18-19 behind the scenes mideast 12/6/08 11:40 Page 19
Riviera
diver’s face is worth all the
work,” he says.
Living in Marsa Alam is
very quiet, on land and at
sea – Gary says guests com-
ment that the first thing they
notice is “uncrowded dive
sites”. Dolphins, rays, sharks,
Gary Ball
turtles and even
Dive centre
dugong – one of
manager,
the most famous
Emperor
attractions of Marsa
Divers
Alam – can all be
spotted.
Age 35, British
The dugong is a
member of the manatee
family, and snorkelling or
diving with them is possible
something to suit all kinds of here – the Emperor team
diver – and our boats are have been conducting a
right outside the dive centre survey and identified two
in the marina.” dugongs which make regular
Gary has 10 guides, four visits to a nearby bay. The
boat crews, and staff running Marsa Alam dugongs have
the dockside. He manages a sparked BBC interest – a
team of 40, but still enjoys camera crew will be visiting
teaching whenever he can. to make a documentary on
“The reward of a smiling these gentle giants…
Chris van Dam
APART from time
General
Mohamed Hamed chefs working
spent in his “The resort is
Manager,
Hussein Ibrahim with me now and Chris is working
uncle’s gold
Executive chef,
will have 130 after positioned as a one-
Sahara Sun
on schemes to keep
business,
Sahara Sun
July, so I have a stop-shop – we have
Sands/Oasis
holidaymakers
Mohamed has
Sands/Oasis
big focus on the airport, the
Age 39, South African
happy, such as
always been a Age 35, Egyptian training. hotels, the convention beach BBQs twice a week
chef, working “The biggest centre, restaurants and and parties with DJs at
mostly in small luxury challenge is being so attractions, and also act as Cardamom, the Sahara Sun’s
hotels, including eight remote – even the nearest the ground-handler,” says seaside restaurant. “Our style
years with Oberoi. big city [Hurghada] is Chris. “I worked previously of management is very
“The large-scale 2.5 hours away. We only at Sun City in South Africa, involved – I will work until
conference catering is the get fresh deliveries every which is the same principle. 3am sometimes and am back
challenge I wanted from three days – but we more We are the first company to by 5am. He adds: “What do
Port Ghalib – I have 43 than manage!” be offering this ‘integrated I miss about being here? All
resort’ concept in Egypt.” the facilities of a big city!”
19
TTG Knowledge MIDDLE EAST June 2008
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