Airlines & airports Weekly flights to Sharjah IN MID-MAY, Air Arabia started operating 14 weekly flights from Alexandria to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Adel Ali, executive chairman of the company, announced that the increase in the number of flights was a reflection of an increase in market needs as well as an increase of the travel movement between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The company started operation a year ago with three weekly flights and is currently operating 10 flights. For more information call (+202) 574 4588. From Doha to Alexandria EARLY this month, Nozha Airport in Alexandria was the scene of the arrival of the first Qatar Airways flight, QR512, thus inaugurating a direct route between Doha and Alexandria. There will be three direct flights between the two cities on Airbus A320 with 12 first class seats and 132 economy seats. Alexandria is the third station in Egypt for Qatar Airways' net, after Cairo and Luxor, and the 64th station among the company's world destinations. Celebrating the inauguration of the new route, Qatar Airways provided a free shuttle service to transport travellers between Nozha and Cairo international airports. World Traveller summer options BRITISH Airways World Traveller is proving a popular option for Egyptian passengers leaving Cairo this summer. Reasonably priced return economy fares to London start at LE3,600, while the main North American East Coast destinations of New York, Washington, and Boston, along with Toronto and Montreal, are priced at LE5,600. Los Angeles and San Francisco are priced at only LE6,600. "These are excellent value fares, and World Traveller is a cabin which offers high quality ambiance in terms of comfortable, adjustable seats, inflight entertainment, and a light, airy environment," said Chris Phipps, British Airways commercial manager in North Africa. For more information contact 587 0741-6 or log on www.ba.com . Etihad's first flight to Frankfurt EARLY this month, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, officially launched its route to Frankfurt. This non-stop daily flight comes just a year after the airline launched its Abu-Dhabi-Munich route in May. "The launch of this new route to Frankfurt marks yet another significant milestone since we launched the airline in 2003, further strengthening the bond between the UAE and Germany with whom we have had a long-standing relationship in terms of business and leisure travel," Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al-Nahyan, chairman of Etihad Airways, said. "We are confident that the launch of Etihad's new route to Frankfurt will facilitate even more opportunities in investment, tourism and commerce. It also reflects our commitment to place our guests at the core of our development strategy by offering them greater flexibility and facilitating easier access for travel between the two major hubs," Sheikh Al-Nahyan added. First quarter revenues DESPITE the dramatic hike in oil prices, the German airline carrier Lufthansa has achieved sound results in the first quarter of 2005. In the first three months of this year the Lufthansa Group generated 3.9 billion euro in revenues, matching last year's figure. Traffic revenue rose by 3.2 per cent in the wake of increased sales and higher average yields at Lufthansa Cargo. Other operating income fell by 51.5 per cent. This was due to the disposal of Amadeus shares in the first quarter of 2004, which had yielded book profits of 292 million euro. Operating expenses totalled 4.3 billion euro and were thus held at the prior-year level. Fuel costs, however, surged by 35.1 per cent, to 458 million euro. Without the fuel price hedging measures, the Group's airlines would have had to pay 50 million euro more for kerosene. The operating result for the first three months improved by 90 million euro and comes to 26 million euro. The net result amounts to 116 million euro as compared with 62 million euro at the first-quarter stage in 2004. That, too, reflects the effect of the book profits from the sale of the Amadeus stake last year. Hotels & resorts Qatar Airways-Starwood partnership QATAR Airways and Starwood Hotels have entered into a strategic partnership to provide members of their respective loyalty programmes with an array of flight and accommodation benefits. Under the agreement, members of Privilege Club, Qatar Airways' frequent flyer programme, will be able to earn Qmiles when staying at any of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts properties, including Westin Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton, W Hotels, St Regis Hotels and the Luxury Collection. To celebrate the new partnership, Starwood Hotels is offering Privilege Club members triple Qmiles for each stay at selected Starwood properties around the world during a three- month promotion starting on 1 June 2005. In addition, members of the Starwood Preferred Guest programme (SPG) who enroll with Privilege Club will receive 500 bonus Qmiles for their first flight on Qatar Airways during the same promotional period. Fifth anniversary FOUR Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, a significant milestone for the Toronto-based luxury hotel group whose commitment to the Middle East now includes six properties. The flagship 269-room property on the western banks of the River Nile brought a new level of luxury and service to the Middle East when it opened five years ago and has since become a benchmark for the region's hospitality industry. Additionally, the hotel has spawned a highly trained workforce which has in turn "fed" subsequent Four Seasons openings both in the region and elsewhere, helping its sister hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh, Amman, Riyadh, Cairo and more recently Doha. More will soon be on the move as the group opens other hotels in Damascus, Alexandria, Beirut, Kuwait, Dubai and Bahrain. "It has been a significant five years in terms of introducing and establishing a new hotel brand to a region already well patronised by the world's leading chains," said Antoine Corinthios, president of Four Seasons Europe, Middle East and Africa. Online winners SHERATON Heliopolis Hotel, Towers and Casino has decided to reward guests who book through its website www.sheraton.com/heliopolis by offering a complimentary stay for an online booker chosen randomly. The hotel's website has recently been updated to cater more to the needs of guests and includes many interesting offers. The hotel offers the prize twice a month. Armani-EMAAR agreement FOLLOWING the signing of a letter of intent in 2004, Giorgio Armani, SPA. and EMAAR Hotels and Resorts LLC, recently announced that their respective chairmen, Giorgio Armani and Mohamed Ali Alabbar, have executed the formal contractual agreement between the two companies for the development of a unique international collection of Armani Hotels and Resorts. Under the terms of the agreement, Giorgio Armani SPA. is awarding a long term license to EMAAR Hotel and Resorts LLC for the operation of a collection of luxury hotels and resorts. EMAAR will be fully responsible for real estate, construction, management and operations, with Giorgio Armani overseeing all aspects of content, design and style, including interiors and amenities, incorporating the various Armani fashion, furnishings and beauty collections. EMAAR Properties has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, the EMAAR Hotels and Resorts LLC, along with a separate management company exclusively dedicated to the management and operation of the Armani Hotel and Resort collection. The agreement foresees the opening of at least seven luxury hotels and three vacation resorts within the next 10 years backed by an investment of over $1 billion from EMAAR. The first hotel is expected to open by the first quarter of 2008 and is already under construction as part of EMAAR Properties' Burj Dubai development, which when completed will be the world's tallest residential and commercial building. The Dubai Armani Hotel will include 175 guest rooms and suites restaurants and a spa, covering more than 40,000 square metres. Alongside the hotel, the Burj Dubai will offer 160 luxury residential apartments all designed by Giorgio Armani and fully furnished with a specially designed line of products from the Armani Casa home furnishings collection. The tower is the centrepiece of a new 160-hectare community adjacent to the Dubai Mall. The schedule of openings to follow Dubai will be Milan, London, and New York. Miramar's nights SEA food lovers will have a big chance on Saturdays to enjoy mouthwatering seafood cuisines by the swimming pool terrace of Sheraton Miramar in El-Gouna on the Red Sea. Not only that but they will also enjoy dazzling night programmes on these nights. This addition has been made to provide guests with more varieties, especially sea food lovers who would enjoy seafood with all its kinds and forms, whether fried or grilled in addition to sushi, sashimi, tepeniaky, and sea food pasta. Noha Bassily, Public Relations Manager of the hotel, announced that the hotel has arranged various exclusive activities tailored specially for the summer with special themes that matches the guests' preferences. With the opening of the swimming pool terrace and the seafood nights, Sheraton Miramar is offering a new advantage to add up to the guests' pleasure and joy. Environmental awareness OUT of its environmental awareness and its close relationship to the tourist industry, InterContinental Heliopolis Cairo Hotel organised an environmental cleaning day, where the entire hotel's staff, divided into 36 groups, shared in cleaning the hotel and all its surroundings in two days with the support of the municipality. The environmental day aimed at inspiring the one-team spirit and creating healthier surroundings. Luxury escapes DASH off for a long weekend in Beirut. Plan a diving holiday in Egypt. Or enjoy a romantic dinner in Jordan. This summer InterContinental Hotels and Resorts is making leisure even more irresistible with its Luxury Escapes programme. Currently available at more than 100 properties worldwide with rates as attractive as $89 per room per night, all Luxury Escapes rates include breakfast and late checkout and require just a five-day advance booking and one-night deposit. The Luxury Escapes programme will be valid until 6 September 2005. For a special experience, visit one of InterContinental's newest resorts this summer, the InterContinental Aqaba. Crowning the peak of the Red Sea on the Gulf of Aqaba, the hotel boasts the longest stretch of private beach in Aqaba -- with more than 300 metres of white sand. Just a 10-minute taxi ride from King Hussein International Airport, the accommodation at the InterContinental Aqaba includes Deluxe, Presidential and Royal suites with superb sea views. Providing the highest level of luxury, it also offers a choice of Lebanese and French dining, an all-day coffee shop, Deli Café and lobby bar and the Piano bar to suit every taste. Luxury Escapes reservations for all InterContinental Hotels & Resorts can be booked with toll-free calls to the InterContinental Hotels Group Middle East Central Reservations Office in Dubai from Bahrain (8000-0 880), Egypt (0800- 4433322), Jordan (0800-22666), Kuwait (473-2100 ext 6233) Lebanon (01 426-801 -- ask the operator to connect you to 866-866 7556), Oman (800-777 999), Pakistan (0800-909 971234), Qatar (0080-0 971234), Saudi Arabia (800-897 1465), and the UAE (800-4642). Top 20 The Cascades, the only links course in Egypt, adjoins Sheraton Soma Bay Resort 40 kms south of the provincial center of Hurghada had received a new honor to its name in the "2005 Travel Awards" of the most professional German golf magazines "Golf Journal" and it was ranked as the 11th among the Top 20 golf courses over the world in a survey carried among the magazine's readers. The Cascades is as distinctive as the man who designed this masterpiece, perhaps the most successful international golfer of all time. Gary Player, winner of 163 Championships around the world and one of only five golfers ever to have won the Grand Slam. For the fifth year successively the Pan Arab Golf Championship will be back to the Cascades Golf Course at Sheraton Soma Bay. This year Tournament will be held under the sponsorship of the Arab Golf Federation and the Red Sea Governorate. The 2005 Pan Arab Championship at The Cascades will be held from the 5th to the 9th of July 2005 for the 5th Individual Amateur for Men, Seniors & 4th for Ladies, along with the Second Red Sea Amateur Open Championship for Men, Seniors & Ladies. Regional meeting in Safaga HOLIDAY Inn Safaga recently hosted a regional human resources meeting for InterContinental Hotels Group, Egypt. It was the first meeting to be held at the resort after major renovations this year. Hisham Aidarous, general manager of the hotel, said renovations are continuing. Renovations at Le Meridien Pyramids LE MERIDIEN Pyramids Hotel's 550 rooms have been refurbished, including 66 Royal Club rooms with a special lounge for its guests, two presidential suites and rooms for the disabled. With a total investment of LE50 million, the new rooms were designed by renowned English designer Reardon Smith using the latest technology available in the hotel industry to complement the magnificent surroundings of the resort and provide luxurious accommodation for all travellers. Employees' development MOVENPICK Hotels and Resorts are keen on developing the skills and capabilities of their employees in order to achieve the maximum level of guest satisfaction. For that reason, Movenpick Hotels and Resorts Middle East Division recently conducted several training workshops in several hotels on basic management skills, off the job trainer skills and craft trainer skills. Workshops were conducted by Nabil Samuel, training manager for the Movenpick Hotels and Resorts Middle East Division in Movenpick Resort Al-Alamein, and attended by hotel training managers and coordinators. Conrad's golf tournament IN APPRECIATION for its top accounts, Conrad Cairo organised its second golf tournament. The friendly get together joined old faces and newcomers with 48 participants this year divided into 12 teams. Guests were welcomed by Conrad's fine hospitality, enjoyed a full day of fun, excitement and practised their favourite sport. The day's programme was a four-man Texas Scramble format. Winning teams were recognised after an early open-air dinner. Greek celebrations ON THE OCCASION of Olympic Airlines increase of direct flights from Athens to Alexandria, a party was thrown in Tabia Ballroom in Sheraton Montazah Hotel. Top businessmen, corporate accounts and media representatives were invited. Guests were impressed by the excellent service and outstanding decoration of the ballroom which took the shape of a huge plane. New manager at Le Meridien Luxor Hassan Ahdab Regional Managing Director Africa & Indian Ocean has newly appointed Olivier Robinet as the General Manager of Le Meridien Luxor. Olivier of French nationality holds a Master degree in Hotel and Tourism Strategies from the Sorbonne University of Paris, and has gained an international experience, including various hotel openings, in senior hotel industry related positions. News E-booking second time FOR THE SECOND year, a number of five-star hotels and resorts in Egypt, including Sheraton Hotels (eight hotels) and Accor (22 hotels), renewed their contract agreements with travel portal www.intoegypt.comwww.intoegypt.com/i to enhance their marketing and selling capabilities in both local and international markets. Over 92,600 visited the site in 2004, an increase of 82 per cent over 2003 which recorded 50,682 visitors. The agreement includes a detailed presentation of the property and its services supported by photos plus the properties' special offers which are sent as bulletins to 225,000 travel users. The company also distributes special offers of the hotel through various distribution points including the Internet, TV, mobile phones and magazines. Feature country TUNISIA was chosen by the officials of Egypt's Mediterranean Travel Fair (MTF) the feature country for the sixth year. A Tunisian night, taking place from 6 to 8 September, will be organised where heads of delegations, major tour operators and renowned journalists will be invited. Fam and marketing trips to Tunisia will be organised before and after the fair for tour operators and senior journalists. The MTF will be held under the auspices of Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif at the Cairo International Conference Centre. It is organised by British Reed Travel Exhibitions in cooperation with the Egyptian Tourist Authority, the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers, Egyptian Hotel Association, Egyptian Travel Agents Association and EgyptAir. Most of the Egyptian tourist governorates, the Tourist Development Authority, the Egyptian Hotel Association and the Egyptian Travel Agents Association will feature their products on an area of 702 square metres during the fair. The organising company plans to attract 50 countries this year. Search and rescue THE EGYPTIAN Tourism Federation and the Ministry of Defence have renewed agreements to form a search and rescue team assigned to provide services for groups going on desert and sea trips. According to the agreement, it is the responsibility of all travel agents to notify the army when sending out groups into the desert or sea. Travel agencies are also obliged to have valid insurance policies covering all accidents to individuals and groups on desert or safari excursions, and where all medical aid must be covered. In the event of an accident, the Egyptian Travel Agents Association will pay all expenses until the insurance claim comes through.
