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Egypt Holidays > Travel News > Red Ahead: major developments in the Red Sea region
Red Ahead: major developments in the Red Sea region | | 17th July 2008 |
New hotel developments and a favourable exchange rate mean the Red Sea is going from strength to strength. Dave Richardson looks at key developments in the region.
Egypt is one of the best-value destinations in the short-haul market this year, and the growing number of upmarket hotels means you can enjoy luxury at a bargain price.
Classic Collection is launching a 92-page Egypt brochure this month, with 46 properties in nine resorts plus six Nile cruises, following strong growth in its general brochure.
Deputy managing director Matt Rice said: “In the past there have not been enough luxury hotels to warrant a dedicated brochure, but Egypt now has the product to suit our clients.”
Peltours' sales and marketing director, Darren Panto, added: “The credit crunch is definitely leading more holidaymakers to seek out great value holidays outside the eurozone. “Egypt bookings are booming, with all-inclusive hotels especially offering good deals and extra value.”
Mosaic Holidays managing director Sabina Shaida said: “Having a dollar-based currency, Egypt is offering better value than eurozone countries and it is selling well this winter, particularly against Mediterranean destinations.”
The boom is not limited to package operators. Sharm el Sheikh was the top seller for dynamic packaging specialist Youtravel.com last winter, and it is also a top accommodation- only seller for Seligo. Simone Fairbanks, Seligo's trade sales and marketing director, said: “Egypt is the new Canaries: guaranteed sun, similar flight time and excellent accommodation.”
EGYPT
ACCOMMODATION
Luxury hotels are opening throughout the country, and the main developments on the Red Sea are at Soma Bay and Marsa Alam south of Hurghada. The Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay is due to open in August, with its own private beach, while in November the Breakers Diving and Surfing Lodge opens at Soma Bay.
Further south than Soma Bay and only two hours by road from Luxor, Marsa Alam is a fast developing resort area including Port Ghalib. It has a man-made swimming lagoon and marina, with 110 retail outlets and a traditional Egyptian bazaar. Sun International has opened a five-star hotel at Port Ghalib, called The Palace.
THINGS TO DO
Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Dahab, Soma Bay and El Gouna are the top diving resorts on Egypt's Red Sea coast, and some operators now feature Marsa Alam, where Emperor Divers is one of the main schools. For golf lovers, a new course has opened at Taba Heights, in Sinai.
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