Egypt’s Tourism Minister reveals rally in tourism indicators

CAIRO – 24 April 2017: Egyptian Minister of Tourism Yehia Rashed confirmed positive indicators showing a revival in the tourism sector during an interview with Bloomberg Television Monday.

These indicators demonstrate how Egypt is restoring its place as a top tourist destination after a significant deterioration in the tourism sector, the minister added.

The interview came on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The event is a leading international travel and tourism event unlocking business potential within the Middle East.

Rashed said the indicators recorded a year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2017.

The main problem with Egypt’s low tourism numbers is tourists’ perception of Egypt, and the “deformed image” that has built up about tourism in Egypt.

He also stressed that the Egyptian government has been exerting strenuous efforts to confront terrorism, which has become a global phenomenon.

Egypt’s tourist destinations, landmarks and activities, according to the minister, are characterized by diversity and miscellany that would appease all tastes, not to mention medical tourism.

In a bid to revive its vital tourism industry, Egypt has been forming plans to promote religious, medical and sports tourism, a move that hopes to kick-start a the sector which was a primary source of foreign currency.

Tourism in Egypt has struggled since the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak and was followed by years of unrest, including a series of terrorist attacks and two airplane crashes which have furthered a global perception of instability.

Since then, Egypt has been working on revamping its image to change the perception that it is an unsafe destination.