A recently published reports reveals that the number of incoming tourists to Egypt fell by 5.2 percent during the first half of the current year compared with the corresponding period of 2000, according to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily.
Despite the drop, Egypt considers these figures to be relatively small compared to potential lost tourism revenues as a result of ongoing regional strife.
“The figures are positive in light of the atmosphere of tension and violence which the Middle East region is witnessing, which has hit tourism in the region as a whole," stated Tourism Minister Mamduh Al-Biltagi in remarks recently published by Al-Ahram daily.
Nearly 2.1 million international visitors arrived in Egypt during the first half of the current year, compared with 2.62 million during the corresponding period of the previous year, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Economy. –(MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
