Egypt's Health Minister reviews upgrades at Gustave Roussy Hospital    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Suez Canal Bank partners with CRIF Egypt to advance sustainability through Synesgy    Russia hits Ukraine with huge barrage as first Australian tanks arrive    Russia unveils 'Kinzhal' interceptor drone to counter low-altitude threats    Lebanon's PM says US proposal includes full Israeli withdrawal, state control of arms    Saib reopens Mansoura branch after comprehensive renovation    ABE signs cooperation protocol to finance beneficiaries of state-owned lands in Minya    Sandoz Egypt introduces OMNITROPE 15mg biosimilar growth hormone for the treatment of short stature    Egypt After 2025: Navigating a Critical Inflection Point    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Spot Gold, futures slips on Thursday, July 17th    Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation    Egypt expresses condolences to Iraq over fire tragedy    Egyptian, Belarusian officials discuss drug registration, market access    Sri Lanka's expat remittances up in June '25    Egypt's Health Min. discusses drug localisation with Sandoz    EU–US trade talks enter 'decisive phase', German politician says    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Egypt tourism minister to visit Saudi after decision to cut pilgrim numbers
Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou will visit Saudi Arabia to discuss latter's decision to cut number of pilgrims to Mecca, Medina by 20 percent
Published in Ahram Online on 10 - 06 - 2013

Egyptian Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou will soon head to Saudi Arabia to discuss a recent Saudi decision to reduce the number of Egyptian pilgrims to Mecca and Medina by 20 percent in 2013, an official source said on Monday.
The Saudi authorities' decision to cut the number of incoming pilgrims by 20 percent applies to pilgrims from all over the world, not just Egypt.
According to Bassel El-Sisi, deputy head of the Egyptian Tourism Chamber's Islamic tourism committee, the reduction is due to the ongoing expansion of Saudi's Grand Mosque.
"Egypt officially has around 88,000 pilgrimage visas, but in fact it exceeds this number given the complementary, individual and seasonal workers' visas,” El-Sisi told Ahram Online.
"The tourism chamber calls on the government to work with the oil-rich kingdom to halt these additional visas, in which case we won't see our numbers cut," he added.
Al-Sisi went on to point out that, if the Saudi decision is implemented, several Egyptian tourism agencies would face troubles since they had already booked hotels for upcoming pilgrimages.
Egypt is one of the top countries in terms of pilgrim numbers.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/73678.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.