COX & KINGS LAUNCHES ITS MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME FOR 2014 WITH NEW SUGGESTIONS FOR MOROCCO, A NEW GROUP TOUR TO TURKMENISTAN AND SELF-DRIVE ITINERARIES IN OMAN

The world's longest established travel company, Cox & Kings, has launched its new Middle East brochure for 2014, featuring a comprehensive programme of escorted group tours and private tailor-made holidays to the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Gulf.

While passenger numbers on its group tours across the region have maintained a steady level of growth in 2013, Cox & Kings reports a 15% increase in tailor-made bookings to Morocco, a 60% increase to Oman and 60% increase to Jordan. This growth shows confidence in the countries' security and continues the company's overall trend for tailor-made travel, which gives greater choice and flexibility to explore a particular destination.

Peter Hilton, Cox & Kings' Middle East product manager says, "After a turbulent time for the Middle East region, there is increased interest for destinations such as Morocco and Uzbekistan. I am thrilled to be expanding our programme in Central Asia: Uzbekistan remains one of the company's bestselling tours and Turkmenistan is a fascinating addition. Oman is one of the least known, yet most exciting parts of the Middle East and our new self-drive holidays are a perfect way to discover the country at your own pace. "

MOROCCO: In the last 18 months there has been an influx of new luxury hotels and riads in Marrakech, which has led to an increase in bookings of short breaks to the city. A 3-night stay at Les Borjs de la Kasbah in the medina is priced from £445 per person. Whilst the riads inside the medina give an authentic taste of life in the souks, a stay in one of the luxury hotels in the Palmeraie is an ideal place to relax after a tour in Morocco.  Exotic Morocco is a new 8-day / 7-night private trip priced from £995 per person, which includes a 3-night stay in a riad in Marrakech followed by stays in Essaouira and the Atlas Mountains. A 2-night extension to a luxury hotel in the Palmeraie is from £240 per person. Cox & Kings launched its group tour Splendours of Morocco in 2013 and as sales have been good, two additional departure dates will be added for 2014. The 7-night escorted tour to the imperial cities is priced from £1,045 per person.

JORDAN: Despite the unrest in the surrounding region, Cox & Kings' escorted tour of Jordan remains the third bestselling tour for the company. Splendours of Jordan is an 8-day / 7-night escorted tour priced from £1,545 per person that includes 3 nights in Petra. Demand for tailor-made bookings has increased since last year, with clients wanting to travel at their own pace, seeing the specific sights that interest them. As bookings for Israel have also increased, Cox & Kings is introducing a private tour combining these two fascinating countries, both steeped in history. A 10-day / 9-night private tour of Jordan and Israel is from £2,195 per person.

OMAN: With a significant increase in tailor-made bookings in 2013, Cox & Kings is introducing self-drive holidays to Oman. Driving in the country is straightforward, with often empty wide roads and road signs that are predominantly in English. The cost of petrol is around 20 pence per litre, making independent road travel affordable and appealing. A suggested 9-day / 7-night self-drive journey is priced from £1,575 per person including 6 days' car hire. Year-on-year bookings on the escorted tour have more than doubled for 2013 compared to 2012. Taking in magnificent forts and palaces, the rolling dunes of the Wahiba Sands and the stunning Al Hoota cave complex, Oman: An Arabian Odyssey is priced from £1,695 per person and includes a night in the 1,000 Nights Camp in the Wahiba Sands.

CENTRAL ASIA: On the heart of the Silk Road, Central Asia's countries have played host to conquerors and nomads, leaving behind a fascinating legacy. From the towering fortresses of Khiva and Bukhara in Uzbekistan, to vast deserts and canyons in Turkmenistan and the wild expanses of Kyrgyzstan, Cox & Kings' range of tours discover the region's archaeological and natural treasures. Uzbekistan: The Heart of Central Asia remains one of the company's top five escorted tours in 2013, and for 2014 the 12-day / 10-night tour is priced from £1,675 per person. New for 2014, is an escorted tour to Turkmenistan and a train journey through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Discover Turkmenistan is a 10-day / 8-night escorted tour priced from £2,645 per person that explores the ancient ruins of Kunya Urgench, the spectacular ruins of the Davaza gas crater and visits the spectacular Yangikala Canyons. The Legendary Silk Route by Rail is a 14-day / 12-night non-exclusive group tour priced from £4,695 per person that experiences the contrasting cultures and landscapes following the Silk Road. Travelling on board a private train, the itinerary includes 8 nights on board and 4 nights in local hotels.

All prices include international flights, transfers, excursions and accommodation with breakfast daily unless specified otherwise.

Please see coxandkings.co.uk for the full programme of Middle East holidays.

For more information or images, or to request a copy of the brochure, please contact Katie Parsons on 020 7808 5694 or email katie.parsons@coxandkings.co.uk

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.