JEDDAH, 17 March 2007 — As part of the 50th year of its independence, Malaysia has lined up events for tourists throughout 2007, according to Adel Ghanem, Tourism Malaysia’s Jeddah-based marketing executive for Saudi Arabia, Levant, Yemen and North Africa. “We expect an increased number of tourists this year from the Kingdom and Gulf,” he said. The yearlong festival begins on March 24 and ends on Dec. 29. Major events include shopping entertainment, sport adventure, cultural entertainment and food in different parts of the country including Kuala Lumpur, Sepang, Langkawi, Sabah, Subang, Penang, Sarawak, Melaka, Genting Highlands, Putrajaya, Terengganu and Nageri Sembilan. Highlights include bargains and discounts for shoppers, Rolex IGFA International Game Fishing Tournament, Cross Channel Swimming Challenge, beach games, aeroscope expo, Penang International Dragon Boat Festival and commemoration of independence (Merdeka) anniversary on Aug. 31.
Ethiopian Strengthens Middle East Presence
JEDDAH, 17 March 2007 — Ethiopian Airlines is continuing its international expansion with new nonstop flights between Addis Ababa and Bahrain, effective June 3. With the addition of Bahrain, the airline increases its presence in the Middle East and Gulf, where it is already operating double daily to Dubai, daily to Beirut, thrice weekly to Jeddah and, effective May 14, four times weekly to Sanaa. The airline links more destinations in Africa to more destinations in the Middle East in the shortest period of time than any other carrier, according to the airline’s Jeddah office. The new flights will be the only nonstop flights between Addis Ababa and Bahrain and will save passengers three hours in travel time. The new service will also connect Bahrain with 19 destinations throughout Africa via Addis Ababa. Passengers from Bahrain to Accra, for example, will save six hours. The service between Addis Ababa and Sanaa will operate with recently acquired Boeing 737-700 aircraft, offering increased choice.
