Tourism

It has been a difficult few years for Egypt’s economically vital tourism sector, in the wake of the 2011 revolution and with civil unrest continuing to occur in the summer of 2013. However, the country still managed to attract millions of foreign visitors, even discounting the number of arrivals who were not tourists per se. However, 2013 may prove tough. The disturbances earlier in the year, and the removal of the Freedom and Justice party-led government of Mohammed Morsi and its aftermath, are not good advertisements, even if the vast majority of foreign visitors remain unaffected. But Egypt’s ability to bounce back strongly from setbacks is well documented, and this should be the case again. The country has ample competitive advantages – its long coastline, the Red Sea, thousands of historical sites, welcoming people and a centuries-old reputation as a choice destination. This chapter contains interviews with ElHamy ElZayat, Chairman, Egyptian Tourism Federation; and Richard Solomons, Chief Executive, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG).