10 DECEMBER 2016 ISSUE 370
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10 ACCOMMODATION
JUMEIRAH AL NASEEM OPENS IN DUBAI
MUSCAT’S NEW CITY WALK PROJECT
06 BURJ KHALIFA DECLARED THE UAE’S SMARTEST BUILDING
12 Airports
16 Rendezvous 21 Agents
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
Abu Dhabi Airport Reports Positive Numbers
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALIST Ellen Petty
Abu Dhabi International Airport
CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou Panayiotis Karanicholas Stella Alexandrou 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
For the month of October, Abu Dhabi International Airport welcomed 1.9 million passengers, contributing to more than 20 million travellers passing through the airport so far this year.
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he overall number of travellers between January 01 and October 31 reached 20,432,279, indicating a year-on-year increase of 5.4 percent. Passenger traffic to and from Mumbai, saw a 19 percent surge over the same period of 2015. Travellers from the airport to Doha also rose eight percent to 59,535 passengers. All in all, the top destinations for the month under study were London, Bangkok and Mumbai.
Meliรก Hotels Experiences Growing Demand
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
as of
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Meliรก Hotels International
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
9.12.2016
COUNTRY
CURRENCY USD1=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.39
Qatar (QAR)
Rial
3.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Riyal
3.75
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
110.36
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
18.10
Iran (IRR)
Rial
32,157.58
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,168.33
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.31
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,531.80
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.43
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
10.09
Syria (SYP)
Pound
213.30
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.31
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.15
In the first nine months of the year, Meliรก Hotels International reported a 40 percent growth in RevPAR in its Spanish resorts, while its city hotels in the country saw an 11 percent increase in the same measure.
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he group recorded a net profit of EUR92.2 million, a remarkable surge of 74 percent over the same period in 2015, in part due to its strategic decision to renovate, rebrand and reposition some of its most iconic resorts in recent years. Furthermore, during the period under review, Meliรก Hotels International has expanded its international offerings, with new addresses in Vietnam and Cabo Verde.
10 DECEMBER 2016
WEEKLY NEWS
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Dubai Maintains Occupancy but Drops Rates
Muscat’s New City Walk Project
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ocated in North Al Hail Muscat, the 47,500m2 initiative will comprise a 355m waterfront, a retail area with shops and restaurants, as well as a 123 room five-star hotel. The agreement is based on a usufruct concession for 50 years with fees payable starting from year six.
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he 38th edition of Cairo International Film Festival was recently held, where a number of local and international movies inspired by William Shakespeare’s plays and dramaturgy were screened, making the playwright this year’s special guest. The 10-day event also included screenings of the eight Oscar-nominated films in the foreign language category, including Egyptian picture named Clash. Moreover, for the first time, attendees will be able to download a dedicated mobile application with information regarding the schedule of events, information about the featured films as well as screening times and booking options.
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Science and Innovation Park Revealed in UAE
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H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister, UAE, launched the new Science and Innovation Park of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), located at the universities’ campus in Al Ain. A number of senior education officials attended the event and projects from students of UAEU, Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi Police were on display. The park comprises of what is said to be a-first-of-its-kind research hub and student innovation incubator. Al Maktoum commented on the initiative, ''Such inventions will have positive impact on the development of our state and enable it to compete globally in fields of research, invention, education and knowledge.”
United Arab Emirates University campus
Cairo Hosted International Film Festival
Sur Walk City development
A new development agreement was signed between H.E. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, minister, Ministry of Tourism Oman, and Samih Sawiris, chairman, Orascom Development, to develop a beachfront commercial complex, Sur City walk.
10 DECEMBER 2016
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
Philippine Airlines Joins Forces With Sabre Sabre’s technologically orientated AirVision Commercial Analytics sign Beta partnership with Philippine Airlines (PAL).
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he collaboration will allow PAL to monitor daily revenue performance on a more constant and accurate level via simplified solutions. Decision making for commercial planning divisions is enabled through real-time data, helping the carrier to maximise revenue opportunities. Dasha Kuksenko, vice president, Asia Pacific, Airline Solutions, said, “This solution also enables the airline to maximise revenue, improve efficiency and productivity, while driving a competitive advantage. By using Commercial Analytics, the Philippines flag carrier will have the ability to look at customer segments instead of simply fare purchases. This gives the airline more insights into their customers’ purchase propensities and the ability to recommend actions to best suit the business needs of the airline.”
A New Retailing Approach for kulula
Importance of Inflight Technology Underlined
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ulula.com is to increase revenue through a new retailing approach, using Sabre’s newly-launched AirVision Revenue Optimizer platform. This will allow kulula.com to price its services based on a customer’s willingness to buy different combinations of fares and ancillary services. Sabre’s AirVision Revenue Optimizer provides end-to-end control for airlines to better understand customer profiles and respond to their needs and willingness to pay, while efficiently pricing and selling seat inventory and ancillary products. kulula.com will be able to respond faster to changing market conditions in realtime and optimise revenue streams across all its services including ancillary sales, codeshare and partnership arrangements. “Sabre’s innovative new revenue management technology will give us a new level of knowledge that has not been possible until now […],” said Gabriel Moritz, executive manager, commercial product, Comair.
10 DECEMBER 2016
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t Aviation Show MENASA, Daniel Kerrison, vice president, in-flight product, flydubai, underscored the importance of new technologies in the airline industry, while also highlighting the carrier’s commitment to innovation. This year, the airline has introduced onboard Wi-Fi and live television on its services as well as further meeting the needs of passengers with the launch of its OPEN rewards programme. Kerrison also participated in a panel titled The future of in-flight connectivity and entertainment, where delegates discussed the challenges and trends in the evolution of in-flight entertainment services.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Burj Khalifa Declared the UAE’s Smartest Building
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Next Generation of Celebrity Cruises Under Construction
Beach Community Showcased in Riyadh
The first piece of steel was cut at the STX France shipyard for Celebrity Edge
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Motiongate Shows Sneak Peek of Step Up Dubai Riyadh
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ork has begun on the first new Celebrity Cruises ship, Celebrity Edge, marking the move from concept to manufacture for the next generation of vessels under the brand. The new ship’s name reflects the many daring design advances and innovations of Celebrity's first new ship class since 2008, while the recently-announced name of its sister ship, Celebrity Beyond, signals the incredible experience guests can expect onboard the entire Edge Class, changing the way travellers see the world. Richard Fain, CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises, said, “Edge Class is destined to be a trailblaser in modern luxury travel. The new ships will be on the cutting edge of innovation and the leading edge of design.”
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ing Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) brought its showcase of villa land plots at the Beach Community (BC) in the prestigious Al-Murooj district to Riyadh for an event at the Al-Faisaliah Hotel. The exclusive BC spreads over 900,000m2 and comprises of land plots ranging from 600-6000m2. Home-buyers can also choose from 20 pre-approved villa plans provided free-of-charge. Plans are offered in Arabian and Spanish architectural styles that characterise the community as a distinctive Mediterraneaninspired luxury coastal resort. In view of the Red Sea, the project also provides residents with close proximity to an extensive range of lifestyle amenities including a variety of waterfront beach and marina dining options, retail outlets, parks, international grade educational facilities, and mosques.
Burj Khalifa
oneywell Smart Building Score Awards has named the Burj Khalifa as the UAE's smartest building at the Innovation Live! summit. Norm Gilsdorf, president, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Honeywell, explained, “For us at Honeywell, a smart building is one that is connected, safe, energy efficient and, ultimately helps improve the quality of life for its occupants and users.” Burj Khalifa achieved the highest evaluation amongst all entries from the UAE, with impressive scores across all three categories. Other awards included DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel which won the title of smartest hotel in Qatar, Al Hamra Business Tower and Luxury Centre, which was named the smartest building in Kuwait, and King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre, winning smartest building in Saudi Arabia.
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ailed as Middle East’s largest Hollywood-inspired theme park, Motiongate Dubai has released an exclusive sneak peek trailer of Step Up Dubai, All In!, the highly anticipated, high energy hip hop dance show. This is the first of a series of actionpacked reveals, that will be released over the coming weeks, giving guests a first-in-line preview of some of its most exhilarating and immersive attractions. Hosted inside the 1,000-seat Hollywood Theatre at Motiongate Dubai, the performance marks the first time blockbuster dance films Step Up: Revolution and Step Up: All In have been re-created as a permanent, live dance show.
Rendering of Motiongate Dubai digital
10 DECEMBER 2016
WEEKLY NEWS
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GTA Partners with Dubai Parks and Resorts
10 DECEMBER 2016
Barr Al Jissah
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arr Al Jissah, a high-end destination in Muscat, has announced the much-anticipated opening of Al Mazaar Edutainment Centre. The facility offers a dynamic programme of kids’ entertainment, sports activities, art, culture and much more for adults and children alike to enjoy. Firas Matraji, CEO, Barr Al Jissah, said, “With Al Mazaar Edutainment Centre we wanted to create a place where families return to again and again, not only to exercise or play, but to learn and create.” The one-of-a-kind edutainment centre marks the transformation of the Barr Al Jissah heritage village into Oman’s must visit destination.
Bollywood Boulevard, Dubai Parks and Resorts
Al Mazaar Edutainment Centre Opens in Muscat
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n a recent development, Global Travel Distributor (GTA) Middle East has collaborated with the what is said to be the region’s largest integrated theme park destination, Dubai Parks and Resorts. In line with Dubai Parks and Resorts vision to grow the family leisure and entertainment industry, the collaboration will highlight family tourism through key activities specifically designed for trade awareness in the Middle East. Rami Mashini, vice president, sales and marketing, GTA, said, “Our partnership will change the way the travel industry looks to market an entertainment brand. The strategy implemented will be to strengthen the much-talked about brand, boost its visitor profile and ensure demand is maintained.”
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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InterContinental Hotels Group’s New Project in Doha InterContinental Doha Residence
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of InterContinental Doha Residences under a management agreement with Gulf Hotels Company.
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ocated on Doha’s longest natural private beach, the property brings a total of 82 luxury residences to Doha offering a full package of premium amenities and services. The project will comprise of 17 3-bedroom, eight 3-bedroom apartments and 15 two-bedroom offering. The remaining residences will consist of 42 one-bedroom apartments. Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, commented, “We are thrilled to be working with Gulf Hotels Company to manage this great property and bring unparalleled luxury living to a city that is flourishing both economically and as a travel destination. [...].”
Second Annual Conference on Enhancing Success Rates in ART
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he St. Regis, Corniche Abu Dhabi hosted the second Annual Conference on Enhancing Success Rates in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, minister, culture and knowledge development, UAE. Over 400 attendees and 11 distinguished speakers from across the globe attended the conference. Al Nahayan, addressed the gathering by saying, “I am delighted that the Middle East Fertility Clinic is holding its important international conference in Abu Dhabi […]. In 2015 our country welcomed the Clinic to Abu Dhabi, and it has now established a second facility in Dubai. The professional staff of this Spanish-based company has already helped many patients in the UAE, and I expect that the number of its successes will grow rapidly.”
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Professionals Meet at the Tourism Innovation and Transformation Forum
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he Tourism Innovation and Transformation Forum 2016 was held, under the supervision of H.E Sultan bin Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, minister, economy, UAE, on November 23. The gathering, in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization, took place at The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City where around 400 international professionals attended. The event included four distinctive interactive workshops including the shift in the tourism sector, the transformation of various global destinations, the transition to smart cities, and the innovative visitors’ experiences.
The Ajman Palace Hotel to Host Wedding Fair to be Held in January, 2017
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he third annual, The Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair will be held in association with Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) between January 11 – 13, 2017. Over 70 leading brands, vendors, fashion designers and wedding planners, specialised in catering to luxury weddings, will participate in the third edition of the show. H.E. Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager, ATDD, said, “Our support for the Wedding Fair is part of our strategic plan to promote the emirate of Ajman as a safe and welcoming destination for both leisure and business travellers.”
10 DECEMBER 2016
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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JUMEIRAH AL NASEEM OPENS
in Dubai
JUMEIRAH GROUP'S NEWEST HOTEL, JUMEIRAH AL NASEEM, HAS OPENED FOR RESERVATIONS.
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Archea Appointed to Develop RAK New Beachfront Resort
Jumeirah Al Naseem
he 430-room address is set in the midst of a two kilometre stretch of sand, which spans from Jumeirah Beach Hotel in the east to Jumeirah Al Qasr in the west, overlooking Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf. Its opening marks both the completion of Madinat Jumeirah the Arabian Resort of Dubai – and the final chapter in the group’s transformation of Dubai’s coastline into a major touristic destination. Bringing a fresh new feel of energy, exuberance and excitement to Madinat Jumeirah, the resort aims to show a different side of the emirate, appealing to those discerning travellers who like to explore and may not have considered Dubai before.
First Ever Paris-Marrakech Electric Vehicle Road Trip
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new development agreement was signed between SuperCasa and Dubai-Archea Associati, for a five-star hotel and resort project in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). The construction of the project will be completed in 2019 and the development will include, among others, 320 beachfacing rooms, four restaurants, a pool, spa and fitness centre. “Al Marjan Island is the first man-made island in RAK, and the hotel is our debut project in the UAE. We are proud to contribute to the new urbanism movement in the emirate. We create iconic buildings that combine functionality, security, design, luxury and sustainability. This is our signature and the print we leave in the cities where we operate,” commented, Abdallah Al Houti, managing partner, Supercasa.
Marrakech
Ras Al Khaimah
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n partnership with Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech & Palais des Congrès, Moroccan company Green Mobility Africa, EPAMAROC and French agency, BlueCom have organised the first ever electric vehicle road trip between Paris, other European capitals and Marrakech. The ecological rally has been hailed as the first of its kind in the African continent. The event will also be marked by the arrival of the COP22 flame, a photovoltaic torch christened 'Light Us', a symbol of a lasting commitment to safeguarding the future of our planet. The Marrakech address will be the first hotel in Morocco to be equipped with a temporary charging station for electric vehicles for the duration of COP22.
10 DECEMBER 2016
WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS
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OAMC Signs MoU With DHL
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) and DHL Express.
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Passengers at Muscat International Airport
he MoU aligns with OAMC’s objective of facilitating growth of the logistic services industry, which has been identified as one of the key contributors to Oman’s economic diversification drive. Sheikh Aiman bin Ahmed Al-Hosni, CEO, OAMC, said, “Our memorandum with DHL paves the way for Muscat International Airport to play a major role in securing opportunities to support various businesses in Oman. We also aim to provide job opportunities for Omani youth in a promising sector, as well as boosting aviation and cargo movement at the airport.”
Egypt Welcomes Japanese Tourism after Five Years
Celebrating 40 Years Serving Bahrain
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uxor International Airport opened its gates to a countable 230 passengers arriving from Japan. After five years of absence, the reintroduction of scheduled flights is expected to boost tourism in Egypt. The travellers are set to visit Luxor, Abu Sembel and Cairo on their venture to the Northern African country. Hisham el Demiri, head of tourism promotion authority, Egypt, asserted the importance on the return of Japanese tourism to the country.
Hong Kong
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ahrain Airport Company, the managing body of Bahrain International Airport, recently commemorated Cathay Pacific’s 40 years of service between Bahrain and Hong Kong, in a celebration held at the airport. The airline’s first destination in the Middle East was to Bahrain in 1976 and it currently operates a daily service between the two countries. Speaking at the ceremony, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO, Bahrain Airport Company, said, “As one of our longest serving longhaul carriers we are pleased to be able to celebrate 40 years of service with Cathay Pacific Airways. They continue to offer the thousands of people in our catchment area a daily flight to Hong Kong with a world renowned service. As the airport grows over the coming years we hope Cathay Pacific Airways will continue to be part of our growth.” Luxor
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10 DECEMBER 2016
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Dubai Maintains Occupancy but Drops Rates
Air Arabia Confirms Additional Airbus A320s Hailed the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, Air Arabia has confirmed options for five additional Airbus A320 aircraft.
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he delivery of the original contract covering 44 firm orders and five options will be completed in 2017. The new aircrafts will join Air Arabia’s expanding fleet of Airbus A320s aircraft currently serving more than 120 routes from five operational hubs. Adel Al Ali, CEO, Air Arabia, said, “We operate one of the youngest fleets in the world and this approach will continue to drive our fleet growth strategy for the future. Our customers can expect the same cabin comfort and spacious seat configuration with the new five aircraft joining the fleet.”
Emirates Aviation Hosts Third Management Conference Emirates Aviation University
Qatar Airways Membership Goes Digital
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atar Airways has officially launched a digital membership card for its Privilege Club members, providing them with a more convenient option to redeem Qmiles when travelling across the airline’s global network. The new digital membership card provides travellers with the same level of service as the physical card using their smartphones or tablets. Commenting on the new initiative, Ian Di Tullio, vice president, CRM and loyalty, Qatar Airways, said, “We are always looking for new ways to provide our passengers with convenient service, giving them the very best travel experience, and our new digital membership card initiative allows our valued members immediate access to the benefits of the Privilege Club programme without having to wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail.”
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nder the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, Emirates Group, Emirates Aviation University opened its third International Aviation Management Conference (IAMC). The two-day conference brought together industry leaders, researchers and aviation management professionals to tackle the challenges and opportunities currently facing the aviation industry under the theme Lessons Learned, Current Challenges, and the Road Ahead. IAMC provides an ideal platform for aviation influencers to tackle industry hot topics share case studies and best practices. It is also an opportunity for aviation management researchers, academics and authors from all around the world to showcase their papers and present their studies in a dynamic environment.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Turkish Airlines to Serve Havana and Caracas
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Havana
urkish Airlines has added flights to Havana and Caracas, set to launch on December 20. The flights will be operated three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, in both directions. Havana and Caracas will become the airlines’ 16th and 17th destinations, respectively, in the Americas; joining existing services to Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Bogota, Panama, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, Miami and Atlanta.
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irbus confirmed it has received a second US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license for aircraft exports to Iran. The original deal, signed in late January, included 21 A320ceo aircraft, 24 A320neo aircraft, 27 A330ceo, 18 A330neo, 16 A350-1000s and 12 A380s. The new license reportedly covers the export of 106 aircraft. Airbus was granted an initial OFAC license in September, covering 17 A320s and A330s, from the original 118 aircraft deal.
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21 A320ceo aircraft
Airbus Confirmed License for Aircraft Exports to Iran
10 DECEMBER 2016
Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
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TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What kind of strategies have you implemented in order to adapt to the changes?
has a rich and diverse tourism offering. Which are the most promising segments?
HARTMUT GRAUEL: Following the GCC countries’ travel ban and due to the continuous conflict in Syria, the profile of the clientele for Beirut experienced some significant changes. While the high-end luxury traveller segment decreased in numbers, we gained in return from the volume of markets such as Egypt and Iraq. In spite of the lower average rate these markets can produce, our business gained from its volume of room nights as our records are showing high demand for our four-star Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel not solely during the holiday season but throughout the year. By adapting our rates for this seg-
HARTMUT GRAUEL: Our top two tourism sectors in Lebanon currently are leisure and business tourism. Leisure business is usually strong during the summer and the holidays in the region whilst business tourism is based on either individual business or triggered through conferences and all sorts of events in Lebanon. However, Lebanon with its vast religious heritage makes it a great destination for religious tourism, especially with the growing stability of the country after the successful election of Lebanon’s president. A very large potential is medical tourism that owes its success to Lebanon’s renowned hospitals and doc-
HARTMUT GRAUEL GENERAL MANAGER, CORAL BEIRUT AL HAMRA HOTEL
HOPES ARE HIGH IN LEBANON AS HOTELIERS LIKE HARTMUT GRAUEL, GENERAL MANAGER, CORAL BEIRUT AL HAMRA HOTEL, WORK HARD TO REVIVE THE INDUSTRY. Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How has business been in the past few months? HARTMUT GRAUEL: Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel had a very good summer season starting from Eid El Fitr with a great volume from the leisure travellers with the lion’s share coming from Egypt and Iraq. The leisure season continued almost uninterrupted till the Eid El Adha holidays in mid-September with high demand for our Hamra-based hotel with frequent overbooking situations. When we noticed indications for a slight decrease of our business after the Adha holidays, we were able to compensate for it instantly with incentive groups from abroad.
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ment based on pre-planned visits, tailoring our product to suit these markets through personal sales calls in these destinations, and through support of our local destination management companies with tailored rates, we were able to close a very good third quarter of this year. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Being a top favourite in the region, Lebanon
tors specialised in an array of medical treatments. Having said that, these tourism sectors require a special focus and tailor-made strategy within the marketing plans of both, the specialists of the hospitality companies combined with the long-haul vision and a path-clearing support from Lebanon’s concerned ministries. In summary, we at Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel are looking positively into the future. 10 DECEMBER 2016
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Qatar Airways adds 158 Seats for Cape Town Route
Deliveries Reach 516 in 10 Months for Airbus
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Airbus
Cape Town
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he addition of a new Boeing 777 was announced by Qatar Airways for the Cape Town - Doha itinerary, increasing capacity on the route by 158 per day. Qatar Airways has been successfully serving Cape Town from its Doha hub since 2005 and it is now increasing the seats numbers due to high demand. Ehab Amin, senior vice president, Africa, Middle East & Pakistan, Qatar Airways said, “[…] we are happy to provide our passengers with greater choice when they make their travel plans. Cape Town is a hugely popular destination for leisure travel with its fantastic blend of nature, culture and wildlife.” The Boeing 777, offers a total of 412 seats across its business and economy classes, with passengers across both cabins able to enjoy a fully interactive personal audio and video entertainment system with up to 3,000 options.
irbus provided a total of 516 aircraft to 78 customers from January through October this year. Based on the month’s order and delivery activity, Airbus’ backlog as of October 31 stood at 6,710 aircraft, composed of 5,494 A320 Family jetliners, 330 A330s, 765 A350 XWBs and 121 A380s. Among October’s delivery highlights was the 10,000th aircraft milestone an A350900 for Singapore Airlines, once again confirming the company’s role as a global market leader offering the most modern and comprehensive product line with seating capacities ranging from 100 to more than 600 passengers.
Graduates of Future Leaders Program
UAE Future Leaders Graduate
10 DECEMBER 2016
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tihad Airways celebrated the graduation of 310 participants of the company’s Future Leaders Programme. The event was hosted at Al Raha Beach Hotel, and the graduates devised from 65 working as cadet pilots at Abu Dhabi University; 19 at Etihad Flight College in Al Ain, whilst 74 are based in technical engineering. A further 152 are learning about the business within the graduate management development programmes and are based at various Etihad Airways offices. H.E. Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, chairman, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “[…] We also look forward to their contributions making Etihad Aviation Group even more successful and bringing us closer to our goals. The group has made a major commitment to investing in its people, the cornerstone of our service excellence and success.”
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL Dominican Republic Welcomes IHG Property
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Labranda Bodrum to Open in Turkey
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Labranda Bodrum Princess & Spa
T InterContinental Real Santo Domingo
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), opened the InterContinental Real Santo Domingo hotel, bringing discrete luxury to the metropolitan commercial point area of the city. Standing 21 stories tall with 227 guest rooms, a spa, fitness centre, two bars and three unique concept restaurants, the hotel caters to business and leisure travellers alike. Additionally, the hotel offers vast meeting space spread across eight rooms and maximum capacity of 750 guests. Commenting on the USD70 million new-build hotel, Jason Moskal, vice president, lifestyle brands, the Americas, IHG, said, “With its location in a key international gateway destination, the InterContinental Real Santo Domingo contributes to the strong growth of the InterContinental brand, […].”
Surin Beach to Home Dusit Property
he seventh property to join the Turkey portfolio, Labranda Bodrum Princess & Spa, is set to welcome guests as of spring 2017. Labranda Hotels & Resorts has signed a 10 year rental agreement with the owners of the previously named Sensimar Hotel, located in Turgutreis, Bodrum. The hotel, offering a scenic view of the Turkish and Greek Aegean islands, boasts 255 modern and spacious guest rooms, a dedicated 2000m2 premium spa area, two a- la-carte restaurants, as well as a wide variety of activities, including an entertainment program. Roula Jouny, CEO, Meeting Point International, said, “With the addition of Labranda Bodrum Princess & Spa, [...] we establish our holistic commitment as a group to the success of Turkey as a destination.”
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Introduces Focus Update
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usit International has signed a management agreement with Phuket-based property developer Layana Development to operate the dusitD2 Phuket Aria hotel in Surin Beach. The property will comprise 199 rooms, with a choice of studios and one- to two-bedroom units and family suites. Four one-bedroom lofts will also be available. In line with dusitD2 branding, the eight-storey hotel is slated to open in 2020 and will boast an infinity rooftop pool, a terrace offering views of the Andaman Sea, and an adjoining all-day-dining restaurant serving international and Thai dishes. Commenting on the upcoming project, Suphajee Suthumpun, group CEO, Dusit International, said, “Surin Beach is a wonderful destination and the hip, young, design-conscious crowd it attracts is the ideal market for our distinctively modern hotel brand.”
Surin Beach
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red. Olsen Cruise Lines has reviewed and refreshed its communications channels with the travel trade, improving the format of its weekly e-shots, known as Focus Update, sent weekly to agents, and enhancing its dedicated trade website, Travel Agent Centre (TAC). As well as updating the design and layout of TAC, it will now feature newly-released deals, campaign offers and news stories on a live rolling feed. This will allow trade partners to access information as soon as it is announced, without having to wait for the weekly updates. An important feature of TAC, which can be accessed via the main Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ website, is an Online Training section, which has been created in partnership with Online Travel Training, with five modules. Those attaining a pass rate of 90 percent will then receive the official certification for completing The Fred. Difference Training.
10 DECEMBER 2016
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
DUBAI DIALOGUE FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
HORSES FLY WITH ETIHAD
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he freight division of Etihad Airways, Etihad Cargo, was tasked with transporting more than 70 elite racehorses from the UK to Kuwait after the European racing season, where they will spend the winter months training and racing in the temperate Middle Eastern climate. In all, 72 racehorses – worth a combined AED163 million (USD44.4 million) – were flown on one of the carrier’s state-of-the-art Boeing 777 freighters which are equipped with comfortable seating for up to nine grooms and can accommodate up to 75 horses at a time. David Kerr, senior vice president, Etihad Cargo, said, “The Middle East has strong ties to these magnificent creatures dating back thousands of years and, to this day, they are arguably the most precious cargo we carry.”
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he Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Centre for Responsible Business organised the Dubai Dialogue – Realigning Business Models & Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Development, at the Westin, Al Habtoor City. Held for the ninth year running, the annual Dubai Dialogue looked at mobilising businesses and other stakeholders towards playing a pivotal role in driving sustainable change through innovations, and partnerships. H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman, Dubai Chamber, said, “In line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, sustainability is currently at the top of the UAE’s agenda, as it remains one of the key goals under our country’s Vision 2021 plan.”
TIME CAPSULE LAUNCHED TO CELEBRATE UAE NATIONAL DAY
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he Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) partook in a number of unique events to celebrate the 45th National Day of the United Arab Emirates, highlighted by a time capsule that toured a number of important places and dignitaries across the emirate. The capsule was placed underground in the Ajman Museum, where it will be opened in 2021 to coincide with the golden jubilee celebration of the UAE Federation. When it gets opened, the container will reveal what has been shared and accomplished for the last five years, including tools and posts that reflect aspects of social and technological life, in order to compare it with the prevailing age tools in the coming period and see the evolution during that time.
KAHF RAISES FUNDS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
: From left: HE Humaid Al Qutami; Khalaf Al Habtoor; Noora Mohammed Al Habtoor
10 DECEMBER 2016
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halaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founder, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation (KAHF), officially handed over a cheque for AED1.7 million (USD462.8 thousand) to H.E. Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, director general, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), at the Al Habtoor Group head office. The funds were raised at a charity event organised by Hope, a breast cancer campaign launched in October by Noora Al Habtoor and Mariam Al Mazrooei. Al Habtoor, commenting on the project, said, “This is just the start of many initiatives for this worthy cause that we will run via [KAHF] […]”. The funds raised by the charity will be used to support and treat breast cancer patients’ in-line with the support of the DHA, Friends of the Cancer Patients society.”
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FRANCK ROYER has been appointed as the general manager for Le Bristol Hotel Beirut, bringing with him more than 20 years of international expertise. Royer has held a number of management roles in Beirut after relocating in 1999 and posses a deep understanding of the luxury hospitality industry. As well as extensive experience in business properties, boutique hotels and resorts, Royer also has worked within food and beverage consultancy management and mass catering organisations. In his new role, Royer will ensure guests receive a unique personalised service, with a focus on attention to detail.
IGNACE BAUWENS
FRANCK ROYER
WHO’S MOVED
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IGNACE BAUWENS has begun his role as regional vice president, Middle East and Africa at Wyndham Hotel Group, where he will oversee one of the group’s fastestgrowing regions. In a career spanning almost 30 years, Bauwens’ most recent role was managing director for BLH baba Hospitality Consultancy. Prior to this, he served as a number of senior operations roles including CEO at Abu Dhabi National Hotels as well as at AccorHotels and InterContinental Hotels Group. Bauwens will endeavour to continue Wyndham Hotel Group’s bold development strategy
10 DECEMBER 2016
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RJ Praises Travel Agents
WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
New Joint Venture Between Etihad and TUI
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oyal Jordanian (RJ) honoured its best-selling Jordanian travel agents for this year at a ceremony held under the sponsorship of Vienna Airport. Suleiman Obeidat, CEO, RJ, expressed the airline’s appreciation for travel agents’ efforts and their support to the national carrier of Jordan. He said they work hard to increase sales aboard RJ and that the airline is always ready to develop business ties with its partners, in the interest of all parties, and to give a boost to the local tourism and travel industry. At the end of the ceremony, Obeidat delivered certificates of appreciation to the sales agents in recognition of their marketing efforts exerted during this year.
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UI Group’s supervisory board has given the green light for the next step in creating a new European airline joint venture with Etihad Aviation Group. The initiative venture, headquartered in Vienna, is expected to serve a broad route network with its two airlines, TUI fly and NIKI. A total fleet of around 60 aircraft and a seat capacity of 15 million seats per year will operate from key departure airports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. TUI is to hold a stake of 24.8 percent in the joint venture, while Etihad will hold 25 percent of the interests. The remaining 50.2 percent would be held by the existing private foundation NIKI Privatstiftung.
Hotelogix Partners with GuestCentric GuestCentric Systems announced a new partnership with Hotelogix property management system (PMS), automating hotel operations with channel manager, booking engine and front desk.
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he alliance will benefit hoteliers by offering a centralised dashboard where they can manage all channels along with a channel manager that supports over 400 real-time integrations with Hotelogix's PMS. Commenting on the collaboration, Pedro Colaco, CEO, GuestCentric, said, "We share the same mission with Hotelogix to help hoteliers maximise revenue and provide their guests a seamless experience”. GuestCentric’s functionality, in terms of design and innovation, and Hotelogix's management solutions, give hotels the chance to take advantage of two enterprise-level tools. The harmonic synchronisation between the two systems will help hoteliers worldwide improve their operational efficiency, attract more direct bookings, and drive incremental revenue. 10 DECEMBER 2016
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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Coordination with SCTH in Developing City Planning Projects
Encouraging Aerospace Engineering Students
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H. Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH), expressed his appreciation to H.E. Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, minister, Municipal and Rural Affairs, for his coordination with SCTH when developing local projects and following the monuments, museums and architectural heritage regulation. Abdul Aziz highlighted that the protection of the natural heritage comes under the attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, as part of the Custodian’s program for the Care of National Heritage of the Kingdom. SCTH began a coordination with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of the Municipal and Rural Affairs and a Royal Decree was issued to prevent infringement on the important heritage sites, historical mosques and the Islamic history sites.
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tihad Airways Engineering has opened its hangar doors to some of the UAE’s brightest minds as part of its drive to attract university students from different disciplines to consider a career in aerospace engineering. Around 50 students from Khalifa University and Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE visited the Etihad Airways Engineering facility, and were provided with diverse subjects such as mechanical and computer engineering, with an opportunity to see firsthand the engineering landscape in a professional working environment. As part of their visits, students were given an overview of the facility followed by a tour of the workshops and hangar facility, during which they were able to interact with both graduate and experienced engineers specialising in different areas of the business.
New Research to Unearth UAE’s Clean Energy Potential
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Bee’ah Develops Innovation-Driven Economy
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ee’ah, the Middle East’s environment and waste management company, participated in UAE Innovation Week, on November 20 – 26, at Expo Centre Sharjah. Bee’ah showcased several sustainable technologies, advanced solutions, innovative tools and equipment to improve the waste management process across the UAE. The company featured its Recycling Vending Machines (RVMs), mobile app, WiFi bins and electric desert cleaning vehicles, which continue the positive momentum in achieving environmental sustainability. The company was the first in the Middle East to deploy RVMs, which accept plastic bottles and aluminium cans and rewards them accordingly. The RVMs will be placed in public locations including malls, educational institutes and many more areas across Sharjah and Dubai.
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he Emirates Wildlife Society in association with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) announced its plan to assess the feasibility of transitioning up to 100 percent renewable energy in the UAE by 2050. The project will see WWF and Baringa Partners join forces in a bid to fulfil the country’s commitment to address climate change and facilitate enhanced energy security through diversification of domestic energy supply. Tanzeed Alam, director, climate and energy, WWF, said, “By setting out some clear and actionable recommendations, we believe that the UAE will be better equipped to move towards a climate-resilient future which will benefit UAE society, its economy and the environment. We plan to engage closely with energy authorities, utilities, private sector and leaders to ensure there is concrete action to make this work a reality.”
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Representatives from Cathay Pacific and Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, CEO, Bahrain Airport Company, second from right, commemorate the airline’s 40th year of operation in Bahrain
Chefs of FourSeasons Beirut capping the Salon Du Chocolat with an exquisite Buche de Noel
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Danat Al Ain Resort receives another award for being the Garden Luxury Hotel of the year in UAE
Shoutout to Chevy Kelly for managing a thumbs up during his three marathons in three days to support Just a Drop at World Travel Market 2016
10 DECEMBER 2016
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Sameh Sobhy, general manager, Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, was honoured at the Arab Satallite Festival 2016
Congratulations to the first Oman Air passenger to win a free upgrade on Oman's National Day
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NEWS & EVENTS Sharjah’s First Ever Indian Fest a Success
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he UAE’s first ever Indian Fest was completed at Al Qasba, Sharjah’s premier leisure destination, with the opening of the inaugural festival to celebrate Indian culture and traditions enjoying a huge public turnout. The event featured a variety of music, dances, art, entertainment and culinary offerings that showcase India’s vibrant culture and rich cultural legacy. Sultan Shattaf, manager, Al Qasba, said, “We organised this festival in celebration of the deep–rooted relations and strong ties between the UAE and India. Through it we seek to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the country, including its food, music, art and traditions.”
IPAF Hosts Eighth Nadwa at Qasr Al Sarab
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group of six emerging Arab authors recently gathered at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, Abu Dhabi to take part in the annual nadwa, organised by the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF). The week-long workshop brought together writers from Bahrain, Morocco, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and was led by two leading names in Arabic literature, who have previously been shortlisted for the IPAF, Mohammed Hasan Alwan and Hammour Ziada. Saudi writer, Mohammed Hasan Alwan, said, “A nadwa such as this reaffirms to us that writing is an activity worth travelling and taking time out for in an isolated location, something that has become an unthinkable luxury in today's world.”
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EVENTS FITUR Madrid, Spain January 18 – 22, 2017 www.ifema.es The 37th edition of the travel trade fair for both inbound and outbound Ibero American markets.
EMITT Istanbul, Turkey January 26 – 29, 2017 www.emittinstanbul.com Industry professionals from more than 70 countries are expected to attend the exhibition focussed on the East Mediterranean.
IBTM ARABIA Abu Dhabi, UAE February 07 – 09, 2017 www.ibtmarabia.com One of the leading international events for the Arabian meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry.
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