InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has announced its latest offering of memorable, sophisticated authentic luxury travel experiences for its guests.

‘Curated Experiences by InterContinental’ will be introduced across select InterContinental Hotels and Resorts in the Middle East and Africa region to meet the increasing demand of tourists looking for authentic and immersive travel experiences.

Comprised of the adventure, culture, heritage, wellness and spa and cruise tourism segments, experiential travel has become a growing travel trend and luxury, experiential tourism is no exception. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts introduced seven specially curated moments to inspire travelers to explore the wonder of travel through rich experiences that combine understated service with insider knowledge across Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Commenting on the new offering, Bruce Ryde, head of brand marketing Luxury and Lifestyle, IHG Asia, Middle East & Africa, said: “Today, travel is driven by a demand for experiential living. More specifically, luxury travel is shifting away from acquiring expensive tokens towards a desire for indulging in unique, enriching and impactful experiences. The most memorable travel experiences are not just those unique to the culture, history and traditions of a destination. Rather, memorable experiences are shaped by the surprises that are found in the most unexpected places.”
 
Moreover, they each offer a unique and immersive look into the culture, heritage and art surrounding the InterContinental Hotels across the Middle East and Africa.  
 
1. InterContinental Le Vendome Beirut – Souk El Tayeb Street Food
A trip to Beirut’s open-air weekly farmers market, Souk El Tayeb alongside the hotel’s Executive Chef will give guests the chance to witness the nostalgic sights and sounds of Beirut’s culturally charged streets. While there, visitors will attend a live cooking session with authentic Lebanese cuisine and capture their experience using the hotel-provided Polaroid camera to create lasting memoirs.
   
2. InterContinental Aqaba Resort – The Martian Experience
Unbeknownst to many, Jordan’s Wadi Rum is home to the location for the blockbuster movie ‘The Martian’. To give movie buffs and adventurous guests a chance to ‘walk the red earth’, InterContinental Aqaba Resort is offering an excursion to Wadi Rum with a Bedouin guide and camel ride before heading back to the hotel for a traditional oriental dinner cooked to the guests’ tastes specifically, overlooking the resorts’ sandy beaches.  
 
3. InterContinental Cairo Citystars – Time travel to Korba
For guests keen to travel back in time to the early 20th century, InterContinental Cairo Citystars will offer a tour of Korba district, Cairo’s internationally renowned neighborhood known for its unique, Egyptian architectural design. Guests can feel like a native and wear the traditional headdress while traveling in a vintage car accompanied by a local guide and even stop at a traditional Egyptian bread baker and a local falafel restaurant that has been serving the classic street fare for several decades.

 
4. InterContinental Amman – Visit Grandmothers home in the heart of Jordan
No one leaves grandma’s house with an empty belly.  Knowing this, the InterContinental Amman offers guests a trip to ‘Beit Sitti’ or grandma’s house where they enjoy the authentic Levant cuisine cooked with grandma’s special touch. This is followed by a visit to Jordan’s historical Jabal Al Weibdeh and Darat Al Funun where art and culture come together marrying past and present.

 
5. InterContinental Dubai Festival City - Couture Connoisseur
Guests staying at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City will embark on bespoke fashion experience starting with a ‘High Tea’ at Choix Patisserie & Restaurant par Pierre Gagnaire with a renowned Dubai-based personal stylist. After discussing their shopping requirements, the two will set out to conquer Dubai Festival City Mall’s 500+ retail stores including the all-new Robinson’s department store – the largest of its kind in the region. The purchased items will be delivered to the rooms where guests can try on their latest purchases with hair and makeup styling to complete their new look.

 
6. InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut – See where time stops at Beit Chabab
Beit Chabab is a mountain top Lebanese village where time stopped 200 years ago. After a scenic ride, guests can ring the infamous bells in the village with the Lebanese family still producing the only church bells that are made in the Middle East. Guests can also try a sculpting class to create a special Lebanese souvenir and try a Saj Burger at Mario’s – a popular Lebanese treat.

 
7. InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo – Transient experiential travel
For transient guests looking to make the most of their layover, the InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo guests can try the only African brewery at the airport itself.
 
Complete with a tour of the Airport Craft brewery located at the O.R. Tambo Airport itself, guests can also enjoy a beer tasting and food pairing with tapas. This tour will be available to InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo guests only for 2017.

These experiential travel packages can be customised and booked directly via the concierge upon check-in and are available based on seasonality or for a limited period. Additional experiences and/or prices may be furnished upon request. - TradeArabia News Service