1. TAKING GREEN TO THE MAINSTREAM: World Green Tourism
experts argue it’s time to take sustainable travel to the mass market
January 2012 Vol. 07 Issue 01
An ITP Business Publication
News and analysis for Middle East travel agents and tour operators www.hoteliermiddleeast.com
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P36 HOW TO SELL: p12 2012 FORECAST
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Industry
CALIFORNIA experts
reveal
S.
what lies
ahead
DREAMING
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p18 INTERVIEW:
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A travel agent fam trip gets a taste of the luxury life
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Dubai brand
A
Auris Hotels
reveals
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in the Sunshine State of California
plans for
expansion
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p03 NEWS:
:
Swedish
charters
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boost RAK
tourism
10
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p48 AGENT OF
THE MONTH:
Raghda
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Top new hotels Omar
in 2012 takes the
p22 top spot
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FAM REPORT: IRELAND p46 PACKAGE PLANNER
Holiday Factory agents plan their
Agents feel perfect honeymoon itinerary
the call of the
wild in Coun-
ty Donegal NEW IN ABU
p42 Our pick o
DHABI
f the hottes
new Abu Dh t
abi hotels
p4 0

2. Terms & Conditions Apply
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3. VOLUME 07 ISSUE 01
THE KNOWLEDGE
ET
36
“LA is a very happening and vibrant
destination”
29 ROUND-UP
A comprehensive round-
up of product and sup-
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plier news to help you
sell more travel, from
destinations, hotels,
S.
airlines, cruise and travel
technology.
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36 CALIFORNIA
DREAMING
Agents get a taste of
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Sunshine State.
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40 THREE OF THE BEST
Our pick of the top three Abu Dhabi hotel
UPFRONT FEATURES openings to get excited about.
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02 NEWS 12 WHAT’S IN 42 CALL OF THE WILD IN IRELAND
Dnata expands into In- STORE FOR 2012? Travel agents take to the saddle in a
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dia; Swedish charters Industry experts remote part of County Donegal.
boost RAK tourism; from across the
Al Futtaim to roll out Middle East travel
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Thomas Cook brand sector reveal their
in the Middle East; predictions for the
MSC discounts debut year ahead.
Gulf cruise; MMI sells Olympics packages
at $3,500; Sharaf Travel launches new
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branch in Dubai’s Emirates Towers. 18 A HOME-GROWN
HOTEL BRAND 46 PACKAGE PLANNER
06 ANALYSIS The team behind new Two Holiday Factory agents
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Louise Oakley reports
from World Green
4% Dubai brand Auris
Hotels is gearing up
plan their ideal honey-
moon itinerary.
Predicted growth in
Tourism where world outbound trips to take the brand
in 2012
experts debate how to region-wide. 48 AGENT
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More on page 12
take green travel to the OF THE MONTH
mass market. Raghda Omar is nomi-
nated for her passion
08 VIEWPOINT 22 TOP 10 NEW and enthusiasm.
Editor’s letter; plus ATN readers share HOTELS IN 2012
their views with us. We pick the hot-
test new openings TAKING GREEN TO THE MAINSTREAM: World Green Tourism
experts argue it’s time to take sustainable travel to the mass market
January 2012 Vol. 07 Issue 01
THIS MONTH’S COVER:
An ITP Business Publication
News and analysis for Middle East travel agents and tour operators www.hoteliermiddleeast.com
12 CHECK IN expected to hit CALIFORNIA
p12 2012 FORECAST
Industry
experts
reveal
what lies
ATN JANUARY 2012
DREAMING ahead
p18 INTERVIEW:
Rezidor expands its Middle East regional the Middle East
A travel agent fam trip gets a taste of the luxury life Dubai brand
VOL 07 ISSUE 01
in the Sunshine State of California Auris Hotels
reveals
plans for
expansion
p03 NEWS:
Swedish
charters
boost RAK
tourism
office and we meet Ahmed Adam, market this year. 10
Top new hotels
in 2012
p22
Raghda
Omar
takes the
top spot
AGENT OF
p48
THE MONTH:
FAM REPORT: IRELAND p46 PACKAGE PLANNER
director of sales, Saudi Arabia for Rezidor.
Holiday Factory agenrs plan their
Agents feel perfect honeymoon itinerary
the call of the
wild in Coun-
ty Donegal NEW IN ABU
p42 Our pick of
DHABI
the hottest
new Abu Dhabi
p40 hotels
www.hoteliermiddleeast.com Arabian Travel News January 2012 1

4. NEWS
Dnata Travel
launches India
operation
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ubai-based Dnata expand gradually into other areas of
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Travel, which is the travel industry including: retail/
owned by the Emir- leisure travel, online and MICE.
ates Group, has of- A partnership has been established
S.
ficially launched its with Cox & Kings Global Services
travel services operation in India in (CKGS) — a subsidiary of Cox &
partnership with Hogg Robinson Kings — to provide visa processing
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Group (HRG). and Marhaba Meet and Greet Servic-
Dnata has opened two offices in es for Indian travellers visiting Dubai
India, located in Noida in Delhi and and Sharjah.
Mumbai, and has initiated its Indian
operations with 100 employees.
Dnata plans to offer corporate trav-
The partnership, referred to as
CNKMDV, will offer visitors the
chance to arrange and pre-purchase
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“As a rapidly expanding economy, India
is a market of strategic importance to
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the travel business on the whole.”
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el solutions in India with services in- Marhaba services and assist with pro-
cluding a 24-hour contact centre for cessing of tourist and transit visas.
reservations, online corporate book- CNKMDV has opened 11 Dubai
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ing tools, visa services, travel insur- Visa Marhaba application centres
ance, car rentals, event management, across India, with specialised sales
incentives and VAT reclaim. coordinators on hand to provide ad-
Gary Chapman, president, Dnata vice and make customer bookings
said: “As a rapidly expanding econo- for Marhaba services and assist with
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my, India is a market of strategic im- processing visa applications.
portance to us and the travel business “This is the beginning of what we
on the whole. Our expertise lies in believe to be a very fruitful relation-
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sourcing, supplying, distributing and ship with Dnata” said Sanjay Bhaduri,
promoting the best in travel products CEO, CKGS. Our partnership will
from around the world and making surely benefit Indian travellers and
them easily accessible. their families providing them with a
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“Cutting-edge technology coupled seamless travel experience to Dubai.”
with skilled and professional staff
100
that can deliver travel-related prod-
ucts and services to international
standards are what will set Dnata
apart from its competitors in India.”
While Dnata has launched in the Dnata staff employed
corporate travel sector it plans to at its India offices
HAVE YOUR SAY... DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND INTO INDIA THIS YEAR?
2 Arabian Travel News January 2012 www.hoteliermiddleeast.com

5. NEWS
5000
Swedish tourists
to visit RAK on
charter flights
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Tourists from Sweden arrive on the first charter flight to Ras Al Khaimah. Al Futtaim is planning to roll out the Thomas Cook brand across the region.
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Swedish charter flights Al-Futtaim to rollout
boost RAK tourism Thomas Cook in region
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Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Investment and Development Dubai-based Al Futtaim Travel is finalising plans to roll
Authority (Ras Al Khaimah TIDA) has signed an agree-
ment with Swedish tour operator Apollo — part of the
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Swiss Kuoni Group — to bring a weekly charter flight from
out the Thomas Cook brand (Europe’s second biggest
tour operator) across the Middle East next year in part-
nership with Thomas Cook Egypt.
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Sweden to the emirate throughout the winter season. Al Futtaim Travel — preferred sales agent (PSA) of
The weekly 221-seat charter will see an additional Thomas Cook Egypt — said its “vision for 2012” was to
5,000 tourists visiting RAK between November 2011 launch Thomas Cook Holiday shops in Dubai; B2B and
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and April 2012; spending over 150,000 room nights. B2C online booking channels and a Dubai-based 24/7
The Apollo agreement is the second charter flight call centre. Expansion of the brand to strategic locations
service to be introduced by RAK TIDA in the last few across the GCC will take place over the next three years.
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months. In September the authority signed an agreement Details of the plan are still being finalised, including
with German Tour Operator, Reise Service Deutschland the number of Thomas Cook/Al Futtaim branches to
and Dubai- based DMC World of Travel to introduce five be opened. A spokesperson for Al-Futtaim Travel said:
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weekly charter flights from Germany and one weekly “The vision we have for Thomas Cook is to launch the
charter flight from Austria to Ras Al Khaimah. brand in the region. It’s a work in progress and we are
The deal resulted in a substantial increase in room still finalising it, so we can’t reveal the full details without
revenues and hotel occupancy with figures for October everything being signed off .”
2011 showing a 7% increase in hotel occupancy and an Al Futtaim said Thomas Cook would become a seri-
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increase of US$ 1.7 million in beach hotels and resort ous contender in the market to Emirates Holidays — the
room revenues compared to the previous year. tour operating arm of Emirates Airline as “the GCC mar-
The weekly charters bring visitors from various des- ket seriously needs another, more competitive and profes-
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tinations in Germany including Hamburg, Frankfurt, sional tour operator to compete with Emirates Holidays.”
Dusseldorf, Berlin, Munich and the Austrian capital, Vi- The company insisted that Middle East consumers
enna and will continue until June 3rd, 2012. would still have confidence in Thomas Cook holiday prod-
“The introduction of charter flights into Ras Al ucts, despite the tour operator’s current financial troubles.
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Khaimah is proving to be a huge success in reaching our The debt-stricken tour operator has blamed the Arab
main objective of doubling our visitor number to 1.2 mil- Spring for a slump in sales to the Middle East. It was
Dnata Travel has lion by 2013,” said Victor Louis, COO, RAK TIDA. forced to arrange a US $311million credit facility with
opened its first office in Louis added that more charter flights to additional 17 bank lenders in a bid to recover from an annual net
Delhi and one in Mumbai. destinations would be added in 2012, and RAK TIDA loss of $808million; and last month confirmed that it
was also setting up a “dedicated charter operation com- would close 200 of its 1,300 travel agencies in Britain,
pany specialising in Tour Operators Business under the resulting in up to 1,000 job loses as part of a major cost-
Ras Al Khaimah Airport operation. ” saving UK restructure plan.
EMAIIL MONIKA.CANTY@ITP.COM OR VISIT WWW.HOTELIERMIDDLEEAST.COM
www.hoteliermiddleeast.com Arabian Travel News January 2012 3

6. NEWS
GOING UP $23,036
Platinum package
Doha with closing cer-
emony tickets
World Travel Awards (WTA)
will host its grand final cer-
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emony in Doha on January
11 for the first time — mark-
ing a major moment for
Qatar’s tourism sector.
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The MSC Lirica is the first cruise ship to homeport in Abu Dhabi. Mayank Dhingra, MMI receives the appointment from the UAE NOC.
Tom Cruise
S.
Dubai hotels Jumeirah
Zabeel Saray and the Burj
MSC discounts debut MMI sells Olympic
Khalifa make their big Arabian Gulf cruise packages at $3,500
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screen debut in Mission
Impossible Ghost Protocol. MSC Cruises has slashed the prices for its debut winter MMI Travel said it has already achieved 25% of its forecast-
season of cruises in the Arabian Gulf in a bid to stimu- ed sales on packages to the 2012 London Olympic Games,
QE2
The QE2 is the setting for
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late late interest from the local market. The promotion
includes a rate of US$ 200 per person per week including
port charges over the Christmas sailing period; and US$
and expects to have sold over half by the end of January.
The official Olympics ticket reseller in the UAE is sell-
ing packages starting at US$3,428 (AED12,593) up to
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an exclusive New Year’s Eve 300 per person per week for New Year sailing. $23,036 (AED84, 615) for two people, including flights,
party - the ship’s first public Cruise lines have traditionally found it tough to en- hotel accommodation, game tickets and transfers.
outing since it was pur- courage the local market onto Gulf cruises and are reliant Silver packages, which include economy-class flights
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chased by Dubai in 2008. on sourcing passengers from outside the region. from Dubai, three-nights accommodation and tickets
Ashok Kumar, managing director, Cruise Master - for the equestrian event on August 7, start from $3,428
Middle East said: “Local contribution for cruises within (AED12,593) for two. Gold packages, including tickets
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Xmas Trees Arabian Gulf has been insignificant for various reasons, for the athletics events on August 5 start from $4,875
Emirates Palace Hotel people living in the region have been travelling within the (AED17,910) for a six-night package; and a nine-night
scaled down it’s tree this Gulf and wish to explore new regions; there are no major Platinum package, with tickets to the closing ceremony
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year after a barrage of criti- school holidays during the cruise season here. and business class flights costs $23,036 (AED84,615).
cism for last year’s $11m “The current economic climate in Europe may have A spokesperson for MMI said: “Tickets have been on
jewel-encrusted effort. hurt the occupancy levels, which has resulted in MSC of- sale since the beginning of November but we only made
fering such low pricing in order to stimulate local traffic the announcement a couple of weeks ago. We haven’t yet
from this late booking market.” started actively promoting or advertising the tickets or
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Ferrari World Royal Caribbean said its Gulf cruise for the Christmas packages, so it’s still early days, especially for the UAE
The Abu Dhabi theme park and New Year season was sold out. The price for a 7-night which is known to be a late booking market.
has slashed staffing levels cruise on Brilliance of the Seas for the rest of the season starts “We’re pleased with the response so far. Enquiries about
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to meet its newly reduced from around $ 600 per person on double occupancy. equestrian and athletic events are probably the highest.”
opening hours.
SHARAF TRAVEL OPENS EMIRATES TOWERS BRANCH
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Nakheel Sharaf Travel has expanded in Dubai dedicated consultants.
The Dubai developer has with a new branch at the Emirates “This branch is manned by expe-
banned more than 1,300 Office Towers. Located in the boule- rienced and highly trained travel
residents Palm Jumeirah vard area, the branch will service the professionals who will endeavor to
residents from using beach- travel requirements of business and provide seamless service to all our
es, pools and gyms in a leisure travellers in and around the esteemed clients visiting this loca-
controversial plan to charge towers. The opening on December tion,” said Salah Sharaf.
for use of the facilities. 4 was timed to celebrate the UAE’s Sharaf Travel now has 13 branch-
40th National Day said Salah Sharaf, es across the UAE and Oman, in-
GOING DOWN chairman, Sharaf Travel. cluding nine branches in Dubai, as
V. Jayaram, managing director, Sharaf Travel. The branch is staffed by a team of well as one in Mumbai, India.
4 Arabian Travel News January 2012 www.hoteliermiddleeast.com

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8. analysis
Experts argue that large multi-
nationals need to adopt sustain-
ability for change to happen
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Taking green
tourism
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into the
S.
mainstream
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Louise Oakley reports from World Green
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Tourism in Abu Dhabi, where it was time
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to challenge the myth that sustainable
travel is only for the wealthy few
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o longer just the preserve of eco retreats or nature reserves, sus- change can actually happen.” Responsible Tourism said it was vital
tainable tourism must be embraced by the mass travel and hos- In November Thomas Cook an- that multi-national companies start
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pitality sectors and promoted to consumers at the right price if nounced a new group-wide vision for making serious strides to be sustain-
it is to really make a difference. a sustainable future entitled Travel the able. Small-scale initiatives — re-
This was the premise behind several of the discussions at world without costing the earth. The aim ferred to Goodwin as ‘cul-de-sacs’
World Green Tourism in Abu Dhabi last month. The conference did away with is for every holiday Thomas Cook sells and ‘by-ways’ — should be confined
preconceived ideas of sustainable tourism and focused on addressing the core to be sustainable, not just a smatter- to the past as tour operators look to
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issue of how to offer sustainable products to the mass market and — impor- ing featured in an ‘eco’ brochure. The mainstream sustainable options.
tantly — on whose responsibility it was to do so. group runs 93 aircraft and reaches 23 “Eco-tourism was a cul-de-sac, it
Ruth Holroyd, group head of sustainability at The Thomas Cook Group million customers worldwide and has was a mistake. It was about saying
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questioned whether an eco-lodge — accessible only to the wealthy few — was some ambitious targets — including ‘we’ll green the tourism industry by
really more sustainable than a large but low-impact hotel for the mass market. a 20% reduction in electricity across focusing on 1 or 2% of it’. I still hear
“Why should sustainable tourism only be for small groups of wealthy people?” the entire group and 12% improve- people saying that eco-tourism is the
asked Holroyd. “Others are entitled to it as well and in fact it is the mass form of ment in efficiency across its airlines. fastest-growing sector of the industry
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sustainable travel that will really make a difference to destinations.” — it is these sort of awful myths that
“Mass tourism done well can be sustainable as long as it’s done in conjunction Taking ‘green’ mainstream actually frustrate change.
with customers, hoteliers and destination governments. This is what is needed Professor Harold Goodwin, direc- “There is no doubt in my mind
to create a sustainable industry and the sooner that’s accepted the faster the tor of the International Centre for that progress can only be made by big
“Why should sustainable tourism “Eco tourism was a cul-de-sac, it
only be for small groups of was a mistake”
wealthy people?” Ruth Holroyd, group Professor Harold Goodwin, director of the
head of sustainability at The Thomas Cook Group International Centre for Responsible Tourism
6 Arabian Travel News January 2012 www.hoteliermiddleeast.com

9. analysis
coming out asking if people will pay
more for responsible tourism. We’re
painting ourselves into a corner. Why
should responsible or more thought-
ful tourism be more expensive? Why
should using local guides or fresh
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food, saving costs on energy, water
and waste, be more expensive? It
doesn’t need to be more expensive.
“As the movement develops the
choice increases. It’s maturing as a
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marketplace. I wish those in the in-
dustry who commission research ask-
ing ‘would people pay more?’ would
S.
stop. It’s not doing us any service.”
Goodwin also slated carbon offset-
ting as a “terrible mistake”. “It took the
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pressure off the airline to de-carbo-
nise its form of transport. We know
there are significant changes that can
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rently there is no incentive other than
the rising price of oil to force the in-
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dustry to do that,” he claimed.
Tackling scepticism
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Green Globe director of communica-
tions Bradley Cox said a major issue was
the need to draw a distinction between
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“being sustainable and going green”.
companies mainstreaming significant “At the heart of responsible tourism travel industry to engage travellers in “Scepticism is the major issue in
change towards sustainability.” is taking responsibility, the problem is the mass sustainable mission? the consumer market that we face —
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“It was very convenient for the that it’s everybody’s and it’s nobody’s. Justin Francis, chief executive and 75% of us say we’re sceptical when a
mainstream industry to focus on eco- We need to challenge companies to co-founder, ResponsibleTravel.com hotel claims to be green, the other
tourism because they just left that to a take responsibility for their impact.” was blunt about the level of consumer 25% just don’t believe it so there is a
few small companies. The change that demand for sustainable travel. huge ingrained scepticism.
has come out of the adoption by TUI The role of the consumer “There is a lot of data that shows “The reason is that most of the lan-
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and Thomas Cook of sustainability as But how can consumers make sense growing interest in responsible tour- guage is termed around ‘going green’.
part of their strategy is where we need of the terms ‘eco’, ‘sustainable’ and ism. But I want to get very real about You have to be sustainable. If you stop
to be going globally,” said Goodwin. ‘green’? Do they understand the cer- the market. No research has ever been making claims about green and you
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Goodwin argued that it didn’t mat- tifications? And is it down to the published that shows social and envi- start to be sustainable you will find
ter whether there was a list of sustain- ronmental impacts are the most impor- many activities occurring within your
able criteria that everybody agreed tant factors in choosing a holiday. It’s al- business that are actually authentic
75%
on, just that the primary issues — of ways the right product at the right price.” and legitimate that you can commu-
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carbon emissions, greenhouse gases, Francis stressed that the industry nicate to your consumers.
waste, water and local economic de- should stop expecting consumers to cov- “Stop talking about being green
velopment — were acted upon, and of travellers are sceptical when er the cost of companies “going green”. and show them what it is to be a sus-
that companies are held to account. a hotel claims to be ‘green’ “I’m fed up with research that keeps tainable business,” Cox concluded.
“I’m fed up with the research “The reason there’s scepticism is
asking if people will pay more for that most of the language is termed
responsible tourism” Justin Francis, chief around ‘going green’” Bradley Cox, director of
executive and co-founder, ResponsibleTravel.com communications, Green Globe
www.hoteliermiddleeast.com Arabian Travel News January 2012 7

10. VIEWPOINT
A New Year but
what's in store? Registered at Dubai Media City
PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE
Tel: 00 971 4 444 3000 Fax: 00 971 4 444 3030
Web: www.itp.com
Offices in Dubai & London
ET
After the year we’ve just had, who would dare to hazard a guess ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHING
what lies ahead in 2012... CEO Walid Akawi
Managing Director Neil Davies
As the voice of the Middle East travel trade, we want to hear your news and views. Managing Director, ITP Business Karam Awad
Deputy Managing Director Matthew Southwell
Email the editor at monika.canty@itp.com Editorial Director David Ingham
T
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EDITORIAL—
rying to come up with predictions line grabbing news — all of which have led to me Group Editor Louise Oakley
Tel: +971 4 444 3475 email: louise.oakley@itp.com
about what may be in store for the conclude that what might happen this year could Editor Monika Canty
S.
Tel: +971 4 444 3413 email: monika.canty@itp.com
travel sector in the year ahead is always be anyone's guess.
ADVERTISING
a traditional way to kick off our first edi- But despite the trepidation in the air about what Publishing Director Diarmuid O’Malley
tion of the year at Arabian Travel News. may or may not be in store; there are many reasons Tel: +971 4 444 3568 email: dom@itp.com
Sales Manager Irene Fernandez
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This month we’ve asked 11 experts from across to be cheerful and optimistic about the regional Tel: +971 4 444 3721 email: irene.fernandez@itp.com
the industry to look back on their highs and lows of travel sector. The continued expansion of the re- STUDIO
2011 and try to make some guesses about what lies gion's airlines means new destinations and new Group Art Editor Dan Prescott
ahead. But one thing that’s come across is how futile
crystal ball gazing probably is these days.
Looking back on the past year there's no way any-
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markets continue to open up. Forecasters are par-
ticularly excited about the remarkable growth of Chi-
nese travellers and welcome them with open arms.
Designer Adrian Luca
Tel: +971 4 444 3565 email: adrian.luca@itp.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chief Photographer Jovana Obradovic
Senior Photographer Efraim Evidor
one could have predicted the dramatic and unfore- And local travel firms say they are finally getting
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Staff Photographers George Dipin, Juliet Dunne,
Lester Ali, Lyubov Galushko, Mosh Lafuente, Mur-
seen events that resulted in having such a massive to grips with the technology revolution. We antici- rindie Frew, Ruel Pableo, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh Raghav,
Shruti Jagdesh, Stanislav Kuzmin, Verko Ignjatovic
impact on the international world of travel. pate that 2012 will be the year when we finally wit-
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The protests, conflicts and revolutions in Arab ness new online booking channels and a push from PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION
Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith
countries at the start of the year that brought tour- the regional travel sector to move ahead with long Deputy Production Manager Mathew Grant
Production Coordinator Radomir Medojevic
ism to a virtual standstill in some parts of the region awaited technology developments.
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Tel: +971 444 3788 radomir.medojevic@itp.com
(while conversely having the complete opposite ef- And they are not the only ones. Arabian Travel Distribution Manager Karima Ashwell
Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami
fect on destinations such as the UAE viewed as ‘safe News is not being left behind — this year will see CIRCULATION
havens’); the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan; the magazine launch our very own dedicated web- Head of Operations & Database Gaurav Gulati
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the Eurozone debt crisis and the political and eco- site just for you. So look out for that, as if nothing MARKETING
nomic dramas in Greece, then Italy — these were else it's sure to be the highlight of the year ahead. Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell
Marketing Manager Annie Chinoy
just some of the top stories in a year full of head- Monika Canty, Editor
ITP DIGITAL
General Manager Peter Conmy
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ITP GROUP
Chairman Andrew Neil
Mailbox Managing Director Robert Serafin
Finance Director Toby Jay Spencer-Davies
Board of Directors K.M. Jamieson, Mike Bayman,
STAR
Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin
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Circulation Customer Service Tel: +971 4 444 3000
RE: Emirates Airline gets tough LETTER Certain images in this issue are available for purchase.
Please contact itpimages@itp.com for further details or
visit www.itpimages.com.
on late passengers
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Printed by Atlas Printing Press L.L.C. Dubai
Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions
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Perhaps Emirates wouldn't have wouldn't have to take a hit on The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions
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are Gold members of their frequent gate as opposed to a 20 minute bus *BPA Worldwide Audited
Average Qualified Circulation
flyer program if it kept its promise ride to the far-end of the airport 4,983 (July - Dec 2010)
that all Emirates flights depart and parking spots. Even LCCs at Terminal
arrive at the brand new Terminal 2 are much closer to the gate than Published by and Copyright © 2011 ITP
Business Publishing, a division of ITP Publishing
3 in Dubai. Maybe passengers this. Disappointed Emirates passenger Group Ltd. Registered in the B.V.I. under
Company Registration number 1402846.
8 Arabian Travel News January 2012 www.hoteliermiddleeast.com

11. VIEWPOINT
RE: WORLD TRAVEL golf courses, but they aren't price there then I'm sure a RE: TIME FOR A
AWARDS FINAL TO BE "great" by any stretch of the lot more people would be UNITED TOURISM EFFORT
HELD IN DOHA imagination. If you could attracted to the sport. I am inclined to believe
Doha is making great golf for a more reasonable John Doe that a UAE destination
strides in the development marketing campaign might
of its tourism sector. First wield significant weight.
Online at
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the FIFA World Cup and Most countries with
now the World Travel developed tourism markets
Awards. I am sure with TOP 5 TRAVEL STORIES have proper multi-
events like these business 1. Top 20 Travel Agencies language portals to inform
tourism is going to boom 2. PHOTOS: Westin launch goes with a bang visitors to what's available
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in Qatar. Debbie throughout the country.
3. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Not everyone wants to
slashes staffing levels
RE: ABU DHABI SEEKS lay around on the beach
S.
SLICE OF $17 GOLF 4. Dubai’s Metropolitan hotel all day! VisitJordan.com,
TOURISM to be demolished VisitSweden.com are two
Abu Dhabi needs to lower 5. Dubai hotel makes good examples of what can
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the prices to get more big screen in Mission be achieved with country
people out golfing. Impossible marketing.
Abu Dhabi has a lot of nice Baxster
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www.hoteliermiddleeast.com Arabian Travel News January 2012 9

12. AGENT ACTION
TOP TIPS CHECKIN’
FOR JOB- IN/ CHECK-
SEEKERS IN’ OUT
ET
1. Keep your CV to just
two pages long.
AHMED ADAM, ASHRAF EL ZAHED
Four Seasons Hotels
Remember to always Director of Sales, Saudi Arabia, Rezidor and Resorts has ap-
use a simple layout. pointed Ashraf El Zahed
What is your career background? established very good ties over the years as the new director of
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2. Know what you are I have worked for the last 11 years in the with many of the local travel agents and hotel marketing Middle
applying for. Compose travel industry with international hotel wholesalers. I’m very keen to develop East. El Zahed
a clearly-stated job ob- companies in KSA, Qatar and the UAE. these relationships and extend all support will oversee
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jective. State what you Before moving to KSA, I spent the last to our business partners. One of the main the mar-
want to do, for whom, six years in the UAE where I worked very reasons to establish the office is to have a keting
where and at what level closely with travel agents, tour operators local contact in the market for all our cli- functions
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of responsibility. as well as the corporate segment. ents so that they have even easier of existing
Travel and hospitality is not access to information and as- and upcom-
3. Stand out from the only a career it is my passion. sistance whenever required. ing Four Seasons
crowd. Instead of just
listing your job skills,
describe the benefits
What attracted you
to the role at in KSA?
IA What will be the
biggest challenge?
hotels and resorts in the
Middle East and Egypt
towards an integrated
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and results of your I have always wanted to I think the most challeng- and sustained corporate
performance. For each grow within The Rezidor ing part is creating interest focus on the Middle
permanent job or staff- Hotel Group. Besides that, the for new destinations that the East region as an im-
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ing assignment develop Saudi market is not new to me and market is not accustomed to, as portant growth market
a list of major accom- has unlimited potential. I was fortunate to it is challenging to change perceptions. for Four Seasons.
plishments, placing the be chosen for such a challenge.
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greatest emphasis on What do you love most about RICHARD NUTTALL
recent achievements. What are your main objectives your job? Bahrain’s second airline
and responsibilities? I love having the opportunity to meet dif- Bahrain Air has ap-
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4. Companies value My responsibilities include the setup of ferent people from various cultures and pointed Richard Nuttall
employees who en- the global sales office that will overlook the fact that you can actually help people as its new chief execu-
hance their profits and the entire Saudi market. I will handle getting what they want and need from tive officer. Nuttall ex-
save them time and key accounts for inbound and outbound travel, be it business or leisure. pressed his enthusiasm
money — use your CV business and promote Rezidor’s various for his new assignment
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to explain how you can brands, alongside other activities includ- What are you most proud of in by saying: “I
achieve this. ing organising fam trips and coordination your career so far? am both
of road shows and events etc. I’m proud of every job I have ever done in honoured
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5. Always proof-read. my life no matter how big or small. I be- and ex-
Make sure your CV and How do you plan to work with lieve once you invest your time and effort cited to be
cover-letter are error travel agents in your role? in something it always pays back — not given this
free, avoid jargon and The Rezidor Hotel Group has already always straight away but it will eventually. opportunity.
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use plain English. Whilst 2011 has been an
extremely challenging
year for airlines operat-
REZIDOR EXPANDS MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL OFFICE ing within the Middle
The Rezidor Hotel Group marketing manager, regional team is in-line group; in 2011 key proper- East, Bahrain Air has
has announced four new Aline Barhouche as with the current and ties have opened across come a long way in its
appointments in the Mid- regional HR manager future growth plans the region, including the three years of operation.
dle East regional office. The and Ahmed Adam, for Rezidor in the first Hotel Missoni in the We have a great team
new additions are: Stuart director of sales for Middle East. Middle East (Kuwait) plus and our goal now is
Allum as purchasing man- Saudi Arabia. The region is a three new properties under to become Bahrain’s
ager for the UAE, Stephanie The substan- crucial market the core brand Radisson airline of choice within
Aboujaoude as regional tial growth of the for the hotel opened in the UAE. the region.”
10 Arabian Travel News January 2012 www.hoteliermiddleeast.com

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14. 2012 FORECAST
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Industry experts from across the Middle East travel sector look back on 2011
and reveal their hopes, fears and predictions for the year ahead…
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Nabeel Kanoo What are your aspirations for
2012?
customers and skip the middle man
i.e. ‘the agent’, which will result in
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Director, Kanoo Travel We expect to complete a few of
our major technology develop-
lower revenue streams than we are
traditionally used to. Agencies need
ment projects in 2012 which will to be creative and adapt to new
improve our service deliverables to income generating streams such as
How was 2011 for many passengers fleeing our important customers. MICE, selling ancillary services,
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you? Despite minor troubled regions and cor- green tourism and corporate travel
setbacks in Bahrain porate customers demo- What will be the biggest advisory services.
and Oman in early bilising teams at short challenges facing the travel
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2011 due to the po- notice. Our front-line sector in 2012? Our customers What will be the stand-out
litical situation we teams managed the situ- are changing. They are mobile, trend for the industry in 2012?
are proud that all our ation extremely well and technology savvy and demand Technology developments and
statistics remain posi- were able to assist hundreds personalised service at the click of social media have changed the
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tive except for compara- of businessmen and families to a button. Despite having minimal landscape of our business forever.
tively low volumes in leisure travel travel with little hassle. One project impact to date in this region in Agents must realise this fact or risk
this summer compared to previous we handled was the movement of terms of revenue, unmanaged travel being isolated in the old era.
years. We look forward to ending a large group of corporate travel- procurement will rise next year.
the year on a positive note and hope lers from a financial institution and With smart phones, travel applica- What’s your New Year’s resolu-
the 2011 experience will help us their families at very short notice to tions and the launch of many OTAs tion?
plan better in the years to come. a safer location, which included a in the last 18 months, the reality is I want the business to be transpar-
total travel arrangement including that the travel industry will need ent, honest and professional. In
What were the most memora- apartment and hotel reservations, to invest and manage this transi- 2012 we will see a much stronger
ble events of the year for you? ground transportation, travel insur- tion carefully. Another important emphasis on positioning Kanoo
Our operational capabilities were ance, visas and flight tickets for factor to keep an eye on is the move Travel as a trusted and reputed
tested to its limits in 2011 with nearly 100 passengers in total. by many airlines to go direct to brand for travel!
12 Arabian Travel News January 2012 www.hoteliermiddleeast.com

15. 2012 FORECAST
Naz Nizari What are your business fore-
4%
casts for the year ahead?
We have planned for our mar-
Senior Vice President, EmQuest ket share to grow using a mix of
products, commercial options and
utilising our relationships. We have
Growth is predicted in world
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How was 2011 for you? 2011 What are your aspirations for increased our resources and have outbound trips in 2012 — according
was a year of growth for EmQuest. the year ahead? geared up for increase in business. to the ITB World Travel Trends
Report— despite the uncertain
We grew our customer Introduction of Sabre in political and economic situation,
base, renewed 99% of East Africa is slated for What do you predict will be and experts say they are “cautiously
optimistic” for the year ahead
our contracts, and 2012. This will see the stand-out trend for the
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converted our cus- EmQuest activity travel industry in 2012?
tomers to the latest grow in Africa where For EmQuest innovations in
Sabre Red platform. growth is expected technology will be the focus. These What’s your New Year’s reso-
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to be at much more innovations for which Sabre won lution? To focus on delivering
What were the most optimistic levels. an international award have signifi- innovation, superior customer
memorable events cant benefits for our customers in service, increase staff training and
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of the year? I would say the What will be the biggest productivity, ease of use, on-line to strengthen the relationships we
unveiling of the new Sabre Red challenges facing the travel and increased options on leisure. have with all our customers.
Workspace was the highlight. The sector in 2012? The deteriorating
introduction of Sabre in Southern
and Western Africa by EmQuest
has also been a great milestone and
economic climate in Europe, the
Arab spring, the slowdown in India
and China will all create challenges.
IA “The deteriorating economic climate in
Europe, the Arab spring, the slowdown
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has opened up many exciting op- If the fuel price goes up this will put
portunities for us. pressure on airlines and yields. in India and China will all create
challenges in 2012.”
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Ali Abu Monassar be ambassadors to promote the
destination. Also DTCM and
We always forecast to do better
and I can say that despite all dif-
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Founder & chairman, ADTA with the private sector
have worked together promoting
ficulties we manage to obtain what
we forecast. I am again confident
The Vision Destination Management the UAE in new markets with that business in 2012 will be the
new business models such as free same or may be a little better by
tickets and free stays for children, 10%. The reason is very simple -
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adding value to their stay. we increase our market share, our
How was 2011 for you? “I am confident that clients, we improve our services
2011 was great in spite of the business in 2012 What will be the biggest chal- and we deliver experiences and
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regional uprisings. In fact many lenges facing the travel sector satisfy our clients, and in return
stable countries with good and
will be the same in 2012? The travel industry we expect to increase our revenue
ready infrastructure benefited. or maybe a always has challenges. For 2012 and profit.
The UAE gained greatly with little better it’s mainly keeping updated
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more tourists from Europe and by 10%.” with all the changes in the What do you predict will be
the GCC when historically they world and in the industry, the stand-out trend for the
were going to Egypt, Morocco and better than 2011. cost cutting and increas- travel industry in 2012?
Syria; and Abu Dhabi and Dubai Visitors that came ing value to clients on Innovation is a must if we want to
witnessed a return to occupancies in 2011 had very reduced margins. continue to exist and to gain our
and rates of 2007 despite the room good experi- Also searching new clients’ confidence. Technology
inventory having almost doubled. ences and en- markets for clients. is speeding forward and the tour-
joyed Arabian ism industry must invest in new
What are your aspirations for hospitality in What are your technology tools. The Arab Spring
2012? I am always optimistic a safe, stable business fore- will continue to split the markets
when it comes to the UAE and am country and casts for the between those that are affected
very confident that 2012 will be they will year ahead? and those that benefit.
www.hoteliermiddleeast.com Arabian Travel News January 2012 13