SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt: Egyptian Minister of Tourism Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour and governor of South Sinai, Khaled Fouda, received 1,800 tourists at Sharm el-Sheikh Port. The tourists arrived in Egypt on board of Costa Voyager Ship, which was on a tourist voyage on the coasts of the Red Sea. Costa Voyage launched from Italy, passed by Safaga and Ein Sokhna Ports in Suez and finally reached Sharm el-Sheikh Port. The ship will head to Eilat Israeli Port as its last destination of the trip. Abdel Nour checked the ship and its crew navel services. He also checked the arrival and departure halls on the port. The minister and governor then went to Nabak tourist region in Northern Sharm el-Sheikh. They checked the tourist city, established on seven million meters and cost U.S. $18 billion. The city includes many tourism resorts, international five-star hotels and the largest man-made lake in the world, which can be seen from all rooms, among other man-made lakes. Abdel Nour confirmed during a press conference that huge tourist projects held in Sharm el-Sheikh encourages investors and businessmen to invest in tourism. He added the Ministry of Tourism is responsible for encouraging serious investors to hold tourist investments, which creates new job opportunities and increase the national income. “Tourist facilities are a national fortune and the base for economy,” Abdel Nour said. Abdel Nour also said tourism is affected by current circumstances in Egypt and occupancy rates decreased since 2010. In Sharm el-Sheikh however, tourism rates are higher than any other governorate in Egypt. “We are all partners in attracting tourists, starting from marketing and ending by developing tourism,” Abdel Nour said. Khaled Fouda said Sharm el-Sheikh is making great effort in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism to reach to the highest rates of touristic developments. Fouda also said the tourism sector will witness an increase in demands form all nationalities during the Christmas celebrations. The increasing number of tourists is clear evidence for the security in Sharm el-Sheikh.
