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Jumbo demand for aviation
The Middle East aviation sector has a wide range of demands, from passenger planes to VIP helicopters and military craft. Gregor Kursell, International Media Relations, EADS, says there has been strong interest in the Eurofighter, as well as communications satellite.
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Bombardier up and away
Bombardier is the segment leader for business jets in the Middle East, with a 51 per cent share. Trung Ngo, VP Marketing & Communications, Bombardier, says the market continues to grow, driven by the need to service a high frequency, small and medium density regional market.
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ME jets away
Demand for private and corporate jets continues to grow in the Middle East, with greater corporate profits on high oil prices. Mike Berry, Managing Director, ExecuJet Middle East, says convenience and cost-saving are the main motivators for buying a company jet, but inaccessible regions in the Middle East and unimproved runways are also important reasons.
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VIP airborne luxury
Imagine flying around the world in the airborne equivalent of a luxury hotel: with suites, offices and even a gym. Exactly that was on display at the Dubai Air Show 2005, with Lufthansa Technik showcasing a model of the new Airbus A380 fitted out as a high-end VIP jet. CEO August Henningsen says the target market is corporates, royal families, and specialist, luxury travel operators.
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Etihad may hurt Emirates
There is a danger of overkill in the Middle East aviation sector, as governments massively invest in new airlines, warns Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson. Branson says the amount of money that Abu Dhabi is pouring into Etihad could damage the situation for Emirates in Dubai.
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Etihad defies oil gloom
Soaring oil prices are hurting airlines worldwide, with most contingency plans now inadequate. If doomsday "peak oil" predictions come true, does it mean an end to affordable air travel? Ian Ferguson Brown, Marketing Communications Manager, Etihad Airways, believes the future is still bright, particularly for newer airlines, and is continuing to add new destinations.
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Media hotel for Dubai
Dubai Media City's first hotel, the Radisson SAS, opens in late 2005, targeted predominantly at business travellers and professionals. Siegfried Nierhaus, General Manager, Radisson SAS, Dubai Media City explains the hotel's positioning.
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Screening in Singapore
Singapore Airlines is partnering with Singapore Medicine to offer healthcare packages to Middle Easterners, but can it compete with existing preferred destinations such as Europe? Jose Thachil, Marketing Manager, Singapore Airlines, looks at Singapore's advantages, as well as how the airline is coping with current sky-high fuel prices.
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Threats to ME hotel investment
Land ownership problems, a lack of transparency and proper corporate governance, and restrictive agency laws are major obstacles to foreign investment in the Middle East hotel sector, according Sarmad Zok, CEO, Kingdom Hotel Investments. Zok says far-reaching reforms are needed to stimulate FDI in the region.
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Singapore courts Arab tourists
The Middle East is seen as a key emerging market by the Singapore Tourism Board, with shopping a major recreational activity. Alan Tan, Area Director, STB, says the plan is to attract 17 million visitors to Singapore by 2015.
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Golfing in Scotland
Interest in golf is growing in the Gulf, with Scotland a popular overseas destination for golfing holidays. Christine Seaton, Operations Manager, Links Golf St Andrews, says the World Travel Award won by St Andrews' Old Course Hotel is important for raising awareness about Scottish golf.
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Eurostar luxury travel
Rail is able to provide the luxury travel demanded by Middle Eastern tourists, according to Alain Van West, Director of International Sales, Eurostar. The World Travel Award-winning rail service is also well equipped for business travellers between Paris and London, with laptop sockets and a relaxing environment.
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Visiting other parts of Britain
Nearly 85 per cent of Middle Eastern visitors only visit London when they visit the UK, so VisitBritain is trying to promote other places such as Wales and Scotland. Carol Maddison, Regional Manager of World Travel Awards nominee VisitBritain, says towns such as Blackpool are becoming popular with Arab tourists due to their family attractions.
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Bullet-proof palace apartments
London luxury apartments 51 Buckingham Gate is close to Buckingham Palace and regularly hosts royalty and VIPs from around the world. Its five-bedroom Prime Minister's Suite is the biggest apartment in London, and is fully bomb proof. Andrew Hartley, Director Sales, says winning a World Travel Award has added to the hotel's prestige.
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Spectacular Sultanate of Oman
Oman has ambitious plans to develop its tourism sector as part of its economic diversification strategy. Mohsin bin Khamis al Balushi, Under-Secretary of Tourism, Oman, says that 65 per cent of visitors to the Sultanate are regional tourists including GCC expats, with the remaining 35 per cent coming predominantly from Europe.
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