August 2017 by TTG MENA

T H E B U S I N E S S O F S E L L I N G T R AV E L

AUGUST 2017

Destination EUROPE Incredible experiences await tourists

Awareness AUSTRALIA Hospitality news from Down Under

On Location INDONESIA Mesmerising travellers the world over

ISSUE 309

The Future of Travel Expedia Travel Network exclusive

EXTRAORDINARY ENERGY Abundant in colour, culture and courtesy, China's tourism industry focuses on providing unforgettable experiences to one and all

CONTENTS > YOUR GUIDE 04

NEWS & CALENDAR

INTERVIEW

AUGUST IS HERE elcome to the month of August!

As we ring in the last month of

DESTINATION EUROPE

this glorious summer, things are getting heated!

The industry is booming, the days are longer,

UPDATE CHINA

the nights more alive – all in all, it’s the perfect end to a vibrant season.

As a newcomer to the travel and tourism

ON LOCATION INDONESIA

industry, I find myself absolutely fascinated by all of its characteristics, the manner in which

it flows like a never-ending stream through a

AWARENESS AUSTRALIA

series of changes and challenges, morphing and reshaping itself, until finally opening

A LETTER FROM...

up into the glistening sea. The thrill of its

FUTURE OF TRAVEL

unpredictability keeps me on my toes – a lot like the season we are in.

And with all that said, I am wishing all travel

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

and tourism entities around the world a wonderful and productive rest of

Aleksandra Wood

Media reporter

the summer!

SOCIAL HUB

DEBUT IN BAHRAIN In Q3 of this year, StayWell Hospitality

VKL Group, which will now pave the

Group will be celebrating the inauguration

way for further properties across

of its very first Park Regis-branded

Bahrain in the coming year.

property in Bahrain – the Park Regis Lotus Hotel. Located in the Juffair district of buzzing

CEO, StayWell Hospitality Group, Simon Wan declared: “I am encouraged by the future expansion

Manama, the hotel will boast various

plans into the region and confident

facilities, including 164 guest rooms, six

that this partnership with VKL Group

F&B outlets, a ballroom, a swimming pool

reflects our commitment to grow our

and a gym.

presence in the Middle East region.

Prior to the announcement, StayWell

We are hoping that this magnificent

Hospitality Group inked a marketing

property is the stepping stone for a

license agreement with Manama-based

further presence in Bahrain.” August 2017

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NEWS

TRAVEL AND TECHNOLOGY

A FRUITFUL RAMADAN

Exhibition

Calendar

AUGUST 2-5 The Hotel Show Philippines, Manila, Philippines www.thehotelshowphilippines.com

VS Travels, a travel management company in

Rixos the Palm Dubai recorded the highest occupancy

the Middle East, has extended its well-established

rate ever during the Holy Month of Ramadan, since its

partnership with Sabre Corporation.

inauguration in 2013.

The company will continue to use Sabre technology

The luxury hotel’s occupancy soared to 80 per cent

to manage its business operations, including shopping,

during the month, with its daily Iftar experience being

booking and managing travel for its clients, as well as

consistently fully booked.

leverage mobile, data and automation capabilities to

General manager, Rixos the Palm Dubai, Cenk Unverdi

provide clients with a better and more personalised

expressed his satisfaction: “Reports indicate that Rixos the

travel experience.

Palm Dubai collected the highest revenue during Ramadan

Chairman, TVS Hyder Group, Dr. Hyder Ali said: "Sabre’s

among all the hotels on the Palm.

technology gives us a distinct advantage over our

“Our team created an efficient marketing and sales

competitors. Their deep understanding of the travel

strategy for Ramadan and the summer season that was put

industry, its challenges and future traveller expectations

in motion in October 2016. It is this initiative combined with

equip us with the right tools and technologies to stay

sheer hard work that brought us success. The seeds we

ahead of the game and anticipate traveller needs."

planted last year are bearing fruit now,” he added.

ICON REINVENTED The well-respected

dining concepts.

SEPTEMBER 18-20 The Hotel Show Dubai, UAE www.thehotelshow.com SEPTEMBER 19-21 OTDYKH International Russian Travel Market, Moscow, Russia www.tourismexpo.ru/en/ NOVEMBER 6-8 World Travel Market London, UK • www. london.wtm.com NOVEMBER 7-9 AccessAbilities Expo, Dubai, UAE www.accessabilitiesexpo.com NOVEMBER 26 Middle East Hozpitality Excellence Awards, Dubai, UAE www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com •

TTG MENA will be available at these shows

OPENING IN THE HOLY CITY

the Kingdom’s evergrowing religious tourism segment. Managing director

our first Sheraton hotel

and chief operating

in Africa and has been

officer, AccorHotels

Casino in Egypt has once

and suites have been

a local icon since it’s

Middle East and

again opened its doors

renovated, and now

opening in 1971. The

Africa, Olivier

for business, following

feature a contemporary

reopening of this hotel is

Granet remarked

the completion of an

design with first-rate

a milestone in our journey

on the property:

extensive renovation

amenities.

as it not only showcases

“We are delighted

our transformation efforts

with the successful

managing director –

around the Sheraton

opening of ibis Styles

design features a vibrant

Middle East and Africa,

brand, but also reinstates

Makkah, marking a

aesthetic with modern

Marriott International,

our commitment to Egypt

turning point with

interiors, upgraded public

Alex Kyriakidis stated:

as a strategic growth

a completely new

spaces and reinvented

“Sheraton Cairo was

market.”

approach towards

Sheraton Cairo Hotel &

project. The hotel’s brand-new

A total of 326 rooms

President and

4 August 2017

international quality standards, and addressing the growing need for economy and midscale hotels in the Holy City.” Key facilities featured at the hotel include an in-house mosque for men and AccorHotels recently bolstered its presence in Saudi

women, and a wide

Arabia with the opening of ibis Styles Makkah, an

range of F&B concepts

economy property developed in partnership with

including two specialty

Alesayi Group.

restaurants and a

The newly opened hotel, home to 286 rooms,

lobby lounge serving

inaugurated ahead of Ramadan and the Eid holidays

international buffet

in order to accommodate heightened demand and

and à la carte options.

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NEWS

HOTEL CHECK AVANI DEIRA DUBAI HOTEL

By Marina Drakou

which I made the most of each morning, as well as a mini bar. Not used to Dubai’s intense heat, on a number of occasions I ordered delicious ice cream via room service, which came quickly and was

DUBAI TO PHNOM PENH

extremely affordable.

Broadening its Southeast Asia connectivity,

a day of business – and what

Emirates Airline recently launched a new daily

really impressed me was the

linked service from Dubai to Phnom Penh in

fact that the staff offered me

Cambodia via Yangon in Myanmar.

a coffee to go once I was done.

Each morning I’d head downstairs for a hearty breakfast – the perfect start to

This was a brilliant touch and

The new route represents the airline’s very first destination within Cambodia and the first time

very useful if you’re in a rush

since 2014 that Phnom Penh and Yangon have

to get to meetings. As for the hotel’s position, I

been connected by a direct air link. Flights are

was thrilled to find countless

being serviced by a Boeing 777 aircraft. Aboard the airline’s very first flight to Phnom Penh was senior vice president, commercial operations Far East, Emirates Airline, Badr Abbas, as well as a number of senior executives of the airline, a VIP delegation and media from the UAE and GCC. The aircraft was warmly welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute upon landing.

restaurants and shops in the

recently visited Dubai on business and stayed at the lovely AVANI Deira Dubai Hotel.

vicinity, as well as a metro

I’ve never previously opted for a hotel that’s not been on Sheikh Zayed road, but

station. I also never had a

decided on this particular hotel because I wanted to experience Deira. To my delight,

problem with getting a taxi

it was a perfect fit and catered to all my needs. My room was large, clean and extremely welcoming, and this was all elevated further by the comfortable bed. The room comprised of tea and coffee making facilities,

as the hotel’s staff assisted me and was very friendly and forthcoming.

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.

6 August 2017

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INTERVIEW

year (2018) and will include a five-star hotel, four towers of serviced residences and a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment venues, a large marina and an iconic crystal water lagoon. The second phase will include two lifestyle hotels connected to an exciting events pavilion and a twin tower apart-hotel purposely designed for families and guests from the GCC region. We also have a fantastic beach resort under construction on Jumeirah Beach Road at the entrance of Dubai’s water canal. This grand resort will have close to 900 keys between hotel rooms, suites and serviced apartments. In this development, luxury is all about the generous space of the rooms and the fantastic landscape along a pristine natural beach. The variety of the food and beverage concepts and banqueting facilities we are planning for this property are quite spectacular. I’m truly proud to have been part of a great team involved in this project. In addition to the previously mentioned developments, our pipeline includes several

HOSPITALITY GIANT IN THE MAKING

other projects across the city such as a new 118-key, four-star hotel, due to open later this year, not to mention some exciting expansion and improvement plans at some of our existing properties. : In a fiercely competitive market, how is your brand differentiating itself from other

The ever-evolving brand that is Roda Hotels & Resorts is tirelessly broadening its horizons, whilst maintaining the essence of world-renowned Arabian hospitality. In an exclusive interview with Aleksandra Wood, CEO, Roda Hotels & Resorts, Imad W. Elias unveils some of the brand’s most notable developments thus far

hospitality players? Dubai’s hotel landscape has grown to become an industry dominated by a myriad of international hotel brands. As the chains continue to clone more branches and sub-brands in the city, most hotels have lost some of their exclusivity and uniqueness. Roda Hotels & Resorts was created with a vision to move away from the mass production approach and return to the original essence of personalised Arabian hospitality, readapted within a contemporary setting. From a product perspective, each one of our properties offers a unique experience. From a

: What has the past year been like for Roda Hotels & Resorts? What are some challenges

guest's perspective, our service DNA is all about personalisation and engagement with the guest

the brand has faced and what are some of its achievements?

throughout their journey. There is no doubt that 2017 has been an exciting and pivotal year for Roda Hotels & Resorts. We started the year by taking over the management of two iconic five-star properties in Dubai – Roda Al Murooj Downtown and Roda Al

: As the CEO of Roda Hotels & Resorts,

Bustan Dubai Airport. The management takeover and rebranding process of these two operating hotels was done

what are some of your aspirations for

in less than two months. Impressive efforts were deployed to ensure uninterrupted comfort to all guests staying in

the brand?

both hotels during a seamless rebranding process. Although the takeover was successful, we continue to challenge ourselves in making improvements to both the assets as well as the quality of service.

In addition to the current project pipeline being

Another exciting achievement this year was the opening of Roda Beach Resort, our sixth operating property

developed by our parent company in Dubai, we

in Dubai. Located directly on Jumeirah’s picturesque Kite Beach, the resort includes 58 villas and chalets, and is

are aiming to expand our hotel management

a boutique property. It offers contemporary sea-side living for those looking for a short-, medium- or long-term

portfolio to other destinations within the UAE,

address in one of Dubai’s most exclusive residential areas. Furthermore, this property now allows us to offer our

across the GCC region and eventually to a few

guests staying at any of our other city hotels beach access via scheduled premium shuttles to Roda Beach Resort.

selected cities in Africa. Our growth will be quite selective and based on certain location/asset criteria, but more importantly, it will be based on

: What’s next for the Roda brand?

our confidence in driving the desired financial Our development pipeline in Dubai today includes more than 4,500 keys in nine different hotels, covering various

returns to the respective hotel owners.

market segments. This pipeline is likely to expand further across a few locations in the city where we are currently

With the company’s roots being in hotel

not present. Our pipeline includes some iconic hospitality and tourism destinations in the making, such as the Jewel

development, we bring a wealth of technical and

of the Creek, located directly on the Dubai Creek by the Maktoum Bridge. The first phase is due for completion next

real estate/asset management experience.

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DESTINATION EUROPE

CHARISMATIC COLLECTIVE Famed for its highly developed tourism infrastructure and product offering, Europe still has space to grow and evolve. Emily Millett explores the variety of experiences awaiting travellers to this abundant continent

ast and diverse in its rich plethora of

of shorter trips, with travellers opting for city

a complete guest room renovation, with refreshed

offerings, Europe continues to see

breaks over a few days rather than longer

public spaces and suites, and new F&B concepts.

its popularity increase year-on-year,

holidays,” president and managing director

as travellers seek out the continent’s

EMEA, Wyndham Hotel Group, Dan Ruff

locals is a growing trend in Europe, with properties

explained to TTG.

such as Park Hyatt Zurich or Vienna House in the Czech

most unique experiences.

Republic actively facilitating this endeavour for guests.

“Europe has a tremendous number of interesting and vibrant cities with various offers of culture, history, beautiful and adventurous

Experiencing a destination through the eyes of its

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

“Nowadays travellers are looking for destinations where they can explore the city with the recommendations and eyes of the locals,” said regional

places, and endless opportunities for families, luxury lovers, backpackers, world travellers

In the current global climate, where experiences

director, Vienna House, Klaus Pilz. “Restaurants, bars

and anyone who is searching for a place to be

are valued above objects, European hospitality

and famous sights, together with a great variety of

for longer holidays or a weekend trip,” general

providers are placing a new emphasis on offering

cultural events, sports activities and exploration of

manager, The Hotel Sacher Wien, Reiner

authentic, local or customised experiences,

hidden spots off the beaten path is the secret of our

Heilmann told TTG.

as director of sales and marketing, Park Hyatt

success. We motivate our colleagues to share their own

As Europe maintains its appeal and develops

Zurich, Malte Budde said: “People look for

favourite places and recommend our guests where to

its product, travellers are changing the way that

experiences rather than holidays. Together

go personally through our mobile concierge, on our

they experience the region, with shorter stays

with our concierge team, we have created local

blog or via social media, because they know their cities

and combination trips proving to be the name of

experiences such as watch making, chocolate

the most.”

the game, according to industry insiders.

tours or visits to local markets to meet the

“One of the key trends we’re seeing within the European tourism industry is the prevalence

expectations of our guests.” Park Hyatt Zurich is also currently undergoing

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An upgrade on the now long-established trend for experiential travel is the move towards offering more personalised experiences.

DESTINATION EUROPE

As Millennials continue to see their incomes grow, they are also becoming more frequent travellers.

feel at home in Europe, with female-only

At Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch

interconnecting suites, Halal menus and

in the East End of London, the

female-only staff.

F&B and entertainment sector has quickly become a leading

THE RISE OF THE MILLENNIAL

department since the hotel opened just over a year ago, thanks to the Millennial feeder markets. General

Hand in hand with the continuous growth in

manager, Courthouse Hotel

demand for experiential travel is the rise to

Shoreditch, Ray Goertz elaborated:

power of the Millennial spender.

“Millennial travellers are still very

“As Millennials continue to see their

dominant and their average spend

incomes grow, they are also becoming

is also increasing year-on-year.

more frequent travellers,” said Ruff. “This

We have established ourselves

generation of traveller tends to seek

within the East End of London and

flexibility, authenticity and adventure. When

particularly the trendy/hipster

they travel they want to be completely

Shoreditch and Hoxton area.

immersed in a local culture.”

This is evident with the guests

But rather than simply relying on the

that we have, ranging from the

personalised services and experiences,” global communications

Millennial generation’s desire to explore

creative worlds of fashion, art,

director, Rocco Forte Hotels, Rosie O’Brien told TTG. “Rocco Forte

the world, many hotel groups and individual

entertainment, as well as Millennial

hotels recognise that it is a much more rewarding experience to stay

properties are evolving their offering with

travellers coming for 'bleisure'

in a smaller hotel where they know your name, can personalise your

this target market specifically in mind.

stays.

“Rocco Forte is seeing a huge increase of feedback regarding

stay, ensure that you are booked into your favourite room, have books

In response to the Millennial preference

“With a number of F&B outlets,

by your bed that you will enjoy and your mini bar stocked with your

for unique and experiential dining

as well as a combination of

preferred beverages and snacks.”

opportunities, and community living,

entertainment facilities in the

With this in mind, the group is always looking for ways to further

Cheval Three Quays in London has recently

hotel, we have also noticed an

enhance the guest stay behind the scenes, with the concierge teams

launched Coppa Club restaurant bar, which

increase in local residents using

arranging behind the scenes experiences such as backstage tours

overlooks the Thames and provides services

our outlets on a social basis,” he

of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg; out of hours tours of the

to guests and the public from early morning

added.

Duomo in Florence; or access to London’s private members clubs.

until late at night.

At The Mandeville Hotel in London, guests are given complimentary

“Its seasonal exterior decor has captured

In a bid to embrace the local F&B scene, the hotel offers a

smart phones, a shopping concierge, bespoke packages and chauffeurs

much acclaim by bringing a unique and

pop up concept, changing the

to Bicester Village to enhance their personalised experience, as the

fresh approach to alfresco dining in the

offering throughout the year to

hotel’s general manager, Chetan Bhanot told TTG: “It’s about the

heart of the city of London,” said operations

always provide new and refreshing

personal journey, the experience and the story behind it all. And that,

director, Cheval Residences, Neil Taylor.

options.

in itself, is allowing us at The Mandeville to deliver truly bespoke and

“Community is a theme that we have seen

memorable experiences to today’s discerning luxury traveller. It is

growing within the London market by both

With its position on the must-

about enhancing the overall guest experience to be more personalised,

European and UK based brands over the

visit list so firmly established,

more transparent, more desirable and much more innovative than ever

last 12 months. Primarily focused towards

Europe is now keeping a close

before.”

the Millennial customer, we have seen

eye on developing industry

the concept of ‘community living’ expand

trends, in a bid to stay ahead

technology as a means of enhancing the offering, with The Edinburgh

its reach to both the frequent business

of the competition and ensure

Collection hotels offering all guests smart phones loaded with

traveller as well as those looking for a

its offering appeals to the

information that will allow them to easily explore the city, from finding

fresh faced, relaxed and socially driven

new generation of experiential

their way around and checking the weather, to discovering hidden

environment. The momentum behind this

travellers.

gems and booking tickets.

concept relates to a society that is driven

And The Mandeville Hotel is not alone in its endeavours to use

“This simple technology also allows guests to share their positive

by the need to share social experiences with

experiences with their friends and family more easily, which is

friends and family who are based both at

great for generating additional business,” managing director, The

home and across the globe.”

Edinburgh Collection, Ricky Kapoor told TTG. “There’s also a general lifestyle trend towards prioritising spend on experiences rather than simply shopping for items. Any innovation that allows guests to truly experience their destination will therefore have value.” Many hotel’s around Europe are also working on personalising the stay specifically for guests from the Middle East, as director of sales and marketing, The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, Stefan Ludwig told TTG: “A lot of Arabic guests travel to Europe during the summer months and therefore, we organise special attractions and amenities.” The property now offers Arabic TV channels, newspapers, authentic Arabic cuisine 24 hours a day, a kids’ programme, babysitter service, a prayer mat, Quran and Qibla, as well as a transfer service to the airport or the nearby shopping areas. “We also have Ladies and Gentlemen that speak Arabic and we have a dedicated ladies-only area in our The Ritz-Carlton Spa,” added Ludwig. Rocco Forte hotels also strive to make their Middle Eastern guests

12 August 2017

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DESTINATION EUROPE

SIGNATURE TAKING TO DEVELOPMENTS THE SKIES As the aviation sector in Europe continues to expand its operations, Julian Carr, aviation director for Manchester Airport unveils the travel hub’s very latest news

It’s been another busy year for Manchester Airport. We’ve recently just passed the 27 million passenger milestone for the first time in the airport’s 79year history. In the last 12 months, we’ve seen some great new additions to our long-haul network with the likes of Boston, Beijing, Houston, Muscat and San Francisco. We’ve also seen

he Ritz London has shed light on

new routes from easyJet,

new developments in line with the

Monarch, Jet2, Norwegian

STYLISH HOSPITALITY

property’s and brand’s philosophy.

and Ryanair, giving our

Four Seasons Hotel Prague recently opened a new lobby

passengers even more choice

lounge and bar – The Gallery.

“This summer we installed three colonies

the strength of our short haul route network increase with

of destinations.

of bees on the roof of The Ritz and each

Building work has now

hive has approximately 60,000 Buckfast

Last year, the hotel also launched a brand-new AVA Spa, featuring five spa suites, a sauna, steam bath and vitality

Bees, as part of our efforts to operate

commenced on our $1.3

sustainably and our commitment to

billion transformation project.

contribute to the future well-being of the

This will transform the

year, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Prague, René

environment,” general manager, The Ritz

airport for our passengers

Beauchamp said: “In 2017 we have seen an important

London, Sal Gowili told TTG. “We will have

and airlines, meaning we

increase in demand from FIT travellers, especially in the

our first harvest in September, and the idea

can offer even greater levels

leisure segment. Our strongest feeder markets remain the

is for The Ritz honey to be used across the

of customer service and

US, Russia, UK, GCC, India, China, Europe and emerging

hotel within The Ritz Kitchen, The Rivoli Bar

increased capacity.

Latin America markets.”

pool with a waterfall, massage jets and hydrotherapy. Speaking to TTG about guest trends at the hotel this

as well as The Ritz Salon.” According to Gowili, The Ritz Restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin Star for the first time in the 111-year history of The

CULINARY INNOVATIONS ABOUND

Ritz, and the hotel has also opened a new

As part of The Tivoli Corner development

up to Nimb Hotel, and represents a three-

two-bedroom signature suite on its seventh

project, Nimb Hotel in Copenhagen is set

figure million-dollar investment. Visitors

floor.

to undergo an expansion this year, with

can look forward to over 20 new suites,

new rooms and suites due to come online

treatment rooms, spa, yoga and fitness

in November.

facilities, as well as a roof terrace with a

“The Green Park Suite is serviced by our Ritz butlers and offers the only unparalleled views directly across Green Park in the city.

pool, restaurant and bar.

“Nimb Hotel will be expanding by

We are continuing to invest in the product

2,000m²,” marketing coordinator, Nimb

and services to ensure that we continue to

Hotel, Camilla Kjær told TTG.

offer our discerning guests the very best,” he concluded to TTG.

In response to a growing interest in the food scene in Copenhagen, Nimb Hotel has also launched its own food concierge that

According to Kjær, the expansion

conducts customised food tours in the city.

extends from the main entrance to Tivoli,

THE HEART OF ICONIC HERITAGE

14 August 2017

April 2017 saw the launch of Iconic

Berkshire, is due to celebrate

Luxury Hotels – a new UK-based hotel

the completion of a multi-million-

company, with a current portfolio of four

dollar restoration with the opening

heritage properties across the country.

of a new spa, while The Lygon

“The group was launched by our

Arms, situated in Broadway in

owners to link our family of four iconic

the Cotswolds, has a complete

UK properties together,” commercial

transformation and expansion in the

director, Iconic Luxury Hotels, Leigh

pipeline over the next few months.

Jenkins told TTG. “Each property retains

The upgrade is set to include 86

its distinct personality but shares family

completely refurbished bedrooms

similarities and team core values, and

and suites, two new restaurants,

for each property, this year has a special

enhancements to spa and leisure

project underway.”

facilities, new lounges, an afternoon

According to Jenkins, Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest in Hampshire recently opened a new restaurant and

tea room and a summer alfresco courtyard. Finally, 11 Cadogan Gardens in

cookery school. This year is also set

London’s Chelsea district is currently

to see the opening of an additional

undergoing a sensitive restoration

Treehouse Suite, located within a wooded

programme that is set to see the

valley and surrounded by trees.

launch of a new culinary experience

Cliveden House, near Taplow in ttgmena.com

in the capital.

ibar

UPDATE CHINA

EXTRAORDINARY ENERGY

Brimming with exciting discoveries to satisfy the tastes of every traveller, China continues to flourish within the global travel and tourism industry scene. Natalie Hami reports

s vast as the Great Wall itself, China charms each and every traveller who dares explore it. Some call it magical, some call it sacred, and whoever visits the destination revels in its eclecticism and

in the destination and has over 20 properties

incomparable beauty.

confirmed in the pipeline.

Beyond the appeal of China itself, its travel and

Meanwhile, Banyan Tree Hotels and

brand identity which attracts business and leisure

tourism stakeholders continue to enhance the

Resorts will soon be enhancing China’s luxury

travellers of different backgrounds. For instance, James

country’s tourism product, with a view to expanding

hospitality scene. The group’s vice president,

Joyce Coffetel, which boasts a coffee culture, attracts

and boosting the customer experience.

hotel operations – China, Philip Lim exclusively

those who want to relax while on a trip. Lavande Hotels,

revealed to TTG that there are 15 hotels and

widely known for their natural aromatherapy, are the

Beijing New Airport, opening in the southern Daxing

resorts in the pipeline from 2017 to 2019 under

go-to option for people with a love for comfortability

district in 2019, with reports claiming that it will

four different brands. These include Banyan

and natural settings.”

be the world’s biggest travel hub. The Beijing New

Tree, Angsana, Cassia and Dhawa.

One major infrastructural development is the

Airport Terminal Building was in fact designed by the

“Dhawa Jinshanling, soft opening in May 2018,

Moving on, with attention to detail being of vital importance during a Fairmont hotel stay, general

will be the first Dhawa hotel in China, also the

manager, Fairmont Chengdu, Phil Smith noted that

second Dhawa hotel in the world after the first

his property works closely with groups of guests to

grown and international hotel companies wish

Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria, which opened in Cuba

meticulously plan special and customised activities and

to make their mark in the destination. One such

in December 2016. It will be an all-new brand

features.

company is The Ascott Limited (Ascott), which

to the market, which will attract the millennial

late Zaha Hadid. As China’s hospitality prowess grows, both home-

He declared: “Fairmont’s guest service culture has,

has clinched seven new contracts to manage over

generation and design-savvy guests with its

for many years, been centred on our colleagues around

1,300 apartments across six cities in China. These

distinctive experiences in unique destinations.”

the world personally connecting with our guests,

properties mark Ascott’s first foray into Kunming

He further highlighted that Angsana Zhuhai

and Yichang, while deepening its presence in

Phoenix Bay will be opening this year, marking

Chongqing, Dalian, Shenzhen and Xuzhou.

the company’s debut in Guangdong.

Additionally, Thai hospitality giant, Dusit International has signed a management agreement with Anhui Wanfo Lake Jinlong Bay Tourism

providing engaging service and finding ways to create unique and personal experiences for them.”

WELCOMING A UNIQUE MARKET CUSTOMER-CENTRIC

Alongside enhancing its tourism product, China has

Development Company Limited to manage Dusit

As the destination ups the ante on its hotel

steadily been formulating links with the MENA region

Thani Hot Springs Resort Wanfo Lake, which is set

portfolio, already established hotels are ensuring

of late, with the most recent development being the

to open in Q4 of 2019. This property will represent

that they are constantly one step ahead of

inauguration of a new route by Etihad Airways between

the first internationally branded luxury resort in

the game. In a bid to delight their clientele,

Beijing and Abu Dhabi. The destination’s tourism

Wanfo Lake, an eco-tourism development zone

properties are looking to elevate the guest

stakeholders have been building bridges with the region

near Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province,

experience.

in a variety of ways.

eastern China. Dusit currently operates five hotels

A spokesperson from Plateno Group told TTG: “Each of Plateno's nearly 20 brands has a unique

16 August 2017

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Lim of Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts told TTG that last year the luxury brand debuted in Morocco with

Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay. “MENA is a very attractive market to us, and

Smith added: “Certainly leveraging the direct flights and

we are hoping to introduce it to our consumers

market reputation we enjoy would

in China, while also wooing more visitors from

be key points for us to highlight. As

MENA to China.”

we previously mentioned, Fairmont’s

Executive assistant manager – sales and

guest service is flexible and personalised.

marketing, MGM Grand Sanya, Steven Deng

Appreciating the needs of guests from this

also confirmed to TTG that the Middle East is a

area, we can make special arrangements

priority market for the hotel: “The diverse ethnic

such as halal menu items, prayer mats,

culture in Hainan Island is a window of Chinese

Qiblas in guest rooms, plus more, as required

folk customs. Sanya is suitable for travelling

by Muslim guests.”

to all year round. Also, we can say without

Looking to expand its feeder markets much

exaggeration that Sanya is ‘The Oriental Hawaii’,

further afield than the Middle East, director of

with beaches and sunshine. Our hotel is located

sales and marketing, The Langham, Shanghai,

in Yalong Bay which is famous for its white

Xintiandi, Juliana Yeo explained that the hotel will

sandy beach and relaxing surroundings.”

be attracting guests not only from the Middle East

Meanwhile, according to Smith of Fairmont Chengdu, the recently opened property has its

but also from Taiwan, India, Africa and Latin America. Referring to the Middle East market, she said: “We

sights set on the unique MENA market, with a

have four hotels slated to open in the Middle East

view to focusing fully on it during the second

(Dubai and Jeddah). These will lay the foundation for

half of the year as well as in 2018.

The Langham brand and will in turn heighten the brand

He told TTG: “In addition to Chengdu being a

awareness of The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi in the

highly favoured MICE and tourism destination,

Middle East market. We are also working with industry

we are fortunate to have direct flights between

partners to engage the media in this region to further

the Middle East and Chengdu. Also, Fairmont

enhance brand recognition and awareness.”

has a great reputation in the MENA market as a result of our extensive portfolio in this area,

Both exciting and challenging in equal measure, China

such as sister hotels Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont

ticks all the boxes in its efforts to become part of the

Cairo and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.”

global tourism stage.

August 2017

ttgmena.com

ON LOCATION INDONESIA “Development of the transportation system, while mainly focused in Jakarta, is also taking place in other areas of Indonesia,” shared Setiawan of Fairmont Jakarta, who added: “One of the most highlighted developments is the Trans Papua road in West Papua. The area has been known for having very challenging access for people to commute due to its geographical characteristic. The Trans Papua road, spanning 4,000km, is expected to be completed in 2018.”

INCOMPARABLE BEAUTY

And while transportation is rapidly evolving to streamline the Indonesia experience for locals and tourists alike, picturesque destinations such as Bali are working on enhancing their hotel portfolio. General manager, Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali, Niall Cowan shared with TTG: “Tourism is constantly evolving in Bali, new hotels and resorts continue to open on the island with a continued growth in tourist arrivals. Infrastructure has improved significantly and increased foreign investment, allowing

Indonesia’s charm and allure never fail to attract business and leisure guests from around the world. Tatiana Tsierkezou writes

unprecedented growth in the hospitality, food and beverage and retail sectors.” But what is it that makes Bali so enticing to travellers and investors from all four corners of the globe? Answering this question was general manager, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, Alex Pichel: “Indonesia’s economic

ndonesia is home to the best of both worlds – from buzzing cityscapes that are full of life, such as the

source markets include the UK, France, Germany, the

growth has been the envy of the West. Big

capital city of Jakarta, to ultimate relaxation in the

Netherlands, and surprisingly, Russia.

businesses from technology to retail are

most tranquil and stunning surroundings that are

“Compared to last year, the Russian market has grown

almost dreamlike, such as Bali and Puncak. This is why

by 150 per cent this year, even though we have no direct

this Southeast Asian nation is on almost every explorer’s

flight,” Niscaya remarked.

bucket list, and is an increasingly popular choice among travellers the world over. Speaking to TTG exclusively about the nation’s popularity among global markets, was director of international

looking to Jakarta specifically to open their new emerging market. “At the same time, the archipelago also

With all of these positive figures, it comes as no surprise

offers unparalleled affordable beauty. We

that Indonesia holds tourism close to its heart and regards it

have beaches that are more pristine than

as a fundamental component of the country’s economy.

the Maldives. We have the most bio-diverse

Director of marketing communications. Fairmont Jakarta,

dive sites in the world. So, visitors have

promotion marketing – Europe and Middle East, Ministry of

Felicia Setiawan informed TTG that by 2019, the Indonesian

both business and leisure reasons to visit

Tourism Indonesia, Nia Niscaya: “40 per cent of our visitors

Government aims to gather eight per cent of its GDP from

Indonesia,” he added.

are from Southeast Asia, 30 per cent are from Asia Pacific

tourism, with a goal of enticing an incredible 20 million

and 30 per cent come from Europe and the Middle East.

tourists.

The good thing about Middle Eastern and European visitors

And with the sudden and unfaltering rise of experiential travel comes the need for

This year, the country is targeting 15 million international

adventurous activities, which Indonesia

is that their length of stay is longer than other markets,

arrivals – a 25 per cent jump on 2016, and has three key

offers in abundance, according to director

and therefore the revenue is bigger.”

priority plans, as stated by the Minister of Tourism: Go

of business development, Finns Bali, Kelly

Digital, Air Connectivity and the construction of 20,000

Sturgeon: “We are lucky. In Bali there are

Homestays in Tourism Villages across the archipelago.

great opportunities for activities such

Niscaya explained that in recent years the Middle East has brought forth positive, double-digit growth.

as hiking to the top of a volcano, cycling

“Last year we saw a 16.5 per cent growth on the previous year, and we welcomed 240,000 visitors from the region. 80 per cent hailed from Saudi Arabia, and for the Saudi

TIMELY CHANGES

amongst rice fields and villages, and white water rafting with amazing scenery. Plus,

market itself, we saw a 15 per cent growth,” she told TTG.

Multifaceted in nature, vibrant Indonesia promises

there are great family activities such as

“Middle Eastern travellers love nature, they love the beach

something for everyone, regardless of religion, age or

water parks and trampoline centres.”

and they love the mountains. The best time for them to

gender. But in order to satisfy the needs and wants of global

travel is during the summer time – June, July and August.”

visitors, the country continuously introduces developments

of Fairmont Sanu Beach Bali concluded:

and changes to refine its already impressive product.

“Indonesia, and especially Bali, offer an

Thrilled with the ever-increasing number of Middle

Echoing Sturgeon’s sentiment, Cowan

incredible variety of options in a remarkable

Eastern travellers, executive assistant manager sales and

One such development encompasses the country’s

marketing, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Rohaizad Puteh told TTG:

transportation system. Home to nine million inhabitants,

unique destination. There is no other place

“This market is very good for us, as we get tourists from

four million of whom commute to the city each day, Jakarta

like Bali. There is a special vibe, an essence,

various countries and longer stays. We provide supporting

has been forced to improve its transport system.

something authentic that is difficult to

facilities for the MENA market such as a Muslim chef,

A Mass Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit system is

describe, which has touched and inspired

family facilities such as a kids’ club, family rooms and a

currently under construction in order to relieve traffic

visitors from all over the world for decades.

waterpark.”

congestion, which in turn will benefit travellers to the city.

It has something to do with the Balinese

Both of these game-changing developments are scheduled

themselves and their warm and welcoming

to inaugurate in the near future.

character.”

With regards to the European market, Indonesia’s top

18 August 2017

ttgmena.com

ON LOCATION INDONESIA

STRONGER BONDS

CHARMING ADDITION TO UBUD

ager to cater to high demand, Emirates Airline adopted a second daily flight to Bali, Indonesia, last month. The new service now grants travellers more convenience and connectivity

EXPANSION IN BATU

between Dubai and Indonesia, seamlessly connecting with a number of destinations across Europe, including Amsterdam, Moscow, Paris and London. It will

Adonara Hotel Group recently began construction on

also enable passengers to connect

Best Western Hotels

of the Gods’ perfectly in both manner and

Arnava Hotel & Residence, Batu, which is scheduled to

domestically to the nearby cities of

& Resorts recently

appearance, the property is a low-rise

open its doors for business at the end of 2018.

Surabaya, Makassar and Lombok.

inaugurated a brand

resort with 75 spacious rooms.

The new service will be operated by

Enthusing on the group’s latest project was CEO,

new, high-end resort in

Adonara Group, Ruben Amor: “Investing in Batu City

the airline’s renowned Boeing 777-300ER

offers many long-term benefits, and The Arnava

aircraft in a two-class configuration, with

Hotel and Residence will offer investors a profitable

42 seats in business class and 386 seats

Agung Resort Ubud

investment, as the development has been specifically

in economy class.

stands within a forest

Emirates Airlines built a bridge to

designed to meet an existing need for hotel and

stunning Ubud, Bali. Best Western Premier

Facilities at Best Western Premier Agung Resort Ubud include a swimming pool, pool terrace, fitness centre, spa and restaurant, as well as a casual coffee shop. “The classical design and bright,

but is within arm’s

spacious layout take full advantage of the

Indonesia in 1992 with three flights

reach of Ubud’s main

island’s natural gifts, allowing guests to

a week via Singapore and Colombo.

attractions, making

relax amidst verdant jungles, shady palm

two restaurants, a bar and lounge, a rooftop swimming

Since March 2013, the airline has been

it the ideal option for

trees and fresh mountain air,” declared

pool, a fitness centre, a spa offering therapeutic

operating three flights a day from

those looking to kick

managing director of international

treatments and massages, a library, four meeting rooms

Jakarta to Dubai, and since June 2015,

back and relax.

operations – Asia, Best Western,

and an 800-capacity ballroom.

daily flights connecting Bali and Dubai.

apartment rooms in Batu City.” The property will offer high-quality facilities including

TTG Mena August.pdf

7/5/17

Reflecting the ‘Island

Olivier Berrivin.

4:13 PM

10th Annual ITB Asia 25 - 27 October 2017, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

ITB ASIA 2017 KEYNOTE - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Tony Menezes IBM Asia Pacific Vice President, Industrial & Distribution Sector

Rob Torres Google Managing Director of Advertising & Marketing

ITB ASIA 2017 CONFERENCE PARTNERS

MEMBER

Supported by:

Official Partner Country:

Official Partner Hotel:

Official Partner Airline:

20 August 2017

Organised by:

ttgmena.com

AWARENESS AUSTRALIA Known for its incredible wilderness, untamed beaches and abundant culture, Australia has and always will be a legend among touristic destinations. Aleksandra Wood investigates this year’s most newsworthy moments, as well as the must-visit locations Down Under

FLAGSHIP EXPANSION IN PERTH

ORIENTAL ALLURE IN MELBOURNE

FIVE ICONIC DESTINATIONS TO VISIT IN AUSTRALIA Bolstering its presence in Western Australia, Wyndham

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Hotel Group has announced plans for its third property

Spanning 2,300km, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest

in Perth, which is slated to open in late 2018. Wyndham LUX Perth, offering 120 deluxe rooms, will

coral reef system in the world. A plethora of activities are available in this enchanting loca-

be located on the corner of the Great Eastern Highway

tion, such as swimming, snorkeling, diving and sailing. Visi-

and Fitzroy Road. The property is set to feature top-

tors can explore the picturesque Whitsunday Islands, trek

notch facilities including a swimming pool, gym, meeting

the ancient Daintree Rainforest or relax on stunning tropical

rooms and a restaurant and rooftop bar overlooking the

islands such as Hayman and Lizard.

Swan River. The hotel will be within close proximity to Perth’s

FRASER ISLAND

central business district, the WA Cricket Ground and

Unlike any other island on the planet, tall rainforests can

Perth Stadium, and is within walking distance of Swan

be found growing on sand dunes at an elevation of more

River and Crown Casino. “We’re strategically expanding our flagship

than 200m on Fraser Island. A hotspot for baby humpback whale and dingo spotting, the

Wyndham brand in capital cities like Perth, where there

UNESCO World Heritage Site unleashes the wild beauty of

is a low supply – but increasing demand – for upscale

Australia.

accommodations,” stated president and managing director, Wyndham Hotel Group South East Asia and

RED CENTRE

Pacific Rim, Barry Robinson.

This monumental location is set in an extraordinary landscape of desert plains, rocky gorges and weathered mountain ranges, boasting some of Aboriginal Australia’s most sacred sites, such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

CONTEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group recently revealed

Visitors can expect unforgettable experiences entailing

plans for a new luxury hotel and branded residences

floating on an outback waterhole, dining while being ser-

in Melbourne, designed by the late award-winning

enaded by a didgeridoo and watching the world-famous

antra Hotel at Sydney Airport was recently

architect, Zaha Hadid.

Ayers Rock change colour under the lights of dawn and

inaugurated by the New South Wales Minster

dusk.

for Tourism and Major Events, Honourable

Mandarin Oriental, Melbourne will mark the renowned brand’s debut in Australia and is anticipated to be completed by 2023. Located on Collins Street, the mixed-use 185m tower

FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK Found on Tasmania’s East coast, Freycinet National Park is

Adam Marshall MP, to cater for the 42 million passengers travelling through Sydney Airport each year.

will stand in the heart of Melbourne’s financial and

an awe-inspiring destination covered in towering pink-hued

legal district.

mountains known as the Hazards. Visitors can make the

136-key property provides much-needed hotel capacity

The property will comprise 196 rooms and suites,

According to CEO, Mantra Group, Bob East, the new

most of the Friendly Beaches, indulge in the most delectable

to support the growth of aviation and tourism in the

as well as 148 residences, located on the tower’s

seafood and spend a night in one of Australia’s exclusive

Sydney basin.

upper floors. Facilities will include an all-day dining

luxury lodges.

restaurant and bar, meeting space, an executive club lounge, the signature Spa at Mandarin Oriental, a fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool. Group CEO, Mandarin Oriental, James Riley

“Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport addresses the demand for contemporary airport accommodation with

AUSTRALIAN ALPS

vibrant, dynamic facilities and a slick service culture,”

Spread across the states of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, the Australian Alps

he commented. The eight-storey, 136-key landmark building is the

enthused on the iconic project: “We are delighted with

are where hiking enthusiasts can enjoy endless outdoor

newest hotel at Sydney Airport and represents Sydney’s

this opportunity to open our first hotel in Australia and

pursuits, such as climbing Mount Kosciuszko or skiing the

third on-airport hotel.

look forward to bringing Mandarin Oriental’s legendary

slopes during the winter.

Mantra Hotel is just a short distance from Sydney

hospitality to Melbourne.”

22 August 2017

Airport’s T2 and T3 domestic terminals. ttgmena.com

FUTURE OF TRAVEL

INNOVATIVE ERA

WITH EXCITING AND INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENTS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, EXPEDIA AFFILIATE NETWORK (EAN), ARIANE GORIN GRANTS TATIANA TSIERKEZOU SOME INSIGHT ON EAN’S VERY LATEST TECHNOLOGIES AND FUTURE FORECASTS TTG: How do you predict online travel booking

day, and according to Google, 82 per cent of under-35s in Saudi and 59 per cent of under-35s in the

technology will change in the coming five years?

UAE researched their last purchase on a smartphone.

Machine learning, a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) whereby

TTG: Tell me a bit about Expedia’s collaboration with Amazon’s voice activated Alexa.

computers learn without being explicitly programmed with new information, is advancing fast and is a hot topic at the

The Expedia skill for Alexa offers a voice-activated method to hear details on upcoming trips

moment. AI relies on the ability to interact successfully – or

purchased on Expedia.com. Consumers with Alexa-enabled devices, such as Amazon Echo

intelligently – with a consumer in some way.

and Amazon Dot, can use the Expedia skill to instantly hear details about their hotel and flight

‘Chatbots’ are particularly visible examples of machine

reservations, easily book a rental car or check Expedia+ rewards loyalty point’s balance with just a

learning at work and are potentially the next evolution in

few simple commands.

discovery. As the name suggests, chatbots are essentially

We are delighted with how well our new Expedia skill has been received by Alexa device owners,

machines - messenger apps - with which customers are

and this this is just the beginning for us. We’re in conversations with other companies and product

able to have conversations. Armed with the knowledge of

offerings about similar ways to use some of our long-term work around Natural Language

the customer’s past books, the chatbot can offer targeted

Processing, or the task of turning travellers’

recommendations highly likely to be converted into sales.

common questions into searchable content, to

The chatbot keeps learning from each booking the customer

enhance voice and chat-based search options.

makes, meaning recommendations become more relevant with every new ‘chat’ and customer interaction. A report EAN recently launched with Phocuswright called

TTG: What’s next for EAN?

‘2017 Phocus Forward: The Year Ahead in Digital Travel’,

EAN is working on using a type of machine

found that chat and voice are new mediums slowly being

learning called ‘deep learning’ to rank and sort

adopted by travellers.

hotel images. We’ve learnt that the very first

TTG: What noteworthy trends has EAN picked up on?

thing people glance at within a hotel listing, before considering the hotel name or price, is the image. In fact, it takes us around one

We work with a range of travel partners, from airlines and

twentieth of a second to process an image,

travel agencies to loyalty and corporate travel companies all

so the quality and relevance of the images

around the world, so it is important to stay ahead of market

and the order in which they are displayed to

trends in different parts of the globe.

travellers is crucial.

According to the report we commissioned with

Currently we rely on a manual process to

Phocuswright, ‘2017 Phocus Forward: The Year Ahead in

select the featured image for a listing, while

Digital Travel’, in the most mature online markets, including

the other images are randomly ordered

Europe and the US, travellers are searching and shopping

or grouped. EAN has over 300,000

more on mobile, but holding onto entrenched desktop habits.

properties, so ranking and sorting

Interestingly however, the Asia-Pacific region, led by China,

the images for these manually is

is really breaking away from the pack in terms of mobile

difficult. Enter Artificial Intelligence

bookings. Also, in less mature online markets such as India,

to do this automatically.

Indonesia and Brazil, where there is no ingrained habit of

The aim is to automatically

booking on desktop, it is predicted that mobile will overtake

order and sort the images

desktop more quickly than in the US and Europe.

according to not only the image

Another significant change to note is the advent of the

quality, but also to traveller

millennial traveller, who is 23 per cent more likely to travel

types, customer preferences

abroad than non-millennials. In terms of preferences,

and seasonality, so that

millennials are interested in more authentic and local

the images most likely

experiences in the travel destinations they seek.

to encourage a booking

This trend is especially relevant to MENA, where eMarketer

are displayed to each

predicts that digital travel sales will top $40 billion by 2020.

individual customer.

The population in MENA is young with almost 65 per cent

Geographic and cultural

under the age of 30 and 50 per cent under the age of 24. An

preferences are also an

extensive Visa study in Saudi Arabia and the UAE found that

important part of our

millennials are actively online for between 4.5 and 6.5 hours a

dataset.

24 August 2017

ttgmena.com

Hassan Al Yousuf as general manager – Oman. Based in Muscat, he will lead the airline’s commercial operations in the country. Al Yousuf assumes his new position with impressive commercial, strategic, analytical and leadership skills. He has worked with Etihad Airways since 2010 and his most recent position was that of assistant general manager – Western Australia.

GENERAL MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Egypt’s Kempinski Hotel

Raffles Dubai has welcomed

Soma Bay has appointed

Krystel Irani on board as di-

Lars Pursche, a German na-

rector of operations.

tional, as general manager.

In her new position, Irani

Well acquainted with the Kempinski brand, he most recently served as the general manager of Kempinski Hotel Huizhou in Southern China, Guangdong Province. Pursche has worked on three continents and in four countries for brands including Le Méridien, Swissôtel, Hyatt, Steigenberger and Marriott.

August 2017

RAFFLES DUBAI

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Etihad Airways has appointed

KEMPINSKI HOTEL SOMA BAY

GENERAL MANAGER – OMAN

KRYSTEL IRANI

LARS PURSCHE

will take charge of the property’s daily operations and will make use of her 15 years of hospitality knowledge, which includes four years at Raffles Dubai. She first joined the hotel in 2013, serving as front office manager, and in 2015, she was promoted to the position of director of rooms.

ttgmena.com

STEFAN THUMIGER

RAMADA PLAZA JUMEIRAH BEACH AND RAMADA HOTEL & SUITES SHARJAH

HASSAN AL YOUSUF

CLUSTER GENERAL MANAGER Stefan Thumiger has been announced as the cluster general manager of Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach and Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah. He has 30 years of industry experience, and prior to his new position, he served as the chief operating officer hospitality, Treasure Bay Bintan at Landmark Berhad in Singapore.

ibar

SOCIAL HUB

Our Team GENERAL MANAGER Chris Christou CChristou@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803003

EDITOR Tatiana Tsierkezou TTsierkezou@ttgmena.com D: +35724803021

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS: RETAIL THERAPY

Everyone loves a spot of shopping, especially during the summer, and ESPECIALLY during the sales. Let’s see what some of our most coveted regional shopping malls have been up to this month…

MEDIA REPORTER Aleksandra Wood Awood@ttgmena.com D: +35724803022 CONTRIBUTORS Natalie Hami Emily Millett CREATIVE DIRECTOR Edward Beales E-COMMERCE EXECUTIVE Marina Drakou Mdrakou@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803077 ACCOUNT MANAGERS Helen Moss Hmoss@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803074 Elaine Hockley EHockley@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803011

Mall of Qatar @MALLOFQATAR We installed a new wall to give you the chance to share with us writing down our national loving messages #WeAreQatar #WeStandWithQatar

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Costas Miaoulis CMiaoulis@ttgmena.com D: +357 24 803002

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

Mall of the Emirates @MallofEmirates Dreaming of having those calories fly away! #MOEActive is coming your way to hit those summer body goals ;) Stay Tuned! #MalloftheEmirates

The Avenues @The_Avenues Good Morning! Indulge yourself while shopping at Prestige with our exclusive porter…

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Abu Dhabi Mall @AbuDhabiMallUAE [Welcoming] Canvas Art Store to the Abu Dhabi Mall family! With such a wide spectrum of art supplies, you won’t help but unleash the artist in you.

The Dubai Mall @TheDubaiMall Spun Candy can personalise your fun-sized lollipops to fit any occasion! Visit them inside Candylicious.

Mall of Egypt @mallofegypt Get your suave on this summer with Jack & Jones. #MallOfEgypt #Summer #Fashion #MajidAlFuttaim

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