25 May 1998 - The newest theme park in Disney World the
500 acres ANIMAL KINGDOM won the Inter-Continental Hotels & Resort
- West Africa award. The latest Disney attraction opened to the public
on April 22nd 1998.
The prestigious award was given during the 23rd International congress
of the "African Travel Association" held from 18 to 23 May 1998 in
ARUSHA, TANZANIA. The New York based African Travel Association is
an International non-profit organization to promote tourism to the
continent of Africa.
In presenting the award, Roger Kacou, Vice President Operations
Inter-Continental
Hotels West Africa said "The Animal
Kingdom will introduce a whole new audience of Americans to the excitement
of the African experience and if only a small percentage of the visitors,
decides to come to Africa to see the real thing, it will be a tremendous
boost for tourism to the African continent.
He added: "The Animal Kingdom recruits students from Africa to be part
of the Disney cast members and in fact they serve as cultural ambassadors
for their countries".
Rick Barongi, Director of Animal Programs Development accepted the
award on behalf of Disney Animal Kingdom. Barongi was the keynote speaker
at the opening ceremony of the African Travel Association. Barongi said
that " All of us at Disney take pride in the dedication to authenticity
and wildlife conservation , exhibited throughout the interaction of visitors
with African staff, visitors to the park will already experience the hospitality
of the African continent".
The annual Inter-Continental award is in recognition for the promotionof
the Continent of Africa and in particular for the contribution to the development
of tourism. Previous winners include Henderson Travel, Alken Tour,
Carib News, ATA and ASTA.
The "Village Ivoire" in Abidjan will experience fast changes in the
years to come as a US $ 65 million renovation contract was signed on
the 22nd of April 1997, by the Ivoirian Minister of Economy & Finance
H.E. Niamien N'Goran and the President of Inter-Continental Hotels
Africa and Middle East, Raymond Khalife.
The renovation is planned to start in the second half 1998 and
involves all guest rooms, public area's and meeting facilities including
the Palais de Congress which can cater to over 2000 guests.
Inter- Continental Hotels - Cote d'Ivoire, is operating 5 exciting
properties including Hotel Ivoire Inter- Continental, which features
750 rooms, a Congress & Convention Complex, 5 Restaurants, a Casino,
a Leisure Complex including 11 Tennis Courts, Ice Skating and Bowling
alley.
On a 10 minutes distance from Hotel Ivoire is located the 250
rooms Golf Hotel Inter Continental bordering a 9 and 18 hole International
Golf Course.
The Hotel President in Yamoussoukro is a 285 room property located
250 km from Abidjan with nearby Golf Course and Wild Park. Hotel de la
Paix in Daoukro is the latest addition to the groups portfolio in Cote
d'Ivoire.