The Egyptian Tourist Authority (ETA) seeks to attract more tourists from Asian and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) as visitors from these countries have largely stayed away since the 25 January Revolution due to political unrest.
The authority will focus on Chinese and Indian markets as they represent two of the world’s fastest growing economies. The ETA aims to raise Indian tourists to 3 million and Chinese tourists to 300,000.
The Cairo-based authority will also try to increase tourism to the Upper Egyptian cities of Luxor and Aswan and the capital Cairo. These destinations have taken a battering by the recession since the popular uprising toppled former long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
The Ministry of Tourism pins its hopes on strong cooperation with EgyptAir Holding Company to make such an achievement.
The average Indian tourist’s spending totals $92 per night, while the Chinese tourist spends an average of $80 per night.
The ETA also wishes to encourage young people to visit Egypt’s Red Sea resorts and other landmarks nationwide.
Meanwhile, the ministry will offer travel incentives to GCC tourists by slashing prices of tourism programmes to $450 for three nights.
European tourists who flock to Egypt annually account for 72% of the total tourist influx, while Arab tourists make up about 20%.
