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Al-Ahram Weekly 12 - 18 August 1999 Issue No. 442 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 12 - 18 August 1999 Issue No. 442
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Books Features Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters Dive-off '99
A FREE diving event was held at Al-Gouna Resort, 30 kilometres north of Hurghada, last week, in which about 80 athletes from 23 countries participated.The competition, Dive-off '99, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, was said to be the last international free diving event of the millennium. Three diving stars were in competition -- Loic Leferme, the world's deepest diver on a single breath (137 metres), Nathalie Desreac, the world's greatest breath hold distance swimmer (150 metres), and Andy Le Sauce, the world's longest breath hold diver (7minutes, 35 sec
Resort fashion show
IN CELEBRATION of the summer season, Sheraton Miramar Resort in Al-Gouna hosted the "Great Australian Fashion Show". The fashion house team were on a tour of the "Land of the Pharaohs", giving performances in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Alexandria and Hurghada.Alongside the Miramar pool, a wonderful collection of creations were presented, including casual, swim and
Starwood expansions
STARWOOD Hotels and Resorts has opened two new Sheraton Hotels in Africa, one in Algeria and one in South Africa.Situated on the pristine Mediterranean coast, the exclusive Sheraton Club des Pins Resort and Towers in Algeria is 21 kilometres from the city centre and 35 kilometres from the international airport. The hotel has 281 standard rooms, 36 luxury rooms, 62 junior suites, 38 standard suites and two presidential suites.
Sami Zoghbi, president of the Africa, India and Middle East division of Starwood Hotels and Resorts said that the Sheraton Club des Pins is family-oriented, as well as being a business destination. "It will contribute to the long-term development of tourism in the country," said Zoghbi.
The new Sheraton property in South Africa is in Pretoria, opposite the landmark Union Building, which houses the office of the South African president.
The hotel has 175 rooms, including 36 tower rooms, seven diplomatic and nine junior suites. "This hotel is built for the new millennium," Zoghbi said, adding that it will become an integral part of South Africa's meeting and conference market.
Starwood is one of the leading hotel companies in the world, with 712 hotels in 72 countries. The company's Africa, India and Middle East division includes 46 hotels in 24 countries.
Shopping celebration
DR MAMDOUH El-Beltagui inaugurated the Alexandria shopping festival at a party held at Qait Bey Fort. The party featured singing and dancing followed by a gala dinner given by Montazah Sheraton Hotel for more than 400 guests.The shopping festival this year has so far been a success. According to Ministry of Tourism statistics, Arab tourists increased by 17 per cent compared with the same period last year. "Egypt hosted about 98,686 tourists from different Arab and foreign countries and the occupancy rates in Alexandria hotels is 100 per cent," said Adel Abdel-Aziz, head of the Egyptian Tourist Authority.
Chasing the eclipse
BRITISH Airways operated two Concordes yesterday to "chase" the solar eclipse, giving 200 people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the amazing spectacle from high over the clouds at 58,000 feet.The flights departed from Heathrow in the morning and flew west, halfway across the Atlantic, where they turned around and headed back towards Britain. The two Concordes flew at 1,350 mph, intercepted and chased the eclipse to give the passengers a total of six minutes to watch the eclipse.
Special viewing glasses were handed out on the flight to allow passengers to safely view the eclipse.
Compiled by Rehab Saad
