Wyndham Garden in Q4

Vol. XIII No. 11; November 2017 A DDP PUBLICATION Pages: 40 ddppl.com TravTalkMiddleEast.com In pursuit of new business ..................................................................................... 03 Improving experiences through technology ......................................................... 08 Sharjah gears up for WTM London ........................................................................ 20 WTM: A gamut of opportunities This November, Excel London will become the focal point for leading travel, tourism and hospitality partners as they gather to network on one stage for World Travel Market (WTM) from November 6-8, 2017. It is expected that this year will be a record year with a strong contingent from the Middle East region participating in the event. SHEHARA RIZLY Sharjah or frequently visit the emirate coming from the neighbouring territories. Older World Travel Market is one of the very top events for any institution operating within UK tourists show considerable interest in the type of cultural tourism that Sharjah offers the tourism industry; a mammoth function that draws more than 30,000 professionals. and places high importance on it when choosing a destination. As with every year and every event we attend, we seek to promote Sharjah as a year- round tourist destination, catering to families and culture enthusiasts the world over. We seek to promote Sharjah to as many people as possible. We have concentrated The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) will introduce many efforts this year towards Asia and Russia. We have recently concluded very its events, including cultural events such as Sharjah International Book Fair, Sharjah successful roadshows in GCC, India, China, Kazakhstan and Baltic countries. We are Heritage Days, and Sharjah Art Biennial, as well as leisure and sports events including focusing on forging partnerships with online travel agencies and rating services. We the world-famous Sharjah Light Festival, the final race of the U.I.M. F1H2O World work to create a compelling value proposition with international travel trade businesses Championship, and the Aquabike World Championship Grand Prix. Moreover, the and receptive tour operators. To maximise current partnerships, we have to gain a Authority will introduce new additions to its already rich touristic offerings. greater voice in key global markets. WTM is one of the largest and widest-reaching tourism events in the world. Tourism authorities around the region should utilise this The UK expatriate community is the largest western community in the country: there H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa platform and communicate their message to source markets. After all, more than £2.5 Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and were 240,000 Britons living in the country in 2012, a large number of whom reside in Tourism Development Authority billion ($3.24 billion) in travel industry contracts are concluded at WTM each year. We look forward to learning It’s our 20th time to exhibit Our objective was to showcase about new trends within the travel at the WTM. The UK market is Satguru Travel & Tourism as the industry, including approaches to still a leading market into our leading Destination Management online solutions and development destination and Alpha Destination Company (DMC). We will be of niche markets at WTM. We Management is a well-known showcasing our strong points to anticipate to meet and establish brand among the UK tour become the leading DMC in 22 relations with new partners and operators. It is important for us to countries under the six zones. strengthen our relationship with continue nurturing those relations Under the six zones, the following our existing partners. We have with key industry partners. destinations are selected to promote launched an aggressive ‘Kids Go The message that we are Satguru as the leading DMC: North Free’ offer partnered with DTCM in conveying this year is that we Africa, Europe & Latin America, Freddy Farid Samir Hamadeh JVR Fernando Area General Manager their ‘Stay Sunny’ campaign where General Manager are committed to offering greater South Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Commercial Director Gloria Hotels Alpha Destination Management (West Africa & Asia) kids below age 16 can stay for added value as well as investing East Africa. With our strong presence Satguru Travel & Tourism free. The UK represents a major market for us at Gloria Hotels. further into technology to enhance customer experience in in UAE and head office based in We are currently launching a special programmes for the next the destination. Visitors at WTM will be able to find us Dubai, we offer a range of travel related products and services, with summer with aggressive offers and added values. at the Dubai Tourism stand on booth M300. great value for money and developed after extensive research. Contd. on page 3 COVERSTORY NOVEMBER 2017 TRAVTALK 3 A bigger and better In pursuit of new business WTM London 2017 Middle East travel and hospitality stakeholders are once again ready Contd. from page 1 to head to WTM London with great business expectations. More than 51,000 of the most TT BUREAU senior industry professional will First Central Hotel Suites aims to deliver take part in around one million the UK guests, a home away from home. Our We are participating along with business meetings leading to location and spacious suites are ideal for Ajman Tourism, and will showcase our £3 billion in travel industry deals the UK market where room size, beaches, three properties in Ajman. Our main being agreed. An extra speed- facilities, and convenient shopping options objective is to highlight our new property networking session has been are an attractive attribution for this specific Wyndham Garden Ajman, particularly for added to help facilitate even clientele. This 2017, we are focused on the UK market. We did not see a decline in more business. This year we have improving our services and facilities as well as UK travellers after Brexit. Our objective is Wael El Behi some of the most senior industry introducing new concepts. We want our guests General Manager to meet existing clients, find new partners, First Central Hotel Suites executives talking part in the event Iftikhar Hamdani to know that apart from providing them fully- Simon Press and introduce Wyndham Garden Ajman Cluster GM, Wyndham programme. Furthermore, we have Senior Director Garden Ajman Corniche, furnished apartments, we are also committed to the environment by WTM London not just for UK but overall Europe. Ramada Hotel & Suites Aj- the European Union’s chief Brexit man, and Ramada Beach adapting eco-friendly practices in operations. Hotel Ajman negotiator Guy Verhofstadt speaking to 200 of travel’s most senior leaders about the impact of Brexit on the travel industry. It is shaping up to be a great WTM London! We are participating with two objectives TIME Hotels are participating this – to support our upcoming opening of The time under the umbrella of DTCM on stand Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, the ME300, creating awareness for new clients first well-being resort in the Middle East in our and associates and existing ones alike. We will be participating at top feeder markets–Germany, France, Italy, TIME Hotels will be sharing a series of WTM once again this year as Netherlands and Switzerland in Europe as news. We are expecting the usual traffic the UK is one of our primary well as the GCC. Our objective is to educate from WTM with lined up agendas to be markets. Year-on-Year we have Samir Arora the market about our unique concept–a new translated into converted business for 2018 had a good influx of tourists from General Manager, The Mohamed Awadalla Retreat Palm Dubai M holistic wellbeing resort in ME. CEO to widen the leisure market base. various markets. We have nearly Gallery by Sofitel TIME Hotels 223 countries and territories in our database. Over the past The B2B and B2C portals of SATA are designed to meet all the requirements of travellers under the same nine years we have been umbrella and to promote the local attractions all across the UAE. The UK market is picking up and is vital consistently picking up business for Dubai. To provide unique combinations to the visitors, we blend traditional and contemporary activities/ Ravini Perera from varied markets. We are attractions in Sharjah and neighbouring emirates. Family tourism is being promoted by offering competitive Senior Vice President- Sales, getting ready with our new Marketing and PR, Atlantis-The packages. We try to identify latest trends in the industry and incorporate it to our business realm, thereby, Palm Dubai and Global Partner- property to be opened in China ships Kerzner enhancing digital transformation to connect with everyone who travels. in Q1 2018 with 1300 rooms and Thomas P. Varghese similar unique facilities the guests can indulge in. Deputy General Man- ager, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) Jazeera routes to 4 Indian cities Kuwait’s low-cost airline, Jazeera Airways will launch to new destinations in India before the end of 2017, starting off with Hyderabad from November 16, followed by Kochi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad by mid-December. TT BUREAU with Kuwait for many years. tradition is backed by intrigu- mosque. Jazeera Airways Fares from Kuwait to Hy- or from all travel agents. Ja- Stepping into a new territory ing attractions such as the will operate daily flights to derabad start from KD32 zeera has just launched its his move comes as part is always exciting as it holds Chowmahalla Palace and Hyderabad departing 1840 one way and are on sale refurbished cabin interiors in Tof Jazeera Airways’ tremendous potential for Ramoji Film city, the world’s hours arriving 0135 hours, now with a baggage allow- both economy and business commitment to addressing our growing customer base largest film studio. Home to making it possible to travel ance of 30 kg in economy class on the first aircraft of increasing travel demands and brings diverse cultures many upscale restaurants to India without wasting a class and 50 kg per pas- its A320 fleet, together with with low cost fares at con- closer together,” said and shops, its other popu- working day.

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