Egypt

Egypt's fastest growing sector is tourism, and it is also Egypt's most important income-earner. But the aftermath of September 11 has hit this sector hard, and only the most innovative companies in the sector continue to thrive.

One tourism company that is successfully competing in this environment is the Bahi Travel agency. Set up in 1982, it has developed from a small service company into a globally orientated business. Perhaps uniquely, it deals solely with the Japanese market, and has 22 Japanese staff members

"We have decided our strategy is to stay focused," says Bahig El Gohari, Bahi Travel's founder and president. "The Japanese market has been very good to us, and we believe by sticking with one market, we can grow organically. Our understanding of our customers needs spans the entire tourism services chain from concept creation and idea development to the actual holiday."
Bahig El Gohari, founder and president of Bahi Travel

El Gohari says his success is due in large part to developing a close relationship with Japanese clients, fuelled by frequent personal visits to Japan - and it is an example faithfully followed by the company's management and staff. The closer understanding of Japanese culture this has brought explains Bahi Travel's success in a tough market.

As Bahi Travel celebrates its 20th successful year in Japan, the president remarks: "For many of our customers, their Egyptian visit will be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so we have to be as perceptive as possible in order to deliver everything from the smallest detail to the overall image." It's not a bad recipe for success.

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