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Jet Airways introduced a new economy class service in order to compete with the growing number of budget carriers. India’s leading private commercial airline launched Jet Airways Konnect offering fares that are 20% lower than legacy carriers. Jet Airways General Manager for Dubai and Northern Emirates said Konnect will focus initially on the Indian sector in order to meet the needs of the fast growing low…
Lebanon’s low cost tourism infrastructure must be upgraded in order to increase its capacity to welcome middle class tourists. This observation comes as many tourists around the world plan budget holidays. Amir Girgisn, an economist with London based World Travel & Tourism Council said the focus on luxury tourism is shifting as tourists become more money conscious. Many in the industry argue the tourism…
The Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) will showcase its aviation assets at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget. Throughout the week they will hold talks, sign agreements, and make important announcements. Representatives from the world’s leading aviation and aerospace industry organizations will attend the air show, which takes place between 15 June and 21 June 2009. ADAC assets in Abu Dhabi include five…
The Night Zoo at the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) opened on Friday. Visitors can enjoy the cool summer evenings while taking part in many different activities such as viewing the traditional bird of prey show. There are many exciting activities for children. Animals have been acclimatized to so that they will be wide awake for the nocturnal shows. Lighting has been installed and tested and animal…
UAE Hotel's occupancy rates and revenue per available room (RevPar) dropped sharply during the first four months of the year due to the global economic slowdown and the slowing inflow of tourist and business people into the region. A Deloitte Tourism, Hospitality, and Tourism Middle East partner said the Middle East has been severely impacted by the “low levels of economic activity around the world.”…
President of Emirates Airlines Tim Clark is confident they will remain profitable through next March, even though last year its net profits plummeted 72%. During an interview on the sidelines of the two day International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference in Malaysia, Clark said “I like to think we will be in the black.” Clark said they have enough cash, have made profits for 24 consecutive years,…
A new report by business advisory firm Deloitte shows that Jeddah and Makkah are among the top hotel markets in the Middle East. Makkah hotels revenue per available rooms (RevPar) increased 32.7% in the first quarter of 2009 while Jeddah hotels RevPar was up 30.3% for the same period. This puts Jeddah and Makkah within the top three best-performing markets in the region. The business organization Elaf Group…
In-flight news magazine publishers are re-starting in-flight magazine titles aimed at the top-end business traveler. Next month Emirates Airlines will again publish its flagship title Open Skies following a reported 41.5% increase in in-flight magazine revenues for the 2008-2009 financial year. Emirates High Street and the children’s magazine account for much of the increase in revenues. Also, Emirates…
International taxes on aircraft emissions will come into effect soon and Gulf airlines are now partnering with academic institutions and industry in order to reduce their carbon footprint. Under the EU emissions trading scheme, all airlines will probably have to pay emissions tax for flights to Europe from 2012. Airlines are required to submit emission monitoring plans to EU authorities by September this…
Jumeirah, the luxury hotelier based in Dubai, expects to resume hiring by the end of the year following a recruitment freeze, in anticipation of new hotel openings in 2010. Jumeirah Executive Chairman Gerald Lawless said they are optimistic despite the global economic downturn and their visitors are the type of customers “who do not trade down.” Lawless said they aim to operate 30 hotels by 2013. Jumeirah…
Saudi travelers who sat near a passenger infected with swine flu tested negative for the H1N1 virus according to the director of preventative medicine at the Jeddah Health Directorate. Dr. Adel Turkestani said some passengers contacted the Ministry of Health after a public announcement. He said a list of passengers who travelled on the two flights was obtained and they were contacted and sampled were obtained…
The number of people from the Middle East visiting Thailand increased 9% despite three negative factors causing a decline since late 2008. The ongoing economic slowdown, political problems, and outbreak of H1N1 swine flu virus have caused arrivals to Thailand to slow since that time. Thailand’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications briefed the press about the trend in tourist arrivals at the five day…
The demand for one way tickets out of Dubai will not increase despite a big jump in schooling fees. General Manager of Alpha Travel and Tours said most people will choose to pay more for education rather than uproot and relocate their families. Fabian Fernandez acknowledged that fees have risen substantially but “I think we can live with that – there is no other choice.” He said some people don’t mind paying…
Sudanese carrier Sun Air will start flight service to Kuwait on 18 June 2009. The KUNA news agency reported the Khartoum to Kuwait route will be operated on a Boeing 737 and the flight will run three times per week to Kuwait International Airport. In addition to its domestic routes, Sun Air flies to Sharjah, Nyala, Port Sudan, Elgenana, El Fashir, and Juba. Sun Air began operations in June 2008 with three…
Airlines in North America and Asia complained at an international conference in Malaysia that they are losing market share to airlines in the Middle East. The industry is experiencing its worst recorded slowdown and there have been accusations of predatory pricing and capacity dumping. The regions carriers reject their competitor’s complaints and counter that by opening up untapped markets they are…
President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities met with the chairman of the City Center Development Company in Riyadh this week. Prince Sultan bin Salman met with Ghassan Al-Sulaiman to review plans to restore the historic center of Jeddah. The CDCC is responsible for the Jeddah Central Development Project and works closely with the Jeddah municipality. Restoration of historic buildings and…
Emirates Airlines enhanced the online booking and payment process on its website www.emirates.com. An Emirates statement said payment options have increased because recent research provided information about which payment method customers prefer. Payment may now be made in one of 14 currencies. Emirates partnered with GlobalCollect to enhance the online payment and bookings system. GlobalCollect is the…
Middle East carriers face more turbulence according to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) revised annual forecast. IATA said airline industry losses will reach $1.5 billion (Dh5.5 billion) by the end of the year. Previously IATA forecast losses of $200 million (Dh734 million). IATA explains that the region’s geographic location is the centerpoint for several international hubs which means it…
