Posts Tagged :

Pyramids

Middle East Members Focus on Tourism Sustainable Recovery

 500 324 wttc2
By:

UNWTO-Middle East Members Focus on Tourism Sustainable Recovery - TRAVELINDEXCairo, Egypt, March 29, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has successfully celebrated the 48th session of its Regional Commission for the Middle East. Returning to Egypt for the third time since 2018, the Commission addressed the pressing challenges faced by tourism and looked to the future as the sector’s recovery gathers pace across the region.

According to the latest UNWTO data, international arrivals to destinations in the Middle East were 52% higher in January than in the same month of 2021. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili told Members that the return of tourism represented a chance to reassert the values of the sector as a pillar of peace and prosperity, particularly given the background of economic uncertainty and an armed conflict in Europe.

In his report, the Secretary-General provided an overview of UNWTO’s work in the Middle East and globally for the past year. The report also focused on UNWTO’s strategic objectives and core priorities for the year ahead, including making tourism smarter, promoting green investments and entrepreneurship, supporting education and jobs, building resilience and protecting natural and cultural heritage. In the coming year, several new projects will be directed out of the UNWTO Regional Office for the Middle East, opened in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in May 2021. The office will focus on guiding sustainable tourism recovery in the region, with a focus on rural development and on innovation, education and investments.

Across the Middle East, tourism is growing in size and relevance, driving recovery and promoting sustainable development

Mr Pololikashvili said: “Across the Middle East, tourism is growing in size and relevance, driving recovery and promoting sustainable development. UNWTO’s Members in the region are committed to realizing the unique potential of tourism, and the Organization is committed to working closely with its Members around innovation, sustainability, jobs and education as our shared priorities.”

UNWTO’s enhanced presence across the region was highlighted through reference to a wide range of country-specific projects and partnerships, including online training in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, a special statistics workshop in Bahrain, crisis communications training in Lebanon and an action plan on women’s empowerment in Jordan.

Sustainability and capacity building

Members warmly welcomed updates on UNWTO’s actions in the region, designed to help the sector become more inclusive, sustainable and resilient. Through the Green Hotel Revitalization Programme, UNWTO is working with the International Finance Corporation to train more than 30 hotels in Egypt in adopting sustainability practices and reducing their carbon footprints. UNWTO is also stepping up capacity building across the region, with a focus on gender equality and youth empowerment.

In Cairo, delegates were provided with a comprehensive overview of the Organization’s work in this area, including through the creation of a UNWTO Knowledge Lab for the region and through the provision of a new range of training and educational courses in the Arabic language, most notably through a new e-learning project being implemented in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom will fund 1,300 scholarships for students from 13 Members States, to foster human capital development and youth empowerment across the region.

Strengthening high-level ties

UNWTO informed about the close collaboration with the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab Tourism Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Islamic Development Bank.

Welcoming such collaboration, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt credited the Regional Commission as a platform to draw a roadmap for the sector’s future. He said: “Basing our work on UNWTO’s guidelines, we protected jobs through the crisis and now are now in a strong position to recover and grow back better. Ahead of Egypt’s hosting of the COP27 climate summit, we will continue to make tourism a pillar of sustainability, as well as a vital protector of our famous heritage and culture.”

Members decided that the 49th Regional Commission for the Middle East will be held in Jordan in 2023, while Lebanon will host the 50th meeting in 2024.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hyatt Regency Cairo West Officially Opens

 931 584 wttc2
By:

Hyatt Regency Cairo West Officially Opens - TRAVELINDEXCairo, Egypt, September 20, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Cairo West. The 250-room hotel marks Hyatt’s return to Cairo and strengthens its growing brand footprint in North Africa. As part of the Hyatt Regency brand, the hotel is designed with productivity in mind to deliver seamless experiences and an energizing hub for both business and leisure travelers alike.

Hyatt Regency Cairo West is conveniently located within the well-established Pyramid Heights Business Park. Its closeness to business hubs, mega malls, and some of Egypt’s top tourist attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum make it a premier destination for meetings, events, and travelers.

“We are proud to be opening our doors today and we look forward to welcoming guests to our contemporary spaces and versatile venues,” said Tarek El Masry, general manager at Hyatt Regency Cairo West. “Hyatt Regency Cairo West is situated on a high hill that overlooks the city and the Great Pyramids of Giza, providing the perfect setting for business meetings, relaxing stays and everything in between.”

Contemporary Guestrooms

Featuring 250 contemporary guestrooms that include 26 suites, for the first time in Cairo, Hyatt Regency Cairo West introduces Spa Rooms that offer in-room massage and amenities such as an in-room hot tub, a sauna and a massage table. The interior of each room is inspired by Egyptian culture with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Pyramids of Giza or the hotel’s beautiful pool and gardens. Equipped with the latest technology and amenities, every room has smart mirrors and sensor LED lighting controls. Guests can also book a Regency Club room and upgrade their stay by gaining exclusive access to the Regency Club Lounge. At the Regency Club Lounge, guests can enjoy daily complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening cocktails and canapés.

Sophisticated Dining

The new ultra-modern city hotel, Hyatt Regency Cairo West, also boasts a first-class dining experience. The eight dining outlets offer everything from locally inspired dishes to flavors from countries afar. For those seeking a unique culinary experience, Barranco invites guests and locals to a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian high-end cuisine, serving timeless and contemporary regional dishes to upbeat lounge music. Park Food Hall, serves traditional European food-market specialties. The Market offers fresh and balanced meals 24 hours a day, as well as refreshing beverages on the go. Hyatt Regency Cairo West is the first hotel in Egypt to feature a Starbucks, serving guests their favorite specialty coffees, teas, snacks, and more. At the two swimming pools the Pool Bar serves quick snacks and refreshing drinks. Meanwhile, The Lounge Bar is the perfect destination for small gatherings, business meetings, or relaxing pre-dinner drinks. The Plaza and Shisha Bar is an outdoor area that serves Egyptian Oriental dinner in a serene atmosphere that overlooks the city. Served fresh on the spot, Hive Bar is located by the gym, making Poké bowls, protein shakes, and nourishing pre/post-workout smoothies. City Lounge is a contemporary rooftop lounge on the 5th floor that has the highest view of the shimmering city; it is a casual bar that offers finger food, snacks, cocktails, and entertainment.

Recreation and Wellness

Hyatt Regency Cairo West is ideal for guests seeking a peaceful and productive stay. The hotel boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center and cardio equipment as well as a year-round outdoor heated swimming pool to swim laps and relax. At the Raa Spa guests can enjoy the sauna or steam room, a relaxing treatment in one of the seven treatment rooms, as well as take a dip into the whirlpool.

Stress-Free Meetings & Events

Hyatt Regency Cairo West offers the latest 360° projection technology in high definition at the Grand Ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 guests in 4,606 square feet (428 square meters) of banquet space. With Hyatt’s expansive technology-enabled facilities for meetings and events, a professional team is always one step ahead, anticipating every detail of a guest’s stay. Multifunctional meeting rooms and event spaces provide a total of 8,900 square feet. Hyatt Regency Cairo West boasts one of Cairo’s largest five-star outdoor venues ­– The Arena. Featuring a view of the Giza Pyramids and with a capacity that accommodates up to 3,000 guests it is the perfect location for big-sized social events and weddings.

Read original article at Hyatt Newsroom

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Egyptian Economy Faces Daily Losses Due to UK Red List Status

 500 293 wttc2
By:
Egyptian Economy Faces Daily Losses Due to UK Red List Status

Cairo, Egypt, August 13, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that the Egyptian economy could face daily losses of more than EGP 31 million if it stays on the UK’s travel ‘red list’.

Based on 2019 levels, Egypt’s status as a UK’s ‘red list’ country will pose a significant threat to the nation’s struggling Travel & Tourism sector and overall economy warns WTTC.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

According to pre-pandemic figures, UK visitors represented five per cent of all international inbound arrivals in 2019.

The UK was also the third biggest source market for Egypt, only just behind Germany and Saudi Arabia.

However, WTTC research shows that ‘red list’ restrictions are deterring UK travellers from visiting Egypt.

The global tourism body says this is due to fears over the additional costs incurred on expensive hotel quarantine for 10 days on arrival back in the UK, and expensive COVID-19 tests.

Egypt’s economy could face a drain of more than EGP 237 million each week, equating to more than EGP 1 billion every month.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President and Acting CEO WTTC, said: “Every day Egypt stays on the UK’s ‘red list’, the country’s economy faces losing millions just from the lack of UK visitors alone. This policy is incredibly restrictive and damaging as travellers from Egypt also face mandatory hotel quarantine at a huge cost. 

“The UK’s government decision to add Egypt to its ‘red list’ has a massive impact not only on the nation’s economy, but also the many thousands of ordinary Egyptians who rely upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector for their livelihoods.

“The UK’s vaccine rollout has proved incredibly successful with more than three quarters of the adult population double jabbed, and 59% of the total population fully vaccinated. The likelihood is that anyone travelling to Egypt would be fully inoculated and therefore pose minor risk. 

“Our data shows just how important Travel & Tourism is to the country, and how critical it is for the Egyptian government to ramp up the vaccination rollout if it is to have any chance of recovering this vital sector, which is fundamental to the country’s economic recovery.”

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

WTTC research shows the dramatic impact COVID-19 has had on the Egyptian Travel & Tourism sector, with its contribution to the national GDP falling from EGP 505 billion (8.8%) in 2019, to just EGP 227.5 billion (3.8%) in 2020.

The report also shows in 2020, as the pandemic ripped through the heart of the sector, 844,000 Travel & Tourism jobs were lost across the country.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News