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TOURISM IN FUJAIRAH GETS BOOST

The resort is the first and only timeshare affiliate in Fujairah and is now open to RCI members worldwide to exchange holidays. The ESR received the Operating Status from RCI after a visit last month by Yehia El Nowaiem, market managing director of RCI Egypt Ltd. ESR is the first RCI affiliated resort in the Gulf region.

RCI, the acronym for Resorts Condominium International, was established in the US in 1974 and has its Middle East Office in Egypt. It recently commenced operations in Dubai Internet City.

Saeed Ali M. Khamas, chairman of Emirates Springs Resort, told City Times, "The standard of ESR was above the expectations of the RCI. Now, ESR, which is popular among Arab and Asian families, is looking to expand its marketing activities and to open an office in Dubai. It is also planning to have a base on the seaside in Fujairah for use by its guests."

Saeed, who is also the managing director of Al Ahli Group of Companies, has been the president of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and chairman of Fujairah Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

"RCI was looking for a resort in the area for a long time and Fujairah came forward at the right time. The affiliation will complement the development of tourism here and permit RCI members to see Fujairah. The interest of RCI is to provide its members the opportunity to visit and enjoy Fujairah," Yehia said.

The inauguration was attended by Navpreet Bhogal and Samer Mehanna, directors of ESR based in Kuwait, and Imran A Siddiqui, operations manager of ESR in Fujairah.

The seven-storey ESR property is located at the heart of the Fujairah city. It has 50 luxurious furnished apartments, equipped with washing machine, refrigerator, telephone and TV with satellite channels, in addition to kitchen utensils.

The Al Roof Restaurant on the seventh floor offers a variety of Arabic, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. The Oriental Terrace next to the restaurant provides fresh breeze and a magnificent view of the city's lights, the sea and the mountains, while enjoying hot and cold drinks and Sheesha. The ESR also has a swimming pool, sauna and gymnasium with a special gym for women.

Imran said that the ESR is offering special summer packages for families from the UAE and other AGCC states. It was also offering discount on the health club package for corporate clients and groups of tourists. A group of 10 and long staying guests can avail of 10 per cent discount at the Al Roof, while its long staying guests can also benefit from 5 per cent discount at the in-house laundry facility. The ESR offers free pick and drop from Dubai airport and transport to shopping centres.

ESR opened its doors in 1998 and established its sales office in Kuwait with in six months to become the Gulf region's most successful vacation club with over 500 families (around 2,500 individuals) as members.

"We are committed to ethical business practices. Our honesty and integrity has driven us forward as a very successful timeshare vacation club. We are an ideal place for families," Imran said.