The Egyptian tourism industry is suffering serious losses due to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and the outflow of tourists from these countries, and now the Egyptian authorities are looking for alternative markets, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled al-Anani told Al Shorouq on Monday.
"After tourism was hit by the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, we have been looking for alternative markets, one of which is the British market," he said, noting that tourists from Britain have always had a significant share in the Land of the Pyramids. "We welcome tourists from all over the world and strive to provide them with the best services and facilities for a comfortable holiday in Egypt," he said.
Russia and Great Britain have topped the list of vacationers in Egypt over the years. In the last six years, when after the crash of a Russian airliner in Sinai and the death of 224 people air links with resorts were closed, the leading positions were taken by citizens of Ukraine. Russians chose to vacation in Egypt quite rarely, reaching the Red Sea on their own through Cairo or third countries.
Air service to the resorts was resumed in August last year, the first charter flights flew only in November. In early March, flights from Russia to Egypt completely stopped, Russian airlines would only arrange flights for tourists to return home. Thousands of Ukrainian tourists are also stuck in Egypt and are being assisted by Egyptian authorities in their accommodation and departure from the country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS