THE chronic economic crisis facing the country shouldn't distract the Government from taking some major steps to re-float the tourism sector and prevent it from going bankrupt. A few days ago, the press wrote about the crisis facing the hotel sector in Upper Egypt, especially the Nile Cruisers, which has driven the owners of 286 floating hotels to put them up for sale, because they can no longer afford to operate them. At this time of the year, these hotels used to complain that they were too full, as countless foreign tourists would come year to spend their Christmas and New Year holidays in the warm southern cities of Luxor and Aswan. However, the chaos since last year's revolution, the repeated strikes, the cutting of railway lines and Nile Cruisers being prevented to weigh anchor have taken their toll. What has made matters worse is the sudden increase in the price of diesel used to fuel the boats. Few of the 316 cruisers that used to run between Luxor and Aswan are still in operation. Despite the crisis, investors still have to pay their taxes, rates and electricity bills. Banks threaten to blacklist those investors who take out loans but then welch on the repayments. If it really is serious about dealing with the chronic economic crisis, the Government shouldn't neglect the tourism sector. The banks should reschedule the debts of struggling investors, even offering them new facilities to enable them to continue operating their hotels, rather than having to sack their workers, while governmental bodies should wait till the crisis is over before making these investors pay their dues. The only good thing about this crisis is that it has made the Muslim Brotherhood rulers realise just how vital tourism is to the economy, employing millions of people and paying the Government a lot of tax. In the meantime, the mid-year holiday must be exploited to promote domestic tourism to Upper Egypt. Discounts on air and train tickets will encourage families to take their children to visit Upper Egypt's wonderful monuments.
