29 JULY 2017 ISSUE 403
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29 JULY 2017 ISSUE 403
05 BRITISH TRAVELLERS FAVOUR ABU DHABI
03 GENERAL
DUBAI’S WORLD-CLASS BUSINESS PARK REVEALED
07 DUBAI TO WELCOME FIRST FOOD PARK
05 Agents
08 Accommodation 13 International
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
International Arrivals Grew Six Percent
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel SENIOR JOURNALIST Ellen Petty JOURNALISTS Maria Sabova Panayiotis Karanicholas Anna Spyrou CONTRIBUTOR Dominique 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
During the period January – April, international tourist arrivals worldwide grew six percent year-on-year according to World Tourism Organization, with a total of 369 million international overnight visitors.
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he four-month period usually accounts for around 28 percent of the annual total, with this year’s performance said to be the best in 12 years. All regions reported growth, led by a 10 percent boost in visitors to the Middle East. Based on limited data, Africa welcomed eight percent more tourists, while visitors to Europe, Asia Pacific and Americas were up six percent, six percent and four percent, respectively. Moreover, destinations that were impacted by unfortunate events in 2016, saw signs of recovery in the beginning of this year.
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
UAE Property Market Favourable for Buyers
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
Abu Dhabi
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of 27.7.2017
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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
108.40
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
17.90
Iran (IRR)
Rial
32,701.78
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1161.32
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,506.35
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.34
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.49
Syria (SYP)
Pound
515.65
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.45
Yemen (YER)
Rial
250.18
According to the report conducted by UAE-based property portal Bayut.com, although the country’s real estate sector experienced a small dip in the first half of this year, the market represents an attractive opportunity for investors seeking strong returns.
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verage rental prices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi decreased across all property types during the reviewed period, down 10.4 percent and 6.3 percent year-on-year, respectively. Meanwhile, the average property prices in both emirates also fell, seven percent in Dubai and by lower single digit percent in Abu Dhabi. The report concluded that despite a decline in property prices, the drop in rental prices has kept the return on investment consistently stable, making the two locations more accessible for buyers than ever before.
29 JULY 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS
Dubai’s World-Class Business Park
Revealed
H.H. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM, RULER, DUBAI, HAS UNVEILED DUBAI’S NEW AED5 MILLION (USD 1.36 MILLION) BUSINESS DISTRICT, EMIRATES TOWERS BUSINESS PARK, SET TO ENHANCE THE DESTINATION’S GROWING POSITION AS A LEADING GLOBAL CORPORATE HUB.
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Rendering of Emirate Towers Business Park
aster-planned by Dubai Holding in collaboration with Dubai International Financial Centre, the development is set to meet the increasing demand for grade A office space through highand low-rise office towers while its three five-star hotels, retail and dining outlets will also cater to diverse needs of corporate visitors. During the occasion, H.H. Rashid Al Maktoum emphasised that the UAE is continuing its drive to enhance the environment for businesses and the private sector by providing innovative solutions for investors.
Oman Welcomed Qatar Tourism Delegates
Oman
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epresentatives of Qatar Tourism Authority were hosted by H.E. Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, Oman on July 09, with a programme of meetings and visits to tourism attractions across the Sultanate. On the back of a previously signed memorandum of understanding between the two parties, the visit aimed to explore mutual cooperation through events, facilitating travelling procedures, managing tourism facilities, encouraging the private sector to engage in tourism developments, and coordinating promotional campaigns between the countries, as well as sharing information related to cooperation with World Tourism Organization and other industry partners. During the occasion, Oman also presented its tourism strategy 2040 to the partners, focussed on reinforcing sustainable tourism and attracting fresh investments to the sector.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Azizi Unveiled 35 Projects in Dubai
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Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City
zizi Developments has announced new groundbreaking projects for Azizi Riviera in Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City district of Meydan Sobha, set to transform Dubai with its vision of becoming an unparalleled world lifestyle and hospitality destination. Luring investors to secure the share of what is said to be one of the most rapidly growing tourism markets, the company has presented 35 projects in the location set to be delivered within 22 months. The innovative facilities commissioned for development include 420m high dancing fountain, 1,200m long ski slope, a water canal with private marina spread across four kilometres, as well as new metro line, more than 200 hotels, including what is said to be the world’s highest restaurant in one of the tallest residential buildings.
SCTH Begins Souk Okaz Transformation
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Souk Okaz
audi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) has recently begun development works at Souk Okaz, the iconic landmark in Taif, to transform it into a year-round leading cultural tourist destination. H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman, president, SCTH, revealed that the significance of the project is based on the fact that Souk Okaz is one of the most important ancient Arab souks. He added, “It is now subjected to archaeological studies and excavations and the initial surveys showed that the site is very rich of antiquities." Estimated to occupy an area of 1,000ha the new development is expected to attract more than 266,000 tourists annually while also creating over 4,400 additional jobs.
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WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
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British Travellers Favour Abu Dhabi
GBTA Revealed Gaps in Travel Risk Management
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29 JULY 2017
According to the UK travel company Gold Medal Travel, Abu Dhabi represents one of the most popular summer destinations for British holidaymakers visiting the UAE, with this year’s holiday bookings achieving a 294 percent jump over the summer period in 2016.
Abu Dhabi
lobal Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) latest study How to Close Risk Management Loopholes revealed that nearly 30 percent of travel managers are unsure how long it would take to locate employees in crisis situations. Exploring the establishment and execution of safety protocols, the study, conducted in partnership with Concur, further confirmed that 50 percent of respondents are confident they could locate their staff in the affected area within two hours or less. Mike Eberhard, president, Concur, elaborated, [...]. If a crisis or incident occurs, it is critical that businesses be prepared to quickly locate employees and determine who may need assistance.”
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ne of the factors supporting the interest of travellers is seamless connectivity, enabled through Etihad Airways’ five weekly flights from Edinburgh, two daily schedules from Manchester and three daily Airbus A380 services from London Heathrow. In a bid to maintain the positive momentum, the carrier, along with the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, has scheduled large familiarisation visit to the emirate for British travel agents in September, enabling them to experience the destination’s attractions through own eyes.
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WEEKLY NEWS
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SCTH Takes Tourism Transformation Further
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Saudi Arabia
audi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) has announced the launch of six initiatives approved under the National Transformation Program 2020 as a part of the project National Tourism Development and National Heritage of the Kingdom. Overall, the organisation has submitted 31 initiatives in collaboration with its partners, with approximately SAR9.93 billion (USD2.65 billion) of funds allocated. Mohamed Al Nashmi, head, achievements, Vision 2030, SCTH, revealed that the company intends to establish three entities to facilitate the initiatives, namely the Saudi Company for Heritage Sites Operation, the Heritage Buildings Restoration Company, as well as a unit specialising in handicrafts, which will together manage the restoration of 15 handicraft centres and 18 urban heritage sites, along with establishing 18 regional museums, among other plans.
Siwa Oasis Initiated Wellness Tourism Season
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Siwa Oasis
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gypt’s Ministry of Environment has announced that Siwa Oasis is ready to welcome tourists seeking a therapeutic holiday retreat. Known for its rich sources of mineral water, hot and cold springs, sand landscapes and olive trees, the region offers travellers unique rejuvenating natural treatments, such as sand bath therapies. Visitors can also enjoy camel safaris across the area’s nature reserves. Furthermore, the construction of a museum, which will present the complete production process of olive oil, is underway. Apart from its strong ecological and wellness tourism potential, the location also boasts rich cultural and historical heritage for tourists to explore.
29 JULY 2017
WEEKLY NEWS
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Dubai to Welcome First Food Park
Abu Dhabi Named Second Best City
29 JULY 2017
Dubai Food Park rendering
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psos City Index has named Abu Dhabi the second best city in the world to live, work and do business with the emirate overtaking both New York and Paris to move up two places since the last survey. Furthermore, in the period January to May, Abu Dhabi recorded nearly two million hotel guest arrivals indicating four percent growth compared to the corresponding period in 2016. Commenting on the achievement, H.E. Saif Saeed Ghobash, director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, revealed, “[...] As we leverage the wealth of Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage sites, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Al Ain, and the forthcoming opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, we are confident that our position on the map of leading cities will continue to be cemented.”
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iming to enhance Dubai's position as a leading regional hub for food trade H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai, recently unveiled Dubai Food Park at Dubai Wholesale City. Said to be the first-of-its-kind in the region, the AED5.5 billion (USD1.5 billion) project, to be developed by Dubai Holding, will be a central wholesale market serving the retail, hospitality and food service sector. Given that food trade makes up 11 percent of the UAE's GDP, and that the food industry is estimated to grow 70 percent by 2030, the new project is expected to play a vital role in further supporting food security in the country.
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WEEKLY NEWS ACC0MMODATION
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Dusit International to Enter Bahrain
dusitD2 Seef Bahrain
After signing a hotel management agreement with Al Manzil Hospitality Group, Dusit International unveiled plans to open dusitD2 Seef Bahrain, a contemporary leisure and business hotel, marking the group’s debut in the country.
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onveniently located in Manama near Bahrain International Airport and other major developments, the address will comprise 195 units with sea views, meeting facilities, a kids club, an expansive health and fitness centre and a number of restaurants. Suphajee Suthumpun, group CEO, Dusit International, highlighted, “We are delighted to add Bahrain to our list of international destinations, further strengthening Dusit’s presence within the GCC region.”
Radisson Blu Unveils New Riyadh Address
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Younes
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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced the launch of Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa, set to open in the first quarter of 2019. Located in close proximity to King Khalid International Airport and only few minutes walk from the new King Abdullah Financial District, the address aims to appeal to corporate travellers. Elie Younes, executive vice president, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, revealed, “We are confident that the business fundamentals, and the major infrastructure projects being developed in line with Saudi Arabia’s future vision, will help accelerate further economic growth for the country and create more opportunities for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to make several valuable contributions to the economy and communities where we operate.”
29 JULY 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS ACC0MMODATION Jumeirah Group to Manage New Hotel in Mecca
Swiss-Belresort Opened in Jordan
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29 JULY 2017
A Mecca
wiss-Belhotel International has recently signed an agreement with Jordan Projects for Tourism Development (JPTD) to rebrand and comanage a five-star property in Jordan. Part of the massive Tala Bay development, Grand Swiss-Belresort Tala Bay Aqaba is located on the Red Sea and features 336 rooms the majority of which face the marina. Gavin Faull, president, Swiss-Belhotel International, revealed, “We are proud to partner and expand our footprint in Jordan with a distinguished organisation such as JPTD. The Middle East holds high significance for us with 17 percent of our global portfolio centered in the region and we are glad to welcome Grand Swiss-Belresort Tala Bay Aqaba to our upscale luxury collection of hotels.”
fter signing an agreement with Jabal Omar Development Company, Dubai Holding unveiled plans to develop Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah Hotel in 2019, to be managed by Jumeirah Group. Featuring 1,033 guest rooms along with 93 villas and a variety of food and beverage offerings, meeting facilities, an executive lounge, gymnasium and over 90 retail units, the new resort will comprise four towers overlooking Masjid-al-Haram. Commenting on the upcoming launch, Edris Al Rafi, CEO, Dubai Holding, revealed, “[…] Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah Hotel will significantly boost its growth in the coming years. It will also mark the group’s first presence in Saudi Arabia in Mecca, one of the holiest sites in the world and the highest in real estate value.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Emirates Enhances Links to Russia Aiming to boost seat capacity to and from Russia, Emirates has unveiled plans to deploy an Airbus A380 aircraft for its two daily flights between Dubai International and Moscow Domodedovo Airport, effective from October 01.
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Etihad Expands Services to Cairo and Lagos
Qatar Airways Touched Down in Dublin
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A Lagos
atar Airways’ inaugural Doha – Dublin flight on July 06 marked the official launch of the itinerary and was celebrated with a press conference hosted by H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways at InterContinental Dublin. During the event, Al Baker confirmed the airline’s commitment to bringing more visitors to Dublin, as well as offering Irish travellers the opportunity to connect to more than 150 destinations through Hamad International Airport. The four times weekly schedule will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. He further expressed, “Dublin has long been on our list of destinations to add to our route map [...].”
Saint Petersburg
emonstrating the carrier’s commitment to the Russian market and further supporting tourism and trade links between the carrier’s network and Russia, the upgauge will see an increase of over 1,000 seats per week. Emirates has also made amends to its winter schedule to and from Saint Petersburg, adjusting flight times for more seamless connections to many of its destinations including the Maldives, Thailand and Sri Lanka with just a short stop in Dubai.
iming to cater to the growing demand for better connections between the UAE and Africa, Etihad Airways unveiled plans to add more flights from its Abu Dhabi hub to Egypt and Nigeria. On October 01, a fifth daily scheduled service will be introduced on the Cairo route, taking frequency to the Egyptian capital up from 28 to 35 flights a week while a new Saturday service to Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos will be launched on December 02, offering greater flexibility and convenience to local travellers. On the back of Nigeria's and Egypt’s resurging economies, the airline sees the frequency increases to both markets as timely to provide guests with greater choice.
29 JULY 2017
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Emirates Launched New Lounge at Boston Hub
Qatar Airways Introduces Kyiv Service
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iming to provide premium customers travelling through Boston with a seamless and enjoyable journey, Emirates has invested USD6.7 million to open a new lounge at Boston Logan International Airport, offering premium guests the opportunity to relax, unwind, catch up on work and enjoy award-winning service and cuisine. Following its soft opening in April, the lounge is now available to Emirates first class and business class customers as well as platinum and gold members of Skywards. Mohammed Mattar, divisional senior vice president, airport services, Emirates, revealed, “[...] Boston becomes our 41st dedicated lounge worldwide and we will continue to invest in upgrading this product to ensure our customers have an enjoyable journey from beginning to end.”
Kyiv
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ursuing its robust expansion in Eastern Europe, Qatar Airways is launching a new service to Kyiv from Hamad International Airport, commencing on August 28. The seven weekly schedules to the Ukrainian capital will be served with an Airbus A320 aircraft, boasting the next-generation, interactive onboard entertainment system, complemented with the carrier’s awardwinning service. The airline’s further growth will also see new services to Skopje and Prague this summer. Enthusing about the opportunity to uncover a new gateway to Eastern Europe, H.E. Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways Group, said, “Our new service to Kyiv is part of our expedited expansion plans, which aim at unlocking new destinations to enhance our passengers’ connectivity to our extensive global network.”
Emirates Lounge at Boston Logan International Airport
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Emirates and flydubai Sign Innovative Agreement
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iming to optimise their networks while also offering customers unmatched travel options, Emirates and flydubai have joined forces to create an innovative partnership that goes beyond a codeshare agreement. Both airlines will continue to be managed independently, but will leverage each other’s network to scale up and accelerate growth. Moreover, the two carriers will further align their systems and operations at Dubai International to ensure a seamless travel experience. Commenting on the agreement, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, The Emirates Group, highlighted, “[...] Both airlines have grown independently and successfully over the years, and this new partnership will unlock the immense value that the complementary models of both companies can bring to consumers, each airline, and to Dubai.”
Saudia Expands Summer Schedule
Air Arabia Maroc to Strengthen Marrakech Links
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s part of its expansion plans, Air Arabia Maroc has announced two new routes from Marrakech to Paris and Gatwick Airport, set to take off in October and November, respectively. The launch of twice-weekly service to London, along with three weekly schedules to the French capital follow the latest new link between Casablanca and Catania introduced by Air Arabia in the first quarter of this year. Hailed as Morocco’s new low-cost carrier with a base at Casablanca’s Mohamed V International Airport, the joint venture airline of Air Arabia Group aims to enhance business and leisure travel between Morocco and the European destinations.
Marrakech
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n the back of increased summer travel demand, Saudia Airlines has increased both frequency and capacity on some of its most popular leisure destinations across its network, effective until September 16. The airline boosted its service to Geneva from one to two flights daily, and added two extra services to its Manchester and Munich routes to provide daily services to both destinations. Moreover, the carrier increased its long-haul services to Los Angeles from three to five flights weekly. Saudia Airlines also unveiled plans for the upcoming launch of flights to Mauritius, a key holiday destination. Presently, the national airline boasts 129 jets, including the market's latest Boeing and Airbus wide-body aircraft, which will be deployed on the upgauged schedules.
29 JULY 2017
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INTERNATIONAL: ASIA PACIFIC
Jet Airways Upgrades Delhi – Singapore Service
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ith the deployment of its flagship Boeing 777, Jet Airways has introduced first class services on its daily flights between Delhi and Singapore, while also significantly boosting its cargo transport capacity. Enhancing passenger comfort, the largest aircraft in the carrier’s fleet now enables travellers to take advantage of eight first class suites, 30 lie-flat beds in premiere class and 308 ergonomically designed and spacious seats in economy class. Jayaraj Shanmugam, chief commercial officer, Jet Airways, said, “[…] Guests get to experience our exceptional, awardwinning product and our guest first service philosophy, helping to deliver unmatched service excellence in the skies.”
Jinping Visited HKIA
MEEF and FEF Fund Nine Projects
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uring a visit to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on July 01, Xi Jinping, president, China, learnt about the recent developments and projects at the hub, including its expansion into a three-runway system. Jack So Chak-kwong, chairman, Airport Authority Hong Kong, pinpointed how HKIA is leveraging its unique advantages, including a prime geographical location, an extensive aviation network and close relationship with mainland China, to develop Hong Kong into an international and regional aviation hub, contributing to the Belt and Road development strategy of the country. The session ended with Jinping assuring that the Chinese government will support the building of the runway in order to help Hong Kong consolidate its status as a global aviation hub and improve its overall competitiveness.
Fiji Airways Announced Flights to Adelaide
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s part of the conditions of the environmental permit for the expansion of Hong Kong International Airport into a three-runway system, more than HKD7 million (USD896,733) has been granted to Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund (MEEF) and Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF). The funding will finance nine projects over a 12-month period until June 30, 2018, with applicants including tertiary institutions, research groups, and associations from the fisheries industry. Through MEEF, HKD4.23 (USD541,944) has been awarded to five initiatives, and four projects received HKD2.93 million (USD375,394) from FEF. FEF supports programmes related to sustainable management and enhancement of fisheries resources, and other measures to benefit operations.
Singapore Airlines and Eurowings Team-Up
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n June 30, Fiji Airways launched the first direct flight between Nadi International Airport and Adelaide Airport, making it the third international airline to add services to South Australia’s cosmopolitan coastal capital within the last 12 months. Other international airlines that commenced direct flights to Adelaide include China Southern Airlines and Qatar Airways. The twice-weekly service will also provide a gateway to the US via Nadi International Airport, introducing another link to the US market. According to South Australian Tourism Commission, the US is South Australia’s second largest international market, with 51,000 American tourist arrivals in March.
Adelaide
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ingapore Airlines and Eurowings have signed a new codeshare agreement, enabling passengers travelling between Singapore and Europe to enjoy extra travelling options. Specifically, the partnership provides the customers of the Singapore carrier access to 15 routes operated by the Lufthansa subsidiary, from its hubs in Düsseldorf, Munich, Zurich and Manchester. “We are pleased to partner with Eurowings to offer additional connectivity between Singapore and Europe. It is in line with our commitment to expand our network reach and offer customers more options to meet their travel needs,” said Tan Kai Ping, senior vice president, Singapore Airlines.
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INTERNATIONAL: AFRICA Air Seychelles Adopted CUPPS
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n July 12, Seychelles Airlines introduced SITA’s state-of-the-art Common-Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) at Seychelles International Airport, providing greater flexibility for international airlines operating from the hub by allowing them to share common-use terminal equipment for check-in and boarding. Gilbert Faure, CEO, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, explained, “Introducing cutting-edge CUPPS infrastructure at Seychelles International Airport puts us on par with some of the most modern airports in the world. Having a standardised system for handling passengers will improve the airport experience for all international travellers, irrespective of the airline they are flying with, which is a fantastic achievement. We have developed a strong relationship with both Air Seychelles and SITA and are pleased to have worked together to install this new technology."
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IHG Expands African Footprint
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nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the doors of Holiday Inn Mutare in Zimbabwe, in response to rising business travel to the region. Owned by African Sun, the franchised property is the third addition to the hoteliers’ common portfolio. Featuring 96 rooms, an outdoor pool and a meeting space to accommodate 250 delegates, the address is located in the city’s centre, which is a hub for business activity related to forest, farming and mining industries. Commenting on the opening, Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said, “[…] We believe that [the new property] will further support business travel between the Middle East, and Africa.”
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Kenya Reveals First Five-Star Airport Hotel
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s part of the government’s tourism and hospitality transformation strategy, Uhuru Kenyatta, president, Kenya, officially inaugurated The Lazizi Premiere, the county’s first five-star airport hotel. Conveniently positioned inside Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the 144-key property seeks to tap into the increasing demand for rooms in Nairobi. Speaking at the launch, Kiran Patel, chairman, The Lazizi Premiere, commented that the opening of the property would tap into the 900,000 annual international arrivals and the conducive business environment in Kenya. Patel added, “Our intention is not only to contribute significantly to the country’s growth and Vision 2030 but also to create over 1,000 job opportunities in the hospitality industry, directly and indirectly.”
29 JULY 2017
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INTERNATIONAL: AMERICAS
Sandals to Introduce Honeymoon Bungalows
Marriott Grows its Convention Properties Collection
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Rosewood Launched Conversations Platform
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osewood Hotels & Resorts has unveiled Rosewood Conversations, an interactive digital platform which aims to inspire guests through unique perspectives on travel, art, fashion, cuisine, and culture. Offering a channel for readers to dive deeper into the topics, the online hub is updated weekly with articles to serve as an insider’s guide for each destination and a resource for every stage of the travel process. “Rosewood Conversations is an extension of our brand’s continued innovation within the digital space. Our goal is to create an online community for our affluential explorers to meaningfully engage in destination content that is constantly updated with fresh new perspectives on global travel trends,” revealed Thuy Tranthi Rieder, group vice president, sales and marketing, Rosewood Hotel Group.
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Sandals South Coast
andals Resorts has recently unveiled plans to open 12 new over the water bungalows at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica. Set to open in November, Over the Water Honeymoon Butler Bungalows will feature hardwood floors with glass panels to observe the underwater world, custom crafted king-sized beds and other in-room amenities including spa style bathrooms equipped with individual sinks, as well as a walk-in rain shower. Couples can enjoy a private patio with an extended sun deck, outdoor shower, loungers, and over-water hammocks. Furthermore, the property will offer 24-hour butler service to handle every detail of guests’ experience.
Ongoing Success for Hotels in Canada
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aving achieved success in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, Canada’s hotel industry expected to welcome a boost through 2018 according to a forecast report by STR and Tourism Economics. In Q1, a 5.5 percent year-on-year climb in revenue per available room was observed, driven by rising occupancy and average daily rate (ADR), both up 2.7 percent. Kobe Akuffo Owoo, research analyst, STR, said, “With events planned throughout the year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of confederation, Canada will receive another influx of visitors that will push growth further.” The 2018 outlook reveals that supply and demand are both expected to grow 1.4 percent, while ADR and RevPAR are each due to increase 3.1 percent.
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Florida
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arriott International’s Convention & Resort Network (CRN) has announced the growth of its portfolio to 100 propertied across the US, Mexico, Caribbean and Canada, offering event planners multiple options in highly sought-after meeting destinations. In conjunction with the expansion of the hotelier’s collection of global brands, the company has unveiled a new website to enhance the service for organisers, boasting tools such as preselected hotel search groupings, narrated site videos, and the MeetingsImagined platform. Mike Wainwright, vice president, sales, CRN, Marriott International, said, “This presence in new markets allows for CRN to dramatically expand on the ability to provide meeting facilities in the most desired destinations and continue to deliver unparalleled service and experience in bigger and better ways.”
Bisha Hotel Toronto to Debut in August
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oews Hotels and INK Entertainment have unveiled their latest collaboration, Bisha Hotel Toronto which is scheduled to open in August within Bisha Hotel & Residences. The 44-storey address features 82 luxury boutique hotel rooms and 14 suites, some of which have been designed by Lenny Kravitz, 355 residential condominiums, a state of the art fitness centre alongside meeting facilities and a rooftop restaurant with an infinity pool. Jacques Lapierre, general manager, Bisha Hotel Toronto, enthused, “Bisha is going to hit Toronto with a fresh experience for the welltravelled, culture-seeking guest. We will have a highly-curated team on hand delivering a premium and thoughtful level of service; and we will combine this with a wide array of impactful food and design [...].”
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RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: In your opinion, how important is the experience of an airport for someone who is visiting the country for the first time?
LORNE RILEY DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, DUBAI AIRPORTS
SERVING 83.6 MILLION TRAVELLERS IN 2016, CONNECTING THEM TO 240 DESTINATIONS ACROSS SIX CONTINENTS ON MORE THAN 100 AIRLINES, DUBAI INTERNATIONAL IS A DYNAMIC AND FAST-GROWING AIRPORT THAT TRULY INTERLINKS THE WORLD. LORNE RILEY, DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, DUBAI AIRPORTS, EXPLAINS HOW THE GATEWAY TO THE WORLD RETAINS ITS GLOBAL REPUTATION AND SHARES RECENT ADVANCEMENTS REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS AND PROJECTS. 16
LORNE RILEY: Dubai International is one of the busiest international hubs in the world where an average of seven million passengers travelling through every month on more than 100 airlines to 240 destinations around the world. For a significant number of those passengers, Dubai International is their only experience of Dubai as they spend a few hours here on transit. We believe that their experience of the hub has a major influence on their idea of what Dubai would be like and as such it is very important for us. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How was passenger traffic at Dubai International in 2016 and how does this compare to 2015? Could you share some of your latest statistics for the first quarter of this year (Q1)? LORNE RILEY: Dubai International retained its title as the world’s number one airport for international passengers after the hub’s annual traffic reached 83.6 million passengers in 2016, up 7.2 percent compared to 78,014,838 passengers in 2015. The hub is forecast to welcome 89 million passengers this year. Traffic at Dubai International climbed 7.4 percent during Q1 to 22,496,596 compared to 20,948,690 recorded during Q1 of 2016. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the airport’s latest advancements in regarding to existing services, infrastructure developments, programmes and awards? Are there any interesting projects that travellers can look forward to? LORNE RILEY: [...], Dubai International caters to the most diverse base of customers and we are always looking at ways to meet and exceed their expectations while also making their journey through the hub smoother and memorable. Our initiatives range from a steady expansion of our infrastructure to offering the widest and best range in dining, retail and relaxation. Concourse D which opened in February 2016 is capable to serve more than 60 airlines operating at Terminal 1, and is a great example of how we deliver capacity while enhancing custom-
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er experience across the airport. Concourse D was the final major piece of physical added at Dubai International. We are now working on a project called Dubai International Plus which seeks to enhance service while increasing capacity to 118 million passengers at the hub by 2018. We have a number of very exciting projects lined up as part of our preparations for the Expo 2020 Dubai exhibition, but it is too early to talk about the specifics. These projects are aimed at delivering world-class experience for the millions of passengers that pass through the airport, creating an expo experience inside the airport which will set the tone for visitors and entice passengers to return or stop over. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Do you work alongside strategic partners to provide requested services while also meeting passengers’ needs? LORNE RILEY: Just like any other airport, a major part of the customer experience at Dubai International from parking to check-in, security and immigration to shopping, and dining to relaxing is delivered by our stakeholders or partners with whom we work very closely to ensure the airport delivers a seamless, consistent experience. The strength of our longstanding relationship with authorities that manage security, immigration and customs, as well as with Dubai Duty Free and Dubai’s flagship carriers, Emirates and flydubai comes from the fact that we share a common goal to make Dubai the world’s largest and best hub for aviation, tourism and business.
Dubai International
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INTERNATIONAL: AMERICAS
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Delta on Track with Boston Expansion
Grand Canyon Helicopters Launched New Adventure
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iming to offer local and foreign visitors a day of adrenaline outside of Las Vegas, Grand Canyon Helicopters has recently partnered with Hualapai River Runners to offer a12hour excursion that includes limousine transportation, helicopter flights and white-water rafting. The tour begins at Grand Canyon Helicopters’ terminal from where guests will be flown to Hualapai Airport. There, Hualapai River Runners will take guests to the Hualapai Lodge, where they will board an eight-person motorised river raft, designed especially for navigating the Colorado River. The four-hour white water rafting portion will conclude at Grand Canyon West and includes a hike, a stop for lunch as well as a thrilling helicopter ride back.
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dding to its routes from Boston, Delta Air Lines has announced new nonstop services to Pittsburgh and New Orleans beginning October 01 and February 10, 2018, respectively. Improving connectivity for business travellers, the carrier will only offer the first class product on the twice-daily Boston Logan – Pittsburgh schedule, served by the carrier’s partner Endeavor Air. Meanwhile, the seasonal service to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is set to meet rising leisure demand and will be operated on Saturdays and Sundays until April 01, 2018. Joe Esposito, vice president, network planning, Americas, Delta Air Lines, said, “Boston continues to play a larger role in Delta’s overall network, and we will continue to invest in new service important to Bostonians.”
SkyTeam to Enhance Vancouver Hub
Record RPM for American Airlines
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n June, American Airlines achieved record revenue passenger miles (RPM) of 21 billion, a 0.8 percent increase over June 2016, while capacity reached 24.9 billion available seat miles, a rise of 1.1 percent. However, passenger load factor fell 0.2 percentage points to 84.7 percent. The carrier expects its second quarter (Q2) total revenue per available seat mile to grow approximately between five and six percent year-on-year. This figure is higher than what was initially forecast due to higher passenger yields, with particular strength in the domestic, Central American, South American and Caribbean regions. As a result, the airline predicts its Q2 pre-tax margin excluding special items to be around 13-14 percent.
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SkyTeam lounge at Beijing Capital International Airport
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kyTeam is taking airport experience to new heights with the opening of its new lounge at Vancouver International Airport later this year. The alliance’s first branded facility in North America will offer a luxurious environment for first class, business and elite plus customers flying on any of its nine member airlines currently serving the airport. Perry Cantarutti, CEO, SkyTeam, elaborated that the company continues to invest in technology so that it can capitalise on emerging customer trends, drive greater efficiencies and continue to deliver value for airlines and its passengers.
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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Las Vegas Presents New Offerings Las Vegas
Emirates Park Zoo Held Family Fun Day
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as Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the official destination marketing organisation of Las Vegas, has unveiled some of the region’s most exciting new openings, activities, events and shows. Offering the newest, most advanced production facility, Caesars Entertainment Corporation has recently launched Caesars Entertainment Studios, hailed as the first full-scale television, movie and e-sports production facility in the state. On July 25, Circus 1903 – The Golden Age of Circus debuted at Paris Theatre, featuring sensational puppetry and acrobatics. In addition, yoga lovers enjoyed pop-up hot yoga sessions at Neon Museum’s Boneyard on July 19. Lastly, Lip Smacking Foodie Tours has announced two gastronomic tours providing guests an opportunity to experience the best restaurants in the city.
Emirates Park Zoo and Resort
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mirates Park Zoo and Resort hosted the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s annual children’s event on July 16, focussing on wildlife awareness, education and entertainment. During the occasion, 30 registered families with children convened for a day of inspiring activities bringing the children closer to understanding the aspects of wildlife, such as zoo tours, story telling, interacting with animals, dancing to African tunes and other highlights. Waleed Sha’aban, manager, Emirates Park Zoo and Resort, commented, “[…] There is so much knowledge to gain when it comes to animals and the wildlife, that we design our experience by combining the best of entertainment, fun, leisure and education.”
Four Seasons Dubai to Host Football Stars
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our Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach has announced an exclusive summer Football Academy, which will be led by the sports icons Rio Ferdinand and Eiður Guðjohnsen on October 16 – 20 and October 23 – 27. Designed for aspiring young footballers, the programme will feature daily morning and afternoon coaching sessions covering all aspects of the game. Spectators will also be able to enjoy refreshments, along with other leisure activities and offerings available at the resort. Leonardo Baiocchi, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, said, “[…] We are very excited to give a group of children the experience of a lifetime at our beautiful resort – we hope they will leave with memories that last forever […].”
Saudi Arabia Supports Local Artisans
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n an effort to promote Saudi handicraft products on national and international levels, Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) announced plans to develop Saudi Handicraft Company (SHC). Through SAR220 million (USD58.66 million) of funding, the initiative falls under the first phase of the National Transformation Program 2020 as a step towards Vision 2030. Faisal Khamis, director, SHC, explained, “SCTH seeks through the company to regulate the handicrafts sector in order to counteract the indiscriminate marketing and to overcome the obstacles facing the industry. It will encourage the artisans to ensure their quality and expand investment in this area through the best use of the raw materials to reflect positively on the product quality, along with performance development of artisans.”
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Young patients at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City met Tom and Jerry thanks to Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
Take a Shot! Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues know what you have been up to. Mohammed Mehyar, concierge supervisor, InterContinental Jordan, earned the prestigious Clef D’Or award in recognition of his outstanding performance
Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels installed two murials of Emir Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani
The UAE Board on Books for Young People introduced Emirati children literature to new audiences at Hong Kong Book Fair 2017
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NEWS & EVENTS ACI Gives Airports In-depth Passengers’ Insights
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n a bid to assist airports in measuring service performance, Airports Council International (ACI) has launched the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Arrivals Survey, serving as a benchmark in promoting customer service excellence. The programme enables airports to evaluate the full picture needed to enhance services on all levels as it provides valuable insights on passengers experience related to disembarkation, immigration, baggage reclaim, and more. “The ASQ Arrivals Survey is for any airport […] that wishes to learn how to improve its passengers’ arrivals experience from the only source that really matters – the passengers themselves,” said Angela Gittens, director general, ACI World.
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EVENTS THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TOURISM AND BUSINESS Lucerne, Switzerland August 31 – September 01 The second edition of the event will see the presentation of research related to the tourism and hospitality sectors.
22ND UNWTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY Chengdu, China September 04 – 09 World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) annual meeting will bring together tourism officials and private sector leaders.
TCA Abu Dhabi Teamed Up with Salam Standard
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alam Standard collaborated with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) to offer a one-day workshop aiming to educate hotels, attractions and other key industry stakeholders about the potential of Halal travel. Held at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, the event was an opportunity for participants to learn about the needs and preferences of Muslim travellers from around the world. Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO, Salam Standard, highlighted, “Given the growth potential of the Muslim travel market, which generates USD139 billion in GDP and accounts for 4.5 million jobs worldwide each year, promoting Halal friendliness as a key selling point not only makes good business sense for individual tourism industry providers, but has a wider economic impact for destinations that buy-in to the concept.”
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OTDYKH LEISURE Moscow, Russia September 20 – 23 www.tourismexpo.ru The 23rd edition of the exhibition will be held alongside its events focussing on MICE, luxury as well as medical tourism, spa and health.
IFTM TOP RESA Paris, France September 26 – 29 www.iftm.fr More than 31,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the multi-target event with dedicated programmes for the leisure, business and MICE sectors.
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