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16 MAY 2015
ISSUE 288
EGYPTIAN TOURISM SETS
CAMP IN ABU DHABI
RAS AL KHAIMAH IS TO WELCOME ANOTHER GLOBAL BRAND
AS MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL PLANS TO LAUNCH ITS FIRST
PROPERTY IN THE EMIRATE IN 2019.
04
RAS AL KHAIMAH TO
WELCOME QATAR AIRWAYS
20
IN THIS ISSUE
MARKET UPDATE
02
GENERAL
04
ACCOMMODATION
08
AIR
20
RENDEZVOUS
25
INTERNATIONAL
26
AGENT CORNER
27
TRAVEL TALK
28
TRAVEL CHANNELS
29
WHO’S MOVED
30
PHOTO ALBUM
31
NEWS & EVENTS
32
MARRIOTT TO DEBUT IN
RAS AL KHAIMAH
16
MARKET UPDATE
Rezidor: 10 New Hotels, Two New
Countries
The Rezidor Hotel Group continued its fast-paced expansion in the first quarter of the
year with 10 new hotel signings that span some 2,300 rooms and two new countries,
Armenia and Togo.
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MANAGING EDITOR
Mary Kammitsi
[email protected]
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Maria Kazeli
SENIOR JOURNALIST
Rita Kasziba
CONTRIBUTORS
Ana Mladenovic
Valentine Stavrou
PRESS
Maria Demetriadou
Pauline Shahabian
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Elena Stylianou
WEB DEVELOPER / IT
Soteris Constantinou
DIRECTORS
Andreas Constantinides
Mary Kammitsi
HEADQUARTERS
Radisson Blu Resort Jizan
D
uring the three-month
period, three properties with 330 units
were launched, bringing the company’s total
portfolio to 337 hotels with almost
76,000 rooms in operation and 97
properties with 20,500 keys under development in 75 countries
across Europe, Middle East and
Africa.
Two hotels opened in Saudi
Arabia and one in the UAE, and
four other projects were signed in
the Kingdom, reinforcing the two
countries’ standing as the company’s core growth markets, as Wolfgang Neumann, president, The
Rezidor Hotel Group, noted.
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T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD
P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus
Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670
WEBSITE
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EMAILS
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MENA EXCHANGE RATES
As of
15/5/2015
Currencies shown in blue
are fixed against the US
Dollar
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
98.05
Egypt (EGP)
Pound
7.62
Iran (IRR)
Rial
28,498.00
Iraq (IQD)
Dinar
1,167.93
Kuwait (KWD)
Dinar
0.30
Lebanon (LBP)
Pound
1,510.98
Libya (LYD)
Dinar
1.37
Morocco (MAD)
Dirham
9.62
Syria (SYP)
Pound
188.93
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
1.91
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.89
16 MAY 2015
MARKET UPDATE
RJ Reduces Losses in First Quarter
The net loss of Royal Jordanian Airlines
(RJ) went down by 64 percent in the first quarter
of the year, compared to the corresponding
period in 2014.
T
he figure reached JOD8.3 million (USD11.7 million), against the JOD23 million (USD32.4 million) incurred by the company in 2014.
Suleiman Al Hafez, chairman, board of directors, RJ, attributed the significant drop in losses to lower oil prices and effective airline operations
that are part of a strategy that aims to increase revenues and cut costs
wherever possible, without affecting the level of safety or the services offered to passengers.
ADNEC:
Record Q1
Results
Abu Dhabi National
Exhibitions Company
(ADNEC) posted its bestever first quarter (Q1)
performance figures.
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
T
he results are largely attributed to the hosting of 14
exhibitions and five conferences that attracted more
than 270,000 visitors to Abu
Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Al
Ain Convention Centre.
For the three-month period, the
company registered a 400 percent
rise in conferences, generating some
AED842 million (USD229 million) for
Abu Dhabi’s economy and bringing the
company closer to its aims to, as Ali Bin
Harmal Al Dhaheri, managing director,
ADNEC, said, achieve the performance
goals and position Abu Dhabi as the
capital of business tourism in the Middle East.
16 MAY 2015
3
WEEKLY NEWS
Egyptian Tourism Authority
Sets Camp in Abu Dhabi
Sharjah to Attract
10 Million by 2021
Khaled Ramy, tourism minister, Egypt, announced the launch of Egyptian
Tourism Authority (ETA)’s new GCC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in line
with the new Masr Qariba campaign which targets Arab audiences.
S
Sphinx, Egypt
T
4
he new outpost will become operational in July to oversee activities in the
Arabian Gulf, Lebanon and Jordan.
Masr Qariba builds on 2014’s Wahastouna
campaign, which led to significant year-onyear increases in the number of tourists visiting Egypt from the UAE (74.2 percent), Saudi
Arabia (68.6 percent) and Kuwait (48 percent).
Ramy said, “We will continue to focus our
efforts on Arab markets in the coming period,
which are a key component of our strategic vision to increase the number of tourists to 20
million in 2020.”
harjah Commerce and Tourism
Development Authority (SCTDA)
unveiled Sharjah Tourism Vision
2021, which focusses on bringing in more
than 10 million tourists by 2021, when
the UAE celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The main goal of the vision is to build
a platform to unite all the efforts, initiatives and tourism programmes under
one umbrella.
H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Noman, chairman, SCTDA, commented, “We believe
that developing tourism capacity and
launching strategic projects are essential to ensure sustained growth and excellence. We are, therefore, focussed on
maintaining the uniqueness of our tourism sector and expand the market share
of tourism in the economy.”
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS
Dubai: 13.2 Million
Visitors in 2014
S
ome 13.2 million international
travellers visited Dubai in 2014,
up 8.2 percent year-on-year.
According to H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Department
of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, the
figure demonstrates Dubai’s broadening appeal as a tourism destination
among multiple geographies and audiences, highlighting both the success
achieved to date and the opportunity
for continual growth. As he further highlighted, the results, that are especially
promising in the light of the 80-day partial closure of Dubai International, have
been supported by the new visa policies
for 13 European Union member states
and Dubai International’s transformation into an international hub.
16 MAY 2015
USD22 Million Al Noor Island
Launched in Sharjah
S
harjah Investment and Development Authority
(Shurooq) unveiled its latest project, the AED80
million (USD21.8 million) Al Noor Island in Khalid
Lagoon, due to launch in the fourth quarter of the year.
Spanning 45,470m2, the destination will boast a range
of entertainment and leisure options including a butterfly
house, literature pavilion and a pontoon, bringing the emirate closer to its goal to attract 10 million travellers by 2021.
According to H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Noman, chairman,
Shurooq, Sharjah presents an excellent model of using cultural heritage to advance the modern tourism development.
Al Noor Island
The Wave, Muscat
and Muriya Launch
Water Taxi Service
T
he Wave, Muscat and
Muriya Tourism Development have jointly introduced a water taxi service
between Almouj Marina and
the Jebel Sifah Marina, stopping at the Marina Bandar
Rowdha. A one-way trip lasts
approximately one hour and
45 minutes.
“We look forward to being
joined by other developers so
we can provide more stops and
frequency for what is definitely a
fun, scenic and convenient ride
to our Jebel Sifah destination,”
said Ahmed Dabbous, CEO,
Muriya Tourism Development.
5
WEEKLY NEWS
Gourmet Bus Announced in Dubai
DWC to Accommodate 26
Million Passengers
Gourmet Bus
C
6
D
ubai will soon welcome Gourmet Bus, a first of its kind tourist service
that offers visitors to the city the chance to tour its attractions while indulging in five-star international cuisine aboard a moving vehicle. The
concept will be launched by Alpha Destination Management.
According to Samir Hamadeh, general manager, Alpha Destination Management, Dubai will be the first city in the world to have this kind of unique
service for tourists.
The tour will include sightseeing of Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Zabeel Palace, Sheikh Zayed Road and Burj Al Arab.
apacity at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central
(DWC) will rise from six million
to 26 million by early 2017, with construction on the airport’s passenger
terminal due to begin later this year.
The development is a precursor to
the USD32 billion expansion project
poised to create the world’s biggest
airport with a capacity in excess of 200
million travellers per annum.
The announcement comes as
Dubai International nears its capacity
limit and continues to record significant rises in traffic. In March, over 6.7
million passengers passed through the
hub’s terminals, marking a 7.2 percent
surge and bringing quarterly figures to
19.6 million travellers.
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Carlson Rezidor:
Four New Gulf Hotels
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Saudi-based
Al Hokair Group further strengthened their
strategic partnership by announcing one new
hotel in Dubai and three in Saudi Arabia.
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T
he 102-room Park Inn by
Radisson Al Barsha First,
which will be offering easy
access to attractions such as Mall of
the Emirates, is scheduled to open
in 2017.
Moreover, Park Inn by Radisson Jubail Corniche will launch in
early 2016; the 156-unit Park Inn by
Radisson Jubail Industrial City will
debut early 2018; and Radisson Blu
Hotel, Al Khobar Al Rakkah will be
also unveiled in 2018.
Middle East
Expansion for
Mövenpick
Dubai to Welcome
Second Hotel Indigo
Property
I
D
n light of soaring visitor numbers to
the Middle East, Mövenpick Hotels
& Resorts plans to open more than
10 hotels by 2020 across Saudi Arabia,
the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
“Our timing could not be better as
the Middle East looks set to embark
on an unprecedented growth phase,
fuelled by a combination of renewed
consumer confidence and increased regional public and private infrastructure
investment, in addition to upcoming
mega events such as the World Expo
2020 in Dubai and the FIFA World Cup
in Qatar,” enthused Andreas Mattmüller,
chief operating officer, Middle East and
Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
ubai is to become home to
the 170-key Hotel Indigo
Dubai The Sustainable City in
the first half of 2017.
The property is envisioned to run
entirely on solar power while waste
water and other materials will be recycled.
“Hotel Indigo Dubai The Sustainable City will set us apart. It will be a
truly unique hotel, perfect for guests
looking for boutique style and design with the story of its exciting new
location woven into the very fabric
of the property,” commented Pascal
Gauvin, chief operating officer, India,
Middle East and Africa, IHG.
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
HMH Sees Growth in Midmarket
Halal Tourism
years.
According to Laurent Voivenel, CEO, HMH, the most significant development in halal tourism is being witnessed in
the midmarket segment, and the company is keen on capitalising on this trend.
“This will include having a hotel in every GCC country
while doubling our portfolio in the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” he
revealed, adding that interest is also strong in Asian markets,
such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China.
HMH’s The Ajman Palace Hotel
H
ospitality Management Holdings (HMH) plans to
further expand its halal-friendly and midmarket and
budget segments by 30 percent over the next five
DAMAC’s NAIA Breeze Opens for
Business
T
he first NAIA Hotels and Hotel Apartments project was officially
unveiled in the heart of Dubai’s Burj Area.
Overlooking the canal to one side and Burj Khalifa to the other, the 342-key NAIA Breeze offers five-star service standards.
In the coming years, two further hotels will be completed under DAMAC Hotels & Resorts’ NAIA brand, namely the 10-storey NAIA Tanora at
the site of Expo 2020 with 270 units and NAIA Celestia in the centre of
Dubai World Central, with luxury hotel apartment studios and one and
two-bedroom apartments.
Cristal Group to Debut in Dubai
C
ristal Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aber
Group for Boutique 7 Hotel that will be rebranded to the four-star
Cristal Media Hotel.
Centrally located in TECOM area, the hotel will feature 79 rooms and
suites, a range of on-site food and beverage outlets as well as leisure and
recreational facilities.
“Cristal Media Hotel is truly a world-class property [...]. One of its unique
selling propositions is the luxurious duplex three-bedroom suites that only
one other hotel offers in Dubai,” said Kamal Fakhoury, chief operations officer, Cristal Group.
Emaar Reveals Global Expansion
Plans
E
maar Hospitality Group announced
its aggressive international expansion
strategy focussed on branching out to
Bahrain and Nigeria.
In Bahrain, the brand will be represented
by The Address Marassi Al Bahrain and The
Address Residences Marassi Al Bahrain. The
Kingdom will also welcome Vida Hotels and
Resorts, marking the brand’s first exposure
outside the UAE.
The group’s flagship hotel brand will be
introduced to Nigeria with the opening of
The Address Centenary City Abuja and The
Address Residences Centenary City Abuja.
both forming part of Centenary City, Abuja,
a project developed by UAE-based company,
Eagle Hills.
10
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Swissôtel Expands in
Turkey
Shaza Hotels to Open in
Bahrain
S
Shaza Seef Bahrain
S
wissôtel Hotels & Resorts
penned a deal to manage Swissôtel KozaPark Istanbul in the
city’s fast-growing Esenyurt district.
Slated for a 2019 opening, the 160-key
hotel will be a part of the KozaPark residential, retail and entertainment destination, and will introduce the city’s
first branded Swissôtel Residences
with 450 luxury units.
Lilian Rotan, vice president, Swissôtel brand, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts,
described Istanbul as a very important
market for the company.
“With the addition of a spectacular
new hotel in the city and our planned
opening in Bodrum later this summer,
Turkey offers great potential for our
hotel group,” said Rotan.
haza Hotels signed a management agreement with
Hani Group to operate a
156-room hotel in Bahrain’s Seef
district, set to launch in 2017.
Shaza Seef Bahrain will be
centrally located in a fast-developing shopping and business
area, close to the city’s largest
malls and the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention
Centre.
The hotel, which will also offer a variety of world-class restaurants, a spacious ballroom and
extensive meeting facilities, is in
the design phase and construction is expected to begin in the
next few months.
Al Rayyan Hospitality
Gears for More Ventures
A
l Rayyan Hospitality, the development company behind
Qatar’s Souq Waqif Boutique
Hotels and Banana Island Resort Doha
by Anantara, is preparing to launch
two more projects this year.
The ambitious waterfront destination, Salwa Beach Resort features
a 362-room Hilton hotel, two beachfront villages, a massive destination
water park, marina with yacht club,
dive centre, cinemas, shopping mall,
health club and spa, 14 restaurants
and much more.
Al Rayyan Hospitality is also developing Al Messila Resort & VIP Spa with
an ultra-luxurious 122-key hotel, 30 luxury villas and one of the largest ladies’
spas and wellness centres in the region.
R
otana is soon to launch its first two properties
in Turkey with both Burgu Arjaan by Rotana and
Tango Arjaan by Rotana due to welcome their
first guests on June 1.
The two hotels will share vital facilities including the
lobby, lounge cafe, business centre, restaurant, fitness
and wellness club, indoor and outdoor pools as well as a
number of meeting and conference rooms.
“A breakthrough into Turkey is a significant achievement for Rotana as it is a crucial territory to penetrate for
us to solidify our standing as the leading hotel management company in the region,” said Omer Kaddouri, CEO,
Rotana.
12
Burgu Arjaan by Rotana (left) and
Tango Arjaan by Rotana
Rotana to Debut in Turkey in June
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Four Seasons to Add
Second Dubai Hotel
DAMAC Launches Nova Hotel Villas Concept
Nova Hotel Villas
J
ust months after the opening of the company’s first
property in Dubai, Four
Seasons Hotels and Resorts is
preparing for the launch of its
second project in the emirate.
Due to be unveiled in 2016, Four
Seasons Hotel Dubai at DIFC will
boast 106 rooms, several food
and beverage outlets, a spa and
fitness centre and four meeting
rooms.
As Shabab Lutfi, CEO, Bright
Start, the owner of the property,
disclosed, the strategic location
within Dubai International Financial Centre was carefully selected to cater to high-end business travellers.
D
AMAC Properties introduced its first hotel villa model, Nova Hotel Villas, within
the AKOYA Oxygen community in Dubai. The development is set in a private
enclave within green surroundings of 510ha, offering three- to six-bedroom
units with spacious open plan living.
“The process of making the villas personal starts before owners move in, by instructing our team of experienced interior designers and decorators on your personal
taste, resulting in a fully furnished home which is truly aligned to your personal tastes,”
commented Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, DAMAC Properties.
DWC Signs Three New Hotels
D
ubai World Central (DWC) signed deals with three international hospitality brands, Aloft, Studio M and Millennium, to be developed on its grounds between 2018
and 2019.
Aloft Dubai World Central will feature 150 rooms and expansive meeting spaces; the three-star budget Studio M Dubai
World Central will offer a chic, minimalist design across its 750
units; and the 400-key Millennium Dubai World Central will cater to the upper midscale and upscale corporate traveller.
Art- and Culture-themed Resort to
Open in Sharjah
S
harjah’s hotel scene is to welcome the emirate’s first art- and culture-themed five-star deluxe property, the 234-key Majlis Grand
Mercure Sharjah Resort & Spa.
A joint project of Basma Group and Accor, the resort will be operated under the hotel company’s Majlis Grand Mercure brand, specifically designed for the Middle East. Spanning an area of 12,000m2,
the property will have all sea-facing units, each with a private balcony.
Other facilities will include two restaurants, Hammam spa with six
treatment rooms, a pool, fitness centre and state-of-the-art meeting
and function spaces.
14
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
MARRIOTT TO DEBUT IN RAS
AL KHAIMAH
New Treatments
Unveiled at Lily &
Peach Spa
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is to welcome another global brand as
Marriott International plans to launch its first property in the
emirate in 2019.
L
ocated in the northern part of the destination, the five-star Ras Al Khaimah Marriott Resort will feature 300 keys, extensive
meeting, health and leisure facilities and
six food and beverage outlets.
It will be the first of two projects to be built
within the RAK Free Trade Zone, bringing the emirate closer to its goal to add 1,000 rooms by 2017.
Rixos The Walk
to Open in 2016
Fairmont Ajman
Unveiled
Rixos The Walk
Fairmont Ajman
R
ixos Hotels is to further expand its UAE portfolio with
Rixos The Walk scheduled to
welcome its first guests in the second quarter of 2016.
Housed within the Crystal Towers along Dubai’s shoreline, the new
urban retreat will offer a range of first
of its kind experiences.
Bugra Berberoglu, CEO, Rixos
Hotels, enthused, “What we are
creating here is something different. The market for luxury hospitality is substantially over saturated in
Dubai, so we will offer something
that goes beyond the traditional luxury five-star experiences and open a
destination within a destination that
everybody will be talking about.”
16
T
he recently launched Lily
& Peach Spa, with its two
branches in Deira Dubai,
introduced a series of treatments
for face and body using Pevonia,
an international cosmetics brand
made of the purest natural ingredients.
The new therapies range
from express facials to deeper,
longer and relaxing procedures
that use Vitamin C and dried
seaweed. Pevonia’s green skincare products and treatments
blend the finest natural botanical
and marine ingredients with advanced technology and delivery
systems for bespoke results.
F
airmont Hotels & Resorts’ latest
project in the UAE, Fairmont
Ajman has opened its doors.
The 14-floor hotel boasts 252
rooms and two-storey penthouses
along with a wide range of facilities
and amenities, such as a spa and fitness centre, children’s club, infinity
pool, seven meeting spaces with a
ballroom and an innovative dining
portfolio.
“Ajman has its own charm with
a strong maritime, trade and fishing
heritage and is perfect for travellers
who want cultural tourism, as well as
a relaxed and an unhurried experience,” commented on the location
Henny Schaeffer, general manager,
Fairmont Ajman.
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION
Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait
Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait
Upgrades Facilities
FRHI Signs Two Hotels in Egypt
F
S
ymphony Style Hotel Kuwait announced a series of upgrades
aimed at further accommodating the needs of its guests.
A total of 18 new meeting rooms are now available and travellers can also opt for a longer stay in one of the three luxury apartments, whereas children are catered to at the newly-created 500m2
kids′ club.
Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait’s meeting area includes an additional 1,584m2 of sea-facing space spread across six floors, with three
meeting rooms on each floor and a common breakout area.
Moreover, the 17th floor accommodates three brand-new spacious
apartments that can be converted into one- or two-bedroom flats.
RHI Hotels & Resorts announced two new projects in Egypt, with
both scheduled to open before 2020.
Fairmont Soma Bay, part of a 10 million square metre integrated mixed-use master development, will feature 300 rooms and suites including Fairmont Gold, the brand’s hotel within a hotel concept, and 150
Fairmont-branded Residences for sale.
Swissôtel Katameyah will comprise 250 rooms and suites and 50 luxury
residential apartments under the Swissôtel Living concept. The hotel will
also boast 38 Swiss Executive Club rooms and 1,700m2 of meeting space.
Jumeirah Group Debuts in Bodrum
O
Jumeirah Bodrum Palace
verlooking the Aegean Sea, Jumeirah Bodrum Palace is now open for business, offering 135 sea-view rooms including suites,
villas with private pools and a six-bedroom palace.
The 110,000m2 resort also hosts a selection of
bars and restaurants along with eight family pools,
a spa, treatment rooms, Hammams, fitness centre
and children’s playground.
“Jumeirah Bodrum Palace is a truly spectacular luxury resort. We have worked closely with the
owner to ensure that the full Jumeirah experience
is delivered through the hotel and I am delighted
to say that the improvements to the hotel have exceeded our expectations,” commented Gerald Lawless, CEO, Jumeirah Group.
Gloria Hotel to Undergo Renovations
T
he all-suite Gloria Hotel, Dubai revealed that the 1,000-key property will renovate its one- and two-bedroom units this summer as
part of a massive AED16 million (USD4.3 million) project.
A total of 150 suites covering five floors will receive an interior makeover and the end result will see modern fixtures and fittings, as well as
custom-made soft furnishings.
“Gloria Hotel attracts a variety of guests from around the world so we
need to make sure that their experience with us is always unique and longlasting,” said Freddy Farid, area general manager, Gloria Hotels & Resorts.
18
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Ras Al Khaimah to Welcome Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is expanding its UAE services with the launch of direct daily flights to Ras Al Khaimah,
commencing October 1.
“T
oday, Qatar Airways enjoys a robust operation in the UAE with
98 flights a week to Dubai [International], 28 flights a week to
Dubai World Central, 42 flights a week to Abu Dhabi and 21
flights a week to Sharjah. Now with the addition of seven weekly flights to
Ras Al Khaimah, Qatar Airways will have a total of 196 weekly flights from
Doha to the UAE,” said Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways.
Akbar Al Baker (second from left) with H.E. Sheikh Salem
bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman, Ras Al Khaimah
International Airport
Etihad Goes to Entebbe
E
tihad Airways has further strengthened its presence in East Africa with the launch of new services between Abu Dhabi and
Entebbe, in central Uganda.
Operated by a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft with 16 business and
120 economy class seats, the new itinerary provides business and leisure travellers with a direct four-times-per-week service between the
two cities.
James Hogan, president, Etihad Airways, said, “Uganda is one of the
continent’s fastest-growing business and tourism destinations, and the
launch of services to Uganda is consistent with our strategy of targeting areas of strong growth in emerging markets.”
Three New US Routes for Qatar
Airways
Q
atar Airways announced the next phase of its US expansion with the
introduction of three new daily passenger routes to Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
On January 1, 2016, the carrier will commence flights to Los Angeles with
its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft, while on March 16, 2016, it will launch services
to Boston onboard an Airbus A350 XWB. Lastly, July 1, 2016 will see the inauguration of operations to Atlanta.
Moreover, increasing passenger demand to New York has prompted Qatar
Airways to add a second daily service to the city from March 1, 2016.
JW Marriott Bodrum
20
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Qatar Airways
Delights Audiences
Q
atar Airways showcased
its latest first and business
class offerings at the recently-held Arabian Travel Market (ATM),
welcoming visitors to its stand to
explore a replica of the Airbus A350
XWB entrance dome; experience the
Airbus A380 seats; and discover the
exclusive onboard offerings of the
Boeing 787 Dreamliner, A350 XWB,
and the A380.
“As one of the most important
travel trade shows in the Middle East,
ATM is the perfect platform for Qatar
Airways to communicate its worldwide expansion plans and to connect
with travel industry suppliers, partners and key officials,” said Akbar Al
Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways.
Turkish Airlines Launches New
Routes to Kuwait
T
urkish flag carrier, Turkish Airlines is to open up
new links to Kuwait with flights from Trabzon,
Bursa and İzmir.
The return services from Trabzon will be inaugurated
on July 16 and will run three times a week. On July 17,
Turkish Airlines will launch the Bursa itinerary which will
be offered twice-weekly.
Lastly, operations from İzmir to Kuwait are planned to
start on July 22, flying out every Wednesday.
Trabzon
Emirates to Deploy
A380 on Perth Route
E
mirates has further expanded
the network of destinations
served by its Airbus A380 aircraft with the launch of A380 services
to Perth.
The Western Australian city is the
fourth location in the country to welcome a regular Emirates A380 flight,
a fact that, according to Barry Brown,
divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, East, Emirates, is
a testament to the strong global demand for travel into Australia.
The double-decker aircraft will
transport up to 982 passengers in a
three-class configuration daily and
together with partner airline Qantas, a
total of seven daily A380 services will
operate from Australia to the UAE.
Etihad Dreamliner to Fly to Singapore
22
Singapore
E
tihad Airways plans to deploy a Boeing 787-9
Dreamliner between Abu Dhabi and Singapore, further widening travel options between the destinations.
The new B787 operation, which will commence
on August 1, will follow a major upgrade on June 1,
which includes the introduction of first class seats
and a change in schedule timings with evening departures.
According to James Hogan, president, Etihad
Airways, onboard the Dreamliner, passengers will
experience levels of comfort and attention to detail not enjoyed previously by today’s air traveller
or offered by any of the company’s competitors on
the route.
16 MAY 2015
WEEKLY NEWS AIR
Air Arabia Jordan to Launch Soon
flynas Connects Riyadh and Cairo
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A
ir Arabia Jordan will commence operations from its
Queen Alia International Airport base in Amman this
month, beginning with direct flights to four countries
in the region.
Starting May 18, the low-cost carrier’s inaugural service will
take off to Kuwait City as the first destination, followed by the
launch of regular scheduled operations to Jeddah, Erbil and
Sharm El Sheikh on May 19, 20 and 21 respectively, with more
destinations to be added later in the year.
Air Arabia Jordan′s fleet consists of new Airbus A320 aircraft
equipped with a spacious economy seat pitch.
f
lynas has further expanded its presence in Egypt by commencing daily nonstop services between Riyadh and Cairo.
According to Bandar Al Mohanna, CEO, NAS Holding,
the new route is a true affirmation of the Saudi carrier’s vision to
strengthen its network in Egypt and the wider region.
“Given the huge demand, the daily flights will add capacity
to a busy sector servicing the capitals of these two key MENA
economies,” added Al Mohanna.
E
tihad Airways has taken delivery of its second Airbus A380 which will first fly between Abu Dhabi and
London’s Heathrow Airport.
As Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer, Etihad
Airways, noted, the introduction of the second aircraft of its
kind on the route will give passengers more opportunities
to experience the airline’s new cabins, including The Residence by Etihad and First Apartments.
“By August, all three daily flights on this flagship route
will be operated by the A380, offering our guests unparalleled luxury and superior in-flight technology,” revealed
Baumgartner.
24
Etihad Airways A380
Etihad to Operate Second A380 to
Heathrow
16 MAY 2015
RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with
Wael Soueid
AREA GENERAL MANAGER, ANANTARA HOTELS,
RESORTS & SPAS
mand for incentives at Qasr Al Sarab
which follows on the heels of a push of
a new product designed to reward top
10 achievers with a three-night stay.
We have also seen renewed interest in
the Desert Islands Conference Centre
facilities teamed with team building
activities taking full advantage of the
extensive leisure pursuits on offer.
Generally speaking, we have also
noticed an increase in young affluent
travellers, as well as a renewed interest
in eco-travel [...].
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is cultural tourism to your
Abu Dhabi-based hotels and resorts′
business?
WAEL SOUEID: It is incredibly important to us, as our resorts are indigenous to the UAE and so embrace and
celebrate the local culture and heritage of the country.
To support Abu Dhabi Tourism &
Culture Authority (TCA)’s initiative to
promote Abu Dhabi’s history and cul-
ture, we have a variety of activities that
help our guests leave with remarkable
memories to last a lifetime. Located on
an island that has so much of its own
history and culture, our Sir Bani Yas Island properties, Desert Islands, Al Yamm
Villas and Al Sahel Villas, offer guests a
chance to visit a pre-Islamic monastery,
as well as a culture and history tour
hosted by Emirati nationals. Additionally, guests at our Qasr Al Sarab Desert
Resort by Anantara in Liwa desert can
enjoy the majestic Arabic architecture,
as well as horse riding in the dunes, falconry and a saluki show – all designed
to embrace the heritage and culture
of the UAE. Eastern Mangroves Hotel &
Spa on the other hand, is a natural habitat, closely linked to the heritage of the
UAE as it has been carefully designed to
protect and enhance the unique Mangroves setting around the city.
For [this year] we have also developed larger scale annual events to
showcase the Anantara brand and the
scope of Abu Dhabi as a leisure destination […].
WAEL SOUEID, AREA GENERAL MANAGER,
ANANTARA HOTELS, RESORTS & SPAS,
INTRODUCES THE COMPANY’S FIVE PROPERTIES
IN ABU DHABI AND COMMENTS ON THE CURRENT
HOSPITALITY TRENDS.
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How has
performance been at your Abu Dhabi properties and what are your expectations for the rest of the year?
WAEL SOUEID: The performance of
our properties has so far exceeded our
expectations with strong occupancy
levels across all five properties, which
we expect to continue into the [rest] of
the year.
Of course, we have been considerate of travel trends due to political instability in some of the UAE’s core markets such as Russia, and have adapted
our sales strategies and expectations
16 MAY 2015
in line with this, however our growth
across all properties overall has been
strong as travel within the UAE and
travel originating from neighbouring countries continues to grow at a
steady pace.
With properties in the city, by the
beach and in the desert, Anantara has
a diverse offering in Abu Dhabi and so
the target audiences are also diverse.
As well as a steady mix of leisure travellers from the UK and Germany for all
five hotels, there has been significant
MICE travel to our city property Eastern
Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara.
[Moreover] there is increased de-
25
WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL
New arrival in the Caribbean by Courtyard by Marriott
Courtyard by Marriott Curaçao
Already present in Curacao’s
capital city Willemstad with
Curaçao Marriott Resort &
Emerald Casino and Renaissance
Curaçao Resort & Casino, Marriott
International will be expanding
in the Caribbean island country
with the first Courtyard by Marriott
scheduled to open in 2017.
T
he 177-room property will be located near the ship terminal and the guest experience will
be enhanced with the available retail space, entertainment area, restaurants and a casino.
Klaus Moser, one of the shareholders of Courtyard by Marriott Curaçao, expressed his
confidence in the success of the brand.
Combination Stays
for Tanzania and
Seychelles
F
our Seasons Safari Lodge
Serengeti and Four Seasons
Resort Seychelles are now offering the opportunity to enjoy the very
best of the bush and the beach with
its new Safari Unplugged package,
made available after the launch of a
direct Air Seychelles flight between
Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania and Mahé
in Seychelles.
The new package allows guests to
book any combination of back-to-back
stays with both properties to benefit
from a monetary credit which may be
redeemed at either Four Seasons Hotels
and Resorts property.
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26
Starwood
Launches
Tribute Portfolio
S
tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide introduced its 10th brand
and second collection of independent hotels under the
name Tribute Portfolio.
With plans to expand to up
to 100 properties within the
next five years, Tribute Portfolio debuted with Royal Palm
South Beach Miami. Initially,
the brand’s growth will be focused on North America and
Europe and new openings are
planned for Asheville, North
Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, Savannah, Georgia and
Charleston.
“We believe Tribute Portfolio will be an exciting solution
for hotel owners of distinct
properties who wish to maintain their independent spirit,”
said Adam Aron, CEO, Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
16 MAY 2015
AGENT CORNER
Agent’s Insight
NAME:
Hussain Firunaas Shareef
POSITION:
Sales and marketing manager
COMPANY:
100 Percent Maldives
LOCATION:
Maldives
WEBSITE:
www.100percentmaldives.com
Who are you?
I am Hussain Firunaas Shareef, born and raised in the Maldives. I am the sales and
marketing manager of 100 Percent Maldives […]. We are a member of Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators [and] are able to compete with major
travel agents in the country and get relatively cheap rates.
What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?
I am able to provide vacationers all around the world with a tropical holiday in the
Maldives. The best thing about this is the remarks we get from the said vacationers.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
The Maldives is a tropical country located near the Equator. It is a place you can visit
throughout the year and enjoy what it has to offer at its best.
Why should people come to you for travel advice?
I am honest in giving my opinions and have a piqued interest in travelling, so I
would be very much suitable for customers who wish to get the best holiday destination, despite a high price. Also, if the customers are on a budget I would give
them the cheapest rates available with ongoing special offers and discounts.
16 MAY 2015
27
TRAVEL TALK
Raising awareness
through our hotels is a
great initiative
TIM
CORDON
General manager,
Radisson Blu Hotel
Dubai Deira Creek
“Recognising how precious our
water resources are has never
been more important, especially in our highly water-stressed
part of the world. Raising awareness through our hotels [with
the Walk for Water programme
on Earth Day] is a great initiative
and cements our brand as being
one of the world’s most ethical
companies.”
Mövenpick Hotels &
Resorts is looking
forward to providing new
and innovative options
HASSAN
HASSANEIN
General manager,
Mövenpick Kuwait
Hotel
“We are delighted to organise
cooking classes and to launch
our Power Bites menu with so
many children present, featuring nutritious meals that are
presented in a fun, engaging
way. And we are pleased that
our dishes appeal to all the parents as well. Mövenpick Hotels
& Resorts is looking forward to
providing new and innovative
options for all families.”
Alper [Can Bulcum] is
an asset to our brand
DANIEL
RUFF
President, Europe,
Middle East, Africa
and the Indian Ocean
(EMEAI), Wyndham
Hotel Group
“Alper [Can Bulcum, general
manager, Ramada Sharjah, winner of the General Manager of
the Year EMEAI award] is a great
leader because of his ability
to provide strategic direction,
drive revenue and create meaningful relationships with guests
and the local community. Alper
is an asset to our brand and I offer my sincere congratulations
to him. I look forward to seeing
his enthusiasm for hospitality
fuel the hotel’s success moving
forward.”
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]
28
16 MAY 2015
TRAVEL CHANNELS
Charity Markets at Sheraton
Abu Dhabi Raise USD19,000
The flea market held at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
proved to be a success raising an additional AED22,000 (USD6,000) for the
hotel’s charity fund.
W
hen combined with the
money collected during
2014’s flea markets, the total
sum for this project reached
AED70,000 (USD19,000).
The event showcased 90 private exhibitors
selling pre-loved items from their homes and
welcomed hundreds of visitors looking for the
best bargains.
The hotel’s current fundraising efforts are
supporting a children’s home, called Kalamusu
Kedella in Sri Lanka.
Kalamusu Kedella Children’s Home
Accor to Plant
100,000 Trees
in the UAE
A
ccor HotelServices Middle
East aims to plant 100,000
trees in the UAE over the
next decade, as the company announced at an eco-event held at
Sofitel The Palm Dubai, in addition to sharing its regional 2014
environmental performance results.
Highlights of these include a
newly installed system for monitoring and analysing utilities in
all hotels; the Plant for the Planet
towel and linen reuse initiative;
new water regulators in rooms
and public areas; and LED lights
and heat pumps across its properties.
Park Inn Muscat HACCP Certificated
P
ark Inn by Radisson Muscat announced the renewal of its HACCP certification, first accredited to the property in 2013.
The hotel has secured the coveted Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point document for its efforts in providing safe and wholesome food to customers.
“We would like to be known for our own food safety standards and
culinary world – to be known for healthy cuisine and good service at
the same time remain to high standards of safety and hygiene while
act in accordance with the local laws,” commented Ajay Dhoundiyal,
executive chef, Park Inn by Radisson Muscat.
The hotel’s team following the certification
16 MAY 2015
29
WHO’S MOVED
JANET
ABRAHAMS
Janet Abrahams has joined
the soon-to-open Grand Hyatt
Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences
Emirates Pearl as area director
of sales and marketing.
Abrahams’ career in the international luxury hospitality sector spans 20 years and
includes roles in the UAE, the
Levant, Europe and Asia.
She started in London and
soon took on international
roles with responsibilities
for multiple properties and
brands before accepting
country and regional director
positions, successfully building a career with renowned
flagship properties, opening
new hotels, and rebranding
and developing destinations
for discerning luxury travellers
from all over the world.
DINO
GELMETTI
SAMIH
BARBIR
Dino Gelmetti has been
named vice president of airline solutions in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at
Sabre.
In his role, Gelmetti will lead the
company’s business in EMEA
with the main goal to further
grow revenue and customer
base and maintain successful
and trusted partnerships with
existing airline customers.
The industry veteran brings
almost 20 years’ experience
to Sabre, having previously
worked as global sales director for technology services
provider, Xchanging.
Prior to that, he held senior
positions at IT solutions provider EMC Corporation and IT
software and services organisation Unisys.
Samih Barbir has been appointed chairman of Abdali
Investment & Development.
Barbir brings a wealth of experience to the company, having
previously served in managerial positions in the marketing,
finance and real estate sectors
throughout Europe, Asia and
the Middle East.
Prior to joining the group, Barbir acted as managing director
at Quilvest Private Equity in
Europe and the Middle East.
He was also the general manager of Saraya Sochi in Russia
and served as chairman and
CEO of the Investment Development Authority in Lebanon.
Barbir is replacing Joseph
Helou, who held the position
since 2011.
Abdali is hailed as the largest mixed-use project in Amman, Jordan spanning over
384,000m2.
Barbir has experience in
marketing, finance and
real estate
30
16 MAY 2015
PHOTO ALBUM
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...
Khamis Kazzaz, general manager, Radisson Blu Resort
Sharjah (middle), accepts the Sharjah’s Leading Hotel accolade at the World Travel Awards
Bahrain Junior Open 2015 at Royal Golf Club, Bahrain
Legoland unveiled the layout of the upcoming Dubai theme
park using 150,000 Lego bricks at the Arabian Travel Market
16 MAY 2015
Annual staff party at Al Bustan Centre & Residence, Dubai
Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel′s team shines at the inter-hotel
cooking competition at HORECA
Frasers Hospitality won four awards at the recent World Travel Awards
31
NEWS & EVENTS
WTM Success in
Latin America
EVENTS
IMEX
L
atin America is now firmly established as a leading region for World
Travel Market (WTM) as this year’s
event attracted 21 percent more visitors
and press, while a large volume of deals
were also signed.
The three-day show hosted 1,300 exhibitors at Expo Centre Norte, São Paulo, a
much larger and central venue compared
to previous years.
Visitors and vendors alike expressed
their satisfaction and highlighted WTM’s
importance.
“We fulfilled our mission to transform
the event into a catalyst for business and
we will continue maintaining this line in
order to grow,” said Lawrence Reinisch, director, WTM Latin America.
Frankfurt, Germany
May 19 – 21
www.imex-frankfurt.com
A one-stop-shop for planners
looking to book and organise
worldwide meetings, events and
incentive travel programmes.
Event Expert Urges
Exhibitors to Focus on
Pre-event Preparations
CHINA GUILIN INTERNATIONAL
TOURISM EXPO (CGITE)
A
head of the China Xi’an Silk Road
International Tourism Expo that
will take place in September, Edward Liu, group managing director, Conference and Exhibitions Management
Services, Singapore, shared his insight on
how exhibitors can excel at this kind of
events. He suggested that concrete background research on forthcoming events
helps participators prepare adequately
while he sees careful budgeting as being
extremely important too. Vendors should
create a well-planned promotional mix
based on their four Ps; product, price, place
and promotion, while attendees were also
encouraged to smartly design their booth.
Guilin, China
May 29 – 31
www.cgite.com.cn
Part of Conference & Exhibition
Management Services’ travel
and tourism portfolio, CGITE
brings together Chinese and
international buyers and
exhibitors in one dynamic
marketplace.
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.
Edward Liu
32
16 MAY 2015