INTER-CONTINENTAL ENTRENCHES MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA PRESENCE

 From Tunisia to Oman, Six Continents Hotels’ world-renowned brand has reserved a place on preferred venue lists of frequent travellers

Strategic partnering for new hotels and quality refurbishment programmes are reinforcing the position of Inter-Continental as the preferred option of international travellers, and conference and incentive organisers, in the Middle East and Africa.

Serving the needs of the upmarket frequent international traveller, 47 established Inter-Continental properties in the region reflect the brand’s commitment to the Middle East and Africa. Another six new properties will open before the end of 2002 in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia and Ghana which indicates that the region is still a business force to be reckoned with.

“Business hotels grapple with the delicate balance of offering global service standards with local flare,” says Denis Johnson, vice president, sales and marketing, Six Continents Hotels, Middle East and Africa who was speaking at the World Travel Market at Earl’s Court in London today. “A traveller visiting an Inter-Continental branded lodging anywhere in the world receives the same level of personalised service, yet each hotel prides itself on reflecting strongly the local culture and customs at the same time.”

A shining example of this design fusion is contained at the Al Bustan Palace Inter-Continental Hotel in Muscat. Recently voted into the top 20 hotels in the world list by the readers of the authoritative Conde Nast Travel magazine, it has just been refurbished. From its grand lobby to its catering and accommodation, the Al Bustan Palace exudes quality, comfort and elegance with a modernity that does not intrude on the integrity of designs and décor capturing the historical and cultural characteristics of its idyllic location on the Sultanate of Oman’s Indian Ocean coastline.

These exemplary qualities extend to the hotel’s personal business and conferencing facilities, which mirror those of all Inter-Continental hotels and resorts as a result of “The Meeting Place” and “Business Rooms” concepts, which exceed the expectations of business travellers.

“The Meeting Place” programme takes business conferences, and corporate events, to new levels of convenience. It guarantees a dedicated show room, permanent availability of conference contact staff, a conference food and beverage service, a full range of essential conference equipment, and a personal service team to help planning and stage events.

Allowing guests to work in private, “Business Rooms” include fax machines with printing and copying capabilities, while a dual-line telephone with voice mail ensures calls are never missed, even when the computer modem or fax is in use. Writing desks, enhanced lighting and a couch and coffee table are further key features of a spacious and comfortable workplace.

Inter-Continental has been the businessman’s favourite for nearly 50 years worldwide, and its activities have contributed to economic growth in the Middle East and Africa since the early 1960s, both as a businessman’s preferred accommodator and a highly visible player in the development of tourism potential. This dual strategic economic role is markedly evident in the Heliopolis Inter-Continental Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, to open in December 2002.

Its 790 rooms, suites and apartments will serve the $600m CityStars Heliopolis Cairo, a major retail shopping, entertainment, commercial office and residential facility which is part of the Egyptian government’s plans to create a modern and vibrant business environment. “As with all the countries where Inter-Continental has a presence, we have developed a substantial stake in Egypt,” explains Johnson. “With our involvement in CityStars Heliopolis, we have a hybrid objective of augmenting the tourist, retail and property sectors of the Egyptian economy.”