TTM december issue 14

Middle East and North Africa Edition

ExclusIvE: solo travEl Solo travellers, an important and often high spending group, are more open to suggestion and more likely to use a travel professional when booking their holiday. Travel professionals, from destination management companies to major cruise lines and hotel chains, are recognising this segment with financial incentives and greater attention.

Yemen is a beautiful country with an unfortunate reputation.

Despite abundant attractions, Yemen’s tourism industry has been badly damaged by international perceptions that it is a dangerous place; perceptions which people within the country claim are based on exaggerated media reports. Operators highlighted a range of attractions which they insisted are both safe to visit, and unrivalled in the region.

3 vIsIt: EGYPt With hotel rooms set to nearly double over the next four years, Egypt is looking to reinvent itself in order to attract new visitors. According to industry sources, the western desert, northern coastline and luxury travel are three pillars of the future Egyptian tourism offering.

11 In This Issue MARKET UPDATE EXCLUSIVE: Solo Travel EXPLORE: Yemen VISIT: Egypt INVESTIGATION: Resorts ONSITE: Brunei TRAVEL TIPS TRAVEL TALK LONG HAUL: Ethiopia TOUR: Finland WHO’S MOVED RENDEZVOUS NEWS & EVENTS DECEMBER 2010

ISSUE 14

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Explore

YEMEN

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travEl traDE WEEKlY Editor Laura Warne Deputy Editor Louis Dillon Savage Design & Layout Elina Pericleous Sales & Marketing Marianna Tsiamas Evelina Hadjigeorgiou Dimitris Thomaidis Directors Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi Headquarters P.O. Box 25255 Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +35722820888 Fax: +35722318958 Website www.traveltradeweekly.travel Emails info@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel Printed in Cyprus Cyprint Plc P.O. Box 58300 CY-3732, Limassol Cyprus Tel: +35725720035 Fax: +35725720123 Email: info@cytprint.com.cy

Hotel occupancy up, but Rates Not Following suit in Middle East Strong competition and new hotel supply have kept average rates and revenue per available room (RevPAR) down across the Middle East, despite an upswing in demand.

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egionally, the Middle East and Africa has seen improvements in hotel occupancy, average daily rates and RevPAR compared to 2009’s results, according to STR Global’s recently released figures for October.

However, Elizabeth Randall, managing director for STR Global, said several areas in the Middle East were still struggling to increase rates and RevPAR. “The positive growth across the region has been driven through average rate improvements in the Africa subregion and boosts in occupancy in the Middle East and North Africa sub-regions,” said Randall.

“The Middle East sub-region saw average rates decline in October, resulting in a RevPAR decline.

“The sub-region finds it harder to convert the improving demand into RevPAR growth as new supply still enters the markets.”

Regionally, occupancy was at 67.2 percent at the end of October; average daily rates rose 0.8 percent to USD162.54; and RevPAR increased by 1.3 percent to reach USD109.20.

Specific regional results include: n Beirut, Lebanon, fell 19.9 percent in occupancy to 67.4 percent, representing the largest regional decrease in occupancy. However, Beirut also saw an average daily rate increase of 11.1 percent, reaching USD207.38.

Abu Dhabi’s average daily rate fell 42.4 percent to USD193.18. RevPAR in the emirate also declined, falling 43 percent to USD133.07. n

n Amman, Jordan, saw the highest occupancy increase, rising 13.7 percent to 83.2 percent. Average daily rates rose by 12.4 percent, reaching USD158.95, and RevPAR was up 27.8 percent to USD132.25.

The [Middle East] finds it harder to convert the improving demand into RevPAR growth as new supply still enters the markets

Safi Airways to Purchase European Airline to Avoid Ban

MENA Exchange Rates Accurate as of 25/11/2010 Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar COUNTRY UAE (AED) Egypt (EGP) Saudi Arabia (SAR) Lebanon (LBP) Bahrain (BHD) Jordan ( JOD) Syria (SYP) Kuwait (KWD) Qatar (QAR) Oman (OMR) Tunisia (TND) Morocco (MAD) Iran (IRR) Yemen (YER) Algeria (DZD) Libya (LYD)

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CURRENCY Dirham Pound Riyal Pound Dinar Dinar Pound Dinar Riyal Rial Dinar Dirham Riyal Rial Dinar Dinar

1USD= 3.69 5.77 3.75 1501 0.37 0.70 46.47 0.28 3.64 0.38 1.44 8.37 10,390 214.45 74.5 1.24

Safi Airways is looking to purchase a European carrier in an attempt to circumvent a European ban on all airlines from Afghanistan.

The ban came following Afghanistan’s failure to comply with requests from the European Union to instate a Civil Aviation Authority to oversee safety regulation.

Safi has been operating flights into Germany since early 2009 and has reported strong load factors.

Werner Borchert, CEO of Safi, said his airline had been repeatedly cleared by the German Civil Aviation authority, and was told by the European Union that Safi was not considered a safety risk.

In order to continue operations, Borchert said Safi would buy out a Europe based carrier and re-reregister its fleet under the new license.

“Operating Safi Airways as a European airline is not such a major step for us,” he said.

“We have always operated our services in accordance with EU standards and the Safi Group already has European subsidiaries.

“Our aircraft are maintained by Lufthansa Technik in Frankfurt and we employ mainly European pilots, managers and technical specialists.”

Borchert said the carrier hoped to undergo an IATA Air Safety Audit, often used as a safety benchmark, in January, 2011.

Safi has not yet released the names of any prospective purchases.

Operating Safi Airways as a European airline is not such a major step for us DECEMBER 2010

- Solo Travel

travelling Alone - Your trip, Your choice Solo travellers are an important and often high spending segment of the global travel market. They are more open to suggestion and more likely to use a travel professional when booking their holiday. Travel professionals, from destination management companies to major cruise lines and hotel chains, are recognising this segment with financial incentives and greater attention.

Laura Warne writes

I

n a market where consumer choice and bespoke experiences are paramount, industry sources say solo travel is a growing trend.

From spa retreats to city stays, cruise packages to solo traveller tour groups, there are a host of options available for people who prefer to travel alone.

Industry specialists say the ability to travel without compromise is a major drawcard for many clients, and stress that ‘solo’ does not mean ‘single’.

According to agents in the Middle East, many busy couples with competing work schedules are taking their holidays separately.

Davinder Kaur, destination development manager at Emirates Holidays, said the relaxation

DECEMBER 2010

Orion Expeditions

and self-discovery that comes with travel was appealing to solo travellers.

“It is all about you and finding time for yourself, without having to worry about someone else’s whims,” said Kaur.

“You only have yourself to please.”

Kaur said that while families and couples still accounted for the majority of leisure bookings at Emirates Holidays, people were becoming more open to the idea of solo travel.

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- Solo Travel However, travelling alone also brings a number of issues to the foreground – security, language barriers, appropriate destinations and the ability to interact comfortably are all cited as regular concerns among solo travellers.

It is all about you and finding time for yourself, without having to worry about someone else’s whims For this reason, many are likely to book their trip through a travel agent to ensure a smooth process and on-the-ground support if needed.

“Solo travellers like to know that they are taken care of, they are not wasting their short holidays on making arrangements that could be done for them, and also that they have a safety net,” said Kaur.

“As a solo traveller, it is 110 percent more important to book with a reputable agency. “[For a travel agent] it’s actually easier to meet the needs of one person, rather than having competing requirements, and solo travellers are also often more open to advice.”

Destinations Choosing where to go is one of the first and most important steps for solo travellers.

Booking statistics show that people travelling alone usually fall into two categories – those who are looking for a central city hotel close to restaurants, shopping and tourist attractions, or those looking for a relaxed break with privacy and pampering.

Beach resorts and spa retreats are popular choices for the latter, however Kaur pointed out the importance of gauging the typical clientele for a destination carefully before recommending it.

“For example, solo travellers wouldn’t be interested in a honeymoon-focused resort – there’s nothing worse if you are single than being surrounded by Orion Expeditions Cruise

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honeymooning couples!” said Kaur.

“It is also important to find a place that has a variety of ages – a 60-year-old traveller probably doesn’t want to go to Ibiza.”

Thailand is one destination that is popular with solo travellers, for a variety of reasons.

English is widely spoken, other tourists are prevalent, a range of activities and facilities are available, as is the option of socialising, whether with fellow travellers or locals.

Kaur also said Spain was becoming more popular with solo travellers from the GCC region due to its famously friendly people and vibrant culture.

Cruising and Touring With security and convenience both major factors for solo travellers, cruise holidays or packaged group tours are popular choices.

Orion Expeditions is one cruise line that has picked up on the trend – the group recently launched a limited offer waiving the single supplement for its 2010 summer sailings.

Orion said increased interest from solo travellers had inspired the offer, which took in popular solo destinations such as the Australian east coast, and New Zealand’s Sub-Antarctic and Fiordland areas.

As a solo traveller, it is 110 percent more important to book with a reputable agency According to solo travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide, the majority of solo tour guests are mature female travellers.

Other popular destinations include Morocco, Jordan, Italy, Portugal and Bhutan. Inspired Travel Worldwide also runs several female-only tours for solo travellers – according to the company, this option often leads to strong friendships and more relaxing travel experiences.

While special offers and packages specifically designed for solo travellers are increasing, cost is still an issue for many.

Kaur admitted that solo travel can often incur hefty surcharges for accommodation and other services, however she stressed that cutting costs in other areas was not the answer.

“It is important not to focus only on saving your pennies – look at what you are actually getting for the extra you spend on an agency, for example,” she said.

“By booking ahead, solo travellers don’t have to worry that their transfer won’t show up, or their hotel will be disappointing, or that they will be stranded in a foreign country.”

Ultimately, she said solo travellers tended to be better prepared and focused on what they wanted out of a holiday.

By focusing on meeting the needs of this niche market, travel professionals can turn high spending, frequent travellers into loyal and valuable clients. n Thailand

DECEMBER 2010

- Yemen

conflict of Interest: Arabia’s troubled Beauty Yemen is a beautiful country with an unfortunate reputation. Despite abundant attractions, Yemen’s tourism industry has been badly damaged by international perceptions that it is a dangerous place; perceptions which people within the country claim are based on exaggerated media reports. Operators highlighted a range of attractions which they insisted are both safe to visit, and unrivalled in the region.

Louis Dillon Savage writes

Y

emen is a poor, sparsely populated country, largely isolated from the rest of the world.

Much of its land is desert and many of its people maintain tribal lifestyles that have remained largely unchanged for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Mud brick cities grow organically from cliff tops and the layered remains of ancient civilisations continue to emerge from its dusty expanses.

Home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites and blessed with population both friendly and hospitable – if it weren’t for its unfortunate public image, Yemen is the kind of unspoiled destination that would be a marketer’s dream While business has been damaged by kidnappings, acts of terrorism and negative international travel advisories, Yemeni tourism interests are adamant the country is the victim of a misperception.

Fatima Al-Huraibi, director of the Yemen Tourism Promotion Board (YTPB), said the country has been singled out by foreign governments in travel advice that unfairly depicts Yemen as universally unsafe.

Benjamin Carey, who represents YTPB in the UK, gave the example of the Socotra Archipelago as an example of how blanket warnings had unfairly tarred even Yemen’s safest regions.

“Socotra is an archipelago off the coast, with the most remarkable wildlife which you can see nowhere else in the world,” he said.

“It is almost entirely nature reserve – for the UK government to say it is unsafe is just absurd.”

Yemen’s troubles have not been imagined, however: the country’s travel professionals are

Sana’a

candid about the impact of the violence – and its dominance of media representations of the country.

Abdullah Al Hamdy, general manager of the Al Bustan Mukalla hotel, said the turning point came with a suicide attack on a group of Korean tourists in March, 2009.

“The Korean tourists that were killed; that hit us very badly,” Hamdy said.

“Two years ago, things were much better.”

Since the attacks, Hamdy’s clients have been limited to business travellers and Arabs from the Gulf states, visiting friends and family.

Negative publicity may have attenuated the flow of tourism into Yemen, but according to both government and industry sources, the threats have been greatly overstated by the western media.

Hamdy said travel from the GCC had persisted largely because these visitors were better connected to the reality on the ground, and had a more realistic view of the danger.

“I think that travel agents and people in this field should come and see for themselves; when they come, they will see a different story,” he said.

The Galapagos of the Indian Ocean Benjamin Carey, who represents YTPB in the UK, recommended Socotra as one of Yemen’s must-see locations.

Frequently likened to the Galapagos Islands of South America, Socotra is a chain of islands famous for its unique natural beauty.

Surrounded by bustling coral reefs, the archipelago buzzes with species that can be seen nowhere else in the world.

35 percent of all plants and 90 percent of all 6

reptiles are endemic and the islands are also home to large populations of both sea and land birds.

Unique dragon trees stem from the rocks, making Socotra one of the most unusual landscapes to be seen anywhere.

Three quarters of the total land area is given over to nature preserves to ensure the survival of this singular attraction.

“It is a naturalists dream,” Carey said.

Yemen in Brief Capital: Sana’a Language: Arabic Currency: Yemeni Rials (YER) Travel Advisories Numerous international governments, including those of major international travel markets such as the UK, US and Germany have issued warnings advising against all travel to Yemen.

According to the Yemen Tourism Promotion Board (YTPB), these warnings are one of the major boundaries to the development of the local tourism industry.

At the World Travel Market 2010 exhibition, YTPB, along with the UNWTO, lobbied the UK Government to open a dialogue concerning its advice against all non-necessary travel to Yemen.

In an interview following the press conference, Al-Huraibi said that by scaring away tourists, the cautions denied income to poor Yemenis, encouraging them to look to the income provided by terrorist organisations.

“Some very poor people turn to terrorism because they are paid [for it],” she said.

“The terrorists target the poor: they just could not recruit the well-to-do.

“The terrorists want Yemen to be isolated, to be weak.

“The western countries are helping to do this, by making us weak.”

She said hotels have closed due to lack of interest and Yemen’s national airline, Yemenia, was struggling after being asked to cease flights to the UK. Warnings against travelling to all parts of Yemen were unfair, according to Al-Huraibi, who said there DECEMBER 2010

- Yemen Sana’a

Sana’a Testament to Yemen’s richness of heritage, the capital city of Sana’a is a UNESCO World Heritage site in its own right.

With 103 mosques, 14 hamams, more than 6,000 houses and 2,500 years of continuous habitation, Sana’a combines ancient beauty

were places in Yemen that travellers should not go, but that these accounted for only two percent of the country’s area.

This sentiment was echoed by other sources, such as Fouad Hamid Saleh, the general manager of the Mövenpick Sana’a.

“Visitors can definitely explore the beauty of Yemen’s historic places,” he said.

“There are tourist spots that tourists can explore with no restrictions, except for some areas with travel advisory due to tribal conflicts.”

Didier Morel, area manager for Accor Hotels Yemen, concurred.

“I can say to tourists that there are lots of safe places in Yemen to discover, there are very limited places where they cannot go, but still

DECEMBER 2010

there are beautiful destinations in Yemen that deserve to be visited and are completely safe,” said Morel.

“The only precaution travellers have to take is to avoid the restricted areas.”

When challenged on the economic impacts that travel warnings are having on Yemen, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office was unbending.

“When we make the assessments we are always conscious of the impacts these warnings may have on the countries concerned,” he said.

“But our primary concern is the safety of UK citizens.”

However, he said travel warnings did not reflect the UK’s policy on Yemen, and that his

with the vibrancy of a living city.

Many of its houses were built prior to the eleventh century and have been continuously maintained and rebuilt since. It is well stocked with quality hotels and provides a solid base of operations for exploring the rest of the country. government was taking steps to ensure the safety and stability of the country in the long term.

“Our approach to Yemen is not seen through the prism of travel advice,” he said.

“We have a very comprehensive approach to Yemen, focusing on everything from terrorism to water, corruption and the wider economy.”

Security Al-Huraibi said wide-ranging security measures were being pursued by the government to ensure the safety of visitors.

“We have trained a large group of security officers in France to keep tourists safe and we have co-operated with tribal leaders to ensure security,” she said.

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- Yemen Likewise, Hamdy of Al Bustan Mukalla said he thought the government was doing a good job of locking down threats to tourists.

“The government is doing a lot to make sure it is safe,” he said.

“They have begun very tight security measures.

Security wise, they are doing a good job.”

However, not all operators were so confident.

Hamid Saleh of Mövenpick said media reports exaggerated the situation, but acknowledged that more needed to be done for security before Yemen would be viable as a destination for significant numbers of tourists.

“Yemen has its potential to be a tourism destination once the security situation improves,” he said.

Attractions Rich in culture, heritage and historical sites, Yemen is a country with huge potential.

Al-Huraibi said the country’s four UNESCO sites were among its most important assets.

Carey gave an outsider’s perspective.

“Yemen is absolutely astonishing; there is just so much history there, and Yemen has just the most extraordinary desert in the world,” he said.

“All over the country you have cities made of mud clinging to cliffs, one of the UNESCO sites is where algebra began and they have the best honey in the world, served in silver pots.”

Hamid Saleh said the city was a perfect base to explore Yemen, describing highlights evoking an animated culture, embedded in a country dense with history.

“Sana’a claims to be the oldest inhabited city on earth and still mirrors the ancient way of life, especially in Old Sana’a,” he said.

“And around the Great Mosque, Al Jami Al Kabir, is a maze of colourful, bustling bazaars.

“The northwest of Sana’a boasts some of Yemen’s most magnificent mountain scenery, with countless villages on the peaks and slopes of the terraced mountains of the Yemeni Highlands; and Wadi Dhar with its unique architectural wonder, Dar Al Hajjar or the Rock Palace.

“Further afield is Marib, for centuries the political, economic and religious centre of the once-mighty kingdom of Sheba, referred to in the Torah, the Bible and the holy Quran.”

Compared to other centres of ancient civilisation, Yemen remains relatively unexplored in an archaeological sense.

The history of Yemen is spanning all of human history, it is the land of Sheba and famous Mocha coffee

Dramatic sites are still being uncovered in its hills and deserts.

“In 2000, the Mahram Bilqis or Temple of the Moon God, was discovered by a Canadian archaeologist,” Hamid Saleh said.

“It had been buried in the desert for more than a millennium.”

Morel emphasised the culture of Yemen as one of its major draws.

“The history of Yemen is spanning all of human history, it is the land of Sheba and famous Mocha coffee,” he said.

“Yemen is a country where you will find both the simplicity of people and spontaneous hospitality.”

It is little wonder that a sprinkling of travellers from around the world are drawn to these attractions in spite of warnings.

Yet business remains slow, and business operators are still pessimistic about a renaissance.

“Maybe next year,” Hamdy said when asked.

Development Things are slowly picking up, however, with Mahmood Al-Shaibani, general manager of Universal Touring Company reporting a slight increase in business.

Al-Shaibani also blamed overblown media reports for Yemen’s struggling tour sector.

Yemen may be a difficult sell to many travellers, but the government has been working hard to promote the country and to encourage investments for the future.

Al-Huraibi spoke of four large scale developments underway along the coast, and the commercial city of Aden has been receiving increased attention.

Gulf Air recently became the first GCC carrier to fly into Aden, which is Yemen’s primary port, and Resta Hotels signed on to manage Al-Qasr Hotel and Resort in the city in June.

Amadeus has begun operations in the country in cooperation with Yemenia and tightened security has already had an impact on the policy of foreign governments.

Germany recently lifted a ban on passenger flights to Yemen, after a delegation sent to the country found that security measures were adequate. n

The Manhattan of the Desert Western lore usually places the invention of the skyscraper in 1885, with the construction of the 10 storey Home Insurance Building in Chicago.

The tower houses in the town of Shibam-Hadramout in Yemen’s east, built in the sixteenth century, reach heights of up to 11 storeys.

Built as defensive structures against Bedouin raids, and to catch the cool breezes that flow above ground level, the houses have earned Shibam the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the nickname The Manhattan of the Desert.

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DECEMBER 2010

- Egypt

Building a Future Beyond the Nile valley As one of the world’s oldest tourism destinations, Egypt has well-established infrastructure and a unique product to offer.

However, with hotel rooms set to nearly double over the next four years, the country is looking to reinvent itself in order to attract new visitors. According to industry sources, the Western desert, northern coastline and luxury travel are three pillars of the future Egyptian tourism offering.

Laura Warne writes

T

he Nile Valley, specifically Luxor, Aswan and Cairo, remains the most visited region of Egypt, with Sharm El Sheikh and its surrounds following a close second.

As Racha Nabil, marketing manager of Flash Tour, explained, tourism to Egypt has traditionally been split between historic sites and Red Sea resorts.

Similarly, travel professionals were previously focused on the tried and true source markets of Western Europe and the Middle East.

However, times are changing and the uncertainty of the past two years has spurred many into action.

“Since the economic crisis, we have been trying to penetrate new markets, including Eastern Europe, China, India, even Japan and the US,” said Nabil.

“There is now a strong focus on the western desert and new activities, such as safaris and desert camps – this adds a new aspect to tourism in Egypt.”

According to the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority (ETPA), several areas in Al Bahriya Oasis have recently been classified by the Egyptian government as natural reserves, in order to protect their natural and cultural assets.

Al Bahriya Oasis is located between the northern Siwa Oasis and the White Desert; according to ETPA, the government’s decision directly reflects a desire to develop environmental tourism in the area.

The oasis features the remains of the world’s second largest dinosaur fossils, as well as several archaeological sites.

While protecting certain areas for tourism, the government is encouraging progress in others to meet the infrastructure and security requirements of greater visitor numbers.

“There is more investment, more roads and more development across both the north coast and the western desert areas – in the coming years, these will be a major focus of the tourism industry in Egypt,” said Nabil.

“This will provide new areas for Egypt, because people do get bored with seeing the same places.”

Nabil pointed out, however, that Egypt will be competing with neighbouring countries in North Africa, such as Tunisia, that are far more experienced in certain tourism offerings.

“We must admit that the Maghreb has been

Egypt in Brief Capital: Cairo Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) Language: Arabic involved in desert tourism much longer, however we have places that are not similar to those in North Africa,” she said.

“We have the White Desert, for example, and in our deserts you can find Roman relics or Pharonic monuments.”

Moataz Amin, chairman of Arab Tourism Business Development (ATBD), said that while desert tourism was booming, the north coast still faced several challenges in terms of tourism.

There is now a strong focus on the western desert and new activities, such as safaris and desert camps

Pyramids of Giza

DECEMBER 2010

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- Egypt “A few years back the north coast was only a summer destination and the problem travel agents had was that locals would travel to the north and it would be fully booked, with no room for international tourists,” he said.

“So investors started to build and tried to attract charter business, but it is still slow in the winter and there is only the resorts and beach, with nothing else to do.”

Amin said there were a couple of entertainment projects underway, but added that much of the region still shuts down after the busy summer period.

In addition to desert and coastal tourism, he suggested that luxury travel, including boutique hotels and specialist lodgings, would be one of the cornerstones of future tourism in Egypt.

“The Ministry of Tourism is focusing on luxury tourism and is promoting luxury in Egypt, because the products are there now,” he said.

Amin cited examples such as the luxurious Villa Belle Époque in Cairo, which opened in 2009, and the relatively new concept of smaller, more exclusive cruises between Luxor and Aswan.

Business Upswing After the near-universal downturn in travel

Sharm El Sheikh

figures during 2009, travel companies in Egypt have reported a strong upswing in business during 2010.

According to Amin, the country is set to record 15 million visitor arrivals by the end of the year – up from 12.8 million in 2009.

Flash Tour’s Nabil confirmed that her company had seen an increase in business over the past year; however, this boost came with an important caveat.

“While the numbers of tourists have increased in Egypt, the cash flow has not, because we have had to reduce prices to compete and survive the crisis,” said Nabil.

“We received more tourists through our costcutting strategies and this is of long-term value,

Sahara Village

because many new tourists will become repeat visitors and valuable clients for the future.”

Nabil added that Egypt remained significantly cheaper than other regional destinations, such as Dubai and Jordan, which would stand the country in good stead with budget-conscious travellers.

Accommodation Influx New hotels continue to open across the country, in both the newly developed regions and traditionally popular tourism hotspots.

The Red Sea area, including Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and El Gouna, is a hotbed of development; two of the newest entries to the market are Mosaique Hotel and Fanadir Hotel, both built in El Gouna by Orascom.

EgyptAir Tackles Busy Skies Confirming the positive figures recorded by tourism companies across the country, Egypt’s national carrier EgyptAir has seen strong growth in passenger travel over the past year.

Captain Alaa Ashour, CEO of EgyptAir, said the airline had recently launched new flight services to key destinations in Africa, Europe and China.

The Red Sea region saw the most significant growth compared to 2009, with a 31 percent increase in passengers to Sharm El Sheikh and a 34 percent increase in passengers to Hurghada.

In response to demand from leisure travellers and travel companies, the airline also launched new services to the developing tourist areas of Marsa Alaam, Arish and Taba in 2010, strengthening its domestic network.

Despite the positive results and a strong plan for fleet modernisation, network expansion and administrative upgrades, EgyptAir faces fierce competition.

Dozens of airlines service the country with scheduled and charter flights, primarily from the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

In addition, UAE-based low cost carrier Air Arabia has targeted Egypt as part of its aggressive expansion plan; in a joint venture with Travco Group, Air Arabia recently established an Alexandria-based Egyptian hub, servicing Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

“The competition is very fierce in the airline business,” admitted Ashour.

“However, EgyptAir is looking into multiple options to face this strong competition both from the legacy carriers and the low cost carriers.”

While he did not elaborate on the company’s strategy for dealing with competition, Ashour said EgyptAir’s 2011 focus would be on upgraded IT services for customers and new services to the US, Canada and Africa.

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DECEMBER 2010

- Egypt According to ATBD’s Amin, hotel capacity in Egypt is set to nearly double over the next four years, with 200,000 new rooms on the books.

In addition to new developments, widespread renovation and certification is underway across the country.

The Egyptian Tourism Authority has launched a programme to improve wellness facilities throughout the country; the programme includes a partnership with independent auditing firm TÜV Rheinland Group, cemented at ITB Berlin 2010 in March.

The Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel, which includes the Algotherm Red Sea Thalasso and Spa, was the first property to receive TÜV Rheinland’s Best Health International certificate, following a recent inspection.

According to the Egyptian Tourism Authority, at least 20 hotels across the country will be inspected and certified by TÜV Rheinland over the next two years.

Rounding out the country’s programme of renewal is an investment of USD368 million over the next three years to preserve and protect nine of Egypt’s most iconic hotels under a new brand – Historic Hotels of Egypt.

DECEMBER 2010

Cairo

The commitment has been made by the Holding Company for Tourism, Hotels and Cinema (HOTAC) and its subsidiary, the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH).

The Historic Hotels of Egypt group will include: Cairo Marriott Hotel and Omar Khayyam Casino; Mena House Oberoi; The Shepheard Hotel; The Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo; The Old Cataract, Aswan; The Winter Palace, Luxor; The

Luxor Hotel; The Palestine Hotel, Alexandria; and Cecil Hotel, Alexandria.

HOTAC and EGOTH have already spent USD260 million on renovations across their portfolio of properties.

Aly Abdel Aziz, CEO of HOTAC, said the establishment of Historic Hotels of Egypt would protect the properties and ensure they would not be sold to outside investors. n

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- Resorts

The Business side of Relaxation With year-round beach weather and miles of open coastland, the Middle East and North Africa region is especially suited to the resort format. Already the region is surging ahead, with world class properties springing up and international recognition arriving in the form of prestigious awards. The Middle East abounds with variety, with traditional beach resorts, private villa complexes, game reserves, hidden escapes and Bedouin tents coming together to form the wide spectrum of resort hotels.

Louis Dillon Savage writes

Qasar Al Sarab Desert Resort by Antara

T

he Middle East is not a monolithic market, meaning that different countries within the region, even different areas within a country, have different attractions and give rise to different kinds of properties.

Destination resorts, for example, are very dissimilar beasts to the thronging resort towns of Egypt’s Red Sea coast, or the opulent citybeach complexes of Dubai’s Jumeirah strip.

The destination resort model focuses on secluded properties, which might serve as the only reason for a trip to their location.

It is a style that has proven popular within the GCC, with examples sprouting across the region in recent years, such as Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman, or Anantara’s Qasr Al Sarab, on the edge of the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi.

Godfrey Vas, general manager of Six Senses Zighy Bay, said resorts like his were driven by the guests’ desire for privacy and escape.

“Resorts offer the precise ambience which serves as a catalyst in ensuring that guests return with lasting Banyan Tree Al Wadi

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memories of their relaxation break,” said Vas. “The guests come here with a clear intention to relax and be away from the pressures of modern day city life.”

When it comes to the business side of things, Vas said there was tension between the attractive isolation provided by a remote location and the realities of having to ship in everything needed for day to day operations.

“Zighy Bay is located 120km, or a 90 minute drive, from Dubai International Airport, which is the gateway city to Six Senses Zighy Bay.” “There are challenges with logistics when it comes to a hideaway location, but this is precisely our strong point and what makes us truly stand apart from other resorts in the region,” he said.

Resorting to Wholesale Fabian Specht, regional managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Ideas Revenue Optimisation, noted that different countries in the Middle East had different kinds of resort markets.

“In the Middle East, there is a lot of independent

business with properties operating almost like boutiques, with people booking themselves in,” he said.

“So a lot of locations in the Middle East operate a lot of one-to-one business, but other locations, like Jordan for instance, work on more package tourism and might be more dependent on wholesalers.”

Specht explained that the decision between selling inventory to wholesalers or trying to yield on it through direct sales was one of the fundamental decisions facing any resort manager.

Wholesaling guarantees a certain amount of revenue, insulating a property against market fluctuations, but at the sacrifice of the freedom to raise prices to meet increased demand.

Specht said the tension between wholesaling and direct revenue management was deeply entwined with the nature of a resort’s market.

“There are resorts and resorts,” he said.

“If you are in a destination where the flights are operated by the wholesalers, you have no choice.”

This balance is subject to change, and according to Specht, Middle Eastern resorts are likely to depend on higher ratios of wholesale business in the future, as package tourism will be necessary to increase interest.

“In Europe, where the destinations are mature, the trend is often going the other way and people are now booking independently and packaging their holidays themselves,” he said.

“But in the Middle East, as travellers from Europe and the US start getting more interested, it will be wholesalers who drive the volume.

“The Middle East is going to need the wholesalers to promote the destinations.”

DECEMBER 2010

- Resorts Six Senses Zighy Bay

Tips from the Top Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa in Dubai recently took the coveted position of world’s leading beach resort at the 2010 World Travel Awards.

Pam Wilby, general manager of the property, shared her insight into what it takes to make a world beating resort.

“The key to a successful resort is having an exceptional team,” she said.

“To stay ahead in today's world, where competition abounds and guests have extremely high standards, the answer is service.

“People want to be made to feel special, and that’s why we continue to invest heavily in training for our valued associates.

“Here at Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa we pride ourselves in offering guests exceptional standards of quality, service and performance.

“The team here works tirelessly each day to ensure that the hotel maintains the high standards that our guests have come to rightfully expect from one of the world’s premier resorts.”

DECEMBER 2010

The Future is Bright… Green Although mass tourism might prove to be necessary for Middle Eastern growth, the region is on track to avoid the ravages often associated with this market.

Another prominent trend in the resort market has been the prominence of nature themed resorts that have sprung up, especially in the UAE. Akin to destination resorts, these properties seek to integrate into the landscape around them and incorporate experiences of unspoiled nature.

Abu Dhabi’s Anantara Desert Islands Resort and Spa on Sir Bani Yas Island, and the Banyan Tree Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah are two recent examples.

With the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) under construction, the trend looks set to continue.

AWPR has been chosen to pilot Abu Dhabi’s ecological impact regulations for new build properties which, when instituted, will require all new properties in the emirate to conform to minimum standards of waste management and energy efficiency. n

15

- Brunei

switching From stopover to stayover Brunei, a sovereign state on the island of Borneo, is officially known as the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace. The small country boasts a strong economy, which is rich in oil and gas production as well as strong international investment. Tourism has not been a major priority for the country in the past, with stopover travellers making up the majority of visitors. However, travel specialists say Brunei’s pristine natural attractions and exclusivity have positioned it well for the future.

Laura Warne writes

W

ith many of its neighbours, including Singapore and Malaysia, spending up big on theme parks, shopping precincts and mega-hotels, Brunei remains committed to positioning itself as a wholesome and natural oasis.

Chris Robles, director of marketing at Brunei Tourism, said the country was targeting discerning, regular travellers looking for new sights and authentic experiences.

“Brunei has a good chance to play a part and be different from the rest of the region,” said Robles.

“We don’t have the poverty or health and safety issues that are prevalent in some of the other parts of this region.

“There is a growing need from high-end travellers who want to find places with fewer people, no crowds and exclusive products.”

China and Hong Kong are the largest source markets for Brunei, with Australian and UK travellers also high on the list.

However, many of these travellers are stopover tourists, who stay for only one or two nights; Brunei Tourism is keen to encourage longer stays of up to one week.

Middle Eastern travellers are one of the few exceptions to this strategy, according to Robles. “[The Middle East] is actually one of the few places we are trying to sell stopover holidays to, however not many people from the Middle East will book Royal Brunei when flying to Australia [because the area is covered by local airlines],” he said.

“Instead, we are targeting repeat visitors from the Middle East to Malaysia, who may want to see more of the region.”

One of the key future strategies of Brunei Tourism is to develop a greater range of naturebased accommodation, spa retreats, wellness centres and sporting facilities.

As with any destination, Robles pointed out that spreading awareness was key to attracting new visitors.

“Brunei is a destination that people have to be informed about, so that they don’t expect Dubai,” he said.

16

Omar Ali Mosque

“It is a modern, outward looking destination with people who don’t desperately need tourism – which gives them a chance to be themselves and offer a more authentic experience.”

Accommodation The hotel industry in Brunei is small but diverse, with local brands dominating the field.

Radisson is the only international brand present in the country, a fact that Brunei Tourism’s Robles puts down to low tourism numbers and limited food and beverage returns (the sale of alcohol is not allowed).

The Empire Hotel and Country Club is often named as the country’s top resort; the property was originally built by the royal family to serve as a guest house.

The beachfront resort now features 518 guestrooms, an internationally celebrated golf course, a private cinema and extensive sporting facilities.

“It is not just a nice hotel,” said Robles.

“It is palatial – you simply don’t find many places like this in the entire region.”

Haviza Mohamad, PR and marketing communications manager at The Empire Hotel, said the property mostly received visitors from China, Singapore and Malaysia.

However, he said there was also a steady flow of visitors from the Middle East, who visited mostly for government meetings or state visits.

“We have a healthy mix of stopover as well as tourists specifically here to see Brunei,” he said.

“Tourists come to relax by the pool, visit our

Brunei in Brief Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan Language: Malay Currency: Brunei Dollar (BND) rainforest and also our museum, which showcases our royal heritage.”

The Empire Hotel celebrated its 10-year anniversary in October of 2010; recent additions to the property include a Grand Banquet Hall, equipped for 1,500 guests.

For the more adventurous traveller, Ulu Ulu Resort is located in the middle of the Ulu Temburong National Park Rainforest.

The full service resort offers contemporary villas and suites with traditional touches of 1920s Malay architecture.

Guests can arrange trekking, kayaking, rafting or canopy walk tours, or book a full multi-day itinerary through the hotel.

Air Travel National carrier Royal Brunei has been a leading contributor to stopover tourism in the country, particularly on its route between the UK and Australia.

Royal Brunei has a strong network throughout Asia and Australia. It also flies to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Dubai in the UAE and London in the UK. Brunei International Airport is also served by a handful of Asian carriers, including AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air and Singapore Airlines. n DECEMBER 2010

leading Worldwide trends for twenty-Eleven World Travel Market has released its World Travel Trends Report, casting light on trends in markets around the world.

C

aroline Bremner, head of travel and tourism research at Euromonitor International, the research company responsible for the report, gave a rundown of the key developments.

“The effects of the Great Recession are still apparent in the global travel industry as deprivation holidays and boot camps are all the rage in North America,” she said.

“For those with access to credit, investment opportunities exist from Iraq to the UK's iconic luxury brands.

“Other destinations like South Africa are generating jobs and tourism through space and astronomy tourism, whilst Latin America goes beyond sun and sea to promote off the beaten track destinations.

“Asia is embracing scent marketing to provide guests with authentic guest experiences.”

Middle East Investors Feeling UK Looking outwards from the Middle East, investors from the region are expected to become increasingly important in the UK hospitality market.

Taking advantage of a depreciated British Pound, Middle Eastern money is taking over many of the UK’s icons.

Euromonitor predicted an influx of cashed up travellers from the region, attracted by a sense of ownership as well as the knowledge that their needs will be well served in hotels owned by fellow Muslims.

New investment is likely to encourage the expansion of upmarket brands, establishing London as a new luxury hotspot; likewise, Shariah compliant, dry hotels may not be far off.

Africa Looks Up Africa’s wide open spaces are getting even wider.

For tourism, the focus is shifting out beyond the horizon as stargazing and space travel become big ticket items for the region.

As the last major land mass to be explored by the West, Africa was historically known as The Dark Continent.

The name is now taking on new meanings as open spaces and low urbanisation have freed Africa of the light pollution that plagues starwatchers in more developed locales.

For those interested in a closer look than that offered by a telescope, South Africa has entered the space race and is set to become one of the leading bases of commercial space flight.

Asian Aromas Asian marketeers are embracing the psychological powers of smell to strengthen their brands.

Africa

Scent has been shown to be a powerful trigger for both emotion and memory and many Asian hotels are attempting to tie guest’s memories of their stay to strategically chosen smells.

Odour emitting billboards are already on the market and a number of leading hotels have developed signature scents.

Euromonitor noted the scope for airlines to tailor scents for inbound and outbound journeys, and the potential for crossover campaigns with hotels and destination marketers.

Other tie-ins of the technique include scented business or loyalty cards, in the hopes of leading consumers to a return visit – by the nose. n

For those with access to credit, investment opportunities exist from Iraq to the UK

Ready to Iraq and Roll In the Middle East, Iraq has been tipped as the destination to watch by Euromonitor.

After seeing an 87 percent boost to its economy in 2009, hundreds of billions of dollars worth of projects are underway in the country.

Reconstruction has been taken as a good omen by many and tourism is expected to start flowing soon.

Religious tourism has been the traditional mainstay, but 2010 saw international travel agencies such as the UAE’s Sharaf Travel enter the market, heralding a bright future.

Flights are already operating from Austria, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Norway, and the UK; more than 700 hotels will be online by 2014; and Basra in the southeast has potential as a cruise port, Euromonitor predicted.

DECEMBER 2010

17

Captain Alaa Ashour

Alaa Ashour

CEO, EgyptAir Africa has become a travel destination for today’s customers. Nowadays, a new trend of customers interested in Africa has emerged because of Africa’s natural and geographical treasures. So EgyptAir is working hard to enlarge its existence in Africa and to add new destinations to its 17 African routes. EgyptAir has started operation to Juba in Sudan and we will operate to Lusaka in Zambia next January.

Moreover, we are working on adding new routes and destinations in Africa in order to designate EgyptAir and Cairo airport as the natural gateway to Africa.

Joe Batshoun General Manager, Cove Rotana Resort “In terms of technology, people are a lot more demanding now. There are lots of customers who find it difficult to accept that we charge for internet; most expect it to be not only free, but for WiFi to be available throughout the entire resort, whether they are by the pool, on the terrace or in their rooms. It is definitely a growing trend and any decision to change will be a market driven initiative. If our competitors start to offer free internet we will have no choice but to follow the avalanche. When I worked on Yas Island, every hotel there offered free internet, so we had no choice. The market here in Ras Al Khaimah still charges, but once one or two of the hotels start to offer it for free, we will have to follow.”

A new trend of customers interested in Africa has emerged

If our competitors start to offer free internet we will have no choice but to follow the avalanche

Claus Fischer Chief commercial officer, Safi Airways “Safi Airways is a key connection between home and Afghanistan for our international customers.

The motto ‘Bringing families together’ is not only applicable for the expatriate Afghans and their families, but also for the large number of Europeans and Americans living and working in Afghanistan.

We regret that Safi Airways’ predicament has such an effect on our customers and the many Europeans living in Afghanistan.”

Claus Fischer

We regret that Safi Airways’ predicament has such an effect on our customers

Joe Batshoun

Travel Talk is your space – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel 18

DECEMBER 2010

- Ethiopia

Into the Interior: Africa’s Political centre With its long history and rainbow of distinct tribal cultures, Ethiopia holds massive tourism potential. Remaining off the radar as a destination for many years has left the African nation with a stock of attractions largely unspoiled by development; attractions which appeal to the full gamut of interests, whether scientific, historical, cultural or ecological.

Louis Dillon Savage writes

E

thiopia is alive with endemic wildlife and blanketed with nature preserves that are both extensive and beautiful.

The earliest hominid fossils ever discovered were found in Ethiopia’s Afar Depression in 1992; a series of spectacular churches have been carved from the red rocks near Lalibela; live volcanoes brew continuously in the northeast; more than 85 ethnic groups nurture their traditions on the wide plains; and the streets of Addis Ababa bustle with modern mercantilism.

These are some of the highlights named by Fikreselassie Admassu, managing director of F K Explorer Ethiopia Travel and Tours, who emphasised the size and diversity of the country as the key to understanding its appeal.

“Ethiopia is a very big country with untapped and virgin tourism potential,” he said.

“Ethiopia is also a unique country as far as tourism is concerned for it offers travellers the chance to visit almost all kinds of attractions as we are not only limited to nature or culture, but have a multitude of diversified tourism attractions.”

Yet despite a stock of bankable attractions, Ethiopia remains notoriously under-developed.

Admassu said a lack of infrastructure was a major challenge for tourism in the country, especially outside the capital, Addis Ababa, and a lack of quality hotels was also a concern.

Ethiopia is a very big country with untapped and virgin tourism potential Lalibela

DECEMBER 2010

Blue Nile Falls

Dark Days Ethiopia’s troubled reputation may have frightened off crucial investors.

The country has occupied a dark corner of the international consciousness since a devastating famine in the mid 1980s.

Celebrity activism brought global attention to the famine and the country has since been synonymous with poverty and hunger for many outside Africa.

But according to sources on the ground, this reputation is outdated and Ethiopia is prospering.

According to John McAree, general manager of the Hilton Hotel Addis Ababa, the capital is home to more than 120 embassies, international missions and non-government organisations, including the regional headquarters of the United Nations (UN).

Addis Ababa is also the home to the African Union and has earned the moniker of The Political Capital of Africa.

The result, according to McAree, is a steady stream of government and aid workers who comprise the bulk of travel to the country.

“There is a large expat community visiting Addis Ababa from around the world, largely for governmental, United Nations and African Union meetings, International Aid and the start of international investment conferences related to textiles and agriculture,” he said.

He also noted a recent increase in the number of visitors from the Middle East.

“There are a few visitors from the Middle East, typically attending the annual African Development Bank (ADB) and African Union meetings,” he said.

“Recent developments in Sudan have also resulted in an increase in business.”

Muzri Tribe

Ethiopia in Brief Capital: Addis Ababa Currency: Birr (ETB) Language: Amharic Work in Progress Although Ethiopia is beginning to flower, the country’s nascent tour industry still needs nurturing.

There are few international quality hotels in the country, and outside Addis Ababa, infrastructure is sparse.

McAree said a rigid bureaucracy made implementing change difficult, and poor relations with neighbouring countries were another factor slowing Ethiopia’s growth.

Connectivity is quite strong, however, with regional airports scattered across the large country.

Ethiopia Airlines flies to all GCC countries except Oman, and several major Middle Eastern carriers operate routes into the country.

Emirates, Gulf Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Yemenia, Egyptair and Kuwait Airways all fly to Ethiopia.

Despite the breaks applied by an unhappy past and a ponderous government, Ethiopia has won through to become one of the fastest developing economies in Africa.

Indeed, Admassu pointed out that Ethiopia’s underdeveloped state translated into fantastic opportunities for investors, offering a great deal of room to grow.

With development sensitive to the country’s natural and cultural assets, Ethiopia has the potential to become a true tourism treasure. n 19

- Finland

Race to the Finnish in the land of the Midnight Fun Sharing borders with Russia, Norway and Sweden, Finland juts southwards into the Baltic Sea. The country bristles with the remains of the great forest that once covered all of Europe and boasts more than 180,000 lakes. It is the heart of Northern Europe – and its wilderness. With snowy winters, temperate summer and modern amenities, Finland offers a pristine getaway with all the conveniences.

Louis Dillon Savage Writes

Helsinki

F

inland is a destination typified by contrasts, and one very much focused on enjoying the outdoors, whatever the weather.

Jukka-Paco Halonen, managing director of the Avieda Oy destination management company, noted that Finland’s climate allowed it to cater to a variety of interests.

“Finland is not just one destination, it is in fact at least two: winter and summer are 100 percent contrasting,” he said.

“In winter you have all the snow and the ice and all the activities associated with that, and in the summer it is a true summer destination – it is the contrast that makes Finland so special.”

According to Halonen, there is such a strong focus on outdoor activities simply because ‘the outdoors’ comprises a huge proportion of the country.

“In Finland I would say more than 70 percent of the country is covered in forest, and we have more than 180,000 lakes, so anything to do with ecological travel is very easy,” he said.

Despite a focus on the outdoors brought on by the large untamed spaces in Finland, the country is far from parochial when it comes to services and infrastructure.

The country is consistently ranked in the top ten of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index, beating out countries such as Germany and Japan.

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Newsweek named it the best country in the world earlier this year and Finland came in fifth on Monocle’s Quality of Life Index for 2010.

It is home to modern transportations systems, a well developed hospitality industry and a modern, diversified economy.

Finland in Brief Capital: Helsinki Language: Finnish, Swedish Currency: Euro (EUR) Uspenski Cathedral

Visitor Profile According to Mervi Holmén, director of national brand and marketing for the Finnish Tourism Board (FTB), the largest travel market for Finland is Russia.

“In 2009, Finland received 5.7 million foreign visitors,” he said.

“The largest number, 2.2 million, or a good third of all visitors, came from Russia.”

Other Northern European countries join mainstay travel markets such as Germany and the UK in making up the next largest segments.

“The second largest group, 753 000 visitors, came from Sweden,” Holmén said.

“Visitors from Estonia comprised the third largest group with 583,000 visitors; the fourth highest number of visitors came from Germany; the fifth highest from Great Britain; and the sixth highest from Norway.”

Travel from the Middle East remains relatively minor.

According to Halonen, a lack of direct connectivity has meant that Finland has been historically difficult to access for travellers from the region.

However, direct connections are opening the country up.

“We have had some groups from the Middle East, mostly connected to a congress or meeting of some kind, or special interest tours like some students that came as part of a joint venture with a Finnish university,” Halonen said.

“Before, you had to fly via another destination, but now there are good flights, including a direct link to Dubai, so there is a good opportunity to get more travel from there.”

DECEMBER 2010

- Finland Northern Lights

Finnair operates direct flights between the capital, Helsinki and Dubai.

Although Middle Eastern travellers come primarily for meetings, Holmén said this was atypical of visits to Finland. “[In 2009], 50 percent of the foreign visitors to Finland were on leisure trips,” he said.

“12 percent of all visitors to Finland came to see friends or relatives, a quarter of all foreign visitors to Finland came on business, and 10 percent of visitors were on a transit trip through Finland.”

According to Halonen, one of Finland’s major selling points was its centrality to other countries in Northern Europe.

Surrounded by Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, it is appealing as a side trip from any of these destinations, or as a base to explore all of them.

“One thing that makes Helsinki attractive is that it is close to other northern European cities like Stockholm and Saint Petersburg,” he said.

“It provides an excellent way of combining these jewels of the north: in summer there are many opportunities for people travelling in Northern Europe to combine them all.”

Much of Northern Europe is accessible by car, ferry or train and a new high speed rail link is set to commence to Saint Petersburg on December 12.

Activities Finland is primarily a leisure destination, but lacking the resort culture of many destinations, it is largely defined by its range of activities.

Watching the Northern Lights, riding snow mobiles, skiing, sledding, hiking, camping and white water rafting are just some of the activities suggested by the FTB. Dog or reindeer sledding and snow mobile riding are the most popular activities, according to official statistics, with 12 to 13 percent of all leisure travellers engaging in these activities during their trip.

In summer, fishing, hiking and wildlife watching proved to be the most popular.

Halonen, who is also vice president of the Site Global meetings and events network, said ice DECEMBER 2010

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

breaker tours were a common choice among meetings and incentive planners.

For the less adventurous, historical sites compete with modern entertainment for the attention of visitors.

The Linnanmäki and Särkänniemi Amusement Parks, Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Uspenski Cathedral and Korkeasaari Zoo represented the top five individual tourism attractions in the country in 2007, according to FTB’s most recent statistics.

Development Finland’s mature hospitality market means that its timeline of openings looks sparse compared

Lake Saimaa

to the Middle East.

Developments continue, nevertheless.

Sokos Hotel Vaakuna in Joensuu opened a new wing this year, adding 81 rooms and increasing its total to 144.

Radisson Blue Hotel Espoo has also completed renovations covering all 219 rooms, as well as its restaurant and common areas.

Nordic hotel chain Scandic purchased three new hotels in the country this year: Hotel Linnea, Hotel Rivoli and Hotel Salpaus, all located in the region around the capital.

The company is also set to open the Scandic Paasi hotel in 2011, situated next to the Paasitorni congress centre in Helsinki. n

In winter you have all the snow and the ice and all the activities associated with that, and in the summer it is a true summer destination it is the contrast that makes Finland so special 21

Peter Payet

Peter Payet

Rabih Saab Global distribution system (GDS) provider Travelport has appointed Rabih Saab as president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa. Saab will lead a team of more than 150 employees from his base at Travelport’s Middle East and Africa headquarters in Dubai.

Saab joined Travelport in 2005 as Galileo’s vice president for the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He also led the implementation of Travelport’s direct operations for travel agents in the Middle East. Before joining Travelport, Saab worked for a number of international organisations, including Chantelle, Japan Tobacco International and Procter and Gamble.

Emirates has appointed Peter Payet as senior vice president of Arabian Adventures. Payet has worked at Arabian Adventures since the brand’s launch in 1992 and has strong business and management experience within the destination management company. In addition to his new role with Arabian Adventures, he will also take on the position of senior vice president of Congress Solutions International (CSI), Emirates’ full service professional congress organiser.

Rabih Saab

Lynn Gervais

Lynn Gervais The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre has appointed Lynn Gervais as director of public relations.

Gervais most recently worked as director of public relations at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Canada. Earlier, she held a regional role, overseeing public relations for five Fairmont Properties in Vancouver, Canada. Gervais holds a business management diploma from Grand MacEwan College.

Frédéric Bardin

Frédéric Bardin Emirates Holidays has appointed Frédéric Bardin as senior vice president, taking over from John Felix as the new head of the group. Bardin has more than 30 years of experience in the international and domestic tourism sector.

His most recent position was senior vice president of Arabian Adventures.

22

Pascal Eggerstedt Crowne Plaza Bahrain has appointed Pascal Eggerstedt as general manager. Eggerstedt has a strong history with InterContinental Hotels Group across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. He is a graduate of Hotelschool, The Hague and specialises in quality control and revenue driving. He has lived and worked in the Gulf for the past four years.

DECEMBER 2010

Q&A with sarah Rooney Sarah Rooney is the responsible business manager for Rezidor’s global portfolio of more than 300 properties. Rooney recently spoke at the inaugural World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi event and took the opportunity to visit Rezidor’s six UAE hotels, which have all recently achieved Green Key certification. Rooney spoke to Travel Trade Monthly about client expectations, government involvement and greenwashing.

Travel Trade Monthly: Please give us a brief outline of the responsible business department.

Sarah Rooney: As a company, we were originally owned by Scandinavian Airlines, so our environmental policy dates back to 1989 and has been a major part of the company for many years.

The responsible business programme as we know it was developed in 2001 and has three pillars.

The first is to ensure the health and safety of our employees and guests.

The second is to respect social and ethical issues within the company and the community.

The third pillar is a commitment to reducing our negative impact on the environment.

This programme is in place in all of our hotels, in all regions, which is unique, because many companies implement responsible business programmes only where it suits them. We have actually been pioneers in bringing environmental practice to certain regions.

I lead the programme from our corporate head office, covering more than 300 hotels in more than 50 countries.

There are too many companies that are just trying to make money out of the green industry Travel Trade Monthly: What challenges have you faced in the development and implementation of the programme?

Sarah Rooney: The challenges are different according to the regions we’re working in. In Scandinavia, for example, environmental practice comes naturally – it’s the law.

However, in other places, it is not very well developed. We had one hotel in remote Russia where our employees went to the local authority to ask about recycling and the authority didn’t understand the concept.

Our hotels must adjust to the available infrastructure in the country, along with the expectations of the local clients and nuances of the region.

DECEMBER 2010

In the Middle East, we have seen excellent results from our community work. In fact, the environmental standards of our hotels in this region have exceeded my expectations.

Sarah Rooney

Travel Trade Monthly: How has the programme affected Rezidor in terms of staff engagement and bottom line?

Sarah Rooney: The employee engagement aspect is huge – it is a very positive programme for our employees and it also helps when we are recruiting.

It is a very strong internal brand and employees are very quick to point out to each other, and especially me, when things are not responsible.

Awareness is very high and the programme works as a unifying concept.

Regarding profits, obviously if we are reducing consumption we are saving money, but our focus has not been on cost.

Some examples do show the possibilities for cost saving, though – our Radisson Blu Dubai Media City property changed to LED lighting for its front building displays and cut its energy consumption by 70 percent.

Technology is constantly changing and it is all about implementing the right technology and convincing the hotel owners that it will work.

It must be sensible change though, because tearing out machinery that still works just to install some new technology is not a responsible move. We use what we have efficiently until it becomes impractical to do so anymore.

way to measure their complete environmental impact and that just doesn’t exist.

Travel Trade Monthly: Do you think that government involvement in responsible business and environmental initiatives is helpful or a hindrance?

Sarah Rooney: It depends on the country. In the Middle East, it is definitely a positive involvement. Abu Dhabi is clearly trying to position itself as a green destination and the government has the power to get it done.

I admire the government in the UAE for taking this stance.

Travel Trade Monthly: What advancements Travel Trade Monthly: What response have do you hope to see for the industry over the next five years, in terms of responsible you seen from clients?

Sarah Rooney: Our corporate clients are business practices? seeking responsible business and they have many Sarah Rooney: My biggest issue is that there is requirements and questions that they want addressed. I do think that many clients, as well as the media and other people outside the industry, don’t completely understand the realities of the business.

For example, people may request paperless check-in and check-out services, but that’s actually not legal in many countries, because we are required to issue a receipt. There are many complex issues involved – people want a simple

a lot of greenwashing going on in the industry – I want less talk and more action. That said, I have been so happy to see the excellent work that our hotels are putting into place here in the UAE. They really are going beyond the call of duty.

There are too many companies that are just trying to make money out of the green industry.

I think some old fashioned common sense is necessary – thrift is required, rather than emphasising the trendiness of green practice. n 23

KPMG’s Golf Business Forum Comes to Dubai in 2011 Professional services firm KPMG has selected Park Hyatt Dubai as the venue for its next Golf Business Forum, to be held from April 17 to 19, 2011.

The forum, now in its eighth year, is set to bring together leading players from the golf, real estate, finance and tourism sectors across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s golf advisory practice in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said some of golf’s biggest names, including Gary Player, Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus, had personally attended the forum in the past.

“We are excited that the Golf Business Forum 2011 is being hosted in Dubai, one of the most dynamic golf destinations in the world and the heart of the Middle East, a region that continues to offer growth potential for the golf industry,” said Sartori.

“The Park Hyatt Dubai is a world-class conference centre befitting of the Golf Business Forum, and I know that delegates will appreciate the outstanding business and leisure facilities that will form the backdrop to this important business and networking event.”

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Dubai [is] one of the most dynamic golf destinations in the world and the heart of the Middle East, a region that continues to offer growth potential for the golf industry In addition to hosting the forum, Park Hyatt Dubai will also host one of two official golf events running during the Golf Business Forum.

The forum will feature interactive discussions, oneon-one interviews, debates and presentations from

International Luxury Travel Market Cannes, France, December 6-9, 2011 (www.iltm.net) Annual business to business event for the global luxury travel industry.

Showcases destinations and travel experiences, with a programme of networking events and pre-scheduled meetings.

Moroccan Travel Market Marrakech, Morocco, January 12-15, 2011 (en.mtm.ma) Exhibition for international travel professionals.

Blossom Japan Tokyo, Japan, January 18-21, 2011 (www.blossomjapan.com) A new invitation-only luxury travel exhibition focusing on the Japanese market.

24

industry leaders. The event attracts more than 250 participants from more than 40 countries.

In recent years, the Golf Business Forum has been held in Budapest, Prague, Cyprus, Turkey and Ireland. n

Fitur International Tourism Trade Fair Madrid, Spain, January 19-23, 2011 (www.fitur.es) Fitur is a meeting point for tourism professionals to establish lines of action, strategies and business alliances.

Hobex Tripoli, Libya, January 25-27, 2011 (www.wahaexpo.com/hobex) International hotel business exhibition.

India Travel Market - Mumbai, Mumbai, India, February 4-6, 2011 (www.indiatravelmart.com) Travel trade show for inbound, outbound, and domestic tourism.

Emitt Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey, February 10-13, 2011 (www.emittistanbul.com) Istanbul’s only international trade fair: focused on tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean.

DECEMBER 2010