Egypt's minister of Tourism has unveiled a six-point plan designed to win back tourists to the country - but it doesn't mention security, the main problem affecting recent arrivals, which fell by 40 per cent in the first four months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2014.
Announcing the '6x6 Tourism Impact Plan', Yehia Rashed said he hoped it would 'revive the fortunes of the critical tourism sector'*.
The six themes are:
- Working with international tourism partners.
- Working in partnership with Egypt's national carrier, EgyptAir, to develop new destinations, and to support charter and low cost airline companies in bringing more tourists to Egypt.
- Enhancing Egypt's tourism infrastructure by supporting investors and innovating with new ideas.
- Raising the bar by meeting the highest international standards through upgraded product and service levels at tourist facilities.
- Working to bring foreign direct investment to Egyptian tourism.
- Developing the growing trend in Egyptian tourism of sustainable eco-friendly accommodation, transportation and activities.
*Egypt's tourism was severely hit after a plane crash at Sharm el Sheik was blamed on terrorism. A group linked to Islamic State (IS) said it had placed a bomb on the plane, which had just taken off from the airport.
The UK's Department for Transport then ordered UK airlines to cancel regular services to Sharm el Sheik - a ban that is still in place.
Egypt's minister of Tourism has unveiled a six-point plan designed to win back tourists to the country - but it doesn't mention security, the main problem affecting recent arrivals, which fell by 40 per cent in the first four months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2014.
Announcing the '6x6 Tourism Impact Plan', Yehia Rashed said he hoped it would 'revive the fortunes of the critical tourism sector'*.
The six themes are:
- Working with international tourism partners.
- Working in partnership with Egypt's national carrier, EgyptAir, to develop new destinations, and to support charter and low cost airline companies in bringing more tourists to Egypt.
- Enhancing Egypt's tourism infrastructure by supporting investors and innovating with new ideas.
- Raising the bar by meeting the highest international standards through upgraded product and service levels at tourist facilities.
- Working to bring foreign direct investment to Egyptian tourism.
- Developing the growing trend in Egyptian tourism of sustainable eco-friendly accommodation, transportation and activities.
*Egypt's tourism was severely hit after a plane crash at Sharm el Sheik was blamed on terrorism. A group linked to Islamic State (IS) said it had placed a bomb on the plane, which had just taken off from the airport.
The UK's Department for Transport then ordered UK airlines to cancel regular services to Sharm el Sheik - a ban that is still in place.
