EGYPT continues to rank high in the preference of tourists all over the world and has become one of Middle East's leading tourist destinations, the Minister of Tourism said in Berlin on Wednesday. Zoheir Garranah, who inaugurated the Egyptian pavilion in the 44th Edition of the International Tourism Exhibition in Berlin, told The Gazette that Egypt is keen on participating in such keen events to increase the number of tourists visiting the country. The tourism industry accounts for nearly 11 per cent of the gross domestic product and employs 17 per cent of its workforce in Egypt. Garranah said that the Berlin exhibition would be an excellent opportunity to promote tourism in Egypt abroad …quot; particularly in Europe, from where 75 per cent of Egypt's tourists hail. "In order to retain the nation's share of the international market, the Ministry has intensified its promotion and advertising campaigns abroad," Garranah said, after opening the pavilion, which occupies an area of 578 square metres, where more than 60 Egyptian tourism companies and hotels are taking part. The participating countries have already launched an active advertising campaign that focuses more on Egypt as an affordable holiday destination, he said. Garranah also said that he would enhanced contacts with major tour operators in Berlin so that they can participate in marketing activities for tourism in Egypt and expand international promotion.
