Egypt to open 'tourist corridors'
Foreign tourist flow in Egypt In 2020, it decreased by 4 times, and the country is preparing to open “safe tourist corridors” to restore it.
In Egypt, summed up the tourist results of 2020: because of the coronavirus pandemic, tourism revenues fell by almost 70%, to $ 4 billion.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Egypt fell 3.75 times to 3.5 million last year, and 65 percent of foreign visitors arrived in January-February 2020, before the pandemic. Hotel occupancy rates fell to 10-15% from 2019 levels.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani said that the recovery of the country's tourism sector will be gradual, it should begin in March-April 2021.
According to Al-Anani, the main task of Egypt’s current tourism policy is to inform international travel companies and travelers that Egypt is a safe tourist destination.
Of the 1,200 hotels in the country, 700 are licensed to operate under anti-cove protocols.
Egypt's ambassador to Berlin, Khaled Galal Abdelhamid, said his country would open "safe tourist corridors" for the summer of 2021. This scheme involves limiting the maximum number of passengers on board the aircraft, diagnosing for coronavirus when entering Egypt and leaving the country.
Germany will be the first to offer the new scheme as Egypt’s largest inbound market. In 2019, 1.9 million German tourists rested in Egyptian resorts.
First, the system of “tourist corridors” will be tested in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. In the winter season 21/22 it will be distributed to the resorts of Mars Alam and El Gouna.
“Tourist corridors” will open in the summer of 2021, but perhaps this format will work earlier – in April or May.
Source: atorus