ATM Daily 2018 - Day 4

DAY 4 The global rise of halal travel Call for industry players to do more to attract the booming Muslim traveller market

Muslim traveller expenditure is on the rise, with more consumers in search of halal travel options. A panel of experts discussed the evolving trends in the Muslim traveller market, and the steps that the industry must take in order to target this dynamic demographic, during the second ATM Global Halal Tourism Summit.

In the Middle East alone, which is the largest market in terms of Muslim travel expenditure, the sector is valued at around US$61 billion (AED224 billion). In 2016, global Muslim travel spend was valued at US$169 billion (AED620 billion), the equivalent of 12 percent of total global spend, according to Thomson Reuters.

To put that into perspective, Muslim

travellers spent as much as all US travellers on outbound trips. It is estimated that Muslim travel expenditure will hit US$283 billion (AED1.039 billion) by 2022.

Halal travel is therefore a hospitality sector that businesses overlook at their peril. Yet, in a recent survey of 35,000 people by halal travel company Sociable Earth, 64 percent of respondents were not sure what the term halal travel meant, which suggests that there is work to be done within the industry to educate the public and capture the attention of Muslim travellers.

Omar Ahmed, founder of Sociable Earth, noted that the new generation has very different expectations to their parents and are generally more adventurous.

“Some 75 percent of the people we polled said they’d prefer to explore new destinations, as opposed to going back to their parents’ native countries,” he said.

“Muslim travellers are not so different from non-Muslim travellers. They want to explore, go hiking, go scuba diving, but at the end of an adventurous day, they simply have certain preferences, such as halal food or perhaps a visit to a local mosque.”

The survey revealed that for 62 percent of those polled, the availability of halal food was key, and a perceived lack of it would make them avoid a non-Muslim destination.

“Islam is the fastest growing religion

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Gathering momentum

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Regional pioneers

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JOURNEY INTO THE SPIRIT OF ARABIA.

launched in 2015, also saw exhibitors being evaluated across four other categories: Best Stand Design, Best Stand Feature, Best Stand Personnel and Best Stand Within the Travel Tech Show.

A four-strong judging panel of top industry and design professionals toured the show floor to determine the exhibitors who ticked all the boxes for the big win. The panel comprised Leo Fewtrell, Managing Partner, Gulf Reps; Nicholas Hall, CEO & Founder, SE1 Media; Pippa Jacks, Group CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Talking technology

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Standing out at ATM Another successful edition of Arabian Travel Market draws to a close today. Recognising the contribution made by exhibitors who pulled out all the stops to showcase their creative flair and business appeal, the winners of this year’s Best Stand Awards were announced during yesterday’s show.

Dubai Tourism bagged top honours, claiming the Best Stand for Doing Business award. Thanks to a well-planned and easy to navigate layout, the stand was abuzz with activity and allowed for the efficient presentation of services on offer.

The hotly anticipated awards, which

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Dubai Tourism

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Yas Marina Circuit

EXPERIENCE THE ROAR OF FORMULA 1® RACING Enjoy a variety of premium motorsport events, or take part in a driving experience in Yas Marina Circuit’s own fleet.

Visit us at Hall 2, Stand ME2350

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Warner Bros. WorldTM Abu Dhabi

Yas Marina

Prepare for a truly one-of-a-kind experience, at the world’s first-ever Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park that will feature 29 rides and attractions.

Yas Marina has 227 berths capable of mooring yachts of all sizes. On its beautiful boardwalk are seven restaurants and lounges, each offering a different cuisine, unique ambience and stunning views.

OPENING 25

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JULY 2018

The world's first Ferrari branded theme park offers 37 rides and attractions for the whole family including the world's fastest roller coaster.

DOCK, DINE AND DISCOVER

Abu Dhabi's largest mall, with an exciting range of enhanced shopping concepts, more than 400 retailers, a 20-screen VOX Cinema and Fun Works.

Yas Beach

Yas Island Hotels

A lengthy stretch of Yas Island’s pristine beach with kids splash pools to restaurants and beach bar, there is something for everyone.

From 3-5 stars, Yas Island’s range of internationally branded hotels provides 2200 rooms and more than 15 world class restaurants for you to choose from.

THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A GOOD TIME

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7 INTERNATIONAL HOTELS FOR GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

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Welcome

The global rise of halal travel CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

globally and the need for halal travel options among Muslims who have converted to the faith is especially strong,” said Maggie Bootsman, General Manager UAE, Travel Counsellors.

“The initial stages of embracing the faith can be a bit overwhelming with the sudden change in lifestyle. They need to know that travel can still be fun, adventurous and relaxing, without compromising their faith-based needs,” stressed Bootsman.

In addition, a lot more single Muslim women are seeking out travel experiences.

“Muslim women are travelling more and wanting to know that they can travel safely, and that their needs for prayer facilities, halal food and private areas can be accommodated,” she added.

Standing out at ATM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Lebanon

Editor, TTG Media Ltd and Matt Gibson, Travel Blogger, Writer and Photographer.

Commenting on Dubai Tourism’s winning stand, Gibson said: “It was an exceptionally good business stand with an effective and efficient set-up. One of the few stands to boast a triple-decker layout, Dubai Tourism attracted huge numbers of visitors throughout the event.”

Saudia

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This was supported by Elena Nikolova, founder of MuslimTravelGirl.com, who has also witnessed an increase in enquiries from young, single Muslim women looking to plan their travels.

So what are some of the best ways to market your product to modern Muslim travellers? Ahmed suggested it is essential to recognise the diversity of the Muslim travel market.

“There is no one-size fits-all brief,” he said. “For example, some halal travellers are more conservative than others.”

According to Tamara Tawil, Market Manager – Overseas Countries, Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation, social media is key to promoting a destination’s halal travel credentials.

Word-of-mouth recommendations are a deciding factor for many Muslims and social media is the platform for spreading the word to millennials, particularly those from the GCC region, panellists concurred.

“We ran a successful social media campaign to promote Geneva as a halal travel destination, from our halal restaurants to our family-friendly attractions and national mosques,” said Tawil.

“However, it is essential to communicate a destination as being Muslim-friendly, but without simply marketing it as a replica of a Muslim destination. Muslim travellers still want to experience something new.”

Celebrating the win, Ben Bawey, Social Media Community Executive, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing, said: “Through our stand we’ve been able to capture the true essence of Dubai with our stunning showcase of the iconic places that the millions of tourists who visit the emirate every year want to see.”

With an artistic layout and plenty of traditional touches across the stand, the Lebanon Ministry of Tourism won the award for Best Stand Design. The space featured a huge, old-fashioned front door with a staircase that led to a vibrant meeting space showcasing a unique combination of light and colour.

Jacks said: “ I was ver y impressed; the stand really stood out and presented a welcoming and homely feature.”

Hospitality is a big draw when it comes to doing business and the efforts made by every member of team Saudia – from the welcome hosts and executives to airline staff – ensured the brand was well represented on the show floor,

therefore taking home the award for Best Stand Personnel.

Fewtrell said: “The Saudia staff were excellent. Although the stand was very busy, they were welcoming, highly professional and very keen to demonstrate all amenities from first class through to economy.”

While every exhibitor put their best foot forward to attract visitors, one that undoubtedly created the biggest impact with their crowdengaging design was Turkey. An eye-catching stand with a buzzing vibe and intricate design elements including a Trojan horse statue and an ice cream stall, Turkey left no stone unturned to bring this vibrant destination to the show floor. Their incredible presentation was awarded Best Stand Feature.

Highlighting the importance of technology in the travel industry, ATM presents the award for the Best Stand within the Travel Tech Show to exhibitors who make creative use of their space while integrating advanced technological elements. This year, Travelport claimed the award for the category, thanks to its special feature that printed out photos tweeted by visitors to the stand.

The Czech Tourism Authority and Babylon stands also received special commendations “The fresh, innovative stand designs and concepts never cease to amaze and this year was no exception. These awards recognise the huge effort, investment and thought that go into creating and manning quality exhibitor space,” concluded Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market.

Contents 06 | News 14 | Tomorrow’s world

Latest tech developments 16 | Seminar schedule 18 | On track for Expo

The journey to Expo 2020 Dubai 20 | Making a mark

Corporate Social Responsibility 22 | Show in pics

This year’s exhibitor highlights 26 | Destination reports 30 | Vox pops 26

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The Arabian Travel Market show dailies are published on behalf of:

Gateway House 28 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1DN, United Kingdom  +44 (0) 20 8271 2158  arabian.helpline@reedexpo.co.uk  www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com The Arabian Travel Market logo, ATM and Hosted Buyer are trademarks of Reed Exhibitions Limited. RELX Group, RE symbol, Reed Exhibitions and Reed Travel Exhibitions are trademarks of RELX Group plc.

Published by: npimedia

PO Box 500573, Office 704, Executive Heights, Barsha Heights, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 4243640, Fax: +971 4 4327505 Email: enquiries@npimedia.com Web: www.npimedia.com

© Copyright The Arabian Travel Market show dailies is published by npimedia under licence from Reed Exhibitions Limited. The copyright in the design and content of the Arabian Travel Market show dailies is owned by npimedia, Reed Exhibitions Limited and its licensors. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, by any means – electronic, photocopying or otherwise - without the prior written permission of Reed Exhibitions Limited.

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News

Ajman bolsters its tourism offering New developments and attractions are helping the emirate entice more visitors A burgeoning tourism proposition is emerging in Ajman, aided by a host of modern developments and hotel openings. New attractions, retail expansions and a wide selection of activities are putting the emirate on the map and drawing in more visitors.

Numerous hotels and resorts have opened in recent months, including the five-star eco-destination Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah, Radisson Blu Ajman and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche.

These properties have helped play a major role in the emirate recording a 14 percent increase in the number of hotel guests in the first quarter of 2018.

“A fantastic selection of new tourist attractions have opened, or are underway, in Ajman,” said HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General, Ajman Tourism Development Department. “This is helping to highlight the emirate’s many landmarks as well as the assortment of resorts, hotels and new tours available to visitors.”

A recent $175 million (AED643 million) expansion at City Centre Ajman shopping complex has given the emirate’s retail sector a major boost. Completed late last year, and nearly doubling its size to 52,000 square metres, the development now features 150 retail and dining outlets, as well as an expanded VOX Cinema.

Ajman Festival Land, which opened in November last year, is another shopping and entertainment destination that is hugely important for the tourism push as it is projected to attract one million visitors in its first year.

Meanwhile, the recently completed Al Zorah Marina is home to a recreational park, a multitude of food and beverage outlets, and entertainment venues for all age groups. The 100,000 square metre development provides stunning views of the natural mangroves and white sand beaches that surround the area.

Hospitality Management Holding targets further growth across the GCC

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry

The emirate has also launched The Ajman Pearl Journey experience, a host of kayaking tours through the mangroves, and regular flights on its Cessna Caravan Seaplanes, which provide a unique chance to see all Ajman has to offer from the air.

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The Indian Hotels Company Limited to open first hotel in Saudi Arabia The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) announced its first foray into Saudi Arabia with a Taj hotel set to open in Makkah in early 2023.

Entering into a partnership with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction Company, the hotel will be situated within the King Abdul Aziz Road project, one of the largest urban rejuvenation developments in the city.

The hotel will boast 340 rooms, banqueting facilities and several restaurants. In addition, it will be conveniently situated within walking distance of the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram), the main attraction for more than six million pilgrims

Homegrown hotel brand Hospitality Management Holding (HMH) has announced ambitious expansion plans as it looks to build on its current portfolio of more than a dozen properties.

Specialising in the dry segment, HMH is firmly established as the region’s largest operator in the sector and caters to everything from luxury to budget across its five complementary hotel brands. These are: Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels.

“HMH has grown significantly in the last 15 years and our strategy is to consolidate further growth in Saudi Arabia whilst also developing our own properties here in the UAE,” said Aboudi Asali, CEO of HMH. “With three openings scheduled for the remainder of 2018, and with a pipeline of hotels under development

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to grow HMH’s regional footprint even further, consolidating our position in the market place is a strategic necessity.

“It is also fundamental to our success to be as diverse as the market demands because the luxury of focusing on one area has long since passed.

Now you have to attract corporate, family and weekend leisure guests.”

While the brand has plans to expand within the UAE, it is also acutely aware of the challenges that come with opening in such a crowded market.

However, they believe attracting local residents for short breaks will help deliver strong occupancy rates.

“The challenge is rate retention, so it is essential to run campaigns such as our ‘staycation 4 family’ as our success is based on the diversity of our business,” added Asali.

who visit the city each year.

Commenting on the agreement, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO, IHCL, said: “We are honoured to partner with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction Company. This signing is aligned with our strategy of a strong focus on global growth markets and we are committed to expanding our presence in the MENA region.”

This hotel will be IHCL’s fourth venture in the MENA region, with the company already managing Taj Dubai.

It will also open another two hotels in Dubai within the next 12 to 18 months.

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News

Cruise industry set to boom in the Middle East With more cruise ships than ever before sailing around the globe, and with each company providing a varied offering that appeals to people of all ages, there has never been a better time to grow the cruise market in the Middle East.

That is the opinion of the panel of experts who yesterday took part in a

lively session entitled ‘Sea of Change’, which examined all aspects of the region’s outbound cruise market.

Highlighting the room for growth, Kyriakos Anastassiadis, CEO and Chairman, Celestyal Cruises, said: “Every year 1.3 billion people go on holiday, yet only 27 million choose to

go on a cruise. Also the global fleet is just 400 vessels, but there are now 96 on order from ship yards and 90 have the capacity to hold 5,000 passengers. That speaks of the interest of people who want to go cruising.”

The panel also commented on how changing people’s perception of cruises

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is vital, with many still assuming that these type of holidays are merely for the older generation and that they will be stuck on the ships for days on end.

“If you went on a cruise ship 25 years ago, the likelihood of meeting young people was very small and it was largely retirees,” added Anastassiadis. “Now things have changed phenomenally. Today it is for all ages and it is crossing generations, especially in the Middle East, where people tend to holiday as a family.”

Mohamed Saeed, General Manager - Middle East, Royal Caribbean International, added: “Now every brand has a different message and product. The Middle East is all about families and travelling in big groups so we have family-orientated cruises, while there are also plenty that cater to young people.

“We are like a city at sea as there is just so much for people to do.

Also, we offer all sorts of packages now, so whereas once it was just a trip to Europe, we now offer threeday cruises or long trips to Alaska, which is growing in popularity.

“We have been knocking on the door since 1997, so it has taken a very long time to raise awareness.

But now people in the region are beginning to see the benefit of exploring numerous cities and even countries, with one single price as well, which is extremely reasonable.”

VisitBritain extends its reach to Middle East visitors online The national tourism board for Britain has partnered with online travel platform tajawal.ae on a joint marketing campaign targeting customers in the Middle East.

The new strategy, featuring a video series, is part of VisitBritain’s global campaign, “I Travel For…” which launched earlier this year and showcases the experiences and iconic landmarks that can only be found in Britain.

VisitBritain Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa Interim Director, Tricia Warwick said: “Our campaign inspires

people to book a trip to Britain and experience all it has to offer, from taking a ‘Rocket’ boat down the Thames in London or having a tour of Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, to learning the ancient art of falconry in Edinburgh. “ “We are pleased to be working with tajawal to amplify our global marketing reach and to showcase how accessible Britain is for visitors from the GCC.” VISIT STAND EU6830

China targets major increase in overseas visitors As China bids to welcome more inbound tourists in the coming years, a greater emphasis has been placed on showcasing the country’s rich history, numerous cultural attractions and ultramodern cities.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism was formed in March to help increase visitor numbers, while numerous fivestar hotels and luxury developments are opening across the country.

“China has more than 3,500 years of history so we have so many attractions for people to explore,” said Zhou Zheng, Deputy Director, China National Tourist

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Office in Singapore. “We have so many cultural sites that are not to be missed, while our great public transport makes it easy to navigate the country.

“It is also a very safe place to visit and recently we have even formed a tourism police force who will work across the vast majority of the provinces in China.

“Hopefully by being at ATM we can showcase just some of what China has to offer and convince people that one visit is simply not enough. To truly experience it all, people must visit at least 30 times.”

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News

Ras Al Khaimah a millennial magnet

Ascott to bring artificial intelligence to the Middle East The world’s largest serviced residence provider, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is trialling artificial intelligence to create more efficient operations.

Ascott has conducted tests in China involving service robots, and if the trials are deemed successful, then the technology could make its way to the Middle East.

The company is now looking for Middle East partners to provide robotics expertise in the region.

“Ascott is leading the way in exploring new technologies across the serviced residence sector and we are following the progress at our Chinese

properties with interest,” said Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Regional GM for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

The robots being tested can move around independently within the properties and, perhaps most usefully, can deliver items such as groceries to apartments.

They can also provide information about facilities within the property, essentially playing the role of concierge.

So far the robots have carried out 165,000 service tasks at trial properties, with 98.64 percent deemed successful.

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In a bid to build on its fast-growing tourism credentials, millennials have become a key market for Ras Al Khaimah tourism.

With a growing adventure offering, including the recent launch of the world’s longest zip line in the Hajar Mountains, the emirate has ample opportunities for climbers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

It is also rich in history and culture with an ancient heritage that underpins the modern side of the up-and-coming destination.

“Ras Al Khaimah has what it takes when it comes to ticking all of the the millennial boxes,” said Haitham Mattar, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

“They want authenticity and the emirate has it in spades. They want meaningful, off-the-radar experiences and the ability to connect with culture, which again we excel in, and they have a desire to soak up natural sights, which is a key pillar of our offering.”

Quickly becoming one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the Middle East, Ras Al Khaimah is targeting 18 to 34 year olds.

Mattar added: “We believe the millennial factor will not only win us

Dubai Airport continues to soar For the fourth year in a row, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has retained its position as the world’s number one airport for international passengers.

Annual traffic for 2017 reached 88.2 million passengers, according to the annual traffic report issued by operator Dubai Airports.

The figure broke down to 7.35 million passengers per month throughout the year, including record months in January, July and August, when traffic breached the eight million passenger mark.

Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, said: “It was a very successful year for Dubai Airport

DXB as we not only achieved robust growth in traffic to solidify our position as the world’s number one international airport, but also delighted our customers with a range of new and exciting services and innovative products.

“We made passenger journeys through the facility smoother, reducing waiting times by deploying cutting-edge technology to track and manage queues in real time, as well as enabling the use of Emirates ID at smart gates for UAE residents.

“We also launched WOW-Fi, the world’s fastest free airport Wi-Fi,

followed by free streaming movies for our passengers through our partnership with ICFlix.

“With passenger traffic expected to reach 90.3 million in 2018, our focus is on the DXB Plus programme, which aims to expand the airport’s annual capacity to 118 million passengers through process improvements and the use of new technology,” added Griffiths.

India continued its dominant run as the single largest destination country for DXB with 12,060,435 passengers in 2017, up 5.4 percent on 2016.

The UK claimed the second spot with 6,466,404 passengers, overtaking Saudi Arabia which recorded 6,364,598 passengers.

Markets showing the most significant growth during the year included Russia, with passenger numbers surging 28 percent, and China with 2,212,179 passengers, up 19.4 percent over 2016.

Elsewhere, DXB welcomed six new scheduled passenger airlines during the year including SalamAir, Badr Airlines and Air Moldova, while home-based carriers Emirates and flydubai added three and 10 new passenger destinations and increased frequency capacity on 31 and 22 routes respectively.

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more vacationers, but also go some way to enticing investors into the emirate, which has the space and ideal surroundings for signature mountain retreats and activities.

“The industry recognises that this group is no longer low-yield backpackers, but affluent and informed travellers.”

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Patchi to expand operations in the UAE Luxury chocolatier Patchi announced plans to open a new manufacturing plant that will help double the company’s production in the UAE. Making the announcement during ATM, Oussama Choucair, CEO, Patchi UAE, said: “We have set our future expansion plans in the UAE to align with the new developments and the expected urban and demographic shifts which will take place in the coming years.

“This includes the opening of our manufacturing plant, which is on schedule to open in the first quarter of 2019.”

Patchi currently has 35 stores across the UAE, three of which opened in the first quarter of 2018. It also has outlets in Thailand, Oman and Lebanon, with plans in place to enter new markets in the near future.

The company’s portfolio includes world-renowned clients in a number of key sectors such as automotive and hospitality, including Atlantis The Palm and Jumeirah Group .

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Tea Plantation at Pangalengan, Bandung

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A majestic panorama with a soothing sphere From the refreshing panorama of the luscious landscape to the wholehearted local wisdom, everything feels harmonious in Bandung.

You can explore Braga to witness majestic heritages spread all across the street, enjoy hiking Mount Tangkuban Perahu, visit Saung Angklung Udjo to experience a glance of our graceful culture, and numerous other stopovers you can discover. Spiced up with heavenly dishes that will tantalize your taste bud and everything you’d never imagine, you’ll be showered with a whole sensory indulgence in Indonesia. Travel around and experience a remarkable journey in the land of endless wonders.

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4/17/18 11:07 AM

News

ATM THROUGH THE YEARS

2012

The inaugural United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Arabian Travel Market industry forum takes place

2017

ILTM Arabia launches as an exclusive event for those looking to attract high net worth travellers from the Middle East

2018

The first ATM Student Conference is held, providing a greater understanding of the industry and its potential career paths

Indian region showcases its charms at ATM

The idyllic area of Madhya Pradesh has been highlighted in a tourism drive during the show Keen to attract Middle East travellers, Madhya Pradesh has been highlighting its extraordinary wildlife and heritage during this year’s ATM. Known as ‘The Incredible Heart of India’, the region is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, vibrant festivals and some of the world’s most amazing tiger reserves.

Just a short distance from the UAE, Madhya Pradesh is a wellestablished favourite among domestic travellers and is becoming increasingly popular with foreign tourists.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has embarked upon a project to promote its diverse riches, natural beauty and unique tourist experiences to the Middle East market. Travellers can discover mighty mountain ranges, meandering rivers and miles of forests. Madhya Pradesh also boasts 25 sanctuaries, 10 national parks and six tiger reserves, as well as exotic flora and fauna.

Visitors can unearth the original

Alpha Destination Management poised for greater growth

Alpha Destination Management, one of the GCC’s leading companies in the tourism sector, has announced major expansion plans as it targets a significant increase in revenue for 2018.

The company is placing a particular emphasis on the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany and GCC countries as it attempts to grow its global network.

Samir Hamadeh, General Manager, Alpha Destination Management, said: “We expect to see a 14 percent increase in revenue this year from

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recent business deals, including the Expedia Local Expert agreement.

“Our continued success is fuelled by our extensive local and global knowledge, combined with a wide network of international partners.

“Globally people are looking for authentic, curated experiences with value-added packages and our aim is to meet regional and international expectations.”

While there is a focus on destinations within Europe, the company has also increased its offering in the UAE with more helipad locations.

“Dubai is a major attraction hub for tourists and we are eager to capitalise on this massive opportunity,” added Hamadeh.

“Our helicopter services are doing very well, and we have added more helipad locations in Dubai and other emirates.”

Alpha Destination Management has also developed a new online portal for the B2B segment as it looks to grow the digital side of its business.

story of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’, which drew inspiration from the area. Additionally, there are excellent accommodation options and a rich set of traditional culinary experiences to discover.

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Brand new Atlantis resort for China After a long-awaited opening, Atlantis Sanya, a flagship resort on Hainan Island, has welcomed its first guests.

China’s first integrated entertainment resort, the property is also the first Atlantis resort in China, located on the Haitang Bay National Coast.

Serge Zaalof, Chief Operating Officer, Atlantis Resorts & Residences, said: “The Atlantis brand is known for unique, oceanthemed destinations offering a wide variety of entertainment experiences and Atlantis Sanya is no exception. We have created a resort that offers unprecedented experiences to its guests.”

Heiko Schreiner, Managing Director, Atlantis Sanya, added: “When you combine 1,314 guestrooms including 154 suites, five of which are underwater suites, and an incredible water park, we know we are giving people unparalleled experiences that are new to Hainan Island and China.”

During their stay, guests can choose from a host of first-class facilities, take their pick from 21 restaurants, cafes, lounges, and bars, or head to the luxurious AHAVA spa to unwind.

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News

Mövenpick sets sustainability standards

Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal

Abu Dhabi on course for success at sea

For the second year in a row, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has been named the world’s most sustainable hotel group by certification body Green Globe.

More than half of Mövenpick’s certified properties worldwide achieved Gold status – reserved for hotels and resorts that have achieved Green Globe certification for five years or more.

Olivier Chavy, President & CEO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, said: “Adhering to Green Globe’s stringent criteria not only ensures we can legitimately meet our ambitions to protect and contribute to the destinations where our hotels and resorts are located, but also assures guests they are staying with a truly green hotel group.”

As part of Green Globe’s evaluation,

the hotels were audited across 385 performance indicators, with each property required to have an active Sustainability Management Plan.

An in-house green team implements this plan at each Green Globe-certified Mövenpick property, with standout examples including Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport in Germany for cutting energy consumption by 36 percent, and Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate in Dubai, which achieved an annual waste reduction of 60 metric tonnes.

“This year is an important milestone on the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts sustainability journey,” said Green Globe CEO Guido Bauer.

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Capital’s cruise industry poised for growth Cruise tourism in Abu Dhabi is preparing for another buoyant season as the industry in the emirate continues to go from strength to strength.

In recent years, Abu Dhabi has emerged as the leading cruise destination in the region, with over 329,105 cruise tourists visiting during the 2017 season.

Additions to the emirate’s offering, such as the Sir Bani Yas Cruise stopover, have helped increase the popularity of the destination, while local touches for passengers on arrival include falconry shows and unique entertainment.

Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal

Activities in Abu Dhabi

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HE Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Tourism Sector, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “The cruise tourism sector is growing steadily, fuelled by marketing and promotional initiatives locally, regionally and globally.

“The emirate also offers world-class facilities, including the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal located close to the centre of the capital in Zayed Port and within easy reach of Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the Sir Bani Yas Island Cruise Beach Stopover on Sir Bani Yas Island, a one-of-itskind island in the Arabian Gulf which is considered one of the world’s leading sustainable destinations for tourism.

“We are looking forward to propelling further growth in the number of cruise ships and visitors during the 2017-2018 season, which will welcome four new cruise lines docking in the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal for the first time ever,” he added.

Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Executive Vice President, Ports, Abu Dhabi Ports, added: “Abu Dhabi Ports, via its subsidiary Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal and Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach, offers exciting opportunities for tourists to discover cultural and fun landmarks in Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE, in appealing surroundings.

Thanks to the efforts of government entities, Abu Dhabi is now a key player on the global tourism map.”

VISIT STAND ME2115, ME2250

Sharjah welcomes tourist increase As Sharjah’s tourism proposition continues to flourish, a series of new developments is set to take the visitor experience to a new level.

Among the attractions in the pipeline over the next few years are stunning desert resort Al Badayer Oasis and eco-tourism project Kalba Kingfisher Lodge. There is also a host of new hotels slated to open, including business property Novotel Sharjah Expo and Majlis Grand Mercure Sharjah – Resort & Spa, the first arts and culture themed five-star resort in the emirate.

This comes as Sharjah has witnessed stellar growth in its tourism numbers, and a particular rise in European visitors, with hotels in

Sharjah receiving 468,043 guests from Europe in 2017, a 36.1 percent growth on 2016, accounting for 26 percent of the total guests in the emirate.

To welcome the rising visitor numbers to the UAE’s third largest emirate, a major master development plan at Sharjah International Airport is also well underway.

The airport saw a 12 percent increase in passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2016, marking its busiest three months ever. The airport saw a further 4.3 percent increase in passenger traffic in January of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

VISIT STAND ME4110

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4/18/18 4:12 PM

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FEATURE - Technology

By Vineetha Menon

Tomorrow’s world

As the latest tech developments continue to change all aspects of travel, we look at the top innovations disrupting the industry Virtual reality headsets as destination brochures, chatbots acting as concierges and smart hotel rooms tailored to the demands of each guest; the travel and tourism industry has firmly embraced the digital revolution in recent years.

Hotel chains and travel specialists are all competing to incorporate the Paul Richer

latest technological advances as they bid to offer clients a fully tailored experience. And that’s nowhere more the case than in the Middle East where a young, tech savvy population, with the highest smartphone penetration in the world, expects the latest tech as a matter of course.

However, in order to truly be ahead of the game, it is vitally important that the key players not only select the most beneficial advances, but also adopt them in a meaningful way. With that in mind, we take an expert look at some of the top tech impacting the industry this year.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) Paul Richer, who founded travel technology consultancy Genesys, believes that the most significant technology coming to the fore this year is artificial intelligence.

He says: “Big data is now taken for granted and not much mentioned, but actually it is the foundation upon which AI can be applied.

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“AI and its use in revenue management to better predict room rates for revenue maximisation is definitely on the cards for this year.”

For Richer, the main reason AI is becoming vitally important is its ability to effectively ‘learn’ through data analysis. This can benefit the hotel and its customers, whether it is adjusting room rates or adapting to guests’ needs by offering customised menus and unique deals.

Much of this personal information could be acquired through reservation and online forms, though beacon technology is also seen as a potentially important tool. This would detect a customer’s smartphone and track their movements throughout a resort. Both Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott International have tested the technology, which can inform housekeepers when guests are out of the room, for example, and also allow tailored local offers to be suggested.

SERVICE AUTOMATION Providing information for a guest is vital and yet still there are numerous hotel brands that rely on an old-fashioned binder. These could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to advancements in technology meaning guests can use chatbots as e-concierges.

As well as processing requests, the same technology will also be used for myriad purposes, such as to control the curtains, alter the temperature in rooms and set alarms. AccorHotels, whose brands include Novotel, Sofitel and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, has already launched an intelligent chatbot called ‘Phil Welcome’ that was created to help anticipate guests’ needs.

Richer warns, however, that luxury brands may not necessarily want to fully embrace the technology, as the personal approach is still very important.

He said: “A budget hotel chain can be highly automated and this will be appreciated. A five-star plus hotel will also need to offer a high level of automation, but must also excel at personal service readily.”

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With tech giants Google and Apple using the technology on their latest handsets, Augmented Reality is coming into the mainstream

MOBILE INTEGRATION It could soon be possible to plan and execute an entire trip without ever having to interact with another person.

While visiting a travel agent has largely faded away in favour of online portals, now even a customer’s hotel stay could be customised via a mobile phone.

Brands are exploring how everything from check-in, to unlocking the room door, ordering room service, payments and even interactions with members of staff can be completed using a mobile.

“Every hotel should have a mobile strategy in place,” says Richer.

“Mobile is simply the future until

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the next revolution comes along – perhaps implanted technology? But hotel guests need not be concerned about invasion of privacy - as our society becomes more and more connected we are increasingly sharing private information.”

AUGMENTED AND VIRTUAL REALITY A few years ago it seemed as though it would be virtual reality taking the hospitality world by storm. It presented a unique way to sell a premium hotel room or a resort experience with travel agents, wholesalers and event planners embracing the technology. But Richer

does not believe it will have the same impact as first believed.

“I see VR as some way off being a must-have technology,” he says. “Of course, it is vital that a hotel displays itself to the best of its ability, but it might be that a photo gallery is still the most convenient way for potential customers to view your hotel.”

Instead, Richer feels Augmented Reality (AR) is expected to explode onto the hospitality scene. With tech giants Google and Apple using the technology on their latest handsets, AR is coming into the mainstream. For travel companies, this means creating

apps that can direct travellers to destinations and advise them based on what is around them. When it comes to hotels, they can boost their offering through the use of interactive elements throughout the resort.

At the Hub Hotel from Premier Inn in the UK, guests can point their smartphone at a wall map to see information about local places of interest.

While the recently opened Dubai Frame is already using the technology to show what the emirate might look like in the future, and it may not be long before the same interactive screens are available in hotels across the Middle East.

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Seminar Schedule

Travel Tech Theatre

Sponsored by

Wednesday 25th April 11.00-11.30 Value of Customer Data across the Guest Journey Most hoteliers aren’t taking advantage of the data asset they already have. In this session, Revinate’s Rani Croshal will outline how hotels can benefit from guest data to drive revenue and enhance the guest journey. Through real-world examples, she will showcase how to collect, analyse and interpret data that Revinate provides for hotels to improve business and guest satisfaction results. Hoteliers will walk away with actionable insights on how data can help (or hurt) their business.

Speakers: Rani Croshal, Sr. Director Customer Success, Revinate

11.45-12.45 Vlogging And Podcasting Are Taking Over The Internet, And It’s A Great Opportunity For Your Brand Online video and podcasts are rapidly becoming the most-consumed forms of media on the internet, but relatively few travel brands have committed to long-term video and podcast strategies.

This panel of experienced creators will discuss the wild growth of audio and video consumption, why the fields are still wide open for new voices, how they’ve cultivated their success, and how your brand can get ahead of the curve by creating its own content and collaborating with professional creators.

Moderator: Matt Gibson, CEO, UpThink, Outbound President, PBTA Speakers: Reem A-Hameed, Co-Founder, CollectiveBKP; Omar Tom, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Cause Culture; Thuymi Do, Co-Founder, AdventureFaktory 13.00-14.00 Rebooting the Travel Industry: Driving Automation and International Growth Increasingly, travel industry players and aggregators rely on automation and managing big data to attract clients and source deals from providers in aviation and hotel space. One of the important integration points that deserves

attention is enabling an end-to-end financial and operational automation to manage FX risk and provide your clients currencies of their choice, find areas to enhance your margins and build trust into your sourcing with flexible payment options. Citi specialises in this space with solutions tailored to travel industry models, delivering operational efficiency and improving working capital to give your business global scalability, rapid growth and investor value.

Speakers: Dinesh Daphale, Director and Head of Cash Management (EMEA), Citi Commercial Bank; Piotr Tyminski, Head of Digital (EMEA), Citi Commercial Bank

Showcase Theatre Wednesday 25th April 10.15-11.15 ATM Career in Travel - How to gain a career in the industry Hear from leading professionals on how to make it or break it in the industry and their individual experiences.

Moderator: Sarakshi Rai, Online Editor, Hotelier Middle East Speakers: Abdo Basmaji, Travel Counsellor; Alessandro Cabella, Area General Manager, Jumeirah Group, Fathuma Hamzi, Cluster Director of Human Resources, Radisson Blu 11.30-12.15 Developing Tourism Skills and Employment Opportunities in Travel & Tourism The MENA countries have growing populations and large numbers of young people looking for meaningful and well-paid employment. The travel and tourism sector offers a wide range of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people. There are many opportunities in rural areas where the sector can create worthwhile employment for young people, removing the incentive to move away from their

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communities to the cities. This panel composed of educators and trainers and employers will focus on training the next generation to make travel, tourism and hospitality their career - and show how it can be made attractive to young people and their parents.

Moderator: Chris Warren, ICRT Australia Speakers: Aline Barhouche, Area Director Human Resources for Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Radisson Hotels; Koray Genckul, Senior Director Human Resources MEA & Turkey, Hilton; Heidi van der Watt, Director Better Tourism Africa; Samir Arora, General Manager, The Retreat Palm Dubai 12.30-13.30 ATM Career in Travel - How to create your own job in the travel and tourism industry Hear from leading entrepreneurs in the industry who will inspire with their journeys to success.

Moderator: Eddie Taylor, Editor, Arabian Business Speakers: Rana Dababneh, Founder, Pomalo travel; Heba Bin Redha, Co-founder of Emirati Kashtas

4/24/18 11:04 PM

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4/17/18 11:07 AM

18

Feature - Expo 2020

On track for Expo As the journey to Expo 2020 Dubai gathers momentum, we look at the progress being made towards staging the mega event 1

As Expo 2020 Dubai looms large with preparations well underway, efforts are intensifying to ensure the landmark event leaves a meaningful, long-lasting and multi-layered impact on the emirate and beyond.

Both leisure and business tourism are set to skyrocket accordingly, as an immediate boost comes during the six months of the event itself. Up to 25 million visitors are expected to attend the expo, which welcomes its first guests on October 20, 2020 and comes to a close on April 10, 2021. Seventy percent of attendees are predicted to come from outside the UAE, the highest ever percentage of external visitors for a world expo.

With a plan very much focused on providing a lasting framework for the city, the emirate is set to benefit from refreshed infrastructure, sleek and ultramodern event spaces at the expo site in Dubai South, and a major boost to Dubai’s international profile. To ensure this legacy, painstaking planning is feeding into everything from laying the foundations of the venues to ensuring the right partnerships are in place throughout the region and beyond.

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BUILDING AN EXPO Preparations began as soon as Dubai won the right to host the event in 2013, fending off strong competitors such as Sao Paulo in Brazil and Yekaterinburg in Russia.

After the announcement was made, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, set out the emirate’s ambitions for the event and promised that Dubai would “astonish the world” with its offering.

He said: “Expo 2020 Dubai will breathe new life into the ancient role of the Middle East as a melting pot of cultures and creativity.”

In October 2017, representatives from 29 nations had confirmed their attendance at the event, from Azerbaijan and Cuba to the Czech Republic and Yemen. More than 150 countries have since agreed their participation at the expo, which will be the first edition to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.

For Marjan Faraidooni, Senior Vice President, Legacy Impact and Development, Expo 2020 Dubai, the event will provide “an incredible platform to showcase everything that Dubai has to offer to a global audience, who in turn will return home and share their incredible experience with millions more”.

The 438-hectare expo site is poised to be an impressive space, located close to Dubai World Central airport. The plot will house three themed districts titled Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability – subheadings of the event’s ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ theme – as well as 180 country pavilions.

More than 7.4 million work hours have already been tallied on the site, and last October, Expo 2020 Dubai organisers released photographs showing the first pavilions emerging above ground level. Participating countries will build some of the pavilions themselves, while Expo 2020 Dubai is constructing others to be rented. All heavy construction is due to be completed by October 2019.

Al Wasl Plaza (meaning ‘connection’ in Arabic) will sit at the heart of the

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Expo 2020 Dubai will breathe new life into the ancient role of the Middle East as a melting pot of cultures and creativity”

1 District 2020 rendering 2 Rendering of dome at Al Wasl Plaza 3 Marjan Faraidooni 4 Sustainability Pavilion rendering 5 Mobility Pavilion rendering 6 Al Wasl Plaza rendering

site, accessible through four entrances.

An entertainment hub that can accommodate events of up to 15,000 people, it will boast a large translucent dome onto which projections can be screened.

During the event, basement areas beneath the site will be home to an underground road and railway network supporting day-to-day logistics. Directly opposite Al Wasl Plaza will be the UAE Pavilion, which will showcase the nation’s heritage and achievements.

Already contributing greatly to the emirate’s economy, the expo awarded Dubai-based firm Arabtec Construction the US$96.1 million (AED393 billion) contract to build the 15,000 square metre structure – adding to the US$1.5 billion (AED5.5 billion) worth of contracts that have been secured to date for Expo 2020 Dubai.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are being prioritised and have won more than half of the 2,247 contracts, which have been handed out so far. Opportunities for retailers will include food and beverage sales, which will be worth more than US$540 million (AED2 billion)

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What happens after Expo 2020 Dubai has been integral to our planning from the very beginning”

at the event, as well as merchandising and licensing options. More than 5,000 types of officially licensed products will be sold on-site at the 3,000 square metre Superstore of the Future, encompassing the Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability sub-themes, with fragrances and luxury items among the goods on offer.

Another noteworthy feature in Dubai South is the Sustainability Pavilion, which will explore ways to harvest energy from sunlight and fresh water from humid air, using photosynthesis as an inspiration.

Adjacent to the site, the Expo Village is being built as a residential community for delegates and other visiting officials.

The project will comprise five 16-storey towers containing almost 2,300 apartment units. The site will also be linked to the Dubai Metro’s Red Line, which is being extended by more than nine miles. The US$3 billion (AED11 billion) project, known as Route 2020, will create five new overground and two underground stations running from Nakheel Harbour and Tower station to the site.

Other areas to be covered are Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Investments Park. The new stretch of the driverless line is expected to begin operations in May 2020, and will be capable of transporting 46,000 passengers per hour in both directions.

LEAVING A LEGACY Planning is already well underway to ensure Expo 2020 Dubai leaves a positive lasting imprint on the emirate. The approach is part of a broader plan for the UAE to diversify into a knowledge-based economy.

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Faraidooni explains: “What happens after Expo 2020 Dubai has been as integral to our planning from the very beginning as what happens during its six-month duration.

“We are committed to building a legacy that is meaningful, sustainable and long lasting, extending its impact and benefits beyond the UAE to the wider region and to the rest of the world.

“As such, Expo’s legacy plan will make an impact across four key areas: physical, economic, social and reputational.

“An important part of this will be the post-expo site, District 2020, which was recently unveiled. Following the event, District 2020 will flourish as a home for innovators, original thinkers and pioneers. District 2020 will be a mixed-use community where people and businesses can come together to connect, create and innovate.

“At the heart of District 2020 will be several neighbourhoods that combine offices, collaborative workspaces, social and cultural institutions, parks, residential communities, and a host of business and leisure amenities.”

The District 2020 plan will see approximately 80 percent of the Expo 2020 Dubai site redeveloped and re-purposed for future use, including all of its assets and infrastructure. The mixeduse development will comprise 65,000 square metres of residential space, 135,000 square metres of commercial space and 44,900 square metres of green parkland. A major part of District 2020 will be conference and exhibition centre CoEx. Faraidooni says: “The new centre, which is being developed by Dubai World Trade Centre, will have a final build-out of 180,000 square metres.

“CoEx will offer a full range of multipurpose event and exhibition spaces, including state-of-the-art exhibition and conference halls, meeting rooms, and food and beverage opportunities. It will also have built-in flexibility to cater for the growth in international business events and business tourism traffic to Dubai.

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“Having this type of facility in an incredible location such as District 2020 will be a major boost for Dubai’s MICE sector in particular. CoEx will be a huge draw for business tourism, hosting events throughout the year.”

Al Wasl Plaza will continue to serve as a world-class event space, while the Sustainability Pavilion will become the Children and Science Centre, offering youngsters an enthralling and educational experience.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, German conglomerate Siemens AG became the first private entity to confirm it would set up a headquarters for airports, cargo and ports logistics on the site, while professional services company Accenture has also announced plans to set up a digital hub there.

Faraidooni says: “The cuttingedge physical and digital infrastructure created for the expo, as well as its location, will make it an ideal place to live and work, as well as visit.”

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Feature - CSR 1

Making a mark

Corporate Social Responsibilty is taking on even greater importance across the region, as it impacts directly on the sustainable travel movement No longer a token mention on company strategy documents, Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR) is becoming a key priority for brand growth and awareness as the trend towards sustainability across the tourism industry gathers pace.

A well thought out CSR strategy is now more necessary than ever, as companies strive to push past the status quo to advocate for solutions around issues such as climate change, education, poverty and human rights.

Wider global trends within CSR include re-framing social responsibility in favour of a focus on social impact, and spreading the message about CSR by sharing meaningful ‘stories’ around activities.

With a concerted effort to move away from just talking about social

responsibility in the region to taking concerted action, we look at some of the best practices at leading tourism and hospitality companies in the Middle East.

REGIONAL PIONEERS In recent years, Dubai has been working towards becoming one of the world’s most sustainable tourism destinations.

Its Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) initiative is making great strides towards reducing the tourism industry’s carbon footprint. To raise awareness of its green agenda within hotels and resorts, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) also devised a Hospitality Sustainability Board Game – an educational tool, designed in collaboration with Emirates 2

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Wildlife Society, to help hoteliers gain insight into best green practices and achieve sustainability goals.

It is reaping rewards, with the city’s leading hotels focusing their attention on turning green and aiding local communities. For example, Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel – which won the ‘Most Sustainable Five-Star City Hotel in Dubai’ award at the 2017 Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards – champions a carbon footprint calculator pilot scheme, which closely monitors the amount of harmful CO2 that the hotel releases into the environment.

Elsewhere, UAE-based hotel management company TIME Hotels is regarded as a sustainability pioneer in the region, being one of the first hotels to be Green Globe Certified (2012). TIME has since been awarded the prestigious eco-label Green Key, governed by the Foundation for Environmental Education. To maintain its Green Key recognition, the hotel has to adhere to the highest environmental standards, maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent audits.

Beyond the accolades, TIME Hotels has also introduced a plethora

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4 1 Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai 2 TIME Oak Hotel & Suites, Dubai 3 Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards 4 Radisson BluPlanet Infographic 5 Tristan de la Porte du Theil 6 Eddie Ignatius

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of fresh new ideas that cement its commitment to sustainability.

“We have introduced a number of initiatives over the recent years, including growing our own vegetables in our own organic urban garden.

Another one we are proud of is the carbon offsetting initiative. Essentially, each guest is invited to donate a small amount of money to offset the carbon emissions they have generated during their stay with us, similar to the way airlines offer passengers a surcharge to offset the carbon emissions generated by the flight., explains Eddie Ignatius, Corporate Director of Innovation & Quality, TIME Hotels.

“We keep each guest engaged by sending updates about the project we have chosen to offset emissions.”

In addition, reaching beyond eco initiatives and out into the wider world, the hotel has worked hard to form a strong connection to the local community and, as part of that, offers new team members a tour of Dubai Heritage Village to encourage an understanding of the local history and culture. The hotel also works to give back to the local community, with employees regularly donating blood, distributing food boxes to Dubai taxi drivers, walking in support of breast cancer awareness and diabetes, and visiting construction sites to distribute water and juice to workers.

Ignatius believes that it’s in the interest of every stakeholder involved to embrace a culture of responsible tourism, to ensure that the industry minimises its effect on the environment

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and plays a positive social and economic role within local communities.

“Sustainability and CSR are quite simply at the core of everything we do, you could say it’s in our DNA,” he adds.

“Most importantly, we have been recognised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce for three consecutive years for being a Socially Responsible Organisation – we drive our business based on the four CSR pillars (Community, Workplace, Marketplace and Environment).”

A WIDE REACH Another CSR pioneer, the Rezidor Hotel Group is consistently named one of the world’s most ethical companies, with a range of far-reaching social initiatives.

At Radisson Blu, for example, guests are encouraged to reuse towels as part of ‘Blu Planet’, with a donation going to the international water charity Just A Drop.

The figures speak for themselves – 250 reused towels are enough to provide one person with safe drinking water for life – and the funds collected have also seen various water and sanitation projects come to life for water-stressed communities in Peru, Kenya and India.

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Radisson Blu also launched Blu Planet for Meetings in 2017, with the aim of making meetings carbon-free at all its hotels, including the Middle East, by the end of the year. In the UAE, Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels also organise an annual The Box Appeal charity drive for the country’s less-privileged workforce. Boxes are

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filled with essential goods, such as toothbrushes and shampoo, before being distributed to those in need.

Hotels are also taking advantage of indirect ways to help communities, such as ordering from local farms, to give back to the economy and reduce carbon emissions from importing ingredients.

DUKES Dubai on Palm Jumeirah was recently awarded Slow Food Dubai’s Snail of Approval, a testament to the adoption of earth-friendly practices.

“We recognise that, as a large operation, we have an equally large responsibility for the protection of the environment and we are determined to play our part. We take great pride in the fact that we only use the very best ingredients, sourced from local producers,” says Tristan de la Porte du Theil, General Manager at DUKES Dubai.

With sustainability now very much a business goal, the travel industry can start to effect real change.

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Show in Pics

The best of show

As Arabian Travel Market 2018 draws to a close, we capture some of this year’s most colourful moments

ATM marked its 25th anniversary this year

Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park brought some special guests ahead of its opening on July 25

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Virtual reality was a major theme at this year’s show

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Sophia the humanoid robot was one of the stars of the show

Al Ain Zoo had a most unusual exhibitor to draw in the crowds

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4/24/18 11:02 PM

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Show in Pics

The flydubai team were in high spirits throughout the show

There were plenty of musical performances to keep visitors entertained during Arabian Travel Market

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The Dubai Airports stand presented various cultural performances from around the world

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Destinations

Caribbean

Caribbean Tourism Organization UK Chapter / AM6100

The destination of choice for those seeking an island paradise, the Caribbean is famous for its azure seas and white sandy beaches. Yet it is also a place of great contrast, with each island offering a unique experience.

From bustling Bridgetown in Barbados to laid-back Nevis and mountainous Dominica, the Caribbean is the very definition of diverse. Travellers will be spoilt for choice whether seeking heritage havens, tropical adventures or cultural experiences. While the island

may measure just 133 square miles, it offers profound beauty thanks to oneninth of the country’s landmass being dedicated to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including a 30-acre lake formed in the crater of an extinct volcano.

Sadly tourism was impacted heavily last year due to the destructive hurricanes that tore through the region in August and September. Popular destinations in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and St. Bart’s were heavily affected and face a long road to recovery.

La Sagesse beach on the island of Grenada

Despite having a population of more than 42 million, only 2 percent of the Caribbean’s 7,000 islands are inhabited

However, according to data from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) for the first six months of 2017, the region saw a growth rate of 5.22 percent as 16.6 million visitors arrived, 800,000 more than the same period in 2016. Jamaica’s performance was particularly impressive with 4.3 million tourists visiting the island last year.

The CTO also revealed that the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic also welcomed in excess of four million tourists in 2017, while Grenada enjoyed an eight percent increase in visitors and the Cayman Islands enjoyed a record-breaking year with an 8.55 percent increase.

Grenada is hoping to take advantage of growing tourist numbers and is welcoming two new hotels in 2018. Silversands, a US$60 million, 43-suite luxury resort which will open on Grand Anse Beach, while

the 146-room Kimpton Kawana Bay Grenada Resort is also planned.

Jamaica is also confident that 2018 will see increased arrivals and the Ministry of Tourism has placed emphasis on the cruise ship market. Nearly two million passengers arrived at the country’s major ports in Falmouth, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios during 2017. The Port Authority of Jamaica is now working with Port Royal to add a floating pier, with the hope that cruise ships could use the destination in early 2019. This would provide access to north coast attractions like Dunn’s River Falls in just over one hour.

Travellers will be spoilt for choice whether seeking heritage havens, tropical adventures or cultural experiences

Egypt

Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board / AF5210

Home to the mighty Nile and some of history’s most compelling monuments, Egypt excels in bringing out the explorer in all of us. With more than 7,000 years of history it is a unique country where you can visit sand-covered tombs and marvel at the complexity of the Pyramids, as well as explore some of the ocean’s greatest treasures.

The Great Pyramid of Giza – the last remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – remains a must-see attraction for tourists across

the globe, while the Egyptian Museum in Cairo provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of the country.

On the Nile, the Abu Simbel temples south of Aswan, the Karnak Temple Complex and the Valley of the Kings near Luxor continue to draw tourists from far and wide, with the latter containing the tomb of famous pharaoh Tutankhamun.

In recent years, Egypt has been affected by unrest, but there have been signs of recovery. According to figures from the Central Agency for Public

The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is set to partially open this year and will be home to more than 50,000 artefacts.

The first attraction to open will be the full tomb collection of King Tutankhamun

Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

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The Great Pyramid at Giza was built as a burial place for King Khufu and took more than 20 years to create.

It is built from over two million blocks of limestone Mobilization and Statistics, around 5.9 million tourists visited the country during the first nine months of 2017 compared with 5.4 million the previous year. And Egypt’s Authority for Tourism Development is hopeful that a promotional campaign run throughout 2018 will play an important role in once again attracting significant numbers.

The campaign includes promoting the most attractive places and resorts in Egypt, especially New Alamein City and some of the best historical sites in

Old Cairo. Located on the northwestern coast of Egypt, New Alamein City is a US$337 million (EGP5.97 billion) project that will feature 16 hotels, sports clubs, a cinema complex, theatres, a scientific research centre, a yacht harbour and a business centre. It will also feature a 14-kilometre corniche and is set to be completed by 2022.

To help with the demands of increased tourism the Egyptian Airports Company has developed a new international passenger terminal complex at Borg El-Arab Airport. The first phase of the US$150 million (EGP2.65 billion) expansion has already been completed and the second phase is underway.

The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is also set to partially open this year and will be home to more than 50,000 artefacts. The first attraction to open will be the full tomb collection of King Tutankhamun, which will have 5,000 items in total, many of which have never been displayed before.

Another sign the tourism industry is rebounding is the news that Starwood Hotels & Resorts will open the St. Regis Cairo in 2018.

The 39-storey tower will have 366 rooms and will overlook the Nile.

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Destinations

Germany

Berlin has more bridges than Venice. In total is boasts 960 bridges across 180 kilometres of waterways

German National Tourist Board (GNTB) / EU6710

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, the number of overnight stays by international travellers rose by 4 percent last year compared to 2016.

It was also the eighth year in a row that Germany registered improved tourism numbers, as the country remains on course to attract 121.5 million international overnight stays by 2030.

In order to cope with the increases in both domestic and foreign tourism, the German government has been investing in infrastructure, with 189 construction Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Few nations offer as much history, culture and striking scenery as Germany. A country where you can stand in a medieval castle, explore a Roman amphitheatre and walk along what remains of the Berlin Wall, its great diversity has made it one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

The major cities of Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are cultural hubs with no end of museums, art galleries and striking opera houses. They are also home to iconic locations that have played a major role in the country’s

history, such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Nymphenburg Palace.

Travel outside of the major towns and cities, and Germany offers stunning scenery - from the Alps in Bavaria to the vast vineyards and picturesque villages of the Black Forest.

With so much to explore, it is no surprise that Germans love to travel within their own country. During the first 11 months of last year alone, some 353 million overnight stays by domestic guests were recorded, compared with 78 million by foreign tourists.

India

Taj Mahal

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Outside of the major towns and cities, Germany offers stunning scenery - from the Alps in Bavaria to the vast vineyards and picturesque villages of the Black Forest

projects currently taking place across the country. This includes the US$7 billion (EUR5.74 billion) expansion of Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which will have a capacity of 27 million passengers per year when it opens in 2020.

Under the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan, Germany also intends to invest US$147.6 billion (EUR120.9 billion) in the country’s roads from 2016 to 2030. There will also be an additional US$299.6 billion (EUR245.5 billion) spent on renovating and interlinking Germany’s transport infrastructure.

With tourism booming and huge sums being invested, the hospitality industry has been quick to react. Already this year the 312-room Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport and the 166-room Jaz Stuttgart have opened, while Leonardo Hotels plans to open in Augsburg in 2019 and in Offenbach and Eschborn in 2020.

Found in the north of India, the Himalayas extend 1,500 miles and are slowly growing taller by almost an inch per year

Indian Tourism / AS3125

From the icy peaks in the north to the sun-kissed beaches in the south, India is a country of vast diversity. Each region has its own unique charm and character, but no matter which area you choose to visit you will be greeted by a riot of sights, colours and sounds.

Whether you are seeking to sample the culinary creations, explore the architectural marvels or simply take in one of the country’s bustling major cities, there is something for everyone to enjoy

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in this remarkable South Asian destination. From lively cities such as Delhi to iconic attractions the Taj Mahal and the Ganges, this is the place to come for once-in-a-lifetime moments.

There is a wonderful array of experiences to enjoy in India, thanks to the exotic wildlife, vibrant festivals and natural beauty, and the country is now placing a firm emphasis on attracting more visitors.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, India welcomed more than 10

million international tourists in 2017, with foreign exchange earnings increasing by 20.8 percent to US$27.69 billion.

Going forward, the country hopes to attract 20 million overseas tourists annually by 2020 and the ministry has outlined plans to help double the number of arrivals. One major factor will be the introduction of e-visas and expanding visas on arrival to simplify the process of entering the country.

Tourism campaign ‘Incredible India’ is also designed to spread the word while welcoming visitors to 10 prominent tourist sites, as at the same time great strides are made in developing infrastructure and technology.

There are also plans to upgrade tourist amenities at 100 monuments and to connect 56 unserved airports and 31 unserved helipads in order to make the country easier to explore.

A further push will be made to promote India’s golf courses, with many offering unrivalled views such as

Pahalgam Golf Club which is situated close to Mount Kolahoi in the Himalayas.

While improving the infrastructure is a vital part of the government’s plans, there has also been a call for improved offerings in the hospitality sector. To cope with the growing number of tourists, Marriott International will open between 15 and 20 new hotels across the country this year.

Cygnett Hotels and Resorts is also planning to open 16 hotels by the end of 2018, adding 1,040 rooms to its current offering.

From the icy peaks in the north to the sun-kissed beaches in the south, India is a country of vast diversity.

Each region has its own unique charm and character

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Destinations

Spain

According to the Guinness World Records, the world’s oldest continuously operating restaurant is in Madrid. Sobrino de Botín has been open since 1725

Spain Tourism Office / EU6230

Blessed with a mixture of sunny beaches, internationally renowned cities and fascinating historical treasures, it’s no wonder that Spain is one of the world’s most visited countries.

The Western European nation has 46 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to experience, from the Gothic beauty of the 16th century Burgos Cathedral to the Tower of Hercules ancient Roman lighthouse in La Coruna.

For more modern delights, Barcelona is a cultural marvel - home to world-class cuisine, incredible shopping, a diverse music scene and, of course, one of the biggest football clubs on the planet.

Madrid, which houses the World Tourism Organisation headquarters, is another amazing city that offers visitors myriad memorable experiences.

Park Guell, Barcelona

Barcelona is a cultural marvel - home to worldclass cuisine, incredible shopping and a diverse music scene

Turkey

Turkey is home to spectacular mountain ranges and has more than 130 peaks that reach over 3,000 metres, with Palandöken the highest at 3,125 metres

Turkish Culture & Information Office / EU7110, EU7130

With its cultural heritage, archaeological treasures and some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean, it is little wonder that Turkey has long been one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. Home to numerous civilisations over the last 10,000 years, the

country brings together eastern and western culture, tradition and history.

Following a sharp decline in visitors during 2016, a year marred by political instability, Turkey’s tourism industry bounced back last year as it welcomed 30.7 million visitors from January to

The sprawling ancient city of Istanbul offers a wealth of museums, cultural centres and art galleries

Blue mosque

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The capital contains a wealth of cultural attractions - with the ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ comprising three major museums in close proximity - and is filled with beautiful architecture both old and ultra-modern, with plenty of stylish bohemian venues to explore.

In January, the United National World Tourism Organisation announced that Spain had become the world’s second most visited country in 2017 - leapfrogging the United States. It welcomed 82 million overseas tourists, a 9 percent increase on the previous year, generating US$106.2 billion (EUR87 billion) in the process. The nation’s tourism industry enjoyed further good news last year, as Spain was named the best country to spend a holiday by the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism report. Spain beat 135 other countries to claim top spot in the report, based on factors such as natural resources, transport infrastructure and safety.

November. According to the Culture and Tourism Ministry, this represented a 27 percent rise compared to the same period the previous year. Russians led the way as 4.65 million visited the country in the first 11 months of 2017, followed by German tourists at around 3.5 million.

Istanbul remained the destination of choice within the country. The sprawling ancient city offers a wealth of museums, cultural centres and art galleries. The vividly coloured bazaars remain hugely popular while Topkapi Palace and the 17th century Blue Mosque provide a fascinating glimpse into the history of the country.

As you might expect in Istanbul, the cuisine on offer across the city is as diverse as its heritage, while a range of five-star hotels includes The St. Regis Istanbul, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet and Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul. The city also has two airports and, following an increase in passenger demand, Emirates has reintroduced flights to Sabiha Gokcen Airport, starting on June 8 this year.

The completion of a new four-terminal and six-runway airport in Istanbul is also expected in late 2018. The first phase will serve up to 90 million people and by the time the entire project is completed

Grand Bazaar

it will accommodate 3,500 planes, making the city a global aviation hub.

Turkey is also making a significant effort to promote the archaeological site near the Gallipoli peninsula that houses the ruins of Troy. The project named ‘2018: The Year of Troy’ hopes to attract more visitors to one of the most famous historical sites in the world.

Turkey’s culture ministry has several events planned, while a new museum, set to open this year, will exhibit the findings from excavations in the area.

4/24/18 11:01 PM

Destinations

Serbia and Montenegro National Tourism Organisation of Serbia / EU6621

It is rare that you find two countries so closely connected that offer such a different experience. But that is exactly the case with Serbia, which is home to vibrant cities and lively music festivals; while nearby Montenegro boasts serene golden beaches and beautiful scenery.

Montenegro may only stretch 300 kilometres from top to bottom, but it is full of character. Visitors with an interest in European history will delight in visiting the numerous monasteries, churches and mosques, while the grand

Fort Gorazda has stood firm since 1884.

In contrast to Montenegro’s charming coastline and spectacular mountainous scenery, Serbia boasts an array of lively music festivals and world-famous nightlife in the capital Belgrade. Meanwhile, the hugely popular summer EXIT Festival attracts some of the biggest names in music and is held each year at the Petrovaradin Fortress in the northern city of Novi Sad. Those willing to travel further outside the capital will discover Serbia also has its

South Korea

Korea National Tourism Organization / AS2085

South Korea offers its visitors an array of attractions, incredible landscapes and more than 5,000 years of history.

It is also a destination that perfectly balances the tradition of Asia with the fast-moving world of technology.

The capital Seoul is a bustling metropolis, where you can shop for the newest technological marvels and the latest designer labels before stopping off at one of the city’s popular local restaurants or heading to a sky bar to see the glittering city from above.

Step outside the capital and escape Seoul’s high rises to discover a host of stunning landscapes. Jeju Island has numerous beaches perfect for the summer, as well as snow-capped mountains for the cold winters. The cherry blossom season can also rival Japan’s, while those seeking to explore the country’s history can head to one of the many temples or palaces.

South Korea’s compact size and superb transport infrastructure means it is easy to travel throughout the country, with Jeju Island particularly profiting by welcoming close to 15 million visitors every year. Despite being home to only 660,00 people, the government plans to build a new airport in

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Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with excavations confirming that settlements continuously existed there for at least 7,000 years

fair share of stunning scenery, such as the meandering waters of Uvac, the natural rock formations of Đavola Varo and lush greens of Fruška Gora National Park.

Both countries have grown in popularity in recent years. The total number of tourist arrivals to Serbia grew by 16.6 percent last year as the country welcomed 1,386,097 visitors. The National Tourism Organisation of Serbia estimates that revenue to the country from tourism activities in 2017 amounted to around US$1.4 billion (RSD135.4 billion).

In contrast to Montenegro’s charming coastline and spectacular mountainous scenery, Serbia boasts an array of lively music festivals and world-famous nightlife in the capital Belgrade

Kotor in a beautiful summer day, Montenegro

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Chinese travellers only accounted for a tiny faction of the arrivals with 1,400 people visiting Serbia last year.

However, with a visa-free scheme now in place and direct flights soon to be available, the growth of Chinese tourists is expected to help the country attract 1.6 million foreign visitors in 2018.

Meanwhile, the latest figures from the Montenegro statistical office also show a steady growth in tourism, with the number of foreign visitors in November last year rising by 39 percent to 25,012. Seaside resorts accounted for 57 percent of all overnight stays, followed by the country’s capital of Podgorica with 27.9 percent.

Montenegro is hoping to attract more visitors in the coming years and the government recently announced that foreign investors are interested in injecting a total of US$110 million (RSD10.6 billion) to develop the country’s two international airports, in Tivat and Podgorica.

Prime Minister Dusko Markovic also revealed plans to invest US$73.6 million (RSD7.1 billion) by 2020 to improve the country’s winter tourism infrastructure, which would include a six-seat cableway and four kilometres of new ski tracks in the winter tourism town of Zabljak.

South Korea is home to Cheomseongdae Observatory, the world’s first astronomical laboratory, built during the seventh century at Gyeongju

the south that they hope will see 45 million travel to the island each year.

Despite the boom in tourism in Jeju, according to the Korea National Tourism Organization, the number of overall visitors to South Korea dropped 22.7 percent to 13.34 million last year.

This was largely due to strained relations with China, which saw the number of tourists from the country almost halve to 4.17 million. However, tourism from Asia and the Middle East rose significantly, as did the numbers from Russia which rose by 15 percent. Vietnamese tourists also increased from 250,000 in 2016 to 320,000, and some 920,000 Taiwanese people visited the country in 2017, up 11 percent.

The capital Seoul is a bustling metropolis, where you can shop for the newest technological marvels and the latest designer labels before stopping off at one of the city’s popular local restaurants

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

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FEATURE - Exhibitor Vox Pops

What the exhibitors say...

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A selection of local and international exhibitors share their goals and priorities for this year’s Arabian Travel Market

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FREDDY MIKHAEL Managing Director

MIKE LEES Regional Director

ESSA BIN HADHER General Manager

EMIRATES PALACE Emirates Palace has created an enviable niche in luxury hospitality, welcoming world leaders, celebrities, global business travellers and leisure guests. Arabian Travel Market is a key industry event and we are very excited to participate again this year. We are looking to strengthen our existing relationships and to see which new players have emerged in the last 12 months. Due to the timing of Arabian Travel Market, we will be discussing offerings with our partners to increase visitor numbers in the summer months.

JC TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS As a focal point of the travel trade community, I imagine Arabian Travel Market 2018 will be heavily focused on new service technologies. This has certainly been the way we’ve differentiated ourselves in Australia and New Zealand – by providing our clients with new technologies that make their lives easier without taking away our awardwinning offline service. This year, Arabian Travel Market will mark a crucial event for us as we launch Alienta, the most user-friendly and content-rich online booking tool that the industry has seen.

BIG BUS TOURS MIDDLE EAST This is Big Bus Tours’ 15th appearance at Arabian Travel Market, during which time we have become the world’s largest privately-owned operator of open-top sightseeing tours, fuelling the spirit of adventure in 19 cities on four continents. Since last year, we have launched ‘real-time bus tracking’ worldwide on the Big Bus app – a world first for the industry. Arabian Travel Market is an important event to showcase our product, and we look forward to creating further strategic partnerships.

DUBAI COLLEGE OF TOURISM Dubai College of Tourism is the primary enabler of human capital in Dubai’s expanding tourism and hospitality industries, dedicated to educating and empowering its future workforce.

Arabian Travel Market lets us showcase our vocational training programmes. We look forward to welcoming professionals interested in our training tools and to attracting new talent to the industry. Visitors can also apply for a one-year scholarship to the college’s certificate in tourism, hospitality, events, retail or culinary arts programmes.

MOUNA OUNI Corporate Director Marketing & Communications RODA HOTELS & RESORTS We are delighted to make our debut at ATM’s 25th edition. It’s a great time for us to showcase who we are, what we have and where we’re going with our projects in the pipeline, including the Jewel of the Creek. Roda is a homegrown company, and we are hoping to create awareness about our brand and build a base of loyal guests with a special focus on Arabian hospitality. We’ve received great feedback so far and we’re excited to unveil the upcoming additions to our portfolio.

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ROLANDO MARTINS Chief Visitor Experience Officer

TEEMU AHOLA Account Manager – Asia

AL TAREQ AL AMERI Chief Executive Officer

ALPHA DESTINATION MANAGEMENT Arabian Travel Market is one of the most significant trade shows in our calendar. At Alpha Destination Management, we take pride in being one of the first to support the show, having participated in it for the last 20 years. ATM gives us a superb platform to showcase our wide range of products and services while building on our valuable partnerships. We also have a number of announcements lined up regarding our new developments, expansion plans and strategic alliances.

EXPO 2020 DUBAI Inspired by the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 Dubai will engage and inspire millions of visitors from around the world. As well as showcasing innovation and world-class architecture, Expo will include captivating storytelling, live cultural performances and much more. At this year’s ATM, Expo 2020 Dubai will launch its ticket reseller programme and engage with tour operators, who will proactively promote Expo as well as selling tickets with value-added services.

VISIT FINLAND It’s an amazing opportunity for Visit Finland to be exhibiting for the first time during the 25th edition of Arabian Travel Market. We got off to a great start with the announcement made by flydubai to operate direct daily flights from Dubai to Helsinki from October, all year round. The platform has helped us build great connections with key players within the industry and we’ve received positive feedback from our partners and visitors. We’re excited to take back with us a very successful experience.

YAS MARINA CIRCUIT This year, ATM coincides with the first of the Formula 1 2018 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix After-Race Concert artist announcements. This year, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary of hosting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and we have come a long way since our first race at the circuit on Yas Island. With 60 percent of our race visitors travelling from more than 170 countries around the world, events such as Arabian Travel Market offer us synergies which help us connect with our global fans.

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DR. FAHAD ALJARBOA Vice President, Marketing and Product Management SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES (SAUDIA) In the last 18 months, Saudia has increased its fleet with modern new aircraft, innovated the cabin design, enhanced onboard dining, added substantial new content to the entertainment system and we continue to expand the international route network.

ATM is a great meeting point to connect with our existing and new business partners to communicate and collaborate on upcoming travel and tourism developments.

4/24/18 11:06 PM

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4/18/18 2:38 PM

WHE R E W I S E MEN T URNE D T HE D ESERT G REEN y o u can still find t he i r a n c i e n t i r r i g a t i o n s y s t e m s , giv ing life to acres o f p alm-fringed tranquility.

L o o k up and you’ll see the fruit of those settlers w ho man aged to bring water and s trength where once the re w as only sand.

Stand No.: ME 2155 | ME 2252 | Hall 2

Sir Bani Yas Island #InAbuDhabi

visitabudhabi.ae

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