PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT DWC SURGES 79.8 PERCENT

17 SEPTEMBER 2016 ISSUE 358

Dubai International: World's Busiest Hub for International Traffic

MARKET UPDATE02

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TECH-FORWARD ALOFT BRAND LAUNCHES IN RIYADH

DUBAI OPERA TO ATTRACT CULTURAL VISITORS

TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS

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DUBAI INTERNATIONAL: WORLD'S BUSIEST HUB FOR INTERNATIONAL

TRAFFIC

The report also highlighted persistence and resilience to describe the air transport industry in 2015. In the face of a slight weakening of economic growth at 3.1 percent, passenger traffic soared 6.4 percent – the largest improvements rate since 2010.

Notably, in 2005, there were only 16 airports catering to more than 40 million passen-gers, however, due to increase in demand, in 2015, this category already encompassed 37 airfields, collectively experiencing a jump of six percent.

While Asia Pacific saw the most traffic with 2.46 billion passengers, the Middle East achieved the biggest growth, up 9.6 percent over 2014 to 334 million travellers.

Additionally, the Middle East handled 8.5 million tonnes of cargo, a substantial leap of 9.9 per-cent compared to the modest global rise of 2.6 percent.

Aircraft movements around the world rose two percent to 88.5 million in 2015, with mixed levels of growth across all six regions. Despite having the smallest number of aircraft movements, just 2.7 million, the Middle East observed the largest improvement at 6.9 percent.

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)

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COUNTRY CURRENCY 1USD=

16.9.2016as ofMENA EXCHANGE RATES Dubai International was the world’s busiest gateway in terms of global figures

in 2015, with 77.5 million international passengers, a year-on-year boost of 10.7 percent, as shown in data released by Airports Council International.

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17 SEPTEMBER 2016

SCTH Extends Heritage Project

Primarily, the programme will serve as a framework for the development of standards, funda-mentals and controls required for the preservation of urban heritage sites, as well as methods and techniques of restoration and rehabilitation. Moreover, joint scientific and practical initia-

tives will be rolled out to facilitate training and the exchange of experiences, thereby promoting hu-man resources development in the area.

Overall, the project is anticipated to further elevate the sector’s institutional structure.

In line with its endeavour to further develop and preserve the Kingdom’s heritage, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and

National Heritage (SCTH) has launched the Omran programme, an extension of the previous partnership between SCTH and the

Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

ATDD Welcomes Tomorrow’s

Talents

A two-day sightseeing tour for Ajman Uni-versity of Science and Technology stu-dents has been organised by the Ajman

Tourism Development Department (ATDD).The initiative aimed to raise awareness of

the importance of local tourism and educate the young attendees about the emirate’s ca-pabilities.

Overall, 400 students boarded the sight-seeing buses and visited the destination’s main tourist attractions and landmarks along with the expert assistance of tour guides that walked them through such places as the Al Zo-rah project, museums, the traditional fish mar-ket as well as the Corniche.

“Letting the students discover the beauty of Ajman is part of our vision for Ajman 2021,” pinpointed H.E. Faisal Al Nuaimi, general man-ager, ATDD.

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Qatar to Improve Visa Procedure

I n a bid to draw in more visitors, Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) have signed an agreement with VFS Global to establish a transparent and efficacious tourist visa

application system.Speaking of the process, which will be available through

online and mobile platforms, Zubin Karkaria, CEO, VFS Global said, “This service will leverage on our experience and reliability in providing seamless visa application services, and will act as an important tool to boost tourism and make Qatar a preferred tourist destination.”

As Karkaria further explained, the improvement is set to be convenient and beneficial for visitors, signifying the next level of flexibility and security in the visa application process.

Online Travel Agents Gain Prominence

Salalah Welcomes Omran Office

O man Tourism Development Company (Omran) has opened a new regional office in Salalah to oversee its growing portfolio of in-vestments and drive tourism development in the Dhofar region.

On the occasion, Omran’s executive management team discussed the prospect of an integrated tourism complex in the province, which would com-prise of four- and five-star hotels and branded residential units.

Commenting on the company’s commitment to drive local, regional and international tourism, H.E. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, chairman, Omran, said, “One of the ways we are achieving our objective is through the forging of strategic partnerships with both local and international investors. The suc-cess of these partnerships will act as a catalyst for further investments across the Sultanate.”

An increasing number of travellers now prefer to book flights via online travel agents, mostly due to the conveni-ence offered by them.

According to data compiled by Phocuswright, the option to compare the possible choices on one online platform or website, without spending hours on research, is valuable to customers.

Other than that, the Internet also allows holiday-makers and businessmen to visit directly the site of their preferred airline.

All in all, as Phocuswright pinpointed, online reservations are a win-win alternative.

From left: Muhammad Rashid Al Mazroui, director, airport passports department, Ministry of Interior, Qatar, Akbar Al Baker, group CEO, Qatar Airways, Hassan Al Ibrahim,

chief tourism development officer, QTA and Zubin KarkariaO

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U nveiled by Tilal Properties at the recent Cityscape Global, Tilal Mall is set to become one of Sharjah’s largest upscale shopping centres located in the

developer’s upcoming suburb, Tilal City.In addition to high-end retail, the 200ha commercial

hub will also offer a range of entertainment and leisure experiences, including a multi-screen cinema, family en-tertainment centres and various dining outlets.

Additionally, a 65ha recreational park will comple-ment the retail offering, featuring dedicated event spaces, amphitheatres, pavilions, waterfalls as well as a selection of sports and fitness facilities.

Arcadis has been appointed as the lead consultant and designer of the project, which is due to be completed in 2019. E xpo Centre Sharjah is set to host the Consumer

Electronics Fashion – The Big Sale between De-cember 01 – 03.

The event will see top distributors, retailers and dealers coming together to present the best offers in the country.

Since the UAE is one of the leading consumer electronics markets in the MENA region and has the highest rate of household consumption expenditure per capita, organisers are planning to attract 75,000 visitors to the three-day show.

Experts point out that demand for electronics is on the rise due to the rising disposable incomes, ex-panding middle class population and growing Inter-net penetration.

Tilal Properties Announces Tilal Mall

Big Sale to Lure in Visitors to Sharjah

Dubai Opera to Attract Cultural Visitors

S peaking of the AED1.2 billion (USD327 million) investment, Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, said, “Great performing art venues are cultural catalysts. They increase the sense of collec-tive identity, connect people to build social capital, strengthen the values of diversity and tolerance,

encourage members to participate in the arts, and promote neighbourhood cultural diversity.”The opera is set to significantly boost Dubai’s economy through various channels, such as performance

and retail revenues and, on a wider scale, income from tourism, aviation, hospitality and external retail, as well as by creating thousands of new jobs.

Ahead of its inauguration later this year, Dubai Opera held a pre-opening concert by Plácido Domingo to highlight the new establishment’s role in the global arts scene.

Plácido Domingo at Dubai Opera

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman, Tilal Properties reveals Tilal Mall

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Tech-forward Aloft Brand Launches in Riyadh

Aloft Riyadh is located at one of the capital’s busiest intersections, and features 281 modern, loft-inspired guest rooms and keyless entry. The hotel boasts several food and beverage outlets, and guests can also take advantage of a gym and 220m2 of meeting space.

“Aloft continues to be one of the fastest growing hotel brands and is set to open 12 more properties in the Middle East by 2020,” said Brian McGuiness, global brand leader, specialty select brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

The 262-key Aloft Dhahran, the second Saudi address flying the brand’s flag, is expected to be un-veiled by the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia has welcomed Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’ first Aloft property to the market.

Four-star Hotel in Shrorah Receives USD5.3 million

Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) recently submitted a proposal to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Finance to fund a four-star hotel in Najran, at a cost of SAR20 million (USD5.3 million).

The project falls under the ministry’s objectives to grant a total of SAR3 billion (USD800 million) as interest-free loans to investors in hotels and tourist enterprises in cities or provinces with least developed elements of attractions and a population of less than one million, or in entirely new touristic destinations, as Hamad bin Mohammad Al Semail, vice president, investment and tourism development, SCTH, explained.

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Palestinian Hotels Host More Guests

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Exceeds Emirate Average

A ccording to Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), West Bank hotels welcomed 113,517 guests during the second quarter (Q2) this year, 42 percent more than in the

first three months of the year, however, 21 percent less than in the same period in 2015.

The number of guest nights reached 354,787, with 28 percent of the visitors arriving from European countries, 11 percent travel-ling from US and Canada, and 12 percent representing the domes-tic market. Compared to the first quarter of the year, occupancy rose 40 percent but stayed nine percentage points under the aver-age of the corresponding timeframe in 2015.

A total of 113 hotels have responded to PCBS’s Hotel Activities Survey, with 6,170 rooms and 14,798 beds.

C oral Beach Resort Sharjah recorded an average year-to-date occupancy rate of 78 percent, said to be the

highest in the emirate. Haytham Aziz, hotel manager, Coral Beach

Resort Sharjah attributed the positive results to the property’s location, world-class facilities, recreation and leisure attractions and service levels.

The hotel offers outdoor swimming pools, water sports, tennis courts, badminton and volleyball courts, a fitness centre, massage fa-cilities and a kids’ club. In addition, guests can enjoy a variety of dining options.

“Consistency in terms of quality and ser-vice is one of the biggest contributors in win-ning loyal customers […],” commented Aziz.

Spa Launches at Fairmont Ajman

N INE Degree Spa has been unveiled at Fairmont Ajman.

The relaxation and wellness centre is powered by talented internation-al therapists who offer special treatments and a unique experience.

“One of the defining elements of NINE Degrees Spa is the exotic and delicate sig-nature fragrance, which combines nine dis-tinct essences”, said Ebrahim Malekzadeh, CEO, esadore international, the company behind the NINE Degree Spa concept.

Henny Schaeffer, general manager, Fairmont Ajman, added, “We look forward to enhancing our guests’ resort experience by offering them exceptional spa services.”

The spa comprises of eight well-ap-pointed treatment rooms and one unit dedicated to couples. In addition, guests can also enjoy a traditional Hammam. E maar Properties announced Emaar South, its newest mega development in Dubai

South with various hospitality elements. Interconnected through tree-lined boulevards, walking and bicycle trails, and a

well-linked public transport network, including autonomous vehicles for clean transport, Emaar South will feature six districts, anchored by an 18-hole championship golf course, a clubhouse, a number of large community parks, dedicated retail precincts, three- and four-star hotels offering contemporary guest experiences, and a number of outdoor pursuits.

Featuring more than 15,000 residences, in a mix of tiered townhouses, villas and apart-ments, the new address is envisaged as a smart neighbourhood. In addition to being home to thousands of people, it will create hundreds of new jobs in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors.

Dubai to Welcome Emaar South

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Julphar Residence Coming in 2018

RAK Properties has announced that the 23-storey Jul-phar Residence tower in Abu Dhabi is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2018.

Located at Al Reem Island, the project will feature 266 apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, measuring from 40m2 to 180m2, respectively.

Mohammed Sultan Al Qadi, CEO, RAK Properties, said, “Julphar Residence is poised to become the UAE capital’s lat-est iconic address.”

According to Al Qadi, the apartments are well designed to combine comfort with practicality while maximising the use of space and natural light.

Future residents are promised a panoramic view of the UAE capital.

Morocco to Welcome Luxury Residence Development

Abu Dhabi-based private real estate investment and de-velopment company, Eagle Hills, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced the sales launch of Fairmont Resi-

dences La Marina Rabat-Salé. Morocco’s latest luxury hotel and branded residences devel-

opment is scheduled to open in 2019.Fairmont Residences La Marina Rabat-Salé is part of a unique

urban mixed-use project, and will boast 79 residences, compris-ing of one-, two- and three- bedrooms.

Guests will benefit from a comprehensive array of services and facilities at the 184-room hotel, including a spa, pools, fitness centre, meeting spaces, an all-day dining concept and more.

In addition, residents will enjoy easy access to all amenities within La Marina development, including retail, a bank, mosque and a school.

Jumeirah Central Unveiled

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai has announced the launch of Jumeirah Central, which will consist of an urban mixed-use city district, with the scope of establish-

ing it as a comprehensive model for future urban planning in Dubai and worldwide.

Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the new district will feature approxi-mately 7,200 hotel rooms and will be home to some 35,000 residents. The destination is expected to attract over 100,000 annual visitors by offering 83.6ha of retail space with three malls and a 41.8ha outdoor shopping space.

“The uniqueness of this project will not only be a model for advanced urban development, but will also play a key role in enhancing the quality of life and in shaping future generations,” highlighted Al Maktoum.

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Dubai International

PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL HAS EXCEEDED ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS IN JULY, SURGING TO A HISTORIC HIGH OF 7.6 MILLION PASSENGERS.

B ased on data released by Dubai Airports, during the month under review, a total of 7,616,792 travellers passed through the hub, a 14 percent increase over July 2015. Between January and July, the airport handled 48,123,248 passengers, up seven percent year-on-year.

“This summer was the busiest in Dubai International’s history with daily traffic averaging [at] a quarter of a million passengers across the three terminals,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.

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T arco Airlines landed on Jordanian ground for the first time at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), marking the commencement of twice-weekly flights between Khar-toum and Amman.

Airport International Group (AIG), the airfield’s management company, welcomed the maiden service, hailing it as an internal part of the growing efforts aimed at providing new op-tions to international destinations, stimulate traffic growth and expand QAIA’s airline network.

The Sudanese carrier is the third to inaugurate operations to Amman this year, following Pegasus Airline and Fly Jordan.

Commenting on the new development, Kjeld Binger, CEO, AIG, stressed the importance of welcoming yet another airline to the hub’s network.

QAIA Welcomes Tarco Airlines

A n increasing number of travellers in the UAE prefer to use self-service applications and websites to speed through airport necessities

and spend more time at the food and beverage outlets.As the 2016 SITA Passenger IT Trends Survey showed,

93 percent of travellers book tickets by themselves, 44 percent use mobile check-in and 61 percent access their boarding pass.

“We expect more passengers in the coming years to make the switch to self-service rather than face-to-face transactions” said Hani El-Assaad, president, Mid-dle East, India and Africa, SITA.

When asked, a significant volume of travellers seem to demand new mobile services, particularly for the baggage section.

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BUSIEST SUMMER FOR Turkish Airlines to Fly to Mahé

E ffective from October 31, the itinerary will be operated three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Satur-days, with direct flights from Istanbul.

The addition of the carrier’s third gateway in the Vanilla Islands group will bring the airline’s African network to 49 locations.

The route also offers an ideal option for passengers from Dubai, who can fly to the popular holiday hotspot with one stop in Istanbul.

Further expanding its global network that already includes over 240 destinations, Turkish Airlines will launch a new route to Mahé, in the Seychelles.

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Emirates Skywards: 16 Million Members

King Salman Promises

USD1 Million to ICAO

K ing Salman bin Ab-dulaziz Al Saud has pledged USD1 million

for International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) No Coun-try Left Behind initiative.

The programme provides assistance and capacity build-ing to states as a way of sup-porting the effective imple-mentation of ICAO’s standards and policies on a global scale. The move represents a crucial step in countries and regions, realising the unique connectiv-ity and socio-economic ben-efits of air travel.

Saudi Arabia’s king met with Olumuyia Benard Aliu, president, ICAO, to review methods of strengthening bi-lateral cooperation within the field of civil aviation between Saudi Arabia and ICAO.

E mirates Skywards marks its 16th year milestone with over

16 million members and the successful launch of new initiatives to enhance reward options.

Since the programme’s inception in 2000, passengers have redeemed 220 billion miles on flights, hotels stays and exclusive access to the biggest events worldwide.

With a focus on customer satisfaction, Emirates Sky-wards continuously forms exclusive partnerships and introduces new initiatives to offer greater value, choice and flexibility to loyal cus-tomers who also benefit from access to a global network of 39 Emirates lounges in major airports.

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WEEKLY NEWS INTERNATIONAL www.traveltradeweekly.travel

C ape Town is positioning itself as a top Halal tourist destina-tion, hoping to attract Muslim travellers by underlining its Halal credentials.

On top of experiencing the city’s rich Islamic history, guests can expect Arabic-speaking tour guides, ease of travel as well as restau-rants and accommodation catering to their special needs.

Highlighting the appeal of the South African destination’s attrac-tions and heritage to this niche segment, Enver Duminy, CEO, Cape Town Tourism, enthused, “We want the world to know that as a city we welcome Halal tourism, and that Muslim holiday-makers will find themselves well-catered for while visiting.”

South Africa has also been ranked as the fourth non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation destination in the MasterCard CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2016.

B est Western Hotels & Resorts has announced a new upscale hotel in Malaysia’s popular and scenic Genting Highlands.

Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of the year, Best Western Premier Genting Ion Delemen will offer a collection of rooms, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, all featuring separate living areas, bedrooms and kitchenettes.

There are no fewer than six restaurants and bars, and also a sky garden, heated swimming pool, spa, fully-equipped fitness centre, children’s play area, and extensive space for conferences and events.

“The Genting Highlands is becoming a must-visit destination, not only for Malaysian travellers wanting a break from the city, but also for a rising number of international guests,” said Olivier Berrivin, managing director, international operations, Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

M arriott International has launched Hangzhou Marriott Hotel Qianjiang, the first establishment to be opened by the brand in Hangzhou, under

a management agreement with Hangzhou UDC Group. The property is located right next to the metro line in

Qianjiang New Town CBD, just half an hour from Hang-zhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and it offers clear views of the nearby Qiantang River. Boasting 348 spacious units, including 283 luxurious rooms and suites, the es-tablishment is elegantly designed with modern facilities and services. Five-star dining experiences, a fitness centre, indoor pool and spa facilities, along with several multi-functional rooms await guests.

T he Westin Jakarta has opened its doors, mark-ing the brand’s entry into the Indonesian capi-tal.

Hailed as the country’s highest hotel, the new ad-dress is located on floors 50 to 69 of Gama Tower, in Kuningan central business district, offering panoram-ic views from its 272 guestrooms and suites, which boast naturally and organically inspired interior de-sign textures with traditional Indonesian motifs.

Guests can choose from four dining venues, and enjoy a variety of culinary options, or experience the hotel’s spa and WestinWORKOUT fitness studio. A range of events and wedding parties can be hosted in the establishment’s function rooms.

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Best Western Expands Malaysia Presence

Hangzhou Marriott Hotel Unveiled

Westin Debuts in Jakarta

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How would you describe the first half (H1) of the year in terms of Air Seychelles’ Middle Eastern passenger volumes?

ROY KINNEAR: Air Seychelles is making inroads into new markets in the Mid-dle East which did not generate significant inbound tourism to Seychelles in the past; for example Saudi Arabia which has seen almost 1,500 guests in the first half of the year. Furthermore, Air Seychelles’ key regional markets have wit-nessed growth; a perfect example would be Kuwait which has grown over 200 percent this year, and of course the UAE which remains the key market and is on a continuous positive rise as well.

We are very satisfied with the progress and the increasing interest of guests from the Middle East to fly onboard our award-winning airline which was named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline at the recently held World Travel Awards. It is

ROY KINNEAR

Q & A

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CEO, AIR SEYCHELLES

AS THE SEYCHELLES CONTINUES TO GAIN POPULARITY AMONG MIDDLE EASTERN TRAVELLERS, ROY KINNEAR, CEO, AIR

SEYCHELLES, SPEAKS ABOUT THE AIRLINE’S SUCCESS AND FUTURE PLANS.

partner, Etihad Airways from the GCC, Middle East and Levant countries, Air Seychelles offers convenient connec-tions within 90 minutes via Abu Dhabi to the Seychelles and beyond to the air-line’s Indian Ocean destinations, Mauri-tius and Madagascar.

With a flying time of under four and a half hours from Abu Dhabi to Mahé, Seychelles is the ideal destination for a short weekend break or for travellers looking to relax on longer holiday stays, especially during school holidays.

Air Seychelles is a full service legacy carrier, aiming to deliver a comfortable and unforgettable experience to guests with exceptional services aimed at busi-ness class guests such as chauffeur ser-vices, premium and VIP lounges and Dine on Demand. Air Seychelles aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and all guests are eligible to earn miles and gain benefits of the frequent flyer programme Etihad Guest.

very pleasing to note that these mar-kets are generating increased interest for family, honeymoon, adventure trav-ellers as well as for long-staying budget guests.

The Seychelles archipelago has also attracted the interest for group book-ings from multinational companies which are looking to host their employ-ees for MICE programmes.

More specifically, from the Mid-dle East region, we are seeing growing numbers of travellers from Lebanon, Morocco, Cairo and Jordan to Mahé and onto Praslin, where we operate almost 200 scheduled return flights per week for our leisure guests wishing to explore other islands in the Seychelles.

Air Seychelles is a leisure carrier and a member of the Etihad Airways Partners group, which enables the air-line to offer flights on its own network, also acting as the gateway to the Indian Ocean and that of the partner carriers to over 450 destinations globally, thus, offering seamless connectivity from key markets of the GCC, Middle East and Europe.

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY: How does the airline facilitate Middle Eastern travellers visiting the Seychelles for a family holiday?

ROY KINNEAR: Air Seychelles operates daily services from the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi to the main island of Mahé in the Seychelles with an Airbus A320 aircraft with 120 seats in economy class cabin and 16 seats in business class cabin. For guests travelling on our

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I nterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened the 108-room Holiday Inn Express Mexico Toreo.

Located in Naucalpan in greater Mexico City’s northwestern area, the property boasts a business cen-tre, a meeting room with a capacity of up to 80 people and a 24-hour fitness area.

Gerardo Murray, regional vice president, brands and marketing, Mexico, Latin America and Caribbean, IHG, said, “Strategic location and modern design make Holi-day Inn Express Mexico Toreo hotel a top choice for trav-ellers visiting Mexico City’s northwestern area especially for those seeking quality accommodations while trave-ling for business or leisure.”

W ith the launch of three monitoring bodies for sustain-able practices, Indonesia has joined the World Tour-ism Organisation (UNWTO)’s International Network of

Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO).Located in the regions of Sesaot, Senggigi Lombok Barat,

Pangandaran and Sleman, the observatories work on ensuring that sustainable strategies are being followed by focussing on indicators of evidence-based decision making and timely meas-urement and management of resources and activities.

The INSTO network involves 14 observatories worldwide that provide a framework for consistently gathering, analysing and communicating vital information on the socio-economic and environmental impact of tourism on a given destination.

E xpedia.com.sg released the results of this year’s Expedia Flip Flop Report, an annual study of the behaviour and preferences of beachgoers around the world.

The report found that Singapore vacationers prefer to travel inter-nationally when it comes to getting their dose of the sun, sand and sea.

Report data also revealed that out of all respondents who took a beach vacation during the past 12 months, 96 percent ventured out of the country; the second-highest number globally with Austrians taking the top spot at 98 percent.

“[…] Singapore is within close proximity to some of the world’s best beach destinations for Asia. It is no surprise that when it comes to plan-ning a family holiday, or a quick getaway for the weekend, a beach holi-day becomes a top choice for our travellers,” said Simon Fiquet, general manager, southeast Asia and India, Expedia.

I n accordance with its expansion plans in emerging markets, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide signed an agreement for Four Points by Sheraton Benin City in Nigeria.Conveniently situated within a five-minute drive to the airport

and approximately 10 minutes from the government and business district, the 176-key establishment includes an all-day dining res-taurant, pool bar, 24-hour fitness zone along with an outdoor pool, as well as 400m2 of meeting space and a business centre.

“The brand [is] increasingly attractive for owners and develop-ers,” exclaimed Neil George, senior vice president, acquisitions and development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, further pin-pointing its uniqueness in effectively combining comfort, style and affordability.

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Mexico Welcomes IHG Property

Indonesia Steps Up Sustainable Initiatives

Beachgoers Prefer International Waters

Starwood Announced Four Points by Sheraton Benin City

When and how did you get in-volved in the tourism industry? In 1993 while living in Xalapa, Verac-ruz, I decided to share my passion for mountaineering and other adven-ture activities such as diving, white water rafting and ocean kayaking with other people and thus my per-sonal passion turned into my profes-sional vocation.

What are the most important at-tributes of a good travel agent/tour operator? Unsurpassed first-hand knowledge of your destinations and passion for what you do and offer. Well-trained and experienced staff with ongoing training programmes in place. Focus on customer satisfaction while keep-ing your staff, commercial partners and providers happy. […]

What is the most frequently asked question that your company re-ceives from customers? Are we really going to see whales up close? At least with the grey whales, if you are at the right time at the right place, close up encounters are 100 percent guaranteed.

What are the must-visits and must-dos in Mexico that nobody should miss? Play with […] a newborn grey whale calf right beside your boat in its natu-ral habitat. An expedition to the only rock paintings in the entire Americas that are a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site, located in Sierra San Francisco. Spot blue whales in the Lo-reto Bay National Park. Ride Mexico’s last passenger train from sea level through 86 tunnels and 39 bridges to 2,300m and stay on the edge of the Americas’ deepest canyon. […]

Which destination is on your buck-et-list? The Galápagos Islands and New Zea-land.

AGENT’S INSIGHT

Orloff P. Nagorski

General director

Aventuras Mexico Profundo

La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

www.mexicoprofundo.com.mx

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T echnology provider Sabre Travel Network Middle East (STNME) launched a new office in Doha.

Recently, STNME also set up new bases in Iraq and Palestine and further expanded its presence in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain

“Qatar has established its position as a global tourism desti-nation,” said Daniel Naoumovitch, CEO, STNME. “Now is the right time for the travel industry to invest in global technology and solutions that will enable the region to compete even more ef-fectively on a global scale.”

Sabre Enhances Qatari Presence

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CARL CHAPMAN has been re-cruited as food and beverage director at DUKES Dubai Palm Jumeirah, owned by Seven Tides.With a career spanning over two decades, Chapman has worked for some of London’s most acclaimed hospitality brands with renowned din-ing pedigree, including The Savoy, London; Claridge’s and Simpson’s in the Strand as well as Fairmont Château Lake Lou-ise in Canada. Over the years, he has held positions such as senior event director, and he was also an integral member of the opening team of Inter-Continental London – The O2, Greenwich.In his new role, Chapman will oversee the launch of six din-ing and lounge venues as well as the hotel’s extensive meet-ing and events spaces.

GHASSAN ABU KHALAF has begun his new role at Sabre as country manager for Qatar.In his capacity, he will lead Sabre Travel Network Middle East’s expansion across the state.Abu Khalaf has more than 20 years of experience in the global technology, travel and e-commerce industries. He has held executive roles for Oracle, NCR, Lexmark and Xerox in a variety of loca-tions, including Jordan, Bah-rain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the US.In addition to the recruit-ment of an innovative team, his main responsibilities will include supporting customer growth as well as establish-ing strategic partnerships within the local and global travel and technology indus-tries.

CARSTEN LIMA has been ap-pointed vice president of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).With 16 years of experience under his belt, Lima has pre-viously worked with SLH in a senior sales position between 2010 – 2013. His career also in-cludes roles at Epoque Hotels and Luxury Lifestyle Hotels. In his most recent employment, he was the area director in Asia Pacific at Design Hotels. Lima will now lead SLH’s sales strategy within EMEA and will oversee key regional sales ac-counts, further developing the corporate sales segment and the sales events calendar.

MARC DARDENNE was named Jumeirah Group’s group chief operating officer.Dardenne will oversee opera-tions across the company’s ex-tensive international portfolio.During his more than 30-year international career, he has been instrumental in the development of numerous brands across a range of hos-pitality assets. He joins the company from Patina Hotels and Resorts in Singapore and he has previously also worked as CEO at Emaar Hotels and Resorts in Dubai.His leadership and his contribu-tion to the development of the hospitality sector have been recognised with various awards.

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WTTC WELCOMES SUSTAINABILITY AWARD ENTRIES

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After launching its campaign in July, Oman Air has presented its 250th Jun-ior Sindbad Flyer passport to Aws Mo-qwiya Alrawas.

Members, aged between four and 12, each receive their own Oman Air passport which is stamped and signed by the captain on every flight they take. After collecting 10 stamps, young flyers will be offered a free journey to any destination with-in the airline’s network.

Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO, Oman Air, commented, “At Oman Air we are delighted to welcome young passengers on board; we believe that just like adult flyers, there are rewards to be had for children too.”

At this year’s Zurich Film Festival, which will take place between September 22 - October 02, visitors will be able to experience Etihad Airways’ 360-degree vir-tual reality movie featuring Academy Award winning actress Nicole Kidman.

Guests will also have the chance to win flights to Abu Dhabi by participat-ing in a draw.

Peter Baumgartner, CEO, Etihad Airways, said, “We are excited to continue our partner-ship with one of the most prestigious cultural events in Switzerland. The sponsorship un-derscores our active support of global cultural events, engagement in the local communi-ties we serve and it reinforces our long-term commitment to the Swiss market.”

Etihad Airways Medical Centre welcomed more than 120 medical professionals as well as international experts to the annual Aviation Health Conference.

Held under the theme Ophthalmology and Colour Vision in Aviation, the two-day event encouraged collaboration among aviation medicine practitioners and health industry stakeholders.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Ansa Jordaan, chief, aviation medicine section, Interna-tional Civil Aviation Organization, highlighted the issue of colour vision assessments, calling it a matter of high priority for the industry. Jordaan added that the sector needs to standard-ise assessments for colour vision across the world.

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has invited organisations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by submitting their eco-friendly and responsible initiatives for the 28th Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2017.

Finalists in the five categories – community, destination, envi-ronment, innovation and people – will be announced in January 2017 and winners will be revealed during WTTC Global Summit 2017 held on April 26 – 27 2017, in Bangkok.

Commenting on the awards, Fiona Jeffery, chairman, Just a Drop, said, “[They] celebrate the achievements of ethical tourism businesses around the world that look to give back to local com-munities by enhancing livelihoods where they operate and pro-tecting the environment and cultural traditions to ensure a sustain-able world for the future.”

OMAN AIR CELEBRATES 250TH

JUNIOR SINDBAD MEMBER

ETIHAD TO PRESENT VIRTUAL REALITY MOVIE

RECOGNISING COLOUR VISION IN AVIATION

WTTC WELCOMES SUSTAINABILITY AWARD ENTRIES

Nicole Kidman

Aws Moqwiya Alrawas receiving his passport

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17 SEPTEMBER 2016

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman announced its membership in United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), hailed as the largest cor-porate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in the world.

The UNGC is a voluntary project that aims to pro-mote sustainable development and good corporate citizenship.

To commence its membership, hotel associates gathered for an orientation to overview the 10 funda-mental principles of the programme, all of which rep-resent the fields of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.

Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, said, “Through our membership, we seek to enrich our current business practices, and im-prove our existing CSR programmes.”

As a part of the exciting activities and events that took place all around the Kingdom in celebration of Eid Al Adha, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Au-thority (BTEA) tied up with City Centre Bahrain to host a week-long live show.

Mall visitors, including families and children, enjoyed fun-filled entertain-ment events, got the chance to sing along to their favorite television shows,

meet the characters and take memorable pictures. As a part of its strategy, BTEA is keen on organising various events during public holi-

days in top holiday destinations such as City Centre Bahrain, hailed as one of the leading shopping leisure and entertainment spots in the country.

The National Council for Women in Egypt recently organised a ceremony at Tolip El Galaa Cairo Hotel in Heliopolis to show appreciation to the ladies champions who participated in this summer’s Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Led by Maya Morsy, president, the National Council for Women, the recog-nised athletes included Sarah Samir, who won a bronze medal in weightlifting

and Hedaya Malak, who also earned a bronze medal in taekwondo, along with many other globally recognised Egyptian women.

Radisson Blu Hotels announced the LOVE BLU, BE PINK! campaign where one room in each participating hotel across the globe will turn pink for the month of October to support the fight against breast cancer.

The special business class guest room will feature pink décor and other special amenities. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the pink rooms will benefit charities that support research and awareness initia-tives.

“Radisson Blu is pleased to announce its support in the fight against breast cancer. In partnership with our guests, we look forward to raising funds for breast can-cer research and awareness,” said Rose Anderson, vice president, global branding, Radisson Blu Hotels.

RAMADA HOTEL & SUITES AJMAN SUPPORTS CSR

BAHRAIN CELEBRATES EID AL AHDA

EGYPT HONOURS FEMALE OLYMPIC PARTICIPANTS

RADISSON BLU GOES PINK

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman

City Centre Bahrain

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H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince, Dubai laid the foundation for the extension of Dubai’s red metro

line, also known as the Route 2020 project

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi's Spa was crowned World's Best Hotel Spa at the World

Spa Awards

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler, Dubai (second from left) visited Al Habtoor Group’s stand

at Cityscape Global

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PHOTO ALBUMwww.traveltradeweekly.travel

City Centre Rotana Doha hosted a special event for kids with special needs from the Social Services Department

Semiramis InterContinental Cairo hosted an exclusive media dinner to introduce chef

Walid Baz (centre)

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NEWS & EVENTS www.traveltradeweekly.travel

SEATRADE CRUISE MED

Tenerife, SpainSeptember 21 – 23www.seatradecruiseevents.comA major biennial event focussed on the world’s second-largest cruise destination, the Mediterranean and its adjoining seas.

8TH HOTELIER SUMMIT MIDDLE EAST

Doha, QatarSeptember 27 – 28Investors, owners, operators, designers and other service providers will convene in Doha, offering a plethora of business opportunities.

ITB ASIA

SingaporeOctober 19 – 21Hundreds of companies and organisations will come together for the annual three-day business-to-business trade show.

IMEX AMERICA

Las Vegas, USOctober 18 - 20 www.imexamerica.comThe hosted buyer programme qualifies and brings key buyers to the show, with IMEX America covering travel and accommodations.

EVENTSDubai Chefs Prepare for Hotel

Show Dubai

Successful ibtm china Convention

Top chefs in Dubai are gear-ing up for a specialised food and beverage forum which will form part of the Hotel

Show Dubai.The three-day event will be

held at Dubai World Trade Centre, with its fourth Vision Conference on September 19. The conference will act as a platform for expert-led discussions about the region’s din-ing trends.

The emirate’s casual dining revolution, the latest fashion of fast, authentic street food served in a re-laxed atmosphere, is expected to be a main topic.

Other themes include trendset-ting in the GCC, the secrets of lead-ing chef entrepreneurs, and the shifting preferences in kitchen and eating spaces.

ibtm china, hailed as one of Asia’s leading state-level international, incentive, business, travel and meetings exhibitions, attracted

some 400 buyers from over 49 inter-national destinations, along with 360 exhibitors from 26 countries, result-ing in 7,000 appointments.

Cao Pengcheng, deputy direc-tor, Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BMCTD), commented, “ibtm china 2016 plays a significant role in building Beijing into an international MICE tourist destination.”

David Yang, regional sales man-ager, Greater China, Aeroflot Russian Airlines, added, “Our first time to par-ticipate in ibtm china as an exhibitor. We have a full list of business oppor-tunities [...].”