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Reuters is reporting tonight that Egypt says it is confident of luring back millions of foreign visitors and putting a smile on their faces, according to its new tourism minister, despite heavy first quarter losses and setbacks including a bomb that brought down a Russian passenger plane.
Yehia Rashed said the ancient land of the pyramids and Red Sea resorts was determined to secure a strong recovery even though the number of foreign tourists fell by 40 percent in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the same period last year.
The most populous Arab nation aims to attract 12 million tourists by the end of 2017 with a six-point plan, he said.
"I am very hopeful, optimistic about the future of tourism into Egypt," Rashed told Reuters in an interview. "I want to get that smile that you are smiling into the faces of everybody. We want to stay positive."
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Julian Bray Aviation Security Expert comments: Egypt sadly will have to try a lot harder before it can ever hope to regain its valuable lost holiday markets, and the essential hard currency it represents. Current offers include 50% discounts and free child places. The country is currently just paying lip service to the reforms required. Many holiday groups have meanwhile entered into long term contracts with other countries, not surrounded by a series of unstable conflict and all out war zones which their clients will have to fly over to reach Egyptian coastal resorts.
It is changing the whole leisure industry dynamic, in addition wildcat French Air Traffic Controller strikes are additionally compounding the problems for Egypt. Making the region wholly unprofitable, and too high a risk for carriers. The Cruise Industry for example is currently experiencing a year-on-year boom, with European Shipyards turning out mega ships just as fast as they can. Another industry lost to the UK. Shipbuilding that is....
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Egypt tourism revenue (CLICK ON THIS LINK) has taken a heavy hit since a Russian plane crashed in the Sinai last October, killing all 224 people on board in what President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called an act of terrorism. Islamic State said it planted a bomb on board.Rashed said Egypt had improved airport security since the crash. "These people have worked day and night," he said. "Egypt is safe."The torture of Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni, whose body was dumped on the side of a road in February, has also hurt Egypt's image (READ THE FULL STORY HERE)
The most populous Arab nation aims to attract 12 million tourists by the end of 2017 with a six-point plan, he said.
"I am very hopeful, optimistic about the future of tourism into Egypt," Rashed told Reuters in an interview. "I want to get that smile that you are smiling into the faces of everybody. We want to stay positive."
______________________
Julian Bray Aviation Security Expert comments: Egypt sadly will have to try a lot harder before it can ever hope to regain its valuable lost holiday markets, and the essential hard currency it represents. Current offers include 50% discounts and free child places. The country is currently just paying lip service to the reforms required. Many holiday groups have meanwhile entered into long term contracts with other countries, not surrounded by a series of unstable conflict and all out war zones which their clients will have to fly over to reach Egyptian coastal resorts.
It is changing the whole leisure industry dynamic, in addition wildcat French Air Traffic Controller strikes are additionally compounding the problems for Egypt. Making the region wholly unprofitable, and too high a risk for carriers. The Cruise Industry for example is currently experiencing a year-on-year boom, with European Shipyards turning out mega ships just as fast as they can. Another industry lost to the UK. Shipbuilding that is....
________________________
Egypt tourism revenue (CLICK ON THIS LINK) has taken a heavy hit since a Russian plane crashed in the Sinai last October, killing all 224 people on board in what President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called an act of terrorism. Islamic State said it planted a bomb on board.Rashed said Egypt had improved airport security since the crash. "These people have worked day and night," he said. "Egypt is safe."The torture of Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni, whose body was dumped on the side of a road in February, has also hurt Egypt's image (READ THE FULL STORY HERE)
JULIAN BRAY +44(0)1733 345581 Aviation Expert, Journalist & Broadcaster, Aviation Security & Airline Operations Expert, Travel / Maritime & Cruise Industry, NUJ, EQUITY, LIVE ISDN LINK, Broadcast ISDN COOBE ++44 (0)1733 345020 e&oe Old faithful NOKIA: 07944 217476 www.aviationcomment.com
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