EGYPT COUNTRY PARTNER in ITB Berlin 2012

www.egyp.travel

Egyptian tourism will be witnessing a prime event during 2012, as Egypt has been named Country Partner in the ITB Berlin 2012, which will take place during the period from March 7th to March 11th, 2012. Egypt will be the first Arab Country to be hosted as a Country Partner in the ITB Berlin.


The ITB Berlin hosts around 170,000 visitors, and is considered the largest international congregation for experts in the tourism industry.This prime event provides Egypt with an ideal platform and a unique opportunity to present its diverse touristic portfolio , which makes it one of the world’s most attractive holiday destinations all year round to the German and international markets .

In this respect, a marketing strategy has been developed to maximize coverage and promotion, before, during and after the event. The marketing approach, in collaboration with German Tour Operators, includes intensive advertising campaigns through non-conventional and conventional advertising channels, as well as a public relations strategy that has been launched since the beginning of 2011. The campaign focused on wide participation in all major touristic and cultural events, the launching of press conferences and workshops. In 2011 and during the first months of 2012, the Egyptian Tourism Authority has, and will promote Egypt as a country partner in the ITB Berlin in all exhibitions and international forums, such as the IMEX held in Germany in May 2011, and the WTM held in London.

in November 2011. Besides, a promotional campaign for the event is set on the official website of the Egyptian Tourism Authority” www.egypt.travel” and also through various social networks.
Furthermore, the Egyptian Tourism Office in Frankfurt has been participating in all important events taking place in the various cities of Germany, especially the Tutankhamen exhibition in Wiesbaden held in June 2011, the World Equestrian Festival held in August 2011, the Berlin International Economics Conference held in September 2011, the Global Forum for the Development and Enhancement of Communication between the air carriers and airports in October 2011, as well as, the 4th Annual Golf Tournament, initiated in Germany and was ended in Hurghada, Egypt, with a closing ceremony at Habo Temple in Luxor in December 2011, in the presence of a huge media coverage. The Egyptian Tourism Office in Frankfurt, also exploited all major events held by the German Chamber of Commerce to promote this event , as well as other cultural activities across Germany.

 
Over and above, intensive advertising campaigns, aiming the Trade sector, were launched in major German publications specialized in tourism and travel, as well as, organizing a number of trips for major German tour operators and travel agents, perhaps the most important was a trip in cooperation with the Turkish Airlines in Germany and with Sun Express for charter flights.
In terms of advertisement aiming the public, the Egyptian Tourism office in Frankfurt prepared an intensive campaign to cover the fair before, during and after, using all traditional and non-traditional means of advertising to support Egypt’s media presence, starting January 2012. Also, The Egyptian Tourism Authority will be organizing several events, in Egypt and Germany, to promote this important occasion, which includes a press conference on the 20th of December to announce the event, and will also sponsor a number of artistic events such as the concert of Sama3 Band to be held in January in one of the churches in Berlin, whereby a message of love and peace will be sent from Egypt to the whole world. A second press conference will be held in Berlin in February 2012 to promote Egypt as a key partner in ITB, besides other cultural and artistic events, confirming Egypt’s presence as a prime touristic destination.On another note, Egypt’s Pavillion will be held at Hall No. 23A of the International Congress Center in Berlin in an area covering 2526 m² with the participation of 120 travel agencies and hotels. The “Unique Fusion “and “All-Round Welcome” will be the main themes further expressed through the design of the Egyptian Hall where the Ankh iconic symbol of life, one of the Pharaonic icons of ancient Egypt will be the consistent visual cue for Brand Egypt in the ITB, over and above exhibiting touristic products in Egypt and a model of an Egyptian bazaar will be set, displaying handicrafts products and folkloric activities, to reflect the true Egyptian spirit, offering tourists a unique and lively experience of an old Egyptian souk. The event will also witness the launch of the new advertising campaign, “We Are Egypt,” a message of peace and hospitality sent by the people of Egypt to the whole world, inviting them for an unforgettable experience.

Opening 4th Annual E-Tourism &E-Marketing Conference

The IOETI first conference in Sharm El-Shaikh Egypt held in 2008 drew more than 190 attendees. In December of 2007, IOETI Online Marketing Conference rotated the show to Middle east to reach further into the market. Over 200 attendees spent three days learning about concepts including Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Content Syndication, Web 2.0, Revenue Management and many more topics, with 4 workshop rotations and numerous keynote speeches and panels.

The IOETI Second conference , held December 2009 in El-Gouna Red sea Egypt, hosted over 230 of Middle east leading tourism professionals including Destination Marketing Organizations, Hotel Brands, Tourism Associations, Search Engines, Technology Companies and Tourism Marketing experts. Over the four day event, 8 workshops, 3 panel discussions and 3 keynote presentations addressed critical issues influencing tourism in the middle east with content presented by tourism professionals and internet marketing experts in a non-intimidating, interactive and fun atmosphere.

The IOETI Third conference , In December of 2010 IOETI conference its way to Luxor, for the first Online marketing Conference in upper Egypt . 2010 saw IOETI conference hosted in culturerama Hall and Luxor famous library with over 300 attendees and high profile internet marketing experts from Google and TripAdvisor,Ifitt,Pata,MODUL University,Mobile Marketing Association,Amadeus, Turkcell,Travel Google,YAHOO,Visit Britain,Orange Lab , Microsoft ,InMobi ,Mobinil, Ministry of Communication,ETC,Helwan University, Ministry of tourism Egypt , elevating the conference to new heights. The IOETI Conferences offer a forum with a unique approach to the ever-changing online marketplace and what it means to hospitality suppliers, vendors, hotel groups, individual hotels, tourism operators, travel intermediaries, agencies and other Travel Professionals, Social media and tourism.

Pharaoh exchange

By Jeremy Gates

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoors/travel/pharaoh_exchange_1_4048222
Published on Monday 12 December 2011 00:00

Luxor temple

 

Tour operators and travel agents selling holidays in Egypt are stressing that renewed protests in Tahrir Square, Cairo, should not deter travellers from visiting other areas.

While the Foreign & Commonwealth Office is advising travellers to avoid the square and nearby parts of Cairo, it has no travel warning for the rest of the country.

Yet the number of visitors to Egypt in the second quarter of 2011 showed a massive plunge: some 2.2 million against 3.5 million in the same period of 2010. And large discounts are beginning to appear on holidays there on either side of the festive season.

Olympic Holidays offers a seven-night all-inclusive Christmas package based on the four-star Pyramisa Isis Hotel, set in extensive gardens beside the Nile in Luxor, with flights from Manchester on December 21 and transfers. The package, originally priced at £1,000, has been slashed to £625.

First Choice has slashed the price of seven nights’ all-inclusive from December 18 at a four-star holiday village in Sharm el-Sheikh from £979 to £559, saving a massive £420.

Peter Kearns, managing director of Red Sea Holidays, which is adding El Gouna to its 2012 programme, says: “We have suspended Cairo excursions temporarily until the situation calms down, but in Red Sea resorts and Luxor, everything is business as usual.

“Our customers seem to understand how far away Cairo is from the Red Sea resorts; it is more than 300 miles from Luxor or Hurghada to Cairo, for example.

“The disturbances themselves are confined mainly to Cairo’s downtown area and Tahrir Square which, of course, should be avoided. But Cairo is a huge city and most tourist areas remain completely unaffected.”

“Far from deterring travel to Egypt, sales continue to come in.”

Red Sea Holidays has some great value mid-December packages: seven nights’ all-inclusive at the five-star Grand Hotel, Sharm el-Sheikh, starts at £459, including return flights ex-Manchester.

At rival operator Discover Egypt, Philip Breckner says: “We have not been using hotels in central Cairo for some time, and we house our clients in the outer areas of Giza and Heliopolis. Our tours are operating normally, though we take security advice on a daily basis.”

Longwood Holidays’ Alan Meadows says: “Confidence for Luxor has been returning in the last month, but with Cairo in the news like it is, bookings can be affected for other areas. But Egypt does bounce back quickly.”