Tourist facilities and shops in the governorates of Giza and Cairo recorded their lowest levels of tourists since the start of the global financial crisis, especially in the areas of Sakkara and the Giza Pyramids, which heavily rely on Arab tourists. Work on Nile boats has slowed down and some of the restaurants on these vessels took advantage of this period to carry out some maintenance and make some changes. Meanwhile, work rate in Giza and Cairo hotels reached 60.4% two days ago, 4% more than last week. Tourism Ministry Undersecretary Ahmed Attiya said tourism has been affected by a few incidents, starting from the global financial crisis, the events in Gaza and the inter-seasonal period. Such kind of periods, in which tourism in Egypt shrinks, includes the weeks after Christmas and New Year (from January 8 to February 20) and between May 15 and June 15, he said. Speaking to the press yesterday, he affirmed the work rate on Wednesday stood at 47.5% in Sharm el-Sheikh, 38.8% in Dahab, 35.8% in Nuweiba and 36.9% in Taba, which had reached its lowest levels during the events in Gaza. Meanwhile, Sainte Catherine recorded the lowest rate among Egypt's tourist areas (8.3%) because of the low temperatures in this period, he said, adding that the overall work rate in the governorate of Southern Sinai reached on Wednesday 45.7%. He affirmed such rate reached 56% in Horghada villages, 33% in Safaga, 25% in al-Quseir, 22% in Marsa Alam, 77.6% in Luxor (the highest rate among Egypt's tourist destinations) and 53% in Assuan. He also said that the work rate at Giza and Cairo hotels stood at 60.4% and that most tourist destinations in the Middle East were welcoming fewer and fewer tourists. The undersecretary went on to say that the tourist countries in the Middle East and the Mediterranean which have been affected by the crisis have started announcing price reductions and granting incentives to tourists, mainly from France and Spain. He also added that in two weeks there would be a clearer picture about reservations in Egypt by tourists coming from Europe, Asia and new markets. He expected Egypt's propaganda and Tourism Minister's tour in a few European countries would have a positive impact on future tourist rates.
