Kayala Airlines introduces two new destinations
JEDDAH: Kayala Airlines has announced the launch of two new destinations effective today. "We will be flying from Riyadh and Jeddah nine times a week to Cairo and thrice a week to Beirut from Jeddah," M. Saleem Motiwala, sales manager of the airline for Western Province, said. The airline has announced its schedule with special launch fares with flights departing from the private terminals at both Riyadh and Jeddah airports. "All travel agents across Saudi Arabia can now issue our tickets," he said, adding that the airline provides complimentary limousine transfers from airport to city in Riyadh and Jeddah. The airline is part of National Air Services (NAS) Group. Nas Air is Saudi Arabia's first budget airline and Kayala airline is the 'Business class only' airline.
Germany woos GCC visitors JEDDAH: The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has appointed Antje Roeding as its new regional director for the Gulf. According to the latest figures, the number of GCC travelers visiting Germany has been increasing steadily over the past years. Despite this dynamic development, Germany is intensifying its efforts to attract further GCC tourists and create additional offerings within the country that meet the specific needs of the region: "As the number of Arab Gulf tourists visiting Germany grew larger over the past years, there has been a learning process on our side to adapt to the specific requirements of Gulf Arabs. For example, many of the major cities now distribute Arabic language city guides. Also, apartments are increasingly being offered as an alternative to hotel rooms," Roeding said.
Dammam Sheraton appoints new F&B director
DAMMAM: Sheraton Dammam has new F&B director Kwashie Gbedemah as its new food and beverage director. The announcement coincides with this year's summer activities at the hotel. They include “Summer night BBQ buffet” at its Fayrouz restaurant. Poolside summer smoothies and delicious ice-creams, “Express Menus” as part of room service and summer ice specials at Vienna Cafe are among the season's attractions. Its Asahi Pan-Asian restaurant offers Chinese and Japanese delicacies like sushi, sashimi, tempura and teppanyaki, and “Da Vinci Italian” offers an Italian dining experience. The hotel is also running a summer promotion for its rooms.
Hospitality industry gets a wake-up call
DUBAI: With more than 13,000 regional and overseas visitors to the Hotel Show in Dubai earlier this month, mounting competition in the battle for occupancy and room rates is forcing the industry to reassess its role. Trends such as sustainability and the application of new technologies are now paramount to the success of regional hotels. Raphael Auphan, president of Zyken, summing up the trend predicted that within five-year luxury hotels still using alarms and wake-up calls would be dinosaurs. Zyken produces a hi-tech gadget that claims to soothe a guest to sleep. It emits combined scientific sound and light therapies to build melatonin levels conducive to sleep, while blue light in the morning helps guests to wake-up in a relaxed fashion. From mirror televisions in bathrooms to brand scents, the hospitality sector is gearing up to pamper guests in a bid to secure more business, sourcing products from Belgium to Brazil with the aim of differentiating their resorts and hotels. According to Exhibition Director Maggie Moore, this globalization is reflected in the exhibitor roll-call at the event: "We attracted exhibitors from 46 different countries, proof that the industry is waking up to the unlimited opportunities in the thriving hospitality sector in the Middle East."
