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PUBLISHER PROMOPRINTS CHAIRMAN/CEO IMAD JOMAA GENERAL MANAGER ALAIN DAVID EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAYLA KURD JUNIOR EDITOR YASMIN HARAKE INTERN RUWAN TEODROS INTERN SANDRA EL SAOUD SENIOR DESIGNER REEM JOUDIEH MARKETING/SALES SENIOR MARKETING COORDINATOR CHRISTINE TOHME SALES MANAGER ROMEO MOUSSALLEM SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE REINE BOU CHROUCH PROUDLY PUBLISHED BY
2nd Floor, Bahij Atallah Building Thomas Edisson Street, Ramlet El Bayda Beirut, Lebanon P.O.BOX 14-5092 +961 1 803803/5 nkurd@promoprints-me.com yharake@promoprints-me.com
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HOT SPRINGS BECOME HOME TO A SERENE SPA RESORT The Ruff Well Water Resort is tucked away at the northwest end of the Sichuan Basin and bordered by the Himalayan Mountains. Designed by Shanghai-based architects, AIM, the resort is one that embraces the age-old practice of using hot springs for both medical care and general wellbeing. It is built around a series of hot springs at the foot of Luo Fu Shan, a mountain range in China. Covering an area of 2.4 hectares, the spa retreat is organised around small buildings that are all united by a connecting roof. A glass walkway surrounds the steaming geothermal pool at the centre of the compound, and the outdoor pools boast an array of options, from differing levels of minerals in the water to the different temperatures that enhance the already rejuvenating experience. “From the commencement of our project it was clear that this stunning scenery would be a strong influence on the design concept,” the architects explain on their website. “The key attraction of the resort is an extensive spa with a broad range of different water experiences.” While some of the pools are rectangular in shape, others are designed with an organic layout in mind. Some of the pools are sheltered by a roof, and others are open to the sky. The resort offers a restaurant, tearoom, conference room, bar, sauna, gym and hot spa that are all spread over three different levels. The ingenious spatial layout and 14
orientation of the building has resulted in a broad range of stunning views for guests to enjoy. When it comes to the interior, the architects opted for natural materials like wooden ceilings, built-in cupboards and floors. Cork, timber and stone were also applied to the interior walls. “The building materials have been chosen for their closeness to nature,” the architects said. The natural elements of the selected materials reflect the building’s respectful relationship with the surrounding countryside, and some of the walls are made of pebbles with clay or stained timber. The core material of the building stands out from its surroundings, as it is a local river stone that has been shaped by water over time. The stone was used both inside and outdoors for various purposes, such as flooring, pools, seats, benches and landscape walls. “It is a place where water has shaped the land. Rivers have carved out the valley and water naturally springs from the earth in warm water wells,” the architects told Dezeen magazine. “We have sought to push the theme of water, to express its various forms.” Triangular timber screens juxtaposed with panes of glasswork together to make up the façade of the pavilion, which makes for a breathtaking wedding venue, conference space as well as a museum. “This has been a special project for our office, it has given us the rare opportunity to merge planning, architecture, landscape and interiors and the chance to shape a total concept based on the land, nature, and in this case, water,” the architects said on their website.
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THE ARTIST
THE VISUAL DESIGNER
STE With a love for patterns, shapes and colours, Stephanie Richa is a visual designer with an edge. Yasmin Harake sits down with her to discuss her life, work and adventures in Europe.
THE ARTIST
I met Stephanie Richa by accident on a stormy night in Achrafieh. I was walking with a friend when we found ourselves outside her poster exhibition, 8 and a third, and it wasn’t long before the two of us were inside, staring at some of the most beautiful and unusual pieces of art I had ever seen. From 9 to 5, Stephanie is an art director, graphic designer and animator at a leading agency in Beirut. After office hours however, she is an incredibly talented visual designer with an eye for patterns - something I’ve guessed from the polka-dot shirt now sitting across the table from me. “It all started when I was eleven,” she begins. “I noticed that I was very attracted to colours, so I started drawing - I wasn’t the best, but I still wanted to try.” She goes on to tell me that she would find herself sketching in class, and not when she was meant to. “At school I hated math. I used to draw in all my classes.” I smile, since mathematics was never a strong point for me either. “My teachers used to throw my drawings away,” she recalls, laughing. “So afterwards, I would take them out of the trash and keep them.” Now, and at the age of 25, Stephanie is a graphic arts graduate with a much bigger portfolio – one that includes a lot more than just her childhood drawings. “This was when I knew I wanted to do something with shapes and colours,” she reveals, telling me about her connection to patterns. However, the stigma around art and creativity in the Middle East means it is a field that does not receive much credit. “In Lebanon it isn’t good to be an artist,” Stephanie says flatly. Coming from a family of engineers and lawyers, she even surprised herself with her career choice. “I never knew I would be a graphic designer even now I’m shocked!” she laughs.
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THE ARTIST
begun working as an art director. Not long had passed when she found herself longing to travel again. After obtaining a scholarship, she flew to Firenze in Italy to do her masters at the Istituto Europeo di Design. “I wanted to travel. I wanted to be exposed to the outside world and experience different cultures,” she tells me. Her journey to Italy was more of a personal exploration, and she found herself somewhat outside of her comfort zone. Being surrounded by people from an array of backgrounds and cultures encouraged Stephanie to speak in different languages and push herself even further. “This is when I noticed I was growing,” she says.
“ IN LEBANON, ART IS A PAINTING. NO – ART CAN BE ANYTHING. ” Stephanie fell in love with Italy, and was captivated by its beauty and people. Whilst she absorbed everything around her, she always knew she would return to Beirut. “Everything was different, but at the same time I was happy. I really got used to the way of life there, but I always knew I would come back.” She smiles, no doubt remembering her fondness for Italy, and love for her home country. “It’s very important to remember where you come from,” she adds. Stephanie went on to pursue her unexpected love for shapes, colours and patterns by enrolling at the University of Balamand, studying Art Graphiques at ALBA in Sin el Fil. When I ask Stephanie what was new to her in terms of methods and techniques taught during her first year, she laughs. “Everything! I used to paint a little, using oils and ink – but it was more of an experimental process for me, to figure out what I really liked.” Stephanie studied advertising during her time at university, and remembers how she would do everything by hand. Her work is now completely digital, and has evolved a great deal since her time as a student. “Sometimes I wish it hadn’t,” she says, thoughtfully. “Looking back, it was amazing to come back home with ink all over my hands.” It took some time for her to settle into the role of a graphic arts student, with a lot of new information for her to take in. “The first year was really hard,” she admits. “I was scared, and I didn’t understand anything. It wasn’t until my second year that I started to feel more confident, and actually enjoy what I was doing.” Through working with programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator, Stephanie found that she loved everything related to computers – and patterns too. “I started practicing with my eyes. I was trying to see the things that other people couldn’t.” After she had completed a second bachelor’s degree in 2D and 3D animation - and done some exploring in Europe - Stephanie
As it happens, Italy was not the main factor for Stephanie in terms of inspiration. “Beirut was my only inspiration. All my work was really related to Lebanon. I would travel, but I wouldn’t look for any inspiration.” I want to know more about the influence Beirut has upon her and her work, and her eyes light up as she answers. “It’s the chaos, the sounds, the people,” she says. The hectic way of Lebanese life certainly has an unusual allure about it, and I laugh as Stephanie reveals, “Italy is beautiful, but it’s too peaceful for me!” Whilst abroad, Stephanie met and worked with renowned illustrator, Jonathan Calugi. “He taught me to be simple, and to concentrate on what I love – to be myself, and not what people want me to be,” she tells me. She remembers how she was always surrounded by art, and not necessarily in the form of paintings or sculptures. “I lived in Florence and it was like living in the city of art. It’s the most beautiful place. It was a dream.” As wonderful as they are, all dreams come to an end and Stephanie acknowledges this. Two years later, she returned to Beirut after recieving the sad news of her father’s passing. Upon her return to Lebanon, Stephanie realised something. “I thought to myself, okay. I’m going to do something that represents myself. Not the person I was, or the person I want to be, but the person I am now.” This is something that resonates
THE ARTIST
with her throughout her day-to-day life. Working at an advertising agency means one is limited when it comes to expressing themselves, because the image they portray is that of the brand, and not of them. “I love advertising,” she says. “But at the same time, I want to be myself. My own work acts as an outlet for me, and that’s important.” I continue by asking her about other destinations she has in mind for future expeditions. She pauses, and says, “I would like to go back to Holland. The design over there is really nice, and you can be who you want to be.” The idea of identity is clearly significant to Stephanie, as she is evidently someone carefully crafting her own. I ask her if this is something she conveys through her artwork, because they seem somewhat personal, as though they are each telling a different story. “Exactly,” she replies. I ask about her recent exhibition, 8 and a third (the one I encountered unexpectedly) and enquire as to why she gave it such an unusual name. “8 and a third was about eight sets of three posters, and there was one poster that didn’t belong to a set – so that was the third.” Her exhibition’s name is a reflection of the way she perceives Lebanon itself, in that there are imperfections and not everything fits neatly into a certain category. Stephanie had previously said in regards to her exhibition, ‘Lebanon exhumes a visual noise which I love to interpret through playful compositions.’ I want to know exactly what she means by ‘visual noise’ and her answer is one I won’t forget. “If you look around you,” she says as she gestures outside, “everything is so chaotic. Even if you aren’t looking at something, there is a sound coming from it. There is sound everywhere.” I scribble this down as quickly as I can so as not to forget anything, because her feelings toward the city and its chaos resonate with mine. Stephanie appreciates the little flaws and defects that others might find distracting or frustrating, and I find this to be a refreshing outlook on the country. “For me, the visual noise shows 34
how things are not perfect,” she adds. “Lebanon has its own sound.” Discussing a recent exhibition in Dubai where Stephanie showcased her posters, she tells me that interestingly enough, the majority of visitors who made purchases were Lebanese. I ask her about the feedback she receives from her clients, and she replies, “a lot of people will come and tell me that my exhibition was great, and some won’t. You have to take everything into consideration.” She continues by explaining that she appreciates what her buyers have to say and takes their comments on board, but there comes a point when she has to draw a line and stay true to herself. “You hear things like, ‘I love your work, but it would be better if it’s bigger, smaller, or on fabric’ – and then you just have to stop listening.” So does she change her style upon receiving such feedback? “I don’t want to please anyone, it’s about making my own product,” she says. “I want to have something that represents me.” This is further emphasised by the way she distributes her products, as she prefers to print a number of each poster rather than sell each design as a single piece. “People ask me why I print a lot of copies rather than selling an original piece for a lot of money. For me, it isn’t about selling. My dream is for people to have a nice piece of art in their homes; one that represents them, and represents me at the same time.”
THE ARTIST
Stephanie reveals that she has noticed people in Lebanon do not always tend to view art in an open-minded way. “People don’t always understand that graphic design is art, too,” she tells me. With graphic design becoming more innovative all the time, designers also have to become more creative and open to new ideas. “In Lebanon, art is a painting,” she says. “No – art can be anything.” Art has always been subjective, and people often disagree when it comes to defining it in general. “I think graffiti is art. How people dress, how people sing, or talk. How someone behaves can be described as art,” she concludes. Because Stephanie is still young, I’m intrigued to know what she would say to aspiring graphic designers in the country. “Just do it,” she smiles. “And don’t be scared!” Given that she has spent so much time traveling and exploring, we discuss the importance of experiencing other countries and cultures, especially for young people in Lebanon. “I think travelling is very important. I’m addicted to it now,” she laughs. She encourages everyone to travel at some point in their lives, expressing how being outside of our comfort zones is crucial to our development, both socially and personally. “Every time you go away, you come back with another perception of things. Staying in one place will only limit you – you finish work and maybe go and have a drink afterwards. It becomes a routine,” she says.
Before we say goodbye, I want to know how Stephanie describes her role as a visual artist in one word, and I can’t help but laugh at her answer. “Schizophrenic,” she responds with almost no hesitation at all. “People say you should hold on to your identity but at the moment I am still growing, and I’m learning new things all the time.”
“ I STARTED PRACTICING WITH MY EYES. I WAS TRYING TO SEE THE THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN’T SEE. ” To see more of Stephanie’s work, visit stephaniericha.com Contact her at st@stephaniericha.com
EVENTS IN REVIEW
IN REVIEW
MEN’S WORLD 2015 The hugely anticipated Men’s World 2015 exhibition arrived in Lebanon in May, and it did not disappoint. A showcase of all things for the modern-day man, the event was a four day spectacle of cars, yachts, gadgets and sports, ensuring there truly was something for everyone. (They even had fishing gear, you know, if that’s more your thing). Organised by FEW, a newcomer in the field of events management, the exhibition proved Lebanon is at the very forefront when it comes to planning and delivering unparalleled events of this scale. Not only did the event showcase a number of recreational activities and products, it also had exhibitors selling a range of fine clothing, accessories and watches. The opening ceremony was one to remember, and held under the auspices of Tourism Minister, Michel Pharaon, in partnership with Waterfront City, the company responsible for the development of the waterfront of La Marina Joseph Khoury Dbayeh, SGBL, and Libano-Suisse Insurance. British Airways, Grand Cinemas, MTV, NRJ, Nostalgie, Virgin Megastore, La Mie Doree and Professionals Sound and Lighting were the event’s sponsors, and in attendance at the ceremony.
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EVENTS IN REVIEW
As well as promoting luxury items and exciting products, the event highlighted some more serious issues that need to be addressed, in Lebanon and around the world. The White Ribbon campaign was launched at the exhibition, a new movement that aims to raise awareness of domestic violence and to give women who have suffered a voice. The former Minister, Ziad Baroud, introduced the campaign in collaboration with KAFA, and the members of the organisation distributed white ribbons amongst the attendees, illustrating the significance of standing united. The relaxed VIP Lounge was home to a number of public figures and respected businessmen, such as the Head of Beirut Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Chamber, Mohammad Shoucair, who emphasised the importance of the event for both economy and tourism in the country. The South African Minister of Lebanese origins Michael Louis was also in attendance, and he expressed his aspirations to hold a similar event in his home country sometime in the future.
An array of smaller happenings were held in conjunction with the event, namely the Harley Davidson Lebanon Club’s parade, which in turn raised awareness of Children’s Rights in collaboration with Himaya. For a little extra flair, the contestants for Miss World Supermodel dropped in to say hello. Attracting thousands of guests, Men’s World 2015 came and conquered – leaving participants and visitors wanting even more. Their wish was granted, with FEW announcing that the exhibition is to become an annual event, with the next one already scheduled for May 2016. See you there!
EVENTS IN REVIEW
IN REVIEW
BEIRUT DESIGN WEEK “Forget pretty objects. We believe in the value of design, which is far more than just aesthetics.” Doreen Toutikian, Director of Beirut Design Week This year marks the fourth anniversary of the first-ever Beirut Design Week (BDW), an annual networking platform that showcases the very best of Lebanese and international design. An initiative of the MENA Design Research Centre, the event was a Beirut-based non-profit one launched in 2012. With an array of intentions in mind, BDW has been developed and tailored to enable visitors to share knowledge, network and showcase their talent to promote and enhance Lebanon’s already innovative culture. Held at Beirut Souks for one week only, and under the theme of ‘Social Beings’, BDW 2015 celebrated creativity in Lebanon, and the ways in which people share their skills and expertise with one another. Starting on the 1st of June, over 150 events took place at almost 100 locations in Lebanon, attracting an astounding 25,000 people (no, really). “Forget pretty objects. Design is a tool for innovation in social change and business development,” says Doreen Toutikian, the Director of Beirut Design Week. “We believe in the value of design, which is far more than just aesthetics,” she emphasises. Since its inception, the event has exploded across Lebanon’s design scene. In 2012, there were 52 participants; in 2014 there were 93, and this year there was an impressive 120. Even more mind-blowing than that, the event’s Facebook page had 1,636 likes back in its first year. Currently, the page almost hit 14,000 likes, showing just how popular the weeklong exhibition has become. With an impressive line-up, this year’s BDW was a week like no other, but still there were definitely ones to watch. The International conference took place over two days, featuring academics and professionals from Lebanon and beyond, with names from renowned institutions like IBM, Philips, Bang & Olufsen, Parsons New York and Instituto Europeo di Design. The Dutch Design Exhibition featured 12 design studios and the Finnish Design Exhibition showcased the work of upcoming designers based in Helsinki. BDW is a yearly opportunity for the young and ambitious creative across the country to meet and discuss design with some of the industry’s most talented individuals and institutions. With so much going on in just seven days, we’re already thinking about next year.
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PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Ajman Palace Hotel ON THE ROAD
Dubai’s premier destination management company Lama Tours has organised a roadshow for the Ajman Palace Hotel in India. Taking place from the 5th until the 9th of April 2015, the road show was an opportunity for the hotel to showcase its unique and luxurious facilities amongst trade partners and potential customers across four cities; New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai. With the intention of promoting the United Arab Emirates as a desirable destination to India, the tour also meant the hotel would be able to survey the specific requirements of the Indian market. In addition, the roadshow welcomed representatives from an array of airlines, other hotels and travel and tourism agencies. The General Manager at the Ajman Palace Hotel, Ferghal Purcell, was confident in terms of making progress within the nation’s outbound tourist market. He explained that according to a report by Business Monitor International (BMI), that after Saudi Arabia and the UK, India is the third most important source market for the UAE. Speaking about the roadshow, Ferghal said, “India is a very significant market for us. The roadshow will help us penetrate further the market by meeting face to face with potential partners and customers … It will allow us to understand the requirements of visitors from India and tailor best packages to suit their needs.”
Dukes Oceana A ROYAL RETREAT
Seven Tides, the luxury property developer and holding company based in Dubai, has revealed the DUKES Oceana, its newest project located at Palm Jumeriah. The exciting new venture will see a quintessentially English style brought to the city’s already luxury offering of hospitality. This is the first international move for the DUKES brand, whose flagship hotel is DUKES London and a popular destination choice for travellers from the GCC. Abdulla bin Sulayem, the CEO of Seven Tides, commented, “with this launch we are bringing quintessential British charm and style to the UAE and blending it with cosmopolitan luxury to create a unique residence and hotel situated in the heart of Dubai’s most desirable island community, Palm Jumeirah.” The hotel will boast 273 rooms as well as leisure and entertainment facilities of the highest standards, including a private beach, indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a state-of-the-art gym. Embracing the different cultures, the hotel will allow guests to choose from modern British cuisine at the Great British Restaurant (GBR), traditional fish and chips on the promenade, the Asian restaurant or DUKES Bar for signature cocktails. The hotel will also be home to a Champagne Lounge for traditional afternoon tea, and the al fresco Cigar and Coffee Lounge.
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PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
HMH ARABIAN NIGHTS
Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) was present at the Saudi Aramco Travel Fair that took place from the 7th until the 9th of April, 2015. The show has been running for ten years and was held at Saudi Aramco’s worldwide headquarters in Dhahran where more than 100 hospitality exhibitors were united. The CEO of HMH, Laurent A. Voivenel, said, “we are delighted to participate in the Saudi Aramco Travel Fair that offers us an excellent opportunity to showcase our products to the company’s employees and their families.” Voivenel continued by explaining the significance of Saudi Arabia as a market, saying, “Saudi Arabia is one of our top feeder markets and events such as these allow us to further tap into the market while consolidating our current position. Being a halal-friendly chain of hotels we are the ideal choice for Saudi travellers especially families looking for a safe environment.” Across the globe, Saudi Arabia is one of the most significant outbound markets throughout the summer, with outbound tourism expenditure exceeding SR 29.6 billion ($ 7.9 million) between June and August of last year according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
Rotana OUT OF AFRICA
Rotana has launched its first ever property in Nigeria in partnership with Topwide Ventures Limited, under the brand Centro and located in Lagos. Nigeria is projected to become the fastest-growing hospitality market in Africa over the next five years, and the group’s expansion only adds to its already impressive portfolio across the continent. Rotana has properties in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. President and CEO of Rotana, Omer Kaddouri, said, “despite being home to a flourishing hospitality industry, Lagos has the highest average rates for hotel accommodation in Africa. Centro Lagos fills this major gap in the industry and heralds a potential paradigm shift in the city’s hospitality scene.” Chief, Senator Annie Okonkwo, The Chairman of Topwide Ventures Limited, added, “once open, the new Centro hotel and Serviced Apartments will provide travellers a more accessible and affordable option right in the heart of Lagos, with the same high standards of elegance, comfort and convenience that guests have come to expect from a Rotana property.”
Mövenpick BAHRAIN IS BEST
Bahrain’s Mövenpick Hotel has been named the Middle East’s Best Airport Hotel 2015. The hotel was presented with the prestigious award at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in Paris and is currently ranked as one of the top 10 airport hotels in the world. Daniel Kaan, the Hotel General Manager said, “our team is exceptionally proud of this achievement, which reflects the effort they put into making weary air travellers feel instantly welcomed in a new city through a variety of exemplary initiatives.” Edward Plaisted, the CEO at Skytrax said, “winning this global award underlines the popularity of Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. The awards recognise hotels that combine convenience, comfort and top quality service as an integrated package for today’s travellers, and Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain was a high performer in all of these categories to win this year’s award for Best Airport Hotel in the Middle East.”
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Action Hotels ACTION PACKED
Boulevard BOULEVARD BEIRUT
Boulevard Beirut is a traditional Lebanese eatery opening on the city’s famous coastline. With an impressive menu that offers an array of home-cooked Lebanese cuisine, Boulevard Beirut effortlessly combines the old with the new, mixing sleek sophistication with authentic tradition. Embracing the origin of delicious Lebanese meals that are still enjoyed today, Boulevard Beirut takes pride in offering the same sumptuous delicacies like mezze and salad as well as barbecued meats, but with an updated element to satisfy the generation of today. Tony Habre, CEO of AddMind, says, “as we thought of what our city misses today, we found ourselves deprived from genuine Lebanese cuisine with a thrilling sea view. Once the concept was elaborated and thoroughly developed, Boulevard Beirut came to life, holding the name of a neighbourhood that has been passed onto generations. We’ve always sought to open a place that people will feel a sense of belonging the first time they experience it, and as I’ve already promised my staff and team, Boulevard Beirut won’t be far from instantly becoming your home away from home.” Open 24 hours a day, Boulevard Beirut boasts a terrace as well as indoor space and have breakfast, lunch and dinner available.
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Action Hotels is the leading owner, developer and asset manager of branded three and four-star hotels across the Middle East and Australia. In April they announced their newest addition; a three-star hotel to be found in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh. Sitting on a prime location on Olaya Street in the Olaya district, the fast-growing financial and hospitality heart of Riyadh City, the hotel will comprise 130 bedrooms. The premises will be developed by the conversion of the existing office building in a little over 12 months. The CEO of Action Hotels, Alain Debare, said, “there is great potential for Action Hotels in the Kingdom, and in Riyadh in particular. Although the Riyadh hotel market is a mature market, there is considerable demand for mid-economy branded hotels from the corporate segment, yet this segment is currently undersupplied.” With an estimated cost of $8 million, the hotel is expected to open in the second quarter of 2016. Founder and Chairman of Action Hotels, His Excellency, Sheikh Mubarak A. M. Al Sabah, stated, “this new hotel is a great addition to Action Hotel’s portfolio and the prime location of the property is a very strong statement for our first hotel in Saudi Arabia’s capital city.”
Air Arabia ON AIR
Earlier this year, Air Arabia Jordan announced the establishment of its fifth international hub in Jordan following the acquisition of a 49% stake in Petra Airlines, which led to the creation of Air Arabia Jordan, and the Kingdom’s new lowcost carrier. Operations commenced from the Amman Queen Alia International Airport base in May, with Kuwait City as the inaugural flight’s destination. Since then, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt have been the first markets to be served by direct Air Arabia Jordan flights. Before operations commenced, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia Jordan, Adel A. Ali, thanked the Jordanian government and aviation authorities for their support, before stating, “as a major tourism market with a stable domestic economy, Jordan offers a superb opportunity to serve both inbound and outbound passenger demand. In turn, the launch of Air Arabia Jordan will provide a direct boost to the Jordanian economy through the creation of skilled jobs and the opening up of new opportunities for local businesses.”
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
HMH HOTEL HAPPY
Ajman Palace Hotel SPREAD THE WORD
This year the leading travel industry exhibition, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) was held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from the 4th until the 7th of May, and the Ajman Palace Hotel was there to showcase its luxurious facilities. The event brought market leaders and representatives together from a vast range of areas, such as travel, leisure and hospitality from across the world. General Manager of the Ajman Palace Hotel, Ferghal Purcell, spoke of such events, and how they offer excellent opportunities for them to connect with various international companies and representatives on a more personal level, allowing them to do business with one another. Before the event, Ferghal said, “we are looking forward to ATM 2015 to strengthen our market presence as well as establish new partnership with key players especially from China, India and German markets, as all indicators are pointing towards another strong year of tourism arrivals from these three countries. We are confident that our presence at the ATM 2015 will open doors for sustained growth in the future.”
Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO of Hospitality Management Holdings opened the second day of 7th annual Infrastructure & Property Development MEA Summit in Dubai with a special presentation on the rapidly evolving regional hospitality landscape. Speaking at the premium forum that was attended by leading project consultants and regional property developers and infrastructure authorities, Laurent highlighted the key demand drivers for budget hotels in the region. He stressed, “low-cost carriers (LCC) have had a dramatic impact on the tourism industry with Middle East LCCs recording the third highest rise in seats globally. Apart from boosting overall numbers, budget airlines have also opened lesser-known destinations, bringing in more independent and leisure travellers as well as families. However, growth in low-cost carriers has been much faster than those of budget hotels. Therefore, budget hotels need to catch up fast, as low-cost airlines are yet to reach their potential in the region. Talking about the potential for the low-cost, high-quality accommodation, Laurent commented, “travellers today are looking for value for money. The region needs more quality mid-market hotels, basically the right product at the right price, to widen its appeal to growing middle class worldwide. Given the staggering demand we see massive potential for ECOS Hotels that is a ‘no frills’ B & B brand tying together a unique economical and ecological concept.”
Air Arabia GOING STRONG
Air Arabia is the first and largest low-cost carrier in both the Middle East and North Africa. In May of this year, the company announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2015 – revealing that for the three months ending March the 31st, Air Arabia recorded a net profit of AED 85 million, which is a 13% increase from last year’s figure of AED 75 million. Between January and March of this year, Air Arabia had 1.8 million passengers fly with them – again, an increase on the 1.6 million that flew in the same period last year. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, the Chairman of Air Arabia, said, “we are delighted to record another quarter of strong performance across our operations, with Air Arabia maintaining its steady, long-term growth trajectory. The increase in profits coupled with continuous growth in seat factors and ever-expanding route strategy is a reflection of Air Arabia’s sustainable business model.”
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Flydubai FLYING HIGH
Flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has been awarded the title of ‘Best Airline serving the Middle East’ at the 2015 Business Traveller Middle East Awards. The awards were held in Dubai on the 3rd of May, 2015, and readers of the magazine voted for the airline. The company’s Business Class was launched in October 2013 and has been made available across the flydubai network. 86% of Business Class passengers flying with the airline confirmed that they would recommend flydubai when travelling. Business Class offers its passengers a more luxurious travel experience, with priority check-in, lounge access, a comfortable Italian leather seat, dedicated cabin service and an international menu. Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (UAE, Middle East, Europe, CIS) at flydubai, represented flydubai at the Awards ceremony.
VFS DUBAI DIRECT
An extensive new range of visa services has been introduced by VFS Global’s Dubai Processing Centre (DVPC), allowing an array of travellers to benefit from convenient visa application facilities traveling on Emirates. The new additions the range of visas are valid for 30 and 90-day stays and are only offered at DVPC centres and through their website. With 33 visa application centres located across 16 countries and the option to make visa applications through www.emirates. com, DVPC have made it possible for residents from over 180 countries to conveniently arrange their travel to Dubai. Different to others of its field, DVPC delivers e-visas on all days of the week, maintains a uniform pricing all year round, fast visa processing turnaround time and online tracking of visa statuses. In a world where business continues to evolve and adapt in order to provide the highest levels of service, VFS is also planning on launching a UAE visa application service through mobile compatible applications in the summer of this year. With access to a mobile app, customers will be able to apply for their visa to the UAE in an even faster and more convenient way.
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Four Seasons Hotel SKY-HIGH
With panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains and the dazzling Mediterranean, Lebanon is renowned for its stunning scenery, and where better to take in the beauty of Beirut than from the highest rooftop in the city? Four Seasons Hotel Beirut are reopening their doors to The Roof – a unique space that boasts a breathtaking view and a refreshing breath of fresh air. Sitting pretty on the 26th floor of the towering hotel, The Roof upholds a relaxed dress code, ideal seating areas and an unparalleled tapas and cocktail menu. The hotel is looking to start your summer as it means to go on with an array of DJs setting the scene throughout the season.
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Waterfront ROUND TWO
Waterfront City has announced the release of the second round of sales of their commercial property, aptly titled The Business Park. Given the huge success of The Business Park’s initial launch back in February of last year where 90% of the available units sold out in the first round of sales, two additional buildings are now being offered by Waterfront City. The joint venture between Majid Al Futtaim Properties and Société Joseph G. Khoury Et Fils looks to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure to create memorable moments for everyone, every day. The Senior Development Director at Waterfront City Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mr Samer Bissat, said, “over the years, we have made sure to position The Business Park as a unique offering in Lebanon. Commercial office space does exist, but not in a fully-fledged community like Waterfront City, composed of a 12 building designed campus. The benefits of having 1600 parking spaces, surrounded by green open areas, a retail component, restaurants and other leisure facilities, are all distinctive elements of an advanced and productive environment.”
HolidayMe SKY HIGH
The Dubai-based travel start-up, HolidayMe, has updated its services with the addition of flight search options, meaning customers now have the ability to compare and book flights individually. Having only launched in November of last year, the company quickly became one of the leading travel aggregators in the region. The Managing Director and Co-Founder of HolidayMe, Digvijay Pratap, said, “this new product launch will enable HolidayMe to become a one-stop shop for all the travel needs of a customer.” CEO and Co-Founder of the company, Geet Bhalla, added, “we are very optimistic about the air ticketing business in the Middle East. The Middle East has already become an important strategic aviation hub, with the region being one of the fastest growing regions in 2014 as per IATA,” before saying that Middle Eastern carriers had the strongest annual traffic growth of 13% last year.