The development of Egypt's coastal holiday destinations continued apace in 2007, making the country's most pristine locations ever more accessible to larger numbers of tourists, both Egyptian and foreign.Right across the North Coast and all along the mainland Red Sea Coast, new hotels, villas and resorts sprung up at a phenomenal rate while existing destinations enjoyed continued growth in both numbers of visitors and property owners.Here are five of the fastest growing resort towns of 2007. El-GounaNow one of the country's most popular destinations for Egyptians, El-Gouna, just North of Hurghada, is a purpose-built holiday town. Scores of faux-Oriental luxury villas and over a dozen hotels surround a bustling marina full of restaurants, bars and shops, all adjacent to outlying golf courses and tennis courts. All kinds of water activities are provided by a number of companies, although many of El-Gouna's residents opt to take out their own boats harboured in the marina. Villas are continuously being constructed, and are being bought just as quickly as they spring up. For more information see www.elgouna.com. Soma BayOccupying a 10 million square meter jut of land protruding out into the Red Sea, Soma Bay, a short drive South of Hurghada, is Egypt's latest shrine to high-end tourism. The area is vast, with buses and cars needed to ferry guests between luxury hotels like the Sheraton and Les Residences Des Cascades, the various water activity centers, and the much-lauded Cascades golf course. Private houses are also currently in development. For more information go to www.somabay.com. Marsa AlamThe fact that Marsa Alam is one of the least developed of Egypt's coastal destinations is also the main reason behind its soaring popularity. Located around 200 miles South of Hurghada, the area boasts year-round warmth, mile after mile of unspoilt beaches, clean azure waters and spectacular reefs, making it a favorite among divers who flock here on the increasingly frequent charter flights arriving in Marsa Alam's international airport. Like Egypt's other seaside towns Marsa Alam is undergoing rapid development with several resorts already built and several more on the way. For info on accommodation and travel see www.marsaalam.com, or for a more eco-friendly holiday go to www.redsea-divingsafari.com. Porto MarinaThis growing development not far along the coast from Alexandria has catered to Egypt's upper crust for a number of years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Developed largely by the Amer Group, new golf courses, fitness facilities and luxury accommodations seem to be unveiled every other month. However its unabated growth is leading many Porto Marina regulars to explore other options along the Red Sea, or further down the coast to towns like Marsa Matrouh. For more information see www.porto-marina.com. Marsa MatrouhMarsa Matrouh is one of the jewels in the crown of Egypt's North Coast, and a future hotspot for tourism. Currently it is served by a number of hotels such as the Iberotel, the smaller Beau Site hotel, and several holiday homes, and is popular among holidaying Egyptians who cherish the area's magnificent and often secluded beaches. With the construction of mega resorts such as those being built in Almaza Bay and the completion of the Marsa Matrouh international airport, they can expect to be joined before long by throngs of European holidaymakers on package tours. Check out http://beausitehotel.com/matrouh.htm for more information.
