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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 19 - 25 October 2000 Issue No. 504 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 19 - 25 October 2000 Issue No. 504
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Elections Palestine International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Travel Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Millennium, part two
THOUSANDS of Japanese tourists flocked to the Giza plateau recently to celebrate the Japanese millennium. The celebration, held at the foot of the pyramids at the Son et Lumiere theatre, starred Japanese singer Himekami and was broadcast to fans throughout the world on both Japanese TV and the Egyptian Nilesat.The millennium celebration comes amidst a flurry of efforts by the Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Tourist Authority (ETA) to promote Egypt as a travel destination in South Asian countries, and Japan in particular. "We are trying hard to attract this promising market," affirmed ETA head Adel Abdel-Aziz at a recent meeting with representatives of the Japan Association of Travel Agents in Cairo.
"I chose this spot because it is one of the most important places of the world," Himekami said. "Egypt is the land of gods and ancient civilisation, where its citizens have shown a love of music since the dawn of history and have made major contributions to it."
Miss Mediterranean
BEAUTIES from the Mediterranean world will be making their way to Alexandria early next year to compete for the title of Miss Mediterranean 2001. The event, which will last for four days, will be organised by the Sheraton Montazah Hotel, and will offer folkloric dancing and fashion shows from different countries."We have been receiving offers from various companies and associations to sponsor the event," said Azza El-Dessouqi, public relations director of the hotel. El-Dessouqi noted that the hotel is counting on businessmen and celebrities to attend the event, which will be covered by Egyptian and international media. "It will be a good promotion for tourism in Alexandria," she added.
Luxury untold
PORT Ghalib Resort at Marsa Alam is being planned as the resort of the future. The Kuwaiti-based Mohamed Abdulmohsin Al-Kharafi Group has a multi-billion-dollar community in mind for the Red Sea spot 210 kilometres south of Hurghada."Port Ghalib is being positioned, designed and developed to a level unknown in Egypt today -- a world class resort that blends and combines the elements of San Tropez, Puerto Banus and Port Grimaud with the natural desert and mountain areas of the south Red Sea coastline," beamed James Pringle, senior counsellor for the Al-Kharafi Group.
The first phase of the project entails the construction of a 1,000-berth capacity marina and port and an elaborately planned town centre. Luxury is the key word here, with top hotels, a yacht club, an international conference centre and a golf course all part of the plan. In 1997, Al-Kharafi Group won the build, operate and transfer (BOT) concession for the new Marsa Alam international airport, which is expected to be completed by October 2001.
