The Elaf Group of Companies, a pioneer in the Saudi Arabian travel, tourism and hospitality sectors and a subsidiary of the Saudi Economic Development Company, recently conducted a seminar outlining precautions to be taken against the A(H1N1) virus in preparation for the upcoming period of Haj and Umrah. During the special forum held in the Nakheel Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Elaf President Ziyad Bin Mahfouz emphasized the company's utmost concern for the safety of its employees, customers and partners amid the outbreak. Dr. Monira Khaled Balhoumr, Community Medicine Consultant of Saudi Ministry of Health and head of Health Education at the Jeddah Health Care Department, led the discussions on the background, causes, and symptoms of the A(H1N1) virus. Participants were informed of general precautions to be taken to avoid contracting the flu and measures to avoid the spread of the disease. They were also instructed on special safeguards against the outbreak during the period of Haj and Umrah. “The Haj and Umrah period is very important to the Muslim community, but this year it also poses risks to people who are uninformed about and unprepared for the A(H1N1) virus. We want to ensure that our employees and customers are highly knowledgeable about the steps they need to take to avoid contracting and spreading this flu. The season can still be celebrated safely and productively as long as we strictly follow health guidelines and keep constantly updated on developments related to the virus,” said Bin Mahfouz. The seminar commenced with an introductory speech by Mouhamad Zagzoog, public relation manager of Elaf Group. It is the latest among several initiatives undertaken by the Elaf Group to address the operational effects of the A(H1N1) outbreak. The Group has also offered SR510,000 to support its Egyptian operators in face of the health crisis. Elaf has been actively campaigning for hotels to inform their employees and customers on how they can better protect themselves against the health threat through seminars, meetings and special training modules. The Elaf Group is a fully integrated organization providing a complete line of hotel, travel, tourism, Haj and Umrah services. Consistently named one of the top 100 corporations in Saudi Arabia, the Group capitalizes on its extensive Middle Eastern experience and expertise to constantly develop travel, tourism and hospitality services in key regional markets.
