Travel Bulletin caught up with Shady Rimon, head of sales for Egypt at Orascom, at YouTravels roadshow this month, to hear more about Decembers new opening and future trade plans.
With the announcement that The Chedi El Gouna will be opening on December 1 this year, how will it complement the wider El Gouna resort?
It suits the concept itself, because we're talking about more direct business from the different markets. It's a perfect time to have such luxury products in El Gouna, in addition to the other products as well.
Are clients inclined to try out the various properties during the stay?
Yes, and we see the readiness of clients to change as well, so we have more variety of products in El Gouna generally.
With such a variety on offer, what can clients expect from such a unique destination?
They should ready themselves for how easy it is to move from one hotel, around the destination, how easily they can mingle with the residents and the cosmopolitan community we have there. It really suits the concept to highlight how we are encouraging the guests to move out, not only to stay in the Chedi hotel and the beach (most of the rooms are seafront).
It's not only to give them a different experience, with a lot of hotels in different areas, but if they have the chance to walk in a carefree environemnt, and to move around easily with everything we have in El Gouna, from touk-touks to limousines or charter boats. With fixed fares, we make it as smooth for them as possible. Beyond the hotels and beaches, we have more than 100 restaurants in the destination.
What does Orascom stand for that's unique to other brands?
The company is developing fully-integrated destinations. That's the whole idea of it, so the hotel that is essentially units with facilities, like the marina and the other facilities that serve as an infrastructure. That's what gives Orascom the edge, it's not only hotels, only residential units, but encouraging the tourists and residents living in the town to mix.
How are you going to be interacting more with agents beyond the YouTravel roadshow, and how do you plan on building the relationships through 2023?
We're increasing our activites here in the UK, whether with the marketing activities or fam visits. We're increasing our contracts with TUI and easyJet because the UK is one of our priorities to diversify. We see very good potential from the UK.
Of course, we're running some incentives for the agents, as well as sponsoring events throughout the year to introduce the Chedi El Gouna. We'd like to encourage MICE clients as well, so not only luxury agents but MICE operators, I think there's a big potential there.
Recap this month's YouTravel roadshow in the latest issue of Travel Bulletin.
