JEDDAH, 16 October 2004 - A city hotel boasts the biggest Ramadan tent in the city. Built at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the tent covers 40,000 sq. m. with a typical Arabic design and a number of specialized facilities for families and children for the holy month. The "best iftar buffet" in town will be served during the month in its newly refurbished Crystal Ballroom, hotel General Manager Thomas Schmelter told a press conference on Wednesday. This traditionally decorated tent gives a pure Arabic ambience offering a wide selection of oriental food and beverage. Multiple live cooking stations, which include Saudi, Japanese, Egyptian, Chinese and Lebanese, are a new feature this time, Ribhi Hatamleh, director of sales and marketing, said. Guests can get their choicest dishes prepared at the cooking stations. Piazza has been created for the post-iftar activities on the parking area of the hotel. It is specially designed this year for activities that suit everyone during the fasting month. It offers a kids corner for games, such as PlayStations and jumping castle, a shisha area and a snacks corner for juices, Arabic coffee and dates. Its daily sohur buffet will be on offer at the renovated Al Zahra restaurant, from 12 midnight to 5 a.m.

Modern Company Raises Tourism Services

JEDDAH, 16 October 2004 - The Modern Company for Development and Tourism Services, a Jeddah-based Saudi firm, has increased its investment to reach SR25 millions this year, compared to SR12 million in 2003. The investment will enable it to expand its projects in some Middle East countries by constructing and operating a number of restaurants in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Sudan. On the occasion of the first anniversary of its Java Lounge restaurant, for which the company lately launched a big promotional campaign, company General Manager Yaser A. Bajir said Jeddah was a popular destination among pilgrims and visitors and its tourist interests could be further developed. "Our company has got the franchise of the World Kababji Restaurants Corp. and we plan to open three branches in Jeddah," he said. The company will also open a high-class restaurant for Asian and European food at Andalus Street.

SWISS Launches Website in Kingdom

RIYADH - Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) in the Kingdom has launched a country specific website to serve the needs of passengers in the Kingdom. "Passengers looking to avail of best ticket deals or information on the SWISS network can go to www.swiss.com/ksa," Country Manager Rolf Koller said. To celebrate the launch, SWISS is offering special business and economy class Web fares from Riyadh and Jeddah to certain destinations in Europe. Included in the offer are Zurich, Vienna, Rome Prague, London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, with prices starting from SR2,662 in economy. "Our new system will provide customers with the best option on pricing and the expediency of e-booking," he said, adding that the website also provides passengers with a wealth of information, such as visa requirements for Switzerland. Visas can be obtained within 24 hours from the Swiss Embassy or Consulate. Passengers can also download the visa application form from the website.

Emirates Offers New Service to London

DUBAI, 16 October 2004 - Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has launched a new "Good morning London" service for first and business class passengers flying to London on the carrier's overnight flights from Dubai. The service is available to all first and business class passengers and is designed for passengers who, after an overnight flight, would like to shower, change and rest before their business day in London or before taking an onward connecting flight. This complimentary service is available to first and business class passengers traveling on both Emirates' overnight services from Dubai - EK011, which arrives at 7.20 a.m. into London Gatwick and EK007 arriving at 7.05 a.m. into London Heathrow, Salem Obaidallah, Emirates' manager UAE, said.