The Riyadh Inter-Continental Hotel is offering a half-price holiday in the heart of the Saudi Arabian capital this summer.
The hotel has slashed its room and suite rates by 50 per cent until August 31 as part of the Inter-Continental hotelsÕ ÒWorld at Half PriceÓ promotion this summer. It is also offering other summer benefits including an upgrade to a superior room if payment is made with a Visa card under a joint promotion with Riyad Bank, said sales and marketing director Mohamad Dkeidek. Dkeidek said the hotel which has recorded occupancy levels of around 70 per cent over the past few years, primarily caters to visitors from the kingdom and neighbouring GCC states. But he said the hotel had recently welcomed groups from Europe, Japan and the US as a result of the new tourism push by Saudi authorities which includes the planned launch of a tourism masterplan later this year. ÒThis is definitely a major shift in the Saudi outlook on tourism. We anticipate a good demand once the political and economical situation improves in the area,Ó said Dkeidek. He expressed optimism over the demand for hotel services in the future. ÒThe Saudi Government has applied flexibility on visit visas for business and religious purposes, and as the kingdom remains an attractive business destination, I believe that demand for hotel services will increase in the future,Ó he said. Dkeidek said the hotel planned to renovate its Club wing later this year as well give a new look to its lobby and public areas. The planned facelift follow on from the recent renovation of the ballroom and the health club, he said. He also said reservations at the hotel could now be made through the new central reservations office of the Six Continents Hotels in Dubai as well the groupÕs new toll free number 800 897 1465.