Egypt is keen on stimulating tourist arrival rates and raise it 30 million annually, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani stated on Saturday in a TV statement. Tourism represents a huge part in regards to the national income, and millions of Egyptians are associated with the sector, he added.
Al-Anani declared that he has appointed a vice-president for the Egyptian Tourism Authority, a consultant to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for tourism promotion, a head of the central department for international tourism, as well as a head of the central department of internal tourism.
He emphasized that his decisions are targeted at advertising Egypt tourism.
In 2019’s cabinet reshuffle, the government came to a decision to amalgamate the ministries of tourism and antiquities under Al-Anani. In 55 years, it was the first time to have these two ministries merged together.
While commenting on the merging, Al-Anani explained that it was not a new thing, adding: “We do not reinvent something new. Tourism and antiquities were under one ministry in the period from 1964 to 1966.”
He highlighted the fact that many countries worldwide have similar ministries.
Also, the Minister emphasized that Egypt’s tourism movement is mainly cultural and beach tourism, so the state was determined to return to the old ministry portfolio.
Al-Anani explained that the Ministry of Aviation for first time will introduce air flights between Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Luxor airports.
Also, the Ministry of Aviation will cut the prices in terms of domestic flights, highlighting that flight prices were in need to be reviewed.
Furthermore, a decision was taken to help the tourism defaulters with reducing benefits, increasing repayment periods, and dropping some arrears.
Al-Anani confirmed that a decision was taken to postpone the administrative detention of the defaulters in the tourism sector.
