13 FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE 327
08 ACCOMMODATION
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WESTIN DEBUTS IN QATAR
DUBAI INVESTS IN HEALTH SECTOR
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02 Market Update 10 Technology
OMAN TO WELCOME FIRST BUDGET AIRLINE
16 International 19 Who's Moved
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MENA AIR TRAFFIC SURGES
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic
Dubai International
PRESS Maria Demetriadou 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
Passenger traffic across Middle Eastern airports grew 10.4 percent in November 2015, compared to the same month in 2014, according to Airports Council International (ACI).
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bu Dhabi International Airport posted an increase of 15.8 percent, while Dubai International served 8.1 percent more travellers during the month. On the other hand, freight volumes across hubs in Asia Pacific and the Middle East dropped 0.5 percent with the exception of Dubai which reported a growth of 3.8 percent.
EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com
KINGDOM HOLDING: 2015 PROFIT GROWS
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
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13.2.2016
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
105.43
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.82
Iran (IRR)
Rial
30,178.60
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,107.09
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.29
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,508.00
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.67
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.81
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
KHC board meeting
as of
Kingdom Holding Company reported a gross operating profit of SAR1.69 billion (USD450.5 million) for 2015, representing an increase of 8.7 percent compared to 2014.
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oreover, the Saudi company’s consolidated net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2015, reached SAR707 million (USD171.8 million) compared to SAR869 million (USD231.6 million) in 2014, signalling a decrease of 19 percent. H.R.H. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, chairman, Kingdom Holding Company, commented, “Despite the turbulence in the global financial markets and slowdown in global economic activity, we ended the year [2015] with a strong financial position.”
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WEEKLY NEWS MEDICAL TOURISM
Dubai Invests in Health Sector
Dubai Healthcare City Promotes the Emirate’s Credentials
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ubai Healthcare City Authority, the governing body of Dubai Healthcare City, released the 2015 operational review of the free zone, revealing that clinical offerings as well as specialties increased 28 and 68 percent, respectively, compared to 2014. Bader Saeed Hareb, CEO, investment sector, Dubai Healthcare City, said, “The year-on-year figures demonstrate our commitment to positioning Dubai Healthcare City free zone as a health and wellness destination. In this patient-centred value chain, we are strengthening our offerings and working with our stakeholders for long-term growth.”
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Launching Dubai Health Strategy, H.H. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, said that the emirate needs to boost its position as a hub for medical services.
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he strategy, aimed at revamping the health sector, features four main approaches, six objectives, 15 programmes and 93 initiatives, to achieve the leap required over the next five years. Al Maktoum confirmed, “Our most important investment will be in Dubai Health Authority medical cadres and staff because they are the real capital. [...] We will also build strategic partnerships with the private sector to ensure the consolidation of Dubai as a capital for medical tourism.”
H. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the new strategy
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Sharjah Explores Further Potentials Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) organised the third edition of the Hospitality Industry Forum, reviewing the latest developments and the performance of the hotel sector in the emirate, and highlighting the best practices and solutions for sustainable development in the fields of hospitality and tourism.
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Sharjah
n spite of the efficient infrastructure as well as the high quality of services provided by Sharjah to visitors, it is important to take the process of development in the tourism sector to new levels in order to keep pace with global market requirements,” commented H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA. He added that the industry needs to constantly monitor progress to sustain the gains achieved and look ahead to new horizons of growth and excellence.
New Partnership for Culture in Fujairah
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ujairah Culture and Media signed a memorandum of understanding with Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children during a visit of H.H. Rashid Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, chairman, Fujairah Culture and Media, to the organisation. Al Sharqi was welcomed by Mona Al Bahar, CEO, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, who expressed interest in cooperating with all parties involved in culture in and outside of the UAE, as well as exchanging experiences and opening new horizons in favour of the centre’s mission to ensure a social environment that consists of education and culture and is safe for children and their families.
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TDIC to Bring Campus to Saadiyat
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ourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) signed an agreement with Lycée Théodore Monod to open a campus on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat, making it the first French school on the island. “We are confident the new campus will strengthen the current educational offerings on Saadiyat for pupils,” commented Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman, TDIC, stressing that the agreement also highlights the growing interest in Saadiyat as a leading destination.
Signing the deal
Shurooq Continues Heritage Project
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harjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) completed the first stage of the multiphase Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project which will create a new tourist attraction at the cost of AED250 million (USD68 million). The first stage will see the opening of Mleiha Archaeological Centre, designed to give visitors a deeper insight into one of the most important archaeological sites in the country dating back to more than hundred thousands of years. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chairperson, Shurooq, commented, “Launching this project reflects the keenness of our leadership to protect our heritage and preserve our Emirati identity. […] We intend to work towards promoting this important historical site in order to both protect it and bring visitors to it.”
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Bahraini Hotel Sector Triumphs
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ccording to the Economic Development Board (EDB), the hotel and restaurant segment was one of the key drivers of growth within Bahrain’s non-oil economy in 2015’s third quarter. The industry registered an eight percent year-on-year expansion rate, while the transportation and communications sector also saw a strong improvement of six percent. The resilience of the non-oil areas, including the growing pipeline of infrastructure projects, helped to support job growth, with the total number of private sector jobs rising by an annual seven percent year-on-year.
Sharjah Displayed in Hong Kong
Sharjah
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delegation from Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) took part in the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong. Over 2,600 financial and business leaders attended the event which featured more than 100 speakers. Under the theme Asia: Shaping the New Paradigm for Growth, the forum sought to examine market developments and financial trends in Asia and beyond, and to act as a platform for gathering the latest market intelligence, exchanging insights and exploring business opportunities. Saud Meqdad Al Suwaidi, director of Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment, Shurooq, introduced the emirate, its key environmental and developing sectors as well as investment opportunities.
Roads of Arabia Headed to China
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Saudi Arabia
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R. H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (STCH), met with H. E. Liu Yu Zhu, director general, State Administration of Cultural Heritage, China, to discuss cooperation prospects between the two countries, in the areas of antiquities and heritage. The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding for holding Saudi Archeological Masterpieces through the Ages exhibition, better known as Roads of Arabia, in the Asian destination later this year. Abdul Aziz expressed SCTH’s keenness to utilise Chinese expertise in the areas of archaeological research and excavation as well in the handicraft area.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Murwab Joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Saraya Corniche Hotel
Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Katara Hospitality entered into a master partnership agreement for the recently launched Murwab Hotel Group.
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nder the deal, four of the hotel operating division’s luxury properties in Qatar and Switzerland are now represented by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and five upcoming establishments in Europe and the Middle East will join the portfolio over the course of the next 18 months. The move allows the hotels to tap into the alliance’s sales capabilities in the corporate and leisure travel sectors, expertise in the independent and small hotel collection space, marketing and distribution platforms, and a network of sales professionals located in 40 offices worldwide.
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Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla in Plans
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yatt signed an agreement with Ayla Oasis Development Company for the 286-room Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla. Expected to launch in 2018, it will be the first hotel to open within the Ayla development, a master-planned, multiphase venture on the northern shores of the Jordanian destination. The property will boast five food and beverage outlets, a swimming pool, fitness and spa facilities, kids’ club as well as almost 300m2 of meeting space, including a 174m2 ballroom. The location in the development’s Marina Village will offer guests a myriad of retail, dining and entertainment venues as well as 17km of newly created waterfront. Visitors will also enjoy Jordan’s first 18-hole golf course and a nine-hole golf academy.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Westin Debuts
IN QATAR
The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa
LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL, THE WESTIN DOHA HOTEL & SPA IS OFFICIALLY OPEN, MARKING THE BRAND’S FORAY INTO QATAR AND FURTHER EXPANDING ITS PORTFOLIO TO FOUR PROPERTIES ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST.
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ith the country remaining a key growth market for the company in the region – as Guido de Wilde, senior vice president, regional director, Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, said – the new property will offer travellers and local residents a revitalising experience, and an escape from the hustle and bustle, in line with the brand’s commitment to wellness. The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa boasts 365 spacious rooms, suites and villas, including a 347m2 presidential suite, all offering views of Doha city or the hotel’s oasis garden and pool area.
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ilton Worldwide revealed plans to open Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Barsha, the third location for the midmarket brand in the emirate. Expected to launch in 2018, the154-room hotel will provide access to commercial and touristic areas. “Since we announced our first Hampton by Hilton for the Middle East [in 2015], we have seen a surge of interest [...]. With sites now under construction in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, we see significant opportunity for investors to fill the midmarket gap with our worldclass, value brand,” explained Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide.
Dubai to Welcome New AccorHotels Properties
Majlis Grand Mercure Hotel & Residences Al Garhoud
Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Barsha rendering
Al Barsha to House New Hampton by Hilton
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ajlis Grand Mercure Hotel & Residences Al Garhoud and ibis Styles Al Garhoud will launch in 2018 in Dubai, following an agreement between AccorHotels and Hasabi Real Estate. Majlis Grand Mercure Hotel & Residences Al Garhoud will feature 250 upscale rooms and 100 serviced apartments, while ibis Styles Al Garhoud will offer 350 units. Olivier Granet, managing director, AccorHotels Middle East, commented, “With growing competition in Dubai’s hospitality market it is no longer sufficient to offer quality products and good service, it is now crucial for us to introduce new hotels that stand out.”
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Radisson Blu Alexandria Unveils New Venue
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Symphony ballroom
adisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria celebrated the opening of its adjacent convention centre, Alexandrina. The venue comprises the Symphony ballroom which covers a total area 2 2,650m and can accommodate up to 3,000 persons, and is also separable into two soundproof sections for smaller events. The ballroom is fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and serves as an ideal location for large exhibitions or parties as well as palatial weddings.
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SUNRISE Adds New Water Park
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UNRISE Resorts & Cruises welcomed a new aqua park at SUNRISE Select Garden Beach Resort & Spa in Egypt. Having opened in January, the facility offers guests various choices of slides and water games, including kids’ slides, inviting the whole family for a day of adventure. Located in Hurghada, SUNRISE Select Garden Beach Resort & Spa is designed to offer a relaxing holiday in an exclusive property featuring a spa and fitness centre, tennis courts, kids’ club and a beauty salon, among more.
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
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Gulf Air Enhances Partnership with Sabre
Sabre signed a new technology agreement with Gulf Air to provide its AirCentre Flight Plan Manager solution to streamline the airline’s operations.
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or several years, Bahrain’s national carrier has been utilising the tool to achieve significant cost savings whilst enabling key flight planning decisions. Under the renewed deal, the solution will be vital in further strengthening the company’s position within the regions it serves. Nasser Al Salmi, chief operating officer, Gulf Air, noted, “With this solution, we can accurately calculate fuel usage, in turn supporting our drive to better manage and reduce fuel costs. This upgrade can only further benefit Gulf Air.”
Hospitality Tech Firms Unite
Amadeus Partners with Flyin.com
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eading technology providers for the hospitality industry, Neorcha and Xn protel Systems entered into a partnership. The collaboration will see Neorcha’s range of mobile guest applications, including myHotel App and myCheck-in which enable hotels to deliver best-inclass customer service, marketed by its new counterpart in the Middle East, UK and Asia Pacific regions. The products will form a core part of the solution set provided by Xn protel Systems’ new mobile and analytics division. Roger El Khoury, managing director, Neorcha, commented, “Xn protel Systems has fantastic geographic sales and support capabilities [...], and we look forward to working with them to establishing myHotel as a leading mobile guest application [...].”
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Frontier Airlines Opts for Travelport
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lyin.com has integrated Amadeus services into its online booking systems. As part of the partnership, the travel technology’s Saudi Arabia branch will provide its features to support an updated newly-developed platform, hosted by the online travel agency, which incorporates ancillary services such as chargeable and waitlist seats on light ticketing carriers. Faisal AlHomaidhi, CEO, Flyin.com, commented, “By incorporating Amadeus’ ancillary services, we aim to ensure that travellers will find what fits their needs, [...] with satisfaction and peace of mind. The host of services by Amadeus allows us to perform as efficiently as traditional travel agencies, if not more.”
ravelport signed an agreement with Denver-based Frontier Airlines. The long-term deal allows the carrier, which flies within the US, to Mexico and the Caribbean, to continue distributing its fares through the technology provider’s platform which aggregates travel content from airline, hotel, car and other providers across over 68,000 travel agency locations. “With more than 400 airlines available in our Travel Commerce Platform, including approximately 100 low-cost carriers, Travelport continues to deliver unrivaled and leading air content,” noted Chris Engle, vice president, air commerce, Americas, Travelport.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Oman to Welcome First Budget Airline
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he venture is anticipated to fuel economic growth underpinned by strong air traffic demand which is to grow 40 percent by 2019. Khalid bin Hilal Al Yahmadi, CEO, ASAAS, commented, “The national budget airline will provide access to economical and efficient means of transport and further advance the aviation sector in Oman. It will naturally complement our diverse projects that will soon come on stream, [...] to maximise impact and generate sustainable returns. The constant growth of the aviation sector in the region is what drove us to explore the sector and create value for Oman.”
Khalid bin Hilal Al Yahmadi
Muscat National Development and Investment Company, ASAAS, was awarded a new air services operator license by the Public Authority for Civil Aviation to establish Oman’s first low-cost carrier.
Qatar Airways Adds Armenia Route
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Yerevan
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ffective from May 15, Qatar Airways will offer four weekly nonstop flights between Doha and Yerevan. The carrier will utilise an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring a two-class configuration, on the route. Passengers flying from the Armenian capital and onwards to any of the airline’s more than 150 destinations will enjoy a quick transfer at Hamad International Airport. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, commented, “With the new service to Yerevan, […], Qatar Airways is again enhancing its worldwide footprint and expanding travel opportunities for business and leisure passengers alike.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Emirates: Fifth Daily Service to Colombo
Qatar Airways Improves Eastern Europe Offering
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Zagreb
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atar Airways launched a development programme across Eastern Europe, adding extra choices to Croatia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. Flights to Zagreb and Budapest will increase to 10 weekly from the current daily services, as of April 3 and July 3, respectively; and frequencies to Baku will rise to 11 per week, as of March 27. Moreover, from March 16, the carrier will also commence new direct itineraries from Doha to Belgrade, a destination currently offered via Sofia. In addition, one of the airline’s double-daily operations to Moscow Domodedovo International Airport is now served with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, while flights to Warsaw will be upgraded to Airbus A330 aircraft as of July 01.
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mirates reaffirmed its commitment to Sri Lanka with an additional daily flight between Dubai and Colombo, enhancing the weekly operations on the route to 34. Effective from August 01, the airline will take off five times a day between the destinations all week except Wednesdays when it will operate four frequencies. The new flight will add another 2,520 seats and up to 161 tonnes in cargo capacity per week in each direction. “Colombo is a very popular destination [...], and is a convenient gateway to Sri Lanka’s idyllic beaches, picturesque countryside and nature reserves. The increased frequency provides our customers with greater flexibility in their travel plans,” commented Ahmed Khoory, senior vice president, commercial operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, Emirates.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Gulf Air Reviews Aircraft Order
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Oman Air and THAI Join Forces
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ulf Air restructured orders for 45 airplanes, including 16 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and 17 Airbus A321neo and 12 A320neo aircraft, in deals worth USD7.6 billion. With deliveries commencing in 2018, the orders are aligned with the carrier’s goal towards long-term commercial sustainability. Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting CEO, Gulf Air, commented, “As long-standing partners, Boeing and Airbus have understood the challenges faced by Gulf Air […]. We have arrived at mutually agreeable solutions to restructure our previous orders with aircraft that are more fuel-efficient, modernised, reliable and which allow Gulf Air to operate our wide and narrow-body fleet at lower operating costs.”
Signing of the new deals
Emirates Increases A380 Services to Australia
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Turkish and Hawaiian Sign Agreement
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n a bid to offer customers convenient travel options from Turkey to Hawaii via Far East points, Turkish Airlines inked a codeshare deal with Hawaiian Airlines. The agreement allows the Turkish carrier to place its code on Hawaiian Airlines’ daily flights between Osaka, Japan and Honolulu as well as on the five-weekly service between Honolulu and Seoul. “As Turkish Airlines, we are extremely pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Hawaiian Airlines, which will improve our partnership to maximise the travel opportunities offered to our passengers through the networks of both airlines,” commented Ilker Aycı, chairman, Turkish Airlines.
Signing the deal
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mirates will commence a second daily Airbus A380 operation from Dubai to Perth on August 01, replacing Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The Australian city is one of the 39 destinations served by the jumbo jet on the carrier’s network, which includes 13 eastbound locations. A new two-class A380 service to Kuala Lumpur launched on January 01 and another one will start on May 01 to Taipei. “With more A380s on order, we look forward to continue utilising this highly popular aircraft to serve customer and capacity demand on key routes,” said Thierry Antinori, executive vice president, Emirates.
Bangkok
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man Air signed a codeshare agreement with Thai Airways International (THAI) for flights between Muscat and Bangkok. Abdulrahaman Al-Busaidy, chief operating officer, Oman Air, commented that the collaboration will offer more customers the experience of the Middle Eastern airline’s products and services between the two cities. Charamporn Jotikasthira, president, THAI, added, “With the growth in air travellers on this route, THAI is pleased that more customers from this region can experience THAI’s A330-300 aircraft which offers passengers the ambience and services inspired by the rich culture and heritage of Thailand in our elegant Royal Silk Class cabin and spacious economy class seating.”
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Travel Trade Luxury is a worldwide luxury travel trade publication. Travel Trade Luxury is brought out monthly. It is published both in digital and printed format. Its digital readership is based on the 150,000 readers which the Travel Trade Publications platform enjoys. Readers include agents specialising in individual luxury travel, group luxury travel, travel counsellors and advisors, luxury travel DMCs and all other luxury products and services. Travel Trade Luxury is also distributed to the major travel trade exhibitions and specialised luxury shows and events. Travel Trade Luxury contains informative current news on luxury destinations and products. It also includes specialised luxury destination reports with in-depth analyses of issues related to the luxury segment.
WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Colorado’s Biggest Convention Centre Underway
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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group opened Park Inn by Radisson Taguatinga, in Brazil. The 155-room property is located in close proximity to Brasilia International Airport and the Taguatinga shopping district, and boasts an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre as well as a restaurant featuring a locally-inspired menu. Jeffrey Freund, senior vice president, midscale brands, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, commented, “This hotel is a welcome addition to our portfolio as we continue to explore strategic growth opportunities across Latin America with our partner Atlantica Hotels International. Park Inn by Radisson hotels can be found all around the world, in capital cities and economic hubs, often close to city centres, airports and railway stations.”
arriott International, RIDA Development and Ares Management held a ceremony on site of Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center to celebrate the closing of a USD500 million loan and the launch of vertical construction of the property. “[This] will bring over 10,000 construction jobs and over 2,500 permanent jobs to the state of Colorado,” enthused Ira Mitzner, president, RIDA Development. Set for completion in 2018, the property will be located in Aurora, Colorado, less than 10 minutes from Denver International Airport, offering views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. It will boast 1,507 rooms and suites, round 4.5ha of exhibition, events and outdoor spaces, light dining outlets, elaborate leisure facilities and more.
New York Welcomed 12.3 Million Global Visitors
New York
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YC & Company announced that 2015 was the sixth consecutive year of record-breaking tourism for New York, with the destination having welcomed an estimated 58.3 million visitors, out of which 12.3 million were international travellers. Moreover, even with the nearly 6,000 new rooms added to the city’s hotel inventory in 2015, demand resulted in a four percent year-on-year growth, with a record 33.7 million guest nights. “The city continues to evolve, [...] with more new developments on the horizon. However, with the continuing pressure on the global economy and the strengthening [US] Dollar, we will all need to work even harder [this year] to sustain our competitive edge,” said Fred Dixon, president, NYC & Company.
Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center rendering
Carlson Rezidor Expands Latin American Portfolio
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Positive Outlook for US Hoteliers
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ransient bookings across hotels in the US will be up 1.2 percent year-on-year for the period between December 2015 till this November, according to TravelClick. This follows increased bookings seen over the last months of 2015, where 21 of the top 25 markets showed an occupancy growth. With 2015 ending on a resilient note, John Hach, senior industry analyst, TravelClick, said, “There will continue to be viable opportunities for hoteliers to increase revenue and capitalise on the strength of the North American market. […] These areas of growth are becoming increasingly localised and necessitate closely monitoring key nearby hotels and emerging alternative lodging competitors.”
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RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with
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MOHAMMED QAZI CEO, RAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
AS RAS AL KHAIMAH (RAK) CONTINUES TO TAKE STRIDES TOWARDS ATTRACTING ONE MILLION VISITORS BY THE END OF 2018, MOHAMMED QAZI, CEO, RAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ELABORATES ON THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE EMIRATE’S AIRFIELD.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Over the past years, Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism industry has significantly evolved with various projects and increased numbers of arrivals. How has traffic increased at the airport? MOHAMMED QAZI: RAK airport has had a number of charter flights over the past few months starting with Hajj services by flynas, followed by [operations] from Germany, Russia, Poland and Latvia. These are the direct results of marketing efforts [implemented] by RAK International Airport as well as Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. In addition, RAK International Airport is becoming known amongst Europe13 FEBRUARY 2016
RAK International Airport
an charter operators as one of the leading charter airports in the region. We also focus on efficiency and productivity, which leads to lower cost points, making us favourable for aircraft operators. This is also coupled with a growth in tourism in general and an increase in the emirate’s hotel room inventory. We expect to see further growth in this sector during the current year and beyond. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: International arrivals to the UAE remain on the rise with more and more airlines launching flights to the country. What are RAK International Airport’s competitive advantages? Why should airlines consider flying to Ras Al Khaimah? MOHAMMED QAZI: Competitive advantages are based on resources and capabilities, and RAK’s resources and capabilities lie in the availability of slots, quieter skies, an efficient operating model and a highly productive workforce. Size matters, and for smaller airlines, low-cost carriers and charter operators we are the best option in the UAE. We are cost effective and turn aircraft around with a 99 percent on-time performance. Passengers also like RAK International Airport due to the quicker [services], free parking, its accessibility and the evolving road network in our catchment area. [Other advantages include] the growing tourism sector, soar-
ing population and A rating by Standard & Poors and Fitch. So, RAK as a whole presents a very strong value proposition that cannot be matched elsewhere. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Please tell us about the management’s plans for the coming months. What developments are outlined for the year? MOHAMMED QAZI: This is going to be a challenging year due to the geopolitical situation as well as the general slowdown of economies in frontier and developing countries. That being said, we are expecting to see a 20 percent growth in aircraft movements with the [recent] commencement of Qatar Airways’ flights from Doha and the [upcoming arrival of an] Indian low-cost carrier in April. Air Arabia is also planning to grow its routes from RAK International Airport. In addition, our cargo strategies began to bear fruits and we expect to see a significant growth in cargo tonnage. We are also looking forward to the commencement of maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in April. So this is going to be a year of challenges as well as growth. We are proactively amending our strategies and preparing for all [possibilities]. This is the only way we can serve our clients and meet their expectations. During the year, we will also open the extended arrival terminal – a project that we started back in 2015.
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SOHA EL TORGOMAN has been named general manager of Ramses Hilton and Hilton Cairo World Trade Center Residence. An experienced hotelier, El Torgoman has both the expertise and ability to understand the Hilton brand and what it stands for and add great value to both hotels. She joins Ramses Hilton with more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry. El Torgoman has been with Hilton Worldwide since 1981 and has since held various managerial positions. Most recently she served as general manager of Hilton Hurghada Resort.
El Torgoman has been with Hilton since 1981
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MIKE VROOM
FRANK NORMANN EIKELAND has been welcomed as the new general manager at The Domain Hotel and Spa, Bahrain. Eikeland brings with him more than 30 years of experience from the world of hospitality as prior to joining The Domain Hotel and Spa’s team, he has distinguished himself as the general manager of many renowned properties in Norway and the Middle East. With a bachelor’s degree in hotel management, he began his career as a bellboy and worked his way up to director of restaurants. From the food and beverage division he was transferred to sales and marketing, where he enjoyed tremendous success. As a result he gained the position of regional director of sales and marketing with Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts in Norway.
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PHILIP JONES
SOHA EL TORGOMAN
FRANK NORMANN EIKELAND
WHO’S MOVED
MIKE VROOM is the latest member to join the opening team of DUKES Dubai on Palm Jumeirah as executive assistant manager in charge of rooms. A dynamic hotelier with a proven track record in the key areas of revenue growth and business optimisation, Vroom will lead the rooms division operation for both the 273-key hotel and 227 apartments. Prior to his move to the Middle East, he worked as resident manager at Queen Victoria Hotel and Dock House Hotel in Cape Town. Earlier in his career, he was in charge of the entire rooms operation at Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa in Johannesburg. Vroom was previously manager of the hotel’s exclusive villas product, which he managed from pre-opening, and he also headed the butler services team.
PHILIP JONES has taken over the helm at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach. Jones’ previous track record in Dubai and senior experience with the upscale Swiss hospitality company made him the ideal choice for the role. He has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, fulfilling rooms’ division assignments with independent hotels and international operators like The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. His regional experience includes being executive assistant manager at Madinat Jumeirah and then hotel manager at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray for three years. In January 2012, he joined Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi in Vietnam as general manager. Two years later, Jones seized the opportunity to manage Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa Singapore in the same capacity.
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WHO’S MOVED
GERALD LAWLESS has been selected to oversee Dubai Holding’s tourism and hospitality activities. Lawless takes on his new role after serving at Jumeirah Group as president and CEO for 18 years. He first moved to Dubai in 1978 and has since devoted almost 30 years of his professional career to the city. After a 23-year career with Forte Hotels, he joined Jumeirah Group in 1997 and helped the company become one of the best-known luxury hospitality brands in the world. Lawless will also assume the chairmanship of the World Travel & Tourism Council in April.
STEFAN LESER
GERALD LAWLESS
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Leser comes from Swiss travel business Kuoni
Osborne worked in sales for IBM UK
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JOSIMAR DELFIN
MARCUS OSBORNE
Lawless first moved to Dubai in 1978
MARCUS OSBORNE has been appointed cluster director of sales and marketing at Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi Yas Island. Osborne has more than 13 years of experience in the UAE capital’s hospitality market and has worked for various properties within the portfolio of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Prior to relocating to the UAE, he spent three years in sales roles at IBM UK. In his capacity, Osborne will focus on continuing the growth of the two properties whilst developing future opportunities.
STEFAN LESER is taking over at Jumeirah Group as group CEO. Leser joins the Dubai-based company from Swiss travel business Kuoni, where he spent the last 10 years, most recently serving as executive vice president of the outbound travel and inbound specialist business, managing a team of 8,000 employees. He has a deep understanding of the fast-changing international travel market, which will play an important role in driving Jumeirah Group’s successful expansion plans both in its home market as well as abroad.
JOSIMAR DELFIN has accepted the role of cluster public relations and marketing manager at Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi Yas Island. In her new role, Delfin will develop all marketing strategies for the properties, driving both brand and property awareness on the local and international stage, and execute the hotels’ communications plan to include branding and promotional campaigns, press releases, social media and advertising. Delfin has more than six years of industry experience, and was most recently the marketing and e-commerce manager of Meliá Dubai. She aims to drive footfall and generate interest not only for the two properties, but for Yas Island as well.
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“Successful airlines must adapt, but must also have very deliberate goals and the focus to reach them. We have taken advantage of our strengths, which includes our geographic position in Doha, which has 80 percent of the world’s population within six flight hours, and we have combined that advantage with a superior product, which includes our route map, our fleet – which is one of the youngest fleet in the world – and our onboard products and services.”
CEO, HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS
Thai Airways International shares Oman Air’s commitment
“Thai Airways International shares Oman Air’s commitment to delivering the highest quality of products and services. Together with Thai Airways International, we will now be able to offer more customers the experience of Oman Air’s award-winning products and services between Muscat and Bangkok.”
VICE PRESIDENT, SALES AND MARKETING, TIME HOTELS
LAURENT VOIVENEL
We have taken advantage of our strengths
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RODDY GORDON
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, OMAN AIR
ABDULRAHAMAN AL-BUSAIDY
GROUP CEO, QATAR AIRWAYS
AKBAR AL BAKER
TRAVEL TALK
It is time for our industry to evolve and adapt
“A pillow menu, gold-plated bathroom fixtures and plush rooms will not be able to woo the next generation of the world’s wealthiest clientele. Their expectations are different and much harder to please. The new generation has grown up in the age of technology, social media, instant access, the proliferation of global consumer brands, affluence and conspicuous consumption - hence, they crave an alternative to traditional luxury hotels. Therefore, it is time for our industry to evolve and adapt.”
Bringing the team together […] helped us visualise and analyse the key issues leaders face “[During the BASECAMP sales training course at TIME Grand Plaza Hotel] we found bringing the team together and creating a role playing scenario so detached from our normal customer environment, helped us visualise and analyse the key issues leaders face in extreme conditions. The team coped in calm and superbly disciplined manner in response to weather, and medical emergencies they encountered on our virtual mountain.”
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 Arshad Munir
When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry? I have more than three decades of industry experience. I started my career at Sharjah Airport Travel Agency in 1985. The company is owned by Sharjah Airport Authority and the government, and we currently have 14 branches across the UAE with a head office in Sharjah. The organisation employs 170 multinational people from 14 countries.
NAME:
What are the most important attributes of a good travel agent/tour operator? The prime characteristics are financial stability and relevant experience to handle various segments of the market […]. An agency should also offer a diverse product mix and possess sales capability with the right promotional expertise. Subsequently a travel agent should have adequate resources in terms of information technology […] and this should be coupled with sensible management and robust leadership.
WEBSITE:
POSITION: General manager COMPANY: Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) LOCATION: Sharjah, UAE www.satatravels.com
ITL World Arrives in Muscat
What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives from customers? […] There are price-conscious customers who always ask for seasonal promotions and offers, on the other hand there are high-end luxury travellers who are not even bothered about the budgets.
Which destination is on your bucket list? To shorten the list, I would say New Zealand and Argentina.
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TL World, one of the leading travel management companies in the Middle East, launched its 35th branch. Located in Muscat’s Al Khuwair district, the office also marks the company’s debut in the Omani capital. Siddeek Ahmed, chairman, Eram Group, ITL World’s parent company, commented that it is a great opportunity to operate in Muscat. Football player Ali Al-Habsim was also invited to inaugurate the new office. ITL World is actively promoting sports packages to enable fans to travel to countries such as France and Spain to play football or experience world-class games at the European Championship.
Muscat
What are the must-visits and must-dos in the UAE that no one should miss? Each emirate has vivid attractions and activities to offer. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are very well-known by international travellers and now Ras Al Khaimah is also getting popular. Sharjah is the art capital of UAE […]. The UAE offers state-of-the-art facilities, including hotels, restaurants and an excellent road infrastructure.
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RIFAI: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT LARGELY DEPENDS ON SAFETY Taleb Rifai
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nternational tourist arrivals rose 4.4 percent in 2015 to reach 1.184 million, according to the latest World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) barometer. “[The] 2015 results were influenced by exchange rates, oil prices and natural and manmade crises in many parts of the world,” said Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, stressing that the current environment highlights the issues of safety and security, so development greatly depends upon the industry’s collective capacity to promote safe, secure and seamless travel. “UNWTO urges governments to include tourism administrations in their national security planning, structures and procedures, not only to ensure that the sector’s exposure to threats is minimised but also to maximise [its] ability to support security and facilitation, as seamless and safe travel can and should go hand in hand,” concluded Rifai.
Etihad Airways celebration
TRAVEL CHANNELS
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ETIHAD’S EMIRATI EMPLOYEES EXCEED 3,000
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tihad Airways celebrated a major milestone in its Emiratisation programme with over 3,000 Emirati citizens being now employed by the national airline. In 2015 alone, the carrier welcomed more than 1,200 UAE nationals to its global workforce, representing 29 percent of its core staff; and it plans to employ a further 5,000 Emiratis by 2020. James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, said, “Since its inception in 2003, Etihad Airways has been a driving force in the nation’s Emiratisation programme […]. Today, as one of the world’s youngest and fastest growing major airlines, we are proud to have delivered on our commitment to develop a cadre of highly qualified Emirati aviation professionals.”
RAMADA AJMAN TEAMS UP WITH PAKISTANI SCHOOL
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amada Hotel & Suites Ajman inked a deal with College of Tourism & Hotel Management (COTHM), to provide internship and job placement opportunities for students. The first batch of undergraduates, who are taking up food and beverage, front office, housekeeping, sales and marketing, human resources, tourism, and culinary arts
courses, are expected to start their internship this year. Ahmad Shafiq, CEO, COTHM, noted, “This deal signifies the start of future partnerships with Ramada Ajman. […] We are confident that our students will have a great exposure to the ins and outs of the hospitality industry through their leadership and continuous support and guidance.”
I INTERCONTINENTAL CAIRO CITYSTARS HOSTS POPULAR SHOW
nterContinental Cairo Citystars was the partner and official host of Ice Age Live!’s characters and team during their stay in Egypt. Combining ice skating, aerial arts, puppetry and the film, Ice Age Live!, the happening is an ultimate live experience for the whole family, Hisham Zaazou, tourism minister, Egypt, supported. Directed by some of the biggest names in live entertainment, Ice Age Live! has delighted audiences of all ages over a five-year global tour, visiting more than 30 countries.
Ice Age Live! characters at InterContinental Cairo Citystars
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PHOTO ALBUM
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa chefs competed in culinary shows and won three gold medals at Horeca Kuwait
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, developed by Emaar Properties, marked its sixth anniversary by releasing its first dedicated postage stamp
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship Allure of the Seas will feature the Dreamworks experience; here are Madagascar characters onboard the cruise liner
Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Copthorne Hotel Dubai hosted a party for its trusted partners
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Sands of gold game at City Centre Deira
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore ushered the Year of the Monkey
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NEWS & EVENTS DIGAE Announces Biggest Edition
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he largest Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition (DIGAE) is to be held between April 11 – 13, showcasing development initiatives and the achievements and projects of employees. DIGAE is now evolving as the official government-to-citizens forum on innovation, with an open dialogue on the effectiveness, efficiency and performance of all public services. Following the success of the previous edition, this year’s event is expected to see unprecedented turnout from government departments unveiling many new services, the majority part of which falls under the smart transformation push of Dubai.
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EVENTS TEHRAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM EXHIBITION Tehran, Iran February 16 – 19 www.titexgroup.com The newest edition covers an area of 21,000m2 divided into six different halls showcasing Iran’s tourism attractions.
ILTM JAPAN Tokyo, Japan February 29 – March 02 www.iltm.com/japan Reflecting on the 35 percent yearon-year boost Japan witnessed in 2015 in luxury visitors, the event opens for the first time in Tokyo, and will be bigger than ever.
Travel Catering Expo Rebranded
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eed Exhibitions is transforming its Travel Catering Expo into World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East. Due to take place between May 09 – 11, in Dubai, the event will continue to be organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East. Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, explained, “Over the last two editions, Travel Catering Expo has established itself as the Middle East’s largest dedicated exhibition for the travel catering sector and a key procurement event for the region’s airlines and airports. As we look to further develop the event to match the region’s exceptional aviation growth, alignment with Reed’s global portfolio will allow us to offer international suppliers and regional buyers even greater opportunities to do business.”
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ABU DHABI AVIATION AND AEROSPACE WEEK Abu Dhabi, UAE March 06 – 12 www.adaaw.ae The inaugural event, which aims to become a biennial fixture, will take place across multiple locations in the emirate and will converge six trade, defence, entertainment and sports components under one umbrella.
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