SWISS launches first-ever summer holiday brochure

The airline will also be announcing details of their new A340 flagship aircraft, which is scheduled to join the network from July 2003.

The Swiss Experience initiative is a joint venture between SWISS, Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Destination Management - a joint subsidiary of Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Federal Airways, Hotelier Suisse, GastroSuisse and Europcar.

'We greatly look forward to offering our regional travellers a one-stop solution that will take the headache out of planning holidays. Like our first winter brochure, we expect it to be extremely well received,' said Marcel Hungerbuhler, SWISS' Vice President Sales for Middle East & Far East Asia who has flown in for ATM.

Offering holidaymakers a chance to experience Switzerland in all its guises, the Swiss Experience brochure, available at travel agencies across the region and on-line at www.mySwitzerlandtourism.com, provides useful information on short hotel stays, wellness resorts, packaged holidays, incorporating visits to a selection of SWISS landmarks, mountain breaks and railroad adventures. Those wishing to experience the finest in Swiss hotels, restaurants, scenery and exclusive retail, should opt for the 'Luxury & Design' trail -the first theme tour of its kind.

'The Middle East region is one of exceptional potential and we are confident that our strategic tie-up with Switzerland Tourism will give our customers all the holiday options they are looking for,' added Hungerbuhler.

With a significant increase in seat load factors expected as a result of the SWISS Experience summer initiative, many travellers will experience first hand, the various innovative in-flight products, which SWISS now has to offer.

'The new in-flight product will roll out from July, offering individual in-flight entertainment screens, new flat-bed seats in business class and extended legroom in economy class. We expect to see the Airbus 330 completely modified by the end of the year,' said Felix Rodel, Area Manager, Swiss International Air Lines, Arabian Gulf.

'Our Middle East routes are some of the most popular in the world, and we aim to cater to the needs of those wishing to travel to Switzerland this summer by increasing comfort levels, providing exceptional in-flight service and specifically catering to the needs of our regional travellers and their families,' he added.

Middle East travellers can also avail of the SWISS Family Fares promotion. An attractive offer for families with five members or more, the Family Fares programme offers considerable savings when travelling to Switzerland, making SWISS' Zurich hub a cost effective option for those wishing to travel to Europe this summer.

SWISS has created an efficient network that connects business and cultural centres globally. The Middle East continues to be one of the airline's most important sectors for both business and leisure travel. It operates a total fleet of 112 planes to 98 destinations in 56 countries, and is focused on providing excellent service in an innovative and cosmopolitan atmosphere.