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Domestic tourism initiative extended in bid to bolster occupancy Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority continues supporting tours for Egyptians; major sports and art events will be launched in 2016
The Ministry of Tourism extended the "Egypt in our Hearts" initiative for Egyptians to visit touristic areas until 30 May, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism. This programme includes one-day trips or long weekend trips to visit touristic destinations in Luxor, Aswan, and South Sinai's Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as Dahab, Taba and Nuweiba. Economic adviser to the minister of tourism Adla Ragab said in a previous press statement that the programme will be extended to end of May 2016 to increase occupancy in South Sinai's touristic areas. Head of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority Sami Mahmoud said extending the initiative, which is subsidised by the authority, came in light of a growing demand by citizens to participate in it. He also added that the extension complements the remarkable success of the initiative so far. The initiative targets all segments of society, including trade unions, universities, governmental bodies, NGOs, companies and clubs, Mahmoud said. Extending the initiative is part of the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Promotion Authority's efforts to promote the tourism sector, to encourage citizens to participate, and to enable a greater number of citizens to enjoy such an opportunity, according to the statement issued by the ministry. The authority continues supporting tours for Egyptians in coming period; five to six major sports and art events will be launched in 2016, Mahmoud said. These events will seek assistance from ministries of aviation, and youth and sports and the governorates where the event will take place, he stated. Moreover, Mahmoud said extending the initiative coincides with the school holidays, giving the greatest opportunity for many age segments to get to know and enjoy Egypt's touristic sites. Vice president of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority Ahmed Hamdi said the initiative aims to increase domestic tourism spending, which would contribute to the recovery of tourist influx to these touristic cities and raise efficiency associated with tourism services. The initiative aims to bolster domestic tourism in light of the lagging rates of incoming international tourism. The already floundering sector received major blows with the death of Italian PhD student Giulio Regeni, just months after a Russian Metrojet flight was downed in October, evidently due to an explosive device planted on it.
