DEMOCRACY IN EGYPT TOURISM SHINE

http://www.turizmhaberleri.com/HaberAyrinti.asp?ID=21811

Consul General of Egypt, Turkey Tourism Nehad Gamal Eldin, Egypt in the near future star will shine with democracy. "He said. 

In Egypt, 30 years after the government on November 28 to 29 after the first round of parliamentary elections held in nine provinces Egyptian stock market is entering the healing process again. The safe environment of tourism in the country, promising to pick up speed ... in Egypt's parliamentary elections held not only in opening the path to real democracy, was also influential in the revival of the tourism sector. Cairo is very peaceful atmosphere prevailed during the elections.This is communicated by the Ministry of Tourism on the situation, "Egypt's increasingly moving towards a real democracy, and political events, not only international human rights, freedom and a better life is a reflection of the efforts made ​​to achieve the''message has been approved in other state authorities. On the second day of the elections took place Egyptian stock market index closed down 5.5 percent rise.This is the first step in the construction of the rise of democratic elections in doubt, investors' concerns about the country's political stability was gidermesiyle. Progress of the selection process in an environment of peace, were appreciated by the foreign press and the authorities. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulated the Egyptians "The election process was peaceful. Egyptians to this process to select new leaders for joining the proud,''he said. The United Nations Secretary General Banki-Moon congratulated the Egyptians for their interest in the elections, democratic elections, emphasized that the change is an important step. Reuters in an interview with Egypt's democratic elections Britain, which describes the transition of the system as a turning point in Egyptian Ambassador James Watt, "Many employees found at the duty station and selection phase of elections, how safe and peaceful environment has seen has taken place,''he said. Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk of the Independent Newspaper in Egypt A scene in a long queue of elections stressed that the European countries to shame. Article published in The Independent, "the morning after a long and rainy the Egyptians, for many years as a growing political apathy is a reaction against compulsory voting foreshadowing flock to places and long lines have formed their opinions''he said. Reporters Without Borders in its report on the elections, elections in Egypt stated that there is no cheating. Reflect the views of the real political choices of citizens in Egypt, the United Nations Charter and the International Declaration of the Parliament also eligible. In addition, Amnesty International, a human rights violation during the selection process by the President announced that gözlemlenmediğini. CNN America, Egypt's parliamentary elections, the votes "described as a''historic votes. Date of elections, describing the New York Times used the following phrases: "Large numbers of groups on the morning of election, the first elections since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak came to the voting places. Even those who have successful results of the vote surprised the Egyptians. '' Egypt's Tourism Consul in Turkey Nehad Gamal Eldin, this topic assesses the following way: "This is a very important milestone on the path to democracy in the new elections. Successfully realized by taking full note of the foreign press and international organizations together with the first elections in our country attracts more attention in tourism. Egypt's star will shine with democracy in the near future.

The Pharaohs have to travel?

Tutankhamun, the young pharaoh, has always been controversial and continues to do so. This time the problem is neither the cemetery nor the reasons for his death is his treasure itself is in question. For nearly seven years, 131 antique pieces that are part of the treasure of the young king move between the different customs airports and showrooms in several countries including Australia, the United States and various European countries. Voices anxious about the Egyptian heritage stood recently in Egypt for the return of the treasure, for fear the loss of parts or their falsification. While some are against the departure of the Egyptian pieces abroad, others on the contrary encourage the idea. This not only through the enormous income gains of Egypt by the amounts paid insurance, but also to free communication for the Egyptian tourism, prompting tourists to visit the country indirectly to watch thousands of other antique pieces in their original context.

The story actually began when Dr. Noureddine Abdel- Samad , CEO of archaeological sites, filed a lawsuit against Zahi Hawas , Minister of State for Antiquities at the time for holding the exhibition of Tutankhamen in many countries, containing unique pieces of the treasure of the young pharaoh, which constitutes a violation of the law 117/1983 ratified by Law 3 / 2010, which provides the opportunity to expose only the parts repeated. Another offense took place: the signing of the contract of an exhibition with the National GeographicSociety because contracts must be signed between governments and not between companies or organizations.

The record of exhibitions abroad is not new. It goes back many years and the case came Tutankhamun lance the boil. In 1993, a lawsuit was filed by writerNeemat Ahmad Fouad, Abdel-Hamid Zayed and Mohsen Khalil against Abdel-Halim Nureddin , who was at that time Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), and Farouk Hosni, a former Minister of Culture, when they took the decision to send 72 Egyptian pieces in Japan. The court decided to stop the holding of the exhibition. "There is a decision from 1994 that denies the conduct of archaeological exhibitions abroad. Unfortunately, this verdict, like many others was not respected, "laments Abdel- Samad . The latter trial has divided the archaeologists.

Another danger threatens

For its part, Kadry Kamel, expert restoration, see that these parts belong to the ancient Egyptian people and no one can withstand the deterioration of the smaller room. "Although the amount of insurance is huge, you should know that the masterpieces are all priceless Egyptian irreversible," says Kamel. He added that another danger threatening these parts is tampering with methods become very sophisticated. Especially that the CSA has canceled the use of the mark on the archaeological pieces on loan for exhibition. The imprint ensured that the room is well out of Egypt 's orginale who returns. A matter that denies MohamadAbbas , a member of the Committee of exhibitions abroad to CSA, which ensures that archaeologists of this organization are the mark of any part from abroad. It indicates that the holding of exhibitions through other complicated procedures, in addition to imprint, which guarantee the safety of parts to the highest degree. He says that when the CSA receives a request to hold an exhibition, many negotiations are held to determine the details. Then come the approval of the committee shows, the CSA and the Prime Minister. "A group of archaeologists following the operations of packaging and transport to keep the pieces. An archaeologist, a restaurant and a police officer take away the parts right out of the country until their return, "says Abbas .

For his part, Dr. Raafat Nabarawi , Professor of Archaeology at Cairo University, approved the holding of exhibitions abroad, especially that of Tutankhamun, the remainder of his contract. And that in order not enter trials that could be costly to Egypt. In addition, it is a very good campaign for tourism in Egypt, especially as the country suffers a fall in tourist numbers. Dr. Ahmad Said, professor of archeology at Cairo University, agrees, adding that the exhibition should take place within the framework of the law that regulates them, and provided that the parts are not unique or run the least risk, such as mummies. For him, the income of these exposures that reach over $ 2 billion contribution to the work of excavation, restoration and archaeological missions in Egypt.

This whole controversy regarding the return of treasures Thoutankhamon that pushed Mohamad Abdel- Maqsood , former secretary general of the CSA, to launch on the social network Facebook a referendum on the Leaving or no exposure to Tutankhamun take right now in Houston, United States (see box).An act that has generated much criticism from archaeologists. It now awaits the decision of the new general secretary of the CSA, Dr. Mustafa Amin, who has just elected a new committee for exhibitions abroad to make a final decision on these issues.

http://hebdo.ahram.org.eg/arab/ahram/2011/12/28/doss0.htm

Amr Elezabi, Egypt Tourist Authority

Written by Michelle Baran, Travelweekly.com

Egypt's tourism industry came to a standstill in the aftermath of last month's 18-day revolution. Senior Editor Michelle Baran of travelweekly.com sat down with Amr Elezabi, chairman of the Egypt Tourist Authority, in Cairo last week to discuss the impact to the industry and the plan for recovery.

Q: How much has the tourism industry been affected by the revolution and the political uprisings?

A: It has made quite an impact.

Last year, Egypt registered almost 15 million tourists, which was a record, with an increase of 17% compared with 2009.

From 2005 to 2010, our increase in the number of tourists was 80%.

Even though the events began in January, January was a good month. We registered almost 12% [more than in January 2010].

For February, I don't have the final figures, but we suppose it will be, maximum, between 15% and 18% of what it was [for] February last year.

Q: How much tourism revenue has the country lost?

A: We estimate that we have an average revenue of $25 million [per day]. So you multiply $25 million [by] the number of days from Feb. 1, and you will have a rough figure.

Q: How much do you stand to lose?

A: We have [several] scenarios. The first scenario is that from here to the end of April, we will have more or less 30% of the movement of last year.

In summer, we'll have between 50% and 60%, and we think that from October -- it will vary from market to market -- we'll have between 80% and 90% of the market.

Q: How important is tourism to Egypt's overall economy?

A: Egypt tourism represents 11% of the [gross domestic product]. So it is very important to the Egyptian economy.

Directly and indirectly, there are 2.5 million people working in tourism.

If you multiply this by the average number per family, you will have at least 10 million people depending on tourism.

Q: Is the biggest challenge you face now that travelers are electing to postpone their trip to Egypt until 2012?

A: We were just at ITB in Berlin, and I think we had one of our most successful ITB fairs. ... We had, I think, one of the most successful press conferences in the history of ITB, with 250 journalists there.

Now there is the highest degree of awareness of Egypt worldwide. I'm sure that this awareness is potential for the coming years.

For sure, I'm foreseeing an increase in terms of numbers. The thing is how to transform the awareness into a decision now.

It depends on a lot of factors. First of all, that we communicate ... a clear message about the possibility of tourism now, that the country is running, all the tourism infrastructure is running well, all the hotels are open, the destinations are there, the pyramids are there -- they didn't move.

All the touristic and archaeological sites are open.

And the situation is calm, there are no problems.

Q: What would you say to people who are concerned about ongoing demonstrations?

A: Now, after the revolution, there are many more social demonstrations than there were before. The only thing in Egypt is that this is new.

Egypt is living, effectively, the first step of a clearer democratic system, with a lot of elements experiencing new ideas, new practices that were not there before. And people must get used to it.

We are closer than ever to the democratic values of the West.

Q: There's a sense that crime has gone up because of a lack of central government, that there is more lawlessness. Would you say Cairo is as safe today as it was prior to the revolution?

A: Cairo was an extremely safe city. So if there is a sense that crime is increasing in Cairo, I must tell you, it will be the difference between a totally safe city and the normal rate of crime.

The truth is, Cairo is a safe city. ... Our revolution, as it was communicated by President Obama, was a peaceful revolution. But the thugs in such situations get the profit out of it.

Things are now getting calmer and calmer, and I think Cairo can now be considered a safe city.

Q: Your job is promoting Egypt, but obviously Egypt is becoming something else. How are you rebranding the product that you are selling?

A: The question is how to operate change within continuity.

What we did at ITB, for example, we kept some of our visuals and we added some slogans that were relating between the revolution and hospitality.

We had our logo and slogan: "Egypt, where it all begins."

The new beginnings happening here in 2011, it's an open end. But how to reflect this idea on the creative aspect?

We are working on it.

Q: Will there be a launch date for a new, post-revolution campaign?

A: Regarding our strategy, everything is changing day by day.

Q: How has your funding been affected?

A: Our budget is from the Ministry of Tourism. For now, we don't suffer.