Visitors to Khareef Salalah Exceed 203,000

30 AUGUST 2014 ISSUE 251

STR GLOBAL REPORTS ON MEA PERFORMANCE

ACCORDING TO OMAN’S NATIONAL CENTRE FOR STATISTICS AND INFORMATION THE TOTAL NUMBER OF KHAREEF SALALAH VISITORS, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL, HAS GROWN BY 170 PERCENT. 02

JUMEIRAH GROUP LAUNCHES MOBILE CAREERS SITE

11 IN THIS ISSUE

MARKET UPDATE 02 TECHNOLOGY 03 RENDEZVOUS 08 ACCOMMODATION 11 CLASSIFIEDS 12 AIR 14 INTERNATIONAL 18 AGENT CORNER 19 TRAVEL TALK 20 TRAVEL CHANNELS 21 WHO’S MOVED 22 VISITORS TO KHAREEF SALALAH PHOTO ALBUM 23 NEWS & EVENTS 24 EXCEED 203,000 4 MARKET UPDATE

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MENA EXCHANGE RATES STR Global Reports MANAGING EDITOR Accurate as of Mary Kammitsi 29/08/2014 [email protected] on Middle East and Currencies shown in blue ASSISTANT EDITOR are fixed against the Maria Kazeli US Dollar SENIOR JOURNALIST Africa Performance Rita Kasziba COUNTRY CURRENCY 1USD=

PRESS Maria Demetriadou UAE (AED) Dirham 3.67 Pauline Shahabian According to data compiled by STR Global, Egypt (EGP) Pound 7.15 DESIGN & LAYOUT the Middle East and Africa region (MEA) Elena Stylianou Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal 3.75 Lebanon (LBP) Pound 1,512.5 reported positive performance in June year- WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou Bahrain (BHD) Dinar 0.37 to-date figures. DIRECTORS Jordan (JOD) Dinar 0.71 Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi Syria (SYP) Pound 153.55 Kuwait (KWD) Dinar 0.28 he figures showed a one percent increase in occupancy to HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD Qatar (QAR) Riyal 3.64 64.6 percent, a 3.5 percent increase in average daily rate P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 Oman (OMR) Rial 0.38 (ADR) to USD169.22 and a 4.5 percent increase in RevPAR to USD109.24. WEBSITE Tunisia (TND) Dinar 1.74 “We are seeing rate growth for all three sub-regions, www.traveltradeweekly.travel Morocco (MAD) Dirham 8.47 including the Middle East (up 2.4 percent), Northern Africa (up 2.0 EMAILS Iran (IRR) Riyal 26,624.00 T percent) and Southern Africa (up 7.2 percent),” said Elizabeth Winkle, [email protected] Yemen (YER) Rial 214.89 [email protected] managing director, STR Global. “It is nice to see some ADR growth [email protected] Algeria (DZD) Dinar 80.37 across the region, albeit muted, in spite of instability and turbulence Libya (LYD) Dinar 1.23 in many of the countries.”

Abu Dhabi Hotel Profits Rise 11.8 Percent in H1

The Abu Dhabi hotel market continued to grow, as strong performance elevated profitability levels in the first half of the year (H1), according to the latest Hot- Stats survey from TRI Hospitality Consulting.

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

ncreasing demand raised occupancy levels by 4.9 percentage points to 78.2 percent, drove RevPAR up 6.8 percent while average room rates (ARR) remained stable in the period under review. “Occupancy growth allowed hoteliers to maintain steady average rates during the first six months of the year, as the market showed signs Iof stabilisation. ARR have increased for four consecutive months while occupancies have seen a consistent upward trend for nearly two years,” commented Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting.

2 30 AUGUST 2014 TECHNOLOGY WEEKLY NEWS

Travelport Increases Stake in New Red App Delivers Carey eNett International Limo Content

ravelport announced an increased ownership stake in eNett International, its joint venture with PSP In- T ternational, which was established to provide state- of-the-art integrated payment solutions tailored specifically for the travel industry. Since the joint venture’s inception in 2009, Travelport held a majority stake of 57 percent, with PSP International arey International, a leading provider in chauf- holding the remainder. Over the past five years, eNett Inter- feured services and ground transportation logistics national has grown to become an increasing part of Travel- management, has created a new application in col- port’s strategy to redefine travel commerce. Upon the new Claboration with Sabre Corporation enabling travel agents to deal, Travelport acquired an additional 16 percent from its book chauffeured ground services in more than 1,000 cities partner, raising its holding to 73 percent, in a transaction worldwide directly from the Sabre Red Workspace. which values the venture at USD450 million. Carey’s new Red App provides real-time status updates so that any changes made by passengers appear in the agent’s workflow and on the traveller’s itinerary. “Typically, when people talk about global distribution system (GDS) content they largely think of air, hotel and rental car content. That is chang- Did you know... ing, and it will continue to evolve dramatically in the coming years,” said Greg Webb, president, Sabre Travel Network. - Travelport is providing distribu tion and payment solutions for the USD7 trillion tourism industry?

Sabre’s New Technology for Air Travel

abre Corporation and payment services partner Conferma have introduced Sabre Virtual Payments for air travel, designed to streamline and automate settlement of air segments for travel Sbuyers. The system is built on the most secure payment card technology available and assigns a unique virtual credit card number to each travel segment. The service allows corporations to control the exact amount of every transaction and ensures that only airlines are able to bill these accounts, delivering even more protection against fraud. Greg Webb, president, Sabre Travel Network, commented, “Vir- tual payment services are a huge opportunity to realise increased efficiency through automated process and better data integration.”

30 AUGUST 2014 3 WEEKLY NEWS

VISITORS TO KHAREEF SALALAH Bawadi Mall Welcomes EXCEED 203,000 Over 800,000 Visitors

awadi Mall in Al Ain welcomed According to Oman’s National Centre for 829,121 visitors during Ramadan, Statistics and Information (NCSI) the total an increase of 7.5 percent over the Bsame period in 2013. The increase was at- number of Khareef Salalah visitors, both local tributed to the extensive shopping cam- and international, has grown by 170 percent. paign held across 400 outlets, which gave visitors the chance to win prizes every day, and an entertainment campaign entitled Around the World in 40 Days that will con- or the period June 21 – August 6 the number of travellers stood tinue until September 6. at 203,171, compared to just 75,262 in 2013. Bassam Saleh, marketing manager, NCSI revealed that the majority of visitors within the Bawadi Mall, revealed that their strategy is recording period were GCC citizens, totalling 178,131, with based on widening the options offered to Omanis comprising the majority of these travellers at 143,099. visitors, explaining, “Customers in the UAE FIn second place were UAE citizens at 25,923, followed by 5,035 visitors look for more than a traditional shopping of other Arab nationalities. experience, as competitors now consider For the first time, NCSI introduced a simple and convenient other elements like entertainment, hospi- self-counting platform to be used by visitors, who could complete tality, promotions and raffle draws to attract the electronic forms as they passed through Salalah and Muscat visitors.” Salalah International Airports.

4 30 AUGUST 2014 WEEKLY NEWS

Gulf Air to Represent Halal Market’s Value Rises MENA at SITA Council

ulf Air has recently taken on the he latest research note by Dubai Cham- post of MENA representative ber of Commerce & Industry states that on the Société Internationale T the halal food and beverage market was Gde Télécommunications Aéronautiques worth USD1.1 trillion in 2013 and is expected to (SITA) Council, with Jassim Haji, director grow to USD1.6 trillion by 2018. The news is sig- of information technology, Gulf Air, tak- nificant ahead of October’s 10th World Islamic ing the seat. Economic Forum to be held in Dubai, where ha- “As technology becomes an in- lal food will be discussed as a major component creasingly important part of people’s of the Islamic economy. travel experience, Gulf Air’s steadfast Commenting on the report, H.E. Abdul Rah- commitment to implementing the lat- man Saif Al Ghurair, chairman, Dubai Chamber of est information technology enhance- Commerce & Industry, confirmed his belief that ments has reaped many benefits for Dubai has the capability to create new avenues both the airline and its customers. Par- for growth and become an international centre ticipating in the SITA Council will give for the halal industry, as halal food is a key pillar us the opportunity to embark on a wid- in the Dubai Capital of Islamic Economy initia- er spectrum of information technol- tive launched in 2013. The sector is growing in ogy innovations which can only bring a number of countries globally, mainly those of about greater benefit to all,” said Haji. the MENA region, South and Southeast Asia.

30 AUGUST 2014 5 WEEKLY NEWS

Passenger Movement Declines in June

assenger traffic results for June from the International global Air Transport Association (IATA) indicate a modest deceleration in growth compared to May. PTony Tyler, director general, IATA, commented, “June traffic growth at 4.7 percent [over the same period a year ago] is encouraging, even though it is a slight weakening on May’s performance.” International passenger demand rose 5.5 percent compared to June 2013, with airlines in all regions, except Africa, recording growth. Did you know... The strongest gains were amongst Middle East carriers where demand jumped 10.8 percent in June, the largest increase for any region and re-

IATA represents flecting the continued strength of regional economies and solid growth 240 airlines in business-related premium travel. comprising 84 percent of global Tyler expressed optimism that the industry will still end the year air traffic? with an improvement in profitability over 2013 but also pointed out that certain regional risks will challenge some airlines more than others.

Saudi Arabia to Exhibit at WTM for First Time

he Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA), along with the country’s national airline Saudi Arabian Airlines and low cost flynas, will Tall be exhibiting for the first time at World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 3 – 6. Commenting on

Riyadh their reasons for participating at WTM, Hamad Alsheikh, vice president, marketing and programmes, SCTA, said, “We plan to highlight and introduce the existing tourism investments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in different fields, especially in the convention and exhibition sector and accommodation sector, in addition to other tourism and investment areas.” According to a 2013 MENA tourism and hospitality report by research consultancy Aranca, the Saudi government plans to invest heavily in its tourism industry over the next decade to the tune of over GBP18 billion (USD30 billion).

6 30 AUGUST 2014 WEEKLY NEWS

RAK Properties Reports Strong Tour Oman Smartphone Application Sales in H1 Launched by NCSI

he National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI) in Oman recently launched the Tour Oman application, providing visitors as well as citizens Twith essential information while exploring the country. This includes information about government and private sector services, ATMs, hotels, historic and archaeological sites, and natural tourist attractions around the Sultanate such as water springs, wadis and waterfalls. Julfas Towers, RAK Properties Towers, Julfas The information is backed with geographical data showing the location of the desired destination on the map and guidance on how it can be reached most efficiently by road.

AK Properties has reported revenues of AED149 million (USD40.6 million) on sales in excess of AED234 million (USD63.7 million), generating net profits of RAED52 million (USD14.2 million) for the first half of the year [H1], up slightly over the same period in 2013. RAK Proper- ties is one of the largest real estate developers in the GCC and is currently engaged in a massive expansion phase. Mo- hammed Sultan Al Qadi, CEO, RAK Properties, said, “We are pleased with the company’s strong performance for the first half of the year,” adding that the company is studying new projects including more residential and hospitality leisure developments. RAK Properties' current total assets are valued at AED4.7 billion (USD1.3 billion).

RTA to Link Tram Stations with Neighbouring Hotels

ubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) held a workshop to forge integration between the tram stations and residents of nearby hospitality units, and examine how Dbest to serve the needs of these hotels when the tram starts operation later this year. Nasir Bu Shehab, director of strategic planning, RTA, encour- aged residents and tourists to use the tram, confirming that RTA can provide integrated public transport cards at hotels along with maps depicting the tram stations to facilitate use of the tram. “During the workshop, representatives of hotels as well as in- vestors made a host of suggestions, inquiries and ideas which will be studied as they have the potential of improving the effective- ness of the Dubai Tram in the best manner,” added Bu Shehab.

30 AUGUST 2014 7 RENDEZVOUS

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How would inventory satisfactory for the current you describe the first half (H1) of the demand ? year in terms of tourist arrivals? Has the hotel experienced an increase in Q & A with MOHAMED MAKNINE: More than the tourist volumes? mere aspect of available room inventory, the essential factor is seasonality. MOHAMED MAKNINE: H1 has been on Come summer, demand is such that it a par with our performance of H1 2013, Mohamed Maknine is difficult to satisfy it and having extra which is a good performance all things room capacity would be great. But fill- considered. No real increase in terms of ing those very same rooms in the lower volumes but perhaps in terms of seg- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, SALES AND MARKETING, occupancy periods is also challenging. ments, since golf and thalassotherapy MÖVENPICK RESORT & MARINE SPA SOUSSE This is the sort of contrast that needs aficionados have shown growing inter- to be considered: building more capac- est in our property compared to [2013]. ity, or trying to use the existing one in a more efficient and profitable manner. Another challenge lies in the THE LAST MINUTE change of behaviour of our custom- “BOOKINGS ers, as the recent trend shows that our guests are delaying the decision to go BUSINESS IS on holiday or not – and choice of desti- SUBSTANTIAL, BUT nation. The last minute bookings busi- CANNOT BE ness is substantial, but cannot be forecasted in an effective way. FORECASTED IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Many international hospitality brands are planning expansion into the country. What makes Tunisia an attractive destination for them do you think? TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Which are your key feeder markets and how MOHAMED MAKNINE: Tunisia is at- have these changed over the years? tractive to these brands for the same reasons that made Mövenpick Hotels MOHAMED MAKNINE: Our property & Resorts one of the first international enjoys an eclectic mix of nationalities, brands to believe in the destination. but the main feeder markets remain Tunisian hospitality is legendary, the Germany, the UK and Russia. Perfor- warmth of its people unique. Educated mance from French-speaking markets, people are easier to hire and train and such as France, Benelux and Switzer- TUNISIA IS GOING THROUGH A TRANSITIONAL quality infrastructure in and around land, has been lower than in the past, PHASE, BUT HOTELS SEEM TO BE ENJOYING hotels is also a major point. There is a and this is one of the areas we are focus- new breed of hotels appearing in the sing our efforts on. HEALTHY RATES, AND ACCORDING TO MOHAMED country over the past few years, built MAKNINE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, SALES AND to modern standards and offering fa- TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What do you MARKETING, MÖVENPICK RESORT & MARINE cilities and services that are in line with think are the main challenges Tunisia the expectations of the modern travel- is facing with regards to the hospi- SPA SOUSSE, THINGS ARE MOVING QUICKLY IN ler. Things are moving quickly here and tality industry at this point? Is room THE COUNTRY. we are happy to be riding the winds of change in Sousse.

Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa Sousse

8 30 AUGUST 2014 WEEKLY NEWS

Corporate Demand Drives TRevPAR UAE Visa Changes to Boost Dubai’s Growth in Jeddah Cruise Tourism

ubai’s cruise sector will experience a transformation following recent regulatory changes to UAE’s visa system. DThe new ruling, which took effect on August 1, will ensure implementation of a new visa and fees system, consist- ing of amendments such as a new multiple entry tourism permit for cruise passengers, and a range of new entry per- mits for medical tourists. Discussing the changes, Hamad Mohammed Bin Me- jren, executive director, business tourism, Dubai Depart- ment of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented, “Through our network of Dubai Tourism offices across the Did you know... world we will use the ruling to further promote Dubai’s at- tractiveness as a destination for both leisure and business.” With a population of 5.1 million, Jeddah is an important commercial hub in Saudi Arabia?

eddah hotels saw average room rates surge 15.5 percent to USD305.92 Jin June, reaching the highest level amongst MENA hotels surveyed by Hot- Stats for the month under review. Despite occupancies declining by 3.1 percentage points to 82.3 percent, average room rates (ARR) drove RevPAR growth of 11.3 percent to USD251.71. High corporate and MICE demand caused double-digit growth in food and beverage and conferencing revenues, which elevated total RevPAR (TRevPAR) levels to USD386.95. Hotels in Jeddah historically record strong revenues in June, however, perfor- Jeddah mance was particularly robust this year, as corporate and conferencing segments drove double-digit growth in average rates, while the hosting of regional events also generated higher dining and conferencing revenues, as Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting, explained.

30 AUGUST 2014 9 WEEKLY NEWS

BBC Blue Planet in Concert to Open VOR Stopover in Abu Dhabi

Did you know...

VOR is a round-the-world yacht race held every three bu Dhabi’s Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) Stopover will open with two 90-minute per- years? formances of the BBC’s highly-acclaimed Blue Planet in Concert on December 12 and 13, marking the show’s Arabian premiere. AHigh definition footage from the BBC nature programmeThe Blue Planet will be shown on a 10m-wide screen on a purpose-built stage floating in the waters off Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, accompanied by a 78-piece live orchestra led by a celebrity guest conductor. Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director, tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, commented, “The stopover is a tremendous international showcase which propels our winter water sports credentials and marine heritage to the fore among the global sailing community.”

BAC Strikes Technology Agreement with BEONTRA

new technology agreement was announced between Bahrain Air- port Company (BAC), manager and operator of Bahrain Internation- al Airport, and BEONTRA, a Lockheed Martin company. The deal will Asee the implementation of BEONTRA’s cutting edge route analysis tool, B Route Development. The technology will allow BAC to calculate, analyse, and present route cases to airlines, while being able to re-calculate and amend on demand, ensuring that airlines are provided with the most efficient service possible through high-quality route analysis.

BRIC Capital Inflow to UAE Exceeds that of MENA

ccording to Fortress Investments, a leading Middle East investment firm, there has been a significant increase in capital inflow to UAE from the BRIC countries, particularly from India. The news that BRIC inflow Ato UAE surpassed that of MENA follows index compiler MSCI’s recent upgrad- ing of UAE to emerging market status, placing it within the BRIC grouping. Hamed Mokhtar, managing director, Fortress Investments, commented that Dubai’s hosting of the annual meeting of the World Bank and the Inter- national Monetary Fund in 2003 provided the first spark to catapulting the emirate and UAE onto the global finance stage.

10 30 AUGUST 2014 ACCOMMODATION WEEKLY NEWS

Al Basel Consultancy Suites in the SKAI Underway in Partnership with Mandarin Oriental

KAI Holdings has secured AED927 million (USD252.4 million) worth of sales for its new four-star hotel, Suites in the SKAI. Strategically located in close proximity to three of Dubai’s x S arterial roads and a short drive from Dubai’s new international airport, Suites in the SKAI will comprise 234 hotel rooms, 234 one-and two-bedroom apartments and 33 penthouses. The property’s tri-star wing structure allows for each room and apartment to incorporate a landscaped garden. The 117 one-bedroom hotel apartments will come complete with an outdoor sky garden and Jacuzzi while the 117 two-bedroom apartments include a swimming pool and floor to ceiling win- Al Basel Consultancy, a leading company dows with cascading water. Construction is to begin in Sep- in the high-end hospitality sector, has tember with operation commencing in 2017. announced a partnership with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

he consultancy will promote Mandarin Oriental hotels worldwide to discerning clients in the Middle East and GCC who expect high-quality standards and luxurious accom- Tmodation. “We are very honoured to welcome Mandarin Oriental Ho- tel Group as a key partner, allowing us to live up to our commitment of only offering the best to our customers,” said Basel Al Kasem, CEO, Al Basel Group. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group now operates, or has under development, 44 hotels representing close to 11,000 rooms in 25 countries.

Jumeirah Group Launches Mobile Careers Site

umeirah Group has launched a mobile careers site making it easier for candidates to apply for jobs. The new website can adapt itself to various platforms including Android, iPhone, iPad Jand Blackberry and can also be viewed on desktops. It offers users easy navigation and access, enabling them to search the interactive vacancy map, complete the application process and check its status, as well as manage interview time slots and modify personal details. “With increasing competition for talent both in the Gulf region and internationally, at a time of unprecedented growth in the hospitality industry, having a strong employer brand together with an effective digital presence is a key prerequisite for attracting and retaining the best talent,” said Nabil Ramadhan, chief human capital officer, Jumei- rah Group.

30 AUGUST 2014 11 CLASSIFIEDS RECRUITMENTS FREE RECRUITMENT LISTINGS IN TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY

[email protected]

12 30 AUGUST 2014 RECRUITMENTS CLASSIFIEDS

RECRUITMENT LISTINGS

NEWLY-OPENING 5-STAR DESERT RESORT HAS SIX OPENINGS

Newly-opening 5-star desert resort near Al Ain, UAE, is seeking for the following posts. All must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the same position in 5-star chain hotels.

 Food and beverage manager  Chief engineer  Waitress / waiters Website: www.gloriahospitality.com  Security manager Email address: [email protected]  Front office desk agent Telephone Number: +971 2 644 4739  Guest relations officers Fax Number: +971 2 644 4759

CAPITAL CLUB DUBAI VACANCY IN-HOUSE GRAPHIC DESIGNER (BEACH HOTEL IN RAS AL KHAIMAH)

Must be fluent in Arabic and English, reading and writing.

Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts information: If you are looking to start a career at a fast-paced innovative company with Work for one of the top 10 most exclusive private member’s Clubs in the loads of opportunities, then look no further than Bin Majid Hotels & world: Capital Club Dubai. Resorts. We are growing dynamically and are looking for motivated, Accepting applications for Membership Managers to talented and proactive individuals to join our team. [email protected] Must have sales experience in luxury goods and/or hospitality, a strong UAE Must be fluent in Arabic and English, reading and writing. business network and a 5* professional attitude. Please send your CV to: [email protected]

30 AUGUST 2014 13 WEEKLY NEWS AIR

Qatar Airways Boosts Key City Operations to Meet Demand Qatar Airways has announced increased frequencies to the popular cities of Tehran, Islamabad and Muscat from September.

Did you know... Valiasr Street, Tehran, is one of the longest streets in the world17km? at over

ehran will be served with 18 flights a week when an additional four flights to Iran’s capital city are offered from Sep- T tember 1. An extra two flights per week to Islamabad will help meet the needs of those travelling to and from the Americas, a destination popular with many passengers from Pakistan. Increased demand for the Doha-Muscat route, from local residents in particu- lar, will see an additional four flights bring the total to 35 per week. “People from all over the world are becoming more and more interested in discovering this part of the world. With such rich his- tories and stunning, undiscovered landscapes, these destinations are hidden gems that are slowly coming into their own,” said Akbar Tehran Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways Group.

Gulf Air Reaches Asian Market

ulf Air took part in the three-day Travel Madness Expo in Pasay, Philippines, showcasing three of the Gairline’s newest product and service developments to the Asian market. The airline highlighted its retrofitted Airbus A330 aircraft, recent schedule enhancements delivering more flights across the network, and new routes. Adel Al Saleem, country manager, Philippines, Gulf Air, commented, “From our revamped A330 product which introduces fully-flat bed seats in the airline’s falcon gold class, upgraded seats in economy class and a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, to our increased flights to select destinations in GCC and MENA that serve to facilitate travel across our network, to the launch of our newest destinations this year, we truly believe Gulf Air passengers have a lot to look for- ward to when they fly with Bahrain’s national carrier.” Travel Madness Expo

14 30 AUGUST 2014 AIR WEEKLY NEWS

Qatar Airways Increases Operations Emirates Touches Down in Chicago to Madrid

Did you know... - Qatar Airway’s direct flights to Ma drid were launched in December 2005? Adel Al Redha, executive vice president, Emirates (centre) Emirates president, vice Redha, Al executive Adel ommencing November 16, Qatar Airways will mirates commenced a daily nonstop service to Chi- be increasing its operations to Madrid, Spain, cago’s O’Hare International Airport, with the inaugural Cwith the addition of three extra flights per Eflight carrying passengers from more than 20 different week, bringing the total number of services up from countries to the American city. seven to 10 resulting in an overall increase of 2,010 “Increased connectivity with Dubai will expose more in- seats. ternational guests to the world-class hospitality, shopping Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways Group, con- districts, cultural attractions and architectural achievements firmed that in the short time the carrier has been fly- that make Chicago one of the greatest cities in the world,” ing to Madrid, there has been a steady increase in the Madrid said Rahm Emanuel, mayor, Chicago. demand for flights. “I am happy to say that a direct In addition to passenger service, the Chicago - Dubai result of that is the number of travellers that choose flight, which will utilise a US-built Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to fly with us has also increased, and this is why we powered by GE90 engines, will carry up to 17 tonnes of car- are thrilled to be able to satisfy the demand of our go per flight and is set to increase trade links between the passengers by offering three additional flights per two cities. week,” he added.

Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge Unveiled

atar Airways’ premium passengers can now enjoy one of the largest lounges in the world in the shape of the 10,000m2 Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport. Spread over Qtwo levels, the lounge is able to accommodate 1,000 guests at a time and features quiet rooms and relaxing family spaces, games rooms, prayer rooms, a nursery and shower facilities as well as a dedi- cated business centre. After sampling one of the many dining options, guests can enjoy the water feature located at the base of the spiral staircase which leads to the mezzanine level. Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways Group, said, “We are very pleased to be able to offer our premium passengers our new premium lounge, which sets new benchmarks in airport luxury and will far exceed Al Mourjan Business Lounge our passengers’ expectations.”

30 AUGUST 2014 15 WEEKLY NEWS AIR

Second Freighter Service between Doha and Delhi

atar Airways Cargo has rapidly increased capacity on its freighter service to Delhi, India Qby already adding a second frequency after its recent launch in May. Marking the city as a highly important market, Ulrich Ogiermann, chief officer, cargo, Qatar Airways, commented, “Delhi has one of India's largest and fast- Did you know... est growing retail industries, and on top of that, it is an important commercial capital for Asia.” Qatar Airways With its move to the brand new, fully automated Cargo serves more cargo terminal at Hamad International Airport and the than 40 freighter destinations recent launch of two new premium services optimis- worldwide? ing the transportation of time and temperature-sensitive goods, Qatar Airways Cargo offers the very latest technology and five-star service to customers across the globe and has further enhanced its capacity and flexibility to effectively move sensitive commodities in line with the highest world-class standards.

Emirates Introduces Abuja Route

mirates commenced flight operations to Abuja, the Nigerian capital, marking its second destination in the country after Lagos and its 26th Ein Africa. The new daily Dubai - Abuja route provides a convenient point-to-point service for customers. In addition, the freight division of the airline, Emirates SkyCargo, offers over 180 tonnes of cargo capacity a week on the route. Identifying Nigeria as a key target market, Adil Al Ghaith, vice president, commercial operations, Northern and Western Africa, Emirates, expressed the hope that this flight will further stimulate business and leisure travel demand, as well as trade, between the two cities.

Mahan Air Reported Growth in H1 ahan Air has issued its first half (H1) passenger and cargo traffic results, registering a strong performance Mand steady growth during the period. More than 2.8 million passengers were carried, a figure up nine percent on H1 in 2013. According to the announcement, Mahan Air achieved a 79 percent load factor on its domestic and international network while the load factor for its domestic network only was 82 percent. Cargo operations also grew by 19 percent. During this time period the airline added its 14th international destination, to Yerevan in Armenia, and also increased frequency on many of its international and domestic routes.

16 30 AUGUST 2014 RENDEZVOUS

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How would and needs. You can find budget hotels you describe the first half of the year as well as luxury ones, you can find ani- in terms of tourist arrivals? Have you mated all-inclusive clubs as well as guest- experienced an increase in tourist Q & A with houses. The tourism offer in general is sat- volumes? isfactory. Tunisia is a serious competitor to other Mediterranean destinations and SAMI OUNALLI: Although [there was] a has much strength such as geographical small improvement compared to 2013, Sami Ounalli location, temperate weather, history, cul- the first six months of the year were below ture, gastronomy, nature, natural hospi- our expectations. We are still below our tality and quality of service. level of normal activity registered in 2010 EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER, RADISSON BLU ULYSSE The main challenges for the mo- and previous years. The overall volume has RESORT & THALASSO AND RADISSON BLU PALACE RESORT ment are to maintain stability and to been steady in the past four years. There & THALASSO, DJERBA establish better flight connections with are source markets, like Germany and Italy traditional and new markets. which are up and others, like France and Scandinavian countries which we need to TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Many in- set in motion for recovering. ternational hospitality brands are In Tunisia, generally, every tour- planning expansion into the coun- ism professional is aware that winter try. What makes Tunisia an attractive is tough. April to October are the best destination for them do you think? months. This year, July [has been] ab- normally bad. I hope that we will have SAMI OUNALLI: Tunisia has always in- better business for the rest of the sea- terested international hospitality brands. son when reservations are coming, Many projects have been concluded re- mainly, at the last minute.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Which are your key feeder markets and how have these changed over the years?

SAMI OUNALLI: France is the main market, followed by Germany, UK, Swit- zerland, Belgium, and Scandinavian countries. Since 2011 the French market has decreased by approximately 40 percent for different reasons. The UK Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso, Djerba and German markets are performing better. Other markets are stable. TUNISIA IS A HUB BETWEEN WORLDS AND cently. By 2016, the most famous hotel TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What do you CONTINENTS, CONCEALING BIG BUSINESS PO- chains will be operating in the country. think are the main challenges Tunisia Because of its strategic location, Tu- is facing with regards to the hospi- TENTIAL. SAMI OUNALLI, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT nisia is a hub between north and south tality industry at this point? Is room MANAGER, RADISSON BLU ULYSSE RESORT & and between east and west. There is big inventory satisfactory for the current THALASSO AND RADISSON BLU PALACE RESORT business potential in the future. Tunisia demand in your opinion? also has a respectable touristic infra- & THALASSO, DJERBA, UNVEILS THE HIDDEN structure and mainly well-trained and Sami Ounalli: Tunisia counts more than SECRET. experienced staff able to deliver the 700 hotels covering all market segments best service.

Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso, Djerba

30 AUGUST 2014 17 WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL

IHG and Sikka Set to Develop Crowne JW Marriott Expands Chinese Plaza in Noida Portfolio

W Marriott Hotels & Resorts has unveiled another luxury property in China, with the opening of the 416-key JW J Marriott Hotel Zhengzhou, in Henan Province. The new hotel is situated on the topmost storeys of the Mil- lennium Royal Plaza which, at 280m, is the highest building in central China. Did you know... “This is a significant property as it is our first hotel in Zheng- zhou which is an important transportation, business and convention hub in central China,” commented Simon Cooper, presi- InterContinental Hotels Group dent, Asia, Marriott International. currently The newly opened retreat boasts 2,500m2 of gathering has 19India? hotels in and event space, including the 1,000m2 JW Grand Ballroom, featuring a LED wall panel, six meeting rooms and a spacious ballroom foyer. In addition, the hotel provides guests with four dining options offering Chinese, Western, Cantonese and Japa- nese specialties.

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and real estate developer Sikka signed an agreement to open the new 150-room I Crowne Plaza Taj Expressway Noida. The newly-signed property, expected to open in 2018, will be the second IHG hotel in the tourist destination of Noida, and will add to IHG's portfolio of seven Crowne Plaza properties across the country. The new hotel will be a part of The Downtown project, a mixed-use development which also Crowne Plaza Taj Expressway Noida Expressway Taj Plaza Crowne comprises corporate offices and retail spaces. Commenting on the company’s expansion, Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East, Africa, IHG, said, “India is a key market for us. It holds our third largest development pipeline globally, behind the US and China, and over the next three to five years we will grow by nearly 300 percent there.“ JW Marriott Hotel Zhengzhou

Element Brand to Debut in Aspen Valley

tarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced plans to introduce its Element brand to Basalt Aspen Valley in Colorado, US, in August 2015. S Situated near the two ski and mountain towns of Aspen and Snowmass Village, the hotel will provide easy access to the area’s ski resorts. As Allison Reid, senior vice president, North America development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, pointed out, “Element Basalt Aspen Valley will offer an entirely fresh perspective on the extended stay experience in an area celebrated for its skiing and year-round outdoor recreation.”

18 30 AUGUST 2014 AGENT CORNER Agent’s Insight

NAME: Hasnain Tayyab

POSITION: Marketing manager

COMPANY: Travelex Travel & Tours

LOCATION: UAE

WEBSITE: www.travelex.ae

Alpha Tours Supports DSS

Who are you? I am a sales and marketing professional with a decade of experience in different industries. I am new to the travel industry but this is the most exciting industry that I have ever worked in so far. I work with Travelex Travels & Tours which takes pride in being one of the pioneers of sports travel industry in the UAE region. We are a Aridi Ghassan Al team of travel experts with a passion for sports that makes my team the best place to consult when travelling for any sporting event.

What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? Travel is my passion. So apart from all the perks that you get in the travel industry, working for this industry itself is my favourite thing. uring Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), Alpha Tours, the Arabian Gulf destination management company, has When is the best time to visit UAE? Dlaunched a series of special services for its customers. We are based in Dubai, UAE which is one of the fastest growing tourist spots in The company, which offers a variety of entertainment op- the world. Despite all these attractions, this place is known for its extremely hot tions, has extended some of its best cruise destination consul- weather, so if you want to explore the wonders that Dubai has to offer, the best tancy and management, air charter operations, eco-tourism time of the year would be November to February when the weather is perfect. programmes, tours and excursions, leisure group programmes, medical tourism, and hotel reservations services during DSS. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? As an added incentive, all excursions bear discounts. My next holiday destination is Dubrovnik, Croatia. Ghassan Al Aridi, founder, Alpha Tours, commented, “Our support [to the government of Dubai] is part of our commit- Why should people come to you for travel advice? ment to promote Dubai as a tourist and trade destination. As stated above, we are not only travel professionals but we are a team of sports Such initiatives act as a major magnet for tourists into the enthusiasts who know sports very well and understand what it takes to make your country, which will ultimately contribute to UAE’s GDP.” sports travel experience more entertaining and memorable.

30 AUGUST 2014 19 TRAVEL TALK

SKAI Holdings sees a Gulf Air is proud to be great deal of potential given this opportunity to for upscale four-star participate in the SITA concepts Council

“Dubai is one of the most excit- “It is an honour for Gulf Air to oc- ing markets for hospitality and cupy a seat with the foremost in- real estate globally. [...]Suites in formation technology and com- KABIR the SKAI will cater to the growing MAHER munications representative body number of business and leisure for the air transport industry, and MULCHANDANI tourists that are looking for value SALMAN AL I would like to express my deep- for money as well as comfort and est gratitude to Arab Air Carriers convenience in a luxurious set- MUSALLAM Organization for nominating Gulf ting. SKAI Holdings’ strategy is to Air and to SITA’s members for ac- Group CEO, build high quality hotels in sever- cepting it. [...] SITA plays a critical Skai Holdings al key locations in Dubai that will Acting CEO, Gulf Air role in the aviation industry op- cater to the growing demand for erations and it is our pleasure to tourism in the emirate.” support its endeavours.”

Our workshop [highlighted] the integration between the Dubai Tram and [...] surrounding areas

“Examples were cited such as the link between the two metro sta- NASIR tions at the Dubai Marina and the Jumeirah Lakes, and the link be- BU SHEHAB tween the tram, buses and other transport means at the Dubai Ma- rina. A briefing was also made to Director of strategic elucidate the efforts made by RTA planning, Roads and to improve the neighbourhood Transport Authority of stations in order to ease the movement of pedestrians and (RTA) cyclists.”

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 30 AUGUST 2014 TRAVEL CHANNELS

Ships of the Desert Dock in Downtown Dubai

A life-size sculpture entitled Camels has taken centre stage in Downtown Dubai, the flagship mega-development of Emaar Properties.

he piece was created by Donald Greig, an avid wildlife enthusiast, and one of Af- rica’s most prolific sculptors. It features a trio of Arabian camels including an adult and its calf and another camel resting. Weighing in at 800kg, the work took eight months to create plus another four to be cast in bronze. TAhmad Al Matrooshi, managing director, Emaar Properties, said, “The gracious and ma- jestic Arabian camel is a reminder of our past and a cue of how significantly the city has evolved. Donald Greig’s Camels is a seamless fit into Downtown Dubai’s collection of sculp- tures and artworks from around the world by accomplished artists.” Camels by Donald Greig

HeliDubai First Air BP Cathay Pacific Airways UNWTO Signs Agreement Customer in the Announces Investment with Tourism Research Middle East in Biojet Fuel Institution

s part of its plan to achieve a target of carbon-neutral growth from 2020, Cathay Pacific Airways has become the first air- Aline investor in Fulcrum BioEnergy, a US-based sustainable aviation fuel or biojet fuel developer. The airline has also negotiated a supply agreement with Fulcrum over 10 years, representing approximately two percent of the air- Air BP's first fuelling at DFC Heli-pad Griffith Institute for Tourism line’s fuel consumption on an annual basis. This year Fulcrum plans to start the construction of nternational aviation fuel supplier Air BP large scale, waste-to-renewable jet fuel plants cooperation agreement has been continues to grow its business in the Mid- at multiple locations, some of them strategic signed between UNWTO and Australia’s dle East with the successful inauguration of to Cathay Pacific Airways’ network, primarily in Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) in a Iits first off–airport site in the region, located North America. Abid to advance tourism knowledge. GIFT is a at the HeliDubai Festival City (DFC) Heli-pad. leading tourism research institution and a UN- After a successful test refuelling at the venue, WTO affiliate member. HeliDubai became the first customer in the The collaboration will include research on Middle East to sign up to Air BP’s Operations the role of Asia and the Pacific in global tour- Manual for External General Aviation (OMEGA) ism, and the creation and dissemination of programme, designed to ensure that custom- knowledge on climate change and sustainable ers such as airport operators, heliport op- tourism development in the region, among erators and refuelling contractors can achieve many other areas. high levels of operating standards when han- Discussing the cooperation, Taleb Rifai, sec- dling fuel. retary general, UNWTO, noted, “This partner- The Heli-pad at DFC was opened in 2013 ship enables us to further narrow the gap be- and comprises two pads with a 15 tonne total tween demand and supply of tourism research capacity at the 520ha, premier waterfront ur- in a number of important areas, not least tour- ban development. ism and climate change [...].” Fulcrum's demonstration plant

30 AUGUST 2014 21 WHO’S MOVED

John Burke has taken over as Michael Crawford has joined the new director of operations Four Seasons Hotels and Re- at Oman Convention and Ex- sorts executive team in the hibition Centre, and will also newly created position of assume the joint role of tech- president, Asia Pacific. nical services manager at the MICHAEL Reporting directly to the com- facility. pany’s president, Crawford as- He brings extensive opera- CRAWFORD sumes primary responsibility tional experience to the venue for all business activities in the having served most recently Asia Pacific region, including at the Qatar National Conven- implementing the company’s tion Centre in Doha. Prior to growth plan and delivering on that, Burke spent 15 years with financial objectives associated the NEC Group in Birmingham, with the strategic plan for the UK, which included oversee- region. ing business at the National Based in Four Seasons’ corpo- Exhibition Centre, Interna- rate office in Singapore, the tional Convention Centre, LG 24-year veteran of The Walt Arena and the National Indoor Disney Company with exper- JOHN Arena. ince in real estate, is relocating from Shanghai, China, where BURKE he was senior vice president Burke takes on joint and general manager of role at the Oman Con- Shanghai Disney Resort and vention and Exhibition president of Walt Disney Hold- Centre ing Company, Shanghai.

Noel Massoud is Swiss-Bel- Roma Andrews has been pro- hotel International’s new vice moted to executive director for president for operations and Al Habtoor Motors, in line with development in the Middle the group’s cohesive strategy East. to continue driving growth via NOEL With the company looking to highly energetic and profes- operate seven hotels in the re- sional senior management MASSOUD gion by 2015, he will oversee teams in all sectors of its opera- the opening of new proper- tions; hospitality, automotive, ties in Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and car leasing, real estate, and Saudi Arabia. education. Massoud has extensive experi- Andrews began her career in ence in hotel management hav- the UAE 21 years ago following ing held senior management 15 years’ of human resources positions with InterContinental experience at a leading foreign Hotels Group for more than 25 bank in India. years. She joined the automotive di- He was also general manager vision of the Al Habtoor Group of Kempinski’s Emirates Palace in 1993 and has since played in Abu Dhabi, developing the ROMA a key role in spearheading the property into one of the top human resources functions. luxury hotels in the Middle East. ANDREWS Massoud’s most recent assign- ment was with Paramount Ho- Andrews will oversee tels and Resorts as vice presi- more than 1,500 em- dent of development. ployees across the UAE

22 30 AUGUST 2014 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...

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island received the Bronze Certification for Dubai Summer Surprises creates the Welcome Chinese standard from China Tourism Academy festive atmosphere

GTA marks 30 years with charity Mount Fuji climb Emirates touches down in Chicago

Atlantis, The Palm, enriches Dubai Summer Surprises experience with range of family entertainment

30 AUGUST 2014 23 NEWS & EVENTS

Responsible EVENTS

Tourism Pro- SEATRADE LATIN AMERICA gramme at WTM CRUISE CONVENTION Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 2 – 3, 2014 www.latinamerica-cruise.com The event returns to Brazil after touring the region, focussing on the development of the cruise industry in Latin America.

INCENTIVE, BUSINESS, TRAVEL & MEETINGS EXPO (IBTM) INDIA

Chennai, India, September 3 – 5, 2014 www.ibtmevents.com An invitation-only event for India’s inbound, outbound and domestic business travel sector.

FOOD & HOSPITALITY OMAN World Travel Market Muscat, Oman September 9 – 11, 2014 his year’s World Responsible Tourism www.foodandhospitalityoman.com Programme at World Travel Market A business and networking platform to promote the latest (WTM) includes some of the biggest products and services in the food Tnames in the travel industry. Stretching across and beverage sector. all four days of the event for the first time, the programme will tackle issues such as the im- pact of tourism on local economies, the effect ARAB AVIATION & MEDIA on both the environment and the bottom line SUMMIT of reducing water and energy consumption, matters surrounding wildlife tourism and the Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, social inclusion aspect of holidays for all, re- September 24 gardless of disability or background. www.aamsummit.com Arab media and top executives “The number of big name companies gather to have insightful taking part in the World Responsible Tourism discussions on the current trends. Programme this year demonstrates how the issue is moving up the industry’s boardroom agenda,” said Charlotte Sutton, conference THE HOTEL SHOW and events manager, WTM. Dubai, UAE September 28 – 30 www.thehotelshow.com Now celebrating 15 successful years, The Hotel Show presents Did you know... a full view of the hotel and hospitality industry. World Travel Market launched in 1980 at London’s Olympia with just 350 exhibitors?

24 30 AUGUST 2014