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6 JUNE 2015
ISSUE 291
DUBAI ATTRACTION RECEIVES
COMPONENTS
THE UAE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TOURISM & ANTIQUITIES
ORGANISED A MISSION TO SAUDI ARABIA AND KUWAIT TO
PROMOTE THE COUNTRY THROUGH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
AND TAILOR-MADE PACKAGES.
04
SHANGRI-LA TO MANAGE
LUXURY HOTEL IN JEDDAH
11
IN THIS ISSUE
MARKET UPDATE
02
TECHNOLOGY
03
ACCOMMODATION
08
AIR
12
INTERNATIONAL
16
RENDEZVOUS
18
WHO’S MOVED
19
TRAVEL TALK
20
AGENT CORNER
21
TRAVEL CHANNELS
22
PHOTO ALBUM
23
NEWS & EVENTS
24
FIRST UAE TOURISTIC CONVOY
TO THE GULF
6
MARKET UPDATE
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MANAGING EDITOR
Mary Kammitsi
[email protected]
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Maria Kazeli
STR Global: 11 Months of Growth
for Lebanon
Lebanon continues to experience increased demand for accommodation with
March figures showing notable rises for the 11th consecutive month.
SENIOR JOURNALIST
Rita Kasziba
CONTRIBUTORS
Ana Mladenovic
Dominique Christou
B
PRESS
Maria Demetriadou
Pauline Shahabian
Inna Armeanu
ased on data compiled by STR Global, during the period
under review, occupancy rates in the country rose 27
percent to 48.5 percent, underscoring the destination’s
gradual development since the GCC lifted travel advisories in May 2014.
Among the key countries in the Middle East and Africa (MEA)
region, Egypt witnessed the highest increases in both average daily
rates (ADR), up 32.9 percent to USD86.64, and RevPAR, up 61.5 percent to USD45.28.
All in all, occupancy in MEA soared 3.2 percent to 68.7 percent,
RevPAR improved 0.7 percent to USD118.04 and ADR dropped 2.3
percent to USD171.82.
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Elena Stylianou
DIRECTORS
Andreas Constantinides
Mary Kammitsi
HEADQUARTERS
T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD
P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus
Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670
WEBSITE
www.traveltradeweekly.travel
EMAILS
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Jeita Grotto, Lebanon
WEB DEVELOPER / IT
Soteris Constantinou
Jazeera Airways Grants Dividend
Jazeera Airways Group shareholders approved a board proposal for the cash
distribution of KWD20 million (USD66.3 million) as special dividend for 2014.
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
As of
5/6/2015
Currencies shown in blue
are fixed against the US
Dollar
2
COUNTRY
CURRENCY 1USD=
Bahrain (BHD)
Dinar
0.37
Jordan (JOD)
Dinar
0.71
Oman (OMR)
Rial
0.39
Qatar (QAR)
Rial
3.64
Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal
3.75
UAE (AED)
Dirham
3.67
Algeria (DZD)
Dinar
98.18
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.63
Iran (IRR)
Rial
28,953.86
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,180.46
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,525.01
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.38
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.66
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.82
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.93
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
T
he step is proof of the successful strategic decision the
company’s management had taken in 2014 to further capitalise on the growth opportunities in its home market by
focussing more on its core business – the passenger airline
segment – and to exit the capital-intensive aircraft leasing
segment. This was revealed by Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera
Airways Group, who also commented, “The transaction is reflected
in our 2014 financial accounts and resulted in an additional cash surplus […]. As a result, the company today is cash-rich, asset-light and
plans to be debt-free by the end of [this year] to pursue growth opportunities.”
6 JUNE 2015
TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY NEWS
Sabre to Acquire Abacus
S
abre has entered into an agreement to buy Abacus International, a
global distribution system (GDS) in the Asia Pacific region.
Abacus International is currently owned by a consortium of 11
Asian airlines along with Sabre which has a 35 percent share in the company
and which will now purchase the remaining shares of the Singapore-based
GDS provider for USD411 million.
Tom Klein, president, Sabre, noted, “This powerful combination will give
customers even more innovation and service options, while allowing Sabre
to accelerate growth globally [...] and to gain regional synergies in all three
of our businesses serving travel agents, airlines and hospitality companies.”
roomsXML
Showcases New
Feature
roomsXML team at Arabian Travel Market
T
echnology provider to
the hospitality industry,
roomsXML presented yet
another first of its kind tool that displays the room types exactly as per
the hotel’s very own unit names, to
a Middle Eastern audience.
International industry professionals and more than 400 travel
agents who visited roomsXML’s
booth at the Arabian Travel Market
had the chance to explore the wide
ranging benefits of the revolutionary new feature.
The company’s latest product
was praised for its unique advantages that help agents save time
and provide better customer service by allowing them to book
rooms under their exact names.
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6 JUNE 2015
3
WEEKLY NEWS
Theme Parks to Propel
Growth in Dubai
An Arabian Falcon Holidays’ report suggests
that the timeshare industry in Dubai will surge
50 percent in 2017, driven by millions of
tourists to Dubai Parks and Resorts theme
parks that will open in the emirate at the end
of 2016, replicating the success story of
Orlando in Florida, US.
M
ohannad Sharafuddin, chairman, Arabian Falcon Holidays, explained that the venue’s operator expects over
6.7 million ticketed visits in 2017.
“[The theme parks] will increase the number of tourists from
Africa and Asia by leaps and bounds, making it the top timeshare
destination in MENA. They will also add more than AED14 billion
(USD3.8 billion) by 2020 to the emirate’s economy,” Sharafuddin
added.
4
Dubai
Attraction Receives
Components
Omani Venue
Shines on
World Stage
A
O
n experienced team of designers
and consultants are hard at work
on a range of rides and other components of Dubai Parks and Resorts.
Encompassing three theme parks, the
project is set to become the region’s largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination with over 100 attractions
and experiences for visitors of all ages.
“Following a rigorous bidding process,
we have appointed a stellar team of the
world’s leading players in the entertainment rides industry,” explained Raed Al Nuaimi, CEO, Dubai Parks and Resorts, adding
that the project will support the UAE’s tourism vision and serve as a key step towards
reaching the country’s visitor targets.
man Convention & Exhibition
Centre (OCEC) showcased
its latest 3D structures and
aerial drone images in the lead up to
its opening in 2016, at IMEX Frankfurt.
Trevor McCartney, general manager, OCEC, deemed the upcoming
launch of the exhibition halls and hospitality suites as a memorable occasion
that will play a major role in changing
the face of events in the region and
throw the spotlight on Oman.
“Striving to become a pioneer in
business events in the Arabian Gulf,
OCEC is enormously proud to be a
major force in the momentum of the
industry,” added McCartney.
6 JUNE 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
FIRST UAE TOURISTIC CONVOY
TO THE GULF
UAE Convoy
The UAE National Council for Tourism & Antiquities organised
a mission to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to promote the country
through up-to-date information and tailor-made packages.
6
G
iven the geographic proximity, the developed road network and air connectivity
across the region, the Gulf remains one of
the key source markets for the UAE, noted
Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb Al Muhairi,
director general, National Council for Tourism & Antiquities.
The convoy, that visited, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait, met with a large number of specialists and decision-makers to highlight the essence of the UAE’s
unique characteristics.
Dollar Rent a Car
Arrives in Al Ain
D
ollar Rent a Car has
launched its 25th branch
in the UAE at Ayla Bawadi
Hotel, marking the company’s
entry into Al Ain.
As Marwan Al Mulla, general
manager, UAE and Oman, Dollar
Rent a Car, explained, the opening comes in line with the firm’s
strategy to reach out to all customers across the UAE.
“To take this initiative forward
we have opened our Al Ain branch
to give consistent customer experience across all our counters in
the UAE. Our good selection of
vehicles and exceptional service
always exceeds our customer’s expectations,” added Al Mulla.
6 JUNE 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
S
harjah Commerce and Tourism
Development Authority (SCTDA)
took part in a promotional tour to
Gulf capitals, organised by the National
Council of Tourism & Antiquities.
The tour, held in May under the slogan #VisitUAE, covered Riyadh, Jeddah
and Kuwait.
According to H.E. Khalid Jasim Al
Midfa, director general, SCTDA, the
GCC is a top market for the emirate with
477,639 guests staying in the Sharjah’s
accommodation units in 2014, a 10 percent year-on-year increase.
He reiterated SCTDA’s keenness to
promote the destination’s festivals that
add diversity to its cultural and tourism
product that ranges from cultural hubs,
to recreational facilities.
6 JUNE 2015
dnata’s Imagine Cruising
Investment Greenlighted
Imagine Cruising ship
SCTDA Promotes
Sharjah to the GCC
QTA on Tour in Saudi
Arabia
Q
d
nata received regulatory approval from the
Competition Commission of South Africa
for the purchase of a majority stake in Imagine Cruising.
A leader in cruise and stay holiday distribution
out of the UK, Imagine Cruising will become part of
the dnata Travel family of businesses.
“Our growth strategy is clear: invest in opportunities that enhance our product offering and
strengthen our position as a global leader,” explained Iain Andrew, divisional senior vice president, dnata Travel.
atar Tourism Authority (QTA)
led a delegation of representatives from Qatar Airways and 11 hotels on a three-city
road show across Saudi Arabia. The
initiative formed part of the strategy
to enhance promotional efforts in key
target markets across the GCC.
The number of visitors from the
Kingdom to Qatar increased by 28
percent in the first quarter of the
year reaching over 240,000, according to Rashed AlQurese, chief marketing and promotions officer, QTA,
who said, “Qatar is not standing still.
Luxury hotel construction continues,
transport infrastructure grows at a
pace and bold new developments
continue to be planned.”
7
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
New Spa at Royal Rose Abu Dhabi
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range of 60- and 90-minute treatments are available, all of which have been
designed to reenergise travellers and rejuvenate their skin.
Guests can also take advantage of the adjacent gym what features modern
equipment, a sauna and Jacuzzi, all set in an elegant décor allowing guests to unwind
after a busy day or a relaxing swim in the rooftop pool.
Coral Beirut
Al Hamra Hotel
Adds Gym
Alba Spa
Alba Spa
Royal Rose Abu Dhabi has unveiled
Alba Spa, a brand-new haven of
wellness and tranquillity offering a
variety of body and face treatments.
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Gloria Hotels &
Resorts to Enter
Saudi Arabia
A
Gym at Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel
C
oral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel has
launched a fully-equipped
state-of-the-art gym.
Guests can take advantage of
complimentary access to the new
facility which is also open to local
residents who wish to exercise on
treadmills, pec-fly machines, cablecross multi vascular units, and stay in
shape with the help of free weights.
As Hartmut Grauel, general
manager, Coral Beirut Al Hamra
Hotel, noted, the gym is for those
who wish to stay committed to their
sports routine while away on business or vacation.
8
s part of its ambitious
growth plan, Gloria
Hotels & Resorts is to
launch its inaugural project
in Mecca in the first quarter
of 2016.
Located just 3km from
the Holy Mosque, the hotel
will feature 320 rooms, along
with a range of facilities that
cater to religious and family
tourists.
The company, that already has over 2,020 rooms
in operation, aims to add another 2,000 units to its portfolio with the inauguration of
new establishments in Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, UAE and
Oman.
Other upcoming openings in 2016 include a fourstar hotel in Muscat and a
240-key property in Khartoum, Sudan.
6 JUNE 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Mövenpick Expands in Middle East and Asia
A New Era for PER AQUUM
P
M
övenpick Hotels & Resorts revealed an aggressive growth programme across Asia. This year the company’s expansion plans
include the opening of two hotels in Saudi Arabia, Mövenpick
Hotel Star City Jeddah and Mövenpick Hotel Riyadh, as well as a property
in Morocco.
The Swiss hotel group is also set to unveil seven hotels and resorts in
Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Vietnam over the next three years
with 10 more projects being under negotiation.
“We have seen very strong demand. Our brand philosophy and values
have caught the attention of investors and developers as we are excited
about the potential for further growth in the region,” said Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer, Middle East and Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
ER AQUUM Hotels & Resorts has
entered a new phase in its evolution, marked by a new logo, revamped visual identity and fresh hotel
names.
A collection of originals, the current
portfolio reflects the elevated status of
the brand featuring two properties in
the Maldives, one in Dubai and Essque
Zlu Zanzibar, which is being transformed
into a PER AQUUM resort.
As part of the 2013 strategic joint
venture partnership between Minor
Hotel Group and PER AQUUM’s founding company, Universal Enterprises, the
two firms are to develop at least five additional properties within the next five
years and the new identity is laying the
foundation for this expansion.
Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels Unveils
Newest Gem
Najd Boutique Hotel
S
6 JUNE 2015
ouq Waqif Boutique Hotels (SWBH) launched
Najd Boutique Hotel in the heart of the historic Souq Waqif in Doha.
The company’s ninth project blends originality
and modernity and features 15 rooms along with
two suites, with each of them offering a distinctive
interpretation of the overall theme of Arabic modernism steeped in luxury.
“Since inception, SWBH has sought to enrich the
hotel sector with the most innovative concepts and
ways of doing business and allow Qatar visitors to
experience age-old Arabic hospitality and Qatar’s
wealth of history and tradition,” explained Taleb Al
Henzab, general manager, SWBH.
9
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Park Inn by Radisson Debuts in
Istanbul
InterContinental Dubai Marina
Unveiled
I
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) opened InterContinental Dubai Marina, the brand’s fourth property in
the UAE.
Located in the heart of one of the destination’s
most popular and vibrant neighbourhoods, the project
includes 132 rooms along with 196 fully-serviced InterContinental Residential Suites. A part of the Bay Central
development, it is also home to nine food and beverage
outlets, separated spas, gym, swimming pool and generous meeting spaces.
According to Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer,
India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, InterContinental
Dubai Marina is taking the brand to the next level.
“[It is] contemporary, glamour with great modern art
touch and travel stories; the first of a new generation of InterContinental Hotels to open in the coming years,” commented Gauvin.
Park Inn by Radisson Istanbul Ataturk Airport
P
ark Inn by Radisson Istanbul Ataturk Airport has opened its doors,
marking the brand’s foray into the
Turkish city.
Located just 4km from the destination’s main international airport, the
154-key property offers a convenient
place for events and conferences with
seven modern meeting spaces and a
422m2 ballroom.
As Mark Willis, area vice president,
Middle East and Turkey, The Rezidor Hotel Group, noted, the midmarket brand
incorporates the ethos of choice, connectivity and community.
“We see a huge potential for this
brand to grow in Turkey,” indicated Willis.
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InterContinental Dubai Marina
Hilton to Open at Dubai World
Central
H
ilton Worldwide is the latest hospitality giant to join Dubai World
Central (DWC)’s hotel scene with the 535-key Hilton Dubai World
Central set to open early 2019.
The upscale property will feature seven floors with a large multifunctional ballroom, eight meeting rooms, six board rooms, a myriad of food
and beverage options and leisure facilities, making it ideal to guests who
wish to stay in close proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and
the 145km2 DWC development.
As Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide, revealed, the company expects to open an average of one hotel per
month over the course of the next few years across the Middle East and
Africa, whereas it plans to more than double its portfolio in Dubai.
10
6 JUNE 2015
ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS
Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
A
ssila Investments and Shangri-La International Hotel Management
signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the management and operation of a luxury project in Jeddah. Slated to open in
early 2018, it will be the first Shangri-La property in Saudi Arabia.
Greg Dogan, president, Shangri-La International Hotel Management,
justified the location choice saying that Jeddah is both an important commercial hub and the country’s primary resort city.
Featuring a 242-room hotel and 122 residences, the development will
be in a 65-storey tower on Jeddah Corniche Road facing the Red Sea, with
its facilities including three restaurants, function rooms, luxury spa and fitness areas, a swimming pool, children’s club and several lounges.
Abra Water Hopping Service
J
A Resorts & Hotels will be developing JA Eclipse Beach Resort, a
premium tropical beach property in Kathiraveli, Sri Lanka, together
with Gravity Resort Group that will
fund the USD30 million project.
“We are extremely proud to be the
first UAE-based hospitality company
[…] to manage the first-ever luxury
resort development on the Sri Lankan
East Coast,” said David Thomson, chief
operating officer, JA Resorts & Hotels.
The resort will have an initial capacity of 108 luxurious suites and
villas in six room categories, and will
feature waterways, such as a lazy river; eight food and beverage outlets;
a fully-equipped water sports centre
and more.
Shangri-La to Manage Luxury Hotel in Jeddah
Abdullah Alissa, CEO, Assila Investments (left) and
Greg Dogan sign the deal
JA Resorts & Hotels
Enters Sri Lanka
Ajman to Tap Into Chinese Market
6 JUNE 2015
The Ajman Palace Hotel
T
he sales team of The Ajman
Palace Hotel joined the Ajman Tourism Development
Department’s week-long road show
in China.
The programme, that included
stops in Guangzhou, Shanghai and
Beijing, was in line with the emirate’s
ambition to attract five million visitors by 2021.
As Fergal Purcell, general manager,
The Ajman Palace Hotel, noted, Chinese tourists are now moving away
from the previous preference for group
travel and sightseeing and many of
them prefer to travel independently to
explore fresh destinations.
He also added that the management started working on the Chinese
outbound tourism market in the third
quarter of 2014 and has since seen
astounding results.
11
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Mahan Air Opens Six New International Routes
Athens
In order to better cater to its
passengers’ needs, Iran-based carrier
Mahan Air is expanding its global
network with the introduction of six
new scheduled services.
T
he addition of the routes comes after the total refurbishment of the airline’s fleet.
Mahan Air already launched once-weekly flights to Bahrain, as well as to Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow and Airport Pulkovo Saint Petersburg, both operated four times a week.
Starting June 14, it will also fly out to Athens on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Moreover, June 17
will see the departure of a Milan-bound aircraft, which will be serving the Italian city twice a week. Lastly,
as of June 23 Mahan Air will further expand in Russia with thrice-weekly operations to Sochi.
flydubai Adds Fourth Pakistani Route
A
s of June 11, flydubai will commence thrice-weekly direct operations to Quetta, Pakistan, marking the airline’s fourth destination in the country.
“We have been flying to Pakistan since 2010, and we have seen a
consistent demand for our services. […] We see continued opportunity
to grow our network across our geographic focus and connect previously underserved markets to Dubai,” commented Ghaith Al Ghaith,
CEO, flydubai.
The carrier first linked the UAE to Pakistan with a daily flight to Karachi, which has grown to double-daily, while in 2013, routes to Sialkot
and Multan were launched.
Gulf Air Increases Istanbul Services
G
ulf Air is to launch additional flights to and from Istanbul as of July
11 with a choice of seven frequencies a week, available up until
September 12.
“Giving Gulf Air passengers increased flexibility and choice in booking
their summer travel to and from Istanbul is critical in light of the consistently strong two-way traffic between this historic city and Bahrain and the
greater region. We are confident our summer schedule will improve our
passengers’ travel experience,” commented Ahmed Janahi, chief commercial officer, Gulf Air.
12
6 JUNE 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Bangkok
Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
Etihad Adds Fourth Bangkok Flights
Qatar Airways A350
XWB to Fly to Munich
Q
E
tihad Airways plans to introduce a fourth daily service between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, effective from July 1.
Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the extra
frequency will increase the number of roundtrip flights offered
by the UAE carrier between the two cities to 28 per week and
add some 5,000 seats per week to the route.
According to Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer,
Etihad Airways, the Thai capital is one of the most popular destinations in the airline’s network with strong year-round demand.
“The new service, with its attractive timing and convenient
two-way connections, will make ours a more competitive and
attractive offering for business travellers and holiday-makers to
Thailand, as well as travellers based in Thailand,” concluded Knight.
atar Airways revealed plans to deploy its Airbus A350 XWB aircraft
on its double-daily Doha – Munich route.
Commencing October 1, the Dohabased airline will be launching the A350
XWB on the German route alongside its
existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner service,
while from November 1, the second daily
frequency will also be operated with what
is hailed as the world’s newest wide-body
aircraft.
According to Akbar Al Barker, group
CEO, Qatar Airways, the introduction of the
A350 XWB to the Doha – Munich sector will
redefine the in-flight experience for those
travelling between the cities and help reiterate the company’s steadfast commitment to the market.
Launch of the new facility in Deira
Air Arabia Opens Dubai City Check-in
Facility
A
ir Arabia has further expanded its City Terminal Checkin network with the launch of a new station at Dubai’s
Al Ghurair Centre.
The concept was first introduced in 2012 with the aim to
provide passengers flying with the low-cost carrier with increased convenience and flexibility by enabling them to drop
off their bags and collect their boarding pass before departure
from the airport.
As Adel Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, highlighted, the innovative facilities go one step further by reducing the time customers need to spend at the airport to an absolute minimum.
6 JUNE 2015
13
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
ECAir Debuts in
Beirut
Qatar Airways: Strategic
Move in Scotland
Q
Beirut
A
s part of its global expansion drive,
Equatorial Congo Airlines (ECAir)
has commenced regular flights between Brazzaville and Beirut.
The new route, which is being operated
in collaboration with Trans Air Congo onboard a Boeing 757, is expected to appeal
to the large Lebanese community living on
the African continent. The twice-weekly service marks the carrier’s third intercontinental route after Paris and Dubai.
As Fatima Beyina-Moussa, managing director, ECAir, noted, opening up the Beirut
itinerary will help foster relations between
Congo and Lebanon.
14
atar Airways has bought Novotel
Edinburgh Park, in Scotland, marking the airline’s second hotel acquisition outside Qatar.
The four-star property will continue to
be managed and operated by Accor under
the Novotel brand and will provide Qatar
Airways’ guests from around the world with
end-to-end comfort throughout its 170
rooms and suites, five meeting areas, indoor
pool, gym and sauna.
The hotel is located on Lochside Avenue
adjacent to Edinburgh Business Park and
conveniently near to Edinburgh International Airport.
Qatar Airways’ move is part of its overall
service offering and growth strategy, which
is expected to include further hotels in key
destinations.
Wizz Air Reveals
New Identity
C
entral and Eastern European low-cost
carrier, Wizz Air has launched its rejuvenated and more sophisticated identity,
complete with a vibrant livery and a range of
enhancements set to further improve the passenger experience.
The airline celebrated its 11th birthday with
a mega event in Hungary and Poland, organised
by industry veteran Daniel De Carvalho, corporate communications, Wizz Air, where it unveiled
the new pink and blue livery and announced seat
allocation, upgrades to the company’s web and
mobile platforms, the extension of WizzTours
package holidays and new aircraft deliveries.
As Johan Eidhagen, head of marketing and
brand, Wizz Air, revealed, since the airline’s debut in Dubai in October 2013, the carrier’s only
Gulf route has performed very well. Wizz Air also
operates to Hurghada.
Novotel Edinburgh Park
6 JUNE 2015
AIR WEEKLY NEWS
Oman Air to Fly Directly to Kuala Lumpur
Emirates Expands Italian
Network
O
Air Astana Celebrates Success
K
azakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana marked its 13th anniversary with record operating profit in 2014, which stood at USD97.7 million, an increase of 35 percent
over 2013.
Traffic also surged three percent to 3.8 million passengers, with the airline having
added Paris, Bangkok and Dubai to its network. The carrier also launched Economy
Sleeper Class, scooped several prestigious accolades and became the first airline in Central Asia to join the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines in June 2014.
“Another remarkably successful year has passed for Air Astana, with continued
profitable growth and new service innovations adding to the established reputation
for consistently safe, reliable, convenient and high-quality air service,” said Peter Foster,
president, Air Astana.
Qatar Airways Gears Up for Amsterdam Debut
A
kbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways,
expects high demand for the airline’s soonto-be-launched Amsterdam route.
Starting June 15, the carrier will operate six
weekly services between Doha and the Dutch capital, which, according to Al Baker, not only has one
of the busiest airports in Europe, but is also a major
tourist destination.
“We have been pursuing the opportunity
to open this new route for some time and I am
pleased to have achieved our ambition,” admitted
Al Baker.
Bologna
man Air is to commence daily nonstop services between Muscat and Kuala Lumpur, effective from June 21.
The route builds on the success of the airline’s stopping flight launched in 2010 and adds a convenient
travel option for passengers who could previously only
rely on codeshare operations by Malaysian Airlines and
Sri Lankan Airlines or Oman Air’s non-direct offering.
Abdulrahman Al-Busaidy, chief operating officer,
Oman Air, described the Asian country as a very popular destination in the carrier’s network.
“[The route] is both commercially successful and a
vital symbol of the close relationship between Oman
and Malaysia,” he added.
E
ffective from November 3, Bologna will become Emirates’ fourth Italian gateway.
The Dubai-based airline will operate daily services to the city onboard a Boeing 777-300ER,
bringing its weekly frequencies to the European
country to 56.
Over the past 23 years, the carrier has played an
important role in enhancing opportunities for business and tourism across the country, noted Thierry
Antinori, chief commercial officer, Emirates.
With the new daily route to Bologna, Emirates
SkyCargo will offer up to 23 tonnes of cargo capacity per day, further supporting Italian exports.
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6 JUNE 2015
15
WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Holiday Inn
Announced for
Fiji
F
iji will welcome its first Holiday Inn resort in 2018, following a deal between
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
and Avoser.
IHG’s third property in Fiji, Holiday Inn
Resort Denarau Island will offer 152 rooms
and suites as well as three outdoor pools,
kids’ club, day spa, nightclub and two meeting rooms.
Ananth Reddy, director, Avoser, said, “Denarau Island is one of Fiji’s most renowned
international resort destinations, and we are
seeing increasing visitor arrivals to the island
every year. Fiji has also seen some of its highest occupancy rates in recent years and there
are huge opportunities for growth in rooms
supply to cater to the tourism growth.”
Holiday Inn Resort Denarau Island drawing
16
Rosewood to Launch
Hotel in Mexican
UNESCO Site
P
lus Arrendamientos Inmobiliarios appointed Rosewood
Hotels and Resorts to manage
a forthcoming property that will be
the brand’s fourth in Mexico.
Expected to open in 2016, the
79-room Rosewood Puebla will be
located in the historic centre of the
city, an UNESCO World Heritage site.
Guests will be able to enjoy their time
in the hotel’s rooftop bar and swimming pool area or the spa.
Puebla, known for its diverse architecture, is southeast of New Mexico City and is home to over 2,600
historic sites and more than 365
churches.
Puebla
Rocco Forte Benefits
from Middle Eastern
Arrivals
R
occo Forte Hotels, a family of 10 luxury
properties in key destinations across Europe, announced increased revenue from
the Middle East during 2014. The company’s most
important markets in the region continued to be
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, while the countries with the most significant growth in travellers
were Lebanon, Jordan and Kuwait.
Echoing 2013’s results, the top three properties that received the largest business from the
region were The Charles Hotel, Munich; Hotel de
Russie, Rome; and Brown’s Hotel, London.
“Our next new property opening will be in Jeddah later this year, and we are thrilled that this will
mark our return to the Middle East, an area with
which we have a long-standing history,” disclosed
Sir Rocco Forte, chairman, Rocco Forte Hotels.
Sir Rocco Forte
6 JUNE 2015
INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY NEWS
Holiday Inn to Welcome Guests in
Adelaide
M
I
inor Hotel Group is to launch two new
properties in Perth and expand its presence in Australia through an investment
of AUD110 million (USD87.7 million).
The company will develop an upscale AVANI
hotel offering more than 250 rooms, to be completed in the last quarter of 2017, and a 200-unit
AVANI Residences, both set within the Perth City
Link project.
“Minor Hotel Group is already well established
in the country with the Oaks brand and we have
been actively exploring opportunities to bring
some of our other brands into the Australasia
region,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO, Minor Hotel
Group.
nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Pro
Invest Group have signed a deal for Holiday
Inn Express Adelaide, Australia.
Expected to launch in 2018, the 245-room
hotel will be located in the city’s central business
district and close to Adelaide Convention Centre.
“We know the domestic market will respond
extremely well to this fresh and exciting brand
and having a Holiday Inn Express in the city’s
Central Business District will be key as the increase in air connectivity between Adelaide
and other key Asian cities continues,” said Karin
Sheppard, chief operating officer, franchising,
Australasia, Japan, Korea and Asia, Middle East
and Africa, IHG.
Holiday Inn Express Adelaide rendering
Minor Hotel Group projects in Perth City Link
Australia to Welcome AVANI Brand
Best Western Expands in Indonesia
B
BEST WESTERN Bogor Icon
6 JUNE 2015
est Western International (BWI) has continued its growth in Indonesia with the inauguration of yet another new property in Bogor,
West Java.
Located in the heart of the city, the 16-storey BEST WESTERN Bogor Icon
comprises 345 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, swimming pool, fitness
centre and meeting rooms with a ballroom that can host up to 1,000 guests.
“With its ideal location close to Jakarta and excellent transport links,
Bogor is becoming a key destination for both domestic and international
travellers,” explained Ron Pohl, senior vice president, brand management,
BWI, adding that the company’s Indonesian expansion is now in full swing.
17
RENDEZVOUS
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: This year
marked the team’s first participation
in ATM. What makes the Middle East
a strategically important market for
the company?
TOMAS KASTBERG ANDERSEN: Our
resorts appeal to Middle Eastern visitors
due to the unique tropical island setting
and the privacy of the five-star villas. We
are selling cool rain showers, lush tropical forests and some of the best dive
spots in the world to nations living in
sweltering hot sand dunes – surely this
has to be a match made in heaven.
Visitors from the Middle East represent approximately five percent of our
guests and bookings from the UAE has
increased more than 10 percent over the
past six months, the contributing factor
being more awareness of our region. [...]
About six months ago we decided it
was time to create some awareness about
our resorts in the Middle Eastern market
and we contracted a public relations
company, CTT Consulting, in Dubai.
Q & A with
Tomas Kastberg
Andersen
GENERAL MANAGER, BUNGA RAYA ISLAND RESORT & SPA
AND GAYANA ECO RESORT
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is the weddings and honeymoons segment to your business?
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are
Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa and
Gayana Eco Resort’s main features
that appeal to the Arab clientele?
TOMAS KASTBERG ANDERSEN: We
have witnessed an increased interest
from Middle Eastern travellers, and families in particular, in the environmental
luxury experience which we offer with
our extensive range of nature activities,
such as becoming a marine biologist
for a day, snorkelling at the house reef,
kayaking into the mangroves, doing a
canopy walk above the rainforest or
trekking into the dense jungle all the
while staying in luxurious private villas.
Located in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park, skirted by
coral reefs and calm turquoise seas, our
resorts offer a diverse range of activities
under water and on land for adults and
children alike. Visitors can work alongside our resident marine biologists and
transfer replanted coral fragments to the
underwater Coral Garden or collect coral
fragments in the sea and attach them to a
biorock structure, snorkel the house reef
with an underwater camera or take a kayak trip into the mangroves, explore mudskippers and hermit crabs or trek into the
dense jungle bursting with butterflies,
bird and cicadas. The resort also houses
a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)-certified dive centre.
TOMAS KASTBERG ANDERSEN, GENERAL
MANAGER, BUNGA RAYA ISLAND RESORT & SPA
AND GAYANA ECO RESORT, LED HIS TEAM AT
THIS YEAR’S ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET (ATM)
FOR THE FIRST TIME, AS THE IMPORTANCE OF
THE ARAB CLIENTELE CONTINUES TO RISE AT
BOTH MALAYSIAN RESORTS.
TOMAS KASTBERG ANDERSEN: Although we do have a few large traditional weddings a year, we are finding
a trend in couples opting for a smaller,
much more wholesome, wedding experience with just a few family members and close friends. Besides these
barefoot beach weddings, we also can
also arrange canopy walk weddings on
a suspension bridge above the rain forest, ceremonies on a private yacht or in
the tropical gardens or in the royal villa.
Today’s discerning guests take it for
granted that the hardscape is in perfect
condition, food is delicious and service
impeccable. Long gone are the days
when guests merely want to lie by the
pool and do nothing. Nowadays they
want to be in touch with the local community, learn about and spot the unique
wildlife, understand the importance of local flora and fauna in modern day life. Yes,
we have to ensure our guests will become
culturally enriched. Another trend seems
to be experiences taking you outside your
comfort zone. This could be climbing
mountains, learning how to parasail, dive
or zip through the jungle. Often these experiences are part of a honeymoon.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Please tell
us about your plans for the coming
months.
Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa
18
TOMAS KASTBERG ANDERSEN: Gayana Eco Resort and Bunga Raya Island
Resort & Spa will soon be under the
hospitality banner of ECHO Resorts. [...]
At the end of the year we are also opening a brand new resort, Pulau Tiga, located on the island which was featured
in the popular television hit, Survivor;
the Borneo season.
6 JUNE 2015
WHO’S MOVED
IWAN
KIP
Iwan Kip has been appointed
general manager for Indonesia at Etihad Airways.
Kip, who brings more than
10 years of experience to the
role, takes up the position after two years as the airline’s
direct sales and operations
manager for the Netherlands.
Based in Jakarta, he will be
pivotal in accelerating the
carrier’s growth in the southeast Asian country.
Prior to joining Etihad Airways, Kip spent 10 years in
sales and marketing at a number of major airlines, hotel
groups and travel companies.
Kip spent 10 years in
sales and marketing
VICTOR
DEVRIES
MAZEN
FAHMY
Mazen Fahmy has joined
InterContinental Cairo Semiramis Hotel as technology
manager.
He started his journey with InterContinental Hotels Group
(IHG) in 2004 at the Citystars
Complex project, where he
served in different positions,
his final role being assistant IT
manager.
Fahmy, who has a total of 15
years of experience in the
field, also participated in the
IT conversion at Holiday Inn
Cairo Maadi Hotel as acting
IT manager.
Prior to joining IHG, he
worked for United Systems
Company where he also
helped install food, beverage
and materials systems in all
IHG properties in Egypt.
Victor Devries has been selected as the new head of
sales for Dubai and the Northern Emirates at Rotana.
Devries, who holds a master’s
degree in marketing and advertising, brings a wealth of
experience to the role, having
previously worked with international chains. In his last position, he served as director
of regional marketing in Canada and the US with Hilton
Worldwide.
With over 14 years in key
commercial leadership roles
across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and US, Devries
will direct the company’s
sales initiatives in Dubai and
the Northern Emirates where
Rotana currently operates 20
properties.
Devries will
direct Rotana’s sales
initiatives
6 JUNE 2015
19
TRAVEL TALK
Our proposition
appeals to all investors
We are constantly
adapting our web
offerings
JASMINE
ARIKA
Director of marketing
and communications,
Amwaj Rotana,
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
“Technology creates speed. We
have seen that there are shorter
lead periods to when we receive
bookings, meaning guests are
booking closer to their date of
arrival than before. We have also
seen that a lot of these bookings come through mobile devices such as smartphones and
tablets. This means that we are
constantly adapting our web
offerings […]. More and more
guests are travelling with more
than one device, which is why
our Internet portals can be accessed by up to three devices
per room.”
MICHAEL
SCULLY
Managing director,
First & Foremost
Hotels & Resorts
We expect strong
business
LENNART
MAAS
Hotel manager,
Burj Al Sarab,
Abu Dhabi
“We expect strong business and
high occupancy rates at the
hotel following the signing of
a number of contracts with our
partners in Europe and other
countries to attract tourists and
guests. Abu Dhabi is attracting a
large number of visitors coming
to attend conferences, exhibitions, sports, cultural and art
events.”
“Our proposition appeals to all
investors, but in particular socially
responsible investors, those focussing on [environmental, social
and governance issues], which
include social justice, in terms of
the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within
a society. [...] Generally Leading
Family Hotels & Resorts generates
more than double the revenue
per room of competitor hotels.
[...] We have spoken to a number
of investors and the feedback we
received is very positive, thus we
hope to make an announcement
in the near future about our first
property in the Middle East.”
Our ambition is to become
a leader in the global
Halal tourism market
SULTAN
AL DHAHERI
Acting executive
director, tourism,
Abu Dhabi Tourism
& Culture Authority
“Our ambition is to become a
leader in the global Halal tourism
market […]. It is incumbent on us
to find new source markets, stimulate demand, and introduce
new marketing concepts to inspire first-time visitors and build
loyalty to encourage guests to
return, and we believe the Halal
tourism niche is one which can
achieve this. By galvanising the
emirate’s hospitality industry to
embrace the sector’s travel patterns, habits and aspirations, we
can carve out a niche and become the regional leader in Halal
tourism.”
TRAVEL TALK IS YOUR SPACE – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories.
We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to
[email protected]
20
6 JUNE 2015
AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight
NAME:
Akber Panju
POSITION:
Director
COMPANY:
Bushbuck Safaris
LOCATION:
Tanzania
WEBSITE:
www.bushbuckltd.com
The arrival of the aircraft at Singapore
Changi Airport
dnata Welcomes A350 XWB at
Changi Airport
Who are you?
I am Akber Panju, director of Bushbuck Safaris, the pioneers of tourism in Tanzania
with over 26 years of experience in the field. Bushbuck Safaris is a limited liability company that owns a large fleet of well-maintained vehicles and is staffed by
specially-trained personnel. It was established in 1986, by Mustafa A.D. Panju who
has invested many years of his life pursuing his passion for tourism in Tanzania.
What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?
Serving our guests, meeting new people and making new friends.
When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
Throughout the year.
Where would you like to travel for your next holiday?
Turkey, Paris and Canada.
Why should people come to you for travel advice?
Having lived all our life in Tanzania, we have intimate knowledge of the country
and a passion to preserve nature.
6 JUNE 2015
d
nata, one of the largest air travel service
providers in the Middle East and part of The
Emirates Group, became the first ground
handler in Asia to welcome the Airbus A350 XWB.
The arrival of Qatar Airways′ aircraft at Singapore Changi Airport in late May marked one of
dnata′s most important milestones.
The company provides ground handling services for the airline’s 14 weekly flights between Singapore and Doha.
21
TRAVEL CHANNELS
France to Lure Emiratis
France is to attract an increasing number of visitors from the UAE following the
signature between the Middle Eastern country and the European Union that
allows Emiratis to travel to Schengen zone countries without applying for a visa.
T
he UAE is the first Gulf state to
offer this visa waiver which is set
to accelerate traffic between the
regions.
In 2014, France recorded 83.7
million arrivals and while Europe continued
to account for the lion’s share, figures from
the Middle East have been showing encouraging signs.
Gulf visitors are proving loyal repeat
travellers, representing up to 30 percent of
five-star and palace rating hotel business in
France. Based on the government’s statistical body, between 2013 and 2014, overnight stays in the European country’s hotels
jumped 17 percent from the Gulf states.
Sharjah to Develop Smart City Map
Louvre, Paris
R Hotels Gathers
Funds for Nepali
Staff
R
Hotels’ four properties – Ramada Hotel
and
Suites
Ajman,
Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman,
Ramada Downtown Dubai and
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Dubai, Jumeirah Beach
Residence – raised AED77,000
(USD21,000) to help associates
and their families affected by
the earthquake in Nepal.
The initiative was led by Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager, Ramada Hotel and Suites
Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, who commented,
“We look after the welfare of
our staff […]. We hope that we
are able to provide financial assistance and help in one way or
another in getting back on their
feet after the sad tragedy.”
Virgin Atlantic Invites Travellers
to Dubai
S
harjah Department of Statistics and Community Development has given 2GIS the green light to produce the
emirate’s smart city map.
The project will feature an accurate 3D map with an itemised directory along with information on infrastructure.
Belal Beseiso, vice president, business development, 2GIS,
described the initiative as a strategic step, noting that 20 percent of the UAE population reside in the emirate.
“As one of the emirates that has made its name as an economic, educational and cultural centre, the smart city map of
Sharjah will play a central role in providing visitors and residents a readily available map of the emirate,” added Beseiso.
Launch of the project
22
A
new promotional video about Dubai is now live on all Virgin
Atlantic Airways flights across the globe, informing passengers about the attractions of the emirate.
The 20-minute film is part of the company’s Virgin Atlantic guide
to… series and was produced with the assistance of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing.
As Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation of Tourism & Commerce
Marketing, noted, the project is in line with the tourism authorities’
endeavour to work in partnership with international stakeholders to
market and promote the emirate to an ever-wider audience.
“It is initiatives such as these that will allow us to ultimately realise
our Tourism Vision for 2020,” concluded Kazim.
6 JUNE 2015
TRAVEL CHANNELS
Take a Shot!
Share with us the latest images of your activities and let your colleagues
know what you have been up to.
Send your photos to [email protected]
Because a picture is worth a thousand words...
Mövenpick Hotel Deira launched its Power Bites
menu, a healthy and fun dining option for children
Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa held a team-building activity with
fun and interactive games and sessions
It is never too early. New cabin crew and pilot uniforms for young Emirates fans
6 JUNE 2015
Hamad International Airport celebrated its one year
anniversary with a huge cake
Al Bustan Centre & Residence, Dubai hosted athletes of the
7th Fazza Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
Hollywood star Stephan Baldwin (left)
received the Royal Plus Premium card from
Haitham Misto, CEO, Royal Jordanian Airlines
23
NEWS & EVENTS
Abu Dhabi Kicks
Off Summer Road
Shows
A
bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) led a
road show which visited three
countries highlighting the three-month
long Abu Dhabi Summer Season.
“During our [2014] summer season,
we saw a highly impressive increase of
20 percent in our guest arrivals into our
hotels and hotel apartments over [2013]
to 786,376, with guest nights from GCC
visitors increasing by 25 percent,” said
Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director, tourism sector, TCA Abu Dhabi.
Corporate Buyers
Gather at IMEX
S
ome 80 corporate buyers, whose
combined
annual
spending
reaches over USD270 million,
came together at Exclusively Corporate
@IMEX in Frankfurt.
Representing 27 countries and covering 13 sectors, participants focussed
on topics such as engagement, technology and negotiation while taking part
in various networking and educational
sessions.
24
EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPO
HONG KONG
Wanchai, Hong Kong
June 11 – 14
www.itehk.com
Amongst others, the event also
highlights trendy travel themes
such as overseas weddings and
honeymoons, as well as sports
tourism.
KOREA WORLD TRAVEL FAIR
Seoul, South Korea
June 11 – 15
www.kotfa.co.kr
With a 30-year history, the event
sees the participation of 60
countries which promote their
tourism resources and cultures.
INTERNATIONAL PARIS
AIR SHOW
Paris, France
June 15 – 21
www.siae.fr
A window into the dynamic
aerospace industry which give
manufacturers the chance to
showcase their know-how.
INDIA INTERNATIONAL
TRAVEL MART
Bangalore, India
July 10 – 12
www.iitmindia.com
One of the country’s premier
travel and tourism exhibitions
launches in Bangalore this year
with other showings coming up
in Chennai, Mumbai, Gurgaon,
Pune, Hyderabad, Kochi and
Kolkatta.
6 JUNE 2015