Speaking exclusively to Ahram Online, Taleb Rifai expresses cautious optimism regarding the country's major moneymaker, saying future governments are unlikely to place restrictions on tourist activity It's been a troubled time for the Egyptian tourist industry but there are suggestions a mild recovery is underway. In 2010, around 14.7 million tourists visited Egypt and brought in $12.5 billion in revenues. But the January 2011 uprising and its aftermath saw visitors slump to 9.8 million and income slashed by a third. Parliamentary elections and the return of relative stability - at least in tourist hotspots - has seen visitors trickle back. About 3.6 million tourists came to Egypt between January and May this year, according to Egypt's official statistics agency. But the recent election of an Islamist president has cast fresh uncertainties. Many in the industry are concerned there might be a drive to restrict tourist activities which religious conservatives regard as forbidden. At the recent Rio+20 conference in Rio de Janeiro, Ahram Online sat down with Taleb Rifai, General-Secretary of the World Tourism Organization, theUnited Nations tourism agency,to discuss Egypt's prospects. Ahram Online: Does Egypt's ongoing political uncertainty pose a threat to its reputation as a tourist destination? Taleb Rifai: Egypt has always been and will continue to be one of the most important destinations in the world. As a matter of fact, in the last 14 months the country has recovered significantly from the losses it took in the wake of the 25th January revolution and the political incidents it faced [afterwards]. In this regard we are confident that Egypt will not suffer consequences in the medium or long term. AO: What about the prospect of Islamic rule? What might this mean for a sector that relies of beach tourism, the sale of alcohol and so on? TR: Tour operators have had several reservations cancelled in the last year due to some statements [regarding rumours of 'vice committees' or looming restrictions on tourists]. [But] regarding any potential change of in leadership in Egypt, I am sure that there is no intelligent government -- whatever its ideological inclination -- which would risk losing the benefits that tourism provides in terms of income and jobs. Tourism provides Egypt with even more income than the Suez Canal, and around 11 per cent of Egypt's workforce is linked to tourism. I have personally had many talks with different sectors of the political spectrum in Egypt, and I am continuously reassured of what I am telling you. All in all, we have no doubt that Egypt will continue to depend on tourism and tourism will continue to be one of the important elements of the state's future. About rumours and claims such as those published several months ago about [a new, covert] 'morality police', I can say that we are engaging in assumptions prematurely. No one knows the political situation in Egypt now and how it will go [on in future]. What I do know, is that whatever is happening in Egypt is having no impact on the tourism industry. Numbers are returning to Egypt. But what will happen in the future, we do not know. As of now there is nothing like this on the ground in Egypt that acts as a deterrent for tourists. AO: How do you judge the performance of Egypt's current Minister of Tourism, Mounir Fakhry Abdel-Nour? Is he doing a good job? TR: In terms of a transitional government performance, Mounir Fakhri is doing a great job. He is an incredibly resilient and successful minister. I have been with him in many countries around the world and he has the ability to promote Egypt like nobody else. That's why I believe that his policies are correct, and I sincerely hope that the same attitude will continue. AO: There has been some scepticism in Egypt over recent tourism figures, with critics saying the improving numbers include political refugees from places like Libya, as well as foreign reporters. Can we say the apparent rebound is definitely a result of genuine tourist activity? TR: Reports and opinions [like this] are not correct. We have an accurate and precise statistical system called the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) that measures exactly who is tourist and who is not. We stand by our figures. But even if these categories are included among tourists then we are talking about a few thousand. Tourists numbers are calculated in the millions, so it has no effect. AO: There has been a recent spate of kidnappings of tourists by Bedouin in the Sinai [all tourists have been returned unharmed]. Do you think events like these are seriously damaging the tourism sector too? TR: Egypt witnessed these acts even before the revolution and I think they will continue to happen. But these are considered as minor and isolated incidents and will never impact tourism. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/46342.aspx
