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Al-Ahram Weekly 7 - 13 September 2000 Issue No. 498 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 7 - 13 September 2000 Issue No. 498
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Horsing about in Sharqiya
For the ninth consecutive year, Sharqiya held its annual festival for Arabian horses last week under the auspices of Prime Minister Atef Ebeid. For the first time, it included a jumping championship and winners were awarded the Cup of President Hosni Mubarak. The festival also included a horse show, a dressage championship, a polo competition, a folkloric dance show and a musical parade.The event has proven so successful in attracting both foreigners and Egyptians that it has been listed on the official calendar of the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry is earmarking 30 events -- musical, cultural and sports -- on an annual basis and tourism officials are confident that it will be an important means towards promoting Egypt abroad.
According to Sharqiya Governor Emad Eddin Abul-Ela, there are massive plans to upgrade the horse festival in the future. "A chivalry village for the festival is being built at the cost of LE12 million and it will include an area for selling and buying Arabian horses, a number of restaurants and coffee-shops for visitors, and areas to relax and have fun," he said.
Abul-Ela added that three hotels are under construction in Sharqiya, to be ranked three to four stars "The first will include 100 rooms, the second 120 rooms and the third 150 rooms. We need to cater to visitors and encourage more people to come."
More roads lead to Luxor
British Airways is launching a new service to Luxor as of 29 October, 2000. Flights will leave London Heathrow terminal every Sunday and return from Luxor on Mondays. It will operate via Alexandria. The route will be served by the modern Airbus 320 and the flights will be operated by British Mediterranean Airways, franchise partner of British Airways."Luxor is a key tourist destination in the Middle East and our new route will make the area far more accessible to an increasing number of visitors; it is likely to appeal particularly to operators of organised tours in the area," said Inal Sabry, British Airways manager for Egypt.
Tourists of Arabia
Egypt's third festival for tourism and shopping this summer was a resounding success, according to statistics reported by the Ministry of Tourism. "The festival took place in the period from 20 July to 20 August, and the number of Arab tourists increased by 12.6 per cent over the same period last year," said Minister of Tourism Mamdouh El-Beltagui. "Moreover, there is also an increase in the number of foreign tourists by 10.2 per cent over the same period last year," he added.Frequent flyers
In a press conference held recently in Cairo, German airlines Lufthansa's Vice President for Sales and Services Uwe Muller cited the increase of weekly flights to and from Egypt as up to 20. He regards this as strong evidence of increased economic relations between Egypt and the world. "The number of passengers carried by Lufthansa to Egypt this year will very likely reach new records," said Muller, forecasting a figure of "more than 650,000."
Compiled by Rehab Saad
