11 MARCH 2017 ISSUE 383
06 YAS MALL WELCOMED 40 MILLION VISITORS SINCE LAUNCHING
03 GENERAL
OMAN ROLLS OUT USD1.17 BILLION TOURISM INVESTMENT
13 FLYNAS AND ETIHAD TEAM UP
10 Accommodation 11 Agents
16 Rendezvous
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
ADIA Welcomed 2.2 Million Travellers
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALIST Ellen Petty CONTRIBUTORS Panayiotis Karanicholas Maria Sabova Anna Spyrou Dominique Christou SALES & SALES SUPPORT Maria Demetriadou Magda Christou Raluca Apostolescu
ADIA
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
In January, more than 2.2 million passengers passed through Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA), representing a year-on-year boost of 2.6 percent.
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dditionally, aircraft movements also rose one percent over January 2016, with a total of 14,666 take-offs and landings. Notably, traffic between the capital and India was one of the most popular routes, up two percent, followed by the UK which grew 14.1 percent compared to the same month in 2016. Boosted by Etihad’s four daily flights, passenger numbers to Egypt grew significantly with an 18.4 percent surge, also supported by Fly Egypt’s service to Alexandria. The top five destinations were London, Bangkok, Mumbai, Doha and Jeddah, which all saw substantial rises, up 23 percent, two percent, 13 percent, two percent and four percent, respectively.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
MGM Resorts Reported Rise in Revenue
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of
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10.3.2017
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
110.04
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.56
Iran (IRR)
Rial
32,419.85
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,177.11
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.31
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,512.99
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.41
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
10.08
Syria (SYP)
Pound
214.35
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.31
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.50
In 2016, MGM Resorts International achieved consolidated net revenues of USD9.5 billion, an increase of three percent compared to 2015.
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he group reported a consolidated operating income of USD2.1 billion, includings a USD430 million gain through the acquisition of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa as well as a USD401 million boost related to the sale of The Shops at Crystals. This success follows a loss of USD156 million in 2015. Meanwhile, MGM China recorded net revenue of USD1.9 billion, a 13 percent year-on-year drop. All in all, diluted earnings per share stood at USD1.92 compared to 2015’s loss per share of USD0.82.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Oman Rolls Out USD1.17 Billion
Tourism Investment
FOLLOWING ON FROM THE SUCCESS OF WELCOMING A 15 PERCENT YEAR-ONYEAR RISE IN VISITOR NUMBERS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 2016, OMAN IS SET TO INVEST USD1.17 BILLION INTO ITS TOURISM INDUSTRY BY 2026.
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he Sultanate will showcase its expanding hotel and tourism infrastructure at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in April. In 2016, Oman saw the addition of 2,022 keys, which despite an 11 percent decrease in occupancy rate, is expected to recover three percent this year. While highlighting that Oman was named as one of the top places to visit this year, Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM, said, “[...] The USD120 million Majarat Oman futuristic theme park, set to open in 2017, will add to the huge selection of options available for families.”
The Seychelles Promoted at JTTX7
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he Dubai office of Seychelles Tourism Board participated in Jeddah Intl. Travel & Tourism Exhibition 2017 (JTTX7), held at Jeddah Hilton Hotel on February 15 – 17. Following its successful attendance in 2016, the office attracted high interest from the event’s visitors, which demonstrated the destination’s popularity on the local market. Supported by the tourism figures, with 29.96 percent increase in January as compared to the same month in 2015, Saudi Arabia remains one of the Seychelles’ main tourism markets in the region. Ahmed Fathallah, regional manager, Seychelles Tourism Board, Dubai, commented that the event paved the way for the organisation to better connect with consumers from Jeddah, it opened doors for new business opportunities and helped to understand the needs of the target market.
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Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport to Expand
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he government of Sharjah has approved the USD400 million budget for the expansion of Sharjah International Airport, according to Middle East Economic Digest. The extension project is expected to begin this summer and promises to increase airport capacity from eight to 18 million passengers a year, as also indicated by, Adel Abdullah Ali, CEO, Air Arabia. A plan for the growth of the airport was submitted by US engineering firm Bechtel in 2013, recommending a new terminal, construction of new roads around the airport, including additional services such as a new hotel and a shopping mall.
Shop Bahrain Welcomed 48,000 Visitors
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hrifty Car Rental inaugurated its first Thrifty Lounge at the recently opened Burjuman branch, where customers can relax while waiting for their rental cars. Claimed as one of the UAE’s largest leasing and car rental services provider, the company’s new lounge is in line with its goal to constantly enhance the customer experience and create differentiation on the market. Karunesh Arya, general manager, Thrifty Car Rental, commented, “We are extremely proud to have pioneered the concept of car rental lounges in the region. […] While at the lounge, guests can relax in its quiet environment, discuss renting options over a cup of coffee with our experts and also enjoy free Wi-Fi access. We hope to roll out this concept into our bigger branches and plan to have additional three lounges this year.”
Thrifty Lounge
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he third edition of Shop Bahrain, a 30-day retail festival organised in collaboration with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, was deemed a great success with around 130,000 transactions made, compared to 2016’s figure of 60,000, worth a total of BHD8 million (USD21.22 million). During the first week, there was a seven percent boost in visitors, while throughout the event, the number of shoppers peaked at 48,611, including more than 20,000 non-Bahraini visitors, a year-on-year rise of 2,000. Furthermore, local four- and five-star hotels also achieved an income of BHD9 million (USD23.87 million) during the event, while occupancy across the serviced apartments sector reached 73 percent.
Thrifty Car Rental Pioneers a Lounge Service
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Yas Mall Welcomed 40 Million Visitors Since Launching
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ince opening in November 2014, Yas Mall has seen around 40 million shoppers through its doors, offering visitors a selection of 93 stores, along with interactive leisure facilities making it an entertainment destination. Furthermore, the mall also hosted a series of events during 2016, such as celebrating the national days of the UAE and surrounding GCC countries along with Yas Mall Fashion Week. H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO, Aldar Properties, commented, “We are continually looking for new ways to engage with our visitors of all ages, including both tourists and residents, and so we have ensured that we offer the most diverse portfolio of restaurants, shops and leisure outlets, all in a beautifully designed setting, to enable Abu Dhabi to become one of the world’s leading retail destination.”
Trump Golf Club Inaugurated in Dubai
Influx of GCC Travellers to Lausanne
From left: Eric Trump, Sajwani and Donald Trump Jr.
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n 2016, the Swiss city Lausanne welcomed a 40 percent surge in the number of tourists visiting from Saudi Arabia, resulting in an overall 20 percent jump in the GCC region visitors. The growth has been attributed to a tour undertaken by Swiss delegation to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, where a number of agreements were signed with travel agencies and tourism bodies. Walter Loser, project manager, GCC market, Lausanne Tourisme, commented, “I hope to see an increase of 25 percent in tourism from the GCC region by the end of 2017 because we have focussed on developing the city with new luxury hotels and hotel apartments that would be the perfect home away from home for our valued Gulf visitors.”
Lausanne
n celebration of the launch of Trump International Golf Club Dubai at DAMAC Hills, DAMAC Properties welcomed Eric Trump, executive vice president, The Trump Organization and Donald Trump Jr., trustee, The Trump Organization, on a tour of the course. Commenting on the launch, Hussain Sajwani, Chairman, DAMAC Properties, noted, “This achievement is one that certainly transforms the golfing scene in Dubai and across the region, reaffirming the emirate’s position as a global destination for world-class developments.” The first Trump Golf-branded course in the Middle East is also home to a clubhouse boasting four highend restaurants, a state-of-the-art wellness centre, and a retail outlet. Along with the golf course, DAMAC Hills features more than 4,000 villas and 7,500 condominiums as well as leisure facilities, shops and dining options.
11 MARCH 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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Singapore Targets More UAE Visitors
SCTH’s Efforts to Upgrade Tourism Facilities
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he Singapore Tourism Board (STB) took part in Love Food Festival Abu Dhabi on February 16 – 18, as part of the promotional strategy to reinforce the country’s position as a favourite holiday destination among UAE travellers. The country welcomed 80,212 UAE tourists in 2016, a year-on-year growth of approximately two percent and the number is forecasted to surge this year, according to the STB. During the festival, STB threw spotlight on its popular cuisines, which Mohamed Firhan Abdul Salam, area director, Middle East and Africa, STB, commented, “[The festival] was a perfect platform for us to introduce our favourites here in the UAE. We are confident that attendees relished Singaporean food and will now make plans to visit our country to experience its culinary diversity.”
audi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has made an extra step towards achieving an integrated tourist experience system by launching a tourist taxi service in five areas popular among visitors. During a press conference, Walid Al Hamidi, vice president, industry areas, SCTH, explained that as a part of SCTH’s strategy to improve transportation services in support of tourism, the organisation partnered with Cream Co. to deliver the taxi services for residents and visitors in the regions of Ahab, Tabuk, Jizan, Al-Baha and Taif, later to be supported by other transport companies. Al Hamidi also added that the programme aims to recruit young Saudis, which will elevate the employment figures and stressed the importance of working with regional partners to overcome the obstacles facing tourism.
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Nine New Congresses at DWTC
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DWTC
ubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has won a bid to host nine new international congresses from this year to 2021, which will attract more than 24,000 delegates from across the globe. Reflecting Dubai’s growing MICE sector, the additions to DWTC’s calendar are expected to deliver an economic boost to the emirate as well as facilitate growth in industries such as healthcare, engineering, energy and environment. Ahmed Alkhaja, senior vice president, venues, DWTC, commented, “DWTC is committed to Dubai’s economic diversification strategy firmly aligned to the Dubai Plan 2021 and is working towards contributing business visitors to the tourism target. [...] As we continue to win new and diverse international congresses, DWTC remains dedicated to strategically aligning its in-take of international congresses with a focus on key growth sectors.”
Spain Hosted First UNWTO Conference on Smart Destinations
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Taleb Rifai
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he first World Conference on Smart Destinations took place in Murcia, between February 15 – 17. Organised by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry Tourism, the Digital Agenda of Spain, and the region of Murcia, the event welcomed more than 100 speakers. Discussions focused on possible ways to increase personalised customer experiences and improve participatory processes supported by smart solutions. Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, opened the conference and commented, “Smart tourism is not a trend, but the future of tourism development. The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 is the perfect framework to conduct such an event, as it addresses major challenges and opportunities of the tourism sector in the coming years”.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Mondrian Doha to Open This Spring
Rendering of Mondrian Doha
It has been announced that Mondrian Doha, designed by Marcel Wanders, is set to welcome guests in the second quarter of this year, marking the brand’s debut in the Middle East.
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he 270-room hotel will feature a 2,000m2 ESPA-branded spa offering an integrated approach to well-being along with an entertainment floor boasting a nightclub, an indoor pool, a skybar as well as retail outlets. For events, the property will offer a ballroom with a VIP bridal suite along with a standalone meeting floor. Guests will have the opportunity to dine in eight restaurants and bars within the falcon shaped structure, with viewing platform overlooking the city, while a stained glass dome skylight will dominate the 27th floor.
Dubai to Welcome LEGOLAND Hotel
LEGOLAND Dubai
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n a joint venture, DXB Entertainments and Merlin Entertainments have announced the first LEGOthemed hotel in the Middle East, LEGOLAND Dubai Hotel, to open in Dubai Parks and Resorts. The 250-key property will immerse guests in the world of LEGO with models in each room, a disco elevator to the Castle Play Area, among others features. While mentioning that themed accommodation is becoming an increasingly important part of a holiday, John Jakobsen, chief new openings officer, Merlin Entertainments, commented, “[...] We are delighted to continue our partnership with DXB Entertainments with the development of this hotel, [...] which will allow families and children to continue their amazing LEGOLAND experience after the park closes.”
RAK Properties Reports Continued Growth
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n 2016, RAK Properties achieved revenues in excess of AED390 million (USD106.19 million), a surge of 5.98 percent over the 2015 figure of AED368 million (USD100.2 million). The property developer also recorded a 9.38 percent boost in net operating profits during the respective year, which stood at AED175 million (USD47.65 million), while total assets were valued at AED4.99 billion (USD1.36 billion), a year-on-year increase of 5.05 percent. Mohammed Sultan al Qadi, CEO, RAK Properties, noted, “2016 presented a number of achievements for RAK Properties, including the announcement of further developments within Mina Al Arab. [...] This year promises greater success for RAK Properties, with a long term plan to launch projects worth AED5 billion until 2021.”
Mina Al Arab
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WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
TUI Group Sells Travelopia
Virgin Atlantic Invests in Automated Car Booking Services
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n an attempt to improve and accelerate ground transportation reservations, Virgin Atlantic in collaboration with GroundSpan is launching a global distribution system for its chauffeur car service. Through this new tool, passengers and travel agents will be able to book and purchase their own car using Manage My Booking website. Tony Bonanno, president, GroundSpan, commented, “The GroundSpan tool automates the booking process for their corporate preferred vendors and now the Virgin Atlantic chauffeur car service in one environment making the overall experience for booking ground transportation more efficient and seamless.”
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TUI Group has announced the sale of Travelopia, a collection of independent brands, after an agreement was reached with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, which will acquire the division for an enterprise value of EUR381 million.
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he disposal will enable TUI Group to inject investment into its hotel and cruise brands as part of its transformation into an integrated tourism business focussed on properties and liners. Fritz Joussen, CEO, TUI Group, said, “The sale of Travelopia is the next strategic step in sharpening TUI’s profile. We consistently continue to focus on becoming a vertically integrated tourism business. [...] We have ambitious goals and want to take the TUI brand into new regions in the world in the coming years. A clear strategic direction supports this course.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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flydubai Unveils Three New Summer Destinations In a bid to expand its network and offer more leisure destinations for UAE residents, flydubai has announced three new summer services to Batumi, Qabala and Tivet, which will operate between June – September.
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he low-cost carrier will serve Georgia’s second largest city three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Meanwhile, as the first direct itinerary connecting the UAE and Qabala, the airline will fly to the Azerbaijan city on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights to the Montenegro tourist resort, Tivat, will be operated twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays. GCC nationals will not require a visa for any of the countries, while UAE residents will receive visa on arrival.
Royal Jordanian Joins e-AWB Community
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s a result of collaboration with CHAMP Cargosystems (CHAMP), Royal Jordanian (RJ) has started using the e-Air Waybill system (e-AWB). The e-AWB initiative was launched by International Air Transport Association few years ago as a part of its Simplifying the Business project. It enables cargo agents anywhere in the world to look up flight schedules, check capacity, create real-time bookings and manage bookings completely unassisted. Nicholas Xenocostas, vice president, CHAMP, commented, “This e-AWB initiative further re-enforces the ongoing partnership between RJ and CHAMP and provides real benefits to the community by increasing the digitisation of the air cargo process leading to increased efficiency.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Gulf Air’s Family Approach
flynas and Etihad Team Up
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ccording to Gulf Air’s recent marketing plans, Falcon Gold Passengers will now be able to enjoy the new Cerruti 1881 and Guy Laroche amenity kits which will be available on all medium-and long-haul Gulf Air flights. In addition, The Gulf Air Kids Entertainment Packs, tailored for the airline’s young passengers travelling in both Falcon Gold and economy class cabins, will include an aviation themed backpack, activity book, toys and other interactive items which will keep little travellers entertained onboard. Ahmed Janahi, commercial officer, Gulf Air, enthused, “We are excited to launch our newest onboard products – catering to our premium and younger passengers and helping ensure they have the best in-flight experience.”
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fter a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways, flynas has announced the addition of seven new destinations to India. The network additions come as part of an expanded codeshare agreement between the two airlines signed in October 2012, aiming to expand flynas’ access to global destinations. Hailed as the first low-cost carrier in Saudi Arabia, flynas operates more than 1,000 weekly flights within and outside the country. In 2013 flynas launched a dedicated business class cabin to diversify its offerings and announced a number of significant investments and developments.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Emirates Adds Phnom Penh Service
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rom July 01, Emirates’ new route from Dubai to Phnom Penh will take off, an extension of the carrier’s schedule to Yangon. The Dubai – Yangon – Phnom Penh daily itinerary will be operated onboard Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and coincides with the airline’s direct route to Hanoi, which will no longer stop in Myanmar’s capital. The Cambodian city has become a significant tourist destination following recent growth and infrastructure development. In 2015, 4.7 million tourists flocked to the country, a figure that is forecasted to grow to eight million by 2020. Additionally, Phnom Penh International Airport was extended in March 2016 which doubled passenger capacity.
Etihad Airways Engineering Partners with Kenya Airways
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tihad Airways Engineering has signed a contract with Kenya Airways to execute mandatory checks on its Boeing 787-8 aircraft as part of an integration programme for Kenya Airways’ latest addition to its fleet. The first of six scheduled C-checks began in February, with the last one planned for October. Kenya’s flag carrier is also arranging for product and reliability improvements to systems and components during the heavy maintenance checks. Martyn Haines, technical director, Kenya Airways, commented, “We will use this opportunity to upscale and retool some of our technical department, who will be onsite to provide oversight of all work being done. The agreement also opens up other collaborative opportunities including training programmes.”
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
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Thailand Welcomes its First Halal-Friendly Hotel
SureStay Hotel Group Expands to Asia
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n opening ceremony was held on February 11 for Al Meroz Hotel, hailed as Bangkok’s first leading Halal property. The new hotel features 242 rooms, three outlets, a spacious convention centre, a rooftop swimming pool, a prayer room and a gym. Rausak Mulsap, CEO, Al Meroz Hotel, commented, “This is a unique hotel in the history of Thai tourism. It will play a major role in helping the Tourism Authority of Thailand achieve its objective of better positioning Thailand as a Muslim-friendly destination.” The name Al Meroz which in Arabic means heritage and was given to the property to reflect the Muslim heritage. The new hotel is expected to attract leisure and business travellers and serve as a venue for meetings and incentives.
ureStay Hotel Group, a subsidiary of Best Western Hotels & Resorts, has revealed its plans to open its first SureStay Plus branded hotel in Bangkok. Featuring 85 modern rooms, in-room Wi-Fi, a business corner area and a wide selection of convenient services, the new Asian address is expected to open its doors in December. Olivier Berrivin, director, international operations, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Asia, enthused, “I am confident that SureStay hotels will become the benchmark for high-quality, affordable accommodation across the region. The signing of SureStay Plus Sukhumvit Soi 2 will lead to a significant roll-out of this exciting white label concept in key business and leisure destinations across Asia in future.” By the end of the year, SureStay Hotel Group expects to have expanded its global portfolio to 100 properties.
US Private Accommodation Set to Soar
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he US private accommodation market is forecast to reach USD36.6 billion by 2018, fuelled by the ever-growing use of HomeAway and Airbnb, according to a report released by Phocuswright. In 2016, the segment rose 11 percent, nearly twice as fast as the total US travel market, a trend that is expected to continue this year. Douglas Quinby, vice president, research, Phocuswright, noted, “The segment's shift online, the expansion of the concept to include private homes in urban markets, the entrance of online travel agencies, and numerous innovative start-ups have all contributed to powering a period of tremendous growth.”
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Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
PETER SCHULER GENERAL MANAGER, SYMPHONY STYLE HOTEL KUWAIT
WITH KUWAIT SLOWLY EMERGING AS A TOURIST DESTINATION, PETER SCHULER, GENERAL MANAGER, SYMPHONY STYLE HOTEL KUWAIT, EXPLAINS HOW IT IS ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING A POPULAR OPTION WITHIN THE LEISURE SEGMENT.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How was business for your property in 2016? PETER SCHULER: 2016 has represented a very successful year for Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait. Throughout 2016 the hotel’s occupancy has continued to increase, and we saw a very positive trend in leisure business during the last quarter. Corporate clients remain a core source market for the property and we have seen an increased demand throughout this year with additional business travellers looking for liberated luxury that we provide and are distinguished for. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How is the balance of the business and leisure segments in Kuwait?
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PETER SCHULER: While Kuwait has traditionally been seen as a business destination, and this remains a key segment of visitors, the appeal of Kuwait as a leisure destination is diversifying. The awareness of the state’s visitor attractions is growing and we are attracting a larger number of leisure guests who are looking for an authentic and relaxed Arabian holiday. Seen as a gem in the region offering untouched charm, Kuwait offers visitors numerous sites and activities that are easily accessible, such as Kuwait Towers, which symbolises Kuwait’s progressive and economic renaissance as well as being a world cultural and touristic landmark. The Liberation Tower is also an important building, representing Kuwait liberation. Additionally, Kuwait has a number of natural islands located along its coastline, such as Failaka Island and Green Island, both popular with visitors and known for relaxation. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: According to World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2015 report, leisure spending in Kuwait was expected to grow 8.7 percent in 2016. Have you noticed an increase in leisure arrivals and their expenditure? PETER SCHULER: Although we have not seen a remarkable increase in the leisure spending, we are still optimistic that the coming days will bring good news. Accordingly, we never stopped improving our offering. We have been very strategic in ensuring that the hotel offers facilities and services that cater to all of our guests, ensuring for a personalised and memorable stay. Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait is designed to reflect a distinctive character of Kuwait’s culture, and this is what makes us unique as we combine form, luxury and authenticity in all our offerings. Our location is desired by both leisure and corporate travellers and our rooms are designed with space and comfort to deliver to the leisure market needs. With what we offer, from connected rooms, which families desire, to a unique 500m2 for kids to play and have a great time during their stay to our renowned six senses spa that offers unique treatments.
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ism representatives regularly attend trade exhibitions and trade shows across the region, and internationally, to raise the profile and appeal for Kuwait. This is something we aim to complement through our own initiatives and constantly promote the hotel through various media channels and public relations activities to ensure that we are on the top of a guest’s mind. Our commitment to deliver a memorable experience and make every moment matter for our guests during their stay is the key for attracting guests and retaining their loyalty. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What does the future hold for Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait? PETER SCHULER: Kuwait will continue to offer visitors to the region a valued proposition and is expected to attract increased visitor numbers year after year. As part of Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait’s own ambition, and goals in exceeding guests’ expectations, we continually review our services and offerings. As part of this, our culinary team regularly develops new menus and products to cater to a range of guests and residents in Kuwait. Additionally, as we continue to attract greater numbers of leisure guests and families, we will be introducing a full floor dedicated to kids and teens’ events and activities, a first in the market and something unique for those travelling to Kuwait.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are your latest efforts to promote tourism in Kuwait? PETER SCHULER: The country’s tour-
Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
MGM Resorts to Host Historic Microsoft Meeting Microsoft and MGM Resorts International entered to a new multi-year agreement, coming into force in July, for facilitating a signature meeting in Las Vegas, expected to welcome as many as 30,000 participants.
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he deal represents the largest single-corporation meeting ever hosted by MGM Resorts and the first occasion for the computer giant to combine four separate annual events into one gathering. Michael Dominguez, senior vice president, MGM Resorts International, commented on the agreement, “The selection by Microsoft of Las Vegas and of MGM Resorts is incredibly exciting. Not only is this a mark of confidence in our brand, but it offers continued evidence that Las Vegas is viewed as the leading purveyor of mainstream entertainment worldwide. We believe this is the beginning of many more noteworthy developments to come.”
Marriott Mobile App Now Available
Travelport Highlights the Role of Technology
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Rahib Saab
Marriott Mobile App
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ased on the foundation of guest research and feedback, Marriott International will now offer Marriott Rewards members a dynamic personalised mobile experience. Launched in February, the newly redesigned and engaging Marriott Mobile app for iOS users is available in five languages with an Android version coming soon. Guests will enjoy new and expanded digital features, customised travel content, simple one-button navigation and a new swipe-able discovery home screen. The new Marriott Mobile app goes beyond transactions and one-size-fits-all content. The revamped application dynamically adjusts to personalise the user’s experience throughout their travel journey. Whether guests are in trip planning mode, getting ready to travel, in transit or enjoying their hotel stay, the application will display content and features based on what services members are most likely to need in that moment of their travel journey.
n February 20, a travel award ceremony dedicated to Saudi Arabia’s travel leaders took place in Jeddah Hilton. The event, organised by Travelport, provided a networking platform for the travel industry’s stakeholders while informing them on how technology can meet traveller's demands. Saudi Arabia leads the Middle Eastern region in terms of Internet penetration with its population becoming more aware and familiar with the idea of online orders and mobile travel sales significantly growing. Rabih Saab, managing director, Travelport, Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia, commented, “The Saudi travel and tourism industry is on the rise and we are very proud of our partnerships in the region, both on the travel agent community and airlines side […]. We are committed to supporting the country’s travel industry players to grow their businesses and meet traveller demands.”
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Emaar Entertainment Raises Awareness of Endangered Species
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Pullman Dubai Creek Achieves 70 Percent Less Food Waste Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel chef using Winnow System
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n an attempt to raise public awareness on the world’s most endangered species, Emaar Entertainment, together with Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and Wevr have launched a virtual reality project named VRZOO. VRZOO is an educational platform that offers the opportunity for visitors to come face-to-face and explore the habitats of some of the world’s most endangered species through Computer-Generated-Imagery animation. VRZOO is the latest technological addition to the Emaar Entertainment portfolio, following the introduction of the Discovery Channel Shark Week exhibition at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Maitha Al Dossari, CEO, Emaar Entertainment, commented, “VRZOO demonstrates our commitment to education as we work towards a safe and more informed future for animals and humans alike.”
ince June 2016, Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel has reduced its food purchasing costs four percent thanks to Winnow System, which equates to an annual saving of USD20,000 or 14,000 plated meals. The initiative comprises of digital scales and tablet which enables chefs to efficiently measure food waste. The kitchen then receives daily reports which highlight where waste occurs, offering increased insight to prevent over production. Nishan Silva, general manager, Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel, said, “So far, the programme has witnessed a reduction in food waste by almost 70 percent in the initial months. With such outstanding results, AccorHotels is now looking to roll out the programme gradually to all its UAE properties by 2018 [as part of Planet 21, its sustainable development scheme].”
Top Performance of Semiramis InterContinental Cairo
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emiramis InterContinental Cairo celebrated the achievement of being recognised as one of the members of this year’s InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) Ten Club. The four-star property was assessed among 270 candidates from the group’s Asia and MENA portfolio and managed to reinforce its top 10 performer status for the second consecutive year. The award was presented to Sameh Sobhy, general manager, Semiramis InterContinental Cairo who was accompanied the hotel’s representatives. IHG operates 12 hotel brands, spanning 5,000 properties in nearly 100 territories and countries.
M Five Year Anniversary of Ski Dubai Penguins Ski Dubai
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ajid Al Futtaim is celebrating five years since King and Gentoo penguins found their home at Ski Dubai, marking the success of its Snow Penguin Breeding Programme. Dubai residents and tourists can now admire a colony of 29 penguins, which continues to grow as a result of the breeding, research and species-protection programme, in collaboration with the American Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Commenting on the occasion, Sherif Hashem, senior marketing manager, Ski Dubai, said,” […] Snow Penguin Breeding Programme is really a testament to the hard work of our snow penguin team […]. We have now built a solid foundation to continue our crucial commitment to this area and fuel education about the species. As we move forward, we are excited to drive deeper, multi-generational research on a global scale to protect penguin colonies around the world.”
11 MARCH 2017
NEWS & EVENTS
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EVENTS
KAEC Supports Art MITT
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ing Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) inaugurated Safar, part of 21,39 Jeddah Arts exhibition on February 04, organised by the Saudi Art Council and open to visitors until May. Translated as Travel and titled as the city’ s geographical coordinates, the fourth edition of the event showcases more than 50 audio-visual artworks by international artists, exhibited in the Middle East for the very first time and portraying the integration of KAEC’s innovative lifestyle as part of a civilized society. “At KAEC we aspire to become a sustainable incubator for different social, artistic and cultural activities to support local talents by attracting international events that bring the highest standards of art to the Kingdom,” said Fahd Al-Rasheed, group CEO, KAEC.
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.
WORLD TRAVEL MARKET AFRICA
Jeddah 21,39 exhibition
A Tribute to the Mother of the Nation
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he second edition of Mother of the Nation Festival will be open to the public from March 26 – April 04 at Abu Dhabi Corniche. The festival which is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority is a tribute to the actions of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, supreme chairwoman, Family Development Foundation, chairwoman, General Women's Union, and president, Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood Visitors. Through a wide range of activities, performances and workshops this year’s festival will further highlight her leadership qualities and charity work.
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Cape Town April 19 – 21 www.africa.wtm.com Nearly 5,000 travel industry professionals are expected to attend one of the leading business-to-business exhibitions for the inbound and outbound Africa tourism market.
ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET Dubai, UAE April 24 – 27 arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com One of the leading international tourism events within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals.
11 MARCH 2017