InterContinental Hotel's new beach club shuttle service

InterContinental Malta, supported by Food Industries Ltd, agents for Algida and Orangina, has just launched a new specialty service for hotel guests, providing a unique means of transport between the hotel and the InterContinental Beach Club and its Paranga Restaurant.

This service provides for the transportation of up to eight persons, including the driver, in both an environmentally friendly and entertaining manner by using an open air Club Car people carrier between the two locations.

The open-sided vehicle is powered by 6XTrojan T/890 340 Amp long life batteries, which will operate for a full constant 12 hours at average load, allowing the hotel to shuttle their guests in comfort and style throughout the long hot summer days and evenings when guests go to Paranga for dinner.

InterContinental Malta general manager Christophe Laure was responsible for the concept following the Government's introduction of registration tax exemption for electric cars, which now makes the operation of such vehicles economically viable.

"In addition to the comfort for the hotel guest, is the environmentally friendly nature of the vehicle, which being battery powered means it is both silent and exhaust free," he said.

"We have taken the lead in introducing the first environmentally responsible passenger vehicle onto the island and this concept is sure to catch the public's attention while demonstrating the hotel's commitment to continually upgrading the quality of service offered to its guests."

The Club Car eight-seater Transporter was manufactured in the United States by Club Car Inc., a subsidiary of the Ingersoll Rand Corporation, and smaller capacity models are used as courtesy vehicles in many resorts around the world as well as in airport terminals and hospitals. Being emission free, they can also be used internally in large buildings.

Local agents Frank Borda Limited, who over the years have been supplying golf carts to Royal Malta Golf Club members, have now identified a new market for electric vehicles, which have many features such as commercial farming, goods transportation, ice cream and refrigerated mobile sales.

The scope for further use of such vehicles within the tourism industry and environmentally sensitive locations on the island is substantial bearing in mind the short distances travelled and will provide a pleasant alternative to the many existing commercial vehicles on our roads.