Market Update 2Accommodation News 6Air Travel News 10International News 12Agents’ Corner 14Travel Tips 15Travel Talk 16Rendezvous 18Who’s Moved 19Events 20

Middle East and North Africa Edition

DECEMBER 4, 2010 ISSUE 56 www.traveltradeweekly.travel

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SEAWINGS TRANSFERDubai based seaplane tour operatorSeawings has further broadened itsproduct offering with a range of Maldives-inspired seaplane transfer options forvisitors to the UAE and Oman.

In This Issue

EMIRATES TO IRAQEmirates has announced plans to fly to Iraqfor the second time, after preemptivelycancelling a route which was to beginservicing the country in July, 2010. Thenew service is planned for the port city ofBasra on Iraq’s short coastline.

Qatar winsWORLD CUPQatar winsWORLD CUP

FIFA World Cup is set to be held in the Middle East for the firsttime in 2022, thanks to a winning bid by Qatar. In accepting

the award, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani,chairman of the Qatar bid, thanked the FIFA committee for

believing in change and the expansion of the game.

1313

The International LabourOrganisation has warned of thepossibility of a jobless recovery,with unemployment rising inmany countries throughout

2010, despite improvements in economic output.The travel industry has the potential to combatstagnant job growth, said Juan Somavia,director-general of ILO.“Tourism has the potential to become a majorgenerator of jobs after the crisis,” he said.However, he said work would be required to

ensure the quality of both theemployment and the workforce.“Social dialogue betweengovernments, employers andworkers can ensure that the jobsgenerated will be decent,” he said.“Such dialogue is particularlyimportant for a service industrylike tourism, where successdepends so much on servicequality, which, in turn, goes handin hand with a skilled andmotivated workforce.”

A recent ILO report found that despite sharpdecreases in international tourism arrivals andrevenue, employment in tourism actually roseby one percent worldwide between 2008 and2009.

Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the WorldTourism Organisation (UNWTO), emphasisedthe role tourism could play in providing jobs.“At a time when we must all unite our efforts toface the major challenge of a jobless recovery,tourism can create jobs and distribute themacross the economy and nations like few othersectors,” he said.“Given its labour-intensive nature, tourismcaters for different degrees of skills, and oftenprovides employment opportunities for themost vulnerable segments of the populationsuch as rural communities, youth and women.”The UNWTO predicts a seven percent increasein tourism arrivals over the course of 2010, andestimates that tourism will provide 269 millionjobs worldwide by 2019.The sector already accounts for approximatelynine percent of gross world product (GWP) and235 million jobs – approximately eight percentof global employment.

Need Job, Will Travel: Tourism toCombat Global Jobless RecoveryTourism will be a crucial contributor to sustainable recovery, according to theInternational Labour Organisation (ILO).

DECEMBER 4, 20102

TRAVEL TRADE WEEKLY

EditorLaura Warne

Deputy EditorLouis Dillon Savage

Design & LayoutElina Pericleous

Sales & MarketingMarianna TsiamasDimitris Thomaidis

DirectorsAndreas ConstantinidesMary Kammitsi

HeadquartersP.O. Box 25255 Nicosia 1308 CyprusTel: +35722820888Fax: +35722318958

Websitewww.traveltradeweekly.travel

Emailsinfo@traveltradeweekly.traveleditorial@traveltradeweekly.travelsales@traveltradeweekly.travel

Tourism provides employment opportunities forthe most vulnerable segments

of the population

We must all unite our efforts to face

the major challenge of a jobless recovery

COUNTRY CURRENCY 1USD=UAE (AED) Dirham 3.69Egypt (EGP) Pound 5.79Saudi Arabia (SAR) Riyal 3.75Lebanon (LBP) Pound 1501Bahrain (BHD) Dinar 0.37Jordan ( JOD) Dinar 0.70Syria (SYP) Pound 46.85Kuwait (KWD) Dinar 0.28Qatar (QAR) Riyal 3.64Oman (OMR) Rial 0.38Tunisia (TND) Dinar 1.45Morocco (MAD) Dirham 8.5Iran (IRR) Riyal 10,390Yemen (YER) Rial 214.53Algeria (DZD) Dinar 74.55Libya (LYD) Dinar 1.26 Taleb Rifai

MENA Exchange RatesAccurate as of 02/12/2010Currencies shown in red are fixed against the US Dollar

3DECEMBER 4, 2010

The Vision Destination Management Eyes ExpansionWith its new online platform for tourism operators now up and running, The Vision Destination Managmentis evaluating possible expansion plans.

Potential new markets forthe Dubai based groupinclude Saudi Arabia,Yemen, Bahrain and Qatar;The Vision currently

operates within the UAE and Oman.The company’s new online systemfeatures multi-language solutions and realtime availability and fares for hotels in theUAE and Oman.The system also provides information fromseveral international partners, allowing usersto find offers in the wider global market. The Vision has also cemented partnershipdeals for the organisation and logistics ofseveral major events for next year,

including: GIBTM 2011; ATM 2011; TheGlobal Initiative to Combat NuclearTerrorism 2011; and The World FutureEnergy Summit 2011. The company was established one year ago

and focuses on three main segments:leisure destination management; MICEdestination management; and consultancy.The Vision operates under the leadershipof industry veteran Ali Abu Monassar.

Dubai

DECEMBER 4, 20104

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Officially Opens to PublicThe world’s first Ferrari theme park was officially inaugurated in Abu Dhabi this week by Abu Dhabi’s CrownPrince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Seawings Takes Off with JumeirahDubai based seaplane tour operator Seawings has furtherbroadened its product offering with a range of seaplanetransfer options for visitors to the UAE and Oman.Taking its lead from the Maldives, Seawings will givetravellers the option to fly from Dubai to hotels in Ras AlKhaimah, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Zighy Bay. The company has named its new concept Arrive by Seaplane. Seawings has also partnered with Jumeirah Group to offerexclusive services to hotel guests departing from JumeirahBeach Hotel in Dubai. Company representatives say the first flight took off a coupleof weeks ago and the tour is already a popular request. Jumeirah and Seawings will celebrate the official launch ofthis partnership in late January.

A l Nahyan emphasisedFerrari World’s place inoverarching governmentplans for developingtourism.

“[President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed AlNahyan] is keen on turning the UAE intoa global magnet of sports and recreationaltourism through a diverse portfolio ofprojects that will have significant impacton the national economy and socialdevelopment,” said Al Nahyan.“The ambitious development projects inprogress in Abu Dhabi will help positionthe emirate prominently on the globalmap as a sought after tourism destination.“Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a quality

addition to our tourism industry, which isone of the pillars of our national economy.”The official opening event attracted 2,000VIP guests, including key Italian dignitariesand Ferrari Formula 1 team drivers.

Luca di Montezemolo, chairman ofFerrari, thanked Aldar Properties, whopartnered on the project, as well as theleadership of Abu Dhabi.

“The park just four years ago was a project,an idea, maybe even a too ambitious idea,and now it is a fantastic reality,” said diMontezemolo.“Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a symbol,built actively on the heritage that Italyrepresents for the world.“But I also like to think that this Ferraritheme park can be a small contribution toreinforcing the bridge between our twocultures.’Ahmed Al Sayegh, chairman of AldarProperties, pointed out that the park hadalready received excellent exposure, withmore than 500 million people watchingthe final race in the 2010 Formula 1season, held on Yas Island.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is a quality

addition to our tourism industry

Seawings plane

Dina Al Herais, vicepresident of commercialoperations at EmiratesHolidays, said the newstore reflected Emirates’

belief in the potential of the South Africanmarket.“This is a culture where travel is an intrinsicpart of life, and we hope to serve travellersnot only to popular destinations in Europeand Australia, but also cater to the increasinginterest for holidays to other regions such asthe Middle East, the Far East, Indian Oceanand the US,” said Al Herais.Emirates Holidays already operates SouthAfrican offices in Cape Town and Durban;

the group’s services are also availablethrough a network of more than 100 local

travel agents throughout the country.The new office will serve travellers andalso provide support to travel agents inSouth Africa. In addition to tailor-made holidays andpackages, Emirates Holidays will offer arange of cruise and car rental products.

5DECEMBER 4, 2010

Emirates Sets Up Holiday World in South AfricaThe tour operating wing of Emirates Group, Emirates Holidays, has strengthened its international presencewith a new Holiday World outlet in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This is a culture where travel is an

intrinsic part of life

Johannesburg

DECEMBER 4, 20106

- Accommodation

Jumeirah Group in AzerbaijanJumeirah Group has entered the growing market inAzerbaijan, signing a managing agreement with AzincoHolding Company for a new hotel in the country.The new Venu Bilgah Hotel, Baku is designed as acontemporary lifestyle hotel on the shores of the Caspian Sea;it is set to open in 2011. Reflecting the style of Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai, theproperty has been designed as a wave-like structure by localarchitect Nazim Valiev.Venu Bilgah Hotel, Baku will feature 176 sea facingguestrooms and suites, plus traditional Turkish and Finnishbath areas. The complex will also include 14 villas and a conference centre. The new property is the second Venu branded hotel to berolled out and brings Jumeirah’s global portfolio of propertiesunder development or in operation to 49.

Updated Website Caters to Habits of Web Users: RotanaRotana has launched a new website in a move to attract the growing market for online bookings.

The portal has beendesigned with accessibilityand usability in mind,according to Rotana, andhas also been set up to be

navigable by colour blind users.Omer Kaddouri, chief operating officer ofRotana, explained why the new site wasimportant.“We are delighted with the new website asit represents our specialist approach tohospitality and it reflects our long-termstrategic plan to become an internationalleading hospitality group,” he said.“Since we are targeting all types oftravellers and visitors, of which 38.5percent book their rooms online, it is

important for us to communicate andshowcase all of the existing and upcomingRotana properties.”He said the decision to move now had

been made in order to presage Rotana’splanned expansion in the region.“This move also comes in hand with ourexpansion plan of increasing the MiddleEast and Africa inventory by 3,257 newrooms in 2011,” he said.Kaddouri pointed out that many modern

consumers use the internet as a researchtool, even if they do not book online.This makes an easy to use website,providing good information, a must formodern brands, he said.“As well as aligning the design of the sitewith our fresh Rotana brand look, wewanted to update its content andfunctionality to serve our visitors with acomprehensive information source whileusing enhanced navigation tools,” he said.“As a technology adopter, it is vital that weuse technology and the internet to its bestadvantage, and that Rotana is accuratelyshowcased as a growing internationalbrand representing the region’s hospitalityat its best.”

38.5 percent [of travellers] book their

rooms online

Azerbaijan

7DECEMBER 4, 2010

- Accommodation

Banyan Tree Al Wadi Adds Beachside OptionsBanyan Tree Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah has opened a major expansion, including a beach club and 32beachside pool villas.

The extension has beenbuilt separate to the mainresort, which is located inthe desert outside Ras AlKhaimah city.

Guests who book the new villas will be

chauffeured from the main property and thenferried to the beachfront accommodation ona traditional dhow boat.The beachside annex offers a privatebeach with water sports centre, spa andrestaurant facilities and proximity to the

Al Hamra Golf Course, which can bereached by dhow.According to Banyan Tree Hotels andResorts, the addition makes Al Wadi thefirst UAE property to incorporate desert,mountain and coastal terrain.

Banyan Tree RAK

DECEMBER 4, 20108

- Accommodation

Malta – the gateway to your dream Mediterranean cruise. Set sail from an island with 7,000 years of history!

Truly Mediterraneanwww.visitmalta.com

Australian Hospitality Company to Continue Hotel Expansion in MENA RegionAustralian hospitality firm Staywell is planning continued expansion across the world, including the MiddleEast and North Africa.

The company recentlyopened its first propertyin the Middle East, withthe Park Regis Kris KinDubai hotel.

Staywell currently operates 24 hotelsand has flagged an ambitiousinternational expansion plan. Staywell already has a projectunderway in Morocco, with an exampleof its Leisure Inn brand planned forlaunch in Sidi Maarouf, nearCasablanca, in mid 2011.The Leisure Inn Casablanca will cater to

the three to three and a half star market,according to Staywell.Park Regis Kris Kin Dubai officiallylaunched opposite the Burjumanshopping centre in Bur Dubai in earlyNovember, as one of only twoproperties currently operated byStaywell outside its home country.The four star hotel features 392 rooms,three restaurants, two bars, conferencefacilities, a nightclub and rooftop pool.Staywell have emphasised the large sizeof the rooms as a key selling point forthe hotel. Casablanca

DECEMBER 4, 201010

- Air Travel

Emirates: Take Two on Iraq Flight LaunchEmirates has announced plans to fly to Iraq for the second time, after pre-emptively cancelling a route whichwas to begin servicing the country in July, 2010.

Qatar and UzbekistanSign AgreementQatar and Uzbekistan have signed abilateral air services agreement (ASA)allowing unlimited flights from theirrespective national carriers between thecapitals of the two countries.The agreement covers both passengerand cargo flights by Qatar Airways andUzbekistan Airways on routes betweenDoha and Tashkent.Ibrahim Abdul Qadir, deputy chairmanof the Qatar Civil Aviation Authorityand Oleg Lim, vice chairman ofcertification, licensing and flight safetyoversight management in Uzbekistan,headed their respective delegations.The agreement was signed in Doha atthe QCAA headquarters.

Nasair has commenced flights between New Delhi, the capital of India, and Riyadh,Saudi Arabia, completing its plan to launch four new routes to India in 2010.Simon Stewart, CEO of Nasair, said India was a priority for the airline because ofhigh demand for travel between India and Saudi Arabia.Nasair currently operates to 24 destinations and has reported approximately fourmillion passengers so far in 2010.Steward said the carrier would focus on the development of its freight network in2011, as well as expanding its focus on the pilgrimage market.Nasair is operated by the Saudi Arabian Government’s National Air Service.

The new service, to theport city of Basra onIraq’s short coastline,remains subject togovernment approval.

According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, CEO of Emirates, Basra hasbegun to attract significant interest frominvestors.The city's recent growth has paved the wayfor numerous multinational companiesand industries to invest in infrastructureand we have seen strong potential from a

number of our markets,” he said.In June, 2009, Iraq auctioned the rights todevelop its oilfields, attracting attentionfrom the world’s largest petrochemicalcompanies.Al-Maktoum said the auction marked aturning point for Iraq.“Since the 2009 oil field bid, traffic fromthe US and Europe into Basra hasincreased significantly and we are ready tocapitalise on this growth,” he said.As Iraq’s largest port, Basra is likely to benefitdirectly from an upswing in shipping driven

by the reconstruction effort.According to Emirates, inbound trafficwill skew to the corporate sector, withlocal Iraqis claiming a larger share ofoutbound traffic.

Emirates has also added flights to Geneva toits plan for 2011, expecting to begin flyingto the Swiss city on June 1 of that year.According to Al-Maktoum, the airline hasflown to Switzerland’s capital, Zurich,since 1992 and that market research hadshown high demand for a link to thecountry’s second city.

Traffic from the US andEurope into Basra hasincreased significantly and we are ready to

capitalise on this growth

Nasair Launches Fourth Indian Route

11DECEMBER 4, 2010

- Air Travel

RAK Airways Rolls on with FifthDestination AnnouncementCairo will become the fifth destination for the recently re-launched RAK Airways.The route will start on December 15, along with the carrier’spreviously announced flights to Chittagong and Dhaka inSri Lanka.Sheikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, chairman of RAK Airways,said the flyer’s strong initial performance was a positive signfor the new connections.“We are pleased to have delivered on our mandate of addingthree additional routes for our passengers within two monthsof launching our operation,” he said.“Load factors on our inaugural routes have been extremelypositive and we are optimistic that we will be able to replicatethis success with our Egypt and Bangladesh routes.”

Oman Air Links Italy’s Milan with Oman Oman Air has unveiled its latest destination, with a link to Milan in Italy.

Flights commenced onDecember 3, 2010; the newroute brings Oman Air’snetwork to 41 destinationsworldwide.

According to Peter Hill, CEO of OmanAir, the route will create both inboundand outbound opportunities, as itrepresents the only direct connectionbetween Italy and Oman.

“Our new service offers the people ofOman the chance to visit this remarkablecity and to make the most of the culturaland business opportunities it offers,” hesaid.“Equally, as the only airline to offer adirect service from Italy to Oman, we areinviting the Italian people to visit Omanand to experience the sultanate'slegendary hospitality, dramatic landscapes

and unspoiled coastline.“With world-class hotels, an incrediblerange of leisure activities and year-roundsunshine, Oman looks forward to offeringvisitors the warmest of welcomes.”Milan is home to a number ofinternationally renowned sights includingDuomo di Milano, the fourth largestcathedral in the world and Leonard DaVinci’s Last Supper painting.

Load factors on our inaugural routes have been extremely positive

Royal Jordanian will return to the skiesover German capital, Berlin, after a 10year absence.The route complements two existingGerman connections to Frankfurt andMunich.Royal Jordanian operated flights to Berlin

between 1992 and 2000, when studiesshowed the route to be financiallyunfeasible.Counter to the rapid expansion of fellowMiddle Eastern carriers, Royal Jordanianhas taken a more measured approachwith a policy of pursuing a handful of

routes per year.Hussein Dabbas, president of the airline,said Royal Jordanian was expecting tojoin the OneWorld airline alliance in2012, at which point the route wouldallow passengers to use Berlin as a hubfor further European travel.

Royal Jordanian Returns to Berlin

DECEMBER 4, 201012

- International

Blossom Buyers Seek Unique Japanese Experiences The inaugural Blossom Japan luxury travel event, to be held in January 2011, has signed a host of newexhibitors from within the country and beyond.

The InterContinental brand is set to enter Malaysia for thefirst time from February 1, 2011. The new InterContinental Kuala Lumpur will replace thecurrent Nikko Hotel, featuring 473 rooms in the city’sbusiness, shopping and entertainment district. Jan Smits, managing director of InterContinental HotelsGroup (IHG) for Asia Australasia, said the InterContinentalbrand was currently present in more than 60 countriesworldwide.“Kuala Lumpur is a key regional destination and Malaysia wasone of the few Southeast Asian countries that saw an increasein visitor arrivals in 2009, a trend that has continued to datethis year,” said Smits.“This is a hotel market that has potential for long-term growth,especially in view of Malaysia’s target of reaching 36 milliontourist arrivals by 2020.”The current Nikko Hotel’s owning company, MTJDevelopment Sdn Bhd, will partner with IHG during therebranding process. The hotel will undergo a 30 month refurbishment, set to takeplace in three phases. IHG already operates several Malaysian properties under itsCrowne Plaza and Holiday Inn brands; Holiday Inn Expressis also set to debut in the country soon, with the recent signingof Holiday Inn Express Kota Kinabalu.

InterContinental Enters Malaysia

The invitation-only eventwill bring buyers andsuppliers together toboth promote tourismoperators within Japan

and target the country’s lucrativeoutbound traveller market. As a result, exhibitors so far represent aglobal mix of luxury operators.The latest companies to join the eventinclude: Michi Travel Japan Corporation;L’Hotel du Lac; COMO Hotels andResorts; Starwood Hotels and ResortsJapan; Niki Resort Inc; Sun International;Hotel Le Bristol; Halekulani; The CapitolHotel Tokyu; Conrad Bangkok andConrad Koh Samui; Inkaterra Peru; and

GHM Luxury Hotels. Hans Vanmaele, director of Belgium’sHVM Consulting, is a key buyer forBlossom Japan.He pointed out that, while HVMConsulting has worked in more than 85countries worldwide, the Japanese markethad remained elusive.“Japan is still a very unknown destinationfor us and is one of the only countries inAsia where we have not worked yet,” saidVanmaele.“However, our clientele is very interestedin Japan for various reasons and we lookforward to send our clients to Japan.”Vanmaele said that the country’s deluxehotels, unique restaurants and

extraordinary excursions were of particularinterest to his clients.“Our individual clients are distinguished,discreet, stylish, experienced andsophisticated travellers seekingpersonalised service, luxury, privacy andunique travel experiences in the best,most exclusive hotels, resorts and exoticdestinations,” he said.Blossom Japan will take place in Tokyobetween January 18 and 21, 2011.

Japan

R ussia was selected ashost of the 2018 event,creating a theme ofspreading the Cup tonew territories.

Qatar surged into front position after astrong final bid presentation focused onthe unifying role football could play in theMiddle East.Winners were revealed at a ceremonyfeaturing such luminaries as former USpresident, Bill Clinton, and the Emir ofQatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.The announcement of Qatar’s successelicited an emotional response, with thecountry’s delegation sharing tearful hugsbefore Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, chairman of the Qatar bid, took thestage to accept the award.Joseph S Blatter, president of FIFA, saidthe choice of both Russia and Qatarrepresented an expansion of the game.“I would like to congratulate Qatar and toalso thank the other candidates for theirefforts," he said.“The World Cup is going to new lands andI am a happy president as we speak of thedevelopment of football.”Al-Thani thanked Blatter, the members ofthe executive committee and FIFA as awhole.“Thank you for believing in change,” he said.“Thank you for believing in expanding thegame.

“Thank you for giving Qatar a chance.“You will be proud of us – you will beproud of the Middle East, and I promiseyou this.”Qatar was initially seen as a wildcard inthe competition for the World Cup, withconcerns raised over the country’s climateand conservative culture, as well as thelow marks for technical preparedness itreceived in FIFA’s official assessments.The small Gulf state has promised carbonneutral, air conditioned stadiums andallowances for western culture, withalcohol to be served in designated zonesduring the Cup.One of the Middle East’s most enduring

geopolitical crises has also beenaddressed, with messages of friendship toIsrael included in Qatar’s final bid andassurances made that Israeli athleteswould be welcome if they qualified.

13DECEMBER 4, 2010

- International

The Time is Now: Qatar to Host 2022 World CupQatar’s bid slogan, The Time is Now, has proven prescient with the country chosen to host the 2022 FIFAWorld Cup.

Thank you for believing in change

You will be

proud of us – you

will be proud

of theMiddle

East, and I promiseyou this

DECEMBER 4, 201014

Agent’s InsightName: Jane BayleyPosition: Product ManagerCompany: Naturally Morocco Location: UK

What are the challenges of working with Morocco asa destination?We actually don’t have many challenges from the Moroccanend – I suppose that people not familiar with Morocco andthe Moroccan people could find it challenging, but we workdirectly with our operators and they know us well.Ramadan is usually a bit challenging and next year it willtake in the whole of August. So the next couple of years,with Ramadan falling in July and August, will be a bit of achallenge.

Who visits Morocco from the UK?We have a vast range of clients, of all ages and all interests.We do adventure based holidays for families, honeymoonsfor couples, school group tours, packages for retiredtravellers who may be interested in history and crafts - eventrekking. We are a specialist company, so we meet all needsand all price ranges.

Where do people go within Morocco?Traditionally, we specialise in the south and Marrakech isoften the starting point. From there, people often go alongthe coast and they get mountains and the desert as well thisway. Again, our clients vary, so some are interested in citybreaks, which will mostly focus on Marrakech.

When is the peak travel period?September to June is generally the peak period, but it dependson the region – we often send people on their summer holidaysto Morocco, but they will go to the cooler areas. The real peaksare Easter (April), October and Christmas (December).

Why do people choose Morocco for their holiday?For the same reason I set up Naturally Morocco – I wentthere with no intention at all of setting up a travelcompany… and I fell in love with the variety of theenvironment, the fantastic food, the genuine welcomingculture and the accessibility. Compared to other NorthAfrican destinations, it has a far better climate, longercoastline, it is more open to westerners and I believe it ispromoting the right sort of tourism.

Dadabhai and Citibank’s Travel PlanBahrain based Dadabhai Travel has partnered with Citibank tooffer a new zero percent interest travel installments plan. Under the agreement, customers can use a Citibank credit cardto access a zero percent interest installments plan for up to sixmonths on holiday packages and three months on ticketspurchased by Dadabhai Travel.Dedicated counters for the new plan have been set up at DadabhaiTravel’s head office in Manama, as well as its six branch officesthroughout Bahrain.Navneet Kampani, head of consumer banking at Citibank, saidthe partnership was in line with the bank’s goal of seekinginnovative and creative new offers.“This exclusive partnership between Citibank and DadabhaiTravel will enable both parties to provide affordable andconvenient mode of payments to our customers,” said Kampani.

This exclusive partnership ... will enable both parties to provideaffordable and convenient mode

of payments to our customers

15DECEMBER 4, 2010

Social Media can Change Minds, or Waste TimeMore signs emerge every day supporting the significance of social media in today’s market. However, it isimportant to gauge how much your clients are using the services before allocating significant resources.

One recent findingshows that users ofsocial travel sites arelikely to change theirchoice of destination

at least once, according to travel reviewmonolith, Tripadvisor.After analysing data from users,Tripadvisor found that nearly 50 percentof people using the site ended uptravelling to a destination different to theone originally searched.The numbers were backed up by WorldTravel Market’s Travel Trends Report,which also found that social media usersare more mercurial when it comes to

deciding on a holiday.Although these findings show theimportance of a positive social mediapresence, the format can prove to be adrain on time and resources forcompanies whose customers might not beengaged with the networks.Tim Gunstone, managing director of theEyeforTravel analysis firm, advisedbusinesses against wasting time on socialmedia if their customers were not usingthe sites.In a developing region like the MiddleEast, where internet usage in generalremains relatively slow on the uptake, it istherefore prudent to take stock of your

client base before focusing on socialmedia.

DECEMBER 4, 201016

Travel Talk is your space – this is a casual forum for travel industry professionals to discuss current issues and share stories. We want to hear from you, so send your comments, questions, frustrations and observations to editorial@traveltradeweekly.travel

Husain AlharthiManaging Director, National Exhibitions Company“Real estate investors and developersneed to strategically positionthemselves as early as possible tomaximise the opportunities offered bythe ambitious New Riyadh masterplan.The Riyadh International UrbanDevelopment and Real EstateInvestment event will be instrumentalin outlining the huge potential ofSaudi’s thriving real estate sector andRiyadh has the opportunity to takeadvantage of growing regional andglobal interest in Riyadh’s propertydevelopment plans”.

Investors and developers need to strategically position themselves as early as possible

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi Chairman, SCTDA“This year, the Sharjah Water Festival coincides with theUAE’s celebration of its 39th National Day. It is fitting, for thisiconic event reflects the emirate's love for the sea, which bearsthe memories of forefathers and ancestors and depicts thesuccess of the country's immortal experience to generationsthroughout history.”

TheSharjahWater

Festivalcoincideswith theUAE’s

celebrationof its 39thNational

Day

Marwan Abdel KhalekGroup CEO, Gama Aviation FZC“We are in the Middle East for the long term and are pleasedwith the growth opportunities we have realised to date. This isa market where supply exceeds demand, but we see tremendouspotential for expansion and we have a great team here leadingthat drive.”

Supply exceeds demand, but we seetremendous potential for expansion

Gama Aviation Legacy aircraft

Sheikh Sultan BinAhmed Al Qassimi

Cityscape Riyadh

Travel Trade Weekly: What trendshave you noticed among your clientsover the past six months? How does theMiddle East compare to other regions?Rupert Gutteridge: The continuedeconomic crisis is still affecting hotelsglobally, with the Middle East stillsuffering like many of the emergingmarkets. Locations across the worldwhere there has been a good deal ofproperty development and increasedsupply of room stock have seen a muchslower rebound and have tended tosuffer more, as seen in the Middle East.The region has come from a very strongposition - with very high occupancyand average daily rate (ADR) level.This should provide a good place tobounce back from compared to the restof the world. However, we have seen places like London,who have a strong adoption of revenuemanagement tools, bounce back quicklyand are now on a 17 year high so far asrevenue per available room (RevPAR) isconcerned. This may be why we have seenover the last six months that there has beena greater adoption of tools and servicesfrom Ideas in the Middle East region.

Travel Trade Weekly: How effectiveis demand forecasting as a revenuemanagement tool?Rupert Gutteridge: Demand forecastingis the essence of revenue management.Without knowing how busy we are going tobe, how can we start deciding the balanceof business we should take? It is generally

the least attractive business that books first.Forecasting has always been essential toeverything we do.

Travel Trade Weekly: What are yourtop suggestions for revenuemanagement in MENA hotels?Rupert Gutteridge: Build a culture ofrevenue management in your hotel.Ensure that all departments cometogether to discuss revenue management.Consider all departments when aiming toachieve your revenue management goals.Make sure that you maximise on all thebenefits offered by your revenuemanagement tools.Integrate all channels through the revenuemanagement system.Ensure that you are constantly challengingthe forecast accuracy.Keep up to speed with the latestdevelopments in revenue managementtechnology.Maintain and advance your knowledge byall means possible.Collective knowledge - become a memberof and take advantage of associations.

Travel Trade Weekly: Does goodrevenue management require adedicated staff member?Rupert Gutteridge: Successful revenuemanagement is all about breeding aculture within the hotel where individualsfrom all departments share ideas andfocus on all aspects of revenue to ensurethat a complete picture of the hotel isdrawn up in order to make good andeffective strategic decisions. When a team gets together like this, theyare always more effective when a leadertakes control; this person is usually arevenue manager.

Travel Trade Weekly: Shouldrevenue managers calibrate theirstrategies to time periods of days,months, or hours?Rupert Gutteridge: There is nodefinitive time period in which it isessential that revenue managers calibratetheir strategies, every hotel operatesdifferently and the types and patterns ofbusiness vary. What can be said is that the more theenvironment, patterns and trends ofbusiness change the more calibrationneeds to occur. In today’s world and in the case of themajority of hotels we tend to see thefollowing pattern:Twenty mins in the morning every day;Once a week a forecast accuracy check;Once a month an in-depth look at theforecast over a longer time period.One of the key controls on the system isthe best available rate - this allows fordynamic pricing. The term dynamic implies constantchange and as a result this should besomething that the hotel would keep aneye on throughout the day.

DECEMBER 4, 201018

Q&A with Rupert GutteridgeRupert Gutteridge, regional director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Ideas RevenueOptimisation, spoke to Travel Trade Weekly about hotel trends in the Middle East and the best strategies forrevenue management.

Demand forecasting is the essence of revenue

management

19DECEMBER 4, 2010

Iftikhar HamdaniRamada Hotel and Suites Ajman has promotedIftikhar Hamdani to the position of executiveassistant manager. Hamdani will also continue tolead the sales and marketing department in hisrole as director of sales and marketing. Prior tojoining Ramada Hotels and Suites Ajman,Hamdani worked with Pakistan’s PearlContinental Hotels, Verona Hospitality and CoralInternational Hotels and Resorts. In his new role,Hamdani plans to focus on the hotel’s operations,while maintaining the momentum of sales andmarketing to ensure high occupancy rates.

Sébastien Valentin Accor has appointed Sébastien Valentin as senior vice president of financialcommunications and investor relations. Valentin holds degrees in both law andjournalism and has strong experience as an analyst, journalist and researcher. Hepreviously held a range of positions at IXIS Securities, including financial analyst forthe hotel and leisure industry, marketing director and head of socially responsibleinvestment research. Valentin later joined Société Générale’s equity research team assenior analyst in charge of hotels and leisure.

Safir Hotels and Resorts, a division of Safir International HotelManagement, has appointed Ahmed Mourad as corporatedirector of human resources. Mourad has more than 25 years of experience. He holds aBachelor of Arts in hotel management and has held varioussenior positions at Accor Hotels, Abercrombie and Kent, TheHyatt Regency and Robinson Club. Mourad has worked throughout Africa, the Caribbean and thePacific. Helmut Meckelburg, CEO of Safir International Hotel

Management, said Mourad’s depth of experience andknowledge of the market would assist the strategicdevelopment and growth of Safir Hotels and Resorts.“Our employees are at the core of our success, and the role ofcorporate director of HR is vital to our organisation,” saidMeckelburg.“As we expand we will continue to invest in our most preciousasset: our team. I’m confident Ahmed Mourad will build onthe accomplishments already made here as we grow anddevelop our business in the years to come.”

Ahmed Mourad

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has appointed Stefan Eiche as its new UAEgeneral manager. In addition to overseeing the SAS flights that serviceDubai, Eiche will also handle the greater Middle Eastern, African, Indianand South American markets.Eiche has spent 11 years with SAS, including the past eight years as countrysales manager for Germany. Before joining the group, he held a series of management positions in thetravel industry.“The significance of the UAE as well as the entire Middle East to the globaleconomy has become increasingly important,” said Eiche.“To be appointed to lead SAS Scandinavian Airlines business in this market,along with other markets such as Africa, India and Middle and SouthAmerica, is an honour and a privilege, as well as a challenge.”

Iftikhar Hamdani

SébastienValentin

Stefan Eiche

Stefan Eiche

World Travel Market will expand itsWTM Vision Conference into Europe andthe Middle East in 2011; the event is set torun alongside sister exhibition ArabianTravel Market in Dubai on May 4, 2011. In addition to the new Dubai based MiddleEastern event, WTM Vision Conference willalso run in Milan, Italy on April 14, 2011. WTM Vision Conference is a mid-yearhalf day conference featuring high calibrespeakers, content and analysis to the traveland tourism industry’s senior leaders. The event has run for the past two yearsin London, UK.

Fiona Jeffery, chairperson of WTM, saidthe conference had proven a success in theUK, adding that the event would continueits partnership with Euromonitor in thenew locations.“2011 is the right time to expand thissuccessful concept out around the globe,”said Jeffery.“We have decided to start this roll out withItaly and the Middle East. Both marketshave different challenges which theconferences will address while continuingto have a global overview of the industryand the wider economic considerations.”

DECEMBER 4, 201020

EventsInternational Luxury Travel MarketCannes, France, December 6-9 (www.iltm.net)Annual business to business event for the global luxury travelindustry. Showcases destinations and travel experiences, with aprogramme of networking events and pre-scheduled meetings.

Middle East Business AviationDubai, UAE, December 7-9 (www.meba.aero)Premier business aviation show for the Middle East; providinga platform to build relationships in the region. In addition tothe main exhibition, the event features a static aircraft displayshowcasing the latest business jets on the market, from verylight jets to super mid-sized jets.

Moroccan Travel MarketMarrakech, Morocco, January 12-15, 2011 (en.mtm.ma)Exhibition for international travel professionals.

Blossom JapanTokyo, Japan, January 18-21, 2011 (www.blossomjapan.com)A new invitation-only luxury travel exhibition focusing on theJapanese market.

Fitur International Tourism Trade FairMadrid, Spain, January 19-23, 2011 (www.fitur.es)Fitur is a meeting point for tourism professionals to establishlines of action, strategies and business alliances.

HobexTripoli, Libya, January 25-27, 2011 (www.wahaexpo.com/hobex)International hotel business exhibition.

India Travel Market - Mumbai, Mumbai, India, February 4-6, 2011 (www.indiatravelmart.com)Travel trade show for inbound, outbound and domestic tourism.

Emitt IstanbulIstanbul, Turkey, February 10-13, 2011 (www.emittistanbul.com)Istanbul’s only international trade fair: focused on tourism inthe Eastern Mediterranean.

WTM Vision Conference Comes to Middle East in 2011

2011 is the right time to expand this

successful concept outaround the globe

Dubai