March 18, 2009 - RIYADH -- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Crocus Group have signed a deal to build the world's biggest Holiday Inn hotel in Moscow, with an investment of more that $100m from Crocus Group. Under the historic 20-year management contract, construction is scheduled to start on the 1,000-bedroom hotel in 2011 with the hotel set to open in 2014. It will be located in Crocus City in the rapidly developing Krasnogorsk area of Moscow. There are seven IHG branded hotels in Russia and a further 13 in the pipeline making IHG the largest international hotel operator in Russia. The eighth Holiday Inn in Moscow will have meeting facilities occupying 2,500 square meters, three restaurants and a 1,200 square meter health club. Bahrain Air receives 4th aircraft

Offers from Rosewood Corniche

JEDDAH: Rosewood Corniche in Jeddah is making working week offers exclusively to corporate guests. Local and international company executives who stay two nights in any of the hotel's rooms and suites during the Saudi working week, from Friday to Tuesday nights, will be offered a third night free. The new promotion from the hotel is designed for companies to allocate travel expenses wisely without sacrificing the high standards of service and excellence befitting top corporation management, in line with the need for value for money in today's economic climate. With five corporate boardrooms featuring expansive Red Sea views, 37-inch plasma-screens, video conferencing, and a personal meeting butler, corporate executives have all they need to conduct business smoothly in exclusive surroundings. Hans-Peter Leitzke, MD, Rosewood Corniche said: "Our new three-nights-for-two promotion is designed to give corporate guests from other parts of the Kingdom and the GCC more time to conduct their business here, offering well-equipped and luxurious surroundings."

BAHRAIN: Bahrain Air, described as the first privately owned National carrier of Bahrain with premium and economy services offering affordable fares throughout its network, has received its new Airbus A319 aircraft bringing the fleet to four aircraft. Capt. Ibrahim Al-Hamer said: "This is the fourth aircraft joining our fleet during the first year of operation and we are looking forward to receive more aircraft during the coming months. This type of aircraft is very ideal for short and long range, which suit our current and future operation. Moreover, this latest aircraft addition will allow us to add more destinations to Bahrain Air's network as well as increase frequency to current destinations as part of our ongoing aim to constantly strive to cater to passenger needs and offer them additional value." Abdul Moen Bastaki, Bahrain Air's senior manager technical said: "The new aircraft is a state-of-the-art and top in its class. It is the ideal choice in the single-aisle market, well-known for its wide seats, aisles and overhead stowage that holds extra carry-on baggage, as well as the technological innovation that brings enhanced performance and reliability." The single-aisle plane has a double cabin with 12 passenger seats for premium class and 120 seats in economy class.

Air Arabia takes off to Goa in April

RIYADH: Air Arabia, "the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa," launched its service to the western Indian city of Goa on Monday. Roundtrip flights will operate three times per week between Dabolim International Airport in Goa and Air Arabia's hub in Sharjah. "Air Arabia thus becomes the only UAE-based international carrier to offer direct flights to Goa from the UAE," an airline spokesman said. The carrier's first destination in Goa is also the carrier's 13th destination in India. In total, Air Arabia will serve 46 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and the Southern Europe, including Athens. Greece, when service commences on April 21, 2009. A.K. Nizar, head of commercial department, Air Arabia, said: "With a high tourist inflow into Goa, the route promises to be of great potential for Air Arabia, especially since there are few direct flights from the UAE." Goa, globally renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, is visited by hundreds of thousands of international and domestic tourists each year.

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