EGYPT is looking East to boost arrivals as numbers from the West continue to slump, owing to economic ills plaguing Europe and Egypt’s political turmoil.
Traffic into Egypt nosedived 40 per cent in the first six months, Egyptian Tourism Office data shows. Russia, its biggest source, has slumped 30 per cent since the January 25 revolution.
Tourism director Adel El Masry said Asia, which comprises around a fifth of arrivals, offered better prospects for Egypt for the foreseeable future as it had outperformed traditional source markets in growth. “In 2010, arrivals from Asia rose 36.6 per cent over 2009, compared to the overall average of around 20 per cent. Asia is our future.”
His strategy to grow Asia is to offer niche products and work closely with major tour operators across Singapore, India, Malaysia and Thailand.
“For Singapore we will focus on golf and diving; for India and Thailand, honeymoons; and Malaysia, cultural and religious attractions,” he said.
A new campaign will be launched in 1Q2012.
Masry said: “Tourists are avoiding Cairo, and Nile cruise tours, a popular option with European tourists, have really suffered. Resort towns along the Red Sea and Sharm el Sheikh have performed better in recent months. We hope arrival figures will improve significantly once the Egyptian presidential elections are held in March or April.”
George Fawzi, president and CEO of Excel Travel in Cairo, said volume had increased 60 per cent so far this year but was still below previous levels. “Nevertheless, the situation is slowly but surely getting better,” he said
Shravan Bhalla, CEO of High Flyer India, said Indian holidaymakers were gradually returning to Egypt. “However, the same cannot be said for MICE. Some of my clients are switching from Egypt to Turkey,” he said.
– Read more in ITB Asia 2011 Official Daily – Day 3 issue
