21 MAY 2016 ISSUE 341
04 GENERAL
02 DUBAI WELCOMES 4.1 MILLION OVERNIGHT VISITORS
BAHRAIN UNVEILS FRESH TOURISM STRATEGY
08 MIDDLE EAST ANTICIPATES 100 STARWOOD ADDRESSES
16 Airports 19 International 23 Photo Album
MARKET UPDATE
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
DUBAI WELCOMES 4.1 MILLION OVERNIGHT VISITORS
ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba JOURNALIST Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR Ana Mladenovic
Dubai
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
In the first three months of the year, Dubai enjoyed 4.1 million overnight arrivals, a 5.1 percent year-on-year increase, backed by strong double-digit growth from the GCC and India, according to figures released by Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel
T
he GCC continued to be the leading feeder region, delivering 25 percent of total visitations. Tourist numbers from Saudi Arabia grew 14 percent year-on-year to 476,000, making the Kingdom the number one source country. Strong growth was also registered from Oman with figures rising 32 percent. “As we turn our immediate focus to the summer, we are heavily leveraging Dubai’s value offering and diversity of activities and attractions that continue to be clear visitation drivers during this period,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, DTCM.
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 Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com
RAS AL KHAIMAH FORGES AHEAD
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456 david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of COUNTRY
2
20.5.2016 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
110.27
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
8.87
Iran (IRR)
Rial
30,370.64
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,166.14
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,506.56
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.72
Syria (SYP)
Pound
219.85
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.07
Yemen (YER)
Rial
249.50
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) reported unprecedented growth in its March tourism figures which signal a transformational 12 months for the emirate, according to Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah TDA.
I
n March, visitor numbers rose seven percent year-on-year, while hotels reported an occupancy rate of 80.3 percent, up 13.3 percent, and a RevPAR boost of 14.1 percent compared to the same month in 2015. The authority also recently unveiled a new destination video and rebranding campaign, together with a creative strategy, global partnerships and fresh products. “We have implemented a new leadership structure […], and we are working in close partnership with our hotel and government stakeholders. We have gained considerable momentum, and this will only continue as we focus our efforts [on] investing in our tourism offering,” said Mattar.
21 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
BAHRAIN UNVEILS FRESH TOURISM
IN A STEP TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE SECTOR AS A MAIN CONTRIBUTOR TO THE NATIONAL ECONOMY, BAHRAIN LAUNCHED ITS NEW TOURISM IDENTITY UNDER THE SLOGAN OURS. YOURS.
4
Manama
Strategy
E
xplaining that the strategy is based on the four pillars of awareness, attraction, access and accommodation, Shaikh Khaled Bin Humood AlKhalifa, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, commented, “The new brand embraces the country’s biggest asset, its people – their warmth and welcoming attitude. It is the culmination of our efforts to develop an integrated strategic approach towards elevating the industry by attracting investors and providing a suitable environment to incubate tourism projects.” He also disclosed that the authority will soon launch representative offices in the GCC, UK, France, Russia, Germany and India, in a bid to increase tourist flows to Bahrain.
21 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
DAMAC Brings Adrenaline-fuelled Tourist Attraction
Dubai Keeps Its Visitors Happy
D
D AYKON Dare
ubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing introduced an advanced mechanism to measure and track the satisfaction levels of travellers to the city, with findings showing that in 2015, 98 percent of international respondents rated their travel experience with a seven or higher, and over 61 percent gave a score of more than nine. As part of the wider Dubai International Visitors Survey, the module was designed to scrutinise the end-to-end tourist experience and how likely a visitor of each nationality is to positively endorse the city as a must-visit destination. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing, commented that the emirate ultimately expects to make every guest a life-long ambassador of the destination.
AMAC Properties’ AYKON City introduced the AYKON Dare attraction with the aim of offering a unique experience in Dubai. Situated at the crown of the tallest tower in the development, daredevils can venture out onto the roofline with nothing between them but fresh air and the city at over 285m below. Accessible from the 78th floor lounge and dining room, visitors can walk out onto the landing platform before beginning their ascent, where they are harnessed to the safety rail leading up the roofline to the upper level. The activity is controlled by trained professionals using state-ofthe-art safety equipment and lasts between 45 minutes to one hour.
UAE Tourism Future Mapped Out
U
AE’s future as a global tourism hub was the focus of a session at Arabian Travel Market, as eight leading industry minds shared their insight in opportunities for sustained sector growth. The concept of differentiation as part of a shared UAE-wide tourism vision was the consensus of the eight-strong panel, with each emirate highlighting its individual contribution. Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, acting executive director, tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, commented that the seven destinations complement one another and the target is to grow and retain visitor numbers.
RAK Targets India and China
I
n a bid to attract more travellers from India and China, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) announced strategic cooperative marketing agreements with major operators in the two markets. The deal with India’s Cox & Kings aims to expand the emirate’s presence in the Indian segment, focussing on the promotion of various aspects through specially created itineraries and standalone tourism products. Moreover, the authority’s partnership with China’s Ctrip Destination Marketing has a similar focus and will include high-profile online campaigns to drive awareness and bookings.
21 MAY 2016
5
WEEKLY NEWS
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
New Portal for Muslim Travellers
Amadeus: Halal Travel Is a Powerful Segment
A
travel review and booking site dedicated to the fastgrowing Muslim travel sector, Tripfez has launched worldwide. The portal features a portfolio of 200,000 hotels and resorts globally, more than 20,000 of which have been classified as Halal-friendly by sister company Salam Standard. As Faeez Fadhlillah, founder, Tripfez and Salam Standard, noted, Muslim spend is predicted to reach USD233 billion or 13 percent of total travel expenditure by 2020, however, the market is still underserved. “Tripfez fills this void, providing a one-stop-shop for travellers seeking Muslim-friendly hotels and resorts, and also complements the information provided by other travel review and booking portals,” Fadhlillah explained.
C
ultural experiences, accommodation needs and activity preferences are the three key drivers of Halal travel, according to a report commissioned by Amadeus and conducted by research firm Context Consulting. The study revealed that the niche market focusses on maximising cultural return on investment, chooses Halal-friendly accommodation that offers freedom, and the destination that tourists want to explore within their comfort zone. Antoine Medawar, vice president, Middle East and North Africa, Amadeus, said, “Halal travellers are a demographic that represent a powerful opportunity. This is a group of individuals and families that have certain unique requirements of their destinations and travel service offering.”
Region’s Industry to Tap Into Eco-tourism
A
s the travel sector is becoming more conscious of its role in improving the environment, international certification body, BSI provided a case for organisations in the region to adopt international best practice standards and certifications. As Omar Rashid, general manager, training and professional services, BSI, noted, the trend is driven by the rise of the eco tourist and the desire to cater to them by showcasing eco credentials. Introducing ISO 14001 Environmental Management, Rashid said, “This is an effective management tool to demonstrate how you have cut costs. It sets out the requirements for an environmental management system, giving any company a competitive advantage.”
6
21 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Middle East Anticipates 100 Starwood Addresses
Starwood’s Luxury Collection Hotel in Qatar
Five new deals will add over 1,200 rooms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is on track to grow its portfolio in the Middle East to 100 properties by 2020.
8
T
he company also prepares to open five hotels this year across the three Gulf countries. The newest Middle Eastern signings include a Luxury Collection Hotel and Le Méridien in Lusail, Qatar; Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah Tahlia and Four Points by Sheraton Unaizah in Saudi Arabia; as well as Four Points by Sheraton Ras Al Khaimah. Michael Wale, president, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, said, “Our long-established presence in the region, and the value we deliver, has set us ahead to further expand our footprint and strengthen our guest loyalty.”
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
DAMAC Introduces Hotel Spa Villas
D
AMAC Properties launched an exclusive collection of hotel spa villas in the heart of AKOYA
Oxygen. Forming a community that is designed to offer the tranquility of a retreat at home, the limited edition units come with a private garden spa, providing a choice of Jacuzzi or sauna, and are fully furnished in addition to being serviced. “With the hectic lifestyles of nowadays, spas are frequently visited for relaxation and wellbeing, and people travel far at times just to relax and unwind. Just imagine if one can enjoy the spa and lift their spirit without ever having to leave the comfort of their home,” explained Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, DAMAC Properties.
21 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Dusit Plans Middle East Expansion
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Fairmont to Expand Luxury Portfolio
F
Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
D
10
usit International announced several projects in the region at the recently-concluded Arabian Travel Market. Led by Lim Boon Kwee, chief operating officer, Dusit International, senior executives from the company’s corporate office as well as representatives from Middle Eastern and international properties, attended the event to introduce dusitD2 Kenz Dubai opening in July, among a number of other hotels. These include Dusit Suites and Hotel Doha and dusitD2 Salwa in Qatar coming up in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Moreover, dusitD2 Palm Mall in Muscat and Dusit Thani Jeddah in Saudi Arabia are also planned for a 2018 opening. The team discussed additional opportunities in Dubai, Sohar, Salalah, Mecca and Jeddah.
airmont Hotels & Resorts signed two new hotel developments in Morocco and Saudi Arabia, bringing its luxury portfolio in the Middle East, Africa and India to 20 hotels by 2020. Scheduled to open in 2019, Fairmont Taghazout Bay, Morocco will sit on 180,000m2 of beachfront adjacent to an 18-hole golf course. The seaside resort will feature 155 rooms in addition to 52 villas to be released for sale later this year, as well as 2,500m2 of meeting space, a spa and a range of culinary offerings While Fairmont Al Khobar is hailed to launch in 2020, located in a high-end commercial area to boast 240 keys and 12 serviced residences, over 4,000m2 of event space, food and beverage options as well as wellness and fitness facilities.
21 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Marriott to Bring Renaissance to Dubai
Rove Satwa to Enter Dubai
E
maar Hospitality Group announced the upcoming 480room Rove Satwa in Dubai, the seventh property under Rove Hotels, the company’s new midmarket lifestyle brand. Situated in a two-tower development, the establishment will be neighboured by Rove Home Satwa to feature 157 residences. Chris Newman, corporate director, operations, Emaar Hospitality Group, commented, “Serving as a smart, cultural hub for visitors, Rove Satwa will appeal to the value-conscious, sociallyconnected generation and modern traveller who explores without borders.” He added that the new brand addresses the need of the fastgrowing cost-conscious leisure and business tourists by offering them a value hospitality experience in central locations.
Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai
S
et to launch at the end of the year, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai will mark the brand’s debut in the UAE. The 298-room luxury property is added to Marriott International’s openings for this year, which include the five-star Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi; the 64-suite Marriott Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi; La Ville Hotel CITY WALK Dubai, Autograph Collection; La Ville Apartments CITY WALK, Dubai and the 500-unit Lapita Hotel, Autograph Collection. Alex Kyriakidis, president, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, said, “Renaissance Downtown Hotel Dubai will be a truly unique offer within the UAE hospitality sector as it is a highly appealing lifestyle option […]. The debut, alongside the [other openings] make for a very attractive luxury lifestyle proposition in the UAE.”
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Rove Satwa
City Seasons Unveils Seventh Project
City Seasons Towers
C
12
ity Seasons Hotels opened its seventh property, bringing the number of its addresses in Dubai to three. Located in Bur Dubai next to Burjuman Mall, the four-star City Seasons Towers boasts 192 rooms and suites, a full floor dedicated to meeting facilities with a capacity of up to 150 guests and equipped with the latest audiovisual technology, a lobby lounge and an all-day-dining buffet restaurant, among more. “The Towers’ unusual architecture paired with our mission to offer high standards of comfort and modern luxury at affordable rates combine nicely the futuristic vision of Dubai that is paired with the traditional Arabian hospitality and generosity,” said Sheikh Ahmed Musallam Bin Ham, vice president, City Seasons Hotels.
21 MAY 2016
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Emaar Enters Saudi Arabia
Mövenpick to Debut at Al Marjan Island
A
E Vida Jeddah Gate rendering
l Marjan Island Company forged a partnership with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts to launch its first property in Ras Al Khaimah. Located on Breeze Island, the waterfront resort’s construction will commence in 2017 and is expected to be completed and operational by 2020, featuring 450 rooms, 120 residences as well as 70 apartments and villas, in addition to world-class entertainment attractions, restaurants, cafés and fitness facilities. “Ras Al Khaimah is a fantastic addition to our portfolio. We have extensive experience operating large, beachfront resorts for families and teaming up with great partners [...],” said Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer, Middle East and South Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
maar Hospitality Group marked its debut in Saudi Arabia with the unveiling of its upcoming first hotel and serviced residence property in Jeddah Gate. Centrally located in Emaar Middle East’s masterplanned community, the 14-storey Vida Jeddah Gate Hotel tower will offer 202 rooms, while the 25-floor Vida Residences Jeddah Gate tower will feature 162 units. “The new generation of Saudi entrepreneurs and professionals will find that the design, service, quality and facilities we offer will more than meet their expectations. Guests will enjoy the fact that we have integrated technology into everything we do and offer fast connectivity,” said Chris Newman, corporate director, operations, Emaar Hospitality Group.
TIME Hotels and Al Fahd Investments representatives
TIME Joins Al Fahd for New Hospitality Company
21 MAY 2016
T
IME Hotels signed a joint venture agreement with Saudibased Al Fahd Investments, under which the hotelier will provide consultancy services on behalf of the newlyformed JV and will also operate two properties of the fresh hospitality entity. Expected to open in June 2017, the 26-storey, three-star King Fahd Road project in Riyadh will boast 96 rooms and suites, an allday restaurant, indoor and outdoor café, three meeting rooms and a health club. Moreover, the second establishment is a four-star 137-unit development launching later this year in Al Qurrayat. “Al Fahd Hospitality has a budget of over USD600 million to fund its present and future pipeline of properties which currently consists of seven mainly midmarket hotels, which are all due to open within the next two years,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels.
13
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Etihad Adds Mumbai to A380 Network
Celebrating the inaugural flight
Mumbai has become the latest destination to be served by Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 fleet which features The Residence, hailed as the world’s first three-room suite on a commercial airliner.
W
ith the aircraft upgrade, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier offers an all-A380 daily service in both directions between Mumbai and New York JFK International with a seamless connection over the UAE capital. The service is operated as a codeshare flight with Etihad Airways’ strategic Indian partner, Jet Airways. Passengers can also take advantage of The Residence on flights to London Heathrow, Sydney, New York and Melbourne.
Ghaith Al Ghaith (right) with GEE representatives
Stay Connected with flydubai
14
f
lydubai announced its latest onboard services which include Wi-Fi connectivity, live TV streaming and a new seatback in-flight entertainment interface. As part of its partnering with Global Eagle Entertainment, the carrier enables its economy passengers to stay connected and entertained after buying the respective packages, while access for business class customers is free of charge. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, commented, “Adding Wi-Fi connectivity, live TV along with our enhanced groundbreaking in-flight entertainment system will allow us to continue to deliver that personalised flying experience our customers expect and appreciate.”
21 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS
Asia Pacific Airports Focus on Safety The 11th Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly adopted three main resolutions.
F
irstly it called airfields to set up runway safety teams, secondly promote a positive safety culture and thirdly participate in APEX in Security, a peer review programme which enables assistance among airports. “ACI Asia-Pacific will continue to work closely with industry partners and our members in ensuring airports are operated in a responsible, safe and secure manner for the travelling public,” said Patti Chau, regional director, ACI Asia-Pacific.
16
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Abu Dhabi Airports Inaugurates Library
A
s part of the nationwide Year of Reading, Abu Dhabi Airports in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, launched a reading campaign and opened a library at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Located in the link between Terminals 1 and 3, the facility provides passengers with access to a range of multilingual books to motivate them to read more. Abu Dhabi Airports also introduced several internal initiatives to promote reading amongst staff, including book displays in the company’s headquarters as well as a selection of free books being distributed to all employees.
21 MAY 2016
RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Marisa Aranha VICE PRESIDENT, SALES AND MARKETING, SHANGRI-LA INTERNATIONAL HOTEL MANAGEMENT
WITH TRAVELLER PREFERENCES CHANGING OVER THE YEARS, HOTELIERS STRIVE TO STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH NEW LABELS THAT CAPTURE MODERN TRENDS. MARISA ARANHA, VICE PRESIDENT, SALES AND MARKETING, SHANGRI-LA INTERNATIONAL HOTEL MANAGEMENT, EXPLAINS THAT A STRONG BRAND IS ONE THAT IS ABLE TO CREATE EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS.
Hotel Jen in Orchard Gateway Singapore
er something new from every single trip they take. Offering a variety of brands to our customers allows us to connect and engage with a broader community of travellers as well as to offer our guests a solution to their travel needs, regardless of their reason for travel. Having a strong brand portfolio drives greater relevance across a broad range of travellers, and our industry leading loyalty programme, Golden Circle, is the mechanism we use to drive stays across all brands. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How do changing travellers’ demographics and new trends affect decisions on launching a new brand?
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Major hotel companies have introduced new brands over the last few years. What is the main goal of this strategy?
MARISA ARANHA: Millennial travellers will account for 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025 and already account for 50 percent of hotel bookings today. Hotel Jen was born from the insight that millennial-minded travellers are looking to leave the boring behind and enjoy a different type of travel experience – we deliver a creative, informal approach to service and celebrate our guests’ individuality. We also provide authentic local encounters that allow guests to get a unique cultural perspective with a sense of adventure, whichever destination they are experiencing.
MARISA ARANHA: Consumer preferences have evolved dramatically over the past decade, and where previously they felt reassured by the consistency that traditional hospitality brands delivered, today consumers are looking to discov-
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Is it easy for hoteliers to convince guests to trust a new brand?
21 MAY 2016
MARISA ARANHA: Brands are essentially reputations that result from promises made and consistently kept. If a new brand fails to create emotional connections with their potential guests and fails to be credible or trustworthy, it fails altogether. Efforts are made to communicate and keep loyal customers informed of the new brand activations and above all, deliver the signature style of service that is promised. The success comes with being able to attract new customers and retain your loyal guests, which we have
Hotel Jen in Orchard Gateway Singapore
done with Hotel Jen in retaining loyalty from Golden Circle guests. Our roll-out of the Hotel Jen brand delivered a style and service that appeals to the new generation of travellers, whilst staying faithful and committed to our existing customers who we have recognised have similarly evolving needs.
17
TRAVEL TALK
“With DAMAC Properties’ hospitality brands [AYKON Hotels & Resorts, DAMAC Maison Royale, DAMAC Maison and DAMAC Maison De Ville], we cater to seasoned travellers looking for premium hotel accommodation. Realising that one size does not fit all, our hospitality offering spans the range from high-end luxury suites [...] to hotel apartments with extra room and convenient kitchen facilities [...]. Our strategy […] satisfies the demand across the range of guest profiles and preferences. This approach will help us to support occupancy levels across our hotels and in the industry as a whole.”
DIRECTOR GENERAL, DUBAI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM & COMMERCE MARKETING
PRESIDENT, GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT, STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE
SIMON TURNER
MANAGING DIRECTOR, DAMAC PROPERTIES
ZIAD EL CHAAR
We cater to seasoned travellers
HELAL SAEED ALMARRI
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
GCC and India remain a critical focus
“Markets within the fourhour flight path, specifically the GCC and India remain a critical focus for our ongoing visitation attraction efforts as build towards our growth targets. With an expanded festivals and events calendar taking off extremely well in the first three months, and the opening of a number of new retail destinations and attractions, we are constantly evolving our propositions to ensure that our markets have more reasons to return time and time again.”
Starwood [is] the ideal partner for developers in the region
“We continue to strengthen Starwood’s leadership position in the Middle East through an aggressive growth strategy that will increase our footprint by 75 percent in the next five years. Our flexible development approach, differentiated brands, loyal customer base and proven ability to drive asset value has made Starwood the ideal partner for developers in the region.”
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
18
21 MAY 2016
WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Sri Lanka: Favoured among Arabs
Best Western to Add New Philippines Address
B Sri Lanka
S
ri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau announced that arrivals from the Middle East to the island surged to 101,066 in 2015, up from less that 89,000 in 2014, as the Asian country recorded the highest number of travellers in its history with 1.8 million visitors. In 2015, Saudi Arabia registered a year-on-year increase of over 18 percent and led Middle East arrivals having sent 36,617 travellers to Sri Lanka. The UAE was the second best performer with more than 10,000 tourists. Oman and Kuwait completed the list with 14,216 and 6,522 visitors, respectively.
est Western Hotels & Resorts will soon unveil a property in Puerto Princesa, the largest city on Palawan island, Philippines. Scheduled to open in June, Best Western Plus Ivy Wall is a 120-unit brand-new midscale hotel that will provide guests with access to the city’s attractions. “Puerto Princesa and the island of Palawan are becoming new tourist hotspots in southeast Asia, with an increasing number of travellers eager to experience this tropical paradise. With idyllic beaches and bays and the breathtaking Puerto Princesa Underground River, [...] Puerto Princesa is a wonderfully unique and attractive destination for tourists,” said Olivier Berrivin, managing director, international operations, Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.
Best Western Plus Ivy Wall
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Brazil to Welcome 1.2 Million Travellers
V
isa, the exclusive payment provider for the Olympic Games, projects that Brazil will host up to 500,000 international visitors in August, based on trends observed in recent summer editions of the sporting event. Visa data points to inbound levels increasing by an estimated 1.2 million travellers for the year, primarily due to preparations for the games. The largest share of guests are forecast to come from Latin America and the Caribbean region, followed by Europe and North America. Based on historical figures from past Olympic Games, Brazil can expect to see an increase in per traveller spending.
21 MAY 2016
19
JOHN LOUIE has been appointed general manager at Doha Marriott Hotel. He joins the property from Jeddah Marriott where he held the same position since 2011. Louie brings an international flair to the hotel after holding positions in various locations around the world, such as Egypt, Greece and Puerto Rico. His wealth of experience includes previous tenures at the Qatari establishment as food and beverage director and director of operations between the years 1999 – 2011. Louie will also take over the reins of the hotel’s outside services arm of the business, including a large scale industrial laundry operation.
Louie held post in Egypt, Greece and Puerto Rico
20
ALEXANDER SCHNEIDER
FRANCOIS GALOISY has taken over as general manager at Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel, Beirut. Galoisy started his career as food and beverage coordinator in 1985, working his way up to director of food and beverage, before taking on his first managerial position with Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts in Istanbul in 2003. His path also took him to Thailand, China, Myanmar and the UK. With a strong background in the food and beverage sector, Galoisy’s long association with The Rezidor Hotel Group began in 2005, as executive assistant manager at Radisson SAS Dubai Media City, subsequently followed by the position of general manager at Park Inn by Radisson, Muscat, in Oman.
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
PETER LI
JOHN LOUIE
FRANCOIS GALOISY
WHO’S MOVED
ALEXANDER SCHNEIDER has taken the helm as general manager at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai to lead the team towards the property’s upcoming opening this summer. Schneider brings to the position over 15 years of management experience, having worked with major hotel operators like Emirates Palace, Rixos Properties, Grand Hyatt and Casa Camper, a European lifestyle boutique brand. His international outlook and familiarity in the luxury hospitality industry are expected to assist Schneider in his new role. As he has been involved in preopening assignments previously, he also boasts the ability to work in the space between hotel operations, sales and marketing, as well as revenue management.
PETER LI is Etihad Airways’ new general manager for China. At a time when the airline business in the country has become very dynamic, following strong growth in outbound tourism, Li will lead the development of the carrier’s commercial strategy and represent the company in the Asian state, while he will also be responsible for further strengthening cooperation with travel trade partners and corporate customers. Li has extensive expertise in commercial aviation, and boasts over 20 years of experience as he held senior commercial management positions within Air New Zealand and China Eastern Airlines.
Li will lead Etihad Airways’ commercial strategy development
21 MAY 2016
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
AGENT CORNER
AGENT’S INSIGHT
What are the most important attributes of a good travel agent? You have to be a good listener, and not just to the words but to the pauses, to the changes in tone and to their body language. Some people do not know or cannot articulate what they want and need you to tell them what it is. Once you are confident that you have discovered the client’s passion, go for it with suggestions that show you are really a master of your destination. And follow up, even when the client is still on tour, to make sure that there are no ways to make it better. […] What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives? “Do you work with travel agents and do you pay commission?” Yes, we do. What are the must-visits and mustdos in Italy? For those who have never been to Italy, I suggest Italy 101, the gorgeous trio of Rome, Florence and Venice. The highlights of these cities are well known, but I also offer insider recommendations of places to sample some of the best regional cuisine, wine and ice cream. I Which destination is on your bucket list? I can never get enough of the gorgeous Amalfi Coast Outside of Italy, Nepal is calling my name. 21 MAY 2016
Roberto Melaragno
NAME:
POSITION: President Driver In Italy Concierge
COMPANY: Tour Operator LOCATION: Italy WEBSITE:
www.driverinitaly.com
Nirvana to Market Spanish Resort
N
irvana Travel and Tourism signed a global sales agreement with PortAventura in Spain, making the Abu Dhabi tour operator the company’s official sales partner in the Middle East. Located in Tarragona, PortAventura is one of Europe’s biggest destination resorts featuring five hotels, two water parks and a theme park to launch by year-end. Once opened in 2017, the new Ferrari Land anticipates over five million visitors and approximately one million overnight stays. Alaa Al Ali said, general manager, Nirvana Travel and Tourism, said, “[We are] focussed on promoting significant world-class attractions. PortAventura is an iconic destination [...]. This deal has motivated us to spread our reach and tie relations with more global clients from all over the region and the world.”
PortAventura
When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry? I was born in Canada and moved back to Rome as a young teenager. So right away I was a curious tourist in my new surroundings. When I finished my schooling, I embarked on a two-year apprenticeship to learn the ins and outs of inbound travel, discovering how to create a pleasing tourist experience for the North American visitor. I was fieldtrained as a tour assistant, escort and guide, and driver guide. This bottomup training taught me many things.[...]. The natural progression was to form my own company, Driver In Italy, in 1994.
21
TRAVEL CHANNELS
VIRTUAL REALITY: APPEALING IN TRAVEL
EARTH-FRIENDLY INITIATIVES AT HAWTHORN SUITES AND RAMADA DUBAI
Y
ouGov unveiled the results of its latest Travel Booking Trends study for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, with 51 percent of respondents claiming that the concept of virtual reality in their travel booking process is very tempting. The research sought the opinion of over 10,000 tourists across 21 countries in the regions, and was designed to understand the latest reactions to different aspects of the booking experience with a focus on predictive technology. Scott Booth, research director and head of travel, tourism and leisure, YouGov Middle East, commented, “Over time, we would expect immersive virtual reality content to become the norm, and consumers becoming accustomed to making decisions on the basis of this highly enriched content.”
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
I
n line with the annual Earth Day celebrations, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dubai and Ramada Downtown Dubai launched a sevenday challenge to encourage good habits and raise awareness of how associates can contribute to saving the planet through simple, every day actions. The campaign included steps like water conservation, saving electricity, promoting cleaner air, eliminating food waste, reducing toxic and non-biodegradable waste consumption as well as sharing environmental conservation tips through social media. “They may seem small and ordinary, but these earth-friendly habits can create significant impact in the long-run and we want to emphasise the importance of daily collective efforts in saving our planet,” commented Samir Arora, cluster general manager, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dubai and Ramada Downtown Dubai.
WTTC: MIDDLE EAST SHOULD CONTINUE INVESTING IN TOURISM
S
peaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, David Scowsill, president, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), called for continued investment in the Middle Eastern travel industry, as a means of diversifying economies as oil revenues fall. As Scowsill revealed, travel is already an important sector for the region as it generated USD194.5 billion and supported nearly six million jobs in 2015. “It is critical that the public and private sectors together continue to drive growth through investing in transportation infrastructure, funding new hotels and tourism attractions, increasing destination marketing and continuing to improve visa processes,” he further advised.
22
21 MAY 2016
PHOTO ALBUM
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
Oryx Rotana took its first step towards environmental sustainability by celebrating Earth Day with a special vegan menu
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi hosted representatives of luxury watch brand Bell & Ross
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to.
Atlantis The Palm, Dubai hosted the Voice The Kids team
Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Etihad Airways volunteers visited youngsters from the Choice To Change Elementary School in Dhaka
The 53-year-old InterContinental Jordan celebrated the hotel brand's 70th anniversary
21 MAY 2016
23
NEWS & EVENTS AHIC Welcomes Hospitality Stakeholders
M
ore than 700 delegates, sponsors, speakers and media gathered at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, where they heard from industry leaders in a number of related sessions. Topics included risk perception versus reality, travel patterns of the future, future global demographic and societal changes, industry headlines, outlook, and transaction analysis, among more. A key speaker at the event was also David Scowsill, president, World Travel & Tourism Council, who commented that the freedom of travel is under threat and must be addressed by all stakeholders in tourism and beyond.
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
EVENTS KARIBU TRAVEL MARKET Arusha, Tanzania May 27 – 29 kaributravelmarkettanzania.com Presented by the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, the show gives delegates the chance to enjoy exclusive access on a trade-only day, while inviting the general public to visit afterwards.
ILTM ASIA
Saudi Events Sector to Be Presented in Frankfurt
T
he Saudi Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) has confirmed its participation at IMEX Frankfurt in 2017. The step comes as the Kingdom’s stakeholders seek to improve the country’s ability to attract international business events, and aim to raise awareness as well as knowledge of the Saudi convention and exhibition sector. The German fair is hailed as one of the most prestigious international events specialising in the marketing of the industry and it is attended by over 4,900 specialists annually, including over 14,000 visitors and 3,500 exhibitors from 150 countries.
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.
Frankfurt
24
21 MAY 2016