TOP MIDDLE EAST SKI RESORT EXPANDS TO MEET DEMAND

Mzaar Inter-Continental Resort adds new conference, accommodation centres to meet high skiing demand and increase in business conferences

The Mzaar Inter-Continental Resort, the first top-class ski resort facility of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, is expanding to meet increased tourism and conference demand for what is fast becoming one of Lebanon’s prime attractions.

Six Continents Hotels has announced the construction of a new conference centre and an accommodation extension providing 36 rooms and two suites for the luxury venue at the heart of the Mzaar 2000 ski complex. Both will be opened by the end of the year in time for the winter season in January 2002.

Offering superb skiing opportunities just an hour’s drive from Beirut, the resort provides Middle East and African travellers with an attractive alternative to traditional European ski destinations. Among the resort’s unique features is its underground parking from which large lifts give guests direct access to the ski slopes and its spectacular and exclusive Les Thermes du Mzaar balneotherapy centre.

“We offer something exceptional which is finding favour with tourists who are tired of the European alternative,” says rooms division manager, Carlos Malliaroudakis. “The extensions will enable us to meet the increasing demand for the Mzaar experience, which combines first class skiing with exceptional standards of leisure, service and business facilities.”

The Mzaar Inter-Continental Resort is a scenic 45km drive from Beirut and offers a wide range of winter and summer recreational activities, and relaxation, with a shopping mall, four restaurants, an outdoor/indoor swimming pool and stables.

A state-of-the-art auditorium and 100-seat cinema have strong appeal for both leisure and business travellers, conference and incentive organisers. Nature and history lovers are lured by the appeal of the Jisr Al Hajar nature-made bridge, numerous historical sites and the Fakra citadel, a famous local landmark.

Winter guests find top-class skiing virtually on their doorstep as the resort is situated at the foot of the ski slopes belonging to the Societe Hotel Mzaar sarl ski complex.

Six Continents Hotels is responding to growing demand for top-class accommodation and leisure facilities in the Middle East and Africa with major hotel and resort refurbishments and construction. Recently the Al Bustan Palace Inter-Continental Hotel in Muscat re-opened after a four-month refurbishment and the Riyadh Inter-Continental Hotel in the Saudi Arabian capital was renovated. Six new Inter-Continental hotels and resorts are to be opened in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Ghana in 2002.

In Lebanon, in addition to the Mzaar Inter-Continental Resort, Six Continents Hotels also operates the Phoenicia Inter-Continental Hotel, Le Vendome Inter-Continental Hotel, the Holiday Inn Beirut Dunes and the Holiday Inn Beirut Martinez. The company will open the new Crowne Plaza Beirut early next year.