Egypt suspends tourism relations with Iran

Egyptian Tourism Minister Hisham Zazou

Egypt’s tourism relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran has been suspended over “national security” reasons, Egyptian Tourism Minister Hisham Zazou says.

“The suspension of tourism with Iran is related to national security," the Egyptian state television quoted Zazou as saying on Tuesday. 

"At the moment, the security situation does not allow the ministry to support travel with Iran, including flights and tourist visits," Egyptian Tourism Ministry spokeswoman Rasha Azaizi also said later on Tuesday. 

Direct air travel between Iran and Egypt had come to a halt after the two countries severed bilateral relations following Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tehran and Cairo, however, moved to improve ties under the presidency of ousted Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi. 

The first commercial flight from Egypt to Iran in more than three decades took off from the Cairo airport for the Iranian capital city, Tehran, in March. 

The two countries had signed a memorandum of understanding earlier in March to boost cooperation in the tourism sector. 

In February, Egypt's Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou signed an agreement on operating non-stop flights between the two countries during a visit to Iran. 

Following Morsi’s ouster in July, however, Egypt stopped flights from Tehran to “re-evaluate our tourism programs with Iran.” 

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Austria lifts travel warning

Cancellation of travel advisory for Egypt

Egypt The Foreign Ministry of Austria repeals, with effect from today (1.10.2013) the previously existing travel warning for travel to the seaside resorts on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba on.

informed the Authority that the arrival and departure of international airports in Egypt easily is possible. Thus follows the countries Germany Austria and Switzerland (their travel instructions or warnings already on Sep 24, see report from 24.09.2013 had) removed. consist Furthermore, according remains Austria's Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning however for Cairo and other major cities, especially in the Delta region, as well as the northern Sinai and the Sahara regions ( The assessment is analogous to the AA Germany ). The further development in Egypt remains uncertain and the overall security situation remains tense, the Office of Foreign adds. Perhaps more fundamentally, is therefore recommended to follow the safety of the hotels and tour operators, as well as to monitor the travel advice and travel warnings from the State Department's attention.

Egypt Travel

Egypt's tourism minister ready to compensate stakeholders in Luxor

The minister of tourism for Egypt Hisham Zaazou admitted that as a whole in Egypt fell by 80 percen.

The Minister issued aid worth LE3 million to those affected by the tourism downturn in Luxor and Aswan governorates during his visit to Luxor.

Zazou emphasized that the number of tourists coming to Sharm al-Sheikh and Hurghada declined by 25 percent compared to the same period last year, since the dispersal of the Rabaa al-Adaweya and al-Nahda square sit-ins.

According to Zaazou, the conditions in Luxor got worse, especially after the one-day trips coming from the Red Sea cities stopped.

Zaazou, however, expressed optimism that the crisis would ease soon.

Zaazou said he would remain in Luxor to receive a high-level German delegation, including media personnel and politicians, before inviting German tourists to Egypt again.

Zaazou said the minister of aviation agreed on domestic flights between Luxor and Hurghada.

Zaazou mentioned that he agreed to the Chamber of Tourism Companies' request in Luxor to have a branch in the London tourism stock exchange.

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