Volunteer tourism EGYPT is taking steps to try to capture a part of a $90 billion volunteer tourism industry. Early this month, Egyptian Minister of Tourism Zuheir Garana and United States Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey launched an initiative to support American volunteer tourism in Egypt. "Volunteer tourism is a form of travel which includes volunteering time and effort for a charitable cause. It is a good way for intercultural communication due to direct interaction between American tourists and the local community," Kristen Lamoureux, director of George Washington University Institute for International Tourism studies, said at a meeting held at the US Embassy in Cairo. Lamoureux noted that tourists can volunteer for development projects that help improve people's lives everywhere. Voluntary activities range from teaching music to helping patients in hospitals. She believes that Egypt can attract more tourists if they understand that there is more to see than the Pyramids and other famous historical sites. Lamoureux also stated that a 2009 study showed 45 per cent of respondents to a survey said they pick the country they wish to visit based on the voluntary work they can do there. According to an American tourism magazine poll, 47 per cent of readers are interested in volunteering while travelling, Lamoureux added. Bever at AmCham NEW USAID Mission Director in Egypt James Bever stressed his organisation's commitment to making life easier for the private sector. Bever was addressing the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo. "USAID is not in the business of giving out handouts. Think of us as investors," Bever said. In that framework, Bever said USAID wants to do business differently by having more direct contracts with Egyptian firms. Although he said the "modest" USAID funding of $250 million is secure for this year and the next, it is not yet clear what the new Congress will decide in future. Bever noted that for the past 30 years USAID has supported economic growth in Egypt and that goal remains "the promotion of a healthy educated society and a globally competitive Egyptian economy". To that end, he said more is needed in education, where quality needs to improve.
