New Discovery Unveiled in Egypt

20 MAY 2017 ISSUE 393

05 GENERAL SHARJAH TO WELCOME CITY CENTRE MALL NEW DISCOVERY UNVEILED IN EGYPT

SHARJAH’S FIRST LUXURY 04 Airports DESERT RESORT ANNOUNCED 08 Agents 18 Who's Moved MARKET UPDATE www.traveltradeweekly.travel

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MANAGING EDITOR Middle East Hoteliers See Mary Kammitsi [email protected] Drop in Q1 SENIOR JOURNALIST Ellen Petty

JOURNALIST Maria Sabova

CONTRIBUTORS Panayiotis Karanicholas Anna Spyrou Dominique Christou

DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou

WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis Lebanon

DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi Hotels in the Middle East reported declines in a number of measures during HEADQUARTERS the first quarter (Q1) of this year compared to the same period in 2016, includ- T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670 ing an 8.2 percent drop in RevPAR to USD122.07, as revealed by STR.

WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel urthermore, occupancy fell 1.4 percent to 70.5 percent, while average daily rate (ADR) de- EMAILS [email protected] creased 6.8 percent year-on-year to USD173.06. [email protected] Bolstered by an exceptionally strong March, Lebanon achieved a 10.1 percent growth to [email protected] F reach 49.3 percent in Q1, an 11 percent jump in RevPAR, along with a 0.8 percent boost in ADR. WORLDWIDE REPRESENTATIVES On the other hand, performance was down in Saudi Arabia compared to Q1 2016, with a 10.4 per- Representative for North, South & Central cent decline in occupancy to 58.3 percent, a 12 percent fall in ADR and a 21.2 percent plummet in America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland RevPAR. GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515, [email protected]

Representative for Indian subcontinent: Faredoon Kuka RMA Media Tel: +912229253735, [email protected] American Express Reports Representative for UK & Ireland and Scandinavia: Revenue Drop David Simpson Simpson Media Tel: +447900885456, [email protected]

MENA EXCHANGE RATES as of 19.5.2017 COUNTRY CURRENCY USD1=

Bahrain (BHD) Dinar 0.37 Jordan (JOD) Dinar 0.71 Oman (OMR) Rial 0.39 In the first quarter (Q1) of the year, American Express Company revealed net Qatar (QAR) Rial 3.64 income of USD1.2 billion, a year-on-year decline of 13 percent, while diluted Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal 3.75 UAE (AED) Dirham 3.67 earnings per share stood at USD1.34, down eight percent. Algeria (DZD) Dinar 108.65 Egypt (EGP) Pound 18.06 Iran (IRR) Rial 32,446.09 1 consolidated total revenues net of interest expense reached USD7.9 billion, down two per- Iraq (IQD) Dinar 1,170.85 Kuwait (KWD) Dinar 0.30 cent from USD8.1 billion in the same period in 2016. Excluding 2016’s Costco-related busi- Lebanon (LBP) Pound 1,511.59 ness and the impact of foreign exchange rates, adjusted revenues net of interest expense grew Libya (LYD) Dinar 1.38 Q seven percent. Morocco (MAD) Dirham 9.80 Kenneth Chenault, CEO, American Express Company, said, “The results reflect many of the invest- Syria (SYP) Pound 214.35 ments we have been making to grow the business, plus continued progress in reducing operating ex- Tunisia (TND) Dinar 2.43 penses. Yemen (YER) Rial 250.14

2 20 MAY 2017 www.traveltradeweekly.travel WEEKLY NEWS

Seychelles Tourism Showcased at Luxury Expo

Seychelles Tourism Board office in Dubai took further steps to reinforce its reputation in the region by participating in the 5th American Express World Luxury Expo 2017 for the first time.

eld at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, the event enabled the organisation to strengthen relationships with industry stakeholders and to reach to a wider audience, adding to Saudi Arabia’s status as a significant feeder market H to the Seychelles. Ahmed Fathallah, regional manager, Middle East, Dubai, Seychelles Tourism Board, summarised, “[…] The affirma- tive response the tourism board received from the consumers [during the event] is an indication to the fact that the The Ritz-Carlton,The Riyadh Seychelles has an unwavering acceptance in the whole market.”

Egypt Boasts Yas Island to Welcome Booming Real Mercedes-Benz Estate Sector Showroom

head of Egypt Property ldar Properties has re- Show 2017, a press con- cently signed a partner- A ference put the spotlight A ship agreement with Al on Egypt’s rapidly growing real Fahim Group to launch the first estate market, showcasing con- Mercedes-Benz and AMG show- siderable investment opportuni- room and express service centre ties. on Yas Island. According to Egypt Ministry Expected to be completed in for Housing, the country’s boom- 2019, the new development will ing population has resulted in cover an area of 5,900m2 and growing demand for residen- is part of a new planned retail tial housing, with an estimated park, a branch of Aldar Proper- 500,000 new homes needing to ties’ AED3 billion (USD816 mil- be built annually over the next lion) investment programme. five years. In line with the gov- Commenting on the new ernmental objective to sustain opening, Ahmed Abdul Jalil the sector’s upward trajectory, Al Fahim, chairman, Al Fahim two major development pro- Group, stated, “To grant visitors jects were presented during the the best customer experience event, New El Alamein City, set in the region, the complex will to become the next tourism and have all the elements of future residential hotspot, and yet-un- showroom concepts for Mer- named The New Capital of Egypt, cedes-Benz and AMG, such as, expected to play a role of a finan- complete digitalisation and new cial and administrative hub. job roles.”

20 MAY 2017 3 WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

Dubai International Queue Time Drops

Dubai International achieved 10 percent decrease in waiting times during the first quarter of this year, attributed to advanced technology solutions implemented onsite.

rom January to March, the hub processed 84 percent of transfer passengers within five minutes, 87 percent of departing travellers within 10 minutes and 68 percent of arriving visitors were handled within 15 F minutes. The technology solutions that significantly assist with timely processing of passengers are Smart Gates, enabling UAE residents to exit through automated immigration gates quickly and conveniently with the use of Emir- ates ID cards. The second solution behind shorter waiting times is a motion sensor system allowing the airport to track queues in real time and to take immediate actions with deployment of resources.

Dubai Hosted HIA 17th Airport Celebrated CAI to Run Show Record March Jeddah Hub

roviding an ideal oppor- audi Arabia’s General Au- tunity for global exhibi- thority of Civil Aviation P tors to showcase and S (GACA) has recently award- launch airport and aviation- ed a consortium led by Changi Air- related products and services, ports International (CAI), a subsidi- the 17th edition of Airport ary of the Changi Airport Group, a HIA Show was held on May 15 – 17 contract to operate the Jeddah’s at Dubai International Conven- King Abdulaziz International Air- tion and Exhibition Centre. port for 20 years. More than 300 leading amad International Airport (HIA) registered record Commenting on the occasion, companies from over 40 coun- results in March, with 21,842 aircraft movements and Lim Liang Song, CEO, CAI, stated, tries showcased their products H 177,325 tonnes of cargo handled, both contributing “We would like to thank the GACA and services, with Germany in successful conclusion of the first quarter (Q1) of this year. board of directors for their confi- having the largest participa- Overall, the Qatari gateway served 9.78 million passen- dence and trust in CAI. This is tes- tion, with 34 exhibitors. gers in Q1, a 10 percent year-on-year increase. The period tament to the strong partnership Daniyal Qureshi, group ex- under review also saw a 20 percent jump in the freight seg- we have with GACA, from when we hibitions director, Reed Exhibi- ment over the same period in 2016, with 469,725 tonnes of first started managing [King Fahd tions Middle East, said, “The transported goods. Meanwhile, from January to March, the International Airport] eight years growth of the Middle East re- carrier recorded 62,913 aircraft movements representing an ago.” gion’s aviation sector is open- eight percent year-on-year growth. Committed to being a val- ing a wealth of opportunities While highlighting the phenomenal results of the cargo ued partner in the global aviation for international players, as is division, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, chief operating officer, market by creating airports of the reflected in the massive inter- HIA, attributed the hub’s positive performance to increased future, CAI has an extensive glob- est from global exhibitors this frequencies along with new airlines that have joined the air- al experience that spans over 20 year.” port’s network. countries in four continents.

4 20 MAY 2017 www.traveltradeweekly.travel WEEKLY NEWS

Sharjah To Welcome New Discovery Dubai Chamber City Centre Mall Unveiled in Egypt Shared Expertise

ajid Al Futtaim Properties gypt’s Ministry of State for Antiq- he Dubai Chamber of Commerce & has recently unveiled plans uities has announced the find- Industry (DCCI) recently welcomed M to launch what is said to E ings of an archeological mission T delegations from authorities in become the company’s largest mall in in the Draa Abul Nagaa necropolis near Bahrain and Al Qassim, with the aim of Sharjah, City Centre Al Zahia. Luxor, which revealed 3,500 year old sharing knowledge and enhancing coop- Expected to be completed in 2020, tombs, among other ancient artifacts. eration. the 13.62ha venue will offer a diverse After removing 450m³ of debris, During the meeting, the representa- mix of over 360 retail brands spread the researchers uncovered a burial tives of the three chambers discussed the across two storeys complemented by chamber of a judge named User- best practices in the areas of membership leisure options such as VOX Cinemas hat, which also housed 10 unique and customer services along with the pro- as well as various dining outlets. sarcophagi along with eight linen- cedures of awarding the certificates of Ghaith Shocair, CEO, shopping wrapped mummies belonging to an- origin. malls, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, cient Egypt’s 21st dynasty. The site was Atiq Juma Nasib, senior vice president, stated, “The scale and long-term vi- also hiding a collection of over 200 commercial services, DCCI, revealed that sion of the Al Zahia community war- funerary figurines and wooden masks. the number of issued certificates reached rant retail and entertainment destina- The discovery helps experts gain new the figure of 923,000 in 2016, in line with tion of this size and scope, in line with knowledge about the hidden frag- the international standards. Highlighting Majid Al Futtaim’s strategy to create ments in ancient Egypt’s timeline and the importance of reinforcing collabo- malls that meet the current and future the archeologists hope to get deeper ration, he further added that the Dubai needs of the residents and tourists we understanding of the history as the ex- chamber has developed strong expertise serve [...].” cavations on the site continue. for both partners to benefit from.

20 MAY 2017 5 WEEKLY NEWS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

Egypt Property Show Scored Success

he first GCC edition of the road show exhibition Egypt Property Show 2017 was successfully concluded in Dubai, generating sales deals valued at EGP1 T billion (USD55.2 million) during its three-day run. The robust participation of Egyptian real estate and development companies attracted investors who were presented with promising prospects of the country’s property market and received investment advice along with some exclusive offers. Commenting on the event, Hisham Lotfi, chairman, Al-Ahram Establishments, confirmed that exhibitors expressed high satisfaction, which has inspired the organ- Egypt isers to increase the size of the upcoming road shows in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and London.

Royal Caribbean Cruises MOHAP Hosted Travel Return to US Gulf Coast Exhibition

s a part of its new deployment plans, Royal Caribbean has an- rganised by Dubai Ministry of Health and Prevention nounced cruises from the US Gulf coast with the anticipated ad- (MOHAP) and dnata, the eighth edition of Travel Road A dition of two vessels in the region in 2018. O Show was recently held at MOHAP’s office in Dubai. After a three-year break, the liner will return to New Orleans with A number of international travel and tourism companies par- repositioning of its Vision of the Seas, set to operate seven-night itinerar- ticipated in the event, where they presented the best travel and ies to destinations across Bahamas and Yucatan Peninsula. Meanwhile, hotel offers and were honoured with certificates thanking them for Enchantment of the Seas will sail to its new base in Galveston for Carib- their contribution towards the success of the exhibition. bean voyages. H.E. Awad Bin Saghir Al Ketbi, undersecretary, supportive ser- Furthermore, Mariner of the Seas will embark on new journeys and vices sector, MOHAP, noted that the event has attracted the largest before returning to its Miami home port, including the Global Odyssey international companies in the fields of tourism and travel, aim- itinerary from Singapore to Dubai, Dubai to Barcelona and Barcelona to ing to provide the best offers and contribute to the happiness of Miami. employees.

Mariner of the Seas Eighth Travel Road Show

6 20 MAY 2017

WEEKLY NEWS AGENTS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

EAN Unveils Agent Booking Module

Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) has launched an agent booking module for its Affiliate Voyager product, providing agents with complete visibility to make bookings directly on the customer’s behalf, as well as manage customer enquiries and adjust any information related to the bookings made across more than 290,000 properties.

riane Gorin, senior vice president, EAN, said, “We estimate that Affiliate Voyager will result in more -ef ficient sales and customer service experiences for agencies, with a 15 percent increase in customer re- A quests that the agent can handle without escalation and a five percent reduction in total handle time for affiliate agents.” Fully maintained by the company, the program comes with face-to-face and online training to drive agent adoption, alongside full support from EAN.

UAE and TripAdvisor Crosses Reviews Milestone Saudi Arabia Named

Top Destinations ripAdvisor has recently announced that it has reached 500 million reviews, and continues to receive 290 pieces of content every minute. T By using cutting-edge technology and investigation methods, the company ensures that consumers are able to find reviews to be accurate and helpful in determining the quality of their total trip experience. Stephen Kaufer, CEO, TripAdvisor, commented, “Since launching 17 years ago, TripAd- visor has revolutionised the travel industry by creating an environment where consumers can share honest opinions of their experiences and where businesses can see the rewards of achieving consistently high standards of service and value from the community.”

otelsCombined revealed that in 2016, the UAE and Saudi Arabia were among H the top destinations in the GCC visited Amadeus to Boost Al Tayyar’s by business and leisure travellers from the UK, accounting for 10 percent of all visitors, with Online Presence Australia and the US following. The study also revealed that 43 percent of

Dubai those who booked accommodation in the GCC ollowing a meeting between Amadeus IT Group and Al Tayyar Travel Group were between the ages of 25 to 34 years old, (ATTG), in April, the parties have signed a new partnership agreement. while 30 percent were aged 35 to 44. F The extended deal significantly boosts the strategic cooperation be- Along with the region’s proximity to the tween the two companies, while reaffirming ATTG’s commitment to expand its on- UK, Amer AlHalabi, general manager, Hotels- line business though Amadeus’ high-end technology and cost effective solutions, Combined, commented, “We can see a robust including Premium Online Support, 24/7 contact with Amadeus experts, Amadeus growth in the Middle East’s tourism industry Ticket Changer Shopper Online, booking and offline quality control check, among because the region offers high-end luxury de- others. velopments and international standard attrac- The contract will now run until 2020, aiming to expand the collaboration from tions.” a local to MENA level.

8 20 MAY 2017 www.traveltradeweekly.travel WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION

Sharjah’s First DAMAC to Carlton Hotel Luxury Desert Launch a Luxury Brand to Grow in Resort Announced Gateway UAE

ollowing a memorandum of under- AMAC Properties announced the he First Investor Group has announced standing signed with Al Wanis, Sharjah opening of DAMAC Maison Bay’s plans to increase its hospitality inven- F Investment and Development Author- D Edge in May, a 250-key property T tory 51 percent, with the addition of ity (Shurooq) has confirmed the AED60 mil- located in Dubai’s Business Bay. 683 new keys in the next three years under its lion (USD16.33 million) Mleiha Desert Resort, Spread across 22 floors, the address brand Carlton Hotel Management. scheduled for completion in the end of 2019. will offer a refined living experience, of- Funding is set to reach AED2.7 billion Spread across 6ha at the heart of the fering guests a personal chef, gym, sepa- (USD735.1 million) by 2020, in comparison Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism rate male and female wellness areas, a to the AED2.2billion (USD598.9 million) in- Project, the premium destination will fea- swimming pool, a kids club and compli- vested in the hospitality sector so far. ture 45 exclusively designed villas, boasting mentary shuttle bus service to the city’s Referring to the recent purchase of private decking and swimming pools, along hotspots. Dubai’s Carlton Downtown hotel as a dem- with world-class dining outlets, health club, Whilst mentioning that the competi- onstration of the company’s strategy to among other facilities. tive environment has pushed hoteliers to growth within the UAE first before expand- H.E. Marwan Bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, become more creative in their offerings, ing beyond, Hosni Abdel Hadi, CEO, Carlton Shurooq, enthused that the new resort rep- Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, Hotel Management, further noted, “[…] The resents a milestone in the progress of the DAMAC Properties, also noted that the UAE continues to be one of world’s most project and is in line with the organisation’s new hotel’s capacity and facilities repre- competitive economy for travel and tour- aim to boost the emirate’s tourism profile sent an ideal opportunity for investors to ism and this is significant and vital to Carlton through key partnerships. respond to the booming tourism sector. brand.”

20 MAY 2017 9 WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION www.traveltradeweekly.travel

Iraq Welcomes Deutsche Hilton Erbil Arjaan by Hospitality Adds Two to Arrive in Rotana Tunisian Properties Bahrain

iming to further boost tourism in Er- ollowing extensive renovation works ith the goal of further boosting bil, along with employment oppor- which concluded in April, Deutsche tourism in the GCC region and A tunities, Rotana Hotel Management F Hospitality now offers two hotels in W enrich Bahrain’s hospitality scene, has recently opened Erbil Arjaan by Rotana. the Tunisian destination of Sousse. Hilton Hotels & Resorts has recently joined The first Arjaan-branded address in Iraq is Operated by Tunisia Hospitality Group, forces with King Faisal Corniche Develop- located in the heart of the city’s thriving busi- The Steigenberger Hotel Kantaoui Bay ment and Mabanee Bahrain to open its first ness district and in close proximity to Erbil In- boasts 365 rooms and suites as well as a Hilton-branded property in the country. ternational Airport. The new address features sauna, a Haman and a whirlpool. Further fa- The construction of the 210-key Hilton 168 modern and fully-furnished apartments, cilities include an array of sporting activities Bahrain Bay Hotel & Residences is already food and beverage venues along with meet- and a conference area. underway and once completed in 2020, it ing and wellness facilities. The property will The four-star Jaz Hotel Tour Khalef fea- will feature 150 apartments and 60 studio be managed by the group on behalf of Malia tures 570-keys and suites as well as a fresh suites. Guests will be able to enjoy four dis- Group, building upon the six year partner- water outdoor pool. The hotel provides tinct stand-alone dining outlets, a swimming ship that began with Erbil Rotana. idyllic surroundings for holidaymakers and pool, a spa and fitness facilities. Located at “Malia Group recognises the vast poten- infrastructure for conferences and meet- The Avenues, a major retail and leisure desti- tial for tourism in Kurdistan and we remain ings. Guests can also enjoy a range of culi- nation in Manama scheduled to open by the dedicated to investing in the region’s fast- nary and beverage options, salt water pools end of this year, the new address will join the growing hospitality sector,” commented, among wellness, spa and fitness options group's pipeline of 120 properties in the Mid- Jacques Jean Sarraf, chairman, Malia Group. alongside a Thalassotherapy Centre. dle East, North Africa and Turkey.

10 20 MAY 2017

WEEKLY NEWS AIR www.traveltradeweekly.travel

SAUDIA and China Southern Team Up

Saudia Airlines (SAUDIA) has announced a codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines, enabling travellers to conveniently access additional domestic and international routes across both carriers’ portfolios.

assengers flying to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with the Saudi carrier will be able to connect to further Chinese itineraries, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan. P Meanwhile, the guests of the Chinese airline will benefit from the access to SAUDIA’s network from the Chinese hub with the option of transiting through Dubai International. The new partnership follows SAUDIA’s network expansion with two new destinations this year, Multan and Port Sudan, demonstrating its commitment to offer improved travel options Guangzhou and flexibility.

Qatar Airways Etihad to Deploy Gulf Air Increases Pharma Extra A380 to Renews IOSA Audit Express Service Sydney Registry

atar Airways Cargo has recently elebrating the 10th anniver- ulf Air has successfully completed launched its fourth Pharma Express sary of its first Australian itiner- the internationally recognised, bi- Q freighter service operating from Basel. C ary to Sydney, Etihad Airways G ennial International Air Transport Aiming to bridge the world’s major phar- has announced that all 14 weekly Association (IATA) Operational Safety Au- maceutical trade lanes, Qatar’s national carrier routes will enjoy its flagship Airbus dit (IOSA) and has been renewed on the launched Pharma Express flights in 2015, which A380 aircraft as of October 29. IOSA Safety Audit Registry until May 2019. currently operates from Brussels, Mumbai, The current daily A380 flight to This is the seventh IOSA audit suc- Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. the destination will be joined by a sec- cessfully completed by the carrier since Ulrich Ogiermann, chief officer, cargo, Qatar ond daily superjumbo service, featur- 2005, whilst the airline’s quality assurance Airways, commented, “By increasing capacity ing the carrier’s exclusive three-room department continuously reviews and ap- from Basel, [...] we are able to provide increased suite, The Residence. With the deploy- praises internal operational processes, as uplift to our customers as well as a seamless ment of the 496-seat double decker, well as conducts rigorous quality control cool-chain for pharmaceutical exports out of Sydney will join London and New York processes and self-auditing to ensure con- Basel through our good distribution practice- as the airline’s all-A380 itineraries from formity with IOSA Standards and Recom- compliant hub in Doha.” Abu Dhabi. mended Practices.

Etihad Airways Airbus A380 Nasser Al Salmi, chief operating officer, Gulf Air

12 20 MAY 2017

WEEKLY NEWS AIR www.traveltradeweekly.travel

Middle East Airlines Oman Air Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines Commits to the Sponsors Partner Up Future Formula E

iddle East Airlines (MEA) and Turk- n the context of building a brighter future, atar Airways has been named ish Airlines (TA) have signed a code- Oman Air has launched its corporate social the official airline partner of M share agreement covering sched- I responsibility strategy, focussed on sup- Q the Paris ePrix, an electric ules between Turkey and Lebanon, which was porting a range of sectors including small street race, as well as sponsor of the effective as of May 15. and medium-sized enterprises, environmental 2017 Qatar Airways Paris ePrix, which As a result of the partnership, TA oper- protection, tourism and education. is taking place in the French capital on ates three daily flights on the Istanbul – Bei- Prioritising interaction with social groups, May 20. rut route, while MEA serves the itinerary twice the airline will contribute to voluntary initia- The carrier has also been named daily. tives while also boosting the development of the official airline partner of the first- Broadening the commercial ties between a sustainable society through investment in ever New York City ePrix taking place in the two organisations and their respective various public institutions. In line with the Brooklyn on July 15 – 16. countries, the collaboration offers passengers carrier’s expansion plans, the initiative will Commenting on the partnership more flexibility and travel options. demonstrate best practice by creating a safe with Formula E, H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group Mohamad El-Hout, chairman, MEA, high- working environment to enable excellence chief executive, Qatar Airways, said, “We lighted that among other benefits, the fact and success in the aviation sector. are very pleased to be able to support that both companies are members of two dif- Working closely with Oman Ministry of So- this environmentally-friendly sport that ferent airline alliances, the agreement also en- cial Development, the airline has pledged to promotes the latest technological inno- ables both carriers to expand their networks deliver a range of projects to assist citizens in vations in producing alternative energy to new destinations. achieving their full potential. solutions for electric cars. […].”

14 20 MAY 2017 www.traveltradeweekly.travel WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Dusit Spreads Wings to Four Points by Sheraton Bangladesh Enters Japan

fter signing a long-term agreement with Lakeshore Hotels, Dusit International has unveiled plans Ato open its first property in Bangladesh. arriott International has announced Comprising 80 guestrooms and 10 the opening of Four Points by Sheraton suites along with an all-day-dining restau- Hakodate, bringing the first Four Points rant, a Grab ‘n’ Go outlet, a meeting room Mbranded hotel in Japan. and a rooftop swimming pool, Dusit Prin- Set to cater to independent travellers, the hotel cess Dhaka is slated to open by the end of offers approachable design and modern comfort, this year and will be conveniently located along with the brand’s aromatherapy spa treat- in the north of Dhaka. ments at the Relaxation Room Rilassa and more Kazi Tareq Shams, managing director, than 1,200m2 of versatile function facilities, includ- Lakeshore Hotels, commented, “Our ca- ing the signature Best Brews programme. pacity to supervise hotel operations has Lothar Pehl, area vice president, Japan, Korea grown significantly in recent years and we and Guam, Marriott International, added, “We are are pleased Dusit International has recog- confident that Four Points by Sheraton Hakodate nised those capacities on our side [...].” will resonate with those looking for a comfortable base to explore the region’s many attractions.” Dusit Princess DhakaDusit Princess Four Points Hakodate Night View Bar EsteLado View Night Hakodate Points Four

IHG Celebrates 300th Property Hotel Best Western Premier in China Panbil Debuts in Indonesia

nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has recently opened HUALUXE Zhangjiakou, its 300th hotel in Greater China. I Featuring 340 rooms, six restaurants and bars along with multi-functional meeting rooms, the new address is conveniently located close to key transportation hubs. iming to elevate business and leisure travel in Indonesia, “The opening of our 300th hotel in Best Western Hotels & Resorts has recently opened a new Greater China is a remarkable achievement upscale hotel on Batam Island. for IHG and it is fitting that it is a HUALUXE AMarking the company’s 15th property in the country, Hotel hotel, designed specifically for Chinese trav- Best Western Premier Panbil features 233 contemporary rooms ellers, that has helped us reach this mile- and suites along with a wealth of amenities including an outdoor stone. Working closely with our partners, we pool, an indulgent spa, a modern fitness centre and a restaurant look forward to continued growth in what providing local and international dishes. is a very important market for us,” revealed, Olivier Berrivin, managing director, international operations, Richard Solomons, CEO, IHG. Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, enthused, “With an array of high-end amenities for both business and leisure travellers, plus outstanding conference and banqueting facilities, I am confident that Hotel Best Western Premier Panbil will become one of the Hotel Best Western Premier Panbil Premier Western Best Hotel

Rendering of HUALUXE Zhangjiakou Rendering of HUALUXE island’s most sought-after hotels.”

20 MAY 2017 15 RENDEZVOUS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

emirate in 2016, which amounts to a lers can kick off their journey at Al Majaz quarter, 25 percent of all inbound traf- Waterfront [...]. In addition to that, the fic. Asia, meanwhile, was the second- waterfront features an open-air Roman- largest source region with 404,960 visi- style amphitheatre that can accommo- tors to Sharjah in 2016 – accounting for date up to 4,500 spectators on Khalid 23 percent of all visitors to the emirate. Lagoon’s Al Majaz Island. Meanwhile, Al This constitutes a nine percent increase Qasba [...], is home to the 60m tall Eye of from the 370,528 Asian visitors who the Emirates Wheel. came to the emirate in 2015. [...] The recently completed Al Noor Is- land, engulfed in the emirate’s famed TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How impor- Khalid Lagoon, houses structures de- tant is it for Sharjah to promote cultur- signed to invoke nature, [including a al heritage alongside family tourism? Butterfly House] which harbours as many as 500 exotic butterflies brought H.E. KHALID JASIM AL MIDFA: Fami- from Far East Asian countries. [...] lies have been a major market segment For the outdoorsy and adventurous, for us and have continued to be the core the emirate offers water sports, snor- of our marketing strategy. We recognise kelling, and diving activities on its east that Sharjah is a perfect destination coast, where travellers have the option for people travelling as a family unit, to either camp on the beach or stay in due to its safety and good positioning any of the hotels that line the coast [...]. in terms of economic value. There is also so much to do for families, the 22 TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What can museums and other attractions offer families visiting Sharjah look forward edutainment opportunities not found to in the future? in other locations. The GCC remains an important market mainly due to the H.E. KHALID JASIM AL MIDFA: Sharjah synergy between our cultures. [...] will spend the next few years focussing Sharjah places a lot of emphasis on on its natural assets. The emirate has its signature tourist offering balancing placed large areas under environmental Q & A with culture and heritage on one hand, and protective measures and the authority family-centred offerings on the other. [...] has committed to promoting the oppor- Moreover, in April 2016, SCTDA tunities available for outdoor tourism. [...] launched Sharjah My Family Destina- H.E. KHALID JASIM AL MIDFA tion. The campaign, which aimed to TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: In 2016, how introduce new tourism offers and pack- many visitors did the emirate wel- CHAIRMAN, SHARJAH COMMERCE AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ages for families visiting Sharjah, was a come? clear testament to the emirate’s commitment to families as a core pillar of its H.E. KHALID JASIM AL MIDFA: Guests tourism strategy. [...] from all around the world spent a total WHEN TRAVELLING, THE IMPORTANCE of 4,021,069 nights in Sharjah’s hospital- TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How do ity establishments in 2016 – a 17 per- OF SHARING EXPERIENCES BECOMES Sharjah’s offerings set the destina- cent increase from 2015 – according to A FAMILY MATTER. SHARJAH OFFERS A tion apart from other MENA products statistics released by the SCTDA. and areas? Hotels and hotel apartments PLETHORA OF RETAIL AND CULINARY across Sharjah welcomed a combined OPTIONS AS WELL AS WATERSPORTS, H.E. KHALID JASIM AL MIDFA: Sharjah 1,779,446 guests in 2016, putting the AMONG OTHER ACTIVITIES. H.E. KHALID stands out from other destinations in the emirate-wide occupancy rate and gen- region as it blends the modern glittering erating AED685 million (USD 184.4 mil- JASIM AL MIDFA, CHAIRMAN, SHARJAH skyscrapers and ultra-luxury hotels that lion) in revenue. COMMERCE AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT are very characteristic of other Arabian AUTHORITY (SCTDA), SHEDS LIGHT Gulf destinations, with traditional – and even ancient structures – emblematic of ON HOW SHARJAH CATERS TO MENA destinations in the wider MENA region, TRAVELLING FAMILIES WHILST PROMOTING such as the old souks and the Al Hisn fort in the Heart of Sharjah, and the archaic ITS CULTURAL HERITAGE. relics of the Mleiha fort in the desert out- side the city [...].

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are Sharjah’s top inbound source markets? TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the must-sees in Sharjah? H.E. KHALID JASIM AL MIDFA: The GCC continues to dominate the list of Sharjah during Sharjah Light Festival Sharjah’s source regions for the tourism sector, sending 450,388 visitors to the H.E. KHALID JASIM AL MIDFA: Travel-

16 20 MAY 2017 www.traveltradeweekly.travel WEEKLY NEWS TRAVEL CHANNELS

Emirates Group Four Seasons Star Wars Welcomed Foreign Hotel Amman Marathon Athlete Delegates Supports Women Inspires All

overnmental representatives iming to support sustainable liveli- heelchair competitor Kurt Blank- from Australia and Greece met hoods for Jordanian communities, enship won the men’s push rim G with H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin A Four Seasons Hotel Amman has re- W wheelchair division of the Star Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO, The Emirates cently signed a partnership agreement with Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side at Walt Group, to strengthen the ties and dis- Jordan River Foundation (JRF). Disney World Resort on April 23, with a time cuss cooperation. The partnership engages the hotel’s of 1:27:46. During Arabian Travel Market, Al La Capitale restaurant, which launched a However, it was said that there was more Maktoum welcomed Australian del- year-long fundraising initiative in March, in to the achievement than the victory. egation headed by Steve Ciobo, trade, celebration of International Women’s Day. Having previously struggled to adjusting to tourism and investment minister, Aus- La Capitale adds a JOD 1 (USD1.41) to each being paralysed from the waist down after a car tralia, and discussed the airline's ongo- table bill to support JRF’s work matched the accident, his participation helped to educate ing contribution to trade and tourism amount raised in March. and inspire his wife and their three children, sectors in the country. The Greek gov- Enaam Barrishi, general director, JRF, who are each overcoming their own challenges ernment officials, led by Elena Koun- stated, “Four Seasons Hotel Amman's, [...], as a result of being born premature. tour, tourism minister, Greece, were continuous support to our work, helps us Blankenship took on the race to dem- received at the Embassy of Greece and achieve more, reach more and raise more onstrate resilience, in line with the athlete’s debated the opportunities to increase awareness on the important work JRF does views that his children’s medical challenges tourism flows between the UAE and in creating sustainable livelihoods for Jorda- motivate him to be an inspirational example Greece. nian communities.” of persistence and fortitude.

Sharjah during Sharjah Light Festival

20 MAY 2017 17 WHO’S MOVED www.traveltradeweekly.travel

HAREB AL MUHAIRY has be- EMILE SAADEH has been an- come senior vice president, UAE nounced as group director of and GCC sales at Etihad Aviation sales, leisure at City Seasons Group, moving from his previ- Hotel Group. ous role at the company of cor- Saadeh has an extensive back- porate and international affairs. ground in sales at interna- Al Muhairy first joined Etihad tional groups such as Crowne Airways in 2004, where he has Plaza and Al Habtoor Group. worked in a variety of posi- From 2013, Saadeh worked for tions including vice president Royal Rose Hotel Abu Dhabi, of corporate communications. first as sales manager before Furthermore, Al Muhairy held being promoted to cluster as- HAREB AL MUHAIRY

the position of vice president of EMILE SAADEH sistant director of sales, travel sales in the UAE, before moving trade in February 2016. to oversee corporate and inter- The appointment is part of the national affairs in 2015. group’s strategy to increase the number of leisure guests at the hotel. In his new role, Saadeh will be instrumental in devel- oping new markets that are not familiar with Dubai, such as Africa and South America.

Al Muhairy first joined Etihad Airways Saadeh will develop new in 2004 markets

AXEL BETHKE has been ap- ABOUDI ASALI has been pointed as general manager of named as CEO of Hospitality Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Management Holding, where Anantara, bringing 25 years of he will be responsiple for international hospitality expe- identifying growth opportu- rience to the role. nities in line with the group’s Passionate about the industry strategic vision. from a young age, Bethke has Since beginning his career at built his career in various posi- Four Seasons Hotel Boston tions in destinations such as Jor- in operations, Asali has accu- dan, Germany, Austria and the mulated in excess of 20 years US, including executive roles, of experience in the hospital- like his precedent post of gener- ity industry. He returned to AXEL BETHKE

al manager at a 471-key luxury ABOUDI ASALI the Middle East in 2002 and city hotel in Chengdu, China. As signed more than 40 hotels the seasoned professional with across the region during a proven track record of perfor- his time as vice president of mance, Bethke aims to enhance international lodging devel- the resort’s reputation while opment at Marriott Interna- driving its continuous growth tional. and success. Asali joins the company from Jumeirah Group, where he served as senior vice president of development, a role Bethke has built his in which he led the expansion career in various positions of Jumeirah and Venu brands.

18 20 MAY 2017 www.traveltradeweekly.travel PHOTO ALBUM

H.E. Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways and Fatma Samoura, secretary general, FIFA, at the signing of a sponsorship agreement, making the carrier an official partner and the official Etihad Aviation Group and Emirates Autism Society kick started airline of FIFA Autism Awareness Parade

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Send your photos to [email protected] Hamad International Airport successfully Handy Smartphone to be utilised within UAE's Because a picture is worth a thousand completed an full-scale emergency training hospitality sector words... exercise

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham JBR presented recognition to its top Sharjah Girl Guides celebrated the Emirati tradition of corporate partners Hag Al Lailah

20 MAY 2017 19 NEWS & EVENTS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

SCTH Promoted EVENTS Sustainable INTERCARE INTERNATIONAL Tourism MEDICAL TOURISM EXHIBITION

Milan, Italy audi Commission for Tour- May 25 – 27 ism and National Heritage www.inter-care.it (SCTH) recently commem- An opportunity for international orated International Year medical and tourism operators S to forge working relationships. of Sustainable Tourism for Develop- ment at the opening ceremony of the 10th Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market in Riyadh. Through a number of tourism INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE and cultural activities, programmes ON TOURISM TECHNOLOGY and media publications, the cel- ebrations were led by World Tourism Kochi, India Organization (UNWTO) in coopera- June 08 – 10 tion with government and tourism www.icttindia.org Speakers from across the authorities in an attempt to raise industry will share ideas on how awareness of the importance of to maximise online business. sustainable tourism for development while drawing attention to the potential of tourism to foster economic growth, job creation and investment.

ADIBF Attracted 300,000 Visitors

atering to readers of poetry, literature, and culture, the 27th edition of Abu Dhabi 22ND UNWTO GENERAL C International Book Fair ASSEMBLY (ADIBF) concluded on May 02, and Chengdu, China attracted over 300,000 visitors of all September 04 – 09 ages and nationalities. World Tourism Organization’s The book fair saw the participa- (UNWTO) annual meeting will tion of 1,320 exhibitors from 65 coun- bring together tourism officials tries, and was host to more than 900 and private sector leaders. seminars and discussions that attracted high attendance from local and international leaders and intellectuals. Commenting on the event, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, said, “The success of the fair is driven by the unprecedented levels of intellectual and cultural momentum that highlight the pres- tigious position Abu Dhabi holds as a leading international hub for literature."

20 20 MAY 2017