The Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts which opened its first north African hotel in the Egyptian resort area of Sharm El Sheikh this year aims to promote its presence in Egypt in its debut at the Mediterranean Travel Fair (MTF).

"This is a new country for us, even a new continent and we will take any step necessary to guarantee our long-term presence," said regional director, Middle East and Africa, Thorsten Kirschke.

"Our presence in MTF will create a Radisson SAS brand awareness platform for Egypt's travel trade and will educate the country's hospitality industry on our brand new Radisson SAS Golden Resort, Sharm El Sheikh and our internationally renowned products."

The five-star, 328-room Radisson SAS Golden Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, which opened in May, is located in Nabq Bay, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea shore, just ten-minutes drive from the local airport.

"We are also opening our Taba property later this year, with a hotel in Hurghada following next year," said Kirschke.

"Our Egyptian expansion strategy will continue with the opening of another property in Al Quesir in 2003. In total we envisage to have a portfolio of 10 properties in Egypt by 2004.

"An expanding dense regional network consisting of business and resort hotels in key locations throughout the Middle East and North Africa coupled with our management acumen are Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts' major assets."

Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts currently operates Middle and Near East properties in Amman, Aqaba, Baku, Istanbul, Kuwait, Manama, Muscat and Sharm El Sheikh.

"We constantly expand our network and innovate our products and services to reflect modern business and leisure travelers' needs. Our sixth consecutive year of growing volume and profits is testimony of Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts' successful strategy," said Kirschke.

Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, currently includes 107 hotels in operation and 27 hotels under development in 38 countries and is the sole franchiser in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts and its parent company Carlson Hospitality Worldwide includes 716 hotel and resort locations representing 129,234 guest rooms in 63 countries.