Egypt website a great hit
THE Egyptian Tourism Authority has revealed that its official website egypt.travel has attracted a staggering 1,596,096 visits since its launch in March 2006.
Created to provide travellers with a one-stop resource for finding out more about the country, Egypt was also the first international tourist board to use the new .travel domain name.
It is available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian. A second dedicated website, trade.egypt.travel, has also been developed specifically for travel agents and media and is currently available in 18 different countries in 14 different languages.
Dubai has wheel big plans
WORK is to begin shortly on the Dh250-million ($68.1-million) Great Dubai Wheel project, according to a tradearabia.com report. Set to be 185 metres high, the observation wheel will be one of Dubailand’s key tourist attractions, which will welcome its first visitors in early 2009 and provide a panoramic view of Dubai. The master plan for the project was presented to Dubailand and Dubai Municipality by Great Wheel Corporation, a company that develops, finances, builds and operates Great Wheels.
Japanese tourists in Dubai up
THE number of Japanese tourists visiting Dubai is up 29 per cent so far this year compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
The number of Japanese utilising the Dubai International Airport also grew by 30 per cent compared to last year.
National launches Emerald Club
NATIONAL Car Rental, one of the world’s leading car rental operators, has rolled out its global Emerald Club loyalty programme across the Middle East. Upon joining, business travellers from across the region obtain global access to a several benefits that ensure a seamless, hassle-free rental experience. Members of the programme will enjoy benefits such as free upgrades across the Middle East, easier rental procedures including a pre-raised rental agreement, recognition as a preferred and priority customer and the creation of a personal profile containing all information needed to speed up the reservation and rental transaction, regional Emerald Club Member Services helpline, special EC rates on contracted corporate rates, discounted leisure rates and emerald Club status at global National outlets. Membership is free in the Middle East at national-me.com