Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani met with about 30 investors and hotel managers in Aswan governorate and representatives of the Egyptian Tourism Federation to discuss the conditions of Egypt tourism sector.
During the meeting, Al-Anani listened to their problems and proposals to stimulate tourism, following the hit the sector took due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The meeting came during the minister’s visit to Aswan governorate, to launch the “Enjoy winter in Egypt” initiative from Aswan, on Friday. The launch also coincides with celebrations of marking the golden jubilee of the Aswan High Dam.
During the meeting, a number of issues related to the tourism sector were discussed. Al-Anani started the meeting by reviewing the steps taken by the Egyptian government to support the country’s tourism sector, and maintain its workers.
He said that the ministry is in constant coordination with the relevant ministries, bodies, and authorities to support and advance the tourism sector.
He also reviewed the last meeting with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Minister of Finance, which was held via video conference, where ways of overcoming problems facing investors in obtaining credit facilities were discussed.
The minister also noted the CBE initiative guaranteeing the Ministry of Finance the finance to support the tourism sector at an amount of EGP 3bn and 5% return. This finance would ensure salaries and operating expenses are financed. Loans related to the replacement and renewal of hotel and tourism facilities are set at a return rate of 8%.
Al-Anani also referred, during the meeting, to the decisions and measures taken by the government to support the tourism sector.
The investors and hotel managers at the meeting inquired about the “Enjoy winter in Egypt” initiative, launched by the Ministries of Tourism and Antiques, and Civil Aviation, in cooperation with the Chamber of Hotel Establishments.
Al-Anani said that this initiative was launched to stimulate domestic tourism and support the tourism sector and its workers. He added that it will contribute to increasing hotel occupancy rates.
