9 SEPTEMBER 2017 ISSUE 409
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9 SEPTEMBER 2017 ISSUE 409
09 WATANIYA AIRWAYS INAUGURATED BAHRAIN ITINERARY
08 ACCOMMODATION
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUWAIT OPENS ITS DOORS
18 EMIRATES TO SPONSOR THE 2018 RYDER CUP
03 Destinations 06 Airports
16 Rendezvous
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
Emaar Reached Record Dubai Sales
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
Emaar Properties has reported a record 22 percent growth in Dubai property sales to AED10.81 billion (USD2.94 billion) in the first half of the year (H1).
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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
oreover, compared to the first six months of 2016, the developer also achieved a 15 percent surge in net profit to AED2.84 billion (USD 772 million), while revenue rose eight percent to AED7.87 billion (USD2.14 billion). Noting that the positive performance builds upon the organisation’s transformational change to strengthen project management and service excellence through digital technology, Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, added, “At every stage of development, we place emphasis on being more efficient and responsive to the aspirations of our customers, and to create long-term value for our stakeholders.”
Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, kuka@rmamedia.com
Hotels in Dubai Affected by Eid Al-Fitr
Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, david@simpson-media.com
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
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Dubai
as of 6.9.2017
In July, hoteliers in Dubai recorded negative year-on-year performance, including a 14.7 percent drop in RevPAR to AED309.76 (USD84.33), as revealed by STR.
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uring the month, occupancy fell 3.6 percent to 65.7 percent, while average daily rate declined 11.5 percent to AED471.25 (USD128.30) compared to July 2016. Despite a 1.8 percent increase in demand, the falling measures were exacerbated by a 5.6 percent jump in supply across the emirate. The downturn in performance was primarily attributed to the Ramadan calendar shift, with Eid AlFitr falling in June this year versus early July 2016.
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS DESTINATIONS
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Sharjah to Explore Fourth Industrial Revolution Taking place on September 19 — 20, the third edition of Sharjah Foreign Diverse Investment Forum will focus on the opportunities, benefits and challenges of the fourth industrial revolution and how it will affect business, government, and quality of life.
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he forum, organised by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Invest in Sharjah and CNBC Arabia, will cover a wide range of subjects including emerging technology breakthroughs in the fields of artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, the Internet of things, quantum computing, biotechnology and nanotechnology. Hailed as a pioneer in e-government and digital public services, the UAE is ranked 26th in the world for network readiness and has what is said to be the highest Internet penetration rate in the world.
Abu Dhabi Welcomes GCC Travellers in Style
Dubai Celebrates 97 Successful Events Bids
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bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, in collaboration with industry partners, has launched a 45-day promotional campaign Abu Dhabi Welcomes You! to assist GCC travellers at Al Ghuwaifat UAE – Saudi Arabia border. Capitalising on an unprecedented surge in arrivals from Saudi Arabia and neighbouring GCC countries during the summer and the Saudi National Day period, Abu Dhabi’s tourism stakeholders joined forces to create a pop-up border pavilion, featuring, among others, a travel information centre with opportunities for on-site hotel bookings, alongside a familyfriendly hospitality tent with entertainment activities for kids and daily live musical performances.
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
Dubai Business Events at IMEX Frankfurt
Al Ghuwaifat border crossing’s pop-up pavilion
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uring the first half of the year, Dubai Business Events secured 97 international events which are expected to welcome some 51,636 foreign delegates and generate an estimated AED375 million (USD102 million). The city’s official convention bureau confirmed that business events such as Baby Care Annual Incentive, World Conference on Desalination and Water Re-Use as well as Congress of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions will be hosted in the upcoming years. Steen Jakobsen, director, Dubai Business Events, said, “As we continue to work towards further strengthening Dubai’s reputation of being a premier host destination for business events, we have a steady pipeline of initiatives planned for the year ahead.”
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WEEKLY NEWS
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Dubai Aquarium Educates on Turtles As part of its ongoing commitment to raising awareness and supporting wildlife protection, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo has welcomed 10 sea turtles from Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project.
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ommenting on the initiative, Paul Hamilton, general manager, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, revealed, “We are truly invested in aiding the rehabilitation of the turtles, in order for them to be able to return to the wild, and humbled that Dubai Aquarium is playing a vital part in the final stages of their recovery and spreading the message of their conservation and protection.” The turtles will return to Jumeirah Al Naseem on October 01, before being released into the Arabian Gulf.
Sharjah Enjoys Rising Tourism Appeal
Preparations for Dubai Maritime Agenda Underway
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Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah
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iming to highlight the emirate’s leading role in the global maritime landscape while also focussing on the latest developments in technology and innovation, the second edition of Dubai Maritime Agenda will take place on October 10 in Dubai. Speaking ahead of the event, Amer Ali, executive director, Dubai Maritime City Authority, revealed, “The second edition is drawing international attention with its focus on various key issues such as the exploration of the future of the maritime sector, with a particular emphasis on advanced technology and emerging innovations such as 3D printing, automated ships and smart transformation, among others, to further develop a sustainable and integrated maritime sector at both the regional and international levels.”
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harjah’s tourism and hospitality sectors continue to thrive with growing revenue, which reached AED372 million (USD101.2 million) during the first half of this year, up 7.8 percent over the same period in 2016. Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority also reported an impressive 70 percent occupancy rate from January to June, with a total of 885,000 guests welcomed during the period, a 3.5 percent year-on-year climb. Among these, Saudi nationals topped the list of guests at many hotels, demonstrating the emirate’s increasing popularity among GCC travellers. This is attributed to the government’s efforts to position Sharjah as a prime regional family destination.
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS
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Makemytrip Goes Live with Travelport Indian online travel agency Makemytrip has signed an agreement with Travelport’s Indian distributor InterGlobe Technology Quotient, enabling the service provider to benefit from Travelport’s Travel Commerce Platform.
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he partnership allows the online agent and its brands to have real time access to the travel content of some 400 airlines, including low-cost carriers such as Indian IndiGo. Gordon Wilson, CEO, Travelport, commented, “The fact that MakeMyTrip has elected to work with us is a testament to our investment in leading edge search, shopping and booking technology alongside the significantly differentiated travel content now available on our platform for both the domestic and outbound Indian traveller.”
dnata Promotes Sustainable Future
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ontinuing its commitment towards a greener future, dnata has ramped up its recycling programme for its fleet of 12,000 units of Ground Service Equipment (GSE) at both of its Dubai hubs. Since the launch of the initiative earlier this year, over 80 units of GSE have been renewed at the company’s GSE maintenance base, reducing waste generated from GSE by 110 tonnes while passing all safety and quality checks. Commenting on the scheme’s positive outcomes, Gary Chapman, president, dnata, highlighted, “It has been rewarding to see the impact of this initiative, and it is the start of many initiatives dnata has in the pipeline to bring about a change in the way we use resources, in our effort to promote sustainability.”
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
Windstar Cruises Focusses on Agents
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indstar Cruises has highlighted its agentcentric initiative Star Promise, developed to provide unprecedented benefits and assistance to travel agent community. The main pillars of the programme aim at delivering extraordinary guest experience for travel agents’ clients, fresh sales tools and support to the partners, outstanding educational opportunities for long-standing and new agents, as well as excellent agent service every day. Steve Simao, vice president, sales, Windstar Cruises, noted, “We have worked hard to deliver on our promises in 2016 and I can confidently say we have delivered! Going forward we will continue to use our promises as a guiding principal and we will continue to seek out agent input.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS
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Dubai International Delivers More Entertainment Dubai International has partnered with regional content provider ICFLIX to enhance passenger experience with free movies and TV shows.
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hrough the collaboration, travellers are able to stream the latest cinematographic content free of charge on their own devices. Complementing multiple digital innovations recently launched at the hub, the latest addition is set to contribute in positioning the gateway as a destination in itself. “Dubai Airports is on a mission to engage more directly with our customers, and transform the airport experience for millions of travellers each month. We intend to lead the practical application of available digital tools to exceed customer expectations […],” said Eugene Barry, executive vice president, commercial and communications group, Dubai Airports.
Air New Zealand Explores the Role of Robots
Dubai Airports to Empower Emirati Women
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ir New Zealand has partnered with Commonwealth Bank for a five-day experiment exploring how customer experience at airports could be enhanced with robotics. The Australian bank’s social humanoid robot Chip CANdroid will interact with and assist the carrier’s customers at Sydney Airport while checking in and at the gate prior to boarding. Tiziana Bianco, general manager, innovation labs, Commonwealth Bank, explained, “Social robots can bring to life information that is not particularly engaging when delivered by a screen. People interact with them in a very social and sometimes emotional way, which means they can enhance experiences in ways that other technologies are unable to.”
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n the third Emirati Women’s Day, Dubai Airports announced plans to launch its Aspiring Women’s Programme, a nine-month initiative providing Emirati women with leadership coaching, workplace challenges, workshops, as well as support to build their network across the organisation and wider airport community. With the aviation sector predicted to support more than 750,000 jobs in Dubai by 2020 according to Oxford Economics, which corresponds to almost 30 percent of all projected employment in the emirate and over 35 percent of Dubai’s total GDP, Dubai Airports’ internship scheme focusses on the future generation, with the scheme currently dominated by female interns. The programme supports the UAE’s national agenda to become one of the world’s top 25 countries for gender equality.
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
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Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait Opens
Rendering of Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya
SET WITHIN THE TWO-TOWER BURJ ALSHAYA DEVELOPMENT IN KUWAIT CITY, FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUWAIT AT BURJ ALSHAYA HAS OPENED, WELCOMING GUESTS TO ITS 217 ROOMS AND 67 SUITES.
its Doors
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oasting 2,912m2 of events spaces, a two-storey spa hosting innovative treatments as well as a state-ofthe-art fitness centre and two swimming pools, the property boasts a 13m spiral staircase in the lobby, hailed as its signature feature. Appealing to guests and locals alike, the hotel offers four dining venues, including an Italian restaurant, an international eatery, a coffee bar, and poolside outlet, with a fifth Asian-inspired restaurant set to open in September.
Emaar’s Second Egyptian Hotel Project in Progress
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maar Hospitality Group is expanding its Address Hotels + Resorts brand with the upcoming Address Marassi Beach Resort, a 140-key property within Emaar Misr’s Marassi development in Egypt. With its idyllic waterfront location overlooking Sidi Abdel Rahman Bay, the resort is set to elevate Egyptian hospitality standards with the brand’s personal and engaging guest experience in premium lifestyle settings.
Olivier Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group, said, “Address Marassi Beach Resort is one of our prestigious international developments set along the Mediterranean coast and integrating the assorted lifestyle amenities of a central marina. The hotel is designed and developed to high standards of design and quality, and focusses on providing memorable holiday and leisure experiences for our guests.”
Emirates Palace Reported Surge in Occupancy
Emirates Palace
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mirates Palace reported an increase of 20 percent in its occupancy levels during the months of June and July. Noting that the success builds upon the high occupancy rates of summer 2016, Holger Schroth, general manager, Emirates Palace, explained, “Several aspects have helped us reach this peak, particularly our well-formed summer packages, the enforced sales activity
we had in the GCC region mainly in Saudi and Bahrain, as well as our kids’ programme.” Hailed as one of the hotel’s key summer events, Namaste Abu Dhabi, held in partnership with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority as part of Abu Dhabi Summer Season, attracted more than 1,300 guests to the property in August. Meanwhile, over 820 children participated in its Summer Kids’ Programme.
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Two Radisson Hotels
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arlson Rezidor Hotel Group has expanded its footprint in Saudi Arabia with two newly opened properties, in Buraidah and Jeddah. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Buraidah boasts 110 guestrooms and 12 villas convenient for families and business travellers alike. The property features expansive spa and fitness facilities, five meeting rooms and a variety of dining options. Meanwhile, The Radisson Blu Hotel, Jeddah Al Salam offers 142 rooms and suites, extensive meeting and event spaces, alongside bespoke recreational facilities. Mark Willis, area senior vice president, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, The Rezidor Hotel Group, commented, “We are honoured to continue building on our strong relationship with our owners and add a new dimension of worldclass hospitality to the Saudi Arabian travel and tourism industry.”
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
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Ethiopian Airlines Resumes Services to Bahrain
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n August 18, Bahrain Airport Company celebrated the recommencement of Ethiopian Airlines’ flights between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and Bahrain International Airport. The carrier now operates the route three times a week with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Commenting on the relaunch, Tewolde GebreMariam, group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines, revealed, “With the flourishing trade relations between Ethiopia and the Gulf countries, the availability of efficient air transport services will surely play a great role in ensuring easy movement of people and import and export items.” The new itinerary complements the airline’s network of Middle Eastern destinations, which includes 10 major cities across the region such as Dubai, Beirut, Jeddah, Muscat, and Kuwait.
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
Etihad Airways Strengthens Ties with Argentina
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tihad Airways and Argentinian flag carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas have announced a new codeshare partnership, providing travellers with convenient links and extra benefits. Under the agreement, customers of the Abu Dhabi-based carrier are able to enjoy convenient connections through Rome and Madrid to Buenos Aires and onward travel to nine other popular Argentinian destinations. In turn, Aerolíneas Argentinas’ passengers can access Etihad Airways’ network of over 100 destinations from its Abu Dhabi hub via the Italian and Spanish capitals. Mohammad Al Bulooki, executive vice president, commercial, Etihad Airways, said, “This codeshare demonstrates the importance of Argentina as a vital travel market for Etihad Airways in Latin America given the growing tourism, cultural and business opportunities that exist between the UAE and Argentina.”
Wataniya Airways Inaugurated Bahrain Itinerary
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n August 27, Wataniya Airways launched its daily service from Kuwait International Airport to Bahrain International Airport, making Bahrain the first GCC country to be served by the carrier. Ayman Zainal, chief commercial officer, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), said, “This inaugural flight is the beginning of what we hope will be a long and fruitful relationship between Wataniya Airways and BAC, which will, at the same time, enhance tourism and trade between our two countries.” The airline, which began its operations in July, currently serves Najaf, Baku, Tbilisi, and Sarajevo.
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INTERNATIONAL: AFRICA PwC Highlights Potential of Emerging African Markets
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RwandAir Grows Network from Benin
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wandAir has announced introduction of new regional schedules to West Africa from Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport, its recently added base. From September 30, the carrier’s network will expand with three weekly services to Conakry, Bamako and Dakar, complementing new itineraries to Libreville, Brazzaville and Abidjan launched from the Beninese hub earlier this month. Bringing the airline’s route map to 26 destinations, the additions follow the carrier’s successful entry to the European market with flights to London and Brussels, which have been in operation since May and July, respectively. “These latest additions are further proof of our commitment to improve connections on the African continent and the will to create new opportunities for economic exchange […],” said Chance Ndagano, acting CEO, RwandAir.
Cape Town Tourism’s Contract Extended
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iming to provide world-class tourism experiences, City of Cape Town has recently agreed to extend Cape Town Tourism’s service level agreement for another year. The expansion of the partnership, which has already led to extensive collaborative projects within the areas of responsible tourism, visitor safety and in counteracting seasonality, is expected to produce tangible benefits for the local tourism industry and the city alike. Patricia de Lille, executive mayor, City of Cape Town, explained, “Cape Town Tourism is doing vital work in growing and promoting an important industry […]. This agreement will assist us in building on the success of the past few years while the industry supports skills development for our residents and drives economic inclusion for all our communities.”
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Accra
Dakar
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s revealed in PwC’s Hotels Outlook: 2017-2021 report, the hospitality sector in Africa’s emerging markets is set to profit from foreign investment and an influx of international tourists. Due to their vast potential, emerging markets are considered to be fundamental to the expansion strategies of hotel developers, as they are expected to post faster growth in revenue than destinations in developed countries. Ghana was highlighted as having a resilient hotel sector, despite global economic challenges, such as the drop in oil prices. Accommodation options, especially in Accra, are forecast to grow in line with the rise in business travel. Meanwhile, the presence of international hotel brands in Ethiopia, including five under construction, indicates confidence in the country’s tourism growth.
ForwardKeys: Travel to Africa Displays Growth
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uilding upon the 14 percent growth in international flight arrivals to Africa in the first half of this year, ForwardKeys has revealed that international bookings for the period August – December are 16.8 percent ahead of where they were on July 31, 2016. Arrivals from Europe, which make up 46 percent of the market, climbed 13.2 percent, while traveller numbers from the Americas, the Middle East and Asia Pacific also rose, up 17.6 percent, 14 percent and 18.4 percent, respectively. Looking ahead, the continent’s top 10 airports are expected to see rises in capacity for the rest of the year, with international growth outpacing domestic. Lagos is the exception, with 16 percent less seats on domestic routes and nine percent less on international schedules forecasted.
New York City and Cape Town Strengthen Links
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iming to further boost tourism between the two destinations, NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organisation, and Cape Town Tourism have recently signed a city-tocity agreement. The cities will share best practices in tourism management in order to increase the number of visitors in the years ahead and collaborate on ways to boost travel between the hubs through offers and incentives delivered by third-party travel providers. Commenting on the agreement, Fred Dixon, president, NYC & Company, highlighted, “[...] New York City and Cape Town share a lot in common as capital cities of culture, cuisine and design, and we look forward to cultivating this productive tourism relationship in the year ahead.”
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
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Marriott and Alibaba Target Chinese Market
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arriott International and Alibaba Group have entered into a joint venture to capitalise on growing Chinese outbound tourism, which is estimated to soar to 700 million trips in the next five years. The partnership is expected to redefine the travel experience by creating seamless, insight-based travel services. Alibaba Group will serve as a digital retail gateway to some half a billion Chinese consumers across its platform, leveraging the hotelier’s global reach and portfolio of brands. Arne Sorenson, CEO, Marriott International, commented, “We have long admired Alibaba’s digital expertise and deep understanding of Chinese consumers’ needs and behaviours. […] With the growing number of Chinese consumers exploring new destinations, this venture will introduce our hotels worldwide to this new and growing travelling class.”
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
INTERNATIONAL: AMERICAS
Hyatt Centric to Arrive in Two Latin America Capitals
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yatt Hotels has announced a franchise agreement between its affiliate and Talbot Hotels, which will see the debut of Hyatt Centric brand in Peru’s Lima and Chile’s Santiago, with two properties set to open in January and February 2018, respectively. Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima will offer 254 guestrooms, taking advantage of the city’s upscale area boasting art galleries and high-end retail boutiques, as well as top-rated restaurants and bars for the guests to explore. Meanwhile, 166-key Hyatt Centric Las Condes Santiago promises an unbeatable location in the center of Las Condes, the metropolis’ financial district.
Alabama’s Home2 Suites by Hilton Ready for First Guests
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ome2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's All Suites portfolio, has announced opening of its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Decatur Ingalls Harbor in Northern Alabama. Owned and managed by PHD Hotels and designed for travellers wishing to maintain everyday routine while on the road, the 81-key property offers a selection of technology-focussed and eco-conscious amenities enabling guests to customise the accommodation. The pet-friendly premises feature inviting communal spaces, a combined laundry and fitness area, Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, along with outdoor saline pool and barbeque area. Andrew McGee, general manager, Home2 Suites by Hilton Decatur Ingalls Harbor, said, “Our hotel creates a unique, extended-stay experience that is perfect for travellers of all types […].”
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INTERNATIONAL: AMERICAS
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Denver International Airport
WestJet to Launch Denver – Calgary Route
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estJet announced that it will begin serving Denver International Airport daily from Calgary International Airport, from March 08, 2018. Canada ranks as Colorado's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly USD1.4 billion in exports in 2016, while Calgary ranks as Denver's third-largest market in Canada with nearly 150 people travelling between the two cities each day. Commenting on the occasion, Kim Day, CEO, Denver International Airport, highlighted, “[...] We are pleased the carrier has chosen Denver as its newest transborder destination. Not only are Denver and Calgary similar cities in terms of size and geography, but Denver International Airport and WestJet share similar values in terms of a strong commitment to customer service and a focus on innovation.”
SFIA Boosted Local Economy by USD8.4 billion
Successful July for United Airlines
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San Francisco International Airport
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an Francisco International Airport (SFIA) has released Economic Impact Report revealing the gateway’s significant contribution to local economies in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, including USD8.4 billion generated through its business activity. Furthermore, thanks to sustained passenger traffic growth for seven consecutive years, the hub also created over 42,800 jobs during the reviewed period, as well as contributed USD35.7 billion in local business sales with off-site business activities. Ivar Satero, director, SFIA, enthused, “We are proud to see SFIA’s economic contribution on the rise. New airlines and new destinations are good for travellers, but they also benefit local communities, providing more employment and business income.”
n July, United Airlines reported that its consolidated traffic rose 3.9 percent, while consolidated capacity grew 4.6 percent over the same month in 2016. However, consolidated load factor decreased 0.6 points year-on-year to 86.9 percent. Scott Kirby, president, United Airlines, said, “Running a great airline starts with taking off on time, and last month, we saw the bestever on-time departures for the month of July in our history, all while carrying more passengers than ever before. We saw improved metrics on almost every front, including the best July on-time delivery from our tech ops team in six years and a 12 percent improvement in our baggage performance.”
Delta Air Lines Strengthens Links with Lagos
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iming to offer customers a new way to reach Lagos, Delta Air Lines has recently unveiled plans to introduce a new service between Murtala Muhammed International Airport and New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, effective from March 24, 2018. Flights will operate three times weekly, complementing the existing four-times-weekly service from Atlanta. Commenting on the upcoming launch, Henry Kuykendall, vice president, New York, Delta Air Lines, stated, “[…] This new route to the African continent joins existing service from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Dakar and Accra, and follows new trans-Atlantic routes to Lisbon, Berlin and Glasgow that began this spring.”
9 SEPTEMBER 2017
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ibtm events Launched New American Identity
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btm events, part of Reed Exhibitions, is merging ibtm latin america and ibtm america into a unified brand, ibtm americas, which debuted in Mexico City on September 05 – 06, 2018. Keeping the wider ibtm portfolio unchanged following the merger, the new concept is set to capitalise on the growing success of the events in Latin America, while allowing for growth in the North American market, which is expected to grow the network of hosted buyers from the region by 800 percent. David Hidalgo, show director, ibtm Americas, commented, “Our customers mean everything to us […] and I firmly believe the changes we are making will ensure we are delivering the very best value and opportunities to them for the long term.”
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INTERNATIONAL: AMERICAS Carnival Cruise Line to Show More of Cuba
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ollowing strong response to Carnival Cruise Line’s first-ever cruises to Cuba this year, the operator has announced five extra voyages to the destination in 2018 with extended calls in Havana. The itineraries aboard Carnival Paradise include three five-day, one six-day and an eightday cruises to the destination’s key locations. Passengers are also able to select from some 20 different shore excursions showcasing Cuba’s landmarks, as well as enjoy the vessel’s array of amenities and entertainment options, including newly launched Cuban-themed programme. “Our cruises to Cuba have been very well received and we are delighted to provide our guests with additional opportunities to experience and explore this fascinating and sought-after destination,” said Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line.
United Prepared Expanded Winter Schedule
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nited Airlines has unveiled new nonstop services from six hubs, which will begin operating this winter through to spring 2018. As part of the planned network expansion, the carrier’s winter ski schedule provides sports enthusiasts with new opportunities to hit the slopes of the region’s renowned ski resorts, including three new destinations with added flights between Chicago and Reno, Chicago and Sun Valley in Idaho, as well as between San Francisco and Vail in Colorado. The founding member of Star Alliance together with United Express division operate some 4,500 daily flights to 338 airports across five continents. In 2016, the carriers collectively transported over 143 million travellers on around 1.6 million flights.
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INTERNATIONAL: ASIA PACIFIC New Merlin Attractions to Arrive In China
MBK Center Launched Bangkok Buddy
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erlin Entertainments has announced the upcoming opening of new attractions in China, namely The Shanghai Dungeon as well as the company’s latest family attraction concept Little BIG City in Beijing, slated to welcome visitors in 2018. Located at Mosaic Mall, The Shanghai Dungeon promises to take guests on the journey back in time and become immersed in the city’s history through a combination of authentic and atmospheric themed sets, live actors, witty scripts and cutting-edge technology. Meanwhile, Little BIG City will invite families to explore interactive handcrafted miniature location depicting the city’s landmarks, alongside some 6,500 miniature figures and special effects for enhanced experience of key historical moments that shaped the metropolis’ development.
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bercrombie & Kent has unveiled five new carefully-curated Marco Polo Journeys for 2018, covering the less-frequented corners of Nepal and Tibet, Mongolia, Vietnam, as well as offering new perspectives of Brazil at Rio de Janeiro’s infamous carnival or English gardens in the UK. Commenting on the fresh itineraries, Keith Baron, president, Abercrombie & Kent, revealed, “Abercrombie & Kent most dedicated travellers look to our Marco Polo Journeys for a deeper exploration of the world, sometimes forgoing creature comforts in pursuit of the road less taken. These adventures offer the privilege of new discoveries and in-depth insights coupled with just the right amount of time for relaxation.”
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iming to provide memorable customer experience for local and international shoppers in the Thai capital, MBK Center, has announced the launch of Bangkok Buddy, an engaging music and dance experience. The performance is choreographed by D-Maniac Megacrew, a Thai youth group whose love for hip hop brought them to the number five in 2016 World Hip Hop Dance Championship. Following a daily dance routine, the Bangkok Buddy team will walk around the mall to greet shoppers and tourists as well as offer to provide any shopping or travelling assistance visitor’s may need, to ensure their maximum shopping experience.
Tasmania’s Cruise Sector Flourished
Iconic Bangkok Temple to Show New Face
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ollowing three years of renovations, the world-renowned in Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, will officially reopen at the end of this year, unveiling its restored features to visitors. In celebration of the ambitious project’s completion, the 66.8m high majestic monument, decorated with seashells and pieces of glimmering Chinese porcelain, and its repaired surrounding compounds will be revealed during a 10-day ceremony commencing on December 27. Yuthasak Supasorn, governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand, emphasised, “This was the biggest repair and renovation work to take place on the temple in recent memory using the latest new restoration technology. The importance of this work, and that of Wat Arun to Thailand’s history, culture and tourism industry cannot be understated.”
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ccording to Tourism Tasmania’s annual cruise ship passenger survey, the island’s cruise sector thrived in the 2016-2017 season, with direct onshore expenditure estimated to have reached AUD25.14 million (USD19.81 million), up 45 percent year-on-year, well ahead of the national growth rate of 21 percent. During the period under review, 236,794 cruise ship visitors days were spent in the Australian state, while total of 95 port calls were made across the season, including 49 in Hobart, 17 in Burnie, 22 in Port Arthur, six in Wineglass Bay and one on Flinders Island. Meanwhile, around 50 percent of passengers surveyed at Port Arthur were on their first visit to the state and 84 percent spent additional nights in Australia before or after their cruise.
Tasmania
Abercrombie & Kent Reveal New Adventures
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Western Australia to Host BMX National Championships
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ourism Western Australia has secured the rights for the state to host the BMX National Championships in 2018 and 2021, building on the rising popularity of the sport and its potential to attract more visitors to the region. Named as an Olympic sport in 2008, BMX is considered one of the fastest growing sports in Australia with frequently organised races taking place across the region. Inviting riders of all levels to participate, the anticipated national tournaments are set to attract some 2,000 competitors and supporters for each occasion held over six days in March and April firstly at the Bunbury BMX Track in 2018, followed by Perth metropolitan area in 2021.
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INTERNATIONAL: ASIA PACIFIC
VR Brought Australian Destinations to Life
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ourism Australia has published an overview of its research into the potential of virtual reality (VR) for destination marketing, revealing the ability of emerging VR technologies to provide unprecedented ways for consumer to be immersed and engaged with countries. The study demonstrated that while consumers are most interested in experiencing VR content relating to nature and wildlife along with aquatic and coastal offerings, the tool can make travellers think about visiting places they otherwise would not have considered. Following the launch of 18 VR film sequences online, the tourism authority confirmed its success with nine percent increase of its web site visitation, as well as 64 percent rise in online engagement.
Beijing Hosted Australian Tourism Ministers’ Meeting
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s part of China-Australia Year of Tourism and seeking to tap into the potential of the Chinese market, Australian state and territory tourism ministers convened in Beijing for the biannual Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, held outside of Australia or New Zealand for the first time. More than 1.2 million Chinese travellers visited Australia in the 12 months to March, a number which is forecast to nearly double by 2020. These same tourists spent AUD9.7 billion (USD7.72 billion) during the period, almost a quarter of all visitor spending. Steven Ciobo, trade, tourism and investment minister, Australia, revealed that the 2016 air service agreement removed all capacity restrictions for both countries’ airlines, which has proven to be an enabler for travel.
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Q & A with
RENDEZVOUS
POPI TANTA GENERAL MANAGER, SALES AND MARKETING, LOUIS HOTELS
WHILE BEING A WELL-ESTABLISHED HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS AMONG EUROPEAN MARKETS, GREECE AND CYPRUS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY ATTRACTIVE TO MENA TRAVELLERS. POPI TANTA, GENERAL MANAGER, SALES AND MARKETING, LOUIS HOTELS, EXPLAINS THE COMPANY’S LATEST EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE DESTINATIONS IN THE MENA REGION.
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years for tourism in Greece and Cyprus. The percentage of our guests from the MENA region varies, depending on the hotel and the destination. Strong sellers are our five-star hotel in Limassol, The Royal Apollonia and Mykonos Theoxenia Boutique Hotel, a member of Design Hotels.
religious practices. At the same time, we won an award for our technology innovations, as we have launched the social media concierge service which provides 24-hour support through Facebook Messenger and we will continue to invest in technology and making the difference for our customers.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are MENA customers’ expectations when visiting your properties?
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are you doing to further entice visitors espcially from the MENA region?
POPI TANTA: People are travelling more than ever, crossing larger distances and expect more. The same goes for the MENA customers. The keywords are value for money and originality and the seasoned tourists are willing to go the extra mile to have an original experience, while keeping their high standards of luxury and relaxation. The majority of our visitors are showing an increased interest in alternative lifestyles, putting the emphasis on health, green vacations and relaxation. People wish to enjoy the relaxation offered by luxury destinations, but at the same time they are looking for new things to experience and enjoy, such as spa treatments, varied food and beverage choices or other holiday aspects, not available everywhere. Our visitors can be sure that Louis Hotels will always strive to offer a top, authentic experience with great local cuisine and atmosphere on all of its luxury hotels in Greece and Cyprus. Local goes global is a trend that has dominated the luxury travel industry and is especially valid for MENA travellers. Louis Hotels is including local cuisine, local events and local atmosphere to its destinations, respecting the visitors’ dietary requirements and
POPI TANTA: As part of our annual sales and marketing plan, sales calls and attendance to tourism exhibitions are regularly planned in the MENA area. Additionally, we make sure we regulary contact our MENA agents as well as clients, updating them on our developments. Online and offline advertising is also part of our marketing plan to attract the MENA visitors. Our group has been investing in the huge tourism potential of Cyprus and Greece, as during the previous summer we added impressive hotels in Protaras, the well-known St. Elias Resort, as well as The King Jason Protaras as well as Louis Infinity Blu, which is situated in the Pernera area. In addition, Louis Hotels manages the exclusive Amada Colossos Resort in Rhodes, which opened on July 01, featuring 16 restaurants and bars, luxury rooms and suites and a big water park. We remain focussed on ensuring a great experience for the thousands of visitors that are staying in our hotels every year. With 22, four- and five-star hotels on the islands of Cyprus, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Zakynthos and Corfu, the quality of our services is always improving, offering a great value for money experience for all of our visitors.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How was the first quarter of the year in terms of bookings, from MENA guests? POPI TANTA: This year has been very good in terms of bookings so far, and this summer is going to be at least as good as 2016, which was one of the top
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Mykonos Theoxenia Boutique Hotel
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HIA Unveils FC Bayern München Sponsorship
Four Seasons Marrakech Showcases Arabic Calligraphy
Daifallah
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our Seasons Resort Marrakech is hosting an exhibition of Moroccan painter Noureddine Daifallah’s works, inviting art lovers to discover another side of Moroccan creativity. Featuring numerous paintings inspired by Arabic calligraphy, in which writing merges with painting, the exhibition offers both local and international guests the opportunity to observe a fresh art interpretation differing from the aesthetics of paintings generally found. Since his first show, Daifallah’s work has been displayed in a range of exhibitions including Istanbul Biennale, Sharjah International Biennale, and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, among others.
From left, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, chief operating officer, HIA, Al Baker and Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
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amad International Airport (HIA) has announced the enhancement of its current sponsorship of German football club FC Bayern München as a platinum sponsor, asserting Qatar’s role as a global leader in sports. The club’s latest jersey featuring HIA-Qatar’s distinctive logo on the sleeve of the team’s iconic shirts was also revealed. H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways , revealed,“ […] The HIA-Qatar logo on the sleeve of every FC Bayern München jersey helps display the importance that we as a nation place on sports as a means of bringing people together. The HIA-Qatar enhancement of its sponsorship has also further aligned itself with our nation’s ambitious national vision.”
SCTH Steps up Saudisation
Saudi Arabia
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n an attempt to employ more Saudi citizens within the tourism and national heritage sectors, Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) had instructed the National Center for Tourism Human Resources Development to launch a control plan. Confirming SCTH’s commitment to Saudisation, the initiative began with the launch of a campaign through social media sites to inform owners and investors about human resources regulations. In line with this, SCTH has called on investors and owners of tourism businesses to rehabilitate and employ locals in leadership positions. While regulations stipulate for tourism providers to appoint Saudi directors, managers, and heads of departments, the time limit for compliance varies depending on the position and type of enterprise.
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Emirates to Sponsor The 2018 Ryder Cup Holland America Line Supports Golfer
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olland America Line sponsored golf professional player Landon Jackson at the Boeing Classic, a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions. The cruise line was also a sponsor of the event itself which took place on August 21 – 27 at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. Commenting ahead of the occasion, Orlando Ashford, president, Holland America Line, highlighted, “[...] Our mission every day is to fulfil the vacation dreams of our guests, and supporting Landon on his path to realising his dreams is gratifying, and we are eager to see the great things that Landon has waiting for him in his golfing future.”
Thomas Bjørn, captain, European Ryder Cup Team with Emirates' cabin crew
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mirates has become an official partner of The 2018 Ryder Cup as part of a four-year renewal of its existing European Tour agreement, which will now run until 2021. The 48th edition of tournament, scheduled to be held at Le Golf National in France in September 2018, will host 24 of the top golfers from Europe and the US. Tim Clark, president, Emirates, commented, “Golf is one of the world’s most popular sports and Emirates proudly links golfers and fans alike to top golfing events and destinations around the globe. [...] We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with the European Tour as well as engaging with millions of golf fans around the world.’’
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oeing has committed to donate USD1 million from Boeing Charitable Trust to assist with disaster relief across Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, through American Red Cross. Gail McGovern, CEO, American Red Cross, revealed, “The Red Cross is working around the clock in extremely challenging conditions in Texas to help people impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We could not do it without the generosity of our amazing donors like Boeing. With their support, the Red Cross can be there when disaster strikes to respond with shelter, food and the necessary supplies to ensure people are cared for, and to help during the recovery process.”
Another Milestone for Emirati Women
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Boeing Donated USD1 Million for Hurricane Relief
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ahar Rasti, Fatema Al Khaja and Mahra Al Shamsi have become the first three Emirati women to become captains of 24m vessels. Along with 10 other students, they received Certificate of Competency Master of Coastal Waters up to 24 Meters Vessels after six and a half months of extensive theoretical and practical training and coursework at the Maritime Training Centre, part of Abu Dhabi Ports. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports, stated, “That these young women have graduated through this intensive course sets an example for future generations and shines a light on the career opportunities available in the maritime industry.”
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PHOTO ALBUM
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Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, founding chairman, Al Habtoor Group, left, held talks with Dusans Horniak, ambassador to the UAE, Slovakia, right, at the Al Habtoor Group head office
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Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah held a closing ceremony for its summer programme 100 Hours of Giving
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The 2017 edition of Modhesh World concluded after 11 weeks at Dubai World Trade Centre
Qatar Airways's inaugural flight to Kyiv was welcomed with traditional ceremony at Boryspil International Airport
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NEWS & EVENTS
THE HOTEL SHOW DUBAI
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Dubai, UAE September 18 – 20 www.thehotelshow.com More than 50,000 hospitality professionals are expected to participate and find out about the latest products and trends shaping the industry.
Saudi National Museum to Deliver More on History
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he National Museum in Riyadh is gearing up to host eight historic exhibitions in November, focussed on Saudi antiquities. Complementing the First National Antiquities Forum organised by Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage on November 07 – 09 in the capital, the exhibitions will aim to highlight the Kingdom’s national heritage through multiple displays covering topics such as historical photography, regional pioneering archaeologists, antique books and kings, among others. The shows will also be accompanied by a photo gallery, displaying the renovation project of Al Hejaz railway station in Medina.
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EVENTS
Human Resources Forum Updated Dubai Hoteliers ubai College of Tourism has successfully concluded the 2nd DCT Human Resources (HR) Forum, which delivered industry updates and training to over 100 attending experts. Designed to provide hotel recruiters and trainers the opportunity to become familiar with the UAE’s labour laws and regulations, as well as to enhance related problem-solving abilities, the seminar covered topics such as Emiratisation and staff recruitment policies, among others. The participants also had a space to raise questions and discuss work-related challenges with the speakers from both government and private sector entities.
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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.
SEATRADE OFFSHORE MARINE & WORKBOATS MIDDLE EAST Abu Dhabi, UAE September 25 – 27 Widely recognised as the largest regional gathering of offshore marine and workboats companies, this year's event will once again play the pivotal role in serving these industry sectors.
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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