December 2019 | Volume V | Issue V | Pages 32

Soothe the soul with leisure in FUJAIRAH

Hotels adapting with Dubai evolving hospitality landscape

Measure and Modify

Trade

PUBLISHER & CEO Varun Malhotra varun@versatilemedia.in

DIRECTOR Pranav Khullar pranav@versatilemedia.in

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gagneet Kaur

ASST. EDITOR Sayanti Halder

ASST. EDITOR Aparna Sharma

REPORTERKritika Dua

REPORTER & MARKETING ANALYST Lokesh Tuli

AGM SALES & MARKETING (MUMBAI) Aarti Rajkhewa

BUSINESS HEAD Shilpi Sharma

CONSULTANT Anindya Malhotra, Jitin Mann

DESIGNER Shivnath

ACCOUNTS Chandan Jha

ADMIN HEAD R Prem Lata

ASST. MANAGER ADMINDeepa Kaur

EXECUTIVE-CIRCULATION Hari Puri, Raja Rari

Head Office:TravelScapes Middle EastF.Z.E.,SM-Office- A1-303F

Versatile Media- 207, Satya Mansion, Commercial Complex, Ranjeet Nagar, New Delhi-110008Contact: 011-45530380/83 varun@versatilemedia.in, web: www.travelscapesonline.com

All information in TravelScapes is derived from sources we consider reliable. It is passed on to our readers without any responsibility on our part. Opinions/views expressed by third parties in abstract or interviews are not necessarily shared by us. Material appearing in the magazine cannot be reproduced in whole or in part(s)without prior permis-sion. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or otherwise deal with all advertisements without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the Indian Advertisement Code. The publisher will not be liable for any loss caused by any delay in publication, error or failure of advertisement to appear.

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ContentsSPECIAL FEATURE ........................8MEASURE AND MODIFYHOTELS ADAPTING WITH DUBAI EVOLVING HOSPITALITY LANDSCAPE

Various factors are reshaping the hotel industry in Dubai including structural shifts driven by technology, changing leisure patterns of travellers and the addition of new market players. The properties in Dubai are thriving in the competitive environment and in the times of social media, dealing with guests who have higher expectations, unique demands and considerably lower patience. TravelScapes Middle East gets in touch with the General Managers of the some of the hotels in Dubai to confer their marketing and promotional plans for the year ahead that includes new launches, digital campaigns, engaging activities and beyond

REGULARS

Trade ...................................................... 4Hospitality ............................................ 12Aviation................................................. 18What’s On ............................................. 20Appointments ...................................... 30

Dear readers,

For our December issue, we conclude the year 2019 with high hopes and new opportunities and with opportunities arrive the hopeful expectations of the hotels in Dubai to welcome an increased number of guests in the year ahead. With a packed calendar of events that will in turn attract more tourists to Dubai. The emirate has set ambitious targets of attracting 21 to 23 million visitors by 2022, and 23 to 25 million visitors by 2025. In tandem with that the leading hotels in Dubai are leaving no stone unturned to promote their properties to the guests in 2020. In our ‘Special Feature’ this month, we speak with the General Managers of few of the hotels in Dubai to comprehend their plan in action for a smooth sail into the year ahead.

Stepping out of hospitality sector, we take the leap straight into fantastic Fujairah to experience its famed forts of mud and sand, the secluded yet splendid marvel of the northern-front of UAE. Renowned for its rich culture and history, we take our

readers on a journey through its mosques, cruise, the art of bull butting and fun-filled activities on the beach. This wondrous land has more to offer than meets the eye.

Shifting from the sands, we head to the city that is on top of several people’s travel plans, London, in our ‘Around the World’ section of the issue. The city boasts of a range of offerings be it the thriving art, entertainment, dining, shopping, scenario and much more.

Also, you may read about the informative whereabouts of the prosperous market of the Middle East through our enlightening pages of reliable content. Furthermore, this issue brings news and reports about trade, special insights on hospitality, regional as well as aviation, outbound market and technology and the latest in tourism in the Middle East.

We value your feedback and suggestions, so please do write to us on varun@versatilemedia.in

Happy Reading!

Varun Malhotra

Publisher & CEO

FOOTPRINTING MIDDLE EAST ..24Soothe the soul with leisure in FUJAIRAH

REPORT .........................................27Saudi hospitality market outlook stays positive

AROUND THE WORLD ................28LONDONA city of vibrant and vivid attractions

4 December 2019

UPDATETrade

Saudi Arabia, the UAE to issue joint visa soon

Seera launches a new DMC

The Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates Sultan Al-Mansoori announced that coordination is

underway between Saudi Arabia and the UAE to issue a joint visa between the two countries to enable visitors to the UAE to visit Saudi Arabia and vice versa. The new visa is expected to come into force in 2020. “This initiative aims at taking advantage of the enormous potential and great measures taken by Saudi Arabia to facilitate the entry of tourists to the Kingdom,” as per news reports. Mansoori said this is among the initiatives that have been developed and approved by the concerned authorities. “Officials from UAE and Saudi Arabia are currently holding joint meetings to work out the regulations for implementing this initiative,” he said.

He pointed out that the initiative would contribute in increasing the volume of flight services between the two countries. The number of flights at present is not sufficient and we need to double it. According to Al-Mansoori, the implementation of the initiative will benefit national companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and will give much stronger impetus to cooperation and coordination between them. It will also revitalise the tourism sector as well as airports and hotels.

Almost two-thirds of ME adults would pay between USD 101–500 extra for personalised travel experience: Sabre New online research by Sabre

Corporation has revealed that 59 per cent of Middle Eastern adults would pay between USD 101 to USD 500 on extras that personalise their travel journeys. The report also provided insight into the main points, trends and opportunities for the Middle Eastern travel industry. Consumer expectations and shopping behaviours are becoming more sophisticated, driven by a high level of technology and personalised experiences. The travel industry is no different, and personalisation is becoming a demand rather than an expectation. Sabre’s research showed that 43 per cent of the Middle Eastern adults want personalised travel offerings and services around their needs, expectations and previous experiences. When thinking about what this personalisation looks like, the majority (40 per cent) of those

surveyed wanted recommendations based on their budget, whilst 30 per cent wanted suggestions of holiday extras that would be of genuine interest to them when asked what they would want airlines to do for them in the next five years.

In addition to providing a tailor-made experience for travellers, the research showed additional benefits of personalisation for travel providers. 40 per cent surveyed said that they would be more loyal to an airline or a hotel in return for personalised service, whilst 27 per cent would also be willing to share personal data (date of birth, social media friends list) for this. This highlights a need for travel providers to invest in data-harnessing technology to help understand each traveller’s individual needs, offering each person a customised experience in the right context at the right time.

Travel industry experts gather at Amadeus Champions ClubThe third Amadeus Champions

Club gathering, held at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, brought together industry leaders from across the emirates in celebration of their successes throughout the year. Amadeus Champions Club gathers travel experts for knowledge-sharing and sector-focused discussions, with the ambition of enhancing relationships within the field and increasing growth prospects for specialists.

During the event, Amadeus announced its 2019 Jedi Grand Master, Ubaid Ur Rahman, from Mohebi Aviation. Amadeus Jedi Masters is a loyalty programme for bookers who have been active supporters and contributors in terms of knowledge, providing solutions, and more. The company also welcomed the Amadeus Champions Club Jedi Masters including Aji Oommen from Akbar Travels; Siddique Samad from Al Jaraf Travels; Richard Gomes from Gray Mackenzie Travel, and new entrants into the Jedi Master category, Nasneen Yacoob from Holiday Factory Package Tours, and Naveen Kumar from Sharaf Travel Services. Alongside educational and informative sessions, the

Amadeus Champions Club encouraged its attendees to take part in team-building exercises such as karting on the Formula One track.

Rajat Bhutani, Sales Director for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain at Amadeus Gulf said, “This year’s Amadeus Champions Club initiative was our biggest yet, as we combine education and entertainment to provide our partners with an exciting yet informative event that is full of fun, interactive sessions. The Amadeus Champions Club continues to grow in popularity amongst travel partners, resulting in active participation that has prompted continuous innovation from Amadeus as we seek new ways to advance the industry.”

Seera Group unveiled the kingdom’s first-of-its-kind integrated Destination Management Company, under

the brand name, ‘Discover Saudi’, at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London. Set to catalyse international inbound tourism as well as domestic tourism, Discover Saudi is a SR 500 million investment by Seera Group that supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to transform tourism as one of the key economic growth sectors. It will complement the goal of welcoming over 100 million annual overnight visitors and increasing the share of tourism to the Kingdom’s GDP to 10 per cent by 2030. The brand identity and strategic outlook of Discover Saudi were unveiled on the sidelines of WTM by Abdullah Al-Dawood, Board Member and Group CEO of Seera Group. Taking inspiration from the Arabian leopard, the identity of Discover Saudi reflects strength, vigour and grace – values that will enhance the confidence of tourists, a statement said. Al-Dawood said, “The launch of Discover Saudi is part of our SR1 billion investment in driving tourism development in the kingdom with a distinctive value proposition. Our goal is to serve as the go-to company for inbound and domestic tour operators and travel agencies – as well as international and domestic visitors – to access high-quality, rich, local experiences, backed by seamless service delivery. This marks our strong commitment to supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 announced by our leadership.”

6 December 2019

UPDATETrade

Egypt’s tourism can overcome challenges accumulated in past years: Al-Mashat

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has signed an agreement with

Emirates to jointly promote Japan as a destination of choice for travellers from the Middle East seeking authentic, unique and luxurious experiences. The multi-faceted promotional campaign will target consumers throughout the Gulf countries by undertaking

various joint online and media activities. Prior to the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Emirates, joint promotional seminars were also held with leading travel agencies in the UAE on October 29 and 30. Continuing its ongoing marketing efforts and commitment to the Middle East market, JNTO is also planning to open a direct office in the UAE in 2020, through which promotional activities in the region will be further strengthened. Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said, “We are pleased to partner with the Japan National Tourism Association to promote Japan to GCC travellers.

Shuichi Kameyama, Executive Senior Vice President, JNTO said, “Through these collaborations we look forward to not only welcoming many more guests from the region to experience the very best that Japan has to offer, but also for our organization to further strengthen and deepen our relationship with Emirates going forward.”

Japan partners with Emirates to woo the Middle East tourists

Egypt’s tourism sector has been able to overcome challenges accumulated

in the past years, which is confirmed by tourism divisions, stated Egypt’s Minister of Tourism Rania Al-Mashat. Egypt’s tourism sector revenues achieved an unprecedented increase by 28.2 per cent during the last Fiscal Year (FY) 2018/19, recording USD 12.570 bn, compared to only USD 9.804 bn, according to the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). The minister referred during her interview with Russia’s Sputnik, to the decision of the British government to resume flights to Sharm El-Sheikh, stressing that this decision reflects the fact that the safety and security of tourists in Egypt is a priority for the Egyptian government, especially after the measures taken by Egypt to strengthen its security system in all levels, whether in airports or tourist areas. The minister asserted that the decision of the British government to resume flights to Sharm El-Sheikh will contribute to the speedy recovery of tourism in the resort city. She noted that it will also positively affect the tourist traffic in Egypt in general, stressing that Egypt opens its arms to receive all its guests from different countries of the world. The minister pointed out to the ministry’s keenness in highlighting the diversity of Egyptian destinations.

dnata sees 500 per cent surge in travel to RussiaUAE-based travel agency dnata Travel said

that bookings to Russia, which recently became visa-free for UAE nationals, were up 500 per cent for the travel agency from May to September 2019 compared to the same months the previous year. Emily Williams, Head of Retail and Product at dnata Travel UAE commented, "This year, travel to Russia has seen a massive spike in popularity from the UAE due to its cooler climate in the summer months, the lift on visa restrictions, and it being an affordable option, both to travel to, and to stay in opulent, five-star accommodation. The majority, more than 70 per cent of travellers booking with dnata Travel, stayed in five-star hotels in Moscow – the capital city is the most popular location of choice – followed by its second-largest city, Saint Petersburg."

Additional reasons for booking trips to Russia from UAE travellers cited by dnata Travel’s in-house travel experts included interest in the country’s rich history, famous art and architecture, the grandeur of its buildings from palaces to metro stations, and the beauty of its untouched nature, combined

with the world-class hotels and restaurants on offer there. Williams added, "Travellers from the UAE are becoming increasingly adventurous in their travel choices. Although we continue to see high demand for our most popular travel destinations overall including the Indian Ocean islands and the UK, we’ve experienced a spike in destinations emerging in popularity that are either ‘off-the-beaten-track’, long-haul options or that have not previously recorded as much traction." Other locations that emerged in popularity for the travel agency this summer include Finland, Taiwan, South Africa and New Zealand.

Shuichi Kameyama

8 December 2019

Hotels adapting with Dubai’s evolving hospitality landscapeMeasure and Modify

SPECIALFocus

Various factors are reshaping the hotel industry in Dubai including structural shifts driven by technology, changing leisure patterns of travellers and the addition of new market players. The properties in Dubai are thriving in the competitive environment and in the times of social media, dealing with guests who have higher expectations, unique demands and considerably lower patience. TravelScapes Middle East gets in touch with the General Managers of the some of the leading hotels in Dubai to confer their marketing and promotional plans for the year ahead that includes new launches, digital campaigns, engaging activities and beyondBy Kritika Dua

Over the past decade, the Middle East has experienced

a rapid transformation in the tourism and hospitality sector. Tourists from across the world are attracted to the region’s retail offerings, hotels, beaches, theme parks, adventure activities and experiences such as a trip to the top of Burj Khalifa or the Dubai Frame, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar and the renowned souks. However, with winds of change come further transformations within the tourism and hospitality sector in the region. There would be fundamental shifts within the hospitality landscape and subsequently, hotels in Dubai will be altering their offerings in

2020 to further attract the tourists visiting this emirate.

According to Hotel Valuation Index Middle East 2019 report by HVS Dubai, Dubai exhibited a decline of 9.7 per cent in hotel values in 2018 and a CAGR of -18 per cent for the period 2015 to 2018. The change in hotel values comes as a result of four consecutive years of RevPAR decline and lower Gross Operating Profit per Available Room. The fierce competition in the market is anticipated to continue in 2019 and onwards with the growth in new supply entering the market, is likely to put further weight on achievable rates and operating margins. Despite the anticipated increase in supply over the next three years, accommodated room

nights in the city is expected to grow on the back of an increase in tourist arrivals from Expo 2020 and new tourism developments, states the report. STR’s October 2019 hotel pipeline data showed 434 projects accounting for 119,991 rooms in construction in the Middle East. As noticed, although increased numbers of hotels are being constructed in the Middle East, which is the need of the hour, however, it’s valid to envision that what would be the future of these hotels, particularly the effect on occupancy rates and RevPAR after this enormous event concludes. As the properties in Dubai would already be standing on the verge of saturation before Expo 2020, so it is wise to consider the repercussions of this evident

boom and come up with a practical solution.

That being said, the hotels in Dubai currently are focusing on the year ahead and the major events. They have amped up their amenities to capture the interest of a sizeable amount of tourists who would be flocking to this emirate from around the world for the renowned and noteworthy Expo 2020, which will be held October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021. We converse with the General Managers of few of the hotels in Dubai to further understand how they are bracing themselves for 2020 in terms of marketing and promoting their properties to the world, considering the World Expo will be a significant milestone of Dubai’s tourism.

9December 2019

FocusSPECIAL

"WE WILL EMPHASISE ON INCREASING BRAND AWARENESS" INTERNATIONALLY

"WE WILL UPHOLD THE TAG OF 'FRIENDLIEST FIVE-STAR HOTEL IN DUBAI' IN 2020"

"WE WILL COME UP WITH UNIQUE CULINARY CONCEPTS AND REINFORCE OUR DIGITAL PRESENCE"

Fredrik Reinisch, Complex General Manager, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection By Hilton, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City and Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts

David Allan,Cluster General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront

Jeroen Elmendorp,General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai

Our focus for 2020 is to further increase brand awareness of our properties internationally. In 2019, we invested time in creating two unique hotel brands, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton and Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts and establishing these properties in the Middle East market. Now as we look to the future, our goal is to create a globally recognised destination in Al Habtoor City that travellers will flock to from around the world. We will be investing heavily in digital campaigns supported by PR and media initiatives to

help us achieve this. F&B is also a huge part of our strategy as we work on campaigns that match our hotel brands and positioning. 2020 will also see us focus a great deal of our attention on positioning Al Habtoor City as a one-stop-shop wedding destination. We are well-equipped to cater to large and small wedding parties with over 1600 rooms across the three properties, we have banqueting facilities prepared to host weddings catering to many different cuisines and in-house planner so we intend to push our wedding capabilities throughout 2020.

In 2020, our intention is to promote our hotel through various sources to ensure that the ‘friendliest five-star hotel in Dubai’ message gets across to all in the most appropriate manner. The key to our marketing is ensuring that our main message is articulated properly

and is positioned with our trusted partners. The personalisation of our messaging will continue across social media, radio and key publications whilst we will also remain mindful of additional marketing opportunities that may come our way.

With the Expo 2020 coming up in October next year, Dubai will be in the centre stage internationally with numerous hotels and hospitality partners playing an integral role in the success of the exhibition. We will be working in close collaboration with DTCM to support their initiatives as well as be part of regional campaigns rolled out by MILUX (Marriott International Luxury Brands) in the UAE. The focus will be to continue leveraging on Marriott Bonvoy – the most rewarding loyalty program, which gives our guests benefits at over 7000 extraordinary

hotels in 130 countries and regions, worldwide. Given that the culinary trends in Dubai are always evolving, we will be looking at curating distinctive and unique restaurant and bars concepts, whilst continuing to enhance our existing ones. At the same time, our efforts will be driven towards strengthening our digital and social media presence by increasing conversations with guests in their dream phase of the vacation planning, encouraging them to share their moments while on the property and reminiscing post-vacation memories.

10 December 2019

FocusSPECIAL

"WE ARE EQUIPPED WITH CAMPAIGNS AND PACKAGES FOR THE COMING SEASONS"

"WE LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER GROWING OUR PRESENCE IN THE MARKET AND WELCOMING ADDITIONAL BUSINESS AND LEISURE TRAVELLERS"

Fadi Ammache,General Manager, Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai

Elaine Watson, Cluster General Manager, Aloft Dubai South, Aloft Me'aisam and Element Me'aisam

Being part of an international hotel chain, the Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai is being actively promoted, worldwide and attracting visitors from all over the world. As part of our regional campaigns we are participating at ‘The Big Winter Sale’ promo offering up to 30 per cent on the best available rate while during summer

we will be having another attractive offer ‘The summer at Millennium’ in addition we are offering several packages with great benefits to all type of travel such as ‘Romance in the City’ package for honeymooners, ‘Business Package’ offered along with some benefits and UAE resident special discount with added values.

Since opening a year ago, Aloft Dubai South has enjoyed a reputation of being the preferred address for business meetings and casual gatherings within the immediate neighbourhood and business districts. We have welcomed VIPs and dignitaries and have achieved fantastic guest reviews. Our outstanding operations team lead by Ahmed Ibrahim have truly been the driving force behind ensuring the first year of operation has been smooth. As we enter our second year of business, we look forward to continuing to grow our presence in the market

and welcoming additional business and leisure travellers visiting the neighbourhood. We are excited to grow our presence and maintain our position as the preferred accommodation choice for visitors to Dubai South district. With our location, we will see our hotel bustling with activity as the city prepares for the opening of Expo 2020. Also, we are committed to providing our guests with fantastic facilities and excellent accommodation and to be able to meet the demands of travellers, looking for comfortable yet affordable hotels.

"WE AIM TO STAND OUT VIA ORIGINALITY AND CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO"

Mark Lee,General Manager, Media One Hotel

Media One has always been known to do things differently, we like to challenge ourselves in the best possible way. With regards to marketing as the competition gets fiercer, we plan to do just that, stand out. Being it through regular campaigns or events we aim to challenge the status quo. The focus for social media is also more towards the digital marketing space where we will be focusing on optimising our online presence when it comes to our room offerings

as well as our food and beverage offerings. We are committed to keeping our product and offering up to date, through the product we have and also the service that our enthusiasts provide our guests. As an independent hotel, you have to find creative ways to be prominent. With the team, we always look for the latest in technology, efficiency and creativity and this is what our guests appreciate most about this hotel and we will continue to do so.

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12 December 2019

Kerten Hospitality has appointed Saudi national Mishary Alhajery

to spearhead the company’s plans for expansion in Saudi Arabia. Kerten Hospitality manages a collection of aspirational and lifestyle-driven brands in the mid-market and upscale segments, from hotels and serviced apartments to residential, offices, F&B and retail, with every element purposefully designed to meet the needs of a well-connected, savvy generation of travellers. The group’s first project – Ouspace Madinah Road – opened in Jeddah earlier this year and is a modern workspace and business club offering tailormade office spaces for short and long-term let, enabling entrepreneurs and businesses to work flexibly and collaboratively. The second outlet, due to open soon, is the 114-key The House Hotel Jeddah, a luxury boutique property which is part of a prestigious mixed-use destination, also operated by Kerten Hospitality. Other concepts in the pipeline include Cloud7, a new innovative and trendy hotel brand for the next-generation guests, and the tech-and design-driven gourmet burger concept, Frikadell. Mishary brings more than 15 years’ experience in roles influencing the development of residential, commercial and industrial products and he has held executive roles across a variety of industries and organisations, including Hamad Almosa Trading Group and Luluah Water Factory Co. As Country

Director for Saudi Arabia, Mishary will be Kerten Hospitality’s most senior representative in Saudi Arabia, driving the company’s forward-thinking ideas and creative concepts with a focus on building communities and establishing inspiring lifestyle destinations that suit today’s modern travellers, residents, foodies, businesses and entrepreneurs.

Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality said, “KSA has been the ideal launchpad for us to enter the Middle East and having secured an investment license from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority and cemented our partnership with Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage, not to mention the effect that the recent visa announcement is already having in opening up tourism, now is the right time to grow our dynamic team as we enter a new era of growth for Kerten Hospitality."

Kerten Hospitality names its new Saudi head

UAE-headquartered hospitality company TIME Hotels, has been honoured by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce &

Industry (Dubai Chamber) with the CSR Label Award for the fifth year in succession. According to the report from Dubai Chamber, TIME Hotels was the highest scoring applicant, achieving an overall score of 77.5 per cent - 10.4 per cent higher than the average applicant score. Eddie Ignatius, Corporate Director of Quality & Business Excellence, TIME Hotels said, “We are very much a community-focused company and receiving this official label for the fifth year in a row highlights our commitment and consistency. It also allows us to benchmark our own initiatives against those of other forward-thinking companies in Dubai, for whom CSR is an integral part of their overall business strategy.” Launched in 2010 to reward corporate commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the CSR Label is awarded based on performance scores across seven different criteria including human resources (training, development, welfare, emiratisation), client relations, business development, procurement, environment, health and safety, innovation and community; with Dubai Chamber also measuring the resulting impact in four key areas, namely workplace, marketplace, community and environmental.

ME Dubai, the new flagship property of Spanish hotel brand ME by Meli, is set to open at the beginning of 2020

with veteran luxury hotelier Stefan Viard at the helm. Viard has assumed a significant role in leading this personality-led lifestyle destination from its earliest stages of construction and is now guiding his team to the official opening. Located in The Opus, the newest development by The Omniyat Group, ME Dubai is the first hotel to be designed in its entirety by the legendary late architect Zaha Hadid. Located in the prestigious Burj Khalifa district, ME Dubai promises stylish contemporary luxury and an elevated approach to the region’s cultural scene. Viard said, “Being immersed in the construction and completion of the first ME by Meli property in the Middle East has been one of the most exciting periods of my career. I look forward to working with my team to create what will be the new social epicentre of Dubai culture, and an exceptional destination for both residents and visitors to the region.”

Central Hotels has announced the opening of the much-

anticipated C Central Resort - The Palm, a spectacular beach-front luxury property featuring 203 beautiful rooms and suites. It is superbly located on the East Crescent of the picturesque Palm Jumeirah. From its exceptional location on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, guests can access one of the best private beaches in the city as well as experience unhindered views of the iconic destination. Abdulla AlAbdulla, Chief Operating Officer of Central

Hotels said, “We are delighted to announce the opening of the C Central Resort - The Palm, our fourth hotel in Dubai. The stunning property has been developed to complement our offering in the emirate with its distinctive concept and outstanding location and will be a new destination for visitors to the Palm Jumeirah. It is well equipped to meet the expectations of discerning local and international travellers and will offer an array of hand-crafted experiences aimed at turning moments into memories.”

TIME Hotels named CSR leader by Dubai Chamber

ME Dubai to open early next yearCentral Hotels announces the opening of Central Resort - The Palm

UPDATEHospitality

Mishary Alhajery

Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman and Ramada

by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman, alongside Cluster General Manager Iftikhar Hamdani were honoured with Modama, Ajman’s Sustainable Tourism Awards, presented by Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD). With its trailblazing eco-friendly campaigns for over five years, Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman added another feather on its cap by being named as Complete Green Hotel, while Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman was recognised as Green Hotel & Resort.

A stalwart in sustainability within the hospitality sector, the properties’ General Manager Iftikhar Hamdani accepted the Green Personality Award. Hamdani, along with the team at Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, have received numerous recognitions over the years as a result of their invaluable contribution on raising awareness on sustainability, and the hotels’ success on their green initiatives. “It is extra special to be recognised within our home turf. We thank Ajman Tourism Development Department for this great honour and we will continue

to work with them in ensuring that our beloved emirate will be a pioneer in sustainability in the Arab region,” expressed Hamdani. Established in 2018 by ATDD, Modama, Ajman’s Sustainable

Tourism Award seeks to honour the hospitality organisations and individuals who are actively working towards a more sustainable and environmentally-sound future.

Ramada Hotels Ajman, Iftikhar Hamdani win accolades at Ajman Sustainable Tourism Awards

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National

Heritage (SCTH) recently visited Copthorne & Millennium Makkah Al Naseem to activate its initiative “Ektashef El Mehan Fi El Anshitah El Seyahyia”, in Arabic “Discover Professions in Tourism”. Aimed at exploring leadership skills and rehabilitating them through specialised training programs, the session has took place in Millennium & Copthorne Makkah Al Naseem with a wide participation from HR and marketing departments to empower students and employees with required qualifications to

hold leadership positions realising the Kingdom's renaissance and achieving the Saudi Vision 2030. Capitalising on the capabilities of Saudi talents, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage is investing in human resources and the leaders of the future with this project. The ultimate goal of the project is to create value and eventually contribute in the development of the tourism and hospitality sectors. The students and employees on the other hand expressed their excitement about the new levels of development towards achieving their career potential.

Jumeirah Group sponsors Dubai Hills Golf Club

Millennium & Copthorne Makkah partners with SCTH

13December 2019

HospitalityUPDATE

Jumeirah Group has announced its latest addition to its leisure

and wellness offering, the sponsorship of Dubai Hills Golf Club. José Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group said, “We are continuously seeking new opportunities that will provide our guests with service beyond expectations, enhanced experiences and we are proud to extend these beyond the hotel stay. The sponsorship of Dubai Hills Golf Club will provide our guests with access to Dubai’s latest edition of first-class championship courses.” The design of Dubai Hills Golf Club by Jumeirah draws on the natural

topography of the location. The 18-hole par-72 championship course is as challenging as it is stunning. The course meanders through a series of valleys and wadis with the stunning Dubai skyline as its backdrop. Golfers of all levels enjoy negotiating the network of lakes and 83 strategically placed bunkers. Guests staying at Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts will enjoy attractive prices and packages to the undulating greens, giving them an opportunity to test their skills, while the valleys, wadis, lakes as well as the strategic bunkering, form the biggest challenge to scoring well.

14 December 2019

Dubai’s health tourism sector is on track to top half a million

visitors in 2020, according to Sheikh Mubarak Al Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah, Chairman of Action Hotels. To support the expected surge in medical tourist numbers Novotel Bur Dubai, was opened in August. Sheikh Mubarak, who is behind the opening of the first mid-economy hotel in Dubai Healthcare City, said the UAE’s medical tourism sales are pegged to achieve more than Dh14 billion (USD 3.8 billion) next year. “Recent reports indicate revenues from inbound visitors using the UAE’s world-class medical facilities passed Dh12 million (USD 3.2 million) in 2018,” he said. Turning specifically

to Dubai, Sheikh Mubarak remains positive about the emirate’s hospitality sector, even in the wake of a 15 per cent drop in room rates. “Up to June this year, Dubai recorded 8.36 million visitors with between two to three per cent attributed to health tourism. There is room for growth in this sector. Medical tourism is a highly competitive segment which requires affordable accommodation for patients who often travel with their families. It is crucial for medical tourists to be as close as possible to their treatment base and all these factors created a compelling case for a Novotel property in the Healthcare City neighbourhood,” he shared.

Action Hotels backs Dubai’s health tourism drive

More than 1.3 million people stayed in Abu Dhabi’s hotels during the third quarter of 2019, with the emirate recording a 1.7 per

cent year-on-year rise, data showed. According to figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), total Hotel Revenues for the third quarter reached Dh1.1 billion (USD 299.4 million), a rise of 1.7 per cent from the previous year. Hotel Occupancy was up four per cent to 69 per cent while the average length of stay was up 5.6 per cent to 2.5 nights during Q3. year-to-date visitor number for 2019 were recorded at almost 3.8 million hotel guests, a 2.9 per cent increase on 2018.

These figures were spearheaded by impressive visitor number statistics from key markets, with hotel guests metrics from India, the UK, Oman and Saudi Arabia all showing solid increases for the July to September period. Indian guests increased by 8.1 per cent, UK guests by 5.3 per cent, and guests from Oman (18.6 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (2.1 per cent) also increased during this quarter.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is announcing a series of initiatives to reduce waste at Hyatt hotels globally, including

introducing large-format bathroom amenities and reducing single-use water bottles by June 2021. These initiatives will be introduced as soon as possible in properties around the world, and no later than June 2021:transitioning to large-format bathroom amenities to replace traditional small bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion, increasing the number of water stations in key public spaces at hotels for guests who wish to refill reusable water bottles and serving water in carafes or other containers for meetings and events; bottled water will be available by request.

“At Hyatt, our purpose – we care for people so they can be their best – guides all business decisions, including our global sustainability framework, which focuses on using resources responsibly and helping address today’s most pressing environmental issues,” said Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt. “Plastic pollution is a global issue, and we hope our efforts will motivate guests, customers and, indeed, ourselves to think more critically about our use of plastic.” These new initiatives represent a significant step in Hyatt’s global sustainability program and underscore Hyatt’s commitment to wellbeing. As promoted in Hyatt’s landmarks of wellbeing – Feel, Fuel and Function –proper hydration is essential to living well.

A total of 434 hotel projects accounting for 119,991 rooms were

in construction in the Middle East and 135 projects and 24,939 rooms in construction in Africa during October, said hospitality sector analytics provider STR in a new report. The Middle East total represented a 5.7 per cent year-over-year decrease in the number of rooms in the final phase of the development pipeline. The region reported an additional 28,541 rooms in the final planning stage and 45,273 rooms in planning.

The Africa room construction total was down 4.0 per cent year over year. Africa also showed 18,807 rooms in the final planning and 22,629 rooms in planning. Between the Middle East and Africa, five countries showed more than 4,000 rooms under construction.

The UAE led with 52,810 rooms, which represented 30.1 per cent of the market’s existing supply, followed by Saudi Arabia (38,912 rooms, 38.3 per cent of existing supply). After which was Qatar (14,318 rooms, 52.9 per cent), followed by Oman (5,049 rooms, 26.6 per cent) and Egypt (4,976 rooms, 2.9 per cent).

Abu Dhabi welcomes over 1.3m hotel guests in Q3

Hyatt initiatives to cut the use of single-use plastics 434 hotel projects underway in Middle

East in Oct: STR

UPDATEHospitality

16 December 2019

UPDATETrade

Arabian Ranches Golf Club re-opens in Dubai

The Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and

Commerce Marketing has signed an agreement with the Expo Generation Programme to train more than 350 Emiratis for diverse pivotal roles at Expo 2020 Dubai. The training will be implemented under Medyaf, the industry nationalisation programme of DCT aimed at delivering highly-skilled local talent for Dubai’s growing workforce, particularly for the tourism industry and other sectors with tourism touchpoints, with participants set to join the Expo 2020 team immediately after completing the course.

The agreement, signed by Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager, Dubai College of Tourism and Mohammed AlHashmi, Chief Technology Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, envisages six weeks

of training for each participant with the entire programme scheduled to run from January to May 2020. The Expo Academy, a key institution of Expo 2020, has rolled out a human resources development programme designed to recruit and train young UAE nationals for a wide range of roles and responsibilities within the global event.

The specialised course will consist of three weeks of classroom training and an additional three weeks of on-the-job training with the support of industry experts. The classroom training will consist of six modules covering knowledge of Expo 2020, exceptional service, cultural awareness, communication, leadership and resilience. On graduating from the programme, the young Emiratis will be deployed as part of the Expo 2020 team.

DCT to train over 350 Emiratis for Expo 2020

The Arabian Ranches Golf Club in Dubai has completed a renovation of

its greens at the championship course with both the practice facilities and the golf course now re-opened to both its members and the UAE’s public. Construction work began on all 18 greens at the Troon Golf-managed, Ian Baker Finch-designed course on June 1, earlier this year.

Throughout the renovation, Sean Kinsley, director of Agronomy Emaar

Hospitality Group, was on hand with his team to supervise the project’s progress. The practice putting green at the Emaar property was also rebuilt during the summer, whilst the driving range, turf nursery and the desert surroundings on most holes were also enhanced as part of the ambitious course improvement programme. “This has been the largest enhancement the club has ever undertaken, since we opened back in February 2004. I’d particularly like to thank the patience of our members who have either deferred or suspended their membership until now. It’s going to be fantastic welcoming them back and showing them first-hand the work we have put into re-surfacing each of the greens and replacing them with a new higher quality playing surface,” said Kinsley. The renovation was undertaken by Desert Landscape, a division of Desert Group, who completed the project two weeks ahead of schedule. The course was closed to pave way for a greens renovation due to the invasion of foreign grasses, which had affected the uniformity, appearance and smoothness of the greens.

Bahrain Tourism hosts FAM trip for regional wedding plannersThe Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions

Authority (BTEA) recently hosted a familiarisation trip for four leading wedding planners from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to 9. The initiative is part of efforts to further strengthen the kingdom's position as an ideal destination for weddings and celebrations. BTEA also arranged for meetings between the wedding planners and several Bahraini vendors and organisations, such as leading five- and four-star hotels, Bahraini wedding planners and organisers, destination management companies and other accommodation venues. A representative of BTEA’s Saudi office also attended the meetings along with the delegation.

In addition, a tour of the kingdom was organised for the delegations which featured visits to a selection of the kingdom’s luxury hotels and venues including Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa, Al Areen Resort, Wyndham

Grand Hotel, Jumeirah Royal Saray Bahrain, ART Rotana Amwaj Islands Hotel, The Orangery and La Fontaine. The delegation also visited the Sea Festival, one of the most-anticipated festivals organised by the BTEA, which celebrates the kingdom’s historical ties to the sea, seeking to educate visitors and tourists on the kingdom’s sea history. “By organising regular meetings with wedding planners from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, we aim to increase the number of wedding ceremonies being held in the Kingdom, further positioning Bahrain as an ideal destination for weddings and celebrations,” said Acting Director of Marketing and Tourism Promotion Directorate at BTEA, Dr Ali Follad.

“Hosting this familiarisation trip provided us with the opportunity to promote a wide range of wedding services and event planners we have to offer, as well as showcase unique venues, international luxury hotel chains and boutique offerings,” he added.

17December 2019

Wondrous Mountain Vistas of Taiwan

Taste Taiwanese teaStart your tea culture trip with a gondola ride admiring the scenery of the Maokong Mountains before you reach the lush, green landscapes of Bagua Tea Plantations with the backdrop of Thousand Island Lake nestled in the upper reaches of the Feicui Reservoir. Bagua Tea Plantation is among the largest and most photographed tea plantations in Taiwan. Marvel at the emerald green tea gardens amid the soothing mountain air. Stroll through the rows of tea plants and pick tea leaves during the harvesting season.

Explore Alishan Located in the middle between Taichung and Tainan, Alishan has more than sunrise and railways to offer. Lush green forests that go far and beyond, mysterious changing clouds, rushing waterfalls, hillside tea farms and indigenous villages are enough to amaze visitors. Explore The Alishan National Scenic Area through three main themes, “Alishan Highway” “Northwestern Corridor,” and “Tsou villages.” Alishan is a must-visit destination when planning your trip around this island nation.

Climb MountainsThis tropical island features majestic mountains, picturesque cliffs, astounding waterfalls and peaceful lagoons with crystal clear water. Some of the famed mountains of Taiwan include Mount Qixing, Yangmingshan, Yushan, Hehuanshan, Xueshan and Dasyueshan Mountain. Taiwan is indeed a perfect place for an adventure seeker where you can indulge in mountain climbing, trekking, mountain biking and much more. Travellers can opt for rock climbing at the Long Dong cliffs, located just an hour southeast from Taipei.

With 2020 being the year of mountain tourism for Taiwan, the key focus has shifted towards its majestic mountain ranges that include about 268 mountain peaks over 3,000 metres high.

Here are a few things to do when you visit Taiwan while enjoying its scenic mountains

18 December 2019

UPDATEAviation

Foster + Partners wins Red Sea Project airport's design contract

Airbus nine-month revenues up 14 pc to USD 51.4bn

Oman-based SalamAir has announced direct flight service from Muscat to Colombo, in a move that

enhances the airline’s subcontinent profile. The Colombo route is the airline’s seventh destination in the subcontinent, which includes Dhaka, Kathmandu, Karachi, Multan, Sialkot and Chattogram (Chittagong).The Muscat-Colombo direct route marks SalamAir’s foray into the Sri Lankan market. Scheduled to commence on December 24, 2019, the new link will operate four times a week. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir said, “It gives us immense pleasure to introduce operations to Sri Lanka, one of the most sought-after destinations in South Asia.”

SalamAir launches direct service to Colombo

Oman Air receives Four Star rating from APEXOman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of

Oman, has received a Four Star rating in the Major Airline category from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). Oman Air was presented with an award at APEX's Passenger Choice Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. "This recognition reflects that everyone who works for Oman Air is focused on delivering world-class service to our guests", said Oman Air CEO Abdulaziz Al Raisi.

“From our cabin crew to our pilots and everyone on the ground, there is a commitment to set industry-leading standards”, he said. “We’re proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone who works for Oman Air; our people created this success as the airline grows in size and stature,” said Al Raisi. To determine the award

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has signed up leading

architectural firm Foster + Partners to design the new international airport at its ultra-luxury tourism destination coming up along the west coast of the kingdom.

The new international airport, once completed, is likely to serve one million tourists and visitors every year by 2030, said a statement from the Saudi developer. One of the world’s most ambitious tourism and hospitality projects, The Red Sea Project is aimed at positioning Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map. The exquisite destination includes an archipelago of 90 untouched natural islands, dormant volcanoes, sweeping desert landscapes, beautiful mountains, rich nature and inspiring culture and will exceed expectations with the highest standards of service excellence, underpinned by technology to enable a seamless personalised experience.

According to TRSDC, the Red Sea Project development is planning to welcome its first guests by the end of 2022. In addition to the dedicated airport, Phase One of the development

will include up to 14 hotels offering 3,000 hotel rooms across five islands and two inland sites, as well as commercial, retail and leisure facilities and other infrastructure. Upon completion in 2030, the destination will deliver up to 8,000 hotel rooms across 22 islands and six inland sites. The annual number of visitors will be carefully managed to avoid over tourism and ensure that every guest enjoys a uniquely memorable experience.

Announcing the deal, CEO John Pagano said, "Awarding the contract for the design of our airport is an important milestone and the first of the underlying infrastructure projects of the destination."

Airbus has reported revenues of EUR 46.2 billion (USD 51.4 billion) for

the first nine months (9m) of the year, as against EUR 40.4 billion during 9m 2018, a rise of 14.35 per cent driven by higher deliveries, a favourable mix and foreign exchange rate development. A total of 571 commercial aircraft were delivered (9m 2018: 503 aircraft), comprising 33 A220s, 422 A320 Family, 34 A330s, 77 A350s and 5 A380s. Airbus Helicopters delivered 209 units (9m 2018: 218 units) with its stable revenues supported by growth in services and reduced by programme phasing. Airbus’ EBIT Adjusted increased sharply to EUR 3,833 million (9m 2018: USD 2,340 million), largely driven by the A320

ramp-up and NEO premium, progress on the A350 financial performance and foreign exchange improvement which already materialised in H1 2019.

On the A320 programme, NEO aircraft represented 338 out of the total 422 deliveries. The production ramp-up continued for the Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) version of the A321, which remains challenging. The ACF programme will further ramp up in Q4 2019 with efforts continuing throughout 2020 to improve the industrial maturity of the programme. Airbus also continues to study different options to increase the share of the A321 in current A320 Family production capacity.

UPDATE

19December 2019

Aviation

Emirates hosted the International Air Transport Association (IATA) inaugural Global Accessibility

Symposium, in a move to bring the industry together to advance open dialogue for a more disability-inclusive air transport system. The event took place in Dubai on November 5 and 6. The IATA Global Accessibility Symposium furthers the commitment of the resolution on passengers with disabilities which was made at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Seoul in June 2019. The resolution aims to improve the air travel experience for the estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide by encouraging governments, airlines, airports and stakeholders across the aviation industry to work together to ensure access to a safe, reliable and dignified travel experience. Acknowledging that initiatives of this magnitude need to be a collaboration between all stakeholders, this event is part of an industry strategy to engage with policy-makers and operators, draw on the extensive knowledge of specialised advocacy groups and organisations and understand how technology can play a role in furthering accessibility. Additionally, the aim is to tap into the experiences of travellers with disabilities to understand their needs and how the aviation industry can best assist them.

The invitation-only event will include keynotes, panel discussions and fireside chats that will tackle a wide variety of accessibility topics. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said, “Emirates employs every effort to make air travel as comfortable and as seamless as possible for our customers, especially for those with special needs and disabilities. We continue to listen to feedback from our customers, employees and advocates. We are on our own journey in taking a joined-up approach across all of our touchpoints to develop improved services and solutions and provide the consistency that travellers with disabilities expect. As an industry, we need to do more through championing a multifaceted approach to accessibility, and working with our industry partners to make bigger strides in responding to the diversity of disabilities, the multiplicity of access needs and unique travel circumstances of an aging travel population. This is just the beginning of the journey.”

Emirates hosts IATA Global Accessibility Symposium

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Cleveland Clinic

Abu Dhabi, a pioneering multispecialty hospital, have signed an agreement to promote Abu Dhabi as a premier medical travel destination. This is the first of its kind agreement in the region between an airline and medical services provider. As part of the agreement, Etihad will offer specific medical travel packages to key markets around the world, delivering a single solution for booking flights, accommodation and medical treatments at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, which covers more than 40 medical and surgical specialties.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group said, “As an airline offering specialised services

for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, including the care of our inflight nurse, it is a natural progression for us to partner with such a prestigious medical provider to bring more choice to our guests looking for the perfect medical travel package. Abu Dhabi has seen substantial global investment further strengthening its medical services and we’re proud to play a part in making this world-class healthcare more easily accessible.” The move to cooperate on medical travel services was announced as part of both companies’ support for Abu Dhabi’s wider strategy to become a leading centre for medical tourism, announced earlier this year by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and the Department of Culture and Tourism.

Etihad and Cleveland Clinic to promote medical tourism

5.27m passengers benefit from Emirates-flydubai partnershipOver 5.27 million passengers

have benefitted from seamless connectivity on the Emirates and flydubai network since both Dubai-based airlines began their partnership in October 2017. In addition, some 800,000 Emirates Skywards members have earned over 1.5 billion Skywards Miles on Emirates and flydubai codeshare itineraries in the last 12 months. Marking the milestone as the partnership enters into its third year, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group and Chairman of flydubai said, "The strategic partnership between Emirates and flydubai has been a success, generating benefits for travellers, for both airlines and for Dubai. Moving forward, both Emirates and flydubai will continue to develop the partnership to deliver even better customer journeys and better value for travellers and all stakeholders."

Today, Emirates passengers can seamlessly connect to 94 destinations on the flydubai network via Dubai International airport and flydubai passengers can access 143 Emirates

destinations. Globally, the favourite flydubai destinations for Emirates passengers are: Belgrade, Bucharest, Catania, Kathmandu, Kiev, Kilimanjaro, Krakow, Salalah, Tbilisi and Zanzibar. The strategic partnership between Emirates and flydubai goes beyond code-sharing in permitted markets, and includes initiatives that span commercial activity such as schedule co-ordination to offer customers more competitive prices, network planning and airport operations to facilitate the smooth flow of passengers between both airlines and the alignment of frequent flyer programmes to boost earning and redemption opportunities.

20 December 2019

What's onUPDATE

Gulf Air in line with its boutique strategy to add premium

leisure destinations to its delicately crafted network has revealed new additions to its 2020 network with three popular business and leisure destinations. The destinations are Milan in Italy (commencing from July 2020 on the new Airbus A321neo) and Munich in Germany and Mykonos in Greece which will both be served on a seasonal basis from July to September 2020 with four weekly flights and three weekly flights, respectively. Moreover, due to the popularity and success of the routes during summer 2019, Malaga will be reinstated during summer 2020 with two weekly flights and Salalah will be reinstated during the same period with three weekly flights.

The announcement was made at Bahrain’s pavilion at the World

Travel Market 2019 in London as Gulf Air co-exhibited with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority. A ceremony was held to announce the network expansion with attendees of the World Travel Market as well as members of the media. Gulf Air’s Chief Executive Officer Krešimir Kuko said, “With a strong network planning team that mainly composes of young Bahraini professionals, Gulf Air’s network is designed for our customers giving them a choice to travel to/from Bahrain or to several destinations connecting through Bahrain. Focal and balanced expansion into Europe for 2020 is aimed to support the strong infrastructure in tourism and trade.”

The second edition of the successful Saudi

International Airshow will be held in Riyadh in February 2021. The show will run from February 16 to 18, 2020 and will double its size following growing demand from exhibitors. It will also introduce three new areas and conferences during the three-day event: Space / Satellite; UAV/ Robotics and Aviation Training, announced Prince Sultan Bin Salman, Chairman of the Saudi Space Commission and Chairman of Saudi Aviation Club.

The space sector at Saudi International Airshow will be

the perfect opportunity to meet with the international space community, said a statement. Saudi Space Agency has already signed major partnerships including a joint statement between Saudi and Russian State Space Corporation in the fields of manned space flight and Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) announced during the visit, in October 2019, of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Saudi Arabia has a long history in space and satellite activity, with much of this activity emanating from the King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology (KACST).

Saudi setting up giant family entertainment district at Diriyah

Gulf Air adds three leisure destinations to network

Saudi air show next edition in Feb 2021

Yas Island records 25 per cent growth in visits from Europe

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to set up a giant open-air family entertainment district - featuring an outdoor ice rink,

Virtual Reality attractions, drone arena, karting on water and carnival games - at the spectacular Diriyah Oasis, a Unesco World Heritage site located on the outskirts of Riyadh. The Diriyah Season is a month-long festival that will see diverse sports such as Formula E, top-class men’s tennis, Olympic qualifying elite equestrianism and a world heavyweight boxing title fight – The Clash On the Dunes - hosted in the kingdom’s first capital city. Known as the home of kings and heroes, Diriyah will also stage performances from some of the biggest music artists on the planet. Spread over 130,000 sq m, the sprawling entertainment hub will be split into the four zones – Nature, Imagination, Reflection and Excitement - and it promises to be a whole lot of fun, giving families a place to come together, play and enjoy Saudi Arabia’s deep sense of community, said the organisers.

Experience Hub, the trade and promotion arm of leisure destination Yas Island Abu Dhabi has contributed to a 25 per cent rise in Yas

Island’s theme park visitation from the European markets compared to 2018. Visits from the UK and Russia grew 38 per cent and 41 per cent respectively. Experience Hub participated at World Travel Market (WTM) 2019, highlighted its value proposition to industry players and showcased the Island’s growing portfolio of attractions.

Experience Hub creates compelling holiday packages that combine stays and experiences in the UAE capital with Yas Island’s award-winning and world-class attractions, inspiring unforgettable leisure and entertainment itineraries that appeal to travellers from Europe and beyond. Yas Island’s expanding portfolio of attractions is expected to continue driving the growth trend in visitation from key European markets. In 2018, the destination enjoyed the successful opening of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and later this month, Yas Island will debut CLYMB Abu Dhabi.

Saudi hospitality market outlook stays positive

To examine the performance of the KSA hospitality

market, the evolution of the tourism industry in KSA and a regional view of global trends and disruptors, Deloitte Financial Advisory recently launched the Middle East Real Estate Predictions: KSA Hospitality Market 2019 report. Although, the KSA hospitality market experienced a challenging year in 2019 compared to previous years, the long-term outlook for the market remains positive. The overall performance in Makkah improved compared to the same period, last year. Occupancy saw a 10 per cent increase, reaching 68 per cent in the first half of 2019, however, the increase in supply continued to put pressure on ADRs which witnessed an eight per cent decline over the same period. The combined effect resulted in an increase in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) by one per cent. The hotel market in the Dammam and Al Khobar region saw a 10 per cent increase in occupancy, in the first half of 2019, compared to the same period last year. However, ADRs continued to soften, with a 17 per cent decline over the same period, resulting in an overall decline in RevPAR of eight per cent.

Average occupancy levels in Riyadh saw a five per cent increase compared to the same period last year, whilst increasing supply and competition led to a reduction in ADR by 10 per cent, over the same period, resulting in a decline in RevPAR of six per cent. While occupancy levels in Jeddah remained stable, increasing supply and competition continued to drive reductions in ADR and consequently RevPAR, which saw a decline of 11 per cent in the first half of 2019, compared to the same period last year. Notably, in 2018, Jeddah reported the highest ADR globally

according to data from STR. Dunia Joulani, Head of Travel, Hospitality and Leisure, Deloitte Middle East said, “Overall the long-term outlook for the key hospitality markets in KSA remains positive as diversification efforts, social reforms and government-led investments in infrastructure, entertainment and the tourism sector materialise.”

Robin Williamson, Head of Real Estate Middle East, Deloitte

Middle East said, “In 2018, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia launched several GIGA tourism and hospitality projects, which will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and

evolution of unique tourism industry in the Kingdom. However, there are a number of challenges including competition from established neighbouring tourism destinations, implementation of regulatory and social reforms, hotel staffing challenges and private sector investment. These challenges need to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth in the tourism and entertainment sectors”. The

Deloitte report also unveils an increased focus on data protection and cyber security and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). From online chatbots to virtual assistants such as Alexa and Siri,

AI continues to be leveraged in new products and service delivery techniques. This, along with the growing focus on cybersecurity, is expected to have a major impact on the hospitality market going forward.

In addition, the global cruise sector is currently one of the most dynamic sectors in the travel industry. The developing port capacity in the region presents an excellent destination and departure points for European ships. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that their members will jointly launch 18 new ocean ships in 2019 alone, with additional ships due to launch in the coming years. The Middle East was the fourth fastest-growing source region for the cruise sector in 2018 according to the CLIA, with a growth rate of 6.6 per cent.

From an investment perspective, over the past five years, the hotel industry globally witnessed major consolidation. While the Middle East contributed approximately a third of outbound cross-border hotel investment funding in 2018, within the region, hotel investment is primarily focused on the development of new hotels and funded by regional capital. Williamson commented, “The pace of transformation across Saudi Arabia, in response to the Vision 2030 to date has been significant. For the past two to three years, the GCC’s largest economy has been planning and designing new structures for various government and quasi-government bodies, as well as creating new government-backed real estate development vehicles. As the Kingdom approaches the next phases i.e. delivery and operation, careful consideration of many influencing and relevant factors will be essential to ensure their long term success”.

Report

December 2019 21

22 December 2019

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) has signed up Hafeera Contracting Company for

carrying out the restoration and renovation work at the Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) building, which once served as the kingdom’s main airport. Covering an area of 4,000 sq m, the project includes a terminal, arrival and departure gates, lounges, baggage handling services, duty-free shops tailored to the needs of VIP travellers, passport and customs control areas, and dedicated parking areas, said a statement from BAC. The restored building will be transformed into a private aviation terminal to cater to VIPs and business leaders, it added.

BAC had last year roped in Gulf House Engineering (GHE) to complete the design work and renovation of the CAA building. "The Civil Aviation Affairs building is symbolic of an important era in Bahrain’s aviation history as it was internationally known as the kingdom’s first airport", remarked Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and BAC Chairman Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed after signing the agreement with Chairman Issa Mohammed Abdul Rahim.

BAC Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, GHE General Manager

Engineer Ahmed Bucheery and other senior officials attended the signing ceremony. "Through this agreement, our goal is to ensure it retains its traditional character while transforming it into a private aviation terminal that adheres to the latest global standards and contributes to the advancement of Bahrain's aviation sector," he noted. "The project aims to give VIPs greater freedom and ease of travel through BIA and provide the highest levels of service. At the same time, this project supports the development of the private aviation sector in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, and contributes to the overall development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa," he added.

As Germany continues to draw an increasing number of visitors from the

Gulf region, the vibrant city of Heidelberg and luxury shopping destination Breuninger have stepped up to the plate to attract more Gulf travellers. Heidelberg, a centuries-old but fun-loving city within the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, is a famed university city courting GCC travellers with its café-hopping, restaurant and confectionery culture combined with rich historic attractions. The city hosts the original Vetter’s Brauhaus inn, which has exported its culture of freshly brewed drinks, sausage and over-fresh pretzels worldwide. Considered a haven for foodies, Heidelberg visitors can ride the funicular up to the castle and dine in ‘Scharffs Schlossweinstube’, the elegant Michelin-starred restaurant in Heidelberg Castle with amazing views of the old town and the river.

To attract family visitors during the festive winter break, Heidelberg is underscored with an abundance of colourful season markets. Year-round, the city’s stunning, lush green landscapes are brought to life through funicular, balloon and boat rides, as well as trips to Heidelberg Zoo, which houses over

1,100 animals from 250 species. “Heidelberg is also a member of

Germany’s barrier-free concept, which has provided great access to attractions and activities for the physically challenged and the city has produced the HeidelbergCARD which offers a host of benefits and discounts to visitors,” added Nina Koch, Director Sales of Heidelberg Marketing. “For the visually impaired, we have tailor-made excursions in German and English, including the ‘Discover Heidelberg by ‘Sensing, Smelling, Feeling’ guided tour. This brings the city’s history to life by sensing the environment, feeling monuments and smelling the scents of the city.”

Hafeera wins Bahrain Airport building revamp work

In its efforts to effectively embrace Ajman’s vision of a digital economy through smart

governance, Ajman Tourism Development Department has announced that it will link its digital services with Ajman Pay. The announcement was made by His Highness Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Tourism Development Department, at the department’s headquarters. According to HH Sheikh Abdulaziz, the partnership guarantees to establish a framework that will enable the department to improve service quality and assure higher excellence in serving the needs of Ajman’s residents. He added that Ajman Pay exemplifies the success and efforts of Ajman’s Department of Finance to advance the proficiency of financial standards at all levels. “The Ajman Tourism Development Department is proud to partner with Ajman Pay in providing services at par with global standards. The payment portal will indeed meet our requirements and will exceed our expectations, and we are confident that the department shall contribute further to achieving the payment portal’s objectives,” he added.

HH Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi noted in the agreement with the vision of the Ajman Department of Finance, that the Tourism Development Department is quite keen to position the emirate of Ajman as a leading hub in smart governance and digital transformation. “This pioneering service in the emirate was only made possible through the determined efforts of the Ajman Department of Finance and the cooperation between all government departments in Ajman. This is the reason why through this collaboration, the department aims to highlight its integral role in Ajman’s widespread digital transformation,” he added.

Ajman Tourism adopts new digital payment service

Germany woos Gulf travellers this winter

What's onUPDATE

Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi

24 December 2019

FOOTPRINTINGMiddle East

Soothe the soul with leisure in FUJAIRAHLying along the Gulf of Oman lays the emirate of business and commerce commonly known as Fujairah city. Fujairah is home to some of the world's most ravishing islands. Luminous sea water upon dazzling shore makes these islands breath-taking tourists’ spots. The sunrays fall straight on your face and the scenic views relaxes your mind, giving you ample of peace and serenity. Whether you're looking to relax on a beach or want some adventure, Fujairah is a must-visit destination

AL-BADIYAH MOSQUEImmersion in heritageOldest in the United Arab Emirates, Al-Badiyah Mosque lies about 35 kilometers north of Fujairah city. A perfect place to visit for the people who love to explore history and culture, the mosque consists of a prayer hall which is decorated with arches. The surroundings of the mosque reveal its antiquity as it believed to be inhabited for 4,000 years. Entirely built of mud and stones, this edifice is as popular with tourists as it is with the devout. It has four layered domes, each containing a central pillar to support the structure. If you are planning to visit Al-Badiyah Mosque, we suggest you to dress properly as it still features daily prayers. You can also go shopping for crafts in the market

By Team TSME

25December 2019

stalls nearby.

MUSANDAM DIBBA CRUISEGet your cruise game on!Musandam Dibba Cruise takes activities to new heights. Whether you're setting sail with friends, enjoying a romantic retreat with your partner or bringing the whole family along, a ‘must-do’ excursion in Fujairah would be the Musandam Dibba cruise. Musandam has gained fame in really a short span of time and it is effortlessly accessible from Dubai and Sharjah. Here, you can experience the real Arabian hospitality and amazing scenery of the Hajar Mountains and the Indian Ocean. The cruise experience in Musandam Dibba allows its visitors with an opportunity to discover unspoiled fauna and flora that the northern part of Fujairah has to offer. Immerse yourself in the

ancient landscapes, sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling.

BULL BUTTINGNo blood or bettingOne of the bizarre family events, Bull Butting, today serves as a major attraction to the visitors of Fujairah. If you are planning a trip to here, make sure it is a Friday so you can experience the ancient sport of bull butting. You need not worry as Bull Butting is not a blood sport unlike the Spanish bullfighting. Introduced by the Portuguese between the 17th and 18th century, the sport has been practiced for hundreds of years. Basically, owners bring their biggest bull in an open field to show off their strength against other owners and it draws attention from visitors and local residents as well. The final winner bull of the battle is commemorated

with its value increased. We suggest you to be little careful and stay far from the bulls!

COASTLINE AND SEAFun activities for the beach lovers Whether you're looking for an isolated stretch of sand or a family-friendly resort, you should head to most beautiful coastline of Fujairah. Whether you're a tourist or a regular visitor, there are plenty of cool places to explore. Known for its pristine beaches, Fujairah’s coastline extends 90 km along the Gulf of Oman. And it has also emerged as a hub for underwater enthusiasts seeking scuba diving or snorkeling. The Dadna Beach strip of land that cuts into the sea provides a picture-perfect spot for a romantic walk. One may also choose to simply bask under the golden sun and gaze at the vast blue for boundless hours. It is a unique area and a great weekend getaway and can be a part of a longer trip if you are exploring the UAE for the first time.

FOOTPRINTINGMiddle East

TAIWAN TOURISM BUREAU, REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN UAE:Wafi Mall, 3rd Floor, PO Box 114100, Dubai, UAE

For any enquires or further information for Taiwan Tourism, please contact

Email: farisj@vfsglobal.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/ttbmiddleeast

Taiwan FINAAL.indd 1 4/23/2019 11:11:18 AM

TAIWAN TOURISM BUREAU, REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN UAE:Wafi Mall, 3rd Floor, PO Box 114100, Dubai, UAE

For any enquires or further information for Taiwan Tourism, please contact

Email: farisj@vfsglobal.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/ttbmiddleeast

Taiwan FINAAL.indd 1 4/23/2019 11:11:18 AM

28 December 2019

LONDON EYEA trip to London is incomplete without visiting its iconic landmark which is the giant Ferris wheel, the Coca-Cola London Eye. To witness the beauty of London from a height is to take a ride in this giant wheel which is also known as the Millennium Wheel. You can enjoy a scenic view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben from here. It offers striking vistas of the city on a clear day and during the night you can view the city lighting up with a range of colours.

THAMES CRUISERiver Thames is world-famous and does not need any introduction. One of the unique ways to view this city from a different angle is undoubtedly via cruising along the River Thames. The cruises have tourist guides that are happy to provide information about significant landmarks of the city. You can sightsee without having to walk for miles and don’t forget to bring along your camera to ensure you click some great pictures. If you are a culinary enthusiast than look no further than Bateaux London which is a restaurant cruise experience on the River Thames in London. Cruising is a way to see more of London on a day out.

From alluring world-renowned landmarks and impressive architecture to some of the best shopping experiences in the UK and strolling around perfect green parks on a sunny day for an enjoyable time. This multicultural country with diverse attractions offers experiences catering to the needs of Muslim travellers including halal food and mosques such as the London Central Mosque and East London Mosque

By Team TSME

LONDON A city of vibrant and vivid attractions

29December 2019

MUSEUMSIf the idea of a museum intrigues your interest then London is your paradise. It has over 20 museums and many of these offer free entry. These museums are indeed spectacular pieces of architecture and cover a wide range of topics be it science, history or arts among others. The museums in London, which are worth exploring are the National History Museum, Imperial War Museum, Museum of London, National Gallery and the British Museum.

FUN-FILLED FAMILY VACATION The London Aquarium is a great place to visit with young travellers if you are on a vacation with your family as it offers a mesmerising selection of fish and other species for them to revel in. You can easily spend several hours there appreciating the different kinds of fish here. December is the ideal time if the traveller in you is looking to explore the Christmas markets and Winter Wonderlands. It makes for a great experience if you are holidaying with your family. During this time of the year, London offers some not-to-be-missed Christmas experiences. Tourists can also visit one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe, Oxford Street for a fascinating experience as it is beautifully decorated owing to the festive season. With over 300 shops spread across 1.5 miles, here you can find stores for all pockets from bargain clothing stores to high-end luxury outlets and everything in between. Also during Christmas, the street is one of the most beautifully decorated streets in the city.

HALAL FOOD There are numerous eateries in London and it is easy to find a Halal restaurant. Some of these restaurants offer Halal food along with non-Halal and alcohol too but some others are exclusively Halal. Royal Nawab is a fine dining restaurant and is among the preferred Halal restaurants in London. Exuding a lively and vibrant vibe, Dishoom is another popular restaurant for Halal food. If you wish to try a juicy steak in London then The Meat Co restaurant which serves Halal meat is perfect for that. If you are longing for halal Thai food, Siam Central is the answer. Best Mangal is renowned for its savoury Turkish kebabs. If you are near Oxford Street then you can also explore the Edgeware road which is the Arab street with plenty of Halal food options and other Muslim-friendly amenities.

AROUNDThe World

30 December 2019

Appointments

JOSIMAR DELFINRadisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek appoints Josimar Delfin as its Director of PR & Marketing. Her career in hospitality spans a decade, Delfin has worked with various brands such as the Intercontinental Hotel Group, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Melia Hotels International and has spent the last four years with the Radisson Hotel Group. Prior to this, she was the Cluster Director of PR & Marketing for Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi, Yas Island.

MAHMOUD SAFFARINIAjman Hotel managed by Blazon Hotel has announced the appointment of Mahmoud Saffarini as its Director of Sales and Marketing. Joining Ajman Hotel from Salalah Rotana Resort in Oman, Saffarini brings experience in the areas of sales, business development, strategic planning and team management. He will be responsible for overseeing all sales initiatives within all direct sales channel throughout the region and internationally.

RICHARD J BLEAKLEYMarriott Al Jaddaf has announced the appointment of Richard J Bleakley as its General Manager. Bleakley will oversee the performance and overall operations of 351 rooms, 128 Marriott Executive Apartments and five food and beverage outlets at the property in Al Jaddaf. He has 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and with Marriott International. He was the General Manager of Marriott Hotel Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi since its opening in 2016.

SAMEH EL AMRIS Hotel Al Barsha in Dubai, United Arab Emirates has appointed Sameh El Amri as its General Manager. El Amri comes with over 25 years of experience in the hospitality field and has held increasingly complex positions in the hotel industry in the Middle East throughout his career, including countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE. He has worked for high-profile and reputable hotel groups such as Safir, Starwood, Marriott, Accor and IHG.

MILJANA ZVICERHyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates has appointed Miljana Zvicer as its Assistant Hotel Manager. Zvicer will support the operations and functionality of the 204-room and 84-apartment Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah. She brings 13 years of hospitality experience having worked in two of Hyatt's most luxurious properties in Dubai, Grand Hyatt Dubai and Park Hyatt Dubai. Zvicer aims to position the newly opened hotel as a welcoming place, where guests find uncomplicated experiences in a casual atmosphere.

MUSTAFA ABU AL AINEN Grand Millennium Business Bay in Dubai, United Arab Emirates has appointed Mustafa Abu Al Ainen as its General Manager. Al Ainen has 25 years of experience in hotel management and operations. He has worked for several international hotel chains such as IHG, Hilton and Rotana in the Gulf region and the United Kingdom. Prior to this, he was working at Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa (MEA) as Director of Operations for ME markets.

SAVINO LEONE Jumeirah at Etihad Towers appoints Savino Leone as its General Manager. Leone will be responsible for running the hotel’s 382 rooms and suites. He has a wealth of experience spanning from Asia, Europe and Middle East to Africa. Prior to this, he was associated with the InterContinental Hotels Group, including that of GM of the group’s Osaka hotel in Japan; Resident Manager in Doha, F&B Manager in London and Assistant F&B Manager in Dubai.

JOCHEM-JAN SLEIFFER Hilton has announced that Jochem-Jan Sleiffer has been appointed as its Area President of Middle East, Africa & Turkey. He succeeds Rudi Jagersbacher, who has chosen to step down. The change, effective from January 2020, will see Jagersbacher assume a two-year advisory role, based in Dubai, to assist the transition. Sleiffer most recently acted as Senior VP Operations, Continental Europe, overseeing a portfolio of 57 Hilton managed hotels across 26 countries and territories.

Whether you’re longing to discover the city, shop till you drop or unwind with a beachside getaway, your perfect Dubai escape awaits at Wyndham Dubai Marina.