Egypt Still Optimistic On Tourism Figures Despite Ongoing Violence

By: EW News Desk Team   Date: 6 February 2012

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EconomyWatch, News Desk Team

 

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06 February 2012

Tourist figures to Egypt could pick up to between 12 and 13 million visitors this year, said an official from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism on Sunday, after revenues from Egypt’s tourism sector plunged by nearly 30 percent in 2011 due to ongoing violence stemming from the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.

"The future of tourism in Egypt will be great," said Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism’s undersecretary Samy Mahmoud during in an interview with Reuters in Dubai.

"By the end of 2012, we expect between 12 to 13 million tourists. The contribution to the economy will be around $11 billion,” he added.

Though the number of tourists who came to Egypt dropped by over 33 percent to 9.8 million in 2011 (as compared to 14.7 million in 2010), Mahmoud remained confident that his country could soon lure tourists back once the military council, which took charge after Mubarak was toppled on February 11th last year, handed power to civilians by the end of June after an election.

"By the end of June we will have a president and a strong government. This will boost tourism in Egypt,” said Mahmoud.

The tourism industry makes up for more than 10 percent of Egypt’s GDP and is the country’s top foreign currency earner. In addition, one out of every eight jobs in the country is tied to the industry, which boasts some of the world’s most famous attractions such as the Great Sphinx and Pyramid of Giza, as well as the ancient monuments in Luxor.

In 2010, before the unrest began, Egypt’s tourism revenues had been at $12.5 billion, though it dropped by nearly a third to $8.8 billion in 2011.

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Mahmoud said he expected rising visitor numbers in 2012 to come mainly from Russia, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Gulf Arab region, and assured visitors that most of the main tourists’ attractions remained safe, despite violence in the capital city of Cairo.

"Seventy-five percent of total tourist arrivals to Egypt are going to Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. These places are very safe. Only about 25 percent are coming to Cairo," he said.

Asked whether he thought Egypt's new government was doing enough to promote tourism, Mahmoud said: "Of course. We have good security and a good system. Tourism will be the future for the economy of Egypt."


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