Egypt’s tourism sector is eying a gradual restoration after revenues plunged by practically 70% to $4 billion in 2020 as a result of coronavirus pandemic, the tourism minister and journey corporations mentioned.
The variety of vacationers visiting Egypt sank to three.5 million final yr from 13.1 million in 2019, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled El-Enany instructed Reuters. International occupancy charges in Egyptian motels dropped to simply 10-15% of 2019 ranges.
Tourism accounts for as much as 15% of Egypt’s nationwide output, and is a key supply of overseas forex.
Officers have been unveiling new archaeological discoveries in an effort to revive customer numbers, and hope the delayed opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum subsequent to the pyramids, anticipated later this yr, will assist the sector get well.
“The objective proper now could be to not rely the variety of vacationers however to have it’s mentioned that Egypt is a secure vacationer vacation spot throughout the coronavirus pandemic,” mentioned Enany.
Of 1,200 motels, 700 have licenses to function beneath present well being restrictions, mentioned Enany.
Egypt plans to start out Covid-19 vaccinations this month after approving China’s Sinopharm vaccine, nevertheless it was unclear how shortly the programme could possibly be rolled out.
“In 2021, with the vaccine, the restoration will likely be incremental,” mentioned Mohamed Farouq, chief government of journey company Egypt Specific. “Will probably be sluggish … till this virus is completely managed.”
On Sunday, Egypt’s central financial institution prolonged waivers on debt curiosity funds for vacationer corporations and different companies till the top of June.
After a second wave of infections in Egypt in December, even bookings that had been postponed have been cancelled, mentioned Elhamy Mostafa of Emeco Journey.
“We all know that the issue isn’t solely Egypt, the vacationer can’t journey. Or if he comes again residence, he must quarantine,” mentioned Mostafa. “This downside will persist.”
(This story has been revealed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content)
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