Stakes are high as major British travel industry players assemble in Egyptian capital

Six Continents Hotels will play a key role in reinforcing travel links between the UK and the Middle East next month when the influential Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) stages its annual convention in Cairo.

The Middle East’s biggest hotel operator is one of the principal sponsors of the four-day event, whose importance is highlighted by the fact that the ABTA represents more than 600 tour operators, and 2,300 travel agent companies, which together sell 90% of UK overseas packages.

Overall, the UK travel trade handles 57 million customers a year, of which two million visit the Middle East, and Six Continents Hotels believes the ABTA convention, taking place from October 18-21 at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Centre, can be used effectively to boost that figure.

“The UK has always been one of the most important markets for Egypt, and we see great potential to attract many more British visitors to this region,” said Denis Johnson, the company’s Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Middle East and Africa.

“The ABTA convention provides a perfect platform from which to promote our hotel properties, and the many superb travel destinations across the Middle East, to this major gathering of leading UK travel trade representatives.”

A large number of convention delegates will be hosted by the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, one of ten properties in Egypt managed by Six Continents Hotels, and an ideal city centre base on the banks of the Nile from which to explore the capital’s many attractions.

Delegates will be offered the chance to extend their visit to sample the qualities of Egypt’s Red Sea riviera, and in particular the company’s superb range of five Red Sea resort properties. These are the Hurghada InterContinental Resort & Casino, the Crowne Plaza Resort Sharm El Sheikh, the Holiday Inn Resort Sharm El Sheikh, the Holiday Inn Resort Amphoras Sharm El Sheikh, and the Holiday Inn Resort Safaga Palace.

Also in Egypt, Six Continents Hotels manages the Pyramids Park Intercontinental Resort Cairo, as well as the InterContinental Windsor Alexandria, the InterContinental Le Metropole Alexandria, and the Holiday Inn Resort Alexandria.

“While we’ll be placing a big emphasis on our Egyptian presence, particularly as we have seven new hotels and resorts under development in the country, we’ll also be highlighting for delegates what the rest of the Middle East has to offer in terms of travel destinations, and hotel facilities,” said Denis Johnson.