Elaf Group embarks on multi-million dollar expansion programme across the Middle East

The Group, ranked among the top 100 companies in KSA, will build and invest in new hotel projects and travel & tourism branches, starting in Dubai, then further across the Middle East. The Group also plans to open a regional office in Dubai by 2005.

Commenting on the group's future plans, Moutaz F. Kayal, Chairman of Elaf Group of Companies said, "The travel & tourism industry in the Middle East is growing at a scorching pace. The Elaf Group is poised to profit from this trend to emerge as a leading hospitality and tourism company in the region. Hence we are making sound investments in quality infrastructure & services. We pride ourselves in offering quality service in luxurious settings to each of our guests and efficient ground support through our travel & tourism and transportation divisions", he continued.

As part of its promotional programme, the group awarded key accounts in events conducted in Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, England, Dubai (during Arabian Travel Market 2004), and recently, in Abu Dhabi.

Elaf Group has several interests in the hospitality and tourism sector through its core activities which include owning and managing ten hotels in the five & four star category, travel & tourism services incorporating outbound and inbound tours, GSA (General Sales Agents for airlines), Cargo, Hajj and Umrah service packages, interior décor and supply of FF&E (furniture, furnishing and equipment), and Information Technology services. Elaf Hotels Company and Elaf Travel & Tourism Company are the first in the Middle East to be awarded ISO 9001 certification in their respective fields.

The Group's Travel and Tourism Company is one of KSA's premier tour operators. It was recently awarded the Marriott One Thousand Nights Club Award for the second consecutive year for generating over 1,000 room nights in a year. The company has 14 branches across the Kingdom and a global network of operations with offices in Casablanca, Cairo and London. The company is a GSA (General Sales Agent) for major airlines such as Royal Air Maroc, Air Sahara, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Biman (Bangladeshi Airways), Egypt Air, Air Sahara and Air Tanzania, and represents leading tour operators such as Platinum Tours for inbound and outbound travel. Elaf Travel and Tourism is a licensed Hajj and Umrah operator, authorised by the Saudi government. The company serviced a total of more than 60,000 Umrah performers during Umrah season last year.

"Elaf Hotels Company is a well-established player in Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry, committed to supporting the current tourism drive in the Kingdom, and the rest of the Middle East. In keeping with the Islamic tradition, we will ensure that all our investments are in line with Islamic Shar'ia values," concluded Kayal.