1M BRITS CHOSE EGYPT HOLIDAYS IN 2011

More than a million British holidaymakers headed to Egypt for their holidays in 2011, despite the political protests taking place in the country.

The Egypt Tourism Authority said that the visitor figures for 2011 made the UK the country’s second largest source market for tourism, after Russia. Germany was Egypt third largest source of visitors last year.

The figures released by the tourism body showed that Brits stay in the country for average of just over 11 days. The estimate given for visitor numbers in 2012 shows that the country is expecting further increases, as airline and travel operators increase their capacity to the destination. Although some civil unrest continues in some parts of the country, it is considered very safe for visitors, especially in the popular resorts and coastal areas.

Egypt offers visitors a wealth of attractions, from stunning beach resorts and the weather to match, to a huge variety of historical treasures. Sharm el Sheikh provides scuba diving enthusiasts with the perfect base for exploring the aquatic riches of the Red Sea as well as all the other water sports activities available in the region. Cairo is the perfect base for travellers more interested in seeing historical marvels such as the Sphinx, the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.

http://blog.cheapholidays.com/1m-brits-enjoyed-egypt-holidays-2011/

New archaeological discovery at the Valley of the Kings

The tomb of Amun Re singer Ni Hms Bastet was discovered in the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank

Nevine El-Aref , Sunday 15 Jan 2012

A deep burial well was found during a routine cleaning carried out by a Swiss archaeological mission on the path leading to King Tuthmosis III’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. The well leads to a burial chamber filled with a treasured collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister of State for Antiquities, said that further inside the chamber, excavators stumbled upon a wooden sarcophagus painted black and decorated with hieroglyphic texts, and a wooden stelae engraved with the names and different titles of the deceased.
Early studies carried out by the Swiss team revealed that the tomb dates back to the 22nd Dynasty (945-712 BC) and it belongs to the daughter of Amun Re, lecture priest in Karnak temples and also the singer of the God Amun Re.
Excavations are now in full swing in order to reveal more of the tomb’s treasured collection.

Egypt implements biometric visa requirement for foreign officials

Egypt imposes biometric visa requirement on officials from Schengen countries, US and UK after those countries imposed the restriction on Egyptian visitors

Ahram Online, Sunday 15 Jan 2012

An Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman has said the officials of 27 Schengen Area countries, plus the United States and the United Kingdom, would have to show biometric visas when entering the country from Sunday.

“Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr has ordered Egyptian embassies in those countries to implement the decision starting from today. We are giving them the same treatment they give us,” the ministry’s spokesman Amr Roshdy said on Sunday.

“The decision will apply to all officials, including those who have diplomatic passports. The employees who work in the foreign embassies in Egypt will also have to follow the new rule.”

The biometric visa is already used in countries that are part of the Schengen agreement.

The decision to apply the measure on Egyptians visiting the Schengen countries, the United States and United Kingdom a few months ago was met with resentment by the Egyptian government.

The biometric visa requires visitors to submit a digital photo and fingerprints for approval.

“Because of the key role tourism plays in boosting the Egyptian economy, the new measure will not apply to ordinary visitors who come to Egypt for tourism,” Roshdy added.