Tourism

After a difficult few years following the 2011 revolution, there is renewed hope for Egypt’s tourism sector, with 2017 bringing the industry back to growth. While there were positive signs for tourism in 2013 and 2014, before a relapse in 2015, the flotation of the currency in November 2016 has made the Egyptian market more competitive, and the government has also expended significant energy and capital to bring added resilience and revenue streams to the sector. A new assertive strategy to market the country both locally and internationally and upgraded security protocols are combining to give the industry a significant boost. Indeed, the state is helping to build a stronger tourism industry, less reliant on a handful of source markets and more attuned to the diverse revenue opportunities in underutilised segments.

This chapter contains interviews with Gerald Lawless, Chairman, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC); and Ibrahim El Missiri, CEO, Somabay.