JEDDAH, 19 February — Lufthansa is to encourage travelers from the Gulf to some of Europe’s most beautiful cities in a special euro price promotion. This is aimed at marking the introduction of the euro at the start of the year and the economic revolution that hit high streets across Europe as a result. Uwe Wilck, Lufthansa’s GM for Saudi Arabia and director for Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, said the new offer, launched on Jan. 15, would ensure that the airline’s passengers could reach their favorite destinations “at a lower cost in all the style and comfort they expect.” For 750 euros, or SR2,535, the Kingdom’s passengers could head to Germany, Vienna, Graz, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Milan, Rome, Venice, Turin, Bilbao, Helsinki, Lisbon, Oporto, Madrid, Barcelona or Athens. For SR2,800, customers can also head to Paris or Nice. For 1,000 euros, or SR3,375, North American destinations alike New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston and Toronto are also available to its passengers in the Kingdom. “This is an exciting moment for Europe, and it is a chance for the Kingdom’s passengers to be some of the first in the region to use the new euro currency,” he said. “The offer will last until March 20, and all travel must be completed by April 20,” he added. (KSR)

Swiss to be strong inter-continental airline

JEDDAH, 19 February — The new inter-continental airline for Switzerland has announced that it will fly under the trademark, Swiss, once it is launched with the introduction of the summer timetable on March 31. “We’re very excited about the new name and new brand strategy, which will come into effect by April 1,” Chris Watts, VP, global external affairs, Crossair, said. “With a proposed total fleet of 128 planes operating to 122 destinations in 60 countries including eight destinations in six Middle East countries, I believe Swiss will be a strong inter-continental airline of the future,” he said. Swiss will continue to operate a total of 31 weekly flights from region, including daily flights from Dubai, six weekly flights form Cairo, four weekly flights form Karachi, three weekly flights from Riyadh, Muscat, Tehran and Abu Dhabi, and two weekly flights from Jeddah. “Swiss quality values were not attributed solely for Crossair or Swissair. They are accepted for excellence around the world and it’s on these values that we’re building what will be the most respected airline in the world,” Tyler Brule, creative director of Wink Media of London, explained. The registered company name of Swiss will be Swiss Air Lines Ltd. for legal reasons, the change from Crossair cannot be made until October and the start of the winter timetable 2002, as it is waiting authorization from the next general assembly of shareholders. (KSR)

Hilton extends promotion for ME travelers

JEDDAH, 19 February — Hilton International (HI) has announced the extension of its latest Middle East promotion until April 30, providing guests with up to three nights free at a choice of 19 Hilton hotels in the region. Known as “Hilton for free -Arabian specials,” the promotion offers rates from as low as 350 dirhams per night and gives every guest the opportunity to take advantage of one night free for every two nights booked, two nights free for every three nights books and three nights free for every four nights booked. In addition, members of the loyalty program, Hilton HHonors, will receive 1,000 points and 500 additional partner airline miles per stay. “The promotion, which was launched on Oct. 20, 2001, has proved very popular among regional travelers looking for a short break holiday or business trip and we’ve therefore decided to extend the offer for a further three months,” said Gaurav Sinha, HI’s marketing manager for the Gulf. HI currently operates 26 hotels in the Middle East — two in the Kingdom, one each in Bahrain and Oman, eight in the UAE and 14 in Egypt.