7 MAY 2016 ISSUE 339
14
AIR
04 GULF AIR OCEC TO OPEN IN AUGUST
LINKS BAHRAIN TO BANGLADESH
08 NEW AL KHOORY PROPERTY IN DUBAI
02 Market Update 06 Agent News 18 International
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
HOTELBEDS REGISTERS GROWTH IN DUBAI
ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic 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 WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com
Global bedbank, Hotelbeds announced a boost for its Middle East properties with Dubai alone witnessing a 41 percent year-on-year surge in room nights booked in the first two months of the year.
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s Javier Arévalo, product director, Hotelbeds, noted, the company managed to reinforce its leading position in the UAE with a 44 percent improvement in room nights compared to the same period in 2015. “We are confident that our solid business model and focussed local teams that work closely with our partners, together with our ongoing investment in technology, innovation and service delivery, will ensure a strong pipeline of growth into this top region for many years to come,” added Arévalo.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com
REZIDOR: REGIONAL EVENTS AFFECT BUSINESS
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456 david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of COUNTRY
2
6.5.2016 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
109.14
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
8.88
Iran (IRR)
Rial
30,330.98
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,107.24
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,509.46
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.35
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.60
Syria (SYP)
Pound
219.85
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
249.50
In the first quarter (Q1) of the year, The Rezidor Hotel Group’s worldwide properties experienced a RevPAR growth of one percent year-on-year, driven mainly by an increase in average room rate, which was partly offset by lower occupancy levels.
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espite the improvement in RevPAR, total revenue decreased 4.3 percent to EUR207 million (USD232 million). Business in the Middle East and Africa was negatively impacted by political and other events with RevPAR sliding 8.9 percent compared to Q1 2015. Figures remained mixed from country to country with many markets significantly underperforming, as RevPAR in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman registered drops of 13.9, 13 and 12.4 percent, respectively.
7 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS
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OCEC to Open in August
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) will launch on August 15, the Sultanate’s Ministry of Tourism announced.
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he country is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the world’s most exciting meeting, convention, and exhibition destinations with OCEC being the catalyst of this development, said Maitha Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, Oman. Trevor McCartney, general manager, OCEC, added that with phase one set to be unveiled this summer, the centre is expected to impress with 22,000m2 of flexible column-free exhibition space and 10 state-of-the-art hospitality suites. “On top of that, the purpose-built OCEC precinct is just four kilometres and a 10 minutes’ drive from Muscat International Airport, conveniently located close to the myriad of cultural attractions in Muscat,” concluded McCartney.
Sharjah Representatives Travel to Kazakhstan
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s part of the organisation’s strategic overseas promotional drive which focusses on key markets, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) participated in Kazakhstan International Tourism & Travel Exhibition. “We are optimistic about achieving growth for Sharjah tourism in the Kazakhstan market. [The authority] utilised the broad platform offered by Kazakhstan International Tourism & Travel Exhibition to reach out to the markets in the Central Asian region,” said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA.
Sharjah
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Thrifty Strengthens Saudi Presence
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hrifty Car Rental, one of the UAE’s largest leasing and car rental companies, reaffirmed its commitment to the Saudi market with a number of new contracts signed at the Riyadh Travel Fair. Karunesh Arya, general manager, Thrifty Car Rental, said, “This was the first time Thrifty participated in Riyadh Travel Fair and we were very pleased with the result. […] Our presence at the exhibition gave us more opportunities to connect with our clients as well as potential partners. We have signed up a few partnerships with Saudi travel agents who will help us reach a wider market in Saudi Arabia.”
7 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
Egencia Partners with Amadeus
Travelport Believes in Regional Prospect
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echnology is driving the industry’s growth and is redefining the ways travel is searched, shared and booked across the Middle East on all levels from agents to airlines and hotels and to travellers using their mobile phones, Travelport highlighted at the Arabian Travel Market. Despite challenges, the overall outlook remains positive, stressed Rabih Saab, president, Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Travelport. “As airline offers get more complex and travellers seek more choice, personalisation and flexibility to tailor their journeys according to their needs […], Travelport Smartpoint and associated technologies are helping travel agents maximise their revenues and profitability [...],” said Saab.
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Expedia’s travel management company, Egencia joined hands with Amadeus to offer ancillaries to business passengers who are now able to buy additional baggage at the same time they book their flight.
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n 2015, we saw online travel agencies and airlines embrace merchandising in a big way, and we think travel management companies will join in on the action [this year]. Seats and bags are just the beginning. New ways to book a flight, including rich content, are just around the corner,” said Pedro Espin, associate director, merchandising and personalisation, Amadeus. The Egencia move to integrate merchandising comes one year after parent company, Expedia began offering Amadeus airline fare families to leisure clients.
Dubai: A Top Destination for GTA
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uoni’s Global Travel Distribution arm, GTA announced that so far this year its strategic partnership programme for Dubai has driven a room night growth of 41 percent year-on-year for its hotel partners. Europe and the UAE remained the key source markets for the emirate’s inbound tourism, however, India, Australia and Thailand also contributed significantly to the positive development. Launched in November 2015, the initiative raises awareness of the destination through educational workshops across various source markets, especially in Far Eastern countries.
Sabre Supports Kanoo Travel
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anoo Travel cemented its relationship with Sabre with an agreement which will see the company continue using the provider’s technology. As part of the deal, Sabre developed Kanoo Krystal, a customised end-to-end technology platform that, when rolled out in the coming months, will provide the tour operator with unique content and corporate solutions. “We have consistently been on the forefront of offering the very best of travel services in the most professional manner to achieve the travel policy objectives of our clients [...],” explained Praveen Gandhi, executive general manager, Kanoo Travel.
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7 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
New Al Khoory Property in Dubai
Al Khoory Atrium Hotel Al Barsha
Al Khoory Hotels announced the upcoming launch of the 227-unit Al Khoory Atrium Hotel Al Barsha for July, along with plans to open 1,100 three- and four-star rooms by 2019.
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ccording to Mohammed Khoory, managing director, Al Khoory Group, the company’s hospitality division is on a steady path. “By the end of 2019 […] we will also start to explore opportunities internationally and foresee to create management contracts with stand-alone properties in the UAE and the GCC market, where we see long-term growth opportunities,” added Khoory.
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Coral Muscat Hotel Launched
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ustafa Sultan Enterprises and Hospitality Management Holdings officially inaugurated Coral Muscat Hotel & Apartments. Located in Qurum, the deluxe fourstar property is in close proximity to the diplomatic and commercial centre of the city just 20 minutes from Muscat International Airport. The 88-key establishment forms part of a shopping arcade and multiplex, and features one- and two-bedroom units. “This new hotel symbolises the spirit and substance of our rich culture and hospitality and is an excellent addition to the diverse range of accommodation options available in the city,” said Abdulredha Mustafa Sultan, managing director, Mustafa Sultan Enterprises.
7 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Mövenpick Introduces Third Qatar Property
Churchill Suite Opens at The St. Regis Dubai
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Mövenpick Hotel Al Aziziyah Doha
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panning 913m2, the Sir Winston Churchill Suite adds an opulent accommodation option to Dubai’s high-end market at Al Habtoor City’s The St. Regis Dubai. The two-storey unit, which is bigger than the property’s ballroom, houses 15 paintings and art pieces from the Churchill archives along with a Cuban cigar that once belonged to the statesman. The three-bedroom suite features a living room, a formal 12-seater dining area, study, relaxing lounge space and a spacious majlis. The cigar, that dates back to 1949, was personally donated from the private collection of Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group, and creator of Dubai’s Al Habtoor City.
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n a strategic move to capitalise on Qatar’s status as a world-class sports hub and the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts launched its third venture in Doha. Located in Aspire Zone, the upscale 139-room Mövenpick Hotel Al Aziziyah Doha opened its doors on May 01, taking over a luxurious Victorian-style building previously occupied by Grand Heritage Hotel Doha. “This property already has a loyal guest following and we look forward to building on this legacy, showcasing Mövenpick’s unique style of Swiss hospitality,” said Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer, Middle East and South Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
7 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Golden Sands: Increased Saudi Interest
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Golden Sands Hotel Apartments at Riyadh Travel Fair
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ollowing its participation at Riyadh Travel Fair, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments is keen to attract new client segments from Saudi Arabia. During the four-day show, the property’s team met with a high number of customers and received several enquiries from the Kingdom’s government segment which appears to be developing into a high-potential market. Ahmed Rabeea, assistant director, business development, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, noted, “We had a successful participation and we have seen a good volume of visitors to the show. […] We have seen increased interest from the [government] segment who gathered information about our key offerings.”
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atitude 33, a chic resort-style poolside bar and restaurant is now open to guests at Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca. The venue’s design features traditional Moroccan lattice screens, an open pavilion that houses a glowing circular bar, and in-floor lighting that creates the impression of a lantern. Black furniture contrasts with the white and cream lounge seating outside the pavilion and guests can also enjoy a large water feature set by the pool while listening to the sounds of the waves. The menu takes diners on a culinary journey from the southwest US to some Middle Eastern classics while also embracing the Asian culture.
Latitude 33 at Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca
New Dining Outlet at Four Seasons Casablanca
Mövenpick Riyadh to Attract Female Guests
Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh
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övenpick Hotel Riyadh opened the doors to its all-female Aurora Spa by Joelle, in a joint venture with Joelle Mardinian, a popular TV personality, fashion and makeup expert. Guests can recharge in a luxurious, serene sanctuary in one of the six individual therapy rooms that provide a variety of tailored treatments designed to help unwind, re-balance and rejuvenate. Philippe Bonnot, general manager, Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh, said, “The opening of Aurora Spa by Joelle is a fantastic opportunity for female Saudi residents and visitors to experience unique spa treatments. From employing female therapists to creating facilities exclusively for women, our goal is to make the hotel as friendly as possible for ladies.”
7 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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GULF AIR LINKS BAHRAIN TO
Bangladesh AS OF MAY 30, GULF AIR WILL RETURN TO DHAKA WITH FIVE-WEEKLY SERVICES.
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ommenting on the relaunch, Ahmed Janahi, acting chief commercial officer, Gulf Air, explained that it is aimed to boost the significant commercial opportunity that exists for business travellers from Bahrain and the Bangladeshi capital while also facilitating the movement of the travelling public. “This is a promising development [this year] as we respond to strong passenger demand coupled with promising economic signs in Bangladesh. We feel it is just the right time for us to return and anticipate this new route will be a success for our passenger operations,” he added.
Wizz Links Dubai to Katowice
Air France Takes Off to Tehran
Oman Air Reinforces Safety Measure
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ir France commenced three weekly flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to Tehran, onboard Airbus A340 and Airbus A330 aircraft. “Iran is currently experiencing a major economic boom. With our new direct flights between Paris and Tehran, we are supporting the country’s opening up to the rest of the world, and also capturing an important source of growth on our long-haul network,” commented Frédéric Gagey, chairman, Air France. In a bid to further facilitate travel between the countries, the carrier also launched a new ticket office for its customers in the Iranian capital.
Tehran
uropean low-cost carrier, Wizz Air will launch a new service connecting the Polish destination of Katowice to Dubai World Central. The route, which is to commence on October 31, will be operated twice a week. Gábor Vásárhelyi, communications manager, Wizz Air, said, “We are sure that this new service will be welcomed by our customers who can now enjoy a very popular all-year-round holiday destination. [...] Our friendly Polish crew looks forward to welcoming [passengers] onboard with a smile.”
eaffirming its commitment to passenger protection, Oman Air launched a refresher training for its key staff. Working in partnership with Zurichbased aviation safety specialists Checkport Switzerland, the carrier’s security department has delivered educational sessions to 36 colleagues from across its international network. The training covered issues such as improvised explosive devices onboard commercial airliners, the challenges posed by explosive materials, search procedures, communication between search teams and their leaders, instant emergency response, professional documentation and quality control measures. “We intend to acquire further trainings for our team on various aspects of security throughout this 9 venture with2016 JANUARY Checkport,” commented Ali Bin Abdulla Al Harthy, vice president, group security, Oman Air.
7 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Gulf Air Obtains ISO Certification
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ulf Air upgraded its information security management system and obtained the latest ISO 27001:2013 standard which specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving information security operations. Accepting the certification, Maher Salman Al Musallam, acting CEO, Gulf Air, commented, “As a global airline, much of our work involves handling sensitive and critical information, including passenger data. We are committed to providing the highest standard of information security and this involves constantly assessing our capabilities and modifying/enhancing them.” As Al Musallam pinpointed, the certification reflects the carrier’s implementation of a strict framework to guarantee the protection and security of information across the board.
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dnata: One Million Tonnes of Cargo at DWC
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nata reached a key milestone in its operation at Dubai World Central (DWC), having handled more than one million tonnes of air freight since its first full year of operation in 2011. Over the past five years, the company has seen a 90 percent increase in cargo volumes, having recorded 170,260 tonnes in 2015, up from 89,729 tonnes in 2011. Bernd Struck, senior vice president, cargo, UAE, dnata, said, “This is a hugely significant milestone for all of us at DWC. The growth we have experienced over the last five years is thanks to not only dnata, but the combined hard work and commitment of Dubai Airports and all of the stakeholders involved in creating a world-class logistics platform with unparalleled connectivity, speed and efficiency.”
7 MAY 2016
RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with
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STEPHEN GEE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, ZAYA HOSPITALITY
THE BLEASURE TREND IS FAST GAINING POPULARITY AND AS STEPHEN GEE, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, ZAYA HOSPITALITY, COMMENTS, ZAYA NURAI ISLAND IS DOING ITS BEST TO KEEP ALL GUESTS HAPPY, WEATHER ON BUSINESS OR HOLIDAY.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: With oil prices dropping, corporate tourist figures have been declining. How much has this shift affected the business of the property and Abu Dhabi in general? STEPHEN GEE: Due to its prime location on a private island in the Arabian Gulf, Zaya Nurai Island is mainly attracting leisure guests. We are diversifying our target audience [by attracting] corporate clients and targeting unique experiences in unusual meeting spaces, tailor-made offers and high-quality service. Allowing for the continued growth within the leisure market, we will be focussing throughout the season on the development and diversification of mar7 MAY 2016
Zaya Nurai Island
ket segmentation. Particular focus will be given to social events and executive retreats. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: In light of the current trends, how important is it to target a diverse clientele even in primarily business-oriented locations like Abu Dhabi? STEPHEN GEE: A diversified distribution of guests is healthy for any hotel. [For this reason] we focus on creating rates and services for our guests that would like to enjoy a little bit of both [with this concept] lovingly being referred to as bleasure. Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Etihad Airways and the UAE government have done a phenomenal job in developing Abu Dhabi as the new go-to destination. Abu Dhabi is developing as a cultural destination with Louvre Abu Dhabi, The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum and we strongly believe that this will be a real success for the UAE and the hotel due to its prime location in close proximity of Saadiyat Island. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Are these developments signalling a more pronounced focus on leisure travel in the UAE capital? STEPHEN GEE: The continued development of new attractions for Abu Dhabi supports a general shift towards leisure
tourism. These projects are helping the emirate reinvent its offering, surprise guests with new and exciting projects and open a whole new market for cultural tourism. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: The new projects are being supported by the development of additional accommodation offerings, especially at the higher end of the spectrum. Could Abu Dhabi be the next bucket-list destination for high-net-worth individuals?
Zaya Nurai Island
STEPHEN GEE: The UAE has always been renowned for its luxury offers with some of the most iconic hotels and resorts in the world.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL Cebu Air Enhances Summer Schedule
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Delta Hotels Opens in the US
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arriott International expanded its Delta Hotels and Resorts portfolio with the launch of the first US property, the 241-room Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista. The brand, which encompasses rich Canadian history, is expected to be also rolled out globally in major gateway cities, including New York, Shanghai and London, bringing its network to a total of 80 addresses. “Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista marks the beginning of a period of exciting growth for the award-wining Delta brand. The new streamlined logo design reflects our promise to provide guests with a seamless travel experience so they can focus on what is important,” commented Paul Cahill, area vice president, operations, Canada, Delta Hotels & Resorts.
Delta Orlando Lake Buena Vista
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o accommodate passenger demand during the peak summer travel period, Cebu Pacific Air added more frequencies from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao to key domestic and international locations. “We hope to encourage our valued guests to cross more destinations off their travel bucket list, with our additional flights this summer. Passengers can maximise their vacation by taking advantage of our fares and widest flight network in the Philippines,” commented JR Mantaring, vice president, corporate affairs, Cebu Pacific Air. Operating from six Philippine hubs namely Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Clark and Kalibo, the airline offers links to 60 destinations, including Dubai.
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7 MAY 2016
EDDY TANNOUS
EDDY TANNOUS has been welcomed at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi as the property’s new general manager. Tannous began his hospitality career over 15 years ago at Beirut Marriott Hotel where he held several progressive positions prior to moving to The Ritz-Carlton Doha. He first joined FRHI Hotels & Resorts in 2008 as director of sales and later continued as director of operations at Fairmont Dubai before relocating to the company’s Dubai regional office. Most recently, Tannous served as executive director of operations for the Middle East, Africa and India.
AHMAD DAGHMASH
Tannous began his career over 15 years ago
PHILIPPE RENAUD
WHO’S MOVED
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PHILIPPE RENAUD is ShangriLa Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat’s new director of sales. Boasting a career of over 15 years, Renaud’s path started as a night manager in a city hotel in Vancouver, Canada before he discovered his passion for sales which led him to the post of sales coordinator a year later. In 2010, he joined Shangri-La Vancouver as a senior sales manager and in 2014 Renaud was promoted to director of business development in charge for the Shangri-La properties in Vancouver and Toronto. Renaud holds a diploma in hotel management from LaSalle College Montreal.
Renaud boasts a career of over 15 years
AHMAD DAGHMASH has taken over as hotel manager at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm, the brand’s second property in Oman. With more than 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with roles covering various areas from front office to reservations, Daghmash has built up a strong knowledge base. His career started with The Rezidor Hotel Group in Oman in 2008 when he joined Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat as a night manager. He continued as reservations manager at Park Inn Muscat where he was later promoted to front office manager.
Daghmash has built up a strong knowledge base
7 MAY 2016
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CHAIRMAN, MIRAL
We are fulfilling our ambition to drive visitor numbers “Miral’s investment in the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park is estimated at USD1 billion and is a milestone in the emirate’s journey to put Abu Dhabi on the global map and become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. By meeting the global, regional and local demand for a worldclass entertainment destination, supported by an equally world-class travel and tourism infrastructure, we are fulfilling our ambition to drive visitor numbers and enrich the UAE’s appeal as a truly international destination.”
PRESIDENT, SAUDI COMMISSION FOR TOURISM & NATIONAL HERITAGE
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H.R.H. PRINCE SULTAN BIN SALMAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ
MOHAMED KHALIFA AL MUBARAK
TRAVEL TALK
DIRECTOR GENERAL, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT (ROHM)
UMBERTO FANNI
HABIB KHAN GENERAL MANAGER, ARABIAN COURTYARD HOTEL AND SPA
“[In 2015] the number of tourist visits, excursions and short visits [...] amounted to over 18 million trips. These figures confirm that the Kingdom is not a closed country. […] Such misperception does not apply to Saudi Arabia […] within which millions of people of different nationalities live, and many arrive on short visits to tour its different parts. Yes, we do not issue tourism visas currently as the government has decided to temporarily stop issuance of tourist visas until completing tourism infrastructure and services, and ensure that the needs of the domestic market are met first.”
ROHM is a centre of excellence
We set sights on maximising the revenue “We are promoting the rich culture and tradition of the UAE through the hospitality sector and are contributing towards the socio-economic growth of the country and increasing tourism business in the region. […] We have witnessed that GCC holidays and special events […] generate significant contributions to the hotel’s occupancy, thus, we [are making] the most of these occasions to promote the property and Dubai as a destination. We set sights on maximising the revenue by capitalising on the opportunities available in the market.”
The Kingdom is not a closed country
“ROHM is a centre of excellence in global cultural engagement that entices audiences with its innovative, creative and artistic performances. Arabian Travel Market [was] a vital platform to reach out to potential tourists from the Middle East and the world and our participation at this year’s edition [enabled] us to connect with visitors from different target markets to shed light on our annual events, including opera, ballet, jazz, concerts, and Arab performances. […] New partnerships at the four-day event […] will help us attract more tourists to Oman.”
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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7 MAY 2016
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AGENT CORNER
AGENT’S INSIGHT When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry? I just followed my passion for cross cultural exchange and travel and started my career in the tourism industry. Services International is one of the leaders in the Indian travel and tourism industry and has been in the trade for more than 35 years. Services International was established in 1989. What are the most important attributes of a good travel agent/tour operator? A good travel agent and tour operator is supposed to offer impartial travel advice to travellers. Travel agents offer customers an array of options and price quotes from a variety of travel suppliers, giving customer the upper hand when making final travel decisions.
NAME:
Vinay Maheshwary
POSITION: Director COMPANY: Services International LOCATION: India WEBSITE:
www.servicesinternational.travel
What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives from customers? What type of document are required to travel; what currencies do you accept do you have guides apart from English [speakers]; what if I want to customise a tour or what is the best season to travel? What are the must-visits and mustdos in India that no one should miss? The mystery, magic and magnificent diversity; incredible India is a well-known holiday destination that offers a unique culture, ancient heritage, pristine backwaters, a rich wildlife and exotic cuisines with a historical backdrop of 5,000 years. Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful monuments and wonders of the world, located in Agra; Rajasthan is the land of the kings or Maharajas with majestic forts and lavish palaces; and Kerala is called God’s own country as it is a tropical paradise of waving palms, wide sandy beaches and backwaters. Which destination is on your bucket list? South America. 7 MAY 2016
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
TDIC ORGANISES EDUCATIONAL EVENT Release of turtles
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he environmental services team of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), held a workshop for school pupils at Saadiyat Beach Club. Featuring an interactive discussion and the release of 10 endangered Green and Hawksbill turtles, the educational event formed part of TDIC’s corporate social responsibility programme, and aimed to raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation among children and the wider Abu Dhabi community. Buthaina Al Qubaisi, environment manager, TDIC, commented, “In the last few years we have rescued over 100 turtles that have washed up onto Saadiyat Beach during the cool winter months before transporting them for treatment to the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project.”
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AIRBNB GAINS POPULARITY
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ith the sharing economy in full swing, Airbnb is set to overtake multi-branded hotels in providing consumers with different accommodation options, according to research by Phocuswright. The study, which offers an unprecedented view of the characteristics of Airbnb users, found that younger consumers often travel on a tight budget. Tastes and preferences, however, generally become a bit more expensive a few years down the road. Airbnb renters between the ages of 18 – 24 paid roughly USD100 (EUR88.6) per night for their last Airbnb experience and were more likely to be completely satisfied with the value of their stay. Nightly rates on the other hand spike in older age groups, generally closer to USD200 (EUR177.2), and this segment may not have been as satisfied or remained concerned about price.
ROMAN SHIPWRECK DISCOVERED IN RED SEA
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Saudi-German team unearthed the remains of a Roman ship in the Red Sea – hailed to be the oldest shipwreck found along the Saudi coast to date. Archaeologist Michaela Reinfeldt, chief of the German team, indicated that there are many sunken antiquities which the mission is working on, and explained that the top priority of the experts is to focus on training Saudi researchers and people interested in underwater antiquities and diving operations to detect sunken treasures.
The Saudi-German team
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7 MAY 2016
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Air Arabia Jordan celebrated its inaugural Amman - Riyadh flight
PHOTO ALBUM
Al Manshar Rotana Kuwait launched the Planting is Giving initiative
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to.
flydubai’s Cargo received the award for Operator of the Year at the 10th annual Supply Chain and Transport Awards
Le Royal – Beirut won 21 gold, silver and bronze medals at Horeca Lebanon’s Hospitality Salon Culinaire
7 MAY 2016
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Former England and Liverpool goalkeeper, David James in front of Emirates‘ FA Cup themed Airbus
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh participated in the Light It Up Blue campaign in honour of World Autism Awareness Day
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NEWS & EVENTS Abu Dhabi to Host ABTA Convention
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he Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) will hold its next travel convention at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, between October 10 – 12. With 2015 going down in history as a momentous year for travel and this year expected to follow suit, the event aims to gather members and professionals from the wider travel sector to help them understand and debate the future of the industry. The programme will encompass business sessions built around four pillars – Our World, Our Industry, Your Business and Your Network – as well as a wide range of networking opportunities and social events. As an official convention partner, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will be offering preferential return airfares for participating delegates.
Dubai Parks and Resorts Presented at ATM
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ubai Parks and Resorts exhibited its upcoming attractions at the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The company’s stand gave visitors the chance to learn more about the leisure and entertainment options of the destination, and watch it come to life with the aid of holograms, interactive experiences as well as various characters and performers. The displays focussed on the much-anticipated motiongate, Bollywood, LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND Water Park and Riverland Dubai sections and also presented Lapita Hotel, part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection.
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EVENTS WTM CONNECT ASIA Penang, Malaysia May 18 – 20 www.wtmconnectasia.com A new show bringing together suppliers of southeast Asia and outbound Chinese, southeast Asian and international hosted buyers.
ILTM ASIA Shanghai, China May 30 – June 02 www.iltm.com An invitation-only event, where travel agents and advisors from across Asia meet the world’s very best luxury travel experiences.
TURKEY & NEIGHBOURS HOTEL INVESTMENT CONFERENCE Istanbul, Turkey May 31 – June 01 www.cathic.com Now in its sixth year, this programme for the hotel investment community gathers over 1,000 delegates from across the globe.
THE MEETINGS SHOW London, UK June 14 – 16 www.themeetingsshow.com A premier gathering for the UK inbound and outbound conference industry, organised by meeting professionals for meeting professionals.
7 MAY 2016