Egypt's tourism signs marketing deal with Visa

May 25, 2014 CAIRO, Egypt 

The cooperation protocol the Ministry of Tourism signed Sunday with financial services provider Visa aims to use internet marketing to promote Egypt as a tourist destination abroad, according to Minister of Tourism Hisham Zazou.

Egypt’s marketing should not be limited to traditional programmes, as the ministry will use a combination of traditional and modern marketing, he added.

According to Zaazou, the ministry targets to receive 2% to 4% of reservations through internet bookings.

Despite “the signing of the protocol being delayed for two years, it comes as a step in the right direction,” the minister said.

Tarek Al-Husseini, Visa’s regional manager for North and West Africa, said: “Eight million people visited Egypt on the company’s website during the first week of its launch, and we hope to get this number to 100 million.”

The number of internet bookings for Egypt does not exceed 2,000, a very small number compared to other countries, Al-Husseini added.

The minister noted that Egypt needs comprehensive internet marketing in coordination with various airlines and hotels to facilitate the process of visiting the country.

On the issue of bringing tourists to Egypt from the European market, Zazou said: “South Sinai has occupancy rates exceeding 55% despite the existence of travel warnings to the Sinai Peninsula.”

EU countries issued travel warnings for Sinai after a tourist bus was attacked near the Taba border in mid-February. “Incoming tourism to Egypt, especially to the Red Sea, is promising. Average occupancy exceeds 70%,” the minister added. “We hope that European countries lift their travel warnings to South Sinai, especially since there is sufficient security in tourist areas.”

Red Sea Kitesurf World Cup begins May 28th

Kiteboarding in Egypt

Red Sea Kitesurf World Cup begins May 28th

The Red Sea Kitesurf World Cup 2014 is set to take place from May 28th to June 1st at the Palm Royale Resort in Soma Bay, Egypt. Prize money for this new freestyle event is $57,000. The commencement of the Red Sea Kitesurf World Cup, organized by ACT Agency GmbH, will also mark an historic moment as it will be the first PKRA World Cup in Egypt.

Registration: Online registration fee for this event is $110 and it is due by May-15-2014. Late registration or onsite registration will incurr a $25 late fee.

How to get there: Fly to Hurghada Airport Egypt. www.hurghada-airport.co.uk

The transport from the airport in Hurghada to Palm Royale Resort and back is included in the price for the Special Riders Hotel Rate

Please make sure to make your accommodation reservations as soon as possible not later than the 15th of May.

Special Riders Rates (entire event stay)
• 45 US Dollar per night per person (2 pax per room)
• Special Rate includes full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Additional person: 45 US Dollar per night per person (please be aware that only one additional person per rider is possible)
For booking please contact….
• Kim Schumacher
• Schumacher@act-agency.com
• +49 40 414641-57
…and send her the following information:
• Surname and last name
• Female / male
• Time frame in which the accommodation is needed
• Flight infos (day and time of arrival in Hurghada, flight number and day and time of departure)

Water Conditions:
- Flat water conditions
- Sandy ground
- Water temperatures will be expected by 25-26 Celsius

Wind Conditions:
- During the event period we expect an average wind force around 16 – 18 knots,
- At the event site the wind is mostly side-shore from NNW
- 47% > = 4 Beaufort

by WWS/PKRA :http://wakewindandsurf.com/kiteboarding/red-sea-kitesurf-world-cup-begins-may-28th/7762

Egyptian Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou: Egypt will regain its leading position in global and Arab tourism markets

‘Wahashtouna’ 

HE Hisham Zaazou, Egyptian Minister of Tourism, has stated that Egyptian tourism will gradually regain its previous high levels following the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. The elections will serve as a turning point in increasing political stability, as well as enhancing the levels of safety and security over the next few months. These statements were made during a press conference held by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism prior to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) event, which starts tomorrow. 

Zaazou emphasised the significance of ATM to Egypt’s tourism sector, stating that Arabs make up more than 20% of tourists that visit the country’s destinations - particularly Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. 

His Excellency also unveiled a number of exclusive offers that will be available in May 2014 for tourists from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait including a set of direct flights launched from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Tourists from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will also be offered exclusive package rates that will include air tickets and a three night stay in Sharm El Sheikh’s and Hurghada’s most luxurious hotels and resorts, starting from USD400.

These offers are part of the larger ‘Wahashtouna’ campaign launched by the Ministry to promote tourism from Arab and Gulf nations. These exclusive offers are a result of the close collaboration between the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Tourism Authority, as well as with the Egyptian Chamber of Tourism Establishments, Egypt Air and a number of hotels operating in Egypt.

During the press conference, Zaazou also announced the launch of the first ‘Egypt Air’ and ‘Egypt Air Express’ flights from Jeddah Airport to Hurghada, who will be operating two flights per week starting May 20th. Meanwhile, ‘Air Cairo’ flights from Kuwait to Hurghada will kick-off from May 21st and will also be operating two flights per week. Direct flights are also set to be launched soon from Riyadh to Hurghada.

These flights are an addition to the existing 12 to Sharm El Sheikh from Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait operating across four days a week. As a result of these developments, the Ministry is bringing the number of direct flights being offered from Arab countries to Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh to 18 per week.

The Ministry of Tourism is currently negotiating with a number of UAE-based airlines to launch direct flights to Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Aswan this year. Currently Egypt Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) offer direct flights from Jeddah and Riyadh to Sharm El Sheikh.

HE Hisham Zaazou, Egyptian Minister of Tourism said: “The challenges facing the Egyptian tourism industry are unique but at the same time it is important to maintain a true picture of the situation in Egypt. Tourist destinations continue to be safe and secure and are still attracting thousands of tourists from around the world on a daily basis. We want to make it known that Egypt is a strategic, safe tourism destination for Arab and foreign visitors alike.” 

He added: “Despite the obstacles faced by the Egyptian tourism sector in recent years, Egypt still offers the most popular tourist destinations on a global level. Egyptian citizens and the Egyptian government are both committed to the security of our guests and remaining hospitable and welcoming to tourists. Egypt has received more than 32 million tourists in the past three years, 20% of which were Arab tourists. This confirms the massive attraction that Egypt remains to be in the Arab world.” 

He continued: “These exclusive travel packages offered to our Arab neighbors reflect our efforts to boost the tourism sector in Egypt. I would like to take this opportunity to express how much we value Arab tourists – Egypt misses you! - and we will continue to provide exclusive offers to allow them to experience what Egypt has to offer.”

His Excellency concluded that Egypt continues to be keen to draw investment to the nation’s various sectors, in particular; tourism.

He concluded: “I call upon Arab investors to invest in Egypt, particularly in the tourism sector, as we are currently providing them with easy and transparent procedures. In fact, Arab investments represent 9% of the amount of foreign investments in Egypt. Arab investments in the tourism sector amounted to 2.180 billion Egyptian pounds, which reflects the importance of supporting this active sector.”