www.bahraintribune.com Nearly 15,000 of the about 1.5 million Arab tourists who visited Egypt in 2004 were from Bahrain, the Chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Authority said.
Ahmed El Khadem told Bahrain Tribune that this figure was expected to go up considerable in 2005. “The numbers are increasing every year and this year is going to be no exception,” said the Chairman after speaking at a road show, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Information. The Undersecretary in the Ministry, Mahmood Al Mahmood, was present on the occasion.
El Khadem said Egypt was poised to make a giant leap in tourism arrivals. “The infrastructure, the facilities and the ‘value for money’ interests in the country are forever on an upswing, notwithstanding the minor hiccups that come from time to time.” He said the recent attacks targetted at tourists were a ‘minor distraction’ that the tourists themselves had learnt to ignore. “The tourist these days is very aware and knows what to ignore and what to take seriously”.
He said overall, 8.1 million tourists visited the country in 2004. “They spent 82 million tourism nights and spent $6.3 billion. We expect to have at least a 20 per cent increase this year.”
El Khadem said over the last few years, several of the Middle east airlines had started direct flights to the Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Shaikh and Hurgadha, while, at the same time, increasing frequency to Cairo. “This is a very positive sign that the sector is booming.”
He said the mainstay of tourism promotion was the participation of the private sector. “That is the reason why we are here to talk with not only the Ministry of Information officials but also with the Bahraini businessmen. These discussions, along with discussions with the members of the media, have gone on very well.”
The Undersecretary, speaking on the occasion, said it was very significant that such a large delegation had come to Bahrain for important talks. “We on our part will assist in what ever way we can and facilitate the travel of people from Bahrain to Egypt.” He said Bahrain and Egypt had long established trade and historical links. “These exchanges can only further strengthen these links.”
Earlier, El Khadem took part in the road show that brought together travel agents from across Egypt and from Bahrain in a bid to promote tourism. |