Cairo: Russia has officially lifted its ban on travel to Egypt, reported the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and several Russian news agencies. Russia, which provides Egypt with the largest number of tourists annually, issued the travel ban during the beginning of Egypt's January 25 Revolution that led to the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak. Russia's decision to ban tourist trips to Egypt greatly impacted Egyptian tourism. In 2010 alone 2.8 million Russian tourists visited Egypt, said Egypt's Minister of Tourism, Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, making Russia the number one country providing Egypt with tourists. Russian news agencies reported that the Russian Federal Tourism Agency lifted the travel ban to Egypt and is allowing the sale of tour services to Egypt starting from April 1. While the Russian foreign ministry lifted the ban on trips to Egyptian resorts on the Red Sea, it is still advising Russians to avoid visiting Cairo, as it remains a sensitive area. The ministry also recommended group trips over individual trips. Egypt's ministry of tourism sent a delegation to Moscow's International Tourism Exhibition between 12 and 15 March and held meetings with Russia's ambassador in Egypt as part of its efforts to lift the ban. About 40,000 Russian tourists were evacuated from Egypt during the political unrest in January and February. Russian tour operators said air travel to Egypt will resume in full over the next three weeks. Tourism, along with the Suez Canal revenues and the remittances from Egyptians abroad, is a vital source of the National Egyptian Income. BM
