20 JUNE 2015
ISSUE 293
MURIYA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASES DHOFAR DAMAC PROPERTIES AWARDED MORE THAN AED2.8 BILLION (USD762 MILLION) IN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
08 QATAR AIRWAYS SERVES CYPRUS DAILY
15 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE
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TECHNOLOGY
03
ACCOMMODATION
09
AIR
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INTERNATIONAL
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RENDEZVOUS
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WHO’S MOVED
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TRAVEL TALK
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AGENT CORNER
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
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PHOTO ALBUM
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NEWS & EVENTS
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DAMAC: USD762 MILLION WORTH OF DEALS
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MARKET UPDATE TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
Emirates Celebrates USD913 Million Sukuk Listing H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, The Emirates Group, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai to celebrate the listing of a USD913 million Sukuk by Emirates.
ASSISTANT EDITOR Maria Kazeli SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian Inna Armeanu 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
Emirates celebrating listing of USD913 million
CONTRIBUTORS Ana Mladenovic Dominique Christou
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f ue o l val on a t o t The uk listed bai Suk daq Du .96 Nas USD34 hes reac billion?
WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
MENA EXCHANGE RATES As of
19/6/2015
Currencies shown in blue are fixed against the US Dollar
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COUNTRY
CURRENCY 1USD=
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
98.36
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.62
Iran (IRR)
Rial
29,125.74
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,191.99
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,509.56
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.64
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.82
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.92
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
T
he move follows the airline’s listing of a USD1 billion Sukuk on the exchange in March 2013 and, as Al Maktoum, noted, reinforces the company’s strategy to maintain a diverse portfolio of financing sources. “Nasdaq Dubai’s exceptional links to international and regional investors provide us with an effective platform to support our aircraft financing initiatives,” explained Al Maktoum. “This transaction set many new milestones, including being the first time that a Sukuk has been used to finance and prefund the acquisition of our [Airbus] A380 aircraft.”
GOPPAR Forecasts Favour Abu Dhabi
Drilling down to the all important gross operating profits per available room (GOPPAR), hotels throughout Europe and MENA will experience varying levels of profits through 2017, according to the latest quarterly forecast data released by e-forecasting and HotStats.
T
he predictions for Abu Dhabi indicate that the metric will plummet four percent this year but will surge 13.8 percent and 14.8 percent in 2016 and 2017, respectively. In addition, figures for Dubai are less optimistic, as this year GOPPAR will drop 8.3 percent and 6.2 percent in 2016, but will rise 9.1 percent in 2017.
Abu Dhabi
20 JUNE 2015
TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY NEWS Technology Influences the Meetings Industry
F
ollowing extensive research among the 355 members of the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), the entity released its Top 10 Meeting Tech Trends for this year, which have an impact on meeting planners and venue operators across the globe. Mark Cooper, CEO, IACC, commented, “Meeting planners are seeing their
role influenced more and more by technology, not just for the meeting itself, but in researching and booking venues, how planners interact onsite and how they communicate following the meeting. The balance between technology and inperson relationships is an interesting one, with a need to attain a balance of the two in order to plan and deliver successful meeting outcomes.”
Star Alliance Extends Distribution Channels
S
tar Alliance has widened its distribution channels for its fare products. Travel agents connected to the Sabre global distribution system can now book and automatically calculate the corresponding Round the World and Circle fares.
Horst Findeisen, vice president, commercial and business development, Star Alliance, said, “Leveraging technology to simplify and accelerate complex processes is a key benefit which an alliance can provide. In this case, we now enable even more travel agents in even more markets to quickly and easily respond to customer wishes for round the world travel, which often involves highly individualised and complicated routings.”
20 JUNE 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS
Norway Visa Application Centre Opens in Amman As part of the global contract between VFS Global and the government of Norway, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Amman, Jordan, inaugurated a new centre to extend visa service delivery in the capital.
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Sissel Breie (left) at the inauguration ceremony
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he Norway Visa Application Centre in Amman is the first ever in the city for the government of Norway. At the inauguration ceremony, H.E. Sissel Breie, ambassador to Jordan, Norway, said that the visa application centre will be the main channel in Jordan for submitting applications for visas to Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, as well as residence permits to Norway and Denmark for persons residing in Jordan and Iraq. “This is a major improvement in the processing of visas,� Breie added.
Developing Heritage Village in Fed City
H.
R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, president, Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA), recently approved the allocation of SAR5 million (USD1.3 million) to rehabilitate and develop the Heritage Village in the Fed city in Hail province. Fed historic city is on the threshold of a new phase through the establishment of a visitor centre and a museum, in addition to intensifying the excavation process in the site, as well as completion of a number of tourism services such as furnished apartments, desert resorts and festivals and events.
20 JUNE 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
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Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort
Positive GCC Arrivals to Morocco
M
orocco is attracting increasing numbers of visitors from the GCC, bringing the North African country closer to its aim to welcome 12.7 million tourists by 2018. According to Stephan Killinger, president, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, the fact that many families from the region prefer to visit an Arab country rather than a foreign destination, will go a long way in taking it close to its target. As Killinger noted, the Kingdom is benefitting from rising levels of foreign investments, bolstering the industry’s value and tourism-related expenditure. Although still relatively new to Morocco, the GCC is already surpassing other destinations in the number of annual visitors.
Dubai: Fourth Most Visited Global City
D
ubai has risen to the fourth position in the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index that ranked 132 of the world’s most popular locations. Having improved one place since the last report, the emirate is listed right behind London, Paris and Bangkok, with official figures released by the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing suggesting 13.2 million international overnight visitors in 2014. Dubai, which progressed from the eighth spot in 2012, is expected to welcome close to 14.3 million guests this year, a ratio of 5.7 international overnight visitors per city resident.
20 JUNE 2015
WEEKLY NEWS SCTA Attends Conference on the Effects of the Red Sea
Muriya Tourism Development Shines Light on Dhofar
Did
D
uring the recent FTI Destination Pro Conference at Salalah Rotana Resort, Muriya Tourism Development Company hosted over 400 German tour operators, travel agents and service providers, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism. Between September and May 2016, around 20,000 German tourists are expected to arrive to Salalah via four weekly charter flights. Ahmed Dabbous, CEO, Muriya Tourism Development Company, commented, “What started as a Muriya initiative in late 2013 of bringing one weekly charter flight from Germany to Salalah International Airport, has turned into a wider initiative serving the entire tourism sector in Dhofar.”
ow. . you kn
he ed t host e for d a nc Ah SCT Confere s and e h i t t 6 Red qui Anti e of the he tag nt Heri , held i Tabuk Sea sity of ? er Univ in 2013
S
audi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) participated in the 7th Conference on the effects of the Red Sea, which was held at Procida Island, Naples, Italy. The conference was attended by over 150 experts and researchers of archaeology from all over the world, during which over 70 working papers were presented, different themes discussed relating to maritime trade routes across the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf and their development role in the revival of international economy since the ancient times. SCTA participated in the conference with six working papers on the antiquities of the Red Sea and the Kingdom’s efforts, represented by SCTA, in archaeological research and discovery along the Red Sea.
Boeing: Improving Environmental Performance
B
oeing has released its 2015 Environment Report highlighting the company's increased use of renewable energy, testing of promising technologies and other progress toward improving the environmental performance of its products, services and operations. The report updates Boeing's major facilities' performance to the environmental targets of zero growth by 2017 in greenhouse gas emissions, water intake, hazardous waste generation and solid waste sent to landfills. It also shows how Boeing employees demonstrate their commitment through education, preservation and conservation activities in the communities where they live and work.
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20 JUNE 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Dubai to Welcome Two New Hilton Hotels Hilton Worldwide and wasl hospitality and leisure have announced agreements to open a further two midmarket hotels in Dubai, Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Mina and Hilton Garden Inn Bur Dubai, with both expected to open in early 2019.
H
ilton Garden Inn Bur Dubai, located in a prime area of Dubai Creek, will feature 292 rooms, two food and beverage outlets, a large multi-functional meeting room, 24hour business centre, a swimming pool and health club. Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Mina will be conveniently located near Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek and the emirate’s Port Rashid. The property will feature 206 guest rooms, a breakfast area, a bar and gathering zone, a gym and swimming pool.
Dubai
Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina
Rezidor to Add Hotel Apartments in Saudi Arabia
W
ith existing hotel apartments flying both the Park Inn by Radisson and Radisson Blu flags in Dubai, Manama, Jeddah and Duqm, The Rezidor Hotel Group plans to further expand its extended-stay brands’ presence in the region. As Ramsay Rankoussi, director of business development, Middle East and Africa, The Rezidor Hotel Group, revealed, the company expects future openings in Saudi Arabia mainly and in cities such as Dammam, Khobar and Riyadh. In addition, the hotelier is also reinforcing its serviced apartment offering in Dubai and Jeddah. “Over 50 percent of our future pipeline in the region has either a mixed-use component or is a standalone development catering for long-term stays,” added Rankoussi.
20 JUNE 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Jordan Updates Facilities
C
rowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa’s facilities recently went through major transformations to enhance the guests’ experience. The resort added four breakout rooms to its already impressive collection of outdoor and indoor venues. Additionally, the kitchen of the Lebanese restaurant, Burj Al Hamam has been expanded even further with an additional capacity of 50m2. The all-day dining Ambrosia Restaurant has witnessed an increase in its seating capacity of up to 100 extra seats, in order to accommodate the busy weekends and holidays. In terms of summer and leisure, a large part of the big pool at the resort is now heated, as well as the El Grito pool.
Second Cristal Hotel to Open in Erbil
Erbil
C
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onstruction has commenced for Cristal Grand Erbil Hotel, the second hotel to be operated by Cristal Group in the city, and its third in Iraq. The five-star flagship property will feature 160 rooms and suites when it opens in 2017, as well as several restaurants, gym, spa and business centre. Peter Blackburn, president, Cristal Group, said, “We now have all government approvals to proceed and a contractor has been appointed for this USD49 million project. There is a tremendous influx of interest in Erbil from the major international hotel groups, but we were among the first global names to launch in the city.”
20 JUNE 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
DAMAC: USD762 MILLION WORTH OF DEALS
DAMAC Maison Privé
Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat
DAMAC Properties awarded more than AED2.8 billion (USD762 million) in construction contracts in the first five months of the year.
Ascott to Manage Citadines Apart’hotel
C
apitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited has secured a contract to manage its first Citadines Apart’hotel in Oman, achieving its target of 40,000 apartment units globally ahead of its planned schedule of end the year. Residents of the upcoming Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat, can choose from a range of studios and one-bedroom apartments, fully equipped kitchens, living areas and separate workspaces. Guests can also enjoy an array of amenities such as a swimming pool, fully equipped gym, breakfast lounge, residents’ lounge and Internet corner to cater to their work and recreational needs.
P
rojects include three hotel apartment developments, namely DAMAC Maison Privé, NAIA Vantage and NAIA Celestia, along with a number of residential and lifestyle communities. As of March 31, DAMAC Properties has delivered almost 14,000 homes and has a development portfolio of over 37,000 units at various stages of progress and planning. Included are more than 10,000 hotel rooms and serviced hotel apartments under development, which will be managed by its hospitality arm, DAMAC Hotels & Resorts.
Sundus Begins Construction
S
undus Investments Projects has officially broken ground on the Sundus Rotana Hotel development. The four-star business hotel marks the first phase of the mega Sundus Airport Heights project and will open doors to the public in February 2017. The property will feature 215 rooms including suites, ballroom, six meeting rooms, executive lounge, boardroom, fully-equipped business centre, fitness centre, swimming pool and a variety of dining options. The second phase of the project will include the development of Sundus Arjaan by Rotana featuring 85 luxury hotel apartments, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The property will also host an all-day dining and lobby lounge café.
20 JUNE 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Gulf Air Consolidates Greece Presence Reaffirming its commitment to the Greek market, Gulf Air has inaugurated its new sales office in Athens.
kn u o y d i D
ow. .
e 0, th 195 d as a n i Back e star te muter m n airli scale co the oil g l n l i sma ce, ser v Gulf and i v e r h l t se iona s of field ome reg rs? e s om cust
L
ocated in a prime location in the capital city, easily accessible by car as well as public transport, the fully renovated outlet boasts dedicated departments and personnel to manage passengers’ ticketing and sales requirements and respond to any enquiries from Monday to Saturday. The Bahraini carrier operates four weekly flights between Bahrain and Greece.
Record Oman Air Operation for the Khafeef Season
O
man Air will offer more flights than ever between Muscat and Salalah during the country’s monsoon season, known as the Khareef. Between June and September, the national carrier will operate a record 284 return services from the capital to the Dhofar region, marking a 11 percent rise over 2014 and meaning that over 352,700 passengers will get the chance to witness the natural phenomenon. Describing Salalah as one of the most important destinations in the network, Abdulrahman Al-Busaidy, chief operating officer, Oman Air, said, “Each year has seen us operate more flights to the city and this season, we will not only utilise regional and narrow-body aircraft on the route, but also our award-winning Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft.”
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20 JUNE 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Oman Air Codeshares with Garuda Indonesia
Etihad to Operate Dreamliner to Zürich
Jakarta
O
man Air has entered into a codeshare agreement with Garuda Indonesia, offering greater choice and convenience for travellers using both airlines. The deal enables the Omani carrier’s customers to book flights operated by the Asian company between Jakarta and Bali, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. In turn, Garuda Indonesia’s passengers can take advantage of Oman Air’s services between Muscat and Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta or Salalah. As Abdulrahaman Al-Busaidy, chief operating officer, Oman Air, noted, since the launch of the airline’s operation from Muscat to Jakarta, demand has been strong on the route and the codeshare agreement will now enable passengers to travel further afield without booking with multiple carriers.
flydubai Expands in Saudi Arabia
E
tihad Airways is expanding its Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight network with the deployment of the aircraft on the Abu Dhabi – Zürich route. From July 6 onwards, the national airline will substitute the currently operated Airbus A330300 with the three-class Dreamliner, offering a total of 3,290 seats per week between the capitals. According to James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, Swiss travellers expressed strong interest for the carrier’s latest product. “This strategic decision to deploy the Dreamliner demonstrates our clear commitment to the Swiss market,” added Hogan.
20 JUNE 2015
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xpanding its services to Saudi Arabia, flydubai will operate direct flights to Gizan and Jouf as of July. Daily operations to Gizan will commence on July 10 and services to Jouf will follow on July 11 with four flights a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “We are honoured to have the opportunity to further expand our network in Saudi Arabia. We look forward to seeing our flights to these two major cities further strengthen the strong cultural and trade ties between our two nations.”
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Etihad Airways Enters Scotland
E
tihad Airways has launched a new daily service between Abu Dhabi and Edinburgh, the carrier’s first destination in Scotland. The inaugural flight took off on June 8 and was celebrated by staff from Scotland that are based in Abu Dhabi, alongside Mazen Mohammed Al Misery, Nedal Mahmmod Al Badan and Mohammed Noweed Arshad, bagpipers from the Abu Dhabi Police Band. The daily service will offer connections onward to vital destinations for the Scottish economy in the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Asia and Australia.
Wizz Air to Add to Dubai Routes
W
izz Air is to operate another route to and from Al Maktoum International at Dubai World
Central. Effective from December 19, the airline will offer two weekly services from its ClujNapoca base to Dubai, on Tuesdays and Saturdays complementing the carrier’s existing flights to the emirate from Budapest, Bucharest and Sofia. As Daniel de Carvalho, corporate communications, Wizz Air, revealed the decision to increase services to Dubai from Romania follows the encouraging results the company has enjoyed with its Bucharest – Dubai route.
Emirates to Further Serve Pakistan
E
mirates plans to launch services to Multan, Pakistan, beginning August 1, with four weekly flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Moreover, the airline will offer an extra five weekly flights to Karachi as of July 1, available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. “The additional services to Karachi and the introduction of Multan to our network will position Pakistan as Emirates’ fourth most highly served country worldwide with 80 return flights a week operating between Dubai and Pakistan,” said Ahmed Khoory, senior vice president, commercial operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, Emirates.
Edinburgh
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20 JUNE 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS Etihad Business Transformation Project Moves Ahead
Emirates Further Serving France
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E
tihad Airways has selected Ireland-based Accenture to support the implementation of its business transformation programme, to further improve productivity, efficiency and enable growth. In terms of the multimillion dollar agreement, the global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company will provide strategy and management consulting services for the airline. It will cover the areas of human resources, finance, and procurement and supply management, to streamline the carrier’s corporate processes and enable the development of best-in-class capabilities within those functions. As Robert Webb, chief information and technology officer, Etihad Airways, explained, to sustain the company’s current and future growth, operational and organisational efficiency are crucial.
mirates and SNCF, France’s national railway company, announced a new codeshare partnership which will allow Emirates passengers from around the world to travel to 19 new destinations in France. With just one ticket, travellers will be able to fly on Emirates and reach regions in France using highspeed trains that leave directly from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. “This codeshare agreement with SNCF opens up new possibilities for our passengers and complements our current services to Paris, Lyon and Nice. With TGV Air, travelling to the Far East from Bordeaux, or to Strasbourg from Dubai has never been easier,” commented Thierry Antinori, executive vice president, Emirates.
Paris
Qatar Airways Serves Cyprus Daily
Q
atar Airways has commenced a direct daily service from Larnaca International Airport to Doha’s Hamad International Airport, to help meet the demand of leisure and business travellers. Marimar Laveda, country manager, Iberian Peninsula, Greece and Cyprus, Qatar Airways, explained that the daily service will provide passengers with extra capacity and flexibility in their travel arrangements, and the opportunity to explore Far East, Africa, US, Australia and Middle East. All flights on the Doha – Larnaca routes will be operated with Airbus A320, featuring a two-class configuration, including up to 12 seats in business class and up to 132 seats in economy class.
20 JUNE 2015
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WEEKLY NEWS AIR Medina Joins Air Arabia Jordan’s Route Network
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ust weeks after commencing operations, Air Arabia Jordan has launched flights to its fifth city, offering twice weekly services from Amman to Medina, on Mondays and Thurs-
days. Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, said, “We are delighted by the progress achieved in a relatively short time. In the past month, we have fully established our operations and have grown to serve five destinations, including two in Saudi Arabia. With the first phase of our launch strategy now complete, our focus turns to expanding the Air Arabia Jordan network to serve more of the cities where our customers want us to fly.”
Etihad Airways and Tourism Malaysia to Boost Tourism
E
tihad Airways and Tourism Malaysia have signed a global partnership agreement to support inbound tourism to Malaysia by leveraging the airline’s global passenger network. Under the agreement, Etihad Airways and Tourism Malaysia will put into effect a range of joint marketing activities targeting Malaysia’s leading inbound visitor markets, namely the UK, US, Germany, France, Italy and the Middle East region. Etihad Airways’ marketing messages and Malaysia’s Years of Festivals campaign will be maximised throughout the partnership and the airline will also benefit from an enhanced presence on Tourism Malaysia’s traditional and digital platforms.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Emirates Serving Bali Daily
E
mirates has commenced a daily nonstop service to the island of Bali in Indonesia. Bali is Emirates’ 146th global destination, adding to the airline’s route network in the Far East region, which now spans 18 destinations in 11 countries. “Bali remains a leading tourist destination and a significantly important market for Emirates. There is high interest from across our network for flights to Bali, specifically in the leisure segment, and we are pleased to now be able to serve this demand and contribute to the island’s economic and tourism growth,” said Barry Brown, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, East, Emirates.
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Bali
20 JUNE 2015
INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY NEWS
Sun Siyam to Bring Largest Tourism Offering to Maldives
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un Siyam is to further expand its footprint in the Maldives with a 600-key resort, hailed as the largest tourism offering in the country. As Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, managing director, Sun Siyam, revealed, the project will offer 15 food and beverage outlets with a range of unique amenities, bringing the company’s portfolio on the island to four properties. According to Mohamed, the Maldives is on the verge of a massive repositioning that will enable the destination, that has long been a favourite among affluent European travellers, to attract a wider audience. Sun Siyam brands will also be expanding across Sri Lanka. In addition to the Sun Aqua Pasikudah, the company will be developing an overwater villa resort in Kalpitiya.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives
20 JUNE 2015
Portland Welcomes The Press Hotel
A
utograph Collection Hotels recently welcomed The Press Hotel in Portland, Maine, the first lifestyle boutique hotel in the city, giving the coastal culinary destination its newest restaurant, UNION. The hotel aims to capture the essence of Portland by inviting guests to get the insider experience through the Maine artisans, craftsmen and local culinary talent featured throughout the 110-room property. Among the hotel’s rooms is a penthouse suite with exclusive rooftop access and 360-degree views of the city. Four private function rooms are available for groups and special events, in addition to the UNION restaurant and The Inkwell lobby bar.
The Press Hotel, Portland
Marriott Lifestyle Brand Debuts in Chicago
A
C Hotel Chicago Downtown has welcomed its first guests in the heart of the city’s thriving River North neighbourhood, marking the lifestyle brand’s entry into Illinois. Dedicated to millennial and business travellers, AC Hotels by Marriott edits away what is unnecessary and embodies an elegant yet unpretentious style. Owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, the eight-storey AC Hotel Chicago Downtown offers an innovative food and beverage programme, a library work area and 280m2 of meeting space. The property marks the brand’s fourth project in North America and is expected to be followed by some 50 hotels in the coming years in the US and Latin America.
AC Hotel Chicago Downtown
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RENDEZVOUS TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How has the hotel performed in the past few months and what are your expectations for the year? ATIEH HAMARNEH: Since opening its doors in December 2014, The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana has established itself as a first-class, luxurious hotel offering superior accommodation to travellers and tourists at a vibrant spot in the heart of the Jordanian capital. Featuring 391 serviced hotel apartments at a premium location in the Kingdom, the modern-built hotel continues to attract long-term travellers, families and tourists, retaining an exceptional average occupancy of 60 percent. The hotel’s main dining outlet, Café Italia, continues to push the envelope of fine dining in the capital, quickly becoming a sought-out spot for a sensational gastronomic experience in a stylish setting. This year will see the hotel operate within its full capacity, offering the state-of-the-art Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, two rooftop swimming pools and three fully-equipped conference rooms, in addition to two unique food and beverage outlets; Café Margaux, a stylish restaurant presenting a fresh take on delectable French classics, in addition to the coveted Café Italia. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Which are the main challenges Jordan is facing at this point with regards to its tourism industry and how do you think those can be reversed in order to benefit the country? ATIEH HAMARNEH: The most crucial challenge facing the tourism sector in Jordan, in my opinion, is the political upheaval occurring in neighbouring countries, which may have deterred tourists around the world from visiting the region. However, Jordan continues to boast a safe and secure standing in the region, offering an unparalleled tourism experience steeped in rich cultural, religious and archaeological heritage. Many natural wonders make the Kingdom an attractive destination for visitors looking to embark on a multi-faceted experience, starting with the internationally renowned Golden Triangle of Jordan which features the marvelous desert plateau of Wadi Rum, the rose-red city of Petra and the vivacious beaches of Aqaba. Realising the importance of tourism as a key driver for the Jordanian econo-
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Q & A with
Atieh Hamarneh
CLUSTER GENERAL MANAGER, AMMAN ROTANA AND THE BOULEVARD ARJAAN BY ROTANA
entertainment district awaits them just outside the hotel’s doors. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Did recent developments in neighbouring countries affect your business planning and promotional activities at the hotel? ATIEH HAMARNEH: Despite the political tumult and instability in the region, Jordan continues to be a safe haven attracting tourists from the region and different parts of the world. The country’s tourism sector is further enhanced by an unparalleled plethora of tourism sites, rooted in culture, religion and history. The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana’s location with The Boulevard, a mixed-use complex featuring a host of indoor and outdoor restaurants, cafés, lounges, and health and entertainment clubs, in addition to high-end shopping outlets, makes it the ideal location for domestic and international travellers looking to live, work and play in one central spot. Situated in close proximity to the capital’s major landmarks and attractions, the hotel ensures its guests experience a full-rounded and memorable stay in the country. [...] TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Which are the latest trends in Jordan’s hotel sector that define hoteliers’ approach?
WITH THE JORDANIAN HOSPITALITY SCENE WITNESSING SEVERAL DEVELOPING TRENDS, ATIEH HAMARNEH, CLUSTER GENERAL MANAGER, AMMAN ROTANA AND THE BOULEVARD ARJAAN BY ROTANA, SPEAKS ABOUT ROTANA’S PROMISING DEBUT INTO THE KINGDOM. my, Jordan Tourism Board has launched several vital initiatives to revive and improve the sector in the country, both on the domestic and international tourism levels. […] The government has also taken steps to make travelling to Jordan more convenient. TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How would you describe the hotel’s clientele? ATIEH HAMARNEH: […] Located in the
heart of Abdali, current and future home to global multinational companies, and surrounded by retail and entertainment outlets, The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana caters to both domestic and international business and leisure guests in the city. Leisure guests make up to 60 percent of our occupancy, while 40 percent of our guests are business travellers. Domestic tourists can also find an extraordinary home in The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, where a vibrant shopping and
ATIEH HAMARNEH: The Jordanian hospitality scene has recently been witnessing several developing trends, starting with the advent of a variety of world-class hotel groups to the Kingdom. In addition to welcoming The Boulevard Arjaan, Rotana’s first property in Jordan, the Kingdom is expecting the arrival of several properties from globally renowned names in the industry, including the second Rotana property in the Kingdom, Rotana Amman. These hotels are bringing to life new product offerings that meet the diverse needs of all types of travellers, including the top-tier serviced and furnished hotel apartments The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, which are one of the firsts of their kind in the Kingdom. Additionally, Jordan’s hospitality sector is destined to grow with the introduction of a multitude of new hotel room keys to accommodate the influx of tourists into the country by several mega projects in Amman, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. These include Abdali, home of The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, Saraya Aqaba and Marsa Zayed. […] 20 JUNE 2015
WHO’S MOVED
BERNARD MERCIER
HISHAM ALAAEDIN
Bernard Mercier has been named general manager at Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay, Cairo. A veteran of the Kempinski brand, Mercier joins the luxury hotel with a wealth of experience. His most recent post was general manager at Grand Hotel Djibloho Kempinski in Equatorial Guinea. Mercier started with InterContinental Hotels Group and his long career spans five continents. Over the years, he has managed properties in Hong Kong, Manila, Bora Bora, Cancun, Sanya and SĂŁo Paulo for companies such as Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide and Tivoli Hotels & Resorts. Earlier roles with Kempinski include cluster general manager at Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi and general manager of Kempinski Hotel Sanya Haitang Bay.
Hisham Alaaedin has taken over as training manager at InterContinental Hotel Cairo Semiramis. Alaaedin has a strong background in the retail and customer service sectors having held various training and development roles over the past nine years. Having served a number of establishments, he was paramount in employee and service performance programmes. In addition, Alaaedin successfully ran training initiatives across Egypt, Levant and the Gulf region where he was involved in training needs analysis and management.
Alaaedin has a strong background in training
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GABRIELE FEROLA
Gabriele Ferola has been appointed executive assistant manager at Oryx Rotana, Doha. Ferola, who holds a degree in physical education, has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He joined Oryx Rotana as director of sales during the preopening phase in 2010. In recognition of his hard work and dedication, he was later promoted to cluster director of sales, handling the sales activities of both Oryx Rotana and Sedra Residences.
Ferola was part of the pre-opening team
NOLIE OMAR
Nolie Omar is now the new general manager at Zaya Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi. Omar started her career in Kuala Lumpur over 20 years ago. She then worked at Parrot Cay Hotels & COMO Shambhala Retreats, before moving to Bhutan and then continuing in Bali. Her career path took her back to Parrot Cay Hotels & COMO Shambhala Retreats and Uma Paro by COMO, Bhutan before joining Maalifushi by COMO in the Maldives as hotel manager. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for crafting memorable island guest experiences, Omar brings a wealth of expertise to the UAE capital.
Omar started her career in Kuala Lumpur
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TRAVEL TALK
We place high importance [...] on training and honing our associates
SAMIR ARORA General manager, Ramada Downtown Dubai
“I would like to commend the team for continuously striving to provide excellent service to every guest. We place high importance, not just on top-quality accommodation and facilities, but also on training and honing our associates to be cordial and professional. In addition, I would like express our gratitude to our guests, for their positive feedback [on TripAdvisor], and [the Certificate of Excellence] will further motivate us to step up our service and offerings.”
Our spirit of adventure plays a big part in our success
BOUTROS BOUTROS Divisional senior vice president, corporate communications, marketing and brand, Emirates
This […] award signifies all the hard work, effort and dedication
FAHED ABUSHAAR General manager, Sheraton Kuwait, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kuwait City
“We are proud to hold our title as Kuwait’s Leading Hotel for the fifth consecutive year at the 22nd World Travel Awards. This prestigious award signifies all the hard work, effort, and dedication of the entire hotel family. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each member of our hotel family for their outstanding […]. I am confident that Sheraton Kuwait, a Luxury Collection Hotel will maintain its highest standards of excellence in service and hospitality, preserving its spot as the leading hotel and as a pioneer in the industry.”
“When we ask ourselves, ‘why we travel’, we do not have to look very far for the answers. The close to 500 submissions for Be There by our talented staff speaks to our shared love for travel. Our people and our spirit of adventure play a big part in our success as an airline. [...] I am proud of our colleagues who have been chosen to represent Emirates as Be There ambassadors. We hope the stories of their individual journeys will inspire even more people to see more of the world through travel.”
Millennium Corniche Hotel Abu Dhabi has been constantly striving for perfection
JAMES WILSON General manager, Millennium Corniche Hotel, Abu Dhabi
“Over the past years, Millennium Corniche Hotel Abu Dhabi has been constantly striving for perfection, brand enhancement and quality assurance. The attention to detail plays a major role in our continued success. […] We are deeply privileged to receive [TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame Certificate] as a result of feedback from our valued guests. […] This certificate is like a roadmap in our journey towards quality and excellence and we will use it as a practical tool for areas of improvement.”
TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel
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AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight NAME:
B. A. Rahim
POSITION:
Group director and CEO
COMPANY:
Akquasun Holidays India
LOCATION:
India
WEBSITE:
www.akquasungroup.com
Vietnam
Discovery Travel to Expand in Southeast Asia
Who are you? I am the group director and CEO of one of the largest groups of destination management companies under the Akquasun Group that has its corporate head office based in Mumbai, India. Akquasun Group owns and operates 16 offices in different countries. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? Connecting people and networking. Where would you like to travel for your next holiday? A yacht holiday in the Maldives [is my goal]. Why should people come to you for travel advice? We are 100 percent business-to-business module operators and our clients come to us due to our transparency, service and flexibility at all our destinations. 20 JUNE 2015
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s part of its concerted efforts to drive tourism from the UAE to less-travelled destinations and vice versa, Discovery Travel, part of the USD4.5 billion global business conglomerate RP Group, is planning to launch representative offices in Southeast Asia. Exclusive group tours to Vietnam and the Philippines are increasingly popular among Emiratis, as Ramesh Patnaik, general manager, Discovery Travel, explained. “We are seeing a shift in the travel preferences of our GCC customers since 2011. Earlier, they were keener on commercial destinations such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. However, in 2012, more than 75,000 people from the GCC countries visited the Philippines and that number grew to 80,000 the following year, starting a trend that is showing no signs of reversing.”
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TRAVEL CHANNELS
Al Maktoum Visits Women’s Museum H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai, recently visited the Women’s Museum located in old Gold Souq in Deira, Dubai.
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he Women’s Museum in Dubai is the region’s first specialised museum dedicated to the women of the UAE; their lives and the historical and social contexts prior to the oil age. Al Maktoum toured Mahbat Al Khair Dubai, an exhibition that showcases historic collections and telling the story of Dubai’s development from the times of the late Sheikh Rashid. Al Maktoum commended the sincere efforts of Rafia Ghubash, founder, Women’s Museum, in the revival and renewal of national heritage and its preservation.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Expedia: UAE Travellers Are Tech-addicted
Abu Dhabi Airports Awards Strong Performers
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bu Dhabi Airports has launched its annual Star of the Year programme, which recognises individuals whose performance exceeded the overall target of Abu Dhabi International Airport during 2014. The company recently held a recognition ceremony to present the winners with their certificates. Awardees included those from partners working at the airport such as operating airlines and Etihad Airways, customs and airport police as well as Abu Dhabi Airports’ subsidiaries such as facilities management, duty free, airport traffic and internal departments. The programme also recognised individuals who interacted directly or indirectly with passengers and contributed positively and exceptionally in the overall performance of Abu Dhabi Airports in 2014.
Hawthorn Suites Donates to DCSN
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xpedia released results of a survey examining the mobile-device behaviours and habits of global and domestic UAE travellers. The study revealed that in the UAE, 99 percent of employed adults own and use at least one mobile device, 86 percent consider it critical to their daily lives, and nearly a third of the respondents keep a power cord on them at all times. “Results from the UAE were particularly interesting. We found that residents are using their mobile devices throughout the travel process – for booking and while taking trips – above the global average in most categories,” commented Eman Barhoumeh, director of e-commerce, Expedia.
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Members of DCSN accept the donation
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n line with its ongoing partnership with Dubai Centre for Special Needs (DCSN), Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham presented a ‘special box’ of monetary contribution collected from the hotel management and the guests. Received by Maya Choueri, public relations manager, DCSN, the donation aims to assist the rehabilitation and development of the children supported by the organisation. On top of collection box, Hawthorn Suites has been encouraging its guests to participate in the campaign through voluntary contribution. In addition, Hawthorn Suites and DCSN discussed future plans to reinforce their cooperation, including sponsorships during special events, and providing prize vouchers for families, and outstanding teachers and therapists of DCSN.
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NEWS & EVENTS ATM 2016 is Poised to Succeed
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his year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) saw over 26,000 visitors, 15 percent more than in 2014. Among 412 exhibitors were 113 firsttimers, and in total there were over 2,800 exhibiting companies representing 86 countries, and 64 national pavilions. Nadege Noblet-Segers, exhibition manager, ATM, enthused, “20 percent of exhibitors are already contracted for 2016, a great achievement given that this is the first time that contracting has ever taken place at the event.”
EVENTS INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART Bangalore, India July 10 – 12 www.iitmindia.com One of the country’s premier travel and tourism exhibitions established in 1998, this year launches in Bangalore with upcoming showings in Chennai, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkata.
Promoting China’s Tourism Industry
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ntering its 12th year, the Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) will be held from June 26 – 28, featuring 330 international exhibitors. Through BITE, tourism stakeholders and interested trade buyers will have a platform for networking and collaboration. In addition, countries such as Thailand, Turkey, Greece, Japan, US, Korea, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Cambodia will showcase their tourism resources through on-stage destination presentation sessions.
IBTM CHINA Beijing, China August 05 – 06 www.cibtm.com A place for the meetings, events and incentives industry decision-makers to meet for global business adventures.
ICOMEX Mexico City, Mexico August 25 – 26 www.icomex-mexico.com Part of ibtm events, the show focusses on incentives, congresses and conventions in Latin America.
MICE ASIA PACIFIC EXHIBITION Singapore, Singapore September 10 – 11 www.miceasiaexhibition.com Over two days, the event aims to connect Asia’s leading meetings, conference, exhibition and events organisers to meet and network with Asia Pacific’s leading venues.
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