An economist for tourism.. Reasons behind choosing Ahmed Issa in Egypt's new gov't

CAIRO - 21 August 2022: Choosing an economist to take over Egypt’s tourism file came with the aim of managing this file with an economic mentality, in a way that contributes to increasing the economic return from this important tributary, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli elaborated why Ahmed Issa was appointed as Minister of Tourism.

 

Madbouli pointed out that this sector has received unprecedented support from the state during the last period, and there must be returns to the Egyptian state, especially since Egypt has a lot of infrastructure in this sector, with multiple purposes.

 

This came days after appointing the CEO of the retail banking sector at the Commercial International Bank (CIB), Ahmed Issa, to succeed Khaled El-Enani as the minister of tourism and antiquities, which raised wonders on why a banker would manage a tourism file.

 

On Aug. 13, a major cabinet reshuffle was decreed by the House of Representatives, giving 13 ministerial positions to fresh politicians while 18 others have kept their incumbents.

 

Among the 13 ministers was Ahmed Issa who  took over the Ministry of Tourism with extensive experience in the banking field since 1993, when he had started his banking career in the CIB.

 

The Premier met the new Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, on Sunday to discuss a number of the ministry's work files during the next phase.

 

At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that Egypt’s goal, at this stage, is to push the tourism sector to broader horizons, thus contributing to achieving unprecedented growth rates, referring to President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi's mandates to work to increase the number of tourists coming to Egypt from various countries of the world, by expanding targeting more new tourist markets, and continuing coordination with tourist rooms to achieve this goal.

 

During the meeting, Madbouli touched on the state's efforts in dealing with the problems that may face tourist investors, and working to operate faltering projects and hotels, especially in Sharm El-Sheikh, and quickly finding solutions to them, in support of this vital sector.

 

Furthermore, he pointed out the importance of continuous work to improve the quality of hotel establishments, as well as the various services provided to tourists.

 

At the same time, Madbouli emphasized the importance of the file of the promotion for all the tourist destinations in the country, which meet the desires of tourists coming to it, as it is characterized by its diversity and richness, stressing the need to start implementing the previously prepared promotion plan; in order to achieve its goals and increase the tourism movement to Egypt, as well as interest in yacht tourism.

 

In addition, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of preparing for the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, developing the surrounding area, and paying attention to hotels in this area, especially that there are high-level hotels that will be established in the area, pointing out that cooperation and partnership with the private sector is of great importance in this field.

 

For his part, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities praised what the former minister had accomplished, stating that there is a highly efficient teamwork in the ministry, and there will be cooperation to accomplish these assignments.

 

He added that he met with team members at the ministry, and held a meeting with members of the board of directors of the tourism chambers, and a number of investors in the tourism sector, and listened to their opinions and suggestions, as well as reassured the position of the upcoming winter season.

 

“Three files have been settled on which attention will be directed, the first of which is the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the second file is for the ministry to play its short-term role in the (COP27) conference, by providing hotels with the required services, in addition to coordinating with tourism companies that will provide various tourism programs to the participants in this conference,” the Tourism Minister stated.

 

As for the third file, the minister indicated that it relates to the upcoming winter season, and work to increase the number of tourists in this season.

 

He explained that there will be continuous communication with the tourist rooms; to agree on ideas and visions that support the tourism sector, and they will work to stimulate and organize these ideas and contribute to their success, and the ideas and visions of specialized academics will be given attention.