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Seychelles represented at a Corporate Travel Planners Roadshow in Abu Dhabi

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Maximizing its exposure in the Middle East, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) participated in a Corporate Travel Planners Roadshow held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The roadshow, which took place on November 20, 2019 was organised by dnata Abu Dhabi with the objective of connecting the corporate travel bookers to the key service facilitators.

The event saw the participation of over 90 key travel planners/bookers from dnata’s prestigious corporate account and 20 exhibitors providing various travel services including airlines, hotel chains and tourism boards. This involved the STB featuring Seychelles as a versatile destination of choice in the Indian Ocean.

The Corporate Travel Planner Roadshow attracted mainly frequent travellers from the corporate world such as travel managers, procurement managers and travel officers all keen to keep abreast with the services available on the market.

The destination was represented by Ms. Aliette Esther, Tourism Attaché based in Abu Dhabi, and was assisted in promoting the Seychelles in the roadshow by Cerf Island Resort representative Mrs. Foram Varsani.  Both were working in unison to provide information about the destination. Mrs. Varsani also used the opportunity to explain about the facilities and activities available to potential clients at the Cerf Island Resort.  

Commenting on the STB’s participation at the event Ms. Esther explained that it falls in line with STB’s strategy for visibility as well as educating its partners.

 ‘It is important to be constantly on the road to promote the destination especially in this day and age where the competition is tough. It is important also to keep managing our relationship vis-à-vis our travel trades partners and update their knowledge of our destination. This can be achieved by reminding partners that Seychelles is a versatile destination, which also includes services for the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) segments,” said Ms. Esther. 

 “I had a fruitful visit to Abu Dhabi to attend two events which took place on 20th & 21st November. I am pleasantly surprised to see the marketing & awareness, which is done by STB  as I found great number of corporate and tourism establishments interested in the destination.

I am very grateful for all the help and support I received during my visit from Aliette to draw more business to our shores.” Mrs Foram Varsani said.

‘At the moment, the UAE is the 5th biggest market for the Seychelles.’ Ms Esther said. ‘Roadshows such as this one will certainly help in getting the UAE to climb a notch higher on the ladder.  At the end of the day, the more visitors we get, whether it be from the UAE or any other parts of the world, the ultimate benefactors are the Seychellois people.  In the process, we will be sharing some of the beauty and culture of our islands with the visitors. It is a win-win situation all around. We look forward to participating in similar events in the future.’

According to the latest Knight Frank’s 2018 City Wealth Index, Abu Dhabi is the richest city in the GCC.

Ms. Esther further mentioned that the affluence in Abu Dhabi and the regular daily flights availability -3 times a day from the two UAE hubs (Abu Dhabi and Dubai), a 4-hour flying time make the city an excellent place to market the destination. 

With the five-day long National Day holiday coming up at the end of November early December, the roadshow was well timed and Ms. Esther and Mrs. Varsani at the STB and Cerf Island Resort were kept busy answering questions about attractions and activities on the islands of Seychelles.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Top-selling agents of Emirates Holidays visit Seychelles on a FAM trip

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) through its office in Dubai, in partnership with Emirates Holidays and with the support of local partners in Seychelles organized a familiarization (FAM) trip to the paradise destination for top travel agents across Dubai.

The visit was organised in line with the STB strategy to increase Seychelles’ visibility through the education of its close partners.

As part of their visit in the destination, the small group of agents were given the opportunity to experience and be inspired by the beauty of the islands, partaking in activities such as touring of the capital, Victoria and its cultural landmarks, ziplinging and cruising the islands.

During their visit, the Dubai agents received a warm Seychellois welcome from the various hotel partners including Constance Ephelia, Four Seasons Resort, Constance Lemuria, Hilton Northolme Resort, Raffles Seychelles, Kempinski Resort Seychelles, Banyan Tree Resort, and Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa and were able to familiarize themselves with the products and services offered by these establishments.

The Account manager for STB office in Dubai, Mr. Ahmed Fathallah commented on the FAM trip, stating “The entire experience enhanced their knowledge to better promote and sell the destination and they can impart their personal experience to their clients, which can help them entice travelers to visit the beautiful Seychelles. We will definitely be working on having more FAM Trips in the future as incentive to the hardest working agents. These FAM Trips serves not only as a motivation but as well as an educational experience to provide edge and added knowledge about the destination.”

Prior to the FAM trip, Emirates Holidays ran a campaign among their agents – the top sellers of Seychelles will get the chance to win a place on a FAM trip to the destination.

Compared to the previous year, market performance in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has seen positive increases; the UAE to 22%, Kuwait to 14%, and Saudi Arabia to 18%, making the region increasingly significant to the Seychelles.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles Tourism Board accentuates its efforts towards GCC with Emirates Airlines

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), in its ongoing marketing strategy to bring the exotic destination close to the GCC region, has conducted a meeting with Emirates Airlines on November 3, 2019 in Dubai, UAE.

The STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis alongside the STB representative in Dubai Mr. Ahmed Fathallah met with the Emirates Airlines team represented by the new Commercial Operations Regional Manager, Mr. Gaurav Pandey and Business Analysis Manager, Ms. Silvy Sebastian.

The aim of the visit was for the STB team to extend its warm welcome to the new Emirates Regional Manager, who oversees the Seychelles in addition to making sure that both teams contribute to put the right measures in order to see continued growth in the industry.

During their discussions, the two teams centered their thoughts on tourism arrivals to the Seychelles, revenues of 2019 from the GCC region as well as forecasting for 2020 and beyond.

Mrs. Sherin Francis stated that the STB as part of the tourism board’s strategy, there is constant effort aimed at reaching out to travelers from the Arab world.

The Account Manager for STB office in Dubai, Mr. Ahmed Fathallah, who mentioned that there is a constant growth from the UAE market through the direct flight connectivity provided by Emirates, reinforced the statement.
“The continuous support and collaboration with Emirates Airlines enable us to increase our reach to all our regular and potential clients by making the destination accessible throughout the world via their extensive network,” Fathallah said.

This meeting between Emirates Airlines and the representatives from Seychelles was an opportunity to strengthen the unique selling points of the destination.

It further strengthened the assurance of mutual benefits for both parties as this initiative includes deeper levels of cooperation and exchange to further boost tourism flows from the region to the destination.

With more than 32,000 visitors from the GCC last year, the GCC market remains to be one of the very important market feeders to the destination to date.

Emirates airlines has a fleet of 256 aircraft and connects Seychelles to 135 destinations and territories across six continents.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

The Seychelles welcomes Sky News Arabia to its shores

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Sky News Arabia in partnership with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), embarked on a 5-day journey to the Seychelles showcasing the Islands’ lush biodiversity and vibrant creole culture on the TV channel’s morning show, Hakibat Safar. 

The Hakibat Safar show, a weekly segment where the hosts explore cultures and attractions of different destinations, giving their UAE audience an insight into these countries, enticing them to visit these locations themselves.

During their stay in Seychelles, the Sky News team explored the capital of Victoria, enjoying the destination’s rich historical and cultural memoirs from the iconic Clock Tower and Natural Museum to the small souvenir shops scattered all over the town.

Taking advantage of the tropical weather, the team participated in several activities including zip lining and water sports such as diving and snorkeling in the crystal blue waters, observing the vibrant marine life.

Since a trip to the Seychelles would be incomplete without visiting, its pristine beaches it is so well known for, the Sky News Arabia team made no exception to the rule. One of those beaches visited by the team is the Anse Lazio beach situated on the second largest islands of the Seychelles, Praslin. The island is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vallée De Mai, where the team explored the site’s verdant biodiversity, including the Coco de Mer, the world’s largest nut indigenous to the Seychelles. 

To complete their memorable experience of the Creole culture and the destination, the Sky News Arabia team had the opportunity to indulge in a range of culinary delights within the stretch of their 5-day stay at the destination.

Mr. Ahmed Fathallah, Account Manager for STB Office in Dubai expressed his satisfaction to have had the prestigious television team in Seychelles.

“To experience is one of the most effective methods to entice the clients as they can passionately share their experience and advise which product and services will be suitable for each segment. We will continue to partner with esteemed entities in the region as this serves as a valuable tool,” says Mr. Fathallah.

The Sky News team was hosted by the H Resort Beau Vallon Beach during their stay.

After their trip, the Sky News Team was able to present their experience to their audience, showing them why the Seychelles is one of the most alluring island destinations in the world.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Centara Hotels & Resorts enters 2020 on a high with impressive expansion plans, new openings and brand updates

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Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has provided the travel industry with an update on its expansion and development plans ahead of this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

The last 12 months have been an exciting period for Centara, which is currently midway through a strategic five-year development plan that will see its global portfolio grow to over 130 hotels in more than 15 countries by the end of 2022.

The company is also implementing several important projects to improve all areas of its business, from technological upgrades to new brands.

EXTENDING A LEADING POSITION IN THAILAND

Centara is currently undertaking a significant expansion of its domestic portfolio. The group recently celebrated the opening of the 145-key Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha, on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard. It has also added three hotels in the attractive Mai Khao Beach area of Phuket; the 22-pool villa Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa has joined the Centara Boutique Collection, the 142-key Maikhao Hotel is now managed by Centara, and the brand new, 280-key Centra by Centara Maikhao Resort Phuket is scheduled to open in 2024. Most recently, Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi, which is the only branded resort on Ao Nang Beach, opened its doors in October. Following this, COSI Pattaya Naklua Beach will start welcoming guests this November. These new agreements extend the group’s Thai portfolio to 38 hotels and resorts in operation, with many more under development.

EXPANDING IN NEW GLOBAL MARKETS

Centara continues to grow its footprint in many of the world’s most attractive destinations. The group recently signed a joint venture agreement for its inaugural property in Japan: the 515-key Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, which is scheduled to open in mid-2023. At the start of the year, Centara made its debut in Qatar with the launch of the 292-key Centara West Bay Residences & Suites Doha. Following an agreement with the same owner, Centara will add two more properties in Doha: The B Premiere Hotel, an 85-room property under the Centara Boutique Collection which will open early next year, and the 167-key Centara Al Bustan Hotel Doha, which is under construction and due to open in 2021.

Southeast Asia is also a key area of expansion. Centara recently signed an MoU to manage six properties in Myanmar, including the 95-key Centara KMA Resort Inle Lake, which was the first to be signed and will start welcoming guests in early 2020. In Laos, the company has sealed management agreements for three new properties with a combined total of 216 keys, including Centara Grand and Centra by Centara hotels in Luang Prabang and COSI Vientiane Nam Phu. These are in addition to Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse, which is scheduled to open in 2020. Finally, Centara has revealed plans for a significant expansion of its portfolio in Vietnam, with the goal of opening at least 20 new hotels nationwide in the next five years.

Centara’s international portfolio and pipeline now extends to 13 countries: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Japan, Turkey, the UAE and Vietnam.

REFRESHING AN ICON AND REVEALING NEW BRANDS

Centara is also focused on revitalising its brands and properties to create the finest experiences for all guests. Fresh brand identities have been revealed for the group’s upscale Centara and upper upscale Centara Grand brands. This serves to breathe new life and energy into their visual appeal and better distinguish the brand experiences, whilst ensuring a sense of warmth and progressive Thainess, which are the omnipresent hallmarks of the company. This will be complemented by a new luxury brand which will be officially launched following the complete upgrade and repositioning of the popular Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, which closed temporarily earlier this year. Its reopening in late 2020 will coincide with the unveiling of the brand, whose name, together with exciting details of its inaugural hotel will be announced in January 2020. Centara has also signed an MOU with a leading medical company to create a new medical wellness brand.

In October, Centara began the rollout of its new global advertising campaign, titled “The Place to Be”, which is derived from the company’s unique and inimitable brand DNA of Thai Family Values and the associated values of Caring, Sharing and Belonging.

DELIVERING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Centara is fully committed to delivering the latest technology across all areas of its business. Guests will be able to benefit from a new best-in-class website, which will offer a more intuitive, user-friendly booking flow across all devices, including advanced mobile compatibility; and dynamic personalized content. The new digital experience will launch in April 2020  Enhanced and integrated Property Management Systems (PMS), Central Reservations Systems (CRS) and Revenue Management Systems (RMS) will enable hotels to perform to the best of their ability, driving maximum returns back to their owners and the company is midway through the rollout of this new technology architecture which comprises a combination of the optimal solutions  for Centara’s business model, including Opera, IDeaS and Vertical Booking by harnessing big data, Centara will also be able to personalise every stay.

REIMAGINING THE MICE SECTOR

At the start of 2019, Centara officially launched Meetings Redesigned, an innovative new MICE concept designed to provide a one-stop service for corporate events. This new programme is built around three main elements: a Meeting Guru will offer a single point of contact for end-to-end event management; a partnership with Asia Ability will help promote new team-building techniques, and creative catering will deliver memorable group dining occasions.

Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld continues to raise standards in in the MICE sector, after it was named “Best Meetings and Conventions Hotel in Asia” for the fifth consecutive year at the 2019 TTG Travel Awards. Centara now operates three world-class convention hotels in Bangkok, and the company is aiming to host at least 100,000 MICE delegates in the city this year, helping to position the Thai capital as a key gateway for international events. Centara is also investing THB 650 million in a full refurbishment programme of all 505 rooms at the flagship, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld which will further consolidate its status among Bangkok’s leading business and leisure destinations.

REFRESHING GUEST EXPERIENCES

Finally, Centara has crafted its new Staying Well concept, which promotes a healthier way to travel. This programme has also been built around three core pillars, Live Well, Eat Well and Sleep Well, and comprises the provision of in-room fitness accessories, exercise routines and free group classes, healthy restaurant menus, pillow menus, soothing music, wellness kits and more.

For more news about Centara, please click here.

Centara Hotels & Resorts enters 2020 on a high with impressive expansion plans, new openings and brand updates
Cosi Pattaya
Centara Hotels & Resorts enters 2020 on a high with impressive expansion plans, new openings and brand updates

MEDIA CONTACT: Pornchanok Thongrungrot (Pao), Corporate Public Relations Manager – International, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Tel. +66 (0)2769 1234 Ext. 6733, Email: pr.centara@chr.co.th

International Travel Awards Opens Sponsorship Opportunity

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The Best Way to Showcase your Tourism Brand to the Whole World

The International Travel Awardsis one of the most coveted hospitality and travel awards that every business wants on their shelf. The biggest names from over 50 countries compete with each other to prove themselves to be the most trusted brand in the field. An ITA award is the largest feather in the cap of established enterprises and the best opportunity for fledgeling ventures to find a firm footing among giants.

 Year 2019 Gala ceremony will be the biggest travel and tourism event since  International Travel Awards brings its another 2 award program International Dining Awards and the International Spa Awards at the same venue. International Travel awards announces its Gala Ceremony location as Dubai – UAE and call for Venue sponsors is just started

But in international travel awards, awards are not the only way to get seen. One can also do so through its sponsorship program. Five options are available-title, diamond, gold, hospitality and event sponsorship packages, and each offering different levels of exposure. A sponsor company will get several perks throughout the ceremony if it avails of the program. The most lucrative one would be ITA team works hard to get more votings for your nomination which leads to two guaranteed awards for our sponsors, one for the company and one for the individual, with two winner packages of trophy and certificate. All this will be free of any nomination fee!

The publicity thus gained is unequalled. Substantial branding benefits on a global platform like this will generate heaps of business opportunities. The ITA will provide email marketing to thousands of professionals across the world and an exclusive press release on the company. It will be branded at the awards ceremony as well as on the ITA website. The brand name will appear in banners, on the awards stage, during ceremony announcements, on the visual screen and individually to all winners on their certificate. The company will be featured on the ITA Facebook and Twitter pages, and their news portals. One gets the chance to network with the largest group of travel agents and distribute marketing material to them. An added benefit is the access to contact details of all the travel agents and winners for the marketing operations of the company.

The International Dining Awards aims to recognise the wizards of the dining industry for their amazing skills and outstanding service. This award opens up new avenues for the restaurant, putting it among the top brass of the food industry and helping widen its customer base. This awardis the best way to tell the world of the luxurious exceptional dining experience one provides. Refer here for more details about dining awards

The International Spa Awards is the ultimate achievement for businesses in the spa and wellness segment, with more than 100 categories to ace. Winning and participating is a matter of great honour. It enhances recognition and networking in the industry. Simultaneously, it reassures customers of the quality service provided and motivates employees. There is no better way than these awards to get established in the cut-throat hospitality world. For more information about spa awards please refer here. 

If you are interested in showcasing your tourism product around the world then its a golden opportunity to sponsor at International Travel, Spa and Dining Awards Gala Ceremony. You can contact us at awards@ksaenterprise.com or +91 7395 828 848 / +91 7395 828 58 for further discussion.

Click here for more information about International Travel Awards.

Media Contact: Phone: +917395828848/+917395828858, Email: awards@ksaenterprise.com

Events crucial for Middle East to realize tourism market value of US$133.6 billion by 2028, says Arabian Travel Market

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Events for Tourism Growth will be adopted as the official show theme for Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22 April 2020.

According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the Middle East’s GDP is predicted to rise by 4.2% per annum to US $133.6 billion by 2028 – driven in part by additional tourists to the region as a result of mega-events, major sporting and political events, cultural festivals, concerts and MICE events. 

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Events of all kinds have become increasingly important drivers for international arrivals to the UAE, GCC and wider MENA region over recent years.

“With this in mind, ATM 2020’s spotlight theme will be launched as a platform to explore the impact events have on tourism growth in the region and to inspire the travel and hospitality industry about the next generation of events, while bringing together senior travel executives to meet and conduct business under one roof over four days.”

In the UAE alone, the major exhibition centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi experienced a 14% growth in footfall between 2016 and 2018, with Dubai World Trade Centre welcoming 3.4 million visitors in 2018 and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, combined with Al Ain Exhibition Centre – welcoming over two million during the same period.

Expo 2020 will be the largest event ever staged in the Arab World. Taking place from October 2020 to April 2021, 192 pavilions from countries around the world will be showcased, with over 25 million visitors – 145,000 visits for every one of the 173 days the site is open, expected.

Organisers of the event are predicting 11 million visits by people living in the UAE and 14 million from overseas visitors – most of whom are expected to be tourists. According to consultancy firm EY, this will provide a US$33.4 billion (AED122.6 billion) boost to the local economy – supporting the equivalent of 49,700 full-time jobs a year.

In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 has set aside $64 billion to invest in culture, leisure and entertainment projects over the next decade, according to a recent report from real estate firm Savills.

This investment combined with more relaxed access to visas are predicted to significantly add to the attractiveness of the country with entertainment activities in the kingdom predicted to attract 25 million visitors by 2021.

Curtis said: “Looking at 2018 alone, exhibitions across Saudi Arabia witnessed a 103% increase in visitation with a total of 61 major events taking place over 349 days.  Last year was also a milestone in terms of sporting events for the country, with events such as the King Salman Tennis Championship, WWE Crown Jewel and Formula E taking place in the Kingdom.”

ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event with representation from 150 countries. With over 100 exhibitors making their debut, ATM 2019 showcased the largest ever exhibition from Asia.

eTN is a media partner for ATM.

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)

Arabian Travel Market is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East – introducing both inbound and outbound tourism professionals to over 2,500 of the most breathtaking destinations, attractions and brands as well as the very latest cutting-edge technologies. Attracting almost 40,000 industry professionals, with representation from 150 countries, ATM prides itself on being the hub of all travel and tourism ideas – providing a platform to discuss insights on the ever-changing industry, share innovations and unlock endless business opportunities over the four days. 

ATM 2020 will take place from Sunday 19th April – Wednesday 22nd April 2020 #IdeasArriveHere

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries, attracting more than seven million participants.

About Reed Travel Exhibitions

Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether it is global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have over 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises four leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals. In addition to ATM, the events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.4 billion in travel industry contracts.

Next event: Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 November 2019 – London #IdeasArriveHere

WTM Latin America attracts about 9,000 senior executives and generates about US$374 million of new business. Taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this show attracts a global audience to meet and shape the direction of the travel industry. More than 8,000 unique visitors attend the event to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry news.

Next event: Tuesday 31 March to Thursday 2 April 2020 – Sao Paulo.

WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. Nearly 5,000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors.

Next event: Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 April 2020 – Cape Town.

Media Contact: Nathalie Visele, Directorm Arjaan Office Tower, Dubai Media City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel: +971 4 365 2711, Mobile: +971 50 457 6525, E-mail: nathalie.visele@shamalcomms.com Website: www.shamalcomms.com

Seychelles Tourism Board records successful participation at 2019 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

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The Seychelles Islands was represented at the 26th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), in Middle East’s most popular travel trade event held from April 28 to May 1, 2019 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 4-day event garnered the participation of some 2,500 companies, including the participation of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) featuring a representation from 150 countries, 65 national pavilions and more than 100 new exhibitors at the fair.

The Seychelles delegation was led by the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley. The Seychelles Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates, Jean-Claude Adrienne, STB Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis.

They were escorted by a strong STB team including the Tourism Attaché at the Seychelles Abu Dhabi Embassy, Ms. Aliette Esther, the STB representative in Dubai, Ahmed Fathallah, and Ms. Stephanie Lablache STB Director for the Middle East and Ms. Vanessa Lucas, Public Relations Officer from the Headquarters.

The team was completed by few trade partners representing local Destination Management Companies and hotels including Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino, Eden Bleu Hotel, Luxury Travel, Satguru Travels and Tours Ltd, Six Senses Zil Pasyon, and Vision Voyages.

The 2019 edition of the ATM travel trade show recorded over 40,000 attendees, highlighting Middle East’s thriving tourism sector and the major opportunity for Seychelles as a destination to increase its clients in the Middle East.  

STB’s participation has generated immense interest at the ATM as numerous partners and travel professionals visited the stand, conducting meetings with exhibiting partners attending the event alongside the STB team.

With the summer season fast approaching, coupled with other upcoming Middle Eastern holidays, the annual event was the ideal platform for the STB and its local partners to personally meet travel professionals to further the awareness of the destination as well as reinforcing its presence in the Middle East market.

The destination, with Six Senses Zil Pasyon as partner, was also one of the presenters at the TTN Travel Trade Competition on the 3rd day of the fair at the Inspiration Theatre on site. The STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis showcased the destination through a Pecha Kucha presentation— a story telling format using 20 slides for 20 seconds per slide.

The presentation was followed by a quiz which was the highlight of the event as one lucky travel agent took home a prize sponsored by Six Senses Zil Pasyon by answering the questions correctly.

During the event, Minister Didier Dogley and STB Chief Executive had the opportunity to give several media interviews to share the latest news about the destination.

Aside from providing visibility to the destination and indulging in various promotional activities at the ATM, the STB team, headed by its Chief Executive also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the renewal of a marketing agreement between the Tourism Board and Emirates Airline. 

Mrs. Francis mentioned her satisfaction following STB’s participation at the ATM, she also thanked the partners who supported the team by their presence on the stand during the event.

“STB’s participation at the ATM was definitely a great success. There was an increased interest from our media partners and our partners in the Middle East to hear about the latest news from our destination. It was vital for the destination to be present at the event, the upcoming holidays in the Middle East opens a window of opportunity to increase visitor’s arrival on the Middle East market. With the efforts contributed by the local trade present at the fair, I am confident that we have made a huge impact on the market,” said Mrs. Francis.

 “We are hopeful and anticipating to surpass last year’s visitor arrivals to the destination by participating in different travel and trade events in the GCC that will serve as a platform to personally meet with new and existing trade partners.” said Mr. Fathallah.

The UAE along with the GCC countries currently being the fourth market feeder to the destination continues to be one of the largest source markets to the destination finishing off the year 2018 with more than 32,000 visitors from the GCC.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

29th International Book Fair opens in Abu Dhabi

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Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is playing host to the 29th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair that kicked off on Wednesday with more than 500,000 titles on display.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the UAE Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the event, according to the state-run WAM news agency.

He emphasized the importance of the fair in supporting the UAE’s status in the publishing industry, being one of the most important book fairs in the region that attracts Arab and international publishers.

Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, the fair features more than 1,000 exhibitors from 50 countries.

Running until April 30, the fair also includes several daily events for visitors such as seminars, workshops, author signings and entertainment activities.

With India as the event’s guest of honour, at least 30 Indian publishing companies are taking part.

This year’s book fair also sees the introduction of three new interactive zones: the E-Zone, Comic Corner and the Entertainment Zone.

Each of the three zones features unique experiences for learning, innovation and entertainment.

Travel News | eTurboNews

TIME Hotels to open five new properties across Middle East in 2019

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TIME Hotels, the UAE-headquartered hospitality company and hotel operator, is set to announce plans to open five new properties across the Middle East during 2019 – as it targets 35 properties by 2025.

The properties, which will see the growth and launch of existing as well as new TIME Hotel brands to key territories throughout the region, will be unveiled during Arabian Travel Market 2019, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May.

Mohamed Awadalla, CEO TIME Hotels, said: “Our pipeline of hotels and residences meet the demands of multiple value-driven markets by offering a high-quality experience right across all of our branded properties.

“We currently have 15 properties in operation across the UAE and wider GCC with new additions in Dubai, Sharjah and Saudi Arabia scheduled for this year as well as extending our presence to Egypt – further supporting our strategic business plan to increase our total portfolio to 35 properties across the Middle East by the end of 2025.”

TIME Hotels will debut its TIME Express Hotels brand with the opening of a property in Sharjah, during the third quarter of 2019. The three-star TIME Express Hotel Al Khan will feature 55 keys in total and is located 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport, 20 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and a 15-minute walk from Al Khan Beach.

In Dubai, TIME Asma Hotel is scheduled to open during the second quarter of 2019. The four-star property, located in Al Barsha, will feature 232 rooms including 12 suites, a gym, swimming pool, jacuzzi, four meeting rooms, a business centre and two restaurants.

“Plans are in place for two floors of the hotel to be reserved exclusively for female travellers, with dedicated services, including: personalised room service, a female-only check-in counter, dedicated ladies-only guest relations, in-house baby-sitting services, and in-room tablets highlighting all of the services offered for women as well as enhanced bathroom amenities in each room,” said Awadalla.

Meanwhile, TIME Hotels’ international openings in Saudi Arabia and Egypt demonstrate the brand’s strength and popularity in markets outside of the UAE.

TIME Hotels opened its second property in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of April. Featuring 28 deluxe apartments – comprising four one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units – TIME Dammam Residence is located 35 minutes from King Fahad International Airport and just minutes from various shopping and dining destinations in Dammam.

Joining TIME Dammam Residence in the kingdom will be TIME Golden Tower Al Khobar. Scheduled to open August 2019, the 65-key property will be strategically located on Al Khobar Main Street and within close proximity to Al Khobar Waterfront. The property will feature a roof-top garden lounge, a gym and a high-tech business centre.

In Egypt, TIME Nozha Beach Aqua Park Hotel & Resort will open its doors during Q3 2019. The four-star property – located in Ras Sudr, on Egypt’s Red Sea Coast – will feature 52 rooms and four suits as well as five castles, 93 villas, 891 chalets and 136 studios.

Located along a 945 metre stretch of white sand beach, the resort will feature the largest aqua entertainment complex in Ras Sudr, complete with various water slides, wave pools and water sport activities.

Awadalla, said: “This is a very exciting chapter in TIME Hotels’ short history as we open TIME Nozha Aqua Park & Resort, our first beach resort and first property in Egypt. Built with leisure and adventure visitors in mind, this resort is fully-equipped with everything the modern traveller requires for the perfect family getaway.”

These scheduled openings follow the signing of a new management agreement by TIME Hotels Management to operate Dunes Hotel Apartments’ three properties located throughout Dubai.

TIME Hotels took over day-to-day operations of TIME Dunes Hotel Apartment Al Barsha, TIME Dunes Hotel Apartments Al Qusais and TIME Dunes Hotel Apartments Oud Metha following the signing of the agreement on 24th January 2019.

“It has been a busy year for TIME Hotels with a raft of properties announced with several of them due to come online within the next 12 months. We have been very strategic with our openings, identifying and assessing the demand within the market and implementing the most suitable brand from the TIME portfolio, that best matches that demand and we’re looking forward to bringing more properties into our portfolio,” added Awadalla.

Travel News | eTurboNews