JEDDAH, 21 January 2006 — First global hotel performance data for 2005 from the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte shows that across all regions of the world — Middle East, Asia, and Europe — revenue per available room (revPAR) shows a continuing positive growth. Hotels in the Middle East retained pole position for the second year running, posting double-digit revPAR growth of 21.4 percent. Across Asia, hotel performance slowed during 2005 compared to the previous year. Although the region recorded a healthy increase in revPAR of 9.1 percent, it was a far cry from the record-breaking results achieved in 2004, when revPAR grew 25 percent. In Europe, growth was steady, but with revPAR up just 4.1 percent, it remains the slowest growing region in the world.
Lufthansa Passengers to Enjoy Live TV on Board
JEDDAH — As of Monday (Jan. 23), Lufthansa passengers will be able to receive four live TV channels on board directly on their laptops. Depending on the region of the world, BBC World, CNBC, Euro News or MSNBC can be picked up via satellite. This is being made possible by Lufthansa FlyNet with its high-speed Internet provided by its partner and service-provider ‘Connexion by Boeing.’ The trend-setting service had its world premiere almost exactly three years ago, as a trial on Lufthansa’s Frankfurt — Washington route. Lufthansa FlyNet has been an integral part of the long-distance service since May 17, 2004, when the Munich-Los Angeles route was the first to herald in the new technological age.
Sri Lankans to Press for Jeddah Flights
JEDDAH, 21 January 2006 — There will be a renewed effort toward discussing the Sri Lankan community’s demand for reintroducing Jeddah as one of their national carrier’s destinations. “This is very much in my mind and we hope to make a move in this direction with local authorities in due course,” Sri Lankan Ambassador A.M.J. Sadiq told Arab News. Currently, the airline operates to Riyadh and Dammam, while the Kingdom’s national carrier operates to Colombo from Riyadh and Jeddah. One of his other tasks is to streamline the work of Haj and Umrah tour operators back home in a bid to ease the travel difficulties faced by pilgrims. “Most of our tour operators are small and cannot offer services and fares which their bigger counterparts can provide. For example, we find some international carriers are cheaper than Saudia for our pilgrims, but they all involve transiting through their respective hubs which consumes long waiting time,” he said.
Philippines Launches Medical Tourism Drive
JEDDAH, 21 January 2006 — Officials have launched a campaign to promote so-called medical tourism in the Philippines in an effort to grab a slice of the multibillion-dollar industry. In a program to formally promote the archipelago as “islands of wellness,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said government agencies, and private clinics and hospitals will strive to make the Philippines the “new hub of wellness and medical care in Asia.” He said the country was gearing up to compete directly with other Asian countries that are years ahead in the industry. Medical tourism, which combines health care and travel and leisure, last year generated more than $1 billion in revenues for Thailand, India and Malaysia, Duque said. “We believe that the Philippines can tap into the remaining huge market potential and generate this kind of amount once we take off in the next five years and thereon push ahead,” he said, adding that it is not too late for Filipinos to catch up with other Asians.
Gulf Air Extends E-Ticketing Facility
BAHRAIN, 21 January 2006 — Gulf Air has extended its recently introduced e-ticketing facility to cover more destinations. Now, passengers traveling between Abu Dhabi-London, Abu Dhabi-Bahrain-Singapore-Sydney, Abu Dhabi-Muscat, Muscat-London, Muscat-Bahrain-Singapore-Sydney, and Muscat-Abu Dhabi are being issued with e-tickets on these routes. “We’re glad that Gulf Air e-ticketing has proven successful on the initial routes we launched, and are pleased to extend this service,” says the airline’s IT Vice President Jalal Al-Qassab. “The facility will be gradually extended across the entire Gulf Air network in a phased manner and completed by the end of 2007, complying with the IATA deadline.” Gulf Air’s e-ticketing facility, which was launched in November on its London-Bahrain-Singapore-Sydney routes, has been gaining popularity as more and more passengers have started using the facility because of its inherent benefits. With e-ticketing, passengers are no longer issued a conventional paper ticket.