JEDDAH, 27 March 2004 — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. held a roadshow at Sheraton Jeddah on Tuesday as part of the program to cover seven cities in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf. Thirty-seven executives representing Starwood hotels in 26 cities on four continents and five brands took part in the event. “From late June to early September last year, there was 20 percent to 25 percent increase in business from the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia topping, and we expect 20 percent growth year on year,” Kip Horton, director of sales for the Middle East, Africa and Europe, said. “We are focusing on Europe, and have introduced the Spa Collection,” he said. “Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries are premium markets for most of our hotels around the world,” Jirayr Kececian, director of sales and marketing, Middle East and Africa, said.