18 MARCH 2017 ISSUE 384
04 GCC SPORTS TOURISM IS BOOMING
13 ACCOMMODATION
ROTANA OPENED FIRST ADDRESS IN AFRICA
14 IBEROSTAR UNVEILS MARRAKECH HOTEL
06 Technology 07 Airports
16 Rendezvous
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
STR: 556 Hotels Under Contract in the Middle East
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
Qatar
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 STR’s January 2017 Pipeline Report, there were 159,581 keys in 556 properties under contract in the Middle East, a year-on-year increase of 5.1 percent in rooms.
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eanwhile, there were 85,827 units in 269 hotels in the in construction phase, which, in terms of rooms, is an increase of 6.8 percent compared to January 2016. Saudi Arabia had the most keys in construction, with 36,742 rooms in 85 projects, followed by the UAE with 28,898 in 99 developments and Qatar with 8,464 units in 34 addresses. Meanwhile, in Africa, despite a 5.4 percent decline in rooms under contract, there was a 4.8 increase in the number of rooms in construction, with Egypt leading the way with 5,734 keys in 14 hotels.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
ACI: Air Travel Soared in 2016
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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17.3.2017
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
109.51
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
18.16
Iran (IRR)
Rial
32,422.01
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,181.00
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.31
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,512.00
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.39
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.99
Syria (SYP)
Pound
214.35
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.27
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.50
Airports Council International (ACI) has revealed that in 2016, the air transport industry saw a growth in both passenger and cargo traffic, despite global challenges.
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verall, passenger traffic rose 5.5 percent, with international traffic up 6.5 percent year-on-year, compared to a 4.9 percent jump in domestic travel. With the exception of Africa, all regions recorded growth, with the Middle East and Asia Pacific leading the way with a boost of nine percent. Meanwhile, air freight traffic grew 3.5 percent in the year under review, fuelled by a 8.9 percent surge in December 2016 and an increase in volumes at airports in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, all rising above 10 percent in December 2016.
18 MARCH 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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VisitBritain Opened Office in Riyadh As part of its efforts to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia, VisitBritain has inaugurated a new office in Riyadh.
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n partnership with Al Tayyer Travel Group, and in line with the office opening VisitBritain has launched a campaign to promote London, Manchester and Edinburgh with exclusive family packages with visa processing upgrades. Saudi Arabia is one of the UK’s top 10 most valuable inbound visitor markets, with spend forecast to reach GBP772 million (USD962.6 million) by 2020. On average, Saudi tourists spend around GBP3,769 (USD4,700) per visit, six times higher than the average for all markets. Additionally, Saudi arrivals stay on average 18 days, compared the overall average of eight.
Sharjah Takes Tourism Pitch to India
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harjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) visited India in March, to attend international travel exhibitions in Mumbai and New Delhi. The South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), New Delhi event attracted 20,000 travel trade attendees, over 30 international tourism boards and more than 850 travel and tourism exhibitors, while OTM in Mumbai attracted over 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries and 10,000 members of the travel trade. Led by the SCTDA, Sharjah’s participation in SATTE included Ramada Sharjah, Golden Tulip Sharjah, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa, Sharjah National Hotels, Air Arabia, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency, Cozmo Travels and Auras Tours. According to tourism authority’s figures, India has emerged as the fourth largest market for global visitors to the emirate with the World Tourism Organization having forcasted growth in Indian outbound travel to 50 million by the year 2020.
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GCC Sports Tourism is Booming
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ccording to QnA International, sports tourism from the GCC is considered to be one of the fastest growing sectors, with a shift from sun and sea holidays to sports-related vacations with a new generation of tourists with an interest in sports events. On March 01 – 02, MICE Arabia & Luxury Travel Congress, organised by QnA International, showcased destinations that can be explored by sports fans, thrill seekers and adventure enthusiasts. Sidh N C, director, QnA International, noted, “Sports tourism is an interesting segment. The travellers or sports enthusiast themselves represent a mixed demography and while some are fine with good value-for-money deals on accommodation and travel, there are some that seek out luxury packages.”
Majid Al Futtaim Expands Healthcare Network
Algeria Kicks Off First UNWTO Programme on Tourism Statistics
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ajid Al Futtaim has launched the fifth branch of its integrated healthcare centres, City Centre Clinic – Nad Al Hammar. The community offering will serve a neighbourhood of around 43,000 individuals, catering to their immediate needs and referring them to the Deira-based hub if necessary, as part of the group’s larger network. Initially the clinic will specialise in a number of key areas such as general practice, paediatrics, dentistry and much more, with endocrinology, orthopaedics and dermatology to follow. Majid Al Futtaim Healthcare’s growing portfolio comes as a response to the increasing demand for healthcare services in the UAE. In line with the group’s Great Moments philosophy, the clinics are all fitted with a Little Explorer’s play area and will offer complementary Magic Planet cards.
Algeria
City Centre Clinic – Nad Al Hammar
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lgeria has hosted the first Workshop on Regional Statistics of the Tourism Sector, on February 13 – 15. The initiative aims to support the development of tourism statistics according to the United Nations’ standards on a national level and to implement the Tourism Satellite Account project over time. This three-year programme, which was launched this year, consists of a series of capacity-building workshops for officials from national tourism administrations, national statistical offices, central banks and immigration Offices. On the occasion, Taleb Rifai, secretary general, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), praised the efforts implemented by Algeria Ministry of Tourism to place the sector at the core of the economic development policies and recalled the importance of tourism statistics for tourism development.
18 MARCH 2017
WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
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Amadeus’ Figures Confirm Successful 2016
Amadeus Miami Headquarters
Amadeus IT Group has revealed an accelerated profit growth as a result of positive performance of its distribution system and IT solutions, along with boosting its core business strategy with acquisitions.
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he global distribution system (GDS) technology provider achieved adjusted profit of EUR911 million (USD964 million) in 2016, representing a 21.2 percent increase compared to 2015. This growth was supported by 14.3 percent rise in revenue, to EUR4.47 million (USD4.73 million) along with 16 percent increase in EBITDA to EUR1.7 million (USD1.8 million). Travel agency air bookings rose 5.9 percent, outperforming GDS industry growth of 3.1 percent. The IT solutions segment recorded 31.7 percent revenue growth. As highlighted by Luis Maroto, president, Amadeus IT Group, the acquisition of Navitaire contributed to the growth and to the overall successful financial results. He further predicted a solid financial performance for the company this year, based on the positive trend of new contracts.
Emirates to Utilise CheckTime
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mirates has started field-testing an innovative decision support technology that allows the company to better manage operations, safety and environmental performance in the face of extreme and disruptive winter weather. Working with Vaisala, hailed as a market leader in environmental and industrial measurement services based in Finland, Emirates has rolled out testing of the CheckTime decision system for winter weather at Copenhagen and Chicago. CheckTime uses real-time measurements of a number of factors such as temperature, wind and precipitation type from precision weather sensors to accurately estimate the impact of prevailing climate conditions on de- and antiicing fluids on the aircraft and then communicates the results to pilots via the ACARS system on board. The system replaces the manually conducted procedure used by pilots to determine the time beyond which it would no longer be desirable for the aircraft to depart under existing weather conditions.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS
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Dubai Airports and ADAC Reinforce Collaboration
One Year of Concourse D
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18 MARCH 2017
Dubai Airports welcomed a delegation of high-ranking representatives from Abu Dhabi Airports (ADAC) to share an update on the airport’s expansion plan, discuss industry developments and offer a tour of Dubai International ’s USD1.2 billion Concourse D.
Dubai International Airport
n February 24, Dubai International’s Concourse D marked its first anniversary, following a successful inaugural year that saw over 16.6 million passengers on its ground. The AED4.4 billion (USD1.2 billion) project has become the base of 60 international airlines and has increased the annual capacity of the airport from 75 million to 90 million passengers. H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Airports, said, “After a successful first year of operations, it is very clear that Concourse D has achieved its goal of delighting our passengers and our business partners.”
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pon hosting the guests, Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, noted, “The rapid development of the UAE’s aviation sector has been the direct result of an inspired vision and a strong spirit of cooperation both of which form common ground and strong ties between Dubai Airports and ADAC. It was a productive and thoroughly enjoyable visit.”
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ATM to Boost Chinese Tourist Numbers
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ATM 2016
ith the approaching Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 24 – 27, the UAE looks to attract more Chinese visitors with a vision to reach 265 percent growth by 2021. The Middle East countries aim for a greater share of what is said to be the world’s largest outbound tourism market for the past four years, which valued USD168 billion and sent 120 million travellers worldwide in 2016. Ahead of the ATM and trusting that China will maintain its position as a top source market, Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM, encourages the tourist hubs in the region to maximise their efforts to reach to such megamarkets.
Miral Confirmed Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
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Yas Island
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iral has confirmed that Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, an indoor theme park spanning 153,290m2, which will be home to 29 rides, entertaining shows and interactive attractions. Set to open in 2018 the fully-immersive park will also include retail outlets featuring a wide collection of merchandise inspired by Warner Bros. franchises as well as a full range of dining options. The park will bring together super heroes and super-villains from the DC Universe, including Warner Bros.’ iconic animated properties, creating a family-friendly destination for fans of all ages. The addition comes as a part of Yas Island’s commitment to attracting 48 million annual visits by 2022. The vision is aimed at transforming the island into a world-class leisure and entertainment destination that caters to everyone around the world.
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WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
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Travelport Receives NDS Certification from IATA Travelport has been granted with Aggregator Level One certification and IT Provider Level Two status by International Air Transport Association (IATA), as part of its New Distribution Capability (NDC) programme.
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ailed as the first global distribution system to achieve this, Travelport is now able to fully integrate with its NDC application interface should airlines choose to use NDC-XML messaging to distribute products. Meanwhile, travel agents will now have enhanced travel content with greater access to ancillary offers, with the ability to make such sales after the original booking. Furthermore, reaching the IT Provider Level Two means that Travelport has the option to share IATA NDC offers on behalf of carriers choosing IATA’s industry standards.
ENAC and IATA Expand Collaboration
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he International Air Transport Association (IATA), and École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) have announced the expansion of their aviation training and education partnership to facilitate aviation research and studies. “[…] IATA and ENAC are blending industry expertise with academic rigor to help current aviation professionals keep pace with changes and to ensure that the next generation joins the industry well-prepared for its many challenges,“ said, Alexandre de Juniac, CEO, IATA. The partners agreed to deliver aviation sector master programmes in 2018, to offer internship opportunities for carrying out research and to collaborate on further research projects in areas such as air traffic management, big data and remotely piloted aircraft systems.
Athens Welcomed GCC Delegation
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ulf Air joined forces with Aktina Travel Group to offer a four-day trip to Athens for media representatives from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The group flew with the Bahraini carrier, stayed at a five-star address in the Greek capital and enjoyed some of the city’s tourist attractions and tours. Gulf Air recently enhanced its flight schedule between Bahrain and Athens, with the introduction of morning services to complement the afternoon itinerary, operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. To further boost Greek arrivals, the airline also launched a Bahrain travel guide in Athens, titled 101 Things to See and Do in Bahrain, showcasing the country’s highlights.
GCC media professionals in Athens
18 MARCH 2017
Faster, Cheaper and Easier Trade for IATA Members
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n February 22, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) signed the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to establish establish harmonised rules for further expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods through borders. Alexandre de Juniac, CEO, IATA, commented on the agreement, “The TFA will cut red tape at the border for faster, cheaper and easier trade. That’s great news for airlines, which deliver about a third of the goods traded across borders by value and it’s a particularly timely reminder of the dangers of the current protectionist rhetoric that we are seeing in various parts of the world.”
18 MARCH 2017
WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
From left, Mervat Alfy, Fatma Nosseir, managing director, Astra Travel and Matthew Powell, managing director, Middle East and Soutah Asia, Travelport.
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Travelport Partners with Astra Travel
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gyptian travel management company Astra Travel has entered a new multi-year agreement with Travelport, gaining access to consumer-ready content through Travelport Smartpoint. The collaboration will enable Astra Travel to maintain customer satisfaction as it grows while ensuring clients are served efficiently. Commenting on the announcement, Mervat Alfy, country manager, Travelport Egypt, said, “This partnership with Astra Travel is testament to the value that our Travel Commerce Platform brings to travel business and demonstrates how we are working with Egypt’s travel industry leaders to innovate together and support them in growing their businesses.”
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Park Inn by Radisson to Open in Motor City
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10 New Rove Hotels by 2020
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o be developed in a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Meraas Holding, Rove Hotels will roll out 10 addresses across central locations in Dubai and the region by 2020. Designed to combine contemporary and Arabesque features, the brand will stand out with its modern and guest-friendly services. Phillippe Zuber, chief operating officer, Emaar Hospitality Group, elaborated, “To be set in central destinations and bringing a distinctive new lifestyle inspired value hospitality experience, Rove Hotels will also support the preparations and hosting of the World Expo 2020. We have made significant progress with our first project – Rove Za’abeel – while five other properties will open in the coming years in Al Wasl, Port Saeed, Al Jafiliya, Oud Metha and Dubai Marina.”
Rove Downtown Dubai
verlooking Dubai Autodrome’s circuit, Park Inn by Radisson, Dubai Motor City is on track to be unveiled mid-2017. The racing-themed property will be a part of the emirate’s First Avenue development and will boast a vintage Ferrari suspended in the lobby along with an all-day dining restaurant, a café lounge, meetings and events spaces, gym, spa and swimming pool. Commenting on the address’ strategic location, Paul Uglesic, general manager, Park Inn by Radisson, Dubai Motor City, said, “The synergy with the adjoining First Avenue mall will create a cross-selling pivot point for us, boosting the number of business and leisure visitors who will have choice when it comes to shopping, relaxing, dining and overnighting in Motor City.”
Dubai Maintains Occupancy but Drops Rates
Rotana and SHUAA Team Up
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eaturing 252 rooms and studios, styled bathrooms and a wide selection of in-room entertainment facilities the new property will be located only 20 minutes away from King Abdulaziz International Airport. Omar Al Jaroudi, CEO, SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia, stated, "We are witnessing today a significant milestone that is the launch of Centro Shaheen Jeddah, one of the joint projects courtesy of the strategic SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia and Rotana collaboration. This great hospitality product and brand, is expected to be a key contributor to the Kingdom’s already bustling leisure and hospitality sector.” Centro Shaheen Jeddah will be Rotana’s first property to open under Centro by Rotana brand in Saudi Arabia. SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia is the fund manager and developer of the joint project.
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Omar Al Jaroudi, second left with SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia and Rotana representatives
As a part of its expansive strategy, Rotana in collaboration with SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia has recently unveiled its plans to open Centro Shaheen Jeddah.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Rotana Opened First Address
in Africa
ROTANA CELEBRATES LONG-AWAITED DEBUT IN AFRICA WITH THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE LUXURY FIVE-STAR PROPERTY, KIN PLAZA ARJAAN BY ROTANA, IN THE CONGOLESE CAPITAL KINSHASA.
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naugurated by the city’ s governor, the 11-storey hotel is equipped with contemporary technology and facilities, boasts 101 rooms, studios and suites along with a selection of three food and beverage outlets, four meeting and conference rooms and a grand ballroom. “Rotana has been increasingly looking to markets in Africa to drive business growth and expansion, and today we mark a major milestone in our efforts to extend our geographical presence in the continent,” said, Omer Kaddouri, CEO, Rotana. The company’s expansion plans include undergoing projects in Africa along with 17 new additions to its portfolio in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Turkey and Iraq, scheduled for completion in 2018.
Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana
18 MARCH 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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IBEROSTAR Unveils Marrakech Hotel
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IBEROSTAR Club Palmeraie Marrakech
et to open its doors in April, IBEROSTAR Club Palmeraie Marrakech has been announced, set within 11ha of grounds overlooking the Atlas Mountains. Following renovations, the address will feature 318 rooms, each with a balcony or terrace, three swimming pools, a fully-equipped wellness centre, eight meeting rooms and three dining outlets. Aurelio Vázquez, CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, explained, “The opening of the IBEROSTAR Club Palmeraie Marrakech is further proof of the chain’s commitment to its expansion strategy and its determination to focus on sustained growth, offering first class products in major tourist destinations.”
Jumeira Rotana Reopens After Renovation
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Rendering of Al Habtoor City
Jumeira Rotana
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ollowing a complete top-to-bottom overhaul, Jumeira Rotana has been transformed into a modern yet tranquil retreat in the centre of Al Satwa. The property now forecasts to see a 30 percent increase in occupancy year-on-year, and aims to combat Dubai’s declining average room rates with the improvement of its product. The four-star address features 125 rooms, a gym, rooftop swimming pool, wellness area as well as two food and beverage outlets. Whilst noting that the re-launch comes ahead of hotel’s 20th anniversary, Ulrich Hoffmeister, general manager, Jumeira Rotana, said, “The new design [...] is expected to support the re-positioning as well as the market presence of the hotel in Dubai.”
Al Habtoor City Sells All Residential Units
he second phase of Al Habtoor City Residence Collection has sold out, following the high demand of the first phase. All in all, there are a total of 1,460 luxury apartments within three high-rise towers, Noora Tower, Amna Tower and Meera Tower. The 9.6ha development will boast a boulevard, marina and swimming pool podium along with The Leisure Collection, which incorporates restaurants, bars, a tennis academy as well as a state-of-the-art theatre. Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor, founding chairman, Al Habtoor Group, said, “There is nothing like this project anywhere else in the world. It is unique because of its location, directly on The Dubai Water Canal and along Sheikh Zayed Road. It is an unrivalled lifestyle destination with exceptional facilities.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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High Dubai – Kuwait Frequency During Kuwait’s Holidays flydubai honoured Kuwait’s 56th National and Liberation Day holidays with 24 additional flights from the Dubai hub to Kuwait International Airport between February 22 – 27.
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he carrier operated up to 14 daily flights during the festive period to accommodate the increase in passengers travelling between the two destinations. Sudhir Sreedharan, senior vice president, commercial, flydubai, commented on the occasion, “Kuwait is an important market for flydubai and we remain dedicated to offering passengers from Kuwait more options to travel between the two countries whether in business or economy class. Our high-quality service, convenient travel schedule and great value for money continue to be popular with our passengers.”
Royal Wings Launches Aqaba – Beirut Route
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oyal Wings’ new twice weekly service between Aqaba and Beirut has taken off, in an effort to boost arrivals to the Jordanian destination, in collaboration with Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. The Royal Jordanian Airlines subsidiary will operate the direct flight on Fridays and Tuesdays with an Airbus A320. The addition will enable Lebanese tourists to conveniently enjoy attractions such as Petra, the Red Sea and Wadi Rum without having to transit through Amman. Also, as one of Lebanon’s key source markets, the flight will offer further opportunities for Jordan’s residents to visit the country.
Aqaba
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Qatar Airways to Offer New Saudi Arabia Services
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atar Airways has confirmed the start of new routes from Hamad International Airport to Yanbu Airport and Tabuk Regional Airport with threeweekly services beginning May 09 and June 19, respectively. The additional services, operated onboard on Airbus A320, will bring the airline’s total network within the Kingdom to 10 itineraries, connecting passengers to more than 150 worldwide destinations through its Doha hub. H.E. Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways Group, said, “We have been steadily growing our presence and services to Saudi Arabia for the past 20 years. Both Yanbu and Tabuk as our ninth and 10th new destinations in the Kingdom will bring additional flight options for passengers connecting from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.”
Air Namibia and Turkish Airlines Team Up
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n an attempt to further expand travel opportunities for their passengers, Air Namibia and Turkish Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement, during a ceremory held in Istanbul. The agreement aims to broaden the commercial partnership between the two parties while offering to their passengers more travel options between Namibia and Turkey. Bilâl Ekşi, CEO, Turkish Airlines, commented on the agreement, “We are pleased to sign this codeshare agreement with Air Namibia as our aim is to always enhance our partnerships and maximise the travel opportunities offered to our passengers through our flight networks […] not only from a commercial perspective, but also in cultural interactions between Turkey and Namibia while also promoting business travel between the two countries.”
Tabuk
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Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
ZIYAD BIN MAHFOUZ CEO, ELAF GROUP
SAUDI ARABIA’S VISION 2030 PAVES THE WAY TO REDIRECT THE KINGDOM’S RELIANCE ON OIL AND CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RISE OF DIVERSIFIED TOURISM AS AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF INCOME. ZIYAD BIN MAHFOUZ, CEO, ELAF GROUP, LOOKS AT THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY UNDER THE STRATEGIC PROGRAMME.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Under the Vision 2030, the role of tourism has been emphasised as a key contributor to the country’s income. What do you believe are the main factors that may contribute to elevating the industry? ZIYAD BIN MAHFOUZ: The country’s tourism industry continues to remain strong, especially with the recent directive to bolster the Kingdom’s tourism efforts. One key factor that helps the industry reap continuous growth is the
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Elaf Bakkah Hotel
hospitality segment’s efforts to improve its services, which includes upgrading accommodation, the development and improvement of local historical heritage sites and the creation of more tourist attractions, all helping in transforming the industry over the short term. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Speaking about the tourism growth, which segment has the highest potential for expansion? ZIYAD BIN MAHFOUZ: With the unveiling of the ambitious Vision 2030, the Kingdom has stepped up its diversification efforts. The religious tourism segment is expected to get a much-needed push as it aims to attract more than 15 million religious tourists by 2020. We remain optimistic about such growth, which, in return will contribute to the country’s GDP. Our group’s aim is to play a significant part in this expected growth of the travel and tourism sector in the coming years, not only catering to religious tourism but for business and leisure too.
brought about by various demographic and economic factors such as population growth. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How is your group planning to utilise the opportunities rising from the initiatives to elevate the tourism sector under the Vision 2030? ZIYAD BIN MAHFOUZ: Elaf Group continues to remain steadfast in its commitment to innovate its services to meet set international standards, to keep up-to-date with the market needs and the affordability [which the customers also look for]. We continue to improve our operations and expand our presence not only in Saudi Arabia but also across the GCC region, forging strategic partnerships to ensure swift, quick and efficient service to visitors coming from all over the world.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: With the religious travellers being the key segment in the Kingdom’s tourism industry, what kind of visitors stay at your properties most frequently? ZIYAD BIN MAHFOUZ: 65 percent of our guests are visiting primarily for religious purposes, to perform Umrah and Hajj and to visit historical and holy places. A large portion of such visitors stay at our hotels in Medina. Meanwhile, around 35 percent [of guests] come to stay with us for business purposes in Jeddah. The tourism and hospitality sector is witnessing an expansion
Elaf Kinda Hotel
18 MARCH 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Air Serbia and Atlasglobal to Codeshare
Sylhet Joins flydubai’s Network
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ir Serbia and Atlasglobal have announced details of a broad commercial partnership that will grow both carriers’ networks and provide guests with more travel choice. The initial phase of the agreement involves a codeshare deal that will see Air Serbia place its JU flight code on Atlasglobal’s new daily service between Istanbul Atatürk Airport and Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport set to begin on March 15. Following this, and pending government approval, Air Serbia will also codeshare on Atlasglobal’s international flights to markets such as Russia, Moldova and Kuwait, as well as domestic flights to additional points in Turkey, all via Istanbul. In return, Atlasglobal will increase its connectivity by placing its KK code on selected Air Serbia regional services in Southeast Europe and its long-haul flights to John F. Kenedy International Airport. The two airlines are also exploring the opportunities to provide guests with frequent flyer benefits.
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aving launched on March 15, flydubai has added Sylhet to its route map, bringing the total number of destinations served in Bangladesh to three. The itinerary is currently being operated four-times weekly and from May 16, will be increased to six flights each week. “Since we began operations to Dhaka and Chittagong at the beginning of 2011, we have seen strong demand for flights to Bangladesh,” said Sudhir Sreedharan, senior vice president, commercial, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa, flydubai. “We are confident that our passengers from Sylhet will benefit from our direct flights to Dubai and beyond, via Dubai’s efficient aviation hub, especially on to our strong GCC network which is served by up to 650 weekly flights to 18 points.”
airBaltic to Launch Riga – Abu Dhabi Route
Jazeera Airways Partakes in Kuwait Celebrations
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n commemoration of both Kuwait National Day and Liberation Day, Jazeera Airways has embellished an aircraft and dedicated gates at Kuwait International Airport with the country’s national colours. Commenting on the carrier’s participation in the festivities, Mohammed Barakat, vice president, marketing and product, Jazeera Airways, said, “As a proud Kuwaiti airline, we are committed to supporting the country through our growing business and as we move forward, we continue looking back at our history and the wonderful journey Kuwait has travelled since the Independence and Liberation Days.”
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18 MARCH 2017
atvian carrier airBaltic is set to launch a direct service between Riga and Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with Etihad Airways, as its the codeshare partner on the
route. The itineray, due to take off on October 29, will be operated four times weekly with a long-range Bombardier CS300 aircraft, a new addition to the airline’s fleet. Commenting on the announcement, Martin Gauss, CEO, airBaltic, said, “Our codeshare cooperation with Etihad Airways will offer convenient connections to passengers travelling from the Baltic airports to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi and further to key destinations in Australia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as provide new travelling opportunities from Abu Dhabi to European and Scandinavian airports.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Etihad Airways and EGYPTAIR Unveil Codeshare
Oman Air Expands Fleet
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tihad Airways and EGYPTAIR have announced a new codeshare partnership, the first phase of which was introduced on March 01. Under the initial phase of the agreement, Etihad Airways has placed its EY code on EGYPTAIR operated flights between Abu Dhabi and Cairo, while EGYPTAIR was placed its MS code on Etihad Airways flights between the two capital cities. During the second phase, Etihad Airways will gain access to major cities across Africa on flights operated by EGYPTAIR via its Cairo hub. In turn, EGYPTAIR will be able to access key routes to Australia and the Far East served by Etihad Airways from its Abu Dhabi base hub. The third phase will see the EY code placed on domestic flights across Egypt.
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man Air welcomed a new addition to its aircraft portfolio on February 23, by receiving the wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft joined the other two new B737-800s added to the fleet earlier this year, confirming the carrier’s ambitious network expansion plans and investment into enhanced guest experience onboard. The new addition is configured with 30 flat-bed business class suites and 258 economy class seats. All classes feature an integrated in-flight entertainment system. Overall, the airline operates five B787-9 Dreamliners and the latest additions will be utilised on its European and Far-Eastern sectors. In April, the second new aircraft of the same type is expected for delivery. To complement the expanding fleet, the company has recently invested in the renovation of its three Airbus A330-300 aircraft first class cabin.
SalamAir Launches its First International Flight
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s part of its network expansion, SalamAir has unveiled Dubai as its first international destination. Hailed as Oman’s first low-cost carrier, SalamAir will operate two daily flights from Muscat International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport while from March 26 the flight will land at Dubai International Airport. A third daily flight is expected to be added the arrival of a second Airbus A320 to the carrier's fleet.
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Air Arabia Announced New Route
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ir Arabia laid out plans to launch a new service from Sharjah to Baku, expected to be the airline’s first addition to its route map this year. Beginning March 23, the carrier will operate four weekly flights from its main hub at Sharjah International Airport to Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. The new route follows an agreement between Air Arabia, Azarbajian Airlines and Azarbajiani authorities aimed at promoting connections between the two dstinations. Air Arabia added nine itireraries to its global network in 2016 from its five operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. The airline also expanded offerings from Sharjah to Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to Batumi in Georgia.
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
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Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM Expanded Virginia Portfolio
Polokwane Welcomed Park Inn by Radisson
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Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane
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ountry Inns & Suites By Carlson has announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Abingdon, VA located at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains in Virginia. Hailed as a leading mid-market hotel brand, its 81-key new address boasts an outdoor swimming pool, as well as business and fitness centres. Jeffrey Freund, senior vice president, midscale brands, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, enthused, “We are excited to continue building our presence in the Southeast with the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Abingdon, VA. This hotel reflects our signature Be Our Guest service philosophy, making guests feel at home by delivering comfort and excellent hospitality.”
Sun Siyam Promoted the Maldives in Saudi Arabia
RCI Expands its Network to Indonesia
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n February 13, the Sun Siyam Group in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives, marked the opening of its office in Saudi Arabia with an informative reception entitled A Glimpse into the Sunny Side of Life. During her presentation held in the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Evgenia Boyankova, director of business development, Sun Siyam, highlighted the importance of the Maldives as a destination for everyone and she commented, “The Maldives is a destination that caters to anyone who enjoys a wonderful location with great scenery, good food and luxurious villa living, whether they want to experience exciting sports, just want to relax amid the lush green foliage and endless beaches of the island.”
ark Inn by Radisson announced the opening of its first property in Polokwane. The Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane is the ninth hotel in South Africa by The Rezidor Hotel Group. Located in Limpopo, the hotel's proximity to the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, as well as its a convenient distance from Kruger National Park, position it as an ideal regional gateway to South Africa. The property boasts 160 rooms with full-length windows, a bespoke Smart Meetings and Events concept across three event rooms with capacity up to 100 delegates. Furthermore, an all-day dining LiveInn Room restaurant and an open plan bar are also on offeer.
esort Condominiums International (RCI), hailed as the global leader in holiday exchange, has recently welcomed Kembali Vacation Club in Gili Air, Indonesia. Grand Sunset and Grand Gili resorts are the new properties under Kembali Vacation Club which have been added to RCI network. Grand Sunset is an oceanfront resort hotel that boasts majestic views of the Bali Sea as well as Mount Agung, Bali’s largest volcano. Grand Gili resort will be completed in September and will include 13 villas, three of which will feature private pools. Jonathan Mills, managing director, RCI, enthused, “We are very excited to be in partnership with Kembali Vacation Club and have these two beautiful properties join the RCI and The Registry Collection network of affiliated resorts, representing the first property in the Gili Islands for both programs.”
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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL Meliá Hotels to Expand Footprint in Vietnam
Minor Hotels to Debut in South Korea
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Meliá Danang, Vietnam
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eliá Hotels International has announced signing of a brand new beachfront property, Meliá Cam Ranh Bay Villas & Resort, which will boost the group’ s portfolio in Vietnam to five addresses once opened in 2018. Located in what is said to be an emerging key MICE and vacation destination, the resort will boast 200 rooms and 100 villas with private pools, a spa, three restaurants and a wedding chapel with direct access to the beach. Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, CEO, Meliá Hotels International, commented, “[…] Looking ahead, the new Meliá Cam Ranh Bay Villas & Resort will continue to set the benchmark for world-class services and bring to life the Meliá resort experience that revolutionises the traditional sun and beach concept.”
Protea Hotels Marriott Unveils Luxurious Apartment
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Protea Hotel by Marriott Mossel Bay
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inor Hotels has unveiled AVANI Busan, its first South Korean property, due to open in 2019, following the signing of a management agreement with the developer, UL Group. The new-build 400-room address will boast a Korean style bathhouse and spa, a gym and a swimming pool in addition to an all-day dining restaurant, a rooftop bar and events spaces. Furthermore, conveniently located in the East Busam Tourism Complex Zoning, the property will also feature 136 exclusive branded residences. William Heinecke, CEO, Minor International, commented, “South Korea is an important feeder market for Minor Hotels and we also see a lot of opportunity as an inbound market, both for this new AVANI and potentially for future Minor Hotels’ properties as well.”
Singapore Achieved Record Tourist Numbers in 2016
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rotea Hotel by Marriott Mossel Bay opened the doors of a five-star luxurious apartment, catering to those visiting the South African Garden Route region. The self-catering apartment boasts two bedrooms and a living area, a fully fitted kitchen and [...] sound system. Its separate entrance guarantees privacy while being located within the hotel enables the guests to use its amenities. Ronel Theron, general manager, Protea Hotel by Marriott Mossel Bay, noted, “The area is increasingly popular, and the need for quality accommodation is growing. With this in mind we decided to refurbish the hotel’s self-catering apartment with a view to provide a top-notch offering in the luxury segment.”
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ingapore cemented its position as one of the leading tourist destinations in South East Asia with its record 16.4 million international visitors in 2016, registering an increase of 7.7 percent over 2015. In addition, tourism receipts reached a high of SGD24.8 billion (USD1.7 billion) during the year under review, a year-onyear growth of 13.9 percent. The positive results came as a result of visitors spending more on food and beverage as well as shopping and accommodation. Despite the challenging global economy and intensified competition, Singapore has managed to attract more quality visitors to contribute to its economic growth.
18 MARCH 2017
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Becoming a Ferrari Test Driver with Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
TRAVEL CHANNELS
Al Habtoor Hosts Second Horse and Hound Horse and Hound event 2016
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ollowing on from the success of 2016, the second Horse and Hound event, organised by the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, took place on February 17. The event which was sponsored by Al Habtoor Motors, of comprised of a family day out that was dedicated to horses and dogs. Habtoor Al Habtoor, deputy chairman, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, commented, “The Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is the perfect location for an event like this which brings the community together with dogs and horses in a country-style environment boasting exceptional vast open spaces in a beautiful setting.” Through a wide range of activities including competitions for the animals bouncy castles and face painting, the event entertained both adults and children.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
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errari World Abu Dhabi is launching Turbo Track, a heart-pounding mega rollercoaster, set to open in the end of March, the park’s third new addition in 12 months. The family adrenalin three-stage experience will transform guests into Ferrari test drivers as they get a glimpse into the advanced world of the Ferrari Driver Academy, receiving on-screen training and performance analysis, before boarding the Turbo Track and plummeting from the top of the 64m high track, now Yas Island’s highest point, at 102kph. Jesse Vargas, general manager, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, enthused, ”This exceptional ride is going to be another first, and I am sure that our guests, young and old, will be excited to Turbo Track, if they dare.”
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Jazeera Airways Recognises Cultural Heritage
azeera Airways has announced its key sponsorship of the Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Heritage Village, a part of the sixth edition of the Gulf Popular Heritage Festival, taking place in Sabah Al-Ahmad on January 15 – March 15. Hailed as the first private airline in Kuwait, the carrier continues to support initiatives that honouur the country’ s culture and history. The event offers educational and entertainment family activities while providing insights on Kuwait and the GCC’ s shared amity and traditions. Highlighting the importance of the airline’s sponsorship, Mohamed Barakat, vice president, marketing and product, Jazeera Airways, revealed that the company is honoured and proud to represent the very first airline supporting such innovative project.
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ahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB) contributed in the 12th edition of Spring of Culture festival, which kicked off on February 23, by organising the shows of the German group Groove Onkels as a headliner of the event’s street acts. The band held recycling themed performances and workshops at multiple venues in Manama, Riffa and Hidd, spreading the environmental awareness by using only jumps, kicks, slaps and throws to create great beats with random household objects. EDB’s support to the event came in line with its strategy to encourage the Kingdom’s tourism which grew during the festival.
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NEWS & EVENTS H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Visited NAVDEX
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Burgess at Dubai International Boat Show
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ailed as the leading naval defence and maritime security exhibition, NAVDEX took place in Abu Dhabi’s International Defence Exhibition and Conference centre between February 19 – 23. Exhibitors had the opportunity to promote the latest in naval, maritime and coastal security technology, equipment and crafts. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai, accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince, Dubai, visited the exhibition. This year’s NAVDEX hosted more than 1,000 Arab and international firms.
Dubai International Marine Club
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ollowing the opening of Burgess in Dubai, the company attended the 25th Dubai International Boat Show, which was held at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, from February 28 – March 04. ‘We are delighted to be participating in the 2017 Dubai International Boat Show marking Burgess’ move into the Middle East and to be exhibiting some exceptional yachts such as JOY. It is a very exciting time in the GCC with grand expansion plans for the maritime industry and we look forward to bringing Burgess' professional approach and expertise to our clients in the region and cementing Burgess’ position as the global authority on superyacht brokerage and charter,” commented, Jonathan Hind, managing director, Dubai, Burgess. Burgess also teamed up with Rolls Royce to provide a chauffeured transfer service for the company’s VIP clients throughout the show.
TCA Abu Dhabi Promotes Reading Culture
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34th Istanbul International Book Fair
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bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) participated in the 35th Istanbul International Book fair which took place between February 24 – March 05 at Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event which attracted more than 400,000 visitors and 250 publishers from Turkey and the UAE, enabled the launch of innovative initiatives to support the rise of a reading culture and promoted recent developments in the industry, including copyright protection and translation. Many Turkish publishers expressed their interest in participating in the 36th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The annual event attracts international interest and it constitutes a regional hub that gathers leading figures in the world of literature under one roof.
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Qatar Airways celebrated one of its longest flights from Qatar to New Zealand
From left: Ammar Mohamed Zainal, e-marketing controller, Gulf Air, Yahya Ali Buali, director, sales and marketing, Gulf Air, Ahmed Janahi, chief commercial officer, Gulf Air and Ali Jassim, manager, e-business and ancillary, Gulf Air, receive the 2016 Silver Travel Weekly Magellan Award for Online Travel Services honour in the category of Overall – Booking Interface
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Dubai's citizens and visitors can admire the city's downtown area dressed in colours with temporary art installations
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Renowned football coach and player Hassan Shehata, left, was welcomed by Mahmoud Rizk, general manager, TOLIP El Narges Hotel & Spa
Gulf Air rolled out new branded Cerruti 1881 and Guy Laroche amenity kits along with Gulf Air Kids Entertainment Packs for medium- and long- haul flights
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NEWS & EVENTS New Zealand Attended Gulfood
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n March, Nathan Guy, minister of primary industries, New Zealand, visited Dubai to attend Gulfood, said to be the world’s largest food tradeshow. In the 12 months ending June 2016, two-way trade between New Zealand and the GCC countries reached USD2.3 billion, making the region New Zealand's 11th largest trading partner. “The visit is an opportunity to strengthen our business and trade links between the GCC and New Zealand by shining the spotlight on our world-class food and beverage offering. A number of our businesses already have a strong presence in this market and are doing exceptionally well selling New Zealand food and beverage products,” said Guy.
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EVENTS WORLD TRAVEL MARKET AFRICA 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.
Another Successful Bahrain Food Festival
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ahrain Food Festival, organised by the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) took place between February 25 March 06, in Manama. Featuring a wide range of different cuisines including Middle Eastern, Western, Asian, Indian, organic, and healthy options, the event served as a platform for participating restaurants and outlets to showcase their local dishes. Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy family entertainment programmes such as live cooking shows, musical and, and other entertainment. Yousef Al Khan, director, marketing and tourism promotion, BTEA, enthused, “[...]. We would like to extend our gratitude to the sponsors who have contributed in enhancing the festival’s events and activities and have helped us strengthen its position as a prominent event in the food and hospitality industry.”
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IMEX Frankfurt, Germany May 16 – 18 www.imex-frankfurt.com A one-stop shop for meetings, events and incentive travel programmes where more than 3,500 exhibitors are expected to showcase their offerings
18 MARCH 2017