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First with the Latest Business Travel News
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By Peter Van Oyen A long, long time ago the Queen of Sheba ruled this beautiful country. Then the Three Wise Men roamed the country looking for incense. Later, Sinbad the Sailor left these shores for far away destinations. And then everything went quiet under the scorching Arab sun. Until thirty years ago Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said decided to put his country back on the world map again. Since then, quality tourism has been stimulated and the Sultanate The Sultanate of Oman is also very suitable for incentives. This Gulf state boasts white beaches, azure seas, rugged mountains, endless deserts, Arabian forts, friendly people and luxury hotels. The fairy tale country of 1001 nights really exists. Its name is Oman. VAGARIES THROUGH MYTHICAL MUSCAT
So, incentive groups can perfectly make a vagary through the old town. Muscat was founded centuries ago at a bay surrounded by rocks. This was the departure point of Arab seafarers on their search for spices. Even Marco Polo passed through here. Two mighty forts, which still guard the naturally formed anchor place, remind us of the Another place where the past has not had to give way to modernity is the Matrah souk, one of Muscat’s districts. In the winding little streets you can sense the typical spicy aromas of the Orient. Men in white dishdashas, the long shirt/dresses, do their purchases or are just
The clay forts (some 22 spread all over the country) had a military function at first. Yet, some clan chiefs made the interior quite pleasant. The fort in Jabrin, built by the learned iman Bilarib in the late 17th century, makes you think of a palace rather than of a fort. In this pompous building, with diagonally placed corner towers and a charming inner courtyard, the cliché of 1001 nights becomes true. Not surprisingly, this palace is visited by a lot of An off-road jeep will bring you even deeper into the mountains. The Jebel Akhdar range, roughly translated as ‘green mountains’, houses Wadi Akhdar, a deeply cut canyon. The local people use the hair of the long-haired goats to weave mansuis, winter coats not to be found anywhere else. (www.offroademirates.com/uk/index2.html)
Also on the programme is a visit of a Bedouin tent. Seated on carpets the groups are offered small round cups of
Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s most luxurious hotel chains, also has facilities in the Sultanate of Oman. The Barr Al Jissah Resort is basically three hotels. The fantastic setting between the sea and the mountains is one of the many assets of this 1001 hotel.
The Al Husn Hotel (Arabic for ‘castle’) is the most exclusive part of the Barr Al Jissah complex and has only recently been opened. This hotel (with a six-star classification) has 180 suites with seaview. The striking luxurious architecture contains typically Omani elements. Its facilities include a 100-metre long private beach, exclusively for the Al Husn guests, a fabulous swimming poor, butler service and exquisite a-la-carte restaurants. The heart of the complex is the five-star Al Bandar Hotel (Arabic for ‘the town’). This hotel has 198 luxury rooms Finally, the Al Waha (‘Oasis’) with its 302 rooms is the largest of the three hotels of the Barr Al Jissah complex. It is considered to be Oman’s first family hotel. For incentive groups, however, this hotel is less suitable.
More information about Oman is available on the excellent website www.visitoman.be (Dutch and French).
Although Egypt has not yet had its fair share of international congresses, it certainly has a lot to offer.
In addition to hosting large assemblies and delivering all logistics-related aspects, exceptional opportunities are also provided for any corporation to promote their businesses during a congress. Pharmaceuticals for example can invite their guests to unique locations while electronic equipment producers can use unusual mediums to promote their latest inventions. Some months ago Egypt’s capital hosted the annual international tourism trade show, the Mediterranean Travel Fair, and the city was selected to host two major world congresses; the 65th annual FIP International Pharmaceutical Federation Congress and the World Psychiatric Association’s 13th Congress.
While the dates for all three events overlapped, contrary to what many would assume, there were no problems with regards to airport logistics, immigration, customs, traffic and communications. The events went extremely well and Egypt received nothing but praise from involved organizers and attendees.
The city also offers another exclusive attraction with a very different spirit: An authentic Nubian village embedded on a deserted island, which can only be accessed by boat and camels. Most of the inhabitants migrated after Nubia, which was located at the southern part of Egypt and the northern part of Sudan, submerged under Lake Nasser after the famous High Dam was built in the 1960s. Here guests have a chance to enjoy dinner, are entertained by traditional folklore and absorb the truly distinctive Nubian lifestyle. Moving north along the Nile in the direction of the river flow, we reach Luxor, also referred to as Thebes. Each Further downstream we move from Upper Egypt, which is the southern half of the country, to Lower Egypt in the north, and reach what is known today as Cairo. Although the city – which evolved from Memphis, the oldest capital, to Babylon, to Cairo – was founded in 975, political capital has always been within its periphery. The Cairo also has many attractions, the most famous being just on its outskirts, the only existing ancient seven wonder of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx, where many groups return in the evening to watch the spectacular sound and light show. However, Cairo is not just popular because of its Pharaonic sites, but also for historic sites that date back to medieval Egypt such as Salah El Din’s citadel, and even closer to our era, palaces from the 19th Century and early 20th Century. Cairo is also full of modern entertainment including, but not limited to, dinner cruises, night clubs, discos, casinos and the opera. For the ultimate grand event, ballrooms from world renowned hotels – Cairo having quite a few of them – can have especially themed gala dinners. Accordingly, traditional costumes, such as the galabeya, could be provided for guests to really get involved in the merriment.
There are many venue options to host a grand evening; the old fortress of Qait Bay from the Mamluk era, the beautiful gardens maintained since the19th Century, or simply on the beach at the Montaza Palace, the former summer house of the late King Farouk.
However, Sharm-El-Sheikh is the most popular beach destination. Referred to as the ‘City of Peace’, it is where most international conferences are held. Hotels together total some 35,000 rooms and range from the Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton to a combination of other world-class chains and privately managed hotels in the 4-Star and 5-Star categories. To accommodate for the demand of large-scale group events, a new conference development, scheduled to open in April 2006, it will host a maximum capacity of 2000 attendees. Spectacular events are organized under the stars deep in the desert wilderness, where guests can enjoy a barbeque dinner and celebrate in true Bedouin style. Activities during the day are broad, especially for the sea enthusiast. Sporting options range from scuba diving, snorkeling, skiing and sailing to camel riding, quadrunner racing and mountain climbing. Excursions to visit Mount Sinai, the highest mountain in Egypt, where Moses received the 10 Commandments and the Greek orthodox St. Catherine’s Monastery built in 5th Century are very popular. Day trips to turquoise mines and the famous colored canyons can also be arranged. Golfing has also become a very popular sport in Egypt, with many international courses dotted around the country: Six in Cairo, one in Alexandria, Luxor and Sharm-El-Sheikh and two in Hurghada. Due to demand there are a few others also currently under development. Such a diverse country, Egypt cannot be appreciated by simply reading about it, you really need to come and share the experience. Contact:
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INCENTIVE FAIRY TALE OF 1001 NIGHTS.jpg)
wants to be incensed again.
historic importance of the harbour. They are still sometimes used by dhows, the wooden Arab spice ships. A trip with such a boat is a nice incentive idea. Mark Tours organises cruises that include Muscat harbour (
having a chat. From time to time you also see a group of women, colourful spots with their veils and knickerbockers in the white world of men. Other ladies, on the contrary, wear black, and some of them are fully veiled and only show their eyes to the outer world. You will find everything in this souk: from jewels and perfume to spices and fruit. An original idea for groups is the search for real incense. This incense, which can only originate from Oman’s deep south, is on sale here.
chased out by the present sultan’s father, but their clay forts and watchtowers are still there. A visit of these forts is a must.
groups. (
the edge of the desert, the Arabian camel market is a must. In former times these animals were indispensable for the Bedouins of the Bedoe tribe, who still live in the Wahiba. These days, pick-ups and jeeps have replaced the dromedaries, but they still keep them. These people mainly consider them to be an investment.
Oman coffee. The Bedouin families live from their goats and dromedaries and from the fancywork produced by the ‘lady of the tent’. Unlike with other Arab tribes, where you never get to see the ladies, the women here sit with the guests. They wear a burqa, the typical mask fully covering their faces except for the eyes. And yet, these ladies are not shy at all and do not have any problems being photographed. In the Wahiba desert Wadi Bani Khalid is a real Garden of Eden, nurtured by an underground river and spring water. In the gorge with palm trees, the emerald green ponds and small lakes look like jewels. Sometimes groups can go swimming to cool off. However, this has to be done with all due discretion out of respect for the local community. (
by steep cliffs. As a result of the benign currents the water abounds with life. This makes Oman into a dreamlike location to go snorkelling or diving, or just to go dolphin spotting. Arabian Sea Safaris is one of the pioneers of the Oman water tourism (
deluxe category. All of them have meeting facilities.
with sea view. Being the focal point of the Barr Al Jissah resort, this hotel also attracts guests from the other hotels. There are 10 restaurants and bars including a night club and piano lounge. The Al Bandar Hotel is not only a resort, also business guests and non-residents are welcome. It is suitable for banquets and meetings. The 1056 m² Barr Al Jissah Ballroom can hold 700 people. Eleven meeting rooms and a business centre complement the hotel.
EGYPT: ANCIEN AND MODERN DIVERSITY
starting point, the city has many diverse attractions and is renowned for its therapeutic ambience. It is the last sanctuary where ancient Egyptian religions and the cult of goddess Isis were celebrated until being abolished by the Christians in the 6th Century. Memorable events such as cocktails and dinners could take place after a spectacular sound and light show presented at the Philae Temple.
year the magnificent temples and monuments attract many visitors wishing to explore the ancient capital. Unforgettable gala dinners can take place at unique sites such as overlooking the Sacred Lake at the Karnak Temple; at the entrance to the temple of Queen Hatshepsut located on the west bank; or at Madinat Habu, the temple of Ramsis III, the last of the greatest pharaohs in Egypt. These are but a few locations and the list of possibilities in this magnificent city is endless. Classic entertainment is very popular here ranging from chamber music and string quartettes to full symphony orchestra, even a ballet staging.
capital has always been centered on Cairo because of the necessity to form a central government that could control and distribute water from the Nile, the only source of irrigation during in ancient times.
If we go further north to where the river meets the Mediterranean Sea, we reach Alexandria. It was after a visit to the oracle of Siwa that Alexander the Great planned the city and conquered his world. Today, Alexandria, often called the pearl of the Mediterranean, has the influence of many periods including the Ptolemaic dynasty and the Greco-Roman influence, which came about after Octavos defeated Marc Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide.
Sea such as Sharm-El-Sheikh located on the southern most part of the Sinai Peninsula, or several locations on Egypt’s east coast, namely Hurghada. Although both are situated on the Red Sea, Hurghada differs from Sharm-El-Sheikh due to the fact that it is windier and benefits from its proximity to the river Nile and pharaonic temples.
