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Al-Ahram Weekly 29 Apr. - 5 May 1999 Issue No. 427 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 29 Apr. - 5 May 1999 Issue No. 427
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Focus Special Travel Sports People Features Living Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Briefs
Paris-Dakar-Cairo rally
THIS YEAR'S Paris-Dakar rally will be extended to include Egypt for the first time. The great car race traditionally starts in Paris and ends in Dakar. But this time, it will end at Giza on the Pyramids Plateau. Drivers will start from Paris on 1 January, 2000, after spending New Year's Eve with their families and head to Dakar before racing to Giza.Egyptian officials are excited about the prospect of being involved with one of the world's most famous sporting events. "We want this to become a major tourist event that will promote Egypt abroad," Dr Mamdouh El-Beltagui, the minister of tourism, told a press conference. He said 2,000 entrants were expected for the race. "And in addition there will be about 10,000 individuals to service the vehicles." he said.
Hubert Auriol, the French organiser of the event and a veteran racer himself, said that coming to Cairo was always a dream of his. "Thanks to local interest and support my dream will come true next year," he said.
The rally will receive worldwide attention which will feature Egypt prominently. "There will be 170 international TV channels covering the event," Auriol said. "We will naturally be working very closely with the Egyptian press and TV." About 20 aircraft will follow the race, which also has 35 doctors on standby.
Easy travelling
BUSINESS travellers checking in at Inter-Continental hotels and resorts in the Middle East and Africa can use newly refined executive service and facilities after the re-launching of Club Inter-Continental.Twelve Club Inter-Continental centres offer an exclusive club with the efficiency and hospitality of a business hotel, complete with private reception and lounge, comprehensive business facilities and attentive staff.
"Business travel can be a major headache, but we can offer a smoother passage through the region," said Simon Pearson, the hotel chain's regional vice-president of sales and marketing. Executives can also use express check-in and check-out services.
Kids facilities
FACILITIES are being offered by hotels for travellers who have kids with them. The Hilton Dahab Resort is one such hotel that offers loads of fun for the little ones. A Kid's Club has been opened recently for children aged three to 12, and it is free for hotel guests and staff. Supervised playtime and entertainment are being offered. "It is not the only facility available for children in the hotel. We also have a playground on the beach, a kid's swimming pool, bikes for rent and a games room with video games and ping-pong," said club supervisor, Amy Pieren.Miss Egypt
BRITISH Airways (BA) will sponsor this year's Miss Egypt competition. Egypt's crowned beauty queen, Ingy Abdallah, will be flown by BA to the Ternan Islands, in the South Pacific, where she will challenge the world's most beautiful women for the title of Miss Universe. BA will also take the two competition runners-up to represent Egypt in the Miss World Competition. "BA is proud to be able to contribute to a local event that enhances a positive international image for Egypt," said Andy Geary Stevens, the airline's general manager for Egypt and North Africa.Compiled by Rehab Saad
