Guidelines

By Rehab Saad

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Airlines and airports

Korean connection

KOREAN Airlines will operate two weekly direct flights between Seoul and Cairo starting 25 October 2003. Previously, Cairo was just a stop-over on the Seoul-Dubai route.

The decision was taken by Korean Airlines as a result of increasing demand from Korean market for travel to Egypt, a result of recent efforts by the Egyptian tourist officials to encourage Korean tour operators to organise trips to Egypt.

Korean Airlines will use Boeing 747s on its Cairo route that can seat up to 376 passengers, up from 256 on the current model, increasing their capacity from 500 to 752 travellers per week.

Korean officials added they would offer a third flight if demand for the new route continued to rise.

New terminal

IN ORDER to cope with the ever-increasing number of travellers targeting Sharm El-Sheikh in Sinai, a new terminal will be constructed soon at Sharm El- Sheikh International Airport.

International corporations with travel expertise will be commissioned to design the layout of the new terminal, planned to extend over 38,000 square metres and serve about 2500 passengers per hour. According to airport officials, the new terminal would cost LE40 million.

Get relaxed

LUFTHANSA has recently launched a new programme aimed at relaxing and entertaining its passengers. A new specially developed relaxation channel in German and English answers frequently asked questions, such as how to relieve ear pressure during descent or how to cope with jet lag.

The programme even takes passengers on an imaginary stroll through a pleasant dream- like landscape to help them relax and forget everyday cares. Breathing techniques and exercises that enhance the flight experience are also demonstrated on the Lufthansa Flyrobic video.

Hotels

New openings

IT SEEMS that the fall is an appropriate season for some hotels and resorts to start operation. Sofitel Taba Heights, on the Gulf of Aqaba, has just opened its doors in September for nature lovers, divers and water sports fans.

The resort offers a variety of facilities such as a private five- kilometres beach, three outdoor pools, tennis court and a fitness centre in addition to a number of restaurants, bars and cafes that offer a variety of cuisine and services.

The Sofitel Karnak will open in Luxor in November 2003, owned by Arab Misr Hotels Company and managed by Accor Hotels & Resorts. The hotel has already been softly opened early this month by Mamdouh El-Beltagui, Egyptian minister of tourism and Leon Bertrand, his French counterpart.

Directly located on the Nile, the hotel features 351 rooms including two suites and nine family rooms. It boasts an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Nile, a variety of restaurants and bars, a health club, and tennis and squash courts.

In addition, the grand opening of JW Marriott Cairo Hotel at Mirage City, on the Ring Road in Qattamiyya, will take place in mid-October. The hotel is a hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, overlooking the picturesque 18-hole golf course of Mirage City in one of the most serene and exclusive areas in Cairo.

Within the seven-storeyed hotel are 428 rooms, 86 executive suites, two vice presidential and one presidential suite that occupies a whole floor. The hotel has a variety of restaurants serving international, Italian, Lebanese and Japanese cuisine in addition to seafood and barbecues The Beach is JW Marriott's water park that offers an exclusive swimming entertainment complex.

Think healthy

HEALTHY food is the way forward nowadays in the hotel industry. Because most people are concerned about their shapes and weights and some spend most of their time dieting, some five-star properties decided to attract their health-conscious clients by offering cuisine that suits their diets or by preparing programmes to help keep them fit.

The Hilton chain is following this trend in all of its hotels and resorts in Egypt. To guide people through the breakfast buffet, each item is labelled with a certain colour: violet for low fat food, red for food high in energy, green for high fiber dishes, blue for low cholesterol and orange for fatty items.

In most Accor hotels in Egypt, there is a special corner for low fat food on the breakfast buffet. Skimmed milk is offered in addition to low fat cheese, fruits and cereals.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sharm El- Sheikh recently launched a Health and Wellness programme that includes "Healthy Cuisine" and a selection of activities and spa treatments to balance the body and mind.

Healthy Cuisine uses fresh ingredients and herbs while avoiding fats and cholesterol. New items have been introduced to the a la carte menus, buffets, and in-room dining selections, offering variety and nutritional balance. Spa guests can also enjoy a wide selection of smoothies, fresh juices and fruits, herbal tea and decaffeinated coffee.

Weekend break

FOUR Seasons Cairo Hotel at the First Residence offers Egyptians and foreign guests a luxurious weekend escape.

For LE699 visitors are treated to opulent double rooms, with a choice between Friday jazz brunch at the Seasons Restaurant or a leisurely breakfast in bed on Saturday morning. The offer is subject to advance reservation and hotel availability.

Travel News

Dive into the past

ALEXANDRIA governorate, in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), has decided to launch a major project aimed at increasing tourism in the Mediterranean City. The project plans to put Alexandria on the map as a diving destination where those interested in culture and archaeology could explore sunken treasures in places like Qait Bey Fort where the lighthouse of Alexandria existed, the Eastern harbour where Ptolemic Palaces had been built and Abu Qir and Nelson Island where an ancient Ptolemic city has been discovered.

The project aims at establishing a number of diving centres near the sites, protecting the aquatic environment and restoring the sunken treasures. In addition, the project hopes to construct a glass tube that extends from the beach to the sites of submerged antiquities so non- divers could have the chance to enjoy the underwater treasures.

Healing waters

SAFAGA, 58km south Hurghada on the Red Sea, has been selected by the International Psoriasis Organisation (IPO) as the most suitable spot for curing the potentially fatal liver disease. IPO officials declared that Safaga accounted for the highest number of Psoriasis cures without a known explanation, and thus the organisation would immediately start a scientific study to decipher the reason.

It is worth mentioning that Safaga is one of the most important health resorts in Egypt whose sands and waters are said to cure rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis and various skin ailments.

Aqaba-Sharm route

IN SEPTEMBER, the $18 million Italian-made vessel "Princess" began biweekly cruises between Jordan's southern port city of Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh. The ship is operated by the Arab Bridge Company, owned by Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. It can transport up to 656 passengers per three hour trip.

The new route is part of an initiative to boost sea tourism between the two countries. "Egyptian travel agents are encouraging Egyptian travellers to visit Aqaba and Sharm El- Sheikh, alternatively, is considered a favourite spot for Jordanians to spend their vacations," said Alaa Betaina, CEO of the Arab Bridge Company. He explains that sea trips between Egypt and Jordan were previously restricted to the Aqaba- Nuweiba route that was used mostly by workers.

Events

The Spanish are coming

THE FEDERATION of the Spanish Travel Writers has decided to hold its annual meeting in Egypt during the first half of November 2003. The association has selected Egypt after it proved successful in organising a number of international conferences such as that of the Federation of the Travel Writers of Catalonia Province in 1997 as well as the Federation of the Spanish Travel Agents in 1999 and 2002.

The Federation of the Spanish Travel Writers is considered one of the most influential Spanish association with that country's tourists.

First AeroRally

BETWEEN 4 to 13 October, Egypt will hold its first International AeroRally that has attracted 59 participants from 12 countries, namely, England, France, Belgium, USA, the Netherlands, Greece, Germany, Cyprus, Tunisia, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, in addition to Egypt.

About 23 single and double engine aircraft will all arrive at Alexandria Nozha Airport on 4 October to participate in the rally. A number of domestic airports will be used in the rally, such as the Abu Simbel, Luxor, Aswan and 6th of October airports.

The event is held under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, and organised by the Intermed Organisation and the Travel Story Agency.