Egypt has always been very popular with tourists and the Egyptian economy relies heavily on tourism, which provides a lot of jobs and brings a lot of foreign currency into the country. But tourism has seriously declined since the revolution, because tourists are worried about the instability here. An uncertain political situation, rising crime and vandalism and the absence of security are all matters of concern for them. The decline in tourism has meant many people losing their jobs in this sector. Mohamed el-Sawy, Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Tourism and Media in the Egyptian Parliament, says that all political forces have agreed on the international launching of the ‘Document on Egyptian Tourism'. This document, which stresses respect for the freedom of belief and worship, is designed to reassure tourists worldwide. Supported by all parliamentary streams and the tourism industry, it was announced on the sidelines of ITB Berlin, that was held from 7th to 11th March. This document stresses that tourists are more than welcome to visit the new Egypt, where their privacy and lifestyle will be respected after the country's great uprising. “This document will have a huge, positive effect on Egyptian tourism,” according to Moustafa Abdel-Khaleq, Director of the Media Department at the Egyptian Tourist Authority. He adds that, since the releasing of the document, demand has been increasing, because tourists now feel more confident about visiting Egypt. Jack, a foreign investor, who owns a restaurant in Hurghada, complains that few tourists are coming to this Red Sea resort, because they are worried about what a prominent Islamist recently said about wanting to impose ‘Islamic tourism' on the country, banning alcoholic drinks, night clubs and casinos. “Some tourists are afraid of visiting Egypt, concerned that the Islamists might prevent them from enjoying their holidays with the facilities you get in any tourist resort worldwide. “I'm now planning to sell my project to an Egyptian investor, because of the uncertainties and the fact that my profits have plummeted since the revolution,” he adds. Abdel-Khaleq agrees that many investors are worried because of the uncertainty in Egypt at the moment. “Workers in the tourism industry are complaining of the lack of tourists visiting places like Luxor and Aswan since the revolution. Some tourism workers in these places are now looking for jobs in coastal resorts, as they're desperate for money,” says Essam, one of them. Meanwhile, some Egyptian investors have gone bankrupt because of the paucity of tourists, along with the all-inclusive deals the resorts are offering visitors nowadays, in order to meet their overheads. Tourists like these deals, because they pay for everything beforehand and never have to stir out of the resort to buy anything; of course, traders offering services outside the resorts are unhappy because they're losing out. Abdel-Khaleq thinks such deals, offered by some hotels and resorts, are harming tourism in general, while the tourists who pay for such deal might be given mediocre service, because the hotels and resorts might be tempted to cut corners to offer them a suitable discount. In any case, all eyes are on Egypt, waiting for the stability we're all hoping for after the presidential elections in June, the outcome of which could have a profound effect on local tourism.
