Whats hot for 2009

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Alpha Holidays product manager John Flower.

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Prime Travel Dubai general manager Richard Evans.

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Kanoo divisional general manager Julian Knott.

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DTTAG general manager Leo Fewtrell.

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Jumierah director distribution development Oliver Fasching.

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Global research firm Euromonitor International agrees that Asia will be a hotspot for corporate travel in 2009 given that many US companies, particularly banks and financial institutions hurt by the ongoing US sub-prime crisis, will look to Asia for growth.

Asia accounted for an estimated 80% of global growth in key financial institutions in the first quarter of 2008 and offers an alternative source of revenue as liquidity and investor confidence dries up.

As a result, key financial executives are undertaking more trips to major Asian destinations, particularly business hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai and Mumbai. The Jumeirah Group is ready for this business, says Jumierah senior vice president Asia Pacific Tony Cousens.

"In terms of market potential, Asia is going to be huge, so it's vital that Jumierah positions itself there as part of its continuing expansion - that's what we'll be doing with the Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi in Shanghai," he says.

"By 2012 we want to have reached 60 properties - 30% of those will be in the Asia Pacific region."

Gearing up for green

Factoring environmental issues into travel packages has been a slow burner in the GCC states, but 2009 could be the year that sees awareness heightened according to Emirates' Felix.

"Environmental concerns will come to the fore in 2009," he says.

"It might be a bit slow at first, but once it builds momentum it will definitely have an impact on the industry."

And Emirates Holidays will a key part in educating agents and consumers about green concerns as it plans to introduce a ‘green' icon to its brochures to denote when a property adheres to its strict environmental guidelines.

The tour operator is currently putting together ‘green' criteria against which it can judge the properties it showcases in its many brochures. Those that comply will be flagged up in the operator's 2009 programmes.

Kanoo's Knott expects an "awakening awareness" in the region concerning greener travel options.

"We are preparing for people to take more of an interest in ecologically-aware packages" he says.

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