Tourism official requests meeting with Morsy

[DJKeefy]

Elhamy al-Zayat, the head of the Egyptian tourism chamber, has asked for a meeting with President Mohamed Morsy to discuss the tourism sector.

“The president should know the whole truth. The sector is in dire straits and in real danger of collapse,” he said.

He told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the tourism sector is deeply in debt because of loans taken out during the transitional period, and that investments in the industry are in danger.

He expressed particular concern for the Nile cruise and floating hotel industry, saying that only 10 out of 270 floating hotels are operating.

“The occupancy rate is very low as a result of the security situation,” he said.

Osama al-Ashry, first undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, said that the occupancy rate of floating hotels is 15 percent. He added that in Sharm el-Sheikh the hotel occupancy rate is 45 percent, in Hurghada it is 50 percent, and occupancy is between 25 and 20 percent in Aswan and Luxor.

Zayat expressed his hope that a liberal, competent figure would be appointed as tourism minister during this difficult stage. The next minister must be able to counter negative images of Egypt that spread as a result of incidents such as the recent murder of a student by suspected ultraconservative Islamists in Suez, he said.

Source: http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/to ... ting-morsy

[Horus]

It just goes to prove that regardless of how often some people try to put a good spin on the situation, the savvy tourist knows better and is staying away. Just repeating the old "we must help the Eyptian people" will do nothing, rubbishing reports of increased crime will do nothing, saying how nothing has changed whilst having a vested interest in tourism will do nothing. People are not stupid and neither are they philanthropists, they want to spend their hard earned cash on a safe relaxing hassle free holiday, so until those things return Egypt’s tourism will continue to decline. No one is going to visit an area that has the potential to ruin a planned holiday whether that be from civil unrest or policy changes that deter tourists, it is easier to go elsewhere until things stabilise. The other thing is the travel costs, these form a disproportionate part of holidaying in Egypt. Some people will claim that Egypt is a cheap holiday destination, I say, compared to where exactly? I can easily spend as much on a holiday in Egypt as anywhere else in the world. Forget about your cheap hotels and awful budget flights that some people seek out, this may be called a cheap holiday, but a vast majority don’t book holidays on that basis. You can get holidays in other countries with cheap hotels and awful flights that would be just as cheap, so why they insist on saying it’s a cheap destination is beyond me. If I stay at the Jollie Ville or similar I will pay prices equivalent to going most places in the Mediterranean area or on a short cruise and with the later the entertainment and food on offer will be much better.

For tourism to return in any great numbers they need to actively demonstrate that law and order is fully restored and visible on the streets. The tourist police must be seen to actively intervene and stop abuse or harassment of tourists by touts or other service providers. The lecherous behaviour of some men and open sexual advances towards tourists must be stopped, of course this would not sit well with the new revolutionary ideas as it would smack of returning to a Mubarak type rule. Traders need to be told that two tier pricing is not permitted and is punishable by law, high prices are OK just so long as everyone knows the price, what is not acceptable is downright cheating and attempts to extract money by deceit. Making tourist areas attractive is OK, but stop ruining the very things they come to see, antiquities need to look like an antiquity and that means the surrounding area has to be compatible with that. Clean and tidy is good with some well thought out facilities that don’t impinge upon the experience, but please desist from making everything look like a Disney experience. Tourist don’t expect that people be kept in poverty just so that they can see how others live their lives, but tourist do like to see the differences in peoples culture and living environment. Put a stop to annoying practices like taking peoples video camera off them in the VOK while others are wandering around with still cameras and mobile phones that can record video! Up to date information of what is or is not open for viewing, stop guardians and self appointed guides from constantly offering their services and spoiling the tranquillity of just soaking up the history of the place you are visiting. I could go on, but if only a few changes were made then tourism may pick up again. To me tourists to Egypt fall into two categories, the first time visitor who is so put off by some of the experiences described above that they vow never to return again and others like myself who have persevered because we love the history of the place, but that does not say that I am not also put off by many of the things I have mentioned here.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Excellent post Horus! Couldn't agree more.

I think it is going to take lots of work and planning and then more planning to get the tourism industry going positively in Egypt again. There are so many other competing destinations in the world where you can go for a completely hassle free experience.

I hope Egypt is able to maintain and preserve the antiquities and its rich history so that it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations - but I think a major overhaul of the industry is really due. Hassles, pricing, cheating etc all have to be eliminated from the 'tourist' experience.

[DJKeefy]

Yet another good post bu Horus... Thank you

[Horus]

You are welcome Keefy, I just wish that the people in charge of tourism would take note, it is not rocket science and I would bet that most tourists would agree with what I have said above.