CAIRO: Nearly three years after bomb blasts hit Taba, the Hilton Taba is now fully renovated, sporting a new multi-million dollar look and reclaiming its position as Sinai s hottest spot after being closed for almost 25 months. Some rooms and facilities were ready for guests by December 2006, marking the resort s soft opening, and gradually the hotel became fully operational, opening its doors for tourists and locals alike, Ziad Tantawi, Hilton Taba s general manager, told The Daily Star Egypt. Tantawi is very confident that guests will regard the resort with its renovated look as brand new, regardless of any history. Visitors anxiety and fear of returning to the main hotel that was hit, according to Tantawi, is not necessarily a concern, but was definitely put into consideration. Nevertheless, special packages were arranged to attract visitors back to the popular destination. It s something we had to do and we will continue doing it, Tantawi added. Security measures are also considered the resort s top priority. Prior to the 2004 blasts, the Hilton Taba s guests were mostly foreigners, with locals only making up 10 percent of the visitors, and according to Tantawi, after the blasts, the numbers haven t really changed. Tantawi considers the bombings to be a minor setback to the business. Despite its bad effect, the rebound of the business did not take a long time. The resort s renovations include public areas such as the lobby, the restaurants and shopping areas, as well as refurbishments in all of its 400 rooms. The hotel s landscaping has also been retouched, giving it a fresh, different look. Tantawi has strong faith in the resort, describing it as unique. It is the only place in the world where you can see four countries from your balcony, he boasted. Tantawi is very optimistic about the resort s future in Taba, being one of the most popular destinations nowadays, especially after it started receiving direct flights from Europe, that are bound to put it on the map. It is also starting to become more recognized in local market, being only a four-hour drive away from Cairo. More conveniently, the hotel can organize limousine transfers for those who don t want to drive. It s perfect for weekends and summer vacations, Tantawi told The Daily Star Egypt.
