The Egyptian Ministry of Planning issued a report stating the rate of tourism developing reached 14.3 percent during the first half of 2010. By the second half, however, the number of tourists declined by 45 percent because of the Egyptian January 25 Revolution. Tourism investments are expected to reach U.S. $1.1 billion and the private sector is also expected to invest and capture 90 percent of total investments. The tourism sector aims to attract 14 million tourists and earn U.S. $12 million. The tourist sector holds tourist-promoting programs, launches campaigns through social sites and coordinates with other ministries in order to increase rates of tourism. The report also shows during the second half of 2011, tourist activity was affected sharply by the January 25 Revolution. The lack of security in Egypt caused cancelation of bookings and banning travel to Egypt from some countries. These affected hotel occupation and the rate of tourism investments. The tourism sector did not contribute in increasing income because number of tourists was reduced by 45 percent. The number of nights and tourism income also reduced by 34 percent. Reports expects tourist movements to witness a sharper decline later in the year. The upcoming number of tourists will not exceed 1.5 million tourists, and the number of nights will reach 9.3 million nights and the tourism income is predicted to reach U.S. $800 million. However the actual number contradicts expectations; the resulting movement of tourists reached 2.24 million and the number of nights reached 21.8 million and the tourist income reached U.S. $1.85 billion. And yet, these numbers are still less than the statistics of last year.
