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MAY 2016 - ISSUE 79
04
12
EXCLUSIVE
Airlines
VISIT: LEBANON
26
EXPLORE
22 Umm Al Quwain
ONSITE: MOROCCO
TOUR
24 Dammam
39 Rendezvous
MARKET UPDATE
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TRAVEL TRADE PUBLICATIONS
MANAGING EDITOR
Mary Kammitsi
mary@traveltradeweekly.travel
HOTEL DEVELOPMENT IN
AFRICA JUMPS 30 PERCENT
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Maria Kazeli
SENIOR JOURNALIST
Rita Kasziba
JOURNALIST
Pauline Shahabian
CONTRIBUTOR
Ana Mladenovic
PRESS
Maria Demetriadou
Inna Armeanu
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Elena Stylianou
WEB & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Savvas Kammitsis
DIRECTORS
Andreas Constantinides
Mary Kammitsi
Planned rooms in Africa soared to 64,000 in 365 hotels for this year, up 30
percent over 2015, according to figures by W Hospitality Group’s annual survey.
HEADQUARTERS
T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD
P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus
Tel: +357 22 021607, Fax: +357 22 103670
N
orth Africa achieved a modest 7.5 percent pipeline increase, while sub-Saharan Africa is witnessing a strong growth of 42.1 percent year-on-year.
Due to a major deal signed by AccorHotels, Angola saw a major shake-up in the country
rankings. Never before listed among the top 10, it has now knocked Egypt out of second place.
“For business, trade and capital investment, the continent remains an attractive proposition, leading to continuing demand for accommodation and other hospitality services,” said Matthew Weihs,
managing director, Bench Events, organisers of the African Hotel Investment Forum, coming up in October.
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MENA EXCHANGE RATES
as of
COUNTRY
19.4.2016
CURRENCY 1USD=
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Dinar
0.37
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Dinar
0.71
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Rial
0.39
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Dirham
9.66
Syria (SYP)
Pound
219.87
Tunisia (TND)
Dinar
2.00
Yemen (YER)
Rial
214.49
MAY 2016
REGIONAL
HOTELS
CHALLENGED
A
ccording to HotStats data, hotels
across major Middle Eastern cities
faced difficulties
in February.
Year-on-year profit per
room recorded at Abu Dhabi
properties dropped 37 percent for the month, largely
due to the absence of International Defence Exhibition
& Conference, which was
primarily responsible for the
51.2 percent spike in profit
per room in February 2015.
Moreover, owing to declining prices, accommodation establishments in Amman witnessed a drop in
RevPAR to USD89.31 in the
12 months to February.
Hoteliers in the Saudi
capital also recorded a 9.9
percent plunge in RevPAR.
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GO BIG OR
Go Home
BUILDING ON THE STRATEGIC LOCATION OF
THEIR HOME BASES, GROWING DEMAND
FOR AIR TRAVEL AND THE OVERALL
DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION, MIDDLE
EASTERN AIRLINES CONTINUE TO CAPTURE
AN EVER-INCREASING SHARE OF THE
GLOBAL AVIATION MARKET. WHERE WILL
THEY GO NEXT?
RITA KASZIBA WRITES
I
n recent years, the Middle East’s aviation sector has experienced phenomenal growth with air capacity within and from the region rising from 90.9 million
available seats in 2005 to 193.6 million in 2014, representing a growth of 113 percent in just 10 years, with an average annual increase of 12.6 percent.
In 2015, Middle East carriers once again proved to be at the front of aviation, having posted a 10.5 percent improvement in annual figures, the highest rate among all regions, and well above the 6.5 percent global average. As a result, according to International Air Transport Association, the share of
international traffic carried by these airlines reached 14.2 percent, surpassing their North American counterparts.
The astonishing surge has been spurred by the rise of the three Gulf heavyweights, namely Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, which, thanks to
their well-planned and executed expansion strategies, have gained prominence not only in the Arabian, but also in the global skies.
Despite regional challenges, unfavourable currency impact and fluctuating business and customer confidence throughout the year, Middle Eastern airlines
have continued to spread their wings far and wide. 
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MAY 2016
EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES
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AL AIN
In 2015, Emirates alone carried
over 51.3 million passengers; giving a
sense of just how high this number is,
it equals more than five times the UAE’s
population. During its 30th anniversary year, the Dubai-based airline operated over 186,000 flights, meaning
3,600 take offs on average per week
as it continued to expand its network
to 150 destinations with the addition
of six new passenger routes on three
continents.
Emirates currently operates over
1,800 flights per week from its Dubai
International hub to 153 locations in 81
countries and territories, and the top
five destinations with the highest frequencies are India, the UK, US, Pakistan
and Australia.
This year, the carrier has stretched
its reach even further with the launch
of what is hailed as the world’s longest
nonstop flight covering over 14,000km
between Dubai and Auckland in New
Zealand. Based on information disclosed by the airline, bookings on the
itinerary have been very strong and the
management expects the service to
become a valuable contributor to the
total network in light of the extensive
connections available from Dubai, that
significantly simplify travel from east to
west and vice versa.
With a fleet of 250 wide-body aircraft, Emirates is currently one of the
world’s biggest operators of this kind
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of jets, allowing it to retain a strong
presence on long-haul markets. Demonstrating the growing appetite for
faraway destinations, the airline has
upgauged a number routes in recent
months, including several services to
the US where it now operates to 10
points with an average of 15 flights in
a single day.
STRONGER TOGETHER
While Emirates remains highly selective
of its partners, Etihad Airways has long
reaped the benefits of codeshares and
equity investments. In 2015, for example, the airline’s equity partners had a
core economic contribution of USD141
million and added some USD330 million to Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry.
Together with its partners, that includes
197 interline relationships and 49 codeshare deals, Etihad Airways now offers
a combined passenger and cargo network of nearly 600 destinations with
over 25,200 flights per week.
All in all, in 2015, some 17.4 million
travellers flew with Etihad Airways – up
17 percent year-on-year – on 97,400
flights which covered 467 million kilometres. Theoretically, this means that
the airline could have circled the Earth
not less than 11,653 times. Underscoring the success of the company’s strategy, partnerships delivered more than
five million passengers, a pronounced
MAY 2016
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surge of 43 percent in just one year.
Taking advantage of its partnerships, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier has
consolidated its presence on long-haul
markets in recent years, and after growing to a fleet size of 121 aircraft at the
end of 2015, nine percent more than in
2014, Etihad Airways will now support
the next phase of its global expansion
with the receipt of 10 deliveries over
the coming months.
Long-haul expansion to key locations, such as London’s Heathrow Airport, Mumbai, Melbourne, Düsseldorf,
Perth, Shanghai, Istanbul, and Johannesburg is complemented by increased
frequencies on 16 existing routes across
the world with these including destinations mostly in the Middle East, Asia
and Australia.
This year will see the inauguration
of the carrier’s third daily Airbus A380
service to Heathrow Airport, alongside
the new A380 destinations of Mumbai
and Melbourne, while the Boeing B787
will commence services to Dusseldorf,
Shanghai, Istanbul, Johannesburg and
Perth.
MAY 2016
FAR AND WIDE
In fact Australasia remains a key focus for the Gulf heavyweights with Qatar Airways also competing for a larger slice of the pie, notably with the upcoming launch
of a new Doha – Auckland service, which, will set new records for both distance
and time to become the longest nonstop service in the world, eclipsing Emirates’
aforementioned flight.
With the evolution of fuel-efficient technology and current oil prices, Qatar
Airways’ management expects to witness a new era of ultra-long-haul aviation. A new generation of aircraft is also
helping to make longer flights more efficient, and both Boeing and Airbus are
working on extended-range models,
such as the Airbus A350-900ULR and
Boeing 777-8 that will enter service 
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in the next five years.
Yet, such super-long nonstop flights are not new. A decade
ago, these types of routes seemed to be emerging as a key trend,
as it was pinpointed from Qatar Airways’ side, further reminding
that the soaring price of fuel in 2009 and 2010, coupled with the
global economic crisis, reduced the demand for such flights, making them simply unsustainable.
Qatar Airways’ leadership maintains the view that a direct air
route will always be preferable, particularly for the business travel
community, that perceives ultra-long haul as a great opportunity
for productive working hours.
As the airline continues to explore new geographical areas,
demand remains the primary factor. Qatar Airways will continue
to seek to leverage its Doha hub and global network to connect
customers to these ultra-long haul flights, in view of the fact that
technology is now there to make these services more efficient.
Qatar Airways management is straightforward in its strategy as is
looking at where it makes business sense to operate.
To this end, this year will see the launch of 14 new destinations,
including five European cities.
Over the years, Europe proved to be a very important and strategic market for Qatar Airways’ growth and expansion, driven by
strong demand from the Gulf states. Consequently, the carrier currently operates to 38 locations on the continent, to many with multiple daily flights, including to cities such as London, Paris, Madrid
and Barcelona.
The management strongly believes that the one-stop transfer
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MAY 2016
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options available at Hamad International Airport will make these routes even more successful. Boosting passenger movements via Doha is in line with forecasts that
expect traffic at Qatar’s main entry point to surge from the current 30 million to 50 million passengers per annum by 2018.
On one hand, the focus remains on key business and leisure destinations, while on the other hand, establishing connections with previously underserved markets is
also a strong pillar of Qatar Airways’ strategy. The addition of new destinations is in parallel with the enhancement of the fleet. It is noteworthy that on average the airline
receives a new aircraft once every 10 days, and the average age of the fleet is as low as five years.
All these expansion plans underscore the Gulf airlines’ ambition to link the region with wider markets and take passengers to more places than ever before. 
MAY 2016
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SPECIAL REPORT VIENNA
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ENCHANTING
Wonderland
VIENNA IS PROVING TO BE A
DESTINATION FOR EXPLORERS
FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, WITH
A PARTICULAR PENCHANT FOR
ATTRACTING VISITORS FROM
THE MIDDLE EAST. BOASTING
A MYRIAD OF ENTERTAINMENT
OPTIONS AND A NEVER-ENDING
LIST OF ATTRACTIONS SUITABLE FOR
FAMILIES, THE CONCEPT OF TEDIUM
HAS NO PLACE IN THE LAND WHERE
KIDS HAVE A BLAST.
Riding through the old town in a traditional horse-drawn carriage
©WienTourismus/Peter Rigaud
PAULINE SHAHABIAN WRITES
A
ccording to Vienna Tourist Board statistics, the Austrian capital welcomed 6.6 million visitors and registered an astounding 14.3 million
overnight stays in 2015, marking noteworthy year-on-year increases of
6.1 and 5.9 percent, respectively.
The destination’s top five markets in the year were once again headed by Germany which was closely followed by Austria, the US, Italy and the UK.
Nevertheless, over the past decade, Vienna has experienced consistently strong
growth from Middle Eastern countries which could ultimately become the driving
force for realising the city’s ambitious goal of achieving 18 million overnight stays
by 2020. Owing to excellent flight connections between the Middle East and the
European city, Arab countries in Asia contributed over 184,000 visitors in 2015, up
39.6 percent over 2014, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE clocking 35,900 and 57,000,
respectively.
WONDER EMPORIUM
“It is the demand and the high portion of Arab families seen in Vienna during the
summer months and the feedback from hotels, which tells us that we need to care
for families in our promotion for tourists from Arab countries,” explained Sissi Woschnagg, market manager, Middle East, Vienna Tourist Board, highlighting that for the
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first time ever, the board’s family tourist brochures are also offered in Arabic this year.
In essence, Vienna was the romantic imperial city of the Habsburgs, a centre
of arts and culture, but it is also a destination for kids, packed with action, fun and
almost unlimited leisure enjoyment for the entire family.
The capital boasts vast green areas where children can play to their hearts’ content. But that is by no means all. The city is a destination where little princesses can
dance a minuet in a hooped skirt and old-fashioned bodice, and where little superdetectives can find unicellular organism with a microscope, or reinvent electricity.
UNCOVER THE BLISS
“There [are] not many capitals in the world [that have] beaches and sweet water
swimming and water sport opportunities within the city limits,” noted Woschnagg.
Indeed, Vienna’s enviable array of offerings is truly what sets it apart as the ideal
destination for family holiday-makers.
The city provides ample fun for water babies and climbing fans.
Highlights include Danube Island, an open-air recreational paradise with 42km
of riverside pursuits for almost every kind of outdoor sports activity; the 15,000m2
Wasserturm water park featuring waterfalls, ponds, bridges, streams, a slide and
boat trips; and Dianabad, one of several indoor pools, ideal for rainy days, boasting
MAY 2016
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SPECIAL REPORT VIENNA
A panda at Schönbrunn Zoo
©WienTourismus/Willfried Gredler-Oxenbauer
Merry-go-round at Prater
©WienTourismus/Karl Thomas
a 125m slide, pirate ship and water garden.
Families interested in excursions can also visit Schönbrunn Zoo, home to over
700 species spread across a number of enclosures, parks and aquarium.
Spoiled for choice, travellers can also visit Aqua Terra Zoo, an exciting underwater world waiting to be explored.
Amusement parks capture the heart of all children, and Vienna sure has a plethora of options to suit all interests.
Wurstelprater boasts around 250 action-packed attractions, including Praterturm,
the world’s highest chain carousel which made it into the Guinness World Records.
Madame Tussauds Vienna brings visitors face-to-face with around 80 stars from
the worlds of film, sport and music. Guests of all ages can pose for photos alongside the uncannily lifelike waxworks and enjoy the interactive exhibits.
The House of Music demonstrates that music is something to be seen, felt as
well as heard. A hands-on journey of discovery through real and virtual rooms on
six floors gives visitors – including children as part of special tours – the chance to
experience music with all senses.
Furthermore, the internationally acclaimed productions, state-of-the-art stagecraft, imperial setting and beautifully painted puppets at the Marionetten Theater
Schloss Schönbrunn never fail to cast a spell over audiences, regardless of their
age. A group of highly-talented puppeteers put on various operas, operettas and
MAY 2016
musicals that have been specially adapted for young visitors.
The Niedermair Children’s Theater, Dschungel Wien and Theater der Jugend
also present a broad range of amusements, while, the Theater in der Josefstadt
even lets young fans take a look behind the scenes.
On rainy days, families can flock to BOGI Park, hailed as Austria’s largest indoor
playground, which offers 5,000m2 of fun for children aged one to 12.
No journey would be complete without some cultural nourishment.
A trip to the Schönbrunn Palace children’s museum offers various themed
guided tours to give unprecedented insights into the everyday life of the youngest members of the ruling Habsburg family. And at the end of the journey, everyone is given the chance to dress up in historic costumes.
Moreover, kids aged six to 10 can find out what an average day was like for the
Austrian rulers and their offspring in the imperial Hofburg palace in the heart of
Vienna on a special guided tour of the Imperial Apartments – the private rooms
kept by Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi. Here, too, they have the chance
to try on grand costumes and experience imperial life first hand.
With plans to accommodate more arrivals in the coming years and to broaden
its appeal to non German-speaking markets, one thing is for sure – there is no
shortage of entertainment in Vienna, ensuring a successful and fulfilling tourist
experience for families. 
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VISIT LEBANON
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ROCK
Solid
RITA KASZIBA WRITES
FAMOUS FOR ITS EMBLEMATIC CEDAR TREES,
SYMBOLIC RAOUCHÉ ROCK AND ITS INHERENT
SPIRIT OF HOSPITALITY, LEBANON IS JUST
AS WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS RESILIENCE TO
GEOPOLITICAL TURBULENCES AS FOR ITS
ABILITY TO GAIN STRENGTH FROM HARDSHIP.
LEBANON IN BRIEF
Capital: Beirut
Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP)
Language: Arabic
Population: 5.8 million
Calling Code: +961
Capital Time Zone: GMT +2:00
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L
ive Love Lebanon has been the country’s
slogan for the past year, promoting Lebanon as a welcoming destination with a
diverse product that satisfies the preferences of various sectors from sun-seekers to religious travellers and from MICE organisers to nature lovers.
In 2015, some 1.4 million visitors flocked into
the country and Euromonitor International expects this number to rise to 1.44 million this year
as Lebanon continues to leverage its plethora of
attractions and strong appeal among both regional as well as European travellers – and, nevertheless, as industry stakeholders amplify their
efforts to better adapt to shifting market trends.
Francois Galoisy, general manager, Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel, Beirut, cited STR Global’s
report that showed a 5.9 percent year-on-year
increase in RevPAR in Beirut, adding that the
encouraging signs came amid changing market
trends with leisure demand dropping and business volumes rising, and with feeder markets
transferring and broadening beyond the Arabian Peninsula.
“Since 2011, and due to the [situation in Syria], the main feeder market, the GCC has started
to decrease year by year, and the market has
began to shift to the Iraqi, Egyptian and Turkish
segments,” elucidated Mohamad Zein, director
of sales, Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun.
Recent travel bans from nearby countries
have accelerated the conversion of the country’s client base, noted Hartmut Grauel, general
manager, Coral Beirut Al Hamra Hotel, disclosing
that this has led to an 80 percent drop in GCC
volumes.
As Georges Ojeil, general manager, Le Gray
Beirut, explained, this change in dynamics has
led to a shift in the GCC to international guest
ratio, subsequently reducing the Lebanese tourism industry’s dependence on Gulf states. In
turn, European segments have shown greater interest in the destination, said Ojeil, listing the Levant, especially Jordan along with Egypt among
the most buzzing up and coming divisions.
As Maria Bou Eid, hotel manager, SAIFI Suites,
elaborated, although the Gulf region has always
been among the property’s top 20 markets, due
to the circumstances, hoteliers refrained from
building their strategy solely on this sector. On
the other hand, markets such as Australia, the
UK, Germany and Canada are now rising remarkably and interest is also gradually picking up 
MAY 2016
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from the Netherlands and Belgium, creating a broader clientele base.
In addition, as Cynthia Flouty, director of sales and marketing, Crowne Plaza
Beirut, noted, Lebanese expatriates continue to contribute a large share to the pie.
Although markets such as Turkey, Iran or even Russia have shown great potential, to ensure a healthy guest mix, actively engaging with a wider pool of potential
guests is crucial, stressed Peter Edholm, cluster director, sales and marketing, InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel and Le Vendôme Beirut.
“Beirut is a vibrant city, however, the many positive sides of Lebanon and its
hospitality often remain unseen and in the shadow of the current issues,” affirmed
Edholm.
WINNING STRATEGIES
In parallel with recent trends, Yasmine Eid Maalouf, general manager, Ramada Beirut – Downtown, reported remarkable increases of 56 percent and 14 percent from
Europe and Africa, respectively, admitting that in order to weather challenges and
maintain a positive gross operating profit, average room rates have suffered in favour of higher occupancy levels.
“Due to the many changes, we have had to constantly change our rates selling
strategy, [conduct] sales trips to emerging markets, generate business volume with
medium prices and increase benefits in a bid to face challenges and local competition,” disclosed Eid Maalouf.
As Flouty put it, “Lebanon is a volatile market, therefore, we have to be proactive
and adjust our strategies accordingly. We need to act fast, otherwise we will lose
business.”
Among the measures taken, Grauel mentioned daily monitoring of selling rates
and specific promotions in key feeder markets, while also keeping a close eye on
controlling expenses in a smart manner.
In fact, similar approaches have been applied at most establishments and businesses due to the fact that, as Bou Eid highlighted, Lebanese tourism stakeholders have been competing for a fair share of a smaller cake. As a result, as Bou Eid
revealed, SAIFI Suites’ management for example chose to offer more competitive
rates, especially for the corporate segment which, due to the cancellation and delay of several projects, significantly cut back on travel related expenses. With guests
opting for more affordable options – while still expecting high level of services in
turn – hoteliers have been prompted to step up their efforts to better position their
properties in line with current guest preferences and promote it accordingly.
The decline in business travel has posed a particular challenge for extendedstay accommodation establishments. Nevertheless, as Samia Dagher, sales executive, Staybridge Suites Beirut, revealed, by catering to a versatile nationality mix,
with a keen focus on long-stayers, the hotel was able to maintain performance
levels and, more than that, generate a steady increase in its corporate portfolio. 
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MAY 2016
VISIT LEBANON
Moving with times and remaining
creative is indeed crucial, underlined
Pasquale Baiguera, general manager,
Mövenpick Hotel Beirut.
“We want to be perceived as being
easy to do business with. We always
strive to offer a solution to our guest requests,” said Baiguera. “Our main focus
has and will also be to achieve the highest customer satisfaction. We strongly
believe that now more than ever before,
it is very critical that [at all levels] of the
organisation we remain committed to
making sure that every guest […] has
a memorable experience to talk about
when he returns home.”
Likewise, travel agents and tour
operators have also adjusted to the
situation with Elie Nammour, marketing director, Belair Travel & Tourism,
suggesting that in order to successfully
navigate through current tides and currents, being flexible and diversifying
products to cater to smaller and specialised niche demand have proven pivotal.
As Aline Ghanem, managing director, Exclusive Services Group, indicated, given the current fluctuation in
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demand, tourism professionals have
learned to be on standby, ready to act
on last-minute bookings especially
from the corporate segment.
Similar sentiments have been echoed by Ojeil who stressed, “Adopting
situational leadership is of capital importance when managing hotels within
an agitated sociopolitical context. […]
Rational management should always
balance between the impact of cost
saving and the guest experience; any
potential momentary saving could lead
to greater losses in the long run.”
TURNING THE CORNER
“Lebanon is well-known for its excellent
customer care and services across the
region. […] I think the coming months
will be better because Lebanon is safer
[…]. As for the first months of the year,
results were good, actually, better than
expected,” reported Teddy Aouad, operations manager, Three O Nine Urban
House.
Fuelling the optimism, new properties are set to emerge on Lebanon’s 
MAY 2016
VISIT LEBANON
horizon, such as the 153-key Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort Beirut,
hailed as the first luxury resort to open
in the heart of the capital. Slated to be
unveiled this summer, the property will
feature a labyrinth of pools, a private
marina and various water sport activities, among more. As Dagmar Symes,
general manager, Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort Beirut, explained,
despite the resort feeling, the new address will be equally attractive for business travellers as well as for conferences
and meetings.
“Being the first luxury hotel opening
in six years, the launch of out hotel has
created job opportunities for the local
market and given hope for the Lebanese tourism sector,” added Symes.
Also coming up on June 01 – with
the grand opening scheduled for July
01 – Royal Tulip Achrafieh will further
elevate the luxury travel experience in
the city. Besides 76 rooms and suites,
a restaurant, roof-top lounge and two
meeting rooms will be also available.
As Nicolas Anghelopoulos, general manager, Royal Tulip Achrafieh,
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revealed, Golden Tulip MENA’s first five-star project in Lebanon is set to boost demand and corporate business in the area, while also further enhancing the destination’s touristic appeal.
Speaking of the encouraging signs, Anghelopoulos praised the investors who
have shown their strong belief in the Lebanese tourism industry even amid the
most challenging times.
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Regardless of circumstances, Lebanon always delivers, affirmed Edholm,
saying that, therefore, it is even more
important to turn first time visitors into
ambassadors of the country.
“Being a landmark [of the destination], we feel responsible to showcase
a more positive image of this beautiful country […] and we have launched
the #SeeLebanonForYourself initiative
to highlight the beauty of Lebanon
through high quality images,” gave a
pinch of positivism Edholm.
Industry stakeholders indeed remain bullish of the future with Ojeil saying that the country has already proven
successful in regaining its position on
the tourism map in no time and once
the situation is resolved, the sector will
switch from its current survival mode
into a new gear.
“We need to constantly promote
Lebanon as a destination for leisure,
business and medical tourism as well
as culinary experiences,” encouraged a
collective effort Ojeil.
Lebanon indeed has a plethora of
attractions and activities, existing 
MAY 2016
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and potential visitors, however, need to be reminded of these, underlined Galoisy, saying that acting according to the situation
is crucial, and the uplift of sanctions on Iran, for example, gives Lebanese tourism a window of opportunity to tap into this
fast-growing segment.
Zein also counts on the Ministry of Tourism to launch a comprehensive marketing campaign in all countries with high potential in order to showcase all that Lebanon has to offer. This idea was also supported by Eid Maalouf who also called for fixed
prices in each hotel category to protect consumer rights and fuel demand and on national airlines to offer competitive fares.
Nammour concurred that carriers can play a paramount role in reviving tourism by teaming up with accommodation
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establishments. Backed by financial
institutions and commercial hubs, this
could lead to attractive packages and
promotional endeavours in innovative
channels, he said.
Nonetheless, safety and security
are the key words, underlined Bou Eid,
saying that other than that, Lebanon
has never needed major protocols or
operational contingency plans, and in
order to restore the destination’s glory,
developments should be implemented
on country level, rather than just within
the tourism scene.
“We have the best hotels in the
world with multi-classification levels.
We have the highest [level of ] hospitality services and multiple activities
available catering to all kinds of interest,” asserted Bou Eid, saying that as the
hospitality sector is already at the highest standards, the country now needs
to match these levels.
Expressing a positive sentiment for
the future, Nammour concluded, “Lebanon is a resilient destination and it has
a major expertise in tackling tide waves
[…].” 
MAY 2016
EXPLORE UMM AL QUWAIN
A TREASURE
Mapped “U
HAILED AS THE QUIETEST EMIRATE,
UMM AL QUWAIN IS SEEING
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
DESIGNED TO MAKE LIFE MORE
COMFORTABLE FOR ITS RESIDENTS,
BUT ALSO TO PUSH IT INTO THE
GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT.
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ANA MLADENOVIC WRITES
UMM AL QUWAIN IN BRIEF
mm Al Quwain
is undergoing a
Country: UAE
change in roads
Language: Arabic
infrastructure as
Currency: Emirati Dirham (AED)
new flyovers are
Population: 65,000
being built, which will help to conDial Code: +971 6
nect the emirate and its port with
Time zone: GMT +4:00
the major highways,” explained Rajan
Harikrishnan, manager, Barracuda
Beach Resort.
Bolstered connectivity with the other emirates is poised to bring more visitors into this often overlooked seaside destination, but what is really expected
to boost visibility internationally and showcase the destination’s offerings to a
global audience is the recent launch of Google Street View in the emirate. Potential visitors and all interested parties can now access a 360-degree imagery
of major streets across the emirate, as well as its key attractions such as the
Beach Garden, the Old Town Area, Umm Al Quwain National Museum and the
abandoned Soviet-era plane, Ilyushin IL-76.
“Street View, as a feature of Google Maps, has a variety of practical uses for
visitors, local businesses, residents and students. It can help tourists make better
informed hotel bookings, or give a new restaurant the chance to showcase its
location which can help it connect with potential customers,” explained Joyce
Baz, head of communications, MENA, Google.
“Wherever we have launched Street View, we have seen a positive response,
and we believe that people and businesses in the UAE and across the world
can benefit on many levels from having this imagery available,” she further enthused, reminding that Google Maps services enjoy more than one billion active
monthly users.
REJUVENATING TOUCHES
In addition to strengthening its online presence and visibility, the emirate’s
hotel accommodation portfolio is also being upgraded to better cater to tourists. Notable works are being done at Barracuda Beach Resort, as Harikrishnan
revealed. The property is in the process of renovating its rooms to meet and
exceed the expectations of guests, as he shared, reminding that the resort is
one of the few in the city to
implement the HACCP standard which, as Harikrishnan
said, ensures that quality of
food and hygiene is in accordance with government
norms and to the full satisfaction of guests.
As the emirate proceeds
to strengthen its tourism
credentials, the outlook is
bright, as it is confirmed by
the revived business performance since the beginning
of the year.
“Business picked up
slowly in the beginning of
[this year] and we see a gradual shift in the spending of
people, which is in favour of
our resort and tourism industry as a whole,” Harikrishnan
concluded. 
22
MAY 2016
TOUR DAMMAM
BEYOND
Corporate
HOME TO MAJOR OIL AND GAS
COMPANIES, DAMMAM IS ON THE
MAPS OF CORPORATE TRAVELLERS
FROM ACROSS THE REGION.
YET, THIS GLISTENING SEASIDE
DESTINATION OFFERS MUCH MORE.
www.traveltrademena.travel
ANA MLADENOVIC WRITES
“D
DAMMAM IN BRIEF
ammam is the
capital of the
Country: Saudi Arabia
Eastern
ProvLanguage: Arabic
ince, where maCurrency: Saudi Riyal (SAR)
jor suppliers of
Population: 941,000
the oil and gas industry are in,” said
Dial code: +966 3
Mohammed Maher, director of sales
Time Zone: GMT +3:00
and marketing, Sheraton Dammam
Hotel & Convention Centre, further
explaining that the city is home to
various offices which contribute to the business of the hotel.
Being the regional centre of government, industry and commerce, it is only
natural that Dammam’s hospitality scene thrives on the corporate travel market.
“This segment has a significant importance and impact on the business stability and represents a big margin of the business mix,” confirmed Fadi Mheisen,
hotel manager, Park Inn by Radisson Dammam.
Maher was more specific, saying, “Corporate business represents between 50
– 60 percent of the total business mix of the hotels within the Eastern Province.”
His estimates are mirrored by Samir Khairallah, director of marketing and
sales, Golden Tulip Al Hamra, who attributed almost 80 percent of the property’s
total yearly revenue to corporate demand.
When it comes to meeting the needs and expectations of the core market,
Dammam’s hoteliers know their game well and make sure to tick all the boxes.
“We consider [those clients] as our expert guests since they visit many hotels
and travel to many countries, experiencing different styles of hospitality. […] We
take them as an opportunity to learn about their experiences and enhance our
efforts to exceed their expectations,” Mheisen explained.
Strong dependence on a single market can prove to be challenging to occupancy and room rates, as it was shown by the overall business performance
of the city’s hotel industry in 2015. The average room rate was pushed down
by the lower corporate demand from the oil sector, as well as by the decline
in Euro exchange rates which resulted in more outbound trips from the Kingdom, according to Colliers International. In addition, driven by cost-cutting
efforts, the demand for accommodation from the corporate segment shifted
from five- to four-star properties, forcing the top-tier sector’s room prices to
drop.
A WIDENING AIM
Due to its seaside location and a myriad of shopping and leisure opportunities,
it comes as no surprise that this bustling hub also lures other types of travellers,
with highly varied needs.
Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Convention Centre is popular among event organisers and attendees boasting a 1,500m2 conference and exhibition space,
and the property also welcomes families and leisure travellers especially from
Riyadh, looking for a weekend city break, as Maher revealed.
“Since the hotel is located at the Corniche and close to the shopping and
leisure facilities in Dammam, we welcome many families during weekends and
holidays, and enjoy serving them,” Mheisen shared the experience of Park Inn
by Radisson Dammam.
Families are also a lucrative market for Golden Tulip Al Hamra, especially
during the summer season and school vacation periods, according to Khairallah, who also pinpointed local sports teams and federations as a good market
for the property, in addition to event-goers and organisers.
Looking ahead, it is clear that any further drop in oil prices will mean more
business for establishments with more affordable room rates, as it is highlighted
by Colliers International. But Dammam’s seasoned hospitality veterans seem
poised to weather the storm, relying on the convenient location, service and
alternative market opportunities. 
24
MAY 2016
ONSITE MOROCCO
GREENER
Pastures
FULLY ACKNOWLEDGING AN
UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH
POTENTIAL, MOROCCO IS TAKING
STRIDES TO POSITION ITS TOURISM
INDUSTRY AT THE FOREFRONT OF
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
26
www.traveltrademena.travel
PAULINE SHAHABIAN WRITES
I
MOROCCO IN BRIEF
n accordance with research
by the World Travel & Tourism
Capital: Rabat
Council, the sector’s total conCurrency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
tribution to Morocco’s GDP
Language: Arabic
in 2015 was MAD172 billion
Population: 33.85 million
(USD17.87 billion), and is forecast to
Calling Code: +212
rise two percent this year, and further
Capital Time Zone: GMT +1:00
surge 4.1 percent per annum until
2026.
As Mohamed Mekouar, chairman, Privilege Voyages Casablanca, noted, the country’s tourism industry has
significantly developed over the past 15 years following modernisation in infrastructure, an open skies policy, wider promotion across the world, organisation of cultural and culinary festivals, as well as locally-held international
summits, and all these whilst the country is upholding its true charm and
character.
Similarly, Félix Murillo, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Marrakech,
expressed that Morocco’s popularity among travellers has risen with the passage of time, as diversified leisure offerings are combined with a rich historical
appeal, making it a sought-after destination for visitors in search of enriching
experiences. The surge was also reflected in the hotel’s business in 2015 as it
registered increased guest arrivals over 2014. 
MAY 2016
ONSITE MOROCCO
TOURISM TAKING PRECEDENCE
Indeed, travel and tourism continues
to flourish in Morocco, in line with the
country’s Vision 2020, which outlines the
principle of enhancing the competitiveness of the industry by addressing weaknesses and turning them into opportunities through a firm focus on new trends.
Moreover, the plan aims to double accommodation capacity in the Kingdom,
with the addition of 200,000 new beds, a
step expected to also expand tourist arrivals, mainly from Europe.
“With the Vision 2020 plan, tourism
will remain the key driver of economic,
social and cultural development [in]
Morocco,” stated Emilie Pignol, director
of sales and marketing, Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech. “The key components
of the touristic offer will be based on
four pillars; authenticity, diversity, quality and sustainability. This vision will be
applicable for Marrakech but also for
other key destinations which will accelerate their development, such as Rabat
and Casablanca but also Fes, Tangier
and the south of Morocco.”
28
Indeed, authorities are keen on pushing the tourism product of a number of
cities.
“With something to cater to the needs of all kinds of travellers, from the dynamic cosmopolitan city of Casablanca, to the vibrant medinas and souks of Marrakech,
to the awe-inspiring natural landscapes, numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
spirit-lifting adventures [as well as] rich food and cultural offerings – there is a vast
spectrum of experiences to discover and explore,“ added Murillo.
Meanwhile, Olivier Thomas, general manager, Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca,
www.traveltrademena.travel
commented, “In line with the country’s
tourism and hospitality vision, it is only
advantageous to Morocco’s larger tourism sector to offer more choice to visitors and promote and leverage the potential of other untapped destinations
that also have a diverse range of attractions and experiences to offer.”
He added that with its diversified
economy, the Kingdom is already well
positioned for sustainable growth in
the future and the authorities’ renewed
commitment to showcase the currently
lesser-known destinations will only
drive more tourists to the country and
create a positive impact on its economic growth.
The upscale business hotel, which
opened in January, already eagerly anticipates to clock 40,000 room nights
this year alone, mainly relying on European and GCC markets.
David Sanchez, director, Complete
Tours, was keen to point out the noteworthy ventures across the country,
highlighting investments in Tangiers,
restoration works in Fez, as well as an
influx of new restaurants, hotels 
MAY 2016
ONSITE MOROCCO
www.traveltrademena.travel
and complexes in Casablanca.
Sanchez, however, noted that although work is underway to develop and promote alternative cities other than the prominent Marrakech, progress has been slow.
ONLY WAY IS UP
For some time now, Moroccan tourism has been consolidating its development
and the positioning of its brand, according to Tarik Kerdoudi, director of sales and
marketing, Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca, who elaborated that the country’s authenticity – which lies in its diverse territories, landscapes, natural resources, ecosystems as well as culture and influences – represents a real competitive advan-
tage over Morocco’s direct contenders.
Furthermore, Christophe Prieu, sales and marketing task force, Mövenpick
Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech, mentioned that the entry of international
hotel chains in the destination has greatly helped with overall external visibility. He also reiterated Moroccan stakeholders’ efforts in developing cities in a
bid to provide visitors with ample options.
Following a three-year extensive renovation and expansion period, costing approximately USD69 million, the 503-key property is gearing up to softopen under the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand in September.
Upon completion, the establishment will feature seven dining and entertainment venues as well as leisure facilities, such as a spa, gym, kids’ club and
swimming pools. In addition, a dedicated entrance will connect the hotel to
Palais des Congrès, hailed as the country’s largest convention centre, which
will also be operated by the hotelier.
As Gautier Py, general manager, Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay, noted, visitors
are always in need of new activities, hence, Morocco should better communicate in reference to its culture, products and infrastructure. Py further shed
light on the Taghazout Bay project as a great initiative which adheres to the
country’s tourism vision and sets sustainable development at the heart of priorities, with ample sport activities, a picturesque countryside and landscaping.
“In line with [Vision 2020’s] directive, Morocco is making great strides to
enhance its infrastructure and continue developing the tourism sector across
all key segments and parameters. Morocco’s welcoming visa policy, the open
skies policy, friendly relations with [neighbouring countries] and sharp focus
on sustainability, are all distinguishing factors fostering the country’s future
tourism growth, which will ultimately drive more tourists to its shores,” concluded Thomas. 
30
MAY 2016
TRAVEL CHANNELS
www.traveltrademena.travel
DUBAI
EMBRACES
PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES
D
ubai Municipality, Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Community Development Authority joined hands to transform the
city into a barrier-free, inclusive,
friendly destination for disabled individuals.
The project launched by the entities is
based on a comprehensive plan to review
and evaluate infrastructure, facilities and
public transportation in the emirate which
will also address assessment of policies and
standards developed to ensure adequate
suitability.
Mattar Al Tayer, chairman, RTA, explained
that the initiative consists of six phases with
the first expected to be completed by the
end of the second quarter of the year.
32
ATLANTIS, THE PALM:
SPECIAL DIVING TRAINING
Diving sessions
A
s part of its efforts to support social inclusion and the empowerment of people with disabilities, Dive Atlantis, the newest addition to Atlantis, The Palm resort attractions, hosted a twoday diving training programme for people with special needs.
Organised in collaboration with Disabled Divers International, the initiative was aimed
at promoting, developing and conducting scuba diving training sessions in professional and
non-professional categories.
“Diving can be an enriching experience, potentially helping to improve quality of life,” commented Mike
Ceci, manager, Dive Atlantis. He added that it is a sport where participants experience the feeling of absolute weightlessness, thus it is usually comfortable for those with challenges in regards to movement.
MAY 2016
TRAVEL CHANNELS
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TRAVEL ACTIVITY
INFLUENCED BY
TRIPADVISOR
RAK SUPPORTS KIDS
WITH DIABETES
R
as Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority hosted the ninth edition of
Basma Camp for more than 100 diabetic children. With the aim to improve the
quality of care, the event educated children aged eight to 14 from GCC and
Asian countries on how to handle the condition and its impact on day-to-day
life.
The initiative included a special dinner, face painting and a Little Chef activity where
food experts from all over the emirate explained to the children how to cook their own
food, and other games.
34
T
he Global Economic Contribution of TripAdvisor report, conducted by Oxford Economics,
revealed that, globally, the website generated
22 million trips, 352 million nights in 2014, and
USD64 billion in incremental travel expendi-
tures.
The findings also illustrated a surge in the number of
journeys taken to a particular destination as photos, reviews,
listings and information for that destination increased.
Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer, TripAdvisor,
commented that user-generated content transformed the
way people travel and the study provides compelling insights into just how the site impacted the global tourism
industry.
“Traveller reviews, ratings and photos help to put
smaller, lesser-known destinations in front of a huge international audience and give travellers the confidence to
visit new places,” Messing added.
MAY 2016
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RENDEZVOUS
on the faces of all children during their
stay. A choice of six dining outlets providing diverse culinary experiences will
be available, including a Lebanese sea
food restaurant and an exquisite rooftop bar directly by the Mediterranean
Sea.
Q & A with
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: Which markets will you be focussing on?
DAGMAR SYMES: We will focus on both
domestic guests looking for a short escape from the hustle and bustle of their
daily life as well as on GCC vacationers
and Lebanese families living across the
world and coming home for the holidays. The hotel is equally attractive for
business travellers, conferences and
meetings due to its close proximity to
the city centre and the diverse activities
available on site for business travellers.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: The past
months have brought various challenges for the Lebanese tourism in-
dustry. What do you think makes this
the perfect time to bring Kempinski
Summerland to the market?
DAGMAR SYMES: Lebanon has always
been an extremely volatile market
which could be down one day but pick
up very fast We are hopeful in the future of Beirut and Lebanon and a whole
and believe in this market.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How can the
launch of such a prestigious brand
help to revive the Lebanese tourism
sector?
DAGMAR SYMES: Being the first luxury
hotel opening in six years, the opening
of our hotel has created new job opportunities for the local market and given
hope for the Lebanese tourism sector.
The property will also provide travellers with more choices [and offer a] true
luxury experience for their holidays or
business travels. We look forward to
welcoming all guests this summer.
DAGMAR SYMES
GENERAL MANAGER, KEMPINSKI SUMMERLAND
HOTEL & RESORT, BEIRUT
INVESTOR CONFIDENCE REMAINS
STRONG IN LEBANON WITH DAGMAR
SYMES, GENERAL MANAGER, KEMPINSKI
SUMMERLAND HOTEL & RESORT, BEIRUT,
INTRODUCING HERE A NEW PROPERTY.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: When is the hotel scheduled to open?
DAGMAR SYMES: Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort, Beirut is set to open
this summer. The resort will be unique in its category in Beirut as it will be the
first luxury resort to open in the heart of the Lebanese capital. It features 153
rooms and suites with a labyrinth of pools surrounding the entire area. Guests
will be able to enjoy a luxury pool experience, relax, chill and unwind in this
calm and tranquil setting. A private sandy beach, private bungalows with their
exclusive Jacuzzi, extensive spa, private marina and a wide range of water sports
activities will be all available to complete the resort experience.
We have thought carefully about our young guests and to provide a [fulfilling] experience for families and children. Our mascot Kempi Fish will put a smile
MAY 2016
35
36
The GCC is one of our
core markets
“The GCC is one of our core
markets at The Sun Siyam Iru
Fushi Maldives, with Saudi
Arabia [being] one of our top
five source markets this year,
so attending the Arabian
Travel Market to reconnect
with clients and seek new opportunities is very important
for us. This year, we are excited
to be launching Following the
Equator, the first international
tourism film festival in the
Maldives, which is being held
at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi between July 10 – 12. […] We will
be sharing more details about
Following the Equator with our
tour operator partners.”
CLUSTER GENERAL
MANAGER, RAMADA
PLAZA JUMEIRAH
BEACH RESIDENCE
AND RAMADA
SHARJAH
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ALPER CAN BULCUM
DIRECTOR OF
SALES AND
MARKETING, THE
SUN SIYAM IRU
FUSHI, MALDIVES
EVGENIA BOYANKOVA
TRAVEL TALK
One can gain
a competitive
advantage
“It is very important to have
a balanced incoming business from various markets.
[…] The industry should be
up to date with the ongoing
state of the market and have
some alternatives in place to
prevent loss or reduction of
a target market. If you win
the confidence and loyalty of
international markets, it will
definitely grow the business
and one can gain a competitive advantage.”
MAY 2016
38
[Our] strategy involves
[...] strengthening our
presence in traditional
strongholds
“Rotana’s growth strategy involves expanding into international markets [...] as well as
strengthening our presence in
traditional strongholds such as
the GCC and the Middle East as
a whole. This year, we will be
opening two hotels in Saudi
Arabia and two hotels in Qatar,
and over the next five years
nine new hotels will be added
to our portfolio in the UAE. [...]
We are also gearing up to open
our first property in Congo
later this year. New openings
are also planned in Iraq, Jordan
and Turkey this year.”
CLUSTER GENERAL
MANAGER, RAMADA
HOTEL & SUITES
AJMAN AND
RAMADA BEACH
HOTEL AJMAN
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IFTIKHAR HAMDANI
CEO, ROTANA
OMER KADDOURI
TRAVEL TALK
[We are] targeting
golf enthusiasts and
corporate travellers
“Ajman continues to add new
attractions like Al Zorah Golf
Club, and we are maximising
these developments to expand our reach by targeting
golf enthusiasts and corporate travellers from different
regions. 2015 was a successful year for us and we seek to
maintain, if not surpass our
achievements by proactively
looking for new partnerships.”
MAY 2016
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RENDEZVOUS
Q & A with
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: With Sharjah
expecting 10 million visitors by 2021,
how important is it to lure international markets?
MICHAEL KASCH: [...] Sharjah’s positioning as an established family destination and the region’s cultural hub will
continue to be strong influencers that
attract tourists. Through new projects,
Sharjah is tapping into niche markets
and is appealing to the discerning traveller who is on the lookout for an overall
enhanced experience. […].
The recent slump in the market
has reinstated the importance of looking for opportunities in international
markets. The competition is now fiercer
and a keen eye for business is what will
help achieve objectives. However, the
overall outlook is positive and growth
in guest numbers is anticipated. SCTDA
has been at the forefront with focussed
promotional campaigns in GCC countries as well as in growing tourism markets such as China, India and Europe.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: What are your
plans for the coming months?
MICHAEL KASCH: Being in the fifth year
of operation has strengthened our brand
presence in Sharjah. Guest and colleague
satisfaction is at an all-time high. [...]
We continue to stay focussed on
maintaining and further developing
strong partnerships with stakeholders
in the industry. Centro is a hotel concept that appeals to the new generation of travel executives who appreciate
style, sophistication and value. It is the
ultimate solution for smart travellers to
Sharjah who do not want to compromise on style or quality. To deliver this
long-drawn promise to our guests is
where we will channel our resources.
Rotana Rewards, our company-wide
loyalty programme is also a priority. Offering our loyal guests special privileges
[...] will be our way of thanking them for
their trust. Guest satisfaction is of utmost priority and we are committed to
go the extra mile. 
MICHAEL KASCH
GENERAL MANAGER, CENTRO SHARJAH
MICHAEL KASCH, GENERAL MANAGER,
CENTRO SHARJAH, SHARES HIS VIEWS
ON CHANGING MARKET TRENDS, GUEST
LOYALTY AND TREASURED TIMES.
TRAVEL TRADE MENA: How have the past 12 months been for the hotel?
MICHAEL KASCH: The year 2015 was a year of discovery and consequent adaptation to the changing market trends in Sharjah’s travel and hospitality Industry.
Geopolitical instability and a plunge in the Russian Rouble saw a decline in visitors from CIS countries. Additionally, a slump in the Euro made a holiday to Europe more affordable for GCC travellers. Even though these factors had a direct
impact on travelling patterns, a multitude of steps taken by the industry led by
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and Sharjah
Investment and Development Authority ensured that the number of guests visiting Sharjah remained on an upward trajectory. Markets like India, China and
key European countries have showed great potential [...].
Being situated in close proximity to Sharjah International Airport continues
to be a strategic advantage and Centro Sharjah rightfully serves as a gateway for
tourists visiting the UAE.
MAY 2016
39
ADIL AL GHAITH is Emirates’
new senior vice president of
commercial operations for the
Gulf, Middle East and Iran.
In this post, he will direct a
number of the carrier’s segments in the region.
Having been with Emirates
for 17 years, Al Ghaith is a seasoned commercial executive
in the Middle East as he has
led markets like Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen
for several years. Previously, he
had also held the position of
vice president in Pakistan and
senior vice president in North
and West Africa for the airline.
Al Ghaith will oversee
regional commercial
operations
40
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ANISH KUTTAN
ADIL AL GHAITH
WHO’S MOVED
ANISH KUTTAN has been appointed executive assistant
manager at Kempinski Hotel
Ajman, where he will be in
charge of food and beverage
operations.
With more than 14 years of experience in luxury hospitality,
Kuttan started his career in 2002
at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
He rapidly worked his way up
the career ladder to numerous
food and beverage management positions, prior to joining
Kempinski Hotel Ajman in 2011
as assistant food and beverage
manager. He was soon promoted in 2013 to the position of director of food and beverage.
With his entrepreneurial performance, Kuttan has brought
a number of large-scale functions to the property, driving
top-line growth.
MAY 2016
42
LUCA MEDDA is the new general manager of Centro Capital
Doha.
With 26 years of experience in
the hospitality industry – eight
of which with Rotana – and
having worked in Qatar, the
UAE and Egypt, he possesses
a strong understanding of the
Middle Eastern market which is
expected to be valuable in raising the level of guest services.
Medda began his career in 1988
in Italy and later served in several countries, such as the UK,
Germany, France, and Austria.
His first tenure in the Middle
East was in Qatar in 2001 with
the opening team of The Ritz
Carlton, Doha. He later worked
in Egypt and the UAE, only to
return to the Qatari capital with
Oryx Rotana in 2012 as executive assistant manager.
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RAMI SAYESS
LUCA MEDDA
WHO’S MOVED
RAMI SAYESS has taken the
helm at Four Seasons Hotel Beirut as general manager.
At the same time, he will continue in his capacity as regional vice
president overseeing hotels in
Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Being with the company since
2005, Sayess is returning to
Lebanon, having spent some 30
years around the globe gaining a
wealth of experience after managing luxury hotels and resorts
in 15 countries. His Four Seasons
journey has taken him from
Jordan to Saudi Arabia, Thailand and most recently to Qatar
where he has been regional vice
president and general manager
since 2013.
Sayess looks to work closely
with his team to ensure that
the property remains a first
choice in the country.
MAY 2016
NEWS
www.traveltrademena.travel
Dubai Aims Higher
than Burj Khalifa
E
The Tower
44
maar Properties revealed plans to build a USD1 billion skyscraper at Dubai
Creek Harbour that will exceed the height of the iconic Burj Khalifa, currently
the world’s tallest building.
Creating a new skyline for the emirate, the upcoming landmark will be a notch
taller than the 828m Burj Khalifa, which is set to be surpassed by Saudi Arabia’s 1km
Kingdom Tower. Serving as the vibrant core of Dubai Creek Harbour, a 6km2 worldclass masterplanned development, The Tower is set to deliver a compelling destination, as Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, explained.
“It will also position Dubai Creek Harbour as one of the most desired residential,
leisure and touristic attractions, providing visitors and residents with a modern, luxurious and sustainable environment in which to live, work, learn and entertain,” added
Alabbar.
With construction works slated to start at the end of June and finish just in time
for Expo 2020, the futuristic tower will offer 360-degree views of the city and beyond
from its Pinnacle Room at the top. The structural core and tension cables will be dynamically illuminated and movement lighting will be used to enhance not only the
visitor experience but also the view from outside. The VIP Observation Garden Decks
will recreate the splendour of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and an engineering
marvel will await guests at the fully glazed rotating balconies. Making the project
a true tourist-magnet, a world-class boutique hotel will be also housed within the
development.
MAY 2016
NEWS
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New Golf and
Waterfront Project
on Yas Island
Burj Al Arab Unveils
Top-floor Bar
MAY 2016
Gold on 27
A
bu Dhabi’s appeal is set to
further increase with the
launch of an AED6 billion
(USD1.63 billion) golf and waterfront
development on Yas Island.
Yas Acres, an Aldar Properties
venture, is set to add 1,315 villas on
the northern shores of the destination with residents enjoying access
to a nine-hole golf course and club
house, yacht club, marina, parks,
schools and a vibrant waterfront.
As Abubaker Seddiq Al Khoori,
chairman, Aldar Properties, explained, the project is in line with the
emirate’s long-term vision for economic diversification.
Upon completion, Yas Acres will
be home to 15,000 residents.
B
urj Al Arab Jumeirah has taken mixology to the next level – literally – with the
launch of Gold on 27.
Located on the highest floor of the hotel, the bar boasts views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s skyline, inviting guests to enjoy soulful music while sipping on
their drink.
“This venue has been 18 months in the making from concept to completion and
represents an incomparable addition to Dubai’s nightlife,” explained Anthony McHale,
general manager, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, claiming that the service levels and hospitality at Gold On 27 are second to none.
45
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Because a picture is worth a thousand
words...
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is gearing up to unveil the Abu
Dhabi Suite, the world’s highest suspended unit
Volunteers from Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, Dubai
joined the World Down Syndrome Day walk
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MAY 2016
www.traveltrademena.travel
PHOTO ALBUM
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara opened a
unique wellness centre
Abu Dhabi hosted American artist Tomyboy’s pieces
of art at the Glow-In-The-Dark art exhibition
Etihad Airways highlighted the contribution of Emirati
women on Al Ain Contact Centre’s fifth anniversary
City Centre Rotana presents Fisherman Night every Thursday
MAY 2016
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NEWS & EVENTS
EVENTS
www.traveltrademena.travel
ATM to Highlight
Midmarket Travel
WTM CONNECT ASIA
Penang, Malaysia
May 18 – 20
www.wtmconnectasia.com
A new event bringing together
suppliers of southeast Asia to
meet with outbound Chinese,
southeast Asian and international
hosted buyers.
Enhanced Security
and Passenger
Experience in the
Spotlight
ILTM ASIA
Shanghai, China
May 30 – June 02
www.iltm.com
An invitation-only event, where
travel agents and advisors from
across Asia meet the world’s very
best luxury travel experiences.
A
THE MEETINGS SHOW
London, UK
June 14 – 16
www.themeetingsshow.com
A premier gathering for the
UK inbound and outbound
conference industry, organised
by meeting professionals for
meeting professionals.
FOOD & HOSPITALITY OMAN
Muscat, Oman
September 20 – 22
foodandhospitalityoman.com
A business and networking
platform promoting the latest
products and services in the
food and beverage sector.
F
ollowing the success of Arabian Travel
Market (ATM)’s 2015 theme of family
travel, the focus of this year’s edition will
be on midmarket tourism, hailed as a key
area of opportunity for Middle East destinations.
As tourism infrastructure across the Gulf
and beyond continues on its high profile development path, attention has turned to the midmarket segment, explained Nadege NobletSegers, exhibition manager, ATM.
“This has been identified as both an underdeveloped and potential growth area for the
region, driven by demand from the growing
middle class markets [...] combined with budget Generation Y travellers and young families,”
added Noblet-Segers.
A point of discussion will be the number of
rooms entering the market, including the share
planned in the four- and three-star classification.
s the Middle East continues to outpace global air traffic growth, airports in the region are
investing millions of dollars in technology
and system upgrades to provide a seamless
passenger experience while ensuring utmost safety
and security.
According to the International Air Transport Association, the Middle East will welcome an additional 237 million passengers per year by 2034.
As Obaid Muhair Bin Suroor, deputy director
general, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai, explained, the traditional
methods that were implemented in the past for
passport control are no longer efficient, thus, Dubai
International is adopting smart technology, including 125 e-gates and smart gates.
As per a Frost & Sullivan’s report, annual global
spend on airport security is set to soar to USD12.67
billion in 2023 from USD8.22 billion in 2014.
In light of the latest trends, the 16th edition of
the Airport Show, which will be held between May
09 – 11 in Dubai, will bring together world-leading
companies to showcase the latest safety and security solutions and products.
IFTM TOP RESA
Paris, France
September 20 – 23
www.iftm.fr
Reed Expositions France puts
together a happening that over
the years has become multitarget market event for all travel
types.
Arabian Travel Market
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MAY 2016