Travel Trade Weekly, 02 April 2016, Issue 334 by Travel Trade Publications

02 APRIL 2016 ISSUE 334

05 RAS AL KHAIMAH JOINS FORCES WITH THOMAS COOK

AIR

RJ INAUGURATES GUANGZHOU ROUTE

09 HMH CEMENTS MUSCAT PRESENCE

08 Technology 16 International 19 Travel Talk

MARKET UPDATE

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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

STARWOOD ENJOYS AN EXCELLENT YEAR

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

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

In 2015, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide signed 220 hotel management and franchise contracts representing approximately 45,800 rooms.

WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com

n addition to this during the year under review, the hotelier opened 105 hotels and resorts with approximately 21,500 rooms. Thomas Mangas, CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, said, “We had good momentum in our business throughout the year, with REVPAR index gains in each of our six global regions and a record-breaking year of growth where we signed more new deals and opened more hotels than in any single year in Starwood’s entire history, increasing our net rooms growth to 4.4 percent.” Notably, in November 2015, the company agreed to be acquired by Marriott International through a merger that will create the world’s largest hotel company.

MENA EXCHANGE RATES

as of COUNTRY

HYATT HOTELS PERFORM WELL

31.3.2016 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

108.65

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

8.87

Iran (IRR)

Rial

30,258.66

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,107.05

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,504.67

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.37

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.66

Syria (SYP)

Pound

188.81

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

2.02

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.89

Hyatt reported strong business performance during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2015, with the company realising an adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation figure of USD176 million; a 20.5 percent year-on-year rise.

omparable system-wide RevPAR increased 0.9 percent, comparable owned and leased hotels RevPAR jumped 2.1 percent and comparable US full-service hotel RevPAR surged 4.9 percent. “We finished 2015 with solid Q4 results and anticipate another year of growth based on expected comparable system-wide RevPAR growth of approximately three to five percent, excluding the impact of currency,” enthused Mark Hoplamazian, president, Hyatt.

2 APRIL 2016

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WEEKLY NEWS HOTEL PERFORMANCE

According to HotStatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; data, January was a difficult month for hotels in the Middle East as the oil crisis took its toll; however, Cairoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market seems to remain unaffected by this, enjoying increasing occupancy levels.

Pressure Persists for Dubai Market

urther to the overall 6.7 percent drop in 2015, average room rates (ARR) at Dubai accommodation units continued to decline, recording a 9.3 percent year-on-year decrease in January, to USD312.83. As a result, RevPAR fell 9.7 percent for the month. Along with the pressure on demand due to plummeting oil prices, the upscale hotel sector has been equally affected by additions to supply, while there was also significant growth in development in the midmarket segment with the opening of more than 1,000 keys in 2015. The downturn in room revenue was further compounded by declines in food and beverage as well as conference and banqueting income.

Kuwait Hoteliers Struggle

Cairo Hotels Get Back on Track

9.4 percent increase in RevPAR fuelled an 8.8 percent boost in profit per room at Cairo properties in January as performance levels continued to rise following a relatively stable period of operation in 2015. During the year, hotels in the Egyptian capital achieved a 28.9 percent uplift in RevPAR, and growth has been, in part, stimulated by a dependence on bookings via third party agents. In the month in review, occupancy levels touched 61.3 percent, a 4.8 percentage point year-on-year lift. Compared to January 2014 when the same metric was at just 33.2 percent, occupancy skyrocketed 28.1 percentage points.

2 APRIL 2016

Kuwait City

rofit per room at properties in Kuwait City showed a 15.7 percent year-on-year plunge in January, led by a 5.9 percent decrease in RevPAR, to USD118.66, as interest for accommodation continued to weaken amid the current oil price slump. It is estimated that the contribution of the oil industry to the real GDP in Kuwait is as much as 60 percent and, as in other GCC countries, demand associated with the industry has fallen. For hoteliers, this has been evidenced in the 12.5 percent decline in corporate segment rates in the 15 months to January 2015, as well as the overall continued drop in occupancy levels.

WEEKLY NEWS

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Ajman: USD97.7 Million Tourism Revenues Tourism is fast becoming a key engine in Ajman’s development with revenues generated by the industry having risen 19 percent year-on-year in 2015, to AED359 million (USD97.7 million).

UNWTO Endorses Egyptian Recovery Measures

Abu Dhabi Lures Europe

n behalf of World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, praised the steps taken by Egypt to restore market confidence and expressed the authority’s full support to these endeavours. “The work of the Ministry [of Tourism] and of [Hisham Zaazou, tourism minister, Egypt,] in promoting the highest political support for the sector, enhancing tourism safety and security by successfully integrating the sector into risk and emergency management structures both at national and local levels, and the various marketing initiatives taken in key markets are the correct ways to restore confidence and accelerate the recovery of tourism in Egypt,” said Rifai. UNWTO experts visited Egypt in recent months to support the ministry in its initiatives.

Hisham Zaazou (left) and Taleb Rifai

Abu Dhabi

n a bid to showcase Abu Dhabi’s tourism credentials, a delegation led by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) embarked on a road show to four European destinations. With the aim to build on inbound tourist numbers from the continent, the delegation visited Milan, Paris, Manchester and Amsterdam. Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of promotions and overseas offices, TCA Abu Dhabi, noted, “Europe is a vital market for us and these four countries alone delivered almost 400,000 guest arrivals in 2015 [...].” He revealed that in the year, traveller numbers from Italy and the UK rose 26 and 14 percent, respectively, compared to 2014.

Ajman Museum

ased on Ajman Tourism Development Department’s data, arrivals stood at 509,658 while guest nights soared to 1.39 million, resulting in an occupancy level of 60 percent and an average room rate of AED514 (USD140) in the emirate’s hotels. The biggest contributors remained the UAE citizens, followed by GCC nationals, Asians and Africans. In 2015, five new establishments were added to Ajman’s inventory which now stands at 3,354 rooms.

2 APRIL 2016

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WEEKLY NEWS

Ras Al Khaimah Joins Forces with Thomas Cook

Saudi Events Academy Coming Soon

ollowing a meeting between Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) and Saudi Exhibition and Convention Bureau, it was announced that the Saudi Academy for Events, Conventions and Conferences will be launched in September. Hailed as the first of its kind in the Middle East, the Riyadh-based entity will focus on the development of human resources in the Kingdom in order to support the MICE sector. H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, SCTH, expects the segment to witness a quantum leap over the next few years, especially in light of the economic growth that the country is experiencing and the great emphasis on conventions and exhibitions by public and private authorities.

Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah TDA (left)

Oman Showcased at Seatrade Cruise Global

2 APRIL 2016

jman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) representatives showcased the emirate at ITB Berlin and returned from the German capital with encouraging signs for the European market. The team held a number of meetings to promote Ajman as both a leisure and investment destination. The event was the launch pad for ATDD to present the new destination logo and introduce a mobile application which provides the latest news about the emirate’s tourism industry, as well as a detailed guide of the hospitality sector, its cultural heritage, travel agencies, events and more.

Meetings during ITB Berlin

Ajman Exhibited in Germany

Port Sultan Qaboos

man’s Ministry of Tourism presented the country as a top cruise destination at Seatrade Cruise Global in Florida, US. Accompanied by Port Services Corporation, a number of tour operators and cruise services agents, the delegation participated under the Cruise Arabia banner to further support the sector, one of the fastest growing tourism segments in the Sultanate. According to the ministry’s data, 135 cruise ships anchored at Port Sultan Qaboos in the 2015/2016 season compared to 105 vessels in the 2014/2015 period. Moreover, the number of cruise liners docking at Muscat, Salalah and Khasab during the current season is expected to surge 18 – 21 percent year-on-year.

SCTH meeting

as Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority entered into a major cooperative marketing agreement with Thomas Cook Group to promote the emirate as a premier destination for European holiday-makers. Initially running until February 28, 2017, the initiative will mostly target the UK, Germany and Scandinavia and will include in-store promotions across the travel company’s retail estate, along with creative development and production by the tourism body. Other elements of the deal include intensive travel agent training, product awareness support on international public relationship outlets and social media channels and dedicated online pages with special offers.

WEEKLY NEWS

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Nikki Beach Rejoices Unveiling

MOQ Reveals Live Shows

ubai Festival City Mall added a new open-air extension, which will ultimately develop into a 300m long world-class waterfront venue with more than 20 restaurants. As part of the launch festivities, the commercial centre is hosting various events for 11 consecutive weekends, including an outdoor cinema, a flower festival, Lego-themed festivities, literature and music, Abra rides and more. “This world-class waterfront venue is unique in terms of the overall experience for visitors, as it complements the unbeatable combination of shopping, leisure and entertainment options in the mall,” said Steve Cleaver, director of shopping centres, Al-Futtaim.

DID YOU KNOW... Mall of Qatar is set to open in August?

New Venture on Jumeirah Beach Residence

ubai Properties (DP) started the construction of its flagship project, 1/JBR. Located at the entrance of Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), the 46-floor tower development aims to offer luxury and indulgent living with every apartment boasting panoramic sea views. Set for completion and handover in early 2019, the 153-unit project encompasses two- to four-bedroom flats and five-bedroom penthouses with crafted interiors. Marwan Al Kindi, executive director, sales and sales operations, DP, said, “This ground breaking marks an important phase of this highly-anticipated development, reinforcing our commitment to delivering key projects at one of the emirate’s most sought-after beachfront destinations.”

Dubai

New Outdoor Dining Hub at Dubai Festival City Mall

Oasis at MOQ

all of Qatar (MOQ) announced MOQLIVE, an arena which will host live concerts, leisure and other activities. The free entertainment concept, brought to life by a cast and crew of more than 50 international theatre professionals, will feature seven main shows with dancers, singers, actors and acrobats live on stage, at the Oasis in the heart of the mall. “With its highly innovative proposition, MOQLIVE is intrinsic to MOQ’s entire marketing push. It is also central to MOQ’s districting and tenant mix. MOQLIVE will consistently drive prime customer traffic across the entire mall for all tenants,” said Rony Mourani, general manager, MOQ.

Grand opening white party

ikki Beach Worldwide held a grand opening white party to celebrate the launch of its beach club and restaurant in Dubai. Themed around magic and illusion, partygoers, that included VIPs and celebrities, were treated to entertainment featuring a line-up of DJs flown in from Ibiza, Cannes, Marbella and St. Tropez, in addition to a fireworks display, live performances and gravity-defying acts. “We are overwhelmed by the sheer number of our extended family and supporters who joined us to celebrate the grand opening white party of Nikki Beach Dubai. It is an honour to be welcomed into the community of this great city,” said Jack Penrod, founder, Nikki Beach Worldwide.

2 APRIL 2016

WEEKLY NEWS

Royal Caribbean Offers Private Explorations

dding to Royal Caribbean International’s some 3,000 shore excursions, guests can now also craft personalised private journeys and immerse themselves further in local culture, cuisine and adventure. The concierge style planning service connects guests with one of nine destination insiders who help schedule every detail of their coastal venture prior to setting sail. Using their local knowledge and experience, the experts will design activities and programmes for individual needs. Roberta Jacoby, managing director, global tour operations, Royal Caribbean International, commented, “As travellers continue to seek out more personalised and immersive destination experiences that can be intimately shared with only their family and friends, Private Journeys empowers guests to make that a reality.”

Manama Welcomes Hungarian Visa Centre

esidents of Bahrain can now apply for visas to Hungary at a new centre in the capital city. Those interested in visiting the European country can submit their documents and enrol for biometrics at VFS Global’s office in the diplomatic area. The Kingdom is the fourth country in the Middle East, after Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where applicants can take advantage of the service. As Ferenc Csillag, ambassador to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Oman, Hungary, pinpointed, the two countries have recently signed an air traffic agreement which is expected to open up the path to direct flight to Budapest by Gulf Air.

Launch of the centre

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Early Capitals of Islamic Culture exhibition

SCTH Hosts Islamic Culture Expo

2 APRIL 2016

ver 7,000 people have already visited the ongoing Early Capitals of Islamic Culture exhibition at The National Museum in Riyadh, organised by the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH). Guests interacted with more than 100 exhibits, which were brought from Berlin’s Pergamonmuseum, due to their cultural significance which reflects the nation’s civilisation and identity. The relics also mirror the Islamic civilisation and offer glimpses of past cultural relations between the ruling elites in Germany and the rest of the world.

WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY

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HIA Launches Mobile App Hamad International Airport (HIA) introduced its new iBeacon-enabled mobile application to provide passengers with an immersive experience and allow them to stay connected while travelling.

ith a scan of the boarding pass, the software provides real-time information about flight status, baggage claim, time and direction to boarding gates as well as food, beverage and retail offers from Qatar Duty Free. The app also alerts the user when walking past outlets with ongoing promotions. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, chief operating officer, HIA, said, “We take pride in having conceptualised, designed and developed our HIAQatar mobile app in-house, which gave us the control and flexibility to ensure a customercentric and intuitive design, much like our airport.”

Amadeus and Virgin Australia Renew Deal

Oman Air Enhances Holiday Reservation Capabilities

O A

madeus and Virgin Australia signed a new multiyear agreement, further extending their longstanding partnership. The collaboration allows travel agents connected to the technology provider continued worldwide access to the Australian carrier’s full range of fares, seats and schedules; while the airline will maintain its reach to global travellers through Amadeus’ agent network. “This agreement furthers our commitment to providing our airline partners with the most efficient, neutral and cost-effective means to reach and partner with travel agencies, and at the same time, gives our travel agency subscribers access to the best and widest range of content,” noted Hazem Hussein, executive vice president, airline commercial, Asia Pacific, Amadeus.

man Air signed an agreement with Rezgateway for a complete holiday reservation system, which will further improve the carrier’s efficiency and performance by automating almost all manual functions. Through RezF-Package, Oman Air Holiday costumers will now be able to book online, via the carrier’s specific call centre or with the assistance of the company’s travel offices. Vacations reserved though the system can encompass every aspect of the trip, including air tickets, car hire, hotel accommodation, airport transfers as well as land tours.

Oman

2 APRIL 2016

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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION

Abu Dhabi Greets Al Seef Resort

Al Seef Resort & Spa by Andalus, Abu Dhabi welcomed over 1,000 guests from governmental sectors, corporate companies and the media for its soft opening.

Soft launch ceremony

nspired by the Andalusian era, the upscale property is ideal for short- and long-haul lease with 210 units and it also boasts four outdoor swimming pools, a Jacuzzi as well as a European-style street lined with 20 international dining and retail outlets. Slated to officially launch in three phases, the first stage offers UAE residents 20 villas, the second – expected to be completed in the second quarter of the year – will see the opening of the leisure precinct, while the last stage will provide visitors and residents with a spa in the third quarter of this year.

Mohamed Al Kindi, chairman, Muzn Oman Commercial (left) and Laurent Voivenel

HMH Cements Muscat Presence

ospitality Management Holdings (HMH) signed a management agreement with Muzn Oman Commercial to operate Corp Muscat Al Muzn Hotel. The upscale three-star property, with a built-up area of 12,301m2, will form part of the mixed-use Al Muzn project. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2018, the 132room hotel will offer a host of services and facilities tailored to the needs of modern business and leisure travellers. Speaking of the Corp brand’s debut in the Sultanate, Laurent Voivenel, CEO, HMH, noted, “The hospitality industry in Oman is witnessing remarkable growth at the moment […]. HMH is well-positioned in the country as one of the leading alcohol-free hotel groups equipped with the most advanced technology […].”

2 APRIL 2016

WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Four Seasons DIFC Opens

Anantara Uncovers Region’s Highest Five-star Resort

LUX* Al Zorah to Bring New Concept to Ajman

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

erched 2,000m above sea level, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort in Oman will start welcoming travellers from July onwards. Upon launch, the property will be the highest luxury hotel in the Middle East. The resort’s 82 premier and deluxe rooms boast large spaces, a spa-like bathroom complete with a rain shower and separate bath alongside a terrace or balcony. Meanwhile, the 33 villas offer personal butler services and individual private swimming pools. Aside the six restaurants and lounges, guests can also enjoy the local culture, history and landscape through mountaintop sunrise yoga and stargazing, or take pleasure in archery, quad biking and excursions to nearby heritage attractions.

Rotana Enhances Bahraini Portfolio

UX* Al Zorah is set to introduce a fresh and sensory travel experience to the market. Located along Ajman’s coastline, the resort is scheduled to open by the end of 2017 and will also offer an 18-hole golf course. As Julian Hagger, chief sales and marketing officer, LUX* Resorts & Hotels, revealed, besides the domestic market and regional travellers, the property is also set to appeal to European and Asian visitors. “LUX* Al Zorah is located just 40 minutes by car from Dubai International, 10 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and even closer to the main marina located on the adjacent peninsula so [it will be] a great destination for stopovers, extended leisure holidays or a combination […],” added Hagger.

Downtown Rotana

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

he 106-unit Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) launched in the bustling emirate. Situated in the pedestrian-friendly DIFC, which is home to global corporations as well as art galleries, shops, restaurants and night clubs, the eight-storey property is ideal for those with frequent business in the UAE. “People who come to Dubai have often travelled the world, experienced the best of everything, and have extremely high expectations – at Four Seasons, our role is that of facilitator, to anticipate and exceed, to personalise and to delight in ways that mean the most to our guests,” said Carlo Stragiotto, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel DIFC.

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otana launched its third property in Bahrain, epitomising its growing presence in the GCC. The 26-storey five-star Downtown Rotana features 249 rooms, four dining concepts, a rooftop swimming pool, a host of meeting facilities, a wellness club with professional instructors and a gym, as well as a sauna, steam-room and Jacuzzi, among more. Omer Kaddouri, president, Rotana, said, “With the opening of this new upscale hotel, our company’s inventory in the Kingdom has increased to more than 680 rooms.” The hotelier is also gearing up for the opening of 10 new properties across a number of markets, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Congo this year.

2 APRIL 2016

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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Hawthorn Suites Dubai Targets Families

A Suite for Royalty Arrives in Dubai

Imperial Suite

2 APRIL 2016

he St. Regis Dubai launched its signature Imperial Suite. Spread across 913m2, it is the largest of the hotel’s 52 suites and is even bigger than the 800m2 Astor Ballroom. Spread over twostoreys, the three-bedroom unit features a living room, a formal 12-seater dining room, study, relaxing lounge area, a spacious majlis and a rooftop plunge pool. “With our high suite-to-room ratio and signature St. Regis Butler Service, we are well positioned to provide the modern day luxury traveller with a home away from home, differentiating ourselves from the competition,” commented Faiek El Saadani, hotel manager, The St. Regis Dubai.

n a bid to cater to the growing demand for family-friendly accommodation, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Dubai unveiled its new room categories. The family one-bedroom suite features a king-size and a sofa bed, which can accommodate two adults and two kids. The 160m2 three-bedroom unit connects a two-bedroom and a deluxe suite and can host up to six adults and two children. Both suites boast living rooms and fully-equipped kitchenettes, among more. Samir Arora, general manager, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Dubai, commented, “[...] This offer will affirm our position as the preferred accommodation for family travellers, especially those from the GCC region.”

WEEKLY NEWS AIR

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RJ INAUGURATES GUANGZHOU

Route AIMING TO SERVE THE ACTIVE TRADE AND COMMERCE TRAFFIC BETWEEN JORDAN AND CHINA, ROYAL JORDANIAN AIRLINES (RJ) STARTED OPERATING A REGULAR SERVICE TO GUANGZHOU WITH THREE WEEKLY FLIGHTS, AND THE CARRIER PLANS TO FURTHER INCREASE FREQUENCIES IN THE FUTURE.

he Chinese city is the airline’s second destination in the country and the fifth in the Far East, after Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. As Suleiman Obeidat, president, RJ, highlighted, Guangzhou will add value to the carrier’s network, meeting the demand of tourists and businessmen in the two countries, as well as that of tradesmen from neighbouring countries, such as Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Palestine, especially since Guangzhou serves as a significant national transportation hub and trading port.

Qatar Airways Pins Helsinki on Its Map

n a bid to meet the growing customer demand, Turkish Airlines is increasing frequency on its Istanbul – Muscat route. As of March 27, the carrier offers nine weekly services to and from the Omani capital instead of the previously available seven flights. Passengers will be able to take advantage of the two additional itineraries up until the end of October.

Muscat

Helsinki

atar Airways will soon add Finland’s capital to its network of cities served directly from Doha once the carrier starts daily nonstop flights to Helsinki on October 10. “We are very much looking forward to the new connection because it will further expand Helsinki Airport’s comprehensive selection of flight connections and will offer more varied connections from Finland to the Middle East, and to India, Africa and Australia,” enthused Joni Sundelin, senior vice president, Finavia, operator of Helsinki Airport.

Turkish Airlines Boosts Muscat Services

2 APRIL 2016

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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Air Arabia Expands Georgian Offering

Batumi

n an effort to cater to the summer tourist demand, Air Arabia launched seasonal twice-weekly direct flights from Sharjah to Batumi, Georgia. Operating between July 02 – September 30, the location will become the second Georgian city, after Tbilisi, to join the airline’s network. Adel Al Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, commented, “Batumi is a growing tourism destination and is popular during the summer months. We expect to see healthy demand for the flights and further encourage tourism between the two countries.”

Emirates A380 to Fly to Vienna

Vienna

mirates will update one of its two daily flights to Vienna to an Airbus A380 service, effective from July 01. The airline, which has carried almost three million passengers between Dubai and the European capital since the route’s launch in 2004, will offer 519 seats in a three-class configuration on the world’s largest passenger aircraft, while the currently deployed Boeing 777-300ER will be utilised on the second daily frequency. “Austria, as a leader in the hospitality industry and Vienna as a world-class city, are sure to benefit from a boost to tourism and job creation as well as experiencing a positive impact on the economy […],” commented Thierry Antinori, chief commercial officer, Emirates.

Pegasus Links Amman and Ankara

2 APRIL 2016

Ankara

egasus Airlines commenced direct operations between the capitals of Jordan and Turkey. The thrice-weekly services connecting Amman and Ankara are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Passengers can also take advantage of convenient connections from the Turkish city to other key business and tourist locations, such as Istanbul and Vienna. With the launch of the new itinerary, the low-cost carrier now serves 103 destinations in 41 countries.

WEEKLY NEWS AIR

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Egypt to Attract LCCs

Egyptian delegates at ITB Berlin

India to Require 1,600 New Aircraft

India

ndia’s preference for Airbus planes was further consolidated in 2015 with 250 new firm orders, lifting market share of orders and the in-service fleet to over 70 percent. According to Airbus’ latest global Market Forecast, by 2034, India will require over 1,600 new passenger and freighter aircraft, valued at USD224 billion, to meet the surge in demand as a result of the forecasted boost of the country’s middle class population. “As India’s industrial might grows, along with it come economic development, wealth generation and a rise in the number of regular and first-time flyers. Airbus offers the most comprehensive aircraft product range from 100 to over 600 passengers to serve the Indian public and this growing demand,” said Kiran Rao, executive vice president, marketing and strategy, Airbus.

Saudi and Indian Air Sectors Ready for Investments

Etihad Showcased in India

E Saudi Arabia

viation and space leaders from Saudi Arabia and India sent out strong signals that they are ready to partner for foreign direct investment projects within their own markets and that the time is right to collaborate as their industries are on an upswing. Accordingly, experts of both countries’ expanding aerospace sectors laid out the investment business case at the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi. The two-day event gathered around 1,000 executives from 59 countries where they discussed the most pressing issues and trends within the aviation, aerospace, space and defence industries.

gypt plans to announce incentives for low-cost carriers (LCCs) to help offset the decrease in tourist arrivals, revealed Hisham Zaazou, tourism minister, Egypt, on the sidelines of ITB Berlin. He commented that there is already a programme in place for tour operators that charter flights to the country but it did not address the airlines as such, and this is the target from now on.

tihad Airways displayed two of its newest aircraft – a Boeing 787 passenger jet and a Boeing 777 freighter – at the latest instalment of India Aviation in Hyderabad. The event provided Abu Dhabi’s flag carrier a platform to engage with policy-makers, business leaders, aviation experts and other stakeholders across the industry. “India Aviation in Hyderabad enabled Etihad Airways to show [its] unwavering support for trade and tourism in one of the world’s most dynamic economies,” stated James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways. “With our equity partner Jet Airways exhibiting, our combined presence and strength demonstrates the prominence we give to the rapidly developing Indian market.”

2 APRIL 2016

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with

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RAMZI SOLH CEO, COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY

EXPECTED TO ATTRACT 1.3 MILLION TOURIST VISITS A YEAR BY 2020, KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY (KAEC) IS A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED PROJECT. HERE, RAMZI SOLH, CEO, COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, KAEC, INTRODUCES THE VENTURE.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What the expected benefits of the megaproject? RAMZI SOLH: KAEC is a key component in the government’s vision to move the Saudi Arabian economy away from its reliance on oil and hydrocarbons. The city is being built to a planned population of two million people and will provide a wide variety of jobs and career opportunities to the surrounding region […]. KAEC has already attracted more than 100 global, regional and national companies to set up operations in the city [...]. Our Coastal Communities residential districts are seeing significant interest from people attracted to the family-oriented, aspirational lifestyle that KAEC is able to offer and we already have world-class educational, healthcare and recreational facilities in place. 2 APRIL 2016

The city is already becoming a local destination for weekend getaways. Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina has established itself as a preferred destination hotel for corporate offsite events as well as leisure in the Kingdom and the city welcomed more than 100,000 visitors in 2015. KAEC’s Destination 2020 strategy was developed to take advantage of the many opportunities available in the tourism sector […]. We estimate that, by 2025, the city could be attracting as much as SAR5 billion (USD1.3 billion) in tourism-related spending a year within the city boundaries alone. We expect to attract 1.3 million tourist visits a year by 2020, and 3.2 million by 2025.

We have also set aside a wider area of the city, the Lagoon District, as a more recreational district focussing on family leisure and ‘edutainment’ experiences. Our plans include a water park, a zoo, a theme park, a motorsports track and an outlet mall. This area will begin developing in the next couple of years. Each of these districts will have hotel offerings that will complement the expected visitor segment. We plan

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Can you reveal details on KAEC’s resorts? RAMZI SOLH: Saudi Arabia is among the 20 most visited travel destinations in the world, having attracted around 15 million international arrivals in 2014 according to the World Tourism Organization, and this figure is expected to reach 20.6 million by 2024 […]. KAEC’s Destination 2020 strategy will position us as Saudi Arabia’s premier all-purpose must-visit tourism destination. To achieve this, we are developing quality attractions and entertainment alternatives, an outstanding programme of year-round events and unsurpassed hospitality for three specific segments – domestic leisure, business, focussing on MICE and finally religious visitors. The KAEC Master Plan integrates three main tourism districts. Bay La Sun and the wider Coastal Communities district is already receiving visitors attracted to its green spaces and pristine beachfront lifestyle amenities. This year, we are opening a number of facilities to meet demand from the domestic leisure and business tourism sector, including the Royal Greens Golf Club, the Juman Park and karting track, a floating water park, a desert camping experience and a 5,000m2 expansion to our event and exhibit space. We are also completing a first-of-its-kind corporate entertainment centre. Hejaz Gate is being positioned as a premier retail and lifestyle destination surrounding the Haramain railway station, which will place KAEC within a 25-minute journey from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. […]

Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina

to build 10 hotels by 2020; Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina is the first. Our second hotel, The Views, is under construction. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is religious tourism for KAEC? RAMZI SOLH: Religious visitors and specifically Umrah tourism is a vitally important sector. Around 75 percent of all tourism in the country is related to religious pursuits. KAEC is a Saudi Arabian city and we are able to offer a very specific extended Umrah experience that is family- and wellness-oriented, of world-class quality but still in line with our core values. Ultimately we want to offer religious visitors a complete and memorable package, allowing them to enjoy a holiday that is at once spirituallyrewarding and at the same time rich in family experiences. We are already working with Umrah tour operators to ensure that KAEC is part of their packages. We are developing a tourism office at the city specifically to meet the needs of religious visitors and aligning very closely with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage to ensure that we are supporting the national strategy for tourism development. We are hopeful of leveraging the Umrah plus visa programme which will help us to attract regional and international pilgrims to the city.

WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL New York to Maintain Strong Traveller Numbers

Hard Rock Lands Dalian Project

Meliá Expands Indonesian Presence

Meliá Bintan rendering

uzhou in China’s Jiangsu province will welcome a distinctive Dusit Thani property in the last quarter of 2018. The 250-room Dusit Thani Wellness Resort Suzhou SND, Jiangsu is located within Suzhou National Hi-Tech District, which currently houses more than 1,500 foreign companies. It will have an expansive wellbeing centre with 30 indoor and outdoor natural hot-spring pools, oxygen rooms, infrared cabins, salt saunas and a Devarana Spa, as well as meeting and events facilities and dining outlets. “We believe that Dusit Thani Wellness Resort Suzhou SND, Jiangsu will set athe benchmark in service, quality and excellence in the local hospitality industry,” said Lim Boon Kwee, president, Dusit Fudu Hotels & Resorts.

Dusit Thani Wellness Resort Suzhou SND, Jiangsu rendering

New Dusit Thani Signed for China

eliá Hotels International penned a deal for Meliá Bintan, its 15th hotel in Indonesia and the second one on the Asian island. “Our momentum continues to be fuelled by strong demand for our exceptional guest accommodations and service. Meliá Bintan will provide discerning travellers a gateway to the one of the world’s newest meccas for luxury travel,” enthused Bernardo Cabot, senior vice president, Asia Pacific, Meliá Hotels International. The property will house 280 rooms and villas, as well as Yhi Spa, two beachfront restaurants, a swimming pool with water attractions, and a large-scale convention centre, among other facilities.

ard Rock International is expanding its Chinese footprint with a new deal for Hard Rock Hotel Dalian, slated for a 2018 opening. The 200-key oceanfront property will be located on Dalian’s Golden Beach, and will feature multiple dining establishments, a night club and a slew of the brand’s signature amenities. “With the Chinese travel industry quickly changing as leisure demand grows, we feel the music-centric programming at Hard Rock Hotels will resonate well with Chinese travellers who visit Dalian each year,” stated Leong Wy Joon, senior vice president, hotel development, Asia and India, Hard Rock International.

Dalian

New York

ew York City is expecting to welcome 59.7 million visitors this year, making it the seventh consecutive year of record-breaking figures, according to NYC & Company’s data. The company presented its forecast along with its upcoming and recent projects at ITB Berlin. With a myriad of hotel developments and infrastructure improvements, visitations for this year are expected to comprise 47 million domestic and 12.7 million international trips. “New York City is experiencing an exciting moment in its history, with unprecedented developments and openings debuting across the five boroughs this year and beyond,” said Fred Dixon, president, NYC & Company.

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2 APRIL 2016

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with

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ISSAM KAZIM CEO, DCTCM

IN JUST FIVE YEAR, PASSENGER NUMBERS AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL HAVE GROWN FROM 47.26 MILLION IN 2010 TO OVER 78 MILLION IN 2015 AND ACCORDING TO ISSAM KAZIM, CEO, DUBAI CORPORATION FOR TOURISM AND COMMERCE MARKETING (DCTCM), THE DESTINATION IS KEEN ON TURNING THESE FLYERS INTO LOYAL VISITORS.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How can DCTCM help turn those using Dubai International as a transit hub into overnight visitors? ISSAM KAZIM: In 2015, Dubai welcomed 14.2 million international overnight visitors, a year-on-year increase of 7.5 percent, taking us one step closer to realising our Tourism Vision for 2020, which aims to welcome 20 million visitors per year by 2020. And with a record 78 million passengers travelling through Dubai International during the same period, and with a third of the world’s population living within a four-hour flight away and two thirds within an eight-hour flight 2 APRIL 2016

away, it is clear that there is great potential to grow visitation further. To that end, we have created a number of suggested itineraries suited to stays ranging from 24 hours to weekend getaways and longer, promoting these through our digital channels and publications. In addition, in markets across Australasia and the Americas where we offer convenient direct flight access, we work closely with airline partners, the travel trade and the hotel sector to create compelling transit programmes. Yet, while DCTCM is committed to encouraging more transit passengers to exit the airport and experience the city, Dubai is not merely a stopover destination, but rather a compelling destination in its own right, with an ever-evolving offering of hotels, attractions, experiences, events and business opportunities. By highlighting the breadth and variety on offer, and by giving people more reasons to visit and more reasons to stay longer, we can attract new visitors, increase the number of repeat visitors, and encourage visitors to extend their stay in Dubai.

ISSAM KAZIM: The improvement of accessibility by easing visa restrictions is an ongoing focus for us, and we work closely with other government departments at federal level to push this agenda. Along with GCC citizens, who do not require a visa to enter the UAE, citizens from a total of 46 countries – including all European Union member states – can now obtain a visa on arrival in Dubai, receiving a 30-day visit visa free of charge. This has made visiting Dubai simple, fast and cost effective, reflected in an increase in the number of visitors from these markets. In addition, the multi-entry UAE visit visa for cruise visitors allows cruisers to enter all UAE ports by using a single visa. This has had a big impact on our key source markets such as India, China, Russia, CIS, South Africa and Brazil. However, visa policies are only one aspect of a much wider approach to attracting more visitors to Dubai, with DCTCM also leveraging increasing airlift

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Does DCTCM collaborate with other industry stakeholders to encourage these passengers to step out of the airport? ISSAM KAZIM: Together with our partners, Emirates and flydubai, which are regularly launching new routes and adding capacity to existing ones, we are synergising our marketing and promotional efforts, and leveraging each other’s investments to yield optimal returns for Dubai. We also work closely with trade partners in markets such as Australasia and the Americas to attract the higher number of stopover travellers. For example, in Australia, in 2015, we worked with Flight Centre and the Sunrise morning TV show to put together the Sunrise – 5 Countries in 5 Days campaign. This showcased Dubai as the first stop on a round-the-world trip, resulting in an increase in bookings to the emirate. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Over the years, visa requirements for citizens of several countries have been relaxed. How has this helped attract more visitors to Dubai?

Dubai

largely driven by new route launches by Dubai’s two homegrown airlines, Emirates and flydubai, as well as the emirate’s broad destination appeal that offers something for all travel segments. Having rolled out our global brand campaign in the last quarter of 2015, Dubai continues to work on building brand awareness in new markets and addressing perception gaps in existing markets where there is limited market share capture, to better penetrate and attract the fast growing, mass affluent segments as future leisure and business visitors.

JOHN CAMERON has taken over as CEO of the newlylaunched Honourable Order of International Hotel General Managers (HOIHGm). A seasoned hospitality executive with 23 years of experience under his belt, Cameron has a strong international background in operations and human resources gathered from across the Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Cameron will ensure that the association develops into a professional organisation that caters to its members’ needs and meets expectations by continuing to innovate and add real value through an extensive programme of benefits.

Cameron brings extensive industry know-how to HOIHGm

GEORGES OJEIL

RAYMONDE NAWAR has been named cluster revenue manager for Rotana’s hotels in Beirut. Nawar, who holds a bachelor degree in hotel management, started her career in 1999 as a guest reception agent at Savoy Raouche in the Lebanese capital before moving to Phoenicia Hotel where she spent nine years, occupying various positions that helped her gain a broad experience in the fields of revenue, sales and marketing. Her professional expertise allowed her to join Le Vendôme InterContinental Hotel as cluster revenue manager, then move after a couple of years to Veer Boutique Hotel, and later to Mir Amin Palace Hotel and O Monot Boutique Hotel before joining Le Bristol Hotel where she also held the post of cluster revenue manager.

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SHADI RAWEH

JOHN CAMERON

RAYMONDE NAWAR

WHO’S MOVED

GEORGES OJEIL has been appointed Le Gray, Beirut’s new general manager. Joining with an extensive background in the hospitality industry, he has handled various roles, such as food and beverage director and executive assistant manager, for a number of properties in Lebanon. His career with Le Royal Hotels & Resorts started as corporate director of food and beverage overseeing Le Royal Hammamet, Le Royal Luxembourg, Le Royal Beirut, Le Royal El Minzah and Grand Hotel Ville De France by Le Royal in Tangier. Ojeil holds a master’s degree in business administration from École Superieure de Commerce de Paris as well as an executive master’s in business administration from École Supérieure des Affaires in Beirut.

SHADI RAWEH is Gulf Air’s new country manager for Turkey. With over 15 years of experience and an in-depth working knowledge of the aviation and travel industry, Raweh has covered several management roles both within Gulf Air and other industry organisations. He previously held the position of country manager for Yemen, initially for International Air Transport Association in 2004 and later for Gulf Air from 2008. Raweh’s experience in the sector is set to further strengthen the carrier’s team, helping to raise awareness of all that Gulf Air has to offer the Turkish market.

Raweh worked for the International Air Transport Association

2 APRIL 2016

TRAVEL TALK

Take this opportunity “Austria has been the fastest growing European destination in the Middle East over the last few years. Numbers have increased 600 percent over the last 10 years and […] figures show another great result: a 38.6 percent [rise] in arrivals in 2015. We update our Austrian Certified Travel Specialist courses every year with the latest information to encourage travel agents to retake their courses. Plus, we have several competitions throughout the year, like now where you can win one of three amazing prices when you complete the courses before April 21. Take this opportunity and register now.”

GENERAL MANAGER, DANAT AL AIN RESORT

AHMED MARGOUSHY

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST, AUSTRIAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE

KLAUS EHRENBRANDTNER

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This award will further encourage our team “We are very proud of [winning the bronze medal under Class 3 Four Plates of Dessert Category at the Gulfood 2016: Emirates Culinary Guild Salon Culinaire competition]. It reflected the exceptional culinary talent of our team. Being selected as one of the top winners amongst hundreds of chefs who competed in the category is indeed a great motivation for Chef Hom Bahadur Khadka. I hope this award will further encourage our team to reach new heights, pursue their dreams and exceed our guests’ expectations.”

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, EMIRATES PALACE

ANNA OLSSON

Abu Dhabi […] will remain influential “One of the reasons why Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE has achieved success in becoming one of the world’s leading destinations is our ability to bring together the expertise of leading industry professionals to push boundaries and develop experiences that are competitive with what you will find in more established destinations, without compromising on the cultural and authentic appeal of the emirate. Abu Dhabi continues to evolve and it is my expectation that it will remain influential in defining the future of hospitality in the region and in the world.”

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

2 APRIL 2016

TRAVEL TALK

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DYLAN ANIFF

“As the capital and the biggest emirate of the UAE, Abu Dhabi homes the most unforgettable experiences. Travellers can enjoy the serenity of the sunrise in the desert, be one with the nature, enjoy the extravagant hotels and restaurants, up their adrenaline in theme parks, get familiar with the local Emirati culture, or simply take pleasure in walking by the bay and watching the sunset. In Abu Dhabi there is always a lot to do, making it a really good leisure destination.”

GENERAL MANAGER, CITY SEASONS AL HAMRA, ABU DHABI

The GCC […] is central to our expansion strategy

“At HMH we wish to grow the path according to our strategic plan that is sustainable in a physical sense. The GCC, with a special focus on the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, is central to our expansion strategy. The scale of opportunity in the region for hotels especially in the budget segment is unprecedented. By 2020, our aim to have six hotels in Oman while multiplying by four our total inventory of keys.”

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, QATAR AIRWAYS

SALAM AL SHAWA

CEO, HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS (HMH)

LAURENT VOIVENEL

REVENUE MANAGER, TILAL LIWA HOTEL

SANJAY KUMAR

In Abu Dhabi there is always a lot to do

Our restaurant has witnessed a great [interest]

“We are excited to launch the new trio concept [with Thai, Philippine and Chinese cuisine at Keway Mai restaurant]. Since the beginning, our restaurant has witnessed a great [interest] from Asian nationals as well as Westerners for the quality of the food, the friendly service and most of all the variety that we have on offer. Having the opportunity to showcase three chefs from different countries, all in one kitchen, is just a gourmet’s heaven, and we want to share it with you.”

QIFF [delighted] visitors with a host of [...] activities “Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) [delighted] visitors with a host of food and entertainment activities to tantalise everyone’s taste buds. Qatar Airways [wanted] to create an inspiring festival for everyone, taking visitors on a global food journey, and [the] fantastic four Fatafeat chefs [added] great value to our elite cast of celebrity chefs, showcasing traditional and fusion Arabic food that we can all recreate in our own kitchens. This year’s fantastic programme of chefs [...] [was] the most exciting line-up yet for QIFF.”

2 APRIL 2016

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AGENT CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry? I launched the company in 2007 with my husband. We were avid travellers and knew that we wanted a company to help us plan our travel that really focussed on passion points, one-of-a-kind experiences and trips that really take personalisation to another level. We looked around and felt at the time there was not a company out there that did this and targeted a younger savvy demographic. So we decided to start one. What are the most important attributes of a good travel agent/tour operator? To ask a lot of questions and listen to what the client is telling you, as well as what they are not telling you, try to pick up on things that really take a trip to another level. Be honest; if you think that what the client is asking for is not something they will be happy with, speak up. Remove your personal opinions of a hotel or cruise from the equation, as something that you may love, might not be right for the client. And finally, under-promise and over-deliver.

Lia Batkin

NAME:

POSITION: Co-founder COMPANY: In the Know Experiences LOCATION: New York, US WEBSITE:

www.intheknowexperiences.com

Gulf Air Honours Abu Dhabi Agents

What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives from customers? Everyday we have requests for something new and different; a new task to figure out how to complete and wow our clients. What are the must-visits and mustdos in the US that no one should miss? A trip to the top of the Empire State Building; there is nothing like seeing a beautiful view of Manhattan. Drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles; that trip is life changing. Visit the deep South; the food is incredible and so fresh and the hospitality is some of the nicest in the world. Visit Napa; the food and wine are some of the best in the world. Which destination is on your bucket list? Antarctica. 2 APRIL 2016

ulf Air hosted a dinner for leading travel trade partners from the UAE capital, to thank them for their continued support as well as to inform them about the carrier’s latest developments. Madina Al Balushi, country manager, Abu Dhabi, Gulf Air, commented, “Travel agents are integral to the growth of our airline, and we are taking this opportunity to thank these key industry partners in Abu Dhabi for making the Gulf Air experience a positive one for our passengers from the very first moment of booking.”

TRAVEL CHANNELS

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ETIHAD SUPPORTS INDIAN EVENT

DINING IN THE SKY WITH QATAR AIRWAYS

tihad Airways will be the exclusive airline partner of Great Indian Travel Bazaar, flying leading industry players from around the world to the annual show. The inbound tourism event, to be held between April 17 – 19 in Jaipur, is expected to attract around 300 travel buyers and 250 local entities. Partnering with Jet Airways in the inbound exhibition, the UAE carrier will promote the ease of travelling to India through its Abu Dhabi hub, highlighting their combined network of over 250 flights each week across 15 Indian cities. Together, the two carriers have the largest share of the international air travel market to and from India carrying one in every five travellers.

Dinner in the sky

s a highlight of this year’s Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF), Qatar Airways invited guests to experience the airline’s business class service and hospitality, whilst enjoying views of Doha’s skyline. The carrier, official co-host of QIFF, welcomed visitors to its two-tier premium lounge in the Museum of Islamic Arts Park where diners got a taste of the company’s business class lounge pre-flight hospitality before boarding a special platform to explore Qatar Airways’ menu, 50m above the ground. As Salam Al Shawa, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications, Qatar Airways, noted, the airline’s dinner in the sky offering has become one of the annual event’s must experiences.

UNWTO ADDRESSES CHILD MISTREATMENT

FUTURE OF AIR TRAVEL ALMOST HERE

ack of reporting, weak legislation and the anonymity of the Internet were highlighted as some of the main challenges in child protection from exploitation in tourism, in a global study. The report findings, along with a host of initiatives by other stakeholders, were discussed at the 31st Meeting of the World Tourism Network on Child Protection, held on the occasion of ITB Berlin, which focussed on the role and initiatives of the private sector to combat the matter. “We need to unite to fight child exploitation and the commitment of the private sector is key,” stressed Taleb Rifai, secretary general, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

s Internet of Things (IoT) enters the travel industry, passengers will be enjoying seamless self-service with airlines and at airports over the next three years, according to SITA’s latest industry report titled The Future Is Connected. The study reveals that smartphones are reshaping travel behaviour and with growth rates of around 80 percent or more at the checkin and boarding pass stages, travellers are keen to use their own technology. The groundwork by the air transport industry to establish the infrastructure and processes that enable smoother travel is under way and is gathering momentum. Nigel Pickford, director, market insight, SITA, noted, “Half of airlines expect to have IoT initiatives up and running over the next three years meanwhile airports are building out the infrastructure to support IoT.”

2 APRIL 2016

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PHOTO ALBUM

The Torch Doha was awarded as Best Sustainable Hotel in Qatar and Arabia at the International Hotel Awards

EKlectic, comprised of 10 Emirates cabin crew members, won two awards at ChoirFest Middle East

Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to.

Emirates Park Zoo and Resort held World Wildlife Day festivities

Kempinski Ajman Honours Indian traditions

2 APRIL 2016

Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...

Danat Al Ain Resort won a bronze medal at Emirates Salon Culinaire

Emirates rolled out fun activities for all ages at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

NEWS & EVENTS

ITB China Coming Up in 2017

esse Berlin is to launch an international offshoot of one of its most successful trade fairs in China. From May 2017 onwards, ITB China will take place annually on the grounds of Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Conference Centre. ITB Asia – held every October in Singapore – will serve as the model for the new event, which will be dedicated to trade visitors only, allowing them to meet with international exhibitors and business partners. Participants will also be encouraged to join ITB China Convention, which will run parallel with ITB China. Christian Göke, CEO, Messe Berlin, commented, “In the long term our involvement in China will benefit ITB Asia in Singapore, and ultimately ITB Berlin.”

Industry Experts Convene in Riyadh

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EVENTS IBTM AFRICA Cape Town, South Africa April 08 www.ibtmafrica.com The show evolved from a table top event to a content-driven education programme which focusses on technology, future trends, procurement and consolidation.

RIYADH TRAVEL FAIR Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 12 – 15 www.riyadhtravel.net Attracting leading travel and tourism companies from Saudi Arabia and the GCC, the event is a platform for introducing new tourist products and services, and making investments.

IMEX

ver 80 national and international speakers attended this year’s Saudi Travel and Investment Market (STTIM). The six days of the show featured 50 conferences and workshops focussed on analysing the current state of the industry, recognising successful expertise and highlighting ways for developing domestic tourism. Topics included hotel investment, future indications for the performance of the sector, Saudi brands and their importance, new regulations and their impact, economic significance of national heritage, attracting expatriates, planning for cities, developing and promoting mega entertainment projects and innovation, among others. STTIM aimed to offer new investment opportunities and conclude partnerships between national and international companies.

Frankfurt, Germany April 19 – 21 www.imex-frankfurt.com A landmark exhibition for professionals working in the MICE industry where global decision-makers meet with 3,500 suppliers for three days of business.

ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET Dubai, UAE April 25 – 28 www.arabiantravelmarket.com A major event where global tourism destinations showcase a diverse range of accommodation options, tourism attractions, travel technology and key airline routes.

2 APRIL 2016