Travel Trade Weekly, 11 June 2016, Issue 344 by Travel Trade Publications

11 JUNE 2016 ISSUE 344

03 GENERAL

09 EGYPT TO OFFER STARWOOD TO BRING FOUR POINTS TO RAS AL KHAIMAH

LAND TO TOURISM INVESTORS

13 06 Hotel PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT DWC SURGES 79.8 PERCENT

Performance

08 Technology 21 Agent Corner

MARKET UPDATE

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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

ABU DHABI PORTS POSTS SURGES

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

Abu Dhabi Ports achieved double-digit growth in two major sectors during the first quarter (Q1) of the year.

oll-on-roll-off traffic at Khalifa Port witnessed a 31 percent increase with 33,687 vehicles, up from 25,709 in the same period in 2015. Meanwhile, general and bulk cargo across the company’s ports saw a 13 percent upturn to 3.98 million tonnes, as compared to 3.5 million in Q1 2015. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports, said, “These achievements demonstrate Abu Dhabi Ports’ commitment to its strategy of sustaining performance and growth across all its operations. […] We aim to continue investing in innovative technologies and solutions, remaining customer focussed in our service offerings and in building the capabilities of our national workforce.”

Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com

STR: DUBAI STRUGGLES IN APRIL

Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456 david@simpson-media.com

MENA EXCHANGE RATES

COUNTRY

9.6.2016 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

109.54

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

8.88

Iran (IRR)

Rial

30,486.00

Iraq (IQD)

Dinar

1,164.85

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.30

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,502.35

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.36

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

9.64

Syria (SYP)

Pound

219.85

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

2.10

Yemen (YER)

Rial

250.14

Dubai

as of

STR Global’s preliminary April data for Dubai indicated year-over-year performance declines.

ccupancy fell 0.9 percentage points to 79.7 percent; average daily rate dropped 15.4 percent to AED771.74 (USD210) and RevPAR slid 16.1 percent to AED615.12 (USD167). On the other hand, both supply and demand increased 6.1 and 5.2 percent, respectively. Although the emirate reported overall performance declines, this year’s Arabian Travel Market helped the market reach occupancy levels above 80 percent for five consecutive days near the end of the month.

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WEEKLY NEWS

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EGYPT TO OFFER LAND TO TOURISM

Investors THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT WILL OFFER 73 PARCELS OF LAND TO INVESTORS IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AS SERAG EL DIN SAAD, HEAD, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, EGYPT, REVEALED.

Sinai

he concerned properties will include pieces of land starting from 10,000m2 and stretching to 4,900ha in various areas, such as South Sinai, the Red Sea Governorate and the North Coast. “We wanted to tell investors that there are significant investment opportunities across Egypt,” commented Saad.

Saudi Arabia Collaborates with Malaysia

R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) and Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, tourism and culture minister, Malaysia, recently signed a memorandum of understanding pertaining to tourism. The partnership will see the exchange of information and expertise between the two countries in regards to the regulation of industry services and activities as well as their economic and social impact. Moreover, the memorandum provides for mutual consultation on issues such as urban heritage, handicraft, investment in tourism development, hotel and tourist resorts management, accommodation facilities, tour guides and related statistics.

Saudi Hospitality Adapts to Millennials

illennial travellers are to become the dominant consumer group globally by 2020, but the future appears closer for Saudi Arabia as a report by Euromonitor International found that this year, 32 percent of the Kingdom’s population, are young adults. To satisfy the demands of this rising demographic, nearly all of the leading hotel chains in the Kingdom have effectively devised online purchase and payment options, and the importance has shifted to tech elements such as instant check-in processes and digital signage solutions, as Ahmed Skaf, country solutions manager, Samsung, commented.

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WEEKLY NEWS

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New Hospitality Sales Entity Introduced

Arrivals to Saudi Arabia to Jump 43 Percent

Tareq Bagaeen

eloitte has revealed that the Saudi Tourism Information & Research Centre expects a 43 percent increase in inbound tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia by 2020. The number of international trips made to the Kingdom is estimated to grow from 18 million in 2015, to 25.8 million in 2020. Grant Salter, head of travel, hospitality and leisure advisory, Middle East, Deloitte, presented the forecasts at the second annual Vision Conference in Jeddah, and commented that the country already sees strong tourism figures, and hotel occupancy rates have historically been quite high. “There are more than 49,000 new hotel rooms under construction or in final planning across the country to meet the demands of this significant increase in tourists,” he explained.

Qedina has forayed into the lodging industry, aspiring to provide a comprehensive commercial excellence resource to hospitality leaders through sales team assessments, learning and development programmes as well as emerging markets growth and exploration. Offering hospitality sales solutions the entity boasts a key innovation, a focussed online sales assessment tool aimed towards revenue generating team members. The company's founder, Tareq Bagaeen conducted business across the world’s key markets and amassed a wealth of industry relations.

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WEEKLY NEWS HOTEL PERFORMANCE Properties in Doha, Jeddah and Manama faced hardships with occupancies and average room rates suffering blows in most cases. HotStats published its MENA Chain Hotels Market Review for March, giving a picture of the region’s businesses during the month as well as the first quarter (Q1) of the year.

Slow Recovery in Jeddah

rofit per room at hotels in Jeddah slid 22.3 percent yearon-year in March, which contributed to the 23.2 percent drop in gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) in Q1. This comes at a time when the Saudi economy continues to be challenged due to the ongoing oil prices descent. The nonstop decline in revenue and increasing costs meant that profit per room on a rolling 12-month basis has dropped below March 2014 levels and was 14.8 percent lower than the peak in October 2014, at USD178.62. The 14.7 percent year-on-year decrease in RevPAR for the month was as much the result of the 7.1 percentage point slump in occupancy and the 6.3 percent plunge in achieved average room rate.

Manama Hotels Cut Costs

Manama

Doha Hoteliers Are Put to the Test

he rate of decline in top line revenue performance at Doha hotels accelerated in the first three months of the year, as the city, and Qatar’s overall economy, continues to encounter challenges. In Q1, RevPAR decreased 20.4 percent compared to Q1 2015, is well ahead of the 4.6 percent year-on-year demur of the metric recorded in the last quarter of 2015. Moreover, the capital registered a 7.5 percentage point drop in room occupancy along with lower average room rates, which fell 12.3 percent. In March, RevPAR dropped 13.3 percent year-on-year, from USD185.64 to USD161.02.

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hilst astute Manama businesses successfully reduced cost levels in both payroll and overheads on a per available room basis in March, the savings were not sufficient to offset the 6.6 percent drop in total RevPAR. As a result, profit per room at hotels in Bahrain’s capital fell 6.9 percent year-on-year in March, to USD77.70 from USD83.50 during the same period in 2015. Properties in Manama managed to recover occupancy since the last quarter of 2015, with levels increasing by 1.2 percentage points on a rolling 12-month basis, to 54.8 percent. However, this has been at the expense of achieved average room rate, which plummeted in the last six months, with the March figure being 9.7 percent lower.

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WEEKLY NEWS

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WTTC Commends Saudi Arabia

Iran Deemed Attractive to Ukraine

n a bid to strengthen relations between the countries, Ivan Liptuga, director, Department of Tourism and Resorts, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ukraine, met with Mohammad Beheshti Monfared, ambassador to Ukraine, Iran. The event followed Mahan Air’s launch of flights from Tehran to Kiev and also included talks between tour operators interested in developing tourist packages for Iran and Ukraine. In 2015, the Middle Eastern country was visited by almost 2,000 Ukrainians. Tehran

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Saudi Arabia

he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently congratulated the government of Saudi Arabia for adopting tourism as a key sector to help diversify the economy away from oil. David Scowsill, president, WTTC, remarked that the organisation has been emphasising the importance of the industry as an alternative income stream to oil exporting countries over the last months as the sector is very resilient, and a great economic and social stimulator for any country’s economy. “In order to ensure that the increase in tourism investment will lead to the expected growth, we encourage the government to adopt visa policies that welcome all travellers for business and leisure purposes,” he added.

WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY

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Travelport: Enhanced Air Segment Travelport’s net revenue surged six percent to USD609 million and operating income reached USD80 million in the first quarter of the year. The company’s air revenue rose three percent to UD444 million, as 160 airlines now use Travelport’s merchandising solutions.

ccording to Gordon Wilson, president, Travelport, the segment benefitted from a good geographical mix as well from the further adoption and penetration of the merchandising software. “We continued to drive our leadership positions in airline merchandising, hospitality, business-to-business payments and mobile commerce, leading to particularly strong International revenue growth, notably in Europe, Latin America, Canada and Asia Pacific,” he added.

Al Tayyar Extends Travelport Agreement

Sabre Registers Sturdy Growth in Q1

abre reported strong performance for the first quarter of the year with the company’s travel network revenue increasing 23 percent, and bookings rising 28 percent, year-on-year. In the airline and hospitality solutions business, revenue surged 16 percent. “Our focus on creating platforms for innovation and enabling our customers’ success continues to drive our growth. The breadth of our software solutions and depth of our customer relationships uniquely positions us to continue to define and lead the travel technology industry,” commented Tom Klein, president, Sabre.

l Tayyar Travel Group signed a deal with Travelport which will enhance the strategic cooperation between the companies reiterating the Saudi firm’s commitment to expand its online business. As part of the agreement, offline travel agencies that form part of Al Tayyar Travel Group will benefit from Travelport Smartpoint that enables access to the provider’s travel content inventory. Mohammed Khair Al Yabroudi, director of global distribution systems affairs, Al Tayyar Travel Group, commented that the company has been championing in the Kingdom’s tourism for many years through promoting Saudisation, exploring new global markets and delivering quality services for travellers.

Spring Airlines Partners with Amadeus

aving set its sights on the international market to accelerate growth, North Asian low-cost carrier, Spring Airlines joined hands with Amadeus. The partnership will see the airline adopt Amadeus Ticketless Access to promote its domestic and international routes and affordable fares through the provider’s global travel agency network. Spring Airlines’ content is now available to Amadeus-connected travel agents in the carrier’s key growth markets of Hong Kong, Japan, Macau and Taiwan – and will be rolled out to subscribers worldwide by the end of the year.

Al Tayyar Travel Group and Travelport representatives

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Ramada and Hawthorn Dubai Eye Indian Market

ith the aim of reinforcing their presence in the Indian market, Ramada Downtown Dubai and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dubai inked a partnership deal with Hotel Representation and Development Services Global in India. Under the agreement, the company will be the properties’ exclusive sales, marketing and public relations partner in the country, and will negotiate with tour operators, corporate entities and thirdparty agents on their behalf, while also representing the hotels at exhibitions. As Samir Arora, cluster general manager, Ramada Downtown Dubai and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dubai, noted, Dubai witnessed a 17 percent growth in arrivals from India during the first quarter.

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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION

Starwood to Bring Four Points to Ras Al Khaimah Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide plans to open Four Points by Sheraton Ras Al Khaimah in the first quarter of 2019, marking the company’s first property in the emirate.

ith 300 rooms and serviced apartments as well as four food and beverage outlets, the hotel will form part of a mixed-use development featuring offices, residences and a shopping mall. “This deal is in line with the strong demand for affordable yet modern accommodation in the UAE and also underlines Ras Al Khaimah’s plan to enhance the destination and diversify its hotel portfolio,” remarked Neil George, senior vice president, acquisitions and development, Africa and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Four Points by Sheraton Ras Al Khaimah

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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION

Ajman’s Ramada Hotels Set Sight on East Europe

TIME Opens Second O’Learys

n an effort to attract new markets, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman took part in a road show in Eastern Europe, organised by the UAE National Council of Tourism and Antiquities. Seeking to reinforce the country’s position as a leading travel destination in the Middle East by showcasing the diverse offerings and attractions of the seven emirates, the week-long initiative visited Prague, Warsaw and Budapest. “These markets have excellent potential; in fact, we have seen an increase in arrivals from Hungary and Poland in 2015, and we have already started to sign contracts with some tour operators for the summer period,” explained Iftikhar Hamdani, cluster general manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman.

The Burj Club Accessible to All Jood Palace Hotel Dubai

IME Hotels Management has unveiled another sports-themed O’Learys restaurant, on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road. The move marks the hotelier’s second O’Learys franchise, following the launch of its debut outlet at Fujairah Mall in January. Having opened on June 01, the casual dining venue has a total capacity for 250 people, spanning six different seating areas. “We are confident that diners and sports fans will appreciate the unique concept and lively family atmosphere. We see further opportunities to place the O’Learys brand in key high traffic, high value locations across the UAE in the future,” revealed Mohammad Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels Management.

O’Learys in Dubai

Jood Palace Enjoys Good Results

ollowing a rebranding in September 2015, Jood Palace Hotel Dubai witnessed a successful first quarter this year. During the period under review, booked room nights reached 9,822, resulting in a two percent boost of the budget for the three months in question. Ahmed Badawy, general manager, Jood Palace Hotel Dubai, commented, “In the hospitality industry, service excellence is a key measurement of success and at Jood Palace Hotel Dubai we are keen to deliver the hospitality with generosity.”

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urj Khalifa opened the doors of its high-end fitness and wellness retreat, The Burj Club, to the general public. Due to strong demand from local residents and visitors, the facility, which was once only available for invited individuals, now also provides membership and day passes for non-members who can access a number of fitness centres, a spa, rooftop pool, lounge and the indoor lap pool. Ahmad Al Falasi, executive director, group operations, Emaar Properties, said, “The Burj Club has redefined the wellness and fitness scene of Dubai with its unbeatable combination of a prime location, extraordinary facilities and personalised attention by dedicated trainers.”

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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Campbell Gray Amman Coming Up

ampbellGray Hotels announced the launch of Campbell Gray Living, Amman, a development by Al Seraje Real Estate which will include the five-star Campbell Gray Amman, as well as residences, offices and fashion boutiques. To be completed by 2018, the hotel will offer 180 rooms and suites, as well as an extensive array of amenities and facilities, including an exclusive rooftop

pool, restaurant, bar, terrace, a spa with an indoor swimming pool, ballroom, various meeting rooms with state-of-the-art business facilities and a private cinema. As Gordon Campbell Gray, CEO, CampbellGray Hotels, explained, the project is an exciting and vibrant addition to the capital, envisioned to be a focal point for both business and social life in Amman.

Interval Buys Vistana from Starwood

nterval Leisure Group completed the acquisition of Vistana Signature Experiences from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. As Craig Nash, chairman, Interval Leisure Group, noted, with a portfolio that includes the global exclusive rights in vacation ownership of the Sheraton, Westin, and Hyatt brands, as well as a strong financial profile, the company is well positioned to continue to execute its strategic vision. The chain now has an expansive collection of more than 250 managed resorts encompassing over 550,000 owners and approximately 10,000 employees. Thomas Mangas, CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, stated, “With the completion of this transaction, we have formed one of the industry’s largest and most respected providers of world-class vacation experiences.”

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WEEKLY NEWS AIR

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Emirates to Fly Seven Times a Day to Bangkok Starting July 01, Emirates will launch a seventh daily service between Dubai and Bangkok.

perated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the offering will make the Thai capital one of the most served destinations on the carrier’s route map, on par with Kuwait and Doha. Adding another 2,520 seats and up to 134 tonnes in cargo capacity per week in each direction, the route is set to further facilitate travel and trade opportunities between Thailand and Emirates’ global network.

Qatar Airways Increases Stake in IAG

New Premium Etihad Lounge at Melbourne Airport

E Etihad Airways’ new lounge

atar Airways has enlarged its shareholding in International Airlines Group (IAG) from just under 12 percent to 15.01 percent. IAG is the holding company of the Irish Aer Lingus, the UK’s British Airways, as well as Spanish carriers Iberia and Vueling. “IAG is very well positioned in Europe with attractive exposure to the transatlantic segment; leading positions at the London and Madrid hubs and the future benefits from the acquisition ‎of Aer Lingus,” confirmed Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, adding that the airline may consider increasing its stake further over time within the allowable limits on non-European Union ownership.

tihad Airways has inaugurated its new premium lounge at Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 2, offering travellers a stylish and comfortable environment before boarding their flight. At more than 800m2 with seating capacity for up to 133 guests, the facility is the airline’s largest of its kind outside Abu Dhabi. “The new premium lounge at Melbourne Airport is in a class of its own – it is the airport lounge as it is commonly known, totally reimagined,” commented Shane O’Hare, senior vice president, marketing, Etihad Airways, noting that the launch coincides with the June 01 start of the carrier’s Airbus A380 service to the Australian city.

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WEEKLY NEWS AIR

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Passenger Traffic at DWC Surges 79.8 Percent

Emirates Takes Boeing 777 to Tunisia

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Dubai World Central

mirates increased capacity on its service to Tunisia with the introduction of a larger Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The airliner replaced the Airbus A340300 used on the route, enhancing the onboard experience by offering more comfort, leisure and seat options, as well as an updated in-flight entertainment system. The Boeing airplane features 12 lie-flat seats in first class, 42 in business class as well as 310 spacious seats in economy class. Since the first Dubai-Tunis route was inaugurated, on October 29, 2006, Emirates has carried over 2.2 million passengers and more than 50,000 tonnes of cargo on the service.

ubai Airports announced that traveller movements at Dubai World Central (DWC) rose 79.8 percent during the first quarter of the year, as the emirateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second airport welcomed 257,813 passengers. The growth was spurred by strong demand on routes served by major carriers, such as flydubai and Qatar Airways, as well as by increased frequencies. Cargo volumes at the hub contracted 6.9 percent in the first three months, with the facility having handled 198,295 tonnes of freight. Aircraft traffic totalled 10,631, a 0.6 percent year-on-year decrease from the 10,699 movements recorded in 2015.

WEEKLY NEWS AIR

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Deloitte Boosts Middle East Aviation Centre

eloitte expanded its Aviation Centre of Excellence in the region with the appointment of three senior team members, who by sharing their experience, will aid the ongoing support to the company’s airport, airline, government and other customers. “We are able to make this significant commitment due to the continuing support of our clients, and it comes as no surprise that the team has rapidly expanded considering the region’s continued growth and capital spend,” said Graham Pickett, global head, aviation, Deloitte.

Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport

Saudi Aviation Welcomed in Turkey

osted by TAV Airports, a delegation from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) visited the airfields in Istanbul and Ankara to receive information about the aviation industry and collaboration opportunities in Turkey. As Süleyman Al Hamdan, president, GACA, noted, the two parties enjoy very good relations, especially since the Turkish entity has taken over the operation rights of Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina, hailed as the first privatisation project in the country.

Lufthansa Celebrates 40 Years in Dubai

Jazeera Entrusts Ground Handling to Swissport

s Lufthansa marked its 40th anniversary of Dubai services, Harry Hohmeister, CEO, hub management, Lufthansa Group, reiterated the importance of the market for the airline and for the group’s other companies. “Lufthansa has a heritage reaching 90 years of aviation expertise and the Dubai market has been part of that for 40 years. Drawing vigour from our own experience is the desire to continue our leadership role in aviation staying number one in reaching new destinations from our hubs and building up on our strengths,” commented Hohmeister.

Lufthansa executives with crew in retro uniforms

azeera Airways signed a contract with Swissport Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Swissport International, for ground handling services at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, becoming the provider’s launch customer in the Saudi capital. The agreed upon offering includes passenger and ramp handling, baggage services, operations coordination and load control. Abdulla Al-Hudaid, chief operating officer, Jazeera Airways, stated, “We thank the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation for opening the door to private operators, thus, bringing fair competition and more choice.”

Signing of the deal

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Q & A with

RENDEZVOUS

TREVOR MCCARTNEY GENERAL MANAGER, OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE

GEARING UP TO OPEN IN AUGUST, OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE (OCEC) IS SET TO PLAY AN IMPERATIVE ROLE IN OMAN’S PLANS TO BE PERCEIVED AS A FIRST-CLASS MICE DESTINATION. TREVOR MCCARTNEY, GENERAL MANAGER, OCEC, ELABORATES ON THE DEVELOPMENT’S PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What will be OCEC's key highlights upon launching, and how will it serve the luxury MICE market? TREVOR MCCARTNEY: With an exciting vision for the future, OCEC’s phase one, that includes the opening of the exhibition centre, is scheduled to be launched on August 15. The centrepiece of this first phase is the phenomenal exhibition hall itself, 22,396m2 of flexible column-free space that can be divided into five separate halls. Hall One will be used for a range of prestigious events. In addi-

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Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre

tion, OCEC offers 12,000m2 of outdoor exhibition space. On completion, [OCEC] will include luxury hotels – already in progress are JW Marriot and Crowne Plaza offering over 600 rooms between the properties. More than 55 meeting spaces will be available throughout OCEC. These are sized to handle a wide variety of meeting requirements and spaced to allow maximum privacy. Phase two – the convention centre – is scheduled to open in December 2017. At the heart of this phase is OCEC’s inspirational 3,200-seat lyricstyle theatre. As an adaptable venue, the theatre can scale down to accommodate 1,000 guests, using the lower tier. OCEC also boasts an elegant 450seat auditorium and a range of additional meeting rooms. Also making their debut in phase two are the grand and junior ballrooms with the first equipped to accommodate 2,688 delegates in theatre style, 1,680 people in classroom style or a lavish banquet setting for 1,200 guests. Supporting an array of business and social requirements, the junior ballroom, [...] can seat up to 1,026 people in theatrestyle or 540 for banquets. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Oman’s Ministry of Tourism has expressed a keen interest to boost the Sultanate’s credentials as a first-class MICE destination as a key pillar within the tourism strategy. In your opinion, how will this affect Oman’s luxury tourism industry, and how will OCEC facilitate this proposal? TREVOR MCCARTNEY: Attracting high-end travellers with a peripheral spend significantly higher than that of the average leisure visitor, the ‘business events’ industry is strongly linked to luxury tourism. Indeed, business travel-

lers are integral to the success of luxury destinations and tourism stakeholders, with many guests being targeted from the Asian and European markets. Trends in the industry are for greater luxury, and also for destinations with a distinct identity. OCEC’s phenomenal upscale facilities combined with Oman’s authentic charm, astounding natural beauty and wealth of leisure opportunities are a formidable package in this respect. Over the next seven years, OCEC will host different events, welcoming, on average 600,000 visitors a year, and with more of these from lucrative overseas markets, this will be a significant contribution to luxury tourism in the Sultanate. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How will OCEC cater to luxury MICE guests? TREVOR MCCARTNEY: Owned and developed by Oman Tourism Development Company, OCEC caters to sophisticated and discerning MICE delegates, ensuring [that] the most complex and specialised demands are fully served. At OCEC, guests [will] enjoy a seamless experience from the warm traditional Omani welcome at reception to the climate-controlled comfort of the facilities, which blend Arabesque influences with contemporary design and luxurious modern features. The OCEC is also fully equipped to cater to the needs of extra special VIP guests with its own luxuriously appointed VIP Pavilion. Beyond OCEC itself, Oman, the jewel of Arabia, boasts an appeal and diversity few destinations can match. With a myriad of major tourist attractions [which are] easily accessible, delegates can go on to enjoy a wealth of outstanding experiences. Oman is a remarkable country and OCEC is a remarkable venue, together they have an unmatched and irresistible allure for the luxury MICE traveller. 11 JUNE 2016

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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Carlson Rezidor Invests in India

arlson Rezidor Hotel Group acquired the full ownership of Country Development & Management Services Private, a joint venture between Country Inns & Suites by Carlson and Chanakya Hotels Private. According to Thorsten Kirschke, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the collaboration has positioned Country Inns &

Suites By Carlson as a leading midscale hotel brand in India, a market which the group has been committed to for the past 25 years. “This acquisition […] is a strategic move to further strengthen our position as the leading international hotel operator in India. We aim to have 170 hotels in operation and under development by 2020 in the country,” Kirschke added.

Lausanne Lures Arabs with New Attractions

Lausanne

ausanne Tourism introduced packages and announced plans to promote the Swiss destination in the UAE, with Walter Loser, project manager, GCC market, Lausanne Tourism, commenting that many recent developments have contributed to the recognition of the Swiss city as a major tourist location. Among these ventures is the opening of the five-star The Royal Savoy Lausanne, situated in a historic building in the middle of the city, as well as Chaplin’s World, which honours the timeless work of the popular comic actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. The attraction encompasses the legend’s family manor, themed restaurants, a studio and park which are built across 60,000m2 of scenic land.

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[Colleagues] played a paramount role in achieving this

“I was ecstatic and overjoyed upon hearing [the] news [that I won the Manager of the Year award at Rotana]. I would like to personally thank each colleague at Centro Sharjah for their continuous efforts who played a paramount role in achieving this accolade.”

GENERAL MANAGER, SOFITEL ABU DHABI CORNICHE

NAEL EL-WARY

GENERAL MANAGER, CENTRO SHARJAH

MICHAEL KASCH

TRAVEL TALK

Tourists can experience Arabian opulence fused with French modernism “To facilitate the growth of tourism in Abu Dhabi, the team at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche have maximised the quality of our services. Tourists can experience Arabian opulence fused with French modernism. [...] We at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche are continuously evolving, in order to provide the best experience for our guests. Our recent endeavour had us introduce new dishes at our café, French Bakery Corner […]. Additionally, we host various theme nights at our Mediterraneanstyle restaurant Grills@Chill’O.”

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING, AL BUSTAN PALACE, A RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL

RAMI FARHAT

The Ministry of Tourism is proactively supporting our visibility

“The Ministry of Tourism of Oman is doing a fantastic work in reaching out to our main source markets. A greater international visibility for our destination means that we are [...] potentially attracting new segments of travellers. We are seeing a significant increase in luxury destination weddings, with great interest from India. The Ministry of Tourism is proactively supporting our visibility in this region and this reflects on the demand for destination weddings from India at Al Bustan Palace as well.”

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

11 JUNE 2016

CEO, DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS

DIANE MAYER RAED KAJOOR AL NUAIMI

VICE PRESIDENT, RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT AND MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS

We are seeing demand rising for luxurious [...] accommodation “Across the region and within the UAE specifically, we are seeing demand rising for luxurious and long-term extended stay accommodation, and we are perfectly positioned with the scheduled opening of the new Marriott Executive Apartments property, Abu Dhabi’s first [this year]. Today it is not only the executive traveller who seeks out an extended stay property, but also families who are looking for home-like environments where they can still experience the comfort and convenience that they would benefit from in a hotel.”

GENERAL MANAGER, JOOD PALACE HOTEL DUBAI

AHMED BADAWY

TRAVEL TALK

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[We were] determined to revisit Arabic hospitality “[...] We were stepping out of an old brand to our own unique hospitality brand, and Jood Palace Hotel was determined to revisit Arabic hospitality in its fullness, in its scope for rebranding. While ironing out the creases towards rebranding, we observed and worked on generous service levels and guest relations. We not only build a rapport with our guests [...], but we take a proactive role in keeping them informed of what is our new dimension of hospitality which we are offering at Jood Palace Hotel Dubai.”

The launch of our annual passes is the latest milestone “Dubai Parks and Resorts is set to transform the leisure tourism sector in Dubai when it opens in October, adding a world-class family entertainment destination to the city’s attractions. Our destination of diverse theme parks will be the largest in the Middle East, and is set to both benefit from and contribute towards Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020, to double annual visitor numbers to 20 million in 2020. The launch of our annual passes is the latest milestone in our journey towards the opening of the destination [...].”

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GEORGE MAWADRI has been selected as Etihad Airways’ general manager for Nigeria, and will be responsible for growing the carrier’s relationships with the travel trade and corporate customers while also furthering its commercial strategy development in the country. His main goal will be to find new and innovative ways of expanding Etihad Airways’ strategic corporate and trade deals, strengthening commercial ties as well as providing guests with world-class service, comfort and hospitality. Mawadri brings along vast airline experience and knowledge, having served British Airways for 19 years in Uganda, Kenya and Zambia, as well as the surrounding feeder markets of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan and South Sudan.

GEORGES AKAR

ALI OBEIDAT has been appointed director of sales and marketing at InterContinental Jordan. He brings along 14 years of experience from the world of hospitality, specifically from fivestar hotels and resorts in Jordan, in locations such as Amman, the Dead Sea and Aqaba. His communication and negotiation skills, accompanied by his dedication and hard work have contributed to an impressive career path which took him from the position of sales executive when he first started, to cluster director of sales and marketing at the InterContinental Hotels Group’s Dead Sea resorts. In his current capacity, Obeidat will work hand in hand with the hotel’s sales and marketing team and all colleagues to bring about success and achievements.

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GEORGES AKAR has been named director of sales and marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Beirut. Akar started his career in the industry 14 years ago, serving in sales positions with prominent hotel brands, including Mandarin Oriental, Rotana and Mövenpick. He joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as director of sales in charge of the Middle East region for the company’s hotels in Thailand, namely in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Koh Samui. Having spent four years in Asia, he returned to the Middle East in 2014, where he served as director of sales at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, before heading to Lebanon.

Akar started his career in the industry 14 years ago

CHRISTOPH STRAHM

GEORGE MAWADRI

ALI OBEIDAT

WHO’S MOVED

CHRISTOPH STRAHM is the new hotel manager at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha. Having started his career in 2005, in the food and beverage department at Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains in St Moritz, Switzerland, Strahm also worked with Sofitel in Vietnam before returning to Kempinski to take on leading roles in China, as well as in Rwanda where he was general manager of Hôtel des Mille Collines by Kempinski. With a master’s degree in business administration and bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the management team, in the current post Strahm will lead all the hotel operations along with the Qatari property’s general manager, Wissam Suleiman.

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TRAVEL CHANNELS

Boeing Reports Environmental Progress

Rotana Transitions into a Green Era

oeing’s advancement in reducing its environmental footprint and helping to build a more sustainable future for the aerospace industry, were showcased in a recently-released report by the company. The survey highlights that Boeing operations reduced greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste to landfill, water intake and hazardous waste generation by between six and 11 percent in 2015. “As we enter our second century of business, we recognise that strong environmental performance is necessary to ensuring a healthy planet and our long-term business success,” said Ursula English, vice president, environment, health and safety, Boeing.

arking a milestone in the hotelier’s commitment to environmental sustainability, 16 Rotana hotels in the UAE, representing nearly 50 percent of the company’s portfolio in the country, obtained the ISO 14001 environmental management certification. “The social, economic and legal arguments for taking action on environmental issues are becoming more persuasive and more widely requested by different stakeholders. Rotana hotels around the world are taking various initiatives for the sake of the environment under our global sustainability platform Rotana Earth,” commented Guy Hutchinson, chief operating officer, Rotana.

TDIC Lights Up Louvre Abu Dhabi Dome

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Louvre Abu Dhabi

ourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) achieved a new milestone in Louvre Abu Dhabi’s development, as it completed the attachment of 4,500 tube lights to the dome’s steel structure. The permanent feature is controlled by a system that will allow the adjustment of the brightness level. H.E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman, TDIC, said, “This achievement also offers members of the public an opportunity to witness the great strides taken in the museum’s construction, and observe the dome’s intricate cladding pattern, giving them a hint of the wonder they will experience once Louvre Abu Dhabi is officially opened.”

TRAVEL CHANNELS

MOSQUES GRAB SCTH ATTENTION

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MESSAGING TRANSFORMS TRAVEL TRENDS

he ground gaining of mobile messaging and Internet-based chat applications is transforming the way the travel experience is created and shared. According to Phocuswright’s Chat. Shop. Buy: Messaging as the New Traveler Medium report, travellers under the age of 45 are more than twice as likely to use mobile messaging then their older counterparts, with text messages leading the way, followed by emails and social network posts. In light of these, mobile messaging represents a huge opportunity for travel brands to offer on-demand support, thus, the emergence of start-ups focussing on facilitating guest relations via instant messaging. As Douglas Quinby, vice president, research, Phocuswright, noted, from shop to book to experience and share, the use of mobile messaging will only grow in the future.

he Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) recently held the Historical Mosques Workshop in Riyadh, with H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, president, SCTH, commenting that ever since the founding of the Kingdom, mosques are believed to be the basic foundation and a source of unification. “The preservation and restoration of mosques continued from one generation to the next, until the establishment of SCTH which crystallised its commitment to historical mosques through the establishment of a main path for Islamic history sites,” said bin Abdulaziz.

ETIHAD SPREADS JOY TO INDIAN KIDS

ricket stars of Mumbai Indians brought smiles to over 40 children during a special evening hosted by Etihad Airways for its top selling travel agents in India. The families of the industry professionals alongside children from Magic Bus, a local non-governmental organisation working on moving youngsters out of poverty, were treated to an event where they had autographs signed and pictures taken with the team’s coach Ricky Ponting and captain Rohit Sharma. On the occasion, Neerja Bhatia, vice president, Indian Subcontinent, Etihad Airways, reiterated the airline’s commitment to supporting local initiatives and giving back to the community.

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha

KATARA DONATES HOTEL FURNITURE TO CHARITY

s part of its ongoing commitment to supporting communities and underprivileged members of the society, Katara Hospitality gave away a selection of luxurious hotel furniture to Qatar Charity. The non-governmental organisation, which is dedicated to carrying out humanitarian and development programmes, received the donation as a result of The Ritz-Carlton, Doha’s refurbishment. “As Qatar’s flagship hospitality organisation, we remain committed to partaking in initiatives that foster the development of our society through our corporate social responsibility programmes. Qatar Charity plays a vital role in supporting our ongoing efforts as one of our partners for addressing charityrelated issues,” said Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, chairman, Katara Hospitality.

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PHOTO ALBUM

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai inaugurated the Burj Al Arab Terrace

Former FC Barcelona football captain Carles Puyol visited Egypt

Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Hala Arjaan by Rotana and Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi organised a stress management and yoga session at womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s labour camp in Mussafah

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

Emirates' six football club-themed aircraft took off ahead of UEFA Euro 2016

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Iftar preview party at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Layali Zaman Majlis

Butlers Chocolate Caf officially opened in Dubai International's Concourse D

NEWS & EVENTS Expo 2020 Impresses Potential Participants

ore than 370 senior representatives from around the world had the chance to experience Expo 2020 Dubai’s vision of a festival of human ingenuity, at the recently held Expo 2020 Dubai International Planning Meeting. The meeting included 14 in-depth sessions covering Expo 2020’s legacy, theme and master plan, as well as the city’s readiness to host the global mega-event. “Collaboration has shaped our theme and every single nation has valuable insights and experiences to offer the world. We need to hear them, our tens of millions of visitors will need to see and understand them,” commented H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, director general, Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau.

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EVENTS 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.

BALI & BEYOND TRAVEL FAIR Bali, Indonesia June 22 – 26 www.bbtf.or.id This year’s event is expected to conclude in deals worth IDR17 trillion (USD1.2 billion) from 275 buyers worldwide.

Abu Dhabi Unveils Events Licensing System

n a move to drive industry growth within the emirate through improving event planning, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is gearing up to introduce an events licensing system. The standardised and unified online platform is set to streamline the official registration of all events administered, organised and managed across the destination. As H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman, TCA Abu Dhabi, explained, the entity will oversee the implementation of strategies and policies pertaining to the coordination of events between the relevant authorities, while also enhancing the contribution of the government, private sector and relevant stakeholders.

FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW Farnborough, UK July 11 – 15 www.farnborough.com One of the world’s largest aviation events for the global aerospace community.

IBTM LATIN AMERICA Mexico City, Mexico September 07 – 08 www.ibtmlatinamerica.com Leaders, organisers and specialised suppliers for events will convene for business adventures.

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