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JANUARY 2018
Update SINGAPORE
Analysis SOUTH AFRICA
Blending modernity and nature
A nation that has it all
Awareness MOROCCO Adopting impactful initiatives
ISSUE 314
Exclusive INTERVIEW Founder, Mantis Collection, Adrian Gardiner
EVERLASTING COMMITMENT Intensely focused and determined, Kuwait's stakeholders unite to develop an industry that holds infinite potential
CONTENTS > YOUR GUIDE 04
NEWS & CALENDAR
08
INTERVIEW
WELCOME TO A BRAND-NEW YEAR! he holiday season has come to a close, but fear not! We here at TTG
12
MENA have a lot in store for our
DESTINATION KUWAIT
readers in 2018, so buckle up and prepare to embark on yet another exhilarating
16
journey!
UPDATE SINGAPORE
In our first issue of this year, our team is traversing sublime destinations, unearthing
18
the latest travel industry projects, and
AWARENESS MOROCCO
weaving through cascades of game-changing trends. Flip through enthralling pages of news on
20
ANALYSIS SOUTH AFRICA
blossoming Kuwait, exotic Morocco, vivacious Singapore, vibrant South Africa, and, my personal favourite this month, a stirring
22
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
interview with the Mantis Collection brand – a company with a heartening ethos. And as we begin this promising journey,
23
SOCIAL HUB
A LETTER FROM...
we would like to remind our readers that no matter what the challenges and obstacles ahead, it is never too late to make a fresh start and venture into something unexplored!
Aleksandra Wood
Media reporter
Wishing you a prosperous and harmonious year!
REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES
WYNDHAM GRAND MANAMA OPENS Bahrain has officially welcomed
Group, Ignace Bauwens said: “This
Wyndham Grand Manama, which
one-of-a-kind location in Manama
spans 19-storeys of Bahrain Bay’s
is undoubtedly the perfect spot
45-floor United Tower.
to introduce our iconic brand to
The new property houses 263 guest rooms and suites, an adult
Bahrain.” Meanwhile, general manager,
Marking a first for the Kingdom
Eager to spread its hospitality magic around the
outdoor infinity pool, a family pool
Wyndham Grand Manama, Klaus
of Saudi Arabia, Nobu Hotel
world, Nobu Hotels will be launching another four
with a playing area for kids (open-
Elftmann declared: “Set in this
Riyadh will be opening its doors
hotels this year. These include: Nobu Hotel Mar-
ing early this year), health clubs
incredibly innovative new develop-
for business in Q2 of 2018.
bella in March 2018, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, Nobu
for men and women, and the Six
ment, with easy access to Bahrain’s
Senses Spa (launching in mid-2018).
World Trade Center, its Financial
its guests an urban retreat in the
year 2020, Nobu Hotels aims to have 15 operating
Adding to this, Wyndham Grand
Harbour, as well as the Avenue’s
centre of the lively capital city.
hotels spanning the globe.
The upscale property will offer
Hotel Chicago and Nobu Hotel Barcelona. By the
Manama boasts 1,840m of state-
shopping mall, Wyndham Grand
Standing 23 floors high, the
of-the-art meeting space and a
Manama is set to be the perfect
glass panelled hotel will be home
CEO, Nobu Hotels, Trevor Horwell said: “Our
rooftop ballroom on the 45th floor.
destination to welcome business
to 134 beautifully appointed
brand is already well-established and it’s an ex-
and leisure guests visiting this
rooms and suites, all of which
citing time for Nobu Hotels. With five new hotel
thriving city.”
will reflect Nobu’s Japanese
openings in 2018, we are continuing our solid
heritage.
worldwide growth.”
2
Regional vice president – Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotel
January 2018
ttgmena.com
Enthusing on the company’s busy year ahead,
3
NEWS
Exhibition
PARK INN BY RADISSON EXPANSION
Calendar
Expedia Affiliate
travel sellers booking EAN’s rates
Network (EAN) and
and availabilities will only need to
Amadeus have formed
input the booking details once. The
a new strategic alliance,
information will go straight to the
which will grant global
accounting department and the
JANUARY 22-24 Hotels & Resorts Middle East, Dubai www.hotelsandresorts.iqpc.ae
travel sellers more options
invoice will be issued directly to the
and more rewards.
customer, facilitating the commission
JANUARY 25-28 EMITT, Istanbul, Turkey www.emittistanbul.com
to book EAN’s rates and
brand, The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced plans for two new hotels in Saudi Arabia, and has also recently
Sellers will now be able availabilities spanning
each booking is tracked and analysed,
full-service hotel brands,
allowing travel sellers to make the
boutique hotels and
best decisions for their customers
FEBRUARY 19-21 Malls Middle East, Dubai www.mallsmiddleeast.iqpc.ae
serviced apartments) via
and gain maximum profits and
Amadeus, allowing them
rewards.
FEBRUARY 20-22 CONNECT, Tbilisi, Georgia www.connect-aviation.com
more personalised travel
LATAM, EAN, Alfonso Paredes said:
experience.
“Amadeus is a trusted technology
FEBRUARY 27-28 The MICE Arabia & Luxury Travel Congress, Dubai www.mice-arabia.com/
automated process,
we are excited to partner with them
which saves both time
to offer cutting-edge technology and
and money, other key
enterprise-class support.”
•
to offer their clients a
As well as a fully
TTG MENA will be available at these shows
The hospitality giant will be inaugurating the
acquire the traveller’s
brand-new Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Apartments,
hotel, flight, car rental
Riyadh Olaya North and Park Inn by Radisson Hotel &
and other information, as
Apartments, Dammam West Avenue in Q4 of 2019.
well as multiple payment
Chief development officer, The Rezidor Hotel Group,
see a significant market opportunity for internationally
methods.
EXCITING NEW ADDITIONS
branded serviced apartments, in line with the growth
Ever-working on
passengers direct flights
in domestic leisure tourism and completion of major
enhancing its
to popular summer
infrastructure projects.”
destination portfolio,
destinations, and based
Adding to this, The Rezidor Hotel Group recently
partner for the travel industry and
include travel itineraries allowing sellers to easily
Park Inn by Radisson property in the Kingdom. We also
Vice president of sales – EMEA and
benefits for travel sellers
Turkey.
Saudi Arabia, and mark the signing of the Group’s 14th
The integration of business
worldwide (inclusive of
with all the details,
Inn by Radisson brand in the mid-market segment across
quick payment. intelligence platforms will ensure that
celebrated the opening of a new property in Istanbul,
Elie Younes commented: “We continue to grow the Park
reconciliation process and ensuring
over 350,000 hotels
FEBRUARY 5-7 ibtm arabia, Abu Dhabi www.ibtmarabia.com
Focused on the expansion of its Park Inn by Radisson
ADVANTAGEOUS ALLIANCE
flydubai has announced
on the success of these
celebrated the official launch of the 127-key Park Inn by
that it will be
routes, we decided to
Radisson Istanbul Atasehir in Turkey.
introducing two new
increase the options.
Adding to this, with Amadeus’ fully integrated technology,
CHARMING THE POLISH MARKET
The hotel, which represents the sixth Park Inn by
summer destinations
We are looking forward
man’s Salalah Rotana Resort recently renewed its
Radisson property in the country, is in close proximity
this year: Dubrovnik in
to the start of flights to
partnership deal with Polish tour operator, Itaka.
to the city centre, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport,
Croatia and Kutaisi in
Dubrovnik and Kutaisi.”
Ataturk International Airport, popular shopping malls
Georgia.
and the Ülker Sport Arena.
The Dubai-based
He continued: “These popular new routes,
As a result of the renewed partnership, the high-end property will welcome 180 Polish guests each week. General manager, Salalah Rotana Resort, Hossam Kamal
carrier will offer up to
along with the relaunch
remarked on the development: “The renewal of our partnership
four direct services to
of flights to Batumi,
signifies the success of our journey so far with Itaka, which makes
Dubrovnik from the
Tivat and Qabala,
me very proud of what we have achieved.”
UAE from April 10 until
will complement our
October 25, 2018, while
existing comprehensive
Wrzesniewski: “Our journey with Salalah Rotana Resort began
three weekly Dubai-
network and will offer
two years ago and has been a very rewarding one, hence our
Kutaisi flights will be
our passengers more
decision to continue the win-win deal. The resort has been a great
offered between June
options to explore this
holiday destination to our guests, with exceptional service. Oman
14 and September 22,
summer, especially as
has gained popularity in the Polish market and it is our pleasure
2018.
we see more connecting
to facilitate the movement of our Polish guests to Oman.”
CEO, flydubai, Ghaith
traffic onto our network
Also commenting was charter produce director, Itaka, Piotr
Renowned for its hospitality excellence, Salalah Rotana Resort
Al Ghaith enthused:
as a result of our
was recently crowned ‘Oman’s Leading Beach Resort’ by the
“For the first time [last]
interline and codeshare
World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year.
year, we offered our
agreements.”
4 January 2018
ttgmena.com
NEWS cup of coffee.
REACHING FURTHER INTO INDIA
I enjoyed staying in a hassle-free, modest and compact hotel room, which featured a large TV with numerous channels and free WiFi, which came in very handy when preparing for the enormous exhibition.
Kuwaiti low-cost airline, Jazeera Airways,
I have to say, my favourite
has announced that it will launch flights to
part of staying at the Point
India’s Ahmedabad and Kochi on January
A Hotel in Canary Wharf was
17 and 18, 2018, respectively.
the cluster of trendy coffee
CEO, Jazeera Airways, Rohit Ramachandran commented on the news: “This is a major strategic move for us to extend our network into India. We have been delighted with how well our new operations to Hyderabad, Kochi and
HOTEL CHECK POINT A HOTEL, LONDON CANARY WHARF, UK
By Helen Moss
Ahmedabad have been received, both in India and the wider Middle East region.”
shops and dining outlets surrounding the property, where I regularly had a quick breakfast before heading off to a busy WTM, and later had a relaxing dinner without the trouble of walking long distances or having to use
recently travelled to the UK
I
The hotel is located in a very up-and-
public transportation.
for the World Travel Market
coming, trendy area of London, less than
Ultimately, when
(WTM) 2017, which took place a
20 minutes from the city centre, and
travelling for the purpose
little outside of London. During my
offers convenient and easy access to
of business, effortless and
travellers in exploring new destinations for
visit, I had the pleasure of staying
ExCeL London, where the annual event
seamless experiences are
tourism and medical visits,” he explained.
at the Point A Hotel in Canary
is held.
always preferred, and that
The carrier will operate three flights
Wharf, London, a minimalistic
“The decision to invest further in India comes from the rising demand of Indian expats visiting their friends and families, as well as the large interest of Kuwaiti
Upon my arrival, I was delighted
is exactly what the Point
per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and
yet contemporary hotel, ideal for
to be greeted by friendly and very
A Hotel provided, with its
Sundays to and from Ahmedabad, while
business travellers seeking comfort
assisting staff, who provided me with a
location, amenities and
Kochi flights will operate four times a week
and ease throughout their trip.
complimentary and much needed hot
accommodating services.
on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
TTG staff and correspondents assess services used by them. We report the results, which are based on a one-time experience only and view services from a customer perspective.
SPOTLIGHT ON MUSANDAM Following an agreement with Omani tourism development company, Omran, Preferred Hotels & Resorts will now
AVIATION MULTICURRENCY
BRAND INTRODUCTION IN BAHRAIN
Royal Jordanian has unveiled a new multi-currency
Dubai Holding and Seven
pricing feature on its official website and mobile app,
Holding recently settled a
which enables passengers to purchase their air tickets and
management agreement
looking to bring
services in as many as 150 currencies.
for Bahrain’s very first
Jumeirah to Bahrain
Jumeirah-branded hotel.
for a number of years
The airline will now be able to set prices in currencies
“We have been
provide sales, marketing and distribution support to Atana
that local and international customers are more
Hotels, and more specifically, Atana Musandam and
accustomed to, therefore making the process even more
Jumeirah Royal Saray -
to partner with Seven
Atana Khasab.
convenient.
Bahrain is scheduled to
Holding for Jumeirah
open its doors for business
Royal Saray - Bahrain,”
on February 27, 2018,
CEO, Dubai Holding,
and will be home to 167
Edris AlRafi declared.
guestrooms, including two
“This signing is a
Royal Suites, a variety
significant landmark in
of dining outlets and
achieving our strategic
recreational facilities, and
expansion goals
a fully equipped health club
worldwide."
The two four-star boutique properties stand in Oman’s Musandam peninsula. The partnership will work to shed light on Musandam, which is growing in popularity among regional and international travellers, while simultaneously supporting Oman’s long-term tourism goals. Assistant manager of asset management, Omran, Hafidh Al Hadhrami stated: “The Atana Hotels brand was the first
We are expanding our e-services to our customers.
home-grown hotel chain to operate in Oman and has since played a significant role in the development of the tourism
and we are delighted
In addition to this, the website offers various payment
industry in the Sultanate. Partnering with Preferred Hotels &
options, such as credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Real-time
Resorts will increase the visibility of Atana Hotels to a wider
Banking, Alipay, eFAWATEERcom and more.
audience in new and established markets.”
The beachfront
and spa.
“We are expanding our e-services to our customers for
Preferred Hotels & Resorts comprises a high-quality and
an enhanced online shopping experience,” explained CEO
diverse global portfolio of independent hotels. Both Atana
and president, Royal Jordanian, Stefan Pichler. “With the
properties will now benefit from the brand’s impressive
multi-currency pricing (MPC), we now offer cardholders the
sales capabilities in the corporate and leisure travel
convenience to shop, view prices and pay in the currency
segments, and its innovative marketing programmes.
of their choice." January 2018
ttgmena.com
5
NEWS
BRIDGE BETWEEN DUBAI AND EUROPE
TRANSFORMING PALM JUMEIRAH
flydubai will soon be adopting flights to Catania in Italy and During ILTM Cannes last month, Nakheel
Krakow in Poland.
and AccorHotels inked a management
The airline will begin services to Krakow on April 8, 2018, while
agreement for PALM360, a Raffles
the Catania route is scheduled to commence on June 13, 2018.
Hotels & Resorts-branded development
flydubai will be the first carrier in the UAE to offer direct daily
in Dubai.
flights to the two cities, which will boost its network to over 100
The two-tower, beachside
destinations in 47 countries.
development, to be located on Palm
“With the launch of flights to Krakow and Catania, flydubai
Jumeirah, will be made up of Raffles The
is committed to opening up new direct air links to Dubai, and
Palm Dubai Hotel and Raffles Residences
we strive to expand our network to offer our passengers more
PALM360. It is expected to open its
choice,” remarked CEO, flydubai, Ghaith Al Ghaith.
doors for business in 2021.
“Our latest route launches are testament to that commitment
The hotel component of PALM 360 will
and demonstrate our efforts in offering our passengers more
house 125 rooms and suites, while the
options to explore our network, especially as we see more
branded residences component will be
the island’s global appeal, which
each feature their own
connecting traffic onto our network as a result of our interline
made up of 359 residences, inclusive of
already attracts millions of visitors
private infinity pool, gym
and codeshare agreements.”
16 branded penthouses.
each year. “
and cinema, with concierge,
Chairman, Nakheel, Ali Rashid Lootah
The resort will feature a sky
private transportation
enthused on the project: “Palm Jumeirah
pool, connecting the two towers
and in-residence dining
has quickly evolved into one of the most
170m above the ground; high-end
services, as well as global
sought-after addresses in the world,
dining outlets; a Raffles Spa; a
VVIP status through an
offering the ultimate in luxury living and
Health Club; and a tennis court.
exclusive Ownership Benefits
leisure. PALM360 will further enhance
The branded residences will
Programme.
Emirates Airline will codeshare on both routes as part of its partnership with flydubai.
A MARKET WITH GREAT POTENTIAL
A
recent survey
NEW VISA SERVICE IN BAHRAIN
often.
conducted by Yatra.
In light of these statistics, this
com, an Indian travel
year’s Arabian Travel Market will
portal, has revealed that
be shedding light on the multi-
Indian millennial travellers are
million visitor market niche that
extremely keen on visiting the
is Indian millennial tourism.
culture-fueled GCC. According to the survey,
Senior exhibition director, ATM, Simon Press said: “There
Bahrain Tourist Visa Service
Captain Waleed Abdul
in partnership with VFS
Hameed Al Alawi elaborated
SHARJAH TO WELCOME ANANTARA BRAND
Global – a leading
on the development:
Minor Hotels will be debuting its Anantara Hotels,
for accommodation, budget
Indian neighbour. The travel
global visa provider – which
“Promoting the Kingdom of
Resorts & Spas brand in Sharjah, the UAE, in mid-
and mid-market hotels are
time from Mumbai to Dubai,
will be available via
Bahrain as a many faceted
2020.
a priority for this specific
in particular, is just over three
visa.gulfair.com exclusively
tourist destination is key
market.
hours, and from Mumbai
for passenger’s flying
to Gulf Air’s longstanding
rooms and luxury suites, the Anantara Sharjah
across the carrier’s global
mission. We are delighted
Resort will be located by the beach, 15-minutes from
that Indian millennial
hours, putting both cities on
network to Bahrain.
to, in partnership with VFS
Sharjah International Airport and 30-minutes from
travellers favour travelling for
the radar as prime short break
Global, launch the Bahrain
Dubai International Airport.
shorter amounts of time, but
destinations.”
Gulf Air has launched a new
Travellers with return
Deputy CEO, Gulf Air,
Due to comprise 233 rooms, including deluxe
Gulf Air tickets can now
Tourist Visa Service, making
apply for a visa to the
the process of obtaining a
a wide variety of facilities, including various dining
Kingdom of Bahrain via
visa to enter Bahrain easier
options, a male and female spa and wellness centre,
the website, or by visiting
and more convenient.”
a kids’ club, a swimming pool and a ballroom with a
their local Gulf Air sales
Upon its opening, the property will offer guests
capacity of 540 guests.
office with the appropriate
Basma Group and ARADA, both of which are
documents no more than
headquartered in Sharjah, will be the joint owners
30 days prior to travel, to
of the hotel. ARADA will also take on a developer
fill in the relevant forms and submit their application. The visa service is completed within a minimum of four working days.
Promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain is key.
management role. Founder, chairman and CEO, Minor International, William E. Heinecke commented: “There is a huge opportunity within the luxury segment in this fastgrowing destination and we are confident that Anantara will be well received within the market.”
6 January 2018
ttgmena.com
Dubai was pin-pointed as a
are more than 400 million
prime destination for Indian
millennials in India. In terms of
travellers, and during the first
short break deals and offers,
nine months of 2017, 1.478
this is sure to alert travel
million Indian visitors arrived
professionals and hoteliers
in the emirate – a 20 per cent
throughout the GCC, being in
jump on 2016 figures. As
such close proximity to their
The survey also revealed
to Muscat, just under three
INTERVIEW
South Africa’s Mantis Collection is gearing up for the launch of its largest project in the Middle East. Founder, Mantis Collection, Adrian Gardiner, speaks to Aleksandra Wood about the Sharjah Collection, the company’s extraordinary ethos and how Mantis encourages man and nature to become one
CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO
8 January 2018
ttgmena.com
INTERVIEW
In a world that mass-produces sameness, it is a passion of Mantis to create moments and places that challenge the status quo. : Tell our readers about the ethos and history of the Mantis Collection.
: What are your aims for the Sharjah Collection? Which direction do you hope to take the brand in?
At Mantis, we are passionate about man and nature. We believe that man and nature together are sustainable. This is our passion; our reason for existence. We
In a world that mass-produces sameness, it is a passion of Mantis to
are constantly striving to raise awareness about conservation and sustainability.
create moments and places that challenge the status quo. The eco-
We feel that it is our role in the world to find, discover, uncover, curate and nurture extra special destinations, places and adventures for the next generation. We give people access to destinations, places and adventures that are exceptional for them to find themselves.
tourism and heritage sites that make up the Sharjah Collection are exactly this – different to the norm and experience driven. Our goal is to make the offering within the Sharjah Collection authentic by ensuring the highest level of services and facilities to our guests, and staying true to Arabian hospitality.
: How do you feel about developing Mantis Collection’s presence in the Middle East and what in particular drew the group to Sharjah?
: What values does the Mantis Collection bring to the MENA region? How does your brand stand out?
The Middle East is not a new destination for Mantis. Our Conservation and Development divisions have been involved in small projects in the region over the
Mantis was born in Africa, and our collection and brand grew from a small
years.
piece of degraded land, carefully restored and nurtured to become a
Sharjah as a destination and the properties we are about to open appealed to us, as they fit into the Mantis ethos mentioned earlier. There is a strong focus on
beacon for conservation. Our commitment to conservation and sustainability has been the
conservation and sustainability, and we believe that we discovered a destination
cornerstone of our success. We will do anything in our power to advance
that will complement the overall tourist experience in the Middle East.
the cause of sustainability and to promote further appreciation of the land and its animals.
: Tell us a bit about the unique selling points of the Sharjah-based project. What does it entail and what can travellers look forward to?
Today, Mantis Collection consists of over 90 hotels or eco-escapes around the world. Compared to other more well-known brands, we are still small, but we have the one thing these other brands are longing for – a
The introduction of eco-tourism and heritage sites will afford guests unique and
diverse portfolio of products and experiences.
distinguished living experiences, with an authentic taste of Arabian hospitality. Sharjah is a 30-minute drive from Dubai, yet worlds apart. The experiences within the collection are scattered across prominent corners of Sharjah, and each is
: What kind of traveller will your hospitality project in Sharjah appeal to?
so unique that they can be combined for maximum exposure to the diversity of authentic Emirati life.
The Mantis guest is a well-heeled traveller – an individual seeking respite
These experiences are aligned with the vision of the Sharjah Commerce &
from a performance-driven world; the one scouting for new experiences
Tourism Development Authority, which aims to make this part of the UAE a
in exotic places; the adventurer with a hunger to explore; and the family
world-renowned family destination, offering experiences that expose travellers to
searching for the next ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ moment to share.
Emirati heritage. Kalba Kingfisher Lodge is a tented desert lodge nestled on the South-East coast of Sharjah. Its prime location on the water’s edge, luxurious tented suites,
: Are there any plans for further MENA or international expansion in the pipeline?
with nothing-spared indulgences, makes it a true desert oasis. The lodge will focus on the conservation of natural heritage, with the main project being
We are inundated with enquiries from properties all over the world on a
the reintroduction of wildlife that occurred naturally in this part of the world.
weekly, if not daily basis.
Guests will have a selection of guided activities to choose from, including kayak
Mantis currently has an excess of 50 projects on our books that have
excursions through the protected Mangrove Channel and nature walks through
progressed past the discussion stages with agreed terms and another
the Mangroves.
40-50 that are still in the negotiation stages.
Fossil Rock is an intimate lodge with a few rooms, perfect for a romantic
2018 is going to be a very busy year for us. The four Sharjah properties
getaway from the world. This is a traditional desert escape steeped in the history
will be completed and opened, and we will also be working on another
of Sharjah, which guests can learn about on guided tours through the area.
11 properties for 2019, three of which are existing properties that will be
Al Badayer Oasis in the Al Badayer desert is the perfect resort for family holidays. It will feature an array of entertainment venues, ranging from an amphitheatre play-park and numerous restaurants.
integrated into Mantis. The others will be developed from the ground up. Within the MENA region, we are in the early discussion stages to assist with the development of a project, which could possibly challenge
Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim at the Heart of Sharjah comprises two traditional Emirati
the status quo as much as the Sharjah Collection will. But for now, our
homes that have been converted into private villas. Guests will be able to explore
focus is to make the Sharjah Collection one of the world’s most desired
museums, a traditional Souq and day-to-day life in this quaint historical town.
destinations.
January 2018
ttgmena.com
9
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YEARS
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DESTINATION KUWAIT
EVERLASTING COMMITMENT
Kuwait is heavily investing in the development of its tourism portfolio, with stakeholders expressing determination and faith in what’s to come. Tatiana Tsierkezou writes he State of Kuwait is applying
highlights, such as the Kuwait Towers and Liber-
itself conscientiously to tourism
ation Tower, are the iconic landmarks of Kuwait.
development in a new post-oil
Additionally, the city’s Grand Mosque, which is
“With the ongoing efforts of the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center
era, working day and night to
projects include the introduction of more cultural attractions. Elaborating on this, Schuler of Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait said:
the biggest in the country, is also a key tourist
and the Kuwait National Cinema Company, there is a big shift towards
ensure that its portfolio offers quality
attraction. Kuwait has a number of fine muse-
promoting culture and the arts in Kuwait, which will further drive tour-
and variety to all visitors. The country is
ums, a corniche ornamented with beaches and
ism growth.”
extremely keen to capitalise on the fruits
vibrant restaurants, a bustling souq and modern
of travel and tourism, and is working to-
shopping complexes and marinas.”
wards making it a fundamental contribu-
Also reshaping the country’s tourism industry are eased visa requirements. According to Schuler, this has encouraged an influx in visitors,
Schuler explained to TTG that Kuwait’s Min-
both leisure and business.
tor to the economy, with a handful of key
istry of Tourism has adopted a handful of ini-
Meanwhile, Voivenel of Swiss-Belhotel International commented on
developments paving the way for further
tiatives and schemes that aim to enhance the
the many game-changing initiatives: “The Kuwaiti Government is making
tourism success.
country’s appeal as a touristic destination, while
huge investments in enhancing tourism infrastructure as well as devel-
adding that the organisation’s many activities
oping new leisure and lifestyle attractions.”
But before TTG delves into these projects and enhancements, this question
and projects attract large numbers of visitors to
must be asked: What makes Kuwait so
the country.
ism Council, travel and tourism investment in Kuwait is set to rise 1.5 per
enticing to travellers? Answering this was senior vice presi-
He told TTG that according to figures from the World Travel and Tourcent per annum over the next 10 years to $449 million in 2027. All of these aforementioned developments fall in line with the Kuwait
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
dent, operations and development – Mid-
National Development Plan, led by HH Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad
dle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which aims to further develop and strengthen the
International, Laurent Voivenel: “Kuwait
Committed to elevating its tourism industry, Ku-
country’s tourism sector as an important economic resource, among
offers an interesting mix of cultural, ar-
wait aims to welcome 440,000 visitors a year
other things.
chitectural, historical, natural, shopping
by 2024, and in order to achieve this, the coun-
and culinary attractions. From fabulous
try is moving forward with billions of dollars’
beaches to traditional museums and
worth of investment and a further one-billion-
souks, to contemporary entertainment
dollar budget to promote the destination in the
centres and malls – there is plenty for
lead up to 2024.
tourists to explore.” Also sharing his opinion with TTG was
FOCUSED APPROACH And while all of these projects take form at a steady pace, hoteliers are
According to local newspapers, the multibillion-dollar investment will entail a number
keen on refining their offerings to maintain their appeal to business and leisure travellers alike.
general manager, Symphony Style Hotel
of mega-projects, such as Madinat Al Hareer, a
Kuwait, Peter Schuler: “Located on the
proposed mega-development in the north, as
which is often the prime choice among business travellers, has been fo-
Arabian Gulf, Kuwait has great historical
well as the much-needed expansion of Kuwait
cusing on its MICE portfolio and will be introducing a stunning ballroom
and cultural heritage to attract visitors.
International Airport, which will boost capacity
and more meeting rooms. Adding to this, the property is unleashing a
The city’s magnificent architectural
to 25 million passengers a year by 2025. Other
brand-new lobby lounge, as well as a new Italian restaurant.
12 January 2018
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Once such entity, Al Manshar Rotana – a highly-acclaimed property
DESTINATION KUWAIT the Jumeirah Jazz Brunch, which encompasses three restaurants and makes for an unmatched experience. An ideal option for the whole family, according to Leone, the brunch is elevated by a live jazz band performing throughout the afternoon. “Our ‘Stay 3, Pay 2 Nights’ promotion has enabled guests to ‘Stay Different’ and enjoy our luxury offering for longer, and it has been extremely favourable,“ Leone added. “As a leader in hospitality in Kuwait, we have a strong customer base and our levels of returning guests are high. Our strategy moving forward is to keep innovating with our offering, refining and enhancing our luxury services in all areas, launching new promotions to continue to exceed the expectations of our guests.” As well as a handful of prestigious and well-deserved accolades and certifications, Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait has been busy enhancing its portfolio to cater to the needs of its valued guests. Schuler elaborated: “We have delivered to our guests a true cultural experience through our new Heritage Kuwaiti Room in the lobby named 'Bait Al Dimnah'. Meanwhile, complementing our focus on family travellers, we have introduced a dedicated kids’ party and celebration room, and a new teens’ hub, to ensure that the whole family gets the most enjoyable time during their stays at Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait. “For all of these efforts, we were named 2017 Best Luxury Family Hotel – Kuwait at the recent World
General manager, Al Manshar Rotana, Pierre Zayoun declared: “We are very excited to share our news and developments here at Al Manshar Rotana. [As of this year], the hotel will be directly connected to a beautiful mall, which will be one of Kuwait’s most prominent lifestyle and leisure destinations, with a huge parking space for all visitors.” He continued: “This year will definitely be a busy year for us all here at Al Manshar Rotana, Kuwait. I will not say that we will focus on one thing alone. Our hotel expansion will keep us all busy, from weddings, exhibitions, conferences, meetings and so much more. Our new
Kuwait offers an interesting mix of cultural, architectural, historical, Thenatural, appeal of Kuwait as a shopping leisure destination continues to grow. and culinary attractions.
Luxury Hotel Awards,” he enthused to TTG. And while established hospitality entities are refining their already impressive offering, new names are celebrating their entry into the country. One of the most notable is the brand new Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya, which inaugurated in the final quarter of 2017. Adding to this, Swiss-Belhotel International is also gearing up for its grand debut in the State of Kuwait, following a strategic partnership with Omniyat Real Estate, with two properties in the pipeline: Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar and Swiss-Belresidences Al Sharq. Commenting on this exciting development was Voivenel: “We are very proud to debut the SwissBelboutique and Swiss-Belresidences brands in Kuwait – one of the key growth markets for us in the GCC. The hospitality Industry in the country is witnessing a remarkable growth at the moment and we are truly grateful to Omniyat Real Estate for having given us this great opportunity.” He continued: “It is the perfect time for us to enter Kuwait when the country is evolving into a multifaceted destination with the development of diverse at-
Italian restaurant will surely be the talk of the town and
tractions for both corporate and leisure visitors. This
will be a hub for family and friends, while our brand-new
has significantly pushed the demand for quality hotels
lobby lounge, offering direct access to the new mall, will
and represents a brilliant opportunity for Swiss-Belho-
be the place for after shopping relaxation or to meet
a range of offers to attract everybody, whether business
tel International to grow its footprint in the country.
with friends and co-workers after duty.”
or leisure travellers, couples or families. From new innova-
We are confident both Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar
tive treatments in our award-winning Spa, using soothing,
and Swiss-Belresidences Al Sharq will add tremendous
rolled out new activities and experiences to ensure its
rejuvenating all-organic, plant, flower and herb products
value to our growing presence in the region, while fur-
guests are presented with only the best-in-class hospi-
from renowned brands, to a host of dining delights, we have
ther strengthening our international portfolio.”
tality.
it all.”
Meanwhile, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa has
Sharing all with TTG was the property’s general man-
The luxury property grants locals and visitors the op-
And with positive sentiments echoing across the
ager, Savino Leone: “We have assessed our activities
portunity to relish in BBQ Nights every Wednesday on its
country, continuous investment in tourism and an
within the hotel, revamping them to ensure that we
private beach, serving up the finest grills, burgers and sea-
unfaltering dedication from movers and shakers,
continue to exceed our guests’ expectations. We con-
food specialities. This is all complemented by a live band
there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Kuwait will
stantly strive to provide something different and have
throughout the night. Also on hand to tantalise taste buds is
continue to move up the tourism ranks.
14 January 2018
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“A GOOD DECISION IS BASED ON KNOWLEDGE AND NOT ON NUMBERS” - Plato
Call: +357 25884281 or +44 2032898208 sales@alltimeaviation.com
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ACMI • DRY LEASING • AIRCRAFT • REMARKETING • SALES • AIRPORT CONSULTATION • SLOT COORDINATION
UPDATE SINGAPORE
THE PERFECT BALANCE
CLEAR STRATEGY From MICE to FIT and medical, Singapore has proven its ability to cater to a range of travel tastes, with its hospitality sector skilfully capitalising on a number of
Singapore skilfully blends modernity with luscious green spaces to create a destination begging to be explored. Natalie Hami discovers why the destination is ever-climbing the tourism ranks
tourism segments. Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre is testament to the destination’s rising MICE industry and has been welcoming 15 million visitors a year. Serious MICE contenders within the hospitality industry include Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford. According to the properties’ general manager, Marcus Hanna, the MICE and business segments will always be considered a large part of the business.
ursting with colour and life, Singapore is certainly
residences or while exploring Singapore, we provide the
capitalising on its unique blend of bustling city
Pocket Butler service – a pocket WiFi device that provides
rooms, with 26 meeting rooms totalling over 6,503m2
life and green spaces. Very much headed towards
wireless connectivity anytime, anywhere.”
of meeting space at the Raffles City Convention
achieving its goal of becoming a ‘city in a garden’,
Taking a step further, Yeo also informed TTG that Ascott
“Both hotels offer a combined total of 2,030 guest
Centre. This allows the hotel to accommodate groups
Singapore’s rising tourism arrivals are testament to its
is testing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance
of all sizes and themes, including major regional
success.
the guest experience via smart temperature control.
events in our largest ballroom, which accommodates
The tourism sector witnessed notable growth during
“The AI will learn a guest’s temperature preferences over
about 3,000 people.”
the first half of 2017, and from January to June 2017,
time, through a mobile platform that will be paired with a
He added: “Come 2018, the Raffles City Convention
international visitor arrivals increased by four per cent over
smart air-conditioning device. The solution aims to bring
Centre will also undergo a renovation and rejuvenation
the same period in 2016, to reach 8.5 million visitors.
a higher level of comfort to guests through a memorable
process to introduce a new suite of business meeting
stay and optimised operational efficiency.”
options for guests.”
Singapore’s success can be attributed to many of the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) initiatives, such as
Meanwhile, the award-winning Changi Airport offers
the raft of new partnerships that are set to build on the
an extensive suite of fast and seamless travel (FAST)
strong momentum of the Hotel Industry Transformation
initiatives for check-in, bag drop, immigration clearance
Map (ITM), launched last year. These new initiatives in the
and boarding at its newly opened Terminal 4.
coming year are part of STB's ongoing efforts with its
Director, corporate and marketing communications,
partners to transform Singapore's hotel industry into one
Changi Airport Group, Tay Cheng Cheng told TTG:
equipped for sustainable growth.
“Security authentication is done through biometric means,
The Hotel ITM outlines a number of key strategies, including charting a roadmap for the hotel industry to
such as facial recognition and thumbprints.” Cheng Cheng further added that the Group will be rolling
Meanwhile, the island-city’s hospitality sector is exploring a number of key tourism niches. Executive assistant manager, sales and marketing, Sheraton Towers, Tan Mei Ling told TTG that the property will be focusing on business, MICE and medical tourism. Enhancing client satisfaction, Ling highlighted the customised approach taken for medical tourism: “The hotel takes a holistic approach to guests’ wellbeing.
transform into ‘Smart Hotels’ through the Smart Hotel
out additional check-in kiosks progressively with airlines
For example, as individuals in the medical tourism
Technology Roadmap. The roadmap will identify the next-
that are ready to implement FAST initiatives in Changi
segment tend to be more health conscious, chefs will
generation system capabilities, such as facial recognition
Airport.
curate healthy meal options for them.”
at check-in and payment wallets that typically define
Meanwhile, as travellers become even more tech-savvy,
Ling explained that personal instructors are also
a digitally-driven smart hotel. The roadmap serves as
Hilton has taken a ‘consumer empowerment’ approach,
available in the gym to help guests with their exercise
a common framework for hotel owners and operators
according to its vice president, operations, South East Asia,
regime and fitness goals.
who plan on embarking on their hotel technology
Hilton, Paul Hutton.
transformation journey.
TECH-SAVVY
Echoing a similar sentiment, Royal Plaza on Scotts
“The Hilton Honors App and Conrad Concierge App
will be focusing on business, leisure and MICE.
puts the power of choice right at the fingertips of guests.
The property’s general manager, Patrick Fiat said:
Through the Hilton Honors App, guests can now access
“For business, we are continuously expanding our
their rooms via Digital Key, which is currently available in
base of MNC and SME corporate travellers from
With this in mind, TTG reached out to a number of
1,700 hotels, including Hilton Singapore, Conrad Centennial
feeder markets. For leisure, we are tapping into new
prominent hotels to discover what role technology plays in
Singapore and Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon.”
markets with a growing interest in Singapore as a
Digital Key, in conjunction with Digital Check-In
multi-generational travel destination. For MICE, we
with Room Selection, enables travellers to select the
are strengthening our efforts to secure our share
Malaysia, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), Ervin Yeo, guests
exact room they want at Hilton Singapore, Conrad
of corporate meetings and conferences, as well as
at the Ascott properties can benefit from Pocket Butler
Centennial Singapore or Hilton Garden Inn Singapore
winning over small incentive groups.”
Service Connectivity, which has become ‘an indispensable
Serangoon, based on both the hotel layout and its outside
technology for travellers’.
surroundings. After checking-in and selecting their room
Singapore continues to play to its strengths by
from their phone, guests can proceed right to their desired
harnessing tech innovation and the ability to
room without having to check-in at the front desk.
capture and cater to an array of travellers.
creating a more seamless experience for their guests. According to regional general manager – Singapore and
“To ensure that we provide the convenience of seamless and unlimited connectivity during their stay in our serviced
16 January 2018
ttgmena.com
news
UPDATE SINGAPORE
UNWAVERING FOCUS
IMPRESSIVE REVAMP
Executive director, Messe Berlin (Singapore), Katrina Leung speaks to TTG about how ITB Asia continues to engage its many attendees : What exciting news and developments can you share with our readers? Following our milestone ITB Asia 2017 event in October, we have already received the highest number of re-bookings for ITB Asia 2018 from destinations such as Greece, the Middle East, Africa, Spain and Scandinavia, as well as continued strong support from Asian markets. Clearly, the show continues to grow every year and we are de-
relevant and inspiring to our online audience and
lighted to see such levels of growth from so many countries globally. We continue to
social community.
pride ourselves on our unwavering focus on quality and the customer experience. In line with recent growing interest in the halal travel market, ITB Asia is also
: What initiatives do you have in place to
launching its inaugural Muslim Travel Hub this year. This newly crafted hub will in-
attract clientele and keep them coming back?
clude exhibitors offering Muslim friendly packages, as well as destinations reaching out to the Muslim Travel market.
We reported record-breaking numbers for our highly successful ITB Asia 2017 with over 11,000
: What kind of innovative technology are you using to create a seamless ex-
delegates, the largest exhibitor showcase from 113 countries and over 22,000 business appoint-
perience for your guests?
ments recorded during the show. This includes We have redefined our business meetings via our mobile application. Through the ap-
over 940 exhibitors in attendance and 951 buyers
pointment scheduling system, exhibitors and buyers can schedule meetings with po-
from the MICE, corporate and leisure sector, put-
tential clients/partners. This helped to create a more seamless and productive trade
ting Singapore at the centre of all this activity.
show experience at ITB Asia 2017.
ITB Asia remains the largest and most interna-
In terms of the show format, we have been mindful to engage visitors through digi-
tional travel trade show event in Asia. We have
tal means even before the show. For example, we have been doing more marketing
worked hard to offer a very strong proposition to
on social media, online and through our website, in comparison to the content we are
everyone in the industry, from the mix of attend-
generating in print.
ees to the rich and diverse programme of confer-
During the show we also curate and create on-the-ground digital content that is
ences, workshops and networking platforms.
R
amping up its MICE offering, Sheraton Towers Singapore has embarked on a hefty
revitalisation project to revamp its Grand Ballroom and function venues. General manager, Sheraton Towers
INSPIRATIONAL SPOT
Singapore, Steven Long said: “As part of our long-term commitment to delivering an enriching and refreshing experience to our guests,
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
said: “We are extremely
Sheraton Towers has, over the past
has celebrated a brand
excited to open Andaz
couple of years, renewed several
debut in Southeast Asia
Singapore and to bring the
with the opening of Andaz
inspirational and creative
Singapore.
Andaz brand to Southeast
The property houses 342 contemporary
Asia.
EMBRACING A NEW A380
“By bringing in the local
areas such as the club lounge, dining establishments, facilities and 420 guest rooms and suites. With the completion of the newly transformed Grand Ballroom and function spaces,
guest rooms, including
spirit of our surrounding
Singapore Airlines has taken
on the upper deck, and 44
we look forward to affording our
26 suites, with floor-to-
neighbourhoods and offering
delivery of the first of five
premium economy class and
guests a definitive world of class and
ceiling windows framing
fresh perspectives, Andaz
new A380 aircraft that are
343 economy class seats on
comfort that they are accustomed
views of the city. In-
Singapore aims to inspire a
scheduled to join the carrier’s
the main deck. The aircraft
to.”
house guests can enjoy
sense of discovery.”
fleet over the coming year.
also features the latest in-
a complimentary minibar
Andaz Singapore has
Designed by world-renowned
The recently delivered
flight entertainment systems
international interior design firm,
with locally sourced snacks
opened in DUO, a striking pair
aircraft is the first in the
and full connectivity at every
Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA),
and non-alcoholic drinks,
of concave skyscrapers, 186
airline’s fleet to feature
seat.
the function spaces have been
complimentary WiFi and
and 170 metres high, clad in
its recently launched on-
CEO, Singapore Airlines,
all-day complimentary
a latticework of hexagonal
board cabin products and
Goh Choon Phong spoke on
refreshments at Sunroom,
windows. DUO is the largest
innovations.
the news: “The delivery of
The Grand Ballroom and function
as well as access to the
integrated development in
our newest A380 with all-
venues are furnished with state-of-
Andaz Lounge Hour from
the Ophir-Rochor district
personal space in all classes,
new cabin products is indeed
the-art audio-visual equipment, from
17:00 to 19:00 daily.
and comprises of residences,
accommodating a total of
an exciting occasion, and we
motorised projection screens to high-
retail spaces, offices and the
471 passengers. The cabin
are pleased to be celebrating
definition laser projectors that have
new Andaz Singapore hotel.
features six private suites
this important milestone with
been engineered to deliver brightness
and 78 business class seats
our great partner, Airbus."
and sharp graphics.
General manager, Andaz Singapore, Olivier Lenoir
The A380 offers more
January 2018
ttgmena.com
modernised to exude contemporary sophistication.
17
AWARENESS MOROCCO
GENTLE EVOLUTION Captivating Morocco has embraced a combination of subtle yet impactful changes that have caused a ripple effect on its flourishing tourism industry. Aleksandra Wood uncovers the latest developments that are steadily transforming the beloved destination’s offering
M
orocco, the fifth larg-
The different regions of the country offer a variety of options for tourists.
est economy of the African continent, graced by lengthy
coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, is home to
Morocco, interest has certainly grown in the area, and this is a continued focus for our sales and marketing team.” The visa-free programme has not only remarkably affected the hospitality industry, but is also well on its way to revolutionise Morocco’s infrastructure.
charming exoticism and incompara-
areas attract adventurous travel-
sive 10.4 per cent year-on-year rise
ble culture.
lers looking to hike in the region,
between the months of January
two countries have joined forces for a $10 billion project
as well as those who would like to
and October 2017.
to develop an industrial city near Tangier, Morocco’s
Its mountainous scenery and vast stretches of desert have been
experience true Berber culture that
home to a wide variety of cultures,
can only be found in Morocco.”
such as the Arabs, indigenous
Speaking of this incredible phenomenon was a spokesperson from the Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca:
Due to the ever-rising number of Chinese visitors, the
fifth largest city, which is set to host some 300,000 locals. Both Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Chinese
Berbers, sub-Saharan Africans and
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
“China has made its way from the
President, Xi Jinping, have been directly involved in the
Europeans.
And although the destination’s of-
bottom 20 to a top five feeder mar-
monumental venture, which will comprise of both industrial sites and apartment towers.
ferings remain plentiful in sectors
ket in less than a year’s time. Our
hotspot, with Marrakech effort-
The country is a coveted tourism
such as retreat, wellbeing, golf, hon-
hotel has deployed a specific strat-
lessly maintaining its position as a
eymoon, leisure and MICE tourism,
egy to capitalise on this new mar-
premier high-speed rail line between Tangier and Keni-
‘bucket list’ destination, ideal for
its cultivated industry has begun a
ket, including hiring Chinese staff,
tra this year, which is anticipated to reduce the travel
those wishing to traverse through
‘gentle’ evolution to ameliorate its
investing in sales and marketing,
time from Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, to Tang-
an endless succession of historic at-
offering, while still preserving the
targeting high-end leisure travellers
ier from nearly five hours to approximately two hours.
tractions or bask in the wonders of
essence of its beloved heritage.
during the peak travel periods and
year-round sunshine. General manager, Kasbah Tama-
It is perceived that even the flutter of a butterfly’s wings can lead
Adding to this, the country also plans to open Africa’s
working closely with our sales of-
SUBTLE ALTERATIONS
fice in Beijing.”
And complementing the new mega developments in Mo-
dot (Virgin Limited Edition’s Moroc-
to great winds of change, which can
But the Four Seasons Hotel Casa-
rocco, are other game-changing projects. Marrakech’s
can retreat), Vincent Padioleau
relate to The Moroccan Govern-
blanca is not the only hospitality
Menara Airport recently unveiled a brand-new ecologi-
illustrated: “The different regions
ment’s recent decision to launch a
player determined to bank on this
cal terminal, with bioclimatic architecture, innovative
of the country offer a variety of
visa-free programme for Chinese
fruitful market.
internal temperature regulators to minimise consump-
options for tourists. For example,
visitors.
Padioleau of Kasbah Tamadot
tion and a rainwater harvesting facility to further tackle
This has caused a ripple effect
told TTG: “Recently, we have been
water consumption. The ground-breaking terminal has
and history of Marrakech and
on the country’s tourism industry,
welcoming ‘newer’ markets to Kas-
already been accredited by the Airport Carbon Accredi-
Casablanca, or explore the famed
with Chinese visitors skyrocketing
bah Tamadot, such as China. Since
tation – a programme established by Airports Council
blue city of Chefchaouen. The Atlas
by a tremendous 315 per cent, and
the visa restrictions have changed
International (ACI).
Mountains and the surrounding
ultimately resulting in an impres-
for Chinese tourists travelling to
visitors can enjoy the rich culture
18 January 2018
ttgmena.com
And in keeping with the ‘green’ movement, the eco-
news
AWARENESS MOROCCO
ELEVATING THE REVENUE OPTIMISATION CASABLANCA ROUTE ULTIMATE LUXURY DURING TRAVELS
Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi-
the development: “We
Casablanca route will be
are delighted to deploy
National Aviation Services
Moroccan Airport Authority,
operated by a flagship Boeing
our flagship Boeing
(NAS), a leading airport
ONDA, to launch the Pearl
787 Dreamliner as of May 2018.
787 Dreamliner on yet
La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech has partnered with
service provider, recently
Lounges at Marrakech
Casablanca will be the first
another route that will
US-based provider of revenue management software
launched two Pearl Lounges
Menara Airport. Our Pearl
North African destination to
give even more guests
solutions and advisory services, IDeaS Revenue Solutions,
at Marrakech Menara
Lounges are the perfect
be served by the airline’s next
the opportunity to
to optimise its revenue performance.
Airport.
accent to the eclectic
generation aircraft, which has
experience our next
rapidly become the backbone
generation aircraft.
of its long-haul fleet. The aircraft comprises eight
“In addition to maintaining attractive
The 209-key property will utilise the company’s IDeaS
The two lounges, located
facilities offered at the
Revenue Management System (IDeaS RMS), which will
in arrivals and departures,
airport, rated by Skyteam
enable it to continue increasing its market value.
span 800m and expertly
as the most beautiful
combine luxury and
airport in the world."
“Even with the benefit of La Mamounia’s brand and
2
first suites, 28 business studios
timings for guests
heritage, we can’t afford to be complacent if we want
comfort to offer the highest
and 199 economy smart seats,
travelling between Abu
to outperform our competition,” explained director of
quality of services to all
managed the refurbishment
and will replace the Airbus
Dhabi and Casablanca,
revenue, reservations and market analyst, La Mamounia,
passengers.
and operations of 16
A330 aircraft currently serving
we will create further
Florent Strasser. “The general reporting functionality
the route.
suitable connections in
of IDeaS RMS will allow us to make strategic pricing
El-Houry enthused on the
in Morocco, following a 10-
many markets that will
decisions based on data-driven science.”
project: “We are pleased
year concession awarded
to be working with the
by ONDA.
CEO, Etihad Airways, Peter Baumgartner remarked on
benefit more travellers.”
tourism trend has taken the hospitality industry by storm, with entities increasing efforts to deliver the very finest sustainable services for en-
CEO, NAS Group, Hassan
BEST COURSE IN MOROCCO
vironmentally conscious travellers.
NAS has exclusively
lounges across nine airports
Delighted with the victory was golf director, Assoufid Golf Club, Guy Maxwell: "Retaining two World Golf Awards for a second successive year is an achievement myself and the team are very proud of.
One such entity is the five-star resort Amanjena in Marrakech, as af-
These awards acknowledge our standing
firmed by its general manager, Nicolas Ilickovic: “[Amanjena] was con-
as one of the premier golf developments
structed in 2000 in accord with eco-sensitive architecture, using local
in Africa."
materials and executed by skills of our local artisans. The hotel exhibits
Guests to Assoufid Golf Club can
the best local art, textiles and handicrafts. We use new trends for waste
experience an excitingly diverse challenge
recycling, pollution reduction, as well as heat recovery systems. Since
across a rolling desert landscape and
environmental protection must extend into all levels of the community,
Marrakech’s Assoufid Golf Club was crowned the 'Best
make the most of the par-72 golf course,
the hotel offers staff training on sustainable tourism and ecological
Course in Morocco' and the 'Best in Africa' at the 2017
designed by Scottish PGA professional
responsibility.”
World Golf Awards.
and former European Tour professional,
Also taking the eco-tourism trend very seriously is La Sultana
Now possessing six accolades from the World Golf
Niall Cameron, which forms part of a
Marrakech, with general manager, Xavier Soundrom revealing: “Eco-
Awards, the exceptional golf facility continues to receive
222-hectare development.
tourism is compulsory in high-end tourism and has to be integrated into
critical acclaim and visitor praise, thanks to its unique,
the hotel strategy. La Sultana Marrakech has been awarded the ‘Green
desert-style design, year-round superior conditioning and
from Medina and 10-minutes from the
Key’ eco-label and is committed to implementing a programme focused
its outstanding customer service.
international airport.
The golf club is situated just 20-minutes
on responsible management on a full scale. The programme aims to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations by conserving resources and adopting the best practices.” Finally, Morocco’s tourism industry is anticipating an inflow of fashion and art enthusiasts, following the launch of the iconic Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech last year. The cultural attraction features a dazzling collection made up of 5,000 articles of clothing and 15,000 haute couture accessories. A combination of mighty upgrades and gentle shifts has made for a momentous year for the Moroccan tourism industry, and according to Amanjena’s Ilickovic, there is certainly more to come: “Thanks to the efforts by both the public and private sectors, the industry’s long-term outlook remains robust; the future for tourism in Morocco is auspicious.
AN ICONIC OFFER
L
tickets for the stunning
tour of the Villa L’Oasis,
Majorelle Garden; lavish
once home to Yves
complimentary drinks
Saint Laurent and
inspired by the iconic
Pierre Bergé.
fashion designer on
La Sultana Marrakech
a Sultana Marrakech has shed
the hotel’s rooftop; a
is situated in the heart
light on its new ‘Style Package’,
delectable Moroccan
of the Kasbah area,
which complements the recent
Discovery dinner at
enabling guests to
opening of the Yves Saint Laurent
the hotel’s restaurant,
experience true and
Museum in the city.
as well as an equally
authentic Marrakech,
sumptuous Moroccan
the city that inspired
The package entails an array of
Efforts to develop the industry under the Vision 2020 Programme gen-
activities for fashion and art enthusiasts,
breakfast for two
Yves Saint Laurent and
erated worldwide recognition and tourism is expected to continue to
and includes tickets for the new museum;
persons; and a private
his fashion endeavours.
grow over the forecast period.”
19
ANALYSIS SOUTH AFRICA
JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME
being talked about at global tourism forums, almost a redefinition of the ‘Travel like a Local’ trend that has been around for a few years.” According to sales and marketing director, Fanourt, Peter Dros, there are three main trends creating inroads into the travel market in South Africa right now. “These include experiential travel, where guests are looking to experience locally-sourced menus from the surrounding areas of the hotel.
Ripe with a myriad of rich and varied travel experiences, South Africa is further enhancing its tourism offering with on-trend initiatives. By Emily Millett
Travellers are also becoming much more socially-aware and
S
which incorporates local produce, from farm-to-table.
outh Africa is a destination that has it all; stun-
building the foundations so that we can encourage
ning natural landscapes, beaches, urban hubs,
Muslim-friendly tourism.”
want to experience more, to fit more into their travel time.” Fancourt is responding to these trends by adapting hotel offerings, introducing a variety of different tours along the Garden Route and introducing the ‘country basket’ F&B offering, “For experiential travel, South Africa is a destination of choice, and Fancourt is the perfect place at which to base one-
rich culture, action, adventure and gastronomy. And as the international travel market
shows increasing interest in this African nation, the destination is taking steps to further its potential. “There’s continued interest in the country as an ideal place to explore the African experience, so you could come to large cities and enjoy culture and heritage, or head to the bush for an authentic safari adventure,” area director of sales, marketing and revenue management, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Danny Bryer told TTG. “Affordable luxury is still relevant for international visitors. Once
We are dealing with a ‘new tourist’ who is knowledgeable, well-travelled and knows exactly what they are looking for.
you’re in South Africa, you can access world-class food and wine, exciting activities and relaxed splendour. I’d like to think that we’re a friendly, welcoming nation that pays
MAKING EXPERIENCES COUNT
personalised attention to our visitors.”
Experience-led offerings have been making waves
self while exploring the country,” added Dros. 2017 saw the Fancourt estate undergo a high investment
across the travel and tourism industry over the
renovation, including new golf carts, putting greens and a re-
come visitors from a broad spectrum of diverse market
past couple of years, and South Africa is no stran-
furbished Henry White’s restaurant in The Manor House, which
segments, as CEO, Cape Town Tourism, Enver Duminy
ger to the growing trend.
operates according to the ‘country basket’ initiative.
This widespread appeal is seeing South Africa wel-
explained to TTG: “We get all kinds of visitors from single
“Authentic and original experiences are what
“The refreshed design and new facilities speaks to the mod-
younger backpackers, to couples, families, business peo-
travellers are looking to gain from their holidays
ern Fancourt guest. Working with the various renovation teams,
ple and package tour groups – it’s really about what you
in South Africa,” brand manager, The Diamond
we have reimagined the guest experience, while still providing
want to experience, whether that means arts and culture,
Works, Aimee Lentz told TTG. “Travellers are
the signature Fancourt service,” said Dros.
food and wines, beaches and attractions – we have it all.”
hungry for convenience, but with the option for tai-
According to Duminy, most of Cape Town’s current
lored selections or exclusive one-of-a-kind products
MODERNISING THE OFFERING
and services.”
Another area that is seeing exponential growth within the travel
international visitors are from Germany, the UK and the US, with 50 per cent of these visitors falling into the
Catalysed by a desire to experience the destina-
sector is the increasing shift towards digitisation, as Duminy
youth travel sector (between 18-34 years of age). The
tion through the eyes of a local, the South African
commented: “We are seeing rapid digitisation in the travel
most common travel party size is two people, with 40 per
experiential travel movement is now shifting
industry for visitor convenience and ease. The Radisson Red
cent of visitors travelling in pairs of two.
towards a desire for immersive encounters, as
Hotel in the V&A Waterfront that launched in September this
Duminy explained to TTG: “Visitors are looking for
year, doesn’t have a check-in desk. Guests download an app,
to the city for a holiday, nine per cent for business and six
experiences that are unique and off-the-beaten
check-in on the app and get a QR code as their key. However,
per cent to visit friends and family,” Duminy continued.
track. Experiences that take you deeper into what
what they have got right is the balance; they have automated
“What many international visitors don’t know about Cape
you’re seeing. ‘Immersive experiences’ is what’s
“Our research shows that 77 per cent of visitors come
Town is that we have a large Muslim community here, with an extensive cultural heritage. With that in mind, we’re driving awareness around the Muslim traveller’s needs such as Halal food offerings and prayer rooms at hotels, airports and other public facilities. Essentially,
20 January 2018
ttgmena.com
: What trends are you noticing within the tourism industry in South Africa? South African Tourism is on a concerted without losing their personal touch.”
drive to increase tourism numbers and
As business increasingly moves
revenue, and as such, has embarked on
online, South Africa is also witnessing
a ‘5-in-5’ strategy, which is targeting five
an influx of younger travellers, who ac-
million additional domestic and international
tively seek out these digital add-ons.
tourists in five years. One of the ways in which we hope to achieve these numbers
“Our market is adapting, we have a younger generation of explorer-
is by being agile enough, as a country and
travellers, so that requires us to up our
an industry, to respond to global travel
game, adding value where we can for
trends. Here are a few we have observed...
guests and ensuring that their expecta-
Responsible and sustainable tourism:
tions are met,” said Bryer. “Younger
Destinations are increasingly seeking to
guests want to explore more as travel-
measure not just the immediate benefits of
lers on journeys of adventure, while
tourism, but the longer-lasting social legacies
remaining connected and online, and
as well. This includes minimising tourism’s
it’s anticipated that the demand for
negative impacts on communities and the
connectivity is only going to increase.
environment, while bringing important socio-
For hotel groups, that means devel-
economic benefits to improve people’s lives
oping slick app interfaces that aid in
and create sustainable jobs. In certain areas
researching hotels, booking and paying
of South Africa, such as along its ruggedly
for stats, and then providing useful in-stay accompaniments such as keyless entry, online check-in facilities and more.” Fuelled by a more informed, more digitally native new generation of tourist, the South African travel industry is slowly shifting, changing shape to accommodate the now famous Millennials and emerging Millennial-minded travellers. “We are dealing with a ‘new tourist’ who is knowledgeable, well-travelled and knows exactly what they are looking for. They are not afraid to speak out should they not be happy with the service offered,” said marketing director, Pretoria National Botanical Garden and board member, Tshwane Tourism
TACTICAL APPROACH With the MENA region targeted as a key growth area for incoming tourism to South Africa, regional general manager – Asia, Australasia and Middle East, South African Tourism, Hanneli Slabber talks to Emily Millett about where the tourism industry will be focusing its attention in 2018
Association, Lihle Dlamini. “Millennials are also at the top of the list of travellers changing the perception of travel-
scenic Wild Coast, rural homestays are increasingly being offered to hikers and backpackers, bringing homegrown hospitality and authentic cultural experiences to the fore. Sustainable tourism has become particularly topical, as popular destinations around the world look for ways to mitigate the impacts of ‘overtourism’ to preserve the original character of a town or attraction. Voluntourism: ‘Voluntourism’– the practice of donating your time to work for responsible tourism, wildlife conservation, education, children’s charities initiatives, etc. – is a fast-growing trend in South Africa. Many young people from overseas are opting to take a gap year in South Africa to see the country while giving something back, and local charities are welcoming their energy, enthusiasm, passion and skills. It is important, however, to do ‘voluntourism’ through an
: Please shed some light on the Middle East’s significance to South Africa and
accredited service or agency. Rise of the millennials: Millennials often
your plans to further entice this market.
ling, since they travel in small groups
crave exotic and cultural adventures, and
with friends or their partners. [They
The Middle East has been identified as a key emerging source market for South
have become a highly attractive market for
want] to explore as much as they can
African Tourism, showing enormous potential for growth. Arrivals to South Africa
destinations to woo. Many are also motivated
while they are still young and also fea-
have been growing robustly from this region – with much of the growth coming from
by doing good – leaving a location better
ture these experiences on social media,
Saudi Arabia.
than they found it. Sun and fun-style trips
which is essential to Millennials.” With a finger firmly on the pulse of current industry trends, South Af-
In 2016, South Africa saw a 34 per cent increase in tourists arriving from Middle
are being replaced by some form of social
Eastern countries including Turkey compared to 2015 – with numbers booming to
involvement or extreme recreational and
more than 71,000.
adventure pursuits. Millennials are also more
We expect this trend to continue, and for this reason, in June 2017, South African
inclined to want to meet and interact with the
rica is working hard to hone its rich
Tourism deployed a dedicated resource to service this market. Sadiq Dindar has
locals, and to immerse themselves in their
tourism offering, keeping in mind the
been appointed marketing and promotions manager for the Middle East and Turkey.
traditions, cultures and stories. South African
Our plans for 2018 include continuing to execute our strategy to help train
Tourism taps into this desire to connect and
increasing demands for sustain-
the travel trade in the Middle East markets via our Learn SA programme. This
‘meet South Africa’ in our new brand video.
ability, digitalisation and authentic
programme aims to increase the trade’s knowledge of the variety of product
Extending business trips for leisure:
experiences.
offerings and experiences available in South Africa. There are also plans to host
Business travel that incorporates travelling
trade and media in South Africa to gain a first-hand experience of our country and
for leisure – sometimes known as ‘bleisure’
its attractions.
travel – is on the rise. Already a leading
new and evolved traveller and their
Also on our radar for 2018 is investing with key trade partners and signing joint
regional player, South Africa is on a
marketing agreements – these will enable the trade to plan targeted activities to
concerted drive to expand its share of the
increase the number of Middle Eastern tourists travelling to South Africa.
global business events market, along with
South African Tourism will be hosting more than 20 trade representatives for the
the rest of Africa. A key part of our strategy
Middle East market at the 2018 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba, regarded as the
entails motivating delegates to extend their
continent’s premier travel trade show, from May 8-10, 2018. Furthermore, South
business trips to include a longer leisure
African Tourism hopes to attend the 2018 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai with key
component, and to bring family members,
members of the South African trade.
friends or colleagues with them.
January 2018
ttgmena.com
21
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Group recently appointed Tim Cordon as area senior vice president for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. Cordon has been part of the Carlson Rezidor family since 2003. He has held various leadership positions in Manchester and London, and most recently served as The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's regional director, Middle East and Turkey.
Kemal Bayik has been named director of marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Doha. He will now lead the luxury hotel’s sales, reservations, public relations, catering and conference services. Prior to his new position, Bayik served as the executive assistant manager, responsible for marketing, sales, revenue and catering departments at Raffles Istanbul.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain has warmly welcomed Adil Souate as its new operations manager. Souate will now oversee the hotel’s F&B and wellness proposition, as well as rooms and security. Souate has previously worked for a variety of hotel chains, such as Hilton Worldwide, AccorHotels, Rotana Hotels and Carlson Rezidor.
SAMER ABIAD
MÖVENPICK HOTEL IBN BATTUTA GATE DUBAI
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
MÖVENPICK HOTEL BAHRAIN
AREA SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT – MIDDLE EAST, TURKEY & AFRICA
ADIL SOUATE
KEMAL BAYIK
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DOHA
THE CARLSON REZIDOR HOTEL GROUP
TIM CORDON
F&B DIRECTOR
Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai has announced Samer Abiad as F&B director. He joins from Grand Millennium Hotel in Dubai, where he was in charge of eight F&B outlets and seven meeting venues. Abiad previously worked for hotels in the UAE and GCC, including La Vendome InterContinental Hotel, Beirut; Shangri-La, Traders Hotel, Dubai; and many others.
If you have recently been promoted or appointed key staff, please visit our website...
RAFFLES DUBAI
Zeynep Oden Agagil as director of sales and marketing. Agagil brings over 16 years of experience with her and will take charge of the sales, marketing and communications, and events departments. Prior to her new position, Agagil served as the director of sales and marketing of Ciragan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul.
GENERAL MANAGER
Mark Fernando is now the general manager at Ramada Downtown Dubai. Fernando has worked for Starwood Hotels and Resorts for over 25 years, in a number of positions across numerous properties. He previously held the position of deputy general manager at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, as well as revenue manager of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Resort and Marina.
22 January 2018
SABRE CORPORATION
Raffles Dubai has welcomed
RAMADA DOWNTOWN DUBAI
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
IBRAHIM MARMOUSH
MARK FERNANDO
AIR COMMERCE DIRECTOR – EMEA
Sabre Corporation has appointed Ibrahim Marmoush as the new air commerce director – EMEA. Marmoush will oversee the air commerce business in EMEA, a key growth area for Sabre, as well as the growth of the company’s GDS customer base across the region, with a special focus on Middle Eastern carriers and existing partnerships with airline customers.
ttgmena.com
BARTLOMIEJ MART
SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL
ZEYNEP ODEN AGAGIL
HOTEL MANAGER Swiss-Belhotel International has announced Bartlomiej Mart as the hotel manager of Swiss-Belresidences Juffair in Bahrain, which is slated for an April 2018 opening. Mart, a Polish national, brings 14 years of valuable experience to his new capacity, having worked for acclaimed brands across Europe, the US and the Middle East.
SOCIAL HUB
Our Team GENERAL MANAGER Chris Christou CChristou@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803003
EDITOR Tatiana Tsierkezou TTsierkezou@ttgmena.com D: +35724803021 MEDIA REPORTER Aleksandra Wood Awood@ttgmena.com D: +35724803022
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: ILTM CANNES 2017
Uniting upscale travel and tourism experts spanning all four corners of the globe in the dream-like French Riviera, the 2017 edition of ILTM Cannes was deemed an incredible success. Here are some of our favourite Tweets from the event, which took place from December 4-7 at the Palais des Festivals…
CONTRIBUTORS Emily Millett Natalie Hami CREATIVE DIRECTOR Edward Beales ACCOUNT MANAGERS Helen Moss Hmoss@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803074 Elaine Hockley EHockley@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803011 Maria Demetriadou mdemetriadou@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803012 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Costas Miaoulis CMiaoulis@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803002 ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE Vasilis Eracleous VEracleous@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803026 CREDIT CONTROL Stala Antoniades SAntoniades@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803015 HEADQUARTERS Nietzsche Street, Ria Court 9, 1ST Floor 6028 Larnaca, Cyprus Tel: +357-24 803000 Fax: +357-24 803060 Email: INFO@ttgmena.com Website: www.ttgmena.com THAILAND REPRESENTATIVE Public Major Media Ltd, Janya Limmanee Janya.Limmanee@publicitas.com Tel: 662 651 9273 JAPAN REPRESENTATIVE Pacific Business Inc, Hiroko Kujime Kujime-pbi@gol.com Tel: 81 33661 6138 TTG Worldwide Titles* TTG Middle East & North Africa operates under a licence from TTG Media Limited in the UK
TTG Middle East & North Africa is a member of the TTG network of media alongside: TTG UK and Ireland, TTG Russia and CIS, TTG Nordic, TTG Czech Republic, TTG Italia, TTG Asia, TTG China TTG India * For information on these publications, please contact us at: INFO@ttgmena.com TTG MENA is part of the CADS Group
Palais des Festivals @CannesPalais Welcome to all participants of #ILTM2017 the most important travel luxury market in the world this week in #Cannes. Have a good & sunny Day
ILTM Luxury Travel@ ILTM_events ILTM are thrilled to announce our wonderful guest tweeter for Day 2 at #ILTM in Cannes @MrScottEddy – don’t forget to tune in and follow his story #keeptheworldmoving
AccorHotels Group @AccorHotelsNews We have signed the @raffleshotels Dubai PALM360 in partnership with Nakheel, bringing the world’s largest sky pool, luxury hotel and branded residences to the Palm Jumeirah #ILTM
ILTM Luxury Travel@ ILTM_events The @belmond hotel bellboys have been rocking the blue this week in Cannes! #iltm #keeptheworldmoving
Six Senses Spas @SixSensesSpas Celebrating our #local, #sustainable and also delicious approach to food and drink #EatWithSixSenses at #ILTM2017
ILTM Luxury Travel @ILTM_events Good Morning #iltm #luxury #family! We hope you have a great last day with us here in #cannes #KeepTheWorldMoving
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