Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 - (Page 82)

NEWS IMPACT Fairmont Makes Big Push Into Africa LEFT: A safari game drive in Kenya ABOVE: The newly renovated lobby of the Fairmont Mara Safari Club, which reopened this fall FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS IS MAKING SOME IMPRESSIVE MOVES ALL AROUND AFRICA, from Kenya and Tanzania in the east to South Africa to the north, where it will add two properties in Egypt. “You look at where we’re going—and nobody is doing what we’re doing—we’re exploring some interesting destinations,” says Jeff Senior, executive vice president of marketing and sales at Fairmont. “For a couple of years now, we’ve seen the demand into Africa increasing at a dramatic level. This is consistent with trends we’ve been tracking, such as adventure travel into new destinations.” Senior notes that Africa can fill this demand on a global level, having appeal for travelers from Asia, Europe and North America. He says Fairmont has an aggressive plan to get agents into Africa to CONNECTING YOU For an in-depth look at Tanzania, go to www.travelagentcentral.com/tanzania see the company’s new properties firsthand, although details are still being worked out. Fairmont’s expansion beyond North America and Europe began in 2006, when the 394-room Fairmont Dubai opened in Dubai city’s financial district, adjacent to the convention center. Its design was modeled after a barajeel, an Arabic wind tunnel. “Dubai is off the charts,” says Senior. “We’ve seen guests combine a Middle East visit in Dubai with an Africa adventure in Nairobi, which is only a four- to five-hour flight from Dubai.” Fairmont has said it will reflag two more hotels in Dubai and two in Cairo, Egypt, where it already operates Fairmont Towers Heliopolis. The Cairo additions will be the Fairmont Heliopolis and Fairmont Nile City. The company also will open the Fairmont Zimbali on the coast of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Fairmont’s latest opening in Africa is Fairmont Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. The beachfront resort has 109 rooms and suites. A standout feature is its fully equipped dive center with a decompression chamber, one of only three in Africa. There also are two swimming pools, several restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean, and business amenities that include Wi-Fi and meeting and banquet space. The resort’s Burahi Spa will open in 2008. Fairmont Zanzibar’s general manager is Thomas Norberg (thomas.norberg@fairmont.com). Three for Kenya The Fairmont Mara Safari Club in Kenya opened in October after an extensive renovation, in a location that provides a base for visiting the Masai Mara, one of the world’s richest wildlife reserves. The property’s 50 tents are furnished with private bathrooms, with a number of outdoor showers for select tents. Larger accommodations also have expanded decks where guests can dine privately. At the center of camp, the main lodge has an indoor restaurant, bar and library with Internet access. Agents can contact Janet Omido, director of sales and marketing in Kenya (janet.omido@fairmont.com, 011-254-020-216940). In addition to the Mara Safari Club, Fairmont has taken over two other Kenyan hotels, with renovations and phased enhancements to all three properties totaling $35 million. Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club are in the final stages of refurbishment. The Norfolk, which was expanded in 1999, celebrated its centennial in 2004. It now offers accommodations in 168 guest rooms and suites, and is described by Senior as a spectacular colonial-style hotel in the middle of the capital city of Nairobi, with easy access to safari adventures and game drives. The Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club is about 115 miles north of Nairobi, at the base of Mount Kenya. The hotel has 120 rooms in cottages, villas and suites, as well as a nine-hole golf course, on 100 acres. —MARK ROGERS 82 | TravelAgent December 10, 2007 http://www.travelagentcentral.com/tanzania

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Travel Agent - December 10, 2007 Online Now From the Editor Contributors Europe: Liverpool, The Beatles Hometown, Is also Known for it's Maritime Heritage, Art and Architecture European Hotel Highlights Central and South America: What You Need To Know About Selling Quito, the Historic Capital City of Ecuador Pacific/Asia: Malaysia Seeks to Grow Tourism as it Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of it's Independence Spa Resort in Goa, India Caribbean: Venerable Jamaican Resorts Tryall Club and Half Moon Marry Contemporary Design and Old-Time Elegence Caribbean Deals Las Vegas: A Three-Day Itinerary for Your Gen-Y Clients Las Vegas News and Notes Hotels: Sandals' 6th Annual Star Awards Tours: Escorted and FIT Packages in Western Canada Cruise: Barging 101 Cover Story: Wyndham's Way Agent Profile: Casto Travel's Marc Casto Technology Transportation Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Carnival's Plans for the Future Fairmont Expands in Africa Liberty Travel/Gogo is Sold Turks and Caicos Developments The New River Cruise Line, Jewel How to Protect Yourself When a Tour Operator Shuts Down In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Destination Africa

Travel Agent - December 10, 2007

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