28 JANUARY 2017 ISSUE 377
07 NEW HEIGHTS FOR AIR TRAVEL REVEALED
03 MARKET UPDATE
STR: 560 NEW PROJECTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
12 CONNECTING DOHA AND LAS VEGAS
05 Technology
08 Accommodation 19 International
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
ICAO Reveal 3.7 Billion Passengers in 2016
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALIST Ellen Petty CONTRIBUTOR 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
According to preliminary figures released by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the total number of travellers carried on scheduled flights grew to 3.7 billion, marking a year-on-year growth of six percent.
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he number of departures across the globe reached around 35 million, while revenue passenger kilometres rose 6.3 percent to above seven trillion, a slowdown on 2015’s result of a 7.1 percent increase. More than half of all tourists who travelled across international borders did so via air, while low-cost carriers accounted for approximately 28 percent of all passengers. This, along with the reduced cost of air travel, has played a big role in the overall growth of passenger traffic.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
Marriott Reveals Q4 2016 Earnings Release Date
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of
2
27.1.2017
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
109.63
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
18.72
Iran (IRR)
Rial
32,362.58
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,186.49
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.31
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,508.21
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.40
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
10.05
Syria (SYP)
Pound
214.32
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.31
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.15
Marriott International has announced that it will unveil its financial results for the fourth quarter (Q4) 2016 on February 15 via a conference call.
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rne Sorenson, CEO, Marriott International and Leeny Oberg, chief financial officer, Marriott International, will discuss the group’s performance, which will also be broadcasted via the company’s investor relations website. Additionally, a replay will be available for listeners as well as a transcript of the call. With close to 6,000 properties in 120 countries and territories, Marriott International is said to be one of the largest hotel companies.
28 JANUARY 2017
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MARKET UPDATE
STR: 560 NEW PROJECTS IN THE
Middle East THERE ARE 159,922 ROOMS ACROSS 560 DEVELOPMENTS UNDER CONTRACT IN THE MIDDLE EAST ACCORDING TO STR’S NOVEMBER 2016 PIPELINE REPORT.
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Riyadh
his represents a 10.8 percent growth in rooms under contract compared to the same month in 2015. Of these, 85,446 rooms in 267 properties were labelled as in construction during November 2016. Saudi Arabia led the way with 37,864 keys in 83 hotels, followed by the UAE with 26,889 rooms in 97 locations and Qatar with 8,748 in 36 hotels. Meanwhile, some 316 addresses with 58,878 keys were under contract in Africa, including 5,645 rooms across 16 hotels in Egypt.
UNWTO Reports International Tourism Growth
According to the latest World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer, demand for international tourism remained robust in 2016 despite challenges. International tourist arrivals grew by 3.9 percent reaching a total of 1.2 million.
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he Middle East received 54 million international tourist arrivals in 2016. Arrivals decreased an estimated four percent with mixed results among the region’s destinations. “Tourism has shown extraordinary strength and resilience in recent years, despite many challenges, particularly those related to safety and security. Yet, international travel continues to grow strongly and contribute to job creation and the wellbeing of communities around the world”, said Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Ensuring Sustainable Tourism The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched its Declaration for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, expressing the organisation’s full commitment to the priorities of the year and setting out its vision of how to maximise the contribution of travel and tourism to sustainable development around the world.
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avid Scowsill, president, WTTC, said, “The designation of [this year] as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development will provide the opportunity for us all to expand our role as an engine of job growth and economic development. WTTC will play our part in ensuring a sustainable future, and in making our world a better place.” In order for travel and tourism to function sustainably, Scowsill pointed out that three things are needed. These are people travelling, successful businesses and responsible practices.
Tanfeedh Programme Introduces Orientation Session
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he Ministry of Tourism Oman, in coordination with the Tanfeedh Delivery Unit, has organised a comprehensive orientation session to all participants in the working groups which have been set up for the implementation of the Tanfeedh tourism lab outcome. This programme followed a six-week lab session, which resulted in the formulation and detailed analysis of 15 tourism initiatives. The selective projects were then made public through open days, which saw large numbers of society acquainted with the initiatives. The session focussed on the formation of each of the groups, their operating styles and the methodology of reporting progress. The key performance indicators will be the measurement tool through which the work progress on each initiative can be measured effectively against the set targets.
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
Keyless Technology Makes Hospitality Functional Following VingCard Essence’s new release, known as the world’s first invisible lock which is now compatible with ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Mobile Access, guests can now experience a more convenient node of hotel-room access.
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ingCard Essence allows guests to skip the front desk and unlock their room using their smartphone or smartwatch. It also enables hoteliers to create a more homely, design-centric feel in their hallways and room interiors, without compromising on security. VinCard Essence has an improved reading distance on the radio-frequency identification reader and wireless online capabilities. The product also benefits from compatibility with ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Mobile Access, powered by secure Seos technology, a revolutionary solution that allows guests to take control of their hotel experience, using their smart device. This industry-leading innovation from ASSA ABLOY Hospitality enhances customer satisfaction, frees up front desk staff and saves on operational costs.
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
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Daniel Naoumovitch, CEO, Sabre Travel Network Middle East, left
Sabre and Mosaid Travel Renew Partnership
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ontinuing on from their 10-year exclusive collaboration, Sabre and Mosaid Travel and Tourism Services have designed a service agreement. The Saudi-based travel agency will use Sabre’s technology to support its expansion plans throughout the region and provide more personalised travel experiences along with improved customer satisfaction. Commenting on the renewed contract, Nadir Kazalbash, general manager, Mosaid Travel and Tourism Services, said, “Over the years, Sabre has been a trusted and innovative technology provider that understands the challenges we face, and anticipates trends and technology needed to meet the expectations of today’s connected travellers.”
Hotelrez Hotels & Resorts Adopts Sabre’s Hospitality Solutions
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otelREZ Hotels & Resorts has completed the migration of its member hotels to Sabre’s SynXis Central Reservations and device responsive booking engine, securing its ability to provide more than 1,000 HotelREZ customers with access to Sabre’s industry-leading technology. Sabre’s broad portfolio of hospitality solutions empowers hoteliers to create and deliver a unique and differentiating guest experience based on their specific brand. By implementing Sabre’s technology solutions, HotelREZ will help its member hotels take advantage of connections to new channels and expand beyond its already strong presence in EMEA and accelerate further growth into geographical markets such as the Americas and China, where Sabre has strong channel connections. In addition, HotelREZ customers will have access to Sabre’s newest device responsive booking engine, which offers some of the most innovative approaches to merchandising and customer experience in the hospitality market.
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WEEKLY NEWS Funding Sustainable Projects
New Heights For Air Travel Revealed
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28 JANUARY 2017
Dubai
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ollowing the comprehensive study of worldwide air travel trends conducted by Expedia in partnership with Airlines Reporting Corporation and other industry sources, an analysis titled New Heights for Air Travel was released displaying spot trends that the modern traveller can use to book with intelligence during this year. Collectively, the data reveals that two factors, falling ticket prices and surging capacity, suggest that the current year could be a banner period for travellers taking to the skies, with more options to fly to more destinations for lower prices. The report is an analysis of worldwide air travel data deduced from January 01 – October 24, 2016.
xpo 2020 Dubai delivered the first public roll-out of its USD100 million Expo Live programme to help fund, accelerate and promote creative projects that will improve lives while preserving our planet. The initiative calls for individual entrepreneurs, SMEs, non-profit organisations, and government-related entities to submit their solutions, which should be at a demonstration and implementation stage, to Expo Live. This is the first time a public outreach has been launched by the World Expo and it will be the first of twice yearly cycles up to June 2018 to fund suitable projects. Expo Live will deploy a combination of programmes, challenges and knowledge-sharing events in the run-up to the 2020 World Expo, focussing on the universal drivers of progress, namely opportunity, mobility and sustainability, which are core themes to Expo 2020 Dubai.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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JW Marriott Tetouan to Launch at Port Marina Smir
Port Marina Smir
Areen Hospitality is working on the interiors of a new five-star hotel under the JW Marriott brand, to be built alongside the renowned Marina Smir in Tetouan, Morocco.
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he 22,500 m2 development comprises 194 guestrooms including VIP suites, a spa and three restaurants. Just 16km from the straits of Gibraltar, Marina Smir is Morocco’s first yacht harbour and rapidly becoming the port of choice for those travelling along the waters of the Southern Mediterranean. Andrew Linwood, head of design, Areen Hospitality, commented, “As always we search for a balance between providing durable and functional spaces, whilst still offering an interior which surprises and embraces its guests. Traditional Moroccan hospitality is renowned world over and we wanted to capture this essence within the new JW Marriott Tetouan. Creatively this is always a challenge but one which we feel we have successfully met on this project.”
Oman Awarded for Safety
Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm
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ark Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm, Oman has been awarded with a certification for its level of safety and security by Safehotels. In order to receive this certification, the hotel was evaluated for security and safety levels regarding hotel facilities and safety services, procedures, training and management, security equipment, fire equipment, fire procedures and training risk prevention, and crisis and recovery management. Nuno Neves, cluster general manager, Park Inn Muscat and Park Inn Duqm, said, “Safety and security has always been under the supervision and responsibility of the hotel business. Being a hotel does not necessarily mean you get the international certification right away. To get it, a hotel has to be well-structured, well-organised in terms of almost all aspects - from the engineering, to the security team even the staff and management.”
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION Landmark and Citymax Team Up
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Citymax Al Barsha
andmark Group is expanding its popular Shukran Loyalty Program to Citymax Hotels with a unique cross border, Earn and Spend programme. As part of this initiative, Shukran members from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon and UAE can now earn Shukrans when they book their stay at any one of the Citymax Hotels in the UAE; among other benefits. Russel Sharpe, chief operating officer, Citymax Hotels, said, “We are incredibly excited to unveil this new programme at Citymax Hotels, an offer that residents of GCC can truly benefit from. Making it available at Citymax Hotels for our loyal customers to enjoy is our way of saying thank you. We hope that integrating this programme can delight our guests on a greater level […].”
Salalah Rotana Enhancing Sustainability
Plant nursery at Salalah Rotana Resort
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25 JANUARY 2017
he five-star water front Salalah Rotana Resort has recently unveiled an in-house plant nursery as part of its sustainability initiatives and to meet its landscaping needs. The 30m2 nursery, home to over 200 plants, features a drip irrigation system with a network of pipes that allows water flow directly to the plant root, resulting in savings water and less maintenance. The resort has witnessed major impact with a 20 percent reduction in monthly irrigation costs through the use of this system since operating the plant nursery. Hossam Kamal, general manager, Salalah Rotana Resort, said, “By initiating this project, we are doing our part towards a safer environment. Our plant nursery signifies a key milestone in our sustainability efforts demonstrating our commitment to our environment and all stakeholders”.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Dubai Maintains Occupancy but Drops Rates
Connecting Doha and Las Vegas
Las Vegas
In response to passenger demand, Qatar Airways to commence a four-weekly, non-stop service to Las Vegas, beginning January 08, 2018.
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he new route will be the airline’s 11th to the US, connecting McCarran International Airport to Hamad International Airport, making Qatar Airways the first Gulf carrier to provide regular scheduled services to Las Vegas. “Las Vegas is a thriving leisure destination and adding the city to our route map has been long overdue. Growing our Western US network is important to the airline as we are seeing exponential growth in passenger demand from the East via our state of the art hub in Doha,” said H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways.
Turkish Airlines Launches its First Flight to Kharkiv
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urkish Airlines will add Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, to its extensive flight network, as of March 30. Kharkiv flights will be operated four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and will increase to seven times per week as of May 30.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Emirates to Add Croatian Destination
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Zagreb
s of June 01, Emirates will introduce a daily flight from Dubai to Zagreb, further enhancing its European network. Commenting on the upcoming addition to the airline’s flight schedule, Thierry Antinori, executive vice president, Emirates, said, “Emirates is pleased to have this opportunity to add such a picturesque destination to our global route network. We look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders in Croatia to provide our world renowned service to our customers on our young, modern fleet of aircraft. We are also committed to our contribution to growing the trade and tourism flows between Croatia and Dubai, […].”
Iran Air Receives First of 100 Airbus Aircraft
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ran Air has taken delivery of its new A321 aircraft, in a handover ceremony in Toulouse in the presence of Farhad Parvaresh, CEO, Iran Air and Fabrice Bregier, president, commercial aircraft and chief operating officer, Airbus, Gael Meheust, senior vice president sales and marketing CFM, Tom Enders, CEO, Airbus, and international media. The delivery is the first from a firm order placed by Iran Air in December 2016 for 100 Airbus aircraft, 46 single aisle and 54 wide body jets, as part of its efforts to renew and expand its fleet.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Cairo
Air France Connecting Egypt with France
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n January 09, Air France inaugurated its first commercial flight to Cairo with Boeing 787, whereby passengers can now travel on the route from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, six times a week. Equipped with the latest new travel cabins, the Boeing 787 has 30 seats in business, 21 in premium economy and 225 in economy. In addition, travellers will be able to use Wi-Fi onboard at a small fee.
Manish Malhotra (centre) at Lakmé Fashion Week
Etihad and Lakmé Fashion Week Host Malhotra
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tihad Airways, in association with Lakmé Fashion Week, hosted fashion designer Manish Malhotra, in Abu Dhabi, as part of the airline’s latest initiative as the preferred carrier of the global fashion industry. Renowned for modernising costumes in Bollywood, Malhotra visited the airline’s state-of-the-art Innovation Centre and Training Academy and officially launched his Etihad Airways-sponsored virtual reality fashion show, which was filmed at Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai in August 2016. Patrick Pierce, vice president, sponsorships, Etihad Airways, said, “We are proud to collaborate with him, particularly in India where Etihad Airways is a key player serving many cities across the country with our strategic partner Jet Airways.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Growth for Oman Air
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ngoing fleet and network expansion, together with a renewed focus on on-board services and developments, will be a priority for Oman Air during this year, ensuring that the airline continues to drive up revenues and increases its growing contribution to the national economy. In 2016 Oman Air increased its contribution to Oman’s GDP by six percent, creating employment opportunities to Omani nationals, bringing tourists to the country, building global connections along with supporting small and medium enterprises. This positive contribution can only be sustained by continuing to generate demand for Oman Air’s expanding services. Differentiation will be a key focus for the coming year to ensure the airline maintains the positive revenue trajectory achieved over the last two years.
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Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
RAHIM ABU OMAR GENERAL MANAGER, GULF HOTEL BAHRAIN
BAHRAIN IS BLOOMING IN THE SPORTS EVENTS SCENE HOSTING MORE INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL EVENTS AS TIME PASSES. RAHIM ABU OMAR, GENERAL MANAGER, GULF HOTEL BAHRAIN, DISCUSSES HOW THE BAHRAINI HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND PARTICULARLY GULF HOTEL BAHRAIN, REACTS TO THE SPORTS TOURISM HIGH INFLOW.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Are there any interesting plans in your company's future that overseas and local visitors can look forward to? RAHIM ABU OMAR: We participate in major travel trade shows such as the World Travel Market in London, ITB in Berlin and Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in addition to attending travel and trade conferences worldwide.
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The Gulf Hotel’s Group recently announced the opening of the first marketing office in Shanghai city, China. This move indicates the new tourism identity under the slogan of Ours. Yours which has been launched recently by Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority as part of plans to further diversify the national economy away from its dependence on oil. The vision of the group lies in seeking to attract more Chinese tourists by cooperating with travel agencies and conference organisers in China. In addition, we have plans to open sales offices in other markets as well. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is sports tourism to your business? What are your offerings for visitors who come to Bahrain’s for this segment? RAHIM ABU OMAR: We have special package deals, special menus and promotions especially for sports teams and groups who are always welcomed in our hotel. During 2016, we hosted The 26th Ordinary Asian Football Confederation Congress at the Gulf Convention Center. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How has the MICE segment affected your marketing strategy? Do you collaborate with organisations in order to attract guests interested in the segment? RAHIM ABU OMAR: As the first legendary five-star hotel in the Kingdom we are pleased to join The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority in promoting tourism for the Kingdom of Bahrain. We are working closely with the authority and support all kind of activities which help to promote Bahrain’s tourism and economy. We also market and promote Bahrain’s commerce sector as Bahrain is the ideal destination to target both economic and tourism opportunities. From an another perspective, the group seeks to present the Kingdom's booming industry verticals to the world, with the objective of generating business, creating new partnerships and exploring new markets especially in the tourism an hospitality field by attracting conferences and exhibitions on a global level, in order to offer opportunities and competitive facilities provided by the Kingdom to embrace foreign investment in various sectors and work to develop that. And so, we will present the possibilities that could attract the most
Gulf Hotel Bahrain
important international tourism exhibitions and conferences to the Kingdom with all the media and technical facilities needed. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How does the 2016 business performance compare to previous years? To what do you owe this? RAHIM ABU OMAR We have worked hard to keep up with the tourist requirements in the Bahraini market. In line with the group’s expansion strategy in support to the Bahrain’s growing tourism demands, Gulf Hotels Group recently opened two additional four-star projects in the Kingdom, which are Asdal Gulf Inn located in the heart of the Seef business district and Gulf Residence Amwaj, set in the beautiful surroundings of Amwaj Island. The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa, Bahrain’s iconic legendary hotel, dedicated to consistently providing better value, recently opened the newest luxury spa in the Kingdom. The 3,100 m2 spa facility features two separate welcoming reception for men and ladies, individual treatment rooms, hammams, hydro and relaxation pools, experience showers, ice fountains and relaxation rooms. The spa also features a new ladies hair salon by world renowned stylist Juliano Asmar. In addition to a ladies fitness centre and a couple VIP treatment room, the spa also features a rooftop relaxation terrace, where you can enjoy healthy treats and views of Manama's skyline. Local ingredients such as pearls, palm water, herbs and gold are also included in several treatments. 28 JANUARY 2017
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Upgrade on Dubai – Sao Paulo Route
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Sao Paulo
mirates is to operate the first ever scheduled commercial Airbus A380 flight to South America when it upgrades its Dubai – Sao Paulo service on March 26, replacing the existing Boeing 777-300ER used on this route. Commenting on the upgrade to the daily itinerary, Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, West, Emirates, said, “The switch to the Airbus A380 offers a total of 959 additional seats per week in each direction, meeting a growing demand from travellers on the route and demonstrating our commitment to Brazil and to the South American region.”
Cairo International Airport
Gulf Air Moves to New Terminal in Egypt
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ulf Air has moved its Cairo operations from Bahrain to Terminal 2 at Cairo International Airport. Speaking of this development, Maher Salman Al Musallam, CEO, Gulf Air, said, “We are delighted to commence operations to and from Cairo International Airport’s recently-opened Terminal 2 – further facilitating and enhancing passenger movement and comforts on the ground. All passengers travelling with Gulf Air can now enjoy a modern, efficient and passenger-friendly facility in Terminal 2. With the broad scope of facilities on offer we anticipate our passengers will be delighted with all that the terminal has to offer.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Gulf Air Enhances Flight Itinerary
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ulf Air is set to inaugurate a new route to Georgia with direct flights to and from the capital city of Tbilisi which will come into effect in June, offering three weekly flights via Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport. Commenting on the upcoming addition to the airline’s network, Maher Salman Al Musallam, CEO, Gulf Air, said, “We are pleased to respond to passenger demand by opening this newest destination. Launching in June, our new route to Tbilisi, Georgia, will cater to summer movement and leisure travellers from the GCC region. As part of our longstanding mission, we are always looking for ways to introduce and strengthen business and tourism links between key global destinations, Bahrain and the region.”
Airbus Deliveries Exceed Targets
Airbus Fleet-liners
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ollowing a record year, the number Airbus’ commercial aircraft deliveries in 2016 is up for the 14th year in a row, reaching a new company record of 688 aircraft delivered to 82 customers. Deliveries were more than eight percent higher than the previous record of 635 set in 2015. This completed orders included 545 single aisle A320 fleet-liners, 68 of which were A320neo, 66 A330s, 49 A350 XWBs and 28 A380s. Over 40 percent of single aisle deliveries were the larger A321 models. Airbus achieved 731 net orders from 51 customers, of which, eight were new. These included 607 single aisle and 124 wide-body aircraft. At the end of 2016, Airbus’ overall backlog stood at 6,874 aircraft valued at almost USD1,018 billion.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
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Radisson Blu Launches in Faridabad
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Hyatt Regency Debuts in Fujian
Thailand Welcomes North Park Place
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n China's Fujian province, Hyatt Regency has celebrated the opening of Hyatt Regency Fuzhou Cangshan. Merging traditional Chinese culture with modern conveniences, the property strives to become a gathering place for business and leisure travellers. Christopher Koehler, managing director, operations, Hyatt International, China. “Hyatt Regency Fuzhou Cangshan will resonate with business and leisure travellers alike by providing a full range of services and amenities for our guests where they can relax, connect, engage, and collaborate with each other.”
rasers Hospitality Group has launched North Park Place, a 105-apartment luxury serviced residence located within the exclusive Rajpruek Golf Club in Bangkok, Thailand. The nearby Rajpruek Sports Club offers meeting rooms, a business centre and conference facilities, catering to the business needs of corporate travellers. The property also boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool, steam room and sauna facilities, a fitness centre, bowling lanes and more. Choe Peng Sum, CEO, Frasers Hospitality Group, said, “Situated within the world-class Rajpruek Golf Course, North Park Place caters to discerning travellers seeking an exclusive luxury retreat tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city. Every apartment has been carefully designed with guests’ well-being in mind to create a sanctuary for business and leisure travellers to relax and recharge.”
North Park Place
Radisson Blu Faridabad
adisson Blu Faridabad has officially opened, hailed as the city’s first upperscale hotel. The 124 room hotel offers elegant and spacious meeting facilities with state-of-the-art technology and a pillarless Grand Ballroom that accommodates up to 1,000 guests. Raj Rana, CEO, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said, “We are confident the hotel will have a strong appeal to business and leisure travellers and redefine expectations. We welcome this stylish addition to our growing portfolio of 140 hotels in operation and development.” Among other amenities, guests can enjoy Broadway, an all-day dining restaurant, House of Soy, Pan-Asian food outlet, The Cove bar, and Tea Studio, the property’s patisserie shop.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
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ark Inn by Radisson hotels has announced Park Inn by Radisson Barrancabermeja Cambodia. The hotel offers 95 guest rooms, food and beverage options, including the Terrace Restaurant & Bar, leisure facilities, a fitness centre and a Whirlpool on the 12th floor. The property boasts meeting rooms for groups of up to 120 attendees, with state-of-the-art equipment. “The hotel’s prime location coupled with our Adding Colour To LifeSM guest service philosophy, will make the hotel an enjoyable place to stay for both business and leisure guests alike,” said Jacqueline Coll, manager, Park Inn by Radisson Barrancabermeja.
Louvre Hotels Groups Takes on India
Mövenpick Enters Colombo
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fter launching a far-reaching scheme to strengthen its positions in China and South-East Asia, Louvre Hotels Group continues to boost its presence in South Asia, keeping up with the region’s constantly growing leisure and business tourism. The group has become a majority stakeholder in Sarovar Hotels, an Indian company made up of 75 hotels in the premium, mid-range and budget sectors, through three leading brands, Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico and Hometel. In addition to the three brands, the group also owns two well established food and beverage brands, The Geoffrey’s Pub and the Oriental Blossom, and manages the lodging and catering facilities of various institutions in India. Respective hotel owners for both groups will benefit immediately from local and international management expertise, worldwide distribution, loyalty programmes, sales and marketing initiatives, and procurement services.
he 24-floor Mövenpick Hotel Colombo has opened in the Sri Lankan capital, hailing as the first international fivestar property to open in the city in 25 years. Set to become the city's icon, the property is characterised by its modern architecture. The address boasts 219 rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, meeting and event space, leisure facilities, and food and beverage outlets. “Mövenpick Hotel Colombo is an inspirational modern landmark that introduces exciting new hospitality concepts to the city; this signifies a new era of prosperity for an island nation re-energised and undergoing rapid development,” said Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer, Middle East and South Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
Mövenpick Hotel Colombo
Park Inn by Radisson Barrancabermeja
Colombia Welcomes New Property
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DIRECTOR, SALES AND MARKETING, ARMED FORCES OFFICERS CLUB & HOTEL
“We are very happy for the success that we have received since our resort opening on December 20, 2016. This was a good indicator that our opening had been eagerly awaited by our guests. At Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai we curate spaces. We want to create a social environment where people can choose to mingle or withdraw themselves for a personal time of relaxation. Growth is an essential part of the business. We believe that we can grow further by broadening our exposure.”
GROUP CEO, QATAR AIRWAYS
We are grateful for our strategic position next to ADNEC “Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) fills a prominent role within Abu Dhabi being a contributor to the development of the city, economy, trade and tourism. We are grateful for our strategic position next to ADNEC that helps us raise occupancy rates. As occupancy rates are steadily rising, the Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel team prepares to host the upcoming winter season with five-star luxury services and the best facilities. Our collaboration with ADNEC has helped us inch towards our goal. [...].”
CEO, MANAFA
H.E. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN FAISAL AL QASSIMI
ALEXANDER SCHNEIDER DULCE ORTEGA
GENERAL MANAGER, NIKKI BEACH RESORT & SPA DUBAI
Growth is an essential part of the business
H.E. AKBAR AL BAKER
TRAVEL TALK
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[...] We are now more proud than ever to call it our home “[Hamad International Airport’s (HIA) achievement of Skytrax's 5-Star Airport award] just proves that Qatar Airways passengers enjoy a five-star experience on the ground in our Doha home, as well as, in the air in our thoroughly modern fleet. [...] HIA is built around [...] convenience and service, delivered in a setting that is more than just thoughtful and welcoming, but beautiful as well. The Qatar Airways experience is truly replicated in this stunning building, and we are now more proud than ever to call it our home.”
The awards [...] serve as a stimulus for [...] innovative ideas
“The awards [for the top five exhibitors] are an acknowledgement of the participants’ hard-work and serve as a stimulus for companies to come up with innovative ideas. By celebrating creativity, our objective is to enable firms of all sizes to compare themselves to and learn from the best to evolve and ultimately succeed in exceeding their customers’ expectations.”
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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Top Food and Beverage at First Avenue Dubai’s Motor City
Ajman Hosts Bridal Exhibition
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irst Avenue has signed up some of the biggest names in casual dining as plans gather pace to open in Dubai’s Motor City during this year. The latest restaurants KRIS KROS, BurgerFuel, Kababji and SushiArt, will be among 15 food and beverage outlets at First Avenue in Motor City. Ramy Moussly, general manager, Al Tawfeeq for Development and Investment, the Saudi-owned backer for the project, commented, “Our plan is to draw local residents, tourists, families, and the leisure and business communities to First Avenue all week round. Located next to Dubai Autodrome, we are leveraging a motoring experience that attracts visitors and creates excitement in an area that is home to so many young families and professionals,” he added.
The Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair
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he Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair, organised in association with The Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), took place from January 11 – 13. The three-day annual luxury bridal exhibition hosted over 60 leading brands and vendors specialised in catering to luxury events, at the exclusive show. "Events such as The Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair are a great platform for creating awareness about our destination as well as showcasing true Emirati hospitality," said H.E. Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager, ATDD. "Our aim is to position Ajman as the perfect destination to experience real Emirati hospitality. We have got outstanding facilities for both leisure and business travellers and want visitors and exhibitors at The Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair to learn and discover what the emirate of Ajman offers.”
Tennis Academy Joins Al Habtoor City
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he Al Habtoor Tennis Academy has opened at Al Habtoor City, Dubai’s luxury hospitality, entertainment and residential destination. The academy caters for year-round tennis with an indoor air-conditioned court, and three outdoor facilities. Additionally, it includes men’s and women’s changing rooms, a fully-equipped gym, and cafe with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking The St. Regis Dubai Gardens. The Al Habtoor Tennis Academy has recruited top international tennis professionals to coach adults and children. Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group, said, “The Al Habtoor Tennis Academy is a world-class facility and a tennis lifestyle destination in the UAE. Unlike anywhere else, tennis enthusiasts can practice even during Dubai’s warmest months thanks to the fully airconditioned indoor tennis pavilion. The academy is a great addition to the Al Habtoor City’s Leisure Collection, […].”
Emirates Rolls Out ecoTHREAD Blankets
ecoTHREAD Blankets
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mirates has introduced new sustainable blankets made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. The soft and warm blankets are made using ecoTHREAD patented technology and are now available in economy class on all longhaul Emirates flights. Each quilt is made from 28 recycled plastic bottles. With the latest innovation, the bottles are recycled into plastic chips before being turned into yarn, creating a polar fleece material which is then woven into soft blankets. By the end of 2019, the airline will have rescued 88 million plastic bottles from landfills. This initiative makes it the largest sustainable blanket programme onboard within the airline industry.
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Egyptian singer Reham Abdel Hakim and Cairo Opera House Orchestra, conducted by maestro Mohammad Al Mougi, during the third night of Sharjah World Music Festival
Sharjah government officials attended the second Sharjah Forum at Mlieha Archaeological Centre
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Emirates announced that it will operate the first ever commercial Airbus A380 flight to Morocco and North Africa
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Qatar Airways celebrated family with its Kids Fly Free promotion
Hamad International Airport became the sixth airport in the world to receive the 5-Star Airport designation by Skytrax
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NEWS & EVENTS EVENTS
PSI Records Healthy Growth
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ith six percent more exhibitors, nearly eight percent more visitors and a share of international visitors reaching 57 percent, PSI continued its growth trajectory and once again posted new records at the 55th event. In total, Reed Exhibitions Deutschland counted 988 exhibitors as compared to 2015 records of 932 and 18,094 visitors compared to 2016 records denoting 16,810. From now on, customers of the industry are invited by the distributors of promotional products with granted access to the PSI event on the last day. The exhibition hosted four halls packed with innovation and inspiration, presented by professionals from every corner of the globe with a 57 percent share of international visitors.
Art Exhibition for a Cause
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IBTM ARABIA Abu Dhabi, UAE February 07 – 09 www.ibtmarabia.com One of the leading international events for the Arabian meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry.
ITB BERLIN Berlin, Germany March 08 – 12 www.itb-berlin.de Industry professionals from 187 countries are expected to attend one of the world’s biggest travel trade fairs.
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etween January 11 and 25, RAINBOW 2017, an exhibition of abstract paintings by acclaimed Indian artist Dinesh Kamble, took place at The Ajman Palace Hotel. The exhibition, which is the artist’s first one outside of India, will move on to Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. Kamble noted that RAINBOW 2017 is dedicated to supporting underprivileged women who are victims of acid attacks, with part of the funds from sales being donated towards their medical treatment. Commenting on selecting the UAE as the starting point of this mega international show, Kamble said, “The UAE for me symbolises freedom of pleasure, enjoyment and happiness. Every emirate is a melting pot of cultures. Ajman has been quietly carving its place on the world tourism map with an intriguing mix of attractions and art is one of them.”
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MITT Moscow, Russia March 14 – 16 www.mitt.ru The 24th edition of one of the leading business-to-business travel events will offer a wealth of opportunities for partnerships within Russia, CIS, and beyond.
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