Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    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    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    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    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.



Post-revolution travel offers to boost tourism
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 22 - 02 - 2011

An unprecedented drop in tourism during and following the weeks of the 25 January uprising is forcing Egyptian travel agencies to offer discounted travel packages to Egypt's major holiday destinations.
During the first couple of days of protests, Egypt's economy reportedly lost an estimated US$1 billion as over a million tourists fled the country.
In an attempt to revive internal tourism, great travel deals are now on offer for vacations at the most luxurious hotels at highly attractive prices.
“This is the only way to rescue the tourism sector from a complete collapse and prevent the crisis of redundancies from escalating,” says Nesma, a tour operator.
The tourism company Nesma works for is adopting a marketing strategy that has started to prove successful.
“We have sent text messages and emails to all our customers to attract them to come and spend a holiday with their families or friends,” she says. According to Nesma, advertisements in newspapers are also encouraging Egyptians to make reservations for the next months.
“This year I won't go to Europe. Cheap packages for Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada give a great opportunity to contribute to the tourism sector, so I decided to spend my vacations there instead,” says Sameh, a 28-year-old engineer. “Egypt is passing through a critical phase now, so we have to stand by our country until it regains its footing.”
Though Sameh has traveled abroad many times, he feels that Red Sea resorts are among the most beautiful places in the world. “This is why foreigners come from around the world to see it, and it's time for us to appreciate its beauty too during these difficult times.”
Tourism, one of Egypt's most important sources of revenue, generates around US$13 billion annually.
Although her work has been seriously affected by the toppling of the regime, Hoda, a tour guide, says she is optimistic that tourism will bloom again very soon: “The reason behind the revolution was internal political problems that have no relation to tourism.”
Nevertheless, many countries have warned their nationals against visiting Cairo, due to the unstable situation. Hotel occupancy rates have plunged to less than ten percent across the nation.
Hoda joined an initiative on Monday last week calling on tourists to return to Egypt. Two thousand tour guides launched the “Come back to Egypt” campaign at the Giza Pyramids, with the aim of conveying the message internationally that Egypt is now safe to visit.
The tour guides chanted, “The people want the return of tourism,” and carried banners bearing the same demand written in different languages.
“Until conditions go back to normal, I believe reasonable offers for Egyptians will help tourism to take its first step toward recovery,” says Hoda.
Here are some of those offers to enjoy during the upcoming period:
*Luxor
Hotel: Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel (4 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights' stay for LE590 per person in a double room
Valid from 16 February till 26 April 2011
*Aswan:
Hotel: Movenpick resort (5 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights' stay for LE640 per person in a double room
Valid from February till the end of March 2011
*Sharm el-Sheikh
Hotel: AA Grand Oasis Resort (4 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights' stay for LE590 per person in a double room
Valid from February till the end of March 2011
*Hurghada:
Hotel: Marriott Red Sea Resort (5 stars)
Stay: 4 days/ 3 nights
Rate: Three nights' stay for LE665 per person in a double room
Valid from 14 February till the end of March.
*Ain Sokhna
Hotel: Horizon al-Wadi
Stay: 3 days/ 2 nights
Rate: Two nights' stay for LE375 per person in a double room
Valid from 17 February till 20 April
All packages are for Egyptians and foreign residents only.
For more offers or information, please call Thomas Cook on 26962139/40 - 24164000


Clic here to read the story from its source.