First Security Conference “ELITE” at Ramses Hilton

The First Security Conference “ ELITE” was held recently at Ramses Hilton under patronage of Haitham Nassar, the hotel GM, and was organized by Ramses Hilton Security Manager Amir Youssef and his team, with presence of Mohamed Suliman, Hilton Senior Manager- Safety & Security & Food Safety Risk Management Services - Middle East & Africa. The conference was attended by an array of eminent security experts from official authorities, hotels, embassies and banks.

The conference mainly tackled security issues and techniques that targeted finding the best ways to meet and encounter the current security challenges and necessary contingency & crises plans. During the conference, a smart exhibition was held in which the most up-to-date security tools and equipment were displayed and it was sponsored by some pioneering companies in security field.

Cross Exposure Sofitel Egypt

Mr. Laurent Betourne, Sofitel Area Director Egypt & General Manager Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah together with Mr. Thomas Gassner, General Manager Sofitel Maadi Towers & Casino and responsible of Food and Beverage relay Egypt, have set up a program of a cross exposure for the Sofitel Egypt Sous Chef to interact within the various Sofitel Egypt Hotels to gain experience working under the various Executive chefs and to get acquainted with the different hotel systems between Leisure Hotels, all inclusive hotels and the business hotels and their various necessities.

Mr. Ahmed El Nahass Chairman of the Egyptian Chef’s Association attended the lunch at La Palmeraie Moroccan Restaurant at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah on the occasion of the Kickoff of the program where all the Executive Chefs & Sous Chefs from the various hotels were present, Mr. El Nahass welcomed this Sofitel Egypt initiative and in a speech explained to the Executive Sous Chefs about this excellent opportunity given to them in a 8 month program in which  they will be gaining a very large experience that could have taken them at least a few years to gain. All the Chefs were extremely pleased with Mr. El Nahass encouragement and presence

HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed opens Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square Dubai -- a joint project of Omniyat & Al Shabab Sports Club

The 5th Mövenpick property in Dubai is the first international hotel in Al Mamzar area

HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of Al Shabab Sports Club in Dubai inaugurated yesterday (Sunday, 24 March, 2013) the Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square Dubai, located in Al Mamzar. The new hotel, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ fifth property in Dubai and Omniyat’s first such venture, boasts 180 superior and deluxe rooms, as well as one and two-bedroom hotel apartment suites.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Mehdi Amjad, Omniyat’s Executive Chairman and CEO, thanked HH Sheikh Mansoor for his presence and patronage and said he was pleased with the product of this partnership between his company and Al Shabab Sports Club -- an outstanding hotel in a distinctive new destination.“Dubai is definitely a place where iconic developments and pioneering initiatives sprout all the time, as evidenced by the series of recent announcements of ambitious new projects in the emirate, made by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai,” Mehdi said. He added: “We are proud of the way we have developed The Square project, which is the result of collaboration between multiple partners, including Al Shabab Club and Mövenpick, anchor tenants, retailers, franchises, architects and contractors, all joining hands to maximize value and desirability. Today we are delighted to crown our partnership with the inauguration of the new hotel.” The new Mövenpick property is set to be a popular destination in The Square. Already, the hotel is witnessing high levels of occupancy.

The Square offers a superior lifestyle experience for those who look for serenity in community living. The complex comprises nine low rise residential buildings and a commercial section with a retail arcade occupying the entire ground floor. The property is surrounded by 6,000 square meters of gardens and water. Mehdi added: “Omniyat is among a handful of private real estate companies that have succeeded in adapting to the altered real estate scenario after the global financial meltdown of 2008. We were able to overcome the challenges posed by the crisis and smartly turn them into opportunities. The Square is a testimony to our ability to excel in a tough market.” Mr. Gerard Hotelier, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Vice-President of Operations for Middle East and India added: “We are pleased to work with Omniyat and Al Shabab Club in developing this world-class hotel, and both organizations have demonstrated high levels of professionalism and team spirit. For Movenpick, this new hotel will help boost our footprint in the Deira area.” Due to its proximity to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek, the emirate of Sharjah, Dubai Airport Free Zone, port and trading centres, Deira remains a vibrant central district where hotels enjoy upwards of 80 per cent occupancy year-round.

The new hotel is ideal for families, executive travellers and long-stay guests. Each of the rooms and apartments at Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square Dubai are well appointed, and come with a convenient kitchenette. The property has also attained the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) classification as ‘Deluxe Hotel Apartments’, the highest standard of hotel apartments in Dubai.

Radisson Blu Cairo on App Store and Android

Opening up the five star world of Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis is just a fingertip touch away now, with the hotel’s facilities and services on App Store and Android. Booking a room, reserving your table at one of the hotel’s restaurants, enquiring about conferences and meetings or booking some precious hours of relaxation at the ‘7ème Ciel Spa’, are all even easier now for leisure travelers and business guests. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis App is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.

Take a ‘virtual stroll’ through the picture gallery of rooms and suites, or choose your dining options from MIX offering tempting Asian and Lebanese cuisine alongside international dishes, fine Italian dining at Filini, 1122 Lobby Bar or Terrace on 9 alongside the rooftop pool. Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis General Manager Ashraf Naguib said: “The new Apps help us to take our service levels and standards to new heights, making the experience of staying out our hotel even better for our guests and clients.”The Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis is the ideal base for exploring Africa’s largest city, and the first choice for tourists, visitors and business travelers. Splendidly located in vibrant Heliopolis, the hotel’s expansive and elegant rooms provide a perfect oasis after enjoying Cairo’s memorable sights such as the Pyramids, Sphinx, Citadel and River Nile, or negotiating hectic business appointments. The hotel is among the district’s premier conference venues, offering flexible meeting rooms and an attractive ballroom flooded with natural light during the day.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis is three kilometers from Cairo International Airport, 18km from the city centre and close to many of the area’s finest sports facilities and golf clubs.

Six Senses Spa at InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort, Winner of “Best Luxury Destination Spa - Middle East” Award.

The World Luxury Spa Awards commended and recognized the outstanding achievement in service excellence of our world-renowned Six Senses Spa at InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort, and announced the spa as the winner of “Best Luxury Destination Spa – Middle East” Award for the year 2013. The award aims at placing the spotlight on the spas that only represent the finest standards and stand up to the highest expectations of guests looking for the ultimate experience, where only the absolute best is acceptable.

Our renowned Six Senses Spa at InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort with its spectacular location and gorgeous ground among the splendid landscaped gardens and lagoon, offers the absolute best quality service to our guests staying at InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort.

InterContinental The Palace Port Ghalib Resort - with its superbly appointed 308 rooms & suites - is your ideal getaway where you will enjoy the charming Port Ghalib destination with luxurious surroundings and services.

Surrender yourself to the magic of Six Senses Spa treatments from our local and International therapists who expertly provide a variety of Asian and Arabic therapies, using only the best organic ingredients to enhance health and improve vitality. Confidently, leave yourself in the hands of our specialists to select from our comprehensive spa menu of unrivalled range of treatments, and choose from a variety of massages, facials and beauty treatments, combined with ancient and modern techniques, dietary advice and recreation activities.

Simon Stamper promoted to Regional General Manager InterContinental Hotels Group Egypt & Lebanon

InterContinental Hotels Group today announced the promotion of Simon W. Stamper to Regional General Manager InterContinental Hotels Group Egypt and Lebanon.

In his new role, Stamper will continue to lead the InterContinental Hotels Citystars with responsibility for the overall commercial operations and management of all three of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) including the InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars. In addition, he will support IHG’s teams across Egypt and Lebanon to drive growth and performance. A 23-year-old veteran with IHG, Stamperís hotel management career has taken him to Fiji, Edinburgh, Istanbul, London, Cairo, Athens and Abu Dhabi. Commenting on his new role Stamper said: ìIím extremely proud to work with such a talented group of professionals and honoured in this new role.

I look forward to adding to the success of InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites in Egypt and Lebanon by working closely with the teams who delight guests with quality service, great facilities, friendly ambience as well as ensuring the delivery of a consistent level of service.

Stamperís vast experience in the hospitality industry played a vital role in maintaining IHG Citystars position as an iconic symbol of Cairean heritage, and its reputation for personalised service and practical luxury tailored for todayís affluent travellers. Stamper has previously held the position of Executive Assistant Manager at Semiramis InterContinental - Cairo in 1996 as well as a number other managerial roles with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) across key hotels in Europe, the UK, Mediterranean and the Middle East. Before joining InterContinental Cairo Citystars, Stamper held the position of Area General Manager at InterContinental Abu Dhabi, another brand defining InterContinental hotel situated in the UAE. During his tenure in Abu Dhabi, he was recognised for his achievements by being presented with InterContinental General Managerí of the year award, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in 2009.

With over 40 years of experience in the Egyptian market, and with the most advanced technology systems and luxury lifestyles...

Miraco launches six new air conditioning systems by Midea, with innovative designs and competitive prices

In a distinctive event which took place on April 14th at JW Marriot Hotel, and attended by some of the country’s renowned businessmen as well as distributors and media representatives who had repeatedly praised the company and its success in the Egyptian market,Miraco announced the launch of six new air conditioning systems by Midea for Home Appliances and Air Conditioning, namely Rainbow, Fresco, Smart Cool, Echo Smart inverter, Tango and Prestige.

With high-end technology features, the new Midea products reflect the company’s interest in the latest technology in its innovations, whilst maintaining luxury lifestyles and protecting the environment. During the event, Mr. Giorgio Elia, Chairman and Managing Director Miraco/Carrier Egypt -Africa, said that the company is proud to be part of the Egyptian market and that it exerts efforts to present its home appliances and air conditioning products with the features that meet their clients needs, who have confidence in the company’s quality and competence. He added that the company is keen on providing a diversity of products manufactured based on the needs of the Egyptian market, and with unique features that have been based on continuous research and development in manufacturing products that contribute to the enrichment of daily lives and turning it into a luxurious atmosphere.

Elia affirmed that the company possesses rich global experience which dates back to 1968, through which it managed to establish a leading global brand. Moreover, with its unique innovations and a massive product range of air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and small electronic devices produced to exceed customers’ expectations worldwide, the company managed to meet all consumer demands.

It is also worth mentioning that with thanks to the partners and customers’ confidence, the company succeeded at becoming one of the leading manufacturers of home appliances worldwide; and in light of this success, it expanded its investments in numerous countries in Europe, Asia, China and Africa reaching $22 billion in 2011. Furthermore, with the help of its customers’ commitment and devotion to the brand, the company is planning on become one of the Fortune 500 companies, and one of the largest three companies worldwide in the fields of home appliances. The company is proud to have earned the confidence of the Egyptian market in its products due to their quality, as well as the fact that they are environmentally friendly and safe to use, thus helping their Egyptian consumers reach a better way of life with their competitive prices and the ability to meet their needs and requirements.

Midea products enjoy competitiveness in their innovation, creativity, quality and prices which suit everyone’s needs. The new air conditioning systems that are to be launched in the Egyptian market are anticipated to revolutionize the market with their unprecedented capabilities at manufacturing unique products which enjoy innovative technological systems that enhance the consumers’ lifestyles with the most advanced features used in air conditioners worldwide.

Popular Arab celebrities and Dabur brand ambassadors Diana Karazon and Dominique Hourani attend Majlis Event

Dabur International, one of the most trusted and recognized personal and healthcare brands in the world, has revealed that its recently held annual Majlis Event at the Yas Viceroy, located next to the Yas Marina race track in Abu Dhabi, was attended by popular Arab celebrities and Dabur brand ambassadors Diana Karazon and Dominique Hourani. The two-day, F1-inspired Majlis Event, showcased Dabur’s soon-to-be-launched product lines and handed out special awards to top-performing distributors.

Featuring a mix of highlevel conference, key presentations, welcome dinner and networking activities, the Majlis Event was also attended by Group Chairman Dr. Anand Burman and Dabur’s business partners from over 30 countries. Diana Karazon, renowned Arab pop singer with several memorable hit singles to her credit, is the brand ambassador for Dabur’s Amla Hair Oil, while Dominique Hourani, a celebrated top model, pop star and actor, is the celebrity endorser of Dabur’s Dermoviva range.

The new products that were exhibited during the event were the Vatika Naturals Kit Hair colour cream, the Dermomenz range of deodorants and the Dermoviva Face Care range. Seven colour variants were presented under the Vatika Naturals Kit Hair brand – two in the black family, three in the brown family, and two in the red family of hair colours. Dabur plans to launch the new products around mid 2013.

Sheraton Miramar Participates in the “World Read Aloud Day”

Sheraton Miramar has joined Starwood Hotels in Egypt in their aim to enhance children literacy in Africa.” World Read Aloud Day ” is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people.

Accordingly the Hotel organized a visit to the Experimental Language School of El Gouna, offered students short stories and books, where the children have spent hours of reading books and interesting stories, then discussing moral lesson.

Furthermore the hotel team distributed certificates for motivating the children to innovation and independent analysis. At end of the day beautiful cake was made with great love was waiting for them .

Visa and Samsung Sign Global Alliance Agreement to Accelerate Mobile (NFC) Payments

Financial institutions will be offered a secure service to download payment account information to Samsung’s mobile devices.

Visa and Samsung today announced a global alliance that combines Visa’s expertise in payments with Samsung’s leadership in mobile device technology – an alliance that has the potential to significantly accelerate the availability of mobile payments globally. According to the agreement, financial institutions that are planning to launch mobile payment programs will be able to use the Visa Mobile Provisioning Service1 to securely download payment account information to NFC-enabled Samsung devices. In addition, Samsung has agreed to load the Visa payWave applet onto its mobile devices featuring NFC technology.

Visa payWave is Visa’s mobile payment applet that enables consumers to make “wave and pay” contactless payments using mobile devices. “Samsung devices enabled with Visa payment functionality will no doubt be a powerful product offering – especially in markets where paying with a mobile device is becoming commonplace,” said Jim McCarthy, global head of product, Visa Inc. “However, the key to making mobile payments broadly available all over the world is to offer financial institutions a secure way to provision millions of smartphones with payment account information – and that is exactly what Visa and Samsung are ready to deliver.” “Samsung has been a pioneer in NFC devices and is again leading the way in enabling NFC-based mobile payments.

The partnership with Visa represents a step towards a global mobile payment platform.” said Dr. Won-Pyo Hong, President and Head of Media Solution Center, Samsung Electronics. “We believe that we have a strong value proposition for financial institutions that will ultimately allow consumer choice in NFC payments.”

Citizen Powers Ahead With The Spirit Of Toyota

CITIZEN recently announced the launch of Global Limited Edition series, CITIZEN X TOYOTA 86 that combines the uniqueness of CITIZEN’s Eco-Drive technology and the TOYOTA 86 FR sports car series. CITIZEN’s product policy “Fusion of Technology and Beauty” well complements the TOYOTA 86 sport car series that reflects a car for the new era originating from Japan and providing pleasure in driving. Combining CITIZEN’s unique Eco-Drive Technology with TOYOTA 86’s FR racing car series, this wrist watch highlights a style that is skillfully combined to deliver a sense of sportiness.

Considering the concept car models, CITIZEN uses 3 special colour tones in this watch series which distinctly displays the dynamic colours of the TOYOTA 86 sports car series. In order to achieve the same sparkling colour as the sports car, CITIZEN uses special technology to apply 11 layers of scratch-protective coating onto the watch that enables it to display the same metallic feel as the car. The design of the dial follows the design philosophy and the same theme as the dashboard of TOYOTA 86.