxury city development bearing the Langham Hotels and Resorts brand in the UAE. The USD273 million Langham Place Downtown Dubai will comprise a five-star hotel along with serviced apartments, adding a total of 438 units to the emirate’s room stock. With views facing Burj Khalifa and the water canal, the 167-room hotel will provide easy access to Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and the upcoming Dubai Design District. Due for completion in 2018, the property will feature a range of facilities including four food and beverage outlets, more than 400m2 of event space for corporate meetings and social galas, and a spa offering therapies based on the principles of Chinese medicine.
12 SEPTEMBER 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
THE LUXURY COLLECTION HOTELS & RESORTS ow . n k u DEBUTS IN LEBANON o Did y ction Colle is on y r Luxu or ts The ls & Res pass 10 r e Hot k to su n more trac er ties i tries by prop 0 coun ? 3 nd than year-e
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has officially inaugurated Grand Hills, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa, a sanctuary set in the Lebanese mountain village of Broumana.
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pread over 35,000m2, the fifth Luxury Collection property in the Middle East and the first one in the country features 118 rooms and suites in addition to 42 residential suites, and houses more than 1,200 pieces of art, sculptures, antiques and hand-crafted furniture. Spanning 4,131m2, the sevenstorey Royal Residence is hailed as the largest hotel suite in the world. For gatherings, the establishment features close to 3,700m2 of indoor and outdoor spaces including a private theatre which can accommodate 350 people.
Grand Hills, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa
Grand Hyatt Doha
Grand Hyatt Doha Lures Saudi Families
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ith its spacious private villas, Grand Hyatt Doha has earned a reputation among regional travellers. Besides 249 rooms, the five-star property also features 91 fully-furnished villas facing the 400m private beach, which, as Ali Moussa, director of sales, Grand Hyatt Doha, revealed, are particularly popular among Saudi families. According to Moussa, though the Kingdom remains the hotel’s main feeder market, demand is also on the rise from Kuwait as well as the UAE. Speaking about the stiffening competition in the market, Moussa said, “Regardless of the increase in supply, the number of visitors to Doha is increasing and this will help maintain and reach our [targets] for the year.”
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Omani Hotels: Over USD250 Million in Revenues
La Cigale Hotel Doha Benefits from Qatar Events
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man’s National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI) released figures which show that revenues of three-, four- and five-star accommodation establishments exceeded OMR97 million (USD252 million) in the first six months of the year. In the same timeframe, the number of hotel guests in the above categories totalled 556,622, while the volume of visitors to the Sultanate reached 1.14 million. Non-Omani Gulf travellers topped the list at 317,542, followed by Indian tourists whose number soared to 131,341. The top four was completed by 76,520 British and 61,729 German visitors.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat
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Novotel and ibis Fujairah Achieve ISO Certification
La Cigale Hotel Doha
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emand at La Cigale Hotel Doha remains on the upward trajectory as the five-star property continues to profit from prestigious programmes taking place in the country. As Georges Chemali, assistant director, sales, La Cigale Hotel Doha, revealed, driven by strong interest during the handball world championship and other functions, business in the first quarter of the year was up eight percent. In addition, ongoing projects, such as the construction of the railway system and stadiums for 2022 FIFA World Cup also contribute to increased occupancy levels. In order to attract guests from both existing and previously untapped markets, the management is working on new promotions and packages for agents and tour operators, particularly in the GCC.
ovotel Fujairah and ibis Fujairah attained internationally acknowledged ISO certifications in quality and environmental management, becoming the first accommodation establishments in the emirate to receive these accreditations. The ISO 14001 recognises the properties’ commitment to environmental responsibilities while ISO 9001 is a proof of the hotels’ high quality standards. Praising the team’s pledge to environment and excellence, Karim Zaki, general manager, Novotel, ibis and Adagio Fujairah, expressed his hope that the achievement will encourage other hotels in the emirate to follow suit, resulting in higher occupancy rates and guest satisfaction.
Novotel, ibis and Adagio Fujairah
12 SEPTEMBER 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Etihad to Fly Daily to Kiev Etihad Airways has expanded its codeshare partnership with Belavia to offer passengers a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Kiev, via Minsk.
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nder the agreement, the UAE national carrier has placed its code on the Belarusian airline’s flights between the two Eastern European capitals. “The strategic partnership with Belavia establishes our presence in the Ukrainian market, and provides air travellers with more options to fly to Minsk and onwards to Kiev,” commented Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways.
Emirates SkyCargo Expands Iran Operations
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aking advantage of Emirates’ five daily nonstop services to Mashhad, Emirates SkyCargo has increased capacity to Iran. Khalid Mohd Al Hinai, vice president, cargo commercial, Middle East, GCC and Iran, Emirates, described Iran as an important market for the company. ”We anticipate trade between the UAE and Iran to further flourish as a result of the launch of this new direct five times weekly service,” added Al Hinai. 14 FEBRUARY 2015 With the new flight to the northeastern city, Emirates Skycargo’s second destination in the country, the company will provide more than 150 tonnes of belly-hold capacity between Iran and the UAE each week.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Air Astana Relaunches Dubai Service
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s of October 25, Air Astana will restart operations between Astana and Dubai. The nonstop services will take off four times a week on an Airbus A320, offering greater convenience to UAE-based passengers. Additionally, timely connections will enable international transit travel from Urumqi in China, Omsk in Russia and Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. According to Peter Foster, president, Air Astana, the airline is fully committed to expanding its route network from Kazakhstan’s capital, with the relaunch to Dubai following the recent introduction of new connections to Paris, Seoul and Tbilisi. ”With Kazakhstan and UAE enjoying strengthening links in business, finance, tourism and culture, I am confident that the new service will be extremely popular with passengers travelling between Astana and Dubai,” he added.
Boeing-built AH-64 Apache
Boeing and Saudi Partners to Establish Rotorcraft Support Centre
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oeing has signed an agreement with Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Alsalam Aircraft Company to set up the Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center. The joint venture will have locations in both Riyadh and Jeddah, providing comprehensive maintenance repair and overhaul services for the Kingdom’s diverse rotorcraft fleet. The partnership is set to support both the Saudi commercial and defence rotorcraft sector while also contributing to the country’s goals of localisation, economic growth and state-of-the-art technology, pinpointed Nader Khalawi, CEO, SAEI.
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AIR WEEKLY NEWS Emirates Doubles A380 Services to Frankfurt
Turkish Airlines and LOT Pull Together
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mirates is to add a second daily Airbus A380 flight on the Dubai – Frankfurt route, effective from January 1, 2016. Currently operated by a Boeing 777300ER, the service will offer 1,155 additional seats a week, with 280 in first and business class. Since the launch of the first A380 operation between the cities in September 2014, the airline has carried over 280,000 passengers on the route. “Our four gateways in Germany are doing extremely well with three of them boasting a daily or double-daily A380 service,” revealed Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, west, Emirates, indicating that should the opportunity arise, the carrier would be keen to fly to additional cities that are currently underserved.
Istanbul
urkish Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines have signed a letter of understanding which will see the two companies further expand their commercial ties through a strategic partnership. A final model of cooperation is yet to be decided; the airlines, however, aim to proceed towards a future joint venture partnership in a bid to offer passengers convenient connection alternatives and high level of services. With the expansion of the codeshare agreement, both airlines will put its designator code on some selected flights beyond Istanbul and Warsaw to domestic destinations in Turkey and Poland, as well as to points in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, benefitting from the global networks of the carriers.
Royal Jet to Employ EVS
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oyal Jet will start using enhanced visual systems (EVS) in its recently-delivered two Bombardier Global 5000s. Having received the regulatory approval from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the luxury flight services company becomes the first charter operator in the country to apply the technology. The EVS consists of a heads-up guidance system, as well as a forward-looking infrared camera which provides imaging of the outside environment, increasing safety during taxi, takeoff and approach in low visibility conditions. “We flew into 250 airports in over 105 countries [in 2014] and this system will provide our flight crews with enhanced vision, which heightens safety,” commented Patrick Gordon, acting president, Royal Jet.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Austrian Airlines to Fly to Marrakech
Qatar Airways Returns to Nagpur
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arrakech is to get a boost in arrivals from Central Europe thanks to Austrian Airlines’ new seasonal
flights. Starting November 14, the Austrian carrier will operate weekly services on Saturdays to the Moroccan tourist hotspot onboard an Airbus A319. “In addition to Miami, Mauritius and Colombo as new long-haul tourist destinations, we are now expanding our flight offering to medium-haul holiday destinations,” explained Andreas Otto, chief commercial officer, Austrian Airlines, saying that this strategy also helps compensate for the strong seasonality of the business.
ollowing a hiatus of six years, December 1 will see the relaunch of Qatar Airways’ flights to Nagpur. The reinstated service will take the airline’s total weekly operations to India from 95 to 102 frequencies. Restoring the Doha – Nagpur route is part of Qatar Airways’ strategy to meet the increasing demand by providing the best possible flying experience to customers in the country, according to Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways. “Today, India has the largest number of destinations served by our carrier across any market and we will continue to look for more destinations and additional flights to expand our reach in the Indian subcontinent,” added Al Baker.
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SAUDIA to Codeshare with Russian Airline
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audi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has entered into a codeshare agreement with Aeroflot further expanding the two carriers’ network between popular business and leisure destinations in Saudi Arabia and Russia. Subject to regulatory approval, the airlines will cooperate on a number of routes, including Moscow – Cairo – Jeddah, Moscow/St Petersburg – Istanbul – Jeddah/Riyadh, Moscow – Dubai – Riyadh, as well as Jeddah – Cairo – Moscow, Jeddah/Riyadh – Istanbul – Moscow/ St Petersburg, Riyadh – Dubai – Moscow. As Abdul Mohsen Jonaid, CEO, SAUDIA, noted, the codeshare agreement connects the company to Russia for the first time.
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INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY NEWS
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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group penned three new deals in India for new projects in the northern, southern and western parts of the country. Radisson Blu Kochi Elamkulam, the company’s first hotel in Kerala, is due to open in December, Radisson Gurgaon Sohna Road is expected to come online in the first quarter of 2018, while Radisson Resort Mahabaleshwar is to welcome its first guests early 2019. “We have a strong and active development pipeline, with many of these projects already under construction. Our strategy to concurrently strengthen our presence in state capitals, as well as emerging secondary and tertiary cities, is delivering the robust growth that we anticipated,” said Raj Rana, CEO, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
Raj Rana
Radisson Blu Kochi Elamkulam
Carlson Rezidor Expands Indian Footprint
Protea Hotel Select Takoradi
Protea Hotels Enters Ghana
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arriott International has opened Protea Hotel Select Takoradi, the brand’s first establishment in Ghana, expanding the company’s reach in the Middle East and Africa to 19 countries. Located in the fourth largest city in the country, the property boasts 132 units, including 12 two-bedroom apartments. Catering to both business and leisure travellers, the hotel features a large restaurant, bar and lounge, terrace and an entertainment and pool area as well as a gym. Conference facilities for a maximum of 150 delegates and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the hotel are geared to meet the needs of business guests.
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is it to distinguish your product and offerings amid the rising competition in Dubai’s hotel sector? JEAN-FRANCOIS LAURENT: It is extremely important to stand out from the competition in a highly-competitive environment. Hotels need to create their own identity and offer unique services, which Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa manages to do very well. Our main focus is our guests, and here at the resort, with mutual efforts of our brilliant team we make sure our guests are well taken care of. The Anantara concept has its roots in Thailand and each Anantara resort draws its strength from the rich cultural traditions, historic heritage and natural beauty of its destination. The Thai architecture of the property itself was an obvious choice for the Anan-
Q & A with
Jean-Francois Laurent
GENERAL MANAGER, ANANTARA DUBAI THE PALM RESORT & SPA
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HOTELS NEED TO CREATE THEIR OWN IDENTITY AND OFFER UNIQUE SERVICES
tara brand, and as we have developed the internal concepts of the resort, we have very much focussed on blending elements of Thai tradition with Arabian subtleties. The range of unique features that the resort has to offer is very broad, and includes the only over-water villas in the UAE, over 10,000m of lagoon pools, unique tuk-tuk for our guest transportation, long tail boat that takes our guests to Dubai Marina and back from our hotel jetty. On the other note, our Anantara Spa will reopen in October with truly outstanding spa facilities [...]. We strongly believe that the new Anantara Spa will not only suit all the requirements but really wow our guests with new facilities and services offered. Our new Turkish Hammam will spread over 750m2 and will offer six spa suites as well as new treatment
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food and beverage options with more outdoor live-cooking stations. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the main aspects that a hotelier like yourself need to keep in mind in order to ensure the property’s longterm success amid the stiffening competition in Dubai? JEAN-FRANCOIS LAURENT: I strongly believe it is very important to have a unique product, offer outstanding service and memorable hospitality experience. Technological adaptation is the key to [delivering the] message with food, beverage and spa offerings that drive many decisions today. We are very active on our social media channels and have developed our own Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa app which allows our guests to have all information on what is happening in the hotel. They can also find
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OUR EMPLOYEES ARE OUR BEST ASSET AND UTMOST PRIORITY
SET ON THE MAN-MADE MARVEL OF DUBAI, ANANTARA DUBAI THE PALM RESORT & SPA BOASTS TRADITIONAL THAI ARCHITECTURE IN A STUNNING ARABIAN SETTING. JEAN-FRANCOIS LAURENT, GENERAL MANAGER, ANANTARA DUBAI THE PALM RESORT & SPA, TALKS ABOUT IDENTITY AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT. rooms with new innovative MicroSilk technology. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the latest developments that are set to establish a loyal clientele and attract guests from new markets? JEAN-FRANCOIS LAURENT: Due to the high demand for fully-furnished and serviced apartments, we will increase our apartment units from 73 to
120 until the end of the year. [...] One of the latest exciting developments is the extension of the terrace for our extremely popular The Beach House restaurant. We are constantly working on increasing our food and beverage offers by having special promotions such as ladies’ night. Our Fork & Cork Brunch at the Crescendo restaurant is also getting the new vibrant look and feel, with expansion of the outdoor terrace and increasing our
out about the city attractions and must see places. We are working hard to diversify our food and beverage offerings by having innovative and at the same time great value for money promotions. The most popular are Fork & Cork Brunch at Crescendo restaurant and Lazy Lunch at our Australian restaurant Bushman’s. We constantly listen to guest’s feedback and strive to exceed their expectations in every segment of their stay. [...] We are constantly developing and training our team members and are very proud to see how they develop and grow since the resort opening. Our employees are our best asset and utmost priority. By serving our guests with very personable, proficient, competent service, and listening to their needs we create memorable and distinctive experiences as well as loyal, returning guests. 12 SEPTEMBER 2015
WHO'S MOVED
WAEL MAATOUK
ROHITASHVA GHAI
12 SEPTEMBER 2015
Wael Maatouk is the new general manager of Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. In his new role, Maatouk will be responsible for all aspects of the resort’s operations, including financial performance, guest engagement, employee development and brand recognition. A restaurateur and hotelier from very early age, Maatouk brings 20 years of experience to Doha. He began his career as a food and beverage professional in the hospitality industry. Quickly finding a passion for management, he pursued several levels of education, having recently completed an executive master’s degree. Prior to this appointment in Qatar, Maatouk held the position of hotel manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, where he was also part of the opening team.
Rohitashva Ghai has been hired by Ramada Downtown Dubai as training and quality assurance manager. Ghai will design and carry out training and development courses for the associates, and he will also head the orientation sessions for new joiners, and keep track of training trends and best practices. Ghai acquired his extensive experience in India, having worked in the aviation and hotel industries for nine years before moving to Dubai. He started his career as a flight attendant at Jet Airways and later worked for Sun-n-Sand Nagpur and Hyatt Regency Pune. He then served in training positions at Marriott International in various hotels including JW Marriott Chandigarh, Courtyard by Marriott Bilaspur and Courtyard by Marriot Agra.
ROLF LIPPUNER
BRADLEY EDWARDS
Rolf Lippuner has been selected as the new general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. Lippuner, who joined Four Seasons in 2008, was steeped in hospitality from a young age. After working at several highend hotels in Atlanta and Santa Monica, Lippuner left the hotel industry to launch a cosmetics business, which soon became a leading skincare manufacturer in South Africa. He then returned to tourism as director of housekeeping at the former Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, US. Over the next seven years, he advanced to director of residences at Four Seasons Resort Nevis, then to director of rooms and finally hotel manager at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. before relocating to the Middle East.
Bradley Edwards has been named business development manager for the sub-Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean region at Etihad Airways. Based at the airline’s new offices in Sandton, Johannesburg, Edwards will oversee key sales strategies across seven countries in Africa with the objective of accelerating the growth of the company’s revenues through expanded distribution and segmentation strategies. Edwards, who holds a master’s degree in business administration as well as a tourism management degree, has worked in the tourism sector for over 15 years. Prior to joining Etihad Airways, he held various managerial positions at Comair, British Airways and South African Airways, driving sales strategies and ensuring route profitability.
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TRAVEL TALK
JESSE VARGAS General manager, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
SHERIF SABRY Hotel manager, The Torch Doha
We are determined to ensure they keep coming back for more
All the facilities […] are tailored to the corporate client
“Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is the first Ferrari-branded theme park and is home to Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster, along with a variety of other thrill and family rides. [...] We are a leading entertainment facility and the second most popular attraction in Abu Dhabi just after the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. [...] Since our opening, millions of visitors have come through our doors to enjoy the park and its unique entertainment offering, and we are determined to ensure they keep coming back for more.”
“Both Oryx Rotana and City Centre Rotana Doha focus on corporate clients. All the facilities [...] are tailored to the corporate client who, roughly, constitutes 92 percent of our business pie. For instance, people can download a five gigabyte file in the span of a few minutes, thanks to our technological edge. We also offer a 24-hour check-in, check-out facility […] and flexible hourly packages so that [the corporate client] still has a room to himself and has the comfort of attending his meetings while he is in town.”
LANA JWAINAT Cluster director of marketing and communications, City Centre Rotana Doha and Oryx Rotana Doha
Sports tourism plays an important role in achieving […] targets
No doubt GCC [residents] and locals are our main markets
“Being strategically situated in Doha’s sports city, sports tourism plays an important role in achieving the hotel’s targets. […] It is a world-class complex for athletics, entertainment, recreation and wellness. While Aspire Zone is able to service highest sporting demands, The Torch Doha is able to accommodate guests attending major sports events, trainings, and pre-competition camps to conference and research as well as those who come to Qatar for sport treatment services, sports medicine, research and education.”
“No doubt GCC [residents] and locals are our main markets, specifically in the government and corporate segments. Other major markets include the US, Western Europe and southeast Asia. [...] We will focus on a local level on making sure Abu Dhabi residents are made aware of the hotel’s exceptional offerings such as the Dusit Club Lounge located on the 35th floor with stunning city views, authentic Thai treatments at Namm Spa and DFiT a state-of-the-art gym providing personal training, yoga and soon spin classes.”
DESMOND HATTON General manager, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
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AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
Raoul Marc Symenouh
POSITION:
Director
COMPANY:
Alba Travel Service
LOCATION:
Togo
WEBSITE:
www.albatravel.tg
Who are you? Alba Travel Service is based in Lome, Togo in West Africa and has been in business since 1989. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? Offering cultural and ecological tours. When is the best time to visit Togo? November to April. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? We are a tour operator and we organise tours in Togo, Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia. Why should people come to you for travel advice? Togo is part of West Africa, a new frontier in African tourism. If someone is craving for authenticity; our motto is Dream Togo, Dream West Africa. What is the percentage of MENA travellers your agency welcomes annually? We have not got any yet. 12 SEPTEMBER 2015
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ebanon-based Nakhal Travel has renewed its multiyear agreement with travel commerce giant, Travelport. Through the long-term deal, the Lebanese agency will enjoy access to the technology provider’s travel content inventory, including air, hotel, rail and car and will also take advantage of the merchandising capabilities of Travelport Smartpoint. “[Nakhal Travel’s] clients will benefit from our unique travel commerce platform [...] with a complete package of leading technology including our innovative point of sale solution, Travelport Smartpoint which allows travel agents to sell more effectively and earn new revenue streams,” commented Rabih Saab, president, Africa, Middle East and South Asia, Travelport.
Rabih Saab (left) and Jean El Zailaa, executive director, travel management services, Nakhal Travel
Nakhal Reaffirms Commitment to Travelport
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Health Day at Centro Sharjah Centro Sharjah teamed up with Sharjah Health Promotion Department and Fitness First Gym to organise a health day at the property’s premises.
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nderscoring the emirate’s recognition as the first healthy city in the region by the World Health Organisation, the programme invited the community for free health tests and wellness lectures to create awareness about health-related issues affecting the society. Reaffirming the team’s commitment to the common goal, Michael Kasch, general manager, Centro Sharjah, said, “This distinction for Sharjah compliments its reputation of being a cultural hub and is a great step forward to improve health and environmental levels of the city, in addition to strengthening community participation in the programme”.
Health Day at Centro Sharjah
ICAO Proposes Measures for Kids’ Safety
Dubai Welcomes New Tas-Heel Branch
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oulevard Businessmen Services, the UAE’s government and corporate services provider opened a new Tas-Heel centre at Bay Avenue in Dubai’s Business Bay. The hub will focus on providing facilitations on behalf of several government departments, including the Ministry of Labour, Department of Economic Development and Emirates Identity Authority. Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.H. Sheikh Abdelrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, president, Al Nuaimi Group, owner of Boulevard Businessmen Services, said, “At Boulevard Businessmen Services, we are driven by innovation and flexibility to exceed the expectations of government departments as well as customers.”
Boeing: China Needs Over 6,000 Aircraft by 2034
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he International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) published a new manual on the approval and use of child restraint systems (CRS) onboard an aircraft. The document contains guidance for states to develop regulations and validation processes enabling the use of CRS. It also provides guidelines for operators when identifying CRS for use, recommended content of relevant policies, procedures, and training programmes, as well as rules for managing change through safety management systems. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, council president, ICAO, commented, “Proper use of occupant restraints is one of the most basic and important factors in surviving an accident.”
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hina will require some 6,330 new airplanes, valued at USD950 billion, over the next 20 years, according to Boeing’s annual China Current Market Outlook. The country’s domestic market will mainly be in need of single-isle aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 and the new 737 MAX 8. The wide-body segment will employ 1,510 new airplanes, such as the 777-300ER, 777X and the 787 Dreamliner. “China’s aviation market is incredibly dynamic, from its leading airlines to its start-ups and low-cost carriers," said Ihssane Mounir, vice president, sales and marketing, northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, adding that the company is committed to providing what he described as the world's largest airplane market, with most fuel-efficient airplanes and services.
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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...
Ronald Lactao was the winner of flynas' customer service survey
Candidates for the Miss Portugal 2015 title enjoy their time in Tunisia
Bahrain Summer Festival concluded and the organisers awarded the sponsors
12 SEPTEMBER 2015
Inauguration of Mรถvenpick Hotel Riyadh
Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche and Ramada Downtown Abu Dhabi were present at MeetChina 2015
City Seasons Hotel Muscat welcomes autumn with fruit carving
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NEWS & EVENTS Aviation and Media Event Visits Bahrain
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ahrain has been chosen to stage this year’s Arab Aviation and Media Summit which will take place between December 7 – 8 in Manama. Now in its fifth edition, the initiative is committed to advancing the future of Arab aviation and tourism. This year’s edition will focus on the state of the sector under the current political and economic climate, and will see industry pioneers come together to discuss the growing significance of partnerships between tourism and aviation. The event is hailed as the largest assembly of Arab media together with top executives from the aviation and tourism industry.
Yanbu Launches Saudi Colors Expo
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usa’d Al Salim, mayor, Yanbu, inaugurated the Saudi Colors 2015 exhibition. Organised by the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage, the show features photos reflecting the tourism potentials of the Yanbu municipality as well as other regions. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the cultural dimension of Saudi Arabia with an emphasis on its intrinsic culture, heritage and natural wonders.
EVENTS 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 attracts over 17,700 attendees from across the sector, having grown by over 12 percent in the past year.
INTERNATIONAL GOLF TRAVEL MARKET Tenerife, Spain October 05 – 08 www.igtm.co.uk A meeting place for the business-to-business golf travel community with golf tourism suppliers joining pre-qualified buyers and international press representatives for four days.
HQ 2015 Doha, Qatar October 13 – 15 www.hqshow.com A global exhibition featuring all aspects of the hotel, restaurant and café industry, addressing hospitality professionals, franchise investors and suppliers.
IMEX AMERICA Las Vegas, US October 13 – 15 www.imexamerica.com Providing an expanded wealth of options and new ideas for buyers and planners, the event boasts many new exhibitors across various industry sectors.
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