Egypt is the world’s second fastest growing tourists destinations for 2017, according to new report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
UNWTO reported that Palestine is the first fastest growing market destination globally.
Although Egypt’s tourism sector has faced harsh circumstances because of the political unrest following the 25 January Revolution and the downing of a Russian aeroplane in 2015, which investigators attributed to terrorism, Egypt remains one of the important touristic destinations.
Since the turmoil that occurred after the 25 January Revolution, many nations have warned their citizens from coming to Egypt because of terrorism in the country. Furthermore, the UK government still refuses to let airlines fly to Sharm El-Sheikh. Britain is the only European nation apart from Russia not serving the holiday resort.
However, that hasn’t stopped other nationalities flocking to the country which has witnessed a 5% spike in international tourist arrivals in the current year and is on course to welcome nearly 8 million holidaymakers in 2017 (though that’s still well below the 14 million who visited in 2010).
Meanwhile, the report also highlighted the holidaymakers’ increasing appetite to travel beyond traditional destinations and forge paths on roads less travelled. The presence of Mongolia and Nicaragua in the top ten is testament to that.
Having Egypt and Tunisia in the top ten proves that these countries have the ability to bounce back after a string of terrorist attacks following the Revolution.
Similarly, group specialist G Adventures is reporting a rise in trips to Egypt and Jordan with a year-on-year increase of 19% and 42% respectively. While Jordan hasn’t suffered the insurrection or terrorism of its neighbours Syria and Iraq, its tourist industry has been harmed by association.
Managing Director of G Adventures Brian Young told the UK’s iNews that his agency is excited to see the return of travellers to Egypt and Jordan, and the lifting of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) ban for Tunisia will help place the region in a more favourable light. The Pyramids and Petra are still high on people’s bucket lists, so it’s more of a matter of when, rather than if, travellers return.”
Number of tourists in Egypt reached 8 million in the first few months of 2017, according to Telegraph.
Destinations worldwide received 369 million international tourists (overnight visitors) in the first four months of the year, 21 million more than in the same months of 2016 (an increase of 6%), according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.
The January-April period usually represents some 28% of the yearly total and covers the winter season of the Northern Hemisphere and the summer season of the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the Chinese New Year and Easter holidays, among others.
International tourist arrivals worldwide grew by 6% in January-April of 2017 compared to the same period last year, with business confidence reaching its highest levels in a decade. Sustained growth in most major destinations and a steady rebound in others drove results. Prospects for May-August 2017 remain high, according to UNWTO.
