Travel and Tourism

Travelwise with Phil Blizzard at the Jebel Ali Hotel Golf Resort and Spa looking at the latest travel news, including the recent route expansion of regional carriers Emirates Airlines to South America, Qatar Airways to Alepo and Flydubai to Egypt and Sudan. In Travel Talk, David Thomson, an expert in the Hotel industry, tells the story behind the 30th Anniversary of Jebel Ali International Hotels.

In a frank interview with Phil Blizzard Samy Mahmoud, Undersecretary Head of International Tourism, Egyptian Tourism Authority provides an overview of the current state of the tourism industry which is down by 80% across Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. The Red Sea Resorts have also seen a significant drop in tourists with a decrease of between 30% and 40%. Infrastructure development is being funded by the private financial sector, with significant inward investment for the industry coming from the Gulf countries.

TravelWise from on board the Royal Caribbean liner 'Brilliance of the Seas' looks at the growing cruise industry in the Gulf region. The featured destination is Porto Arabia which, located in the heart of the Pearl Qatar, is a fledgling tourist port of call. Phil Blizzard looks at what this French Riviera-styled waterfront, with its Arabian flavour, has to offer.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise liner looking at the latest travel news which includes airline development across the region and the impact of high oil prices, Dubai World Central opens to passenger aircraft and the first hotel for Dubai's Financial District. In Travel Talk a look at Dubai as an important hub for the growing cruise industry with Helen Beck, an expert from this tourism sector.

Luxury hospitality brand Ritz-Carlton has the accolade of being the first hotel to open within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Phil Blizzard was greeted at this luxury business hotel by Lothar Quarz, GM, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC to talk about their positioning in the financial district and within the broader hospitality market.

TravelWise at Banyan Tree Al Wadi's beach resort in Ras al Khaimah with Phil Blizzard looking at what this Maldives style resort has to offer, along with a travel tip on low cost leisure and travel.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard at the Banyan Tree, Al Wadi's beach resort in Ras al Khaimah looking at the latest travel news which includes expansion for major airlines across the region, a record breaking 27th anniversary for Dubai Duty Free and the cruise industry in Dubai which is set to boom. In Travel Talk we preview the Arabian Travel Market 2011.

The state of the hospitality industry in 2011, along with project development, is the focus of part 2 of the discussion with Mike Scully, MD, Seven Tides and Guy Epsom, Director of Business Development, Movenpick Resorts & Hotels in this hospitality special from the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Dubai. The prospect of the large Far East market is seen as a driving force to increased occupancy, however revpar is not likely to rise due to the large volume of rooms coming into the market.

Mike Scully, MD, Seven Tides and Guy Epsom, Director of Business Development, Movenpick Resorts & Hotels discuss with Phil Blizzard the hotel owner and hotel management relationship, in part one of this hospitality special from the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Dubai. Also what is expected by an owner during the opening period of a new hotel and how the operating company in this case delivered.

The first beach resort in the Middle East to be operated by international luxury hospitality brand The Banyan Tree has opened in the UAE's northern emirate of Ras al Khaimah. Phil Blizzard talks to Karrim Irrgang, Operations Manager, Banyan Tree Al Wadi Beach Club about the resort which consists of 32 luxury villas with their own private pool.

Over 140 Ferrari cars alongside the race track at Meydan created a stunning line-up for a prestigious MICE event organised by the Ferrari Owners Association. Phil Blizzard talks to Abdin Nasralla, VP, Meydan Hotel & Hospitality about the importance of Meetings, Incentive, Conventions and Exhibition events, their strategy for increasing business in this industry sector and what they can offer.

The TravelWise featured destination is Britain, from a MICE perspective, and Phil Blizzard finds out more on how to access business class lounges at airports around the world for those flying with economy tickets.

TravelWise with Phil Blizzard at Madinat Jumeirah looking at the latest travel news which includes the new business strategy for Gulf Air, Jumeirah Group to open in the Maldives, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and two new destinations for Flydubai. In Travel Talk we look at business and corporate travel into and out of the region from the perspective of British Airways.

The importance of hospitality as an economic driver, brand architecture and regional expansion are spoken about by Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group in conversation with Phil Blizzard at the Abu Dhabi Conference.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's first metro project is set to transport more than 170,000 pilgrims over the four day Haj season this November. Operations and maintenance will be conducted by Serco, the company which runs the Dubai Metro. Phil Blizzard spoke with their MD Paul Anderson about the Makkah Metro project.