The Kharafi parking division caters to the group's interest in parking investments and operations at a time when parking has become an integral part of modern urban setting and land use.
The division started in 1997 by representing "trevi SPA", the manufacturer of the most advanced fully automated car parking system in the world (Trevi Park), followed by starting several car park projects in the area, most notably the BOT car Park Project at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. The Lebanese Utilities Company (LUC), a member of the division, is responsible of this project.
In a short period, LUC was able to introduce to the Lebanese market a state-of-the-art Car Park system adherent to modern technology. Since its beginnings, LUC has managed to serve its client honestly, eagerly, and professionally, this is allowed it to become the operator of the most important parking project in Lebanon and the Middle East.
The staff at LUC are highly qualified, selected solely on the basis of education and capabilities. They are self motivated and devoted.
The Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport Car park project is being operated by LUC on a BOT basis. Operation started on April 1st, 1999. The project is highly equipped, costing more than 25 million US dollars with a capacity of 2350 cars.
The car Park includes, in addition to the car Park spaces, administrative offices, elevators, and public bathroom. The control room from where the overall operation of the car park is run and controlled has received recommendations from the highly professional references in the domain of Parking Management System (PMS) is concerned. It is also equipped with a Building Management System (BMS), a fire detection and fighting system as well as a ventilation system.
Operation of total project begins early 2001 at a capacity of 2350 cars, with 9 entrances and 9 exits.
Moreover, LUC has ISO certificate and other facilities such as:
1. Car rental location.
2. Long staff tariff for cars staying more than one day.
3. Advertising panels with different sizes and in prime locations (Sizes very from 1 sqm (Mupi) till 64 Sqm (Unipole)
4. Security around the clock for any urgent situation.
5. Prepaid parking ticket that entitles the client to set his own limit according to the amount that he charged on the card.
6. Invoicing System that provides the holder with the possibility to enter and exit from the park without paying on spot. The system directly read the cards and sends the data to the invoice, at the end of the month the company receive an invoice with the total amount due to the LUC with card tracking back uo.
7. The tunnel joining the terminal to the car park facilitates the movement of the passenger with luggage.
Following rent a car companies have their desks in arrival hall of Beirut international airport: AVIS, NATIONAL, CA TRANS, CITY CAR, EUROPCAR, HERTZ, HALA.
Historically Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport has been Lebanon’s primary gateway. Recognizing future commercial potential and passenger expectations, in 1996 the government of Lebanon invited international bidders for the management and operation of the Retail Sales Areas on a BOT basis at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The contract was awarded to Phoenicia-Aer Rianta Company S.A.L., a joined venture between Aer Rianta International-Middle East and Beirut-based Phoenicia Trading Afro Asia. Over the past year, Beirut Duty Free has undergone a complete overhaul. The Beirut Duty Free today is basically introducing European travel retail strategies and solutions to the Middle East. The operation now has a revamped main duty free area, with a total retail space at the airport amounting now over 4,500 square meters, including two arrivals shops measuring a total of 460 square meters. All passengers purchases are exempt of V.A.T. and Beirut Duty Free ensures that they really achieve this saving versus the domestic market.
Central Area - This is the central atrium area just after Immigration, featuring expansive high ceilings, views to the runway and a central rotunda where the new car area is housed along with the Beirut Duty Free customer service desk. Entirely consisted of steel and glass it is a thoroughly modern and striking design, incorporating large plasma screens for passenger information.
Beauty & Toys - Located on the west wing the new Beauty Store measures 350 square meters. It is totally customized by suppliers, with specially-designed below-the-line, high impact, promotional areas linked to external televisions for maximum impact. There is also a specially constructed make-up bar for "makeovers" by cosmetics companies, Most of the major cosmetic brands have already snapped up slots and are sending international makeup artists throughout the year. The Toy Store measures 100 sq m is strategically located beside the beauty store. It is based around a "Kid’s Castle" theme, with a huge amount of color. A significant amount of confectionery products (typically travel retail products aimed at the children’s market) are also merchandised side by side in the Toy Store.
Luxury Zone - The luxury zone comprises watches, jewellery, fashion and accessories and covers an area of 1,100 square meters. The fashion areas have been fully customized as shop-in-shop concepts with Lancel, ST Dupont, Rossetti, Givenchy, Smalto, Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin, Dior, Nina Ricci, Lalique, Wolford, Dolce & Gabbana, Hugo Boss and Christian Dior. Fully-customized areas were also implemented for Swarovski, Zougheib Jewellery, Safilo (Sunglasses) and Bonja Group. The Watch department has been given pride of place toward the front of the area. The category features; Cartier, Omega, Baume & Mercier, Raymond Weil, Tissot, Longines, Rado, Tag Heuer, Philippe Charriol, Christian Dior, Facconable, Gucci, Bruno Banani, Montblanc, Omorfia, Michaela Frey, AT Cross and Misaki.
Electronics & Food - The Electronics shop covers 320 square meters and includes Duty Free Cell (cellular phones), the Middle East’s first Virgin Megastore and the PAC-controlled electronics and photography categories. This area has a distinctly hi-tech ambience with metal ceilings, a large amount of in-store screens including a 3 metre merchandising video wall. The Food Shop covers 250 sqm and houses several strong local names, such as Hallab, Rifai and Goodies. Patisserie Doueihy has a 25 square meters unit just outside the store.
Liquor, tobacco & Cigars - The duty free area, located adjacent to Cigars, covers approximately 1,050sq m and houses cigarettes, tobacco, liquor, confectionery and wine. Within this, specific zones have been created, notably a dedicated wine area to showcase the world famous Lebanese classic vineyards. Belgian confectioner Neuhaus has also opened a shop-in-shop concept within this zone for the sale of fresh Belgian chocolates.
La Casa Del habano – The Lebanon has always enjoyed a love affair with fine Cuban cigars, and the opening of the new La Casa Del Habano facility – which must be the most impressive airport cigar shop in the world – solidifies this relationship. Phoenicia Trading is the exclusive distributor of Habanos products in the Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Set within the 1,100sqm main duty free store, La Casa encompasses 400sqm and incorporates an unparalleled selection of cigars, cigarillos and accessories presented in a stylish shop concept including two large walk-in humidors.
But the most intriguing element – given the severe space constraints that travel retailers must deal with – is the VIP cigar lounge. Located at the back of the shop, this sophisticated and elegant facility is about as far from the hustle and bustle of an international airport as you can imagine – with comfortable leather seating, a bar and an authentic Cuban ambience. The lounge is only open to privilege card holders, with membership available to customers shopping in any of Habano’s 89 shops around the world. Access to La Casa is certainly a strong incentive to sign up and, having secured the contact details of consumers, Habanos uses this information to target members with direct marketing regarding the company’s latest and promotional activities.
The most striking aspect of the shop is the vintage walk-in humidor, which stocks a range of rare and exclusive products. The exclusivity of the collection presented in the vintage area is underlined by the fact that the Romeo & Julieta brand produced a smaller number of exclusive products, exclusively listed in the humidor to celebrate the opening of La Casa.
Situated between the vintage humidor and the main shop floor is the main walk-in humidor. It covers 100sqm, which the company believes makes it the largest airport humidor in the world. The unit stocks 35 different brands of cigar. The store also boasts a wide range of accessories with a gondola dedicated entirely to lighters, a selection of pipe smoking accessories and a vast selection of humidors – either empty or ready stocked with sticks.
Car Area – Multimedia & Online Concepts S.A.L (MOC), in collaboration with Phoenicia - Aer Rianta Company S.A.L (PAC), has been promoting a very innovative concept at the Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport since May 2003. The game involves passengers making any purchase from the Duty Free Departure Area, and grants them the chance to win a luxury car by buying a coupon to participate in the computer game. For further information, visit the website www.mocwinners.com
One full-fledge branch located at the departure zone Three stands on arrival zone Four ATMs located as follows:
2 at arrival zone, 1 at the Duty Free zone, 1at the Departure zone
Byblos Bank Airport Facilities
Foreign exchange services Stamps selling for your Visa issuing at the Airport Expatriates Housing Loans at very special rates. Special souvenirs medals from Lebanon. Long time accessibilty: 24/24 hrs. 365 days a year.
There are no conference facilities located at the airport.
Hotel InterContinental LE VENDOME BEIRUT has fully equipped business-meeting centre.
3 meeting rooms - max. 100 theatre style, 60 classroom, 120 reception, 85 banquet. A range of audiovisual equipment is available. Showcase and exhibition facilities in Les Tuileries Room. Request Availability and Price Quote for your event or meeting. or directly contact Hotel Sales at 961-1-369281, fax: 961-1-362423, email: raffi.torikian @ levendomebeirut.com
Facilities
3 Meeting Rooms 208.62 m2/ 2245.57 ft2 of Meeting Space Largest Room Capacity: 120 Reception Style Largest Room Measurements: 10.0 m/32.81 ft x 12.0 m/39.37 ft Smallest Room Capacity: 12 Banquet Style Smallest Room Measurements: 4.75 m/15.58 ft x 5.5 m/18.04 ft 120 m2/ 1291.64 ft2 of exhibit space
InterContinental Le Vendome is a unique Boutique hotel with 73 luxurious rooms and suites. Set on the famous Beirut corniche, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel is conveniently located near Beirut Downtown, few minutes from the airport and midway between Tripoli, Cedars and Byblos in the North, and Tyr and Sidon in the South.
InterContinental
PHOENICIA BEIRUT
MINET EL HOSN
BEIRUT, LEBANON
Hotel Front Desk: 961-1-369100
Hotel Fax: 961-1-369101
Rafic Hariri International Airprot (BIA)
Distance: 10 KM / 6.21 MI North to Hotel Complimentary Airport Shuttle
The InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut is ideally located in the most prestigious district of Beirut, and on the fringe of the city center "Solidere". The hotel is a landmark in Lebanon and in the Middle East. It is overlooking the Mediterranean sea and only few minutes away from Beirut International Airport.
InterContinental
MOUNTAIN RESORT & SPA MZAAR
OUYOUN EL SIMANE
KFARDEBIANE, LEBANON
Hotel Front Desk: 961-9-340100
Hotel Fax: 961-9-340101
Beirut International Airport (BIA)
Distance: 65 KM / 40.39 MI North East to Hotel
Up the scenic Mount Lebanon at 2000 meters high, sense the uniqueness of InterContinental Mountain Resort & Spa, Mzaar, a family friendly destination with breathtaking views and a stress free getaway in a natural environment. Aside from being the only 5-Stars ski choice in the region and a dynamic provider of mountain tourism, year round indoor/outdoor leisure, a world class Spa and proximity to major tourist sites are only few of many other pleasures.
Metropolitan Palace Hotel
Horsh Tabet, Sin El Fil, PO Box 55555, Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: +961 1 496 666
Fax: +961 1 502 502
E-mail: palacebeirut@ habtoorhotels.com
Transportation To / From the Hotel and Airport
Distance from Beirut International Airport to hotel - 12 kilometres Time by car - approximately 10 to 15 minutes Price - USD 22. 00
The Metropolitan Palace Hotel Beirut will arrange for a 'meet and greet' airport service and provide a limousine transfer. Price - USD 22. 00.
Only ten minutes' drive from Beirut International Airport, the Metropolitan Palace Hotel in Beirut is located in Beirut's rapidly developing area Sin El Fil - a location fast becoming popular with many international companies who have set up their offices nearby. An added advantage is that the Metropolitan Palace Hotel is only an hour from the magnificent ski slopes of Faraya and within easy reach of Jeita Grotto and many of Lebanon's famous historical sites. Downtown Beirut has experienced redevelopment on a vast scale that has also revealed some exciting excavation finds including the recently discovered Roman baths as well as other fascinating archaeological sites. The National Museum showcases interesting Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine antiquities that reflect Lebanon's ancient history. Other Beirut highlights include a leisurely stroll along Beirut's Corniche to Raouche and Pigeon Rocks, a group of impressive rock formations just off the Beirut coastline.
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