LS Consulting

Next to the political events that have occurred in recent months in some countries of the Maghreb and Middle East, the impact on tourism has been considerable!

Within weeks, Egypt and Tunisia have lost over 80% of their income from tourism. In Egypt, three quarters of the vessels in Upper Egypt remain in port, the hotels have experienced a drop in the same proportions. The Egyptian Destination Management Companies had to lay off half of their staff. Although the situation appears to be stabilizing, it is undeniable that, once again, Egypt will keep in mind 2011!

Fortunately, consumers’ memory tend to fade quickly and Egyptian providers hope to recover in 2012.

Regarding Tunisia, the situation is substantially different. Closer to Northern Europe, Tunisia is a lowcost destination highly dependent on tour operators. If the political situation stabilizes, we can expect a quicker return to growth at the fall of 2011. The new Minister of Tourism of Tunisia, recently interviewed by French radios, seemed relatively optimistic.

Morocco, next the attack in Marrakech, lost nearly all of its reservations in a few days. Moreover, Marrakech was already over-capacity regarding demand, with significant investments in building high-end hotels and the opening of large international hotel chains. The occupancy rate of 4 and 5 stars hotels did not exceed 40% in 2010. The opening of these new hotels in the coming months will certainly not improve the situation. The year 2011 will be a very difficult year for Morocco in general and Marrakech in particular. Last year I wrote a note to the Moroccan authorities about the development of business tourism in Marrakech. This document is available upon request by e-mail: [email protected].

I bet that the situation will improve. These serious political crises in Muslim countries are behind us and all these countries will recover a political stability and a strong rebound in tourism, of which their economy is totally dependent.

LS Consulting has been charged with the organisation of a business trip for a large company, from the 13th to the 17th of June 2011. Istanbul, the mythical capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, has been chosen. For this trip, we have opted for a mix of private visits of the most beautiful sites and monuments, dinners in the best restaurants, but also conversations with charismatic personalities. This original format meets a great success: our customers are now expecting greater authenticity.

Program

• Visit of  Hagia Sophia
• Private tour of the Basilica Cistern with private show of whirling dervishes
•  Dinner at Karakol (Tokapi Palace)
• Visit of the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque, meeting with the “Imam”
• Lunch at the Green House (Ye he Ev)
• Visit of the Topkapi Palace
• Visit of the Egyptian Bazaar
• Private tour of the Chora Church
• Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
• Lunch at Zeyrekhane
• Cruise on the Bosphorus
• Walking tour of Pera
• Cocktails and dinner at the Ulus 29

During almost 40 years, I thought I had entertained extraordinary and privileged relationships with hundreds of from all kind of origin.

Those relationships, that where in my mind real and sincere, where, in fact, for most of them, issued by what I represented and from I could bring to those people.

After more than 2 years dedicated to another life I had chosen, after having spent all those years receiving and giving, after having enjoyed wonderful experiences providing me with the greatest pleasure and happiness in providing a job well done, I wanted to spend more time in transmitting what I had learned by teaching at the University, participating in several associations that I personally cherish, in accompanying some friends and clients in the organization of their events. This is what i spend most of my time today.

I must, however, today ask myself with some bitterness about the true human nature?

Some month ago, I read again “The Prince” from Machiavelli and I published here on my website some lines which seemed to correspond to what I have encountered.

Fortunately, the true friends have remained, they will recognize themselves!

The greatest satisfaction I keep today are my fast growing two boys who I can see more often and more important support them more effectively in their studies. They are both the real joy of my life!

The challenges of life are nothing compared to how you can help your children to become successful and to enrich yourself with true and sincere friends.

Life is beautiful!!!

Eventives, a division of Creative Spirit and LS Consulting, organized last week a seminar of an exceptional quality in Barcelona for 50 alumni of the “Harvard Business School”.

Professor Dick Vietor made a remarkable presentation on the U.S. economy and the economic crisis Greek.

Three studious days, some visits of the capital of Catalonia and dining experiences made this a memorable event that will certainly be repeated in the next few years.