20 AUGUST 2016 ISSUE 354
05 Ajman: Over USD54 Million Tourism Earnings
08 KEMPINSKI UNVEILS BEIRUT RESORT
PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT DWC SURGES 79.8 PERCENT
04 GENERAL
QATAR WELCOMES 1.4 MILLION VISITORS
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
INCREASED DEMAND FOR AIR CARGO
ASSISTANT EDITOR Rita Kasziba JOURNALISTS Memnon Arestis Ellen Petty CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou SALES & SALES SUPPORT Maria Demetriadou Magda Christou Raluca Apostolescu 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
A year-on-year boast of 4.3 percent in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) was observed in data for global demand in June, as indicated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
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his was the fastest pace of growth recorded in 14 months. Capacity measured in available FTK jumped 4.9 percent from the same period in 2015. Freight requirements boomed with the Middle East and Europe posting the strongest demand surge in June with year-on-year increases of eight and 5.1 percent, respectively. “We will continue watching developments closely, keeping in mind that the air freight business environment is fragile,” commented Tony Tyler, director general, IATA.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com
MAJID AL FUTTAIM GROWS REVENUE Mall of the Emirates, Dubai by Majid Al Futtaim
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456 david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of
2
12.8.2016
COUNTRY
CURRENCY 1USD=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.39
Qatar (QAR)
Rial
3.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
3.75
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
109.69
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
8.88
Iran (IRR)
Rial
31,043.99
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,168.60
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,507.00
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.39
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.77
Syria (SYP)
Pound
214.95
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.21
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.10
Majid Al Futtaim reported solid financial growth for the first half of the year (H1).
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he firm has accumulated an overall group revenue of AED15.2 billion (USD4.14 billion), an 11 percent jump over H1 2015, while posting AED1.9 billion (USD517.3 million) in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation, indicating a seven percent year-on-year increase. The company has commenced the construction of the 103,000 m2 City Centre Almaza in Cairo, and Aloft City Centre Deira. Further achievements include the opening of 11 new Carrefour stores and the launch of the first outdoor VOX Cinemas concept in Deira. The enterprise has outlined furter long-term investment plans in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Oman.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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QATAR WELCOMES 1.4 MILLION
Visitors
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Doha
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he six-month period saw a year-on-year decrease of 15 percent in occupancy rates, with a country-wide average of 64 percent, a result of a 10 percent net increase of available rooms. Average room rates across the industry stood at QAR500 (USD137.3) and RevPAR was recorded at QAR319 (USD87.6) Saudi Arabia remained the largest source market, and was responsible for a tenth of the GCC market’s seven percent growth, while the volume of UAE tourists climbed 13 percent. With this year’s cruise season set to deliver a ten-fold rise in the number of liners, arrivals are expected to rise over the next months.
IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR (H1), 1.4 MILLION TRAVELLERS ENTERED QATAR, SIX PERCENT LESS THAN IN THE EQUIVALENT PERIOD IN 2015, DUE TO THE TIMING OF RAMADAN.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Ajman: Over USD54 Million Tourism Earnings
Masfout, Ajman
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ourism in Ajman has escalated with a total of 272,021 visitors in the first half of the year (H1), resulting in revenue of AED200 million (USD54.45 million). According to Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), the total amount for the second quarter (Q2) was up 11 percent to AED92 million (USD25.04 million), with arrivals soaring to 129,617 compared to 119,376 in 2015. Occupancy rates for hotels and apartments during Q2 stood at 63 percent and 68 percent, respectively, with the number of guest nights reaching 293,512. Locals represented the vast majority of travellers, followed by tourists from Asia, Africa, other Arab countries and the GCC, while European, Russian and American visitors made up more than 30,000 of the total number.
Efficient Taxi Services in Dubai
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he booking and dispatch centre of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)’s public transport agency has executed 2.9 million booking requests placed by taxi riders in Dubai, during the first half of the year. Abdullah Al Mahri, director, transport activities monitoring, RTA, revealed that the time of dispatching a cab to a customer has dropped to 14.2 minutes, and the response time to incoming calls averaged at 34 seconds. “During the first six months of this year, the centre received more than four million calls, […]. About 29,000 taxi booking requests were made through the smart taxi app,” he said.
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
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Phocuswright Reveals Expanding Role of OTAs In partnership with Expedia, Phocuswright has produced a white paper analysing online travel shopping trends.
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he results showed a shift from offline to online booking as more travellers are drawn to the convenience of online travel agencies (OTA), where users can compare a broad range of products on one site. In developed markets, 61 – 75 percent of online accommodation shoppers visited an OTA, compared to 15 – 44 percent who accessed hotels’ website. A similar, but less pronounced trend was also observed with flight bookings. It is predicted that by 2017, around 52 percent of all travel reservations in Europe will be made online, while in China, 60 percent of digital travel sites will be viewed on mobile devices.
Travelport Inks Deal with TP Services
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he operator agreement between Travelport and TP Services marks an important step in Tanzania’s travel industry, with tourism predicted to support 12 percent of employment in the country by 2025. The partnership was revealed at a business gala, where delegates had the opportunity to learn about the technology expert’s operator strategy in supporting the growth of agency associates in the African destination through the distribution of its travel commerce platform. TP Services plans to enhance Travelport’s technology by offering additional service support and tailored product recommendations. Local travel agents will have access to a wealth of content, including the point of sale solution, Travelport Smartpoint, which helps to improve efficiency and provides opportunities for upselling.
Mount Kilimanjaro
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY Qatar Boosts Online Presence
Ride-Hailing Apps Benefit from Start-up Funding
Uber mobile application
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Doha
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ince 2005, 1,252 digital travel start-ups were given USD32.6 billion in financing, with mobile ride-hailing apps obtaining more than half of the total amount. Cathy Walsh, senior research analyst, Phocuswright, noted, “The success of top funding recipients, including Uber and Airbnb, has also fuelled competitors across regions and inspired new start-up ecosystems supporting these and other marketplaces.” Despite the huge rise in investment in the sector, 68 percent of financial backing was limited to the 10 most-funded companies between 2005 and this year’s first quarter. Walsh added that nine of these provided ground transportation and private accommodation. Amongst horizontal-focussed organisations, nearly 70 percent of monetary support was given to companies with booking at their core.
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n an attempt to amplify its image, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) aligned its corporate existence with the Qatar destination brand and unified the organisation’s online presence under a single domain name. The initial phase of a new business website has been also introduced by QTA further improving accessibility to updated information about ongoing plans, promotions and regulations by the authority to help establish a sustainable tourism sector. Additional initiatives involve publishing the website in more languages, including French, Italian and German, in order to enhance Qatar’s image as an attractive destination.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Kempinski Unveils Beirut Resort
Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort
Combining the magic of the Lebanese capital’s past with the European luxury of the present, Kempinski has launched the first phase of Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort in Beirut.
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atering to the needs of global travellers and locals alike, the property’s 153 elegantly furnished rooms and suites overlook the Mediterranean Sea while the private bungalows, that are equipped with Jacuzzis, allow access to the beach. Other amenities include a marina, seven dining venues, a fitness zone, spa and wellness facilities with eight treatment rooms, kids’ area and pools, as well as a variety of water sports activities. According to Dagmar Symes, general manager, Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort, the new address will not only be unique to Beirut, but will provide authentic experiences with the highest quality of unparallelled personalised services. Following the resort’s launch, the hotel is scheduled to welcome its first guests in September.
Talise Spa, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Jumeirah Emirates Towers Launches Healing Pool
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floatation therapy pool room has been unveiled at Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ Talise Spa, providing stress-relieving treatments to guests. Utilising a combination of Epsom salt and water heated to precisely 36 degrees, the pool will allow visitors to float completely unaided, offering stress and anxiety relief, and solutions for pain and jet lag. Usage of the pool is said to deliver the benefits of eight hours of sleep. The pool contains strategically added magnesium which leads to calmer nerves, reduced anxiety and better digestion. Flotation therapy is considered particularly beneficial to those in stressful professions.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
The Torch Doha Introduces Mobile App
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uests at The Torch Doha can now book rooms, reserve tables, view menus and look for special offers through the hotel’s newlylaunched mobile application. As part of the property’s technological initiatives, visitors receive an iPad which provides a range of in-room solutions allowing them to control lights, curtains and temperature or access Internet and music.
Sherif Sabry, hotel manager, The Torch Doha, noted that due to the increasing use of smartphones in the region and the changing needs of travellers, the digital platform is set to contribute to the improvement of services. The new offering will also promote the growing tourism industry through social networking sites.
Emaar Introduces Act One | Act Two in Dubai
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maar Properties is set to officially launch the brand new Act One | Act Two residences, located in the heart of Dubai, adjacent to Dubai Opera. The establishment comprises two towers, one consisting of 52 and the second of 46 floors, boasting 718 units, which include one-, two- and three- bedroom apartments, with a limited collection of penthouses crowning the highest two levels. Located within walking distance to The Dubai Mall, the building will include a health club, spa, infinity swimming pools, as well as retail shops and cafés.
Act One | Act Two, Dubai
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Dubai Maintains Occupancy but Drops Rates
Emirates A380 Takes Over Manchester Service
Emirates is to increase capacity by 11 percent between Dubai and Manchester with the deployment of a third daily Airbus A380 on the route.
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Manchester
s of January 01, 2017, the replacement of the Boeing 777-300ER will mean that all Emirates flights to the UK destination will be operated by the iconic double-decker aircraft. The airline also unveiled plans to reschedule its current Airbus A380 service to Birmingham from the morning to the afternoon departure slot, in order to offer customers even more connections beyond Dubai to other Airbus A380 destinations.
Iraqi Airways Continues Regional Expansion
Turkish Airlines Launches Erbil Service
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Tehran
urkish Airlines has added twice-weekly direct flights from Gaziantep Airport to Erbil International Airport. Following the start of the route on August 05, the airline now operates the return schedule on Mondays and Fridays. The new link to the Kurdistan region in Iraq is expected to provide more opportunities for tourists to explore the destinations, offering greater accessibility and connectivity.
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raqi Airways has launched direct flights between the country’s second largest airport, Basra International Airport and Tehran. Iraq’s national airline operates its newest service to the Iranian capital three times a week, further extending its route map. The regular flights to the northern city were launched on August 07 as part of the carrier’s endeavours to improve connections between the two destinations and increase travel options for passengers. Iraqi Airways now serves five airports in Iran, including Isfahan International Airport, Rasht Airport, Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, Tehran Mehrabad International Airport, and the recently added Mashhad International Airport.
Erbil
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Jet Airways Launches Sharjah – Mangaluru Route
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Sharjah
et Airways has introduced a daily service between Sharjah and Mangaluru, complimenting the airline’s existing flights from the Indian city to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The new schedule increases connectivity from the Gulf region to a number of cities across India, in a bid to further strengthen the carrier’s network and cater to the large number of Indian passengers travelling between the destinations. Shakir Kantawala, vice president, Gulf, Middle East and North Africa, Jet Airways, commented, “With economic ties between the Gulf region and India flourishing, Jet Airways recognises the need to provide connectivity options to its guests.”
Oman Air Maintains Growth Strategy
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ollowing its fleet and network expansion plan, Oman Air has signed a letter of intent with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) for the sale and leaseback of two new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. According to the airline’s 2014 development strategy, Oman’s national carrier is expected to increase its fleet to 70 airplanes by 2020, comprising of 45 narrow-body and 25 wide-body aircraft, reaching 75 international destinations. The first of the two Boeings was delivered on July 25, while the second one is expected to join the airline’s base in Muscat this month. Highlighting the importance of the deal, Abdulrahman Al-Busaidy, deputy CEO, Oman Air, pointed out that the airline’s Boeing 737s are the backbone of the fleet.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Cebu Pacific Works on Expanding Routes
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ebu Pacific Air has placed a firm order with Airbus for two Airbus A330-300s. The aircraft will join an existing fleet of six A330s operated by the airline on flights to destinations in the Middle East and Australia, as well on selected domestic and regional routes.
“The newly ordered aircraft will enable us to add more long haul routes, including the launch of our first flights to the US. We are excited to be expanding our wide-body fleet, offering more low fare options for our customers to fly further than ever before,” commented Lance Gokongwei, president, Cebu Pacific Air.
Best Western Adds Beachfront Hotel in Japan
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est Western Hotels & Resorts has opened a beachfront property in Japan that combines all the key elements of a tropical seaside vacation. Located on the main island of Okinawa, Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach is set in a modern 10-storey building offering rooms ranging from the 30m² standard units to the 60m² deluxe rooms, all of which come equipped with free Wi-Fi. The hotel boasts a beachfront restaurant, Kouki, serving Japanese and international cuisine. Other facilities include a laundry, massage services and a business centre. “Okinawa has always been a tourism hotspot for Japanese travellers, and an increasing number of international visitors are now starting to discover this idyllic tropical island,” said Olivier Berrivin, managing director, international operations, Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.
Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach
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DANIEL GAVINS has become the first official golf ambassador for Fairmont The Palm, Dubai. Currently ranked in the top 200 on the European Tour, he turned professional in 2012. One of his greatest achievements is his world record score of 93 in the TrackMan Combine Test. In his exclusive role as the face of the resort, Gavins will interact with the guests during golf clinics, where he will share insider tips and tricks. The sportsman will also support the promotion of Dubai as a must-visit golf destination.
Gavins is an accomplished golf player
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ELIAS EL BAHRI
SALEH FARAJAT has been recruited as country director of sales and marketing at Marriott International in Jordan. With over 17 years of experience and remarkable leadership skills, Farajat has worked in many locations, including Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia and the US. His career commenced in 1998, at MĂśvenpick Resort Petra, where he worked as a front office intern, and since then he has been employed in various capacities, such as director of sales at Sofitel City Centre Hotel & Residence, Dubai. Farajat joined Marriott International in 2009 and has since been progressing forward, exhibiting his charismatic leadership attributes whilst handling markets in Europe, Middle East, Africa and the US.
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ELIAS EL BAHRI has begun his new role as director of sales and marketing at Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Hotel. El Bahri started his 12-year career in the hospitality sector at Phoenicia InterContinental Hotel, Lebanon, from where he progressed to Four Points by Sheraton Beirut, prior to reaching Shangri La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi. El Bahri was later responsible for the sales and events department at Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suits Abu Dhabi on Yas Island. In his new position, he will monitor the sales and marketing activities.
El Bahri has been working in Abu Dhabi for years
NUNO NEVES
DANIEL GAVINS
SALEH FARAJAT
WHO’S MOVED
NUNO NEVES has been appointed cluster general manager at Park Inn by Radisson Muscat and Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm, where he will oversee day-today operations. Neves began his career as a flight attendant, before gaining over 22 years of experience in the hotel industry, notably in food and beverage. He joined Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in 2004 and held management positions at Radisson Blu Rome and Radisson SAS Grand Hotel Sofia. From 2008, he was employed by various international hoteliers such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Hilton Worldwide. Neves joined Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel Freetown, Sierra Leone in 2013 as pre-opening, opening and post-opening general manager.
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SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, QATAR AIRWAYS
MARK CARNAZZOLA ROSSEN DIMITROV
GENERAL MANAGER, NOBU HOTEL RIYADH
[We will] deliver our guests the distinctive and memorable luxury Nobu service
“I am extremely delighted to welcome our experienced and talented executive managers to the hotel and I look forward to working with them in opening this very exciting hotel. With their appointments I know we will be able to deliver to our guests the distinctive and memorable luxury Nobu service with our valued colleagues; matching the quality and unique luxury facilities that the hotel will behold.“
CEO, DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS
RAED KAJOOR AL NUAIMI
TRAVEL TALK
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Our goal is to give [...] guests the chance to experience amazing
“We are very excited about the launch of Dubai Parks and Resorts’ official theme song, as it marks yet another milestone towards our opening in October. Our goal is to give our guests the chance to Experience Amazing, and I believe that this collaboration with [composer] Alan Menken has brought us one step closer to achieving that.”
Our number one rating is a reflection of the [airline’s] end-to-end experience “It is a great honour for Qatar Airways to be awarded first place in [AirHelp’s] survey of 50 global airlines. Our number one rating is a reflection of the end-to-end experience of Qatar Airways’ passengers; from the product on our aircraft, the service on board from our cabin crew, through to the quality of our lounges and our excellent ground staff who make sure our flights operate efficiently. We are extremely proud to have received this accolade, and it is testament to the hard work and dedication of all Qatar Airways staff.”
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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Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
HAKAN PETEK GENERAL MANAGER, JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH HOTEL & SPA
FREQUENTED BY BUSINESSMEN AND CORPORATE TRAVELLERS, KUWAIT IS ALSO A DESTINATION WITH AN EXPANDING HIGH-END OFFERING AS HAKAN PETEK, GENERAL MANAGER, JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH HOTEL & SPA, REVEALS.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is the luxury travel segment to your business? Approximately what percentage does this segment represent in your overall figures? HAKAN PETEK: With an unwavering commitment to offer only the finest products and services to an increasingly discerning market in Kuwait, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa has firmly positioned itself as the hotel of choice for both business and leisure travellers, with the luxury segment forming a key source market for the property, accounting for 15 percent of our guests. In spite of our comparatively young history in this market – having opened in 2013 – Jumeirah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait has already become an acknowledged leader in Kuwait’s hospitality sector. […]
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Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa
It is not just business travellers that enjoy our hotel’s luxurious offering, as we are frequented by a considerable number of the region’s royal families and celebrities. On a daily basis we have upwards of 25 – 30 VIPs staying with us. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How are your guests’ needs and preferences changing? HAKAN PETEK: Luxury travellers visiting us from around the world are increasingly seeking unique experiential holidays with a rising demand for authentic and engaging experiences, and this is something that as a hotel we strive to accommodate by constantly developing our products and services. Being located in a culturally-preserved country like Kuwait, what we have as our advantage is a traditional destination, giving today’s luxury travellers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the authenticity of the country’s local culture, traditions and customs which creates a more meaningful and memorable experience for them. The quality of our services is also what sets each experience apart, as we have built the Jumeirah brand in the region around exceptional service and culturally-connected Arabian hospitality. With the ever-changing luxury market comes a more demanding luxury traveller that seeks a more curated experience and personalised stay, and we engage guests through unique experiences that meet their needs. For example, we are increasingly aware of the special choices of our high-end customers with a sophisticated record of their preferences so that we remember their likes and dislikes upon arrival. From the professional welcome by our highly-trained staff to gourmet meals in our varied restaurants, we strive to focus on providing experiences that are exclusive to this region and offer guests
the luxury of choice. For instance, apart from offering merely luxury amenities in our Talise Spa, we provide an overall luxurious wellness and lifestyle journey, which includes a whole package of healthy eating programmes and access to the private high-quality fitness centre. Additionally, luxury travellers now seek more of an authentic experience. Supporting the local community and sustainable tourism are now a key decision-maker for luxury travellers. With a growing awareness of the environment, we are always adopting sustainable practices throughout our property. In 2015, we partnered with Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company to help raise awareness of environmentally-friendly transport options. As part of this we hosted the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid car at the main entrance to provide an alternative luxury mode of transport for our VIP guests. […] TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Could Kuwait capture an even larger share of the Middle East’s luxury travel market? HAKAN PETEK: Kuwait’s travel and tourism sector is expected to witness considerable investment over the next five years following the government’s development plan for 2015 – 2025, which includes plans to create a world-class leisure and business destination especially with its expansion programme for Kuwait International Airport. According to figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council, investment is anticipated to grow by 10.8 percent this year alone. With this growth, the luxury segment will form a considerable portion of anticipated projects in the country and the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is well positioned to capture this market and contribute to the future growth of the sector. 20 AUGUST 2016
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AGENT CORNER
AGENT’S INSIGHT When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry? […] I was only four-five years old when I first met American travellers in my home city, Bukhara, Uzbekistan, with whom I communicated and loved to share my homeland’s beauty. After graduating from university [in 1996], I became an interpreter, guide and tour operator at the Uzbek tourism ministry. I opened my tourism company in the US in 2008 after I moved from Uzbekistan.
NAME:
Zulya Rajabova
POSITION: President COMPANY: Silk Road Treasure Tours LOCATION: New York City WEBSITE: www.silkroadtreasuretours.com
What are the most important attributes of a good travel agent/ tour operator? A good tour operator/agent listens to the travellers very carefully and should be very creative to give them iconic itineraries and extraordinary tours based on their specific interests, needs and budget. They should be available before, during and after the trip and should be very caring and make travellers [feel] special. What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives from customers? Are Central Asia and Caucasus countries ready for luxury and five-star adventure? What is the best time to travel to Central Asia? […] What are the must-visits and must-dos in your country that nobody should miss? […] In Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, we recommend […] [a] wander in the legendary cities, to shop at the thousand-year-old bazaars, participate in local family events and festivals or stay in a nomadic yurt. Other activities include camel riding, horse-back riding, hiking, enjoying traditional folk shows and visiting archaeological jewels. Which destination is on your bucket-list? Iran and Cuba. 20 AUGUST 2016
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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SUPPORTING EMIRATI NURSES Nadia Bastaki and Daryl Cornish, director, Fatima College of Health Sciences
PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE UAE
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H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai, visited the headquarters of Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, Masdar, where he toured Masdar City and reviewed major clean energy projects and initiatives. During the meetings, Al Maktoum highlighted the importance of innovation and positive energy in promoting the sustainable development of the UAE, and said that through initiatives such as Masdar, the country was demonstrating its capacity to lead the world in helping to secure a clean energy future. He also reviewed the projects being executed by the company both locally and globally, which are part of the UAE’s strategy to increase the contribution of clean sustainable energy to the total energy mix to 24 percent by 2021.
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tihad Airways Medical Centre (EAMC) and Fatima College of Health Sciences (FCHS) of The Institute of Applied Technology have announced a new partnership to support the training and continued development of Emirati nurses in Abu Dhabi. The partnership, which is a first of its kind in the UAE, forms an important part of EAMC’s strategy to employ more local female healthcare professionals. The EAMC sponsorship programme will provide up to three students a year with the chance to pursue a rewarding and challenging career in the field with Etihad Airways. Nadia Bastaki, vice president, medical services, Etihad Airways, said, “This agreement provides a unique opportunity for EAMC to encourage female UAE nationals to pursue a career in nursing and explore the fields of aviation and occupational medicine […].”
AJMAN SUPPORTS CHARITABLE PROJECTS
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roceeds of AED19,650 (USD5,350) from the auction of non-winning date fruits at the recently-concluded Liwa Ajman Date Festival were donated to Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Foundation to support the organisation’s humanitarian initiatives. More than 1.2 tonnes of dates entered into the competition by local farmers were auctioned to the public daily during the three-day event. Saud Al Jasmi, president, Liwa Ajman Date Festival Committee, said, “We hope that the donation will help the underprivileged families in Ajman as well as the guardians and orphans sponsored by the foundation.”
M TEACHING SCIENCE THROUGH THEATRE 18
TE Studios, a consultancy firm specialised in turn key solutions in the region for science related projects and events, in collaboration with Bahrain Culture Authority & Antiquities, hosted a selection of educational and interactive science theatre stage performances at Nakhool City, between August 01 – 07. Ludo Verheyen, CEO, MTE Studios, said, ”Science theatre is a great way to teach children about innovations in a fun environment.” The performances at Nakhool City saw MTE Studios veteran science theatre actor David Muller presenting three different shows.
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group (left) welcomed H.E. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, climate change and environment minister, UAE (right) at the company’s headquarters
Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche’s guest service officers are delighted to help
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to.
A mini fish market awaits guests at Coral Beach Resort Sharjah
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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ruler, Dubai, visited Masdar City to review investment projects and future plans
Youngsters learned everything about the process of changing tyres at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
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NEWS & EVENTS WFS to Address Financial Sustainability
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his year’s World Financial Symposium (WFS), organised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), will focus on building high-performance finance organisations within airlines, as an anchor to financial sustainability. According to expectations, the industry will accumulate a net profit of USD38.4 billion by the end of the year, considered as the best earnings in its history, while it is anticipated that for the second consecutive year, carriers will make an aggregate return in excess of their cost of capital. Reflecting on the years of hard work and restructuring, Aleks Popovich, senior vice president, financial and distribution services, IATA, is confident that the industry’s sustainability can be maintained. The event is set to take place at Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore between September 21 – 23.
Auckland to Host Music Event
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uckland has won the right to stage the 12th triennial World Symposium on Choral Music in 2020, an event that attracts choirs and musically minded people from around the world. With support from Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) worked with the New Zealand Choral Federation to secure the rights to hold this leading international festival in the city. The symposium, which will take place over eight days in July and August 2020, is estimated to attract more than 1,700 performers and many more concertgoers, contributing an estimated NZD4.6 million (USD 3.3 million) to the local economy. According to Anna Hayward, manager, ACB, this is an exciting win for Auckland and highlights how the region’s rich and diverse arts and culture have made for a compelling bid on the world stage.
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EVENTS IBTM LATIN AMERICA Mexico City, Mexico September 07 – 08 www.ibtmlatinamerica.com Leaders, organisers and specialised suppliers for events will convene for business adventures.
SEATRADE CRUISE MED Tenerife, Spain September 21 – 23 www.seatradecruiseevents.com A major biennial event focussed on the world’s secondlargest cruise destination, the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.
IMEX AMERICA Las Vegas, US October 18 - 20 www.imexamerica.com The hosted buyer programme qualifies and brings key buyers to the show, with IMEX America covering travel and accommodations.
20 AUGUST 2016