GERMANY: Fuel Costs Affect Lufthansa Profits

German airline Lufthansa on Tuesday posted a decline in second-quarter earnings, hurt by price competition on short-haul routes in Germany and Austria as well as rising fuel costs.

Europe’s biggest airline group said adjusted earnings before interest and tax fell to €754 million, compared to €1 billion a year earlier.

Fuel costs were €255m higher than in the previous year, it said.

Lufthansa said it expected the European market to remain challenging until at least the end of this year.

The company maintained its guidance for 2019 for an adjusted ebit margin of 5.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent for the year, down from a previous target of between 6.5 per cent and 8 per cent.

Lufthansa in June cut its full-year profit forecast due to lower prices and higher fuel costs compounding losses at its budget subsidiary Eurowings.

Lufthansa is locked in a bruising fight for market share as a glut of seats hurts prices on short haul flights out of Germany and Austria.

As flagged in the June, yields at the low-cost Eurowings tumbled, with long-haul routes offering the only bright spot.

Headwinds from a German economic slowdown are also building amid simmering trade tensions. As well as hitting corporate demand for flights, the conflict is crimping earnings at Lufthansa’s cargo unit, with quarterly earnings dropping 88 per cent.

The company does not see the scenario improving this year, cautioning that discounting will continue to weigh on ticket prices. The airline said margin targets at its cargo unit are at risk if demand does not stabilise.


Tourism Observer

TUNISIA: Iraqi Pilot Demands Money For Fuel From Passengers Before Departure

Passengers travelling to Iraq from Tunisia were left outraged after the pilot refused to take off until he collected petrol money from them.

The Iraqi plane was travelling from Carthage International Airport in the Tunisian capital towards Baghdad, but was delayed for a number of hours after there was not enough petrol for the full flight.

The pilot, who was asked to pay for the petrol, refused to do so and said he wouldn't take off unless the passengers raised $3,000 to cover the cost.

The argument sparked protests and riots in the airport.

One passenger filmed the scene, complaining about the situation and showing people sleeping on the airport chairs.

Look at the Iraqi airlines, they put us all in trouble and made us all sit, he said in a video that has been widely circulated on Arab social media circles.

Initially, the plane was thought to be detained for political reasons.

The Tunisian Embassy in Iraq issued a statement clarifying the incident and said that the Iraqi plane was not detained, but the delay of the plane to take off was due to the delay of the commander to pay the amount allocated to fuel the plane.

The statement said that the matter was settled with the Iraqi embassy in Tunisia, which then resorted to paying for the cost of the fuel.


Tourism Observer

CHINA: Discover Sanya, A Fast-growing Tourist Destination

With its tropical climate and beautiful beaches, Sanya, on the southern tip of China’s Hainan island is a magnet for the growing number of tourists coming here year after year.

Renowned for its tropical climate, Sanya has more than 20 kilometres of idyllic palm-fringed beaches.

Sitting on the South China Sea, Sanya’s shoreline stretches 258 kilometres and boasts 19 bays and beaches.

Its natural beauty extends inland too, where you’ll find breath-taking mountain scenery and tropical forests.

The city has warm weather all year round with water temperatures always above 20 °C, a lively food scene, nearby islands and rainforests, coconut plantations, temples and world-famous national parks.

With its tropical climate and beautiful beaches, Sanya, on the southern tip of China’s Hainan island is a magnet for the growing number of tourists coming here year after year.

Zheng Conghui, Deputy General Manager, Sanya Tianya Haijiao Tourism Development Company explains the city, that is the only tropical tourism coastal city in China, has a little bit of everything.

There is sunshine, sea and beaches, there’s a perfect climate. We also have very good hotel facilities for tourists.

You can find all the different hotel brands in Sanya. You can also discover very special and traditional Chinese culture.

The centrepiece of the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, the 108 meter Guanyin Pusa statue, stands proud on the coastline and is a sight to behold
Director of Sanya Travel Guide, Thomson Zhang, says it offers a window on Chinese culture and traditions.

This is a tourism spot, with a Buddhist theme in Sanya, where you can find our history and culture. The statue of Guanyin has three faces representing peace, wisdom and compassion.

Also, you can visit our Nanshan temple. It has a very impressive Buddha inside.

Phoenix Island is a man-made island, explains Thomson Zhang. It will be finished in two phases. In the first phase, you can see the luxury apartments, hotel and international cruise terminals.

That means we welcome guests from all over the world.

In the second phase, we will grow more cruise facilities, with a theme park and duty-free shopping centre.

Further down the coast, you'll find a huge hotel resort, the Atlantis, overlooking Haitang beach.

It's the first in China and at the heart of the one-point-four billion-euro development is a 55-storey tower.

Zheng Conghui, Deputy General Manager, Sanya Tianya Haijiao Tourism Development Company explains the city, that is the only tropical tourism coastal city in China, has a little bit of everything.

There is sunshine, sea and beaches, there’s a perfect climate. We also have very good hotel facilities for tourists.

You will find all the different hotel brands in Sanya. You can also discover very special and traditional Chinese culture.

Modern and traditional cultural experiences at the centrepiece of the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone, the 108 meter Guanyin Pusa statue, stands proud on the coastline and is a sight to behold.

Director of Sanya Travel Guide, Thomson Zhang, says it offers a window on Chinese culture and traditions.

This is a tourism spot, with a Buddhist theme in Sanya, where you can find our history and culture. The statue of Guanyin has three faces representing peace, wisdom and compassion.

Also, you can visit the Nanshan temple. It has a very impressive Buddha inside.

Meanwhile, on Phoenix Island in Sanya Bay, known as the ‘Oriental Dubai,’ you'll find both traditional and modern Sanya.

Phoenix Island is a man-made island. It will be finished in two phases. In the first phase, you can see the luxury apartments, hotel and international cruise terminals. That means we welcome guests from all over the world.

In the second phase, we will grow more cruise facilities, with a theme park and duty-free shopping centre.

Further down the coast, you'll find a huge hotel resort, the Atlantis, overlooking Haitang beach.

It's the first in China and at the heart of the one-point-four billion-euro development is a 55-storey tower.

One of the highlights is an underwater suite where guests can actually stay, and marvel at the hotel’s aquarium that's filled with 13-and-a-half-million litres of seawater and home to more than 80-thousand marine creatures.

Phoenix Island in Sanya Bay, known as the ‘Oriental Dubai,’ you'll find both traditional and modern Sanya.

Already a hit with Chinese tourists, Managing Director of Atlantis Sanya, Heiko Schreiner, says the resort is looking to attract more international guests too:

We’re also trying to get into the South Korean market and the European market. Many flight destinations have opened thanks to the great support of the Sanya government.

And with flights into European destinations which we are trying to attract, given the success of the brand in Dubai, we hope to attract international tourism into Sanya.

A direct flight between London and Sanya is already up and running bringing Hainan island within easy reach of Europe.

Flights are also being planned from Germany. Visitors from 59 countries can now get 30-days of visa-free travel too.

For those who love shopping, Sanya is also a big attraction with its duty-free mall which resembles a butterfly from above. Inside there are almost 300 internationally-known brands to choose from.

A fascinating mix, this island destination hopes will bring many more visitors here in the future, from all over the world.

Sanya, on China's Hainan island, is a growing tourist destination, with its beaches, mountains and rich culture a magnet for those in search of a unique holiday experience.


Tourism Observer

TANZANIA: South African Plane Crashes After Take Off From Tabora Airport

Two project directors were killed when a light aircraft registered in South Africa crashed in Tanzania on Saturday, the company said on Sunday.

The plane with registration ZU-TAF-19 is a four-seater Sling plane from South Africa, according to Tanzanian officials.

The pilot and passenger, both South African citizens, were killed in the plane crash that occurred shortly after take off from Tabora airport at around 7:30 am, Sikonge district commissioner Peres Magiri said.

The plane, which was owned by a South African organisation known as U-Dream Global, was destroyed by fire after the crash. Only the engine and some parts of the plane were recovered.

The plane, which entered Tanzania’s airspace from Uganda en route to Malawi, made a distress signal about engine failure before disappearing from radar, according to the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

U-Dream Global’s Cape to Cairo Programme is an ambitious aviation outreach initiative that fosters visionary thinking, inspiring young people to pursue their dreams while promoting and supporting innovation, technology and entrepreneurship as necessary key drivers for Africa’s development and transformation.

U Dream Global: Cape to Cairo Challenge is devastated to report that there has been an accident of the flight support aircraft and that the Project Directors, Des Werner and Werner Froneman, have lost their lives, a short statement on their Facebook page said.

No one else was involved in the accident. We kindly request everybody's understanding at this incredibly difficult time.

Our love and thoughts go to Des and Werner's friends and families.

U Dream Global is a programme founded by Megan Werner, the daughter of Des Werner, to promote and facilitate innovation among young people.

Their vision was to build and fly a plane from Cape to Cairo.

Condolences were pouring in after the statement was posted.

On July 8, the team of teens landed safely in Cairo.

Spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Clayson Manyela confirmed the tragedy.


Tourism Observer

SOUTH AFRICA: Gorilla Escapes From National Zoological Gardens, A Pretoria Zoo

A 17-year-old male gorilla at the Pretoria Zoo has been safely returned to his enclosure after escaping earlier in the day, the South African National Biodiversity Institute said on Friday.

As soon as it was discovered that he had escaped, appropriate emergency procedures were followed to ensure that visitors, staff and Binga the gorilla were all safe.

Binga was returned within several minutes of his escape and no one was in danger at any time. He will receive high quality veterinary care while recovering from the experience, it said in a statement.

The institute also assured members of the public that the zoo, officially known as the National Zoological Gardens (NZG), had a rapid response strategy and followed specific protocols for such eventualities.

The NZG has highly qualified staff members trained to handle such incidents.

It has signage explaining to visitors what to do in the event of an animal escaping. We can confirm that no one was in danger.

The bachelor is part of a group of males who form part of the European endangered species programme. They arrived at the zoo in 2010.

Binga was currently in his midlife span and had been spending most of his time with Bonsenga, a dominant male in the group, the institute said. However, Binga is known to be reserved and shy.

An investigation was currently underway to determine how he had managed to escape from his enclosure, the institute said, adding corrective measures would be implemented thereafter.

SANBI wishes to take this opportunity to thank our trained emergency response team and veterinarians for their swift response and professionalism in handling this situation.

One of the conservationists says Binga is one of the smartest gorilla 's in the enclosure.


Tourism Observer

MADAGASCAR: British Student Opens Aircraft Door Inflight And Falls Off To Death

A British student is believed to have forced open the door of a light aircraft she was travelling in during a field trip to Madagascar, falling to her death on more than a kilometre below.

Alana Cutland, 19, who was a student at Cambridge University, died last month as the aircraft was flying over the island off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

Police on the African island have said she fell from the plane after opening one of its doors in mid-air.

Ms Cutland was reported to be travelling along with a family friend Ruth Johnson on a short flight to Madagascar's Ivato Antananarivo International Airport when the incident took place.

Ms Cutland’s parents had asked Ms Johnson to accompany their daughter on a return flight back home in the run-up to the incident.

Ruth Johnson struggled for several minutes to try and stop her, Spinola Nomenjanahary, the regional chief of police, was quoted as saying.

The pilot also tried to pull her back, but they grew exhausted and Alana managed to fight clear of them and fall out of the door.

Investigators told of a struggle on board the aircraft, shortly after takeoff, before what they described as an intentional fall.

The cause of her death has not yet been confirmed by the authorities, but one line of enquiry being pursued by investigators is the possibility that she had a severe reaction to anti-malaria drugs.

Investigators have been trying to find her body in the remote Analalava region but fear they may fail.

Ground teams, supported by a police helicopter, have been conducting the search.

From Milton Keynes, Ms Cutland, was studying natural sciences at the prestigious British university, and had come to the island on a research trip.

The British Foreign Office said Alana's family described her as a bright, independent young woman, who was loved and admired by all those that knew her.

She was always so kind and supportive to her family and friends, which resulted in her having a very special connection with a wide network of people from all walks of her life, who we know will miss her dearly, they said.

Alana grasped every opportunity that was offered to her with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure, always seeking to extend her knowledge and experience in the best ways possible.

They said their daughter was particularly excited to start the internship in Madagascar, complementing her studies in natural sciences.

We are heartbroken at the loss of our wonderful, beautiful daughter, who lit up every room she walked in to and made people smile just by being there, a family statement said.


Tourism Observer

USA: San Francisco Airport Bans Plastic Water Bottle At Its Premises

In what officials believe to be an airport first, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced Friday that it’s banning the sale of plastic water bottles on its premises.

The move is part of the travel hub’s goal of becoming the world’s first zero-waste airport by 2021 and will go into effect on Aug. 20.

We’re the first airport that we’re aware of to implement this change, SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said. We’re on the leading edge for the industry, and we want to push the boundaries of sustainability initiatives.

The ban addresses one of the major sources of waste generated at the Airport, SFO said in its announcement. Vendors will need to offer reusable bottle options, such as metal or glass containers, or single-use compostable cups for water.

The San Francisco airport has long encouraged passengers to bring their own reusable water bottles to the airport, and it made news in 2011 for installing water bottle refill stations in a newly renovated terminal.

There are now nearly 100 of those stations throughout the airport, up from just 36 in 2016.

The airport’s ban comes a month after several plastic bans went into effect in San Francisco.

As of July 1, restaurants may not provide plastic straws to customers, with exceptions made for some customers with disabilities.

Plastic stirrers and toothpicks are also now banned, while single-use food items, such as napkins, packaged condiments and chopsticks, are to be made available only upon request.

San Francisco International Airport has made history by becoming the first major U.S. airport to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.


Tourism Observer

HONG KONG: Hong Kong Airlines To Seize Hong Kong-San Francisco Flights October 5

Hong Kong Airlines will stop its Hong Kong-San Francisco service from October 5 this year, less than two years after first launching the service.

The decision comes following a review of its network and a change in business plan for USA market, the airline said in a statement published on its website.

The final flights between Hong Kong and San Francisco (HX60 and HX61) will be operated on October 4 this year. Passengers who have bought tickets for Hong Kong-San Francisco flights beyond that date will be offered alternative arrangements.

They can change the departure date for flights between the two cities for free before October 5, while those who decide to cancel their flights will get a full refund.

Passengers are also eligible for a free change to any destination that Hong Kong Airlines flies to though applicable fare and tax differences may apply, or a free transfer to other partner carriers which will be arranged by Hong Kong Airlines but subject to availability.

Hong Kong Airlines first launched this route in March 2018 and it currently flies this route four times a week.

The carrier will reduce the frequency of the service to three times weekly (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) starting from August 31, with its Sunday service cancelled.

Affected passengers can find contact details for Hong Kong Airlines’ customer assistance.

Hong Kong Airlines is not the only carrier that flies non-stop between Hong Kong and San Francisco: Cathay Pacific operates this route three times daily; United Airlines has recently announced that it will add a second non-stop service between the two cities from October.

Singapore Airlines also flies daily between Hong Kong and San Francisco, though it should be noted that the flight (SQ2) is actually a direct service between Singapore and San Francisco, with a stopover in Hong Kong.

In addition to San Francisco, in the North American market Hong Kong Airlines also operates long-haul flights to Vancouver and Los Angeles.

Hong Kong Airlines is a subsidiary of HNA Group, a Chinese conglomerate which is facing huge debts and a financial crisis. HK Express, once a subsidiary carrier of HNA Group, was fully acquired by Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific this month.

Ricky Chong Wai-ki, director of corporate governance and development of Hong Kong Airlines, said the airline had not ruled out a complete cut of long-haul flights in an interview with Hong Kong-based newspaper the South China Morning Post in June.

For North American flights, even airlines like Cathay face a lot of pressure so we keep reviewing. Our North American flights will be our short-term focus that we need to consolidate, said Chong.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Airlines has also announced that it will discontinue its Hong Kong-Fuzhou service from September 2, while it will boost flights to three short-haul destinations.

The carrier will add a daily flight between Hong Kong and Haikou from September 2, four additional weekly flights between Hong Kong and Hangzhou from September 8 and two additional weekly flights between Hong Kong and Sapporo from September 28.

The arrangements will bring the total number of its Haikou, Hangzhou and Sapporo services to three daily flights, 14 weekly flights, and 11 weekly flights, respectively.

Last month, the carrier rolled out a series of new amenity kits for its business class passengers travelling on long-haul flights to North America.


Tourism Observer

NIGERIA: Passenger Forgets $2,400 In Lagos Taxi, But Driver Returns It

Mr Olayinka Adeniyi, a cab operator under the Airport Car Hire Association of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, has returned 2,400 US dollars, and an international passport forgotten by a passenger.

Adeniyi told newsmen on Wednesday that he discovered the items in an envelope at the back seat of the car he was driving on July 29.

This was shortly after he returned from Ibese in Ikorodu where he dropped a passenger.

The cab driver said he never had it in mind to take someone’s belongings because it would put sorrow in another family’s life.

Adeniyi, who had been operating at the airport for over 15 years, said, at about 1:30 am on July 29, I met this passenger on arrival at the International airport.

I negotiated with him and we agreed N6,000 to transport him to his destination at Ikorodu.

I returned to the airport immediately I dropped him at his house.

But no sooner than I arrived and parked my car at the airport, I discovered an envelope had been left behind on the back seat of my car.

I picked the envelope and opened it.

What I saw was his international passport. I looked further into the envelope and discovered there was another white envelope inside.

I opened the second envelope only to discover that something was wrapped in it. It was dollars in $100 denomination. I counted and they were 24 in number, he said.

Adeniyi said he reported the items to the officer- on- duty at the airport’s arrival car park and was instructed to drop the parcel at ACHAN’s secretariat.

Speaking on the recovery, the passenger, Mr Dele Ayeni said he was a living testimony to the advantages of taking cab from registered points at airports.

I arrived Lagos from Cairo on July 29 at about 1:30 am on Monday. As I was coming out of the terminal, I met this polite driver who agreed to take me to my destination at Ikorodu.

While on the way, I decided to drop my jacket on the floor of the car to avoid being noticed as an important man sitting in the rear seat of the car.

He disclosed that after some times at home he discovered that some items were missing from his belongings.

Immediately we got to my house in Ikorodu; I removed my jacket from where I had kept it and also my luggage, without noticing that the envelope in the jacket had dropped on the back seat of the car.

Unfortunately, I did not open my luggage to bring out what I had for my family members until after I woke up in the noon. That was when I discovered that the envelope was missing in my jacket, he said.

Ayeni said his wife then advised that he should go to the airport to inquire if it had been found.

He said due to her encouragement, he came to the airport and went to the car park where he had entered the cab.

Ayeni said immediately he approached and complained to one of the drivers on duty, he was informed that the driver had found the envelope and was taking it to his house.

This is a living testimony that Nigeria has hope. We are not all bad people. I have started campaigning to people via social media to always patronise airport registered cabs.

I want to thank ACHAN for having this type of arrangement in Nigerian airports. It is wonderful, Ayeni said.

The Chairman of ACHAN MMIA, Mr Olubi Ojo, said Ayeni’s case was just one of the many cases the association handles on regular basis.

This is a regular occurrence in this airport; passengers forget many things such as passports, money and other personal belongings in our cabs.

But they are very sure of finding them if truly the items are left in any of our cabs.

We give regular orientation to drivers on why they should return to the secretariat any item left behind by passengers in their vehicles, Ojo said.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Sharjah International Airport Passengers Shoot Up

Sharjah Airport continued to record double-digit growth rates during the first half of this year as passenger numbers rose to 6.605 million.

The airport posted an increase of 15.25 percent compared to 5.731 million passengers in the first half of 2018.

The airport saw 1.114 million passengers in June, a growth rate of 17.6 percent compared to 947,200 passengers in June 2018, a statement said.

Between January and June, there were 41,700 air traffic movements, a growth rate of 7.47 percent compared to the same period last year.

In terms of freight, air cargo volume rose to 78,780 tons, the statement said, adding that the festive seasons, summer holidays and new destinations have contributed to Sharjah Airport’s record growth over the last six months.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said: Sharjah Airport’s positive results in terms of the number of passengers during the first half of this year are a result of the efforts of all the organisations operating at the airport.

These genuine partnerships help to position the airport as one of the region’s best airports both regionally and globally.

Sharjah International Airport is an airport located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east south east of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is spread over an area of 15,200,000 m2 (3,800 acres).

Sharjah Airport is the third largest Middle East airfreight hub in cargo tonnage, according to official 2015 statistics from Airports Council International.

Ground services company, Sharjah Aviation Services, handled 586,195 tonnes in 2015 – a 16.1% increase year on year. It has one passenger terminal with an area of 125,000 m2 (1,350,000 sq ft).

Sharjah International Airport is home base of the low-cost carrier Air Arabia. The headquarters of Air Arabia is in the Sharjah Freight Center, on the property of the airport in Sharjah, UAE. The center is an old cargo terminal.

The current Sharjah Airport was built in the 1970s and was opened on 1 January 1977. On 20 August 1977 Concorde 202 G-BBDG, which came from Filton and refuelled at Damascus landed at Sharjah Airport. The aircraft also made a short flight display over the city.

The BAe party was headed by Sir Geoffrey Tuttle, which received a great welcome, the whole party were also given watches and a few received magnificent swords as well.

It replaced RAF Sharjah which was closer to the city and was opened in 1932. It was the first airport in UAE and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, for use by Imperial Airways, and was subsequently used by the RAF until 14 December 1971.

The reason for the move was development pressure from the city of Sharjah. The old airport's runway is now part of King Abdul Aziz Street in the city centre.

The airport was used by the United States Air Force 926th Tactical Fighter Group during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Approximately 450 members of the unit were stationed at the airport, which flew A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft during the conflict in late 1990 and early 1991.

The airport resides at an elevation of 116 feet (35 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 12/30 with an asphalt surface measuring 4,060 m × 60 m (13,320 ft × 197 ft).

Financial services at the airport include banking, ATMs and exchange centres.

Founded in 1985, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) is owned by the Sharjah Airport Authority, Government of Sharjah and has 14 branches in the UAE, including one on the first floor of the main terminal at Sharjah Airport.

There are two prayer rooms available, one in the transit area of the Arrivals Terminal and the other in the ground floor of the Departures Terminal.

In addition to this there are mosques in both the East and West Cargo Terminals 3 and 4.

On 15 December 1997 a Tupolev Tu-154 from Tajik Air Flight 3183 crashed on approach to SHJ. Some 13 km from Sharjah the plane ran into terrain and 85 of the 86 occupants died. One of the seven crew members survived the disaster.

On 10 February 2004, Kish Air Flight 7170, operated by a Fokker 50 crashed on approach, killing 43 of its 46 occupants, which consisted of 3 crew and 40 passengers.

On 7 November 2004 a Boeing 747-230 freighter was damaged beyond repair due to an aborted take-off with insufficient runway remaining. None of the four crew were injured. The take-off was aborted after a report of smoke from the tower and hearing a loud bang in the cockpit.

On 21 October 2009, Azza Transport flight 2241, operated by a Boeing 707–320, crashed on take-off. The flight was carrying cargo only and all six crew members were killed.

On 3 September 2010, UPS Flight 6 developed an in-flight fire in the cargo hold and attempted to land at Sharjah after a previous unsuccessful attempt failing to land at Dubai International Airport, but lost control and crashed, killing the two crew members on board.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Millennium Al Barsha Hotel To Open This August

The Millennium Al Barsha Hotel is complete and is scheduled to open its doors this month.

The four-star hotel and serviced apartments has been built by Dubai-based Deyaar and will be operated by Millennium Hotels & Resorts.

The seven-storey property has a total of 408 units, consisting of 109 serviced apartments - 93 one-beds and 16 two-beds, and 299 hotel rooms with 15 suites.

Saeed Al Qatami, chief executive officer, Deyaar, said: Here at Deyaar, we are honoured by this chance to continue to support Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2020.

The city wants to attract more families and more mid-market travellers. Millennium Al Barsha Hotel, with its modern rooms at affordable prices, will help do just that.

Millennium Atria Business Bay opened earlier this year, the first hospitality venture between Millennium Hotels & Resorts and Deyaar.

Additional upcoming developments for Deyaar include Millennium Mont Rose serviced apartments which is currently in its final stages and will open later this year at Dubai Science Park.

Millennium Al Barsha is located within walking distance from Mall of the Emirates and situated in the bustling area of Al Barsha.

The soon to open 4-star property is the perfect destination for business and leisure travellers alike, being close to the World Trade Centre, downtown Dubai, the Dubai Mall and adjacent to the kid’s attractions and entertainment in the city.

This stunning property offers 299 well-appointed rooms and suites, 109 serviced apartments featuring all modern amenities and equipped with the latest in room technology.

The rooms showcase an impeccable design and charming atmosphere with elegant and contemporary decor which includes rich wood paneling and natural colours.

The property comprises of a lobby lounge serving the freshest brews and two restaurants:the all-day dining, House of Colours featuring a wide variety of innovative culinary delights from around the world, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a show kitchen style with live cooking stations.

An authentic Moroccan restaurant, serving meat, poultry, seafood and vegetarian dishes cooked using traditional spices and techniques.

In house guests and residents can enjoy different shisha flavours at the restaurant terrace while sipping traditional Moroccan tea.

The Pool terrace offers light snacks, smoothies and fresh juices in a relaxing environment.

The recreation facilities in the hotel include a Spa offering different wellness services from massages to cleansing scrubs for men, women, and couples.

The gymnasium is equipped with a complete range of Life Fitness weight training and fitness equipment. The hotel comprises of two temperature controlled rooftop pools which are open for in house guests.

Millennium Al Barsha is offering first-class meetings and event facilities. Modern function space is flexible for conference, exhibition and private event use, with Wi-Fi integration and most importantly, natural daylight in all our function rooms.

Our event facilities are perfectly complemented by modern guest rooms, gourmet restaurants and a reliable service flawlessly delivered.

With a range of outstanding facilities and a dedicated team of professionals to hand, you’ll be pleased you chose our hotel for your next event.


Tourism Observer

CONGO DR: Congolese Pilgrims Denied Saudi Visas Over Ebola

Pilgrims from the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be issued visas by Saudi Arabia amid fears Ebola could spread during next month’s Hajj pilgrimage.DPeople from sub-Saharan Africa make up about 10 percent of the more than two million annual pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca.

A statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: The granting of arrivals visas for people entering from DRC has been stopped, to conserve the well-being of pilgrims.

The suspension comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo’s eastern North Kivu and Ituri provinces a public health emergency of international concern.

However, despite this, WHO has said no countries should place restrictions on travel or trade because of Ebola and it has called on governments not to panic in response to the decision by Riyadh.

Around three percent of Congo’s population is Muslim, while people from sub-Saharan Africa make up about 10 percent of the more than two million annual pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca.

In 2014, Saudi Arabia cancelled more than 7,000 visas for pilgrims from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia during the last Ebola outbreak, which claimed the lives of more than 11,000 people.

The epidemic has killed over 1,700 people since it emerged last October, according to the health ministry in Congo.


Tourism Observer

PHILIPPINES: Philippines Government Okays Construction Of New Manila Airport

The Philippines on Wednesday approved a plan to build a new airport near Manila, in a bid to ease congestion with the capital's existing airport operating at full capacity.

Philippine conglomerate San Miguel will build the airport in Bulakan town, north of Manila Bay, that will feature four parallel runways and serve 100-200 million passengers a year, a government statement said.

This new international airport is important in helping ease the congestion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (in Manila), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in the statement.

San Miguel, which was the only company to bid for the project, will have to break ground on the $14 billion project before the end of the year and open for business no later than 2025, the statement said.

The company has said it plans to run the airport which would be the biggest infrastructure project under President Rodrigo Duterte's government, after obtaining a government concession.

The existing Manila airport, which has two runways, handled nearly 260,000 flights and served 45 million passengers last year, according to its website.

The announcement came after the close of trade in Manila. Shares in San Miguel rose 1.19 percent to end at 178.00 pesos ($3.50).


Tourism Observer

SAUDI ARABIA: Airlines Lease More Planes To Counter Increasing Pilgrims

Airlines around the region are leasing additional aircraft to cater for expected increase in Hajj pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia this season.

Flynas, Saudi Arabia’s first low-cost airline, expects the number of Hajj passengers using the airline this year to rise almost 10 percent to 200,000, according to an airline spokesperson, , up from 175,000 in 2018.

A Flynas spokesperson said that Hajj passengers will be flown from 17 countries using 13 additional leased aircraft.

Among the aircraft being used to transport pilgrims to Saudi Arabia are two Airbus A380s, which were recently used to transport Malaysian pilgrims from Kuala Lampur to King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz airport in Madinah.

Flynas is the first Saudi airline to utilise the A380.

Other leased aircraft used by Flynas this season include Boeing 747 and 767s, as well as – for the first time – Airbus A330neo aircraft.

Flynas signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus to purchase 20 A321XLR and A4321LR aircraft which have a long-range operational performance of up to 11 hours – 8,700 kilometres – in addition to fuel consumption savings of 30 percent.

Flynas said that the aircraft will allow the airline to take better advantage of upcoming Hajj and Umrah seasons as it works to realise its long-term goal of transporting 5 million pilgrims annually.

Airlines have announced additional aircraft for the Hajj season as pilgrim numbers rise.

In July, Saudia announced that it had added 17 aircraft to its 165-aircraft fleet to help transport 1.2 million domestic and foreign pilgrims from approximately 100 destinations for Hajj season.

According to Saudia, the number of pilgrims it expects to transport this year has risen by about 10 percent compared to 2018.

In the UAE, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said it will operate 15 extra flights between July 28 and August 25 to transport pilgrims to Madinah, in addition to six charter flights dedicated to the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Zayed Foundation and Abu Dhabi police.

This year we expect 25,000 Hajj travellers on our flights, with most originating in Australia, Pakistan, Morocco, United Kingdom, India and Indonesia, Houssam Weiss, head of UAE sales at Etihad Airways said recently.

Dubai carrier Emirates airline has expanded its services to Jeddah and Madinah with an additional 46 flights between July 27 and August 22, running in parallel to scheduled services to the two cities.

Although the airline declined to give expected passenger numbers, it has said it expects thousands from destinations including Pakistan, the United States, Senegal, the UK, Nigeria, Indonesia, South Africa and Ivory Coast.

In Bahrain, national carrier Gulf Air has announced 38 extra flights in addition to its regularly scheduled 3 to 4 daily flights to Jeddah and 7 weekly flights to Madinah.

In nearby Kuwait, Director General of Civil Aviation Yousif Al-Fawazan told local media that six Kuwait Airways aircraft are expected to transport 1,336 passengers for the Hajj season.

Emirates has announced that it will add 46 flights to facilitate pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Haj.

The expansion of flights will operate from July 27 to August 22 to support the Haj journey to the city of Mecca.

Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, commercial operations for the Gulf, Middle East and Iran said: Haj is one of the most significant events in the Muslim faith, and every year, Emirates’ primary focus is to help facilitate seamless travel for our Haj passengers as they converge on the Holy city of Mecca for this once in a lifetime journey.

The services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services to Jeddah and Medina, and will be available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa.

With the substantial increase of inbound air travel into the Kingdom during this period, Emirates’ 46 extra flights will ensure that we can cater to that demand, as well as provide tailored onboard services in line with the tenets of Hajj, said Al Ghaith.

This year, Emirates expects thousands of pilgrims to travel on its services for Hajj, coming from top inbound destinations such as Pakistan, the United States, Senegal, the UK, Nigeria, Indonesia, South Africa and Ivory Coast.

To ease the journey for Haj passengers, Emirates has commissioned a dedicated team to manage check-in and transfers for the seamless movement of travellers leaving from and transiting in Dubai.

On flights from Jeddah, Haj passengers can also bring up to five litres of Zamzam holy water which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.

Once up in the air, Haj travellers will benefit from special services to performing ablutions and other cleansing rituals, and will also be notified when they enter Al Miqat zones to ensure readiness for Ihram, the point when pilgrims enter a state of purity.


Tourism Observer

SAUDI ARABIA: Zam Zam Water Is Colourless And Odorless,

The Well of Zamzam is a well located within the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 20 m (66 ft) east of the Kaaba, the holiest place in Islam.

According to Islamic religion, it is a miraculously generated source of water from God, which sprang thousands of years ago when Ibrahim's or Abraham's infant son ʾIsmaʿil or Ishmael was left with his mother Hajar in the desert, where he was thirsty and kept crying.

Millions of pilgrims visit the well each year while performing the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages in order to drink its water.

Islamic tradition states that the Zamzam Well was revealed to Hajara, the second wife of Ibrahim and mother of ʾIsmaʿil.

By the instruction of God, Ibrahim left his wife and son at a spot in the desert and walked away. She was desperately seeking water for her infant son, but she could not find any, as Mecca is located in a hot dry valley with few sources of water.

Hajara ran seven times back and forth in the scorching heat between the two hills of Safa and Marwah, looking for water. Getting thirstier by the second, the infant Ishmael scraped the land with his feet, where suddenly water sprang out.

There are other versions of the story involving God sending his angel, Gabriel or Jibra'il, who kicked the ground with his heel or wing, and the water rose. A similar story about a well is also mentioned in the Bible.

The name of the well comes from the phrase Zome Zome, meaning stop flowing, a command repeated by Hajara during her attempt to contain the spring water.

According to Islamic tradition, Abraham rebuilt the Bayt Allah or House of God near the site of the well, a building which had been originally constructed by Adam or Adem, and today is called the Kaaba, a building toward which Muslims around the world face in prayer, five times each day.

The Zamzam Well is located approximately 20 m (66 ft) east of the Kaaba. In other Islamic tradition, Muhammad's heart was extracted from his body, washed with the water of Zamzam, and then was restored in its original position, after which it was filled with faith and wisdom.

Interestingly in the Maltese language the common expression minn żmien żemżem, which means something which is extremely old, has its etymological origins from this well.

The well originally had two cisterns in the first era, one for drinking and one for ablution.

At that time, it was a simple well surrounded by a fence of stones. Then in the era of the Abbasid caliph Al-Mansur 771 CE (154/155 AH) a dome was built above the well, and it was tiled with marble.

In 775 CE (158/159 AH), Al-Mahdi rebuilt the well during his caliphate, and built a dome of teak which was covered with mosaic. One small dome covered the well, and a larger dome covered the room for the pilgrims.

In 835 CE (220 AH) there was further restoration, and the dome was covered with marble during the caliphate of Al-Mu'tasim.

In 1417 (819/820 AH), during the time of the Mamluks, the mosque was damaged by fire, and required restoration. Further restoration occurred in 1430 (833/834 AH), and again in 1499 (904/95 AH) during the time of Sultan Qaitbay, when the marble was replaced.

In modern times, the most extensive restoration took place to the dome during the era of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1915 (1333/1334 AH).

To facilitate crowd control, the building housing the Zamzam was moved away from its original location, to get it out of the way of the Tawaf, when millions of pilgrims would circumambulate the Kaaba.

The water of the well is now pumped to the eastern part of the mosque, where it was made available in separate locations for men and women.

The Zamzam well was excavated by hand, and is about 30 m (98 ft) deep and 1.08 to 2.66 m (3 ft 7 in to 8 ft 9 in) in diameter.

It taps groundwater from the wadi alluvium and some from the bedrock. Originally water from the well was drawn via ropes and buckets, but today the well itself is in a basement room where it can be seen behind glass panels but visitors are not allowed to enter.

Electric pumps draw the water, which is available throughout the Masjid al-Haram via water fountains and dispensing containers near the Tawaf area.

Hydrogeologically, the well is in the Wadi Ibrahim (Valley of Abraham). The upper half of the well is in the sandy alluvium of the valley, lined with stone masonry except for the top metre (3 ft) which has a concrete collar.

The lower half is in the bedrock. Between the alluvium and the bedrock is a 1⁄2-metre (1 ft 8 in) section of permeable weathered rock, lined with stone, and it is this section that provides the main water entry into the well.

Water in the well comes from absorbed rainfall in the Wadi Ibrahim, as well as run-off from the local hills. Since the area has become more and more settled, water from absorbed rainfall on the Wadi Ibrahim has decreased.

The Saudi Geological Survey has a Zamzam Studies and Research Centre which analyses the technical properties of the well in detail. Water levels were monitored by hydrograph, which in more recent times has changed to a digital monitoring system that tracks the water level, electric conductivity, pH, Eh and temperature.

All of this information is made continuously available via the Internet. Other wells throughout the valley have also been established, some with digital recorders, to monitor the response of the local aquifer system.

Zamzam water is colourless and odorless, but has a distinct taste, with a pH of 7.5–7.7, and so is slightly alkaline.

The water has potential health risks.

The British Food Standards Agency has in the past issued warnings about water claiming to be from the Zamzam Well containing dangerous levels of arsenic; such sales have also been reported in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it is illegal to sell Zamzam water.

The Saudi government has prohibited the commercial export of Zamzam water from the kingdom.

In May 2011, a BBC London investigation found that water taken from taps connected to the Zamzam Well contained high levels of nitrate, potentially harmful bacteria, and arsenic at levels three times the legal limit in the UK, the same levels found in illegal water purchased in the UK.

Arsenic is a carcinogen, raising concerns that any who regularly consume commercial Zamzam water in large quantities may be exposed to higher risks of cancer.

Later in that month the Council of British Hajjis stated that drinking Zamzam water was safe and disagreed with the BBC report.

They also noted that the Government of Saudi Arabia does not allow the export of Zamzam water for resale. They also stated that it was unknown whether the water being sold in the UK was genuine, and that people should not buy it and should report the sellers to the Trading Standards if they saw it for sale.

The BBC's findings have drawn mixed reactions from the Muslim community.

Environmental health officer Yunes Ramadan Teinaz told the British broadcaster about commercially marketed Zamzam water that, People see this water as a holy water. They find it difficult to accept that it is contaminated, but the authorities in Saudi Arabia or in the UK must take action.

The Saudi authorities have stated that water from the well was tested by the Group Laboratories of CARSO-LSEHL in Lyon, licensed by the French Ministry of Health for the testing of drinking water.

According to reports of these results, the level of arsenic in Zamzam water taken at its source is much lower than the maximum amount permitted by the World Health Organization.

The Saudi authorities have thus said that the water is fit for human consumption. Zuhair Nawab, president of the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), has claimed that the Zamzam Well is tested on a daily basis, in a process involving the taking of three samples from the well.

These are said to be examined in the King Abdullah Zamzam Water Distribution Center in Mecca, which is equipped with advanced facilities. An article written in Skeptic magazine in 2017 states that the methodologies of testing used by Saudi authorities are incomplete, inadequate and biased.


Tourism Observer

USA: Meet Kimberly Anyadike The Youngest African American Pilot

Kimberly Anyadike, who was born in 1994, is a pilot from Compton, California. In 2009, Kimberly Anyadike, an African American teenager of Nigerian descent made history and became the first African American female and the youngest African American to fly an aeroplane across the United States.

Kimberly achieved this great heights and set the record after just two years of pilot training through a special after-school programme she enrolled in .

The programme was ran by the Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum in Compton where she lives with her family.

While on the 13-day flight, Kimberly successfully flew from Compton to Virginia and back. In an interview with CNN, she described the experience as a dream come true and an amazing experience with only a light storm and bad weather as her challenge.

Kimberly fell in love with planes and flying at the age of 12 while learning about the African American pilots who flew in the World War.

The lessons in history school inspired the teenager who had dreams of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon to achieve more and also become a certified pilot breaking records in America and for the black community at large.

Anyadike was accompanied by an adult safety pilot, and by a retired Air Force pilot who had served with the WWII Tuskegee Airmen.

Her plane was autographed by about 50 Tuskegee airmen as she stopped at different cities across the US, and she completed the round-trip journey in a single-engine Cessna 172 in 13 days.

Kimberly enjoyed a lot of fame and recognition for her achievements, thereby, encouraging young girls and black people, in general, to follow their dreams and never stop believing in them.

During her flight, she made stops to speak with several young people and meet many of the Tuskegee Airmen who signed her plane.

In 2015, Anyadike received the first Young Aviator’s Award from the Tuskegee Airmen in recognition of her achievements.

In 2016, she graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with an undergraduate degree.

Born in 1994, Anyadike grew up in Compton, California. She has an older brother and sister. Her parents are originally from Nigeria, and their surname Anyadike means “eye of the warrior” in the Igbo language.

Anyadike took dance lessons at the Lula Washington Dance Academy, served as a junior lifeguard at Venice Beach for five years, and volunteered as a youth leader at her local church.

At a young age, she showed a strong interest in medical science and anatomy; her mother taught her to identify and name all 206 bones in the body.

Anyadike later attended science classes at the Charles Drew University Saturday Science Academy, an L.A.-based STEM subjects program for youth ranging in age from preschool to grade 12.

Anyadike took her first flying lessons at the age of 12, attending an after-school aviation program offered by Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum for disadvantaged youths.

She was inspired to take lessons after reading about Jonathan Strickland, an earlier participant of the program who became the youngest person to fly a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter solo in a single day.


Anyadike paid for her flight lessons with “museum dollars” earned by washing airplanes and working odd jobs around the Compton Airport. As part of the program’s requirements, she maintained a strong academic record throughout the period.

Despite having a fear of heights, Anyadike said that being in the cockpit of a plane is an amazing experience.

As Anyadike gradually built up 100 hours of flight time, she conceived the idea of flying across the country. She wanted to inspire other youths, while also honouring the Tuskegee Airmen, an African-American air combat unit that served during World War II.

Departing on June 29, 2009, 15-year-old Anyadike flew a single-engine Cessna 172 from Compton, California to Newport News, Virginia and back, completing the journey in 13 days.

She was accompanied by adult safety pilot Ronnell Norman, and Major Levi H. Thornhill, an 87-year-old retired U.S. Air Force pilot who had served as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Anyadike made at least a dozen scheduled stops along the way, and navigated through thunderstorms as she flew across Texas.

In Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Laura Richardson came to congratulate the young pilot, and in Tuskegee, Alabama, Mayor Omar Neal proclaimed July 2 to be “Kimberly Anyadike Day”.

During stops in different cities, Anyadike’s plane was autographed by about 50 different Tuskegee Airmen. Major Thornhill acted as Anyadike’s representative to make the necessary introductions with regional chapters of the airmen.

Although the record had never been officially tracked before her journey, Anyadike is considered the youngest black American woman and possibly the youngest person of any race or gender to have successfully piloted a plane coast-to-coast across the United States.

Upon her arriving home on July 11, 2009, Anyadike received an award from the County of Los Angeles, and was personally invited by governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to visit the California State Capitol.

In May 2015, Anyadike received the Tuskegee Airmen’s inaugural Young Aviator’s Award in Tuskegee, Alabama, in recognition of her achievements as a pilot.

In 2017, Anyadike was interviewed about her transcontinental flight for a special Disney Channel segment for Black History Month entitled ‘True Heroes Are Timeless’.

Earlier in 2018, Pilot Kimberly Anyadike was invited to speak at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day event at West Covina Civic Center where she spoke as a 23-year-old full of hope and determination encouraging the youth to be inspired by their history and not let race limit them to achieve their dreams.

For her college education, Anyadike enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in physiological science with minors in African-American studies and Spanish.

During her senior year, she was also working as a registered emergency medical technician, and was volunteering for her local chapter of the Flying Samaritans to bring medical care to Tijuana, Mexico.

She graduated with her undergraduate degree from UCLA in June 2016. When asked about future aspirations, Anyadike has said that she plans to enroll in medical school and become a cardiovascular surgeon.

Anyadike’s elder sister, Kelly, also took aviation lessons at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum. In 2008, on her sixteenth birthday, Kelly became the youngest African-American woman to pilot four different fixed-wing aircraft in a single day.

In interviews, Anyadike has said that a friendly rivalry with Kelly helped inspire her to complete her own piloting achievements.


Tourism Observer

UNITED KINGDOM: Passengers Stranded At Heathrow Airport Just To Wait For Their Luggage

Desperate air travellers are still waiting to be reunited with their luggage after technical issues at London Heathrow Airport forced them to fly without their bags.

Passengers were confronted by staggering piles of suitcases at Terminal Two last night, after a major glitch with the airport’s baggage handling system.

A day later, scores of people still have no updates on their belongings, with some complaining of feeling helpless and cheated at the airport's alleged communication failings.

One passenger said it wasn’t until he and his fellow passengers had boarded their flight to Oslo that they were told they would be travelling without their luggage.

The woman at the check-in desk told passengers there was a problem with their computer system, but reassured us everyone’s suitcases would still make it on.

So he turfed out everything from my suitcase that wouldn’t make it through security and manually gave it to staff at the gate.

he added, i think there were about 10-15 suitcases that made it onto a flight of around 240 people.

Another passenger said she was continuing to demand updates on her belongings 16 hours after landing.

“No one’s telling me if I’m going to get my bags today and the tracking system just says tracing continues. Please check back later,she said.

My flight landed at 8.50pm but they made us wait till midnight, just to get the phone number for the incident report.

People at the check-in area at Terminal Two should have told us there was a crisis – I wouldn’t have checked my bag.

I have a conference today and I don’t have anything to wear, but the worst part is I don’t know where my bag is.

A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport acknowledged their had been an issue but said it was working closely with its airline partners to reunite passengers with their luggage.

Yesterday there was a technical issue in Terminal 2 preventing some bags from being input into the system.

Our engineers quickly worked to resolve the issue and the system is working as normal today.

We are now working closely with our airline partners to reunite passengers with their luggage as soon as possible and those affected should contact their airlines for more information.

It comes after thousands of passengers suffered chaos at the Terminal Five bag drop on Friday, with many forced to miss their flights due to queues of up to two hours.

However, Heathrow travellers have received some good news , as strikes planned for the airport this weekend have been suspended, according to union Unite.


Tourism Observer

NIGERIA: Medview Airline Makes Emergency Landing After Depressurisation

Medview Airline has confirmed that its flight VL2105 en route Lagos from Abuja on Tuesday experienced cabin depressurization while descending from 32,000ft altitude.

The airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr Michael Ajigbotoso said this in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

Ajigbotoso said the Captain noticed a warning sign of cabin depressurisation while descending from 32000ft altitude and immediately briefed passengers on board on the development.

He said the pilot then referred to the checklist and applied the necessary procedure to mitigate the situation.

The oxygen masks dropped and were in good working condition for the passengers’ usage.

The captain called for priority landing because he had been on number seven on queue.

Ajigbotoso said the pilot-in-command was obliged and he made a safe landing, adding that the passengers were calm since it did not pose a serious danger.

He said the incident was promptly reported to the necessary authorities and investigation was ongoing.

Ajigbotoso said the situation was professionally handled according to required operational standard procedures.

The Med-View Airline Boeing 737-500 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BQM, was coming from Abuja when the incident occurred around 3:10 p.m.

The aircraft had 27 passengers and six crew members onboard and there was no fatality.

The Accident Investigation Bureau has already begun an investigation to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the incident.

Med-View Airline is an airline based in Lagos, Nigeria. The airline was founded in 2007 as a charter airline, mainly operating Hajj flights, and has offered domestic passenger services since November 2012.

It has since expanded into regional and long-haul scheduled passenger routes. Med-View Airline Plc was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on January 31, 2017.

The airline recently laid off 90% of its employees between November 2017 and June 2018. Med-View Airline owes sacked and existing workers at least N1.5billion in salary arrears, pension and other entitlements.

The airline is currently banned from operating in the European Union.

Med-View Airline had previously operated to nine domestic and nine international scheduled destinations in states across Nigeria, West Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Med-View Airline now operates to only the Nigerian capital Abuja.


Tourism Observer

VIETNAM: South Korean Tourists Love Visiting Vietnam

South Korean arrivals are soaring and Vietnam’s increasingly lucrative tourism industry is changing to accommodate the influx. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are abuzz with Korean culture while beachside destinations like Da Nang, Hoi An and Phu Quoc are tailored for Korean tastes

Vietnam for a long time has been a backpackers’ paradise. Its vibrant street-food culture, a host of colourful heritage sites and breathtaking scenery offer plenty to adventure-seekers on a budget.

But this is beginning to change. Once-sleepy beach towns are transforming into five-star resorts. For better or worse, city streets once filled with hostels and homestays are being replaced with one-stop shopping centre/hotel complexes.

Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality industries have expanded rapidly in the past few years. Alongside on-trend international hotspots such as Iceland and Mongolia, Vietnam was in 2017 identified by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as one of the world’s 10 fastest-growing travel destinations.

During the first half of 2018, Vietnam welcomed 8 million international visitors, an increase of 27.2 per cent from the previous year. Overall tourism revenue was an estimated 312 trillion dong (US$13.4 billion), 22.5 per cent more than in the first half of 2017.

The government has ambitious plans, aiming for 20 million international visitors per year by 2020. In turn, it aims to develop the tourism industry into a sector worth US$35 billion annually, one that would be 10 per cent of Vietnam’s GDP.

This growth has been driven partly by a spike in South Korean visitors, with knock-on effects in the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors.

Last year, mainland China accounted for the most visitors to Vietnam, with 3.4 million arrivals. South Korea was not far behind, with 3.16 million, an increase of 46.5 per cent from the previous year, according to local media.

Flights from Vietnam to South Korea accounted for a remarkable 44.5 per cent of the country’s outbound traffic in 2018. By comparison, China-bound flights made up 14.8 per cent in the same year.

South Korean airlines Asiana and Jeju Air began offering daily flights between Busan and Da Nang, the Vietnamese coastal city, increasing the route’s capacity by 86 per cent.

As a result, Da Nang, known for its resorts and pristine beaches, became the top foreign destination for South Koreans last summer.

Many South Koreans fly the route to visit Hoi An, a resort town about 30km from Da Nang. According to Vietnamese reports, more than 240,000 South Koreans visited Hoi An last year, an increase of 70 per cent from 2016. They now outnumber the 200,000 mainland Chinese visitors arriving annually.

Vietjet prides itself on having served more than 2 million Koreans, many of whom were travelling overseas for the first time. In December, the budget carrier announced a new route linking Seoul and Phu Quoc island, another destination attracting South Koreans.

The north of Phu Quoc island caters to Koreans, with resorts built specifically for this market. Most Koreans never leave their resort, which is equipped with a medical centre and golf course.

From the 1960s until the late 1980s, South Koreans were not allowed to travel freely and passports were issued only for special reasons. After the nation’s democratisation in 1988, overseas travel was finally permitted and, as its middle class expanded over the next three decades, many South Koreans began to explore the world.

You will see more and more Korean brands and cafes every time you visit Vietnam. There are a lot of Korea-related businesses. Vietnamese people also love Korean culture.

As in many Asian countries swept up by the so-called K-wave, South Korean culture has begun to exert a broad influence on Vietnam’s urban environment.

Korean retail brands, cafes and eateries are popular, and cater to local populations as well as the growing influx of Korean visitors.

K-pop musicians sell out large arenas. Korean soap operas have been popular on local television for years. Korean movies are in theatres every week. Korean barbecue and noodle restaurants can be found all over the major cities and even appear in smaller cities.

Chinese visitors, on the other hand, have not been as warmly embraced. Vietnamese media reported two years ago that the coastal city of Da Nang would publish a booklet in Chinese on do’s and don’ts for tourists, after reports surfaced of mainland tourists and tour guides behaving badly.

Some of the mistrust and hostility towards the Chinese stemmed from historical conflict between the two countries that has flared up in recent times.

Four years ago, China moved an oil rig into Vietnam’s territorial waters and several Chinese-owned factories in Vietnam were burned down, with protests resulting in the death of at least 20 Chinese expats.

China restricted tourists coming to Vietnam, which really hurt the tourism industry. South Korea’s economic support for Vietnam has also contributed to the warm relations.

South Koreans are by far the largest foreign investors in Vietnam with over US$65 billion in registered capital in the country. Samsung has opened several enormous factories that manufacture phones and electronics.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City both have Korea towns where a significant amount of South Korean expats live.

Many younger Korean travellers forego a Korean experience while in Vietnam. But older travellers often with larger budgets still expect access to Korean services.

Those in their 40s and above look for Korean food and services during their stay. People of older age don’t travel a lot and need tour guides.

It has become second nature for Vietnam’s hospitality industry to offer Korean-language options.

Companies provide Korean brochures and Korean language menus. Travel agencies describe their information in Korean, and their staff can speak Korean fluently.

Vietnam’s jet fuel demand will surge to a record this year as its tourism industry attracts a wave of new visitors and the country’s airlines are rapidly expanding.

The country is on track to have 38 million international passengers and 16 million visitors this year, according to data from CAPA Centre for Aviation. That is up from 18 million passengers and 8 million visitors in 2015, according to the data.

Aviation demand in Vietnam is booming, Fuel consumption in Vietnam will reach a record high this year and will keep rising for the years to come, said Tran Hoai Nam, vice-president of Vietjet, Vietnam’s biggest private airline.

He added Vietnam’s growth in foreign arrivals was the highest in Southeast Asia, rising 8.7 per cent annually.

The surge in traffic has translated into a rush of jet fuel demand in Vietnam. Through November, the country has imported 1.87 million tonnes of the fuel, according to customs data, equal to 14.8 million barrels, and up 18 per cent from the same period last year.

For 2018, jet fuel demand in Vietnam was estimated to be increased by about 20 to 25 per cent in comparison with 2017, mostly due to the increase in consumption of the international flights, said a Hanoi-based trader at one of country’s jet fuel suppliers, who asked to remain unidentified due to company policy.

Vietnam currently consumes about 18 million barrels of jet fuel per year, according to data from Petrolimex Aviation.

By 2035, Vietnam will have 150 million airline passengers per year, nearly four times what it was in 2015, according to a 20-year forecast from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Over the same period, India will have 442 million passengers, 3.6 times what it was in 2015, while China will have 1.3 billion passengers, 2.7 times what it was in 2015, IATA said.

In November, Vietnam issued an aviation licence to Bamboo Airways, which would be the country’s fifth airline after Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, Vietjet Aviation and Vietnam Air Services Co.

Bamboo signed a provisional deal to buy 20 of the wide-body 787-9 jets from US manufacturer Boeing and agreed a memorandum of understanding with Europe’s Airbus for up to 24 of the narrow-body A320neo jets in March.

VietJet, which currently operates 60 Airbus jets, has signed a US$6.5 billion agreement to buy 50 new jets.

Vietnam’s jet fuel imports will continue to surge as the country only has two refineries, Dung Quat in the central province of Quang Ngai and Nghi Son in Thanh Hoa province, near to the capital Hanoi, which only started operations last year.

Vietnam imports most its jet fuel from refineries in Singapore, Thailand and China, trade data showed.

Despite the steep growth outlook for Vietnam’s aviation sector, passenger growth might may be uneven as the country grapples with capacity constraints at its airports.

Vietnam’s biggest airport Tan Son Nhat, serving Ho Chi Minh City in the south, receives about 10 million more passengers per year than it is designed to serve.

The government is planning a second international airport at Long Thanh, 40km east of Ho Chi Minh City, that will serve 25 million passengers a year starting in 2025.


Tourism Observer

IRAN: US Sanctions Boost Iran Tourism

The annual International Exhibition of Halal Industry - Halal Expo - was held as at the end of April in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan as part of the XI International Economic Summit: “Russia - Islamic World: Kazan Summit 2019”.

An Iranian travel agency Persepol, that's registered in Kazan took part in the Expo.

Persepol offers travellers to see Iran in a different light. The company's owner Amir Mousavi said how Russians are interested in visiting Iran, whether halal tourism is attractive to them, what difficulties they have, and how the tourism industry has changed with the introduction of tough US sanctions on Iran.

How long have you been working in tourism? How comfortable is it to promote halal tourism?

Amir Mousavi said: I have been living in Tatarstan for a long time, I have my own carpet business. We've not been in the tourism sector we've so long. For the first time my company has taken part in the Russia Halal Expo.

During the 2018 World Cup a lot of tourists from Iran came to Tatarstan. I must thank the leadership of the republic for creating all the necessary conditions.

Iranians love Tatarstan very much and willingly come here. On the other hand, we noticed that residents of Tatarstan are very interested in Iran, especially when the country is represented in the media in a negative way.

It is for this purpose that we decided to set up a travel agency in order to introduce Russians to the ancient culture of Iran. We are not after big financial gains in tourism; we are rather working to improve the image of Iran in the eyes of foreign tourists.

Taking into account the fact that in Iran there are a number of restrictions for foreigners, in particular with regard to clothing, halal tourism seems to be the most profitable category. More than 50 million Muslims live in the Russian Federation, so halal tours to Iran are in demand.

So you offer tours only for Muslims? Or are there any special offers developed for other tourists?

He said: We also offer basic tours to show a number of the most famous cities in Iran. There are also non-standard extreme tours with special routes.

For example, the desert rally or mountain climbing. We have organised trips for around 500 tourists from Russia in the last two years.

We also offer Iranians tours to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volga cruises (Tatarstan), as well Golden Ring tours. All our clients, especially those who have travelled to Iran for the first time, leave only positive feedback, their attitude towards Iran changes completely after they visit the country.

It is also pleasant that our countries have simplified the visa regime. This makes our work much easier.

How have the US sanctions affected Iran's tourism industry?

Amir responded: The US has failed to paralyze the tourism industry, on the contrary, it made it more attractive to foreigners. As the saying goes, the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest, foreigners want to learn more about the country that the US wants to enslave with sanctions.

In addition, the fall of Iran's national currency has made Iran much cheaper for foreigners, especially if you look at prices in foreign currency euros or dollars.

The image of Iran that has been created in the Western media is very frightening. This has led to the decline of the total number of foreign tourists to Iran.

But those who have previously visited this country, continue to come and travel around it. Therefore, I believe that the sanctions did not have a significant impact on the tourism industry in Iran.

Russia plans to develop tourist relations with Iran, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said.

The advisor at the Iranian embassy in Russia, Hassan Saleh Majd, said that Russia and Iran currently operate 8-9 flights between the countries per week and plan to restore railroad traffic between Moscow and Tehran.

Russia and Iran are also currently developing an agreement on a visa-free regime for tourist groups.

The diplomat also noted that Iran is particularly interested in more and more Russian tourists coming to Iran despite the fact that it is not the easiest direction due to strict religious laws.

The executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, Maya Lomidze, and the Vice-President of ATOR, Alexander Kurnosov, represented Russia at the meeting.


Tourism Observer