Egypt’s tourism minister Mounir Fakfry Abdel Nour claims Egypt’s tourism sector will suffer a 25% drop in revenue in 2011 due to the political turmoil that is taking place.
Speaking in an interview reported by Reuters, the minister added that it would take until September for the industry to get back on track, following the 18-day popular uprising that forced out President Hosni Mubarak.
March figures fell by 60% from last year, Abdel Nour said, crippling figures for a country that has tourism as its top foreign currency earner.
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"Our revenues of 2010 were $12.5bn, we should be 25 percent below that in 2011," Abdel Nour said.
"Egypt is in transition, at the end of the day, and any transition path could be bumpy."
Hotel occupancy rates in the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, remain below 40%, but there is already a global advertising campaign in place.
Furthermore, the tourism ministry is working with young Egyptians who have launched an ‘Egypt is Safe’ campaign, looking at bringing visitors to Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of protests, as an attraction.
"Tahrir square has become a target for tourists to visit, it has become a popular destination," Abdel Nour said.
Despite Egypt having recovered from violent attacks in the past, tourism recovered quickly, however, Abdel Nour said this time it would be more challenging and take more time.
"The name of the game is peace and stability and until the tourist is convinced that security is restored to the country, we will not be able to recoup what we have lost," he said.
"We are doing whatever we can to inform the world that security is prevailing, that hotels and Egyptians are waiting to receive tourists.
"And with this effort, I expect the last quarter of the year to be excellent."
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