ALEXANDRIA: A fervent Alexandrian tour guide has launched a special website to boost tourism to her city and encourage both tourists and locals to explore the history and beauty of the beautiful coastal city. Zahra Adel Awed noticed that Alexandria was viewed by many as merely a sea resort and an ancient city that sheltered a few Greco-Roman ruins. But as I began taking many groups for short tours around Alexandria, I was surprised to hear that they wanted to come back to discover more, said Zahra. But most of them said there wasn't enough information available about Alexandria in major tour guides, which made me keen to launch a special website to fill the gap. Zahra launched her website, Alexandria News, (touregypt.net/teblog/alexandrianews) last year. It includes information ranging from ancient and modern history to Alexandrians lifestyle and culture, which Zahra thinks are different from those of other Egyptians. There might be several websites about Alexandria including that of the Alexandria Library, but for Zahra most of these websites are either too specific or not regularly updated and have, therefore, failed to give a holistic view of the city, or capture its spirit. I was shocked to know that some Egyptians, including tour guides, don t know more about Alexandria other than the fact that it s a sea-resort. "Some tourists were told by their guides that there was nothing to do in Alexandria other than have a dip in the sea and see some dilapidated Roman statues. Zahra said that Alexandrian art could be distinguished from Greco-Roman art. The recent underwater archaeologists discoveries have helped bring attention to the touristic potential of the city. With the inauguration of the Alexandria library and plans to permanently showcase the underwater artifacts which are now touring European capitals, the fortunes of the city will be reversed, everyone will come to know that Alexandria is the city of submerged civilizations. It will no longer be ignored or sidelined. Zahra added that Alexandria is the city of memories as much as it is the ancient Greco-Roman capital, mentioning Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Lawrence Durell, author of The Alexandria Quartet, Foster, Omar Sharif and Gamal Abdel Nasser, who have all lived in Alexandria. She believes that Alexandria can stand the competition, because you can tour the entire city in two days. Trips to Rosetta, 100 km from the city center where the Rosetta stone was discovered, and another to Alamein, on the Alexandria-Matrouh highway are easy to make, the same way trips to Fayoum or Shabramant are included in Cairo visitors' itineraries. Zahraa is proud of being an Alexandrian. Her non-profit website aimed primarily at promoting a place she loves. But I really need the help and cooperation of all interested groups. I am just one person and I would be really pleased if I get people who are ready to see beyond the delicious seafood.
