Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Eissa divulged that in press statement.
The surge was announced during a weekly Cabinet meeting.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on 17 January presided this .
The last quarter of 2023 saw the greatest number of inbound tourists.
It recorded 3.6 million to the country, despite challenges the Middle Eastern region witnessed.
Particularly the ongoing conflict between neighbouring countries Palestine and Israel since October 2023 was the greatest challenge.
The record-breaking statistics constitutes an 8 percent increase in comparison with the same quarter of last year.
Minister noted a decrease of 600, 000 tourists from the anticipated goal due to the conflict in Gaza.
According to the Cabinet’s statement, this surge in the increase of tourists is due to several factors.
Eissa has highlighted governmental efforts to supplement new tourist destinations.
The others include activities for those visiting Egypt, facilitate obtaining tourist visas and increase air transport capacity services.
Tourism is a pivotal sector contributing to Egypt’s gross domestic product (GDP), and economy.
Following exports and the remittances from Egyptians employed outside the country.
The tourist industry is the third-largest source of foreign income.
Recognizing this, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has amplified its efforts to revitalize its tourism and travel industry.
It suffered significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ukraine-Russia war.
Notable openings and conservation efforts to highlight are re-opening of the Ben Ezra synagogue, Imhotep Museum and Greco-Roman museum in Alexandria.
It is following renovation and conservation work.
Operation of the Sphinx International Airport as well as the gradual opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum are the other two.
Moreover, from the Citadel in Cairo to Luxor and Karnak temples, the Ministry has been implementing ‘cash-less’ e-payment services to over 120 archaeological and historical sites.
They have hopes of generating a return on foreign currency (USD) into the Egyptian banking sector and increases the flow of foreign currency, which the country has been facing a shortage of.
Egypt saw 11.7 million tourists in 2022 with a probable increase of 28 percent in 2023.
Tags: Ahmed Eissa, Tourism, PM Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt
