Travel Trade Weekly Issue 230 by T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD

05 APRIL 2014

Louvre Abu Dhabi: First Gallery Completed

Tourism Development & Investment Company has finished the construction of the first gallery at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

ISSUE 230

Emaar Properties is to launch a 2,000-seat multi-format venue for opera, theatre, concerts, exhibitions, orchestras, films, sporting events and seasonal programmes within The Opera District.

03 Management Deal Terminated for Bahrain Hotel

Kempinski Hotels and Majid Al Futtaim agreed to end the hotel management contract for Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre.

08 IN THIS ISSUE MARKET UPDATE WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATION AIR INTERNATIONAL AGENT'S CORNER TRAVEL TALK WHO'S MOVED TRAVEL CHANNELS RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS

02 03 08 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

2,000-seat Opera House in Dubai

MARKET UPDATE

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel COPY EDITOR Emily Millett

Turkish Airlines: Sales Revenue up 27 Percent Turkish Airlines recorded a year-on-year increase of sales revenue in 2013, reaching TRY18.8 billion (USD8.51 billion).

SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba

hile operating profit stood at TRY1.24 billion (USD561 million), up nine percent, net profit achieved TRY683 million (USD309 million). During the year under review, the airline carried 48.3 million passengers, an improvement of 23.6 percent, bringing load factor to 79 percent, up 1.4 percentage points. In addition,

JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli PRESS Andreas Mantis Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou DIRECTORS

its market share rose to 12.8 percent among the European carriers. Turkish Airlines is hailed as one of the leading global network carriers, flying to a total of 244 destinations, comprising 202 international and 42 domestic routes in 105 countries. The company operates 185 narrow body, 44 wide body and 9 cargo aircraft, making a total of 238 aircraft.

Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia, 1308, Cyprus Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103607

Business Activity Slows in Riyadh Riyadh’s hotel sector registered a drop in performance in January, as average room rate (ARR) fell 14.2 percent to USD245.99. According to TRI Hospitality Consulting’s HotStats report, occupancies rose 3.9 percentage points to 58.1 percent, this growth however proved to be insufficient to negate the impact of a falling ARR and an 8.1 percent decrease in RevPAR, which dropped to USD142.91. As Peter Goddard, managing director, TRI Hospitality Consulting, noted, business activity slowed in the Saudi capital, which relies upon corporate demand, with the leisure segment making up just 12.5 percent of the market.

WEBSITE www.traveltradeweekly.travel EMAILS info@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

MENA EXCHANGE RATES Accurate as of

04/04/2014 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

COUNTRY

CURRENCY

1USD=

UAE (AED)

Dirham

3.67

Egypt (EGP)

Pound

6.97

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

Riyal

3.75

Lebanon (LBP)

Pound

1,503.50

Bahrain (BHD)

Dinar

0.37

Jordan (JOD)

Dinar

0.71

Syria (SYP)

Pound

144.50

Kuwait (KWD)

Dinar

0.28

Qatar (QAR)

Riyal

3.64

Oman (OMR)

Rial

0.38

Tunisia (TND)

Dinar

1.59

Morocco (MAD)

Dirham

8.19

Iran (IRR)

Riyal

25,469.00

Yemen (YER)

Rial

214.94

Algeria (DZD)

Dinar

78.85

Libya (LYD)

Dinar

1.25

flydubai Records Profit Increase

lydubai’s net profit for the full year 2013 reached AED22.8 million (USD60.7 million), marking a growth of 47 percent over 2012. The airline’s total revenue for the 12 months soared to AED3.7 billion (USD1 billion), driven by strong demand as passenger numbers rose 38 percent to 6.82 million.

Fuel expense remained the company’s single largest operating cost, representing 39.5 percent of the whole amount, while ancillary revenues accounted for 14.6 percent of the total revenues. flydubai operates an average of 1,100 flights a week after launching 17 new routes in 2013, bringing its network to 66 destinations.

flydubai

05 APRIL 2014

WEEKLY NEWS Louvre Abu Dhabi: First Gallery Completed Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) has finished the construction of the first gallery at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Set for completion by the fourth quarter of 2015, the facility will boast a glass roof to allow for natural light, with an interlaced steel cladding dome creating a dappled ‘rain of light’ effect across most of the galleries. Work is well underway for the construction of the interior walls, and the installation of mechanical plant, water pipes, electrical cabling and security systems. Ali Al Hammadi, deputy managing director, TDIC, commented that despite the challenging and complicated design, construction has been progressing steadily and on schedule.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Cruise Arabia Debuts at Shipping Event The Oman Ministry of Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) highlighted their new, joint Cruise Arabia partnership at Cruise Shipping Miami, a leading global event for the sector, which ran between March 10 – 13 in the US. The venture is a campaign to promote the Arabian Peninsula as a hotspot for the tourism niche. Commenting on the collaboration, Hamad bin Mejren, executive director, business tourism, DTCM, said, “By partnering with Abu Dhabi and Oman to encourage a new generation of cruise tourists in the Gulf and to showcase all the region has to offer, we are looking forward to the further evolution of this dynamic industry and increasing the number of cruise tourists that disembark at our ports.”

05 APRIL 2014

TCA Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways Expand Travel Trade Programme Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways are expanding their Access Abu Dhabi trade engagement programme to five new markets this year, taking the campaign’s outreach to 10 countries across four continents. The year-long initiative has already witnessed hotel guest booking hikes in Germany, the UK, Russia, India and Australia, and will now reach out to potential partners in China, France, Italy, Brazil and the US. “During its first year of operation Access Abu Dhabi progressed 38 destination co-marking initiatives,” explained H.E. Jasem Al Darmaki, deputy director general, TCA Abu Dhabi, saying that the campaign has led to strong results, particularly from Germany and the UK. The team is now also looking into a tailored version to address the specific needs of the GCC market.

WEEKLY NEWS

2,000-seat Opera House in Dubai Emaar Properties is to launch a 2,000-seat multi-format venue for opera, theatre, concerts, exhibitions, orchestras, films, sporting events and seasonal programmes within The Opera District, the company’s latest development in Downdown Dubai. Set to promote the arts and culture scenes of the emirate by ensuring global exchange and promoting local talent, as well as serving as a vibrant events venue, the new zone will also feature luxury hotels, residential and serviced apartments, a retail plaza, waterfront promenades, recreational spaces and parks. Envisaged to be iconic in appearance, Dubai Opera is styled on the classic wooden dhow sailing vessels of the Arabian Gulf. “The state-of-the-art opera house and the varied lifestyle components of The Opera District will energise Dubai’s events and tourism sectors. With the city establishing its global reputation as an arts hub, the new development will also strengthen the ‘Dubai Art Season,’ which brings together the city’s vibrant arts initiatives,” commented Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties.

Dubai Metro to Exhibit Culture Dubai’s metro stations are to be transformed into museums displaying artwork and creations from different themes and cultures. In line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, the project is set to take 12 months to complete, with hopes it will be ready in time for Art Dubai 2015. Phase one of development will include four vital stations, each highlighting a specific aspect of culture, such as Arabian calligraphy, inventions, contemporary and visual art. With more than 137 million visitors in 2013, and an average of 500 thousand passengers a day, the initiative aims to inspire creativity and innovation to a wide audience. Dubai Metro Station

05 APRIL 2014

WEEKLY NEWS Islamic Museum of Australia Opens Hailed as the first of its kind development in the country, the Islamic Museum of Australia has opened its doors to the public in Melbourne. Describing the new attraction as an outstanding project which reinforces the city’s role as a cultural capital, Louise Asher, minister of tourism and major events, and minister of innovation, services and small business, Victoria, Australia, said, “We deeply value the Islamic community’s contribution to our state’s cultural scene and we have been very proud to support this project which showcases the contemporary and historical heritage of the Islamic faith.” As Asher noted, the museum has been supported by the government through the provision of a AUD500,000 (USD455,380) grant.

Islamic Museum of Australia

05 APRIL 2014

Japan Funds Exhibition Facility in Petra Japan is to grant Jordan JPY686.2 million (USD6.7 million) to build a new museum in the ancient city of Petra. The 1,800m2 space, due for completion in 2016, will showcase historical and archaeological artifacts discovered in the Petra region and will play a crucial role in raising awareness of the great significance of protecting both the tangible and intangible heritage of the southern Jordanian destination. “We are very much confident that this museum will also contribute to the community development in Petra region,” added Junicho Kosuge, Japanese ambassador to Jordan, who signed the agreement with Ibrahim Saif, minister of planning and international operation, Jordan.

WEEKLY NEWS

UNWTO and IH&RA Ink Memorandum of Understanding Consolidating their partnership in matters related to hospitality, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The agreement, which is set to enhance the cooperation between the two entities in a number of initiatives related to the sector, was inked on the sidelines of IH&RA’s 51st annual congress. “The hospitality industry is a fundamental part of the global tourism sector and a key vehicle for economic growth and job creation around the world. IH&RA has long been a strategic partner to UNWTO and this MoU will allow us to cooperate even closer towards our common goal of driving positive changes in tourism,” commented Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO.

Ras Al Khaimah Hosts German Festival Ras Al Khaimah once again held a German Spring Festival as part of the emirate’s efforts to bring the two communities closer. Organised by the Ras Al Khaimah Chapter of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce, the festival was held in a tent in the garden of Hilton Ras Al Khaimah and was attended by over 300 people who enjoyed traditional German food and music. As Steven Rice, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, noted, the European nation has long been one of the destination’s top three source markets, accounting for more than 20 percent of visitors. “We deeply value the German community’s contribution to our emirate and we are very proud to be supporting events like this, which reinforce the close relationship between Ras Al Khaimah and Germany,” added Rice.

German Spring Festival

Sharjah: More Than 459,000 Russian Visitors Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has concluded another successful participation at the annual Moscow International Travel and Tourism (MITT) fair, which ran between March 19 – 22 in the Russian capital city. As the authority’s latest statistics show, over the past years, as a direct impact of SCTDA’s involvement in the show, visitor numbers from Russia to Sharjah have significantly increased, reaching 459,000 tourists in 2013, up 51 percent year-on-year. The share of Russian travellers accounted for 23 percent of the total arrivals, reaffirming the growing presence of Sharjah’s tourism product in the Russian market, which has emerged as one of the major feeders for the emirate.

05 APRIL 2014

WEEKLY NEWS Bawadi Mall: 709,416 Visitors in February Bawadi Mall in Al Ain welcomed a total of 709,406 visitors in February, marking a seven percent year-on-year increase. The hike in footfall is thought to have been aided by an African-themed campaign which showcased a plethora of cultural entertainment programmes and performances portraying the spirit of the continent. “We have created an infotainment approach to offer our visitors a fun and educational experience. These seasonal themes celebrate major civilisations and take visitors on a historical journey,” explained Khalid Shraim, senior marketing manager, Bawadi Mall. “As the largest mall in Al Ain city and one of the major destinations for visitors and tourists, we devise infotainment campaigns that attract the whole family in an ideal shopping environment. We innovate through various attractive initiatives that are welcomed by the multi-national and multi-cultural community of the UAE,” he concluded.

Bawadi Mall

GCC Boosts Arrivals to Hong Kong Hong Kong Tourism Board’s (HKTB) ‘new markets’ category has seen the GCC take the lead in tourist influx to Hong Kong for the first time this year. Based on the national tourism body’s statistics, between January and February, a total of 6,487 visitors travelled to the Asian destination from the GCC, marking a year-to-date increase of 18.5 percent, with February only showing a notable surge of 19.9 percent. HKTB classifies the GCC within the new markets category alongside India, Russia, Vietnam and the Netherlands, and in terms of percentage growth, the GCC topped the list, India followed closely behind with 11.9 percent, and Russia came third with a 1.7 percent rise.

05 APRIL 2014

Royal Caribbean International: Fifth Season in the Gulf Royal Caribbean International will return to the Gulf region in winter 2015-16. The company’s fifth seasonal sailing will comprise 16, seven-night, roundtrip journeys along the Arabian coast from December 2015, through March 2016. Splendour of the Seas is scheduled to dock in Dubai, followed by calls to Muscat and Khasab along with Abu Dhabi. Praising the Cruise Arabia initiative, Helen Beck, regional director, international representatives, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International, said, “This is a welcome step in continuing to promote the economic and touristic benefits of cruising and I am sure the season will be very successful.” Hamad Bin Mejren, executive director, business tourism, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, noted that Royal Caribbean International’s announcement comes at a time when Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman, are working together to transform the Gulf into a leading cruise destination.

WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Dubai Rewards Employees Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Dubai has honoured employees who performed exceptionally well during the preopening of the property. Around 14 employees have been awarded for their outstanding work, while others have been given various titles and certificates under categories such as associate of the month for front and back of house, recognition honours and Shine Online Awards. Wael El Behi, general manager, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, Dubai, commented that acknowledgment is the key for providing exceptional customer service, which is a paramount requirement for a hospitality business. “We respect and value our employees as they are our brand ambassadors[...], All associates of our property have been contributing immensely to establish Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham as the most preferred hotel, providing memorable stays and super customer service,” he added.

Management Deal Terminated for Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel, Bahrain City Centre Kempinski Hotels and Majid Al Futtaim have reached an agreement to end the hotel management contract for Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre, effective from June 30. The new operator of the property will shortly be announced, said, George Kostas, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, adding, “Our studies of the changing market requirements informed our decision to adopt a two distinct brand strategy for the twotower hotel in Manama. We believe the new strategy is better aligned with the product and the market demand, and will maximise the yield of the two towers.” Kempinski Hotels has been managing the property since September 2011, and continues to manage Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, another Majid Al Futtaim property.

Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre

Hilton Sustainability Summit in Sharjah Key figures from Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority and Bee’ah Environment and Waste Management came together at the second annual Hilton Sustainability Summit, hosted by Hilton Sharjah. As H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, director general, SCTDA, noted, the emirate has long regarded sustainability as an indispensable component of its tourism and commerce strategy. Commenting on the significance of such initiatives, Richard Gosling, general manager, Hilton Sharjah, said, “Sustainability is at the core of what we do as a Hilton hotel, so this summit was a great opportunity to connect with Sharjah’s leading authorities to share best practice and further develop a culture of environmental consciousness in the Middle East.”

05 APRIL 2014

Accommodation

Work on Dubai Trade Centre District to Begin in April Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has awarded the main contract for phase one of the Dubai Trade Centre District (DTCD) to Al Futtaim Carillion. Located between the current Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and Emirates Towers in the Central Business District, DTCD will cover a total area of 146,000m2. Work on the initial stage, which will include a hotel and an office building, is set to begin this April, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2015. The operator of the hotel is to be announced in the coming weeks. As Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, noted, DWTC has long been a core enabler of business tourism for Dubai and the new development will justly complement this current proposition.

05 APRIL 2014

WEEKLY NEWS

TAMANI Marina Hotel to Lure More Saudi Guests The management team at TAMANI Marina Hotel, Dubai is expecting continued growth in guests arriving from Saudi Arabia following a surge in visitors during the Kingdom’s short holiday break in March. According to Walid Al-Awa, general manager, TAMANI Marina Hotel, Dubai, the recently concluded vacation period garnered a five percent surge in tourist volumes from the country as compared to the corresponding period in 2013. The positive results also come on the back of a visit to Saudi Arabia by the property’s sales team who, led by Sherif Elibrashy, director of sales, TAMANI Marina Hotel, held a number of meetings in Riyadh and Jeddah. Based on the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s statistics, the emirate’s hotels welcomed some 1.35 million visitors from Saudi Arabia in 2013.

Sherif Elibrashy

WEEKLY NEWS

Accommodation

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels: 20 Hotels in Saudi Arabia Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plans to open 20 new hotels in Saudi Arabia as part of a wider goal to operate 50 properties throughout the Middle East and Africa region by 2017. The company is looking at projects in Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina and Mecca, as well as in second tier cities, such as Hayel, Jizan, Tabouk and Baha. Altogether, over 7,000 new rooms are expected to join the portfolio. “The market opportunity within the Kingdom has increased through growing domestic travel, a short supply of midscale hotels, five-star hotels in secondtier cities, especially for corporate travellers and the significant and sustained growth of religious tourism,” explained Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, CEO, Millennium and Copthorne Hotels, Middle East. Over the next 12-18 months new properties are also planned to open in the UAE, Kuwait and Oman.

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech Relaunches Social Facility The pop up bar at Four Seasons Resort Marrakech has reinvented itself for the fifth time as the Last Call Vintage Sports Club. Redesigned in the style of a traditional British pub, the outlet is equipped with high definition screens that will broadcast live matches and events. With the ability to show two different games at the same time, the bar will allow multiple guests to support their favourite sports teams. Last Call Vintage Sports Club will also host a monthly art exhibition with international street artists. Original pop up exhibitions will decorate the public space, and works by young painters will be on sale. A wide range of food will be available including burgers, pizzas and hot dogs, as well as Italian influenced seafood dishes and desserts.

Last Call Vintage Sports Club

Salalah Rotana Resort Unveiled Tourism development company, Muriya has celebrated the soft opening of the second property on its Salalah Beach lifestyle destination, namely Salalah Rotana Resort. Hailed as the largest free-standing hotel in Oman, and set between a network of manmade waterways that connect all waterfront hotels and residential areas within the project, the resort features 400 rooms, a variety of food and beverage venues, meeting rooms, a business centre, a leisure and fitness club, large outdoor pool, spa, and a kids’ club. Operated by Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, and marking the company’s debut in the Sultanate, the resort is set to grow to include 45 villas over the coming months, and will be fully operational in time for the Khareef season.

05 APRIL 2014

Air

WEEKLY NEWS

Qatar Airways to Link Doha and Djibouti Qatar Airways is to further expand its African network, with Djibouti set to join its route map in July. The airline will operate thriceweekly flights between Doha and the African country using an Airbus A320. “Djibouti is another example of Qatar Airways’ commitment to opening up access to destinations that are largely underserved by international airlines and have great market potential,” pinpointed Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, noting that in September 2013, the carrier launched services to neighbouring Ethiopia. “We believe that these exciting destinations in the Horn of Africa have great potential linking up with key feeder markets in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world,” stressed Al Baker.

Lufthansa and Germanwings: 235 Destinations Lufthansa and Germanwings are offering GCC travellers access to a total of 235 destinations in 78 countries this summer. Compared to the 2013 summer timetable, the two airlines have expanded capacity by five percent. For Lufthansa, new connections include Jakarta, TokyoHaneda, Bodrum and Lamezia Terme, Italy. Five weekly services are now offered nonstop from Frankfurt to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, and travellers can also benefit from new links to Montreal, Toronto and Mexico City. As part of Lufthansa’s fleet modernisation programme, six new intercontinental aircraft are being added to the fleet.

Lufthansa

05 APRIL 2014

Qatar Airways

Emirates Suspends Clark International Airport Flights Emirates has confirmed that as of May 1, the airline will halt its daily, nonstop services between Dubai and Clark International Airport in the Philippines. The decision follows a thorough review of the carrier’s operations to ensure the best utilisation of its aircraft fleet for its overall business objectives. Emirates will however, continue to run its three daily, nonstop flights between Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, and Dubai, and is taking all necessary steps to accommodate affected passengers on alternate services. The Dubai-based airline commenced services to Clark International Airport, which is 80km to the north of Manila, in October 2013.

WEEKLY NEWS

Air

Jazeera Airways: Developments on the Ground and in the Air

Annual General Meeting

Etihad Airways and airBaltic Enhance Partnership airBaltic has expanded its codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways to include routes from Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich to Abu Dhabi and Riga. Subject to government approvals, the new additions will see the Latvian flag carrier and the UAE airline offer 37 connecting return journeys per week between Riga and Abu Dhabi, with both companies placing their respective codes on the services. airBaltic already has its BT flight code on Etihad Airways operations between Abu Dhabi and Muscat, and Etihad Airways currently puts its EY code on airBaltic services beyond Riga to 10 northern European cities. Proposals for Etihad Airways to set its code on airBaltic’s destinations beyond Riga to Kiev, Ukraine; Tbilisi, Georgia; Palanga, Lithuania; and Gothenburg, Sweden are also awaiting consent from local authorities.

Jazeera Airways Group continues to invest in its products in order to capitalise on the anticipated growth in domestic demand. As Marwan Boodai, chairman, Jazeera Airways Group, explained, the company’s success is built on a unique business model that includes a commercial passenger airline and an aircraft leasing business under the brand Sahaab Aircraft Leasing. To ensure the group’s long-term success, on the ground, Jazeera Airways Group is currently building its own gates and state-of-the-art bridges at Kuwait International Airport, which according to Boodai, will be operational in the second quarter of the year, while in the air, the company is gearing up to embark on a fleet modernsation programme.

Emirates Supports New York Cosmos Emirates will sponsor American professional soccer club New York Cosmos, for a further two years in a deal announced at the airline’s headquarters in Dubai. The US-based sports squad became the carrier’s most successful team in the past year, winning the Fall Championship and the Soccer Bowl. “The New York Cosmos’ progress is nothing short of meteoric and the extension of our sponsorship agreement enables this wonderful journey with Emirates to continue,” commented Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, Emirates. On behalf of the club, Seamus O’Brien, chairman, New York Cosmos, said that the agreement underlines how much both organisations value their relationship, and how the new deal reaffirms Emirates’ belief in the team.

From left: Seamus O’Brien, Pelé, and Sheikh Majid Al Mualla

05 APRIL 2014

WEEKLY NEWS

Air

Emirates to Add Oslo to Global Network Emirates is to expand its European network with a new daily nonstop flight to Oslo, Norway, from September 2, marking its third Scandinavian gateway. Operated using a Boeing 777300ER, the daily service will offer three cabin classes, with eight seats in first, 42 in business and 310 in economy class. “Norway’s resilient economy is built on strong foundations including its dynamic oil, gas, fishing, telecom and maritime sectors. We believe that Emirates’ new Oslo service will stimulate further growth via trade, tourism and investment flows into the country, by providing critical air transport links with emerging markets in the Middle East, Far East, West Asia and Africa,” commented Tim Clark, president, Emirates. Emirates SkyCargo will offer 23 tonnes of capacity between the Norwegian capital and Dubai.

Oslo Waterfront

flynas Concludes Successful UK Tour flynas has concluded a UK tour to announce the launch of direct services from Jeddah to London and Manchester, the first two European destinations to be featured on its Global Flight Routes programme. The carrier will operate three times a week to both cities, offering better access to the UK. Raja Azmi, CEO, flynas, said that it is no surprise that the UK was the first country to be picked in Europe for the expansion of flynas’ route network. “London continues to feature at the top of Saudi Arabia’s most popular outbound destinations especially during summer and key holiday periods,” he suggested. “The launch of flynas’ nonstop flights will add to capacity on this high traffic route,” commented on the new services Sulaiman Al Hamdan, group CEO, NAS Holding.

05 APRIL 2014

flydubai to Operate to Moscow flydubai is to further extend its reach in Eastern Europe with the launch of direct daily services to Moscow in September. “This new route will offer both business and leisure travellers greater choice when they travel between Dubai and Moscow,” highlighted Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai. Since launching the first route between Dubai and Samara and Yekaterinburg in October 2010, the Dubai-based carrier has expanded its Russian network to eight destinations, and as Jeyhun Efendi, senior vice president, commercial, flydubai, revealed, the airline’s recently launched business class will now be available on all flights between the countries. “flydubai’s direct flights to Moscow offer passengers great value for money,” added Efendi.

flydubai Business Class

WEEKLY NEWS

International

Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel Unveils New Look

Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel

Park Inn by Radisson Izmir to Open in 2015 Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is to further strengthen its presence in Turkey with the opening of Park Inn by Radisson Izmir scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2015. Bringing the company’s portfolio in the country to 12 properties and 2,000 rooms in operation and under development, the hotel will be located next to the city’s waterfront and will feature 137 rooms. Guests will also benefit from an all-day dining restaurant and lobby bar, three meeting rooms covering a total of 200m2, a gym and a spa. Located on the Aegean Sea, Izmir is Turkey’s third largest city and second most economic hub.

Izmir

Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel has uncovered the results of a refurbishment project. The boutique hotel located in London’s Belgravia district, collaborated with interior design firm Lynne Hunt London, that worked on all 88 rooms in a bid to provide a higher-quality guest experience. iPads have been installed in all units, featuring an application allowing people to order food and drink, as well as extra pillows and blankets. Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel also aims to ensure visitors will feel culturally connected to their local area, with a map showcasing nearby attractions built into the table tops in all rooms. Ian Richardson, general manager, Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, commented that the new décor builds upon the property’s existing sense of intimacy and ‘home away from home’ feel, improving guests’ comfort and the rooms’ functionality.

Super 8 Breaks Ground in Germany Wyndham Hotel Group announced the groundbreaking of its first Super 8 property in Germany. Developed by GS Star, the 160-room Super 8 Munich is the first of 10 Super 8 hotels to be developed in the country as part of a previously signed multi-year agreement between Tristar Hotel and Wyndham Hotel Group. Expected to open in autumn 2015, the property will be a six-storey, all-new construction hotel and the first in Europe to feature the brand’s newest design concept, which will include a multi-functional lobby and guest rooms. “As the largest US-based economy hotel brand in the world with nearly 2,400 hotels across the US, Canada, China and Brazil, Super 8 has proven popularity among both hotel guests and developers alike,” commented Rui Barros, senior vice president, Wyndham Hotel Group.

05 APRIL 2014

AGENT'S CORNER

AGENT’S INSIGHT NAME: Nadine Boutros POSITION: Managing partner COMPANY: Kurban Travel LOCATION: Lebanon WEB: www.kurbantravel.com

Who are you? I grew up in a family where travelling is part of who we are, a heritage that is passed down from generation to generation since 1952, the year when Halim Kurban, founder of Kurban Group, opened his first travel agency in Beirut downtown. What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry? What I enjoy the most is sharing my passion for travelling. I know how a single journey can turn into a lifetime experience. I know how powerful, liberating and magical travelling can be, and I love that I can use my knowledge and expertise in this domain to shape exceptional moments for people, ones that will be remembered as the best days of their life. When is the best time to visit Lebanon? For me, it is always a good time to visit Lebanon. We are blessed to have a country that is beautiful year round, in all its four seasons. My favourite time is spring, April, when the weather is dry and tourists can ski in our beautiful mountains and sunbathe on our coast on the same day. Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday? Every destination has its charm, but what is most important is to never stop exploring new horizons. It is the best food for the soul and one of the best sensations in life.

Travelport and IATI Sign Key Deal IATI, one of Turkey’s leading allonline travel systems integrators, and Travelport have renewed their partnership with the signing of a new multiyear agreement. The new deal will see IATI significantly increase its business volume with Travelport as it continues to benefit from the provider’s global and regional industry expertise and cutting edge products. As part of the agreement, Travelport will continue to provide IATI with technology solutions such as the Travelport Smartpoint agency desktop and the Travelport Universal API, which enables travel agencies to

streamline the booking process by re-aggregating currently fragmented content from the global distribution system and other sources. Travelport Universal API also enables full access to Travelport’s air, hotel and car content, as well as high speed rail suppliers and low cost carriers. “Travelport understands our business, shares our ambitions and has the right expertise, technology tools and support structure to meet all of our current and future requirements. We believe this successful collaboration will benefit our customers for years to come,” said Levent Aydın, general manager, IATI.

Orascom to Acquire German Operators Samih Sawiris, chairman, Orascom Development Holding, announced his intention to buy shares in two leading German tour operators, Raiffeisen Touristik Group (RT) and FTI Touristik . Sawiris aims to acquire a 75 percent stake in RT, a major tour operator in Germany with more than 50 years of experience, 2,000 employees and an annual turnover of more than EUR6 billion (USD8.2 billion). Furthermore, he is to acquire 30 percent in FTI Touristik, one of the largest tour operators in the European country with a turnover of EUR2.6 billion (USD3.6 billion) that offers holiday packages to 80 countries worldwide. The deals aim to develop a new market to promote two of the largest integrated tourism complexes in Oman, namely Jebel Sifah and Salalah Beach Resort, to tourists in over 7,000 travel bureaus in Germany.

Why should people come to you for travel advice? It is not by chance that Kurban’s reputation roams the world with our clients. Thanks to our deep understanding of the industry on an international scale, we are able to offer our clients the added values they look for in an agency. Our team of expert consultants carefully outlines the most meticulous itineraries for our clients, handling every detail while crafting the best deals and packages for them. Salalah Beach Resort, Oman

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travel talk is your space

TRAVEL TALK Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren

Alper Can Bulcum

Executive director, business tourism, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

General manager, Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai.

“We will be welcoming the largest group in Dubai’s history [between April 6 – 16 comprising of over 14,500 delegates from Nu Skin Enterprises in China]. This visit will reflect our capabilities, and is a sign of things to come. China is a key target market for Dubai both in terms of business and leisure tourism and we have no doubt all guests have a great time while they are here.”

“I am extremely proud that our culinary team was recognised for their consistently outstanding efforts [at the Emirates Salon Culinaire 2014]. We are thrilled that they had the chance to learn innovative new techniques, and work with other talented chefs, and look forward to what they have in store for the future.”

Mahmoud Saffarini

Richard Gosling

Director of sales and marketing, Bin Majid Hotels & Resorts.

General manager, Hilton Sharjah.

“The International Travel Bourse (ITB) Berlin has been recognised as the largest travel trade show, so it is an excellent opportunity for us to interact with our business partners, and present ourselves to participants and visitors of ITB. Our hotels in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah offer outstanding tastes, finest stays and royal hospitality.”

“Since taking over the management of the hotel in 2011, our objectives have been primarily to raise the standards to those expected of a Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotel. I believe we have now achieved this but of course the race to excellence has no finish line and there are still areas of our product that we would like to improve and which we are focusing on now.”

TRAVEL TALK is your space – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

05 APRIL 2014

WHO'S MOVED

Amr Abdel Samie Amr Abdel Samie has joined Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group as the new general manager of Radisson Blu Resort, Sharm El Sheikh and Park Inn by Radisson Resort Sharm El Sheikh. He moves to Sharm El Sheikh from Hurghada where he was responsible for three properties, as the area general man-

ager of Princess Egypt Hotels. His new tasks include managing the profitability of the properties, ensuring that revenue and guest satisfaction targets are met, while costs are controlled and revenue opportunities are delivered. In addition, he will also oversee the recruitment of managerial positions.

Mark Meehan Mark Meehan is moving to Singapore as Travelportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new managing director for Asia Pacific. Currently managing director for Africa, Meehan brings a wealth of customer-focused experience to the role, having previously held a number of high profile positions at Travelport over his 15-year tenure with the company. As managing director for Africa, Meehan demonstrated the ability to build strong cus-

05 APRIL 2014

tomer and partner relationships and grew the presence and scale of Travelports business in the region. Prior to that position, he held responsibility for the organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global commercial operations and led the integration of a number of acquired businesses in Italy, Denmark, the UK and Ireland. To support the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth in Africa, a new leadership team has been appointed to run three subregions.

Charles Young Charles Young has assumed the position of senior vice president of corporate marketing and communication at technology company, Sabre. In his new role Young will lead internal and external communications, media relations, event and brand management, corporate responsibility

as well as marketing communications. He most recently worked as vice president of strategic marketing at Quest Diagnostics. Prior to that, he held senior marketing and communications positions with Zimmer, WellPoint, Tyco International and GE Healthcare Worldwide.

TRAVEL CHANNELS UNWTO, UNODC and African Tourism Ministers Join Forces

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and African Tourism Ministers are committed to protecting Africa’s biodiversity.

n response to the alarming growth in wildlife crime on the African continent, the organisations, along with ministers of tourism from Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, gathered in March to review the current situation in the individual countries, share experiences, and discuss the tourism sector’s role in the ongoing global efforts against poaching. Taleb Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO, commented that the meetings aimed at joining forces to support global efforts in safeguarding Africa’s natural heritage and ensuring the wellbeing of wildlife and people alike.

SMD Participates in Educational Exhibition

Gulf Educational Supplies & Solutions Exhibition

Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) participated in the Gulf Educational Supplies & Solutions Exhibition and Global Education Forum in a bid to spread awareness of its informative programmes and collections. Manal Ataya, director general, SMD, commented, “Our specially-tailored programmes are suitable for adults and children of all abilities and interests, and run all year-round, to ensure everyone has access and the opportunity to learn in a fun and unique museum environment.”

Shurooq Wins Social Responsibility Award Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has won the 3rd Arab Organization for Social Responsibility Award. The honour highlights outstanding environmental initiatives launched and supported by public and private sectors. Among Shurooq’s endeavours, the judging panel most notably recognised the Kalba Eco-tourism Project, considered as the largest ecotourism project in the UAE. As H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, noted, the organisation places the environment at the forefront of its strategic objectives.

21 Tourist Facilities Closed down in Jeddah The Jeddah branch of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has shut down 21 tourist facilities for violating the operating conditions. As Mohammed bin Abdullal Al Amri, director, SCTA, Mecca, explained, most of these establishments lacked the operations license, while in several other cases the safety and security measures were not being adequately implemented. To further improve operational conditions, SCTA recently issued a request for all tourism facilities to install CCTV cameras, not to copy official documents, and to use Arabic as the main language.

05 APRIL 2014

RENDEZVOUS

Q & A with Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati Since its establishment, Omran has played a major role in Oman’s socio-economic development through investment in various tourism-related projects. Here Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati, CEO, Omran, explains why tourism remains one of the Sultanate’s main catalysts of growth.

Travel Trade Weekly: What makes the tourism industry one of the most important sectors for the Sultanate? Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati: Tourism’s impact on the country is reflected in various forms, be it job creation, increased revenue generation, or infrastructure development. The benefits are truly endless, and it has been identified by the government of Oman as a major economic driver that can substantially contribute to the diversification and growth of the national economy. Tourism, unlike many industries, results in a wide range of direct and indirect socioeconomic benefits that contribute to the current and future prosperity of nations and local communities. Omran is helping unlock the potential of the Sultanate as a global tourism destination by building quality tourism infrastructure, partnering with tourism investors and managing hospitality assets across the nation. This will support the long-term sustainable development of the industry and encourage future tourism investments. We are actively contributing to the diversification and growth of the Sultanate’s economy, bringing new forms of revenue into communities, giving local companies new business opportunities and providing citizens new sources of employment. Travel Trade Weekly: How important is it to distinguish Oman from its regional peers? Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati: The Sultanate possesses plenty of factors that make it a destination of choice to many travellers, offering a more traditional Arabian experience that leaves a long lasting impression. [...] In alignment with government policies and mandates, Omran focuses on bringing to05 APRIL 2014

Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati CEO, Omran

gether the old world with the new in a harmonious way, creating novel destinations that are rooted in our tradition of hospitality yet contain everything the contemporary world has to offer. [...] From an investor’s point of view, Oman is considered to be an untapped market for those seeking to capitalise on tourism. The government has invested large amounts into developing infrastructure, and significant efforts have been spent to ensure adequate labour and legislation is in place to facilitate investment.[...] Travel Trade Weekly: What are the latest updates on Omran’s ventures? Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati: The Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2015 for the exhibition halls, and in the third quarter of 2016 for the convention hall. It is set to become the focal point

of Oman’s business development programme that will establish the Sultanate as a major venue for regional and international events. The OCEC precinct, when completed, will include a convention and exhibition centre, four hotels of varied star ratings, a grade-A business park, retail outlets and residential units. In 2013, we awarded more than OMR80 million (USD207.8 million) in tenders with one tender alone, construction package II, worth OMR78 million (USD202.6 million). [...] Additional tenders were issued for a five-star hotel and another five-star hotel to be awarded during the first half of the current year. Furthermore, Omran and National Investment Funds Company signed a memorandum of understanding in September 2013 with Al Futtaim for the development and management of a planned super-regional mall in the OCEC district which will eventually become the capital’s largest retail, leisure and entertainment destination. [...] Construction of the much anticipated Alila Jabal Akhdar is in its final stages as it prepares for soft opening in April and official launch before the third quarter of the year. Construction of the 110-room three-star waterfront Musandam Resort in Khasab was initiated in 2012 and continued throughout 2013, with completion scheduled for the second quarter of the year. Upon completion, the resort will provide quality, affordable accommodation for visitors to one of the most beautiful parts of Oman. The hotel will be operated by a new local Omani brand that blends tradition with modernity. W resort will be a large luxury hotel situated in Muscat’s Shatti Al Qurm district adjacent the Royal Opera House. [...] The tentative date for the public opening is scheduled for the first quarter of 2017.

NEWS & EVENTS

Air BP Grows in Middle East

EVENTS PAGE