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Al-Ahram Weekly 30 Sep. - 6 Oct. 1999 Issue No. 449 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 30 Sep. - 6 Oct. 1999 Issue No. 449
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Congress in Egypt
THE FEDERATION of Travel Agencies of Latin America (COTAL) has decided to hold its annual congress for the year 2000 in Egypt. During a recent celebration in Cairo, the contract was signed and the ground plans were laid for the tourist fair that will be held alongside the event. The delegation will be accompanied by 300 Latin American journalists."The fact that Egypt succeeded in attracting this congress will provide us with a good opportunity to promote the Egyptian product," declared Mamdouh El-Beltagui, the minister of tourism.
COTAL has some 9,800 members, including many Latin American ministers of tourism, representing 21 countries. The Indian minister of tourism will also attend the congress, which will be held from 10 to 14 May, in order to invite the members of COTAL to hold their 2001 congress in India.
Japanese promotion
A JAPANESE TV delegation is currently visiting Egypt to shoot a film about Egyptian tourist sites. The 45-minute film will concentrate on the monuments in Luxor and Aswan as well as the resorts of the Red Sea and Sinai coasts. The film will cover Egypt's modern facilities such as the World Trade Centre (WTC) and Cairo International Conference Centre (CICC)."There are strong relations between Egypt and Japan. Many facilities cater for their needs; for example, Japanese tourists can enjoy the Son et Lumière in their own language," said Mamdouh El-Beltagui, the minister of tourism.
The ministry is currently preparing a language course for Japanese-speaking tourist guides in cooperation with Japan. "Moreover, there are many restaurants and hotels that cater for those who enjoy Japanese food," added El-Beltagui.
Dahab clean-up
HILTON Dahab Resort, Swiss Inn Resort, Extra Divers, Red Sea Scuba and Divers International all joined together to complete another clean-up in Dahab. The resort on the Gulf of Aqaba has often been the subject of negative reports because of its garbage problem, exacerbated by strong winds that spread the refuse around the desert and into the sea.Previous efforts to clean the area have been one-off events. Now hotels and diving centres are working together to provide a permanent solution to the problem.
A meeting was held to formulate a strategy for cleaning up the areas in front of the hotels and along the public beaches as well as underwater. A small barbecue was held for the participants who had an opportunity to share their experiences. All agreed that there are particular areas along the coast that need constant attention, but that with regular supervision the problem of garbage on Dahab's shores can be eradicated.
Hilton Dahab Resort received all the garbage collected on this occasion which was put into its extensive garbage sorting and recycling programme. The incentive thus taken will hopefully be adopted by other hotels and diving centres in Sinai.
Global travel
THE ONEWORLD global airline alliance has expanded with the inclusion of Iberia and Finnair. These two airlines will offer the full range of Oneworld benefits, including reciprocal frequent-flyer programmes and access to all seven airlines' lounges for eligible members, as well as providing to passengers travelling across the globe with any of the alliance's airlines. By joining the alliance, the two airlines will increase the total number of destinations served by member airlines to more than 650, with access to more than 320 lounges worldwide."This is another key development for Oneworld to improve services for our customers in their travels worldwide," said Don Carty, chairman of the Oneworld governing board and American Airlines chief executive.
Compiled by Rehab Saad
