Tourism

There are signs that Egypt’s tourism industry may be set to recover far more quickly than expected from the two months of political turmoil and protests that brought the country’s economy to a near standstill. Visitor numbers are starting to climb, although any rebound will of course be dependent on a prolonged period of stability.

The state government of Sabah is taking the long view when it comes to expanding its tourism industry, placing limits on the number of visitors to pristine natural areas, not only for environmental but also economic reasons.

Indonesia plans to promote its natural and cultural attractions in order to reach its target of 7.6m tourist arrivals in 2011, with an emphasis on “eco-cultural” sights and activities. These are expected to attract well-heeled visitors who spend more and have less of an impact on the environment.

Sharjah is positioning itself as a safe, family-friendly option for holidaymakers, with a selection of attractions and events the authorities hope will make it stand out from the crowd.

The recent Abu Dhabi Formula One (F1) Grand Prix helped the emirate’s policymakers achieve objectives both on a strategic and touristic level, but the government is eager to achieve even loftier tourism goals in 2011.

Although the two biggest tourism events of the year have yet to take place, Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector is registering strong growth and making solid headway on meeting its annual growth target.