n Arab association seeks new members
The Arab World Travel and Tourism Association, formed in August, will be at the Tunisia and Morocco stands during World Travel Market, looking for new members among hoteliers, ground handlers, airlines, tourist boards and tour operators. Membership costs £600 a year, but the organisation is offering a 30% discount for those who enrol during WTMweek.
n jordan to benefit from new hotels
Jordan will get three new upmarket hotels next year in key tourist destinations. In Petra, the five-star Bet Zaman is due for completion in the first quarter. The luxury resort will be made up of 125 Bedouin houses. Mercure is renovating its 142-room Ma’in Spa Hotel, between Madaba and the Dead Sea. The three-star property is due to reopen in March 2000; the Movenpick is building a 230-room beach property at Aqaba. Thefive-star hotel is due to open in the first quarter.
n bah offers special package to dubai
British Airways Holidays is among operators offering special packages to Sun International’s Royal Mirage resort in Dubai. The luxury, Arabian palace-style hotel opened in August. Five nights de luxe twin-room accommodation, including breakfast, costs from £985 until December 6 and £895 between December 7 and 20. British Mediterranean Airways plans to introduce a service between Heathrow and Syria’s second city, Aleppo, in June 2000. Existing routes out of Heathrow include the Lebanese, Syrian and Jordanian capitals of Beirut, Damascus and Amman.
n virgin bridges gulf for frequent flyers
Gulf Air has said its regular passengers will be able to earn Air Miles when travelling on Virgin Atlantic flights, with reciprocal rights for Virgin customers on its own services. The Falcon Frequent Flyer/Virgin Freeway tie-up will be introduced on December 1.