27 AUGUST 2016 ISSUE 355
04 GENERAL
05 BAHRAIN: PHASE TWO OF TOURISM SURVEY
10 OMAN AIR TO ENTER IRAQ
PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT DWC SURGES 79.8 PERCENT
DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS TO LAUNCH IN OCTOBER
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
CHALLENGING PERIOD FOR ORASCOM
ASSISTANT EDITOR Rita Kasziba JOURNALISTS Memnon Arestis Ellen Petty CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou
Citadel Azur Resort
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
Orascom Development Holding (ODH) reported a turnover of CHF109.4 million (USD113.4 million) for the first half (H1) of the year, down 33.5 percent from H1 2015.
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djusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at CHF8.1 million (USD8.4 million) for the Swiss company that has large investments in Egypt, while the value of contracted real estate units reached CHF57.4 million (USD59.5 million) with contributions coming from El Gouna, Jebel Sifah and Montenegro. During the same period, ODH has obtained full ownership of Citadel Azur Resort, a five-star property with 514 keys in Sahl Hasheesh, and while Oman and UAE hotels delivered positive results, the performance of Egyptian properties has been largely impacted by travel bans.
TESTING MARKET CONDITIONS FOR GULF HOTELS
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735 kuka@rmamedia.com
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456 david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of
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26.8.2016
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
109.01
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
8.88
Iran (IRR)
Rial
31,133.34
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,165.04
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,506.92
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.38
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.69
Syria (SYP)
Pound
214.65
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.19
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.13
Gulf Hotels Group (GHG) recorded a gross operating revenue of BHD16.38 million (USD43.44 million) and a net profit of BHD9.45 million (USD25 million) for the first half of the year, marking year-on-year decreases of 5.89 percent and 19.89 percent, respectively.
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he figures include a one time bargain profit of BHD4.97 million (USD13.18 million) due to the acquisition of 100 percent in shares of Bahrain Tourism Company in the second quarter of the year. Farouk Almoayyed, chairman, GHG, expects the difficult trading environment to continue throughout the year along with recent changes in service charges and increases in utility costs. Nevertheless, the company plans to commence construction on the 224-room five-star Gulf Hotel Business Bay in Dubai by the end of the year.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS TO LAUNCH
in October
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he entertainment complex will boast three thematic areas, including Bollywood Parks Dubai, motiongate Dubai and LEGOLAND Dubai together with LEGOLAND Water Park. Thrill-seeking visitors will be able to experience approximately 100 rides and attractions across the four sections. The venue will also boast a Polynesian-themed family resort Lapita Hotel Dubai, as well as Riverland Dubai with a wide array of retail, dining and entertainment offerings. “[...] As the largest entertainment destination in the region, [the project] will create jobs in Dubai, support the UAE’s tourism vision and grow the family leisure industry in the region,” expressed Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, CEO, Dubai Parks and Resorts.
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HAILED AS THE REGION’S LARGEST THEME PARK, DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS IS SET TO OPEN ITS GATES ON OCTOBER 31.
Rendering of Bollywood Parks, Dubai Parks and Resorts
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Ras Al Khaimah: 75 Percent Less Waste by 2021
Bahrain Commences Phase Two of Tourism Survey
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as Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA), in collaboration with Waste Management Authority (WMA), is set to introduce new standards for hotels and tourism establishments. Based on international best practices, the initiative aims to increase waste recycling at the emirate’s properties from the current four percent to 15 percent by 2017, and to 75 percent by 2021. The efforts are conducted within the framework of the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda, which supports the utilisation of clean energy. As Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah TDA, noted, with the implementation of these standards, the emirate is set to become a sustainable destination.
National Programme Takes On Souk Okaz
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he Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) has celebrated the 10th edition of Souk Okaz by including Okaz in the National Transformation Program; a step towards the site becoming an Islamic, Arabic and international cultural centre. Due to be completed within five years, the SCTH projects include an interactive museum, an eco-camp, an academy of Arabic poetry and Okaz Avenue. H.R.H Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, SCTH, expressed hopes that the transformation will attract further investments. The private sector will contribute SAR1.29 billion (USD344 million) to the development, increasing the total cost to SAR2 billion (USD533 million).
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Ras Al Khaimah
Manama
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ahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has launched the second part of its tourism survey programme, in partnership with eGovernment Authority and King Fahd Causeway’s police department. Representatives of the organisations recently visited the causeway linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to ensure the correct procedures were being implemented by researchers, in accordance with World Tourism Organization standards. Huda Yousif Al Hama, chief, tourism planning, BTEA, commented, “[The initiative] will enable us to better monitor and understand the tourism sector and [will also] help us in developing plans and strategies to further boost this sector.” The statistical studies, which will run up until 2018, come in line with the Kingdom’s long-term strategy which aims to boost the tourism industry’s contributions to the national GDP.
Saudi Vision Achievement Office Launched
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n the orders of H.R.H Prince Sultan bin Salam bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage, a Vision 2030 Achievement Office has been established to implement the National Transformation Program (NTP)’s initiatives as well as other endeavours. The department, previously known as Transformation Office, will execute a variety tasks in cooperation with the efforts of other authorities, with the main aim to contribute to the attainment of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. New members of the steering committee were selected to facilitate NTP in completing its 13 projects, which represent a value of some SAR10.48 billion (USD2.79 billion).
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Cruise Operators Explore Al Ain
AKOYA Imagine and Tower 108 Unveiled
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AMAC Properties introduced AKOYA Imagine and Tower 108 in Dubai. Comprising colourful villas, AKOYA Imagine plots are set within an international golf community, while the 33-storey Tower 108 features serviced hotel apartments, combining home comfort with luxury services. “Investments in golf communities typically enjoy higher returns as supply remains limited and are considered more financially stable than investments in financial instruments,” commented, Ziad El Chaar, managing director, DAMAC Properties. “Furthermore, Dubai is also known for its prime release estate and high yields, offering a more secure and stable investment environment than most other investment classes.”
AKOYA Imagine
Al Ain
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bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) invited cruise excursion operators to Al Ain to showcase the destination’s diverse attractions available to holiday-makers. With a forecasted year-on-year increase of nine percent, the emirate is expecting to attract some 250,000 passengers in its longest-ever cruise season which will run from October 15 to June 06, 2017. A total of 23 ships will use Abu Dhabi as their winter base or make port-of-call visits, meaning a total of 139 calls. As noted by Saeed Al Dhaheri, cruise sector and city tour development manager, TCA Abu Dhabi, the oneday tour presented opportunities for cruise excursion operators to package attractions in Al Ain.
ADSB to Add Facilities at Zayed Port
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bu Dhabi Ports and Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) have signed a long-term agreement to establish a ship repair provision and a floating dry dock at the emirate’s Zayed Port. Commenting on the UAE’s vision to diversify the national economy, Mohamed Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports, noted, “[The establishment of] a ship repair facility and floating dock capability will play a key role in boosting the trade and maritime industry in Abu Dhabi and enhance the contribution of the sector to the UAE’s GDP .” The first phase of the project will include a dedicated berth of 430m of quay wall and over 12,000m2 of yard amenities, operated by ADSB, offering commercial maintenance, repair and operations services.
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Sabre Boosts Revenue
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abre’s travel network revenue rose 21 percent in the second quarter of the year, driven by a 24 percent rise in bookings, propelled by Asia Pacific along with incremental increases in all other regions. In the airline and hospitality solutions business, revenue jumped 16 percent and a 43 percent positive change was also witnessed in the SabreSonic reservations system, with some 200 million passengers boarded. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the long-term trajectory of Travel Network share gains continued with another quarter of year-on-year improvement and market share growth and the company is now looking to consolidate its presence in markets like South Africa, Spain and Turkey.
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
Travelport’s Strong Performance Travelport’s net profit increased nine percent year-on-year to USD606 million in the second quarter.
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he technology expert’s operating income stood at USD38 million, a net loss of USD14 million, air revenue on the other hand rose six percent to USD426 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) improved one percent to USD139 million. Deeming the company’s performance strong, Gordon Wilson, CEO Travelport, explained, “We continue to benefit from recent customer implementations and product innovations, driving revenue growth across our platform and in international regions where growth was 15 percent.”
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Sheraton to Open in Mecca Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’s latest regional project, Sheraton Mekkah Jabal Al Kaaba is expected to welcome its first guests at the end of the year.
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Mecca
wned by Altayyar Travel Group Holding Company, the hotel will offer 414 rooms and serviced apartments, all fitted with the brand’s signature amenities such as its premium sleep experience. Other facilities will include four restaurants as well as meeting and events spaces. “Saudi Arabia remains one of our strongest growth markets in the region and we are on track to more than double our presence in the country in the next three years,” enthused Neil George, senior vice president, acquisitions and development, Middle East and Africa, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Dusit to Open Sixth Middle East Property
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usit International has entered into a management agreement with ACES Property Development to operate DusitPrincess ACES Dubai in Jumeirah Village Circle. The new address will feature more than 250 apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouses, as well as various dining options and facilities, including a spa, gym, sauna and swimming pool with an open-air café. The property, which overlooks Dubai Marina, will available to both transient as well as long-term guests.
Golden Sands Promotes Dubai in India
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n collaboration with Lama Tours, a team from Golden Sands Hotels Apartments, part of A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises Group, completed a 10day tour in India with the aim to promote Dubai as a key destination. The representatives met with travel agencies and tour operators in nine cities, sharing updates on refurbishing projects and presenting winter promotions. Shaza Ahmed, sales manager, Golden Sands Hotels Apartments, said, “This market consistently ranks among our top five feeder markets and the numbers keep increasing year-on-year. Our partnership with Lama Tours will allow us to reach a bigger segment of the Indian market [...]”
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Salalah Rotana Resort Reveals Family Rooms
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he five-star Salalah Rotana Resort has launched a selection of family rooms, all accommodating two adults and two children. Ranging from 50m2 to 67m2 in size, each unit offers a double bed, a sofa bed and rollaway bed with a private balcony or terrace. Developed to meet the growing demand
of visitors with children, the family categories include classic rooms, deluxe room as well as premium options, complementing the propety’s already existing family suite. The hotel, which is located next to the beach, also features a number of restaurants, recreational facilities, swimming pools, a spa and a kids’ club.
Salalah Rotana Resort
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco
Millennial Travellers: Key to Luxury Tourism
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ccording to the management of Morocco’s Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, North Africa’s high-end travel segment should focus more on millennial family travellers as they hold significant spending power due to their perception of touring the world as part of their daily lives. According to the United Nations, currently an estimated 200,000 million millennial tourists generate more than USD180 billion in annual tourism revenue, an increase of nearly 30 percent since 2007. “Millennial family travellers look at travelling as a crucial part of their lifestyle and luxury tourism should listen to their preferences and make the best experiences available to them,” said Scott Lundahl, director, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Dubai Maintains Occupancy but Drops Rates
Oman Air to Enter Iraq
Najaf
Oman Air has announced further expansion to its global network with a new service from Muscat to Najaf, marking the airline’s debut in Iraq.
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ue to commence on September 15, the route will be served four times a week. Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, deputy CEO, Oman Air, said, “As our first destination in Iraq, Najaf offers excellent potential for travellers visiting friends and family and for pilgrims.” Following the launch of the itinerary, the carrier’s network will include 51 destinations in 28 countries with the figure set to reach 75 locations by 2020.
Etihad Airways Expands to Venice
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tihad Airways has announced the launch of its new daily service from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Venice Marco Polo Airport. Served by an Airbus A319, the schedule will provide travellers with more opportunities to visit one of the worlds’ most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, commented, “Launching our service to Venice further supports a very popular passenger route between Italy, our Abu Dhabi hub and onwards throughout Etihad Airways’ growing network as far afield as Australia.” Together with codeshare and equity partner Alitalia, Etihad Airways will offer 35 weekly flights in and out of Italy, including double-daily services to Rome and Milan.
Venice
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Emirates: 30 Years of Commitment to Jordan
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Guangzhou Joins Emirates A380 Network
Guangzhou Opera House
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arking 30 years of successful operations to Jordan, Emirates will offer a special one-off Airbus A380 flight to Amman on September 25. The occasion will mark the first-ever scheduled service of the double-decker to Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA). During the past three decades, the Dubai-based airline has carried more than 4.1 million passengers to and from the Kingdom. Jordanian authorities and Airport International Group have conducted significant infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the aircraft which joined Emirates’ fleet in 2008. “The decision to bring the Emirates A380 for a one-off flight to Amman is a testament to the competitiveness of Jordan’s aviation infrastructure and strong transport sector,” expressed Yahya Kisbi, transport minister, Jordan.
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ffective from October 01, Emirates will deploy an Airbus A380 on the Dubai – Guangzhou route, increasing capacity on the itinerary by 15 percent. Since the launch of the airline’s daily services to the Chinese destination in 2008, passenger numbers have steadily risen in line with the growing travel and trade demand from southern China. The third location in the Asian country on the carrier’s double-decker A380 route map will support the destination’s economic, trade and connectivity aspirations. Emirates currently has 81 A380s in its fleet with a further 61 on order.
Oman Air Enhances Dhofar Services
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man Air expanded capacity to the Southern Omani city of Dhofar, by adding an extra 23,000 seats this summer. The development translates into a total of 317,600 new passengers to and from Salalah with notable increases in frequencies between the Sultanate’s popular destination and both Muscat as well as Dubai. To facilitate demand, the carrier deploys Boeing 737s on its six daily services between Dubai and Salalah.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Erbil Airport Opens Call Center
Saudia Upgrades to EFB
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audi Arabian Airlines commenced the implementation of the electronic flight bag (EFB) project on all flights. The initiative is set to eliminate all paper documents related to aviation, air navigation and technical features of different aircraft, reducing flight weight by 5.1 tonnes per month and conserving 500 tonnes of jet fuel per annum. EFB is an electronic display device intended for flight deck crew use, and includes charts, performance data and manuals to facilitate a higher level of ease and efficiency in managing flight tasks in a paperless setting. The Saudi airline will welcome paperless cockpits by the end of the year.
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rbil International Airport’s call center is officially up and running. Telephone calls are now being managed by the airfield’s own department, which has the ability to handle of a considerable volume of queries, screen calls and forward them to the person that is qualified to take action, all at one time. Customers and passengers can now get flight information automatically or through the airport’s qualified employees at the information centre, immigration, security and lost/found departments.
Erbil International Airport
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Cebu Pacific: Over 10 Million Passengers
Arabic Speaking Butlers at The Langham, London
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he Langham, London has unveiled its 115 new guest rooms and suites, including five residences designed in a soft, neutral colour scheme. Targeting GCC residents, the five-star property has a team of Arabic-speaking butlers. The staff members are on hand to assist with any requirements such as unpacking, personalising pillows and organising bespoke itineraries around the UK capital to ensure guests’ stay is carefree. The one- and two-bedroom units intend to offer the comforts of home, featuring a Majlis-style lounge area and a designer kitchen. A food concierge will also be available to meet all needs.
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ebu Pacific Air flew over 10 million passengers in the first half of the year, marking an improvement of nine percent over the same period in
2015. The growth in demand, which lead to an average load factor of 87 percent, was primarily driven by increased bookings on domestic routes across the Philippines. Customers to and from long-haul destinations in the Middle East and Australia also contributed to the upturn, showing a substantial rise in volumes as compared to the same period in 2015.
Wyndham Welcomes Three New Ramada Properties
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Ramada Hotel & Suites Kusadasi
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yndham Hotel Group has unveiled its three newest hotels, located in the UK, Turkey and Ethiopia. Situated at junction 23 on the M25 in Hertforshire, Ramada South Mimms features 75 rooms and an American style diner as well as a number of on-site eateries. Ramada Hotel & Suites Kusadasi in Turkey boasts 143 rooms and suites, five on-site restaurants and entertainment such as themed shows, live music and DJ-hosted parties. The resort provides a shuttle service to the nearby Aegean Sea beaches. In Ethiopia, Ramada Addis Ababa offers a total of 136 superior and deluxe rooms as well as executive suites. Additionally, there are two restaurants, a fitness centre and a business hub with flexible meeting venues.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
First OTA to Provide Direct Miami-Havana Services
D Havana, Cuba
estinia is said to be the first online travel agency (OTA) to offer direct flights between Miami and Havana, operated by PublicCharters and other American airlines. “[PublicCharters] does more than just increase Destinia’s flight offerings; it improves our service for our customers around the world, especially Americans, with a one-hour long direct flight, which significantly shortens the flight duration, which usually lasted up to 17 hours and was operated by other companies,” commented Víctor Oliva, head of transportation department, Destinia.
Olympic Games Boosts Brazilian Tourism
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his summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro presented a vital opportunity for tourists, particularly from the Middle East, to discover more about Brazil, according to the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC). The major global event, which hosted more than 11,000 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees, contributed towards the arrival of over three million tourists between July 30 – August 06, at nine Brazilian airports. São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport alone handled 715,000 inbound visitors during the specific timeframe while International Airport Galeão and Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro, received a combined number of 595,000 passengers during the first week of the Olympics.
Rio de Janeiro
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Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
HAITHAM MATTAR CEO, RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
WITH SPORTS TOURISM SEEN AS A MAJOR INCOME GENERATOR, RAS AL KHAIMAH IS ON A MISSION TO CAPTURE A FAIR SHARE OF THE PIE AS HAITHAM MATTAR, CEO, RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TDA), EXPLAINS.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is sports tourism to Ras Al Khaimah’s overall tourism industry? HAITHAM MATTAR: Ras Al Khaimah is cementing its position as a major player within a range of sporting pursuits for both professional players and leisure travellers. Our commitment to sports tourism has resulted in the emirate successfully hosting a number of professional tournaments, including the inaugural Adventure HQ’s GCC Hiking Championship earlier this year and the upcoming Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge 2016, the penultimate competition in the European Challenge Tour. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the destination’s competitive advantag-
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Al Hamra Golf Club
es over other regional locations?
enjoy but also great spectator sports.
HAITHAM MATTAR: Ras Al Khaimah provides a beautiful backdrop for hosting a wide range of great outdoor activities. The mountain area surrounding Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE at 1,934m, offers ideal conditions for mountain sports, such as hiking, mountain climbing and orienteering, the pristine coastline entertains a range of water sports, and the sand dunes host desert safaris and equestrian activities. As well as the natural attributes, the emirate boasts world-class golfing facilities at the likes of Al Hamra Golf Club, which will be the host course of the Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge 2016 [in October]. The globally anticipated tournament, one of the biggest sporting events in the UAE calendar, will host more than 100 professional and amateur golfers across three-days and will attract thousands of spectators staying at the range of luxury and mid-range hotels across the emirate. The 18-hole Al Hamra Golf Club offers a broad range of facilities, including floodlights, so golfers can enjoy the course after the sun sets. As an alternative, Tower Links provides an 18hole course set against the backdrop of the Hajjar Mountains. In terms of adventure sports, Jebel Jais provides challenging routes for hiking, climbing and other outdoor activities and sports. In addition to the Adventure HQ’s GCC Hiking Championship, the Ras Al Khaimah’s mountain landscape has played host to the Urban-Ultra Hajar 50 & 100 for two consecutive years. Holding such events in the emirate is in line with our vision of positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a natural choice for adventure sports amidst Ras Al Khaimah’s natural beauty – these events are not only for participants to
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What makes sports tourism a crucial part of the tourism board’s strategy? HAITHAM MATTAR: One of our goals for the current year and beyond is to host a variety of exhilarating outdoor events, with a great deal of focus on sporting events in particular. The potential of sporting events to attract visitors during the shoulder and low season has proven a success. Our strategy to align a wide range of cultural, sporting and unique events with our overall destination strategy, not only ensures that we are engaging with the local community, but also allows us as a destination to showcase the range of landscape and facilities that the emirate offers. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Could the Middle East become a top choice for sports teams and associations for camps and events? HAITHAM MATTAR: The Arabian region has a rich culture and heritage surrounding sports, from the connection with horse racing and sailing, to falconry and shooting. In fact, the UAE has been represented in the Olympics on eight occasions, with the first gold medal being awarded for shooting in Athens in 2004. Additionally, the sponsorship of global sporting teams by the region’s international airlines has enhanced the image of the region within the sporting arena, further enhancing interest and development across the UAE and the wider GCC. With the hosting of events such as the Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge 2016, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the growth of sports tourism across the region is only set to increase. 27 AUGUST 2016
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AGENT CORNER
AGENT’S INSIGHT When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry? After my graduation I took a diploma course in tourism [...]. Once I [...] started working in 1996, I developed a passion for this industry [...]. I wanted to work in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry since I always loved travelling, meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds and wanted to learn more about why destinations chose to promote themselves the way they do.
NAME:
Dinesh Poojary
POSITION: General Manager COMPANY: Eihab Travels LOCATION: Muscat, Oman WEBSITE: www.eihabtravels.com
What are the most important attributes of a good travel agent/tour operator? Committed to providing the best quality service to clients, making the visits an experience [with a] personalised service. Prompt responses to queries, good product knowledge [and] good relationships with suppliers. What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives from customers When should I book my holidays to get a good deal? Are you sure your rates are better than online rates? What currency and how much should I take for my expenses? Where I can find Halal restaurants and nice shopping? How different are you from your competitors? What are the must-visits and mustdos in Oman that nobody should miss? Stay in the desert. Stay at unique and special hotels like Alila Jabal Akhdar. Visit to local mountain villages. Off road adventures like mountain [or] desert crossing, water activities like dolphin watching, snorkelling and diving. Salalah, especially during the Khareef season. Which destination is on your bucketlist? [‌] Priority is for a family vacation in Orlando and a cruise in the Caribbean. 27 AUGUST 2016
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS AT RITZ-CARLTON HOTELS
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HAWTHORN SUITES BY WYNDHAM DUBAI SUPPORTS CAB DRIVERS
Cab drivers with their goodie bags
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team from Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dubai, JBR braved the heat to hand out exclusive gifts to hardworking cab drivers in August. A total of 250 goodie bags with water, pastries and face towels were given to drivers at the terminals of Dubai International. The property’s corporate social responsibility campaign also aims to raise awareness of the hotel and its location at Jumeirah Beach Residence.
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
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he Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has installed two electric car charging stations at the majority of its North American properties as well as at select international addresses, including Hotel Arts, Barcelona; The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong and The Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street. The hotelier’s network of charging stations make long distance travel more convenient; just two and a half hours of charging equates to 240km. “Our organisation is committed to seek ways to inspire people to live differently,” commented Ed French, chief sales and marketing officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, adding that commitment to the community and environment was part of the company’s original 1983 mission statement.
QATAR AIRWAYS REDUCES WASTE
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atar Airways and Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) have launched a new waste reduction and recycling programme, further contributing towards local and international environmental solutions. Over the past three months, Qatar Airways and QACC have recycled 266 tonnes of materials, including cardboard, plastic wrapping and a variety of plastic containers. These materials have been collected by two local firms for recycling, along with 6,300l of cooking oil which will be converted into biodiesel. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, said, “QACC’s focus on reducing waste is a core part of Qatar Airways’ commitment to the environment. […]. Recycling not only delivers efficiencies but reduces environmental impacts arising from waste disposal and the consumption of natural resources.”
AL QASBA MAKES TRAVEL GREENER
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ne of Sharjah’s leading leisure, tourism and family attractions, Al Qasba, has unveiled two electric vehicle charging stations as part of the emirate’s green parking initiative. During the inauguration ceremony, two BMW i8s were used to demonstrate the charging process, which was further explained by an expert in the field. The event aimed to throw the spotlight on the important role of electric cars in preserving the environment, reducing carbon footprint and lowering harmful emissions. Sultan Mohammed Shattaf, manager, Al Qasba, commented, “The launch of green parking in Al Qasba […] is a significant boost to Sharjah government’s efforts of adopting more sustainable methods and advancing the emirate’s status as an eco-friendly city.”
Al Qasba charging station
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PHOTO ALBUM
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The management of InterContinental Hotels Group Cairo Citystars supported the hotels’ theatrical group to stage the play Al Ashiqa in Cairo Opera House
Gulf Air organised a business continuity management workshop in Manama
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Mahmoud Rizk, general manager, TOLIP El Narges Hotel & Spa (right) welcomed pop singer Tamer Ashour (left) for a photo shoot
Nour Arjaan by Rotana, Fujairah honoured long-serving colleagues
27 AUGUST 2016
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Etihad Airways joined Indian designer Manish Malhotra (centre) at LakmĂŠ Fashion Week in Mumbai
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi launched a new Saturday afternoon tea party concept
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NEWS & EVENTS Qatar Welcomes First Beauty Show
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oha Exhibition and Convention Center will host the first Doha Beauty Show between October 20 – 22, providing networking opportunities for trade professionals and beauty specialists. The event will focus on four sectors of the industry, including cosmetics and fragrances, natural products, spa and aesthetics as well as hair care and nails. Organised by ELAN events and Fira Barcelona, the first morning of the programme will be dedicated to industry professionals, with the public invited to attend each afternoon. The value of the Middle East and Africa region’s beauty market is expected to grow 4.25 percent annually, reaching over USD30 billion in 2018, while the average spend on cosmetics and fragrances in the GCC stands around USD334 per person.
Medina to Become Islamic Meeting Destination
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he fourth Saudi Convention and Exhibition Forum will be held between November 13 – 15 at Le Méridien Medina with a strong focus on showcasing the city’s ability to host conferences and meetings of Islamic countries. The forum will discuss the future of exhibition and convention centres in Saudi Arabia and the role of the meeting industry in achieving the Kingdom’s vision for 2030, which aims to diversify the economy. Discussions will also cover human resources, regulations, the integration of public and private sectors as well as Hold your meetings in Madinah, an initiative aimed at promoting the Holy City as a Muslim meeting destination. Additionally five scientific sessions will be held, highlighting international experiences in the sector.
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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.
27 AUGUST 2016