JEDDAH: British Airways (BA) has reduced its fares to mark Ramadan. The reduction is valid for travel till March 31, 2011 in Club World business class, World Traveller Plus premium economy and World Traveller economy cabins. Return trips to Europe including all taxes, fees and surcharges are available for SR2,142, and to the United States for SR3,530. Likewise, all-inclusive return fares to Europe in premium economy start from SR4,032 and business class from SR9,990, said BA’s Middle East Area Commercial Manager Paolo De Renzis. “Recent increases in demand show that we are firmly on the road to recovery in the Middle East and while there is still some way to go, we will continue to seek opportunities to reward our passengers’ loyalty.” Pledging to operate 100 percent of long-haul flights in the event of any further industrial action, the UK carrier has continued to see a rise in regional passengers this year, reaffirming the region as a focal growth point for the carrier. This winter will see increased services in both Riyadh and Dubai to six per week and three per day, respectively.
ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi saw a 16 percent jump in the number of guests staying in the emirate’s 116 licensed hotels and hotel apartments last month compared to July 2009. Guest numbers rose to 137,714 with the numbers of nights stayed totaling 376,439 — a 24 percent increase on July 2009. The figures, released by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), make July the ninth consecutive month of double-digit guests growth for the emirate with, for the first time, international market growth of 29 percent outstripping domestic growth, which turned in a four percent increase. The UAE still accounted for the largest number of guests in July with some 63,027 staying in the emirate’s hotels while the UK came in as the largest international market with some 7,101 guests, a 27 percent rise on July 2009. Saudi Arabia also turned in substantial growth of 47 percent with some 4,682 guests from the Kingdom staying in Abu Dhabi’s accommodation during the month while guests from France increased 36 percent to 2,070. “Growth in what is traditionally a slow summer month for Abu Dhabi is immensely encouraging,” said ADTA Director General Mubarak Al-Muhairi.
The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott International, Inc.’s award-winning luxury brand, has announced the appointment of Herve Humler as president and chief operations officer. Humler, one of the original founders of The Ritz-Carlton in 1983, will be responsible for leading the brand’s operations and global growth strategy and championing its distinctive service culture. Based at The Ritz-Carlton headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, he will also oversee Bulgari Hotels & Resorts and report to Marriott International Group President Robert J. McCarthy. “Herve is a true international hotelier with more than 35 years in the luxury lodging business and has helped to build The Ritz-Carlton into a world-class brand,” said McCarthy. Humler replaces Simon F. Cooper, who has been named Marriott International’s new president and MD for Asia Pacific. Humler has held many key senior positions within The Ritz-Carlton. In his new role, he will oversee 76 hotels in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean, and the opening of more than 30 new hotel and residential projects currently under way.
DOHA: Qatar Airways has announced further expansion to its Indian network with a 20 percent increase in frequency covering Delhi, Kochi and Amritsar. The number of flights to Amritsar has been raised from four-a-week to daily from Sept. 1. The Kochi, served daily before, got an additional two flights a week from Sept. 1. Another two flights will be added to the southern Indian city from Nov. 5. The beginning of the Northern Winter flying program on Oct. 31 will see the “highly popular” Doha-Delhi route securing an additional daily flight taking capacity to the Indian capital up to 14 services a week. With a total of 14 additional flights being phased in over a period of two months, the airline’s capacity to India will increase from 74 to 88 services each week. The award-winning Doha-based carrier currently flies to 11 cities across India that cover Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Ahmedabad, Goa, Delhi, Amritsar, and Kochi. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker said: “The additional frequencies to Delhi, Kochi and Amritsar further cement our commitment to the Indian market.”
