Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017

DUBAI

A decline in flights to the US from the Middle East as a result of the electronics ban will impact Carlson Rezidor’s business, particularly in Turkey, according to Mark Willis, the company’s Area Vice President for the region.

In an interview with Gulf News, Willis referred to Emirates’ recent announcement that as a result of weakened demand, stemming from the electronics ban and visa restrictions, it would be cutting down on its US flights.

“That’s got to have a knock-on effect and you’ll see that quite quickly impact key locations such as Istanbul,” he said.

Despite that, Beirut, which has long been subject to travel restrictions, had been the region’s best performing location in 2016, according to Willis.

Carlson Rezidor owns and operates the Radisson Blu and Park Inn brands in the Middle East and Turkey.

In separate comments, Willis remarked that “if there’s an area of continued concern, it’s the Red Sea for me. It’s a real shame.”

On October 31, 2015, Metrojet Flight 9268 was brought down over northern Egypt by a bomb stored in the cargo hold, killing 224 people. Shortly after, Daesh’s Sinai branch claimed responsibility.

The tragedy formed part of a wider conflict between Islamist militants and the Egyptian army taking place in the Sinai Peninsula, which has driven tourism away from once popular destinations such as Sharm Al Shaikh.

Many airlines cancelled their flights to the region in the wake of the attack.

“It’s a real shame for the Red Sea, they’ve been badly hit by the various events over the last 24 months, one after the other. It’s been a tough time for them,” Wallis said.

In the past decade, Egypt had tried to reposition the Red Sea, attracting strong investment and a number of international hotels, including a Ritz-Carlton and a Four Seasons.

Carlson Rezidor operate a Radisson Blu in the area.

Describing the weak local currency that Egypt is currently experiencing as “dreadful,” Wallis added that there had been a rate decline for their property on the Red Sea as they “look to facilitate the local market in to the property.”

“Rate is based on demand, and demand in Egypt has fallen dramatically,” he added.

When asked if he believed that flights would resume soon, Willis was optimistic.

“I would suggest that the resumption of flights back to the Red Sea are right around the corner, but that’s with the powers that be. But they need to come back,” he said.

By Ed Clowes Staff Reporter

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