STEIGENBERGER ALCAZAR TO OPEN IN MAY

HONOURABLE ORDER OF GENERAL MANAGERS LAUNCHED

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12 MARCH 2016 ISSUE 331

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL CAPACITY REACHES 90 MILLION

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Market UpdateInternationalTravel Channels

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

MANAGING EDITOR

Mary Kammitsi mary@traveltradeweekly.travel

ASSISTANT EDITORMaria Kazeli

SENIOR JOURNALISTRita Kasziba

JOURNALIST

Pauline Shahabian CONTRIBUTOR

Ana Mladenovic

PRESS Maria Demetriadou Inna Armeanu

DESIGN & LAYOUTElena Stylianou

WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Savvas Kammitsis

DIRECTORS Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi

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Representative for North, South & Central America, and the Caribbean: Neil Strickland GlobeTM Tel: +19542969515 neil@globetm.com

Representative for Indian subcontinent:

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kuka@rmamedia.com

12 MARCH 20162

MARKET UPDATE www.traveltradeweekly.travel

EMAAR REJOICES GROWTH

TRAVELPORT ENDS 2015 ON HIGH NOTE

Emaar Properties recorded a net operating profit of AED4.38 billion (USD1.19 billion) in 2015, up 18 percent year-on-year. Moreover, revenue for the year reached AED13.66 billion (USD3.72 billion), registering a 33 percent increase over 2014.

Travelport recorded USD535 million in net revenue in the last quarter of 2015, indicating an eight percent year-on-year increase. Net income rose 113 percent to reach USD6 million.

The developer’s shopping malls as well as the retail, hospitality and leisure businesses re-ported recurring revenues of AED5.78 billion (USD1.57 billion), accounting for 42 percent of total earnings.

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, noted that the growth is underpinned by the company’s strategy of creating long-term value for its stakeholders by developing premium real estate assets and strengthening its shopping mall and hospitality divisions which provide a recurring revenue stream that supports the sustainable growth plan.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation was also up 18 percent over the corresponding period in 2014.

As for the full year, the company’s net revenue surged three percent, touching USD2.22 billion.

Gordon Wilson, president, Travelport, commented that the company’s digital asset portfolio is witnessing good progress.

“With these innovations, we are uniquely positioned to capture the new opportunities in the digital travel economy,” he added.

Bahrain (BHD)

Jordan (JOD)

Oman (OMR)

Qatar (QAR)

Saudi Arabia (SAR)

UAE (AED)

Algeria (DZD)

Egypt (EGP)

Iran (IRR)

Iraq (IQD)

Kuwait (KWD)

Lebanon (LBP)

Libya (LYD)

Morocco (MAD)

Syria (SYP)

Tunisia (TND)

Yemen (YER)

Dinar

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Dirham

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1,107.27

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1.36

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12 MARCH 2016

Honourable Order of General Managers Launched

Dedicated exclusively to the hotel general management community, the global or-ganisation aims to raise the profile of the position, whilst also providing a range of professional and personal benefits, including portable healthcare and insurance

options. Membership is open to everyone working or having previously worked in the role, as

well as to owners, operators, retirees and aspiring young professionals.

Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)’s impact on the emir-ate’s economy surged 26 percent to AED3.47 billion (USD945 million) in 2015, as the result of a 13 percent growth in the number of events

hosted by Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Al Ain Convention Centre.The happenings attracted 1.8 million visitors from across the world, ana-

lysed Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, acting group CEO, ADNEC. He also revealed that in 2015, the company welcomed 12 new exhibitions and witnessed a steep 110 percent rise in the specialised conferences and congresses segment.

“ADNEC also contributed to the high occupancy levels of hotels in the UAE delivering a total of 522,000 guest nights, a surge of 21 percent [over] 2014. Of this, 420,000 guest nights were recorded in Abu Dhabi alone,” Al Dhaheri concluded.

ADNEC Boosts Abu Dhabi’s Economy

Introducing the world’s first and only initiative of its kind, the Honourable Order of International Hotel General Managers (HOIHGm) has been established with its first regional headquarters

in Dubai.

Middle East Adds to Room Count

According to the January STR Global pipe-line report, there were 538 hotels totalling 151,771 rooms under contract in the Middle

East.The figure marked a 42.8 percent increase com-

pared to January 2015. Meanwhile, the region re-ported 80,350 rooms in 251 accommodation estab-lishments under construction for the month – a 50.4 percent year-on-year surge.

Among the key markets in the Middle East, Mecca registered the highest number of rooms in the pipeline with 21,068 keys in 13 properties. Three other cities had more than 5,000 units in the making, namely Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

http://www.bbc.com/

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T o increase the sector’s attractiveness to guests, home owners, operators and developers, Dubai Department

of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) outlined regulations for the emirate’s holi-day home segment.

“Visitors booking their accommodation through licensed operators will have the as-surance that their accommodation has been classified in line with global best practices, while owners of properties will benefit from the expertise and marketing capabilities of the operator through who they rent out their property,” explained Khaled Bin Touq, executive director, licensing and classifica-tion sector, DTCM.

He added that the market is key to achiev-ing the emirate’s long-term visitor goals.

DTCM Launches Holiday Home Regulations

Dubai to Get Biggest Library in 2017

D AMAC Properties announced a major new venture, aimed at establishing it as an icon in Dubai’s real estate landscape.

AYKON City is a six-tower luxury project comprising the all-suites, 80-storey AYKON Hotel and Residences, a 63-floor DAMAC Maison Serviced Hotel Residences, an apartment tower, an office structure and two ultra-luxury residential edifices.

Located in the business district of the city, the develop-ment will also feature an addition to Dubai’s tourist attrac-tions as an the adrenaline experience, AYKON Dare will be located on the 80th floor of the hotel inviting guests to walk around the outside of the tower’s roof.

DAMAC to Introduce AYKON City

Dubai to Welcome Video Game-based Theme Park

Meraas Holding revealed plans for Hub Zero, the Middle East’s first immersive entertainment park that will of-fer innovative experiences created in association with

world renowned video game developers.Located at CITY WALK, Dubai’s premier urban lifestyle desti-

nation, the indoor facility is scheduled for launch this summer. Visitors will enjoy 18 attractions, rides and experimental zones that will allow them to immerse themselves in a virtual environ-ment and delve into the world of their favourite characters.

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H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai, launched an AED1 billion (USD272.3 million) pro-ject to build the region’s largest library in the emirate’s Al

Jaddaf area.Scheduled to open in 2017, the facility, which will house 4.5 mil-

lion books across seven storeys and 92,903m2, will also include event and interaction spaces, as well as areas for activities, educational events, lectures, art exhibitions and more.

The library will also boast a museum of Arab heritage and history of human civilisation.

http://www.rotana.com/

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WEEKLY NEWS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

Sharjah Strengthens Profile in India

Hungary Eases Visa Application for Saudis

SCTH Addresses Tourist Routes Project

Residents of Saudi Arabia can now ap-ply for visas to Hungary at dedicated centres in three cities. VFS Global

representatives welcome those who wish to travel to the European country in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.

The Kingdom is the third country in the Middle East, after Kuwait and the UAE, to of-fer this option and Bahrain is set to join the list in the coming months.

“We are proud of the fast-growing num-ber of foreign citizens visiting our country every year and deeply believe that the excel-lent offers of our tour operators, hotels, res-taurants and the wide choice of attractions will encourage more and more Saudis to visit Hungary,” commented Laszlo Szabo, deputy foreign affairs and trade minister, Hungary.

I n view of its plan to empower Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) regions as tourism

destinations, the authority, represent-ed by its Center for Tourism Human Resources Development (Takamul) and in collaboration with the De-partment of Tourist Routes, plans to organise a number of workshops to introduce the tourist routes project across different parts of the Kingdom.

Nasir Al Nashmi, director general, Takamul, stated, “[These gatherings aim] to show the importance of tourist routes and their necessity for the pro-motion of tourism, besides providing the proper ways for creating a tourism product and developing tourism at-tractive regions that may enrich the visitor’s experience.”

I n a bid to capture an even larger share of the Indian outbound market, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) joined the UAE’s National Council of Tourism & Antiquities at the OTM Mumbai

travel trade show.As H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman, SCTDA, reminded, India remains

one of the five largest exporters of tourists to the emirate with more than 157,000 hotel guests on record in 2015, up 16 percent year-on-year, repre-senting 8.8 percent of the total.

Besides participating in specialised events, SCTDA also organises annual road shows on the subcontinent.

DID YOU KNOW...

In 2015, the number of tourism nights in Hungary surpassed

25 million?

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As part of its aggressive expansion strat-egy for this year, Al Ain’s Bawadi Mall plans to add two new brands to its

400-strong outlet collection. “We, at Bawadi Mall are always keen to

keep the momentum up and running. OshKosh B'Gosh and Caribou Coffee are the newest addi-tions to our wide portfolio of brands. I believe that both brands will attract a large chunk of customers from Al Ain city and surrounding sub-urbs,” said Bassam Saleh, marketing manager, Bawadi Mall.

Bawadi Mall Enriches Offering

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Shangri-La Doha Opens Its Doors

Situated close to business and diplomatic areas, the property offers a direct link to City Centre Mall and is in close proximity to the waterfront promenade.

Besides 272 rooms and suites as well as 42 serviced apartments, the establishment also features a Horizon Club Lounge, Asian-themed spa, seafood restaurant, swimming pools, 24-hour fitness centre, nine function spaces, a ballroom, as well as a business centre.

Shangri-La Hotel, Doha will launch Shanghai Club later this year, with a Chinese restau-rant as well as a European-inspired piano lounge.

Qatar officially welcomed the 50-storey Shangri-La Hotel, Doha. Blending Asian and Arabian hospitality, it is designed to resemble a falcon’s head in recognition of the country’s falconry tradition and is

adorned with art pieces honouring the local heritage.

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Ibn Battuta Mall to House AVANI Hotel

N akheel and Minor Hotel Group announced a new 372-room property at Ibn

Battuta Mall.To be operated under the AVANI

Hotels & Resorts brand, the 14-sto-rey AVANI Ibn Battuta will have direct access to the commercial centre and additional features will include a rooftop pool, all-day din-ing restaurant and a coffee shop.

The establishment forms part of Nakheel’s 437,000m2 expansion to the mall, which welcomes around 22 million visitors per year.

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New ibis Styles Coming to Dubai

Mövenpick: 12 New Hotels in 2015

M övenpick Hotels & Resorts ended 2015 on a high note, having expanded its portfolio by 15 percent with the signing of 12 new properties and 4,088 rooms.

Among these, the company secured three projects in the Middle East – including two high-profile deals in Riyadh and Jeddah – and three more developments in Africa.

Jean Gabriel Pérès, CEO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, said, “With our portfolio set to increase by almost 50 percent until 2020, we look to build on this momentum with exciting projects in key markets, working to-wards our ultimate goal of 130 properties – open and signed – by 2020.”

More Than 47,000 Rooms for

Saudi Arabia

A record 47,431 rooms in 124 hotels are under development in Saudi Arabia, according to a TOPHOTEL-

PROJECTS report commissioned by The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2016. The major-ity represents the final construction and pre-opening stages with 52 units set to be unveiled across the Kingdom in the com-ing months. These include The Ritz-Carl-ton, Jeddah, Kempinski Al Othman Hotel in Al Khobar and Nobu Hotel Riyadh.

“Saudi is now the second largest hub for hotel construction in the Middle East and Africa, behind only the UAE,” revealed Christine Davidson, group event director, dmg events Middle East and Asia, organ-iser of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia.S teigenberger Hotels’ eighth project in Egypt is gearing up to welcome

its first guests in mid-May.The five-star Steigenberger Alcazar Resort will feature 610 rooms,

suites and villas, five restaurants, four bars, a modern conference area as well as spa and gym facilities.

Reaffirming the company’s commitment to the North African country, Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Steigenberger Hotels, said, “The new resort in Sharm El Sheikh fits seamlessly into our existing portfolio and strengthens our posi-tion on the market. Together with the opening of the Steigenberger Tahrir Square in July we are well set.”

Steigenberger Alcazar to Open in May

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with Mawarid Finance to develop an ibis Styles-branded property in Dubai.

The 200-key hotel will form part of a mixed-use development in the Al Jaddaf area in close proximity to the upcom-ing Cultural Village and DubaiMetro green line. Slated for opening in 2018, ibis Styles Al Jaddaf will in-clude a restaurant, lobby café, gym and a swimming pool, in addition to meet-ing facilities.

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WEEKLY NEWS ACCOMMODATIONwww.traveltradeweekly.travel

New ibis Styles Coming to Dubai

Ritz-Carlton Goes Digital

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company unveiled its new website, which boasts a fully immersive online experience.

Digital explorers now have a distinctive new hub to browse, crafted to simplify journey planning and inspire explora-tion through photos by fellow travellers.

“With more than 50 million unique visits to RitzCarlton.com in 2015, we wanted to offer global travellers the most insightful, user-friendly and innovative experience available on the Inter-net,” said Ed French, chief officer, sales and marketing, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “Authenticity and transparency is critical to consumers today; which is why we have integrated user-gen-erated social content as part of the web experience.”

City Seasons Muscat Awarded for Food Safety

City Seasons Muscat completed its re-certification for ISO 22000, pertaining to food safety man-

agement. The hotel, which is hailed to be the

only one in the Omani capital to achieve the recognition, was identified for its Food Safety System Implementation which aims to introduce a robust and ef-fective culture of processing, handling, storing and serving food.

Christian Palacin, general manag-er, City Seasons Muscat, commented, “This internationally-prized recognition comes as the result of an excellent team work for mapping processes and system requirements as well as an effective im-plementation of the whole scheme, to which I have the employees to thank.”

Danat Al Ain Resort participated in Jeddah Inter-national Travel & Tourism Exhibition (JTTX) as the property continues to see increased and

renewed interest from the Saudi segment.“Our strategy is to maximise our share of this mar-

ket. In this regard we are keen to participate and offer very attractive packages and promotions to attract the attention of major corporate firms in Saudi, MICE organ-isers and holiday-makers,” revealed Khaled Khedr, direc-tor of sales and marketing, Danat Al Ain Resort.

He added that partaking in the yearly event brings more exposure for Danat Hotels and Resorts’ accommo-dation, recreation and MICE facilities.

Danat Al Ain Strengthens Presence in Saudi Market

Danat Al Ain Resort

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WEEKLY NEWS AIRPORTS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

90 MillionWITH THE OPENING OF CONCOURSE D, DUBAI INTERNATIONAL’S ANNUAL PASSENGER CAPACITY HAS RISEN FROM 75 MILLION TO 90 MILLION.

T he USD1.2 billion facility, which welcomed its first flight from British Airways, shortly followed by Royal Jordanian Airlines, will be home to more than 70 in-ternational carriers. The latest addition to the world’s busiest international hub is linked to the newly-renovated Terminal 1 by a dedicated airport train that can transport 300 passengers per trip.

As Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, noted, the launch of the facility comes at a time when Dubai International prepares to welcome 85 million passengers by year-end.

dnata Starts Operations at Dubai’s Concourse D

F ollowing the launch of Concourse D at Dubai International, dnata began operations at the new facility.

The global air services provider will handle all flights and baggage, as well as all transiting passengers at Concourse D from more than 70 airlines.

With the facility designed to serve 18 million customers every year, dnata assigned 3,000 staff on site, working in various capacities from check-in, special handling and airside operations.

“We are excited to be a part of this milestone in Dubai Internation-al’s history. Our team is ready to face the challenge to ensure each pas-senger and piece of baggage arrives seamlessly in Concourse D,” said Jon Conway, divisional senior vice president, dnata.

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RJ Moves to Concourse D

RJ passengers benefit from links from Concourse D to the newly-renovated Terminal 1 by an airport train that will run every two and a half minutes between the two spots.

Becoming home to more than 100 airlines, Concourse D boasts an area of 65,000m2, nine lounges and a Marhaba VIP lounge.

Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) transferred its operations at Dubai International from Concourse C to the recently-launched Concourse D.

Two Iranian Airports up for Revamp

O n the occasion of the visit of Hassan Rouhani, president, Iran, to France, a memoran-

dum of understanding was signed between Iranian Airports Holding Company, part of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, and VINCI Airports for the upgrade of the airfields in Mashhad and Isfahan.

These two hubs are considered key to the country’s air traffic in-frastructure as they are the second and the fifth largest airports in the country.

The deal is seen as the first step in a process that is expected to result in concessions to renovate, extend and operate the two airports during this year.

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WEEKLY NEWS AIR www.traveltradeweekly.travel

Royal Air Maroc Boosts Domestic Offering

Gulf Air Brings Bahrain Closer to Abu Dhabi

TAP Doubles Morocco Services

M orocco’s national carrier, Royal Air Maroc launched a second daily flight between Casablanca and Oujda.

In line with the increasing demand from local residents, tour-ists and economic actors to enhance connectivity to Casablanca, the airline upgraded its current offering to a twice-daily service.

Today, the national carrier has 26 domestic air links that cater to nearly 900,000 passengers per year.

G ulf Air, in collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, organised a familiarisation trip, promoting the Kingdom to key Abu Dhabi-based travel agencies.

During the three-day visit, the participating agents experienced the comforts of flying with the flag airline, residing at one of the country’s five-star hotels and enjoying some of Bahrain’s most notable touristic sights.

Ahmed Janahi, acting chief commercial officer, Gulf Air, spoke of the importance of travel agents’ role and function, and the partnership which aims to promote the destination’s tourism capabilities and raise awareness of all that the country and its national carrier have to offer.

T AP plans to significantly expand its operations between Portugal and Morocco from June onwards. The European airline will enhance its offering between Lisbon and Casablanca from daily to twice-daily flights, while

the Marrakech and Tangier routes will become daily instead of the current four and thrice weekly frequencies. Passengers will also benefit from the comfort of a new ATR71 aircraft on the way to and from Tangier, which will result in a 187 percent increase in seats offered between the two cities during the summer.

With all the changes, TAP is almost doubling its current services to the North African country.

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I n a bid to capture a larger share of the Saudi market, Sey-chelles Tourism Office Middle East participated in Jeddah Intl Travel & Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), which attracted

over 20,000 visitors and offered 150 exhibitors to present their services and new products.

The tourism body deemed the event a good avenue to open further business opportunities in the Arab country, par-ticularly in Jeddah.

“We […] were able to communicate with different trade partners and consumers in Jeddah and at the same time have a glimpse on the latest travel behaviour in considering Saudi Arabia as one of our primary markets,” said Ahmed Fathallah, regional manager, Seychelles Tourism Office Middle East.

W estin Hotels & Resorts is gearing up to debut in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, in summer 2017.

Managed by White Lodging, The Westin Milwau-kee will connect to US Bank Complex’s Galleria level and will boast 220 rooms and suites, 836m2 of meet-ing facilities, a restaurant and lobby bar.

“The Westin Milwaukee will be connected in-doors to over 3,000 people working in downtown and will be the closest hotel to Lake Michigan, of-fering business and leisure travellers a unique well-being proposition,” said Chris Anderson, senior vice president, White Lodging.

F iji Airways will launch twice-weekly ser-vices from Nadi, Fiji to Vava’u, Tonga.

“The new route offers a seamless addition to Fiji Airways’ South Pacific network. The Tongan culture is guided by values that are rooted in family and respect; visitors are treat-ed more like family than tourists,” commented Andre Viljoen, CEO, Fiji Airways, adding that this is aligned with the carrier’s mission.

Vava’u is located 914km southeast of Fiji and is home to more than 60 islands sur-rounded by coral gardens, remote beaches and lagoons.

T he first sod has been turned on the New Zealand International Conven-tion Centre, signalling the start of

an exciting era for business events in Auck-land.

Slated for completion by mid-2019, the NZD471 million (USD311.6 million) pro-ject is envisioned to become a global hub of innovation and knowledge exchange. Flexible functional spaces will provide an ideal venue for a variety of events with a convention capacity for 3,150 and on-off programmes for up to 4,000 people. Se

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Westin Enters Milwaukee

Fiji Airways Flies to Tonga

New Zealand Convention Centre Breaks Ground

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TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is social media?

DAVID HENRY: Social media platforms are efficient communication channels for hotel groups, through which we bring relevant and trusted information directly to the consumer and leverage that information based on their preferences. The proper use of social media is now integral to the process of getting information spread across age groups belonging to Generation X and Millennials. These are important target groups for the hospitality industry as they not only serve as po-tential new clients but strong influencers as well. We have found that guests tend to trust and value peer insights and recommendations, while traditional forms of advertising – both online and offline – are failing to generate as much traction.

DAVID HENRY

Q & A

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VICE PRESIDENT, SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION, ACCORHOTELS MIDDLE EAST

WITH SOCIAL MEDIA BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY EFFECTIVE MARKETING TOOL, DAVID HENRY, VICE PRESIDENT,

SALES, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION, ACCORHOTELS MIDDLE EAST, DISCUSSES THE

IMPORTANCE OF SUCH ONLINE CHANNELS.

One additional use of social media lies in the field of customer feedback and complaint management. As hoteliers, we have the opportunity to acquire this insight, whether it is positive or negative, and react almost instantly to it. [...]

In the Middle East, having a com-prehensive social media strategy is a powerful tool as social media tends to have a stronger impact here than in other regions. This impact can be easily measured through the level of engage-ment we register during campaigns.

At AccorHotels, we use social me-dia at three different levels. At corpo-rate level, [spearheaded from] Paris, we have institutionally-led social media

communication channels dedicated to corporate issues, sustainable develop-ment and AccorHotels’ corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Furthermore, all of our brands have their own social media ecosys-tem which is globally driven and locally relevant, with geo-localised versions around the world.

In addition, each hotel has a smaller social media ecosystem that is man-aged and monitored based on strict brand requirements and guidelines.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the main advantages and risks of social media for hoteliers?

DAVID HENRY: Like any other power-ful tool, social media needs to be used in a strategic and professional man-ner. The lack of a strong strategy or focus may lead to a weak editorial line and eventually result in the failure of a company’s social media efforts. From my perspective, having the right peo-ple and knowledge is essential to any social media effort. We must also con-stantly monitor activity and response, and keep the right attitude – expect the best but be prepared for the worst.

Despite the existence of some risks, social media remains a great tool to es-tablish a direct relationship with con-sumers. This can be done especially well through the use of influencers. How-ever, one of the compromises hoteliers will have to make is having less control over communications and the overall image of the brand, as influencers will often carry the essence of the brand but may not use the exact wording or image that is preferred by the brand. Some companies face difficulties ad-justing to this. [...]

In the Middle East, as digital en-gagement is high, a brand’s promise needs to be clear and must be deliv-

ered upon. If not, consumers may hold the brand accountable as social media permits them a line of direct communi-cation. Through social media, compa-nies are creating an open environment where information is public and opin-ions can be debated. Using social media requires one to be interactive and open to generate engagement.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How will social media transform the industry over the coming years?

DAVID HENRY: In addition to being an efficient communication tool, social media has increasingly become more of a sales channel. In the coming years, we anticipate to be able to generate direct business leads on social media.

As of today, social media platforms such as LinkedIn are good examples of what a powerful social media tool can do in terms of business referrals and generation of leads and connections. Through this platform, people are not only getting connected based on their preferences and interests but also ex-changing information and practices, and may ultimately end up doing busi-ness together.

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PRESIDENT, HONOURABLE ORDER OF INTERNATIONAL HOTEL GENERAL MANAGERS (HOIHGM)

CHAIRMAN, DUBAI AIRPORTS

“During my career, I came to realise that there was some-thing significant missing for general managers on a col-lective scale, in some ways similar to what the concierg-es have with Les Clefs d’Or. Before now, general manag-ers have had nowhere to go for independent assistance or support, both in general and particularly in times of need. HOIHGm will pro-vide a thread of continuity and range of benefits which reflect the challenges our colleagues […].”

“We continue to invest in the development of top-flight infrastructure to augment service levels for our inter-national airlines and their customers while providing the capacity needed to meet growing demand. [Dubai In-ternational’s] Concourse D has been designed with the customer at its heart. Short-er walking distances, more comfortable seating areas, more choice in lounges and a world-class retail and food and beverage offering are sure to impress and delight our passengers and our air-line partners.”

HOIHGm will provide a thread of continuity

We continue to invest in […] infrastructure

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“As a pioneer staff member from 2006, I am person-ally very proud to be here 10 years after opening the resort. From the moment I ar-rived, I fell in love with Oman and, while having a short time working in Dubai, it was like coming home to return to Muscat once again. There are many achievements that the resort has accomplished over the past 10 years and we are all very proud and excited to be celebrating this milestone anniversary. We have always maintained our Shangri-La values of hospitality from the heart.”

We have maintained our Shangri-La values

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SECRETARY GENERAL, WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (UNWTO)

“Egypt has undertaken strong initiatives in terms of [...] safe-ty and security, unlocking the support of airlines and tour operators, incentivising demand and engaging key players in Egypt in these con-certed efforts. […] We should never forget that Egypt is one of the world’s most remark-able tourism success stories. Over the last decade, the number of visitors to Egypt practically tripled and so did the exports generated by in-ternational tourism. Egypt is, and will continue to be, de-spite all challenges, a leading tourism destination.”

Egypt is […] a leading tourism destination

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OSAMA IBRAHIM is Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi’s new general manager. Ibrahim, who brings more than two decades of industry experience to the UAE capital, previously served as executive assistant manager at Shera-ton Jumeirah Beach Resort in Dubai. He graduated from the Uni-versity of Karachi with a mas-ter’s degree in international relations. In his new role, Ibrahim’s main goal is to ensure that the ho-tel is the first choice for high-standard services for both local as well as international visitors.

RANIA RAHME joined Danat Hotel & Resorts’ Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi as director of sales and marketing. Rahme will oversee marketing, advertising, public relations as well as internal and exter-nal communications. She will also work on identifying and pursuing opportunities with multiple media communica-tion platforms to promote the property. At the same time, she will set in motion initia-tives and activities to generate revenues for the food and bev-erage outlets. Prior to her joining Al Raha Beach Hotel, Rahme, who has a decade of experience in the industry, worked at Grand Millennium Al Wahda Hotel and Le Royal Méridien Hotel Abu Dhabi.

WISSAM SHUBAT has been appointed executive assis-tant manager at Crowne Plaza Amman. Shubat joins the hotel from In-terContinental Aqaba Resort, where he served in the same role. He brings with him over 19 years of invaluable experi-ence in the field of hospitality management in both Jordan and the UAE. His energy and passion for suc-cess is expected to immensely contribute towards the 279-key property’s overall success and accomplishments.

Shubat held various positions in Jordan

and the UAEIbrahim moves to Abu

Dhabi from Dubai

Rahme will identify new opportunities

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TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How important is religious tourism for the hotel? What are the things to consider when targeting religious guests during high season periods?

MOHAMMED AL SIDDIQI: Religious tourism is a primary driver for the hospital-ity sector [...]. In its continuous surge, it stands as a haven to investors and offers a world of opportunities to young Saudis. The success, efficiency and overall infra-structure of this sector are a tribute to the country’s economy. The government’s initiative of investing in multiple infrastructure projects and the growing business and leisure tourism, as well as the increasing inflow of religious tourists, the expan-sion of Masjid al-Haram and the government supporting growth by way of build-ing transportation and properties infrastructure are all healthy indicators.

Millions of pilgrims visit the Kingdom every year with growth showing no sign of abating as the government continues its massive expansion projects.

MOHAMMED AL SIDDIQI

Q & A

with

GENERAL MANAGER, SWISSÔTEL MAKKAH

WITH MANY HOTELS COMING UP IN THE HOLY CITY, MOHAMMED AL SIDDIQI, GENERAL

MANAGER, SWISSÔTEL MAKKAH, SPEAKS OF THE RELIGIOUS SEGMENT'S SIGNIFICANCE.

Visitors to Mecca and Medina are ex-pected to reach an average of 30 mil-lion by 2025, an increase of 42 percent compared to 17.5 million in 2014. Hajj season plays a key role in the religious tourism sector. Visits have witnessed an overall surge in recent years, and the number of pilgrims, which stood at 2.5 million in 2015, is expected to increase to five million by 2025. Premium hotels dominate the Holy Cities.

An essential factor the pilgrims base their preferences on is location. […]

Another important attribute con-cerning the religious tourism segment is the sensitivity of the market. Mecca’s hospitality market is mainly reliant on the number of pilgrims visiting the city and there are many factors which can significantly affect the arrivals of these pilgrims ranging from global recessions to a change in pilgrim visa quotas. In recent years it was evident that many factors […] can result in the fluctuations in the market occupancy.

During the peak sea-sons of Ramadan and Hajj, we take advance preparation measures, to ensure that the guests are well taken care of from the months leading to-wards these periods. The challenges we may come across are well forecasted which in return enables us to see these periods through successfully. The indirect labour is hired to fill the manning needs, whereas due to the restriction in entry the supplies are well organised. We ensure that all our security and safety measures are in place. In essence, we approach these seasons with a great spirit which reflects in our service delivery and provides us the competitive edge over the competitors.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Do you expect developments to help boost religious tourism in Mecca?

MOHAMMED AL SIDDIQI: Certainly, there are many developments coming up to boost religious tourism in the Holy City. [...]. With the expansion of the grand mosque, tourism in Mecca is expected to boom at large. In order to build on a strong tourism foundation it is pivotal to note that increasing pilgrim

visit numbers are partly dependent on the increasing infrastructure such as the expansion of Jeddah’s airport which is expected to increase its capacity to 80 million passengers by 2035.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: Do you receive more inbound or domestic guests?

MOHAMMED AL SIDDIQI: The ratio of Saudi guests to inbound guests for 2015 was 60:40. The main geographic markets that comprise our inbound guests are the UAE, Morocco, Turkey, Kuwait, South Africa, Pakistan, Egypt and the UK.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: What are the challenges to be overcome this year?

MOHAMMED AL SIDDIQI: In addition to the above mentioned, the recent

developments in the business envi-ronment have posed great challenges. Although, the restrictions imposed on the Umrah visas have been relaxed to a greater extent, still the statistics ob-tained from the Ministry of Hajj depict a decrease in the turnover of Umrah pilgrims which is quite alarming. Mean-while, the supply in five-star hotel ac-commodation has increased 25 percent compared to previous years with the new entrants in the market [represent-ing] international brands. This has led to an intense competition among the hotels to gain the market share.

Similarly, with the absence of the Iranian pilgrims this season, the eco-nomical hotels segment has taken an unprecedented shift and due to the price sensitivity of the commodity, many guests have devalued their pref-erence to stay with them [...].

Swissôtel Makkah

When and how did you get involved in the tourism industry?I always loved travel and France, and French was my second language. I had become interested in the luxury market and in 1998 moved with my family to France to study for a second master’s degree in business administration – this time in luxury brand management. The course included oenology sessions and [having there met Remi Krug] inspired my interest in [the popular French drink]. I decided to remain in Paris and open an incoming agency / destination management company.

What are the most important attrib-utes of a tour operator?Thorough organisation, follow through and attention to detail. Manage expec-tations and identify early on any dif-ferences between those of the travel agent and those of their clients.Clarity of offer establishing what is and is not included, and offer additional op-tions for up-sell opportunities. Be pre-pared to manage issues that come up on tour in case of unforeseen events. Be fun and friendly.

What is the most frequently asked question that your company receives from clients?Does the guide speak English and how many [establishments] can we visit in one day?

What are the must-visits and must-dos in the Reims region that nobody should miss?The chalk cellars and the cathedral, and visits to small producers because most people have no idea of the range of styles and tastes that are produced.

Which destination is on your bucket list?Cape Town for the great food, [drink] and scenery.

T ravelport and Fly540 extended their multiyear full-content agreement, following which the technology provider’s worldwide agents will have continued ac-

cess to search, compare and book all of the East African low-cost carrier’s inventory and fares.

Don Smith, CEO, Fly540, noted that the collaboration will ensure that the airline leverages industry leading technol-ogy and travel content in order to grow its business further and provide the best choices to customers.

Will Owen Hughes, senior director, air commerce, Africa and Middle East, Travelport, added, “Our solutions are rede-fining travel commerce and will empower our airline partner, Fly540 in the effective delivery of their content.”

Travelport Renews Partnership with Fly540

AGENT’S INSIGHT

Larry Russell Davis

Founder

The Champagne Tour Company

France

www.champagne-tour.com

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Le Royal Hotels & Resorts – Beirut confirmed its commitment to quality food as 11 of its managers successfully completed the in-termediate level of HACCP training as well as the Level 4 Award in Managing Food

Safety for Catering.The step is hailed as a further reinforcement of

Le Royal Hotels & Resorts – Beirut’s strict standards applied in all food and beverage outlets across the property, including kitchens and storage facilities.

Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) organised the emirate’s inaugural marine-inspired community fiesta at Sharjah Aquarium.

Celebrating all things fishy, the four-day programme offered thousands of visitors a glimpse of life under the waves with a host of performances, visual displays and education-focussed workshops.

As Manal Ataya, director general, SMD, noted, events like the Sharjah Aquarium Carni-val bring together citizens and help raise awareness of the marine ecosystem.

“As a coastal city, the sea is such an important part of our history and heritage, yet so few of us have experienced the breathtaking beauty and diversity of what lives underwa-ter,” added Ataya.

MARINE-INSPIRED FESTIVAL IN SHARJAH

LE ROYAL HIGHLIGHTS FOOD

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Send your photos to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel Because a picture is worth a thousand

words... Burj Khalifa in Dubai celebrated the Kuwaiti National Day

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority sponsored the fourth Urban-Ultra Big Stinker

Rotana was recognised and rewarded for its corporate sustainability achievements at the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership

Awards hosted by the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group

Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children hosted Italian artist Nirman (Jiahina) for a workshop in Dubai

Centro Sharjah joined the Sharjah Used Book Fair

Al Bustan Centre & Residence, Dubai welcomed delegates of 7th Fazza IPC Power Lifting World Cup

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NEWS & EVENTS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

WTM AFRICA

Cape Town, South AfricaApril 06 – 08 www.wtmafrica.comThrough its industry networks, global reach and regional focus, WTM Africa creates personal and business opportunities.

IBTM AFRICA

Cape Town, South AfricaApril 08 www.ibtmafrica.comThe show evolved from a table top event to a content-driven education programme which focusses on technology, future trends, procurement and consolidation.

RIYADH TRAVEL FAIR

Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaApril 12 – 15www.riyadhtravel.netAttracting leading travel and tourism companies from Saudi Arabia and the GCC, the event is a platform for introducing new tourist products and services, and making investments.

ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET

Dubai, UAEApril 25 – 28www.arabiantravelmarket.comA major event where global tourism destinations showcase a diverse range of accommodation options, tourism attractions, travel technology and key airline routes.

EVENTSSeychelles Shines at

BRIDE Dubai

ITB: UNWTO Focus on Silk

Road and Child Protection

Seychelles Tourism Board Middle East Office suc-cessfully participated in BRIDE Dubai.

The four-day consumer event, that attracted over 30,000 visitors, offered exhibitors the opportunity to engage with brides-to-be and those interested in fashion.

The tourism body’s stand wel-comed guests who plan on spend-ing their honeymoon or celebrat-ing their wedding in the Indian Ocean country. Family holiday en-quiries were also received.

The increasing number of visi-tors Seychelles receives from the UAE shows that the destination is being recognised as a dream des-tination for Emiratis, noted Ahmed Fathallah, regional manager, Sey-chelles Tourism Board Middle East Office.

The World Tourism Organi-zation (UNWTO)’s activities at ITB Berlin are highlight-ing the development of

the Silk Road and the World Tourism Network on Child Protection.

Over 20 countries were present-ed at the Silk Road Minister’s Meet-ing which threw the spotlight on the valuable role of public-private sector partnerships in marketing and promotion, infrastructure de-velopment, heritage management, aviation, major events and risk and crises management.

Child protection was another key theme with the organisation presenting exemplary practices championed by the industry.