In Egypt, after a 15-year hiatus to resume cruises on the Nile

CAIRO, April 2  

Egyptian government decided to resume, after a 15-year hiatus, cruise trip along the Nile from the capital - Cairo to Aswan in Upper Egypt in mid-May of this year, said on Monday, the Egyptian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Faiza Abu Nougat.

This decision was made to restore the flow of tourists into the country to the level preceding the revolutionary events of spring 2011, and confirm the safety of foreign visitors to Egypt - said Faiz Abu Nougat.

At the same time, she reported that at a special cabinet meeting on the development of tourism has been given special attention to the security situation, particularly in the provinces of El-Minya, Beni Sueyf, Sohag and Assiut, in which its cruise itineraries.

"Renewing the water travels up the Nile, Egypt, in fact, says the restoration of security in the country, thus enhancing their own reputation at the international level" - said Abu Nougat.

The Minister also spoke about the Government's intention to declare the city of Luxor in southern Egypt, "a historical monument in the open air." All necessary procedures are completed, added Abu Nougat, and this issue is on the last stage of consideration in the Cabinet of Egypt.

Besides the actual unique river cruises in Egypt, during which the tourists can visit dozens of temples and shrines pharaonic times, particularly in urban areas Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Abu Simbel, traveling up the Nile to bring significant revenues to the state budget. After the revolution of 2011 the flow of tourists into the country fell by almost a third, mainly because of concerns related to safety ratings. Egypt's revenues from tourism fell to 10 billion dollars per year, decreasing by about four billion.