15 APRIL 2017 ISSUE 388
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10 ACCOMMODATION
TIME HOTELS TO ADD NEW PROPERTIES
UAE AIRPORTS FORECAST PASSENGER GROWTH
13 OMAN AIR CELEBRATED NAIROBI TAKE-OFF
04 Agents
16 Rendezvous 17 International
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
UAE Airports Forecast Passenger Growth
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel JOURNALISTS Ellen Petty Maria Sabova CONTRIBUTORS Panayiotis Karanicholas Anna Spyrou Dominique Christou SALES & SALES SUPPORT Magda Christou 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
Despite sluggish global market challenges, the UAE is forecast to lead the Middle East's passenger growth this year, with an annual increase of more than 6.3 percent according to estimates from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
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n 2016, Middle Eastern carriers reported the strongest annual traffic growth for the fifth year running. Revenue passenger kilometres grew 11.8 percent, whilst a capacity growth of 13.7 percent exceeded demand. Meanwhile average load factor fell 1.3 percentage points to 74.7 percent. Airports across the region are expected to increase capacity 10.1 percent this year, with major carriers and hubs projected to host an additional 258 million passengers a year by 2035, as forecasted by IATA.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
Sharjah Aims to Reach Record Investment Numbers
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of
2
13.4.2017
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
110.26
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
18.10
Iran (IRR)
Rial
32,438.00
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,160.98
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.31
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,511.32
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.39
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
10.06
Syria (SYP)
Pound
214.35
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.30
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.63
Sharjah
Invest in Sharjah, the foreign direct investment division operating under the government of Sharjah, has revealed that the emirate’s total foreign direct investment is expected to exceed a record AED1 billion (USD272 million) by the end of this year.
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epresenting a 15 percent year-on-year growth from the AED912 million (USD248.35 million) generated in 2016, the anticipated figure demonstrates the emirate’s focus on encouraging overseas businesses to establish and expand their assets in the destination. Mohammed Juma Al Musharrkh, director, Invest in Sharjah, described the expected figures as a milestone, reflecting the emirate’s full openness towards the global business community. He further revealed that the tourism and travel sector is expected to reach the value of over AED5 billion (USD1.36 billion) by 2019.
15 APRIL 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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Omran to Create a Footprint in Sharjah Omran Properties, a Sharjah-based real estate developer, has recently announced its plans to launch three new projects in Sharjah worth AED2.47 billion (USD670 million).
Al Khan Lagoon
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he initiatives include the Maryam Island, a mixed-use development located between Al Khan Lagoon and Al Mamzar peninsula, the Al Khan Village Resort hospitality project, and Kalba Waterfront Mall. The company, which was established in 2016 through a strategic partnership between Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq), Emaar Properties and Eagle Hills, is slated to launch the projects later this year. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, enthused, “Sharjah is experiencing new demands for services and lifestyles as it evolves even further into a family-friendly and business-friendly destination.�
Flourishing Indian Market in GCC
Abu Dhabi
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15 APRIL 2017
ajor tourism hotspots in the GCC are experiencing a surge in Indian visitors, reflected by growing figures in 2016. Considered as one of biggest future inbound markets alongside China, India was the top performing source of arrivals in 2016 for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi with 1.8 million and 323,388 visitors, respectively, representing 15 percent year-on-year increase in Abu Dhabi and a 12.5 percent boost in Dubai. Oman welcomed 299,568 Indian tourists in 2016, which contributed to a 60 percent growth of the segment over the last five years. The market is expected to grow further this year due to opening of the Bollywood Theme Park at Dubai Parks and Resorts and additional promotional activities, such as Arabian Travel Market, which will highlight the region to Indian travellers.
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WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
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Bin Ham Group and Travelport Announce Partnership In order to provide travellers with more travel options, Travelport celebrated a new long-term partnership with Bin Ham Group on March 22.
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ccording to the new agreement, Bin Ham Group, comprising of Bin Ham Traveling & Tourism Agency, Al Aman Traveling & Tourism and Al Ain Express, will leverage Travelport’s travel commerce platform to gain access to the fares and ancillaries of approximately 400 of the world’s leading airlines. Commenting on the new agreement, Matthew Powell, managing director, Travelport, noted, “This new partnership with Bin Ham Travel & Tourism Agency, […] is a great testimony to how our industry-leading travel commerce platform is supporting the needs of our customers across the region as they target growth in their businesses.”
dnata Handles Latin America’s First A380 Service
Hotelbeds and IHG Team Up
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nata has enhanced its flight services in Brazil to now include the Airbus A380. The Emirates Group division launched the aircraft at Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo in April. dnata is expected to handle more than 300,000 pieces of baggage and 4,000 tonnes of cargo on Emirates’ flights annually. Ricardo Morrison, CEO, Brazil, dnata, stated, “This is a particularly significant win for us and we are proud to welcome Emirates and its iconic double-decker into the dnata family in Brazil. It is a testament to the investments we have made and recognition of our provision of quality service and safety, as well as our infrastructure and systems throughout Brazil.”
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otelbeds Group unveiled its plans to connect to InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) central reservation system, giving Hotelbeds Group access to the hotel giant’s 12 brands. Designed to improve distribution of IHG’s properties and increase sales from all source markets, the new agreement has a strong focus on wholesale and retail distribution. Rates, inventory and availability will be fully controlled by hotels and transmitted in real-time via IHG’s booking system to Hotelbeds Group's distribution network active across more than 120 markets. Commenting on the agreement, Andrew Rubinacci, senior vice president, IHG, stated, “This is a landmark deal for us and helps further our wholesale strategy by moving towards dynamic pricing and away from property based static rate agreements.”
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WEEKLY NEWS
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nder the slogan Visit UAE and as a part of a UAE delegation, the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) participated in a promotional road show in Beijing and Shanghai on March 27 – 28. Through this opportunity, ATDD explored the best practices in tourism marketing, promoted tourist attractions in the emirate and the country, and reinforced cooperation and communication with Chinese, regional and international tour operators. H.E. Faisal Al Nuaimi, general manager, ATDD, confirmed that through a series of meetings with tourism officials, the organisation consolidated tourist ties between the destinations and encouraged the influx of Chinese visitors to the region.
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Aldar Properties to Expand across Abu Dhabi
Yas Island
Ajman
Ajman Showcased in China
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s part of its strategy to boost its recurring revenue, Aldar Properties has recently unveiled plans to launch four new projects on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island and Reem Island. The developer will construct a four-star hotel and a retail park on Yas Island alongside a four-star hotel on Reem Island and 600 mid-market homes in its Shams neighbourhood. All projects are scheduled to start construction later this year and are set to be completed during 2019 and 2020. Commenting on the investment, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO, Aldar Properties, noted, “The investments we are making meet our twin objectives of providing the market with the right products at the right time, whilst increasing our ability to grow long term recurring revenues.”
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WEEKLY NEWS TECHNOLOGY
Sabre Helps Business Travellers to Get There
Emirates’ Branded Fares on Amadeus
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fter conducting research sessions regarding its online booking offering, Sabre has redesigned its GetThere online management solution, offering customers a modernised travel experience while giving them the opportunity to make smarter in-policy booking decisions. Designed to handle the most complex travel itineraries while remaining simple and intuitive for both travellers and travel managers, the online tool empowers Sabre’s customers to make self-service options and delivers an optimal search, shop and book experience whether on mobile or desktop. Wade Jones, interim president, Sabre Travel Network, commented, “Our new travellercentric design in GetThere puts the user first with new mobile capabilities and relevant content that is essential for a smarter travel programme.”
Emirates’ Saver, Flex and Flex Plus branded fares for both its economy and business cabins are now available through the Amadeus distribution channel.
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mirates has therefore enhanced its status in what is said to be the world’s largest and most diverse travel community. Joining 52 other airlines in the Amadeus Airline Fare Families, the carrier now benefits from increased branding, differentiation and upsell opportunities on its travel offers. Amadeusconnected travel agents can now better serve their customers by proposing the fares that best match traveller needs.
Travelport Enriches MisterFly Experience
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TravelClick Optimised its Media Campaign
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n March, Travelport and MisterFly, a French online travel agency, announced the online integration of their innovative merchandising technology systems. Through the travel commerce platform, MisterFly will take advantage of Travelport’s Universal API, which is used to connect to its own merchandising technology, content and branding. This technology displays airlines’ branded fares and ancillary content in a graphically visual way. Over 200 airlines across the globe, including Air France, utilise Travelport’s platform, which delivers consumer ready content, deeper understanding of the airlines’ offerings, and is said to offer more upsell revenue opportunities to the travel agent community.
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n a bid to empower media campaign managers to more effectively driving direct booking revenue for its hotel clients, TravelClick has recently launched media intelligence platform. The platform integrates proprietary data to ensure the bestinformed decisions are made about how to spend and allocate budgets in order to optimise media campaigns, offering customers up to a 77 percent higher conversion rate. Adarsh Rangaswamy, corporate director, digital marketing, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, commented, “The combination of TravelClick’s data usage with digital campaign management has really helped us to go beyond traditional digital campaign management. This ultimately allowed us to get a clearer picture of how we are doing versus the market and competition and adjust our strategies accordingly when needed.”
15 APRIL 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS
Sharjah’s Inbound Chinese Tourism at a High
Ferrari Turbo Track Invites Thrill-Seekers
15 APRIL 2017
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errari World Abu Dhabi officially launched its highly-anticipated rollercoaster Turbo Track. The latest addition to the amusement park promises riders a heartpounding glimpse into the world of Ferrari test drivers, offering the sensation of zero gravity. Major structural changes were implemented to accommodate the venue's third new attraction in the last 12 months. Jesse Vargas, general manager, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, enthused, “Turbo Track is not just a rollercoaster; it is an experience that combines the passion rooted in Ferrari’s traditions and values, with the excitement of a unique thrill ride. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is going to be the location for mega rollercoaster enthusiasts all over the world.”
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
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ccording to new figures released by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), more than 86,000 Chinese visitors stayed in Sharjah hotels in 2016 compared with 53,000 during 2015, making China the emirate’s sixth largest inbound tourism market. China already serves as the emirate’s fastest growing source market, with hospitality establishments recording a 63 percent increase in visitors from the country in 2016. The UAE’s recent move to introduce visa-onarrival for travellers from China is expected to further boost tourism numbers this year. This coincides with SCDTA’s active marketing campaign to attract more visitors from China which has included opening a representative office in the Asian country, recruiting Chinese staff and adding a Chinese language website to Sharjah’s tourism portal, among other initiatives.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Deutsche Hospitality Boosts Oman Portfolio Pursuing its course of expansion, Deutsche Hospitality has signed a second agreement in Oman for a three-star IntercityHotel, slated to open in Nizwa by 2019.
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Rotana to Steer RSG’s Development
The Tower One Step Closer to Completion
otana signed an agreement with RSG International on March 26, for a new five-star hotel and serviced apartment project in Dubai, located in Sufouh Gardens on Sheikh Zayed Road. Named Sabah Rotana, the 54-storey, 534-room property is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2020 and will feature an array of facilities, including seven dining outlets, meeting rooms, a wellness lounge and an ultra-modern gym. While noting that the address has been designed to meet the demands of modern travellers with a focus on comfort and flexibility, Nasser Al Nowais, chairman, Rotana, said, “The project continues Rotana’s strategy of centrally locating its properties in prime city areas in order for guests to enjoy greater convenience and easy accessibility.”
he pile foundations for Emaar Properties’ Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour have been completed. Expected to be finished by 2020, in time for Expo 2020, the iconic tower is expected to add significant economic value to Dubai’s Creek Harbour where the developer has unveiled a series of residential projects. The new project will house a boutique hotel, vertical gardens, a 360-degree observation platform, restaurants and function hall spaces. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the tower features what is said to be a world first, with the pile tested to a load of over 36,000 tonnes, a demonstration of strength and security.
Rezidor Exbands Istanbul Portfolio
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et to open in the following months, Park Inn by Radisson Asia Istanbul Kavacik will increase Rezidor Hotel Group’s portfolio in Turkey to 24 hotels, as the company’s fifth Park Inn by Radissonbranded property in Istanbul. Located in the middle of a vibrant business district, the 110-key address will enable guest to easily visit the city’s attractions as well as being in close proximity to the Trans European Motorway and Istanbul Atatürk Airport. Elie Younes, executive vice president, Rezidor Hotel Group, commented, "[...] We believe in the long-term prospects of Turkey and welcome our existing and new partners to grow with us a world-class portfolio of brands of hotels and resorts across the country.”
Istanbul
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Nizwa
he 120-key property, part of a major governmental development project to enhance the city’s infrastructure, will boast event spaces, a spa with gym area, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar and will be operated via a management agreement with Nizwa Integrated Real Estate Company. Following the recent contract for a property in Muscat, currently under development and scheduled to launch in 2020, the newest addition will extend the company’s footprint in Oman to three addresses.
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Dubai Creek Harbour Project Area
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Aldar Teams up with Ghantoot
A Yas Island
ldar Properties has awarded its main contract for Mayan, a luxury residential development located on Yas Island, to Ghantoot Group, which is said to be one of the leading construction companies in the region. The contracts, totalling AED500 million (USD135.9 million), will cover the construction of five eleven-storey buildings comprising of 512 units, 19 of which will be luxury beach villas overlooking the island’s shoreline. Commenting on how the planned development follows high demand, Talal Al Dhiyebi, chief development officer, Aldar Properties, noted, "[…] Mayan offers a world-class living experience that will add to the available amenities in the surrounding area. Since we launched [the residential development] last year, we have seen strong interest and we expect this to continue."
AVANI to Debut in Ras Al Khaimah
Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels Promotes Heritage
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n order to promote Qatar’s intangible cultural heritage and support the country’s tourism diversification strategy, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels participated in Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) for the fourth consecutive year. Held on March 29 — April 06, QIFF was said to be one of the largest international food and beverage events, offering foodies the opportunity to come together in celebration of the country’s increasingly diverse culinary offering. Speaking ahead of the event, Hafidh Al Busaidy, cluster general manager, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, enthused, “The success we achieved during last year’s participation has encouraged us to be part of the 8th edition of the QIFF. Our six participating restaurants will offer an opportunity to all QIFF [attendees] to taste the most delicious [...] dishes [...].”
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Al Marjan
inor Hotels has announced the development of its first address under the AVANI brand in Ras Al Khaimah, the AVANI Al Marjan Island Ras Al Khaimah Resort, scheduled to open in late 2019 and marking the operator’s second hospitality project in the emirate. Located on Al Marjan’s View Island and boasting 225 keys, the address will offer a selection of king, twin and disabled access guestrooms along with suites and the brand’s signature living space. Guests can enjoy all day dining and poolside restaurants, meeting and event facilities with a capacity of 200 people, a kids’ club and a spa, along with outdoor swimming pool and beach front access.
QIFF 2016
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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TIME Hotels to Add
New Properties TIME HOTELS HAS ANNOUNCED ITS STRATEGY TO ADD 10 NEW PROPERTIES TO ITS MIDDLE EASTERN PORTFOLIO BY THE LAST QUARTER OF 2018.
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Egypt
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ccorHotels has revealed a hotel management agreement with Arabia Group for a new property, Fairmont Pyramids Hotel & Residences, slated to open in 2022 in 6th of October City. Located in close proximity to the Pyramids of Giza, the 20-storey address will boast 250 guestrooms and 200 branded residences. Forming the highest tower of the area, the property will cover the majority of the hospitality component within the upcoming Madinat A’Shamss development, a mixed-use project spanning over 56ha. Frank Naboulsi, regional vice president, Fairmont Nile City, said, “We look forward to playing an integral role in re-energising the country’s tourism infrastructure. The destination has demonstrated positive growth over the past few years which has also increased the appeal of international hospitality brands.”
Ibis Styles Manama Announced
Ibis Seef Manama
Fairmont Pyramids Slated to Open 2022
TIME Beach Villas Resort
he properties will be unveiled at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), on April 24 – 27, where existing and new brands in key territories within the region will be showcased. The company is set to extend its footprint in the UAE with Ajman and Fujairah, followed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The new additions will join TIME Hotels’ existing portfolio of seven properties, taking the tally to 17 addresses in the Middle East. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, commented on the growth plans, “Our current pipeline of hotels and residences meet the demands of multiple markets by offering a high-quality stay across all our brand portfolio.”
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n partnership with international hospitality chain AccorHotels, Action Hotels has unveiled plans to develop the second ibis Styles-branded property in Bahrain, ibis Styles Manama Diplomatic Area. In line with Action Hotels’ expansion strategy of adding 5,000 rooms by 2020, the new establishment will be located in the heart of Manama’s main government, diplomatic and financial district. The address will constitute a unique offering, enhancing Bahrain’s under-developed economy segment and providing visitors with a modern, lifestyle hotel experience. Alain Debare, CEO, Action Hotels, noted, “Bahrain is an important market for Action Hotels as we continue to address the growing demand for affordable, high quality economy and midscale hotels backed by internationally renowned brands.”
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Kuwait Airways New Summer Schedule
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n March 26, Kuwait Airways officially launched its summer schedule, boosting the frequency of flights to Middle Eastern destinations by nearly 42 percent. The number of flights to Dubai will now rise to seven times a week, while services to Bahrain, Doha, Beirut and Istanbul will increase to seven, six, five and three times weekly, respectively. The carrier has also added an additional service each week to Amman, Najaf, Muscat and Tehran. The additional itineraries will enable more convenient travel for both Kuwaitis and travellers across the Middle East planning a trip to Kuwait.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Air Arabia Enhances Links to Turkey Air Arabia has announced Trabzon Airport as the latest addition to its Turkish network, with services set to commence on June 23.
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ue to be operated three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from Sharjah International Airport, the seasonal non-stop route will compliment the carrier’s existing services to Istanbul. “Trabzon provides travellers with a unique opportunity to experience Turkey’s coastal region and witness the history behind one of the oldest trading ports in the country. The new route is a testament to Air Arabia’s commitment to providing affordable holiday destinations to passengers travelling from the UAE,” said, Adel Al Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia. The airline currently serves 125 destinations across the globe, from five hubs across the Middle East and North Africa.
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Airbus and SITA Promote Proactive Cybersecurity
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n order to meet an ever increasing demand for cybersecurity in the aviation industry, Airbus and SITA have launched Security Operations Center Service, a new incident detection service. Aiming to provide airlines, airports and other air transport industry stakeholders with information about unusual cyber activity that may impact their businesses, the centre provides appropriate containment and remedial action ensuring that a company’s digital assets are safe from attack. Barbara Dalibard, CEO, SITA, commented, “As an industry we need to move faster in developing new cybersecurity solutions that mitigate the risk of ever-changing threats. […] We can facilitate innovation and information-sharing through services such as the Security Operations Center Service, providing solutions our customers demand and need.”
Nile Air to Serve Ha’il
Air France Added Two Summer Routes
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n March 26, Air France welcomed the summer season by adding Marrakech and Porto to its global portfolio. The airline connects Paris to Marrakech on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while Porto will be served on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with both routes operated by an Airbus A320. The new summer offer is part of Air France-KLM’s offensive strategy within its Trust Together project, which aims to combine its growing fleet with a more rational use to enable the group to serve new destinations in Europe during the peak summer travel period.
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ile Air has announced the increase in the number of services to Saudi Arabia, with the launch of flights to Ha’il Regional Airport. The itinerary will be operated three times weekly from Cairo International Airport. Due to take off on June 15, the inaugural flight will coincide with the start of the summer travel season. The additional service will supplement the carrier’s connections between the countries, set to grow to a total of 14 scheduled routes, enabling a boost in both leisure and business travel between the destinations.
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Porto
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Nairobi Route Launch Ceremony
Oman Air Celebrated Nairobi Take-Off
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man Air inaugurated its first flight on the newly launched, four times weekly service to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on March 28. Operated with a Boeing 737-800 and representing the carrier’s first schedule to Kenya, the service will enable easy onward travel to the airline’s destinations for customers from Kenya as well as helping to strengthen the links between the countries. Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, deputy CEO, Oman Air, said, “The launch of this route is a significant milestone for Oman Air and is in direct response to customer demand. […] We are confident that this latest expansion by Oman Air will help develop growing relations between both countries and also increase tourism […].”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Qatar Airways Cargo Serves Phnom Penh
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atar Airways Cargo recently inaugurated its first freighter service to the Cambodian city of Phnom Penh. The Airbus A330 freighter operating on the route between Doha and Phnom Penh can transport over 60 tonnes of cargo capacity either way once a week. Noting that this marks the fifth freighter destination launched this year, Ulrich Ogiermann, chief officer, cargo, Qatar Airways, said, “[…] We have observed substantial migration of manufacturing trade from China to Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam. Leveraging our extensive network of more than 70 cities in Africa, Europe and the Americas, we are in the lead to provide our customers in the Southeast Asia region adequate capacity, flexibility and world-class air freight solutions via our state-of-the-art Doha hub.”
Emirates Boosts Bali Frequency
Oman Air to Fly Direct to Manchester
Ngurah Rai International Airport
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mirates has announced the introduction of its second daily service from Dubai International to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, scheduled to take-off on July 02. Responding to the growing demand for trips to Bali, demonstrated by the destination welcoming nearly five million arrivals in 2016, the additional service will offer travellers more convenience and connectivity options. The schedule will be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER in a two-class configuration and will enable a seamless connection to a number of destinations across Europe, along with further domestic links to the cities of Surabaya, Makassar and Lombok.
man Air will start its new daily flight between Muscat and Manchester on May 01, the latest move in the airline’s dynamic programme of fleet and network ex-
pansion. This service will be operated with an Airbus A330-200 and joins the carrier's double daily flight to London Heathrow, making Manchester the only airport outside of London to have direct flights to Muscat. Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, commented, “[The expansion] demonstrates our commitment to developing Oman Air’s global network and in particular catering for the growing demand for our award winning product and in-flight service.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Emirates Inaugurated Three Extra A380 Routes
Etihad Fulfills High Demand
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tihad Airways has started operating a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Abu Dhabi – Amman route, as part of its daily schedules between the two capitals. The new two-class Dreamliner features 299 seats, representing a 65 percent capacity increase on the route. Peter Baumgartner, CEO, Etihad Airways, said, “Since launching flights between Abu Dhabi and Amman 13 years ago, we have experienced huge growth and have enjoyed strong demand from both business and leisure travellers.” He further added, “The decision to upgrade to the Boeing 787 reflects the importance of the Jordanian market to Etihad Airways, and the sustained development of economic relations between the two countries.”
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mirates has announced the triple deployment of Airbus A380s, launched on the same day on itineraries from Dubai International to Tokyo, Casablanca and São Paulo. The replacement of the Boeing 777 aircraft with the flagship three-class double-decker jet on all three routes positions the carrier as the first airline to operate scheduled A380 services in Latin America and North Africa. The upgauge of the aircraft marks the 10 year of the company’s operations in Brazil. Meanwhile, the reintroduction of an A380 on its Dubai – Tokyo itinerary, with increased capacity, came in response to a healthy demand for the service.
Oman Air Celebrated Direct Flight to Calicut
Tunisair to Enhance Beirut and Montreal Services
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n March 27, Oman Air launched its direct flights from Salalah to Calicut, operated with a Boeing 737-800. Furthermore, the airline has increased frequency to five of it’s key Indian destinations including Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Calicut, now three times daily, while Lucknow will be served twice daily. Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, who was present at the cake-cutting ceremony at Salalah International Airport, commented, “Our valued guests who want to travel between Salalah and Calicut can now enjoy shorter flights as they do not have to transfer at Muscat International Airport.”
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n an attempt to offer more travel options to both leisure and business travellers, Tunisair has recently announced plans to increase the frequency on its Beirut and Montreal routes. Effective from June 19, the Tunis to Beirut schedule will run four times weekly. In addition, three weekly flights will be operated between Tunis and Montreal, starting June 26. First established in 1948, Tunisair offers scheduled international itineraries to a selection of European, African and Middle Eastern destinations. The implementation of more frequent flights from Tunis to both Beirut and Montreal aims to further boost its connectivity and contribute to the airline’s expansion.
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Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
MELISSA GAY MANAGER, LAND AND SEA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SABRE
IN A WORLD WITH MORE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS THAN EVER BEFORE, MELISSA GAY, MANAGER, LAND AND SEA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SABRE, EXPLAINS HOW AGENTS CAN ENSURE THEY OFFER TRAVELLERS THE RIGHT HOTEL CHOICE.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What do travellers expect when booking a hotel? MELISSA GAY: Travellers increasingly expect agents to offer personalised guidance and a unique hotel experience. They want to be treated as individuals and receive recommendations that reflect their own tastes and preferences. Customers looking to book a hotel are faced with an overwhelming amount of options compared to booking a flight and their decisions are much more emotional and driven by personal preference, as the final choice is so integral to the enjoyment of the whole trip. They weigh up a large list of pros and cons about everything from food and
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drink to excursions before making a hotel booking. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How can travel agents help customers choose accommodation? MELISSA GAY: Knowing as much as possible about a potential customer’s likes and dislikes means an agent can guide customers through all the relevant options – and relevancy is the key word. With such information, they can send timely messages via the customer’s preferred channel – be it direct mail, social or email. To meet customer expectations, agents need a shop window with everything available in one place together with rich content that will help the agent find the right product to recommend. Assets such as 360 degree video, strong imagery and customer reviews are key levers in decision-making. Leisure travellers ranked photos and price high as factors helping them make a hotel booking for a leisure break in a recent Sabre Twitter poll, compared to location for business travellers. Travel management companies (TMC) are specialists and keep their finger on the pulse of emerging travel trends – but the ‘secret sauce’ that delivers success is being able to deliver on these trends with the aid of technology. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the latest trends to hit the travel industry? MELISSA GAY: Two key overlapping trends illustrate the importance of understanding the customer and tailoring recommendations - the rise of the bleisure trip and the expectations millennials bring to their workplace and holidays. Bleisure bookings are gaining ground as time-pressed business travellers look to extend work trips and explore surrounding leisure options.
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TMCs know the importance of large hotel chains in delivering a consistent, convenient and quality experience, but some business travellers want to stretch out and try boutique, tailored accommodation as well. The percentage of leisure trips with a business component jumped to 17 percent in 2016, compared to 14 percent in 2015, according to Travel Weekly's 2016 Consumer Trends report. Millennials blur their work and life boundaries and their behaviour has a growing impact on the hotel business. Under 30s travel 4.7 times per year on business, versus 3.6 times per year among those aged 30-45, and 4.2 times per year among 46-65-year-olds. They also take more leisure trips, at 4.2 trips a year, versus 2.9 for 31-45-year-olds and 3.2 for 46 – 65-year-olds. TMCs need to get under the skin of this cohort – and do not forget they make up a sizeable chunk of your own employees too, so understanding their likes and dislikes will be extremely helpful. Travellers head to agents that offer the widest array of accommodation and can surface what they are looking for quickly and easily. The TMC that serves solutions at speed thanks to having a breadth of content in one place and an efficient workflow will satisfy the customer and also free up agents to be more productive, rather than tying them up searching in multiple places for a suitable hotel solution. Booking everything within a single system also means no time is wasted adding passive bookings to the Passenger Name Record – and there is no risk of passenger information being lost. A corporate will be able to keep track of employees’ whereabouts and carry out its duty of care in case of a crisis. All in all, TMCs that can meet emerging trends with fast, efficient and personalised services will stand out and differentiate themselves from the competition. 15 APRIL 2017
WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
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Best Western Welcomed Third Tokyo Hotel
Holiday Inn Grows in Poland
Warsaw
I Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai Grande
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aunched in April, Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai Grande became the company’s third hotel in the Japanese capital, joining Best Western Rembrandt Hotel Tokyo Machida and Best Western Tokyo Nishikasai. Suitable for both corporate and leisure travellers, the new address is located between Tokyo Disneyland and the central districts of Marunouchi and Ginza. The property features 105 rooms, a 24-hour business centre and a signature restaurant. Olivier Berrivin, managing director, international operations, Asia, Best Western, commented, “With international visitor arrivals to Japan expected to soar to 40 million by the end of the decade, and Tokyo hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Summer Olympics, the country is on the verge of an unprecedented tourism boom.”
Park Hyatt to Enter Jakarta in 2018
Walk for a Cause 2016
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Moxy Hotels by Marriott Debuts in London
M yatt Hotels and MNC Land have signed an agreement for Jakarta’s first Park Hyatt hotel, slated to open
in 2018. The hotel will be positioned within the top 20 floors of the 37-storey MNC Media Tower. Featuring five premium food and beverage outlets, Park Hyatt Jakarta will bring world-class dining and entertainment options to the city, joining four existing Hyatt-branded hotels in Indonesia. Hary Tanoesoedibjo, CEO, MNC Group, commented, “We are confident that Park Hyatt Jakarta, along with the other facilities in MNC Media Tower, will deliver on this promise and once again cement MNC Land’s reputation as a world-class developer.”
Moxy London Excel
Rendering of MNC Media Tower
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of Holiday Inn Warsaw West Station, to be developed as the first venue with franchisees VHM Hotel Management. Featuring 217 revitalised guestrooms, an open lobby with a merged restaurant, bar and lounge area, the address will also boast round-the-clock dining and zoned areas for entertainment. The new property will join the brand’s network of 291 European addresses with another 35 in the pipeline. Miguel Martins, director, development, Poland, IHG, said, “We are pleased to be able to announce another milestone in IHG’s expansion across Poland together with VHM Hotel Management. The Holiday Inn brand is undergoing an exciting transformation so this is a brilliant time for such partnership.”
arriott International’s experiential hotel brand entered London’s hospitality scene with its flagship property, Moxy London Excel. Characterised by a vibrant, playful design and approachable service, the 164-key address boasts spirit of a boutique hotel, inviting travellers to experience its contemporary lobby with a library as well as a living room and 24/7 food and beverage offerings in a smart self-service concept. A meeting room and a gym are also available for the guests. Vicki Poulos, global brand director, Moxy Hotels, expressed, “Moxy Hotels is on a mission to reinvent traditional hospitality with lively communal spaces and an energetic crew that helps fun hunting guests enjoy themselves whether at work or play.”
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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Airbus Promotes Career Diversity
Walk For a Cause with Etihad
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tihad Aviation Group held its fifth annual Walk for a Cause event at Um Al Emarat Park in March, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. The event aimed to mark the empowerment of women in the UAE and abroad, including global education projects in Indonesia. Attendees could also participate in a number of initiatives including wellness screenings, fitness classes as well as enjoy a dedicated spaces such as an arts and crafts area, organic food corner, beauty zone, kids corner along with live classical entertainment.
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s part of Airbus’ goal of having more than 30 percent women among its employees, the company has organised three events to promote aeronautical industry careers to female secondary school students, encouraging the diversification of career orientations. On March 24, Airbus organised Elles du Futur in partnership with Toulouse Education Authority, offering 80 students a tour of the production site and talks with female employees. Furthermore, on March 31, the company took part in Féminisons les métiers de l’aéronautique, in partnership with Airemploi, whereby female Airbus sponsors presented their work and discussed their careers. On the theme of diversity, the third initiative was an interactive exhibition based on employee testimonials, combining photos and augmented reality.
Ahalia Medical Group to Open Sharjah Hospital
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halia Medical Group has recently signed an agreement with Sharjah Healthcare City (SHCC) to set up a 100-bed general hospital in SHCC. SHCC was formed in 2012 with the objective to transform and enhance the regional healthcare service industry and establish Sharjah as the most sought after destination for healthcare services. Planned to be one of the largest centres of its kind in the Middle East, the new development covers an area of 205ha and will be in close proximity to Sharjah International Airport. Marking its debut in the emirate, Ahalia Medical Group currently operates numerous facilities across the UAE.
I The Giving Race at the Finish Line
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n support of the national Year of Giving, Abu Dhabi Airports organised The Giving Race in collaboration with the Spartan Race at Al-Ghazal Golf Club on March 31. Open to Abu Dhabi government and semi-government entities, the event was held in partnership with Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Abu Dhabi Airports put together a team building event for government employees and their families, which consisted of activities such as mud, water, sand and fire jumps. There was also a children’s race to encourage the next generation to step away from their electronic devices and benefit from the positive effect of sport activities on their health and self-confidence.
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PHOTO ALBUM
Abdulla Al Hashimi, divisional senior vice president, Emirates Group Security, left, hosted Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, commander in chief, Dubai Police
Children learnt about the importance of protecting their environment at the fifth Spring Desert Park Initiative organised by Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. In collaboration with Association of Friends of the National Cancer Institute, InterContinental Cairo Citystars, Holiday Inn Cairo – Citystars and Staybridge Suites Cairo – Citystars held a blood donation campaign
Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Bab Al Qasr Hotel organised its first annual blood donation in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City managed by Cleveland Clinic
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Qatar Airways Cargo flew 50 European horses to Nebraska Longines FEI World Cup Jumping and FEI World Cup Dressage Finals
Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club hosted the second ladies Interclub tournament
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NEWS & EVENTS dmg events Now Present in Qatar
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o support the growth of the country’s exhibition industry, dmg events inaugurated an office in Qatar. From the new base, the company will launch and adapt its established events to achieve a rapid roll out of well-known brands in its core construction portfolio to the Qatari market. The debut event on the schedule is the interior design exhibition, INDEX, taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center on November 13 – 15, followed by the arrival of Building Services Qatar in February, 2018, which will bring four event brands under one banner, namely Middle East Concrete, Windows Doors and Facades Expo, HVACR Expo and Community Management Week.
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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.
Taste of Peru in Abu Dhabi
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he Dining Collection at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island has welcomed a new exotic addition to its portfolio, a world-class restaurant COYA. Serving contemporary Peruvian cuisine with a Latin American flair, the culinary venue is ready to impress the guests with distinctive dishes. Being a home to a colourful Pisco lounge and library, it also promises the visitors a multi-dimensional dining experience with a DJ on the decks, creating a modern, up-tempo atmosphere. The restaurant is expected to enhance The Dining Collection’s reputation of featuring well-balanced chef and restaurateur led concepts boasting high regional credentials.
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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.
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