CAIRO - Minister of Tourism Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour on Tuesday announced the nation's plan for a spectacular celebration to mark the first anniversary of the January 25 revolution. He said the Ministry will organise the celebration to bolster tourism and mark a major political event that has won the world's full admiration and respect. Abdel Nour said that the event is expected to attract thousands of tourists and intense media interest. "The Ministry pins high hopes on the celebration attracting more tourists and boosting tourism," he said during an inspection tour of renovation work at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square. The Tourism Minister added that thousands of tourists are expected in Egypt during next month's celebrations, which will be covered by foreign reporters and media people. The celebration is part of the Ministry's plan to diversify tourist attractions, use the country's resources and lure tourists from various countries during January, the Minister explained, adding that the hotel will open in the first quarter of 2013. Apart from promoting the traditional historic sites, the Ministry will launch the festival to boost tourism, which is a main source of foreign currency for the country, in 'secure Egypt' after the recent revolution. He said that Egypt has long been a prime destination for Arab tourists, especially those from the Gulf states. In a bid to avert a slump in its lucrative tourist industry, Minister Abdel Nour said that the festival aims to lure visitors with the promise of concerts, folkloric shows and displays by artists. "Egypt is trying to attract tourists to the banks of the Nile in January," he said. The festival, marking the first anniversary of the revolution , is being organised by the Ministry, backed by heavy advertising, the Minister explained. "It seeks to promote the Egyptian experience in the region and beyond," Abdel Nour stressed, adding that several hotels are offering special packages. He said that advertising spots will be aired on Arab and Western satellite channels, pointing out the January 25 revolution Festival is of vital importance to the State's coffers.
