JEDDAH, 21 June 2003 — Saudi and other Arab families looking to forward to entertaining their children this summer can take advantage of a new first-of-its-kind initiative: the Jordan Summer Camps, a joint program by the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and the Jordan Hotel Association. “This is a completely new concept for the region; we’re the first to introduce this. We wanted to take the hassle out of holiday planning. Arab families who are looking to holiday in Jordan, can send their children to any one of the summer camps knowing that they will be well taken care of,” JTB Managing Director Marwan Khoury said. Kick-starting tomorrow and running until Sept. 19, children aged nine to 17 can choose from four different camp themes — leisure, adventure and computer, as well as a special program for kids with special needs. With the option of two or three-week programs, the kids will be based in Amman taking in day trips to many of Jordan’s scenic hotspots. “Furthermore, if parents are not traveling to Jordan, we’ll take care of the children right through from arrival at the airport to departure. The programs are designed to give children an unforgettable summer experience,” Khoury added.
Swiss Claims Increased Passenger Response
JEDDAH, 21 June 2003 — Swiss International Air lines, Switzerland’s national airline, has reported a 20 percent increase in passenger inquiries, following the regional launch of its new ‘Swiss Experience’ summer holiday offers at Arabian Travel Market 2003. “The Swiss Experience leisure brochure, created to offer all Middle East holidaymakers a value-for-money way to experience in the cooler climes of Switzerland, has already proven popular,” Gilbert Veuthey, general manager of the airline for the kingdom, said. “There is a noticeable increase in the number of passenger inquiries received this year. This is a testament to our superior in-flight service and company policy of ‘destination excellence. We’re delighted with the growing numbers of travelers to Europe choosing Swiss as their airline carrier of choice.”
KLM Shows Gulf Initiative With New Launch
JEDDAH, 21 June 2003 — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines recently launched KLM Holidays exclusively for leisure travelers from the Middle East region. “This Middle East initiative gives travelers from Saudi Arabia the opportunity to choose from over 450 hotel properties in 15 countries, such as England, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, France and the United States. “Long corporate and school holidays, coupled with a large percentage of expats and very warm summer months have traditionally made the gulf a strong market for leisure and holiday travel,” said Vincent Knoops, general manager, KLM, Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “In addition, the ever-increasing demand for leisure products and services in the region means it is the right time to launch KLM Holidays.”
Marriott Expands Middle East Sales Operations
JEDDAH, 21 June 2003 — Marriott’s Middle East sales office is expanding its operations in the region, according to Samir Daqqaq, vice president of Marriott Global Sales, Middle East, Africa and subcontinent. He headed a Marriott senior management sales mission around GCC covering Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Doha. The mission included over 20 general managers and sales directors from Marriott hotels around the world, including the Middle East London, Paris and Austria. “The Middle East has seen a 32 percent increase in business transient sales activity, largely generated by the emphasis placed by Marriott on strong relationships with guests,” Daqqaq said. “This annual trip helps us develop our strategic account relationships with our high value accounts, where our effort and focus is effectively used.
Unique Choice Stages International Workshop
JEDDAH, 21 June 2003 — Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board and Concorde Lafayette Hotel-Paris together organized the eighth international travel workshop and presentation on behalf of Unique Choice, a wholesale worldwide accommodation specialist based in Riyadh, at Jeddah’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Unique Choice launched its “Hotel Tariff” and brochure consisting of over 5,000 hotels in 550 cities for the benefit of the travel trade in the Kingdom. International hotels and tourist organizations participating in the workshop included Kuoni Incoming Services-Europe, Saltours International-London, Mercan Travel and Tourism-Turkey, Soneva Fushi/Soneva Gili-Maldives, Hotel Fairmont-Dubai, Genting Hotels & Resorts-Malaysia, Royal Air Maroc and Concorde La Fayette-Champ Elysees (Paris).