04-09 market focus mideastv2 13/6/08 14:44 Page 9
The Dead Sea offers a the region’s problems. Some operators treat it as a with new luxury hotels opening on the Dead Sea it
spot of tranquility, with short-haul destination, and easyJet now flies to the is also a great place for a luxury weekend.”
many luxury hotel options beach resort of Sharm el Sheikh after its takeover Cox & Kings product manager Mark Stacey says:
of GB Airways. Beach holidays to Egypt have “Egypt is often people’s first choice, as you can
grown rapidly, but most visitors still want to have a top-notch experience on the Nile combined
experience the Nile and its ancient culture. with iconic sightseeing. But Jordan has a lot of
Kay Fernandes, product manager for Kuoni history, too, and the fact you can see it all in a
Middle East, says: “There is a growing demand for week or less appeals to a lot of people.”
luxury as prices are very affordable, and new
products include a luxury cruise on the Oberoi RETURN TO THE RED SEA
Zahra. Resorts on the Red Sea are becoming very Israel is seeing an increase in visitor numbers, and
popular, and are ideal for families. As flights hopes for further progress this year with new
operate via Cairo, clients can stop-over and book flights to Tel Aviv from Thomsonfly and BMI.
a kids’ excursion to see the Egyptian Museum.” Operators Superstar and Longwood will charter a
Jordan is mainly a touring destination, which weekly flight from Stansted to the Red Sea resort
packs remarkable diversity into a small area. The of Eilat between October and April, but UK visitors
big attraction is the ancient to Eilat are far fewer than in the days when the big
city of Petra, but eco- operators were involved.
tourism and luxury breaks Adventure operators target destinations
by the Dead Sea are now including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Oman and Iran,
being promoted. but the Foreign Office still advises against travel to
Jordan Tourism Board’s Lebanon two years after war erupted there.
UK marketing manager, Explore! product manager Karl Bolton says:
David Symes, says: “There “Egypt is one of the strongholds of our
is a lot of development in programme, and there are not many experiences
Aqaba, the base for visiting in the world to compare with our Bedouin
Petra and, although it’s Trails tour where you trek in the desert with
a resort, there’s only genuine tribes.
17 miles of coastline, and “People want to do activities but stay in superior
most of that is protected. accommodation, as on our Treasures of Jordan tour.
Jordan is often seen as a Agents are often surprised at the variety in our
once-only destination, but programme and that the Middle East is so safe.”
No one else goes further
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we do. We offer you over 100 highly qualified Sky Chefs, our
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or visit our website at www.gulfair.com
9
TTG Knowledge MIDDLE EAST June 2008
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