3. serenity april 2013 • 3
contents
5 • Welcome and Credits
6 • Essential News
The latest Incentives news from the region's
elite, plus an In Brief look at the latest
developments sweeping across its scene
8 • Explore: INCENTIVES
A melting pot of trends, news and narratives:
delve into our insightful feature
12 • dispelling the myths
Learn about some of the most common
misconceptions surrounding the region and
its Incentives sector
13 • Rendezvous
An interview with Geoffrey Kent, founder,
Abercrombie & Kent
14 • Destination Delights
Enrich your destination knowledge and
discover the incentive wonders of Lebanon
17 • INSIGHTS
George Fawazi, president, Excel Travel gives
his insight into the company's success story
18 • Venues of Excellence
For the most innovating incentive
experience, explore our selection of
outstanding regional options
20 • Enrichment Zone
Leading industry experts offer their advice
on how best to craft and sell the ultimate
Middle Eastern incentive experience
21 • Behold the Artisan
The spotlight shines on Anwar Abu
Monassar, director of operations, The Vision
Destination Management
22 • Impressions
The Serenity team experiences the region's
best... for you
24 • InnovatiVE ItinerarIES
Industry experts present their creative ideas
for the ultimate incentive experience
26 • Illuminating Events
A tour of essential, regional Incentive events
5. serenity april 2013 • 5
welcome
or centuries, travellers
from afar have glanced
towards the Middle East
and North Africa with
a sense of curiosity:
curious, that is, in a way
where the only solution to seek out the
answers to the questions spiralling in
their minds was to embark on a personal
journey and explore the mythical beauty
this region so effortlessly possesses.
In days gone by, when international trav-
el was blossoming and only just becom-
ing a ‘fashion’ – where travellers could
boast about their exploits and onlookers
would listen with awe – the region was,
without question, held in imaginations
as one of the most exotic and yet-to-be-
discovered expanses of territory.
From the Ancient Egyptian, Persian and
Ottoman civilisations, to being the back-
drop of exceptional historic moments
for humanity (the Islamic and Christian
foundations, Alexander the Great and
Genghis Khan’s empires et al), it seems
the more you look, the more the region
reveals itself as a natural venue for
extraordinary moments in life.
What you will soon discover as you
scroll through this special edition of
Serenity is that in spite of the majesty
this region already possesses, it has not,
for one moment, rested on its laurels.
Through innovation, dedication and
concentrated efforts, it has purposefully
strived to maintain a unique charm and,
consequently, continues to draw visitors
from across the world who are in search
of moments, memories, or experiences
that they will cherish forever.
In today’s fast paced climate, it is not
only the individual travellers – captured
by the mystery and romance of the
region and its mesmerising song of op-
portunities – who are fascinated by the
region. Indeed, a vast portion of new
faces that cross its shores are from the
corporate and incentives segment of the
industry. As global businesses search for
imaginative ways to thank their lead-
ing lights, they are increasingly turning
their attention to the region, and in do-
ing so, their sense of creativity and bank
of options are opening up. After all,
what better way is there to extend your
appreciation than offer a luxury adven-
ture in the Middle East – the new home
of incentive travel.
F
Marios Hajiloizis
Communications
Specialist
The more you look,
the more the region
reveals itself as
a natural venue
for extraordinary
moments in life
Managing Director
Alexandra North
ANorth@meltshow.com
Creative Director
Ioanna Pattichi
IPattichi@meltshow.com
Event Manager
Haris Michaelides
HMichaelides@meltshow.com
Global Sales Manager
Helen Moss
HMoss@meltshow.com
Communications Specialist
Marios Hajiloizis
MHajiloizis@meltshow.com
E-Commerce Manager
Panayiotis Philippou
E-Commerce Executive
Constantinos Voniatis
UK Business Development
Manager
Christiana Drakou
Research & Development
Mary Roe
Chief Finance Officer
Costas Miaoulis
Chairman
Andreas Drakou
Contact Us
Nietzsche Street 22
Ria Court 9
1st Floor
CY6028 Larnaca
Cyprus
T: +357 24803000
F: +357 24803061
www.meltshow.com
2014
6. 6 • serenity april 2013
AN UNUSUAL TWIST
One of Fez’s best kept
secrets, the 14-room Palais
Amani takes incentive groups
out into the ancient city’s
colourful streets, not only
providing them with a unique
experience but also enriching
their knowledge.
“We have entwined the old
with the new to make a truly
unique experience for the
traveller looking for luxurious
tranquillity after a discovery
in the Fes Ancient Medina,”
explained Jemima Mann
Baha, co-owner, Palais Ama-
ni. “The fact that the prop-
erty is in the ancient city and
is a genuine palace means
that incentive travellers will
experience an authentic way
of medina life within luxuri-
ous surroundings.”
essential news
useum Hotel, a 30-room boutique property located
in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, has plans to host
business groups in a most surprising way. H. Tolga
Tosun, the hotel’s general manager, explained: “We
will open a spa with the mixture of Roman and Otto-
man style very soon. It’s going to be something very
unusual, especially for the incentive travellers as it’s not going to be just
a typical spa. We are also planning for it to be a venue for special events!
“They love to feel special, so any event or experience with very special
touches impresses them very much. It also needs to have traditional de-
tails of course and the other thing is ‘surprise’. We love to add something
special which is unexpected by them.”
Flying the flag for the Mid-
dle East and North Africa
region, Oman has been
selected as one of the final-
ists to host an impressive
1,500 delegates at one of
its first large-scale interna-
tional congresses in 2017,
to be held at the new Oman
Convention & Exhibition
Centre, Muscat.
Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau
– a new dedicated, one-stop
entity within Abu Dhabi Tour-
ism & Culture Authority – has
now launched and will support
the growth of exhibitions and
conferences within the emirate
by forging closer links with the
industry and providing financial
and non-financial support.
Turkish Airlines is promoting
the country’s diverse cultural
wonders, exhilarating winter
activities and enriching holi-
day experiences as part of its
‘Winter In Turkey’ campaign,
offering GCC tourists compet-
itive prices and promotions
to one of the world’s fastest
growing tourist destinations.
Steigenberger has launched its
new fleet of Nile cruise ships.
Steigenberger Omar El Khay-
am operates on Lake Nasser
between Aswan and Abu Sim-
bel while Steigenberger Legacy
and Steigenberger Minerva
travel the River Nile between
Luxor and Aswan.
In brief...
M
BEST KEPT
SECRET
7. serenity april 2013 • 7
FAMILY VALUES
Eléa Estate has become
increasingly popular with
business groups consist-
ing mainly of keen golfers.
“They are thrilled to find
that the destination they
are going to also includes
a signature course and
that if their itinerary in-
cludes a round of golf they
are even more incentiv-
ised,” remarked Pauline
Klimentos Gabriel, sales
and marketing manager,
Eléa Estate.
“The organisers, many
times, choose a destina-
tion based on the qual-
ity of the golf courses as
they know they want to
offer good golf to their
delegates. Eléa Golf Club,
designed by Sir Nick Faldo,
is the first signature golf
course in Cyprus and is the
‘must-play’ golf course for
any keen golfer passing
through the country.”
ESCALATING INTERESTAN ADVENTURE
AT SEA
Revenue from the MICE sector
is ranked as the second biggest
contributor for Oman-based
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah
Resort & Spa.
In order to capitalise on this
further and generate more rev-
enue from incentives planners,
Matthias Emperhoff, director of
events management, Shangri-
La's Barr Al Jissah Resort &
Spa, stated: “This year, we are
introducing themed events
and dinners, the most popular
being the Omani night at the
resort’s Heritage Village.
“The resort is an all-inclusive
destination. Additionally, the
entire resort has WiFi coverage
making it convenient for corpo-
rate and incentive travellers.”
KEY
GENERATOR
Cruise ships are increasingly
becoming more attractive to busi-
ness and MICE events, according
to Lakshmi Durai, executive direc-
tor – Middle East, Royal Caribbean
International. “Cruises have gradu-
ally been recognised by corporate
bookers as a new travel option and
have been taken as an important
form of employee incentive travel,
an embodiment of corporate
culture, and a way of thanking
clients,” Durai commented.
“Having a meeting on-board Royal
Caribbean International’s ships
saves time and the hassle of ar-
ranging a hotel, meals, activities
and entertainment separately.
“Holding a meeting or conference
on-board makes perfect economic
sense, especially at a time when
all organisations have to watch
their purse strings. Companies are
increasingly looking for a package
rather than individual bookings
and a ROI must be achieved.”
Incentive travel planners are
looking towards family-friend-
ly travel options that would
motivate their employees to
travel with their loved ones,
according to Carl Palmlund,
vice president of group sales,
Atlantis, The Palm, who elabo-
rated: “Atlantis, The Palm is
the perfect destination for
families, because not only
does it have a vast waterscape
that can be enjoyed by all
ages, but it is also home to 20
restaurants that are as varied
as the resort itself, meaning
that every taste is catered to."
8. 8 • serenity april 2013
explore
Primed
and Ready
REGIONAL NATIONS HAVE ALL
THE INGREDIENTS REQUIRED
TO CAPTURE THEIR SHARE OF
THE INCENTIVES PIE.
9. serenity april 2013 • 9
n a recent speech by Mubarak Al Muhairi, director gen-
eral of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu
Dhabi) at this year’s WTTC Global Summit, he indicated
that the event had, “come home to the land of hospital-
ity” – citing the region’s longstanding reputation within
the industry. "It is here that hospitality was required by
sheer way of life and tradition. A traveller, no matter who,
or where from, was obliged to be given food and shelter
for a minimum of three days before he continued his jour-
ney," remarked Al Muhairi.
"The adventurer Wilfred Thesiger, who we recall with
fondness as Mubarak Bin London, recorded how, in his
crossings of our Liwa desert, his unsuspecting hosts
would often go without sustenance to ensure he slept,
and ate well and gathered his strength for trials ahead.
This region is rich with hospitality heritage. It is part of
a past we are proud of and, we believe, integral to the
future ahead."
Attempting to enter into Thesiger’s mind as to what
inspired him to embark on his adventurous journey, many
questions can be asked. Was it the region’s incredible
natural wonders? Was it the world-famous reputation of
its people? Was it his inner desire to embark on journeys
such as those before him like Freya Stark, Ibn Battuta
and Johann Ludwig Burckhardt? Most likely, the answer
lies in the combination of all of these as, comparing the
past with the present, the region still boasts outstand-
ing attractions, hospitable people and provides the ideal
backdrop for millions of travellers with a thirst for adven-
ture that needs to be quenched in a way that is unique
and exceptional.
In today’s fast-paced climate, it is not only those adven-
turesome individuals who crave that ‘once in a lifetime’
experience – evidence of which comes in the form of the
incentive group travel phenomenon which continues to
spiral ever upwards whereby professional businesses, be
them local, regional or global, reward deserving employ-
ees with such experiences in recognition of their hard
work and accomplishments.
Delving deeper into how the region is able to accommo-
date, and exceed, the needs of such incentives groups,
today’s regional players take to the Serenity podium.
“As a venue, we offer spacious rooms for events ranging
from two to 3,000 people for dinners, exhibitions, confer-
ences and meetings, offering spectacular views from any
of our three terraces,” commented Kamel Ajami, country
manager – Jordan, Hilton Worldwide, when referring to
King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre. “We also offer
our clients the option of designing creative themed F&B
menus matching the identity of the company and the
event itself with a unique set-up that makes their event a
perfect one.
“Lying -395m below sea level, the Dead Sea’s natural fea-
tures add a lot to our centre; our guests can experience
the natural therapeutic and healing benefits of the Dead
Sea in addition to the safe sun exposure and the high oxy-
gen percentage known for its calming effect. Our unique
location, as a safe zone, can be easily secured giving our
clients the privacy they ask for.”
Ideally located at a convenient 45 minute drive from
Queen Alia International Airport, 55km from Amman and
situated nearby to numerous historical tourist attractions
such as Petra, Jerash, Baptism Site and Madaba, King
Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre welcomes count-
less incentives clients to its venue, according to Ajami,
who added: “We are proud to create tailor-made offers
resulting in creative functions driving the mission of our
clientele. We witness many demands from our clients and
we usually work closely with them to ensure that they get
exactly what they ask for.
“Known as the home of the World Economic Forum, we
had many successful stories in bringing out the best of
the forum, such as booking the whole area for the event,
building outdoor tents and facilities, installing setup for
national, regional and international TV stations among
other requests,” concluded Ajami.
Similarly located at the lowest point on earth, Mövenpick
Resort & Spa Dead Sea enjoys consistent business and
growth from the incentives industry, according to Rana
Tabello, events business manager at the property, who
stated: “Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea is suited for
upscale incentive travel groups for key features such
as its genuine Arabic Village Resort, 6,000m2
Zara Spa,
eight hectares of lush gardens, internationally renowned
meeting and conference facilities and nine in- and out-
door restaurants and bars.
“The hotel features a convention centre with two ball-
rooms and one conference room for up to 1,500 persons
and all have daylight and can be split into two or three
smaller rooms. There are also five breakout rooms, a
The ‘wow’ factor is
definitely expected, as
is the opportunity
to experience ‘the best
of the best’
I
10. 10 • serenity april 2013
explore
Roman theatre for more than 500 persons, the Beach
Lounge for a maximum of 350 guests for gala dinners
and an auditorium for up to 198 persons,” continued
Tabello.
“We also offer an extended and varied range of facili-
ties for private events, business meetings and seminars,
audiovisual and presentation equipment and free Internet
access in meeting rooms for all delegates. Our profession-
al team will help you plan and carry out your event to
use a combination of other resort spaces to stage
unique pre- or post-event functions and special
events for up to 1,500 persons.”
Home to world-renowned destinations such
as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the UAE is not ceas-
ing on its rapid rise to the top, particularly
with Dubai International soon expected to
overtake London Heathrow as the world’s
busiest airport by 2015.
“Expectations are high when booking the UAE –
the ‘wow’ factor is definitely expected, as is the op-
portunity to experience ‘the best of the best’,” remarked
Thomas Tapken, area vice president – Dubai and Northern
Emirates, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation.
“One of the greatest challenges in meeting these expec-
tations is the current trend of late planning. Gone are
the days when incentives, or groups of any kind, were
booked well ahead of time. The decision making period is
becoming shorter, but the expectations remain high, thus
giving us little time to bring everything together. This also
puts pressure on external resources, such as the hiring of
equipment for staging events (sound/light/stages/techni-
cal) – that’s when the availability of ‘the best’ becomes an
issue with little forward planning,” explained Tapken.
However, due to the fact that Rotana is a large hospital-
ity group with many properties under its portfolio, this
ensures that the challenges within the regional incentives
industry can be dealt with seamlessly. “A group such as
Rotana has the ability to bring in members from sister
properties to alleviate the issues caused by late bookings
– stand-alone properties simply do not have the resources
that we can bring to the table. We can move people and
assets around as necessary,” Tapken continued.
“We are also witnessing the adjustment to year-round
demand from the previous seasonal demand experienced
here in the Middle East. The UAE has been very success-
ful in creating demand for ‘low season’, and we are now
witnessing that demand covering 335 days per year. This
is a definite advantage for incentives and groups of any
size, as there is more flexibility in dates when planning.
Of course, if you want the very best, you still have to plan
in advance, or be flexible with your dates, but there is at
least an extended ‘window of opportunity’ in the UAE.”
The capital is indeed increasingly growing its appeal to
the incentives market, particularly with developments
emerging in almost every corner, and none more so than
at Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, the latter of which
includes the five-star Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi.
“Yas Viceroy is ideally suited for upscale incentive travel
groups which provide a unique venue providing a vast va-
riety of active lifestyle offerings and culinary experiences
including personalised activities such as cooking classes,
active teambuilding activities using the Yas Marina Circuit
and our outdoor facilities,” stated Christina von Celsing,
assistant director – sales/MICE, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi.
“Also, Yas Island offers amazing leisure and sporting
programmes such as golfing at Yas Links, sailboat cruises
at Yas Marina, Ferrari World, the newly opened Yas Wa-
terworld, and racing experiences at Yas Marina Circuit.
With tremendous spaces and unique surroundings,
Yas Viceroy provides a singular destination and
venue for executive business meetings, dis-
tinguished conferences and exhibitions and
unparalleled private events.”
Honing in on the world’s only Ferrari-themed
amusement park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
can provide a unique experience for upscale
incentives groups. Aside from leaning on the
success of its uniqueness, Andy Keeling, park
manager, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, further elabo-
rated on why the facility can truly provide ‘out of the
ordinary’ experiences: “Our clients are looking to make
a big impact, set themselves apart from their competitor
set, inspire their team and infuse them with a sense of
passion and creativity and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi offers
a great mix of space and entertainment to help them
achieve this goal. From the rides and attractions, flexible
meeting space and diverse F&B options available at the
park’s in-house restaurants, companies can completely
customise their experience of the park.
“Ferrari World Abu Dhabi consults and collaborates with
individual partners to bring creative events to life,” con-
tinued Keeling. “The park offers a wide variety of inspira-
tional spaces for meetings, brainstorming and team-build-
ing activities, incentive trips, product launches, private
parties, exhibitions, conferences and other events.
“Companies can choose from a number of customisable
options on different scales, ranging from the privatisation
of individual restaurants, meeting rooms, the in-house
cinema and other rides and attractions to offering entry
passes to delegates as well as full-day park privatisation
packages.”
Shifting attention back to Dubai and its capabilities within
the high-end incentive arena, but with the added twist of
Our team will give
an experience for
incentive travellers
to cherish
11. serenity april 2013 • 11
tradition, Ayman Ashor, general manager, Tilal Liwa Hotel,
noted: “Tilal Liwa Hotel is a stunningly secluded desert
hideaway resort built in traditional style and is perched
at the edge of the majestic Rub Al Khali Desert popularly
known as The Empty Quarter (the largest uninterrupted
sand desert in the world). The hotel is designed in elegant
Arabian style depicting the true mood of Arabia.
“An ideal venue for incentive group travel to experience,
our desert activities provide an exhilarating Desert Safari
(4x4 Jeep) into the dunes, sand boarding adventure,
desert walks and sightseeing trips to the traditional camel
farms, date plantations and Heritage Forts. We give incen-
tive groups an opportunity to move beyond just a stay at
another upscale hotel. Not only will the group be pam-
pered, but they will also be challenged,” Ashor continued.
“Additionally, Tilal Liwa Hotel has created a Bedouin
Arabic setting blending naturally into its desert surround-
ings with tents and an oasis surrounded with palm trees,
offering guests a glimpse of traditional life in the desert.
Themed outdoor events overlooking the oasis and with
entertainment such as belly dancers and tanoura dancers
are very popular.”
Undoubtedly a symbol for the region’s history, culture
and popularity, Egypt is an undisputed pillar of power
for the global tourism industry. Holding that pillar
securely are its plethora of luxurious properties, such
as Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah, which welcomes incentive
travellers from far and wide. “Completely redecorated
by Pierre-Yves Rochon, Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah is only
hotel located on the banks of the river with 433 luxury
rooms and suites, all overlooking the Nile. It features
restaurants, spa, an infinity pool, and even gardens as an
urban oasis,” explained Vincent Metral, manager – In-
spired Meetings, Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah. “We face flight
availability and destination awareness challenges. We
overcome those with activities in collaboration with na-
tional tourism authorities or boards, airlines and opera-
tors to all benefit equally.
“The latest development we have which is relevant for
our incentive groups is the renovation of our banqueting
halls and terraces. Overlooking the Nile, it is now one
of the most luxurious and wanted venues. We
also have an award winning So Spa and seven
newly designed dining options.”
Meanwhile, there are a host of regional des-
tinations which are visibly emerging from
the shadows of their traditional incentive
giant counterparts and are surely, steadily
climbing this fickle incentives ladder.
Having long been labeled as a destination ide-
ally suited for executive travel, Bahrain has, by
far, more than meets the eye, according to Ryan Rene
P. Advincula, marketing and communications manager,
The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, who stated: “We are very much
suited for the upscale incentive travel groups due to our
unique facilities and true Arabian Hospitality. The Gulf
Hotel Bahrain is a one stop iconic luxury venue with 15
F&B outlets our guests can experience and enjoy and
our location is such that we are only walking distance
to various business and tourist attractions such as the
Grand Mosque and the growing nightlife scenes of Juf-
fair Avenue. The buzzing Adliya district, just adjacent to
the hotel, is a haven for authentic memorabilia, side-
walks, shawaramas, treats and gifts,” noted Advincula.
“The entire experience itself at the property is an ‘out
of the ordinary’ experience itself, from the moment
you check-in with our team of mixed cultures who will
definitely give an experience for incentive travellers to
cherish and remember.”
While the Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been pro-
viding such traveller experiences for centuries, it has not
perhaps yielded the recognition it deserves as a potential
hotspot for incentives. While traditionally fed by the core
markets of the UK, Russia and other European countries,
Cyprus is shifting into the realms of incentive renown
and as such, is welcoming groups from emerging markets
including China.
Amongst the country’s most premier properties for incen-
tives groups, Columbia Beach Resort Pissouri prides itself
on an exceptional ability to cater to this market, accord-
ing to Annie Karapataki, sales manager, Columbia Hotels
& Resorts, who remarked: “The resort is an exclusive five-
star property offering 94 suites of different types. It was
built on the concept of a small Cyprus village so apart
from offering a wide variety of facilities it also offers the
very best that the island’s architecture and atmos-
phere can offer. Our Hebe Spa has also been
internationally awarded on three occasions.
“When it comes to us providing ‘out of the
ordinary’ activities to our guests we can
offer innovative menus and spa treatments,
unique theme nights, incentive programmes
combined with charity activities just to name
a few. The team at the resort offers creative
ideas and flexibility to please even the most
demanding request.”
From these shared insights, an unmistakable clarity
takes form: clients visiting the region are sincerely
spoilt for choice when seeking that unique team
building or rewarding experience. Industry experts
have illustrated this with evident dedication, which
undoubtedly enhances the belief in buyers of luxury
travel around the world to invest and trust in the
region’s exceptional incentives capabilities.
A sense of clarity has
taken form: clients
visiting the region are
spoilt for choice
12. 12 • serenity april 2013
MEDIA ATTENTION
Although the UAE and
numerous other countries
throughout the Middle
East and North Africa re-
gion are extremely safe to
travel to, the feel for the
entire region is regularly
impacted upon due to the
negative media attention
which forces many to not
feel comfortable for travel
into the region.
John V. Kailath, manager
– VIP Holidays, Omeir
Travel Agency
COMMON VIEWS
One of the main chal-
lenges that occasionally
hinders tourism flow to
the Middle East region is
the many commonly held
views about the Middle
East, with its negative
external image, political
instability and ignorance
of its geography and of
the areas of violence in
certain locations.
The political stability in
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and
Oman and their respec-
tive governments that
are very supportive of
globalisation is one of the
main factors that make
it suitable for incentive
travel. These destina-
tions have also witnessed
considerable investments
in incentive travel-related
facilities opening across
the region.
Manal Kelig, executive di-
rector – MENA, Adventure
Travel Trade Association
EASILY AVOIDABLE
In a nutshell, if you know
the strengths of the
destination well and have
had possibility to analyse
clients’ expectations well,
most challenges can be
avoided.
I personally believe when
the Middle East is in the
picture – while the region
is perceived as a charm-
ing destination full of
surprises – there are few
issues such as; security
concerns, general per-
ception of the region,
prefixed ideas of some
organisers such as their
expectations and demand
for cutting edge services.
I believe these challenges
can be overcome.
Y. Murat Ozguc, manag-
ing partner – destination
expert, Travel Atelier
IDEAL COMBINATION
You need a combina-
tion of infrastructure
and authentic variety of
experiences to complete
the perfect MICE experi-
ence. Just a luxury hotel
is insufficient; you need
a destination with easy
accessibility and a hotel
equipped and ready to
deliver creatively within
a short lead period which
can deliver to every
delegate’s individual
needs and accompanying
spouses or colleagues.
At the end of the pro-
gramme, whilst the con-
tent maybe valuable, it is
the productive network-
ing opportunities and
surprising experiences
that undoubtedly distin-
guish one incentive trip
from another.
Janet Abrahams, cluster
director sales market-
ing revenue, Phoenicia
InterContinental Beirut,
Le Vendôme Beirut
UP IN THE AIR
In certain MENA destina-
tions, direct airlift can be
a challenge. This however
is not the case in the UAE.
The new airline routes
provide increased oppor-
tunities for the MICE sec-
tor in Dubai. We welcome
these new additional
routes, and we work very
closely with Emirates Air-
line, flydubai, and DTCM
in all areas, to increase
awareness.
Along with our key
contracted partners and
travel trade associates,
these additions provide
and enhance our reach
into these new markets,
and allows Bab Al Shams
Desert Resort & Spa to
target new potential
incentive customers.
Craig Senior, regional
director of sales and mar-
keting, Meydan Hotels
Your incentive-seeking clients are becoming more demanding. They want
something different. Somewhere different. But what happens when you
mention the exceptional opportunities presented by the destinations of
the Middle East? Some of the region’s foremost players, who boast intimate
knowledge of the region, SHARE CONCERNS THEY ARE FACED WITH, AND offer
their advice on how to overcome theM and brush aside the myths.
dispelling the myths
13. serenity april 2013 • 13
rendezvous
hat was
your,
and your
parents’,
main
inspira-
tion behind creating Abercrombie
& Kent? Did you ever imagine it to
become the globally-known com-
pany that it is today?
I helped my parents set up Abercrom-
bie & Kent after they were forced off
their farm in the run-up to Kenya’s
independence.
Those early safaris were fairly mod-
est affairs conducted with little more
than my mother’s silver ice bucket
and the farm Land Rover. But even
back then my plan was to become
the best tour operator in luxury
adventure. And we wanted a name
that would put us at the top of the
Yellow Pages. Initially, Aardvark was a
hot contender, but in the end we set-
tled on ‘Abercrombie’ as it sounded
aristocratic.
A real turning point in our business
was my decision in 1969 to set up a
partnership working with an Ameri-
can company, Adventures Unlimited.
Our slogan was ‘Hunt with a camera,
not a gun’ and within a year we had
500 clients spending $250 a night –
big money back then.
Since then our business has grown
as a result of repeat customers like
David Rockefeller, people with an in-
tense curiosity about the world. They
want travel that does more than just
offer a rest and a getaway, and they
asked us to duplicate what we did on
safari in other parts of the world.
When you were at the Royal Mili-
tary Academy at Sandhurst you
spent time in Bahrain and Kuwait.
What did you learn about the Mid-
dle East as a tourist destination
when you were based at these
countries?
I was aide de camp to General Jack
Frost, the hero of the 1944 Battle of
Arnhem whose story was retold in
the movie A Bridge Too Far. He was
the commanding officer in Libya,
very wealthy in his own right and
always did things impeccably. I can
remember we had to go on a major
expedition to Kufra Oasis and every-
thing had to be perfect. So I arranged
for an engineer to make me a refrig-
erated truck so that I could keep eve-
rything cold – ice, champagne, the lot.
Once I asked him, “General, why do
we need all this stuff?” He looked
and me and said, “Geoffrey, any fool
can be uncomfortable.”
I think that’s where the idea of
combining adventurous travel with
luxurious accommodations really first
sprang from.
Which destinations within the
Middle East and North Africa cur-
rently feature within Abercrombie
& Kent’s portfolio? Why were they
chosen?
Our guests are drawn to the ancient
countries of the Middle East where
traces of Roman, Christian and
Byzantine civilization remain, seen
in context with their rich Islamic
heritage. Here one can easily imagine
what life was like in ancient Egypt
or the Middle Ages while travelling
to Biblical sites, Crusader ruins and
vibrant, modern-day souks.
Morocco is a vibrant, multi-cultural
destination with many luxurious new
international standard hotels open-
ing, along with beautifully-restored
riads. There is also great interest
in desert camping in the remote
Erg Chebbi dunes. We worked with
artisans in the foothills of the Atlas
Mountains to design handcrafted
caidale-style tents. Originally an ac-
cessory in Moroccan palaces, these
tents were used to welcome visiting
dignitaries and are now used for reli-
gious and cultural celebrations.
Furthermore, Jordan is becoming
increasingly popular with travellers
looking for more adventurous experi-
ences like off-road driving.
Our guests seek a
deeper knowledge
and appreciation
that expands their
understanding of
the world
W
Geoffrey Kent, founder, Abercrombie & Kent,
reminisces on a journey which has taken his
company to the pinnacle of luxury travel.
14. 14 • serenity april 2013
destination delights
Lebanon
premier destination
USPs As Beirut is located in the
centre of the Mediterranean coast-
line, it is possible to visit the main
highlights as day trips from the
capital, making it an ideal destina-
tion for a long weekend break. For
those with more time, there are
traditional towns, mountains, cedar
valleys and beaches that will easily
have you wanting to stay longer.
TOP ACTIVITIES For years,
Lebanon has been considered to be
the essential shopping centre of the
Middle East. It has always played a
leading role in the Middle East retail
sector with a trading tradition and
healthy consumer culture that has
made Beirut one of the most excit-
ing capitals in the region.
Most international brands are avail-
able, none more so than at Verdun
and Ashrafieh – areas that are the
well-known shopping hubs with
boutiques, independent labels and
trendy cafés.
Downtown Beirut, the new district,
has become the high-end shopping
area in town. In the pedestrian,
cobbled streets, with open air cafes,
you can find international brands.
Jewellery is a big business in Leba-
non and all the major shopping ar-
eas have a clutch of local jewellers
selling a wide selection of quality
products to suit all budgets.
Activities abound in the country
and its diverse environment –spread
over such a small land mass –
brings most adventure within just
an hour or two’s reach; from skiing
in the winter and trekking and
climbing in the summer, to para-
sailing, quad biking and four-wheel
drive discovery tours, there is some-
thing for everyone whatever their
area of interest.
Beirut is also known as the Middle
East’s entertainment party capital
‘par excellence’ as its nightlife is
unsurpassed throughout the region,
with a vibrancy and range of choice
that is simply unmatched.
Dining in Lebanon also provides an
experience far beyond the sum of
its ingredients. Situated between
the East and the West, Lebanon
is at a culinary and cultural cross-
roads. The similarities in the cuisine
between most Middle Eastern coun-
tries is undeniable, but Lebanese
cuisine is by far the most distinct,
combining European cuisine with
the exotic ingredients of the Middle
and Far East.
Additionally, the country has glori-
ous white sandy beaches, stunning
landscapes that change with the
seasons, lush green hills, superb
scenery, great architecture, smil-
ing people, temperate climate, rich
heritage, a colourful calendar of
festivals and events – all these
combine to make Lebanon an in-
credibly attractive destination.
CLIMATE Lebanon has a climate
that varies depending on the land-
scape. On average, the country is
sunny more than 300 days a year.
Summer, from July to August, is
hot and humid on the coastline.
Winter is rather mild and rainy from
January to March, but rainfalls
are often torrential. Spring brings
along temperatures reaching 20 to
25˚C. The sweetness of the Leba-
nese spring is sometimes interrupt-
ed by a hot, dry and sandy wind
called Khamsin. Winter is harsher
in the mountains as snowfalls cover
Mount Lebanon’s summits from
January to April.
80 to 90 per cent of the country’s
rainfall occurs between November
and March.
ACCOMMODATION
Phoenicia InterContinental Beirut:
Combining a unique elegant ex-
terior with a fabulous majestic
interior, the Phoenicia InterCon-
tinental Beirut, which opened its
door in December 1961, became a
reference in the world of hospitality:
446 luxurious rooms and suites, a
wide choice of restaurants, shops
and two swimming pools, indoor
and outdoor, made the Phoenicia
everybody's elite destination. Its
reputation for class and luxurious
living echoed around the globe.
Kings, Queens, world leaders, celeb-
rities, businessmen and the jet set
alike, made this hotel their home
away from home, contributing to
the country’s golden age, an up-
swing period during which Lebanon
was known as the ‘Switzerland of
the Middle East’.
As a phoenix rising from the ashes,
the hotel reopened its doors in
March 2000. Again attracting the
rich and famous from the world
over, the property effortlessly
retook its position as the region’s
top-notch hotel.
InterContinental Le Vendome: A
unique boutique hotel with 73 luxu-
rious rooms and suites. Set on the
famous Beirut cornice overlooking
the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel
is conveniently located near Beirut
Downtown, a few minutes from the
airport and midway between Tripoli,
Cedars and Byblos in the North, and
Tyr and Sidon in the South.
Four Seasons Hotel Beirut: Una-
bashedly modern, Four Seasons
Hotel Beirut soars skyward above
the city and sea at the edge of
the Mediterranean. From stylish
re you ready to immerse yourself in a host of Incentive adventures and ex-
periences that will last a lifetime? Peppered with magical deserts, tropical
oases, magnificent mountains AND MORE, the Middle East AWAITS.A
15. serenity april 2013 • 15
must-visit sites
The Jeita Grotto was an official
finalist representing Lebanon and
selected as one of the 14 worldwide
landmarks in the New 7 Wonders
of Nature. Jeita Grotto is the jewel
of Lebanon where stalagmite and
stalactites are continuously sculp-
tured by the most renewed artist of
all time ‘water’.
Downtown Beirut is a great site to
find anything you want about Leba-
non from business, restaurants,
banks, hotels, events, entertain-
ment, souks, night clubs, outdoor
cafes…
Zaitunay Bay is Beirut’s newest
entertainment destination, located
at the Beirut Marina, with 17 res-
taurants and cafes, five boutiques
and two activity centres to discover.
Also, Le Yacht Club-Beirut repre-
sents the culture, luxury and quality
of life that Beirut has to offer at
Zaitunay Bay.
Kfardebian is a ski area with Mzaar
Kfardebian being the largest ski re-
sort in the Middle East, and home to
several different Lebanese ski clubs.
Lebanon is one of the few winter
sports centers in the Middle East.
The season begins in December and
continues until April. The largest
resorts have hotels, chalets and
other facilities, including good ski
lifts. There are six winter resorts:
The Cedars (2,300-2,850m), Lak-
louk (1,840-2,000m), Faqra (1,765-
1,975m), Qanat Bakiche (1,840-
2,000m), Zaarour (1,700-2,000m),
Mzaar Kfardebian (1,946-2,465m).
Lebanon’s long varied coastline and
its Mediterranean climate make it
an ideal place for watersports. Nu-
merous resort complexes, beaches
and swimming clubs have aquatic
amusements and sports on offer.
Equipment for waterskiing and
scuba diving can be rented from
clubs and shops.
As tempting as the seaside is, many
more sports opportunities await
the visitor; tennis, squash and
football are all popular. There are
fitness clubs where it is possible to
workout, as well as groups interest-
National Airline: Middle
East Airlines: mea.com.lb
Airport: Beirut–Rafic Hariri
International Airport:
beirutairport.gov.lb
Visa information:
foreign.gov.lb/consulinformat.html
CONTACT: Lebanon Ministry of
Tourism: lebanon-tourism.gov.lb
comforts to the see-and-be-seen
rooftop terrace, where guests can
swim high in the sky or celebrate
till sunrise, it brings the best of the
world to Beirut.
InterContinental Mountain Resort
Spa, Mzaar: Up the scenic Mount
Lebanon at 2,000m high, sense
the uniqueness of this incredible
property, a family friendly destina-
tion with breathtaking views and
a stress free getaway in a natural
environment. Aside from being
the only five-star ski choice in the
region and a dynamic provider
of mountain tourism, year round
indoor/outdoor leisure, a world-
class spa and proximity to major
tourist sites, these are only a few
of the many other pleasures. Ski,
bowl, walk, swim, ride, relax, reju-
venate, work out or simply relax in
this beautiful hotel set at the heart
of the Mzaar 2000 ski complex.
Furthermore, close to many areas
of archaeological interest and the
famous Casino du Liban, visitors
have a marvellous choice of diverse
leisure options.
Le Royal Hotels & Resorts Beirut:
Perched on a towering hilltop
overlooking the Mediterranean
Sea, 15km from downtown and the
airport, the property is close to the
magnificent Jeita Grotto, nomi-
nated one of the ‘7 Wonders of the
World’, Casino du Liban, the historic
city and souks of Byblos, ski resorts
and upscale shopping districts.
Le Gray Beirut: This hotel offers
cool, modern interiors, with 87
wonderfully spacious rooms and
sensational suites, exciting restau-
rants, all accompanied by warm
and highly professional service.
There are spectacular vistas of the
Mediterranean, Mount Lebanon
and the city’s impressive architec-
ture from the rooftop, where Indigo
Restaurant, Bar ThreeSixty and
the swimming pool have superb
vantage points. The outstanding
facilities are completed by the chic
Gordon’s Café, the tranquil and
beautiful PureGray spa, the high-
tech gym and the boardroom.
ed in judo, karate, yoga, gymnastics,
parasailing, golf, cycling, canoeing,
kayaking, mountain climbing, pot-
holing and caving.
Baablbeck Roman Temples, for
those seeking an archaeological and
historical experience is a must visit
site, 85km away from Beirut, it has
one of the biggest roman temples in
the world (Jupiter Temple) and one
of the most preserved (Bacchus
Temple).
Byblos City, for a half day tour
away from Beirut, is the right place
as it’s one of the oldest continually
inhabited towns. Byblos, or Jbeil,
is 36km north of Beirut and about
the same distance to the Mzaar
ski resort. It is an unspoiled and
picturesque city with its ancient
port, Phoenician, Roman and
Crusader ruins, sandy beaches and
picturesque mountains that sur-
round it and make it an ideal tourist
destination. The city is known for its
fish restaurants, open-air bars, and
outdoor cafes. Yachts cruise into its
harbour today like they did in the
60s and 70s when Marlon Brando
and Frank Sinatra were regular visi-
tors to the city.
(Information supplied exclusively by
Claudia Karam, head of production de-
partment, Lebanon Ministry of Tourism)
17. serenity april 2013 • 17
insights
ut of all the incen-
tives activities
that you provide
within the region,
which are the most
popular and why?
Excel Travel caters to the incentive
travel needs of organisations for
both inbound travel to Egypt and
outbound travel abroad, by provid-
ing world-class experiences that are
unique and leave a lasting impression
on travellers. Our goal is to make
each trip an unforgettable experience
for the traveller while ensuring our
customer sees tangible, real-world
benefits from our travel services.
Depending on our customer’s needs,
incentive tour activities can range
from large scale gala dinners to
adventure trips like deep sea fishing
or safaris. Incentive trips are usu-
ally full of different activities that
impress participants and deliver a
wow factor. For example, Excel Travel
organised one of the largest incen-
tive trips in Egypt last year which
saw over 1,000 delegates from a
Danish bank entertained under the
stars during a gala dinner held at
the foot of the Pyramids. Our goal
was to create an elaborate setting
with an entrancing experience that
few thought could be possible.
What are the main challenges you
face from discerning incentives
groups?
There are many situations that
can prove challenging to any trip
organiser and can include requests
around specific food preferences
that may not be available in the host
country, seeking government ap-
provals for hosting an activity that
requires special access to a cultural
or historical landmark, or even hav-
ing to overcome certain security or
logistical challenges that could be
brought on by political unrest in the
host country.
An incentive travel planner/organ-
iser has to be able to deal with
each situation with its own unique
circumstances and work to identify
an alternate approach that satisfies
the customer yet does not dilute
the impact of the experience for the
guests.
What are your main responsibili-
ties as an incentives planner?
Excel Travel takes a holistic approach
to planning and organising events
or programmes that deliver results.
From initial planning, concept devel-
opment and budgeting to logistics
management, entertainment book-
ing and venue setup or decoration,
our professional trip planners and or-
ganisers are able to provide custom-
ers with turn-key solutions to their
incentive travel needs.
Where do you get inspiration from
when creating new incentives
tours?
Excel Travel has many years of
experience delivering world-class
incentive tours and much of our
inspiration comes from the needs of
our customers, our ideas stem from
the primary goal that they want to
achieve. As one of Egypt’s biggest
corporate travel service providers,
we make sure that our management
team is constantly updated on the
latest trends and innovations in the
incentive travel industry. Our creativ-
ity in delivering a unique incentive
travel experience is a combination of
both these factors.
CREATIVE
SOLUTIONS
George Fawzi, president and CEO, Excel
Travel, delves deep into the secrets
behind what makes the company
an unwavering success within the
incentives industry.
Our goal is to
make each trip
an unforgettable
experience
O
18. venues of excellence
serenity presents to you a directory of distinction showcasing just some of
the foremost INCENTIVE-SUITED venues of excellence on the market. selected
for their inimitable style, exceptional facilities and sheer devotion to
service. take the time to lose yourself in this elite collection of stars.
18 • serenity january 2013
LOCATION HOTEL VENUE Group TOTAL WEBSITE
size KEYS
Abu Dhabi Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Full Park 1,500 N/A ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Privatisation
Bahrain The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Gulf Convention 2,200 356 gulfhotelbahrain.com
Centre
Cyprus Eléa Estate Events Suite 200 43 eleaestate.com
Columbia Beach Resort Oval Office 250 95 columbia-hotels.com
Pissouri
Dubai Atlantis, The Palm Atlantis 2,500 1,705 atlantisthepalm.com
Conference Centre
The Ritz-Carlton, Samaya Ballroom 1,500 465 ritzcarlton.com
Dubai International
Financial Centre
Bab Al Shams Desert The Meydan Arena 6,000 113 meydanhotels.com/babalshams
Resort & Spa
Egypt Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah Opera 500 433 sofitel-cairo-elgezirah.com
Fujairah Concorde Hotel Fujairah Layalina Ballroom 900 206 concordefujairah.com
Jordan Sheraton Amman Dushara Ballroom 1,000 268 sheratonammanalnabil.com
Al Nabil Hotel
King Hussein Bin Talal N/A 3,000 N/A hiltonkinghusseincentre.com
Convention Centre
Managed By Hilton
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Grand Ballroom 500 346 moevenpick-deadsea.com
Dead Sea
Lebanon Phoenicia Hotel Beirut Grand Ballroom 2,000 446 phoeniciabeirut.com
Morocco Palais Amani Dining Room 30 14 palaisamani.com
Library Lounge
Oman Shangri-La’s Barr Amphitheatre 1,500 640 shangri-la.com/muscat
Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Six Senses Zighy Bay The Board Room 150 82 sixsenses.com/SixSensesZighyBay
Turkey Museum Hotel Meeting & Art 60 30 museumhotel.com.tr
Point
19.
20. 20 • serenity april 2013
enrichment zone
TRY SOMETHING NEW
This region has been
‘doing’ hospitality and tour-
ism for 10,000 years, per-
fecting the art of heritage
trails and pilgrimage along
the Silk Routes, linking
Central Asia to North Africa
via Persia, Mesopotamia and
the Holy Land.
Entrepreneurs that have cut
their teeth in the West are
returning with contempo-
rary design ideas and are
transforming the region
into a remarkable incen-
tive destination. If you want
to excite your clients with
something new, you need
to rediscover these ancient
places and take them to
where it all began.
Benjamin Carey, manag-
ing director,
Dunira
Strategy
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
My advice to inter-
national travel agents and
tour operators is to study
the market. They must also
find out which segment of
the market their clients
from their region would fit
into and tie up with the right
local suppliers and whole-
salers to cater to their own
individual market needs.
As you know, one size does
not fit all, so you must al-
ways be different and niche
markets, such as the luxury
segment, will always have its
demands.
I think the major problem
for North America/Canada
would be distance and cost.
Only companies that have
had a strong presence in
the MENA region would
probably insist in the MICE /
conferences in the region.
Kenneth D’Souza, business
development manager, Go-
way Travel
FIND THE RIGHT
PARTNERS
For non locals wishing to
operate within the Middle
East and North Africa region
then local knowledge, kno-
whow, expertise and good
contacts, with a high repu-
tation in their respective
fields, are, without question,
the main keys to success for
any event once you craft
your own programmes out-
side of your very
own playground.
Partnering with
the right, and
most suitable,
company opens
countless doors and leads
you to great success with
your new projects.
Just to make sure that your
partner is strong at their
own playground, this will
definitely help to overcome
any possible language barri-
ers and cultural differences
as well as all other major
issues one may encounter
during this process.
Y. Murat Ozguc, managing
partner – destination expert,
Travel Atelier
ndustry experts provide their
professional guidance to those
who are seeking to create and
sell incentive travel experiences
within the region.
1
3
2
I
PETER LILLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA TRAVEL
ASSOCIATION SHARES HIS PASSION AND
ADVICE FOR THE REGION’S INCENTIVES
INDUSTRY.
• Which destinations within the MENA
region have raised the most interest
with your incentives clients?
The most exciting incentive destination
in the region is Dubai. It enjoys a high
profile in the UK market and is regarded
as an aspirational destination. Abu Dhabi
looks set to follow in Dubai’s footsteps
and within the next few years will have
the advantage of appealing to conference
and incentive organisers wishing to offer
clients packages which provide a stronger
cultural dimension. Other leading MENA
incentive destinations attracting the at-
tention of the UK market include Oman,
Jordan and Morocco.
• What advice would you give to inter-
national agents seeking to step into
the region and craft their own incen-
tives packages?
Look upon the MENA region as an
exciting opportunity. Try and work with
quality partners who have a track record
in meeting expectations and delivering
results. The only word of caution I would
offer is to remind incentive organisers
that the region will be different in some
respects to North America, the Far East
or Western European countries; the
region clearly has its own history, culture
and traditions. It’s important to bear
these differences in mind but they should
be viewed as positives which have the
potential to add a unique dimension to
incentive packages within the region.
UNIQUELY
DIFFERENT
21. serenity april 2013 • 21
What incentives activities
do you provide within the
region? Which are your
most popular and why?
An incentive, when planned
and executed at its highest
levels, is definitely one of
the most rewarding experi-
ences you can have.
We never duplicate pro-
grammes and we always
tailor make projects consid-
ering time at disposal, cli-
ent origin and the segment
of the participants.
The fixed element is identi-
fying a clear concept of the
destination selected to sup-
port and inspire a strategic
goal of a corporate client:
in the Gulf, dynamism, in-
novation, internationalisa-
tion, safety, modernisation,
globalisation and hospitali-
ty are the main ones due to
the obvious impact of this
characteristic in our socie-
ties in the last decades.
Differently from leisure
programmes, where the
discovery plays a major
role, incentives combine
working sessions to share
strategic goals combined
with an intensive pro-
gramme of destination
attractions such as ac-
commodation, meeting
facilities, fine dining, social
networking venues or
clubs, destination orienta-
tion programmes, thrilling
excursions, team building
and team enforcement pro-
grammes in the desert, sea,
mountains, city districts
and motorsport venues.
Sometimes, based on the
length of stay there could
even be a combination
of countries involved and
recently, mostly for major
events with global compa-
ny worldwide conventions
handled here, we invite
famous personalities in the
fields of music, theatre, tv
and sport to add value with
their performances.
What are the main chal-
lenges you face from
discerning incentives
groups?
Challenges and solutions
go together. In our society
we have so much ‘input’
available that the ‘output’
can be achieved when you
have a skilled team.
We are proud of how we
emerged in reputation
in this segment not only
in managing and deliver-
ing, but in the planning of
concepts.
Knowledge, fantasy and
enthusiasm support the
creative side of the pro-
gramme.
What are your main re-
sponsibilities as an incen-
tives planner?
An incentive is not only
presenting the destination,
but combining it with spe-
cific slogans or core values
of a corporate establish-
ment or institution.
We need to create and
build a programme with
specific elements and mak-
ing sure the delivery part is
not only perfectly handled
in terms of operational
aspects, but also in the
psychological result that
will be achieved at the end
among the participants
taking part. At the end we
want every single one of
our guests to love our des-
tination and feel energised.
Thanks to the experience
they will have to return
back with more results, mo-
tivation and a shared sense
of belonging to a company
or a project – depending on
their background.
Where do you get inspira-
tion from when creating
new incentives tours?
We get inspired by the
clients, by the environment,
by our experience and
sometimes by unexpected
brainstorming sessions
that make a project build
up to become a great pro-
gramme.
We named ourselves The
Vision Destination Manage-
ment and this says a lot.
behold the artisan
Anwar Abu Monassar, director of operations, The Vision
Destination Management reveals how great incentive
experiences are possible by thinking ‘out of the box’.
MICE destination management for
the UAE and Oman
Conceive, quote, organiSe and operate
exciting events for some of the
major corporate brands worldwide
deliver memorable experiences
which are in line with the most
creative incentive ideas
Manage product launches
Analyse, consult, assist and handle
a wide variety of local exhibitions,
conferences, conventions that
are of national, regional and
international appeal
FACTS
22. 22 • serenity april 2013
Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel
impressions
I’m absolutely in love with this hotel as I’ve been in-
volved with it from the time when it was just a concept
in imaginations to the first steps it took towards becom-
ing a reality, and to then becoming a fully fledge icon of
Jordan. I was even present when the foundation stones
were being laid and since then, I have continued to visit
to see how the vision became a reality. I therefore genu-
inely have a close connection with this property.
When I originally went to the soft opening I noticed
that it was the ‘small things’ which provided a nice
touch – such as the in-room emergency kits containing
a toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving razors, female vanity
accessories and many more items which you may not
think of but are nice to have in case you have forgotten
something basic but essential during your travels.
Another superb feature is that the buffet plates have
healthy eating tips on them which aided me in select-
ing the most delicious, yet healthy, options from each
appealing buffet I helped myself too. Even within the
room service menu there are gluten free options, not to
mention their wonderful fruit smoothies.
The staff at this property have, over the years, always
been known for their warmth – and my recent visit rein-
forced this. They even make the effort to know the finer
details, including if you are returning visitors.
Customer service here is quite simply excellent. Evidence
of this was when there was a technical issue with the
credit card I presented. It could have been embarrassing,
but instead of making me feel awkward, the staff were
compassionate and pleasant and utterly understanding
that these things happen to everyone.
Another example of exceptional customer care was
when the menu in one of the restaurants didn’t really
satisfy my cravings. The same item I did crave was in
another of the hotel’s restaurants, and the staff made
no hesitation to bring it directly to me. Nothing was too
much trouble – they were sure to go that extra mile. In
fact, they always have. As a repeat client, these are the
small, but essential details, which keep drawing me back.
A core reason behind the success of the team at this
property – no matter how many times it has changed or
evolved over the years – is the fact they always stay one
step ahead and are completely in tune with their guests’
requirements and desires. Needless to say this is one
aspect, for me, which has always made this hotel stand
out from the crowd.
Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel
5th Circle, P.O. Box 840064, Amman 11184, Jordan
T: +962(6)5934111 • F: +962(6)5934222
www.sheratonammanalnabil.com
23. serenity april 2013 • 23
Le Royal Hotels & Resort, Beirut
After my short flight from Cyprus to Lebanon, arriving
into Beirut at night, I just couldn’t hide the excitement
building up inside me as it has been a little while since
I was last in this beautiful country. Leaving the airport
and approaching the hotel I was impressed with how it
stands out so magnificently. Upon entering the hotel,
the staff were exceptionally warm and friendly towards
me. From the moment I stepped out of the taxi to reach-
ing reception, I could feel that they would surely look
after me, which I really appreciated.
Check-in was fast and it had been insisted upon by my
hosts that I was to stay in one of the most prestigious
rooms within the hotel. It had the most amazing view of
the bay – I snapped away with my camera as I wanted
to capture every moment. I also liked the fact that while
this was a non-smoking room, smokers – like myself –
had the facility to go out onto the balcony. It wasn’t cold
at this time of year and my balcony was a peaceful ha-
ven – so I probably spent more time out on the balcony
than inside, enjoying the view and tranquility. Addition-
ally, I liked the fact that there was coffee and tea making
facilities in the room which I could make any time of day
or night – which made for a great accompaniment at my
balcony table!
On my arrival night, I have to admit that I was extremely
hungry so almost immediately I ordered room service
(tempura vegetables and spring rolls) and it came within
the 15 minutes window as they had advised. Presenta-
tion was excellent, it tasted divine and it was at a great
price too.
Moving towards the bathroom I was impressed with how
spacious it was. The vanity was large enough to hold all
my beauty products – that is impressive in its own right
as, like many others I am sure, I have so many I rarely
have enough room to store them all in one place!
Internet connection within the room and across the ho-
tel was excellent – even approaching the hotel I was able
to connect to the WiFi through my mobile phone.
While I had made it known that I was visiting for busi-
ness rather than pleasure, the staff insisted I have the
‘Le Royal experience’ which made me feel wanted and
special. My one regret is that I didn’t have time to go to
the spa and experience a massage treatment. I did view
the facility which was simply exquisite – and so during
my next visit I will definitely make the time for at least
one massage.
One last thing I will mention is that the hotel taxis are
absolutely brilliant. I was so impressed that I kept the
same driver for the whole day because he spoke superb
English, took me everywhere I needed to go, and made
sure I was so comfortable. He even paid for me to enjoy
a delicious shawarma out of his own pocket. Service at
its finest.
Le Royal Hotels & Resorts, Beirut
Leisure Hills Complex, Dbayeh, Beirut, Lebanon
T: +961 4 555 555 • F: +961 4 555 100
info@leroyalbeirut.com
www.leroyal.com/beirut
brought to you by serenity
24. 24 • serenity april 2013
innovative itineraries
A
arrival
experience
Guests are met before immigra-
tion with a placard and escorted
to the Plaza Lounge where they
enjoy Omani hospitality. Hot or
cold refreshments are served and
the lounge executive completes
the immigration formalities. The
guests are then escorted to the
baggage hall and assisted with
their baggage and custom formal-
ities. After clearing the customs,
guests will be escorted to the out-
side arrival area, where they will
be met by our Mandarin-speaking
guide. The guide will escort the
group to our luxury coach waiting
outside the arrival area.
foremost Chinese company seeks an incentives experience TO
REMEMBER in Oman… that was the scenario Serenity presented
to Arun Raj, assistant manager – business development,
Zahara Tours.
We will start our tour with the
Grand Mosque. The developed
part of the site, including the
fully consolidated areas and
landscaping, covers 416,000m2
.
The mosque complex (covering
40,000m2
) is constructed on a
raised podium in-keeping with the
tradition of Omani mosques that
were built elevated from street
level.
It can accommodate up to
20,000 worshippers and con-
sists of a main prayer hall, ladies
prayer hall, covered passageways,
a meeting hall, and library which
will eventually contain up to
20,000 books.
A major feature of the main
prayer hall is the hand-made
Persian carpet consisting of
1,700 million knots, weighing at
21 tones and is made in a single
piece measuring 70x60m.
Day 1 Al Alam Palace, the official
residence of H.M. Sultan Qa-
boos Bin Said, ruler of Oman is
our next stop. The palace is an
architectural marvel for both its
design and its location between
the twin Portuguese forts Mirani
and Jalali (a brief photograph
stop from outside only).
Dinner tonight will be at Mumtaz
Mahal Restaurant. Be it in the
day or at night, the view from
the restaurant has got to be
one of the best in Muscat. The
restaurant is located on a man-
made hillock and overlooks part
of the sea and the city area. An
artificial waterfall flows right
from the top and into the park
area. The menu will be an Indian
Buffet Menu and the restaurant
can seat a formal style up to 110
persons. It also serves the best
of international wines.
Day 2 We drive towards Muttrah Souq
– one of the most popular souqs
in the Middle East. Take a walk in
its labyrinthine alleyways beck-
oning with a myriad of merchan-
dise, from imported fabrics to
exotic Oriental spices, perfumes
and richly handcrafted artifacts.
A visit to this pulsating hub of
Muscat’s old quarter makes for
a delightful experience. Here,
scents of exotic Arabian per-
fumes and spices float through
the air. Other shops specialise in
famous Omani khanjars (dag-
gers), antiques, traditional silver
jewellery, and handicrafts in cop-
per, camel bone, wood, leather
and hand-made Omani costumes.
After dinner there is the option
to hang out at Safari Roof Top
Grill – The Rooftop Grill House at
Grand Hyatt Muscat, open during
the cooler months.
Day 3
Start with a self-drive to the
dunes and wadi then visit the
Oman Dive Centre where there is
the chance to partake in dolphin
watching. Dinner will be at Herit-
age Village.
Day 4 Our final day begins with a luxu-
rious lunch down by the beach.
The rest of the day is for leisure
until the farewell dinner in a
traditional Omani style on the
desert.
Day 5
25. serenity april 2013 • 25
ON THE GO
Our most unique feature is the ability to offer experiences in multiple destinations. We have
hosted an exclusive charter with Windstar Cruises that gave participants an experience
with ‘A-list’ stars at the Cannes Film Festival and later at the Monaco Grand Prix.
www.centurycyprus.com
SAFARI FARM
We are proud to say that our Al Bithnah Package is an ‘out of the ordinary’ experi-
ence we can offer for groups, wherein they can enjoy the only safari farm located in the
UAE’s East Coast. This package is very much suitable for group activities.
www.concordefujairah.com
As ‘run of the mill’ experiences convert into ‘old news’, experts within the field must dig deeper than ever
before to pull something different out of the incentives bag. With vigour and resourcefulness, they are
taking this challenge head-on to present some of the most unusual and inspirational incentive adventures
Something different
MICROLIGHTING
Zighy Bay provides ‘out of the ordinary’ experiences from paragliding, microlighting,
dhow cruises with non-motorised water activities, and tailor made team building activi-
ties to an exquisite dining experience perched 293m above resort level.
www.sixsenses.com
CAMEL POLO
Desert Palm, a Per AQUUM retreat has added a new twist to the traditional game of
Polo played by Royals and the rich and famous. The property has teamed up with Gulf
Ventures to offer guests the opportunity to play this exciting sport on the camel.
desertpalm.peraquum.com
SCUBA DIVING
At Sharm El Sheikh Marriott Beach Resort, with its central location in the heart of
Naama Bay and within walking distance from the vibrant nightlife of Sharm El Sheikh City,
you can take a scuba dive and enjoys the beautiful underwater world of the Red Sea.
www.marriott.com
FERRARI SIMULATOR
Where else can a company organise a training conference and then encourage delegates to
blow off some steam by racing against each other on a Ferrari simulator? Or speed off at
240km per hour next to their boss? It’s these that set Ferrari World Abu Dhabi apart.
www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com
26. 26 • serenity april 2013
illuminating events
MELTS
UPDATESeren Event Management
Company has, together with
flagship sister company TTG
MENA, been formally brought
under the banner of the newly
created CADS Publishing & Events
(CADS P&E) division of CADS
Group – a private investment
group operating in the tourism,
publishing, hospitality, aviation,
medical and real estate industries
The Essential Post:
“Turkish Airlines
continues to make
history”
“MELTS travels
to Qatar”
“Make a date with the
MELTS team at ATM. Visit
us on stand UAE2210”
The Essential Discussion:
The Essential Tweet:
In the next issue:
Middle East Event Show 2013
21 - 23 May • Dubai International Convention & Exhibition
Centre, Dubai • www.me-eventshow.com
Visit Egypt In Oman Show
1 - 7 September • Muscat International Airport, Oman
www.omanexhibitions.com
Erbil International Fair
23 - 26 September • Erbil International Fair Ground, Iraq
www.eif-expo.com
Travel Turkey Izmir
5 - 8 December • International Izmir Fair Center, Kültürpark,
Turkey • www.travelturkey-expo.com
MEET ICT Bahrain
10 - 12 December • Bahrain International Exhibition &
Convention Centre, Bahrain • www.meetict.com
Events
2014
Located within close proximity to
Europe, Africa and the Far East and
with direct links from the Ameri-
cas, the Middle East is truly suited
for executive travel professionals.
From luxurious jets and terminals
to exceptional first and business
class services to outstanding hos-
pitality, the list seems endless. In
the July issue of Serenity prepare
to discover how the region can
seamlessly cater for the crème de
la crème of executive travel.
To contribute to this issue, to ensure your
offering is positioned amongst the elite, or to gain
heightened global exposure, please contact us:
ANorth@meltshow.com
