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JANUARY 2012 ISSUE 27
EXPLORE: QATAR
EXCLUSIVE: GREEN TRAVEL
IN THIS ISSUEMARKET UPDATE
INVESTIGATION: Winter Tourism
VISIT: Abu Dhabi & Al Ain
EXPLORE: Qatar
ONSITE: Hong Kong
TOUR: Germany
LONG-HAUL: Tanzania
TRAVEL TALK
TRAVEL CHANNELS
EXCLUSIVE: Green Travel
WHO'S MOVED
RENDEZVOUS
NEWS & EVENTS
02030408121416181920222324
VISIT: ABU DHABI & AL AIN 4
20
08Common awareness of environmental impacts, in-curred by tourism activities, has increased, spurring businesses and travel entities to improve their corpo-rate responsibility on various levels.
Supported by billion dollar investments in develop-ments, backed by large scale events, Qatar has be-come one of the Middle East’s most eligible countries.
Introducing diverse leisure attractions while new accommodation preferences continue to pour in, Abu
Dhabi is broadening its offerings, with its tourism authority highly focusing on niche tourism segments.
.
2 MARKET UPDATE
JANUARY 2012
TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY
MANAGING EDITORMary Kammitsi
JOURNALISTSStefanie Saghbini
Rita Kasziba Marianna Keen
Dominique Christou
SALES & MARKETINGMaria Demetriadou
Brighite Ess Dominique Tennant
WEB & LAYOUTElina Pericleous
DIRECTORS
Andreas Constantinides Mary Kammitsi
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T.T.W. Travel Trade Weekly LTD P.O. Box 25255, Nicosia 1308 Cyprus
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Dollar Thrifty Prepares for Tourism BoomFollowing a profitable year, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Qatar, is preparing for further growth this year.
T he group experienced a highly successful period of business and expects to record 20 percent year-on-year growth in profit. With an increase of 25 percent, it now boasts a fleet of 2012 models across three
locations in Qatar, and eyes further developments. According to the World Travel and Tourism Coun-
cil, travel and tourism investment is set to rise by 7.2 percent per annum to reach QAR10.4 billion (USD2.9 billion) in 2021, and the anticipated tourism boom sets the bar high for the industry, emphasised Ibra-him Al-Muftah, managing director, Dollar Rent a Car & Thrifty Car Rental, Qatar. The group’s main business came from business trav-
ellers eyeing investment opportunities in Qatar, global corporations seeking to strengthen their presence in the state, and the large work force migrating from the GCC, proving that despite the regional challenges, Qatar re-mained a lucrative business destination.
“Even with the political turmoil in the Middle East, business in the state has increased exponentially over the past year,” added Al-Muftah.
The company has outlined ambitious plans for 2012. “Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group has been present in Qatar since 1993, and is accustomed to the tradi-tions of the country which makes us the preferred car rental company. We are looking forward to healthy competition, and dominating the car rental market in Qatar,” concluded Sam Eltibi, executive di-rector, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, MENA and Asia Pacific.
Jazeera Airways Secures Market Share
Ibrahim Al-Muftah
Jazeera Airways continued market leadership in October 2011 on the majority of the routes it serves, based on data released by Kuwait’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation.
The carrier, which operated in October 2011 with an on-time performance of 97 per-cent, captured leading market share to Alexandria (35 percent), Assiut (55 percent), Damascus (40 per-cent), Luxor (81 percent), Sharm El Sheikh (63 per-cent) and Sohag (35 percent), putting it ahead of all other airliners operating these routes. Jazeera Air-ways also achieved a majority market share among Kuwaiti operators to high-demand destinations, such as Beirut (32 percent), Amman (32 percent), Dubai (16 percent), and Istanbul (8 percent).
Jazeera Airways also achieved a majority
market share among Kuwaiti operators to high-
demand destinations
Tourism investment is set to rise by 7.2 percent per annum to reach QAR10.4 billion (USD2.9 billion) in 2021, and
the anticipated tourism boom sets the bar high for the industry
“Travel agents, tour operators, and airlines need to prepare for this tourism boom in Qatar. We are al-ready seeing major airlines increase their flights to Qatar. The construction industry is also benefiting from the preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Ultimately, the travel industry will need to upgrade their offerings to stay in competition, as more and more travel companies enter the market.”
3INVESTIGATIONWinter Tourism
JANUARY 2012
Rita Kasziba writes
C ontinuously seeking unconventional des-tinations to satisfy seasonal desires, travel-lers are now being faced with a vast range of enticing features to choose from in a bid to decide on the perfect winter holiday.
“From a tourism perspective, factors that need to be there for a destination include proximity to home loca-tion, good record of snow availability, excellent ski lift systems, and accommodation options with easy access to the slopes. Cost and overall value-for-money are also crucial along with the entertainment options and the hospitality culture,” highlighted Alecos Loucaides, direc-tor, Various Travel; a Cyprus-based outbound agency.
“Travellers increasingly prefer to try a destination that is out of what is considered ordinary, and this might override other factors,” he added.
One such country in the Middle East which puts on its best performance during the winter season is Lebanon, famous for morphing into a true winter wonderland.
Having welcomed some 500,000 tourists world-wide during the previous winter season, most of which stemmed from Arab countries, Lebanon boasts a range of distinctive features that make it a special destination for all tourists, as Mona Fares, director of promotions, Ministry of Tourism, Lebanon, explained.
“It takes only half an hour to go from the moun-tains to Beirut, which makes it the first travel destina-tion during winter where tourists can go skiing and
The Coolest Places to Visit
When it comes to winter travel, the Middle East may not be at the forefront of tourists’ minds, however, many countries in the region are now gravitating towards establishing themselves as fresh alternatives for the colder months.
then come back and be near to the Mediterranean sea.”Having long been popular with travellers seeking
a relaxing winter break, Lebanon is considered a great place to ski, and caters to all winter enthusiasts, ac-cording to Fares who further commented. “Winter re-sorts are continuously adding new ski lifts, accommo-dation, and other facilities. Other sports like jet skiing and snow-boarding are being practiced as well. Each of Lebanon’s resorts has its own unique character and run both national and international ski competitions.”
One such resort fully geared to welcome winter lovers is the InterContinental Mzaar Mountain Resort & Spa. “[The resort] is nested amid the snowy peaks at 2,000m up the scenic Mount Lebanon, with direct access to 80km of skiing trails, linking 19 ski lifts, and a proximity to major touristic sites,” Cynthya Alam, pub-lic relations and marketing officer, InterContinental Mzaar Mountain Resort & Spa, indicated.
Gifted with a pleasant climate and boasting su-perior winter offerings, Lebanon is safely positioned on the same pedestal with its European counterparts, this according to Alam, who explained, “Guests we host from the region, mainly from the Gulf, are lured by the good weather and fascinating environment. Most of them prefer visiting Mzaar instead of travel-ling to Europe because we offer high quality services and accommodation [options] with equal levels of skiing slopes and activities.”
AUTHENTICALLY YOURS
Iran, is quickly emerging to become a country in the Middle East that offers tourists a more personalised and authentic alternative to the usual winter holiday.
“Although the country is a true heaven for ski-ers and snowboarders, it is still a novelty. Apart from skiing on slopes, Iran has also the potential for wild skiing. In addition, people can also combine visiting breathtaking historical sites with their ski holidays,” noted, Nasrin Harris, director, Persian Voyages.
“There are chalets and hotels with excellent facili-ties and restaurants serving authentic Persian cuisine. High altitudes, less cost, less crowded, excellent pow-der-like snow, north facing slopes and exotic options describe the best Iran as a winter travel destination,” Harris added.
Moreover, Dina Cheregvand, international market-ing manager, Dornagasht Tour & Travel Agency, agreed.
“Iran is one of the most various lands in terms of natural and cultural attractions, where you have the chance to ski, and reach the deserts within one hour. Iran boasts three good ski areas close to Tehran. These are Dizin, Shemshak, and Tochal, which, at 3,963m, is the fifth highest resort in the world. We usually re-ceive clients from Europe, especially Eastern Europe, mainly because it is interesting for them to ski some-where in the Middle East. Furthermore, experienced skiers often like to enjoy skiing in different areas,” Cheregvand concluded.
A SPECTRUM OF WINTER OFFERINGS
A different area proving to be a skiing hit in the region is renowned Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort, encompassing over 22,500m2.
“Ski Dubai has been a trailblazer since its initial launch in 2005, and our continuing popularity is a testament to the unforgettable experience that we offer,” elaborated Omar El-Banna, director of sales and marketing, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment; the operator of Ski Dubai.
“Over the years, we have added more attrac-tions to the facility and updated our offerings. Ski Dubai has become iconic not only in the Middle East, but worldwide and thus has uniqueness and charm which attracts visitors and guests all year round.”
InterContinental Mzaar Mountain Resort & Spa
Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai
4 VISIT Abu Dhabi & Al Ain
JANUARY 2012
THE MULTIFACETED JEWEL OF THE EMIRATESIntroducing diverse leisure attractions while new accommodation prefer-ences continue to pour in, Abu Dhabi is vastly broadening its offerings on many fronts, with its tourism authority highly focusing on niche tourism seg-ments ranging from culture and heritage to golf and cruising.
ABU DHABI IN BRIEF
Capital: Capital of the UAE
Currency: UAE Dirhams (AED)
Language: Arabic
Marianna Keen writes
Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi
Yas Viceroy Hotel
Yas Viceroy Hotel
T he UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi has fared well throughout the unrest, which is being ex-perienced across the region, thus is consid-ered a safe haven while the opening of new tourism sectors and channels have helped
to increase demand yet further.Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is adding its
focus on accommodation supply trends in the emir-ate, and continues to pressure on demand through building niche markets such as golf, education, cul-ture and heritage, cruise tourism, and business tour-ism amongst others, without changing the funda-mental components of its strategies or directions, this according to Lawrence Franklin, strategy and policy director, ADTA.
“We have made progress on a number of niche fronts,” emphasised Franklin, who added, “We recently unveiled a ‘Golf in Abu Dhabi’ initiative – an umbrella
marketing, communications, product packaging, and distribution platform designed to increase the emir-ate’s penetration of the lucrative golf tourism segment.”
The initiative, which is developed in partnership with golf clubs and relevant stakeholders, including hotels and destination management companies, will package the pastime as both a primary purpose of visit and as part of an overall destination experience, with an aim of targeting diverse markets, including UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia, Chi-na, Korea, and Japan, Franklin further explained.
Another niche tourism segment which has under-gone recent developments is the cruise market, with the 59,000 tonne luxurious MSC Lirica, having become the first MSC Cruises cruise liner to home-port in Abu Dhabi, docking in at Mina Zayed.
Highlighting the sector’s expanding role in the emirate’s tourism industry, Franklin commented,
“MSC Cruises joins an expanding portfolio of cruise operators using Abu Dhabi, which includes Costa Cruises, AIDA and Royal Caribbean, who, jointly, will bring around 17,000 tourists to the UAE capital be-fore the 2011/2012 season ends April 2012.”
Forecasting a positive year ahead, MSC Cruises has stated its intention to boost capacity in the 2012/2013 season by upgrading from MSC Lirica to the larger MSC Opera.
REFRESHINGLY VERSATILE
The increasing number of cruise liners, with an accumu-lating number of passengers, has had a positive knock-
5VISITAbu Dhabi & Al Ain
JANUARY 2012
on effect on the entire Abu Dhabi tourism industry. Jon Barber, communications manager, Ferrari
World Abu Dhabi, explains the ways in which the new theme park has endeavoured to capitalise on cruising to attract more visitors. “A lot of the early months were spent doing a lot of fam trips on the travel trade side, as in cruise ships, meaning we capitalised not just on the guests but also on the cruise ships, tour operators, the DMCs, the Dubai market, the Abu Dhabi market, and wider afield as well.”
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which has now been open for over a year, has welcomed a lot of interna-tional clientele, thanks to the increase of the cruis-ing sector entering the emirate, as Barber confirmed, “We’re seeing a lot of cruise ships now coming to Abu Dhabi. They’re doing approximately three thousand [visitors] on a daily basis into Abu Dhabi port. A third [of total visitors to the park] are coming from the UAE market, a third are coming from the other GCC mar-kets excluding the UAE, and the other third is an in-ternational market for us.”
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is now open daily from 11.00 to 20.00, allowing visitors earlier entry than be-fore, in response to Middle Eastern habits, while also fitting in with the arrival times of cruise ships, Barber further explained.
In addition to such expectations being surpassed,
performance for the first theme park in the Middle East has been strong. “If we look at what our internal projections were going to be for visitor figures and revenue, I can tell you we’re above both,” he added, concluding that Abu Dhabi is in the process of an even more positive transformation.
“I think with the investment in Yas Island and then Saadiyat Island, the longer this goes on, the more confident I am in my argument that it is becoming less of a business destination; well, equally a business destination, as more recently it’s become a tourist destination as well,” Barber concluded.
A HIGHLY ACTIVE DESTINATION
Another rapidly growing niche sector in Abu Dhabi is sports tourism, as the emirate hosts various signifi-cant sporting events, focused on attracting spectators as well as prioritising on bringing in high numbers of participants, according to Dayne Lim, product devel-opment director, ADTA. “It is fair to infer that sports tourism constitutes a significant pillar in the imple-mentation of our tourism sector strategy. Their success facilitates a trickle-down effect on the wider tourism industry picture in Abu Dhabi.”
With the Abu Dhabi Destination Village currently hosting the Volvo Ocean Race’s stop-over in the emir-
ate, the ADTA is expecting more that 100,000 visitors in total to pass through the Destination Village gates, with a further 150,000 fans expected to be engaged throughout the fortnight hosting [December 31, 2011 – January 14, 2012], this according to Franklin.
Nancy Power, manager, BSL Middle East; the international sponsorship and event management consultancy, which has its foundations in Formula One, said, “The Volvo Ocean Race is proving popular. Abu Dhabi fought hard to have the honour of host-ing the world’s most exciting boat race and many national and international blue chip clients are keen to get involved.”
Another one of Abu Dhabi’s 2011 sporting high-lights was the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2011, the penul-timate race of the 2011 Formula One World Cham-pionship. Held at the famous Yas Marina Circuit, the circuit’s most internationally renowned event brings in a barrage of visitors and investors alike, from vari-ous markets.
“The Formula One in Abu Dhabi is obviously a huge draw for blue chip organisations. Yas Marina Circuit has set a benchmark for other host cities to follow,” remarked Power, adding that this has been the company’s busiest period, having worked with 20 major local and international clients in 2011, dou-bling the number of clients in 2010.
6 VISIT Abu Dhabi & Al Ain
JANUARY 2012
“We have a number of incentive travel packages and corporate hospitality programmes available at all major events taking place in the region. However, we want people to know we are more than corporate hospitality providers.”
EXTENDING EVENT OFFERING
Abu Dhabi has long been a hot spot for the MICE in-dustry, with 2011 proving extremely successful, and this year set to be even more fruitful in terms of up-coming major events as Power explained.
“Away from sport, the UAE is a hub for large scale exhibitions attracting the world’s most prominent organisations for events such as World Future Ener-gy Summit (WFES) [January 16 – 19, 2012], the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) [March 26 – 28, 2012], and World Routes Con-ference, which, in September 2012, will attract the air-line industry’s leading figures as ADNEC becomes the latest venue to host the prestigious event.”
Moreover, a joint ADTA and Etihad Airways pro-motional initiative, which was co-hosted by Grand Millennium Al Wahda, included a familiarisation visit from 33 tour operators from Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, who toured the emirate and acquainting themselves with its diverse offerings.
“The familiarisation trip was extremely timely. It came as China entered Abu Dhabi’s top 20 ranking in hotel guest source markets. In the first 10 months of 2011, some 13,603 Chinese nationals stayed in hotels and hotel apartments throughout Abu Dhabi – that’s an increase of 13 percent on the same period in 2010,” Franklin explained.
Moreover, Etihad Airways, has, since December 15, 2011, commenced scheduled services between its hub in Abu Dhabi and Chengdu, southwest China, with plans to launch a daily service from Shanghai in March, 2012, further developing route networks be-tween the two nations.
In addition to a dedicated office in Beijing, ADTA has also been focusing on the Russian market.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has an-nounced that the event is expected to attract more 3,500 senior aviation professionals from around the world. The Global Eurospace Summit 2012 will also be held in Abu Dhabi. ADAC further demonstrated its already active participation within the global aviation industry by hosting the 2011 Airport Exchange event at ADNEC, in November 2011.
Meanwhile, also in November 2011, Abu Dhabi hosted the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO), marking the first time the emirate has been chosen as the venue for the event since 1983.
Highlighting the emirate’s active dedication in promoting sustainable tourism, World Green Tourism 2011 was held at ADNEC on December 5 – 7, 2011, supported by ADTA and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).
TAPPING INTO NEW MARKETS
Other adjustments to the emirate’s tourism strategy revolve around the visitor markets targeted, which include increased emphasis on regional markets such as Saudi Arabia, and high growth markets namely In-dia, China, and Russia, according to Franklin.
“In the first 10 months of 2011 some 10,069 Russians stayed in the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments – a 30 percent rise on the first 10 months of 2010,” con-cluded Franklin.
INCREMENTING HOTEL OPTIONS
One of the newest hotels to Abu Dhabi, Hyatt Capital Gate, which opened on December 21 and is located at ADNEC, is also set to benefit from the emirate’s proliferation of events, offering four state-of-the-art
Sports tourism’s success facilitates a trickle-down effect on the wider tourism industry picture in Abu Dhabiboardrooms of its own.
The Capital Gate building, where the hotel is situ-ated, leans 18 degrees westwards – four times more than that of the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa – and has been certified as ‘the world’s furthest lean-ing manmade tower’ by the Guinness Book of World Records, explained Ashwini Kumar, general manager, Hyatt Capital Gate, adding that “it symbolises the pro-gressive vision of the emirate’s rulers”.
Considering the emirate’s rapid expansion, Ku-mar, remarked, “With the opening up of Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi has started attracting lei-
sure, MICE, and incentive business, and the emirate’s goal of reaching two million visitor arrivals by the end of the year seems a reality.”
Franklin, added, “We believe we will achieve the 2011 target, though we will not know for certain until all reports are in towards the end of January. For 2012, our target is 2.3 million hotel guests. We are target-ing 3.2 million guests staying in 35,000 hotel rooms by 2015 end.”
Currently offering some 18,600 rooms, countless international hotel developments are currently in the
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Volvo Ocean Race
Ferrari World
7VISITAbu Dhabi & Al Ain
JANUARY 2012
pipeline for the emirate, including Hotel Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, which is expected to open in the first quarter of this year, as part of the Capital Plaza com-plex. It will boast 282 rooms as well as a conference centre covering almost 2,600m2.
St. Regis Hotel Abu Dhabi is also scheduled to open at the Corniche in February this year, as part of Nation Towers, the two-tower mixed-use develop-ment. It will offer more than 4,800m2 of event space and over 3,000m2 of health club facilities.
Meanwhile, Rotana’s next introduction to the emirate, Centro Capital Centre, is due to open in the second quarter of this year, and Capital Centre Rotana is slated for quarter three.
Furthermore, Rosewood Abu Dhabi expects to welcome its first guests on Sowwah Island in Septem-ber 2012, while Marriott is extending its top luxury brand, The Ritz-Carlton, with an expected opening in spring 2012 set to provide 447 rooms and suites.
Starwood Hotels’ W brand is set to debut in the UAE in 2013, with the launch of W Abu Dhabi Hotel, while Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi is scheduled to open in 2014. Mövenpick’s future plans for the emir-ate include Mövenpick Hotel Yas Island, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2014, and Hotel Al Reem Island, to open in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Rima Rawass, group marketing manager, Danat Hotels & Resorts, indicated that occupancy in the group’s hotels was higher in 2011 than it was in 2010, with a slightly lower average daily rate (ADR), due to the increased supply introduced.
Nevine Ezzat, director of marketing communica-tions, Millennium Hotel – Abu Dhabi, mirrored the experience, commenting, “Performance in terms of occupancy has been very good and up on 2010
Al AinA l Ain, also known as Garden City, is in the process of extending and
enhancing its accommodation offering, which already includes ho-tel groups such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Danat Hotels & Resorts and Rotana Hotels & Resorts and includes hotels like Mercure Jebel Hafeet and Ayla Hotel.
Although a rich history is not necessarily associated with the UAE, Al Ain was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status, and is relatively unknown al-though it has many historical sites according to Holly Fenton, marketing man-ager, Streamline Marketing Group, the organiser of World Green Tourism event, who expressed that this perception is something that field trips to Al Ain, during the sustainable tourism event, were hoped to change.
The city has a large number of tourist attractions including Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, which is home to Big Cat conservation, also a wildly popular at-traction in Abu Dhabi’s centre of biodiversity.
Moreover, Al Ain’s attraction also includes rolling red sand dunes north and east of the city, for nature and outdoor-activity enthusiasts, while the city also hosts the Al Ain Zoo, Hili Archaeological Park, and an amusement park named Hili Fun City, for family and children. Shoppers can benefit from three large malls, namely Al Ain Mall, Al-Jimi Mall, and Bawadi Mall, extending the city’s appeal.
despite extra bedroom stock now in the city, although average rates in the city are not performing as well as 2010 due to the added inventory.” Ezzat highlighted that the hotel holds various high-profile meetings and conferences and will hold a number of embassy events early this year. “The Asian market is one that is increasing nicely at the moment for both corporate and leisure,” she added, concluding, “I believe we have
AN ABUNDANCE OF LEISURE ATTRACTIONS
Further plans within the emirate include Adventure World Abu Dhabi park, to be constructed on the ba-sis of the theme concept of Adventure World Warsaw, Poland, which will open first, only adjusted to match the local culture and history.
“The concept of a family park, which we created jointly with our partners – Jora Vision, AGS, Imtech, Vekoma – has a huge potential. In Abu-Dhabi it will be supplemented with elements of local culture and history, boosting the economy and existing tour-ism of Abu Dhabi, creating new jobs, and attract-ing even more tourists each year,” commented Peter Jan Mulder, CEO, Las Palm; the company behind the theme park.
This new attraction will follow the opening of Yas Water Park, one of the key attractions on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, which is scheduled to welcome guests in the fourth quarter of this year.
Yas Mall is also being developed on Yas Island, ad-jacent to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2013. Aldar is also developing its Central Market to offer a built up area of 490,000m2, and Motor World, which will include a multi-purpose test-track for saloons and sports utility vehicles (SUV).
The expanding project of Saadiyat Island, which is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and fea-tures Monte Carlo Beach Club Saadiyat Island, has added a landmark exhibition and event venue and includes the UAE Pavillion which is located beside Manaret Al Saadiyat. It features 3,600m2 of exhibi-tion space and hosted 2011’s Abu Dhabi Art as its first event in November 2011.
seen an increase in occupancy because of the unrest but feel that Abu Dhabi generally is used as a second choice after Dubai.”
Wildlife at Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort
Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi
8 EXPLORE Qatar
JANUARY 2012
F uelled by major developments and the in-creasing influx of visitors from across the globe, Qatar’s tourism industry witnessed solid growth in 2011.
Based on data released by the Qatar Tour-ism Authority (QTA), hotel occupancy for the third quarter of 2011 rose by four percent year-on-year, and the remarkable growth coincided with a 24 percent increase in visitor volume from nearby GCC countries.
“The results show the continued flow of Gulf tour-ists to Doha,” explained Ahmed Al Nuaimi, chairman, QTA, who attributed the notable surge to the national tourism strategy, which in turn supports the growth of the country with an aim to diversify the economy and turn Qatar from a carbon-based economy into a knowledge-based economy.
“The sector continues to diversify and grow. This
All Eyes on QatarSupported by billion dollar investments in infrastructure, construction, and transportation developments, and backed by large scale events, Qatar has established itself as one of the Middle East’s most eligible countries.
Rita Kasziba writes
QATAR IN BRIEF
Capital: Doha
Currency: Riyal (QAR)
Language: Arabic
shows great investor confidence in Qatar’s hospitality industry, and the strategy and direction of the tourism sector,” he added. Also remaining optimistic regard-ing visitor arrivals into the country, the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forecasts num-bers to remain on the growth trajectory and increase between four and five percent this year.
Qatar has not only proven to be an ideal desti-nation for tourists from all walks of life, the country, along with the Middle East as a whole, has also been well-recognised for the crucial role it played in reshap-ing the perception of the region, having received spe-cial acknowledgement at the 19th General Assembly of the UNWTO held in October, 2011.
According to Al Nuaimi, this acknowledgement confirms international recognition of the efforts of Qatar through the hosting of large scale events by
Education City, Qatar Foundation
the country’s tourism industry, which is on track to achieve further success.
SPREADING ITS WINGS
The aggressive expansion of Qatar Airways is also a key element in the country’s development. In just 14 years of operation, the airline has spread its wings to more than 100 destinations around the world, lead-ing the race in developing the region’s future aviation hub. In 2011, the airline inducted 15 new routes into its network, and another nine new destinations will be launched within months, namely Baku, Tbilisi, Helsinki, Zagrab, Perth, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Kigali, and Gassim.
“We are continuing what we started back in 1997 when Qatar Airways was launched with new routes and new aircraft were being introduced at an un-precedented rate to further strengthen what is truly a global network airline,” commented Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways.
“Our mission has been to operate to key business and leisure destinations around the world, but also to underserved markets where others dare not venture into. We take bold decisions to serve certain markets because we believe it makes strong business sense,” concluded Al Baker.
Qatar Airways, which currently has orders worth more than USD50 billion for aircraft, plans to oper-ate to more than 120 destinations by 2013. The rapid expansion plans of the airline prompted the state to embark on one of its biggest projects; the construc-tion of a new airport.
10 EXPLORE Qatar
JANUARY 2012
The New Doha International Airport, which is scheduled to welcome the first passengers later this year, is envisioned to become the region’s gateway to the rest of the world. Upon opening, it will gradually replace the existing facility and will accommodate the state’s aviation needs for the next 50 years and beyond.
“The continuous growth of Qatar Airways’ net-work, covering the whole world from east to west, in-cluding America and cities down under, has definitely made Doha a hub for transit passengers,” explained Walter Dias, executive director, Unique Choices; a Qa-tari tour operator.
“The new airport will only attract additional pas-sengers. QTA complements this growth potential, po-sitioning Qatar as a new and exciting travel destina-tion offering 48-hour stopover packages. This could particularly be attractive to long-haul passengers and also give an opportunity to businessmen to extend their stay while in Qatar. Today with low-lost carriers playing an important role within the region we can notice the increase of the sector ‘visiting friends and relatives’ and it is anticipated that it will continue to rise each year as the road and rail network falls into place.”
UNLOCKING HUMAN POTENTIAL
The Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), which officially opened its doors on December 4, 2011, is set to further bolster Qatar’s aim to portray itself as a knowledge-based country.
“QNCC was conceived as part of Qatar Founda-tion’s (QF) vision to host the world’s best thought-provoking research and knowledge-based confer-ences and exhibitions in line with the national vision of becoming a knowledge-economy. In other words, to bring together the world’s best minds to one ven-ue. That is why QNCC is equipped with some of the finest facilities and the latest technologies, making it a world-class venue,” Trevor McCartney, director of business development, QNCC, commented.
The sophisticated centre, that can accommodate some 27,000 people at one time, is expected to be-come a global centre of ideas and innovation. “We aim to attract not only the meetings segment but also the conference and exhibition segments. QNCC was built with the capability and capacity to host multiple events simultaneously, each with their own separate access and function spaces,” he added.
With construction sites and clusters of gleaming skyscrapers continuously emerging on the state’s horizon, businessmen are flooding into the country, filling up Qatar Airways’ flights. Incoming traffic, 12 years ago, concentrated mainly on Gulf nations, but the state’s fast modernisation and liberalisation of laws have instantly opened up the eyes of the west-ern world. At the same time, the state’s clear strategy and the government’s involvement in major projects have secured stability as well as safety. “Compared to other countries in this region, Qatar is undoubtedly one of the safest countries in the world and consist-ently ranks high in the Global Peace Index. Planners
The World Cup being mega will not only boost tourism in Qatar but will involve the GCC and the Arab World on a scale never seen before
and buyers are seeking safe and stable destinations and Qatar fits the bill,” McCartney further added.
“One of the reasons is that Qatar has one of the highest GDPs per capita income in the world with massive investments in institutional infrastructure that are unprecedented in the region. In fact, it has been reported very recently that Qatar has the high-est GDP per capita income in the world. The country provides a conductive environment for business to grow and there are plenty of opportunities in various industries,” he explained.
QF’s overall aim to support the state on its journey from a carbon-based economy to a knowledge-based economy mirrors the key initiatives of the Qatar Na-tional Vision 2030, which outlines how the nation can use its vast revenues from hydrocarbon resources and re-invest it into knowledge to raise the competency of people and quality of life in the long term.
“Intriguing growth and opportunities in the coun-try, and well thought-out developments, provide an interesting background for delegates to explore.
Unlike other cities in the region, Doha preserves its heritage and culture to complement the modernity of the developing city resulting in a truly authentic Ara-bian experience. Modern facilities and international service standards blend well with cultural and tradi-tional values,” McCartney concluded.
Furthermore, large-scale investment projects, such as the recently opened Fifty One East Lagoon, the Middle East’s largest multi-brand store, and The Pearl Qatar, all reflect the country’s intention to devel-op its resources and build world-class environments for locals and international visitors alike, and the best is yet to come.
SCORING GOALS
Having safely secured its place as a first-class destina-tion for all; business, leisure, and family alike; Qatar is further pursuing its visions to be the future sport hub of the GCC, as it bids for a range of prestigious events.
Its victorious bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, has scored remarkable success. Recognised as the first Arab nation to host the prestigious competi-tion, Qatar is keen on seizing the opportunity and to give a major boost to its tourism industry, as Al Nuaimi explained. “UNWTO’s report said that it expected that the success of Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup would lead to a boom in the travel industry and an unprece-dented number of tourists and travellers to the Middle East, particularly Qatar and our Gulf state neighbours.”
In 2006, when Qatar hosted the Asian Games, the country faced a shortage of hotel rooms. Now, six years later, a range of flash projects and hotels are luring visitors. Prestigious events, such as the football championship, are continuously increasing curiosity about Qatar as Dania Khaled, marketing and public relations manager, Kempinski Residences & Suites, Doha, indicated. “The World Cup put Qatar on the world map, becoming a destination for both business and leisure tourism, and we are poised to be one of the main options.”
“The event brings unparalleled exposure to the country,” added Pierre-Marie Vasseur, regional direc-tor of sales and marketing, Grand Heritage Doha Ho-tel and Spa.
“Qatar is investing a lot in sport events, and the
Camels on Sealine Beach
11EXPLOREQatar
JANUARY 2012
World Cup is a fantastic opportunity to increase the awareness of the country. It will definitely benefit our hotel. We have already become one of the preferred properties in Doha for the sport segment, which is increasing rapidly and will keep on expanding until 2022,” he concluded.
Staging one of the most viewed events in the world, however, brings not only recognition but also challenges. As the smallest nation ever to host the fi-nals, a vast investment and development programme have been outlined, with tight deadlines to adhere to.
Bank of America estimates that the total cost of the preparation for the tournament could reach USD65 billion (compared with USD11.4 billion spent for the 2010 World Cup by South Africa).
On a whole, Qatar and the region are set to largely benefit from the upcoming football championship, as well as from the preparations and the impact of the event. As companies and businessmen are already on the look out for investment opportunities, the de-mand for accommodation and services are continu-ously lifting.
“The outlook looks good for tourism for the build up of 2022, and hopefully we will grow at a steady pace each year. The World Cup, being mega, will not only boost tourism in Qatar but will involve the GCC and the Arab world on a scale never seen before. Gen-erally, the upsurge in tourism will peak well before the event and the after tunes will continue with the various places of interest becoming the new wonders of the world,” concluded Dias.
Qatar is now bidding for the 2020 Olympic Games.
EYEING FURTHER EXPANSION
Considering the anticipated demand, it comes as no surprise that hotel giants are continuously eyeing further expansion. Hilton Garden Inn Doha Al Sadd, which will mark the mid-scale brand’s third property in the Middle East and first in Qatar, will cater largely to Doha’s fast-growing short-stay corporate segment. The company has also outlined plans to add another two properties to its expanding Qatar portfolio with the opening of the 309-room Hilton Doha and the 288-room Hilton Doha Residence, announced Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East and Africa.
“With the new Hilton Garden Inn in Doha, we are addressing the mid-market segment, by of-fering Hilton Worldwide’s trademark hospitality and innovation at a cost-effective rate. And this is exactly the right time to be growing in Qatar – the tourism industry in Doha is at a very exciting stage of development and the country is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup.”
Moreover, Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ The St. Regis Doha, is due to open in February this year, along with Le Méridien Doha which is slated for 2013, while Accor recent-ly announced the launch of a Pullman branded property in the West Bay, planned for 2014. Rotana also recently announced the opening of City Cen-tre Rotana for the third quarter of this year.
Another hotel giant, Marriott International recently unveiled three new brands in the coun-
try with the launch of Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Doha City Center Hotel, and Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Center.
“The opening of the three hotels is a major step forward in reinforcing Doha’s futuristic vision and surging tourism potential in Qatar,” emphasised Mark Satterfield, chief operating officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “With the opening of these new hotels, we now have six properties in the country, which is quickly becoming a key business and leisure destination in the Middle East.”
Qatar National Convention Centre
Al Corniche
Desert Adventures
12 ONSITE Hong Kong
JANUARY 2012
HONG KONG IN BRIEF
Capital: Hong Kong
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Language: Cantonese
Dominique Christou writes
I n a place where skyscrapers dominate the me-tropolis sky with rural communities encircling the country’s perimeter boasting luscious countryside, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) has once again confirmed its firm
position on the global tourism map, this time more than ever.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) reported that overnight MICE visitor arrivals to the destination in the first nine months of 2011, surpassed one mil-lion for the first time, representing a 15 percent in-crease over the same period of 2010.
MICE visitors are a key contributor to business arrivals in Hong Kong, with MICE organisers looking not only for outstanding hardware, but also superior software to support the MICE sector. “Hong Kong’s convenient business environment and meticulous professional and hospitality services give it a com-petitive edge over other cities in the region”, Anthony Lau, executive director, HKTB, commented.
Hong Kong SAR continuously proves to be a suc-cessful city in hosting large-scale exhibitions, with its Hong Kong Exhibition Centre being named Asia’s best convention and exhibition centre eight times between 2000 and 2011. Moreover, the centre had a record attendance figure of 5,969,789, between 2010 and 2011; an increase of 25 percent in comparison to 2009’s financial year.
Supremacy in the Making
Hong Kong is a flourishing business hub, famous for being a global centre for trade and business as well as being a key player in the world of finance. Travel Trade Monthly explores Hong Kong’s popularity as one of the world’s leading business destinations.
Moreover, HKTB recently promoted Hong Kong’s largest island, Lantau, as a promising MICE destina-tion, explained Lau. “In Lantau, a world-class conven-tion and exhibition centre is complemented with a number of nearby hotels that offer a selection of ac-commodation and meeting options. There are also various Hong Kong signature attractions, the only re-maining fishing village, and a variety of corporate so-cial responsibility activities which business delegates can experience.”
EXPERTS IN BUSINESS
An important and promising growth area for Hong Kong SAR is the Middle East market with overnight MICE visitor arrivals from the region, as well as Africa and Europe, reaching 127,828 in 2011, equivalent to a 12.1 percent increase over the same period of 2010, according to Lau.
Over the years, although Middle Eastern tourism has certainly developed in Hong Kong SAR, the past
Hong Kong Skyline
Hong Kong Street
Festival
13ONSITEHong Kong
JANUARY 2012
MENA visitors are catergorised as one of Conrad Hong Kong’s important
emerging markets
three years have proven difficult with this market, as Nour Aridi, account manager, Middle East representa-tion office, HKTB, explained. “For the Middle East mar-ket, it was a real challenge, as, for the past three years. Once we got to represent the HKTB, very few knew about Hong Kong. We had to work hard on bringing awareness to this market and work on the image of Hong Kong.”
Moreover, unrest in the MENA region made out-bound tourism to Hong Kong even more challenging with disappointing results during 2011. Nevertheless, Aridi remained positive, concluding that in the past few years HKTB’s Middle East representation office has been increasing its visitor arrivals by 40 percent.
With this gradually increasing number of MENA travellers visiting Hong Kong SAR, facilities, which are widely available for to cater to visitors from this re-gion, play a vital role in welcoming Middle Easterners.
“Religion and culture are very important for MENA travellers, which are predominantly Muslim, as we have more than 80,000 Muslims in Hong Kong, we try to [work] around this to let the Middle East-ern tourist be comfortable while travelling, with Halal food, mosques, and so on,” Aridi further noted.
Furthermore, in a bid to create a business platform for Hong Kong trade, set to develop in the Middle East and boost growth from the region, the HKTB is organis-ing the Hong Kong Travel Mission 2012 in February in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia, with between 20 and 30 delegates coming from Hong Kong.
TAKING CARE OF GUESTS
The MICE industry in Hong Kong SAR is, without doubt, soaring year-on-year, and with this success comes the need to fully cater to the needs and desires of such travellers; something Hong Kong SAR boasts a great deal of experience in.
Lucinder Ng, director of sales and marketing, Con-rad Hong Kong, explains how the hotel provides for these business people. “To cater to the needs of dif-
As we have more than 80,000 Muslims in Hong Kong, we try to[work] around this to let the Middle Eastern tourist be comfort-able while travellingferent international MICE travellers from all over the world, Conrad Hong Kong provides them with the best meeting facilities including videoconferencing and wireless high-speed Internet together with un-paralleled services. Besides, Conrad Hong Kong offers Hilton HHonors Event Planner Programmer which al-lows planners to earn both HHonors points and air-line miles for the same qualifying event.”
MENA visitors are catergorised as one of Conrad Hong Kong’s important emerging markets, thus, Ng explains how the hotel offers a different service to ca-ter to the needs of these guests. “Conrad Hong Kong has an in-house chef from the Middle East who is able to take care of the guests from that region. Last but not least, special amenities are available upon re-quest, like a prayer mat.”
Furthermore, Benedict Chow, general manager, Harbour Grand Hong Kong, also highlighted the im-portance of the Middle East market with the hotel also catering to its increasing visitor numbers from the region, as well as to their MICE guests. “We par-ticipate in trade fairs wherever suitable to tap into the
market in the Middle East. It is a booming market with a high growth rate. Travellers from this market are of high spending power and seek for supreme quality and services.
“We have the edge that attracts this sector on top of the individual needs. Halal food is also available upon request.” MICE is another one of Harbour Grand Hong Kong’s key targeted markets with the hotel of-fering 1,178m2 of function space with views of Victo-ria Harbour.
A HAPPY JOURNEY
Facilitating travel from the MENA region to Hong Kong SAR is Hong Kong’s national airline, Cathay Pa-cific, which offers non-stop flights four times weekly from Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, and two times daily from Dubai. At present the airline does not have any plans to increase frequency to the MENA region as Nelson Chin, country manager, UAE and Oman, Ca-thay Pacific, stated. “At the moment we are satisfied with the number of passenger operations to the Mid-dle East. However we are always actively identifying new route opportunities to add to our already exten-sive international network.”
Comprising a mix of business and leisure travel-lers from the UAE and other parts of the Middle East, the airline is able to offer the best connections to the rest of Asia and Australasia for passangers to and from the Middle East, according to Chin. “With the grow-ing awareness of China, we are also seeing a grow-ing number of travellers, both business and leisure in nature. Cathay Pacific has one of the most extensive networks in China, operating to almost 20 destina-tions there.
Moreover, the region’s airlines are also easing travel to Hong Kong with Qatar Airways currently op-erating 11 flights per week between Hong Kong and its Doha hub, and Emirates offering two services daily from Dubai via Bangkok.
Jade Market
Temple
Lantau Island
14 TOUR Germany
JANUARY 2012
G NTB, is currently pursuing two main ob-jectives; to enhance the positive images of German towns, cities, and regions, and to promote travel to and within the country, this according to Antje Roeding-
Boudier, director of sales and marketing, GCC, Ger-man National Tourist Office (GNTO), Dubai; the local affiliate of GNTB for the GCC.
Commenting on Germany’s tourism develop-ment in relation to the Middle East over the past few years, Roeding-Boudier added, “According to the of-ficial data of 2010, for the first time Germany ranked first among European destinations for GCC travel-lers. The Arabian Gulf countries are among the top 20 source markets for the German tourism industry. Overnight stays recorded by GCC nationals ranked fourth among travellers overseas.”
The GNTO, Dubai, promotes travel Destination Germany within the region through various activities.
“When promoting Destination Germany to the Arabian Gulf market, the GNTO aims at presenting the broad range of traditional and innovative possi-bilities that Germany offers to visitors arriving from those countries. Moreover, visitors coming from the GCC region are particularly attracted by the excel-lent shopping and healthcare opportunities offered by the German cities and their specialised centres,” Roeding-Boudier added.
Moreover, the country constantly strives to in-novate and upgrade its services for travellers of the
In the Best of Hands
Constantly on the rise to boost its tourism numbers, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is continuously working through a broad range of marketing services to implement visitor-luring strategies.
MENA region, which include guidebooks and bro-chures published in Arabic, as well as Halal meals be-ing offered in restaurants, designated praying areas, and Arabic-speaking hotel staff in major destinations across Germany.
A TRUE MENA HOT SPOT
Grand Hyatt Berlin, which benefits from a strong presence of Hyatt hotels in the Middle East, is a popu-lar choice among the MENA guests. “The luxury trav-eller from the Middle East and North Africa is very im-portant to us, and, considering the current situation, will become even more important in the long run. As refined as educated travellers with substantial spend-ing power, we aim to be on their list when it comes to travelling,” Anna-Katharina Korte, director of market-ing, Grand Hyatt Berlin, commented.
Another hotel which offers facilities for guests from the region, is Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin, with around five percent of its guests coming from the Middle East, most of which come from Saudi Ara-bia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Ronald Spi-cale, director of sales, Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin, said, “Our target is to increase the number of tourists from the MENA region year by year, as we and the city of Berlin offer so many great opportunities for them including our free of charge Arabic setup, which con-sists of the Holy Quran, a praying carpet, praying di-rections, dry fruit amenities, and an Arabic tourism
guide, as well as a variety of Arabic TV channels in the rooms and suites.”
GETTING THERE
Lufthansa operates 98 weekly flights from Frankfurt and Munich to 13 cities in the Middle East, with a fur-ther 49 weekly flights to eight cities in North Africa. Joachim Steinbach, vice president of sales and servic-es, Southeast Europe, Africa and Middle East/Pakistan, Lufthansa, commented on the airline’s MENA perfor-mance in 2011. “We experienced enormous challenges at the beginning of 2011 due to the impact of political turmoil and uprisings in some of our destinations in the Middle East and North Africa. Some markets were heavily impacted, among them Egypt and Libya, while others, like Tunisia, recovered relatively quickly. In Lib-ya we had to suspend flights all together.”
Despite Lufthansa experiencing a challenging period in 2011, regarding travellers from the MENA region, Lufthansa remains confident that the coun-tries most affected will find stability and return to a prosperous future, according to Steinbach.
IT’S DOWN TO BUSINESS
MICE will be at the forefront of plans this year, with the GNTB extensively focusing on Germany’s thriving tour-ism business sector through its themed 2012 marketing campaign.
“Germany has now, for seven years, been the number two destination worldwide for conferences. Two out of three leading trade fairs are held in Ger-many. More than 6,000 venues, ranging from modern congress halls and highly professional hotels to ex-traordinary event locations, are available for conven-tions, meetings, and events.” Roeding-Boudier further expressed.
Moreover, Germany’s capital, Berlin, is soon to become home to a number of new hotels with the opening of Holiday Inn, Waldorf Astoria, Steigenberg-er Airport Hotel, and Das Stue Hotel.
Considering the growing number of business travellers expected to enter into the country this year, it is important for hotels to cater to this market, in terms of location and facilities as Korte explained. “An outstanding example of an architectural master-piece, Grand Hyatt Berlin offers the ideal location in the heart of the city for conferences, congresses, or kick-off meetings.
GERMANY IN BRIEF
Capital: Berlin
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: German
Brandenburg Gate The Old Main Bridge, Würzburg
Dominique Christou writes
16 LONG-HAUL Tanzania
JANUARY 2012
TANZANIA IN BRIEF
Capital: Dar es Salaam
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Language: Kiswahili
Dominique Christou writes
T TB has finally come to the end of a year-long race in search of the perfect branding image for Destination Tanzania, aimed at offering visitors a taste of what to expect when visiting the country.
The survey, which commenced in August 2010, comprised some 2,500 questionnaires which were administered to non-residents at designated airports, hotels, and other tourist areas in Dar es Salaam, Aru-sha, and Zanzibar, as well as to embassies across the country, and at travel shows such as Leisure Travel Show, Moscow.
The final images which stood out were friendli-ness of the people and the beautiful country, thus, after conjoining these perceptions, concluded with the proposed destination brand or slogan, Tanzania – Feel Good with Friends.
The country’s tourism income is primarily based around the nature-based sector with accommoda-tion and activities widely available for travellers seeking a more adventurous holiday. Safaris are only one of the numerous activities Tanzania is fa-mous for, while Ngorongoro Serena was recently named the country’s best safari lodge at the World Travel Award ceremony which was held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
Moreover, the influx of adventure and leisure tourists year-on-year is also attributed to Tanzania’s natural wonders such as the Selous Game Reserve, known as the largest in Africa, as well as the conti-nent’s deepest and longest lake, Lake Tanganyika, and the world’s second largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Victoria.
Singing its Own PraisesHome to the infamous Mount Kilimanjaro, endless national parks, and outstanding safari offerings, topped with unique accommodation, first-class service, and friendly people, Tanzania is well-recognised as a tourist’s haven. Having recently completed a new branding campaign for Destination Tanzania, Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) gears up to bolster the country’s touristic appeal, and Travel Trade Monthly sets out to discover the latest in plans laid out to strengthen its matchless potentials.
A PLEASANT STAY
Tanzania is also home to what is said to be the biggest travel industry event in East Africa; The Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair, Arusha, organised by the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), TTB, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT).
The outdoor event, which last took place in June 2011, welcomed some 250 travel trade exhibitors, all of whom were offered a real-life safari experience to learn the emerging trends and developments that Tanzania has to offer. This year, the annual fair is slated for June 1 – 3, 2012.
Although not famous for its MICE tourism, a num-ber of hotels have recently opened with the business
traveller in mind, such as the Bahari Beach Hotel, Dar es Salaam, which opened its doors in 2011 and offers up to 600 congresses.
Another such hotel is Serena Hotels, which took over the business of the Mövenpick Royal Palm Hotel Dar es Salaam. The property, which now goes by the name Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel, holds a business centre and is within 10 minutes of the captial’s inter-national airport, presenting a convenient choice for the business traveller.
Furthermore, in 2011, Tanzania also saw the open-ing of Meliá Zanzibar hotel, previously operated by Kempinski Hotels and Resorts, and is located on a 404,000m² estate with a private beach on the north-east of the island.
THE GATEWAY
In a bid to further serve Tanzania and the East Afri-can region, Qatar Airways, expanded its presence in East Africa, with an interline agreement signed with Precision Air, Tanzania’s largest carrier. The agreement allows Qatar Airways’ passengers to connect via the capital, Dar es Salaam, to and from a wide range of East African cities, such as Moroni, Zanzibar, Momba-sa, Arusha, Kigoma, Shinyanga, Musoma, and Tabora.
Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways, commented, “Through Precision Air, we are able to open up an exciting array of destinations in East Africa and very much look forward to having passengers experi-ence our service, particularly as they may have previ-ously used alternative gateways to get to their final destination.”
The Doha to Dar es Salaam route, further aids to-wards Tanzania becoming an easier travel option for Middle Eastern travellers.
Mount Kilamanjaro
18 TRAVEL TALK
JANUARY 2012
VICTOR LOUIS
ABDULAZIZ BIN SAUD ALRAISI
TONY TYLER
Chief operating of-ficer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment and Development Authority.
Chief officer, management affairs, Oman Air.
CEO, International Air Transport Association.
“Europe is an important market for Ras Al Khaimah. The emirate provides an ideal getaway for European visitors who are seeking sun, leisure, adventure, great value for money, and quality experiences. With a temperate climate, rugged terrain, and superb beach facilities, Ras Al Khaimah is a global contender as an exciting winter-sun holiday des-tination.”
“Oman Air is proud to announce that our supply chain man-agement operation has gained ISO 9001:2008 certification, which is a clear demonstration of the high standards that have been both achieved and maintained. The effective management of our supply chains is vital to the overall ef-fectiveness of the airline and, whilst it may not be visible to our customers, it has played a key part in Oman Air’s continuing success. I would like to thank all the staff whose hard work and commitment have contributed to this cer-tification and I look forward to continued increases in the management efficiency of our vast range of supply chains.”
“Robust growth will continue to be a major theme for the Middle East airline industry. In 2015, the UAE will handle 86.6 million international passengers, some 30 million more than in 2010. This region is a leader in adopting global best practices to prepare for the future.”
PETER HILLCEO, Oman Air.
“Although an emergency centre was available for use in our company previously, we would all agree – a modern high-end centre [such as our new state-of-the-art Emer-gency Response Centre that opened on December 7 at the Head Quarters 2 section of Oman Air Headquarters] is of paramount importance for a rapidly growing airline like Oman Air.”
Europe is an important market for Ras Al Khaimah
A modern high-end centre is of paramount importance
Robust growth will continue to be a major theme for the Middle East airline industry
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JANUARY 2012
WTTC Calls for Low-Carbon Growth Policies
As one of the world’s largest industries, which con-tributes more than nine percent to the global GDP and provides some 260 million jobs worldwide, the continuous growth of the travel and tourism industry is crucial to overall social and economic well-being.
Given the industry’s immerse role played in cli-mate change mitigation and adaptation, WTTC has called on governments for supportive and progres-sive policy frameworks; programmes which foster in-novation; investment in transparent reporting, meas-uring and verification systems; incentives to promote efficiency improvements; empowerment of citizens to purchase and consume responsibility; and inclu-sion of travel and tourism in mitigation and adapta-tion programmes.
“The travel and tourism industry recognises that everyone has a part to play in combating climate change,” emphasised David Scowsill, CEO, WTTC, add-ing that a concerted effort is needed. “Leaders in the industry have already made a commitment to halve carbon emissions by 2035 (on 2005 levels), as set out in WTTC’s Leading the Challenge on Climate Change report published in 2009, and there are many exam-ples across the industry of how this is being achieved. Furthermore, the industry is also keen to be not only a partner to government but also a resource for policy development and implementation. Together, we can achieve a low-carbon, climate resilient world economy.”
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Themis Foundation, jointly with the Euro-Arab Institute Founda-tion for Education and Training (INSTEA), launched the au-tumn session of the UNWTO Practicum.
The specialised training course, dedicated for tourism officials from the Middle East and North Africa region, fo-cused on building knowledge and practical experience in communication in times of crisis.
The first ever practicum to address this crucial issue, put to test the new UNWTO Crisis Communication Tool-
BTS: Business Travel Buyers Still Not Green
UNWTO: Crisis Communications Training for the MENA
Two thirds of business travel buyers have still not adopted a green purchasing policy, according to a new survey by the Business Travel Show (BTS), Europe’s lead-ing corporate travel event.
Of the 252 business travel buyers questioned, less than one third of them (32 percent) admitted to having a green policy, and 12 percent have plans to fur-ther develop it.
Nearly one fifth of those (19 percent) who do not have a policy, plans to insti-gate one, whereas 12 percent believe that it is not economically viable to be green in the current trading climate. More than one third of them (37 percent) claimed that green policy is not a priority yet.
In a move to raise awareness of the green policy’s increasing significance, BTS is hosting a green master class for buyers called Sustainability – Where to now?.
This master class allows buyers to swap best practic-es and learn the latest thinking on green buying
Commenting on the initiative, Da-vid Chapple, event director, BTS, said, “Whether you are five years into the ‘greening’ of your travel programme or set to introduce an environmental di-mension for the first time, travel manag-ers need a lot of help on this challenging journey. This master class allows buyers to swap best practices and learn the lat-est thinking on green buying.”
The event will take place on Febru-ary 7 – 8, 2012, at Earls Court in London, where more than 200 world-class suppli-ers will be exhibiting.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has issued a communiqué during the International Climate Change Negotiations in Durban, which
urges governments to develop climate change policies.
David Scowsill, CEO, WTTC
box, which serves as a practical guide for travel and tourism stakeholders for the challenges posed by crisis. The handbook includes templates for press releases and other communication formats, and covers issues stretching from interviews and press conferences to the efficient usage of social media.
The day-long training session also offered par-ticipants from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, to chance to put their acquired knowledge into practice under real-life conditions.
20 EXCLUSIVE Green Travel
JANUARY2012
W hether green initiatives are adopted through a sense of duty to the plan-et or in an effort to put across an image of corporate philanthropy for pure monetary profit, sustainable
tourism has become a subject of increasing promi-nence, both in theory as well as in practice.
World Green Tourism (WGT), recognised as the first event dedicated to examining how the travel and tourism industry can become more sustainable while also considering the economic impacts, was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on December 5 – 7, 2011. H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, secretary general, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), which was established 15 years ago, addressed an audience of global experts and travel trade profes-sionals at WGT, and emphasised the crucial role that the tourism and hospitality sector plays in reducing the nation’s footprint and combating climate change.
Sustaining a Better Future
Common awareness of the environmental impacts incurred by tourism activities, and the consequences this could bring, has increased, thus spurring businesses and travel entities to improve their corporate responsibility on various levels.
Marianna Keen writes
She further expressed the importance of raising awareness of natural heritage, but also of developing new legislations as well as enforcing existing ones, recognising that not all entities will choose to take the sustainable path without a push, or at least guidance.
According to Al Mubarak, a huge factor in per-suading corporate to be ‘more green’ is, therefore, highlighting the economic and profitable value that can be placed on safeguarding natural resources and heritage, and with regards to Abu Dhabi, as well as many other places, this has been enhanced by im-mense development. She concluded that clear eco-nomic, environmental, and social visions need to be considered equally when planning growth, as is the need for desalination plants, energy to cool buildings, and the importation of food, just to name a few. “We [EAD] certainly believe that there is sustainable niche tourism in the UAE,” Al Mubarak concluded.
Moreover, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is
directing its green initiatives through its Environment Health and Safety Management Systems programme, which all premises now operate under, while success-ful schemes developed by individual organisations are shared through Green Hotel workshops, as high-lighted by Lawrence Franklin, strategy and policy di-rector, ADTA.
ADTA provides the framework and has just moved from the development stage to the im-plementation phase, which includes monitoring achievements in energy, water, and waste reduction targets through mandatory reporting, compliment-ed by inspection and audits.
“The inherent responsibilities for acting to se-cure the mandated 10 percent energy reduction, 20 percent water reduction, and 20 percent waste reduction lies with each individual entity,” Nasser Al Reyami, director, tourism standards, ADTA, confirmed.
Evason Ma'in Hot Springs, Jordan
21EXCLUSIVEGreen Travel
JANUARY 2012
UNITING TO BE GREEN
The travel and tourism industry is one of the largest on the planet and every person and organisation has a responsibility to conserve the planet, this according to H.H Sheikh Abdul Al Nuaimi, globally known as ‘the green sheikh’, who spoke at WGT.
Workshops were also held at the event to offer practical solutions, while matters discussed through-out the conference included a challenging and debata-ble issue on whether limiting tourist numbers is neces-sary across the Middle East to decrease environmental impact. Shaikha Ebrahim Al Mutawa, director of busi-ness development, Department of Tourism and Com-merce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai, suggested that the collaboration of all industry players reduces this need.
In addition, a panel debate took place at WGT, which was moderated by Geoffrey Lipman, a world authority on green tourism, and included comments from Harold Goodwin, director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism. The discussion on hand cov-ered the ways in which large-scale tourism can ever be made sustainable.
Meanwhile, DTCM, a strategic partner for this sec-ond edition of WGT, put a spotlight on its own aims, which include reducing electricity consumption in
Springs, Jordan. Sustainable operations range from the use of building materials that come from sus-tainable and local sources wherever possible, to the quality and origin of the food that is offered, and to experiences that heighten guests’ knowledge, this according to Alaa Al Arfah, director of sales, Evason Ma’in Hot Springs, Jordan.
Another property incorporating a number of green initiatives is the Sheraton Al Nabil Hotel & Towers, hav-ing fitted LED or energy saving bulbs throughout the hotel, as well as having installed motion detectors to control lights, eradicated polystyrene use, and influ-enced suppliers to use fewer pesticides on their prod-ucts. In collaboration with a local company, namely
Eastern Express, commented, “In a world increasingly concerned with minimising the effects of commercial activity on the environment, the airline plans to utilise a regional Turbo Prop aircraft on regional routes, mak-ing credentials far greener than the usual heavy iron aircraft operating on similar routes with sometimes very light load factors.”
Furthermore, Jazeera Airways is also operating a fleet comprising new, fuel-efficient aircraft at all times, emphasised Rafik Boghdady, vice president of sales, Jazeera Airways, who explained that aircraft over six years old on average are automatically fed out of service to make place for new aircraft that are equipped with the latest technologies.
Royal Jordanian is yet another airline continu-ously adding to the quality of its fleet, with an order for 11 new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft set to be delivered by 2014. “The Dreamliner will propel us into our vision of long-haul modernisation, the most environmental friendly aircraft,” Basel Kilani, director of media and communications, Royal Jordanian, em-phasised. The airline is included in the EU Emissions Trading scheme, which aims to cap total CO2 emis-sions from the industry. Stressing the importance of green operations on all levels and all areas of busi-ness, Kilani added, “The airline has been working hard to reduce all pollutants, from aircraft and ground sup-port equipment emissions, starting with the gas used in fire extinguishers, aircraft air-conditioning units, and waste hazardous materials in compliance with Jordanian Ministry of Environment standards.”
Moreover, Etihad Airways has embarked on new initiatives, including best practice research flights to take advantage of prevailing jet streams, which is possible in light of technological advancements, ac-cording to James Hogan, CEO, Etihad Airways. “If simi-lar savings [to those in research flights] were possible just once each week for flights between Abu Dhabi and Australia, we conservatively estimate an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of some 1,100 tonnes and a saving of 350 tonnes of fuel,” he explained.
Meanwhile, The Emirates Group’s first comprehen-sive environmental report was recently released, re-vealing that the group’s CO2 emissions efficiency was considerably better than the global airline average. “We always attempt to invest in new technology and innovative solutions to maintain eco-efficiency and sustainable development. We took considerable meas-ures to achieve such results including the implementa-tion of a car-pooling initiative at The Emirates Group’s headquarters, which has reduced our carbon dioxide emissions by around four tonnes per year,” commented Ahmed Khoory, senior vice president, commercial op-erations Middle East, Gulf and Iran, Emirates.
Additionally, advancements have also been made in the airport field, with Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) having announced that Abu Dhabi Interna-tional Airport has officially achieved the ‘Airport Car-bon Accredited’ status at the ‘Mapping Level’ of the carbon standard for the airport industry, making it the first carbon accredited airport in the Middle East and North Africa region.
hotels by 12 percent and water consumption by 20 percent, according to Al Mutawa who further empha-sised the fundamental need to offer hotels the incen-tive to meet the criteria provided.
Corporate agendas may well obscure the real-ity of the market when it comes to accountability of green criterion, however, an increasingly environment-conscious consumer market looks to be raising envi-ronmental standards and common expectations, as Richard Haddad, general manager, Vision Hotel Apart-ments, Abu Dhabi, confirmed. “Financially it makes sense; but then the reasons as well, the savings, the principles,” adding, that the property’s terrace lights are totally solar with motion protectors in the floors. “As well, choosing your supplier is an environment- and energy-efficient decision. Decisions become, as well, in time, more and more outside the box.”
Furthermore, Jordan is certainly home to a num-ber of resorts which are firmly progressing to reduce their footprint such as Six Senses’ Evason Ma’in Hot
Entity Green, the hotel also piloted a recycling pro-gramme that has been rolled out across the Kingdom.
PROPELLING INTO A CLEANER FUTURE
Energy saving in aviation has become an issue of much deliberation recently, in light of increasing fuel costs. In October, Thomson Airways operated the first UK com-mercial flight on sustainable biofuel from Birmingham, UK, to Lanzarote, Canary Islands, arguing that biofuels could reduce CO2 emissions by 60 – 80 percent.
Meanwhile, Virgin has announced that they have created a breakthrough low-carbon aviation fuel that will see waste gases from industrial steel production being captured for fermentation, and re-used as avia-tion fuel. A more common approach in the industry so far, however, has been focused on efficiency.
Eastern Express, another airline with a focus on improving the company’s efficiency and sustainabil-ity. Mike Carvath, business development manager,
Dana Biosphere Reserve - The largest in Jordan
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
22 WHO'S MOVED
JANUARY 2012
MOHAMMAD SAADE
MOHAMED FEKRY
FRANK OWENS
HEATHER SHAW
Mohammad Saade has been promoted to meetings and events manager at The Radisson Blu Re-sort, Sharjah. Saade joined the ho-tel in 2010 as restaurant manager, and was shortly awarded manager of the year. After graduating from the Cadmous College in Tyre, Leba-non, he further pursued his interest in the hospitality industry and re-ceived the Swiss Hotel Association Diploma with a Magna cum Laude from Les Roches International School of Hotel Management
in Switzerland. In January 2011, Saade also received the Hotel rev-enue Management Certificate from the Cornell University through eCornell.
Mohamed Fekry has been named general manager of Concorde Ho-tel Fujairah. Fekry, who brings a wealth of experience in the world-wide catering and hospitality sec-tor, will be in charge of ensuring that the commercial objectives of the hotel are met. As general man-ager, his main objective will be to maximise capital and profitability by developing, executing, yielding and formulating various innova-tive strategies in order to provide quality services and products.
He will also be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hotel as well as for the refurbishment projects. Prior to his appointment, Fekry worked as hotel manager of City Seasons Suites Dubai, while his previous roles included vari-ous managerial positions with Ma-jectic Hotel Tower Dubai and the Rotana Group.
Heather Shaw has been appointed senior director, corporate communi-cations for Middle East and Africa (MEA) by Hilton Worldwide. Based in Dubai, Shaw will lead the com-pany’s strategic communication programmes and public relations across 17 countries. Having spent more than 15 years in senior posi-tions in the Middle East and the US, Shaw has worked with a number of high profile organisations, including Barclays Bank, Time Warner and the New York City Mayor’s Office. In her
new role, she will work closely with the company’s executive team in MEA as well as the global corporate communications department. Shaw holds a BSc from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from the Howard University School of Law in Washington.
Frank Owens has been appointed general manager of Emirates Grand Hotel, Dubai. Owens, whose indus-try experience spans over 24 years, will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the 420-room hotel. He began his career with Gold Reef City Hotel Casino in South Africa as food and beverage manager. He then gained experience in various senior management positions, in-cluding general manager of Lanzera Manor Hotel & Wine Estate in South Africa. He took on his first Middle
East assignment as general man-ager of Moscow Hotel, Dubai, in 1995, before moving to Royal Ascott Hotel, Dubai. Owens joined Emir-ates Grand Hotel in June as group general manager and area director of business development. He has been promoted
to meetings and events manager at The Radis-
son Blu Resort, Sharjah. Saade joined the hotel in 2010 as restaurant
manager
His main objective will be to maximise capital
and profitability
Shaw will lead the company’s strategic com-
munication programmes and public relations across 17 countries
Owens, whose industry experience spans
over 24 years, will be in charge of the day-to-day
operations of the 420-room hotel
23RENDEZVOUS
JANUARY 2012
Q & A with Marwan MseikehNew accommodation options are pouring into Abu Dhabi’s hospitality market, battling for a slice of the emirate’s surg-ing demand. Marwan Mseikeh, hotel manager, Grand Millennium Al Wahda, talks about the success the hotel has enjoyed and its plans for the future.
Marwan MseikehHotel manager, Grand Millennium Al Wahda
Travel Trade Monthly: As a relatively new hotel to Abu Dhabi, having opened in October 2010, has performance for Grand Millennium Al Wahda dur-ing the Autumn-Winter period of 2011 been as ex-pected?
Marwan Mseikeh: Hotel performance has exceeded our expectations, particularly during the Formula 1 period. Grand Millennium Al Wahda offers high levels of personal service combined with state-of-the-art in-room technology, the city's largest spa and health club, a stunning rooftop swimming pool, and popular restaurants and cafés. For all that, as well as the hotel’s great location, a lot of our visitors become regulars.
Travel Trade Monthly: How were occupancy levels during the period of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2011? How do such international events change the at-mosphere in the emirates, and the ambiance of the hotel?
Marwan Mseikeh: The occupancy in the hotel dur-ing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2011 was really high. The atmosphere in the city was fantastic as was the at-mosphere in the hotel. The city of Abu Dhabi is a great vacation destination all year round, but especially during the great events and concerts that take place. I do believe Abu Dhabi needs more top events to at-tract more international clientele.
Travel Trade Monthly: Has the hotel enjoyed in-creased occupancy during high profile events in the city?
Marwan Mseikeh: During the events that are big in the city – Ophthalmology Congress, for example – we have high demand and our occupancy remains high. The hotel is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi's busi-ness district and is attached to Al Wahda Mall which makes it a great place for Abu Dhabi visitors to stay, whether for business or leisure.
Travel Trade Monthly: What types of conferences and events have been held at the hotel since it opened?
Marwan Mseikeh: The hotel has seen a wide range of conferences and events take place in its different out-lets, including the UAE chapter of the international Les Clef d'Or congress, the biggest annual concierge event, which hosted 83 UAE-based concierges who stayed as guests in the hotel. The hotel also welcomed the first familiarisation visit by Chinese tour operators to Abu Dhabi, which comprised 33 representatives.
Travel Trade Monthly: How does your MICE offer-ing stand above others, and has it retained a loyal following?
Marwan Mseikeh: The hotel’s meeting facilities have attracted a number of companies in 2011 who have all returned for other occasions and events. Overall we are very satisfied with the outcome and future re-quests look promising.
Travel Trade Monthly: What sustainable and envi-ronmental initiatives does the hotel have in place and are there plans to introduce further schemes?
Marwan Mseikeh: We, at Grand Millennium Al Wahda, are very conscious of the importance of environmental initiatives, not only for the hotel but for our city and our community. We have already set in place a scheme for recycling of hazardous and non-hazardous waste and via the ‘Go Green’ initia-tive we separate garbage bins for plastic, paper and aluminum.
All chemicals that are used in housekeeping and stewarding are eco-friendly. Next steps are al-ready planned for the beginning of the year, which will involve changing from incandescent bulbs to energy-saving bulbs and from Decostar lamps to LED lamps.
24 NEWS & EVENTS
JANUARY 2012
EVENTS Sponsored by
The 10th edition of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), which took place between December 5 – 8, 2011, in Cannes, France, proved to be a huge success with the industry’s elite.
The invitation-only event, where future luxury travel experiences are created and launched, facilitated almost 50,000 individual meetings and introduced more than 1,250 high-end travel suppliers to more than 1,250 VIP buyers.
By welcoming participants from all over the world, the event proved to be an es-sential meeting point for the luxury travel industry.
Praising the event Mike Bonner, general manager, UK, Ireland and Middle East, Silversea Cruises said, "ILTM goes from strength to strength. This year’s event has been the best yet. It remains one of the best-organised and relevant trade shows for the luxury travel industry."
Michael Morejan, vice president, business development, Sentient Jet, added, “ILTM has reminded me of why I am so passionate about being surrounded by luxury professionals from around the globe. The detailed planning has made my first ILTM an epic experience and we are particularly delighted with the incredible demand from emerging markets.”
Simon Mayle, marketing manager, ILTM, concluded, “Luxury travel is an industry based on relationships. ILTM is about bringing together the world’s leading purvey-ors of luxury travel with the best collection of unique luxury travel suppliers to create new relationships and rekindle old ones. Like all of our clients, we aim to exceed all expectations and we are delighted our 10th anniversary edition has been such a success.”
ILTM: 50,000 Individual Meetings
ILTM goes from strength to strength. This year’s event has been the best yet. It remains one of the best-organised and relevant trade shows for the luxury travel industry
Ferien-Messe Wien Vienna, Austria, January 12 – 15, 2012(www.ferien-messe.at)The leading public access tourism trade fair in Austria, which is attended each year by more than 100,000 consumers.
FITUR Tourism Trade Fair FeiradeMadrid, Spain, January 18 – 22, 2012(www.ifema.es)A meeting point for tourism professionals, in which they can establish lines of action, strategies, and business alliances.
Horeca KuwaitKuwait City, Kuwait, January 22 – 24, 2012 (www.horeca-kuwait.com)A trade exhibition for the hospitality and food service industries with live work-shops, networking, and social events.
Austrian and Central European Travel Business Vienna, Austria, January 22 – 24, 2012(www.actb.eu)A tourist market place, industry meeting point and platform for generating new networks, initiating business deals and reinforcing existing customer relations.
Travel Technology EuropeLondon, UK, February 7 – 8, 2012(www.traveltechnologyshow.com)Europe’s leading annual travel technology event that connects the travel indus-try with market-leading technology solution providers.
SATTENew Delhi, India, February 10 – 12, 2012(www.satte.in)India’s leading business-to-business travel and tourism event with more than 6,000 travel agents and tour operators from all over India and its neighbouring markets.
