RIYADH, 28 January 2006 — Riyadh InterContinental Hotel is planning to recruit Saudi women for serving guests in the Wedding Banquets Hall. “The move aims at opening new employment avenues for Saudi women who constitute around 50 percent of the Saudi population but make up less than ten percent of the work force, Nassir A. Al-Dossari, general manager of the hotel, told Arab News. He said Saudi employees in the hotel currently constitute 35 percent of the work force. Saudi chefs have made their debut. Two Saudis are now among the chefs of various nationalities, Al-Dossari said. The general manager announced the hotel’s expansion program designed to equip it with sophisticated technology and security system. The expansion is part of the hotel’s plan to bring about qualitative changes in its facilities and services. The hotel already boasts spacious car parks and convention facilities. A hotel industry veteran, Al-Dossari spent 18 years with InterContinental Hotels Group, first as an accountant in Riyadh before he went to Taif InterContinental as financial controller and subsequently as the general manager of Abha and Makkah InterContinental Hotel for seven years. He returned to InterContinental Riyadh in a similar capacity late last year. He said that despite competition, the hotel has retained its market share both in terms of room occupancy averaging more than 70 percent annually and convention facilities at the hotel and King Faisal Conference Hall adjoining it. The hotel organizes group trips to the traditional souk and other landmarks in the capital. This is in addition to tailor-made packages organized for special-interest groups. (Javid Hassan)
Hilton to Introduce New Luxury Brand Line
JEDDAH — Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that the company is introducing a new luxury hotel line that will extend the cachet of New York’s legendary Waldorf Astoria hotel. Unveiled last week as “The Waldorf Astoria Collection,” the new, elite brand designation will build upon the legend that company founder Conrad N. Hilton called “The Greatest of Them All,” the Waldorf Astoria, according to TravelWireNews from Beverly Hills, Calif. The Waldorf Astoria Collection is launching with the Waldorf Astoria itself and three world-class luxury resorts that will be newly managed by Hilton: Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on the island of Maui in Hawaii, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, and La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California. All four resplendent hotels will maintain their established, well-known names, while adding The Waldorf Astoria Collection designation as a mark of their exclusivity. Hotels within The Waldorf Astoria Collection will benefit from the support of award-winning technology programs, the Hilton HHonors guest reward program, reservations worldwide system, e-Business programs, worldwide sales and marketing programs, and operations support.
World Tourism Sustained Upward Trend in 2005
JEDDAH, 28 January 2006 — In 2005 international tourism sustained the sharp upturn that began in 2004 in spite of the various tragic events it had to contend with. According to preliminary results presented by the UN specialized agency, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of international tourist arrivals recorded worldwide grew by 5.5 percent and exceeded 800 million for the first time ever. Although 2005 was certainly a tumultuous year, international tourism has fared amazingly well. Despite various terrorist attacks and natural disasters, such as the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami and an extraordinarily long and strong hurricane season, the recovery, which started in 2004, continued firmly through 2005. Even though the disruptions experienced definitely left traces locally in the short-term, they did not substantially alter the global or regional traffic flows. Based on detailed results for a large number of destinations included in the January issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer the number of international tourist arrivals in 2005 is estimated at 808 million, up from 766 million in 2004.
Helicopter Flight-Seeing Package
JEDDAH, 28 January 2006 — You can book your reservation through anyone. Or you can book with us and enjoy a thrilling helicopter flight of New York City for free. Experience the thrill of a helicopter flight while flying past the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street the financial capital of the World, Ellis and Governors Island, and as you return you will view South Street Seaport and the Brooklyn Bridge. A 5-7 minute flight seeing trip is worth $130 for two. The European Styled, Drake Swissotel Swissotel The Drake, New York, boasts one of the best locations in Manhattan, one block from the upscale boutiques of Madison Avenue and just five blocks from Central Park. Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, Swissotel The Drake, New York, provides all the necessities and luxuries to make the hotel your home in Manhattan. Prices are per room per night based on double occupancy subject to availability. The offer is limited to one flight per person per stay.
China Aims for No. 1 Inbound Tourism Slot
JEDDAH, 28 January 2006 — China will become the world’s biggest inbound tourism nation by 2019, one year earlier than the World Tourism Organization (WTO) forecast, a senior official has predicted. “China’s inbound visitors will grow by eight percent in next five years and foreign currency income will increase at an annual rate of 12 percent. Thus, China will receive some 137 million inbound travelers by 2019,” TravelWireNews said quoting China National Tourism Administration’s Director General Shao Qiwei. China’s tourism will enjoy more favorable conditions for development in the next five years, including the growth of national economy, IT, and infrastructure improvement, he said, adding that the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai World Expo will provide more opportunities for tourism. As the largest tourism source nation in Asia, China will see 34 million Chinese people traveling overseas this year. “Over 31 million Chinese people traveled overseas last year and will see a 10 percent growth this year,” Shao said.