TTM april 2010 issue 6

Middle East and North Africa Edition

INVESTIGATION: FUTURE TOURISM From the wobbling first steps of an economy reborn after economic hardship, to the running jump of private industry into deep space, the future offers both great uncertainty and huge promise.

10 ONSITE: MALAYSIA Already a successful business destination, Malaysia is targeting the family leisure sector with a range of upcoming hotels and theme parks. Health and wellness tourism is also on the agenda, along with a new plan to capitalise on transit tourists.

InMARKET ThisUPDATE Issue NEWS INVESTIGATION: Future Tourism VISIT: Sharjah & Fujairah EXCLUSIVE: Religious Tourism EXPLORE: Morocco ONSITE: Malaysia TRAVEL TALK TRAVEL TIPS TOUR: Ireland WHO’S MOVED RENDEZVOUS LONG HAUL: New York NEWS & EVENTS APRIL 2010

ISSUE 6

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www.traveltradeweekly.travel

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY Deputy Editor Laura Warne

EDITOR’S ANNOUNCEMENT Travel Trade Weekly Ltd, the publisher of Travel Trade Weekly e-book and magazine, has introduced a new name for its monthly issue, to better express the unique nature of its two publications.

Journalist Louis Dillon Savage

Travel Trade Weekly Ltd’s hard copy magazine will be renamed Travel Trade Monthly, beginning with this month’s edition.

Design & Layout Elina Pericleous

Travel Trade Monthly contains informative destination features, interviews with key industry figures and in-depth analysis of issues related to the travel trade industry within the Middle East and North Africa.

Sales & Marketing Jane Davidson Marianna Tsiamas Danielle Bragg Tina Georgiou

This publication is distributed as a hard copy to more than 6,000 readers throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Directors Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi

Travel Trade Weekly Ltd also produces a weekly e-book publication, Travel Trade Weekly, the first and only weekly travel trade publication in the MENA region. This is read online by more than 100,000 readers globally – including all TATO registered agents.

Headquarters P.O. Box 25255 Nicosia 1308 Cyprus Tel: +35722820888 Fax: +35722318958 Website www.traveltradeweekly.travel

This weekly e-book publication provides travel professionals around the world with the latest tourism news from within the Middle East and North Africa, as well as international news and events.

Emails info@traveltradeweekly.travel editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel sales@traveltradeweekly.travel

Travel Trade Weekly currently receives more than 5000 readers per day via its website, www.traveltradeweekly.travel. Key audience markets for the e-book include Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.

Printed in Cyprus Cyprint Plc P.O. Box 58300 CY-3732, Limassol Cyprus Tel: +35725720035 Fax: +35725720123 Email: cyprint@cytprint.com.cy

By publishing through these two channels, Travel Trade Weekly Ltd can provide the most up to date news in the region, as well as offering an in-depth view of key destinations and the industry’s big issues.

We hope you continue to enjoy Travel Trade Weekly and Travel Trade Monthly.

We continue to welcome your ongoing feedback, input and support.

Best regards, Laura Warne Deputy Editor

Air Arabia Concludes AGM With 10 Percent Cash Dividend MENA Exchange Rates Accurate as of 24/3/2010 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 (LID)

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

1USD= 3.67 5.49 3.75 1501 0.37 0.70 45 0.28 3.64 0.38 1.38 8.24 9900 205.76 73.05 1.26

UAE based low cost carrier Air Arabia announced a cash dividend of 10 percent of the company’s share capital, following the conclusion of its third Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Sharjah.

The AGM revealed net profits of AED452 million (USD123 million) for the year ending December 31, 2009.

Full year turnover reached AED2 billion (USD544 million) in 2009, representing a 4.5 percent decline on the AED2.066 billion (USD562 million) registered in 2008.

However, passenger numbers increased from 3.6 million to 4.1 million for the same period and seat load factor stood at 80 percent at the end of 2009.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia, said the company was glad to share its success with shareholders, despite difficult times for the industry.

“Last year represented serious challenges to the global aviation sector and led to the industry’s highest loss ever,” he said.

“With the pressure on yields increasing significantly due to continuous overcapacity and volatile oil prices associated with the world’s financial crisis, the year 2010 remains uncertain.

“In 2010, Air Arabia will continue to focus on its efficient low cost operations while utilising its assets as well as providing our customers with the most competitive fares, more destinations and best value for money services.”

Air Arabia currently services 60 destinations globally, from hubs in Sharjah and Casablanca.

In 2009, the company signed a joint venture agreement with Travco Group to launch a new low cost carrier based in Egypt; operations on the Egypt hub are expected to begin in the second half of 2010.

APRIL 2010

New GlobalStar Travel Management Partnerships Push Middle East Expansion ANTA Travel in the UAE and Al Bateel Travel in Qatar have joined the GlobalStar Travel Management network.

T

he two new partnerships are part of GlobalStar’s continuing expansion in the Middle East; in the final quarter of 2009, Dadabhai Travel in Bahrain and Travel Point LLC in Oman both joined GlobalStar’s network.

Kumar Jagadeesan, general manager of ANTA, said

that access to GlobalStar’s airfare sourcing technology was vital to his decision to partner with the company.

“We are enthusiastic to be able to compile a true multinational travel management solution for our clients through GlobalStar and are proud to join this established and constantly growing network of independent travel management companies,” he said.

Raza Khan, general manager of Al Bateel, said his company had experienced rapid growth since its launch in 2007 and expected to triple its annual turnover of US5 million in 2010.

“With the establishment of Al Bateel Travel we instantly needed access to an organisation with a global reach to service our constantly growing international client base,” he explained.

Saadiyat Island Kicks Off Cultural District Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) came one step closer to completion of its Cultural District project on Saadiyat Island in late March, with the inauguration of Manarat Al Saadiyat visitors’ and art exhibition centre.

The new facility features three major art galleries, as well as events space, a sales centre and a 250 seat theatre.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, chairman of TDIC, officially opened Manarat Al Saadiyat, along with a new and permanent exhibition, The Saadiyat Story.

“Saadiyat Island has captured the imaginations and interest of people from around the world and our vision continues to be realised through the rapid progress of many projects already underway,” he said.

“This space will enable us to host exhibitions from around the world and to foster a greater engagement with the arts on a local level, in the lead-up to the opening of the museums in the Saadiyat Cultural District in 2013.”

Saadiyat Island APRIL 2010

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FuTure TOurISM

To Infinity and Beyond From the wobbling first steps of an economy reborn after economic hardship, to the running jump of private industry into deep space, the future offers both great uncertainty and huge promise to the tourism industry.

The Future of the Middle East The Middle East is well situated to become a leading travel hub in the near- to mid-term, according to Nadejda Popova, an expert in the Middle East travel market for Euromonitor.

“The rise of low cost airlines in the region and the development of modern infrastructure will pave the way for the Middle East to compete with even the largest European hubs,” said Popova.

The down-trading trend would prevail, she said, and consumers will continue to flock to the low cost online booking options that are starting to dominate distribution.

However, she noted that the Middle East lagged behind the west in internet technologies, despite the efforts of many companies in the travel industry to address the technological discrepancy.

“It will probably take a couple of years to catch up,” she said.

“Although some countries in the region are slower than others; Saudi, for instance is particularly far behind.”

However, Popova pointed out that trailing the west could ultimately allow developing regions like the Middle East to outstrip established countries, by adopting the latest technologies as they emerge instead of retrofitting existing systems.

Though lagging behind in the adoption of online technologies, Middle Eastern companies have been quick to embrace the latest developments when it comes to hardware.

Oman Air recently became the first carrier to offer three class in-flight wireless internet access and Etihad has announced plans to introduce a state-of-the-art health monitoring system into its fleet.

The Final Frontier In 2006, Ras Al Khaimah was selected by Space Adventures as the future site of a USD265 million spaceport, from which the company planned to operate its own commercial flights.

Though the facility has not been officially cancelled, announcement notices have been removed from the Space Adventures archive and 4

Stacey Tearne, media officer for the company, said that no information was available on the project.

Plans had included the development and construction of a commercial spacecraft, dubbed Explorer.

However, Tearne emphasised that Space Adventures was now committed to facilitating spaceflight experiences, rather than developing its own launch capabilities.

“Space Adventures is an experience provider, not a manufacturer,” she said.

Space Island Group’s space hotel concept

Accessing space will continue to be a very costly venture Though the future of space facilities in the Middle East remains uncertain, widely available space tourism is becoming increasingly imminent, with Virgin Galactic having unveiled its production model spacecraft in December 2009.

Sharaf Travel has been selected as the company’s official booking agent in the Middle East.

Space Adventures currently offers a variety of programmes, including missions to the International Space Station, zero-gravity flights, cosmonaut training and spaceflight qualification programmes.

The company is even planning the first commercial mission to include a flight around the far side of the moon, but at USD100 million per ticket, the experience will remain unattainable by the masses for the foreseeable future.

“Accessing space will continue to be a very costly venture because of the energy required to leave the Earth’s atmosphere,” Tearne said.

She said that current developments, including the diversification of launch options and the development of space programmes by nations such as China, India and Brazil could open routes to cheaper, more populist space travel.

Tearne said that the key to making space travel widely accessible was the development of more

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo and launch vehicle

commercial spacecraft, but that there was no timeline for generally affordable options.

Advances are also being made in commercial space accommodation, with a number of companies developing plans for the first space hotels.

One model, introduced by Excalibur Almaz, would see the launch and commercialisation of Soviet-era Almaz space stations.

Bigelow Aerospace is another player and has acquired patents developed by NASA as part of an abandoned space habitat programme; the company has already launched two test units, which remain in orbit today.

Space Island Group’s model is based on welding together the massive fuel tanks required for launch into space, then converting their interiors into hotels and other commercial properties.

According to Tearne, though still conceptual, the idea of a space hotel is feasible and only a matter of time.

APRIL 2010

ShArjAh AnD FujAIrah

Exploring The Other Emirates Sharjah and Fujairah may be smaller than their neighbouring emirates, but each has carved out a distinct identity for itself.

In Sharjah, heritage and cultural tourism is prized, with a wealth of museums and art galleries. By contrast, Fujairah promotes its unspoiled natural beauty, and offers a range of beach resorts and activities unavailable in the rest of the UAE. Both destinations have long been popular with GCC families, but new developments and tourism initiatives are casting the net wider, capitalising on business tourism, international events and the lucrative European market.

Laura Warne writes

T

hese two emirates are arguably the most distinct of any in the UAE - Fujairah with its mountains and family resorts stretching along the coastline, compared with Sharjah’s place as the bustling neighbour of Dubai.

However, there are definite similarities between the two, including a recent focus on their respective tourism industries, following major growth in visitor numbers over the past few years. Naeem Darkazally, director of sales and marketing for Rotana’s northern emirates operation, explained that both emirates have displayed strong development pipelines and strategies that set them apart from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“The investments and the projects that have opened this year were all planned before the economic crisis and they reflect the market before 2009,” said Darkazally.

“Inventory in the UAE was generally below the demand for rooms and as hoteliers we were criticised for high rates.

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“At that time, companies in the northern emirates saw the opportunity to open four and five star properties at lower rates than the ones in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”

He added that both emirates were extremely popular with GCC tourists, due in part to strong connectivity through local airlines such as Air Arabia, which is based in Sharjah.

“The heavy frequency of flights provides a lot of last minute bookings for us and the GCC remains the market with the most volume for our hotels,” said Darkazally.

“GCC travellers feel at home when they visit

Sharjah and Fujairah, which is especially important when travelling with families.

“Internationally, the northern emirates have become famous in Ukraine, Russia, China and South India; Europe is also important of course, particularly during certain seasons.”

Darkazally said that Rotana had recently seen increased interest from tourists in Italy, Czech Republic and Poland. However, in order to seriously capitalise on the European market, he suggested that both emirates needed to invest in the development of package tourism options.

“I believe that success in Fujairah and Sharjah for APRIL 2010

the tourism sector lies in group tourism, rather than high end individuals,” he said.

“It’s time the industry looked at all-inclusive tourism concepts for groups and families; much like the Club Med group.

“The European market would love this concept, particularly for Fujairah, which offers sun, sand and diving holidays along with a unique heritage.”

Sharjah Sharjah increased its number of visitors from 600,000 in 2001 to 1.5 million in 2009, thanks to an aggressive local and international promotion strategy. Mohamed A Al Noman, director general of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said arrival numbers were expected to increase again, and reach two million by 2012. He explained that, in addition to boosting the tourism industry in Sharjah, this growth has led to major regulatory changes and APRIL 2010

development.

“This huge increase in the number of visitors to Sharjah necessitated the increase in the number of hotels, as well as the implementation of the hotel classification system and the tour guide training and licensing programme, among other initiatives,” said Al Noman.

“We have implemented a progressive strategy that incorporates such initiatives as participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions, operating roadshows and implementing initiatives designed to improve the quality and variety of Sharjah’s tourism product.”

In the face of all this development, Al Noman said that the emirate was committed to maintaining its unofficial title as the cultural capital of the Arab world.

“Sharjah has kept the spirit of its history alive by innovatively incorporating tradition into every aspect of contemporary development, and

modern Sharjah is built on foundations rich in history and Islamic traditions,” he said.

“In line with its focus on remembering the past while embracing the future, the emirate of Sharjah boasts over 20 museums, cultural centres and heritage areas that showcase the arts, crafts, traditions and importance of Islam in the lifestyles of the people.”

European visitors remain a major source market for Sharjah, followed by regional traffic. Of the 1.5 million arrivals in 2009, 42 percent were from Europe, with 23 percent from the GCC, 11 percent from other Arab countries, 15 percent from Asia, six percent from Africa, two percent from the US and one percent from the Pacific region.

A number of hotels and other developments are on the way, in preparation for the expected increase in visitors. Rotana has two properties planned for the emirate, including a three star Centro hotel opening at the Sharjah airport at the end of the year.

Marriott International is currently in the planning stages to develop two hotels in the emirate - one resort property and one business focused hotel apartments property, which will add 375 rooms between them to Sharjah’s inventory. SCTDA is focusing on development on Sharjah’s east coast and is working with Al Qasba Development Authority to launch a number of new projects.

“One of these is the Adventure Camp, which will be located in Kalba on an area of 30,000 square metres and will accommodate over 150 individuals,” said Al Noman.

“Adventure Camp will reflect a mixture of heritage and civilisation, with heritage designs and modern educational and entertainment technologies.”

SCTDA will launch a series of summer promotions to stimulate tourism in the lead up to the annual Sharjah Water Festival at the end of the year.

“The 2010 Sharjah Water Festival is going to be bigger and better than ever, and we have already begun planning and organising the entertainment,” said Al Noman.

“We are also organising a number of other international events to be held in Sharjah, most of which are currently in the planning stages; we will be making announcements regarding these upcoming events throughout the year.

“We will also continue to increase the number and improve the quality of hotels and other tourism attractions in the emirate in the hopes of not only attracting new visitors to the emirate, but also encouraging those who do visit to keep returning.”

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Tour Operator Training in Sharjah

Fujairah According to Darkazally, Fujairah’s natural environment is unique within the UAE and provides a major tourist attraction for local and international visitors.

“For tourists, it offers activities such as mountain climbing, hiking and wadi trips; these natural attractions are being looked at by the tourism board, to highlight the unique environment of Fujairah,” he said.

Weekend and holiday traffic from within the GCC is a major market for the tourism industry in Fujairah, with a strong focus on family tourism and relaxing beach resort breaks.However, Darkazally said that business group bookings were the surprise money makers in Fujairah.

“We have amazingly strong business from groups, training and MICE bookings from the UAE - in fact, this segment makes up about 25 to 30 percent of all of our Fujairah business,” he said.

“All the hotels in Fujairah benefit from this market; the emirate is a nice change from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which makes it good for business and incentive tourism.”

Darkazally added that Fujairah’s active port was another good source of business. However, he said there was greater potential for the emirate.

“I think that Fujairah could do even better if there were more projects developed with pure leisure facilities,” he said.

“Water parks, theme parks and entertainment options would make the city more attractive year-round.”

Rotana currently has one five star resort in Fujairah and plans to open another property in May. The new city centre hotel will feature more than 150 hotel apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms.

A Radisson Blu property is also scheduled to open in Fujairah in the near future; the 287 room, five star property is expected to be completed in 2012.

In February, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) launched the first official training programme for tour agents in Sharjah. The courses followed intensive planning and research into similar programmes throughout the UAE and beyond. Divided into two segments beginners and advanced - the courses seek to boost the knowledge of tour agents in the emirate to reflect SCTDA’s focus on culture and heritage tourism.

The beginner courses began in February, covering introductory topics such as communication, guiding techniques and other practical skills. Advanced classes kick off in April, with a series of masterclasses led by experts in various fields related to tourism in the emirate.

Key speakers will include an archaeologist specialising in Sharjah’s history, a museum expert and a commercial specialist from Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). Rather than adopting a classroom style, masterclasses will be conducted at relevant destinations within the field, such as museums or heritage buildings throughout Sharjah. The advanced courses require participants to have at least three years of experience working as tour guides. SCTDA will run three courses per year for both the beginners and advanced classes, taking care not to hold classes during peak seasons or Ramadan, in order to ensure maximum attendance rates.

Le Meridien Fujairah

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APRIL 2010

reLIGIOuS TOurISM

People of the Booking: Faith Travel in the Middle East The Middle East is the epicentre of religious travel from all around the world, with the region housing major holy sites for several world religions. From the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, to Jordan’s baptism site, an abundance of pilgrimage attractions are scattered throughout the area.

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ccording to Kevin J Anderson, founder of the World Religious Travel Organisation (WRTA), religious travel is one of the fastest growing and most resilient sectors in the global tourism economy.

“Because of the nature of religious tourism, it has proven elastic and strong, even in the current economy,” he said.

WRTA figures indicate that the religious travel segment accounts for around USD18 billion of revenue worldwide every year.

Islamic pilgrimages account for a healthy portion of those figures and the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia is the number one Islamic pilgrimage destination.

A visit to the city during the Hajj is one of the original and fundamental tenets of Islam; compulsory for all Muslims with the means, at least once in their lifetime.

In addition to the Hajj, which is confined to the last month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims can undertake Umrah pilgrimages throughout the rest of the year.

However, visas for both Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages are offered seasonally.

Citizens of GCC countries have year round access, while visitors from further afield should consult their local embassy for the annual dates of the Umrah and Hajj seasons.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, the government body responsible for facilitating pilgrimages, visas can only be gained through government approved travel agents, and all related transport and accommodation bookings are recommended to be undertaken in the same manner.

The Saudi National Committee for Hajj and Umrah has released data that show that the segment continues to grow.

The committee has predicted a 15 percent year on year increase in pilgrims this year, following 8.93 percent growth in 2009.

According to the committee, the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia reached 3.3 million over the course of 2009.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, there is no civilian airport in Makkah.

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The holy Kaaba

Pilgrims at hira Cave

Arrivals must first fly to Jeddah, then drive to the city, or use one of the government operated bus links.

Beyond Makkah, Saudi Arabia houses several other religiously significant sites including Madinah, the second holiest city of Islam, and the place where the Quran was compiled; and the cave in which the prophet Mohammed is said to have received his first revelation.

According to Fayiz Khoury, deputy managing director of Jordan Tourism Board, religious tourism is also a huge market for Jordan.

Pilrgrims are mostly Christian and originate in the UK, US, Canada, South America, Germany and Poland.

However, he said he expected Christian tourism from within the Middle East to increase rapidly.

“We are expecting to receive more Christian tourism from places like Egypt, Lebanon and Syria,” he said.

Jordan’s religious attractions include the purported baptism site of Jesus Christ and Mount Nevo, which Khoury said was Moses’ vantage point on the holy land, after crossing the red sea.

Other holy sites in the MENA region include, but are not limited to: Jerusalem, the first Kaaba and home of the Al-Aqsa Mosque; Mount Sinai in Egypt; and Hala Sultan Tekke, the tomb of the prophet Mohammed’s aunt in Larnaca, Cyprus.

Development in Makkah Growing numbers of pilgrims have made Makkah a site of frenzied development, as international brands compete for real estate close to the holy sites and build ever larger and more luxurious properties.

The Fairmont Makkah Royal Clock Tower will open this year, overlooking the Kaaba, and will share its property with the new Raffles Makkah, also slated to open this year.

Mövenpick Hotel and Residence Hajar Tower, Makkah, is undergoing renovations to bring its room inventory to 800 by August.

Rezidor will open Park Inn and Radisson Blu properties in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

religious Tourism in Iraq Even the ongoing instability in Iraq has not put off religious visitors, with Shiah pilgrimages to the holy sites at Najaf and Kerbala fuelling a building boom in those cities.

Najaf houses the tomb of Imam Ali, a foundational figure of Shiah Islam.

Kerbala is the site of the death of his second son, Husein, the Third Imam, and both cities are extremely important for Shiah Muslims.

According to Kadum Wailli, general manager of Nawafir Travel in Baghdad, religious tourism represents the entirety of private sector travel into Iraq, with many pilgrims travelling from Iran, Pakistan and Europe. He added that land close to holy shrines was now valued at about USD20,000 per square metre.

Imam Ali Mosque, najaf, Iraq APRIL 2010

MOrOCCO

Variety is the Moroccan Spice of Life Diversity is the watchword for Morocco, with its polychromatic sands, mountain ranges, beachside luxury and adventure challenges. The country has enjoyed a long history as a getaway for European tourists and is attracting new interest from the Middle Eastern market, drawn by an influx of international brands.

Louis Dillon Savage writes

hassan Mosque Casablanca

essaouira

APRIL 2010

M

orocco’s strength as a destination has prevailed in the face of recent difficulties, and even continued to grow while other countries faltered.

Recently released figures from IPK International estimated that world tourism traffic contracted by approximately four percent in 2009.

However, the Moroccan Tourism Office (MTO) reported that despite the difficulties faced by the tourism industry in 2009, foreign arrivals to Morocco increased from 7.88 million in 2008 to 8.34 million in 2009.

According to Hamid Bentahar, director of Sofitel’s southern region in Morocco, domestic tourism is also a strong segment for the country.

MTO figures show that staycationing trends increased in Morocco in 2009, with Moroccan residents accounting for almost one quarter of all room nights in the country – 10 percent more than in 2008.

Marakech, Agadir, and Casablanca are Morocco’s tourism centres, accounting for 71 percent of all overnight stays in the country.

Of the three, Marrakech is by far the most popular city, accounting for 38 percent of all

room nights in 2009.

Bentahar said the main attraction of the country was its unique mix of tradition and modernity.

He explained that Morocco was home to a flourishing art and design scene, along with wellpreserved traditional architecture and cultural integrity.

Despite Morocco’s strong roots to its culture and history, Bentahar emphasised the country’s openness and acceptance of outsiders.

“Morocco is a country where you can visit and feel that everything is different,” he said.

“But at the same time, it is very generous and welcoming.

MTO has identified three major categories of visitors to the country: travellers looking for a break from the pressures of modern life, resort tourists and visitors interested in exploring beyond the footworn trail.

Tangiers, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes, Meknes, Marrakech, Essaouria, Ouarzazate and Safi were identified as destinations suited to breakcategory travellers, with their array of tourism options allowing travellers a variety of pursuits.

Resort centres were listed as Saidia, Tamnda Bay, Larache, Mazagan, Agadir, Taghazout and Plage Blanche.

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For the more adventurous, the beaten track does not pass through Ifrane, Immouzer, Tafraout, Chaouen, Zagora, Tineghir, Errachidia or Dhakla.

Morocco is also in the process of establishing itself as a golfing destination, with the tourism office approaching its long-term target of 40 golf courses across the country by the end of 2010.

Marrakech, Agadir, Fes, Casablanca and Tangiers will soon become must visits for European golfers, according to the MTO. Additionally, Casablanca is experiencing a boom in air connectivity, particularly in the low cost segment.

Bentahar pointed out that the city serves as the main point of access for foreign visitors,

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contributing to development in the area.

Air Arabia opened its second hub in the city, and easyJet has recently launched a number of new links between Casablanca and major European cities.

The country’s self promotion seems to have paid off, with a number of international companies expanding in Morocco.

Fabian Specht, regional managing director for the Europe, Africa and the Middle East operation of IDeaS revenue management consultancy, picked Morocco as the next MENA hotspot for resort development.

“We can see a lot of money and developments going into Morocco,” he said.

However, Specht’s optimism for the country

came with a caveat.

“It’s not certain how the country will develop – Morocco is a leisure market, but if you look at other successful destinations in the Middle East, they all attract a large business market as well,” he said.

Morocco’s history as a leisure market is a long one, with the country serving as a getaway for the French since the colonial period.

The nation’s tourism industry is still driven by the European market; Bentahar named France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium as the leading feeder markets for Morocco.

Despite the ongoing prominence of European tourism, he noted that an influx of international brands had piqued the interest of travellers from the Middle East.

The number of visitors from Arabic countries to Morocco increased by 26 percent in December 2009.

“Until now, development has mostly been from Moroccan and French brands,” Bentahar said.

“But now more and more international and luxury brands with greater recognition in the Middle East are entering the market.”

He said that many Middle Eastern visitors had been so taken with Morocco that a steady market had sprung up in holiday homes for GCC nationals.

Bentahar noted that Arabic travellers were increasingly likely to make multiple trips to Morocco.

Airlines flying to Morocco from within the Middle East and North Africa include Air Algerie, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Egyptair, Tunisair, and Royal Air Maroc.

Morocco is also comprehensively serviced by low cost carriers (LCCs).

Air Arabia operates a base in Casablanca and the country is serviced by a number of other LCCs, including the European top three - easyJet, Air Berlin and Ryanair.

APRIL 2010

Development Hotel development by French companies in Morocco remains strong, but an impressive number of major international companies have also exhibited an interest in the country.

MTO listed recent or upcoming developments from an array of brands, including: La Mamounia, Raffles, Sofitel, Naoura Lucien Barrière, Hyatt, Kenzi Menara Palace, Le Royal Mansour, Royal Ranches, Mandarin Oriental, Westin, Assoufid, W Hotels, Samanah Country Club, Banyan Tree, Relais & Chateaux, Four Seasons and Amanjena.

Sofitel Mogador and ibis Tangier will open at the end of this year, to be followed by a strong year of development in 2011.

Fairmont and W hotels will open in Marrakech in 2011.

Two Sofitel properties will open; one at Agadir early in 2011 and one at Casa City Centre in the fourth quarter.

The Pullman Marrakech Resort will also open in 2011, as will six hotels from Accor’s Etap brand.

The Etap hotels will be located in: El Jadida, Rocade, Ain Sebaa, Fes, Agadir and Tangier.

Marrakech The Moroccan Tourism Office (MTO) describes Marrakech, the Red City, as the hippest and most magical city in the country.

Marrakech lies just three hours by air south of many major European cities and can be accessed by a variety of charter and scheduled flights, according to MTO. The city is the capital of the eponymous Marrakech region, which forms the centrepiece of Moroccan tourism promotions.

The area is large and offers diverse options for leisure and recreation.

Activities available in the Marrakech region include expeditions into the Atlas Mountains, beachside relaxation at Essaouria (formerly known as Mogador), and exploring the old city of Marrakech.

Mountain biking, hiking, camping and horse or camel safaris are some of the activities available in the Atlas Mountains.

Other options in the Marrakech area include water sports at Lalla Takerkoust Lake, a number of golf courses, and Moroccan beauty therapies in the region’s many hammams and spas.

APRIL 2010

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MALAySIA

Fun For The Whole Family Already a successful business destination, Malaysia is now targeting the family leisure sector with a range of upcoming hotels and theme parks. Health and wellness tourism is also on the agenda, along with a new plan to capitalise on transit tourists.

Laura Warne writes

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n 2009, Malaysia received 284,890 visitors from the Middle East region, representing an increase of 7.8 percent on its 2008 traffic. Specifically, Iran was a major source market within the region, with 101,664 visitors in 2009. Saudi Arabia also featured strongly, with 77,082 visitors.

According to data from Tourism Malaysia, visitors from Saudi Arabia stayed an average of 10.5 days, with UAE tourists staying an average of 9.2 days.

Dato Amirrudin Abu, deputy director general of marketing for Tourism Malaysia, said Middle Eastern tourists favoured Malaysia as a family destination, particularly during the summer months.

“Within Malaysia, Middle Eastern visitors prefer destinations that can accommodate activities for their family members, such as theme parks, beaches, highlands and shopping,” said Abu. He added that Malaysia, as an Islamic country, was particularly welcoming to Muslim tourists and offered a wide range of halal dining options, as well as prayer facilities and mosques.

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Upcoming Developments Doubletree Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur is expected to open in July 2010, marking the brand’s first entry into South East Asia.

Other properties on the horizon include the 292 room Traders Hotel Johor Bharu, set to open in 2012 as part of an integrated complex that will include an indoor theme park, family entertainment centre and retail facilities.

The indoor theme park will feature attractions based on popular children’s characters, such as Hello Kitty and Angelina Ballerina.

Legoland Malaysia Resort, set to open in April 2012, will be the first Legoland theme park in Asia and will feature a retail mall, themed hotel, business hotel, office space and residential areas, in addition to the theme park.

The theme park itself will feature 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions targeted at children between two and 12 years old.

To boost shopping tourism in the country, Chelsea Premium Outlets will open in Johor in 2012, featuring discounted items by designers such as Coach, Gucci and Burberry.

I-City in Shah Alam recently opened as a tourist attraction for all ages. I-City features a City Walk pedestrian mall, modelled on Universal City Walk in California, US. The pedestrian mall uses integrated sound and light multimedia technology to create a sensory experience for tourists, with changing atmospheres along the walkway.

Recently opened hotels include the eco friendly G Tower in Kuala Lumpur and Hard Rock Hotel Penang, situated on the beaches of Batu Ferringhi.

APRIL 2010

Air Connectivity Issues According to Pierre Barthes, general manager of Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, connectivity remains an issue for tourism in Malaysia.

“Currently not many flights come to Kuala Lumpur, and we hope that this will change because it gives travellers more convenience in visiting,” he said.

“Nowadays, travellers in general are more prudent and value driven, therefore packages will give them affordable options and greater flexibility when they choose a destination.”

Mandarin Oriental partners with Emirates in the Middle East to offer package holidays; in February, Emirates began operating three flights

daily between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.

The airline also operates daily flights from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam.

Dato Amirrudin Abu, from Tourism Malaysia, said air connectivity had recently improved in other areas of the Middle East.

Iran Air now flies four scheduled flights from Tehran to Kuala Lumpur per week, plus one charter flight from Mashhad to Kuala Lumpur per week.

Mahan Air operates one scheduled flight from Shiraz to Kuala Lumpur per week.

From Egypt, Egypt Air has increased its frequency to Malaysia, flying four times weekly to the country. The airline has also created a

direct route to Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia based low cost carrier Air Asia recently began negotiations with Saudi Civil Aviation to fly from Saudi Arabia to Kuala Lumpur.

Abu said the market expected the Air Asia flights to begin operating during the 2010 summer holidays.

healthy Tourism Practices Health and wellbeing tourism is being heavily targeted by Tourism Malaysia.

US based healthcare accreditation provider Joint Commission International ( JCI) recently ranked Malaysia among the top five global destinations for medical tourism, along with Singapore, Thailand, India and the UAE. Tourism Malaysia said the country’s wide choice of affordable private hospitals and state of the art

technology were key benefits for medical tourists.

Medical visitors are allowed to extend their visa, along with one accompanying person, for six months, or a period certified by their doctor.

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) was launched in December 2009 to unify significant players in the country’s medical tourism industry, both within the private and government sectors.

MHTC will be responsible for formulating strategic plans for the promotion of healthcare travel services, in order to drive the industry forward.

Other new initiatives include setting up international referral centres; launching dedicated health tourism websites linked to Tourism Malaysia’s website; and an increase in international promotional activities.

Showcase KL Transit Tours Target Stopover Tourists Showcase KL Transit Tours was launched in late Februrary to give time-poor tourists a taste of Malaysia’s capital.

The tour programme has been led by Kuala Lumpur City Hall, in conjunction with KLIA, Malaysia Airports Berhad, KLIA Ekspres, Malaysian Immigrations, KL Hop-OnHop-Off, Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines.

Datuk Sesri Ahmad Fuad Bin Ismail, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, said recent estimates indicated that Kuala Lumpur received 34,000 visitors in transit for more than six hours and 148,000 passengers with less than six hours of transit time, in 2008.

“If just 20 percent of these estimated 34,000 transit passengers go for the tour, that would mean revenue of RM650,000 (USD193,423) in just tour ticket sales alone,” he said.

“Once you add their expenditure for dining, refreshments, sightseeing and shopping, then the potential economic benefits APRIL 2010

may be several times more.”

The tour comprises a return highspeed train ticket from the airport to the city centre, along with a day pass for a bus tour that takes passengers to 43 attractions in the city, at 22 stops.

Two express immigration counters have been dedicated to passengers on the transit tour.

Tour guests will also receive special discounts on entrance fees and shopping at various sites around the city.

Datuk Raja Nong Chik Bin Raja Zainal Abidin, Malaysia’s Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing said the programme could be expanded to include other specialised tours.

“Although it could be just a short tour, visitors will get the chance to meet our people, taste our food and see our capital city,” he said.

“We have many attractions in the city that these transit passengers will not be aware of if they just wait at the airport for their next flight.”

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hareb Al Muhairy

jaan Albrecht

Vice President for Media Affairs, Etihad Airways "Etihad is excited that it obtained the flight rights to link the Saudi capital with Japan.

Businessmen and tourists are keen to travel to Japan with our company.”

CEO Star Alliance “The travel industry is generally not known for generating big profit margins, but rather for key differentiators such as service, safety and comfort; areas in which you can’t cut corners. And that means efficient distribution, powerful technology and effective sales and marketing can be the difference between financial success and failure.”

Businessmen and tourists are keen to travel to Japan Chris hartley

Chris hartley CEO of Global Hotels Alliance “Our empty beds are airlines’ empty seats and therefore there are natural synergies between our organisations, as well as a largely common customer base. Our collaborative approach is helping our members not just survive through these tough times, but hopefully thrive in the future, as hotel customers start to seek a more authentic local experience when they travel.”

The travel industry is generally not known for generating big profit margins

jaan Albrecht

Our empty beds are airlines’ empty seats

Samer Majali CEO, Gulf Air “Gulf Air is one of the biggest employers in the country and also significantly supports the nation’s economy by contributing more than BHD 400 million annually (USD$1.04 billion). The airline also accounts for over 70 percent of the Bahrain airport’s traffic. However what really sets apart airlines today is excellence in quality and service as well as excellent value for our customers on a consistent basis.”

Samer Majali

The airline accounts for over 70 percent of the Bahrain airport’s traffic 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 16

APRIL 2010

noel Massoud

It’s easy Being Green Noel Massoud, CEO of Abu Dhabi’s first eco hotel brand, Jinan Hotels and Resorts, says that it is easy to implement environmentally friendly practices – for any business.

He said his brand had been designed from its foundation with green efficiency in mind, but that there were many ways existing travel enterprises could improve their green credentials.

Dubai Low, Sell high The economic woes experienced by some Dubai companies have been well publicised in recent times, but according to Walter Knight, resident manager of Ramada Downtown, all is not doom and gloom in the city.

In fact, according to Knight, the quieting of the construction sector in the city has attracted guests who had previously been deterred.

Adding in the recently completed Burj Khalifa and reduced average rates across the emirate, Knight tipped renewed tourist interest in Dubai, especially the downtown area.

“I expect downtown to grow in terms of occupancies as more corporate and leisure markets chose to stay here. Not only is the entertainment good but it is very centrally located to all areas of Dubai,” he said.

“Keep selling: Dubai is a location that visitors will never get bored of. The city changes all the time.”

His suggestions for travel industry players looking to green their business included: n Using recycled paper products n Committing to reusable napkins, cups, dishes and cutlery in all instances n Installing window film to minimise the need for artificial climate control n Using compact fluorescent bulbs instead of tungsten incandescent

lighting n Installing low-flow showerheads, toilets and taps.

“Many of these initiatives are easy and inexpensive to implement,” Massoud said.

“Jinan is focused on minimising the impact of the hotels we run on the environment in a number of ways.”

He said that for those looking to go further, green initatives could be integrated into all areas of management.

Massoud suggested offering the best in organic food and materials and preserving the environment through efficiency programmes designed to conserve water and minimise carbon dioxide.

These initiatives are easy and inexpensive to implement

Walter Knight

Keep selling: Dubai is a location that visitors willnever get bored of APRIL 2010

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IreLAnD

Middle Eastern Tourists Tap into the Luck of The Irish The Middle East is a relatively new source market for Ireland, but visitor arrivals from the region continue to rise in the Emerald Isle. The country continues to promote itself to travellers seeking something a little bit different, with the previously troubled Northern Ireland region stepping up as the new place to be.

Laura Warne writes

T

ourism Ireland established a GCC base in Dubai three years ago and the office’s marketing manager Aiveen Ryan, said the results of this endeavour were beginning to show.

Ireland received 28,000 visitors from the Middle East in 2009. While this was a small fraction of the eight million total visitors to the country, Ryan said there was plenty of potential within the GCC market.

“This year we are really noticing a lot more enquiries from consumers; it is very positive,” she said.

“Initially we did look at the expat market specifically, because many of them already knew about Ireland as a destination – so it was more like reminder marketing to make sure they didn’t forget about us.

“Now we are also seriously looking at the local market, particularly for family travel.”

She added that the Middle East was on a par with China, India and Russia in terms of the emerging potential for travel to Ireland.

Tourism Ireland is promoting the country as a warm, welcoming destination with a relaxed pace of travel.

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“There is a variety of accommodation options in Ireland; travellers can choose to stay in a castle, in a B&B, or in one of our many self-catering options,” said Ryan.

“It is also a cool climate that provides a getaway from the hustle and bustle and the heat of the Middle East.”

However, travellers looking for a glitzy, high speed holiday are advised to steer clear.

“We don’t have big theme parks, we don’t have a Disneyland, so we promote relaxation and our natural beauty,” said Ryan.

She suggested self-drive holidays provided the best way to see the country, as well as an opportunity for travellers to discover Ireland

for themselves.

“The best way to see Ireland is to get into a car and just see where the road takes you,” she said.

“Ireland is a unique, niche destination for people who are really looking for something different.”

Development According to Ryan, Ireland’s economic boom in the late 1990s paved the way for major development, particularly on the hotel front.

“As a result, some excellent products came online about two years ago; there are wonderful luxury hotels with world class spas and equestrian centres,” she said.

However, new development is limited in the APRIL 2010

current economic climate, as Ireland struggles to pick itself up from the global downturn.

Connectivity Etihad Airways operates the only direct flights between Ireland and the Middle East.

The airline recently increased its daily flights to 10 flights per week.

However, for travellers based outside the UAE, Ryan suggested taking advantage of the many codeshare arrangements via other European cities.

“London tends to be the most popular city to transit to Ireland from,” she said.

In fact, she added that Tourism Ireland was involved in several joint marketing initiatives to promote the country in conjunction with the UK and Europe.

“Particularly for long haul travellers visiting Europe, Ireland is well worth adding to the itinerary as a side trip,” she said.

Northern Exposure Belfast, in Northern Ireland, has become a hot spot for tourism, with a series of promotional activities underway to capitalise on travellers’ increasing curiosity.

“There are amazing levels of interest in Northern Ireland – no one expected tourism to be so strong there,” said Ryan.

“The area is very scenic and unspoilt and the people are very keen to develop new tourist products.”

Upcoming developments in the region include a discovery centre themed around the Titanic ocean liner, which was built in Belfast.

There are also year-round events in the city, with

many focused on family entertainment and children’s activities.

However, Ryan noted that tourists should be reminded that they need a UK visit visa to travel to Northern Ireland, in addition to their visa issued for the rest of the country.

Ireland in Brief Capital: Dublin Currency: Euro Language: English

The Convention Centre Dublin “The biggest news for tourism in Ireland is The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD), which is opening in September 2010,” said Ryan.

“It is a huge project with state-of-the-art facilities; it has already attracted some major events, ahead of its opening date.”

The CCD is Ireland’s first purpose-built international convention and event venue.

The carbon neutral building will include 22 meeting rooms; a 2,000-seat auditorium; 4,500 square metres of exhibition space; and banqueting facilities for up to 3,000 guests.

In March, The CCD announced it would host the Irish Hospitality Institute Founders’ Banquet and Hospitality Awards, scheduled for November 25.

Shane Cookman, president of the institute, said the decision to hold the event at The CCD would allow key hospitality figures to experience the new facilities first hand.

“The Institute supports this major new development for Dublin and its ability to attract huge business potential to the region,” said Cookman.

The CCD is aiming to become the leading mid-sized premium convention centre in Europe.

Ryan said there was great potential for the facility to drive tourism in the country.

“In general, there is a big push for MICE tourism in Ireland, particularly for incentive trips because there is a great range of unique programmes that can be put together,” she said.

APRIL 2010

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els ramadhinta

Werner Borchert

The Ritz-Carlton Dubai has appointed Els Ramadhinta as director of public relations.

Ramadhinta will focus primarily on the hotel’s two year expansion project, which will more than double the number of rooms at The RitzCarlton Dubai. Ramadhinta previously worked for The Ritz-Carlton in Indonesia and also has experience with Accor. She has worked in the hospitality industry for more than eight years and holds a diploma in public relations and marketing.

Safi Airways has appointed Captain Werner Borchert as executive vice chairman.

Borchert was previously chief operating officer of Safi, based in Kabul. He has extensive experience in the aviation industry and played a significant role in the launch of Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi and Jet Airways in India.

Borchert is a career pilot and trainer, specialising in compliance rules of international aviation.

els ramadhinta

Werner Borchert

Oman Air Maitha Al Mahrouqi has been appointed as Oman Air’s new country manager for Oman. She has ten years of experience in the industry and is a qualified cartographer. Al Mahrouqi began her career at Emirates in reservations and ticketing, before moving to Gulf Air as business development manager. She was later promoted to general manager for Gulf Air in Oman. In her new role with Oman Air, Al Mahrouqi will focus on developing the airline’s hub station in Oman.

Oman Air has also appointed Chris Phipps as regional manager for the Asia Pacific region. In his new role, Phipps will be responsible for Oman Air markets in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand and other upcoming destinations in Asia. Phipps previously spent 11 years working at British Airways and also held the position of regional manager for Qatar Airways in Libya, before joining Oman Air.

Ali Abdul rahim Alhosani

Chris Phipps

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Maitha Al Mahrouqi

Etihad Airways has appointed Ali Abdul Rahim Alhosani as airport facilitations manager in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Malaysia. Alhousani began his career in 1996 with Abu Dhabi International Aiport. He has worked with Etihad for three years, serving as airport manager in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.

Alhousani has also been an active participant in Etihad’s Emiratisation programme for training and career development for UAE nationals.

APRIL 2010

Q&A with Peter Schönenberger Mövenpick Resort and Marine Spa Sousse opened in February in the up-and-coming destination of Tunisia. General manger Peter Schönenberger discusses the realities of the Tunisian tourism industry and his hopes for the future of this new hotel.

Travel Trade Weekly: Please provide us there good transport connections between with some insight into the tourism market in this airport and your closest airport?

Tunisia, particularly in Sousse. What are Peter Schönenberger: As a general rule, the main travel trends in this area? having such an important airport platform in Peter Schönenberger: Though it is primarily our vicinity is positive for the whole Sousse known for its beaches and sunny weather, Tunisia is also a growing business, cultural and MICE destination. This is also true of Sousse and we’re happy to be riding the winds of change in this beautiful city.

Travel Trade Weekly: The hotel is located on one of the busiest tourist avenues in the area; does the hotel capitalise on walk-by clientele?

Peter Schönenberger: Our resort’s unique location and architecture have been generating quite a buzz in this part of the city and this in turn attracts visitors, both local and foreign.

Unlike many other hotels in Tunisia, this property wasn’t meant to be a secluded fortress.

While in-house guests are of the essence, we welcome walk-by guests in our bars and restaurants, most of which benefit from direct access on the avenue.

We’re happy to be riding the winds of change in this beautiful city Travel Trade Weekly: How do you deal with competition in the area – and how does your hotel compare to neighboring hospitality offerings?

Peter Schönenberger: Our resort is really something new in Sousse. A brand of Mövenpick’s reputation is the guarantee of high quality standards.

Our resort aims to position itself as being a true, international-class five star resort.

Of course, our rates are higher than those of our neighbours, but we are confident that our discerning clientele will see and appreciate the difference.

Travel Trade Weekly: Do you believe that the new international airport in Tunis will stimulate new tourism to the country? Are APRIL 2010

Peter Schönenberger

region.

Flights are more likely to be charter flights than scheduled, at least in the immediate future.

But, given time, we are confident that this airport will help boost business and tourism in the region. Regarding transport connections, we already operate private transfers on request for our guests from Tunis, Monastir and Enfidha airports.

Tunisia is a growing business, cultural and MICE destination Travel Trade Weekly: Is the Middle East an important source market for you? Are there language barriers in Tunisia for non-French speaking tourists? more regular source of revenue, given the Peter Schönenberger: Middle Eastern industrial importance of the Sahel region clientele is clearly a high potential source for us.

There are numerous Mövenpick hotels and resorts throughout the Middle East, so guests from that region are more likely to be familiar with our brand and quality standards.

As for the language barrier you are referring to, it is clear that inside the main tourist areas, no one will have trouble being understood.

Furthermore, one should know that the people of this country are so friendly and hospitable that virtually anyone can get along with a few words of their own language and a large smile.

Travel Trade Weekly: How popular are your business and MICE facilities – what section of this market is the most popular for your hotel?

Peter Schönenberger: Our resort offers state-of-the-art conference facilities and business services with the comfort and convenience of a downtown location and direct access to the beach. Both sections are important to us, with MICE operations giving interesting forecasts and corporate bookings representing a

around Sousse.

Travel Trade Weekly: There is a new Mövenpick hotel opening in Tunis in 2010 – do you plan to collaborate with this hotel?

Peter Schönenberger: Although we are operating these properties independently and on behalf of two different owners, we’re always glad to cooperate with sister hotels like the Mövenpick Tunis Hotel.

Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts’ interest in Tunisia is not that recent, as we have been operating a resort on the island of Djerba.

Our development is just going along a general trend towards quality hospitality in this country.

And since Swiss quality is our profession, we feel we’re in the right place to do our job.

Unlike many other hotels in Tunisia, this property wasn’t meant to be a secluded fortress 21

neW yOrK

Send These, the Homeless, Tempest-Tossed to Me Thus reads the inscription on the base of New York City’s (NYC) most famous monument, the Statue of Liberty, and the masses, huddled or otherwise, have taken up the lady’s call. With a 32.4 percent share of all US arrivals, New York is the country’s most visited city.

Louis Dillon Savage writes

N

ew York is actually five cities in one, being comprised of the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx, and Manhattan; the last of which is home to the city’s business centre and main attractions.

Chris Heywood, spokesperson for NYC Go, New York’s tourism promotion body, said the city had diverse appeal and something to offer every visitor.

“It is a city of more than eight million people and is considered the world’s second home,” he said.

“The city prides itself on its diversity – many languages, cultures and cuisines can be found here.”

Tourism to the city continues throughout the year, Heywood said, but the city is particularly busy throughout spring and autumn.

Despite the year-round popularity, Heywood said certain periods offered better value for thrifty travellers.

“Those seeking great value in NYC should visit in January and February and during major holidays,” he advised.

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Brooklyn bridge

Manhattan

“[These include] Memorial Day at the end of May; Independence Day on July 4; Labour Day at the beginning of September; the Jewish holidays at the end of September; the week before Thanksgiving in late November; and the week leading up to Christmas,” he said.

“During these times, there are usually better hotel rates and shorter lines at the museums and attractions.”

Heywood emphasised that despite setting the scene for long reels of cinema crime, New York was amongst the safest and most welcoming cities in the US. “New York City remains the safest large city in

America,” he said.

“The city is clean, safe and accessible and the public transportation system is both efficient and safe.”

He pointed out that New York’s famous subway runs 24 hours a day, making navigating the often congested streets easy for international visitors.

As one of the world’s true global cities, New York caters to all tastes and cultures, with the Middle East proving no exception.

Heywood said mosques and prayer rooms were available, and halal food was easy to find.

“The city is a welcoming destination for every walk of life,” he said.

APRIL 2010

Lincoln center

“Fifty Third & Sixth Halal Food Cart across from the Hilton NY is very popular – the lines are usually long and it serves Middle Eastern food.”

Though already bursting with famous hotels and international brands, development in New York continues at speed.

Aloft properties will launch in Brooklyn and Harlem in July, while Element New York Times Square is slated for October.

Sheraton hotels will open in Brooklyn and Tribeca this year, and the W New York will open in May. The Yotel microhotel brand has chosen the city for its first US property, which will open in 2011.

Flights Airlines flying to New York with operations in the Middle East include: Air India; Egyptair; Emirates; Etihad; Kuwait Airways; Lufthansa; Qatar Airways; Saudi Arabia Airlines; United; US Airways.

APRIL 2010

Visitor Profile: Middle eastern Travellers According to figures from the US Department of Commerce, most Middle Eastern travellers visit New York to holiday, with 57 percent naming leisure as the reason for their trip. However, crossover occurs between this segment and others, with 47 percent pursuing business in the city and 27 percent visiting friends and relatives.

Group size: Average party size, 1.4 people.

52 percent of Middle Eastern visitors travelled alone and 29 percent with their families.

Length of Stay: Average eight nights.

Accommodation: 70 percent stayed in hotels in 2008, a jump from just 55 percent in 2007, when 41 percent of visitors stayed with friends or family.

Occupation: The majority of visitors were professionals (63 percent) followed by students (19 percent), government/military (five percent) and retirees (four percent).

Age: Average age, 36 years.

Main Activities: Shopping (92 percent), eating out (79 percent) sightseeing (52 percent), historical attractions (42 percent).

Spending: USD231 per day, or USD1,845 per visitor.

Return Visits: More than half (57 percent) were repeat visitors, averaging four trips to the US in the past five years.

hall park fountain

Take Five The Metropolitan Museum; Central Park; The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA); The Empire State Building ; Wall Street.

Central Manhattan claims a long list of attractions so famous as to have become iconic, but each of the five boroughs has something different to offer.

“Manhattan has many of the iconic tourist attractions, but the traveller should travel beyond midtown Manhattan,” Heywood said.

“Queens has all the great ethnic cuisines and cultures and is a melting pot. Long Island City, Queens, is only five minutes by subway from midtown and hotel prices are much cheaper there.

“There are some great cultural attractions there as well; the PS 1 Contemporary Art Museum, for instance.

“The Bronx is very green, despite the perception that it is urban and unsafe. It actually has some of the most peaceful places in the city, like Wave Hill, the NY Botanical Garden, City Island and the Bronx Zoo. It is also home to the city’s real Little Italy.

“Staten Island is bucolic and also has some great attractions such as South Beach (with a boardwalk); Snug Harbor Cultural Center; the Alice Austen House; the Jacques Marchais Tibetan Museum of Art; and the Staten Island Zoo.” 23

VisitBritain Brings Flagship Trade event to Dubai for First Time Destination Britain and Ireland (DEBI) will be held in Dubai for the first time from May 10 to 13, at Grand Hyatt Dubai.

The business to business event is run

by VisitBritain, in association with Tourism Ireland. DEBI is VisitBritain’s largest trade event of its kind in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region.

More than 200 companies and travel professionals have already registered to attend the event, in order to showcase their latest tourism offerings from the UK and Ireland.

Emirates Airlines has signed on as the official airline carrier for DEBI 2010.

Carol Maddison, UAE marketing

manager for VisitBritain, said that the event would attract buyers from more than 17 countries, including Australia, China, Singapore and the UAE. “Holding the event in Dubai is a perfect fit, especially since Dubai is both a dynamic international business hub, as well as a top tourist destination,” said Maddison.

“DEBI has been solidified as a key travel industry event throughout the region, especially as it provides an unsurpassed networking platform for key UK trade partners.”

DEBI 2010 will mark the seventh annual DEBI event in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region.

Carol Maddison

Events Meeting Luxury Lugano, Switzerland, April 8-10 (www.meetingluxury.com/en) Exhibition for top end travel products.

World Holiday and Travel Fair Johannesburg, South Africa, April 16-18 (www.worldtravelfair.co.za) Split between a business to business exhibition and public access, with the opportunity for on the spot selling to consumers.

China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market Beijing, PRC, April 28-30 (www.cottm.com) A business to business platform for international destinations and companies to introduce their products to the Chinese outbound travel industry.

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Dubai, UAE, May 1-3 (www.arabianconference.com) Interviews with hoteliers, forecasts from economists, panel discussions on the latest developments, trends and best practice in the hotel and investment industry.

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Arabian Travel Market Dubai, UAE, May 4-7 (www.arabiantravelmarket.com) Travel and tourism event for inbound and outbound tourism professionals, featuring destinations, accommodation, tourism attractions and airlines.

HOTEC Middle East Muscat, Oman, May 7-10 (www.mcleaneventsinternational.com/events/HotecMiddleEast2010) Business to business meetings forum for hotel owners, developers and operators to meet with suppliers.

Destination Britain and Ireland Dubai, UAE, May 10-13 Business to business event showcasing tourism offerings from the UK and Ireland to buyers from around the world.

The Hotel Show Dubai, UAE, May 18-20 (www.thehotelshow.com) Exhibition for hoteliers and suppliers to the hotel industry.

APRIL 2010