Egypt looks to the future. The Congress Fiavet in Luxor

Minister Hisham Zaazou

"Egypt is safe" was the clear message of the Egyptian Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou spoke at the press conference that was held as a tradition Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. «The whole world needs to know that Egypt is a safe country where tourists are enjoying a wonderful holiday in the sun without limitation: the only way to prove it is to offer a live streaming with big screens in public spaces such as stations - said Zaazou . "I asked for and received approval for registration of a world message from our President to invite tourists to return to Egypt." In 2012 Italians in Egypt were 780 thousand with 45% of repeaters. "In the past the Italian market recorded over a million arrivals, we must return to those numbers. Already for 2013 we have this data in order to reach one million tourists from Italy and for this in the next 2-3 months will invest in shares of PR, advertising on travel magazine, co-marketing activities with Italian tour operators. " Meanwhile, as shown great support to the destination, next April Fiavet decided to hold its annual conference in Luxor. "We are going to Luxor with travel agents to reassure Italian tourists and convince them that Egypt is a safe country - said Fortunato Giovannoni, President National Fiavet. The Nile, Luxor and Aswan are the two places that most are suffering the decline of tourists. "To help the Egyptians I only ask one thing: come to Egypt -   the passionate appeal of the Minister. The plans of the Ministry of Tourism is the further development of tourism in the Red Sea and especially the northern coastal area of El Alamein. "These 65 kilometers of coastline on the Mediterranean will be the new pearl of the Egyptian tourism - stressed Zaazou, who concluded his speech by stating that they will continue to support the activities of tour operators and travel agents to increase charter flights from Italy real seaside resorts like Marsa Alam and archaeological sites such as Luxor.

Egypt sees half a million Polish tourists in 2012

Egypt saw an increase of tourists in 2012 compared to 2011, including over half a million Poles.

Half a million Polish tourists visited Egypt in 2012, and the number is expected to increase in 2013, stated Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou on Wednesday.

Zaazou, speaking during a press conference with the Polish tourism minister in Egypt, said that Poland is becoming one of the top five countries sending tourists to Egypt.
Poles prefer beach tourism, and the Egyptian government should continue facilitating their entry to the country, Zaazou said.

Polish minister Katarzyna Sobierajska said that Egypt is one of the safest tourism destinations for Polish visitors.

German tourists travelling to Egypt reached 500,000 in the first half of 2012, a rise of 33.6 per cent on the same period in the previous year, according to official figures.

Around 10.5 million tourists visited Egypt in the first 11 months of 2012, a 17 per cent increase on the same period last year, generating some $9.4 billion, which was a slight increase over the $9 billion seen in 2011.

Earlier this month, a number of foreign governments advised their nationals to exercise increasing caution when travelling to Egypt due to political unrest and street protests taking place around the anniversary of the January 25 revolution.

@Dalia Farouk, Ahram Online, Wednesday 13 Feb 2013

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Is it safe to cruise the Nile?

@ http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/simon-calders-holiday-helpdesk-is-it-safe-to-cruise-the-nile-8436292.html

Q. I want to cruise the Nile this year, and stay one night in Cairo. Is it safe to cruise the Nile - and also what about the problems in Cairo?

Name withheld

A. In the past two years, Egypt has undergone intense political turmoil, but to the best of my knowledge no tourist has come to harm as a result of the upheavals. Given the immense importance of tourism to Egypt, and the natural concern that the locals have for visitors' welfare, I do not see that changing.

Cairo is an enthralling city that deserves several days of your time, if you can spare it. The pyramids on the edge of the city at Giza are the main draw, and at present are relatively uncrowded. The Egyptian Museum is another "must" - except if demonstrations in Tahrir Square, alongside it, place it off limits. Keep an eye on the Foreign Office travel advice (at fco.gov.uk); over the past two years, it has proved well-judged.

The upper reaches of Egypt's Nile, where you are likely to be cruising, have remained calm - though life for the communities has proved extremely stressful because of the collapse of much of the tourism industry.

Tourists have been the target of deadly terrorist attacks over the decade from 1997, but the main focus recently has been on the Sinai peninsula - well away from where you will be spending your time.

My main concern for your welfare has nothing to do with political instability; it is the much more mundane matter of road safety. Egypt has an appalling death rate, and the less time you spend on the roads the better. Therefore choose a cruise where connections are made by air or rail, if at all possible.

Overall, though, this is an excellent year to visit Egypt.