news to use MIDDLE EAST Cox & Kings puts faith in Middle East Tourism Update INSIDE OMAN
BY LAURA GELDER Cox & Kings' new 2012 Middle East
brochure shows a renewed confidence in the region, with several new destinations and tours, the operator says. Peter Hilton, Cox & Kings’ Middle East
product manager, commented: “After a turbulent year for Middle East product, we are now seeing a big surge in new enquiries for destinations such as Jordan and Egypt. We actually saw a 17 per cent increase in bookings for our Splendour of Jordan tour in July 2011, compared with 2010.” New for 2012 is the Sonesta Classic
Nile Cruise, an 11-day and 10-night escorted group or private tour which combines a stay in one of Cairo’s finest character hotels with a seven-night cruise, priced from £1,775pp. A new destination, Kyrgyzstan, was
added due to increased interest in Central Asia. Colours of Kyrgyzstan explores highlights like the Tien Shan mountains and Lake Issyk-Kul on a nine- day seven-night starting at £1,896pp. There's also a dedicated section that
The Oman Ministry of Tourism UK Representative Office is gearing up for its exclusive agent training event, planned for September 7 at the British Museum. The event will coincide with the Oman Adornment & Identity Exhibition at the museum. Enjoy lunch with hoteliers, DMCs
combines Persian Gulf destinations, such as Oman, with other destinations, like Zanzibar and Cape Town in Africa, or tropical Indian Ocean retreats in the Maldives, Seychelles or Sri Lanka. The operator’s popular eight-day seven-
night Jordan tour has 42 scheduled departures for 2012. Added Hilton: “The
political situation in Jordan has been largely unaffected by the uprisings that have occurred elsewhere. It’s still a safe, welcoming and cosmopolitan country with a wealth of historic sites to attract visitors. This is a great time to go as sites like Petra are less crowded.”
www.coxandkings.co.uk/middle-east
AL Ain: UNESCO Saudi Arabia welcomes Starwood Starwood Hotels and Resorts is
Abu Dhabi’s oasis city and popular tourist attraction, Al Ain, has officially been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, after an eight-year campaign. The nomination includes the sites of Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and the oases areas of Al Ain. Dr Sami el-Masri, of Abu Dhabi’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Department, said UNESCO had recognised the government's achievement in 'archaeological research and conservation of cultural heritage and the creation of museum institutions'.
www.abudhabitourism.ae
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adding a further two hotels to its Saudi Arabian stock, with new properties in the holy city of Medina. A total of 450 new rooms will be
added to the city when the Sheraton Medina and the Four Points by Sheraton Medina open in the fourth quarter of 2012. Both are located just 150 metres from the Prophet’s Mosque. The 297-room Sheraton Medina Hotel will have a 24-hour restaurant, fitness facility, Sheraton Club rooms and lounge and a meeting room. Adjacent to the hotel, the Four
MIDDLE EAST IN BRIEF
Dubai metro line gets green light Dubai Metro’s Green Line will open
.com
this month (September), with 16 stations along a 23km track, including 8km under the city. Important centre such as the Airport Free zone will be serviced by the metro system which twice intersects the metro's Red Line, at Union station and Khalid bin Al Waleed station.
http://dubaimetro.eu/
Palm Tree Court gets a refurb Part of Dubai's only all-inclusive resort,
the Palm Tree Court and Spa is undergoing a refurbishment that will add a new colour scheme, new furnishings including a sofa bed, and technology like Playstation PS3 game consoles, LED televisions and wi-fi to its suites. Some suites will have a butler service.
www.jebelali-international.com
and Oman Air, and put yourself in the frame to win an incredible prize. To register email oman@
representationplus.co.uk. The event will provide an overview
of Oman’s product and exciting new developments in the sultanate. First on the calendar for this Autumn is the opening of the region’s first Royal Opera House, on October 12. Its inaugural season features an
Points by Sheraton Medina will offer178 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, fitness centre, business centre and free wi-fi access in all public areas.
www.starwoodhotels.com
envious list of world-class performances, including opera, ballet and music. The production of two operas, Turandot and Carmen, has been specially commissioned while music concerts will feature Maestro Plácido Domingo, the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and the world’s greatest living cello player, Yo- Yo Ma, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Further Oman developments include the luxurious Jebel Sifah, which will be located over 5.6km of Oman’s coastline and be home to four five-star hotels, two marina boutique hotels, and a 200-berth inland marina and marina town. The first hotel to open is the
Sifawy Boutique Hotel, comprising 55 rooms and suites, each with a private balcony. To find out more about Oman’s
latest developments, register for online training and qualify for a luxury handmade Omani bag. Visit
www.omanacademy.com
Alison Cryer, director of tourism,
Oman Ministry of Tourism UK Representative Office
Read more on the Middle East
Get online at
SellingLongHaul.com and check out our hotel reviews and archived articles and supplements, including the Oman Travel Guide
©COX & KINGS
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