HILTON ABU DHABI AND JW MARRIOTT DUBAI TO STAGE UNIQUE FOOD FESTIVAL

Spanish Government backs Middle East campaign to promote
the benefits of Spanish olive oil

Dubai, January 23, 2002: Food lovers in the UAE are in for a special treat from January 26, courtesy of two leading five-star hotels. The Hilton Abu Dhabi and the JW Marriott Dubai are set to stage a unique celebration of the finest Spanish, Arab and international cuisine in a promotion designed to fly the flag for one of the healthiest food products money can buy - Spanish olive oil.

The Olive Oil Exporters Association of Spain (ASOLIVA) and ICEX (The Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade), part of Spain's Ministry of Economy, have also thrown their weight behind the campaign as part of a month-long Spanish olive oil awareness drive across the Middle East. Spain is the world's largest producer and exporter of olive oil.

Santiago Botas, an olive oil expert and ASOLIVA advisor, who is flying to the UAE to launch the food festival programme on January 26, said: "Spanish olive oil is such an important part of the Arab diet - in fact in some cases it can make up 80 per cent of the region's total consumption. Through this food festival, appropriately titled 'Spanish olive oil - at the heart of Arab cuisine', we are seeking to increase public awareness of its nutritional, health, and gastronomic benefits, not to mention how good it tastes!"

Botas continued: "Research shows that olive oil can reduce the risk of coronary disease, lower blood pressure and protect bones and helps tone the skin, to mention just a few of the health benefits of Spanish olive oil. What's more, the latest studies from Harvard University suggest that olive oil could protect against certain malignant tumours."

The Hilton Abu Dhabi has devoted its popular Mediterranean restaurant, La Terrazza, to the capital's leg of the tour, while the JW Marriott's Mays El Reem Restaurant, one of the most highly rated Lebanese outlets in Dubai, will play host to the promotion in the UAE's second city.

Jean Welti, General Manager of the Hilton Abu Dhabi, said: "The Hilton is a byword in Abu Dhabi for first-class cuisine and first-class ingredients. We're delighted to have been chosen to stage the 'Spanish olive oil - at the heart of Arab cuisine' promotion and look forward to the campaign being a great hit with our valued customers."

Ibrahim Barghout, General Manager of the JW Marriott Dubai, added: "When it comes to the finest Arab and Lebanese cuisine, Mays El Reem is the market leader in Dubai. The restaurant has really hit the ground running since opening just eight months ago and this promotion will add another feather to its cap as we seek to offer real value and choice to our customers."

Mays El Reem throws open its doors to Spanish and Arab food fans in Dubai from January 26. La Terrazza follows suit for Abu Dhabi residents on January 28. The campaign in the UAE ends on February 1