His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Harthy, Minister of Transport, Sultanate of Oman, will inaugurate a two-day conference of Gulf Air on 23 March 2006 at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat.
Held annually, the conference is a major event for Gulf Air as the top management meets to review its past performance while making blueprints for the forthcoming years.
Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan will kick off the meeting with his inaugural address focusing on Gulf Air's new business strategy, Smart Airline, Successful Business.
"The conference is being held in Oman – our strategic partner - for the first time emphasising the importance of Oman as we shift to two-hub strategy in a few days, when there will be more flights in and out of Muscat," says Gulf Air Vice president for Marketing and Sales Danny Barranger.
"Besides, the conference is being held at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, which is a new landmark heralding the tourism boom in Oman. The sustained marketing strategies adopted by the Government have resulted in the increasing flow of tourists to Oman and the infrastructure development in Oman’s hospitality sector.
"We foresee a healthy and positive growth in tourist, business and MICE traffic in the coming years with Gulf Air playing a major role in the growth."
Gulf Air Vice Presidents of Finance, Operations, Network, Marketing and Sales, Human Resources, Information Technology and Business Units will be addressing individual sessions dedicated to their areas of specialisation followed by presentations by heads of units on their responsibilities and tasks ahead.
The second day will be devoted to workshops on various topics ranging from legal, audit, frequent flyer programme, airport services, Gulf Air Holidays, revenue and in-flight services.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.
The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.
A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ’smart airline, successful business’ vision.
International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline’s innovative and high quality products and services: These include:
• Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
• Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
• Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
• World’s Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
• Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
• Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
• Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
• Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
• Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
• Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
• Middle East region’s best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2007
