Middle East & North Africa
NOVEMBER 15 2013
ISSUE 261
ILLUMINATING VISION Destination Jordan PAGE 10
Analysis
On Location
Special Report
Meetings & Incentives
Singapore
Macau
MENA is innovating its products with passion and technological advances
The Garden City further enhances its bespoke appeal as a transit hub
Highlighting its culturally-infused touristic charm to the world
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CONTENTS
A LETTER FROM...
> YOUR GUIDE
Fourth-quarter ambition
04 News The latest in regional and international travel trade news. 08 Technology A breakdown of the technological advancements in the world of tourism. 09
Interview Managing director, Auris Hotels, Hatem Gasmi speaks exclusively to TTG.
10 Destination Jordan Tourism professionals label
n the midst of Q4 of 2013, and with WTM having come to a successful close, travel professionals are gearing up for the next two crucial events taking place in two wonderful European destinations; EIBTM – the global exhibition for the meetings, incentives, conferences, events and business travel industry, gathering more than 15,000 MICE industry professionals – in Barcelona; and ILTM – the luxury travel event which unites the elite travel industry – in Cannes. Wishing to continue sailing through this quarter on a positive note, industry stakeholders are striving to close deals and conduct business so as to hit the ground running in Q1 of 2014, with a plethora of exciting plans and projects already in place. I find it astounding how quickly this year is sweeping by. The travel industry really does keep everyone on their toes at all times, and here at TTG MENA we are constantly on the edge of our seats, updating our website and broadcasting your news on all of our platforms. With this in mind, if you follow us on Facebook and Twitter, you can stay up-todate with all of the latest breaking travel news. Adding to this, we have recently adopted an Instagram account (TTGMENA), so please do subscribe to our colourful picture feed. You’ll be able to see what we’re all up to here and where in the world we are travelling to. As for this issue, which is overflowing with exciting news and updates that will be of interest to you all, our Destination report focuses on Jordan and how it is progressively evolving into a stand-alone destination due to its unique and versatile offering; our Analysis Meetings & Incentives report examines how the region is ambitiously prospering its meetings and incentives product to cater to each need of every corporate traveller; On Location Singapore explores the country’s status as an ever-expanding transit hub; and finally, Special Report Macau highlights how the administrative region is showcasing its culture in a bid to attract longer-staying visitors who are eager to see more and spend more. I hope you enjoy this issue and I sincerely wish you all the best of luck for all of your upcoming travel exhibitions.
the country as a stand-alone destination. 13 Analysis Meetings & Incentives TTG explores how MENA is enhancing its meetings and incentives experiences. 16 On Location Singapore The Garden City further consolidates its reputation as a transit hub. 20 People on the move Find out the latest promotions and appointments in MENA. 21 TATOs Focused news for travel agents and tour operators spanning the globe.
I sincerely wish you all the best of luck for all of your upcoming travel exhibitions. Tatiana Tsierkezou Media Reporter
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NEWS
Regional airline giant Maturing hotel plans first to land in Dubai for Russia and CIS
Exhibition Calendar
ubai Airports recently confirmed that Gulf Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become the first full-service network carrier to fly into Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC). Effective December 8, 2013, Gulf Air plans to operate a daily service linking DWC to its home base in Bahrain and, according to CEO, Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, this route is sure to be appealing to a wide number of travellers.
November 19-21
EIBTM, Barcelona, Spain www.eibtm.com •
DECEMBER 2-5
ILTM Cannes, France www.iltm.net •
January 22-26
FITUR, Madrid, Spain www.ifema.es •
January 30
EMITT, Istanbul, Turkey www.emittistanbul.com/en/ •
February 16-19
MELTS, Doha, Qatar www.meltshow.com
February 23-25
Routes America, San Salvador El Salvador www.routesonline.com •
February 24-25
Mice Arabia Congress, Doha, Qatar www.mice-arabia.com/ •
• TTG Middle East & North Africa will be available at these shows • ttgmena luxury will be available at these shows
Gulf Air’s new daily evening flight to DWC will provide additional travel options.
•
“It’s clear the interest in our new passenger terminal is growing in leaps and bounds. We are confident passengers will appreciate the sleek efficiency of our newest passenger terminal and the growing slate of flights it has on offer,” said Griffiths. Acting CEO, Gulf Air, Maher Salman Al Musallam also stated: “Gulf Air’s new daily evening flight to DWC will provide additional travel options and seamless connections through Bahrain to over 30 destinations, maximising passenger convenience.”
HOTEL CHECK Mercure Hotel Grand Seef
By Helen Moss 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.
After landing at Bahrain International Airport following a busy few days in Oman, I was pleased to hear that my hotel, Mercure Hotel Grand Seef, was a mere 20 minutes away. I arrived at the hotel at 08:30 to an extremely warm welcome with the greeting of very polite bell boys, and with three hours to spare until my next appointment, I decided to spend the morning in my two-bedroom suite which was absolutely beautiful. The living, dining and kitchen areas are located separately to one
another, making the room really spacious and one of the bedrooms had an en-suite bathroom while the guest toilet also had a shower. I have to say that the most striking element of the hotel was its roof terrace. It was such a chilled out zone to relax in, with fantastic music playing in the background, delicious snacks as well as beautiful views of the city’s skyline. It was the perfect way to end my hectic day. If I were to visit Bahrain again, I would definitely stay here.
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IHG plans to significantly increase its footprint in the region
Set to deliver more growth in Russia and the CIS, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed three new hotels in the region, due to open over the next two years. Holiday Inn Express Naberezhnye – Chelny; Holiday Inn Express Samara; and Staybridge Suites Baku are all expected to join the hotel giant’s burgeoning portfolio. Naberezhnye – Chelny is set to welcome the 145-room
property in Q2 of 2015 and is aimed to be heralded as the first internationally-branded hotel in the area. Similarly, the newly built 115-unit Staybridge Suites hotel will be the first branded extended-stay hotel in the Azerbaijani capital, while Holiday Inn Express Samara in Russia, will operate a centrally-located 145-room property, due to launch at the end of 2015.
Strengthening a partnership in the Middle East Hospitality group, Accor Middle East has signed a management agreement with API Hotels and Resorts for Adagio Aparthotel Premium Dubai Al Barsha. Boasting 201 upscale serviced apartments, the new property, slated for Q1 of 2014, will join API Hotels and Resorts’ Novotel Al Barsha and ibis Al Barsha. CEO, Adagio Aparthotel, Martine BaloukaVallette noted: “The Aparthotel’s main customers are corporate clients seeking extended stays. Adagio is also popular among
families and leisure travellers, due to the facilities on offer in prime city centre locations with close proximity to malls, restaurants and transportation infrastructures.” Managing director, Accor Middle East, Christophe Landais also said: “The Adagio Aparthotel brand is well-known among Middle Eastern travellers, particularly from the GCC region, who visit Paris and other cities across Europe. The Middle East is therefore an important strategic location for the growth of the Adagio Aparthotel brand.”
A new experience comes to life in Abu Dhabi Owned and managed by Camper & Nicholsons Marinas, Yas Marina recently unveiled the official opening of its enhanced dining and entertainment district. Seven new F&B outlets have opened to the public welcoming residents and visitors of all ages to the newly developed establishment. According to general manager, Yas Marina, Cedric Le Rest, these new casual ttgmena.com
licensed and affordable dining options, combined with lounge concepts, are a great addition to Abu Dhabi’s dining and entertainment options, complementing what is already on offer both at Yas Marina and Yas Island. “Yas Marina will complement the growth of Yas Island and will further enhance its status as a leading destination of Abu Dhabi and the GCC,” he concluded.
Yas Marina presents new food and beverage offerings
NEWS
Erbil, Iraq plans new Downtown region
Downtown Erbil is expected to redefine the city’s skyline by adding iconic twin towers and many other features to the city Prime Minister, Kurdistan Regional Government, HE Nechirvan Barzani recently unveiled plans for Downtown Erbil, Emaar, the city’s first-of-its-kind integrated lifestyle development in the region in Kurdistan, Iraq. With the intention of creating a new city centre, Downtown Erbil is planned to be spread over an area of 541,000m2. “The brand new Downtown
Erbil project will be defined by stunning architecture and an urban design," said chairman, Emaar Properties, Mohamed Alabbar while elaborating on the plans for the Iraqi city. “Every aspect of the development, including the city’s largest mall, twin towers, hotels, a central business district, and luxurious homes, will be integrated to create a lifestyle community,” he concluded.
ATM announces growth for 2014 he 2014 edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is set to mark significant growth for the MENA region’s largest travel showcase. Due to increased exhibitor demand from a variety of industry sectors, an extra hall has been added to the floor plan, which now exceeds 23,500m2 of exhibition space. According to organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions, this represents a 5.8 per cent increase in floor space for next year’s event, which will be held from May 5-8, 2014, at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Newly revealed statistics have recorded rising demand from Middle Eastern exhibitors up 11 per cent, Europe up by seven per cent and travel technology and hotels increasing by eight per cent, and seven per cent respectively. Portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Mark Walsh highlighted that the growth in floor space is a result of the growth in tourism in the Middle East region. “The UAE’s fundamental tourism appeal is already built on a sustainable footing. A successful Expo 2020 bid would accelerate that growth exponentially,” added Walsh. In addition to the increase in exhibition space, in line with building on its successful seminar series, ATM will add a third seminar theatre to the line-up this year, with a new ‘Showcase Theatre’ for short workshops and country destination briefings.
Ajman hotel agreement signed
The luxury resort is set to be operated and managed by The Oberoi Group Al Zorah Development Company, a joint venture between the Government of Ajman and Solidere International, has announced its agreement with India-based global hotel operator, The Oberoi Group, to manage and operate the first luxury resort within its flagship integrated mixed-use development. Marking the execution of the first phase of Al Zorah’s development, the agreement
also celebrates the groundbreaking of the hospitality property. The Oberoi Group’s subsidiary, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, will manage the resort, which is expected to span 100,000m2 with 290m of beachfront. The mixed-use development, located on a land area of 5.4 million m2, is to become a hub for hospitality and leisure, and is due to be ready by summer 2015.
HOTEL CHECK Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai
By Elaine Hockley
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.
Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai was an ideal choice for my recent business visit to Dubai, The UAE. The first thing I noticed when I entered my room was the perfect room temperature, the cleanliness of my room and the modern décor. My room was great and consisted of everything I needed, with a fantastic view of the Burj Khalifa – which was the cherry on the cake. My bed was exceptionally comfortable with big pillows, something I was grateful for after a busy day of meetings.
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There was plenty of hot water for a nice soak in the bath and 24-hour room service was available to me, allowing me to snack at all hours. As for hotel amenities, I revelled in the sun at the rooftop pool which was highly popular among the guests. Also, the F&B options of the hotel were exquisite and I very much enjoyed the Indian and Chinese cuisine available at their dining outlets. Although at 100 per cent occupancy, the hotel was peaceful and I was not disturbed by fellow guests.
TECHNOLOGY
Dubai visitor experience enriched uring the Gitex Technology Week 2013, which recently took place at Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) announced that it is enriching the Dubai visitor experience by providing services and more information through a range of new smartphone applications. At the event, DTCM exhibited an update on its ‘Definitely Dubai’ smartphone app, which is designed to help visitors explore the attractions of the emirate, and additionally showcased a new initiative which is set to digitally map Dubai’s 600-plus hotel establishments and future planned hotels. Director of information technology, DTCM, Suhail
Buhelaiba commented: “Visitors to our stand will have a chance to familiarise themselves with the very latest smartphone services and applications developed and operated by DTCM.” Director, One Stop Information Centre, DTCM, Sumaya Karam remarked: “DTCM gathers a wealth of information on all sectors within the tourism industry and provides this in various forms to our partners.” Also during the event, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, an agency of DTCM, announced using cutting edge technology to market and promote festivals and events, starting with its flagship festival brand, Dubai Shopping Festival, which is expected to take place from January 2 to February 2, 2014.
www.dorchestercollection.com
WEB REVIEW
Anyone interested in booking or finding out more online about luxury hotel brand, Dorchester Collection, will be greeted by a minimalist website that is visually pleasing and easy to navigate. Large banners promote the company ethos, enticing visitors to book a room, and a simple scroll down reveals more reasons to stay at the hotels. Interestingly, Dorchester Collection is socially integrated with Facebook, Twitter and Google+. At the top of the page, one can find Dorchester Collection's destinations, its meetings and events solutions, and also its weddings solutions where one can contact a wedding specialist. The weddings page has the ‘Ideas and Inspiration’ hub which provides links to the hotels’ Instagram and Pinterest board, and offers ideas for what one can do on their special day.
By Panayiotis Markides Content ✰✰✰✰ Navigation ✰✰✰✰✰ Presentation ✰✰✰✰✰ Overall
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A way to promote the industry
The event emphasises technological innovation
Between January 22 and 26, 2014, IFEMA will stage the 34th International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR, which is set to place the emphasis on technological innovation as a means of promoting the development of the tourism industry. In this respect, the different events hosted by the trade fair will address the latest trends and new technological developments, as they play a key role when it comes to boosting the industry’s competitiveness. Over 90 per cent of the space available at FITUR has already been contracted, with around 9,000 companies confirmed to be in attendance. Therefore, the staging of the trade fair will take place within a general context of growth within the worldwide tourist market, offering tourism professionals the opportunity to access the different tools employed by FITUR to enhance innovation and competitiveness.
Brand updates award-winning application
Conrad Hotels & Resorts has introduced new features to its travel mobile app
Conrad Hotels & Resorts has introduced a comprehensive pre check-in feature to its travel mobile application, Conrad Concierge. Guests at each of the 24 Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide can now expect to find greater customisation and convenience through their mobile, from selecting prearrival amenities to ordering in-room dining and enjoying mobile check-out. Since the hotel group introduced the platform with check-out and amenity pre-selection functionality in November 2012, the app has reportedly seen over 100,000 downloads. Global head, luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton Worldwide, John Vanderslice commented: “Use of our Conrad Concierge app
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among global luxury travellers is on the rise, especially as more guests manage travel accommodations when and how they want through mobile devices.” The expanded capabilities of Conrad Concierge are now set to include pre check-in, where guests can pre check-in to their hotel through the Conrad Concierge app and provide their estimated time of arrival any time after completing their booking. “With these enhancements, Conrad strengthens its position as a leader in the luxury category by creating an expectation of tailored services, to the point that features like our app become a natural extension of their stay with us,” said Vanderslice.
INTERVIEW
emirate. We have also acquired valuable market knowledge through relationships with key industry players and property developers, and enjoy a well-integrated environment in the community and in the market which allows us to continually offer value to our clients through a well informed and market-orientated approach to their needs. Our brand is set apart by the fact that we are a local company, with regional presence and international standards. We compete with big brands for the global market but we have also maintained the comforts of a local presence. TTG: Where are you looking to expand next? Our expansion plan is concentrated on the MENA region and we are expanding in other countries that are experiencing growth in their travel industry. We currently have pipeline projects in different stages of development locally (we have three upcoming projects in Dubai) and in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Tunisia, Libya, Ethiopia and Sudan. TTG: What type of guests are you looking to attract?
Valuing relations Riding on a momentum of expansion and growth, managing director, Auris Hotels, Hatem Gasmi shares with Ana Mladenovic the company’s philosophy and future plans
TTG: What is the ethos of Auris Hotels? Our brand is founded on close relationships and is a multi-property brand. Our hotels range from boutique to five-stars, but are closely managed to project the Auris standards of service which are defined by professionalism, variety, style and the freedom to choose. We offer our guests possibilities and we enable them to tailor their stay according to their destination and purpose of travel. Auris also submits to social sustainability
by upholding community values and providing a family orientated environment to our guests. We invested in technology and communication systems to allow us to competitively grow in a market characterised by a kind of online booking monopoly. TTG: What is the competitive advantage of Auris Hotels in Dubai and in the region? We are a Dubai-based company and we have established a strong foundation within the November 15 2013
We are targeting both business and leisure travellers. Dubai offers a large number of exhibitions and international events, hence the destination is valued for both types of travellers. Our strategy is to balance ourselves depending on the season of travel. TTG: What is your recently launched loyalty programme designed for? We have taken a different approach with the Auris Membership Club. We believe that the loyalty programme concept needs some rethinking, especially because of the emergence of several point-based discount websites and applications. The idea of accumulating points which are later redeemed is fast becoming outdated. We envision a valued relationship with our clients from the moment they interact with our business and have therefore established Auris Club with community ideals where members enjoy immediate benefits from our hotels as well as a selected alliance of economic players. Our club is founded on two strong pillars: recognition and financial benefits through immediate discounts and preferential treatment from all our strategic partners. TTG: What are your aspirations for the brand? It is my considered opinion that hoteliers have no control over the source of their business. With the growth of OTAs, IDS, hotel websites and social media, the guest knows you before you meet them and they make the decision to stay at your hotel. Your point of contact with the guest is a booking form. It is my aspiration to ensure ttgmena.com
We are enabling our guests to tailor their stay according to their destination and purpose of travel. that Auris adapts to this business source process and adjusts by establishing a customer relationship approach based on this style of online thinking. We have designed a BWA concept – before, within and after the guest’s stay (so as to keep ongoing communication with guests), which is meant to establish and gain control of the process or reduce the gap between us and the customer. Auris Membership club is one of the strategies that we have put in place to know and understand our customers. TTG: How does your current position challenge you personally? What is the most important lesson you have learned? I take it as a personal challenge to stay on top of Internet and IT–based developments in terms of marketing and system management in the travel industry. This enables me to be proactive in brand development and utilise the most efficient and up-to-date systems in business management. My most important lesson is that in this business, trust is priceless. The value that owners and developers put on you and your brand when signing a property is immeasurable. Your business partners need more than just performance indicators; they need to emotionally connect with you and your business ideals. TTG: What advice would you give to novices to the Middle Eastern hospitality industry? The Middle Eastern hospitality industry is fresh, special and a new experience altogether. The fusion of mixed hospitality cultures from around the world offers a rich professional environment. This is a big opportunity for joiners to learn, grow and express themselves in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. In a continuous motion, one must combine traditional hospitality values and a modern approach. A good hotelier can be rightly said to be an artist with an eye for opportunity. He needs to have exceptional leadership skills, both in business and his personal aspirations. Open minded, innovative and people-orientated qualities are a must for a good hotelier.
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DESTINATION JORDAN
ILLUMINATING VISION Shedding light on its glorious history and romantic legends, Jordan can entice any type of traveller, and while shadows cast themselves over this sun-drenched country, Ana Mladenovic discovers how the industry is reconfiguring itself to rise to its full potential
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has all it takes to appeal to any type of traveller – from sun seekers, adventurers and honeymooners, to business and corporate voyagers, eco-enthusiasts and those in search of natural medical treatments. Its convenient geographical location and size, aided by a developed infrastructure and transportation network, enable it to deliver compact, yet diverse and inspiring travel experiences. Managing director, Abercrombie & Kent Destination Management Company (DMC) – Jordan, Mohanad Malhas vividly illustrated this to TTG: “Jordan can offer anything and everything; its beauty lies in that it is a small country with many things to offer – you can have a special dinner at Petra or at the Wadi Rum desert and the next day swim in the Dead Sea.” The country’s tourism potential is indeed unprecedented, and as TTG discovered, local stakeholders are
well aware of its uniqueness. However, there is an industry-wide understanding that the political unrest in its surrounding neighbourhood is shunning travellers away from the region and slowing down Jordan’s growth and progress. “Jordan was considerably affected by the unrest in Egypt and Syria as many travellers look at the Middle East as one and don’t understand that what is going on in these countries is not affecting us in terms of safety,” explained Malhas, further stressing that Jordan has been and always will be one of the safest destinations in the MENA region. Apart from generating negative perceptions for global travellers, the regional turmoil has also crippled some of the Kingdom’s former tourism partners, who were vital to its tourism due to the popularity of multiple-destination tours. This delivered a strong blow to the country, which was unprepared to compete alone in the global market.
DESTINATION JORDAN Creative perseverance Refusing to give in, the industry is vigorously working to alter negative safety perceptions, expand on its markets and secure positive business performance, diversifying its approach to strategy, sales and promotion. A shining example of this is the home-grown Amlak Hotels & Tourism Investment Company (Amlak) which is focusing its efforts on its loyal clients and the corporate sector, as CEO, Amlak, Naji Alia revealed to TTG. The company takes part in local workshops organised by the likes of USAID, Agoda.com and Booking.com, and attends events organised by the country’s Ministry of Tourism and relevant associations. It has also forged strong relationships with local and international relief organisations, the UN and other intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions, catering to their corporate and MICE needs. And on top of it all, it combines social media campaigns, creative promotions and exposure at international trade shows to stir business towards its properties. Similarly adapting its strategy, Abercrombie & Kent DMC is also active at all relevant tourism exhibitions and is additionally conducting road shows in the US, Brazil and Mexico, assisted by its sales representatives in these markets. The increasing allure of long-haul markets was also noted by director of sales and marketing – Jordan, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Daniele Venuti, who explained to TTG that his team has turned towards Brazil, Australia, India and Southeast Asia. “I recently participated at ITB Asia in Singapore and am planning several trips to these markets in 2014,” he confirmed. So, with fresh strategies being devised and new markets opening up, the question arises – is Jordan ready to reposition itself as a stand-alone destination?
“Jordan is sold as a part of bigger packages which include other countries, yet the diversity it has to offer enables tour operators to sell the destination as stand-alone,” assured managing director, Dakkak Tours International, Ziad Dakkak. “The MICE market can only be sold as stand-alone; the adventure market is mainly sold as a stand-alone; those seeking the adventure trail of Lawrence of Arabia – it’s only available in Jordan; and bird watching combined with eco-tours is a standalone product. So yes, Jordan is capable of being placed on the map as a stand-alone product.” His confidence in the country’s tourism product was closely mirrored by Venuti, who shared his own personal impressions of the country, from the perspective of a tourist: “In 2010, before I came to work in this beautiful country, I travelled to Jordan with my spouse and we spent nine nights visiting Amman, Jerash, Madaba, the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Petra and Wadi Rum, and we ended up in Aqaba for a relaxing beach resort experience. I strongly believe that Jordan should be promoted as a stand-alone destination because it has unique experiences to offer to all travellers, both families and couples.” The sentiment of confidence and pride in the country is abundant throughout the industry; however, to yield sure tourism success, several stakeholders did turn TTG’s attention to the need for Jordan Tourism Board to further increase promotional efforts on a global scale.
Jordan's stakeholders are unanimous in their views that the country should be promoted as a stand-alone destination. to increase and diversify the country’s hotel capacity within the next couple of years, boosting its competitiveness globally. A city and region that is definitely one to look out for is Aqaba, which is poised to gain more prominence on the Red Sea coast. The city is bustling with confidence following the recent tourism workshop ‘Opportunities and Challenges’, held under the patronage of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and in the presence of USAID. The event gathered local tourism stakeholders to present a road map and ensure a high-level of coordination between all partners, so as to further develop tourism in the city. Chief Commissioner, ASEZA, Kamel Mahadin, speaking at the event, shared: “We are not discouraged by the political situation in the region. On the contrary, we are more and more keen on transforming Aqaba into a world-class business hub and leisure destination.”
Upcoming developments Anticipating the prospects of this unique destination, the industry is buzzing with optimism and determination. Malhas shared with TTG that there are many new properties being built in Amman, Aqaba and the Dead Sea which are due
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With such passion and confidence in its tourism product, and with its still unrealised potential, Jordan’s travel trade industry is poised to succeed in realigning its strategies, coordinating its approach and consolidating the position it deserves on the global tourism map.
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DESTINATION JORDAN
Resort achieves industry recognition
New Amman-Mosul Boosting the passenger experience link announced oyal Jordanian (RJ) has recently introduced Mosul as its fifth destination in Iraq, complementing the already existing services to the cities of Baghdad, Basra, Sulaymaniyah and Erbil in Iraq. Flights to Mosul are set to be offered two times per week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, bringing the total number of RJ flights between Jordan and Iraq to 28 per week.
Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa was praised for its design, structure, outlets, facilities and more Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa was awarded the ‘Best New Hotel Construction & Design’ accolade at the regional competition of International Hotel Awards. General manager, Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa and Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea, Firas Irsheidat stated: “We are proud of our resort which is a new property in the Dead Sea. It has become
very well-known in the area in a very short time. The resort’s design, structure, outlets, facilities and various services all qualified the resort to win in the ‘New Hotel Construction & Design’ category. We are confident of our unique offering and this exceptional award is a true testament of the high-quality and high standards that Crowne Plaza Jordan Dead Sea Resort & Spa boasts.”
The Amman-Mosul route is seen as particularly beneficial for business travellers between the two countries, as well as for students and Iraqi citizens who are using Queen Alia International Airport as a transport hub and a gateway to RJ’s global network. Mosul is located in the northern part of Iraq and is the second largest city in the country in terms of population size.
Airport International Group (AIG), the operator of Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), has named Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) and its joint venture partner Royal Jordanian (RJ) as the preferred bidder to provide ‘Meet & Assist’ services at the airport. The decision was made following a tender which was open to relevant local, regional and international service providers.
Our main priority has always been the delivery of a unique travel experience for passengers at QAIA. CEO, AIG, Kjeld Binger commented on the announcement: “Our main priority has always been the delivery of a unique travel experience for passengers at QAIA, which falls in line with our aim of positioning the airport as an ideal choice for leisure and business travellers, as well as a convenient transfer hub in the region. For this purpose, our service providers are determined via open tenders to allow the participation of qualified entities.”
Caring for the community through initiatives
Raising the bar in Amman with luxurious facilities
October saw more than 40 employees of King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre (KHBTCC), managed by Hilton, take part in three community projects in Amman and in the Dead Sea region
After the recent announcement of its entry into Qatar, Shaza Hotels has announced its debut in Jordan with Shaza Amman, expected to welcome its first guests in the second quarter of 2014. Apart from introducing the Shaza brand to the country, the hotel is also due to bring about a brand new dining concept to the local market once it unveils Jordan’s first ever suspended restaurant. Other facilities are planned to include 203 designer guest rooms and suites, a ballroom for 700 people and an infinity pool on the top of the hotel building, in addition to what is said to be Amman’s biggest hammam and spa. The property will be set within a mixeduse complex in the city centre, which is also to include a high-end shopping mall and an office tower, and it is to provide convenient access to the airport. Its convenient location and diverse facilities are promising to make it suitable for both business and leisure travellers to the Jordanian capital. Shaza Amman was announced alongside the company’s new hotel in Saudi Arabia, Shaza Jeddah, which is expected to open in early 2017. Commenting on the news, president, Shaza Hotels, Simon Coombs stated: “There has been an increase in demand in recent years for high–quality, internationally
as part of Hilton Worldwide’s second annual Global Week of Service. The KHBTCC team assisted the renovation of Dahiyat Al Hussein Public Health Center in Amman,
while by the Dead Sea region they donated laptops, carpets and curtains to the Princess Basma Center and Anaqeed Association, which both focus on families and youth care.
An enticing refresh on the Dead Sea coast Mövenpick Dead Sea is due to have all of its 346 rooms renovated, with works planned to start in Q4 of 2013. Director of sales and marketing – Jordan, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Daniele Venuti told TTG: “The renovation will take several months since we prefer to make it block-by-block in order not to create any discomfort to our guests.” He added that the refresh will also touch on some public areas.
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The renovation will take several months since we prefer to make it block-by-block in order not to create any discomfort to our guests. November 15 2013
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The hotel is set to feature Amman’s first suspended restaurant
branded hotels in the region that encapsulate the values and cultures of the Silk Route, but more precisely the MENA region. “We have identified Jeddah and Amman, as strategically significant locations for Shaza and we are proud to be associated with these world–class projects,” Coombs further added. “In addition to our award–winning properties, these hotels will form an essential part of our growing network of hotels,” he concluded.
ANALYSIS meetings & incentives result, this has provided a strong platform for the development of this market.” Further afield, growth is anticipated in Oman once the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre opens its doors in 2016. Meanwhile in Jordan, optimism abounds that the outlook for the meetings industry is soon to expand. Country manager – Jordan, Hilton Worldwide, Kamel Ajami told TTG: “We see a healthy increase in opportunities for the future. We are working on several conventions for the coming years, which show great opportunity.” For regional organisers, one challenge of this growth and fresh interest in this burgeoning sector is being able to provide a flexible and dynamic offering. Prashanth said: “We anticipate that lead times next year will decrease to less than 30 days between enquiry and execution. This is largely due to increased competition in terms of supply.” Essential ingredients
HEALTHY COMpetition Gliding with creativity, passion and finesse, MENA's meetings and incentives industries are rising to the global challenge. Naomi Leach investigates he Middle East and North Africa region is beginning to establish and solidify its credentials as a top contender in the global meetings and incentives industry. Buoyed by robust business growth fuelling an increase in meetings and events held in some MENA destinations, industry stakeholders are ambitiously taking steps to compete for international delegations to experience their unique offerings. Taking centre stage, the UAE (dominated by Dubai) has been achieving regional supremacy in the meetings sector, according to the IBTM Middle East Meetings Industry Report 2013 which crowned the country top in the region for attracting 108 UIA international association meetings during 2011. Creating strong competition for traditional meetings markets, the UAE is followed by Morocco, Egypt and Qatar. Regional sales manager, The Rezidor Hotel Group, Guru Prashanth outlined: “The market has rebounded strongly this year and Dubai in particular has continued to build on its reputation as a hub for MICE business globally with a forecasted double digit percentile growth expected for 2014.” Dubai continues to successfully tap into European MICE markets, supported by a strong infrastructure and seamless connectivity. As director of sales and marketing, Le Méridien Dubai, Vikas Choudhery noted: “The US and Western Europe, including the UK, still remain our top feeder markets. However, we are
also concentrating on emerging markets like India, China, Brazil and Russia as we have seen an incline in numbers with the introduction of new destinations by Emirates Airlines that has been instrumental in the growth of the MICE sector in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.” However, it is not only Dubai which is thriving within MENA; Abu Dhabi enjoyed its recent accolade, naming it one of the top 100 busiest global meetings destinations in the ICCA 2012 Global City Rankings for the first time. “We anticipate the coming seven years will be a boom time for the MENA region, and the UAE specifically – particularly if we win the Expo 2020 bid to be announced in November, not to mention city events already booked in the coming years,” explained general manager, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Kamal Chaoui. Abu Dhabi’s meetings and incentives proposition is bolstered by its ability to offer a complete destination experience for delegates. Vice president, Yas Island Destination Management, Karim El Guanaini reflected on this to TTG: “With trends nowadays focusing on both business and leisure, Yas Island is positioned as a major contender, meeting the needs of this market. Providing such a multi-layered offering, corporate groups recognise they can can fulfill all their needs in one destination, providing meeting and event facilities, leisure, entertainment as well as accommodation, all within a five-kilometre radius. As a November 15 2013
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In creating a successful meetings and incentives offering to draw in international markets, MENA organisers highlighted the implementation of sophisticated technology solutions as fundamental to the meetings experience. Cluster general manager, Al Bustan Rotana Dubai and Al Murooj Rotana Dubai, Hussein Hachem explained: “Meetings and incentives clients tend to have more advanced technological requirements as compared to the previous years, which we have anticipated due to the fast developments in technology. “Accordingly, we are upgrading our systems to enhance the guest experience. We will soon launch in both properties a new online system whereby MICE guests get to book and see all the details of their events and meetings online. I believe technology will remain a key factor for 2014.” Prashanth added: “For today’s traveller, it is all about staying connected. WiFi has become a standard amenity and hotels need to ensure they have the technology in place.” Commenting on this trend, director of sales and marketing, Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, Ayman Sallam remarked: “2014 will include implementing more latest technology products that will allow our international guests to easily communicate with their overseas head offices.” The pervasive influence and synergistic advantage of technological enhancements extends beyond traditional hotel venues to airports for travelling delegates also, as head of conferences sales, Munich Airport, Andro Maus highlighted: “Our guests expect that the technology they bring with them always works with our systems – the interfaces between the different devices has become more important than the device.” Bespoke experiences While the regional meetings industry is adapting quickly to growing technological needs, flexibility and creativity are also at the heart of its offerings. These twin desires inform a truly personalised incentives experience. Maus said: “High standards and a tonne of personality are both important. The better you know your customer the better the meeting will be prepared. Green meetings, healthy food and modern technology – all the things people enjoy in their private life – these are the key factors for good incentives.” General manager, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Doris Greif added: "Key in staging any great event is flexibility with the client, empathy and a real passion.” An array of tailor-made experiences colour and distinguish the incentive industry and are bolstered by collaborations and partnerships. An example of this is Oberoi Dubai, which works with Arabian Adventures to offer unique incentives and Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi which partners with nearby attractions to organise seamless experiences. With flexibility, technology and creativity hallmarks of a successful offering, MENA's meetings and incentives industries are set for healthy competition to meet continued demand.
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ANALYSIS meetings & incentives
Introducing bespoke events
MENA MEETINGS Top countries within the MENA region by value of events. The destinations within the region attracting the highest spend per buyer: 1. Saudi Arabia 2. Egypt 3. Dubai 4. Algeria 5. Abu Dhabi
Chic Outlet Villages offer a variety of incentive experiences
6. Qatar, Kuwait & Libya 7. Lebanon
Value Retail has launched a new MICE strategy for its Chic Outlet Villages. It is to partner with corporate agency organisations, venues, convention bureaus, congress centres and communication and brand experience agencies to host bespoke events, meetings and incentives at the Villages. The company is to launch four distinct MICE products - one for groups with a shopping experience, priority F&B
reservations and access to a VIP area in the Villages that can be combined with tourism visits. Meanwhile the special events product is designed to provide sponsor branding and the use of the Village on a large group or sole-hire basis. The meetings product offers use of VIP lounges or other facilities for a personalised experience, and the incentives product provides gift card-based rewards.
8. Morocco
The top countries for the MENA region by volume of events over the last 12 months: 1. UAE 2. Saudi Arabia 3. Egypt 4. Lebanon 5. Jordan 6. Qatar (According to the IBTM Middle East Meetings Industry Report 2013)
Futuristic innovations revealed IBTM, the global exhibition for the meetings and events industry, is expected to showcase a selection of the top innovations, set to impact the meetings industry. The exclusive feature is due to be showcased as part of the new interactive Innovation Zone at EIBTM 2013, taking place from November 19-21 in the Fira Gran Via, Barcelona. The EIBTM Innovation Zone is dedicated towards providing an educational, inspirational and interactive experience for all EIBTM attendees. Included in the latest innovations is COVR’s ‘cmWalkTrue’ which is a tool that has been created for virtual exhibitions based on 360° photography. Visitors will be able to digitally visit the virtualised version of the EIBTM Innovation Zone and envision how ‘cmWalkTrue’ can be used to virtualise full exhibitions or venues for online representation. Another innovation set to appear is Eventisimo’s ‘Sunflower Graphic’ which is an interactive virtual experience, mixing high-quality software-generated content with live surroundings, and allowing the user to interact with the virtual world by moving their body. Embraceled Interactions BV offers event planning/production companies an RF bracelet solution which lights up in different colours, allowing participants to discover people with similar interests, submit a vote or receive information from the organisers. While finally, Acciona Producciones y Diseño is expected to showcase ‘Video Mapping; a new audio-visual concept for projecting images – both video and graphics – on to real surfaces, making it possible to transform a structure, into an optical illusion with motion effects.
Responding to demand with creative offerings The Park Inn by Radisson Muscat has doubled the size of its meeting space in response to a growing demand from meeting planners, according to regional sales manager, The Rezidor Hotel Group, Guru Prashanth. The three new meeting rooms now offer an additional 100m2 of space, providing the hotel with the ability to handle larger groups in addition to the small and mid-size groups it currently attracts. The total area combined can now accommodate up to 165 participants in a theatre-style set up. Meanwhile, meeting facilities in Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai have also been increased with three new meeting rooms and an outdoor terrace. “Our main feeder markets are the UK, Germany, Turkey, India, China and the GCC countries, with group sizes ranging from 15 to 500 delegates,” Prashanth noted to TTG.
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November 15 2013
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Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai offers creative and inspiring meeting spaces
ON LOCATION SINGAPORE
With everything within reach, guests have access to the best shops, malls, restaurants and entertainment Singapore has to offer. Programme provides full packages from hotels, tickets, transportation and visits to attractions which are great value for money. Singapore Airlines offers this programme to the clients interested in experiencing and exploring Singapore all-in-one, at an attractive cost,” Marican exclusively told TTG. But what other factors heavily influence the success rate of a traveller’s stay in Singapore? Tailor-made experiences
Premium connections Linking destinations and providing activities to suit a variety of tastes, Singapore is swiftly building on its name as a major transit hub. Natalie Hami discovers how this is being achieved
W
idely touted as one of the most enjoyable cities in Southeast Asia, Singapore is also known as a major transit hub, with Changi Airport connecting the destination to some 250 cities. And thus, accommodating the millions of passengers passing through, Singapore encompasses an impressive range of unrivalled activities and attractions for these on-the-move travellers. Even though it is already considered an established hub, the country is consistently expanding to match the upward-spiralling passenger figures. In September 2013 alone, Changi Airport handled 4.3 million passenger movements, representing an increase of 6.9 per cent over the same month last year. By reaching out to an array of Singapore’s leading industry professionals, TTG has also been able to delve a little deeper to uncover Singapore’s tourism success and future plans. Our primary investigations explore how both Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport are further bolstering the city’s image as a stopover destination with various packages and expansion projects in place, while we also unearth how the destination’s hotels are rising to the challenge, providing tailor-made services for its short-stay guests.
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Expansion on the cards As part of this drive to provide a most fascinating visit for its short-stay travellers, a number of industry stakeholders are indeed rising to the occasion, beginning from the moment a visitor touches down at the airport. Changi Airport Group has recently announced its concept plans for an iconic mixed-use complex to enhance Changi Airport’s offerings and strengthen its position as an international hub. The complex is to offer aviation and travel-related facilities, a wide range of retail offerings and unique leisure attractions. As part of the redevelopment, T1 is to be expanded to allow for more space in the arrival hall and baggage claim areas, thus increasing T1’s passenger handling capacity to 24 million passenger movements per annum. With this in mind, Singapore is successfully moulding itself into a major stopover hub, with a view to further developing its tourism product. Indeed, the destination already offers a number of cost-saving as well as fascinating packages, as outlined by area director – Middle East & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Mohamed Hafez Marican: “Singapore Stopover November 15 2013
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Once arriving in Singapore, visitors are ready to be enchanted by its culture-fuelled offerings, but not before dropping off their luggage and checking in at their desired hotel. And of course when guests do arrive at their given hotel, property staff aims to not only accommodate them, but make their stay as worthwhile as possible. A number of properties in Singapore are catering to every beck and call by providing a more customised experience, as general manager, Capella Singapore, Alejandro Helbling explained exclusively to TTG: “At the property, we aim to provide our guests with a unique and memorable experience through exclusive and personalised services. Our personal assistants can help to recommend, introduce and make bookings for attractions and restaurants all over Singapore.” Area director for sales and marketing – Southeast Asia, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Charis Choi explained to TTG how the hotel not only aspires to personalise its guests’ experiences, but how it is taking advantage of its key location. “Grand Hyatt Singapore’s prime location in the middle of Orchard Road is one of the main ways we help to maximise our guests’ stay in Singapore. With everything within reach, guests have access to the best shops, malls, restaurants and entertainment Singapore has to offer. Furthermore, our 24-hour concierge services are on stand-by to help plan and make recommendations on how guests can maximise their time spent in our hotel and in Singapore.” Director of marketing communications, Concorde Hotel Singapore, Angeline Loh also highlighted to TTG how the property looks to make the most of its guests’ time with packages to various nearby attractions, such as Universal Studios Singapore, touching upon the fact that each package has to be tailored accordingly. Also providing guests with the chance to enjoy all the captivating aspects of Singapore is Hotel Fort Canning, which bundles its room packages with unique experiences such as a buggy tour in Fort Canning Park to explore the Colonial history trail, Spice trail and Ancient history trail, among others. As a highly established transit hub with much to offer both business and leisure guests, Singapore is progressively striving to further enhance its hospitality product, with industry stakeholders personalising experiences, whether they be for stopover, short-stay or long-stay visitors.
ON LOCATION SINGAPORE
Evolving with travellers demands
Director, public relations – Asia Pacific, FRHI Hotels & Resorts, Susie LimKannan speaks to TTG on the changing needs of Singapore’s visitors The new generation of travellers is constantly on the lookout for something different in terms of design, F&B, activities, entertainment and recreation, and especially more so, for short-stay guests. Admittedly, there are many more choices for
travellers and we realise the need to have greater flexibility in accommodating different segments, while taking into account not only the demographics but the psychographics of our customers, and to customise each experience accordingly. Fairmont has already recognised this, and a passions platform was created to provide a series of benefits and services designed to relate to our guests in a more personal way. Fairmont President’s Club members can now update their member profiles to reflect a number of unique themes which include food and drink, arts and entertainment, sports and adventure, spa and fitness, and philanthropy – with custom offers as well as experiences being marketed to each respective group.
Exploration via technology orldhotels has launched its latest mobile app - Worldhotels Travel Guide, executive vice president – Asia Pacific, World Hotels, Roland Jegge told TTG. “It allows users to look up nearby places of interest at over 100 destinations, book a
taxi, obtain flight information, manage hotel bookings, find directions, convert currencies and find assistance in every step of their travels.” Looking to 2014, Worldhotels is set to launch its loyalty programme in the first half of the year, allowing guests to earn a number of benefits.
Fresh initiatives Orchard Hotel Singapore revealed to TTG that its Fitness Centre has undergone a complete refurbishment. The property also plans on carrying out a makeover on its swimming pools to include a Jacuzzi. Other initiatives that the hotel has embarked upon include an in-room compendium video to provide interactive information on various F&B outlets and a dedicated Room Ambassador video where staff introduces the features of the rooms and explains the main in-room functions and facilities.
Creating key opportunities in Singapore
Anticipating exciting attractions Sentosa Leisure Group has announced a slew of enhancements, set to be rolled out at the end of this year.
Singapore at Palawan Beach. The leisure cluster by the beach is being rejuvenated into a destination for families
Sentosa Leisure Group will be introducing a number of memorable attractions. Scheduled to open by the end of 2013, Sentosa is set to house Singapore’s first Bungy Jump by New Zealand-operator AJ Hackett. It is a new innovation allowingguests to race each other, side-by-side or criss-cross, to enhance the experience. In addition, the group will be developing an 11,500m2 Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) to include a new attraction, KidZania
with young children. The FEC is set for completion in 2014 and will be directly linked by a sheltered bridge to the Sentosa Express monorail and a new Arrival Plaza for coaches as well as private vehicles. Unique to KidZania Singapore, it combines role-playing with real-life experiences in a kid-sized city to provide unique ‘edutainment’ fun, as opposed to theme park rides.
Property enhances guest offerings with revamp
insights from top industry leaders to uncover further business opportunities. Executive director, ITB Asia, Nino Gruettke said: “Our aim and focus for ITB Asia is aligned with that of STB to build a platform that facilitates the exchange of insights to discover new trends and celebrate Asian tourism at its best. Working with STB to gather travel professionals and business leaders from the entire spectrum of the industry will help us generate even more strategic networking, business and collaboration opportunities to drive more quality buyers and visitors to the show.” ITB Asia and STB are aiming to create a fortified exhibition in coming years
With the recent close of the sixth edition of ITB Asia, it was announced that ITB Asia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), in an effort to produce an even stronger conference programme over the next three years. This year, the show delivered over 3,850 minutes of high–powered content over 20 sessions, led by industry partners including UNWTO, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), among many others. This partnership with STB promises new content for the show by harnessing collective
The hotel is situated in the centre of the Orchard area, allowing guests access to a great deal of attractions and activities
Our aim and focus for ITB Asia is aligned with that of STB. CEO, STB, Lionel Yeo commented: “As an organisation we look for partners that can challenge us and who are prepared to be challenged by us. Our belief is that this spirit of mutual motivation will raise our game and push boundaries.” November 15 2013
General manager, Royal Plaza on Scotts, Patrick Fiat exclusively unveiled to TTG the hotel's upcoming plans, as well as how it best caters to its short-haul guests. “The hotel’s façade is currently going through a major makeover which will soon be unveiled by the end of the year.” According to Fiat, it will feature a modern design expected to enhance the sense of arrival for its guests. ttgmena.com
He added: “An al fresco restaurant will likewise be located on top of the portecochére which will be a new dining destination in the Orchard area.” With Singapore swiftly becoming a leader in maximising its visitors’ time, the property is in a prime location in the very heart of Orchard to offer the best of Singapore to its guests, both business and leisure. “For short-haul guests
who are first timers to the city and have very limited time, the hop-on city tour continues to be a popular choice. There is also a lot of interest in the Day and Night Safari, the Bird Park and the Zoo,” Fiat explained to TTG. “Having a number of shopping malls within walking distance to the hotel is an added advantage for avid shoppers who enjoy being surrounded by shops open till late,” he concluded.
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SPECIAL REPORT MACAU Mainland China and during their visit, shopping is their top spending, then accommodation and gourmet restaurants to follow. They are willing to spend money on branded products and stay at luxury resort hotels.” Cheng reported that Macau’s five-star resort hotels are experiencing occupancy rates of 80-90 per cent. As of January 2013, the destination provided a total of 26,719 rooms. And driven by strong demand, top hotel brands continue to invest in Macau. However, despite growth in arrival numbers, the average stay for visitors to Macau is only 1.4 nights, according to MGTO. With this in mind, MGTO exclusively revealed to TTG that this year’s tourism strategy includes, developing visitor source markets that are high-spending and tend to stay longer; highlighting Macau’s cultural tourism products; innovating promotional techniques; and exploring new markets. MGTO has opened a representative office in Russia and has standardised its website into 15 languages to engage with a variety of markets. Additionally, it has launched smartphone apps and it actively utilises social networking services. Furthermore, to specifically explore opportunities to entice the Middle Eastern market, MGTO participated at ATM in 2012. “The Middle East is one of the emerging markets that we have been developing and we will further expand this market in the future because of the high-spending potential of this visitor source market,” MGTO outlined. Enhanced infrastructure
colourful display Celebrating its vibrant and myriad appeal, Macau is now showcasing its cultural attractions. Naomi Leach reports onfidently striving to surpass its status as just a leisure playground and a MICE hub, Macau’s tourism industry is flourishing and diversifying its appeal in a bid to attract new high-spending visitor markets and to secure longer stays from travellers. Despite boasting a robust MICE sector, enriched by the lively competition of an array of top global hospitality brands, Macau’s tourism stakeholders are strategically shifting their promotional focus from leisure and gaming attractions to also
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encompass culture, shopping and high-end offerings. Benefitting from its easy proximity to Hong Kong and mainland China, Macau welcomed over 28 million visitors in 2012 with travellers from Greater China (Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan) accounting for 25 million of this number, according to Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO). Confirming this top feeder market, assistant manager, Marcom, Banyan Tree Macau, Bonnie Cheng commented to TTG: “The majority of tourists are coming from November 15 2013
Looking forward, Macau looks set to boost both Chinese and international visitor numbers with the opening of the Hong KongZhuhai-Macau Bridge, designed to link all three cities by 2016. Communications manager, Mandarin Oriental Macau, Crystal Liu told TTG: “Hong Kong-Macau Bridge is expected to cut travel time by 40 per cent between Hong Kong and Macau. As Hong Kong is the gateway to the world, we are optimistic that the bridge will provide a greater integration in the region and more travellers from all corners of the globe will visit Macau.” Until then, the city continues to take advantage of the international stopover market from Hong Kong International Airport which is just a 45–minute ferry ride away. General manager, sales and marketing, Sheraton Macau hotel, Ruth Boston noted: “As a result of increasing accessibility, we have been seeing more visitors from longerhaul markets as well as receiving enquiries from international meeting groups. We believe that the developments in Macau’s tourism infrastructure have made it an appealing destination for travellers across all international borders and demographics.” Meanwhile, director of sales and marketing, Macau Westin, Antony Box added: “Macau complements as a dual destination experience extremely well, coupled with Hong Kong or other cities in China. Its proximity to these key feeder markets allows ttgmena.com
Macau to provide a ‘wow’ experience with its UNESCO World Heritage status and the juxtaposition of the modern skyline of the Cotai Casino Strip.” Additionally, with the birth of the financial district, Hengqin Special Zone Development in neighbouring Zhuhai, Macau, is expected to benefit from increased business in the MICE and events segments. General manager, Grand Hyatt Macau, Paul Kwok enthused: “We believe Macau will remain one of the great success stories of the Asia region, with its reputation as one of Asia’s most exciting, glamorous and culturally diverse destinations. “The opportunity to attract a whole new range of visitors to Macau is now very apparent, with increased arrivals from cities in Asia, the Hengqin Special Zone Development. The introduction of greater diversity in entertainment and lifestyle options has ideally placed Macau for continued success and its attraction as a MICE destination is set to grow exponentially,” he added.
Macau has positioned itself as a destination that has something for everyone. Cultural component In an aligned effort to magnetise international MICE and leisure markets to extend their stay and increase their spend, Macau’s travel industry stakeholders are working hard to unveil Macau’s unique Chinese and Portuguese infused cultural attractions, UNESCO sites and world-class events. Highlighting Macau’s diversified tourism products, MGTO said: “We aim at drawing in visitors to have an in-depth experience in Macau and to extend visitor stay. We want to attract visitors to explore more about Macau, such as its culture, heritage, nature and arts, promoting both the old and the new attractions of Macau.” Elucidating on the destination's cultural appeal, vice president, Sofitel Greater China and general manager, Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16, Michel Molliet commented: “Macau is a city that blends the rich traditions of Chinese and European cultures that have evolved over four centuries. Macau’s architecture, religious rituals, customs and cuisines reflect Macau’s unique cultural heritage. Macau has diversified its offerings
SPECIAL REPORT MACAU for both business and leisure travellers with its many luxury hotels and resorts, shopping, as well as lots of dining and entertainment options.” Dispelling stereotypes and reflecting on how this shift in focus is keeping Macau’s offering fresh, Box told TTG: “When people think of Macau they automatically associate it with casinos and large hotels – however, Macau has positioned itself as a destination that has something for everyone. Thrill-seekers can participate in a Macau Tower bungee jump or take in one of several high-profile shows. Bringing international artists like Rihanna or Justin Bieber also helps Macau to reinvent itself to lure back repeat visitors.” Boston concurred: “Macau is not just about gaming anymore; this modern city is emerging as one of Asia’s most exciting entertainment centres and vacation destinations with a growing selection of gourmet cuisine, high-end shopping and a selection of the most popular international live shows and entertainment. Macau has one of the most vibrant and exciting dining scenes in the region with over 30 Michelin star-rated restaurants in the destination.” Capitalising on Macau’s myriad of cultural and leisure offerings, hotels such as Mandarin Oriental Macau are collaborating with government and private enterprises to introduce programmes and packages for guests to visit UNESCO heritage sites, Macau Tower, Macao Science Center and more. With an enhanced infrastructure set to attract more visitors to Macau, in anticipation, the destination is strategically showcasing its multi-faceted, cultural products to international and regional markets.
Launching a revitalisation programme The Westin Resort Macau has announced the commencement of a guestroom revitalisation programme. A popular haven for leisure and business travellers, the Westin Resort Macau has collaborated with HBA Design Consultants to refresh the 208 guestrooms and suites. The programme includes four features: the addition of Philips 40”/46” Professional full HD LED TVs, brand new carpets and armoire designed by HBA
TOP 10 FEEDER MARKETS
Design Consultants and accent wallpaper. The completed new look is expected to be fully unveiled by the end of December, 2013. From the spacious private terrace in each guestroom overlooking the Hac Sa Beach and panoramic views of the South China Sea, to the combination of refreshed in-room features, the guest experience has been designed to revitalise and inspire according to The Westin Resort Macau.
ACCORDING TO MGTO (Jan -Aug 2013) 1. Mainland China 2. Hong Kong 3. Taiwan, China 4. Korea
MACAU’S VISITOR ARRIVAL TRENDS ACCORDING TO MGTO (for August 2013)
5. Japan 6. The Philippines
Visitor arrivals increased by 7.1 per cent year-on-year to 2,871,088 in August 2013.
7. Malaysia
Same-day visitors accounted for 50.3 per cent of the total.
8. Thailand
Mainland visitors totalled 1,881,588, with 47.5 per cent travelling to Macau under the Individual Visit Scheme. The average length of stay of visitors stood at one day; overnight and same-day visitors stayed an average of 1.9 days and 0.2 days respectively.
November 15 2013
9. Indonesia 10. The US
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Exploring off the beaten track acau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has recently unveiled the first four walking tour routes under the theme ‘Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities’, encouraging visitors to explore the lesser-known quarters of Macau. The new routes are expected to divert visitors off the beaten tourist track in order to boost Macau’s community tourism. The four walking tour routes being promoted include: A Tour of Historical Trails, setting off from Avenida da Praia Grande to Praça de Ponte e Horta; A Tour of Nature and Creativity, a walk from Kun Iam Temple to St. Lazarus Church; A Tour of East Meets West, which starts from Senado Square and ends at Maritime Museum; and A Tour of Arts and Culture from Macau Fisherman’s Wharf to A-Ma Temple. The walking tour maps are available to visitors in different international languages including Chinese traditional and simplified), English and Portuguese. MGTO is set to introduce the four walking routes as part of the ‘Development Plans For Community Tourism’ project and is due to promote the scheme through different advertising channels such as WeChat, SMS, MGTO website, Social Networking Service and printed publications. In the future, MGTO is expected to introduce a Smartphone application for the walking routes as well so visitors can be guided while they explore.
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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) has appointed Laurent Voivenel as CEO. Voivenel brings with him more than 28 years of hotel management experience with some of the world’s leading international hospitality companies, and has held various senior positions. Throughout his career, he has worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and has worked across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
General manager
Laurent Noury, has been appointed general manager of Novotel Al Dana Resort in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Having begun his career at Accor in 1983, Noury boasts extensive experience, knowledge and skills following large operations which he carried out across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Prior to joining Novotel Al Dana Resort, he was general manager at the 317-unit Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre.
Ahmed Faraz
Regional VP & GM
Rami Sayess has assumed the regional vice president role of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as well as the role of general manager at Four Seasons Hotel Doha. Bringing a global perspective with rich knowledge and experience to his new positions, Sayess will be responsible for overseeing Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts properties in five markets, namely Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Azerbaijan.
night manager
Media One Hotel
CEO
Rami Sayess
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts & Four Seasons Hotel Doha
Laurent Noury
Novotel Al Dana Resort
Hospitality Management Holdings
Laurent Voivenel
Ahmed Faraz has taken on the role of night manager at Media One Hotel located in Dubai Media City. Having held a number of evening jobs at a variety of hotels, Faraz started his career at Sheraton Heathrow Hotel in London as night auditor, before being promoted to night duty manager. He then moved to JW Marriott Hotel in London before moving to the UAE in August of this year.
If you have recently been promoted or appointed key staff, please contact us...
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Fares Yactine is the new general manager of Sofitel Al Khobar The Corniche, bringing 13 years of extensive hospitality experience in the region to his new role. In his new position, Yactine will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 229-unit luxury property which he joins from Sofitel Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa in Bahrain. Prior to joining the Sofitel Hotels and Resorts family, Yactine worked his way around the Middle East as well as Spain.
November 15 2013
Director of sales and marketing
General manager
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Dubai, has appointed Wael El Behi as general manager, who comes with over two decades of experience in hospitality management and sales and marketing. A Tunisian national, El Behi will take responsibility for directing the management and operation of the resort. Prior to his new position, El Behi was general manager of Ramada Downtown Dubai for more than two years.
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Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi
Lori-Jean Collins has been appointed as director of sales and marketing at ShangriLa’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Oman. Having been with the resort since 2011, Collins has been an instrumental figure to the sustained revenue growth of the three hotels, namely Al Waha, Al Bandar and Al Husn. Previously, she worked as director of business development at the hotel group’s regional sales office in Australia and New Zealand.
GENERAL MANAGER
Ibrahim Korkut
Wael El Behi
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
Director of sales and marketing
Fares Yactine
Sofitel Al Khobar The Corniche
Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Lori-Jean Collins
Ibrahim Korkut has been appointed as the director of sales and marketing of Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi. Bringing over 20 years of sales and marketing experience to the property’s management team, Korkut previously worked in Turkey, Bahrain and the UAE. He joins the hotel from Kempinski Grand and Ixir Hotel in Bahrain where he held the director of sales and marketing role for just under three years.
TATOS
DEALS OF THE MONTH A frosty experience
AGENT SPOTLIGHT... Irena Travel is one of the leading travel agencies in UAE and has been for the past 30 years. Our continued journey of success is spurred on by a vision to give the very best of services and the most comfortable travel for our clients, every time. Our customer is not only our priority, but with our services orientated to give ‘wings to imaginations’, we cater to the finest and innermost travel desires of our buyer. The ‘imagination quotient’ is exactly what Irena Travel strives to nurture and make come true. As for our news, we are planning for an all-round development with possible expansions in tune with the UAE 2020. We have appointed more agents and have launched associate offices in many parts of the world, with a special focus on India. In 2014, we will be pushing to promote and present some exclusive destinations in association with the local tourism departments in the Indian Subcontinent, Russia and the CIS provinces, and some parts of Europe. We are already done with our initial round of discussions.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is offering winter promotions for the best mountain destinations in North America, allowing skiers and snowboarders to experience some of the world’s most popular snowbound destinations at a reasonable price.
Promotions in the sky Gulf Air has announced a promotion for its passengers who are travelling from Larnaca, Cyprus to popular destinations within the GCC and India, including Muscat, Riyadh, Doha, Jeddah, Dammam, Mumbai and Delhi.
Attracting corporate travellers Rosewood Abu Dhabi, located on Al Maryah Island, is offering a Business Bundle Package promotion to business travellers. The package includes luxury accommodation, breakfast at Aqua Restaurant and Internet access in the room at an attractive price.
Managing director, Irena Travel, Amir Thayyil
NEWS ROUND UP Consolidating its presence Distribution services and e-commerce provider for the global travel industry, Travelport, has opened a new office in Abu Dhabi in a bid to emphasise the company’s commitment to serve the needs of the travel industry in the UAE.
Joining forces GTA’s supplier, API, connected with SiteMinder. Senior VP, global sourcing and product development, GTA, Martin Jones said: “API makes it easier for SiteMinder to connect to our systems, helping hotels benefit from our reach.”
Launching a new website The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) recently unveiled a brand new website with enhanced content and an updated user interface, improved sections, as well as greater use of video and social media integration.
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PICTURE PERFECT 1. Qantas
Tropfest Australia partners with the country’s national carrier, Qantas, to organise the film festival.
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2. Al Ain Zoo
The zoo’s wildlife characters come to life as part of the Pink-Anize charity event.
3. Avenue at Etihad Towers
Renowned Spanish painter, Tachi Pintor, showcases his portraits of historically and culturally diverse figures at the Formula 1-themed exhibition at Avenue at Etihad Towers.
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4. Mazagan Beach & Golf
Resort, Morocco The resort bags two awards as an unsurpassed
worldwide golf destination including The Global Golf Tourism Organisation’s ‘Golf Resort of the Year’ accolade.
5. Qatar Airways The Qatari airline is welcomed into
oneworld with a celebration.
Picture perfect
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November 15 2013
A visual tour of recent events in the industry
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SOCIAL HUB Media Voice
Our Team
Dana Hlavnova
General Manager Tony Fields TFields@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803001
General manager, Jumeira Rotana – Dubai
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Alexandra North ANorth@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803071
“Social media is the number one marketing tool nowadays and plays a very important role in our business here at Jumeira Rotana - Dubai. “Travellers are very well influenced by social media, especially with the online review sites like TripAdvisor, and so are we, as that is how we get to know what to improve and where. You can see a huge impact from a simple review. It is amazing how, for instance, a single negative review can go viral and how it can affect one’s business,” Hlavnova said. “Jumeira Rotana has an e-commerce person to look after the hotel’s social media, making sure that Facebook and Twitter are updated regularly, that all the review sites are checked, comments are analysed and answered, as well as keeping us on every social media site that may benefit us,” she further explained to TTG.
Media ReporterS Naomi Leach Natalie Hami Ana Mladenovic Tatiana Tsierkezou Panayiotis Markides Stefanie Saghbini Head of design Edward Beales Designer Maggie Bdjian E-Commerce Manager Panayiotis Philippou PPhilippou@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803008 E-Commerce executive Constantinos Voniatis Sales Manager Adrian Exley AExley@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803004 Account Managers Elaine Hockley EHockley@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803011 Inna Armeanu IArmeanu@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803013 Kyriacos Kyriacou KKyriacou@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803014 Marianne Shokry MShokry@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803012 Operations Manager Chris Christou CChristou@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803003 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 Asia TTG Balkans TTG China TTG Czech Republic TTG Hungary TTG Italia TTG India TTG Nordic TTG Poland TTG Russia TTG UK & Ireland * For information on these publications, please contact us at: INFO@ttgmena.com
Social media is is the number one marketing tool nowadays.
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Carlson Rezidor announces the Radisson Blu Hotel, Algiers Hydra steigenberger hotel makadi now open Changi Airport reveals September 2013 operating figures The Torch Doha recognised as leading international hotel Costa Cruises to participate at Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum in Abu Dhabi
ISSUE DECEMBER 1
DESTINATION lebanon • ON LOCATION philippines • ANALYSIS cultural tourism • SPECIAL REPORT SPAIN
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November 15 2013
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