hilton to open qatar’s largest beach resort · with abu dhabi recording a 16.9 percent...
TRANSCRIPT
28 JUNE 2014 ISSUE 242
05
Schön Properties has secured an investment of AED339 million (USD92.3 million) for the completion
of the Dubai Lagoon project.
07
12
flydubai Highlights Links with India
Hilton to Open Qatar’s Largest Beach Resort
During a tour to India, flydubai hosted repre-sentatives from media to showcase the country as a key destination within its network.
IN THIS ISSUE
Dubai Lagoon Gets USD92.3 Million Boost
MARKET UPDATE
WEEKLY NEWS
ACCOMMODATION
AIR
INTERNATIONAL
AGENT'S CORNER
TRAVEL TALK
WHO'S MOVED
TRAVEL CHANNELS
RENDEZVOUS
NEWS & EVENTS
0203060914151617181920
Hilton Worldwide has partnered with Al-Rayyan Hospitality to develop a new Hilton Hotels & Re-sorts property at Salwa Beach in Qatar.
28 JUNE 2014
2 MARKET UPDATE
TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
Dirham
Pound
Riyal
Pound
Dinar
Dinar
Pound
Dinar
Riyal
Rial
Dinar
Dirham
Riyal
Rial
Dinar
Dinar
3.67
7.15
3.75
1,508.63
0.37
0.71
149.60
0.28
3.64
0.38
1.69
8.24
25,655.00
214.91
79.29
1.21
Accurate as of
27/06/2014Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar
MENA EXCHANGE RATES
COUNTRY CURRENCY 1USD=1USD=1USD=1USD=
UAE (AED)
Egypt (EGP)
Saudi Arabia (SAR)
Lebanon (LBP)
Bahrain (BHD)
Jordan (JOD)
Syria (SYP)
Kuwait (KWD)
Qatar (QAR)
Oman (OMR)
Tunisia (TND)
Morocco (MAD)
Iran (IRR)
Yemen (YER)
Algeria (DZD)
Libya (LYD)
Middle East Passenger Traffic up 14.7 Percent
Driven by increased demand during the Easter holidays, passenger traffic growth in the Asia Pacific region regained strength during the month of April.
Between January and April, the busiest airports in the region all demonstrated robust
year-on-year growth
B ased on Airports Council International (ACI)’s data, fig-ures in the Middle East soared 14.7 percent, and the Asia Pacific area registered a six percent rise.
For the first four months of the year, the busiest air-port of the region proved to be Beijing, followed by Dubai.
MANAGING EDITOR Mary Kammitsi
SENIOR JOURNALIST Rita Kasziba
JOURNALIST Maria Kazeli
PRESS Maria Demetriadou Pauline Shahabian
DESIGN & LAYOUT Elena Stylianou
WEB DEVELOPER / IT Soteris Constantinou
DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides
Mary Kammitsi
HEADQUARTERS T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD
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EMAILS [email protected] [email protected]
As for the Middle East, between January and April, the busiest airports in the region all demonstrated robust year-on-year growth with Abu Dhabi recording a 16.9 percent improvement in passen-ger volumes, and Doha and Dubai also witnessing double-digit rises at 14.8 percent and 11.9 percent, respectively.
Coupled with the pre-Easter rush in some countries and im-proving global trade demand, air cargo traffic also continued its upward trend, showing a five percent hike in the Middle East and a 4.5 percent jump in the Asia Pacific area for the four-month stretch.
3WEEKLY NEWS
28 JUNE 2014
Innovative Conference Hosting Initiative in Dubai
In a bid to empower high-profile and well-con-nected UAE residents to host international confer-ences in Dubai and boost membership of the Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors Programme, the Dubai Convention and Events Bureau (DCEB) in conjunction with the Dubai World Trade Centre and MCI Dubai, organised an education seminar.
As Hamad Bin Majren, executive director, busi-ness tourism, DCEB, explained, the Al Safeer pro-gramme was set up four years ago to identify and motivate Dubai-based doctors, scientists, govern-ment officials, business people and others to work with the bureau and bring meetings with their re-spective organisations to the emirate.
To date, the programme, which has been joined by 150 members, has resulted in dozens of international conferences and thousands of del-
egates. According to the
DCEB, ambassadors can not only contribute to the economy, but will also gain recognition for assisting in creating jobs and providing the com-munity with access to new technologies, intel-lectual capital and edu-cational exchange.
First Mobile Hotel Distribution App Rolled Out
AxisRooms announced the launch of its flagship prod-uct of hotel distribution for Android, the mobile applica-tion, HEX.
It is the first time a mobile app for distribution has been released for hoteliers aiming to enable them to manage distribution on the go.
Anil Kumar Prasanna, CEO, AxisRooms, commented, “HEX will be another milestone achieved by AxisRooms to ease the effort of distribution and will set a bench-mark in the new hotel distribution square. This app will be power packed with a list of options. HEX will be the first hotel distribution system to be introduced for the Android mobile systems for a greater accessibility in lieu with the traditional ways of managing distribution.[...] This app will not only work as a distribution tool but will be a first-rate sales and contracting engine for the hoteliers.”
28 JUNE 2014
4 WEEKLY NEWS
USD5.4 Million Investment in Marfa Port Development
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has awarded an AED20 million (USD5.4 million) contract to construc-tion company, Alba Tec Construction & Development, to manage the second phase of Marfa Port’s development.
Together with the first stage of the project, which is almost 95 percent complete and which represented an investment of AED17 million (USD4.6 million), the total
value of the scheme is estimated at AED40 mil-lion (USD10.9 million).
As Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, ADPC, explained, the develop-ment of Marfa Port is one of the most impor-tant projects in the Al Gharbia region.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dha-bi) led a six-strong delegation to Japan and Korea in a bid to stimulate demand to the emirate.
The three-day roadshow, which included stops in To-kyo and Seoul, came as hotel guest stays from both coun-tries have plateaued over the past months.
“While we have seen little growth from either Japan or Korea we believe there is potential in both markets,” em-phasised Mubarak Al Nuaimi, director of promotions and overseas offices, TCA Abu Dhabi, adding that the emirate offers a product which resonates well with both Japanese and Korean visitors.
TCA Abu Dhabi Heads to East
Abu Dhabi Hosts IATA Slots Conference
Abu Dhabi Airports, along with Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and Etihad Airways welcomed 1,000 delegates from more than 200 airlines and airports at the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s 134th IATA Slots Conference that ran between June 10 – 12 at the Abu Dhabi National Ex-hibition Centre.
Hailed as one of the largest gatherings in IATA’s calendar, the main goal of the semi-annual event was to secure to air-lines and airports the slots that will give them the best pos-sible schedule. The conference, the first of its kind to have taken place in the Middle East, was forecasted to deliver a direct economic impact of AED4.8 million (USD1.3 million) to the emirate.
Abu Dhabi
Akram Chalich, managing director, Alba Tec Construction & Development (left), and
Mohamed Jume Al Shamisi
5WEEKLY NEWS
28 JUNE 2014
EGYPTAIR has announced the reopen-ing of the seasonal terminal’s arrival hall at Cairo International Airport.
The relaunch of the facility came just before the start of the Umrah flights of Ramadan which year after year witness-es the peak of services to Saudi Arabia.
The seasonal terminal is dedicated to passengers travelling on the Egyptian airline’s flights to Jeddah and Medina and ensures a more smooth travel expe-rience.
Due to maintenance works, opera-tion from the hall was suspended since March 15, the well-equipped facility however is now ready to cater for 1,200 passengers per hour.
Cairo’s Seasonal Terminal Relaunches Arrival Hall
Dubai Lagoon Gets USD92.3 Million Boost
Schön Properties has secured an investment of AED339 mil-lion (USD92.3 million) for the completion of the Dubai Lagoon project.
Danial Schön, vice president, Schön Properties, described the deal with Xanadu Real Estate Development as a turning point for the much-delayed development.
“The funds are being utilised for the completion of Dubai Lagoon project, which also includes the Juma Masjid located within the residential project. Schon-Xanadu have instructed PGS Gulf Contracting to enhance the finishing of the project by including the highest quality items. Given its location and qual-ity construction, Dubai Lagoon is poised to be one of the best master development communities in Dubai,” commented Schön.
Adel A AlBreiki, managing director, Xanadu Real Estate De-velopment, added, “The prospects of the location are excellent, with the Expo 2020 site in close proximity and huge apprecia-tion can be expected in coming years.”
6 WEEKLY NEWS Accommodation
28 JUNE 2014
Hotel Global Group Company to Manage QAIA Hotel
Airport International Group (AIG) selected Hotel Global Group Company as the preferred bidder for the construc-tion and management of a hotel at the north pier of Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA).
Scheduled to be completed within six months, the prop-erty spans 900m2 and will feature three levels, a lobby and a fully-equipped business area with meeting and training rooms, among others.
As Kjeld Binger, CEO, AIG, explained, building the transit ho-tel is closely aligned with the company’s goal to provide QAIA passengers with a unique travel experience and to continu-ously improve services on par with top international airports.
Banyan Tree Unveils Cassia Dubai Metro Integral to TI’ME Strategy
TIME OAK Hotel & Suites
Banyan Tree Group announced the launch of a new brand, Cassia, with which the company enters a new proposition in the serviced apartment sector and brings its portfolio to three brands.
Nestled in a niche sector between hotel and apartment, Cassia offers one and two-bedroom units with flexible living and dining options, while it brings together investment opportunities for the growing middle-class looking for affordable holiday
homes, as well as the op-portunity to develop an innovative hotel product in the serviced apart-ment segment.
Five projects of the brand are already in de-velopment in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Aus-tralia and China.
Market research conducted on behalf of TI’ME Hotels Man-agement revealed that 234 hotels and hotel apartments are currently located within two kilometres of one of Dubai’s 47 metro stations.
The aim of the report was to analyse the impact of these transportation hubs on visitor’s booking decisions, and as Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TI’ME Hotels Management, noted, out of around 530 accommodation establishments listed with international reservation websites, at least 44 percent were situated in close proximity to Dubai’s stations.
“Accessibility to the metro network is giving hotels an opportunity to drive occupancy rates as location remains a top priority for guests,” explained Awadalla, adding that Western guests appreciate its efficiency of public transport, while for other nationalities it is a cost-effective alternative.
Banyan Tree Cassia Bintan
7WEEKLY NEWS
28 JUNE 2014
Accommodation
Hilton to Open Qatar’s Largest Beach ResortHilton Worldwide has partnered with Al-Rayyan Hospitality to develop a new Hilton Hotels & Resorts property at Salwa Beach in Qatar.
The project, hailed as the largest of its kind in the Middle East and a first for Qatar, will span 104ha of prime land and coastline in the southwest corner of the state. The 362-room Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, Qatar will form the centrepiece of the de-velopment’s grand plan that also includes a water park, a luxury marina and yacht club, dive centre, cinemas, premier retail shop-ping and numerous restaurants.
The resort will incorporate 246 deluxe rooms in the main ho-tel building, and two small villages of family villas on both sides. Guest will also be able to take advantage of a 2,800m2 health club and spa, several outdoor pools, 3,500m2 of meeting and event function space, and a comprehensive choice of 13 restaurants, bars and lounges.
Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, described the announcement as a true landmark for the Middle East and the company.
Millennium Resort Mussanah Partners with Al Boom Diving and Oman Sail
Millennium Resort Mussanah has teamed up with Al Boom Diving and Oman Sail to offer visitors looking to spend their summer holiday on the Gulf of Oman a unique holiday experience.
Located just 45 minutes from Muscat Interna-tional Airport, the 234-key property is in close prox-imity to some of the best diving sites in the Sultan-ate, including the UNESCO-protected Demaniyat Islands Marine Nature Reserve as well as Kharabah Island.
Thanks to the hotel’s partnership with Al Boom Diving and Oman Sail, water-sports and diving enthusiast can now enjoy special offers.
A purpose-built dive vessel ensures a fast, safe and comfortable passage for both divers and snorkel-ers, and Oman Sail overseas the resort’s sailing and wa-tersport activities.
Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas
Millennium Resort Mussanah
8 WEEKLY NEWS Accommodation
Steigenberger to Open in QatarGerman hotel company, Steigenberger Hotel Group has re-vealed plans to launch its first project in Qatar.
Scheduled for opening in 2016, Steigenberger Hotel Doha Airport Road will be constructed in Doha’s up-and-coming me-tropolis in close proximity to the airport. The five-star property will feature some 200 rooms, a large conference centre with a 400m2 ballroom, fitness and health centre and two international restaurants.
Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Steigenberger Hotel Group, de-scribed Qatar as the perfect match for the company’s expansion strategy. “Following the signing of agreements for projects in China and Dubai, Doha is an ideal addition to our portfolio of hotels at attractive locations.”
Region’s Largest ibis Hotel to Open in 2016
Accor HotelServices Middle East is to launch ibis Dubai World Trade Centre District, hailed as the largest economy hotel in the region, in the first quarter of 2016.
Strategically located next to the exhibition centre with easy access to both Sheikh Zayed Road and the metro station, the second ibis hotel at Dubai World Trade Centre and the company’s third property near the site will form part of the district’s first phase of develop-ment which is slated for completion in the second half of 2015.
Featuring 588 units, the new hotel will bring the group’s room count in the district to 1,210.
Hilton Brings New Curio Brand to the Middle East
Hilton Worldwide’s recently launched Curio – A Col-lection by Hilton brand is set to debut in the Middle East with a 207-room project in the Mall of Qatar.
Located at the heart of a dynamic new district in Doha, the new luxury hotel, developed in partnership with Al Jarjan Trading & Contracting, will capture the
intrinsic personality of the local landscape, a key pillar of the brand, in a well-designed prop-erty.
Scheduled to open in 2016, the hotel will create a chic luxury re-treat with a premium range of features and amenities.
28 JUNE 2014
Christian Grage, vice president, operations, Arabian Peninsula, Hilton Worldwide (left), and
Shem Kray, deputy managing director, Mall of Qatar
ibis Hotel
9WEEKLY NEWSAir
ADIA Receives AEGEAN AirlinesAbu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) recently welcomed AEGEAN Airlines’ first commercial flight from Athens, Greece, which arrived onboard a 168-seat Airbus A320 and was given a water cannon sa-lute at touchdown.
Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Abu Dhabi Airports welcomes AEGEAN Airlines to Abu Dhabi International Airport
as we look to strengthen our links with major Eu-ropean cities. We are glad that AEGEAN Airlines has chosen Abu Dhabi Inter-national Airport as a con-nection between Europe and the Middle East, rein-forcing the capital’s posi-tion as an international aviation hub.”
Ryanair: World’s Favourite Airline, According to IATAAccording to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), European low fare carrier, Ryanair remains the world’s favourite airline. The verdict came upon IATA’s latest World Airline Trans-port Statistics which indicated that Ryanair yet again carried more international passengers than any other airline.
IATA confirmed that in fact, in 2013, Ryanair served more international travellers than easyJet, Iberia, and Scandinavian Airlines combined. Further to the confirmation, Robin Kiely, head of communications, Ryanair, commented, “Customers choose Ryanair for our lowest fares, great routes choice and our improving customer experience.”
Etihad Cargo Starts Operations to Dar es Salaam
Etihad Cargo has commenced a weekly freighter service to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which also makes a stop in Nairobi, Kenya on the return sector to Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Cargo deploys one of its three Airbus A330-200 wide-body freighters on the route, offer-ing customers heavy uplift capability of up to 64 metric tonnes.
The UAE airline initially expects the service to carry heavy electronics, medical equipment and food items to Dar es Salaam, with primarily perish-able goods destined for the Gulf region and Europe loaded for the return flights.
28 JUNE 2014
Etihad Cargo
AEGEAN Airlines in Abu Dhabi
10 WEEKLY NEWS Air
28 JUNE 2014
Etihad Cargo uplifted record cargo tonnage across the world in April and May, earning the carrier a place among the top 10 performing global air cargo operators on the WorldACD Market Data’s monthly list.
In April, Etihad Cargo moved 44,730 tonnes of cargo around the globe, up 30 percent year-on-year, while May showed a 31 percent improvement with freight volumes reaching 48,869 tonnes.
“Moving onto the list of the world’s top 10 is a great achievement and our intention is to continue building our business, create value for our partners, and support our customers,” said Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways, noting that the figures were driven by a combination of factors, including bet-ter capacity utilisation and more bellyhold capacity on various routes, enhanced scheduling, optimised connec-tions and a robust charter business.
Etihad Cargo Posts Record Figures
Bahrain Welcomes Pegasus Airlines
Gulf Air Relaunches Athens ServicesGulf Air has celebrated the resumption of operations to Athens.
As Maher Salman Al Musallam, CEO, Gulf Air, noted, the re-start of the flights comes at a time when the Greek economy ex-periences positive signs of recovery.
“We expect our newest destination to appeal to Bahrain and GCC residents not only as a prime holiday destination but as a key business link between Greece and the region. The addition of Ath-ens to Gulf Air’s network is in line with our strategy of strengthen-ing the airline’s network with key global destinations,” added Al Musallam.
Using an Airbus A320-ER aircraft in two class configuration, the Bahraini carrier offers four weekly services to Athens Interna-tional Airport.
Launch Ceremony
Pegasus Airlines has commenced operations between Istan-bul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Bahrain Interna-tional Airport (BIA).
The low-cost carrier will operate three weekly flights on the route, providing the Kingdom with easy connectivity to 11 destinations within Turkey and 33 international cities across Europe.
Welcoming Pegasus Airlines at BIA, Mohammed Khalil, vice president, commercial and marketing, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), noted that the new service, which marks the Turkish carrier’s eighth destination in the Middle East, is expected to help spur tourism and bolster business activities between the two countries.
“The new route reiterates BAC’s commitment to further expand BIA’s network and provide passengers with connectiv-ity options and ease of access to the rest of the world,” added Khalil.
28 JUNE 2014
11WEEKLY NEWSAir
Qatar Airways Makes Miami Debut
Qatar Airways’ maiden voyage to Miami International Airport touched down on June 10, marking the airline’s sixth US gateway and the first nonstop service between the Middle East and the US city.
Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, who was on board the maiden flight and led a high level delegation, said, “Our aim is to bring the world closer together through a five-star unparalleled aviation experience, and we are particularly pleased that for the first time, Florida is being served from the Middle East market.”
Miami International Airport is one of the largest hubs in the US, handling over 40.5 million passengers in 2013. It is the country’s second busiest airport for international travel and the busiest for international freight, while the destina-tion itself is known for year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches.
Mahan Air: Yerevan LaunchOn June 1 Iranian carrier, Mahan Air celebrated the launch of thrice weekly, nonstop services to Zvartnots International Airport with a gala dinner at a five-star hotel in the Armenian city of Yerevan.
Earlier that day, Mahan Air held a press gathering at the airport upon landing of its flight from Tehran with 100 per-cent seat load factor.
In another development, from June 3, particular check-in counters dedicated to business, Gold and Silver class pas-sengers have been opened at Imam Khomeini International Airport, Tehran, available to international flights’ passengers.
Qatar Airways Launches My Q-TagQatar Airways has developed a new online system for passengers who wish to print their own baggage tags before arrival at the airport.
My Q-Tag enables customers to arrive at the air-port and proceed directly to the web check-in bag drop counter, where a customer service representa-tive will process their already labelled baggage.
Currently available to 103 destinations for passen-gers exiting Doha, the initiative adds a further layer of customer service to the online check-in process by enabling passengers to proceed quickly into the de-parture area where they can avail of more time to relax before boarding their flights.
“Qatar Airways passengers will be thrilled to take advantage of our new My Q-Tag service, along with the comfort and functional design of the new [Hamad In-ternational] Airport, and the exceptional shopping and dining choices it offers,” attested Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways.
Mahan Air Crew
12 WEEKLY NEWS Air
28 JUNE 2014
From August 1 Emirates is to switch from its Boeing 777-200LR cur-rently operating the Boston itinerary, to a larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, adding cargo and passenger capacity which translates to a 40 percent increase in seating.
Having launched on March 10, the route has seen steady growth thanks to Emirates’ unique product and service which is offered to customers in all three cabins, supported Hubert Frach, divisional sen-ior vice president, commercial operations, west, Emirates.
Emirates Increases Capacity on Newly-introduced Boston Route
Etihad Airways launched a new programme to improve sleep quality on its long-haul flights in collaboration with a panel of sleep experts from the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology (ACPN) in Abu Dhabi.
The carrier has received expert guidance from ACPN on sleep hy-giene and on-board wellbeing, and has developed comprehensive guidelines for sleep in-flight, created for the airline’s guests, as a result of clinical studies carried out by ACPN on patients experiencing ef-fects related to long-haul flying.
“We understand that sleep is an important requirement for our guests, many of whom fly multiple journeys with us each year. For this reason, we will continue ensuring greater levels of comfort and well-being on our flights. The research we have carried out in collaboration with the experts at the ACPN will allow us to significantly improve the cabin environment for our guests and to provide targeted investment in our on-board experience for tangible customer benefit,” said Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer, Etihad Airways.
Etihad Airways to Improve Guest Sleep Experience
flydubai Highlights Links with India
There has been consistent and posi-tive growth of foreign tourist arrivals from the Middle East to India over the last three years as investment and trade ties continue to strength-en between the two regions, while tourism between India and the UAE, and the rest of the flydubai network, continues to drive demand for travel. This was stressed during the airline’s inaugural trip to India, following the announcement of 10 new flights to Delhi, Kochi and Trivandrum.
During the tour to India, flydubai hosted representatives from the Rus-sian and Middle Eastern media to showcase the country as a key desti-nation within its network, and created a show kitchen featuring a wide range of culinary flavours as well as an art gallery with pictures of the many hid-den gems from across its network.
Etihad Airways
Emirates
13WEEKLY NEWSAir
28 JUNE 2014
SITA to Introduce Enhanced Aircraft Tracking CapabilitySITA will launch an innovative technology solution which will allow airlines to effi-ciently and cost-effectively track their air-craft utilising technology that is already in-stalled in the vessels to provide advanced tracking capabilities.
SITA AIRCOM Server Flight Tracker solu-tion will enable interested airlines to track aircraft movement by merging SITA’s airline dispatcher centre system and airline opera-tions centre system (AIRCOM) server, with its Future Air Navigation System ground application, which is available to Air Navi-gation Service Providers.
“The strong upside of our innovative solution is that it can be developed quickly and it will only add minimal cost to the airlines as it will utilise existing systems on the aircraft,” confirmed Francesco Violante, CEO, SITA.
Turkish Airlines Expands to Varna Turkish Airlines has added Varna, Bulgaria to its network as its 252th worldwide destination, having begun on May 30.
Roundtrip flights between Istanbul and Varna are operated twice weekly and are linked on the Constanta route which is also pass-ing from the Romanian city on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance-mem-ber Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 251 passenger and cargo aircraft flying to 252 international and domestic hubs.
SAUDIA Cargo Resumes Operations from Houston As of June 15, SAUDIA Cargo recommenced its Boeing B747 freighter services from Houston, US to Saudi Arabia which are op-erated once a week directly to Dammam and via Amsterdam to Riyadh.
“We are thrilled to be returning to the market with a direct freighter service from Houston to Saudi Arabia. This is an impor-tant addition to our network, where we currently utilise the belly capacity on 17 weekly passenger flights from New York, Wash-
ington and Los Angeles to the Kingdom. A dedicated freighter service from the US to Riyadh and Dammam will undoubtedly strengthen our position on this strategic route,” commented Pe-ter Scholten, vice president, commercial, SAUDIA Cargo.
Houston is a key market for the cargo airline due to the re-gion’s lucrative oil industry and with demand estimated to grow following the introduction of this service, SAUDIA Cargo plans to add a second weekly flight as of September.
Varna
14 WEEKLY NEWS International
28 JUNE 2014
Renovated J Plus Hotel by YOO Unveiled
The relaunch of J Plus Hotel by YOO located in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay following a HKD10 million (USD1.3 million) makeover reveals a celebration of urban renaissance and the introduction of an original new approach to architecturally inspired design.
The extensive makeover has seen refreshingly bright de-signs applied to each of the hotel’s 32 luxurious studios and 24 spacious suites, which are styled in four dynamic colour themes.
Protea Hotels Go Live on Marriott.com
Best Western Debuts in Sri Lanka
BEST WESTERN Elyon Hotel Colombo
Marriott International Protea’s portfolio of hotels became available for booking on its website from May 26, as well as through Marriott International global reservations offices, marking the latest phase in the integration of Protea Hotels within the Marri-ott International portfolio of brands.
The company recently completed the approxi-mately USD200 million acquisition of Protea Hotels and its sub-brands, African Pride Hotels and Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! securing its position as the largest hotel operator on the African continent.
Alex Kyriakidis, president, Middle East and Af-rica, Marriott International, commented that soon after the acquisition of Protea Hotels the company’s valued guests have access to the portfolio of hotel options continent-wide and globally across Marriott International’s entire range of brands.
Best Western International (BWI) reaches another landmark in its international expansion with the launch of the company’s first-ever hotel in Sri Lanka scheduled for July 1.
The brand new BEST WESTERN Elyon Hotel Colombo is located on Marine Drive, offering 60 contemporary guest rooms, all of which are equipped with LCD TVs, iPod docking stations and complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as a stylish rooftop bar and terrace - a unique proposi-tion for Colombo.
Commenting on Sri Lanka’s potential, Glenn de Sou-za, vice president, international operations for Asia and the Middle East, BWI, said that the country’s fast-paced GDP growth and burgeoning tourism industry, make Sri Lanka one of Asia’s new ‘tiger economies’.
15AGENT'S CORNER
28 JUNE 2014
Al Basel Group Launches New Agency Looking to capture a larger share of the booming regional tourism industry, Al Basel Group of Com-panies has revealed plans to open a new travel agency, Tuwaiq, in a bid to help address the travel de-mands and requirements of both local and international tourists.
The new office, which will be located in Dubai World Central, is set to reinforce the group’s po-
sition as a leading player in the Middle Eastern market.
Banking on the company’s vast experience in the industry, the new agency is looking to target the region’s middle and upper class segments from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, offering them various services, including con-sultancy, booking and mentoring.
AGENT’S INSIGHT
Who are you?I am a tourism manager who lives in Kuwait. I started my tour-ism career 14 years ago. I am well-educated since I studied at a French school and an English university and I hold a major in economics and marketing techniques. My work is my pleas-ure. For now my company is Musaad Al Saleh Travel, one of the leading agencies in Kuwait which was the first travel agency in the market, operating since 1951.
What is your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?My favourite thing is to always be a step ahead of the competi-tors and that only happens by increasing product knowledge and personal skills. Working in the travel industry and selling the world to clients with passion is an adventure, not a routine work or a fixed product.
Where would you like to travel to for your next holiday?I have travelled to many places around the globe but I really wish to visit the US.
Why should people come to you for travel advice?For product knowledge, programme planning and reputation.
NAME: Ahmed Ibrahim
LOCATION: Kuwait
WEB: www.msstravel.net
COMPANY: Musaad Al Saleh Travel
POSITION: Tourism manager
Al Tayyar Travel Group Accredited by IATA
Al Tayyar Travel Group received certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in recogni-tion of its commitment to effective operations to achieve global standards in the promotion and sale of air trans-port services.
Applauding this achievement, Nasser Al Tayyar, president, Al Tayyar Travel Group, commented that the honour rewards the organisation’s primary objective of ensuring professional and high-quality services provid-ed to customers across all geographies and at all times.
The group has seen tremendous growth in services this year across Saudi Arabia, something which is part of its horizontal and vertical expansion strategy.
Today the company has presence throughout the Kingdom, with more than 350 branches, including 295 IATA-accredited offices.
Prince Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Saud, chairman, Al Tayyar Travel Group
Kuwait
16 TRAVEL TALK
28 JUNE 2014
Pierre Delfau
“What sets Southern Sun Abu Dhabi apart as a deluxe hotel is the brand’s long-standing herit-age of warm and welcoming service. The guest experience is led by a team of passionate pro-fessionals from all over the world with careful Emotional Quotient Inventory testing central to our recruitment process. The assessment en-sures that our employees’ social and emotional strengths resonate with our overall business phi-losophy.”
General manager, Southern Sub Abu Dhabi.
Tony Tyler
Director general, International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“The [unanimous] resolution [which calls upon governments and the industry to work together on a balanced package of measure to effectively deter and manage the problem of unruly air pas-senger behaviour] confirms the determination of airlines to defend the rights of their passengers and crew. Everybody on board is entitled to enjoy a journey free from abusive or other unacceptable behaviour.”
General manager, Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina, Dubai.
“We will continue working on our sustainable plan of uplifting and improving the facilities and services within the property without impacting our loyal guests. Most recently we replaced all the carpets within the guest apartments and we are awaiting delivery of fabulous new beds within all our apartments. In addition to our corporate base we enjoy success within the GCC markets, in par-ticular Saudi Arabia.”
Rob Collier
President, Etihad Airways.
“Marking 10 years of successful operations be-tween Abu Dhabi and Germany is a historic mile-stone for Etihad Airways [...]. In 10 years we have grown our German operations substantially, launched new routes, opened a premium lounge in Frankfurt, commenced freighter operations to Frankfurt, unveiled our European and German headquarters in Berlin, and started and cemented our strategic partnership with airberlin.”
James Hogan
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17WHO'S MOVED
28 JUNE 2014
Aftab Abdul Raman
Jenny Fajutag
Michael Martin
Aftab Abdul Raman has joined Emirates Grand Hotel as sales manager. In his capacity, he will provide support to the director of sales and marketing in maximising revenue and developing new strategies. In addition, he will also help maintain and strength-en ties with existing partners and
generate new business leads. Ramam has more than 10 years of experience in the hospital-ity and tourism industry, with strong background in reserva-tions and sales. Prior to his current role, he served at Flora Hospitality and Chelsea Tower Hotel Apartments as assistant sales manager.
Jenny Fajutag has been named marketing and commu-nications manager at Taj Palace Hotel Dubai. Fajutag, who holds a bachelor degree in international travel and tourism management moved to the UAE in 2006 to join Jumeirah Group. After an initial period as a res-
taurant hostess, she continued in guest relations and customer sales before exploring the fields of marketing and public rela-tions for both rooms and res-taurants, in particular develop-ing digital marketing skills.Most recently she served as marketing and communications executive at Jumeirah Group.
Michael Martin has assumed the positions of general man-ager at the soon-to-open In-terContinental Dubai Marina and regional general man-ager overseeing InterConti-nental Hotels Group (IHG)’s 10 properties in the UAE. In his new capacity, Martin will open Dubai’s newest In-terContinental hotel in the fourth quarter of the year, and he will also oversee IHG’s expansion in the country. Martin has more than 30 years of hospitality industry
experience under his belt, 22 years of which he spent with IHG, serving the company at various properties around the globe. He moves to the UAE from China, where he spent four years first as area general manager in West Guangdong, and later as area general man-ager in the Sichuan province. Prior to moving to Asia, Mar-tin worked extensively in the UK, managing 22 properties across IHG’s Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands.
18 TRAVEL CHANNELS
28 JUNE 2014
The number of job vacancies in the Gulf region’s hospitality sector more than tripled from 18,000 in 2009 to 61,000 in 2013, data compiled by recruitment website, Catererglobal.com revealed.
T he report also found that job vacancies have grown over 25 percent since 2012, putting increased pressure on human resources managers to fill many of these positions with candidates that have the required skills.
Other findings from the report show a significant rise in applications for vacancies, particularly in management posts which have now become exceptionally competitive. Also, whilst the number of management roles has remained relatively steady, the number of non-management posts jumped 32 percent during the second half of 2013, particularly in front office and housekeeping vacancies.
Long-Term Sustainable Growth of Tourism Is a Collective Issue
Governments need to work collegiately and take a long-term view of the economic impor-tance of travel and tourism to ensure the sustainable growth of the industry, remarked David Scowsill, president, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), speaking on the occasion of the 98th World Tourism Organisation Executive Council.
WTTC understands the limitations faced by some government departments, whose influ-ence and decision-making power is often limited and competes against other stronger ele-ments but for visa facilitation and infrastructure projects to work for the sector, and for true transport connectivity to be realised, this requires understanding across many government ministries, Scowsill supported.
The 98th session of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council meeting in Spain highlighted the role of tourism routes in promot-ing regional integration and growth, which contributes to stronger economic development.
Moreover, participants identified infrastructure, visa facilitation, transpor-tation, public-private partnerships, public sector coordination and branding as fundamental success factors in the development of tourism routes.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have for-mally agreed to jointly advocate for innovation and talent development in the public and private sectors as the means to promote competitive and sustainable tourism develop-ment, with a particular focus on the air transport industry.
In line with the memorandum of understanding signed between the two entities, IATA will support the creation of a new category within the UNWTO Awards for Excellence and In-novation in Tourism, which will recog-nise innovation in marketing, product development with the objective to enhance connectivity and increase travel accessibility by airlines, travel agents and other travel and tourism companies.
UNWTO: Tourism Routes Key to Regional Development
IATA and UNWTO to Collaborate
Over 61,000 Jobs in the Hospitality Sector
19RENDEZVOUS
28 JUNE 2014
Q & A with Abdulaziz Al-MassThe recent launch of the long-awaited Hamad International Airport (HIA) has not only brought to fruition the vision of the country’s leadership, but as Abdulaziz Al-Mass, senior manager, public relations and communi-cations, Doha International Airport and HIA, says, also raises the bar in travel experience.
Travel Trade Weekly: The opening of HIA is set to transform the travel experience by offering world-class travel efficiency and the highest possible standards of passenger care. What are the main fea-tures of the airport that make it a world-class hub?
Abdulaziz Al-Mass: HIA’s pioneering de-sign, engineering and construction makes it a flagship national project and one of the most ambitious global projects currently un-derway. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities all housed within one space, as well as optimised operational flow, HIA sets a new global standard in travel experience.
The new passenger terminal complex spans over more than 600,000m2 and of-fers a seamless experience from check-in to transfers and boarding. The concourses are comfortable, attractive and modern, exhib-iting works of art commissioned by some of the most famous local and international names.
With 40,000m2 of combined high-end re-tail and food and beverage outlets, HIA takes airport shopping and dining to a whole new level. In addition to a premium shopping experience, HIA will offer a wellness facility with swimming pool, gym and two squash courts, as well as other recreational facilities as the airport continues to complete further facilities. This includes the hotel with 100 rooms in the south node and an additional 100 rooms in the north node upon comple-tion for the full disposal of our passengers. A glass structured public mosque based in front of the airport will serve Muslim passen-gers’ spiritual needs.
All of this is supported by state-of-the
mirror each other in design and Concourse C, the largest of all three, will offer passen-gers unobstructed views of the airfield.
However, HIA will almost double its ca-pacity from 30 million to 50 million annually with the addition of two further concourses – D and E at a later date.
Travel Trade Weekly: In your opinion, how will this new international transport hub transform Qatar’s image and contribute to the country’s socio-economic develop-ment?
Abdulaziz Al-Mass: HIA was planned as part of the long-term strategic vision of the country to create a world-class aviation hub, providing all passengers with a world-class travel experience. It is a reflection of the growing stature, economic success and beauty of Qatar, becoming a showcase for Qatar’s culture, technological, environmen-tal and economic achievements.
The new airport will play a critical role in maintaining Qatar’s position as one of the world’s fastest growing economies and act-ing as a gateway to the Middle East and onto the rest of the world.
HIA will be one of the key drivers of the economy diversification and will have a strong impact on the human and economic development pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030. This includes Airport City, over 100ha of land alongside the new airport, reserved for sustainable commercial development that will include a free trade zone, office and business park, hotels and retail mail.
We believe it will result in diversification of revenues and greater employment and prosperity for Doha and the citizens of Qatar.
Abdulaziz Al-MassSenior manager, public relations and communications, Doha International Airport and Hamad International Airport
art technology that allows minimum wait-ing time and maximum convenience when checking in, getting immigration clearance or getting around the airport, ensuring the highest levels of security and safety. We are extremely excited to see HIA’s opening and to see the positive response from our pas-sengers.
Travel Trade Weekly: On April 30, 10 air-lines commenced services to HIA, while Qatar Airways has just recently moved its operations to the hub. When is the airport expected to become fully opera-tional and how many passengers will it handle in its first year?
Abdulaziz Al-Mass: HIA [became] fully op-erational on May 27 and in its first phase it will have capacity for 30 million annual passengers, as three out of five concourses will open – A, B and C. Concourse A and B
20 NEWS & EVENTS
28 JUNE 2014
EVENTS
EVENTS PAGE
Routes Silk RoadTbilisi, Georgia, July 6 – 8, 2014(www.routesonline.com)A route development forum that connects CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia.
Incentive, Business, Travel & Meetings Expo (IBTM) IndiaChennai, India, September 3 – 5, 2014(www.ibtmevents.com)An invitation-only event for India’s inbound, outbound and domestic incentives, business travel and meetings industry.
Shanghai International Golf & Travel (SIGT)Shanghai, China, September 5 – 7, 2014(www.shanghaigolfshow.com)SIGT will be a meeting place where golf industry people and golf enthusiasts can meet and interact.
China Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings Expo (CIBTM)Beijing, China, September 17 – 19, 2014(www.cibtm.com)An ideal platform for suppliers to the business events industry.
Kerala Travel Mart (KTM)Kochi, India, September 18 - 20, 2014(www.keralatravelmart.org)KTM brings together the business fraternity and the entrepreneurs behind Kerala’s products and services.
World Routes 2014Chicago, US, September 20 – 23, 2014(www.routesonline.com)An essential global gathering for aviation organisations from across all continents and countries.
Cityscape GlobalDubai, UAE, September 21 – 23, 2014(www.cityscape.org)Cityscape Global’s mission is to enhance and support the vision for real estate growth worldwide to an international audience.
Halal Tourism ConferenceAndalucia, Spain, September 22 – 23, 2014(www.htc2014.com)Market leaders will elaborate on how businesses can benefit from breaking into a niche market of Muslim travellers.
BAC in Global Aviation ConferenceBahrain Airport Company (BAC) participated in the Airports Council In-ternational World Asia Pacific Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition (ACI WAGA 2014), held in Seoul in May.
WAGA is a global event for the aviation industry and provides a plat-form for key aviation experts and industry leaders to share their knowledge and expertise on a series of important issues such as human resources and health and safety, through dynamic presentations, forums and symposiums.
Hind Mahmood, vice president, human resources, BAC, said, “The conference provided a great learning experience as we were give the op-
portunity to liaise with our international counterparts and get updated on the alignment of human resources to their overall company vision and what new human resources practices and training and development strategies they have been adopting to further enhance the efforts of their employees – we aim to ap-ply these findings to BAC for the benefit of our staff”.
Sponsored by
Hind Mahmood