NEWS
17
MEXICO TOURISM SEES HEALTHY INCREASES
Returning to the show this week, Mexico Tourist Board has seen a healthy increase in tourism receipts over the last 12 months. Ranked 10th
in the worldÕs
most visited countries, its tourism industry is the third highest source of foreign income and represents nine percent of GDP.
MexicoÕs Federal Government has worked on a market diversification strategy in the last two years that has resulted in a positive increase in tourism inflow with visitors from 145 countries. Official figures released
in Q1 this year show that in December 2011, compared to December 2010, there was
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an increase of 10.9 percent from the US, 9.1 percent from Canada, 6 percent from Spain, 12.4 percent from France and 10.5 percent from Italy. Also highlighted were 21.4 percent increases from Argentina, 49.9 percent from China and 51.1 percent from Russia. Between January and November last year, just over 20 million international tourists entered the country, representing a 0.3 percent increase over the same period in 2010. MexicoÕs rich 3,000-year history and its wealth of natural and cultural attractions are also driving tourism receipts. It offers one of the most bio-diverse landscapes and is home to some of the worldÕs best beaches along its 11,000 kilometres of coastline. There is also a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites supported by a diverse hospitality product.
SRI LANKA SETS AMBITIOUS TARGETS FOR TOURISM
At an Arabian Travel Market press conference yesterday, a delegation from Sri LankaÕs travel and tourism industry outlined the growth of the tourism sector and future expansion targets. At the conference were: Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Chairman SriLankan Airlines; Kapila Chandrasena, CEO SriLankan Airlines; HE Sarath Wijesinghe, the Sri Lankan ambassador to the UAE; HE Abdul Raheem, Consul General to the Sri Lanka Consulate in Dubai; Anura Lokuhetti, President - The Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka; and Chandra Wickramasinghe from the Sri Lankan Association of Inbound Operators.
HE Abdul Raheem highlighted the growth of inbound travellers, which reached more than 850,000 in 2011. Of these, the top three countries, respectively, were India (171,374), the UK (106,082) and the Middle East (57,501). Visitors from the Middle
East alone increased by 53.2 percent Ð the top two countries being the UAE (17,664 in 2011, up from 9,825 in 2010) and Saudi Arabia (15,081 in 2011, up from 9,301 in 2010). The country has a global target of 2.5 million visitors by 2016. As Nishantha Wickramasinghe explained, this burgeoning inter- est has meant that SriLankan Airlines has increased its frequen- cies to Bahrain, Doha, Muscat and Jeddah and is launching a
daily direct service to Kuwait (previously routed through Dubai). This has helped increase the airlineÕs overall capacity, up 42 percent. ÒWe are really going that extra mile to promote tourism in Sri Lanka,Ó he said. The countryÕs new tourism targets have identified the need for hospitality facilities. As Anura Lokuhetti highlighted: ÒWe will need an additional 25-30,000 hotel rooms by 2016, but are confident we can reach that target.Ó With its abundant green landscapes and rich wildlife, many tourists who visit Sri Lanka are looking for nature-orientated pursuits, he continued. In this respect, new hotels will be Òno taller than a coconut treeÓ and place a great emphasis on environmental sustainability. As HE Sarath Wijesinghe stated: ÒOur target is to be the wonder of Asia in five yearsÕ time.Ó
VERBIER ON TOP FOR TOURISM
The popular Swiss ski resort of Verbier is making its second appearance at Arabian Travel Market with an update on the areaÕs tourism offering. The newly designated tourist enclave of Verbier St-Bernard has introduced a unique mode of transport to enable guests to explore the local area. A fleet of electric bikes will take guests along three pre-desig- nated routes running from Val de Bagnes to the top of both Verbier and La Tzoumaz resorts. The electric-bike technology is the perfect way to ascend the mountainous roads with ease so visitors can enjoy the exceptional alpine scenery. The new W hotel Les Trois Rocs is on track for a December 2013 opening. Located close to the destination's Mdran station it will include the hotel, hotel apartments, private apartments, spa, wellness centre and gourmet restaurant together with club and shopping mall. Another mixed-use devel- opment for the region, the La Corde des Alpes residence, is scheduled to open for business in December 2012 and will include a luxury hotel with 14 high-end apartments on the three upper floors. The project also includes a spa, swimming pool, fitness rooms, a seminar room, a restaurant and a bar. Visit stand EU3150
KEMPINSKI BANGKOK TAILORS SERVICES
The Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is promoting its tailormade approach to exceeding guest expecta- tions with a programme designed specifically for guests from the Middle East. ÓThis is our second visit to Arabian Travel Market and we will be showcasing our property to the Middle Eastern market and communicating the special touches we offer specifically for guests from this region,Ò said Sipim Sugunnasil, Senior Public Relations Manager, Siam Kempinski Bangkok.
Located in the heart of the city in the middle of the enter- tainment district, close to the top retail spots of Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery and MBK, the hotel is targeting Middle Eastern guests with a range of special services and facilities. The familiar flavours of Arabic cuisine are available through both the in-room dining menu and breakfast buffet at Brasserie Europa and all guestrooms offer 13 Arabic TV channels. A compass indicating the direction of Mecca and a prayer mat are also available on request.
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FIRST FOUR-STAR DUBAI BEACHFRONT HOTEL FOR JAIH
Karla Moreno and Ivan Niss at the Jebel Ali booth
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Jebel Ali International Hotels is revealing details of its new four-star Dubai beach hotel at Arabian Travel Market, which is scheduled to open for business in Q4 of 2012. Located on The Walk in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area, the hotel will be the only four-star property situated on the beachfront in Dubai. ÒPositioning is crucial for any new entrant into DubaiÕs maturing hospitality scene and the hotel will fill a very important gap in the market,Ó said David Thomson, Regional General Manager for Jebel Ali International Hotels. ÒWeÕre targeting value-for-money
families from a range of geographical locations, such as the UK, Germany and CIS countries. We also think it will have appeal within the GCC,Ó he added. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and The Palm Jumeirah, each of the hotelÕs 341 rooms and suites feature sea views and balconies with interconnecting rooms available for families. The hotel will offer five restau- rants and bars along with an Executive Lounge for guests staying in clubrooms and suites.
Although nothing is set in stone, Thomson revealed: ÒWeÕre currently in talks with a celebrity chef for our new speciality restaurant at the hotel.Ó Other facilities include a temperature-controlled freeform swimming pool with sea views, a spa, health club, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. In addition, guests will have the public beach just steps away. ÒWeÕre also setting up a specific beach club at our sister resort, The Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, for visitors from the Ocean View hotel to use,Ó said Thomson. A shuttle between the hotels will be provided. The hotel will also cater to business travellers, with a fully equipped conference centre and six meeting rooms, many of which will feature natural daylight and shaded balcony space for breakouts. ÒThe travel trade has long since asked for a four-star beachfront product and we have no doubt that the response will be huge and extremely positive,Ó said Thomson.
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