Disney Wins Inter-Continental Hotels West Africa Award / May 1998

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Disney Wins Inter-Continental Hotels West Africa Award
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. ###

Contact: Peter A. Janssen Marketing Department Ivoire Inter-Continental Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire Tel 225 441045 Fax 225 440049 Email: peter_janssen@interconti.com