Egypt

Cairo maybe an exotic tourist destination but it is also well stocked with luxury hotels that are truly business traveler-oriented as well. Here are two of our correspondents' choices:

The Conrad Cairo is positioned as the leading luxury hotel for the international business traveller and the preferred venue for prestigious local and international conferences.

The hotel has become a focal point for Cairo's major corporate and social events. It has 15 multi function meeting and banquet rooms, a 24 hour fully equipped business center, five executive floors with panoramic private lounges, butler service, and a wide range of dining and entertainment options.

"Japanese guests at the hotel fall into two categories - corporate and leisure. So far, they represent 5 percent of our visitors, but we are aiming to increase this volume by upgrading our partnerships with Japanese tour operators, and offering specific products for this market," says Mark Elawadi, area vice president for Egypt and the hotel's general manager.

Elawadi has had an instrumental role in positioning the hotel as a leader in the business segment. "Achieving a 94 percent guest satisfaction rating for two consecutive years, we are pleased our guests take full advantage of the ultra-deluxe property, and appreciate the timeless grace, impeccable service and warm, careful attention given by our experienced staff," he remarks.

Responsible for the continued expansion of the hotel, Elawadi adds, "As a team, we hope to increase shareholder value, enhance customer loyalty through service and delivery, keep an open mind and have a flexible plan to manage market conditions. But most of all, we want to ensure that the product offered is up to date, and fully renovated to stay at number one."

Meanwhile, away from the city center and set at the base of the great pyramids lies Cairo's classic luxury hotel. Built as a royal hunting lodge in 1869, the Mena House Oberoi has combined original arabesque Islamic architecture with a newer garden wing to create a modern deluxe resort. Set amidst jasmine scented gardens, most rooms have breathtaking views of the pyramids of Gizeh.

Japanese tourists have always been more than welcome. "For over two decades, the Japanese market has been a significant market segment for us," says general manager Rajiv Kaul. "The hotel is a preferred host due to its unique location and the original building's historical value."

In 1997, Japan's Fuji Television honored the Mena House Oberoi as "Best Hotel in the World", but Kaul will not rest on his laurels. Over the next three years the hotel will undergo a comprehensive $25 million renovation.

"My immediate goal is to guide this process and impart an unprecedented elegance to this distinguished hotel. Mena House Oberoi has been the preferred choice of discerning guests coming to Cairo for several decades. The renovation will further consolidate our position not just as Egypt's premier hotel but among the best in the world," he said.

Conrad Cairo 1191 Corniche El Nil Tel: +202 580 8000 Fax: +202 580 8080

Mena House, Oberoi Pyramids Road, Giza Tel: +202 383 3222 Fax: +202 383 7777

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